Tyler Dean

They did it their way! I know this film has limited newer stunts (due to age and health restrictions), plays more like a greatest hits for the entire series, and doesn’t feature a portion of the original cast…. But this team gets to go out doing what they love and what made them a touchstone for an entire generation! Some of the unaired footage shows how fearless and borderline suicidal Knoxville was. I love these stunts as much as anyone, but it’s truly a miracle that these guys are still with us, especially after the bull stunt from the last film! Plus, any film that opens with a Jamiroquai reference, gets an additional half star! 3 and a half / 5 stars!

This is the second and last, truly great film from Neil Marshall. The “one two punch” of *Dog Soldiers (2002) *and this, is astounding. As for the rest of his career, I’m not sure what happened… It’s hard for me to say anything that hasn’t already been said to death but… This one is never discussed as a part of the “Millennial Nasties”, but it most definitely is! Despite not being an American film, and most likely being filmed before, there is so much of the post 9/11 bleakness here. Plus, I think it’s funny that, in order to watch and enjoy the sequel, you have to watch the US happy ending cut. If you watch the original version, the sequel can’t happen… weird choice, but that’s the energy I expect from Lionsgate! 4 / 5 stars!🌟

So… *Hatchet (2006)* with a hippo. Very standard animal attack movie, which I will never be mad at! Fun little weird (true) history lesson about Teddy Roosevelt bringing hippos to Louisiana as a cattle replacement for cow! Can also serve as a “Moo Deng” origin story! Gets an extra half star for the surprisingly well made practical hippo FX shots by Dan Martin (13fingerfx) 2 and a half / 5 stars! 🌟

This film is destined to be hated, simply because it stars a woman. Not to mention, she’s not a Margot Robbie or a Sydney Sweeney, so most men are going to act like she’s the ugliest women to ever exist.  Milly Alcock does a phenomenal job as the titular Supergirl, and I think it was very smart for DC to flesh her character out in her own film, before just dropping her into rest of the franchise.  Now the film is by no means perfect. The cinematography in this leaves much (color) to be desired, and the DC’s CGI continues to have this uncanny, rubbery look that’s plagued these films since the “Snyder-verse” days. This has very strong “Phase One Marvel” vibes, which tracks as it’s a building block in James Gunn’s DCU, but I wish Supergirl were able to take the drivers seat more, instead of being sidelined for the plot and to give Mamoa’s Lobo (who was a highlight), more to do. I’m definitely excited to see Milly’s Supergirl in further films, as she’s bringing an energy that Gunn and Co. use! 3 / 5 stars!🌟