The Union (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Union (2024): A regular Joe construction worker is recruited by an old girlfriend into a high-stakes espionage mission. An action/thriller/comedy that doesn't succeed in any of those genres. A talented cast, mostly wasted. C+

Netflix

Freud's Last Session (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Freud's Last Session (2024): Soon before his death, Freud has a fictitious meeting with C.S. Lewis. Naturally, they debate the existence of God. The arguments are simplistic and unconvincing, which they would have known. Freud's daughter is the most interesting character but is undeveloped. C+

Netflix

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024): In a future desert wasteland, people fight for essentials: food, bullets and guzzolene. The action consists of highway battles on Rube Goldberg war rigs. Only good thing in the movie is Anya Taylor-Joy's eyes, but she's given no dialog. D+

Max

The Serpent Queen (TV 2022)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Serpent Queen (TV 2022): Historical drama based on life of Catherine de' Medici, cunning queen of France in the 1500s. Scheming over religion and succession fill the series with intrigue that builds to an exciting climax that is suspenseful even if you know the history. A-

Prime

#VeryTardyReview

The Instigators (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Instigators (2024): Two losers (Matt Damon and Ben Affleck) pull off a heist that goes wrong each step of the way, but somehow there's always a fallback plan to keep going. A caper comedy that's easy to follow and fun to watch, with more than a few good laughs. B+

AppleTV+

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)

Rotten Tomatoes

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005): Married couple keep a secret from each other: each is a hired assassin. When they find out, each feels the need to assassinate the other. The premise is silly, but it's fun if you don't take it too seriously. The chemistry between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie is real. B-

Netflix

#VeryTardyReview

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (TV 2024): Two new assassins are paired, fall in love, but begin to distrust each other. Different from the 2005 movie in that these two are unsuited for each other in every way, not just that they want to kill each other. Also, they are bad assassins. B-

Prime

Feud: Bette and Joan (TV 2017)

Rotten Tomatoes

Feud: Bette and Joan (TV 2017): Voyeuristic look at two fading movie stars working (and feuding) on and off a movie set. Watching this felt like slowing down to gawk at a traffic accident. Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon are great, maybe because they know what it is to be fading movie stars. B-

Hulu

#VeryTardyReview

My Lady Jane (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

My Lady Jane (TV 2024): Henry VIII's kids (Edward, Mary, Elizabeth, and cousin Lady Jane Grey) vie for the throne. Alternate history that doesn't take itself seriously. Instead of religious war, there are Ethians (animal/human shape-shifters) vs Verities (normal humans). It took time to figure it all out, but when I did, it was a fun watch. B+

Prime

Wicked Little Letters (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Wicked Little Letters (2024): In a 1920s English town, a spinster receives a series of letters filled with foul language. Her neighbor, a young widow, is accused. A woman police officer investigates the crime. Three great performances carry the light, entertaining drama. B+

Netflix

Fallout (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Fallout (TV 2024): 200 yrs after nuclear war, people live underground in vaults. Above, there's a wasteland, where Lucy goes on a quest to find her missing father. The bad guys seem to be the ghouls, but really (spoiler) the bad guys are the ones running the military-industrial complex in the vaults. Based on a shooter videogame, it has more violence than plot or character development. C+

Prime

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024): Comedy requires novelty to elicit laughter. There's a new family living in the fire station, but they get overshadowed by the original characters who are still around, too, making for a too-crowded movie. Show your kids the original instead. D+

Netflix

Ripley (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Ripley (TV 2024): Crime story set in Italy in 1961. A grifter hired to convince a rich man's son to return to the US instead cons him for money. The film noir look (moody B&W shots of moonlight, stairs, water, blood, and a cat) make this a stylish thriller, but with a plot that strains credulity. B+

Netflix

The Signal (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Signal (TV 2024): Germany. Astronaut picks up signal from aliens. Governments want it kept secret, making her and her family targets. The best part is the family drama. The worst parts are the lack of believable explanations for the govt response and for the aliens themselves. C+

Netflix

The Beekeeper (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Beekeeper (2024): A "beekeeper" is a special forces operative charged with protecting US interests (the hive). Oh, the title character is also a literal keeper of bee hives. Silly. He becomes a one-man wrecking ball meting out extra-judicial vengeance against some bad guys. All who try to follow the law (police, FBI, CIA) become his victims, too. C+

Prime

Bob Marley: One Love (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Bob Marley: One Love (2024): Biopic of the Jamaican reggae star. The intersection of religion and politics is skimped on. So, too, is Marley's complex personal life, except for one explosive scene with his wife about infidelity. But see it for the music. B+

Prime

The Sympathizer (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Sympathizer (TV 2024): Black comedy about the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Everyone comes out looking bad: South Vietnamese army, Communists, CIA, Hollywood, and Robert Downey, Jr, playing four roles in the same over-the-top way. B-

Max

Dark Matter (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Dark Matter (TV 2024): Bad Jason steals good Jason's identity and family. Good Jason has to find him in an infinity of universes and defeat him. Good presentation of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, but with an infinity of worlds, why care about any one in particular? B+

AppleTV+

Fancy Dance (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Fancy Dance (2024): Set on the Seneca-Cayuga reservation in Oklahoma, a woman goes missing and her sister can't get authorities to care, while she cares for her 13-yr-old niece who looks forward to the mother-daughter dance at the upcoming powwow. A look at indomitable human spirit. B+

AppleTV+

Shogun (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Shogun (TV 2024): Adaptation of James Clavell’s 1975 bestseller about Japan in 1600. More culturally sensitive than the novel. This one is more about power dynamics in feudal Japan than romantic liaison. It's an American production that feels like a Japanese one. Outstanding sets, costumes, and cinematography. B+

Hulu