The Watchers

 

The Watchers, a supernatural horror fantasy film, marks the directorial debut of Ishana Night Shyamalan, daughter of filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan. Based on A. M. Shine's 2021 novel, the film follows Mina (Dakota Fanning), a 28-year-old artist who becomes trapped in an untamed Irish forest with three strangers, stalked nightly by mysterious creatures.

The film's premise was intriguing, blending elements of Irish folklore into a unique horror narrative while showcasing the breathtaking Irish landscape. However, as critic Katie Rife from AV Club noted, "The Watchers is clearly a first film, with the promise and the problems that come with it." This assessment aptly described the movie’s struggles with pacing issues and underdeveloped characters, making it difficult for me to connect with or root for them.

Ishana Shyamalan's directorial style had a striking resemblance to her father's work, with its eerie atmosphere and signature plot twists. While this familiarity might appeal to fans of M. Night Shyamalan's films, it also raised questions about Ishana's ability to establish her own unique voice as a filmmaker. The nepotism was evident, down to M. Night Shyamalan producing the film. With that being said, some might find it challenging to separate The Watchers from M. Night Shyamalan's works.

Despite its shortcomings, the film did explore interesting themes around personal growth, second chances, and the complexity of being an outsider. The third act featured a well-executed plot twist that, while somewhat predictable, did help to add to the overall narrative.

In the end, Ishana Night Shyamalan's directorial debut showed promise but fell short of being a truly captivating horror experience.

Kraven the Hunter

 

In Sony's latest Marvel film, Kraven the Hunter, Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as Sergei Kravinoff, also known as Kraven. The story explores Kraven's complicated relationship with his ruthless father, portrayed by Russell Crowe. This dynamic drives Kraven on a path of vengeance, pushing him to become the world's greatest hunter and one of its most feared figures.

Despite its intriguing premise, the film's execution falls short. The script is filled with corny dialogue, and the villains lack the necessary menace to be credible threats. The CGI, particularly in depicting the villain, fails to create a sense of realism that could have heightened the stakes. While the action sequences are creative and entertaining, they often feel disconnected from a cohesive storyline.

The soundtrack enhances the film's atmosphere but cannot compensate for the shortcomings in character development and plot coherence. Additionally, there is a notable lack of diversity in casting, with only Ariana DeBose representing a person of color. She performs well despite the limitations of her role. Although Taylor-Johnson is a talented actor, his portrayal in this film feels more like an opportunity to showcase his physique rather than an avenue for genuine acting depth. The film prioritizes visual appeal over substance, leaving viewers wanting more from the script. Furthermore, Crowe's inconsistent Russian accent distracts from his character rather than enhancing it.

Overall, while Kraven the Hunter offers moments of excitement and fun, it struggles to establish itself as a standout entry in Sony's Spider-Man Universe. The film may attract fans seeking action-packed entertainment, but it ultimately falls short in storytelling and character depth.

The Merry Gentlemen

 

The Merry Gentlemen is a charming holiday rom-com that fits snugly within the Netflix Christmas Cinematic Universe (NCCU). Directed by Peter Sullivan, this film stars Britt Robertson as Ashley, a former Broadway dancer who returns home only to discover that her parents' small-town nightclub is in trouble. The plot unfolds as Ashley decides to stage an all-male Christmas-themed revue, leading her to cross paths with Luke, played by Chad Michael Murray.

Robertson and Murray gave performances that were steady and reliable, staying within their comfort zones without pushing the boundaries of their acting range. While neither actor delivered a career-defining performance, their chemistry was palpable and provided a solid foundation for the film. The movie also featured clever nods to other films in the NCCU, enhancing its charm for fans of the genre.

Although the film adheres to the typical rom-com formula, complete with predictable plot twists, it succeeds in being an enjoyable distraction for viewers looking for lighthearted entertainment during the holiday season. With its festive spirit and easygoing narrative, The Merry Gentlemen is perfect for those wanting to unwind without much thought.

A Christmas Story

 

A Christmas Story, directed by Bob Clark and released in 1983, is a holiday classic that transports viewers to the 1940s through the eyes of young Ralphie Parker, played by Peter Billingsley. The film is based on the writings of Jean Shepherd, who also provides the narration of Ralphie's journey and singular obsession with securing a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.

The themes around the essence of childhood longing and family dynamics drive the narrative, as Ralphie navigates the challenges of convincing his parents, teacher, and even Santa Claus that the gift he wants is essential to his happiness. While the film is often celebrated for its charm and humor, it will not resonate with everyone. The heavy use of voiceover was distracting from the storytelling, as it felt excessive at times.  Additionally, about halfway through the film I could feel my interest waning from boredom, as the story wasn’t very engaging to me.

For a 1980s film I did appreciate seeing some diversity in the casting, even though they were primary background actors with no lines. As for the main cast, there were many moments where the performances were cringe worthy rather than comedic because of prevalent overacting.

Despite these shortcomings, I am aware that A Christmas Story holds a significant place in American culture as a beloved holiday staple. In 2012, it was preserved in the United States National Film Registry for its cultural and historical importance. The film's ability to evoke nostalgia through its soundtrack and memorable phrases resonated with many viewers; however, others may find that it doesn't age well and lacks the engaging quality they hoped for.

The Six Triple Eight

 

Tyler Perry's The Six Triple Eight highlights the true story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit to serve overseas during World War II. The film portrays their strength and resilience against bigotry while showcasing the contributions of African American women to the war effort. Kerry Washington stars as Major Charity Adams, the first African American woman officer in the Women's Army Corps (WAC).

The casting was full of beautiful, uniquely different women of color. While Washington delivered a competent performance, I felt like she lacked the intensity expected from a pioneering leader facing significant racial and gender discrimination. Additionally, with such a large cast, some characters felt underdeveloped due to limited screen time. This detracted from the emotional impact of certain story arcs, leaving me wanting more depth from specific individuals.

The film effectively captured the women's camaraderie and their mission to process millions of pieces of backlogged mail, emphasizing their motto, "No mail, low morale." Even though the pacing was slow at first, as the story unfolded, it picked up momentum, ultimately drawing me in so that by the end, I was fully invested in their journey

In the end, The Six Triple Eight is an important film that sheds light on a neglected chapter of history, making it a valuable watch for both history enthusiasts and casual viewers. It offers a fresh perspective on World War II through the eyes of those who were historically erased.

It's a Wonderful Life

 

Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 holiday classic that explores profound themes of community, redemption, and the value of life. The film follows George Bailey, played by James Stewart, who sacrifices his dreams to support his family and community. On Christmas Eve, facing despair, he contemplates suicide, prompting the intervention of his guardian angel, Clarence.

While the story carried significant emotional weight and the film’s soundtrack effectively enhanced its emotional themes, Stewart's performance felt overly dramatic at times, detracting from the film's impact. The casting choices also raised eyebrows; Stewart, at 37, portrayed a character aging from 21 to 38, which was hard to accept. Additionally, the film featured only one Black character, depicted in a stereotypical role, highlighting its outdated approach to diversity.

The script contained corny moments and reflected antiquated views on gender and discipline—scenes involving physical aggression towards women and children felt jarring by todays standards. At 130 minutes, the pacing dragged at times, particularly in the first half.

In the end, while I can acknowledge that It's a Wonderful Life is a beloved classic for many due to its uplifting message about the interconnectedness of lives and the importance of kindness and community support, I also recognize that it may not resonate as well with today's audiences. For first-time viewers, the film's outdated themes and problematic elements make it less ideal, and it may not be worth revisiting for those familiar with more contemporary storytelling.

Carry-On

 

Carry-On is a Netflix-produced Christmas action thriller directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. The film stars Taron Egerton as Ethan Kopek, a TSA agent who finds himself blackmailed by a mysterious traveler, played by Jason Bateman. Set on Christmas Eve at Los Angeles International Airport, the plot revolves around Ethan being coerced into allowing a dangerous package to slip through security.

While the concept was engaging and set up a tense atmosphere, the storyline quickly became formulaic, with predictable twists that detracted from the suspense. The script often veered into unrealistic territory, leading to moments that felt frustratingly corny.

Despite its shortcomings in plot development, Carry-On featured a diverse cast that added some freshness to the holiday thriller genre. However, this diversity was overshadowed by insufficient character development across the board. The characters' arcs felt underexplored, which hindered audience investment in their stories.

In the end, Carry-On did not offer much in the non-traditional holiday movie category. Its predictable plot and lackluster character development ultimately hindered its potential to stand out in the genre. For viewers looking for depth alongside their thrills, this film may not have fully satisfied their cravings for a compelling Christmas narrative.