Oct 6

Oct 6 Brad Peyton's “Atlas”

Action, Artificial Intelligence, Popcorn, Robots, Science Fiction, Violent, Netflix

I'll just say it: I thoroughly enjoyed this Netflix movie. While much of it feels like pure cheese, there’s a lot to like if you're just looking for a good time:

Jennifer Lopez delivers a solid performance as the lead character.
The production design strikes a good balance between familiar and futuristic, with a definite comic book vibe—and I mean that as a compliment.
The special effects are fast, furious, and fun.
The story makes good use of a classic action movie principle: things don’t always go according to plan when you’re dropping military forces onto a hostile alien planet!
There’s even a surprising twist towards the end of the movie.

As I mentioned, it's a bit cheesy, especially in its portrayal of AI, but if you’re willing to overlook some familiar tropes and are in the mood for a fun popcorn flick with a dynamic lead, Atlas won’t disappoint.

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Brad Peyton's “Atlas”

Len Wiseman's "UNDERWORLD"

Joe Carnahan's "BOSS LEVEL"

Roar Uthaug’s "TROLL"

Russo Brothers' "THE GRAY MAN"

Sam Raimi's "DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS"

Chris McKay's "TOMORROW WAR"

Zack Snyder’s “ARMY OF THE DEAD”

Adam Wingard's "GODZILLA VS. KONG"

Hong-Seung Yoon's "RESET"

James Mangold's “FORD V FERRARI”

James Wan's "AQUAMAN"

Jon Watts' "SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME"

Chad Stahelski's "JOHN WICK 3: PARABELLUM"

Shane Black's PREDATOR

J.A. Bayona's JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM

Edgar Wright's “BABY DRIVER”

Lu Chuan's CHRONICLES OF THE GHOSTLY TRIBE

Johnnie To's THREE

Zhang Yimou's THE GREAT WALL

David Fincher's GONE GIRL

Let’s also say that what this movie reminded me of was a blended mix of both seasons of True Detective to which is a affixed a fragile but showy veneer of bitter middle-class angst and marital subterfuge, plus a lot of dark humor.

Christopher McQuarrie's MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION

This is a great summer movie and I think this matches and in some ways exceeds the recent Bond films. But let’s not get too serious here. This is a popcorn film of the highest order. We have learned to expect no less from that crazy guy Cruise.

Steven Quale's INTO THE STORM

This is not just one more big city with skyscrapers being torn apart by Marvel or Transformer characters fighting. This is a human scale small town surrounded by cornfields getting smashed by Mother Nature in scenes that are becoming depressingly more common as our climate continues to change for the worse.

Stuart Beattie’s I, FRANKENSTEIN

If you want to put your mind in “park” for 90 minutes this is the film for you!

David Twohy's PITCH BLACK

I recently re-watched this scifi-horror film from 2000 and boy was I impressed.

Hark Tsui's “FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE”

Hark Tsui’s FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE at times reminded me of a Saturday morning cartoon. It’s almost Tom-and-Jerry-like in its portrayal of action and violence. Yet it’s immensely entertaining if only for its exotic locations, diverse costumes, visual splendor, and fascinating facial tattoos.

Guillermo del Toro's PACIFIC RIM

A few times I closed my eyes while watching Pacific Rim and — I swear — I was a little boy again watching humans and their technology duke it out on the big screen with aliens.

Joseph Kosinski's “OBLIVION”

Great popcorn movie. Really enjoyed it. Terrific visuals, interesting variations on familiar themes.

Paul W.S. Anderson's RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION

I really enjoyed the previous Resident Evil movie so I looked forward to this one. I decided to see it in the theater and spent the extra $4 for a 3D ticket. Was it worth it?

Oct 6 Brad Peyton's “Atlas”

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