Black Panther

I detect a metaphor, one that relates to a similar metaphor that first showed itself in...Casablanca? For sure, this is a radically different movie from that earlier production, but there is at least one element that unites the two stories: the question of whether isolationism is or is not a practical policy in today's world. I can't say this film answers that question definitively; all I can say is it gives you something to think about. Indeed, the thinking parts of this movie are its strengths; the contemplative stuff works, and makes a lot of the nonsense a little more human. The action stuff is the usual hodgepodge, and at this point has grown unimpressive. This film certainly gets credit for being visually stylistic and impressive; there's good world-building here, in fine detail all over the screen. And overall, it remains entertaining and holds the interest throughout. But then again, I walked away from the movie appreciating it, but also feeling thankful that I didn't pay to watch it. So good, sure, but nothing close to the masterpiece it was made out to be.

Rogue One

This movie may be 'exhibit A' for the principle that limitations to your storytelling may actually be a good thing. The producers of this flick knew going in what their story was and had to be, based on the parameters established going in by the franchise's original backstory. So they went out and made exactly that story, without messing around and trying to do too much. The result? A film that is clearly superior to The Force Awakens, one which makes nods to the canon but does so without recycling previous content in an egregious fashion. The implication is that this franchise might have more going for it in the future by exploring the spaces in between, rather than completing the main story arc. I can definitely see taking on more of these missions.

Arrival

Is there anyone out there who doesn't love Amy Adams? She's the current leader in the clubhouse in the chase for "current best American actress," and this movie really shows off her talent to the maximum degree. Adams really owns this thing; she commands virtually every scene of the film--a rarity for a woman on the silver screen--and this work is substantially better than it might otherwise be because of it. The storytelling has some problems: there's trickeration going on with the timeline that doesn't seem to justify itself, and the reveal at the end is pretty obvious after a certain point. On the other hand, the presentation is quite stylish, and is commendable for showing a creative approach to what is, at this point, almost a sci-fi cliche (the muddle of first contact). But, ultimately, this is the lead's show, and Adams makes what might have been an otherwise run-of-the-mill aliens flick into something special.

Taken 3

It would be too much to ask for a second sequel to be as close to as good as the original. This copy of a copy is, of course, nothing close to the first entry, and by the end the threads start to feel very frayed, and the plot twists border on the absurd. But for the most part, this is a fairly entertaining outing, another chance to see Liam Neeson's Bryan Mills do his lethal and chaotic thing, which is still a hoot. I wouldn't go out on a limb and call this flick necessary, but it's not as awful as it could have been. That may be grading on a very forgiving curve, but that's the benefit you get when you've previously built up audience goodwill (Avengers producers, take note).

Lee Daniels’ The Butler

Kind of like a differently shaded Forrest Gump. In this case, however, the Forrest character is divided up between the titular butler Cecil Gaines and his not-seeing-eye-to-eye son, both of whom get to experience various seminal moments of the 20th century firsthand. The strengths here lie mostly in the performances by the ensemble cast; no one gives a truly outstanding performance--not even a heavy-hitter like Forest Whitaker in the lead role--though everyone acquits himself or herself quite well. The film never quite rises to the epic and important heights to which it wishes to ascend, but it is still an entertaining and admirable work. Definitely worth a look.

Hope Floats

Not quite the stinkburger that most reviewers said it was; but it won't be a tragedy if you never see it, either. Best left for Sandra Bullock fans.