The Film Fix: Reviews of Top Films in Theaters, Streaming in March
By JONATHAN W. HICKMAN, Special to The Paper
Below are reviews and capsules of various films this month in theaters and/or streaming.
Review rating … A “Fix” is recommended with a rating between 6 and 10. A “No Fix” is not recommended with a rating between 1 to 5.
In Theaters
Dune: Part Two (March 1) – Fix Rating 9/10 – The second part of filmmaker Denis Villeneuve’s stunning adaptation of Frank Herbert’s groundbreaking science fiction bestseller is grander, more thrilling, and better than 2021’s part one. But I suggest that part one suffered because it was incomplete, and these two halves should be viewed as one five-and-a-half-hour epic movie.
The somber, some may say dull aspects of the first installment are all but eliminated in this one, as contextual humor creeps in to alleviate some of the dreck associated with the heavy story elements. Villeneuve and his co-writer Jon Spaihts preserve the core Herbert narrative while subtly improving on the shape of the classic while capably adjusting some of the gender politics that were reflective of the time in which the novel was written.
Timothée Chalamet is terrific as the older, more mature, and battle-hardened Paul Atreides, who takes refuge with the desert people known as the Fremen. At his side is Chani (a convincing and fierce Zendaya). Paul’ given the Fremen name of Muad’Dib, and as he helps the Fremen violently push back against the Harkonnen occupiers, Paul’s mother, Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), becomes the Fremen’s reverend mother.
The film’s religious aspects give it added weight, as the Fremen wage an internal struggle with the fundamentalists among them. Villeneuve smartly saddles right up to the familiar political connections to our real-world struggles with radical elements while remaining true to Herbert’s vision.
In the Land of Saints and Sinners (March 29) – Fix Rating 7/10 – The overly familiar story of an aging hitman gets an earthy lift from a grizzled performance by Liam Neeson sporting his native Irish accent in a story set in his home country. This 1970s narrative has Neeson playing Finbar Murphy, an unassuming and amiable chap who just happens to be a contract killer.
When a group of terrorists led by the ruthless Doirean (Kerry Condon) hole up in his quiet little town, Finbar must decide whether to do something good with his particular set of skills. While viewers will see the inevitable showdown coming, the unique pairing of Neeson and Condon as vicious adversaries proves to be an entertaining combination.
Supporting performance by Colm Meaney, as Finbar’s longtime employer/handler, Ciarán Hinds, as a police officer and Finbar’s pal, and Jack Gleeson, as the new hotshot hitman on the scene, are also strong in this above-average Neeson outing.
Streaming Selects
PARAMOUNT+
Little Wing (March 13) – Based on a New Yorker article by Susan Orlean, “Little Wing” follows a teen named Kaitlyn (Brooklynn Prince) whose parents are divorcing and likely losing their home. When she and her best friend try to steal a valuable bird, Kaitlyn bonds with the bird’s owner (“Succession” star Brian Cox). “Yellowstone’s” Kelly Reilly is also in the cast.
PEACOCK
Apples Never Fall (series premiere March 14) – This adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s bestseller has a tremendous cast headlined by Annette Bening and Sam Neill. The limited series has Bening and Neil playing Stan and Joy Delaney. They are forced to reassess their family history when Joy strangely disappears. Jake Lacy (“The White Lotus”) and Alison Brie (“GLOW”) play the Delaney children in this seven-episode dramatic mystery.
NETFLIX
Damsel (March 8) – “Stranger Things” star Millie Bobby Brown plays Elodie, a damsel who agrees to marry a handsome prince only to find that his family intends to sacrifice her to pay an ancient debt. Naturally, this arrangement doesn’t go over well, and Elodie survives to exact revenge. Robin Wright, Angela Bassett, and Ray Winstone are in supporting roles in this fantasy adventure.
AMAZON PRIME
Invincible (season 2, part 2, March 14) – Mark Grayson, the half-human hero known as Invincible, returns in the second half of season two. With the devastating cliffhanger ending to season two, part one, we will now learn Mark’s fate as he struggles to reconcile his human side with that of his vicious Viltrumite identity.
Road House (March 21) – Despite publicly lamenting the decision to premiere this “Road House” remake exclusively on Prime Video, word is that this release plan was always baked in, as contract negotiations provided for a larger budget so long as the film went straight to the platform. In the movie, a muscled-up Jake Gyllenhaal steps into the role that Patrick Swayze inhabited in the 1989 original. In this new version, the action moves to the Florida Keys, where ex-UFC fighter Dalton (Gyllenhaal) takes a job as a bouncer in a roadhouse. MMA star Conor McGregor is also in the cast.
DISNEY PLUS
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) (March 15) – On a reported budget of less than $20 million, the theatrical release of “The Eras Tour” movie minted north of $261 million in box office receipts.
This considerable number made it the highest-grossing concert film of all time. Disney scored a coup by landing the streaming rights to the updated “Taylor’ Version,” which is the concert film in its entirety and includes the song “Cardigan” and four additional acoustic songs.
APPLE TV+
Napoleon (March 1) – Fix Rating 7/10 – Director Ridley Scott hacks history with “Napoleon,” his interpretation of the life of the early 19th century French Emperor. The film is highlighted by grandly staged and shot battle sequences and a gonzo performance by Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix. Viewers will find the visuals thrilling but may be frustrated by the uneven melodrama.
Theatrical Teasers
Imaginary (March 8) – In this Blumhouse horror entry, director Jeff Wadlow (see “Truth or Dare”) brings us the story of a little girl and her “imaginary” best friend. Of course, the girl’s cuddly make-belief pal is anything but part of her imagination.
Kung Fu Panda 4 (March 8) – Jack Black again voices Po, a panda with kung fu talents. In this installment, Po is elevated to the position of spiritual leader. While training a new Dragon Warrior, he comes in conflict with a sorceress with the goal of bringing back the villains that Po vanquished.
Love Lies Bleeding (March 8) – This sexy-looking crime actioner starring Kristen Stewart was a hit at Sundance. The story has Stewart playing Lou, a woman whose father, Lou Sr. (Ed Harris), is involved in some criminal wrongdoing. When Lou becomes entangled with a new girlfriend, the muscle-bound Jackie (Katy O’Brian), Lou’s family’s operation may be threatened. This one comes from director Rose Glass (see “Saint Maud”).
Arthur the King (March 15) – Mark Wahlberg stars in this family-friendly adventure about a man who adopts a stray dog who joins him in a grueling endurance race.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (March 22) – The 5th film in the “Ghostbusters” franchise (counting the 2016 attempted reboot) picks up where 2021’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” left off. This time, the action returns to the city, where an evil force threatens to start a new ice age.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (March 29) – This one shouldn’t be confused with last year’s terrific “Godzilla Minus One,” which showed audiences how a Godzilla movie can rise above campy elements and be about something real. In the oddly named “Godzilla x Kong,” the two titans must work together to combat a new monster threat to humanity. Things go boom!
Jonathan W. Hickman is an entertainment attorney, filmmaker, college professor, and novelist. More about Jonathan can be found by visiting: filmproductionlaw.com. Folks can also follow him at dailyfilmfix.com.
