The Film Fix: Previews, Reviews of Top Films, Series in May
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
Thunderbolts* (now playing) – Fix Rating 7/10 – There is an asterisk in the title of this MCU film for a strategic reason. But the reveal behind the use of that typographic symbol isn’t what makes the film so special. The most surprising superpower this motley crew of emotionally damaged heroes possesses is their extraordinarily warm hearts. They care, even if they loudly
protest otherwise.
The film follows former Red Room assassin Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), who carries out orders for the CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Depressed by the loss of her sister (Black Widow) and bored by her murderous assignments, Yelena is considering giving it all up.
After visiting her goofy father Alexei Shostakov, aka the Red Guardian (David Harbour), Valentina gives her another mission, which brings her into conflict with John Walker, aka U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), Ava Starr, aka Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and the neurologically altered killer Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko).
Reluctantly, these anti-heroes team up when they realize Valentina has been playing them for fools. And when they are imprisoned in a secret government bunker, they accidentally unlock a container housing the unassuming Bob (Lewis Pullman). Bob’s secret could be their salvation or the planet’s biggest threat. With the help of newly minted congressman Bucky Barnes aka the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), the Thunderbolts are formed.
Like other Marvel movies, there’s a fair amount of mindless destruction (a couple of skyscrapers are damaged) and untold numbers of innocents injured or worse. However, a light, playful, good-natured feeling floating about this film transcends the messy falseness that permeated the last MCU entry, “Captain America: Brave New World.”
The personal nature of this narrative is relatable as it focuses on mental health struggles and the effects of trauma. Director Jake Schreier (see “Paper Towns” and “Robot & Frank”) balances pathos with over-the-top superhero action sequences as well as almost any film in the Marvel franchise. It will leave you wanting to see more of these misfits as they save the world in the most gloriously awkward way possible.
The Surfer (now playing) – Fix Rating 7/10 – No actor in cinematic history has been more abused on screen than Nicolas Cage. And with “The Surfer,” he plays yet another tortured guy who endures all manner of cruelty and violence. This low-budget Australian film has Cage, sans any Aussie accent, as the hapless title character, a man trying to buy his old family home while being besieged by local beach folk.
This trippy film directed by Lorcan Finnegan (see his 2022 feature “Nocebo”) can weigh on the viewer as Cage’s everyman devolves farther and farther down into a disturbing abyss. But after the story goes through a weird psychedelic sequence, Finnegan smartly allows us to see some of the full Cage we know and love. “The Surfer” is a minor entry for the actor but a worthy example of his twisted and masochistic talents.
Streaming Selects
NETFLIX
Fear Street: Prom Queen (May 23) – The continuing adaptation of R.L. Stine’s book series continues with “Prom Queen.” This ’80s-themed “Fear Street” franchise entry follows the efforts of outcast Lori Granger (India Fowler) to capture the prom queen crown. But to rise to the top, she’s got to do battle with the in-crowd and face off with an ax-wielding killer. Katherine Waterston, Lili Taylor, and Chris Klein round out the cast of this comedy slasher.
APPLE TV+
Fountain of Youth (May 23) – Guy Ritchie, the hardest working director in the business, joins forces with John Krasinski and Natalie Portman for this family action adventure. Krasinski and Portman play siblings who go on a globe-trotting search for the mysterious Fountain of Youth. The all-star cast features Stanley Tucci, Eiza González, Domhnall Gleeson, and Carmen Ejogo. The trailers give off a definite “National Treasure” vibe mixed with “Indiana Jones” elements.
MAX
Duster (series premiere on May 15) – This 1970s set crime actioner is produced by JJ Abrams and LaToya Morgan. Abrams brings in his “Lost” series star Josh Holloway, who plays Jim, an expert getaway driver recruited by a resourceful FBI agent named Nina (Rachel Hilson). Together, they take on a criminal organization led by the ruthless Ezra (Keith David). This series promises Abrams zippy pacing and high production values with retro styling.
PEACOCK
Poker Face (season 2, May 8) – The Rian Johnson-created hit series starring Natasha Lyonne returns with three episodes followed by weekly installments through July. Lyonne plays Charlie Cale, an uncanny human lie detector forced in season one to flee a casino owner hellbent on killing her. As she meanders the roads in her 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, Charlie’s unique talents get her in even more trouble as she solves all manner of dangerous mysteries. This throwback show features a single mystery in each episode and a cast of special guest stars.
Theatrical Teasers
Final Destination: Bloodlines (May 16) – The trailer for this sixth installment in the “Final Destination” franchise teases another unnerving series of accidental deaths. Once again, the film centers on a group of young souls who attempt to cheat death after receiving a disturbing premonition. The franchise is now 25 years old, but I do not doubt there are still some inventive kills to explore. Based on a famous scene from this film series, anyone caught behind a log truck on the highway will likely get chills. Late actor Tony Todd returns to the series for his last theatrical role.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (May 23) – Tom Cruise hopes that this eighth “Mission: Impossible” installment will help the franchise recover after 2023’s “Dead Reckoning” failed to reach box office expectations. This one picks up where the seventh film left off, with Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his IMF team battling the AI known as the Entity. Cruise will stretch his legs into his famous running style while delivering action and amazing stunts, as this blockbuster should leave nothing on the table.
Lilo & Stitch (May 23) – The Disney cash grab continues with this live-action remake of the animated hit of the same name from 2002. “Ted Lasso’s” Hannah Waddingham joins Tia Carrere, Billy Magnussen, Zach Galifianakis, and newcomer Maia Kealoha (as Lilo) in this new version of the story. When Lilo adopts a strange pet, an alien named Stitch, posing as a dog, her life changes in wonderful and dangerous ways.
Karate Kid: Legends (May 30) – It’s been over 40 years since “The Karate Kid” kicked its way to the top of the box office and into our hearts. For “Legends,” Ralph Macchio reprises his role as Daniel LaRusso in this installment of the series, which found new life on Netflix with “Cobra Kai.” Jackie Chan also returns to play Mr. Han, a character introduced in 2010’s “The Karate Kid.” The story, this time, has Han enlisting Daniel’s help to train a new karate kid.
