joepm28

What did I just see?

Eddington defies categorization - and I do not mean that in a good way.

Set in the Spring of 2020 during the height of the Covid pandemic, Eddington has got it all. A small New Mexico desert town that is nearly deserted trying to claw its way back to economic relevance while fighting the pandemic and then the BLM movement. And the town is just full of characters, many with checkered pasts, and even more with a lot of strange notions - with none of the characters or ideas being presented in even a slightly flattering light.

About an hour in to the movie, I was about to walk out since it seemed to be veering down a path of ultra-woke v. Ultra-MAGA when it just took an engaging turn in to the weird and bizarre, lead by Joaquin Phoenix. His Sheriff Cross becomes the prime focus of the film as he goes from put upon small time sheriff in to far right nut job who then completely spiral in to the land of crazy with Eddington as ground zero. It would be a masterful performance if it Phoenix weren't trapped in the all over map plot. Other characters, even the other two stars Pablo Pascal and Emma Stone, are just ancillary to Phoenix's antics.

A can't say Eddington is awful, yet it is far, far from good either. Interesting to see if you've got 2 1/2 hours to fritter away.

I'll give the cast and crew of A Knight's War credit for creating something we don't see enough of these days which is the moderately budgeted, sword & sorcery fantasy film. However, the pluses - great scenery, sets and costumes - are more than offset by the negatives - just ok acting, a story that was a pastiche of so many other genre tropes and, one of my continued biggest beefs, a run time that could have easily had been 15 or more minutes less.

And, as in my title, there were so many elements of A Knight's War that had the whiff, intentional or not, of being lifted from other films. Dying over and over to come back again - Edge of Tomorrow. The 'Light' and some of the music - Game of Thrones. Costumes and the masks - Pan's Labyrinth. The lead, Bhodie (Jeremey Ninaber - decent performance) - shades of The Witcher. You get the picture.

Overall A Knight's War is not awful nor is it very good. So, view at your own choice, especially if this type of film is in your wheelhouse.

What did I just watch? And for 2 hours?!

I mean this 2025 iteration of Superman was not awful, yet it was far from super, just barely being ok.

First off the story was so bland. It started with the age old conflict between Superman and Lex Luthor, yet done so cartoonishly, but not fun way. And this went on for like 45 minutes. Then, the best part, is when Superman is 'captured' and then how he gets free from the 'pocket universe' (no spoilers). After that, the last 45 minutes or so reverted to the standard super hero movie of endless action/fighting sequences, which were boring. It brought home to me why I've pretty much stopped seeing these Marvel, DC and whatever other universe it is that is being foisted upon us. It's all cookie cutter.

Some of the fight scenes were ok. But, again, the same tired tropes of Superman and his Justice Gang (?!) naturally and effortlessly beating the pants off all their opponents. And there's a do, which proves more annoying than adding to the plot.

As to the acting, all of it was wooden to the point of being sleep inducing. David Corenswet offers some appealing eye-candy and that's about it. The rest of the cast are forgettable, other than Nicholas Hoult as Lex. And even he is neither great nor awful, just blah. In no way does he come close to Gene Hackman's Lex.

While its always good to see films on the big screen, there is nothing in Superman that should compel someone to see it in the theater.