Taken on its own, ÆON FLUX (2005) is an interesting oddity among post-MATRIX techno-soundtrack sci-fi action movies. The look is clean and brightly lit, the premise is vague, it has some legitimately strange tech and costumes. One of its shootouts happens in a rose garden, another on a manicured lawn beneath blossoming cherry trees. A major third act action set piece involves hanging from and climbing up the gold-lame-scarf tail of a blimp called “The Relical.” To date I think it might be the only movie with a Relical in it.
It’s an MTV Films production, but’s that just because it’s based on a cartoon birthed by their envelope-pushing animation anthology Liquid Television. It doesn’t have any needle drops and doesn’t seem fully invested in being of the time, or of pop culture. If not for the generic beats in the score by Graeme Revell (MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: THE MOVIE) it would feel pretty otherworldly. (read the rest of this shit…)
DESTROYER is the latest from director Karyn Kusama (THE INVITATION). It’s a dark, character-driven crime thriller starring Nicole Kidman (BATMAN FOREVER) as Erin Bell, an extra-crispy-burnt-out LAPD detective breaking all the rules to chase a bank robber (Toby Kebbell, FANTASTIC FOUR). It’s personal to her because years ago she went undercover in his gang and her partner/lover (Sebastian Stan, THE COVENANT) was killed. But she’s a total fuckin mess and she seems to be acting on her own and keeps ignoring her partner (Shamier Anderson)’s voicemails asking where the fuck she is.
a survey of summer movies that just didn’t catch on
July 19, 2013
Most art is derivative of something or other, but jesus christ is it uncomfortable how flagrant R.I.P.D. is about trying to repackage MEN IN BLACK. Instead of a secret government agency investigating aliens who secretly live among us it’s a secret police department investigating dead people who secretly live among us. But you got the younger guy recruited and learning about this real world beneath our sugar-coated topping and partnering with an older, grumpy guy and they have goofy ray gun looking guns and go around questioning weird informants who turn into crazy cartoon special effects creatures (though Rick Baker is retired, so they’re mostly digital). I swear RIPD even has a headquarters that looks like they built it over the set from MiB.
The young guy is Nick Walker (Ryan Reynolds, BLADE TRINITY), in life a Boston PD detective betrayed by his partner Bobby Hayes (Kevin Bacon, ELEPHANT WHITE) over some kind of gold treasure they stole from a crime scene. Nick was having regrets and wanted out so Bobby shot him in the face during a raid. Instead of Heaven or Hell, Nick goes to RIPD to continue as a cop and help them round up “deados” who illegally stick around on Earth. Not really a noble calling, in my opinion. (read the rest of this shit…)
I’m real late to the dinner party (get it, because this is a movie about a dinner party), but THE INVITATION is a potent suspense thriller well-deserving of its reputation from film festivals and indie circuit release from Drafthouse Films. It’s tense and uncomfortable and it’s best not to know what sort of bad thing it’s leading up to, but don’t worry. You can sense its presence from early on.
Will (Logan Marshall-Green, who I did not recognize as the whiny boyfriend I hated so much in PROMETHEUS) and Kira (Emayatzy Corinealdi, MILES AHEAD) are a couple invited to this other couple’s house out in the Hollywood Hills. It’s an awkward reunion for a close circle of friends who haven’t seen or heard from these party-givers in two years. There’s love and laughing and joking, but also weirdness with Eden (Tammy Blanchard, BLUE JASMINE)’s extra long hug of Will. And it starts to come out that not only are they exes, but their marriage ended because of a tragedy. They had a son who died in an accident right here at this house. (read the rest of this shit…)
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Recent commentary and jibber-jabber
Mr. Majestyk on The Getaway (1972): “EDIT: He *doesn’t* inspire me to ponder his depths.” Apr 24, 05:52
Mr. Majestyk on The Getaway (1972): “So I’m making my way through Tarantino’s book of film criticism (Capsule review: Readable but underwhelming, both in film choice…” Apr 24, 05:49
VERN on Night Patrol (2025): “Hey, you’re right – FULL ECLIPSE does have a sort of similar premise.” Apr 23, 17:43
Max K. on Normal: “I really dug this film. Honestly, it mops the floor with Nobody 2, and is the fairly rare action comedy…” Apr 23, 17:20
Mr. Majestyk on Night Patrol (2025): “Didn’t they do this plot in the 90s with Mario Van Peebles, except the cops were werewolves?” Apr 23, 16:17
Birch on Night Patrol (2025): “I was under the impression Justin Long was widely considered a male scream queen tbh. Disappointing to hear this isn’t…” Apr 23, 15:32
Markov on The Raid: “I’m looking forward to the review AND the movie in equal measure now.” Apr 23, 12:12
JTS on Night Patrol (2025): “‘Promising premise but didn’t deliver’ is a great summation of this movie. I felt the same way.” Apr 23, 11:56
VERN on The Raid: “It’s also directed by the choreographer of the RUROUNI KENSHIN movies and choreographed by the same guy as the BABY…” Apr 23, 11:03
Ben C. on The Raid: “This trailer made my freaking day, so THANKS” Apr 23, 10:53
Curt on Normal: “I always get the names Kevin James and Kevin Hart mixed up, so it took me an embarrassingly long time…” Apr 23, 10:00
Markov on The Raid: “So, I’m not sure about the rules for posting trailers here but I’m hoping I’ll be forgiven for this one.…” Apr 23, 09:27
CJ Holden on Normal: “I don’t think that Sandler kept James around because he needed “another fat guy”, but it does seem like in…” Apr 23, 08:48
Alex R on Normal: “Regardless of Kevin James’ ability to convey You Done Fucked Up Now (which I agree is hugely important) it might…” Apr 23, 07:53
CJ Holden on Normal: “I feel bad for Kevin James. There have always been signs that he wanted to be an action star and…” Apr 23, 05:55
DESTROYER is the latest from director Karyn Kusama (
I’m real late to the dinner party (get it, because this is a movie about a dinner party), but THE INVITATION is a potent suspense thriller well-deserving of its reputation from film festivals and indie circuit release from Drafthouse Films. It’s tense and uncomfortable and it’s best not to know what sort of bad thing it’s leading up to, but don’t worry. You can sense its presence from early on.
