Avengers: Endgame

Co-Directors Anthony and Joe Russo’s Avengers: Endgame is the best epic action picture since Black Panther, but beats even that experience with scenes of tenderness that draws tears from all but the most juvenile audience members.

Every Marvel action star, including, of course, Stan Lee, shows up in this expertly crafted thriller by Screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.

It’s such a treat to be immersed in a sold-out audience that cheers the entry of their favorite action heroes as they battle their Trumpian villain, who is trying to destroy humankind.

If you’ve enjoyed any Marvel-character film, you’ll be absolutely delighted with Avengers:Endgame.  It’s 3 hour running time breezes by with surprise after surprise.

I give it a 4.7 out of 5.

  

Stockholm

 

Writer/Producer/Director Robert Budreau’s Stockholm is a funny, absurd, sometimes poignant drama based on the origins of the “Stockholm Syndrome” wherein captives/hostages bond with their abductors.

 

Here, dressed Easy Rider-style, Lars (Ethan Hawke) breaks into Stockholm’s Kreditbanken in 1973, not to rob it, but to get the release of his brother Gunnar (Mark Strong) from jail. 

In order to make his demands, he takes 3 people hostage, Bianca (Noomi Repace) and Klara (Bea Santos), who work at the bank, plus Elov (Mark Rendall), a bank customer.

The initially stoic police chief (Thorbjǿrn Harr) gives in by freeing Gunnar to join the others in the bank, secretly offering the convict freedom, if he gets his brother to surrender.

What happens is bizarre, sometimes goofy, and often hilarious.

It’s heartwarming to see what great actors can do with a well-written/well directed story produced on a reasonable budget.

I give Stockholm a 4 out of 5. 

Pet Sematary

I enjoy a good horror film, but Pet Sematary is just a horrible story that should evoke shame in everyone involved with making it.

I hope the actors and crew were well-paid, but anyone looking to be entertained would be well-served to see anything else.

Since I walked out, when the mother (Amy Seimetz) was being cut up by her resurrected daughter (Jeté Laurence), I can’t really rate it other than…

 STAY AWAY!