189 Long Reviews, 330+ Micro Reviews and Scores... and Count

2023 (Rating)

• Dungeons and Dragons (A- / B+). An unexpectedly smart and engaging movie with a story rooted in the interactive multiplayer game that started it all. 
• Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (B).  A competent nod to the Indiana Jones franchise fans with no surprises, dated special effects, and predictable action sequences. 
• Jesus Revolution (A).  A provocative, well made narrative film that explores the foundations of contemporary Christian Church in universal values of love, compassion, and forgiveness. 
• John Wick 4 (A-). The John Wick series continues setting the standard for over the top action movies driven by layered main character and relentlessly focused plot. 
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (B+).  Yet another engaging romp through the universe with the standard characters, this time edition focusing on Rocket's dark background as an origin story.  
• Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1.  Everything one would expect in an MI movie - Tom Cruise, plot-drive action, car chases, sci fi threat, and thin story  Click for full review / analysis. 
• Mother (B-). (Netflix)  A credible if uninspired action movie vehicle for Jennifer Lopez as wayward spec ops who finds redemption in protecting her daughter. 
• Oppenheimer (A).  Another top flight drama delivered by Auteur filmmaker Christopher Nolan focused on the complex, controversial, enigmatic physicist who became known as the father of the atomic bomb. Click for full review / analysis.
• Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game (A-). An inventive and entertaining film about how an unassuming journalist and clandestine pinball wizard fought New York City Hall and won.  
• Plane (B-).  A standard action film with a predictable plot while serving as a worthy vehicle for Gerard Butler.
• Sound of Freedom (A).  Excellent filmmaking raises awareness about human trafficking without sacrificing art or story. Click for full review / analysis.
• True Spirit (B).  (Netflix) True Spirit is a sincere and heartfelt family film about the heroic solo sailing adventure of teenage sailor Jessica Watson. Click for full review / analysis. 

2022 (Rating)

• 13 Lives (B+).  A somewhat plodding narrative film by Ron Howard that tells the story of the heroic efforts and unorthodox methods needed to save 12 boy soccer players and their coach trapped in the Tham Luang Cave in Thailand. (Prime Video)
• All The Old Knives (A).  Strong performances from Chris Pine and Thandiwe Newton keep this film noir suspense film on track. Click for full review / analysis
• Avatar: The Way of the Water (A).  A visually stunning cinematic achievement and pushes technological boundaries of the industry infused with a story of family, loyalty, and acceptance. Worth the money to see on the biggest screen possible and in 3D. Click for full review / analysis. 
• Barbarian (B-).  All the elements of a classic horror movie but not much more.
• Black Adam (B-).  A strong performance by Dwayne Johnson is not enough to keep this story of redemption and revenge from being overwhelmed by CGI graphics. 
• Blonde (B-).  Stunning cinematography and Oscar-worthy performance by Ana De Armas can’t save this long-drawn out, highly fictionalized, off-the-rails meditation on the worst parts of Marilyn Monroe's life. Click for full review/ analysis
• Bullet Train (A-/B+).  Stylish action film featuring a Brad Pitt as an assassin whose efforts to find balance in his life are challenged by an Agatha Christie-esque plot. 
• Death on the Nile (A). A top-flight adaptation of the classic Agatha Christie story by Kenneth Branagh. 
• Devotion (A).  A well-executed, well-acted drama about the first African American to complete U.S. Navy flight training and his relationship with his white wingman 
• Don't Worry Darling (B).  A great performance by Florence Pugh isn't quite able to save this update of Stepford Wives' story of identity and social order.
• Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (B+). A razzle dazzle effects-laden Marvel movie that overwhelms a meaningful plot. 
• Elvis (A). A flashy, bold, coherent biopic about the King of Rock and Roll with an outstanding performance by Austin Butler and an typically excellent performance by Tom Hanks. Click for full review / analysis
• Father Stu (A-). A heartfelt and true story of faith and redemption. 
• Jurassic World: Dominion (B+). This movie is a good dinosaur romp, but, unlike previous films, suffers from its lack of nuance and heavy-handed eco-disaster message. Click for full review / analysis
• Lou (B).   Strong performances by Allyson Janney and her co-stars, along with plot twists, somehow can’t make this more than a serviceable action film 
• Morbius (B-).   Typical Marvel action with a surprisingly thin plot.
• Samaritan (B). The plot twist at the end of this Marvel-based superhero film starring Sylvester Stallone significantly elevates the storytelling value of this otherwise pedestrian action  movie. 
• Sniper: Rogue Mission (B).  Surprisingly well executed B-action undercover crime movie streaming on Netflix; the tenth in the Sniper series.
• The Black Phone (A-/B+).  More suspense than horror, the Black Phone is also a coming of age story about an abducted teen finding his place and identity.  Click for full review / analysis. "The Black Phone" also has strong Christian themes which I explore on The Beacon. 
• The Fabelmans (A).  An exquisitely crafted and executed semi-autobiographical coming of age drama grounded in Steven Spielberg's childhood. Click for full review/ analysis.
• The Gray Man (B+).  Well produced action movie saved from a thin plot by an excellent, experienced cast. Click for full review / analysis 
• The Lost City of D (B-). Light hearted rom-com carried by performances by Sandra Bullock and Brad Pitt.
• The 355 (A-). A solid, if uninspired, action film with an all high quality female ensemble cast.  
• The Take Over (B-).  A shallow thriller that entertains as long as audiences don't dive too deeply. (Netflix)
• Thor: Love and Thunder (B+).  An uneven and somewhat entertaining Marvel movie that doesn't hit its groove until about the halfway point.   
• Top Gun: Maverick (A). This film soars with finely woven action and drama, boosted by a high quality cast. Click for full review / analysis
• Uncharted (B-). Another videogame based action movie. Fun. Simple. Nuff said. 
• Violent Night (B).  The violence in this entertaining parody of Christmas is over the top and an acquired taste but the story has heart 
• Where the Crawdads Sing (A-).  Well produced, directed, and intense drama of loss, heartache, and survival set in the marshes of North Carolina 
• Wakanda Forever (A-). Well-scripted science-fiction fantasy action adventure sequel that takes the Marvel University in a new direction. Click for full review / analysis
• Woman King (A).  A strong, absorbing action film led by an outstanding performance by Viola Davis that stays relatively close to its historical narrative grounds in early 19th Century West Africa. 

Movie reviews for films released in... 

• 2021, click here.
• 2020, click here.
• 2019, click here.
• 2018 reviews click here.  
• For a complete movie review archive sorted by title click here. 

Generally, movies I have seen and intend to review are on this list, with links to longer reviews on line.  

If the movie does not not have a live link, I typically intend to review it - and have notes- but have not finalized it.  If you have a question about a specific movie, feel free to email me with a question at sam@srstaley.com or samuelrstaley@aol.com.   

In general, these web pages only include movies I score as a "B" or higher. These are movies that I recommend seeing to most, if not all, audiences.   "A" movies generally score very well across the board, regardless of genre. "B" movies tend to be movies that work well within certain genres but not others. "B" movies also tend to be stronger in some areas and uneven in their execution or story.  "C" movies are occasionally recommended, or reviewed, because I have found a strong, redeeming element despite what I saw as flaws in execution, production, performance, or story.   

Don't forget to check out my book Contemporary Film and Economics on this site as well as online. See why one film producer called it "subversively educational."