Film Fight 2023: March

#FF23 Creed 3 is typical of the franchise: the ups and downs of fighting someone stronger, rising to the challenge, and succeeding in some way.

The cast are all solid, the plot is predictable, and everything is watchable. The visual flair in the last act is cringeworthy.

Fine.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) March 12, 2023

#FF23 65 treats it's somewhat ridiculous premise (space man crash lands on a dinosaur filled Earth) with an even tone: serious without being dour, not as a gag.

The runtime feels right, and Driver holds it together well enough. You'll see every twist coming but won't mind.

Okay

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) March 12, 2023

#FF23 The Boston Strangler is a reasonable enough take on the reporting around the eponymous killer.

Both Knightley and Coon are solid as the journalists tracking down leads. It looks fine, but very generic: tealy/orange-tinged period drama.

Nothing special, but decent enough.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) March 19, 2023

#FF23 John Wick: Chapter 4 is exactly what you want in an action film.

It's a little too long, but is otherwise excellent: some of the best action and stunts in cinema, shot clearly and inventively, with a bunch of performers showing off what they can do.

Really good fun.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) April 2, 2023

#FF23 Infinity Pool is creeping body horror with something to say about predatorial tourism.

Goth and Skarsgård are both fully committed to their weird roles, delivering an unease that slowly ramps up. The pacing is a bit off and it doesn't get as weird as it might.

Pretty good

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) April 2, 2023

#FF23 Women Talking is disarmingly calm, for the most part, despite the horrific impetus.

A quiet conversation for 90 or so minutes, with some excellent performances from the entire cast. Despite the one major location, it remains grounded and never feels stagey.

Very good.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) April 2, 2023