Film Fight 2023: August

#FF23 The Beanie Bubble is surprisingly enjoyable.

Galifianakis has never been better than as the engaging/manipulative company founder, and the rest of the cast is strong too (particularly Banks). An interesting story, maybe a little too neatly wrapped up, told well.

Good.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) August 26, 2023

#FF23 Joy Ride is a great comedy about friendship and find out who you are.

While the last act drags through Too Many Endings, there are solid laughs throughout, as well as some touching moments. Great cast, mostly well-paced.

Worth seeing.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) August 26, 2023

#FF23 Heart Of Stone is straight form Netflix's content churn factory.

There are some good ideas and some solid set pieces, but a lot of hollow sheen and comic book set dressing. The opening sequence is the best part, so feel free to stop after that.

Meh.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) August 26, 2023

#FF23 Blue Beetle is Yet Another DC Film.

It's less impressed with itself than, say, Flash, with a likeable hero, generic story, and okay action. Nothing really feels like it matters. It's not terrible, it's just mindless popcorn fodder.

Fine for what it is.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) August 26, 2023

#FF23 Corner Office is an intriguing, off-beat film about an office worker who becomes his best self when he goes into a specific room.

Hamm plays against type as the awkward lead, getting his sense of self-delusion and self-importance just right. Slow but never dull.

Very good

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) August 26, 2023

#FF23 The Blackening is a horror satire in the vein of Scream, that explores tropes around Black people in horror movies.

It's amusing enough, has a couple of jump scares, and is well put together. The main cast all do a job of selling the idea with just enough of a wink

Decent

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) September 10, 2023

#FF23 Inside sees Willem Dafoe as an art thief trapped in a high-end apartment, trying desperately to escape.

Dafoe is excellent, growing more deranged as time goes on. The pacing drags in places, but it works through the premise methodically and in near-silence.

Very good.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) September 10, 2023

#FF23 Paint is a bone-dry take on a Bob Ross-like public access painter, and his new rival.

Wilson is perfectly cast: the right mix of straight man, with a little goofiness. While it does pull on some of the threads a little long, it's a nice enough comedy.

Okay.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) September 10, 2023