Widows that Steal the Show

Few movies can tackle complicated themes in a film about a heist. Windows does, portraying a world it refuses to apologise for. Christian Tesfaye award 9 out of 10 stars.  

The Hate U Give is one of the most incisive movies to have come out about the shootings of unarmed African-Americans by police officers. It is provocative but also too immodest. Christian Tesfaye awards 7 out of 10 stars. 

Crimes of Grindlewald is the second movie in the Fantastic Beasts franchise. It had a great theme, performances and visual effects but lacks the rich story and characterisation of the Harry Potter series. Christian Tesfaye awards 5 out of 10 stars.

Overlord is a horror movie that does not put much effort into a theme, narration and character construction. Christian Tesfaye awards 4 out of 10 stars.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms has received largely negative reviews from critics. Indeed, some of the performances are bad and the storyline is predictable, but it also has a nice theme and spectacular visual effects. Christian Tesfaye awards 6 out of 10 stars.

Damien Chazelle has for the third time managed to direct a thematically sumptuous movie with excellent visuals. First Man is every beat worth the ticket price and more. Christian Tesfaye awards 9 out of 10 stars.

Bad Times at the El Royal is not a mystery thriller but a brief glimpse into what can occur when many eccentric, less than moral and shifty individuals are confined to a small area. Christian Tesfaye awards 7 out of 10 stars.  

It has only been three decades since the last – and six decades since the best, and eight decades since the original – A Star is Born was made until the new Bradley Cooper-Lady Gaga vehicle of the same name graced the screens. Its honesty and performances make it the second best one. Christian Tesfaye awards 8 out of 10 stars.

Venom could have been a good movie if the filmmakers were daring enough to build on the character’s dreadful urges, but it is not to be. Christian Tesfaye awards 4 out of 10 stars.

Mister Rogers was the American version of Abbaba Tesfaye. Won’t You be My Neighbour? traces the undeniable charm and sincerity that Fred Rogers expressed on TV as he taught children about the more complicated sides of life. Christian Tesfaye awards 8 out of 10 stars.

Johnny English Strikes Again is the third installment of its franchise. Considering what has come before in the Johnny English series, this is actually not that bad. Christian Tesfaye awards 5 out of 10 stars, mostly for its pitiable character and funny scenes.

The Predator reintroduces a villain any film audience should be acquainted with. This installment of the Predator franchise offers much of the same except an attempt at humour, which does not pay off. Christian Tesfaye Awards 4 out of 10 stars.

Alpha is a buddy movie, between a wolf and a man. It explores one of the earliest relationships humankind formed with a species that would later become dogs. Christian Tesfaye liked the movie’s exploration of humankind’s early bouts of innovation, awarding 6 out of 10 stars.

Slender Man, the internet horror phenomenon, has come to the screen. The creature’s characterisation is precise but the environment that the filmmakers create does not fit. Christian Tesfaye awards 5 out of 10 stars.

It is not always that Mark Wahlberg is upstaged, but Iko Uwais succeeds in doing so in Mile 22. Unfortunately, poor writing, direction and choreography make the film unwatchable. Christian Tesfaye awards 3 out of 10 stars.

The Equaliser, the 2014 Denzel Washington vehicle, has received a sequel. Christian Tesfaye hoped it had not, finding the protagonist morally skewed and the narration and plot derivative. He awards 4 out of 10 stars.