Content: Movie Review

In the newest of Spiderman reboots, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Marvel has gone to great heights to make the film truer to the comic books than previous reboots, according to Christian Tesfaye, making it a better film than expected. 7 out of 10 stars

The third installment of the Despicable Me franchise is as silly as its prequels, lacking a sense of attitude suited to anyone that is not a child, according to Christian Tesfaye. 4 out of 10 stars

The latest in the Transformers franchise is another Michael Bay extravaganza, most pleasing perhaps to a 13-year-old teenager, according to Christian Tesfaye. 3 out of 10 stars

The latest instalment in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is a two-hour long appeal to the cast, the studio and the world as a whole that the franchise is washed up, according to Christian Tesfaye. 4 out of 10 stars

Directed by Alex Kurtzeman, who does not inspire a lot of enthusiasm to begin with, The Mummy is entirely predictable and crassly ingratiating, according to Christian Tesfaye. 4 out of 10 stars

As entertaining as Wonder Woman is, it is at the end of the day a superhero movie, therefore with all its clichés and dead ends, according to Christian Tesfaye. 6 out of 10 stars

Despite its title, ‘The Zookeeper’s Wife’ is just as much about the other characters in the film. Visually, the screen is wide, bright and graceful, but disappoints with serious focus problems, according to Christian Tesfaye. For the topic at hand, the movie is too soft. 4 out of 10 stars

Every inch of ‘Alien: Covenant’ is stunning, according to Christian Tesfaye, with exquisite lighting, dialogue, acting and mise en scène, and a moody but unobtrusive soundtrack. But, at the end of the day, the movie is not original and is more or less the movie ‘Alien’ with different makeup. However, Michael Fassbender’s performance is highly praiseworthy. 6 out of 10 stars

In its current theatrical version, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, re-cut to meet commercial viability, does not pass muster, according to Christian Tesfaye. Scenes don’t hold together, the dialogue is mostly mundane and the swordplay scenes make this film look more like a video game. The only thing going for it is the movie’s almost revolutionary soundtrack. 5 out of 10 stars.

Comic book movies are becoming popular in Ethiopia. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is the Fast and the Furious with spaceships and fancier guns. As far as commerce is concerned, this second instalment will probably have mainstream audiences eating out of its hand. As far as cinema is concerned, Christian Tesfaye says, keep trying. Six out of Ten Stars

Directed by James Gray, the Lost City of Z is based on a real-life figure who tried to do something well beyond his abilities. Although it is not an epic in the literal sense of the word, it tells the story of an avid explorer who went to the Amazon to discover a long lost civilisation existing somewhere in South America. 7 out of 10.

Although the movie “Going in Style” will not garner awards for outstanding performances it is a decent film. The plot of the movie could be described as About Schmidt meets Ocean’s Eleven meets The Grapes of Wrath. A group of old colleagues that have been working together for many years learn that their company is being taken over and they might lose everything. What they decide to do next is comical and naive, but desperate times calls for desperate measures. 4 out of 10 stars.

The new movie “The Fate of the Furious” is a sequel to the franchise Fast and Furious. Although the story pretends to be about family and loyalty, that is just a mask. It is more centered on new cars, hot girls, and action scenes. This is sure going to bag the movie big bucks. The appearance of Dwayne Johnson a.k.a “the Rock” saved the movie as he was very entertaining. 4 out of 10 stars.

Directed and co-written by Theodore Melfi, Hidden Figures is one of the most acclaimed movies of the year. The story is based on ordinary individuals whom do not do anything amazing but simply succeed in their chosen line of duty. But it shows the stark difference of how people of color and women are treated. They seem to be treated as second class citizens in their own country. It is illustrated beautifully 8 out of 10 stars.

The issue of racism in the United States has been played out in many movies. Usually, the black person in the movie is given a stereotypical role that depicts the character in an unflattering manner. The thriller, Get Out, is centred around an interracial couple that goes to meet the parents of the caucasian girlfriend. All seems well as the family is friendly and accommodating. But they are hiding a shocking secret about their identity. 5 out of 10 stars

Another horror movie has hit cinemas. The movie “Life” is set in space and aimed at getting audiences pulses racing with suspense. The plot is similar to other horror movies in the past where the innocent little creation meant for good turns into a vicious, scary monster that is out for blood. Unfortunately, the movie comes off as a cliche and very predictable. 5 out of 10 stars.

The handsome prince, in Mme. Leprince de Beaumont’s famous fairytale Beauty and the Beast, is unkind and pretentious. So when a fairy – disguised as an ugly old hag – asks the prince for shelter from a rain in his massive mansion, he refuses. The ugly old hag changes back into her natural form, a […]

Kong: Skull Island is a remake of the iconic King Kong movie, but not the first remake. Peter Jackson had attempted to revive the character in 2005. The original was a low-budget movie and did not have high concept material. But now Kong: Skull Island is one of the biggest releases of the year. Although the creators of the remake prefer to say it is a ‘new take’ on an old classic, it was a lukewarm performance.5 out of 10 star

Hugh Jackman delivers in what is to be his last experience as Wolverine. His performance has carried the sequel very well. Logan recreates the character as an older less adventurous version of the Wolverine that audiences know. He is demure and mature and helping a struggling immigrant and a young child navigate through the tough world. 7 out of 10 stars

A movie that cannot be grouped in one genre only “Split” is described as a drama, horror, mystery and suspense. There are plenty of twists and turns in the story that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. One of the lead characters is constantly suffering from a multiple personality disorder. 7 out of 10 stars.

Christian Tesfaye is a Film Critic whose interests run amok in both directions of print and celluloid/digital storytelling. He could be reached at christian.tesfaye@yahoo.com

  Is there really a secret underground assassin’s enclave? Well, if it was known, then it would not be a secret anymore. One of the earlier movies I have ever reviewed is the action movie John Wick. A movie directed by two former stuntmen, it was full of exciting action sequences. I liked the movie, […]

Live by Night is a movie set in the 1800’s that explores the world of gangsters. An interesting story of love and crime. However, the scenes at times were too soft for the world of mafias and violence. It lacked bite and mercilessness. More of the ruthless greed and chaos was notably absent from this thriller which was directed by one of the most known actors in the entertainment business, Ben Affleck. 6 out of 10 stars.

  How come horror films are entertainment? How come people pay hard earned cash to watch something so scary? How sadistic is it of human beings that some of the popular movies ever made are so violent? When James Whale’s Frankenstein was released in 1931, legend has it, theater goers where so terrified by Boris […]

The movie “Return of Xander” was a remake of a classic by Alfred Hitchcock. Selecting Vin diesel for the lead role was a mistake all on its own since he is just muscles and no talent according to the critic. The only good point is that Donnie Yen made an appearance to save the day and the movie. 3 out of 10 stars.