The Card Counter

Oscar Isaac plays Will Tell, an ex-con card player who makes a living driving from one casino to the next, playing blackjack and poker, winning just enough to stay under the radar. He enjoys being a low stakes winner. When he meets a kid that raises some memories of his painful past, Tell makes efforts to help the kid out. In some ways this is a fascinating character study. But I also found myself wondering on several occasions "where is this going?". The question itself is not bad if it is borne of curiosity and engagement. But when it festers out of confusion or boredom, we know that something is lacking (usually the script). It did eventually go somewhere, stayed true to its dark genes throughout, and in hindsight was a "slice of life" memoir for a character that we don't normally encounter. 

3 stars (out of 5) 

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

What I liked about the first Fantastic Beasts was Eddie Redmayne and his character Newt. This episode is more about plot and conspiracy and intrigue. So not my favorite. 

2 stars (out of 5)

Spiderhead

Chris Hemsworth is a megalomaniac pharmaceutical experimenter who has implemented a drug trial in a prison environment. Miles Teller is the protagonist prisoner. Moderately engaging, with an attempt at enticing deep thinking about choice and what it means to be human that largely falls flat. While a pretty good soundtrack rolls throughout, the first view of the prison structure architecture tells you everything you need to know about the movie. Futuristic, dramatic and zero functionality in design. Skip this one.

2 stars (out of 5)

Harry Wild (serial)

Series 1

An Irish set murder mystery where the artist formerly known as Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman is a retired literature professor who can't help meddling in her Detective Inspector son's murder cases. Of course literature is the key to solving all cases. A pleasant police procedural from across the pond that gives New Tricks vibes. 

3 stars (out of 5)

Hustle

Adam Sandler is an aging NBA scout who scours the European clubs for the next big talent for the 76ers. He really wants to coach. But new ownership puts him back on the circuit. And when he finds the next big talent, he realizes the ownership doesn't want him. This is a story of the battle to create and show greatness. Great cameo's by NBA players (of course, with Adam Sandler and produced by LeBron). This is a really fun movie.

4 stars (out of 5)

Signora Volpe (serial)

A British spy/operator travels to Italy to attend the wedding of her niece. She gets involved in a murder investigation, falls in love with Italy, and sticks around to investigate new murders every episode. To the consternation of the local police, of course. 

3 stars (out of 5)

No Time to Die

I enjoy a good James Bond, and Daniel Craig has been quite good in the action/adventure sense. I was again reflecting on how different the Bond franchise is this decade than it was in the 80's and 90's. Definitely a reflection on the gritty nature of action films that is du jour. In this installment, Bond had tried to retire but Spectre is back and he is pulled into action again. Lot's more individual action and killing (more of a John Wick feel, than MI-6 dashing spy-craft). Largely this feels like a long farewell tour for Craig, while still trying to be moody and gritty. 

3 stars (out of 5)

Top Gun: Maverick

Cruise is back as Maverick and Goose's son (Rooster) is played by Miles Teller. A pretty good action, flight movie although I am not sure how it would view if you didn't know at least the basics of the original. Seems like there was a lot of built in tension in the first third. The flight scenes were very good, demonstrating the stresses and difficulties of flying. Of course, there has to be something crazy so I have to complain about the turning radius on the mach-10 airplane. No way... enough said. 

3 stars (out of 5)

Hidden Assets (serial)

A six-episode series following a joint investigation between Ireland and Belgium. An Irish forensic accounting police unit is chasing a drug smuggling money launderer and traces him to Belgium. The case intersects with a recent set of terrorist suicide bombs that have detonated in Brussels and Antwerp. International intrigue and well written bouncing back and forth between the two police forces, offering the expertise of each a chance to contribute significantly. Both are professional and competent instead of a typical juxtaposition of sloppy/strait-laced or professional/bumbling. Intriguing throughout and well acted. 

4 stars (out of 5)

Toscana

Poor imitation of Mostly Martha with a little bit of Chef vibe. A Danish chef inherits an Italian villa (castle?) from his estranged father. When he goes to sell it, he meets the people and falls for the place. All in all, a completely formulaic chef reckoning-with-his-demons offering. There are better offerings in this category.

2 stars (out of 5)

Operation Mincemeat

Colin Firth stars in the historical fiction version of a World War 2 subterfuge mission. The allies want to invade Sicily, but want the Nazi's to think they are invading somewhere else. So Firth's team comes up with an elaborate plan to leak believable false intel to the Nazis. Quite involved at times, but the fact that this is historical fiction makes it fantastic rather than farcical. Firth is always good. 

4 stars (out of 5)