The Harder They Fall

A western from a couple years ago where Idris Elba plays uber-outlaw Rufus Buck, the nemesis to many but particularly Nat Love, who he tortured as a kid. A hint of O Brother Where Art Thou vibes seeping out of a hard core western / redemption story. Mix in the land rush west and racism and you get plenty of motivation and complexity to keep you going. The basic plot follows Nat Love as he seeks out and kills everyone who was part of that Rufus Buck torture gang. When Buck gets out of jail, he has but on job left before he can leave outlaw life forever...

4 stars (out of 5)

Genie

Melissa McCarthy is a Genie (Flora) who is let out of her box by Paapa Essiedu (Bernard). Bernard is loosing his family and his job and so Flora comes at just the right time. Of course, as with all Genies, good intentions don't quite work out right so Bernard ends up in some hot water. But in the end, it all works out and we get a happily ever after, as we should in a holiday rom-com. 

4 stars (out of 5)

Lost Car Rescue (serial)

Season 2

Like the first season, the crew travels around Canadian wilderness looking for old cars to rescue. No real drama or reality tension. Just fun car rescues with a good natured team. Can't wait for next season.

4 stars (out of 5)

Wingwomen

French heist-assassin-buddy movie. We see flavors of John Wick, some Lupin, some Jason Bourne, and amazingly some Xena Warrior Princess. Alex and Carole have been working together for quite some time and have a banter as they work. They recruit Sam for this last job, the one that will get them out of the business. It is never that easy is it? Definitely derivative, but a fun romp through France and enough cheesy humor (an inadvertent food truck selling hot dogs mid heist?) to make it enjoyable. 

3 stars (out of 5)