Jack Reacher (2012) and Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)

Rewatched the Tom Cruise Reachers (late night summer, what can I say) from 2012 and 2016. All I can say here is that since the release of the Alan Ritchson seasons, he is such a more believable Reacher from the physical characterization. So watching all the fight scenes, etc. I imagine Ritchson. But Cruise did do a pretty good job and walking the balance of when to emote and when to avoid. 

3 stars (out of 5)

Deadpool & Wolverine

The critics panned it for being exactly what Deadpool has always been - a self promoting send up full of crude inside jokes. In this version, we get more of the same, with a different plot line. Deadpool's timeline is going to deteriorate since Logan died. Deadpool jumps the multiverse in search of a Logan he can bring back to his timeline to save it. No discussion about what it will do to the timeline for the stolen Logan, but this is just another example of the egocentric nature of the movie. Don't get me wrong, this is a great example of one liners and self promotion (both for Reynolds and Jackman and for Marvel) and while it is exactly inline with the franchise, it is no longer fresh (like the original in 2016 was). If Marvel were only producing Deadpool clones, then it would get old very fast. But as an alternate saturday afternoon entertainment where no MCU timeline consistency is required, nice job. 

3 stars (out of 5)

Gangs of Galicia (serial)

Spanish gangster series. A new lawyer moves into town seeking retribution for the death of her father... who was a former gangster btw. She takes on new clients and becomes key to the new bosses strategy. She walks the ever thinning line between being a gangster, setting them up for a sting, and falling in love. Really well done. 

4 stars (out of 5)

My Spy: The Eternal City

Sequel to the My Spy of a few years ago. This time Sophie is a teen and JJ (Dave Bautista) is a desk analyst in order to be able to stay home and be present for Sophie. But that doesn't work out so well. On a trip to Italy with the school choir, the two work together to save the Vatican from nuclear destruction. And they learn a bit more about each other along the way. Low key fun. 

3 stars (out of 5)

Blitz

I am now to the point where I can re-watch a movie and have no idea that it is a re-watch. I was thinking "I can't believe I haven't seen this"... but alas... 

Statham is a cop with violent tendencies, fed up with being nice to criminals. When a cop killer starts working his way through a list of targets, Statham is on the job. Turns out, he is on the list too. Maybe I'm less discerning than I used to be, or was just bored, but I may have liked this better now than 15 years ago.

3 stars (out of 5)

The Beekeeper

Jason Statham is a Beekeeper. Literally and as a codename. Beekeepers are an extra-government organization charged with keeping the world save from corruption and evil. But he is retired now and an actual beekeeper. When his landlord, friendly old lady, neighbor is conned out of everything, his protect the hive, beekeeper training kicks in and he goes to burn down the call center and entire organization of fraud that is stealing money from the frail. Basically, another name for the same plot to do action/save the world stuff. Love it.

4 stars (out of 5)

Land of Bad

A tier-one team is sent into a jungle island bad guy lair to rescue a captured "JSOC Asset". Their normal tech guy is out so they get an air force guy sub. He is connected to the drone operators. Supposed to be a quite extraction, but everything goes wrong, everything blows up, everyone gets killed. And I do mean everything, everything and everyone. The air force tech earns the respect of his team and gets his honorary "tier one status". Oh, and they get the asset. 

3 stars (out of 5)