Movie reviews

THE NEW MUTANTS

Watchable. Poor CGIs but plenty of mystery revealed gradually. The plot is a copy of "Event Horizon", "Flatliners" and a few less iconic pictures. Perfectly matched footage and "The Big Fight" music theme from "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" as well as footage from "Logan" can be spotted on TV behind the protagonists. Anya Taylor-Joy is particularly impressive as Illyana Rasputin, about the only superhero from the original comic book, others don't appear in the film. The surname, though never explained in the movie - no idea about the comic book, implies she may be a descendant of Grigori Rasputin, famous and powerful healer and mystic in tsar Russia. Marilyn Manson voiced the Smiling Man. Judging from the end credits, Stan Lee managed to become the executive producer before his untimely death. No mid- or post-credit though.

TENET

Recommended. An innovatory and riveting story with top-notch sound. The opening is clearly inspired by the seizure of Dubrovka Theatre in Moscow with the difference in the movie terrorists use a chemical agent on an audience in Ukraine. Once you're glued to the screen, the yarn of time is spun forth and back several times. The plot is so complex, I quickly gave up on following the physics too closely and just enjoyed numerous twists and turns. The time inversion dealer whose hog-like look resembles Weinstein, is an ugly abuser with immense power and wealth. Robert Pattinson, in a supporting role, proves himself a versatile actor. Thrusting music and sound effects - surrounding and extraordinary - surpass "Dunkirk". The ending suggests a sequel is likely. No mid- or post-credit.

VALLEY OF THE GODS

Recommended. What a vision! An extraordinary story with amazing visuals: Monument Valley in Utah, Fontana di Trevi in Rome - where an aria concerto takes place with the singers standing in the fountain pools, mind-blowing interiors and a garden with sculptures of the people the "richest man in the world" knew. Add incredible outfits, especially women's dresses, playing with light the way Sorrentino does and you've got a masterpiece. The bottom is corporate greed, resource exploitation and the sense of life for those in power and those less capable.