Prometheus (2012)

 

A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe.

All the ingredients are there, and certainly this has been made by an intelligent craftsman and a great cast, but the plot doesn't add this all up and has too many open ends.

On renewed viewing: I still agree with my first assessment: the script is muddled, but the movie does deliver some of the goods.

On re-watching: meanwhile this film has become a guilty pleasure.

Maltin ***: "Companion piece to Scott's ALIEN offers echos of that film in both good and not-so-good ways: it's thoughtful and intelligent, with two strong female characters, and masterfully crafted, but gives way to icky, gross-out moments...right up to the end. Fassbender is a standout as a sly, watchful robot who's one step ahead of everyone else."

 

Charlize Theron

Bombshell (2019)

 

A group of women take on Fox News head Roger Alies and the toxic atmosphere he presided over at the network. 

A top cast drama based on the actual events and depicting an important topic gives its stars lots of room to display their talent, but the events are unnecessarily toned down, probably to avoid legal liability, so that its message doesn't have the full impact it deserves.

 

Atomic Blonde (2017)

An undercover MI6 agent is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.

Highly stylized comic adaptation delivers the goods with self-consciousness, but basically it's just the usual fist fights, car chases and shoot-outs.

Charlize Theron

A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014)

As a cowardly farmer begins to fall for the mysterious new woman in town, he must put his new-found courage to the test when her husband, a notorious gun-slinger, announces his arrival.

Mildly entertaining Western comedy with an unnecessary cast of top-rate stars; most jokes are hit-or-miss and, too often, vulgar.

Charlize Theron

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlize_Theron

Monster (2003)

A prostitute who survived a brutal and abusive childhood in Michigan becomes a thick-skinned but emotionally damaged adult and serial killer.

Intense serial killer drama, dominated by Charlize Theron's inimitable performance.

Halliwell**: "True life crime story, somewhat doggedly directed, but notable for a remarkable performance by Theron as the abused and abusive killer."

Maltin***: "Theron won an Oscar for her raw, no-holds-barred performance...The film works better as a love story...than as an incisive social commentary. Impressive feature debut for writer-director Jenkins." 

In the Valley of Elah (2007)

A retired military investigator works with a police detective to uncover the truth behind his son's disappearance following his return from a tour of duty in Iraq.

Good movie: excellent acting, good story.

On renewed viewing: On the surface a crime mystery, the movie subtly comes to reveal the harrowing effects that war inflicts on all who are involved; Jones' subdued and controlled performance is excellent.

Maltin***1/2: "Riveting whodunit takes us into dark, difficult terrain, all of it mirrored on Jones' haunted face; his exceptional performance anchors this outstanding film."

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

In a twist to the fairy tale, the Huntsman ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen.

A fairy tale is turned into a  dark and violent fantasy film in a style more like The Lord of the Rings than a children's movie; one also wonders what was wrong with the classic tale to be expanded into such a heavy Hollywood production.

Maltin*1/2: "Poisonous retelling of the famous fairy tale...Grim in every sense of the word. Theron's performance has no nuance or shading (just shouting) and Stewart has little presence. Novelty of familiar, full-sized British actors as the seven dwarfs offers too little too late in this long, violent, ponderous production."

Dark Places (2015)

Libby Day was only eight years old when her family was brutally murdered in their rural Kansas farmhouse. Almost thirty years later, she reluctantly agrees to revisit the crime and uncovers the wrenching truths that led up to that tragic night.

This crime mystery adds up too many pieces of the puzzle before putting them together, and the solution is too contrived to satisfy; however, Charlize Theron's performance is worth the watch.

Prometheus (2012)

A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe.

All the ingredients are there, and certainly this has been made by an intelligent craftsman and a great cast, but the plot doesn't add this all up and has too many open ends.

On renewed viewing: I still agree with my first assessment: the script is muddled, but the movie does deliver some of the goods.

Maltin ***: "Companion piece to Scott's ALIEN offers echos of that film in both good and not-so-good ways: it's thoughtful and intelligent, with two strong female characters, and masterfully crafted, but gives way to icky, gross-out moments...right up to the end. Fassbender is a standout as a sly, watchful robot who's one step ahead of everyone else."

Prometheus (2012)

Following clues to the origin of mankind a team journey across the universe and find a structure on a distant planet containing a monolithic statue of a humanoid head and stone cylinders of alien blood but they soon find they are not alone.

The Burning Plain (2008)

A drama concerning a mother and daughter who try to form a bond after the young woman's difficult childhood.

Well-intentioned and well-cast drama about love, guilt and redemption with a complex, but somewhat overladen storyline.

Maltin**: "Piecing this story puzzle together is moderately intriguing but the characters' fates are discouragingly bleak. Somber, well-acted drama marks screenwriter Arriaga's directing debut, and follows his signature style of presenting seemingly disconnected stories that ultimately coalesce (21 GRAMS, BABEL, et. al.), but doesn't have the impact of his better scripts."

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

A woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in post apocalyptic Australia in search for her homeland with the help of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshiper, and a drifter named Max.

An amazing action fantasy, professionally made in all departments, creating a mad apocalyptic world with a cast of interesting characters and showcasing some of the best action sequences ever seen on screen; it not only tops all previous attempts in the series, but probably will be the litmus test for future action movies to come.

Head in the Clouds (2004)

Three young lovers must make choices as they find themselves surrounded by increasing political unrest in late-1930s.

The movie has all the ingredients to make this a sweeping historical melodrama, but somehow it doesn't have the sparkle to evoke great emotions.

Maltin**: "Duigan's screenplay bites off more than it can chew, spanning 20 years, the evolution of two relationships, and a character's ploitical awakening. WW2 section rings hollow; artificial backdrops don't help. Theron and Cruz are quite good, and very sexy."