Chicago fans of horror films will be into Candyman because it was filmed in downtown Chicago. They will also be into it if they are up for unexpected gory violence mixed with supernatural elements. Unfortunately, Candyman is also predictable and repetitive, and even somewhat boring at times.

Candyman centers on Anthony McCoy, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Anthony is an artist who moves into a loft apartment and soon meets a man named William Burke, played by Colman Domingo. Burke tells Anthony the story of Candyman, and the horror soon ensues. Anthony’s dark past also comes into play.

Candyman is a sequel from the 1992 Candyman, but it has a spiritual aspect that wasn’t present in the 1992 film. Despite this addition, I didn’t feel anything much different or more harrowing with this new Candyman film. And some of the dialogue in this new film is actually rather funny at times, especially when the phrase “Candyman, Candyman, Candyman” is repeated many times.

Overall, Candyman is just an average horror flick. I felt at times that it was trying to be like the It films, but it isn’t nearly as mortifying as those films. I give Candymana solid 2.5 stars.

Now this is the type of suspense film I’m talking about! Beckett is one hell of a ride where one tragedy leads to an unexpected and amazing number of misunderstandings, twists, and danger. John David Washington delivers his best performances since BlackKkKlansman (2018) and is almost as brilliant as his father, Denzel Washington.

Beckett had me on the edge of my seat, and not just for the suspense, but also for the emotions it evokes. Director Ferdinando Cito Filomarino really stepped up his game in his directorial debut for Netflix. Beckett is one of the best action-packed films ever to stream on Netflix.

Washington plays Beckett, who is vacationing in Greece with his girlfriend April, played by Alicia Vikander. After a car accident Beckett finds himself in a conspiracy. He cannot trust the local authorities, and his only hope is to reach the United States embassy. But the more he runs, the more the corrupt political tide rises around him. Beckett uses his limited resources to try to figure out what is going on with April, and to piece together why he is the target of a conspiracy.

I loved this movie. I’ve always been a sucker for films set in foreign countries where someone is fighting to survive. And Washington’s performance was simply astonishing. There are many captivating scenes involving jumping, collisions, disasters, protesters, and lots of political corruption. There is certainly nothing predictable about the film.

Beckett is a must-watch on Netflix. It leaves a trail of misconceptions that is enthralling, and It was done in a calculated and intriguing way. I cannot think of a thriller that I have enjoyed more. Four stars for Beckett.

I recently had the privilege of attending a Fathom event screening for the 35th anniversary of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. The first three films in the series have always spoken to me the most, but this anniversary edition included a discussion with the filmmakers that made it very special, and really drove home what an epic conclusion The Voyage Home was to the series.

To recap the plot of The Voyage Home, Admiral James T. Kirk, played by William Shatner, and his crew go on a mission to San Francisco in 1986. Their mission is to retrieve humpback whales, because only that species can communicate with an alien probe that may attack Earth. With the help of Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy, they embark on a treacherous ride, but one that is all fun for us. With so many iconic characters, ranging from Pavel Chekov, played by Walter Koenig, Sulu, played by George Takei, and many others, The Voyage Home is a true adventure, one that really makes us appreciate the franchise.

While at this screening I thought a lot about the success of Star Trek. In the pre-recorded discussion the filmmakers pointed out that the key film in the series was Star Trek II: the Wrath of Khan (1982), because that was where the big adventures really took off. It got even better in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), and the fun took a twist into endless galactic entertainment with The Voyage Home.

Overall, the 35-year anniversary screening was well worth a viewing, and I learned a lot about the origin Star Trek film series. It had me anxious to know what will happen with the series, especially after the death of Anton Yelchin, who played Pavel Chekov in several recent Star Trek films. But whatever happens next, I’m sure the fan base will be in for a treat, because Star Trek is always a fun ride. Four stars for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, 35th year anniversary edition.