Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

Besson’s back in his Element with visually astounding sci-fi symphony. City of 1000 Effects Shots mashes together shiploads of spectacle to compensate for episodic plot, illogical ending and clunky emotional beats. Hawke hocks Rihanna, and Clive Owes more than this performance to albino Na’vi, but Cara’s character carries the film.

Atomic Blonde

Jane Wick is half bombshell, half monster as she tears through irrelevant baddies and tedious dialog in equal parts. Political Tinkerings, Watchmen music, Birdman continuity & Curiosa sex-scenes can’t heat up this chilly ice bath of action. About as subtle and tasteless as straight vodka, though not nearly as neat.

Kong: Skull Island

Sam Jurassic says hold onto your buts. So… Fascinating fights between King Kurtz and apocalizards BUT vfx get crushed by videogame aesthetic. Stellar cast are assembled BUT their running faces are their best contributions to two-dimensional characters. Reilly’s Hopping mad loon is outstanding BUT emotional final scene doesn’t fit in.