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Author: Justin Harrison

“Cherry” is sour, artificial, and goes down like cough syrup

Cherry
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The Russo brothers’ Avengers: Endgame follow-up wastes the potential of a grown-up Tom Holland, and tries way too hard.

Justin Harrison Posted on February 25, 2021February 25, 2021

“Southland Tales: The Cannes Cut”: still bizarre, still flawed, still shining

Southland Tales
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Watching the first cut of Richard Kelly’s ultra-ambitious Donnie Darko follow-up is like riding a wave of mutilation.

Justin Harrison Posted on February 13, 2021February 8, 2021

“Haymaker” spectacularly whiffs every last shot

Haymaker
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Nick Sasso’s martial-artist-meets-pop-star romance is a hollow, muted, shabbily made affair.

Justin Harrison Posted on January 25, 2021January 25, 2021

“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is little without its two leads

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
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The 2011 adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s hit novel does right by its investigators but drags out the story around them.

Justin Harrison Posted on December 25, 2020December 24, 2020

“Skylines” is effective, propulsive sci-fi action schlock

Skylines
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The unlikely science fiction franchise changes pace with a lean and mean action thriller filled with economically effective visuals.

Justin Harrison Posted on December 18, 2020December 18, 2020

Scott Adkins has a grand, gamified time in action-comedy “Max Cloud”

Max Cloud
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The action superstar has a little fun in this affectionate tribute to old-school beat-’em-ups, with big colors and tongue-in-cheek humor galore.

Justin Harrison Posted on December 17, 2020December 17, 2020

Jackie Chan is almost the only fun part of “Vanguard”

Vanguard
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Chan’s latest collaboration with Supercop director Stanley Tong is an airless bore.

Justin Harrison Posted on November 16, 2020November 15, 2020

In “Point Break” Kathryn Bigelow & Patrick Swayze created a great villain

Point Break
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Swayze’s thrill-seeking bank-robber is a magnetic blast to hang out with. And he’s a blinkered, reckless fool who does a massive amount of harm.

Justin Harrison Posted on November 12, 2020November 12, 2020

“Echo Boomers” is OK when it gets out of its own way

Echo Boomers
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Patrick Schwarzenegger leads a strong cast in an unbalanced, uneven, sometimes striking crime story.

Justin Harrison Posted on November 10, 2020November 10, 2020

“Seized” reunites Scott Adkins and Isaac Florentine to phenomenal effect

Seized
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One of the great modern action filmmaking teams is back at it, ably aided by the inimitable Mario Van Peebles.

Justin Harrison Posted on October 17, 2020October 17, 2020

“The Quick and the Dead” is fast on the draw & a ton of fun

The Quick and the Dead
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Sam Raimi and Sharon Stone’s quickdraw revenger is stylish and skillfully crafted.

Justin Harrison Posted on October 16, 2020October 15, 2020

Abel Ferrara makes a case for theaters in “The Projectionist”

The Projectionist
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Abel Ferrara serves up a moving, fun ode to a moviegoing experience we all miss, even if it ironically needs some focus.

Justin Harrison Posted on October 2, 2020October 2, 2020

“Gangs of London” is brutally stupendous

Gangs of London
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Gareth Evans and Matt Flannery’s crime saga wields both clean, effective character work & horrific, thrilling action with equal aplomb.

Justin Harrison Posted on October 2, 2020October 1, 2020

“Tehran” spins a striking tale of modern spycraft despite a wobbly start

Tehran
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Moshe Zonder, Dana Eden, and Maor Kohn’s new espionage series boasts solid acting and craft in the face of some wonky storytelling.

Justin Harrison Posted on September 24, 2020September 23, 2020

“Lost Girls and Love Hotels” is suffocating, Orientalist horse-hockey

Lost Girls and Love Hotels
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Alexandra Daddario stars in a decently-crafted, but deeply clumsy and blinkered, look at modern Japanese culture.

Justin Harrison Posted on September 17, 2020September 16, 2020

“Departure” is most thrilling at its most procedural

Departure
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Christopher Plummer & Archie Panjabi investigate a mysterious aircraft incident in Peacock’s solid new drama.

Justin Harrison Posted on September 15, 2020September 18, 2020

“One Night in Bangkok” can’t keep up with Mark Dacascos

One Night in Bangkok
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Martial arts veteran Mark Dacascos shines in a killer-cab thriller; if only the movie around him was up to his level.

Justin Harrison Posted on September 3, 2020September 3, 2020

At 10, “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” can still take on all comers

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
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10 years later, Edgar Wright’s comic adaptation lingers for its bevy of influences as much as its originality.

Justin Harrison Posted on August 13, 2020August 12, 2020

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