Buffaloed (2019)

Deutch is a dynamo, eating up every scene with the fervor of a Buffalonian going at a plate of wings, perfecting the compelling Peg in all her manic suit, sneaker, and half-bun glory (the details are just delicious–see the long socks + high heels; sign-tap leaving prison). Fortunately, the film doesn’t fumble its fantastic lead, serving up a simple and steady crime-dramedy script with just the right amount of good feels and directorial spice (the slow motion run across town was a great intro).

7

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

As Scott Lang balances being both a Super Hero and a father, Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym present an urgent new mission that finds the Ant-Man fighting alongside The Wasp to uncover secrets from their past. (IMDb)

The plot leaves a few things to be desired (namely, less of the increasingly convenient and far-fetched tech and its accompanying untethered babble; also, resolving things with the Ghost could’ve been done a lot earlier), but everything around it is quite satisfying: the characters are likeable, the jokes are frequent and funny (see the truth serum bit), and the size-changing action is lots of fun (the visual effects here are excellent and quite clever-see the final reveal at the drive-in).

7/10 (Good)

13 Going on 30 (2004)

A girl makes a wish on her thirteenth birthday, and wakes up the next day as a thirty-year-old woman. (IMDb)

Garner and Ruffalo are both pretty adorable and genuine in their roles, which is in the end what keeps you engaged in what is only a so-so story: There are a few fun moments (see the Thriller dance) but any of the significant and/or meaningful plot points (see Matt’s speech on his wedding day; Jenna coming home to her parents) are kind of butchered by the dues ex machina–which still could have salvaged what had been built up if it hadn’t promptly and unrealistically jumped 17 years ahead again.

6/10 (Mediocre)