Con Air (1997)

A solid action-thriller with some excellent hair, I mean flair, like a sweaty, golden-maned Nic Cage in a southern drawl delivering lines like “Don’t treat women like that” and “I’m going to show you God does exist”, plus weirdly sappy bookending scenes. Not without flaws (the final chase was overkill) or truly WTF-moments though (the horrible treatment of the Indigenous prisoner, the baffling redemption arc for an inconsequential mass murderer side character, the TV sitcom-esque end credits).

5

Lilo & Stitch (2002)

A Hawaiian girl adopts an unusual pet who is actually a notorious extra-terrestrial fugitive. (IMDb)

The highlight here is the blossoming bond between precious lil troublemaker Lilo and her spirit animal Stitch, with their quirky and sometimes destructive antics masking a simple search for belonging. The sister relationship and weighty broken-family motif are full of genuine feeling too though, and together with the refreshing island setting these dynamics make for a grounded and charming character-focused film. The wild space action bookends then, while entertaining, feel a bit out of place.

7.5/10 (Really Good)

 

JWM SPOOKATHON 2018: Dawn of the Dead (2004)

A nurse, a policeman, a young married couple, a salesman, and other survivors of a worldwide plague that is producing aggressive, flesh-eating zombies, take refuge in a mega Midwestern shopping mall. (IMDb)

Strangers band together to survive a zombie apocalypse–it’s a simple and classic recipe prepared really well here. There’s a good serving of characters (even some development–see CJ’s arc), a nice helping of zombie suspense and gore (the special effects are excellent), and an engaging escape plot added at the end. To this satisfying dish the brilliant opening and closing credits, along with the surprising music montages (that Johnny Cash one was so good) add great pops of flavour and spice.

7.5/10 (Really Good)

CREEPY QUOTE: “When there is no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth.” – Televangelist

SPOOKY STILL: