By Tony Beal

IN THEATERS

“John Wick: Chapter 4”
The titular assassin finds himself at a turning point in his quest for freedom against the High Table.

It’s been impressive to see how far the John Wick series has come from its low budget origins, and the newest film is the culmination of that. We’ve gone from the excellent nightclub fights and shootouts of the first film to impressive large scale brawls involving cars, guns, and swords that increasingly escalate in scenes that can go up past 30 minutes. Despite that, there’s still the knowledge that the series never forgot what made it special in the first place, be it the small-scale final action sequence or Keanu Reeves’ performance of a man who is unsure of his place beyond killing. That’s before you get to a cast of unique and diverse characters who are just as tortured, veering down that path, or are just absolute fun. The film is a true accomplishment and career high from everyone involved, and possibly the best film of the series.
“The Super Mario Bros Movie”
The plumber brothers are transported into an alternate world where they find themselves unlikely heroes.

I understand I may be in the minority with this opinion, but I expected more from a movie based on the “Mario Brothers” video games. It’s disheartening to see a lack of creativity in the storyline and entertainment, relying heavily on poor music choices and tiresome ironic humor. The film features a celebrity voice cast, most of whom seem to be playing themselves, with the exception of Jack Black and Keegan-Michael Key, who genuinely immerse themselves in their roles. On a positive note, the animation is truly remarkable and expressive, making it one of the best I’ve seen from an Illumination film. Kudos to the animators for their incredible work! Despite the stunning visuals, the movie feels forgettable. However, it remains watchable and will undoubtedly appeal to younger audiences.
“Renfield”
Dracula’s longtime assistant, Renfield, attempts to find happiness and his own independence in modern day New Orleans.

It’s unfortunate when a horror-comedy falls short because one aspect doesn’t quite measure up to the other, and “Renfield” seems to struggle with both. The sarcastic, self-aware humor prevalent in modern entertainment, such as “Rick and Morty” (which shares a writer with “Renfield”), comes off as particularly grating here, clashing with the intended horror atmosphere. Most characters in the film are unlikable and overly quippy, including the titular character and his boss (despite commendable efforts from Nicholas Hoult and Nicolas Cage). The action sequences also disappoint, with choppy editing and minimal impact, even when blood splatters across the screen. This lackluster action does not blend well with the harsh, unappealing colors. While there are occasional successful gags or gore moments, they are rare and not enough to sustain the entire 99-minute runtime.
“How To Blow Up a Pipeline”
A group of climate activists plot the destruction of a pipeline in West Texas.

It’s uncommon for a mainstream film to genuinely capture the essence of an underground work, but “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” achieves just that. Much of this authenticity comes from its documentary-style approach, with visuals depicting a world bathed in perpetual twilight and actors who resemble real people plucked from the streets. The film’s intensity is palpable, not only during action sequences but also in quieter, small-scale moments where a single misstep could lead to catastrophe. In a time when high-budget action movies often feel uninspired and low-stakes, this film demonstrates the remarkable impact that can be achieved with limited resources. “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” is truly an exceptional cinematic experience.

NEW RELEASES
May 5
“Guardians Of the Galaxy Vol 3”

May 12
“Hypnotic”
“Book Club: The Next Chapter”
“Love Again”
“Knights Of the Zodiac”
“Fool’s Paradise”
“BlackBerry”
“The Mother” (Netflix)
“Crater” (Disney+)
“Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” (Apple TV+)

May 19
“Fast X”
“Master Gardener” (Limited)
“White Men Can’t Jump” (Hulu)

May 26
“The Little Mermaid”
“The Machine”
“About My Father”
“Kandahar”
“You Hurt My Feelings” (Limited)