The intent of any "Mummy" film is to try to find the angle of perspective making it intense while mixing in certain elements of adventure. With "Lee Cronin's The Mummy", Cronin leans in more to the horror aspect. While he was really able to make the tone work in "Evil Dead Rise" which was wonderfully done, this film more skirts the edge of taste but also what the concept should be.

After establishing the context of the Super Mario Brothers universe, the second entry in the franchise "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" is a lot more cohesive, effective and linear in what it shows since the boundaries (as they were) are now actually set. The progression and thematics are also more specifically based as is the tone. But the second entry, specifically with the story of Bowser and his son, gives it a little more grounded stakes. And yet the best parts of the movie are Yoshi and Star Fox.

The bar of perception for a film like "Revelations Of Divine Love" has to be taken with a grain of salt but also the world and tone it wants to exist in. Its build is based on more of that as a stage play but one with Renaissance stylings at that. The sets are limited but the perspective is not. The story is based on the writings of Lady Julian, an Anchoress in England who befell to a certain illness before seemingly seeing God and became a harbinger of faith.

With "They Will Kill You", the movie starts off with a prologue meant to establish what Asia Reeves (Zazie Beetz) is fighting for. The trailer for this movie was bonkers and pretty much only teased the first twenty minutes which is a good trick. But the reasoning for the residents of their situation is never quite given the mythology it should given that Barbara and Andy Muschietti were shepherding this.

The intention of high concept depends on the texture of camp and stakes that play into the function of the story. With "Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice", the approach, especially with a time machine construct (listed right out front), panders a little bit to an overt level of silliness which is not helped by the ancillary characters. While the cast involved do their best and try to make the progression of culture relevant, the silliness outweighs the coolness despite some great moments (specifically with Vince Vaughn who plays the two Nicks).

The interesting aspect of "Forbidden City" is its mix of Italian and Chinese to tell a story mostly set in Rome. The action optimizing Elisa Wong (known for the live action "Mulan") is fast and furious when it happens and yet the film is also balanced by the more cathartic Italian form of storytelling combined with a gangster picture. Written and directed by Gabriele Mainetti, it is an interesting mix since it moves different than a normal kung fu action film. There is a slickness and some Italian humor and yet retains a bit of the melodrama familiar in certain Far East cinema.

In the lexicon of Pixar, "Hoppers" is an interesting swing but, like "Onward", is a little uneven and at times not as sure of itself as it should be. But like "Inside Out", one of its best, it is a supporting character like Richard Kind's elephant that really brings the story to bear. Here it is a character called George.

With "The Bride", writer/director Maggie Gyllenhaal takes a surefire swing that is uneven and not for everyone but it is strong in its viewpoint and its artistic vision. Setting the tale and giving its own tendencies starting off in 1930s Chicago there is definitely a blend of "Bonnie & Clyde" and "True Romance". Christian Bale is good as always playing more brooding and quiet as Frank (until he bursts) but opposite him Jessie Buckley as Ida/The Bride really shines like the sun.

The concept of "Crazy Old Lady" takes the very real aspect of dementia and takes it to a horror structure degree. It never takes itself beyond its means and is anchored by a vivid performance of actress Carmen Maura as Alicia, the mother/grandmother in question. There is a slightly abstract nature to the proceedings which take place mostly inside a dreary and yet almost gothic house that Alicia lives in.