“The Great Wall”- no- not Donald’s wall…though that would make a great movie. This is THE wall – as in the Wall of China. It’s a fantasy thriller that’s half subtitled since most of the stars are Chinese. It’s basically Matt Damon as an ancient mercenary who helps a fantastically costumed army defeat an army of dinosaur-like creatures who happen to be super smart. Some are criticizing it as a white savior movie but I saw it more as female empowerment since the general is a woman and the leader of the creatures is a queen. Willem Dafoe has a throwaway role.
The 3D is mostly a waste , as usual. This one gets an A for looks only. At least it’s short- just over an hour and a half.
2 stars
“The Cure For Wellness”… the movie is as confusing as its title. I’ve never heard so many critics leave a theater all saying, “I am sooo confused”. This overly long (close to 2-and-a-half hours) gothic thriller centers on an aggressive young corporate exec who is sent to Switzerland to bring home the company CEO who refuses to check out of a wellness spa/treatment center. It’s sort of like the Hotel California of wellness centers. As in you can never leave. There’s so much weirdness- even a scene straight out of “Marathon Man”- you know- the dentist scene?? Really trippy stuff Made by the “Pirates of the Caribbean” director. It’s fantastic to look at but don’t try to make any sense of what’s going on. I kept waiting and waiting for the payoff that never came. Did I mention there’s lots of nudity? Calm down- it’s mostly older people. Sometimes dead people.
2 stars