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Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week.

Boss Level (Hulu)
Starring: Frank Grillo, Mel Gibson, and Naomi Watts
Synopsis: This is Hulu's take on the Groundhog Day format, this time with an R-rated action film that features plenty of violence and a few laughs along the way. Director Joe Carnahan, who touched up the script, delivers a fun and engaging twist on a familiar formula that doesn't wear out its welcome. The supporting cast, which also features Ken Jeong and a cameo from Rob Gronkowski, does a nice job. Gibson is a good heel and Watts has some nice scenes. But this is really about Grillo, who does a great job in the lead role. He's played supporting parts in a number of projects, but here he's given a chance to shine and he makes the most of it. This is a fun movie that will appeal to those that like the time loop gimmick and have an affinity for action films.
Rating: TV-MA
Verdict: Three stars out of four

Chaos Walking (Theaters)
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Tom Holland, and Mads Mikkelsen
Synopsis: We're getting a lot of Holland this March as he takes a starring role in a pair of features. The first is Chaos Walking, an adaptation of a YA novel that was released on March 5. It is set on a planet where each and every thought of males is heard audibly by everyone, creating some chaos. Holland's Todd is in a community with no women, who are immune from having their thoughts heard aloud, run by a firm dictator (Mikkelsen) with a secret agenda. When a new scout ship lands, the sole survivor is Viola (Ridley), and her arrival touches off a potential battle. As Todd seeks to protect her and get her to a place where she can warn her ship, he gets exposed to the wider world and begins to realize everything he thought he knew was a lie. This one has potential and a high profile cast, but it mostly comes off as disorganized and dull. It was delayed in its release, and was initially thought to kick off a film franchise, but it's hard to imagine that being the case now. Holland and Ridley are fine, Mikkelsen is fine, too. But this film is a bit of a slog and the world building needs work. It's not entirely clear what is going on or what we're supposed to take away from the journey. I was excited for this to release, but it turned out as a bit of a disappointment.
Rating: PG-13 for violence and language.
Verdict: Two stars out of four

Cherry (Apple TV+ premiering March 12)
Starring: Tom Holland and Ciara Bravo
Synopsis: This is the second Holland project, this one also based on a novel and directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, the directors of Avengers: Endgame and a number of other MCU projects. It centers on a young man, Cherry (Holland), who drops out of college, joins the Army, returns with a raging case of PTSD, becomes a drug addict and bank robber and drags his girl, Emily (Bravo), down with him. This is a long film, running nearly two and a half hours, and it bounces around in time. Bravo and Holland give their all and give decent performances, but this film is a mess. It's difficult to watch and poorly constructed, including a resolution that plays out like an odd music video. Holland is great as Spider-Man but, thus far, his other roles have been a mixed bag. I was excited about the premise of this film but the execution feels off the mark.
Rating: R for graphic drug abuse, disturbing and violent images, pervasive language, and sexual content.
Verdict: One star out of four

Raya and the Last Dragon (Theaters and Disney+ Premier Access)
Starring: Kelly Marie Tran, Daniel Dae Kim, Awkwafina, Benedict Wong, and Gemma Chan
Synopsis: This new Disney animated feature introduces a new princess, Raya (Tran), who under takes a mission to save her people and bring the clans together. This one is a fun, light and colorful journey that has plenty of heart. I loved the look of the film and the story, and I enjoyed the characters that were presented. Awkwafina was a lot of fun as the dragon, and Tran is great in the lead role. Animated films, at their best, can touch your heart, inspire you and move you. Raya did all that and delivers a fun and enjoyable film for all audiences. This is one you should seek out this Spring.
Rating: PG for some violence, action and thematic elements.
Verdict: Three stars out of four

The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run (VOD, Paramount+)
Starring: Tim Hill, Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Bill Fagerbakke and Keanu Reeves
Synopsis: Parmount+, the latest streaming site and a re-branding of CBS All-Access, launched last Thursday. One of its premier additions was the latest Spongebob film, which some saw last year but is now making its way out to wide release. I've never actually watched an episode or film of Spongbob on purpose, so this was a new experience. I realized after watching it that I wasn't missing anything. There are probably folks that love this, and this film will be fun for you. I thought it was weird, at times dumb and a touch boring. The animation is fine, and Reeves has a fun supporting role, but overall this didn't work for me.
Rating: PG for rude humor, some thematic elements, and mild language.
Verdict: One star out of four