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We’re rapidly making our way through January, getting a mix of new releases. But have any of them been good? Below I give my thoughts on a pair of new films released this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734.

Flight Risk (Theaters)
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace
Synopsis: This film was delayed from the late Fall to January, where it becomes the biggest theatrical release of the weekend. But is it worth checking out? The film is directed by Mel Gibson and is a breezy 91 minutes, mostly contained with three people in the confined space of a small plane flying across Alaska. Winston (Grace) is a witness against an infamous mobster, while Madolyn (Dockery) is the U.S. Marshal bringing him back to testify. Daryl (Wahlberg) is their pilot on a private flight for about 75 minutes to Juneau. Except, Daryl isn’t really Daryl, and is instead an assassin hired to stop Winston. That leads to a confrontation—or three—in the air and Madolyn having to fly the plane in order to safeguard her charge. There’s a lot going on here, but the crisp timeline and confined setting helps keep the tension strong. Despite that, the film manages to bring some character depth and some good moments of humor. That’s a credit to the script from Jared Rosenberg, but also to the way Gibson is able to put the film together. The action sequences work well, and you can’t help but rooting for Madolyn and Winston to make it. I liked Grace a lot, with his goofy mannerisms and heart. Dockery is also solid as Madolyn, who is the real focal point of the production. Wahlberg is fine as the main antagonist, though that early accent as Daryl wears out its welcome quickly. He doesn’t have a lot to do other than be a menace and that only works so well. Overall, this is an enjoyable watch that doesn’t wear out its welcome. It’s not special or memorable, but it’s a sturdy January thriller.
Rating: Rated R for violence and language.
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five

Star Trek: Section 31 (Paramount+)
Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Omari Hardwick, and Sam Richardson
Synopsis: When Paramount Plus brought Star Trek back to life in 2017, Michelle Yeoh was a big part of it. The first series, Discovery, saw her begin as Captain Philippa Georgiou. That didn’t last long as her character perished, and the story moved in a new direction. But she didn’t stay gone long. Thanks to an alternate world, Yeoh returned as Georgiou, albeit a different version. This version came from a violent planet and used her devilish skills to rise to the position of Emperor. But we didn’t know much about her past. She soon became an ally of the Discovery team and, later, was recruited by Section 31, the Black Ops of Star Fleet, ending her run on the show. Now, years later and after the series that introduced her has ended, she is back, headlining a new film that delves into the activities of Section 31, a group that colors outside the lines. We also learn a bit more about Georgiou’s history, and how it connects to a mission she joins in the present. Now, we’re introduced to a new group of Section 31 operatives. That group is played by Omari Hardwick, Sam Richardson, and Kacey Rohl, among others. The mission involves a secret and deadly weapon that pulls the team on a dangerous mission outside the bounds of Star Fleet’s jurisdiction. Yeoh is a talented performer, and as a fan of Discovery I enjoyed her performance in the dual role as both versions of Georgiou. Though this version was more fun, and it was interesting to see what would happen to her once she became part of Section 31. This film provides some answers and, at times, is interesting. Much like some of the modern series, it brings a sense of humor, some darkness, and a different level of violence than the classic series and films. Fans of the modern wave of Star Trek series will be familiar with this style, which works decently for the story they’re trying to tell. What doesn’t work is much of the plot. The film is just 95 minutes, but often feels a little slow and drawn out. The plot is beyond predictable, and beyond a few fun personalities introduced on the team and the work of Yeoh, there’s little to hold onto here. From the moment we get the introduction to her past, we know where this is going. And the journey to get to the obvious conclusion isn’t worth the tradeoff. Fans of Star Trek will likely want to wade into the world and will appreciate it for the expansion of the world that it is. But there is little that will appeal to non-fans, and little that helps this stand out among Star Trek series and films.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for violence/bloody images, suggestive material and some language.
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five