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 Labor Day presented another packed weekend at the movies. If you’re looking for an option, there’s something for everyone at the theaters. Below is my take on the new release options this weekend. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734.

By Any Means (Theaters)
Starring: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Mark Wahlberg
Synopsis: This new drama is based on a true story, taking the action back to the 1960s in Mississippi when change and progress came slowly. We focus on an FBI Agent, Wayne Strider (Abdul-Mateen), who is trying to make change. But that’s not easy in a place where he is viewed by many as lesser because of the color of his skin. When a friend is murdered, he takes it personally. When he’s offered a chance to work on a special task force, he jumps at the chance. But it turns out this special opportunity is to pair with an enforcer for the Mob (Wahlberg) who is brought to Mississippi to use extra-legal methods. Can they manage to effect real change? This is based on a true story, yes, but the flow of this is strange and doesn’t help with engagement. Director Elegance Bratton previously helmed The Inspection. While I didn’t love that film, I appreciated that it tried to tackle some big ideas with some well-drawn characters. I can see why elements of this story might have appealed to the director and Abdul-Mateen. The first part of the film touches on some big elements and has a certain appeal. Particularly the sequences with Giancarlo Esposito. But once we get to Wahlberg’s enforcer, it almost feels like a different film entirely. And it becomes something of a slog at times, and overly violent. It also feels like it moves from an empowerment story set in a certain era to something of a white savior style story that feels uncomfortable, even if it is based on a true story. And the rolling credits at the end certainly make it seem like all the violence and rule-bending didn’t even result in a whole lot of justice for those involved. It’s a tough pill to swallow and a disappointing story.
Rating: Rated R for violence/bloody images and pervasive language.
Verdict: One and a half stars out of five

Fall 2: Deadpoint (Theaters)
Starring: Harriet Slater, Arsema Thomas, and Tom Brittney
Synopsis: Back in 2022 we got a horror movie Fall which was about two girls who climbed a tower they shouldn’t and had things go wrong. I’ll be quite honest; I am terrified of heights. So, this wasn’t the best choice of film for me. And the fact it made me so uncomfortable and squirm so much was a testament to the realism and power of its production. I thought it was an under-rated gem. And it seemed to be a hit with audiences, too. So, it makes sense that the film would end up living on. This weekend we get a sequel, Fall 2. While it’s loosely connected to the first film and characters from that film, this is set in a new location and focuses on some new characters. Mainly Jax (Slater), who is Shiloh’s (Virginia Gardner) sister and gets convinced to take on a new terrifying climbing challenge to get over her fear and over her sister’s death. It does not go as planned. Worse yet, for me, is the film ends in such a way that it’s clear that the filmmakers are trying to establish a Fall cinematic universe. I don’t think I need that in my life, and my guess is you’ll feel the same. This one has a lot layered on to the basic plot of mortal peril due to stupid decisions. There’s a crime subplot and one about identity theft. It wraps up too quickly while also languishing too long. There are twist after twist and none of it really lands. I wasn’t bought into these characters, even if I did enjoy some of the effects and sequences. Still, this is kind of a boring film that doesn’t feel all that necessary as a sequel or a holiday weekend viewing option.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for strong language, some violent content/bloody images and drug material.
Verdict: Two stars out of five

Mayday (Apple TV)
Starring: Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh
Synopsis: As we approach Labor Day, it’s clear we’re getting plenty of options at the theater and at home. Joining this crowded release period is Apple TV, which is offering its latest new film Mayday to stream starting September 4. The film—which stars Reynolds and Branagh—is an action comedy that takes us all the way back to the Cold War. The film is set in 1987 and follows a U.S. pilot (Reynolds) who is shot down over the Soviet Union. That leaves him in a dangerous place seeking a way out when he comes across a former KGB Agent (Branagh) who has an affinity for American culture. A unique pairing ensues. We begin by learning about Lt. Troy Kelly (Reynolds), a hot-shot Navy pilot. He’s got skills and he’s got jokes. But when the pressure is on, he comes through. He nails the latest war games exercise and even manages to help a fellow pilot in need. That earns the attention of his superiors, who tap him for a special mission. Kelly, dubbed Assassin on his call sign, is paired with a veteran Air Force pilot (Louis Cancelmi) to fly a recon mission over Russia in the new SR-71. It’s a sleek and fast plane meant to stay high above it all. But when the low-level clouds force the plane lower, they’re spotted by the Russians. While Kelly advises some slick maneuvers, his pilot ignores him and ends up getting killed as the plane is shot down. Kelly lands disoriented and hurt, in the middle of a forest well over the border. But he’s met by Nikolai (Branagh), a former KGB Agent who is desperate to embrace America and freedom. Nikolai offers treatment and tries to keep Kelly safe, though he decides he can do it on his own. When he discovers he can’t, Kelly has no choice but to rely on Nikolai to get him out of the country and safely back home. This is the ultimate kind of odd couple war film. There’s plenty of action and even some cool effects. But it’s mostly about these two people with different skill sets and backgrounds who come to appreciate each other, and each other’s countries for what they are. We know where this is going and there aren’t many surprises in the sleek 110-minute run time, but it’s about the journey, not the destination. The film comes from writer/directors John Francis Dailey and Jonathan Goldstein who’ve teamed in the past for comedies like Vacation, Game Night, and Dungeons & Dragons. This brings a similar style to the storytelling. There’s a familiar plot and some good action, but this is about the clever dialogue and delivery. They find a great partner in Reynolds. He’s the king of the quippy come backs and one-liners, and he applies that skill gracefully here. But his Kelly also has some heart and learns some things during the course of the film. Branagh, too, has some excellent timing with his lines that adds to the fun and humor. While he’s more of the straight man here, his back-and-forth with Reynolds is entertaining and delightful. In the end, Mayday packs a lot of entertainment into a tight package. If you’re looking for a fun stream this holiday weekend, this film has you covered.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for violence and action, some strong language, suggestive references and smoking.
Verdict: Three and a half stars out of five

Onslaught (Theaters)
Starring: Adria Arjona, Dan Stevens, Reginald VelJohnson, Rebecca Hall, and Drew Starkey
Synopsis: This new film comes from director Adam Wingard, who co-wrote the screenplay. It focuses on a demented scientist (Stevens) who is experimenting to make super soldiers. When the experiment, predictably, gets out of hand it leads to the experimental and extremely violent soldiers breaking free and wreaking havoc on a nearby town. There, a single mother (Arjona) with her own trauma from past military service has to spring into action to save her daughter. This is a fairly standard plot. The film tries to add some flourishes and style and elevate it. Stevens and Hall are having a lot of fun here, and they are handed some truly wild characters to play with. I enjoyed Starkey quite a bit, too. The whole cast is solid, with Arjona and VelJohnson doing some nice things, too. But this film is a bit of a slog. The action sequences are plentiful, but there isn’t enough story here. The weirdness and the flourishes keep you entertained for a while, but it just doesn’t hold up. It’s an interesting swing—and yet another film that tries to leave the door open for a sequel—but it isn’t consistent.
Rating: Rated R for strong bloody violence, some gore, sexual material/nudity, and language.
Verdict: Two stars out of five

The Runner (Prime Video)
Starring: Gal Gadot and Damian Lewis
Synopsis: This is one of two running-themed title films dropping in September. This one is a streaming option focusing on a lawyer and single mother (Gadot) who is out for a morning run when things go wrong. She gets a call that her son has been kidnapped and the clock is ticking for her to use her position to kill a key witness, or her son will pay the price. So, she naturally has to run all over town. I like Gadot and Lewis—who is only on screen for a couple minutes—but this doesn’t quite work. It’s only 85 minutes, but it feels like a slog at times. It’s a bit too predictable but doesn’t build enough tension to really feel invested in the journey. I wanted more and a bit more of a construction from the film. This is sort of limp.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for violent content/some bloody images, some sexual material, strong language and a drug reference.
Verdict: Two stars out of five

The Sun Never Sets (Limited)
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Cory Michael Smith, and Jake Johnson
Synopsis: When you get a movie from Joe Swanberg, you know you're getting some relationship drama. Over the years he's crafted a number of these smaller dramas. They usually have a strong cast and plenty of interpersonal dynamics to explore. His latest film, The Sun Never Sets, is no different. It's set in Anchorage, Alaska during the middle of summer. And it follows a trio of people who are stuck in a mostly unhealthy relationship loop they are trying to escape. As the film opens, Wendy (Fanning) is living her life trying to be happy. But her friend, Lindsay (Debby Ryan) worries she's forgoing her dreams and settling for something easy. That something easy is a relationship with an older man, Jack (Johnson), who is divorced with two kids. He doesn't want to get married again. He doesn't want more kids. Both those things have been desires of Wendy. Wendy also loves nature, including hiking and camping. And she's looking at buying a boat. None of that interests Jack or seems to fit into his life. He loves Wendy, but he's worried they are too different. So, he suggests they take some time apart so she can think about what she really wants and needs. Wendy resists the idea, at first. But when a former flame Chuck (Smith) returns, she is drawn back to him. He's a free spirit and a pilot. But is he what Wendy really wants and needs? We've seen the romantic triangle plot before, many times. It's usually not about how the story turns out, but how invested you are in the characters and the journey. That's true of this film, too. But it does help if, at some point, the plot that's holding all those threads together resolves in some way. I've struggled with Swanberg films in the past because they don't resolve in a satisfying way. That's true here, too. I like the cast and i like the focus on Fanning in this beautiful place. We understand her struggle and we understand that she needs to figure out who she really is and what she really wants. My struggle is I don't know if we ever really get there. It's also somewhat confusing why she is drawn to either Jack or Chuck. They don't seem to be right for her and though everyone is always professing love and a desire for a future, it doesn't feel like they belong together. That's something of a struggle in a movie of this type that is squarely aimed at exploring the dynamic of these relationships. By the end, I'm not sure where any of these people stand, exactly. The door isn't fully open anywhere, but it's not fully shut, either. There is some hope that Wendy might choose herself near the end, but it likely won't feel satisfying for many audiences. I like the performances and some of the sequences, but it just feels a little incomplete at the end.
Rating: Rated R for language including some sexual references.
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five