Dan Says its Alright

  2018 's Into the Spider-Verse was a break out smash that breathed new life into both the superhero and animation genres. Across the Spider-Verse cranks up the stylistics and expands the scope for a grander, if not necessarily always better, web slinging journey. The story sees Hailee Steinfeld's returning Spider-Gwen recruited to a cross universe group of spider people dedicated to keeping the multiverse safe. She then goes against the wishes of head honcho Miguel O'Hara, a.k.a  Spider-Man 2099 , to contact old friend Miles Morales which sets off a chain of potentially multiverse threatening events. Like it's predecessor, Across the Spider-Verse is a film with great heart. It's a story about family relationships, what it means to to be Spider-Man and the different responsibilies and characters that can entail. Stand outs amongst the new Spider-Man are Spider-Man India (Karan Soni) and Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya). Villain, The Spot, starts as a fun side characte...

 Despite suffering from some well established franchise problems Fast X puts it's pedal to the metal to become one of the saga's best entries. No mean feat for a series 10 films and over 20 years in. The set pieces are a tiny bit more grounded than F9 but still ridiculous and a lot more fun. Various members of the crew play live action Rocket League in Rome, drop out of a plane in a "canoe" and engage in a final chase that is much more satisfying than the turn magnet on and off showdown of the previous film. The film also benifits from an increase in star power and better use of its characters. John Cena returns but he plays the character of Jacob Toretto completely differently and is great fun as he embarks on a road trip with his nephew. Jason Statham is back as Decard Shaw, albeit only as a cameo with the promise of more to come. The film really belongs to franchise newcomer Jason Mamoa as Dante Reyes, son of Fast 5 villain Hernan. Leaving his imposing frame to por...

 Three movies into his career and it's clear that Ari Aster is a filmaking mad genius. Quite how much is genius and how much is madness is up for debate. Beau is Afraid, a three hour long, deliberately obtuse endurance test doesn't help answer that question. Main character Beau certainly flirts with madness. In therapy and suffering from some major mummy issues an impending trip to see said mother is the last thing his fragile psyche needs.  After a disappearing suitcase and passport lead to him missing his plane the journey becomes an odyssey, reflecting the stages of life and all tinged with Beau's maternal issues.  We see everything from Beau's point of view, bringing into question how much of the crazy world is real and how much is the interpretation of mind that is always afraid. Maybe the world outside his apartment really is a semi apocalyptic nightmare or maybe he just feels that way. Perhaps his mother has influence over everyone he meets or perhaps she doesn...