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Killed in the line of duty, the body of Ray Garrison (Vin Diesel) is re-animated as a super soldier by a company seeking to improve warfare technology through biotechnology. But, as Ray begins to put together the pieces of his past, some details aren’t lining up, what isn’t he being told, and who’s holding out on him?Directed by Dave Wilson and Written by Jeff Wadlow and Eric Heisserer based on the graphic novel series Bloodshot. This sci-fi/action romp is the latest comic book, one line slinging, tough guy with a tough past looking to do good; it would seem the good people at Sony have done some quick math while looking to strike gold on the shoulders of Diesel, who’s basically born to play this same role, over and over, again and again, type casting anyone? Alas, that’s a cross for Vin to carry…maybe alongside Jason Statham, but that’s a different story all together. The point is, the tough guy gets challenged, finds himself, gets the girl and survives to win the game routine is anything but new, and, up until a few weeks ago probably would have been just what the doctor ordered for action fans with extra cash needing a little extra Vin in their diet, but also, here we are, a time when folks are being asked to self quarantine and stay out of public places and gatherings, a time of global pandemic, a time when the same old same old just might not cut it. To that end, sadly, this stale take on 80’s and 90’s sci-fi doesn’t bring enough fresh to the fight to really set itself ahead of the pack, terminator nods aside, it’s awfully hard to get excited about a known quantity. Maybe consider this a laundry folding flick when it’s available everywhere on streaming services, until then, hold strong and save the cash. Bloodshot is rated PG-13.

In a land once known for magic, teen elf brothers Ian and Barley (Tom Holland, Chris Pratt) find themselves on a quest to meet their long since passed father. But, the true meaning and self discovery of their mission is a mystery the two will only understand at their journey’s end. Directed by Dan Scanlon and Written by Scanlon and Jason Headley this animated hero’s quest in search of knowledge follows all of the requisite self exploration themes for any well crafted screenplay, in this case a vision through the comedic filter of a magical land that’s gone soft in favor of simplicity, clever. Meanwhile, touching on the real world experiences of loss, single parenting, and growing up in a fractured home, Scanlon and Pixar carefully thread the needle to offer a massive hug to kids and adults who’ve lost a parent or a partner, offering hope, inspiration, and a sense of normality with a healthy dash of laughter along the way, bravo again Pixar, bravo. Worth the ride! Onward comes in at a reasonable hour and forty two minutes of runtime and is rated PG.

It’s been a hard 25 years since Jack Cunningham (Ben Affleck) was king of the boards for his High School basketball team. So, when the opportunity to coach his alma mater is dropped in his lap despite a broken marriage, an emotional disconnect and a drinking problem, perhaps this could be the thing to turn his life around and get back on his feet? Directed by Gavin O’Connor and written by Brad Ingelsby and O’Connor this trope laden tale of dusty sports champ redemption is an odd mix of parts. While Affleck is clearly flexing his acting muscle effectively, the story’s overall inability to make us care for any of the rest of the cast is a missed three pointer and ultimately what keeps this film from advancing from passable to great. Simply put, the best intentions are all outlined but their final execution just doesn’t feel entirely fleshed out, sincere or deserved. To that end, perhaps consider this a film to fold laundry to later as a rental. The Way Back is Rated R.