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Caught in a deathtrap, an unintentional and unconventional group of dark mercenaries team up to fight a new superpower poised to entrap and ensnare humanity; but first, success of their mission will require battling their own inner demons and confronting the darkest parts of their psyche. Will the self named Thunderbolts have the strength to overcome, or will they fall prey to the void?Written by Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo, and Kurt Busiek and Directed by Jake Schreier, this proverbial defibrillator shock to the Marvel Cinematic Universe appears to be the re-energization necessary to awaken fans from the malaise known as Marvel-Fatigue. Delivering the anti-hero narrative with healthy sarcasm, humor, and just enough bite, this ensemble piece leans heavily on the talents of Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Wyatt Russell to deliver the bittersweet and pithy one liners to elevate the picture above the formulaic yawn inducing paint by numbers approach to Marvel’s monster of the week cadre. And, while not breaking new ground in terms of hero action, to that end it’s the standard meal plan, the significantly darker psychological bend does add for a new haunting depth of pathos previously un-mined in the MCU. So, it’s about spirit and heart, and a well timed stay, at two hours and 6 minutes of runtime, yes stay for all the credits, we’re not exhausted at the finish, and instead, for the first time in a long time, actually excited to see where things go. Thunderbolts is rated PG-13.

A mysterious note from Treasury Chief, Ray King (J.K. Simmons), who’s gunned down in a nightclub raid puts Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) on the case; but, it will take the analytical power of the neurodivergent Christian Wolf (Ben Affleck), the accountant, and his brother Braxton (Jon Bernthal) to apply their methods of problem solving, legal and illegal, to get to the bottom of things while an ultra-lethal assassin is on the loose, tying up ends might get messy. Written by Bill Dubuque and Directed by Gavin O’Connor this big budget action thriller sets up with a convoluted plot that unfurls itself in lumpy fashion from start to finish, but in the meantime sets up for a handful of well choreographed action set pieces. And, the chemistry between Affleck and Bernthal does in fact have the cinematic X-factor to draw the viewer along for the ride, even when they’re not advancing the plot but instead providing more pulp or context. But, back to the uneven pacing, it’s the many moving parts of the Accountant 2 that makes this two hour and four minute piece overstay its welcome, albeit, the picture works in totality, but the Jenga like tower of plot points barely stands on its own by the end. Suspend disbelief and you’ll be just fine. The Accountant 2 is rated R.

Twin brothers skilled in running illegal and barely legal operations, Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan), return to their hometown in the deep south after a rough welcome in Chicago. Now, on the opening night of their latest Juke Joint, try as they might, it would seem evil just has other plans for them; in particular, cousin Sammie’s (Miles Canton) gift for music has a particular draw to all things, good, bad, supernatural and the natural alike. Now, with this confluence of events it would seem surviving the night may be a tall ask for these sinners. Written and Directed by Ryan Coogler, this Tarantino, Peele, and Rodriguez inspired pulpy adventure raises tensions high with clever shades of good and evil sketched and blurred just the same. Bending history with horror the genre melange of the Jim Crow South met with mobsters, monsters, splashes humor, and irreverence release pressure at a metered pace as gore spurts and splatters satisfying the taste for blood. The Coogler/Jordan connection delivers the goods from start to finish, the two have clearly established a workflow and understanding that elevates each other’s work, meanwhile the rest of the ensemble move in step just the same. And, with geek out cinematography moments interspersed throughout the entire film, paired with a handful of great musical soundtrack moments, this creative take is fresh enough, original enough, and fun enough to call audiences back to the theatre. Running a little long with a two hour and seventeen minute runtime, regardless, fans of grindhouse fun, beckon the call! Sinners is rated R.