September 9, 2024

Civil War (2024) ***

The film tries hard to hide its political message, but there are more than enough hints as to where its actual sympathies lie. Nick Offerman's president is a barely disguised Donald Trump, Jesse Plemons' genocidal soldier doesn't need to carry a tiki torch to be easily identifiable, and the numerous mentions of Charlottesville aren't subtle at all. A weird (and unlikely) alliance between Texas and California aside, it's basically an anti-MAGA allegory masquerading as an anti-war one. 

Drive-Away Dolls (2024) ***

Enjoyable comedy about two lesbians crossing paths with a group of inept criminals.

Challengers (2024) ***

Perverse drama about a love triangle involving two tennis champions.