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Nicholas Cage (self), is an actor in Hollywood well known for his work ethic and inability to say “no” to a role. But, when living the semi-rock-n-roll lifestyle catches up with him and the check comes due, Nicholas is forced to take an “appearance” gig at a remote estate in Spain belonging to Javi Gutierrez (Pedro Pascal), super fan and mafia kingpin. When Nicholas shows up in Spain, the C.I.A. take notice. Before long it’s noises off, and Cage will have to act his way out of the situation to see another day and save his family; an unbearable weight for a massive talent, will this be the role of a lifetime or his last role?Written by Tom Gormican and Kevin Etten, and Directed by Gormican this tour de force celebrating the entire catalog of Nicholas Cage, pokes unique fun at the artist raising question to the Venn Diagram of Nicholas Cage, where does the man finish and the portrayal begin? It’s hard to say. But with certainty one can say there are plenty of well placed yuks and easter eggs for fans of Cage and his body of work. And, while the gambit style plotline is easily predicted, the witnessing of art imitating life imitating art is still a fun gag none the less. Looking for deeper meaning and rich subtext, look elsewhere. With a runtime of an hour and forty seven minutes, welcomes are not overstayed and this simple escapism achieves its goal, no harm done. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is rated R.

Upon his father’s execution, Viking prince Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård), tours the earth with a three fold mission and purpose in mind. Avenge his father (Ethan Hawke), save his mother (Nicole Kidman), and kill his uncle (Claes Bang). Praying at the alter of Odin and sharpening his blade for many years Amleth’s purpose eventually comes to focus on the island of Iceland where a grizzly crossing of fates takes place. But who will ultimately ride to the gates of Valhalla? Written by Sjón and Robert Eggers, and Directed by Eggers, this window into the time of Vikings and spirit lore is perhaps the most linear film Eggers has produced yet, less canted in language and cryptic dialogue but still focused on beautiful visuals creating a transportive work of art. This is clearly Eggers largest budget film to date with a polished look and feel that still maintains his distinct artistry and unflinching sense of period appropriate horror and pathos. From a cast perspective all players sit nicely within frame, in fact, it would appear Eggers is starting to find regulars for his troupe with additional characters played by Willem Dafoe and Anya Taylor-Joy. Bottom line this is another gem that will sit with you long after viewing, worth the watch at roughly two hours and sixteen minutes runtime, The Northman is rated R.

A younger Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson) takes to the streets of Gotham City punishing wrongdoers with vengeance and wrath; meanwhile, a zodiac-esque killer known as the Riddler (Paul Dano) is focused on exposing the corruption and hypocrisy of Gotham’s legal and political scene. So, when the two masked men finally meet, the fireworks begin; in fact, it may even take help from the Catwoman (Zoe Kravitz) to crack this case and secure Gotham’s future. Written by Matt Reeves, Peter Craig, Bill Finger and Directed by Matt Reeves, this considerably darker and more terrestrially bound imagining of Batman skews grittier and more abrasive than any previous live incarnation, but, pushes the PG-13 rating pretty hard for it’s violent content. Cinematically, Reeves has put together a beautiful goth inspired texture and look that feels more visceral and brooding which also lends itself to fewer lines of dialogue from Pattinson, interesting. The whole ensemble sits nicely in frame by the way. Frustrating, the film’s three hour over stuffing and world building does tend to drag on, let’s bring this cow into the barn already, save something for the next two (already slated) installments. Bottom line, points for looks, feels, and aesthetics, demerits for length, bloat and overreach. The Batman is rated PG-13.