Oh, Hi! | Review by: Gal Balaban

Oh, Hi! is an out-there concept that partially works due to its talented stars and irreverent pace, though the overall story is often questionable. Molly Gordon and Logan Lerman both entertain and are very funny, clearly sharing chemistry in unexpected ways. Geraldine Viswanathan and John Reynolds are also hilarious supporting players here.

The film starts off sweet, almost letting you expect a dark turn after a "too good to be true" setting of the scene. When that turn comes, it's probably not what anybody would have probably guessed. The audacious idea here never quite hits the bullseye it's hoping to, with moral murkiness that isn't always satisfyingly addressed. However, that's eventually the appeal here -- the movie basks in how ridiculous it's getting that it starts enjoying itself more and more and getting even funnier. Still, the back half also feels diminished by an underwhelming and predictable ending, even when -- or if -- you're finally able to enjoy Oh, Hi! for the craziness that it is by then.

3/5

Review by: Gal Balaban

Rating all V/H/S/Halloween Segments

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The Mandalorian Season 3 Review

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The Rip is all the evidence you need that a great cast can elevate an otherwise run-of-the-mill movie. Without its impressive A-list roster, this would’ve likely been lost among a crowd of forgettable January dumping ground releases. Throw Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and a handful of other extremely talented actors into the mix, though, and now you’ve got something worth watching. While there are exceptions that prove the rule, a lot of these police/cartel thrillers are interchangeable when it comes to their cookie-cutter story beats. The Rip breaks exactly zero molds, but it also doesn’t feel as uninspired as it could’ve. There are enough surprises to keep things engaging, and the tension - which the movie often hinges on - is appropriately high strung. The action is punchy and loud, which is no surprise coming from Director Joe Carnahan. While I do have minor issues with some of the sequences feeling a bit choppy in how they were shot and edited, the action is solid and packs...

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