MOVIE REVIEWS Kids: Spiderman: No Way Home Parents: Death On The Nile

BY BONNIE L. HARRIS

EASILY ON ITS WAY to earning $2 billion, the next installment of the Spiderman franchise, No Way

Home, packs an emotional punch along with a spectacular thrill ride down memory lane. Key to the continuity and success of this global phenomenon is director Jon Watts’ roguish humor, his taste for mindboggling action, and the film’s affectionate nod to Spiderman history. And Spiderman - No Way Home is full of the past; past villains, past plots, and even two previous Spidermen borrowed from parallel universes. The story, although slightly convoluted because we’re talking comic book narrative here, starts with a botched memory-erasing spell cast by Dr. Strange to help Peter Parker overcome a severe case of media over-exposure. Little do they know that their mistake creates portals to multiple universes and the villains come pouring into our present world. Add to that Peter Parker’s real life worries about getting into college and keeping his Aunt May out of danger, and you have a young superhero’s worst nightmare. Having to battle not only villains, but also his mentor, Dr. Strange, puts Peter in an emotional quandary that pulls him between loyalty and doing the right thing. Of course, doing the right thing drags him even deeper into trouble that only two additional Spidermen can possibly resolve. The gigantic three-way cosmic battle between good and evil that shreds the Statue of Liberty also proves that teamwork, even with superheroes, is the best way to solve difficult problems. In the end, Peter embraces losing all memory of himself, but a clean slate definitely sets up the next sequel, which is hinted at in the mid-credit scenes with a surprising cameo by Venom. He’s another tormented character created by the astonishing imagination of Stan Lee & Steve Ditko that I have yet to learn about. Pass the popcorn! ✦

Sony Pictures, Rated: PG-13 Streaming on Amazon Flying from prying eyes.

DEATH ON THE NILE 20th Century Studios, Rated: PG-13 In theatres & streaming on Amazon

KENNETH BRANAGH’S CINEMATIC version of the beloved Agatha Christie novel, Death on the Nile, asks the age-old question, “What would you do for love?” The answer puts wedding guests on an exotic cruise down the Nile River with a cast of fascinating, manipulative, conniving, and vindictive characters.

I’d honestly forgotten who done it, so what fun to watch the mystery unfold and the characters unravel! Branagh managed to capture a marvelous troupe of actors who play off and annoy each other brilliantly, and the two noxious vixen who love the same man have equal passion and determination. The bodies pile up in the ship’s meat locker, all very proper and British of course, but a murderer still stalks the decks and M. Poirot is on their bloodstained trail. We not only delve into the mystery, but we also learn about Poirot’s lost love, racist insults, tragic war injuries, and a forbidden relationship. Throughout the film, Branagh adds a thread of bluesy jazz that underscores the unrest of pre-WWII and provides an excellent soundtrack. The expected reveal with the surprising final act of desperation harkens back to the novel, but keeps this film’s ending fresh and entertaining with a light touch of regret.

The master at work.