It wasn’t until COVID-19 shut the world down that a harrowing realization set in: Movies are not essential to this world. Not only did movie theaters close, but movie studios halted productions ­— yet the world carried on. When the world slowly re-opened, however, an interesting phenomenon began to appear in online discourse.

People hated everything. Every movie coming out was bombarded and lambasted. Box office earnings also reflected this. Even the titan of the industry, Marvel Studios, produced flop after flop. Talks of “wokeness” and oversaturation flooded movie critiques, and I felt as though hating movies had become popular. But for me, every movie is worth watching. Not every film has to be Oscar-worthy. It’s OK if movies are  “just OK,” as long as they inspire, entertain or allow us to escape.

Black Adam

Yes. I am defending this movie. For the sake of cinema. “Black Adam,” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, released on Oct. 21, 2022, follows Black Adam, who seeks to reclaim his throne of Kahndaq while being challenged by the Justice Society. This film is a prime example of not every movie needing to be a shining star. The villain is bland, annoying characters are present for much of the movie and Johnson, who has always been criticized for playing the same character in every movie, attempts to change it up here. But putting that aside, this movie offers plenty of superheroes, fight scenes and bright spots. Pierce Brosnan’s Doctor Fate is easily the coolest character of any DC movie, with his mystical powers making him a delight to watch. Stunning visual effects for characters and fights (except for the villain) make this more of a spectacle than a film. And that’s OK. Sit back, relax and enjoy the weird characters punching each other for two hours.

Bullet Train

“Bullet Train,” released Aug. 5, 2022, has a star-studded cast, with Brad Pitt as the lead, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji and Joey King in the supporting cast. The movie revolves around a briefcase that Brad Pitt’s character, Ladybug, must retrieve, while several assassins try to either hunt him down or steal the case, all while stuck on a bullet train. The movie is off-the-wall ridiculous, with amazing, fast-paced editing that keeps viewers on their toes. Countless cameos from different actors, as well as a humorous tone throughout, make this a fun movie to watch. Sudden drips of character backstory and stunning action sequences both add depth to characters and the movie. Negative reviews used words like “mayhem,” “over-the-top,” and “laid back” to describe this movie, but these are easily “Bullet Train’s” strengths. 

The Marvels

“The Marvels” released Nov. 10, 2023. This movie suffered from the “wokeness” critique and is considered Marvel Studios’ biggest box office flop. Despite that, “The Marvels” is an easy watch, and its greatest strength is the leading three women. Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani exude excellent chemistry, bouncing off each other. The dynamic between the three — fangirl, estranged relationship and hesitant mentor — gives the leads a lot to work with from an acting perspective. The movie has the usual quippy Marvel humor, but “The Marvels” tones down the comedy. This makes up for the movie’s pacing, which can be janky at times.

Several creative action scenes, with the three leads swapping places mid-fight, lend to the movie’s fast pacing. Longtime fans will enjoy the usual Marvel Easter eggs and references. But this is a short, fun watch,  excellent for a family movie night. Yes, this movie sets the scene for sequels, but in and of itself, it’s a nice story. Comparing this movie to others in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is unnecessary because it stands on its own.

Snake Eyes

Starring Henry Golding, “Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins” was released in July 2021. This movie’s biggest criticism is the fact that Golding’s character, Snake Eyes, is incredibly unlikable and is overshadowed by Andrew Koji’s character, Storm Shadow. Regardless, this movie follows Snake Eye’s personal mission to find his father’s killer as an ancient Japanese clan welcomes him into their clan. This movie has it all: sword fights, family drama, bright colors and large group shootouts. Low lows and high highs make for an engrossing watch. In particular, Koji’s performance as Storm Shadow develops a fantastic character arc to watch unfold. If you’re not familiar with the G.I. Joe franchise, worry not; this film doesn’t require any previous knowledge. But if you’re looking for a solid popcorn flick, “Snake Eyes’” fast action and drops of snappy humor don’t disappoint.

Mortal Kombat

This first movie of the franchise in more than 20 years met with middling reviews, particularly from fans of the game series. Released in 2021, complaints that “Mortal Kombat” is not loyal to the source material are true. The movie forces a new character never seen in any previous game, Cole Young, played by Lewis Tan, into the limelight. Young, a baffling character, is infinitely less interesting than every other character in the movie. Outshining him, though, are an Australian mercenary, Shaolin monks who shoot fire from their hands, ice ninjas, fire ninjas and four-armed monsters. While characters are not the most complex, the movie does not fail where the Mortal Kombat series has always shined: blood and violence. No punches are pulled when it comes to gore and profanity in this movie, carrying over the game’s “Fatalities.” Definitely not the best family movie choice, but for the 18-and-older crowd, “Mortal Kombat” is a highly entertaining fantasy flick.