Pop quiz, hotshots

ONLY THE BRAVE

2017

Directed by Joseph Kosinki

Written by Ken Nolan and Eric Warren Singer (based on the GQ article "No Exit" by Sean Flynn)

Spoilers: moderate

That's just lazy writing

DEADPOOL 2

A small step forward for the franchise, a great step backwards for the mega-franchise.  So let's just call it "fun," and not think about it again till Ryan Reynolds does another one that I won't be one bit excited about seeing, yet will nevertheless probably find myself enjoying anyway.

2018

Directed by David Leitch

Written by Rhett Reese, Paul Wenick, and Ryan Reynolds

With Ryan Reynolds (Wade "Deadpool" Wilson), Zazie Beetz (Domino), T.J. Miller (Weasel), Karan Soni (Dopinder), Stefan Kapicic (Piotr "Colossus" Rasputin), Brianna Hildebrand (Negasonic Teenage Warhead), Julian Dennison (Russell "Firefist" Collins), and Josh Brolin (Nathan "Cable" Summers, not that you would learn this name from the movie he co-stars in, booooo)

Spoiler alert: moderate

And, it's fair to say, it was assembled

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR

Comics, nerd.  Also, there was a movie that came out this weekend, and we can talk about that too.

2018

Directed by Joe Russo and Anthony Russo

Written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely

With many! including Josh Brolin (Thanos), as well as Terry Notary (Cull Obsidian), Carrie Coon (Proxima Midnight), Michael James Shaw (Corvus Glaive), and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Ebony Maw), none of whom are, perhaps thankfully, named as such in the film itself

Spoiler alert: moderate

Steven Spielberg, part XIII: The octopus was very scary!

THE GOONIES

Hey, Goonies never say die.

1985

Directed by Richard Donner

Written by Chris Columbus and Steven Spielberg

With Sean Astin (Mikey), Josh Brolin (Brand), Ke Huy Quan (Data), Jeff Cohen (Chunk), Corey Feldman (Mouth), Kerri Green (Andy), Martha Plimpton (Stef), John Matuszak (Sloth Fratelli), Joe Pantoliano (Francis Fratelli), Robert Davi (Jake Fratelli), and Anne Ramsay (Mama Fratelli)

Spoiler alert: moderate

I met a traveler from an antique land

HAIL, CAESAR!

A half-assed tribute hung upon an even more half-assed plot, Hail, Caesar! is still one hell of a fun jaunt through Old Hollywood, and who can argue with fun?  Me, obviously, but I recommend it strongly anyway.

2016
Written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen

With Josh Brolin (Eddie Mannix), George Clooney (Baird Whitlock), Alden Ehrenreich (Hobie Doyle), Ralph Fiennes (Laurence Laurentz), Scarlett Johansson (DeeAnna Moran), Tilda Swinton (Thora Thackeray/Thessaly Thackeray), Frances McDormand (C.C. Calhoun), Veronica Osorio (Carlotta Valdez), Jonah Hill (Joseph Silverman), and Channing Tatum (Burt Gurney)

Spoiler alert: mild

In Mexico, sicario means boring—sorry! it's hitman, it means hitman

SICARIO

Denis Villeneuve returns with his best Hollywood effort yet—and if it sounds like I'm trying to damn it with faint praise, it's only because I am.

2015
Directed by Denis Villeneuve
Written by Taylor Sheridan
With Emily Blunt (Kate Macer), Daniel Kaluuya (Reggie Wayne), Josh Brolin (Matt Graver), and Benicio Del Toro (Alejandro)

Spoiler alert: moderate

Whores, whores, whores, and gambling

SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR

What a beautiful bore.

2014
Directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller
Written by Frank Miller, in case you couldn't tell
With Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Johnny), Powers Booth (Senator Roarke), Josh Brolin (Dwight), Rosario Dawson (Gail), Mickey Rourke (Marv), Jessica Alba (Nancy), Bruce Willis (Hartigan), and Eva Green (Frank Miller's weltamschauung)

Spoiler alert: moderate