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I barely registered "The Accountant" when it came out in 2016 and we only recently queued it up. I'm glad we did, since this was a surprisingly sharp and satisfying watch. Ben Affleck gives one of his strongest performances as a quiet, meticulous accountant on the autism spectrum who has a far more dangerous skillset beneath his mild exterior. The character suits Affleck's intensity perfectly, and the film blends action, mystery, and emotional depth. Strong supporting performances and well-executed twists keep things moving, and the action scenes are tense and rewarding without being overblown. It's not another generic thriller, but a well-paced, slightly offbeat action film with a compelling lead and a surprisingly thoughtful core. It's definitely worth catching up on before diving into the sequel, however only streaming on Prime, which I canceled in a fit of pique many months ago.

We caught the new "Superman" at a recent midweek matinee before meeting friends for dinner, and I really enjoyed it. It's a welcome shift from Zack Snyder's grim take; this felt like a return to the Superman I remember from Saturday mornings with "Super Friends" and the Justice League. David Corenswet is the best Superman since Christopher Reeve: handsome, dimpled, and embodying the role with heart and humanity. Rachel Brosnahan (the marvelous Mrs. Maisel herself) is a great Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult impresses as a compelling and villainous Lex Luthor. This is the best superhero movie I've seen in ages, better than most recent Marvel movies, grounded as it is in empathy, optimism, and relevance. Anyone whining that this Superman is "too woke" clearly never understood what he's always stood for. I'm looking forward to seeing where James Gunn takes the DC Universe next. Plus an added bonus was seeing Cincinnati's glorious Union Terminal (both inside and out) standing in for superhero headquarters.

An emotionally intelligent crime thriller with a deft mix of character and plot, Netflix's "Dept. Q" delivers the goods. Led by the dashingly handsome Matthew Goode as a damaged but fundamentally decent anti-hero, it follows two narrative threads that neatly converge in a satisfying finale. The Scottish city and countryside are beautifully filmed, lending atmosphere without overwhelming the human drama. I haven't read the books it's based on, but the uniformly excellent cast makes every character feel lived-in and relatable, drawing you into their arcs with ease. The show leaves the door open for future seasons, and I hope they prove as compelling as this first outing. If you're a fan of "Slow Horses" on Apple TV, with its grit, humor, and flawed intelligence operatives, this one should be on your list; it's a smart, engaging watch worth your time.