WHAT WE’RE WATCHING: The End of Oak Street: The Spielberg-style sci-fi proving old-school blockbusters still work

Fans of Stephen Spielberg's sci-fi and survival blockbusters will find The End of Oak Street to be a nostalgic, thrilling experience. Released in the same week as another similar movie, The End of Oak Street stands out for its efficient filmmaking and ability to evoke the communal excitement of a packed movie theater. The film follows the Platts, a seemingly perfect nuclear family in the early 1980s, as they are unexpectedly transported to a prehistoric landscape where they become easy prey for ancient creatures.

Despite the film's reliance on CGI for its creatures, it successfully avoids over-reliance on special effects and instead focuses on the emotional impact of its story. The performances of the cast are praised for their ability to convey a full range of emotions, making the audience care about the characters even if they are not particularly well-developed.

While the film may have some questionable character decisions, it still delivers the shocks and high-stakes thrills that make it a worthy addition to the blockbusters of yesteryear.