Toy Story 5

My View:  Toy Story 5  (2026)  PG   In Toy Story 5, Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the gang meet LilyPad, a chatty electronic toy, and their connection to playtime is put to the test. The Toy Story magic works again, and you will love going back to the world where toys not only talk but also care about you. This time, Jessie (voiced by the brilliant Joan Cusack), the cowgirl with the lovable horse, is the main character. We learn that not only has Buzz become smitten with Jessie, but he wants to marry her, but can’t find the courage or the right time to pop the question. However, there are bigger things going on in the household. Bonnie (voiced by Scarlett Spears) is having a tough time making friends. Her parents are concerned and finally bite the bullet, buying her a LilyPad (voiced by Greta Lee), an electronic device that Bonnie, along with all her classmates, becomes obsessed with, ignoring Buzz, Jessie, and the gang, for games and chat with others on the device. Soon, it becomes a war between Jessie, Buzz, and the rest of the toys, with Lily vying for Bonnie’s attention. This is a film about losing oneself to the electronic world and missing out on the world that kids create with their own imagination. It’s also about the isolation that kids feel, even when the electronic devices they are glued to promise friendship and connection. There are some new characters that we get introduced to, with a character voiced by Conan O’Brien who makes this Toy Story one of the funniest in the series. There is also a wonderful subplot involving a new version of Buzz Lightyear that I am sure kids will want. This is a remarkable film franchise that keeps hitting the movies out of the park, being able to find humor, warmth, and bittersweetness that both kids and adults will love, and yes, bring a few tears to an eye or two. Here’s to the wonderful group of toys that make us feel like kids again, even if only for a couple of hours. Note: You will want to wait until Taylor Swift finishes singing during the credits before you leave because there are some bonus scenes that you won’t want to miss.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  Toy Story 5 Website Now playing in theaters

My View:  The Death of Robin Hood  (2026)  R The Death of Robin Hood follows the legendary Robin Hood (Hugh Jackman), who, unlike the tales about him, has lived a life of crime and murder. Fighting in a battle that he assumes will be his last, Robin Hood is gravely injured. A mysterious woman (Jodie Comer) finds him, offering him healing and a chance at salvation. The Death of Robin Hood is set in a time when no good or bad deed goes unpunished. This is a film about legends and the tales that are told to make heroes out of villains and give hope to people who need something to hang onto. Robin isn’t a hero, and he will tell you himself. We find this out from the beginning, when a man who is weary of living has to keep his wits about him because it seems during his life he has killed many people, and their families want vengeance. The first half of this film is a brutal bloodbath that is incredibly disturbing to watch, and in no way should any child see this film. In fact, I will warn you in advance that there is a scene with a child that is bone-chilling to watch. This is the story of a man living in a kill-or-be-killed world, and he knows his time is just about up. The Death of Robin Hood is a film in two parts: the first shows us Robin as the man who doesn’t hesitate to fight and kill, and the 2nd part is a man who is struggling with what he has done in the past and trying to come to grips with that, wanting to slowly fade into obscurity, but the past won’t let him. The second part of this film is incredibly slow (especially compared to the violent first half, and the friendship that develops between Jodie Comer’s healer character and Jackman’s Robin takes a long time to develop. If you are expecting a big finish to the legend of Robin Hood, you will be disappointed, because that isn’t the idea behind the film. It’s about a man who is ready to fade into the past, not realizing that his story will be continued, right or wrong, to be told long after his misdeeds are forgotten. The film’s two parts are so shockingly different that the second half feels like a letdown, even with some outstanding performances. Sometimes you want the legend and not the truth.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  The Death of Robin Hood Website   Now playing in theaters

My View: Girls Like Girls  (2026) R  Girls Like Girls takes place in rural Oregon, where Coley (Maya da Costa), a 17-year-old, is dealing with the death of her mother. Things look up when she meets the ever-popular Sonya (Myra Molloy), and the two quickly become friends. Coley realizes she is having stronger feelings for Sonya than Sonya will admit. The teen years are hard enough, but dealing with a now deceased mom who was probably had bipolar disorder, a father that she doesn’t know, and someone you have fallen for but is giving you mixed signals, and you get what Coley is dealing with. Maya da Costa carries this film with flair, delivering a performance that is both sweet and heartbreaking. Girls Like Girls perfectly depicts what it is like to find someone you care about, but having to deal with a person who isn’t ready to go on that journey with you. The film is set in the early 2000’s, when AOL was the norm, and everyone had a Sidekick for messaging. Girls Like Girls is silly, funny, and full of tears and thoughts about a teen’s world crashing down and never being fixed. Until it is. My Rating: Full Price  Girls LIke Girls Website  Now playing in theaters

My View: Leviticus  (2026)  R  Leviticus is set in a remote Christian community, where Naim (Joe Bird) has just moved in. He strikes up a friendship with a local boy, Ryan (Stacy Clausen), and it is evident that the two want more than just friendship. Little do they know that there is evil in the community, and if the two boys act out their forbidden desires, there will be deadly consequences. What do you do when the person you love is the person you cannot trust? How about the mother who you thought cared about you, but turns on you? How about the religious community that you thought would give some comfort and appearance, but instead sees you as evil? That is what Naim faces in the terrifying story of a young man whose choice of whom to fall in love with will harm him. This is a combination of a horror story and a love story. It’s about a first love and wanting to be the one. However, it’s also about a community that can’t tolerate other lifestyles and will punish those who stray from their ideas of what is normal. Even if the consequences are deadly. My Rating: Full Price   Leviticus Website  Now playing in theaters

Indiefest:  Color Book  (2024)  R  Color Book is about Lucky (William Catlett), a widower, who is dealing on his own for the first time with his 11-year-old son Mason (Jeremiah Daniels), who has Down syndrome. Lucky wants to give Mason a day he won’t soon forget: an Atlanta Braves baseball game. It’s a journey that will test their bond. This is about a parent who is still grieving and is overwhelmed at taking on the duty of being a single parent with a child who constantly needs attention and love. It’s a slice-of-life film presented in stark black-and-white photography as the two navigate their relationship and their place in the world. The chemistry between Catlett, as the patient father who has one setback after another, and Daniels, who plays his son, who misses his mother but is ready to go on a journey to be with his dad. This is a remarkably touching film that is at times heartwarming but ultimately heartbreaking, as the obstacles the two encounter are just too big to overcome. Color Book is a remarkable work that will make you frustrated and proud in the same film. My Rating: Full Price  Color Book Info  Premiering on Netflix and in select theaters on Friday, June 19, 2026.

Indiefest:  Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul (2026)  Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul is a documentary on the life and origins of one of the founding members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame group, The Allman Brothers Band. I am a big fan of a couple of James Keach’s documentaries: the fantastic Glenn Campbell: I’ll Be Me and the film about the fitness guru who gets ALS in Augie. Unfortunately, this documentary feels shallow and spends too much time on Gregg’s last few years. The film never captures the magic that was Gregg or the Allman Brothers Band performing live. The film seems to barely scratch the surface of a man who was incredibly complex and was a very troubled soul for most of his life. The man was married six times and had lots of kids, but we really only get glimpses of his marriage to Cher, and then spend a lot of time with his last wife, Shannon. Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul's last 20 minutes is about his last few years overcoming alcohol and drug addiction, reconnecting with some of his children, and featuring extensive songs played during an all-star tribute to Gregg. I wanted more and got what seemed like a liner notes type film about his life.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul Website Now playing in select theaters.

Indiefest:  Rose of Nevada  (2025)   Rose of Nevada is set in an almost abandoned fishing village in Cornwall, UK. Thirty years ago, the loss of the fishing vessel Rose of Nevada and its crew rocked the community. One day, the fishing vessel reappears, tied up in the harbor. It’s decided that a crew will man the ship in search of fish. When the crew returns, they find something amiss: they are back where they started, but from 30 years ago. This is a strange and wonderful film about what it would be like if you could go back into the past and heal old wounds. Shot on grainy 16mm film and featuring a soundtrack that seems to be fed through a speaker from 30 years ago, this is a magical film where two fishermen go back in time. One, Liam, played by the always-interesting Callum Turner, is happy in this new world, finding a home and family. Whereas Nick (George MacKay) is now Liam’s opposite, having lost his wife and child in the present, and is now part of a family that isn’t his. Nick, in fact, keeps getting back onto the ship, hoping that at some point he will return to his life in the present. This is a fascinating film about time travel and its effects on the men sent back to the past to start their lives over. A life that isn’t their own, but fate has made it theirs anyway.   My Rating: Full Price  The Rose of Nevada Website  Now playing in select theaters

Indiefest:  Unidentified  (2025)  PG-13  In Unidentified, the body of a teenage girl is found in the desert. When no one claims the body, Nawai (Mila Al Zahrani), a divorced woman who recently lost a child of her own and is a true crime aficionado, gets involved in trying to solve the girl’s senseless death. It is rare to find a film that shows another culture through a woman’s point of view, with her as the hero of the story. This is one woman’s fight to find the truth, as she battles both her culture and her bosses to doggedly uncover what happened to a woman nobody wants to claim. Mila Al Zahrani gives a magical performance as a woman who loves listening to and watching true crime stories (which are also done while the host shows makeup tips), and takes on a case that most feel is unlovable. The film slowly reveals the secrets that everyone wants to keep buried. We get immersed in Nawai’s life, a mother who is on her own after divorcing her husband and losing her newborn daughter. She finds purpose in finding out who the dead woman is and why there is a cover-up about her death. It’s a film with lots of twists and turns, many that seem to be dead ends, but Nawai keeps at it, against the odds and her culture. It’s a fascinating film that keeps you guessing until the very end. My Rating: Full Price  Unidentified Website  Now playing in select theaters

My View:  Voicemails for Isabelle  (2026) TV- 14  In Voicemails for Isabelle, Jill (Zoey Deutch) is leaving voice messages for her sister, detailing her life in the big city. Unbeknownst to Jill, the phone number is now for Wes (Nick Robinson), a real estate agent who becomes intrigued by this mysterious woman on his voicemail. I am a fan of rom-coms, but the good ones are hard to find. Voicemails for Isabelle, while hitting your usual rom-com tropes, works thanks to an inventive storyline and Zoey Deutch's charisma and charm. Deutch gives us a multilayered performance that combines humor, warmth, and goofiness, with a solid layer of grief over missing someone who was a huge part of Jill’s life. There is some nice chemistry between Nick Robinson and Zoey Deutch, but this is Zoey Deutch’s film, and she delivers. And yes, the plot is easy to predict, but Deutsch makes it so enjoyable to watch that we follow along just to see how she will react to each scenario. And I have to say that no one has danced to Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” with such joyful abandon as Deutch. This is a rom-com with heart, setting it apart from most of its genre. Plus, who doesn’t want a dessert taco? My Rating: Full Price  Voicemails for Isabelle Website  Now playing on the Netflix platform

Forgotten Film:  The Long Goodbye  (1973) R  Set in 1973 Los Angeles, private eye Philip Marlowe (Elliott Gould) investigates a friend’s suicide that he is convinced is a murder. The more Philip investigates, the more the plot thickens, as the mob, money, and a missing novelist all become part of the mystery. This is not your typical Marlowe mystery, with Robert Altman directing and Leigh Brackett adapting the Raymond Chandler novel originally set in the 50s. This is more of a commentary on L.A., the people who will do anything to make money in a world where truth, loyalty, and friendship are worthless. Gould is fine as the down-on-his-luck P.I., but it’s Sterling Hayden that steals the show as the missing novelist who is the key to everything going down. The casting is eclectic, with Gould nowhere near the ideal Chandler Marlowe and a bunch of character actors filling out the cast, including Nina van Pallandt, Mark Rydell, Henry Gibson, David Arkin, and Jim Bouton, and a very small (blink and you'll miss it) appearance by Arnold Schwarzenegger.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  The Long Goodbye Info  The film is available to rent on Apple TV+

Weird Credits:  From the credits of The Death of Robin Hood:  Snow Effects Technician

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: The Invite  (2026)  R   The Invite starts at a point where Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela’s (Olivia Wilde) marriage is going quickly down the drain. When they invite their mysterious neighbors (Edward Norton and Penélope Cruz) over for a dinner party, the night quickly spirals into chaos in very unexpected places. The film is directed by Olivia Wilde and written by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack.  The Invite Website   In theaters on Friday, June 26, 2026.

Until Next Time!

Mortal Kombat II

My View:  Mortal Kombat II  (2026)  R  Mortal Kombat II takes place when champions, including newcomer Johnny Cage (Karl Urban), battle to end Shao Kahn’s savage rule, which threatens Earthenrealm’s existence. The first film, 2021’s Mortal Kombat, I felt was short on plot and heavy on blood and gore, making it one long video game. This is more of the same, with one exception: this film has Johnny Cage, played by the master of the cool look, Karl Urban. If you aren’t a fan of the game or didn’t see the first film, you are in good hands with Johnny, because he doesn’t have a clue (for most of the film) about what is going on and doesn’t want to be there. Urban is perfect as a former karate champion who went into the movies and is now barely making it by attending fan expos to sell autographs. Johnny is basically kidnapped to participate in the tournament and doesn’t really commit to the team until near the end of the film. Urban is funny, getting his butt kicked in almost every fight, trying to talk his way out of everything, until Johnny figures out that he really belongs in the fight. The plot is pretty simple, and the fighting sequences are just okay, but Urban makes this film what I like to call ‘stupid fun’. It’s a film that you think is dumb in plot and execution, but knows what it is and has fun with it. So put on your Ray-Bans and join in the fight. You just might have a good time.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Mortal Kombat II Website  Now playing in theaters

My View:  The Sheep Detectives  (2026)  PG   In The Sheep Detectives, every night, a sheepherder (Hugh Jackman) reads a mystery novel to his herd before they bed down for the night. When one morning they find he is dead, the sheep realize that his death is under mysterious circumstances, and they set out to solve the crime. If you are looking for a film to take your family on Mother’s Day weekend, we have a winner. This is a delightful film that the whole family will enjoy. Book clubs and mystery fans will enjoy how the sheep use what they have learned listening to the mystery novels to solve the crime. Fans of the book by Leonie Swann, Three Bags Full, are going to be happy with the adaptation. Kids are going to love the sheep, especially the two teen sheep, Ronnie and Reggie (voiced by the hilarious Brett Goldstein), who just want to butt heads all day long over any subject. The voice cast is led by Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Lily, who takes the lead in solving the mystery, Patrick Stewart as the grand old man of the herd, Sir Richfield, and Bryan Cranston as an outsider sheep known as a winter lamb who slowly becomes Lily’s accomplice in solving the crime. When I saw the trailer, I was a little worried the film would be too cutesy, but it pulls off the talking sheep brilliantly, letting us fully understand the herd's characters and dynamics. The Sheep Detectives is a funny, warm, and quick-paced movie, making it a joy to watch. And when’s the next time you are going to get to watch a herd of sheep solve a murder? Maybe not until there is a sequel.  My Rating: Full Price  The Sheep Detectives Website  Now playing in theaters   

My View:   Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour  (2026)   PG-13  Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour is a concert film from Eilish’s seventh headlining tour. Right away, you see something different when James Cameron (yes, that guy) tells Billie that she is directing the film and that his name will appear in small letters below hers. While primarily a concert film from her latest tour, more than an out-and-out documentary, it does feature conversations between Cameron and Eilish and behind-the-scenes footage of her preparing on the day of the concert. I saw the film in 3-D, but I don’t think you need to see it that way, though I would try for the best theater sound system you can find so you can be swept up in the concert’s vibe. Eilish is a dynamo on the stage, performing on an enormous stage in the center of the arena. She doesn’t have backup dancers, and her band and backup singers are primarily in open areas below the stage. Eilish talks about aspiring to be like the rappers that she loved. How they commanded the stage and got the audience jumping to their music. It is amazing how in sync the audience is with her performance, often taking cues from her to shout out lyrics or sing along, taking the chorus lines while Eilish is singing the main lyrics. The film is shot so we feel part of the crowd, though we do get to see what happens when Eilish steps offstage to set up the next song. My only quibble is that there are far too many reaction shots of the crowd singing along, almost always in tears. However, you will understand why she means so much to her fans when you see Hit Me Hard and Soft. If you aren’t a fan, you'll be soon! My Rating: Full Price Hit Me Hard and Soft Website   Now playing in theaters 

My View:  Remarkably Bright Creatures  (2026)   PG-13  Remarkably Bright Creatures follows Tova (Sally Field), an elderly widow who works the night shift at a local aquarium. She forms an unlikely bond with Marcellus (voiced by Alfred Molina), a grumpy Giant Pacific Octopus, who helps her solve the mystery of her son’s disappearance. We all fell in love with octopuses when we saw the Academy Award-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher. Now we get an octopus that talks (voiced by Alfred Molina). Marcellus is an octopus that watches humans pass by his tank at the aquarium. The only person with whom he enjoys interacting is Tova, who is the night cleaning woman. She is the only person who talks directly to Marcellus, though only we can hear his replies. Into Tova’s life comes Cameron (played by Lewis Pullman), a musician down on his luck who is trying to find his long-lost father to collect what he hopes will be a bunch of money. The two of them don’t know it, but somehow, someway, Marcellus sees that the two are meant to be in each other’s lives, and he is determined to figure out a way to make that happen. This is a wonderful, kind movie that studios in the 70s and 80s regularly put out. Field is wonderful as always, as the headstrong Tova, who is trying to avoid going to a retirement home and continues to mourn the loss of her son, who died as a teenager. Cameron is another lost soul whose hopes of becoming a musician are fading. Pullman and Field have a nice chemistry, and the supporting cast is outstanding, with stalwarts such as Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, and Colm Meaney filling out the film with colorful characters. Still, this is a film that features an octopus that you believe will somehow, someway get Cameron and Tova to see that they are meant to know each other. This is an enjoyable film that works because of the cast and will make you wonder what those aquatic animals are thinking the next time you visit your local pet store or aquarium.  My Rating: Full Price  Remarkably Bright Creatures Website   Now playing on the Netflix platform

Forgotten Film: That Evening Sun  (2009) PG-13  An absolute masterclass in acting from Hal Holbrook, playing a man who has had his farm taken away from him and wants it back. This is a wonderful look at rural life in the South, with great supporting cast performances by Ray McKinnon, Carrie Preston, and Walton Goggins. The cinematography is beautiful, and the dialogue hits to the core. The reason to see this film is Holbrook, a man past his prime but still ready to fight for what he feels is his birthright, and will not let anyone tell him otherwise. This is a moving tale of an imperfect man standing up and making his voice heard. I saw this film recently at the Atlanta Film Festival as part of their 50th anniversary celebration, and it is still an amazing piece of acting.   My Rating: Full Price   That Evening Sun Info  Available to rent on Amazon Prime

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Mortal Kombat II: Fabricator Hand

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: In the Grey  (2026)  R  In the Grey is about a covert team of elite operatives who live in the shadows. This team, led by Sophia (Eiza González), is called in when mistakes are made and you need insurance. A ruthless despot has stolen a billion dollars, and the team is sent in to do the impossible: recover the money. The cast includes Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, Kristofer Hivju, Fisher Stevens, Emmett J. Scanlan, Jason Wong, and Rosamund Pike, and is directed by Guy Ritchie.   In The Grey Website  In theaters on Friday, May 15, 2026

Until Next Time!

The Drama

My View:  The Drama  (2026) R   In The Drama, a happily engaged couple, Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Robert Pattinson), are about to get married. However, their relationship is about to be put to the test when an unexpected, shocking, and explosive crisis sends their plans all to hell just days before their wedding. I will not spill what the crisis is, but it is shocking and would test any relationship. This is a film that starts out as a rom-com with a ‘meet cute’, a funny first date, and even a funnier first kiss. Then writer/director Kristoffer Borgli takes us on a trip to a very dark comedy that will make you squirm in your seat and maybe even gasp out loud a few times. You will be on the edge of your seat for every scene as things go further and further down a very rough and rock-filled rabbit hole. I think I even tried to look away at one point, but couldn’t. I loved Zendaya's and especially Robert Pattinson's performances, though you might not like their characters by the end of the film. Pattinson is brilliant in the role of a man whose world is shaken to the core and who puts too much faith in other people’s opinions. And I want to point out that Alana Haim’s performance is outstanding as the Maid of Honor who turns very quickly on Emma and doesn’t let up in her utter contempt. This is a film that you will talk about for days, and if you are like me, you may never want to see The Drama again. Not because it’s bad; in fact, it is amazing. It’s just darn uncomfortable to watch. And please, please don’t take anyone to see this on a first date. If you do, you may never see them again.  My Rating: Full Price  The Drama Website  Now playing in theaters nationwide

Familyfaire:  The Super Mario Galaxy Movie  (2026)  PG   The Super Mario Galaxy Movie continues the adventures of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad. The gang is joined by Yoshi as they travel across the galaxy, exploring cosmic worlds as they face off against Bowser and his son, Bowser Jr. I did not like the 2023 film, and I found this one was even worse. My afternoon screening was filled with more adults than kids, which means its audience is full of fans of the games and that this film will make a boatload of money. Like the first film, I think only young kids and those video game fans will enjoy this film. Like the first film, it feels like the writers did one of their usual let’s throw everything up on the screen and hope some of it’s funny, which the Illumination studio is famous for. What I liked about the first film was the interaction between Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt) and Princess Peach (voiced by the Anya Taylor-Joy) but sadly, Peach doesn’t have much to do after the opening sequence as this she is held in Bowser Jr.’s castle, with Mario, Luigi, Toad and new addition Yoshi on a mission to save her. The animation is colorful but unimaginative, and the storyline is one long video game, and once again, we don’t have any controllers to make the film move along. Now, gamers are going to love all the Easter eggs the film has and a few new characters that will delight some of the crowd. I found the film boring, unfunny, and stupid, with little thought given to character development or plot. However, I realize I am not the intended audience, and others may have a good time with the characters. I certainly didn’t. And once again, there are two bonus scenes, one mid-credits and the other at the very end of the film, that may make some gamers happy.  My Rating: Cable The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Website   Now playing in theaters nationwide

Indiefest:  Fantasy Life   (2025)  R   Fantasy Life follows Sam (Matthew Shear), a law school dropout who has just lost another job. His psychiatrist (Judd Hirsch) gives him a job babysitting the psychiatrist’s three granddaughters, and Sam soon falls for Dianne (Amanda Peet), the mother of the girls, who just happens to be in a bad marriage. Amanda Peet hasn’t been in a movie in ten years, and boy, have we missed her. Peet is perfect as Dianne, a woman who is dealing with mental health issues, along with an absent husband and a career as an actor that she thinks has forgotten about her. In walks Sam, a mess himself, who has anxiety attacks and needs a job. The two find they can quietly and lovingly support each other as they navigate life's ups and downs. With a brilliant, quirky supporting cast, the film slowly unfolds as we spend time with Sam, Dianne, and her family. Fantasy Life is a film you let wash over you, enjoying the performances that capture everyday life in a chaotic world that sometimes gets the best of us. My Rating: Full Price  Fantasy Life Website  Now playing in select theaters

My View: Pizza Movie  (2026)  Pizza Movie is about two college roommates, Jack (Gaten Matarazzo) and Montgomery (Sean Giambrone), who take an experimental drug called M.I.N.T.S and must go on a dangerous journey to pick up the only thing that will bring them down: a pizza. That dangerous journey? They have to travel two flights of stairs to their dorm lobby. Pizza Movie is a film where you question what drugs filmmakers Nick Kocher and Brian McElhaney were taking when writing the script. The film is out of this world nuts, with some incredibly funny situations and others that are just out and out stupid and don’t work. However, the film never stays too long on one aspect and keeps throwing obstacles the guys have to overcome to get to that pizza. The great thing about this film is that it just keeps trying to outdo the last scene, and it does many times. Matarazzo and Giambrone have incredible chemistry on the screen and make this film work, along with the addition of Lulu Wilson as someone who fits better with the two roommates than the group she is trying too hard to fit into. And hey, any film where Daniel Radcliffe voices a rogue butterfly is a movie you just might have fun with. Just don’t take a mint if it’s offered to you while watching this film. It would be a mistake. Unless you have pizza nearby!   My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Pizza Movie Website    Now playing on the Hulu platform

Forgotten Film:  Monsoon Wedding (2001) R  The Verma family of Delhi is coming from far and wide to see Aditi (Vasundhara Das) marry Hemant (Parvin Dabas), a computer programmer from Houston. Hemant is considered somewhat of an outsider, but in this arranged marriage, that’s not the only problem with this wedding. This is a fun and delightful movie where secrets are to be kept, romances blossom, and a wedding might just fall off its wheels before the couple can say their vows.  My Rating: Full Price  Monsoon Wedding Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie:  Head of Render Wranglers

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: The Sheep Detectives (2026) PG  Every night, a sheepherder (Hugh Jackman) reads a mystery novel to his herd before they bed down for the night. When one morning they find he is dead, the sheep realize that his death is under mysterious circumstances, and they set out to solve the crime. This is truly one of the weirdest trailers I have seen in a theater. The voice cast is outstanding, so let’s wait and see what happens.   The Sheep Detectives Website The film will be out in theaters on Friday, May 8, 2026.

Until Next Time!

Marty Supreme

My View:  Marty Supreme   (2025)  R   Marty Supreme is about Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet), a man in 1950s New York City who believes he is the world’s best ping-pong player. Marty is out to prove it and is willing to take on anybody to show he is the best. Timothée Chalamet gives a mesmerizing performance as a man who is convinced that table tennis is the next big sport to take the world by storm, and that he is the man to bring the sport the glory and attention it deserves. Because Marty believes he deserves it too. Marty is a character that you love to hate, but in the end, you also want him to succeed, in spite of himself. To say Marty is full of himself would be putting it mildly, as he is convinced he is not only great but that he deserves a lot more admiration and attention than he is getting. Chalamet gives us a man who has no humanity but is still, at his heart, has a humanity about him, that is there, you just have to dig a bit to find it, and Chalamet and filmmaker Josh Safdie allow us to see it, even if it is just a glance or two. This is a film that asks you to hold on to the coattails of Marty and hold on tight, because he is going to give you a ride that doesn’t seem to slow down or stop for anyone or anything. It’s a thrilling performance in a movie that makes you want to go to the theater. Marty Supreme is a ride that you won’t forget; you may need some oxygen by the end, and you will think back in wonder at what Mr. Chalamet and Mr. Safdie have created. My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  Marty Supreme Website  Now playing in theaters

My View: Anaconda  (2025) PG-13  In Anaconda, Doug (Jack Black) and Griff (Paul Rudd) decide it's time to realize their lifelong dream: remaking the 1997 film Anaconda. With their friends in tow as actors/crew, the pair go to the jungle where they encounter a real giant anaconda that is intent on killing them all. I was worried when I heard they were remaking the fun but pretty bad 1997 film starring JLo, Jon Voight, and Ice Cube. However, this isn’t a remake. It’s the story of two lifelong friends who had a dream when they were kids to make a feature film together, and they think it’s their destiny to remake Anaconda. As you would expect, things go horribly wrong, including a giant snake, and I mean giant, that shows up to ruin the fun. I am not a huge fan of Jack Black, as his overacting ‘act’ can get old pretty quickly in a film. However, this film does something cool. They make fun of Black and his overreaction, while also making fun of Rudd as a small-time TV actor who thinks he is better than he really is. The film is a bit slow at the start, but as soon as the gang gets to the Amazon, the fun begins, and then, when the giant snake shows up. This is a snake that, just like any other horror film, is not satisfied with killing people; it wants to destroy them. Anaconda is such a fun film to watch, and the section with Black’s character being used as snake bait is the funniest film scene of the year. This time of year, I am watching a ton of films that are trying to win awards, so it’s nice and fun to watch a film that just wants you to have a good time. And be sure to stick around past the first portion of the credits for a bonus scene that you don’t want to miss. My Rating: Full Price  Anaconda Website  Now playing in theaters

My View:  Song Sung Blue  (2025)  PG-13   Song Sung Blue is about Mike “Lightning” Sardina (Hugh Jackman), who is barely making it as a journeyman musician until he meets Claire (Kate Hudson) and they team up to become the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder. Just when things are turning around for the pair, tragedy strikes, and nothing will ever be the same again. If you love Neil Diamond, you will love this movie. If you like him, as I do, you will like this movie. And if you don’t like Mr. Diamond, don’t go see this movie because they sing a lot of Neil Diamond songs, and most of the time they sing the whole song, not just a montage of hits. Having seen the documentary about the real-life team of Lightning & Thunder, I knew the story well and, like the documentary, I enjoyed the first half of this film much more than the second. I won’t tell you what happens, but when tragedy strikes, the film can’t find its footing, and we wait too long for the turnaround you know a film like this will take. As usual, Jackman is a showman, and he is so much fun to watch as Lightning when he is on stage or singing to anyone. I loved Kate Hudson’s voice, and she can hold her own with the talented Jackman. However, the film falters when it tries to be serious, with dialogue that seems forced and cliched. Song Sung Blue is an enjoyable film about a love story of two people, but also their love of performing. I just wish that joy had made it all the way to the second half of the film.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Song Sung Blue Website  Now playing in theaters

Indiefest:  No Other Choice  (2025)  R  In No Other Choice, Man-su (Lee Brung-hun) is doing well as a long-time employee of a paper company, living with his wife and child in a beautiful home. When his company is bought by a competitor, Man-us loses his job and is about to lose his house when he comes up for another job. His only problem is that there are some men who are more qualified than he is for the job. His solution: eliminate them. This is a very dark comedy where every scene is carefully crafted to have an impact, whether immediately or later on in the film. One moment you are laughing about a man who is trying to decide what flower pot to throw down on a person to kill them, and then another moment when you realize that this person is intent on actually killing someone. Lee Brung-hun is masterful at showing such a wide range of emotions, giving us a hero we have to quickly decide whether to root for or want to see fail. Director Park Chan-wook gives a film that shows the desperation of the times, how reason and humanity can go by the wayside just to keep up with what the next household has. The question at the end of the film is, Are you happy with the outcome? It’s a question that Park Chan-wook would love to hear your answer to. My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again  No Other Choice Website  Now playing in select theaters

Indiefest:  The Choral  (2025)  R  The Choral is set in 1916 England, where the country is in the midst of World War I, and a small town has just lost its choirmaster to the army, with only weeks before their annual performance. The town takes a chance and hires Dr. Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes), a man who has talent and an ego to match. For many of the men in the choir, it could be the last time they will ever sing again. Ralph Fiennes gives a nuanced, complex performance on screen as a man hiding his love for another man (who has gone off to war) while being given a job he feels is beneath him. This is an old-fashioned British film where the town rallies around a cause and puts aside its differences to put on a show. The film wants to be more than it should be, and so we get a lot of stories to fill out the plot, most of which don’t pay off in the end. I never felt fully invested in the storyline, feeling that I could have used more of Dr. Guthrie’s backstory and less about some of the townspeople he is trying to whip into shape. My Rating: Bargain Matinee    The Choral Website  Now playing in select theaters

Indiefest:  The Testament of Ann Lee  (2025)  R  The Testament of Ann Lee tells the story of Ann Lee (Amanda Seyfried), the 18th-century founder of the Shaker Movement. Lee, through sheer will, forged a utopian society in which members worshiped by singing and dancing, often provoking the dismay of others. This is one of the weirdest musicals I have ever seen, and I loved it, mostly because of the magnificent Amanda Seyfried, who gives a tour de force performance as the leader of the Shaker Movement. Seyfried is the fiery woman who becomes someone who radiates charisma, making people want to follow her. It’s a powerful, at times beautiful, performance that is a joy to watch. The Shaker religion was at its height in the early days of America and was known for its intense, overpowering dancing during worship. From the very first scenes of the film, when we see a group of men and women dancing and singing in the forest, you realize that this will not be an ordinary movie, and you would be right. This isn’t a movie for everyone, as there are songs that just have to be seen/heard to be believed. That includes a song about Ann, who has four babies that all die before they are one. The dance sequences are incredibly complex and are a marvel to watch, especially when done in the tight quarters of the Shaker houses and halls. The music is based on original Shaker songs, and you can see how their construction raises the emotions and frenzy of the believers. The Testament of Ann Lee is a fascinating film that should be seen on the big screen to be amazed at the songs and dances that tell the story of a religion that has almost died out in modern times. My Rating: Full Price  The Testament of Ann Lee Website   Now playing in select theaters

My View: Cover-Up  (2025) R  Cover-Up is a documentary on the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Seymour Hersh, who has made his life's work exposing scandals, including the war crimes committed by the U.S. during the Vietnam War. Seymour Hersh has made a career out of having people tell him secrets while hiding their identity, so it’s no surprise that it took 20 years for the filmmakers to talk him into doing a documentary about himself. It’s also no surprise that halfway through the film, he wants to quit because he thinks he is giving too much away and endangering all the people who trusted him to tell the truth to the world that they couldn’t dare to. This isn’t just a great film about journalism but also about having the guts and integrity to write the stories that Hersh has broken over the years. I was shocked watching this film about the number of stories that Hersh has broken and how our government has tried to cover up so many ugly deeds. It’s a brilliant look at a man who believes in the truth and will dig deep to find it. The film is also a reminder of how powerful journalism can be when reporters like Hersh stand up to the powerful. It’s an engrossing look at a man who has held on to the idea that the free press is one of the most important aspects of our democracy, and if you don’t believe it, go back and read the work that he has done for the past 50 years.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  Cover-Up Website  In select theaters and on Netflix on Friday, December 26, 2025

Indiefest: The Plague  (2025)  R   In The Plague, Ben (Everett Blunck) arrives at the summer camp water polo training program. It’s hard for a shy kid to belong, and no matter how much Ben strives to fit in, he ultimately gets targeted by bullies. Ben’s only possible help is Eli (Kenny Rasmussen), a kid nicknamed “The Plague” because of a skin condition, who is also a victim of bullying. While not an outright horror film, it is about the horrors of bullying and how the herd mentality can take over to torment. Everett Blunck gives a performance beyond his years, of a kid who wants to fit in but also aspires to be a good guy and reach out to the strange kid everyone mocks. Things go bad for Ben, and he becomes a target of the gang. I loved the cinematography of the film as well as the score, both of which build the tension, especially in the scenes in the pool where it’s every kid for himself. I will warn you that the film's ending is quite shocking and very disturbing, but it fits with the rest of the film, where bullies rule the pool, and there’s no way to escape. My Rating: Full Price    The Plague Website  Now playing in select theaters

My View: Goodbye June  (2025)  R  In Goodbye June, four siblings are forced to come together after years of fighting to see their ailing mother (Helen Mirren) In Goodbye June, four siblings are forced to come together after years of fighting to see their ailing mother (Helen Mirren) during the holiday season before she passes away. Kate Winslet not only stars in the film but also directs it, and she shows a good grasp of the story and how to tell it to an audience. Unfortunately, a film with a cast that includes Helen Mirren, Timothy Spall, Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn, and Andrea Riseborough should be outstanding, and it isn’t. Instead, it follows a well-worn path of a family that has to mend the past to confront the loss of the one member who seems to hold everything together. It’s a film whose script goes for easy moments, trying to tug at the heartstrings with characters who seem one-dimensional. The film tries too hard to tug at our heartstrings, rather than letting us understand the characters and where they are coming from. I hope next time Winslet will pick a script written by someone other than a relative and tackle something with more depth. My Rating: Cable  Goodbye June Info  Now playing on Netflix and in some select theaters

Forgotten Film:  Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point  (2024)  PG-13  On Christmas Eve, a huge family gathers together for their annual party in what could be the last gathering in their ancestral home. As tensions rise, drinking begins, and the teenagers sneak out of the house to make it another memorable time in Miller’s Point. Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point is a movie that feels like you have been invited to a family home for Christmas Eve, but have never met anyone in the family before. From the start, we are thrown into the family car, sharing the back of the station wagon with a kid looking at the Christmas lights from upside down, as the father drives with almost uncaring abandon. We arrive at the home, and the party is already going on, with no introductions to anyone. This is a film where you will get to know some of the family members better than others, as they bicker over whether the aging mother should be put in a home, kids run rampant in the house, and teens are sullenly waiting for the adults to start drinking so they can sneak away. Some of the family’s stories are left open-ended, while others we see the consequences by the film’s end. Christmas in Miller’s Point is a film that lets us share in the excitement of a big, loving family on a night when gifts are given and love is present. My Rating: Full Price  Christmas Eve in Miller's Point Info Not enough people saw this film when it came out last year, so go see it on Disney+ or Hulu!

Weird Credits:  From Song Sung Blue:  Dresser to Mr. Jackman

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple  (2026) R Taking place after the events of 28 Years Later, Spike (Alfie Williams) has joined Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal’s (Jack O’Connell) gang as they go on a killing spree. Meanwhile, Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) forms a new relationship with one of the undead that could have world-changing consequences. This is the fourth installment of the 28 Days Later film series.  28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Website The film is in theaters on Friday, January 16, 2026.

Deadpool & Wolverine

My View: Deadpool & Wolverine  (2024)  R   Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is recovering from some serious injuries when he comes across someone he really doesn’t like, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds). After trying to kill each other, the two frenemies team up to defeat a common enemy. Be sure to try to avoid all spoilers, as there are a lot of them because of the almost endless cameos and easter eggs that constantly appear. I loved the first Deadpool as it continually mocked superhero movies, with Ryan Reynolds breaking the fourth wall to talk to us. I loved the character and thoroughly had a good time. The second film was entertaining, but it's hard to match the first one. Now we have a third film, and to save the day, Hugh Jackman, the man who has played Wolverine for an incredible 23 years, is on board. The film breaks the fourth wall from the start, as Deadpool makes fun of Marvel during the opening credits. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, laughing and clapping so hard that I missed some of the dialogue. There is great chemistry between Hugh Jackman and Reynolds. It's easy to see how Jackman would get back in shape to play the role one more time, because he is having the time of his life in this film. Yes, the plot is a little (ok, a lot) convoluted, Reynolds goes a bit too far talking to the audience, and the film starts to drag a bit in the last thirty minutes. Still, it's great fun trying to find all the easter eggs, and some of the cameos are jaw-droppingly good. The end seems a little too easy, but it’s still a blast to watch. They do a nice job during the credits to salute all the characters that have appeared in the 20th Century Fox superhero movies, and yes, there is a bonus scene at the end of all the credits. And oh, there is a dog that has a pretty big part in the film that has to be seen to be believed. So go get your Deadpool/Wolverine popcorn bucket and have a great time.  My Rating: Full Price Deadpool & Wolverine Website  Now playing in theaters.

My View: Cirque du Soleil: Without a Net  (2023)  PG-13  In the documentary Cirque du Soleil: Without a Net, the company, after shutting down and declaring bankruptcy due to the worldwide Covid outbreak, moves to reboot its flagship production O. The film documents the struggle of both performers and crew members as they work to return to their world-class standards in time for an opening night. My love for Cirque is immense and I am lucky to live in a city where their circus tents are set up every year with a touring show. So I was excited to find out that a documentary was being done on Cirque du Soleil putting their flagship Las Vegas show, O, back on after 400 days of being dark because of the COVID crisis. The film does an outstanding job of letting us get to know some of the performers, as they have to quickly get back in the groove of performing after being sidelined. O is a unique show in the Cirque lineup, as a great part of the performance is done in or around water. The film shows us all the trials and tribulations that go on behind the scenes to put on the show, including getting used to new partners and having equipment that doesn’t always work the way it’s supposed to. I loved seeing all the practices they had to go through, and it made me appreciate the spectacular show they put on night after night. So put on your tights, limber up, and join in on the fun. My Rating: Full Price  Cirque du Soleil: Without a Net Info     Now playing on Amazon Prime.

Indiefest:  Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger  (2024)  Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger is a documentary that chronicles the British cinematic partnership of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, known as The Archers. Between 1939 and 1972, the duo created 24 award-winning films, including Black Narcissus (1947), The Red Shoes (1948) and The Elusive Pimpernel (1950). Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas, Raging Bull, Killers of the Flower Moon) gives us a Master Class on the films of The Archers. Their films greatly impacted filmmakers like Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola, as they did with me. I can tell you exactly what theater I was in when I saw The Red Shoes; that's how big an impact their films had on me. The film gives us the history of Powell and Pressburger’s unusual partnership, with Powell directing the films and Pressburger writing them. The two then produced the films together, and their output was some of the finest films ever to come out of England. Scorsese spends time giving us insight into each film they made, with behind-the-scenes stories and a ton of footage from the archives of the two men. If you have never seen one of their films, this is an excellent introduction, as Scorsese shows us the magic they created on the screen. The wonderful thing about The Archers is that you can find any type of film you love because they did it all, from musicals to war films to even romantic comedies. There is something from The Archers that will amaze and astound you. This documentary will help you find a movie of theirs that you will fall in love with, just like Martin and me.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  Made in England Website   Now playing in theaters.

Indiefest:  National Anthem  (2023)  R Dylan (Charlie Plummer) is a 21-year-old construction worker in New Mexico when he finds himself working on a ranch with a community of queer rodeo performers. Dylan is about to meet someone, Sky (Eve Lindley), who will change his life forever. National Anthem is a coming-of-age film with a twist. It is set in the world of rodeos and ranches with a setting that makes Dylan’s discovery come naturally, with acceptance and love. Charlie Plummer is fantastic as the love-stuck wannabe cowboy who comes upon this community by chance and falls instantly for a woman named Sky. The only problem is that Sky is in a relationship with the group leader, Pepe (Rene Rosado). Plummer portrays Dylan as someone tired of his life, worn down by a mother (Robin Lively) who likes to party and having to take care of his little brother (Joey DeLon), all the while trying to save up money to buy a camper so he can get out of his situation. Along comes Sky and the rest of the gang at the ranch, and Dylan finds his place in the world. I loved the film’s cinematography, as the land becomes a welcoming surrounding where Dylan can become who he truly is. National Anthem is a beautiful story that works because of the performances of Plummer and Lindley, making Charlie’s first genuine romance feel part of his growth from a lost soul to someone ready to explore what life will bring him next.  My Rating: Full Price National Anthem Website   Now playing in theaters. 

Forgotten Film:  Dominick and Eugene (1988)  PG-13  Dominick (Tom Hulce) and Eugene (Ray Liotta) are twins. Eugene is soon going to graduate from medical school. Dominick had an accident as a child and is a little slow, often having trouble dealing with everyday life, but he is able to have a job as a sanitation worker. Soon, Eugene will go off to do his residency, and that means leaving Dominick on his own, something Eugene isn’t sure that is something that he can do. Tom Hulce is the reason to see this film as he gives Dominick a person who is so sweet and earnest that you have to root for him. Ray Liotta is perfect as the brother who is conflicted by wanting a life for himself but wanting to make sure his brother can live on his own. Dominick and Eugene is a warm and sometimes funny movie that works throughout.  My Rating: Full Price  Dominick and Eugene Info  Available on Amazon.

Weird Credits: From the credits of Deadpool & Wolverine:  Drapes Trainee. 

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You:  Borderlands  (2024)  PG-13  Lilith (Cate Blanchett) is an infamous bounty hunter who has reluctantly returned to her home planet, Pandora, to find the missing daughter of Atlas (Edgar Ramirez), the universe’s most powerful villain. Lilith recruits a ragtag team to find the missing daughter, who just might be the key to saving the universe. The film is based on one of the best-selling video game franchises ever. The cast includes Kevin Hart, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Menteanu, Jack Black, and Jamie Lee Curtis.  Borderlands Website In theaters on Friday, August 9, 2024.

Until Next Time!