Masters of the Universe

My View: Masters of the Universe  (2026)  PG-13   In Masters of the Universe, a boy named Prince Adam was sent to Earth for his own safety. Two decades later, the now young man (Nicholas Galitzine) uncovers the legendary Sword of Power and is suddenly hurled into the extraordinary world of Eternia, where he must rally his long-lost allies and engage in battle to defeat the menacing, evil Skeletor. I enjoyed watching this film, though it takes a heck of a long time for our hero to discover the sword and then even longer to become “He-Man.” The film is an ode to the 80s cartoon series, using the backdrop of Adam leaving his home and living on Earth as a kid. While growing up, he constantly drew pictures of his life on Eternia, and, because he was a kid, he gave nicknames to everyone he knew, including himself (i.e., He-Man). While I felt the film went too far into Adam being a human resources worker and trying to use the same skills in talking to employees as he does when talking to people he is trying to lead into battle, or even trying to talk the bad guys out of killing him and his allies. However, the film is a fun watch, and the battle sequences are well done. I especially enjoyed Camila Mendes's performance as Teela, a warrior who knew and liked Adam when he was a kid and is now willing to follow him because he has the sword that could save her world from the evil Skeletor. I also enjoyed Jared Leto voicing Skeletor, the evil lord who seeks the Sword of Power to become even more powerful. The performance is done with a ton of tongue-in-cheek lines, including a couple of times when Skeletor does an evil laugh and doesn’t get the response he needs. The film is greatly helped by an incredibly supporting cast ,including Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn (the name says it all), Idris Elba as Teela’s father and disgraced former guard in charge of Adam’s family safety, and Kristen Wiig as the voice of a once mighty warrior robot who is now a maid. Kids are going to have fun, though the two-and-twenty-minute run-time may test their patience a bit (I know it did me). Adults reliving their childhood are going to love this, with a ton of Easter eggs and a few cameos from the past. Overall, it’s a fun ride; I just wish the big muscle blond guy had shown up a bit sooner. And be sure to stay for both a mid-credit and an end-credit scene.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Masters of the Universe Website  Now playing in theaters nationwide

My View:  Scary Movie (2026) R  Scary Movie follows Cindy (Anna Faris) and Brenda (Regina Hall), who have reunited and must gather the rest of their friends, as the masked killer from 26 years ago returns. So we get to see some of the original cast return, including Anna Faris and Regina Hall. Add in every member of the Wayans family appearing, a running joke in itself, and this should have been funnier than this film is. In fact, I saw the film with about 20 other people, and I think I was the only one laughing at the few bits that worked. Sure, they mock Weapons, Sinners, Nope, Get Out, and a bunch of newer horror films, almost all miss the mark, making almost every joke fall incredibly flat. I will say that both Anna Faris and Regina Hall are game for just about anything and seem to have fun playing these incredible idiots. There are a bunch of cameos from the early films that I won’t give away, so fans of the series will have some fun with that. For the rest of us, Scary Movie just feels like the Wayans wrote this in about 1 week, throwing everything they could against the wall, not to see if the jokes would stick, but to see if they would just bounce back to them. Unfortunately, most of them did. There are two bonus scenes, one after the first portion of credits and a another extended scene during most of the remaining credits.  My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again  Scary Movie Website  Now playing in theaters nationwide

My View:  Office Romance  (2026) R  Office Romance follows Jackie Cruz (Jennifer Lopez), a high-powered, no-nonsense CEO of an airline, known for its rigid anti-fraternization policy for all employees. When lawyer Daniel Blanchflower (Brett Goldstein) is hired, suddenly sparks are flying between Jackie and this new, hot-shot hire. Will Jackie risk losing everything she’s built and drag Daniel down with her in pursuit of love? Look, I really like Jennifer Lopez and loved Brett Goldstein in Ted Lasso; this film made me dislike their characters. For two characters who are in very important jobs, they are two really stupid people who are having an affair without thinking that a very famous person would be seen out with someone else. Instead, we are to believe that these two keep their romance hidden from anyone with an iPhone, while only a private detective discovers them. The film wants us to love Daniel because he has come from a rough childhood in England and is now a successful lawyer. The film also wants us to love Jackie because, despite the board and her father challenging her every move, she has created a successful airline. To say this isn’t your usual rom-com would be an understatement. It’s crass and foul-mouthed, with the F word being used with abandon, often for no reason. Office Romance then wants us to believe that Lopez is so beautiful that our lawyer (hero?) gets an erection when they first meet, so much so that Jackie can’t notice. That was my first sign that this film would keep going for cheap, shocking jokes. This cheap, shocking humor continues, as when Jackie's determined-to-work assistant goes into labor in Daniel's office, and the camera lingers twice, on a close-up of the baby's head crowning. The so-called fun continues as we see a man almost die choking on a breakfast burrito, a woman get so drunk she breaks a tooth falling over on a date, and the HR head (Tony Hale) is shocked when Daniel continually keeps using an obscene word that goes on way too long. Some may find Office Romance funny or charming, but for me, it just left me reaching for the airsickness bag. And to make matters worse, there is a series of very unfunny scenes during the credits in which the beleaguered HR person endures a parade of office romance confessions.  My Rating: Cable  Office Romance Website   Now playing on the Netflix platform

Indiefest:  Carolina Caroline  (2026)  R  In Carolina Caroline, a young woman working at a gas station, Caroline (Samara Weaving), meets a charismatic drifter, Oliver (Kyle Gallner), and impulsively embarks on a journey to master the art of the con. The pair will blaze a trail of deceit and deception until their luck inevitably runs out. This is a Bonnie and Clyde-type cross-country crime spree film that, like that 1967 film, you know won’t be ending on a happy note. The film works because of the sparks between Samara Weaving, as the waitress who wants to escape her life, and Kyle Gallner, who is willing to show her how to hit the road and live an endless life of con jobs. What starts out as a game for Caroline soon becomes real as their con jobs become more and more dangerous, as the couple wants more and more thrills. Caroline soon learns that people get hurt and cons can go bad, but must decide if it's worth it to stay with a man who only knows how to lie for a living. What makes Caroline interesting is her connection to home and a father who cares about her and insists on keeping in touch as she travels across the country. Caroline is also on a mission to find her long-lost mother. While I won’t reveal the story, Kyra Sedgwick gives a brilliant performance as Caroline’s mother, rounding out the film's strong cast. This is a tale of star-crossed lovers that is sure not to end well. Or does it?  My Rating: Full Price  Carolina Caroline Website  Now playing in select theaters

Indiefest:  Silent Friend  (2025)  Silent Friend revolves around a majestic Ginkgo biloba tree as it watches humans over the course of a century, observing their lives marked by longing, belonging, and consciousness. The story follows three storylines, set in 1908, 1972, and 2020, set in a university town in Germany. The three stories are: the university’s first female student, in 1908, who is challenged by her professors and fellow students, finds solace through the lens of a camera, studying plants through her pictures. An awkward student in 1972 meets a woman whose project is a geranium she is studying to see if it can be proven to bond with her. He is tasked with caring for the plant while the young woman is on vacation, and his life is changed when he connects with the plant. And a neuroscientist who is stuck alone on campus when Covid hits, and he decides to find out whether he can see the same type of brain waves humans have in the giant tree that has been on the university grounds for all this time. The film follows how each person tries to connect with nature, and we see how the tree responds, even if the people don’t know it’s happening. The three people undergo their own metamorphoses as they attempt to connect with nature, each in their own way. This is a fantastic journey of discovery, seen from the tree’s quiet perspective on how nature reacts to us, even as we often ignore it. Silent Friend is about trying to belong when you don’t feel part of the group, but if you let yourself be open to new ideas and feelings, you might find the bond with nature you have been missing.  My Rating:  Full Price  Silent Friend Website  Now playing in select theaters

Forgotten Film:  After Life  (1998)   After Life follows recently deceased people who arrive in a mysterious place, where they have three days to choose the single memory they will bring with them into eternity. A group of counselors, including Takashi (Arata lura) and Shiori (Erika Oda), are on hand to help new arrivals pick their memory, helping them go over what was most important to them. The counselors will then create a film that will allow the people to relive their memory and move on. The film is by Japanese writer/director Hirokazu Kore-eda, known for his recent award-winning films Shoplifters (2018), Like Father, Like Son (2013), and Monster (2023). This is a beautiful, warm, and funny film that explores not only the lives of the people trying to pick a memory but also the counselors working hard to help each person pick the perfect memory. One of the fascinating things about this film is that Kore-eda filmed over 500 hours of interviews with ordinary people about which memory they would want to remember. He then used some of those interviewed for the film, so some of the people are actors, and others are ordinary people telling their own stories. This is one of those films that, while watching it, you are invited to reflect on your own life and pick which memory you would choose, joining the film’s journey of wonderment and self-discovery.  My Rating: Full Price   After Life Info   Available to rent on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Masters of the Universe: Pig Boy Artist

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You:  Toy Story 5 (2026)  PG   When Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the gang meet LilyPad, a chatty electronic toy, their connection to playtime is put to the test. New characters join the fun, including one voiced by Conan O’Brien.  Toy Story 5 Website  The film will be released in theaters everywhere on Friday, June 19, 2026 

Until Next Time!

Tron: Ares

My View: Tron: Ares  (2025)  PG-13 Tron: Ares follows a highly sophisticated program named Ares (Jared Leto), who has been sent from the digital world into our real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings. The first film in the series, 1982’s Tron, was an animation wonder, using computer animation combined with live action to create a mind-blowing (at the time) theater experience. Unfortunately, the plot was weak and didn’t make much sense. But the visuals made it a minor hit. It’s been 15 years since the second film in the series, Tron: Legacy, and this film takes place after those events. An evil CEO named Julian (Evan Peters) has developed the Tron technology so that computer programs can come to life, but only for 29 minutes. A program named Ares is sent out into the world, and guess what, he wants to stay. He teams up with the CEO of Julian’s rival company (Greta Lee), and this leads to a whole lot of explosions, chases, and deaths. Fans of the first two films or the video games will likely enjoy this new installment. For others, the impressive action sequences may be the only draw, but true to the Tron legacy, the plot quickly falls apart within the first five minutes. The film drags on for too long, running for two hours, and the Nine Inch Nails soundtrack is overwhelming and intrusive. Tron: Ares is best experienced on a big screen; if you plan to watch it at home, you might find yourself folding a lot of clothes.  My Rating: Cable   Tron: Ares Website   In theaters nationwide, including IMAX

My View:  Kiss of the Spider Woman  (2025)  R Kiss of the Spider Woman is the story of Valentin (Diego Luna), who has been put into prison as a threat to the current government. His new cellmate is Molina (Tonatiuh), a window dresser convicted of public indecency. The two bond as Molina retells the plot of a Hollywood musical starring his favorite silver screen diva, Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez). I am a big musical fan (having been in some local high school productions), so I was looking forward to seeing what the film and Jennifer Lopez could do to capture the old classic Hollywood musical look and feel. Lopez gives an inspired performance as a classic old-school Hollywood musical song and dance performer. This isn’t your typical Lopez song/dance act from her concerts and music videos. Instead, these are set pieces that would be right at home in a 50s musical film. Tonatiuh holds his own with Lopez, putting himself into the role of playing opposite Lopez’s character in the retelling of the Hollywood musical. Tonatiuh has an incredible voice, and the film works when in the dance numbers. The film’s weak point is the character Valentin and Diego Luna’s performance, particularly during the musical numbers. Luna looks and sounds uncomfortable in the numbers, and I had trouble buying the love story between Valentin and Molina. I think this film worked better on the Broadway stage, where Chita Rivera could captivate an audience with her style and charisma. Lopez has both, but can’t save the scenes where she isn’t present, and that’s a lot. My Rating: Cable Kiss of the Spider Woman Website  Now playing in theaters

My View:  A House of Dynamite  (2025)  R  In A House of Dynamite, a foreign power has launched a nuclear missile aimed at the U.S. mainland, and government officials have just minutes to make decisions that will have lasting consequences for America and the rest of the world. Any time you make a movie about nuclear warheads heading anywhere, the stakes are high. As it is with A House of Dynamite, a film filled with tension and nail-biting scenes, it somehow didn’t hit the mark for me. It’s not the performances; Rebecca Ferguson and Idris Elba stand out in a huge ensemble cast. It’s not the subject matter, as it seems now more relevant than ever, with some of America’s enemies either having nuclear weapons or being very close to it. I think it was the format of this film. We spend the same 20 or so minutes from the viewpoints of different people in the White House, observing the decisions and possible mistakes made, and gaining insight into why they reacted the way they did during this stress-filled time. The film just never gelled for me as I never connected to it, especially with the retelling of the same time period. A House of Dynamite is a film that will stick with me for a while, but only because I can’t quit figuring out why I didn’t like it more. My Rating: Bargain Matinee A House of Dynamite Website  Now in select theaters and on Netflix on Friday, October 24, 2025.

My View:  Roofman  (2025)  R Roofman follows the exploits of Jeffery Manchester (Channing Tatum), a criminal known for breaking into stores through their roofs, earning his nickname, Roofman. After escaping from prison, Jeffery hides out in a Toys ‘R’ Us store, remaining undetected for several months. However, when he falls for Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), a divorced mom who works for the store, his life in the free world could come to an end. I enjoyed this likable film with two winning performances from Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst. Channing gives Jeffery the Roofman Manchester an air of nice guy vibes while also being a bit of an idiot. Jeffery is a nice guy robber (though when confronted, he can become violent) who does things like give up his coat when he is locking a manager into a freezer. Jeffery needs a place to hide after escaping from prison, and he finds a Toys ’R’ Us store that is the perfect hideout. The problem is that he is a good guy robbing businesses, which he is good at, but only for a short time. His kindness allows him to meet Leigh at a church, where they quickly start a relationship. Roofman is a fun, somewhat romantic film about a relationship destined to crash and burn, but not before a lot of funny stuff happens. I thoroughly enjoyed Kirsten Dunst’s performance as a single mom of two who had given up on romance until a handsome guy crashed into her world. This film is based on a true story, and be sure to stay through the credits to see actual interviews with all the people who had interactions with the Roofman. My Rating: Bargain Matinee Roofman Website Now playing in theaters

My View: Predators  (2025)  Predators is a documentary that explores the controversial NBC series “To Catch a Predator,” which used multiple camera sting operations to catch child predators. The TV series was a huge ratings success until it was abruptly cancelled after the suicide of one of the men it profiled. “Understanding is not the goal of the show” is a quote from this thought-provoking documentary that sums up what the show was about. One problem is that while no longer on NBC, it continues in many forms, most with little or no input from law enforcement. The film is in three sections. The first section discusses the NBC show itself, which aired from 2004 to 2007 and was a massive hit for a while. In fact, the documentary highlights how integral the show was to the culture by showing clips of Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O’Brien, and John Stewart making jokes or skits about it. The second part is about the ‘actors’ in their early twenties who posed as kids to ‘catch the predators.’ The third part discusses To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen, how he continues to do this type of show, and how it has destroyed lives that may never recover. This documentary asks a lot of questions, some of which are incredibly complicated. As for why the filmmaker wanted to make this film, the answer is revealed about an hour in. Predators shows some compassion and even hesitation towards the people that are on the screen. And that’s something that the original show never did.   My Rating: Full Price Predators Website  Now playing in select theaters

My View: John Candy: I Like Me  (2025)  PG-13  John Candy: I Like Me is a documentary about the beloved actor who starred in the TV series SCTV and in films that delighted audiences. I was a big fan of John Candy. I loved him on SCTV, and some of my favorite movies of his are Splash, where he stole the movie from Tom Hanks; Uncle Buck, which was probably his best role; and a little-seen movie called Only the Lonely, notable for his scenes with Ally Sheedy that felt real and charming. Directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds, John Candy: I Like Me is a touching and insightful documentary about this comedy legend, who was not only immensely talented but also a genuinely nice person who loved people and cherished his wife and family. The film features some excellent interviews with Candy, and what resonated with me was how kind he was even to interviewers who weren’t nice to him. As you would expect, all his SCTV buddies are interviewed, along with Bill Murray, Tom Hanks, and Steve Martin. We see how much they loved and respected the man, but also how much fun they had working with him. I learned a lot about his early years, especially his early SCTV days, and I thoroughly enjoyed going down memory lane with a man who was loved not only for his talent but also for his character. They say, ‘Never meet your heroes; they’ll surely disappoint,’ but man, I wish I had met John Candy. I have a feeling he would have lived up to all my expectations; I know this documentary did.  My Rating: Full Price  John Candy: I Like Me Website  Now playing on Amazon Prime

Forgotten Film: Streets of Fire  (1984) PG  A rock star (Diane Lane) is kidnapped by an outlaw biker gang led by a bad guy named Shaddock (Willem Dafoe). A mercenary named Cody (Michael Pere) and his sidekick, McCoy (Amy Madigan), are hired to bring her back. Directed by Walter Hill (The Warriors, Southern Comfort, 48 Hrs.), this film is a weird mix of 1950s and 1980s cultures, featuring a soundtrack that is a wonder to listen to. While not as good as some of Hill’s other films, it’s still a fun ride, and Amy Madigan as a tough-nosed fighter who smokes cigars and loves to kill bikers is a blast to watch. Even if you just watch the first five minutes of this film, with Lane singing her heart out, you will have fun with this one.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee Streets of Fire Info Available to rent/buy on Amazon

Weird Credits: From the credits of Roofman: Products Used With Permission: Tickle Me Elmo

Coming Soon to A Screen Near You:  Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere  (2025) PG-13  Just when Bruce Springsteen is climbing into the stratosphere of rock stardom, he decides to craft and record an album in 1982 called Nebraska that caused him to reconcile his stardom with the ghosts of the past. Jeremy Allen White stars as Bruce Springsteen and is considered one of the favorites to be nominated for an Oscar. Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere Website The film will be in theaters nationwide on Friday, October 24, 2025. 

Until Next Time!

The Lost City

My View: The Lost City (2022) PG-13  Romance novelist Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock) is on a book tour with her dimwitted cover model Alan Caprison (Channing Tatum). While on tour, Loretta is kidnapped by Abigail Fairfax (Daniel Radcliffe), an eccentric billionaire who is convinced that Loretta’s latest book is the key to a lost fortune. Consequently, Alan sets out to rescue Loretta…good luck with that. Too often, romantic comedy films that add in action/adventure have been poorly done and overacted (I'm looking at you, Melissa McCarthy). I am happy to say that The Lost City is a fun and well-done comedy with two stars who know how to do physical comedy, an art that has been all but forgotten. Fans of the 1984 film Romancing the Stone will love this film, as it plays on that type of film, both making fun of that type of action film and, at the same time, lovingly referencing it. Bullock and Tatum look to be having a blast making the film, though I have a feeling that Bullock got very tired of the purple, sequined jumpsuit that she spends most of the adventure in. The action sequences are well done and very funny. The playful banter between the two is hilarious, and Daniel Radcliffe, as the off-the-wall nuts billionaire, is a blast to watch. I had a great time going on an adventure with Loretta and Alan, and you will too.   My Rating: Full Price   The Lost City Website  Now playing in theatres nationwide.

Indiefest: Topside (2020)    Deep in the underbelly of New York City, a five-year-old girl (Zhaila Farmer) and her mother (Celine Held) live among a group that has claimed the abandoned subway tunnels as their home until authorities discover them. Now, mother and daughter must go on the streets of NYC, a world the young girl knows nothing about. One of the oldest subjects in the history of film is the story of a mother trying to decide if her child is better off without her. In the case of Topside, Nikki, a woman who has a drug problem and leaves her daughter alone for hours at a time to support her drug habit, must decide to keep battling the system and her homelessness to keep her daughter or let the system take her daughter because she can’t provide much more than her love for the daughter she calls Little. Celine Held gives a powerful and moving performance of Nikki, a troubled woman who loves her daughter but can’t cope without drugs to survive. The film is a gut punch from the start, as we see Little exploring the lonely and dangerous world of the abandoned tunnels on her own as she waits for her mother to return. We are torn, as is Nikki, because we see how much Nikki cares for and loves Little, but we know, like Nikki, that it isn’t enough. When the two are forced to go ‘topside’ into the real world, the film comes to a crashing, emotional end that just might wreck you, much like it does with Little and Nikki.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again    Topside Website  Now playing in select theatres.

Indiefest: 7 Days (2021)    Ravi (Karan Soni) and Rita (Geraldine Viswanathan) are two single people being set up by their mothers through a dating website. After a very uncomfortable pre-arranged date, they must shelter in place together after the COVID pandemic lockdown forces them to stay in Rita’s apartment. This is a funny, sweet film about two people who have very different outlooks on life and love. Ravi is best described as a mama’s boy who is desperate to fulfill his family's dream of him getting married and having a family. Rita is an independent woman who only goes along with the whole arranged marriage ordeal to keep her mother happy, while Rita carries on an affair with a married man. The film puts these two people together and lets them figure out that maybe, just maybe, they can find love in an unexpected place with someone who isn’t their perfect mate on a website. I loved the chemistry between Karan Soni and Geraldine Viswanathan, who worked together on the Daniel Radcliffe TV series Miracle Workers. The two play off each other with a light touch, making us believe that they could and should end up together in an unconventional love story for unconventional times.   My Rating: Full Price    7 Days Website  Now playing in select theatres.

Indiefest: You Are Not My Mother (2021) R  In a North Dublin housing estate, Char’s mother, Angela (Carolyn Bracken), returns after mysteriously going missing, her personality radically changed. Despite her grandmother's objections (Ingrid Craigie), Char (Hazel Doupe) decides to uncover the truth of her mother’s disappearance and in turn, unearth the dark secrets of her family. Char is a young woman who is dealing with a lot. She is doing well academically but doesn’t have any friends and is constantly threatened by the school's bullies. She is shy and is very affected by the scar on her face, which she claims is a birthmark. She is being raised by her elderly grandmother, as her mother rarely comes out of her bedroom. Char’s life becomes complicated when her mother, after a disaster of a trip to take her daughter to school, almost ends in a car wreck disappears without a trace. When Char’s mother reappears without an explanation, Char notices that her mother’s personality has changed, so much so that Char can’t decide if it’s a good or a bad thing. Things began going badly in the house as Angela starts acting weird, and Char starts to feel that her mother may be dangerous. You Are Not My Mother is more of a suspense film than a horror film. Though Angela can be scary at times, it’s the psychological effects on Char that are most pressing in this film, as she realizes that the mother she once knew is no longer in the body of Angela. What we, along with Char, have to figure out is Angela’s change has been brought about by a mental breakdown, or is there something more sinister going on?   My Rating: Full Price    You Are Not My Mother Website  Now playing in select theatres.

My View: Infinite Storm (2022)    Pam Bales (Naomi Watts), an experienced climber, is forced to turn back on her climb of Mt. Washington due to a massive blizzard that is fast approaching. On her way down, she encounters a lone, stranded man and takes it upon herself to get the both of them off of the mountain before nightfall and certain death. Infinite Storm is a harrowing story of survival and how one person can give another person help both physically and spiritually. We meet Pam, and we can tell that she is a determined woman who has had something painful happen in her past. We are given clues to what but don’t know the details. Then, just when Pam is about to turn back due to the conditions on the mountain, she finds a man dressed like he was going out on a summer hike, on top of a snowy mountain, freezing to death. Pam puts her survival skills to work and makes it her job to get this man, who is out of his mind, down the mountain before it becomes dark. Watts gives us an emotional and physically draining performance of a woman who, despite her problems, is so driven that she will do anything to get this man back down to safety. Be sure to wear a sweater to the theatre, as you will feel the constant coldness of the mountain, even as you are warmed by the determination of Pam to get you off the damn mountain.    My Rating: Full Price  Infinite Storm Website  Now playing in select theatres.

Forgotten Film: Prefontaine (1997) PG-13  Steve Prefontaine (Jared Leto) was a man who was determined to beat the odds, no matter what the cost. Prefontaine was a runner who was a superstar in the long-distance running for a very short time. Leto is captivating as Pre, a man who didn’t care who he beat or how he got there, just that he was in first at the finish line. As the film shows us, Pre was a man that wasn’t always likable, and that is what I enjoy about this film. Too often, films based on sports stars make heroes out of their subjects and don’t show us who they really were. Prefontaine gives us a tragic hero who wasn’t afraid to run on his terms and not conform to what people thought he should be.   My Rating: Full Price   Prefontaine Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of The Lost City: Cutter-Fitter

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: Morbius  (2022) PG-13   Biochemist Michael Morbius (Jared Leto) is trying to find a cure for a rare blood disease, one he has himself. In his attempt to find the cure, he inadvertently infects himself with a form of vampirism instead. This much-delayed film is finally being released, and we can see what all the fuss has been about. Recently Leto has given us The Joker and Paolo Gucci, so let's see what he can do with a vampire.    Morbius Website

Until Next Time!

Encanto

Familyfaire:  Encanto  (2021)  PG  Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz) is a young girl who has a problem. Mirabel lives in a town, called Encanto hidden in the mountains of Colombia. She belongs to a family named the Madrigals, where everyone has magical powers except her. Mirabel learns that the magic that surrounds Encanto is in danger, and it’s up to her, the only ordinary Madrigal, to save the town and its magic. Encanto is a charming and rousing musical with beautiful songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the animation is vibrant and captures the beauty of Colombia. This isn’t your typical Disney animated film because there isn’t a villain to root against. Instead, Mirabel is an outsider in her family, the only one who doesn’t have the ability to do magic, and that feeling of loneliness and not living up to your family’s standards is Mirabel’s own villain, the one that she has to overcome to save her family. Stephanie Beatriz gives a mesmerizing performance that provides us with the joy of being a part of a family she loves and is proud of, but at the same time, someone who longs to live up to her family's high expectations. Beatriz gives Mirabel a character that we can all relate to and root for. I applaud Disney for their continuing to expand the ‘princess’ line of characters, giving us a look and feel of a different country, with heroes from other cultures and other parts of the world. Encanto is a film that is truly magical.  My Rating: Full Price    Encanto Website  Now playing in theaters nationwide. 

My View:  House of Gucci (2021) R  Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) has fought her whole life to get ahead in life. As an outsider from humble beginnings, Patrizia marries into the Gucci family, and her drive and ambition begins to unravel their legacy and starts a downward spiral into betrayal, decadence, revenge, and finally…murder. This is a bizarre story that makes for a strange and almost campy movie. Lady Gaga is a force of nature on the screen, playing the brash, bold, and at times, fearless Patrizia, who finds by luck, her way into the life of the rich by latching on to one of the heirs of the Gucci kingdom, Maurizio (Adam Driver). Driver is brilliant as the man who at first didn’t want to be part of the glamorous life of being a Gucci but, through Patrizia’s drive and a taste of money and power, decides to go into the family business. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the off-the-wall, bizarre performance of Jared Leto as the idiot Paolo Gucci, who bumbles his way through life, thinking he is destined for greatness but is met with defeat after defeat. Leto is almost unrecognizable as the balding, paunchy Paolo, who talks and acts as if everything is a big production. It’s a strange performance that is at times brilliant and other times annoying, as Leto goes way over the top with his portrayal. Overall, House of Gucci an interesting movie that doesn’t quite know if it’s a melodrama or a play on mafia films, but it’s worth checking out for the performances. You have to see Leto' Paolo. It’s worth the price of admission.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee    House of Gucci Website  Now playing in theaters nationwide. 

My View:  Bruised  (2020)  Jackie Justice (Halle Berry) used to be somebody, a mixed martial arts fighter who left the sport in disgrace. Now scrubbing toilets for a living, she has a son (Danny Boyd, Jr.), who she gave up as an infant, show up unexpectedly at her door. Jackie gets discovered by a fight league promoter (Shamier Anderson) after Jackie fights in a brutal, illegal underground fight and is given the chance to fight back in the octagon. This isn’t a second chance for Jackie; it’s her last chance. First, let me say that I admire Halle Berry for starring in and directing a film that had to be challenging both mentally and physically on her. I can’t imagine how hard it was to direct a movie that you are starring in and then have the role so physically demanding. That being said, the film is filled with too many cliches of sports films of the past. The washed-up fighter who gets a second chance. The woman who learns to stand up for herself in an abusive relationship. The mother who abandoned her child and then is forced to become the mother that child needs. And add to all that, finding love in an unexpected place. It just feels like the scriptwriter took everything in a bowl and mixed it up. Berry gives a powerful performance, as you feel the weight of her past bring her down time and time again, but Berry can’t overcome a script that is too predictable to make it tug on the heartstrings like we want it to.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Bruised Website  Now playing on the Netflix platform.

Indiefest:  Cusp  (2021)  Documentary about three teenage girls, Brittney, Aaloni, and Autumn, growing up in a Texas military town, dealing with the trials and tribulations of growing up under the constraints of being a teenager clashing with wanting to find out who they are. This is a gritty, painful, and sometimes sweet film about growing up as teenage women in a world that forces them to become adults far too soon. All three girls are 16, which in Texas is not the legal age of consent, but all three are sexually active and are dealing with boys as old as 21. The film deals with the harsh reality that these young women, who are all military brats, have had to do a lot of growing up quickly, and without much guidance from their parents, some are gone for vast parts of time serving our country. The subject matters that the girls discuss are graphic and sometimes shocking, including the discussion of how a friend of theirs was raped by her boyfriend. The women are incredibly open and frank on camera, getting into subjects that most of us would have difficulty even talking to a therapist about, including sexual assault. It's a depressing film about three young women who are seen not as people but as sexual conquests, and these young girls will be suffering from these experiences for a long time. After seeing this film, I felt like I spent time with these girls, but I never got to know them, as if they were performing for the cameras. It’s like the camera was another person that they had to put on a show for. I don’t know if that’s just the way they are, or it's the fault of the filmmakers, but it left me wanting more from these women who have dealt with so much in such a young life.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee    Cusp Website  Now available on the Showtime Network.

Indiefest:  The Beatles: Get Back Part I  (2021)  The Beatles were the world’s greatest rock band, but they hadn’t performed live in two years, and in January 1969, they faced a nearly impossible deadline and created two of their greatest albums (Abby Road, Let It Be) and did their last live performance on a rooftop on London’s Savile Row. This is a review of only part one of this three-part documentary series because I didn’t have enough time to view all three components (each piece is over two and half hours long). Being a huge Beatles fan, at first, I loved this film because we get to see the guys in an element we have never seen before, in a rehearsal studio. In fact, the first film takes place not in a studio but on a sound stage that could possibly be used to film their live concert performance (we know it isn’t because of the famous rooftop concert that this rehearsal spawns). It is thrilling to see this legendary group work on songs that we all know so well. We even get to see them writing songs, exploring how they should sound, and changing lyrics. But, and this is a big one, it is just too much. Too much footage. Too much content. Just too much. Like a history book that gives you too many facts, the film becomes a bit tedious at times, because it is too much detail, we see so many songs being tried out (a lot are songs that haven’t been heard before because they are from the early days of the Lennon/McCartney writing team. The film breaks down part one into each day, as a deadline for the concert is looming over the band. The film is fascinating, as we get to see one of the greatest bands of all time figure out and practice songs. And yes, there is a lot of tension in the room. The band sorely missed their manager, Brian Epstein, who has died a few years earlier, and we see how McCartney tries to take a leadership role in the band, that doesn’t always work. There is also the ever-presence of Yoko Ono, who is ever present by John Lennon’s side, though to be fair, George Harrison has a couple of Hare Krishna guys sitting over in the corner for a couple of days of the rehearsal. Overall, this first part is too long, giving us so much that I think only a diehard Beatle fan will enjoy it all the way through. I really want to see the outdoor concert (of which I have only seen a song or two from), but I don’t know if I want to watch five more hours of the band practicing to get there.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee   The Beatles: Get Back Website   All three parts are being released this holiday weekend starting Thanksgiving night on the Disney+ platform.

Forgotten Film: Heights (2005) R The story of five characters whose lives intersect on one day in NYC, all having to choose what kind of lives they will want to lead before the sun comes up on another day. The main story is the love affair that begins between Isabel (Elizabeth Banks), a woman who is engaged with another man, and Alec (Jesse Bradford) and an actor she meets by chance. The reason to see this film is another outstanding performance by Glen Close, who plays Isabel’s mother, Diana. Diana is an actress in rehearsals for Macbeth and finds out her husband is having another affair. Diana is afraid that Isabel is going to go down the same rocky road Diana traveled and wants Isabel to make the choices that are right for her. The film gets a little lost in all the characters but ties them together nicely in the end.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Heights Info   

Weird Credits: From the credits of Encanto: Animation Reference Dancers

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: Cyrano (2021) PG-13   The telling of the classic tale of Cyrano de Bergerac (Peter Dinklage), who helps Christian (Kelvin Harrison, Jr.) woo Roxanne (Haley Bennett), even though Cyrano himself is in love with her. I can’t wait to see Peter Dinklage portray one of my favorite characters of all time, the brilliant swordsman and wordsmith Cyrano.     Cyrano Website

Until Next Time!

The Little Things

 Note to readers: I currently am not willing to risk my health (I’m 63 and an asthmatic) by visiting a theatre. All films that I have seen for review have been screened in my home. I am not going to tell you whether or not to attend a theatre. Just be aware of the risks, do your research, and follow the instructions to the letter.

My View: The Little Things (2021) R   Former L.A. Sheriff Joe Deacon (Denzel Washington) comes back to Los Angeles for what should be a quick evidence gathering assignment. Instead, he becomes involved in a hunt for a serial killer led by L.A. Sheriff Jim Baxter (Remi Malek). All roads lead to a man (Jerod Leto) who may be involved with Deacon’s shadowy past. The Little Things should be a better movie with a cast like this. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not bad, but it’s one of those films that feels frustrating watching it because somewhere, under a sluggish plot, is a good movie. Now, anything Denzel is in makes it a better movie, but Remi Malek doesn’t give us much more than a confused, in over his head man, and Jerod Leto doesn’t have a lot to do than be creepy and walk with a limp to strip clubs. The film feels like the detectives in this film; they have a few clues but can’t quite put things together to get the story right.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee     The Little Things Website   The film is currently in select theatres and also on the HBO Max platform.  

My View: Palmer (2021) R   Palmer (Justin Timberlake) is back in his small hometown after serving twelve long years in prison. Palmer moves in with his grandmother (June Squibb) and becomes involved in the life of a young boy, Sam (Ryder Allen), who lives next door with his drug-addicted mother (Juno Temple). I like this film, even if it pushes a few plot points out of the way to make the story move to a conclusion we all want. Timberlake does a fine job as a felon just trying to do the right thing, even when the odds are stacked against him. The film is helped by the supporting cast, including the always enjoyable June Squibb, Juno Temple going full out for her drugged-out destructive mother role. Ryder Allen is the adorable Sam, a kid who knows he is different and is ok with it, brightening the screen every time he is on it. The film doesn’t break any new ground, and the results are predictable, but that’s ok in a feel-good film about finding love and support from unexpected places.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Palmer Website   The film is available on the Apple TV+ platform.

Indiefest: Supernova (2020) R   Sam (Colin Firth) and Tusker (Stanley Tucci), partners of twenty years, are going on one last road trip to visit friends and family before Tusker’s dementia gets the better of him. Break out the tissues, you are going to need them. Supernova is a moving, touching story of two people in love that have to say good=bye to the life that they have led before it changes forever. Firth and Tucci are magic together, as the relationship is perfectly summed up in the first five minutes of the film as the two playfully argue over whether to use printed maps or the on-board navigation system that Tusker thinks sounds like Margaret Thatcher barking out orders. The movie is full of small, beautiful moments where we get to see the two show their feelings for each other, like having Tusker give Sam lessons on stargazing while looking at a chart in the bed. There are also both big and tiny scenes that show us what a difficult route their life is about to take as Tusker starts to lose his ability to function in the world without help. Supernova is a film that doesn’t disappoint, giving us the emotional scenes full of depth and meaning by two actors at the top of their form.    My Rating: Full Price  Supernova Website  The film is currently playing in select theatres and will be available to rent on participating on-demand services Feb. 16th.

Indiefest: Malcolm & Marie (2021) R   After a night where Malcolm (John David Washington), a director, has had his big movie premiere, he returns home with his girlfriend, Marie (Zendaya), where their relationship is tested and explored. This film has a lot to say; about life, relationships, filmmaking, critics, and co-dependency. Unfortunately, I didn’t like either character, and by the end of the film, I just wanted them to stop talking. The film feels like it’s trying to be a showcase for these two fine actors, but this film gets very tiring quickly, as the two characters go back and forth between a loving, supportive couple to a couple that seems intent on hurting each other as much as possible. I got bored of both characters very quickly and didn’t want to spend this much time (100 min run time) with them because I didn’t care what they had to say. I think both actors are incredibly talented, and it takes guts to take on parts that are so raw and out there, but I just wanted the film to stop long before it did.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Malcolm & Marie Website     The film is currently playing in select theatres and will be available on the Netflix platform Feb. 5th.

My View: Penguin Bloom (2021)   Sam (Naomi Watts) is a young mother left unable to walk after a near-fatal accident. She and her family must adapt and learn to deal with her new life and the struggles it brings. In walks a bird named Penguin, who gives Sam hope in an unlikely hero. Penguin Bloom is a movie that has its heart in the right place but never can deliver the emotional moments you want from the film. The film feels a little too much like the script had its moments written down in a list and then checked them off when those moments are shown on the screen. We have seen Watts do better before in this type of role (I kept thinking about the determined mother searching for her family in The Impossible), and her performance, like the script, is very predictable. Sure, it’s an inspiring story about a woman who finds hope and strength through a bond with a bird and don’t get me wrong, it’s a cute bird, but I never felt like I really cared about this family or Sam. I just couldn’t get connected enough with the family to get immersed in the by the numbers storyline.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee    Penguin Bloom Website  The film is available on the Netflix platform.

Indiefest: Dear Comrades (2020)    When the communist government raises food prices again in 1962, the workers in a small industrial town, Novocherkassk, go on strike. The massacre, which then ensues, is seen through the eyes of the rebellious workers. The film centers on Lyuda (Yuliya Vysotskaya), a government official in a working-class town. She lives with her rebellious factory working daughter and her grandfather, who has an opinion on everything. As the strike progresses, Lyuda must deal with her feeling that the Soviet way of life is the most important thing in her life versus her love for her daughter. Lyuda is soon confronted that the government she has given her life to has betrayed her and her family. Yuliya Vysotskaya gives a multi-faceted performance as a woman whose life was used to getting her way because she believed with her whole heart that the Soviet way was the right way, only to have her heartbroken when she finds out the truth.    My Rating: Full Price   Dear Comrades! Website  The film is available to rent on participating on-demand services and will be available on the Hulu platform on Feb. 5th.

Forgotten Film: Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015)  PG   Shaun the sheep (Justin Fletcher) decides to shake things up and take the flock to the big city to find their farmer. That was a big mistake, and now it’s time to get back to the country. Shaun the Sheep is an imaginative animated film from the same people that brought us the Wallace and Gromit series and the very funny Chicken Run. The kids will enjoy the action of the stop-motion animation, and adults will enjoy the humor, some of it very subtle. The storyline is creative, and the animation is fun to watch. Shaun the Sheep Movie should be a staple film in your family's life.   My Rating: Full Price   Shaun the Sheep Movie Website

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Penguin Bloom: Child Dramaturg 

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: Crisis (2021) R   Three stories about the opioids crisis: an undercover agent posing as a drug trafficker (Armie Hammer) arranges a complicated smuggling operation, an architect (Evangeline Lilly) recovering from an OxyContin addiction tries to find the truth about her son’s disappearance and his involvement with drugs and a university professor (Gary Oldman) finds out that the research he is working on is about to bring a highly addictive drug to the market. The film is from Nicholas Jarecki, who brought us the 2012 film Arbitrage, and the supporting cast includes Greg Kinnear, Michelle Rodriguez, and Lily-Rose Depp.    Crisis Info

Until Next Time!

Suicide Squad

My View:  Suicide Squad  (2016)  PG-13  A secret government agency turns to a group of super-villains to stop a mysterious and powerful supernatural being. While I didn’t hate this film, and enjoyed a few parts (especially the first third), I wouldn’t see it again, which is sad for a big blockbuster film like this one. The film pays to much attention to the backstory of its characters which makes the plot confusing. At one point, I got lost, I thought I might have dozed off and missed some key scenes, but that’s not the case. Due to build-up before the film’s release, I was disappointed on how little Jared Leto as The Joker does on the film, as he provides a back story for Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn (who has the most fun in the movie and gives us an outstanding performance). I am not a big Will Smith fan but I thought he was spot on as Deadshot. When the end of the film rolled around (reminding me of the original Ghostbusters movie ending), I was disappointed. This movie had all the makings of an outstanding film, but instead we get one weak, bloated movie filled with a few characters you wish would go ahead and die. I did like the 3-D effects, which used them to create a few wild scenes. There is a bonus scene at the end of the main credits but nothing else after that.  My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Suicide Squad Website

Indiefest:  Phantom Boy  (2015)  PG  A boy with super powers helps a wheelchair-bound police officer attempt to bring down a mob. This is a light and simple animated film that is fun to watch. It's beautifully drawn and, though the storyline is a little too straightforward, it does have some good messages for kids. It's a whimsical film that has a style of its own, one that you will want to spend some time with.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Phantom Boy Website

Forgotten Film:  Tapeheads  (1988)  R  A couple of lovable losers (Tim Robbins John Cusack) accidentally set the music world on its head when they start creating out of this world music videos. This is a very uneven comedy that, when an idea fails, it dies a horrible death, but, when it has a great idea, it hits it out of the park. The fun of this film is seeing how far technology has come and all the crazy cameos that are in this movie including Bobcat Goldthwait and Courtney Love (blink and you miss her). Cossack and Robbins give it their all, and it’s a riot watching them perform on the screen.    My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Tapeheads Info   

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on iTunes and VOD):  Embers  (2016)  A man (Jason Ritter) wakes up in a dilapidated room, not knowing how he got there, who he is or whom the woman (Iva Gocheva) sleeping next to is. That’s the start of the best film I saw at any Film Festival this year. This low budget film (though it doesn’t look it) works because the script is creative with a concept of what the world would be like if every time you woke up, you forgot everything. The film is beautifully shot with a gray overcast that seems to be hanging from every nook and cranny. The plot moves at a quick pace, and the casting is brilliant with Jason Ritter playing the lead “everyman” who is willing to risk his life for people he doesn’t know. The direction is crisp, and each performer gives outstanding performances. Take a chance and explore a brave new world where everyone starts out the day not knowing what is ahead of them.    My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Suicide Squad:  Tank Constructor

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Hell or High Water  (2016)   R  A down on his luck divorced dad (Chris Pine), and his ex-con brother (Ben Foster) start robbing banks in modern day West Texas.  Their plan is to rob enough to save the family farm from foreclosure. With a tough as nails Texas Ranger (Jeff Bridges) hot on their trail, will the brothers be able to keep their plan going before going down? Hey, you had me at Jeff Bridges starring as a Texas Ranger.   Hell or High Water Website

Until Next Time!

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