The Naked Gun

My Take:  The Naked Gun  (2025)  PG-13   The Naked Gun is about one man, and one man alone who has a particular set of skills to lead Police Squad and save the world! Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) is following in his father’s footsteps by fighting crime and drinking coffee. Lots of coffee. I am a huge fan of the comedy team of Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, who brought us the comedy gems Airplane! (1980), Top Secret (1984), and the original The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988). I can tell you which theater I saw Airplane! in, and that it was a double feature with the god-awful 007 film Moonraker (1979). I was worried when I heard they were making a new Naked Gun film and it was not involving the original Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker team. I am happy to say that director/co-writer Akiva Schaffer has done a magnificent job of rekindling the magic of those past films. The new movie is packed with laughs—so many, in fact, that you might need to watch it twice to catch them all.  The film is an almost avalanche of goofy gags, corney jokes, and wonderful stunts that keep going, like a long-running gag of Frank being handed coffee cups at nearly every turn, including while driving on the highway.  Like Leslie Nielsen before him, Liam Neeson has perfected the art of deadpan delivery, making his performance a delight to watch.  Add in Paul Walter Hauser as Drebin’s partner and the fantastic Pamela Anderson as Drebin’s love interest, and you have some brilliant scene stealers, with Anderson doing a hilarious jazz scat performance to draw attention away from Frank trying to sneak into a back room at a jazz club. Danny Huston is fun as an evil Elon Musk wannabe villain who is the only one in the club who thinks Anderson’s jazz singing is enchanting. Don’t wait to see this at home. See it with an audience, as it was fun just listening to the crowd laughing harder and harder as the film went along. Maybe you will get lucky like at our critic screening when Drebin does something completely stupid, and a woman shouted out, “Oh, no!”. She was surprised that someone could be that dumb. Why yes, yes, he can, and thank goodness he is just that. And by the way, stay through the credits for two bonus scenes. Also, please read the credits, as in the Zucker/Abrahams films of the past, there are some funny easter eggs hidden in them.  My Rating: Full Price  The Naked Gun Website  Now playing in theaters nationwide. 

Familyfaire:  The Bad Guys 2  (2025)  PG   When The Bad Guys 2 starts, the newly minted “The Good Guys” are struggling to make it as upstanding citizens, when they are pulled out of retirement and forced to do one last job by an all-female band of criminals. I mildly enjoyed the first film, finding the shark humorous and the Ocean's Eleven-style plot engaging. However, I didn't enjoy this sequel as much. I had several issues with the team going into space, and unlike the first film, this one lacked the twists and turns that made it enjoyable to watch. Additionally, I found the mismatch of animation styles distracting, especially the old-school animation used for the characters' eyes.. On a positive note, I appreciated the new additions to the voice cast, including Natasha Lyonne as Doom and Maria Bakalova as Pigtail who both bring a bit of needed life to the film. However, it seems the plot may have been too complicated to keep the younger audience members interested, as many of the kids were jumping around in their seats. If the film does well (and I bet it does), the ending sets up the next adventures for the gang.  Also, be sure to  stay through the first half of the credits for a bonus scene.  My Rating: Cable   The Bad Guys 2 Website  Now playing in theaters nationwide

Indiefest:  Together  (2025)  R   Together follows Tim (Dave Franco) and Millie (Alison Brie), a couple who, years into their relationship, relocate to the countryside in hopes of saving their marriage. As tensions rise to an all-time high, they confront an unnatural force that threatens to disrupt their relationship, their lives, and even their physical well-being. Together is a horror film that is going to make you extremely uncomfortable. The film has a few early ‘jump out of the dark’ scares, but mostly, this is about a couple that begins to experience an unnatural attraction to each other, one where, when one is away, the other person experiences withdrawals. I will warn you that as the film goes along, the attraction takes drastic turns, some of which are incredibly gruesome and gives ‘body horror’ films like last year’s The Substance a run for their money. I didn’t like the pacing of the film, and it’s hard to root for two characters that don’t belong together, much less like each other. Still, I found myself fascinated to see how far the film would go. It turns out, a long way. Together is a film that may stick with you for a while (pun intended).  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Together Website  Now playing in theaters. 

My Take:  My Oxford Year  (2025)  PG-13  In My Oxford Year, an American Rhodes Scholar, Anna (Sofia Carson), is about to spend a year at Oxford, where she intends to study hard. That is until a teaching assistant, Jamie (Corey Mylchreest), enters her life. It’s just for one year, correct? My Oxford Year is a charming romance set and shot on the campus of the University of Oxford at Magdalen College and based on the best-selling book of the same name by Julia Whelan. We have their meet-cute when Anna goes out exploring on her first day and gets drenched by a speeding sports car that splashes through a puddle. She then meets the driver of the car, Jamie, at a fish and chips shop as he ducks down to avoid a woman who is looking for him across the street from the shop. As it turns out, as we knew it would, Jamie is teaching the course that Anna is taking. Will Anna succumb to Jamie’s charm, or will she avoid him because of his reputation as a ladies’ man who has left behind many a broken heart? I think you will figure that part out. I loved the chemistry between Carson and Mylchreest, as their banter is the highlight of the film (well, that and the fantastic scenery). Sofia Carson is perfect as the determined Anna, who wants to spend a year at Oxford studying her passion for poetry before having to work in the corporate world. Carson plays Anna as an intelligent, playful woman who goes into the relationship with Jamie (sorry for that bit of a spoiler, but it wouldn’t be much of a romance if it didn’t happen) with her eyes open, knowing that what they have is temporary. Or is it? You will have to watch to find out. As with any romance, you might want to have a tissue or two handy—or perhaps even a whole box.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee  My Oxford Year Website    Now playing on the Netflix platform. 

Indiefest:  She Rides Shotgun  (2025)  R   In She Rides Shotgun, Nate (Taron Egerton) is an ex-con on the run to protect his estranged daughter, Polly (Ana Sophia Heger), who has been targeted for death by Nate’s former gang. If Polly and her dad want to survive, they must quickly form a bond they have never had. She Rides Shotgun is an extremely violent movie that, unlike many action films about criminals, is at its heart a heartwarming and touching story about a father who is desperate to connect with a daughter he barely knows and the daughter who decides to trust him. The stand out of this film isn’t Rocketman himself, Mr. Egerton, but Ana Sophia Heger, who steals every scene she is in as Polly. She is kidnapped by a father she doesn’t know and then goes willingly on the run to escape not only the police but a ruthless gang that wants to kill not only Nate for something he did but Polly too. I was blown away by Heger’s performance; she brings a unique perspective to this drama/action film as we witness a relentless world of violence and danger through her young and shocked eyes. It’s a brilliant and heart-wrenching performance that you won't want to miss. Taron Egerton also delivers a strong performance, skillfully transitioning from beating someone to a pulp to quickly comforting his daughter. She Rides Shotgun is a thrilling roller coaster ride that packs an emotional punch, thanks to its two lead actors.   My Rating: Full Price  She Rides Shotgun Website  Now playing in theaters. 

Indiefest:  Cloud  (2024)   In Cloud, Yoshii (Masaki Suda) excels at finding items online and selling them at a substantial markup. This success allows him to quit his job and move into a larger house with his girlfriend. However, Yoshii will soon discover that reselling inexpensive items for more than they are worth comes with its own set of consequences. Cloud is a film that explores the theme of greed and highlights how online shopping and selling aren't always as beneficial as they seem, especially when sellers are more focused on making money than providing value. After experiencing early success by selling medical equipment at a substantial profit, Yoshii becomes convinced that he is destined for millionaire status through deceitful practices, such as selling counterfeit products or drastically inflating prices due to high demand. What Yoshii is slow to realize is that you can’t always hide behind a fake internet name, and the more people you piss off, the more likely they will find you. I wasn’t prepared for the final thirty minutes of the film and the number of twists the film takes. I enjoyed the performances, especially Yoshii’s assistant, Sano (Daiken Okudaira), who is a local whom Yoshii hires when his business takes off. Filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa effectively blends different genres throughout the film, keeping the audience on edge. The tension builds as Yoshii learns that his unethical business dealings are about to catch up to him, no matter how cleverly he tries to hide behind his online alias.   My Rating: Full Price  Cloud Website  Now playing in select cities 

Forgotten Film:  For Your Consideration  (2006)  PG-13   An indie film with a tiny budget and actors from the dregs of TV shows in the production of a story about small-town life in the mid-40s set in the American South. The cast learns that the film is generating a lot of buzz, including speculation that Oscar could come calling. For Your Consideration is another mockumentary from the mind of Christopher Guest, and the cast comprises a who’s who of comedy legends, including Catherine O’Hara, Parker Posey, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, Fred Willard, Jane Lynch, and Jennifer Coolidge. As with many of the Guest films, the actors mainly improvise the dialogue, and the laughs don’t stop from the opening credits until the end. Catherine O’Hara as long-time character actress Marilyn Hack is the standout, with some great support from Harry Shearer as an actor who has sold out to become a commercial mascot of a hot dog, and Parker Posey as a struggling actress who lets the attention get into her head. While not as good as some of the other Guest films, in my humble opinion, Catherine O’Hara should have been nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  For Your Consideration Info The film is available on most streaming services. 

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Together:  Millie Contortionist Double

Coming to a Screen Near You: Nobody 2  (2025)  R  Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk), a former lethal assassin, has been away from his family too long. Time to make up for it by going on a family vacation. Unfortunately, Hutch has picked the wrong place for him and his family to relax at. This is a sequel to the unexpected 2021 hit Nobody. The cast includes Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd, Sharon Stone, Colin Hanks, and Colin Salmon.  Nobody 2 Website The film is in theaters on Friday, August 15, 2025.

Until Next Time!

I Know What You Did Last Summer

My View:  I Know What You Did Last Summer  (2025)  R   In I Know What You Did Last Summer, five friends inadvertently cause a deadly car accident and decide to cover it up, choosing to keep it a secret rather than face the consequences. A year later, they are confronted by a horrifying truth: someone knows what they did and is out for revenge. The friends discover this has happened before and ask for survivors of the Southport Massacre of 1997 for help. The original 1997 film had a script by Kevin Williamson (Scream, creator of Dawson’s Creek and The Vampire Diaries) and featured a cast that included Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Anne Heche, Johnny Galecki, and Freddie Prinze Jr. While not as creative as Scream, it was still a fun movie with a cast that was talented and that knew what they were doing. I can’t say the same for this movie. This version is a re-tread of the original film but without any creativity. We go to these types of films to be scared and for the inventive kills. The only scares in this drab film are the ‘jump out of the dark’ moments, accompanied by loud music to cue us to the scary moment. The killings are unimaginative and poorly done. And don’t get me started on how the accident occurs and why they hide it, which brings down the film from the start. And if you haven’t figured out who the killer is by the first third of the film, you don’t watch a lot of this type of film. The dialogue was terrible (at my screening, some of the lines were laughed at), and none of the cast members had the charisma to carry the film. Fans of the series might enjoy this film, but the rest of us will likely find it a snore. And yes, there is a bonus scene in the middle of the credits, which sets up another film to come, and that one scene was better than the movie that just followed.   My Rating:  Cable  I Know What You Did Last Summer Website  Now playing in theaters nationwide. 

My View:  Eddington  (2025)  R  Eddington is set in a small town in New Mexico in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) is running for Mayor against incumbent Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal). As the election unfolds, the town descends into chaos, with mask mandates, conspiracy theories, and a sense of society unraveling in the background. I am not a big fan of filmmaker Ari Aster (Hereditary, Midsommar, Beau is Afraid). I feel that too often he goes too far in trying to make a point, and his films have a tendency to start strong but falter in their third act, which ultimately brings down the rest of the film. Eddington is the story of a small town grappling with COVID-19 and the Eddie George killing, featuring a Mayor who advocates for mask-wearing and a Sheriff who refuses to wear a mask and dislikes, maybe even hates, the Mayor. I enjoyed the first half of this film, with a cast of characters that are funny and weird. It’s a war of wills between the Sheriff and the Mayor, and we want to see who will win. Unfortunately, the film falls apart in the second half, shifting from being an amusing black comedy and satire to something that feels directionless—perhaps like a roadrunner cartoon? The film, which starts so smartly, devours itself with absurdity that goes overboard. After viewing Eddington, you realize it did not provide any answers to the questions that were constantly popping up in your mind. That’s disappointing, especially in this day and age when we could all use a few answers. My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Eddington Website  Now playing in theaters. 

Indiefest:  Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight  (2024)  R Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight is about 8-year-old Bobo (Lexi Venter), whose family’s Rhodesian farm and their way of life are threatened by the Bush War. This is about a family that is being torn apart at the seams by a country that doesn’t want them and a mother who refuses to leave. Lexi Venter delivers an incredible performance as Bobo, a young girl who rides a motorcycle, smokes cigarettes, and questions everything around her.  It’s a riveting performance by a young actress that carries the whole film on her shoulders. The narrative unfolds through Bobo’s eyes as her beloved country undergoes rapid change, and her way of life hangs in the balance. Embeth Davidtz, who serves as writer and director, provides Venter with a unique voice that highlights the contrast between the mother, an alcoholic refusing to give in, and the father, who recognizes when the battle is lost.   Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight features a groundbreaking performance by a young actress, Lexi Venter, that has to be seen to be believed. Bobo is a character who will win your heart, even as her family's story may break it.  My Rating: Full Price   Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight Website  Now playing in select theaters. 

Indiefest:  Sorry, Baby (2025) R  Sorry, Baby takes place over five years following the life of Agnes (Eva Victor), who is trying to put her life back together after a trauma that almost destroyed her. Sorry, Baby is one of those films that you fall in love with almost from the first frame. This film captivates you from the very first frame. Eva Victor has created a remarkable piece for a first-time director, especially one who also stars in it. Sorry, Baby is a film that deals with a horrible situation, but with such a deft touch that you come away feeling good about the character surviving, especially since she mentions dying a lot. It’s a film that tackles a sensitive subject with humor and compassion. Some scenes will make you cry, and others will make you laugh, and that’s to the credit of Eva Victor, who gives us a performance and a character who is witty, resilient, and warm-hearted, whose sense of humor comes out, sometimes at the strangest times. Additionally, Sorry, Baby highlights the importance of friendships in overcoming difficult times. This is a remarkable film that you won’t want to end, as you’ll find yourself wishing to continue Agnes's journey alongside her friends. You know she will keep moving forward, fighting the good fight, and striving to live fully. Sorry, Baby is definitely destined to be among my this year's top five films directed by a first-time filmmaker.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  Sorry, Baby Website  Now playing in select theaters. 

Forgotten Film:  Boy (2011) Note: This is my review from 2011 and is a film that I talk about all the time, telling everyone to see this film:   Boy, an 11-year-old, who lives in Waihau Bay, New Zealand with his younger brother, Rocky (who thinks he has superpowers), and his grandmother, is obsessed with Michael Jackson. His mother died giving birth to Rocky, and Boy spends a good deal of his day thinking about what his long-lost father is doing.  Is he a spy, a famous rugby player, or maybe a brilliant artist?  Boy’s world is changed when his father suddenly shows up, and he must come to grips with the realization that his father will never live up to the image he created of him over the years.  The director (who also stars as Boy’s father), Taika Waititi, gives us a wonderful world of interesting characters, where Boy’s fantasies about his father come to life, and cartoon drawings illustrate what Rocky thinks is going to happen when he applies his imagined superpowers. It’s no wonder that this film won the Audience Award at the American Film Institute Festival in 2010. My Rating:  Full Price  Boy Info  The film is available to rent/buy on Amazon Prime. 

Weird Credits: From the credits of I Know What You Did Last Summer:  Marine assistant

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: The Naked Gun (2025) I am just going to quote the press release for the film: “Only one man has the particular set of skills... to lead Police Squad and save the world! Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. follows in his father’s footsteps.”  The movie stars Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr., and the supporting cast comprises Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, and Kevin Durand.  The Naked Gun Website The movie will be in theaters on Friday, August 1, 2025.

Until Next Time!