 A Double Feature Review! Vengeance  Actors B.J. Novak and Boyd Holbrook Vengeance is a wonderful directorial debut by B.J. Novak. His film subverts our expectations with a dark satire that is chock-full of deep themes. Vengeance is a witty whodunit that personalizes the human struggle and what divides us as a nation. It’s surprising in all the right ways. I did not know much about Novak's film before seeing it at the theater last month, and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Vengeance is Novak's first feature film to hit the big screen, gifting us with a dark comedy about modern society. Not everything that's written on the screen comes to fruition, yet it doesn't stop it from still delivering a constructive message. Our story follows Ben Manalowitz (Novak), a journalist and podcaster from New York City, who attempts to solve the murder of a girl he hooked up with and travels down southern Texas to investigate her death. Here, Novak's film balances themes of division, conspiracy, and emotional grief. A Western thriller that speaks from the heart and lets the audience ponder on its central message after the credits roll. Plus, actor Ashton Kutcher gives a well-rounded performance throughout the film. Not to mention an ending that will send shock-waves throughout. In the end, Vengeance is well worth your time.  Actors Ashton Kutcher and B.J. Novak Vengeance is rated R (Restricted) for Language and Brief Violence. See it in theaters, rent on Vudu or stream on Peacock. Directed by B.J. Novak Starring B.J. Novak, Boyd Holbrook, J. Smith-Cameron, Lio Tipton, Dove Cameron, Issa Rae, and Ashton Kutcher. Bodies Bodies Bodies  Actors Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Chase Sui Wonders, and Rachel Sennott. Bodies Bodies Bodies is a fresh, sophisticated, and devilish satire. This film is a romp from the beginning until the end, full of suspense and wicked humor. Bodies Bodies Bodies is a Gen Z thriller that meets the moment, not to mention its phenomenal cast (Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Myha'la Herrold, Chase Sui Wonders, Rachel Sennott, Lee Pace, and Pete Davidson). Actress Rachel Sennott is a riot! Scene after scene, Sennott steals the film, delivering some of the best and most hilarious lines throughout. Bodies Bodies Bodies is director Halina Reijn's (2019's Instinct) English-language debut. This black comedy slasher film is a whirlwind from start to finish. Our story follows a group of rich and privileged Gen Z'ers who plan a hurricane party at a remote family mansion.  Actors Amandla Stenberg and Maria Bakalova Bee (an excellent Bakalova) has traveled from Eastern Europe to spend sometime with her girlfriend Sophie (a strong Stenberg). Sophie introduces Bee to her old friend group, yet you can feel the tension in the air between this group of longtime "friends." Here, the group decides to play a party game known as bodies bodies bodies. Unfortunately, someone in the group dies and thus begins a series of unfortunate events. In Bodies Bodies Bodies, no one can be trusted, and everyone is holding their cards against each other. In a dog-eat-dog world, we watch these 20-year-olds claw their way until the hurricane passes in a game of survival. Sorry Boomers, you probably won't understand this film. As for everyone else, you will have a blast. All of the actors (Stenberg, Bakalova, Herrold, Sui Wonders, Sennott, Pace, and Davidson) brought their A-game. Bodies Bodies Bodies is smart, funny, and a bloody good time. In the end, let Rachel Sennott reign supreme.  Actress Rachel Sennott Bodies Bodies Bodies is rated R (Restricted) For Pervasive Language | Drug Use | Bloody Images | Sexual References | Violence). See it in theaters now | Click Here. Directed by Halina Reijn Starring Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Myha'la Herrold, Chase Sui Wonders, Rachel Sennott, Lee Pace, and Pete Davidson.
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 Prey is thrilling and electrifying from the first to the final frame. Dan Trachtenberg’s (10 Cloverfield Lane) film will pump your veins with a rush of adrenaline, while Amber Midthunder gives us a tour de force performance as Naru. Prey captures the spirit of the original. In the end, this film rules. "If it bleeds, we can kill it."  Actress Amber Midthunder as Naru. Trachtenberg’s Prey is a prequel done right: gifting us with a tense, blood-flowing, and perfectly crafted science fiction film. Without losing sight of the Predator franchise's elements of horror and action, Prey uses its surroundings to its benefit. Prey is the fifth installment of the Predator franchise (Predator, Predator 2, Predators, The Predator). Seventh, if you include the two Alien vs. Predator spin-offs. Personally, I think this is the best film to come out of this franchise. It's definitely the best film since Arnie's 1987 original classic. Our film travels back to the Comanche Nation 300 years ago as we follow a young woman, Naru (a superb Midthunder), who is a trained healer and hungers to become a great hunter like her brother, Taabe (a strong Dakota Beavers). Set in the Northern Great Plains in North America — Prey goes back to the franchise basics and is grounded in strong execution and character development.  Naru is a fierce and highly skilled warrior and is given the opportunity to help protect her people from a highly evolved alien predator. The story is simple but it is also impeccably crafted from the first to the final frame. Full of suspense, thrills, and stellar action sequences, Prey grabs ahold of you and doesn't let go. You will be on the edge of your couch throughout its entire 100-minute runtime. This film should have been released in theaters. However, Prey did become the most viewed premiere ever on Hulu within the first three days of being released. Trachtenberg knows how to craft a picture; while Midthunder muscles her way through, delivering one of the best performances of the year. Midthunder's performance is fierce, compelling, and superb. Prey's representation is also important: an action blockbuster that showcases an Indigenous female warrior and her Comanche culture. A picture that is rooted in tradition while also kicking ass. Not to mention Naru's trusting sidekick Sarii, her dog. Prey was shot in English and later dubbed in Comanche, with the entire cast performing an alternate all-Comanche dubbed version of the film. Both language versions are available on Hulu (domestically) and Disney+ (internationally). Trachtenberg's picture is the first film in history with a full dub in Comanche. It is also the first film to premiere in a Native language alongside the English version. In addition, the movie's cinematography and landscapes of the Northern Great Plains are stunning. While the action sequences are cunning, Prey does not lose sight of its quieter moments as we grow with Naru and her story. In the end, Prey was a film that completely took me by surprise in the best of ways. A picture that is rooted in its franchise, yet never forgets to tell Naru's own personal story.  Yes, there will be blood. Prey is rated R (restricted) For Strong Bloody Violence. Streaming now on Hulu (domestically) and Disney+ (internationally). Here's my personal ranking of the Predator franchise: Click here. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg Starring Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Michelle Thrush, Stormee Kipp, Julian Black Antelope, Bennett Taylor, and Dane DiLiegro.  Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is a beautiful little movie: sweet, funny, heartwarming, and irresistible. See it. 5-stars. Based on the 2010 short of the same name, director Dean Fleischer-Camp and actress Jenny Slate returned to give us a feature-lengthen film. During its 90-minute runtime, we travel with Marcel as he searches for his missing family. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is a picture that tackles the meaning of life in the deepest of ways. As the story blossoms, you will be holding back those tears. Jenny Slate continues to be marvelous as the voice of Marcel. Simply a perfect little movie and one of the best films of the year. Marcel the Shell is a little movie with a big heart. This mockumentary style feature will have you laughing, then crying, then laughing some more. Fleischer-Camp and Slate have made a movie that grapples with the meaning of life, loneliness, and death. Fleischer-Camp's picture is poignant and utterly profound, gifting us with a gem of a movie. Our story follows a documentary filmmaker (Fleischer-Camp) who rents an Airbnb following the end of his marriage. While at the Airbnb, Dean discovers Marcel (voiced by Slate), a one-inch-tall talking shell with shoes who lives in the house with his grandmother Nanna Connie (voiced by the great Isabella Rossellini), and Alan, his pet ball of lint. Nanna Connie loves attending to her garden but has begun showing signs of Dementia. Marcel and Nanna Connie love to bond over their mutual love for Lesley Stahl and 60 Minutes. Here, Dean begins to record Marcel and his life around the house and posts their encounters on YouTube.  We learn that Marcel had a bigger family in the past, but they have gone missing. And so, the adventure takes off for Dean and Marcel to find his lost family using Dean's filmmaking resources. Fleischer-Camp's picture is both witty and heartwarming. Who would have thought that a one-inch-tall talking shell with shoes could provoke emotions buried deep inside you? Not to mention, the animation and stop-motion in this picture are stunning and gorgeous. Fans of the 2010 short will fall in love all over again with Marcel, while viewers new to Marcel and his charm will be won over instantaneously. In the end, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is both a whimsical and bittersweet movie that will uplift your soul during these hard times. Fleischer-Camp and Slate's feature shows us what it really means to be human. Marcel: "Sometimes I find my mind wandering, thinking, 'What would my family think?' Do you think they could be out there?" Nanna Connie: "Marcello, let's forget about being afraid. Just take the adventure." Marcel: "Okay, then. Let's do it."  Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is rated PG (Parental Guidance) Some Suggestive Material | Thematic Elements. Marcel had his world premiere last September at the 48th Telluride Film Festival. Marcel and his movie are now playing in theaters everywhere. Directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp Starring Dean Fleischer-Camp, Jenny Slate, Isabella Rossellini, Lesley Stahl, Dean's dog Arthur, and Alan the pet ball of lint.  A Double Feature Review! Elvis  Austin Butler as Elvis Presley Elvis is big, bombastic, flashy, and entertaining from start to finish. Baz Luhrmann’s (Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge!) electrifying style is deeply embedded into this film’s DNA. Actor Austin Butler’s commanding performance as Elvis Presley will dazzle. Splashy and bright, this is a jukebox biopic to see on the big screen. Elvis marks Luhrmann’s long-awaited return to the director's chair since 2013's The Great Gatsby. Luhrmann’s picture about the King of Rock and Roll is nonstop energy for all of its 159-minute runtime. The film doesn't give you a break, sending the audience on a roller coaster of country music and rhythm and blues. The style that Luhrmann fuses with this picture might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is a style that I have come around to love and admire.  Actors Tom Hanks and Austin Butler. Our story follows Elvis from his childhood growing up in the poorest parts of Mississippi to his big break into the music business in the 1950s to his military service in the early 1960s and his comeback reign/death in the 1970s. Luhrmann does touch on the race relations/controversy surrounding Elvis during his music empire. We see how Elvis, in many ways, took the sounds and harmony of African-American music and infused it into his lyrics. Yet, we also see how Elvis did have many African-American friends and artists in the music industry that he frequently hung out with. People like B.B. King (played by Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Little Richard (Alton Mason). Butler completely transforms into Presley — gifting us with a whirlwind of a performance from start to finish. Butler will razzle and dazzle throughout the film. We see Butler illuminate Elvis at his highs and lows throughout his starstruck career. In addition, Tom Hanks also gives a solid performance as Col. Tom Parker, Elvis' slimeball manager. I was a little worried seeing Hanks' performance from the trailer, but he turned out to be pretty good and held up well throughout. Cannot look at Santa Claus the same without thinking about Hanks demanding Elvis (Butler) to sing "Here Comes Santy Claws." Since Elvis' worldwide release, the film has made grossed $212.7 million against its $85 million budget, becoming the second highest-grossing music biopic of all time behind 2018's Bohemian Rhapsody and the 10th highest-grossing Australian-produced film. In the end, Luhrmann's Elvis is a rockin' good time.  Austin Butler as Elvis Presley Elvis is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) Strong Language | Smoking | Substance Abuse | Suggestive Material. Want to hear more of my thoughts about Elvis? I spoke with my good friends, Matt and Ashley, on their podcast, Mashely at the Movies | Listen Here. Directed by Baz Luhrmann Starring Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge, Helen Thomson, Richard Roxburgh, Kelvin Harrison Jr., David Wenham, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Luke Bracey. Cha Cha Real Smooth  Actors Cooper Raiff and Dakota Johnson. Cha Cha Real Smooth is a sweet film with a lot of heart. I looked over at Glynis during the movie and said, “we are officially at Dakota Johnson’s character’s stage in life… no more nightclubs for us.” But, Cooper Raiff’s (2020's Shithouse) film is a tender-hearted dramedy. Written, directed, and produced by Raiff, Cha Cha Real Smooth is a small film that will slap a big smile on your face. Cha Cha Real Smooth is a pure-hearted dramedy, and it proudly wears that title. Andrew (Raiff) is a 22-year-old who's fresh out of college and stuck on what to do next with his life. Andrew moves back home with his mom (Leslie Mann), younger brother David (Evan Assante), and stepdad (Brad Garrett). He ends up landing a job as a DJ/motivational dancer for local bar and bat mitzvahs. While at a bat mitzvah, Andrew meets and befriends a local mom, Domino (Dakota Johnson), and her autistic daughter, Lola (Vanessa Burghardt). Cha Cha Real Smooth is a film that unveils unconventional love backed by emotional honesty. Raiff is an exciting young filmmaker to watch blossom on the screen; while showcasing his ambition in genuine storytelling. Cha Cha Real Smooth uses warm sentiment, wit, and charm to draw in its audience. Not everything works, but it doesn't give up. For that, I applaud it. So, let Andrew's charm move you onto the dance floor and "cha cha real smooth."  Actors Cooper Raiff, Evan Assante, Dakota Johnson, and Vanessa Burghardt. Cha Cha Real Smooth is rated R (Restricted). Language | Some Sexual Content. Trigger Warning: There's a scene that depicts a miscarriage in this film. Now Streaming on Apple TV+ Directed by Cooper Raiff Starring Cooper Raiff, Dakota Johnson, Raúl Castillo, Odeya Rush, Evan Assante, Vanessa Burghardt, Brad Garrett, and Leslie Mann.  A Double Feature Review! Nope  Actors Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer. Jordan Peele does it again: gifting us with an exhilarating, funny, and wholly original sci-fi thriller. Actors Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Brandon Perea, and Steven Yeun are superb. Nope is great, and it is also an exciting summer blockbuster. Since 2017, Jordan Peele (Get Out and Us) has continued to show us why he is one of the best directors in Hollywood currently making films. Peele's blend of horror and comedy continues to succeed. Get Out was a well-oiled machine of horror/comedy fueled with thought-provoking themes and social commentary, while 2019's Us let loose with sheer terror and gory thrills. Now, in 2022, Peele returns with Nope: a science fiction horror feature that dabbles with influences of The Twilight Zone and Spielberg.  Actor Steven Yeun Yet, Peele knows how to subvert our expectations with his movies. And if you think that this is just another standard UFO (unidentified flying object) trip judging by the trailers, then think again. Without revealing the plot, I will say that all the actors (Kaluuya, Palmer, Perea, and Yeun) in this picture excel to new floating heights. Nope is wholly original and also an incredibly ambitious piece of sci-fi storytelling. Peele digs deep into the mechanisms of showbiz, turning tragedy into profit, trainer/animal relationships, and how humans will risk everything for spectacle. As usual: Peele riddles his third outing with more symbolism and parallel storytelling. However, Nope is also Peele's most straightforward popcorn feature to date. In the end, Nope is a film that will leave you in awe while also sending chills down your spine. It's thrilling, funny, and frightening throughout. So, hang on tight because this summer movie spectacle is ready for lift-off.  "Jean Jacket" and Lucky the horse. Nope is rated R (Restricted) Some Violence/Bloody Images | Language Throughout. Directed by Jordan Peele Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Brandon Perea, and Steven Yeun. The Gray Man  Actor Ryan Gosling The Gray Man is a dull and sloppy action thriller. The Russo Brothers continue to struggle with directing outside the superhero realm. The cast (Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, and Chris Evans) does their best with the material given to them, but it's $200 million wasted. The Gray Man marks Gosling’s first film back in four years, and he deserved a better movie. Sigh. The Gray Man might be colorful and action-packed, but it's also an incredibly forgettable film. The story was generic and riddled with clichés from start to finish, while the action sequences were messy, flashy, and poorly executed. The Gray Man was a frustrating watch because I know that the Russo Brothers can make a good movie that's balanced with well-crafted action sequences, i.e., Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.  Actors Ana de Ar Armas and Ryan Gosling. Unfortunately, they have struggled to make a well-balanced picture outside the superhero bubble. After the mega success of 2019's Endgame, Anthony and Joe Russo followed it up with a total misfire (2021's Cherry). Now, we have another disappointing post-Endgame picture that's all style and zero substance. Our story follows a CIA black ops assassin, codename Six (Gosling), who is forced to go on the run after uncovering incriminating secrets about the agency he works for. A psychopathic former colleague (Evans) puts a bounty on Six's head, setting off a global manhunt of international assassins. That's as far as I will go with the plot. Sadly, The Gray Man never takes ambitious leaps outside the spy world. Instead, the film stays in a very formulaic lane, overshadowed by much stronger action pictures. Some might find this type of filmmaking enjoyable. Personally, I would rather have a spy adventure with a little more depth to it; but that's just me.  Actor Chris Evans The Gray Man is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) Strong Language | Strong Violence. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo Starring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jessica Henwick, Regé-Jean Page, and Billy Bob Thornton.  Two incredible features that both receive an A- review from me. Good Luck to You, Leo Grande and Pleasure are two of the best films to be released this year. Good Luck to You, Leo Grande  Good Luck to You, Leo Grande is an utter delight! While actors Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack's chemistry is irresistible. Leo Grande is a film that is intimate, personal, and sex-positive. Director Sophie Hyde focuses on the complexities (emotional and physical) that come with sex; while discussing the misconceptions about sex work. Simply a brilliant little film. You won't be disappointed. Leo Grande is now streaming on Hulu, and it is one of the most intimate films to be released in a long time. Director Sophie Hyde's (2019's Animals) picture is utterly refreshing, shedding new light on sex workers. Taking place mainly in the confined space of a hotel room, Leo Grande listens to two people conversing and finding a human connection through sex. Thompson plays Nancy Stokes, a retired teacher, and recent window. Nancy embarks on a post-marital sexual awakening and hires a sex worker named Leo Grande (newcomer McCormack).  Leo is a charismatic and compassionate being; who wants to offer Nancy a fulfilling experience. Nancy also informs Leo that she has never experienced an orgasm in her life. Nancy is embarrassed, but Leo has no qualms about this and encourages Nancy to embrace these feelings. The emotional weight and thought-provoking themes sneak up on you throughout the film's 97 minute runtime. We see vulnerabilities come out of Nancy and also vulnerabilities come out of Leo and his past. Leo Grande is like a well-written play that blossoms on the screen. It's also sneakily radical in the best of ways. You will laugh and maybe even cry as Hyde's picture explores new territories for sexual awakening stories. Lastly, the ending scene in Leo Grande really stuck with me, as it breaks new barriers by showing an older woman (Thompson) fully nude and embracing her body and embracing her beauty as a person. Like a painting, Nancy poses in front of the mirror and is captivated by herself for the first time. Beautiful.  Good Luck to You, Leo Grande is rated R (Restricted) For Graphic Nudity | Some Language | Sexual Content Streaming now on Hulu. Directed by Sophie Hyde Starring Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack. Pleasure  Pleasure is a brutally honest and unflinching look into the porn industry. Ninja Thyberg's directorial debut questions the patriarchal gaze with a shocking, realistic, and disturbing narrative front and center. Actress Sofia Kappel's breakout role is one of the most important acting debuts of the year. Pleasure is a film that knocks you down from the first frame and won't let you back up until the credits hit the screen. Pleasure is a film based on Thyberg's 2013 short of the same name and is about a young woman (Kappel) from a small Swedish town who moves to Los Angeles to become the next big porn star. Linnéa (Kappel) is 20 years old and goes by the stage name of "Bella Cherry" after she arrives in LA. Kappel's performance as Bella is raw, riveting, and resilient.  Thyberg's picture peels back the misogynistic layers of the adult film industry, showcasing the hardships that adult film actresses go through every day. We see Bella go to multiple film sets; many of them are heavily male-dominated behind the scenes. Thyberg shows us two polar opposite scenes back-to-back. The first is a BDSM scene where the director of the porn shoot is a woman. In addition, many of the people behind the scenes of this BDSM shoot are also women. The female director makes Bella feel comfortable and safe with the material they are about to shoot. Bella never feels like she is in any danger. Afterwards, Bella feels confident and sex-positive. The second shoot is with only one male director, two male actors, and no one else. The porn shoot is a rough sex scene, and the atmosphere for Bella quickly becomes hostile. Bella breaks down and tries to leave, but she is manipulated into staying. In blurred shots and fragmented images — we see Bella's point of view — while she is raped by the two male actors. This scene is distressing, but that is the point. Throughout the movie, Thyberg does not slap an agenda onto its storyline. Instead, she leaves that up to the viewers to decide for themselves. Bella's journey through the porn industry as she rises to the top is provocative, disturbing, and determined. Yet, once she gets to the top she begins to wonder if this type of fame is worth it. We see the desire for stardom, the positivity of female-led sets, and the unfortunate power dynamics of a still heavily male-dominated industry that needs to change. Pleasure is enlightening and fully human from the first frame until the last.  Pleasure is Not Rated (NR) Rent Pleasure on VOD. Directed by Ninja Thyberg Starring Sofia Kappel, Revika Anne Reustle, Evelyn Claire, Chris Cock, Dana DeArmond and Kendra Spade.  Top Gun: Maverick is a whirlwind from start to finish. Hands down, this will be the best blockbuster of the summer. Nothing will top it! Thrilling, adrenaline-rushing, and full of heart: Tom Cruise’s legacy sequel is epic in every way.  I was blown away with Top Gun: Maverick. There were multiple times throughout the movie where I would look over at Glynis and say, "did you see that" or "how did they pull that off?!" The practical effects and achievements in this film alone are worth applauding. During filming, actors sat in the co-pilot seats to give off the illusion that they were flying the jets. The producers paid the Navy $11,374 per flight hour for F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and pilots to fly the actors around and film their scenes in the air. There was at least one F/A-18F rigged with special cameras for actors in the back seat. On top of the boot camp training and aerobatics riding that the actors had to go through was also learning lighting, cinematography, and editing for when they were being filmed in the jets. "When they're up in the jet they have to direct themselves essentially," said producer Jerry Bruckheimer. I again marvel at the technical accomplishments this film has to offer. Top Gun: Maverick will go down in the books as one of the greatest summer blockbusters and legacy sequels ever made. Maverick takes place 36 years after its predecessor, Top Gun (1986). the original is not a bad film, nor was it a great one. However, I would say that late director Tony Scott's (Crimson Tide and Man on Fire) original Top Gun was a fun ride full of '80s vibes and memorable performances (notably Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards). Since the original came out, it has been passed down as a staple of '80s cinema. Now, 36 years later, Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (a stellar Tom Cruise) is currently serving as a U.S. Navy test pilot. Like the original, Maverick (Cruise) is still up to his reckless and daring tendencies. As an order from friend and former rival, Admiral Tom "Iceman" Kazansky (the great Val Kilmer), Maverick is sent to NAS North Island as a TOPGUN instructor. Here, Maverick has to train an elite group of F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aviators (Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Monica Barbaro, Jay Ellis, and Danny Ramirez) for an upcoming dangerous mission. This is as far as I will go with the plot.  I will say that actor Miles Teller plays Lt. Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, the son of LTJG Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (Edwards), whose character died in the original film. This gives the movie an internal conflict between Maverick and Rooster's characters, adding some strong emotional resonance to the blockbuster. Plus, Teller rocks that dad stash throughout the picture. Has "hot dad summer" finally arrived? Maverick is a legacy sequel done right by building off of the previous film and excelling. There is some great homage to the past, but it is not overdone nostalgia. Hint: "Great Balls of Fire" and the football beach scene. In addition, there is a story here with a beating heart, emotional storylines, superb acting, and electrifying action sequences to die for. I advise you to see this film on the biggest screen possible. See it on the IMAX or something similar. We were able to see this picture at our locate Drive-In (Skyview) and had a grand ole time. There is no shaking it, Top Gun: Maverick is pure cinematic pleasure, full of nonstop thrills, adrenaline-rushing action, and emotional bonds. Dads everywhere will cheer. It's been an honor, Captain.  Top Gun: Maverick is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) Some Strong Language | Sequences of Intense Action Directed by Joseph Kosinski Starring Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris, and Val Kilmer.  Alex Garland’s (2015's Ex Machina and 2018's Annihilation) Men feels like a fever dream that’s fueled with horror and allegories. Men covers trauma and grief while sinking its teeth into your skin through that haunting score. I loved the first and second act of Men but bristled with the third. Actors Jessie Buckley and Rory Kinnear were both superb. While it may not be Garland’s best work (narratively speaking), it is definitely his most beautifully shot film. Garland is known for making puzzling features, ones that challenge its audience. Oftentimes, Garland's films make you question the very existence of humanity, finding one's purpose in life. Ex Machina was Garland's directorial debut — a science fiction thriller that studied deep questions about technology, sexuality, and the future. Three years later, Garland returned to the director's chair and released Annihilation. His second feature was another science fiction film, but took a deep dive into the psychological horror territory.  Annihilation explored challenging themes about biology, humanity, and grief. The ending to Annihilation is still one that I ponder over from time to time. This leads us to Men (2022) — a folk horror tale that relies heavily on allegories and visual splendor. Sometimes these allegories were a little too on the nose, which is where the final act became a little topsy-turvy. Our film follows a young woman named Harper (an excellent Buckley), who goes on a solo vacation to the English countryside following the death of her ex-husband (Paapa Essiedu). While Harper is staying in the village, she starts to be confronted by disturbed and tormented "men," all portrayed by Rory Kinnear. This is about as far as I can go for the plot. The rest is for you to uncover this bonkers movie. I will say that both Buckley and Kinnear's stellar performances throughout this picture kept me engaged, as did the gorgeous cinematography and cunning sound design. The scenes where Harper walks through the forest and countryside were simply stunning. I was also intrigued by the mystery around the plot because the first two acts kept most of their cards in hand. It wasn't until the third act when the cards began spilling out. Men is a flawed yet haunting portrayal of one's grief. Garland's feature is a type of film that won't be everyone's cup of tea, and that is a-okay. So sit back, relax, and let Rory Kinnear scare the bejesus out of you.  Men is rated R (Restricted) Grisly Images | Graphic Nudity | Disturbing and Violent Content | Language. Directed by Alex Garland Starring Jessie Buckley, Paapa Essiedu, and Gayle Rankin. Along with Rory Kinnear, Rory Kinnear, Rory Kinnear, Rory Kinnear, Rory Kinnear, Rory Kinnear, Rory Kinnear, and Rory Kinnear.  A Double Feature Review! The Northman  Robert Eggers’ (The VVitch and The Lighthouse) The Northman is a fierce and extraordinary piece of cinema. A visual splendor with Eggers’ craft oozing through the screen. The Viking mythology floods our senses. The acting (Alexander Skarsgård, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke, Björk, and Willem Dafoe) is top-notch, along with that roaring score. What a picture! Eggers doesn’t miss. 5-stars. In his third outing, Eggers continues to prove why he is one of the best modern filmmakers working in the industry today. Eggers has always been a visionary director, and The Northman showcased some of the director's greatest visual strengths. Co-written by Eggers and Sjón, The Northman is based on the legend of Amleth. Prince Amleth (Oscar Novak as young Amleth) is on the verge of becoming a man when his father (Hawke) is brutally murdered by his uncle (Bang), who kidnaps the boy's mother (Kidman). Two decades later, Amleth (Skarsgård as adult Amleth) is now a Viking who is on a mission to save his mother, kill his uncle and avenge his father's death. The Northman is chock full of Viking and Nordic mythology as Eggers throws the audience straight into the film.  Eggers' film moves with a nihilistic tone, yet it feels epic in every frame. Pulse-pounding, that roaring score (Robin Carolan and Sebastian Gainsborough) sinks its teeth into your veins. With gorgeous cinematography throughout along with an artistic vision guiding this film front and center, this is a movie that I have not stopped thinking about since I saw it in the theaters. All of the actors in this picture are phenomenal, with a special shout out to Taylor-Joy. Her presence might be small, but she packs a punch with every scene she is in. In addition, her chemistry with Skarsgård flows beautifully. Shot throughout Northern Ireland and Iceland, The Northman is a stunning picture that will eat your heart out. The scope and scale of this movie is massive and had me cheering in multiple scenes throughout. I implore you to go see Eggers' latest picture if you still have not seen it yet. The theater would be the best experience for a film this epic, but it is also available to now rent on VOD if it is not playing in a theater near you. So, sit back, relax, and let a valkyrie carry your cinematic soul through the gates of Valhalla.  The Northman is rated R (Restricted) Strong Bloody Violence | Some Sexual Content | Nudity. See it in theaters or rent it on VOD. Directed by Robert Eggers Starring Alexander Skarsgård, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke, Björk, and Willem Dafoe. Downton Abbey: A New Era  Downton Abbey: A New Era is an utterly delightful picture. It’s comfort food for longtime fans of the series. If they continue making these films every few years, then I’ll continue to watch them. A New Era brings the Downton clan back to the big screen. Based on Masterpiece's hit TV show (Downton Abbey, 2010-2015), the British historical drama continues its story of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants in the post-Edwardian era. The TV show's timeline focused on events from 1912 to 1926. In 2019, the Crawley's had their first feature film made, which took place in 1927. Now, A New Era moves the Crawley family ever closer to the 1930s. All of our favorite characters return like Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville), Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern), Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael), Charles Carson (Jim Carter), Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan), Anna Bates (Joanne Froggatt), John Bates (Brendan Coyle), Daisy (Sophie McShera), Tom Branson (Allen Leech), Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier), Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nicol), Joseph Molesley (Kevin Doyle), Phyllis Baxter (Raquel Cassidy), Andy (Michael Fox), Maud Bagshaw (Imelda Staunton), Isobel Merton (Penelope Wilton), and Violet Crawley (the great Maggie Smith).  It's a ton of characters that were well developed over the TV show's 5-year period, so the movies do not need to go into great detail because we have known them all for so long now. A New Era follows two main plots this time around. The first is the Dowager Countess' (Smith) newly inherited villa in the South of France. While the second is a film crew that wishes to use Downton as a filming location for a new silent film called, The Gambler. It's 1928, so the Silent movie industry is starting to become a dying breed because the "talkies" are currently the rising stars in the film industry. A New Era pulls heavily from the Singin' in the Rain (1952) "talkies" subplot throughout. Like a warm delicious scone, A New Era goes down easy and, in the end, will leave one satisfied. While the TV show can stretch out plot points, the movies have to wrap everything up into a nice big bow after two hours. But that is okay because this is such a delightful picture. I had a good time seeing my friends back on the big screen. Give it a few years, and we will be able to catch up with the Crawley family again. And someone please tell Mr. Bonneville to cut back on the bronzer in the next outing.  Downton Abbey: A New Era is rated PG (Parental Guidance) Thematic Elements | Some Suggestive References | Language. Directed by Simon Curtis Starring Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Joanne Froggatt, Brendan Coyle, Sophie McShera, Allen Leech, Rob James-Collier, Lesley Nicol, Kevin Doyle, Raquel Cassidy, Michael Fox, Imelda Staunton, Penelope Wilton), and the great Maggie Smith.  Believe the hype. Everything Everywhere All At Once is that good: I am flabbergasted, amazed, thrilled, and over the moon with this picture. The Daniels have delivered an extraordinary work of art. A combination of genres and emotions bursting through the screen. Actors Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Stephanie Hsu are marvelous throughout. We are thrown into this multiverse of wonder, and I didn’t want to leave. Everything Everywhere is the very definition of a masterpiece. 5-stars. There's a great evil spreading throughout the many verses. And you, may be our only chance of stopping it.  Actors Stephanie Hsu, Michelle Yeoh, and Ke Huy Quan. Where do I even begin with this gift of a movie? Everything Everywhere is a joyous experience of wonder and ecstasy overflowing throughout the theater. The directing duo simply known as the Daniels (Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) have created a richly rewarding experience that overloads the senses. Known for their quirky 2016 directorial debut (Swiss Army Man), the sophomore film from this duo has grown in all levels of filmmaking. What weird or absurd concepts that started within Swiss Army Man have been dialed up to 11 in Everything Everywhere. This is a movie that I saw last Thursday, and I am still trying to process it. Everything Everywhere is a movie that moves fast and talks fast, throwing our viewers right into the experience. Everything within this movie felt incredibly refreshing and undeniably imaginative. The scope and scale of this picture was enormous. Yet, this is also a picture that felt strangely intimate and emotionally resonate. Everything Everywhere is a film from an Asian American perspective, putting a Chinese American family front and center. Actress Michelle Yeoh (Tomorrow Never Dies, Sunshine, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) is our fierce protagonist, who just desperately wants to pay her taxes. Evelyn Wang (Yeoh) and her husband (a charming Ke Huy Quan) own a laundromat and are currently being audited by the IRS after Evelyn incorrectly filed her taxes. Evelyn and Waymond (Quan) have a daughter named Joy (a knockout Stephanie Hsu), who has been trying to get her mother to accept her girlfriend, Becky (Tallie Medel). Evelyn's father (the legendary James Hong) also lives with them. I won't go much farther into the plot, but things escalate, and the fate of the universe rests in Evelyn's hands. It was a delight to see Yeoh as our main action protagonist in a Hollywood picture. So, even though you have broken my heart yet again, I wanted to say, in another life, I would have really liked just doing laundry and taxes with you.  Actor Ke Huy Quan Quan, who is best known for his childhood roles as Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Data in The Goonies, has made his comeback return to acting with Everything Everywhere. Quan took a break from acting and spent many years behind the camera for Hong Kong and Hollywood. Seeing Quan back on the big screen again was a real joy. He was the film's heart and soul. I also cannot forget about the additional supporting cast, which consists of Jamie Lee Curtis, Harry Shum Jr., and Jenny Slate. What was also refreshing to see was how the Daniels blended a multilingual story into the script. Everything Everywhere used three different languages (English, Mandarin, and Cantonese) throughout the movie. The blending of these languages came off as authentic and natural. Many people and many families are multilingual. My sister, Tatiana, is bilingual and can easily jump back and forth between Spanish and English. The representation in this movie is also important. Here we have multigenerational stories from the perspective of Millennials, Boomers, and LGBTQ characters. On top of that, the Daniels brilliantly mixed multiple aspect ratios into the different storylines. It was a meditative experience. The humor was also a sensation throughout this film. The Daniels' zany and quirky humor blossomed, and I laughed multiple times during the 139 minute runtime. The emotional core and the story's heart shine brightly throughout, leaving one a little choked up at the end. The Daniels' directing is a force unmatched. Their keen filmmaking skills and craftsmanship that went into this picture are worthy all on their own. In addition, the camerawork and editing were spectacular scene after scene. I also cannot get over the superb mixing of genres into this film. It was a combination of action, drama, comedy, science fiction, and martial arts. What an electrifying film that's one for the ages. As of right now, this is the best movie I have seen this year. And it will be hard to top this one. Everything Everywhere is a sensational picture that is beautiful, imaginative, and bold. I hope people are talking about this movie until the end of time. In the end, Everything Everywhere All At Once is everything I wanted from a movie and more, googly eyes and all. Across the multiverse, I've seen thousands of Evelyns. If you imagine it, somewhere out there it exists.  Actress Stephanie Hsu Everything Everywhere All At Once is rated R (Restricted) For Some Violence | Sexual Material | Language. Experience this masterpiece only in theaters. Directed by Daniels Starring Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr., James Hong, and Jamie Lee Curtis.  A Double Feature Review! Windfall  I found director Charlie McDowell's (2014's The One I Love) minimalist thriller to be pretty effective and intriguing. Actors Jason Segel, Lily Collins, and Jesse Plemons all showcased some strong acting chops throughout. An on location set, a dazzling score, a zany script, and even a little Hitchcock. Windfall is a deep slow-burning film that will get underneath your skin. In the end, Windfall is short, sharp, and mostly satisfying. This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but for those who are intrigued at the beginning, Windfall will reel you in. Our film follows a desperate man (Segel) who breaks into a tech billionaire's (Plemons) empty vacation home to steal money. Unfortunately for the robber, things go sideways when the arrogant tycoon and his wife (Collins) arrive to the home for a last-minute getaway. McDowell delivers a stripped-down thriller between three people stuck together on a property. All of the actors, especially Collins, deliver superb acting chops throughout. Windfall is tense, comical, and engrossing scene after scene. McDowell's picture might not land on every note, but it continues to try. In the end, Windfall showcases three flawed people along with their fears, hopes, and dreams.  Windfall is rated R (Restricted) For Language Throughout | Some Violence. Stream it now on Netflix. Directed by Charlie McDowell Starring Jason Segel, Lily Collins, Jesse Plemons, and Omar Leyva. The Outfit  The Outfit is a solid crime drama: it’s slow-burning, tightly woven, and old-school. Actors Mark Rylance and Zoey Deutch are both great throughout. Graham Moore's (Oscar winner for 2014's The Imitation Game on Adapted Screenplay) directorial debut is a meticulously crafted film that kept all the cards in its hand. It was a lot of fun and kept me guessing. The Outfit is another stripped-down thriller that will hook you in from the first to the last scene. Moore's film is another one location set that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Our film stays inside the walls of a tailor's shop located in the heart of Chicago. Leonard Burling (a cunning Rylance) is an expert "cutter" who has mastered the craft of clothing. Along with his receptionist, Mable Shaun (a wonderful Deutch), they keep the business rolling. Yet, their shop is also located in the neighborhood of an Irish mob boss — meaning that there is a certain amount of dirty money trickling in and out of the shop. From there, I won't dare spoil how the plot escalates, but our "cutter" (Rylance) must outwit a dangerous group of mobsters to survive one fateful night. It's a game of cat and mouse, with a dash of Hitchcock sprinkled in. Moore knows how to keep the ball rolling, while leaving viewers anxious for the next scene. Both Rylance and Deutch deliver strong performances that are the very heart and soul of this picture. Yes, there will be blood in this slow-burning crime drama that latches itself onto you, never letting go. The Outfit is an exciting picture that oozes with tense and suspense.  The Outfit is rated R (Restricted) For Language Throughout | Some Bloody Violence. See it in theaters or rent it on VOD | Click Here. The Outfit had its world premiere at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival back in February. Directed by Graham Moore Starring Mark Rylance, Zoey Deutch, Johnny Flynn, Dylan O'Brien, Nikki Amuka-Bird, and Simon Russell Beale.  No joke, The Bubble is the worst thing I have watched this year. Judd Apatow's newest comedy is absolutely terrible. I am exhausted after watching it. Where Will You Be When Disaster Strikes? I can tell you. I was sitting on my couch watching this movie.  Actors Keegan-Michael Key, Karen Gillan, Leslie Mann, David Duchovny, Guz Khan, Iris Apatow, and Pedro Pascal. Judd Apatow's (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Funny People) latest comedy feature is a disaster from the beginning until the end. Watching The Bubble was frustrating because it wasted its incredible cast, consisting of Karen Gillan, Fred Armisen, Maria Bakalova, David Duchovny, Keegan-Michael Key, Leslie Mann, Pedro Pascal, and Iris Apatow. For a film that presents itself as a satire and meta-comedy, The Bubble is mostly unfunny throughout. A cringe-worthy script that is overlayered with no real plot or structure as we clumsily move from scene to scene. After the TickTock sequence 20-minutes in, everything took a turn for the worse. We are now three years into this pandemic, so the fact that The Bubble spent so much time with early COVID (when it was still new) that it made it feel incredibly outdated and tiresome. We all felt the pains and anxieties of this virus, the lockdowns, and quarantining for so long. Going back to parody when it all started was not enjoyable due to the film's poor execution. Our movie throws us into the midst of the pandemic, where a group of actors travel to a closed film set somewhere in England to film the sixth installment of Cliff Beasts. The fictional film of Cliff Beasts has become a wildly successful dinosaur-themed blockbuster franchise during the pandemic era because Hollywood is struggling to create, and people want a distraction from their misery. Yet, the jokes on us because the real misery is not the pandemic, it's watching this film. There was no comedic flow to this picture, and every joke felt forced or outdated with COVID because we are already in 2022. There are some great actors in this movie like Gillan, Bakalova, Mann, and Pascal. But, their talent is squandered throughout, leaving us defeated and drained. There have been few movies or TV shows that were able to successfully capture the anxieties and fears of COVID from an artistic and comedic level. The best example is Bo Burnham: Inside, which I selected as the best movie of 2021.  Actress Iris Apatow Inside was funny, claustrophobic, and experimental. Burnham's one-man comedy-drama special is an immersive experience full of strong humor, dense commentary, and technical splendor. Inside is the must-watch Netflix special of the pandemic era. One brilliance of Inside was that Burnham never mentioned COVID, lockdowns, or quarantine. But, the very nature of those things is present and artistically captured throughout. This is due to Burnham's masterful skills and craftsmanship as a writer, director, and editor. Inside never outstayed its welcome, clocking in at 87 minutes. Inside knew when it was the right time to wrap it up. I have always been a big fan of Apatow's past work, including films like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Trainwreck. So, watching his latest film crash and burn so fast was painful for me. That also includes the agonizing runtime of 126 minutes. No comedies should really feel the need to be over 2-hours long and especially not this monstrosity. In the past, the long runtimes for comedies are something I have criticized Apatow for doing. All of Apatow's films either get close to or go over the 2-hour mark, and they begin to outstay their welcome. Most notably 2009's Funny People, which clocked in at whopping 146 minutes. I am not saying that all comedies cannot be long, but they need to have a good reason for going over the 2-hour mark. Otherwise, things begin to become very repetitive. In The Bubble's case, not only are things repetitive but they are also tormenting. In theory, the premise of The Bubble is not that bad — sadly — the execution in both the writing and directing falls flat. So, if you are craving a comedy that actually captures the fears and anxieties of COVID in a comedic way, then turn your attention to Burnham's Inside, which is also streaming on Netflix. Or, you can watch The Bubble. But, you have been warned. If only a meteor could take out this movie as it did to the dinosaurs millions of years ago.  Actress Karen Gillan The Bubble is rated R (Restricted) Some Violence | Drug Use | Sexual Content | Language Throughout. Stream it on Netflix, if you dare. Somehow directed by Judd Apatow Wasted talent consisting of Karen Gillan, Iris Apatow, Fred Armisen, Maria Bakalova, David Duchovny, Keegan-Michael Key, Leslie Mann, Kate McKinnon, Pedro Pascal, Peter Serafinowicz, and Guz Khan.  Deep Water had me hooked until it didn't, an erotic thriller that begins to run out of steam. Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas are good with the material, while Adrian Lyne's direction on this slow burner mostly compels. I took issue with Zach Helm and Sam Levinson's writing. Still worth the watch.The Love Story is Never the Whole Story  Actor Ben Affleck Deep Water seems to be a mixed bag of many things: a slow-burning erotic thriller, an underdeveloped storyline, a murder mystery, and the sexual friction between its two leads (Affleck and de Armas). Deep Water marks a 20-year return to the director's chair for filmmaker Adrian Lyne (Flashdance, Fatal Attraction, and Unfaithful). Shot in 2019 but delayed multiple times due to COVID, Deep Water finally makes a splash onto Hulu. 2022's Deep Water is based on the 1957 novel by mystery writer Patricia Highsmith (Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley). Our film takes us inside the conflicted marriage of Vic (Affleck) and Melinda (de Armas) Van Allen. They have a daughter named Trixie (Grace Jenkins) but are bound in a loveless marriage. In order to avoid going through a divorce, Melinda is allowed to take a number of lovers, as long as she doesn't leave the family. Yet, Vic becomes obsessed with her affairs, threatening many of them and even darkly joking that he killed one of Melinda's past lovers, who is currently missing. Not to mention, Vic's strange hobby in breeding snails.  Actress Ana de Armas We are stuck between Vic and Melinda's passive-aggressive mind game and sexual tension as director Lyne throws in the hook to catch the bait. Yet, where Deep Water comes up short and ultimately drowns is due to its rather shallow writing by screenwriters Zach Helm (Stranger than Fiction) and Sam Levinson (HBO's Euphoria and Malcolm & Marie). The storyline's mystery should have been tightened up to keep the viewers more on edge. Instead, Deep Water begins falling apart around the middle half, turning into a rather silly affair. The mystery and psychological drama are undercooked, leaving us with an incoherent tone. Yet, Lyne's stylization and dramatization are heightened scene after scene. Affleck and de Armas do their best with the material they are given. What is also fascinating ahead of watching Deep Water is knowing that our two leads briefly dated after filming wrapped up. Moving forward, Affleck and de Armas' psychological warfare produced ripple effects throughout the screen. Deep Water is not a bad movie by any means, nor is it a great one either. In the end, Lyne's movie is still worth your time, even if you don't like it. Through blood, sweat, passion, and tears: Deep Water takes a deep dive into the river of seduction and murder.  Actor Ben Affleck Deep Water is rated R (Restricted) Some Violence | Language | Sexual Content | Nudity. Stream it now on Hulu. Directed by Adrian Lyne Starring Ben Affleck, Ana de Armas, Tracy Letts, Lil Rel Howery, Dash Mihok, Finn Wittrock, Kristen Connolly, Jacob Elordi, and Rachel Blanchard.  Turning Red is utterly adorable. Director Domee Shi’s film is bold, vibrant, and a total delight. Richly layered with gorgeous animation and imagination. Telling a story on the messiness of puberty. Pixar’s first Asian-led film showcases the importance of representation. We need more of this. Stream it now on Disney+. Oh, how I wish this was released to theaters. Growing Up is a Beast.  This coming-of-age tale is full of heart, giving every viewer a big hug. Turning Red is Pixar's first film from the studio to be solely directed by a woman (Domee Shi). It also is the first feature film from the studio to have a lead Asian protagonist. All of this is good and important. In addition, I hope this is the start for more Animated studios to do the same. A milestone for Pixar, while Shi (Academy Award-winning Short, Bao) let her creative freedom run at large. In the end, Turning Red gifts us with an incredibly personal story. Our story takes place in Toronto, Canada, where we follow Meilin "Mei" Lee (voiced by a wonderful Rosalie Chiang). The year is 2002, and Mei is a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl who is energetic, hard-working and bursting with joy. Mei and her best friends are big fans of the hip boy band 4*Town. Think Backstreet Boys or NSYNC. Mei's best friends are Miriam, Priya, and Abby — all of whom are voiced by actors Ava Morse, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and Hyein Park. Mei lives with her parents as they spend their days taking care of their Chinese temple. Mei's mother (voiced by the great Sandra Oh) is strict and expects the best out of Mei with school work and helping out around the house. As Ming Lee (Oh) disapproves of her daughter's personal interest, Mei begins learning to think for herself. She realizes that she is not the person her mother wants her to become, sending Mei's anxiety through the roof, causing tension between Ming and Mei. One night, another revelation happens that transforms Mei into a giant red panda, caused when she is in a state of high emotion. Not giving too much away, I will let the movie explain the red panda phenomenon itself. Mei has to learn to control her excitement and emotions — otherwise — she will turn into that giant red panda. In other words, she needs to control her inner panda.  Not to mention that she and her friends also want to really go to that 4*Town's concert. Shi's story is natural, beautifully written, and metaphorically told. Turning Red captures the fears and anxieties of teenage hormones and all of the messiness that comes with it. It feels incredibly authentic and creatively told. Turning Red's animation style pops and glitters scene after scene. There is gorgeous animation that is blended with Anime styles. Along with the silly humor that will keep you laughing, composer Ludwig Göransson's (Black Panther and Tenet) cheerful score will fill your heart with everlasting joy. While Mei is becoming a teenage rebel, she is also finding herself. And while Ming's parenting might come off as strict or overbearing, it also showcases the insecurities that parents face by letting your child grow up. This does not take away from the parent's immeasurable love for their child. It only deepens it more on the screen. Lastly, Turning Red is a coming-of-age story that the whole family will enjoy, especially children of color, who can see themselves represented on the television. My younger sister Lingli has already watched this movie and texted me that she loved it. It is important for teenagers, like her, to see themselves represented on the screen. There is an importance in telling these stories, and I am hoping for more to come in the near future. As for now, Pixar's 25th feature film is a total blast from the beginning until the end. It is completely original, charming, funny, colorful, and one of the best films to come out in 2022. So, go wild because Turning Red's inner panda roars.  Turning Red is rated PG (Parental Guidance) Language | Thematic Material | Suggestive Content. Stream it now on Disney+ Directed by Domee Shi Starring Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Hyein Park, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Orion Lee, Wai Ching Ho, Tristan Allerick Chen, and James Hong.  A Double Feature Review! Kimi  Actress Zoë Kravitz Kimi is another solid outing from director Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Side Effects, Logan Lucky, and No Sudden Move). Smart, meticulously crated, and thrilling. Actress Zoë Kravitz gives a tour de force performance in this housebound thriller with a timely commentary on isolation. Soderbergh has always had a special craft when dealing with genres such as psychological, crime, and heist thrillers. In Kimi, Soderbergh heightens the psychological game with anxiety and isolation. We follow Angela Childs (a great blue-haired Kravitz), an agoraphobic tech worker, currently working from home. Kimi grapples with the effects of COVID, while Angela is still extremely paranoid to leave her house. Even with her mask and hand sanitizer, Angela cannot force herself to open the door to the outside world.  Actress Zoë Kravitz KIMI is a smart speaker similar to Amazon's Alexa. KIMI controversially makes use of human monitoring to improve its algorithm search. One day, Angela discovers recorded evidence of a violent crime. Angela is met with resistance from within her company when she tries to report it. Seeking justice for the victim, Angela decides to face her fears and leave her apartment. That is as far as I will go with this 89-minute thrill ride that keeps you on edge from one scene to the next. Kimi is sophisticated, pulsating, and well-written throughout. With Soderbergh's strong direction and Kravitz's commanding performance, this is a film you should not turn down. Soderbergh's famous trademark of yellow tint cinematography bleeds its way through the film, sending chills down your spine. In the end, Kimi's nail-biting features come through in crowd-pleasing form.  Actress Zoë Kravitz Kimi is rated R (Restricted) Brief Sexuality/Nudity | Violence | Language. Stream it now on HBO Max. Directed by Steven Soderbergh Starring Zoë Kravitz, Betsy Brantley, Rita Wilson, Byron Bowers, India de Beaufort, Emily Kuroda, Jaime Camil, and Devin Ratray. I Want You Back  Actors Clark Backo, Scott Eastwood, Jenny Slate, Charlie Day, Gina Rodriguez, and Manny Jacinto. I Want You Back is an incredibly sweet and smart rom-com. This wonderful cast excels the film’s story, especially Charlie Day and Jenny Slate’s top-notch chemistry. The balance of romance and comedy is perfectly executed throughout. What a treat this film is. We follow newly dumped thirty-somethings Peter (a hilarious Day) and Emma (a charming Slate) as they team up to sabotage their exes' (Gina Rodriguez and Scott Eastwood) new relationships (Clark Backo and Manny Jacinto) and win them back. I Want You Back sets up a smart premise and executes it pretty well throughout the movie. In addition, director Jason Orley's (2019's Big Time Adolescence) rom-com is layered with brilliant humor and constant laughter. There is a Little Shop of Horrors scene where Emma plays the role of Audrey. Slate kills this role and is a total delight to watch while she sings Suddenly, Seymour. There is so much to enjoy with I Want You Back that it is a hard rom-com to resist. The characters are well-rounded throughout, while the romance and comedy deliver in top form. So, if you have not had a chance to watch this utterly delightful film, I urge you to sit back on the couch, turn on the TV, and enjoy the show. Want to hear more of my thoughts about I Want You Back? I spoke with my good friends, Matt and Ashley, on their podcast, Mashely at the Movies | Listen Here.  Actors Jenny Slate and Charlie Day. I Want You Back is rated R (Restricted) For Language | Sexual Material | Some Drug Use | Partial Nudity. Stream it now on Amazon Prime Video. Directed by Jason Orley Starring Charlie Day, Jenny Slate, Scott Eastwood, Manny Jacinto, Clark Backo, and Gina Rodriguez.  Kogonada's After Yang is a beautiful and deeply emotional film studying family, identity, and one's purpose. Kogonada's picture is a meditative experience that is both breathtaking and richly rewarding. Actors Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Justin H. Min, Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja, and Haley Lu Richardson fill the screen with awe. I loved it. 5-stars. What the caterpillar calls "the end" the rest of the world calls a butterfly.  Actors Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja and Justin H. Min The video-essay-turned-filmmaker, Kogonada, has returned to the director's chair for his second feature film. Back in 2017, Kogonada's feature film debut, Columbus, made it to the big screen. The Indiana-set romance of Columbus struck a chord with many viewers, including me. Kogonada continues his patient storytelling with After Yang, as we follow an interracial couple, Jake (a terrific Farrell) and Kyra (a strong Turner-Smith), their adoptive daughter Mika (a wonderful Tjandrawidjaja), and their robotic son Yang (a powerful Min). After Yang covers many topics and themes throughout the movie. The ones that stuck with me the most were family, adoption, and finding one's identity. Here, we see a mixed heritage family front and center: Jake is white, Kyra is Black, and Mika is Chinese. I, myself, am a part of a mixed heritage family. Three of my siblings (Sergey, Lingli, and Tatiana) are adopted and are from the countries of Russia, China, and Colombia. Kogonada's picture of what it means to be family is beautiful, powerful, and fully alive. It's also a low-key science fiction film where most of the technology feels largely invisible. In addition, Kogonada explores discovering one's identity and purpose in life. In this case, Yang and what it means to be Asian American. Because Yang is an android, he is struggling with truly feeling authentic within his own identity and skin. Does he count as Chinese? At one point in the film, Yang asks Kyra this exact question. Kogonada does not answer all of these questions. Instead, he lays down the groundwork for viewers to analyze within themselves. Jake and Kyra have purchased Yang from a company called Brothers & Sisters Incorporated. Their reasoning behind this was so that Mika could have a sibling / companion digitally wired to feed her knowledge about her cultural heritage.  Actor Justin H. Min Yet, one evening after the family's virtual dance-off, Yang unexpectedly breaks down. As Mika is left disheartened, Jake decides to find a way to repair and fix Yang. Kogonada adapted this movie from author Alexander Weinstein's 2016 short story Saying Goodbye to Yang. After Yang grapples with heavy topics of love, connection, and loss. Yet, Kogonada gently sprinkles in these weighty themes with such clarity and craftsmanship. There is also a poignant subplot that deals with Yang's secret love interest named Ada (a superb Richardson). But that is as far as I will go with that subplot. After Yang reevaluates what it means to be human and what it means to be alive. The tender near-futuristic setting of After Yang will fill your heart with awe. Grounded in visual splendor through breathtaking cinematography (Benjamin Loeb), Kogonada's film is one you don't want to miss. Furthermore, After Yang's contemporary production design (Alexandra Schaller) is lively and colorful throughout. In addition to Kogonada writing and directing After Yang, he also edited this picture. There's a sympathetic touch over-layered scene after scene, and there was also a montage sequence of Yang's memories that left me in pieces. There is so much to unpack with After Yang that it already has me ready to proceed with multiple viewings and analyzations. After Yang might look like a small film from a distance, but Kogonada's movie packs a powerful message waiting to be opened. There is still a lot of 2022 left — as for now — After Yang is my favorite film I have watched this year. This gift of a movie is waiting for you to watch. So, let this meditative experience open your mind, body, and soul.  Actor Colin Farrell After Yang is rated PG (Parental Guidance) Language | Some Thematic Elements. After Yang had its world premiere last July at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival. See it in theaters or stream it on Showtime. Directed by Kogonada Starring Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Justin H. Min, Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja, Haley Lu Richardson, and Sarita Choudhury.  Pride & Prejudice meets Les Misérables. Cyrano is a romantic musical that is both stirring and beautiful. Peter Dinklage is marvelous, while Haley Bennett and Kelvin Harrison Jr. are superb. Director Joe Wright’s (2005's Pride & Prejudice and 2007's Atonement) ravishing tale will dazzle with gorgeous costumes and a lively production design. See it in the theaters. My sole purpose on this earth is to love Roxanne.  Actress Haley Bennett Cyrano deserved so much more love this awards season. Sadly, MGM botched the film's award campaign and release date. Cyrano had its world premiere last September at the 2021 Telluride Film Festival. From there, MGM decided to do a limited December 25th release, then pushed back to the 31st. Then, Cyrano was moved again to December 17th for a one-week Los Angeles run so it could be a contender for this year's Oscars. Originally, Cyrano was to have a wide release in January, but that was moved to early February and then pushed back to a final wide release on February 25th. When all was said and done: Cyrano got a single Oscar nomination for Best Achievement in Costume Design (Massimo Cantini Parrini and Jacqueline Durran). Rightfully so, Parrini and Durran deserved that Oscar nomination for costumes.  Actor Kelvin Harrison Jr. Yet, the rest of the movie went mostly unnoticed this awards season, and it's a travesty. Especially Dinklage, who gave us one of his best performances to date. His performance is both raw, cunning, and heartbreaking. Dinklage is moving and poetic, capturing one's broken soul. Cyrano deserves to be seen, and I hope you can experience this beautiful film in the theaters. Wright's film is based on the 1897 Edmond Rostand play Cyrano de Bergerac. The screenplay is based on Erica Schmidt's 2018 stage musical of the same name, who also wrote the screenplay for this movie. Cyrano re-images the timeless tale of a heartbreaking love triangle. Wordsmith Cyrano de Bergerac (a marvelous Dinklage) is in love with the beautiful Roxanne (a spectacular Bennett). However, Cyrano is convinced that his outward appearance renders him unworthy of love. He finds a young man named Christian (a strong Harrison Jr.) who also loves Roxanne, as she does him, but the two have never talked in person. Cyrano, a wonderful poet at heart, convinces Christian that he will be his voice by writing love letters for Roxanne. Cyrano is the voice of love, while Christian becomes the look of charms. Christian and Roxanne meet and bond in affection, but Cyrano is the one that hides from afar, knowing his words have made an impact on Roxanne's heart. Here, we get alluring songs and melodies that will melt your heart away. Songs like Someone to Say, Madly, Your Name, I Need More, Overcome, and Close My Eyes. Poetic, tragic, and burning with passion: Cyrano will soothe your soul with gentle love. A marvelous film that is crafted with gorgeous costumes, a lively production design, and superb acting throughout. This is a romantic musical you don't want to miss. So, do yourself a favor and see Cyrano now. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. I know that I was not. In the end, it was a magical experience.  Actor Peter Dinklage Cyrano is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) Suggestive Material | Some Strong Violence | Brief Language | Thematic Material. Directed by Joe Wright Starring Peter Dinklage, Haley Bennett, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Ben Mendelsohn.  A Double Feature Review! Read More! The Batman (2022)  Actor Robert Pattinson as Batman Writer-director Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022) is a force to be reckoned with. Fully alive and pulse-pounding, Reeves’ vision of the Caped Crusader is an astonishing comic book movie. This true detective storyline will rattle your bones. Actors Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, and Colin Farrell are all superb. And that score by composer Michael Giacchino: wow, what a rush! The Batman is one of the darkest and fiercest versions of Gotham's Dark Knight to ever be put up on the big screen. A gripping superhero noir that grabs ahold of you from the first frame, never letting go. Reeves (Cloverfield, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and War for the Planet of the Apes) masterfully crafts a gritty story that will eat your heart out. Drawing inspiration from 1970s cinema and Batman comics such as Year One (1987), The Long Halloween (1996–97), and Ego (2000), Reeves' vision of ambition and grit let loose.  Actors Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz as Batman and Catwoman. Pattinson transforms into our vigilante in black, capturing Batman's soul with veracity and strength. Since 2019, when I heard that Pattinson was selected, I knew that Warner Bros. had made the right choice. Pattinson's incarnation is raw, moody, and even a little sexy. What also captured my attention was how the film heavily focused on Batman's detective skills. Drawing heavily from David Fincher films like Se7en (1995) or Zodiac (2007). We have seen Batman's detective side all throughout the comics, but that's not always the case for the movies. Kravitz gives the audience an electric portrayal as Selina Kyle, AKA Catwoman. Kravitz and Pattinson's chemistry will melt your heart away. Her fighting spirit as Selina is just as fierce as Michelle Pfeiffer's spirit was back in 1992 (Batman Returns, my favorite Batman film). While Wright and Farrell helped fill the supporting character slots with poise and duty as Lieutenant Gordon and Penguin. Dano is a wonder as the Riddler, letting his freak flag fly high. This version of the Riddler is incredibly scary and never-racking. Reeves showcases the Riddler as a full-blown sociopath and serial killer. By doing it this way, The Batman's storyline will keep viewers on the edge of their seats and guessing what's around the corner. Our film is set two years after Batman has established himself as Gotham's crime-fighting vigilante. Batman is now uncovering the corruption in Gotham City while pursuing the Riddler, a new serial killer who is targeting the city's elites. Furthermore, Michael Giacchino's (Star Trek, Up, and War for the Planet of the Apes) enormous score was MVP for me after seeing this film on the big screen. Giacchino's soundtrack is a whirlwind of grandeur and emotion; by crafting the pulse-pounding beats and thrills through musical notes. It's definitely an award worthy score. Cinema at its finest, The Batman clocks in at 176 minutes, but I could have stayed for another hour. From the direction to the score to the dark cinematography, The Batman comes for vengeance and takes it. One of the best outings our Caped Crusader and his bruised soul have ever had on the big screen. What a picture.  Actors Zoë Kravitz and Robert Pattinson as Catwoman and Batman. Here's my updated Batman ranked list: Click Here. The Batman is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) Some Suggestive Material | Drug Content | Strong Disturbing Content | Strong Language | Strong Violent Content. Directed by Matt Reeves Starring Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Andy Serkis, and Colin Farrell. Fresh  Actor Sebastian Stan Director Mimi Cave's Fresh is a wild ride from start to finish. Provocative, gripping, and unsettling. Fresh will not be for everyone. Actor Sebastian Stan is a force unleashed, while actress Daisy Edgar-Jones delivers a cunning performance of her own. Bon appétit. Dating can be hard, and in an age where most of the dating is now done through apps like Tinder, it can also be scary. Cave uses these anxieties of dating to the fullest with satire and bloody horror. Fresh follows Noa (Edgar-Jones), who has become increasingly frustrated with dating apps. After she runs into an attractive man (Stan) named Steve in the grocery store, Noa decides to give him her number. Noa and Steve begin a romantic relationship not long after that encounter. Steve then invites Noa to come with him for a long weekend getaway. Noa accepts but soon finds out that Steve has a taste for something dark and deadly. This is as far as I will go with the plot. Cave's directorial debut is provoking and nightmarish. It could easily leave some people with a bad taste in their mouth and running for the hills by the end. As for me, I ate this film and its story up fairly well. Through chaotic and pulsating thrills, Fresh will grab ahold of you, sending chills down your spine. Stan is fantastic as a man with dark desires, while Edgar-Jones' performance will fuel your bones with tension and anxiety. Grueling and brutal, Fresh comes with an appetite ready to scare. Fresh is a twisted horror-comedy that will get under one's skin from the beginning until the end. Plus, there's a killer dance-punk song (Heads Will Roll) by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs that blends so well with this movie. So dance the night away and let Fresh be your guess ready to serve: if you dare.  Actors Sebastian Stan and Daisy Edgar-Jones Fresh is rated R (Restricted) For Strong and Disturbing Violent Content | Some Bloody Images | Language Throughout | Some Sexual Content and Brief Graphic Nudity. Stream it now on Hulu. Directed by Mimi Cave Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sebastian Stan, Jonica T. Gibbs, Charlotte Le Bon, Dayo Okeniyi, and Andrea Bang.  The Worst Person In The World is a pretty flawless picture. Actress Renate Reinsve is perfect as Julie, as we follow her journey through life. Broken up into 12 chapters, Julie runs in a search for happiness and identity. Writer-director Joachim Trier’s film is personal, witty, warm, and heartbreaking. Nominated for 2 Oscars (International Feature and Original Screenplay), The Worst Person In The World is now playing in theaters. A masterclass that snuck up on me in the end. 5-stars. Yes, I do love you. But I also don't.  Actress Renate Reinsve With The Worst Person In The World (Verdens verste menneske), the acclaimed Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier (Oslo, August 31st and Thelma) has completed his unplanned trilogy, known as the "Oslo Trilogy" (2006's Reprise, 2011's Oslo, August 31st, and now The Worst Person In The World). Trier has low-key linked and crossed over these three distinctive stories with their own personalities, but also similar elements. In 2006's Reprise, Trier examined two young writers and best friends (actors Anders Danielsen Lie and Espen Klouman Høiner) potential for greatness. Continuing with 2011’s Oslo, August 31st, Trier evaluated a decisive day of existence with a 34-year-old man (Lie) who believes his time has passed and wants to cut it short. Now, we have moved to his newest picture, The Worst Person In The World, where we follow Julie (an excellent Renate Reinsve), who is having an existential crisis in life. Here, Trier studies the ticking time bomb that society imposes on young adults — not only to succeed professionally — but also to settle down romantically and reproduce. Julie is a free-spirited 29-year-old woman trying to figure out her life along the way. In the beginning, Julie is a studying medical student, then switches to psychology, then to photography. Julie meets an acclaimed comic artist named Aksel (a strong Lie), who's fifteen years her senior. Julie and Aksel begin dating and eventually move in together. Aksel is ready to settle down and start a family, but Julie does not want children. Eventually, Julie meets Eivind (a great Herbert Nordrum) while crashing a party one night. Here, Julie's "I do love you. And I don't love you" for Aksel comes to light. Julie's life is entangled with both Aksel and Eivind, and this is as far with the plot as I will go.  Actors Herbert Nordrum and Renate Reinsve Trier's picture is a dark romantic comedy-drama that subverts many rom-com tropes. I found this to be incredibly insightful throughout the movie. I laughed, and I even got a little teary-eyed at the end. The Worst Person In The World is a poignant film that balances several different emotions superbly. Trier's picture is a balancing act in storytelling and a visual palette to cleanse our mouthes. The visual style and editing used throughout is crisp and grandeur. Layered with a killer soundtrack (Ride Like the Wind, The Way You Look Tonight, I Will Take You There, and I Said Goodbye to Me) that plays to the beat of Julie's own drum, superb performances (Reinsve, Lie, Nordrum), and powerful storytelling on the messiness of relationships, The Worst Person In The World has proven why everyone has been talking about it. Powerful, passionate, wickedly funny, and even a little sexy: Trier's film is a roller coaster of emotions bursting through the screen. There's a scene that involves consuming mushrooms that will have you dying of laughter. Having its world premiere that the 2021 Cannes last July and Reinsve winning Best Actress there at the festival, I can now see why she has been the talk of the town ever sense. Reinsve gives us a layered performance full of heart and soul. As her character grows and struggles in life, you can see Reinsve's natural talent running through Julie's veins. The Worst Person In The World is complex, heartfelt, and realistic. As Julie examines her inner self, it allows the viewers to reflect on their own personal lives and struggles. So, is Julie really "the worst person in the world?" I'll let you come to that conclusion yourself. For now, go experience this sophisticated masterclass of love and loss.  Actress Renate Reinsve The Worst Person In The World is rated R (Restricted) Sexual Content | Graphic Nudity | Drug Use | Some Language. Experience this beautiful film in theaters: https://worstpersonfilm.com/ Directed by Joachim Trier Starring Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie, and Herbert Nordrum.  Matt Reeves' The Batman comes out this Friday (3/4/22). Here's my personal ranking of the Caped Crusader and his movies (theatrical releases). — Arnold At The Movies  No Exit is a 95-minute adrenaline rush. Full of exciting popcorn thrills and a great performance by actress Havana Rose Liu, viewers should have a lot of fun with this one. How far would you go for a stranger?  Actress Havana Rose Liu A small popcorn movie has just dropped onto Hulu. 2022's No Exit isn't anything groundbreaking, but it is a film that will rattle your bones for 95-minutes. Newcomer Havana Rose Liu is fantastic throughout this joy ride of tension and suspense. Our story follows a recovering addict named Darby (Liu), who learns that her mother is in the hospital. Darby escapes from the rehab center to go be with her sick mother in Salt Lake City. However, a developing blizzard stops Darby from making it there, and she has to stay overnight at a local visitors center. Here, Darby is stuck with a group of strangers (actors Danny Ramirez, David Rysdahl, Dale Dickey, and Dennis Haysbert) during the extreme snow. As Darby goes out looking for a phone signal, she discovers an abducted girl (Mila Harris) in a van in the parking lot. That's as far as I'll go with the plot, setting Darby up for a life-or-death struggle to uncover who among them is the kidnapper. No Exit does a pretty good job at keeping all its cards in the deck hidden, only revealing them when they need to. Throughout all of the twists and turns, director Damien Power will keep audiences guessing and on their toes. The action sequences were solid throughout. While the tension gets turned up to 11 in the second half of the movie. The story is simple, but No Exit makes up for it with pulsating thrills, eerie cinematography (Simon Raby), bloody violence, and breathless sequences of suspense. Power's film always has a sense of mystery, while the fast-paced narrative kept one from ever relaxing. Liu's great performance is captured in a roller coaster of emotions and scares. While actors Ramirez, Rysdahl, Dickey, Haysbert, and Harris provide a backdrop of strong supporting performances. No Exit might send some viewers into a state of disbelief due to its bloody violence and harrowing scenes of anxiety. Personally, Power's picture gave me the medicine of adrenaline I needed. So, if you are looking for a fun and exciting movie to watch that will most likely give you some good jolts, then turn your attention to Hulu's No Exit.  Actress Havana Rose Liu No Exit is rated R (Restricted) Language | Strong Violence | Some Drug Content. Stream it on Hulu. Directed by Damien Power Starring Havana Rose Liu, Danny Ramirez, David Rysdahl, Dale Dickey, Mila Harris, and Dennis Haysbert.  The new Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) is not good. Frustrating and misguided from start to finish. TCM tries to add legacy characters and social commentary. Sadly, the mixture of these themes is incoherent. Actors Elsie Fisher and Sarah Yarkin are the only good; everything else is bad.  I think I might be able to say that Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) will go down as one of the most disappointing sequels to come out this year, and it's only February. TCM squanders any meaningful potential for extreme gore and a rather pointless plot. The 1974 original (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) is known as one of the best horror films ever made, and for good reason. The late writer-director Tobe Hooper's 70s slasher flick was incredibly effective: scary, nerve-racking, and claustrophobic. All of this was done by compelling documentary-style camerawork. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) became one of the most influential slasher films for a generation. Hooper even limited the quantity of onscreen gore. A lot of the kills happened off-screen, making it even scarier because you knew what was happening. This style of horror sent chills down your spine from start to finish. Now, fast forward through all of the failed sequels, remakes, and reboots to good 'ole Leatherface, which brings us to 2022. 50-years after the original, Netflix decided to take from the 2018 Halloween (written by David Gordon Green and Danny McBride) playbook. 2018's Halloween completely ignored all of the previous sequels. Instead, it was a direct follow-up to the 1978 original. Gordon Green and McBride brought back Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), a legacy character from the original, who has been living with trauma ever since her first encounter with Michael Myers. 2018's Halloween was done right. We had characters that we cared about and bone-chilling scares layered on top. 2022's TCM tries to do this by bringing back the character of Sally Hardesty. Now, actress Marilyn Burns (who played Sally in the original) passed away in 2014. Actress Olwen Fouéré took up the helm of Sally, but her character is more of an afterthought in this movie. Fouéré is not really around until the plot needs her, and then her character is completely wasted.  If you would have taken out Sally's part in this movie, it would not have changed anything major. That's how pointless her character really is in this horror flick. So, I cannot even say that TCM is a legacy sequel because it isn't. TCM might play those cards in the trailers, but it's all a gimmick. Our story follows a group of youthful entrepreneurs heading to a small abandoned Texas town, Harlow. The group plans to auction off the town properties to create a trendy and hip utopia? Except, scriptwriter Chris Thomas Devlin glosses over many of these details. More or less, the setting is just to get a large group of Instagram influencers (I kid you not) to be trapped and slaughtered. Nice. Director David Blue Garcia tries to dabble with modern times, incorporating themes like school shootings, gentrification, and gun control. However, these topics are just sprinkled on top, adding nothing to the plot. They are just there. Moving on, an elderly woman (Alice Krige) and Leatherface (Mark Burnham) are still occupants of the town's orphanage. One thing leads to another, yada yada yada, the old lady dies, and Leatherface is pissed. Cue Leatherface going on a rampage-killing spree throughout the town. All of the characters in this movie make stupid and bad choices, one after the other. I was frustrated with the writing decisions for these poor characters. They deserved better writing. Actors Elsie Fisher and Sarah Yarkin were the only small glimmers of hope throughout this bloodbath. Fisher and Yarkin provided some solid acting chops with the shoddy material they were given. So, if you are into extreme gore, a pointless plot, and throw-away characters, this might be the movie for you. However, I loathed this experience, all 81-minutes of it. Leatherface deserved better. TCM slaughters any potential this movie could have had, just like how they had Leatherface slaughter those Instagram influencers on the bus. Brutal, gory, and lazy. "Look how they [Netflix] massacred my Leatherface".  Texas Chainsaw Massacre is rated R (Restricted) Gore | Strong Bloody Horror Violence | Language. Stream it on Netflix, if you dare. Directed by David Blue Garcia Starring Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham, Moe Dunford, Nell Hudson, Jessica Allain, Olwen Fouéré, Jacob Latimore, and Alice Krige.  Marry Me is a cute rom-com that will cheer you up this Valentine’s Day. The married at first sight storyline is simple, but J. Lo and Owen Wilson’s sweet chemistry is hard to resist. Consensus = Cute!  Actors Owen Wilson and Jennifer Lopez Looking for something sweet and charming to watch this Valentine’s Day, then you should check out Marry Me, a new rom-com featuring actors Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson. There isn't anything groundbreaking with Marry Me, nor should there be. Director Kat Coiro's romantic comedy has enough charisma and adorable vibes to fill your heart with happiness. The bar for rom-coms has never been that high and that's okay. There have been films in the past that have exceeded all rom-com expectations, becoming instant classics on their own. Looking at you Sleepless in Seattle (1993) and When Harry Met Sally... (1989). These films changed up the traditional romantic comedy formula, offering something completely new. Marry Me stays more closely to the formula, but the appeal here falls squarely onto the wonderful chemistry from J. Lo and Wilson. Kat Valdez (J. Lo) and Bastian (Maluma) are music superstars, and they're getting married before a global audience. Charlie Gilbert (Wilson) is a math teacher and has a daughter named Lou (Chloe Coleman). Charlie decides to take his daughter to the concert along with his co-worker Parker (a funny Sarah Silverman). At the concert, Kat finds out that Bastian has been cheating on her minutes before their vows. In a split-minute decision, Kat picks a total stranger from the crowd (Charlie) and marries him instead. Think Lifetime's Married at First Sight but on steroids and with actual characters we care about (J. Lo and Wilson). From there, we follow Kat and Charlie's newly married relationship as it develops and blossoms. This is J. Lo's first film since 2019's Hustlers (her best performance to date). With Marry Me, J. Lo goes back to her rom-com roots (The Wedding Planner, Maid in Manhattan, Jersey Girl, and Shall We Dance?). Shot in the Fall of 2019 but delayed for theatrical release because of COVID, Marry Me has finally come out and can be a movie that will slap a smile on your face. Actors Silverman, John Bradley, Michelle Buteau, and Khalil Middleton help fill the movie's supporting cast, providing some solid laughs. So, if you and your significant other are looking for something to watch this Valentine’s Day, make it a movie night and go see Marry Me in theaters or stay at home a enjoy this bubbly movie on Peacock. J. Lo and Wilson's wholesome picture is a delight. So, sit back and let J. Lo's irresistible songs fill you up with everlasting joy.  Actress Jennifer Lopez Marry Me is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned). Suggestive Material | Some Language. See it in theaters or stream it on Peacock. Directed by Kat Coiro Starring Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Maluma, John Bradley, Chloe Coleman, and Sarah Silverman.  A Double Feature Review! Parallel Mothers  Actors Penélope Cruz and Milena Smit Oh wow, writer-director Pedro Almodóvar (Live Flesh, Volver, The Skin I Live In, and Pain and Glory) does it again. Parallel Mothers (Madres paralelas) is a moving and beautiful picture. Penélope Cruz and Milena Smit are both phenomenal. Emotional, reflective, and warm. Eye-popping visuals with a story that blossoms and reflects on a country’s past traumas. Five-stars. Nominated for two Oscars, Best Actress (Penélope Cruz) and Best Original Score, Almodóvar's newest picture is incredibly profound and beautifully told scene after scene. It is a tragedy that Spain decided not to select Parallel Mothers for an International Oscar consideration, instead choosing The Good Boss (which stars Cruz’s husband, Javier Bardem). Spain did this in part for political reasons, which is both frustrating and sad. "The half of the country that is conservative, they don’t like the movie. They don’t like that someone like me is remembering that period, that the mass graves are still there, that the families are demanding desperately to identify the victims. They think that period is finished. But I think it’s not finished – not until we find a solution." – Pedro Almodóvar.  Actors Milena Smit and Penélope Cruz Even with this snub submission from Spain, I was thrilled that The Academy still recognized Parallel Mothers in other categories, like Best Original Score (Alberto Iglesias), and Cruz even broke into the Best Actress category. The film is broken down into two parallel storylines. The first part of this story is between expecting mothers Janis (a fantastic Cruz) and Ana (a wonderful Milena Smit). Both women are single and became pregnant by accident. Janis, middle-aged, is rejoicing that she was able to get pregnant, while Ana, an adolescent, is scared and ashamed of her pregnancy. Janis and Ana meet by chance at the hospital, and from there, Janis and Ana's lives are interwoven. There is a bond between Janis, Ana, and their newborn babies (Cecilia and Anita) that weaves in and out. The second part of this story reflects on Spain's past trauma as a country. Like a history lesson, Almodóvar presents Spain's Francoist dictatorship, which sadly controlled Spain from 1939 to 1975, front and center. During General Francisco Franco's reign of terror over the country, there were many atrocities committed. Atrocities that Spain still has not fully dealt with to this day. Almodóvar's Parallel Mothers deals with some of these atrocities, namely a mass grave in Janis' home village, where her great-grandfather and other men from that village were killed and buried during the Spanish Civil War (1936 to 1939). There's an excavation that gives these men (who disappeared) an identity and dignity. Parallel Mothers is a powerful picture that grapples with motherhood, loss, death, and healing. To grow and move on, one must first understand the past. Almodóvar's statement in this film is bold and pointed, as it should be. On top of the strong direction and brilliant acting are the eye-popping costume and production designs (reds, greens, and yellows) and a lively score throughout. I knew that there was going to be something special with this picture during the opening credit sequence, in which colors of red, black, white splatter across the screen. Parallel Mothers is a complex but engaging film crafted by the hands of a master (Almodóvar). As Cruz and Smit's chemistry flourishes scene after scene, a captivating portrait will unveil. I have not stopped thinking about Parallel Mothers since I saw it two weeks ago, and I cannot wait to watch it again. In the end, Parallel Mothers is a film that radiates out of the screen and into one's heart.  Actors Milena Smit and Penélope Cruz Parallel Mothers is rated R (Restricted) Some Sexuality. Directed by Pedro Almodóvar Starring Penélope Cruz, Milena Smit, Israel Elejalde, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Rossy de Palma, and Julieta Serrano. Flee  Flee (Flugt) is a powerful and heartbreaking picture. Boundary pushing, as Flee, blends vivid documentary filmmaking and stunning animation. Emotional, personal, and beautiful. If you were not able to see Flee in theaters, it's now streaming on Hulu. A must-watch. Flee has made history by becoming the first film to be nominated for Best International, Best Documentary, and Best Animated Feature. Flee is another movie that I cannot stop thinking about since I watched it last week. A Danish animated docudrama directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen that follows the true story of a man named Amin Nawabi, who shares his hidden past for the first time, of fleeing his country (Afghanistan). Amin is on the verge of marrying his long-time boyfriend and is a successful academic when he decides to share his hidden story with a close friend for the first time. At 36, Amin shares with us his past of how he fled from Afghanistan to Denmark as a refugee 20 years ago. Flee is a bold, personal, and saddening story of how war can tear families, homes, and lives apart. An immigration story that is incredibly humane, as Rasmussen shows the life-threatening dangers that refugees have to go through to escape.  Flee is a powerful movie that will leave a pit inside your stomach, but also finds hope for our society as a whole. We listen and learn Amin's pain as he tells us through the screen of what his family had to do and the experiences that got them to where they are now. Rasmussen's picture blends gorgeous animation with hard-hitting drama and a striking documentary layered underneath. Not only is Flee an immigration story but it's also a LGBTQ story. We learn that Amin knew that he was gay at a very young age but had to keep that part of his life a secret for a long period of time. We travel with Amin and his family as they make their way to Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union (1988–1991). Amin goes into detail about the corruption of the Russian police and the human traffickers. It's raw and tragic, but one that people need to hear. Flee is a unique picture in its ability to weave together vivid animation and documentary filmmaking. I am not sure that Flee could not have been told in this way without the animation. Flee is a narrative of displacement and survival that will move one to tears. Genre-bending at the highest order, Flee deserves to win the Oscar for Best Documentary and Best Animated Feature this March. Powerful from the first frame and until the last. Flee is a movie that invites us to come in, listen, and learn.  Flee is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) Strong Language | Disturbing Images | Thematic Content. Directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen Stream it now on Hulu.  I was pleasantly surprised with how much heart was in the latest Jackass film. Jackass Forever is really a sweet film of youth to adulthood. Silver fox Johnny Knoxville and crew might be getting older, but the stunts and silly gags are still wacky as ever. Concussions aren't great, but as long as you have them before you're 50, it's cool, and Knoxville is 49, so we're good.  It has been 11-years since we last saw our rambunctious group of misfits and daredevils on the big screen (2010's Jackass 3D). Jackass Forever marks a return for the gross-out humor and slapstick comedy that will leave you laughing until it hurts. Jackass originally started out as a TV series on MTV that ran for three seasons from October 2000 to February 2002. Johnny Knoxville and friends then made their debut to film with Jackass: The Movie (2002). After that, the gang returned for Jackass Number Two (2006), Jackass 3D (2010), and now Jackass Forever (2022). There have also been a handful of spin-off TV shows, films (Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa), and bonus documentaries (Jackass 2.5 and 3.5). The latest trip of pain and glory features the group of old and new characters. The veteran actors returning were Knoxville, Steve-O, Wee Man, Chris Pontius, Dave England, Ehren McGhehey, and Preston Lacy. While they are all aging, that doesn't stop our veteran actors from still attempting these dangerous stunts.  However, this may be the last time we see these veteran actors returning to Jackass. Those old bones can only take so many hits. Knoxville suffered a serious concussion, a broken wrist, and rib after being hit by a bull in one of the stunts. "I knew heading into this, this was my last hurrah with big stunts." It was a bittersweet moment knowing that this will be their last time in the ring as they pass on the torch to younger members. The new faces include Jasper Dolphin, Zach Holmes, Rachel Wolfson, Eric Manaka, Darkshark, and a guy named Poopies. What I was not expecting with this latest installment was the amount of heart and good spirit that went into it. Jackass Forever might be a kinder and gentler film than the previous, but that doesn't mean our band of rascals has matured. Jeff Tremaine returns to the director's chair. He has been filming these Jackass movies for the past 20-years. Tremaine knows the game and has gotten even stronger in his filming techniques and slow-mo replays. One thing that Forever does and is not afraid to show off was the amount of male nudity. Where Hollywood still seems too scared with male nudity, Jackass Forever presents it front and center. There is a giant green penis monster that attacks the city. Steve-O has his entire crotch covered in honey and a swarm of bees covers it, in the stunt titled "The Bee Genitals." The group encounters bees, spiders, snakes, scorpions, vultures, and bears. While professional trainers handled the animals, making sure the safety of the animals is always there. Some of the stunts include "The Human Ramp," "Body Surfing," "The Flight of Icarus," "The Triple Wedgie," and "Ehren's Cup Tests." We are going into year three of COVID, and I really needed a good laugh during these hard times. Jackass Forever was the medicine to help lift me up, sending stitches to my sides. Through gross-out humor, slapstick comedy, and schadenfreude, Jackass Forever succeeds with the healing power of laughter. What a beautiful thing.  Jackass Forever is rated R (Restricted) Language Throughout | Graphic Nudity | Dangerous Stunts | Strong Crude Material. Dedicated to the late Ryan Dunn. Directed by Jeff Tremaine Starring Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Wee Man, Chris Pontius, Dave England, Ehren McGhehey, Preston Lacy, Jasper Dolphin, Zach Holmes, Rachel Wolfson, Eric Manaka, Darkshark, and Poopies. |
Ryan Arnold
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