Special: The Lovebirds, The Way Back, Superman: Red Son Mini-Reviews

The Lovebirds:

Synopsis: A couple (Issa Rae & Kumail Nanjiani) experiences a defining moment in their relationship when they are unintentionally embroiled in a murder mystery. As their journey to clear their names takes them from one extreme-- and hilarious -- circumstance to the next, they must figure out how they, and their relationship, can survive the night.

My thoughts: The lovebirds is thoroughly ridiculous and so far out there it makes it hard to enjoy. That being said Kumail and Issa have such chemistry and poise that it's hard to pay attention to anything in the background of the film and enjoy the often hilarious ride they take you on that all the other problems fall by the wayside. This also continues director Michael Showalter's hot streak as the up and coming comedy director despite only 3 credits to date they've all been solid.

Final verdict: 4 unicorn hoodies out of 5.

The Way Back:

Synopsis: Back in high school, Jack Cunningham (Ben Affleck) had everything going for him. A basketball phenom, he could have punched his ticket to college or even the pros, but, instead, he chose to walk away from the game, forfeiting his future. Jack's glory days are long gone... but, as it turns out, not forgotten. Years later, he gets the chance to take back his life when he is asked to coach the struggling basketball team at his alma mater. Jack reluctantly accepts, surprising no one more than himself, and as the boys start to come together as a team and win, he may get his last shot at redemption.

My thoughts: Full disclosure: I enjoy sport dramas and have seen loved ones struggling with alcoholism. Therefore this movie hit me hard. Ben Affleck is back and he's been open with his own struggle with alcoholism which gives this movie a more real feeling despite still being overwhelmed by the normal cliches found in this genre.

Final verdict: 4 AA meetings out of 5.

Superman: Red Son:

Synopsis: After Krypton is destroyed, Kal-El's ship crash lands in the Soviet Union, where he's raised to combat the Communist ideology as Russia's greatest protector: Superman. But as Russia's hero begins to create chaos around the world on behalf of the Soviets, international forces must step in to save the world.

My thoughts: I've praised Warner Brothers and their animation department that has done amazing things with not only the DC Animated Universe but also the one offs like Red Son. The animation is once again stunning however I'm not as on board with the liberties they took with the source material. No, they didn't really change the story thankfully but they changed the tone. The Red Son film is overly simplified by avoiding calling out the political parties on their shit and instead simply takes a "unite against the bigger threat" stance while adding more brutality (the latter of which I didn't mind).

Final verdict: 3.5 comrades out of 5.

Special: It Chapter 2, Dora And The Lost City Of Gold, Men In Black International Mini-Reviews

It: Chapter 2

Synopsis: Evil resurfaces in Derry as director Andy Muschietti reunites the Losers Club in a return to where it all began with "IT Chapter Two," the conclusion to the highest-grossing horror film of all time. Twenty-seven years after the Losers Club defeated Pennywise, he has returned to terrorize the town of Derry once more. Now adults, the Losers have long since gone their separate ways. However, kids are disappearing again, so Mike, the only one of the group to remain in their hometown, calls the others home. Damaged by the experiences of their past, they must each conquer their deepest fears to destroy Pennywise once and for all...putting them directly in the path of the clown that has become deadlier than ever.

My thoughts: It's not nearly as strong as the first, partly because the scares were minimized to (likely) appeal to the surprising number of smaller children that seen the 1st part and although a lot has been made of the length it did not seem long and was expected with them needing to shoehorn time for the younger cast into part 2.

Final verdict: 4 happy dancing clowns out of 5.

Dora And The Lost City Of Gold:

Synopsis: Having spent most of her life exploring the jungle with her parents, nothing could prepare Dora (Isabela Moner) for her most dangerous adventure ever -- High School. Always the explorer, Dora quickly finds herself leading Boots (her best friend, a monkey), Diego (Jeffrey Wahlberg), a mysterious jungle inhabitant (Eugenio Derbez), and a rag tag group of teens on a live-action adventure to save her parents (Eva Longoria, Michael Peña) and solve the impossible mystery behind a lost city of gold.

My thoughts: I never really watched Dora in my life, I was too old when it came out and although I babysat cousins that watched it I wasn't really paying attention. That being said, this was an excellent movie. They kept out the really weird parts of the cartoon that wouldn't work in a live action film but they were still able to give them nods. A tamed down tomb raider with more laughter and even, dare I say, more adventure? Dora is definitely worth your time.

Final verdict: 4.5 poo songs out of 5.

Men In Black International:

Synopsis: The Men in Black have always protected the Earth from the scum of the universe. In this new adventure, they tackle their biggest, most global threat to date: a mole in the Men in Black organization.

My thoughts: As far as Men In Black movies go, this one didn't have the same heart as the others. They had the opportunity to make a good story with Tessa's characters backstory but they never really did anything for it other than giving her a reason to show up. The humour was definitely the scripts focus and it worked but not sure it was worth the downgrade in other departments. Kumail's voicework was more than enough comedy that they didn't need to lead Hemsworth into "funny" territory (with mixed results at that). In the end International is solid but certainly the weakest in the franchise.

Final verdict: 3.5 neuralizers out of 5.

Special: Point Blank, Dumbo, Stuber Mini-Reviews

Point Blank:

Synopsis: When his pregnant wife is kidnapped and held as collateral, Paul, an ER nurse, must team with the badly injured career criminal and murder suspect under his charge in order to save the lives of his wife and unborn child. Pitted against rival gangs and a deadly ring of corrupt cops, the unlikely duo find a way to survive together in the fight of their lives.

My thoughts: I've honestly never seen the original but sticking Anthony Mackie and Frank Grillo together in a film again (throwback to The Winter Soldier) and I'm on board. I generally like all Grillo's films I've seen and this one is no exception. The action was fast, almost too fast at times but overall I never found myself not enjoying this film even though it's flaws are apparent if was never enough to take away from the viewing experience.

Final verdict: 3.5 "good" bad guys out of 5.

Dumbo:

Synopsis: Circus owner Max Medici enlists former star Holt Farrier and his children Milly and Joe to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere, who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant, until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.

My thoughts: Like all Disney live-action remakes I enjoy the films that change up the source material and Dumbo does just that even though it follows a similar over arching story the tone and feel is different. The attention to the human characters and Tim Burton's visual flair makes this a great watch.

Final verdict: 4 Pink elephants out of 5.

Stuber:

Synopsis: When a mild-mannered Uber driver named Stu (Kumail Nanjiani) picks up a passenger (Dave Bautista) who turns out to be a cop hot on the trail of a brutal killer, he's thrust into a harrowing ordeal where he desperately tries to hold onto his wits, his life and his five-star rating.

My thoughts: Stuber is a nice throwback to the 80's buddy cop movies where it was all about over the top comedy and gritty action. It does modernize it, tackling the subject of toxic male masculinity throughout and the pairing of Nanjiani and Bautista is gold. If we don't get a sequel, these 2 better be paired up again soon. With comedies, I always worry that all the "funny" parts are shown in the trailer but there was more than enough material to keep me laughing throughout.

Final verdict: 4.5 Uberpools out of 5.