Special: Kimi, The Ice Age Adventures Of Buck Wild, Uncharted Mini-Reviews

Kimi

Synopsis: An agoraphobic tech worker discovers recorded evidence of a violent crime but is met with resistance when she tries to report it. Seeking justice, she must now do the thing she fears the most: she must leave her apartment.

My thoughts: Ten years ago Steven Soderbergh would've been on a very shortlist of my favourite directors but he just hasn't delivered recently. Kimi is no exception to that unfortunately. The saving grace that Kimi has is it's short run time, but on the negative side. Only 20 of the 85 minutes gets interesting and it's the last 20 minutes. The moments leading up to it is very predictable but hey if you're looking for a free look at Zoe Kravitz's boobs then Kimi is the film for you. Talking on Zoe as the whole she plays a broken woman very well but when she's not doing that it's hard to believe that same broken woman would react as she does.

Final verdict: 3 electronic assistants out of 5.

The Ice Age Adventures Of Buck Wild

Synopsis: "The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild" continues the hilarious escapades of the sub-zero heroes as they create more prehistoric pandemonium. Eager for a little independence, the thrill-seeking possum brothers Crash and Eddie set out to find a place of their own but soon find themselves trapped beneath the ice in a massive cave inhabited by dinosaurs. They are rescued by the one-eyed, adventure-loving weasel Buck Wild, and together, with the help of some new friends, embark on a mission to save the Lost World from dinosaur domination.

My thoughts: The Ice Age franchise has been rough for years. Similar to Hotel Transylvania the movies have gotten progressively worse and that remains the same here. I'm not sure I'll say this is a new low for the franchise but that's mostly because the previous films have been low quality as well. I think at this point Ice Age should fall into forgotten TV land.

Final verdict: 3 prehistoric adventures out of 5.

Uncharted

Synopsis: Street-smart thief Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter Victor "Sully" Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) to recover a fortune lost by Ferdinand Magellan 500 years ago. What starts as a heist job for the duo becomes a globe-trotting, white-knuckle race to reach the prize before the ruthless Moncada (Antonio Banderas), who believes he and his family are the rightful heirs. If Nate and Sully can decipher the clues and solve one of the world's oldest mysteries, they stand to find $5 billion in treasure and perhaps even Nate's long-lost brother...but only if they can learn to work together.

My thoughts: A fun enough action adventure romp that keeps you interested the whole way through. There was lots of silly parts that made little to no sense but if you suspend disbelief you'll absolutely adore this film.

Final verdict: 4 lost treasures out of 5.

Special: Catwoman: Hunted, Scream, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania Mini-Reviews

Catwoman: Hunted

Synopsis: Follows Catwoman in an attempt to steal a priceless jewel. This puts her squarely in the crosshairs of both a powerful consortium of villains, Interpol and Batwoman.

My thoughts: A strong voice cast leads this excellent addition to the DC Animated Movie Universe as Catwoman finally gets a full length feature. Teaming up with Batwoman to take on an array of enemies such as Black Mask, Tobias Whale, Cheetah among others. There is never a moment to rest in this globetrotting romp that sees Catwoman and friends traverse the globe to take down a group of cartels and hopefully complete the mission alive so her record can be expunged. The animation is great which was a problem I've had with the last few DCAU movies. The fight scenes are well choregraphed and although there was one scene that was forced in to appease horny teenage boys by the time the end credits hit I had mostly forgotten about it.

Final verdict: 4 cat eye emeralds out of 5.

Scream

Synopsis: Twenty-five years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, Calif., a new killer dons the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town's deadly past.

My thoughts: The Ghostface killer is back baby and tormenting little Woodsboro again. Returning from the original trilogy are stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette as well as the OG Ghostface himself Skeet Ulrich and Deputy Judy from the previous installment. And like that previous instalment we get a new group of kids he terrorizes. Melissa Barrera and Jack Quaid headline the newcomers who must stop Ghostface before more blood is shed in extremely meta ways and they succeed. Scream, the fifth film in the franchise continues to do what it does best and is yet still evolving as this is by far the goriest of Scream films yet. Let's just hope we don't need to wait over 10 years for the next installment of this franchise.

Final verdict: 5 Ghostface killers out of 5.

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania

Synopsis: Drac and the pack are back, like you've never seen them before in Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. Reunite with your favorite monsters for an all-new adventure that presents Drac with his most terrifying task yet. When Van Helsing's mysterious invention, the 'Monsterfication Ray," goes haywire, Drac and his monster pals are all transformed into humans, and Johnny becomes a monster! In their new mismatched bodies, Drac, stripped of his powers, and an exuberant Johnny, loving life as a monster, must team up and race across the globe to find a cure before it's too late, and before they drive each other crazy. With help from Mavis and the hilariously human Drac Pack, the heat is on to find a way to switch themselves back before their transformations become permanent.

My thoughts: I didn't notice until the end credits that Adam Sandler and Kevin James roles were recast so kudos to the new voice actors for that. Neither have a long resume of good roles but reading this script they knew enough to stay away. The Hotel Transylvania films have gotten progressively worse since their inception and they do nothing to correct the course in Transformania. This franchise is beyond clutching at full length straws as they'll need to do something epic to get back into the good graces of movie watching public or else fade into the TV Animated Sitcom realm in which it's already dabbled in.

Final verdict: 3 recast monsters out of 5.

Special: Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Red Notice, Injustice Mini-Reviews

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Synopsis: When a single mother and her two children move to a new town, they soon discover they have a connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.

My thoughts: Afterlife is certainly more kid friendly then it's predecessors were at the time they came out. Of course with VFX improvements it's no longer that scary so I'm not condemning you for having your kids watch the original films. On that same note like Shazam, this isn't just a love letter to Ivan Reitman's original films but the 80's family adventure film scene as a whole. Ivan's son, Jason Reitman of Juno fame, takes the directors chair this time around and he's basically the perfect person for the job but the film definitely could've used some trimming in the middle but the opening set up and the conclusion specifically are well executed and the cast is extremely charming all around. 

Final verdict: 4 homicidal mini-pufts out of 5.

Red Notice

Synopsis: In the world of international crime, an Interpol agent attempts to hunt down and capture the world's most wanted art thief.

My thoughts: More style than substance is found in Red Notice. It's clear that Netflix backed a brinks truck up to the 3 stars houses in order to get them to sign on, but style only goes so far. The chemistry found between Reynolds and Johnson works well enough and Gadot knows how to play a mysterious femme fatale perfectly but the script leaves a lot to be desired and the epic twist could be spotted a mile away, and by that I mean very early in the movies runtime. The ending also sets up for a sequel which I feel will happen just as name recognition alone would lead to suggest. It's not all doom and gloom though. The locations they hit are breathtaking and what fight chorography we have is enjoyable but I expected more of it expecially given the around the world heist premise starring Deadpool, The Rock and Wonder Woman.  

Final verdict: 3.5 buddy comedies out of 5.

Injustice

Synopsis: On an alternate earth, the Joker tricks Superman into killing Lois Lane, sending Superman down a path of destruction.

My thoughts: I think we've had enough of evil Superman in the DC Animated Universe. Supes had enough people on his side in this flick that they could've pushed the dictator role home but instead they just wanted to push the Superman violent content instead. Given that this is a DC Animated movie I do expect quite a bit of violence but would it kill them to spread the killings around? The animation was cool and from what I recall it mostly stuck to the original book before skipping to the end to wrap things up. That unfortunately means no sequel is likely so my wishlist will be flushed down the proverbial toilet. Not the worst DC animated movie this year, but not the best either. It's been a while since I was wowed by one. Maybe 2022 will be the year.

Final verdict: 3.5 dead superheroes out of 5.

Special: Eternals, The Addams Family 2, He's All That Mini-Reviews

Eternals

Synopsis: Marvel Studios' Eternals features an exciting new team of Super Heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows to reunite against mankind's most ancient enemy, the Deviants.

My thoughts: Eternals leaves a lot to be desired in a regular vacuum. Through the lens of a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie and it's even worse. Eternals does somewhat follow the MCU formula with some world saving action paired with jokes and heart from (mostly) sympathetic characters however I couldn't be sold on any of it on the whole. I'm sure I'll come to enjoy some of the characters as they pop up elsewhere in the MCU and I'm willing to give Eternals another watch down the line but this flick did little for me.

Final verdict: 3 lackluster MCU movies out of 5.

The Addams Family 2

Synopsis: Everyone's favorite spooky family is back in the animated comedy sequel, The Addams Family 2. In this all new movie we find Morticia and Gomez distraught that their children are growing up, skipping family dinners, and totally consumed with "scream time." To reclaim their bond they decide to cram Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester and the crew into their haunted camper and hit the road for one last miserable family vacation. Their adventure across America takes them out of their element and into hilarious run-ins with their iconic cousin, IT, as well as many new kooky characters. What could possibly go wrong?

My thoughts: A definite step down from the first film (which had it's own separate issues). This is a departure from the classic characters we know which I'm sure was intentional it just didn't work. It's basically an excuse to make a family movie and they made the characters The Addams Family to have some name recognition.

Final verdict: 3 hairy cousins out of 5.

He's All That

Synopsis: In this reimagining of 1999's She's All That, teen social media influencer Padgett's humiliating on-camera breakup goes viral, leading her to make a risky bet to save her reputation: she swears she can turn scruffy antisocial Cameron into prom king material. But things get complicated when she finds herself falling for him IRL.

My thoughts: The acting is real bad, let's get that out of the way. The premise is fun enough and they gave the lead a more realistic transformation than in 1999 when they took her glasses off and gave her a dress. There was also a few fun callbacks to the predecessor and had a decent enough message but outside of that and a few chuckles the script was not good. 

Final verdict: 3 gender swapped remakes out of 5.

Special: No Time To Die, Vacation Friends, Kate Mini-Reviews

No Time To Die:

Synopsis: In No Time To Die, Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

My thoughts: Going in I wasn't sure if this would be Craig's last bond but I can now say with absolute certainty it will be. Daniel Craig looked bored most of the time, although his character didn't have much to be happy about he didn't have to look this out of tune the whole time. That being said this is at the very least a middling Craig Bond film as the other cast stepped it up as did the writing and the direction even though the Bond theme remained stagnant as it has been a while.

Final verdict: 3.5 Bond girls out of 5.

Vacation Friends:

Synopsis: In this raw and raunchy comedy, straight-laced Marcus and Emily (Lil Rel Howery, Yvonne Orji) are befriended by wild, thrill-seeking partiers Ron and Kyla (John Cena, Meredith Hagner) at a resort in Mexico. Living in the moment, the usually level-headed couple lets loose to enjoy a week of uninhibited fun and debauchery with their new "vacation friends." Months after their walk on the wild side, Marcus and Emily are horrified when Ron and Kyla show up uninvited at their wedding, creating chaos and proving that what happens on vacation, doesn't necessarily stay on vacation.

My thoughts: I'm pretty comfortable in naming this the best straight up comedy I've seen this year, though that list is short compared to past years and this film is not without flaws but the cast provides you enough chemistry and heart that you can pretty safely ignore the films other shortcomings.

Final verdict: 4 illegal drugs out of 5.

Kate:

Synopsis: Meticulous and preternaturally skilled, Kate is the perfect specimen of a finely tuned assassin at the height of her game. But when she uncharacteristically blows an assignment targeting a member of the yakuza in Tokyo, she quickly discovers she's been poisoned, a brutally slow execution that gives her less than 24 hours to exact revenge on her killers. As her body swiftly deteriorates, Kate forms an unlikely bond with the teenage daughter of one of her past victims. Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Woody Harrelson, and directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, Kate follows a burned assassin's furious pursuit of one last self-appointed job.

My thoughts:

Final verdict: 3.5 shots out of 5.

Special: Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings, Candyman, Pixie Mini-Reviews

Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings:

Synopsis: Marvel Studios' "Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings" stars Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, who must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization. The film also stars Tony Leung as Wenwu, Awkwafina as Shang-Chi's friend Katy and Michelle Yeoh as Jiang Nan.

My thoughts: Saying I had low expectations for this film would probably be wrong but they were low by Marvel movie standards and all Shang-Chi did was completely destroy them to give us not only one of the best stand-alone Marvel movies in years but definitely in the running for best of 2021. The visuals were spectacular as you can tell they took their world creation inspiration from Black Panther but with an Oriental twist and the acting was top notch as the actors had a lot to play with given the strong script with loads of heart, humour and emotion as well as the typical real life issue angle which they went with Millennial careers and family structure which was not the obvious choice.

Final verdict: 5 sealed gates out of 5.

Candyman:

Synopsis: For as long as residents can remember, the housing projects of Chicago's Cabrini-Green neighborhood were terrorized by a word-of-mouth ghost story about a supernatural killer with a hook for a hand, easily summoned by those daring to repeat his name five times into a mirror. In present day, a decade after the last of the Cabrini towers were torn down, visual artist Anthony McCoy and his partner, gallery director Brianna Cartwright, move into a luxury loft condo in Cabrini, now gentrified beyond recognition and inhabited by upwardly mobile millennials. With Anthony's painting career on the brink of stalling, a chance encounter with a Cabrini-Green old-timer exposes Anthony to the tragically horrific nature of the true story behind Candyman. Anxious to maintain his status in the Chicago art world, Anthony begins to explore these macabre details in his studio as fresh grist for paintings, unknowingly opening a door to a complex past that unravels his own sanity and unleashes a terrifying wave of violence that puts him on a collision course with destiny.

My thoughts: I liked the angle they took with Candyman, not seeing the original I'm glad they built off it without leaving new viewers confused. The twist wasn't too much of a shocker but it had enough elements that I didn't see coming to be entertained and although horror isn't my preferred genre I wasn't upset I watched this even if the script could've drawn out more story instead of showing some random killings of characters we barely know.

Final verdict: 3.5 hook hands out of 5.

Pixie:

Synopsis: Pixie Hardy sets out to avenge her mother's death and attempts a heist that will give her the means to leave her small-town life behind. When the plan goes horribly wrong, she's forced to team up with a pair of misfits who are clearly in over their heads. On the run from a criminal gang of priests and nuns, the trio tries to scheme and swindle anyone they come across.

My thoughts: Pixie was just a little too weird for me. I'm not sure if British fare isn't for me, or it was just this movie in particular but Pixie sounded like something up my alley but this just didn't do it for me. Not to say this movie is all bad. The actors did well with what they were given, the cringe parts were meant to be that way and there was some genuine laughs I'm just not sure I'll ever revisit this flick.

Final verdict: 3 interrupted threesomes out of 5.

Special: Cruella, Batman: The Long Halloween Part 1, Gunpowder Milkshake Mini-Reviews

Cruella:

Synopsis: Emma Stone stars in Disney's "Cruella," an all-new live-action feature film about the rebellious early days of one of cinemas most notorious - and notoriously fashionable - villains, the legendary Cruella de Vil. "Cruella," which is set in 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, follows a young grifter named Estella, a clever and creative girl determined to make a name for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets. One day, Estella's flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman, a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly haute. But their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, fashionable and revenge-bent Cruella.

My thoughts: I shall continue to shout from the rooftops that if Disney wants to reimagine their classics flip the perspective to give us something different. Cruella does just that and although not as well done as Maleficent it's certainly a step above some of the other films they made this way. Positioning Emma Stone's Cruella as a Anarchist Punk in 70's London blowing up the mainstream fashion world is a genius move Disney should be commended with but everything else about this movie could've used some attention to get it from good or okay to great.

Final verdict: 4 fashion windows out of 5.

Batman: The Long Halloween Part 1:

Synopsis: It's a dark time in Gotham City. Held hostage by the powerful Falcone crime family, the city is rife with crime and corruption. Adding to the chaos is the mysterious Holiday killer, who has been targeting the underworld and leaving a trail of terror... and body bags. Batman, Lieutenant Gordon and D.A. Harvey Dent race against the calendar as it advances toward the next ill-fated holiday. Based on the critically acclaimed graphic novel, Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One begins a twisted chain of events that will forever change the Dark Knight.

My thoughts: Batman's greatest detective story comes to film in this DC Animated Film. So far so good as part 1 highlights Batman's failures as a detective as well as his inability to keep his secret identity concealed from Selina and ends at the perfect point. If Part 2 is just as good this will easily best The Dark Knight Returns as the best 2 parter DC Animated Movie.

Final verdict: 4 Holiday murders out of 5.

Gunpowder Milkshake:

Synopsis: Sam was only 12 years old when her mother Scarlet, an elite assassin, was forced to abandon her. Sam was raised by The Firm, the ruthless crime syndicate her mother worked for. Now, 15 years later, Sam has followed in her mother’s footsteps and grown into a fierce hit-woman. She uses her “talents” to clean up The Firm’s most dangerous messes. She’s as efficient as she is loyal. But when a high-risk job goes wrong, Sam must choose between serving The Firm and protecting the life of an innocent 8-year-old girl -- Emily. With a target on her back, Sam has only one chance to survive: Reunite with her mother and her lethal associates: The Librarians. These three generations of women must now learn to trust each other, stand up to The Firm and their army of henchmen, and raise hell against those who could take everything from them.

My thoughts: Shoot 'Em Up from the female perspective. Gunpowder Milkshake may sound 50% sweet but it's anything but. It's nearly 2 hours of blood, explosions and overall mayhem. Karen Gillan continues to prove herself to be a legitimate action star following roles in ensemble flicks such as Jumanji and Guardians Of The Galaxy. Love that they let women go out and be the center of a flick like this.

Final verdict: 4 bloody diners out of 5.

Special: Fear Street Trilogy Mini-Reviews

Fear Street Part One: 1994:

Synopsis: After a series of brutal slayings, a teen and her friends take on an evil force that's plagued their notorious town for centuries.

My thoughts: When R.L. Stine introduced the Fear Street books it was meant to be for an older audience that had graduated past his famous Goosebumps books but a lot of kids still read them as they were pretty tame still by horror standards. That being said the films are not tame by any stretch. The film plays up the 1994 nostalgia big time (which I definitely can appreciate) but overall this movie pulls more from the 1980's as far as slasher influence goes with lots of blood, hormonal teenagers and mystery abound. This series may just invigorate the genre and back away from the self-referential stuff we've seen since Scream popularized it a few years after this film takes place.

Final verdict: 4 Supermarket massacres out of 5.

Fear Street Part Two: 1978:

Synopsis: A summer of fun turns into a gruesome fight for survival as a killer terrorizes Camp Nightwing in the cursed town of Shadyside.

My thoughts: This one didn't hit me as hard as the other two installments did. Maybe it's just because it lacks the 1994 scenes that I can appreciate nostalgia-wise or maybe it's because the camp genre has been done many many times before, though I suppose you could argue that it's a nod to slasher films past. Ultimately this is just a weird middle prequel movie that doesn't offer much information for the storyline and mythos, just meant to give us more violence at the expense of sexually charged and drug using teenagers. That said the visuals were excellent and the C Burman twist was a nice touch so kudos to the writers for that.

Final verdict: 3.5 naughty campers out of 5.

Fear Street Part Three: 1666:

Synopsis: In 1666, a colonial town is gripped by a witch hunt that has deadly consequences for centuries to come, while teenagers in 1994 try to put an end to their town's curse before it is too late.

My thoughts: Part Three was the toughest watch of the three films. Movies set in the 1600's is a tough sell for most, myself included and those parts did little for me. I had already come to the conclusion after part two what was happening although I did ultimately get one thing wrong the point remained the same so that section didn't offer much but midway through the movie when we switch back to 1994 is the best section of any of the films which does ultimately save this film and gives the trilogy an excellent ending to which all viewers should be satisfied.

Final verdict: 4 Old-timey accents out of 5.

Special: Black Widow, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, The Mitchells Vs. The Machines Mini-Reviews

Black Widow:

Synopsis: Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy, and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger.

My thoughts: Give me all the Yelena (Florence Pugh) content going forward. I never really felt connected to Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow as she was always kinda stuck in the background and now that she's no longer in the MCU in real time. Marvel decided to give her a movie that takes place after Civil War, only to be outshined by the younger, more interesting and more personable character of Yelena. It's clear the Marvel brass has big plans for this character now and I'm pumped. The movie also had enough comedic bits to keep my wife entertained so that's always a plus for me personally. 

Final verdict: 4.5 tightfitting superhero suits out of 5.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It:

Synopsis: "The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It" reveals a chilling story of terror, murder and unknown evil that shocked even experienced real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. One of the most sensational cases from their files, it starts with a fight for the soul of a young boy, then takes them beyond anything they'd ever seen before, to mark the first time in U.S. history that a murder suspect would claim demonic possession as a defense.

My thoughts: They slapped the Conjuring name on this flick but it feels like a spin-off more than the main line series. This could be because Wan stepped away from the Director's chair and he was sorely missed. This third installment, although oddly not named Conjuring 3, is a step above the recent spin-off's from the Conjuring franchise but a far cry from the original two movies that made this a behemoth of a movie franchise.

Final verdict: 3.5 Warren files out of 5.

The Mitchells Vs. The Machines:

Synopsis: Young Katie Mitchell embarks on a road trip with her proud parents, younger brother and beloved dog to start her first year at film school. But their plans to bond as a family soon get interrupted when the world's electronic devices come to life to stage an uprising. With help from two friendly robots, the Mitchells must now come together to save one another -- and the planet -- from the new technological revolution.

My thoughts: The newest flick from Pixar delivers! Wait what? This was a Sony movie... Are you sure? The Mitchells Vs. The Machines offers eye-popping animation, a ton of laughs, a ton of emotional moments, a great heartwarming story with an incredible message attached (sound familiar?) This Sony flick they released for free on Netflix is basically an instant animation classic that I would watch over The Incredibles any day.

Final verdict: 5 family road trips out of 5.

Special: A Quiet Place Part II, Tom & Jerry, I Care A Lot Mini-Reviews

A Quiet Place Part II:

Synopsis: Following the deadly events at home, the Abbott family must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence. Forced to venture into the unknown, they quickly realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.

My thoughts: Krasinski did a master class in world building during the first film as we nervously inched towards seeing the monsters. Part II continues his knack for storytelling in this world as without the monsters to dangle in front of us like a carrot, he finds other meaningful ways to keep us on the edge of our seats. We also get a new level of grief our characters (both old and new) have to deal with as in the first it had been a while since their child was killed, this flick picks up shortly after the fathers (played by Krasinski) death in the first film so we get to navigate how each remaining family member deal with it and it shows how individuals deal with grief in their own way.

Final verdict: 4 worthwhile sequels out of 5.

Tom & Jerry:

Synopsis: A legendary rivalry reemerges when Jerry moves into New York City's finest hotel on the eve of the wedding of the century, forcing the desperate event planner to hire Tom to get rid of him. As mayhem ensues, the escalating cat-and-mouse battle soon threatens to destroy her career, the wedding, and possibly the hotel itself.

My thoughts: It's pretty harmless fare. I grew up loving the Tom & Jerry Kids Cartoon as a child in the 90's however call me crazy but a movie called "Tom & Jerry" should probably take the lead. Instead, they act as auxiliary characters to Chloe Grace Moretz who lied her way into a lead promotion at a hotel setting up a big celeb wedding with no experience. What could PAWssibly go wrong? 

Final verdict: 3 fake hotel staff out of 5.

I Care A Lot:

Synopsis: Poised with sharklike self-assurance, Marla Grayson (Rosamund Pike) is a professional, court-appointed guardian for dozens of elderly wards whose assets she seizes and cunningly bilks through dubious but legal means. It's a well-oiled racket that Marla and her business-partner and lover Fran (Eiza González) use with brutal efficiency on their latest "cherry," Jennifer Peterson (Dianne Wiest) -- a wealthy retiree with no living heirs or family. But when their mark turns out to have an equally shady secret of her own and connections to a volatile gangster (Peter Dinklage), Marla is forced to level up in a game only predators can play -- one that's neither fair, nor square.

My thoughts: I was shocked when I went to RT to get the above synopsis and seen such a low audience score. I was shocked watching this wondering if guardians could really do these things. Pike is a tour de force in this one as she actively makes you hate her to the point you root for the power hungry, drug kingpin to win and although things do go sideways multiple times the movie is able to keep pulling you in for more.

Final verdict: 4 sleezy retirement homes out of 5.

Special: Raya And The Last Dragon, Godzilla Vs. Kong, Bad Trip Mini-Reviews

Raya And The Last Dragon:

Synopsis: Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when sinister monsters known as the Druun threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, those same monsters have returned and it's up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the last dragon in order to finally stop the Druun for good. However, along her journey, she'll learn that it'll take more than dragon magic to save the world--it's going to take trust as well.

My thoughts: Sometimes Raya takes the message it's pushing too far and it disrupts the storytelling that we're getting but that's about where the negatives end. This might be Disney's best output since 2016 but we'll see if Raya can stand the test of time over the next few years but the animation is certainly the best the studio has managed since that time if not longer.

Final verdict: 4 ancient dragon spirits out of 5.

Godzilla Vs. Kong:

Synopsis: Legends collide in "Godzilla vs. Kong" as these mythic adversaries meet in a spectacular battle for the ages, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Kong and his protectors undertake a perilous journey to find his true home, and with them is Jia, a young orphaned girl with whom he has formed a unique and powerful bond. But they unexpectedly find themselves in the path of an enraged Godzilla, cutting a swath of destruction across the globe. The epic clash between the two titans--instigated by unseen forces--is only the beginning of the mystery that lies deep within the core of the Earth.

My thoughts: Godzilla Vs. Kong gives us what is promised, two big monsters fighting each other. They give us this at the expense of human character development, which honestly I wouldn't hate if executed properly but it still makes us spend a large amount of time with these human characters we don't know enough about to care, with the exception of Millie Bobby Brown who was fleshed out in the previous film.

Final verdict: 3.5 fighting titans out of 5.

Bad Trip:

Synopsis: Hidden cameras capture two best friends pulling hilarious and inventive pranks on an unsuspecting public.

My thoughts: I'm notoriously hard on hidden camera movies as it's only half acting. That being said Bad Trip is one of the better ones, though as noted, that's not saying much. Eric Andre, Tiffany Haddish and Lil Rel Howery run through the states causing chaos along the way. Unfortunately there's equally as much cringe as there was laughs.

Final verdict: 3 prank shows turned into movies out of 5.

Special: The Last Blockbuster, Nomadland, Thunder Force Mini-Reviews

The Last Blockbuster:

Synopsis: The manager of the last Blockbuster video store struggles to keep the store open.

My thoughts: A love letter to video store culture which I can appreciate since I was a Blockbuster regular as a teenager in the age of DVD's and still rent as of today from my local mom and pop video store. As far as the history of Blockbuster and it's downfall it's mostly glossed over and just touched on key points not really as in depth as I'd like but luckily we have last year's "Netflix Vs. The World" that covers that in depth so if you want to get into the nitty gritty of the downfall of Blockbuster and how Netflix played a role (or did it?) check that out but this is still a sweet look at the culture that made video stores so cool and with the nostalgia angle the world is taking nowadays we can only hope one day we might have more Blockbusters.

Final verdict: 4 plastic cases out of 5.

Nomadland:

Synopsis: A woman embarks on a journey through the American West after losing everything during the recession.

My thoughts: Well deserving of the Oscar praise it received but Nomadland was not without it's issues. It's slow moving and has a very sad storyline throughout (sounds like I'm describing an Oscar movie huh?) but it's look into the van-dweller world is interesting and the real life nomads they used never felt out of place as director Chloe Zhao pulled a ton from these non actors and Frances McDormand does a wonderful job as we've come to expect. The film itself was well shot and the poster seen here was just one of many visually stunning scenes the cinematographer was able to shoot. The best thing I can say about this film is that it totally makes me want to watch a documentary about nomads now.

Final verdict: 3.5 jobs at Amazon out of 5.

Thunder Force:

Synopsis: Two childhood best friends reunite as an unlikely crime-fighting superhero duo when one invents a formula that gives ordinary people superpowers.

My thoughts: The laugh to joke ratio here was very low and the very few laughs it coerced out of me was of the `this is so cringe variety. Much like the other Ben Falcone - Melissa McCarthy pairings you can definitely skip this one.

Final verdict: 2.5 unfunny comedies out of 5.

Special: Golden Arm, Minari, Finding 'Ohana Mini-Reviews

Golden Arm:

Synopsis: When her best friend Danny ropes her into taking her spot at the Women's Arm Wrestling Championship, nice girl baker Melanie must trade whisks for barbells as she trains to face off with the reigning champ for a chance at newfound badassery and the grand prize.

My thoughts: This is basically as paint-by-numbers as a comedy can be. Luckily the cast are able to elevate it above a "bleh" comedy with strong performances and enough heart to make you care about what's going to happen even though if you step back you can clearly see where it's going but in the moment the performances suck you in and you stop thinking a few steps ahead and you live in the moment they created for you. Kudos to the director for knowing how to get that energy from their cast to elevate the film beyond the words on the page.

Final verdict: 3.5 failed bakeries out of 5.

Minari:

Synopsis: A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. Amidst the instability and challenges of this new life in the rugged Ozarks, Minari shows the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.

My thoughts: Steven Yeun is a powerhouse and Yeri Han is delightful and hilarious, even when she's not drinking urine. The plot is engaging enough to hold your attention and the ending is about as good as a movie in this genre can be. That being said some parts ran longer than it needed to and there was some pacing issues but overall a quality flick.

Final verdict: 3.5 "Mountain Dew" out of 5.

Finding 'Ohana:

Synopsis: Geocache champion Pilialoha "Pili" Kawena, age 12, is abruptly lifted from her busy New York life and dropped into rural O'ahu to help care for her grandfather. Initially skeptical about her new surroundings, Pili finds a cryptic pirate's journal in her Papa's studio hinting at a 200-year-old shipwrecked treasure hidden away in the island's caves and mountains. With her older brother and new friends in tow she uses her clue solving skills to lead them on an adventure of a lifetime through the natural wonders of Hawaiʻi. As she learns to respect and love her native culture she also discovers not all secrets should be shared and that the real treasure in life is 'ohana -- her family.

My thoughts: If you thought Golden Arm was formulaic, then watch out. Finding 'Ohana takes the Goonies script and places it in Hawaii. Now the filmmakers know this and intentionally lean into it so as a viewer you know that they know. It's a fun romp still but The Goonies did it better and knowing that just doesn't lend me to be able to give this a better rating.

Final verdict: 3 Goonies retreads out of 5.

Special: Moxie, The Little Things, One Night In Miami... Mini-Reviews

Moxie:

Synopsis: Vivian (Hadley Robinson), a seemingly shy 16-year-old, has always preferred to keep her head down and fly under the radar. But when the arrival of a new student (Alycia Pascual-Peña) forces her to examine the unchecked behavior of her fellow students running rampant at her high school, Vivian realizes she's fed up. Inspired by her mother's (Amy Poehler) rebellious past, Vivian anonymously publishes an underground zine called Moxie to expose bias and wrongdoing in her high school, and unexpectedly sparks a movement. Now at the center of a revolution, Vivian begins to forge new friendships with other young women and allies, reaching across the divide of cliques and clubs as they learn to navigate the highs and lows of high school together.

My thoughts: As a white male who fully realizes his priviledge, this tale set against the backdrop of sexism and (to a lesser degree) racism really spoke to me more than most movies about this subject. Maybe it's because it was in a high school setting where I recognize some of the happenings mirroring things I saw happen in high school. Anyone can pick something out of this, whether it's the mistreatment of certain groups or to learn how to become an ally to a cause. Equal parts heartwarming and rage inducing, Moxie should not be missed.

Final verdict: 4.5 zines out of 5.

The Little Things:

Synopsis: Deputy Sheriff Joe "Deke" Deacon joins forces with Sgt. Jim Baxter to search for a serial killer who's terrorizing Los Angeles. As they track the culprit, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke's past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.

My thoughts: It's been a while since I saw a slow burn thriller like this and The Little Things makes me miss the style even more as it's far from perfect. The cast are solid throughout (which you can see based on the poster it would be). But the pacing and director John Lee Hancock is uneven (a normal complaint about his work). The ending was solid, though I can see a bunch of people being mad about it. Jumping into these characters psyche's was my favourite part and I was left satisfied come the end credits but I wonder what could've been if wound up a little tighter overall.

Final verdict: 3.5 hair clips out of 5.

One Night In Miami...

Synopsis: On one incredible night in 1964, four icons of sports, music, and activism gathered to celebrate one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. When underdog Cassius Clay, soon to be called Muhammad Ali, (Eli Goree), defeats heavy weight champion Sonny Liston at the Miami Convention Hall, Clay memorialized the event with three of his friends: Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.) and Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge).

My thoughts: Generally in period drama's accuracy comes into play... But director Regina King says fuck that in her directorial debut. The cast is strong and the story is poignant however I can't help but feel they pulled us in multiple different directions without much purpose and the film was longer than it needed to be.

Final verdict: 3.5 what ifs out of 5.

Special: Flora & Ulysses, Judas And The Black Messiah, Outside The Wire Mini-Reviews

Flora & Ulysses:

Synopsis: An imaginative and creative 10-year old cynic never could have predicted that her little squirrel would be born anew as a superhero and have the uncanny knack for helping her and the lovable but broken people in her life.

My thoughts: This had a chance to be really good, but it also had the chance to be really cheesy (and not in the good way). Flora & Ulysses walked the tight rope as well as it could and ended up in the middle of the two outcomes. We've seen some stinker VFX on Disney+ thus far but this flick safely avoids that as most of the visuals are well done. The acting was about as good as you can expect it given the premises and Danny Pudi makes for quite the menacing (and hilarious) villain. The film is overall charming but lacked it in a couple key places which did hold the film back.

Final verdict: 3.5 comic books out of 5.

Judas And The Black Messiah:

Synopsis: FBI informant William O'Neal infiltrates the Illinois Black Panther Party and is tasked with keeping tabs on their charismatic leader, Chairman Fred Hampton. A career thief, O'Neal revels in the danger of manipulating both his comrades and his handler, Special Agent Roy Mitchell. Hampton's political prowess grows just as he's falling in love with fellow revolutionary Deborah Johnson. Meanwhile, a battle wages for O'Neal's soul. Will he align with the forces of good? Or subdue Hampton and The Panthers by any means, as FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover commands?

My thoughts: A great movie from most angles that is expected to do well come award season. I find the film does the bare minimum in developing our two main characters so that we care about what happens to them and in saying that, how was this over 2 hours? With that kind of runtime I'd expect better but instead of focusing on the negatives I'll simply enjoy the overall package delivered to us.

Final verdict: 4 revolutions out of 5.

Outside The Wire:

Synopsis: In the near future, a drone pilot sent into a war zone finds himself paired up with a top-secret android officer on a mission to stop a nuclear attack.

My thoughts: I had assumed we'd get better out of this movie. Sci-Fi isn't my favourite genre but I figured Mackie could command my attention for 2 hours and although that was mostly true, the premise left me scratching my head more often than not. The ending of the film had a chance to challenge the perception of the viewer but instead slapped a bow on it and gave us an expected ending. 

Final verdict: 3 bionic men out of 5.

Special: Batman: Soul Of The Dragon, Palmer, Downfalls High Mini-Reviews

Batman: Soul Of The Dragon:

Synopsis: Set in the midst of the swinging 1970s, this Elseworlds adventure finds Bruce Wayne training under a master sensei. It is here that Bruce, along with other elite students, is forged in the fire of the martial arts discipline. The lifelong bonds they form will be put to the test when a deadly menace arises from their past. It will take the combined efforts of Batman and world-renowned martial artists Richard Dragon, Ben Turner and Lady Shiva to battle the monsters of this world and beyond!

My thoughts: The story was interesting enough and I'm glad they made certain elements non canonical, like Richard Dragon being Asian since that makes a lot of sense. But they went a little too far with the 70's vibes since the score made it seem like this was a Blaxploitation film in some instances before flipping to bad pornography. The visuals were top notch which we've mostly become accustomed to with the DC Animated Universe films. The voice acting was strong and I wouldn't mind seeing a sequel seeing where this movie ended however I fully expect this to be a one and done project. 

Final verdict: 3.5 magic swords out of 5.

Palmer:

Synopsis: Former high school football star Eddie Palmer went from hometown hero to convicted felon, earning himself 12 years in a state penitentiary. He returns home to Louisiana, where he moves back in with Vivian, the grandmother who raised him. While trying to keep his head down and rebuild a quiet life for himself, Palmer is haunted by memories of his glory days and the suspicious eyes of his small town community. Things become more complicated when Vivian’s hard-living neighbor Shelly disappears on a prolonged bender, leaving her precocious and unique 7-year-old son Sam, often the target of bullying, in Palmer’s reluctant care. In time, Palmer is drawn into a more hopeful world as he forges a connection with Sam through their shared experience of being made to feel different by those around them. Life improves for Palmer, and a romance develops between him and Sam’s teacher Maggie. An inspiring and unexpected journey unfolds for the three of them, but soon Palmer’s past threatens to tear apart this new life.

My thoughts: Palmer has strong acting across the board even if the story was a little too cookie cutter for my tastes it was an enjoyable emotional ride as Justin Timberlake returns to acting for the first time in a long time and he enjoyed chewing the scenery of this flick from start to end.

Final verdict: 3.5 flying fairies out of 5.

Downfalls High:

Synopsis: When reserved and lonely teenager Fenix (Chase Hudson) meets popular high school girl Scarlett (Sydney Sweeney), the two form a bond that shapes the rest of his life. A musical drama featuring the music of Machine Gun Kelly.

My thoughts: If you've seen my top albums of 2020 list you'll see that I really enjoyed Machine Gun Kelly's album Tickets To My Downfall quite a bit and although the whole album gets a playthrough in this movie I feel it would've been better served if they changed the songs order to fit the narrative. There we're also some point where MGK just didn't need to be front and center and he was. I did enjoy some of the new arrangements for the songs which made this a little better than just listening to the album playlist on YouTube. That being said the acting was stale as lots of the performers inexperience showed.

Final verdict: 3 bloody valentines out of 5.

Special: Godmothered, The Christmas Chronicles 2, LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special Mini-Reviews

Godmothered:

Synopsis: Set at Christmas time, "Godmothered" is a comedy about Eleanor, a young, inexperienced fairy godmother-in-training (Jillian Bell), who upon hearing that her chosen profession is facing extinction, decides to show the world that people still need fairy godmothers. Finding a mislaid letter from a 10-year-old girl in distress, Eleanor tracks her down and discovers that the girl, Mackenzie, is now a 40-year-old single mom (Isla Fisher) working at a news station in Boston. Having lost her husband several years earlier, Mackenzie has all but given up on the idea of "happily ever after," but Eleanor is bound and determined to give Mackenzie a happiness makeover, whether she likes it or not.

My thoughts: Godmothered is bound to get buried in the pile of simply average Christmas films over the years but it's still worth a watch. Bell and Fisher are equal parts charming with good chemistry even if the film itself is a formulaic paint by numbers Christmas film.

Final verdict: 3.5 Toboggans out of 5. 

The Christmas Chronicles 2:

Synopsis: Teenager Kate Pierce is reunited with Santa Claus when a troublemaker threatens to cancel Christmas -- forever.

My thoughts: Speaking of familiar stories, Christmas Chronicles 2 offers more of the same seemingly deciding to use the goodwill of the first installment, as well as the real life couple of Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn as Mr. and Mrs. Claus in what was a fun cameo in the original they decided to stretch into the focal point of the sequel's narrative. In case it wasn't overtly apparent, the sequel lacks the charm of the original even if Kurt Russell may be this generations defining Santa Claus. Hopefully Netflix decides not to mail a future third installment which is definitely coming, likely in another 2 years when hopefully the original kids age out of the roles so they don't get pigeonholed as anything more than a cameo and new kids can take the reigns (ha!)

Final verdict: 3.5 angry elves out of 5.

LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special:

Synopsis: "The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special" reunites Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewie, Rose and the droids for a joyous feast on Life Day. Rey sets off on a new adventure with BB-8 to gain a deeper knowledge of the Force. At a mysterious Jedi Temple, she is hurled into a cross-timeline adventure through beloved moments in Star Wars cinematic history, coming into contact with Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Yoda, Obi-Wan and other iconic heroes and villains from all nine Skywalker saga films. But will she make it back in time for the Life Day feast and learn the true meaning of holiday spirit?

My thoughts: Definitely not what I would consider "essential holiday viewing" for anyone outside of die hard Star Wars fans. It's a fun enough romp that checks in at only 45 minutes with enough nods to the 70's special that will make OG fans chuckle.

Final verdict: 3.5 Wookies out of 5.