Special: Making Fun: The Story Of Funko, Maze Runner: The Death Cure, The Open House Mini-Reviews

Making Fun: The Story Of Funko

Synopsis: Dive into a world of fun and collecting as this documentary follows the creation and impact of the Funko company and their successful toy and collectable empire.

My thoughts: I love Funko, and I love a good documentary, especially on something I care about so deeply. The problem with making fun was, unlike my other doc favourites, didn't really tell me anything I cared about. Instead it focused on a group of "Funatics" (Funko fans) that have been around since the beginning. It's great to hear their stories, but I don't care all that much about them. I'd rather hear about the foundation of the company (something they did cover, but not nearly enough) and it's rise to prominence. Had they of cut out the Funatic stuff and made this a 30 minute special doc then I would've been all on board. In the end it was fine, but not something that probably ever merits a second watch.

Final verdict: 3 POP Vinyl's out of 5.

Maze Runner: The Death Cure:

Synopsis: In the epic finale to the Maze Runner saga, Thomas leads his group of escaped Gladers on their final and most dangerous mission yet. To save their friends, they must break into the legendary Last City, a WCKD-controlled labyrinth that may turn out to be the deadliest maze of all. Anyone who makes it out alive will get answers to the questions the Gladers have been asking since they first arrived in the maze.

My thoughts: The Maze Runner trilogy has been unfortunately underappreciated since it debuted in 2014. The last film pulls no punches in giving us an action packed, satisfactory conclusion to the adventures of Thomas and gang, including heading back to where it all started... In a maze. Trilogies tend to leave a lot of strings dangling but The Death Cure does a good job of tying up those ends even if the budget did seem to plateau as box office receipts went down with each movie.

Final verdict: 4 young adult trilogies out of 5.

The Open House:

Synopsis: A woman, together with her son, moves to the beautiful vacation house of her sister placed in the mountains after she loses her husband in an accident...the house is actually for sale and expects visitors on Sundays...strange things start happening ...each night becomes more and more thrilling ...it feels they have companion...but is it only an illusion or is it real ... just watch and find out...

My thoughts: Uhhh so this was pretty bad. I mean not It Comes At Night bad since this was at least mildly intriguing early on though it suffers from the same end tropes as It Comes At Night. If you don't believe me here feel free to check out the user ratings on IMDB or Rotten Tomatoes. Go ahead this article is over. I'm not holding you here.

Final verdict: 2 crazy neighbours out of 5.

Monthly Movie Madness: September

A little late but the beginning of September sucks anyways...

5. This Is Where I Leave You: The long and the short of this movie is that estranged siblings each dealing with their own demons come together after their father's funeral to honour his last wish, that his family spend a week together under the same roof. Featuring an amazing ensemble cast expect big laughs in serious situations.

Synopsis: The dramatic comedy "This is Where I Leave You" is directed by Shawn Levy, released by Warner Bros. and based on the hilarious and poignant best-selling novel by Jonathan Tropper. It features a starring ensemble cast including Golden Globe winner Jason Bateman ("Arrested Development"); Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Tina Fey ("30 Rock"); and two-time Oscar (R) winner, multiple Golden Globe honoree and 2013 Emmy Award nominee Jane Fonda ("Klute," "Coming Home," HBO's "The Newsroom")

4. Two Night Stand: In my book Miles Teller has more hits (21 & Over, Footloose, Rabbit Hole) than misses (Project X) but there's a lot I haven't watched yet but I'm excited to, including Two Night Stand. I'm all about the awkward love stories and just looking at the poster without the trailer tells us all we need to know, but the trailer has some great bits so watch that too, okay??

Synopsis:A no-strings-attached, online hook-up turns into a morning-after disaster for twenty-something New Yorkers Megan (Analeigh Tipton) and Alec (Miles Teller). When a paralyzing blizzard hits the city trapping them in Alec's cramped Brooklyn apartment, they are forced to get to know each other far beyond the confines of a typical one-night stand. Marking the directorial debut of Max Nichols, Two Night Stand is a sexy, romantic comedy about finding love in the digital age. The film also stars Jessica Szohr and Scott Mescudi (aka Kid Cudi).

3. Good People: Wait! What!? A James Franco movie I want to watch? The hell is this? And what about Kate Hudson what was the last thing I actually seen her in?? When was Bride Wars? Or did Fools Gold come first? Who cares. This movie looks exciting, and we've all thought about this scenario at one time or another.

Synopsis: Young American couple Tom and Anna Reed (James Franco and Kate Hudson) fall into severe debt while renovating Anna's family home in London. As the couple faces the loss of their dream to have a house and start a family, they discover that the tenant in the apartment below them has been murdered and he left behind a stash of cash-$400,000 worth. Though initially hesitant, Tom and Anna decide that the plan is simple: all they have to do is quietly take the money and use only what's necessary to get them out of debt. But when they start spending the money and can't seem to stop, they find themselves the target of a deadly adversary-the thief who stole it-and that's when very bad things start happening to good people.

2. The Equalizer: I realize Antoine Fuqua's movies arent for everyone but Training Day and last years Olympus Has Fallen were exciting and solid in the storytelling department and with Denzel leading I expect The Equalizer to do solid business if it avoids the good but not great reviews it has been getting at TIFF.

Synopsis: In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington plays McCall, a man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when McCall meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can't stand idly by - he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.

1. Tusk: #WalrusYes the movement that got this film made. Kevin Smith movies aren't for everyone, especially when he steps outside his Jay and Silent Bob comfort zone but Red State was reasonably well received, myself included so why expect any different? In a small sample size the movie is 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. We'll just have to see what happen on Sept. 19 when it hits all the multiplexes... I know I'll be there.

Synopsis: Red State director Kevin Smith takes the helm for this horror film starring Justin Long as a podcaster who is targeted by a sadistic killer while attempting to land an interview with a misanthropic adventurer (Michael Parks). Genesis Rodriguez and Haley Joel Osment co-star.

Honourable mentions: The Maze Runner, Walk Among The Tombstones, The Skeleton Twins, No No: A Dockumentary, The Guest