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‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ Film Review: Are You Not Entertained!?

“Oh, it’s so dumb, it’s brilliant… NO! It’s just dumb!”

These days, whodunits aren’t all that common, but when a movie from the knives out series is produced, you can count on it being entertaining. You don’t want to miss out on this eagerly awaited sequel with its unusual locales and diverse cast of characters.

Overview

Billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton) invites friends for a weekend getaway on his private island. Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), the best detective in the world, is called in when someone is found dead

The World’s Greatest Detective

The thing I loved the most about this film was our favorite detective. Benoit Blanc, he simply makes for such a great character. He’s funny and expressive, you can see the kick he gets out of solving mysteries, and while he’s so intelligent it doesn’t come off as annoying.

Usually, a character like his is not going to be a fan favorite but he’s just wonderful I could watch quite a few more entries in this series and just not get tired of Daniel Craig’s performance.

Good Misdirection

You might guess who the culprit is before the big reveal but that’s not for a lack of trying from the director Rian Johnson. The first half of the film is going to leave you clues that might lead you to something or entirely throw you off the right track. They accomplish this to perfection; even after several viewings, you might pick up on something you missed the first time, and it’s really pleasant to do so.

This film also avoids a problem that the recent popular series Wednesday had. Eliminating so many suspects too quickly. In a mystery, most of the fun is making educated guesses on who the killer is. However, when that element is pretty weak and predictable it can make the whole product not feel as good to view.

The cast is also very solid with some big names that all come to play with their given roles. Andi Brand (Janelle Monáe) gave one of the best performances outside of our titular protagonist and it does make me a little sad that this series pretty much gets a new cast for every entry so I can’t imagine we’ll be seeing much more of her in the future but she will be missed.

Conclusion

At this point, murder mysteries aren’t as mainstream as they used to be. Having a big group of suspects and trying to figure out who the culprit is almost felt like a thing of the past but Rian Johnson creates another great experience in this particular genre.

Once again Benoit Blanc has made me realize how much I appreciate having Daniel Craig in this role. He’s a fantastic character who really doesn’t have a low point in the film. He is also joined by a strong cast that significantly improves the movie.

One thing that surprised me is that you don’t spend the whole time waiting for the reveal after you already who the culprit is. One of the worst things that can happen in a murder mystery is solving the outcome way before the movie gets to it and I’d argue for most that the misdirection given should throw people off the killer’s trail at least for a good while.

Ultimately this is just a fun murder mystery. I love the framing of the shots and the little clues that you could easily miss upon your first viewing. The movie is an experience and while I don’t believe it’s better than its predecessor it’s definitely one of the best films to go watch on Netflix. I believe that the knives out series is in good hands and I cannot wait for another entry in the series.

Verdict 8 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Netflix!

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‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ (Season 1) TV Show Review: A Cybernetic Masterpiece

“I’m Gonna Take You There Myself, Fly You To The Moon. That’s A Promise.”

In 2020, Cyberpunk 2077 a video game based in a future where cybernetic enhancements to the human body are more common than not released to the dismay of many. Fans were incredibly excited before the release and they were greeted with one of the most buggy games created in recent years. It was a mess thousands of refunds were given and the game was even taken off the shelves by Playstation.

The news of an anime set in the same universe as that game was therefore welcomed with a great deal of animosity. But in the end, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners won our affection and turned out to be one of the best animes to come out in 2022.

Overview

A decent young man who was nurtured in poverty with his mother, David Martinez (Zach Aguilar), attempts to establish himself in the infamous Night City.

Stellar Animation

One of Cyberpunk’s many wonderful aspects is its excellent animation. You’ll witness intense battles and inventive visuals throughout the series, which greatly enhances the overall Edgerunners experience.

David has a skill that makes it possible for him to move very quickly, and the way the show portrays his speed is really thrilling to see each time. In fact, all of the cybernetic enhancements when on display prove to be enjoyable to watch.

The fighting is swift, brutal, and magnificent, much like the original product. The game was known for its brutality and it’s great to see that being a main staple here.

Colorful Cast

I was surprised by how many characters I genuinely liked. I am unable to name a character in the game who had a significant influence on me. None of the cast members were bad they just didn’t leave a lasting impression. I can’t even come close to saying that about the anime adaptation.

In no time at all, you grow to genuinely enjoy the cast as well. The show only has 10 episodes, which doesn’t give you much time to get to know all the individuals, but they still manage to pack a lot of character growth and thrilling storylines into that little amount of time.

The most notable characters to me are David, Lucy (Emi Lo), Maine (William Christopher Stephens), Falco (Matthew Mercer), and Rebecca (Alex Cazares). You want to see them all even more because of how well they all perform their roles.

Soundtrack

A good music selection is always appreciated but the songs have a meaning. They connect to the story and also fit the theme. One of the biggest songs is “I Really Want to Stay at Your House” by Hallie Coggins and Rosa Walton. It was in the video game and also played in the anime. However, when you finish the series the song I promise will be left in your head.

Even outside of that song there are so many tunes that will keep ringing in your ears far after you’re done with the show.

The Rise before the Fall

Really, this series doesn’t have any standout flaws. Even though the season is short, I think the show reaches its peak before it wraps up. Episode six might possibly be one of my favorite chapters in an anime. Even if I view the installment separately from the other episodes, I’m sure I’ll remember it years from now.

Sadly, the quality of the subsequent parts suffers as a result of the sixth episode. From the beginning of the show, it feels like the series is just ramping up so having that feeling be gone for the last few parts definitely hurts. That being said it’s not all bleak because the final chapter of the series does stand out.

The story direction is what kind of made me lose interest at the end. After part six most viewers will know where the program is headed and while it is very poetic, unfortunately, it leaves you not incredibly interested since you probably know the ending that’s coming.

Conclusion

One aspect I believe should demonstrate the excellence of this anime is that it completely altered the public’s perception of the entire franchise. I never thought that one-day fans would be enthused about another product in that universe, but Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is just that engaging.

From the animation to the combat direction the scenes are exhilarating. You will get invested in the action scenes as they capture just what the universe is about. It’s crazy, fast, dangerous, and anything can happen.

David makes for an exciting main character. With him as your guide, exploring this universe is a fully immersive experience. It’s a brutal place where people typically turn to crime to get by, and here you have a kid just trying to do the right thing for his mother. He is a likable protagonist, and you can’t help but want him to succeed.

Naturally, the entire cast complements David brilliantly. You’ll remember quite a few of the characters long after you’ve watched the show because there are so many endearing fan favorites.

Products that make good use of their soundtrack are hard to find in my opinion. This is one of those series that actually does use its music intelligently. Certain songs will make you feel different emotions after you’ve finished the show as opposed to just starting it.

Without a doubt Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is one of the better products this year and while there are no plans for a season two they more than delivered on this 10-episode series.

Verdict 9 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Netflix!

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‘The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special’ Film Review: Santa Claus in Space

“I hate stories where everyone lives”

It’s not really a hot take to claim that phase four of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) is of rather questionable quality. Since the beginning of the phase, there has been a lot of unfavorable criticism from the community, and for good reason. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, however, stands out as one of Marvel’s best recent releases.

Overview

For the first time ever, the guardians celebrate Christmas and look for a present for their leader Peter Quill (Chris Pratt).

Unexpected

Going into this with little to no knowledge about the plot made the experience for me. I figured there would be Christmas songs and all the guardians just hanging out. However, this ended up being more than that. It was cleverly written and unexpectedly funny.

I believed Marvel had lost their sense of humor after a handful of their recent projects. They were on fire during the third phase of the series, but ever since then, the jokes haven’t quite hit the mark.

Beating the Grey Allegations

One of the main complaints of the MCU is that the films have terribly boring settings that are colorless. The prime example is the climax of Captain America: Civil War, which took place in a grey airport. It just wasn’t a visually impressive scene for a series that should be filled with color most of the time.

Ehhhh…

The animated portions are likely the worst part of the special, which is surprising. There are a few instances of animation, but they don’t exactly seem right. Although the storyline gives us a lot of pleasant insight into Peter, the visual quality falls short.

Conclusion

This without a doubt is one of the best products Marvel has produced in the past few years. It’s a heartwarming adventure with an unlikely duo that’s sure to get you in the Christmas spirit.

It seemed strange to be laughing so much at a Marvel project. It felt like recently they’ve dropped the ball in the comedy aspect but not for our favorite galaxy-protecting heroes.

Possibly the best thing about this special is that it’s a palate cleanser for superhero content. There’s no villain present and it’s not a bad thing. I think they should do this more you don’t always need some big bad, especially when so many comic book villains in movies just aren’t that memorable.

This makes for two great specials this year Werewolf by Night & The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. I’m hoping that there will be more to come.

Verdict 8 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Disney Plus!

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‘The Never Ending Dead’ – The Walking Dead Final Season & Beyond Thoughts (Spoilers)

The Walking Dead finally shot its season finale after 12 long years. Numerous viewers have grown up with the show through thick and thin. From heartbreaking deaths such as Glenn to the jaw-dropping suspense the show provided throughout its run I’m glad to say I saw it through to the end. Having said that, I’m not very pleased with the show’s choice of direction.

This Doesn’t Feel Like the End

I started to get concerned after it was revealed that season 11 would be the last. The quality of the show degraded during its run, but I think they really picked it up toward the end. Even though it still had some of the series’ issues from the second season on, I actually enjoyed it.

Ineffective pacing, pointless padding, an emphasis on characters who, to be quite honest, aren’t worth the time, etc. When I realized that The Walking Dead’s most recent season didn’t actually have the normal flaws I’ve come to expect, I was ultimately taken aback. We actually end up spending a lot of time with the legacy characters and there are few distractions.

However, in the back of my mind there had to be a catch and I figured that the ending would not be a huge payoff. What I wanted was a finale that felt earned and conclusive. Like turning the final page in a novel but instead, spinoffs have to be produced. Leaving us with a crudely wrapped present under the Christmas tree.

I Don’t Care That the Universe Is Expanding

I don’t mean this negatively; I’m happy that there are more stories being told in this universe. That said, it can be a bit depressing to have 11 seasons of a show and then have to wait till a spin-off to wrap things up.

In 2023, AMC plans to release three spinoffs focusing on Rick, Michonne, Daryl, Negan, and Maggie. Seemingly the plotlines will bring them and their respective shows together and while I am excited about that I think it just makes the finale not feel like the end of the show.

Conclusion

While these spinoffs are the cause of The Walking Dead not getting a proper finale I think there’s a lot of potential with them. All of these characters are well-liked and seeing them go on more adventures definitely isn’t a bad thing. I’m hoping that even if the shows are good, they won’t drag on indefinitely like the original series did.

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‘She-Hulk’ (Season 1) TV Show Review: Wonderful Cast… But That’s Just Not Enough

“When people start seeing you as a monster, that never goes away”

This show is highly polarizing; from what I’ve observed, viewers either think it’s the worst thing they’ve ever seen or think it’s the best. Of course, it is all subjective, but it just feels like an average series that was enjoyable to watch every week, similar to many of the MCU shows that have come before.

Overview

Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany) is the cousin of the famous avenger the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). While they were together they end up in a devastating car crash that mixes their blood together transforming Jennifer into She-Hulk. Now she works as a lawyer for a firm that only takes cases for other super-powered individuals.

They Did Do Something Right

Although I don’t think highly of the shows Marvel has been making, I can say without a doubt that I haven’t been as entertained by a cast since these shows began. Tatiana Maslany is She-Hulk, and she is a joy to watch. Alongside her friends Nikki Ramos (Ginger Gonzaga) and Pug (Josh Segarra), they end up being some of the best parts when Jennifer isn’t around.

This also applies to the cameos. This show doesn’t hesitate to include characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and does a good job at it.

Self Sabotage

Despite being a sitcom, there is a plot in this show. Although it isn’t given much attention, the series wants you to believe it is significant. Strangely enough, the conclusion renders the majority of the plot-related material meaningless. They do it on purpose, so they succeeded in their goal, but it does give you the impression that some of your time has been wasted.

When the show was a typical sitcom, that’s when I liked it the most. Just silly little one-off episodes were fun but spending time building up a plot only for it not to matter just leaves a sour taste in your mouth.

Might Just Not Be for You

It was amusing to watch how She-Hulk: Attorney at Law anticipated most of the criticism it would face months in advance. Some people don’t like the MCU because they think the female characters in the show don’t really deserve to belong. Calling them Mary Sues or claiming that earlier heroes had to put forth more effort to get their abilities.

Funny enough, a lot of the show’s viewers behave exactly like the people the writers are making fun of. Despite this, the show has a lot of flaws, and the writing is quite disappointing. As a result, many humor pieces don’t resonate with a lot of viewers. There were times when they really got me, but based on other observers, a lot of people never even cracked a smile. 

In several ways, this presentation fell short of its objectives. a sitcom that doesn’t really focus on the humor but also lacks enough action to keep the average MCU fan interested. So on both fronts, it’s pretty weak. The characters themselves made the parts of the show that were enjoyable good not really their dialogue or the way the story was written. I would have still appreciated the same characters regardless of who wrote the cameos and main cast because they were all so excellent in their roles.

Conclusion

There are some tremendous highs and some especially low lows in this show, which makes it so peculiar to talk about. They did an outstanding job with the casting; the cast is fantastic. Everyone who reprises their roles does their best to give strong performances, and this also applies to cameos.

The weakest aspect of this show is its writing. By including a plot line that is irrelevant by the end, they chose to ruin their own series. Making the climax intriguing, but eventually leaving watchers with a strange feeling because it makes a large portion of the show seem extremely pointless. Instead of trying to create a serious standard superhero plot, they could have really leaned into the wackier elements.

While I wasn’t laughing so hard that I fell out of my chair, I did like it when the typical sitcom antics would happen. They could probably lead into it more in the upcoming season and just attempt to be more entertaining. They could really save this series with improved writing.

It shows a lot of promise and honestly, I think I enjoyed watching this more so than any of the other MCU shows. It just falls flat in some areas where it needed to stick the landing.

Verdict 6 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Disney Plus!

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She-Hulk: Attorney At Law Gets off on the Right Foot (Series Premiere)

There’s been a general consensus that these marvel shows are a bit lacking when compared to the films. They haven’t really had a show that has reached the height that the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) has had in the past. However, She-Hulk: Attorney At Law may prove to break the mold only time will tell but it’s on to a great start!

More Hulk!

The MCU’s use of the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) is one of the most common criticisms I hear. You can’t really hold the fans responsible either because he hasn’t had much opportunity to perform since his debut. The Russo Brothers, who directed Endgame, even acknowledged nerfing the Hulk. Considering how strong he is, they were unsure of how to include him in the plot.

For the fans who just wanna see Hulk smash they really don’t get many satisfying moments. However, In She-Hulk: Attorney at Law I really love the fact that they bring back Smart Hulk. He’s funny and his relationship with She-Hulk (Tatiana Maslany) is very enjoyable.

Sitcom Done Right

Since WandaVision was the first of the MCU’s shows to air, the results have been somewhat variable. Although the concept was sound, the execution could have been improved. The majority of the show is a sitcom, parodying popular shows like I Love Lucy, Malcolm in the Middle, and others, but one thing was glaringly lacking throughout: humor.

Although I don’t think She-Hulk is absolutely hilarious, it had me laugh throughout the first episode, so it looks to be heading in the right direction in terms of comedy. The post-credits scene is one of the funniest parts, so stay after the credits roll because there will be a nice surprise waiting for you.

Conclusion

When all is said and done, She-Hulk may prove to be one of MCU’s best TV productions. It has a clear vision of what it wants to be, and it executes that vision expertly. Despite the fact that there are still many episodes to go, if they can maintain this level of consistency, we’re in for a genuinely entertaining show.

Streaming now on Disney Plus!

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‘Mulan’ Film Review (2020): How to Screw Up a Classic

“There’s no shame in being fearful before battle.”

Recently, Disney has been attempting to capitalize on some of its most successful animated films with live-action counterparts. Most lack the personality and quality of their initial debuts. Mulan (2020) is the worst live-action remake the big-eared mouse has ever produced, and I’m not sure how they managed to ruin a classic.

Overview

As her father is called to arms by the imperial army Hua Mulan (Liu Yifei) takes his place even though women are not allowed to be in the army. She must hide her identity until they can drive back the northern invaders.

Why Would You Do This?

There were rumors that Mulan might deviate from the original story before it was released. That first intrigued me, but when they removed some of the best elements from the original Mulan, my excitement rapidly turned to sadness.

Mushu, played by Eddie Murphy, is sorely missed in this picture, and instead of being replaced by another character, we are left with Mulan for the majority of it. The coupling of the two characters is what made the original picture so successful. Mulan’s personality consisted of trying to act like a guy… and that’s about it. Without her faithful guardian, she becomes a lot less interesting.

That’s Not Even the Worst Part

The fact that they wanted creative distinctions that only made the movie worse is my biggest criticism of the entire picture. Making a movie in the Mulan universe may have been interesting, but instead of doing something new, they stick to every significant plot detail from the first movie. I start to question the point of taking creative liberties at all.

The movie plays out as if someone skimmed the summary of the previous film and then constructed a new one while retaining the key narrative points and clumsily connecting the two.

From Mulan’s interactions with other important characters to her uninteresting demeanor, nothing in this two-hour movie is really compelling. Despite being longer than the original, this plot somehow lacks depth. It’s amazing how poorly this movie performed given its straightforward idea.

Conclusion

If you want to see a neutered version of the animated Disney classic go ahead and be my guest. However, if you go into this film expecting anything close to the original you will be disappointed.

This lifeless remake undergoes changes that diminish the overall quality of the film and had they just followed the original premise this movie could have just ended up better.

Mushu’s removal was a terrible error. The chemistry between our co-stars helped the animated movie a lot. Without the two of them, the film would not have had the same impact in its initial release.

To temper any expectations you have about this reboot any one of the original characters has more personality than every single individual in the reboot.

Perhaps the worst thing about Mulan (2020) is that you just don’t care. This movie will come and go without you thinking back on it. It simply exists as a worse version of the original and to top it all off is just a complete bore. I implore you not even to waste your time sitting down to watch this product. There have to be too many other things worth actually doing.

Verdict 4 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Disney Plus!

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Why the Walking Dead Fell Off (Spoilers)

The Walking Dead had its AMC network debut on Halloween of 2010, and since then it has experienced many highs and lows. Let’s explore what directly caused the public’s perception of this drama series to shift from being one of the greatest to one of the worst.

Why’d It got Off to Such a Strong Start?

Season one of The Walking Dead came out at a unique time. We weren’t as oversaturated in zombies in the horror genre. Now in the present day when it comes t video games, TV series, and movies it seems impossible to escape them. Secondly, the story was at its strongest initially before delving into mediocrity. Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) a former cop-turned apocalypse survivor is a compelling main character.

Even when it seemed like the program had missed a step while he was there, he could help it get back on track. Being teamed with Michonne (Danai Gurira) and Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) was undoubtedly beneficial. This power trio was the face of this franchise for so long but all good things must come to an end eventually.

When the show first began other humans certainly were a threat to our main cast’s health but the walkers were the greatest threat. There was real tension even if only a few showed up. Most action scenes were engaging and that’s quite the contrast with what happens in later seasons. The walkers become less and less of a threat. This doesn’t stop the show from trying to make them still seem threatening though.

One character can take a knife and end 30 plus walkers with seemingly no problem when the writing allows for it. However, to build fake tension more times than I could count a character will randomly trip or make a decision that they seemingly would never just to make the scene tenser. It doesn’t really help though it just lessens the impact of one of the “biggest” threats the show has seen.

Cutting the Fat

No question one of the worst aspects of The Walking Dead is the filler. Just so much of the show could be cut out and it wouldn’t change the overall story. Outside of the first season, the show feels like a 20-page paper that was assigned during school. Within that long assignment, there is a really good paper but it’s bogged down by all the unnecessary parts.

The Walking Dead features so many scenes where the characters are just walking through the woods and nothing is going on. There are whole storylines within the show that feels like they are more so trying to reach a quota rather than make a cohesive story and these parts tend to drag.

The first season was the only one that truly avoided this issue. Rick spends the majority of this brief season looking for his lost family after waking up at the end of the world. He makes allies along the journey and discovers more about what happened to the world. It has a rather straightforward plot, and I believe this show works best when it doesn’t try to accomplish too much.

Intriguing Drama

Most of the time, this show is more of a drama than a zombie beatdown. Numerous episodes will be devoted to examining particular characters’ relationships with one another. Having said that, the program shines when these passages are effectively written and you sense a genuine connection between the characters. But when there isn’t a strong connection between these individuals, the episodes end up feeling the longest in the worst sense.

Nothing is worse than spending 40 minutes with people you don’t care about and a plot that makes a valiant effort to give them more depth but falls desperately short. It’s actually horrible, and you’ll be able to tell if it’s one of those bonding moments right away.

As the show progresses plenty of characters come and go. You can tell the writers want almost every character to have their shine but the cast is simply too large. You can’t give everyone their own episode but they sure do try. These usually end up dragging and don’t advance the plot at all.

Some prominent pairings include Michonne & Rick and Daryl & Carol (Melissa McBride), to mention a few. Even if the writing isn’t great, the way they are able to share the screen together makes it worthwhile to watch. They never really seem to have bad episodes. Even though the majority of this has been negative, I would be lying if I said the show wasn’t in any way compelling. There’s a reason why I’ve continued to watch the show. Simply put, there are issues that have existed from the beginning of it.

Killing to Kill

In a show that kills off characters often there’s always a risk of killing off the wrong character. While death can be surprising and can shock the audience that isn’t always a good thing. Sometimes the show will sacrifice good writing for a surprise and in the long term, it makes the product suffer in quality. When season six premiered it introduced one of the best-written characters to the show Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).

He’s rude, tough, and has ended quite a few fan favorites during his time in the show and that definitely made the fans upset. He kills off Glenn (Steven Yeun) a series mainstay since the first season and this was met by tremendous hate. He was loved and the decision to kill him turned a lot of fans off the show. That being said they Had to make Nega stand out from other villains having him kill off such a big character definitely gave him identity but was it worth losing so many fans?

While I was fine with the decision it’s always a mixed bag killing off characters because if the majority don’t care then the death has n impact. However, if a major character meets an early grave it can turn people off the project since they could’ve only been watching because of said character.

Hope Isn’t Completely Lost

Last but not least, even though I think the program has had its ups and downs, now that the last season is almost over, it’s actually becoming better. Season 11 has surpassed many of the more recent seasons in my opinion, even though I don’t believe the show will ever reach its pinnacle again. Since the program has been running for so long, it would be devastating for the remaining viewers if it had to finish poorly. Let’s hope the show ends well and makes the remaining audience members happy.

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‘Harley Quinn’ (Season 1 & 2) TV Show Review: Well… That Was Something

“I Trust You With My Life, But Not With My Heart”

What should be a definite slam dunk, Harley Quinn meets adult comedy, however, the presentation falls a little short in the wonderful category. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of things you’ll like, but you’ll also want to overlook a number of issues.

Overview

Joker (Alan Tudyk) and Harley (Kaley Cuoco) have been together for quite some time. Committing terrible crimes only to get taken down by Batman (Diedrich Bader). After many years of betrayal and abuse, Harley decides enough is enough and it’s time for her to separate herself from the Joker and become a full-fledged supervillain.

Creative

This show excels in making fun of a variety of characters from the DC (Detective Comics) Universe. You probably won’t even know all of the characters if you’re just a casual DC fan.

A particularly well-done character is Clayface (Alan Tudyk) normally known as a supervillain with the power to shift his body into anything he could imagine. Instead, now he is an inspiring actor giving a backstory for anyone’s appearance he decides to take over.

Doesn’t Greatly Succeed in the Funny Department

First things first comedy is subjective so if you find the show funny I’m happy for you but the jokes didn’t quite land for me. With The Harley Quinn Show being a comedy that isn’t the thing you’d wanna hear. That being said when the jokes land they blow them out of the park. However, if you’re throwing jokes out constantly I think it would be odd for some not to land eventually.

Oh… What It Could’ve Been (Minor Spoilers)

Even though the first season was fine, I was a little underwhelmed after all the positive things I had heard about the series. However, when season two started, everything was different. It is Harley’s responsibility to overthrow the five crime bosses who have taken control of a portion of Gotham. These are by far my favorite episodes from the entire duration of the show.

Unfortunately, the good did not endure very long. Towards the end of the second season, a very clear romance begins to blossom, and it is not enjoyable. It takes away a lot of what I believe most of us wanted to see and moves the focus from Harley’s group to who she wants to be with. A love triangle is a common plot device, and this series hasn’t done much to elevate it.

Just Not Interesting (Minor Spoilers)

When this program delivers a stellar episode, I enjoy it. It demonstrates to me the potential of the show at its best. But I think this show stumbles in the strangest ways. For instance, the series’ obsession with the Joker in the first season is borderline psychotic. This criminal pair has been spotted by all of us more times than we can count. Therefore, having him return for the same plot beats almost every episode just becomes boring.

Season two improves on this and we see a lot less of the crown prince of crime but he shows up too much initially.

Conclusion

The Harley Quinn Show does a lot right but drops the ball in the worst of ways. One moment you’re gonna be on the brink of spitting out your drink laughing or you’re gonna just be mildly entertained wondering when it’s gonna pick up again.

On a more upbeat side, this show particularly excels at portraying Harley’s colorful gang; each character brings something special to the show, and when they are all on screen together, even the least compelling stories shine. Because of this, it’s sad that whenever they do decide to divide the group up, the comedy and overall cohesion of the show appear a little off.

The show might be hit or miss in terms of humor. I never reached the point where I despised some jokes so much that I wanted to stop watching the show; most jokes simply didn’t make me laugh. However, given that their top priority is to crack jokes, something will undoubtedly make you laugh at some time.

What hurts the most about this show is that I think it could be so much better. There are moments that stand out from the rest but then there are large portions of the show that are just uninteresting. With season three finally releasing here’s hoping that the series can make a massive leap in a great direction.

Verdict 6 out of 10 Stars

Now available on HBO Max!

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‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ (Season 1) TV Show Review: It Was This Close

“Have You Ever Been Afraid Of The Dark? How Does It Feel When You Turn On The Light? It Feels Like That“

I never thought the day would come when we’d see Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) between the events of the Clone Wars and Star Wars IV: A New Hope. Now that the time has come how did the show do? Was it able to live up to the hype it generated?

Overview

Obi-Wan Kenobi has been hiding out on Tatooine for the past 10 years, keeping an eye on the son of his former student. In the meanwhile, he has been hunted by inquisitors, former Jedi.

Leia and Obi

One of the best aspects of this show is the relationship Obi-Wan has with Princess Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair). To begin the old Jedi’s quest, she is abducted early in the series. Once united they end up playing off of each other well. Ewan McGregor also must be recognized for his phenomenal acting throughout the entire series.

When the season began there was a bit of skepticism on my part about the role but I was proven wrong. It’s hard to have a child actor perform well and I’d say she was even out acting some of the adults.

Setting the Tone

Regardless of how good the program is, I believe Disney has done a good job of establishing the tone for its Star Wars TV productions. Obi-Wan has severed his connection to the force. He spent most of his life relying on this power. He’s just an old hermit who isn’t the same fearless general he used to be.

He doesn’t simply make a slight alteration throughout the series, which makes this component very nicely written. He’s lost and terrified, and he needs to find himself again. It’s one of the things I like best about this season.

Slow Start

Reva Sevander (Moses Ingram) is arguably the most notorious character; from the minute she appeared on screen, she drew harsh criticism. I truly don’t think it’s her fault, though.

She is on the quest for Obi-Wan, and nothing will stop her from succeeding. Even while this may be a fulfilling plot, we know there isn’t much tension because Obi-Wan lives. This along with the fact the creators give us one of the most irrelevant twists in Star Wars.

When you have a story about an established universe you can’t do much to change things up. You can’t kill off certain characters or even impair them in a meaningful way unless in an earlier story that already happened. Therefore, this show just doesn’t have much wiggle room which definitely bogs it down.

Just Unnecessary

Have you ever had to reach a quota for work or a homework assignment? Maybe 60-70% was genuine great work but by the end, you were just adding filler to finish the project. This series has that vibe. Unfortunately, there is a lot of fluff that only serves to detract from the good that is present.

For most fans before this show began, I think we all knew where it was heading. There’s nothing wrong with that and honestly, the ending has some of the best content this season has to offer. However, getting to that point was just not an amazing experience. The earlier parts of the show simply don’t compare to the last two episodes of the series.

After finishing the show it just doesn’t feel like it needed all of this. A film could have sufficed or a mini-series of just a few episodes. Instead, they try to stretch the content out to make a show and those are the worst parts of it.

Conclusion

Who would have imagined that so many years after Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, we would have another adventure with the main actors reprising their roles. I detest to say it, but perhaps they shouldn’t have.

For me, Obi-Wan Kenobi is all that it needed to be. Seeing my favorite Jedi back on the big screen having to face his demons. What I didn’t expect was for him to have such a great relationship with Princess Leia.

When the adventure first began I didn’t realize her role would be so large but it works. The formula of guardian and child is just something that functions well. I believe that they had a connection in the story and some emotional beats couldn’t have been hit if they didn’t have the chemistry they had.

One aspect of the show you can’t really question is how they established the tone of it all. This is not the same Jedi knight we all know and love. He’s scared and he’d be willing to let an innocent die to stay hidden from his pursuers. We are more accustomed to him doing all in his ability to defend the vulnerable, so we aren’t too used to that.

I believe Evan McGregor’s character to be one of the greatest aspects of the entire series, which couldn’t be stated about the last Disney+ series, The Book of Boba Fett. Unfortunately, I don’t believe you’re missing much if you don’t care too much about his character.

Obi-Wan Kenobi is at its best when it focuses on Darth Vader and his master. It’s why we’re here in the first place. They deliver in those moments but those don’t make up the entire series. We spend a lot of time without them both sharing the screen and a lot of those sections feel unnecessary. Like they didn’t know how else to stretch out their story.

Worst of all they set up some really lackluster twists because if you follow the Star Wars universe you’d know that certain characters live many years past this point. So if the show tries to kill one of those characters off you know that they’ll be back. Then this program will treat it as some sort of big twist when it just feels like a waste of time. You could argue that going in blind would be more interesting but if you don’t care about the universe, especially the prequel films I don’t know why you’d wanna watch this show in the first place.

Lastly, I don’t hate this series in fact I loved watching it. If you’re willing to turn off your brain a bit and just enjoy seeing Obi-Wan and Darth Vader on the screen you’ll probably have a great time. If you’re looking for a very well-written story, with plenty of twists, and surprises you’ll probably be disappointed.

Verdict 6.5 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Disney Plus!

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‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Film Review: A Divisive Success

“Truly, I’m just glad that you’re happy”

After watching Spiderman: No Way Home last year, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a promo for the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel. The tone was dark and gritty, but it had that iconic MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) feel to it. I knew I had to see it, and to my surprise, critics and moviegoers seem to be split on what I thought was another great superhero film.

Overview

Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) encounters America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), a girl who can travel between realms. After waking up from a horrific dream he finds out that someone is hunting her for her power, and only Strange has the ability to stop them.

Well, I didn’t expect this…

The impact of American director Sam Raimi on this picture is undeniable and well appreciated. You shouldn’t go into the film expecting horror on the level of Insidious or anything. However, there are definitely horror themes. Throughout the movie, I forgot it was a superhero picture.

For the MCU, this is a refreshing change of pace. Audiences have been a bit divided about this particular film but that’s a good thing. I rather watch a movie that takes risks and ends up being a bit questionable. Rather than watching a film that bores me.

Great Camera Work

Most Marvel films, in my opinion, do not have as fascinating shots as Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness. The framing of several shots, as well as the fact that the camera is just moving around, stand out. A traditional action film goes between pretty bland shots to a shaky-cam that makes cuts every other second.

More Surprises

I couldn’t have guessed how half of the action scenes would play out if my life depended on it before seeing this movie. The action is really inventive, which is refreshing in a series where numerous characters hurl kicks and punches all the time.

So Why Is It So Divisive? (Mild Spoilers)

Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness is either being praised or brutally chastised for being different. For one thing, the avenger Wanda Mamimoff (Elizabeth Olsen) is our main villain, which is a bad thing for a lot of people. Many MCU fans adored her and hoped that after her Disney Plus show, she’d return to the heroes’ side. This is just not the case.

That being said, I believe they have done a good job with her character; but, fans do not want to see their hero become the villain. This is also one of the first times one of the shows has had a clear connection to one of the films. As a result, there is a disconnect, although I don’t believe Wandavision is required viewing to enjoy this picture.

Where are the cameos? Since opening night, many fans have been expressing their dissatisfaction with this. With the MCU’s multiverse now open, many fans expected to encounter unexpected individuals. Viewers had high expectations, and when they weren’t realized, they began bashing the movie.

Surprise characters do not make a film or would have made this one better, in my opinion. At the end of the day, we had a fresh MCU project that wasn’t afraid to stand apart.

Conclusion

Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness dares to break the formula that has haunted the MCU for over a decade at this point. In doing so they’ve also allowed their newest film to catch plenty of criticism.

For the two-hour stretch that is this journey, the viewers are given a story that allows for a lot of freedom and I believe that the movie captures that.

I didn’t walk into this movie anticipating what I received. A toned-down horror flick featuring Evil Dead-style visuals. They manage to make it not only work but also keep me on my toes throughout the film. It felt like no one was safe from the beginning to the conclusion, which is a nice sensation to have.

The last time I felt like that in a Marvel Cinematic Universe film was in Avengers: Infinity War. You just didn’t know if anyone would make it out alive or not. Normally, these sorts of movies adhere to a precise formula, and you can be guaranteed that certain things will not occur. Can’t say the same for Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness.

My only criticism is that the tempo might be a little sluggish at times. The movie left me wanting more, and the sluggish sections of the film feel very slow. When this picture is at its best, it is fantastic, but when it is at its worst, it begins to falter.

This film appears to be divisive, with many fans either loving it or believing it to be the worst Marvel picture to date. I strongly encourage everyone interested to see the film and create their judgement. However, I consider this sequel to be one of the better MCU flicks.

Verdict 7.5 out of 10 Stars

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‘The Batman’ Film Review: The Dark Knight Does Not Disappoint

“Fear is a tool. When that light hits the sky, it’s not just a call. It’s a warning. For them“

From beautiful cinematography to a refreshing take on the hero we know all too well The Batman is everything I thought I wanted and more.

Overview

We follow a young Batman (Robert Pattinson) at the start of his profession before he has access to any high-tech gadgets or outside assistance. He makes every effort to preserve Gotham, but even the caped crusader is unsure whether or not protecting the city is a hopeless cause.

The Setting

This may be one of my favorite opening sequences for a superhero film they allow you to dive into the city of Gotham. Danger runs rampant throughout the streets. Crimes go practically unpunished but one man strikes fear into those criminals.

Fearing that Batman could be around any corner is enough to send the bad guys running home and it’s all established in mere minutes.

The Batman

Most people, I believe, were apprehensive when they learned that Robert Pattinson, the star of the Twilight films, would portray Batman. Even though he has since had other positions in which he has excelled.

Pattinson, on the other hand, nailed his role as the new Batman in almost every way, and he did it while being his interpretation of the character.

They Could Do No Wrong

Looking back on the film from the score to the action sequences I can’t find many objective complaints. Given that the action isn’t the main emphasis of the picture, it’s amazing that I was so engrossed in it. If you expect nail-biting action every other minute I’m sorry to disappoint you but that’s not the film you signed up for.

We get to see Batman and Detective Gordan (Jeffrey Wright) working in tandem trying to solve the mystery that is the Riddler and what that villain has in store for Gotham. It isn’t for everyone, but it is a very well-made picture.

Going into the film I didn’t expect to love so many of the characters and especially Catwoman (Zoe Kravitz). I’ve never thought her to be particularly intriguing in any of her incarnations.

I’m happy to say that this is my favorite interpretation of the character. From her motivations and just being well-acted I don’t believe the film would be the same without Zoe Kravitz’s portrayal of the character.

Conclusion

Superheroes have taken over media every few months a new blockbuster either expanding a current cinematic universe or a brand new hero is making their debut. We’ve gotten used to these kinds of films coming out regularly so when one is truly superb I think it needs to be mentioned

The Batman is an excellent film that outperforms most of its competitors. The story’s direction, action sequences, and fantastic performances all deserve praise.

Gotham is a dangerous city, but it does have a defender who is prepared to risk his life in order to save it. The Batman’s world-building demonstrates this in a matter of minutes. You’ll only become more immersed in the universe as the three-hour film progresses, as they attempt and succeed to give it substance.

One of the best aspects of the film was the relationship that Gordon and Batman had. They have been working together for a while and we get to skip over the introduction. Batman has had so many iterations that we see the same events occur very often. So this time just getting to the part that we care about is nice to see.

As well made as The Batman is one of the weakest aspects of the film is towards the end. Without giving anything away about the plot, the conclusion falls short of what has come before. Although I wasn’t entirely engrossed by the conclusion, the pacing seemed to be adequate for the majority of the film.

There’s no denying that this film was well-made, had a fantastic score, and had excellent actors and actresses. The quality is consistent throughout; nonetheless, those wanting more action may be disappointed but The Batman is one of the greatest films in the franchise.

Verdict 9 out of 10 Stars

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‘You’ (Season 3) TV Show Review: Is There Ever a Happily Ever After?

“I still believe in the one. That the right person is out there for me.”

If you tried to explain You to the average person they might think you’re insane.

From rooting for a murderer to his addiction to stalking, Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) isn’t your run-of-the-mill protagonist.

However, unsurprisingly another season of You treads into the same territory of previous seasons but ends up feeling like the most unique entry in the show thus far.

Overview

After Joe’s current girlfriend Love (Victoria Pedretti) viciously murders his ex they are forced to leave LA and move to the suburbs to avoid the media attention.

Joe & Love are married with a child while seemingly this is all Joe ever wanted. He now has a new goal to protect his child no matter what the cost may be.

Oh Well, I Didn’t Expect That…

My main concern for this season was that it would become monotonous. That fear is allayed in the first episode, which doesn’t spend any time getting down to business.

Normally You can be a bit of a slow burn. Quickly switching from being tame to bouncing off the walls.

I can easily say more now than ever they never lost my attention. Even though around halfway through the series the pace does begin to slow down more than usual.

A New Dynamic

Death usually accompanies Joe everywhere he goes. He’s spent the previous two seasons attempting to conceal this aspect of himself, but he’s never been with a woman who resembles him until now.

Love is a killer and understands Joe better than anyone. It makes their dynamic unique. He can completely be himself.

Like any marriage, they certainly have their issues but never before have a seen a marriage feel so genuine. There are moments filled with passion, rage, love, and others where you don’t understand how they could further their relationship.

They both make mistakes, and it’s fascinating to observe how their minds function. The narration as per usual spills our main character’s thoughts giving them added depth, and it pays off.

Too Much Dip on Your Chip

As opposed to other seasons of You this entry deals with a lot. They were very ambitious but that isn’t always a good thing.

There were a few characters I had hoped to see more of or have them interact with Joe & Love more. Instead, when they become relevant in the plot they’ll show up then get pushed to the sideline for the next couple of episodes.

Later in the season if we had been able to see how these characters bonded and just had seen more of them certain aspects of the show would have a larger payoff.

Conclusion

This may be the most distinctive season of You yet! The twists and payoffs are satisfactory but could’ve been more substantial.

Impressively the most recent season doesn’t come off as average they change up a formula that was beginning to feel repetitive.

Joe & Love mesh together so well and even though I shouldn’t like either one of these characters given the context of their lives I’m engaged.

They are similar in many respects, almost as if they are staring in a mirror, which complicates their relationship but ultimately adds to the show’s appeal.

One of the most significant flaws in this installment of the series is its attempt to focus on too many subjects. Like a carnival juggler who continues getting more and more stuff thrown at them, there’s a certain point where everything falls.

While I don’t believe this entire show suffers there are aspects that I believe could’ve been better if there was more focus and cut out what was unnecessary.

Three seasons in and You is still a show worth tuning into and with a 4th season on the way let’s hope the trend continues.

Verdict 8 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Netflix!

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‘Inside Job’ (Season 1) TV Show Review: A Huge Leap Forward

What happens when adult animation meets conspiracy theories? Apparently, a show that outperforms other contemporary adult animated comedies! I couldn’t get enough of it, from the comedy to the exciting storylines and characters.

Overview

Reagan (actress name) is a brilliant scientist riddled with daddy issues that has no social skills whatsoever. She works at Incognito Inc. an organization that creates all of the conspiracies that we hear about on daily basis. Her team must make sure that no one finds out the government cooks up all these conspiracies.

I’m Not Used to This

These days, there aren’t many adult animated comedies that I think hit the mark. They usually rely on being vulgar to attract viewers, although this rarely creates a good product.

Either by not being funny, unattractive animation, or possessing the same character archetypes as the rest of the genre. Inside Job is genuinely funny and while some jokes don’t hit the mark I never sit there thinking “oh God why am I watching this”.

It keeps your attention throughout the whole season and that’s great to see.

The A-Team

I haven’t had this much fun with a collection of characters in a long time. They function well with each other and even when they aren’t all together.

Depth

While Inside Job isn’t the first adult animated show to tackle difficult topics, it does so admirably. I can’t help but think of scenes from Family Guy where they want us to care about the characters.

On Family Guy, they make fun of everything and show us aspects of characters we wouldn’t want to root for. Peter Griffin making things worse for his family and then apologizing for the 100th time just isn’t gonna invoke any more feeling.

There’s nothing wrong with that but if the creator makes it seem like he doesn’t care about his characters why would I?

Conclusion

Inside Job has the potential to be a one-of-a-kind show. I didn’t want the first season to end because of its charming ensemble, ability to make funny jokes and emotional depth with engaging plots.

Reagan is an awesome protagonist and you end up rooting for her. Her rapport with the rest of her team is fantastic, and the way everyone complements one another is outstanding.

Normally when a new adult cartoon comes out I turn it on for background noise. You might laugh every once in a while but I wouldn’t give it too much credit outside of that. However, I was glued to my screen for every episode of Inside Job.

I can only hope that the second season is as consistent as the first. The sky is the limit at this point, and they’ve certainly made a good first impression.

Verdict 8 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Netflix!

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‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ Film Review: From Excitement to Fatigue

“I’m Gonna Change the Course of History“

I had only heard wonderful things about this film before seeing it. I’m happy to say that I loved my time viewing Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, although, in many ways, it’s simply another Marvel picture.

However, it may stand apart for a variety of reasons.

Overview

Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), a martial arts expert, is compelled to delve into his past to prevent a threat from destroying all he loves.

THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!

This is some of Marvel’s greatest hand-to-hand action in any of their films. You enjoy seeing it all come together.

My largest complaint is that it’s only action-packed at the beginning and the end.  The script spends a significant amount of time during the middle of the film attempting to deliver all of its information.

The absence of action in these sections makes the picture feel longer than it is.

There Doesn’t Need to Be Romance

For the entire length of the movie, I had hoped that Shang-Chi and Katy (Nora Lum) wouldn’t end up together. It was nice for a change having no love interest simply being a close friend with the opposite sex in most media is foreign but works great here.

Best Debut

The MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) has plenty of great moments often from them setting them up years prior. While the payoff is pretty great it does mean that every couple of years we have to watch yet another origin story.

Debut superhero films can be tedious to watch since the stakes aren’t always high, and they normally follow the same plot beats. While this is true for Shang-Chi, the film nevertheless manages to be entertaining.

Conclusion

While it may not deserve all of the praise it’s receiving it’s certainly a good film.

When can we see more action like this? it’s difficult not to become engrossed whenever a fight scene begins. The cinematography during these scenes is great, and the picture is free of the usual flaws that plague action films.

Plenty of movies have rapid cuts during fight scenes, making you miss the good stuff, but that’s not a problem here.

One of the best parts of Shang-Chi is the wonderful relationship between our hero and his co-star.

The most serious flaw is the film’s pace, which makes it feel excessively lengthy. I was waiting for it to finish, something I don’t recall ever feeling throughout a Marvel movie.

If this movie is any indicator Shang-Chi will be a well-welcomed addition to the heroes we already have in the MCU and his debut is one to remember.

Verdict 7.5 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Disney Plus!

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‘Squid Game’ (Season 1) TV Show Review: A Walking Phenomenon

Since the show’s premiere, if you use social media, you’ve probably seen a lot of posts about Squid Game. It’s taken the world by storm and is swiftly becoming Netflix’s most popular tv show.

However, is the show deserving of all the praise?

Overview

Seong Gi-Hun (Lee Jung-jae) and a slew of other debt-ridden participants participate in a series of games for a cash prize.

Proper Motivation

The main group that the show sticks you with is a very solid collection of characters. All with their own motivations, personality, and wills to get their objectives completed.

The longer you watch the series, the more you’ll want to see your favorite characters succeed. The lack of likable characters is where shows like this usually fall short. Its hard to care whether someone wins a competition if I simply don’t care for that individual.

Heavy Emotional Beats

Without a question, I had not anticipated becoming so emotionally invested in the plot. The actors and actresses are deserving of a lot of praise because they nailed every scenario they were in. However, there is a lot to be desired when it comes to the English voiceovers.

The Mystery

The uncertainty is maybe the most powerful aspect of the series. The first season of Squid Game keeps you in the dark for the majority of the time, which is fantastic. The games the contestants are forced to play only become more interesting to watch and that’s due to the fact the audience doesn’t know what will happen next.

They start explaining topics later in the season that would have been better left alone. It’s still a fantastic show, but the mystery is what pulled so many viewers in.

Starts to Become Predictable at Times

I’m not trying to take anything away from this series, but it does get a little formulaic at times. There are large twists specifically towards the end where I was calling out plot twists before they happened.

I think the vast array of characters in Squid Game are actually pretty intelligent for the most part but because of that when these same characters act like they don’t have a brain its very jarring.

Why Now?

The primary cast is what kept me emotionally invested, and having them all together provided for some really fun situations. Their chemistry is fantastic, but I believe this show gets rid of characters at inopportune times.

It would be difficult to watch Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen if, after a few episodes, he began removing the cooks who everyone enjoyed seeing.

While this is more of a personal annoyance, there are some characters who are truly irritating and overstay their welcome.

Conclusion

I haven’t seen such a wonderful cast of characters in a long time. Each one has their own personality, motivation, and depth.

The performances are amazing, however if you’re watching Squid Game in English, you’ll notice the voiceovers aren’t up to par.

Don’t be surprised if you cry or feel sad at times; this show is a bit of an emotional roller coaster. There were quite a few times where I just had to pause just because I was so invested.

The more you don’t know the better. Squid Game is shrouded in mystery and it’s addicting trying to find out what exactly is going on. However, once we start getting answers you kind of wish the feeling the show gave you, in the beginning, permeated throughout.

Some reveals that the show treats are huge plot twists just aren’t. It falls short at times because you can tell with how the scene was set up the creators thought they had gotten us but it wasn’t the case. However, there are still good twists it’s just odd what they assumed the audience wouldn’t pick up on.

This show simply would not have been as good if the characters weren’t as great. This starts to make you wonder when some individuals begin losing why they wouldn’t try to get rid of the people who were not well-liked first.

Lastly, Squid Game has garnered so much attention over the past few weeks and I am overjoyed that it has. It’s a great show! I don’t believe to the same level it’s getting praised but it’s well worth a watch and hopefully, season two can further improve this enjoyable series.

Verdict 8 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Netflix!

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‘Chicago Party Aunt’ (Season 1) TV Show Review: Aggressively Average

If there’s one thing I believe most people can agree on, it’s that we don’t need another adult animated show like all the others. There was a lot of negative talk about this show before it even premiered.

I was hesitant at first, but I decided to give it a try, and I have to say, it shocked me, and oddly enough, I ended up enjoying it.

Overview

Diane (Lauren Ash) is a drunk, energetic, fun-loving party animal which would be fine if she wasn’t already middle-aged.

Something Different

Normally, shows like this spit out hundreds of jokes in the hopes that one of them will land. While it is still true here, some relationships are truly entertaining to see develop over time.

While funny, shows like Family Guy never make me care about the characters because they are constantly mocked. If a family member doesn’t care about their family why should I?

Great Representation

While I don’t believe that this show is incredibly special one thing it does better than most shows is just how they handle members of the LGBTQ+ community. Normally when a character is gay that’s it… that’s their entire character.

In Chicago Party Aunt, they do a good job with representation, and most of the time you don’t find out if a character is homosexual until two or three episodes after they’ve been introduced.

Niece & Nephew

The show’s best component is Diane’s friendship with her nephew Daniel (Rory O’Malley); they are the heart of the show. When they have scenes together and heartfelt moments I knew that this was different from your run-of-the-mill Family Guy clone.

I Wish I Was Laughing

“How long until I laugh?” I joked to myself before starting to watch the show. After a completely unfunny first episode the trend of not laughing continued. There were times when I grinned, but for the most part, that was it for the first season.

It wasn’t as if they hadn’t tried. I was never annoyed with the jokes they just didn’t often come off as too comedic.

Bland and Uninspired

If I were to show you a screenshot of this show and asked: “Do you know what show this is?” Anyone could mistake it for so many other entries in this genre. It lacks originality when it comes to the look of it all.

Unclear Relationships

Sitting through the first few episodes I became increasingly more confused. Certain characters would react like they hated our protagonist only for later everything to be fine. It feels as though the writers had to rethink how they wrote some characters halfway through the season.

It’s jarring and lessens the quality of the show. Later on, seeing the changes the writers made to make certain characters more friendly toward each other the season itself became more enjoyable after that point.

Conclusion

Chicago Party Aunt not only looks generic it is generic. However, it succeeds where many Family Guy clones fail. By not being unbearable to sit down and watch.

Instead of comedy being the best aspect it is the relationships mostly involving Diane.

I appreciate the fact that while it does look bland it actually changes up the formula and, with some fine-tuning eventually this show could turn out good.

This is the best representation for a member of the LGBTQ+ community I have seen in adult animation and hopefully, other shows will follow in their footsteps.

Honestly, I wish even half the jokes landed. While I enjoyed my time watching the season I rarely laughed and considering it’s a comedy it’s hard to praise it when it doesn’t fall in line with its genre.

At times it feels like they wanna treat Diane like an outcast only to completely change the character dynamic a few episodes later. It just seems to me that they were uncertain about how they wanted the show to go.

I would love to see Chicago Party Aunt turn into something great. It has potential, but its not there yet.

Verdict 5.5 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Netflix!

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‘Loki’ (Season 1) TV Show Review: A Brand New World

“You Are Alone & You Always Will Be”

For many fans, Loki has been the most anticipated MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) show. While WandaVision and Falcon & The Winter Soldier were able to stand on their own, a journey with Loki could mean anything.

This season successfully intrigues the audience with an interesting and pleasurable experience.

Overview

Loki found himself wandering through time and space after the events of Avengers: Endgame. However, a faction isn’t pleased, and Loki now needs to figure out how to deal with a whole new set of problems.

Not Your Typical MCU Adventure…

It’s not unusual to see individuals flying, blasting lasers, or throwing punches that can be heard for miles in a superhero movie. Loki, on the other hand, isn’t concerned with that. This story is a much more plot-driven adventure that focuses on the people.

Early on in the show, you’ll see a fantastic performance by Loki (Tom Hiddleston) like he’s always done in his role. He has some of the strongest bonds throughout the first season and can make a scene fun to watch all by himself.

I adored his interaction with Mobius (Owen Wilson) from the time they shared the screen. They complement each other quite well, and I only wish they had more time to spend together.

Great Pacing

I was worried early on in the show simply because our protagonist stays in the same environment for a little too long. I was hoping that with a show with the “God of Mischief,” we’d get to see something much crazier, and that indeed does occur if you give the show a chance.

Especially in the latter half of the season, no location feels like it overstays its welcome.

Something’s Coming

This show serves as the spark for an event that will alter the MCU as we know it. A second season is already in the works, and it will undoubtedly be affected by the story they chose. Having said that, the season didn’t feel like it was simply preparing for an event.

The story doesn’t feel like it was held back because it was the start of something, and in fact, Loki does many things better than the two shows Marvel released previously.

We Get It’s Not the Focus but Come On

For a guy who can create a weapon out of thin air, both he and this show lack in the action department. Having the spotlight on the story and characters is fine. It made the overall project better than it would’ve been if they had given more emphasis to the action.

It’s undeniable that the fighting just isn’t exciting. It’s very tame, and it’s not going to be the reason you continue watching.

Conclusion

The expectations for Loki were high, and it rose to the occasion delivering a story well worth investing your time into.

Tom Hiddleston does a wonderful job with his role, and his growth throughout the season just added to my enjoyment.

Loki is a refreshing change of pace. The focus isn’t so much on the outrageous superpowers as it is on the individuals’ relationships with one another and the plot.

Early on, it seems like the pacing may be a bit of an issue, but once the adventure gets going, it doesn’t stick in one place too long.

While the show isn’t trying to give us the most incredible fight scenes in the series’ history, it doesn’t even feel like they try. Nothing too exciting happens in the battles, and they aren’t memorable.

With another show under Marvel’s belt, the expectations continue to rise, and if they can keep up this kind of quality, then the MCU will continue to shine.

Verdict 8.5 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Disney Plus!

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‘The Suicide Squad’ Film Review: Why Couldn’t They Have Done This the First Time?

“All The Cruelty Tears You Apart After A While”

In 2016, the first attempt at a suicide squad film was released, leaving many people trying to forget its existence.

Now five years later, with the launch of The Suicide Squad, it leaves fans wondering… “why couldn’t they have done this the first time?”

Overview

A team of some of the most dangerous supervillains is dispatched by the government on a top-secret mission. If they fail, the world as we know it will be destroyed, and if they refuse to comply, they will perish.

Why Can’t I Stop Laughing?

If there’s one aspect, The Suicide Squad mastered, it’s comedic timing. With a film filled with gore, violence, and emotional beats, it’s been easy to have a joke at the wrong time, but they avoid that. 

The jokes don’t drag, so even if you didn’t think it was hilarious, you don’t have to worry about the film patting itself on the back for 40 seconds over a bad joke.

A Beautiful Massacre

This is an incredibly violent film. You won’t go too long without seeing limbs flying or face peeling off. However, it’s done well. This doesn’t feel like your run-of-the-mill superhero movie.

It had its own identity even though it has clear inspiration from Deadpool.

The fight scenes kept me wanting more throughout the film. The choreography alone was awe-inspiring.

Great Lead and Supporting Cast

The Suicide Squad accomplishes something its predecessor failed to do: it gives the impression that the team has truly bonded and meshes nicely together. One of the most enjoyable components of the film is watching the squad become cohesive.

Throughout the journey, I wondered when I would get to see this wide array of characters share the big screen again.

No one is safe

This film separates itself from the rest of the bunch by killing a seemingly significant character from the jump. This came as a great surprise superhero films generally follow the same beats and the heroes come out of the fight with some bruises, but they typically walk away the victors.

The main characters die just as much as a villain does, and it keeps the action tense. You don’t know the fight’s outcome before it begins in most cases, which kept me on the edge of my seat during the most pivotal moments.

Okay… We Could Speed Things up a Bit

Overall, The Suicide Squad does an alright job with the pacing. With so many characters, it’s hard to give each one adequate time to be introduced and truly be understood. 

Towards the end of the film, I thought the pacing could’ve sped up a bit. There were exciting setpieces and great moments throughout the entire length of the film, but I’d be lying If I said all 2 hours and 12 minutes of this film were necessary.

Conclusion

In almost every way, this picture outperforms the previous in terms of style, action, acting, dialogue, and so much more.

The Suicide Squad radiates color and has a distinct personality. It also has a good amount of comic value. While humor is subjective, I believe there is something for everyone here, and it isn’t just attempting to be a Marvel film with quippy dialogue.

I would rewatch so many action scenes for a second time the way those scenes are shot and the choreography you can tell love went into this project.

I don’t think it’d be possible to speak upon how fun this film is and not bring up the cast. Idris Elba (Bloodsport) serves as a great protagonist alongside Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn), John Cena (Peacemaker), David Dastmalchian (Polka-Dot Man), and so many more just come together to give the audience a great experience.

The cast is fantastic, but that isn’t going to keep them alive. This is a risky assignment, as the title suggests, and not everyone will make it out alive. It’s a refreshing change of pace, especially considering that a new superhero film is released almost every two months at this time.

The biggest hiccup this movie has is the pacing. While most of the time, it’s okay when it gets a little too slow and uninteresting, it makes you think the adventure could’ve been trimmed a bit.

Even at 2 hours and 12 minutes, the film doesn’t give enough focus to all the characters that they want us to root for it feels. Some characters I completely forget existed, and if I had missed a scene earlier in the film, they could’ve been entirely cut out, and not many would notice.

If you plan to see this film, you’ll most likely enjoy it more than the first they just knew what they wanted to do this time and have confidence in their product. This was a tremendous in-theater experience, and I’d recommend going to see it.

Verdict 8.5 out of 10 Stars

Now available on HBO Max!

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‘Black Widow’ Film Review: You Can Always Count On Family

“I always found it best not to look into the past.”

This is a true spy thriller! Explosions, automobile chases, and a lot of action Black Widow has it all, and it doesn’t waste any time getting into it.

It makes you wonder why the Avenger took so long to earn her film and why she doesn’t have as many as the other founding members of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

Overview

When a sinister organization with ties to her past surfaces, Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), is forced to confront the darkest pieces of her past.

Marvel Is Evolving

Marvel has recently had more aesthetically gory fighting, such as in Falcon and the Winter Soldier. It’s entertaining to watch! The early films felt more like Saturday morning cartoons, whereas the current feel genuine.

It’s not shocking to see someone get stabbed, and the killer viciously removes the weapon.

The action is consistent throughout, and I think I prefer it to most Marvel films, and the set pieces add to the excitement. It’s fairly common for people to fight with their hands or feet, yet they manage to keep it amusing!

Family Is Everything

Natasha’s relationship with the rest of her family is one of the best features of this film. Her sister, Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), has some of the most enjoyable parts of the movie without question, and her relationship with her father only deepened my amusement.

When there isn’t much action going on, you can take comfort in knowing that you’re in excellent hands with Natasha’s family. 

Oh Marvel…

Most Marvel audiences, I believe, would point to the villains as one of the weaker components of their flicks. The antagonist isn’t great, and since this story takes place after Captain America: Civil War in 2016, we already know Natasha isn’t going to die here.

This takes away much of the tension especially in the final act. I was just waiting for things to play out like a typical end of a Marvel movie. Which is unfortunate because I believe that the rest of the film rises above many of the flicks that have come before it.

We Waited for This?

I hate to say it but the CGI can be pretty laughable at times in this film. Understandably there are many explosions that take place and most end up looking as they should. However, at certain times shots are very noticeably poor and they stick out like a sore thumb.

Conclusion

If you haven’t been to the movies in a long time due to the pandemic and want to see an action flick, this is a wonderful way to get back into it.

You don’t have to know everything there is to know about Marvel to enjoy this motion picture, and it will keep you engaged.

My eyes didn’t leave the screen much, from the bare-knuckled brawling to the exotic action set pieces. I remained engrossed, even when the film took its time and allowed the audience to catch their breath.

Natasha and her family are the stars of this film, and they dominate the show. It’ll make you wish we’d gotten to see them collaborate on more projects in the past.

Unfortunately, the primary antagonist is completely forgettable, and he was the sole reason I tuned out in the final act. I was just thinking to myself, “great, let’s get this over with,” which was not the emotion I hoped to have while watching the first Marvel film since Avengers: Endgame.

Another misstep is the occasionally awful CGI and bad shots. At times, the greenscreen will be more noticeable than the character in front of it. It’s obvious, and given that the film was meant to be released three times earlier, it screams laziness.

Lastly, this will go down as a good action film. It had its misses, but where it did well, it excelled.

Verdict 7.5 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Disney Plus!

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‘Army of the Dead’ Film Review: As Brain Dead as the Undead

“Everything We Did, All Those People We Saved, Look What It Got Us. What If Just Once, We Did Something For Us?“

Have you ever wanted to enjoy something more? Through a lengthy two and nearly half an hour runtime Army of the Dead both impressed while also disappointing me, seeing the potential that was wasted.

Overview

After a zombie outbreak takes place in Las Vegas, the zone has finally been contained.

Now the U.S. plans to nuke the area, hopefully ridding them of the undead. However, a team is tasked with the heist of ages. They must sneak into the zone before the area is destroyed and escape with the cash.

Getting the Team Together

Arguably the first half of this adventure is the most enjoyable. A zombie heist movie is pretty creative, and it gave us some great moments.

Recruiting the critical roles so that the job can go off without a hitch is fun to watch, and all of the characters, although one-note, work together well.

I Wasn’t Expecting This

When the team fully assembles, this film is engaging. The way all the characters bounce off each other is entertaining. Some having greater chemistry than others, but ultimately everyone has good moments.

The problem lies when the group is split up or separated. Instantly the film loses its charm, and if you’ve ever watched a movie like this, the closer we get to the end, the fewer characters we get to appreciate.

One of the clear standouts is Dave Bautista as Scott Ward. I didn’t anticipate great acting in this film, and he surprised me.

This Shouldn’t Even Be Happening

To fully enjoy this flick, your suspension of disbelief must permeate throughout. The bad situations the group ends up in could have been easily evaded. So much so that it seemed like they avoided using their brains at times.

It’s difficult to watch because, in a few instances, you’ll be yelling at your tv, “why didn’t she say something!?” Turning off your brain will help, but if you were looking for some common sense by pros in their field, Army of the Dead is severely lacking in that area.

Predictable

Army of the Dead seemingly wants to stand out in its genre. However, they end up falling into the same tropes as every other zombie flick. You can tell the creators had their hearts in the right place, and there was tons of potential. However, they drop the ball in the second half of the film.

How Long Is This???

Wow, this is an incredibly long movie with no business almost pushing two and a half hours. At its best moments, the pacing feels fine, but at its worse, it drags to the point of exhaustion.

I often don’t want to turn off a film where I have some fun watching it. However, towards the last 30 to 40 minutes, I just wanted them to speed things up a bit.

Just What Was the Point?

Two of the weakest characters in the film get too much screen time. Firstly the antagonist they are at no point even fun to watch. They don’t make you care about them, and they don’t feel like a threat.

The second is a part of the group, and they cause needless drama. Leading to some unfavorable events down the road. They become easier to stomach in the second half, but that doesn’t stop the character from just not being enjoyable.

Conclusion

While it is a lengthy film, it started strong and unique then slowly regressed into every other movie in the zombie genre.

A zombie heist film is an exciting concept, and getting the team together is some of the most fun to be had watching this.

The leading role is undoubtedly one of the strongest characters, but most of the group have some time to shine. Army of the Dead is at its best when everyone is together. Making whenever the group is compromised sad to see because that means that the chemistry is thrown off.

If you’ve ever seen a zombie/horror movie before, you know what to expect as the film gets closer to the end. Around the halfway mark and beyond, nothing surprised me. I enjoyed the majority of the first half, but it collapsed in the second.

It’s hard to feel for people when they have it coming. These are professionals, yet when it comes to common sense in most situations, they lack it. All of the bad could’ve been easily avoided, yet it happens anyway.

One of the most unlikable characters in this flick is in the vast majority of it. If they were limited, they wouldn’t influence the film so much, but their decisions and how they impact the group will leave onlookers justly annoyed.

With a strong start, I believed Army of the Dead would give the genre some spice and standout. However, it couldn’t keep it up for the monstrous two and half hour runtime.

Verdict 5.5 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Netflix!

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‘Invincible’ TV Show Review: Love Hurts

“I’ve had guys throw punches for me before but you were the first one that stood there and took them.”

Superheroes have been given much emphasis for years. It feels like every other month, a new show or film is coming out dealing with super-powered individuals.

Invincible was no different, and for weeks all I saw on social media was “have you seen the new episode of Invincible” or “did the new episode come out yet?”. It was an internet phenomenon but did it live up to all the hype?

Overview

Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) is the son of the most powerful superhero on earth, Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons), and after finally getting his powers at 17 years old, he must learn how to protect the planet from all threats.

Wow… Didn’t See That One Coming

With such an abundance of superhero media, these days it’s safe to say that the plotlines never get too different from the expectation. The good guy fights the bad guys. The good guy usually wins, then a sequel might come out a couple of years later.

At the start of Invincible, you’ll love the familiarity. It still feels fresh while capturing what makes young superheroes dealing with high school, bullies, their love lives, etc., fun while also saving cities from destruction.

Not far into the show, the direction they take is very drastic, and after that point their off to the races. From episode to episode, you’re trying to figure out what will happen next, and the show never really takes its foot off the gas.

They’re Not Supposed to Be This Good

One of the most surprising aspects of Invincible is that minor characters are being flushed out. A random villain with less than five minutes of screen time will be fun to watch in combat and just a joy to have on your screen.

This is at the sacrifice of characters who are reoccurring who don’t get too much depth. With that being said, the story only had eight episodes, so in the future, the characters who didn’t get much back story may be explored more intensively.

Don’t Spoil Yourself

I believe Invincible is best watched blind, knowing nothing too specific, just diving on in and binging the show. The plot is hugely appealing and not at all what I presumed the show to be about. Which admittedly makes it very unconventional compared to most superhero media these days.

No One’s Perfect

Love interests are where so many entries in this genre drop the ball. The writing for the lover of the protagonist will consist of them getting captured and needing to be rescued.

At other times they’ll complain that they don’t have a stable relationship because their superhero significant other has to protect people from losing their lives. Needless to say this is very drawn out and tired.

Invincible stumbles here and will have audiences wondering just why Mark deals with what he does. Sadly this isn’t a problem that fixes itself either. It gets worse as the show goes on.

Conclusion

A fresh take on the superhero genre while also retaining what makes us like these kinds of shows is why Invincible has its reputation. The hype was indeed warranted and delivered a story that comes out of left field. 

Having such a colorful universe with equally colorful characters goes a long way. Just your everyday run-of-the-mill villains might end up being some of your favorite characters, but that is at the expense of more dominant roles.

This show functions best without knowing precisely what’s going to happen, in my opinion. Watching the story unfold was such a delight.

One of the only stumbles is just how they deal with Mark’s love life. She had potential but ends up just coming off as unreasonable.

While also not being so special herself. The show could’ve done just as well if she didn’t exist. That’s a problem since she’s in much of the first season.

Ultimately, Invincible is a solid cartoon. If you needed a new superhero binge, certainly check it out it’s well worth the watch!

Verdict 9 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Amazon Prime!

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‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ TV Show Review: It’s All Perspective

“Every time something gets better for one group, it gets worse for another“

Admittedly this show is going to upset people. As a black man, what does it mean to hold Captain America’s shield? The show asks that question and doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable topics.

From solid character moments to engaging fight scenes, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier gives MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) fans a much more familiar outing than they were given with WandaVision.

Overview

After Captain America has passed down his shield to his good friend Falcon (Anthony Mackie), he has to decide if he’s willing to wear it and become the hero America needs.

Its Nice to Be Back

WandaVision was such a great experience to have after years and years of the generic superhero film. It felt like a palette cleanser, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier brings us back to what we’re used to in the MCU.

Saving lives, fighting villains, and just doing what it means to be a superhero.

Back in Blood

Early in the show, I noticed that some fights were more graphic than I expected, but it was nice to see. In a world where people have super strength, it always seemed weird when it felt like they were pulling their punches constantly.

Also, the opening episode has some of the most engaging fights from people without powers in the MCU in recent memory.

The scenes were shot incredibly well, and it left me wanting more. Sadly I believe as the season goes on, the fights don’t vastly improve.

The People Aren’t Ready

Race is an uncomfortable subject, and Marvel dives right in without a second thought. Surprisingly to much success. Many will have issues with this show due to how much race is brought up.

Marvel deals with the subject incredibly well. It didn’t feel forced in the situations where it does appear, and if that sort of thing upsets you, you might want to avoid this show because it is prevalent throughout.

I Need More

Possibly one of the most annoying things about The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is the relationship between our protagonists. They fit so well, and the show has made two characters who, in most minds, aren’t fan favorites and made them pretty fun to watch.

WandaVision did this as well, and if each of the new Marvel shows continues down this route, the future is bright for the series.

So Its Just About Falcon?

If you had started this show hoping that both protagonists would get an equal playing ground, you’d be disappointed. Throughout the MCU, the Winter Soldier doesn’t get a huge role, which stays true here.

The stories’ focal point is Falcon. He ends up overshadowing his partner, and it’s unfortunate.

Should I Feel Bad?

Sadly the main villain of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier isn’t as great as they could be. While their intentions are good, their methods are pretty ridiculous.

The way the story is told makes the audience feel like they should care for the antagonist, but it makes it very difficult to get behind them because of their actions.

Not to mention that they don’t have much character at all. After Thanos, in Avengers: Infinity War, I feared for the MCU since he was spectacular. Now they raised their standard, and whenever they fall below it, it really stands out.

Conclusion

Returning to form while dealing with a touchy subject was pretty risky. The politics behind the shield and the idea of should a black man be Captain America was never something I thought about. I think that that aspect of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was done to perfection.

This show single-handedly made me care about our stars when I just thought about them being the other members of the Avengers, nothing special. I want more, and I need more focus on the Winter Soldier because, once again, his spotlight just gets turned off in favor of those around him.

On the more negative end, once again, Marvel has fumbled a villain that could’ve been much better. Unfortunately, while their motives make sense, their actions are hard to get behind.

It feels like this show was on the verge of being a Marvel classic. There’s so much that the series got right, but the things they messed up don’t just disappear after a few minutes.

They persist pretty often through the show, and in the last episode, specifically, Marvel just dropped the ball, and you end up wishing they had a second shot.

Ultimately, I think that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is definitely worth the watch, and if you didn’t like how different WandaVision was, then you’ll be thrilled to see something a bit more familiar.

Verdict 7.5 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Disney Plus!

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‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ Film Review: Who Wants to Be Normal Anyway?

“The Mitchells have always been weird and that’s what makes us great!”

Between trying to find yourself in your teenage years and people who just seem to love to make your life more complicated. Growing up can definitely be a chore, and The Mitchells vs. the Machines captures those feeling and somehow turns it into a fantastic journey.

Overview

Katie Mitchell hits the road with her family for one last trip before she moves out for good. Little does she know this trip will be much more of an adventure than she thought it’d be.

I Shouldn’t Be Smiling This Hard

I don’t know the last time I laughed, smirked, or smiled this much in an animated kids’ film. From sight gags to just random jokes, everything seemed to land for the most part. The stuff that wasn’t hilarious still didn’t stand out as being bad though.


Much of this is owed to the characters. The Mitchell family is great; all of them have their moments. You feel like you get to understand them throughout the course of the movie

Believe It or Not They Know What They’re Doing

When you’re watching this movie, there’s so much to catch. Little animations on the screen and background features are prevalent during the whole picture. It can be even a little distracting at times; however, the film feels like it has a goal.


The pacing is excellent. All of the story beats are hit, and it naturally progresses to the next. There isn’t a period of time where I’m thinking to myself, “okay… well, this is going on way too long”.

Better with Time

Many animated movies have a similar conclusion. They generally don’t throw you for a loop, and you want to click the fast-forward button since it’s so familiar. While The Mitchells vs. the Machines does go in a familiar area, it put a permanent smile on my face for the last half hour.

Even though the ending wasn’t the most unpredictable thing in the world, it was still so much fun. As the time came closer to the conclusion, the more I wanted to see of the Mitchells.

Unnecessary

There aren’t many things that I believe the film does wrong, but I do think for some portion of the film, one of the main characters is pretty unlikeable.

Since they have such a huge role and the story focuses on them, you can’t escape it. Their feelings are pretty justified as well, but the person just ends up feeling like the bad guy in the given situation.

Conclusion

The Mitchells vs. the Machines is one of the most enjoyable films I’ve seen in quite a while. It made me feel like a little kid. My only wish is that I could experience it again for the first time.

The cast is phenomenal and the writing to boot. Each of the main characters is given plenty of screen time, and none feel like they overstayed their welcome.

As odd as it is, The Mitchells vs. the Machines ended up getting better as time went on. I expected the end to be something I had seen a thousand times before and to feel the need to skip it. However, it is just as enjoyable as any other part of the picture.

Easily the most disappointing aspect was just having such an integral character be annoying for a bit. You end up feeling like if they’d take the extra step to improve one of their relationships, everything could just get better.

Lastly, The Mitchells vs. the Machines proves that Sony Pictures is on the right track after the Emoji Movie, and hopefully, we’ll end up seeing other works that are just as brilliant as the Mitchells.

Verdict 8 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Netflix!

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‘Last Chance U: Basketball’ TV Show Review: Its All or Nothing

“Excuses are tools for incompetent people to build monuments of nothing.”

Last Chance U couldn’t capture the highs and lows of playing a sport any better than they already have. Blood, sweat, and tears build brotherhood even among the most unlikely individuals.

It’s fun, engaging, and relatable throughout its run, and it’s sure to be a must-watch by many basketball fans.

Overview:

Former East L.A. player Coach Mosley attempts to get his first championship as a coach and get his players scholarships regardless of their backgrounds.

Was That So Hard?

Sports media and action films often have one massive turnoff in common, and that’s not giving the audience what they want. If I’m watching a show about basketball, I want to see basketball being played, not everything besides that.

Action films fall into the same category. Often when a fight scene occurs, there are so many rapid cuts that I can’t even see what I came there for in the first place.

Last Chance U executes the action perfectly. There are breaks from basketball, but whenever the players are playing, the angles caught are generally the best they could’ve gotten.

It never gets old when you see a player go up for a dunk or sends a shot into the stands just because of the way it’s captured on screen.

The East LA College Huskies in episode 5 “Colby Ranch” of Last Chance U: Basketball: Season 1. c. Courtesy of Netflix © 2021

They’re Human

One of the best aspects of Last Chance U is that these players are just like everybody else. They may have made mistakes to end up where they are in the show but don’t we all? They’re human, and the program goes out of its way to show that.

Getting to know Head Coach John Mosley and his players Deshaun Highler, Joe Hampton, was a great experience. Every player/coach got their time in the spotlight, giving more depth to the entire cast.

For some of them, basketball was the only thing that helped with whatever they were going through. These kids worked hard to get where they are, and you’ll want to see them pull it through in the end.

Brotherhood

Not everyone is excited to be at East L.A., and you can tell by the opening minutes. There’s tension, thrown chairs, and everything in between. However, through pain comes friendship.

With each experience the players go through, you can see how much closer they get to one another.

If you’ve ever participated in sport or on a team, it brings back memories whenever you see them bond as a unit. Some of the show’s best moments are just the breaks from basketball and the team all together having a great time.

Even if you can’t relate personally, these moments the players share with their coaches might just bring a smile to your face.

Conclusion

Last Chance U gives its audience exactly what they want to see. Basketball at a college level and doesn’t shy away from the dunks, three-pointers, and blocks that make basketball precisely what it is.

The camera work isn’t too shoddy either it’s honestly one of the show’s best technical aspects.

Following East L.A. for a season allows the audience to meet players with all sorts of differences and backgrounds who come together on a team, eventually becoming brothers.

Their victories as a unit will make you happy. They just have something about them that makes you want to root for them.

It’s a fun show for basketball fans, and it will undoubtedly make you reminisce about your fondest team experiences. Even if you aren’t a huge fan of sports, it’s worth giving a shot.

Verdict 9 out of 10 Stars

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‘WandaVision’ (Season 1) TV Show Review: It Doesn’t Matter How You Start – It’s How You Finish!

“But what is grief, if not love persevering?”

Like many others, I was concerned about where the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) would be headed after the conclusion of the most ambitious events in the series thus far.

However, my doubts were proven wrong, and once again, Marvel has found a way to hook their fans back in if they’re willing to stick with it.

Overview

Living as ordinary suburban citizens, Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) suspect that everything may not be how it seems.

Finally a Breath of Fresh Air!

As an avid watcher of the MCU, most fans will be able to say, “well, I saw this coming.” These films typically play out in a familiar fashion. Surprisingly, WandaVision breaks the norm and does it well.

I’d argue that within the MCU that nothing like this has been done before. While also giving their audience a mystery that will have them just wondering what exactly is going on.

Admittedly WandaVision has a slow start compared to other media in the series, but it’s still compelling.

Much Needed Depth

Having a show focused on two Avengers who are incredibly powerful but lacking in screen time so far in the MCU worked out in Marvel’s favor.

Previous to watching this show, I wouldn’t have had much to say about either character. It has been exciting to see them display their unique abilities, but that was about it from me.

WandaVision does an excellent job of expanding its characters. Sides that were previously hidden from both Wanda and Vision are now present.

The performance of Elizabeth Olsen was simply fantastic to watch as well. Seeing her depth as an actress sold every scene. Hopefully, going forward, the MCU will allow her to have more freedom since she ended up stealing the show.

Stick With It

This is not your typical Marvel adventure, and you can tell by the opening scene. The concept was fascinating, and I must applaud Marvel for straying so far outside the traditional formula.

However, I feel that a good chunk of the MCU fans won’t persevere through a good albeit incredibly different Marvel outing.

For those who carry on with the show, there are some pretty large payoffs throughout. Even twists that I didn’t see coming.

Ultimately, Marvel succeeded in the tone they were going for, and looking back on the season, they did it expertly. Although the pacing does suffer at times.

… So Am I Missing Something?

There’s a poor balance in a couple of the episodes between things that are interesting and aspects that aren’t.

While the concept of WandaVision was very unique, some of the episodes feel like they run too long. It is almost like a 10-page paper that’s only halfway done and due in a couple of hours, forcing you to add unnecessary filler. There are just pieces here and there that just aren’t too interesting.

Conclusion

Even after the ending of Avengers: Endgame, Marvel has some fight left in them, and WandaVision was a great way to start in the tv show industry. It was so pleasing to have something fresh!

Although I love Marvel, they have a particular way of doing things, which doesn’t often change. They also did a fantastic job at flushing out some of the strongest Avengers in the series.

The cast did a fantastic job with Elizabeth Olsen at the helm. Other standouts include Kat Dennings (Darcy Lewis), Randall Park (Jimmy Woo), and Teyonah Parris (Monica Rambeau). While the main stars aren’t present, these three are all enjoyable anytime they appear on the big screen.

I hate the idea of saying “stick with it” because a show should be captivating regardless of what their goal is.

Sadly there are times where I didn’t want to sit there and wait for something to happen. The payoff is satisfactory and meets my expectation. However, it doesn’t surpass it.

If the pacing had been a tad better at times, I think that the show could’ve been perfect. For the first MCU tv show, it came out good, and the once worrisome future of the MCU seems to be very bright.

Verdict 8 out of 10 Stars

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‘I Care a Lot’ Film Review: I Wish I Cared More

“You think you’re good people. You’re not good people, trust me. There’s no such thing as good people.”

Going into I Care a Lot I didn’t know what to expect. Almost like Christmas morning when you were a child and excited to open your brand new toy only for it to be a brand new pair of socks.

Even with great acting performances, stellar cinematography, and a killer concept, I found myself not satisfied.

Overview

An untrustworthy legal guardian Marla Grayson (Rosamund Pike), takes advantage of elderly people and places them in retirement homes so she can take their assets.

As Good as It Gets

Regardless if you enjoyed the flick or not, one of the most undeniable positives of the film is Pike’s performance. She sells her character so well and is very believable in her role.

Even when doing dreadful acts, she doesn’t come off as corny or cheesy unlike in other Netflix originals. She stands out even among other great performances, such as Peter Dinklage (Roman Lunyov).

Lunyov serves as an intimidating antagonist. Throughout the film, I found myself wanting to find out more about him. It became quite a disappointment to see that he had limited screen time. He simply was much more interesting than the protagonist.

Can I See That Again?

Quite a few scenes caught my eye throughout the feature, and I found myself rewinding from time to time just to watch a short 15-second clip. They don’t reinvent the wheel, but there are moments where I had to take time to appreciate the camera work.

I Wish I Cared

Sadly, the film doesn’t do much to make you enjoy the protagonist. She’s a strong woman whos very intelligent and won’t take anything from anybody. However, that is pretty much her entire character. Outside of forcing elderly folks to live in retirement homes and steal their money, that is.

I’m not invested in the character we’re following around for most of the film, and I feel that it makes a few story beats fall short. Even worse, some of the decisions Grayson makes simply make no sense. For someone so intelligent, the audience will wonder, but why would she do that?

Grayson’s actions in the movie could easily be considered villainess, but how can we support her without any redeeming qualities?

In films like Joker (2019), we follow a guy while he diverges into madness. He becomes a bad guy, but many sympathize with his story because of what he went through.

In I Care a Lot, Grayson isn’t given a backstory to explain why she does what she does. She’s not a good person, and the film goes out of its way to communicate that to the audience.

However, how can I be emotionally affected positively or negatively when something happens to a character who isn’t very enjoyable and deserves whatever trouble comes her way.

It’s Going It’s Going… it’s gone

The concept of having someone con the system and take advantage of these elderly people is interesting, to say the least. There was much potential, and once the story gets going, it’s pretty engaging.

You’ll want to find out what’s going to happen next, at least for a while. The pacing is nailed throughout the first third of the film, then gets a little messy towards the end.

Without diving into spoilers, many events that occurred towards the end just felt unnecessary and it ended up losing my interest.

Conclusion

From the cinematography to the acting performances, the technical side of I Care a Lot is a dream come true. With a few odd lines here and there, Pike and Dinklage’s performances will be ones to remember.

I don’t believe I Care a Lot does an excellent job of hooking and holding onto the audience. Because of how the main character is written, I don’t care what happens to them, good or bad.

For a substantial section of the film, I honestly could not understand the motivation of our protagonist. Simply put, the situation became a little hard to believe.

For an intelligent person such as Grayson, it is tough to believe what she does at times. Ultimately that aspect ended up disengaging me from the film.

Even though the concept was fresh, the picture didn’t execute the idea with perfection, and it shows.

I Care a Lot had the makings of an outstanding film that suffered from the protagonist’s writing and not staying engaging throughout the product.

Verdict 6 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Netflix

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‘Cobra Kai’ (Season 3) TV Show Review: Consistency Is Key

“You know what they say, there’s no such thing as a bad student.”

When The Karate Kid came to theaters in 1984 I’m certain that the creators as well as the actors did not believe the series would be relevant over 30 years later. Not only that but since Cobra Kai began it has proved itself to be a remarkable continuation of The Karate Kid.

The balance between campy and serious tones make for an enjoyable show. Even if some of the moments are a little corny for their own good.

Overview

Following the massive school fight between Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai from Season 2’s finale the students as well as the dojos have to deal with the fall out.

Still Kicking It

The theme of heroes and villains not really existing and that everyone is just human is continued here. Depth that I never thought would be explored in The Karate Kid universe occurred during this season.

While at times it can be pretty predictable even those moments you knew were going to happen eventually have great pay offs.

We Didn’t Know We Wanted This

This season brings us numerous moments that we never asked for but turned into some of the best parts of the entire series. It’s a testament to how well they’ve payed homage to the source material.

I felt a flurry of emotions throughout the entire season. Most of them being very positive. Going forward my only hope is that they can keep up this level of consistency.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

My biggest issue with this show involves casting choices and fight choreography at times. While this production falls into the campy/cheesy genre of media sometimes it goes a bit too far and my suspension of disbelief starts to diminish.

It’s pretty odd to see a child who isn’t physically imposing to fight off a whole group of people that are bigger than them. It just gets a little too unrealistic which may very well be the point.

Karate taking over schools in the present so much so that students of dojos practically wage war at school is obviously not too realistic.

This issue is not present for the majority of the show though. Immediately Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), & Miguel Diaz (Xolo Maridueña) come to mind when thinking about the best fight scenes. When they come to blows with an opponent I generally believe what I’m seeing.

In fact throughout the show the best fights involve all of these characters. There’s many that I haven’t mention that also are always a joy to see locked in battle. A few actors just seem to stand out for the wrong reasons but its not a fault of their own.

Why Are You Here?

One of the issues that’s persisted from the beginning of the program is that there are a few characters that just don’t have a place. These individuals don’t get much screen time and don’t have much character.

Cobra Kai does an amazing job developing characters that they choose to give attention to so it stands out significantly when that same love and care doesn’t extend to a few of the reoccurring actors/actresses.

Conclusion

After the shocking end of season 2 everyone knew that those events would affect the following season and Cobra Kai did not disappoint. Depth that was non-existent before in the universe of The Karate Kid is present now and its great to see.

There are so many heart warming moments across the season fans of the source material will enjoy just how the show handled everything.

The campy nature of 80’s action films are still present here and while sometimes I believe they go a little overboard the drama keeps you grounded. You want to see how the story will end even if there are moments that’ll leave you shaking your head.

Fight choreography is pretty important in a production like this and its executed decently. Not all fights are created equal and it comes down to the casting most of the time. Certain characters never have a bad fight scene while a few of the actors/actresses don’t even seem to be hitting their opponents at times.

To enjoy Cobra Kai to the fullest I believe you have to view it with some suspension of disbelief if not you’ll be poking holes in it from time to time.

Three seasons in and no sign of slowing down Cobra Kai has consistently been good. Even if you’ve never seen the movies that released in the 80’s there’s so much here for you to enjoy and I’m excited to see what the rest of the series has in store.

Verdict 8 out of 10 Stars

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‘Soul’ Film Review: Does it miss the Boat?

“I was born to play”

2020 may be one of the most memorable years for the wrong reasons. Many lives have been changed and for avid movie goers their routine of checking out the next blockbuster in theaters was stripped away from them.

While new movies releasing on streaming services isn’t ideal “Soul” is definitely worth a watch even if the normal Pixar audiences may not enjoy it as much as previous films.

Overview

Joe, a middle-school band teacher has a real serious passion for music specifically Jazz. He thought that by now he’d have accomplished his dream of becoming a well known Jazz artist but he’s fallen a little short.

His life takes quite a turn after he finally gets a real chance to prove himself and along the way Joe must learn what it means to have a soul.

A Visual Masterpiece

To not give attention to appearance of the film would be a huge mistake. From the characters, to the New York environments it truly puts the quick animation cash grabs that come out every year to shame.

The movie feels like it captures the nature of New York and it stands out. For a city that appears in so many films a feat such as that is remarkable.

One of the biggest complaints have is that just not enough time is spent in the city itself.

Very Thought Provoking

This may be the most mature Pixar film to date. The themes addressed require deep thought. You may even find yourself questioning your own life choices.

That is a powerful thing that a film whose designated audience is for the family can even make people think along those lines.

Too Young for the Deep End

After a rather slow start I found myself getting very invested in the story about half hour into the film. As the movie continued one thing kept popping in my head was “who is this for?” Pixar’s audience has always been family. This time I wasn’t so sure.

I don’t know what a five year old will get from this film. The slow nature is bound to turn off many children and impatient viewers. New York while visually appealing is not the only location in the film and without spoiling the other areas don’t feel filled with life.

Some of the best animation uses many colors and blends them beautifully. Because of that plenty of younger viewers can get engaged in some media even if the story is not very alluring to them.

Lastly, the comedy is not enough to keep audiences engaged if that was the deciding factor in continuing to watch the motion picture. The jokes are actually pretty good and they don’t over stay their welcome. However, they don’t come very often.

Conclusion

I feel bad for those who won’t make it through the lengthy introduction. They’re missing out on a very deep film that frankly can cause you to think about your own life.

This story feels relatable what Joe goes through many people do the same thing. It certainly gave me food for thought.

The animation is next level. I don’t believe there’s many other films where New York City has looked this good. All of the human characters have unique looks and possess depth. Most of the characters Joe deals with I wouldn’t be disappointed if they got their own specials on Disney+ they’re just enjoyable.

How many children will enjoy this? While ‘Soul’ is marketed as a family film I don’t believe kids will end up getting it. The messaging is what makes the movie as good as it is. Without it it’d still be a decent film but its maturity allows it to stand out from it’s fellow Pixar movies.

Finally, I think this film will be divisive with people either praising it or letting others know its being blown way out of proportion. I encourage you even if you don’t like traditional Pixar motion pictures to give ‘Soul’ a shot.

Verdict 7.5 out of 10 Stars

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‘The Devil All the Time’ Film Review: What Was the Point of It All?

“It Wasn’t That Bad, Mama”

Have you ever invested your time into something only for you to question the reason you did it in the first place? “The Devil All the Time” is a gruesome and slow-burning film that doesn’t know how to take off.

Overview

A young man tries to protect the ones he loves in a town full of cynical characters.

A Diamond in the Rough

Arvin (Tom Holland) delivers a very solid performance so much so that he’s missed while not on screen. His casting allowed for at least one character for audiences to really root for.

Most other characters are just not great people or just aren’t very interesting.

Falling Flat

None of the “villains” in this film justify their presence. Audiences will struggle to find any antagonists that they even understand. These characters are given no motivation and practically zero backstory. They just commit horrible deeds.

The only sort of exception would be the Rev. Preston Teagardin (Robert Pattinson) and only because of the actor’s performance. Any antagonist introduced is pretty early forgotten. Admittedly most of the characters just aren’t too memorable.

Sticking to its guns

Shortly into the film, you’ll learn that no one sticks around for long. Characters drop by flies throughout the movie so much it just becomes predictable.

The creators of “The Devil All the Time” do stick to their message that evil is everywhere. In the church, the police department and, just your everyday civilians. You’re beat over the head with it so much that it gets tiresome knowing the outcome of a scene as soon as it begins.

We’re waiting…

The pacing and length alone of this film makes it a pretty difficult watch. Over an hour into the picture not many events worth mentioning even occurred.

“The Devil All the Time” spends much of the film jumping around in time. Even if you’re paying attention it wouldn’t be surprising if you end up being confused.

From time to time the narrator will jump in to give exposition and it feels overabundant. A story shouldn’t need a narrator popping in often to explain what’s happening to the viewer. However, without that exposition most would just be lost throughout.

Conclusion

What was the point of it all? That’s the question that comes to mind as I watched the credits roll. From predictable conclusions to forgettable characters this film is a mess.

Even with a superb performance from Tom Holland, not even that can save this picture. The story goes everywhere and really loses the audience. Nothing feels like it happens organically just more events occur so that the plot can continue.

Evil is everywhere and throughout you’ll see that the story was written to emphasize that. Eventually, it feels insulting because of how many times they choose to share the same message.

Finally, the movie just felt too long. The same job could’ve been accomplished in significantly less time. That also would’ve allowed for more exciting moments and maybe a more focused plot.

Verdict 4.5 out of 10 Stars

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‘Cobra Kai’ (Season 1) TV Show Review: Always Strike First

“Fear does not exist in this dojo”

This is how you bring back a classic! Cobra Kai is an action-packed, comedic, well-executed drama that succeeds at most levels as a TV show.

This is a love letter to the fans of the original Karate Kid but even if you don’t have a history with this series it’s still incredibly easy to dive right into.

Overview

Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) former All Valley Karate Tournament champion was dethroned in 1984 by Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). Now 30 years later, Lawrence has been down on his luck since his high school days.

However, that all changes when he notices his neighbor Miguel, getting bullied, and comes to his aid. After, Lawrence decides he needs to stop sulking and is inspired to bring back one of the most infamous dojos ever.

Nothing Is Black and White

This show is filled to the brim with lessons and no one is without error. Generally in a feature its quickly established who the audience should root for. We are given our “hero” and we spend the show generally watching them overcome their adversary.

What I think the story wants to tell its audience is that people can and will change. Lawerence isn’t the same man he was when he went for LaRusso’s weak spot when they were teenagers.

LaRusso isn’t the same person from before either he’s allowed that event in high school to affect the rest of his life. So much so that the audience can see how his wife has begun to be more than annoyed by it.

Invigorating Action!

For years karate has been pretty much absent from the cinema and television. So to bring it back out of nowhere while making it exciting to watch is surprising to say the least.

From time to time I found myself getting out of my seat when someone was hit. Audiences will feel engaged and the cameramen do not shy away from the action.

Why stay silent?

Easily one of the most frustrating things is that certain issues aren’t resolved for episodes at a time because a character won’t speak up. It’s needless drama and it doesn’t feel like it would happen in a real-life situation.

For most, if they are accused of something that isn’t true they’re going to have a rebuttal ready. However, throughout the show’s first season events like this occur quite a few times where someone allows others to believe a lie.

Conclusion

I for one thought the universe of The Karate Kid had been concluded years ago. However, I was wrong and I couldn’t be more happy to say that. In many ways I believe Cobra Kai has surpassed its source material.

Pure heroes and villains are something of fairy tales at the end of the day we are all just people. This is the message that the show tried to shove down your throat and it does it well!

Compliments to the camera work because action films and shows suffer when they don’t capture the battle. The Transformers series for example doesn’t capture most of the action. With so many cuts its confusing to know what exactly is going on.

Throughout the season you’ll see devastating takedowns that’ll make you jump out of your seat. The fighting really is all that you can ask for at the end of the day.

Finally, the biggest issues this show has is concerning its story. Many situations could’ve been solved at an earlier time if people would just communicate. It becomes frustration very early on and doesn’t really get better until the end.

Verdict 8 out of 10 Stars

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‘The Legend of Korra’ TV Show Review: Missed Potential

“I Don’t Know What I’m Supposed To Be Doing Half The Time”

To follow up a show like Avatar: The Last Airbender with something equally as good I’d say is a very difficult task. From the characters, music, plot, and world building its simply just an amazing cartoon.

While i don’t believe The Legend of Korra had as much as a solid run as it’s predecessor the show definitely deserves its credit for what it did well.

Overview

The Legend of Korra follows the newest avatar and successor of Aang in her pursuit to bring peace to the world. Korra is a 17-year-old girl from the Southern Water Tribe who from a young age has had the ability to use three of the four elements at will.

While it seems like Avatar Aang did much to make the world a peaceful place new threats arise and its Korra’s job to not allow the planet to be further thrown out of balance.

What it gets right, it really gets right!

Surpassing the original series probably was not most fans expectation for the show. These people were just happy to dive back into the Avatar universe. From the first episode something just felt right about production.

The animation looks amazing and you can really tell during combat. It’s incredible just to see the little details in every scene.

As with the original series the score is elegant. Truly every song that is played will get me engaged even if whats happening on screen isn’t too interesting.

Missed Potential

One of the most frustrating things about this show in general is that it started off great. The first season had a great antagonist and the world building was phenomenal. While it was a bit slow I liked the pace the story chose to take.

Such a strong start also made it hard for The Legend of Korra to follow up the same level of quality throughout the series. However, the beginning doesn’t excuse some of the other seasons for being less than stellar.

One of the best antagonists in the series is followed up by possibly the worst and the show’s quality diminishes with his introduction. I believe that the incredibly high stakes are what makes this show become pretty average in a couple seasons.

Its a bit too predictable and most of the time you’ll be able to guess the outcome.

What Do We Do Now?

The cast does their job at the end of the day. I don’t believe they are the greatest group of characters ever assembled but they serve their purpose… in season one.

It felt like the writers knew what they wanted in the beginning and after that point they lost their way. Some characters are written into a wall and go nowhere for the rest of the show’s run pretty early on in the series.

It’s really unfortunate because one of the best aspects of Avatar: The Last Airbender are the characters. However, in The Legend of Korra I feel that there are many characters who just exist and lose their purpose within a couple seasons.

Conclusion

The Legend of Korra really excels with their fight scenes, music, and animation. These are some of the most important aspects of a show such as this.

I believe the show hit its peak too early and had such a huge falloff that made the series suffer. With subpar villains along with poor character development two of the four season’s quality just felt very off.

There’s so much missed potential throughout the entire show and I believe that the series was only a few steps away from greatness. Just to be clear The Legend of Korra is not a bad show it just could’ve had a better run.

Verdict 6 out of 10 Stars

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‘Midsommar’ Film Review: How Long Until the Cows Come Home?

“What if I regret it later and I can’t get her back?”

When I reached the conclusion of this film and the credits rolled for the first time ever I was filled with uncertainty. I had no idea if this movie was great or if it was just your average run of the mill creepy film. What I will say is Midsommar is a movie you should watch for yourself and generate your own opinion.

Overview

A couple at the end of their rope decides to take a trip to Sweden to visit their friend’s hometown for its midsummer festival. However, as the event continues the more the vacation turns into a abhorrent nightmare.

Something Is Off

During the course of this film something just doesn’t sit well. From the opening events you’re kind of prepared for something to happen you don’t know what exactly but you have your guard up. Which is both good and bad.

A big problem that Midsommar has is that it’s a very slow burn for not enough payoff. This is a long film but admittedly I didn’t really want it to end. Even so I never felt like enough was happening to justify the length of the movie.

Something creepy would happen then a half hour would go by and another odd event would occur making me think that the main characters would try and leave.

Instead they’d shrug it off acting like nothing too bad happened. Which made it really difficult to feel bad for anyone knowing that they stayed when they could’ve at least attempted to escape.

Bad Decisions

My biggest annoyance when it comes to horror films is when the main characters make poor choices. It disconnects me from the product because most of the time one of the people who loses their life could have easily prevented it.

Get Out is one of my favorite horror movies and one of the best aspects of the film is that the protagonist wasn’t an idiot. Anyone could’ve gotten caught in the situation he found himself in. Sadly Midsommar‘s characters feel like they are begging for the worst to happen to them most of the time.

Fitting Score & Superb Camera Work

Easily two of the best aspects of this motion picture is the camera work as well as it’s soundtrack. There’s so much foreshadowing present from very early on you could spend hours trying to find everything. Not to mention the shots compliment the film in ways that could’ve been ruined with some shoddy camera work.

Sounds are incredibly important when it comes to making a good horror film and it feels like Midsommar knew exactly what to play throughout the entire course of the film.

Conclusion

I love the setting of this movie naturally its pretty creepy and I felt uneasy from beginning to end. Sadly I don’t feel like enough happened. Watching Midsommar felt like hitting a pinata but no matter how many times I hit it the candy never came out.

Characters making stupid decisions honestly did affect how I thought about the film since they could’ve all left as soon as weird events started happening. Not to mention none of the characters are too likable.

I didn’t care who lived and who died that goes for the entire cast. I believe they’re all great actors/actresses but just the way their characters were written made me not care for them.

From a technical aspect the film is pretty much perfect the camera work is amazing and the score fit incredibly well over the course of the movie.

However, at the end of the day I feel like the film was a little too long and was just not satisfying. Sitting down for a couple hours with not many exciting moments is a lot to ask for audiences and while I liked what they were going for I feel that it could’ve been executed better.

Verdict 6 out of 10 Stars

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‘The Last Airbender’ Film Review: More Than a Disappointment

“You stand alone. That has always been your greatest weakness”

Have you ever seen a film that that you had close to no expectations for and you still ended up being disappointed? Avatar not only accomplishes that feat it’s also difficult to find any redeeming qualities throughout this blundering mess of a film.

Overview

The four nations of Air, Water, Earth and Fire lived peacefully until the Fire Nation declared war on the world. Even a century after their reign began, the fighting continues with no end in sight.

The being meant to keep the peace among the land is called the Avatar but he mysteriously vanished when the world needed him most. Now 100 years later a young boy is found encased in ice and learns he must master all four elements to stop the Fire Nation from bringing the world to their knees.

Clearly No One Watched the Show

From the opening moments something just feels off. The show this film is based upon is one of the most beloved cartoons of the 2000’s era and to this day the show is held in high regard.

The Last Airbender genuinely feels like no one knew what the show was about but right before they started filming someone gave them a brief description of all the characters and the plot. The actors/actresses screw up pronunciations of just about every single character in the original show.

If that were the biggest issue I think that most people could get over the mistakes this film makes but none of the characters are the same. The show Avatar: The Last Airbender knows how to balance seriousness and comedy in the best way possible.

While the film is the most serious children’s films I have ever seen. It’s difficult to find out who this movie’s audience truly is. It’s not for the fans clearly and for people who enjoy bad movies I doubt you’d even like this.

Going Through the Motions

About 70% of this film is going through the events in season 1 which most of the time just is not a great idea. That’s an abundant amount of information to cover in a less than two hour film. Many emotional beats are lost because everything feels so rushed.

Even if the film did well enough to get a sequel the movie left out key characters. If you never watched the show I couldn’t imagine how confused you’d be since the film feels like everyone skimmed a book then attempted to give a rousing presentation.

Weird Camera Work

I’ve never seen so many awful shots in a film with a decent sized budget. There are scenes that last over a minute that are just a one-shot that consists two characters just talking. Not only is it boring which is a crime in itself but also it’s such a lazy way of giving exposition.

Conclusion

Saying that The Last Airbender is a bad film is a given the reasons behind it being bad are pretty impressive though. From the terrible acting to the god awful camera work you’ll struggle trying to defend the movie in any way.

The characters both heroes and villains are beloved by fans of the show. However, when it came to the movie adaption they all lost their character.

They are almost unrecognizable. One of the main characters Sokka is known for his sarcasm and being pretty funny both of those are some of his biggest traits. Once he went on the big screen though that part of his character was gone and the same can be said about the rest of the cast.

Effects being awful in comparison to the show goes without saying as well. Bending is one of the best aspects of Avatar: The Last Airbender so of course they have to ruin it in the adaption. At the end of day this just isn’t a quality film it wasn’t worth your money when it was in theaters and its not worth your time now.

Verdict 2 out of 10 Stars

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‘Bad Boys: For Life’ Film Review: Third Time’s a Charm

“We ride together, we die together”

Have you ever wanted to watch a film just because you loved the actors/actresses that starred in it? Although many were excited to see Mike (Will Smith) & Marcus (Martin Lawrence) return to the big screen after an abundance of years fans and critics alike didn’t expect the newest entry to live up to the 2000’s classics.

However Bad Boys: For Life blew my expectations out of the water and the film delivered after a 17-year wait.

Martin Lawrence, Will Smith,

Overview

The wife and son of a Mexican drug lord plan to kill everyone who ended up putting him in prison. This includes Miami Detective Mike Lowrey the cop that arrested him years ago.

Father Time Doesn’t Stop the Action

It’s no secret that Will & Martin aren’t as young as they used to be but that doesn’t stop any of the good stuff. The action scenes are engaging as ever with high-speed chases, gunfights, and burning buildings.

Deeper Than I Originally Thought

Nothing told me that Bad Boys: For Life would be anything more than just your average run of the mill action film. The beginning starts out fairly slow and while it’s enjoyable it’s nothing that truly stands out.

After the film hits the 20-minute mark it picks up and never really takes its foot off the gas.

Bad-Boys-for-Life-2020-01-56-20-167367

Weak New Additions

Sadly even though this outing was better than expected that doesn’t mean the newest characters stand their ground among the veterans. The new roles are simply forgettable and are all pretty one-note.

Fans of the previous films will definitely enjoy the way that Mike and Marcus were handled along with some other old faces but new ones not so much.

Just Having Fun

Easily one of the best aspects of this film is that its not a cash grab. It feels like a love letter to the fans of the first two films in the series. After all these years it would be easy to make some money by just throwing in Will Smith and Martin Lawerence.

Instead of that, we’re given a movie that I believe has been pretty overlooked since it’s release.

badboysforlife21

Conclusion

Will Smith and Martin Lawerence bring their absolute best to the film and it shows throughout. From their action scenes to their dialogue the chemistry they possess is immaculate and it makes me begin to wonder why this entry released so much later after the first two.

While fast cars and gunfights are in just about every action film there’s just something about the creativity used in this motion picture when it comes to the scenes that make me prefer this over your average action film.

There are definitely funny moments throughout the movie and most audiences will get a good laugh just about every other sentence when Marcus is on screen.

Even though the supporting roles are forgettable it doesn’t mean the actors/actresses didn’t perform well just the main focus of the film was on the main duo.

In conclusion, Bad Boys: For Life is a good time and it delivers a well thought out story that easily competes with what the rest of the series had to offer.

Verdict 8 out of 10 Stars

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’13 Cameras’ Film Review: An Unnerving Surprise

Have you ever seen a film that just makes your skin crawl? This particular experience was designed to make its audience feel uncomfortable and it does a pretty bang-up job at it, to say the least. The villain himself makes the outcome intriguing but other aspects tend to make going through the film a bit sluggish.

Overview

A newlywed couple gets more than they bargained for when their new landlord isn’t who they thought he was.

13-Cameras-Gerald-and-Claire

Simplicity

Many films suffer from not having an easy to follow plotline. Audiences can get confused and just uninterested if a story tries to juggle too many things at once.

13 Cameras is as straightforward as it gets in a good way. The majority of the film focuses on the new couple who have just moved in while at the same time showing their landlord who from the beginning will make your skin crawl.

He could simply be standing there and you’ll just have a chill shiver down your spine.

Mixed Focus

Although the story has a pretty good balance of focusing on different characters it doesn’t mean that everything is interesting. 10 – 20 minutes of the film could be cut out because it’s just not exciting.

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Not only is it unexciting it doesn’t add to the plot. At the end of the day, it feels like they were just padding out the film’s runtime. It’s still a fun watch with a couple of friends but it’s difficult to give it more credit than that.

Reasoning

In this film, you’ll find zero motivation behind the antagonist’s actions. In the sequel 14 Cameras, we see more of a reason behind his deeds but no one should have to watch another movie just to understand a villain’s motivation.

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Conclusion

Although 13 Cameras is not the most exciting thriller it does have it’s moments. When the film actually does try to focus on being exciting it’s pretty engaging sadly there are only a few of those moments throughout the film.

There are so many unnecessary scenes in the movie that could be cut out simply because they don’t offer anything. However, picking apart the weird scenes with a few friends will make for a fun night.

The most frustrating aspect of the film is how the protagonists could’ve avoided their dire situation if they just behaved how a normal person would.

In conclusion, don’t go into 13 Cameras with the expectation it’s going to blow your mind it’s a pretty fun film, and if you don’t have much going on just turn it on.

It’s available on Netflix currently along with its sequel.

Verdict 7 out of 10 Stars

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Bored in Quarantine? Here Are Some Movies & TV Shows That’ll Keep You Busy

Being locked in the house all day isn’t what most people would call fun. However, if you have Netflix or Hulu there are some quality shows & movies worth your time. Hopefully, these entries can make staying in your homes a bit more bearable.

1. You (Netflix)

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“There are terrifying people in the world. It’s important to be safe and that’s why I have to do what I’m going to do”

What would you do for love? For Joe Goldberg, nothing is off the table. Throughout the show, you’ll see just how far Joe is willing to go in his pursuit of love in ways that are just truly unexpected.

With a steady build-up to the final episode of each season tensions rise. The storytelling is done in such a way that the audience will remain interested from beginning to end to get the answers they want.

2. Creed 2 (Hulu)

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“If you want to change things in a big way, then you gotta make some big changes”

Who would’ve thought that when Rocky was released in 1976 it’s impact would still be relevant in 2020? The story of Creed II takes place shortly after the events of the first and the protagonist Adonis Johnson has built up quite a reputation since then.

The biggest reason why Johnson became a boxer in the first place was because of his late father Apollo Creed. In 1985, Apollo died in the ring against a Russian boxer named Ivan Drago. Now 33 years after the incident the son of Drago challenges Johnson to a match in the ring.

3. A Quiet Place (Hulu)

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“If they hear you they hunt you”

In a world where people must live in silence or face certain death a compelling story is born. From the first scene onward you feel as though you’re right inside the shoes of the family we watch throughout the film.

A Quiet Place follows Evelyn (Emily Blunt) & Lee Abbot (John Krasinski) as they do all that they can to protect their family in a living nightmare.

4. Tiger King (Netflix)

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“I’d shoot you before I shot my cat”

Easily one of the most shocking shows to come out recently. From the tiger king himself being Joe Exotic hiring someone to murder his long term enemy Carol Baskin. To the general public’s assumption that Baskin fed her husband to tigers.

Surprisingly as the show continues it only gets more ridiculous. Words can’t begin to describe the Netflix Original it’s truly something you’d need to see for yourself.

5. Kung Fu Panda 2 (Netflix)

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“Your story may not have a happy beginning, but that doesn’t make you who you are. It is the rest of your story, who you choose to be”

Sequels more often than not pale in comparison to the original product and that just isn’t the case in Kung Fu Panda 2. Po (Jack Black) alongside the Furious Five are the protectors of the Valley of Peace. They are all martial artists with extraordinary skills.

While the valley has been safe for quite some time a new enemy threatens to take over all of China. Now it’s up to Po and his friends to defeat a foe who seeks out to wipe Kung fu from the world.

6. Bojack Horseman (Netflix)

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“Not Understanding That You’re A Horrible Person Doesn’t Make You Less Of A Horrible Person”

Bojack Horseman is a bitter, bad-tempered, self-loathing washed-up celebrity from the ’90s. After quite some time out of the limelight, Bojack decides he wants to gain his fame back.

The show has its happy moments as well as its sad ones. However, throughout the journey, while everyone tends to realize Bojack isn’t a great person there’s something about him that makes you want him to change for the better.

 

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‘Onward’ Film Review: A Heartwarming Sense of Déjà Vu

“‘I think, with a little bit of magic in your life, you can do almost anything.”

From the world-renowned Pixar comes a new adventure filled to the brim with excitement, amusement, and deep heartfelt moments. While the story itself doesn’t reinvent the wheel it still serves its purpose as an entertaining animated film.

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Overview

Two teenage elf brothers Barley (Chris Pratt) & Ian (Tom Holland) must set out on an adventure to spend one more day with their late father. Along the way, Ian must practice his newfound skills while their mother Laurel (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) attempts to get them back.

Magical Chemistry

While the plot is straightforward, along the way are some memorable characters and beautiful locales to boot. Holland & Pratt have both shared the screen together before so it’s not surprising that they play off each other well. From beginning to end I believe in their relationship as people who truly care for each other.

Barley would do anything for his brother and it’s expressed without shoving it in the audience’s faces. Laurel also plays a bigger role than expected in the film, in fact, there weren’t any characters that bothered me while they were on screen.

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Going into the film I believed it would entirely be about the two brothers but I was wrong. The movie benefits from having other characters with big roles. Even some with small roles give the film some added spectacle and its satisfying to watch play out.

World Building Done Right

From the opening shot, the audience is aware that their world is similar to ours except it’s filled with magical beasts. From unicorns digging through the trash like raccoons to centaurs riding in police cars, this magical land has been brought to the modern world.

To see these creatures placed in such an environment is refreshing it’s not where you’d expect to see them.

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Same Old Same Old

While the overall idea for the film is fresh this isn’t an animated tale that breaks the mold. At the end of the day, it doesn’t tell a story that most audiences haven’t heard before.

However, that doesn’t make the film bad the idea of a family being able to reunite with their dead father is a story that I didn’t think I’d see from Pixar. At times the film really tugs at some heartstrings and it touched my heart. That’s a mature theme that I’m sure will leave audiences surprised that the film dealt with that.

While it’s great that most will be able to connect to the movie on an emotional level that doesn’t take away the fact that there is manufactured tension between the brothers. In most animated films at some point, the main characters will have a little bit of a falling out.

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Everyone watching knows that they’ll make it up to each other and it’s just a matter of time before they do. I’ll love it when one day writers decide they don’t need to have something separate from the main characters in every film. It’s just exhausting at this point.

Conclusion

The idea for Onward to mix the modern world with magical characters was great. With plenty of sight gags as well as all the magic sequences the film just wouldn’t be the same if the story took place during a different time.

The film is entertaining, to say the least, and the chemistry between Tom Holland and Chris Pratt is strong from the very beginning. Their characters are both some of the best parts of the film and having them on screen together makes the movie even stronger.

Onward doesn’t tell a story that most people who have seen a film before haven’t seen. Many of the story beats are copy and pasted from other films. While I’d prefer for completely new ideas most animated films do fall into the realm of not being entirely original.

Even though the film isn’t too innovative that doesn’t make it non-enjoyable. It’s fun and adventurous you feel like you’re joining the characters on their quest. Not only that you truly support the main duo because at the end of the day who wouldn’t wanna see someone special they lost even if it was only for a day.

Verdict 8 out of 10 Stars

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Has Family Guy gone on too long?

With 18 seasons and counting, Family Guy is one of the longest-running cartoons to have aired. For decades the show has been the cause of many laughs and positive memories. However, in the last few years, many have wondered should the show even continue it’s run?

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Down Hill

It’s no secret that Family Guy does not carry the same quality that it had at the beginning of the shows run. To have a show last that long is not easy and the crazy antics can get stale.

There’s only so many times where Peter Griffin can do something idiotic and apologize at the end of the episode. Only to be met with forgiveness every single time before things start to get a little stale.

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Family Guy still has their fair share of laughs but even 10 seasons ago the series was highly regarded as just a funny show. Today I rarely hear anyone talking about the brand new episode of Family Guy it just does not have the same relevance as before.

Fixing the Issue

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In its 18th season, Family Guy has delivered nothing out of the ordinary. The show in its current state is not worse or better than other recent seasons. Personally, I hate that shows can get away with being just average. This show, in particular, had a pretty great run and could get back to its former glory.

I think that Family Guy needs to feel like it’s writers are genuinely trying to make a quality show. Give audiences more diverse stories and I’m certain it would help. We all know Peter is an idiot but that shouldn’t get every single story on its way. Give us something new while also retaining what the fans have loved from the beginning.

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Conclusion

If Family Guy continues in its current direction then it’d probably be better if the show came to an end. Such a long-running series is bound to run into issues but it seems like the writers don’t care too much about making a quality show. The past few seasons have just been okay which just isn’t good enough.

The future of Family Guy is in the hands of those who make it and only they can choose if they want their series relevant in 2020. If the show can be as original and funny as it has in the past I have no worries about the future of the series however if they can’t then Family Guy will just stay an average adult comedy when it could be so much more.

 

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‘You (Season 1)’ TV Show Review: The Price of Love

“There are terrifying people in the world. It’s important to be safe, and that’s why I have to do what I’m going to do.”

Have you ever seen the world through the eyes of a person who believes they’re in the right when that couldn’t be further from the truth? Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) is a loner who works at a book store that keeps to himself for the most part.

Until one faithful day when a woman named Genevieve Beck (Elizabeth Lail) walks into his store. Joe becomes infatuated with Beck, and he will stop at nothing to gain her love.

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Rooting for a Bad Guy?

Narration is typically considered to be lazy, mainly because it allows for the writers to give the audience information easily. Joe Goldberg, among other characters, does not go many scenes without narration, which seems like it would be exhausting. However, it suits the storytelling well.

From the outside, looking in most would have very different thoughts about the entire cast of You. Because we get to see how their minds work, we may end up understanding some motives even if we don’t agree with how they necessarily go about solving their issues.

Subverting Expectations Constantly

Audiences will be surprised by how much they actually know about the story, or should I say how little. You does an astounding job at subverting expectations, and often viewers won’t know what’s going to happen in the story next.

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Superb Acting for the Most Part

A couple of the performances are astounding with how well the actors/actresses represent their characters. Penn Badgley, the actor who portrays Joe Goldberg, can act out a flurry of different emotions with incredible skill. In one scene, he can go from two extremely different moods such as anger into being at peace.

Elizabeth Lail, the actress that plays as Genevieve Beck, also holds her own throughout the show. For story purposes, her character just isn’t as exciting as Joes, but she completes her role with flying colors.

Wanting Everything to Work Out

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One of the weirdest feelings is watching someone who you know isn’t necessarily a good person and wanting them to find happiness. It’s because of how well Joe and Beck interact with each other, not to mention everything that the audience goes through with them.

Previously I spoke about how the narration benefits the storytelling, and in terms of Joe and Beck’s relationship, it adds much-wanted depth. There are two different layers of storytelling going on, and I’ve never seen any media, for the most part, use narration in such a way that was a serious show or movie.

While they’re very different people, I believe their differences benefit the other for the most part. To put it lightly, Beck isn’t the most put-together person, and she has many personal struggles.

When she meets Joe, that begins to change, and it is a great thing to see. Pacing for relationships in media can often feel off; however, You succeeds once again with allowing Beck & Joe’s relationship to progress naturally.

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Conclusion

What makes someone a bad person? You forces the audience to answer that question. The cast chosen for this show does their job to the best of their abilities. Because of that, the first season of You is bursting with quality.

From Joe and Beck’s relationship to the unusual method of storytelling used, the program uses all of the tricks that it can pull out of its hat to make an exquisite show about a stalker obsessed with a woman.

Not only that, but the writers succeed at writing the story in such a way that people support the stalker. That’s incredibly impressive; however, it is not only because of the writing team. Badgley took his time in the spotlight and showed audiences his vast range of acting skills.

All of the characters in his show, for the most part, do their role to be the best of their ability based on their job. If a character is supposed to be annoying, then the actor/actress gets the job done.

Finally, the pacing is perfect; the audience will not have to spend hours watching the same plotline. Secrets that are uncovered add to the show and allow the story to progress naturally, making every episode feel fresh, especially towards the season finale.

Verdict 9 out of 10 Stars

 

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‘Coach Carter’ Film Review: More Than an Athlete

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world.”

Doing what you know is right sometimes can be the most laborious task. Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) knows this all too well when he must return to his old high school to coach an undisciplined, insubordinate, and obstreperous group of young men. 

Kobe Tribute

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The world of basketball was changed forever a few days ago in the shocking death of Kobe Bryant. While the film does not directly relate to the man, it does not change the fact that his life meant so much to the game and so many people around the planet. You will be sincerely missed.

Real-Life Issues

It’s easy to watch this film and judge the basketball team harshly. The way that they act can be rude without a doubt. However, you don’t know whatever these teenagers have been through. The world that these kids live in is not easy.

Kenyon Stone, one of the few level headed players on the basketball team, even has his own struggles. With a pregnant girlfriend in high school, along with having the chance to play college basketball, he has to decide what’s worth more to him.

Even if you can’t relate to their stories and backgrounds personally, you feel some of the pain that they experience. You know, even though some of the boys have a rough exterior that these teenagers are not bad people that they’ve just had harsh lives.

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Feels Real

An aspect of the film that I love is the language used. High school films often feel very outdated no matter when they were released. People just don’t talk like movies assume high schoolers talk. While this film was released over 15 years ago, the slang, along with the sayings, are still used today.

Clothing styles in the film feel a little dated but that’s what people wore during the time the film took place. 

Basketball is being Played

When you have spent a vast amount of time dedicated to a specific activity, it can be scary to see it played out in a film. Because it’s hard to enjoy a movie that doesn’t go through the effort of making the situation look real. If you love basketball, then you’ll immediately love the scenes concerning basketball.

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From the games to the scrimmages it feels like actual basketball players are out there playing. Instead of some guys that don’t know about the sport. It’s honestly refreshing getting both good actors that can also at least appear to play basketball well.

Samuel L Jackson Steals the Show!

I don’t think I’ve seen a movie that had Samuel L. Jackson in it, and I didn’t enjoy his performance. Regardless if I liked the film or not, he always stands out. Here especially, it shows that he can take a serious role and perform very well.

Jackson is a coach who doesn’t act like basketball is the only thing that matters. The parents of the children who play on the basketball team have already spent their lives telling them that this sport will be the best part of their lives. So the only thing that matters to many of these kids is basketball.

Ambitions outside of that aren’t too lofty, and Coach Carter doesn’t want that to remain true. The basketball players are student-athletes, which means they should go to class and learn not just play basketball until they can’t anymore.

I truly felt that Jackson cared about the future of the teenagers that he coached. It’s a beautiful thing, and he feels so genuine.

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Conclusion

Coach Carter succeeds at one of the most challenging things for films to do, correctly and it’s to cast accurately for a movie that takes place in high school. Everything feels right from the dialogue to the clothes that the teenagers wear. Those may seem minimalistic, but it’s one of the easiest ways to get disconnected from a film.

The serious themes that the picture tackles are also grounded in realism. It may seem astonishing to some how life is for people in impoverished areas. Not everyone was born in the suburbs and had a pretty easy life. Most people don’t know what it’s like to be aware you have a baby on the way in high school, but that’s a serious issue that some must face.

Outside of that, there’s constant gang violence and it’s pretty much unavoidable depending on where you live. I really do appreciate the film for diving deep into these harsher themes.

From major to minor characters the acting is very believable. In my opinion, Samuel L. Jackson outperforms the rest of the cast simply because he crushes his role. I simply don’t know how his performance could’ve been improved.

Verdict 9.5 out of 10 Stars

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‘Holes’ Film Review: A Diamond in the Rough

“It was all because of his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig stealing-great-great-grandfather!”

If bad things always happened to you, would you think you were cursed? Well, our protagonist Stanley Yelnats IV (Shia LaBeouf), doesn’t believe so but his family sure does.

When a pair of shoes worn by a famous baseball player falls into Stanley’s hands, he’s soon picked up by the police and shortly after is thrown into a boot camp straight from a nightmare. Doomed to dig holes in the blazing hot sun for hours on end.

His only hope is to live out his days doing whatever it is the Warden asks of him and one day being able to gain his freedom.

You’re Involved

Making someone feel invested in the struggle of a fictional character is the hope of any writer. Making the audience feel as the protagonists do is one of their crowning achievements and Holes does just that!

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You want our leads to get through their trials and tribulations with as little trouble as possible. You truly do feel for these characters, and when they are met with hostility, you feel for them.

Wanting Justice

Stanley Yelnats IV has to put up with quite a few people who will really get under the audience’s skin. The Warden (Sigourney Weaver) & Mr. Sir (Jon Voight) are the two most significant villains that Yelnats faces. While watching the film, you’ll hate both of these characters, but that’s how you know the writers did a great job.

In the beginning, you’re subjected to watching the boys suffer under the wrath of Mr. Sir, and you can’t possibly understand how it could get worse for these kids. Then a whole new level of wickedness is introduced once the Warden appears on the screen. It’s quite the sight to see.

Good Young Actors

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Finding a good child actor is already a dime a dozen. However, having a film full of good performances from children is lovely. I usually dread to see children on screen with plenty of speaking lines solely because more often than not they won’t be able or act as well as their castmates. When children or anyone cannot act well, it pulls the viewer out of the narrative.

Not Just a Plain Donut… It Has Sprinkles!

Who would’ve thought a film that spends more than 70% of its runtime in a desert would be a fresh, enjoyable experience. While the environment isn’t breathtaking in the slightest, the story and characters bring life to the film.

In a location that screams dry, sorrow, and boring, it goes to show how well the pacing is during the film. A new factor or detail that changes the movie is often introduced. It’s almost like you’re getting hit with a large gust of wind during the summertime. You appreciate it, and no, it’s not happening every other minute, but it is present enough for you to bask in it.

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Conclusion

You mix a mystery, with hard labor, and despicable people all in a desert surrounded by nothing but sand. My first thought would be that it just doesn’t sound like a captivating film, but I’d be dead wrong.

From the child actors to the adult actors/actresses, I was sold from the start. Their performances really help you dive into their world, and you feel for the characters who are punished. Whether they deserved it or not, you still have some remorse for the children.

Making an exciting movie out of a dull environment is not an easy task. However, with excellent pacing and performances, you barely notice. You will sit there scene after scene wanting to continue watching the film until it’s over, and even then, you might still not have gotten your fill.

It’s a movie you’d have to see for yourself to understand why it is still remembered to this day. No one can tell you exactly how you should feel while watching the motion picture or not. However, it is definitely up on my list of family films that everyone should give a shot.

Verdict 9 out of 10 Stars

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‘The Mandalorian (Season 1)’ TV Show Review: An Incredible Journey That’s Just Getting Started

Out of nowhere comes one of the best Star Wars pieces of media seen in the past decade. From the first episode, I could tell that Disney had something special in their hands. Now, after finishing the last chapter of season one, I’m more than excited to see where the future of this show lies.

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Overview

The story of the Mandalorian takes place after the Empire had fallen and before the rise of the First Order led by Kylo Ren. The series stars a lonesome bounty hunter who completes jobs far outside of the authority of the New Republic to make ends meet.

Simple

One of the most significant issues that show and movies alike fall into is trying to over complicate their stories. The Mandalorian does the opposite most of the time, and each episode has a singular goal. This formula works well since if you didn’t like the previous story, you have another tale waiting to unfold. 

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While some characters return from episode to episode, it’s clear that the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal), also known as “Mando.” As well as his companion, commonly known as “Baby Yoda,” are the only continually recurring characters. The season was absolutely stellar but if you happen to not enjoy an episode it wasn’t because the story was too complicated. If you’ve watched Star Wars for a long time you’d know that can be a real issue for the series.

Always Something New

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Star Wars is one of the biggest sci-fi series the world has ever seen. In Star Wars, there are so many worlds, and it’s always been a let down when the creators of one of the movies or tv shows don’t take advantage of its the colossal universe.

Unsurprisingly the Mandalorian fixes this issue as well. Mando practically journeys to at least one new planet or location every episode, if not two.

Fans will love the fan service and the different tones of the episodes. From the beginning of the show where the storytelling was primarily visual, and Mando didn’t speak very often at all to the events where a band of misfits joins him. You never know what to expect going in the latest installment.

Still Star Wars Even Without Lightsabers

Lightsabers are not what makes Star Wars suitable. The action in The Mandalorian was incredible for a live-action TV show. It was a concern of mine that the action would either look uninteresting or just be lacking. However, I can say I’ve never been more happy to be wrong.

The choreography during battle is astonishingly impressive. Whether blasters are involved or hand to hand combat, you’ll want to see even more.

Successful in Different Formats

Most episodes throughout season one star Mando and Baby Yoda. From chapter to chapter the pair are thrown into various situations. Maybe they’re joined by allies or end up getting separated. No matter what issue they have to go through the episode flows exquisitely.

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It’s not easy to make a great show and even harder to shuffle in and out the cast and make the show still enjoyable. Not only that, but the supporting characters, although they do not possess primary roles, they all give strong performances. Talents that stand out the most are Greef Karga (Carl Weathers) and Cara Dune (Gina Carano), who meet Mando during his journey.

Conclusion

The show’s simple premise allows for each story to be it’s own. Fans don’t have to be too worried if they don’t enjoy a particular episode because of its story since the next adventure will be different from the last.

From space battles to shoot outs in the desert the action scenes are superb. Nothing is too clunky or awkward looking which can be a common occurrence for conflicts within tv shows.

How can a masked figure convey so many different feelings or emotions? The acting as a whole is very pleasing. If the Mandalorian weren’t a good actor, the story itself would not be nearly as satisfying. His performance alone was so important to this series, and he doesn’t even speak often. It’s his body language and his attitude to every situation that proves his expertise.

The Mandalorian is one of the most excellent series to come from Star Wars, and during a time where Star Wars isn’t as loved as it used to be, it couldn’t have been released at a better time.

Verdict 10 out of 10 Stars

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‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ Film Review: A Safe yet Exciting Conclusion

In 2015, when The Force Awakens released and it was declared, it would be apart of a trilogy. Kids and adults alike flooded the theaters to see where this story would take the series.

Finally, with the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the last film in the Skywalker Saga has been unveiled. The question is, will this conclusion, please audiences? Let’s find out.

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Overview

Rey, Finn, and Poe’s journey continues as they attempt to find a way to defeat the First Order. Supporting them are the dwindling members of the resistance; however, with the return of a dangerous foe, our heroes are up against a much more significant threat than ever before.

What We Wanted All Along!

Say whatever you want about the newest trilogy in the Star Wars saga, but keeping Rey, Finn, and Poe together was the best idea that director J.J. Abrams had.

Similar to the original trilogy with Luke, Han, and Leia, the film is just more enjoyable with them sharing the screen. Both of these trios have great chemistry and work off each other well.

Many audiences dislike The Last Jedi, and they’re definitely are some valid points as to why some think that. However, in that film, I believe one of the biggest mistakes was splitting up this trio. Unfortunately, much of their bonding happened off-screen. This has been an issue throughout Star Wars as a whole, just not picking up where the last film left off.

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This tends to lead to confusion when watching these movies since so many important story beats don’t take place on the big screen. While this can be seen as an issue, it is not a huge flaw, just a minor disappointment that we didn’t get to see Finn, Rey, and Poe working together more.

Action Packed

Star Wars has had a bad habit of not having enough excitement. While yes, audiences love to see new planets and meet new characters, those aspects are not all that they want. Since the release of Star Wars, lightsabers have become one of the most well-known movie props in history.

Previous films in the newest trilogy have almost felt like they tried to shy away from massive battles and lightsaber duels. I’m proud to say that’s not an issue in The Rise of Skywalker. 

From thrilling space battles, desert speeder chases, and lightsaber battles that stand out compared to other films in the franchise. The conflicts throughout the flick should be enough to entertain most audiences.

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Feels like a Finale

Some films do not know what they’re setting out to do. While the lastest trilogy does not feel like all three of the movies and all their ideas were planned out from the very beginning, this film knew what it was. Almost reminiscent of Avengers: Infinity War in the way that the movie doesn’t go too in-depth with the newest characters introduced.

Nothing is going to distract the film from its final battle, and while some may complain about that, I believe it would’ve ruined the pacing. The focus on the primary characters is what fans of the newest trilogy want anyways, so why take screen time away from them. It was better to be safe rather than sorry for a film that’s intention was to conclude eight movies worth of story

Deja Vu

While it is my belief that the pros outweigh the cons, there are definitely issues present throughout the film. The biggest one being that the film may have played it too safe. We’ve seen this movie before; while it makes changes, it’s all too similar to Return of the Jedi. Without getting into spoiler territory, you’ll notice at multiple points throughout the film that the movies are comparable.

Rey herself does make the film stand out as its own story. Her struggle with the dark side is unlike anything that Luke experiences, and it’s excellent! In these movies, Anakin is the only one who struggled with which side he’d align himself with, which is just hard to believe. Ultimately I think because of her own story arc, we get a storyline worth watching from start to finish.

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Quality V.S. Quantity

As previously mentioned, this film is filled to the brim with action. However, they never surpass the best battles that take place within the saga. Especially the final conflict it was a let down watching the last campaign that would take place during the Skywalker saga.

Conclusion

There are quite a few things that this film does to improve over the past few entries, and keeping the vital main characters together was one of them. I love the scenes where Rey, Poe, and Finn are together. The actors themselves seem to be having fun, which helps. While the movies did not show why their bonds are as strong as they’re the actors indeed sold their relationship.

The storyline is not thrown off. It’s a course to introduce anyone or focus on other stories. For some may not enjoy this, I’ve always felt like Star Wars was about action and adventure. While some characters could’ve had more back story, I think the focus on the central trio was more important than any new role present.

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Personally, I think the series best lightsaber battles are not topped by the couple that takes place in The Rise of Skywalker. The film itself has plenty of action that will keep audiences engaged. From the Millennium Falcon leading the charge into tons of battleships to racing against stormtroopers in the desert, you won’t be bored.

The Rise of Skywalker is too similar to other films in this franchise, most notably the Return of the Jedi. While the newest picture does a few things to differentiate the two, it’s too apparent that the films are incredibly indistinguishable.

Finally, some emotional beats aren’t earned. It’s unfortunate because there are moments that could’ve been so much better if the previous films had built up to them. The fanservice is, of course, nice to see, but some of those instances feel empty.

Verdict 7.5 out of 10 Stars

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‘Treasure Planet’ Film Review: One of the Best Films No One Ever Saw

Have you ever seen a film and wondered why more people hadn’t seen it? In 2002, Treasure Planet was released in theaters to a resounding whisper as it completely bombed in the box office. 

Sadly the film was lost in the vast array of Disney films. However, I believe it warrants another chance at greatness.

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Overview

15-year-old Jim Hawkens (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a rebellious teen going through a rough period in his life. All of that changed the day he found a map that leads to “the loot of a thousand worlds.”

Knowing that finding the treasure will help his family, Jim travels across the universe in this thrilling space voyage.

Sets the Tone Immediately

From the opening moments of the film, you see two ships waged in battle. There’s no water to be seen, just the two ships locked in battle in outer space. The fight is shown in the form of a hologram being displayed by a book.

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Somehow blending old with new, and at the time, that didn’t happen much.

I love the world this story takes place in. Filled with objects that we are used to seeing daily; however, now they have more of a futuristic take. 

For example, there are curtains with the flick of a button that can change the background from a flowery meadow to a monstrous volcano.

Deep Themes

When darker themes are discussed in films where the primary audience will consist of children, I always tend to enjoy the fact that some stories are willing to dive that deep.

The main character Jim deals with much more than the average teenager has to. He doesn’t have an easy life, but that adds to his character.

Colorful Cast

Right off the bat, we’re introduced to Doctor Doppler (David Hyde Pierce), a close family friend to the Hawkins family.

He’s your stereotypical intelligent character who’s also kind of a goofball. However, it’s not fair to say he doesn’t stand out. As surprising as it is, he takes a forgettable role and makes it memorable.

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John Silver (Brian Murray) is another welcomed addition to the cast. His relationship with Jim is a major contributing factor to why I enjoy the film so much.

The movie’s best scenes always occur when these two share the limelight, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Alluring Animation

To say the animation is enchanting is taking it lightly. Throughout a scene, there may be three or more changes to the way the scene is being captured. From using a point of view shot to changing from 3D animation to 2D animation in the matters of seconds is phenomenal.

The leaps and progression that this movie used to stand out from its competition are insane. I’m shocked that even by today’s standards this motion picture wouldn’t be left in the dust animation wise.

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Conclusion

You’re thrown in the world of Treasure Planet without delay. There aren’t minutes of exposition things are just the way they are, which keeps the pacing steady. You begin to enjoy what you see instead of questioning, was that a ship flying? It’s simply a fun film.

Outside of the characters I’ve already mentioned, numerous others deserve just as much praise. The voice talent is immaculate, and I still feel chills during tense scenes because of that fact.

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As a child, there are themes I wouldn’t expect you to understand. However, returning to the film older and wiser I can’t help but appreciate the mature themes. Lastly, the animation is top-notch.

The only flaw I’d say the film has is that its second half can feel a bit weird with pacing at times. It felt more throughout in the first half but even so it stays enjoyable from start to end.

To this day I don’t see many animated films that make me want to replay a scene just to watch the film frame by frame to see how the creators completed their task.

Verdict 9.5 out of 10 Stars

Now available on Disney Plus!

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Is Disney+ Worth Your Time?

One of the most anticipated streaming services of the year was Disney Plus. It was released 12 days ago on November 12th with an incredible amount of support. However, is the service right for you? Find out below!

Ever since Disney Plus’ release, I have been subscribed and enjoying their huge collection of Disney owned properties. From their original shows such as The Mandalorian to forgotten films like Treasure Planet. If you’re a fan of Disney you’re sure to find entertainment new and old.

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Fair Price

For the low price tag of $6.99, I’d have to say its worth it for the amount of content you receive. If you aren’t a fan of Disney, Marvel, or Star Wars this probably doesn’t need to be said but you aren’t going to enjoy at 80% of the substance that is provided.

Take it Anywhere

I love the fact that I can take this service wherever I go. The other day I was on a 3-hour bus ride and I was able to just whip out my phone and start to watch Captain America: The Winter Soldier. It’s just so convenient not to mention a lot of the content available was never on Netflix or Hulu two streaming giants of today.

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Surprising Amount of Show & Movies

You’ll be shocked by just how many shows are on Disney Plus. Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Ultimate Spider-Man, Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place and so many more shows are available at the click of a button. The Disney library of films is not lacking either with even the most obscure Disney films being readily available.

Lacking Basic Wants

While Disney Plus has plenty of positives there are a few mistakes that are present as well. Sadly there’s no easy way to continue a show that you’re watching. If you don’t watch every episode all the way through you won’t be able to just click “play” when you pick a show to watch. You’ll have to find the exact episode you left on every time.

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The option known as “continue watching” on Netflix is not present on Disney Plus. Plenty of people watch a show and fall asleep so it sucks that the show will continue playing even if you haven’t interacted with your TV or your computer for a long time.

Conclusion

Being able to see so many shows and movies I haven’t seen in ages is wonderful. It makes me feel like a kid again. The huge collection of Disney related content is mind-blowing not to mention the service also has plenty of movies that just released this year.

For such a low price there’s not a doubt in my mind that it’s worth your money. Even with its issues the service’s pros far outweigh the cons.

Verdict 8 out of 10 Stars

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‘Zombieland: Double Tap’ Film Review: A Redundantly Amusing Adventure

Most sequels often feel out of place, almost like they don’t belong. While “Zombieland: Double Tap” is a fun time at the cinema, it sadly falls under that category of missing the mark. Especially since this sequel came out 10 years after 2009’s “Zombieland.”

Overview

The gang is back together! Four survivors Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin who met and joined forces in their previous outing in “Zombieland” leave their safe new home of the White House to travel to Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Now, these zombie slayers must rely on their abilities and weapons to defeat a threat like none they’ve faced before.

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While the film was released in 2019, it was supposed to start filming shortly after the release of the first movie in 2009. A theme of the movie is leaving the nest. Rhett Reese, one of the Zombieland writers said, new additions to the writing team “did a wonderful job updating the story, bringing it to a more of an empty nest story about a young woman who used to be a girl, and used to love to look up to her father figure, but now really wants to get out in the world.”

Made their path

The first 30 minutes of the movie benefits from not having a specific path to follow. With the lack of a focal point, the writers can focus on jokes and tossing in new characters randomly. Don’t be confused while the film is very much a comedy, there’s plenty of gory visuals sure to make you look away from the screen every once in a while.

The lack of focus becomes apparent around halfway through the movie. While jokes are constantly being thrown out I’m confident in saying that most of them don’t stick. I chuckled a few times and genuinely thought some scenes were funny, but nothing made me feel like I had to control my laughter.

Chemistry

Tallahassee (Harrelson), Columbus (Eisenberg) and Wichita (Stone) have one of the greatest on-screen relationships I’ve seen in a long time going to the cinema. They allowed me to dive into their world. They made me feel like their relationships were real and that’s not an easy task. Outside of those three, I think the acting takes a little bit of a hit. No one else steals the show and its kind of disappointing. 

While Little Rock’s (Breslin) performance didn’t seem off, the writing for her was just bad. I felt like her motivation didn’t make much sense. Watching her story unfold reminded me of films that simply go by the book. For example, before the climax, the main characters have a falling out or a character thought to be dead comes back and saves everyone. It was just so predictable that I dreaded even having her on screen. She got much less screen time than the other three main characters which to me was a good idea. 

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Conclusion

While the wait was long we finally did receive the sequel to the cult classic known as “Zombieland.” The film doesn’t feel too out of place. It feels like we never left besides for a few differences. When Little Rock decided she wanted to leave her friends and family it gave the writers much freedom. However, maybe it was too much freedom.

The film lacks direction and if the jokes were to fall more often I don’t think that audiences would care. Many times in the movie I felt like they were just stalling to get to that 109 minutes run time. However, the chemistry between our protagonists will keep spectators entertained just because of how well they work together.

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Sadly that doesn’t save the film from wasting a few resources. The new characters such as Madison (Zoey Deutch) and Berkeley (Avan Jogia) weren’t fleshed out in the slightest. They both were one-note characters, but it still feels like neither of them reached their true potential. 

With a more refined focus and fewer jokes that tattered on the edge of annoyance, I think that this sequel could’ve blown the original out of the water. It’s still definitely worth watching, especially if you enjoyed the first.

Verdict 7.5 out of 10 Stars

Zombieland: Double Tap (Rated R) is playing at a theater near you.

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‘Good Boys’ Film Review: Define Good…

What happens when you combine adult humor with middle school boys? You get 95 hilarious minutes of unadulterated fun. I had my doubts but this film surprised me with its level of quality.

Overview

Lucas (Keith L. Williams), Max (Jacob Tremblay), and Thor (Brady Noon) get invited to a “kissing party” by the most popular kid in their grade. All seems to be going well until Max loses his father’s drone, and the three friends do everything they can to get it back.

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Legitimately Funny

Having children do what they’re not supposed to do has always been seen as funny to many people. Therefore, going into this film I expected some kids to drop a couple f-bombs and then I expected the audience to keel over in laughter.

While that still happens the comedic scenes are much better than that. From one of the children giving a girl a sex toy believing it was a necklace to thinking that tampons are used to stop babies from falling out.

There was no long stretch of time where I didn’t at least smirk or crack a smile. That wasn’t just me either the entire theater was filled with laughter from beginning to end.

Actual Lessons

I didn’t expect to learn anything in this film. Generally, these kinds of movies exist to make their audiences laugh not contemplate their own life decisions.

Not only did this film surpass my expectations for the content of the motion picture. It also surprised me with the themes. There are parts of the film that don’t try to be funny. Which isn’t a bad thing other filmmakers could learn from this.

However, the themes present make me enjoy the movie even more. Learning that nothing lasts forever or that as you grow up people who you were once close with might not be your friends anymore. It’s all apart of growing up but seeing it on the big screen doesn’t make it any easier.

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Conclusion

The idea of combing adult humor with children was an interesting idea that paid off at the end of the day. The casting was great and the humor was consistently good.

The jokes weren’t just potty humor I think there something for most ages which I can’t say about most comedies.

It’s a good watch and is deeper than one would think after watching the trailer.

Verdict 8.5 out of 10 Stars

 

 

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‘Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus’ Netflix Original Review: More Than Nostalgia

It has been 13 years since the last time we saw Invader Zim. While the show only ended up getting two seasons it grew quite a large audience when it went off the air. For years people have clamored for the return of the green little alien and at long last, he’s come back in full force.

Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus follows the original show’s plot just in a longer format. Zim (Richard Steven Horvitz) plans to take over the earth with his robotic assistant GIR (Rikki Simons) while his nemesis Dib (Andy Berman) attempts to stop him and prove to the world aliens exist.

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Random Humor

The comedy that this series has always gone for is sort of aimless shock gags. For example, two characters could be having a conversation then an explosion comes out of nowhere and GIR screams ‘I LOVE TOAST”.

This movie contains the same kind of humor and it truly does not miss a beat. While this kind of comedy isn’t suited for everyone it’s a blessing that they don’t follow the same comedic routine as every other show. It’s original, to say the least.

Animation

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I did not believe that it was possible but the characters, environments, and action to look even more incredible than the original series. This film ends up feeling like a better-looking episode of Invader Zim and that’s the best we could all hope for.

The designs are not exactly the same but I see no harm done. Unique animation is hard to come by I generally feel that most animated shows or movies can be compared to a multitude of other media.

However, even after all these years, the style of Invader Zim is still pretty exclusive to this series itself.

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Unexpected Depth

I’ve mentioned already that this film is much like an extended episode of the original series but there are some elements that were never really explored in the show.

The rest of Dib’s family being Gaz (Melissa Fahn) and Professor Membrane (Rodger Bumpass) are more involved than ever before. Gaz is Dib’s sister and she’s generally a cold individual with that being basically her only mood.

While I won’t get into spoiler territory she acts more like Dib is part of her family and not just some annoying individual that she doesn’t care for. Professor Membrane is Dib’s father and he’s one of the most brilliant minds the world has ever seen.

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Dib just wants to prove to him that aliens exist but his father claims its unscientific. Their bond is nothing special in the show but during this film that changes. He goes from a very minor character that I didn’t have much to say about to a fully-fledged individual.

Conclusion

I’ll say this from the start if you enjoyed Invader Zim you’ll love this film. It brings everything back that made the show so great with tons of passion. You can tell that the creators did not phone this project in. Instead, they put their all into making this worth watching.

The random humor is back at an even higher volume than the original series but not so much that it becomes annoying. It’s very well balanced and I had quite a few laughs through this special.

Animation wise this looks as though they poured every resource into making sure this visually look the part. Honestly, I couldn’t see this looking any better.

Finally, we get some depth which wasn’t needed for this to succeed. However, it does improve the film tenfold.

Verdict 9 out of 10 Stars

 

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