Double Feature Musical: The Greatest Showman & Pitch Perfect 3

Two musicals with talented singers, dancers and creative openings. From the story of a man beginning his dreams to a girl group ready to end on a high note. Hugh Jackman, Anna Kendrick, Zac Efron, Rebel Wilson, Zendaya, and Hailee Steinfiled. Now that's a show I'd buy a ticket to see.

Double Feature: Ferdinand & Jumanji : Welcome to the Jungle

One is about a gentle giant who doesn't like to fight, the other of a game that unleashes a jungle jamboree. Both originated from a children's book, previously received the big screen treatment, and now given a theatrical new look for audiences.

The Brick Knight Rises in The Lego Batman Movie

(Originally Published on February 17, 2017)

With the surprise success of 2014’s The Lego Movie, Warner Bros. takes the Marvel route on building its own cinematic universe. With its roster of the DC Extended Universe losing steam maybe it’ll have a better chance with Legos in the first of these spin-offs: The Lego Batman Movie.

Star Wars: The Last Review (Not)

The force has awakened and the Resistance scored a major victory over the First Order, but the war is far from over. The stakes are higher as Rian Johnson (Brick & Looper) writes and directs the second chapter in a galaxy far, far, away in Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi.

Better Late Than Never Vol. 1

Since October I've had the chance to see a lot films but have written on only three. (Sad, I know) I plan to write a full review for many of these but in the meantime (and with The Last Jedi upon us) these are my very brief thoughts on what has been playing the multiplex these past couple of months.

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Strikes Back (Ft. Crit. Hit)

We live in an age where a new Star Wars movie premieres each year; a fanboy's dream ever since the days of the classic and prequel trilogy. Now that Disney has the rights these new installments, The Force Awakens and Rogue One have been well-received by both critics and audiences, myself included. Well, maybe more with one than the other. 

Justice League Lives Up To its Namesake

From Left to Right: Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Ray Fischer as Cyborg, Ben Affleck as Batman, Jason Momoa, and Ezra Miller as The Flash.

With Hollywood going through a superhero cinema renaissance and Marvel being front and center, it's no secret that its rival company DC comics haven’t had the best of luck with critics and audiences. As a fan of both properties, I’ll admit Marvel has made better films but DC isn’t all that bad. Granted Man of Steel is mediocre with some high and low points and while I understand the hate behind Batman v. Superman I have my gripes with it as well but found the end result adequate. Suicide Squad, has been the only unpleasant film from DC; I fell asleep on a second viewing. After Wonder Woman brought a glimmer of hope for the franchise could Justice League do the same or was everyone right to think this was dead from the start?

Cinema Spotlight II – Taika Waititi (Part 5): ‘Thor Ragnarok'

In 2003 Jon Favreau took the role of the supportive friend and semi-comic relief in Daredevil. In 2011 Taika Waititi also took the role of the supportive friend and semi-comic relief role in Green Lantern. Who would have thought that these guys would later make a superior superhero film. Favreau would helm Iron Man, while Waititi would take the reigns of the third entry in the Thor Trilogy with Thor Raganork.

Cinema Spotlight II – Taika Waititi (Part 4): ‘Hunt For the Wilderpeople’

Dr. Grant did state that he was never good with kids. 

Fourth time is the charm as Taika Waititi once again proves to be an accomplished director with a film that encompasses all of his filmmaking techniques in full bloom. From comedies that have ranged from romantic, drama, and horror, Waititi goes into full drive in what is arguably his finest work with the adventure comedy Hunt For the Wilderpeople.

Cinema Spotlight II – Taika Waititi (Part 3): ‘What We Do In the Shadows’

Left Side: Vladislav (Jermaine Clement), Viago (Taika Waititi) 

Center: Deacon (Jonny Brugh), Petyr (Ben Fransham),

Right Side: Nick (Cori-Gonzalez-Macuer), & Stu (Stu Rutherford)  

How can one describe What We Do in The Shadows? It’s the third film from Taika Waititi who this time shares directing and acting duties with Jermaine Clements (Flight of the Concords) in what could possibly be one of the best Horror comedies since Shaun of the Dead.   

Cinema Spotlight II – Taika Waititi (Part 2): ‘Boy’

In 2003, the short film Two Cars, One Night earned Taika Waititi an Oscar nod for Best Live-Action short. It centered on two brothers waiting in car for their dad late at night at a bar. Another car parks next to them and the driver heads towards the pub leaving the daughter alone the car. The kids in both vehicles banter back and forth until hostility evolves into amnesty.

El Libro de la Vida: The Book of Life Review

Joaquin (Channing Tatum), Maria (Zoe Saldana) and Manolo (Diego Luna)

How does one describe The Book of Life? It’s Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, given the Pixar animation upgrade with a pinch of DreamWorks humor. Coincidentally the focus of both The Book of Life and Corpse Bride involve a love triangle and unexpected trip into the afterlife.

Cinema Spotlight II – Taika Waititi (Part 1): ‘Eagle vs Shark’

Many remember him as Ryan Reynold’s best friend in Green Lantern (2011), but believe it or not, Taika Waititi has an incredible track record not as an actor but as a screenwriter and filmmaker. Starting his career making short films (one of them earning him an Oscar nod), this native New Zealander made his feature length debut with the romantic comedy Eagle vs Shark.

Cinema Spotlight I – Scott Derrickson (Part 6): ‘Doctor Strange’

(Originally Published on November 22, 2016)

Back when Scott Derrickson tackled a big-budget blockbuster, The Day the Earth Stood Still, it didn’t go well; now he is given a second chance with the latest entry of Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Strange.

Cinema Spotlight I – Scott Derrickson (Part 5): ‘Devil’s Knot’ & ‘Sinister 2’

(Originally Published on November 2, 2016)

Cinema Spotlight I – Scott Derrickson (Part 4): ‘Deliver Us From Evil’

Father Mendoza (Edgar Ramirez) performing an exorcist in Deliver Us From Evil.

(Originally Published on October 28, 2016)

With three films under his belt, including the successful ghost story Sinister, Scott Derrickson collaborates with film and television producer Jerry Bruckheimer (whose extensive résumé includes the television crime drama CSI and the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise) and screenwriter Paul Harris Boardman (previously worked with on The Exorcism of Emily Rose) as we return to the exorcism genre in Derrickson’s fourth theatrical fright fest: Deliver Us From Evil.

Cinema Spotlight I – Scott Derrickson (Part 3): ‘Sinister’

Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke) viewing the horrifying footage.

(Originally Published on October 20, 2016)

After the disappointment of The Day the Earth stood Still (not to mention a Razzie Nomination for Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off or Sequel) Derrickson returned to what he did best, scaring the living daylights out of everyone with his third outing that lives up to its title.

Cinema Spotlight I – Scott Derrickson (Part 2): ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’

(Originally Published on October 13, 2016)

When we last left Scott Derrickson, his debut film The Exorcism of Emily Rose was a success. It performed well at the box-office, won Jennifer Carpenter an MTV Movie Award for Best Frightening Performance, a Saturn Award for Best Horror Film (Saturns are basically the Oscars for all that is sci-fi, horror and fantasy) and despite a mixed reception from critics, the reviews were mostly positive. For his next film Derrickson shifted genres from Horror to Science Fiction, specifically a remake of a 1951 classic.

The Mane Six Travel to the Big Screen in My Little Pony the Movie (Special Guest Jordan Wright of Crit Hit)

7 years ago, Hasbro relaunched the “My Little Pony” franchise with a redesign of their toyline to be carried by the launch of 2010’s “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,” the subject of which “My Little Pony: The Movie (2017)” is the direct focus of.

Cinema Spotlight I – Scott Derrickson (Part 1): ‘The Exorcism of Emily Rose’

Father Moore Performing an Exorcism on Emily Rose  

(Originally Published on Oct. 6, 2016)        

Having worked on a couple of horror-related and direct-to-video projects (Urban Legends: Final Cut and Hellraiser: Inferno), Scott Derrickson made his directorial debut with The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Released on September 23, 2005 the film is based on true events that centers on a court case involving Father Richard Moore (Snowden’s Tom Wilkinson), a Catholic priest who is put on trail for the death of a nineteen year old girl named Emily Rose (Dexter’s Jennifer Carpenter).

The Lego Ninjago Movie: A Samurai Tale That’s Fun For The Family

I wasn’t aware of the popularity that is Lego Ninjago; not only is it a hit on toy shelves but on the small screen as well. Memories of the pilot premiering on Cartoon Network in 2011 are surprisingly engraved in my head.

Top 10 Highly Anticipated Films of the Fall/Winter

Summer is over and now comes the cold season (or as cold as it gets depending where you live).along with the next set of blockbusters and award contenders. Everyone has their picks but these are the movies that I'm excited to see. 

It: Losers Shine a Light in This Frightening and Dark Story

Left to right: Mike (Chosen Jacobs), Eddie (Jack Dylan Grazer), Bill (Jaeden Lieberher), Stan (Wyatt Oleff)
Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård),
Richie (Finn Wolfhard), Ben (Jeremy Ray Taylor), Beverly (Sophia Lillis)

“Horror movies do not love death, as some have suggested; they love life. They do not celebrate deformity, but by dwelling on deformity they sing of health and energy. By showing us the miseries of the damned they help us rediscover the smaller joys of our own lives” 

Rock Dog Hits All the Wrong Notes

I didn’t think this was possible but it happened. It finally happened. I saw a movie, an animated kids movie mind you that was worse than The Emoji Movie.

Jordan Peele Proves Talent Behind the Camera in Get Out

Starting his career in the skit show MAD, making a name for himself with Keegan-Micheal Key as the comedic duo Key and Peele to doing voice work in Storks and Captain Underpants, Jordan Peele makes his feature debut both writing and directing a horror film of a different kind.

Mune Makes Up With Mesmerizing Vibrancy

Delivering work like Ernest and Celestine, The Secret of Kells and TV show Totally Spies! (fond memories of watching it on Cartoon Network) my admiration for French animation continues with Mune, le gardien de la lune or better known in English, Mune: Guardian of the Moon. 

Detroit: An Important Story but Shaky in Execution

John Boyega as Delvin Dismukes in Detroit.

If Dunkirk showed the best of humanity in the worst of times, Detroit explores how low the level of inhumanity can get. From Academy Award winning director Kathryn Bigelow (Point Break, The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty), brings us of one of the worst riots in U.S. history in Detroit.  Racial tensions explode both figuratively and literally with buildings burning in blazes, looters running left and right, law enforcement trying to maintain the peace and racists seeing an opportunity to take matters into their own hands.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Review

Here’s an example of another film that peaked my interest with the trailers but given Luc Besson’s recent reputation (Lucy, The Family, Arthur and the Invisibles) does Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets reach the heights of Besson’s earlier material like Le Femme Nikita or The Fifth Element?

Dunkirk: A Harrowing but Uplifting Story

After being blown away by the teaser and first trailer I took the Gene Siskel route and avoided everything about this movie; I didn’t look up the plot, cast, or see any further trailers and TV spots. I went into this movie blind, knowing that it was a World War II movie directed by Christopher Nolan, one of the best directors alive today. His movies, even if those that miss their mark, deliver something unique that separate’s him from your average filmmaker. Did he succeed with this movie?

The Emoji Movie: Worst Film Ever?

From the day it was announced, to the release of its teaser trailer, The Emoji Movie was met but nothing but disdain; I haven’t seen such hostility towards a Sony picture since 2016’s Ghostbusters. With a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes on the week of its premiere, now with a current 6% rotten grade, is The Emoji Movie from Sony Animation that bad?

Spider-Man: Homecoming Stumbles but Swings on Valiantly

One of the scene-stealers in Captain America: Civil War, I was happy to see Spider-Man back on the big screen alongside the rest of the Avengers even if it was a rocky reception. With a clever title that’s both literal and metaphorical, director Jon Watts (Cop Car) has our friendly neighbor in his first solo adventure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe back in his lovely abode of New York, and just in time for the dance in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Despicable Me 3 Joins the Ranks of Disappointing Threequels

Like Shrek and Ice Age, Despicable Me has entered the phase where the sequels never live up to the original.

Baby Driver Puts the Pedal to the Metal

Top Left to Right: Deborah (Lily James) & Baby (Ansel Elgort) Bottom Left to Right: Darling (Christy Gonzalez), Bud (Jon Hamm), Doc (Kevin Spacey), & Bats (Jamie Foxx).

From Edgar Wright, writer and director of the Cornetto Trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz & The World’s End) comes Baby Driver, a high-octane adventure that gives The Fast and the Furious franchise a run for its money.

Cars 3: It' No Toy Story 3 but Still a Fun Ride

The Cars franchise may not be at the same of level of Pixar’s other work like Toy Story or Wall-E, but I think they are relatively alright, even the sequel to an extent. Yes, Cars 2 is the weakest Pixar movie and the issues that many have with it are on point: from the odd choice of shifting a race car movie into a spy-action caper, making the comic relief side character Mater the tow truck (Larry the Cable Guy) the main character, and some hammered in message that ends up being muddled in the mix. Despite that, I had a lot of fun with the movie even if deep down I wished it continued with being a racing movie. Thankfully, the people at Pixar realized this as we go back to its roots in the third installment, Cars 3.

Super Double Feature: Wonder Woman & Captain Underpants

Believe it or not Wonder Woman and Captain Underpants share a few things in common. Both are based on existing written material, are a different but unique type of superhero, plans for a feature film have been in the works for quite a long time, and are finally making their big-screen debut on the same weekend.

Double Feature: Baywatch & Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Memorial Day weekend brought us two​ movies that took place off dry land. Neither delivered a spectacular splash though I would say one swam better than the other. 

Alien: Covenant Nothing But Horror Movie Schlock

(Originally Published on May 21, 2017)

You know how the first movie in a Horror franchise turns out to be the best of the bunch while everything else goes down the drain. Just look at the countless sequels and reimaginings of Jaws, Friday the 13th, Halloween, and A Nightmare on Elm Street to name a few.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Semi-Deliver’s

(Originally Published on May 19, 2017)

I’m just going to come out and say it, I was never impressed by Guardians of the Galaxy. With the exception of Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) and Drax (Dave Bautista), the guardians range from being bland with no personality like Gamora (Zoe Saldana) or unlikable smart-alecks like Peter Quill aka Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) and Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper).  That’s not say that I downright hate these movies, on the contrary they do their job on being entertaining with great action, adventure, amazing visuals, funny moments even by the leads, and ending on a high note. 

Top 10 Anticipated Summer Movies

(Originally Published on April 27, 2017)

As the summer season draws near the cinemas begin to screen the blockbusters.  From the highly anticipated like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and War of the Planet of the Apes to groaners like Transformers: The Last Knight and The Emoji Movie. Who knows, many of these may turn out to be good or bad. Regardless of which one you are looking forward to, here are the top ten films that I am excited to see this summer.

Double Feature: The Boss Baby & Smurfs: The Lost Village

(Originally Published on April 18, 2017)

From DreamWorks we have The Boss Baby based on the children’s book by Marla Frazee, seven-year-old Tim Templeton (Miles Bakshi) doesn’t take to liking his new baby brother who sports a slick business suit, gold wristwatch and briefcase. To make matters more complicated, Tim discovers that the baby can talk (voiced by Alec Baldwin).

The Boys are Back in T2 Trainspotting

(Originally Published April 9, 2017)

In 1996, fresh off his debut film Shallow Grave, director Danny Boyle followed with Trainspotting, a black comedy that centered on a group of misfits swimming in the pleasures of sex and drugs in the streets of Edinburgh, Scotland. There was Renton (Ewan McGregor), the protagonist and straight man of the group, the aloof and conniving Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller), the naive but lovable Spud (Ewen Bremner), and the violent and hot-tempered Begbie (Robert Carlyle). It became an instant classic launching the careers of Ewan McGregor who would star in Big Fish, Moulin Rouge! & the Star Wars Prequels and the first role of Kelly Macdonald who would be in Boardwalk Empire, No Country for Old Men, and the titular role in Pixar’s Brave. It also cemented Danny Boyle‘s status as a filmmaker and go on to direct films like Millions, 127 Hours and Slumdog Millionaire (The latter winning seven Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director).

Power Rangers’ Attempt of A Serious Tone Is Noble But Feeble

(Originally Published on March 28, 2017)

Like any kid, I grew up watching one or two episodes of Power Rangers before my parents banned me from seeing anymore, of course that didn’t stop me. While not a die-hard fan, I’ve seen enough episodes from various if-not-all incarnations of the Power Rangers to be familiar with the set-up from Mighty Morphin, Lightspeed Rescue, S.P.D. and Dino Thunder (the series I was most familiar with).

‘The Great Wall’ Fails to Stop Critiques

(Originally Published on February 27, 2017)

There is some enjoyment to be found in The Great Wall. In terms of a good movie, no; more like in the appeal of something found on the SyFy channel or Direct-to-DVD pile. 

Beauty and the Beast Captures Some of the Disney Magic

(Originally Published on March 27, 2017)

A tale as old as time and considered one of Disney’s crowning achievements of a young maiden who tames the heart of a beast. Beauty and the Beast is beloved by audiences of all ages and made history of being the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. When it was announced that this would be the next film to get the live-action treatment, the response was understandably less than pleased.

Kong: Skull Island Delivers a Monster of a Punch

(Originally Published on March 21, 2017)

Set in the world of 2014’s Godzilla, Kong: Skull Island reintroduces us to an iconic monster, but where Godzilla took place in present time, Kong is set in the seventies. Following the end of the Vietnam War, a band of soldiers are called to accompany an expedition group to an uncharted island. Upon arrival they are met with open arms or in this case closed fists by Kong himself who doesn’t take a liking to guests bombing his home.

Logan Makes His Last Stand

(Originally Published on March 21, 2017)

To be perfectly honest, the X-Men films never impressed me. The cartoons, despite its kid-friendly level, knew how to balance both the serious and fun elements of its story without being too brooding or silly.

Fifty Shades of Dreary Boredom

(Originally Published on February 17, 2017)

Whenever I watch those awful spoof movies (Meet the Spartans, Epic Movie, Scary Movie), I feel like I’ve fallen in a puddle of vomit in desperate need of a dozen showers. When it comes to a movie like Fifty Shades Darker, I feel like my soul got lost in an empty abyss. These are films I could care less about and steer clear away, but hey when you write about movies you’re going to have to sit in front of crap in order to explain why its crap in the first place. The story of my life.

The Space Between Us Review

(Originally Published on February 17, 2017)

From the director of Hannah Montana the Movie and the screenwriter of Collateral Beauty, (Oh, joy…) bring what I can only describe as The Martian meets The Fault in Our Stars. Good movies I’d rather be watching than this dense of a sci-fi /teen drama mush known as The Space Between Us.

La La Lame

(Originally Published February 9, 2017)

A new winning record of seven Golden Globes and a big contender for the Oscars, Damien Chazelle’s La La Land, is a postmodern musical filmed in the style of fifties classics like Singing in the Rain. A movie seen as a celebration of cinema, music, and as the tagline states “to the fool’s who dream;” a film that pays tribute to other Hollywood classics from An American in Paris to Casablanca.

A Split Decision: Shyamalan Proves Potential

(Originally Published on February 9, 2017)

I’ve actually enjoyed the films of M. Night Shyamalan; my personal favorites continue to be The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable and Signs. Even his lesser material have their moments (to an extent), though I won’t deny that he has delivered a decade of disappointing duds from The Village to After Earth. Nevertheless, I always look forward to his next project hoping that it’ll be great like his earlier work.