The sports horror film “Him” explores a football prospect’s experience training with an eight-time champion quarterback, facing both personal challenges and strange occurrences. While Marlon Wayans delivers a charismatic performance, the film struggles with depth and fails to fully develop its themes. Despite engaging visuals, it ultimately disappoints with its shallow storytelling.
Sometimes if you want to star in an action film, you have to make one yourself. “Money Man” stars Dev Patel as a young man who sets out on a quest for revenge against a corrupt police chief (Sikandar Kher). Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Sobhita Dhulipala, and Vipin Sharma, also star, as Patel makes his directorial… Continue reading ‘Monkey Man’ Review: Some Swagger, Some Lull
When you begin your directorial career with what will likely be the best film you ever make, I guess there’s nowhere to go but down. “Nope” is the third film from director Jordan Peele, and follows two siblings (Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer) who begin to suspect their ranch has been visited by a UFO.… Continue reading ‘Nope’ Review: The Film’s Title Says It All
Another day, another “updated sequel to a classic horror film that ignores the events of previous sequels.” “Candyman” is a sequel to the 1992 semi-cult classic of the same name, and like 2018’s “Halloween” omits the events of the other (less well-received) sequels. The film stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as an artist who becomes obsessed… Continue reading ‘Candyman’ Review: Reboot/Sequel a Treat for Horror Fans
The summer of 2019 has been all about testing the sanctity of my childhood. First “Avengers: Endgame” was made for my kid at heart, then they did a live-action remake of “Aladdin” (with “Lion King” still to come) and now we have a sequel to the assumed-“Toy Story” trilogy. We must proceed with caution. “Toy… Continue reading ‘Toy Story 4′ is Showing the Series’ Age, but it Still Delivers
Well Jordan Peele was able to beat the mediocre freshman directorial debut cliché, so if anyone can stump the sophomore slump it’s him. “Us” is the second feature from writer-director Jordan Peele, following his Oscar-winning start with “Get Out” in 2017. It follows a family (Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex)… Continue reading ‘Us’ Keeps Us Guessing in the Most Tense of Ways
It’s like Christmas Morning for movie fans. I woke up early and had to wait around anxiously until I was given the OK to get my day started. But instead of presents under the tree, we get our names of who will be up for Academy Awards this year. There were few surprises, a few… Continue reading 2018 Oscar Nominations and Reactions
Well, they can’t all be “The Boss Baby.” “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie” is an adaptation of the children’s book series of the same name. The film stars Kevin Hart and Thomas Middleditch as two elementary schoolers who hypnotize their mean principle (Ed Helms) into becoming a superhero. Nick Kroll, Jordan Peele and Kristen… Continue reading ‘Captain Underpants’ About as Fun as a Wedgie
A directorial debut this competent and effective? Get out!! [I’ll wait for your applause] “Get Out” is a horror film from writer/rookie director Jordan Peele (you know, the guy from that terrifying comedy sketch show “Key & Peele”). It stars Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams as a young interracial couple who go to the strange… Continue reading ‘Get Out’ an Ambitious, Competent Horror/Comedy
The Reel Deal 