Directed by the writer of “Pitch Perfect,” co-written by the guys who created “Harold and Kumar,” produced by the team behind “Superbad” and starring a great, proven cast. What could go wrong? (A lot, apparently) “Blockers” stars Leslie Mann, Ike Barinholtz and John Cena as parents who try to stop their daughters (Kathryn Newton, Geraldine… Continue reading The Only Thing ‘Blockers’ Stops is Audiences’ Laughter
I’m excited to see which comedian takes up directing a horror/thriller film next, because it’s worked out so far for Jordan Peele and John Krasinski… “A Quiet Place” stars John Krasinski and his real-life wife Emily Blunt as parents who must quietly survive in a world where aliens that hunt off sound have invaded. Millicent… Continue reading ‘A Quiet Place’ is a Thrilling Little Horror Film
How are you actually supposed to review something like this? “Best F(r)iends” stars Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero, 15 years after the pair made the so-bad-it’s-perfect cult classic “The Room.” The film follows a drifter in Los Angeles who begins to work for a mortician, only to start selling gold teeth on the black market.… Continue reading Tommy Wiseau’s ‘Best F(r)iends’ Defies Words and Classification
Steven Spielberg has to be the busiest AARP member this side of Clint Eastwood… “Ready Player One” is the adaption of the popular 2011 book by Ernest Cline (who co-wrote the screenplay here with Zak Penn). Set in the year 2045 where humanity has become obsessed with a virtual reality game called the OASIS, a… Continue reading ‘Ready Player One’ is a Flawed Spectacle
What a delightful little trainwreck this film turned out to be… “Midnight Sun” tells the story of a teenage girl (Bella Thorne) with xeroderma pigmentosum, a rare disease that essentially makes her allergic to sunlight. When she meets a neighbor she has had a crush on since childhood (Patrick Schwarzenegger) she tries to keep her… Continue reading ‘Midnight Sun’ is So Contrived and Poorly Made that It’s Almost a Must-See
Dennis Quaid is such an under-appreciated gem, he deserves to be in so many more projects… “I Can Only Imagine” tells the story behind the song of the same name, written by of Bart Millard, the lead singer of the band MercyMe. J. Michael Finley stars as Millard and Quaid as his abusive father, along… Continue reading ‘I Can Only Imagine’ a Better-than-Average Faith Film
Between this, “Batman v Superman” and “Kong: Skull Island,” I could get used to this “summer blockbuster season starting in March” thing. “Tomb Raider” is the reboot of the film franchise that starred Angelina Jolie back in the early 2000s, based on the long-time video game series of the same name. Alicia Vikander steps into… Continue reading For What it’s Worth, ‘Tomb Raider’ is the Best Video Game Movie Ever Made
If there is any genre of film that you think of when you hear the word “cliché” it’s probably romantic comedy, but dammit if this film doesn’t do its best to stand out. “Love, Simon” stars Nick Robinson as a closeted gay high school senior who falls in love with an anonymous classmate online. Josh… Continue reading ‘Love, Simon’ a Charming and Innocent Teen Rom-Com
It’s like “John Wick,” just without an interesting central protagonist, well-choreographed action sequences and sleek cinematography. “Death Wish” is a remake/reboot of the 1974 film that starred Charles Bronson, and features Bruce Willis in the main role as a Chicago doctor who becomes a vigilante after his wife and daughter are attacked. Vincent D’Onofrio, Elisabeth… Continue reading ‘Death Wish’ is About as Fun as Getting Shot in the Leg
When executed properly, I don’t think there is anything better than a black comedy. “Game Night” follows a group of friends (Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Billy Magnussen, Sharon Horgan, Lamorne Morris and Kylie Bunbury) who get involved in a possible kidnapping mystery during their weekly game night get together. Kyle Chandler, Jesse Plemons and Jeffrey… Continue reading ‘Game Night’ Uses a Talented Cast to Provide Big Laughs
The Reel Deal 