Vengeance movie poster

Vengeance Movie Review

“Vengeance” is a cleverly designed and intriguing look at certain divisions in the country. But it is completely wrapped up in a ‘fish-out-of-water’ tale in which an elite guy from New York City spends a considerable amount of time with a West Texas family. At first his reaction is disbelief, amazement, and some ridicule. But after a while, he begins to see the ‘Blue State’ principles that he has learned might be softened by the ‘Red State’ values that he finds can also ring true. Read more

Nope

Nope Movie Review

“Nope” is a movie that will take some common science-fiction and horror concepts and stands them on their head. It peels back the layers of complexity into simple and familiar scenes. There are questions that are suggested, and the movie plans to answer only a few of them. The rest of them are puzzles to be worked out and studied, like some jigsaw pieces that have been painted Black. Read more

My Donkey, My Lover and I

My Donkey, My Lover and I Movie Review

Opens July 22 — in Phoenix area  — exclusively at Harkins Camelview at Fashion Square

 

“My Donkey, My Lover and I” is a French-language movie about… well — about a lady who has to travel with a donkey in order to see her lover. The problem is, her lover is married, and she does not know anything about traveling with a donkey.

 

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Where the Crawdads Sing

Where the Crawdads Sing Movie Review

“Where the Crawdads Sing” is based off a very popular novel read in many local book clubs. In fact, one of the early promoters of the book was Reese Witherspoon, who is now one of this movie’s producers. The story seems perfect for a friendly book-club environment, with the strong yet troubled young female character.

 

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Thor: Love and Thunder Movie Review

“Thor: Love and Thunder” is a Marvel movie with the continuing saga of everyone’s favorite beefcake – the “Mighty Thor”. Wait, well actually, “Mighty Thor” is the person who is worthy to wield the powerful hammer (Mjolnir). The hammer was in little pieces, due to an unfortunate encounter in a prior movie, and now Thor holds the “Stormbreaker”. But his super-charged axe is no match to Thor’s super-charged ‘Ex’. Ex-girlfriend that is, and she holds the hammer and is worthy to be “Mighty Thor”. The powerful hammer is able to break mountains, but Thor’s Ex can continue to break his heart.

 

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Apples

Apples Movie Review

“Apples” is a foreign-language movie (Greek) that is from a first-time Writer and Director. Many times this can mean you could be in for a treat, a very personal take about a very deep subject. Yet many other times, it could mean that you can watch a meandering effort that offers up a promising premise, but then it sputters out like a wet wick. When you hope for the former, but you actually get the latter — well, it can drive you Bananas!

 

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Minions: The Rise of Gru

Minions: The Rise of Gru Movie Review

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” — In The Beginning, Illumination Entertainment created ‘Me’ – and they saw that Me was Despicable. The overlords saw that it was not good for Me to be alone. So, thus was begat the ‘Minions’ – and these yellow companions were adorably annoying. The Sequel was begat, in order to fill the void that did not have adorably annoying creatures. Then, Sequels begat even more Sequels. And as the Sequels multiplied, the creatures grew less adorable… Read more

The Black Phone

The Black Phone Movie Review

“The Black Phone” is tightly plotted and wonderfully acted movie about “Stranger Danger” set in the late 1970’s. This was a time of anxious fear of another ‘John Wayne Gacy’ just around the corner. A teenager confronts with abject shock and terror that single scariest of things. That is, an old-fashioned, wall-mounted, rotary-dial telephone! Oh, that and the serial killer who lives upstairs and will always wear freaky masks. Yeah, that’s a scary thing too! Read more

Fire Island

Fire Island Movie Review

Streaming on Hulu starting June 3, 2022

 

“Fire Island” is a traditional romantic comedy, updated to be a very non-traditional ‘gay romp’. Take that as meaning that the main characters (looking for love and affection — or least a good hook-up) are all Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, and the like. It is about the LGBTQ & ECT (etc. cetera) crowd bringing new meaning to an old Jane Austen novel. Call this revamping – “Gay Pride and Prejudice”.

 

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