[Review] The Peanut Butter Falcon

“Two bandits on the run!”

Shia LaBeouf and newcomer Zack Gottsagen are the spirited buddy duo in The Peanut Butter Falcon, a southern and saltwater-soaked tale of a wonderfully unique friendship that converges like a delta stream. 

Zak (Gottsagen) is a diehard wrestling enthusiast with Down Syndrome, living a discontent life in nursing home. Tyler (LaBeouf) is a down-and-out wrongdoer running from his troubled past. The two wind up in the same boat (quite literally) and set out on a journey to follow Zak’s ultimate dream down to a wrestling school in Florida. But it’s no easy coasting, as each of them have folks on their trail — some nicer than others. 

It’s a funny, touching, and tear-jerking adventure for the ages. Writer-directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz orchestrate the events with passionate, clear-eyed optimism. With streaks of Jeff Nichol’s superb coming-of-age film Mud, the film emphatically charms as a buddy comedy, an underdog story, and an on-the-run trek all at once. It’s so completely moving to see Zak and Tyler develop a bond, and the beautiful cinematography and awe-inspiring views of exquisite sunsets and vast waterways might have you contributing your own puddles of saltwater — grab some tissues. 

Gottsagen as Zak aka The Peanut Butter Falcon gives such a heartfelt and funny performance here. LaBeouf is also fantastic, demonstrating magnificent range and nuance as a memorably messy character that is equal parts pained, tough-loving, and empathetic. He’s truly one of the best and most compelling actors of his generation. Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern, John Hawkes, and country rapper Yelawolf (whoa!) are all excellent in their supporting roles.

This sensational gem of a film is all about we enrich each other’s lives in unexpected manners, the strengths we find to wade through the swamps, and how a little bit of encouragement can go a long way. It’s a modern classic. A greatly told story. In The Peanut Butter Falcon, fairytales are authentic. Fables are genuine. Legends are real. Zak is our hero. 

* 10/10 *

[Review] Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood

If there’s one thing you can say about the work of Quentin Tarantino, it’s that he always brings a wily spectacle to the screen. So it makes complete sense for him to ride into the outlaw pastures of old-time Hollyweird, and that’s exactly what he does with the tinsel-titled Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood. The film is stacked with an all-star cast, and it kicks its feet up on the table as an amusing view of a fascinating and often ugly world. 

It takes place during the year 1969 in sprawling Los Angeles, and it follows fading Western TV actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime buddy and stuntman Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) as they not-so-gracefully navigate the decline of their entertainment careers. Lurking in the backdrop are members of the Manson family, which gives the film an uneasy edge. In other words, we know that something fucked up is gonna happen eventually. 

Like many of Tarantino’s efforts, this thing is LONG and its plot meanders, backtracks, and hits dead ends like the dense roads of the Hollywood Hills. But you know what? This unfocused mess is thoroughly entertaining to witness. Much of the film skirts along with a sweaty, beer-buzzed energy through smarmy studio lots and movie set antics. The picture is expertly shot — even the films-within-a-film look fantastic. As expected, DiCaprio is great here. He revels in the role with enthusiasm and hilarity (and a funny mustache) and he looks to be having a blast, which is a big part in why the film is so enjoyable. Pitt plays well off of DiCaprio, bringing a grizzled veteran charisma to the escapades. Margot Robbie rounds out the cast as Sharon Tate, and Al Pacino shows up as a producer with a self-aware wink.  

This film is like a vintage late-night drive to a party that is bound to go off the rails. A comical, and sometimes cartoony dream in sun-drenched tints. A pop culture obsessed farce. And it all builds to a fiery, biting, ultra-violent ending. The jarring conclusion is less of a re-enactment of an event and more of a complete twist on history — a satisfying revenge fantasy carried out to the extreme. After all, Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood really is a fairytale.

( 8/10 )

[Review] Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Gather around, because Halloween has arrived early with Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and it’s a lot of frightening fun.

If you’re like me, you grew up reading the memorable book series of the same name. Alvin Schwartz’s notoriously creepy illustrations might have given me a nightmare or two. Or three. 

Directed by André Øvredal and adapted by horror master Guillermo del Toro, this big screen imagining brings the monstrosities to life and does an expert job in making your skin crawl, cleverly weaving in several of the bizarre and terrifying stories into a cohesive feature-length film. There’s a scarecrow with a mind of its own, pimple-popping spiders, The Jangly Man, and a Pale Lady that is likely to haunt your dreams. The film, especially in the beginning, revels in old-fashioned folklore and urban legends and it embraces a tone of campy nostalgia while providing plenty of funny tricks and treats along the way. 

It’s also an ode to horror fandom and spooky cinema itself, from the Dracula posters to the drive-in theater showings of Night of the Living Dead. Most importantly, this thing is about the power of telling stories, and how they stick with us. Sometimes they’re scary. And sometimes they’re told in the dark.

*Lights a candle*

( 7.5/10 )

[Film Review] The Farewell

“Chinese people have a saying: When people get cancer, they die. It’s not the cancer that kills them — it’s the fear.”

Is there ever a correct way to approach the impending death of a loved one? What if you keep it a secret?

Writer-director Lulu Wang’s moving family drama The Farewell is a bittersweet rumination on the subject, and it features a tremendously impressive performance from comedian/rapper/actress Awkwafina (Crazy Rich Asians). 

Awkwafina plays Billi, a Chinese-born writer struggling in New York City. After receiving news that her beloved grandmother Nai Nai (Zhao Shuzhen) has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, she returns to China to gather with the relatives during Nai Nai’s final days. But there’s one crucial detail — the family has vowed not to tell Nai Nai that she’s dying.

It’s quite a richly drawn and thought-provoking premise, full of moral conundrums  that are as layered and complex as the film’s early overhead image of a series of staircases. Lulu Wang deftly handles the pristinely-shot proceedings with an eye of compassion and personal insight. It all unfolds organically, and it’s a pensive exploration on the family dynamic and how each member handles the prickly situation in different ways. So many questions arise: Are they doing the right thing? Is this the best way to preserve as much happiness for her as possible? Or is it wrong to keep her in the dark? The excellent script also comes with affecting touches of humor and meaningful dialogue, all while unraveling the contrasts between Eastern and Western cultures.

Awkwafina is absolutely fantastic in her role. It’s one of the best performances of the year. It’s so natural. So nuanced. So adept. So subtle, yet so powerful. Somber at times, funny at others. She says so much with her striking facial expressions alone — there’s a world of turmoil, perplexity, and conflicting emotions in just one stare. It’s a performance that’s certainly worthy of an Oscar nomination — or better yet — a win.  Zhao Shuzhen as the grandmother also is wonderful. She embodies the role with sweetness and vulnerability and warmly honest personality. There are some absolutely heartbreaking moments of her being oblivious to the situation, especially as she writes off her illness as “just a lingering cold” or as she discusses plans for the future. *Tears*

The Farewell is meditative and poignant. Believable and profound. Commendably down-to-Earth. And the film’s clever opening proclamation of “Based on an actual lie...” transcends to universal truths. 

* 10/10 *

[Review] Spider-Man: Far From Home

If it feels like there have been a lot of Spider-Man appearances on the big screen lately, that’s because there have been. But you know what? As long as they keep being this much fun, then I’m not complaining.

Tom Holland (the best Peter Parker) suits up again as the masked web-slinger. While the last Spidey film was a Homecoming, this one is a journey Far From Home, which means the plot consists of Peter and his classmates embarking on a school trip across Europe. The kid just wants to enjoy the scenery and tell his crush (played by Zendaya) that he likes her, but the vacation is interrupted when colossal water, air, and fire creatures begin to wreak havoc upon the itinerary. 

Following the dramatic fallout of Avengers: Endgame, this film takes a decidedly lighter and funnier route, which is really how Spider-Man movies should be. A clever and hilarious opening sequence that involves a high school daily news segment sets the tone of levity with flickering winks and nudges. The story is stuffed with classic coming-of-age and teen comedy elements. It’s consistently entertaining and enjoyable, the momentum is quick on its feet, and all the jokes hit their targets.

But it isn’t all a breeze. There’s a lot weighing on Peter Parker’s mind this time around. He’s still mourning the loss of his beloved superhero mentor (if you saw Avengers: Endgame, you know who that is). And there’s a sticky push and pull between just being a kid or saving the world. It’s a lot of pressure, and it’s hard to keep your identity a secret when you’re always being called into action! Speaking of being called into action, frequent Marvel stalwart Samuel L. Jackson returns as agent Nick Fury, and a fully-game Jake Gyllenhaal cruises in as an illusion-wielding superhero named Mysterio. Gyllenhaal is great here, and I’ll just say that Mysterio is a very fitting name for this character. 

The greatly cast Tom Holland continues to shine with a blend of wide-eyed exuberance and down-to-earth awkwardness. He’s truly what Peter Parker always should have been. And hopefully the kid actually will get to experience a normal day of high school one day, but that doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon. A vacation is definitely out of the possibility. 

( 8/10 )

[Review] Toy Story 4

I always thought that Toy Story 3 was a fitting conclusion to Pixar’s most beloved film franchise, so when I heard there would be a fourth one I was a bit worried that it would be stretching the series into the unwanted section. But brush off the dust bunnies and put in your battery pack because Toy Story 4 is a fun box of giggles and heart, and I’m glad it’s been passed down to us.

When we catch up with Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and company, they’re living their best toy life with their newfound owner, Bonnie. But Woody finds himself in a diminishing role, and his future is put into question when he ends up in an antique store during a road trip before Bonnie’s first day of kindergarten. 

Toy Story 4 packs in the usual comedy and clever gags, but it runs on poignant emotion and genuine sentimentality. It’s the type of sentimentally that tugs at your heartstrings and winds up your memories, making you reflect on your own childhood and the items you held dear, as well as the Toy Story series itself. It’s very sweet, and it’s very cute. It also holds Woody’s finest moments, as he becomes an unsung guardian angel-esque character for Bonnie (the kindergarten orientation scene may have yanked a few tears out of me.)

And while Woody is the heart and the glue that holds everything together, the newer characters provide some hilarious highlights. There’s Forky (Tony Hale), the result of a kindergarten craft project that comes to life. He’s nervous, timid, fragile, and he feels most comfortable in the trashcan — lets just say he hasn’t yet realized his full potential. And then there’s Duke Kaboom (Keanu Reeves), an eccentric daredevil that has been rejected due to his failure to take off. Like, Forky, it’s a character that is as funny as it is sympathetic, and Keanu steals the show with his voice work. We really are in the year of Keanu, aren’t we?

Toy Story 4 is all about loyalty and friendship, being wanted, searching for belonging, finding purpose, and even making the decision to move on. So if this is indeed the final film, the Toy Story series has given us laughter and tears and joy to infinity and beyond. 

* 9/10 *

[Review] Always Be My Maybe

Netflix’s new romantic comedy Always Be My Maybe (a pun-y reference to the great Mariah Carey ballad) shines bright as a funny, enjoyable, and sweet watch-at-home treat for the early summer.

Ali Wong and Randall Park lead the way as Sasha and Marcus, a pair of childhood friends (well, a little more than just friends) who reconnect 15 years after a falling out. It turns out that they’ve taken vastly different paths in life. Sasha is a wealthy celebrity chef, while Marcus still lives with his dad and plays in a crappy local band. It’s safe to say a lot has changed. But is there still a spark between them? Maybe.

This thing is light, pleasant, and refreshing — like lemon pudding in movie form. And even though it follows a familiar rom-com recipe, it has just enough flavor to stand out and form its own unique identity. It’s also just so dang likable and full of irresistible charm. The script (which is also co-written by Ali Wong and Randall Park) is a superb one. The dialogue is swirled with clever and comical wit, and at the center is a filling of thoughtful substance when it comes to heritage and culture, authenticity and success, love and projection. Director Nahnatchka Khan lends genuine warmth and tenderness to it all, as well as a notable embrace of humor and absurdity. 

Wong and Park demonstrate a delightful chemistry, and they both give sharp performances as well-drawn characters. But the highlight is a surprisingly off-the-wall cameo from the legendary Keanu Reeves — as himself. I won’t give too much away, but he’s absolutely hysterical here and will have you laughing until your stomach hurts. It truly goes down as one of the best cameos in movie history. It’s a sight to behold and cherish and rewatch over and over again.

So next time you’re scrolling through Netflix’s menu, throw this one on for dessert. 

( 8/10 )

[Review] John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum

Yeah, I’m thinking he’s back. And he has not disappointed. The legendary Keanu Reeves suits up again as iconic hitman John Wick for John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum. This gloriously cutthroat entry is everything you could want and more out of a John Wick flick, solidifying this series as one of the best  action spectacles to ever grace the big screen. 

The plot picks right up where Chapter 2 left off — John Wick has been declared “excommunicado” by The High Table of assassins, and there’s a $14 million (and rising) bounty on his head. The guy just wants to preserve his wife’s memory and spend time with his dog, but he can’t walk five feet without someone attempting to put a bullet in his head. 

While Chapter 2 was symbolically set in a perpetual purgatory, here John Wick finds himself in the depths of a brutal hellscape, punching, stabbing, and shooting his way through a dark and fiery underworld as he grapples with critical dilemmas, juggles souls, and makes deals with devils. The film’s combat sequences are like fist-pumping rushes of adrenaline. We get to witness a rumble in a library where Wick breaks someone’s neck over the spine of a book, a frenetic knife-flinging fight at an antique museum, and an exhilarating chase scene through the city streets where Wick fires off shots while riding a fucking horse. 

The cinematography is consistently exquisite, presenting the brawls and mayhem as high art that is as elegant and classy as it is visceral and merciless. Much of the stylishly and intricately choreographed fights are set against hypnotically vibrant backdrops that make you say wow — or more frankly — holy shit. Claps and laughs frequently erupted from the audience during my screening.

Keanu Reeves once again gives another impressively physical and introspective performance as a haunted and trapped man who just so happens to be extremely good at laying people to waste. Out of all three films, he has the least dialogue here, and it works remarkably well because his actions do all the talking. There are also some great supporting performances from Ian McShane and, Lance Reddick, and Laurence Fishburne. Even a fully-game Halle Berry joins in on the madness. 

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum is an opera of havoc. A symphony of bedlam. A storm of fury. By the time the film’s last line was uttered and the picture cut to the credits, my wife and I immediately stood up and applauded.

Will John Wick be back again? I’d say the odds are about even. Actually... It’s a YEAH.

* 10/10 *

[Review] The Intruder

The delightfully deranged Dennis Quaid vehicle The Intruder breaks in as a campy, unabashedly clichéd thriller that manages to be thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end — even if you can predict every move. 

The doors open with a married couple (played by Michael Ealy and Megan Good) as they move into a beautiful and serene Napa Valley property. Sound like a dream? Not so fast. It just so happens that the home’s previous owner (played by a fully-game Dennis Quaid) won’t quite leave. The guy just keeps showing up unannounced, to the point where the couple fears for their safety. And well, it’s just a matter of time and a few bottles of wine before things hit the fan. 

To its credit, The Intruder is a film that knows exactly what it is. It’s aware that we as an audience know where this is all going, but it does its job so damn well that it’s easy to embrace. The genre blueprints are laid out here, and they’re fun as hell when they’re put to work with such immense precision. It’s engrossing. It’s jarring. And it’s actually really funny. The film practically constitutes as one big, sly smirk with a lot of acres.

Speaking of sly smirks, Dennis Quaid gives a performance for the ages. He truly goes all the way, and then some. He’s erratic and unhinged. Creepy and relentless. Secretive and sadistic. His maniacal smile would even make the Grinch crap his pants. Wait, does the Grinch have pants? Okay, that’s beside the point. Quaid rocks it here. 

What director Deon Taylor has constructed is an effective, memorable, and over-the-top home invasion flick that provokes jumps and laughs in equal amounts. The landscaping is nice and the architecture is well-crafted, but there’s something deliriously ugly beneath the surface. Changing the locks isn’t always enough. 

7/10

[Review] Avengers: Endgame

The Endgame is finally in sight, and it’s been a long and entertaining ride. The latest installment of the colossal Avengers series sees the ultimate showdown for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it’s astoundingly fantastic. 

Following the drastic events of Avengers: Infinity War (you know - the mass vanishing and destruction of the universe and all), Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and company are in a very fragile state. Stark’s power is dwindling, Captain America (Chris Evans) is feeling like a failure, and the almighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is shockingly out of shape. That’s how you know things are looking bleak! Eventually, the crew of heroes devise a plan to travel back in time, collect the Infinity Stones, save their fellow heroes from the quantum realm, and finally defeat Thanos (Josh Brolin). Sounds simple, right? 

The duration clocks in at over three hours, but this epic crescendo of stellar force is so captivating and so well-executed that it never feels too overlong or bloated (the only truly bloated thing about this movie is Thor’s belly). It’s such a stunning achievement to carry out so many different converging plots and it’s such an impressive feat to utilize so many eclectic characters to their utmost strengths. Endgame somehow manages to balance it all miraculously. There isn’t a dull moment to be found, and the film constantly feels momentous and monumental. Oh, and the climactic battle - it’s one for the ages. The script is also extremely funny and full of great comic timing. I personally cracked up more than the creases of Thanos’ chin. 

But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this film is how it delves into the humanity, heart, and vulnerability of these iconic heroes (it’s actually very touching), which allows the film to be much more than just pure spectacle and elaborate action. It lacks in a lot of heavy emotion, and the script conveys a lot about loved ones and camaraderie, along with the complicated notions of dwelling on the impact of decisions from the past and altering the course of time. There’s a sense despair. A sense of remorse. And maybe everything won’t be completely okay in the end, but the Avengers are going to their absolute best no matter what, even if it takes some crucial sacrifices to get the job done and salvage the greater good of this sprawling universe. 

“We’re the Avengers. We gotta finish this. You trust me?”

* 9.5/10 *

[Review] Missing Link

Following the excellent Kubo and the Two Strings, the stop-motion animation sensation Laika returns with another low-key gem called Missing Link. It deserves to be searched for. 

The journey begins as Sir Lionel Frost (voiced by Hugh Jackman), an investigator of mythical beasts, happens upon an elusive Bigfoot creature (Zach Galifianakis) that would make him famous. But there’s one catch — the gentle giant asks Frost to help him track down his Yeti relatives who dwell across the world, deep in the Himalayas. The furry guy isn’t mean or anti-social — he’s just lonely.

Just like Laika films of the past, the animation here is beyond impressive. Every scene is so wonderfully detailed and exquisitely rendered, from the crafty textures of fur and flannel to the ethereal backdrops of mountains and skies. There’s just something about stop-motion animation that is so charming to look at. The script charms as well with its delightfully deadpan humor and genuinely heartwarming story. 

Missing Link is a refreshingly straightforward but very meaningful adventure. A short but sweet expedition. The film’s messages are agreeable and important. Sometimes you find friendship and family in the most unexpected places, and sometimes the biggest discovery is that the things you initially thought you were missing aren’t what you were really missing. Does that make sense? Good. 

( 8/10 )

[Review] Pet Sematary (2019)

Some things just never die, especially if you meddle with them.

Amid the graveyard plot of Hollywood remakes and reboots, 2019’s Pet Sematary (based on the famous Stephen King novel) manages to rise up through the muck, thanks to a brooding atmosphere and methodical scares. 

Much like its 1989 predecessor, the story begins with Louis and Rachel Creed (played by Jason Clarke and Amy Seimetz) and their two children as they move to the small town of Ludlow, Maine. And yes, they’ve brought the cat! Soon after they settle in - scratch that - they never really settle in, a bearded old man (John Lithgow) show them the Pet Sematary in the woods, and well, all hell breaks loose.

Quicker than you can reach for a shovel, this thing delves into some demented frights and disturbing scenes that stick with you like dirt under your fingernails. There’s an escalating sense of dread that just never rests. The slow-gliding camerawork and eerie music works wonders here, giving us plenty of nerve-wracking views of dark rooms and foggy forests. 

Director duo Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer handle the bizarre events very well and maintain the essence of the source material while throwing in a couple of new twists that give the film a darker edge. John Lithgow is perfectly cast as the wary old local who has seen some shit, and Jeté Laurence gives a remarkably creepy performance. But the standout might just be Church the cat, who manages to be cute even when devouring the insides of a dead crow. It’s a fitting symbol for this horror remake - messing with dead or resurrecting the beyond isn’t always the best idea, but it sure is scary and fun to witness. 

7.5/10

[Film Review] Us

Following the excellent horror hybrid Get Out, writer-director Jordan Peele returns with another eerie nail-biter called Us. And while it doesn’t match the boldness and pure originality of Get Out, it’s still a solid and effective, mostly straightforward slasher flick. 

The story reflects upon a family played by Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke, along their two kids (Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex). Just as they settle down for a nice and relaxing beach house vacation, they’re each abruptly approached by their own demented doppelgängers, forcing them to fight for survival and figure out what the hell is going on.

Between the creepy opening sequences that involve houses of mirrors and white rabbits in cages, and the initial doppelgänger showdown (the croaky voice of Lupita’s double is enough to raise the hair on the back of your neck), Us gets off to a really strong start. It’s forbidding and tense and genuinely scary. This thing is also very well shot, and the camerawork is as tricky as the film itself. The music is piercingly dreadful and nerve-racking, and the most impressive thing about the whole film is that it manages to turn Luniz’s 1995 hit “I Got 5 on It” into a haunting horror score. 

But as the film progresses, it gets a little repetitive, to the point where it doesn’t feel like it’s doing much different from a typical slasher or zombie flick. It’s a well-crafted one, but not necessarily a bold or inventive one. It also isn’t as thematically rich as Get Out, which can’t help but make the film feel like it’s missing a link. The “WOW” factor isn’t there. It sets sight on the duality of humans, but doesn’t exactly leave us with a provocative impact. Don’t get it twisted though, this is still a very entertaining film when taken as it is. 

In Us, our biggest enemy as a whole is ourselves, and the scariest person could be the one looking back at us in the mirror. Or is it the other way around?

7/10

[Film Review] Captain Marvel

Captain Marvel introduces a new player in Marvel’s continuously expanding Cinematic Universe, and this aggressively humdrum installment can’t help but feel like a soaring letdown. 

Oscar Winner Brie Larson takes on the role of Carol Danvers (who we will come to know as Captain Marvel), an ex-fighter pilot who possesses bursts of powerful energy and strength. The film’s convoluted plot sees her travel between different planets, fighting against alien shapeshifters with the help of Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson).

You’d think a superhero movie with such a valiant title would be more exciting and uplifting than what we witness in this forgettable pile of formulaic space junk. It’s somewhat amusing at first, as the film hits us with some nostalgia bits as Danvers lands on planet Earth during the ‘90s. Oh, there’s Blockbuster! There’s an AOL screen! But those elements eventually wear out their novelty when the film plummets down an eye-rolling list of superhero origins. The story is so stale and unoriginal that the movie feels like it actually could’ve been made in the ‘90s... one didn’t age well. It’s even ugly to stare it. The special effects and production design are dark and dour, and the film’s villains look like something out of the “Power Rangers” TV series.

For being so impressive in films like Short Term 12 and Room, Brie Larson is glaringly bad here as the central hero. Each line is delivered like a a half-asleep college student ordering an Espresso from Starbucks, and each bored facial expression mirrors how I felt during the entire duration of this film. Even considering the underwhelming material Larson is given, she completely brings this ship down. She appears to be so detached and emotionless that she might as well have been one of the cardboard cutouts used to promote the movie. 

The orange cat that tags along with the crew is the only good thing about Captain Marvel, and it deserved way beetter. 

3/10

[Film Review] Fighting with My Family

The WWE Studios production Fighting with My Family is a fun romp that takes a leap off the top ropes into the amazing story of the rise of superstar professional wrestler, Paige.

Florence Pugh plays Saraya (whom we will come to know as Paige). She’s an all black-wearing, metal-listening teen who comes from a family of wrestlers, including her parents (Nick Frost and Lena Headey) and her brother Zak (Jack Lowden). For a chance at a big break, Saraya and Zak land an audition for the WWE, and well, it’s not a painless gig. The film enthusiastically details Paige’s journey from underdog to fan-favorite. 

Director Stephen Merchant (who also makes an amusing appearance in the film) stages the scenes with vigorous energy and light-hearted humor. But there’s just enough conflict to add some weight to the plot, especially as Paige begins to surpass her brother in the wrestling world, which creates some tense sibling grapples, while exploring the ideas of the “It” factor and chasing dreams, as well as the devastating blows you face when you don’t reach those dreams. Florence Pugh gives a solid central performance, demonstrating dynamic and versatile range throughout the main event. Megastar and possible future president Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shows up for a few scenes, essentially playing himself and once again proving that the guy has enough charisma to part oceans. Also impressive is Vince Vaughn, who plays a no-holds-barred trainer with a keen sense of how the cutthroat industry works. He’s brash and sharp and he possesses great comic timing, all while managing to a likable and memorable character. He’s definitely a highlight. 

As the bell rings, Fighting with My Family delivers plenty of charm, warm emotion, and just like the WWE itself — good old-fashioned entertainment. 

8/10

[Film Review] How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

Lifting off as the third tale in the wonderful How to Train Your Dragon series, the fiery and fun The Hidden World astounds and tugs at your heartstrings. 

After the events of How to Train Your Dragon 2, Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) has taken pride in his duties as Chief in the sprawling village of Berk where vikings live peacefully among dragons. But their existence is threatened when the film’s evil villain Grimmel (F. Murray Abraham) concocts a plan to steal and enslave all the dragons, including Hiccup’s beloved, winged companion Toothless. From there, Hiccup and his friends set out to find The Hidden World (an “unreachable” utopia which may or may not exist) in order to deliver the dragons to safety.

This final installment is just as fantastic as the predecessors, and it continues with the same lofty ambitions and wide-eyed spirit. The animation is absolutely dazzling and immensely detailed, down to the striking shadows to the textured grains of sand. There are plenty of beautiful sequences, from electric blasts through storm clouds, to flights through skies painted with aurora borealis, to journeys through luminescent caves. The film also boasts some thrilling action and combat sequences, but the most powerful moments come from the quieter, calmer scenes — like Hiccup’s tender flashbacks with his late father, along with Toothless’ playful courting scenes with his newfound mate. Truly majestic. 

Get the tissues ready, because the last 15 minutes of the film pack some intensely emotional wallops, building upon each other like bittersweet daggers to your heart. It’s so gorgeous. A magnificent crescendo of culminating endings. I’m getting teary-eyed while writing this review. 

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World perfectly concludes a trilogy that soared to the greatest of heights.

* 9/10 *

My Top 10 Films of 2018

#10. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Swooping in as a

vibrantly animated  

coming-of-age tale

#9. Leave No Trace

Harsh and heart-wrenching

“The same thing that’s wrong with you

isn’t wrong with me.”

#8. If Beale Street Could Talk 

A beautiful and

somber portrait of love, life

and complications 

#7. Green Book 

Viggo Mortensen 

folding a pizza in half

Very iconic 

#6. Hereditary 

Horror film about

a family that is not

very friendly, ahh!

#5. Black Panther

Vibrant and prideful 

An entertaining journey

Worth celebrating 

#4. Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Amazing story

Melissa McCarthy and

Richard E. Grant stun

#3. First Man

Exhilarating 

Chilling and spectacular

Your feelings will float 

#2. BlacKkKlansman

Spike Lee’s best in years

Stop hate, rally together

Important, urgent 

#1. Paddington 2

Sweet like marmalade 

The equivalent of a

warm and cozy hug

[Film Review] The LEGO Movie: The Second Part

2014’s The LEGO movie was a surprisingly awesome blast of humor and heart, and now here we are five years later, ready to unbox The Second Part. While this sequel never quite stacks up to the greatness of its predecessor, it’s still a fun and clever addition to the crafty construction of this movie series. 

Chris Pratt and Elizabeth Banks check in as the voices of Emmet and Wyldstyle, and this time around their existence is upended when space invaders touch down upon their snappy world. From there, Emmet is forced to save his friends from the almighty Queen Watevra Wa’Nabe (Tiffany Haddish - she’s great here), who insists that she isn’t a villain through a cheeky musical number. 

Speaking of musical numbers, the film boasts a lot more songs this time around (At one point, one of the characters asks “Are we in a musical?”), and they’re all pretty catchy. One of them is even titled “Catchy Song” and it’s guaranteed to get stuck inside your head. In fact the chorus goes “This song is gonna get stuck inside your head!” Very meta.

Just like the first one, this film is packed with referential humor and winky in-jokes. The script isn’t as consistently hilarious this time, but it mostly does the trick. Fan favorite LEGO Batman (who got his own spinoff, because of course he did) returns in all his brooding glory and often steals the show. There’s also some visually thrilling journeys through space and time warps, as well as a place called Apocalypseburg, which is blatantly reminiscent of Mad Max: Fury Road. And while this film doesn’t quite tug at the heart strings like the first one did (the first one made me cry), it still has some sweet messages of inclusivity and themes of sibling bonds.

So, there’s definitely still some awesomeness left in the LEGO world, and it’s important to keep the imagination alive. 

7.5/10

[Film Review] Green Book

Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali star in Green Book, a heartwarming buddy dramedy about two very different souls who embark on a road trip across America in the 1960s. 

Meet Tony Vallelonga (Mortensen), a hard-nosed Italian-American struggling to make money outside of local mob activities and hot dog eating contests. Early on, Tony unceremoniously lands a gig as a driver (and bodyguard) for Don Shirley (Ali), a wealthy African-American pianist — to call him a virtuoso would be an understatement. 

As the mismatched pair set out for Don’s music tour, they clash in more ways than one, whether it’s their backgrounds and cultures or their personalities. But the further they go, the more respect they gain for each other. The film does a swell job of giving these characters dimension and forming their relationship, which evolves from awkward and misunderstood to loyal and heartfelt. 

The performances from Mortensen and Ali are both absolutely terrific, and they play impressively well off of each other. Viggo gets the Goodfella-esque accent down and embodies this initially not-super-likable character in an amusing manner, displaying humor and a well-meaning soul along the journey. On the other side, Mahershala is stoic and restrained, demonstrating a lot of emotion and information with his eyes and the pure conviction of his voice. Both actors are definitely deserving of their Oscar nominations.

Green Book unfolds as a great blend of laughs and more serious themes, like the racial injustices and discrimination that Doc faces throughout his tour. The film gets its messages across in an effective way, and it all leads to a very sweet conclusion that actually reminded me of Planes, Trains and Automobiles. In the end, friendship, acceptance, and understanding wins all. As Doc says, “It takes courage to change people’s hearts.”

* 8.5/10 *

[Film Review] If Beale Street Could Talk

After the Oscar sensation Moonlight, director Barry Jenkins returns with If Beale Street Could Talk, and its another beautiful and somber portrait of life, love, and it’s crucial complications. 

Based on a James Baldwin novel of the same title, the film follows a young woman named Tish (KiKi Lane) and her longtime friend and lover Fonny (Stephan James). The two are expecting a child, but there’s one big problem: Alonzo has been sent away to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. 

What unfolds is a poignant, poetic, and contemplative drama that stirs with soul and heartfelt humanity. The richly detailed and meaningful story dives into the power of romance, the trials of familial conflicts, and the tragedies of racial injustices.

It’s all so beautifully shot and vibrantly realized, with each frame looking like a picturesque painting and each scene moving with deep emotion. The performances are superb all-around. Regina King is especially affecting as Tish’s compassionate mother, but I may have most impressed by Stephan James, who conveys so much with just a few words and through telling facial expressions that are filled with pain, thoughtfulness, determination, and unwavering love. If Beale Street Could Talk, Fonny’s eyes would say it all. 

* 8.5/10 *