Encanto

The Madrigals are an extraordinary family who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a charmed place called the Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift -- every child except Mirabel. However, she soon may be the Madrigals last hope when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is now in danger.

This was yet another very entertaining Disney princess kind of movie that involves cultural representation.  I'm sure that this movie will mean much, much more to the cultures it is trying to represent but even if that is not you it is still a very enjoyable movie.  The animation was great.  The music was probably the best in a Disney movie since Moana and you can't help but get wrapped up in the story as it plays out.  

I would definitely recommend people checking this one out.  You can never go wrong with Disney animated releases around a holiday.  They are pretty much guaranteed to deliver.  

House Of Gucci

When Patrizia Reggiani, an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge -- and ultimately murder.

This is one of those movies that is tough to review.  Was it a phenomenal all around movie?  No.  It was honestly trash entertainment.  But it was really good trash entertainment if that makes sense.  The actors all were top notch.  Adam Driver was great.  Jared Leto was excellent.  And Lady Gaga was amazing.  Like she really made this movie.  You could feel the difference when she was on screen and when she wasn't.  You were so hooked by how unhinged her character was and wanted to know what she was going to do.  

I would recommend people checking this out just so you can enjoy the evolution of Lady Gaga as an actress.  I could see her being nominated again for this performance and the rest of the movie was pretty good as well although pretty trashy.

Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City

Welcome to Raccoon City, once the booming home of pharmaceutical giant Umbrella Corp. The company's exodus left the city a wasteland, a dying town with great evil brewing below the surface. When that evil is unleashed, a group of survivors must work together to uncover the truth behind Umbrella and make it through the night.

Don't get me wrong, this movie was definitely one of the more watchable entries in recent memory.  They kind of went back to the beginning and tried to reboot.  And it wasn't as beyond over the top as most of the others have been until towards the end.  Like it got held back on the crazy gore and makeup effects and kept it alot more human which was definitely better.  That being said - I honestly don't know of a franchise that has been more over done than this.  Like honestly - how many of these movies have been made.  I feel like there is a new one every 2-3 years just as like a money grab for gamers and what not.  Like how about we just leave it alone.

I would not really recommend anyone bothering with this.  It's watchable only when compared to the last 4-5 entries in the franchise and that is setting the bar extremely low.  

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

When a single mother and her two children move to a new town, they soon discover they have a connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.

I wish more reboots, relaunches, or whatever you want to call them were done like this.   It was not a straight up redo.  It wasn't a straight up sequel.  It was a new, original and entertaining story with new characters that referenced known things from the franchise and actually managed to connect it all in a good way.  So many of these are either mailed in or just kind of attempting to modernize the original movie.   This one avoided that and was a really great watch.  

I  would definitely recommend people checking this out and honestly wish that more reboots would be more like this.  

King Richard

Armed with a clear vision and a brazen, 78-page plan, Richard Williams is determined to write his two daughters, Venus and Serena, into history. Training on tennis courts in Compton, Calif., Richard shapes the girls' unyielding commitment and keen intuition. Together, the Williams family defies seemingly insurmountable odds and the prevailing expectations laid before them.

This movie was exactly what you expected it to be.   A great biographical movie with a stellar performance by Will Smith.   I have no doubt that he will be in award contention this year and I was never a big tennis person so it was very enjoyable to learn alot more about the history of the Williams sisters.  

I would definitely recommend people checking this movie out.  It was a little bit longer than I think it had to be but it was a very enjoyable watch.  

Clifford The Big Red Dog

When Emily Elizabeth meets a magical animal rescuer who gives her a little red puppy, she never anticipated waking up to find a giant, 10-foot hound in her small New York City apartment. With her single mother away on business, Emily and her fun but impulsive uncle set out on an adventure that takes a bite out of the Big Apple.

This movie is essentially exactly what you know it will be.  Cute family movie with simple story and cute morals and messages.  Roll the credits.  There is literally nothing else that needs to be said about this movie.

I would definitely recommend this movie for people with younger kids.  They will certainly enjoy it and the movie is not unbearable for you while they enjoy it so there is at least that.  

Spencer

The marriage between Princess Diana and Prince Charles has long since grown cold. Though rumors of affairs and a divorce abound, peace is ordained for the Christmas festivities at the queen's estate. There's eating and drinking, shooting and hunting. Diana knows the game, but this year, things will be profoundly different.

I tried.  I did.  I made it about halfway through.  I'm sure that this will generate lots of Oscar buzz for acting and what not but I have never understood the Princess Diana fascination so I just wasn't that into it. It's Kristen Stewart who is honestly like the worst actress in all of Hollywood regardless of how good of a Diana that she played.  And its the same story I feel like I have seen told in every medium more times than I can count at this point.  

I wouldn't recommend this at all but like I said - this just really wasn't my thing so if it is you should disregard my recommendation.  

The Eternals

The Eternals, a race of immortal beings with superhuman powers who have secretly lived on Earth for thousands of years, reunite to battle the evil Deviants.

This movie was a really tough sell for Marvel.  Probably their hardest one since Guardians Of The Galaxy.   It was a whole new group of characters that had to be introduced and developed.  It did a great job of telling you the present story and going back through time to show the relationships and connections between all of them.  The witty banter was still there and a lot of the characters were really great.  I very much look forward to seeing more of these characters moving forward in the MCU.  

This was a great watch although much artsier and more dramatic than the rest of the MCU movies.  Was it one of the lower rung Marvel movies like Captain Marvel?  I would say yes but definitely still very enjoyable.