Jungle Cruise

Dr. Lily Houghton enlists the aid of wisecracking skipper Frank Wolff to take her down the Amazon in his ramshackle boat. Together, they search for an ancient tree that holds the power to heal -- a discovery that will change the future of medicine.

This movie was just plain fun.   Just great action, comedy, story, chemistry fun across the board.  This is the kind of movie that made me fall in love with them in the first place.   It felt very much like the first couple of Pirates Of The Caribbean or Indiana Jones films.  The Rock is always awesome.  So is Emily Blunt.  The chemistry between the two of them was perfect.  And they did a great job of actually telling you the story over the course of the film.  They didn't rush it.  They didn't drag it out.  They gave you the story piece meal as was needed.

I would definitely recommend people checking this movie out.  It was an incredibly enjoyable watch and just a very fun ride.  

Old

A thriller about a family on a tropical holiday who discover that the secluded beach where they are relaxing for a few hours is somehow causing them to age rapidly reducing their entire lives into a single day.

M Night Shyalalalalalamananan's movies are always decided by one simple thing . . . . . . the curveball towards the end.  Every one of his movies have it and I honestly can't think of a movie of his that didn't look like it good be good on the premise alone.  It was always that swerve payout that decided it.  So I went into this movie fully aware of that and very much prepared to hate it by the time it ended.  However, I was plenty surprised that I not only was not disappointed by the ending but actually liked it alot.  Are there a lot of unanswered stuff?  Yeah but everything doesn't always have to be answered.  Bottom line is that this movie did a good enough job of not screwing the pooch with the ending.

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.  The first 9/10th of the movie is more than watchable with you wondering how it will play out and the swerve only solidified this one.  

Snake Eyes

An ancient Japanese clan called the Arashikage welcomes tenacious loner Snake Eyes after he saves the life of their heir apparent. Upon arrival in Japan, the Arashikage teach him the ways of the ninja warrior while also providing him something he's been longing for: a home. However, when secrets from Snake Eyes' past are revealed, his honor and allegiance get tested -- even if that means losing the trust of those closest to him.

This is a weird movie to review.  Was it watchable?  Yes it was definitely a decent watch.   The pacing could have been much better and there was no reason for this to be 2 hours long.  But like . . . . . is this supposed to be the relaunch of the GI Joe franchise?   Because if it is then I think it was a super lame attempt.  Like this movie honestly didn't even feel like a movie theater blockbuster and would have played better as a streaming service series.  Like I'm not sure that this movie would be remotely successful to launch that whole franchise off of.   Just really left me with a weird vibe on that front.

I would lukewarmly recommend people checking it out.  It's not a must see by any means whatsoever but it is an entertaining enough watch.  Just not really sure it was good enough for what it looks like they are planning.  

The Comeback Trail

Indebted to the mob, two movie producers try to save themselves by setting up an aging actor for an insurance scam.

Had never heard of this movie and then saw the trailer for it the last 4 or 5 times I have gone to theaters since they reopened.  Looked watchable but there was no way I would pay to see it.  Then I realized that the movie is online and has been since last year when it was originally supposed to open wide so I checked it out.  This is a dictionary definition of a movie where if you saw the trailer - you saw the movie.  There is absolutely nothing that you don't know is coming or have not seen already through the ads.  I do like seeing that these actors can still get jobs at their ages but it is sad that it's not in something more worthwhile.

I would not really recommend anyone bothering with this movie.  Watch the commercial and just leave it as that because you have already seen the whole movie more or less.  

 

Space Jam: A New Legacy

Superstar LeBron James and his young son, Dom, get trapped in digital space by a rogue AI. To get home safely, LeBron teams up with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and the rest of the Looney Tunes gang for a high-stakes basketball game against the AI's digitized champions of the court -- a powered-up roster called the Goon Squad.

If you enjoy Looney Tunes and the first Space Jam, I'm not really sure how or why you wouldn't like this one.   They did a lot of fun stuff with other Warner Bros properties getting on screen and LeBron James wasn't bad at all.  Don Cheadle seemed pretty strangely cast in this but again - this is a Looney Tunes movie.  So many reviews were absolutely trashing this movie and I really don't get it.  Like what were you expecting.  Was the first Space Jam nominated for Best Picture and I missed that.  It's a Looney Tunes movie that is most importantly made for children.  If that is not your cup of tea than don't drink it, no?

I enjoyed the movie and like I said before - if you enjoy Looney Tunes or the first Space Jam I would definitely recommend that you check this out.  Its an entertaining watch for the family.

Escape Room: Tournament Of Champions

Survivors of previous escape rooms find themselves in a new and increasingly elaborate game filled with deadly traps.

Why?   Just why?   Why was this sequel made at all?  Why in the blue hell is it a summer release?  Why?  Why?  Why?  I cannot believe how many random horror sequels are being made.  It's as if regardless of the original if its a "scary' movie there will be a franchise.  The movie was sloppy, rushed and completely pointless across the board.  The original was not that bad but in no way ever was worthy of a sequel.

Hell no I wouldn't recommend anyone bothering with this.  Like at all.  Ever.  Never been so annoyed at how long an hour and 20 minute movie felt.

Black Widow

At birth the Black Widow (aka Natasha Romanova) is given to the KGB, which grooms her to become its ultimate operative. When the U.S.S.R. breaks up, the government tries to kill her as the action moves to present-day New York, where she is a freelance operative.

Marvel is honestly the most guaranteed thing that I know of.   I was a little skeptical about a movie randomly set in the already existing timeline that was not an origin story but they hit this one out of the park.  Black Widow got her due.  The new characters introduced were amazing and Yelena rocketed to the top of my MCU favorite characters.   The action was amazing.  There were a lot of great laughs.  And the story explaining origins while at the same time moving characters forward was perfectly done.   Possibly the most impressive part though is that the movie at the same time made it possible for more Black Widow movies if they want set in the past while bringing the surviving characters to current times too.   

I would absolutely recommend people checking this out.   It is an incredibly enjoyable summer blockbuster and I'm so glad to see Marvel movies back.

The Forever Purge

On the run from a drug cartel, a Mexican couple battle vicious thugs who plan to continue the violent tradition of the now-outlawed Purge.

I have to say that this is probably the most legit of all the Purge movies.  By saying that I mean that it was rotating around the actual kills and the gore/crazy costumes of it all.   This movie was much more grounded in current events and honestly felt kind of like I was watching a bigger version of the January 6th insurrection.  People against immigrants and seeing them as these massive enemies in the name of America.  What more else is there to say?

I mean . . . .  it's a Purge movie.  Does my recommendation really mean anything?   If you have watched the others you will obviously see this.  If you have not - why in the blue hell would you start now?

The Tomorrow War

A man is drafted to fight in a future war where the fate of humanity relies on his ability to confront his past.

Wow!   Just when I was ready to deem this movie eh and understand why it went to a streaming service instead of theaters - they completely stepped on the gas.   Once you get through the first 20-25 minutes of story and character build up and the "soldiers" make the time jump this movie becomes an absolutely awesome roller coaster ride.  It slows down a bit at times but it's okay because it works with the flow better.  And even though it became somewhat silly towards the end at that point I didn't even care because I was very much enjoying the ride.   

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.   It was a very entertaining ride and anyone should be able to enjoy it.

The Boss Baby: Family Business

Now adults, Theodore Templeton and his estranged brother take a magical formula that transforms them into babies for 48 hours. Together, they must now go under cover to prevent an evil genius from turning fellow toddlers intro monstrous brats.

This was a better than average family movie watch.   If you like this first one I have no doubt that you will enjoy this one too.   They did a good job of getting the adults to be kids again and the voice additions were great to the already existing ones.  Dreamworks animation is not on Pixar's level but its a pretty good second best in terms of churning out animation movies that kids and adults can both enjoy.

I would recommend families looking for something to watch check this out.   It's definitely entertaining enough and teaches enough lessons along the way to the younger kids watching it.

F9

Dominic Toretto and his crew join forces to battle the most skilled assassin and high-performance driver they've ever encountered -- his forsaken brother.

I have always enjoyed the movies in this franchise.   I am well aware of how far over the top the action is at times but I am able to just push that to the side and watch anyway.   These are just summer popcorn movies and I have no problem taking them for what they are.   That being said - this one went so far above and beyond over the top that anyone who had a problem with that stuff before is going to lose it with the silliness at times of this one.   But regardless - still find them entertaining as hell.   John Cena is a great addition to the franchise and really just makes me want to see The Rock come back to the franchise even more.

It's honestly just another crazy action entry in the very successful franchise.  If you like the others I have no doubt you will like this one.  If you don't - then you won't and honestly why would you start liking them now regardless?  

Luca

Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, the original animated feature is a coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides. Luca shares these adventures with his newfound best friend, but all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held secret: he is a sea monster from another world just below the water's surface.

The two things that you can always count on is Marvel and Pixar not letting you down.  Even their less than excellent movies are still great.   Luca is yet another triumph for Pixar when you really don't expect it at all.   A movie about sea people that turn to humans and want to win a race to get a vespa with very heavy Italian culture involved.  Read that again.   That would sound like an absolute trainwreck to me.  Yet since it's Pixar, it was a very enjoyable ride with incredibly original and diverse characters that keeps you hooked right from the start.

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.   I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and am eternally grateful for the excellence of Pixar.

In The Heights

In Washington Heights, N.Y., the scent of warm coffee hangs in the air just outside of the 181st St. subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies a vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is a likable and magnetic bodega owner who hopes, imagines and sings about a better life.

Had never seen the original musical and really didn't have any idea what it was about but almost instantly didn't care.  You get pulled in to this town and the different characters in it and automatically want to know their stories and how they will turn out.  The music from Lin Manuel Miranda is as great as his stuff always is and keeps you dancing in your seat throughout the movie.

I would definitely recommend people check this movie out.  It was a very enjoyable movie and just a great all around time watching it.

The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard

The world's most lethal odd couple -- bodyguard Michael Bryce and hit man Darius Kincaid -- are back for another life-threatening mission. Still unlicensed and under scrutiny, Bryce is forced into action by Darius's even more volatile wife. Soon, all three are in over their heads when a madman's sinister plot threatens to leave Europe in total chaos.

Very difficult to think of a sequel that was less in demand than this one.  Adding to that it being a summer release that is supposed to help people get back to going to theaters and my mind is beyond baffled.  Not to say that the first movie wasn't enjoyable.  It very much was because of the off the wall banter and the fact that honestly they really didn't take themselves too serious with the movie.   And this one was exactly the same.  Even adding in a lot more of Salma Hayek.  She was perfect playing off the other two.  Just one of those sequels that makes you do the dog head tilt like "really?"

I would lukewarmly recommend people checking this out.  It is not by any means whatsoever a must see.  But if you are a fan of Ryan Reynolds banter and want to see it going back and forth perfectly with the other two in this then you will enjoy it.  Just not sure its honestly worth money and a trip to the theater for it.

Dream Horse

The true story of Dream Alliance, an unlikely racehorse bred by small-town bartender Jan Vokes. With very little money and no experience, Jan convinces her neighbors to chip in their meager earnings to help raise Dream and compete with the racing elites. Their investment pays off as Dream rises through the ranks and becomes a beacon of hope for their struggling community.

This movie had no business whatsoever getting me hooked like it did.  But when the textbook underdog story hooks you then there is no point to fighting it.   The connection between the horse and the lead/town folk that I found myself enjoying and rooting for.   Sometimes that's all you need to make a movie enjoyable.

I would recommend people checking this out.  It was a very enjoyable watch with a lot of chemistry throughout the cast surrounding the horse that was kind of infectious.

Infinite

The hallucinations of a schizophrenic are revealed to be memories from past lives where he obtained talents that he still has to this day.

This was a very enjoyable action/sci fi movie and I can't for the life of me figure out why Paramount Plus would put this on streaming instead of in movie theaters in August.   It had awesome special effects throughout and I thought that Ejiofor was perfect in his role.  This is the type of movie that with the right build up had a chance to become a franchise starter because of the premise.  However, not sure that will happen with the under the radar marketing wise release of this on their streaming service.   Very, very strange.

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.   It's a pretty good watch and does a great job pacing with the movie not being too long and the story still getting fleshed out.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren take on one of the most sensational cases of their careers after a cop stumbles upon a dazed and bloodied young man walking down the road. Accused of murder, the suspect claims demonic possession as his defense, forcing the Warrens into a supernatural inquiry unlike anything they've ever seen before.

I have always been lukewarm at best about this franchise and its spinoffs.   I am all for quality scare spots and there is no shortage of them in the previous Conjuring movies or this one.  My problem is that I find myself only watching them for those.   Like as this franchise has gone on they have tried to make it more about the characters and I'm sorry but I just don't care about them and their character development.  These movies are just about the scares for me.   And this latest entry really went in on the two recurring characters and it very much watered the movie down for me.   Again - there were decent scares and its not a bad watch but character caring is not what these movies are about for me.

I would still recommend that any fan of the franchises check this out and I'm sure that they will enjoy it but if you were on the fence about it all along like I have been, this one continues the decline from movie to movie.

Peter Rabbit 2: The Getaway

Despite his efforts, Peter can't seem to shake his reputation for mischief among the other rabbits. Once he adventures out of the garden Peter finds himself in a world where mischief is appreciated, but soon his family come to bring him home.

There are times when you know that a movie is destined for a sequel.  And then there are others where you just kind of tilt your head like a confused dog and think really?   They spent millions of dollars on that?   Was there that big of a demand for this?  This one definitely falls into the latter.  Don't get me wrong.  I understand its a family movie and what not but like put that money into something good for families to watch.  Not just a retread of the original.  Literally - the same movie over again.  

I would not really people, including families, bothering with this.   This should not be the way that you get back to going to theaters.  That needs to be saved for something more worthy.

Cruella

A live-action feature film following the evil exploits of Cruella de Vil, the villain from the Disney film, "101 Dalmatians'.

I really like this concept of Disney's.   The Malificent movies were enjoyable but this one really opened the door of giving classic Disney villains origin story movies.   The movie was honestly Disney's version of The Devil Wears Prada but was a very enjoyable watch.  Emma Stone was great as Cruella.  My only complaint about the movie is that it was definitely too long.   This movie should have been at least 30 minutes shorter and then it would have been even better.

I would definitely recommend people checking this movie out.  It's a very enjoyable watch with an awesome performance that should open doors to a whole new set of Disney live action movies.

A Quiet Place Part II

Following the deadly events at home, the Abbott family must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence. Forced to venture into the unknown, they quickly realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.

Wow!  John Krazinski really has established himself off of these two movies as one of the best directors of massive amounts of tension and creating edge of your seat situations.  This movie was not as insanely intense from beginning to end like the first one.  There were a couple of breather moments here and there but when he turned it up holy crap.   And he managed to make things even more intense because of the single moment with the stress getting more and more - he would have three separate holy crap situations side by side and jumping from one to the other as the tension built up.   So well directed and acted.

I would definitely recommend people checking this one out.   It is an incredibly directed and acted movie and that makes it so much more than the alien invasion story.   I love these movies.

Army Of The Dead

After a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries takes the ultimate gamble by venturing into the quarantine zone for the greatest heist ever.

This was a very fun and entertaining zombie movie ride.   You had all the typical characters and story playing out like you thought it would but still in an enjoyable way.   The one issue I had with it is that there is literally no reason why any zombie movie should be 2 1/2 hours long.   You could easily remove the whole Batista and his daughter storyline and this movie gets under 2 hours, has better pacing and would be much much better all around.

I would still recommend this movie to zombie movie fans.  Even if it is too long and drags some times its still a fun ride to just turn your brain off and go on.

The Woman In The Window

Agoraphobic Dr. Anna Fox witnesses something she shouldn't while keeping tabs on the Russell family, the seemingly picture perfect clan that lives across the way.

I kept lowering my expectations for this movie there more it got delayed.  Even before the whole Covid thing started and the rights for the movie got sold to Netflix, this movie had been delayed over a year.   So watching this with zero expectations definitely helped make it watchable.   I would go with this being one of those "okay" movies.  There is no need to watch this but if you are doing nothing and want to put it on - sure.   It's not great.  It's not terrible.  It's really just kind of middle of the road and if you are psyched to see it then it will definitely fall to a less than average watch.

I would very lukewarmly recommend anyone checking this out.   Like I said - if you have free time knock yourself out but definitely don't go out of your way to watch it.

Spiral

Working in the shadow of his father, Detective Ezekiel "Zeke" Banks and his rookie partner take charge of an investigation into grisly murders that are eerily reminiscent of the city's gruesome past. Unwittingly entrapped in a deepening mystery, Zeke finds himself at the center of the killer's morbid game.

Not going to lie.  I did not remotely see this as a franchise that needed to be brought back in any way.  Like it had pretty much run its course but if Chris Rock and Samuel L Jackson wanted to get involved for some reason I would still check it out.   Didn't really have any expectations on it and it was a better than average watch.  Very predictable but still a good story to follow and not as many of the gruesome nasty scenes.  Still plenty of them but it's not on screen essentially the whole movie because that was what it had pretty much devolved in to.  

I would somewhat recommend people checking this out.  It is not a must watch by any means but if you are a fan of these kinds of movies it is entertaining.

Those Who Wish Me Dead

A smoke jumper and a 12-year-old boy fight for their lives as two assassins pursue them through the wilderness.

This is one of those movies that although it is watchable because of action stuff and the fire effects, you find yourself wondering the entire time why this movie was made.   I still don't know.  Like what was the need for this movie?   How does the title describe this movie in any way?   Again - it's a decent watch and entertaining at times but just overall an extremely pointless movie.

I would only recommend this movie to someone wanting to turn their brain off for 90 minutes and enjoy a pointless but watchable ride of a movie.

Here Today

When veteran comedy writer Charlie Burnz meets New York singer Emma Payge, they form an unlikely yet touching friendship that kicks the generation gap aside and redefines the meaning of love and trust.

This was a decent watch and the pairing of Crystal with Haddish actually felt like it worked.   That being said - this is really not much more than a massive heartstring pulling movie.  They don't try to hide it at all.  They are milking all sorts of emotions through this.  

I would very lukewarmly recommend people checking this out if they like heartstring dramas.   It's not a must see by any means but not the worst watch either.   

Demon Slayer - The Movie

A boy raised by boars who wears a boar's head and another boy who reveals his true power when he sleeps, board the Infinity Train on a new mission with the Flame Pillar. Their mission is to defeat a demon who has been tormenting people and killing the demon slayers who oppose it.

I never in a million years thought that I would get into anime.  But Covid-19 forced down time has managed to open that door and I'm pretty much addicted.   This was the second show that I binged so I checked out the movie after the season was over.   This was a very enjoyable continuation of the series and even though the second half of the movie was much better than the first it was still a great watch.

If you are an anime fan I would definitely recommend watching the series and following up with this movie.   It is a great watch and continuation of a great story.

Wrath Of Man

Mysterious and wild-eyed, a new security guard for a cash truck surprises his co-workers when he unleashes precision skills during a heist. The crew is left wondering who he is and where he came from. Soon, the marksman's ultimate motive becomes clear as he takes dramatic and irrevocable steps to settle a score.

This is pretty much your textbook Jason Statham movie.  I have always been able to enjoy them and have been a fan of Guy Ritchie movies too.  Is this movie anything more than what you would expect after seeing the trailer?  Not at all.  There is some timeline jumping back and forth to mix it up but it's really unnecessary because you are not surprised at all with how it's going to play out because of said trailer.

If you are a fan of Jason Statham movies then I have no doubt you would like this movie.  If not - then why start now?

Separation

A lonely little girl finds solace in her artist father and the ghost of her dead mother.

As you can tell from that extremely vague movie synopsis, this movie had next to zero substance to it.   It's your textbook PG-13 creeper.  Lame acting, pointless story and minimal actual scares throughout.   I'll give this one a slight nod for a couple of creepy visuals where they used artwork but outside of that there is really nothing to see here.

I wouldn't really recommend anyone wasting their time with this.  Certainly not if you have to pay to see it.  That would be just crazy.  

Without Remorse

Seeking justice for the murder of his pregnant wife, an elite Navy SEAL uncovers a covert plot that threatens to engulf the United States and Russia in an all-out war.

Wow!  This might be one of the best Tom Clancy books turned into a movie or tv show.  This movie was the kind of straight forward bad assery that you would hope for in a movie featuring military and espionage.  Michael B Jordan was perfect in this role and did a great job of carrying the movie.   It was definitely a great start for what could easily be a killer franchise.

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.   Very entertaining with lots of action and a great set of twists throughout the story.

Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat is a mysterious, intergalactic tournament of ancient martial arts. Shaolin Monk Liu Kang, from Earth, gets invited as a competitor.

This movie was exactly what you would think it would be.  Essentially they took the version from years back and updated it with better effects.   If you are looking for quality acting and story - then why would you be watching this movie?   If you like fight scenes and the violence that comes with it then this movie is definitely watchable.

I would recommend it for fans of fighting movies.  Its a decently entertaining watch that definitely seems like the franchise can continue.

Voyagers

With the future of the human race at stake, a group of young men and women, bred for intelligence and obedience, embark on an expedition to colonize a distant planet. But when they uncover disturbing secrets about the mission, they defy their training and begin to explore their most primitive natures. As life on the ship descends into chaos, they're consumed by fear, lust, and the insatiable hunger for power.

This movie can very easily be summarized by describing it as Lord Of The Flies in space.  Like literally.  That's not to say that it was a bad movie.  I actually enjoyed it more than I thought but that one sentence so fully describes this movie that there really is nothing more to say about it.

If you enjoyed Lord Of The Flies and want to see a pretty good retelling of it in a different setting then I definitely recommend you checking out this movie.  If that is not something that would intrigue you then stay away from it.

Nobody

Hutch Mansell fails to defend himself or his family when two thieves break into his suburban home one night. The aftermath of the incident soon strikes a match to his long-simmering rage. In a barrage of fists, gunfire and squealing tires, Hutch must now save his wife and son from a dangerous adversary -- and ensure that he will never be underestimated again.

I have always very much enjoyed movies like this.   You can easily question the need for them and acknowledge that it is not a good movie in terms of credibility or excellent filmmaking/acting.   But I don't care.  Sometimes you just need a guy getting wronged and wanting revenge kind of movie where you laugh off the over the topness of it.  This movie was exactly that and I thought it was a very enjoyable watch for what it was.

I would definitely recommend this movie for anyone who is looking for an entertaining break from it all and not looking to take anything serious.  

The Unholy

Terror strikes when a disgraced journalist investigates a girl who has the inexplicable power to heal the sick.

This movie was just as craptastic as I expected it to be.   9 times out of 10 when a scary movie is rated PG-13 it is guaranteed to be disappointing.  This one definitely fell into that category.  Not that the movie looked great to begin with, but it was just a very pointless and dull "scary" movie that had exactly no scares.  It also had no semblance of a storyline for the viewer to care about either.

I would not recommend anyone bothering with this movie.  It's only 90 minutes long but there are so many things that you would be better off doing than wasting that time on this.

Godzilla Vs Kong

Fearsome monsters Godzilla and King Kong square off in an epic battle for the ages, while humanity looks to wipe out both of the creatures and take back the planet once and for all.

This movie was great for what it was.   If you are looking for a movie to just turn your brain off and enjoy the ride - aka popcorn movie - then this is a great watch.   It felt much more like Kong Skull Island than the last Godzilla movie which I think is for the best.   I definitely enjoyed it more because of you being able to see the monsters and them actually fighting instead of spending too much time with humans pointlessly talking and on screen.   This movie focused much more on the actual monsters and showing as much of them as possible.   That along with the action and the quick paced/short running time of the movie made this a very enjoyable watch.

I would definitely recommend people checking this movie out.  It's a fun watch and the perfect break from all that is going on in the world and what not for a little over 90 minutes.  

The Courier

The true story of a British businessman unwittingly recruited into one of the greatest international conflicts in history. Forming an unlikely partnership with a Soviet officer hoping to prevent a nuclear confrontation, the two men work together to provide the crucial intelligence used to defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Benedict Cumberbatch has really evolved into one of those actors that I will pretty much watch him in anything.   Never really been a history or espionage buff so didn't have high expectations for this film and probably would have pulled the plug if someone else wasn't playing the lead.  But he does such a great job of keeping you hooked and watching his journey that the movie ended up being pretty decent.

I would lukewarmly recommend people checking this one out.  It's not a must see by any means but it was a decent watch because of Señor Cumberbatch.

Boogie

Alfred "Boogie" Chin, a basketball phenom living in Queens, N.Y., dreams of one day playing in the NBA. While his parents pressure him to focus on earning a scholarship to an elite college, Boogie must find a way to navigate a new girlfriend, high school, on-court rivals and the burden of expectation.

This was a pretty enjoyable sports movie.   Not much at all is surprising.  Its all very formula to be honest.  But you are hooked by the journey of Boogie and his family, team and friends.  It does a great job of showing his cultural struggles and opening a lot of viewers eyes in the process.

I would definitely recommend people checking this movie out.   It's a very surprising sports movie and a pretty enjoyable watch.

Raya And The Last Dragon

Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. However, when sinister monsters known as the Druun threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, those same monsters have returned, and it's up to a lone warrior to track down the last dragon and stop the Druun for good.

Disney animation does great yet again.  Why should anyone be surprised.  They took a very heavy fantasy storyline with all female leads filled with a ton of action and made it a very enjoyable roller coaster ride.  It accomplished the fantasy movie rule of taking you to the place where things are like this.  It hooked you into the main characters so that you care.  And the Disney staple of incredibly enjoyable side characters was on great display here too.  

I would definitely recommend people checking this out because it was a very enjoyable watch.   Those of you with younger children though should be aware that there is a lot of fighting/violence in the movie.

Coming 2 America

Set in the lush and royal country of Zamunda, newly-crowned King Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his trusted confidante Semmi (Arsenio Hall) embark on an all-new hilarious adventure that has them traversing the globe from their great African nation to the borough of Queens, New York – where it all began.

If you are going into this one thinking you will be laughing as much as the original you will no doubt be disappointed.   It is nowhere near as naturally funny because since its been 30 years for the sequel it falls more into the realm of paying homage to the original for its laughs.  The new additions are actually the best parts of the movie.  Wesley Snipes and Leslie Jones definitely had me laughing the hardest.   But there were more than enough laughs in the call backs to the original to make it an enjoyable movie.

I would recommend people checking this one out.  It definitely has enough laughs even if they are not on the level of the original.

Chaos Walking

In Prentisstown, Todd has been brought up to believe that the Spackle released a germ that killed all the women and unleashed Noise on the remaining men. After discovering a patch of silence out in the swamp, his surrogate parents immediately tell him that he has to run, leaving him with only a map of New World, a message, and many unanswered questions. He soon discovers the source of the silence: a girl, named Viola.

This is kind of a tough one to review.   I liked the premise a lot.  It was very different and completely caught your attention.  However, the rest of the movie and the story playing out just kind of didn't.  It wasn't bad necessarily it just kind of didn't hook you nearly as much as it should of.   It was cool seeing the two actors outside of their Spidey and Star Wars worlds and they definitely had pretty good chemistry together.   It just never really all came together.

I would not really recommend anyone rushing to see this.   It's not a bad movie at all but it really isn't a great movie either.   It ends up being pretty much middle of the road.

Tom And Jerry

A legendary rivalry reemerges when Jerry moves into New York City's finest hotel on the eve of the wedding of the century, forcing the desperate event planner to hire Tom to get rid of him. As mayhem ensues, the escalating cat-and-mouse battle soon threatens to destroy her career, the wedding, and possibly the hotel itself.

This movie was very annoying at first because the animation and the live action was not working for me at all.  Happily - that got better as the movie went on and combining that with the good music worked in throughout this turned out to be a cute enough family movie to warrant watching.   Not a must see by any means but a decent enough watch for what it was.

I would recommend families checking this out simply due to the massive lack of options.   But like I said it's not a horribly painful watch for the parents that would be watching with the kids.

The Mauritanian

Mohamedou Ould Salahi fights for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the U.S. Government for years.

This was a pretty decent watch.  The cast was great and all nailed their roles.  The depictions of the torture interrogations were beyond disturbing.  It was very eye opening to how things are when the curtain is pulled back.  Not that I remotely felt bad for this guy with all he was involved in but it was a decent watch regardless.

I would somewhat recommend people checking this out.  It was a pretty decent watch with not much out there anyway.

The World To Come

Somewhere along the mid-19th century American East Coast frontier, two neighboring couples battle hardship and isolation, witnessed by a splendid yet testing landscape, challenging them both physically and psychologically.

I couldn't even make it through the whole movie.   lt was essentially taking the forbidden lesbian love story and staging it way back in the day.  Completely formula in every way and honestly very much overacted and too dramatic for me.

I wouldn't recommend anyone bothering with this movie.   This never would have made it to theaters without the coronavirus delaying everything.  

Land

A local hunter brings a grieving lawyer back from the brink of death after she retreats to the harsh wilderness of the Rockies.

Every year it seems there is always at least one movie that comes out that you know is a very well done and acted movie but it is ultimately a massive snooze fest even though you know that.  This would be that movie.  Its not that the movie was bad.  Like I said - I know that this was a well done movie but I just found myself not hooked by it in any way and was therefore completely bored.

I would only recommend this movie to fans of beautiful nature and living off the land.  Outside of those two things there really isn't much intriguing substance here.

Judas And The Black Messiah

Offered a plea deal by the FBI, William O'Neal infiltrates the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party to gather intelligence on Chairman Fred Hampton.

Wow!   That movie was some powerful shit.  Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield continued their string of acting excellence in this.  And the pacing and laying out of this story was so well done.  You fully get hooked watching these people develop and go through their voyages.  

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.   It was a very well done movie on all fronts from beginning to end.

Barb And Star Go To Vista Del Mar

Lifelong friends Barb and Star embark on the adventure of a lifetime when they decide to leave their small Midwestern town for the first time ever.

This movie had ZERO business being as funny as it ended up being.   The random opening scene had me belly laughing at the randomness of it but then it fell flat for about 30 minutes.  I was about to fully stop paying attention when all of a sudden the jokes started landing and some of the most random lines had me completely beside myself.  It turned into like a female Austin Powers almost with innuendo jokes and silliness.  

I would actually recommend people checking this movie out.   Didn't remotely think I would be saying that at the start but I found myself laughing a lot more as the movie went on.

Supernova

A gay couple -- one a musician, the other a novelist -- embark on a road trip as dementia starts to take hold of one of them.

Wow!  This movie is beyond the realm of emotional watching this couple struggle through what they are dealing with and it features two of the best and most genuine performances I may have ever seen.   You felt like you were there with them as part of the relationship and completely forgot that these were people acting out the parts.   This movie should be shown for years in acting classes.

I completely recommend people checking this movie out.  Don't get me wrong - it is a very sad and tearjerking movie and for very good reason but acting like this should not be passed on.

The Little Things

Deputy Sheriff Joe "Deke" Deacon joins forces with Sgt. Jim Baxter to search for a serial killer who's terrorizing Los Angeles. As they track the culprit, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke's past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.

This is a tough one to review.  It was a pretty good watch with the three actors all doing great jobs but it felt more like an episode of good tv than a feature movie.  Quite honestly - I am super confused as to why Denzel Washington and Jared Leto are even in this.  Like its really more of a "just there" or run of the mill January release that is kind of below both of these actors I would think.  Again - not that the movie is bad. It's definitely a better than average watch.  It's just not great and feels overall underwhelming based on the cast of the movie I guess.

I would still recommend people checking this out - especially in the comfort of your own home with the WB/HBO Max thing that they have going on for this year.   Just don't have super high expectations based on the cast or you will be let down.

The Marksman

Jim is a former Marine who lives a solitary life as a rancher along the Arizona-Mexican border. But his peaceful existence soon comes crashing down when he tries to protect a boy on the run from members of a vicious cartel.

I feel like at this point, Liam Nesson has a movie come out every January or September where he continues to showcase some of his special skills in the battle for good.   This movie is no different.  The special skill is his long distance shooting and he is protecting a child that crossed the border.   Just from reading that you pretty much have watched the movie and there is nothing unsurprising that happens whatsoever.

I wouldn't really recommend people bothering with this one.   It's just there and you can get Covid by going to see it so like why in the blue hell would you do that?

Nomadland

A woman embarks on a journey through the American West after losing everything during the recession.

I honestly don't know if there is a better movie that could hit home more than this during 2020.  Like you can't help but watch this movie during this past year and identify in some way with what the main character is going through and trying to deal with.  Frances McDormand is a lock for another acting nomination for this movie and the movie itself will definitely be an oscars frontrunner across the board.   It told a great story with great acting and the direction completely hooks the viewer into this awesome character and very relevant drama.

I would definitely recommend people checking this movie out.   It was great and is sure to be winning lots of 2020 awards.