Avatar: Fire and Ash

 

Greetings from the movie theater depths once again. We’re in the wanning throws of the holidays, the year is quickly coming to an end, and I used my last freebie to take in my final film of the year. This week I polished off 2025 with James Cameron’s third installment in his Avatar franchise, Avatar: Fire and Ash.

While I’ve been a fan of the Avatar movies since seeing the original's opening weekend in 2009 (damn, I’m old) I admit that I’ve always found these films a bit basic and lacking in the actual stories themselves. I suffer from the ability to see/figure out the unfolding of most films (down to actual dialogue) from the jump more often than not and these haven’t been the exception. Enjoyable, yet highly predictable. However, Avatar: Fire and Ash really stands out for me as the best film yet.

As expected, the cinematography, visuals, SFX are stunning. The colors, textures are next level and in 3D really pull you into the world of Pandora like never before. Even with only a three-year gap between Fire and Ash and Way of Water the improvements in technology and technique are stunningly evident. Alone making it worthwhile to make a trip to the theater to see on the big screen as intended. 

Better still is Cameron really hitting his stride this go round in every aspect of the story telling. I wasn't painfully aware of where the story was going and was able to just sit back and enjoy the ride.

For 3 hours and 17 minutes I wasn’t just transported to Pandora, I was fully engaged and invested in the lives of the Sully family like never before. AFA picks up shortly after 2022s Avatar: The of Water dealing with the fallout from those events (be caught up on this one prior to seeing this). While there’s plenty of thrilling action, the characters take center stage with the focus on their relationships, emotions, and conflicts. The quieter moments' drive the film like never before.  

Avatar: Fire and Ash is a much deeper, much richer, much more impactful and devastating film in the best way possible. There are twists and turns, callbacks, returning favorites, hard hitting dialogue, and intriguing new characters. Everything and everyone (even the kids) work in harmony bringing the story alive. Characterization is king and had me glued to the screen from start to finish with more than a few verbal utterances along the way. Fire and Ash is a more personal and memorable film that’s elevated by the high-tech aspects instead of sacrificed for them. Cameron’s world-building has hit its stride, and it pays serious dividends.

 Avatar: Fire and Ash is bold, brash, and a cinematic statement. You’re immediately pulled into an immersive experience filled with vision and heart. It’s darker and more mature. Perfectly balanced between spectacle and substance. This is what the franchise has been missing but building towards and I’m all for it. 

Easily the best film of the franchise for me.

 Avatar: Fire and Ash finishes off the 2025film year with a 10 from me. 

#AvatarFireandAsh

Zootopia 2

Back in 2016, Disney delighted audiences with the animated hit Zootopia. Nine years later they’ve released the sequel Zootopia 2 just in time for the holiday season. Loving the original and wanting to hit the theaters before they’re overrun with young kids on break, I headed to my fave theater to see if the return of two of the three original writers/directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard and the bulk of the main cast could catch lightning in a bottle once again.

Lightning does indeed strike twice here but isn’t as finely targeted. 

Zootopia 2 is fun and enjoyable for sure overall, but I found myself struggling a bit to get into it for the first third of the film. The story doesn't grab you from the jump and struggles to find its footing figuring out how to expand the relationship between Judy and Nick and the world of Zootopia itself.  The story falls flat here. The pacing of the front third of the film is frankly clunky. The characters don’t completely mesh, the writers seem lost on how to get the ball rolling, incorporate the new with the original and it’s more of challenge to sink your teeth into and be invested in the story. 

Some of the new notable actors lending their voice talents in addition to the original cast members are Patrick Warburton, David Strathairn, Ke Huy Quan, Andy Samberg, Macaulay Culkin, Quinta Brunson, Fortune Feimster, and Danny Trejo just to name a few. All great in their own right, however, this may be where Z2 goes off the rails a bit. Having the same running time of an hour forty-eight minutes but adding so many voices both figuratively and literally becomes unwieldy. You feel cheated with some characters and underwhelmed with others.

Fortunately, once Zootopia 2 does find its footing and starts firing on all cylinders the ride does pay off in the back 2/3 of the film.

Tons of pop culture references. Great animation with attention to detail and eye-popping color. Nice world building. Solid soundtrack. Action and humor.

Zootopia 2 works well as a sequel and is definitely worth a viewing. The storytelling isn’t as strong as the original and the emotional weight/core of the film is more lackluster; it does pay off in the end. And yes, there is a small bonus scene after the final credits roll so stick around for that. It's another nice throwback as well as gives an idea where the franchise will go next.

Zootopia 2 gets a 6.5 from me.

#Zootopia2

Wicked: For Good

Oh chile, it’s been a minute for sure.

But as the 2025 movie season winds to a close and the film studios take advantage of the holidays being upon us, I once again found myself heading to my local movie theater. This time around it was to take in the Wicked: for Good the second half of last years’ movie version of Wicked. Given that I wasn’t one of the many completely blown away by the first film (I did enjoy it but was also disappointed) I went in more out of curiosity in how things were going to tie together with both the first half of the film and the original Wizard of Oz than anything else. So, with free ticket in hand, snacks successfully smuggled and surprised by the mostly empty parking lot and just under half full theater I took in the first matinee of the day.

Again, let me take a moment to mention I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing the stage production of Wicked, so I went into Wicked: for Good with no knowledge of what would happen in part two, only suppositions, of what was going to unfold. I enjoyed Wicked: for Good: slightly more than Wicked.

WfG’s darker tonal shift definitely spoke to me more. This probably says more about me than the actual film. One of the sticking points for me the first time around was Ariana Grande’s performance not resonating with me. She came off to me as rather artificial/shallow and I never really got into it when she was on the screen. An issue I didn’t have here. Yay! The depth I felt was lacking is present and I wasn't distracted or disinterested this go 'round. Ditto for Jonathan Bailey. Jeff Goldblum’s wizard being more integral also brought joy. Once again, Cynthia Erivo slays and delivers a riveting performance across the board.

Another pro this time around is the films’ running time of 2 hours 17 minutes. Without the bloat I didn’t feel the film dragged unnecessarily with padded fluff to justify the splitting the movie in two. The pacing felt good and I never lost interest or got restless. It was easier to remain invested in the story from start to finish. The music soared and delivered. There are apparently two new added songs, but I can't tell you what they are. Nice callbacks to the first film make for nice connective tissue. The sets and costuming dazzle.

A few things remain that I have questions about/feel got glossed over (mainly with Tin Man and Cowardly Lion) and I still feel a bit of a disconnect, but all told I enjoyed Wicked: for Good and feel it was worth the trip to the theater to see.

Wicked: for Good gets an 8 from me.

#WickedForGood

The Long Walk

 

I hit the theater early this week to check out The Long Walk based on the 1979 Bachman book (Stephen King) of the same title. I read this story back in high school one summer after visiting my sister on vacation. It really messed me up for weeks. It also helped cement my status as a lifelong Stephen King fan. Going into this one I was both really excited and quite nervous. Hoping that director Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games franchise) along with writers JT Mollner and King himself would successfully encapsulate the story in this big screen adaptation and do it the justice it deserves.

Let me start by saying if you haven’t read the book or are already familiar with the story, fair warning: this movie is not for the squeamish or faint of heart. The Long Walk is one of King's most disturbing stories set in a dystopian near-future America ravaged by totalitarianism.  It’s bleak, brutal, intense, and graphic AF.  Like the book this film doesn’t pull its punches. You don’t so much as enjoy the story as endure it over its hour forty-eight-minute runtime.  The physical and psychological toll the competition takes on the participants becomes yours, step by grueling step and man it’s a rough. 

Even having read the book, knowing what to expect, this film stressed me to my limits and had me flinching, agonizing, dreading with anticipation, shocked and shook. The timing, brutality, and blocking of every ticket punch plays out masterfully.

The Long Walk is about as far from a summer popcorn movie as you can get. 

The harsh exploration of these young men's desperation, trying to cling on to life in hope of a better and more fulfilling existence on the other side of the finish line, and the knowledge that such a life may not be possible is grim. The atmosphere hangs heavy seeing people at their ugliest and most desperate.  Yet the fleeting bonds of friendship, brotherhood, and laughter make these personal, intimate stories of everyday people grappling with questions about mortality, religion, and what makes life worth living bearable. 

The cast is phenomenal. 

Other than Mark Hamill I had no idea who any of the actors are, save for a passing “he looks vaguely familiar” for Ben Wang (Karate Kid Legends). But after this movie, call me a fan of each one with Cooper Hoffman (son of Philip Seymour Hoffman) as Ray/#47 and David Jonsson Peter/#23 topping the list. They absolutely dazzle in their performances, and their chemistry is electric.  Garrett Wareing /Stebbins #38, Tut Nyuot/Arthur #6, Charlie Plummer/Barkovitch #5, and Joshua Odjick/Collie Parker #48, wow. Just wow. Amazing performances all.  

Strong direction. Great pacing, editing, and cinematography. The makeup and effects people worked their movie magic. 

The Long Walk is a relentless, tension filled, anxiety producing gut punch, misery that explores why we bother getting up each morning. To survive? To push others forward? To have a purpose? Because that’s all we know how to do? It’s bleak, harsh, emotional, cruel, and beautiful much like life itself. You laugh, you cry, you love and you lose. 

All in all, The Long Walk follows the book until it doesn’t but still delivers an amazing film worth watching, even with the Hollywoodification. I'm not sure I'd have been able to walk out of the theater if they stuck with the book. It may have been one blow too many.

I can’t say I loved, enjoyed, or was entertained by The Long Walk in a traditional sense because it’s not that kind of film. It's engaging for certain. Never boring. And damn good, I’m glad I went, it lived up to the original source material, and I’m more than satisfied with the end product. 

The Long Walk gets a 10 from me.

#TheLongWalk

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

 

Keeping this one short and sweet.

This week I headed out for a solo movie night to check out the early release of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.  While a rather late viewing for me since I normally take in a matinee, I was happy to see a good size and engaged crowd.  This is one of those films I was both looking forward to and dreading at the same time due to the absence of the late Dame Maggie Smith. While definitely felt, I’m happy to report writer Julian Fellowes and director Simon Curtis once again deliver the Downton experience I was hoping.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale lands us in 1930 and once again Mary (Michelle Dockery) is facing a public scandal and the family faces financial troubles, while both upstairs and downstairs grapple societal change and moving into the future.  Nothing new for anyone familiar with the series and the films but that’s a large part of why this film works.

The Grand Finale is comfort food for the soul, steeped in nostalgia and the familiar. Returning to Downton is a safe hug I didn’t realize I needed. All the main actors and characters return, bringing all the wit, charm, humor, and heartfelt emotions the series and franchise is known for. 

I hated on Mary and her BS (she always gets on my damn nerves). Reveled in Edith’s coming into her own like a house on fire. Cheered Tom (Allen Leech) being the voice of reason and laying the smack down on Hugh Bonneville’s Lord Grantham. Delighted in Lady Merton’s (Penelope Wilton) dogged determination to push the bounds of propriety in the new world order. Maggie Smith's Dowager Countess while gone is certainly not forgotten and her presence not only remains but is beautifully honored. 

And so on and so forth.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is a beautifully written and directed two-hour 3-minute love letter to and from the crew to the fans. A simple story expertly distilled in focus on characters, relationships, and their interplay.  A perfect ending and goodbye for all that’s come before, with enough wiggle room for a new future. I laughed, I cried, I left completely satisfied. 

Be sure to stick around for the first few minutes of the closing credits.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale gets a 10 from me.

##downtonabbeygrandfinale

The Roses

 

As August draws to a close so does the 2025 summer movie season. As I wait for the break in this relentless heat, I once again sought refuge in the cool confines of my local movie theater to check out this weeks’ latest release, The Roses. While being inspired by the 1981 novel by Warren Adler, The Roses is neither a direct remake or reboot of the 1989's The War of the Roses dark comedy classic starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. This time around we have Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch facing off as Ivy and Theo Rose.

The Roses while still a dark comedy is also tonally a different in its focus and approach. Over its hour forty-five-minute runtime this love story turned cautionary tale takes you from the initial “meet cute” through to the explosive end of a relationship highlighting how competition and unspoken resentments slowly erode the facade of a picture-perfect couple to no one's surprise but their own.  It’s a raw, powerful, heartfelt/heart breaking, whip smart, charming, delightful ride. 

Colman and Cumberbatch are perfectly cast/matched with undeniable chemistry and energy. These two British powerhouses deliver magical performances that I could and wanted to watch all day. The repressed sensibility of British humor combines well with the “American” humor highlighted through Kate McKinnon and Andy Samberg. The only disappointment for me on the American front is Allison Janney not getting a bigger part to play. Janney kills with what she's given, but I wanted so much more. 

Beautiful cinematography, great direction, good pacing, stellar dialogue, mature comedy that can be a bit raunchy at times (be warned if you have an issue with that), good soundtrack that will definitely get Happy Together stuck in your head for a few hours. I also want to give a shout out to the costume department for the creations they came up with for Colman’s character. They really helped tell her story.

The Roses retains an element of the absurd but feels more grounded and relatable than The War of the Roses. The character development, motivations, and lives are richer and actually made me like this film even more.  It’s definitely worth seeing in the theaters if you have a chance. I sound this one highly enjoyable.

The Roses gets a 10 from me.

#TheRoses

Nobody 2

 

I once again braved the outside world and ventured out of the house to check out a new film release. This week I opted to see Nobody 2. I failed to see the original Nobody when it came out in 2021 for reasons I can’t recall now. Only seeing it about a year to a year and a half ago but loved it enough to want to see the sequel on the big screen this time around. 

I’m glad I made the trip.

Nobody 2 picks up four years after events in the original as Hutch Mansell is still dealing with the fallout from his actions. And he’s tired. Really tired and just wants to take a vacation and make memories with his family. Unfortunately for him (and the entire Mansell clan) but lucky for us viewers, that simple, relatable attempt goes horribly wrong. Think John Wick on summer vacation.

If you enjoyed the original film, you’re in for a treat. Nobody 2 doesn’t aim to reinvent the wheel. In fact, it leans into the original formula. Hard. And it works beautifully. It’s one of those rare sequels that unabashedly takes from the original, expands upon it in a manner that’s both ‘more of the same” yet entertainingly “fresh”.   

Much to my delight all the key characters from the original film return. The added bonus of John Ortiz, Colin Hanks, and an unrecognizable Sharon Stone add to the chaos, mayhem, and body count in spades. 

Solid direction. Great soundtrack. Awesome well-choreographed action-packed fight sequences. 

With a run time of only an hour twenty-nine-minute Nobody 2 packs in all the over-the-top desperation, violence, action, and humor possible against the heartfelt backdrop of family into such a tiny package perfectly. 

Nobody 2 simply put it just plain fun and entertaining from beginning to end. A summer popcorn flick that’s simple, but not basic. Pure mindless, brutal escapism at its best. A sequel that’s as good as if not better than the original. They did this one right.

Nobody 2 gets a 10 from me.

#nobody2

The Naked Gun (2025)

 

A new month and another trip to my local movie theater to check out one of this week’s newest release, The Naked Gun (2025).  Based on the beloved 1982 television series Police Squad that spawned the trilogy of late 80s early 90s films starring Leslie Nielsen as Lt. Frank Drebin, The Naked Gun (2025) looks to bring this brand of ridiculous over the top comedy to a newer generation. Having grown up watch the series and the films with my dad, I’d been stoked to see what kind of spin writer/director Akiva Schaffer, writers Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, and producer Seth MacFarlane would put on the franchise.

Without a doubt the best part of The Naked Gun (2025) is casting Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin, Jr. He leans into the role and is the perfect actor to inherit/inhabit the legacy established by Nielsen. The surrounding cast of Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Danny Huston, and CCH Pounder also came to gamely play. I wish that Kevin Durand was better utilized, but what we were given works so I’m not too upset about that.

As for the rest of the film, I hate to say I was left underwhelmed. 

All the pieces are there but they just don’t quite fit together and deliver the movie experience it should, or I hoped for. The script is fine, borrows from Kingsman Secret Service. Good music. Solid direction. Fun cameos, and the expected gags in a Naked Gun film.

The real problems, however, start with the pacing. With a running time of an hour twenty-five minutes The Naked Gun (2025) feels much longer. And that’s due to the largest problem I had with the film. 

The humor. 

I have a pretty great and broad sense of humor but in this comedy only about fifty to sixty percent of the jokes land. And of those there’s only a handful of laugh-out-loud moments sprinkled among the slightly amused to appreciative chuckle moments. When the humor lands, it slaps hard, but it’s not nearly enough to overcome the prevailing flatness this comedy delivers. 

A real let down for sure. I wanted a consistent comedy at the least and a laugh riot at best. Instead, I got a glimpse of what could’ve been.  There are little sparks of greatness but no real fire. A shiny example of “close, but no cigar.” 

It pains me to say for me The Naked Gun (2025) is a big swing that unfortunately misses.

The Naked Gun (2025) gets a paltry 5.5 from me.

#theNakedGun

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

The summer movie releases continue to chug along and this week I headed to the theater to check out the latest Marvel release, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Why? I honestly don’t know.

I think the 2005 Fantastic Four film is trash, 2007s The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, doubly so, and didn’t even waste my time seeing the 2015 Miles Teller led Fantastic Four. And no, I never watched the cartoon or read the comics. My interest/enthusiasm in this iteration has been lacking to say the least. Still, it’s hot and I figured an hour fifty-five minutes under someone else’s AC was worth a trip to the theater to check it out.

And here’s where I officially and respectfully tap out in giving a review.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is easily the best film version of this group of Marvel superheroes. A thousand times better than that 2005 mess.

Great retro sets and costumes. A solid script. Good actors/acting (truth bomb - Joseph Quinn’s younger, Dollar Tree, Robert Downey Jr. look kept messing with me and taking me out of the film). Good musical score, direction, action, and visuals.

It’s an entertaining film.

I’m not upset I went.

I just really didn’t care about any of it.

These characters simply do nothing for me for whatever reason. I’m not sure what it is but I never got past being apathetic about everything as it unfolded on the screen. There’s just something about this group that I've once again failed to connect with. No doubt it's a "me" thing for whatever reason. As such I’m not comfortable giving an opinion on whether or not you should give this one a gander at the theater. There’s definitely a lot there for folks to like and enjoy if you're considering going but I don't feel comfortable encouraging or discouraging you either way.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps gets a shoulder shrug from me. If you check it out, let me know what you think and how you feel about it. And yes, there are 2 end credits scenes. The first sets up next steps and the second is a splash of nostalgia.

#FantasticFourFirstSteps

Superman (2025)

This weeks’ new movie release had me returning to the realm of superheroes to see Superman (2025). For me going to see this one was more out of curiosity to see what new CEO of DC Studios James Gunn came up with in his first outing than a deep seeded interest in the actual film. The last few DC movies under the previous head left me underwhelmed to put it kindly. In order to keep myself open-minded for this one I made a concerted effort to avoid everything related going in except for a gander at the first couple of trailers.

As always, I preface the following review with my standard non-comic book reader disclaimer. My Superman knowledge/experience is limited to my exposure to Saturday morning cartoons, Christopher Reeves’ films and beyond, Smallville, sans the final season (one of these days I’ve gotta finish that series), and what’s included in Superman (2025). I’m well aware that I’m missing some major context as a result, so my take is going to probably differ vastly from that of someone like my comic book guru Ruben. Sorry buddy, but you’re gonna have to educate me on the error of my ways, yet again.

Anywho, I went in with the bar set pretty low as far as expectations. Namely that Nick Hoult to slay as Lex Luthor and not to be totally pissed I ventured out in 110+ degree heat to watch this on the big screen.

Down to the proverbial tacks of brass, while there are some things I personally have issues with (too nitpicky perhaps) when all was said and done, I really enjoyed Superman (2025).  It’s easily the best and most entertaining DC film to come out the chute for a while. Admittedly that’s been a pretty low bar for me and it’s early in the process, but Gunn has raised it exponentially. Delivering not only a solid film but a solid foundation to build upon for DC moving forward under his leadership.

Superman (2025) is ambitious and doesn’t mess around. Foregoing the standard origin story, this 2-hour 9-minute ride (complete with 2 end credit scenes which honestly you can take or leave depending on how your bladder holds up) pops off with minimal preamble and never looks back. While nice to get things moving, and largely paying off, having more context/development of where we are in the overall story would’ve served this reboot well. The presumption that we are familiar with this version of the characters/story I don’t completely love it, but I don’t completely hate either. You're joining in mid conversation.

Doing things this way also undercuts the development of a number of characters and the seeds being sown for not only this film but future projects across the DCU as well.  There’s A LOT packed in here and the feeling of being underdeveloped carried some frustration with me, especially with the cast.

So many great actors, Wendell Pierce, Skyler Gisondo, Frank Grillo, Nathan Fillion (bad rug aside), Maria Gabriele de Faria, and Isabela Merced (the screaming got old really quick) did what they could but there were just too many characters and not enough time to devote to fleshing them out as much as I’d like. Edi Gathegi’s Mr. Terrific being a rarer exception. Loved every moment of screen time he got, had me wanting even more, and I wouldn’t be upset to have a spinoff. Definitely want to see and learn more about his character.

The casting of David Corenswet as the new Superman is a solid choice though honestly, I really had no idea who he was going in. Apparently, I saw him in Twisters but it ain’t ringing no bells. Whatever. I bought him as Clark/Superman and he and Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois have good chemistry and play off each other well. I can stand a bit more “fire” from her Lois, but again, I’m being nitpicky. Corenswet’s portrayal is easily one of the most human depictions of Superman. It’s a shift that won’t appeal to everyone as all the weaknesses and vulnerabilities are on full display, but it works.

Nick Hoult absolutely slays and doesn't disappoint. Yas! His manipulative, dangerous, and terrifyingly intelligent take on Lex Luthor is everything I hoped for and more. If I’m honest between Hoult and Gathegi I’m good and everyone else is a welcome but just an added bonus. Great casting all around. Bonus surprise cameos both physically and vocally.

Superman (2025) has good pacing, direction, a solid script that reflects the current times without being overly heavy handed with the messaging so you can still enjoy the film. Lots of action, wit, heart, and charm. Heavy CGI, which is to be expected, but it’s largely well done and visually stunning. I only experienced a couple of eye-rolling induced moments, but they were few and far between. There are some subtle nods to Donner’s ‘78 Superman including one William Reeve (Christopher’s son) making an appearance.

Vibrant and alive, falling between the hopeful/optimistic and the darker versions sits Gunn’s Superman (2025). It’s scope and ambition soars on many levels while coming up short on others. Still overall the world building for this franchise in particular and the DCU in general looks promising.  When all was said and done and I’d mulled over everything, I can’t deny I was pleasantly surprised how entertaining and how much fun I had watching Superman (2025). It’s familiar yet new, predictable, yet surprising. I left the theater feeling satisfied and wasn’t pissed I left the house in extreme heat to see it in the theater.

Superman (2025) gets an 8.5 from me.

#superman2025

Jurassic World Rebirth

YES!

It’s hot as hell. 

It’s a long holiday weekend. 

The dinosaurs are back with a vengeance and I for one am all for it.

Great time to head to the movies.

This week writer David Koepp has teamed up with director Gareth Edwards and a stellar cast to once again bring the thrills and action based on the works from novelist Michael Crichton to the big screen in one of the biggest and most popular film franchises as Jurassic World Rebirth made its debut.

Short take.

Over the course of 2-hours and 14-minutes, Jurassic World Rebirth delivers in spades by going back to its original film(s) roots. Unlike the last film, we actually get to see and experience human/dinosaur interaction. 

Yay! 

Perfectly balanced moments of humor. Edge of your seat, tension filled action.  Wonderfully placed callbacks and homages to the original trilogy. T-Rex! Traumatized children! The music! And more! It's all there and it brings great joy.  

Squee.

Bonus points! Added fun watching Jurassic World Rebirth lies in how the film uses your expectations against you. I’m always a big fan of that.

The new cast delivers on performance and the new characters while not all equally well-rounded are developed enough to make you invested in whether or not they live or die.  There's enough there allowing you to pick sides on which you prefer and glorying in the end results. 

Jurassic World Rebirth has the character moments needed to make it more than an action film, good pacing, solid direction and editing. You also get the elements/tropes you want/expect in a Jurassic film. Familiar scenes/sights/references abound both from the Jurassic franchise and a few other popular films. There’s a comforting predictability that manages not to undermine the viewing experience interwoven with new surprises. 

Jurassic World Rebirth isn't just fan service or an obvious money grab. There's real thought and effort put into it and it's a payoff. For longtime fans, Rebirth feels like a respectful evolution from the original that gives us what we've been asking for and brings new hope for the future of a beloved film franchise. Jurassic World Rebirth is a great popcorn movie that need to be seen on the big screen at least once.

I’m giving Jurassic World Rebirth a 9.5

#jurassicworldrebirth

How to Train Your Dragon (2025)

 

This week Dreamworks joins the trend of making live-action versions of beloved animated films with How to Train Your Dragon (2025) based on their 2010 film of the same name. I headed to my local theater of choice, joined by my friend (hi Jen) to check it out. I absolutely love the animated version of this film and had been looking forward to seeing how this one matches up.

For those of you who “poo, poo” the making of live-action films based on their animated predecessors, I think you’ll be happy with this one. Although there’s almost an extra 30 minutes of added content bringing the total running time to 2-hours 5-minutes, the faithful recreation of the original is abundant. Yes, there are tweaks here and there with expanded scenes, plot points, and world building yet the original story is still front and center.

Gorgeous cinematography and CGI work bring the isle of Berk and beyond to life. The dragons are incredible. I feel in love with Toothless all over again. It’s a stunning, believable feast for the eyes. The costumes and sets are rich with textures and details. The musical score soars.

The first twenty to thirty minutes of the film didn’t hold up for me as well as I hoped. The story is flat and a bit dry. I’m still not sure what it was about it for me, pacing? But it just lays there, and I was afraid the movie was going to be a total bust. I wasn't engaged and felt a bit bored. Once I got past the hump though, Toothless, I was all in for the duration.

Gerard Butler returning to reprise the role of Stoick brings everything full circle. However, it also showcases something that may very well be a “me” issue with the film overall. His performance felt more subdued and smaller. I felt that way about most of the actors/characters. Mason Thames’ Hiccup is more world weary and depressed than idealistic, self-deprecating, and lively. Nick Frost’s Gobbler is generic and forgettable. Nico Parker’s Astrid is fine but not fiery. The supporting cast of characters are so sidelined they aren’t as vibrant, defined, or impactful.

Everyone seemed restrained, and to varying degrees joyless. Again, may just be a me thing.

This version also dials back the overall edginess/darkness, snarcasm, and humor. It’s a kinder, safer Viking tale. I really wish they’d gone bigger and more in depth across the board. New takes are introduced but not explored so, why bother?

I’m still mulling this one over, but where I stand currently is How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is a safe retelling of a beloved animated film. While going live-action expands the overall world various aspects simultaneously makes it feel much smaller.

It’s still fun, still enjoyable, still worth seeing on the big screen to get out of the summer heat for a couple of hours, but for me falls a bit short. I liked it but wanted to absolutely love it.

How to Train Your Dragon (2025) gets a 7 from me.

#howtotrainyourdragon

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina

Another week. Another highly anticipated (at least by me) new film release in From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, the first film spinoff from the popular John Wick series. Len Wiseman of Underworld fame takes the helm, directing this 2-hour four-minute action-packed world building enterprise. The haters are already hating (no surprise) about having a female lead and John Wick not being the main character. So, if that sounds like you, don’t bother with this film or my review.

Anywho, I went in pumped to see where this franchise is headed to next, and I left with a huge smile on my face.

Ballerina has a simple, straightforward, solid script that does a terrific job of fusing the familiar world and characters of John Wick with the new world building story of Ana de Armas’ Eve in an organic and plausible way. The traditions, rules, and methods of the Ruska Roma are the backdrop for an entertaining tale of revenge every bit as satisfying as John Wick’s.  

Great casting old and new. de Amas’ is a sight to behold and there’s no doubt about the badassery she brings to the role. Yes, she’s physically smaller and weaker (she gets thrown around like a rag doll and gets the snot beat out of her) but the whole “fight like a girl” directive works and sells each and every smackdown convincingly and firmly puts her in the John Wick world. Watching her character’s skills development throughout the film is on point and impressive.  Weaponizing unpredictability in a brutal ballet, Eve's scrappy and fierce.

Yes, as shown in the trailers, Keanu Reeves does reprise his role as John Wick in Ballerina. Yes, it’s a fun as ever to see him.  A pure delight in fact. However, the best part of having Reeves return is it doesn’t define the film, only enhances it. I was completely engaged in the characters and story, not just waiting to see when he would pop up. Not an easy thing to accomplish in a franchise he helped establish, but Ballerina would actually work without Reeves at all. Yet having him present ties in nicely and is the perfect bonus. Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston, and the late Lance Reddick also ground the film in the familiar adding texture, depth, and connectivity. 

As with the other films in the franchise, there’s beautiful cinematography, great soundtrack, plenty of stunts and action, sly humor, and extreme violence resulting in a high body count. So, everything you’ve come to expect and more. New characters. New settings. New baddies. And Flamethrowers people! Flamethrowers! 

Squee!

Ballerina had me bouncing in my seat with excitement, squealing with delight, clapping excitedly, and “damning” out loud from start to finish. It’s an exciting thrill ride and a fresh, yet familiar take that breathes new life into the world of John Wick. Easily one of the best and successful spinoffs out there.  Revenge may be a dish best served cold, but From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is a film best seen on the big screen of your local movie theater. 

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina gets a 10 from me.

#ballerina

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning

This week after embarking on a couple of impossible missions myself (finding an enhanced viewing at a reasonable time - epic fail and sneaking in and out of the house without tripping the security system (rotten dog) - success) I made it to Mission impossible: The Final Reckoning. The big question, after 29 years could this 8th film in the franchise deliver the goods and give a satisfying end to Tom Cruise’s run as Ethan Hunt? Overcoming my mental block of doing a late-night viewing, I’m happy to report that over the course of the 2-hours and 50-minutes, Cruise and company most certainly earned my trust and respect one last time.

Mission impossible: The Final Reckoning is the ultimate love letter to the franchise and its characters in the best possible way. The highest of stakes, jaw dropping and breath-taking action, out of this world visuals, surprise twists, homages, and going full circle going back the film franchises roots. All wonderfully executed in the manner that’s come to be expected (there is one scene that threw me off in its wtf/nonsensical vibe, but it was small and I’m overlooking it). 

Best of all? The heartwarming/heartbreaking emotions of, by, and for the characters. I’m not ashamed to admit, this film not only had me repeatedly on the edge of my seat. It broke me.  I choked up, I fought back tears and outright cried several times. Emotional damage alert! If you can hear the final message and not be affected, there’s something seriously wrong with you. 

There’s a nice balance of humor throughout. The pacing for such a long film is on point so there’s never a moment of boredom and you don’t “feel” the length weighing on you as you watch.  The script is great and does something so many films fail to do. You get swept up in the story to the point where logically you know it will work out, but emotionally you doubt it. You really buy into the possibility/probability this mission will fail.

While signs of Cruise’s 62 years are starting to show on his face a bit (enhanced screening is no one’s friend on that point) that’s pretty much the only place it’s showing. He gives us what we want and have come to expect.  “The run” is highlighted throughout without missing a step or slowing down. Cruise runs his ass off in these one folks. His refusal to take a knee or pull back on any of the crazy stunt work and action sequences pays huge dividends and it’s glorious.

The casts and their characters across the board are an embarrassment of riches that deliver on every level. Even some of the smallest roles that would be throwaways in most films are impactful and memorable, making you wish there would be more to come. I mean the soldier just wishing him luck? Hello, I wanted more of her backstory, please.

I can go on and on about this one (the current state of the world and political climate for one) but I won't. 

If this is truly the last Mission Impossible, Mission impossible: The Final Reckoning is a satisfying, worthy, chef’s kiss of a swan song. As the movie said: our lives are the sum of our choices. Mission impossible: The Final Reckoning is indeed the sum of all the previous films wrapped up in a memorable, sentimental, entertaining, and masterful bow.

Slow clap for Cruise and everyone associated with bringing this franchise to the big screen for the last 29 years over 8 films. Thanks for the memories. 

Do yourself a favor, accept the mission on last time and see Mission impossible: The Final Reckoning on the big screen as intended.

Mission impossible: The Final Reckoning gets a 10 from me. This review will not self-destruct in 5 seconds.

#missionimpossiblefinalreckoning

Lilo & Stitch (2025)

 

Ignore the calendar. 

The rising temperatures and the fast and furious new releases at the box office say summer movie season is upon us. This week I took to the theater to check out the latest Disney live action film release, Lilo & Stitch (2025). 

First, a small bit of housekeeping. When the original film came out in 2002, I thought it was cute and enjoyed it, but it never held a particular place in my heart. Still, being a Disney “kid” and having seen all their other live action takes, I didn’t want to miss seeing this one on the big screen. 

Onwards.

Like the other Disney live action releases, Lilo & Stitch (2025) takes heavily from the original, tweaks, and expands it and I for one found myself loving every minute of its 1-hour 48-minute runtime. 

Solid casting pays off.

Chris Sanders once again works his magic not only as writer but as title character Stitch. His fleshing out the character of Nani (Sydney Agudong) and adding Tutu (Amy Hill) brings new depth and richness to the story which ups the "feels" quotient. Tia Carrere returning to the film this time in the role as the social worker Mrs. Kekoa is a special bonus. Billy Magnussen (you can tell he had a blast) and Zach Galifianakis are delightful as Pleakley and Jumba. Courtney B Vance’s Bubbles isn’t as intimidating but nonetheless works fine since his role is now split with Carrere. 

Then most importantly is the casting of Maia Kealoha as Lilo. Not all child actors are equal and having the right on will often make or break a film. Kealoha makes this one. She's the perfect blend of sweet, sassy, infuriating, and heartbreaking. 

Missing is the character of Captain Gantu, but I didn’t have an issue with that choice. Unpopular opinion I’m sure, but with the tweaks and changes to the story his presence was neither required nor missed.

Great CGI work, beautiful cinematography, and kicking soundtrack all mesh together beautifully to bring this film to life. Lilo & Stitch (2025) feels more grounded and organic yet remains heartfelt and fun. 

I laughed. I had fun. I got verklempt and ended up fighting back tears. 

Dammit.

My theater was packed with families, many with young kids and all of them along with the adults had a good time. It was a rowdy viewing for sure, but the fact that I was so into the film that the clamor not only didn't bother me, but actually added to the experience, speaks volumes. 

I’m sure Disney “purist” will take exception to this version of the film, but I actually liked it better than the original. It captures the spirit of the original and adds the right amount of freshness to keep it entertaining, energetic, and relevant. Lilo & Stitch (2025) is still very much a touching story about love, loss, and the meaning of 'ohana

Far from broken, Lilo & Stitch (2025) gets an 8.5 from me.

#liloandstitch

Thunderbolts*

Once again let me start with my standard comic book disclaimer. I went into this film with no previous knowledge of the characters or story beyond previous films or television shows.  For that I defer to my man Ruben’s knowledge and insights (if he so chooses to comment). So, yes, my review is based solely on what appeared on the movie screen.

Onward.

My expectations going into Thunderbolts* was pretty basic. I wanted a solid film with decent writing that didn’t make me regret leaving the house to go see. Bonus points for having Sebastian Stan once again inhabit the character of Bucky Barnes.  Fairly low expectations to be sure, but let’s face it, Marvel Studios has been hit or miss for a minute.  What Thunderbolts* delivered, however, was all that and happily quite a bit more.

Thunderbolts* quite aptly for mental health awareness month brings the trauma, healing, and redemption in this emotionally heavy and dark team up. Stan’s Bucky is the chef’s kiss I wanted and came as no surprise. 

But for me, it was the rest of the cast, especially Florence Pugh as Yelena who gloriously shines.  I haven’t really given much of a crap for Yelena going back to Black Widow. Personally, I’ve been harboring some real resentment of the way her character has been shoved down our throats with Scarlett Johansson’s Marvel departure. But Thunderbolts* has changed that for me and I’m now excited about this character and thrilled with Pugh’s performance. 

Adding to my excitement this go around is David Harbour’s Alexei (his turn in Black Widow did little for me as well), and Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost (Ant-Man and the Wasp make her nothing more than a plot device). Both actors/characters are actually utilized to great advantage this go around and their fleshed-out characters shine and add depth and texture to the story.  As for Wyatt Russell’s John Walker, simply seeing him get his ass handed to him time and again just gives me a perverse sense of joy. 

Julie Louis-Dreyfus continues to shine as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, and the glimpse of her past is a nice nugget to help unravel some of her mystery. Lewis Pullman’s Bob is engaging and intriguing in the best ways.

Speaking of joy, for all the heaviness of the film’s subject matter the joy of making it shines through. The script is solid, the actors are engaged, everything and everyone feels committed to the process of making a good film. The action sequences are fun, the character moments/beats are nicely balanced, and the pacing is good.  The humor works well; I especially enjoy the self-deprecation.

 All told Thunderbolts* does fire on all cylinders. It’s definitely a solid, enjoyable, and entertaining film. While it lacks some of the spectacle of many of the earlier phase Marvel films, it certain gives me hope that things are back on track and excites me for future films. 

Thunderbolts* is worth a trip to your local theater to escape the heat, get all up in your feels, and be entertained for 2-hours and 6-minutes. As always, if you do check it out, stay through the credits. There’s one mid credit and one post credit sequence. 

Thunderbolts* gets an 8 from me.

#thunderbolts

The Accountant 2

 

As the weather is heating up, so are the choices at the theaters. This week I decided to venture out to check out the sequel to 2016s The Accountant.  The Accountant 2 is set eight years after the original film left off.  Clocking in with a 2-hour 4-minute runtime The Accountant 2 brings more action, more violence, more humor, and more family along for the adventure.

The “feel” and narrative A2 is different from the original so it’s not simply more of the same with a bigger budget. Having Jon Bernthal as co-lead to Ben Affleck works well and the two have good chemistry and play off one another brilliantly. Their character moments elevate the entire production and give heart to the film. 

I'll never be able to hear Copperhead Road the same way. Certainly, put a smile on my face and made my heart happy.

J.K. Simmons shines to no real surprise. As for Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s return as Marybeth Medina, it works well, but only to a point. For me it feels like her naivety this time round is a step backwards for her character and undercuts her overall character arc.  She’s seen and been through too much at this point.

Justine and company are next level badasses that take “the guy in the chair” to scary levels and it’s awesome and exciting to watch.  

The story line is pretty straight forward this time around and it works but also loses some of the flavor the original film possesses. The villains are pretty one dimensional and generic, a problem indicative of many films these days.  They serve as plot points more than characters and are quite forgettable in and of themselves.  There's no "can't wait for this s.o.b. to get it" desire a worthy villain evokes. 

It’s all about the Affleck and Bernthal show.  

The Accountant 2 is entertaining. It’s a solid film overall and a worthy sequel that for my money falls just a tad short of the original but is well worth checking out on the big screen.  If you’re in the mood for some good action, violence, and humor be sure to check this one out.

The Accountant 2 gets a 7 from me.

#TheAccountant2

 

A little housekeeping here. Full disclosure, I’m a Disney kid/adult and do own stock in the company.

My, my, my!

Where to start?

Disney’s live action Snow White (2025) has been nothing but one lightning bolt of controversy after another for the last five years.  My interest in seeing the completed film in all honestly ranged from pure apathy to genuine curiosity at best.  This week, curiosity won out and I made the trip to the theater to see a discounted matinee showing along with a handful of other viewers.

I was actually ready to leave before the movie started, gawd damn they’re adding too many ads before, during, and after the previews these days! I stuck it out and with an open mind, sat back to see what Disney has wrought. 

The long and short of it, and much to the dismay of many I’m sure, I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly enjoyed my viewing experience.

Snow White (2025) is one of the better live action remakes that Disney has made. 

The music, both old and new, is delightful. All is Fair and Princess Problems are fun compilations that musically and lyrically really add to the overall film. The performances were engaging (I’ll take Rachel Zeglar’s Snow over Kristen Stewart’s any day of the week and twice on Sunday). Gal Godot was wickedly good fun as the Evil Queen and those costumes are killer. Her capes alone are characters on to themselves. The expanded, updated, and fleshed out storyline and characters work well. The pacing throughout is good. I had zero problem getting pulled into or staying engaged with the film. I was entertained.

I absolutely loved how many moments/visuals from the original 1937 Snow White were captured, recreated, and brought to life. Pure delight on my part. Yes, I even bounced in my seat and quietly clapped over this. Honestly, I spent the hour forty-nine-minute runtime smiling, laughing, tapping my feet and glad I actually took the time to go to the movies to see this one. 

I did have a couple of issues. 

The timing of Snow’s costume change. Seriously, make that make sense. And girlfriend not only having pockets in her dress, but they’re apparently waterproof?! 

Then there are the dwarves...I just don’t know about them. 

I’m feeling some kind of way about them. Their looks fluctuated between creepy as hell and okay, nicely done leaving me a bit unsettled any time they were on the screen. It was also nice that they were more characters than affectations in this version.

The messaging in the film can get a bit heavy handed and saccharine at times, and I’m sure the messaging in particular will piss people off. But, oddly enough, neither really bothered me. Both work and are appropriate for this film.

Snow White (2025) is definitely not the Snow White of 1937, but it takes the bones from the original and does a solid and entertaining job of modernizing this classic fairytale. External controversies aside, the film itself is a good watch, a fun way to spend a couple of hours, and I’m glad I went to see it.

Snow White (2025) gets a 9.5 from me.

#SnowWhite

Paddington in Peru

 

Once again, the Brown family (sans Sally Hawkins) have hit the big screen in a new Paddington adventure, and I for one happily made a trip to the theater to see it. I even had the bonus pleasure of my movie adventure being a private screening, so score!

In the franchises’ third installment, Paddington in Peru, most of the original cast from the first two films return save for Hawkins (by choice) with Emily Mortimer taking over the role of Mary Brown. Antonio Banderas and Olivia Colman lend their considerable talents this time around and clearly had a blast in the process. 

Not surprising, this Peruvian adventure of searching for a missing Aunt Lucy quickly becomes a misadventure filled with fun, heart, mayhem, silliness, humor, and good feels.  With a new director and writers taking over, Paddington in Peru has a different feel than the previous two films, but it still works.  And works well.

There’s a good balance of action, humor, and heart. The CGI work is tight. The story simple and charming with good pacing and a satisfactory conclusion.  Plenty of whimsy and good thrills and much needed messaging that’s not heavy handed. The song and dance number are a pure delight and had me grinning from ear to ear and seat dancing along. 

Paddington in Peru is more sentimental with less humor, but there are definite laugh out loud moments.  One scene had me absolutely screaming with laughter. There’s also less of the Brown family members which is a bit of a letdown, but it is what it is. It would’ve been nice to have more of the Brown’s but what you do get doesn’t disappoint.

The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous and having been granted special access to Machu Picchu and surrounding areas pays off in spades. 

Paddington in Peru is a charming, delightful, family film that’s a much-needed hour and forty-six-minute escape from reality. It's touching, sweet, relatable, fun, and simply joyous. A soothing balm for the soul. A feel-good movie that will make you feel glad you made the effort to see it on the big screen. 

Fair warning as always, stay to the very end. There are a couple of mid and post credit scenes that are an unexpected bonus that are sure to please.

Paddington in Peru not only entertained, but it also made me happy and gets a 10 from me.

#paddingtoninperu

Captain America: Brave New World

First movie outing of 2025 for me and I started with the latest offering from Marvel Studios, Captain America: Brave New World.  As usual, standard non comic book reader disclaimer applies.  But I’m also going to switch things up a bit and add an additional personal bias/personal baggage disclaimer as well.  Feel free to skip down to the actual movie review.

PERSONAL BAGGAGE DISCLAIMER:

I’ve been both highly anticipating and dreading the release of the first non-Steve Rogers Captain America movie since Avengers: End Game.  I was quite emotional and thrilled when Steve/Chris handed the mantel to Sam/Anthony. Tears galore, immediately wondering if the powers that be were really going to hand the shield to a black man (canon be damned).  True to the world we live in, the push back started immediately, escalated with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and has only grown. Adding the cries of boycotting the film due to the presence of Shira Haas’ casting, the haterade and efforts to make sure this film is a failure for reasons other than the actual film itself has been epic and heartbreaking to me.  

Yes, as someone who has spent their entire life as a proverbial fly in the buttermilk, I’m invested, probably too invested, in wanting this not to end up being a one and done scenario. Growing up, I didn’t see the kind of diversity (eww, gross, I know) in films and movies and the thought that there are so many determined to make sure that my experience once again becomes the norm, frankly, pisses me off. Everyone’s stories deserve to be told/seen/heard.

Whether or not you chose to listen/engage with them is your right.  

When I pulled into the movie theater lot yesterday, I was thrilled to see people turned out to see the film opening weekend. I didn’t even make it out of the car before I ended up in tears. I'm old, and emotional. But the sight/sounds of a little white boy of 4 or 5 clutching his Sam Wilson Captain America action figure, babbling about how awesome he is, both broke me and gave me back some of the hope and faith in humanity that’s been missing for the last 16 years of my life.

ACTUAL REVIEW:

Okay, enough of my bullshit.  You’re here for the movie review, not my existential crisis.

Captain America: Brave New World, is it an out of the park home run?

No.

Is it a solid film that entertains and is a good foundation to build on? 

For me. 

Definitely.

Over the course of its hour and fifty-eight-minute running time, Brave New World delivers great action, wonderful character moments, picks up and expands on previous story lines, and ties into what’s come before while giving hope to what comes next.

Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson/Cap is as grounded, empathetic, dignified, relatable and integrity filled as ever. Harrison Ford restored my faith after his turn in the last Indiana Jones film and seemed to actually want to be involved in the project and had fun. Danny Ramirez shines as he continues to step into his new role in the MCU. Carl Lumbly, damn. There’s a reason he’s had such a long and illustrious career. Giancarlo Esposito chewed the scenery and spit it out with a vengeance, and I was there for his every scene. Xosha Roquemore, Takehiro Hira, and William Mark McCullough were all engaging characters who left me wanting more.

Which is one of the shortcomings of the film. 

I wanted more of so many of the characters. More scenes, more character development, more info on who they are and how they fit in. From Esposito’s Sidewinder to Ford’s Red Hulk there’s definitely room for development/fleshing out. As for Shira Haas, honestly, I’m apathetic towards her character.

Being more grounded, the action/fight sequences are grittier and intense. With the lack of enhancement people get jacked up and add to the realism.  I've always been drawn to the characters that can get hurt/killed yet step up anyway. There are scenes and moments that really hit hard emotionally.  There’s some good humor thought it’s a bit too few and far between for my taste.

The first third of the movie while serviceable, didn’t engage me as thoroughly as I wanted but did have its moments. I wasn’t restless or bored. The pacing throughout was fairly consistent with some lags here and there but nothing too bad. I admit that the soundtrack didn’t do much for me either, so that’s a shame. The political intrigue/mystery aspect is nice but is undercut a bit relying on characters seemingly “forgetting” or ignoring what by now should be common knowledge.

Captain America: Brave New World does deliver a good time. I’m glad I made the effort and saw it on the big screen both as a fan as well as for personal reasons. There are some hard truths addressed not too heavy handedly, thrills to be had, and hope for the future. If you have any interest in seeing this one, make an effort to see it at the theater. Be sure to stay all the way through the end credits for the bonus scene.

Captain America: Brave New World gets a biased 7.5 from me.

#captainamericabraveneworld