Secret Society of Second-Born Royals (2020)

Secret Society of Second-Born Royals (2020)

5/10

Starring

Peyton Elizabeth Lee

Niles Fitch

Isabella Blake-Thomas

Olivia Deeble

Directed by Anna Mastro

There is this need for streaming platforms to create their own a movie franchise and not spend so much in doing it, so they can churn out sequels. With its mouthful of a title, this superhero movie is packed with tamed special effects. The director must have had Disney Channel fans in mind because even young adults familiar with the MCU will find this far from impressive.

The main issue is that the whole movie feels like an elongated pilot. It’s like dropping Lizzie McGuire and her friends into a world of superheroes and giving them powers.

You’d think with Marvel under their belt, Disney wouldn’t feel the need to create another superhero movie, even for Disney+. They have countless Marvel titles and stories to explore. Let’s be real—Disney has made more than ten PG-13 films full of class, and this movie pales in comparison.

Aimed at children, the movie introduces a world where second-born royals discover they have superpowers. The story focuses on Sam, who hates being a royal and is rebellious in more ways than one. After getting busted for a rebellious act, she’s sent to summer school, where she meets other second-born royals. They’re all told they have powers.

We’re then introduced to their teacher/mentor, who trains them to use and develop their abilities. The summer class features all the stereotypical characters you’d expect in a teen movie like this. Please, set aside any hopes for thrills—this is a cheesy setup, stuffed with clichés and a predictably guessable plot. The only surprise was Sam’s mother’s role in the whole secret society. Even the backstabbing I anticipated felt predictable; I just wasn’t sure which member of the second-born society would do it.

The movie spends nearly an hour on training scenes—talk about not knowing what to do once you’ve introduced the actors. Director Anna Mastro made us sit through these teens training for so long, and it ultimately didn’t pay off when the bad guy finally showed up. The way the villain was dealt with, along with the events surrounding his accomplice, felt like watching a subpar TV pilot.

The villain’s primary motivation is revenge against Sam’s mother, which you’d need to really care about to watch the movie through to the end.

The movie wraps up with the teens embarking on another mission. Let’s hope Disney spares us the pain and keeps that mission to themselves. Thank you.

You can catch this movie streaming on Disney+.

The Devil All the Time (2020)

The Devil All the Time (2020)

5/10

Starring

Tom Holland

Bill Skarsgård

Riley Keough

Jason Clarke

Directed by Antonio Campos

The Devil All the Time weaves together multiple stories centered on one character, Arvin (played by Tom Holland). Filled with remarkable acting and prolonged situations, this movie is one of the most well-acted yet tedious films you can find on Netflix.

The movie carries a dull tone, and with a runtime of over two hours, it can feel wearisome. The complexity of the plot, intricately connecting various lives, is commendable. However, the actions of the characters can often be unnerving.

True to its title, the movie is brimming with characters either indulging in moral depravity or falling victim to it.

The story begins with a brief intro before diving into the life of a young boy, Arvin. In one of the first shocking scenes, his father sacrifices the family dog to God in a desperate attempt to save Arvin's dying mother. Arvin ends up an orphan, and combined with the trauma of his dog’s sacrifice, it’s clear he’s mentally scarred from a young age.

Another thread in the story introduces a young woman with a religiously fanatical partner similar to Arvin’s father. She also faces tragedy, leaving behind her daughter. This daughter grows up in the same orphaned home as Arvin. Unlike him, she becomes pious, but her naivety leads to a devastating encounter with another religious fanatic (like mother, like daughter). This eventually spirals into a colossal tale of death, somehow involving Arvin.

The madness doesn’t stop there. The movie also introduces a serial killer couple who travel around murdering people, a silly sheriff with no respect for his office, and a host of other unsettling characters.

With so much happening, the movie undoubtedly captures your attention. However, despite all this action, I found it tedious and, at times, boring. The film is based on the 2011 Gothic crime novel of the same name by Donald Ray Pollock, who also serves as the film’s narrator. Notably, the movie stays true to the book’s plot (is what is said, even though I have not read the book to confirm).

You can stream this movie on Netflix. For me, watching it wasn’t worth the time, even though the acting deserves praise. I believe films like this are better suited for Netflix than a theatrical release, because they are more like experiments to see what people will like, than actual production to entertain various people and their taste.

The movie boasts an ensemble cast capable of drawing viewers, but I feel the director wasted the potential of his stars.

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

5/10

Starring

Burt Reynolds

Sally Field

Jerry Reed

Jackie Gleason

 

 

Directed by Hal Needham

The movie starts strong, pulling us into the premise of two men attempting to transport alcohol from one state to another within a tight deadline. The duo consists of Bandit (Burt Reynolds) and his sidekick Snowman (Jerry Reed). They’re approached by a wealthy Texan and his son to bootleg 400 cases of beer for a party, with a 28-hour window to complete the task.

This initial setup promises suspense, but that tension is quickly buried under a cloud of dust, endless car chases, and distractions that make the time element feel irrelevant. To make matters worse, the movie doesn’t clearly establish when the clock starts or how much time remains, which further diminishes any sense of urgency. Here is a movie I believe was done to please the people who love to see Burt Reynolds on TV in an action role.

Once the two set off to pocket $80,000 for the job, they have a straightforward plan: Snowman would drive the truck while Bandit, in a sleek black Pontiac Trans Am, distracts the cops to keep the truck speeding undetected. However, the plan veers off course when Bandit picks up Carrie (Sally Field), a runaway bride in a wedding dress.

Carrie’s presence drags Bandit into a personal feud with Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason), who, along with his dim-witted son, is chasing her across state lines. The Sheriff’s relentless pursuit becomes the movie’s focal point, turning the plot into a series of increasingly over-the-top car chases. Meanwhile, Bandit continues to draw police attention away from the truck, ensuring Snowman stays on track.

The comedy is entertaining at first but eventually loses its charm as it recycles the same scenarios: Bandit narrowly escaping the cops with help from other truckers. The repetition makes the humor feel predictable after a while.

Despite its flaws, the movie has enough energy to keep you entertained. It’s evident this was a B-movie concept stretched to mainstream success, with car chases and stunts taking center stage while the story takes a backseat. The action is often unrealistic, and the plot lacks substance, but it still delivers a fun, mindless ride.

The film was a massive box office hit, grossing over 60 times its production cost, though its sequels never lived up to the original’s charm.

I’m glad I can tick this movie off my list, even if I don’t fully understand why it’s so highly rated.

Mannequin (1987)

Mannequin (1987)

3/10

Starring

Andrew McCarthy

Kim Cattrall

Estelle Getty

G. W. Bailey

 

 

Directed by Michael Gottlieb

This movie is so bad that you somehow get an odd urge to see how it ends. Sadly, when you do, you’re reminded that this is one of the worst comedies you’ve ever watched.

I wonder how the writer thought this was a good idea. He must have believed he had a classic on his hands because he went ahead to direct this sleep-inducing film as well.

The movie starts with a massive plot hole and quickly delves into the absurd, making itself quite comfortable there. Don’t try to make sense of the stupidity—if you’re going to watch it, just embrace the nonsense.

Mannequin begins in Ancient Egypt, where Princess Emmy refuses to settle down and prays to the gods to save her from an arranged marriage. The next thing we see is what appears to be divine intervention: an earthquake, and then the princess vanishes. Fast-forward to 1987, where we meet Jonathan, a young man who dreams of being a sculptor but can’t hold down a job. He loses his position at a mannequin factory because he spends too much time “being artistic” with a female mannequin. From there, we watch him cycle through numerous jobs, only to be fired each time for focusing too much on artistry instead of the task at hand.

One particularly bad day, Jonathan passes by a department store and sees the last mannequin he made—the one he called his greatest masterpiece—displayed in the window. The next day, he saves the store’s owner and is offered a job there.

That night, while working with a co-worker to design a shop window, the mannequin he once adored comes to life as Emmy. She reveals that she’s existed for centuries, appearing to various great artists as a muse, and only Jonathan can see her. To everyone’s surprise, the window Jonathan designs with Emmy’s help becomes wildly popular, drawing crowds to the store and earning Jonathan a reputation as a talented window dresser. Every display they create together becomes a hit.

Of course, Emmy—who has supposedly been alive for thousands of years as a muse—suddenly finds her perfect match in Jonathan, and the two fall for each other.

The main conflicts in the movie involve Jonathan’s ex-girlfriend, who works for a rival department store, and a spy within Jonathan’s store who’s trying to sabotage its success. Jonathan’s creative displays are pulling customers away from the rival store, threatening their business.

When it comes to acting, only Kim Cattrall (Emmy) seems to be fully embracing the ridiculousness of it all. As for special effects, the movie doesn’t have much to offer. The one standout element for me is the music, particularly Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship—that song is iconic.

Despite how silly this movie is, it ended up being a massive commercial success, which led to the studio greenlighting a sequel. Unsurprisingly, the sequel was a dud; nobody was willing to pay to see another Mannequin-like tale.

Honestly, watching this movie is not a good idea.

Mulan (2020)

Mulan (2020)

7/10

Starring

Liu Yifei

Donnie Yen

Jason Scott Lee

Jet Li

 

Directed by Niki Caro

Disney’s Mulan live-action film delivers action scenes that will leave you in awe. The cinematography is stunning, and the fight sequences are magnificent. Yes, I missed Mushu, and the screenplay doesn’t quite match the charm of the 1998 animated classic it’s based on, but this is still a beautifully made, nerve-wracking movie.

What Disney did here was replace all the Mushu moments with drama—enough drama to last you through September! Director Niki Caro did her best to shape the film so that the absence of Mushu wasn’t too glaring.

One thing I really appreciated was how they portrayed Mulan as smart and resourceful, allowing her to survive a pivotal attack because of her strength as a woman. The turning point happens about an hour in when she embraces her true self. From that moment, the movie shifts into a higher gear, and I found myself completely caught up, moving with her through the battles like I was right there fighting alongside her.

If you’ve seen the animated Mulan, you already know the basic storyline. But instead of Mushu guiding her, this time, we get a phantom phoenix filling that role.

The plot starts by introducing us to a young Mulan, who is extraordinary because of her strong connection to her chi. (Yes, the movie leans into some gravity-defying effects.) However, her family views her abilities as a source of potential disgrace, insisting she needs to marry to restore honor. Despite her struggles to fit the mold, it’s clear that Mulan is a skilled fighter with impressive acrobatics.

The conflict arises when the Rourans attack China and threaten the Emperor. In response, he decrees that every family must volunteer one man to join the war. Mulan’s father, a former war hero with a bad leg, prepares to go, but Mulan can’t bear to watch him suffer. She secretly takes his place, stealing his armor and sword and disguising herself as a man.

As Mulan trains to become a warrior, she faces the challenges brought on by her disguise while her army battles the advancing Rourans. The stakes rise dramatically as the truth about her identity begins to unravel, culminating in intense moments where the Emperor’s life is on the line. These nerve-wracking scenes pack plenty of emotional weight and action.

For me, this movie ranks as my fourth favorite Disney live-action adaptation, following Cinderella (2015), The Jungle Book (2016), and Alice in Wonderland (2010).

When it comes to casting, the film doesn’t rely on A-list stars to make its point. Even Donnie Yen and Jet Li play supporting roles to Liu Yifei, the leading lady. That said, her public support of China over Hong Kong led to calls for a boycott of the film. Despite this controversy, I think it’s a fantastic movie worth watching.

Mulan’s release was delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Disney eventually chose to release it as a video-on-demand offering on Disney+. This move was a financial gamble, with reports suggesting the film needed up to 10 million paid views to break even.

Based on how much I enjoyed the movie, I wish them all the best. Mulan is a must-see, even for younger viewers. Rated PG-13.

Freaks: You’re One of Us (2020)

 Freaks: You’re One of Us (2020)

 

3/10

 

Starring
Finnlay Berger
Thelma Buabeng
Gisa Flake

 

Directed by Felix Binder

 

The best definition of disappointment is the German film Freaks: You’re One of Us. I went into it with a lot of expectation—not hoping for an MCU or DCEU-level movie, but at least something close to The Old Guard. Unfortunately, while the movie seems to have a lot of potential at the start, it quickly devolves into a wasteful plot about two people with powers being a nuisance to themselves and everyone around them.

This German film might have been more enjoyable if the director hadn’t focused so much on turning what was supposed to be a sci-fi thriller into some sort of romantic jealousy flick. The acting takes a nosedive long before the plot does, with only the leading lady managing to hold her own.

In terms of special effects, there’s not much to write home about. The lack of budget is painfully obvious, particularly in scenes where she’s destroying bikes. The camera awkwardly zooms in on her face and then zooms out after the supposed destruction is done. It’s frustrating and makes those moments feel cheap.

The plot begins with the introduction of Wendy, a little girl caught up in some tragedy. A mysterious woman comes to take her away, and we later see Wendy as an adult, now married with a son. Her family is struggling financially, with their home facing foreclosure and Wendy hoping for a promotion at work to make ends meet.

Things take a turn when a homeless man approaches Wendy, telling her she’s special. He advises her to stop taking the pills she’s been prescribed since childhood if she wants to realize her true potential. Predictably, she does, and that’s when she discovers she has powers.

From this point, the movie starts to lose its way. Wendy somehow figures out that a coworker is also taking the same pills (I must’ve missed how she knew this) and convinces him to stop. There’s an awkward and unnecessary romantic tension between them, which feels baseless and adds nothing to the story. From there, the plot becomes increasingly silly, to the point where I felt physically irritated watching it.

You can catch this movie on Netflix, but don’t expect to be blown away. It feels like a lazy attempt at making a superhero movie, with an ending so ridiculous that I’m sure the director thought it would land better than it does.

Honestly, I wish I hadn’t seen this movie, so I can’t recommend it. If you’re in the mood for a non-Marvel or DC superhero movie, you’re better off watching The Old Guard again.

Super 8 (2011)

Super 8

8/10

Starring

Kyle Chandler

Elle Fanning

Joel Courtney

Gabriel Basso

Noah Emmerich

 

Directed by J.J. Abrams

 

Amazing movie to see and if you've delayed watching this sci-fi flick, you’re missing out on one of the best films of the summer.

Super 8 is a classic sci-fi movie where, at its heart, all the alien wants is to go home.

Written and directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Spielberg himself, Super 8 is proof of the magic that can be achieved without relying on A-list actors. Abrams’ vision keeps you glued to your seat as the excitement unfolds. The suspense is gripping, and the drama is overwhelmingly entertaining.

Set in the late '70s, the movie makes you wonder how a group of kids will pull off an unimaginable quest. The nostalgic feel is reminiscent of Spielberg’s classic films from the '70s and '80s. Just as E.T. wanted to go home, so does our alien here—it’s a simple premise brought to life in an extraordinary way.

One standout aspect of the film is its continuity. Abrams expertly weaves together multiple storylines, keeping them interconnected yet distinct, without losing the audience’s attention. Everything ties together seamlessly by the end, creating a satisfying and cohesive narrative.

Plot:
The story follows six kids who come together to make a zombie movie. While filming, they witness a train crash that sets off a chain of events. On one hand, you’re watching the kids as they continue working on their movie. On the other, the town’s deputy is investigating the crash, trying to uncover why the Air Force seems unusually interested in what should be a routine accident.

Things escalate when people start disappearing, and electronic gadgets and car engines mysteriously vanish. Amid all this chaos, the kids remain focused on finishing their film. But the stakes get higher when one of them is taken by the alien.

The remaining four kids, joined by a stoned driver, decide to rescue their friend, throwing caution to the wind. When asked why he wasn’t joining the mission, the fifth kid hilariously replies, “I wanna live, okay.”

The visual effects are impressive, adding to the movie’s charm. And as a bonus, during the credits, you get to watch a 5-minute clip of the zombie movie the kids were making—it’s a fun touch that ties everything together.

My advice? Don’t be put off by the film’s title. Go see Super 8. It’s worth it, and the kids even manage to finish their movie in the end!

The Sleepover (2020)

 

The Sleepover (2020)

6/10

Starring

Sadie Stanley

Maxwell Simkins

Cree Cicchino

Lucas Jaye

Ken Marino

Joe Manganiello

Malin Åkerman

 

 

Directed by Trish Sie

I guess there’s something fun about sitting through a movie without knowing what it’s supposed to be about. Unfortunately, that mystery is about to be ruined for anyone reading this review before watching the movie—sorry about that!

The movie is captivating and gives off serious Spy Kids vibes, but this time I found myself more engaged. The plot is clean, the comedy feels wholesome, and the characters are so full of energy that you’ll find yourself needing to stay calm on their behalf. Unlike Spy Kids, this movie isn’t overloaded with special effects or over-the-top action sequences (though it has its fair share). The story feels grounded, making it easier to connect with.

From my perspective, the writing does a great job of keeping you curious about one thing: What will happen when the kids finally get to their kidnapped parents?

The movie introduces us to the Finches—a family of four made up of parents Margot and Ron and their two kids. The eldest child, Clancy, is a teenage girl navigating typical teenage frustrations, while Kevin, her younger brother, is an overly excitable boy.

As usual, the kids think their parents aren’t cool—especially Clancy, who constantly clashes with her mom. Margot seems overly protective, wanting to shield Clancy from pretty much everything, which leads to a mother-daughter fight. This argument gets Clancy grounded, but that doesn’t stop her and her best friend Mim from sneaking out later to attend Clancy’s crush’s birthday party.

Meanwhile, Kevin’s friend Lewis is having a sleepover, and the two boys are camping in the backyard. The girls sneak into the boys’ tent to chill, and while they’re hanging out, Lewis goes inside to use the bathroom. That’s when he sees something shocking: Margot being called “Mathilde” by two strangers who break into the house and kidnap both her and Ron after drugging them. Before being taken, Margot leaves behind a clue for her kids to find.

Lewis alerts the others, and just as they’re trying to process what’s happening, a man claiming to be a police officer shows up. Suspicious, the four kids decide to follow the trail left behind by Margot and set off to rescue their parents, with Mim and Lewis joining Clancy and Kevin.

What I really enjoyed about this movie is how things kept going hilariously wrong for the kidnapped couple while the kids stayed smart and (very) lucky in following the clues.

The Sleepover is available on Netflix, and it’s a great movie to watch with kids. It’s entertaining without trying too hard to impress with unnecessary action or stunts.

The film stars Sadie Stanley, who also plays Kim Possible in the Disney Channel series, and it’s a fun, lighthearted watch for the whole family.