Dave (1993)

Dave (1993)

7/10

Starring

Kevin Kline

Sigourney Weaver

Frank Langella

Kevin Dunn

Ving Rhames

Ben Kingsley

Directed by Ivan Reitman

Here is a movie I’ve watched numerous times, and each time I revisit it, I do so with excitement. The idea that someone thought getting a random person to impersonate the president could work is both absurd and brilliant!

Dave is a fantastic movie built around the question: what if the White House were run by a president who’s nothing more than a puppet controlled by his chief of staff? For me, the film not only works as a political drama but also excels as a romantic comedy, thanks to its blend of humor and heartfelt moments.

With backstabbing at every turn, the thrill of watching each character navigate their challenges is what makes this film as engaging as it is funny. The movie boasts incredible performances from its leads: Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, and Frank Langella. Directed by Ivan Reitman—who also teamed up with Weaver in Ghostbusters—Dave is a masterclass in balancing serious political themes with a comedic tone.

The script strikes a perfect balance between drama and comedy, making a serious topic feel approachable. If you’ve never seen the movie, you’re in for a treat watching Kline’s character overcome one obstacle after another to keep the charade alive.

The story kicks off with Dave (Kevin Kline), who runs a temporary employment agency and moonlights as a presidential impersonator. Meanwhile, President Bill Mitchell (also played by Kline) is busy attending to an “urgent matter” (an affair with a White House staffer). When the president suffers a stroke during this escapade and falls into a coma, his chief of staff, Bob (Frank Langella), and communications director, Alan, concoct a scheme to maintain their power.

To pull it off, they send the vice president away on a fabricated goodwill tour, move the incapacitated president into a private ward in the White House, and bribe everyone in the know to stay silent. Enter Dave, hired to be the president’s stand-in.

Initially, Dave plays along, unwittingly letting Bob and Alan use him to push their agenda while plotting to ruin the vice president and install Bob as his replacement. However, things start to unravel. The First Lady, Ellen (Sigourney Weaver), who despises her husband and is only sticking around for the remainder of his presidency, begins to suspect something is amiss. On top of that, Dave turns out to be the worst possible puppet—because he starts having ideas of his own.

Dave is a film you can watch anytime and still enjoy. It’s funny, smart, and brilliantly crafted. 

But, as charming as Dave is, the plot is somewhat predictable and relies heavily on familiar political tropes. While the movie is unrealistic, and we're here for the ride, but the way the writer resolves some of the issues and challenges Dave faces feels too convenient, making it seem as if anyone could run a country on their own.

Fun fact: President Bill Clinton, who was in office at the time of the film’s release, reportedly enjoyed it so much that he autographed a copy of the script for the writer.

Galaxy Quest (1999)

Galaxy Quest (1999)

 

7/10

Starring

Tim Allen

Sigourney Weaver

Alan Rickman

Tony Shalhoub

Directed by Dean Parisot

If you went through the 90s without watching Galaxy Quest, then, as a movie lover, your library has a glaring hole. I’d strongly recommend you fill it by watching this all-time sci-fi cult classic. It’s a brilliantly crafted sci-fi comedy that parodies the genre while paying homage to iconic sci-fi films and series—especially Star Trek.

What I respect and appreciate about Galaxy Quest is that it doesn’t fall into the trap of over-the-top parody like many others do. Unlike the slapstick humor of Scary Movie or Airplane!, this film features a serious, well-thought-out script that tackles life-and-death stakes while keeping enough humor to make you smile throughout.

The story revolves around the cast of an 80s TV series called Galaxy Quest. Although the show has long since been canceled, it still has a massive fan base that organizes conventions and comes up with intricate fan theories. However, the cast members don’t all get along. Over the years, they’ve matured (or not), struggled to land new roles, and survived largely on the money they make from these conventions.

The crew of Galaxy Quest includes Commander Taggart, played by Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen); Lt. Tawny Madison, played by Gwen DeMarco (Sigourney Weaver); and Dr. Lazarus, played by Alexander Dane (the late Alan Rickman). These three, along with other cast members, form the crew of the ship commanded by Taggart.

Jason, the egotistical star of the group, has become increasingly resented by his castmates for his selfishness and behavior. During one convention, he’s approached by a group of strange people dressed as if they’re part of the Galaxy Quest crew. They ask for his help and invite him to come with them. Assuming they’re just overzealous fans, he brushes them off.

The next day, these same people show up at his home with a limo, asking him to join them to help negotiate with a dangerous adversary. Believing it’s a paid gig, Jason goes along, falls asleep in the limo, and wakes up in what he assumes is an incredibly elaborate set. He soon learns he’s actually on an alien spaceship.

These aliens, called Thermians, have based their entire civilization on broadcasts of the Galaxy Quest TV show, which they believe to be historical documents from Earth. Jason plays along, thinking it’s part of his “role,” and ends up botching a negotiation with an alien warlord named Sarris, making things much worse for the Thermians.

When he’s beamed back to Earth—an experience that terrifies him—Jason finally realizes this is all real. He rushes to his former castmates, who are attending a convention, and begs them to help. At first, they dismiss him as crazy, but when the promise of money is mentioned, they reluctantly join him. To their shock, they are beamed onto the Thermians’ ship as well.

The crew is horrified when they realize the Thermians believe them to be the actual heroes they played on TV and can’t comprehend that the show was fiction. Meanwhile, Sarris is after a device on the ship called Omega 13, and Jason and his crew are tasked with saving the Thermians while dealing with their own internal conflicts.

How the crew rises to the occasion, fixes their mistakes, and ultimately embraces their roles is what makes this movie so endearing. The movie has its weaknesses, the plot can feel a bit formulaic at times, relying on predictable beats from both space adventures and Hollywood clichés. Some of the supporting characters, like the alien crew members, are underdeveloped, serving mostly as comedic sidekicks.

If you haven’t seen Galaxy Quest yet, do yourself a favor and watch it. It’s funny, heartfelt, and incredibly well-crafted.

Over the Moon (2020)

Over the Moon (2020)

4/10

Starring the voices of:

Cathy Ang

Phillipa Soo

Ken Jeong

John Cho

Directed by Glen Keane and John Kahrs

This is one of the most forgettable animations I’ve seen in a while. I think this movie would have been better served as a short film. Everything feels unnecessarily dragged out by unneeded songs—and worse still, none of the music is catchy, fun, or enjoyable to listen to. That said, the animation is watchable, but it lacks the polish and sophistication you’d expect from Disney or similar studios.

The voice acting is a standout in the animation, especially Cathy Ang as Fei Fei, who brings the emotional depth and sincerity needed for the character. Hats off to the supporting cast as well, they delivered strong performances all around.

The plot is lacking in many areas, especially in depth during the “eureka moments.” Everything that was pieced together to form the script just didn’t work. You can suspend disbelief about it being a fantasy animation where a young girl builds a rocket using mostly household items and things she could order online. You might even forgive the delay tactics of padding the runtime with poorly written songs that fail to resonate with either children or adults. But what’s hard to ignore is how the story plays out so predictably and, at times, downright sillily.

Over the Moon is a computer-animated fantasy adventure comedy-drama produced by Netflix. The movie’s script draws inspiration from the Chinese goddess Chang’e, taking one of the myths about her and building on it.

The story begins with a young family—a father, mother, and daughter. Fei Fei, the young girl, has a deep love for her mother and cherishes the stories her mother tells about the goddess Chang’e. Her favorite story is about Chang’e’s undying love for a man she lost, with the goddess still holding on to hope of being reunited with her one true love.

Fei Fei’s world is turned upside down when her mother passes away. Over time, her father begins to move on and develops a relationship with a kind and beautiful woman who has an equally sweet and charming son named Chin. However, Fei Fei refuses to accept this new relationship, believing her father shouldn’t need anyone else as long as she is there for him.

Determined to prove to her father that true love never dies, Fei Fei decides to build a rocket and fly to the moon to meet Chang’e and bring back a picture of the goddess. She hopes this will convince her father to hold on to the memory of her mother and not remarry.

The real adventure begins with her flight to the moon. Fei Fei builds her rocket and takes off, unknowingly bringing Chin along, as he sneaks aboard at the last moment. With some unexpected help, they manage to reach the moon, where the quest to meet Chang’e truly begins.

In the end, Over the Moon is an animation you can let your kids watch while you find something better to do with your time.

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

7/10

Starring

Sacha Baron Cohen

Eddie Redmayne

Daniel Flaherty

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Michael Keaton

Frank Langella

John Carroll Lynch

Mark Rylance

Directed by Aaron Sorkin

The Trial of the Chicago 7 is a movie that goes beyond being just a documentary or a retelling of real-life events. It dares to be more, touching on various aspects of the time. The Chicago 7 trial took place in 1968 when several groups protested against the Vietnam War. The movie resonates on many levels, exploring themes like trial manipulation, a biased system, politics, a crooked judge, and jury tampering—all while staying focused on the chaos at hand. It’s well-written to not only educate but also entertain, showcasing the lengths the government went to in order to indict seven people for allegedly inciting riots.

What I particularly liked is the movie’s flow. Aaron Sorkin, the director and writer, masterfully takes us forward with the trial and back to the events leading up to it. This approach shows how the men’s actions could be deliberately misconstrued by a well-orchestrated team to appear as though they were inciting riots.

The courtroom drama delivers everything you’d expect—shocking revelations and even more shocking behavior from the trial judge.

The plot revolves around eight people arrested and tried by the government for inciting riots. The eighth defendant, Bobby Seale, was ultimately removed from the case, with his trial declared a mistrial. This decision was largely due to his lack of legal representation and the judge’s openly hostile behavior toward him. The remaining seven defendants continued with the trial, leading to a standout performance by Mark Rylance as their lead lawyer, William Kunstler.

The trial is packed with twists and turns, unruly behavior, and the unmistakable bias of the judge. Frank Langella delivers a brilliant performance as the judge, who is determined to see the defendants—and even their lawyers—sent to prison.

For the prosecution, the case seemed like an easy win. With the judge clearly in their corner, it appeared almost impossible for the defense to get a fair shot.

Among the standout performances are those of Eddie Redmayne and Sacha Baron Cohen, both of whom bring their characters to life with depth and charisma.

The film takes some big creative liberties with historical events, which might be off-putting for some. It also simplifies complex figures and conflicts just to amp up the drama. Some characters feel underdeveloped or reduced to basic archetypes. And the dialogue, some of it sounds like straight-up speeches, and no one actually talks like that.

Originally intended for a theatrical release, the film’s distribution rights were sold to Netflix due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This film also has an interesting production history. It was written in 2007, but the Writers Guild of America strike put production on hold. The project remained in limbo for over a decade before finally coming to fruition.

The Trial of the Chicago 7 is a must-watch—a compelling film that brilliantly balances drama, history, and stellar performances.

The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)

The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)

7/10

Starring

Dev Patel

Aneurin Barnard

Peter Capaldi

Morfydd Clark

Daisy May Cooper

Rosalind Eleazar

Hugh Laurie

Tilda Swinton

Directed by Armando Lannucci

Growing up as a young lad, the Dickens books were introduced to me early. Dev Patel takes the lead role as David Copperfield in this adaptation of one of the greatest books ever written by the legendary Charles Dickens. Widely regarded as Dickens’ best work, the screenplay for this movie incorporates slight changes to reduce the gloom and adds a comedic touch in other places.

I have to say, this movie does justice to the book. The unique spin enhances the experience, making it even more delightful. Patel delivers an outstanding performance as David Copperfield, and when you pair that with a stellar cast of talented actors, you’re guaranteed a wonderful viewing experience as David’s life story unfolds.

Assuming most of us are familiar with the story of David Copperfield, here’s a brief summary of what the movie is about.

Set in the mid-19th century—the era when the book was written—the movie introduces us to the lovely Clara Copperfield, who gives birth to a boy named David. His birth isn’t met with joy by everyone, especially his great aunt Trotwood (played by Tilda Swinton), who was hoping for a girl. Aunt Trotwood wanted to be a godmother to the girl and raise her to despise men as she does.

David is lovingly cared for by Peggotty (Daisy May Cooper), the Copperfield family’s housekeeper. However, after David’s father dies, Clara remarries a cruel man who mistreats her and abuses David.

When Clara passes away, David is forced to work in his stepfather’s factory. Eventually, he runs away to find his great aunt Trotwood. Though she initially rejected him at his birth, Aunt Trotwood’s complex character shines through as she takes him in as her ward and sends him to school to be educated as a gentleman.

From this point, David’s adventures lead him to meet the woman he will marry, Dora, as well as the next antagonist in the story, Uriah Heep. His journey eventually brings him back to the Peggotty household.

The movie has been a critical success and likely would have been a commercial success if its release hadn’t been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regardless, it’s a film worth seeking out. Even if you haven’t read the book, this movie provides a delightful introduction to its story. Who knows? Watching the movie might just inspire you to read the book and dive deeper into its rich characters and intricate plot.

Bad Education (2019)

Bad Education (2019)

7/10

Starring

Hugh Jackman

Allison Janney

Geraldine Viswanathan

Alex Wolff

Directed by Cory Finley

Bad Education is a crime drama about school embezzlement, based on the true story of how a superintendent and his assistant stole over $11 million in tax dollars. When I see movies like this and see how easy some people are able to get away with government money, I wonder why more money isn’t pumped into overseeing how the people tax are spent.

This movie caught me off guard. When I realized it was based on a true story, I was captivated and eager to see how everything would unfold. The script is well-paced, leaving no room for boredom. Events progress steadily, and the plot is both exciting and easy to follow. What’s striking is how the character who initially appears to be the moral compass gradually unravels, revealing a dark, insensitive, and manipulative side that’s genuinely unsettling.

Director Cory Finley does an excellent job keeping the audience engaged while carefully unveiling the depths of corruption. When the full extent of the embezzlement is finally revealed, it’s shocking to see just how much was stolen.

The story left me wondering how long this theft could have continued if it weren’t for a high school newspaper’s investigation.

The movie introduces us to Dr. Frank Tassone (Hugh Jackman), the superintendent of the Roslyn Union Free School District on Long Island. Frank is charismatic and well-loved by his colleagues, the school board, parents, and students. The assistant superintendent, Pam Gluckin (Allison Janney), oversees school district projects, including their latest endeavor—a skywalk.

The skywalk project is just one of many initiatives spearheaded by the school board under Frank and Pam’s leadership, all aimed at making Roslyn the top school in the country. Frank is deeply invested in appearances, evident in his polished demeanor and meticulous presentation. Projects that elevate the school’s reputation and give it a "classy" image are his passion.

Meanwhile, a student journalist named Rachel is working on an article for the school paper about the new skywalk. During her research, an unrelated incident exposes Pam’s reckless misuse of a school expense card, which she allowed her family to use freely. The situation escalates when her son makes a significant purchase for home improvements, triggering scrutiny from the school board.

This discovery sets off a domino effect, and the layers of corruption begin to unravel. To find out how it all plays out, you’ll have to watch the movie.

The film’s biggest weakness is the pacing, it can feel slow at times, especially in the first half, where the buildup takes a while to get going. Plus, Hugh Jackman shines so much that the supporting cast gets completely overshadowed, and none of them really have much character depth.

Bad Education is a compelling and well-crafted film, and I highly recommend it.

The Witches (2020)

The Witches (2020)

3/10

Starring

Anne Hathaway

Octavia Spencer

Stanley Tucci

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

The first movie had an ending that wasn’t perfect in any sense, but it was a happy one. This time, they decided to switch it up by giving us a not-so-perfect ending but trying to make it feel like everything worked out for the best. Honestly, if you can’t make it better, don’t bother changing it at all.

This remake of The Witches is streaming on HBO Max, and it’s a letdown—boring and lacking any real excitement.

The original 1990 film has a cult following, with Anjelica Huston’s performance as the Grand High Witch earning high praise. For this version, Anne Hathaway steps into those iconic shoes. The movie initially caught my attention because of Hathaway (she’s a great actor), the amazing Robert Zemeckis as director, and Guillermo del Toro as co-writer alongside Zemeckis. Oh, and let’s not forget it’s narrated by Chris Rock. With such a lineup, how could I not watch? Unfortunately, the movie was a dud.

This version starts a little differently than the original. Set in Alabama, we’re introduced to Charlie, a young orphan living with his grandmother. After a strange incident at a shopping center, his grandmother tells him about witches and their hatred for children. Concerned for his safety, she decides they need to leave town for a while.

They end up at a hotel, which, coincidentally, is hosting a witches’ conference where the Grand High Witch is sharing her plan to turn all children into mice.

Charlie overhears the witches’ plan while hiding but gets caught by the Grand High Witch and turned into a mouse. Now, he must team up with his grandmother to stop the witches from carrying out their evil plan.

This remake makes significant changes to the original story, moving it from its British setting to Alabama with an all-Black cast. Unfortunately, the changes don’t breathe new life into the story. Instead, they add more reasons to feel bored.

The boy actor’s performance was underwhelming, which made things worse when compared to the 1990 version. Anne Hathaway’s portrayal of the Grand High Witch also fell flat. Her exaggerated accent and meandering dialogue didn’t hold a candle to Anjelica Huston’s performance in the original.

Another issue was the witches’ appearance. The redesign felt more like special effects showcase than something that captured the quirky, childish fun of the first movie.

In the end, this remake missed the mark. It tried to update and expand the story but only succeeded in making it less engaging.

The Witches (1990)

The Witches (1990)

6/10

Starring

Anjelica Huston

Mai Zetterling

Jasen Fisher

Rowan Atkinson

Directed by Nicolas Roeg

Before deciding to watch Anne Hathaway’s The Witches (2020 remake), I gave in to the urge to revisit the first adaptation, made in 1990 by Jim Henson Productions. The Witches is a dark fantasy children’s book written by British author Roald Dahl in 1983.

Funny enough, as soon as I started watching and got to the witches' cruel plan to transform all children, my childhood memories came flooding back. I realized I had seen this movie numerous times as a kid. Since I was five when it came out, I never knew the name of the film—just fragments of the plot stuck with me.

Although I haven’t read the book, I can safely say this isn’t a bad movie to watch. I was able to sit through it again and was surprised to discover that Rowan Atkinson had a role in it!

The movie features a grand performance by Anjelica Huston as the Grand High Witch, which is a standout element. This film has a firm cult following, and I vividly recall a childhood friend watching it repeatedly.

The story begins with Helga, a grandmother who tells her grandson Luke all about witches. These witches aren’t just women with magic; they’re demons who hate children. Helga warns eight-year-old Luke about them and even explains how to recognize them:

• They have claws instead of fingernails, which they hide by wearing gloves.
• They’re bald, so they wear wigs.
• They have no toes, which they hide by wearing shoes that aren’t pointed.
• Their eyes have a trace of purple in the pupils.
• Most notably, they despise the smell of children and will stop at nothing to get rid of them.

Early in the film, we see what witches are like when one tries to capture Luke. Using his grandmother’s warnings, he’s able to recognize her and avoid danger.

When Helga falls ill, they’re advised to take a seaside holiday. Coincidentally, the hotel they stay at is also hosting a convention for all the witches in England. To make matters worse, the Grand High Witch herself is visiting to unveil her master plan.

Luke ends up being caught by the witches and, along with another boy from the hotel, is used as a test subject for their evil scheme.

However, Luke manages to escape, finds his grandmother, and tells her about the Grand High Witch’s plans to target all the children in England. Together, they set out to stop her.

The special effects were great for the time, but they feel pretty dated now, especially the transformations. The tone jumps between a kid-friendly fantasy and something much darker, which might be a bit much for younger viewers.

The 1990 version of The Witches holds up remarkably well (except the effects), with its mix of dark fantasy and a touch of humor. The performances, particularly by Huston, make it a memorable watch even decades later.

As for the 2020 remake, it’s directed by Robert Zemeckis and co-written by Zemeckis and Guillermo del Toro. I’ll be watching it soon and hope it lives up to the original!

Her Smell (2018)

Her Smell (2018)

6/10

Starring

Elizabeth Moss

Cara Delevingne

Dan Stevens

Directed by Alex Ross Perry

Her Smell offers a dramatic look at the life of a rock star, chronicling the rise to fame and the inevitable crash when everything turns against you. Unfortunately, the movie suffers from poor pacing, which becomes glaringly obvious in the first hour. On top of that, the cinematography feels odd, and the screenplay confines most of the story to backstage concert settings. The limited number of scenes—many of which are drawn-out—makes the movie feel sluggish. You can almost count the scenes on one hand. The movie fails in how long it takes to get you fully involved.

The filmmakers try to provide character insights through home video footage, but this approach feels shallow, even for Becky, the lead character. At times, you wish for more variety or action, as the long conversations often meander without leading anywhere meaningful. The movie's turning point—Becky’s breakdown—could have been far more impactful with better cinematography and a more convincing portrayal of the conflicts.

That said, Elizabeth Moss delivers a phenomenal performance as Becky. Her portrayal is compelling enough to merit high praise, and she truly deserves recognition and awards for her work.

As mentioned, the movie centers on Becky, a rock star who rises to fame only to become her own worst enemy. She alienates everyone around her, filling her circle with enablers and hangers-on who exploit her. When she hits rock bottom, she clings to her self-belief even as drugs and alcohol drive her further down. Eventually, she loses even her closest friends—her bandmates—who grow tired of her chaos.

When Becky loses everything, the one thing she once resented—her daughter—becomes the only thing that matters.

I’m not sure how well this movie performed at the box office, but based on its structure and the lack of buzz in my circle, I doubt it made a significant profit.

Directed and written by Alex Ross Perry, who also served as a producer alongside Moss, Her Smell reunites the two after their previous collaboration on Queen of Earth. Perry is also known for directing the live-action Winnie the Pooh movie, Christopher Robin (2018).

The movie also features Cara Delevingne, who doesn’t contribute much to the story, and Dan Stevens, who plays the father of Becky’s daughter.

The only reason I’d recommend this movie is to witness Moss’s outstanding performance. You might end up loving the film, but be warned—it’s not for everyone.

Unhinged (2020)

Unhinged (2020)

6/10

Starring

Russell Crowe

Caren Pistorius

Gabriel Bateman

Directed by Derrick Borte

Unhinged is a movie that grabs your attention right from the start. While it’s not the best “psycho thriller” out there, it had me glued to the screen. My main criticism is how it falls into the same predictable patterns as similar films. The story is one-dimensional, with the villain obsessively focused on ruining the life of a complete stranger. The movie leaves a lot of unanswered questions, but honestly, they don’t affect the main plot much.

Another cliché is when the victim, Rachel (played by Caren Pistorius), suddenly finds the strength to fight back and talk back to her attacker. While it feels unrealistic in the heat of the moment, it’s not entirely impossible—I’ve seen people confront dangerous situations with surprising boldness, even when it might not be the smartest move.

As for the acting, Russell Crowe plays the “Man” character brilliantly, which is no surprise given his status as an Academy Award-winning actor. His character isn’t very complex, but Crowe brings him to life in a way that keeps you engaged. On the other hand, Rachel and most of the other characters—except her son—feel less developed and fail to leave much of an impression.

The movie begins with the Man sitting in his car outside a house. After hyping himself up, he grabs a hammer, breaks into the house, and kills the occupants before setting it on fire. We later learn that the house belonged to his ex-wife and her new partner.

Rachel’s day doesn’t start much better. She’s late for an appointment, dealing with a messy divorce, and has just lost her job. While driving her son to school, she impatiently passes the Man’s car at a green light when he doesn’t move. Later, he pulls up to her, politely apologizes, and asks her to apologize in return for her behavior. Instead, Rachel snaps at him, saying she’s having a bad day.

This is where the Man decides to make her day much worse. He tails her, steals her phone, and starts tracking down and killing people close to her using the information he finds. Despite her efforts to call the police, it’s clear this man won’t stop until he’s destroyed everything and everyone important to her.

The movie hits the mark for excitement, but that’s about it. It’s not award-worthy, and there are plenty of plot holes you could nitpick. Still, it’s an entertaining watch if you’re in the mood for a tense thriller.

The Lie (2018)

The Lie (2018)

4/10

Starring

Mireille Enos

Peter Sarsgaard

Joey King

Directed by Veena Sud

The Lie is a movie filled with mistakes—both from the parents trying to cover up their child’s suspected murder and from the writer and director.

I haven’t seen the movie this is trying to remake, but I hope it’s better. This film takes the whole “thrilling suspense” thing to a level that becomes very tiring. At one point, I felt like the movie was going on for too long. There’s no way a couple could bond over the idea of their daughter committing murder the way they did in this movie.

The direction of the movie is set right from the start, as the suspected murder happens immediately. I’ll give the movie credit for hooking me and keeping my curiosity piqued. But when you get to the end, and you see the twist, it doesn’t make up for everything that happened. The twist made me dislike the movie as a whole because it made everything that came before it feel pointless, stupid, and questionable. The acting performances in the movie, were not bad, there were average and nothing major to clap about or critic there.

Why would killing someone (Kayla’s friend Brittany) and having your parents lie to the police, with you helping to point the finger at Brittany’s father, play out well in the end? Kayla claimed that the murder happened because boys liked Brittany more than her and because her father was looking at Brittany. In the end, none of that mattered.

Here’s what happens: Kayla is the daughter of a musician and a lawyer. She’s fifteen years old, and her parents, Rebecca and Jay, are divorced. We don’t get a full explanation of why, but it’s clear they don’t get along. Kayla is on her way to a camp with her dad driving, and along the way, they pick up Brittany. At a stop, the girls run into the woods by a river, and a loud scream leads Jay to rush to see what happened. Kayla tells Jay she pushed her friend into the freezing river. Jay runs in to try and find Brittany, but can’t. They get into the car and hide, then drive off with the idea that Kayla has committed murder.

They go to Rebecca, and after hearing what happened, she, along with Jay, starts planning how they can get away with it. The police arrive, and this is where the ending of the movie doesn’t add up. Kayla plays along with her parents, helping to blame Brittany’s father for her disappearance.

The police begin to suspect something’s wrong with the family’s story, as evidence shows they’re lying. As the police get closer, the couple becomes more desperate. Eventually, they do something so extreme that, when the final twist comes, you’ll wonder why this movie was so poorly written.

Contains Spoilers:
It turns out Kayla and Brittany faked her death so Brittany could run away with her boyfriend.

I ask myself: Why go through all this just to run away with your boyfriend? Why not just run away and come back when you're done?

This is why I believe this movie was badly written.

Love and Monsters (2020)

Love and Monsters (2020)

7/10

Starring

Dylan O'Brien

Michael Rooker

Ariana Greenblatt

Jessica Henwick

Directed by Michael Matthews

Set in a post-apocalyptic Earth, Love and Monsters is a movie that hits all the right notes, thanks to some talented story and screenwriting. The director did a great job of keeping the movie on track with some well-executed characterization, and I have to commend Dylan O’Brien for his acting skills. O’Brien gave us a character who was focused, determined, and just silly enough to think love is all he needs to make an unbelievable journey.

The director held the movie together with some nice narration from O’Brien’s character, Joel, and the introduction of cool characters, including a dog.

Imagine a future where a large meteor is heading toward Earth, and we fired all the nuclear weapons we had at it. We finally destroyed the meteor, but the nuclear fallout messed up the entire planet. The radioactive waste from the weapons led to the mutation of almost all the creatures on Earth, and they started coming after us. These creatures killed over ninety-five percent of the world’s human population, and the survivors are now hiding in bunkers.

We meet Joel, who lives in a bunker with a lot of people who have all coupled up. The movie starts with this setup, which can be confusing at first. Initially, I thought the introduction of sex in the beginning meant the movie would be very sexually focused. It turns out that this was the only sexual tone in the film, so don’t get flustered by it.

In Joel’s bunker, he is the cook because Joel has a thing where, when he gets scared, he freezes. He also keeps a diary and writes letters to his former girlfriend from seven years ago, before the world turned into what we see now. It turns out that she is in another bunker, and he’s been able to make contact with her and keep in touch for about a year.

Then, when their bunker is breached, Joel decides, out of the blue, that he’s going to make the journey to meet her at her bunker. His colleagues are shocked that he would want to make such a journey, because it’s obvious that Joel won’t survive a day in the outside world. Yet, he’s determined to make a seven-day journey to find his old lover.

The adventure leads him to find a dog, who then goes with him on his ridiculous journey. They nearly get killed but are saved by a man and a little girl. The duo is heading toward a cold mountainous area, and Joel joins them, learning how to survive. At this point, the movie takes an exciting shift in the third act, from a comedic, thrilling adventure to an action-packed journey. It ends in a way that leaves room for future additions to the story.

The story is pretty straightforward with not many surprises, and some plot points are predictable. The world-building is interesting but doesn’t go as deep as it could, so some things feel unexplored. The supporting characters, especially the ones Joel meets along the way, don’t get much development. And the ending ties things up a little too neatly.

I enjoyed the movie, and I think you will too.

Fighting with My Family (2019)

Fighting with My Family (2019)

 

7/10

Starring

Florence Pugh

Lena Headey

Nick Frost

Jack Lowden

Vince Vaughn

Dwayne Johnson

 

Directed by Stephen Merchant

The movie just pushes past the norm to deliver its own message. You can see all the clichés playing out, but the movie doesn’t let that stop it, thanks to its pacing and script.

This is one hell of a fantastic time in front of the screen. I wonder why I never heard of this film last year. The movie does everything it needs to make you love what it’s trying to do and take you through the life of WWE superstar Saraya "Paige" Knight. This movie is a biographical sports comedy-drama, based on a documentary about Paige’s life. It shows us how Paige went from wrestling in England to joining the WWE. The acting, especially by Florence Pugh as Paige, is enough for me to recommend seeing this film. But it’s not just her performance—it's also the well-written screenplay by Stephen Merchant, who also directed, that really adds the necessary touch.

The movie introduces us to the Knight family, a family of wrestlers who travel around England doing shows. The father has been sending tapes of his children to the WWE in hopes of getting them signed. One day, the children are asked to come audition.

Saraya is picked, and her brother Zak is dropped. This is devastating for Zak, whose dream has always been to be in the WWE. In fact, we learn that Saraya is as good as she is now because of Zak, who also trains young children.

Saraya picks her stage name, Paige, and goes to the training school. The movie then takes us through all the drama at the training school and the difficulties involved in becoming a WWE superstar. We get to see Paige grow into a better person while watching this movie, and yes, we do get a few glimpses of the fights.

I’d like to say that this movie paints the WWE in a good light. But the reality is far from it. I’ll suggest you do your own research, and maybe watch John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight segment on the WWE to get a better idea of what it's really like. Then the story follows a familiar underdog formula, so it’s pretty predictable. Some of the side characters, especially Paige’s fellow wrestlers, don’t get much development. The film also skips over some of the real struggles of professional wrestling, keeping things on the lighter side. The humor works, but a few emotional moments don’t hit as hard as they should.

That said, here’s a movie I’m sure you’ll enjoy when you see it. The emotional rollercoaster mixed with comedy makes it a movie you won’t mind watching again just to feel it all over again.

And in case you need another reason to watch, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson features in a small but notable role in more than one scene.

Fast Color (2019)

Fast Color (2019)

 

5/10

Starring

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Lorraine Toussaint

Saniyya Sidney

 

Directed by Julia Hart

For a good film, which this is, it’s not well-paced. The suspense is timid, and the lack of physical conflict (except for the one scene where our lead shoots the scientist in the hand) makes the movie feel a little too light. The bad pacing turns some moments into a snooze fest.

So, what else do I find good about this movie? I guess that would be the acting and the idea. Gugu Mbatha-Raw was fantastic in this movie, I have to recognize that. Then, the movie's idea is very different and explores the natural life of a lady struggling with her superpowers.

The writing, however, wasted screen time on elongated scenes that led nowhere and got sidetracked by female empowerment themes. This movie tries to pass a message on female empowerment and their challenges, but it does so by spending too much time on lines that could cure insomnia. I could have gotten the whole message of female struggle in less time than the movie used.

The plot explores the life of Ruth (Mbatha-Raw). Ruth is on the run and is being chased by an agency wanting to study her. In her plight, she runs back to the place she came from—she runs back home. It is there we discover there’s more to Ruth, and that her powers are genetically linked. We meet Ruth’s daughter, whom she left behind with her mother, Bo, when she was finding it hard to control her powers. Ruth hopes to get help from her mother in learning to control her powers, but she conceals from her mother her whereabouts and how she got back home.

We see her try to mend things with her daughter while also attempting to get her powers back under control. All this while, the agency is tracking her.

Maybe it’s my male testosterone talking, but I was expecting a showdown at the end, with the ladies getting the upper hand and leaving everyone else behind. Instead, the showdown seemed like it was going to take place, but then it didn’t.

The movie would have been better if it were thirty minutes shorter and maybe had one or two fights. The movie is directed and co-written by Julia Hart.

If you want to see a superhero film without all the extensive special effects and high-intensity musical scores, then Fast Color is the gig for you. I’d advise, though, not to watch this movie at night, as there’s a chance you’ll fall asleep during the dull moments.

Faith Based (2020)

Faith Based (2020)

 

4/10

 

Starring

Luke Barnett

Tanner Thomason

Lance Reddick

 

Directed by Vincent Masciale

Let me get this controversy the movie is addressing out of the way before we dive into the review. The movie addresses faith-based films as cheap money-making schemes, playing on the sentiments of religious people who will drop money to watch badly made movies just because it’s about God. Well, for me, no money is wasted if you enjoyed the movie in the end.

My major criticism of this movie is that it feels more like it's parodying itself. This movie is a low-bar B-movie that doesn’t try to impress. The movie is the brainchild of Luke Barnett, who writes and stars in it. This is like his fourth B-movie, and like the others, it’s just silly.

This silly movie didn’t do enough to impress me, and it will be a miracle if you get to see it on TV and manage to watch it through to the end. I came across the movie while searching for something to watch over the weekend. The idea of a mockumentary about making a movie for money seemed nice, but it ended up not being so nice. The acting in this movie is just coasting—nothing special to grab your attention. The casting is the same.

The movie is not one I would faithfully recommend to anyone. If there’s anything else on, see that instead. For me, I found it hard to stop watching because I was just curious to see how they were going to make this movie happen. In the end, as you would expect from movies like these, they did—so don’t expect any surprises in that area.

The movie is about two friends who grew up watching movies, playing video games, and not amounting to much in their adult lives. These two, Luke and Tanner, come across information that faith-based movies make a lot of money. Luke gathers this info while having dinner at his parents' home. It’s there we learn that Luke is adopted and a form of disappointment to his father.

Luke, believing in his ability to make the movie, calls his friend and gathers as many freebies and unknown actors (or people who’ve never acted) to make the film. He contacts a film company that agrees to pay them, but only if they produce and finance the movie themselves.

Luke puts everything he has into getting his father (who is a pastor) to invest a little in the movie. With some luck, he and his friend manage to get going. The whole movie is about their struggles along the way of making this film.

So, the movie is just there—no moment really jumps at you as you watch. Nothing spectacular happens, and if you’re familiar with movies at all, you can pretty much guess your way through it.