Scott the Video Guy on AM 1590 KVTA - Previously Discussed Titles

Live on the KVTA Morning Show with Spence Rich Gualano and Diana Olea, 6:00am-6:30am
every Thursday morning on AM 1590 KVTA.

Films/Shows Previously Discussed

2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

March 20th, 2025

ELECTRIC STATE (Netflix; 2025)
Starring Chris Pratt, Millie Bobbie Brown, Woody Harrleson, Alan Tudyk, Kurt Loder, Holly Hunter, Stanley Tucci, Giancarlo Esposito, Jason Alexander, Marin Hinkle, Ke Huy Quan, Anthony Mackie, Hank Azaria, Rob Gronkowski, Brian Cox,
Directed by the Russo Brothers (Avengers)
An orphaned teen hits the road with a mysterious robot to find her long-lost brother, teaming up with a smuggler and his wisecracking sidekick.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7766378/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

LONG BRIGHT RIVER (Peacock; 2025)
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Nicholas Pinnock, John Doman, Dash Mihok
A Philadelphia police officer searches for her sister, an addict who has gone missing.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8332798/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_in_0_q_BRIGHT%2520RIVER

MONSTER FROM THE OCEAN FLOOR (Film Masters; 1954)
Starring: Anne Kimbell, Stuart Wade, Dick Pinner
Julie, an American on vacation in Mexico, spots a giant, one-eyed amoeba rising from the ocean, but when she tries to tell the authorities, no one believes her. She finally teams up with a marine biologist in an attempt to destroy it.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047244/plotsummary/?ref_=tt_ov_pl

March 13th, 2025

MICKEY 17 (Theatres; 2025)
Starring Robert Pattinson, Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette
Written and directed by Bong Joon Ho (Parasite) (co-writer Edward Ashton)
A low-level criminal, signs up to be an “expendable” on an ice planet colony, in order to escape a mob debt. His job is to die, over and over again, in situations too dangerous for human beings. Wildly original sci-fi comedy with amazing performances, tight multi-level screenwriting and jaw-dropping special effects make this one of the best pictures of the year so far.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12299608/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1_tt_3_nm_4_in_0_q_mickey%252017

THE WHITE LOTUS (MAX; 2025)
Starring Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger
The third season of the hit series takes place at The White Lotus Thailand and features more wealthy Americans with various troubles and situations. Detailed performances, beautiful scenery (Thailand is a character as much as anyone else here) with mysterious plots slowly unfolding make this as riveting as any other season of the hit show.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13406094/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL (PBS; 2025)
Starring Samuel West, Rachel Shenton, Anna Madeley, Nicholas Ralph
In the fifth season of the hit BBC/PBS show, it is Spring 1941 and with the Second World War under way, Siegfried is taking up the slack at the surgery, while Mrs Hall and Helen are considering their contribution within the community, and Carmody is eager to step up.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10590066/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

March 6th, 2025

RUNNING POINT (Netflix; 2025)
Starring Kate Hudson, Drew Carver, Elaine Ko, Max Greenfield, Justin Theroux
Created by Mindy Kalling, Ike Barinholtz, Elaine Ko
Isla Gordon (Hudson), overlooked her whole life, is appointed President of the LA Waves basketball team, a family business, despite her brother’s pushback. She experiences challenges every which way as she leads her team toward the play-offs. Just like many other sports comedies out there (i.e., Ted Lasso, Ballers, etc.) but with an engaging cast that draws you through.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14879018/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN (Disney+; 2025)
Starring Charlie Cox, Margarita Levieva, Vincent D’Onofrio
Daredevil, who has turned in his horn helmet and is no longer fighting crime, has a change of mind when crimelord Wilson Fisk, better known as Kingpin, wins the election as Mayor of New York City. Will the two go to battle again? Well, probably. Intense fight sequences buoy this well-made crime drama that, like Running Point, is a little too similar to other crime/superhero series (i.e., The Penguin).

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18923754/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_6_nm_2_in_0_q_dare

ANORA (Theaters/Prime Video $5.99; 2025)
Starring Mikey Madison, Paul Weissman, Yura Borslov
A young stripper/escort from Brooklyn lives her dream when she falls in love with the man who has hired her (the son of a Russian oligarch). But once his parents find out about the marriage, they travel to New York to get the marriage annulled. Again, kind of a familiar story but done with such stupendous acting, writing and execution, it rises above the others.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28607951/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1_tt_3_nm_4_in_0_q_anora

February 28th, 2025

SUITS LA (Peacock/NBC; 2025)
Starring Stephen Amell, Lex Scott Davis, Josh McDermitt,
Not a re-boot of the original SUITS, which gained renewed interest when it began screening on Netflix, but the story of a different lawyer (Ted Black) in a different city (Los Angeles). The first episode is kind of crowded with introductions and setup but it's not terrible but it will take additional episodes to see if the chracters grow on you as they did with the original series.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31122751/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

THE MONKEY (Theaters; 2025)
Starring Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, Adam Scott,
When a killer toy monkey continues to rain havoc on his family and those around him, Hal (Theo James) must find a way to stop its evil ways for ever. Over-the-top horror film that delights in going too far and offers equal shares of scars and laughs. Based on a story by Stephen King and directed by Osgood Perkins (Long Legs; son of Anthony Perkins).

CONCLAVE (Max; 2018)
Starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow,
When the pope dies, Cardinal Lawrence must pull together 118 Cardinals from all over the world, sequester them, and choose a new pope. Secrets and conspiracies are uncovered, and the task becomes something far more complex than Lawrence ever imagined..
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20215234/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

February 20th, 2025

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD (Theaters; 2025)
Starring Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Carl Lumbly, Tim Blake Nelson, Giancarlo Esposito
Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, faces off with a new President (Harrison Ford) who is hiding a secret that could bring the world to war. Surprisingly complex, like a Jack Ryan (Tom Clancy) story but with a decidedly Marvel edge. Terrific cast helps a lot. Many viewers have complained that the Red Hulk doesn't appear enough in the film, forgetting the movie is called "Captain America," not "Red Hulk."
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14513804/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_CAPTAIN%2520AMERICA%2520BRAVE

AFTERMATH (Netflix; 2024)
Starring Dylan Sprouse, Mason Gooding, Megan Stoff
A returning war veteran is trapped with his teenage sister on Boston's Tobin Memorial Bridge as a heavily weaponized group of ex-military revolutionists take everyone hostage. It’s DIE HARD on a bridge with a low budget and way too many eye-rolling moments.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26545708/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_aftermath

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (Netflix; 2025)
Starring Kaitlyn Dever, Alycia Dbnam-Carey, Aisha Dee
The disturbing story of Belle Gibson, a woman who faked having brain cancer and then built an empire of fitness advice, recipes and self-care which she claimed cured her.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30428143/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_4_nm_4_in_0_q_apple

February 13th, 2025

PRESENCE (Theaters; 2024)
Starring Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang,
A ghost story told from the ghost’s point of view. A family moves into a new home where there’s a ‘presence’ of some sort that causes some minor disturbances. Really a family drama with a ghost story backdrop, “Presence” is a simmering drama that builds to a terrifying climax and ends with a terrific plot twist. From director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Twelve & Thirteen, Magic Mike, Logan Lucky) and screenwriter David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Jack Ryan) .
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28249919/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

MOUSE OF HORRORS (Tubi; 2024)
Starring Lewis Santer, Stephen Staley, Chris Lines
In a seaside town, chaos erupts as Doctor Rupert's monstrous creations “The Killer” (aka Mouse) and “The Bear” (Winnie the Pooh) stalk the night, harvesting body parts for a sinister purpose. No one is safe. Especially any viewer who watches this cheap, sadistic mess. The best part is during the fight between the monsters when a giant shark, out of nowhere, leaps out of the water and eats one of them. From the makers of “Megalodon: The Frenzy” and the star of “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2” and “Pinocchio: Unstrung.”

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32119171/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_1

SAKAMOTO DAYS (Netflix; 2025)
The story of the world’s greatest hitman who has given it all up to run a grocery store and sell beef pies with his beloved family. Sworn to never kill again, Sakamoto finds that difficult when a one billion yen bounty is put on his head and dozens of hitmen come out of the woodworks to try and kill him. Funny, filled with action and containing all the tropes of anime, this show is one anime worth watching. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17069148/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

February 6th, 2025

YOU’RE CORDIALLY INVITED (PrimeVideo; 2025)
Starring Will Ferrell, Reese Witherspoon, Jack McBrayer, Bobby Moynihan
When two weddings are double-booked at the same venue, the father of one bride and the sister of the other bride try to preserve the wedding weekend. Sometimes funny, sometimes decidedly not. Saved by performances from a restrained Ferrell, a sharp Witherspoon and another great comedic performance from McBrayer (30 Rock).
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21227864/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_you%27re

THE BRUTALIST (Theaters; 2024)
Starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce
When a visionary architect and his wife flee post-war Europe in 1947 to start over again, a wealthy client brings them success and destruction. Three and a half hours of serious drama, led by a stunning Brody, but eventually this stylistic film leaves too many questions unanswered and is often violently unpleasant.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8999762/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

HOLLYWOOD SQUARES (CBS/Paramount+; 2025)
Hosted by Nate Burleson
Starring Drew Barrymore, Whitney Cummings, Tiffany Haddish, J.B. Smoove, Julie Bowen, Bobby Moynihan, Thomas Lennon, Pete Holmes, Triumph the Insult Dog; Nicol Byer, Drew Carey, Debi Mazar, Margaret Cho, Kevin Nealon, Leslie Jones, RuPaul, Tyra Banks, Patton Oswalt, Kristen Schaal, Rita Moreno, Max Greenfield, Jay Leno, Jeff Dunham, Jeffrey Ross, Chaka Khan, Vicki Loawrence,
A reboot of Hollywood Squares. A tic-tac-toe game show where contestants agree or disagree with celebrities. Lots of mindless fun, especially when the celebrities start playing.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32268798/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

January 30th, 2025

THE SUBSTANCE (Theaters; 2024)
Starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid,
A fading celebrity takes a black-market drug: a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself. What starts out as an intriguing story about aging becomes a full-blown horror movie. Gooey, gross and buoyed by truly great performances.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17526714/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

STAR TREK: SECTION 31 (Paramount+; 2025)
Starring Michelle Yeoh, Omari Hardwick, Sam Richardson
In Star Trek: Section 31, Emperor Philippa Georgiou joins a secret division of Starfleet tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets, and must face the sins of her past. It’s like Suicide Squad meets Star Trek. Maybe not up to Star Trek standards, but fun nonetheless.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9603060/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

PARADISE (Hulu; 2025)
Starring Sterling K Brown, James Marsden, Krys Marshall, Julianne Nicholson
When the President is assassinated, it's up to his security agent, Xavier Collins, to find the culprit and to make sure justice is served. What starts out as a simple mystery turns into so much more with plot twist upon plot twist, some of which are truly epic.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27444205/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

January 23th, 2025

MOTHER’S INSTINCT (Hulu; 2024)
Starring Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Josh Charles
Set in the early '60s, best friends and neighbors Alice (Jessica Chastain) and Celine (Anne Hathaway) both live an idyllic traditional lifestyle with manicured lawns, successful husbands, and sons of the same age. Life's perfect harmony is suddenly shattered after a tragic accident. Guilt, suspicion and paranoia combine to unravel their sisterly bond a psychological battle of wills begins as the maternal instinct reveals its darker side.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32134886/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

WOLF MAN (Theaters; 2025)
Starring Julia Garner, Christopher Abbot,
A family at a remote farmhouse is attacked by an unseen animal, but as the night stretches on, the father begins to transform into something unrecognizable.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4216984/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

BACK IN ACTION (Max; 2018)
Starring Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, McKenna Roberts, Kyle Chandler, Glenn Close, Andrew Scott
Former CIA spies Emily and Matt are pulled back into espionage after their secret identities are exposed.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21191806/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt

January 16th, 2025

AMBER ALERT (Hulu; 2024)
Starring Hayden Panettiere, Tyler James Williams, Kevin Dunn
A ride-share turns into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse after it follows a car fitting the description of an AMBER ALERT. Absolutely ridiculous chase film is still very watchable, due to the cast (especially Tyler James Williams) and some genuine “Duel”-like suspense.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31450182/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

GOOSEBUMPS: THE VANISHING (Netflix; 2025)
Starring David Schwimmer, Barbara Walsh
Based on the best-selling books of R.L. Stine.
Season Two starts with “Stay Out of the Basement, Part 1.” Schwimmer stars as a biologist with a tragic past who, with the help of his children, discovers a new species that eats meat, controls cars and who knows what else. Old-fashioned fun that fans of the original series will enjoy. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31241619/?ref_=ttep_ep_1

DEN OF THIEVES (Max; 2018)
Starring Gerard Butler, 50 Cent, Pablo Schrieber
An elite unit of the LA County Sheriff's Dept. and the state's most successful bank robbery crew clash as the outlaws plan a seemingly impossible heist on the Federal Reserve Bank. So much testosterone it would make Ernest Hemingway explode but lots and lots of action, and apparently successful enough to generate a sequel seven years later, which was #1 in Theaters this weekend.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1259528/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_den%2520of%2520thieves

January 9th, 2025

THIS WAY UP (Hulu; 2019-2021)
Starring Aisling (“Ashlyn”)Bea, Sharon Horgan, Tobias Menzies,
A young English-as-a-Second language teacher puts her life back together after suffering from a nervous breakdown. Created by and starring British comic Aisling Bea.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8430356/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL (Netflix; 2024)
Starring the voices of Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel
Gromit the dog must save Wallace from an army of mechanical yard gnomes who his master invented himself. Seriously funny, incredibly detailed and a wonder to watch. A true delight.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17163970/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

NIGHTBITCH (Hulu; 2024)
Starring Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy, Arleigh Snowden,
Adams stars as a mother who puts her career on hold to be a stay-at-home mom. As she wrestles with not only a two-year-old boy and a full-time employed husband, the disappointment in not being able to pursue her dreams leads her into a surreal canine kingdom—in which she’s entirely free to be and do whatever she wants. Although the theme is certainly worth exploring, the story never really focusses completely.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12810074/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

12/31/2024

NOSFERATU (Theaters; 2024)
Starring Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Bill Skarsgard, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Willem Dafoe, Emma Corrin
Directed by Robert Eggers (The Lighthouse)
The classic Dracula story told again with stunningly brilliant cinematography, intense performances and a level of strange that is unmatched. Disturbing, revolting and horrific. It’s an ultra-creepy arthouse version of an oft-told tale.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5040012/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

A COMPLETE UNKNOWN (Theaters; 2024)
Starring Timothee Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Boyd Holbrook (as Johnny Cash), Monica Barbaro (as Joan Baez)
The story of Bob Dylan’s rise to popularity, from folk musician to rock star, and the issues that came with it. Buoyed by stunning performances (especially Chalamet and Barbaro who perform their own music) and a story that moves forward with music. That rare bio-pic that’s unafraid to show its subject’s problems as well as their successes.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11563598/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

DEXTER: NEW BLOOD (Showtime; 2022)
Starring Michael C Hall, Jack Alcott, Julia Jones, Clancy Brown, Jennifer Carpenter
Not many television shows get a second chance when their season finale doesn’t live up to expectations but Dexter got that second chance with New Blood, which finds the vigilante serial killer in a small New York town with a new batch of bad guys to slay … and a son who may suffer from the same “dark passenger.” Much of the series survives on the mind-blowing performance of Hall, but everyone in the show is at the top of their game and the writing and direction hold up to the best episodes of the original series. So good, in fact, it led to yet another chapter in the Dexter series: Dexter Original Sins.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13280474/?ref_=tt_eps_top

12/26/2024

NO GOOD DEED (Netflix; 2024)
Starring Ray Romano, Linda Cardellini, Lisa Kudrow, Luke Wilson, Denis Leary, O-T Fagbenle, Poppy Liu
Because of a family tragedy, a couple wants to sell their house but wants to vet the possible buyers. Limited series starts out as almost a sit-com but morphs into a family drama and finally a murder mystery. Terrific performances throughout are a highlight.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19891306/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_NO%2520GOOD%2520DEED

JUROR #2 (MAX; 2024)
Starring Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, J.K. Simmons, Cedric Yarbrough, Amy Aquino, Kiefer Sutherland
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Tense courtroom drama about a juror who, as the case against the suspect continues, realizes the trial may actually be about him. Outstanding performances make up for the script’s often ridiculous twists and turns.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27403986/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

ELTON JOHN: NEVER TOO LATE (Disney+; 2024)
Documentary starring Elton John, John Lennon and many more.
The legendary rock star’s life and career are examined in a series of unpublished interviews and writings as they lead up to his final show in America at Dodger Stadium in 2022.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20316978/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

12/19/2024

CARRY-ON (Hulu; 2024)
Starring Taran Egerton, Jason Bateman, Sofia Carson, Dean Norris
A mysterious traveler blackmails a young TSA agent into letting a dangerous package slip through security and onto a Christmas Eve flight..
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21382296/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

KRAVEN THE HUNTER (Theaters; 2024)
Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DuBose, Fred Hechinger, Russell Crowe
Kraven's complex relationship with his ruthless father, Nikolai Kravinoff, starts him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences, motivating him to become not only the greatest hunter in the world, but also one of its most feared.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8790086/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

THE BELLS OF ST. MARY (YouTube; 1945)
Starring Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman, Henry Travers
At a big city Catholic school, Father O'Malley and Sister Benedict indulge in friendly rivalry, and succeed in extending the school through the gift of a building. Old fashioned Christmas warmth and charm..
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037536/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

12/12/2024

NUTCRACKERS (Hulu; 2024)
Starring Ben Stiller, Linda Cardellini, the Janson Brothers
When his sister and her husband die in a car accident, Mike Maxwell, a Chicago businessman, is pulled away from his Chicago job to care for the kids until a foster home can be found. The kids are unruly, impolite and a lot out of control, but, eventually, of course, Mike finds a place in his heart for them. Weird, indifferent holiday movie with an uplifting ending that seems to take forever to get there.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30144381/?ref_=ext_shr_eml

HOW TO FALL IN LOVE BY CHRISTMAS (Lifetime; 2024)
Starring Teri Hatcher, Dan Payne
When the CEO of a lifestyle brand is tasked to write about falling in love in order to save her company, she reluctantly gives it her best. Little does she know that real love is standing right beside her in the guise of her photographer. One of those holiday movies that is so familiar and so bland it's gone from your memory five minutes after it ends. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29144851/?ref_=ext_shr_eml

THE STICKY (Prime Video; 2024)
Starring Margo Martindale, Chris Diamantopoulos, Jamie Lee Curtis
When a longtime maple syrup farmer finds herself in trouble with the greedy maple syrup association, she plans another way to save her livelihood and exact revenge. As usual, Martindale and Curtis are at the top of their game: Margo as the cranky, crusty farmer and Curtis as a bizarre hired killer. Outloud funny at times, mostly due to Martindale, but sadly lacking as a whole. Should have been a movie rather than a six part series.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19636984/?ref_=ext_shr_eml

12/05/2024

OUR LITTLE SECRET (Netflix; 2024)
Starring Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Kristin Chenoweth, Tim Meadows, Judy Reyes
When a former couple meet again years later during the Christmas holidays, things get a little awkward when they don't want anyone else to know. Very paint-by-numbers, very familiar in every way, but harmless enough.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31022050/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_1

THE AGENCY (Showtime; 2024)
Starring Michael Fassbender, Jeffrey Wright, Richard Gere, Jodie Turner-Smith
When a CIA asset with dangerous information goes missing, a covert CIA agent is tasked with finding out what went wrong and what happened to the asset. Deeply serious spy thriller with lots of intense dialogue and drama but literally no humor.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26656917/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_the%2520agency

DEAR SANTA (Paramount+; 2024)
Starring Jack Black, Robert Timothy Smith, Keegan-Michael Key,
When a young boy mails his Christmas wish list to Santa with one crucial spelling error, a devilish Jack Black arrives to wreak havoc on the holidays..
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2396431/?ref_=hm_stp_tt_i_paramount%2B_4

11/26/2024

THELMA (Hulu (subscription), Prime Video (PTV); 2024)
Starring June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, Richard Roundtree, Malcolm McDowell
When 93-year-old Thelma Post gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her. A senior citizen version of "The Beekeeper," this action/comedy film is a warm-hearted blast and kudos to its 93 year old star June Squibb for a terrific performance.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23778968/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_5_nm_3_in_0_q_THELMA

A MAN ON THE INSIDE (Netflix; 2024)
Starring Ted Danson, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Stephanie Beatriz, Sally Struthers, John Getz, Susan Ruttan (L.A. Law); Veronica Cartwright
Danson plays Charles, a lonely retired man, whose life changes completely when he gets an undercover job with a private investigator who wants him to infiltrate a senior living facility. Interesting characters, comedy and a big heart to make t his worth watching. Very similar to a documentary I reviewed in 2022 called “The Mole Agent.”
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172495/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_4_tt_6_nm_1_in_0_q_gladiator

GLADIATOR II (Theaters; 2024)
Starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger
Sequel to the Academy Award winning film starring Russel Crowe, this new film follows his son as he becomes a gladiator like his father and manages to change all of Rome. Great performances, stunning sets and effects (both practical and digital), and a story very similar to the original.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9218128/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

11/19/2024

ST DENIS MEDICAL (NBC/Peacock; 2024)
Starring Allison Tolman (Fargo), Kaliko Kauahi, David Alan Grier, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Lynn Whitfield
The story revolves around a hospital where the doctors give the patients their best care they can in spite of a clueless administrator, underfunding and understaffing. Funny sit-com in the vein of SCRUBS (but doesn’t have as much as heart as that great show) but time will tell. Great and funny performances from Allison Tolman, David Alan Grief and Wendi McLendon-Covey.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21433690/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

CLEAR HISTORY (MAX (sub), elsewhere (PTV) 2013)
Starring Larry David, Bill Hader, Philip Baker Hall, Jon Hamm, Kate Hudson, Michael Keaton, Danny McBride, Eva Mendes, Amy Ryan, J.B. Smoove
This scriptless film is exactly what you’d expect from the creator of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Larry plays a marketing executive who walks out of a billion dollars when he doesn’t like the name of the product he’s supposed to sell. Years later, the owner of that company walks back into his life and all Larry can think about is revenge. Very funny throughout, with a silly “story” to back it up, I don’t see any Curb fans not liking it.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2279864/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_clear%2520history

READY OR NOT (2019) (Hulu (sub), Prime PTV)
Starring Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O’Brien, Henry Czerny, Andie MacDowell
A new bride discovers an unnerving secret about her new in-laws. Instead of a reception, they play a game, usually checkers, chess, Old Maid or even Go Fish. But there is one game, “Hide & Seek,” in which the bride must hide and the in-laws must hunt her down and attempt to kill her. Bloody horror movie shines in that the victim isn’t a victim at all: She’s very angry that she’s been put in this situation. Please the addition of a supernatural element makes this one an all-out winner.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7798634/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

11/14/2024

CANARY BLACK (PrimeVideo; 2024)
Starring Kate Beckinsale, Rupert Friend, Ray Stevenson, Jaz Hutchins
When the husband of a CIA Agent is kidnapped, she must go rogue in order to save not only her husband, but the world. Pretty generic action movie that’s at least watchable but is also just a little bland.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20048582/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

KILLER HEAT (PrimeVideo; 2024)
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Richard madden, Clare Holman
When one of two identical twins falls to his death while rock climbing, his sister-in-law hires a private detective from the U.S. because she thinks it’s murder. Despite a fine cast, this P.I. movie is more dull than anything else, and the mysteries uncovered at the end aren’t really mysteries at all. They’re kind of what you’d expect from a movie like this.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27419292/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

BAD SISTERS (2022-2024) – SEASON 2
Starring Ann-Marie Duff, Fiona Shaw, Michael Smily, Sarah Greene, Eve Hewson, Sharon Horgan,
In Season One of this comedy/mystery show, we saw the five Garvey sisters plot the death of one of their abusive husbands. In season 2, secrets begin to catch up with them and tragedy strikes. A terrific cast with some tight writing and tense direction make this one funny, fascinating and engaging.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33184657/?ref_=ttep_eps_rec

11/07/2024

DISCLAIMER (AppleTV+; 2023)
Starring Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Sacha Baron Cohen, Lesley Manville
A television evangelist with a horrible secret finds her story being uncovered by the father of the man whose death she may have caused. With a cast like that, you know you’re going to get some serious acting and all three of the leads are amazing. It’s great to see Kevin Kline at work again, especially playing such a sympathetic yet unsavory character.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16294384/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

THE DIPLOMAT (Netflix; 2023-2024)
Starring Keri Russell, Rufus Sewel, David Gyasi, Rory Kinnear
After a series of attacks on British citizens turns out to be the work of the British government, an American Ambassador must walk a fine line to reveal the nefarious plot. Everyone’s probably sick of politics at this moment, but the drama and acting in The Diplomat are first rate, especially both Keri Russell and Rufus Sewel, actors I really didn’t care for, who both shine brightly here. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17491088/?ref_=ttep_ov

ALTITUDE (MAX, STARZ, PRIME; 2017)
Starring Denise Richards, Dolph Lundgren, Jonathan Lipnicki
When thief tries to escape via airliner with one billion dollars, his partners in crime—who he cheated out of the money—decide to take him down, plane and all. They weren’t counting on FBI agent Denise Richards, who almost single-handedly stops the awful plan. Completely unbelievable, weirdly disjointed, and with terrible special effects and an often unintentionally funny screenplay, “Altitude,” may still be entertaining enough if you’ve got nothing else to watch.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4556370/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

10/31/2024

HAUNTED MANSION (Disney+; 2023)
Starring LaKeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish, Danny DeVito, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chase Dillon, Jared Leto
When a single mom discovers her house is haunted by 999 ghosts, she hires a tour guide (LaKeith), a psychic (Tiffany), a priest (Owen) and a historian (Danny) to help get rid of the problem. Best review I’ve read: Not funny enough, not scary enough. But it’s still fun. Still, a little too long at 123m.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1695843/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

THE HAUNTED MANSION (Disney+; 2003)
Starring Eddie Murphy, Marsha Thomason, Jennifer Tilly, Terence Stamp, Wallace Shawn.
Eddie plays a realtor who often sacrifices family time for his job but, when he’s assigned a haunted mansion to sell, he faces a ghost who wants to take his wife, and there learns a lesson about what’s really more important. Eddie’s charming, as always, and the cinematography and special effects are actually better than the 2023 movie.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338094/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

MUPPETS HAUNTED MANSION (Disney+, 2021)
Starring The Muppets, Will Arnett, Taraji P. Henson, Darren Criss, Yvette Nicole Brown. Cameos by Edward Asner, Justina Machado, Craig Robinson, Pat Sajak, Danny Trejo, John Stamos
On Halloween night, while the other Muppets are celebrating at a party, Gonzo and his prawn friend Pepe are challenged to spend one night in The Haunted Mansion. Typical Muppet fun with the muppets standing in for Mansion characters and a script that’s surprisingly witty.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14602326/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

HAUNTED MANSION AMBIENCE (Disney+ and YouTube)

Haunted Mansion: Swinging Wake (interiror)

Haunted Mansion: Enter If You Dare (exterior)

10/24/2024

CARVED (Hulu; 2024)
Starring Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Elvis Nolasco, DJ Qualls, Chris Elliott
A group of Jack O’Lantern carvers is terrorized by a disgusting pumpkin that’s apparently from outer space. About as generic a Halloween movie as you can get, with some icky special effects and an utterly predictable storyline.

HYSTERIA (Peacock; 2024)
Starring Emjay Anthony, Chiara Aurelia, Kazeil Curtis, Julie Bowen, Jessica Treska.
When an up’n’coming heavy metal band decides to use Satanism in order to promote their music, things get real fast when a series of murders begins to haunt their small town. You’ve seen this story a million times before but it’s fun to hear that great heavy metal music (including Ventura’s own Cirith Ungol) and see Bruce Campbell back on the small screen.

SMILE (Hulu, 2022)
Starring Sosie Bacon, Jessie T. Usher, Kyle Gallner, Robin Weigert, Kal Penn
A mysterious evil entity pretends to be acquaintances or family members before it slowly tortures and kills you, the only sign of its identity the wicked smile it bears prior to its actions. Some interesting jump scares and mind-twisting cinematography set this one apart from all the others.

10/17/2024

SALEM’S LOT (HBO/MAX; 2024)
Starring Lewis Pullman, Makenzie Leigh, Jordan Preston Carter, Alfre Woodard, Bill Camp
When a best-selling author returns to his hometown to research his new book, he discovers that the new owners of an old house aren't just strange, they're also vampires. Based on the book by Stephen King. Not sure how closely it follows the book (it’s been a long time since I’ve read it) but it’s fun in an old school kinda horror way. And Jordan Preston Carter gives a great performance as a young boy who won't let the vampires take over his town.

MR. CROCKET (Hulu; 2024)
Starring Jerrika Hinton, Ayden Gavin, Elvis Nolasco.
It’s Mr. Rogers meets Freddy Krueger when a video tape shows up at the homes of abused or neglected children and the show’s host crawls through VCRs to teach the parents a lesson. Super low-budget with surprisingly creepy special effects (and gore) and a performance by Nolasco that is the stuff of sequel-making.

RACHEL BLOOM: DEATH, LET ME DO MY SPECIAL (2024)
Starring Rachel Bloom, David Hull
More like a one-woman stage show than a stand-up special, this 80-minute program gives Bloom the opportunity not only to show her comedy and musical chops, but to talk about a topic that has haunted her since the early days of Covid: Death.

10/10/2024

HOUSE OF SPOILS (Amazon Prime; 2024)
Starring Academy Award winner Arian DeBose, Barbie Ferreira, Arian Moayed
The story of a chef who gives up a high paying job in order to open her own fine dining restaurant in the middle of nowhere, and her run-in with the ghost of the woman who owned the home before her.

DR. ODYSSEY (ABC/Hulu; 2024)
Starring Joshua Jackson, Don Johnson, Philiipe Soo, Sean Teale.
The show is set on the ship, where the medical team treats patients and the captain, Robert Massey, navigates the ship. The show stars Joshua Jackson as Dr. Max Bankman, the new doctor on board, and Don Johnson as Captain Robert Massey.

THE TINGLER (YouTube; basically everywhere else) (2024)
From legendary horror producer William Castle
Starring: Vincent Price, Judith Evelyn, Darryl Hickman
Famous for its gimmick, this film is about an obsessed pathologist discovers and captures a parasitic creature that grows when fear grips its host.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053363/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

10/03/2024

NOBODY WANT THIS (Netflix; 2024)
Starring Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, Justine Lupe, Timothy Simons
When an agnostic woman, who makes her living from a podcast about sex, falls in love with a young rabbi, the obvious conflicts occur. RomCom limited series is funny and romantic (hence, RomCom) and the cast is likeable and sharp.

WOLFS (AppleTV+; 2024)
Starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Amy Ryan,
Clooney plays a fixer who’s called in to clean up the death of a young man in the hotel room of a Manhattan DA. Pitt plays another cleaner who’s called in for the same job. When the two former rivals are called upon to work together, they have some difficulty sorting their personalities but wind up working together to uncover a story they never expected. Entertaining, mostly due to the performances, styles and chemistry between its leads—who are sometimes just too cool for their own good—but the story is somewhat convoluted.

GROTESQUERIE (FX/Hulk) (2024)
From Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story)
Starring: Niecy Nash, Courtney B. Vance, Travis Kelce
A detective and a nun investigate a series of heinous crimes that seem personal, while grappling with personal issues and uncovering a sinister web that raises more questions than answers.

09/26/2024

MATLOCK (CBS/Paramount Plus; 2024)
Starring Kathy Bates, Skye P. Marshall, David Del Rio, Leah Lewis, Jason Ritter
A lawyer rejoins the work force when her husband leaves her high and dry. She’s got a sharp wit and a disarming Southern charm … but she’s also got some secrets of her own. Kathy Bates is perfect in this update of the old Andy Griffith show.

THE PENGUIN (HBO/MAX; 2024)
Starring Colin Farrell, Cristin Miloti, Theo Rossi, David H. Holmes, Mark Strong
Taking place immediately after the events depicted in The Batman (2022), Oz Cobb, a.k.a. the Penguin, moves to become the new crime lord ruling Gotham City.

HIGH POTENTIAL (Paramount+) (2024)
Starring; Kaitlin Olson, Javicia Leslie, Daniel Sunjata, Deniz Akdeniz
Olson plays Follows Morgan, a single mom of three kids and janitor for the police department. When she moves some photos around on a murder board, the detective in charge wants to fire her. But the chief is impressed and hires her as a consultant. With her Monk-like skills, she helps solves many crimes.

09/19/2024

BABY REINDEER (Netflix; 2024)
Created and written by Richard Gadd
Starring Richard Gadd, Jessica Gunning (The Outlaws), Navau Mau, Michael Wildman
Based on the play
A struggling comedian makes friends with a woman who winds up stalking him in a very unhealthy way. Not just a story of obsession but the danger of hidden secrets, a reminder that things can be worse than they seem to be and, most importantly, a story about being yourself. Brilliant acting and writing and the winner of four Emmy awards, including Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress.

REBEL RIDGE (Netflix; 2024)
Starring Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson, AnnaSohpia Robb, James Cromwell
An ex-Marine is arrested by a corrupt police department and deprived of his money, which leads to the death of his cousin. A thinking man’s Rambo, which makes it less fun. Pierre, however, is terrific as in Johnson in a bad guy role.

TULSA KING (Season 2) (Paramount+) (2024)
From Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Max Casella, Neal McDonough, Annabella Sciorra,
Mafia capo Dwight "The General" Manfredi finds his new casino and marijuana business in trouble when a rich oilman locks horns with him.

09/12/2024

BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE (Theaters; 2024)
Starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe + a cameo or two
Set 36 years after the events seen in the original BEETLEJUICE, a family tragedy brings O'Hara and Ryder together again, along with Jenna Ortega from TV's Wednesday and, of course, Michael Keaton as the ghost with the most, Beetlejuice. Wild, crazy fun with many sequences that will have you laughing so loud and so long, you're gonna have to go back and see what you missed. Worth the wait. Full of Burton's ghoulish, comical style.

WISE GUY: DAVID CHASE AND THE SOPRANOS (HBO/MAX; 2024)
This intriguing documentary tells the story of the creation and legend of The Sopranos, one of the greatest television shows ever made. Lead by interviews with the show's creator, David Chase, and featuring clips from the shows, as well as new interviews with the cast, this documentary not only tells you about the show's creation, but reminds you of how great it truly was.

CASH OUT (Hulu) (2024)
Starring John Travolta, Kristin Davis, Lukas Haas,
When a retired thief is forced back into the game by his incompetent brother, his team gets caught inside a bank filled with hostages. To make matters worse, his ex-lover is the FBI's negotiator. Okay, it's silly and doesn't make much sense, but it's still kinda fun in a direct-to-homevideo kind of way.

09/05/2024

ADAM SANDLER: LOVE YOU (Netflix; 2024)
Starring Adam Sandler (stand-up)
Sandler breaks the mold with his new stand-up special, “Love You.” Shot differently than most stand-up movies, Sander remains funny, and raunchy, with a set that will offend (and amuse) everyone … everyone who’s old enough to watch the profanity-laced special.

SLOW HORSES (Apple+; 2024)
Starring Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristen Scott Thomas, Jonathan Pryce
Season Five stars with a bombing in the middle of London, the murder of one of Slough House agents, and a mysterious romantic relationship that makes no sense to anyone. As always, the spy story is rich and thick, the characters are interesting and entertaining, and Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb is at the height of his game.

SOMETHING IN THE WATER (Hulu) (2024)
Starring Hiftu Quasem, Natale Mitson, Tashani Bent, India Jean-Jacques
On the day before she’s to be married, a bride-to-be and her friends travel to an isolated island where their boat sinks and they have to escape from sharks. Sound familiar? It should. Been done many times before. Not bad, so much, as it is just dull and overly familiar.

08/29/2024

ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING; Season 4 (PrimeVideo; 2024)
Starring: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Meryl Streep, Zach Galifianakis, Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, Scott Bakula, Molly Shannon,
Charles, Oliver and Mabel get a movie deal and ship off to Hollywood but a grisly discovery tells them there’s yet another murder they’ll have to investigate. So far, only one episode, which bodes well, but with the list of guest stars this season looks to be another one full of fun and mystery.

CHIMP CRAZY (HBO; 2024)
From Eric Goode, one of the writers/directors of Tiger King
Featuring Alan Cumming
When Tonia Haddock, a former nurse, takes over one of the country’s biggest chimpanzee shelters, PETA files a lawsuit over their conditions and wins, with the animals being shipped off to another sanctuary. But one of them is missing and PETA wants to know where it went. A little like THE TIGER KING but even more disturbing and depressing.

DOOR TO DOOR MANIAC (AKA FIVE MINUTES TO LIVE) (1961/1966) (Film Masters / Blu-Ray; 2024)
Starring Johnny Cash, Vic Tayback, Ron Howard (at around age 7)
In his first movie role, Johnny Cash plays a murderous thug who holds a woman hostage and terrorizes her while his partner robs her husband’s bank. Cash is dark, scary and very disturbing in his first role (which he and his family hated) and the movie starts off well but then skids off the road and crashes into a tree. Still, a part of movie history that buffs, and Johnny Cash fans, might want to see.

RIGHT HAND OF THE DEVIL (1961)
Starring Aram Katcher
A heist film based at a sold-out sports arena.

08/22/2024

JACKPOT! (PrimeVideo; 2024)
Starring: Awkafina, Jon Cena, Seann William Scott,
In the near future, the lottery has changed. If you’re chosen to win the over three-billion-dollar jackpot, all you have to do is survive for 24 hours. But everyone in the world is trying to kill you because, if they do, they get the money instead. So good luck. Silly as all get out but, thanks to its stars (especially Cena), Jackpot! Is a lot of fun.

BAD MONKEY (AppleTV+;2024)
Starring Vince Vaughn, Natalie Martinez, Michelle Monaghan, John Ortiz
From the quirky mind of novelist Carl Hiassen comes this tale of a disgraced Florida police offer whose luck may be turned due to the discovery of a severed human arm, caught by a fisherman. Funny, weird and still tells a great mystery story. For example: Episode One is entitled “The Floating-Human-Body-Parts Capital of America, so you get an idea of what you’re in for.

ALIEN ROMULUS (Theaters; 2024)
Starring Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Ian Holm
Directed by Fede Alvarez (Evil Dead reboot)
A group of ore miners decide to leave the mining jobs that are killing them to visit a ghost ship to hopefully steal technology that will allow them to escape. What they don’t know is that the ghost ship is a research vessel and there’s some particularly vicious space creatures on board. If you like the Alien franchise, this movie’s for you. Big space set pieces, gooey monster effects, a decent story and a whole bunch of creepiness.

08/15/2024

THE INSTIGATORS (AppleTV+; 2024)
Starring: Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Hong Chau (The Whale), Michael Stuhlbarg, Alfred Molina, Ron Perlman, Rob Gonkowski, Toby Jones
A team of bandits attempts to rob the Mayor’s office and everything that could possibly go wrong, goes wrong. Doesn’t work so much as a heist film but, as a buddy comedy, it’s worth checking out. Matt Damon and Casey Affleck have great chemistry together, and the terrific cast just brings everything up a notch.

LAND OF WOMEN (AppleTV+;2024)
Starring Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria plays New York socialite Gala, a woman who rudely discovers that her husband owes millions to the mob and has left the country, leaving her holding the bag. She decides to make her exit, too, taking her mom and daughter with her to Spain. Longoria is great but the storyline is too familiar and over-the-top.

LAND OF BAD (Netflix; 2024)
Starring Liam Hemsworth, Russell Crow, Luke Hemsworth, Milo Ventimiglia
When a rescue mission goes wrong, the only surviving member of a Delta Force team has just one partner: The guy behind the drone that’s protecting him. Takes a little while to get going but, when it kicks in, the battle sequences are explosive.

08/08/2024

SUICIDE SQUAD: ISAKEI
Isekai=Another World. Gotham’s most dangerous criminals (Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Peacemaker, Clayface and King Shark) are sent on a mission to another world which they must either complete successfully or die. Rather than the world they’re used to, this world is filled with swords, magic, orcs and flying dragons. Over-the-top in almost every department but quite entertaining and sometimes genuinely funny. Certainly better than the 2016 film. NOT FOR CHILDREN.

UNPRISONED
Starring Kerry Washington, Delroy Lindo, Brenda Strong, John Stamos, Tim Daly
The life of a therapist and single mom is upended when her dad gets out of prison and moves in with her and her teenage son. The problem is that mom can’t quite trust after all the times he’s failed her but this time, he seems to be really trying. Washington and Lindo are both outstanding in their roles, but the writing can’t quite keep up with them.

THE STORY OF G.I. JOE
Starring Burgess Meredith (then 38), Robert Mitchum (then 28)
Near the end of WWII, Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent Ernie Pyle (Meredith) travels with the U.S. Army's Company C Division during the liberation of Italy. This 1945, four-time Academy Award nominated film avoids most of the propaganda aspects of other war films and focuses on the camaraderie and the bond between soldiers. Real emotion and gritty realism, with a stunning transfer that has restored the film nearly to perfection. Bonus Features include: A new video essay by author and filmmaker Scout Tafoya; New interview with the director’s son, Bill Wellman Jr.; A new featurette on the restoration by film restoration supervisor Greg Kimble; Audio commentary by film preservationist Alan K. Rode; Original nitrate trailer; Re-construction of the original 1945 trailer; Photo gallery with original press book pages and stills.

08/01/2024

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Deadpool returns for his third outrageous outing, this time attempting to save the world by resurrecting Wolverine. "Over-the-Top" doesn't begin to describe this ultra-violent, ultra-profane, ultra-hilaious movie that does what summer movies should do: Give the audience exactly what they're looking for. Tons of cameos and fourth-wall asides only help.

MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY
Starring Chloe Coleman, Anna Faris, Dave Bautista, Kristen Schaal
Veteran CIA agent, JJ reunites with his protégé from the first film, Sophie, to prevent a nuclear attack on the Vatican. Sadly, not nearly as charming or as funny as the first film although the cast is always fun to watch.

TIME BANDITS
Starring Lisa Kudrow, Kal-El Tuck, Taika Waititi
Based on the 1981 movie by Terry Gilliam, A young boy accidentally joins a band of time travelling thieves, as they jump from era to era looking for treasure to steal. Some changes have been made from Gilliam's original filml, and this version isn't nearly as edgy, but it's mostly a fun and pleasant.

09/19/2024

09/12/2024

09/05/2024

08/29/2024

RIGHT HAND OF THE DEVIL (1961)
Starring Aram Katcher
A heist film based at a sold-out sports arena.

08/22/2024

08/15/2024

08/08/2024

08/01/2024

07/25/2024

LONGLEGS
A detective investigating a series of serial murders discovers Satanic worship, a little about her past and more. Stunning, off-putting performance by an almost unrecognizable Nicolas Cage will hold your attention throughout. Written and directed by Oz Perkins, son of Anthony Perkins (Norman Bates of Psycho)

FIND ME FALLING
Harry Connick Jr stars as a fading rock star who retires to a Mediterranean Island and a home with a dark secret. There, he once again finds the love whose loss has hampered his career. A weird, subplot starts this film out on the wrong foot and things just kind of cruise all the way through. Kinda lifeless at times, and sometimes just plain boring.

STOP MAKING SENSE
The 40th Anniversary of what many consider to be the greatest concert film of all time still holds up after all these years. The Talking Heads, especially David Byrne, rock had throughout the film, and director Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs) manages to catch magic in a bottle. Truly terrific.

07/18/2024

SUNNY
Strange, but intriguing, semi-sci-fi series about a woman whose husband and child are lost in a plane crash. Tragedy turns to weirdness when she's gifted a service robot that was apparently created for her by her husband and, together, they investigate the mystery of her family's deaths. Weird but strangely involving.

DESCENDANTS: RISE OF RED
The latest in the Disney "Descendants" series finds the daughters of the Queen of Hearts and Cinderella teaming up to change the past so that the future is better. Bright, colorful, very Disney-ish production with music, comedy and everything you'd expect from the Mouse.

EVIL
In its last season, this deeply engrossing series about a team of investigators looking into miracles and demonic possessions for the Catholic Church is intense, smart and absolutely irresistible. Terrific cast and characters will keep you riveted throughout.

07/11/2024

BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F
Yeah, it may be so over-the-top that it falls into "stupid" category, but it's so great to see Eddie Murphy back as Axel, with most of his old friends in tow, that it makes it worth watching.

A FAMILY AFFAIR
You'd expect much more from a cast that includes Nicole Kidman, Kathy Bates and Zac Efron, but "A Family Affair" is so run-of-the-mill that it will cause your eyes to roll until your dizzy.

SPACE CADET
This comedy/drama is so utterly ridiculous that it can't overcome its silly storyline, but Emma Roberts does her best to give it a certain, almost irresistible charm.

07/04/2024
Happy Fourth of July!

06/27/2024

THE BIKERIDERS
Told via flashbacks during an interview, The Bikeriders tells the story about a Midwestern motorcycle riding club that eventually transforms into a vicious gang, transforming from a gathering place for local outsiders into a dangerous underworld of violence. The cast is terrific, especially Comer and Hardy (whose transformation is sad and terrifying) and the movie is rough, violent, and full of swear words. One review said it was The Godfather of motorcycle films and, though it doesn’t come close to that masterpiece, the tale is very similar.

TRIGGER WARNING (Netflix)
Starring: Jessica Alba, Mark Webber, Anthony Michael Hall
Action thriller film starring Jessica Alba as a skilled Special Forces officer who takes ownership of her father's bar shortly after he dies in a mining accident, and soon finds herself at odds with a conspiracy and a violent gang running rampant in her hometown. First time I tried to watch it, got 20 minutes through, then sleep. Second time, made it almost to the end, then sleep. Finally finished it. Don’t remember much about it but that it was mildly entertaining.

I AM: CELINE DION (Amazon Prime)
Gut-wrenching tale of ultra popular Celine Dion and her diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome. Juxtaposing her huge successes with her current struggle—via stunningly unfettered access (even to the point that Dion having a seizure is captured on film)—you see Dion’s indefatigable confidence in her pre-diagnosis days, the pain (both physical and mental) in her struggles with the disease, and her unflagging willpower to keep going no matter what. Not exactly pleasant to watch but you’ve got to admire Dion sharing her pain and hopes with the world.

06/20/2024

UNDER PARIS (Netflix)
A scientist is convinced that a school of hungry sharks is hiding in the catacombs beneath the Seine River in France and that the special swimming event the town is hosting probably isn’t a good idea. However, the scientist can’t convince the mayor to close the river and chaos ensues. I read two reviews before seeing UNDER PARIS. One said it was the best shark movie since JAWS. The other said that it was amazing that fifty years later, they still couldn’t make the sharks look more real than Spielberg’s. It falls somewhere in between. Not quite as silly as THE MEG, but not quite as much fun, either. Immersive dubbing, however, makes it worth a look.

BACKWOODS DOUBLE-FEATURE (Film Masters / Something Weird)
Two movies from the 60s “hicksploitation” era: COMMON LAW WIFE and JENNIE: WIFE/CHILD. Both are about women and their abusive older husbands and both feature strong performances by their female leads. Most interesting from a historical viewpoint: how exploitation movies looked like in the 60s, what moral codes were acceptable and how the filmmakers attempted to shock and titillate their audience, and early work by master cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond, later nominated for four Oscars and winner of one: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND.

PRESUMED INNOCENT (AppleTV+; 2024)
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, Peter Sarsgard
When a not-so-innocent prosecuting attorney is accused of murder, many other subjects come to earth, including obsession, sex, politics, the limits of love and more. Written and created by the legendary David E. Kelley (Ally McBeal, The Practice Boston Public, Big Little Lies) and based on the novel by Scott Turow. Intense, aggravating and, so far, highly watchable.

06/13/2024

TIRES
A man attempts to save his auto repair service, mostly to impress his father, but his friends and co-workers don't make it easy. Sitcoms are supposed to be funny, right? That's the "com" in "Sitcom." This one only has its moments and most of them are courtesy stand-up comedian Shane Gillis.

UNDER PARIS
A scientist must push past her tragic past in order to save Paris from a giant shark that's enjoying its buffet in the Seine.

WILD TARGET
Bill Nighy stars as a hit man who's ready to call it quits until he meets a beautiful thief who might just change his mind about the whole thing. Often funny, always entertaining, never great but certainly watchable.

06/06/2024

REBEL MOON PART 2: THE SCARGIVER
Part 2 of Zack Snyder's epic sci-fi film series is full of big action sequences, some sporadic comedy, a lot of cool set pieces and a cast that delivers. Sure, it may borrow heavily from Star Wars, Star Trek and every other sci-fi series out there but it blends them all together and makes its own. I do agree, however, that there may be a little to much slow motion throughout.

BODKIN
A bitter American journalist is forced to travel to Ireland to help out a pair of podcasters working on their latest true crime episode. She discovers that maybe there's something really going on in Bodkin, Ireland after all.

THE OUTLAWS
The latest season of Elgin James & Stephen Merchant's comedy series has everything you've come to love from it: Lots of comedy, a great story, and a cast of characters that will make you laugh out loud and quietly cry. Christopher Walken is a big, big bonus here.

05/30/2024
FURIOUSA: A MAD MAX SAGA
Director George Miller takes us back to the apocalypse once again in this amazing, over-the-top action film that may be the best action film since Mad Max: Fury Road. Chris Hemsworth deserves special notice for his mind-boggling performance as Dementus and Anya Joy Tayulor proves she's capable of being an action star in her own right. A must see.

ATLAS
Jennifer Lopez stars as a futuristic data analyst who finds herself in the middle of a battle with the world's moste wanted terrorist ... and a mech suit that also serves as her therapist. Yeah, silly as hell but really a lot of fun to watch.

A MAN IN FULL
Jeff Daniels stears as a real estate mogul who goes to war with the bank he owes nearly a billion dollars to. A gritty, violent and vulgar tale of wealth, ego and revenge.

05/23/2024
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE
Brooke Shields in this film about a young woman who tells her mother's she's engaged ... to the son of the man who broke her mother's heart many years ago. Sometimes funny, but more often annoying and full of cliches.

BILLY & MOLLY: AN OTTER LOVE STORY
An otterly (sorry) beautiful and touching story about an aging man and the otter he befriends on the Shetland Islands. Sure, it seems like it's a little scripted, but it'll touch your heart anyway.

SUGAR
Colin Farrell stars as a private detective in this stylish series. But things get weirder as the story moves along. Farrell is fantastic (of course), the cinmetography is amazing and there's a terrific supporting cast. The twist, however, may throw some viewers off.

05/16/2024
THE FALL GUY
Ryan Gosling stars as a down-on-his-luck stuntman who's brought back into the fold when the leading man of a big budget action pictures goes missing. Everything you could want from a big summer picture: action, romance, comedy. It's a must-see.

UNFROSTED
Jerry Seinfeld directed and co-wrote this feature about the creation of Pop-Tarts. Don't go in expecting a documentary. This movie si more Airplane! than The Founder. Often hilariously funny and with a ton of great cameos.

CONAN O'BRIEN MUST GO
Former talk show host and Simpsons writer Conan O'Brien travels the world to meet new people and insult them. Very, very funny (if you like O'Brien's style) and you must might (might) learn something along the way.

05/09/2024
(Vacation)

05/02/2024
(Vacation)

04/25/2024
(Vacation)

04/18/2024
(Vacation)

04/18/2024
THE SYMPATHIZER
Stark but intriguing drama about a CIA plant, embedded in the South Vietnam Army, who flees to the U.S. to continue his spying. Complex and edgy, with Robert Downey Jr. masterfully performing four different roles.

RIPLEY
Written and directed by Steven Zaillian (The Irishman, Moneyball, American Gangster, Gangs of New York, Schindler's List) and based on the book "The Talented Mr. Ripley" by Patricia Highsmith, this limited series follows a con-man named Ripley who is hired by a wealthy family to bring their vagabond son home from Italy. Absolutely beautiful to look at and engrossing in its story-telling.

FALLOUT
Based on the videogame of the same name, this futuristic post-apocalyptic story tells the tale of citizens who must live in underground bunkers to protect themselves from radiation, mutants and bandits. Fans of the videogame will eat this up. Others may find it a little dull and confusing at times.

04/11/2024
LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL
A 1970s late night talk show how with his sights set on Johnny Carson's throne, risks it all on Halloween night when he invites a young woman, purportedly possessed by the devil, onto his live show. Eerie, scary and thought-provoking.

CAFE UNDERWAY
From local producers Adam Randall and Lance Baird comes this unique cooking show in which respected chefs are taken out of their restaurants and asked to make the same meal on a small boat at sea. Funny, surprising and it will make you hungry. Except when people are getting seasick.

CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (series finale)
The final season of the long-running show created by Seinfeld's Larry David sews things up pretty, pretty, pretty, well. It's the end of an era.

04/04/2024
GODZILLA X KONG; THE NEW EMPIRE
King Kong must ask Godzilla to help him stop an evil monster from taking over the world. Yeah, it's silly and, yeah, it's loud but, boy is it a lot of fun. Try to see this one on the biggest screen possible.

AMERICAN RUST
Jeff Daniels stars as a police chief in a small town where everything seems to be going to pot. Grim and depressing, and designed to be so, the performances are terrific, especially the always dependable Daniels.

GILMORE GIRLS
Never watched this show about a young single mother and her daughter but kept hearing great things about it. Finally got around to watching it and, wow, the writing alone makes it worth a look, but add a terrific cast and some great storylines and, yep, you've got another 150 episodes of TV to look forward to.

03/28/2024

03/21/2024
DREAM SCENARIO
Nicolas Cage stars as a man who starts appearing in other people's dreams and becomes a celebrity ... until things take a run and he becomes Public Enemy #1. Weird but fascinating, worth a watch, like almost anything that stars the ever-expanding talents of Cage.

PALM ROYALE
Kristen Wigg stars as a young woman who wants nothing more than to fit in with her rich neighbors in a wealthy Florida neighborhood ... and will do anything to make it happen. Strangely dull for something with such a terrific cast (Carol Burnett!) but the cast and cinematography might make it worth sticking around for.

BAR RESCUE
Jon Taffer saves bars in this long-running television show and it's always interesting to see his methods, the conflicts and the successes/failures. He even visits The Thirsty Ox in Oxnard, CA.

03/14/2024
DAMSEL
Another silly movie starring Millie Bobbie Brown as a young woman who's arranged marriage is really to tame a dragon by making her dragon food. Pretty entertaining, nonetheless, with an easy-to-follow story and some real dragon action.

RICKY STANICKY
If it wasn't for Jon Cena, I couldn't recommend this comedy about a group of friends who create a fake friend to get away with things that their wives wouldn't approve of. But Cena makes it watchable every moment he's on the screen. Not great, but serviceable enough.

THE GENTLEMEN
A young man inherits a castle from his father only to discover that the family's business is dealing drugs. As you might imagine, this causes a lot of issues with the local drug dealers, the lawyers involved and others who want a piece of the action. Very watchable in a Guy Ritchie crime film kind of way.

03/07/2024
SPACEMAN
Over six months into his solo mission to the edge of the solar system, an astronaut begins to question his decision but is helped by an alien he finds hiding in the bowels of the ship. Way too pretentious and philosophical, it’s like watching an astronaut who’s losing his mind but finds solace in a alien who doubles as a therapist.

GRISELDA
After she escapes a life of abuse in Colombia and moves to Miami, Griselda Blanco creates one of the most ruthless cartels in history. Gritty, violent gangster series that—save for a fearless performance by Vergara—is just a little too familiar.

THE REGIME
Kate Winslet stars as the mentally ill Chancellor of a Central European nation who is manipulated and taken advantage of by some of the worst people possible. A limited series with a focus on mental illness that is difficult to watch because it is so unpleasant—in storyline, characters and atmosphere. Despite another fine performance from Winslet, this just feels ugly.

02/29/2024
SHOGUN (Hulu)
The latest TV version of James Clavell's best-selling novel is epic and well-acted.

SHOGUN ASSASSIN (Various networks)
When the wife of the Shogun's Decapitator is murdered and he is ordered to commit suicide by the paranoid Shogun, he and his four-year-old son escape and become assassins for hire, embarking on a journey of blood and violent death. An edited version of the Lone Wolf and Cut franchise, this kung fu movie has become a cult classic.

LEAP YEAR MOVIES
I haven't seen these, but here's a list of a few films that have Leap Year themes:
LEAP YEAR starring Fattie Arbuckle
LEAP YEAR starring Amy Adams & Matthew Goode
LEAP YEAR (TV series starring Eliza Dushku
LEAP YEARS (TV series) starring Garret Dillahunt

02/22/2024

PLAYERS
Yet another rom-com but this time offering a little more originality. Gina Rodriguez stars as a sports writer who works with a team to put the moves on people they want to have a one-night stand with. When she falls in love with one of her marks, the team has to re-configure their cons so that, rather than a one-night stand, Gina's mark falls in love with her. Gina gets a chance to get a little risque here and Damon Wayans Jr has never been better. Funny, involving and ultimately sweet.

THE SWISS CONSPIRACY
This 1976 crime movie has been updated by the folks at Film Masters to a pristine condition. It stars "The Fugitive's" David Janssen as a former U.S. Justice Department official hired to hunt down blackmailers in the normally safe Switzerland banks. A product of its time, with its 70s style and feel, but surprisingly entertaining as well.

WILL TRENT
The detective TV series—based on the books by Karin Slaughter—returns for a second season with all of its original charm, crime and interesting characters, Ramon Rodriguez is perfect as Will Trent.

02/15/2024
ARGYLLE
Big-budget and over-the-top spy movie checks all the boxes but also goes just a little too far in the action/romance department. Still, a terrific cast makes this entertaining throughout.

UPGRADED
Another rom-com with a paint-by-numbers script. If you like rom-coms, you'll probably like this one. Nothing new, nothing original, but harmless as well.

MR. & MRS. SMITH
"Inspired by" the movie starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, this TV version finds not a married couple but complete strangers working together for the first time as spies. Probably more realistic than the movie but that also makes it just a bit duller.

02/08/2024
Curb Your Enthusiasm
In its twelfth and final season, the outrageous comedy starring the world's most annoying man, Larry David, returns and (so far) has lost none of its irreverence or hilarity.

Feud: Capote Vs the Swans
Legendary author Truman Capote goes to war with a group of his former friends who have turned on him after an article he wrote about them for Esquire Magazine. Lurid, trashy and yet oddly entertaining.

You Hurt My Feelings
Julia Louis Dreyfuss stars as a writer who overhears her husband dissing her new book. She begins to doubt herself, and her trust in her husband, not realizing that he's doubting himself in his role as a therapist. Engrossing and sometimes very funny drama that explores trust, support, lying and imposter syndrome.

02/01/2024
Self Reliance
A depressed man is offered the chance to star in a dark web TV show. He must avoid the assassins hired to kill him for 30 days and, if he does, he will win one million dollars. The interesting story is sabotaged by characters you don't really like and a lot of dependence on F-bombs to make it seem hip.

Death and Other Details
An aging, disgraced detective is given a second chance when a murder takes place on the chartered cruise ship he happens to be on. Very Agatha Christie-Knives Out like mystery with terrific performances, led by Patinkin.

True Detective (Season 4)
Starring Jodie Foster, Kali Reis, Fiona Shaw, Finn Bennett
In Ennis, Alaska, the team of researchers disappear into the ice. What does their disappearance have to do with the many missing indigenous women? Chief Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Trooper Evangelina Navarro must team up to discover the truth, despite the fact they don't really like one another. Like previous seasons of True Detective, this series is grim, complicated and dark.

01/25/2024
Fisk
An Australian television comedy series first airing in 2021. The series revolves around the life of lawyer Helen Tudor-Fisk, who leaves Sydney for Melbourne after her career and marriage fall apart. She finds work there at a small solicitors that specializes in wills and probate law. A little like Curb Your Enthusiasm except that Fisk isn't the annoying one; everyone else around her is. Very funny; well-written and acted

The Brothers Sun
When his brother is shot, a Taipei gangster, must go to L.A. to protect his mother and utterly unaware younger brother who wants no part of the gangster business. Often funny, features some great kung-fu sequences and, hey, Michelle Yeoh.

01/18/2024
The Beekeeper
When a scam company steals all her money, a woman kills herself in shame. Her best friend, a beekeeper, goes after revenge. Of course, he's a different kind of "beekeeper." Big. Loud Stupid. I loved every minute of it. Jason Statham kicks butt.

Role Play
When a young couple decide to role-play to spice up their life, sudden violence ensues. Of course, the wife just isn’t just a wife, she’s an assassin and her cover has been blown. Even her husband didn’t know. Tolerable but just barely entertaining.

A History of Violence
Directed by David Cronenbereg (The Fly, Dead Ringers)
Starring Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris, William Hurt
When a mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act a violence, people come gunning for him. Of course, he’s not just a mild-mannered man … or, in this case, is he?

01/11/2024
Anyone But You
A young couple has an outstanding first date that ends so badly neither wants to see the other again but when their friends announce they're getting married, they have no choice. Typical rom-com with a little more raunch to it than usual. Entertaining and (unless you're easily offended) harmless.

Maggie Moore(s)
The sheriff of a small town investigates a pair of murders involving women named "Maggie Moore." A terrific cast buoys this wanna-be Coen Brothers film that gets better as it goes along.

Rebel Moon, Part One: A Child of Fire
Zack Snyder of Justice League fame tries to give Netflix it's own version of Star Wars. Although he doesn't come close, and uses pieces of every epic series out there, the film is big and fun and leaves you looking forward to Part Two.

01/04/2024
The Holdovers
Paul Giamatti and Alexander Payne join forces again (as they did in "Sideways") with this compelling comedy/drama about a stuffy professor and the one student who has to stay at the school with him over Christmas vacation. Terrific performances and a unique story make this one a winner.

Fargo
The hit series based on the Coen Brother's film returns for its fifth series. Here, Ted Lasso's Juno Temple plays a woman who's been in hiding, having created an entirely new life for herself. But things go wrong when her abusive ex-husband (Jon Hamm) tracks her down. Stylish, well-acted and one of the best written and directed shows on television.

Faraway Downs
Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman return in this extended version of the 2008 film, "Australia." Not sure if was necessary, but kind of interesting in its re-working. Straight melodrama through and through.

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