REVIEW: Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ is an enjoyable mix of science and nature

Pixar has had a mixed track record in the 2020s, but fortunately, it’s new release is one of the better flicks from the animation studio.

The latest feature from the Disney affiliate centers on Mabel (Piper Curda), a college student who cares deeply about animals and nature. Her appreciation puts her at great odds with her city’s mayor, Jerry (Jon Hamm), who intends to develop a highway bypass. Doing so would mean the destruction of a natural area Mabel holds dear.

One night, when looking for solutions with few options left, she learns of a program at her college which has developed life-like robots, one of which looks like a beaver. The robots are controllable by humans with a neural link, and Mabel takes control of one to connect with animals and lead them in taking back there home under threat.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ is an enjoyable mix of science and nature”

REVIEW: ‘Crime 101’ is a familiar but refreshing drama course

Since it’s been out for a while, I’m sure it’s been mentioned a bunch. So, insert Hulk and Thor joke here.

The reason for that lede is the actors now well-known for their appearances in Marvel movies both appear in “Crime 101.” Chris Hemsworth in the movie portrays a jewel thief, Mike, who’s pulled several successful heists. Each one he does efficiently, and with a unique commitment to non-violence.

Mark Ruffalo, meanwhile, is Lou Lubesnick, a detective who manages to deduce that all of the recent jewel heists are tied to Mike. As his investigation heats up, Mike is approached about a new big job, but is concerned about doing so, especially since he recently started a new relationship.

Continue reading “REVIEW: ‘Crime 101’ is a familiar but refreshing drama course”

REVIEW: ‘How to Make a Killing’ sorely lacking in humor, suspense

I need Margaret Qualley to back off the crime movies, because between this and “Drive Away Dolls,” it’s not been a great run in the genre.

Rather than the focusing on her, though, “How to Make a Killing” centers on Glen Powell’s character Becket Redfellow. A blue-collar worker in New York City, Becket appears to come from, at best, a middle-class background. However, he’s tied to a family with immense wealth, and remains in the will, meaning a fortune is possible.

Yet he’s not exactly first in line to receive anything. In fact, he’s far from it, more like fifth or sixth. Knowing his family abandoned his own mother leaving her to fend for herself, Becket decides to take matters in his own hands, and knock off heirs to put himself in a better position. But while he thinks he’s in the clear, a person from his past starts to suspect him.

Continue reading “REVIEW: ‘How to Make a Killing’ sorely lacking in humor, suspense”

REVIEW: Though fun, ‘Psycho Killer’ plays premise too straightforward

Slasher meets police procedural? Sure, why not.

That’s what’s offered up in “Psycho Killer,” where the film’s protagonist, Jane (Georgina Campbell), is hunting a murderer who’s slaying across the country. The latest in his rampage took the life of Jane’s husband and fellow Kansas state trooper. Vowing to bring him to justice, Jane launches a national endeavor of her own, trailing the suspect.

As she tracks down the man, known only as the Satanic Slasher for the symbols he leaves behind, the killer manages to find new victims. With a major deadly event planned by the killer to finalize his effort, the pressure is on Jane to stop him.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Though fun, ‘Psycho Killer’ plays premise too straightforward”

The End of the Beginning: My hometown theater, Cine 5, closes

For a film buff, living near a movie theater is a great bit of geographic luck.

That’s what I had growing up in International Falls, Minn. From when I was born until I moved away for college, I never lived more than a block or two away from the local theater, the Cine 5.

Sadly, like I’ve done twice already on this site, I’m having to write a farewell piece to a place where I spent countless hours and created numerous memories. The Cine 5 closed recently, marking the end of another theater that I regularly attended.

Continue reading “The End of the Beginning: My hometown theater, Cine 5, closes”

REVIEW: Sam Raimi’s ‘Send Help’ is a zany good survival flick

If you thought Rachel McAdams was intense as Regina George, just wait until you see her in survival mode.

That’s the gear she shifts into in this film by director Sam Raimi, where she plays financial strategist Linda. While she’s a bit awkward in the office, she’s also a hard worker who’s an expert with the corporation’s fiscal data. Because of her knowledge, she’s expecting a big promotion.

However, the business’ new, crass CEO Bradley (Dylan O’Brien) chooses to promote his college buddy instead, though he does offer Linda an opportunity to move up in the company on a work trip. On the way there, their plane crashes with Bradley and Linda as the only survivors. Fortunately, Linda is also well versed in staying alive in rough situations.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Sam Raimi’s ‘Send Help’ is a zany good survival flick”

REVIEW: Gimme ‘Shelter’ at a matinee price and I’m good

Tell me, what’s a Beekeeper want with being a wickie?

I ask that question because Jason Statham, star of the 2024 action flick “The Beekeeper,” plays a man living in and upkeeping a lighthouse. However, the lighthouse, situated on an island off the coast of Scotland, isn’t actually active. The reason he’s there is because he wants to be completely off the grid at an undisclosed location.

Michael Mason is a former elite black operations soldier, and his only connection to the world is a commercial sailor and his niece who deliver supplies. However, after a tragic incident, the sailor is killed and in helping the girl, Mason is spotted by the government that now wants him eliminated to cover their tracks.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Gimme ‘Shelter’ at a matinee price and I’m good”

REVIEW: ‘Mercy’ has a rough script but offers some schlocky fun

Chris Pratt may not have his Guardians of the Galaxy starship in this flick, but he’s still working with some high-tech equipment.

Pratt stars as Chris Raven in “Mercy,” a Los Angeles Police Department detective who was a major advocate in creating an artificial intelligence program that handles court cases as a way to expedite the judicial process. The effort has ramped up convictions with 90-minute trials, where a person has a chance to prove their innocence.

If their evidence is insufficient, the AI program, taking the appearance of a woman dubbed Judge Maddox (Rebecca Ferguson), will exact justice. For a murder case, that includes execution. Unfortunately for the detective, he wakes up suddenly needing to mount a defense for a murder he claims he didn’t commit.

Continue reading “REVIEW: ‘Mercy’ has a rough script but offers some schlocky fun”

Top 10 Films of 2025

We’re a month into 2026 and so far this year hasn’t been great, especially in Minnesota.

So, I’m going to rewind the clock and go back to 2025 again, because, hey, it’s award season and we’re still celebrating movies from last year. I finally made it through all of the movies on my list of must sees, tacking on a couple international flicks at the end, and am ready to release my top 10.

Like always, I didn’t get to see every single movie released. But I feel I watched enough in 2025 to create a fair list. Plus, I am going to put out another piece covering the best documentaries from last year ahead of the Oscars.

But for now, here’s my best of the year recap, starting with those that didn’t make the Top 10 cut. Continue reading “Top 10 Films of 2025”

REVIEW: Conventional ‘Belén’ still has impact

Stories of wrongful imprisonment often show situations of injustice, as well as resiliency and fights for freedom. That’s what a viewer can expect in “Belén,” which is set in Argentina.’

Camila Pláate plays Julieta in “Belén,” a woman who, after having a miscarriage in a hospital, is charged with having an illegal abortion, as well as homicide. The charges lead to her being sentenced to prison, with a limited defense by her public attorney.

Seeing issues with the case, lawyer Soledad Deza (Dolores Fonzi), decides to take up the case with plans to appeal the court’s decision. This is a difficult effort, as she and her team face fierce resistance in the press and judicial system. However, women start to rally when behind the cause when they learn the story of Julieta, who takes the alias Belén to protect her family.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Conventional ‘Belén’ still has impact”