Tag: Review

REVIEW: ‘The Wild Robot’ is a spectacular, emotional adventure

After every stumble, Dreamworks Animation always seems to get back on track. It’s done so again, following up the disappointing “Kung Fu Panda 4” with a movie that could win the animation Oscar.

Set in the future, “The Wild Robot” centers on its follows its titular character, known initially as ROZZUM Unit 7134, (Lupita Nyong’o), who washes up on an island only inhabited by animals after a failed delivery. Though it takes some time, her processing power eventually allows her to speak with the island’s animals.

Unfortunately, her attempts to befriend the animals and help them with their tasks don’t go well. That is until she finds a lone goose egg and decides to raise the young bird inside. Along the way, she gets help from a red fox (Pedro Pascal) who’s mischievous at first but soon becomes a loyal friend.

Continue reading “REVIEW: ‘The Wild Robot’ is a spectacular, emotional adventure”

REVIEW: ‘Megalopolis’ is a mega misstep for Coppola

Director Francis Ford Coppola’s latest film was an ambitious project, huge in scope and scale. Unfortunately, it’s also a bit of an unmitigated disaster

“Megalopolis” is a film that blends political drama and science fiction. The movie is set in the sprawling city of New Rome, the epicenter of the American Republic. Outwardly, it has all the looks of New York City, but inside, it has aesthetics and fashion reminiscent of ancient Rome.

The film centers on Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver), an architect hoping to build a biomechanical utopia via new technology. He’s challenged, though, by Mayor Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), and his cousin Clodio (Shia LaBeouf). Though he has support from his uncle Crassus III (Jon Voight).

Continue reading “REVIEW: ‘Megalopolis’ is a mega misstep for Coppola”

REVIEW: ‘Transformers One’ is fun, but has small screen vibe

After making the jump to live action in 2007, the “Transformers” series has gone back to its roots, once again going to the big screen in animated style.

Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry) are two best friend robots living in the mechanical world of Cybertron. The duo are at the bottom of the robotic hierarchy on the planet, working in the mines to collect energy resources vital to the population’s survival, after depletion due to a war.

They get a chance to prove themselves to Cybertronian leadership, though, when they discover a potential solution to the planet’s energy problems. What they and friends Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson) and B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key) find, though, changes their destinies forever.

Continue reading “REVIEW: ‘Transformers One’ is fun, but has small screen vibe”

REVIEW: ‘A Different Man’ succeeds with dark comedy, superb acting

Depressing, awkward, funny, cringey and shocking. They’re all words that can be used to describe “A Different Man,” in a good way.

The movie stars Sebastian Stan as Edward, a man who’s not only struggling to make it as an actor in New York, but also suffering neurofibromatosis. The condition leaves him with tumors that have grown on his face.

However, he manages to enter a trial run for a new procedure that can remove the tumors and completely treat the condition. The treatment ends up working, giving Edward the life he’s always wanted, at least that’s what he thinks.

Continue reading “REVIEW: ‘A Different Man’ succeeds with dark comedy, superb acting”

REVIEW: Double the ‘Beetlejuice,’ double the fun? To an extent, yes

After more than 35 years, the Ghost with the Most (Michael Keaton) is back on the big screen, getting a legacy sequel of his own.

In addition to Betelgeuse, Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) also comes back, though she has traded her gothic, rebellious attitude for a TV personality, albeit still wearing black. She has to step away from her paranormal-centric show, though, as she has to attend the funeral of her late father.

Joining her is her stepmother Delia (Catherine O’Hara) and daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega), though the latter isn’t as excited to be there as she has a strained familial relationship. However, when the family goes back to their old house, some dangerous afterlife shenanigans begin, forcing them to not only band together, but call on help from the titular character.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Double the ‘Beetlejuice,’ double the fun? To an extent, yes”

REVIEW: ‘Alien Romulus’ successfully returns series to its roots

As much as I like Michael Fassbender, I’m glad he was nowhere near this “Alien” entry after the last two.

Set between 1979’s “Alien” and 1986’s “Aliens,” “Romulus begins on a space colony called Jackson’s Star where the protagonist Rain (Cailee Spaeny) resides with her surrogate android brother Andy (David Jonsson). Life for the two is difficult, as they do grueling work on a harsh mining colony to pay a debt.

They get a chance to leave, though, when they join with a group of friends on a sort of escape mission that involves getting some equipment from a defunct space station. It’s necessary to go there as it will allow them to make a long space voyage, but unfortunately, a certain life-form is waiting for them.

Continue reading “REVIEW: ‘Alien Romulus’ successfully returns series to its roots”

REVIEW: Despite some quality, ‘Didi’ isn’t endearing enough

Where’s a neighbor with a Gran Torino when you need one?

This coming-of-age film tells the story of Chris Wang, a 13-year-old who spends time making Youtube videos with his friends. When not out with a camera, Chris is at home with his mother (Joan Chen), grandmother (Chang Li Hua) and sister (Shirley Chen) in the Bay Area while his father works in Taiwan.

As his summer off from school progresses, Chris (Izaac Wang)has his ups and downs with his family, friends and even with his hobby. With the latter, Chris starts to film some skateboarders, but even then, fitting in can be tough. Continue reading “REVIEW: Despite some quality, ‘Didi’ isn’t endearing enough”

REVIEW: ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ entertains and exhausts

The Marvel Cinematic Universe sure could use a shot in the arm lately. What better shot of adrenaline than the Merc with a Mouth?

Better known as Deadpool, that wise-cracking, fourth wall-breaking character returns to the silver screen for third time. In “Deadpool & Wolverine,” the red-clad anti-hero gets roped into some multi-universe shenanigans, and in the process, learns his own world is under threat.

To prevent a cataclysm, he needs the help of the iconic mutant Wolverine. The only problem is the Wolverine in his universe is the same one that died in 2017’s “Logan.” So, he goes to another universe to find a different one. The only problem is the one he finds is in a bad and not so helpful mood.

Continue reading “REVIEW: ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ entertains and exhausts”

REVIEW: ‘Despicable Me 4’ doesn’t offer full cinematic experience

“Despicable Me 3” went unseen and unreviewed at this site in 2017 because of a busy schedule. Considering there’s not an ongoing arc in the series, it doesn’t look like it’s a necessary watch.

That’s certainly apparent in “Despicable Me 4,” as the animated sequel gives the family an entirely new scenario to deal with, and there’s little mention of any unresolved matters from 3. So, in part four, Gru (Steve Carell), an Anti-Villain League agent, manages to put a former rival of his behind bars.

That rival, Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell), escapes prison and vows revenge. The villain’s action forces Gru, his wife Lucy (Kristen Wiig) their daughters and new-born baby to go into a sort of witness protection program. However, plenty of shenanigans still ensue.

Continue reading “REVIEW: ‘Despicable Me 4’ doesn’t offer full cinematic experience”

REVIEW: After strong start, ‘Maxxxine’ loses moxie in third act

After a trip to the past in “Pearl,” the “X” series has gone back to the present, which for the franchise’s characters, is the 1980s.

“MaXXXine” is set in 1985, with its titular character trying to make it in Hollywood after the events of the film “X,” which took place in 1979. With the stage name Maxine Minx, the protagonist (Mia Goth) is an adult film star who gets a chance at the studio system via a role in a horror flick.

It’s a dangerous time for women in Los Angeles, though, as the Night Stalker murders have recently been taking place. It only gets more dangerous for Maxine, when a mysterious person with knowledge of 79 begins stalking her, leaving dead bodies in their wake.

Continue reading “REVIEW: After strong start, ‘Maxxxine’ loses moxie in third act”