Movies

Movie Reviews

Radioactive

To be fair, it is difficult keeping the audience’s attention when making a movie about a famous scientist. Fake ones, like Doc from Back to Future, are a lot easier to pull off. Often these types of films are full of talking and little action. They also tend to present protagonists as dull or unlikeable people.

Last year, the 2017 film, The Current War, was finally brought to theaters after being criticized that it was too dull. The new revamped film called a “Director’s Cut” fared better with the critics and audiences who saw it, but it was still a flop at the box office and I suspect that will be the case for Radioactive available on Amazon Prime this weekend. Read More >>>

The Invisible Man

While there are few plot holes in the story, The Invisible Man is a scary-fun movie that we really haven’t seen (sorry) in a long time. The movie works mostly because of Moss’ performance. She’s virtually in every scene, so a lot is riding on her. And nobody can do “unhinged” better than Moss. Whereas a lessor actress wouldn’t be able to get away with uttering crazy lines, Moss gets away with it because, well, she’s Elizabeth Moss. There’s a lot of twists and turns to the story and just when you think it’s over, the story keeps going. Read More >>>

7500

Amazon Studios’ 7500 is unlike most movies I have ever seen. It’s an action thriller that plays more like a dramatic stage play. There is no superhero nor is there any over-the-top special effects. There isn’t even a music soundtrack. Well, not really. Almost the entire film was shot within the confines of an airplane’s cockpit giving an uncomfortable sense of claustrophobia. Though it took weeks to film, 7500 feels like it was shot in real time giving a “you-are-there” feel. Read More >>>

The Call of the Wild

While trying to show the harshness of living out in the Alaskan wilderness, The Call of the Wild is fairly tame. In fact, some people have called the film, “The Call of the Mild” but I didn’t mind. This is a family film through and through but with an elevated script featuring no pratfalls or poop jokes. There is virtually no swearing and only a little violence. There really isn’t anything in the film that (most) parents would find objectionable. At the same time, the film doesn’t shy away from showing some of life’s harsher moments of living in Alaska in 1897. From bullying to the death of a loved one, each scene is told honestly and with compassion. Read More >>>

I Still Believe

If you’ve never seen the CW show Riverdale, you might be surprised to see how much the world of Archie Andrews has changed since we were kids. Once considered squeaky clean fare, it no longer is. However, KJ Apa, who plays Archie in the show, plays a whole different role portraying Christian singer Jeremy Camp in the movie I Still Believe. The faith-based film is unlike many seen today where chaste romance is celebrated and faith in God is the most important thing in the world. Of course some will scoff at this, but others not familiar with these notions, will take notice. Seventeen magazine already has. Read More >>>

Just Mercy

Destin Daniel Cretton’s latest film, Just Mercy exposes the truth that people like me never wanted to know truly existed. Based on Bryan Stevenson’s book, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, this movie records events that happened not that long ago but it feels as if they had occurred a lot longer…Stevenson is a devout Christian and his faith is likely a huge motive for doing what he does. But with the exception of a few brief mentions, his faith is never really shown in this film. Even so, this is movie not to be missed. Read More >>>

Onward

Despite its wacky premise, Onward just might develop a strong following similar to Frozen. In fact, it is its equivalent for boys. That’s not to say that Frozen is a “girls” movie, but just like its main focus was understanding the love one has for one’s sister, Onward is a road trip about brotherly love. It’s also about dealing with grief. It’s very clever, very funny and thoroughly satisfying. Read More >>>

Movie News

Regal Theaters Want to Lure You Back with $5 Movies

Sure, we have all become comfortable watching movies from home but it just can’t replace how it feels to watch a movie in a darkened theater with a bunch of other people sharing the same experience with you. We laugh together, cry together and cheer together. Read More >>>

‘Mulan’ to Go Straight to Disney+

Up until now, everything that has been offered on Disney+ has been included with the monthly subscription fee and some are worrying that this could become a trend. However, Disney says that Mulan’s extra fee will be a one-time-only thing. Of course, this isn’t the first movie to to be made available for home viewing at a premium price, but it is the most expensive one. Read More >>>

Amazon Prime’s ‘Chemical Hearts’

While movie studios are having a hard time releasing new films during COVID-19, streaming services are doing great with indie films. Amazon’s Prime Video’s offerings have been a little hit or miss as of late, but the teen romance/mystery, Chemical Hearts looks like it might have some promise. Read More >>>