Predator: Killer of Killers

 

I have always wanted to see an AVP movie with no humans in it, and if we can dig into the animated realm, we may be closer to getting that.  What an exception piece this is, told in three sets throughout history as varied Predators hunt down killers then collect them for one big hunt. From the same team behind the incredible "Prey" and perhaps leading into the upcoming movie, this was so good. Brutal, violent, with varied Predators and their tech - what a great way to see what else we can do with this franchise.

9 out of 10

The Phoenician Scheme

 

A very Wes Anderson style Wes Anderson movie with several genuinely funny moments. Everyone in it understands the assignment, but none more so than Michael Cera.  I love the look of it and the layout.  Set design, as always in Wes Anderson movies, is exceptional, eye-catching, and beautiful.  Very entertaining. 

7 out of 10

Fountain of Youth

 

Certainly fun family action flick - nothing new, but well-executed and entertaining. Everyone involved seems to be having a great time, a couple of great action sequences, a likeable cast, impressive locations, and an engaging story!  

6 of 10

Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning

 

I enjoyed this so much more than the previous one!  Giant, super-smart, AI bad guy still causes me to tune out, but I loved the action sequences so much more in this one. The submarine sequence builds such tension, and that bi-plane business at the end was exceptional. What a fitting final entry and a credit to a dude who knows how to make movies for audiences that love movies. 

8 out 10

Thunderbolts*

Some of my favorite bits of the MCU are when the real villains are mental health struggles. This one really beautifully executes that concept. I sobbed through the third act - it is just such a fantastic reminder of the importance of figuring out how to process your depression and trauma and finding and leaning into your support system. Plus, great actions sequences and performances.  Bucky back on a motorcycle! David Harbour stealing scenes!  They are all great, but Florence Pugh's Yelena is absolutely wonderful and proves she can center an MCU piece and is ready to be the building block for their next phase. 

9 out of 10

The Accountant 2

 

Very similar to the Accountant 1 in that I was not expecting all that much and ended up absolutely delighted!  More Bernthal this time around and better used now that we know what he is capable of.  He and Affleck are great together in this fun little action shoot-em-up throwback. 

G20

 

A quick and fun little straightforward action flick. It does not really bring anything new to the genre, but executes the formula very well. Also - if this is the shift for Viola into her later-years action hero phase - I am here for it!

7 out of 10

Holland

 

I went to college in Holland, Michigan - so I was intrigued to check out this new Nicole Kidman flick on Prime!  I did not care for it!  I am not even sure how to categorize it - maybe a slow thriller? Definitely a waste of time, but hey - the town and the tulips looked great!

2/10

Captain America Brave New World

 

2/14/25  The Cap movies continue to be some of my favorite MCU bits. I loved this - Mackie is so fantastic, charming, charismatic, and engaging and the development of Sam over several movies and shows really pays off. I love that his super power is therapy and counseling.  Also - I love he and new Falcon's office - very practical, and huge wing symbol on the windows. Giancarlo Esposito continues to bring pure joy to anything he does.  Harrison Ford has more fun that anyone should.  I love the Bucky cameo - even though honestly all I want is another season of Captain America and the Winter Soldier with Buck continuing to flirt with Sarah...  Also - Sam's speech about the weight of the pressure of expectations - brought me to tears.  Love this, love him, and want more and more of his Captain.

10/10

Skeleton Crew

 

Not a movie - but my goodness, I loved this show so much. What a fantastic throwback to 80s kids adventure shows and flicks.  The kids were great, the lessons were lovely, and my goodness, my heart needed this so much.

11/10

A Christmas Proposal

 

12/29/24  This one is a quick holiday knock-off of The Proposal. It is fast and fun with a great cast. Understands the assignment and executes the formula well!

6/10

Carry On

 

12/29/24  A fun slow burn - and more Bateman is what everyone needs for the holidays. Also - bonus points for wrapping everything up with a neat little bow for that happy ending!

7/10

Me and Mr. Christmas

 

12/21/24  Holy cow there are so many of these holiday rom-com flicks on Prime.  This one was a very cheesy version of the old "remove the glasses and change the clothes to change the non-hot person into the hot-person" but it does add the flip of him then being entered into a Christmas pageant! Very silly and very Canadian!  A perfectly fluffy 90 minute bit of nonsense!

6/10

Kraven The Hunter

 

12/20/24   You know what? Honestly, it was fine! Certainly no worse than Madame Web or Morbius and I enjoyed parts of both of those!  ATJ's abs deserve second billing, some of the stunts and action sequences were really great, and I will never, ever, get tired of seeing poachers and trophy hunters get eliminated viciously in multiple ways.

5/10

Holly and the Hot Chocolate

12/10/24    This one is a QVC original movie - who even knew that was a thing? Charming and light and oh so short! Just over an hour is the perfect runtime for this level of fluff.  Steve the mayor was the best part and so fun I'm giving it an extra point just for him.

6/10

Wicked

 

12/10/24   I have to say - I really enjoyed this so much more than I expected. I am not a fan of musicals, but he execution of this was just spectacular.  I was expecting Cynthia Erivo to be excellent, and she was incredible. What I was not prepared for was how incredibly hilarious Ariana Grande was - such a treat!  Sets, songs, choreography, all wonderful - just enough Goldblum, maybe not enough Michelle Yeoh and so much more animal cruelty that I was ready for.

7/10

Our Little Secret

 

12/9/24   This one wasn't as fun, but was still very good - more quality, less cheesy!  Similar vibes to Anyone But You but with less Shakespeare and more Chenoweth.  I had forgotten how good LiLo is when she's right in her lane. She solidly centers this flick and it's certainly worth a watch!

6/10

Hot Frosty

 

12/8/24   Oh boy, this one was fun and definitely understood the assignment! Charming, silly, and 90 minutes!  And hey! Outtakes over the end credits! Wonderful supporting cast who all seemed to be having a great time!  And it took me a bit before I realized that's Ted!

7/10

Meet Me Next Christmas

 

12/7/24  Okay, this is definitely one of my new favorites!  Charming and sweet, executes the formula very well, and Pentatonix as Pentatonix were absolutely hilarious! I now choose to believe they always answer questions in harmony!

9/10

The Merry Gentlemen

 

12/6/24   Nothing is better around the holidays than a cheesy holiday rom-com and this one is a perfectly crafted harmless piece of fluff. The formula is executed well and the cast is charming, including Rex Manning!

7/10

Red One

 

11/17/24  I really loved this movie - I went in with very low expectations and was absolutely delighted. I particularly liked the production design, especially the look of the reindeer and hey! Bonnie Hunt as Mrs. Claus! Plus, who knew I needed Kristofer Hivju as Krampus so badly. Give that dude a spin-off immediately.  

8/10

Venom - The Last Dance

 

Honestly, Tom Hardy does such a good job with this version of Venom, I enjoy these movies a whole bunch. Of course it makes no sense to Venom without Spider-Man, but hey - you go with what you got. Here, there is a whole bunch of symbiote craziness and some high quality nonsense and I am here for it.  

Plus - my theatre had a glow-in-the-dark Venom tote bag giveaway, so I'm giving it an extra point for that!

8/10

Jackpot!

9/14/24    I watched Jackpot on Amazon Prime - Feig has yet to give me a Spy sequel, which is what I really want.  Once I got through the Running Man-esque premise, I could let go and enjoy this. Everyone involved understood the assignment and it might be the best use of Machine Gun Kelly ever?  John Cena is a gifted comedian and maybe needs a ZAZ level comedy - I feel like he could shine in a Leslie Neilsen type role.

6/10

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

 

9/7/24    Overall, very fun. Great use of songs - feeling very justified in knowing more of MacArthur Park than I should (thanks, Vertical Limit). Also - dammit, Tim Burton - I had almost all the way recovered from the trauma of Danny DeVito dribbling black goo through Batman Returns.

7/10

Deadpool and Wolverine

 

7/26/24   I loved it - so much fun! My theater was full and everyone had a great time - each surprise cameo got big reactions, but one in particular had a bigger reaction than the rest and it was definitely not one I was expecting. What a genuine tribute to someone who kicked off this trend before it was popular. And one of the others - what a reward for someone who has been campaigning to play that character for years.  The movie was a hard R love letter to the Fox Marvel universe and hit me in the heart more than I expected!

9/10

Bad Boys Ride or Die

6/8/24 - I enjoyed this so much more than I expected! It took a few films, but Reggie may be my favorite character!  Also - love a Michael Bay cameo where he seems to just be playing himself!  Only thing missing for that bit was a spinning slo-mo drone shot of him in that Porshe. 

7 out of 10