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REVIEW: “HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON” (2025) Universal/Dreamworks

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Honestly… going into “HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON”, I didn’t expect to feel the same way I did back in 2010, but this film brought it all back and I mean ALL back. Well, I should say, Director Dean DeBlois, Writers Cressida Cowell & William Davies have brought it back here in this great animated film done in live-action remake. I mean you know the story, and if you don’t, a brief summary follows. But, you probably know the original one as it is the story of a friendship between a timid young Viking and a mysterious dragon. And not much has changed story-wide, or at least if it is, very little is to be spotted. And that’s what makes this wonderful live-action version so excellent, because it retains what made the original so charming and popular, while also standing on it’s own as possibly one of the best live action remakes we’ve ever had the pleasure to view.

For those who don’t know yet, ‘HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON’ is the story of Hiccup, the unpopular son of the Viking chieftain Stoick from he Viking village of Berk, which is home to dragon slayers only. Hiccup not only finds himself unable, but essientially also doesn’t want to slay dragons. Nevertheless, he submits himself to the ritual of dragon-slaying lessons in order to finally be accepted into the community and, above all, by his father. Hiccup has a little secret, though, and that’s Toothless, a Night Fury. Night Furies are the most feared dragons, but this one becomes friends with Hiccup.

Mason Thames (right) as Hiccup with his Night Fury dragon, Toothless, in Universal Pictures’ live-action How to Train Your Dragon, written and directed by Dean DeBlois.

The film is set what we can assume is the early medieval times. The village of Berk, inhabited by Vikings and a few other tribes, is constantly attacked by dragons. These dragons cause destruction and take away livestock. Hiccup (Mason Thames), the son of the village chieftain Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), wants to fight the dragons just like other warriors in his village. However, he’s deemed not suitable to do this and is instead asked to intern with Gobber (Nick Frost), the village blacksmith. The experience helps Hiccup to learn other facets of life and start to understand and create different machines. He invents and makes his very own ‘bolas launcher’, something completely created by his own mind & knowledge he has obtained from this internship, and he takes it out when the dragons attack one night. He also takes daytime jouneys on his own away from the village, and realizes one day that he is able to spot a Night Fury. It’s a dragon no one has ever seen and is considered to be the most dangerous of all. Hiccup launches a well, sort of attack in the way of mostly trying to trap the Night Fury, and ends up shooting it down. He cautiously informs his father and villagers about it but they don’t take him all too seriously. The next day, he goes back to the outskirts of the villlage to kinda tell himself he didn’t imagine all this and this is all real. He realizes that he is right and that he indeed attacked the creature, but again, not wanting to be a dragon slayer, instead of killing him, he sets the Night Fury free and furthermore names him Toothless. The dragon also doesn’t kill him but escapes. Toothless is now able to fly but only if Hiccup will ride him in another invention made of his own, a dragon-riding saddle. Meanwhile, Stoick and the rest of the warriors have ventured into the sea to find the nest of the dragons. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

With up-and-comer Mason Thames, they’ve found a really good Hicks, who bears a striking physical resemblance to his animated alter ego. Thames has a great sense of timing and finds subtle perfect nuances between comedy and drama. And his interactions with a non-existent dragon are simply flawless. The same can be said for newcomer Nico Parker’s performance as Astrid, as we see a little crush form over time of the film between the two of them, which was just sweetness personified.

The impressive images of many of the flying shots with Hiccup and Toothless are particularly breathtaking here. Virtually all of the dragons inserted with CGI are impressive in their realism. The visual effects and live-action footage are flawless, and both seem to be from the same world, the same place. Even the actual lead character, Nightshade Toothless, gains an unexpectedly realistic presence in realistic texture and movement – ​​and in cuteness factor. John Powell’s music is exemplary. Bill Pope’s cinematography is breathtaking. The locales of Ireland are well captured by the lensman. The VFX is top-class and the team especially did a great job with the dragon. It looks cute yet has the ability to terrify in its own sweet way of more tensenees vs. scary. The action is without any gore, but done to where you understand it, but it’s not mean, as say a machine gun battle form of violence. Lindsay Pugh’s costumes and Dominic Watkins’ production design are appropriate for the era depicted. Wyatt Smith’s editing is satisfactory, despite it being nearly 20 minutes longer than the 2010 animated film.

Stoick (Gerard Butler) in Universal Pictures’ live- action How to Train Your Dragon, written and directed by Dean DeBlois.

“How to Train Your Dragon” hasn’t refocused, really updated, or even expanded in any way here over the animated version. But it is still very much so it’s own film. Real images are fundamentally more appealing, even more so when a fantasy world becomes an almost visual, tangible reality. The images of the Viking village of Berk, or the Great Hall of the Council. The rocky landscapes and forests are impressive. Populated by real people of all kinds (again, great casting), and realistic dragons. It’s a beautiful and vibrant world, mystical yet inviting. DeBlois has increased the running time from the original 98 minutes to 125 titillating, pefectly done minutes. But the new “How to Train Your Dragon” justifies itself in every way possible. This isn’t just a children’s film, this is a film for all ages and I myself, was completely and thoroughly enthralled with it throughout the entire film. I lost myself in this world and I loved it.

This remake went far beyond my expectations. The casting was spot on all the way down the line from the entire young group of Dragon Slayers: Snotlout (Gabriel Howell), Fishlegs (Julian Denison), Tuffnut (Harry Trevaldwyn), to Flatula (Kate Kennedy) & Snorti (Marcus Onilude), all the way down and again, to the main cast who are just impecable. Too many to mention all, but they ALL mattered and added to the film. The performances as well, all felt genuine and convincing. Especially Hiccup and Astrid. I found myself reconnecting with them like it was the first time all over again. This film isn’t just a copy of its animated family-it’s a heartfelt experience that stands on its own and was nothing short of breathtaking. “How to Train Your Dragon” for me personally, completely exceeded my expectations – and then some. From the very first scene, I was drawn into its world, and I didn’t want to leave.

(from left) Astrid (Nico Parker), Ruffnut (Bronwyn James), Gobber (Nick Frost), Fishlegs (Julian Dennison) and Snotlout (Gabriel Howell) in Universal Pictures’ live-action How to Train Your Dragon, written and directed by Dean DeBlois.

What else can you ask for in a film except to escape for a short time. I think audiences will do just that this weekend and more.

Grade: A+

“HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON” IS OUT IN THEATERS FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2025

Review Screening: Monday June 9, 2025 ~ Courtesey of Universal Pictures & Dreamworks

Fun HTTYD T-shirt given to us by Universal/Dreamworks Thank you!!

Drama, Fantasy, Independent Feature, Movie Reviews, Movies, Sci Fi

REVIEW: “THE LIFE OF CHUCK” (2025) NEON

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Remembering only vaguely of the book that I probably read ages ago, Director Mike Flanagan and Writer extraordinaire’ Stephen King make a deep, beautifally layered film about the value of life here with “THE LIFE OF CHUCK”. It’s the kind of film that must be seen, not so much to be told about because it expresses so much in its 1 hour and 50 minutes of run time. It’s also really hard to explain, but Flanagan does not waste a single shot in this story told essentially backwards to forwards in different Acts.

The Third Act starts us off with Marty Anderson (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a school teacher, and starts with chronicling the crumbling world from the perspective of a small American town he lives in. The internet has been down for months and is about to go dark, along with the television and cell phone service. Meanwhile, climate change has devastated almost every country with California practically submerged itself in the Pacific, the mid-west is on fire, the rest of the World, I have no words, and the local doctor Felicia (Karen Gillan), also Marty’s ex-girlfriend, try to stay afloat. 

With all this going on around them, oddly the most frequent topic of conversation besides the latest catastrophic news, is everyone wondering about the curious billboards they’ve seen thanking a nerdy, but professionally dressed man, named Charles “Chuck” Krantz (Tom Hiddleston), congratulating him for his “39 ​​magnificent years.” But no one knows what he did for said 39 years. Is he a doctor? A radio host? A local TV personality? No one seems to know, but this is just one of the many questions that affect the film’s characters and, by now, undoubtable us, the audience, who are wondering how this apocalypse came about. However, “The Life of Chuck” doesn’t rush to provide linear answers, at least not at first. Instead, it features deep conversations between Felicia and Marty, who reflect not only on the state of the world, but on humanity’s very existence, now that society may be taking its last breath.

There is a narration, unfallably provided throughout the movie by the wonderful Nick Offerman, yet right from Act Three, everything seen and experienced unfolds perfectly all the way till the end, which is yes, Act One. But first, we have Act Two, where we finally meet “Chuck” and the focus immediately goes on Hiddleston and his character, but truly it’s a full team effort here and we watch as Janice (Annalise Basso), Hiddleston’s dance partner in this act, and Taylor Franck (The Pocket Queen), who is a drum busker, all combine their magnificent talent with moves from the amazing choreography of Mandy Moore & Stephanie Powell really make the dance scene sing. The Pocket Queen aka Franck, is a truly a magnificent talent in herself in her brief, but excellent role is a full standout of this Act Two and the movie as a whole. Hiddleston, while getting top billing, is really very much a smaller supporting role here in every sense of the word.

And then there is “Act One” and what an act it is. Pay attention here everyone as there is a young ‘Chuck Krantz’ here played by Benjamin Pajak that will blow you away. In fact, ALL the kids performances were just as brilliant as the adults, if not more so. Act One is beautifully done when young Chuck (Pajak), receives a very haunting monologue from his grandfather Albie Krantz (Mark Hamill), about certain choices in life. Act One really helps put the puzzle together that was Act Three, where the cosmic elements are more defined to you and it all comes together with a beautiful synergy. Act Two is the filler we needed to understand who older Chuck is and then as well, we have teenage Chuck (Jacob Tremblay), in a smaller, but poignent step in this story of ‘The Life of Chuck’.

The supporting cast brings warmth, depth, and surprise. Mia Sara, in a heartfelt return to the screen, shines as Chuck’s mother Sarah Krantz. Matthew Lillard’s brief appearance in Act One as Marty’s friend Gus, is both deeply touching. Mark Hamill lends weight and tenderness in his role as Chuck’s grandfather and is one of my three huge standouts here along with Pajak and The Pocket Queen. And again, Nick Offerman serves as the narrator, and his voice, calm, grounded, and thoughtful, beautifully anchors the film’s reflective tone.

Stephen King is right when he says The Life of Chuck is one of the good ones. The spirit and energy is felt from beginning to end, and with all on board performances giving their best, Flanagan is further establishing himself as a fine present-time director with this one as there is so much here to appreciate. As well, from the cosmic elements in ‘Act Three’ to the dancing scenes in ‘Acts Two & One,’ Flanagan did an exceptional job incorporating the sound throughout. The choreography is stunning and this film speaks to you. It just does. One thing I will say is The Life of Chuck is dedicated In Memory to Scott Wampler. And there are a few cameos in The Life of Chuck including Flanagan himself, but Scott’s inclusion just tugged me right at the heart.

As one does, I too have pondered in my life why certain moments are impactful and have helped form me into the individual I am today. It feels like utter randomness, but that’s the point isn’t it. What matters to us..what gives us substance…is what makes me well, me and us the unique people wer are. It’s the good, the bad, the meager, and the reality all of it that comes together to form our universe and reality as we know it.

So I’ll leave you with this: In a world where things are changing by the minute, not always in the positive, try to remember to still be kind to yourself and others. Hug your loved ones, forgive those you can forgive, and when or if, things don’t go as planned, accept and trust that your life was exactly as it was meant to be.That’s what my mom used to tell me, keep doing what makes you happy no matter what others say. She told me that as she was passing. I’ve never forgotten it.

“The Life of Chuck” is more than just a film, it’s a love letter to life, memory, connection, and the meaning we create in our short time here. Flanagan’s masterful direction, paired with a stellar cast and emotionally intelligent storytelling, makes this one of the most beautiful and thought-provoking films of the year.

I do highly recommend “The Life of Chuck” as it’s the film we all need right now.

Grade: A

“THE LIFE OF CHUCK” IS OUT FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2025 IN LIMITED RELEASE. WORLDWIDE RELEASE – FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2025

Review Screening: Thursday, May 29, 2025 ~ Courtesey of Ginsberg/Libby PR

Comedy, Dark Comedy, Horror, Independent Feature, Movie Reviews, Movies

REVIEW: “I DON’T UNDERSTAND YOU” (2025) Vertical Entertainment

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Going into “I DON’T UNDERSTAND YOU”, my initial thoughts were ‘comedy’. So I wasn’t prepared for a bit of emotion in the opening third of film.

The film opens with Writer/Directors Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig’s twisted comedy about two gay dad trying to make a video to be qualified as adopters for a child. The is the process, and it’s rather grueling to be honest. What do you say to have the mother, in this case – Amanda Seyfried (Candace), pick you to be her baby’s parents. It’s an emotional watch. It’s made more emotional by the fact that we find out, they have done this process before and been scammed.

But here is also where the movie just took a ball and pitched it into left field. We are in this completely poignent moment in time with these two men and what is clearly a big emotional moment in their lives – and then, we suddenly find outselves wandering through Italy with our wealthy gay couple Dom (Nick Kroll) and Cole (Andrew Rannells), as somewhere in all this, they have decided the world is against them. Remember, as of right now, and as Americans, they live in a time and in a country where they can legally marry, adopt, and do virtually everything straight people do; but this isn’t the case everywhere and Italy is a country that does not allow this. They’re also old enough to remember when all these freedoms weren’t available to them as well, so they anticipate rejection and homophobia at every turn. They’re prepared for the worst, and somehow they attract it.

But it’s also during this trip to Italy, which by the way was foreplanned as they are celebrating their anniversary, that they receives the news that the baby they’ve tried so hard to be elgible for, is going to be their’s and is about to be born. An old family friend of Dom’s Father organizes an exclusive dinner for them at a secluded restaurant. And so on.

And then it goes even wilder and weirder as the holidays unfold, what began as a simple anniverary vacation story takes weird, grim turns. Dom and Cole are immediately captivated by rustic restaurateur Francesca (Eleonora Romandini), though their imaginations begin to get the better of them, they misconstrue their knife-holding hostess (she’s a cook after all), and her macho son Massimo (Morgan Spector), as potential threats. Suddenly, the bodies are piling up, and the couple doesn’t know if they’ve dodged a hate crime or if they’ve perpetrated one against their hosts, who could hardly be kinder. And yet, they stab the air with knives and say things like, “You’re going to be a dey-ud.” If you’ve been watched your whole life (as Dom and Cole feel), it’s easy to misinterpret those signals. And because they’re unfamiliar with the local culture and language, (everything Italian is in sub-titles btw), things often escalate at breakneck speed.

I know this might seem strange, but there comes a point in this film where, objectively speaking, we begin to realize that Dom and Cole aren’t really great people (revealing the why/how here would ruin the film). In any case, “I Don’t Understand You” isn’t concerned with how these two might fare in a court of law in any world that I know of. Kroll and Rannells play the couple with a kind of “us against the world” conviction that draws the audience to their side, even when it’s not always clear whether their panic attacks and small displays of public affection are meant to seem cute or embarrassing, as it’s a hard read between the two here on them. It’s clear they like attention though.

Like their characters in “I Don’t Understand You”, the writer and director are also married in real life, which means that some of the tone of this film are presumably autobiographical, and probably exaggerated in an over-the-top manner. That’s what makes this kinda confusing to me, as this seems like it’s two totally different films shoved into one film. The first film is about the two men trying to adopt a child, the second film is about the same two men having all sorts of crazy happen on an anniversary trip to Italy together. Separately, these would’ve been two probably really good films, together, it just didn’t make sense. It ended sweetly though, with a throw-back to “film one” and happily ever after.

Grade: D+

“I DON’T UNDERSTAND YOU” IS OUT FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2025

Review Screener: Courtesy of Ginsberg/Libby PR

Movie Reviews

Review: “Misson: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

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How do you sum up a movie like this? How do you sum up this series that started over some 30 odd years ago? Well you open it with a montage of ALL those 35 years of missions done by the one and only Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. All his villians, all his losses. Everything we have all gone through together while watching this series. It’s almost like we’re family at this point.

To put the basics out first and foremost, let me cover them real quick. The new film picks up exactly where the previous part left off. Agent Ethan Hunt is in possession of the cruciform key, and the Entity is becoming increasingly powerful. As everyone anticipated, Ethan sets out to locate the submarine and destroy the Entity at any cost. However, the IMF chief and U. S. authorities are aiming to control the Entity rather than eliminate it. Standing against this is the Madam President Erika Sloane (Angela Bassett), who urges Ethan to save the country just one more time, along with General Sidney (Nick Offerman).

‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ is the 8th and yes, seemingly final film in the franchise. Pretty impressive that Tom Cruise has been steadily making these for 30 years, without ever over-saturating the film market with it unlike some franchise series. “Final Reckoning” is a direct sequel to ‘Dead Reckoning’, and we find Ethan Hunt in possession of said key to stop the malevolent AI called “The Entity”. Now the The Entiity can be a lot of things, and not to get political, but to me it meant Elon, Mark, Jeff. Period. Full Stop. With that being said, we move on with the plot. With this key, it means Ethan comes out of the shadows a bit once again with the plot being he has to retrieve something from a sunken submarine, which is arguably one of the most intense scenes in the film, as well as possibly the most unbelievable, but is expertly done. And that’s a running undertone in this film. It seems unbelievable, but if you really think about it, it’s also very believable and could – well, actually be someday. The CIA still doesn’t trust him. He’s still being chased by all kinds of people. And he and his team are once again doing these insane, almost impossible missions that somehow push the limits every time. The rest of the Ethan’s team seemed to get more screen time this time, and there were a few cool scenes where it cut between them fighting in their own dangerous situations-those parts were especially intense and exciting.

Speaking of this team, we get to see most of the team from the previous film back – long-timers Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), Kittridge (Henry Czerny), plus returnees Grace (Hayley Atwell), Paris (Pom Klementieff) and villian Gabriel (Esai Morales). Newcomer Tramel Tillman does a fine job as submarine Captain Bledsoe. The best call-back though is Donloe (Rolf Saxon), and how he’s important to the story as well, I would be remiss to not mention Shea Whigham as Jasper Briggs, and we know yes, we know who his dad was at the beginning of this series. As much as it’s all about Ethan, it’s always good to see the IMF team in action. I will give a quick shoutout to my old client from waaaay back in my APA days, the always wonderful, lovely, Holt McCallany reprising his role as Serling.

Similar to the last film, it’s shot around the world – London, Norway, South Africa. The stunts in the bi-planes flying over the South African coast are particularly stunning, and amazing to know that Cruise is literally hanging on those planes himself. There is one sequence, a 20-minute spectacle involving planes, that had us gripping the edge of our seats. Not because it was over-the-top, but because it felt so damn real. Remember when I said there are ‘undertones’, well, this one is right in front of your face. If you ever read the wonderful, brilliant Charles Schultz “Peanuts” comics. Snoopy thinks he’s a World War I pilot and flies The Sopwith Camel, and who is he fighting – well, The Red Baron of course. Did no one notice the colour of the planes? This was that. As well, the positioning of the cameras, the roaring sound of the engines, the barely visible tremble in Ethan’s muscles. All of it screams authenticity. You could feel the gravity. You could feel the weight. And you could tell Cruise was putting every drop of himself into it. It is art through adrenaline.

This film is not just about espionage, global threats, or saving the world. At its very core, it is a cinematic love letter to Tom Cruise. From the very first shot, the camera practically worships him. And honestly, we do too. There is no plastic surgery – there is no botox, this is ALL Tom Cruise in his graceful aging self. And what a self it is. This man is the Taylor Swift of the Film world. I implore, no wait, I beg you to stay for the end credits to see things like The Polar Bear handler and The Snake Wrangler that he employed in the different places he films. It’s mind blowing. He is Mission: Impossible. It’s almost as if the film pauses just long enough to let us appreciate the legacy he’s built. The real bruises, the real fear in his eyes, the real wind slamming against his face thousands of feet in the air. When they say he does his own stunts, this movie is the ultimate proof of that. Having been fortunate enought to have three close friends as stunt women/men in my life, there are times I can tell when he uses one a stunt double, but trust me, it’s rare. That speaks volumes about the man, the actor, the physic. Quick note for the women that read this review: Tom Cruise does a full fight scene in Boxer briefs. Sorry guys, I had to throw that in. It’s a sight to behold and it’s so legit. Like too legit to quit. (Thank you MC Hammer)!

As well, Cruise himself doesn’t give a rat’s poop what people think about him, his personal life, or anyone else’s for that matter. Sure, he is a Scientologist, make of that what you want, but at one point Hannah Waddingham’s character, Admiral Neely, hands him a St. Christopher medal. Esai Morales, a known anti-vaxxer, flashbacks of Jon Voight, a full MAGA, Simon Pegg – a walking, talking controversy. As we say, it is what it is. He wants a good movie and he makes a good movie. Period.

To know what happens next, you must watch the movie. The Final Reckoning is a heavy, brooding farewell that wants to honor Ethan Hunt and Tom Cruise with the gravitas of a cinematic eulogy. Because this feels like the last time we’ll see him this raw, this real. If this really is the end, and I think it is, The Final Reckoning isn’t flawless but it is fearless. Thank you, Tom Cruise for these past 30+ years of cinematic brilliance. Just thank you.

This film is an absolute adrenaline rush making the almost three hour runtime fly by, and pulling together the last 30 years of this insane franchise. At the end, there’s no new mission for Ethan. Maybe this really is the end of a franchise that’s lasted this long.

I shall miss this franchise – Mission: Impossible – I bid you a fond adieu.

Grade: A-

“MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE” IS OUT FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2025

Review Screening: Thursday, May 15, 2025 ~ Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Australian Films, Independent Feature, Movie Reviews, Movies, Psychological Thriller, Thriller

Review: “The Surfer” (2025) Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions

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There is no doubt in my mind that Nicolas Cage is an incredible actor. His body of work speaks for itself. There are many of his films that are on my favourites list and my ‘highly recommend’ lists. That being said, just when you think you have him pegged in a category, he goes and throws you a hard curve ball. That curve ball here is “THE SURFER”, an Australian Independent Film directed by Lorcan Finnegan and written by Thomas Martin.

Nic plays The Surfer, who is sort of a investor/realtor as well, an American, born and raised in Australia, who is attempting to take his son, The Kid (Finn Little), surfing out on an Australian beach at the same Australian beaches he used to in his childhood. However, he is prevented from doing so by a local gang of local, sunburnt surfers who humiliate him in front of his son. The ‘surprise’ for his son was to show him the beach with the hopes of buying up his father’s old property nearby for them to live in from of course, The Estate Agent (Rahel Romahn). As they enter the beach area from the parking lot, they run into none other than the Locals. Yes, this is a “Locals Only” beach ran by Scally (Julian McMahon), and his gang of merry surfers consisting of Blondie (Rory O’Keeffe), Pitbull (Alexander Bertrand), Runt 1 (James Bingham), Runt 2 (Austen Wilmot), and Runt 3 (Talon Hopper). These are just a few of what we referred to when I was a kid in Huntington Beach, CA as “Surf Nazi’s.” You only need to watch “American History X” to fully understand the true scale of these people as yes, they did exist, and yes, they do still exist.

From here on, “The Surfer” takes us on a wild ride through various time slips, with Cage’s character making increasingly desperate calls to his broker friend, and encounters with local bullying kids I mentioned, Add in an ominous, Reaper-esque like character named The Bum (Nicholas Cassim), an elder who brings up grim facts of his past, we watch as not only he, but Cage’s character The Surfer as well, slowly lose their moorings to real life. The Surfer becomes a stranded, demented wanderer of the area, insisting on some version of life that doesn’t jive with reality.

I can’t remember the last time I saw someone suffer – on screen – this much. The amount of punishment, deprivation and gaslighting that Nic Cage’s character suffered throughout the film is only matched by the sheer perseverance and desire he had to ride those waves with his son. Proving that parental ties can sometimes top anything and everything and nothing else matters but that one goal.

Despite the constant abuse being shown on screen, the film sustains a weird comedic and almost dreamy quality throughout. The soundtrack with its use of chimes and the camera with its play on focus helped elevate those scenes with a dehydrated Cage to a place straddling between a delirious dream and a nightmare. Sometimes the film crosses into a point of hilarious ridiculousness; there is one scene where a dead rat comes out of someone’s pocket and is used as a weapon.

I was also a bit surprised by just how gorgeous of a film The Surfer actually is. The cinematography and editing are quite over the top, but never overdone. It’s clear he filmmaker’s are having fun shooting the film as they clearly respect the power of the ocean and the beauty of the waves and surfing experience itself.. It’s also impressive how much dynamic they manage to get out of a movie that literally takes place entirely between one beach and the parking lot next to it.

Summing it up, there were points at the beginning where I thought, “this can’t be real”, but then I only had to remember writing “Locals Only” in surf wax at age 15 on the 9th street beach apartment walls to remember, “Oh “yeah it is real”. I mean we never went to this extent, but some did.

All in all, “The Surfer” keeps your brain going and I came to respect the film. As well, a great supporting cast including Julian McMahon whom has a fully riveting presence as the film’s co-star, as well.

While the final act of the film is certainly the most loose and lawless part of the experience, and is sure to be the killer of joy for some, again, it had me respecting the film in a particular way in the end.

Grade: C+

“THE SURFER” IS OUT NOW WORLDWIDE

Review Screener: Courtesy of Ginsberg/Libby PR

Movie Reviews

Review: “Another Simple Favor” (2025) Amazon MGM Studios

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I love camp-y and bonkers type films. And let me tell you, “ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR” gave this to me, and so much more. But before I delve really into it, a little of the basics on the film whose set was surrounded by very public controversy.

“ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR” is the second part of a story of a famous author/influencer who gets into trouble yet again. We start a few years after the events of the first part where we find Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick), is now an author and also dabbles in solving criminal cases. She has even written a book about her experience of getting involved in the disappearance and fake death of her ex-BFF Emily Nelson (Blake Lively). Sadly, her book is not doing well, as intended and at a book-reading session, a surprise guest arrives. None other than the famous Emily. Turns out, she was in prison and then suddenly released, and yes, we do find out why.

While there to essentially clock Stephanie about everything she’s done, she also informs Stephanie that she’s getting married to Dante Versano (Michele Morrone), a stunning Italian man from a questionable family. She also asks for another favour – she asks Emily to be her maid of honour at her wedding in Capri. With some back n forth going on, eventually, Stephanie reluctantly agrees to join her. At the wedding venue, Stephanie learns that Sean (Henry Golding), Emily’s ex-husband, is also invited along with a few surprise ‘guests’ Emily’s mother, Margaret McLinden (Elizabeth Perkins), and her aunt Linda McLinden (Allison Janney). Dante’s mother Portia (Elena Sofia Ricci), is also there and very vocally apparent in her dislike of Emily. The situation is volatile and on top of it, a murder takes place on the island. What happens next, well that’s your wild ride to watch and makes up the rest of the film.

Jessica Sharzer and Laeta Kalogridis‘s story is full of twists and turns. Paul Feig‘s direction is effective. He tries his best to make sure that the plot points of the first part are understood in the sequel. Hence, the electrifying chemistry between the two female leads and the sassy exchange of words between them are present in abundance. The tension that arises at the wedding also keeps the interest going. There is more than one major plot twist in the second half which will not just be unexpected, one of them will boggle the mind. The ;camp’ of the film is over the top this time around. The first one, had some, but this time, CAMP is taken to a whole nother level, not just in plot, but in wardrobe as well, which is done superbly by Renee Ehrlich Kalfus, whose costumes are striking and will be talked about for sure come awards time. They are on a whole other level. Blake Lively, who continally stuns at the Met Gala, well here, it is like she is doing Met Gala after Met Gala after Met Gala here. It’s wonderful. Simply wonderful.

Anna Kendrick, as per usual, delivers another entertaining performance. Her and Lively play off each other so well in this series. This time however, her character has evolved as what has happened in her life has changed it dramatically. Yet, she still has that bit of naivity and this balance has been nicely done by Anna in her act. Lively, as expected, is fiery yet again. She keeps her act mysterious and she does full justice to her part. Henry Golding dominates his role as Sean Townsend, despite limited screen time, gives it all he’s got. And he’s got a lot to ‘show’ you! Elizabeth Perkins, is my scene stealer of the film. Again, a smaller role, but oh-so-juicy here. Allison Janney and Elena Sofia Ricci lend support in their more motherly, matronly roles, but with spice of course. Michele Morrone! I mean whoa! Looks alone don’t get you through a role, and he proves he has both looks and chops. Alex Newell (Vicky), is back as Stephanie’s assistant. While she’s funny again, she doesn’t have as much layers to her here. But still, leaves a mark. Ian Ho (Nicky), does his fair shake as Emily & Sean’s son, but he does get ignored a bit during a scene pretty much all about him. Andrew Rannells (Darren), Bashir Salahuddin (Detective Summerville), Lorenzo de Moor (Matteo), Max Malatesta (Detective Antonio Lucchese) and Taylor Ortega (Agent Irene Walker), all add background flair to make things work in the background. A specail shoutout to Ortega as she was so damn funny at points. Great dark comedic relief.

On the whole, ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR benefits from an intriguing script and a series of unexpected twists. Is it perfect? No. It’s not. But if you want to have some wild fun, with insane fashion, this is your movie. It has it’s cliches’ of course, but it’s appeal is undeniable.

Grade: C+

“ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR” IS NOW STREAMING IN THE US ON AMAZON PRIME

Review Screening: Monday, April 28, 2025 ~ Courtesy of Ginsberg/Libby PR

Movie Reviews

Review: “On Swift Horses” (2025) Sony Pictures Classics

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“On Swift Horses” takes place in the 1950s and explores an unconventional love triangle. Two brothers, Korean War veterans who couldn’t be further apart in ideals, but still love each other. In-between is one of the brother’s wife. All three have dreams…and two of which were really hard to come by with 1950s homophobia being so prevelant.

One need only watch a couple of episodes of “Leave it to Beaver” to comprehend just how ideal and perfect family life in the 1950’s was portrayed. Only that was a façade and real life was much different, especially for anyone who wasn’t a straight white male … and even many of those served in the military during the Korean War and/or faced the pressure of being the ‘head of the household’ so to speak. Daniel Minahan directs the screenplay from Bryan Kass, who adapted the 2019 novel from Shannon Pufahl.

Daisy Edgar-Jones is Muriel, a young woman who reluctantly accepts the wedding proposal from Lee (Will Poulter). In keeping with the times, Lee has his dreams of a new house in the then growing suburbs of the San Diego Valley area in California. They shared somewhat reluctantly with Muriel, yet he’s also a bit annoyed by her reluctance to sell her childhood Kansas house she inherited from her recently deceased mother for the down payment. A third wheel pops up in the form of Lee’s direction-less younger brother Julius (Jacob Elordi), who has recently been discharged from the Navy.

An intriguing connection forms between Muriel and Julius, and it continues playing out through the entirety of the story. While Lee strives for the traditional American dream, Julius and Muriel separately maneuver through their own internal emotions that don’t easily slide into the life that 1950’s ‘respectable folks’ are expected to follow. Both have a bit of hustler in them as Muriel uses her saavy during shifts as a diner waitress to pick up tips on the next horse race, while Julius capitalizes on his Las Vegas casino surveillance job with the mob no less – and is the thing that brings him both some good money and true love. Or does it?

Two well done supporting roles are courtesy of Diego Calva as Henry, and Sasha Calle as Sandra. To give away too much here would be to reveal spoilers that just deserve to be seen and understood. What I can say is the story takes us from Kansas to California to Las Vegas to Tijuana. Along the way, we witness the challenges faced by those, to put it politely, were out of step with society. We see the deceits required as these characters walk the line between what’s expected and their true path to follow each of their true dreams. It can be heartbreaking and frustrating, and the film shoots down the façade of the perfect 50’s “Leave it to Beaver” lifestyle.

The acting is well thought out, with Daisy Edgar-Jones seamlessly capturing the look of the era, but also a bit far-fetched at moments as while they have no money, her wardrobe is top-notch. But that’s the movies. Jacob Elordi fulfills a more heavy role, but beware of the young teen girls who “oooh and ahhh” at misgiven points. This is a film for those who appreciate climbing inside the characters to understand their longing.

“On Swift Horses” has it’s unintenial campy moments, but overall it’s a good reveal to the struggle faces by so many in the 1950’s. But just as I wasn’t there, I’ve read many books on this subject matter and many filmgoers can’t even imagine what it was like then. I will forever salute the brave men, women and everyone who stood up to homophobia to paved the paths to what we have now, even while it’s trying to be once again, taken away.

Admittedly, the pacing is deliberate and the tone sombre, which again, can alienate those who stare at 30 second reels all day. But for those who appreciate a film whose message matches its content that doesn’t patronize its audience, they will find it rewarding.

Grade: B-

“ON SWIFT HORSES” is now playing in theaters.

Review Screening: Thursday, April 10, 2025 ~ Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classic and The Cherry Picks

Action, Crime, Crime Thriller, Movie Reviews, Movies, Thriller

REVIEW: “EQUALIZER 3” (2023) Sony Pictures

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Who doesn’t love Denzel Washington right. We all do and here he teams up again with director Antoine Fuqua once again as Robert McCall in the third film of this series.

This time they head to Italy where McCall goes to “find peace”. It isn’t long till the mafia shows up with one of the best looking mafiaoso’s I’ve ever seen in Marco (Andrea Dodero), & his brother Vincent (Andrea Scarduzio), but they are there to make life messy for this little Italian town.

Robert McCall (DENZEL WASHINGTON) takes out Marco (ANDREA DODERO) in Columbia Pictures THE EQUALIZER 3. Photo by: Stefano Montesi

Equalizer 3 isn’t an overly original story and while Denzel tries his best to keep this formulaic film from completely failing..he succeeds at that, but not much more. Dakota Fanning is thrown in as Emma Collins a CIA agent – but her story thread is barely noticed.

Mind you the violence is high so be prepared for that. I wanted so much more than what I got, but it wasn’t terrible as is sure to entertain some.

Grade: C-

Follow me on twitter: @pegsatthemovies or Instagram: Peggyatthemovies

“EQUALIZER 3” FROM SONY PICTURES IS OUT IN THEATERS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

Review Screening: Monday, August 25,2023 ~ Courtesy of Sony Pictures

Action, Action Adventure, Adventure, CGI, Drama, Movie Reviews, Movies

REVIEW: “GRAN TURISMO” (2023) SONY PICTURES

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Unfortunately, if you’re a fan of racing “GRAN TURISMO” from director Neill Blomkamp will probably not be your film as you can see the glaring holes in this too-good-to-be-true story of a gamer who becomes a race car driver overnight by winning a contest. Now I don’t mind liberties taken with films, but outright untruths are ridiculous. Things like no practice, no qualifying, how many clutch gear-changes were shown when these haven’t been used in race cars for decades! Again, don’t try to fool real race fans this badly.

The real Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), wasn’t from the first class of GT Academy SIM winners to have gone from gamer to actual racing and he was not part of the Nissan team to get a podium win. Lucas Ordóñez from Spain was – and he raced for Nissan in 2009, as well as secured a podium win on his first ever event competition. In reality – Mardenborough was one of the winners of the GT Academy competition in 2011 and that same year, became eligible to race on actual cars. He had already competed in seven professional events so by that time, so he joined the Nissan team in 2013. Essentially, the entire movie’s emphasis on raw talent making it big overnight makes you feel like some random kid can win a game and become a pro-race driver – something that takes years of hard work and yes, loads of time and money. But those are the pesky facts and the issue for me personally as a Formula 1 racing fan with the taking of such dramatic license is that the viewer shouldn’t be this mislead that a video game simulator player can just transition so quickly to real life racing when in factual life, it would be completely unsafe and unrealistic.

Now that that my pesky facts are out of the way, let’s get into the film itself. A lot of the action sequences in the first half were disappointingly brief. The entirety of the first act and parts of the second seemed somewhat disorganized, transitioning quickly from scene to scene, giving the impression that they were rushing through story elements, almost as if they were trying to quickly check off various plot points to hurry towards the uplifting part of the narrative. The racing was a mixed bag, at times absorbing you in how intense it was but often it felt like some races ended too abruptly. Of course, it’s impossible to show an entire race within a movie’s scope, yet for the pivotal races, the execution was still fairly good and it got better by the end. Once the movie finds its heart and essence, you’re drawn in more, not just the thrill of the action but also the emotional resonance. As for the CGI, the intention is clearly behind giving it a gaming vibe, but still a little unsure about it for the racing as other films have done it better.

David Harbour as Jack Salter brings to the table his best Christian Horner (Red Bull) & Toto Wolff (Mercedes Benz), impersonations here and delivers a fairly strong performance, with the interactions between him and Jann standing out more than the racing scenes in some parts. Although David’s acting was good throughout, Madewake was his best when they were sharing the screen at the middle point of the film – in the beginning, his gaming acting was on the cheesy, annoying side, but he picked it up as the character became more rounded out. Djimon Hounsou as Jann’s dad Steve Mardenborough is sadly lackluster throughout, but to be honest, he wasn’t given the proper material. The character of Danny Moore – team executive/recruiter is played by Orlando Bloom – and while Bloom has never been Oscar worthy, this performance is a new low and brings the film down another grade notch to film adding to a few other lackluster performances within it.  A few of highlights were none other than Ginger Spice herself, Geri Halliwell aka Geri Horner – yes, that Christian Horner’s real-life wife and here she plays wife/mother Lesley Mardenborough. A few other notables supporting roles are Takehiro Hira, Darren Barnet, and Daniel Puig as Jann’s brother Colby.

Josha Stradowski as racing rival Nicholas Capa, was decent enough, seemingly tailor-made for the role of an egotistic douchebag. Apart from David Harbour, much of the cast seemed to be underused, particularly Bloom and Hounsou. Djimon, a good actor, could have been better utilized if the father character had been more effectively written, allowing for a deeper dive of the family dynamic. The film touches on a few things but only scratches the surface; like the beef with the rich guys portrayed as the story’s antagonists, although the film really wasn’t the kind of film that truly needed an outright villain so another failed dramatic license taken. Without all this, it could have freed up more time to concentrate on aspects like the father-son relationship, which had a pivotal moment that didn’t have the desired impact due to insufficient emotional buildup.

The movie as well, does take a while to establish its rhythm and pacing but once it finds its footing, it can be enjoyable at moments. Despite solid performances, the movie lacks conviction and feels like an overblown ad for PlayStation and/or Gran Turismo games It’s a shame the producers decided to also mish mash the true events and true racing talents to give us this composite. And yes, the film does feel a bit like a ‘Rocky-on-the-racetrack kinda movie – only ‘Rocky’ was Oscar worthy.

Grade: C-

Follow me on twitter: @pegsatthemovies or Instagram: Peggyatthemovies

“GRAN TURISO” FROM SONY PICTURES IS OUT IN THEATERS FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2023

Review Screening: Monday, August 7,2023 ~ Courtesy of Sony Pictures

Movie Reviews

REVIEW: “STRAYS” (2023) Universal

3 Comments

Strays is everything you didn’t know you needed for a weekend film watch.

Coming out Friday, August 18th, 2023 from @universalpictures with a great cast including #WillFerrell #JamiFoxx #IslaFisher #RandallPark as the rauchiest pups in town. Yet so completely adorably sweet as well. #WillForte is the main ‘human’ here that you honestly just want to punch in the face..and well deserves his comeuppance here at the end – which you will never forget!

(from left) Maggie (Isla Fisher), Reggie (Will Ferrell), Bug (Jamie Foxx), and Hunter (Randall Park) in Strays, directed by Josh Greenbaum.

Is it a perfect comedy? no..as it has a few ‘yikes’ moments and let’s be real – a french Bulldog that’s worth around 3.5K is not ever going to be a stray..as well it’s full of raunch humour..but it’s raunch humour done right.

It also is completely adorable at times and has an definitive underlying sweetness that will touch you. But don’t do what I almost did and take the kid..because this is most definitely R-rated as was pointed out to my by said 10 yr old. “The “R” is right there in the dogs mouth on the poster” 😂

So my advice..skip the Marvel’ing and get some good animalistic humour with this one!


P.S. #DennisQuaid for the WIN!

Grade: B