Godzilla vs. Kong

Godzilla vs. Kong is a 2021 action adventure film directed by Adam Wingard. A sequel to both Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) and Kong: Skull Island (2017), it is the fourth film in Legendary's MonsterVerse. After a devastating and seemingly unprovoked attack by Godzilla, Kong is transported to a place known as “Hollow Earth” in an attempt to stop any future collateral damage.

The cast includes Alexander Skarsgård (“Big Little Lies,” “The Little Drummer Girl”), Millie Bobby Brown (“Stranger Things”), Rebecca Hall (“Christine,” “Professor Marston and the Wonder Women”), Brian Tyree Henry (“Joker,” “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”), Julian Dennison (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Deadpool 2), and Eiza González (Baby Driver, Hobbs & Shaw).

THE GOOD

To a certain extent we know what to expect with a movie like Godzilla vs. Kong, but that’s half the fun. This movie is an absolute blast and begs to be seen on the big screen with the sound piercing through your veins. I felt like a kid again watching these two battle it out, destroying entire cities in the process. Even though it was dropping on HBO Max the same day as theaters, I made sure to see it in theaters first. I have since watched it at home as well, and nothing compares to the theater experience so do yourself a favor and spend that $10 or whatever the ticket costs even if you watched it at home already, you will thank me later.

The bread and butter of this movie is the battle scenes, and they are glorious. 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters was a disappointment for a number of reasons, but paramount of the issues was the fact that the epic fight scenes were largely non-existent. I mean people showed up with their popcorn and candy expecting to get the goods, but it never really came. The good news is, Godzilla vs. Kong learned from those mistakes, and gives us a front row seat for some intense battles. I could watch these two go head to head all day, maybe even all night if I can sneak in a nap or two. Godzilla and Kong get into it like nobodies business, but make no mistake, this is a King Kong movie at the end of the day. The story is built around Kong so it lives and dies with his direct connection to prior events impacting what takes place in this film. Godzilla still has a big part in the overall plot of course and tips the first domino, but the allegiances of the main characters are with the giant ape.

The technical side of things are top-notch, the best a $160 million budget can buy. From the CGI, to the soundtrack and cinematography, everything feels alive and in your face. Godzilla and Kong both look amazing, and the cities are beautiful and alive, before they destroy them of course. I don’t think we could have done much better.

The cast in this Godzilla vs. Kong is absolutely stacked. We are treated with a grown up Stranger Things alum Millie Bobby Brown, and her sidekick Julian Dennison of Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Deadpool 2 fame. If that wasn’t enough, “Mr. Friday Night Lights coach Taylor Kyle Chandler plays Brown’s dad. They are teamed up with Brian Tyree Henry in a role slight different than what we are used to seeing from him.

We also have the great Alexander Skarsgård who was formerly a force to he reckoned with in HBO’s True Blood, and quite the ladies man if I remember correctly. We also have Rebecca Hall, Eiza González, and Demián Bichir just to rounds things out. Demián Bichir seems to be in everything these days as he was just in the drama Land as well. Like I said, a great cast and really just a reunion of talent even though some were better utilized than others.

THE BAD

I don’t really have many issues with Godzilla vs. Kong, it gave me everything I was hoping for in a pre-summer blockbuster and then some. But, it wasn’t perfect especially if you start focusing on imperfections which I think are more glaring when watching from versus the all encompassing theater environment.

One of my issues had to do with the use of Julian Dennison and his abilities as a comedic actor. Sure he’s been typecast in his last few movies as far as the type of character he plays, but if it ain’t broke don’t fix it right? The New Zealand native is only 18-years old, but he has already made quite a name for himself and Godzilla vs. Kong just didn’t give him the opportunity to impact the comedic element of the movie which is really too bad. Mexican actress and singer Eiza González is absolutely beautiful and I would marry her in a second, but her character was extremely out of place and seemed to only serve as eye candy. Again I am fine with that, but still worth pointing out.

I also felt like much of the plot felt rushed causing some of the conclusions to lack the kind of satisfaction you would expect. I mean this is not an overly long movie at just under 2 hours, but I feel like they must have made some significant cuts to bring down the run time which hurt the story. Keep an eye out for the uncut/extended edition 4K Blu-ray, because I have a feeling it will be worth every penny.

THE VERDICT

An absolute visual powerhouse that gives fans exactly what they were hoping for and then some, Godzilla vs. Kong is the perfect movie to justify a trip to the theater and hopefully a sign of great things to come. I had a blast with this movie, and it felt great to see such a big turnout with people reserving seats in advance for showings over the weekend. The theater was full, with social distancing guidelines in place of course, and the energy was electric. It felt like the good old days at the movie theater which sometimes feels like 10 years ago. You can certainly enjoy this at home as well, but if you skip the theater you will regret it. Highly recommended.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.5/10

Godzilla vs. Kong is now in theaters and available on HBO Max. Check out the trailer below.

The Unholy

The Unholy is a 2021 horror thriller that tells the story of Alice, a young hearing-impaired girl who, after a supposed visitation from the Virgin Mary, is inexplicably able to hear, speak and heal the sick. As word spreads and people from near and far flock to witness her miracles, a disgraced journalist hoping to revive his career visits the small New England town to investigate. When terrifying events begin to happen all around, he starts to question if these phenomena are the works of the Virgin Mary or something more sinister.

The Unholy is produced by Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Evan Spiliotopoulos, written for the screen and directed by Evan Spiliotopoulos, and is based upon James Herbert’s best-selling book Shrine. The cast includes Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Katie Aselton, William Sadler, Cricket Brown, Diogo Morgado, and Cary Elwes.

THE GOOD

Bottom line, The Unholy is a genuinely enjoyable and effective horror movie. It includes most of that what we look for in a film that is designed to scare us, and I think those of you who really enjoy a good jump scare will be very pleased. I can usually see the jump scares coming from a mile away, but they got me pretty good a few times. I also really liked how they portrayed the evil entity, it wasn’t corny at all and even borrowed a few of the better elements from The Ring. The original of course, not that trash new version. She sort of reminded me of the original Woman In Black, which is a compliment. As someone who was born and currently lives in New England, we have a great deal of history here, much of which has a dark past. The Unholy taps into that much like many other movies before, and just the backstory alone keeps things interesting throughout. As mentioned above it is based on the book Shrine, written by James Herbert. I have yet to read the book but it is now on my list.

Horror films involving religion are popular for a number of reasons. As someone who grew up around a church, my aunt and uncle are pastors, I understand the devotion and realize that it is a way of life. The Unholy reminds us that putting our faith in something greater than us can sometimes have terrifying results. We need to watch out for the “pop up” tent churches that end up being more like a cult, similar to what we saw in the first season of the HBO series True Detective. Long story short, tread carefully because you may just sell your soul to the bad guy by mistake.

As far as the technical aspects, everything worked out pretty well all things considered. I thought the CGI element was well done and effective, the score and cinematography kept things consistent with the mood, and everything from a directing standpoint were solid as well. What matters most is the “monster”, and I don’t think they could have done a better job with her. She is extremely creepy and very tastefully done, and this is coming from someone who watches way too many horror movies.

I thought the acting was well above average especially for a horror movie. Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who most people know as Negan from AMC’s The Walking Dead, is great in the lead role. He is a legit actor and does a nice job keeping the acting out of the loss column for the movie as a whole. I also really liked Katie Aselton and Cricket Brown, who both played prominent roles. As far as the supporting cast is concerned, as Bill Belichick would say, everyone did their job.

THE BAD

The Unholy deals with many of the usual issues plaguing horror films, but the biggest in my mind is overall believability. To me, this falls on the writing and several missed opportunities during some of the more pivotal moments. It’s hard to keep an audience invested when characters seem largely unphased after some of the more dramatic sequences. I don’t want to spoil anything for this movie so I will give an example from the 2018 horror film The Nun. At one point Demián Bichir’s character is buried alive in a grave with no clue how it even happened. Lucky for him, he is found and dug out but immediately after both characters just act like it wasn’t even a big deal that he was literally just buried alive. Just lazy writing if you ask me.

The Unholy takes place in Massachusetts and the accents were a little brutal during certain scenes. But at the same time let’s be honest, “masshole” accents tend to be pretty rough in general.

THE VERDICT

Although it struggles to reach its full potential, The Unholy is still a very solid entry in the horror genre packed with well-timed jump scares showcasing Jeffrey Dean Morgan in a starring role. As a diehard horror fan, I enjoyed this movie and have no issue whatsoever recommending it. Could it have been better? Sure, but quality horror films are few and far between these days so we need to appreciate movies like this. With an R-rating and some grittier writing, this could have been an instant classic. Recommended.

TED TAKES RATING - 7/10

The Unholy is now playing in theaters. Check out the trailer below.

Nobody

Nobody is a 2021 action thriller directed by Ilya Naishuller (Hardcore Henry) and written by Derek Kolstad. The film stars Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, RZA, Aleksei Serebryakov, and Christopher Lloyd.

Odenkirk plays Hutch Mansell, an underestimated and overlooked dad and husband, taking life’s indignities on the chin and never pushing back. A nobody. When two thieves break into his suburban home one night, Hutch declines to defend himself or his family, hoping to prevent serious violence. His wife and teenage son, disappointed in him, begin to see him as less of a man. Soon Hutch is pushed too far, and his dark past changes everything. Odenkirk and David Leitch are among the film's producers.

Nobody made its theatrical release in the United States on March 26th, 2021, from Universal Pictures. 

THE GOOD

First things first, I am what you would call a John Wick “fanboy”, assuming that’s a thing. I couldn’t get enough of the John Wick films starring my guy Keanu Reeves, and I own all 3 on Blu-ray. Now when it was first announced that Hardcore Henry director Ilya Naishuller was teaming up with John Wick 1, 2, and 3 writer Derek Kolstad, I was intrigued. Add in legendary stunt coordinator/director/actor David Leitch (John Wick, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2) attached to the project as a producer, and my money was already on the table. This was going to be good.

And they did NOT disappoint. I will admit that the comparisons to John Wick made me feel like the bar was set a little too high coming out of the gate and that was definitely in the back of my mind for the first portion of the film, but that faded into the background pretty quick. Now it has a very similar shoot-em-up stylish action flick feel, but Nobody also carves out more of its own identity than I initially thought possible. Certain elements are perfectly intact, both John Wick and Hutch Mansell are guys you just don’t want to piss off. And just like the idiots in all 3 John Wick movies, someone always finds a way to initiate the chain reaction that ends with bodies, lots and lots of bodies.

The calling card for Nobody that sets it apart from John Wick is that it relies more on humor, very successfully I might add. Even though John Wick has some laughs, they are sort of on the back burner until the right time and are sprinkled throughout the films. In this movie, the humor is more or less always on the forefront, even during scenes where bullets are ripping through flesh. Lets just say the epic and energetic soundtrack helps it all make sense.

The acting is in a word, stellar. Bob Odenkirk, the man who gave life to our favorite Breaking Bad character Saul Goodman, fits this role like a glove. He finds a way to balance that fine line between suburban family man and ruthless killer effortlessly. Similar to Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, Odenkirk has proven his ability to be funny and serious at the same time, its truly a gift. Bottom line, you will be rooting for him from start to finish I can guarantee you that. Connie Nielsen and Gage Monroe are also great and more than hold their own as the wife and son.

The only thing that even comes close to rivaling the Odenkirk casting decision is bringing in the ageless Christopher Lloyd as his father. I won’t give anything away, but you will be smiling ear to ear when he is on-screen. The other familiar face you will fall in love with is RZA, who sort of ends up being what Common was to Keanu Reeves in the John Wick movies, except he is always an ally. Bob Odenkirk, Christopher Lloyd, and RZA, just say that out loud a few times. Damn that is an absolutely dynamic trio. Aleksey Serebryakov takes on the role as the sociopath bad guy dumb enough to piss off a guy like Hutch Mansell, and you love to hate him. He doesn’t feel over the top or like he is trying to force anything which is huge.

The stunts are next level, and that’s how you can tell David Leitch had a hand in making sure the finished product was up to his standards. The camera work, the cinematography, the soundtrack, it all works together seamlessly to immerse viewers in what quickly becomes one heck of a wild ride. If you go back to a film like Atomic Blonde, starring Charlize Theron and directed by Leitch, you will get a feel for how good he is at creating these long-running stunt heavy scenes without a single cut, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we were treated with some of that with Nobody, it can be hard to tell for sure though. Long story short, he makes people getting beat up or brutally murdered really fun to watch. I also thought that Ilya Naishuller did a great job behind the camera, and ensured the final product was top notch.

It really is hard to settle on what I liked most about the Nobody, but if I had to choose I might have to say it was the writing. The movie just has so many funny moments that come together in such an organic way. Whether it be a guy dying while Hutch is telling him a story, or someone locking a door 50 times after they realize who he is, the entire theater laughed out loud every single time and I thought that was quite an accomplishment. It was clear that more than anything else, the audience had a ton of fun with this movie and that is really all that matters if you ask me.

What is really cool about this movie, and to be honest I am sort of just now realizing it, is that it has so much more depth to the backstory than you initially realize. You are so busy being entertained for basically the entire hour and a half that you don’t really even have time to stop and appreciate everything else going on. Again I’m not going to spoil anything, but I feel like the many layers of this film need to be peeled back to reveal at least one, if not two more movies. Prequel maybe? The final sequence of the film is absolutely bananas and it honestly couldn’t have been better. Fingers crossed they do a sequel because I’m all in.

THE BAD

My issues with this Nobody are few and far between, I mean sure you could say that it’s a John Wick copycat, and in some ways I suppose it is, but its also from the guys who created John Wick. Plus, it’s over the top and unrealistic in many ways, but again, this is a movie and it is supposed to be entertaining at the end of the day. So yeah, to say the good outweighs the bad would be an understatement.

THE VERDICT

Similar to Bob Odenkirk’s Hutch Mansell just begging bad guys to come after him, Nobody left me wanting more and it was easily the most fun I have had at the movie theater in a long time. I can’t remember the last time I laughed hysterically at such gratuitous violence, and boy was it glorious. It made me feel like a kid again, sure a kid with potentially sociopathic tendencies maybe, but still.

I realize that the majority of people have stayed away from movie theaters for obvious reasons, but I’m not even kidding when I say that Nobody is easily the movie well worth making it back. Just make sure you see this with a friend because the one-liners are aplenty. Oh, and stick around for the quick mid-credits scene as well, you can thank me later. I can’t wait to buy the 4K Blu-ray for the bonus features. Highly recommended.

TED TAKES RATING - 9/10

Nobody is now playing in theaters. Check out the trailer below.

Bad Trip

From director Kitao Sakurai (The Eric Andre Show), Bad Trip is a 2021 part scripted and part improvised prank style buddy comedy that follows two friends as they embark on a cross-country road trip where they prank people using hidden cameras along the way. Best friends Chris and Bud make the trip from Florida to NYC so Chris can declare his love to his high school crush.

They decide to borrow Bud’s sisters hot pink car plastered in “Bad Bi*tch” for the trip figuring she is in jail and won’t need it anytime soon. Unfortunately for them, she breaks out and is soon hot on their trail. The film stars Eric André, Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish, and Michaela Conlin.

Bad Trip was originally slated for a theatrical release but was dealt numerous delays due to COVID-19 and was eventually acquired by Netflix.

The Good

I will be the first to admit that I had my reservations with this movie, the prank style is hit or miss in general but add in the scripted element and it could easily become a slippery slope, but I am happy to say that it worked, and worked well. I laughed my ass off for the majority of this movie, and really liked how everything came together. Because they went with the part-scripted style, the actors never broke character even when it was just them. Eric André and Lil Rel Howery had fantastic chemistry, and both actors pulled their weight equally. Simply put, these two are hilarious together. I was also very pleased with Tiffany Haddish in her role as the tough as nails vengeful sister.

I constantly found myself thinking “wow, how could this possibly be happening with real people”, but the surprised reactions were absolutely genuine and priceless. It was cool to see some of the outtakes during the credits showing when they came clean with the hidden cameras. Director Kitao Sakurai is very familiar with André from The Eric Andre Show, and their comfort level definitely seemed to benefit the overall quality of the film. This movie was just a ton of fun and it’s a breeze at less than an hour and a half.

The Bad

I mean, it’s not perfect, but in such a unique genre Bad Trip checks all of the necessary boxes. For most people the biggest negative would likely be the excessive raunchy and tasteless choice of humor and lack of substance, but what would you expect all things considered? I would say that half the jokes have a fair chance of rubbing some people the wrong way, but if you keep an open mind, you’ll be fine and be glad you gave it a chance.

The Verdict

A scripted prank comedy as raunchy as it is over the top, Eric André and Lil Rel Howery shine with great chemistry and keep the laughs coming in Bad Trip. The movie itself is pretty ridiculous and may not be for everyone, but the creativity along with the commitment from the entire crew and cast impressed me and I thought it was hilarious. This is the perfect movie to throw on and decompress after a long week, so what are you waiting for? I’ll be watching it again sooner than later. Recommended.

TED TAKES RATING - 7.5/10

Bad Trip is now streaming on Netflix. Check out the trailers below.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier - S1:E2 The Star-Spangled Man

Starring Anthony Mackie as Falcon and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is a 2021 Disney+ Original Series focusing on the dynamic duo. The series also stars Daniel Brühl continuing his role as the antihero Zemo, and introduces Wyatt Russell to the Marvel Universe.

OUR THOUGHTS ON EPISODE 2

Last weeks premiere episode sold me on the concept of this new series, and the latest episode kept things moving right along. Last week ended with the introduction of a controversial new character that rubbed Sam and Bucky the wrong way, to say the least. One of the most pivotal moments of Avengers: Endgame was Captain America passing on the shield to Sam. We were essentially left to wonder if he would in fact continue the legacy, but he felt that only one man deserves the shield so decides to essentially retire it to a museum figuring that will be the end of it.

This grand gesture is short lived as the decision is made to introduce a new Captain America, a decorated seemingly qualified soldier named John Walker, played by Wyatt Russell. Sam and Bucky don’t agree on much but they do agree this is a bad idea. The problem is Bucky puts the blame on Sam for passing on the shield in the first place, a grievance that runs deep as proven throughout the episode. A new and extremely formidable threat is revealed and the boys need to play nice in order to stop them, but will they?

Walker makes it clear that he is not trying to replace the great Steve Rogers, but all of his efforts to make peace are not well-received. Sam and Bucky decide they are better off as free agents with more flexibility as opposed top being under the thumb of the U.S. Government (been there, done that), so coming together as a team will have to wait until another day. Will the legacy of the great Captain America help to create unity, or continue to divide the only heroes we have left? Time will tell.

Overall, I really enjoyed this episode. We were finally treated to some cool fight scenes and were afforded the opportunity to see Sam and Bucky fight alongside each other, even if it was for a short time. Staying consistent with the framework of the Marvel Universe, the humor and back and forth banter is great in this episode as well. Between Bucky’s propensity for giving people the death stare and Sam’s general refusal to see things any other way, I think it’s safe to say the friction will be alive and well for the majority of the season.

THE VERDICT

Continuing to build a solid foundation for the series sure to please hardcore fans, the latest episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will leave you wanting more. This new series is great so far, and I am really starting to see why they chose to build things around these two characters. As a familiar face is introduced we are once again left with one heck of a cliffhanger, so stay tuned for our thoughts on next weeks episode dropping on Friday, April 2nd, only on Disney+.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.5/10

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is now streaming on Disney+. Check out the trailers below.

Buddy Games

Buddy Games is a 2019 comedy directed by Josh Duhamel in his solo directorial debut and written by Duhamel, Bob Schwartz, and Jude Weng. The film centers on a group of six friends that reunite after a five-year hiatus to engage in a challenging set of dares and games to try and help lift one of their own out of depression, and also have a chance of winning $150,000 while doing so. The cast includes Duhamel, Dax Shepard, Olivia Munn, Kevin Dillon, and Neal McDonough.

The project was originally announced in June 2017 as a deal with WWE Studios. The film held its world premiere at the 2019 Mammoth Film Festival (the what?!) where Saban Films acquired distribution rights.

The Good

Buddy Games works at times as a raunchy, you guessed it, buddy comedy. It can be fun to watch the guys get together to let loose and essentially act like they are back in college without a worry in the world. It made me wish my group of friends had an awesome lake house we went to every few years. Life goals, I suppose. It can be one testicles or penis joke after another, so be mindful of that.

This is also the closest I have gotten to Kevin Dillon playing his “Johnny Drama” role from HBO’s entourage, man I miss that show.

The Bad

I mean, where do I start? I guess the acting is as good a place as any because the cast is actually pretty good. For about 80% of the movie the acting feels forced, and it didn’t matter whether it was Josh Duhamel or Olivia Munn. From the opening scenes I was thinking to myself “what the fu**?!”, like these are actually decent actors. This is what stuck out to me the most from the start and even though it got better, it was still a huge black mark on the movie itself.

I mean the plot is painfully stupid with flat characters you really couldn’t care less about, and even though it redeems itself at times with raunchy humor, the creativity is non-existent. I really, really, really hope this is not a sign of things to come for Duhamel as a director because man, that would not be good.

The Verdict

A fairly easy watch that should generate at least a few cheap laughs, Buddy Games is ultimately a lazy directorial debut for Josh Duhamel wasting a talented comedic cast. It wanted so badly to be Jackass meets Tag, but it finds itself floundering in the discount bin at Wal-Mart instead. You could throw it on in the background while doing other things to try and enjoy its hot and cold raunchy comedy qualities which do improve as the film moves along, but that’s about it.

TED TAKES RATING - 3.5/10

Buddy Games is now streaming on Hulu and available VOD. Check out the trailer below.

Anna Kendrick Stars In Netflix Sci-Fi Thriller 'Stowaway' [TRAILER]

On a mission headed to Mars, an unintended stowaway accidentally causes severe damage to the spaceship’s life support systems. Facing dwindling resources and a potentially fatal outcome, the crew is forced to make an impossible decision.

Directed by Joe Penna and starring Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, Shamier Anderson and Toni Collette.

Stowaway will be available to stream on Netflix April 22nd. Watch the official trailer below.

John Stamos Plays A Basketball Coach In New Disney+ Series 'Big Shot' [TRAILER]

“A temperamental college basketball coach who gets fired from his job and must take a teaching and coaching job at an elite all-girls private high school.”

The upcoming Disney+ original series Big Shot stars John Stamos, Jessalyn Gilsig (Glee) as the assistant coach, Yvette Nicole Brown (Community) as the school’s principal, Richard Robichaux (Boyhood), and young actors Sophia Mitri Schloss, Nell Verlaque, Tiana Le, Monique Green, Tisha Custodio, and Cricket Wampler.

Big Shot premieres on Disney+ April 16th. Watch the official trailer below.

Words on Bathroom Walls

Words on Bathroom Walls is a 2020 coming of age romantic drama directed by Thor Freudenthal. The film is written by Nick Naveda, and is based on the novel of the same name by Julia Walton.

Diagnosed with schizophrenia halfway through his senior year of high school, a witty, introspective teen struggles to keep it a secret while falling in love with a brilliant classmate who inspires him to not be defined by his condition.

The cast includes Charlie Plummer, Andy García, Taylor Russell, Anna Sophia Robb, Beth Grant, Molly Parker, and Walton Goggins.

The Good

I’m a sucker for a good coming of age film, I just like how they tend to feel more inspirational and hold more emotional weight compared to a lot of other movies. Now if you give me a coming of age film based on a great book, well you had my curiosity and now you have my FULL ATTENTION.

I was familiar with Words on Bathroom Walls when it first released, but for one reason or another it just didn’t catch my eye. While browsing new streaming releases I decided to read what it was about and I knew right away I needed to watch it. To provide a bit of backstory, in college my focus of study was psychology, mostly because it always fascinated me. I took an abnormal psychology course early on and I was asked to write a paper about a celebrity that dealt with mental illness in one way or another.  

As a big football fan, I decided to write my paper on Lionel Aldridge, a 6’3 defensive end who played for the vaunted Green Bay Packers defense of the 1960’s under the coaching of NFL legend Vince Lombardi. After a career that earned him 3 NFL Championships, 2 Super Bowl titles, and an induction into the Packers Hall of Fame, Aldridge retired and began a career in broadcasting. During this time in only his early 30’s, he developed paranoid schizophrenia, which was originally misdiagnosed, and led him to years of homelessness.

He eventually found a way to cope with his illness, and became a voice of awareness before passing away in 1998 at the age of 56. A tragic story no doubt, and mental illness continues to have a certain stigma attached to it even today. This story and many others like it changed the way I view homelessness, and mental illness in general. 

Okay, so to get back on track a bit here, Words on Bathroom Walls brings attention to a very serious and sensitive subject, but it’s approach is refreshingly creative and effective. The film includes a great balance of humor, love, friendship, and just real-life struggle. Whether you deal with any form of mental illness or physical disability or not, it will resonate with you on some level I am sure of that. I have yet to read the book, but it has that “book to screen” feel, similar to other great books made into amazing movies like Wonder, or Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.

I enjoyed Words on Bathroom Walls from start to finish, and I honestly can’t imagine a better book to screen transition (I know, I still need to actually read the book). Also, the main character Adam reminded me a lot of the main character in the Netflix series Atypical, which is a fantastic show if you haven’t seen it. I really liked the unique approach they used to try and give viewers an idea of what it really is like for someone dealing with schizophrenia, having the “voices” played by 3 different actors. I thought that was a really nice touch and added a ton of entertainment value. I give a great deal of credit to director Thor Freudenthal, and not just because he has the coolest first name in the history of first names. The film just feels well put together from top to bottom, and I think it’s safe to say that is a credit to him. Nick Naveda also does a really nice job converting the book into an effective screenplay without any real sacrifices. Fantastic soundtrack as well.

The acting in Words on Bathroom Walls is top-tier. I can’t say enough great things about Charlie Plummer in the lead role, he has such a unique and inviting on-screen presence. He is no stranger to the coming of age drama based on a best-selling novel, as he recently starred in Spontaneous opposite Katherine Langford (13 Reasons Why). Plummer was a finalist for the role of Spider-Man which went to Tom Holland, so needless to say he is an actor to watch going forward. Taylor Russell is great as well in the role as the primary love interest in the film. The two had genuine on-screen chemistry and that was a huge asset to the effectiveness of the film. I also really liked Molly Parker as the mom, Walton Goggins as the misunderstood step dad, and the always great Andy Garcia as Father Patrick. Just a stellar supporting cast.

The Bad

Hmmm, well I guess I could say l wish I had seen it sooner? I mean, this is just a really good movie regardless of whether you appreciate coming of age stories as much as I do. I will say it does not pull any punches dealing with mental illness, so the subject matter could be sensitive for some.

The Verdict

A hard-hitting coming of age story that confronts mental illness head on, Words on Bathroom Walls is as entertaining as it is insightful, and a film I highly recommend. It has one primary message, which is the fact that we are not defined by the mental or physical disabilities that we deal with on a daily basis, we are instead defined by who we are as individuals, and that’s what matters most.

TED TAKES RATING - 9/10

Words on Bathroom Walls is now streaming on Prime Video. Check out the trailer below.

The Courier

The Courier is a 2020 spy thriller that tells the true story of a British businessman who is unwittingly recruited into one of the greatest international conflicts in history. Forming an unlikely partnership with a Soviet officer hoping to prevent a nuclear confrontation, the two men work together to provide the crucial intelligence used to defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis. Directed by Dominic Cooke and written by Tom O’Connor, the cast includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel Brosnahan, Merab Ninidze, and Jessie Buckley.

The film had its world premiere under its original title Ironbark at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2020. The theatrical release in the U.S. and U.K. was slated for March 19th, 2021.

The Good

I’ll be the first to admit that I was usually bored during history class in high school, and it probably didn’t help that my teacher was like 100 years old, although now that I think about it that likely made him better at his job. I’m kidding, mostly anyway. But I have come to realize that as you get older, you learn to appreciate the history that helped to shape the world we live in today, for better or for worse. For this reason, I was excited to see The Courier, because it gave me an opportunity to brush up on my Cold War era history, and boy was it good.

This is a historical drama that is more entertaining than most movies that have released in recent memory, and that is quite an accomplishment. The story itself comes together in a very easy to understand way without feeling dumbed down. You have extremely likable characters that you genuinely care about, which might be the biggest accomplishment for the film as a whole. It was never boring and felt very authentic to the time, and kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The fact that you can actually learn something valuable and be this entertained gets me all kinds of excited. We need more movies like this.

The acting was basically perfect. Because of his larger than life role as Marvel’s Doctor Strange, we forget just how great of an actor Benedict Cumberbatch really is. He can become pretty much any character at the drop of a hat, I mean he’s the real deal. His portrayal of the brave, and quite frankly heroic, Greville Wynne is honestly mesmerizing, I’m not sure how else to put it. Not only is he believable and infectious on-screen, he breathes real life into his character. His performance was absolutely Oscar-worthy, and I hope he gets some well-deserved recognition.

Merab Ninidze took on the 2nd most important role in the film playing Oleg Penkovsky, and he absolutely crushed it. The bond he forms with Cumberbatch’s character was the difference for me. Rachel Brosnahan was fantastic as usual, taking on a pivotal role as one of the more emotionally driven characters. I also really liked Jessie Beckley, who most will remember as the lunatic nurse Oraetta Mayflower in the latest season of Fargo. She had great chemistry as Wynne’s wife.

As far as the technical aspects of the film, everything comes together as well as you could hope for. From the directing, to the costume and set design, to the cinematography, to the score and soundtrack, I felt like I was right there in Cold War era Russia. Even the scenes that emphasized freezing cold temperatures gave me a bit of a chill. I’d almost argue that the score and cinematography in tandem pull the most weight as far as setting the tone for the film, but either way big thumbs up all around.

The Bad

Usually a historical drama will have plenty to complain about as it relates to entertainment value because they are notoriously slow and boring at times, but that wasn’t the case here. Not at all. The Courier kept my attention, and if anything it has me wanting to do more research on this crazy sequence of events. I’d say that’s a positive. So yeah, not much negative to report.

The Verdict

A dramatic and entertaining edge of your seat spy thriller based on remarkable true events, The Courier is a not so subtle reminder that Benedict Cumberbatch remains one of the best actors Hollywood has to offer. A powerful and history-making story like this makes you want to do better, to be better, and for me, that’s worth much more than the price of a movie ticket. This may not have been on your radar, but trust me when I say it should be. Highly recommended.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.5/10

The Courier is now playing in theaters. Check out the trailer below.

Promising Young Woman

Promising Young Woman is a 2020 dark comedy thriller written, produced, and directed by Emerald Fennell in her feature directorial debut. Carey Mulligan stars as a woman who seeks to avenge her best friend, who was a victim of rape. Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, Clancy Brown, Jennifer Coolidge, Laverne Cox, and Connie Britton co-star.

Promising Young Woman had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2020, and hit theaters on December 25th, 2020, from Focus Features. The film recently earned five nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards on April 25th, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Mulligan.

THE GOOD

I realize I’m late to the party, but Promising Young Woman has been on my list for quite some time. I was intrigued by the trailer when it first dropped, and the buzz after release was overwhelmingly positive. Needless to say, my expectations were very high.

Not only were my expectations met, they were exceeded. This is just a great film from start to finish, complete with a relevant and well told story, top-tier acting, and the perfect soundtrack. I was pulled in right away and always felt like the story kept me guessing which I really liked. I mean, I could piece certain things together in terms of the who, what, where, when, why etc, but you never knew exactly where it would all lead. My favorite part of the film was the fact that once the dominos began to fall towards the end, you started to envision potential outcomes and imagining which one you would be most satisfied with, but you never felt confident how things would end. And speaking of the ending, it was absolutely perfect.

The fact that this is the directorial debut for Emerald Fennell is crazy to me. Instead of making a run of the mill revenge thriller, which she absolutely had the tools at her disposal to make, she instead crafted something so seamlessly rooted in reality, it’s almost terrifying to accept. She envisioned a story about how an ordinary woman might get revenge in the real world, and she made it a reality. She wanted to force us as a society to confront the darker side of human behavior, and I’ll admit she hit the nail of the head. I do also think that it can go both ways, but spot on regardless. And she was 7-months pregnant during filming!

The cast is just a buffet of talent, from the uber-talented Carey Mulligan who steals the show and absolutely deserves all of the recognition in the world, to a great supporting role played by Bo Burnham helping to solidify the character complexities within the storyline. Alison Brie was great as well and played a pivotal role. The film also includes an extremely recognizable supporting roles from actors like Adam Brody, Max Greenfield, Christopher “McLovin” Mintz-Plasse, Sam Richardson, Molly Shannon, Connie Britton, and even a brief appearance by the queen bee herself, Emerald Fennell. Laverne Cox, who I was not at all familiar with prior to this movie, was great as the boss and good friend of Mulligan’s character.

THE BAD

I honestly don’t have any real issues with the film, I mean the pacing was great and I was never bored. As far as a directorial debut, you won’t do much better.

THE VERDICT

Perfectly written and exceptionally acted, Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman is a cautionary tale you won’t soon forget. This is a story that is as entertaining as it is relevant, and a film that I can very easily highly recommend because well, the hype is real.

Although it did receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, which is well-deserved, it will likely fall short in that category because of the competition. I do however, feel like Emerald Fennell or Carey Mulligan have a real chance at taking home Best Director or Best Actress. But either way, do yourself a favor and check this out sooner than later if you haven’t already. Oh, and next time you go out, you might rethink hitting on that super drunk girl (or guy).

TED TAKES RATING - 9.5/10

Promising Young Woman is now available for rental & purchase and VOD. Check out the trailer below.

Amy Adams Thriller 'The Woman In The Window' Finally Gets Netflix Release Date

From director Joe Wright, The Woman in the Window is an intense crime drama that tells the story of an agoraphobic woman living alone in New York who begins spying on her new neighbors only to witness a disturbing act of violence. The film is an adaptation of the A.J. Finn's best-selling novel, which has sold more than 1 million copies in the United States, has also topped the best-seller charts in multiple countries and is currently published in 38 languages.

I read the book, which I really liked, what seems like forever ago now, so I was really looking forward to seeing the movie. It was originally scheduled for a theatrical release October 2019. Unfortunately COVID delays eventually got it pulled from the release schedule. But we finally have some good news, Netflix acquired the film a few months ago and just finally announced that it will be available to stream on May 14th, 2021.

The impressive cast includes Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie, Fred Hechinger, Wyatt Russell, Brian Tyree Henry, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jeanine Serralles, Mariah Bozeman, and Julianne Moore.

Check out the official trailer for The Woman in the Window below.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier - S1:E1 New World Order

Starring Anthony Mackie as Falcon and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is a 2021 Disney+ Original Series focusing on the dynamic duo. The series also stars Daniel Brühl continuing his role as the antihero Zemo.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

We’ve been itching for a new Marvel movie ever since the satisfying yet extremely sad conclusion of Avengers: Endgame. Well the wait is over, and how glorious the new series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is proving to be. Now this is a Marvel series so it is extremely well done, and for that reason we won’t waste any time on the technical side of things. Oh, and the first thing that came to mind when I started the first episode, the farewell voice of Captain America still gives me chills.

The series starts with The Falcon (Sam Wilson) resuming his duties as resident superhero/government contractor out to protect the great U.S.A. from all threats, foreign and domestic. Similar to the events that took place in Civil War, Infinity War, and Endgame, a very gray area continues to exist as far as what is considered acceptable behavior from members of The Avengers. Or, they just do what they can to keep it off the books. We are given a look at Sam’s backstory, which is new ground for most Marvel fans. We get to see more of the regular guy side of him, the man who wants nothing more than to preserve his families legacy, against all odds. Sam was gone for the long 5 years during the “blipp”, so he has his own issues to deal with because of that. One thing about Sam Wilson that will never change is his undying allegiance to his great friend, Captain America.

Bucky Barnes, formerly known as The Winter Soldier, is battling demons of his own. He is now forced to attend therapy as a condition of the “Peace Treaty” and as you can imagine, that is not going too well. Barnes has more demons than most considering the fact that he was once very much on the wrong side of the law, albeit against his own free will, but now in order to find peace he needs to make amends. But for a guy like him, this is easier said than done. Barnes has always been one of the more complex and controversial members of The Avengers, so I am loving the opportunity to experience his growth and re-entry into society. Plus, who knew he had a softer side?!

The Verdict

Picking up after the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier takes an intimate look at the lives of Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes, and the new series is exactly what Marvel fans have been waiting for. The premiere episode feels like a 50-minute movie building on captivating backstory, and leaves us with one heck of a cliffhanger, so stay tuned for our thoughts on next weeks episode dropping on Friday, March 26th, only on Disney+.

TED TAKES RATING - 9/10

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is now streaming on Disney+. Check out the trailers below.

Land

Land is a 2021 drama that tells the story of a grieving woman named Edee, who decides to leave her city life behind to live off the grid in rural Wyoming. Unprepared for the new life she is about to face head on, Edee finds herself in a life or death situation that requires a local hunter to intervene. The film stars Robin Wright, Demián Bichir, and Sarah Dawn Pledge. It is also Wright’s directorial debut, derived from a screenplay by Jesse Chatham and Erin Dignam.

The Good

Land is an enjoyable survival drama that focuses on just how fragile we can be as human beings. It is well-paced, extremely visually satisfying, and the acting is very good from top to bottom. For the majority of the film I felt myself just trying to take in nature, wishing I could smell the fresh air. I could do without the freezing temperatures, of course.

Robin Wright is on both sides of the camera for the film, and I think she handles herself well in both respects. This is also her directorial debut. She is believable in a difficult role that required a great deal of emotional depth, and she definitely impressed me for the most part. Wright was initially attached to the project only as the director, but stepped up to star as well because of a scheduling issue. In an interview she said "We got down to a scheduling issue and a time crunch where we had to shoot this movie in this window of time, and we only had 29 days to shoot it. And we just couldn't take the risk trying to hopefully get somebody in that window of time. And then the producers just said, 'Well, why don't you just do it?', and I said, 'Well, I'm going to be there anyway, so okay.'"

The most pivotal role in the film beyond Wright was Demián Bichir, who plays the local hunter Miguel who befriends Edee and teaches her how to survive on her own. The role that stands out for me most when I think of Bichir as an actor is the FX original crime thriller series The Bridge, which is pretty intense and really well done if you haven’t seen it (streaming on AMC+). His performance in this film was great in my opinion and he is a big part of why it works as well as it does

The film itself is more or less driven by the cinematography compliments of cinematographer Bobby Bukowski. Most viewers will see this movie for the scenery, myself included (and Demián Bichir, of course), and that’s a big part of it’s draw. Filmed in Alberta, Canada, the sights are absolutely incredible. It is beautiful pretty much from start to finish, from the cool rushing rivers, to the mountains, to the abundance of wildlife, it just makes you wish you were there so you could explore and appreciate everything nature has to offer. It really is a great feeling.

The Bad

I wasn’t quite as emotionally invested in Wright’s character as I thought I would be, at least for the majority of the film. I think it might have been because of how things came together and how her backstory unraveled. I definitely felt for the character, but the emotional investment came more so towards the end. I felt an earlier connection to Demián Bichir’s character as you get more backstory on him earlier on, and he is also introduced as a selfless person willing to save a life because its the right thing to do. My lack of emotional investment in Wright’s character did take away from the lasting impact of the film.

Two older ladies chatting about the movie after it ended pretty much hit the nail right on the head. For a good portion of the story, you’ll be thinking to yourself nobody would ever do something like this, nobody would ever go in to this situation completely unprepared, and I struggled with the believability as well. I mean we are talking about moving from the city to a remote cabin with no electricity, no running water, no vehicle, a limited stash of canned goods, and below average if not non-existent survival skills. But, at the end of the day immense grief makes us do things that don’t exactly fall within the realm of rational thought.

The Verdict

The directorial debut for House of Cards actress Robin Wright, Land is a beautifully shot survival story rooted in grief, and the lengths we will go to process (or escape) it. I enjoyed this film and ultimately felt like it was an hour and a half well spent. I think its fair to say we all have fantasized about what it would be like to just leave everything behind and move to a remote cabin in the woods (I know I have), and seeing it unfold on the big-screen is cathartic in many ways. I just think we would all prefer the circumstances to be quite different. Recommended.

TED TAKES RATING - 7/10

Land is now playing in theaters and available On-Demand. Check out the trailer below.

Times are tough, so support your local theaters (who are taking all of the necessary safety precautions) when you can by seeing films like this to ensure they can keep their doors open. Smitty’s Cinema in Windham, ME is open for those of you who are local https://www.smittyscinema.com/

I Know This Much Is True

“It’s about everything that I always make my movies about, it’s about family legacy, it’s about trying to control what you can’t control”. - Derek Cianfrance

I Know This Much Is True is a 2020 6-part HBO Limited Series from writer/director Derek Cianfrance, and is based on the novel from Wally Lamb. It tells the story of identical twin brothers Domenic and Thomas Birdsey, following their lives across generations, focusing on the immense grief and struggle they deal with along the way. Mark Ruffalo stars in the role of both brothers, and the cast also includes Melissa Leo, Archie Panjabi, Juliette Lewis, John Procaccino, Rob Huebel, Phillip Ettinger, Kathryn Hahn, Imogen Poots, Rosie O’Donnell, and Michael Greyeyes.

THE GOOD

HBO’s Limited Series I Know This Much Is True left an impression on me, but it wasn’t an easy road that’s for damn sure. This show plays out like a 6 1/2 hour movie, and it is incredibly acted, beautifully shot, perfectly scored, and couldn’t have been paced better. You will feel like you really know these characters and have a connection to them, and will find yourself amazed by their transformations. What is most unique about the show is the complexity of relationships and the role grief plays in them. It also serves as a reminder that some people can change, and often grow into better versions of themselves.

Director and screenwriter Derek Cianfrance is crazy talented if you ask me, and I loved his film The Place Beyond the Pines with Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper, a must watch if you haven’t seen it already. I just recently watched his first fiim Blue Valentine, also starring Gosling, and that is a gem as well. You can always tell when he is behind a project, he puts such an emotional touch on his work that it always feels intimate and impactful.

In an interview, Cianfrance talked about how he prefers to do projects that deal with family and the generational struggle surviving our youth and navigating adulthood, or more specifically the age old discussion of nature vs nurture. He touches on how a few pivotal moments can change our lives forever, even if it takes years or almost an entire lifetime before it is fully realized. What I’m trying to say is, this guy is a genius and if he works on a series or a film, you better believe he put his blood, sweat, and tears into something that is now a part of him and his legacy.

In some ways I would compare Cianfrance to Richard Linklater, with his film Boyhood for example, but Cianfrance is more controversial and deals with the darker side of life, mental illness, poverty, crime by means of survival, and what it means to be different. I also really love how important cinematography and score is to him, always providing significant emotional weight to the more pivotal scenes, something that feels like his trademark.

I always think back to The Place Beyond the Pines and the scene where Gosling’s son is riding his bike down the long road as the camera pans back surrounded by trees. Or the moment he finally meets Ben Mendolsohn’s character while on the quest to learn more about his father, it still gives me chills. He places as much value on that as he does acting and dialogue. He also said he believes that the grief we experience in our lives has the power to cleanse us in some way if we deal with it properly. He actually lost his sister at just 39 years-old just as he was editing the last few episodes of the series, and he said that it proved to be therapeutic for him and left a mark on the series as well.

Mark Ruffalo is an amazing actor, but I know that’s not exactly breaking news. His performance in this limited series is nothing short of spectacular, and easily one of the single best performances I have ever seen, and surely his best which is saying something. Not only is he able to transform into his character, he is able to transform into two very different characters, who happen to be twin brothers who begin life very much alike, and drift apart completely.

Mark Ruffalo actually lost 20 pounds to play one brother, gained it back, and gained an additional 20 pounds to play the other brother. He is nearly unrecognizable in both roles. Now that’s Christian Bale in The Machinest, or McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club level commitment. I am just amazed by how well he did here, and my respect for him as an actor is at an all-time high. Ruffalo is no stranger to struggle as he’s battled depression his entire life, lost his best friend to suicide, and lost a brother who was murdered in 2008 at the young age of 39, a case that remains unsolved. You NEED to experience the incredible transformation for yourself. I also have to mention Phillip Ettinger who takes on the role of the brothers at 17-19 year old, he is fantastic.

THE BAD

I’m not going to sugar coat it, this is a difficult watch. It deals with mental illness, unimaginable tragedy, childhood and mid/late-life trauma, and everything in between. But, this is real-life struggle, the darker side of our journey into adulthood that most of us prefer to bury deep inside, and talk to a trained professional about once a month instead to keep our sanity. Life is beautiful, but it is also painful and unbearable at times, and these trials and tribulations help to mold us into the people we are today.

THE VERDICT

I Know This Much Is True, the HBO limited series from writer/director Derek Cianfrance, is a poetic journey showcasing one of the best performances you will ever experience from star Mark Ruffalo. Although it is a limited series, this plays out like a 6-part movie and I may never look at Ruffalo the same again. Highly recommended.

TED TAKES RATING - 9/10

I Know This Much Is True is now available on HBO and HBO Max. Check out the trailer below.

Boss Level

"They have an army, all I have is time". - Roy Pulver

Boss Level is a 2021 sci-fi action comedy from director Joe Carnahan, the man who brought us The Grey and Smokin' Aces. Carnahan co-wrote the film with Chris and Eddie Borley. He came up with the idea after filming The Grey (2011), which also starred Frank Grillo alongside Liam Neeson, and wrote this film with him in mind as the lead. Boss Level tells the story of a retired special forces officer played by Grillo who is stuck in a time-loop that always ends in his violent death, and he can't seem to figure out why.

The film co-stars Mel Gibson, Naomi Watts, Michelle Yeoh, Annabelle Wallis, and Ken Jeong. Filming took place in Atlanta, where Carnahan and Grillo shared a home they rented during filming (don't worry, it was pre-COVID). Boss Level was originally announced in 2012 with the title “Continue”, but it was shelved until it was eventually picked up by Hulu with a March 5th, 2021 release date.

THE GOOD/OUR THOUGHTS

Overall:

I was invited to a pre-release screener so let me get this out of the way first, Boss Level is one hell of a thrill ride that never really slows down. Before you even see a title screen, you are knee deep in the craziness that is an un-explainable time-loop that leads to the death of the main character, regardless of what he does to try and change the outcome. It plays similar all our favorite videogame cut scenes that you just want to watch over and over again. It's not about a complex plot or a storyline that will suck you in, this is about over-the-top mayhem, on repeat.

And I'm not saying that the film isn't well-written, because it is, and the way that they were able to include a genuinely emotional backstory about family was damn impressive if you ask me. I felt the connection the main character had to his ex and the mother of his son, and it felt real which added some emotional depth to the characters. My biggest thing with a film like this is I want to be so damn entertained that I don't even dare reach into my bowl of popcorn for fear of missing something epic, and that was certainly the case here. The adrenaline-infused action rarely takes a breather, and you never really know when the next bullet or samurai sword is going to enter the picture (or the main characters head, to be more specific).

Acting:

Most people don’t realize this, but actor Frank Grillo didn't really get his shot as an actor until he was already 40 and is now 55 years old! As of late, most people know him as Brock Rumlow from the MCU. I mean, dude is jacked, he looks like Ronnie at the start of Jersey Shore before he starts drinking heavily and eating after midnight on a regular basis. I couldn't believe he was 55. Even though he got a late start to his career similar to his MCU co-star Jeremy Renner, he never gave up. Grillo is fantastic in this movie, and plays the role similar to a Ryan Reynolds/Wade Wilson type character (that would be Deadpool, of course).

Now I'm not comparing the two, because nobody can compare to Reynolds' portrayal of the iconic foul-mouthed anti-hero, but they share a military background, and more importantly a similar energy and "go f*#k yourself" sort of attitude. It is obvious from start to finish that Grillo enjoyed making this movie. Grillo's son is played by his real-life son Rio, and I thought that was sort of a cool thing. Grillo said that when he tried giving him advice, he would say he'd only talk to the director, which is of course hilarious. Impressed with his performance, he told him he should pursue other opportunities as an actor, but his reply was he is too busy with his gaming and will only consider it if Spielberg or Marvel calls. Typical 10-year old.

Frank Grillo and director Joe Carnahan are longtime friends and share a production company together called War Party Films. Boss Level was released under that umbrella, as well as the Netflix films Point Blank and Wheelman, both starring Grillo. When I think about him as an actor I picture The Purge: Anarchy, he is such a badass in that. Feel free to go on a Frank Grillo binge-watching session, it'll be good for you. The gorgeous Naomi Watts and the legend that is Mel Gibson, handle their business as usual.

Boss Level also includes some great cameos, including Super Bowl winner and notable NFL traitor (sorry, I'm still bitter) Rob Gronkowski, as well as UFC stars Rashad Evans, and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

Technical (cinematography, choreography etc):

Boss Level is the perfect example of a team of people getting together to make a movie because it's what they love to do. This film just feels like a project every actor would love to be a part of, because more than anything else, you love going to work. I mean the days can be grueling sure, like the epic sword fight scene at the end for example that Joe Carnahan said took a week to put together. Frank Grillo also said that was easily his favorite part of the film. The point I am trying to make is from the cast to the guys behind the scenes, everything felt laid back and fun.

Joe Carnahan is on point with his directing style here, and even said that he intended for the film to have the feel of 80's era videogames with the "scrolling" technique where the camera would almost seamlessly shift from the apartment to the bar, for example. Right from the start I felt the film played out like a videogame, and he said that it was his goal was for it to feel like a love letter to old school videogames. I also thought the score was great, and the choreography was amazing. The fight scenes all feel very intense and, in your face, and at times I got a real John Wick type vibe which is definitely a compliment.

The Bad

You will remember the action sequences and satisfying kills more than you will the storyline, but is that really a bad thing? I don’t think so.

The Verdict

Edge of Tomorrow meets Smokin' Aces, Joe Carnahan's time-loop action comedy Boss Level, starring a yolked Frank Grillo, is an absolute blast. This is a movie that will warrant multiple viewings to fully appreciate the endless action sequences, and it will likely get better every time. Highly recommended.

TED TAKES RATING - 8/10

Boss Level will be available to stream exclusively on Hulu March 5th. Check out the trailer below.

Tom and Jerry

Tom and Jerry is a 2021 live-action comedy directed by Tim Story (Think Like a Man, Ride Along), that follows Kayla, played by Chloë Grace Moretz, a young woman struggling to find her place in The Big Apple. After stumbling into a temporary position at a prestigious hotel set to host the wedding of the century, she finally has an opportunity to make a name for herself. After discovering a “mouse problem” in the form of the light-fingered and troublemaking Jerry that threatens to ruin the wedding and in turn the hotels reputation, Kayla sees no other choice but to enlist Tom as an employee to do what he does best, chase Jerry which never fails to yield hilarious results.

Other recognizable cast members include Michael Peña, Rob Delaney, Ken Jeong, and Colin Jost.

Quick history lesson, the legend of Tom and Jerry originated in 1940 as a series of short films created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, known now as Hanna-Barbera. The duo accounted for 161 theatrical short films by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and continue to be a cartoon staple 80+ years later.

The Good

I loaded up the HBO Max app and selected Tom and Jerry from the main screen with what I would say was relatively tempered expectations. The trailer looked fun, but these live action films, especially the variety rated PG, more often than not live and die by goofy dialogue and corny jokes. 

But, all things considered, I was impressed and enjoyed the movie. The premise was simple and straightforward, the live action element felt smooth and effortless, and the casting was perfect. I’m a huge Chloë Grace Moretz fan, dating back to her EPIC performance in the 2010 film Kick-Ass. She’s the lead here and handles her acting duties alongside the sometimes difficult live action element flawlessly. She again proves that she has great range as an actress. The supporting cast includes another trio that has kept Hollywood laughing for years now, Michael Peña, Rob Delaney, and The Hangover’s Ken Jeong.

Peña is easily the most talented actor of the 3, and plays a character similar to what he plays in Ant Man, just the watered down PG version. He is the hotel manager who reports to the head honcho himself, Rob Delaney. The two have great chemistry together, and as usual their mannerisms alone are enough to put a smile on your face. Plus Delaney’s mustache game is on point. If you haven’t seen his Prime Original Series Catastrophe, you should. Jeong plays a much smaller role as the hotel’s chef, but takes advantage of his screen time as usual.

As someone who worked in the hotel business, I could relate to the characters and felt like it was an authentic representation of what it’s actually like. Peña’s eccentric hotel manager character is certainly an exaggeration, but still pretty close to what I encountered as a low man on the totem pole. The hotel itself right in the heart of NYC opposite Central Park was great as I really like films that take place in the big city. The CGI heavy scenes are a blast as well, especially as we get to the final act, and I found myself impressed by how far we’ve come with the technological advancements.

As a PG rated film Tom and Jerry is definitely catered to the younger crowd, but still includes plenty of veiled jokes and references to keep the adults engaged. I won’t give anything away, but they do poke fun at the “PC Culture” that dominates our lives these days, and I very much enjoyed that. Director Tim Story, who has quite a diverse resume from 2002’s Barbershop to the Shaft remake from a few years ago, knows his way around comedy. I felt like he took advantage of the talented cast at his disposal, and delivered a quality final product that parents can watch with their kids without looking at their phone every few minutes.

Plus, John Legend as a singing pigeon, what’s not to love about that?!

The Bad

Okay, so let’s acknowledge the cartoon elephant in the room (you’ll get the reference once you see it), this is a movie for the little humans in our life. With the PG rating and an obvious geared towards kids feel throughout, it is goofy and is pretty light on overall storyline. But again, that is par for the course of you ask me. The sooner you accept these things the sooner you can appreciate the film for what it is, and if it keeps my toddler entertained for even 30 minutes, that’s a win in my book.

Although I loved the setting of a fancy hotel in New York, it took me a bit to buy into the the overall feel of the film, which was partially because they don’t really explain why cartoons exist amongst humans, they just do. And the animation is full on cartoon similar to the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, which is fantastic by the way if you haven’t seen it, but it takes some getting used to. Plus true to the cartoon, Tom and Jerry do not speak and rely on hand gestures etc instead, but pretty much every other cartoon character does. I get that it’s part of what makes the cartoon work, but it’s a little harder to appreciate in a feature-film format compared to the recent Sonic the Hedgehog, as an example.

The Verdict

Make no mistake, Tom and Jerry is a kids movie first, which makes sense considering it’s based on a cartoon cat relentlessly chasing a cartoon mouse, but thanks to some creative writing, impressive animation, and a great cast, it offers more than enough to satisfy our offspring and keep mom and dad from nodding off. Whether you bring the kids to the movie theater for some popcorn and laughs (assuming you have theaters open near you), or enjoy it from your couch on HBO Max, this is a fun movie that will likely get better with repeat viewings. Recommended.

TED TAKES RATING - 6.5/10

Tom and Jerry is now in theaters and available to stream on HBO Max. Check out the trailer below.

I Care a Lot

By: Andrew Wing, Contributing Writer

I Care a Lot is a 2020 dark comedy thriller film written and directed by J (Jonathan) Blakeson. It stars Rosamund Pike in the lead role as a professional con woman, Marla Grayson, who is a court-appointed legal guardian for dozens of elderly wards whose assets she seizes and sells in order to gain profits for herself. Along the way though, she runs into a series of complications when her latest target, Jennifer Peterson (portrayed by Dianne Wiest), actually has connections to a mob.

The Good

This movie has been high on my list ever since I saw the trailer for it in early January of last month and let’s just say - it lived up to the hype in my book. Firstly, I do not expect the film itself to win any major awards at the Globes or the Oscars, but if Rosamund Pike does not receive a best Actress award or at least a nomination, I will be dumbfounded. I don’t know where to start, she is amazing from start to finish in this and is just an absolute delight to watch on the screen. Pike is certainly most well known from her past work in the 2014 thriller film Gone Girl, but her performance in this could arguably top that. Very few actors and actresses can pull off playing a ‘protagonist’ the way Pike can, despite being, to put it bluntly, a pretty terrible person. In closing, I am very curious to see what she stars in next because this was really one of her first movies where she plays the lead character, and I think she absolutely hit it out of the park.

Aside from Pike, the film is just cleverly written and wonderfully cast. The story is unique and captivating. Upon doing research on the director, J Blakeson, I was shocked to see that this is only his third feature film that he has directed, and his first since the 2016 science fiction action film, The 5th Wave, which received generally unfavorable reviews from critics. With that being said, he definitely bounces back with this and I will be very interested to see what else he has in store for us moving forward. On to the cast, they all do so well in their respective roles, from Eiza González as Fran, Marla’s girlfriend/assistant, to Chris Messina as the mafia lawyer, Dean Ericson, but there is one performance that absolutely makes this movie worth a watch and that is none other than Peter Dinklage.

It should go without saying, but if you are unaware of Dinklage, he played Tyrion Lannister in the HBO television series that dominated the past decade, Game of Thrones. I know he is more well known for his dwarfism but if we have learned anything from the films he has been in, it is that he can seriously act and he showed us just that in this as the mafia boss and also the mother of Marla’s latest target, Roman Lunyov. As impossible as it might sound for someone of his size and stature, his character is actually very intimidating in his role in my opinion and he was also responsible for some of my biggest laughs I had while watching, whether he was angrily throwing smoothies at the wall or doing trapeze bar exercises in his office.

Other quick things that I enjoyed about I Care a Lot were the music choices made by Marc Canham, and I also found this movie to be very visually pleasing, whether it was Marla’s ensemble of dresses ranging from every color of the rainbow, or the cinematography of Dedham, Massachusetts, where the scenes were shot and captured by Doug Emmett.

The Bad

Overall, I was very pleased with the movie and you will come to see that in my verdict and rating on it, but there were some aspects that hurt the film in my opinion. First off, if you are looking for a movie about a good person who gets the storybook ending, then this just isn’t the movie for you. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with a dark and sometimes ugly story being different in how they may portray the characters to the audience, but I just found myself a couple times throughout the movie contemplating who I should be rooting for to come out on top at the very end. Should it be the main character Marla Grayson, the evil and wicked con woman who has taken everything from elders? Or should it be the mafia boss who is well, a mafia boss? 

Also, as intriguing as the movie was, I felt it was too predictable at some points. I won’t spoil anything, but I just knew where the scene was going at some climactic moments throughout and it just took a little bit of the fun out of it for me, but hey, maybe I just know movies too well. Lastly and once again, I won’t spoil anything, but the ending is something and is another example of where it felt predictable to me. With that being said, I am looking forward to you watching it and sharing your thoughts on the ending because it felt like a gut punch to me.

The Verdict

Two of my favorite genres of movies are dark comedy and thriller, and J Blakeson’s I Care a Lot was a rollercoaster of emotions with some good laughs along the way. It is driven by powerful performances from the dominant actress, Rosamund Pike, and the always amazing Peter Dinklage. The film is provocative and will keep you on your toes for 118 minutes and will also have you uncomfortably asking yourself: “Why am I cheering for this person?”, but it is most definitely worth a watch and I would highly recommend.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.5/10

I Care a Lot is now streaming on Netflix. Check out the official trailer below.

Zack Snyder's 'Army of the Dead' Looks Glorious [TRAILER]

“Following a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries take the ultimate gamble, venturing into the quarantine zone to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted.”

Directed By: Zack Snyder

Story: Zack Snyder Screenplay: Zack Snyder, Shay Hatten and Joby Harold

Starring: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Ana de la Reguera, Matthias Schweighöfer, Nora Arnezeder, Hiroyuki Sanada, Raúl Castillo, Michael Cassidy, and Garret Dillahunt.

Army of the Dead will be available exclusively on Netflix May 21st. Watch the official trailer below.

Nomadland

By: Andrew Wing, Contributing Writer

Nomadland is a 2020 neo-Western drama film directed by Chinese filmmaker Chloé Zhao. It stars Frances McDormand in the lead role as Fern, a woman in her sixties who embarks on a journey through the Western United States as a modern-day nomad who lives in a van after she loses not only her job in the Great Recession, but her husband too. Along the way, she makes many great friends out of her fellow nomads (portrayed by real-life nomads in the film) and finds a greater purpose in life that is more valuable than personal belongings or wealth.

The Good

It didn’t take long for me to realize why this film is the early favorite to win Best Picture at the 93rd Academy Awards, scheduled for April 25th of this year. Nomadland is a slow burn that is elevated by another gripping performance from Frances McDormand. Her performance as Fern is just so real and powerful, but also quiet at the same time. It is hard for me to say that this is McDormand’s magnum opus of her incredible acting career with her other astounding performances in Fargo and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri that garnered her Best Actress awards for both from the Academy, but I would certainly put it top 3.

What was arguably more impressive than McDormand’s performance in the film however was Chloé Zhao’s direction and the technical aspects that came with the film. First, with Zhao’s direction, this was only the third feature film she has directed, followed by Songs My Brother Taught Me and The Rider which both earned scores of over 90 on the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, and she is already quickly becoming one of the most sought after directors in Hollywood today. The way Zhao paints the picture of the simple daily tasks of a modern-day nomad pulls you in and keeps you wanting more. This is obviously aided by the superb performances of the other cast members in supporting roles such as David Strathairn, as well as real-life nomads playing fictionalized versions of themselves, Swankie, Linda May, and Bob Wells. Back to Zhao though, be sure to tune in on April 25th for the Oscars and see if she can become only the second female ever to direct a Best Picture winner and win Best Director (the first was Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker).

And for the technical aspects of the film, the cinematography is second to none. When watching, I often found myself in awe of some of the shots that cinematographer Joshua James Richards was able to capture in what felt like every scene. Also, the music in the film is done by Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi, and it just adds another dimension to an already extremely immersive experience.

The Bad

It was very difficult in my opinion to find something either bad with the film or something that I did not like because of how much I enjoyed watching this. With that being said though, it might not be your cup of tea. For example, this film is really slow at times, and if you aren’t intrigued by the story, it could end up being a tough watch for you because there isn’t a lot going on at some points throughout the film. Also, as someone who was very invested in the story, I would have loved to see more about Fern’s background and what her life was like before the recession hit because all we see of Fern’s life pre-recession is really just an old picture of her husband who has since passed on.

The Verdict

As much as I enjoy the action-packed superhero movies, movies like this are so much more rewarding in a sense. After everything that COVID-19 has brought upon us as a country, a movie about a modern-day nomad who struggles to get back on her feet after losing everything but ultimately bounces back stronger and more at peace with her life is something truly beautiful and is something we all can find inspiration from.

For just a bit more perspective, here is Ted’s final thoughts on the film…

Nomadland is more than just a movie, it's a journey of self-discovery that you embark on with characters you will genuinely care about. You will feel the full range of emotions, but more than anything else, you will find yourself taking a long hard look at what really matters in life - most of which is beyond the materialistic surface we all know far too well. Highly recommended.

TED TAKES RATING - 9/10

Nomadland is now playing in select theaters and available to stream on Hulu. Check out the official trailer below.