Minari

By: Andrew Wing, Contributing Writer

Minari is a 2020 American drama film written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung. The plot follows a family of South Korean immigrants that just moved from the West Coast to rural Arkansas during the 1980s who must adapt to their new surroundings and overcome the challenges that they face along the way. Infact, it also just so happens to be that Minari is a semi-autobiographical story of Chung’s upbringing about him growing up in America with his South Korean family.

The film is helped by some extremely sincere performances from the outstanding cast which includes Steven Yeun in the lead role as Jacob Yi, the father. Yeun is most well-known for his role as Glenn Rhee in the AMC television series The Walking Dead that saw him rise to national prominence as an actor in the industry. The rest of the main cast includes Han Ye-ri as Monica Yi, the mother, Alan Kim as Jacob Yi, the son, Noel Kate Cho as Anne Yi, the daughter, Youn Yuh-jung as Soon-ja, the grandmother (Monica’s mother), and also Will Patton (Remember the Titans, Armageddon) as Paul, Jacob’s farmhand.

THE GOOD

Upon hearing the amount of hype this movie was getting after first premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in January of last year where it won many awards, I have been eagerly waiting to watch this movie, and let me just say, it was well worth the wait. Similar to another movie I reviewed a few months back, Nomadland, Minari is a beautiful story of human beings trying to stay in touch and in peace with the natural world despite the many obstacles they face. From the opening minutes, you will be enthralled into the story of the Yi family and it will keep you that way up until the very last scene before the credits begin to roll.

The reason in my opinion why Minari has received so much widespread acclaim from critics and also why I enjoyed it so much is one reason and one reason only, and that would be the phenomenal performances from the entire cast. Yes, the cinematography and score are both fantastic, but the acting is truly what makes this movie so special. First with Steven Yeun, this was his coming-out party in my opinion in terms of him showing the world that his name deserves to be mentioned when you are discussing the upper echelon of actors in the movie industry today. For all of us who are fans of The Walking Dead like myself, we absolutely loved Glenn during his run on the show and we were heartbroken when he met his demise (sorry if that’s a spoiler but come on, it happened in 2016), but I would say he made the right decision leaving the show because he is now a movie star and I know I am not alone in my thinking because at the 93rd Academy Awards, Yeun earned himself a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor, becoming the first Asian American actor to receive this honor. 

Speaking of 93rd Academy Awards nominations, there was another member of the cast of Minari that received a nomination for their performance and actually won the award, and that would be Youn Yuh-jung, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Soon-ja, the hilarious grandmother who will certainly keep a smile on your face from beginning to end. I didn’t think going into this movie that I would be laughing out loud for good chunks of it but boy I thought wrong. The back and forth banter between Soon-ja and her grandson David Yi (portrayed by the 8-year-old Alan Kim) throughout the movie is simply genius on the part of Lee Isaac Chung’s writing and is worth the price of admission if you ask me. Lastly, the superb performances by Han Ye-ri as Monica Yi, the mother, and Noel Kate Cho as Anne Yi, the daughter, only add to the greatness of the film, and it was also great to see Will Patton who plays Paul back on the big screen simply adding another solid performance to his illustrious filmography.

THE BAD

If you haven’t been able to tell up to this point, I really liked this movie and I had a hard time finding something wrong with it. With that being said though, I won’t beat around the bush, the movie can be slow at some points because a large portion of the movie deals with Jacob working in the fields trying to grow Korean produce that he can sell to vendors to make a living for him and his family. Also, with the story being centered around a family of South Korean immigrants, the movie is heavy in subtitles so if that is not something you can handle, then this might not be the movie for you. Personally, I have never had a problem with subtitles, I actually find it to be helpful for me when watching movies but I know it can be annoying to some so I just wanted to put that out as a warning before you go ahead and decide whether or not to watch the film.

THE VERDICT

Led by triumphant performances from Steven Yeun and Youn Yuh-jung, as well as stellar performances from the rest of the cast, Minari is a heart-wrenching story of the “American Dream”, but also a heart-warming story of family and assimilation in 1980s America that will make you laugh, will make you cry, but most importantly, you will see the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.

TED TAKES RATING - 9/10

Minari is now available for rental and purchase. Check out the trailer below.

Hugh Jackman Stars In Sci-Fi Thriller 'Reminiscence' From Westworld Co-Creator [TRAILER]

From writer/director/producer Lisa Joy comes Warner Bros. Pictures’ action thriller “Reminiscence,” starring Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson and Thandiwe Newton.

Nick Bannister (Jackman), a private investigator of the mind, navigates the darkly alluring world of the past by helping his clients access lost memories. Living on the fringes of the sunken Miami coast, his life is forever changed when he takes on a new client, Mae (Ferguson). A simple matter of lost and found becomes a dangerous obsession. As Bannister fights to find the truth about Mae's disappearance, he uncovers a violent conspiracy, and must ultimately answer the question: how far would you go to hold on to the ones you love?

Reminiscence will hit theaters and HBO Max August 20th. Watch the official trailer below.

Mark Wahlberg Stars In Antoine Fuqua's 'Infinite' Coming June 10th [TRAILER]

Infinite is a 2021 sci-fi action thriller from director Antoine Fuqua. Ian Shorr adapted the screenplay and Todd Stein wrote the screen story, based on the 2009 novel The Reincarnationist Papers, from author D. Eric Maikranz.

It tells the story of Evan McCauley, a man with skills he has never learned and memories of places he has never visited which haunt his daily life. Self-medicated and on the brink of a mental breakdown, Evan is sought by a secret group that call themselves “Infinites,” revealing to him that his memories may be real—but they are from multiple past lives.

The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sophie Cookson, Jason Mantzoukas, Rupert Friend, Liz Carr, Toby Jones, and Dylan O'Brien.

Infinite will be available to stream June 10th exclusively on Paramount+. Watch the official new trailer below.

Cruella

Cruella is a 2021 live-action comedy based on the character Cruella de Vil from Dodie Smith's 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians, and Walt Disney's 1961 animated film adaptation. The film is directed by Craig Gillespie with a screenplay by Dana Fox and Tony McNamara, It is the third live-action adaptation in the 101 Dalmatians franchise, and serves as a prequel. 

The cast includes Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Emily Beecham, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Mark Strong. Set in London during the punk rock movement of the 1970s, the film revolves around Estella, an aspiring fashion designer, as she explores the path that will lead her to become a notorious up and coming fashion designer known as Cruella de Vil.

Cruella premiered in Los Angeles on May 18th, 2021, the first major red carpet event since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and hit theaters and Disney+ with Premier Access on May 28th.

THE GOOD

I grew up with 101 Dalmations engrained in my childhood even though I never considered it to be essential - it was just always there. If I came across a white dog with black spots, I always thought of the classic Disney film. Plus the character of Cruella de Vil is easily one of the more recognizable characters in the Disney cannon. Either way, I am a sucker for some nostalgia which is why I was very much looking forward to Disney’s live-action remake, and thankfully it was worth the anticipation.

This 2021 adaptation of Cruella is a genuinely enjoyable time at the movie theater for the entire family, with plenty of laughs, incredible costume design, and an engaging origin story for a very complex character. I liked how they had Emma Stone narrating the majority of the film with her nearly unrecognizable accent, and thought the story itself was told seamlessly as we transitioned from the reserved Estella to the outgoing and vengeful Cruella.

I was extremely impressed with Emma Stone’s ability to switch between characters in the way that she did. Viewers who have any interest in fashion design will likely see this at least 5 times as it surely checks all of the boxes in that category. If Cruella doesn’t take home some gold for costume design, the system is rigged that’s all I will say. I also loved the immersive 1970’s London setting during the punk rock movement, offering some amazing opportunities for the cinematography and a hard-hitting soundtrack. It all felt very authentic and alive, and was a huge value add for the film itself.

At times Cruella had a DC Comics feel to it, more specifically the Joker character during the signature scenes when Estella was making her transformation to the famed Cruella de Vil. She had a recognizable over the top attention seeking style minus the propensity for violence, of course. This also added the element of surprise not knowing how far she was willing to go to get what she wanted and fulfill her dream. This portion of the film was the most exciting, and was really the signature stamp for the Cruella character that will surely carry us right on to the sequel.

I’m sure this is a surprise to nobody, but Emma Stone absolutely crushes it as Estella/Cruella. She dives head first into the character and even nails the accent. She was perfect for the role especially as they try and potentially build an all-new franchise. Emma Thompson did not miss a beat as the unpleasant and easy to hate Baroness especially as the rivalry ensued. I really liked the unique chemistry she developed with Stone throughout the film. The supporting cast was fantastic, with Mark Strong making a hugely positive impact as per usual.

I loved Joel Fry and Paul Walter Hauser as Estella’s friends/gang mates, Jasper and Horace. Hauser is responsible for the majority of the comic relief, and was able to get quite a few laughs out of the audience with a few words and his hilarious facial expressions. The accent certainly helped as well. He is most recognizable as Richard Jewell in the 2019 film, but I also thought he was hilarious as the idiotic bodyguard in the 2017 film I, Tonya. I expect we will continue to see more from him going forward. I also really liked John McCrea as Estella’s eccentric “business partner” Artie. Overall the entire cast was great.

THE BAD

Cruella delivers the goods for fans without a doubt, but it’s not perfect. With a film as flashy and stylish as this it can be easy to lose sight of what matters most, which in my opinion is the story itself. In general the writing was great and gave us the origin story we needed, but at times things felt flat and uninspiring when they could have done more to develop the war between Cruella and The Baroness. Just some missed opportunities in my opinion, but who knows maybe they already have a script for the next movie ready to go and didn’t want to overdue things. It’s hard to argue that Cruella gets by on style over substance for the majority of the film anyway.

THE VERDICT

With lots of laughs, exceptional costume design, and a hefty dose of nostalgia, Disney’s Cruella brings plenty to the table and builds towards an inevitable sequel. I really enjoyed this movie, and felt like it was a nice balance between being more for adults and more for kids, it sort of sits right in the middle. If you’re on the fence about seeing this right away, I can happily offer you the nudge you need and can say with certainty you won’t regret it.

You can watch Cruella from the comfort of your couch with $29.99 and a Disney+ subscription, but the opportunity to watch it in a theater while experiencing the laughs from fellow movie lovers is well worth it in my opinion.

TED TAKES RATING - 8/10

Cruella is now playing in theaters and available on Disney+ as a Premier Access rental. Check out the trailer below.

A Quiet Place Part II

Written and directed by John Krasinski, A Quiet Place Part II is a 2021 sci-fi horror thriller, and is the follow-up to the hit 2018 film that excited both audiences and critics. Following the events at home, the Abbott family now face the terrors of the outside world. Forced to venture into the unknown, they realize the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats lurking beyond the sand path. The cast includes Emily Blunt, Noah Jupe, Millicent Simmonds, and Cillian Murphy.

Like many movies initially slated for a 2020 release A Quiet Place Part II was delayed several times due to the pandemic. It was eventually given a concrete release date and hit theaters on May 28th courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

THE GOOD

A Quiet Place Part II is a really, really good movie, end of story. Even if we ignore the fact that the gorgeous Emily Blunt who I just cannot get enough of is front and center once again, this is just A+ entertainment. I loved the first movie and felt that it somehow managed to find this niche place within the crowded “end of the world as we know it” type films. I would say these movies are probably most comparable to Will Smith’s I Am Legend in terms of overall setting and feel, but so much more exhilarating. Your eyes will be glued to the screen right from the opening scene, always worried that you might miss something. A Quiet Place Part II is one of those rare sequels that finds a way to seamlessly continue the story from the first film without sacrificing quality.

A Quiet Place Part II had some very intense moments to the point where I felt like I was holding my breath at times. I went to see the first movie in theaters on opening day, and I remember not even wanting to reach for my popcorn because I didn’t want to make a sound. It was a theater experience like no other, and all of that came flooding back with A Quiet Place Part II. The film opens with a flashback to when it all started which could not have been more perfect, and even though it has been quite some time since I watched the original, it made me feel like I just watched it. The way in which we are made to genuinely care about these characters is impressive especially considering the lack of overall personal backstory. You may not be able to relate to the circumstances they find themselves in, but the feeling of protecting your family at all costs is something that resonates with viewers.

Similar to the first film, A Quiet Place Part II utilizes the ability to mute all sound during certain moments as if to experience what is happening from the perspective of the oldest child Regan, who is deaf. This adds tremendous value to the film and makes these scenes that much more intense. That was one of my favorite elements of the first film, and I’m glad they stuck with it. The first movie had the “monsters” essentially hiding in the shadows for the majority of the film only showing themselves towards the end. With A Quiet Place Part II, they are much more visible and on the forefront of the action right from the beginning which is actually a really good thing. This allows for less of a need for buildup and instead shifts the focus towards the action.

The CGI was top-notch throughout delivering an enemy that is next-level terrifying, obliterating victims in a matter of seconds. Tons of credit to the technical crew because coming off corny can easily ruin a film like this, and that was never the case. I also thought the score played a pivotal role throughout ensuring viewers were never comfortable. Just a warning if you are a parent, A Quiet Place Part II will take years off your life. I mean let’s be honest, the idea of having to keep a baby from crying with the threat of instant death if you fail could be a horror movie on its own. But in all seriousness, the tension will somehow enter your body and won’t leave you until you are walking out of the theater. I know that sounds horrible, but I swear it’s a good thing.

The cast is nothing short of amazing. I am admittedly obsessed with Emily Blunt and have been for quite some time, she is just so great at taking on such a strong and commanding role leaving zero room to question her authenticity. She is the epitome of a badass mom, that’s for sure. Millicent Simmonds is incredible. The 18-year old Utah native has been deaf since she was a baby due to a medication overdose, and Krasinski bringing her on board for the first film was easily one of the best decisions he could have made. Not only is she that much more authentic in this role, her abilities as an actress are just inspiring. I look forward to more from her in the future. I am a huge Noah Jupe fan and can say without a doubt he will be one of the next great actors. I also really liked the addition of Cillian Murphy and felt like he did a really great job with his role.

THE BAD

I have thought long and hard about this and I can’t think of anything I didn’t like about A Quiet Place Part II. I mean, you always have that “was a sequel really necessary” thought in the back of your mind when you go and see a sequel to a movie that you really enjoyed, but in this case it was absolutely the right decision. It is the PERFECT continuation of the first film and almost feels like it was part 2 of a 2-part series. The ending is a bit abrupt and sort of a cliffhanger which might bother some people, but I had no issue with it. It is the perfect setup for a 3rd movie if they decide to make another one, and I think they will.

THE VERDICT

An edge-of-your-seat sci-fi horror thriller with a uniquely talented cast, John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place Part II is a rare must-see sequel that demands the theater experience. I hate to put myself in a box here but I think I actually liked this more than the original, crazy I know. I can’t stress this enough, you NEED to see this movie in the theater. Krasinski himself thanks you on-screen for coming to the theater prior to the start of the movie, and you will quickly realize that you made the right decision.

If you wait a few months for the VOD release you will only be hurting yourself. At just an hour and 37 minutes long, the movie flies by and is never boring. So what are you waiting for, get over to the theater and see A Quiet Place Part II as soon as you can - you’ll thank me later.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.5/10

A Quiet Place Part II is now playing only in theaters. Check out the trailer below.

Read our review for the original film, A Quiet Place, here.

Wrath of Man

Wrath of Man is a 2021 crime thriller written and directed by Guy Ritchie, from a script he co-wrote with Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies. It is based on the 2004 French film Cash Truck, from Nicolas Boukhrief and Éric Besnard. It tells the story of a mysterious and stone faced cash truck security guard who surprised his coworkers during a heist in which he unexpectedly unleashes precision skills. The crew is left wondering who he is and where he came from. Soon, his motive becomes clear as he takes dramatic and deadly steps to settle a score.

The cast includes Jason Statham, Holt McCallany, Jeffrey Donovan, Josh Hartnett, Laz Alonso, Raúl Castillo, Deobia Oparei, Eddie Marsan, and Scott Eastwood. Wrath of Man received a wide theatrical release on May 7th courtesy of MGM Studios.

THE GOOD

One thing is for sure, Guy Ritchie’s trademark style is undeniable. From his gritty in your face camera work, to his no BS and potentially offensive dialogue (some people, anyway), his films always stand out and feel true to his vision. Now since his debut film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), he has delivered his fair share of even-keeled entertainment, including the 2019 Aladdin remake, but at his core films like Wrath of Man are where his talent truly shines through in my opinion.

Quite frankly, this is a return to old heist thrillers that have been watered down as of late, and that was a great thing for me. The most comparable film in recent memory would have to be Den of Thieves with Gerard Butler and Pablo Schreiber, with a less talented writer/director. They share a similar gritty feel but still have an immersive backstory to accompany the action. Plus plenty of shootouts and intense car chases, just what every heist thriller needs. Movies like this get me excited, which is probably why I’ve seen Den of Thieves at least 20 times, easily. It actually has a sequel in the works which I am excited for.

I really enjoyed all of the planning that went into the heists, sort of reminded me of the Ocean’s movies accounting for every single detail and potential variable. On the technical side of things, the soundtrack, cinematography, and score all work in sync and help drive the story while giving the film its much needed edge. I also liked how it jumped from the present to the past seamlessly as the story unraveled. Statham goes more John Wick in this movie and relies on the tried and true bullet to the face method as opposed to hand to hand combat, and I was more than okay with that. If there was ever a movie that requires you to eat wings and drinks beers, this is it.

The cast for Wrath of Man is similar to the Brooklyn Nets talent wise when it comes to crime thrillers, and that’s saying something. Jason Statham is the face of the film for obvious reasons, and he is amazing as always. Few directors can make a character as badass as Ritchie, and we all know that Statham needs little help in that department. He is the epitome of an alpha male, and if you are dealing with low testosterone levels, they’ll be up significantly after watching him take care of business.

I was very impressed with Scott Eastwood in his role and thought that he absolutely crushed it. It was great to see Josh Hartnett is a supporting role. Holt McCallany, the star of the Netflix series Mindhunter, was the perfect addition to the cast. I also have to give an honorable mention to Jeffrey Donovan, Laz Alonso from The Boys, and swiss army knife actor Eddie Marsan. Everyone came across as stone cold from top to bottom and more than held their own. Oh and needless to say I love a good Post Malone sighting, his scene had me laughing pretty good.

THE BAD

Wrath of Man delivered on what I was hoping for and left me with little to complain about, but that doesn’t mean some people won’t have some issues with the movie. In true Guy Ritchie fashion, the dialogue is often over-the-top insensitive and may offend some people especially considering todays climate. I wasn’t offended at all, which I suppose speaks to my own unresolved issues, but that is a discussion I should be having with my therapist. But seriously, Ritchie is unapologetic and stays true to his old-school filming style and I can’t get enough of it.

THE VERDICT

An unapologetically violent heist thriller that packs a punch and takes full advantage of a stacked cast, Guy Ritchie’s Wrath of Man is more than worth 2 hours of your time. I had an absolute blast watching this movie, and was reminded just how much I have missed watching Jason Statham kick ass during his Transporter days. I don’t care if we are talking about Death Race (which I will admit, I did enjoy), he always means business. With one of the most talented casts in recent memory and enough adrenaline to last you at least another 48 hours after the credits roll, this is a movie that warrants multiple viewings. See Wrath of Man on the big screen with the sound blaring and get your summer started off right.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.5/10

Wrath of Man is now playing in theaters. Check out the trailer below.

Those Who Wish Me Dead

From director Taylor Sheridan, the man behind Sicario, Hell or High Water, Wind River, and Yellowstone, Those Who Wish Me Dead is a 2021 crime thriller that tells the story of a teenage murder witness who finds himself pursued by twin assassins in the Montana wilderness with a survival expert tasked with protecting him -- and a forest fire threatening to consume them all. The film is based on the novel from Michael Koryta. The cast includes Angelina Jolie, Jon Bernthal, Nicholas Hoult, Tyler Perry, Aidan Gillen, and Finn Little. The film is scheduled for a theatrical and HBO Max release on May 14th, 2021 from Warner Bros. Pictures.

THE GOOD

Taylor Sheridan is the man, end of story. Whether we are talking about Sicario, Hell or High Water, or Wind River, the former Son’s of Anarchy actor is easily one of my favorite writer/directors. If he is involved with a film you can rest assured it will pack a punch, and that is certainly the case here. Those Who Wish Me Dead is an exciting crime thriller set in the beautiful state of Montana.

I really enjoyed the story and thought it was paced well with plenty of depth. In true Taylor Sheridan fashion, the film has a gritty feel throughout and characters that you genuinely care about. I was on the edge of my seat and couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. The score and cinematography are incredible as well, bringing rural Montana roaring to life.

The acting is next level from top to bottom, with fantastic performances from Angelina Jolie and Jon Bernthal. Bernthal has been a favorite of mine since his Walking Dead days and continues with the perfect role here. I also really enjoyed the complex characters Nicholas Hoult and Aidan Gillen played as the films primary antagonists. Young Australian actor Finn Little impressed me as well, and likely has a bright future ahead of him.

THE BAD

I don’t have much negative to say about Those Who Wish Me Dead, but if I wanted to nitpick I suppose I would point out the fact that after the conclusion viewers still have some questions about the backstory that drives the films narrative. I get that some people need all of the details and a nice little bow tied on at the end of a movie, but it doesn’t bother me that much. With that being said, this is based on a book and it is extremely difficult to fit everything in the movie version - one more reason to read the book, right? I will be picking it up soon myself.

THE VERDICT

Top-tier acting matched only by the incredible scenery and engaging storyline, Those Who Wish Me Dead is a crime thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. I still need to read the book, but I am a Taylor Sheridan Guy through and through. He just gets it when it comes to crime thrillers and always seems to work with the best actors.

You can catch Those Who Wish Me Dead on HBO Max, but if you are like and prefer the theater experience, it is well worth the price of admission.

TED TAKES RATING - 8/10

Those Who Wish Me Dead is now playing in theaters and available on HBO Max. Check out the trailer below.

Netflix To Debut Horror Film Series 'Fear Street' This Summer [TRAILER]

Three Movies. Three Weeks. One Killer Story.

In 1994, a group of teenagers discovers that the terrifying events that have haunted their town for generations ​may all be connected — and that they may be the next targets. Based on R.L. Stine’s best selling horror series, the trilogy follows the nightmare through Shadyside’s sinister history.

Watch the Fear Street Trilogy only on Netflix this July. Official teaser trailer below.

• Fear Street Part One: 1994 - July 2nd

• Fear Street Part Two: 1978 - July 9th

• Fear Street Part Three: 1666 - July 16th

Spiral

From director Darren Lynn Bousman, the man behind Saw II, III, and IV, Spiral is a 2021 horror thriller described as a re-imaging of the popular Saw franchise. The film tells the story of detective Zeke Banks and his rookie partner who take charge of an investigation into grisly murders that are eerily reminiscent of the city's gruesome past. Living in the shadow of his father and dealing with a checkered past, Zeke finds himself at the center of the killer's morbid game. The film stars Chris Rock, Samuel L. Jackson, Marisol Nichols, and Max Minghella. Spiral made it’s theatrical debut on May 14th courtesy of Lionsgate.

The Saw franchise entered our lives 17 years ago from a script by James Wan and Leigh Whannel, with Wan directing. A year later Darren Lynn Bousman took over the directors chair with Saw II, based on a script he co-wrote along with Whannel. Bousman went on to direct Saw III (2006) and Saw IV (2007), but stepped away from the franchise after that. He has returned with the newest entry Spiral, originally titled Spiral: From the Book of Saw, written by Josh Stolberg and Pete Goldfinger, the two behind 2017’s Jigsaw.

THE GOOD

Love it or hate it, the Saw franchise always makes it a point to stick to its roots and I respect that. I have been a fan of the franchise since the original, and even though some of the sequels were a bit repetitive and started to lack backstory, I still enjoyed them. Now here we are in 2021, 5+ months removed from the nightmare year that was 2020 and we have another saw movie - perfect timing if you ask me. Spiral more or less starts from scratch within the same Saw Universe with the memory of the infamous serial killer John Kramer, known as The Jigsaw Killer, fresh in the minds of the public and law enforcement.

Before I get off track, I really enjoyed Spiral. It was packed full of nostalgia for fans of the franchise from the signature murder traps to the unique directing style thanks to Bousman’s return. The film carves out a brand new backstory with lots of depth and twists and turns which has been a trademark of the franchise for the earlier films, as well as the most recent entry Jigsaw. The cast has plenty of talent and recognizable faces, most notably Samuel L. Jackson and comedian/actor Chris Rock.

Jackson is great as always, and I actually thought they did a great job with Rock’s character. Once the film and the cast were announced I know we all had questions about the decision to put comedian first actor second Chris Rock in a lead role in a film like this, myself included, but I was pleased with the end result. He is not some stone cold Shaft like character in the detective world, and he retains his skillful delivery of hilarious one-liners. He had me laughing quite a bit especially earlier on. His character is actually a bright spot in the movie, and I for one am glad he was a part of it. Oh and Marisol Nichols (24, Riverdale) who plays Captain Angie Garza, is absolutely gorgeous. I also really liked Max Minghella from The Handmaid’s Tale who had a prominent role.

Hardcore Saw fans care about the trademark kills, and they can rest assured that they worked hard to make these feel fresh and new. First of all, they aren’t shy with the blood and gore that’s for damn sure. I won’t give anything away of course, but if you watched the trailer you’ll know that the mess on the train tracks is just the beginning. What I always enjoyed most about the Saw movies ever since the original were the predicaments the victims find themselves in. I mean I’d rather not find myself in a situation where I either cut off my own arm or die, but it did happen to James Franco in 127 Hours so I guess crazier things have happened. The thrill is on full display in Spiral and I was definitely on the edge of my seat and feeling real nervous at the right times. Either way, don’t piss off Jigsaw or anyone who idolizes him because you’ll end up having a really, really bad day.

I enjoyed the score and soundtrack which gave Spiral a hard-hitting feel right from the start, with an original song from 21 Savage and the music and score from Charlie Clouser, who also worked on Jigsaw. It had a concrete jungle feel to it which fit with the setting and premise of the film. The score and soundtrack are too often overlooked these days if you ask me, so it is always something I can appreciate.

THE BAD

All things considered I don’t have a ton of complaints about Spiral, but it certainly wasn’t perfect. With that being said, unlike many of the naïve and oblivious critics, I knew what to expect. Criticizing a Saw movie for having too much gore is like giving The Conjuring a bad rating for being too scary, it makes zero sense. Although the acting was easily one of the films strengths, it still proved to be a weakness at times. I really liked Chris Rock’s character but his delivery in some of the more dramatic scenes left something to be desired. His bread and butter is toeing the line of someone with thick skin and a propensity for vulgar humor, and they did stray from that more often than I would have preferred although it was necessary to drive the story. I also felt like most of the supporting cast was hit or miss.  

The story was absolutely a strength of the film as well, but I did feel like they missed out on a few opportunities to dig deeper into a fairly complex backstory. The twist is worth it in the end, but you can’t help but feel like certain aspects were rushed or not fully unpacked.

THE VERDICT

With a killer soundtrack, plenty of great one-liners thanks to Chris Rock, and enough gore to satisfy it’s loyal fanbase, Spiral is a more than worthy revival for a storied franchise. Whether you are a fan of the original films or not, as long as you can stomach the blood and gore I suggest you see this in theaters - it packs a punch. It brings enough for those looking for a good crime thriller, and the “predicaments” the victims found themselves in gave me chills more than a few times. I’m looking forward to the inevitable sequel.

TED TAKES RATING - 7/10

Spiral is now playing only in theaters. Check out the trailer below.

Kevin Hart Stars In Upcoming Netflix Drama 'Fatherhood' [TRAILER]

Is Kevin Hart capable of taking on a dramatic role? You gon’ learn on June 18th!!

This Father's Day weekend, Kevin Hart stars in a heartwarming, funny and emotional true story about a widower taking on one of the toughest jobs in the world: fatherhood. Alfre Woodard, Lil Rel Howery, DeWanda Wise, Anthony Carrigan (HBO’s Barry), and Paul Reiser round out this all-star cast. I got chills watching this trailer and I am NOT ashamed to admit it, I can’t wait for this.

Fatherhood will be available to stream exclusively on Netflix June 18th. Watch the official trailer below.

Separation

Separation is a 2021 horror drama directed by William Brent Bell, from a screenplay by Nick Amadeus and Josh Braun. It tells the story of 8-year-old Jenny who is constantly caught in the middle of the feuding between her lawyer mother Maggie and artist father Jeff. She leads a lonely but imaginative life, surrounded by puppets called “Grisly Kin”, which are based on the works of her father. When Maggie is tragically killed in a hit-and-run, Jeff and Jenny try to piece together a new life.

The cast includes Rupert Friend, Mamie Gummer, Madeline Brewer, Violet McGraw, Simon Quarterman, and Brian Cox.

Separation released in theaters on April 30th from Open Road Films and Briarcliff Entertainment.

THE GOOD

First of all, Separation is rated R which seems to be oddly rare for horror movies these days. Secondly it doesn’t rely on jump scares, and for me that’s huge. I mean I enjoy a good jump scare as much as the next person, but at the end of the day they are cheap scares. Instead for the most part they take the less is more approach, having the monster barely creeping out from the shadows and that is what I like to see. Plus with a premise essentially built around creepy dolls, what’s not to love about that? The horror elements used were all pretty solid all things considered. From the genuinely creepy dolls reminiscent of Puppet Master, to the scary clown type figures, it was more than enough to scare your average horror fan. 

The premise of the film blurred the lines of reality and some other “darkness” allowing for a unique graphic novel feel at times which I liked. Separation also has a much deeper meaning than you’d expect, and serves as more of a cautionary tale for parents.

Brian Cox is great in this movie, but I mean he’s great in pretty much anything he is in. What I thought was funny about his role is he basically plays his Succession character, like to a tee. If this was a side story during the new season of Succession, he wouldn’t miss a beat. Maybe he filmed his scenes during his lunch breaks. I also really liked Violet McGraw, she was very convincing and I think she has a bright future ahead of her.

THE BAD

Separation has plenty to pick apart. My two biggest issues were the script and the acting, two extremely important elements of any successful movie. The script felt rushed from the start, and didn’t allow the characters or the story itself to build much of a foundation. You never feel truly invested or sympathetic to any of the characters really, except the daughter of course. I just felt like emotional investment was critical here and they definitely missed the mark on it. 

The acting was shaky pretty much throughout for one reason or another, but most glaring was Rupert Friend who I expected more from. I wouldn’t consider him to be an A-list actor but I still expected more from a recognizable name. He wasn’t awful, just not convincing with his character which proved to be a lasting issue.

THE VERDICT

If you struggle with attics full of creepy dolls or clowns crawling around looking like the sister from Pet Sematary, Separation starring Rupert Friend and Brian Cox will have you pulling the blanket up over your eyes more times than you’ll want to admit. Is it an instant horror classic? Unfortunately not even close, but it’s better than some of this other horror garbage that keeps getting released. The biggest thing missing is a sense of substance to help the family drama based narrative, or even just what felt more like a finished product. With a polished script and a few more hours with the acting coaches we may have had a fresh tomato on our hands, or at least one you’d still be willing to put on a sandwich.

TED TAKES RATING - 5.5/10

Separation is now playing only in theaters. Check out the trailer below.

Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat is a 2021 action thriller that tells the story of washed up MMA fighter Cole Young as he seeks out Earth's greatest champions in order to stand against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe, and is based on the popular videogame franchise from the 90’s. It is directed by Simon McQuoid, and written by Greg Russo, Dave Callaham, and Oren Uziel. Writing credits also go to Ed Boon and John Tobias, the creators of the videogame.

I was born in 1984 (yes, I know I’m old), so to say that Mortal Kombat was a big part of my childhood would be an understatement. I’m a 90’s kid through and through, and damn proud of it too. My friends and I would spend hours mastering the finishing moves at the arcade, and when the cut scene was triggered, we just watched in pure awe. It was a truly magical time. 

The dream was always to have the movie version of the game and in 1995, that became a reality. And to be honest, I really liked it. I mean the soundtrack got me all kinds of fired up, and still does to this day. But it was far from perfect. I mean first of all, it was rated PG-13 (yawnnnnnnnn). So for years now we have been itching for a R-rated movie that could truly embody what Mortal Kombat is, and well, that day has come.

THE GOOD

If you’ve heard it once you’ve heard it 1000 times, video film adaptations are trash more often than not for one reason or another. Either they stray from the tried and true formula for ratings reasons or just try to get cute and things quickly fall apart. But rest assured, that didn’t happen here.  

First and foremost, Mortal Kombat is for the fans. End of story. And you know what, that’s how it should be. It is a simple recipe for success, if you are making a movie based on a video game franchise why wouldn’t you prioritize the people who made that videogame so successful in the first place? I mean it seems obvious. Is it an enjoyable movie for someone who has no idea about or ever even played the games? Sure it is. But more than anything else, this is a nostalgic origin story that builds up to the perfect setup for a sequel. Also as expected, the R-rating was absolutely key here. You just can’t put together a competent Mortal Kombat movie without the elements that made the games so great which is brutal over the top violence. I mean, it was the 90’s what can you do.

As one of the aforementioned fans, I really enjoyed this movie. It gave me everything I was hoping for and then some. From Kano’s one-liners to the raw power of Jax’s robotic arms causing a bit more than a permanent migraine, this is just pure fun. The writers ensure the characters feel authentic to the games from their trademark mannerisms, right down to their impulse control issues. I knew who each character was right away which brought on a nice comforting rush of nostalgia. 

I thought the casting choices were all pretty great. Lewis Tan, who takes on the lead role of Cole Young, is a pretty unknown actor which is a good thing in this case. You won’t have any predisposed notions of him playing any other roles, and I personally thought he did a really nice job here. The same goes for Jessica McNamee, who plays the role of Sonya Blade. It was also fitting that both actors are similar to me in age so they would have grown up with these games as well.

For those of you who watched HBO’s True Blood, Mehcad Brooks who plays Jax is easily one of the more recognizable characters and was perfect for the role. Love him or hate him, Australian actor Josh Lawson makes the biggest impact with a fantastic portrayal as the mouthy loose cannon, Kano. The humor he brings to the film is fantastic and provides a nice balance to the mandatory blood and gore. I also have to give a shoutout to Mileena played by Sisi Stringer, I loved what they did with her character. I wouldn’t mess with her.

The choreography and stunt work was top notch, making each fight scene feel as intimate and brutal as the last. I really liked how the environments played such a big part in some of the bigger fights, just like they do in the games. We jumped from one fight to the next without losing the feel of a progressing storyline which I thought was a nice touch. Oh and Sub-Zero vs Scorpion, that is EVERYTHING. I also have to say I was impressed with the fact that this is the directorial debut for Australia native Simon McQuoid. I think he did a nice job with it.

THE BAD

It’s not perfect, and for someone who grew up playing the games and has a very clear memory of the original 1995 film, a few things could’ve been included that weren’t but much of that is also personal preference. For example, I always think about the crazy fight in the woods between Scorpion and Johnny Cage. I just thought that was such a cool and iconic setting that felt like the games. But it’s hard to critique a movie that builds itself as an origin story, while still improving on the original in such a big way. Maybe we will get a taste of that in the sequel? Time will tell. Usually when they try rebuilding a franchise from the ground up like this, they are thinking at least 3 movies ahead as far as storyline.

There were times when I thought the film didn’t feel quite as gritty as I would have liked, but then I stop and remember that this is a movie based on a video game franchise from the 90’s about humans with “super abilities” fighting beings from another realm, and that sort of puts things in perspective. Or someone gets their head chopped off, that usually does the trick too. The acting is also mediocre at times, but not enough to be a real issue, plus most of the cast are unknowns.

Some people seem to have an issue with the story arc addition of Cole Young, who essentially becomes the centerpiece of the film. Mostly because he was not part of the videogames and was inserted for plot purposes, and I get that. But at the same time, I think the writers needed a jumping off point if they were going to build a fresh new franchise and I didn’t really have an issue with his character in general. He sort of had a Never Back Down vibe to him.

THE VERDICT

Catering to it’s fanbase with every catch phrase and signature finishing move, Mortal Kombat is a hefty dose of 90’s nostalgia and what should be a shiny new resurgence for the franchise. The joy I felt watching this movie is exactly why I love going to the theater, just good old fashioned unapologetic enjoyment. Full disclosure, as soon as I got home I hit the bench press in the basement pretty hard. I mean let’s be honest, you never know when you might get the call from Raiden. They also set things up perfectly for another movie, I just hope that comes to fruition unlike the recent Power Rangers reboot. Yes, I am still bitter. Assuming things go as planned, I can’t wait to see who they cast for the sequel.

TED TAKES RATING - 7.5/10

Mortal Kombat is now in theaters and available on HBO Max. Check out the trailer below.

Voyagers

Written and directed by Neil Burger, Voyagers is a 2021 sci-fi drama starring Tye Sheridan, Lily-Rose Depp, Fionn Whitehead, Chanté Adams, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Viveik Kalra, Archie Madekwe, Quintessa Swindell, Madison Hu, and Colin Farrell.

Set in the future, the film chronicles the odyssey of 30 young men and women who are sent deep into space on a multi-generational mission in search of a new home. The mission descends into madness, as the crew reverts to its most primal state, not knowing if the real threat they face is what's outside the ship or who they're becoming inside it. Voyagers made its debut only in theaters on April 9th, 2021, courtesy of Lionsgate.

THE GOOD

Voyagers is a story of self-preservation in the face of our primal needs as human beings. The unique element of the story is that after years and years, researchers finally find what they believe is a new and very much inhabitable planet. There is one catch catch though, it will take precisely 86 years aboard the ship to reach this new planet. Because of this, researchers realize that the people who climb aboard the ship will rely on their grandchildren to take the reigns. Realizing that it is against human nature to be stuck on a ship for an entire lifetime, they raise children in a lab setting in preparation for this mission. The plan is to leave once this new generation is old enough to successfully maintain the ship, with safeguards in place that essentially keep the crew from ever becoming truly “human”. As you can imagine, things do not go quite as they planned.

As a movie that seemed to more or less come out of nowhere, Voyagers is an enjoyable sci-fi drama with a fair amount of depth to the story. First and foremost, I appreciate the willingness to have a theatrical release instead of selling off to a streaming service because we need to re-ignite the movie theater industry. The premise feels fresh and thought provoking, the cast is a great mix of stars and young talent, and the “why” certainly hits home. I thought the reason for this “voyage” was well thought out and an easy concept for viewers to grasp. Voyagers is an example of science and social psychology climbing into the drivers seat in an attempt to preserve human life in the form of a newfound seemingly habitable planet. The movie kept me guessing, unsure as to whether it was more of a drama or if it would become more of a horror thriller, and that kept me engaged for the majority of the film.

The cast is anchored by the great Colin Farrell who delivers a fantastic performance as expected. Farrell may not get as much screen time as I would have preferred due to the story arch, but he makes the most of his screen time. I was looking forward to seeing my guy Tye Sheridan in a starring role again, he’s been fairly quiet since 2018’s Ready Player One. Ever since seeing 2012’s Mud I knew he was an up-and-coming star, and he does well here even holding up in the scenes he shares with Farrell. I also liked Lily-Rose Depp who was also in one of the lead roles. If you didn’t guess it already, she is the daughter of actor Johnny Depp. Lily-Rose is slowly building a solid acting career and her talent shows in Voyagers.

The technical elements are incredibly important in a sci-fi drama, and I think for the most part everything worked. The nice thing about this film is it relies more on the performances than it does CGI by a long shot, which kept the budget in check at a very reasonable estimated 29 million. I also thought the score helped to balance the bleak yet optimistic tone they were going for.

THE BAD

Voyagers has it’s issues keeping it from being one of those “wow, that’s crazy!” sci-fi dramas. At some point towards the more pivotal part of the story, things started to feel goofy, I guess is the best way to explain it. At this point the audience is sort of on edge, unsure as to what exactly is plaguing the crew as it relates to a tragedy aboard the ship, and it just gets a little weird. For me, I felt like the element of realism and drama started to trend in the direction the Divergent films, but not really in a good way. It was almost like we were teased with a horror thriller vibe, and it was ripped from our grasps just as we were getting comfortable. This all came as no real surprise to me as writer/director Neil Burger is the man behind 2014’s Divergent. Burger is a talented writer and director don’t get me wrong, but I think he made a mistake trying to blend the young adult genre into Voyagers and that directly impacted the overall effectiveness of the film. It really bummed me out because he was on such a great path initially.

I also had an issue with a few of the casting decisions coupled with some flawed writing. I was annoyed by Fionn Whitehead’s character, and I usually like him as an actor. He was great in Dunkirk. I feel like the writing fell flat at times and his character arc took the brunt of it. He was supposed to be the character we had mixed emotions about unsure whether we should support or despise him, but I just couldn’t stand him pretty much from the onset and that didn’t sit well with me. For the 2nd half of the movie I honestly just wanted someone to open the door and send him on a journey of no return. I also thought the supporting cast was fairly weak and undeveloped.

THE VERDICT

A sci-fi thriller more rooted in reality than we would like to admit, Voyagers reminds us just how far we are willing to go to preserve the future of humanity. I would have preferred a bit more depth to the script as it relates to overall character development as well as more Alien and less Divergent, but this is still an enjoyable and thought provoking experience with a satisfying conclusion. It just could have been much, much better.

TED TAKES RATING - 6.5/10

Voyagers is now playing only in theaters. Check out the trailer below.

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.