No Hard Feelings

No Hard Feelings is a 2023 R-rated coming-of-age comedy film directed by Gene Stupnitsky (Good Boys), from a screenplay he co-wrote with John Phillips. Jennifer Lawrence stars and also serves as a producer on the film.

On the brink of losing her childhood home, Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence) discovers an intriguing job listing: wealthy helicopter parents looking for someone to "date" their introverted 19-year-old son, Percy, before he leaves for college. To her surprise, Maddie soon discovers the awkward Percy is no sure thing.

The cast includes Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Barth Feldman, Matthew Broderick, Laura Benanti, Natalie Morales, Scott MacArthur (Killing It), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear).

No Hard Feelings made its debut in theaters on June 23rd, courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing.

THE GOOD

I love me some Jennifer Lawrence, simple as that. She recently starred in the Apple TV original drama from A24 Causeway (our full review here), which she was incredible in of course, but she has been appearing on screen since she made her debut back in 2006 on an episode of Monk. My first impression of her was the 2010 indie drama Winter’s Bone, where she delivered a mesmerizing performance that without a doubt ignited her career. A few years later she would star as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games, and would also star alongside Bradley Cooper in David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook (2012). If I had to pick my favorite Lawrence role it would probably be her next David O. Russell film, the 2013 crime drama American Hustle, which was just so, so good. The bottom line, she is the entire package; sexy, talented, and supremely confident. So of course when I heard she was going to be starring in an R-rated comedy, I knew I would be seeing it as soon as it was released no matter what. So, did No Hard Feelings keep my Jennifer Lawrence obsession burning red hot or did it turn the heat down a notch? Keep reading to find out!

I genuinely enjoyed this movie, and to be honest it was actually quite a bit better than I expected it to be. No Hard Feelings offered so many things I just cannot get enough of, which is of course Jennifer Lawrence, genuine laughs, a good story, and more than anything else, just an hour and a half of movie theater goodness. I enjoyed the story much more than I expected, and I really liked all of the characters and thought the cast was fantastic from top to bottom. I went in expecting more of a full-on raunchy comedy as the trailer alluded to which I would have been fine with, but instead, No Hard Feelings digs a little deeper while making sure to still satisfy viewers expecting the latter. I felt like the majority of the jokes landed, and I also thought that because the script was a bit better than I had anticipated. Nothing ever felt forced or overdone which can often be the case with comedies. No Hard Feelings is an example of a film that tells an effective and relatable story while providing lots of laughs and feel-good moments along the way.

The cast was an obvious draw for me, and I thought Jennifer Lawrence was great in the lead role. Also if you don’t find her gorgeous, you may need to get your eyes checked. Now she wasn’t exactly flaunting her acting chops here and at times it did feel like she was dumbing things down a bit, but that is par for the course with comedy. She was still really good. What mattered most here was her chemistry with co-star Andrew Barth Feldman, and I felt like the two really hit it off. A successful Broadway actor moving into film who made his debut in the play Dear Evan Hansen in 2019, this is Feldman’s first big film role. I was hot and cold on his performance early on in the film, but he grew on me and I thought that his awkward but good-hearted demeanor really fit his character. Plus acting alongside a seasoned vet like Lawrence is not an easy feat, and the New York native made it seem easy.

Aside from the two stars of the film, I actually really liked the supporting cast in No Hard Feelings. My favorite of the group was without a doubt Scott MacArthur, the hilarious actor who just oozes on-screen personality. Although his screen time is pretty limited, he had me laughing out loud every single time he was involved in a scene. He plays the husband of the best friend of Lawrence’s character, and he is just so ridiculous with his take on dating and life in general. Now although MacArthur has been working his ass off in the industry for nearly two decades, he landed on my radar just last year with the 2022 Peacock original series Killing It, where he starred alongside Craig Robinson. This show is super ridiculous, but if you enjoy a good wacky, and often raunchy comedy it is well worth a watch. I hope MacArthur continues to get opportunities because the man is hilarious, and I’m glad he was given a chance with this film. Even though he also has a small role, my guy Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear) delivers yet again. If you like Moss-Bachrach he was also really good in the HBO series Girls. Last, but certainly not least, legendary Ferris Bueller's Day Off actor Matthew Broderick was awesome as one of the aforementioned “helicopter parents”. The man has been around forever, and it was just so much fun seeing him in a role like this, and he for sure added to the comedic element of the film in an effortless fashion.

I went into No Hard Feelings not really expecting much from the overall story, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The script from director Gene Stupnitsky and John Phillips was pretty damn good and felt much more coming-of-age which just happens to be a favorite genre of mine. The film is advertised as a raunchy comedy, which don’t get me wrong, is without a doubt another favorite genre of mine, but it really is much more than that. Now we do get plenty of raunchiness in the film, including a bare-naked Jennifer Lawrence brawl on the beach where she gets blasted right in the baby maker (yup, you read that right), and it was glorious for so many reasons, but there is so much more to the film than meets the eye. Although Maddie (played by Lawrence) is a complete mess and seems to always find ways to screw up her life, her story is relatable, especially for those of us who live in tourist destinations or who just have a hard time letting go of the past. Maddie lives alone in her childhood home after losing her mother, and she is struggling to keep the house after falling behind on her taxes. Desperately trying to hold on to the few things in her life that feel familiar, Maddie slowly begins to learn that sometimes in life you just need to take a leap of faith, and I enjoyed watching her often hilarious journey unfold.

I also liked how relatable the story with Percy, who is played by Feldman, was. In some form or fashion parents today feel the need to put their kids in bubble wrap in the hopes that nothing bad will happen to them, but at the end of the day, they will need to experience the real world for themselves. Percy’s parents begin to fear that they are sending their son to college without the proper tools to flourish, including but not limited to his intact virginity, and they are determined to pull out all of the stops to turn him into a man. The events that transpire in the process are equally hilarious and a bit emotional, which speaks to the writers really making an attempt to tell a real story that holds some weight. By the end of this “experiment”, Maddie, Percy, and his parents all learn more than a few valuable lessons and are better people for it. But back to the story in general, I liked how it all came together and also felt like it had a very satisfying ending.

THE BAD

No Hard Feelings is not a perfect movie, and it has its fair share of issues keeping it from joining the list of comedy classics. In no way does this make it a bad movie, it was just missing the extra “oomph” needed to push it over the top. As I said earlier in the review I thought the story was a bright spot for the film, but it could have been better. I thought the writers had an opportunity to tap a bit more into the backstory of Lawrence’s character in an effort to tug on the heartstrings a bit more but decided not to. Now granted this would likely have meant adding an additional 15 to 20 minutes to the film, and as Margot Robbie’s character pointed out in Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City which Andrew just reviewed (full review here), we have to be mindful of long runtimes. I also felt like the cast mailed it in at times, Lawrence included, where it just seemed like they got a little lazy. This is a bit nitpicky, especially for a comedy, but worth pointing out. Luckily I only felt this way a few times throughout the entire film.

THE VERDICT

A satisfying and easy-to-enjoy comedy that is more coming-of-age than it is raunchy with a much better story than I anticipated, No Hard Feelings offers plenty of laughs while also serving up an extra helping of decadent dessert for Jennifer Lawrence fans. I had a lot of fun with this movie, and the blend of effective storytelling and just great old-fashioned comedy was really what did it for me. Jennifer Lawrence remains in my top 5 as far as actresses who are gorgeous and extremely talented, and I’m glad she is still willing to have a little fun and put out an R-rated comedy from to time. If you fancy yourself the combination of a few adult beverages and lots of laughs, check out No Hard Feelings in theaters now.

TED TAKES RATING - 7.7/10

No Hard Feelings is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Asteroid City

By: Andrew Wing

Asteroid City is a 2023 American comedy-drama film written, directed, and produced by Wes Anderson (Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel), from a story he wrote with Roman Coppola (wrote with Anderson on his two previous films, Isle of Dogs and The French Dispatch). Its metatextual plot simultaneously depicts the events of a Junior Stargazer convention in a retro-futuristic version of 1955, staged as a play, and the creation of the play.

The film features an ensemble cast that includes Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), Scarlett Johansson (Avengers: Infinity War, Marriage Story), Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan), Jeffrey Wright (Casino Royale, The Batman), Tilda Swinton (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Doctor Strange), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad, Argo), Edward Norton (Fight Club, The Incredible Hulk), Adrien Brody (The Pianist, The Darjeeling Limited), Liev Schreiber (Scream, Spotlight), Hope Davis (About Schmidt, American Splendor), Steve Park (Fargo, Snowpiercer), Rupert Friend (Pride & Prejudice, The Death of Stalin), Maya Hawke (Stranger Things, Do Revenge), Steve Carell (The Office, The Big Short), Matt Dillon (Crash, The Outsiders), Hong Chau (Watchmen, The Whale), Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man, The Lighthouse), Margot Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street, The Suicide Squad), Tony Revolori (Spider-Man: Homecoming, The Grand Budapest Hotel), Jake Ryan (Moonrise Kingdom, Uncut Gems), and Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park, Thor: Ragnarok).

The project was first announced in September 2020 as an untitled romance film, with Anderson writing, producing, and directing, alongside Jeremy Dawson of American Empirical Pictures and Steven Rales of Indian Paintbrush, which was now described as being about a "group of brainy teenagers" instead in February 2021. Originally set for Rome, filming took place in Spain between August and October 2021, with cinematographer Robert D. Yeoman. Several sets in Chinchón, resembling a desert landscape and a mock train station, were used for the shoot. The post-production process included editor Barney Pilling and a score composed by frequent Anderson composer Alexandre Desplat, featuring country and western songs from many artists. The official title was revealed in October 2021 at the BFI London Film Festival.

Asteroid City had its world premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2023, where it competed for the Palme d'Or. It began a limited theatrical release via Focus Features in the United States on June 16, 2023, before expanding to a wide release a week later. The film has grossed $18.3 million worldwide so far against its $25 million budget.

THE GOOD

Say whatever you want, but I love me some Wes Anderson! Yes, his movies are incredibly unique as they are strange and very eccentric, but I find them to be hilarious and call me crazy, but I take joy in watching movies about dysfunctional families, which is a recurring theme in all of his films. All of that said, I was very pumped for Asteroid City when I first heard about it. He always has amazing ensemble casts for his films, but with this one, it was on another level. I mean aside from the usual suspects, this one had Scarlett Johansson, Margot Robbie, and a guy by the name of Tom Hanks whom you might have heard of. On top of that, those who saw it at the 76th Cannes Film Festival were calling it one of Wes Anderson’s best, so my expectations for this were at an all-time high. But did it live up to the hype? Keep reading to find out!

Was it his best movie? I don’t think so, but nevertheless, it was really freaking good and an improvement from his previous film, The French Dispatch which came out in 2021. This is a return to form for Wes Anderson if you ask me. I really enjoyed it. It was fun and light throughout, and I really appreciated how in this film, the characters were actually the stars of the movie instead of his style. Don’t get me wrong, his style in this is remarkable like it always is, but I just liked how the characters in this got much more of a front seat than the characters did in his last two films, Isle of Dogs and the previously mentioned The French Dispatch. To continue with that point, because of the amount of humanity we get from the characters, that made it really easy to connect with them. And last but not least, this was easily one of his funniest films as there were a number of scenes that I was audibly laughing at.

But now onto what everyone wants to talk about when it comes to a Wes Anderson movie, and that is the ensemble cast. First things first, I am not going to touch on every performance from every cast member in this review because there are just too many, so instead I am just going to touch on the ones I found to be the best. That said, the best performance of the movie is without a doubt Jason Schwartzman’s in the lead role as Augie Steenbeck. I love Schwartzman in everything, but he is just perfect in Wes Anderson films, and if it wasn't for his incredible performance in Rushmore, I would say that this was the best performance of his career. I just loved him in this!

Call me boring by pointing out the two biggest performances in the film, but I think the runner-up for best performance of Asteroid City belongs to Scarlett Johansson. Johansson plays Midge Campbell, a famous actress, and mother of someone who is attending the Junior Stargazer convention. It’s not on the level of what she did in Marriage Story or Jojo Rabbit, but I just continue to be impressed by her versatility as an actress and her chemistry with Schwartzman was unbelievable. Other performances that need to be mentioned include Bryan Cranston as The Host, Steve Carell as the motel manager, Matt Dillon as the town’s mechanic, and Margot Robbie, who is not in the movie for more than three minutes, but just crushes it in her one scene!

It’d be a felony if I concluded a Wes Anderson movie without touching on the visual elements of it. No surprise here, but like all of his movies, this movie is just so beautiful to look at. The production design is off the charts and it is more than deserving of a Production Design win at the Academy Awards. As for the cinematography done by Robert Yeoman, all of the scenes that take place in Asteroid City are just so gorgeous and visually stunning. I loved how bright and saturated it was and it is easily one of my favorite movies of his visually speaking. As good as the movie looked when it was in color, it was just as astonishing to look at when it was in black and white. Yeoman is also more than worthy of an Academy Award nomination, and so is Alexandre Desplat, who once again gave us another fantastic score in a Wes Anderson film!

THE BAD

If you haven’t guessed already, I really really liked Asteroid City. That said, I didn’t love it and I can totally understand why people will not like this movie. It goes without saying that if you are not a Wes Anderson fan, do not even give this a try because it truly is as Wes Anderson as Wes Anderson gets. And with that, I get it if people think that this movie is not good because it values style over substance. However, I would try and push back against that because I found this movie to value the characters more than the style, and I haven’t said that about a Wes Anderson movie since The Grand Budapest Hotel which came out almost a decade ago.

Continuing with that point, I can see and have seen complaints already that people were not able to connect with the characters in this as they say about a lot of his movies. People are allowed to have their own opinions, but I just disagree with that notion. I was so emotionally connected to the key characters and there was a scene in the third act that almost moved me to tears. Lastly, when it comes to critiques of the film, I will admit that there are a lot of layers to Asteroid City. I might get this wrong, but it is a movie about a play that is being put on via a television show. I know. It sounds confusing, but if you are paying attention, you should be able to understand everything and follow it just fine.

THE VERDICT

Asteroid City is a return to form for Wes Anderson. It is one of his best films thanks to a flawless ensemble cast led by Jason Schwartzman and Scarlett Johansson, a hilarious screenplay, stunning cinematography, and maybe the best production design we have ever gotten from him before.

I just don’t want to hear the typical “style over substance” argument from the Wes Anderson haters, because while I get it for some of his other movies, that is just not the case here. Yes, the style was perfect, but the story we get here was deeper and one of the most profound works we have gotten from him as of late.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.4/10

Asteroid City is now playing only in theaters. Watch the official trailer below.

The Little Mermaid

By: Andrew Wing

The Little Mermaid is a 2023 American musical fantasy film directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) from a screenplay written by David Magee (writer of Life of Pi and Mary Poppins Returns). Co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Lucamar Productions, and Marc Platt Productions, it is a live-action adaptation of Disney's 1989 animated film of the same name, itself loosely based on the 1837 fairy tale of the same title by Hans Christian Andersen.

The film stars Halle Bailey (Grown-ish) in the titular role, alongside Jonah Hauer-King (A Dog’s Way Home), Daveed Diggs (Blindspotting, Soul), Awkwafina (The Farewell, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Jacob Tremblay (Room, Luca), Noma Dumezweni (Mary Poppins Returns, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind), Art Malik (True Lies, John Carter), Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men, Dune), and Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids, Spy).

Similar to the plot of the 1989 animated film, The Little Mermaid follows a mermaid princess Ariel who is fascinated with the human world and makes a deal with a treacherous sea witch Ursula to trade her voice for human legs in order to impress Prince Eric, who she saved from a shipwreck before time runs out.

Plans for a remake of 1989's The Little Mermaid were confirmed in May 2016. In December 2017, Disney announced Marshall was being courted to direct the film. Bailey, Hauer-King, McCarthy, Bardem, Diggs, Tremblay, Awkwafina, and the rest of the cast signed on between July to November 2019. Production was expected to begin in London between late March and early April 2020 but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming ultimately took place primarily at Pinewood Studios in England and on the island of Sardinia, Italy, from January to July 2021. Composer Alan Menken, who worked on the original film's soundtrack, returned to compose the score and write new songs alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda, who serves as a producer with Platt, John DeLuca, and Marshall. The film is dedicated to the late Howard Ashman, who co-produced and co-wrote the songs from the original film.

The Little Mermaid premiered at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on May 8, 2023, and was released in the United States on May 26. The film has grossed $499 million worldwide against a total production budget of $250 million, becoming the seventh-highest-grossing film of 2023.

THE GOOD

I won’t lie, The Little Mermaid was not a movie I was excited to watch going into 2023. In a year where we are getting Oppenheimer, Barbie, and Dune: Part Two, I’m sorry, but a live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1989 animated film of the same name, a movie I watched a lot during my childhood, just isn’t going to do it for me. Now I am not saying that like all of the other idiots who have been complaining about Ariel being played by a person of color in this film ever since the actress Halle Bailey was cast. Rather, I just wasn’t looking forward to seeing another live-action adaptation of a monumental and legendary Disney animated film from the 1980s and 90s. However, I do have a girlfriend who loves Disney movies, and I was intrigued, to say the least, so I went and checked it out in a packed theater! So did this 2023 remake prove me wrong for having my doubts? Or did it prove me right in my belief that these live-action remakes need to stop? Keep reading to find out!

Can I say both? But no, this movie was certainly better than I had expected, but I still am not a fan of these live-action remakes because more than anything they just feel like cash grabs, but we can save that for later on in the review. As for what I liked about The Little Mermaid though, there’s only one place to start and that is Halle Bailey. Bailey, the 23-year-old singer-songwriter, was just great in this. Her voice is truly incredible and I don’t see any way that she doesn’t become a massive star. It really did feel like I was watching an all-time vocal performance. I know that might sound a bit premature, but I was skeptical heading into this and her first song, “Part of Your World”, literally gave me chills and that was the case for every other song she did following that. It’s not a performance that is going to get any Oscar nominations, but I just can't wait to watch how her career plays out!

Other than Bailey, the only other things I really liked about The Little Mermaid were the musical sequences in general and the performances from Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Daveed Diggs as the voice of Sebastian, and Awkwafina as the voice of Scuttle. McCarthy was perfectly cast as Ursula and you could really tell she was enjoying playing the legendary villain. As for Diggs and Awkwafina, they were both just hilarious in their vocal performances, and I kid you not when I say that every line of dialogue those two had made me laugh out loud!

THE BAD

Alright, let’s dive into (pun intended) my problems with this movie. First and foremost, my biggest issue with this movie is just how it looks. The CGI work and all of the underwater motion capture scenes just look bad. And what made that even worse was how the movie was shot when it was out of the water on land because they just were not seamless at all. More than that, the live-action animals and sea creatures they tried to involve just don’t work, and I think it would’ve been smarter to honestly cartoon them or something. All of the visuals just made me appreciate a movie like Avatar: The Way of Water (see Ted’s full review) that much more because of how well it ties together the underwater and above-water scenes.

I wish that was it, but I, unfortunately, have a few more complaints about The Little Mermaid that I just have to get off my chest. The first one is that I just was not a fan of Jonah Hauer-King’s performance as Eric. Sure, the dude had a good voice, but his main song was kind of cringe and I just wasn’t buying him. But even though I might not have loved his performance, I can still respect it, but what I can’t respect is Javier Bardem’s performance as King Triton. Javier! What are you doing in this my man? You gave literally one of the greatest performances of all time as Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men back in 2007, and now you are doing this to just cash a paycheck? Come on man, you are better than that!

Continuing with the trend of asking people what they were thinking when it comes to The Little Mermaid, I have a question for all involved. Why on Earth is this live-action remake that we all know is MEANT FOR KIDS almost an hour, 52 minutes to be exact, longer than the 1989 original? I was flabbergasted at how long this movie was, and sure this might reflect poorly on me as someone who is reviewing the movie, but I’ll admit I dozed off at points during the last ten to fifteen minutes of the film. I’m sorry, but it was ridiculous and there should be a rule in place saying that remakes can only be so much longer than the original. Sheesh.

THE VERDICT

Not even an all-time vocal performance from Halle Bailey saves The Little Mermaid from being what it is, which is a painfully average movie. It’s a fun kids movie and there is some good nostalgia for adults too, but the bad CGI, poor visual effects, and the way-too-long runtime make me never want to see this movie again.

I just cannot stand these remakes. None of them have been terrible, but it’s frustrating to just continue to see Disney cash in on their IP by giving us average movies with zero creativity that don’t feel special at all, which is the part that annoys me the most.

TED TAKES RATING - 6/10

The Little Mermaid is now playing only in theaters. Watch the official trailer below.

Extraction 2

By: Andrew Wing

Extraction 2 is a 2023 American action thriller film directed by Sam Hargrave and written by Joe Russo, based on the graphic novel Ciudad by Ande Parks, Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Fernando León González, and Eric Skillman. It is a sequel to the 2020 film Extraction, and Chris Hemsworth (Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Endgame), Golshifteh Farahani (Paterson, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) and Adam Bessa (Hanna) reprise their roles, with Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace, Black Widow), Daniel Bernhardt (John Wick, Logan), Tinatin Dalakishvili and Idris Elba (The Wire, The Suicide Squad) joining the cast.

Tasked with extracting a family who is at the mercy of a Georgian gangster, Tyler Rake (Hemsworth) infiltrates one of the world’s deadliest prisons in order to save them. But when the extraction gets hot, and the gangster dies in the heat of battle, his equally ruthless brother tracks down Rake and his team to Sydney, in order to get revenge.

Extraction 2 was released by Netflix on June 16, 2023.

THE GOOD

Going into 2023 when it came to Netflix original films that were set to be released, there was not a movie I was more excited for than Extraction 2! The first one, Extraction, was such a pleasant surprise that came out in April of 2020, so just about a month into the COVID-19 lockdown that we all have such fond memories of. That said, Extraction made the lockdown and the quarantine just a little bit better because it instantly became one of the best action movies of the past five years. So what did we get with Extraction 2? Was it a step down from the first film, or was this a step up that left us wanting more from this franchise? Keep reading to find out!

It most definitely was the latter! It wasn’t astronomically better than the first film or anything, but for me, there is no denying that this movie was an improvement from the first one. And a big reason why was because of everything the director, Sam Hargrave, did here. Just like the movie itself, Hargrave himself really improved from the first one. With Extraction 2, he dives more into the character elements which I thought added a lot to how I emotionally connected to the film. Also, the first one felt simpler, and while sequels going crazier isn’t always the best thing (just ask the Fast & Furious franchise, sorry Ted), it certainly worked here. It just felt like Hargrave and everyone else that worked on the film understood the setting, the characters, and the story better this time around and it was just fucking awesome from start to finish.

As great as Hargrave was in the director’s chair, the best part of Extraction 2 is the action sequences that he is primarily responsible for. Simply put, the action scenes in this are as good as anything we have gotten in the last ten years. If you’re reading this, I am sure you have heard about the 22-minute long one-take action scene, and allow me to be the one that tells you, it lives up to the hype! I won’t spoil it, but Hemsworth’s character, Tyler Rake was at certain moments on fire, on a train, in a car, hitting people with free weights, and all of it was just so cool. It was one of the most innovative action sequences I have ever seen, and while that definitely takes the cake for the best action sequence in the movie, I cannot forget to mention the fight that takes place on top of a skyscraper which was so so great! I don’t know how they pulled all of it off because it truly is mind-blowing stuff!

But enough about the action sequences, let’s talk about the cast! It is again led by Chris Hemsworth who somehow continues to just look even bigger on screen than he did in his previous movie. Like the first one, Hemsworth was used perfectly here. While his character of Tyler Rake is an absolute beast, he is also extremely charismatic, and this might be a bit of recency bias, but I enjoy him just as much in this role as I do as Thor in the MCU which says A LOT! Aside from Hemsworth, I again really enjoyed Golshifteh Farahani as Nik, and I was blown away by Tornike Gogrichiani who plays the film’s antagonist, Zurab! There is also a pretty awesome cameo in this movie that I won’t spoil, but let me just say the actor fits perfectly into this and it makes me even more excited for the future of this franchise!

THE BAD

I am sorry if this review is too positive, but what can I say, I am a dude who likes action movies! Give me a break! Seriously though, this is a good, if not great action movie. However, there are certainly some aspects that can be picked apart that keep me from saying it is in the same league as the Mission: Impossible and John Wick franchises. The biggest complaint here is just the script. While I did find it to be an improvement over the first one, the script still isn’t great. I am not asking for something from Paul Thomas Anderson or anything, but the story is simple and very generic, and you just know how it is going to play out beat by beat.

That said, I still had a blast, and I will recommend it to anybody. However, something I did not have a blast watching, and I hate to be overly critical of child performances, was Andro Japaridze who plays Sandro. There is no other way to say this, but he just was not good in this movie and I have a hard time believing they couldn’t have found a better actor for this role, but so be it. Lastly, the real travesty when it comes to Extraction 2 actually has nothing to do with the film itself, but rather the fact that we can’t watch this movie in theaters! I appreciate Netflix for giving Hargrave the platform to make this movie in the first place, but it’s just a shame I couldn’t watch this on the big screen.

THE VERDICT

Thanks to truly some of the best action sequences you will ever see, director Sam Hargrave’s Extraction 2 is an improvement over the previous film that makes me incredibly excited to see what is next for what is becoming one of the more reliable action franchises.

What Hargrave pulls off in this movie is nothing short of incredible as he gives you things you’ve never seen before in an action movie, while also giving you a better and more emotional story, and last but not least, another great Chris Hemsworth performance!

TED TAKES RATING - 7.1/10

Extraction 2 is now streaming only on Netflix. Watch the official trailer below.

The Flash

The Flash is a 2023 superhero action film directed by Andy Muschietti (IT films, Mama), from a screenplay by Christina Hodson (Birds of Prey, Bumblebee), with a screen story by John Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein (Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Spider-Man: Homecoming) and Joby Harold (Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Army of the Dead), based on characters from DC. The film is the first standalone film for The Flash character.

Worlds collide when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. That is unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian… albeit not the one he’s looking for. Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?

The cast includes Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue, and Michael Keaton.

The Flash made its debut in theaters on June 16th, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

THE GOOD

Alright so DC has had its fair share of issues serving up some duds while in pursuit of big brother Marvel, but of course as we got closer to the release of The Flash actor Ezra Miller was like “Hold my beer!”. This dude has so many screws loose it is incredible that his head hasn’t come completely loose from the rest of his body. Miller has been building a solid resume since a prominent role in The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012), a big role in The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015), and finally his debut as the DC Comics character The Flash in the 2016 film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Now that movie had issues for so many different reasons, but Miller’s role was seen as a bit of a bright spot. He would go on to appear in Suicide Squad (2016) and Justice League (2017), all as The Flash/Barry Allen, as he cemented himself as a great casting choice for one of DC’s more intriguing superheroes. His biggest impact was felt in 2021 when Zach Snyder’s Justice League was released and he seemed to be on the trajectory as a polarizing new face in DC with an impact similar to Marvel’s Tom Holland as Spider-Man. But, due to seriously erratic and self-destructive behavior from Miller after filming concluded, the release of The Flash was in doubt. Ultimately the studio decided it made sense to release the film which received positive early screenings, and deal with the issues surrounding the star later. Did Miller’s black cloud rain on what has been a highly anticipated release for DC and Warner Bros. Pictures, or was The Flash still the film I was hoping it would be? Keep reading to find out!

Quick answer, I really enjoyed this movie and felt like for the most part, it did live up to my high expectations. I’m not going to sit here and act like everything going on with Ezra Miller wasn’t a distraction, but I will talk more about that later in the review. Bottom line, The Flash is a high-powered superhero film packed to the brim with eye-popping CGI, intense action sequences, the great one-liners we have come to appreciate from big brother Marvel, some incredible cameos, and just an all-around entertaining experience from start to finish. The film was never boring and I thought the story, which really did a nice job tugging at the old heartstrings, was well-executed and immersive.

What intrigued me most about The Flash originally was the “Butterfly Effect” element of the story. Just touching on the basis of the film without spoilers, Barry Allen/The Flash inadvertently discovers that his superpower allows him to time travel. Now needless to say, due to his own tragic past he immediately considers the possibility that he can go back and alter events in the past to in turn create a better future. He shares his ideas with Bruce Wayne/Batman who has his own tragic past, but Wayne is quick to warn Barry about the negative ramifications of altering the past, which would surely create problems they couldn’t even imagine. Barry has proven that he isn’t one to take advice and actually listen, so he takes it upon himself to do what he believes to be the right thing. This is where things start to get interesting, and I thought the story made for a unique layer of intrigue with an emotional element, combined with all of the great superhero action and humor that gets us in the door in the first place. The emotional element hit me pretty hard on a personal level as well which had a lasting effect on me well after leaving the theater so I have to offer up a well-deserved kudos to the writing team for all of their hard work paying dividends.

Just to piggyback off the story a bit, Barry’s superpowers made for some incredible and extremely stimulating CGI. Barry’s unique abilities allow him to move so fast that everything else around him seems frozen in time, making it so he can save the day in a way unlike any of the other superheroes. The film’s opening sequence is an absolute blast giving viewers a heavy dose of what to expect, and I was on the edge of my seat right from the start. Now granted it may seem a bit over the top at times because they really did not hold back on the CGI, but for me, it added something extra making it so The Flash sort of stood out with its own signature in a way. As the film progresses the CGI continues to play a big part and for me, it never disappoints. If you are expecting a more realistic or grounded film, you may want to reconsider seeing this movie. Just saying.

All the drama aside I really liked the cast, including Ezra Miller continuing as Barry Allen/The Flash. Miller was perfect for the role from the beginning as he embodied that unique balance of awkwardness and confidence, and just like he did in the previous films mentioned earlier in the review he delivered yet again. Unfortunately, he is likely out after this film but at the end of the day, he only has himself to blame. Ben Affleck has limited screen time but it worked as it was one of his better performances as Batman, but the cherry on top of the film for me was the legend himself, my man Michael Keaton. Keaton first played the Caped Crusader back in 1989, just think about that for a second, just a year after he blew people away with his role in the 1988 classic film Beetlejuice. With 90 credits according to his IMDb filmography with a few projects in the works, he will go down as one of the greatest and certainly more underappreciated actors ever.

The other Michael, Michael Shannon that is, returns to play villain General Zod. I enjoyed his character but I do wish the writing team would have added a bit more depth. Go ahead and put the earmuffs on the kids because man was I feeling Sasha Calle as Supergirl. I think we can all appreciate a good solid balance of sexy and badass, and she tipped the scales in the right direction for both. But seriously, the actress best known for The Young and the Restless took full advantage of this golden opportunity and I look forward to seeing her in future roles. I enjoyed the supporting cast too, particularly a few awesome cameos that I won’t spoil.

THE BAD

I really enjoyed The Flash and felt like it met my expectations after what I felt were some really awesome trailers prior to its release in theaters. Interestingly enough, some of what I loved most about the film will also be criticized by some viewers, mainly the CGI element. Within the first 5 minutes of the film, you will be well aware of what to expect, and that is some very creative but extremely over the top at times special effects. I was personally impressed with just how great it looked and the film’s willingness to pull out all of the stops, but that won’t be the reaction of every single person who sees this movie. I can confidently say that some people will consider the CGI to be a bit much or maybe even cheesy, and although not a universal outlook I do think the criticism would be warranted. It can feel like a lot at times, so my suggestion would be to go in with that expectation and you will be just fine. As I made very clear earlier in the review the story was a massive bright spot for the film, but it wasn’t perfect. In particular, I would have loved to have seen a bit more backstory for the other characters, but I also understand that some scenes were likely cut to make sure the film wasn’t 3-hours long.

I have to talk about Ezra Miller and the fact that he tried his absolute hardest to make sure this movie never saw the light of day, getting shelved similar to the Batgirl film which was considered “not releasable”, but for entirely different reasons. The Flash was essentially completed when Miller was arrested multiple times in 2022 for various reasons, but he eventually issued a public apology citing mental issues and the motivation to “get better”. It seems like Miller likely burned his bridges when it comes to his role as Barry Allen/The Flash especially considering he clearly can’t be trusted to stay out of trouble, but if he really does clean up his act I’m sure he will get other opportunities in the future. But with all of this being said, the drama surrounding the film was definitely a distraction for me and it did take away from the overall experience.

THE VERDICT

If you can set aside the questionable antics of actor Ezra Miller and focus on the immersive and emotional story, epic cameos, and jaw-dropping CGI, The Flash brings more than enough to the table making for an experience well worth a trip to the theater. I’m actually hoping to see this in theaters at least once more prior to the eventual VOD and streaming release. The CGI may prove to be a little much for some viewers hoping for more of a balance, but for me, it worked. I hope the film does well at the box office because it simply deserves to be seen, but I do feel like the drama surrounding it may keep some people away. If you want an action-packed theater experience to help kick off the summer movie season, The Flash will without a doubt satisfy that craving.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.1/10

The Flash is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

By: Andrew Wing

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a 2023 American computer-animated adventure film based on Nintendo's Mario video game franchise. Produced by Universal Pictures, Illumination, and Nintendo, and distributed by Universal, the film was directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic and written by Matthew Fogel.

The ensemble voice cast includes Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Infinity War), Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch, The Menu), Charlie Day (Horrible Bosses, The Lego Movie), Jack Black (School of Rock, Kung Fu Panda), Keegan-Michael Key (Get Out, Toy Story 4), Seth Rogen (Superbad, This Is the End), and Fred Armisen (Saturday Night Live, Easy A).

The film features an origin story for the brothers Mario and Luigi, Italian-American plumbers who are transported to an alternate world and become entangled in a battle between the Mushroom Kingdom, led by Princess Peach, and the Koopas, led by Bowser.

After the critical and commercial failure of the live-action film Super Mario Bros. (1993), Nintendo became reluctant to license its intellectual properties for film adaptations. The Mario creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, became interested in developing another film. Through Nintendo's work with Universal Parks & Resorts to create Super Nintendo World, he met with Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri. By 2016, the two were discussing a Mario film and, in January 2018, Nintendo announced that it would produce it with Illumination and Universal. Production was underway by 2020, and the cast was announced in September 2021.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie was released in the United States on April 5, 2023. The film has grossed $1.3 billion worldwide, setting multiple box-office records, including the biggest worldwide opening weekend for an animated film and the highest-grossing film based on a video game. It became the highest-grossing film of 2023 and the third-highest-grossing animated film of all time.

THE GOOD

While it might not have been on my personal most-anticipated list, there is no denying that going into 2023 The Super Mario Bros. Movie was one of the most anticipated movies of not only 2023 but arguably of this century. Why, though? Well, the answer is easy and that is because Nintendo’s Mario video game franchise has had an unfathomable impact on popular culture for the past four-plus decades. My parents played the games, my brother and I played the games, and I’m sure there are kids today that are playing the games. That said, when it comes to film adaptations of the legendary game, the track record is just about as bad as it gets. The 1993 live-action film Super Mario Bros. is honestly one of the worst movies ever made if you ask me, so you could say this 2023 version and the team behind it had quite a task on their hands. So did they just give us another terrible film like the one thirty years prior or did fans of the Nintendo game finally get the film adaptation they have been waiting so long for? Keep reading to find out!

I can thankfully say that it was the latter! Before getting into it though, I think it’s important to start by saying that this is a kids’ movie through and through so I am not going to dive too deep into it. That said, let’s begin! First things first, I just have to give props to the directors Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath for finally giving the world a quality Mario movie. This is not just good, but a really good kids’ movie. It’s really funny and really entertaining, and I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if kids who see this call it their favorite movie for the next couple of years. All that said, as a 21-year-old man reviewing this film, there is still lots of nostalgia in it and despite it being 99% geared towards children, the movie still has some nice little moments and nods for adults which I greatly appreciated!

But now onto the main selling point when it comes to The Super Mario Bros. Movie which would be an incredible voice cast that is led by none other than Star-Lord himself, Chris Pratt, as the one and only Mario. People online were just losing their minds when the news came out that Pratt was going to be voicing Mario, and the good news is all of those people can shut up and take a chill pill now because Pratt was great as the voice of Mario in my opinion. I thought he brought the character’s charm to life through his voice and I just had no complaints. Aside from Pratt though, really everyone else I thought did a fantastic job like Charlie Day as Luigi and Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, but there is no denying that the two stand-outs were Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, and Jack Black as Bowser!

Aside from the voice cast, there were a ton of other elements I enjoyed about The Super Mario Bros. Movie that I wanted to touch on. First, the animation looked great! I continue to be really impressed by Illumination and all of the animated content they put out. The movie was just so colorful making it beautiful to look at, and they crushed all of the things you wanted to see in a Mario movie like the Rainbow Road and Mushroom Kingdom. Second, the music in the movie was so good and I could not stop singing “Peaches”, a song that Jack Black not only sang but also co-wrote, for a solid week after seeing this! Other than that, I just really hope it holds on to be the highest-grossing movie of the year because I am very excited to see what’s next for this franchise!

THE BAD

No surprise, I had a really good time with this movie and I think everyone will, specifically children. That said, it did have its flaws, and its greatest flaw in my opinion was that it was way too short. Apparently, the film’s runtime was 92 minutes but it really felt like it was an hour long. It just never stops to breathe which I didn’t completely hate, but I also didn’t love. I get it. With these kids' movies, you want to get them in and out of the theater, but there just wasn’t enough meat on the bones if you ask me and I definitely wanted more from it.

Another thing I’ll say is that this is certainly not a “great” kids’ movie. That’s fine, but if you’re going in expecting this to be like a Pixar movie full of great life lessons or even Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, one of the best-animated movies of 2022 (see Ted’s full review), you are going to be disappointed because this doesn’t hit those same benchmarks. The last thing I’ll say is just be prepared going into this because some will definitely find it to be overstimulating. The colors are very vibrant and the movie moves incredibly fast, and that all just ties into my main problem which is the movie being way too short. They should’ve just added another fifteen minutes just to let the movie breathe, and hey, maybe the extra fifteen minutes could’ve allowed for some cool easter eggs for fans of the game like myself, but maybe we will get that in the sequel which should be getting announced very soon!

THE VERDICT

Despite leaving some potential on the table with its shorter runtime and just not being everything I wanted it to be, there is no denying that The Super Mario Bros. Movie is perfect for its intended audience. It’s just a good time from start to finish as it is funny, colorful, and full of great vocal performances, and I recommend checking it out with the whole family if you haven’t done so already!

TED TAKES RATING - 6.8/10

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is now available to buy or rent on demand. Check out the film’s final trailer below.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

By: Andrew Wing

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a 2023 American fantasy heist comedy film directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley (directing duo responsible for Vacation and Game Night), who co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Gilio from a story by Chris McKay (director of The Lego Batman Movie, The Tomorrow War, and Renfield) and Gilio.

Based on the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, it is set in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting and has no connections to the previous film trilogy released between 2000 and 2012. The film stars Chris Pine (Star Trek, Wonder Woman), Michelle Rodriguez (Fast & Furious franchise, Avatar), Regé-Jean Page (Bridgerton, The Gray Man), Justice Smith (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Pokémon Detective Pikachu), Sophia Lillis (It, It Chapter Two), and Hugh Grant (Love Actually, The Gentlemen).

Production went through various phases in development since 2013, beginning with Warner Bros. Pictures after beating Hasbro and Universal Pictures in a lawsuit over the film rights to the tabletop role-playing game, before moving to Paramount Pictures, each with various writers and directors. Goldstein and Daley were the final writers/directors, using elements from the previous attempt by director Chris McKay and screenwriter Michael Gilio. Filming began in April 2021 in Iceland and later Northern Ireland.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 10, 2023, and was released in the United States on March 31, 2023, by Paramount Pictures. Despite receiving positive reviews from critics and audiences, the film underperformed at the box office, grossing over $208 million worldwide against its $150 million budget.

THE GOOD

I’ll be honest, once I saw the first trailer for Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, I was not excited about it. The tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons was I believe the generation before mine, so my only experience with the game is thanks to the huge Netflix series, Stranger Things, because the game plays a big role in that series. All of that said, the initial reviews out of South by Southwest where the film premiered were way better than I expected, so I asked my girlfriend if she wanted to check it out, and she said yes. But was it a good movie date? Or was it like the time I made her watch Blonde (see my full review here) with me and she didn’t talk to me for a week after because of how bad of a movie that was? Keep reading to find out!

Thankfully it was a good movie date! I know I’m not alone in this, but this is without a doubt one of the biggest surprises when it comes to film in 2023! There is no other way of saying this, but the trailers for this movie just were not good. More than that though, I just thought this movie was going to be a box office bomb because it felt like a movie meant for 2003 rather than 2023. It just felt like nobody was asking for this, and while it still underperformed at the box office, it did well enough with critics and audiences that I think we will be getting a sequel! You best believe I’ll be seeing the sequel to this if we get it, and hopefully, both Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley come back to direct because these guys just know how to make fun movies.

As mentioned in the intro, these are the directors who gave us Game Night (read Ted’s full review), which is easily one of the best comedies of the 2010s. It was just so funny and awesome, and it also includes one of the funniest scenes involving Jesse Plemons. As for what they did with Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves though, I was really impressed! This movie is definitely made for fans of the game, but thanks to the directing duo, it was also really digestible for people like my girlfriend and I who know nothing about Dungeons & Dragons, and that was great because it didn’t take away from our viewing experience. Continuing with their impressive direction, this movie has a lot of solid action as they do some really unique stuff with the camera work (shoutout to cinematographer Barry Peterson) that made for one hell of a heist scene! And lastly, the film was really funny. The punch-up dialogue is very tongue-in-cheek but that leads to some solid humor and just some really funny and clever scenes.

Aside from Goldstein and Daley, another reason this movie was significantly better than I expected was the tone it set and the amount of charm it had, which was in large part thanks to the cast led by Chris Pine! I’ll touch on some of the other cast members, but Pine was just great in this! He is so likable and charismatic in this as the main character Edgin Darvis, and he is about as good of a pick you can make if you’re looking for someone to be an anchor in a franchise movie. Other than Pine though, Michelle Rodriguez was her typical badass self that she is in everything else, but I never get tired of her, and I know Ted, a huge Fast & Furious fan himself, agrees with me there! Hugh Grant was incredible in this too as Forge Fitzwilliam, an ambitious rogue and con artist. Grant is just perfectly cast as the film’s primary antagonist if you ask me, and I love watching him ham it up as an actor! Oh, and one more thing I liked about Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was the score from Lorne Balfe, who is composing the highly anticipated, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (check out our preview here)!

THE BAD

As I’m sure you can already tell, I really enjoyed this movie! I don’t see anyone even disliking it, but that said, it is far from perfect, and don’t expect it to be getting any Academy Awards. My biggest complaint with this movie is the runtime, which is rare coming from me, someone who regularly watches three-hour films on the Criterion Channel. Maybe it was less about the runtime and more about the film’s pacing, but nevertheless, the film could’ve lost a good fifteen to thirty minutes if you ask me.

Another thing that bothered me when it came to Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was the final third of the film. Now I love action sequences, I mean John Wick: Chapter 4 (check out Ted’s full review) is my second favorite movie of 2023 and that entire movie basically is an action sequence, but literally the final forty minutes of this movie is just one loud action sequence full of bad CGI. This was my main complaint a couple of years back with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (read my full review), but I just don’t understand why the people in charge of these movies think we want this. I mean at least make it look good if you are going to give it to us. It was just frustrating with this movie in particular because the practical effects we get in the first half of the film are really good, but the second half is full of some really bad special effects, specifically on Sofina, the Red Wizard.

THE VERDICT

While it might not reinvent the wheel when it comes to big franchise fantasy films of the past, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a fun family movie built for parents and their kids to enjoy that is so much better than it has any right to be!

I don’t know if I’ll ever watch it again, but I’d have a hard time finding someone who won’t enjoy this as much as I did, and I look forward to seeing what is next for this franchise!

P.S. This movie does contain what will undoubtedly be the best and funniest cameo of any film coming out in 2023, so for that reason and that reason alone, do yourself a favor and check this out! You won’t regret it!

TED TAKES RATING - 7.3/10

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is now streaming on Paramount+. Check out the final trailer below.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is a 2023 science fiction action film directed by Steven Caple Jr., written by Joby Harold, Darnell Metayer, Josh Peters, Erich Hoeber, and Jon Hoeber, from a story by Joby Harold. Based on Hasbro's Transformers toy-line and primarily influenced by the Beast Wars storyline, it will be the seventh installment in the live-action Transformers film series and the sequel to Bumblebee (2018).

In 1994, a pair of archaeologists from Brooklyn come into an ancient conflict through a globe-trotting adventure that ties in with three factions of Transformers: the Maximals, the Predacons and the Terrorcons.

The cast includes Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, along with a stellar cast of voice actors including Michelle Yeoh, Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, Pete Davidson, Michaela Jaé (MJ) Rodriguez, Peter Cullen, and Cristo Fernández.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts made its debut in theaters June 9th, courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

THE GOOD

Lets take a trip back to 2007, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots were making history, and Michael Bay was on the cusp of igniting a massive Transformers film franchise. Bay brought his ability to entertain with larger-than-life action sequences together with an engaging storyline and relatable characters. I looked forward to seeing these movies in theaters, and at the end of each movie a Linkin Park song would come through the speakers as the camera panned away and I would be officially ready for the next movie. The Transformers franchise is tailormade for the full theater experience, and Bay made sure that he gave viewers their moneys worth and then some.

The films got a little crazy even for me as they added more action and less storyline, making for an experience that felt like it was missing something even though they were still around 2 1/2 to 3 hours long. The last Michael Bay film in this franchise, Transformers: The Last Night, released in 2017 and to say it was not well received would be an understatement. But, all was not lost as in 2018 the franchise received an official reboot with the origin story of Bumblebee, starring the talented Hailee Steinfeld. The follow-up to that is the shiny and new Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, which attempts to bring the entire Transformers origin story to the forefront. So, is the franchise trending in the right direction or should you stay home and save your money? Keep reading to find out!

In many ways Transformers: Rise of the Beasts felt like a blast from the past, and I mean that in the best way possible. I genuinely enjoyed this movie, and it felt like the Transformers movies that always had me itching to be in the theater on opening day. The smooth balance between story and action is alive and well once again, and the film even found a way to tug at the heart strings a little bit.

I enjoyed the cast lead by Anthony Ramos (In the Heights) as Noah Diaz, and Dominique Fishback as Elena Wallace, who is fantastic in the Apple TV drama series The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey which also stars Samuel L. Jackson. The tandem had solid chemistry and helped to progress the story and keep things interesting. I also thought Dean Scott Vazquez did a really nice job as Noah’s little brother Kris and was a big part of the emotional element of the story. I really liked the mid 90’s era setting that helped to provide a fantastic soundtrack and great overall feel, and I thought director Steven Caple Jr. is worthy of some praise for a movie that begs to be seen in theaters.

I was very pleased with the cast of voice actors which included Peter Cullen, Ron Perlman, Pinker Dinklage, and Michelle Yeoh to name a few, but the star of the show as far as the voice cast was Pete Davidson. Davidson voices Mirage who is the Transformer who becomes connected to Noah through a sequence of unforeseen events, and I thought he was hilarious. Mirage is the cocky member of the group but in a goofy way, and I thought Davidson nailed it with some great one-liners. My guy Cristo Fernández, the Mexican actor better known as Dani Rojas in the hit comedy drama series Ted Lasso, has a small role as the Transformer Wheeljack but I recognized his voice right away and it immediately put a smile on my face.

Obviously you can’t have a Transformers movie without talking about the action sequences, special effects, or soundtrack, and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts brings the heat as expected. This movie has some absolutely gorgeous visuals, and I will likely snag the 4K Blu-ray when it comes out. I thought the action sequences were equally exciting and edge-of-your-seat worthy from start to finish, and one thing this movie will not be accused of being is boring. The soundtrack hits about as hard as a giant pissed off robot colliding face first with a massive building, and it definitely kept my energy level high.

I loved the variety of Transformers we get to see from the traditional vehicle that turns into a giant robot, to what looks like it came straight from a Godzilla vs Kong film. I especially enjoyed Pete Davidson’s Mirage character, who was not only on point with his banter, but also one of the more nimble Transformers making for quite a few high-energy action sequences. The films third act did not disappoint as it had my blood pumping making for a very satisfying finale. Bottom line, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts takes full advantage of the estimated $200,000,000 budget.

THE BAD

I’m sure by now you can tell that ultimately I was very pleased with this film, but it did have its issues. The Transformers films always relied primarily on the action sequences making it so the sometimes goofy dialogue was mostly overlooked, and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is no different. I laughed quite a bit throughout the movie, but some of the jokes did fall flat and sort of made for an awkward silence in a way, at least briefly. I was able to overlook these instances for the most part mainly because the last few Transformers films lowered my expectations, but also because it is far from a deal breaker. I also touched on the cast which I was pleased with, but you won’t be getting top-tier acting, nor should you be expecting it. The main cast is talented and definitely pulled their weight, but oftentimes the supporting cast felt left behind or a bit mediocre in comparison.

THE VERDICT

Following in the footsteps of the successful 2018 film Bumblebee with a heartfelt origin story seamlessly blended with plenty of humor and the intense action sequences we crave, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts exceeded my expectations and has me excited for the future of the franchise. My eyes were so glued to the screen for the entire two hours that I ate way more popcorn than I planned to, but that is a me problem. But in all seriousness, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this movie but it checked all of the boxes that mattered to me. If you ever considered yourself to be a fan of this franchise, you will enjoy it. Don’t wait to watch this at home because Transformers: Rise of the Beasts needs to be seen in theaters to be appreciated. Also be sure to stick around for the post-credit scene because big things are on the horizon.

TED TAKES RATING - 7.3/10

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

The Boogeyman

The Boogeyman is a 2023 supernatural horror film directed by Rob Savage (Host) from a screenplay by Scott Beck, Bryan Woods (A Quiet Place) and Mark Heyman (Black Swan), based on the 1973 short story of the same name by Stephen King. The film was originally scheduled for a streaming release on Hulu before switching to a theatrical release.

High school student Sadie Harper and her younger sister Sawyer are reeling from the recent death of their mother and aren’t getting much support from their father, Will, a therapist who is dealing with his own pain. When a desperate patient unexpectedly shows up at their home seeking help, he leaves behind a terrifying supernatural entity that preys on families and feeds on the suffering of its victims.

The film stars Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets), Chris Messina (Birds of Prey), Vivien Lyra Blair (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Marin Ireland (The Umbrella Academy, Madison Hu, LisaGay Hamilton (Vice), and David Dastmalchian (Dune).

The Boogeyman made its debut in theaters on June 2nd, courtesy of 20th Century Studios.

THE GOOD

Ever since the original Pet Sematary traumatized me as a child to the point where I genuinely believed my dead pets would eventually come visit me at night, I have had a unique attachment to anything Stephen King. Plus I am also a native of his home state of Maine. Now in the last several years we have had an abundance of King adaptions make their way to the big-screen, some great, some not so great. But there is no denying the fact that he is a horror mastermind and when something of his gets the big-screen treatment, it is worth a look. Now add in the fact that Rob Savage, director of the terrifying under-the-radar horror film Host (streaming on AMC+), is at the helm for The Boogeyman, I was extra intrigued. So, did it satisfy my thirst for horror or send me home disappointed? Keep reading to find out!

I am pleased to report that The Boogeyman was actually really good, especially considering it is a PG-13 horror movie. Right from the outset I loved the tone as it was ominous and dark from the start, and I also really liked that the core of the story is rooted in real-life trauma which helps to make the story have a layer of depth beyond just having a scary monster lurking in the shadows. In The Boogeyman the monster preys on the vulnerability of those dealing with immense grief, and in this story he latches onto a family that is grieving the sudden loss of a wife and mother. As someone who has suffered a similar loss in my life, I was able to relate to the characters particularly Sophie Thatcher’s character Sadie, who finds herself becoming an outcast among her friends as they are unable to understand or grasp what she is dealing with while also proving to be extremely inconsiderate and harsh towards her. I thought the foundation of the story was very well-executed, and I found myself sympathizing and ultimately caring for these characters pretty much right away.

The majority of viewers are coming to see The Boogeyman because of the source material, which is of course a short story from Stephen King originally published way back in 1978. I made it a point to avoid researching the short story prior to seeing the film, and I also avoided watching the trailers to make sure I was surprised when seeing the movie and I was impressed by the story. My favorite thing about The Boogeyman aside from the effective technical elements was the less is more idea as it relates to the monster. Back in 2015, Robert Eggers directed the horror film The Witch (our review here) which was fantastic by the way, and in an interview, Eggers talked about how with horror movies he believed the monster was often scariest in the shadows, and that really resonated with me.

I felt like The Boogeyman took this approach to heart, and although we do get a good look at the monster by the end, the majority of the film it is just quick glimpses and he is quite literally lurking in the shadows often only revealing his eyes. The story in itself is rather simple and stays true to the overall idea of a boogeyman hiding in the closet or under the bed, but the additional layers to the story and how the monster feeds off grief and trauma put it over the top for me. As far as scare factor, the film has lots of jump scares but the scenes that instill real fear and give you chills really did it for me. I can handle scary with ease and still sleep like a baby, and I thought The Boogeyman did enough to make it easy to recommend to horror fans.

Acting is often overlooked in horror films, but I was genuinely impressed with the performances in The Boogeyman. Sophie Thatcher takes on the lead role in the film and I thought she was fantastic. Thatcher has proven herself to be an extremely versatile actress after her breakout role in the Showtime original series Yellowjackets, which is a fantastic show if you haven’t seen it. Similar to that series, Thatcher’s character is required to carry a heavy emotional weight and you can see the pain and despair in her eyes. So much of the film relies on the believability of her character and I never once questioned her authenticity.

Starring alongside Thatcher is young actress Vivien Lyra Blair as her little sister Sawyer. It can be difficult to find talented young actors who can effectively play a substantial role in a film like The Boogeyman that does rely heavily on the cast, and I feel like Blair has a very bright future. She is often the focal point during the film and I thought she did a great job. Chris Messina, former star of The Mindy Project who has taken on several roles since, plays Will Harper the widowed father of two young girls. I really like Messina as an actor and I thought he was absolutely the right choice for this role. Will Harper is a therapist who sees patients from his home, and the fact that he is dealing with a significant trauma of his own and spends his days talking through his patients issues adds a unique element to the film. I also really liked David Dastmalchian and thought that even though he had a limited amount of screen time he still brought a ton of value to the film.

I was impressed with what The Boogeyman brought to the table as far as technical elements, particularly the unique camera work, the score, and the great use of lighting. As far as the camera work is concerned, the film was able to maintain an intimate feel throughout and that is a big reason why. At one point Blair’s character Sawyer looks under her bed and the camera rotates with her to give viewers a sort of POV perspective of what she is seeing which helps to create a level of suspense. I also thought they did a really nice job with several great emphasis shots whether it be holding to see if something is in fact in that dark corner, or just helping to create the feel of helplessness the characters are experiencing. Director Rob Savage clearly has the right feel for the horror genre, and I hope he continues to get more opportunities in the future.

The score was fantastic from start to finish helping to create an uneasy feel throughout, and for me that is a pivotal piece of what makes for a horror movie that is able to really immerse viewers. Lighting was a big part of The Boogeyman as the darkness was the primary strength of this monster that feeds off the trauma of its victims. Light bulbs would constantly blow leaving viewers staring into the fateful darkness, and I really liked the use of the light ball Sawyer’s character would always have with her due to her fear of the dark. She would often roll the ball toward the darkness to ensure nothing was there, and this was something that helped to create tension throughout the film.

THE BAD

The Boogeyman is a really good horror movie but it’s not perfect, and more than anything else it suffers from the usual horror pitfalls, which is story inconsistencies or the “why the heck would you do that” moments during the film. I am a firm believer that it is impossible for everything the characters do to make sense otherwise every scary movie would include the cast getting far away from whatever monster or killer trying to get them as fast as possible, and that would make for a very, very boring movie. This of course allows viewers the opportunity to shake their heads when a character does something that will almost surely end badly, and that does happen more than a few times here.

It was also interesting that Sawyer’s character, who is very young and would likely be more so under the watchful eye of a parent, is involved in quite a few traumatic incidents where it takes quite some time for anyone to come and check on her. And I’m talking lots of loud banging etc to the point where it would be impossible not to be hear it throughout the house. Now I know it is silly to harp on this because clearly it was important for viewers to feel the sense of helplessness from Sawyer’s character especially being the most vulnerable, but it is just one of those things that you overanalyze without even realizing.

THE VERDICT

An effective and unnerving horror thriller that emphasizes chills over jump scares while still offering a good balance, The Boogeyman thrives with a talented cast and a less is more approach bringing the Stephen King short story to life. I genuinely enjoyed this movie and felt like it earned its place as one of the better King adaptations. I will always feel like a horror movie could be scarier just because I am sick in the head, but The Boogeyman gave me chills more than a few times and kept me on the edge of my seat. As I mentioned I have yet to read the short story the film is based on, but I plan on checking it out soon to see just how accurate the film is. Don’t let the PG-13 rating deter you because all it did was force the film to get creative with the scare factor instead of relying on blood and gore, and that is a plus in my book.

TED TAKES RATING - 7.6/10

The Boogeyman is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a 2023 animated action-adventure superhero film directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson, from a script by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Dave Callaham, based on characters from Stan Lee. It is the sequel to the hit 2018 film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most.

The cast includes Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya, Jason Schwartzman, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Vélez, Greta Lee, Rachel Dratch, Jorma Taccone, Shea Whigham, and Oscar Isaac.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is set to debut in theaters on June 2, 2023, courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

THE GOOD

Things got away from me a bit back in 2018 when Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse hit theaters. I remember I went to see The Mule with Clint Eastwood which came out the same day, but I also just wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this new animated Spider-Man movie. But lo and behold, the movie dominated the box office and created a massive following pretty much immediately. It also had quite a run on Netflix, which yet again I somehow missed, so as we got closer to the sequel releasing in theaters I knew I needed to see this movie.

Instead of renting VOD I decided to buy the 4K Blu-ray and planned a movie night with my wife and two toddlers, and we all loved it! I just couldn’t get enough of the unique animation style, the voice actors were superb, and it was just so action-packed and fun from start to finish. I finally knew why people were next-level excited for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and I was officially on the bandwagon as well. So, does it live up to sky-high expectations after a nearly 5-year wait or should you just hold off until it inevitably becomes available to stream? Keep reading to find out!

Pardon my French, but holy shit was this movie amazing! I’m still trying to gather my thoughts and make sense of it all, but this was without a doubt two and a half hours of audio and video ecstasy. I honestly don’t know how else to explain it. Now I’m not going to sit here and break Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse down from top to bottom, for one because I refuse to spoil anything, but also because I quite simply don’t have the knowledge of the comics or the brainpower to fully comprehend everything that happened in this movie. To say that there was a lot going on would be one heck of an understatement. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has more Easter Eggs than my kid’s Easter baskets after I spent an hour covering the yard for their egg hunt. From a purely cinematic standpoint, as it relates to what a film has to offer visually for a live-action animated film, this really is as good as it gets.

Right from the opening, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse had my eyes damn near popping out of my head, and my ears were equally engaged. The editing team seriously deserves like 30 Oscars, and the entire crew behind the technical elements of the film is all amazing. While I was watching Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse I just kept thinking about how many hours went into crafting what I was now seeing on screen. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they started working on this movie as soon as the original was released nearly five years ago. A ton of credit to the directing duo of Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson for all of their efforts to create this work of art, and Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Dave Callaham for a masterful screenplay.

I’m going to try my best to keep this review short and sweet so that I can get people out to theaters to experience it for themselves, but I have to touch on the visuals, editing, and the cast of voice actors. I will start with the star of the show for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse which was without a doubt the animation and the editing. If you watched the original film, you had an idea of what to expect as far as some of the most amazing and unique visuals I have ever seen in a film. It all just looks so, so good, and in some ways, the animation dominates the film because you will find yourself in awe from start to finish. Working in tandem with the animation and the incredible visuals is high-level editing that I cannot even begin to fathom as far as the scale of difficulty. Everything is as smooth as butter, and I was having so much fun I wanted the movie to surpass the two-and-a-half-hour runtime, for a few different reasons but I won’t get into that. Bottom line, when Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse releases on 4K Blu-ray, I will be standing in front of Best Buy waiting for the doors to be unlocked and telling them to take my money.

Next, I have to touch on this phenomenal cast of voice actors, and everyone was amazing. First I have to talk about Jamaican-born actor Shameik Moore who has been making a name for himself in Hollywood, but undeniably was given a massive opportunity with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and he has taken full advantage of it. Moore is the voice of Miles Morales, who goes by the nickname Spin in my kid’s favorite show Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends. Fun Fact, the nickname was given in the show so as to not confuse children as the primary characters are Morales (Spin), Peter (Spidey), and Gwen (Ghost-Spider), who are friends and crime fighters. The nickname was also used earlier in the comics. Moore embodies the role of Morales and I honestly couldn’t imagine anyone else taking it on.

Next, I have to touch on the other main piece of the puzzle which is the gorgeous Hailee Steinfeld who voices Gwendolyne Maxine "Gwen" Stacy, who is also known as either Spider-Woman or Ghost Spider, as my kids know her. My 4-year-old is obsessed with her, but that is a story for another day. Steinfeld, who I have loved since her role in the coming-of-age movie Edge of Seventeen, has proven herself to be a very versatile and talented actress, albeit with questionable taste in men as she is reportedly now dating Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Steinfeld is amazing as Gwen, and she really brought to life some of the more emotional scenes in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Jake Johnson aka Nick Miller (New Girl) once again voices Peter Parker, and although he does have a smaller role in this film compared to the original, he is fantastic yet again.

I can’t go on a spiel about everyone who voiced characters in the film got obvious reasons, paramount amongst them my inability to keep a reader’s attention for that long, but this is one of the best casts of voice actors I have ever experienced. Just to go down the list of pure talent, we have Oscar Isaac as Miguel O’Hara, Issa Rae as Jessica Drew, Brian Tyree Henry as Jefferson Davis, Daniel Kaluuya as Hobart ‘Hobie Brown/Spider-Punk (he was so damn awesome in this), Taran Killam as Patrick O’Hara/Webslinger, Andy Samberg as Ben Reilly/Scarlet Spider, Jason Schwartzman as Jonathan Ohnn/The Spot, Karan Soni as Spider-Man India (love this dude), Amandla Stenberg as Margo Kess/Spider-Byte, Jorma Taccone as Adrian Toomes/The Vulture, and Shea Whigham as George Stacy. Now if that doesn’t sound like the guests at a red carpet Hollywood event I don’t know what does, and they are all incredible.

THE BAD

If you have been paying attention it should come as no surprise that this part of the review will be brief. Bottom line, I loved this movie and honestly have no criticisms. But as a parent of kids who love Spider-Man, I do suggest seeing it yourself before bringing the kids because the nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime will likely be a bit much for young kids and may result in an early departure from the theater. I plan to offer an unlimited supply of popcorn to mine and hope for the best.

THE VERDICT

With jaw-dropping visuals, a spectacularly satisfying soundtrack, some of the best film editing I have ever seen, and an absolute dream team cast of voice actors, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is everything I wanted it to be and then some. This movie really is that good, and I know for a fact that I will need to see it another few times to fully appreciate everything it has to offer because I know I missed a ton. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is going to obliterate next year’s Academy Awards, and I cannot wait to celebrate along with everyone who worked on this cinematic masterpiece.

If you want to avoid spoilers I’d suggest seeing this movie in theaters ASAP, and I personally hope to see it again very, very soon. Plus, it will likely be not only the best-animated movie you will see all year but one of the best movies in general. Highly recommended.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.8/10

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

About My Father

About My Father is a 2023 comedy directed by Laura Terruso and written by Austen Earl and Sebastian Maniscalco.

Sebastian is encouraged by his fiancée to bring his immigrant, hairdresser father, Salvo, to a weekend get-together with her super-rich and exceedingly eccentric family. The weekend develops into what can only be described as a culture clash, leaving Sebastian and Salvo to discover that the great thing about family is everything about family.

Starring Sebastian Maniscalco, Robert De Niro, Leslie Bibb, Anders Holm, David Rasche, Brett Dier, and Kim Cattrall.

About My Father made its debut in theaters on May 26th, courtesy of Lionsgate.

THE GOOD

I am always game for a good comedy, and although I’m not super familiar with Sebastian Maniscalco and his stand-up comedy, having Robert De Niro in a leading role piqued my interest. Interestingly enough one of the first movies I reviewed for this site was the raunchy comedy Dirty Grandpa (our full review here) from back in January 2016 where De Niro starred alongside Zac Efron. I remember several older people walking out during the first 5-minutes of the movie after they realized it wasn’t quite what they expected. Although it was pretty ridiculous and very over-the-top, I still enjoyed it so I was more than willing to give About My Father a fair shake. Was it a solid easy to recommend good-hearted comedy or just another film trying to bank on the talents of its cast without much going for it otherwise? Keep reading to find out!

I actually really enjoyed this movie, more than I thought I would honestly. It had a simple yet effective story, great chemistry from the cast, tons of great comedic moments, and a smooth runtime of just over an hour and 30 minutes. What stood out to me most was the chemistry between De Niro and Maniscalco as father and son, but I enjoyed the entire cast and thought everyone did a great job. About My Father never feels too over the top, and the underlying message of the film is something we can all relate to.

About My Father utilizes comedy to shed some light on the significant disconnect between working-class families and their wealthy counterparts. The screenplay is simple and will likely feel familiar, but I really liked how they added the additional layer of the family history element which helped to solidify the significance of never forgetting where you come from. The film opens by giving the necessary background on Maniscalco’s character and his Italian roots, while also touching on the dramatic differences between his ancestors and those of the family he hopes to become a part of. As a parent, you want more than anything else to raise your children to become the best version of yourself, and About My Father is the perfect depiction of that.

The characters feel authentic and well-intentioned, and although the film still has a big focus on comedy it doesn’t take away from the broader message it is trying to convey and I personally appreciated the great balance. One particular scene that resonated with me was a lunch at the families country club where De Niro’s character was questioning why the menu didn’t have any prices on them. Let’s be honest for a second, people that order without even considering the price have more money than they should have, and those of us working-class folk just like to know what we are getting ourselves into. I’m from New England and when you go to dinner if you want certain items on the seafood menu like a lobster roll for example, you will see the note “MKT Price or Market Price” meaning the price fluctuates and you won’t know what that is until the bill comes. I am always so tempted to ask what the price is before ordering to try and avoid heart palpitations when the bill comes. I wish I was kidding, but the struggle is real ladies and gentlemen.

The cast is an obvious strength for About My Father, and they more than held their own if you ask me. I thought each and every character was cast perfectly. Just like the families refusing to stray from their roots, the characters themselves never veer from their identity which I thought was important. Robert De Niro was fantastic as always playing the strong-willed but overall well-intentioned Italian father, and comedian Sebastian Maniscalco impressed me as the son attempting to forge his own path much to the dismay of his father. Leslie Bibb stars as Maniscalco’s wife and I thought she was fantastic and provided the perfect balance necessary. Aside from De Niro my favorite casting is easily my guy David Rasche who is lights out as always. The veteran actor who also stars in the HBO drama Succession just has the perfect demeanor for this role, and no matter how wacky things get he always remains even-keeled and is believable throughout. Plus, Rasche is one of those actors who can make you laugh with a simple facial expression. Rounding out the cast is Workaholics actor Anders Holm, Brett Dier, and Kim Cattrall, and they were all great. I am a fan of the comedy series Workaholics so I knew going in I would enjoy Holm in this role.

THE BAD

About My Father is not perfect; it feels a bit slow at times, and not all of the jokes land as well as anticipated. But the good news is none of these issues prove detrimental. The film has a very clear identity from the start not relying solely on the comedic element to keep it going, instead allowing the foundation of the film’s success to be the story and the cast. So yeah, as far as feel-good slightly dysfunctional family comedies go this is pretty damn good in my opinion.

THE VERDICT

A well-written feel-good comedy with relatable characters thanks to great chemistry between leads Sebastian Maniscalco and Robert De Niro, About My Father offers plenty of laughs while delivering an impactful underlying message. I really enjoyed this movie and feel like it has plenty of replay value which speaks to the emphasis on the story and characters as opposed to going the route of a potentially throwaway over-the-top comedy. My wife and I bonded over our dysfunctional families and now we have kids of our own that we are trying to not screw up too badly, so admittedly movies like this are extra special for me. Go ahead and grab a crazy family member from each generation and go see About My Father in theaters sooner than later.

TED TAKES RATING - 7.7/10

About My Father is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Fast X

Fast X (also known as Fast & Furious 10) is a 2023 action film directed by Louis Leterrier (Clash of the Titans, The Incredible Hulk), and written by Justin Lin (F9) and Dan Mazeau. As the tenth film for the extremely successful Fast & Furious Saga which dates back to my freshman year in high school, we are finally approaching the final chapter.

Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto and his family have outsmarted, out-nerved, and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they’ve ever faced: A terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who’s fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything—and everyone—that Dom loves, forever.

The cast includes Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Jason Statham, John Cena, and Scott Eastwood, with Oscar® winner Helen Mirren and Oscar® winner Charlize Theron. New additions to the already star-studded cast include Oscar® winner Brie Larson, Jason Mamoa, Alan Ritchson (Reacher), Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad), and legendary Oscar® winner Rita Moreno.

Fast X made its debut in theaters on May 19th.

THE GOOD

If you called me a Fast and Furious fanboy, you’d be onto something. I talked about it at length during my Fast 9 review so I won’t bore you with the details, but this franchise has held a special place in my heart for over two decades. Now granted the films have become a far cry from street racing on the side streets of Cali, but I’m still here for it. A successful franchise builds a massive fanbase with great characters, edge-of-your-seat action, and if it’s lucky a substantial emotional attachment which has been the case for me with these movies. So, does Fast X keep the fire burning or flame out after such an impressive run? Keep reading to find out!

It certainly didn’t flame out but I do have some mixed thoughts which I will touch on later in the review, but all in all Fast X was the high-octane action thriller we all expected. The action sequences are absolutely bonkers as expected, and although we don’t take a trip to space this time around, the opportunities to defy logic and gravity are still aplenty. Fast X also makes sure to pay homage to the franchise with several scenes that fans will recognize right away, including the opening scene reminiscent of the original 2001 film. Speaking of the original film, the soundtrack is fantastic yet again. This franchise has become synonymous with big-name actors over the years and that is the case yet again, adding another few big players to the mix.

The cast is a big draw yet again and Fast X adds a few new big names to the mix. The biggest addition to the film is Jason Mamoa who plays the film’s primary antagonist. I really like Mamoa a lot as an actor and have always felt he has a unique versatility to him. Not only is he a big and brooding presence, but he also has great on-screen energy and charisma. I will admit I do have mixed thoughts on his character as a whole and I will talk more about that later in the review, but for the most part, I liked his casting and thought he was the man for the job. Following in the footsteps of Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson, or John Cena is a big hill to climb, but he makes it look easy. Another big addition is the gorgeous and talented Brie Larson, and she is fantastic as always.

I think the argument can be made that 70% of the budget for these films goes to the special effects, but at this point, if you go into a Fast and Furious movie expecting realism you clearly missed the last 5+ movies. The franchise traded street racing and edge-of-your-seat tractor-trailer heists for explosions, cars flying out of skyscrapers, and oh yeah let’s not forget submarines. The action is aplenty yet again in Fast X, and for that reason, I was entertained from start to finish just waiting to see how far they decide to push things this time around. I do think that F9 pushed things a little further considering a character went to space, I mean that is a high bar, but the amount of Dominic Toretto muscle car goodness put a smile on my face.

THE BAD

I really did enjoy Fast X, but certain things either felt off or didn’t quite meet my expectations. First, I have become especially attached to the emotional element of the films ever since Furious 7 which followed the tragic death of the great Paul Walker. The ending of that film hit me hard, and I even did my own sort of review as to why which you can check out here if you are interested. But bottom line, the loss I have suffered in my own life coupled with my own personal attachment to this franchise from a young age has made these movies special to me.

The films have effectively followed up Furious 7 with plenty of hard-hitting emotional moments, but I just felt like Fast X sort of fell flat in comparison. Now it still made sure to honor Walker’s involvement with the franchise, but it just felt minimal in comparison. Maybe it was because of the fact that the film had a cliffhanger and maybe I should reserve judgment for how things close out in the finale.

The other issue I had with the film was what I felt was a strange balance as far as the overall tone and much of that relates to the film’s villain played by Jason Mamoa. I love Mamoa, and overall I did enjoy his character and what he brought to the film, I just thought that the balance for his character in terms of the comedic and psychotic elements felt unbalanced. Maybe I am overthinking it and that was just the core of his overall character, but it felt sort of all over the place for me especially when compared to other villains in the franchise.

THE VERDICT

Embracing the absolute absurdity of the action sequences for better or for worse, Fast X may not surpass prior entries but still delivers for fans of the franchise an experience made for the big screen. It’s not perfect and certainly could have been better, but if you go in expecting more of what this over-the-top franchise has offered as of late it is well worth the price of admission. Plus, a movie like Fast X simply needs to be seen in theaters,

TED TAKES RATING - 7.1/10

Fast X is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a 2023 science fiction action superhero film written and directed by James Gunn, based on the comics from Dan Abnett, and Andy Lanning. It is the final installment in the Guardians of the Galaxy (GOTG) trilogy.

Our beloved band of misfits are looking a bit different these days. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

The cast includes Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Sean Gunn, Sylvester Stallone, Will Poulter, Chukwudi Iwuji, Daniela Melchior, Michael Rosenbaum, Maria Bakalova, Nico Santos, Dane DiLiegro, and Sarah Alami.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 made its debut in theaters May 5th.

THE GOOD

I vividly remember back in 2014 seeing the first trailer for the original Guardians of the Galaxy and I had zero knowledge of the comics or the impending franchise that would be based on them. I just remember seeing the characters in that first The Usual Suspects style trailer and I was instantly intrigued. I mean first of all it seemed ridiculous mainly because of Groot’s presence, but it looked like a fun movie worth checking out and I was already a big fan of Chris Pratt.

Plus the idea of my guy Bradley Cooper voicing a CGI raccoon seemed like icing on the cake. I loved the movie of course, and have been a GOTG fan ever since. Jump ahead nearly a decade and we have the latest installment, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, poised to continue Phase 5 of the MCU after recently released Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (our full review here). Does it live up to the hype of what is said to be the final film for the GOTG or did they miss the mark this time around? Keep reading to find out!

Man, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 took me by surprise, and I mean that in the best way possible. I expected the usual comic relief which is always welcome and while it was still present for the majority of the time this movie got me in the feels like nobody’s business. Bringing tissues to a Guardians of the Galaxy movie may seem excessive, but trust me when I say you will need them.

This movie was so good for so many reasons. I admit I was a bit critical of the direction the story was heading initially just because it seemed like it would lack the substance I was hoping for, but I was so wrong. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 brings the heat with an amazing cast, incredible special effects, a fire soundtrack, and a screenplay that honestly blew me away. The film clocks in at just over two and a half hours, and I wish it was even longer.

The story is without a doubt the star of the show for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. It was everything, and then some. I honestly went in blind not knowing what to expect from the story, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. Initially it feels like the carryover of the drama between Starlord and Gamora was going to be the focus of the film but it quickly becomes just part of the story as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 transforms into a gut-wrenching origin story for Rocket, voiced by Bradley Cooper. I personally always viewed Rocket as this pessimistic vigilante with a tough exterior, but after peeling back the many layers of his life I quickly realized I couldn’t have been more wrong about him.

As much as I want to break down his story I refuse to give anything away, but let me just say Rocket may be the most misunderstood member of the GOTG (which is saying a lot considering they have a tree person who just says his name over and over again), and his character now has a special place in my heart. I damn near sobbed out loud especially during the final act, so kudos to James Gunn for a powerful screenplay. The film also touches on some additional backstory for Starlord that may leave you a bit wet in the eyes.

I know I am making the movie sound like it is a cry fest from start to finish, but it is still hilarious with a ton of great one-liners, and plenty of opportunities for Drax to make an ass out of himself. Plus Sean Gunn, brother of director James Gunn, is hilarious yet again a Kraglin. I was surprised to learn that he also takes on the voice of young Rocket. With that being said, the balance of intense drama and laugh-out-loud humor was impressive.

The GOTG films have been built around a massively talented cast from the very beginning, and that is of course the case once again with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Now aside from mainstays Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, Vin Diesel, and Pom Klementieff just to name a few, the latest entry in the franchise has a few notable additions. First, Chukwudi Iwuji is incredible in the role of The High Evolutionary, a psychotic villain with a God complex who would likely get along quite well with Thanos. His pure talent as an actor made for some terrifying scenes.

And how about a jacked Will Poulter in the role of Adam Warlock, just a bronzed up beast of a man. And yes it is the same Will Poulter who plays the nerdy teen who gets bit in his man business by a spider in the comedy We’re the Millers. Dude put on some serious muscle and I honestly thought he was fantastic in this role. I have heard some complaints that he didn’t get enough screen time which I don’t necessarily disagree with, but the story was centered on Rocket and the rest of the Guardians. From top to bottom the cast delivered.

Obviously Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 packs a massive punch when it comes to the special effects, but I think they somehow found a way to raise the bar. The variety of characters are as wacky as ever, the environments are vibrant and full of life, and the fight scenes are blast to experience especially during the final act of the film. If it is your dream to see Groot transform into his version of John Wick, look no further.

I was honestly blown away by the quality of the CGI, especially during the flashback scenes related to Rocket’s origin story. You may have a hard time fully appreciating the CGI just because you will be so busy wiping your eyes. Part of why you watch a GOTG movie is the soundtrack, and it does not disappoint. I personally cannot get enough of the 80’s music. James Gunn is a boss, that fact is simply undeniable. As far as writing and directing, Marvel is lucky to have this guy on the payroll and I hope he reminds them every second of every day.

THE BAD

Listen, I loved this movie but it does require some disclaimers. I mean it is slow at times and I was initially skeptical of the overall storyline (unnecessarily I should say), but what viewers need to be warned about is honestly what makes this movie so damn good. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 can be a difficult watch as it is often downright heartbreaking at times, and is especially difficult for the animal lovers of the world. As I mentioned in this review, the movie is by all accounts an origin story for Rocket, and his story is very, very sad, and downright brutal.

Rocket is without a doubt one of my favorite Guardians after watching this movie, but the road he traveled was a brutal one; I will say that. Rocket has dealt with unimaginable trauma, and you will quickly realize that the tough exterior he exhibits throughout this successful franchise may be a front more often than not. CGI or not, adorable and defenseless animals are harmed on-screen in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and you absolutely need to be prepared for that. I say tough it out though because it is so worth it.

THE VERDICT

A truly heartbreaking origin story that still offers up the trademark humor, amazing soundtrack, and groundbreaking special effects the films are known for, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is the epic sendoff this franchise deserves. I knew I was going to enjoy this movie but I never expected it to have such a lasting impact on me, and as I mentioned in the review I will never look at Rocket the same again. James Gunn is a damn godsend, and I can’t wait to watch all of the movies again just so I can see his character in a new light.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 absolutely needs to be experienced in theaters, so get out there and see it as soon as possible because if you are anything like me, you will see it at least three times before its all said and done. Highly recommended.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.1/10

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Evil Dead Rise

Evil Dead Rise is a 2023 supernatural horror film written and directed by Lee Cronin. The film serves as the fifth installment in the Evil Dead franchise.

A road-weary Beth pays an overdue visit to her older sister Ellie, who is raising three kids on her own in a cramped L.A. apartment. The sisters' reunion is cut short by the discovery of a mysterious book deep in the bowels of Ellie's building, giving rise to flesh-possessing demons, and thrusting Beth into a primal battle for survival as she is faced with the most nightmarish version of motherhood imaginable.

The film stars Alyssa Sutherland, Lily Sullivan, Gabrielle Echols, Morgan Davies, Nell Fisher, and Mia Challis.

Evil Dead Rise made its debut in theaters on April 21st, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

THE GOOD

While I’m not what you would consider to be a hardcore fan of the Evil Dead franchise necessarily, I am a a devoted horror fan and refuse to miss out on anything that brings value to the genre. Now I have enjoyed all of the films in the franchise, I just tend to gravitate towards slashers like Friday the 13th when it comes down to going the extra mile like having replica movie props etc (I have a handmade and wearable Jason mask for example). But, I fully appreciate this franchise and understand its allure so I was excited for Evil Dead Rise to finally debut in theaters. So, did this satisfy the horror lover in me or do you need to be a dedicated fan to fully appreciate it? Keep reading to find out!

Pardon my French but Evil Dead Rise is not fucking around. If you’re reading this review I dare to say you can deal with a little profanity, and you better be able to stomach that and a lot more if you plan on checking this movie out in theaters. Now by no means is that supposed to deter you, quite the opposite honestly. This movie has it all with legitimately terrifying horror elements, a great score and soundtrack, immersive cinematography, great acting, and all the blood and gore you could possibly need or want. I’m pretty sure that at least 25% of the films budget was spent on blood, not even kidding. Right away I was impressed by the pure horror feel of the film, and the fact that it had a great buildup to what was a wild and extremely entertaining finale.

I think what stood out to me most was the overall story because even though it was fairly run-of-the-mill as far as a demonic possession type storyline, it capitalized on what is at the end of the day the bread and butter of this franchise and Lee Cronin deserves his credit for the screenplay. Evil Dead Rise sets the stage with a mysterious and eerie tone from the start, allowing it to branch out to what would become a terrifying chain of events. Even though I sort of knew what to expect I was still on the edge of my seat the entire time just basking in the horror thriller glory of the film.

Similar to most slashers films, Evil Dead Rise hits the credits with a jolt of energy leaving viewers satisfied but still wanting more. I liked how the film started at the end and backtracked in terms of how the events of the opening unfolded, and it kept me guessing right up until the last 60 seconds of the film. I also really liked all of the fan service with the connections to other spin-offs (Ash vs Evil Dead etc) even though most of it surpassed my knowledge of the franchise.

While acting tends to take a backseat when it comes to the horror genre, I was very impressed with the cast of Evil Dead Rise. The entire cast delivered when their name was called. Australian actress Alyssa Sutherland, who for the record I am not familiar with whatsoever, was incredible. She was just so believable and terrifying once her character went full blown psycho demon killer, and even made some of the more outlandish sequences feel grounded. I really liked the scene that took place mostly throw a peephole, allowing Sutherland the opportunity to try and play mind games with the youngest character. I just kept saying to myself “don’t listen to her it’s a trap!! Just look at her grotesque face!”. So yeah I won’t go in depth on the rest of the cast, but I felt like everyone delivered and helped to make Evil Dead Rise one hell of a horror movie and what I feel is an instant classic for the genre.

We need to give the special effects and make-up team a round of applause or standing ovation or something, like holy shit. Evil Dead Rise is not for the faint of heart, and I know people want to praise the overrated mess that is Terrifier 2 mainly because it went so above and beyond with blood and gore, but that is like a D-movie compared to this. It’s like comparing a drawing from an art major in college to a kindergartner, just another level entirely. This is haunt your dreams blood and gore, like what you would imagine a crime scene to look like if you had the pleasure of taking a tour while the crime was still being committed.

I mean we got kitchen knives, a chainsaw, shotgun, glass eating, wood chippers, and just as the icing on the cake a damn cheese grater. Let me just say I won’t be grating any cheese anytime soon that’s for damn sure. As bloody and gory as it was, it never felt like too much. Now maybe that speaks to the sickness deep inside of me, but it all worked so damn well and for sure made the franchise proud. Also kudos to director Lee Cronin for some fantastic camera work and just a great eye for horror in general.

THE BAD

When it comes to horror films, we tend to let certain things slide like average to below average acting, or maybe even a few plot holes here and there because that really isn’t what gets people in the seats. But with that being said, the horror genre is continuing to evolve with hard-hitting horror films like It Follows (2014), and The Dark and the Wicked (2020). Real nightmare fuel type horror. I’m getting off track a bit but what I am trying to get at is that Evil Dead Rise manages to avoid the typical genre pitfalls, offering up a horror film that simply feels like the full package. Now with that being said, this movie is NOT for everyone. It was scary enough to give most people nightmares for weeks especially if you live in an apartment building, and the blood and gore is about a 15 on a 10 scale. You have been warned.

THE VERDICT

Emphasizing and effectively executing raw horror elements as opposed to the campy feel of prior entries in the franchise, Evil Dead Rise is equally as terrifying as it is gut-wrenching and does not hold back on the trademark blood and gore. I was pleasantly impressed with what I already expected to be a fun movie, but this may be my favorite in the highly-successful franchise. As I mentioned in the review all of the fan service employed may have been over my head the majority of the time, but I could still tell that the feel of Evil Dead Rise was true to the franchise and its hardcore fanbase. If you enjoy these films or are just a horror fan in general, this needs to be seen in theaters like yesterday.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.7/10

Evil Dead Rise is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Renfield

Renfield is a 2023 comedy horror film directed by Chris McKay (The Lego Batman Movie, The Tomorrow War) from a screenplay by Ryan Ridley, based on an original idea by Robert Kirkman, who is best known for creating The Walking Dead and Invincible for Image Comics. It is a reboot of Universal's Dracula series. The film stars Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road, The Menu) as the titular character, alongside Nicolas Cage (Kick-Ass, National Treasure), Awkwafina (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, The Farwell), Ben Schwartz (Sonic the Hedgehog, Parks and Recreation), and Adrian Martinez (The Amazing Spider-Man 2, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty).

Having grown sick and tired of his centuries as Dracula’s (Cage) lackey, Renfield (Hoult) finds a new lease on life — and maybe even redemption — when he falls for feisty, perennially angry traffic cop Rebecca Quincy (Awkwafina).

Renfield made its debut in theaters on April 14th, courtesy of Universal Pictures.

THE GOOD

Renfield snuck up on me, especially considering the fact that it is a comedy horror that features the great Nicolas Cage as Dracula. I mean, I don’t even need to know who else is in the movie, I’m already in. As we got closer to the release and a full-length trailer dropped, I was pretty damn excited. I loved the What We Do in the Shadows vibe, and I was digging the style of the film. Plus considering the talented Nicholas Hoult was co-starring, my expectations were fairly high. So, was Renfield worth a trip to the theater, or should you just wait for the VOD release? Keep reading to find out!

Renfield was a damn blast, plain and simple. I thought the cast was fantastic, the feel of the film kept the energy level high, it was funny throughout, and more than anything else I could not get enough of the style and the action sequences. They were just so much fun, and I really liked the emphasis on the smooth balance between comedy and horror which somehow played homage to two genres simultaneously. At just over an hour and a half long, Renfield flew by and kept me entertained from start to finish. Plus, Nicolas Cage as Dracula, enough said.

The cast was easily the biggest sell for me originally, mainly because at this point and time I will watch anything Nicolas Cage does. Whether it is the incredible artsy drama Pig (Andrew’s full review here) or the groundbreaking action comedy The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (our full review here), the legendary actor continues to churn out quality films. So of course the opportunity to experience him as Count Dracula was something I refused to miss out on, and he did not disappoint. Starring alongside Cage is the talented former Warm Bodies actor Nicholas Hoult, and he was fantastic. Hoult plays a perfect emo character who seeks out a support group for people in abusive relationships because Dracula has whittled him down to a shell of himself.

I thought comedian turned-actress Awkwafina was hilarious alongside her equally ridiculous partner played by Adrian Martinez. I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed Ben Schwartz in the film, who plays the entitled son of a mob family who miraculously gets away with committing every crime in the book thanks to a corrupt police department. I thought his over-the-top character was hilarious and added a ton of value to the film. The entire supporting cast, including everyone in the support group, was great.

Aside from the cast, the special effects and action sequences are the bread and butter of Renfield. The best way I can describe some of these crazy sequences is a John Wick film with a supernatural element blended with a collection of Mortal Kombat finishing move kills. Sounds awesome right?! Trust me, you need to experience it for yourself. Just make sure you don’t have an issue with lots of blood and the constant and brutally violent removal of body parts. I was also blown away by the make-up and costume design in the film, especially Cage early on when he is frail and grotesque as he works his way back to full strength.

The film does such a nice job of establishing a unique identity and running with it, making for a film that is hilarious in a goofy way but not too goofy, and also incredibly violent. That is not an easy balance when you think about effective execution, and to say the kill count is impressive would be an understatement. So yeah, kudos to the special effects team for bringing their A-game, but also a well-deserved shoutout to Marco Beltrami for a banging soundtrack to supplement the non-stop action, and cinematographer Mitchell Amundsen for helping to create this immersive world where Dracula is among us.

Plus for how goofy the film is, they still somehow managed to create a gritty crime thriller vibe which helped to tie everything together. Director Chris McKay, who recently directed the sci-fi action drama The Tomorrow War (2021) (our full review here), deserves his due as well. And even though the overall story is a bit of an afterthought because of the cast and superb special effects, Robert Kirkman of The Walking Dead fame deserves credit for the original idea, along with Ryan Ridley for putting together the screenplay. I mean you can pick and choose what you felt made Renfield as enjoyable as it is, but what matters is it all came together to create a final product that I can’t wait to see again, and again.

THE BAD

I’m not going to sit here and say Renfield is a perfect film, because it is a far cry from anything that you will see taking home an Oscar anytime soon, aside from perhaps make-up and costume design, or special effects of course. The screenplay in itself is ridiculous, feeling in many ways like an extension or spin-off of What We Do in the Shadows, but is that really a bad thing? The story really doesn’t matter here, because if you can’t appreciate the wackiness, over-the-top violence, and blood and gore you will hate the movie either way. Renfield feels like a genre film created to appeal to a fairly specific fanbase while still spreading its genre wings a bit, which is more than okay with me. If you go in expecting anything more, you will be disappointed.

THE VERDICT

An over-the-top action comedy horror that embraces and relishes the absurdity of the great Nicolas Cage as The Prince of Darkness, Renfield is 93 minutes of blood-soaked mayhem and I enjoyed every bit of it. This movie is a ton of fun, simple as that. For me, this is an example of a film that put together a fantastic team, from the director to the cast, right down to the background extras, because at the end of the day, it just works. The action sequences are wild and need to be seen to be appreciated. Renfield is never boring, and I still find myself smiling ear to ear when I think about the movie. Do yourself a favor and check this one out in theaters sooner than later.

TED TAKES RATING - 7.3/10

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

Mafia Mamma

Mafia Mamma is a 2023 action comedy film directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Lords of Dogtown, Twilight, Miss Bala), from a screenplay by Michael J. Feldman and Debbie Jhoon. Is is based on an original story by Amanda Sthers.

While seeing to her long estranged (and now deceased) grandfather’s affairs in Italy, a mild mannered suburban mom unexpectedly inherits his mafia empire and finds herself stuck in the middle of a deadly mob war. Guided by the firm’s trusted consigliere, she hilariously defies everyone’s expectations, including her own, as the new head of the family business.

The cast includes Toni Collette, Monica Bellucci, Giulio Corso, Eduardo Scarpetta, Rob Huebel, and Livia De Paolis.

Mafia Mamma made its debut in theaters April 14th, courtesy of Bleecker Street.

THE GOOD

Needless to say, Mafia Mamma wasn’t exactly circled on my calendar, but I love Toni Collette and the premise intrigued me. If you are a regular reader of my reviews, you’d know that I try and approach a movie with an open mind and with the understanding of what the movie is trying to accomplish. In no way shape or form is a movie like this trying to gain awards consideration or resonate with viewers on a deeper level, it has one goal and that is to entertain. Nothing more, nothing less. So I made my way to the theater with tempered expectations, hoping for a fun hour and a half with lots of laughs. So, was it worth my time? Keep reading to find out!

For the most part Mafia Mamma is as advertised, an easy to enjoy action comedy that has a clear goal from the start. It wasn’t as funny as I hoped it would be and the tone was a little weird, but I will talk more about that later in the review. The premise was simple and well executed, making it feel relatively realistic considering how far-fetched it is and that was certainly a positive in my mind. I thought Collette’s character was fun and relatable, and the goofiness of the film keeps things pretty light although the film can be pretty graphic at times hence the R-rating.

Two things will get people in the seats for Mafia Mamma, Toni Collette, and the overall story. People love a good mafia movie, and the film includes a bunch of references to classics like Goodfellas which I though was pretty cool. The story is simple yet effective in the sense that it is able to quickly set the stage for how Collette’s character finds herself at the head of the table for an Italian Mafia family. I thought they included just enough believable backstory to keep viewers engaged, and I had fun with the comedic twist on the cutthroat mentality of these Mafia families. Mafia Mamma never really takes itself too seriously, which is good and bad which I will talk about more later as well.

Toni Collette is the biggest name attached to the film and I thought she was great in terms of the character she was given. She was believable as this overly emotional pushover suburban mom, which added the much needed level of intrigue in terms of what happens next. I really liked Monica Bellucci in her role, and thought she did a fantastic job alongside Collette. When I envision a woman described as irresistibly sexy in a very intense and exotic way, Bellucci comes to mind, but I will keep my fantasies to myself. The supporting cast was fine, mostly forgettable performances but it was sort of par for the course as far as the screenplay.

Mafia Mamma sort of feels like a satire in the way that is pays tribute to old Mafia films, but not in a negative way. Now it could be perceived as mocking them, but it felt to me like it was paying homage while also adding a comedic spin for its own benefit. I enjoyed all of the references, and by the end I was ready to go home and start binge watching some of my favorites, with a recent classic being The Town, but as Mafia Mamma makes clear from the very beginning, Goodfellas will always be one of the best all-time classics of the genre.

THE BAD

Mafia Mamma is a far cry from perfect, and has several issues. One of the primary draws of the movie is obviously Toni Collette, and although I enjoyed her performance, I felt like her abilities as an actress were wasted or overlooked for the most part. I would have loved to have seen more of a Walter White to Heisenberg transformation for Collette especially considering she is more than capable, but the writers instead decided to play it safe keeping the film from reaching its full potential. They also decided to keep the feel more goofy than serious for the majority of the film, but it was also confusing at times thanks to what I felt was a very uneven tone. The acting was fine in general, but not great.

The technical elements of the film were brutal, especially the action scenes, mainly the gunfight at the end. I mean they were bad, the guns sounded like toy guns, and just the action sequences in general looked like the stunt coordinators decided to take the day off. I won’t knock the team in charge of the blood and gore, although it was minimal, because they did a nice job with it. The pacing was a bit slow at times with a few scenes that felt unnecessary adding very little to the film.

THE VERDICT

A flawed but still fun and easy to enjoy goofy action comedy with a talented leading lady, Mafia Mamma is a nice change of pace but suffers from an inconsistent tone and mediocre writing. Could it have been much better? Sure, I wish they would have settled on the tone they were going for and a few more quality laughs would have been nice, but I enjoyed this movie for what was and have no problem recommending it as long as people go in knowing what to expect. But waiting for a release on VOD in a few months would be fine too.

TED TAKES RATING - 5.7/10

Mafia Mamma is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Air

Air is a 2023 biographical comedy-drama film directed by Ben Affleck, and written by Alex Convery. Convery, whose IMDb bio is basically non-existent, had his original script Air Jordan appear on the film industrie’s Black List. Distributed by Amazon Studios, this is the first film produced by Affleck and Damon's new company, Artists Equity.

The film tells the story of the unbelievable game-changing partnership between a then-rookie Michael Jordan and Nike's fledgling basketball division which revolutionized the world of sports and contemporary culture with the Air Jordan brand. This moving story follows the career-defining gamble of an unconventional team with everything on the line, the uncompromising vision of a mother who knows the worth of her son’s immense talent, and the basketball phenom who would become the greatest of all time.

The cast includes Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Chris Tucker, Viola Davis, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris Messina, and Gustaf Skarsgård.

Air made its debut in theaters on April 5th, 2023, courtesy of Amazon Studios.

THE GOOD

I’ll be honest, somehow Air snuck up on me. I mean had I known about this movie sooner, I would have been looking forward to it for as long as it was in development. The amazing cast is enough to fill the seats, but the story is the big sell here. I was born the year this all unfolded, and we all know the larger-than-life icon that is Michael Jordan. I remember begging my parents for $135 Nike Air Max shoes back in middle school, because well I had to have them. In many ways, it is hard to think about Nike without thinking about Michael Jordan, and that is for a damn good reason. The partnership between Nike and Jordan changed everything, and Air was made just to show us all how it all unfolded. So, does the movie live up to the mystique? Keep reading to find out!

Let me just get this out of the way now, Air is an amazing and damn near flawless movie. From the talented and massively stacked cast, the polarizing true story, and the amazing soundtrack, this movie has it all. We all know the story going in, or at least have a pretty good idea, but the setup is key, and wow do they pull it off. Right away you are rooting for the main characters, primarily Matt Damon’s Sonny Vaccaro and Jason Bateman’s Rob Strasser. These two men feel relatable and from the jump (pun intended) it is clear the magnitude of this make-or-break moment for these two men. At one point Strasser tells Vaccaro a heartbreaking story about how his position at Nike is one of the few things keeping him connected to his young daughter who he rarely sees. In many ways, Vaccaro is searching for purpose and an opportunity to forge a legacy of his own, no matter the risk involved. Part of what is so intriguing about Air is just how intentional and committed Vacarro is to something he believes in, and his refusal to let the doubt of others cast a cloud over what he feels is now his greatest mission in life. The rest of us will be lucky to feel even just a semblance of what he felt back in 1984 because trust me nothing is more exhilarating than a sense of purpose coupled with a fiery passion and put-it-all-on-the-line mentality.

My two favorite elements of Air go hand in hand and you can probably guess that would be the cast and the story. The fact of the matter is this movie does not work without both firing on all cylinders, and just like Dominic Toretto in a street race, failure was never an option. I loved the cast from top to bottom and will watch any movie that stars Damon, Bateman, and Affleck, but their star power is just a piece of why the film works so well. The cast finds a way to harness the energy of the people they are portraying, from the excitement of an opportunity to change the course of history, to the possibility of making a career-ending mistake. Alex Convery’s screenplay is just masterful, and man does this guy who seemingly came out of nowhere deserve a ton of credit. As viewers, we feel connected to these men and even though we know the end result, we still can’t help but experience the full range of emotions and eventual elation. I also really liked how it never seemed like it was all about this amazing achievement for Nike, it really felt like all involved genuinely cared about the mutually beneficial relationship they were seeking, and they truly believed that Michael Jordan was poised to become the greatest basketball player in NBA history, and boy were they right.

I have to talk a bit more about this amazing cast and how they brought new life to the influential people they were portraying. Matt Damon is without question one of the greatest actors of my lifetime, whether you want to talk about Good Will Hunting or his genre-defining Jason Bourne franchise, he really can do it all. So it should come as no surprise that he is off-the-charts good as Sonny Vaccaro, the Nike employee with a slight gambling addition and a very vague job description. As mysterious as Vaccaro’s character appears, one thing is certain from the beginning and that is his willingness to follow his gut no matter the risk. I was rooting for him right away, and being in his corner just felt so damn good.

Next up is Jason Bateman’s Rob Strasser and even though it is hard to not see Bateman as Marty Byrde in the hit series Ozark, I loved his character. The screenplay does such a fantastic job of humanizing these characters, and I immediately felt connected to Strasser and the fact that he was a guy that wanted to succeed in his career but also knew that at the end of the day, nothing mattered more than family, which is a running theme in the film. Ben Affleck is incredible as the enigmatic Nike CEO Phil Knight, Chris Messina was awesome as Jordan’s agent David Falk, Viola Davis was next level as per usual as Jordan’s mom Deloris, Chris Tucker was great as Howard White, Marlon Wayans held it down in a small role as George Raveling, and I really liked Matthew Maher as genius shoe designer Peter Moore. I really liked Julius Tennon in a special and bittersweet performance as the late James Jordan. From Asanté Deshon who is credited only as 7-Eleven Clerk right up the line to Damon, the entire cast was top-notch.

I was born the year this all happened, so needless to say when the movie started and 1984 flashed across the screen followed by an invigorating montage including all of the colorful clothing and incredible music, I was glued to the screen. I love, love, love movies that are set in the 80s, and yes I for sure count the recently released Cocaine Bear (our full review here) which is now streaming on Peacock, and Air has the feel I was hoping for. From the clothes to the cars, right down to the amazing soundtrack, I felt like my adult self was transported back to my birth year and it was so damn satisfying. Although the story and the cast certainly take center stage, the technical elements of the film are still fantastic. The editing was just so good and really helped to bring that 80s feel, and the soundtrack was the icing on the cake for me. Not a single scene felt wasted or unnecessary. I also really liked the creative camera work from Ben Affleck, who was as smooth in the director’s chair as he was on-screen.

THE BAD

The only issue I had with this movie was the fact that eventually, it had to end. Seriously, Air really is THAT good. Even if viewers have zero interest in sports or Nike for that matter, the movie will still resonate and leave a mark on fans of quality cinema.

THE VERDICT

An incredibly immersive and captivating re-telling of a monumental moment in modern history, Air takes full advantage of a stellar cast, a fantastic 80s soundtrack, and a powerful and truly inspiring screenplay. Telling a story that holds so much weight is no easy task, and this was without question one of the most genuinely entertaining experiences I have had at the movie theater in recent memory.

As I made very clear in my review, I loved everything about this movie. I felt energized as soon as the movie ended and I was on Nike.com looking up some fresh new Air Jordans before I even left the theater. Do yourself a favor and get out there and see Air sooner than later, you won’t regret it. I can’t wait to see it again.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.7/10

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

John Wick: Chapter 4

John Wick: Chapter 4 is a 2023 neo-noir action film directed by Chad Stahelski, and written by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch, based on characters created by Derek Kolstad. It is the direct sequel to 2019's John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, and the fourth installment in the John Wick film series. Filming took place in Berlin, Paris, Osaka, and New York City from June to October 2021.

With the price on his head ever increasing, legendary hitman John Wick takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Japan to Berlin.

Starring Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Ian McShane.

John Wick: Chapter 4 made its debut in theaters on March 24th, courtesy of Lionsgate.

THE GOOD

Let me just get this out of the way first, I have what many would consider to be an unhealthy obsession with the John Wick franchise. When the first film was released back in 2014, my buddy and I were making John Wick references for months, mostly to the tune of “John Wick would beat your ass for that”. Not very creative I admit, but as a couple of blue-collar guys who enjoy the finer things in life like beers and buffalo wings, we were all in on this magical Keanu Reeves transformation, and the legend of John Wick was born. These movies have it all, a down-to-earth hero that is easy to root for, an immersive and unique world that feels like it could really exist, and just the pure satisfaction of watching bad guys get their asses beat in ways you never thought possible. So yeah, I was pumped for John Wick: Chapter 4 to hit theaters and made sure I was planted firmly in my seat for the very first screening. So, did it match my expectations and do this incredible franchise justice? Keep reading to find out!

I really can’t believe I am saying this, but John Wick: Chapter 4 is the best movie in the franchise to date, simple as that. I am going to do my best to break down and share my experience without writing a novel, which is honestly easier said than done. At the conclusion of John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (our full review here), we see a battered and bruised John Wick who was the victim of an unfortunate and opportunistic double-crossing. He looks about as bad off as he ever has, which if you have seen the first 3 films, is really saying something.

The latest entry opens with him now back at full strength, and training for what is sure to be his latest revenge tour, this time with members of the High Table in his sights. Living a peaceful life was never really meant to be for the guy they call Baba Yaga, aka the boogeyman. Violence follows him wherever he goes, and for someone who is seemingly indestructible and widely feared across the globe, greedy hitmen can’t help but punch their own ticket to that place six feet under by testing his patience. Some of us like to say we have had a long day, well John Wick has had a long decade, and it isn’t even close to over.

John Wick: Chapter 4 finds the man with the highest bounty on his head yet, and members of the High Table going out of their way to make things extra difficult for John and anyone willing to help him. Chapter 3 was essentially 2-hours of John Wick trying his best to survive, and while they could have taken a similar approach with John Wick: Chapter 4, they instead turned the hunted into the hunter. John is fed up with what he deems to be unfair treatment coming from the High Table, and he intends to make it right. I had a blast with the story, but as fans were hoping, the real star of the show is the action and the seemingly never-ending fight scenes. The John Wick films take the idea of stylistic action thriller to another level, and they ramp things up to a 10 with John Wick: Chapter 4. The more I think about the movie the more blown away I am, and I really just want to see it again immediately. It is that good.

I have heard people say that they bailed on the John Wick franchise during the first movie when his dog was killed, but the entire franchise was built around him seeking revenge for such a heinous act. For those of you who fall in this category, trust me when I say that the John Wick films are very much pro man’s best friend, and John Wick: Chapter 4 actually makes it a point to build on that. A new character known only as the Tracker is introduced, and he has his trusty companion by his side at all times. This dog actually plays a major role in the film, and even partakes in one specific scene during the final act of the film that had the entire theater laughing. The dog may not take out quite as many bad guys as Mr. Wick, but he certainly does his part let me just say that. More about that duo later in the review.

John Wick: Chapter 4 is the equivalent of Disneyland for action movie fans, only better and without the annoying lines. This franchise has been on a tear from the very beginning, but the 4th film finds a way to up the ante in every way that matters. John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum was a nonstop 2-hour thrill ride, so of course Chapter 4 had to add another full hour, for the purposes of building on the story, right? Wrong! Chad Stahelski found a way to add another hour while making the film feel even more action-packed with higher stakes and new characters, and basically refusing to slow down. The stunts and fight scenes in John Wick are simply unmatched, and if I ever have a chance to meet Stahelski in this lifetime, I just want to shake his hand and offer to buy him a beer. This guy gets it. I’d love to be a fly on the wall during one of his creative sessions where he thinks up all of these amazing action sequences.

When you are watching a movie and can’t help but think “wow this scene must have been insane to film”, you know they pulled out all the stops. Considering this movie is 3-hours long, I never once looked at my phone to get an idea of how much longer it was going to be which is pretty damn impressive if you ask me. I was on the edge of my seat from the very beginning, and I am pretty sure I still have marks on my face from the permanent smile I had. Stuntman-turned-director Chad Stahelski is a damn wizard, and anything he touches basically turns to gold. If his name is attached to a project in the future, I will see it without a second thought. Simple as that.

The music and score are pure fire once again thanks to Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard. An action-packed adrenaline-fueled franchise like this requires a hard-hitting soundtrack, and they are more than up for the challenge. John Wick: Chapter 4 also opens the door for great opportunities with visuals thanks to a number of great filming locations, and cinematographer Dan Laustsen takes full advantage. I can’t even count how many times I found myself just taking in the environment as the camera panned back setting the stage for more excitement.

The cast is phenomenal, which has come to be standard for this franchise. Needless to say, Keanu Reeves is a godsend, a true inspiration, and a reminder that sometimes kindness is the only real legacy we need to leave behind. We have all seen the stories about how he really is just a genuinely good guy who also happens to be one of the best actors of our generation, and I personally refuse to take this guy for granted. Now add all of this together and consider the fact that the well-intentioned stoner from the 1989 cult classic Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure has become one of the most badass film icons in recent memory, it really is incredible.

John Wick: Chapter 4 is easily the most grueling and demanding performance from Reeves in the entire franchise, and he is absolutely amazing. I know I have been saying this for almost a decade now, but I could watch John Wick whoop ass for hours and hours and never get bored. Even though he does build up possibly his highest body count in this film, John Wick also gets in touch with the idea of his own mortality, which is a rare thing for a man who takes a lickin’ and just keeps on tickin’. I know some people like to stay busy during retirement, but damn John at least take a vacation or something.

As far as new characters go, the Tracker is easily my favorite addition to the cast and fits so perfectly within the John Wick universe. In many ways, he fills the void left behind by Common’s Cassian character and serves as a complicated balance between friend and foe. Actor Shamier Anderson takes on the role of the Tracker, and man does he make his mark. This role was a massive opportunity for the Canadian-born Anderson, and to say he took full advantage would be an understatement. He hasn’t been involved with too many notable projects, but he did recently star in the Hulu original indie drama film Bruiser, where he was able to show off his potential. Interestingly enough, I knew he looked familiar but I couldn’t quite place him, speaking to his ability to fully immersive himself in this and showing off an on-screen presence he wasn’t able to hone in on in Bruiser. He was a different guy, simple as that.

Anderson has a unique charisma and the ability to make viewers feel like they understand and can relate to him, even though his entire backstory is a mystery in John Wick: Chapter 4. His first interaction with John Wick makes you wonder if he has been lurking in the shadows all this time. He just feels like he belongs, and even though his allegiances are constantly put into question, you can’t help but like his character. A big reason for that is his trusty companion, a dog that never leaves his side.

Any John Wick fan worth their salt knows how much our canine counterparts mean to the films, and the Tracker’s dog may be the most impactful addition yet. He is always in the middle of the action ripping several bad guys to shreds (oftentimes in their no-no parts), and he also plays a pivotal role in the trajectory of the relationship between the Tracker and John Wick. One particular scene during the final act of the film where the camera zooms in on the Tracker and his dog had the entire theater smiling ear to ear.

The story behind Anderson’s involvement in John Wick: Chapter 4 is very interesting. The 31-year-old actor has a background in martial arts, but he didn’t need to audition for this role in order to prove he had what it took to join such a successful franchise. Anderson played a role in the 2020 Halle Berry film Bruised, where he caught the eye of director Chad Stahelski, who reached out to his agent saying he had a role in mind for him and asked that he take a look at the script got John Wick: Chapter 4. Anderson was quoted in an interview as saying, “you had me at John Wick 4”. Of course, he did. So no audition was needed and the rest is history. The confidence and charisma that Anderson brings to his character is part of the reason why John Wick: Chapter 4 is the cherry on top of an already incredible franchise.

In so many ways the film plays out like a videogame in the sense of John Wick facing off against several worthy foes or big bosses. Biggest amongst them is the latest thorn in Wick’s side, the Marquis played by the talented and often equally terrifying Bill Skarsgård. Skarsgård is amazing in this role, and his relentless pursuit of eradicating John Wick is a goal he dedicates every possible resource to. I hated his character from the start and so will you, which speaks to how great he is.

The imposing Marko Zaror plays Skarsgård’s right-hand man who has the entire High Table army at his disposal. A Chilean martial arts action star and fight choreographer, Zaror is a beast. I loved him in this role. Another big-time bad guy who stands out for their uniqueness is Scott Adkins, who is absolutely unrecognizable in his role as Killa. The excitement that follows when John Wick decides to pay him a visit is a real treat. Ian McShane is marvelous yet again as Winston, and even though he left things a bit rocky with John after the last film, we knew it was only a matter of time before the two crossed paths again.

Two massive additions to the franchise are Donnie Yen as Caine and Hiroyuki Sanada as Shimazu. Yen has a checkered past with the High Table similar to John Wick, and because of the threat they pose to his family if he fails to honor a formal request, he finds himself on the path of hunting down a man he considers to be a friend. Oh, and did I mention he is blind yet considered to be one of the few men who are a legitimate threat to John Wick, that in itself is wild. The dynamic between Caine and John Wick is very fascinating, as both men live and die by their loyalties but will also protect their families above all else. Caine was easily another one of my favorite characters.

Sanada, who was great in the action thriller Bullet Train (our review here), jumps into the John Wick franchise like he has been here all along, as he takes on the role of Shimazu Koji, the manager of the Osaka Continental Hotel. Koji quickly proves that although Wick has been excommunicado and stripped of all resources and essentially blacklisted with a massive bounty on his head, he is still willing to support the man he considers to be a friend even if it does put him and his family in danger. Koji comes across as the head of the Yakuza, and to that he is fearless would be selling him short. His character is a significant chess piece for John Wick in this film, and they could not have picked a better actor to take on the role.

John Wick: Chapter 4 includes so many scenes that have incredible depth in terms of the characters and their place within the franchise, and that is in large part due to the extremely sad and untimely death of actor Lance Reddick, who passed away unexpectedly just a few days before the red carpet premiere and exactly a week prior to the films theatrical release. The film does include a brief moment of remembrance for Reddick who plays the role of Charon, also known as the Concierge.

John Wick has a unique bond with Charon from the first film, and even though we don’t get quite as much from his character in John Wick: Chapter 4, the weight of his death is felt throughout the film. I have been a fan of Reddick since HBO’s The Wire, and also really enjoyed his role in the Amazon Prime original series Bosch, based on the Michael Connolly books. The outpouring of support over Reddick’s death has been substantial, and the man will be missed as an actor and as a genuinely good person.

THE BAD

Can you have too much of a good thing? Nah. This movie was everything I needed it to be, and then some. Unless you dislike this genre or just hate having fun, John Wick: Chapter 4 is about as good as it gets.

THE VERDICT

An incredibly rare 4th entry in a massively successful franchise that somehow finds a way to raise the bar in every conceivable way, John Wick: Chapter 4 is a guilty pleasure that I hope to indulge in theaters as many times as humanely possible. Director Chad Stahelski and star Keanu Reeves are a match made in heaven, simple as that. This movie is bigger, badder, and well worth the 4-year hiatus. Plus Stahelski and the casting team were masterful as they added new actors and characters to the storied franchise. I just can’t imagine a world without the John Wick films, what a sad and empty place that would be.

If you have any reservations whatsoever about a 3-hour film, you can ignore them because this movie is so exciting and immersive you will feel like it was an hour and 30 minutes max. Do yourself a favor and see John Wick: Chapter 4 in theaters as soon as you can. The film does have a brief post-credits scene so be sure to stick around for that, and keep an eye out for Ballerina, an upcoming John Wick spinoff film starring Ana de Armas.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.7/10

John Wick: Chapter 4 is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Scream VI

Scream VI is a 2023 slasher film directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, written by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, with original franchise writer and creator Kevin Williamson returning as executive producer. It will be the sixth installment in the Scream film series, and will be a direct sequel to Scream (2022).

Four survivors of the Ghostface murders leave Woodsboro behind for a fresh start in New York City. However, they soon find themselves in a fight for their lives when a new killer embarks on a bloody rampage.

The film stars Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Hayden Panettiere, Courteney Cox, Dermot Mulroney, Henry Czerny, Samara Weaving, and Tony Revolori. This is the first film in the franchise where Neve Campbell will not appear as Sidney Prescott, reportedly due to a contract disagreement.

Scream VI made its debut in theaters on March 10th, 2023, courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

THE GOOD

It honestly feels like I was just at the theater to see last years Scream (our full review here), also known as Scream 5, and someone in the theater who came alone was in full blown Ghost Face. No joke the mask never came off, it was impressive. We had to wait a decade to get last years movie, and just a short year and a couple months to get the all fresh and new Scream VI. So needless to say it felt a little strange going to see another movie so soon, but as a massive fan of all things slasher and a fan of the Scream franchise since its debut in the mid 90’s, I was pumped.

I’ll admit I was a little concerned in terms of where they were planning to take things with this new film, especially after it was confirmed that Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott wouldn’t be involved for the first time. But after I was pleasantly surprised by the fresh approach to the franchise with last years film, I kept an open mind and made my way to the theater at the first chance I got. So, did Scream VI keep the momentum going or send the franchise on another inevitable hiatus? Keep reading to find out!

Let me just say this, they can keep making these movies and I will keep showing up. And if I’m Neve Campbell, I am on the phone trying to work my way back in to the mix. Seriously, Scream VI was everything I hoped it would be and more. Slasher franchises have a fairly simple formula, and more than anything else people want a ton of screen time for the iconic killer, especially if you are on the 6th film. My favorite slasher franchise is Friday the 13th, and when the reboot film came out back in 2009 fans were given a hefty dose of Jason Voorhees in all of his hockey mask wearing glory, and I honestly loved it. I mean sure the acting was subpar and the story was recycled crap, but it didn’t matter because I got to see a ton of the T&A the franchise is known for, as well as some fantastic kills. Back to the film at hand with Scream VI, and we have yet another slasher franchise that sticks to the winning formula, but also brings to the table the other elements that make for a great film.

We get a ton of Ghost Face who is as aggressive and relentless as he has ever been, the cast is on point from top to bottom, the story is full of great twists and turns, and I honestly thought the new big city setting was perfectly fitting within the extended story. Scream VI sticks with the meta approach that was a big focus of last years Scream, which is an absolute treat for slasher fanatics. Listening to the characters grill each other on who is more likely to be the killer is so much fun, especially considering the focus on the key elements of slasher films. My favorite slasher franchise Friday the 13th also gets a few solid shout outs which was the icing on the cake for me. Scream VI is also very funny, and had me laughing out loud several times. The film is also extremely technically sound delivering great cinematography, an immersive score/soundtrack, and more than anything else a clear identity that stays true to the franchise.

The first thing I feel like I need to touch on is the primary element that could make or break the film, which is of course the story. Bottom line, Scream VI gets it right, and essentially picks up right where last years film left off. Before seeing Scream I was expecting more of the same which would have been fine, but the writing team found a way to hit the refresh button for the franchise without alienating fans. The Scream films feel like their own version of a slasher multiverse, mainly because you have this unique layered element with the Stab films, and the intense cult following they have created. Within the Scream franchise you have the Woodsboro murders which rocked a community, but because of our obsession with tragedy and the incessant need to cash in on the pain of others, this fictional Stab franchise was created within the Scream films, first introduced in 1997’s Scream 2.

Now this concept was perfect because it fit within the copycat killer element of the Scream films that has kept us on the edge of our seats for damn near three decades. What makes these films unique is the killers are always somehow intertwined with the primary characters in the film, which adds another level of intrigue as well as a few more great twists that definitely caught me by surprise. I thought the pacing was perfect as the 2-hours absolutely flew by. I also really liked how the movie starts out with an intense and immersive opening, which honestly had my excitement level at about a 10 right from the jump, and it never really slows down. And as usual I won’t give away any spoilers, but the story pays homage to slasher franchises in general, but also serves as the gold standard for the Scream franchise in particular and will have longtime fans giddy. More than anything else, Scream VI is exhilarating, hilarious, fast-paced from start to finish, and undoubtedly sets us up for more movies.

In order for a Scream franchise resurgence to be possible, we needed new foundational characters to build on outside of the core cast from the original films. In steps the next generation. The first person I will talk about is one of the hottest actresses in Hollywood today in Jenna Ortega. The wholesome CA native got her big break in 2016 with the Disney series Stuck in the Middle, after chipping away for several years with one-off roles in various shows. in 2021 she took on a lead role in the HBO original drama film The Fallout (check out Andrew’s review here), where she really showed what she was capable of. A year later she starred in slashers Scream and X (our full review here), and by then it was obvious, a star was born. Ortega is fantastic as Tara Carpenter, the first person to ever have an up close and personal encounter with Ghost Face, and live to tell about it. In Scream VI she picks right up where she left off, and once again serves as a reminder that she is more than capable of carrying this franchise as far as it can possibly go.

Next up is Melissa Barrera, who plays Tara’s sister Sam Carpenter. Apart from being sexy as hell if you don’t mind me saying, Barrera is a straight up badass and sort of reminds me of a young Michelle Rodriguez in terms of her mess with me and see what happens attitude. Her character is a crucial centerpiece of the story with Scream VI after the events in Scream, and she is very much up for the challenge. I liked how throughout the film a certain amount of mystery surrounds her character, and this continued right up to the end credits. Does she have a Dexter-like darkness inside her? Perhaps, only time will tell. For my money Barrera was the perfect addition to the Scream franchise, and I look forward to seeing more from her.

Aside from Ortega and Barrera who are without a doubt the foundation of the film, I was once again very pleased with Mason Gooding and Jasmine Savoy Brown, the other two surviving characters from last years film. Brown is very much the witty character who keeps the fun and immersive meta element of the film alive and well, and Gooding proves to be the protector of the group who will do anything for those closest to him. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Gooding and Ortega’s characters this time around.

The supporting cast was great from top to bottom, with Samara Weaving making a brief but irresistible appearance (she previously starred in Ready or Not), Hayden Panettiere returns like she never left, Dermot Mulroney is awesome in his role as a NYC detective and father of one of the roommates, Tony Revolori (Spider-Man: No Way Home, Servant) plays a small but important role, and I knew Josh Segarra, who played the neighbor and Sam’s love interest, looked familiar and realized it was because of his role in the FBI series. He was a nice addition as well. Oh and I loved Courteney Cox in her return as as the hated Gale Weathers, and she was as tough as ever.

I touched on it briefly already, but I was genuinely impressed with the technical elements of Scream VI. Of course with this latest entry taking place in the Big Apple cinematographer Brett Jutkiewicz had a ton to work with, and he took full advantage. The film was immersive and just the right amount of gritty. Plus with slasher films the score and soundtrack tends to be a big part of what makes the franchise so iconic, and they keep the ball rolling here. The music kept me energized from the opening scene to the end credits. Shoutout to composer Sven Faulconer, who worked in collaboration with uber-talented composer Brian Tyler, who has an absolutely insane resume including last years Scream, Yellowstone, F9: The Fast Saga, Ready or Not, Power Rangers (2017), and Avengers: Age of Ultron, just to name a few.

Of course I have to talk about the kills in Scream VI, and they are just so damn good. Ghost Face was out there murdering people like they owed him money, and even picks up a shotgun at one point - a shotgun! Something about the big city brings out the beast in these slasher icons, I mean look at Jason in Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan when he legit punches that dudes head off of a rooftop. Like damn. In all seriousness, the creativity and intensity of the kills was evident from the first 5-minutes of the film, and you could feel each brutal attack with Ghost Face coming in like Adonis Creed throwing haymakers in Creed III (our full review here).

Kills are supposed to be satisfying in slashers, and satisfying they are. I have to give a ton of credit to directing duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who are still relatively new in the industry. The duo had their feature film debut with the indie anthology horror V/H/S (2012), and also directed two segments of the anthology horror Southbound (our full review here), which Bettinelli-Olpin also played a role in. They turned heads with the 2019 horror thriller Ready or Not, which likely landed them the opportunity to also direct last years Scream. Remember their names because these two have a very bright future in the industry. Oh and I personally cannot get enough of the “what is your favorite scary movie?” line, absolutely legendary. Keep it coming!

THE BAD

It should come as no surprise after reading this review that my issues with Scream VI were few and far between, with the good far outweighing the bad. Now if you’re familiar with the Scream franchise, you understand the overall tone and feel of the films which is at times brutal slasher, with a mix of quirky humor. In order to fully appreciate the films, it is important you buy into that trademark approach. With that being said, as I pointed out in the review Scream VI is one of the more brutal and intense films in the franchise, and for that reason I do feel like it should have a wider reach as far as fans and newcomers unfamiliar with the franchise. As with all slasher films, the writing often feels infuriating in terms of the “why would you do that!!” or “are you trying to get killed!”, but that is part of the allure of slasher films and something you have to accept. If the characters always made smart decisions and knew how to effectively survive, that would make for a pretty boring movie with Ghost Face roaming the streets. I do wish I would have re-watched Scream, which is now streaming on Paramount+, prior to seeing this just so the story was fresh in my mind.

THE VERDICT

A fast-paced and innovative slasher that is easily one of the more brutally violent entries in the storied franchise, Scream VI continues the impressive resurgence of Ghost Face and is pure gold for longtime fans. Even though I genuinely enjoyed last years Scream, how much fun I had with this movie still caught me off guard. I just love the feeling I get when an iconic franchise like Scream gets the royal treatment it deserves. I mentioned in the opening that if they keep making these movies I will keep showing up, and I meant that. To say that they have re-energized this franchise between last years film and this entry would be an understatement, and if they play their cards right they could make another 4 movies easily, especially considering the new foundation as far as the next generation of characters.

Scream VI is an absolute treat for fans of the franchise and slasher fans in general, and a movie that is very easy to recommend seeing on the big-screen. I can’t wait to see it again. Also, can we accept the fact that slasher films still make bank and get another Friday the 13th movie already, PLEASE!!

TED TAKES RATING - 9.1/10

Scream VI is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Creed III

Creed III is a 2023 sports drama film directed by Michael B. Jordan in his feature directorial debut, based on a screenplay by Keenan Coogler and Zach Baylin from a story they co-wrote with Ryan Coogler. It is the sequel to Creed II (2018), and the ninth installment in the Rocky franchise. This will be the first film in the franchise without Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, though he still serves as a producer.

After dominating the boxing world, Adonis has been thriving in his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy resurfaces, the face off between former friends is more than just a fight.

The cast includes Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, Jonathan Majors, Wood Harris, Florian Munteanu, Phylicia Rashad, Mila Davis-Kent, Jacob “Stitch” Duran, Jose Benavidez, Selenis Leyva, Thaddeus J. Mixson, and Spencer Moore II.

Creed III made its debut in theaters and IMAX on March 3rd, 2023, courtesy of MGM Studios and United Artists Releasing.

THE GOOD

Back in 2013 I was absolutely blown away by the intense biographical drama film Fruitvale Station, which starred Michael B. Jordan and was the feature film directorial debut for Oakland, CA native, Ryan Coogler. It was clear from the jump, Jordan was on his way to becoming a big name in the industry, and Coogler was a master behind the camera. Fast forward two years, and Coogler teamed up with Jordan yet again, this time with the sports drama extension of the famed Rocky franchise, Creed. Like what?! I was pumped! First of all, who doesn’t love the Rocky movies? Easily one of the most iconic film franchises ever.

Needless to say, Creed was incredible, and the relationship between Coogler and Jordan was for real. They worked together again on Black Panther (2018), but because of that project and how much was required of Coogler, Jordan had to do Creed II with a different director. Luckily, Coogler left his mark and the sequel was great as well. Four years have passed and the third Creed movie is finally here, this time an opportunity for Michael B. Jordan to not only star, but to also make his own debut in the director’s chair. So, did Creed III do the franchise proud or fall flat on its face? Keep reading to find out!

Ding ding ding, Creed III was an absolute knockout!! This movie was just so good for so many reasons, but I am still giddy about that fact that I got to watch Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors together. I mean what an incredible decision to bring Majors in to star alongside Jordan’s Adonis Creed. These two together turned the heat of the theater up 20 degrees, at least. Seriously though, as great as Jordan has been and continues to be in these films, I can’t even begin to imagine an actor coming in and matching the energy and intensity of his character like Majors was able to. As the poster says, you can’t run from your past, and the screenplay from Keenan Coogler, Zach Baylin, and Ryan Coogler, was incredible. I don’t know how else to explain it but to say that I was intoxicated by this new layer to the story of Adonis Creed, and how he came to be. Creed III looks amazing and has such a unique and immersive style which is a testament to the directorial debut for Michael B. Jordan, and of course the soundtrack was just pure fire.

I touched on the cast first for a reason, it really is THAT good. Michael B. Jordan has been incredible ever since he took on the role of Adonis Creed, the son of the late and great Apollo Creed. Jordan has transformed ever since the day he took on the role, and in many ways it feels like the Creed films have helped to propel him as an actor and a serious player in the film industry. Granted rubbing shoulders with the legendary Sylvester Stallone, aka Rocky Balboa, doesn’t hurt either. I mentioned how much of an impact he had on me in Fruitvale Station, but you’ll be surprised to know he became a favorite of mine after his role in the underrated but just so damn good coming-of-age comedy That Awkward Moment (2014), where he stars alongside Zac Efron and Miles Teller.

The first Creed film would release a year later so I was all in on the Michael B. Jordan train at this point. In Creed III, he has built a family and a legacy of his own, and because he has done such an amazing job becoming this character throughout the first two films it all feels very genuine and real. I had zero issue buying into where Adonis Creed was at in this point of his life, and that for me made a big difference in terms of how invested I was in the film from the start. I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing this role, and it without a doubt was a career-defining decision for Jordan to join this franchise.

As the saying goes, behind every strong man is an even stronger woman, and that is without a doubt the case with Creed III. Tessa Thompson is an incredible actress who just happens to share a birthday with me, and although she has been slightly more successful in her career endeavors, we will be forever linked. Thompson has been hustling in Hollywood since 2003, but her role as the strong independent musician, Bianca in the original Creed film without a doubt opened doors for her. A few short years later she would be given the role of Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), thanks to another visionary director in Taika Waititi, and the rest is history. Thompson is the whole package; she is beautiful, sexy, extremely talented, and a legit badass.

She also starred in the underrated indie drama Little Woods (2018, which is now streaming on HBO Max and worth checking out). Thompson of course returned in 2018’s Creed II, and by then was a fixture in the Creed films and had developed incredible chemistry with Jordan’s character. I am confident that Adonis Creed wouldn’t have become the man he became by Creed III without Bianca. Even though Adonis is a proven boxer and one of the best to ever enter the ring, in the Creed household Bianca wears the belt. I loved her character in Creed III, and even though she kept it real with her husband and challenged him to make the difficult life decisions he needed to make, she was also a supportive wife and mother who stood by him no matter what. Bottom line, she is amazing in this movie.

Now, it is time to talk about the newest addition to the Creed films, Jonathan Majors. I am still in awe that the decision was made to cast Majors in Creed III, and I honestly had chills when I watched the first trailer. It was hard to envision a new character making a big enough impact after the first two films, but bringing back an influential figure from Creed’s past was without question the right decision. Majors plays Damian ‘Dame’ Anderson, and he and Adonis were inseparable as kids when they were both struggling and in and out of foster care. I won’t talk too much about his backstory as to avoid spoilers, but the writing team deserves a ton of praise for giving Majors an opportunity to become a big part of such a successful film franchise. What I found to be unique about Majors’ character was the fact that he toed the line of antagonist and protagonist, making it difficult for viewers to decide how they should perceive him.

The balance of love and animosity between Anderson and Creed is incredibly complex and makes for an engaging narrative, and I enjoyed watching how things played out and the tug-of-war I experienced in terms of how I felt about these characters. Majors is incredibly talented and has proven that time and time again, but add in the fact that he is just a physical specimen, the sky really is the limit for him. In many ways Majors’ character reminded me of Tom Hardy in Warrior (2011), just an absolute beast and a bruiser of a fighter with a win at all costs mentality. If they decide to continue with the Creed films, and they really, really, really should, keeping Majors involved would be the right decision. He is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors working today and I will continue to support him no matter what he does. I hope they gave Paul Rudd a raise considering he had to go toe-to-toe with Majors in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (our review here).

I have to also touch on the incredible young actress, Mila Davis-Kent, who is deaf in real-life, as the cute as can be little Amara Creed. She was awesome in this, and after reading a few interviews from star and director Michael B. Jordan, it was clear that the connection between his character and his daughter was intended to be a big big part of the story, which was a great decision in my opinion. The supporting cast was incredible as well, from Wood Harris as trainer Tony “Little Duke Burton, Phylicia Rashad as Momma Creed, Florian Munteanu returning as Viktor Drago, Jacob “Stitch” Duran as Stitch, Jose Benavidez as Felix Chavez, Selenis Leyva as Laura Chaves, and last but certainly not least, Thaddeus J. Mixson (Safety) as young Adonis, and All-American and A.P. Bio star, Spencer Moore II as young Damian.

I thought the story was amazing and I really liked the route they decided to go with this third film. The people I talked to made it very clear they were bummed that Stallone wouldn’t be a part of Creed III, but I felt like the direction they went with the story made that pill a bit easier to swallow as the core of the story pre-dates Stallone’s Rocky character. Because the Creed films are built on such intense themes of love and family, they needed to find a way to come up with something that cut deep enough to threaten everything Adonis Creed was able to build in his life and his career, and they were able to do that perfectly. We don’t do spoilers here of course, but Keenan Coogler, Zach Baylin, and Ryan Coogler deserve the credit for a great story.

How about Michael B. Jordan stepping into the director’s chair for the first time with such a massive project, and boy did he deliver the goods. The fact that he was trusted enough to take on Creed III speaks volumes about his commitment to his craft, and I feel like he deserves all of the credit in the world for what he was able to do. It was clear that his style was influenced by his mentor Ryan Coogler, but Jordan also made sure Creed III felt different and was able to leave his mark. I loved how he stuck with the intimate feel as far as the camera work and the individual shots that do a great job capturing raw emotion, and I won’t give anything away but I LOVED the unique cinematic sequence that was worked in to the final act of the film making the finale feel that much more epic. Bottom line, Michael B. Jordan is a damn swiss army knife, simple as that.

The technical elements of Creed III were on point. I really liked the use of slow-mo during some of the more intense fight scenes as I thought they added another layer of depth for viewers. I felt some of those brutal body blows in my ribcage. I thought the feel of the film stayed true to the franchise even though the family has made California their home. Shoutout to cinematographer Kramer Morgenthau for helping to create such an immersive experience. The fight entrances were incredible and brought me back to my childhood watching the glory days of Iron Mike Tyson. A big reason why the fight entrances were so amazing were thanks to a crazy good soundtrack which included music from Joseph Shirley, as well as a bunch of great tracks. The Creed franchise has always put a premium on the music and how much it means to the overall feel of the films, and that continues to be the case here. Just amazing all around.

THE BAD

Creed III is a fantastic film regardless of whether or not you are a fan of boxing or sports in general. Just like the Rocky films, the Creed franchise is built around family and legacy that extends well beyond the ring. The characters matter, the story matters, and viewers will have several reasons to be invested in what is happening on-screen. I think I made it very clear during the review that I loved this movie, but if I had to point out one thing I would personally have changed, it would be the runtime. I just think they could have easily added 30-45 minutes to the film and expanded on the story, and I would have been more than okay with that. But the fact of the matter is average moviegoers prefer films that aren’t quite as long. I was on the edge of my seat during the entire 2-hours, and I did not want to leave the theater. I also wish I had re-watched the first two films prior to seeing Creed III (all currently streaming on HBO Max), but that is a me problem. But rest assured, I am doing that this weekend before seeing this movie again.

THE VERDICT

A hard-hitting and emotionally charged cinematic journey elevated by powerhouse performances from Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors, Creed III is an intense edge-of-your-seat experience that will leave viewers begging for more. This movie was just awesome and I enjoyed every minute of it, from the cast, to the story, right down to the music and the cinematography. And what a directorial debut for Jordan, who will without a doubt get more opportunities to direct in the future. Quality films are supposed to leave a mark on you, and that is undoubtedly the case here.

If you consider yourself to be a fan of the Creed films or the Rocky franchise dating back to 1976 (wow!!), you need to see this in theaters as soon as possible. I don’t know if we will get another Creed movie or not, but Jordan seems to have left the possibility open, and the inevitable success of Creed III should be a big determining factor. So get out there and support this movie! Plus, if you need motivation to start working out and preparing for beach season, just watch the Creed movies and you will have all the motivation you need. Creed and Creed II are currently streaming on HBO Max and Prime Video, you can thank me later.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.4/10

Creed III is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.