Al's Top Rated Films: 2023
My favorites from 2023! I'll add more to the list as I see more movies. Cheers!
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- DirectorBen AffleckStarsMatt DamonJason BatemanBen AffleckFollows the history of sports marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro, and how he led Nike in its pursuit of the greatest athlete in the history of basketball, Michael Jordan.Outstanding sports drama and biography from Ben Affleck set in 1984, and follows a basketball talent scout and Nike shoe salesman named Sonny Vaccaro. Nike was the king of running shoes at the time, but their presence in the basketball market was nearly nonexistent. With a meager budget of only $250,000, Sonny is expected to recommend and sign 3 or 4 NBA players to represent Nike and turn the division around. Sonny finally realizes they need to spend the entire budget on one player and build a shoe line around that player's identity, for Nike to compete within an industry dominated by Adidas and Converse. And that one player is the third pick in the 1984 NBA Draft—Michael Jordan. I loved this movie from start to finish. Ben Affleck delivers his best direction to date, and really makes the entire cast shine with memorable and exemplary performances throughout. There wasn't a single actor or character that felt out of place, and the dialogue really made the story shine. I'll also have to say the funky 1980s R&B and hip-hop infused soundtrack drove the film along perfectly as well. Add all the nostalgic 1980s pop culture elements (complete with the perfect old school office space), and it's a beautiful time capsule from the past, and has become one of my favorite sports films of all time. Matt Damon delivers one of his all-time best lead performances. Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, and Viola Davis also delivered some of their finest starring performances to date. Chris Tucker, Chris Messina, Julius Tennon, Matthew Maher, Marlon Wayans, Asanté Deshon, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorChad StahelskiStarsKeanu ReevesLaurence FishburneGeorge GeorgiouJohn Wick uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.Another epic installment to the John Wick series, and arguably the best film in the bunch. The story picks up after John Wick was nearly killed in chapter 3. He's made an alliance with the Bowery King, and has been hiding underground preparing for his revenge on the high table. John learns that he can invoke an old high table tradition to challenge the new leader of the high table to a duel to the death, which would set him free if he succeeds. But in order to do so, he must face off against the most deadly assassins in the world; in even larger numbers this time around. These are some of the best action-packed thrillers to date, with some of the most cutting edge cinematography in the business. I couldn't have hoped for a better story or sequel in what seems to be a flawless series of films. Keanu Reeves continues to prove he's the best lead character for the job with another excellent performance. Donnie Yen from the famed IP Man film series was absolutely superb. Bill Skarsgård was also fantastic as the villain, Marquis Vincent de Gramont. Ian McShane, Shamier Anderson, Clancy Brown, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rina Sawayama, Laurence Fishburne, and Lance Reddick also had excellent roles among the supporting cast.
- DirectorGuy RitchieStarsJake GyllenhaalDar SalimSean SagarDuring the war in Afghanistan, a local interpreter risks his own life to carry an injured sergeant across miles of grueling terrain.Fantastic war drama/thriller from Guy Ritchie set in March 2018 during the war in Afghanistan, and follows a dedicated US Army Sergeant named John Kinley, and his sharp and quick-witted Afghan interpreter, Ahmed. When Kinley's team is tasked to destroy a bomb manufacturing factory, they succeed, but suffer several casualties as Kinley and Ahmed successfully escape and try to establish a plan to get back to their base alive. When the Taliban locates their position, Kinley is shot several times and nearly killed. But Ahmed is able to save him and horrifically transport him across miles of back-breaking mountainous terrain to get him to safety. Such a fantastic story, and the second half added a unique layer that you don't usually see in a typical war drama. While the story is fictional, it is very powerful and pays homage to similar soldier/interpreter stories of the kind. Jake Gyllenhaal is one of my favorite actors, and he delivered one of his all-time best lead performances. Dar Salim also delivered a fantastic starring role. Emily Beecham, Sean Sagar, Jason Wong, Christian Ochoa Lavernia, Bobby Schofield, Rhys Yates, Alexander Ludwig, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorYorgos LanthimosStarsEmma StoneMark RuffaloWillem DafoeAn account of the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter.Fantastic dark comedy drama from Yorgos Lanthimos set in a futuristic steampunk version of Victorian-era (1800s) London. The story follows a mysterious pregnant woman named Bella Baxter who commits suicide, and is miraculously brought back to life by a brilliant doctor and eccentric surgeon named Godwin Baxter. Her brain starts off in a simple child-like infancy stage, and she is eager to learn new things and explore the world. However, Godwin keeps her locked away from the world for her own protection. Godwin arranges for her to be married and live the rest of her life under his control, but the devious lawyer her hires (Duncan Wedderburn) convinces Bella to run away with him to discover the world. She gladly accepts, which starts an epic sexualized journey of evolution and self discovery. Fantastic and unique story, production design, cinematography, and casting. Emma Stone arguably delivers her best lead performance to date, and definitely earned her Oscar. Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, and Ramy Youssef also had excellent starring roles. Kathryn Hunter, Jerrod Carmichael, Christopher Abbott, Hanna Schygulla, Suzy Bemba, Vicki Pepperdine, Kate Handford, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorChristopher McQuarrieStarsTom CruiseHayley AtwellVing RhamesEthan Hunt and his IMF team must track down a dangerous weapon before it falls into the wrong hands.Excellent sequel in the Mission Impossible franchise from Christopher McQuarrie. This is the 7th installment, and it's one of the best in the entire series. This time we follow IMF (Impossible Mission Force) agent Ethan Hunt and his team as they are tasked to track down a set of two one-of-a-kind cruciform keys that unlocks a mysterious weapon that's a self-aware, self-learning, truth-eating digital parasite that's infesting all of cyberspace. It could mean world domination for whoever is able to obtain it and harness its power. Ethan leads his most terrifying mission yet with help from old friends Luther, Benji, Ilsa, and a professional thief named Grace; as they work to uncover the mystery and keep this doomsday device out of the wrong hands. The story is excellent all around, the production is fantastic, the stunts are amazing, and the casting and acting is great too. This franchise just keeps churning out quality films. Tom Cruise delivered one of his best lead performances. Hayley Atwell, Esai Morales, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Rebecca Ferguson also had great starring roles. Vanessa Kirby, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, Shea Whigham, Cary Elwes, Charles Parnell, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorAlexander PayneStarsPaul GiamattiDa'Vine Joy RandolphDominic SessaA cranky history teacher at a prep school is forced to remain on campus over the holidays with a grieving cook and a troubled student who has no place to go.Excellent comedy drama from Alexander Payne set in 1970 during the Christmas holidays, and follows an idealistic and ill-tempered veteran history teacher named Paul Hunham at the prestigious Barton Academy. Paul's put in charge of 5 students who are staying on campus over the holiday break (referred to as "holdovers"), along with the head cook and mother who just lost her son, Mary. Paul is extremely strict and routine-driven, and immediately makes these boys' lives a living hell over break. When one of the boys gets in touch with his father and gets them all out of school over the holidays, Angus Tully is the only one who cannot go, since his parents cannot be reached. Over time, he and Paul severely butt heads before they start to learn more about each other and the troubles they both face in life. Great story, dialogue, and excellent acting throughout. Paul Giamatti arguably delivers his all-time best lead performance. It's great to see him flourishing as the lead. Dominic Sessa and Da'Vine Joy Randolph also had great starring roles. Carrie Preston, Brady Hepner, Ian Dolley, Jim Kaplan, Michael Provost, Naheem Garcia, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorMaggie BettsStarsJamie FoxxTommy Lee JonesJurnee SmollettInspired by true events, a lawyer helps a funeral home owner save his family business from a corporate behemoth, exposing a complex web of race, power, and injustice.Excellent drama from Maggie Betts inspired by a true story that follows an idealistic 75-year-old Mississippi funeral home owner and a father of 13 children named Jeremiah O'Keefe. He's been in debt for years working to build his up his business to take care of his family after he passes away. He ends up filing a lawsuit against the greedy and corrupt Loewen funeral company after they agreed to buy 3 of his 8 funeral homes, but end up stalling on the paperwork to try to put O'Keefe out of business to deceptively grow their own monopoly of funeral homes. He hires an extremely skilled and quick-witted personal injury attorney named Willie Gary with a flawless record to work his case, who ends up exposing the company for a series of racist and deceitful business practices in a landmark court case. Great story all around and an excellent cast. Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones are a couple of my favorites, and they both delivered fantastic lead performances and have great chemistry together. Jurnee Smollett and Mamoudou Athie also has excellent starring roles. Alan Ruck, Pamela Reed, Bill Camp, Amanda Warren, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJuel TaylorStarsJohn BoyegaJamie FoxxTeyonah ParrisA series of eerie events thrusts an unlikely trio onto the trail of a nefarious government conspiracy in this pulpy mystery caper.Excellent action-packed comedy mystery from Juel Taylor set in a poor southern urban neighborhood named The Glen, and follows a drug dealer named Fontaine who quickly gets shot and killed by a rival gang member named Isaac. But in the next frame, we see Fontaine mysteriously waking up in bed that same morning, and following the same routine of the day we just witnessed. With the help of his cocaine dealing associate Slick Charles, and quick-witted prostitute named Yo-Yo, they discover the corrupt government is performing experiments on local black people to control them while cloning several of them to keep the dangers of the ghetto in place. It's up to this trio to expose the truth and save the population. The comedy and story was excellent all around, and it was unique to see such a nice modern twist on a 1970 Blaxploitation film. I've liked John Boyega in his previous films, but he really got to spread his wings in this role; making it his best lead performance yet in my book. Jamie Foxx and Teyonah Parris also had fantastic lead performances. Kiefer Sutherland, David Alan Grier, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Tamberla Perry, Eric B. Robinson Jr., Trayce Malachi, Leon Lamar, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorMichael B. JordanStarsMichael B. JordanTessa ThompsonJonathan MajorsAdonis has been thriving in both his career and family life, but when a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy resurfaces, the face-off is more than just a fight.Excellent sports drama and arguably the best in the entire Creed trilogy. This time around Michael B. Jordan directs and finds Adonis flourishing in his career and family life after proving himself as one of the greatest boxers of all time. But when a childhood friend/brother and past boxing great is released from prison after 16 years and asks Adonis to set him up with a shot at the heavyweight title, he soon finds there is other motives and betrayal in his actions to come, which throws Adonis' entire life out of balance after exposing troubling childhood trauma that involves them both. While many longtime fans will be disappointed Rocky was not in this installment, I thought it made the film stronger without him, and proves Michael B. Jordan has the expertise to deliver a great picture along with an excellent lead performance as Creed. Jonathan Majors and Tessa Thompson also delivered great lead roles, along with great supporting roles from Mila Davis-Kent, Wood Harris, Phylicia Rashad, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Spence Moore II, and others.
- DirectorAntoine FuquaStarsDenzel WashingtonDakota FanningEugenio MastrandreaRobert McCall finds himself at home in Southern Italy but he discovers his friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends' protector by taking on the mafia.Excellent crime thriller from Antoine Fuqua and a great way to cap off the trilogy of Denzel Washington's most badass character of all-time. The story finds Robert McCall in Sicily to help some friends of his, when he runs into a massive drug ring headed up by a brutally corrupt and power-hungry crime boss who terrorizes locals and breeds fear to gain control of them. After Robert is nearly killed, he is helped by the poor townspeople who believe he is a good man, and soon learns that southern Italy is the only place he's ever really come to find true peace and happiness. Meanwhile, he makes an anonymous phone call to CIA agent Emma Collins to get to work on investigating the drug ring. However, when things heat up with the investigation and these crime bosses start messing with Robert's close friends, he can no longer sit by and ignore it, and must take personal action against them. Great story and sequel all in all. If you like the first two films, you'll like this one. Denzel Washington delivers an excellent and layered lead performance once again. Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman, Sonia Ben Ammar, Remo Girone, Gaia Scodellaro, Andrea Scarduzio, Bruno Bilotta, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsCillian MurphyEmily BluntMatt DamonThe story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.Excellent historical war drama/biography from Christopher Nolan that follows the life of brilliant American theoretical physicist and the "father of the atomic bomb", J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904–1967). The story starts in 1926 and follows Robert traveling to England and Germany to study the work of renowned physicists. When nuclear fission is discovered in 1938, Robert realizes their findings could be weaponized, and in 1942 that comes true when the U.S. government recruits him as director of the Manhattan Project to develop an atomic bomb to defeat the Nazis. It all leads up to the horrifying testing of the bomb and the devastating atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ordered by President Harry S. Truman in 1945, which puts an infamous end to World War II. Meanwhile, the story flashes forward to a 1954 private security hearing that was built to denounce Robert's work and remove his security clearance. Excellent story all around, and it was refreshing to see Nolan make such a normal historical biography, unlike so much of his abstract work. Cillian Murphy delivered an excellent lead performance. Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt also had great starring roles. Florence Pugh, Kenneth Branagh, David Krumholtz, Josh Hartnett, Jason Clarke, John Gowans, Tony Goldwyn, Matthew Modine, Tom Conti, Alden Ehrenreich, Tom Jenkins, David Dastmalchian, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattChukwudi IwujiBradley CooperStill reeling from the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill rallies his team to defend the universe and one of their own - a mission that could mean the end of the Guardians if not successful.Excellent sequel to one of my favorite Marvel franchises. James Gunn returns as the director and writer after a 6 year wait from the previous film. After Gamora devastatingly loses her memory after the harrowing events of "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018), we find Peter Quill (Star Lord) still mourning the loss of their relationship in Knowhere (the Guardians' headquarters). But soon the whole crew jumps into action when they are attacked by a super-powered individual named Adam Warlock, which nearly kills Rocket, and send him into a comatose state. Now they need to band together to save Rocket, who's also being pursued by a vindictive leader named The High Evolutionary, who has world domination plans that stem from Rocket's troubled past. The story is great and the action and comedy is fantastic once again, even it if it isn't quite as good as the first two films. Chris Pratt (Star-Lord), Bradley Cooper (Rocket), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Dave Bautista (Drax), Pom Klementieff (Mantis), and Chukwudi Iwuji (The High Evolutionary) all had excellent lead performances. Vin Diesel (Groot), Will Poulter (Adam Warlock), Linda Cardellini (Lylla), Asim Chaudhry (Teefs), Mikaela Hoover (Floor) Maria Bakalova (Cosmo), Elizabeth Debicki (Ayesha), Sean Gunn, Judy Greer, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorAlejandra Márquez AbellaStarsMichael PeñaRosa SalazarJulio Cesar CedilloA biopic about Jose Hernandez and his path from a farm worker to becoming an engineer and an astronaut. A tale of perseverance, community and sacrifice to accomplish a seemingly impossible dream.Excellent biopic from Alejandra Márquez Abella that follows the life of Mexican-American engineer and NASA astronaut, José M. Hernández. The story starts in the late 1960s, and follows the impoverished Hernández family working to make better lives for themselves by putting in long and endless hours picking grapes in California. They are saving up for a new house, but later decide that they should invest what money they have in their children's education. We follow José earliest dreams of becoming an astronaut and his hard work, dedication, and breaking of stereotypes of the course of the next 30 years to reach his ultimate goal. Along the way, he builds a beautiful marriage and family that inspire his journey. Inspirational and well-crafted story all around. Michael Peña is generally great, and he proves in with an excellent lead performance. Rosa Salazar also delivered an excellent starring role. Julio Cesar Cedillo, Bobby Soto, Veronica Falcón, Juan Pablo Monterrubio, Sarayu Blue, Michelle Krusiec, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorGreta GerwigStarsMargot RobbieRyan GoslingIssa RaeBarbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.Excellent fantasy comedy adventure from Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach that takes place in the magical world of Barbieland, in which women (mainly all the Barbies) run the government and social structure of the land. The story mainly follows Stereotypical Barbie, who's life is always absolutely perfect. However, one day she faces an existential crisis when thoughts of dying seep into her mind, which causes mental and physical breakdown. Looking for a resolution, Weird Barbie informs her that an unhappy child is playing with her in the real world and messing with her existence; which means she must travel to the real world to help the girl in question. Meanwhile, Ken weasels his way onto the trip to the real world since his life completely revolves around Barbie's love an acceptance. Their trip proves to be hilariously disastrous at first, then blossoms into a beautiful story of empowerment and acceptance. The story was extremely cleverly done throughout, the imagery and cinematography was gorgeous, and the use of color was amazing. Margot Robbie delivers was of her very best lead performances, and the same could be said for Ryan Gosling's spot-on performance as Ken. Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, Emma Mackey, Sharon Rooney, Alexandra Shipp, Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ncuti Gatwa, Michael Cera, America Ferrera, Ariana Greenblatt, Rhea Perlman, Helen Mirren, Will Ferrell, and several others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorCraig GillespieStarsPaul DanoPete DavidsonVincent D'OnofrioDavid vs. Goliath tale about everyday people who flipped the script on Wall Street and got rich by turning GameStop (the video-game store) into the world's hottest company.Excellent and hilarious biography/historical comedy drama from Craig Gillespie set during the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020, and follows a regular middle-class family man named Keith Gill who has become interested in the stock market after struggling to find a solid career. He becomes very interested in the GameStop video game store stock, and sinks his life savings into the company when it reaches its lowest price. Through his social media profile on Wall Street Bets, he broadcasts live to give his viewers updates on the stock as it begins to climb at an astonishing rate. Before you know it, the hedge fund investment firms that shorted the company are in extremely hot water, losing billions of dollars, and gets worse when they try to sabotage the stock. Great story with a very entertaining twist, as it follows so many young people who would never normally sink their money into the stock market. Paul Dano delivered an excellent lead performance. Shailene Woodley, America Ferrera, Anthony Ramos, Seth Rogen, Talia Ryder, Myha'la, Nick Offerman, Pete Davidson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Sebastian Stan, Clancy Brown, and several others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsMichael FassbenderTilda SwintonCharles ParnellAfter a fateful near-miss, an assassin battles his employers and himself, on an international manhunt he insists isn't personal.Excellent crime mystery/thriller from David Fincher that follows a meticulously disciplined assassin who barely misses his target one evening, which results in him being hunted down by other deadly assassins to help tie up lose ends concerning his failed job and miscalculation. When he finds out his girlfriend Magdala was attacked by them in his Dominican Republic home, the story turns into an all-out revenge saga as he systematically tracks down each individual involved. Like many reviews state, there is a very slow moving 15-minute opening that sets up the story with his inner monologue. While the beginning was slow an anticlimactic, it really picks up the thrills and drama after the first major event takes place. Michael Fassbender arguably delivers his best lead performance. Tilda Swinton, Charles Parnell, Arliss Howard, Kerry O'Malley, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorBill BurrStarsBill BurrBobby CannavaleBokeem WoodbineThree best friends become fathers later in life and find themselves battling preschool principals, millennial CEOs, and anything created after 1987.Hilarious comedy written by, directed by, and starring Bill Burr. The story follows a happily married 51-year-old father who has a son in grade school and a baby girl on the way. He and his similarly aged best friends are often times looked at as conservative old curmudgeons who aren't in touch with the newer generation that frustrates them all to no end. That attitude gets Jack in plenty of hot water when he mouths off to their son's private school principal and threatens their son's academic future, and affects them all after they sell their company to a corporation who hires a young millennial CEO to systematically drive them out of the company. Underrated story with great comedy and drama throughout. Bill Burr delivered a fantastic lead performance, and the writing and jokes were on point. Bobby Cannavale and Bokeem Woodbine also had excellent lead performances. Katie Aselton, Reign Edwards, Jackie Tohn, Miles Robbins, Rachael Harris, Dash McCloud, Bruce Dern, C. Thomas Howell, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJimmy ChinElizabeth Chai VasarhelyiStarsAnnette BeningJodie FosterAnne Marie KempfThe remarkable true story of athlete Diana Nyad who, at the age of 60 and with the help of her best friend and coach, commits to achieving her life-long dream: a 110-mile open ocean swim from Cuba to Florida.Excellent sports biography that tells the inspiring true story long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad, and her daring attempts to complete a dangerous non-stop 110-mile open ocean swim from Cuba to Florida. She attempted the journey at age 28, and failed after covering about 76 miles. Fast-forward 32 years to the year 2010, and we find Diana preparing to complete the same swim at 60+ years old, with the help of her best friend and trainer, Bonnie Stoll. Great story which really makes you feel anything is possible. The cinematography and all all the details were all nicely put together. Annette Bening and Jodie Foster both delivered excellent lead performances. Anne Marie Kempf, Carolyn McCormick, Marcos Diaz, Johnny Solo, Anna Harriette Pittman, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorBradley CooperStarsCarey MulliganBradley CooperMatt BomerThis love story chronicles the lifelong relationship of conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein and actress Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein.Excellent music biography/drama directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, which follows the life of one of the most important American composers and musicians of all time—Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990). The story follows his break into the music industry, followed by the meeting and falling in love with actress Felicia Montealegre. While things are great in the beginning, resentment and disconnection soon comes into play as Leonard pursues a bisexual relationship with other men throughout their marriage, which was not a surprise for Felicia going into the relationship. The story is filled with musical triumphs, family tension, and tragedy. Not knowing much about Leonard Bernstein, I thought the story was fascinating, the cinematography and editing was very inventive, and the dialogue was excellent. Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan are both fantastic actors, and deliver excellent lead performances. Matt Bomer, Vincenzo Amato, Greg Hildreth, Michael Urie, Brian Klugman, Mallory Portnoy, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorTodd HaynesStarsNatalie PortmanChris TenzisCharles MeltonTwenty years after their notorious tabloid romance gripped the nation, a married couple buckles under pressure when an actress arrives to do research for a film about their past.Excellent drama from Todd Haynes set in 2015 Savannah, Georgia, and follows a popular actress named Elizabeth Berry who arrives in town to research her upcoming lead role in an independent film in which she portrays the troubling and controversial life of Gracie Atherton-Yoo. In 1992 when Gracie was 36, she was caught having sex with a 13-year-old boy named Joe Yoo in a pet store they both worked in, which resulted in her being plastered all over the tabloids after having the baby in prison. They are surprisingly still married after 23 years, have 3 children, and are seemingly happy. But when Elizabeth starts to pry into their past and bring up painful memories they rarely or have never thought about, it creates major tension within the family. Very nice story all around with a great cast. Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore both delivered great lead performances. Charles Melton also had a great starring role. Chris Tenzis, Andrea Frankle, Gabriel Chung, and others also had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorJosh GreenbaumStarsWill FerrellJamie FoxxIsla FisherAn abandoned dog teams up with other strays to get revenge on his former owner.Hilarious comedy adventure from Josh Greenbaum that follows a innocent and loving dog named Reggie who's failure of an owner Doug is desperately trying to abandon him by driving him out to the middle of nowhere, but Reggie thinks it's a game and always makes his way back home. After Doug abandons him 3 hours away from his home into the inner city, he's forced to build a new life after meeting a cocky street-smart Boston Terrier named Bug, an Australian Shepherd named Maggie, and a Great Dane named Hunter. They all show him how great living free can be. Once they finally make Reggie realize that Doug is a bad person, Reggie comes decides he wants revenge against Doug, and convinces the group to travel back to his home so he can bit Doug's d**k off. It's a ridiculous premise, but cleverly and uniquely executed throughout, with lots of great laughs and fun along the way. Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx both deliver excellent lead performances. Isla Fisher, Randall Park, and Will Forte also had great starring roles. Rob Riggle, Brett Gelman, Josh Gad, Sofía Vergara, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJeff RoweKyler SpearsStarsMicah AbbeyShamon Brown Jr.Nicolas CantuThe Turtle brothers work to earn the love of New York City while facing down an army of mutants.Excellent action-packed comedy adventure and modern-age origin story of fan-favorite 1980s heroes—the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While they were taught by their adoptive father Splinter that all humans are bad and would kill them any chance they get, the Turtles are pop-culture junkies and are utterly fascinated with humans. After helping local school newspaper journalist April O'Neil get out of a jam, she offers to cover their crime-fighting escapades so that the people of New York City will respect them as heroes, and let them live amongst them like normal teenagers. However, a menacing villain named Superfly along with other mutants created by scientist Baxter Stockman threatens to destroy the city. Being an 80s baby, you just can't beat the 1990 TMNT film in my eyes, but this is probably the best modern TMNT film I've seen. Micah Abbey (Donatello), Shamon Brown Jr. (Michelangelo), Nicolas Cantu (Leonardo), Brady Noon (Raphael), and Ayo Edebiri (April O'Neil) all had great lead performances. Jackie Chan (Splinter), Ice Cube (Superfly), John Cena (Rocksteady), Seth Rogen (Bebop), Giancarlo Esposito (Baxter Stockman), Paul Rudd (Mondo Gecko), and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorThom ZimnyStarsSylvester StalloneFrank StalloneJohn HerzfeldThe nearly fifty year prolific career of Sylvester Stallone, who has entertained millions, is seen in retrospective in an intimate look of the actor, writer, director-producer, paralleling with his inspirational life story.Excellent documentary/biography on the strenuous life and inventive career of film actor, writer, director, and producer, Sylvester Stallone. Like many biographies, it starts with his childhood, which was eye-opening and troubling to hear how rough he had it. Through miraculous struggles, he musters up the inspiration to move forward with life after discovering writing and acting. Nobody makes films like Sly, and it's evidenced by his entire career, where his best and most memorable roles are those he writes and directs for himself, and are based on his real life story. Quentin Tarantino, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Stallone, Talia Shire, Henry Winkler, Sly himself, and many others deliver great up-to-date interviews dedicated to one of the most instinctive and unique figures in film history.
- DirectorGene StupnitskyStarsJennifer LawrenceAndrew Barth FeldmanLaura BenantiOn the brink of losing her home, Maddie finds an intriguing job listing: helicopter parents looking for someone to bring their introverted 19-year-old son out of his shell before college. She has one summer to make him a man or die trying.Very nice comedy from Gene Stupnitsky that follows a 32-year-old fun-loving Uber driver and bartender named Maddie Barker who decides she needs get serious about her finances before she loses the house she inherited from her mother due to nonpayment of back taxes. She answers a Craigslist ad posted by an oddball married couple looking for an attractive 20-something year old woman to date their shy and introverted 19-year-old son and break him out of his socially awkward shell before he goes to college. The story is solid throughout and breaks through a lot of the sex-driven comedy with some nice drama. Jennifer Lawrence delivered a great lead performance, and also delivers a smoking hot nude scene. Andrew Barth Feldman was also perfect for his role, and had nice chemistry with Lawrence. Laura Benanti, Matthew Broderick, Natalie Morales, Scott MacArthur, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Kyle Mooney, and others also had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorGeorge Tillman Jr.StarsKhris DavisJasmine MathewsSullivan JonesFueled by an impoverished childhood, George Foreman channeled his anger into becoming an Olympic Gold medalist and World Heavyweight Champion, followed by a near-death experience that took him from the boxing ring to the pulpit.Very nice sports biopic from George Tillman Jr. on the life and unique career path of Olympic Gold medalist and World Heavyweight Champion, George Foreman. The story follows his poverty-stricken childhood, which frequently found him fighting due to anger issues. Fueled by his poor family and determination to succeed, veteran trainer Doc Broadus leads him to fight in the Olympics and beyond. After having a brush with death, he decides to quit fighting and dedicate his life to god as a preacher. But after several years of living the holy life, money problems present themselves once again, which sets up one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. The story was fascinating and well done, but just lacked the punch a lot of great sports biopics have. Khris Davis delivered a great lead performance. Forest Whitaker, Sonja Sohn, John Magaro, Sullivan Jones, Jasmine Mathews, Austin David Jones, Kei, and many others had nice supporting roles.