Stream2BigScreen_Movie_Reviews Reviews

Good Burger 2 (2023)

Good Burger 2 Is Topped With A Lot Of Cameos

[5/10 · 5 December 2023]

Happy Holidays, Streamers! This Thanksgiving break has given us a bunch of content to review. On the top, or bottom, of that list is the revived and renewed sequel, Good Burger 2. Kenan and Kel have renewed their comedic duo for one more "All That" ride. Good Burger 2 follows Dex after his last failed invention when he is welcomed back by Ed with open arms at Good Burger. The old burger shop is threatened again and the two have to figure out if they still have the sauce to save the shop.

Do I really need to say it? This movie is too late! This movie feels like it's for kids, but I have no clue how the main characters resonate with them. Then, you have adults watching some of the most ridiculous comedy that brings back moments of nostalgia of "All That" and "Kenan & Kel" but just awkwardly. Either way, there are some laughs but fewer than you want. The biggest giggles come from the random cameos by a plethora of celebrities that signed up to be in this movie, true to Good Burger fashion. Also true to Good Burger fashion, this movie took the same tropes from the first movie and just brought it to the present day. It didn't necessarily not work but for those of us that loved the original, it felt way too derivative and carbon copy than a sequel. Kenan does his normal. Kel, although his face looks weird, does his normal. Then, everyone else is doing some version of the same jokes as the original movie in a different but similar fashion, I'm looking at you old lady.

At the end of the day, Good Burger 2 is only 23 years too late and it shows in every scene of the movie. Kenan and Kel try to rekindle what they had and it works a bit but not enough. Good Burger 2 is too late but if you're bored and want to remember your past or force your past on your kids check out Good Burger 2 with a handful of popcorn.

The Killer (2023)

The Killer Kills You Softly with His Narration

[5/10 · 20 November 2023]

What's the what, Streamers! Netflix has a robust slate of new releases at the end of this year, which includes the new movie directed by David Fincher, The Killer. David Fincher has made some really amazing films that are meticulously controlled and brimming with suspense like Se7en, Zodiac, and The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo. After his foray into prestige, biopic territory with Mank, it is good to see Fincher return to this pure genre exercise. Here's how it went.

Based on a French graphic novel, The Killer follows the story of an assassin (Michael Fassbender) who makes a fateful mistake on a job that leads to an international race to clean up the mess the only way he knows how. The Killer spouts his philosophy on doing his job, but it all seems to unravel minute by minute. As things crumble in successive vignettes, The Killer has to maintain control as best he can. Bloody, bloody, heavily-narrated hijinks ensue.

Well, to be generous, The Killer is deliberately paced. Okay, it is very slow. Fincher has made the choice to build tension by very slowly unfurling this story. There is so much narration by the main character that it becomes oppressive. It's a good way to get us inside the mind of this unreadable, unknowable man, but it is exhausting and borders on boring. It takes a while for the action of this "Action" movie to kick in, but it might be too little, too late when it does. There is one epic fight sequence that would almost be worth the price of admission, but it comes very late in the film. Beyond that, the Killer uses some interesting and chuckle-worthy aliases on his various travels. Fincher has his typical, cool aesthetic that makes the movie look very slick. I think trimming this movie about 30 minutes would have made it a much more engrossing and vital suspense thriller.

Side note: Tilda Swinton comes in for one scene and kills it as usual.

Ultimately, The Killer is very slow and there's not enough story to justify the runtime. This movie should have been cut down by 30 minutes. Fincher is a master of suspense and has a cool aesthetic, but overall, this film is too slow and boring except for one intense fight sequence. I'm bummed to give this is only a handful of popcorn because Fincher movies are typically a favorite of mine.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Sings and Slithers

[8/10 · 20 November 2023]

Hey, Streamers! As holiday and awards seasons approach, the theaters will be overflowing with new releases. We've been seeing the trailer for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes for months now. It is a prequel to The Hunger Games movies that starred Jennifer Lawrence. Now, we get to see how the world that Katniss revolutionized came to be. Here's whether this prequel proves its worth.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes takes place 64 years prior to the action of the original The Hunger Games movie just before the 10th Hunger Games is about to begin. Our main character is Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth), a bright, ambitious young man determined to win a cash prize that will help him restore his family's stature in the Capitol. Snow becomes one of the first set of mentors for the 24 tributes for the 10th Hunger Games. Snow also comes up with a plan to revitalize the Games and provides counsel to the head game maker, Dr. Volumnia Gaul (Viola Davis). Meanwhile, Snow is assigned the feisty tribute for District 12 Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler). Lucy Gray has a magnetic personality and a beautiful singing voice. Snow uses his ingenuity to help Lucy Gray try to survive the Games. Singing, snakes, and child-murdering hijinks ensue.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes like its title is too long and a bit convoluted. At 2 hours 27 minutes, this movie really could have used a trim. In fact, while the story is told in 3 chapters, it is pretty distinctly 2 movies. There is about an hour and 15 minutes that feels out of place. Despite that, this movie is never boring. There is so much going on that your attention will be held for the entire runtime.

The cast will hold your attention. Even though I don't think she is that good an actress, Rachel Zegler makes you care about Lucy Gray. Moreover, she is beautiful singer. She gets to do a lot of it in this movie. The songs aren't great, but her voice is beyond. Tom Blyth does a good job as Snow as well, but it is the supporting cast that overshadows the two leads. Viola Davis is doing the absolute most in this movie and I am here for it. She relishes every moment of screen time and when she is not on screen, you will be thinking about her. Davis is perfect here. Jason Schwartzman and Peter Dinklage also get to ham it up and add some spice to this movie. I could have used more of both. The production design and visual effects utilized throughout help to build the world of Panem. This dystopian era is portrayed very vividly. It is a feast for the eyes.

Ultimately, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is a very entertaining movie. Even though it is too long, it is able to keep your attention with moving songs, a virtuoso performance by Viola Davis and great production values. You'll get your money's worth if you choose to go to the theater. Grab a big box a popcorn and return to the world of Panem.

The Marvels (2023)

The Marvels Were Not Bad But Also Not Marvelous

[7/10 · 12 November 2023]

Hey, Streamers! It feels like only months ago that the last MCU movie was in theaters. Apparently, it was just earlier this year that we caught up with Ant-Man and the Wasp as well as the Guardians of the Galaxy and whatever was going on in their respective universes. This weekend, Captain Marvel returned to the big screen in The Marvels for the latest entry in Phase "Whatever". Here how it all shook out.

In The Marvels, Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence, but unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol's estranged niece, now S. A. B. E. R. Astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. High octane, wormhole-jumping hijinks ensue.

To me, this movie just had too much going on that was completely random. This movie at times just felt like randomness. This is definitely a byproduct of the MCU just putting out too much content too fast, too furious. There seems to be a clear loss of some significant thought behind things throughout these installments. I think they've left certain things out to show in different places, or to leave room for expansion or reduction. It just makes a movie like this that's already blending three storylines into one that much harder to follow. With the mid-credits scene, we see what this movie/the MCU is really trying to further. Quite frankly, they could have done this in a different fashion to give everything a bit more thought. But that's it for the MCU review. MCU fans will probably feel this film is rushed, but it was nice to not have a 2-hour movie to slog through. Nevertheless, it does feel like the movie rushed from why-are-the-villains-doing-what-they-are-doing to how-do-they-even-know-what-they-are-doing-is-right

The Marvels is pretty much like every other iteration of an MCU movie, except the Black Panther series. It's just not a special movie and it doesn't feel essential to the MCU franchise. Yes, the movie has its moments of levity especially with Kamala Khan and her family. Kamala can be cute, but she's also pretty annoying throughout. Same thing goes for Captain Marvel. We see her in this human light and levity but strangely she's balancing the strength of her character. I don't think any hero in this movie did a poor job, but the director definitely could have made some better cuts. Nevertheless, there are some good fight sequences which give the movie a much needed boost. The visual effects are typical MCU fare, so if you've seen one of these movies, then you've seen this one.

Ultimately, The Marvels is just another entry in the MCU cannon. If you've been following this particular Phase, then maybe it won't seem as random and full as plot holes as I thought. The rest of the movie fits squarely in the MCU formula, too much too fast. There's some humor, fighting and visual effects to fill up the time. For the MCU fans, it's only worth a handful of popcorn, but for the more casual moviegoers, it good enough for a bowl of popcorn.

Quiz Lady (2023)

Quiz Lady Puts Your Sense of Humor in Jeopardy

[5/10 · 7 November 2023]

Hey, Streamers! The theaters were pretty bare when it came to new releases this weekend, so it was off to scrolling through the streaming services for new content. If you were looking for something to tickle your funny bone, Hulu offered a new comedy starring Awkwafina and Sandra Oh called Quiz Lady. Here's whether any LOLs were delivered.

In Quiz Lady, we meet Anne Yum (Awkwafina), a strait-laced, loner who is obsessed with a nightly game show called "Can't Stop the Quiz." Anne has a free-spirited and chaotic older sister, Jenny (Sandra Oh). When Anne and Jenny's mother goes missing, the sisters put their differences aside in order raise money to pay their mother's debts. Anne's quiz acumen comes in handy. Sisterly hijinks ensue.

Your mileage may vary on this one. Do you like Awkwafina in sad-sack mode? Do you like Sandra Oh going way over the top? Then, you may really enjoy Quiz Lady. Awkwafina tones down her usual ticks in this movie, but she can't do anything about her voice. Her performance hear is nothing to write home about. Sandra Oh does comedy well, but this is too broad. Between her and Awkwafina, there are a lot of lame, try-hard jokes going on. There is one sequence that is legitimately laugh out loud funny, but the humor is otherwise either lacking or just lame. Beyond that, the story doesn't make any sense. There are so many threads that are dropped just so these sisters are forced to be together. Either you buy into it, or you don't.

Side note: Will Ferrell has a small part as the host of "Can't Stop the Quiz." He's not doing his typical Will-Ferrell thing, but he's a highlight.

Ultimately, Quiz Lady is a passable comedy with very few funny moments. Both Awkwafina and Sandra Oh are annoying for most of the movie, which makes it difficult to enjoy. Nevertheless, there are emotional moments and, at least, one laugh out loud sequence that leave you feeling good. You don't have to rush to see Quiz Lady, but it would be okay to have on in the background. Just a handful of popcorn will get you through.

Five Nights at Freddy's (2023)

Reservation For Five Nights At Freddy's Is A High Cost

[5/10 · 3 November 2023]

Halloween season has finally come to an end, Streamers. But, before it left us, we got to watch one more coveted title, Five Nights at Freddy's. This movie is a video game adaptation that features a troubled security guard, Mike Schmidt (Josh Hutcherson) who begins working at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza to make ends meet. During his nightshift, he realizes that things aren't as they seem. Unfortunately, these overnight shifts won't be filled with easy naps like he anticipated. Pretty soon, he will unveil what actually happened at Freddy's. Let's see what hijinks ensue.

Apparently, this movie is based on or takes inspiration from a video game series from 2014. We had never heard of it. In my opinion, I would've left the game where it was. Why mess up a game that no one ever heard of? Just let the cult classic be just that because the execution of the movie doesn't seem to allow for the same thing as the fully thought-out game. It does not feel like the filmmakers fully fleshed this one out. The movie wasn't really scary, never fully made complete sense as to what was going on, and then finally was so unbelievably obvious that it made the movie just linger on forever.

Trip: I have to agree with you. This movie didn't do anything for me. I didn't know that it was an adaptation of a videogame series until after I'd seen it. I don't think that really matters because the movie should be able to stand on its own. Actually, the premise is what drew me in. I've thought since I was very little how scary it could be if the animatronics at Chuck E. Cheese's came alive. Unfortunately, this movie did not sell the fear, horror or tension of that. The movie was neither scary, funny or engaging enough. It really felt like a boring and less inventive Black Mirror episode - most of those are better than this.

Five Nights at Freddy's could've been a really scary mess, but they failed at executing an actual horror mystery with obvious cuts that lacked any type of mystery. On a Halloween scale, this movie isn't scary. On a normal movie scale, this movie is only basically interesting enough to keep your attention throughout. Grab a handful of popcorn and check this out if you can't find anything scary and you just want to reminisce on how Chuck E. Cheese's was quite scary.

The Mill (2023)

The Mill Gives You The Run Around

[5/10 · 1 November 2023]

Happy Huluween, Streamers! Yes, Hulu is back with their Horror/Halloween section of movies for the Halloween Season. One of their offerings piqued my interest based on the main actor and the simple concept, The Mill. This streaming movie features a businessman (Lil Rel Howery) who mysteriously wakes up in an open-air prison cell with only a primitive grinding mill. He's forced to work until he can find a way back before the birth of his first child. Covid type movie hijinks ensue.

As you can tell, this movie really is quite singular and feels like a classic Covid era movie. All we have is Lil Rel and some voice work to get us through about an hour and forty minutes. I like Rel but this isn't really his acting range. Don't get me wrong he does a good job, and the movie really wouldn't have been anything without him. He knows how to act panicked but sometimes it just comes off as whiny! Anyway, the idea is original and semi-frightening. Remind me not to sign any disclosures without reading them again. But really there's not much to the movie other than Rel and they still make us watch for an hour and 40 minutes! I mean have a build-up but come on already.

Simply put, this movie while imaginative lacks imagination. The Mill is literally, and metaphorically, pushed along by the charisma of Lil Rel Howery. That's not enough to make this a movie you have to run to see. Grab a handful of popcorn and check out The Mill to support our guy when you have a chance.

The Burial (II) (2023)

The Burial Brings New Life to the Courtroom Drama

[9/10 · 24 October 2023]

Hey, Streamers! There are slim pickings at the theaters this weekend. If you've already had your share of the scary movies and you are not clamoring to see Taylor Swift's Eras Tour on the big screen, then maybe you should find something to good to watch at home. Luckily, Prime Video has a new release called The Burial starring Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones just for you.

Inspired by true events, The Burial is a legal drama about a contract dispute between a small business owner and the big corporation attempting to put him out of business. Tommy Lee Jones plays Jerry O'Keefe, who owns 8 funeral homes and a burial insurance company in Alabama. O'Keefe made some poor financial decisions which leaves his businesses in jeopardy. O'Keefe makes a deal with the Loewen Group, owned by Raymond Loewen (Bill Camp), to sell 3 funeral homes in order to rescue the rest of his business from ruin and have a legacy to pass on to his children. When the deal goes bad, O'Keefe seeks out the legal expertise of Willie E. Gary (Jamie Foxx), who has earned a reputation as a flashy Johnnie Cochran-type attorney, to represent him in this otherwise simple legal dispute. Of course, nothing is as simple as it seems and with Willie Gary at the helm of the case anything can happen. Legal maneuvering and courtroom hijinks ensue.

Pure and simple, The Burial is a delight. Courtroom dramas are a dime a dozen, and there isn't much one can do to set them apart from each other. Yes, these movies have similar beats no matter what the case is. I can't say this movie contributes anything new to the structure of your common legal drama. Nevertheless, The Burial does what it does very well. It is entertaining, funny, and inspirational. The movie has the benefit of being a David versus Goliath story with instantly likeable main characters. Moreover, the movie attempts to broaden the scope of this trial beyond just O'Keefe and Loewen, which is both surprising and poignant.

Jamie Foxx. Jamie Foxx. Jamie Foxx. Watch this movie and tell me Jamie Foxx is not a national treasure. He is so good as Willie Gary. He is flashy and sensitive and has such a commanding presence. Between this and They Cloned Tyrone, Jamie Foxx is having a very strong year at the movies. The cast as a whole is great not just Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones, but also Jurnee Smollett, Mamoudou Athie, Alan Ruck and Amanda Warren. I will say though that Jurnee Smollett doesn't get enough to do. She's great in her scenes as the lead attorney for the Loewen Group, but I wanted to see more of her. She was really ready to go toe-to-toe with Foxx, but she doesn't have enough screen time.

There are definitely some corny moments - some very corny moments. The music selections seem a bit off at times as well, which doesn't help. In an inspirational story like this, there doesn't need to be the extra musical manipulation to make it work. You'll roll your eyes at some lines and some needle drops, but the story is so engaging that you'll forgive its shortcomings.

Ultimately, The Burial is an outstanding, funny and poignant legal drama. Although there isn't anything new added to the legal drama genre, the story itself is good enough to be engaging and entertaining. Jamie Foxx proves again that he's a great, commanding actor. Grab a big box of popcorn and enjoy this one.

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Killers of the Flower Moon Shines Light on an American Tragedy

[7/10 · 24 October 2023]

Hey, Streamers! I know it's spooky season, but it's also that time of year when "prestige" movies start to flood the theaters. There have been fall film festivals teeming with Oscar hopefuls that are now being released to the general public. One of this year's most anticipated movies is Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon, which is out in theaters this weekend and will be on AppleTV+ later this year. It's a 3+-hour epic about another tragic, little-known true story from American history. Here's how it went.

Martin Scorsese directed and co-wrote Killers of the Flower Moon with Eric Roth based on the book of the same name. Apparently, the book focused more on the investigation in the 1920s by federal agents of the unsolved murders of multiple members of the Osage Nation but that's just a small sliver of this film. Here, we follow Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo Dicaprio), a former servicemember, who returns to Oklahoma to work with his uncle, William "King" Hale (Robert Deniro). Ernest is like many other white men who have flocked to the area to mooch off of the Osage Nation due to the oil that was found on their land. Many of those white men married Osage women in order to gain access to their head rights. Ernest falls in love with an Osage woman, Molly (Lilly Gladstone), and marries her. Then Molly's family begins to die one by one under mysterious circumstance. Dastardly deeds and scheming hijinks ensue.

Well, it is no wonder this film is over 3 hours since that synopsis barely scratches the surface of what's going on in Killers of the Flower Moon. Scorsese attempts to whittle down a complicated, sprawling American tragedy into a digestible story about the tragedy in one Osage family. The elements that are there work really well, but there's an ineffable thing that's missing. It almost seems like these events needed longer to develop - maybe a movie wasn't the right medium for this. On the other hand, if this movie wants to be a mystery, crime thriller, there is an element of suspense that's missing. The film never really has the energy of thriller. There are definitely tense moments, but the runtime cannot sustain that tension.

Nevertheless, the production values of this movie are top notch. The costumes of the 1920s people and the Osage tribe members are eclectic and interesting. The women have these beautiful blankets that are eye-catching wrapped around them in multiple scenes. The attention to detail is remarkable on both the clothing and in the sets. The cast is very good as well especially in the first hour that establishes the relationship between Dicaprio and Gladstone. They have an uneasy chemistry that perfectly captures Ernest and Molly's odd courtship. Their scenes together are both creepy and sometimes endearing. Gladstone brings stoic sensitivity to her character that becomes important to the action of the film. I only wish her decisions made more sense. She's depicted with a lot of strength, but she doesn't seem to have much agency. That was pretty frustrating. I'm not sure how Scorsese could have fixed that in the screenplay or in the performances.

On a side note: Someone tell Brendan Fraser that the Academy called to say they want their Oscar back. Just put it outside your front door, and someone will be by to pick it up. It was supposed to be Colin Farrell's anyway.

Ultimately, Killers of the Flower Moon is another great movie in Martin Scorsese's filmography. However, you must be prepared to strap in for its excessive runtime, but the movie holds your attention for the most part. This compelling story of an American tragedy is told very well with good performances and great attention to detail but it still feels like some pieces are missing. Just a bowl of popcorn at a matinee - actually, multiple bowls will be necessary to get through this epic.

Fair Play (2023)

It's All Fair Play In Love And The Stock Market

[8/10 · 12 October 2023]

Hey, Streamers! For those looking for something not so spooky in this "spooky" season, there are plenty of offerings on streaming services that might catch your eye. Netflix has some promising releases this month, one of which is the indie thriller, Fair Play. From a first-time writer/director, Chloe Domont, this movie explores gender politics in the workplace through the eyes of a young, ambitious couple. Here's how it goes.

In Fair Play, Phoebe Dynevor plays Emily Meyers, an analyst at a fast-paced New York hedge fund, who is in a clandestine relationship with a co-worker, Luke Edmunds played by Alden Ehrenreich. The couple makes a concerted effort to keep their relationship secret at work despite the fact that they are living together and newly engaged. When a promotion to a manager position becomes available, Emily overhears that Luke is being considered for the position and shares the office gossip with him. However, when Luke gets passed over for position, the relationship between Luke and Emily is tested. Gender dynamics and stockbroking hijinks ensue.

Chloe Domont has written sharp and incisive movie. She has written really interesting characters and placed them in a complicated situation that could be universally experienced. Emily and Luke work in a high-powered, high dollar, fast-paced world of finance, but they could be in any career field and go through the same challenges. Domont has directed this movie, which is really just a relationship drama, to be like a taut thriller. It will get your heartrate up. There is genuine suspense as to what will happen at the job and in the relationship. This is an outstanding debut film.

Furthermore, Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich are fantastic. They have great individual moments and they are so good together. The tension in the relationship is palpable. There's enough sexual energy to understand why these characters would be together, and they each have a sense of naked ambition that fuels the engine of the plot.

Ultimately, Fair Play may be mischaracterized as a thriller, but that doesn't mean it isn't thrilling. This movie is an outstanding relationship drama brought to us by a promising writer/director. There is not a wasted moment and each scene further pulls you in. Grab a big box of popcorn and enjoy!

The Creator (2023)

The Creator Has Artifice But Lacks Intelligence

[7/10 · 3 October 2023]

Hey, Streamers! Here we are at the beginning of the fall movie season. Those summer blockbusters are in the rearview, and the terrifying movie options are just on the horizon. However, this weekend a different genre film was released for your viewing pleasure - it was the sci-fi, dystopian epic, The Creator. It's always a good time for some awe-inspiring visual effects. Here's whether this one delivers.

The Creator is directed by Gareth Edwards, who also directed Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, if that means anything to you. Edwards brings his sci-fi sensibilities and visual effects prowess to this story. In The Creator, after artificial intelligence has become integrated into human society, in 2055 AI detonates a nuclear weapon in Los Angeles. The U. S. government declared war and is determined to eradicate all AI from the planet. New technology has been developed and is being used in the war against the AI. About 10 years later, Sergeant Joshua Taylor (John David Washington) a former soldier, has been dispatched undercover to find Nirmata, the creator of the artificial intelligence, so that person can be killed. Taylor develops a relationship with a simulant, Alphie (Madeleine Yuna Voyles), a robot with human features and emotion, that has a mysterious past and unexplained powers. Moral dilemmas, explosions and military action hijinks ensue.

Well, this movie is both overly complicated and too simplistic. The basic premise is just that - basic. Explaining the development of the technology and how the robots and simulants got integrated into human society is more complicated than the actual plot of the movie. It's also probably a more interesting movie. Moreover, it feels like a lot of the elements of this movie are borrowed from other better movies. I see some Avatar references, some Blade Runner references, and some The Mandalorian references among other things. It's not a bad thing to be referential, but it would be good if the movie had an original angle on its plot. I don't know that this movie warranted over 2 hours of a runtime.

I am a known John David Washington skeptic. He does nothing in this movie to reduce my skepticism. He is pretty flat. Washington doesn't add much to his character, who is pretty derivative already. The character makes some really weird choices, and Washington does convince me with his performance. On the other hand, I will say that Madeleine Yuna Voyles is good. She's precocious without being overly cutesy. She has a compelling presence, and she makes Alphie a really endearing character.

The best part of this movie is the production design and visual effects. The filmmakers knocked it out of the park with their work on these craft elements. They have created a vivid and visually arresting world. The visual effects seem to integrate with the analog world seamlessly. There are some really beautiful shots and scenery captured that would ideally be seen on the big screen.

Ultimately, The Creator is decent movie with a basic plot. There is a compelling premise somewhere in this movie, but the filmmakers did not find it. They did successfully create a beautiful and visually stunning world that wonderfully conveys its dystopian milieu. This movie is worthy of a matinee for the visual effects alone; therefore, I suggest a bowl of popcorn.

Haunted Mansion (2023)

This Haunted Mansion Could Use Some David S. Pumpkins

[4/10 · 20 September 2023]

Welcome back, Streamers! It's a spooky day here at Stream2BigScreen, which is convenient since Haunted Mansion is on the marquee. Walt Disney's theme park ride, The Haunted Mansion, has had a previous adaptation into a major motion picture back in 2003. Here we are again, 20 years later, taking a wild ride through the mansion teeming with ghosts. Will this Haunted Mansion be a success like Pirates of the Caribbean or a dud like Jungle Cruise?

In this Haunted Mansion, Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) and her son, Travis (Chase W. Dillon), move from New York into Gracey Manor in New Orleans in order to start over and open a bed and breakfast. Upon arrival, they discover that their new home is haunted by ghosts who will not let them leave. Gabbie enlists the help of a coterie of characters who purport to have special skills that will help rid the home of its ghosts. Ben Matthias (LaKeith Stanfield) is an astrophysicist turned paranormal tour guide, who has a camera that can capture ghostly activity; Father Kent (Owen Wilson) is a priest, who might be able to exorcize the ghosts; Harriet (Tiffany Haddish) is a psychic, who can communicate with the ghosts; and, Bruce Davis (Danny DeVito) is a professor who can help uncover the history of Gracey Manor. They all descend on the mansion with the goal of busting these ghosts. Spooky hijinks ensue.

I don't think I've ever been on the Haunted Mansion ride, and if I have, I don't remember it. Nevertheless, Haunted Mansion does a great job of invoking the ride in the feeling and aesthetic of this movie. The movie looks like a Disney ride through a haunted mansion. The camera swoops in and always feels like it's moving. The visual effects are not the best, but they feel like I'd expect them to on a Disney ride. It also seems kind of repetitive at a point. I suspect that those Disney fans will see and be delighted by all of the references throughout the film.

On the other hand, this movie makes no sense. I guess that's what you get from a movie based on a theme park ride. The plot is so thin that it actually gets confusing when it tries to stretch to 2 hours. The movie takes serious themes of grief and acceptance too lightly and feels very superficial. While the movie is silly, it never gets to the point where it is actually funny. There might be one funny part, but that's not enough to recommend this movie. Lastly, the acting is all over the place. The actors are all in different movies. Stanfield is good, but too serious. Wilson is doing the same old schtick. Dawson has nothing to do in a thankless role. Haddish has some funny lines, but she's otherwise wasted. I don't know why Jared Leto was even cast in this movie.

Ultimately, Haunted Mansion is fine but not worth a trip to the movie theater. Definitely, wait until it arrives on Disney+ to check this one out. Maybe if you remember the ride, you'll enjoy some references but that can't be enough to sustain a 2-hour movie. Just one popped kernel for this one.

Meg 2: The Trench (2023)

Meg 2: The Trench Jumps the Shark

[4/10 · 20 September 2023]

Hey, Streamers! It's August, which is typically the slowest summer month at the box office. Since there isn't much coming out in theaters this month, we have to be pretty generous with those flicks we are willing to let entertain us. I'm not embarrassed to say that I have been looking forward to the sequel to The Meg, which came out it 2018. Let's pretend it's still Shark Week and enjoy the Meg 2: The Trench.

Meg 2: The Trench takes place five years after the events of the The Meg. Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham) has been fighting environmental crimes and continuing to be involved in the exploration of the Mariana Trench, where the Megalodons lurk. Taylor has also been involved in raising Meiying (Shuya Sophia Cai), who's mother has passed away in the interim. Meiying's uncle, Jiuming (Jing Wu), has created a super-suit that allows people to travel into the depths of the trench to further explore the creatures below. Throw in some more pre-historic sea dwellers, some nefarious corporate overlords, and environmental jargon, and you've got a sequel to the original giant shark creature-feature. Chum-chomping hijinks ensue.

Yes, I was looking forward to the ridiculousness that would be the sequel to The Meg, but I was disappointed by the direction of Meg 2: The Trench. The first hour of this flick is pretty boring. There is a lot of set-up of a new plot focused on environmentalism and corruption, and the Megalodon is only a vague specter in the background. These pre-historic sharks are supposed to be terrorizing the people populating this movie, but it takes too long to get to any of that. Moreover, the characters make very dumb decisions, especially the very annoying, Meiying. Teenagers are typically annoying in these disaster movies, but Meiying takes the cake. Then, the visual effects look bad as well. The underwater scenes are too dark, and the rest of it looks no better than a Sharknado sequel. This movie has to have a bigger budget than Sharknado!?!?!

Statham does his best. He has that deadpan, action hero energy that we expect. He's fun despite how dumb most of this movie is. If Statham wasn't in this movie, it would have been a real slog. I'll also shout out Page Kennedy, who plays DJ, an engineer with Jiuming's company, Mana One. Although he's a fairly stereotypical black character in these disaster action movies, Kennedy is very funny. He has some of the best lines and some surprising action acumen. When Kennedy is on screen, you can expect at least a slight chuckle, which is better than the nothing that the rest of the movie is giving.

Ultimately, Meg 2: The Trench is not the exciting sequel I was expecting. It has a boring environmentalism plot that isn't really important to the overall film. There is too much delay getting to the Megalodon and the action sequences. The acting and effects are no better than what you'd see in Sharknado. Except for Jason Statham and Page Kennedy, there really isn't much positive here. Am I being to harsh? I don't know. I can only give this one popped kernel and say only watch on streaming if bored.

Heart of Stone (I) (2023)

Gal Has The Same Old Heart Of Stone

[6/10 · 20 September 2023]

Welcome back, Streamers! This weekend Netflix does what it does and gave us another "blockbuster", Heart of Stone. Heart of Stone is a spy flick that has Gal Gadot as an intelligence agent for a behind-the-scenes global peacekeeping agency. She has to race to stop a hacker from stealing the agency's most-prized possession and weapon. Let's see if this movie has any heart and what ensues.

I'll be honest about this movie - its originality is lacking. Netflix literally just stole pieces of Mission Impossible, The Old Guard, James Bond and many other spy movies to cobble this thing together. Seriously, I understand that other movies give you inspiration, but there has to be some type of infringement on the filmmaker's part. Regardless, the movie is grossly unoriginal and unimaginative. With that said, it's still a watchable movie with action sequences, chase scenes, fights, and solid technical aspects. You get to see Gal Gadot kick some butt and who doesn't like that, minus anyone who watched Wonder Woman 2. Jamie Dornan sheds his Mr. Grey baggage successfully in this flick. This probably won't be the last of his action flicks. Otherwise, the cast are familiar and inviting on the screen but at times slightly unbelievable. That also might just be that the directors put cast members in typical tropes that are going on in these movies and it wasn't that awe-inspiring. And that's a shame to say for something that looks quite expensive to make.

Needless to say, if you've seen any recent spy movie, you've already seen Heart of Stone. It's a solid movie if it were the first of it's kind but it so clearly not. The movie itself is entertaining but the storyline is so predictable, unoriginal, and simple. Grab a bowl of popcorn for this Netflix movie of the week but don't expect it to take on a life of its own.

Blue Beetle (2023)

Blue Beetle's Family Rocks My Socks

[7/10 · 20 September 2023]

Streamers, it's time to hit the theaters again. Yes, that's what we did this week to see the DCEU's Blue Beetle. Blue Beetle follows an alien scarab that chooses a recent college grad, Jaime Reyes, to be its symbiotic host. This relationship bestowed the young man with a suit of armor that's capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes a superhero. Let's see how the DCEU's first Latinx superhero comes across the big screen.

Honestly, we all know the DCEU has its issues in the live action movie realm. We know the leader at the helm has changed, but Blue Beetle is the last film from the previous regime. This film was set to be a streaming movie on Max but for whatever reason it was given the courtesy of debuting on the big screen. Just like Blue Beetle is currently missing from Max, there is something missing from this movie being great. The great part of this movie is Jaime Reyes' family unit led by George Lopez as his uncle, Rudy. Lopez and crew are full of energy, funny, familiar and bring life to the movie.

What lacks from this movie is a discernable character that fits a superhero. Xolo Mariduena, as Jaime, does a nice job toeing the line of culture, nerdy, cool but something just was missing. Maybe it was the predictable and foreshadowing storyline and writing or maybe it was just me. Either way, something just felt not engrossing about the story. What was a joy to watch was the action sequences. Unfortunately, a few of the better sequences were displayed in the trailer which contributed to the lackluster response I probably had in viewing. Speaking of lackluster, the bad guys in this movie were kind of boring. It's hard to have an invested villain in a movie with a character that is pretty unknown himself to the masses but here we are. The major question is where this movie will fit into the James Gunn version of the DCEU. I hope he continues this franchise going forward.

Trip: To me, Blue Beetle felt like a pilot to a HBO Max/Max television show. It did not feel grand enough to warrant the big screen treatment. Everything felt so basic. I appreciate the diversity of the depiction of a Mexican-American family in one of these superhero movies, but I wish the film had been more interesting. Yes, the family was cute, especially Nana played by Adriana Barraza. She was spunky and fun. However, I didn't find the family as funny as the rest of the audience I saw this with, but I do agree that the family brought the movie to life. They are a necessary component of what makes this movie work, if it works. Other than that, while the villain, Victoria Kord, has such a basic agenda and no real ethos behind her plan, Susan Sarandon was really fun playing her. She really sank her teeth into the villainy.

I'll put it out there, if this had gone straight to streaming this would be a big box of fresh popcorn to enjoy at home. Since it hit the big screen, of course the action needs to be seen large but we couldn't help but feeling like something was missing from making this movie good. George Lopez and family steal the show from the superhero and that's not a great sign for a superhero movie. Needless to say, go check out Blue Beetle with a bowl of popcorn during the matinee time but definitely when it hits Max (formerly HBO Max).

Gran Turismo (2023)

Take a Spin with Gran Turismo

[8/10 · 20 September 2023]

Hey, Streamers! Videogames seem to be a hot commodity in the entertainment industry these days. However, they aren't always adapted into good movies or television shows. This year alone we've seen what HBO could do with The Last of Us and Illumination produced The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Here Gran Turismo focuses on a real-life story related to the game. Let's see whether this angle yields an entertaining movie.

Apparently, Gran Turismo is based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe). Jann is such an avid player of the racing simulator "Gran Turismo" that he believes he can become a professional racer. Jann has uncanny skill and ability to be successful and fast in the simulator, but it is questionable whether those skills translate to the real world. Meanwhile, Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom), a marketing executive at Nissan, comes up with a scheme to boost Nissan sales by creating a GT Academy aimed at players like Jann getting the opportunity to become professional racers. Moore enlists a former professional racer, Jack Salter (David Harbour), to train the new recruits and turn those that attend the GT Academy into legitimate racers. Fast cars and racing hijinks ensue.

Gran Turismo is a fun sports movie that comes with many of the sports movie tropes. There is an underdog in Jann. There is the grizzled, washed-up coach in Salter. There are worried and dubious parents and evil villains that lurk on the racetrack. The mix of these elements make for an enjoyable experience. Since this movie is based on true events, we know from the outset how this underdog story will turn out, but nevertheless it is still pretty thrilling. The racing sequences are shot really well, which makes the big screen experience feel vital. There are zooming cameras, and there are high-flying drone shots that help the audience follow the action on the track. The movie is edited really well too. It feels like a lot happens in a short amount of time which allows the movie to hold your attention.

On the performance side, David Harbour is a standout as usual. He plays that curmudgeonly figure really well, but he has a sensitive side that makes him endearing like his Stranger Things alter ego, Jim Hopper. Ultimately, Harbour is able to convey how much his character cares for Jann despite his initial skepticism. I'll also shout out Djimon Hounsou, who plays Jann's father, Steve. Hounsou's part isn't big, but it is pivotal in the emotional side of the story. He has a couple really great scenes that maybe are a little cliched, but they worked for me.

Side note: Ginger Spice plays Jann's mom, but there are no Spice Girls songs?

Ultimately, Gran Turismo delivers a great and entertaining sports movie. It is a crowd-pleaser and a triumphant, unlikely story. There are cool camera shots and the editing keeps the movie moving at a fast pace like the cars these guys are driving. Also, there are some touching emotional moments. Grab a box of popcorn and go for a spin with Gran Turismo.

Red, White & Royal Blue (2023)

Love, Hallmark Style With Red, White & Royal Blue

[6/10 · 20 September 2023]

We all need romance, Streamers. If we can't get it in real-life, then at least we can live vicariously through the movies. Let's be honest though - there are a lot of terrible romantic comedies. Well, the adaptation of the popular romance novel Red, White & Royal Blue dropped on Prime Video this month, and here's whether it's another terrible entry into the romantic comedy cannon or something else.

Based on a novel of the same name, Red, White & Royal Blue follows Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), the son of the President of the United States, and his tumultuous relationship with Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine), the spare to the British throne. Alex and Henry do not like each other as evidenced by a silly fight at Henry's brother's wedding, which ends up with them destroying the wedding cake. Alex is tasked by his mother, President Ellen Claremont (Uma Thurman), with repairing U. S./British relations by posing as friends with Henry through joint public appearances and interviews. Through these joint appearances, Alex and Henry get to know each other on a personal level and begin to develop a real friendship. Romantic comedy and oddly political hijinks ensue.

Apparently, Amazon Studios wanted to get in on Hallmark movie game because Red, White & Royal Blue is no better than any of those run-of-the-mill Hallmark TV movies. I never read the novel this movie was based on, so I can't say whether it's faithful to the page, but it doesn't seem original or clever. It's not offensively bad, but it's also not good enough to spend too much time on. If you know the premise of the movie, you know every single beat that is going to happen - no surprises. The leads are fine, if a little bland. They have enough chemistry to believe that they'd find each other somewhat interesting. The supporting characters leave a lot to be desired though. A lot of the performances border on laughably bad. Sarah Shahi plays the deputy chief of staff for the president. She is very bad in this movie. In fact, she has one of the worst acted scenes in a movie I've seen this year. Uma Thurman also has a ridiculous "southern" accent, which just adds to eye-rolling farce of her being the President. Also, the budget must have been very limited. I was surprised at how bad some CGI is - for instance, the obvious green screen shots are jarring. There really isn't much to say about this movie, which ends up being pretty forgettable.

Ultimately, Red, White & Royal Blue is just a Hallmark movie in Amazon Studios clothing. There really isn't anything special about this movie that sets it apart from that romantic comedy/drama genre. In fact, the more Hallmark dabbles in queer relationships in its movies, the less this movie gets to be relevant. The leads are fine, but some of the supporting performances are bad. Just a handful of popcorn for this one - watch if you're bored.

The Equalizer 3 (2023)

The S-Equalizer 3 Doesn't Measure Up to Its PrEqualizers

[6/10 · 20 September 2023]

What's up, Streamers! The summer is over, but that doesn't mean there is nothing to see at the theaters. There are more sequels than you can shake a stick at. One of those sequels is being called the final installment of The Equalizer franchise, The Equalizer 3. Your not-so-friendly, neighborhood vigilante is back and administering justice in his own special way. This time in Italy. Here's how it goes.

Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) has traveled to Sicily on a mission to recover some stolen funds. Of course, he had to massacre a set of henchmen at a secluded winery in order to achieve his mission. In the course of his escape, McCall is severely injured and barely survives thanks to an Italian police officer, Gio (Eugenio Mastrandrea) and a small-town doctor. During his recovery in the small Italian village, McCall becomes acquainted with the locals and discovers a nefarious plot by the local mafia attempting to take over the town and terrorize the people. As the Equalizer, McCall has got to do his duty and rid the town of the criminal element. Bloody, vigilante hijinks ensue.

Antoine Fuqua directs The Equalizer 3. He's a reliable action movie director, but the problem with The Equalizer 3 is that the plot is so rote. There really isn't anything special or particularly interesting about this installment in the franchise. I don't have a problem with knowing how the movie will go if it is interesting in the execution. Unfortunately, there is too much downtime between the very bloody, action set pieces. I got pretty bored in those lulls. McCall is an interesting character, but we don't learn anything new about him. Denzel is reliable as usual, but I hate to say that he seems a bit old for what's required of this character. Finally, the Italian sights aren't even shot that well. The movie looks dark, which might be to emphasize the gritty nature or it might be to disguise how old Denzel has gotten for this role, but either way it's not inviting to look at. In fact, it's pretty forgettable overall.

Ultimately, The Equalizer 3 is a forgettable installment of an otherwise interesting movie franchise. The main character does the same thing he's done in previous movies - only this time in Italy. The action is good and bloody, but those scenes are too few. The plot is otherwise predictable and boring. I can only suggest a handful of popcorn for this one.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 Was Better the First Big Fat Greek Time

[2/10 · 20 September 2023]

Hey, Streamers! Here's another sequel that I don't believe anyone was asking for. Yes, for some reason, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 was released in theaters this weekend. Nia Vardalos brings back the Portokalos family for another zany family comedy, but this time they're taking their hijinks to Greece. Here's how it goes.

Nia Vardalos wrote, directed and stars in this third film in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise. The patriarch of the family, Gus, has passed away. After receiving an invite to a reunion in Gus's old village in Greece, Toula (Vardalos), Ian (John Corbett), Aunt Theia (Andrea Martin), and other family members journey to Greece to reconnect with Gus's past. Recycled jokes and zany Greek-flavored hijinks ensue.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 does nothing to prove why it exists. Basically, this movie has relocated the events of the film from Chicago to Greece, and that's it. They keep going back to the same jokes over and over again. Yes, they were quite funny in the first film; but that was 20 years ago. There is nothing new, interesting, or funny at all about this latest film. There could have been a really emotional thread in this movie dealing with the death of Gus and Maria's dementia, but the film would rather focus on the dumb and very lame antics of the extended family members. "Is there a wedding?," you ask. There is a wedding, but it's so perfunctory and random that it has not impact. In fact, it is unnecessary diversion involving side characters you barely know just because the title suggests there must be a wedding in this film. I can't waste another minute or brain cell on this movie.

Ultimately, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is an unnecessary sequel. It suffers from lame, unfunny jokes that pale in comparison to the fresh perspective of the original movie. There's no reason to rush to a movie theater to see this. In fact, only stream this one if you can't find the original to rewatch.

Vacation Friends 2 (2023)

More of the Same For Vacation Friends 2

[5/10 · 20 September 2023]

Streamers, here's the thing... we've been watching way too many movies to write reviews all the time. Sorry for the hiatus as we decided to take a vacation; and then, here comes the friends we didn't ask for in Vacation Friends 2. If you remember, Vacation Friends came out about 2 years ago and starred Lil Rel Howery, Yvonne Orji, John Cena and others. Well, it's the end of the summer and the friends have taken another vacation but this time on purpose and in the "Caribbean". Let's see what hijinks they get into this time.

Let's start with the good and move to the mediocre. First, the movie was filmed in Hawaii, and I hope we all support Hawaii to help them rebuild from the fires. Next, the cast works well together, but the writing unfortunately wasn't as adventurous as the vacation. John Cena is a comedic genius, but they barely used his potential. Lil Rel and Yvonne Orji while still honestly fledging comedians have more in them than just this whining comedy. Sidenote: they could've casted Kevin Hart in this role, and it probably would've worked better with his whining. Anyway, Meredith Hagner was really the only character that had the same spirit as the first movie but all in all it became just the same. The movie felt like the same movie, jokes, etc. Except it lacked the life and surprise of the first movie. There's a chuckle here and there but that's a fall off from the first movie. Shoot, you might as well just watch the first movie all over again instead of watching this one because you'll laugh more. Vacation Friends 2 is an average movie for streaming services but with the cast they had you'd expect more, especially with Steve Buscemi. I mean he's a classic! While his character was fine, we should have gotten more. Don't even get me started on how useless Carlos Santos is until the end. I am watching you, Chencho!

Long story short, Vacation Friends 2 is a tamed down version of Vacation Friends. Unfortunately, that's actually not a good thing since the wild, raunchy, random behavior made the first movie work so well. Yes, there's a "baby" in this movie but the friends should've taken it up a notch on vacation. Instead, we're given a handful of popcorn to eat during this streaming Hulu flick.

Bottoms (2023)

Bottoms Come Out on Top

[8/10 · 20 September 2023]

Do you remember the first rule of Fight Club, Streamers? That's right. I won't say it, but you know. Anyway, the teenagers in Bottoms make up some rules of their own for their afterschool all-female Fight Club, which is the focal point of this raunchy, teen comedy. Here's how the punches got thrown.

Bottoms was directed and co-written by Emma Seligman, who wrote and directed a fantastic intense comedy, Shiva Baby - check it out if you have the time. Anyway, Bottoms takes place in an undetermined time but follows two "ugly, untalented gays", PJ (Rachel Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri) as they begin their senior year in high school. PJ and Josie are outcasts, but they want to hook up with hot cheerleaders before the end of the year. After rumors spread throughout the school about PJ and Josie's summer, they use their newfound cred to start a female self-defense club or a Fight Club in order to get close to their crushes. Bloody, teenage hijinks ensue.

Bottoms is very funny and unexpected. It's a little all over the place, but that is to its credit. The movie has the structure of many teen comedies that we've seen before. In fact, the basic premise of having sex before the end of the school year is pretty standard for these movies like Superbad or American Pie except our main characters are lesbians. Nevertheless, the filmmakers have found a unique take and a daffy tone that pumps this well-worn genre and premise with life. Everything is very heightened and almost cartoonish in its execution. The screenplay gets major credit for having good jokes that are fast paced; and Sennott and Edebiri deliver high energy performances that tap directly into the weird and wonderful tone of the movie. Marshawn Lynch has a great role as a teacher attempting to be an ally to PJ and Josie. Lynch has some of the funniest moments in the movie. Who knew he'd be such a wild and gifted comedic presence?!?!

Ultimately, Bottoms is a clever and funny movie that turns the tropes of a raunchy teen comedy on its head. There is a strong ensemble that works well together to bring the laughs. Marshawn Lynch is especially surprising. Grab a big box of popcorn and have fun at the theater.

A Haunting in Venice (2023)

A Haunting in Venice Sinks in the Canals

[4/10 · 20 September 2023]

Guess who's back, Streamers? Hercule Poirot returns to solve another murder mystery in A Haunting in Venice. This movie is the third in a series of Agatha Christie adaptations directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh as the world renown detective. We all love a good murder mystery, am I right? A Haunting in Venice has a tinge of the supernatural just in time for Halloween season. Here's how it went.

A Haunting in Venice is a loose adaptation of a later novel by Christie, Hallowe'en Party. In this movie, we find Poirot (Branagh) retired in Venice in 1947. He is avoiding potential client who want him to solve their various mysteries. However, when Poirot's bodyguard allows his friend, Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey), a mystery novelist, in to see him, Poirot is confronted with a new mystery. Ariadne wants Poirot to attend a séance at the haunted palazzo of Rowena Drake (Kelly Reilly) to expose a psychic, Joyce Reynolds (Michelle Yeoh), as a fraud. Unable to resist, Poirot obliges Ariadne and attends the Halloween party and ensuing séance where things aren't all as they seem. Bumps in the night and deductive reasoning ensue.

Branagh previously directed Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile, which were mildly successful in bringing back these stodgy murder mysteries of Christie's. A Haunting in Venice is more of the same, but the setting does give a different energy to this movie. Venice looks good. From aerial shots and depictions of the canals, it all looks good. Additionally, the production design and costumes are well-done enough such that we are firmly anchored in the time and place of post-war Venice. I will say that the film looks too dark. It is difficult to tell at times what's going on, and I do not think that it was intentionally done in order to add to the mystery. It feels like a frustrating mistake in the cinematography.

Here's my big issue with this movie: the mystery is not interesting. The outcome of this whodunnit is pretty obvious early on. Moreover, it is not explained well in the end. The movie feels both perfunctory and bored with itself. There are some interesting characters particularly Jamie Dornan's Dr. Ferrier and his son Leopold played by Jude Hill. On the other hand, Tina Fey is not good in this. She's out of place and takes you out of the movie every time she speaks, which is unfortunate.

Ultimately, A Haunting in Venice is a ho-hum effort at injecting horror/supernatural elements into the well-worn murder mystery genre. If you liked the previous Branagh Agatha Christie adaptations, you'll probably enjoy this, but it really not worth the time, money or trip to the theater. Everything is fine, but nothing is exciting or interesting enough for anything more than one popped kernel of popcorn.

Bird Box: Barcelona (2023)

Bird Box: Barcelona Stumbles Along With a New Perspective

[6/10 · 29 July 2023]

Welcome back, Streamers! This week in unnecessary sequels: Netflix released the sequel to the wildly popular 2018 film Bird Box called Bird Box: Barcelona. I didn't know anyone wanted this sequel, but here we have it anyway.

As a refresher, Bird Box starred Sandra Bullock in a post-apocalyptic time when mysterious creatures cause people to commit suicide after the person has looked at them. Therefore, in order to survive, one must either remain indoors in a place without windows or blindfold themselves when they venture outdoors. Bird Box: Barcelona has two main differences. It's set in Spain, and the main character, Sebastian (Mario Casas), has a secret darker than the blindfold he wears. Marco-Polo-like hijinks ensue.

Okay, let's cut to the chase: Bird Box wasn't good in the first place. Am I right? Fast forward a few years, and now we have this sequel that's almost as equally just okay. The saving grace of this film is the switched perspective of the main character. In Bird Box, we are automatically on Sandra Bullock's side because she's Sandra Bullock and she's trying to get to safety with some young kids. Here, Sebastian is more mysterious, and his motivations are not initially clear. This change is what makes Bird Box: Barcelona seem like less of just a retread and more of a level up. In fact, this movie feels like a higher level in a Bird Box videogame where new rules, new villains, and a better setting is revealed. If you remember the original, then you'll pick up on some key differences early on.

Also, While Barcelona is a great setting for this sequel, it is not made very distinctive in this movie. It could be any old European city, which is good as they are creepy, but it's not specific to Barcelona enough. Nevertheless, the setting is vast and the horror of the situation is depicted throughout the city as it is littered with bodies and destruction. There is action, but there are really only two chase scenes that are entertaining. Honestly, it is a ridiculous premise that you have to buy into or everything about this movie is dumb. Also, it's not scary in anyway, which is not a good thing for a supposed horror movie or even a thriller. Nevertheless, I will say that since it is in Spanish for a majority of the time, it feels less stupid and more mysterious and entertaining.

Note: If you haven't seen the original since 2018, I suggest not watching it or refreshing your memory about it prior to watching Bird Box: Barcelona. This sequel will be more surprising and engrossing without the refresher.

Ultimately, Bird Box: Barcelona sticks with the same ridiculous premise of Bird Box, but the changed perspective of the main character makes the effort worthwhile. The setting is also a big plus for this sequel even if it doesn't feel unique to Barcelona. There is decent action, but there aren't really any memorable scares. If you can continue to suspend disbelief with this sequel, then you should enjoy this movie enough for a bowl of popcorn.

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

Oppenheimer Goes Nuclear, If You Know What I Mean.

[8/10 · 24 July 2023]

What's up, Streamers? Today, it's the "-Enheimer" to your "Barb-". The other half of the internet phenomenon is a 3-hour, epic biopic from Christopher Nolan. Nolan takes his fascination with physics from the imagined worlds of Interstellar, Inception and Tenet and places it squarely in the terrifyingly real historical context of the development of the atomic bomb.

In this corner, coming in at 5 ft. 10 in., it's American theoretical physicist and father of the atomic bomb - J. Robert Oppenheimer.

Oppenheimer tells the story of the rise and fall of the tenacious and brilliant scientist and leader of the Manhattan Project, J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), as his team develops the atomic bomb and the subsequent personal and political fallout from it. The film tells the story through contrasting hearings that occur after the atomic bomb is used to end World War II: a hearing to strip Oppenheimer of his security clearance and the Senate confirmation hearing of Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey, Jr.) as Secretary of Commerce under President Eisenhower. Mushroom cloud and Communist witch-hunting hijinks ensue.

For a dense historical biopic, Oppenheimer has the feeling of a taut, espionage thriller or like a psychological drama thanks to Christopher Nolan's direction. There's so much tension built up throughout the movie despite the fact that we know what happened to these people. Nolan does a really good job of connecting Oppenheimer's concerns post-development of the atomic bomb to our existential threats today. Beyond that, the budget of this movie was well-spent. There are a ton of familiar faces throughout. Even if you don't really know Cillian Murphy as a leading man, there's Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Robert Downey. Jr. And many cameos. The sound and visual effects that are used to enhance the science of creating the bomb and setting it off are amazing.

At 3-hours, the movie starts to lose some steam when the focus shifts from developing the bomb to grappling with what the existence of the bomb means. This is an important and compelling question, but it is told through these competing administrative hearings that aren't as propulsive as the science driving the first part of the movie. Also, the motivations and connections between characters gets a little confusing because there are so many characters and competing interests to keep track of. Nolan does a good job of orienting the timeframes of the movie by differentiating between black and white cinematography and color and the editing keeps things moving quickly. On the other hand, there are a lot of similar looking dudes saying scientific and political jargon that it can be disorienting.

Sidebar: Oppenheimer reminds me of something like There Will Be Blood except Oppenheimer, himself, isn't a complete psychopath like Daniel Plainview.

Ultimately, Oppenheimer is an urgent and thrilling historical drama that makes relevant connections to our world today. Christopher Nolan puts his unique stamp on the stylish crafts and has assembled a sprawling cast. Although the movie is 3-hours long, it is edited well enough to avoid feeling slow or boring. It is worthy of a viewing on the big screen, so get a big enough box of popcorn to last you the entire runtime.

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

All Things Are Possible In Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

[9/10 · 22 July 2023]

Hey, Streamers! It's that time of year when Tom Cruise returns to theaters to save cinema. Last year, he flew in with the fighter pilots in Top Gun: Maverick and brought people back to the theaters. This year, Cruise brings back the superspies with a new addition to the Mission: Impossible franchise, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1. He's determined to up the ante on stunts and spectacle. Here's whether this cliff-jumping action flick is worth the price of admission.

In Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1, as in every other M:I movie, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team accept an "impossible" mission to thwart an attempt by some evil entity to obtain an existentially dangerous weapon. In this episode, that dangerous weapon is a mysterious, all-knowing AI called "the Entity." In their quest to destroy the Entity, Ethan and his cohorts realize that successfully completing this mission may cost the lives of those closest to them. Mask-ripping, globe-hopping, and cliff-jumping, but no couch-jumping *wink* hijinks ensue.

Spoiler Alert: this movie is an absolute must-see on the big screen. Go grab your big box of popcorn and enjoy 2 and a half hours of superspy missions and increasingly insane stunts. Period.

Now that I've gotten that out of my system, my biggest qualm with this movie is the length. Although I was entertained throughout the entire runtime, I still can't say that 2 and a half hours was absolutely necessary. There is one boring scene near the beginning where a bunch of side characters discuss the terrifying abilities of the AI. This scene needs to be edited down. There is another scene later in the movie where Ethan, Luther (Ving Rhames) and Benji (Simon Pegg) explain the IMF to the new addition to the crew, Grace (Hayley Atwell), which is tedious but ultimately necessary. Nevertheless, the momentum of the movie doesn't grinds to a halt such that you'd be checking your watch.

My other minor issues are 1.) the character Hayley Atwell plays does things that make no sense. I like her as a new player in the M:I game, but she's very frustrating throughout; 2.) the "plot" of M:I movies are so generic. Literally, every episode is the same. Formula = x villain is trying to get y weapon to destroy or take over z + Ethan and crew go all over the world to stop it. Luckily, Christopher McQuarrie, who directed this one, Fallout and Rogue Nation, and Tom Cruise have figured out practical, high-wire stunts that inject energy into each sequel. They have to exceed what they've done before, and they've succeeded in making a very entertaining action thriller. There are truly awe-inspiring stunts and spectacles done in Dead Reckoning that justify its existence as the seventh film in this 27 year old franchise.

Side Note: at one point, I was literally digging my fingernails into the armrests. Talk about thrilling!