Honest Thief

They call him the In-and-Out-Bandit because meticulous thief Tom Carter (Liam Neeson) has stolen $9 million from small-town banks while managing to keep his identity a secret. But after he falls in love with the bubbly Annie (Kate Walsh), Tom decides to make a fresh start by coming clean about his criminal past, only to be double-crossed by two ruthless FBI agents.

Wow.  This was dull.  Like beyond the realm of dull.   Like how did I spend 90 minutes of my life on this kind of dull.  This would have been a lame made for tv movie.  Granted - Liam Nesson's Taken act has grown quite old but this movie was so non-suspenseful and lacking action that it actually made me miss that stuff.

I would not recommend anyone bother with this.  It's a complete an total waste of time.  It was trash even with a football game muted on the ipad.

The War With Grandpa

Peter is thrilled that Grandpa is coming to live with his family. That is, until Grandpa moves into Peter's room, forcing him upstairs into the creepy attic. And though he loves his grandpa he wants his room back - so he has no choice but to declare war. With the help of his friends, Peter devises outrageous plans to make Grandpa surrender the room. But Grandpa is tougher than he looks. Rather than give in, Grandpa plans to get even.

Was this movie 100% formula in every way?  Yes.  Was it a Dennis The Menace/Home Alone wannabe with Robert DeNiro?  Again - yes.  But was it a watchable family movie still?  Somehow . . . . . .  yes.   I'm not saying its a must watch by any means but I was okay watching it and not itching to turn it off and for this movie I would call that a success.

I would somewhat recommend families checking this out.  It is beyond predictable in every way but still was a somewhat decent watch.

Tenet

In a nutshell, Tenet is basically Terry Gilliam’s 12 Monkeys if it was incorporated into a James Bond-style spy film. The Protagonist is recruited by a shadowy government agency to help bring a stop to World War 3, and thus the extinction of all life on the planet. The only way to stop this is using Time Inversion, which is basically a form of reverse time travel, where the entropy of objects is reversed to allow you to travel back in time.

Wow!   This was A LOT to take in.  Christopher Nolan managed to pull off a cinematic masterpiece again with his direction and storytelling but this movie was at times like cramming for a physics test.  It was A LOT to take in.  Like I even read a bunch of stuff after watching the movie to make sure that I understood all of the info that is thrown at you to bring you into this world.  Visually it's beyond stunning.  The characters are great and the hook is definitely there to keep you dialed in regardless of all the confusion and heavy stuff.   

I would absolutely recommend people checking this out. It is not a simple popcorn movie by any means.  This one will leave you exhausted and possibly give you a headache from processing all the info but it is an amazing movie.

Infidel

Infidel is a contemporary political thriller set in the Middle East and filled with suspense and intrigue, inspired by true events, and ripped from today's headlines. Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ, Person of Interest, Deja Vu) plays an American journalist/blogger who is kidnapped while attending a conference in the Middle East. Taken hostage by the Iranian regime, he is put on trial for trumped-up charges of espionage. His wife, who works for the State Department, quickly realizes that the American government can do nothing. Feeling desperate and alone, she goes to Iran to try to free him herself. This exciting story sheds light on the plight of Americans currently held captive in Iran, about whom the world has forgotten.

This movie was a decent watch but had literally no emotional hook to it.  You pretty much forget about the movie five minutes after watching it.   That's no so good for the type of movie that this is.  Kind of defeats the purpose.  

I wouldn't really recommend people rushing to watch this.  It's not the worst way to spend two hours of your life but it's really not a memorable watch at all once its over.

Ava

 

Ava is a deadly assassin who works for a black ops organization, traveling the globe specializing in high profile hits. When a job goes dangerously wrong she is forced to fight for her own survival. 

This was a decent watch but not a must see by any means.   I feel like the general idea has been done to death.  This is the same role pretty much already played by Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron and several others.   Very formula and not to edge of your seat for a movie that should be.

I would not really recommend anyone rushing to see this.  Unless they are just streaming it and then by all means go ahead.  But its definitely not worth the time or money of going to see it.

Unhinged

 

Unhinged is a psychological thriller starring Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator) from Carl Ellsworth, the writer of Red Eye and Disturbia, and Lisa Ellzey, the producer of Warrior and Kingdom of Heaven. It takes an ordinary, everyday incident to its most terrifying conclusion in telling the story of a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy. “Road rage” doesn’t begin to describe what he’s about to do to her and everyone she knows.

For a movie with the most simple of premises - this was a pretty good suspense movie.  Also definitely makes me think about never using my car horn again.   There was nothing that you didn't see coming a mile away but it will still a better than average and surprising watch.

It's not a must see by any means but I would still somewhat recommend people checking it out.  There also is not a lot available to watch anyway.

The New Mutants

 

Created by Chris Claremont and Bob McLeod, "The New Mutants" first appeared in 1982 and focused on a group of teenage mutants as heroes in training. The film is set to feature a new roster of super-powered teens, including Magik, Wolfsbane, Dani Moonstar, Cannonball, Sunspot, and Rosario Dawson (Marvel’s Daredevil) will play a mentor figure to the group.

I don't think that my expectations of this movie could be any lower than they were.  There is clearly a reason why this movie has been getting delayed for over three years.   Or maybe I should say several reasons.  Yes - it kept getting rewritten and shot by 20th Century Fox.  Yes - there was the sale to Disney.  Yes - there was Covid 19.  But the movie is also pretty much garbage so there was no rush to put it out there regardless.  They wanted to kind of make it a horror movie but there was zero scares.  And the movie kept the special effects budget in an X-Men movie crazy low so that didn't help either.  The second the movie is over it doesn't stick with you at all.

I wouldn't really recommend anyone bothering with this.  Glad that it finally came out at least.  And now Marvel can officially move on from this and start rebooting the X-Men under their umbrella.

The Broken Hearts Gallery

 

After a break up, a young woman decides to start a gallery where people can leave trinkets from past relationships.

This was essentially your textbook rom-com.  Enjoyable but you pretty much knew every step this movie was going to take.  The comedic friend characters hit their spots.  The chemistry between the leads felt real and you find yourself hoping that they will work out.  The cast as a whole was really good with a bunch of former side characters getting more screen time than usual.  

I would somewhat recommend people checking this out.  It's not a must see by any means but it was a decent enough rom-com and I guess a breath of fresh air since it has been so long since one came out.

Mulan

 

When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father.

If there was not an animated musical version of this movie with an awesome dragon voiced by Eddie Murphy - this would be a great movie about Chinese culture and family and honor.   It still was an enjoyable movie based on that.  But it was weird watching it without the songs and Mushu popping up.  I will never understand why they went the route of Dumbo with this one instead of Aladdin and Lion King.

I would still recommend people checking this out.  It was a decent watch.  Not worth the $30 that they are charging or whatever at all but if you can stream it online it is worth it.

Antebellum

 

Antebellum will follow the story of successful author Veronica Henley (Janelle Monáe), who finds herself trapped in a horrifying reality and must uncover the mind-bending mystery before it’s too late.

Jordan Peele killed it again.  Can't really say too much about this movie without giving things away but it was a great watch.  Very upsetting for the first 1/3 of the movie.  Kind of confusing for the 2/3 of it and then very pleasing in several ways for the last 1/3 of it.  

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.  It's crazy to me that this movie was made and meant to be released prior to all of the current events we are going through because it really coincides with a lot of those things.

Bill & Ted Face The Music

 

 When we last met Bill and Ted they were time-traveling teenagers trying to pass history class and win the battle of the bands. Once prophesized to save the universe with their rock and roll, middle age and the responsibilities of family have caught up with these two best friends who have not yet fulfilled their destiny. They’ve written thousands of tunes, but they have yet to write a good one, much less the greatest song ever written. With the fabric of time and space tearing around them, a visitor from the future warns our heroes that only their song can save life as we know it. Out of luck and fresh out of inspiration, Bill and Ted set out on a time travel adventure to seek the song that will set their world right and bring harmony in the universe as we know it. Together with the aid of their daughters, a new crop of historical figures, and some sympathetic music legends, Bill and Ted find much, much more than just a song.

Talk about an incredibly long wait for a sequel.  When I was a kid - Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure was one of my favorite movie.  Great movie?  No - of course not.  It was just a movie that I thoroughly enjoyed.  The sequel was a decent watch but nowhere near as enjoyable as the first one.   This movie was incredibly stupid but it really didn't take itself seriously at all and that ended up making it enjoyable even though it really was a bad movie.

I would still recommend people checking this out who were fans of the first two and the characters.   Besides - let's be honest . . . . . what other movies are out there to watch?

The Tax Collector

 

David and Creeper work as “tax collectors” for a crime lord named Wizard, collecting his cut from the profits of local gangs. But when Wizard’s old rival returns to Los Angeles from Mexico, his entire business is upended, and David finds himself desperate to protect what matters most to him — his family.

This was another great and gritty David Ayer movie.  I've always been a fan of his movies and this one was no different.  It was also great to see Shia LaBeouf show those acting chops that I totally thought were going to bring him to next level years back before he fell off the rails.  

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.  It's a well done, tight and pretty intense watch that is more than worth the 90 minute running time.

Irresistible

 

After the Democratic National Committee’s top strategist Gary (Steve Carell) sees a video of a retired Marine colonel (Chris Cooper) standing up for the rights of his town’s undocumented workers, Gary believes he has found the key to winning back the Heartland. However, the Republican National Committee counters him by sending in his brilliant nemesis Faith (Rose Byrne) and a local race quickly becomes a fight for the soul of America.

This movie was a pretty decent watch.  I enjoyed the pulling back of the curtain on how campaigns run and what not.  I will say though that I thought the laughs would be much bigger considering all the talent involved.  Still a decent watch but not nearly as funny as I had hoped.

I would sort of recommend people checking this out.  The actors definitely pull their weight and what not but it's not a must see by any means.

The King Of Staten Island

 

Scott (Davidson) has been a case of arrested development ever since his firefighter father died when he was seven. He’s now reached his mid-20s having achieved little, chasing a dream of becoming a tattoo artist that seems far out of reach. As his ambitious younger sister (Maude Apatow) heads off to college, Scott is still living with his exhausted ER nurse mother (Marisa Tomei) and spends his days smoking weed, hanging with the guys—Oscar (Ricky Velez), Igor (Moises Arias) and Richie (Lou Wilson)—and secretly hooking up with his childhood friend Kelsey (Bel Powley). But when his mother starts dating a loudmouth firefighter named Ray (Bill Burr), it sets off a chain of events that will force Scott to grapple with his grief and take his first tentative steps toward moving forward in life.

I am stunned at how good this movie was and how much I enjoyed it.  Pete Davidson was great and had some incredible one liners.  It might have helped massively that he was basically playing himself but it was still great.  The comedy that was like 2 hours and 15 minutes long avoided that usual death sentence.  Had a lot of heart and a lot of laughs with a bunch of characters that you definitely cared about.  

I would absolutely recommend that people check this one out.  Granted not a lot has come out this year but this is one of the best movies of the year so far.

High Note

 

Set in the dazzling world of the LA music scene comes the story of Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross), a superstar whose talent, and ego, have reached unbelievable heights, and Maggie (Dakota Johnson), her overworked personal assistant.  While stuck running errands, Maggie still aspires to her childhood dream of becoming a music producer. When Grace’s manager (Ice Cube) presents her with a choice that could alter the course of her career, Maggie and Grace come up with a plan that could change their lives forever.

This was a very fun and simple movie.  The characters played very well off of each other.   The whole "what a small world" story that plays out was very entertaining.   I was very surprised that I enjoyed this as much as I did.   

I would recommend people checking this out if they want a simple and enjoyable watch.  It's not a must see by any means but it was a good, breezy kind of watch.

Scoob!

Warner Bros. Pictures is looking to reboot the cartoon into a new animated movie franchise. Created in 1969 by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!" introduced the world to a group of four mystery-solving teens, Daphne, Fred, Shaggy and Velma and their cowardly talking dog, Scooby-Doo. - Chris Columbus boards as creative producer.

Honestly - this movie benefitted by doing the VOD release instead of postponing for theaters.   This never should have been a wide theater release.   Like this was a made for bluray movie all along.  I'm all for a good animated movie and have always been a Scooby Doo fan but this movie was pretty much straight trash.  Like highway robbery for families if it was in theaters.

I wouldn't recommend anyone bothering with this turd.  Very disappointing entry of a Scooby Doo wide release movie.

Trolls World Tour

Can’t stop the feeling as the colorful, wondrous Trolls return for the follow-up to 2016’s breakout global hit about how far you’ll go for happiness… "Trolls World Tour" will continue to where the first film left off. It’s all glitter and happiness in Troll Town until Queen Poppy and Branch make a surprising discovery — there are other Troll worlds beyond their own, each defined by a different genre of music. When a mysterious threat puts all the Trolls across the land in danger, Poppy, Branch, and their band of friends must embark on an epic quest through unfamiliar terrain to do the impossible: create harmony among the diverse Trolls to unite them against certain doom.

This was pretty much massively disappointing.  The original had a certain level of cuteness that hooked both kids and adults with great music and characters.  You really couldn't help but enjoy it on some level.  They have since turned it into a cartoon on Netflix that was actually pretty good too for what it was.  But this sequel was pretty much missing all of that.  Like all of it.  It came across as more of a blatant money grab.

I wouldn't really recommend people bothering with this when it comes out (if it comes out with how things are in April).  But let's be honest - by that point parents and kids will be happy to go to a movie just to get out of the house after this month long sabbatical.

The Hunt

Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don’t know where they are, or how they got there. They don't know they've been chosen… for a very specific purpose … The Hunt. In the shadow of a dark internet conspiracy theory, a group of globalist elites gathers for the very first time at a remote Manor House to hunt humans for sport. But the elites’ master plan is about to be derailed because one of the hunted, Crystal (Betty Gilpin, GLOW), knows The Hunters’ game better than they do. She turns the tables on the killers, picking them off, one by one, as she makes her way toward the mysterious woman (two-time Oscar® winner Hilary Swank) at the center of it all.

This movie is 100% what you thought it would be by the trailer.  A bunch of political infused society commentary intertwined with the idea of hunting humans.  There really is not much more to say about it.  It is what it is.  If you are able to stomach both the violence and the commentary than it is an okay watch.  If you can't - stay far far away.

Like I said above  - can't really blindly recommend this based on the quality of the movie because of those two factors.  I was able to watch it for what it is and think it was decent.  Not awesome.  Not great.  Not bad.  Not atrocious.  Just kind of there and watchable but I would just as easily understand someone completely loving this or completely detesting this too.  A very big point of view movie.

The Invisible Man

The film centers on Cecilia Kass, a woman trapped in a violent, controlling relationship with a wealthy and brilliant scientist. She escapes in the dead of night and disappears into hiding, aided by her sister, their childhood friend and his teenage daughter. But when Cecilia’s abusive ex commits suicide and leaves her a generous portion of his vast fortune, Cecilia suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of eerie coincidences turn lethal, threatening the lives of those she loves, Cecilia’s sanity begins to unravel as she desperately tries to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see.

FINALLY!!!!   A scary movie that lives up to the scares it advertises.  I feel like I have seen so many unscary movies in the last year or so that I've become numb to them.  But this movie was awesome.  This is the most tense I have been watching a movie since A Quiet Place.  Like I was actually sore when the movie was over from how long I spend tensed up.  The acting was great.  The camerawork was phenomenal and the creepiness of it absolutely sticks with you and makes it a little bit uncomfortable at times when you are alone and wondering if you really are.   

I would absolutely recommend people checking this out.  It's pretty much a must see and absolutely a movie that lives up the creepiness that is advertised.

Onward

The story is set in a world with no humans, only elves, trolls and sprites. The film centers on two teenage elf brothers whose father died when they were too young to remember him. But thanks to the little magic still left in the world, the boys embark on a quest that will allow them a chance to spend one last magical day with their father. In the film, unicorns are so common that they’re considered pests.

I feel like I ask this every time but does Pixar make bad movies (outside of Cars 2)? No.  No they do not.  And this was no different.  This was a very excellently told tale of siblings but in a post fantasy world.  The subtext social commentary was awesome.  The characters were awesome.  There were plenty of a laughs and the pacing was great.  I even got choked up unexpectedly a couple of times.  Gotta love Pixar!   My only knock against this is that you are used to Disney/Pixar characters becoming kind of iconic.  I don't see that happening for these characters as enjoyable as they were.

I would absolutely recommend people checking this out.  Again - Pixar never fails (except for Cars 2 which I will give them a pass for).

Sonic The Hedgehog

The hybrid CG-animated/live-action feature is based on the acclaimed "Sonic the Hedgehog" video game series. The film will look to capture Sonic’s irreverent tone and spirit, reuniting him with some of the most revered and infamous characters of the franchise, including the evil Dr. Eggman. Playful, mischievous, and quick on his feet in more ways than one, the world’s fastest hedgehog is known for his ability to move at supersonic speed to protect his friends from their enemies.

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie.  I thought that this would be watered down nonsense for kids and it was not.  It wasn't just as good for adults as kids like a Pixar movie or most Disney fare but it was enjoyable enough for adults and anyone whoever played Sonic to enjoy along with the kids who will absolutely love it.

I would definitely recommend people checking this out - especially families.  It's a great option for the week off from school and plenty entertaining.  It was also a bonus to finally watch Jim Carrey being silly in a movie again.

The Way Back

A former high school basketball star struggling with alcoholism who has lost his wife and family foundation due to it is offered a coaching job at his alma mater, to which he accepts in the hopes it will redeem his soul.

Don't get me wrong - this movie is 10000000% formula.  If you saw the trailer then you saw the movie.  There is nothing you don't see coming.  There are no heart strings that don't get pulled.  That being said - it was still a very enjoyable watch for a sports and redemption type of movie.  Ben Affleck was really good in this simple movie.

I would recommend people checking this movie out.  It's not remotely a must see movie but it is a better than average watch for sure.

Emma

The Jane Austen novel was first published in 1815, a comedy of manners focusing on Emma Woodhouse, who can't help herself from constantly meddling in the love affairs of others.

I tried.  I did.  I don't know why I do honestly.  I have never been able to make it through fully attentive or enjoy any of these Jane Austen type of movies but it showed up online so I tried.  Made it 45 minutes and didn't care at all so I pulled the plug.  

Not sure that I can recommend it or not because I just didn't care for it or any of these movies.  Sorry.