The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie; A movie made for six year olds, w/barely a single joke or gag that exists outside of being a reference to a specific video game moment. It’s churned out candy coloured chaos that makes zero attempt to appeal to an average viewer who doesn’t know or care for this IP; D-

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Avatar: Fire and Ash; No mistaking, the movie looks gorgeous & the world continues to be magnificent to look at. The craftspersonship is undeniable. Yet it still suffers from unremarkable characters, who are also very unlikeable at times, rehashing the same scenarios to justify action scenes; A-

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Spider-Man: Brand New Day; Surprisingly manages to show more inventive ways to experience Spidey on the screen, w/spectacular stunt work & inspired super hero team ups and clever shots & sequences. On top of that, weaves an emotional arc w/impact, even if it meanders off on an odd pace for a bit; A

The Dink

The Dink; A comedy in the manner of a 90s Adam Sandler movie, with a cast that elevates the execution of such a simple premise. Even though the plot points are telegraphed and story beats as old as time, it is fun & enjoyable to watch these tropes in the hands of the actors who are down to clown; C+

Masters of the Universe

Masters of the Universe; Completely leans hard into what it is, a goofy, nostalgic space opera medieval fantasy. The stellar cast play their parts with glee & heart, almost giving more than the story deserves. The jokes land and the dramatic touches play well, making for a satisfying silly movie; B
 

This is the Tom Green Documentary

This is the Tom Green Documentary; Takes a measured look at the comedic career & life of a pioneering creative, noting the ground breaking work that inspired the current landscape, while recognizing influences and challenges that made him who he is. Does a great job for an autobiographical film; A-
 

The Odyssey

The Odyssey; Bold, exceptional filmmaking once again from a renowned master. The storytelling is brutally & somewhat grotesquely brought to life, with some modern sensibility and interpretation. Not a Nolan favourite for me, but a truly accomplished film worthy of the O.G. epic it’s sourced from; A

Moana

Moana; Surprisingly good for a live action remake of a 10yr old film. Seeing the real life Polynesian people is quite impactful & the new Moana is exquisitely cast. Having realistic depictions heightens scenes of peril, while reimagining of fantastical elements still play really well. Enjoyable; A-

Whale Rider

Whale Rider; Fantastic tale of battling patriarchal power & evolving traditions while respecting the Māori people and ways. Castle-Hughes is phenomenal in every way, eliciting tears of joy & heartache, while also hitting comedic moments. Performances are great and beautifully honest and grounded; A+
 

The Lunchbox

The Lunchbox; Cute little romance that’s more about navigating one’s way through life’s transitions than it is about finding a perfect match. The magic of food fuels a great revelation lovingly portrayed by the two sweet leads, who barely share screen time yet have a profound impact on each other; B

Project Hail Mary

Project Hail Mary; Gosling captivates like few others can, hitting the right tones of comedy, sadness, isolation, joy & creative spark. Many contrivances occur, but that’s ok because we’re along for the ride. Inspired storytelling makes the runtime feel short, though it’s got LOTR # of endings; A

Supergirl

Supergirl; Tackles mature themes in a PG package, that would’ve been better served by a R rating to compound the grief, hardship & atrocity that is hinted at. Does more telling than showing, yet succeeds at presenting Supergirl as the foil to her famous cousin. Very good but not very rewatchable; B+

Dog Day Afternoon

Dog Day Afternoon; Immediately grabs your attention and deftly weaves through tones of comedy, drama and action guided by the superb performances of Pacino and the entire cast. The energy is electric as the robbery deteriorates and the pathos is palpable in how the story is written and directed; A+

Toy Story 5

Toy Story 5; How many Toy Storys are too many? Turns out 5. Coasting on nostalgia & introducing new characters that don’t have the likability of previous films, the formula is tired & no longer inspired. Franchise has been lifted by sum total of toys, but there’s little for most toys to do here; B-

Bicycle Thieves

Bicycle Thieves; Stark filmmaking drops right into the post war desperation of an Italian father & takes us for a ride fueled by despair, pride and hope. His frantic search for what he considers his ticket for survival is compounded by the neorealism style, making his situation palpable. Classic; A-

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu; Takes B-movie serials of yesteryears, adds some classic Hollywood inspirations like Blade Runner, French Connection and Butch Cassidy, in a Return of the Jedi flavour to appeal to both adult & child adventurers. Feels like a few episodes and not a true film; A-

Sentimental Value

Sentimental Value; A remarkable achievement in family drama storytelling, containing exemplary performances throughout the cast. Hooks you immediately w/clever juxtaposition of imagery & narration, inviting you into the complexity of this family’s past & present relationships. A masterclass; A+

Billie EIlish: Hit Me Hard and Soft - The Tour Live in 3D

Billie Eilish-Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (in 3D); Interesting behind the scenes elements and in concert intimate access make this a special capturing of the tour for fans. The 3D adds very little, apart from some arena depth of fan’s views. Music itself feels more emotional but less exciting; B+

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; Epic use of score & cinematic touches, from extreme close ups to stunning panoramic vistas, entertain despite some bloated scenes and prolonged run time. The three leads could be interchangeable w/their title monikers, deliciously chewing scenery. Definite classic; A-

Outcome

Outcome; Sold as comedy, but truly an introspective drama, it seems made for & more in tune w/Hollywood types than an average viewer. Casting Reeves is clear choice for character’s conundrum, as his real life goodness counters the role. Great cast but story fizzles while promoting daily decency; B-