As usual with Disney remakes it is the same old thing, but there is something special with this one that I enjoyed!!!

Real Rating:

3.5 Sea Creatures

What I Like:

-I really enjoyed the underwater graphics and special effects, it really created a world that is amazing
-The whole controversy with Halle Bailey casted as Ariel, stupid to begin with, is a mute point now, she was great, and her singing “Part of Your World” was a delight to see, I also enjoyed Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, I thought she encapsulated her character greatly, and was fun to watch
-I also enjoyed watching the culture when Ariel was on land, it was beautiful with the colors and cinematography, a place that made me jealous of wanting to be there

The So So:

-One of my favorite songs from the original animated film was “Under the Sea” I thought the graphics were great with this number, but the music didn’t quite captured me as the original, maybe it was Daveed Diggs attempt at an island accent, but it didn’t quite do it for me
-Javier Bardem definitely looked the part of King Triton, but I didn’t think he demanded a big enough presence, he wasn’t stern enough or showing why he was king

What I Didn’t Like:

-As usual with Disney live action remakes, it is the same old story only with some minor changes, it was almost word for word at times with their dialogue, and the way they made Ursula look when she grew big was too dark and not as thrilling
-Awkwafina as Scuttle, enough said

Overall:

Yes it does go through the same loops as any live action remakes from Disney. It is their biggest weakness. With that said, I really enjoyed watching this one. The underwater graphics and special effects I enjoyed a lot. Halle Bailey as Ariel was great, and so was Melissa McCarthy as Ursula. Yes there were some changes and things I didn’t like, but in the end I had fun watching this Disney classic. It is a love/hate relationship with these kind of films!!!

Real Rating:

3.5 Sea Creatures

About My Father is everything you like about comedian Sebastian Maniscalco and his Italian background, it was just way too safe to be a good comedy film!!!

Real Rating:

3.5 Peacocks

What I Like:

-Sebastian Maniscalco is a funny comedian and he does present himself well in a comedy film, and his chemistry with Robert De Niro as his father does show some comedic banter that will make you laugh

The So So:

-It is a nice Meet the Parents type of ordeal, but it didn’t bring any real issues, instead they played it safe with their story, and it is a charming film, but no real problems to make it entertaining enough

What I Didn’t Like:

-As I said before, it is too safe, it just wasn’t entertaining enough to be a great film, if you have De Niro in this, you need to have some serious conflict, not just family banter

Overall:

I enjoyed this film for what it is. Sebastian Maniscalco does paint a good picture of his family background, and the chemistry with Robert De Niro was fun to watch. However, it’s charm only lasts for only so long. No real issues or consequences, just some safe comedy. Not that it is a bad thing, but you just get a mediocre to decent film!!!

Real Rating:

3.5 Peacocks

Fast X is another fun romp, but the same fun romp!!!

Real Rating:

3.5 Golden Lamborghinis

What I Like:

-Unlike its predecessor, this one had a more grounded action that actually had me engaged, it was fun and crazy, and didn’t make me hate on the unrealistic action
-What also made it fun to watch was seeing Jason Momoa playing the villain, Dante Reyes, he was very flamboyant and menacing, dangerous yet entertaining, like a Joker of some sorts, and he really made this film enjoyable, best Fast and Furious villain since Jason Statham as Owen Shaw
-Practically all the cast from its previous movies are back, and it was enjoyable, especially seeing John Cena protecting, Dom Toretto son

The So So:

-You go out to see this movie for the mindless action, and that is what you get, it is no different, but that is what makes these Fast and Furious movies so entertaining, just when I thought I had enough, it brings me back in

What I Didn’t Like:

-This is the start of the end of these films, and with that comes with endings that leaves on cliffhangers which I hate, a lot of unanswered questions, and a mid credits scene that did make me happy, but mad at the stunts they pulled off the camera, I really hate when films do that, and have to wait two years to see what happens

Overall:

Just when I thought I was done with these films, this one brings me back in. Even though it is the same mindless action, it did seem more grounded and fun. It is the beginning of the end of this franchise, and they are putting out all the stops. Starting with a very formidable villain with Jason Momoa, and bringing back practically everybody that seems to set up one major event. It is fun entertainment, and I am curious where this will end up!!!

Real Rating:

3.5 Golden Lamborghinis

(Sidenote: Champions – I wasn’t sure about this film. I thought that it would’ve been completely offensive, and cliched. I was right about the latter. It is a cliched sports movie, but this film is very charming with Woody Harrelson as a basketball coach coaching a Special Olympics Basketball Team. I enjoyed it from beginning to end, but I am a sucker for sports movies!!!
Real Rating: 3.5 Pick and Rolls)

Hypnotic is not your typical Robert Rodriguez movie, but for this one, it took a turn to the what just happened?

Real Rating:

3 Hypnotized People

What I Like:

-The story is intriguing, a mystery with a hypnosis component, it really kept my attention, it was even scary at times
-The acting was pretty spot on, especially Ben Affleck who showed some good emotion

The So So:

-If you’re expecting a Robert Rodriguez type of film, you will be disappointed, with that said, it is different, but a good kind of different where it showed an engaging story

What I Didn’t Like:

-With an engaging storyline, it was negatively affected by their twists, it really got me confused, and many things did not make sense for me, you have to see for yourself

Overall:

A different sort of Robert Rodriguez movie, but for me, my complaint is not with that. The premise is intriguing, but once it got to the twist, it just fell off with a big question mark. Ben Affleck’s good acting cannot save itself from confusing disaster. It is a shame really!!!

Real Rating:

3 Hypnotized People

Book Club: The Next Chapter may be cheesy, but this type of cast can bring out some great moments!!!

Real Rating: 3 Gondolas

What I Like:

-The chemistry between the main cast is pleasant, and it is why it makes this film very watchable
-The cinematography of the country of Italy is stupendous

The So So:

-There was a lot of good moments, even some with an emotional punch, but there were times where it was way to corny with their comedy and what not, but some of the comedy did make me chuckle

What I Didn’t Like:

-It is way too predictable with these ladies trip to Italy, it was almost like clockwork with the way the story went down

Overall:

It is a nice and charming film. The cast showed great chemistry. The story was predictable, but the charm with their humor and emotional impact makes it a nice movie. Can it be cheesy at times, yes it can, but you can look over that and enjoy it for what it is. Italy fans will have a ball with this one!!!

Real Rating:

3 Gondolas

The Mother has cool action scenes with Jennifer Lopez, but it is a cliched action movie!!!

Real Rating:

3 Wolves

What I Like:

-Just seeing the cool action and fight scenes makes it worthwhile to watch, Jennifer Lopez proves once again that she can be an action star, and it was fun seeing her kick butt

The So So:

-It did feel like two or three movies in one which changes the flow dramatically, but for me, it is not too distracting

What I Didn’t Like:

-If you see one action movie, you practically seen them all, it had all the cliches on an action movie check list which makes it that much predictable
-The emotional moments in this film did not feel genuine

Overall:

For a movie on Netflix starring Jennifer Lopez as an action star, it is not bad. I believe Netflix was the appropriate destination for this film. You can enjoy seeing JLo kicking some butt. Yes it can be cliched for an action movie, but you can’t complain too much since it is on Netflix. So you can sit back, relax, and enjoy JLo in a action movie!!!

Real Rating:

3 Wolves

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 may be the weakest of the trilogy, but it still has some great and fun moments for us to enjoy!!!

Real Rating:

4 Face Offs

What I Like:

-This movie had a lot of fun moments, like the action scene with the Beastie Boys song “No Sleep Till Brooklyn,” was awesome, and it also pack some emotional punches like the character development of Rocket Racoon, it won’t disappoint in that standard
-The special effects is what you expected, great
-Also, as usual, the soundtrack didn’t disappoint

The So So:

-The one part that was hit or miss for me was the comedy, I thought their schtick got old real quickly, and not as funny as the first two films, it still has moments where I laughed, but not as much as I wanted to laugh

What I Didn’t Like:

-I didn’t really care for the character of Adam Warlock, I felt his appearance was unnecessary, and I’m willing to bet that the comic book snobs will hate it for sure

Overall:

As I said before, I thought this was the weakest of the trilogy. However, it is like the nastiest chocolate in the chocolate box, but it is still chocolate. The action and emotional moments were great, but the comedy was subpar and wearing out its welcome. Regardless, it was still a great installment in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, and for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. You will still have fun watching it, especially with that soundtrack!!!

(Sidenote: Marlowe – This is neo-noir mystery film starring Liam Neeson as famed detective Phillip Marlowe. It is sort of a remake of the famous character, and though I enjoyed the acting, costume, and production design, the mystery story was sort of boring. It was hard for me to be attentive of what is going on, and the payoff was whatever for me. At least I enjoyed the way they made the film, but not the execution!!!
Real Rating: 3 Studios)

Big George Foreman can by a by the numbers biopic, but I still find George Foreman’s life interesting to watch!!!

Real Rating:

3.5 Knockouts

What I Like:

-I always known of the boxer George Foreman, but I never knew how his life went, I found it all interesting of all the things he endured which can be inspiring
-I thought Khris Davis playing George Foreman was fine, but who I really enjoyed was Sullivan Jones playing Muhammed Ali, he really took that role and played that great boxer well

The So So:

-The film didn’t lag at all which is a good thing for me, but it did seem to shift around very quickly instead of giving us a chance to marinate on what just happened

What I Didn’t Like:

-It is a formulaic biopic, it almost seems like his life was one big cliche

Overall:

Despite all the run by the numbers biopic formula, I still found the story of George Foreman fascinating. It can be inspirational, and it really portrays how much of a good man he really is, and how much he has grown. I always respected him, and after this film I respect him even more!!!

Real Rating:

3.5 Knockouts

Peter Pan and Wendy has its moments, but once again with these remakes, it is the same old story with better graphics!!!

Real Rating:

3.5 Pirate Swords

What I Like:

-The acting was fine in this film, I thought Jude Law playing Captain Hook was good and a well grounded character which made him intriguing, and Jim Gaffigan playing Mr. Smee didn’t have an ounce of Jim Gaffigan we know, it was a smarter Mr. Smee
-The graphics for this film is definitely top notch for the most part

The So So:

-I really do give credit for this movie in avoiding the overt racism and actually add more diversity with their characters, like making Tinkerbell black, but with The Lost Boys adding ladies to it is a good thing, but why are they still called The Lost Boys, kind of defeat the purpose of what they are trying to do

What I Didn’t Like:

-Even though the graphics, acting, and diversity are major pluses, but in the end it is practically the same old story which is the major problem for these live action remakes, it really does make it unoriginal

Overall:

We can appreciate everything they were trying to do for this film. It is not one of my favorite Disney classic films, but I can appreciate how they try to make it better. Emphasis on try. However, as usual with these live action remakes, it is still the same old story. It just look a lot better graphically. In the end, it is on Disney+, and it really isn’t a waste of time to watch. It is one of the better ones since Hook!!!

Real Rating:

3.5 Pirate Swords

The Covenant is a Guy Ritchie movie that had good action, but also some heart!!!

Real Rating:

4 Visas

What I Like:

-You get what you get in regards to action in a Guy Ritchie movie, in this case, some good war action, that was expected
-What wasn’t expected was the amount of heart this story was about honor, the leads Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim showed some great chemistry among themselves that showed some true professional emotion

The So So:

-Is it like any other war movie, yes it can be, is it heavy handed about how bad the military system is, yes it can be, but did it entertain, that is a yes as well

What I Didn’t Like:

-It is three things in one like a tv series where the themes are completely different, and it does seem disjointed at times

Overall:

With all the tropes of a Guy Ritchie and a war film, this was entertaining to watch. It kept you engaged with the war action and thrills, and it gave heart with the main theme of the film which keeps you satisfied. I like films like this, because in the end, you feel motivated to do what is right. It does it’s job just right!!!

Real Rating:

4 Visas