Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem may not be perfect, but the animation, storyline, voice cast, and character development gives it a big breath of fresh air to sit back and enjoy!!!

Real Rating:

4 Milkings

What I Like:

-This version of the Ninja Turtles is different, first off, I like that it is actual teens voicing the turtles that puts the teenage into the mutant ninja turtles, and I like that the attitude feels very New Yorkish, it just makes sense that their character development are teenage kids from New York that love pizza, it felt authentic
-The animation was great, it felt a lot like the Spider-Man: Spider-Verse movies, and honestly, I believe it is the future of animated films
-The storyline is different than your average Ninja Turtles story, but this one had a lot of heart in it, and about tolerance and acceptance, it makes it nice to enjoy
-The soundtrack was great, it was a good mix of 80’s and early 90’s hip hop which is very nostalgic for me to listen and enjoy, I mean who knew that listening to “No Diggity” while the Turtles kick shell would actually work
-The rest of the voice cast was great, Jackie Chan as Splinter was great, Ice Cube as Superfly was a great villain with attitude, and I also enjoyed Paul Rudd as Mondo Gecko, he was great

The So So:

-They made some changes that maybe fans might hate (more on that later), but there are some changes I liked, like April being a black teenage woman is good, and having Wingnut and Leatherhead as mutant women gives it a nice diverse touch

What I Didn’t Like:

-The nerd in me for the Turtles get to me, and some of the changes I didn’t like, or doesn’t make sense to me, like Rocksteady and Bebop are notorious villains for the Turtles, and they are good guys, and where is the rest of the Punk Frogs, the Turtles really are going to school, or is Baxter Stockman voiced by Giancarlo Esposito really gone, and don’t get me started with Spinter’s love story (eww)
-All these mutants they introduced, some barely got a fair share of development, like Genghis Frog for one example

Overall:

I’m a big fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles since the old cartoon came out, and have always enjoyed any new content that comes out. As for this film, it is different, but in a good way. The animation, story, development, and voice cast really made this work all together. It is not perfect, but it did have a lot of heart in it. I hope there will be more, and with more familiar characters. That way the fun it brings never ends. Cowabunga!!!

Real Rating:

4 Milkings

Haunted Mansion is not scary, but it is hilarious and entertaining that pays good homage to the classic Disney ride!!!

Real Rating:

4 LaKeith Stanfield’s Shrieks

What I Like:

-I like the comedy in this film, I was chuckling the whole way through, a cast with a perfect blend of comedy and drama it makes the film flow very well
-I have to give credit to LaKeith Stanfield, he was was great casting for the comedy aspect, but his dramatic touch, plus very good character development, made his character likable
-Unlike the other Haunted Mansion film, this one gave great homage to the classic ride
-It shows great scenes of the city of New Orleans

The So So:

-There were some very creepy parts in the film, but nothing really scary, I mean, I jump very easily and this film barely made me twitch, but for a Disney film supposedly made for kids, it did a good job to entertain the whole family, still though, I expected to at least jump once or twice

What I Didn’t Like:

-It got way too predictable, you kind of knew how it was all going to end

Overall:

This was a lot better than the other Haunted Mansion film. The story, though predictable, made a lot more sense. It was creepy, but it wasn’t scary. It is good enough for kids aged seven and above. Though I was hoping to jump one or two times. Some people may complain that there is too much about the ride, but I say, isn’t that the point. It actually gives a great homage to the classic ride, and a lot better than the other movie. I guess we can agree, that it is better than the other movie, and what really makes it worthwhile is the comedy. I probably enjoyed it more than most, but that is just me!!!

Real Rating:

4 LaKeith Stanfield’s Shrieks

Oppenheimer is Christopher Nolan at his finest with some fine acting from Cillian Murphy as well, how can you make a movie about the making of an atomic bomb, just watch this film!!!

Real Rating:

4.5 Plutoniums

What I Like:

-I always asked myself, how can director Christopher Nolan make a movie about making the atomic bomb good, and he did, he made it into a political thriller where I was engaged, the whole Trinity testing scene was a real thrill to see how everything played out in that whole scene
-What also made it work was the character development on J. Robert Oppenheimer, and the great acting played by Cillian Murphy for this character, I liked how they showed his confidence and eccentricness at the beginning, his leadership in making the bomb, and his remorse after it was all said and done, it was great, the other acting in this cast were great too, most notably Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, and Florence Pugh, there were also some fun cameos as well
-What I believe made this film thrilling was not the visual effects, though that was great too, it was the sound editing, it was amazing hoe Nolan made you hear what he wants you to hear, I like it when a blast sound comes in suddenly to startle you, I like it how anxiety inducing these sound effects make you feel

The So So:

-It did feel a bit uneven with the way the story was told, I’m not a fan of the non linear storytelling, but at least Nolan made it work, especially making it black and white to make it easier to follow

What I Didn’t Like:

-The movie was three hours, and where I felt it the most was his trial at the end fighting against Lewis Strauss, I felt it just dragged for too long and I started to get fatigued from it

Overall:

I didn’t think it was possible, but a movie about making the atomic bomb was some fine politically thrilling drama. Yes, the three hours may seem unnecessary, but at the very least the writing and the dialogue kept you engaged practically from beginning to end. Cillian Murphy played J. Robert Oppenheimer phenomenally, and the rest of the cast played their roles very well. This film is a must see for sure, and I’m sure there will be some Oscar buzz as well!!!

Real Rating:

4.5 Plutoniums

Barbie may be too heavy handed in certain aspects, but the satire comedy was just too funny to resist laughing!!!

Real Rating:

3.5 Mojo Dojo Casa Houses

What I Like:

-It made me laugh, my expectation for this film were very low, but their satire comedy and jokes really made me laugh and quite a few times at that
-I knew Margot Robbie had the comedy acting chops, but I never knew Ryan Gosling had the comedy acting chops, his character had me laughing
-Through all the satire and heavy handedness on things (more on that later) there was a special message in there that can be thought provoking

The So So:

-I get the satire about femininity and gender equal rights, but it was so heavy handed that can be eye rolling, with that said, I do understand what they were trying to say and their main point, I just wish they would do it another way

What I Didn’t Like:

-Did they really have to make the Ken characters so dumb, idk, it almost made me offended (or maybe that is the point, idk), and poor Allan (played greatly by Michael Cera)
-I didn’t realize that this movie was PG-13, and with a theater full of young girls, there were some things I thought they were too much for these young ones, like the straight up genital jokes (though expected to happen) it was way too blatant, and some minor language which was surprising for me

Overall:

As I said before, I had low expectations with this film. I thought that it wasn’t for me, and I brought my niece so she can enjoy it more than me. Even though the satire was way too heavy handed, and things that were not meant for little girls with their comedy, I was laughing. My niece enjoyed it as well. I actually had a good time in the end!!!

Real Rating:

3.5

Mojo Dojo Casa Houses

They Cloned Tyrone is that weird mix of sci-fi, satire, and thriller that can be interesting to watch, but not be where it really wanted to be!!!

Real Rating:

3.5 Clones

What I Like:

-The acting was spot on, with the trio of John Boyega, and the comic relief of Jamie Foxx and Teyonah Parris really what brought this film to life

The So So:

-I thought the premise of this film is good with a lot of potential, but once we hit the climax of it all, I felt like it was a wannabe of Get Out, thrilling, but not as effective in substance

What I Didn’t Like:

-I didn’t like the cinematography, I felt like it was way too dark for my liking, it is a new director with Juel Taylor, but still, he should know that he needs to turn on more lights

Overall:

As I said before, it had a lot of promise. However, I think the goal they had in mind, they came up short. I believe the goal was to create another Get Out type of film. Regardless, for a film on Netflix, it is worth a watch!!!

Real Rating:

3.5 Clones

Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One is everything you love in this great franchise, great action, great story, and big thrills, even though it has that one trope I’m hating that movies are doing nowadays!!!

Real Rating:

4.5 Keys

What I Like:

-It is practically everything you want in a Mission: Impossible movie, mainly the great actions and thrills with the story of spies saving the world that always seem to have a unique twist
-Tom Cruise is at his top notch best, and him doing his own stunts are always jaw dropping in how he does it, the rest of the crew is great as well, Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg are always a joy, but Hayley Atwell was really great in this role as well, the villain, played by Esai Morales was menacing and his minion played by Pom Klementieff is insanely good as well

The So So:

-There wasn’t that one scene where it was top notch edge of your seat thrilling like in the other films, for example, the scene with the projection screen, the climbing of the Burj Khalifa, or the underwater mission, there were some minor thrills, but not that big one which can make some of these movies great
-This is a trend I’m not liking, that is films doing a two parter, and it ends and you have to wait a year for the next movie, I actually really hate it when it ends in a cliffhanger like Fast X and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, but at least with this film it does give a decent ending, and makes you look forward to the next film, and not keep you on the edge of your seat and credits, funny, I was expecting this film to do that, but it didn’t and I give it credit for that

What I Didn’t Like:

-There was nothing I really hated in this film other than I have to wait a year to see the conclusion of this film and franchise

Overall:

I really enjoyed this film. It was nothing but pure grade A action from start to finish. It was also very thrilling with the stakes the story brings. I hate that I have to wait a year to see the true conclusion of this impossible mission (see what I did there), but it did give a good conclusion to a chapter at the very least. With all that said, let’s be real, Tom Cruise, whether you love him or hate him, I do appreciate him doing these crazy stunts himself. It shows he is a true craftsmen to the art of an action film, and you can see that he enjoys doing them. That is something I can respect and looking forward to what more crazy stunts he will do in the future!!!

Real Rating:

4.5 Keys

(Sidenote: Jesus Revolution – This faith based film is a true story about a group of Hippies joining a church and starting a Christian movement. I liked how this movie began with the theme about tolerance and acceptance. Eventually it got too boring with their conversations and how it ended up. Also, they left out some huge information about some of the characters as well. Regardless, it is an interesting film that all Christians should watch!!!
Real Rating: 3.5 Hippies)

Joy Ride is that best of both worlds comedy where you get raunchiness and heart and combined together there is something worthwhile there!!!

Real Rating:

4 Tattoos

What I Like:

-In the comedy aspect, I laughed a few times, the raunchy comedy is there in full force, but the banter between the four leads is what made it funny for me
-There is some good dramatic substance in there as well which makes it a sort of feel good movie of sorts
-The diversity in this was spot on, and I enjoyed learning a culture while watching it

The So So:

-As I said before, it did have some raunchy comedy and some good dramatic moments, but when you pushed it all together it does create a tonal shift which was weird and sudden, I thought it would have transitioned better

What I Didn’t Like:

-Once it got to the drama, the problems and execution was very cliched, you almost knew what is going to happen

Overall:

A raunchy comedy casted by four Asian woman leads? I found it as a breathe of fresh air. It was funny and outrageous, but it also had a lot of heart. As for the diversity and culture, it was spot on for me. Combine all that, there is something worthwhile to see, and laugh about it as well!!!

Real Rating:

4 Tattoos

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny may be the same old Indy story, but it is still an enjoyable spectacle!!!

Real Rating:

4 Tuk Tuks

What I Like:

-It is an enjoyable spectacle, the action adventure will never get old for me, and it is something you just sit back and relax and appreciate director James Mangold keeping the lore of this franchise
-If this is truly the last one, it does have some good closure to this iconic character

The So So:

-When it comes to story, it is like you seen one, you seen them all, there is some sort of valuable treasure, a person tells Indy where it is, they go out and get it, and some evil people (this time Nazis once again) are after the same thing, there really is no difference in the story since the first film, with that being said, these type of stories never get old for me, they are still fun, and we still get other movies with the same theme thanks to the Indiana Jones franchise

What I Didn’t Like:

-Harrison Ford is getting too old for this role, the way he punches people is laughable

Overall:

Is it the same old Indiana Jones film, yes, but that is why you love the films. This is another enjoyable action adventure where you just get some popcorn, snacks, and drinks and watch the fun it brings out. Kudos to James Mangold for keeping the lore and essence to this franchise. Yes, Harrisons Ford is getting too old for this role, but at least this one does give some closure to this iconic character. Who knows what will happen in the future if there will be another Indiana Jones sequel, requel, or remake, but regardless, it won’t live up to the original. I can guarantee that!!!

Real Rating:

4 Tuk Tuks

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken had a rough start and a very predictable story, but in the end the charm makes it a good family movie!!!

Real Rating:

3 Crabs

What I Like:

-The charm it gives in the end with the good voice cast makes it ok enough for the whole family to enjoy

The So So:

-The animation was good, but a lot of the night scenes were too dark for my liking, but when they light it up, it is nice to see

What I Didn’t Like:

-The start of this movie felt too weird and rushed, there some things in the premise of this film that doesn’t make sense to me
-Let alone how predictable it was, I mean I saw it forming right from the beginning

Overall:

As I said before, the story was predictable and rushed, but once you get used to it, it is decent enough. I know for a family movie, especially for preteen girls, it is a good story. With that said, it does remind me of a lot of other films like Turning Red and Luca, and I do expect better from Dreamworks. You can lean from one way to another with this, and I won’t disagree with you on which way you go. I would say, wait until it is online, and enjoy it from there. The charm would hit differently from there!!!

Real Rating:

3 Crabs

No Hard Feelings may have some laughs, but not even Jennifer Lawrence can make this underwhelming movie where it suppose to be!!!

Real Rating:

3 Lobster Dolls

What I Like:

-Jennifer Lawrence did her best in this film, it is very rare that she is in a comedy, but I thought she excelled at it with her wittiness and charm

The So So:

-There were some moments where I laughed, but for this comedy, there wasn’t enough laughs, instead, they played this comedy way too safe, comedies that are memorable do try to cross a threshold, and for this one, they barely dipped their toes in it

What I Didn’t Like:

-It was way too predictable at the end
-There were some jokes about teachers having relations with students which needs to stop, it is not funny, instead, it is disturbing

Overall:

I went into to this movie ready to laugh my butt off, but instead I laughed but my butt is still in place. For what it advertised I thought this played it way too safe for what it should be. Jennifer Lawrence was great with what she had to work with, but in the end, it was just too underwhelming for me. It probably worked better as a weird rom-com than a straight up comedy!!!

Real Rating:

3 Lobster Dolls