Well, everyone, today, we are doing yet another movie review! This time, we will be talking about the newest edition to join the DC Comics superhero film franchise as of last month! To be fair, since it’s likely been over a year since we got a DC Comics movie in theaters with The Batman (I’m not counting DC League Of Super Pets as much, since that was more of an animated family-oriented film than adult one), it was about time that DC Comics released a film from their studio, and Warner Bros. once again. This film stars Xolo Mariduena, Bruna Marquezine, George Lopez, Susan Sarandon, and a few others. So now, let’s talk about the one, and only Blue Beetle!

Plot: In the fictional town of Palmera City, when a recent college graduate named Jaime Reyes gets hired at business company by the name of Kord Industries to try help pay off debt that his family’s been facing, he receives a fast food box, and his told by an employee named Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine) that he must not open. However, Jaime does during dinner with family, and it is reveled to be a blue scarab. The blue scarab comes to life, and Jaime becomes what is known as the Blue Beetle. Jenny’s aunt Victoria, who is head of Kord Industries, is hellbent on retrieving the blue scarab back for herself, and use it for the destruction of the world. Can Jaime, with his newfound powers of the scarab, as well as the help of his family, and Jenny defeat Victoria, and the corrupt members of her company, or will Victoria succeed in getting it back, and use it for the destruction that she intended, when she, and her team uncovered, and acquired it in Antarctica?

So, did we have another winner in the DC Comics that have been adapted to the big screen, or did DC Comics have a dud like Justice League, Batman Vs. Superman, or films like those? Well, guys, even if this film has flipped at the box office thus far, Blue Beetle definitely deserves more recognition than it’s been getting in the end. First of all, the action is really good. The film almost feels like an Iron Man kind of movie except for the DC Comics, instead of Marvel. There is also really good comedy in this film. Let me tell you, it works really well. It was also really good to have this film set in a fictional city, and have people of color. Now, some might argue that having people of color in this movie might make it woke. However, this movie doesn’t seem to be woke due to the fact that that element works really well in this case. Why, you may ask? Well, mainly because Blue Beetle takes place in a more poor neighborhood, and around a family that is surrounded by mostly people of color. Not to mention that the film is set around an environment that consists most likely of a mostly Mexican population. As for the whole deal of Susan Sarandon’s character, Victoria, being related to people like her niece Jenny, well, I’m guessing her brother must have gotten married to a Mexican female? Quite possibly!!! Should we get a sequel, definitely would be more curious about that aspect. Anyway, there is also really great acting in this film. You have Xolo Mariduena as main character Jaime Reyes, Damian Alcazar, and Elpidia Carrillo, as Jaime’s parents, Belissa Escobedo as Jaime’s younger sister, and George Lopez as Jaime’s uncle Rudy. Rudy seemed to be one of the major highlights in terms of having quite a few funny lines in this film. Then again, nearly any film that George Lopez has been in, he’s been a major highlight in comedy, and here is no exception. However, it would seem that Susan Sarandon as the villain, Victoria Kord. Now, I’m sure she’s played some good character roles in her career, as well as villain ones. Still, to see her go from being a villain in the 2007 Disney live-action/hybrid, Enchanted, when she played the evil Queen Narissa, and then play this villain several years later, she definitely shows, once again, that she’s capable of pulling off playing a villain that’s good at being manipulative, conniving, and any other ingredient that makes for a really great villain. The CGI design for the the Blue Beetle scarab, along with the armor that Ignacio Carapax, Victoria Kord’s Lieutenant, wears is really cool. Then again, even villains do have cool body armor in movies like these, don’t they? The romance between Jaime, and Jenny is cute as well. Oh, and another thing! The climax, and the events that took place during it turned out to be a big surprise, and in a good way too. Finally, there are quite a few great messages in this film such as how we should be willing to accept the purposes in our lives (which, parallel to real life, how God has purposes, and plans for our lives), that we need to learn to stand up for what is right, even if it means going against any wrong beliefs that any family member, or friend, how evil is NEVER good, or vice versa, that sacrifices for family, and friends come first before yourself, and things like that.

With all that said, are there flaws with Blue Beetle? Well, there are a couple. First of all, Jenny Kord was a fairly fleshed out character. Emphasis on fairly. However, at the same time, she did also feel a little bland. I mean, we probably have a good idea of why she goes against her aunt Victoria’s beliefs, and things like that. Still, that aspect probably could have been explored a little more. In addition to that, there was some character development that occurred near the end that felt a little forced, and could have somehow been handled sometime before the third act of this film. Because of this, this is one of those films that probably should have gone through maybe an additional draft, or two, and probably been around 2.5 hours, rather than just two hours, or a few minutes past that. The whole deal with the blue scarab/Blue Beetle, though fairly expanded upon, could have maybe been a little more developed, and had a little more depth, and development as well.

And that’s my review for Blue Beetle. Yeah, it could have maybe gone though one, or two additional drafts in order to be a little better. Still, for what it is, especially with this film being one of the fewer films that has some more decent quality in it, having better morals in it, compared to quite a few films made in Hollywood nowadays, and things like that, Blue Beetle is still worth checking out. It’s fun, entertaining, and still has some heart in it. I would say that if you still have yet to see Blue Beetle, definitely do so. It could have been better, yes. Still, it’s worth checking out. Oh, and make sure that you stay during the beginning part of the end credits. There is an additional scene that occurs during that that you don’t want to miss. So, definitely go see Blur Beetle, and see what you think!

Final Grade:B+

Well, everyone, today, we are going to be reviewing a film that, like the last film that I just reviewed, was based on a true story. This time, however, we will not be going back to the time of WWII like we did with Oppenheimer. Instead, the film that we will be discussing today is basically a biography of a former baseball player that played in the Major Leagues for a while. So now, let’s discuss a film that stars people like Dennis Quaid, and Colin Ford, by the name of The Hill.

Plot: The movie depicts how former baseball player Ricky Hill (Colin Ford) had to overcome all possible odds, both physically, and emotionally, to become a professional baseball player in the Major Leagues.

Wow, what an incredible film. First of all, I’m not sure how many people are familiar with this piece of history. Either way, it was great to see this movie brought to the big screen. Additionally, the way that the filmmakers incorporated the Christian values in Ricky’s life, and the lives of his family members in this film was amazing. Honestly, whether you’re a Christian, or not, this is a movie that everyone should see. Yes, Christians will likely enjoy it more so. Still, even for a non-Christian, there are some very thought-provoking moments in this film. The characters are all written the way that they needed to be for this film. Still, the biggest standouts for characters would probably have to be main character Ricky Hill, and his father, Pastor Hill. The reason being is that the movie did well with showing how the two characters didn’t see eye to eye on the whole deal with baseball, as well as being a Christian. Because of that, it will make for a great discussion for Christians, and likely even non-Christians when it comes to drawing the line on pursuing one’s passions, and pursuing one’s relationship with Jesus Christ. What’s even better is how much Ricky was willing to face ridicule from others that mocked his physical disabilities, as well as willing to persevere, and do what he could to pursue his dreams, despite having to face obstacles with his health, including his spine problem, his problems when walking, and more. As a result, The Hill is a great reminder that we need to be willing to face our Goliaths, our Pharaohs in Egypt, and more. Director Jeff Celentano most definitely did an excellent job with directing The Hill. He also made a great casting choice with casting Dennis Quaid, Colin Ford, and the others. It was also really to see baseball, and Jesus incorporated into this film, especially since that was in fact part of the actual story that this film was based on. Finally, the ending ends up being really unexpected, and really great overall.

And that’s my review for The Hill. It is a really excellent film with a lot to take away from it. Yes, Christians will really enjoy it. Still, I do hope that this film will spark curiosity even among non-Christians, and that it will give them a desire to know God more. Yes, The Word Of God is the ultimate source of help for that. Still, God has definitely helped pave the way for movies like this, and I Can Only Imagine to bring more Christian films back into the mainstream movie industry. If you haven’t seen this film yet, I would highly recommend it. It will most definitely be worth seeing, and is really heartwarming, and uplifting overall. So, please go see The Hill, if you haven’t, and see what you think!

Final Grade: A+

Continue reading “Movie Review # 620: The Hill (2023)”

Well, everyone, today, we finally get to the other half of what was known as the Barbenheimer meme that started back on July 21st of this year, when Barbie, and Oppenheimer were released. Sorry that it took me this long to finally see Oppenheimer. Still, again, better late than never! I’m glad to have finally caught up on the Barbenheimer deal. After seeing, Barbie shortly after that film was released, let’s finally discuss Oppenheimer a month and a half, almost a couple months later, shall we? So, let’s dive into a film that was based on real events in history with Oppenheimer!

Plot: The film takes place during the time of WWII, when scientist Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) tries to come up with ways to end the war by making several attempts to make a really powerful bomb that could potentially end Wats instantly. With the help of people like Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.), General Leslie Groves (Matt Damon), his wife, Katherine (Emily Blunt), and other people, did he succeed in his mission to make one of the most powerful weapons known to man?

First of all, wow, what an excellent film this is. To begin, there is so much history behind not only events that occurred during WWII, as well as before, and after, but this movie also may yet make one more curious about Oppenheimer’s life besides what was depicted in this film. It was also great to see Christopher Nolan be at the helm of this film. To see that he directed good films like the Dark Knight trilogy, Interstellar, Tenet, and a few other films that were really good, or great, I’m sure that most of us can agree that we were in for a treat from the very beginning. I guess the question remains, did this film really need to be around three hours long? Well, there have been films in the past that have been around 2.5-3 hours that probably didn’t need to be. Still, in this case, it was probably for the best that this film was around 3 hours at most. Well, for the most part, but more on why I say that later. Anyway, why!?! Well, in all honesty, there was definitely a lot to uncover in this film. I mean from hearing the history of how certain weapons were formed, seeing Dr. Oppenheimer’s humbleness when admitting that he needed help, and guidance from other people for his research, and more, there seems to be so much history behind Dr. Oppenheimer, and his life. Also, for those of you that have seen this movie thus far, you know that Oppenheimer is set during WWII, yes? Additionally, for those of us that have studied WWII, we have learned about Adolf Hitler, Hitler’s mistreatment of the Jews, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and more, right? Well, sadly, it would seem as if not nearly as many of us know about Dr. Oppenheimer, or how the atomic bomb came about before it was used against people like the Japanese. Because of this, this film is a really great instrument for knowing about Dr. Oppenheimer, as well as realizing that he too was an important influence in history, particularly during the time that WWII took place. Anyway, there is also a really great cast going for this film too. We have Cillian Murphy as Dr. Oppenheimer himself, Emily Blunt as his wife, Katherine, Matt Damon as General Leslie Groves, Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss, and more. Yeah, they, along with the rest of the cast were really great in each of their respective roles. As far as the characters themselves go, they were amazing too. Even if there are characters in this film that you’ll likely find yourself not liking, they are really well developed, and stand out really well. Because they each have scenes in which they shine, and hardly, if ever, get shoved under the rug so to speak, you’ll hardly, if ever, find yourself saying that we could have had more scenes, or more lines from this character, or that character. Oh, and Ludwig Goransson’s score was really good. Though part of me had expected a more epic score than the film had in the end, it was still really good, especially for the fitting of the time period. Additionally, much like Barbie, Oppenheimer also ends up being very thought-provoking at points. Albeit, for different reasons than Barbie was, but still. Hmmm! Isn’t that somewhat ironic!?! Only one of those two films was based on real events, yet they both got released on the same day, have made plenty of money, and were each very thought-provoking at points. Anyway, it’s interesting how much Oppenheimer gives one to think about after seeing this film. There could be quite a bit to discuss, from the decisions that Oppenheimer, and his team of researchers made, and more. What’s even more is how the visuals, cinematography, and more are handled in this film? How do I mean, you may ask? Well, you know how in many movies, at least nowadays, visuals rely on things like CGI for effects, and things like that? Well, that was apparently not the case this time around. In fact, from what I heard real bombs, and explosions were used during the making of this film. Pretty miraculous, if no one actually got hurt, or killed in the process, especially if real atomic bombs, or real explosions overall were used, wouldn’t you say? Well, there may have been fewer CGI effects. Still, from what I heard, Christopher Nolan, and the team tried to have the CGI effects to as much of a minimum as possible. One other thing to mention as far as positives go! When the movie goes from Dr. Oppenheimer either meeting with researchers, or developing either an atomic bomb, or other weapons to him being in a courtroom with other government officials, rather than him getting all the researching, and testing done, followed by him being in court for the rest of the film, the filmmakers decided to switch it up by doing the flashback deal with scenes of him being in court, and doing the researching, and testing in other scenes during the course of this film. Honestly, had Christopher Nolan, and the other filmmakers not gone the flashback route in the end, people would have probably gotten bored by around the second half, or at least third act, and not enjoyed this film as much because of that. So, props to Nolan, and the team for doing that!

With all of that said, are there some negatives in this film? Well, sadly, the one downside to this film is that there were a few sex scenes throughout this film that ended up being thrown in your face full on. I mean sure, if Oppenheimer was a womanizer, then have scenes that portray him that way. Still, couldn’t the filmmakers done that in a more discrete way without it being full on, and in your face? Well, just a thought there! It’s just sad how Hollywood has been doing that in many R-rated films for quite some time, you know? Well, all to say that was one way in which the film could have maybe been less these three hours was for the filmmakers to tone down on scenes like those.

And that’s my review for Oppenheimer. Despite this film having some scenes that were thrown in your face, and unnecessary, the film was really good overall. It has some excellent visuals, characters that stand out, thanks to the fact that those characters did exist in real life, a good score, and more. It is also really thought-provoking, and makes you try to understand how people might feel about different aspects of life in the end. Because of this, it’s understandable as to why Oppenheimer has been so popular for as long as it has been. Hopefully, when the Golden Globes, and Academy Award ceremonies come around this next year, Oppenheimer will have plenty of awards. But we shall see, that’s for sure. Definitely go see Oppenheimer, if you still have yet to, and see what you think!

Final Grade: A

Well, everyone, today, we are going to review an action sequel film of a franchise that has been going on since around the mid-1990s, and is based off an action TV show. It stars Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, and Ving Rhames, plus newcomers like Hayley Atwell, and Esai Morales. Ladies, and gentlemen, I present to you all my review of the seventh installment of the Mission Impossible film franchise that is divided into two parts, one for this year, and the other for next year. Presenting to you all is my review for Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1.

Plot: When IMF agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), and his team head of a two-pieces crucible key that could advance technology, and deal with artificial intelligence (AI), it becomes their mission to retrieve the two pieces, and stop a new threat that could use the key to destroy the world. Will Ethan, and his team complete their mission before people from a terrorist organization called The Entity get their hands on it, and most likely use it to screw the world over?

Now, as I’m sure some of us know, this new Mission Impossible film has not performed quite as well as many of the previous films. And yeah, that was probably due, in part, to films like Barbie, and Oppenheimer being released a week later, and making a butt load of money. So, is it safe to say that those two films caused Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One to make somewhat of a run for it’s money, or was this new Mission Impossible sequel not that good period? Well, although anything’s possible, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One is a really good film that seemed to have gotten fairly overshadowed by films like the two that I just mentioned a moment ago, and possibly a few other films that have been released over the course of this summer. First of all, there is plenty of action in this film? I mean come on, who most likely doesn’t love a good action film? Also, it was interesting to see some really good character development with the newer characters, and the old ones, especially the main characters that were part of Impossible Mission Agency (IMF) in this film. It’s especially interesting that we get to delve into main character Ethan Hunt’s past a little bit before he joined the IMF. Oh, and what’s more, we get to see a little more of a different side of Ethan that we probably never saw in the other Mission Impossible films prior to this one. So that was really cool. And, of course, there are characters like Ethan’s IMF buddies Luther, and Benji, especially the latter. Honestly, Benji seems to really act like the comic relief for this film, even when he didn’t have to do so. So, props to you guys at Paramount Pictures! Ilsa Faust, the other IMF agent, is also a really great character, even though she seems to play more of a minor role than when she was in 2015’s Mission Impossible: Fallout, or 2018’s Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation. There are also new comers like Grace, who’s played by Hayley Atwell. For being a newer character seven films into this series, she was a really great character, especially with how her character is played out in this film. And, of course, there’s the villain, Gabriel, who’s played by Esai Morales. Oh man, talk about a well-written villain. In fact, if one were to ask about top five, if not at least top 3 most menacing villains in the Mission Impossible film franchise, Esai Morales’ character, Gabriel, would most definitely fall somewhere in that ranking. He’s clever, knows how to come up with the most diabolical schemes that one could imagine, and more. As for the other characters, most of them are fantastic too.

Next, there is the storyline. Wow, a great majority of these films were really good. But this one, though not quite perfect, is superb. First of all, the fact that the filmmakers were willing to divide this particular chapter of the franchise into two parts shows that they were willing to make this one as great as possible. Considering that Dead Reckoning is supposed to be the final chapter of the Mission Impossible series, it’s probably for the best that they did it this way. Granted, we’ll have to wait until next year to see the second part, as long as the current Actor Writer’s Strike doesn’t delay Part 2 to a later date. Still, what the filmmakers did by making the storyline of this sequel better paced, and trying to do a better job of developing the characters was a really smart move on their part. Otherwise, had it all been made into one part, this sequel would have likely had pacing problems with the storyline, probably suffer from lack of character development, especially when it came to newer ones, and things like that. Because of that, along with the fact that Dead Reckoning Parts 1, and 2, is supposed to be the final film for the Mission Impossible movie series, it was definitely wiser to divide it up into two parts, rather than making it all one story in this case. Additionally, this Mission Impossible movie has a much darker, and grittier feel than many of the previous films in this franchise, especially the first through fourth films. I mean even when it comes to the action sequences of this film, not only are they phenomenal (which how often is that not the case in an action film?), but it was almost like many of those sequences had depth, purpose, and meaning to them. That was also proof as to why the writers were trying to make this film as good as possible. As for the musical score by Lorne Balfe, wow also out of this world like for the other sequels in this film that he scored for.

So, with all of those good things, what could have possibly gone wrong? Well, there are a couple issues that Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1 suffers from. To begin, some of the secondary villains could have been developed a little more than they were in the end. Going along with this, there were some potential arcs that could have been played a little better than they seemed to be in the end. Second, despite most of the story being well developed, there were some scenes, especially near the end, that may have felt a little rushed, and didn’t seem to be as well developed, and played out as they could have been. Finally, it wouldn’t be surprising if some people were to have issues with how certain scenes were handled, or how certain characters were handled this time around, or things like that.

And that’s my review for Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1. So, did this film deserve to be a flop, or just a moderate success at the box office? Honestly, no! Sure the film did at least have a couple issues. Still, it was a really good film that deserves as much recognition, if not more than, the previous Mission Impossible movies. It has a really good story, and action sequences that have meaning, mostly well thought-out characters, and a darker, and grittier feel that didn’t seem quite as present in the previous films. I would say that if you haven’t seen this film yet, please do. You will most definitely be surprised, and glad that you did afterwards. Also, since this, and the second part that’s supposed to be released next year, is said to be the final installment, then all the more reason to see the beginning of the end of this franchise! So, go see it, and let me know what you think!

Final Grade: B+

Well, everyone, it is now time to review yet another film. Today, we are going to be diving into a world of a certain type of heroes that have been on TV, and have had their own movie spin-offs through the past 3-4 decades since. Well now, these types of reptilian heroes now have their latest theatrical debut that was released earlier this month. That’s right! We are hanging out with the reptilian superhero creatures known as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. So now, let’s discuss this 2023 adaptation, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem!

Plot: A mutant rat named Splinter (Jackie Chan) lives in the sewers of New York City as a father figure his four adopted turtle kids, Donatello (Micah Abbey), Michelangelo (Shanon Brown Jr.), Leonardo (Nicolas Cantu), and Raphael (Brady Noon). Though Splinter is not trusting of humans, due to having difficult experiences with them, the turtles, also known as the Ninja Turtles, constantly venture out into the human world without letting Splinter known about it. One day, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles meet a friendly female human named April O’Neil (Ayo Edebiri), who is a high school news reporter. With April’s help, can the Turtles, along with Splinter, be accepted into human society without facing fear from the human species?

Now, for the million dollar question! Was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem one of the better adaptations of this story? Well, I’m delighted to tell you all that, other than there being one, or two scenes that were a little too crude, and inappropriate for a family film, yes, it very much was. First of all, the animation looks very similar to that of 2018’s Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse, as well as Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse, which was just released earlier this summer. Yeah, once again, we have a comic book style of animation that was used by Paramount Pictures, and Nickelodeon, instead of Columbia, and Sony Pictures this time around. Once again, for a theatrically released animated film, that’s impressive. Then, there’s the story. Now, some of you may think that this is another TMNT story, yes? Well, I wasn’t as big of a nerd of the movies, or the TV series, as a lot of other people most likely were. So, what do I know? Either way, the story almost felt like something like the Disney show, Gargoyles, but pressed into one movie, instead of three seasons. I bring that up, since both that show, and this new TMNT film seem to feel somewhat similar to each other story wise. Now, for the Gargoyles show, it was probably for the best that it was extended into three seasons. Can the same be said with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem? Thankfully, no! Whereas Gargoyles had quite a few characters to flesh out, and some world building to extend upon, and focus on, this TMNT film didn’t have to do that quite nearly as much. There was also a really good amount of heart to the story too. Then, there’s the characters. First off, there’s the rat, Splinter, who was voiced by Jackie Chan. Honestly, considering that Chan played similar roles in other films, this one suited him really well. Splinter was also a great character, and father figure too. Also, despite this character having the overprotective father cliche, you do understand his motives while watching this film. The Ninja turtles were also really great, and had some great jokes. There’s also April the human, and some other mutant creatures, in addition to the mutant ninja turtles, that were really well fleshed out. Oh, and hopefully without giving anything away, the villain was really great. I won’t say what all he did, but his design, and the way he was handled was really great. For themes, and messages, sure, the whole concept of trusting a race, or an individual, may have been done before. Still, again, it’s very creative with the way it was handled. There’s also the musical score. The rock music, and more makes this score really great, especially when the turtles are either flying around the city, or end up in different battles throughout the film. One other thing to mention is the comedy. Wow, can you say comedy abounding? Finally, this film had plenty of comedy that helped keep the audience engaged even more, whether it was really hilarious lines, or funny moments period.

With all that said, were there any downsides? Well, of course, there were a couple scenes with some humor that was probably a little too crude for children. Second, there were a couple scenes near the end that were a little strange as well. Neither make the movie bad. No, not even close. Still, the movie could have probably done better without them.

And that’s my review for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle: Mutant Mayhem. It has a fun story, really great, and well-developed characters, a good musical score, great action, and more. Though this film is not quite perfect, there’s still plenty of great stuff to make this worth your while. Are Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles nerds bound to enjoy this film more than those who are not as familiar with this franchise? Probably still, the fun elements in this movie should help keep the audience engaged, and really enjoy it one way, or another. So, definitely see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and see what you think!

Final Grade: A-

Well, everyone, today, we are diving into yet another remake from Disney. This time around, however, it is NOT a remake of a Disney animated film. Rather, it is a remake of a 2003 live-action Disney film that was based on a Disney theme park ride. Though we don’t have Eddie Murphy this time around, we now have Rosario Dawson, Danny Devito, Jamie Lee Curtis, Owen Wilson, LaKeith Stanfield, and some other cast members. So now, let’s discuss the 2023 adaptation of the popular Disney theme park ride, The Haunted Mansion.

Plot: When a widowed doctor (Rosario Dawson), and her son (Chase W. Dillon) move from New York to New Orleans in order to open a new Bed And Breakfast Inn, they come across a mansion that is found to be abandoned, and haunted. What’s more, they, along with anyone else that steps into the home are stalked by ghosts that live there. Now, with the help of new friends such as a conman (Owen Wilson), a psychic (Tiffany Haddish), and an astrophysicist (LaKeith Stanfield), can these new visitors to the legendary Haunted Mansion discover why these ghosts act the way that they do, chase them away somehow, and be at peace once again?

So, was this remake better than the 2003 film, or should this film have remained floating around in the air with ghosts? Honestly, guys, after seeing this film, it makes me want to be a little bit nicer to the 2003 version that had Eddie Murphy in it. As some of you may know, I gave that version a lower B grade when rewatching, and reviewing it just a couple years ago. Now, is this a bad film? No! However, it’s not exactly a good, or great film either. First of all, even though there are a few funny parts here and there, the film felt a little more serious than funny. I’m not sure if that’s because Eddie Murphy was absent this time around, or if the filmmakers were just going for a more serious tone in this case. Either way, this film lacks the fun, and charm that the 2003 film had. I will say that with actors like Danny DeVito, or Owen Wilson at the helm of this version, that’s kind of sad, since they’re both rather good comedians too. Yeah, they each had some funny lines in this film. Still, both of them, and others probably could have had more. Anyway, the story, though fairly well developed, could have probably improved. Also, for crying out loud, why did this film end up having a psychic in this film, especially when there was also a priest in this film as well? I don’t know, the idea to have both a Catholic priest, and a person that consults spirits, and/or practicing witchcraft both helping the main protagonists in this film didn’t seem like the best idea. Hopefully, neither Disney, or even any other company, won’t make a habit of going down a road like that in the future. But hey, I guess we’ll see, eh? Anyway, besides characters like Father Kent, and Bruce Davis, who were played by Owen Wilson, and Danny DeVito respectively, the characters, while likable enough, don’t seem to stand out a whole lot, and/or be memorable. Oh, and one other thing to mention! When it comes to the 2003 version being superior, the ending for that one felt more uplifting, and upbeat than this new version for reasons that I won’t explain in case you still plan to see this film.

But are there good things in this movie? Well, at least a few things for sure. First off, music composer Kris Bowers knew how to capture both the good points, and the rather haunting, and creepy points for this film. Additionally, the climax was one of the major standouts for this version of the story, especially for all the events that transpired, which I won’t give away what events to avoid spoilers. Of course, there’s also the CGI. The CGI was good in both this film, and the 2003 film. Again, as far as comedy goes, there was a decent amount of that as well, despite the fact that there could have been more of that. Finally, there were good messages, including one about learning to let go of things that could potentially hinder us from moving forward in life.

And that’s my review for this new version of The Haunted Mansion. Honestly, even if this wasn’t one of the best versions of The Haunted Mansion, it still has some redeeming qualities that keep it from being a bad film. Still, this 2023 version of The Haunted Mansion is probably one that you could just wait until it comes out on DVD/Blu-Ray, and/or Disney+. Well, if you have a movie theater deal like with the AMC Stubs deal, where you pay an amount like $22.95/month in order to see up to 3 movies per week for free, then feel free to see it in theaters. Otherwise, probably wait until The Haunted Mansion is out of theaters, and on video. So, definitely see it at some point, and see what you think!

Final Grade: C

Well, everyone, today, we have finally reached what is said to be the final chapter of the Indiana Jones film franchise. Okay, yes, the film did come out a few weeks ago. Still, today, I am finally giving you all a review of that film. So now, let’s discuss Indiana Jones & The Dial Of Destiny, starring Harrison Ford as the star of this saga, Indiana Jones himself.

Plot: Set first in 1944, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), and his colleague, and traveling companion, Basil Shaw (Tony Jones) are searching for an ancient object that was made by mathematician Archimedes (at least in this film). The object, known as the ancient Dial Of Destiny, is said to allow the person that uses it to travel back to different points in time of history. Twenty-five years later, in 1969, when Neil Armstrong is to be there first astronaut to land on the moon, the Nazis, led by German leader Jurgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), attempt to gain control of it for themselves. Now, can Indiana Jones, and his goddaughter, Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), reclaim the object, keep it from the Nazis, and keep them from using it to go back, and attempt to change history?

Well, as I’m sure many of us know, Indiana Jones & The Dial Of Destiny is said to be the final chapter of the Indiana Jones film franchise. If that is in fact the case, did this film go out with a bang? Was it as good as the other films in this franchise? Well, one can say, for the most part, yes to the first question. In answer to the second question, it may not have reached the brilliance of Raiders Of The Lost Ark, nor the grandness of The Last Crusade. Still, it had better pacing, and more memorable characters than that of The Temple Of Doom, and better writing than The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. That all being said, there is the elephant in the room that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. It’s the whole deal with how Indiana Jones’ character was handled in this film. I know that there were some people that were spreading rumors that Indiana Jones was going to be turned into this pathetic old man, and that his character would be replaced with a strong female lead, making this film woke. Okay, here’s something that I would like to say to that, especially after seeing this movie a couple weeks ago. First of all, I am sick, and tired of some people bashing films like the newer Little Mermaid simply because Ariel was played by a black female, or because there was a new rap song in that remake, or things like that. Again, the one thing that could be woke was Ariel’s sisters being made of different nationalities. Other than that, I’m not sure it was worth bashing that film, especially since the cast did a great job with their respective roles. Why am I bringing that up in this review, you may ask? Well, that leads me to my second point about that whole deal. The deal about the filmmakers making Indiana Jones being made into this pathetic old man, and some bull crap like that. Well, here’s what I have to say. First of all, Harrison Ford’s character, Indiana Jones, did seem to act like an older gentlemen. Still, there’s a reason. Clearly, it was not to make this film woke like some people are claiming to be the case. Guys, it would seem it’s because, well, Harrison Ford just turned 80 years old last year. Let’s not forget that the first three Indiana Jones films were released throughout the 1980s, when Harrison Ford was in his 40s, followed by Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull in 2008, when he was in his 60s. Now, Skull may have been released 15 years ago. Still, at 80 years old, or possibly in one’s 60s, how often has one heard of an 80-year-old person, or even a 60-year-old performing certain stunts, or dance moves, or more as well as say someone in their 40s? If someone around that age has done so successfully, please let me know. All to say, please, please, please STOP saying that this movie is woke, or that Indiana Jones is made into this pathetic person because of that. Yes, Indiana Jones did not move about as well in this movie as he did in previous films. Still, let’s try to consider this from Harrison Ford’s perspective, and try to imagine being around his age, along with considering when the first three Indiana Jones films were released, and this new Indiana Jones movie being released. Not to mention that this film did take place years after the first three films. Anyway, moving on from there! As mentioned before, Indiana Jones & The Dial Of Destiny was a huge improvement from Indiana Jones & The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. First of all, the writing, and storyline were really well done. This time, the characters are much more interesting, and memorable this time around. Yes, there were some newer characters introduced like there have been in the other films. Bye even then, they were interesting. It was especially cool to see Antonio Banderas be in this film as a frogman named Renaldo. Of course, we also have old friends like John Rhys-Davies as Sallah, Toby Jones as Basil Shaw, Indiana Jones’ Oxford colleague. There’s also Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Helena Shaw, Jones’ goddaughter. But one of the major highlights of Indiana Jones & The Dial Of Destiny is Mads Mikkelsen as the main villain of this film, a German scientist, astrophysicist, and former German Nazi named Jurgen Voller. First off, Mads Mikkelsen has done phenomenal at anything he’s been in, whether it was being a protagonist in Star Wars: Rogue One, being a minor villain in the Fantastic Mr. Beasts from last year, and more. Well, he was great as Voller in this film. This villain has charisma, is crafty, and has basically all the ingredients that make a great villain. And again, the other characters are memorable, and ones that you either love, or love to hate. Considering that the last Indiana Jones movie didn’t have as many memorable characters, or as strong of a storyline, that’s saying plenty. As for Helena Shaw, Sallah, and more, need I say more? The score by John Williams was also really good. That is especially since he hasn’t scored in quite nearly as many films as of lately, that’s saying plenty. Then, there’s the storyline. It is probably the one film of this franchise that has this creative blend of present elements, and potential futuristic elements, and having them out together. Also, having an item like the Dial Of Destiny, let’s just say that it was brilliant, and creative how that item was used in this film. The movie was also really heartwarming, and had plenty of heart put in. It’s obvious that the filmmakers were trying to go out with a bang. Yes, there were times were the movie felt heavy-handed. Still, there was a good reason for those moments, especially since it helped to further develop either Jones, or any of the secondary characters. There were also some interesting themes, and discussions that occurred throughout this film. Oh, and there were some aspects that occurred around the third act, and near the end, in which I found myself thinking that these aspects could easily be taken from either a secular perspective, as well as a Christian one. Oh, and finally, and this is one of the best parts, there are no horror like elements in this one like there were in the previous movies. Sure, the closest thing to something like that would be when a character is covered in blood. Still, there’s no character that gets disfigured, melts, or anything like that this time around. Could that be because there were quite a few people that were upset that particular aspect of the previous films? You got me!

With all of that said, is there anything negative about this film? Well, there is one thing that degrades this film from an A+. It’s the ending. Oh, don’t get me wrong, it was a good ending, as well as a surprising, and satisfactory one at that. Still, it did feel like the ending did feel somewhat rushed. It wasn’t bad. It just could have been extended a little bit longer. But hey, on the brighter side, the ending was cute as well.

And that’s my review for Indiana Jones & The Dial Of Destiny. I’m the end, I can see why this Indiana Jones movie was made. For it being 2 1/2 hours long, it was worth it being that long for having a strong storyline, stronger, and more likable characters, a rather heartwarming story as well, and more than one could ask for. Honestly, even if COVID factored in this film’s release date getting postponed, it was certainly worth the wait from the last film that was released 15 years ago. You can tell that the filmmakers were trying to make this film as good as possible. If you haven’t seen this movie, please, go, and see it. Also, for crying out loud, please DO NOT listen to the naysayers that may have tried to discourage others from seeing this movie. It has everything one could ask for in a good movie, and more. See it with an open mind, and see what you yourself think, if you still have yet to see it. So, go see it, and enjoy 2 1/2 hours of more fun with Indiana Jones, and some of the old gang, plus some new faces!

Final Grade: A

Well, everyone, surprise, surprise, we have yet another session of movie reviewing coming up. This time, we are going to be reviewing one of two films that were released just this past Friday, on the 21st of this month. Oh, but that’s not all. No, no! This time, it is part of a certain Internet meme that has been going around since shortly before they were both released. That’s right! We are talking about the Barbenheimer joke that has been going around due to the fact that both Barbie, and Oppenheimer were both released on Friday, July 21st, 2023. Not to mention that apparently, many people, particularly those who were/are AMC stubs booked tickets to see both films this past weekend. FYI, I did not see both films, but only Barbie. However, Oppenheimer is on the docket for sometime within the next couple weeks, if not sooner. Until then, here is my review for the new Warner Bros. film that stars people like Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling, the one, and only, Barbie.

Plot: In a fictional land called Barbie Land, Barbie (sometimes also known as Stereotypical Barbie) is enjoying the high life with being able to stand on her tiptoes, being able to have enjoyable meals, partying with other Barbie characters, and more. But one day, when her feet go flat, and other things go awry in her life, she seeks help from Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon), a Barbie that was exiled from Barbie Land after going through a similar fate as Barbie. After consulting with the her, Barbie, and Ken (Ryan Gosling) head to Los Angeles, California to find out the source of her change? Will they succeed, and will things go back to normal for Ken, Barbie, and th e rest of Barbie Land?

So, was this a good film overall? Was it worth the hype that this film, along with Oppenheimer, have been getting this past week, and likely will be getting in the weeks to come? Well, it’s a good film, but does have a couple flaws. First of all, there were certain aspects of the beginning that came off as rather cruel, and most likely inaccurate. I’m not sure if those moments were supposed to be a joke, or not. Either way, those moments were probably not the best. Secondly, there was some rather crude humor in this film. Now, yes, I understand that most adult films have crude, and more adult jokes. Still, some of the jokes that were put into this film, well, let’s just say may have felt a little too mature even for a PG-13 rated movie.

Other than those things, Barbie is a surprisingly really good film. After seeing the trailers, you might have found yourself thinking that this film is more for little girls, right? Well, you’d be wrong, as that is not the case at all. Again, hopefully you can tell from some of the flaws that I mentioned for this film. Anyhow, what does make this film good? Well, to begin, the acting was really good. Sure, there were points where Ryan Gosling’s acting, who, of course played the main Ken character in this film, at least could have improved to a degree. Aside from that, everyone did great in their respective roles. It was especially cool to see Will Ferrell even play a character in this film. Considering how funny he’s been in other films like Talladega Knights, or even voicing the MegaMind character in the DreamWorks animated film, Megamind, for instance, he hardly, if ever, disappoints. The visuals for Barbie Land were also really bright, and colorful. As for the cinematography for places like California, need I say more? Oh, and there was also some surprisingly really creative comedy in this film as well. As for a couple of the original songs that were incorporated in this film, though not exactly memorable, still ended up being very fun. The comedy is also really great. Oh, that’s another aspect to love about this film. It is really clever how some of the comedy was incorporated into this film. The storyline was also really creative the way that it was set up, first off. Second, the way situations are handled, and how other certain aspects are handled in this film is very interesting, and even surprising at points, especially around the middle to end. Finally, though the ending could potentially feel bittersweet in some ways, in others, there were some really great lessons to take away from this 2023 Barbie movie. I mean for this film to serve as a reminder, as an example, that different people will view people differently, or that one person’s perspective could be different from another person’s perspective are really great things to take away from this film. Oh, and did I forget to mention that people will most likely be surprised by how things turn out by the end? I won’t say how, but let’s just say you’ll either like those aspects, dislike them, or even feel ambivalent. So there you have it.

And that’s my review for this 2023 Barbie film. Though it was a little too crude at times, and some of the beginning was stupid, it is an overall enjoyable film. It has well developed characters, a very good, a story that is creative, and, at times, very thought-provoking, a few fun original songs, and quite a few other fun elements as well. Not to mention some of the lessons to take away from this film. If you haven’t seen Barbie yet, then I would definitely recommend it. I’m sure that you’ll be pleasantly surprised after seeing it. Yes, people will probably feel mixed about some things that occur near the end. Still, 2023’s Barbie is definitely worth watching once, if not more. So go see it, and see what you think!

Final Grade: A-

Ladies, and gentlemen, hello again, and welcome to another session of movie reviewing. Today, we review a film that is based on a true story that occurred around a decade ago. Not only that, but it crossed the $100 million mark as of recently. It stars Jim Caviezel (whom I’m sure many of us know as playing Jesus in 2004’s The Passion Of The Christ), Mira Sorvino, Bill Camp, and a few other cast members. So now, let’s discuss the historical drama, well known as Sound Of Freedom!

Plot: The movie retells about how, around a decade ago, a special agent named Tim Ballard (played by Jim Caviezel in this film) from Homeland Security Investigation discovered that children from Honduras, and other places around the world, were being sold into human trafficking as sex slaves. It then portrays how he first tried to save two children from Honduras named Miguel, and Rocio from suffering the rest of their lives in such a horrible lifestyle. Did he succeed in his mission, and did he also succeed in rescuing other children from the sex slave/human trafficking industry?

Wow, first of all, what an excellent film! To begin, Jim Caviezel did a phenomenal job with his portrayal of special agent Tim Ballard. He truly knows how to put life into characters like Tim Ballard in this movie, Jesus in The Passion Of The Christ, his roles in certain TV shows, and more. Truthfully, if no better film comes along by the end of this year, Caviezel truly should get a nomination for Best Actor Of The Year at award ceremonies like the Golden Globes, and the Academy Awards. The rest of the cast was phenomenal as well. Next, there is the story. Wow, sometimes I wonder if maybe this should have been rated R. Okay, maybe it was because of the fact that some of the darker scenes weren’t more violent, or darker than they ended up being in the end that this film was given a PG-13 rating. Still, that doesn’t change that this film did have some of the most intense moments that an adult film, PG-13, or R, could have. One way, or another, it was both tragic, and good to see this film come out, and show the brutality of human/sex trafficking, and how people will act nice, and say nice things to get kids sucked in. Yes, it’s tragic that such a field, like any other evil field, exists. At the same time, however, it was also good that this film came out so that more people could hopefully be aware of how horrible sex trafficking is, especially if some don’t fully realize the horror of it already. One other thing to mention is that, as you watch this film, you’ll be surprised by how much you learn about human trafficking, and how negatively it has affected the world. I heard that this film was thought up, and originally in production around five years I ago. Yet, for some reason, Sound Of Freedom was unable to be released until recently. Well, praise God that this movie when it did, instead of it getting scraped altogether. What’s more is that this is one of those movies that, despite this movie having the feel of a faith-based movie, it’s also safe to say that Sound Of Freedom is one of those movies that both Christians, and non-Christians are most likely going to enjoy. And hey, depending on how many non-Christians give this movie a chance, hopefully they will come to know Jesus, and have a relationship with Him through a film like this one. Quite honestly, the fact that a film like this has made over $100 million in it’s first couple weeks since being released in itself is a miracle. I was surprised to hear that this film was only allowed to play at a limited amount of theaters. That is before this film began to expand, and play in even more theaters in the weeks following it’s release on the 4th of July. Not to mention that Sound Of Freedom was made by Angel Studios, the same TV, and movie company that made shows like The Chosen, and films like this one, and His Only Son (which was released back in March of this year), for instance. If companies like Angel Studios make really touching, and uplifting films like this one, or Lionsgate make films like Jesus Revolution that was released earlier this year, in February, then hopefully there will be a shift in content that either independent companies, like Angel Studios, or maybe huge mainstream companies in Hollywood make films. Only God knows how this will pan out. Anyway, this movie does not shy away from the horrors that have occurred in human trafficking, and sadly still occur even today. Lastly, people that watch Sound Of Freedom will walk away being reminded of very valuable lessons such as being brave to do the impossible when necessary, doing what God calls one to do, even when it means making major sacrifices in the process, and more.

And that’s my review for Sound Of Freedom. It is a great film with a great story, seeing so much light shed on the evils of human trafficking, and more. The acting, especially by Jim Caviezel, is also great. There truly is plenty to love about this film. Though human trafficking is a dark, and heavy subject, it is also great to know that movies like Sound Of Freedom are willing to show just how bad it is. Oh, and when you also see this film, you’d be surprised to hear some shocking news in regards to sex trafficking, and children being sold as sex slaves. Oh, and another thing to mention, when it gets close to the end of the film, please DO NOT leave right away. There is a tribute, and speech that Jim Caviezel makes while the end credits roll. Trust me when I say that you don’t want to miss what he has to say during the end credits. So again, make sure you stay through the credits when the movie is over. All of that being said, please go see Sound Of Freedom whenever you can. It will be worth it in the end. I honestly want to own it when it comes out, and maybe even see it in theaters one last time. But we shall see.

Final Grade: A+

Well, everyone, today, I have a very special treat for all of you. Today, we are going to be reviewing a live-action Disney film that just reached it’s 20th anniversary as of recently, as well as is based off a popular attraction at places like Disney World, and Disney Land. Not only that, but it is in a lineup of Disney films that, in honor of the Disney company reaching it’s 100th anniversary, are being re-released every couple weeks over the course of July 7th through October 27th, which includes re-releases of films like Toy Story, Moana, Coco, The Lion King, Pirates Of The Caribbean, and a few others. So now, let’s discuss the classic live-action Disney film, from 2003, and being re-released as of this year, Pirates Of The Caribbean.

Plot: When a group of accursed, and immortal pirates kidnap Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightly), a woman from England that came in possession of a special pirate medallion eight years before that is one of many to help lift the pirates’ immortal curse, a blacksmith named Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), and a pirate named Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) must spring into action to go, and rescue her. Will they succeed in their mission, and will the curse of the pirates, and their ship, the Black Pearl, be lifted regardless?

Okay, I remember really having fun with this film back in the early 2000s. I also remember enjoying some, if not all, of the sequels that followed it. So, is this film as good as I remembered it before? Miraculously, yes, and likely even better. First of all, Johnny Depp helped make this film even better. I mean most, if not all, of his lines, were really great, clever, and spot on. Truthfully, he was basically the Robin Williams of this Pirates Of The Caribbean film, and probably even the other ones that came after it. A great many of his lines were hilarious as could be, and the way he even acted was sometimes funny. If it weren’t for Jack Sparrow being in this film, or perhaps even Johnny Depp playing him, it’s hard to say whether or not Pirates Of The Caribbean would have been as enjoyable as it was in the end. Joining alongside him were Keira Knightly, Orlando Bloom, Geoffrey Rush, Jonathan Pryce, and more. They were all really great. Considering that Orlando Bloom was in this film as Will Turner, and Legolas the elf in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy that was getting released around the same time as this film, I would have been curious to hear how he was able to juggle between working in Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl, and all three of those films, especially since that trilogy, and this film were both really big blockbusters. Next, there was the score by Klaus Badelt. His score was phenomenal. It almost seems to have a Hans Zimmer vibe (which is interesting, considering Zimmer at least scored the second through fourth Pirates Of The Caribbean movies). I wouldn’t be surprised if many people wanted to get the soundtrack, and listen to it quite a few times after seeing this film. Yeah, you heard me. It’s that amazing. Then there’s the storyline. This film was around 2 1/2 hours long. Quite honestly, I’m glad that it was. The reason being is because it helped developed the world that this film was based around, and helped flesh out every single character that needed to be fleshed out. Every single character, be it Elizabeth Swan, Will Turner, Jack Sparrow, minor characters like Commodore Norrington, or even the villain Captain Barbosa, were memorable from beginning to end, be it lines of theirs, moments they were onscreen period, you name it. It was also great to see how creative the writers ended up being with the characters, and the storyline overall. Oh, and did I forget to mention that there are a Biblical references in this film? I won’t say when those occur, but let’s just say that Christians especially will appreciate moments like those. Another thing to appreciate about this movie is how it could potentially make one think about whether or not it would be wise to handle certain situations in ways similar to how some of the characters handled certain situations in this film. As for the action, that was another one of the major highlights of this film as well. The climax especially is one of the most memorable action sequences that this, or any other action film could have. Could it have possibly dragged a little long? Maybe! Still, it thankfully doesn’t dock the film from having a really good grade. Finally, there seemed to be some good underlying messages about possibly not stereotyping other groups, or individuals, and maybe even underlying themes of racism.

And that’s my review for Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl. It was worth seeing twenty years ago, and is worth seeing even today for those of you who surprisingly may have never seen this film. It Ava’s a fun storyline, some of the most memorable characters that a film could have, excellent action, possibly great messages, and more. If you haven’t seen this film, definitely watch it at least once, even if you don’t see it more than that. the movie barely, if ever, drags, and you’ll find yourself engaged from beginning to end. Once you see Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl, you may surprisingly want to revisit it, and revisit the characters multiple times. Anyway, see this movie if you haven’t, or want to rewatch it again, and see what you think!

Final Grade: A+