Nicolas Cage and Joel Kinnaman are trapped together in a car for the majority of action thriller Sympathy for the Devil. Driven by Cage's unhinged performance, Sympathy for the Devil is decent enough but its conclusion leaves much to be desired.
This year's Fantasia International Film Festival has an impressive lineup that will hopefully include many intriguing titles for those of us covering the festival remotely. Horror, animation, foreign titles from all over the world, and tons of debuts, Fantasia is a genre lover's dream.
Don Lee returns as Detective Ma Seok-do in the sequel to The Roundup. Focusing more on crime and the detective work that comes with it over hard hitting action, The Roundup: No Way Out isn't nearly as fun as its predecessor but amps up the comedy for mixed results.
Hideaki Anno's latest tokusatsu reboot is simple enough with enough blood and "Kamen Rider" throwbacks to satisfy longtime fans. However, "Shin Kamen Rider" is clunky in its execution, teetering between a silly, lighthearted affair and downright gritty gore.
The sequel to "Becky" (2020), "The Wrath of Becky" brings Lulu Wilson back as the title character savagely killing grown men that have kidnapped her dog. Great kills. Solid character development for an 80-minute film. A little lacking everywhere else.
Rounding out the trilogy in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, "Vol. 3" packs a wallop with Rocket's incredibly moving backstory, a jaw-dropping hallway action sequence, and the most twisted MCU villain to date.
Im Sang-soo's emotional road trip drama "Heaven: To the Land of Happiness" stars Park Hae-il and Choi Min-sik in a meaningful look at what life means to you when you only have so much time to left to live.
"Speak No Evil" is a 2022 Danish horror thriller that revolves around the poking and violating of one's psyche and his or her most cherished morals. A countryside vacation turns into the shattering of personal space, unacceptable behavior, and downright stalker-like vibes.
Based on a true story, Cocaine Bear is a horror comedy directed by Elizabeth Banks. As a film, it has no shame in how dumb it truly is. But the crazy gore and the fact that you actually root for a CGI bear whacked out on drugs is a bonkers thing to admit in 2023.
Nanny isn't much of a horror film, but it is a drama filled with nightmares and horrific babysitting adventures. While the performances are decent, the story is a simple concept that is stretched and convoluted to the point of ridiculousness.
In development for a decade and a half, "Black Adam" is a superhero smorgasbord of nonsensical trite with borrowed sequences from better superhero films. It's boring and convoluted when it's lazily firing on all cylinders and unbearably generic during its weakest moments.
The "Halloween" franchise as well as the fates of Michael Myers and Laurie Strode come to a close in "Halloween Ends." Whether it is a satisfying conclusion is entirely up to you, but the film does provide at least a handful of solid kills in a very different kind of slasher sequel.
"Goodnight Mommy" has been remade with a ton of changes that likely won't satisfy fans of the original 2014 film. Naomi Watts attempts to do what she can with the material, but this remake overlooks what made the Austrian horror film work so well.
Despite a few janky special effects, "Legions" is an extraordinary blend of absurd comedy and riveting supernatural horror. The film features a massively-cool, werewolf-like demon obsessed with blood during a blood moon, and a jaw-ripping sequence that is a must-see.
Chan-woo takes one break from studying and has one drink before waking up next to a dead body without any idea of how it got there. Next Door capitalizes on the hectic tension we'd likely all experience in that situation and makes it so much worse while also making it captivating and hilarious.
A familiar story is made unique by its superb animation. Princesse Dragon is a French animated fairy tale loaded with beautiful visuals and exceptional characters.
Severin Films will be releasing Alex de la Iglesia's, "Accion Mutante," on 4K Blu-ray sometime in 2022. The 4K transfer of the film debuted at this year's Fantasia International Film Festival.
Don Lee and Son Sukku star in the The Roundup. This is 100 straight minutes of some of the best action you'll see in any film, foreign or not, this year. Well written, exceptional acting, and breakneck fight sequences that take your breath away, The Roundup should not be missed.
A selfish man wakes up one morning to find out that his genitals have literally flown out the window. Now in a race against time, he must retrieve them before he loses them forever. Popran is an absurd comedy that is never quite able to properly capitalize on its crazy concept.
Even with its top-notch animation and a behind-the-scenes crew that worked on a ton of Studio Ghibli films, The Deer King is an animated fantasy film that seems to have forgotten how to properly showcase the actual fantasy aspects of the genre.
The latest action thriller from Anthony and Joe Russo is a total snooze fest. The action is decent at times, but most of the fight scenes are indecipherable, the screenplay is overwhelmingly bland, and the cast is ultimately wasted in what is otherwise an entirely forgettable film.
Natalie Portman returns as Jane Foster in Thor: Love and Thunder. As the only fourth film of any franchise in the MCU, Love and Thunder is ridiculous, laugh out loud funny, sloppy, and kind of fun all rolled into a colors-so-bright aesthetic that will make you barf.
The 26th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival takes place July 14–August 3. This is my official curtain raiser for the festival, including some films I'm looking forward to.
A drama starring Ralph Fiennes, Jessica Chastain, Matt Smith, Caleb Landry Jones, and Christopher Abbott is enough to get anyone's attention. Sadly, The Forgiven is just a gossiping circle of boredom set in the desert where everyone can't wait to stab their friends in the back with insults.
The naive perspective of a tiny, talking shell is extraordinarily heartwarming and Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is one of the year's sweetest and funniest films.
Joe Hill's "The Black Phone" is now a major motion picture thanks to Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill. With a delightfully sinister turn from Ethan Hawke and an incredible performance from Madeleine McGraw, "The Black Phone" mostly delivers, yet teases a bit more than it should.
"Brian and Charles" has to be a contender for the year's most feel-good comedy. Its humor is subtle, but its heart is gigantic. The film is a wholesome adventure that is suitable for the whole family.
"Lightyear" is Pixar's latest offering featuring fantastic animation that's a throwback to classic sci-fi. The story plays it safe, but at least the film offers a simple and groundbreaking way to make sandwiches.
The conclusion to the Jurassic World trilogy is more or less a waste of your time. The film seems to purposely try to distract from the fact that there simply isn't enough dinosaur action while focusing on the grizzled veterans of Jurassic Park and a parenting storyline that is as dumb as it sounds.
"Top Gun: Maverick" is sweatier, more intense, and better-acted than "Top Gun," and its crowd-pleasing action sequences will make everyone overlook its storytelling shortcomings.
"The Bob's Burgers Movie" is basically just an episode of "Bob's Burgers" stretched out for 102 minutes and with more impressive animation. It's fun for what it is, but it's worth questioning its lasting value.
A Disney+ exclusive, "Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers" is basically a modern day, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." But, its storytelling crumbles under its constant need to throw random cameos in your face and the animation feels incredibly lazy.
Alex Garland returns with an infuriatingly inconclusive horror film that is as brilliant as it is totally bizarre. "Men" is chock full of beautiful music and cinematography with stunning performances and an ending that will make your brain do backflips trying to make sense of it.
"The Innocents" brings maturity to the superhero genre. While superhero films often toy with being darker, "The Innocents" prioritizes a solid story structure over special effects and a slow build-up that leads to a payoff that is as intriguing as it is polarizing.
Masterfully animated and chock full of humor, "Pompo: The Cinephile" caters to lovers and makers of film, but also speaks to anyone who admires art or aspires to be an artist. It's creative, inspiring, and just an overall wonderful film.
The Doctor Strange sequel sees Sam Raimi in the director's chair for the first time in nearly ten years. "In the Multiverse of Madness" is the first film to introduce horror to the beloved MCU. It probably isn't as dark as you'd like it to be, but it is certainly fun when it wants to be.
Liam Neeson kills people but then forgets how to tie his shoes in "Memory." The action thriller co-stars Guy Pearce, Ray Stevenson, and Monica Bellucci, but offers little other than exaggerated grunts, heavy breathing, and middle-aged people you once loved past their prime.
"Massive Talent" sees Nicolas Cage star as himself in an adult comedy that is both based on his career and a tribute to it. Cage is perhaps the funniest he has ever been, while Pedro Pascal is the laugh-out-loud sidekick to a one-of-a-kind cinematic phenomenon.
The animation in "The Bad Guys" is so smooth, sleek, and different from other animated films. It's super fun to watch with adult movie references that surprisingly work in a supposed kids' film.
Karen Gillan, in dual performances, takes on a terminal disease and being a clone in "Dual." Austin, TX-born filmmaker Riley Stearns returns with his third feature-length film, and it's as awkward as it is deadly.
Goran Stolevski has crafted a unique horror film for his directorial debut. "You Won't Be Alone" sees an innocent girl given a devilish power as she wears different skins to experience a normal human life.
Robotnik returns to get his revenge in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Meanwhile, Sonic just wants to eat chili dogs and wear the shoes of a competent hero.
"The Batman" (2022) is a detective story first with a few incredible action sequences and full on horror influences. It has its moments, but it is ultimately too long for its own good.
The epic, award-winning video game is now a hit animation series. "The Cuphead Show!" is now streaming on Netflix. It features astounding animation, a crazy good soundtrack, and a ton of silly humor that will entertain the kid in all of us, regardless of age.
The ninth entry in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise is now streaming on Netflix. Written by the guys that brought us the Evil Dead remake and the Don't Breathe films, Texas Chainsaw Massacre has a ton of potential but is really just a bloated, faceless corpse of a horror film.
Kenneth Branagh returns as Hercule Poirot in "Death on the Nile," the sequel to 2017's "Murder on the Orient Express." Watch Poirot creepily ogle people, fumble through seven different desserts without eating them, and ponder whether or not to shave his luxurious mustache.
With a retired cop, a drunk actor, and a slew of semi-intriguing side characters, "Last Looks" is a mystery that isn't really worth solving, even if all the players seem worthwhile from the start. Charlie Hunnam and Mel Gibson save the film from being a complete disaster.
With poor animation, an unimaginative story, and groan-worthy humor, The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild is a horrid animated experience. If this is what Disney plans to do with the Ice Age franchise, then it probably should have remained extinct.
The first Scream film to be made without Wes Craven's involvement and the first new film in the franchise in over a decade. Ghostface returns to Woodsboro for his bloodiest outing yet.
An animated franchise spanning a decade, four films, a TV series, and three shorts, 2022's "Hotel Transylvania: Transformania" is the final installment, and seems to forget what made the other films somewhat entertaining.
The Czech stop-motion animated film "Even Mice Belong in Heaven" explores the afterlife and what lies beyond. Even though it's about animals, it has life lessons any person could benefit from.
Nic Cage tries his hardest to make 2021's "Prisoners of the Ghostland" worthwhile, but it just isn't. It has a lot of influences, but fails to provide its own narrative. Apart from taking away that it's a super bizarre film experience, it is otherwise mediocrity constructed around an insane concept.
Joann Sfar's "Little Vampire" is an animated adventure revolving around love, discovering a new best friend, and what makes life worthwhile even when you're already dead. It's gorgeously animated with fantastic humor, wonderful characters, and a story that's better than it has any right to be.
Masumi and Jonathan Rhys Meyers star in the action thriller "Yakuza Princess," directed by Vicente Amorim and based on the Samurai Shiro graphic novel. Find out why it's a shame "Yakuza Princess" isn't worth your while.
Beautifully animated with a deep, meaningful message that should resonate with just about anyone that was raised by a single parent, "Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko" is a touching, funny, and oftentimes gut-wrenching journey that needs to be seen.
There's nothing quite like "Mad God"; a stop-motion animated horror-infused nightmare created by visual effects artist Phil Tippett. It's nauseating, terrifying, depressing, and an absolute masterpiece.
South African filmmaker Neill Blomkamp resurfaces with a demon possessing horror film that has potential, but it never overcomes its low budget woes.
A moving and intriguing tribute to Satoshi Kon, one of anime's greatest visionaries, whose films are timeless and extraordinary.
Jesse Blanchard's wonderfully violent, hilarious, and heartwarming puppet horror comedy is gloriously entertaining and worth seeking out if you ever have the opportunity. It's easily one of my favorites from Fantasia 2021.
You've never seen an animated film quite like this, with a different animation style and loaded with sexual themes. "Hayop Ka!" was part of the Fantasia International Film Festival in 2021.
The 25th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival takes places August 5th-25th, 2021. The festival is mostly digital this year, which means press gets to attend from the comfort of their own homes.
The ninth film from Quentin Dupieux, the French filmmaker behind other odd cinematic outings such as "Rubber," "Wrong," and "Deerskin." "Mandibles" attempts to be a quirky comedy, but is mostly just a waste of time.
Comicpalooza returns to Houston after skipping last year due to COVID. Labeled as Texas' Largest Pop Culture Festival, the con is an eclectic mix of celebrities, anime, cosplay, and comics with a variety of special guests and activities suitable for the whole family.
The 2021 animated series "Primal" has a mixture of heart and patient, deliberate storytelling. Oh, and there's a caveman riding a T-Rex. Here's my review of Genndy Tartakovsky's latest work made for television.
A schlocky Brazilian horror film with tons of gore can't save "Skull: The Mask" from feeling like an underacted, poorly written mess. How many wrestling moves can you squeeze into a horror film? "Skull: The Mask" has the answer for you.
Spiral stars Chris Rock, Max Minghella, and Samuel L. Jackson. It's directed by Darren Lynn Bousman. The film is the ninth film in the Saw franchise, but serves as a reboot of sorts since Tobin Bell/Jigsaw isn't involved in any sort of capacity.
From Gia Coppola, the comedy-drama film "Mainstream" stars Andrew Garfield, Maya Hawke, Nat Wolff, and Jason Schwartzman. The film addresses what we're willing to sacrifice to become famous on the internet. Is throwing everyone we know under the bus worth a few more likes or follows?
This a horror movie that only teases werewolf carnage and transformations. However, "Bloodthirsty" is way more meaningful than it has any right to be, especially for a horror film.
As a black-and-white drama shrouded in mystery, "Kontora" takes the two-and-a-half-hour scenic route to the meaning behind a grandfather's diary, buried treasure, and a man who can only walk backward. This film is a part of the Brazilian film festival known as Fantaspoa 2021.
"Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes" is the type of film with seemingly very little money at its disposal, but it has a fantastic concept with an even more brilliant execution.
Writer and director Ben Wheatley's horror film, "In the Earth" began its theatrical run Friday, April 16th.The film stars Joel Fry, Ellora Torchia, Hayley Squires, and Reece Shearsmith.
The 2021 film "Arlo the Alligator Boy" contains incredible animation, humor that caters to both kids and adults, and music you'll be craving long after it's over. Here is my review!
Pushed back nearly a year after its completion, "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run" is worth viewing.
"Panda Bear It" is a micro-budget indie film written and directed by Evan Kidd and starring Damien Elliot Bynum. The film is now available to stream on Amazon Prime (for free for Prime members!).
Here is my review of “The Reckoning” (2021), directed by Neil Marshall.
While "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" is a mess, its influence in the animation world is still noteworthy after all these years.
The 3DCG film is the first time the Lupin III character has been in the format in its 50+ year history. It reunites most of the original English voice cast and is totally beautiful through and through.
Sound of Metal had a brief theatrical run back in November, but is now available on Amazon Prime and is free for Prime members. The film does some incredible things with Ruben's (Riz Ahmed) deteriorating hearing loss.
'Another Round' is now playing in select theaters. The Danish drama will be released digitally on December 18th. Starring Mads Mikkelsen, the film is the Danish entry for International Feature Film for the 93rd Academy Awards 2021.
"Black Bear" is a 2020 film release. The film stars Aubrey Plaza, Christopher Abbott, and Sarah Gadon.
Tomm Moore and Cartoon Saloon bring their Celtic animation trilogy to a close with the stunning "Wolfwalkers."
Jackie Chan stars in the latest film by Stanley Tong. The 'Vanguard' movie is loaded with sloppy CGI, terrible green screen effects, and a ton of wire work that would sicken the fans of Jackie Chan's more popular films.
Fried Barry is a nasty and absurd type of film that fuses the sci-fi, horror, and comedy genres into this remorseless turducken of a brilliantly peculiar film. It's so good because it relishes the fact that is so gross and weird.
Premiering at Fantasia Fest 2020 back in August, "A Costume for Nicolas" makes the most of its tiny budget and is an animated adventure loaded with imagination and heart.
"The Pool" had a crazy buzz at Fantastic Fest, it's cheap, poorly written, and amateurishly acted. The low-grade CGI crocodile is absolutely the highlight.
The Cartoon Network's "Close Enough," a show filled with cursing, nudity, booze, and clown strippers.
Miguel Llansó's second feature film wears its influences on its sleeve and offers a uniquely bizarre and gloriously imaginative vision that shatters genre expectations.
Now playing in theaters, "My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising" is like your favorite combo at your favorite fast food place suddenly having a new spot and a new number on the menu. It halfheartedly attempts something new and that is its biggest flaw.
Masaaki Yuasa's latest animated film isn't as crazy as some of his other works, which allows its key relationship to shine brightest. His visual style is just as vividly impressive as ever. Ride Your Wave had a special theatrical event February 19th and has a limited theatrical release February 21st
"The Lodge" is full of creepy scenes that are totally illogical in the film's context. Ultimately, the psychological terror just unravels.
"Come to Daddy" is a layered thriller filled with insane humor and horrific moments, but it's a father-son movie at its core.
If you've ever wanted a secret agent thriller to put you to sleep, look no further than The Rhythm Section. Need someone to stare at things for you? Give you that almost crying facial expression for 40 minutes straight? Blake Lively has you covered.
Coming to DVD and Blu-ray, February 25, 2020, Richard Stanley gives his own interpretation of an H. P. Lovecraft tale starring Nicolas Cage, Joely Richardson, Madeleine Arthur, Elliot Knight, Brendan Meyer, and Tommy Chong.
I saw over 100 films in 2019. Here are my favorites. It isn't a typical list as it includes a few 2020 films, a film without a current release date, and a TV movie. Also Frozen II and The Rise of Skywalker are trash and Dragon Ball Super: Broly probably should have made the cut.
Wyrm is that special kind of film that deserves to be seen by anyone and everyone. Hilarious with just the right amount of emotional trauma. Wyrm is a portrayal of the awkward kid's clumsy stumble into puberty and beyond. It is so incredibly moving and excellent. See it if you can.
Alexandre Franchi explores the meaning of beauty and that disfigurement isn't always just a physical deformity in his deep cutting drama, "Happy Face."
Quentin Dupieux is a master of absurdity and he reels in The Artist's lead actor, Jean Dujardin, for an incredible performance in his latest film that is somehow charming despite being a compulsive liar and a serial killer. Deerskin is so insane and hilarious that it's brilliant.
First Love is the funniest and most entertaining Takashi Miike has ever been. The way Miike balances, humor, violence, and sheer ultra bad ass style is unprecedented and incredible. A Fantastic Fest 2019 film.
How does Taika Waititi's film hold up? Here's my review of the 2019 film 'Jojo Rabbit' as I saw it during the 15th annual Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas.
A nearly three-hour horror movie; that's what you're walking into with "It: Chapter Two." The cast is superb and "Chapter Two" is crazy faithful to Stephen King's novel, but it's also a lot less scary than the previous film, despite Bill Skarsgard's best efforts.
Crazed fan Moose (John Travolta) scoots and sputters his way into action star Hunter Dunbar's (Devon Sawa) life. From the mind of Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst, "The Fanatic" is 100-minutes of pure, unfiltered anxiety.
The "20th Century Boys" trilogy is a mediocre transition from the page to the big screen but there are some high points.
Starring Jacob Tremblay, Brady Noon, and Keith L. Williams, "Good Boys" is an absurd R-rated comedy that gives a tween perspective on adult topics. Unfortunately, the world isn't funnier with their input.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is directed by André Øvredal with a screenplay by Dan & Kevin Hageman (The Lego Movie) & Guillermo del Toro and a story developed by Marcus Dunstan (The Collector, Saw IV-VI) & Patrick Melton (Saw 3D: The Final Chapter).
Tarantino returns with a film about the 1960s, dancing, a washed-up actor, and more dancing. It's long, wordy, and one of the highlights is Brad Pitt talking to a dog named Brandy.
“Midommar” (2019) by Ari Aster is a polarizing horror experiment that many will overlook. The movie has the same violent essence as "Hereditary” and will leave your mouth agape for the whole mind-boggling film.
In 2019's "The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil," writer/director Lee Won-tae introduces a corrupt city suffering at the whim of a sophisticated serial killer while a broken gangster and a cop with a temper join forces. Starring Ma Dong-seok, Kim Mu-yeol, and Kim Sung-kyu.
Coming to theaters in a little over nine months, the Monsterverse has its biggest brawl to date when Godzilla battles Kong for the first time on American shores. Will they team up? Is a bigger villain more of a threat? We're one giant-baby pregnancy away from finding out!
"King of the Monsters" review: While Kong is cool, he pales in comparison to the three-headed dragon, Ghidorah.
Out of resources. Out of friends. Out of luck. Out of time. John Wick (Keanu Reeves) has shot, bled, and grunted his way into the most difficult situation he's ever faced. Thankfully, he's got a horse, a motorcycle, and a couple of dogs in a Moroccan desert that still have his back.
"Okko's Inn," based on a series of Japanese kids' books, was a Fathom Event in April 2019; that was its only theatrical release domestically.
Comicpalooza 2019 had a bunch of hiccups, but was still a lot of fun for me and my wife this year. Here's a recap of my experience of all three days of the convention along with a few helpful tips.
Got a fart you can't release or a cup of coffee you can't finish? Then Pikachu is the right Pokémon to crack the case! Pokémon interacting in a real-world environment is the real drawing point of "Detective Pikachu," but is it worthwhile?
Comicpalooza is in nine short days. Here are a few panels and artists I'm looking forward to catching at the convention. What cosplay is on the agenda as well as a few purchasing tips at conventions are also covered.
The Man Who Killed Don Quixote had a one night special theatrical screening via Fathom Events on April 10, 2019. It just finished a one-week run at a local Alamo Drafthouse. It's now available to rent streaming via Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Vudu.
Movie Hullabaloo was last Saturday, April 21, 2019 and I'm still thinking about it over a week later. Five mystery movies at the Alamo Drafthouse is basically cinematic bliss for anyone who loves movies. Five years running and this is still one of the most fun film-related things to be a part of.
"Endgame": Thanos has succeeded, The Avengers are half the team they used to be, and life is inevitably bleaker. When did hope become such a far-fetched concept?
"Archer" continues to throw its cast into new locations and different characters in "Archer: Danger Island" Season 9.
It took 21 films for Marvel to have its first female led superhero film in the MCU. Brie Larson portrays a character that will likely be a hell of a lot cooler in future installments, but has an uneven and familiar origin story. At least being human isn't as lame as it used to be.
A Belgian 44-minute stop-motion animated short that explores the boundaries of alcohol fueled fever dreams and the fatigue that comes with the sensation of how we feel right before we drift off to sleep in our own beds.
Director Le-Van Kiet's Vietnamese martial arts actioner "Furie" is a brilliant showcase of how Veronica Ngo and Tran Thanh Hoa can beat each other to a bloody pulp.
Director Neil Jordan's first film in six years, Greta is a psychological nightmare that revitalizes the horror genre in a way that feels fresh and unpredictable. Isabelle Huppert adds class and elegance to someone overwhelmed by the cruelest of intentions.
This "How to Train Your Dragon" sequel gives new depth to the relationship between Hiccup and Toothless, but isn't nearly as good as its predecessor.
Meredith Danluck provides a fitting enigmatic mood for a drama that intrigues starring an impressive Katherine Waterston, but it fails to provide a worthwhile reason to waste an hour and 45 minutes of your life. Also stars Michael Shannon, Luke Evans, and Michiel Huisman.
With a limited theatrical run in 2019, "Donnybrook" premiered at TIFF 2018 and played at Fantastic Fest the same year. Tim Sutton's drama film is a brutal experience with a hazy message about a twisted version of America that may be more true than we're willing to admit.
Bear witness to Sam Elliott beating the snot out of three guys half his age, crying a lot, and eating breakfast sausage with his dog instead of those more interesting memories about murdering a German dictator and a bacteria-carrying sasquatch. At least fancy men stay fancy.
Three years after the first film, The Lego Movie 2 reunites the majority of the original cast (and a barely present Will Ferrell) for an adventure that is far less entertaining than realizing Moss from The IT Crowd (Richard Ayoade) voices a talking ice cream cone in a film that is lackluster at best
Now streaming on Netflix. Dan Gilroy's supernatural horror film starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Toni Collette, Zawe Ashton, Natalia Dyer, Daveed Diggs, and John Malkovich.
This 2017 Taiwanese psychological thriller directed by Cheng Wei-Hao and starring Kaiser Chuang, Ko Chia-Yen, Mason Lee, and Christopher Ming-Shun Lee is now available on most VOD platforms.
The graphic novel adaptation starring Mads Mikkelsen as a retiring hitman who is forced back into his career is now streaming on Netflix. The noir actioner also stars Vanessa Hudgens, Matt Lucas, Robert Maillet, and Richard Dreyfuss.
Joe Cornish returns to the director's chair for the first time in seven years for a children's fantasy film that is visually delightful, but kind of annoying and troublesome for your intellect and emotional well-being.
The concluding chapter of a trilogy nearly 20 years in the making. Glass is a sequel to both Unbreakable and Split simultaneously. M. Night Shyamalan returns with a film that has a brilliant cast, but will likely leave audiences polarized.
The first Dragon Ball Super film that crushed both the domestic and foreign box office. Dragon Ball Super: Broly is an incredible animated film overflowing with entertainment appeal for fans of all ages.
Drew Goddard's neo-noir thriller starring Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, Jon Hamm, Chris Hemsworth, Cailee Spaeny, and Lewis Pullman. The film is now available on DVD, DVD/Blu-ray combo pack, 4K Blu-ray, and digital HD.
40 years after the original Halloween. Ignores every sequel after the 1978 film. From David Gordon Green and Danny McBride and a returning Jamie Lee Curtis. Halloween comes home to DVD, DVD/Blu-ray combo pack, and 4K Blu-ray January 15th.
From Epic Pictures Group and Dread Central Presents, the horror-thriller "Dry Blood" drips onto DVD, Blu-ray, and VOD on January 15th.
There's a lot of films to look forward to in 2019. Some mainstream and some that you probably haven't even heard of yet. Here's what I'm currently looking forward to in the coming year. This is part three of a three-part series.
There's a lot of films to look forward to in 2019. Some mainstream and some that you probably haven't even heard of yet. Here's what I'm currently looking forward to in the coming year. This is part two of a three-part series.
There's a lot of films to look forward to in 2019. Some mainstream and some that you probably haven't even heard of yet. Here's what I'm currently looking forward to in the coming year. This is part one of a three-part series.
Laika regular Travis Knight directs the yellow Autobot named Bumblebee that bleeds into the 2007 Transformers film and is visually spectacular but is sentimentally heavy and lacks devotion to the giant robots you've paid good money to come and see.
Slow moving, bizarre, absurd, and horrifically mesmerizing, Luca Guadagnino's remake of Dario Argento's "Suspiria" is its own disquieting beast that will leave its mark on the viewer despite whether they end up liking it or not.
David Gordon Green and Danny McBride have ignored and erased every Halloween sequel to provide a continuation of the war between Laurie Strode and Michael Myers. 40 years later, the world has changed and so have these characters. This is a recalibration even John Carpenter would be proud of.
An incredible cast, dialogue lifted from a Tarantino film, and the ambiance of a certain 2003 psychological thriller directed by James Mangold. Bad Times at the El Royale has too many influences and not enough unique traits to establish its own identity. Chris Hemsworth's hips don't lie, tho.
“Venom” (2018), starring Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock, is a complete mess that is mesmerizing and humorous at times but mostly boring and unfulfilling. Here’s my review.
"Between Worlds" is the first film from Fantastic Fest 2018 that I watched, and it is one of the worst. Nic Cage sleazes up every frame of this thing while Franka Potente and Penelope Mitchell look on in dumbfounded disbelief.
As far as animated films go, Laika looked so strange that it caught my attention right away. Based on Russia launching a dog into space in 1957, Laika takes a creative turn and has the dog crash land on an alien planet ready to begin a new life with new animal and alien friends.
A Chilean stop-motion animated film that isn't the most pleasant of experiences, The Wolf House is uniquely animated with imagery plucked straight from the darkest depths of nightmare fuel, but its aimlessness keeps its enjoyment to a minimum.
2011's The FP is so absurd that it's great. Now writer and director Jason Trost is back with a crowdfunded sequel that is twice as ridiculous and double the awesome even if the ducks aren't what they used to be.
“Mandy” (2018), starring Nic Cage at his most insane, is an action-horror film directed by Panos Cosmatos. It is blood-drenched lunacy and an absolute must-see.
The Fantastic Fest 2017 film is screening in Houston for one-night only at 7:30pm at Alamo Drafthouse - LaCenterra. The South African western features a masterful pace with beautiful cinematography and a plethora of intriguing characters. Five Fingers for Marseilles is well-worth seeking out.
Masaaki Yuasa's latest film is fluid, bizarre, and enjoyable. The Night is Short, Walk on Girl is about making the most of one night, being honest with your feelings, and drinking without thinking about the repercussions.
Searching utilizes a peculiar format that may seem odd at first, but it actually enhances its storytelling. Combined with an impeccable performance from John Cho, Searching is a theatrical experience that should not be missed.
Donnie Yen's turn as a first-time teacher with a troubled past is a positive and different role for the Chinese superstar. The action in "Big Brother" is great and the drama plucks your heartstrings.
Huang Bo's comedy-drama “The Island” (2018) is 60% what you expect and 40% unique. Survival instincts kick in as morality is replaced with sheer desire and greed.
Summer of 84 is a horror film that doesn't know how to provide the horror. There's an insane amount of character development and teenage hijinks, but a conclusion with a knife, a few slices, and a pep talk don't make up for 90-minutes of buildup and no scares.
Spike Lee's retelling of Ron Stallworth's 1979 infiltration into the KKK in the 2018 film 'BlackkKlansman' is intriguing from start to finish and leaves plenty to contemplate in how it relates to the events of today. Here's my review.
The sequel to Kim Yong-hwa's South Korean action fantasy drama lacks the emotional wallop of the original film, but still provides a fascinating look at what awaits us after we die.
With its home release on July 17, 2018, Isle of Dogs is so good as an animated film. It's just a shame the bonus features are so brief. At least the film looks great in high-definition.
“Hot Summer Nights,” Elijah Bynum's writing and directorial debut, is part “Scarface,” part “Saved by the Bell,” and part “The Social Network.” It does little to establish any identity of its own.
Director Gus Van Sant's first film in three years is based on the life and tribulations of a quadriplegic alcoholic and cartoonist named John Callahan. Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Jack Black, and Rooney Mara help make this one of the most powerful and moving films of the year.
In “The Equalizer 2,” Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) gives back to the community, encourages a drug dealer to paint, and desperately needs a five-star rating on Lyft. Here’s my review.
Boots Riley has delivered one of the most original comedies of the year. Starring Lakeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, and Jermaine Fowler, Sorry to Bother You is an unusually brilliant comedy that is unlike anything you've ever seen.
Directed by Ryuhei Kitamura and starring Bradley Cooper, "The Midnight Meat Train" is incredibly faithful to Clive Barker's short story and has some fantastic kills.
They should have Bring Your Dog Screenings of this like they did with Isle of Dogs. Grab yourself a helping of candy corn casserole and a huge glimpse of Christopher Lloyd's butt double, Boundaries tries to be meaningful but is mostly candy coated desperation.
The fourth entry in The Purge franchise is a prequel that makes you care even less about a franchise that probably should have ended two years ago. Starring a bunch of nobodies other than a stale Marisa Tomei, The First Purge is an annoying way to celebrate our independence.
Noboru Iguchi makes some outrageously violent yet absurd films. The craziness in The Machine Girl is so ridiculous that it reaches its own unique levels of entertainment. Like ninjas and blood geysers? Decapitations and chainsaws? The Machine Girl has got you covered.
Back in 2007, Ryan Gosling made the weird and unusual captivating and delightful in one of Craig Gillespie's first films as a director. Sometimes all you need to overcome your introverted personality is a sex doll with a heart of gold.
"Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" has Shane Black in the director's chair for the first time combining noir and comedy as no one else can. With memorable and hysterical performances from both Robert Downey Jr and Val Kilmer, "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" has not only aged well but is still one of Black's best films.
The 2005 crime film "Harsh Times" stars Christian Bale and Freddy Rodriguez. As the first film David Ayer ever wrote, directed, and produced, it deserves to have a better reputation, as my review explains.
One of the weirdest, loudest, craziest, and most amazing 55-minute Japanese films to ever be released. Tadanobu Asano is pretty great in general, but give him an electric guitar and a lizard infatuation and he's even more awesome.
Neil Marshall's 2008 sci-fi extravaganza, "Doomsday," is a wild, bloody ride in the vein of "Mad Max: Fury Road," and clocks in at just under two hours.
If you've ever wondered how painfully bad the zombie genre could get, look no further than Dance of the Dead. The absolute best thing about this film is Lucas Till's brief cameo as one of the rockers.
Before Batman Ninja, Batman: Gotham Knight was the only Batman anime out there. Six stories mostly unrelated to each other awesomely animated by four different production studios. At 76-minutes, Gotham Knight is smooth and creamy animation that's easy to digest.
The first film in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy and Christian Bale's debut as "The Dark Knight." Long before the Martha thing was relevant, Batman received the reboot he deserved.
Michael Feifer's underwhelming representation of the B.T.K. murders is made watchable due to Kane Hodder's strong screen presence. The intense kills are surprisingly creative in their execution, as well.
Ever wanted a German ripoff of "The Silence of the Lambs"? Christian Alvart has you covered. Norman Reedus has been taking some German lessons and wants to show the handful of phrases he's mastered for a pro bono role.
The 2004 film "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" stars Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Karell, and David Koechner. Does it still hold up in today's world? Here's my review.
From the director of 50/50 and the actress from John Carpenter's last directed film that everyone hated comes the slasher film that sat on the shelf for seven freakin' years.
Stanley Kubrick's ultraviolent classic holds up insanely well for its age and Malcolm McDowell is extraordinary in his first big on-screen role.
The 2006 film "13: Game of Death" is a Thai horror-comedy where an average man has the chance to become wealthy in an instant. Is it possible to be pushed too far? Here's my review.
A recap of the first two days of Comicpalooza X, which took place during Memorial Day weekend in Houston, TX.
Anime director and master of warping animation Masaaki Yuasa returns with the Adobe Flash-animated film "Lu Over the Wall" (2018). Mermaids dance, sharks give advice on fish, and dogs take to the sea. The film is total bizarre bliss.
Director Jason Reitman, writer Diablo Cody, and actress Charlize Theron reunite for a comedy-drama about motherhood that is scary, real, and hilarious.
After ten years and nearly 20 films, the entire MCU culminates in the brilliant and devastating "Avengers: Infinity War." Directed by the Russo brothers and starring nearly everyone from every Marvel Studios film.
Hearts Beat Loud had its premiere at Sundance back in January of 2018 and played again at SXSW in March. It is currently set for a limited June 8, 2018 release in New York and Los Angeles. It played in Houston as part of Movie Hullabaloo at Alamo Drafthouse Mason Park on Saturday, April 14.
I traveled to Whistler, British Columbia, Canada in April of 2018. Here's a detailed rundown of the things I saw, the people I encountered, and the activities I partook in over the course of three days filled with outrageous beauty and disturbingly mesmerizing wilderness.
Now playing in 3D, RealD, IMAX 3D, and conventional movie theaters across the country. Steven Spielberg introduces the world to a future overflowing with a gut punch directly to everything you loved as a child.
The Max Winkler directed R-rated comedic drama stars Zoey Deutch and is now playing in theaters. The film also stars Dylan Gelula, Maya Eshet, Joey Morgan, Kathryn Hahn, Tim Heidecker, Adam Scott, and Eric Edelstein.
Now playing in Houston. Wes Anderson's latest venture into stop-motion animation is a fantastically detailed visual wonderland with a whimsical score. Don't miss this wonderfully imaginative film.
"7 Guardians of the Tomb" is a bad movie that knows it's bad, and it feels like it's kind of ashamed of it.
The sort-of, not-really sequel to Operation Mekong has Dante Lam returning to write and direct and Zhang Hanyu comes back to not do much of anything.
Michael Haneke's Austrian drama starring Isabelle Huppert and Jean Louis-Trintignant finally gets its theatrical release in Houston two months after the fact.
Don't hate the panther. Hate the (ancestral) plane. Ryan Coogler's "Black Panther" stars Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong'o, and Michael B. Jordan. Here's my review.
It's a sad day when a film that is stop-motion animated feels like just another cookie cutter piece of animated fluff, but that's exactly what you get with Early Man.
This article includes a review on "Remothered: Tormented Fathers," a survival horror game. It is available on Steam. For a few extra bucks, you can get a bundle that includes the soundtrack and/or artbook. You can also purchase it for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Bound, gagged, and thank the almighty French tickler in the sky this franchise is finally over. "Fifty Shades Freed" ruins any romantic escapades you were planning.
If you go out of your way to watch predictable patriotic puke, then this war drama is now playing in theaters for you to throw your hard earned American currency at.
If we've learned anything from this film, it's never to have kids, keep the power tools away from your parents, and always have a box of Froot Loops on standby in case Nicolas Cage drops in.
If you insist on willingly throwing yourself in front of this wobbly train, the Liam Neeson/Jaume Collet-Serra clackety fourquel is now playing in theaters.
Writer and director Kim Yong-hwa's fantasy drama is a sentimental expedition stuffed with impeccable acting, creative cinematography, and gorgeous special effects.