Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

8/10

In this sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong, King Kong, now living in Hollow Earth, comes across a new threat to the surface world. Meanwhile, something seems to have Godzilla on the move, but what?

This transitions really nicely from the last film by focusing on the Hollow Earth that King Kong has found himself home in. The last couple KK films have focused on the loneliness of finding a place for himself and searching for any remaining members of his kind. His journey is interesting affair as he finally gets to encounter other giant gorillas. He's actually strangely the most appealing character, saying so much without dialogue. He never starts anything in this and just wants to live his life, and you kind of feel for him as has to put up with everyone else just looking for trouble.  

Understand that this is the Kong movie featuring Godzilla. The big G really doesn't do much till the grand finale. Though, it's understandable. I've read that Toho has several rules on what cannot be done with Godzilla (which, given how off-brand the 90's American attempt was, it's understandable). They want him to remain a force of nature, which means ixnay on the human-like facial expressions.

I won't speak much about the main villain here (the first original creation since the Mutos in the first Godzilla film) since their appearance is an Oogie Boogie-style slow burn, but they may be one of the best antagonists in the series, having a fun design and having more personality and being cleverer than other giant monsters.

I've heard complaints about the human subplot (a small group traveling to Hollow Earth in order to find out what's bothering Godzilla), but I'm not seeing it. I felt it was interesting enough. This movie builds a lot more upon the relationship of scientist Ilene Andrews (played by Rebecca Hall) and her adopted daughter Jia (Kaylee Hottle), the last of her tribe, and the now older Jia dealing with her identity. Whereas the last film had the novel decision to have two completely separated groups of heroes for each monster's subplot, this one consolidates the group, dropping several characters. Out of team G, they retained one of the more standout members, podcaster and conspiracy theorist Bernie Hayes (Brian Tyree Henry), whose comical elements seem to have increased a little in this. (I will miss the his other members and am surprised that the guy who leads the monster observing organization Monarch doesn't even have a cameo, but I understand that director Adam Wingard (who also the last film, the most recent Blair Witch, and Your're Next) probably didn't want to oversaturate the story now that it was simpler and more time was needed for Kong's story. On the Kong team's side, they're mostly back, but the scientist guy is replaced with another guy, Trapper (Downton Abbey/the live-action Beauty and the Beast's Dan Stevens). I don't see the reason for the change (the last guy wasn't irreplaceable per se, but he did well and had a good rapport with Ilene and Jia). Trapper serves as the "speaks for the natural order" guy, and he does well enough. Thing is the script has both him and Bernie be the odd, funny guys, and it feels like the movie only needed one. Though, there a few moments where the "weird guys but in different ways"interaction energy pays off.

Course, most people are here for the action, and like the last film, this one delivers. Wingard exercises a little more creativity with the fight choreography and the effects look great. Although, I think that the last film was slightly superior when it came to intensity. However, it also feels like Wingard and the writers really didn't care about putting the monsters out of harms way (even less than last time). If you have issue with rooting for the big G and KK when they are also trampling a lot of people, this might not be for you.

The special effects are even better than last time. The entire look of Hollow Earth might be one of the most impressive science fiction/fantasy landscapes of this decade (real 70's/80's fantasies vibes).

Last thing to say is that like the last movie the epilogue wraps up too quickly. Would've liked a little more explanation.

Highly recommended. Very entertaining and the overall story feels tighter and more interesting than last time.

The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy- Season 1

8/10

In this new animated comedy on Amazon Prime, alien doctors Klak (Nope's Keke Palmer) and Sleech (Everything Everywhere all at Once's Stephanie Hsu), known for breaking the rules, try to find a cure for anxiety.

This is a very creative show. With animation as a medium, you can go much farther with bringing imagination to life. There are so many bizarre, unique aliens in this. (If you have a low weird tolerance, this isn't for you.) The show doesn't really have any humans in this, which makes it a nice change from sci-fi comedies like Tripping the Rift or Futurama. There's no asking yourself why you hear so many topical human references being made by everyone including aliens but not a lot of references to other cultures. The world of SBHitG may have similarities to us but never feels like the writers are copying humans verbatim. 

The jokes are fairly funny (there's also a solid mix of dark and light humor), but I wouldn't say the greatest. It's the stories and overreaching plot points that make this entertaining. The character's lives and the situations they find themselves in is what makes this show. The cast may be wacky but they all have solid flaws, fears, dreams, etc.

I was on the fence for the first episode; too much introduced too quickly. I recommend you stick till the third episode before passing judgment. 

The animation is one those recent adult animation types like you find on Max that kinda look like they were out of an adult indie comic. It hasn't worn out itself out yet and makes a nice relief from super-simplified character designs. The world is very colorful, detailed and distinct.

Palmer is known for usually playing confident characters, so it's nice to see her show her range by doing the opposite and giving a very believable portrayal as a person suffering from anxiety. You know who also surprised me in their performance? Maya Rudolph as Dr. Vlam, an intern and centuries old robot. She gives a completely different and slightly more grounded portrayal than anything she's ever done before. I didn't know it was her until I looked it up.

Recommended. This might be a little too odd for some, but this is a compelling work.

Dune Part Two

8.5/10

In part two of this adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel, exiled space nobleman Paul Atreides (played by Timothee Chalamet) allies himself with the Fremen rebels, who want to wrest control of the planet Arakis back from the Harkonen family.

I liked the first one, but this one is stronger as we get to the payoff and more stuff seems to be happening. As Paul is considered to be a prophet by many Fremen, we get a well-designed look at how religion can be used to control, not to mention the long-term affects of colonialism and how radicalism amongst the natives can develop in response to it.

Overall, this is a mostly well told movie. It's long, but for the first two acts it does a really good job of moving a plot and balancing all the political machinations. Only weak point might be that by the final act, you do have a few characters repeat voicing their goals/concerns a little too much, especially Paul (we get it, you're conflicted by your role as a false prophet.) 

We continue to have a wide cast of interesting characters, old and new. Although, the Harkonen's evilness for the sake of evilness is ramped up to a 100, and they were already really evil. They kill so many of their own people that it gets cartoonish, and it's hard to believe how they don't have any rebellion within their ranks.

Chalamet really sells a character that is trying to do good but must struggle with the weight of his responsibility. Zendaya as Fremen Chani has chemistry with Chalamet and her character serves as a solid voice of reason amongst people consumed by their goals. Ferguson continues to shine as Atreides' mother who masterfully manipulates the populace in order to survive, and Javier Bardem continues to be a great performer as a very religious Fremen who wants to believe in Paul. Elvis' Austin Butler debuts as Feyd-Rautha Harkonen. He overshadows his already larger-than-life family members as a psychopath with a strange honesty about his violence and a charisma to him.

Director Denis Villeneuve's direction continues to be amazing. This will definitely be remembered as one of the best looking films of 2024, continuing the original film's memorable 60'/70's sci-fi aesthetic (particurlarly that type of sci-fi design that specifically seems to come from European directors). Though one could argue that the Harkonen's all black aesthetic feels a little too simplistic.

Highly recommended. The message gets slightly worn near the end but this is still top-notch cinema.

Madame Web

 

5/10

In Sony's continued quest to mine whatever Spider-Man characters they own the rights to, we get a tale about the psychic Madame Web which serves as a Spider-Man prequel (but doesn't appear to take place in any specific movie timeline). EMT Cassandra Web (Fifty Shades of Grey's Dakota Johnson) discovers she can see the future and tries to save the lives of three teens (all three to become different spider heroines) from being assassinated by the spider-powered Ezekial Sims (The Mauritarian's Tahar Rahim).

Little surprised they went with MW as the first female lead and used some of the less prominent Spidey women (no offense to Julia Carpenter and Anya Corazon fans). Black Cat, Silver Sable and the first Spider-Woman should've been the logical choices. Oh well. Just musings. Not an attack on utilizing the character. I think anyone can properly be utilized if given the right direction. (The Riddler had only two appearances before in the comics before he was used in the 60's Batman show and look what that did to his popularity).

Here's an actual criticism. Again, this is a Sony Spidey film that feels like it was from the 2000s. (An excellent film to compare this to is Elektra). I don't know why Sony keeps taking this basic serious route when the fun ones, the Tom Holland and Spider-Verse films, are doing so well. The MCU films may be too quippy and DCEU films too dark and serious but at least they had a solid identity. 

The is very uneven. There are a few good comedy bits but there is also a lot of dialogue that just doesn't work. I give the movie credit for naturally introducing multiple characters. However, the movie drops the ball in the third act completely. It feels choppy with odd choices just there to advance the plot. 

I give credit for giving each of the teens a backstory, but the kids-with-sad-lives tropes feels really worn out by now. (Didn't need it in Stargirl and didn't need it here.) Also, I don't feel like any of the trio completed a character arc.

We got a good cast who just can't make the bad script work. There are a couple exceptions, especially Park and Rec/Severance's Adam Scott, who deserve an award for sounding natural, but most can't. Johnson is pretty good in the funny parts but that's the best she can do. 

Credit should be given to the movie for at least basically knowing what it is and having an identity compared to recent superhero films that are messy or feel derivative. Web doesn't have super strength or other offensive powers, only her psychic abilities which makes for a very different dynamic when going against a villain.

Faring the worst is Rahim. He has the worst lines and you can tell he was poorly ADRed at times. To be honest, Sims feels like an odd choice to use as a villain. He wasn't really an antagonist in the comics. (You'd think that they would've learned from the outrage of Psylocke being made a villain in not one but two X-Men films). The sad thing is that Sims in this had the DNA to make a decent baddie. You understand his motive and was pretty competent in his strategy if only he was better written.

Going back to the 2000's feel this has a bland white lighting scheme. However, the action and the look of Webb's vision powers are actually pretty good.

Not particularly recommended or not recommended. This is messy and this is definitely not a must-see. However, I don't think this is bad as some say. It's distinct in its way, and I don't regret watching it. Have no plans to rewatch but would stay in the room if someone else had it on.

Rebel Moon: Part 1--A Child of Earth

5.5/10

In Zack Snyder's new film on Netflix, a small village on a moon face the threat of a warship from the galactic empire known as the Imperium, which wants their crops. To save themselves, villager Gunnar (played by Treme's Michiel Huisman) and newer resident with a mysterious past Kora (2017's The Mummy's Sofia Boutella) go in search of warriors to help fight back.

This is a very derivative sci-fi space film. The plot is basically Seven Samurai/Magnificent Seven in space, and they already did that in the early 80's with Battle Beyond the Stars. The Imperium feels a lot like the military in Dune. The empire's soldiers dress way too similarly to Nazis. (At least the military uniforms in Star Wars were "generally" fascist.)

Almost all the Imperium soldiers are way too one dimensional super, super EVIL. Gets exhausting.

There isn't much special about this movie, but there are moments where there are clever ideas.

Snyder has always been know for style over substance, and has delivered some truly epic visuals that most aren't capable of achieving. So, I'm disappointed to say that this is one of his least impressive looking films. The sets in particular just don't feel that ambitious. In fairness, credit should go to the digital effects teams because their detail work when it comes to space ships or cities is pretty good.

No complaints about the casting here. The actors aren't given much to work with but they do their best. This feels like Boutella's main lead role in a major motion picture, and she steps up to the plate even if she is the typical "tough female warrior". I hope this advances her career. Though he plays a cliched fascist, Ed Skrein is clearly having fun playing the warship's commander. Credit should also be going to Mishuis, who does a good job of displaying Gunnar's noviceness, but not ignorance, when dealing with the world outside his village. (Also, props to Ant-Man's Corey Stoll as the village's leader, a role very different form his usual ones. The guy is almost unrecognizable; didn't realize he had that range.)

The best you can say about Rebel Moon is that it is a film. The movie isn't particularly weak but there is barely anything original about it. Can't recommend but can't say you need to avoid either.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

 

7.5/10

In what is considered the last film in the DCEU, Aquaman/Arthur Curry (played by Jason Momoa) is now the king of Atlantis and has to juggle between that position and as a family man. Soon, all that Aquaman holds dear is threatened when his vengeful nemesis Black Manta (the 2021 Candyman's Yahya Abdul Mateen II) returns with a dangerous new weapon and plot. In order to track him down, Aquman must recruit Orm (Insidious/The Conjuring's Patrick Wilson), the villain of the first film and Aquaman's half brother.

I feel that the DCEU is gonna out on at least a decent note. There is nothing about AatLC that breaks the mold, but it is a fun ride. Got some decent jokes in this and entertaining sci-fi/fantasy fight scenes. The best part of this is the depiction of Atlantis/the underwater world in general. The design looks really eye-catching.

The last film focused on a lot of drama about the court/royalty-side of Atlantis. There was all this backstory about Aquaman and setup for the whole kingdoms of the ocean that it did feel a little bloated and soap opera-ish. I like that this film is leaner and focuses more on the adventure. However, this movie did not need to be so long. A lot of the story is Aquaman and Orm pursuing Black Manta to a location, fight a threat and rinse and repeat.

The core of this is Aquman's relationship with Orm. They work well off of each other with Aquaman being a chill jokester and Orm being the uptight but intelligent one. Though Orm was a straight up #$@! who wants Aqua Man defeated in the last film, he was given enough dimension to show why he was the way he was, and this film does a good job of bridging that gap to where he's working with his half-brother. (In fact, the two movies flow into each other really cohesively. Unlike the Shazam sequel, this actually pays off the previous setup.) Orm's seen his dreams and expectations destroyed, so he is still arrogant but more accessible and since his actions, though twisted, were for protecting his kingdom, his ability to see the bigger picture makes working his half-brother seem reasonable. That having been said, it does feel questionable of the filmmakers to try to freshen up Orm's image considering that he's killed many innocents.

Fresh off the Boat's Randall Park has the honor of being one of the most entertaining performances in both the Marvel films and the DC films as Dr. Stephen Shin, a scientist forced to work with Black Manta and constantly worried about what he is doing. He brings the perfect combo of humor and humanity.

I did miss the chemistry between Aquaman and his love interest Mera (Amber Heard). She's barely in this, and it feels like they basically substituted Orm for her as someone more serious to work off of Aquaman. Director James Wan claims the story was always going to focus on the brothers, but considering the recent controversy about Heard, one cannot but feel that there is a different reason for her absence. If the latter is true, one cannot wonder if they couldn't have just recast.

Recommended. AatLK a good time-waster and popcorn film. 

Doctor Who- 60th anniversary special trilogy and Christmas special

9/10

For the start of Doctor Who's move to Disney+, we get a trilogy of specials for the 60th anniversary of the show and a Christmas special. In the trilogy, the Doctor has surprisingly not regenerated into a new form but into a previous one, his Tenth (played by David Tennant). He ends up running into his old companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) which places her in danger again. The two end up going against three threats. Then, we get the debut of the new 15th Doctor (Sex Education's Ncuti Gatwa) who will be helming DW's upcoming season. In his Xmas special, The Church on Ruby Road the Doctor goes up against baby-napping goblins.

Russell T. Davies, the creator of the recent DW and show runner of the first four seasons is back. When he originally left, I was okay with it and ready to give the next guy a chance. Davies could be silly/childish, maybe have the Doctor be a little too emotional at times, and throw too many ideas into one episode. However, I realized I took Davies for granted and didn't appreciate what I had with him. Davies understood this was a show for the young and old and though death always follows the Doctor, this is a show about hope. The other show runners forgot that and could forget the human element or go too dark and/or nihilistic. 

The human element definitely feels back here. Donna's married now, and it's been so long that we've seen her that she's now got a daughter Rose (Heartstopper's Yasmin Finney). It used to bug me that every companion had to have a full family attached, but I realized this keeps them grounded, and I missed the feeling of family that Davies effortlessly brought. I particularly realized how much I missed the Noble family in general. Tate hasn't missed a beat as the sharp-tongued Donna, and Jacqueline King as her mother Sylvia is very watchable when you see her in her protective mode and her sheer dislike of putting up with another of the Doctor's adventures. The Doctor generally cared for Donna and her grandfather, and his reactions to reuniting with the Nobles feels really pure here. Tennant and Tate have still got it and they work off of each other so well.

Though the specials of the new Who are a resetting of the tone, Davies doesn't brush aside previous show runners' decisions (including those two very controversial decisions from last season) under the rug and does a surprisingly good job of running with them. The whole crux of these specials is Tennant's Doctor dealing with his baggage in a surprisingly meaningful and emotional way. 

The humor of the early years is back and it is infectious.

As for the three specials themselves: The first is just a fun adventure in Davies' vein of DW. The second is one of the "ominous threat" style of episodes. If you love those, you'll like this as it's very well done. The second is a big finale and is an excellent combo of heart, grandeur, and scares. Not to mention that this has one of the best villains/villain performances in the entire show. That third episode is simply one of the most satisfying finales in the history of DW.

Now to the Xmas special. Only one episode in and I'm already liking Ncuti. He's more of an openly high energy life-loving/good-natured style of Doctor. His new companion is Ruby Sunday (Coronation Street's Millie Gibson). I do fear we may have some companion fatigue as her persona does feel a little derivative of previous companions. That having been said, Gibson does ain't too shabby in the part, especially when she's being enthusiastic.

The special isn't as fun as the last three, but it still makes for a solid episode. The goblins make for silly but still threatening foes.

What all four specials have in common are improved special effects due to the show's deal with Disney+. Yeah, the recent seasons have been looking pretty good for British television budgets, but the effects are at another level here. There is a whimsical splendor to some of the sets/digital backgrounds here.

Highly recommended. The 60th specials in particular are must see and the third may be one of the best in the show's history. If you once loved DW but lost interest after Davies left, you may want to return, because what you originally loved about the show is back.

Villains of Valleyview- Season 2

6.5/10

The second season of the Disney Channel sitcom continues the misadventures of the Maddens, a retired supervillain family, as they live in modern suburbia.

Best part of this continues to be the friendship of the polar opposites bad girl Amy Madden/Havoc (played by Isabella Pappas) and the sunny Hartley (Kayden Muller-Jansen). They work so well off of each other. The rest of the cast remains strong, the humor is still decent and something kids will probably enjoy, and I like the effort they put into the costumes.

Though the family loves each other, the writers lean in even more on the insult humor between each other even more this season. Parents may not love the example it sets, and besides that, it gets a little tiresome.

Youngest child Colby/Flashform (Stuck in the Middle's Malachi Barton) continues to feel unnecessary. Don't get me wrong, Barton delivers his A-game, but as the youngest the writers always feel at a loss as to where to put him. He doesn't get to associate with many his own age and is mostly relegated to B-plots where he interacts with his parents.

The show started with the characters trying to change their ways and seeing the value of good, but this season went in a weird place. The way they portray villains as being mostly lineages has resulted in them being shown  a little as a mistreated class, which seems to disregard the importance of moral choices. A little weird for my tastes and again not a great message for kids.

Kinda recommended. I think your kids will really like it. As a show by itself, it's got a lot of good things going for it, but it's also hampered by its weaknesses. 'Course I might be giving a Disney Channel show too much thought.

Doom Patrol- Season 4 (Final)

9/10

In the final season of Doom Patrol on Max (which took forever to release the second half of the show due to the big shakeup in Warner Bros.' regime change), the ill-fated members of the titular Doom Patrol find themselves the targets of a sinister undertaking.

Though I'm sad to see this wonderfully weird and well-characterized and -acted show end, I felt it left at the right point (they were stretching the group's trauma a bit thin by this point; they have to completely grow eventually). The ending, though it may not be what everyone wants is a very emotional affair with the characters we've all grown to love (those that actually watch this criminally underrated show anyway). I especially like how natural the journey of Crazy Jane (Encanto's Diane Guerrero) has been. Out of all the cast, her progression has been the most natural, relying less and less on her other personalities. (If you were disappointed that they really weren't using Crazy Jane's special abilities that come with each personality anymore, prepare to be equally disappointed here. To play devil's advocate, it both conceptually makes sense and showrunner Eric Carver (the American version of Being Human and seasons 8-11 of Supernatural) probably had pressure from the producers to cut down on special effects). Both Robotman/Cliff Steele (played by Riley Shanahan and voiced by Brendan Frasier) and Elasti-Woman/Rita Farr (April Bowlby) have some great moments, but the show continues its nasty habit of leaning too hard on their negative characteristics: Robotman making too many dumb decisions and Elasti-Woman hindered too often by her vanity and stubbornness. The latter's journey feels particularly choppy as her character sorta goes back-and-forth throughout.   

Again, the show earns it's title as the most bonkers superhero show out there. The various scenarios the gang are thrown into are unique and entertaining. I admire how the writers were able to squeeze in most of the  the remaining villains from the original 60's run. One of the more recent Doom Patrol members Casey Brinke/Space Case (Madeline Zima) finally makes it to the show. If you liked the character, you probably won't be disappointed here. She has this pep to her that other cast members don't have. 

Course for a show where the writers throw out one crazy idea after another, don't expect everything to stick. Once again, I felt there was too much emphasis on the amoral government agency The Bureau of Normalcy, which has really worn out its welcome. Remember the killer butts? Well, they're back. Yeah, yeah, it's a funny concept, but again they've worn out their concept (I think the butts are the one part of the show that got TOO weird), and the writers feel way too enamored of their creation. 

Doesn't help that it feels like the writers had trouble fitting in the butt subplot. There's so much going on that things may feel rushed and that not every concept may get its due. Also, be prepared that some of the supporting characters you've grown to know may not get as much time as they should. The writers focus on the main cast almost to a fault.

Recommended. Yeah, they definitely could've cut down on the characters feeling bad about themselves, but this remains a truly unique experience and deserved send off for the show. I shall miss it, but I'll remember the good times. 

Loki- Season 2 (Final?)

9.5/10

In the second and probably final season of Loki on Disney+, Norse god Loki (played by Tom Hiddleston) tries to save the fate of the TVA (The Time Variance Authority).

I mostly liked the first season, which was pretty inventive and the look to the headquarters of the whole TVA was so unique, but I had my criticisms. The story felt a little dragged out, there was too much organizational shadowiness, and though it was fun to see the narcissistic Loki in a situation he didn't have control over, it became exhausting to see him be under the foot of one constant bad situation after another. This season though, it has all the strengths of season one but none of the weak points. (Also, if you were disappointed with the cliffhanger for season 1, it pays off a lot better than you'd suspect.)

This is nothing but great sci-fi creativity, excellent set design (I love the window shots of the massive retro-futuristic world of the TVA so much), and wonderful characterization. The human drama and stakes are so well done here. The finale with the exception of Avengers: Endgame is the best ending in the entire MCU.

Loki continues to be the main strength to this show. Here, the writers have worked most of the redemption stuff out of the way, and for all of those who saw potential for good in Loki, this really paid off. Hiddleston delivers a fantastic performance as a focused and serious-minded Loki trying to do the right thing despite all the odds. His relationship with TVA agent Moebius (Luke Wilson) continues to result in one of the best duos in television history. Wilson delivers one of his best performances, and Moebius' everyday ability to be congenial even alongside someone like Loki works so well. 

The writers seemed to like TVA desk jockey Casey (Eugene Cordero, who's one of those comic actors who's popping up more and more) enough that they upped the role, and he works well when given more serious material to work with. There was always something a little suspicious about Miss Minutes (voiced by prolific voice actress Tara Strong), the TVA's holographic AI in the form of a 1950/60's cartoon clock (brilliant idea by the way), who started to seem a bit suspicious as to her motivations last year. Here we understand what makes her tick as she's become an antagonist and makes for a rather interesting character (although they don't spend much time with her.) I also felt they did a better job with the characterization of rogue TVA judge Ravonna Renslayer (Belle's Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and her motivations.

We get a couple new characters. Ke Huy Quan, whose stock has really risen since Everything Everywhere all at Once, is the TVA's science guy Ouroboros. Quan brings his trademark likableness as the guy who is way too easy going with what's going on.  Jonathan Majors plays yet another variant of the multidmensional warlord Kang, scientist Victor Timely. You're curious as to what role he will play in everything as you're sort of charmed by the smart but awkward man, but know that he has the potential of going bad.

The only weak point to this is that sometimes, especially with the last episode, the writers are trying to be a little too clever with the time travel laws. It can be a little confusing.

Highly recommended, this is one of the best recent MCU entries and one of THE best period. This is just six hours of pure entertainment and superb storytelling.

The Marvels

8/10

In this sequel to Captain Marvel (and follow-up to the shows Wandavision and Ms. Marvel), Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers (played by Brie Larsen), Monica Rambeau/Photon (Teyonah Parris), and Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) find their powers connected as they start switching locations as they use their powers. To further complicate things, they must deal with Supremor Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton), a member of the Kree Empire who has a vendetta against Captain Marvel.

This is like Ant-Man and the Wasp. It's not the hardest hitting of MCU stories, but it makes for pretty fun viewing and is very watchable. "Breezy." That is what this movie is in a nutshell. Marvel took it to heart that the first Captain Marvel film, while I thought was a good movie, didn't have quite the personality as other Marvel movies, and that Captain Marvel did feel a little wooden. Here, you've got a good sense of humor and world building. I really digged the alien planets the Marvels went to. The visual designs are typical Marvel quality.

Some may accuse this of following the Marvel formula, but it's the Marvel formula done well, and I felt this was the best of the "light" entries in the post-Endgame MCU. Whereas Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania felt like its alien world (although it didn't happen in space, it was basically an alien world) was too derivative of previous Marvel films and its various weird characters felt tacked on just to add new weird characters, here things feel more natural and thought out.

Now there are a few moments where Larsen's delivery is still a little flat, but she's a lot more lively here. The writers, like they did with Chris Hemsworth in the Thor movies, realize Larsen is better when she's given a chance to be funny. She's at her best when she's reacting to the insanity and people around her.

I know everyone else is already saying it, but Ms. Marvel really is the best part of this. Her ernestness, sheer optimism, and constant fangirling over Captain Marvel steals every scene she's in. Vellani outshines her two older, more experienced co-stars. The movie also retains Khan's family from her mini-series, and it's fun to watch regular people deal with space-based insanity.

Editing does feel a little choppy, especially in the first third. The switching places felt a little sloppy in the beginning, like they had trouble wrangling all the multiple scenes. Also, it felt like stuff was definitely cut.

The beginning does rush a little. We're immediately thrown into the big threat, and I would've liked a little breathing time to introduce the characters with. It's easier to get into this if you've seen the three previous projects for the characters. All their powers and backstories are explained, but they're done very quickly.

Though Kamala's brother Aamir (Saagar Shaikh), has some solid one-liners, he is one character too many in this. He didn't need to become involved. (He doesn't live at home with his family. He just happened to be there when things went nuts.)

A lot of people complain about Dar-Benn being a weak adversary. I don't know about that. Sure, she's not Loki or Thanos, but you understand her backstory and reasoning. (She's still better than the Dark World and Dr. Strange villains). I felt Ashton was doing her best in the role, and I'm loving the look they gave Dar-Benn. Admittedly, the character, especially near the end, could've been better utilized.

Recommended. It may be the Marvel formula, but this is a genuinely fun film and worth seeing for Ms. Marvel at least.

Star Trek: Lower Decks- Season 4

8/10

The lower decks gang from the U.S.S. Cerritos face new chapters in their lives and a mysterious new threat and welcome new crew member Vulcan T'Lyn (voiced by Crazy Ex-Girlfriend's Gabrielle Ruiz).

The show remains consistently entertaining as the episodes remain varied and distinct, and the writers continue doing a great job making use of and paying  homage to Star Trek lore. What I like about this show is that the characters don't remain stagnant and there is actual growth. (They finally tackle a couple plot points that arguably the writers may have been putting off for a little too long.) I especially appreciate the growth in the case of Mariner (Space Force's Tawny Newsome). She was too controlling at the beginning and destructive, but the show has acknowledged she's on a journey and she's gone through so much development. There's a continuing subplot is a mystery. It keeps you guessing as to what's going on and the explanation pays off pretty well.

The character of T'Lynn, who's a bit of a rebel/goes-with-the-gut-type by Vulcan standards was first introduced in season 2. It was hinted she was going to join the crew since then, and it's finally happened. The execution meets expectations. For a new addition, she fits in flawlessly. She's sort of the straight man to the rest, but she's also understanding enough of the characters that she gets along with them pretty well.

Animation remains strong. It continues to be colorful and the action is really fluid this year.

The main voice cast remains great. Newsome is really on her a-game this season. All her lines sound so natural.

Highly recommended. It's another funny season that's a real treat for Star Trek aficionados.

Scavengers Reign- Season 1- Episode 1

6.5/10

In the first episode of this adult animated show on Max, the crew of a damaged spaceship become marooned on a planet full of strange animals and plants.

First off, I've got to give Max credit for giving this a shot. There are so few adult animated shows and films out there that aren't comedy. Scavengers Reign shows the value of telling serious stories through animation. You'd never be able to depict such a visually ambitious alien world with a live-action budget.

The best thing about this is the animation and sheer creativity to the planet. The creator or creators have hatched such a unique environment featuring ideas I'd never think of. What I saw in the first episode isn't leaving my brain any time soon. Designs are colorful but definitely alien. I don't think I've ever seen an alien world depicted on screen that is just so different from our own. As beautiful as the planet can be, it can also be unsettling or straight up macabre. The whole show feels like a European comic.

Credit should be given to Max for taking the risk on telling such a weird and unarguably adult and sometimes dark tale. Going back to comparing this to a comic, this felt like one of those stories that would've been toned down in order to make them more audience friendly if they had been adapted to screen, but no, the show is allowed to be as weird and adult as it likes.

Thing is that I'm not planning on continuing to watch this. I know I spent several paragraphs saying I admire the gutsiness of the project, but that's just it. I admire the endeavor but not the final project. The whole affair was just too slow-paced for my tastes, and I don't think I could push myself through eleven more episodes.

The alien world is creative but just a little too off-beat for my taste. Also, the dialogue felt a little stale/unnatural. 

There is some fine voice acting in this including from Loki/Lovecraft Country's Mosaku as crew member Azi and Arrested Development/Search Party's Alia Shawkat as her robot companion Levi. However, some delivery feels stilted including from Bob Stephenson as crew member Sam. (In fairness to Stephenson, it may not be his fault. His audio felt off when compared to the others, like they recorded his audio remotely because he couldn't make it to the studio and the quality wasn't up to par.)

Kinda recommended. Some people will be put off by the pacing and general content, while I see others being really into this. Though I'm not returning, I don't regret giving this a shot.

Totally Killer

7.5/10

In this new film on Amazon Prime, the masked Sweet Sixteen Killer resurfaces after 35 years and attacks teenager Jamie Hughes (played by The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina's Kiernan Shipka). She seeks safety in the time machine photo booth her friend invented and is sent back to the late eighties. There she tries to save the lives of her mother's three friends and figure out who the killer is. 

This is a slasher horror comedy similar to Happy Death Day and Final Girls. Much like how HDD is a "what if Groundhog's Day was a horror film," this is "what if Back to the Future was a horror movie." What ensues is a solidly written and fairly funny work with a solid story that makes you guess what'll happen next. (Plus, we get a final fight that's never been done before.)

The high point is having a modern girl in the 80's. I've never seen a movie so accurately nail the difference between today's culture and the non-PC culture of the eighties. Seeing Jamie amazed with how different things were back then never gets old. 

This movie is about Jamie learning to understand and get along with her mother Pam (played in the present by Modern Family's Julie Bowen and in the past by Cloak & Dagger's Olivia Holt). Time travel helping someone relate to their parent has been done before and there's nothing new here, but the movie does it well.

Jamie immediately knows what's going on. We don't have to go through the whole obvious character-takes-time-to figure out she's in the past bits. She's immediately on her mission.

It can be frustrating how dense and self-destructive the teens are when there's a murderer on the loose. Yeah they're teens, but I still feel they're played a little too cartooney.

If you're more into comedy than horror, and you're wondering how violent this is then this might not be for you. When the kills happen, director Nahnatchka Khan doesn't pull any punches, and they are bloody.

Also, understand that this is entertaining and clever, but I wouldn't say this is the funniest film of the year. I enjoyed myself but never laughed out loud.

Recommended. Just a generally good time, especially if you like jokes about generational differences.

Futurama- Season 11

7/10

Yep, it's been brought back from cancellation. For a SECOND TIME! Season 11 of Futurama on Hulu continues the misadventures of the employees of the intergalactic delivery service the Planet Express.

Given the sheer amount of time since it was last on, I'm pleased to say that this season feels like Futurama always has. (And luckily it doesn't have that weak starting up run of episodes like season seven did.) For better or worse that is. The show continues to have funny lines and some well-honed satire. It also continues to have lines and ideas that miss, including the weakest anthology episode the show's ever had (though I liked the wraparound). Bender is still a character where the writers are trying too hard to make him the outrageous one. Course he has a lot of funny dialogue, but a lot of stuff he says also feels perfunctory.

I appreciate how well the character movement flows in the animation.

Recommended. Same ol' Futurama. If you already liked it, keep watching. If you did not then nothing will change your mind here.

Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, too!

 

7/10

In this made-for-streaming/DVD movie, the Mystery Inc. gang is called in to investigate the disappearance of the Justice League and search the Hall of Justice which is haunted by a phantom. There they team up with Superman's famed pet Krypto.

This film had an interesting history. Images of it leaked a while back but no official confirmation of its existence was given by the WB. The last released SD movie Trick or Treat had a difference in tone and animation style from the other SD made-for-DVD movies released since 2009. Krypto, too! has the original character designs which makes one hypothesize that it was created first. (They produced two of these films a year for a while.)  When it comes to David Zaslav and WB Discovery's controversial cuts since the studios' regime change, Batgirl has got all the publicity for being the completed title that got shelved and never shown, however it looks like SD got hit the hardest. The Scoob prequel was shelved as well as the incomplete pre-school show being made. Another in-production SD made-for-DVD movie was canceled as well. (It would've brought the Hex Girls back and had songs. 'Tis a shame.) It's reasonable to assume that this movie had also been shelved (though there's no official info.) However, an interesting thing happened. The full film was leaked online. It was quickly pulled but not much later its release was announced. Perhaps the leak produced enough views to entice the studio to change their minds.

This is likely the last of the SD made-for-DVD movies for a while based on recent trends. (These have been going on since '98. I fear that ending this universal cornerstone along with Hasbro ending the long running Power Rangers series in the form as we know it may be the harbinger of the unraveling of reality and some dark, looming event. Or it can simply be the fate of media in a changing business environment if you want to get boring about it.) It's a good film to go out on. Wouldn't say it's one of the best in the series, but it's definitely one of the better ones. 

Definitely one of the funnier ones. Dialogue's on point. There are a few really solid self-pokes on legitimate critiques of the DC and SD. (There is one point where I thought to myself "Yes, you're completely right about that! Thank you!") Lex Luthor (voiced delightfully by Charles Halford) is a main part of the cast as he's stuck in the building with the rest of the gang and has to team up with them. He's a sarcastic, grumpy and arrogant interpretation, and he's an interestingly new type of dynamic for the team as they don't usually have a foil to work off of.

Story is also one of the more unique SD plots. The conclusion to the mystery is satisfying. We also get an entertaining group of suspects. 

Admittedly, the plot in the middle act is a bit light, but kids probably won't be as critical. There is a subplot with Jimmy Olson (prolific voice actor James Arnold Taylor) that is arguably problematic and uncalled for but doesn't pop up much.

As it's always been, the 2009-2023 animation remains colorful and smooth. (Though I still hate that they don't include whites in the characters eyes because that's what the original Scooby-Doo Where are you? did in order to be "retro.") Loved the design of the phantom. It has a cosmic/molten lava-like feel to it. Considering that they did a team-up a few years back with the "Brave and the Bold" version of Batman and other DC characters, the change in character designs might be nitpick for some who prefer continuity. But, what can you suspect with a continuity as long as SD?) 

Recommended. This is definitely a fun time for kids or adult SD/DC fans.

Spy Kids: Armageddon

6.5/10

In this fifth Spy Kids movie on Netflix, Tony and Patty Tango-Torrez (played by Connor Esterson and Everley Carganilla) do not know their parents are spies, but that all changes when evil forces target a dangerous item the family is harboring.

This is a... Spy Kids. Definitely. Story's not high art, but it is something your kids will probably enjoy. Since this movie is introducing yet ANOTHER duo of spy kids, the whole part about the kids finding out their parents are spies has become old hat. You know where things are going and you're waiting for the action to kick up. However, once that exhibition is done you get what makes the films work: silly action with colorful and campy vehicles, gadgets, and villain appearances. I really do like director/co-writer Robert Rodriguez's designs in these film. Surprised they haven't made more toys and action figures off of his ideas. They have this simplicity to them but are never too basic.

This is strangely enough a retread in that this movie is focused around video games like SK3-D was. However, the plots are different just enough that I don't mind. (To be honest, I think they do a better job with the concept here.) I also appreciate that Rodriguez uses this movie as a warning against media over-reliance and the importance of honesty in an easy to digest lesson for the kiddos.

I'd rank the film beneath 1 and 4-D and above 2 and 3-D. The latter two just didn't have much in the plot department. Weirdly, Rodriguez puts more emphasis on the stories for the films where the characters are introduced.

If I'm not mistaken, the kids are the youngest they've ever been. Which is a bit of a downside considering how very young Carganilla is. There is nothing natural about her acting. Esterson's a little better but not by much. Shazam!/Chuck's Zachary Levi and Jane the Virgin's Gina Rodriguez are the parents. They're both charismatic actors, but they cannot make the dialogue work. Faring better are D.J. Cotrona as the head of the spy agency and Game Night's Billy Magnusson as the villain. Cotrona gets the inherent silliness of a serious guy in a ridiculous world. Wouldn't say that Magnusson is the best villain in the franchise, but he is one of the better ones. For a simple movie, you get where he's coming from. Magnusson was clearly hired because he can do camp and has this child-friendly feel to his energy and delivery.

Kinda recommended. Younger kids will probably love this. Parents may dislike this or be neutral. Rodriguez has always focused on making kids films for kids and has never worried about adult references or maturer storytelling. I salute him for sticking just to the core audience.

My Adventures with Superman- Season 1

8.5/10

In this new Superman cartoon on Adult Swim and Max, a fresh-out-of-college Clark Kent/Superman (voiced by Hunger Games/Scream's Jack Quaid) and Jimmy Olson (Jury Duty's Ishmel Sahid) meet Lois Lane (Zoey's Extraordianry Playlist's Alice Lee) when they all intern at the Daily Planet.

Though on Adult Swim, MAwS is really a family/children's show. (Kids aren't watching broadcast television nowadays, and from what I've heard, Adult Swim gets better viewership due to an older audience.) This show also seems to be a reaction to recent darker Superman and other DC projects. MAwS has a classic bright and optimistic Superman feel to it. Heck, it's a lot lighter than the 90's Superman cartoon. (Remember that episode where Clark tries to help that guy on death row for a woman's murder? I'm still surprised they were able to get away with all that dark subject matter on children's television.) Not to say the show doesn't have any stakes. Deaths are referenced in the show, but they're backstory deaths. MAwS is about Superman saving people.

The lifeblood of this show is the relationship and trust and support between the three friends. Jimmy, who's a big mystery guy, like as in Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster, is especially wholesome and fun to watch. That having been said Lois can be really selfish or hypocritical at times, but I wouldn't call it a dealbreaker. Also, he's not in this much, but the Daily Planet's sports writer Steve Lombard (voiced by the Ninjago show's Vincent Tong) is really fun. He has this goofy, overinflated bravado about him.

A lot of credit should be given to this show being able to repackage the same old story of Superman in a new way. Some fans may be annoyed that a lot of villains had their natural powers converted to weaponry, but it is a unique take. I appreciate that this show focused on multiple names from Superman's and DC's rogues gallery and that there's no Lex Luthor this season (he's so overexposed, and you can only do so many plotting evil businessman storylines.)  

One big annoyance of the show is that any character that doesn't trust Superman is incredibly one-note without any nuance or at times even rationality to their reasoning.

The animation is very anime-style inspired (even the end credits feel more like an anime end credits than a western one), and it all looks really good. The line work in this is top notch. Animation allows you to do a lot more with Superman fighting and the plentiful action scenes are all smooth. I especially liked some of the reinvisioned designs for some of the antagonists.

Highly recommended. This show is genuinely entertaining, old fashioned Saturday cartoon fun.

Miracle Workers- Season 4 (Final), End Times

8/10

The final season of Miracle Workers on TBS takes place in the post-apocalypse. In it, heroic nomad Sid (played by Daniel Radcliffe) and warlord Freya (Geraldine Viswanathan) fall in love, get married, and decide to settle down in a town.

The show ends on a strong note. Given the more over-the-top nature of its setting the show tackles some of the craziest ideas it ever has. Really, the previous seasons have nothing on how inventive this season is. Plus, End Times has fun parodying every post-apocalyptic and dystopian movie it can.

Be forewarned that this season is a lot, lot darker and messed up than any of the previous ones. I mean props to the writers' ambitions, but this may not be for everyone.

I appreciate that this season has bucked the tired trend of having Viswanathan's and Radcliffe's characters falling in love over the course of the season. We've seen that all before. It's refreshing to see them already together and just working on themselves as a couple. 

Again, Radcliffe is such a comic gem in this show. He does a great job reacting to the insanity around him and continues to have excellent chemistry with Viswanathan and Steve Buscemi, this time playing Morris "The Junkman" Rubinstein, the town's richest man. Viswanathan arguably gets some of her best material in this. In all the previous seasons she's had to play the optimistic woman who wants more. Here she's someone who's achieved what she wants and honestly gets more to do than Radcliffe. Jon Bass, who's been one of the show's unsung foundations since the beginning and has always put in good work, plays Scraps, their human pet. Admittedly, I felt they went too far and weird with Scraps (and his story does get DARK), but one cannot knock Bass putting his all into the role. Though he gets more to do than last season, Karan Soni as a robot and Freya's best friend is still not given as much time to shine as the others.

I'd rank this as the second best season of the show. (Weird how the show got better as it continued. I found the first season to be the weakest.) A lot of the individual material is funnier than season three, but three felt more consistent overall. End Times does feel a little thrown together at times.

Recommended. Maybe too dark for some, but the show ends with a bang and not a whimper.

Blue Beetle

6.5/10

In this new movie based on the DC comics character (which was originally supposed to be on HBO Max but new management felt it had a chance in the theaters), Jaime Reyes (Xolo Mariduena) is entrusted with a scarab that turns out to be a biomechanical suit that bonds with him transforming him into the superhero Blue Beetle. He's soon hunted by a corrupt corporation out to retrieve the scarab. 

This is one of those films with a weaker first half and a stronger second half. At the beginning, Reyes' family, which is a huge focus of the film, is just too silly and goofy for their own good. (In fairness, I'm a very, very white guy (I know who Glenn Yarborough and Garrison Keillor are). This is a Hispanic director and screenwriter and intricacies of Hispanic families and culture may be lost on me.) It is also frustrating that Jaime is way too naive and idealistic and his cynical sister Milagro (Hocus Pocus 2's Belissa Escobedo) is too self-destructive in her devil-may-care-decisions.

However, when the story starts getting serious and the humor is downgraded then I started liking the family. They felt like real characters and though there were still jokes, they no longer felt too cartoonish. The sentimental family bonding moments really work. Jaime's uncle Rudy (George Lopez) is the one who gets the most screentime and is definitely the VIP. He does get the best jokes but is also a great ride-or-die ally and the tech guy. Lopez gives the best performance I've seen (and isn't playing his usual type) and nails the more serious moments. He definitely has the best interactions with Jaime.

The movie has the problem that you sometimes find in shows and films these days in that it tries to look at a culture while also telling a superhero story and has difficulty balancing the two. The movie tries to cram as much demonstrations of racism and other struggles for Hispanics in America as it can before Jaime gets the suit. It feels inorganic and like the movie is talking down to you. (There are not one but two white people who don't care about getting Spanish names wrong.) Again, things improve in the second half; the messages are shown not told.

If you don't know, Jaime is the third Blue Beetle in the comics. If you're a fan of his predecessor Ted Kord (who may not mean anything to anyone unfamiliar with BB but trust me, he has a fan base. He was pretty prevalent during the 90's), you may like to know that the movie does honor the BB legacy.

The single worst part about this is the villain Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon). She's a one-dimensional evil/racist businesswoman/weapons manufacturer. Sarandon's trying her best but her dialogue is painful and she's impractically evil for the sake of evil. Her right hand Carapax (Mayans M.C.'s Raoul Max Trujillo), who actually does the fighting, is better. He's an effective physical threat, and I give Trujillo credit for nailing the character's body language. He can say a lot without speaking at all.

Jaime's suit has an artificial intelligence (voiced by singer/actress Becky G). She appears to have her own personality, but the movie makes it slow to figure this out at first. So much time is spent on the family and other human characters, the relationship between Jaime and his suit is lacking. She just speaks up when the plot needs it and no more.

The best part of this is the action and visuals. The action in the second half, especially the final battle are some of the best choreographed fight scenes I've seen in a superhero movie in a while. They don't break the mold but are really entertaining. 

I love the use of color in this. Everything looks so vibrant. The city the family lives near is a superb quasi-futuristic-looking accomplishment. 

Special effects really blend in well in this. I applaud director Angel Manuel Soto for making it look like the actors aren't even acting with CGI effects they can't see.

The movie does a surprising job of accurately replicating the Blue Beetle suit in live-action. It doesn't have a mouth hole, but they have the suit have a lower lip-like section at the bottom that moves as Jaime talks. I've never seen a movie do something like that ever before. It sounds goofy but manages to work.

Kinda recommended. The first half and Victoria Kord can be a slog to get through, but when the movie works it's really entertaining. I'm really impressed by the action and physical design in this. I do feel a little bad this isn't doing well at the box office. I kinda want to see Jaime and company in a sequel with a chance of correcting the flaws of this film. Also, again white guy here. If you're Hispanic, you may get a lot more out of seeing your culture represented.