1st Reviews

  The first  Aquaman  is a fun action fantasy film that knows what it’s going for and how to build an engaging world and action set pieces on the screen. Save for a few cool effects and maybe one action scene that’s great, this soulless and uninspired sequel lacks all of that. The story is so convoluted and unengaging that it’s hard to imagine James Wan had any part in bringing it to life. Jason Momoa is having a great time in the titular role, but everyone else seems like they’d rather be anywhere else, even the great Nicole Kidman. Aquaman and Orm’s brotherly dynamic isn’t as sweet as the film imagines it is, and it’s basically the same dynamic Thor and Loki had when the latter broke out from prison in  Thor: The Dark World . However, Momoa gives off that endearing energy very well in his line delivery — maybe the only good thing this script has going for it. Yahya Abdul Mateen II as the main villain really excited me, but even he isn’t really used well, with his u...

  Though everyone in this new cinematic rendition   The Color Purple   is one of the best at what they do, the idea of making this a musical doesn't always fit with the tone of all the rough things going on in the characters' world, and the very clean cinematography removes the grit that Steven Spielberg's version had that showed you the weight of the hardships and abuse Celie endured. Here, the most earned moments for Celie's character aren't necessarily her musical numbers but rather moments where Fantasia Barrino gets to shine just based on her interactions with other actors or set pieces that inform Celie's character. Barrino is very strong in the role, but Taraji P. Henson runs away with the movie every time she shares a scene with her, or anyone for that matter. Henson portrays blues singer and "loose woman" Shug Avery with a power to her that commands every other character in both a loving and wise way, not to mention her show-stopping musical n...

  “Like a kid in a candy store” - a common saying, but one that best describes how I felt as the theatre lights dimmed and I indulged in Paul King’s “Wonka”. This prequel is a cinematic delight, both old-fashioned and modern, and bound to bring out your inner child again.  Comparisons will be made to the 1971 original, in terms of quality, the music and of course Gene Wilder’s legendary performance as Willy Wonka. King pays wonderful homage to Roald Dahl’s source material and Mel Stuart’s film, but truly makes this movie his own. It connects in a way that’ll satisfy longtime fans, but also stands tall as its own story. It’s clear that King understands and respects this franchise, but he never gets hung up on trying to emulate someone else’s work.  I’ll admit, I had my concerns with the casting of Timothée Chalamet as such a beloved character. He’s a great actor, but I didn’t believe he could pull off the unhinged enthusiasm needed to embody Willy Wonka. While Gene Wilder’...

  When we think of race car driving, the one brand we remember vividly on the track with a Testarossa is “Ferrari.” The sleekness of the car and the bold red colour stands out above the rest. Enzo Ferrari wanted to make the perfect race car. A car that would win, and everyone would want to drive. After years of perfecting the manufacturing of his race cars, the economic situation in Italy was abysmal, and Ferrari was underfunded. Enzo Ferrari almost went bankrupt in 1969 because of it. In Michael Mann’s   Ferrari , he focused on one summer in 1957 that was a defining moment for Enzo (Adam Driver) because his empire was in crisis. Mann incorporates Enzo’s stress on the track and his determination to stay afloat. However, the heart of   Ferrari  lies with Enzo’s family and how the loss of a child deeply affected him. Not knowing about Enzo Ferrari and his family will give you a new appreciation for those entrepreneurs who still fight to the top. The sports aspect of th...

  There was a time when a good old-fashioned romantic comedy would come out in theatres, and word of mouth would spread. Rom-coms are known to be cheesy, with grand gestures, witty banter, and a declaration of love at the end. These conventions make up the genre. And sometimes, a textbook film with great chemistry will make audiences happy to watch a romantic comedy in theatres again. We saw that happen with  Ticket to Paradise  last year. In  Anyone But You,  director Will Gluck goes back to basics and constructs an early 2000s film based on a Shakespeare classic,  Much Ado About Nothing . We meet Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben (Glen Powell) in a coffee shop and witness their fiery chemistry from the beginning. Unfortunately, after one great night, they somehow mess up the potential of a relationship, only to be linked a couple of years later through Ben’s best friend and Bea’s sister. The two of them are off to Sydney, Australia, for their wedding, only to ...

  Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell are so incredibly gorgeous and charismatic that in all honesty, 80 per cent of “Anyone But You” could just be the pair of them frolicking on the beaches of Sydney and most audiences would be satisfied. If a few decent jokes and a semi-interesting to plot were to pop up every so often well that would just be an added bonus. Therefore, it could not be more of a delightful surprise that “Anyone But You” is not only a wonderfully-written and fantastically-acted romantic-comedy that is sure to elicit genuine swoons and belly laughs, but the best rom-com in recent memory that is nothing short of a return to form for the genre. Yes, the movie contains no shortage of gorgeous people, locations and outfits but it also possesses the wit, charm and romance that only the best of rom-coms know how to properly deliver. “Anyone But You” isn’t trying to put an “exciting new twist” on the genre. It delivers the classic hallmarks that audiences love about rom-coms, b...

  The Family Plan is serviceable entertainment with a major tone problem. It’s a family road trip comedy and an action movie rolled into one, but doesn’t actually fit into either genre. Despite never settling on what kind of film it wants to be, there are worse ways you could pass a couple of hours.  “Watchable” is the first word that came to mind after I finished the movie. It’s generic streaming fare that does nothing horribly, nor does it do anything exciting or unique. The movie follows an ex-mercenary who takes his family on a spontaneous road trip when his cover is blown. His family has no idea about his past, or the danger they’re in now. That premise is stretched to ludicrous lengths, where family members disregard or fail to question some extremely questionable behaviour and situations.  The family dynamic is far more successful than the secret ex-merc plot, and I actually enjoyed some of the genuine moments of bonding they shared. Although it’s nothing groundbre...

Without mincing any words, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is a resounding success. For both hardcore fans of the original series of books who have eagerly been awaiting for a worthwhile adaptation, as well as the Disney executives sure to make a major buck off the newest Disney+ original series, this show is an undeniable gift from the gods themselves.  From the moment the first episode begins with the opening line of the first book, it’s evident that this adaptation is in the hands of a cast and crew who care about this project and are dedicated to making something that will not only appease longtime fans, but entice new ones as well. In the best way possible, the show feels like the product of extremely talented fans of the books who came together to create an amazing adaptation of something they love and wow, does it succeed! The fun action sequences are expertly paced and well-balanced with the cheeky humour, ensuring that “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is an adventure se...

  “I used to be a brother.”  The Von Erich family was one of the most influential families in professional wrestling. Their technique and showmanship defined an entire decade of wrestling. Straight out of Texas, Fritz Von Erich (Jack Adkisson) had the ambition to become the National Heavyweight Champion. He had won many other belts, but never that one. He passed down his love of wrestling to his six sons, but that came with a price. Their rise to fame came with tragedy. Each time one of the sons stepped in the ring, their fate was sealed because of the family curse. What happened with the Von Erich family is unimaginable. The family name “Von Erich” is now associated with a string of bad luck. The obsession Fritz had with winning ultimately damaged the lives of his sons.  The Iron Claw,  written and directed by Sean Durkin, is a heart-wrenching and devastating exploration of their family history. Durkin analyzes the toxic masculinity within the Von Erich household an...

  In Andrew Haigh's latest drama, Andrew Scott plays a screenwriter comfortable with his loneliness who finds his parents appearing to live just as they were 30 years ago right before their deaths, recounting childhood memories and past emotions in the process. Scott gives a deeply profound and vulnerable performance as a man coming to terms with his parents' place in his life, in a way true to the human experience through the eyes of a man coming out. He makes you believe everything he's going through and digs deep into the character's past to show you his journey into the present. Claire Foy is also a highlight of the film as a flawed yet loving mother whose shortcomings coexist with her immense warmth. Scott also has great chemistry with Paul Mescal, and their scenes together feel very intimate and delicate, establishing the graceful tone Haigh was going for. The concept for the film is excellent and delivered well, though some of the conversations slow down, whic...

  When I saw ‘Buzzfeed Studios’ pop up at the beginning of EXmas, that should’ve been my first red flag. This movie is the cinematic equivalent of one of their clickbait articles. I’d compare it to a Hallmark movie, but that would be an insult to the Hallmark channel.   I usually know exactly what to expect from these types of holiday movies. They’re super cheesy, self-aware of their own tropes, and follow a variation of the same cookie-cutter template. They aren’t very good, but they’re warm and comforting in their own way. What I didn’t expect was something so lazy that it failed to even tick those basic boxes.  Honestly, the fundamental framework of a fun holiday flick is here. The premise is sturdy, and there’s potential for some really entertaining situational comedy. There are numerous moments throughout that should’ve been hilarious, but the complete lack of effort in setting these moments up is aggravating. It’s like the writers had a bunch of ideas for funny situ...

  A good mystery has you digging for answers - analyzing every little detail and theorizing about countless possible outcomes for the questions being raised. Leave the World Behind builds an engaging and thought provoking mystery that’ll instantly pull you in, but its answers may have you walking away underwhelmed.  This film comes from Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail, and shares a lot thematically with the hit series. He’s even stated that it takes place in the same fictional universe. This apocalyptic thriller has a lot to say about current geo-political relations and our world’s reliance on connected technology. The commentary is all highly relevant, but ultimately adds nothing new to this existing discourse. There are also numerous red herrings that serve no purpose other than building a further sense of intrigue. These disappointing bait-and-switch tactics are something the film could’ve done without.  Thankfully, this movie is gorgeously and creatively shot, with some ...