Review: Firestarter ★★★

In a new adaptation of Stephen King’s classic thriller from the producers of The Invisible Man, a girl with extraordinary pyrokinetic powers fights to protect her family and herself from sinister forces that seek to capture and control her.

The films does have a slow start, we come to see how the girl came to be and how her parents have fought to protect not only her but themselves as well. I really wanted to like this film as the majority of Stephen King adaptations are worth watching, but it just wasn’t working for me. The acting felt forced with poor emotions especially from the main stars of the film Zac Efron and Ryan Kiera Strong, but perhaps it was the unconvincing effects that made it feel dull all around.

We come to learn that for more than a decade, parents Andy played by Zac Efron and Vicky played by Sydney Lemmon; have been on the run, desperate to hide their daughter Charlie played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong from a shady secret federal agency that wants to take control of her dangerous gift for creating fire into a weapon of mass destruction.

To protect his daughter, Andy had to teach her how to defuse her power, which is triggered by her anger or pain. But as Charlie turned 11, the fire became harder and harder to control. After an incident revealed the family’s location, officials are deployed to hunt down the family and capture Charlie but the smart girl has other plans.

Is this a film that you can wait to see on demand, unfortunately… yes. But, there is a plus to the film, it leaves you wondering where he story will go next. So after the whole film lost my attention, I’m curious to know what’s next because it does leave you hanging. So perhaps there will be a sequel and they’ll get it right.

Review: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ★★★★

In what you will probably consider the darkest Marvel film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness showcases Marvel magic meets ‘The Walking Dead’ with a taste of wizardry.

Now just so you know, if you haven’t caught up on all the Marvel films and Disney+ shows, especially Wandavision the don’t bother watching this film because you will be completely lost.

With the film being directed by Sam Raimi, you’re definitely getting bizarre weirdness and major drama. That’s just what you get with Benedict Cumberbatch and especially Elizabeth Olsen. Now their acting chops are on point, no way you can take that away from them. But at some point it did seem like there was entirely too much going on in the film, perhaps this story could have been told in a series as opposed to a film. There was a lot more backstory going on and then cameos form different characters being made, that you had to stop and think to connect the dots. I feel like those circumstances might deter people away from the film and perhaps even the Marvel franchise. When it gets too confusing and too complicated for the general public to comprehend, the just lose interest.

Now me personally being a Marvel fan and following all the stories and back stories, I didn’t have a problem with the film because obviously I understand it and everyone’s purpose. The visual effects are out of this world and are exactly what I’d expect for a multiverse of madness setup… it was all MADNESS!

It’s quite fitting that this is probably the strangest Marvel movie in the entire franchise, because right off the bat the film begins with Doctor Strange running from a fire demon in a CG-psychedelic cosmic realm, then moving on to various universes in an adventure that includes mystical mountain fortresses, evil versions of your favorite characters, a even magical musical duel. Don’t forget, I mentioned ‘The Walking Dead’ in the beginning because yes… you will see zombies.

Don’t worry it’s not all horror and zombies because there is an emotional side mixed in to the film that many will relate to, making all the characters seem human. They want what we all desire in life… love and companionship despite saving the world.

Remember the last time we saw Doctor Strange was in Spider-Man: No Way Home, where he was trying to help Peter live the simpler life where no one knew who he was outside of his circle. We all know how that one ended. We’ve waiting long enough to see the story continue for Wanda after she lost the love of her life Vision and then everything that happened in Wandavision, fans will be pleased with the outcome of this film and for what’s to come. Make sure you stay for the two end credit scenes! So many surprises!!!

Film hits theaters May 6, 2022!

EASTER SUNDAY | Watch The Trailer

Stand-up comedy sensation Jo Koy (Jo Koy: In His Elements, Jo Koy: Comin’ in Hot) stars as a man returning home for an Easter celebration with his riotous, bickering, eating, drinking, laughing, loving family, in this love letter to his Filipino-American community.

Easter Sunday features an all-star comedic cast that includes Jimmy O. Yang (Silicon Valley series), Tia Carrere (True Lies, Wayne’s World films), Brandon Wardell (Curb Your Enthusiasm series), Tony nominee Eva Noblezada (Broadway’s Hadestown), Lydia Gaston (Broadway’s The King and I), Asif Ali (WandaVision), Rodney To (Parks and Recreation series), Eugene Cordero (The Good Place series), Jay Chandrasekhar (I Love You, Man), Tiffany Haddish (Girls Trip) and Lou Diamond Phillips (Courage Under Fire).

Easter Sunday, from DreamWorks Pictures, is directed by Jay Chandrasekhar (Super Troopers, The Dukes of Hazzard, I Love You, Man), from a script by Ken Cheng (Sin City Saints series) and Kate Angelo (Sex Tape) based on a story by Ken Cheng.

The film is produced by Rideback’s blockbuster producers Dan Lin (The Lego Movie franchise, It franchise) and Jonathan Eirich (Aladdin, The Two Popes), and is executive produced by Nick Reynolds, Joe Meloche, Jo Koy, Jessica Gao, Jimmy O. Yang, Ken Cheng and Seth William Meier.

The film will be distributed by Universal Pictures domestically. Amblin Partners and Universal will share international distribution rights.

Genre: Comedy 

Cast: Jo Koy, Jimmy O. Yang, Tia Carrere, Brandon Wardell, Eva Noblezada, Lydia Gaston, Asif Ali, Rodney To, Eugene Cordero, Jay Chandrasekhar, Tiffany Haddish and Lou Diamond Phillips

Director: Jay Chandrasekhar       

Screenplay by: Ken Cheng and Kate Angelo, based on a story by Ken Cheng

Producers: Dan Lin, Jonathan Eirich

Executive Producers: Nick Reynolds, Joe Meloche, Jo Koy, Jessica Gao, Jimmy O. Yang, Ken Cheng and Seth William Meier

JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION | Watch the New Trailer

#JurassicWorldDominion is in theaters June 10.

This summer, experience the epic conclusion to the Jurassic era as two generations unite for the first time. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are joined by Oscar®-winner Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and Sam Neill in Jurassic World Dominion, a bold, timely and breathtaking new adventure that spans the globe.

From Jurassic World architect and director Colin Trevorrow, Dominion takes place four years after Isla Nublar has been destroyed. Dinosaurs now live—and hunt—alongside humans all over the world. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain the apex predators on a planet they now share with history’s most fearsome creatures. 

Jurassic World Dominion, from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, propels the more than $5 billion franchise into daring, uncharted territory, featuring never-seen dinosaurs, breakneck action and astonishing new visual effects. 

The film features new cast members DeWanda Wise (She’s Gotta Have It), Emmy nominee Mamoudou Athie (Archive 81), Dichen Lachman (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Scott Haze (Minari) and Campbell Scott (The Amazing Spider-Man 2). The film’s returning cast includes BD Wong as Dr. Henry Wu, Justice Smith as Franklin Webb, Daniella Pineda as Dr. Zia Rodriguez and Omar Sy as Barry Sembenè.  

Jurassic World Dominion is directed by Colin Trevorrow, who steered 2015’s Jurassic World to a record-shattering $1.7 billion global box office. The screenplay is by Emily Carmichael (Battle at Big Rock) & Colin Trevorrow from a story by Derek Connolly (Jurassic World) & Trevorrow, based on characters created by Michael Crichton. Jurassic World Dominion is produced by acclaimed franchise producers Frank Marshall p.g.a. and Patrick Crowley p.g.a. and is executive produced by legendary, Oscar®-winning franchise creator Steven Spielberg, Alexandra Derbyshire and Colin Trevorrow. 

Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment present, in association with Perfect World Pictures, a Colin Trevorrow film. jurassicworld.com

Genre: Epic Action-Adventure

Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill, DeWanda Wise, Mamoudou Athie, BD Wong, Omar Sy, Isabella Sermon, Campbell Scott, Justice Smith, Scott Haze, Dichen Lachman, Daniella Pineda

Director: Colin Trevorrow

Screenplay by: Emily Carmichael & Colin Trevorrow

Story by: Derek Connolly & Colin Trevorrow, based on characters created by Michael Crichton        

Producers: Frank Marshall p.g.a, Patrick Crowley p.g.a.

Executive Producers: Steven Spielberg, Alexandra Derbyshire, Colin Trevorrow

Review: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent ★★★★

If you’re up for a laugh and have missed seeing Nicholas cage on the big screen then this one is for you. It honestly may seem like just another weird comedic Nicholas cage movie but it’s so much more than that, you just have to see this road to redemption.

Now you may be thinking oh it’s just another nick cage movie where it’s all about him. In the beginning it may really seem like that but don’t fret my friends because it goes into a whole different direction.

The film is shot through with plenty of nods and winks. Nicolas Cage is a fictionalized version of himself who finds himself writing a movie for him to star in, which coincidentally turns out to not be about him at all. Imagine that!

All these events turn up after the disgraced actor is in the verge of financial ruin and being forgotten by Hollywood. Like anyone who’s always focused on just himself, he has alienated himself from his wife and daughter and is living in a hotel. Now the funny part of his character is he is being tormented by his younger self, who he calls Nicky. In an act of salvaging anything, he takes on a gig that will pay him $1 million for just showing up at a birthday party of a rich super fan named Javi, played by Pedro Pascal.

Perhaps the best thing about this film is that Nicolas Cage pokes immense fun at himself throughout the entire film. There’s a part in the film where mega-fan Javi shows Cage his Nic Cage shrine—complete with National Treasure posters, Face/Off wax statue, and funny enough a Nic Cage sequin pillow.

Massive Talent calls out the chainsaw from Mandy, Cage’s stunningly gorgeous experimental movie from 2018, and Cage’s iconic “Not the bees!” line from the film, The Wicker Man. There are many sequences that come straight out of the actor’s filmography track with moments or scenes faithfully recreated, but funny enough there are few mentions of the actor himself; so it’s more of a tribute to all the roles he’s played in the past.

Being a mega-fan, Javi and the film itself are obsessed with passion and are unconcerned with looking “silly” or “ridiculous,” capturing the authentic feelings and experiences.

In this film it’s clear, Nick Cage serves as a stand-in not for Nic Cage, but for passion. By the end of the film, you’ll see why the real Nic is so insistent on keeping the characters separate. Now you will def it be entertained throughout the entire film filled with laughter, although when the third act hits you may find yourself not laughing as much. Is it still worth it to watch… of course it is… it’s a Nicolas cage film that actually not too serious and allows the actor to show the funnier side of himself.

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness

In Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” the MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. Journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary. “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” releases in U.S. theaters on May 6, 2022.

[TRAILER DEBUT] Netflix’s Stranger Things 4 Volume 1 – Breaks Today

It’s time. See you on the other side.

Stranger Things 4 Vol. 1 premieres May 27th, only on Netflix.

It’s been six months since the Battle of Starcourt, which brought terror and destruction to Hawkins. Struggling with the aftermath, our group of friends are separated for the first time – and navigating the complexities of high school hasn’t made things any easier. In this most vulnerable time, a new and horrifying supernatural threat surfaces, presenting a gruesome mystery that, if solved, might finally put an end to the horrors of the Upside Down.

Created byThe Duffer Brothers

STRANGER THINGS is produced by Monkey Massacre Productions & 21 Laps Entertainment with The Duffer Brothers serving as executive producers, alongside Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen of 21 Laps Entertainment, Iain Paterson, and Curtis Gwinn.

Starring: Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), Brett Gelman (Murray), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler) with Matthew Modine (Dr. Brenner) and Paul Reiser (Dr. Owens)

REVIEW: Ambulance ★★

Ehhhh… You could say it’s cringe-worthy. My take is wait for it to come out on TBS! Don’t even pay to rent it or get it on-demand.

I’m really going to try to be nice to this one. Like always I didn’t watch trailer so I was expecting something good not a blockbuster; and so was everyone else screening the film. Especially with it being a Michael Bay film and the cast taking a part in the film.

Unfortunately, it sucks to say this movie was made for TV on TBS or some other channel like that on a rainy day when there’s nothing else to watch and you’re desperate to watch something to just fall asleep. This film had an opportunity to be a blockbuster with the cast and the director but it was an epic fail because it was just all over the place.

At one moment you’re watching it and it’s like OK they’re actually robbing a bank and it’s two brothers in charge of this mission with one outcome in mind… a big payday. Everything that could go wrong, does go wrong, what are the odds?! But then they’re saving a cop that one of them shot AND THEN they’re taking a hostage. Then they’re having a good heart talk and saying we’re gonna get out of this but really there’s no way out of it and it’s just going in circles and my God the camera work on this film… Jesus get ready to be dizzy and nauseous!

There were so many story lines being introduced throughout the ENTIRE film that it was hard to keep up because it’s like this isn’t Game of Thrones where you can do that and people actually pay attention. It was like ‘Bam’ here’s one story line, ‘Bam’ here’s two people we don’t know but we just found out they’re having marital problems but they have something to do with the film and what’s going on in LA right now. It just wasn’t working out right and it was really just disappointing because you have Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Marteen II, who basically did the best they could but really it’s just I don’t know how it could’ve been any worse. Having sat with a former paramedic next to me, he was just dumbfounded by the things that were happening throughout the film and how the paramedics were being portrayed. Which just goes to show it wasn’t realistic so the writers didn’t do their homework. It’s safe to say this flick was a poor man’s ‘Transformers’ film without the alien robots.

REVIEW: Everything Everywhere All At Once ★★★★★

Get ready to get your mind blown! It’s no surprise this film did so well at South by Southwest with a lineup the includes the amazingly talented Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis and many other stars who also steal the show.

While the short synopsis for this film might seem a bit bland, Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, collectively known as Daniels, the film is a hilarious and big-hearted sci-fi action adventure about an exhausted Chinese American woman (Michelle Yeoh) who can’t seem to finish her taxes. The film is SO MUCH MORE than that.

For the first 30 minutes or so, you’re sitting there being immersed into the struggling lives of this hard-working Chinese American woman who is obviously unhappy with her life, while it seems her family is falling apart at the same time. The funny thing is yes… she’s just trying to get her taxes done. The way this film twists you in a what seems like a virtual reality of multi-universe as they call it in the film is a complete masterpiece; you’re sitting there thinking what exactly am I watching, but you want so much more because you’re trying to figure out what’s going to happen while also trying to figure our what’s the message in this film. It’s an exhilarating and at times exhausting sci-fi infused reflection on the meaning of life.

It was shocking to see the classic Michelle Yeoh take on the role of Evelyn, who is a humble laundromat operator that ends up discovering the multiverse, where she encounters various versions of skills that she must learn to conquer in order to take on a malicious character that funny enough takes on a Star Wars-type name, Jobu Tupaki. This may give you ‘Doctor Strange’ vibes but this film takes it to a whole other level of madness and craziness. Don’t worry you will get a few martial arts scenes that kick some ass!

Early on, we learn that Jobu is an “agent of chaos” by a version of Evelyn’s husband, Waymond; played by Ke Huy Quan, who is a blast from the past for many because he was Short Round from “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”. When Evelyn encounters this version of her husband, he calls himself Alpha Waymond, he informs her that he has managed to figure out how to “verse-jump” from one reality to another, and his mission is to warn her that in each of the parallel worlds, the notorious Jobu has manifested embodied itself in the body of their not-so-happy and not-so-successful daughter, Joy played by Stephanie Hsu.

The infamous Jobu does have instrument of destruction or as many may see it, the Death Star, the catch is that it’s an everything bagel. You can’t help but laugh about it! There are so many scenes that reference classic films and then there are scenes that make you say… was that really necessary. Trust me you’ll see them! But funny enough it all fits in.

Let’s not forget Jamie Lee Curtis who takes on the role of an obnoxious IRS agent, Deirdre Beaubeirdra who honestly is a joke throughout the whole film and not in a bad way. She makes appearances in pretty much all the multi-universes, one where she is Evelyn’s lover and they both have hot dog fingers and another she’s her nemesis. As bizarre as that may sound, it works and it hilarious.

The film is refreshing in such uncertain times, with a message is accepting, letting go of the past and regrets, living for today and not what could have been or what could be. What matters is today, accepting yourself, your family as imperfect as it may all be. Everyone just needs love and nothing matters.