Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes review
We’ve been getting Planet of the Apes movies for decades now and the latest installment is Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. This installment jumps many generations into the future after the events of the last Apes movie, 2017’s War for the Planet of the Apes. We meet the main character of this installment, Noa, and his friends and family. They’re part of a peaceful ape clan who raise eagles as part of their tradition. On the eve of Noa’s bonding ceremony with his eagle, murderous invaders lay siege to his clan, and those they don’t kill, they take prisoner. Noa barely survives and recovers only to find all of them gone. He begins a journey to find his clan and rescue them but finds he is being followed by a rare human. He also happens upon an orangutan named Raka and together, with the human, they form a trio for this rescue journey. They’re pursued the entire way by the murderous invaders. Will they be able to rescue the clan on time? Is it worth going to the theater to find out? Check out this review episode to find out. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes stars Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, William H. Macy, Peter Macon, Lydia Peckham, Dichen Lachman, Sara Wiseman, Karin Konoval and Eka Darville.
The Fall Guy review
Movie stars are made to look heroic, awesome, tough and gritty in their movies and who makes them look that way? Stunt men and women. The Fall Guy is a love letter to the stunt community within the movie business directed by former stuntman David Leitch. It’s of course also a take on the hit 1980s Lee Majors TV show of the same name. This time it’s Ryan Gosling playing Colt Seaver as a Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a detective of sorts. Colt is the stuntman for the biggest movie star in the world up until something drastic happens. When that happens he vanishes, including ghosting his flame, a movie writer named Jody played by Emily Blunt. However, he’s called back into action when his old job suddenly becomes available again. Does he want to jump off buildings, barrel roll cars, get set on fire and do all the things stunt people do again? When he finds out his former flame Jody is directing the movie the stuntman opening is for, well that changes the game. You get explosions, car chases, gun fights, an action movie lovers dream and work that keeps plenty of stunt people employed. Is it worth checking out at the theater? Watch this episode to find out. The Fall Guy also stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer, Stephanie Hsu, Winston Duke, Ben Knight, Matuse, Adam Dunn, Zara Michales, Angela Nica Sullen and Megan O’Connell.
True Lies review
I go back to 1994 for this week’s review. Specifically the epic, action-packed Arnold Schwarzenegger spy thriller True Lies. This was James Cameron teaming up again with his Terminator for this big budget, eye-popping spectacle. Schwarzenegger plays Harry Tasker who has his wife and daughter convinced that he’s just a dull to the bone computer salesman. In reality he’s a spy for the covert Omega Sector hunting down and stopping threats. Things get dicey when he hears something that makes him think his wife is having an affair and he investigates. Some terrorists really end up spoiling his investigation, just to launch a nuclear attack plot on the United States. Schwarzenegger is joined by Jamie Lee Curtis as his wife, Eliza Dushku as his daughter, Tom Arnold as his partner and the late, great Bill Paxton as “super spy” Simon. If, amazingly you haven’t seen this, is it worth checking out? Watch my retro review of True Lies to find out. True Lies co-stars Tia Carrere, Art Malik, Grant Heslov and Charlton Heston.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare review
The British pride themselves on being gentlemanly. That goes all out the window in the movie The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare when they know they’re dealing with Nazis during World War II. British officers, along with none other than Winston Churchill himself, send a team of bad boys to deal a critical blow to the German submarine fleet. This team is led by Henry Cavill, who’s character they had to let out of military prison to lead this team. He’s joined by Alan Ritchson, Alex Pettyfer, Henry Golding and Hero Fiennes Tiffin. The boys find themselves heading towards Africa where the boats that supply the German submarine fleet is headquartered. These ungentlemanly bad boys are tasked with wreaking havoc on this submarine supply system. They also get help from Eiza Gonzalez as a half-Jewish actress who is very motivated to hurt Nazis and Babs Olusanmokun who is a casino owner near these headquarters, who doubles as a British spy. The action gets good and brutal, you might say, downright ungentlemanly. Is it worth a gentleman and gentlelady taking the trip to the theater to check this out? Check out this episode to find out. This also stars Cary Elwes, Rory Kinnear, Til Schweiger, Freddie Fox, James Wilby, Henrique Zaga, Danny Sapani, Matthew Hawksley, Simon Paisley Day, Mark Oosterveen and Victor Oshin.
Civil War review
Up until this movie, everyone has had to picture only in their mind what the next civil war in America would look like. Now the new movie from director Alex Garland, “Civil War”, provides the visual representation of what such a war would look like. As you’d expect, it’s horrifying and brutal and the protagonists in this movie are there to take pictures of much of it. Kirsten Dunst and Cailee Spaeny play war photographers along with Wagner Moura and Stephen McKinley Henderson working alongside them. They all embark on a road trip from New York City to Washington D.C. to try to get an interview with the President of the United States before the forces fighting him take him out. Along the way, they see the horrors of this civil war and come close to death themselves. This isn’t war fighting in some other country. This is a bloody war in these modern times in America. Is it worth your time and strength to experience this movie? Check out this episode to find out. “Civil War” also stars Nick Offerman, Jefferson White, Nelson Lee, Evan Lai, Vince Pisani, Justin James Boykin, Jess Matney, Greg Hill, Edmund Donovan, Tim James, Simeon Freeman, James Yaegashi, Dean Grimes and Alexa Mansour.
Monkey Man review
If one of the things on your bucket list is to see a movie that is part John Wick, part RRR and part Slumdog Millionaire, prepare to be happy. I give you Monkey Man directed by Slumdog Millionaire’s Dev Patel. He also stars in this as the main character named Kid who is a street fighter that gets paid to be the heel in fights. The guy that gets beat up and loses every night. He wears a monkey mask hence the name of the movie. However there is more than meets the eye with this guy. He’s not just going through life aimlessly getting beat up nightly. He’s trying to get to someone however he can. What does he want with them? What is he going to do to them? We are shown whoever it is, they’re part of a corrupt, violent, evil criminal empire and Kid is going to have to watch his every move or it could be his last. The movie is stylish, yet gritty and grimy. You get brutal fighting, high speed chases and beautiful women. Does it all add up to a movie that you should check out at the theater? Watch this episode to find out that very thing. Monkey Man also stars Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Sikandar Kher, Adithi Kalkunte, Sobhita Dhulipala, Ashwini Kalsekar, Makrand Deshpande, Jatin Malik and Zakir Hussain.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire review
In the world of Godzilla x Kong The New Empire, you have good monsters and bad monsters, but even with the good ones, a lot of humans get taken out. That’s what you’ll see in the latest monster movie from Adam Wingard who directed Godzilla vs Kong a few years ago. In this latest movie, Kong is at home in Hollow Earth which is a world deep within Earth that was discovered in the last movie. Godzilla’s domain is up on the surface of Earth and everyone is praying the two never meet again. Otherwise your property insurance rates are going to go way up! A distress signal is heard coming from Hollow Earth and Rebecca Hall, Kaylee Hottle and Brian Tyree Henry from the last movie go to check it out along with newcomers Dan Stevens and Alex Ferns. Kong also discovers a new race of Kongs who aren’t too enthusiastic to get to know him. Also, Godzilla detects a new threat in Hollow Earth and goes on a mission to kill what Kaiju he needs to in order to defeat the threat. The CGI involved in all that is in massive supply but is it worth journeying to the theater to see it? Check out my takes about Godzilla x Kong The New Empire in this episode to find out. Godzilla x Kong The New Empire also stars Fala Chen, Rachel House, Ron Smyck, Chantelle Jamieson and Greg Hatton.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire review
Apparently the Ghostbusters aren’t afraid of no ghosts or sequels. Forty years after the original Ghostbusters comes Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. We get the Ghostbusters that started it all minus the late, great Harold Ramis. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson. Annie Potts is back as well. Then we also see the new characters introduced in 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife played by the likes of Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, McKenna Grace and Finn Wolfhard. In this sequel, all of them are back where it all started, New York City. This time a newly re-discovered ancient orb is the prison of an old evil that is desperately trying to get out. I think you can guess if it gets out or not. Can the Ghostbusters band together to defeat this entity that kills people by literally freezing people with fear? Also, they have to contend with an old nemesis from the original Ghostbusters that is still trying to take them down. Is it worth jumping in the car and driving to the theater to check this out? Watch this episode to find out! Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire also stars Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Celeste O’Connor, Logan Kim, Emily Alyn Lind, James Acaster, William Atherton, Shelley Williams, Chris Tummings and John Rothman.
Arthur The King review
Who doesn’t dig a movie with a lovable dog? Arthur the King has a lovable dog and has Mark Wahlberg bringing you some exciting multi-terrain adventure racing. This movie starts with Wahlberg’s seemingly washed up adventure racer character, Michael Light, wanting one last chance to finally win an adventure racing championship in the Dominican Republic. This is racing that takes place in tough terrain with running, cycling and kayaking for long distances over multiple days. He, and the other three members of this team, get sponsorship and get in the race, but also gain a furry fifth team member, a stray dog Michael names Arthur the King. Arthur inspires the team through his endurance through the rough terrain and also gains fans all around the world as he sticks with the team throughout the race. What’s the final outcome for Arthur and the team? Is it worth finding out at a theater? Check out this episode to find out. Arthur the King also stars Simu Liu, Nathalie Emmanuel, Juliet Rylance, Ali Suliman, Bear Grylls, Paul Guilfoyle, Rob Collins, Alani Ilongwe and Cece Valentina.
The Abyss review
In “The Abyss”, after a U.S. nuclear submarine is lost at sea, the U.S. Navy enlists the help of a crew of an underwater oil drilling platform to help find it. A team of Navy SEALs, led by Michael Biehn as Lieutenant Coffey, is sent down to the crew to lead the rescue operation. Unbeknownst to the crew, led by Ed Harris as Bud Brigman and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Lindsey, the SEALs have another possible mission. A mission that is deadly for all. On top of that, during the rescue operation, deep sea otherworldly beings start appearing and ratcheting up the already high tension even more. Are these otherworldly beings friend or foe? Then to elevate the tension even more, Lieutenant Coffey starts acting psychotic due to pressure sickness from being deep undersea. Not the development you want, especially with a guy in possession of nuclear warheads. Where is this flashpoint going to end up? Is it worth watching to find out? Watch this retro review episode to find out. “The Abyss” is the movie James Cameron made between “Aliens” and “Terminator 2: Judgement Day” and I’ll talk all about it in this episode. “The Abyss” also stars Leo Burmester, Todd Graff, John Bedford Lloyd, J.C. Quinn, Kimberly Scott, Captain Kidd Brewer Jr., George Robert Klek, Christopher Murphy, Adam Nelson, Dick Warlock, Jimmie Ray Weeks, J. Kenneth Campbell, Ken Jenkins, Chris Elliott and Peter Ratray.
Dune Part Two review
The Dune books by Frank Herbert are widely said to be impossible to make into movies or shows. However, a few have tried and the latest is director Denis Villeneuve with, first, his Dune Part One film in 2021 and now Dune Part Two. Overwhelmingly, the consensus is that Villeneuve succeeded beautifully with his first Dune film in introducing movie audiences to the world of Dune. Now we get his Part Two which continues the story of Paul Atreides, who is royalty, but also could be the most powerful being in the entire universe someday. What will he do with this power? Will he engage in good to help out the people of the universe or will his power end up killing billions of people? Dune is also about Paul’s alliance with the people of the planet Arrakis, known as the Fremen. We also see his battle against his enemies, the Harkonnens and the Emperor. Is Dune Part Two entertaining as it tells this complex, twisted tale? Check out this show to find out. Dune Part Two stars Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Lea Seydoux, Stellan Skarsgard and Charlotte Rampling.
Land of Bad review
The gunfights are plentiful, the explosions are numerous, the hand-to-hand combat is abundant and the tension is sky high in the new movie Land of Bad starring Russell Crowe, Liam Hemsworth, Milo Ventimiglia, Ricky Whittle and Luke Hemsworth. In Land of Bad, special forces operators are sent on a mission in the Philippines to rescue a CIA asset in the hands of terrorists. Unfortunately for Sgt. JJ Kinney (Liam Hemsworth), he’s been picked for the mission to coordinate all military aircraft in the area to support the mission. Before long, things go south and Kinney finds himself in the title of the movie, a land of bad. Russell Crowe plays an Air Force drone pilot that has to help Kinney make his way through this hell and occasionally pummel some terrorists with drone missiles along the way. Will Kinney make it out alive with his eyes in the sky and bringer of doom helping him? Is it worth finding out at the theater? Check out the show to find out. Land of Bad also stars Chika Ikogwe, Daniel MacPherson, Robert Rabiah, Jack Finsterer, Lincoln Lewis and Gunner Wright.
Bob Marley One Love review
Bob Marley is known as the most famous Jamaican but he’s also considered the paragon of reggae music. Bob Marley One Love is the new movie that gives us a closer look into what drove him and the turbulence he experienced. Marley grew up in poverty, the son of a black mother and a white father, but his undeniable musical ability helped him rise above that. This movie features those sweet musical offerings peppered throughout. Kingsley Ben-Adir plays the legendary Marley and Lashana Lynch plays his wife Rita who braves the danger of Jamaica with him. Marley’s musical career origins are also explored, along with providing some cinematic representation to what his songwriting process was like. Does Bob Marley One Love give us a look into Marley’s life in an entertaining way? Check out this episode to find out. Bob Marley One Love also stars James Norton, Tosin Cole, Umi Myers, Anthony Welsh, Nia Ashi, Aston Barrett Jr., Anna-Share Blake, Gawaine “J-Summa” Campbell, Naomi Cowan, Alexx A-Game, Michael Gandolfini.
The Crow review
When someone makes a list of the best 90s movies, this week’s movie is usually on the list. I bring you my review of classic, The Crow. The Crow was Brandon Lee’s final film. He sadly was accidentally killed on the set of The Crow. He was famously precluded in death by his father Bruce Lee, who also died far too early in life. We still got a masterful performance by Brandon Lee as Eric Draven, who comes back from the dead to avenge his, and his fiancée’s, murder. He goes up against some slimy baddies led by the murderous and twisted Michael Wincott as Top Dollar. He gets help from a cop played by Ernie Hudson and his friend Sarah played by Rochelle Davis. The action, the drama, the tension is all accompanied by a edgy, hard-hitting lineup of tracks that enhance it all. Join me to do a deep dive on this dark classic. The Crow also stars David Patrick Kelly, Jon Polito, Bai Ling, Tony Todd, Sofia Shinas, Anna Thomson, Angel David, Laurence Mason, Michael Massee, Bill Raymond, Marco Rodriguez and Kim Sykes.
Argylle review
In Argylle, spy movies get turned on their heads quite a bit. The main character is reclusive, shy author Elly Conway who writes best-selling novels about a spy named Argylle. She gets writers block while writing the latest book but some real-life spy action she suddenly finds herself might inspire some creativity. This starts when she is rescued by a spy played by Sam Rockwell and Elly is thrust into a real world of espionage with her beloved cat, Alfie, tagging along. She soon finds out she’s being pursued by a rogue spy agency with murder on their mind. Is this movie worth checking out to see who all this unfolds? Check out this show to find out. Argylle is directed by Matthew Vaughn, written by Jason Fuchs and stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa, Bryan Cranston, John Cena, Ariana DuBose, Richard E. Grant, Tomas Paredes, Alaa Habib and Jing Lusi.
13 Assassins review
It’s a dark, brutal time in Japan because of the evildoing of a psychotic, murderous lord, and half brother to the Shogun. He threatens the peace and safety of the Japanese people with his sadistic ways. It’s decided that the few samurai still left in Japan must come together for a suicide mission to take him down. First these samurai have to be convinced, by explaining what evil this lord has committed against his people. Then the preparation and execution comes next. 13 Assassins, directed by Takashi Miike, is the bloody, unrelenting telling of this story and it absolutely doesn’t hold back. This stars Kōji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada and Sōsuke Takaoka. This is the third collaboration in which Yamada and Takaoka starred. 13 Assassins also features Hiroki Matsukata, Kazuki Namioka and Gorō Inagaki.
I.S.S. review
The Earth, from space, looks beautiful unless it’s on fire from nuclear annihilation. That’s what the American and Russian astronauts in the new movie I.S.S., for International Space Station, see up there and it leads to some international tension with deadly results. Suddenly the U.S. and Russia are in a nuclear war and each countries astronauts have received orders to take the I.S.S. over by any means necessary. Can anyone trust each other, even if you’re on the same side? It’s an intriguing premise for a movie, especially in space, but is it worth you launching towards the theater to see it? Check out this episode to find out. I.S.S. is directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite and stars Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, John Gallagher Jr., Masha Mashkova, Costa Ronin and Pilou Asbaek
The Beekeeper review
If Jason Statham isn’t kicking somebody’s butt, he must be sleeping or in the shower. Statham has carved out a nice niche in the action genre for decades now. The Beekeeper is his latest, and honey, is there a lot of buzz about it as it’s coming out! Statham plays Adam Clay who befriends an elderly lady who lets him keep bees on her property. She is then becomes a victim of cybercrime and loses all her money and takes her own life from the anguish. Statham isn’t having any of that and someone cyberpunks have to pay. Let’s just say he’s got a particular set of skills and some baddies are about to pay the bills. Directed by David Ayer who also directed End Of Watch, Fury, Suicide Squad and Street Kings and wrote Training Day. Is the buzz around this enough to get you to leave your hive to check it out? Check out this spoiler-free review live show to find out! This also stars Phylicia Rashad, Josh Hutcherson, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Bobby Naderi, David Witts, Michael Epp, Taylor James, Jemma Redgrave, Don Gilet, Enzo Cilenti, Minnie Driver and Jeremy Irons.
The Iron Claw review
In professional wrestling, the Von Erich family was legendary. The patriarch of the family, Fritz, was a wrestler with his signature move “The Iron Claw.” He handed that down to his sons who took the wrestling world in Texas by storm. Everything was going so well until tragedy struck the Von Erich family. Unfortunately, fate would have it that one tragedy wouldn’t be near enough. “The Iron Claw” tells this family’s tale and doesn’t flinch as it does. Is it worth jumping in the ring to check out? Watch my review to find out! It’s directed by Sean Durkin and stars Zac Efron, Lily James, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Holt McCallany, Grady Wilson, Michael Harney, Stanley Simons, Kevin Anton and Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Wonka review
The Wonka candy empire had to start somewhere and someone decided to make a prequel to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to tell the origin tale. That someone is director Paul King, who also directed the Paddington movies. Timothee Chalamet, from the Dune movies, stars as the young Willy Wonka who arrives at an unnamed town to open up a chocolate shop. He soon finds out that it isn’t going to be that easy thanks to the Chocolate Cartel. They don’t want any competition and they spring the Chief of Police on the young, naive Wonka. Lows and highs, twists and turns proceed in this movie also starring Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa, Keegan Michael-Key as the Chief of Police and Oscar winner Olivia Colman as Mrs. Scrubbit. Not sure whether this movie will be a tasty treat or a big bowl of rotten lettuce? Check out this spoiler-free review to clear up that mystery. Wonka also stars Tom Davis, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Calah Lane, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Jim Carter and Rakhee Thakrar.