Friday, May 1, 2020

Top 20 New Movies With Internet Releases In May (2020)

by Cat

Our Top 20 lists don’t usually begin with a preface. However, this time I just wanted to drop a small note to give you a little info before you dive into the list.  What is it? Just simply to let you know that, to the best of our knowledge, all of these movies are scheduled to be released to video on-demand or various streaming platforms on the day listed. Delays or changes in plans may be possible due to the ever-evolving impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the media industry.

We hope you and your loved ones are safe and well.


20 - Bull (5/1)


Production/Distribution: Bert Marcus Productions, Invisible Pictures, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions, Stage 6 Films
Director: Annie Silverstein
Writers: Annie Silverstein, Johnny McAllister, Josh Melrod
Actors: Rob Morgan, Amber Havard, Yolonda Ross, Sara Allbright, Keira Bennett, Steven Boyd, Roishaun Davenport, Karla Garbelotto, Troy Anthony Hogan, Ashton Hughes, Rachel McClure, Reece McClure, Tadarius Billy Miles, Peggy Schott, Lee Stringer, Keeli Wheeler
Genre: Drama
Rated: Unrated
Length: 105 minutes

IMDb Blurb: In a near-abandoned subdivision west of Houston, a wayward teen runs headlong into her equally willful and unforgiving neighbor, an aging bullfighter who's seen his best days in the arena; it's a collision that will change them both.

This looks like a phenomenal movie with a lot of heart. Why is it this low on my list, you ask? At any other time, it likely would have rated far higher. It’s not because of the basic 'angsty teen gets brooding mentor and learns a new competitive skill' recipe. My reason is simple: it’s worthy of note certainly, but right now my personal tastes run to the more entertaining or thrilling fare.

Bull looks to be just about as heavy and dramatic as a hard-hitting, dramatic movie like this should be. It looks like one that will both pull on the heart-strings and offer a cathartic journey of redemption for the characters. While I’m trying to find the lighter things, I can’t entirely knock this out of the running. I hope it does well.

19 - Mother’s Little Helpers (5/5)


Production/Distribution: Bold Management & Production, KP2 Productions, Subtractive, Gravitas Ventures
Director: Kestrin Pantera            
Writers: Melanie Hutsell, Sam Littlefield, Kestrin Pantera, Milana Vayntrub, Breeda Wool
Actors: Kestrin Pantera, Breeda Wool, Milana Vayntrub, Sam Littlefield, David Giuntoli, Melanie Hutsell, Cool Benson, Tara Karsian, Rick Overton, Amy Jayne Pilikowski, Mike Rose, Luis Sosa
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
Rated: Unrated
Length: 99 minutes

IMDb Blurb: When Joy Pride, a groovy 70's burn-out on the caboose of the flower power movement, learns she has weeks to live, her estranged children come together to do right by a mother who always did them wrong. Mother's Little Helpers is a funny dysfunctional-family drama, based on true events and inspired by true lies, about how family ties can twist and tear you - and though they may not break you, they might send you to prison. It explores the "OK, Boomer" relationship between the free love generation and those left to clean up the mess.

Mother’s Little Helpers is a bit more my speed for the things I am gravitating towards watching lately. While this does deal with a family member presumably dying, and that’s certainly dark, the trailer evoked a feeling that the darkness was being funneled into humor rather than some morose dirge.

Laughter is excellent medicine. The interactions between the members of this dysfunctional family intrigued me and made me want more. While there is some potential for sadness with the story, it seems far outweighed by the other elements sparked by the family coming together. 

18 - Union Bridge (5/19)


Production/Distribution: Breaking Glass Pictures
Director: Brian Levin
Writer: Brian Levin
Actors: Scott Friend, Emma Duncan, Alex Breaux, Elisabeth Noone, Bobby J. Brown, David Cohen, Lateicia Ford, Grant Garson, Graydon Hipple, Andy Hopper, Nancy Linden, Teresa Majorwicz, Bolton Marsh, Jean Miller, Kevin Murray, Samantha Trionfo, Dan Verkman, Tim R. Worley
Genre: Thriller
Rated: Unrated
Length: 91 minutes

IMDb Blurb: After burning out in the city, Will Shipe is summoned back home where he uncovers dark truths about his family and the town he grew up in.

There are some interesting elements to the plot shown in this trailer. Hometowns full of dangerous secrets – and some of them possibly quite literally buried. The town outcast has visions that drive him a little mad because the secrets just don’t want to keep in silence. Then there’s the prodigal townsperson suddenly thrust into the situation and must solve the mystery of what’s going on and brave the dangerous enormity of it all.

These elements all sound like they belong in a Stephen King (Doctor Sleep, Castle Rock, It) novel. In this case, the horror icon has nothing to do with it (as far as I know). This is the directorial debut of Brian Levin (Genie in a Bikini, Boys in Blue, Flock of Dudes).

I’m intrigued by the mystery, and invested enough just from the trailer, that I want to know more about what is afflicting the one poor guy. What the big secret is – and whether or not it is literally buried somewhere in or around the town. This is one of those films you could curl up in a blanket with, a cup of tea in hand, just as if you were reading a good mystery novel. 

17 - Walkaway Joe (5/8)


Production/Distribution: SwingLake Entertainment, In The Garage Entertainment, Quiver Distribution USA Inc
Director: Tom Wright
Writer: Michael Milillo 
Actors: David Strathairn, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Julian Feder, Julie Ann Emery, David Jensen, Susan Gallagher, Michael Papajohn, Challen Cates, Wayne Pére, Andrea Frankle, Robert Walker Branchaud, Kim Baptiste, Tony Demil
Genre: Action, Drama
Rated: Unrated
Length: Unknown

IMDb Blurb: Walkaway Joe is the story of an unlikely friendship between a young boy searching for his father in pool halls across the country, and a wandering loner hiding from his past. In each other they experience the power of a second chance, and a shot at redemption.

When I saw this title, my mind immediately went to the Trisha Yearwood song, from 1992, and it immediately started playing in my head. I couldn’t help it. That was one of my favorites that were released during my ‘country phase’ in high school.

Then, I watched the trailer and I was reminded of The Color of Money (1986). This isn’t attempting to remake that by any means. There’s a new twist on this whole pool-shark thing. This has a family angle that takes the story somewhere else besides a young man chasing the prestige of his mentor. This is a tale of a son trying to save his family by chasing his father – there are parallels though.

Watching Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Rampage, Supernatural, The Walking Dead) in just about anything is entertaining. I’m glad it seems that they carried through the smart-ass charisma, that he’s so well known for, to this character. My own head-canon asks me why Sam and Dean’s dad is running pool tables instead of hunting, but that’s a fan-fiction for another day.

16 - Capone (5/12)


Production/Distribution: BRON Studios, A Band Apart, Addictive Pictures, Creative Wealth Media Finance, Lawrence Bender Productions, Vertical Entertainment, Ascot Elite Entertainment Group, Storm Pictures Korea
Director: Josh Trank
Writer: Josh Trank
Actors: Tom Hardy, Linda Cardellini, Kyle MacLachlan, Noel Fisher, Matt Dillon, Kathrine Narducci, Jack Lowden, Tilda Del Toro, Al Sapienza, Jhemma Ziegler, Wayne Pére, Mason Guccione, Samantha Czosnek, Rose Bianco, Gino Cafarelli, Troy Anderson, Edgar Arreola, Emma Willoughby, Tara Marie Foy, Caiden Acurio, Manny Fajardo, Tony Beard, Andreanna L Jenson, Heather Isaac
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Rated: R
Length: Unknown

IMDb Blurb: The 47-year old Al Capone, after 10 years in prison, starts suffering from dementia and comes to be haunted by his violent past.

This is one of those movies that I tend to be on the fence about watching until my husband ropes me into it, and then I enjoy anyway. I like a good mobster movie now and again, it’s just not the genre I turn to first when I’m looking for entertainment.

That being said, I can still recognize when a movie like this looks like it’s going to be good – regardless of whether or not I’m in the mood for zoot-suit gangsters with Tommy-guns.

Besides, with Tom Hardy (This Means War, Legend, Dunkirk) in the titular role, we should all be ready for quite the experience. Add to that the fact that he’s facing off against Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks, Portlandia, High Flying Bird) and Matt Dillon (The Art of the Steal, Rock Dog, The House That Jack Built). This is a stellar cast for this look at the infamous mob boss in his deranged twilight years.  

15 - The Lovebirds (5/22)


Production/Distribution: 3 Arts Entertainment, Media Rights Capital, Quinn's House, Netflix, Central Partnership, Paramount Pictures, United International Pictures
Director: Michael Showalter
Writers: Aaron Abrams,  Brendan Gall, Martin Gero
Actors: Kumail Nanjiani, Anna Camp, Issa Rae, Paul Sparks, Kyle Bornheimer, Joe Chrest, Andrene Ward-Hammond, Catherine Cohen, Moses Storm, Jaren Mitchell, Kelly Murtagh, Mahdi Cocci, Narendra Singh Dhami, Betsy Borrego
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
Rated: R
Length: 86 minutes

IMDb Blurb: A couple (Issa Rae & Kumail Nanjiani) experiences a defining moment in their relationship when they are unintentionally embroiled in a murder mystery. As their journey to clear their names takes them from one extreme and hilarious - circumstance to the next, they must figure out how they, and their relationship, can survive the night.

I have moved this movie up and down my list so many times, I’m nearly dizzy. I think the trailer is hilarious and I can’t wait to watch the movie. Its placement on the list is mainly weighing it against which movies I might want to watch before this one. If I had the choice to watch all of them right now – which would I pick first? There are just little bits here and there that have caught my attention with everything else higher on the list. I digress…

Getting back to this actual film. I love a good comedy full of quirky crazy accidents that put people in the wrong place at the wrong time. This seems to be one of those. My husband and I just recently watched Stuber (2019), and that was a good example of that exact scenario.  Of course, I mentioned that movie on purpose, as Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick, Silicon Valley, Dolittle) is a co-lead in that movie as well as this one. His talent for comedy is amazing. I am also excited to see Anna Camp (True Blood, Pitch Perfect, The Wedding Year), too.

I really can’t wait to watch it, so don’t let this placement fool you. If you need a laugh, this should be a great go-to.

14 - Arkansas (5/5)


Production/Distribution: StoryBoard Media, Buffalo 8 Productions, Don Kee Productions, Rhea Films, Jeff Rice Films, Sprockefeller Pictures, Media Finance Capital, VMI Worldwide, Lionsgate
Director: Clark Duke
Writer: Andrew Boonkrong, Clark Duke
Actors: Liam Hemsworth, Clark Duke, Michael Kenneth Williams, Vince Vaughn, John Malkovich, Vivica A. Fox, Eden Brolin, Chandler Duke
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Rated: R
Length: 117 minutes

IMDb Blurb: Kyle and Swin live by the orders of an Arkansas-based drug kingpin named Frog, whom they've never met. But when a deal goes horribly wrong, the consequences are deadly.

I am just going to come right out and state the obvious – this movie looks odd. The characters are quirky (or at least some of them are), and the premise is a bit bananas. However, sometimes that’s just how life rolls. All of these things don’t appear to be negatives at first blush. The trailer succeeded in drawing me in.

I’m also a sucker for movies based in and around my area. I lived in Little Rock, AR for a year when I was younger. I haven’t been there in probably 20 years or so, but it’s still ‘close to home,’ as it were.

The icing on the cake is this cast. Of course, quirkiest of all is probably Clark Duke (A Thousand Words, Hot Tub Time Machine 2, Bad Moms). He got my attention back in Greek (2007-2011). There’s always an intelligence behind his roles regardless of how silly. Then you have John Malkovich (Birdbox, Velvet Buzzsaw, Billions). Anything he’s in is sure to be entertaining. Yes, yes - Liam Hemsworth (The Dressmaker, Killerman, Isn't it Romantic) is in it, too. Don’t get the idea I picked this one because I got all moony.

I am dying to see how the quirky blends in with a crime-drama thriller. 

13 - The Half of It (5/1)


Production/Distribution: Likely Story, Netflix
Director: Alice Wu
Writer: Alice Wu
Actors: Catherine Curtin, Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire, Collin Chou, Wolfgang Novogratz, Enrique Murciano, Becky Ann Baker, Haley Murphy, Alex D. Jennings, Billy Thomas Myott, Matt Meinsen, Cronin Cullen, Mehmet Ozyagci, Gabi Samels
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Rated: PG-13
Length: 104 minutes

IMDb Blurb: When smart but cash-strapped teen Ellie Chu agrees to write a love letter for a jock, she doesn't expect to become his friend - or fall for his crush.

So this film is here because I would like to watch this one with my daughter. This is the sort of teen rom-com, or dramedy, that I think would be right up her alley. I think the story of friendship and relationships will be a good watch for us. It looks cute and relevant. I really like the casting they’ve done here. 

12 - Villain (5/22)


Production/Distribution: Ascendant Films, Saban Films, Spentzos Films, Vertigo Releasing, Eagle Films, Selmer Media
Director: Philip Barantini
Writers: Greg Hall, George Russo
Actors: Craig Fairbrass, Mark Monero, Robert Glenister, Izuka Hoyle, George Russo, Nicholas Aaron, Tomi May, Michael John Treanor, Eloise Lovell Anderson, Jennifer Matter, Cassie Bancroft, Hester Ruoff, Lee Nicholas Harris, Taz Skylar, Stephanie Fayerman, Selom Awadzi, Mark Mooney, Daniel Larkai, Lauryn Ajufo, Jamie Crew
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Rated: R
Length: 97 minutes

IMDb Blurb: The story follows (Eddie Franks) a former criminals release from prison and his attempts to help his family by reconnecting with his daughter and clearing his brother's debt. Despite his efforts, he is drawn back into a criminal way of life, with devastating consequences.

Oh, how I love a good Brit-flick. I have been longing for action and thrills lately, in between my desire for comedy. With films like this, you tend to get everything. I absolutely adore dry British humor and sarcasm. The trailer gave me the impression that it’s layered in with the crime drama unfolding. Anti-heroes are fun to watch. They bring some overdue karma to the REALLY bad guys.

With the main character getting out of jail to find his brother’s in trouble, the plot seems like something along the lines of Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), without the car-theft. I am curious to see how this plays out. I can’t say that I recognize most of this cast by name, but that can be a good thing. There’s less of a distraction for my brain while watching. Less of ‘ooh I know them’ and more immersion into the story. 

11 - The Last Moment of Clarity (5/19)


Production/Distribution: Metalwork Pictures, GEM Entertainment, 101 Films, Inopia Films, Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Directors: Colin Krisel, James Krisel
Writers: Colin Krisel, James Krisel
Actors: Samara Weaving, Brian Cox, Carly Chaikin, Udo Kier, Hal Ozsan, Pasha D. Lychnikoff, Nicole Ansari-Cox, Alex Fernandez, Zach Avery, Karl E. Landler, Mark Joy, Kathy Sanders, Elisa Meri, Karina Chery, Robert Wesley Mason
Genre: Thriller
Rated: R
Length: 90 minutes

IMDb Blurb: A normal New Yorker's life is upended when his girlfriend is murdered by the Bulgarian mob. He flees to Paris to hide from her killers. But three years later, he sees a similar looking woman on the silver screen. Obsession with past love takes Sam to Los Angeles to look for answers, only to put him back into the sights of the Bulgarians. An updated Hitchcockian thriller in the vein of Vertigo and Rear Window.

That old adage to let sleeping dogs lie is a good one. Don’t poke the dragon, is another. Bilbo didn’t listen, and that poor sleeping dog rarely gets to finish their nap. Without curiosity making people do dumb things, there wouldn’t be much of a point to this film though, right?

The trailer succeeded in giving me enough questions about what was going on and investment with the characters that I really do wonder about the lookalike girl and the story in general. It stayed with me beyond the end of the teaser. 


10 - Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (5/5)


Production/Distribution: Warner Bros. Animation, DC Universe, Warner Home Video
Directors: Matt Peters, Christina Sotta
Writers: Ernie Altbacker, Mairghread Scott
Actors: Rosario Dawson, Rebecca Romijn, Rainn Wilson, Camilla Luddington, Shemar Moore, Taissa Farmiga, Jerry O'Connell, John DiMaggio, Jason O'Mara, Christopher Gorham, Tony Todd, Liam McIntyre, Matt Ryan, Roger Cross, Hynden Walch, Ray Chase, Stuart Allan, Sachie Alessio
Genre: Animation
Rated: R
Length: 90 minutes

IMDb Blurb: A Sequel to Justice League Dark (2017) involving Jack Kirby's New Gods.

This film is allegedly the last one in the DC Animated Universe. Normally a movie like this would be in my top 5 at the very least. There are just too many films that are stacking up and stealing my interest – they’re new and shiny. I can’t help it. I am also sad about the seeming finality of it all if this really is the end of the movies within that universe – but I say never say never.

Aside from all that, the cast is just absolutely amazing! I’m also digging that they went for the bold R-Rating, as well. You can bet I’ll be watching this as soon as I can. 

9 - The Vast of Night (5/15)


Production/Distribution: GED Cinema, Amazon Studios
Director: Andrew Patterson
Writers: James Montague, Craig W. Sanger
Actors: Sierra McCormick, Jake Horowitz, Gail Cronauer, Bruce Davis, Cheyenne Barton, Gregory Peyton, Mallorie Rodak, Mollie Milligan, Ingrid Fease, Brandon Stewart, Kirk Griffith, Nika Sage McKenna, Brett Brock, Pam Dougherty, Lynn Blackburn, Richard Jackson, James Mayberry, Nicolette Doke, Grant James, Libby Villari, Gordon Fox, John Gindling, Brianna Beasley, Chamblee Ferguson, L.A. Young
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Rated: PG-13
Length: 89 minutes

IMDb Blurb: In the twilight of the 1950s, on one fateful night in New Mexico, a young switchboard operator Fay and charismatic radio DJ Everett discover a strange audio frequency that could change their small town and the future forever.

There’s so much that I love about this movie.

First, my initial impression of this film is that it looks like a story that could have come right out of the original Twilight Zone (1959-1964). When I looked up the info for the movie, I found that the town’s name of Cayuga appears to be named after Rod Serling's (Appointment With Destiny, Encounter with the Unknown, Phantom of the Paradise) production company used for making that very show.

Those rotary phones – I have been hauled through time and suddenly I’m a kid again, spinning the dial on my grandmother’s phone just to watch it spin back on its own. Touch-tone and touch-screen phones aren’t as fun anymore, man.

I love the nostalgia of the phone switchboard era. We won’t get into the politics of it. Let’s just simply let it ride as a classy backdrop to this UFO movie period piece. Of course, it’s a crazy coincidence that the US Navy has just recently declassified some videos of a craft interacting with UFOs. ….. Or is it? 

8- The Wretched (5/1)


Production/Distribution: AMP International, Cailleach Productions, IFC Midnight, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, IFC Films, Première TV Distribution, Vertigo Releasing
Directors: Brett Pierce, Drew T. Pierce
Writers: Brett Pierce, Drew T. Pierce
Actors: John-Paul Howard, Piper Curda, Jamison Jones, Azie Tesfai, Zarah Mahler, Blane Crockarell, Kevin Bigley, Gabriela Quezada Bloomgarden, Richard Ellis, Judah Abner Paul, Ja'layah Washington, Amy Waller, Ross Kidder, Kasey Bell, Sydne Mikelle, Tug Coker, Madelynn Stuenkel, Owen Thomas Pierce, Pamela Gray, Ryan Alexander Holmes, Kenzie Jones
Genre: Horror
Rated: Unrated
Length: 96 minutes

IMDb Blurb: A defiant teenage boy, struggling with his parent's imminent divorce, faces off with a thousand year-old witch, who is living beneath the skin of and posing as the woman next door.

If you’ve been around this blog a while, you’ll know I’m a sucker for a good (or even bad) horror movie. For those new readers (welcome!), I inexorably find myself drawn to the horrific. Out of the offerings releasing this month, this definitely looks like the best horror movie hitting the internet in May.

There seems to be a psychological horror factor along with the gore, possession, and general creepiness here. Somehow the creature of this feature can make people forget people. Imagine your parents looking right at you and not recognizing that you ever existed. Your best friend’s mom says your friend never lived there. Talk about a gut-punch. It’s the ultimate form of ghosting. There’s a pun in there somewhere where this movie is concerned, and I’m not sorry.

7 - Survive the Night (5/22)


Production/Distribution: Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films, SSS Entertainment, SSS Film Capital, Lionsgate, Première TV Distribution, Youplanet Pictures
Director: Matt Eskandari
Writer: Doug Wolfe
Actors: Bruce Willis, Chad Michael Murray, Lydia Hull, Tyler Jon Olson, Jessica Abrams, Shea Buckner, Ravare Elise Rupert, Charlie Alvarado, Riley Wolfe Rach
Genre: Action, Thriller
Rated: R
Length: 89 minutes

IMDb Blurb: A disgraced doctor and his family are held hostage at their home by criminals on the run, when a robbery-gone-awry requires them to seek immediate medical attention.

This movie's an action starring Bruce Willis (Once Upon a Time in Venice, Reprisal, Motherless Brooklyn). Is there really a better reason to watch?

The story looks compelling. I’m left wondering what Chad Michael Murray‘s (Camp Cold Brook, Max Winslow and the House of Secrets, Riverdale) character did to get sued in the first place. That’s small potatoes, however, when put up against the rest of the action and thrills that this movie promises. I got flashes of Murray’s character from Crackle’s CH:0S:EN (2013-2014).

I’m eagerly anticipating the team-up of Murray and Willis to take out the bad guys that dared mess with their characters’ family. I’ve got to learn whether or not they do, indeed, Survive the Night.

6 - Proximity (5/15)


Production/Distribution: Demeusy Pictures, Shout! Studios, Instrum International, Signature Entertainment
Director: Eric Demeusy
Writers: Eric Demeusy, Jason Mitcheltree          
Actors: Don Scribner, Ryan Masson, Highdee Kuan, Christian Prentice, Shaw Jones, Christopher Murray, Sarah Navratil, Kylie Contreary, Pamela Holt, Jordan Tortorello, Darin Cooper, Jeremy Lawson, Stephanie De Bar, Randy Davison, Max Cutler, Ben Sullivan, Mikey McKernan, Gregory DePetro, Anthony Bradford, Tyler Derench, Ian Coleman, Danny McFarland, Marc Livingood, Mauri Montebello Perez
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Rated: Unrated
Length: 115 minutes

IMDb Blurb: A young NASA JPL scientist is abducted by extraterrestrials but when no one believes his story he becomes obsessed with finding proof which leads him on a journey of discovery.

This movie should not be confused with the 2016 movie of the same name. That one’s about surfers, this one is a sci-fi film about alien abduction. Just be careful and take note of release dates when you are selecting your movie for streaming – or you might be very confused.

Moving on.

The trailer sucked me in. I want to know what the main characters saw. I want to see what the alien’s ship looks like. I can’t wait to travel this whole strange and thrilling journey with them. I am going to be on pins and needles until this one releases, let me tell you.

5 - The Wrong Missy (5/13)


Production/Distribution: Happy Madison Productions, Netflix, QC Entertainment
Director: Tyler Spindel
Writers: Chris Pappas, Kevin Barnett
Actors: Lauren Lapkus, Sarah Chalke, David Spade, Molly Sims, Nick Swardson, Geoff Pierson, John Farley, Vanilla Ice, Candace Smith, Chris Witaske, Chris Titone, Rob Schneider
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Rated: Unrated
Length: 89 minutes

IMDb Blurb: A guy meets the woman of his dreams and invites her to his company's corporate retreat, but realizes he sent the invite to the wrong person.

It’s a David Spade (The Do-Over, The Mayor, Father of the Year) comedy.

Honestly, I don’t really have more of a reason that this not only made my list this month, but ranked as high as it did. The trailer was hilarious. Spade has this gift of taking what should be awkward and uncomfortable and turning it into comedy gold. We need more laughter in the world right now.

4 - Inheritance (5/22)


Production/Distribution: Highland Film Group, Ingenious Media, Southpaw Entertainment, White Comet Films, Vertical Entertainment, Blue Swan Entertainment, Inopia Films
Director: Vaughn Stein
Writer: Matthew Kennedy
Actors: Lily Collins, Connie Nielsen, Simon Pegg, Chace Crawford, Marque Richardson, Michael Beach, Chris Gann, Joe Herrera, Christina DeRosa, Harrison Stone, Rebecca Adams, Mariyah Francis, Lucas Alexander Ayoub, Jim E. Chandler, Patrick Warburton, Emily Towles, Ashley Pereira, John Flanagan
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Rated: Unrated
Length: Unknown

IMDb Blurb: A patriarch of a wealthy and powerful family suddenly passes away, leaving his wife and daughter with a shocking secret inheritance that threatens to unravel and destroy their lives.

I have no idea how I’d react if something like this happened to me. 

There are so many among the cast that I really enjoy. Though I’d have to say most-transformed for this role would be Simon Pegg (Ready Player One, Terminal, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance).

He had to spend 6 months getting in shape for his role. I am dying to know who he is in relation to the prominent family in the story. The trailer snared me with his character’s promise of truth and I am sure that I will watch the movie with bated breath to see if this convoluted chess game leads to the answers. 

3 - How to Build a Girl (5/8)


Production/Distribution: Film4, Lionsgate, Monumental Pictures, IFC Films, Tango Entertainment, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, flag
Director: Coky Giedroyc
Writers: Caitlin Moran, John Niven
Actors: Chris O'Dowd, Emma Thompson, Paddy Considine, Sarah Solemani, Alfie Allen, Beanie Feldstein, Sharon Horgan, Gemma Arterton, Michael Sheen, Lucy Punch, Frank Dillane, Jameela Jamil, Catherine Tate, Joanna Scanlan, Sue Perkins, Mel Giedroyc, Laurie Kynaston, Tadhg Murphy, Lily Allen, Arinzé Kene, Hammed Animashaun, Laura Ferries, Ziggy Heath, Bobby Schofield, Sonia Goswami, Ryan Nolan, Asheq Akhtar, Manveer Sohal, Dónal Finn, Stellan Powell, Evan Kenneth Jones, Scott Mason-Cherry, Joseph Begley
Genre: Comedy
Rated: R
Length: 104 minutes

IMDb Blurb: The novel charts the journey of teenager Johanna Morrigan (Beanie Feldstein), who reinvents herself as Dolly Wilde: fast-talking, lady sex-adventurer, moves to London, and gets a job as music critic in the hope of saving her poverty stricken family in Wolverhampton.

There’s something magical about this story. Everyone likes to think we can reinvent ourselves if need be – makeover shows are all the rage. Every teen movie worth its salt in the 90s included a makeover scene. We all want to be able to transform into our best selves – especially when we’re growing up and striking out on our own.

This is a story that takes that notion to a bit of extreme. It looks witty and like a wild ride.

Back to that magic thing. I really want to know if the lead character is certifiable or just has a massively active imagination – she talks to pictures on her wall that animate like in Harry Potter’s world.

2 - Valley Girl (5/8)


Production/Distribution: Sneak Preview Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, United Artists Releasing, Orion Classics
Director: Rachel Goldenberg
Writers: Amy Talkington, Andrew Lane, Wayne Crawford
Actors: Peyton List, Jessica Rothe, Mae Whitman, Chloe Bennet, Jessie Ennis, Logan Paul, Ashleigh Murray, Alicia Silverstone, Judy Greer, Camila Morrone, Josh Whitehouse, Jessie Ennis, Mary Neely, Rob Huebel, Josh Fadem, Alex MacNicoll, Allyn Rachel, Heidi Holicker, Mario Revolori, Danny Ramirez, Andrew Kai, Kc Monnie, Chris Tavarez, Dan Thiel, Alex Lewis, Chrystall Friedemann, Nicholas Azarian, Leo Lam, Kurt Koehler, Connor Williams
Genre: Comedy, Musical, Romance
Rated: PG-13
Length: Unknown

IMDb Blurb: Set to a new wave '80s soundtrack, a pair of young lovers from different backgrounds defy their parents and friends to stay together. A musical adaptation of the 1983 film.

Alright, I realize this might be controversial to some – because it’s another reboot or remake. This is, in fact, one of those re-do projects that I never even knew we needed until I saw the trailer.

I am hooked.

For anyone that hasn’t run off screaming into the distance, I’m glad you’re still here. Let me share with you what makes my giddy heart go fluttering over this one.

First, it’s the 80s. I am always head-over-heels for 80s nostalgia.

Next, it’s a musical. The singing and dancing looked pretty epic from the trailer perspective – and one of my favorite 80s songs was right there in it. This feels like something along the lines of Rock of Ages (2012) but in an adaptation of a different story.

It’s a tale as old as time – star-crossed lovers from different socio-economic backgrounds fighting against the class system, and their parents, to be together.

We would have been able to see this film on big screens years ago if Logan Paul’s (The Thinning, The Space Between Us, Foursome) antics hadn’t gotten the movie shelved in time-out until the heat around his name died down. I’m still shaking my head over all that – but even so, the rest of the cast and production team for this film deserve to have their work seen regardless of individuals spoiling the party for everyone.

I can't wait, and I'm glad this one is releasing early in the month.

1 - Scoob! (5/15)


Production/Distribution: Atlas Entertainment, Primate Pictures, Warner Animation Group, Warner Bros. Pictures, 1492 Pictures, Warner Bros., Karo Premiere, Warner Bros. Singapore, Kinomania
Director: Tony Cervone
Writers: Matt Lieberman, Adam Sztykiel, Eyal Podell, Joe Ruby, Ken Spears, Jonathon E. Stewart, Jack Donaldson, Derek Elliott
Actors: Amanda Seyfried, Ken Jeong, Will Forte, Kiersey Clemons, Zac Efron, Tracy Morgan, Gina Rodriguez, Frank Welker, Mark Wahlberg, Jason Isaacs, Iain Armitage, Pierce Gagnon, Mckenna Grace. Ariana Greenblatt
Genre: Adventure, Animation, Comedy
Rated: PG
Length: 94 minutes

IMDb Blurb: Scooby and the gang face their most challenging mystery ever: a plot to unleash the ghost dog Cerberus upon the world. As they race to stop this dogpocalypse, the gang discovers that Scooby has an epic destiny greater than anyone imagined.

It’s Scooby and the gang. What more of a reason do you need? This is a beloved set of characters that I’ve grown up with. The lovable mutt and his Mystery Inc friends have been around my entire life. They’re a pop-culture staple. 

I am a bit bummed that they re-cast most of the voices. That’s the only negative I see here. Otherwise, I’ve enjoyed pretty much any incarnation of this bunch of meddling kids and their dog.

You can bet I said ‘rut-roh Raggy’ when I saw that we have to wait until mid-month to watch it. 

 Movies to Look out For
According to: Selina

Valley Girl .20
The Last Moment of Clarity .19
Arkansas .18
Proximity .17
Tammy's Always Dying .16
The Half of It .15
The Wrong Missy .14
The Trip to Greece .13
The Vast of Night .12
How to Build a Girl .11
Bull .10
Survive the Night .9
The Wretched .8
Capone .7
The Flood .6
Walkaway Joe .5
Inheritance .4
The Lovebirds .3
Justice League Dark: Apokolips War .2
Scoob! .1

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Code 8 (2019)



Streaming Service: Netflix
Movie Name/Year: Code 8 (2019)
Genre: Action, Crime Drama, Sci-Fi
Length:  98 minutes
Rating: Unrated
Production/Distribution: Colony Pictures, Vertical Entertainment, Digi-Optic Films, Defiant Screen Entertainment, Elevation Pictures, Koch Films
Director: Jeff Chan
Writers: Chris Pare, Jeff Chan
Actors: Stephen Amell, Robbie Amell, Sung Kang, Kari Matchett, Greg Bryk, Lawrence Bayne, Jai Jai Jones, Alex Mallari Jr., Shaun Benson, Aaron Abrams, Martin Roach, Matthew Gouveia, Laysla De Oliveira, Vlad Alexis, Simon Northwood, Peter Outerbridge, Sarah Hödlmoser, Kyla Kane, Max Laferriere, Merwin Mondesir, Casey Hudecki, Jeff Sinasac, Chris Handfield, Natalie Lisinska, Emma Ho

Blurb from IMDb: A super-powered construction worker falls in with a group of criminals in order to raise the funds to help his ill mother.


Cat’s Point of View:

I can’t tell you how excited I was when Code 8 landed on Netflix.  I have been looking forward to watching this movie since the same-titled proof-of-concept-short hit Indiegogo in 2016.

For the sake of full disclosure, I freely admit that I am a die-hard fangirl of the Amell cousins: Stephen Amell (Arrow, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, Vixen: The Movie) and Robbie Amell (The DUFF, ARQ, X-Files). Needless to say, this project hit my radar quick when they launched their campaign. I devoted an article to this successful crowdfunding project. (If you like, you can read it here.) 


As a TL;DR summary, between the original and follow-up campaigns, the film raised $2,404,740.00 with 28,400 backers. Sadly, my budget at the time did not allow me to be one of them – but Selina was able to contribute. (I have been jealous of her early-access DVD.)

All that aside, I feel that I can still provide a generally unbiased view of this movie. I do like to look for the bright side when I can, but I still try to call it like I see it – even when I’m a super-fan. 

In this case, I'm happy to say they succeeded in making a really solid blend of sci-fi and crime drama with Code 8.


The production team really got a lot of bang for their bucks with the police drones and android enforcer guardians. When those land, you really do get a sense of bulk and weight – and scary emotionless firepower. The effects for individual powers were also well done. I’m very happy that they went the route of subtlety where possible, and I’m giddy about how the eye-effects turned out.

I’ve seen so many critics rag on the film that it’s some sort of X-Men knockoff. I’m a bit irked by that sort of comparison. It feels lazy to me. This isn’t a comic adaptation. It’s an original story full of grit and moral dilemma. It’s got ‘mutants’ by way of evolved humans with special abilities – but it’s not trying to be part of the super-squad genre at all. These aren’t superheroes or supervillains – they’re regular people faced with discrimination and injustice and forced to make decisions accordingly.


I am going to say something that makes me wince to admit, but it was a little dry in some places. I didn’t feel the usual zing I get with this talented cast through the entirety of the movie. I can’t quite put my finger on exactly what it was. Also, I feel that part of it could be a personal cognitive dissonance, considering the personalities of the characters vs. the personalities of the actors behind them. The cast was really on point in their roles, so don't hold that against them.

Perhaps it was the fact that the film followed the crime-drama recipe rather closely so that it was generally predictable. I like to be kept guessing – but following a recipe isn’t always a bad thing. It didn’t do the film a disservice here, I likely did that to myself with over-active expectations for the movie. Honestly, though, these are observations made because I feel the need to look at this more clinically to balance out my inner fan-girl.


There were fantastic characters that also could have gotten a little more rounding-out, but that’s something that can likely be addressed in the future. It’s open enough that there certainly could be a sequel. That seems to be coming in the form of a Quibi spin-off series, announced on December 10, 2019. The Amells are slated to return to reprise their roles. I’ll be crossing my fingers that they can get Sung Kang (Live Free or Die Hard, Fast & Furious 6, Power), too. I really want to know more about his character’s story specifically.

When all is said and done, I would recommend this movie for 2 reasons. The first is simple, it’s a good movie and well-grounded in its world and characters. The second is out of support for grassroots filmmaking of fan-backed projects. The more views this film gets, the better others will fare in its wake with future projects that seek production similarly. This shouldn’t be lightning in the bottle – but if it was, I’m glad to have been even a small part of that. (Sharing the campaign counts, too, okay?)  


Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 73%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 66%
Metascore – 48/100
Metacritic User Score – 6.1/10
IMDB Score – 6.1/10
CinemaScore – None

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4/5

Trust the Dice Parental Advisory Rating: PG-13

Movie Trailer: