"We're not critics. We're professional fan-girls." --- This blog is dedicated to movies and the entertainment industry. We use random selection to bring into light the best and worst of streaming films and entertainment news.
Production/Distribution:
Real Dreams Entertainment, Uncork'd Entertainment Director: John
Real Writers: Adriana
Marzagalli, John Real Actors: James
Cosmo, Rachel Daigh, Neb Chupin Genre: Drama,
Thriller Rated: Unrated Length: 1h 46min IMDb Blurb: Lara Winslet is an expert geologist in
volcanology. She is together with her team of work on a volcano to conduct
surveys. At the end of a working day, Lara decides to stay a little longer to
finish an exam and she remains so alone. Returning, she has an accident,
falling inside a hole in the ground and remains blocked inside there, where no
one can neither see nor hear her. This experience will lead her to take an
examination of her whole life and to think of her daughter. I have long been fascinated with volcanoes. I read a book
when I was little about the Indonesian island of Krakatoa that completely blew
up with a major eruption, and I was hooked. I mentioned during our trailer
stream about my volcano science fair project – it won 3rd place for
whatever grade level I was in middle school. I digress. My point is that I
enjoy watching and reading just about anything on the subject. If not for a few
decisions here and there in my life, I might have been a geologist. Breath
caught my attention immediately with its premise for that reason. Then, of course, I noticed James Cosmo (Game of Thrones, Outlaw King, Skylines) is playing the father and
my hopes and expectations ramped up a bit more. The small cast and limited setting productions have a hard job
in capturing and holding an audience’s attention – especially when you’re in
such an austere environment as a volcanic crevasse. The trailer gave me hope
for this survival tale – even if I believe I’ve already figured out the ending.
I want to know, though, if I got it right. Even so, the concept of being
trapped on an active volcano adds an undercurrent of tension that will help to
keep audiences on the edge of their seat. I don’t expect, however, to see
flashy eruptions like in the recent movie Skyfire
(2021). I feel like I want to give lead Rachel Daigh (Sharknado 5: Global Swarming, The Music Box,
Books of Blood) and Sicilian director John Real (Feel the Dead, The Music Box, Obsessio) a chance to tell this
story. Breath will have a digital release, so you can watch it
right away On Demand.
19 - Downton Abbey: A
New Era (5/20)
Production/Distribution:
Universal Pictures, Carnival Film & Television, Focus Features, United
International Pictures, Universal Pictures Argentina, Universal Pictures
International Director: Simon
Curtis Writer: Julian
Fellowes Actors: Allen
Leech, Brendan Coyle, Charlie Watson, David Robb, Dominic West, Douglas Reith,
Elizabeth McGovern, Fifi Hart, Harry Hadden-Paton, Hugh Bonneville, Hugh Dancy,
Imelda Staunton, Jim Carter, Joanne Froggatt, Jonathan Coy, Jonathan Zaccaï,
Kevin Doyle, Laura Carmichael, Laura Haddock, Lesley Nicol, Maggie Smith,
Michael Fox, Michelle Dockery, Nathalie
Baye, Penelope Wilton, Phyllis Logan, Raquel Cassidy, Robert James-Collier,
Samantha Bond, Sophie McShera, Sue Johnston, Tuppence Middleton Genre: Drama,
Romance Rated: PG Length: 2h 5min IMDb Blurb: Follow-up to the 2019 feature film in which
the Crawley family and Downton staff received a royal visit from the King and
Queen of Great Britain. I feel I must, once again, begin with a confession that I’ve
not watched the Downton Abbey
(2010-2015) series. This is not from any lack of desire or act of avoidance –
my to-watch list is long and there is only so much time to go around. This is
precisely the sort of period piece that I adore…especially when you factor in
my love of dry British humor. Just as Downton Abbey
(2019) appeared on my personal list when it was released before, this Downton Abbey: A New Era is worth some
mention amidst the titles releasing in May. Why you ask? I could give a single response – that Dame
Maggie Smith (The Second Best Exotic
Marigold Hotel, Sherlock Gnomes, A Boy Called Christmas) graces the screen
again – and call it a day. There’s more to it than that, however. The trailer for this new Downton addition tickled my fancy
with the promise of layers of story and the intrigue of mystery. It seems to be
set up to appeal to a wider audience spectrum. Downton Abbey: A New
Era is releasing to theaters and then will arrive on the Peacock streaming
platform after 45 days. 18 - A Perfect
Pairing(5/19)
Production/Distribution:
DAE Light Media, Front Row Films, Hoodlum Entertainment, Netflix Director: Stuart
McDonald Writers: Hilary
Galanoy, Elizabeth Hackett Actors: Adam
Demos, Britt Goodwin, Emma Kate Lawrence, Korey Williams, Nicholas Brown,
Samantha Tolj, Tracie Filmer, Victoria Justice Genre: Comedy,
Romance Rated: TV-PG Length: 1h 41min IMDb Blurb: It follows a hard-driving LA wine-company
executive who travels to an Australian sheep station to land a major client and
there she ends up working as a ranch hand and sparking with a rugged local. I am a sucker for interesting accents. Australian just
happens to be my 3rd favorite behind Irish and Scottish. That’s not
the only reason to like or want to enjoy A
Perfect Pairing, however. First, I feel I must note that Hallmark Channel released a
film back in January called The Perfect
Pairing (2022). This movie has absolutely nothing to do with that
production aside from the similar name and the play on words mixing wine and
romance. Just be careful when you’re searching this up on your streaming
platforms. Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk about A Perfect Pairing. Netflix seems to really enjoy turning out rom-coms. I’m not
going to complain, though. I tend to enjoy them more often than not. Like
reading a racy romance novel, they’re a guilty pleasure. Some are more cheesy
than others – but who doesn’t like a good cheese board with a great wine? (I
couldn’t resist.) I have a little more faith in A Perfect Pairing than the average romance flick because I think
this movie has a winning team. I’ve generally enjoyed watching Victoria Justice
(Victorious, Summer Night, Afterlife of
the Party) in the past. Adam Demos (Cooped Up, UnREAL, Sex/Life), who plays
the rugged romantic interest in A Perfect
Pairing, also portrayed a similar character in Falling Inn Love (2019). The same writing team has penned
the screenplay for this film. It might be a similar recipe, but hey it baked up
into something yummy before. Another element I’m looking forward to with A Perfect Pairing is that Justice
doesn’t shy away from the physical comedy. The trailer promised lots of giggles
– I’m just hoping that it didn’t include ALL of them and some laughs are
unspoiled. You can find A Perfect
Pairing streaming on Netflix after its release. 17 - Along for the
Ride (5/6)
Production/Distribution:
Screen Arcade, Netflix Director: Sofia
Alvarez Writers: Sofia
Alvarez, Sarah Dessen Actors: Andie
MacDowell, Dermot Mulroney, Alisa Harris, Andrew Dicostanzo, Ashleigh Moore,
Belmont Cameli, David S. Bridson, Emma Pasarow, Genevieve Hannelius, Hannah
Michelle, Isaac Lee, Jenique Bennett, Kate Bosworth, Kelsey Rose Healey, Laura
Kariuki, Maggie Arias, Marcus Scribner, Paul Karmiryan, Ricardo Hurtado, Samia
Finnerty Genre: Romance,
Drama Rated: TV-14 Length: 1h 46min IMDb Blurb: The summer before college Auden meets the
mysterious Eli, a fellow insomniac. While the seaside town of Colby sleeps, the
two embark on a nightly quest to help Auden experience the fun, carefree teen
life she never knew she wanted. I was so disappointed when Along for the Ride was delayed – I was looking forward to watching
it on Netflix in April. Due to the one-month bump, however, I am able to share
with you why I want to watch it this time. I can relate to Along
for the Ride on so many levels. Due to a myriad of reasons, I was locked
inside this shell for most of my life. I was bookish in the literal and
figurative sense. It wasn’t until towards the end of my high school career that
I finally broke out and felt the freedom to be myself. Those sort of stories
really resonates with me. For no other reason, that would make me want to give Along for the Ride a chance. This movie has more than its theme going for it, however.
Honestly, as soon as I saw Andie MacDowell (Breaking
at the Edge, Ready or Not, Maid) and Dermot Mulroney (Deadly Illusions, Hanna, Agent Game) were attached to play the
parents of the lead character, I was sold. I adore them both. I also like to see fresh faces and root for them to be
breakthrough performances. Emma Pasarow (Touch,
Am I OK?, Super Pumped) and Belmont Cameli (The Husband, Most Guys Are Losers, Saved by the Bell) have
relatively short bodies of work so far. Along
for the Ride is an opportunity to shine and step out of obscurity if this
production goes over well. Their on-screen chemistry was on point in the
trailer so I have hope. Not only is this Sofia Alvarez’s (Man Seeking Woman, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, To All the Boys:
P.S. I Still Love You) directorial debut, but she also wrote the screenplay.
We’ve loved her work in the past so I am excited to see her vision for this
story translate from the page to the screen. She didn’t pen the original story
for this narrative, however. Along for
the Ride is an adaptation by the book of the same name by Sarah Dessen. I
have not read her work so, unfortunately, am unable to advise how well this
story reflects the original written word. Along for the Ride
is releasing to Netflix. 16 - The Innocents
(5/13)
Production/Distribution:
Mer Film, Zentropa International Sweden, Snowglobe Films, Bufo, Don't Look Now,
Film i Väst, Logical Pictures, Zefyr Media Fund, Yleisradio, DR, Norsk
Filminstitutt, Det Danske Filminstitut, Finnish Film Foundation, Svenska
Filminstitutet, Nordisk Film- & TV-Fond, Eurimages, Protagonist Pictures,
Capelight Pictures, Cherry Pickers Filmdistributie, Shaw Organisation, Activers
Entertainment, Alambique Filmes, Cooray Films, IFC Midnight, KinoVista, Koch
Media, Longride, MK2 Mile End, Rialto Distribution, Rialto Entertainment,
Signature Entertainment, Spentzos Films, Vértigo Films Director: Eskil
Vogt Writer: Eskil
Vogt Actors: Alva
Brynsmo Ramstad, Birgit Nordby, Ellen Dorrit Petersen, Georg Grøttjord-Glenne,
Irina Eidsvold Tøien, Kadra Yusuf, Kim Atle Hansen, Lisa Tønne, Marius
Kolbenstvedt, Mina Yasmin Bremseth Asheim, Morten Svartveit, Nor Erik Vaagland
Torgersen, Rakel Lenora Fløttum, Sam Ashraf Genre: Drama,
Horror, Mystery Rated: Unrated Length: 1h 58min IMDb Blurb: During the bright Nordic summer, a group of
children reveal their dark and mysterious powers when the adults aren't
looking. In this original and gripping supernatural thriller, playtime takes a
dangerous turn. There’s a lot to unpack from the trailer for The Innocents. It didn’t matter that the characters were speaking
Norwegian, and I was reading subtitles. I didn’t feel the disconnect that
sometimes comes with a foreign film in that manner – it sucked me right in and
I was immediately invested. I’m not sure which element grabbed me the most, but
I’m all in. I found the premise fascinating. Most kids have imaginary
friends growing up. This story makes me wonder if this is really a tale of
gifted kids with a figment coming to life and sharing the experience – or if
something is collectively taking advantage of these girls. There’s an on-the-nose play on words with the title here, as
well. For most of the young cast members, this is their very first role. They
are innocent going into this industry. I’m curious if this was writer/director
Eskil Vogt’s (Reprise, The Worst Person
in the World, Blind) design or if it just ended up that way by chance after
the casting process. Regardless, it does seem special that Ellen Dorrit Petersen
(Handle with Care, Thelma, Three Wishes
for Cinderella) gets to share her actual daughter’s first on-screen
experience. Rakel Lenora Fløttum, playing Ida, is her child – now both on and
off-screen. I have so many burning questions that I’m dying to have
answered by watching The Innocents.
It will be released to a limited theater run as well as On Demand digital
platforms. 15 - There Are No
Saints (5/27)
Production/Distribution:
BN Films, Itaca Films, Latam Pictures, Open Window Productions, Saban Films,
Defiant Screen Entertainment, Premiere Entertainment Group, Première TV
Distribution Director: Alfonso
Pineda Ulloa Writer: Paul Schrader Actors: Ron
Perlman, Neal McDonoughk, Brian Cox, Tommy Flanagan, Shannyn Sossamon, Tim
Roth, Paz Vega, Karla Souza, José María Yazpik, Keidrich Sellati, Horacio
Garcia Rojas, Gary Carlos Cervantes, Gustavo Sánchez Parra, Kristyan Ferrer,
Rachel Noll James, Armando Hernández, Brian Glanney, Michael Caden, Vincent
Rivera, Álex Perea, Ari Brickman, Gabriel Santoyo, Leticia Fabián, John
Gilbert, Natália Subtil, Ricardo Mestre Genre: Action,
Crime, Thriller Rated: R Length: 1h 45min IMDb Blurb: A man nicknamed "the Jesuit," is
imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit. When his wife is murdered and his son
kidnapped and taken to Mexico, he devises an elaborate and dangerous plan to
rescue his son and avenge the murder. I am curious as to why the main character’s nickname is “The
Jesuit,” however, that is neither here nor there. I would want to watch There Are No Saints with or without my
curiosity on that topic. There Are No Saints
looks like it will be one brutal wild ride of an action and crime thriller if
the trailer is an accurate depiction. Even though I could already pretty much guess the plot and
the general outcome of the movie, There
Are No Saints promises to be solid entertainment along the way. Can we talk about the cast? There’s a veritable hit-parade
in this lineup, featuring Tim Roth (The
Hateful Eight, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Sundown), Tommy
Flanagan (Sons of Anarchy, Wu Assassins,
The Wave), Neal McDonough (Monsters
of Man, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, The Flash), Brian Cox (The Autopsy of Jane Doe, Succession, Blade
Runner: Black Lotus), Shannyn Sossamon (Sinister
2, Wayward Pines, Ghost Light), and Paz Vega (The OA, Rambo: Last Blood, Wetland). I’m also super excited to see Ron
Perlman (Pacific Rim, Nightmare Alley,
Don't Look Up) in this one. (This is a busy month for him.) While I’m not
familiar with José María Yazpik (Fighting
for Freedom, Everybody Loves Somebody, Narcos: Mexico) yet, I have a
feeling I may just be a fan after this movie. (No, I didn’t watch Narcos (2015-2017).) There Are No Saints
is set to release to theaters as well as digital On Demand services. 14 - Around the World
in 80 Days (5/6)
Production/Distribution:
Cottonwood Media, StudioCanal, France 3 Cinéma, Umedia, uFund, Indéfilms 8, SG
Image 2018, Cinécap 3, Cinémage 14, Palatine Etoile 17, Sofica Manon 10, 22h22,
Canal+, France Télévisions, OCS, Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, Centre national
du cinéma et de l'image animée, Tax Shelter du Gouvernement Fédéral Belge,
Procirep/Angicoa, Circus, Mac Guff Ligne, Blitz, Blue Lantern Entertainment
International, Impuls Pictures, Joyncontents Group, Monolith Films, Movie
Cloud, NOS Audiovisuais, New Guys / Red Cape Distribution, SF Film Finland, SF
Norge A/S, Selim Ramia & Sons, Shaw Organisation, Spentzos Films,
StudioCanal Germany, StudioCanal, Svensk Filmindustri, Vertical Entertainment,
Vertigo Releasing, Viva Pictures, Volga Film Ukraine, Volga, Filmarti, Hoyts
Distribution, Hoyts, NOS Audiovisuais Director: Samuel
Tourneux Writers: Gerry
Swallow, Jules Verne, David Michel, Derek Dressler Actors: Damien
Frette, Julien Crampon, Kaycie Chase, Céline Ronté, Véronique Augereau,
Emmanuel Garijo, Gabriel Le Doze, Serge Biavan, Michaël Aragones, Grégory
Quidel, Rob Tinkler, Cory Doran, Katie Griffin, Heather Bambrick, Shoshana
Sperling, Juan Chioran, Brandon McGibbon, Jamie Watson, Deven Christian Mack,
Stephany Seki, Raphael Alejandro, Gwen La Roka, Madi Monroe, Aida Rodriguez Genre: Animation,
Adventure, Comedy Rated: PG Length: 1h 22min IMDb Blurb: A bookish marmoset embarks on a wild
adventure to travel around the planet in 80 days after accepting a challenge
from a greedy frog. I’ve read thatAround
the World in 80 Days is catching a lot of flack for the creative license
taken with this adaptation of Jules Verne’s work. Some have said that it isn’t
recognizable as such outside of some of the character names. I get that this is
intended to be a fun romp of fantasy with critters in the roles instead of
people – why not shake things up a little bit by tweaking the character roles
as well? I might be changing my tune after watching Around the World in 80 Days if it
doesn’t live up to my expectations – however, I must tell you, they aren’t very
high. Around the World in 80
Days looks like a fun family movie. My advice is just turn off your noggin,
enjoy some popcorn and go along for the ride. Sadly, this film has been
scheduled for the same release date as the latest Marvel movie so I’m not sure
how it’s going to fare with such competition at the box office. Around the World in 80
Days will have a limited theater release. On Demand or streaming details
are not clear at this time. 13 - Family Camp(5/13)
Production/Distribution:
Provident Films, Reserve Entertainment, Skit Guys Studios, Aldgate Insurance
Services, Fintage CAM Director: Brian
Cates Writers: Brian
Cates, Rene Gutteridge Actors: Cece
Kelly, Eddie James, Elias Kemuel, Gigi Orsillo, Jacob M Wade, Keslee Blalock,
Leigh-Allyn Baker, Mark Christopher Lawrence, Robert Amaya, Tommy Woodard,
Heather Land, Myke Holmes, Weston Vrooman, Brandon Potter, Clayton Royal
Johnson, David Acuff, Joshua Jones Genre: Comedy,
Family Rated: PG Length: 1h 51min IMDb Blurb: When two polar-opposite families are forced
to camp together, the dads struggle to hold onto their families and marriages
as they compete for the coveted camp trophy. The trailer for Family
Camp had me giggling. This is definitely a movie that made my list this
month on potential entertainment value alone. OK, mostly. I really only recognize one cast member - Leigh-Allyn Baker
(Good Luck Charlie, Little Savages, Misfits). I love her work with the Disney
network, so I have faith in a solid comedic performance from her. That being
said, I think the premise of a misfit family going to church camp offers plenty
of material for hilarity to ensue. I would still likely have wanted to see Family Camp even if I didn’t recognize a
single member of the production. Family Camp is
getting a theater release. On Demand or streaming details are not clear at this
time. 12 - Sneakerella (5/13)
Production/Distribution:
Disney Channel, Disney+, Jane Startz Productions Director: Elizabeth
Allen Rosenbaum Writers: David
Light, Joseph Raso, George Gore II, Tamara Chestna, Mindy Stern Actors: Bryan
Terrell Clark, Chosen Jacobs, Devyn Nekoda, John Salley, Kolton Stewart, Lexi
Underwood, Logan Thompson, Lovina Yavari, Tara Nicodemo, Yvonne Senat Jones,
Mif, Juan Chioran, Robyn Alomar, Hayward Leach, Robert J. Tavenor, Keethan
Krish, Levi Dombokah, Mekdes Teshome, Michael Madonis, Navi Dhanoa Genre: Comedy,
Family, Musical Rated: Unrated Length: 1h 30min IMDb Blurb: A modern twist on Cinderella set in New York
City's Sneaker culture. The story of Cinderella is one that gets re-told often. This
time, however, Disney is putting a significant flip to this script. Not only do
we have a gender swap for the title role in Sneakerella,
but rather than the shoe drawing the focus of the last half of the story – this
entire tale focuses on foot fashion. I’m intrigued to find out how this all plays out in
comparison to a more traditional version. While I’m not really a sneakerhead, myself, I enjoyed the
trailer and am excited to catch this one when Sneakerella hits Disney+.
11 - Shepherd (5/6)
Production/Distribution:
Golden Crab Film Production, Kindred Film, Darkland Distribution, Saban Films Director: Russell
Owen Writer: Russell
Owen Actors: Gaia
Weiss, Greta Scacchi, Jamie Marie Leary, Kate Dickie, Tom Hughes Genre: Horror,
Mystery Rated: R Length: 1h 43min IMDb Blurb: A young Scottish shepherd, following the
death of his unfaithful wife, fights to maintain his own sanity when the past
catches up to him. I think I’ve already mentioned I’m a sucker for a Scottish
accent, right? Well, Shepherd is
steeped with them and it makes this ginger’s heart happy. The story within the
movie of Shepherd is anything but
joyful, however. The trailer weaves a tale of loss and, perhaps, madness. How
much going on is supernatural and how much is in the titular character’s head?
I’m dying to unravel this mystery. With a small cast and isolated setting for this production,
this team has a daunting task to pull off a gripping and immersive narrative.
They’re set up for success with the likes of Tom Hughes (Red Joan, A Discovery of Witches, Infinite) and Kate Dickie (Game of Thrones, Tell it to the Bees, The
Green Knight) as key players. Shepherd is
releasing in theaters. On Demand or streaming details are not clear at this
time.
10 - Good Mourning
(5/20)
Production/Distribution:
Cedar Park Studios, Raven Capital Management, Briarcliff Entertainment, Open
Road Films Directors: Machine
Gun Kelly, Mod Sun Writers: Machine
Gun Kelly, Mod Sun Actors: Machine
Gun Kelly, Megan Fox, Dove Cameron, Mod Sun, Pete Davidson, Whitney Cummings,
Becky G., Andrew Ortenberg, Gata, Jenna Boyd, Matthew Jayson Cwern, Mercy
Malick, Michael Heidemann, Zach Villa Genre: Comedy Rated: Unrated Length: 1h 23min IMDb Blurb: Follows London Clash, a movie star whose
world is turned upside down when he must choose between pursuing his one true
love and landing a life-changing, starring role in a major motion picture. Machine Gun Kelly (Bird
Box, The Dirt, The Last Son) is teaming up with fellow musician and
collaborator Mod Sun (Bashira, Measure of
Revenge, Downfalls High) for their joint full-length feature writing and
directorial debut. Both have quite a bit of experience with the director’s chair
when it comes to music videos. I’m interested in what their joint efforts (I’m
really not trying to pun here) will turn out for the dark and quirky comedy Good Mourning. Colson Baker (Machine Gun Kelly’s real name) got my
attention as an actor with his portrayal of Crash in Punk’s Dead: SLC Punk 2 (2016) and I’ve enjoyed his work since
then. Whether or not you like his music, I think he’s got a lot to offer with
his acting across various genres. I think Good
Mourning serves to give us a peek into what he can offer to comedy. If the trailer was any indication, Good Mourning will be quite the wild and wacky trip (that one was
on purpose). There are a good number of recognizable faces among the Good Mourning cast as well. Megan Fox (Rogue, Till Death, Big Gold Brick), Pete
Davidson (The Jesus Rolls, The Suicide
Squad, Bodies Bodies Bodies), Dove Cameron (Dumplin', The Angry Birds Movie 2, Schmigadoon!), and Becky G (Power Rangers, Gnome Alone, A-X-L) all
have notable roles. I even saw Danny Trejo (American
Horror Stories, American Sicario, The Book of Boba Fett) in the trailer.
I’ll be honest – I’d watch Good Mourning
just to see Trejo’s part. The fact that the trailer was generally entertaining
was the icing on the cake. Good Mourning is
set to release to theaters as well as digital On Demand services. 9 - The Bob's Burgers
Movie (5/27)
Production/Distribution:
20th Century Studios, Fox Animation Studios, 20th Century Studios, Bento Box
Entertainment, Buck & Millie Productions, Fox Family Films, Twentieth
Century Animation, Twentieth Century Fox Animation, Wilo Productions, Walt
Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Disney+, HKC Entertainment, Kinomania, Walt
Disney Studios Motion Pictures Argentina, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Germany, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Directors: Loren
Bouchard, Bernard Derriman Writers: Loren
Bouchard, Jim Dauterive, Nora Smith Actors: Aziz
Ansari, Brian Huskey, Dan Mintz, David Herman, David Wain, Eugene Mirman,
Eugene Shawn, Gary Cole, H. Jon Benjamin, John Roberts, Kevin Kline, Kristen
Schaal, Larry Murphy, Ron Lynch, Sam Seder, Stephanie Beatriz, Zach
Galifianakis Genre: Animation,
Adventure, Comedy Rated: PG-13 Length: 1h 42min IMDb Blurb: The Belchers try to save the restaurant from
closing as a sinkhole forms in front of it, while the kids try to solve a
mystery that could save their family's restaurant. I’ve got a confession to make. If you watched our trailer
stream, you may already know what I’m going to say. I haven’t really watched Bob’s Burgers (2011-). I have caught
snippets here and there and am generally aware of the premise, but haven’t
delved into it yet. It is on my to-watch list, though! The arrival of this
movie will likely be the catalyst to make that happen. I digress… I don’t need to have seen the series, though, to appreciate
why The Bob’s Burgers Movie is a
notable mention among the May movie releases. They’ve been nominated for oodles
of awards, and have won multiple – including Emmys. Beyond that, we can all use
a little more humor in our lives while the world is on fire around us. In delving a little deeper, I’ve discovered that the
creative mind behind Bob’s Burgers, Loren Bouchard (Science Court, Lucy: The Daughter of the Devil, Central Park), was
also the creator of Home Movies
(1999-2004) and a long-time writer for Dr.
Katz, Professional Therapist (1995-2002). Given Bouchard’s body of work, I
am about 99% certain I’m going to love all of this. Considering how many seasons Bob’s Burgers has already been around, it is more likely that I
will be watching the movie before I actually catch up on the series. I’m
crossing my fingers that it won’t make a difference for its enjoyability
factor. This could be a great vehicle for the franchise to draw in new
viewership. The Bob’s Burgers
Movie will be released to theaters, but if you just can’t wait, it’s
available on Roku to stream now. 8 - Men (5/20)
Production/Distribution:
A24, DNA Films, VVS Films, Ascot Elite Entertainment Group, The Searchers Director: Alex
Garland Writer: Alex
Garland Actors: Gayle
Rankin, Jessie Buckley, Paapa Essiedu, Rory Kinnear Genre: Drama,
Horror, Sci-Fi Rated: R Length: 1h 40min IMDb Blurb: A young woman goes on a solo vacation to the
English countryside following the death of her ex-husband. The trailer for Men
gave me chills. I have a lot of respect for Alex Garland (Ex Machina,
Annihilation, Devs) as a writer and director. Men seems like the sort of psychological horror that will really
strike a chord with its audiences. With a skilled storyteller such as Garland
at the helm, I’d say we’re in for one hell of a ride. The cast for Men
is also something to get excited about. I absolutely adore Jessie Buckley (Chernobyl, Misbehaviour, The Lost Daughter)
and Rory Kinnear’s (Penny Dreadful, iBoy,
No Time to Die) work. As Men has been
described as a psychological horror, I’m curious as to how much of what is
going on is actually in Buckley’s character’s head and how much is actually
happening around and to her. Is there a supernatural element involved? These
are answers only watching the movie will provide and I am here for it. Men is currently
set for theater release. Unfortunately, On Demand or streaming details are not
clear at this time. 7 - Senior Year
(5/13)
Production/Distribution:
Broken Road Productions, CBS Films, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Players,
Netflix Director: Alex
Hardcastle Writers: Brandon
Scott Jones, Andrew Knauer, Arthur Pielli Actors: Alicia
Silverstone, Allie Nicole Szatmary, Angourie Rice, Ana Yi Puig, Avantika,
Brandon Scott Jones, Chris Parnell, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Jade Bender, Joshua
Colley, Justin Hartley, Lucy Taylor, Mary Holland, Maurice T Johnson, Merrick
McCartha, Michael Cimino, Molly Brown, Rebel Wilson, Sam Richardson, Tiffany
Denise Hobb, Tyler Barnhardt, Zaire Adams, Zoe Chao Genre: Comedy Rated: R Length: 1h 51min IMDb Blurb: A cheerleading stunt gone wrong landed her
in a 20-year coma. Now she's 37, newly awake and ready to live out her high
school dream: becoming prom queen. I really enjoyed the trailer for Senior Year. The premise is really relatable (even if a bit
far-fetched to actually happen in reality). If you were robbed of time due to a
medical incident or accident such as the main character here was, wouldn’t you want
to try and pick up where you left off when you recovered? Senior Year looks like a hilarious (if a little cringey) take on
that concept. The comparison of the ‘then’ and ‘now’ high school dynamics
is also interesting. Of course, some things about school at any level never
seem to change – but in the course of 20 years, it can certainly look very
different. I think Rebel Wilson (Pain
& Gain, How to Be Single, The Hustle) gets a lot of flack because of
her irreverent style of comedy, but I love her for it. Sometimes it’s cathartic
to hear someone else say or do the crazy thing that social mores deems
inappropriate. Often this works to great effect for her, though I do understand
how sometimes her humor can come across as a little abrasive. This is an amazing
story conceptually for her. I’m hoping the trailer didn’t give us all of her
best moments and that there’s more to unpack here. Alicia Silverstone (Valley
Girl, Last Survivors, The Requin) is also involved with this teen comedy,
and I’m over here flailing some pom-poms about that. It’s not clear what the Clueless (1995) queen’s role in the grand
scheme of things is, but I can’t wait to find out. Senior Year is
also being touted as Alex Hardcastle’s (The
Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, A Young Doctor's Notebook &
Other Stories, Grace and Frankie) cinematic directorial debut. This is
certainly not his first time in the director’s chair, however. He’s got an
extensive resume full of small-screen work. I’m curious to see how he fares
with the expanded platform. (He is credited on IMDb for a TV Movie; however,
all information on the production indicates it was a 2019 series pilot for Fox
and it is unclear to me when or if it actually aired. I digress…) Senior Year is
hitting Netflix for its release, so you can stream it right away. 6 – Firestarter (5/13)
Production/Distribution:
Blumhouse Productions, Angry Adam Productions, BoulderLight Pictures, Night
Platform, Universal Pictures, Weed Road Pictures, United International
Pictures, Universal Pictures International, Peacock Director: Keith
Thomas Writers: Scott Teems, Stephen King Actors: Zac Efron,
Michael Greyeyes, Danny Waugh, Darrin Maharaj, Gavin MacIver-Wright, Gloria
Reuben, Isaac Murray, Kurtwood Smith, Lanette Ware, Neven Pajkic, Phi Huynh,
Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Shannon McDonough, Sydney Lemmon, Tina Jung, Vas Saranga Genre: Drama,
Horror, Sci-Fi Rated: R Length: 1h 50min IMDb Blurb: A young girl tries to understand how she
mysteriously gained the power to set things on fire with her mind. I was torn as to where Firestarter
should land on my list this month. I’m of two minds about this remake. My initial reaction was to roll my eyes and sigh that yet
another ’80s horror movie was getting rehashed. It seems like Hollywood is just
determined to remake all of Stephen King’s (Carrie,
The Outsider, The Stand) earlier works. I have to grudgingly admit that
some of these new versions have been stunning and added new depth to the horror
stories. Modern special effects upgrades can make a lot of difference. However,
look what was accomplished with effects at the time! Why should we mess with
that just because we can? At the same time, I tell myself that for something like Firestarter with psychic powers and all
the fire – the fresh chance to bring that to life has a lot of potential to be
good in the right hands. That brings up the question – is Firestarter in the right hands for this remake? Zac Efron (The
Greatest Showman, Human Discoveries, Gold) has proven himself to be a solid
and profound performer and Ryan Kiera Armstrong (The Art of Racing in the Rain, The Tomorrow War, American Horror Story)
already has a rather impressive acting dossier for one so young. I have a hard
time seeing anyone taking over Drew Barrymore’s (Blended, Santa Clarita Diet, A Castle for Christmas) iconic role
from 1984…but that’s where we are and I think Armstrong may just have the chops
to do it. I’m also excited to see that Michael Greyeyes (Woman Walks Ahead, Blood Quantum, Wildhood) is playing Rainbird in
this new version. The character in the book is indigenous and was whitewashed
in the original movie. Here, we have Rainbird appropriately cast. Greyeyes,
in addition to being a phenomenal actor in his own right, is a member of the
Cherokee Nation. At the same time, Keith Thomas (Arkane, The Vigil, I Disappear When You're Near) is a relatively
untested director and this is his sophomore cinematic offering. His relatively
short resume on IMDb credits only 1 other feature-length film, a short, and a
music video prior to this project. His directorial debut film is sitting at a
critic score of 90% currently on Rotten Tomatoes, but only in the 50% range for
the audience score. I feel we should take that with a grain of salt, however. I’m
all for giving someone a chance to do well with the production. So I’ve got my
fingers crossed that he handles this story well. Firestarter will
release to theaters as well as the Peacock streaming service, available immediately. 5 - Escape the Field
(5/6)
Production/Distribution:
Anacapa Pictures, CR8IV DNA, Double Dutch International, Glanzrock Productions, Stormchaser Films, Lionsgate Director: Emerson
Moore Writers: Emerson
Moore, Sean Wathen, Joshua Dobkin Actors: Shane
West, Theo Rossi, Jordan Claire Robbins, Tahirah Sharif, Elena Juatco, Julian
Feder, Niki Kerro, Dillon Jagersky, Keith Barnes Genre: Horror,
Thriller Rated: R Length: 1h 28min IMDb Blurb: Six strangers wake up trapped in an endless
cornfield only to discover something mysterious is hunting them. I am actually pretty excited for Escape the Field to hit the big screen. There’s so much room within this story for
thrills and a whole rollercoaster of feels. The trailer was intriguing, and I
can only hope this green production team successfully brought their vision to
life for the big screen. The concept for Escape
the Field feels fresh. It gives me the vibe of a mashup between a
horror-themed corn maze (a ‘haunted house’ outside on a bigger scale) and an
escape room. The mystery and puzzle aspects of the story really reeled me in
and I’m already significantly invested just after the sneak peek. I also really like the cast. There are a few members I’m not
familiar with; though Shane West (ER,
Nikita, Outsiders), Jordan Claire Robbins (Anon, Fashionably Yours, The Umbrella Academy), Tahirah Sharif (Waterloo Road, A Christmas Prince, The
Haunting of Bly Manor), and Theo Rossi (Lowriders,
Ghosts of War, Army of the Dead) certainly stand out. I’m curious whether or not there is really a monster in the
maize, or if it’s all a great big trap as in the Cube (1997) franchise. Escape the Field
is set for a limited theater release. On Demand or streaming details are not
clear at this time. 4 - Operation
Mincemeat (5/11)
Production/Distribution:
See-Saw Films, Cohen Media Group, Archery Pictures, FilmNation Entertainment,
Ascot Elite Entertainment Group, Paradiz, Shaw Organisation, Warner Bros.
Pictures Germany, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros., Joy n Cinema, Netflix Director: John
Madden Writers: Michelle
Ashford, Ben Macintyre Actors: Charlotte
Hamblin, Colin Firth, Jason Isaacs, Johnny Flynn, Kelly Macdonald, Lorne
MacFadyen, Mark Gatiss, Matthew Macfadyen, Penelope Wilton, Ruby Bentall, Rufus
Wright, Caspar Jennings, Hattie Morahan, Dolly Gadsdon, Simon Russell Beale,
Michael Bott, Alex Jennings, Ellie Haddington, Paul Lancaster, Simon Rouse,
Paul Ritter, Amy Marston, Jonjo O'Neill, Gabrielle Creevy, Nicholas Rowe, Will
Keen, Alexander Beyer, Markus von Lingen, Nico Birnbaum, James Fleet, Mark
Bonnar, Javier Godino, Pedro Casablanc, Laura Morgan, Pep Tosar, Alba Brunet, Óscar
Zafra, Lin Gallagher, Graham Curry Genre: Drama,
History, War Rated: PG-13 Length: 2h 8min IMDb Blurb: During WWII, two intelligence officers use a
corpse and false papers to outwit German troops. I am rarely looking forward to watching a movie about World
War II. It’s a rather somber topic, after all, and laden with personal feelings
due to my grandfathers’ service. I am decidedly awaiting Operation Mincemeat with eager anticipation. You just can’t beat a good spy story – and on top of that,
this one’s based on a very real situation that occurred during WWII. When you
throw into the mix that the whole plan was purportedly concocted by Ian Fleming
(who went on to author the James Bond stories) and this marked the beginnings
of MI-5 in the UK, it’s a tale that I simply can’t pass up. I’m not familiar with everyone on board with this cast but
its got strong leads in the capable hands of Colin Firth (The King's Speech, Kingsman: The Secret Service, 1917) and Jason
Isaacs (A Cure for Wellness, Castlevania,
Agent Game). Operation Mincemeat
is based on the non-fiction book ‘Operation Mincemeat: The True Spy Story that
Changed the Course of World War II' (2010) by Ben Macintyre (Operation Mincemeat, Kim Philby: His Most Intimate Betrayal).
Macintyre is a historian well versed in this WWII gambit and, while not the
author of the screenplay, acted as a consultant for this film. (The prior Operation Mincemeat production he was
attached to was a documentary about the same topic, based on his book.) The
script was penned by veteran screenwriter Michelle Ashford (John Adams, The Pacific, Masters of Sex). Operation Mincemeat
will be released on Netflix, and I’m looking forward to watching this right
away once it does. 3 - Chip 'n' Dale:
Rescue Rangers (5/20)
Production/Distribution:
Mandeville Films, Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures,
Disney+ Director: Akiva
Schaffer Writer: Dan
Gregor, Doug Mand, Tad Stones, Alan Zaslove, Kathleen Shugrue Actors: Andy
Samberg, Anthony Molinari, Chris Parnell, Dennis Haysbert, Emil Beheshti, Eric
Bana, Heather Dragulescu, J.K. Simmons, James Joseph Pulido, James M. Black,
John Mulaney, Julian Graham, Juliet Donenfeld, Keegan-Michael Key, Kenzo Lee,
KiKi Layne, Mason Blomberg, Matt Cook, Paula Abdul, Ryan Alosio, Seth Rogen,
Sophie Fatu, Tim Robinson, Tress MacNeille, Victor Turpin, Will Arnett Genre: Animation,
Adventure, Comedy Rated: PG Length: Not
Available Metacritic Blurb:
In Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers, Chip and
Dale are living amongst cartoons and humans in modern-day Los Angeles, but
their lives are quite different now. It has been decades since their successful
television series was canceled, and Chip has succumbed to a life of suburban
domesticity as an insurance salesman. Dale, meanwhile, has had CGI surgery and
works the nostalgia convention circuit, desperate to relive his glory days.
When a former cast mate mysteriously disappears, Chip and Dale must repair
their broken friendship and take on their Rescue Rangers detective personas
once again to save their friend's life. I have been bouncing in my seat with giddy excitement for
the release of Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue
Rangers. I absolutely adored the original animated series and watched it
every day it aired without fail. Chip and Dale are among my favorite Disney
characters and that series was very dear to me. Some might be a little put-off by the voice changes, but it
seems that the casting was done respectfully in regards to the original actors.
Change isn’t always bad. It’s really my only question mark regarding the whole
production – but one I think I can ultimately live with. I am super jazzed to see that Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers has gone the mixed-media route with
some characters in traditional 2D animation with others in varying degrees of
3D rendering. I love that Dale jokes that he got the 3D “surgery” in the
trailer. The interaction between animated characters and real-world humans
reminds me a lot of Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) and warms my nostalgic
heart. The story looks like a lot of fun! What’s even better is
that Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers is
releasing directly to Disney+. You can make a sure bet that my family and I
will be watching it the very next day. 2 - Doctor Strange in
the Multiverse of Madness (5/6)
Production/Distribution:
Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, HKC Entertainment, Walt
Disney Studios Motion Pictures Argentina, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Germany, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Mexico, Walt Disney Studios Motion
Pictures Italia Director: Sam
Raimi Writers: Michael
Waldron, Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, Jade Halley Bartlett Actors: Benedict
Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, Bruce Campbell, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen,
Jett Klyne, Julian Hilliard, Keenan Moore, Michael Stuhlbarg, Patrick Stewart,
Rachel McAdams, Soo Cole, Swaylee Loughnane, Tony McCarthy, Xochitl Gomez Genre: Action,
Adventure, Fantasy Rated: PG-13 Length: 2h 6min IMDb Blurb: Dr. Stephen Strange casts a forbidden spell
that opens the doorway to the multiverse, including alternate versions of
himself, whose threat to humanity is too great for the combined forces of
Strange, Wong, and Wanda Maximoff. I had a bit of internal conflict with myself regarding the
placement for Doctor Strange in the
Multiverse of Madness on my list this month. If I’m really honest with
myself, this is a tie for the #1 spot that I just have to break up into two
parts. In that regard, the top spot had to go to the film I’ve been
anticipating the longest. My singular note for Doctor
Strange in the Multiverse of Madness during our trailer stream this month
was “duh.” Seeing this new Marvel movie is a given for my household. We love
our comics and our comic-based movies –especially those in the Marvel Cinematic
Universe. The stories are so rich and the casts are simply amazing. There’s one thing to keep in mind before watching Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,
however. You might be able to follow along fine without being up-to-date on the
MCU’s over-arching storyline, though you’ll get a lot more out of the movie if
you already have the foundation established by the productions leading up to
this. If you haven’t already caught up on the series that are available on
Disney+ and the latest movie, you’ll want to watch WandaVision (2021), Loki
(2021), What If...? (2021), and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) before
diving into Doctor Strange in the
Multiverse of Madness. This new Doctor
Strange installment will be released exclusively to theaters. On Demand or
streaming details are not clear at this time. 1 – Top Gun: Maverick
(5/27)
Production/Distribution:
Paramount Pictures, Skydance Media, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Central
Partnership, Constantin-Film, Eagle Pictures, Paramount Pictures Germany,
Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Pictures UK, Paramount Pictures, Towa
Pictures, United International Pictures, Universal Pictures International,
Paramount+ Director: Joseph
Kosinski Writers: Ehren
Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, Christopher McQuarrie, Peter Craig, Justin Marks,
Jim Cash, Jack Epps Jr. Actors: Bashir
Salahuddin, Charles Parnell, Chelsea Harris, Danny Ramirez, Ed Harris, Glen
Powell, Greg Tarzan Davis, Ian Gary, India Everett, Jack Schumacher, Jake
Picking, Jay Ellis, Jean Louisa Kelly, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, John
Wilcox, Kara Wang, Lewis Pullman, Lyliana Wray, Manny Jacinto, Mark Anthony
Cox,Miles Teller, Monica Barbaro, Peter Mark Kendall, Raymond Lee, Roberta
Sparta, Thomasin McKenzie, Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer Genre: Action,
Drama Rated: PG-13 Length: 2h 11min IMDb Blurb: After more than thirty years of service as
one of the Navy's top aviators, Pete Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the
envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that
would ground him. As I mentioned before, there was a tie for the #1 spot this
month – in my heart at least. I’ve been anticipating Top Gun: Maverick with bated breath for years now, so it won the
top spot by that technicality. The original Top Gun
(1986) movie is one of my favorites of all time. I loved the music, the story,
the planes… all of it. One of my favorite BBSs to dial in to during the ’90s was even called The
Danger Zone (the people that ran it were superfans). Yes, yes, I know I’ve
dated myself. When it comes to Top Gun,
I don’t mind. I love air shows where you get to watch planes fly around and
perform maneuvers for civilian crowds, and Kenny Loggins has provided a large
part of my life’s soundtrack. I am very happy that this is a sequel and not a reboot. I
would have been very upset if they had tried to rewrite the events of the
original movie. That being said, there were some casting changes moving towards
this sequel because of the availability of the original actors, etc. I have no
issue with any of the changes that I’ve seen in the trailer or articles that I’ve
read. Maverick and Ice Man have returned with Tom Cruise (Oblivion, American Made, Mission Impossible:
Fallout) and Val Kilmer (Jay and Silent
Bob Reboot, Paydirt, Canyon Del Muerto), respectively. Though, it is
unclear with the information the trailer revealed whether or not Kilmer has a
larger role in the film aside from acknowledgment of Ice Man’s current rank
and office during the course of the movie’s events. I am loving the fact that Miles Teller (Bleed for This, Only the Brave, The Offer) is portraying Goose’s
son all grown up to follow in his dad’s footsteps. It injects a natural source of
drama into the story. I’m also curious as to how the manned vs. unmanned combat
aspect will work into the story. I hear that talked about a lot. I have a need… a need for seeing Top Gun: Maverick with all due speed. The film will initially hit
theaters exclusively and then will be available on Paramount+ (likely after at
least a 45 day window).
Streaming Service: Paramount + Movie Name/Year: Attack of the Southern
Fried Zombie (2017) Genre: Action, Comedy, Horror Length: 1h 23min Rating: TV-MA Production/Distribution: FilmQuake, Movie Magic and
Entertainment, Dimension Pictures, Gravitas Ventures Director: Mark Newton Writer: Christian Hokenson, Mark Newton, Stephan Stromer, Daniel
Wood Actors: Timothy Haug, Wyntergrace Williams, Escalante Lundy, Susan
McPhail, Megan Few, Kaitlin Mesh, Moses J. Moseley, Clay Acker, Michael Joiner,
Bruce Penton, Johnny McPhail, Michael Emery, Scotty Whitehurst, Miles Doleac,
Kiyomi Fukazawa Blurb from IMDb: Lonnie, a crop duster
pilot, must lead a mismatched group of survivors to escape the deadly zombie
horde after an experimental chemical, intended to control the invasive kudzu
vine, transforms the citizens of Charleston, MS into zombies.
Selina’s Point of View: Good bad movies
are a guilty pleasure of mine. Give me a low budget flick with some ketchup-style
blood and a campily amusing script and I’m a happy camper. The thing is, there needs
to be something about it that makes it watchable. The comedy must be on point,
or the action, or… something else. It needs a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’. If you’re a bad
movie connoisseur, then you know what I mean. Some films just
don’t have it. The ‘bad’ about them is all there is. Attack of the Southern
Fried Zombies is just that. Save for a single
line that made me cackle, it was painful to sit through.
I WANTED to like
it, though. The first time I saw
a film utilizing plants as the catalyst for a zombie outbreak, not just spores,
was with Brain Freeze (2021). I absolutely adored that film. Like Attack
of the Southern Friend Zombies it had a low budget, but it focused heavily
on a unique and interesting story. It had that special something it needed to
rise above. I hoped this film would do the same. After an interesting
first transformation, it was all down-hill. Everything was paint-by-numbers and
just awful. I wish I had
something better to say. If you’re looking for a zombie movie with this kind of
backwoods feel, check out Cockneys vs. Zombies (2012) instead.
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 56% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – None Metascore – None Metacritic User Score – None IMDB Score – 4.1/10 Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 1/5 P.S. There are 2 mid-credit scenes. Movie Trailer:
