‘Christopher Robin’ is a hard film to judge. It plays on nostalgia so well and perfectly brings The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh to life in a more modern setting. There are plenty of funny lines, great moments, and great characters to make the film a treat for those who grew up with Winnie the Pooh. But that doesn’t excuse the heavy-handed, sloppy delivery of a message that’s overdone in family films. It also doesn’t excuse the actual war flashbacks that happen in a movie with talking stuffed animals. Plus, if a child was brought to see the film, they’d be asleep before the movie even got good. It’s a solid watch, but maybe not the best film for the whole family.
"The Driver is Red" tells the tale of one of history's most impressive secret agents. It has the emotional stakes and the gravity of the best of the best spy stories. Fantastic animation and vocal performances help make this film one to remember.
This 20-minute narrative film is filled with stunning writing, amazing cinematography and editing, and great interplay between light and color. It is a gripping thriller that is a must-see for anyone interested in an exciting yet moving cinematic experience.
"Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation" is a fairly inoffensive children’s film with very little to give towards those unfamiliar to the franchise. While the visuals are impressively done and make the film at hand far more tolerable than its’ predecessors, poor writing, juvenile comedy, and a staunch adherence to tropes of Adam Sandler’s prior work hold back a film that could have been more than it was. If you’re a fan of the franchise, Adam Sandler, or simply need a break from the sun, there are FAR better choices out there. However, if you are dragged to see this, it won’t make you beg for an intellectual exorcism- at least, not until the climax.
All in all, 'The Equalizer 2' is an excellent sequel, which improves on the strengths of the original. Although suffering from problems with its plot and pacing, the film exceeds with Denzel Washington’s performance and the acting of its supporting cast, character interactions in its subplots, and intense and interesting action scenes. A fun, worthy sequel that is a blast to watch.
"The Handmaid’s Tale" Season 2 is more than worth the watch. Not only does the show look excellent; there is a huge emphasis on character development and interactions that really bring the show to life. While scenarios do become slightly repetitive and some writing choices are questionable, the good far outweighs the bad. For those looking for a beautiful show with great acting, strong writing, and relevant political commentary, this season more than delivers.
‘The Spiral Scouts’ is a lovely little puzzle-adventure game with a style of humor that isn’t for everyone. The visuals are pleasing, the soundtrack is incredible, and the puzzles are fun and satisfying to solve. In terms of writing, although I thought the humor landed more often than not, it’s definitely not the kind of humor for everyone. The price of $10 is an absolute steal for a game of this quality. For those looking for a game that’s a little bit different from the crowd of high-brow indie titles, this raunchy package is perfectly sized for your pleasure.
Season two of Luke Cage gives more than expected. More action, more humor, and greater references to the MCU related to the Marvel Netflix shows. While it doesn’t have a central villain for almost the whole season, it still focuses on developing Luke Cage’s character. It brings up questions about what it means to be a hero and how to reconcile with those we love. This show is personal and not for younger viewers. If you want action and an emotional story, than watch this season of Luke Cage. It isn’t recommended for viewers that prefer the quirky, joyful side of Marvel.
