August Worst To Best .....Has Arrived!!!!

 Well....August delivered a lot of films to the theaters. In August what we usually get are films that tested ...well not well..so in August they get dumped to try to make some cash, with not much advertisement behind it. So...heeeeerrrre we go 9 films in August!!!

9

THE WRONG GIRLS

Directed and written by Dylan Myers . Starring Kristen Stewart as Frankie and Alia Shawkat as Molly. They come about a briefcase with an experimental drug in it. Many people want this briefcase. 

Hollywood is really trying hard to bring back the "Stoner" films, and it is not working.

I have to say a couple years ago I saw a film called Drive-away Dolls...about two girls who had a briefcase that many people wanted. MMMMMM...it was better. I found Wrong Girls boring with a really odd tone that left me not caring.

8

IDIOTS

Again Hollywood is trying to bring the stoner films back. A failure here again.

Directed by Macon Blair, the story about Mark (Dave Franco) and  Davis (O"Shea Jackson Jr) who are hired to deliver a wealthy young man to a high end  rehab clinic across the country. 

The problem with this film is...no one is likable...so..I did not care. That simple. It was supposed to be funny..I did not laugh. A positive...it's good to see Kiernan Shipka on the big screen...but only for 5 minutes which was a waste.

7

COYOTE VS ACME

Well starring Will Forte as lawyer representing the Coyote who has had enough of ACME products.

Many people loved this film which was made awhile back but was stuck in legal limbo for many years. Me? It was just okay...after the first half hour of excitement because of the nostalgia..the story was just stagnant.

That's all. It was just there. I kinda didn't care.

6

MUTINY

I mean..it's Jason Statham. If you follow this blog...and you should...you know I love a good Statham film. Its always the same plot...1..man finding peace...2 his pass catches up with him...3...An innocent person is caught in the crossfire he must save that person...THE END. Well this one was kinda flat, and not as good as the film he brought out in January SHELTER. Still it's worth a look on Amazon.

5

TONY

I was excited about this film! In 2021 the documentary Roadrunner about Anthony Bourdain was fantastic and in my top ten that year. 

So here comes Tony. Directed by Matt Johnson, with really good performances by Dominic Sessa as Tony; Antonio Banderas as Chef, Tony's mentor; Leo Woodall as Sal; and the wonderful and underused Emilia Jones as Nancy.

All these performances are wonderful...but then here comes the story the just is stagnant, it does not move. People are saying they like this film have to be paid for a positive review because this film does not move forward..it just sits there. I was dying for something..but no.

4

THE END OF OAK STREET

Directed by David Robert Mitchell and starring Anne Hathaway as the mom Deniser; a terribly miscast Ewan McGregor as the dad Greg. Then throw in two annoying children...one happens to be a good actress from My Old Ass Maisy Stella.

The positive here is it is an exciting movie with a lot of dinosaur scares.

The negative....it makes no sense. Why this happened we don't know. Why Oak Street?  We don't know. Then the ending made no sense. Like how one character was saved. 

You could do worse, just do not overthink it I guess.

3

FINDING EMILY

Directed by Alicia MacDonald, and starring Angourie Rice as one of the Emily's; and Spike Fearn as Owen.

Owen met the love of his life, so he thinks at a club but is missing a digit from her phone number, he teams up with a Psych Major at school to find the missing Emily.

Well...you know what is going to happen, and it is kinda fun to watch it unfold.

Just wish it didn't feel so long. It came in at 150 minutes...should have been about 90 and still it would have been fine.

2

ONE NIGHT ONLY

Directed by Will Gluck and starring Callum Turner as Owen and Monica Barbaro as Allie.

One night a year, by law, single people can have sex. Which is the premise, as we follow Owen and Allie through New York all night.

I saw reviewers getting upset that the film never explains the law and why there is a law. Fing relax!! That is not what the film is about...out is a rom-com..chill. In fact I laughed hard at a couple of scenes. Thank you Molly Ringwald!!

If I can say anything negative it is that the ending is kind of weak. Also, Will Gluck made a bad decision, it is already R, you can have a comedy for adults, as he brags about leaving a lot of the film on the cutting room floor, to keep it cleaner. That's weak

Still, the best rom-com of the year so far.

1

THE DOG STARS

Directed by Ridley Scott

This film takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where a virus has wiped out most of society. 

I think I am the only person who really liked this film.

We have seen films like this before, where zombies roam around. Not here, this is about survival often but also touches on things that many of these types of films do not. Like, how do you regroup and make a life. Like, survivors guilt..how come you're here and others did not make it, how do you carry on.

I also loved the performances:

Jacob Elordi as Hig. He flies the sky to help others in his plane, and also has to make a decision about when he can move on and how and where. Wonderful soft performance.

Josh Brolin as Bangly. He is happy just on watch as a hunter. Shooting at people trying to steal his supplies. He is the opposite of Hig.

Margaret Qualley as Cima,. I mean a fantastic small performance. So used to seeing her play over the top, here she is soft and kinda worn down and just is looking for hope.

Guy Pearce as Pops. Wow great to see him back on the screen!!

If you want lots of action...this is not the movie for you. This is a drama with a little action..that's all. Makes me want to read the book.

Well there is August!! Not great, but Dogstar helps!

From the shadows as always thanks for your time.

JULY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OH JULY....Ranking All The Films I Have Watched From Worst To Best!!!!

 July was a really good month for me in the theaters! In fact a great month for theaters, breaking attendance records!!! Yeaaaa! Keep theaters alive! Buy the popcorn! Buy Candy! The Drinks! Sit and enjoy the A/C!!!

Well, I watched 6 films in the theaters in July...and here they are..worst to best!

6

THE INVITE

People loved this film...me...not so much. I kept thinking this had to be liked by paid influencers, then it started a steamroller of people who subconsciously liked the film because everyone else likes it I should like it.

I can say Penelope Cruz and Ed Norton are fantastic as the free love neighbors. 

I can say it's an interesting idea brought to the screen by Olivia Wilde. 

It is based on a 2020 Spanish comedy Sentimental. The whole film takes place in one apartment, making me think, it is better as a stage show...maybe?

My problem. Seth Rogan...miscast...I did not believe him at all in this part and it dragged the film down for me.

5

MOANA LIVE ACTION

I have to come clean......I loved the music from the 2016 animated film Moana...the story..not so much.

Now here comes the 2026 Moana directed by Thomas Kail and starring Catherine Laga'aia (Who is wonderful) as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui. 

I kinda liked this better as a live action film. Yes there was some real bad CGI but I felt the story was solid which covered the bad CGI.

Wanted to note a fantastic performance by John Tui as the Chief.

So anyway, ignore"It's the same movie as 2016, what's the point". The point is...it is a little better in my opinion.

4

GAIL DAUGHTRY AND THE CELEBRITY SEX PASS

Directed by David Wain. 

In this silly, film which has more better moments than bad moments...and it gets sillier as the film stumbles on.

Gail is in a search for Jon Hamm as her sex pass before she gets married....that is pretty much the premise. 

The plot is silly like I said but...Zoey Deutch as Gail is wonderful here. She is helped  by Jennifer Aniston: Jon Hamm; and a hilarious John Slattery all of which is playing themselves and are all perfect.

The performances make this film work. Definitely worth a look.

3

SPIDERMAN BRAND NEW DAY

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, he has us following Peter Parker as he lives his dual life, one as Spiderman the other as a lonely and sad Peter Parker. 

Tom Holland; Zendaya; and Jacob Batalon all return in Brand New Day, which I find better than the last film.

The real star here is an outstanding performance by Sadie Sink as Jean Grey. She is just outstanding here!

Oh lets not forget...Florence Pugh...LOVE HER!!

2

MOTOR CITY

Directed by Potsy Ponciroli. The film follows John Miller (Alan Ritchson) as he gets set up for a crime he is innocent of. Revenge is his plan, Great performance, as always, by  Ben Foster as our bad guy; and Shailene Woodley as Sophia.

So..now here is the shocker, this film has, maybe, 5 spoken words that is all. Yet we can easily follow the plot which is cool. 

I love when a director tries something different and Ponciroli sure does here!! The film has an unnecessary car chase, and a couple ridiculous fight scenes at the end. Which brought it down a notch for me. Still...seek it out and watch it.

Look for this for streaming it is really fun, and a neat idea.

1

THE ODYSSEY

Well not much to say here that you don't know. Christopher Norton gives us a wonderful movie, that, could have been, like Motor City, silent and we still would be able to follow the plot.

Great performances by:

Anne Hathaway

Matt Damon

Robert Pattinson

Tom Holland

Is it as great as what many say? No...its long, and kinda choppy. However it is very good. Good enough to be my number 1 film of the month.

So there you go my six films from July in order worst to best.

Bring on August!!!

From the shadows as always thanks for your time!!

My Top 5 Films I Have Watched In The Theaters So Far This Year!!

 

Well we are halfway through the year!! 

These are in no particular order...

Not wasting time here so...lets go....

PROJECT HAIL MARY

Based on the book by Andy Weir, Hail Mary  follows a teacher Ryland Grace who gets sent into space to save Earth because the sun is losing its ...well..sun. While in space Ryland comes in contact with an alien who is there to also save his planet.

I really enjoyed this film. Ryan Gosling is fantastic in almost a one man show. He will be tough to beat at Oscar time. Also a wonderful performance by Sandra Huller as Eva Stratt.

If I have to say anything negative it will be...if you did not read the book...do you really know what Ryland is doing. It seems they cut out a lot of info...so you really don't know what Ryland and Rocky are doing you are just waiting for a reaction. 

The Good is the relationship between Gosling's Ryland and Rocky voiced by James Ortiz...oddly, so far, the best relationship on the big screen this year. 

I have watched this maybe 3 times and each time I think I like it better. I forget I have no idea what the project is or what they are doing, and I understand maybe the film is about a loner who opens himself up to others..Think about this. Ryland is sacrificing himself not only to save everyone on his planet...also to save everyone on Rocky's planet!!!

Project Hail Mary is available on Prime.

Well Project Hail Mary..welcome to my top 5.

LORNE

Lorne Michaels. The leader of Saturday Night Live. Agreed to do this documentary, yet he hates doing the documentary. Which makes this documentary amusing and entertaining. He is a curmudgeon. 

Still even with his dislike for the camera, Director Norman Neville does a great job of giving the viewers a look behind the scenes of Lorne and his work weekly with Saturday Night Live. He adds great interviews with former cast and writers. There was never a moment in this informative and often funny documentary that I was bored. I was kinda sad it was over which says a lot.

Lorne is already available for home viewing. Watch it, you will not regret it.

You can rent Lorne or watch it on Peacock 

Lorne...welcome to my top 5.

THE SHEEP DETECTIVES

Directed by Kyle Balda giving me the first real surprise of the year. Wow. It is a family film, with a little bit of Knives Out. It's a mystery; it is funny; and yet kinda emotional. 

Great voice work highlighted by Julia Louis Dreyfus; Chris O'Dowd; Regina Hall; and Patrick Stewart. A wonderful sweet emotional film!!!There is a reason why it is so high on Rotten Tomatoes., because it is that good.

Soooo many people have ran up to me and said I LOVE THIS MOVIE! My answer is always..because I am so wise!

You can catch The Sheep Detectives on Amazon Prime. Trust me.

Welcome to the top 5 SHEEP DETECTIVES.

PRESSURE

As odd as it is..it is a Meteorology film. As D-Day approaches the decision of when to hit the beach is on the reading of the weather forecast. I learned a lot and found the film entertaining and intense. Performance! Not Brendan Fraser as you would think....in fact Fraser may have been miscast as Eisenhower. The star here is Andrew Scott as James Stagg...this is an Oscar worthy performance for sure. This film should not be missed. I promise you ..most of this film takes place in one room and it sounds boring but I did not look at my phone once to check the time. I was all in.

Pressure is available to stream at home.

TOY STORY 5

In Toy Story 5 it deals with many issues highlighted by Tech vs toys and lack of using imagination. 

Also it deals with peer pressure and FOMO.

Plus the sadness of being forgotten.

This is Jessie's movie, and you cannot help but love her, plus there are many new toys to visit.

This is a fantastic upgrade by PIXAR compared to the choppy and odd Toy Story 4

.

Is this the year of family films. I mean Sheep Detectives; Toy Story 5; and the wonderful Hoppers.

Maybe!

TOY STORY 5 is still in theaters.

Well there you have my top 5 of the year so far...

As always...thanks for joining me in the shadows.

My Worst To Best Films From June!

 Well first I need you to know, while blogging my June films I have Hallmark Christmas In July on my TV!!

I know...soooo exciting.

Well..lets get started with the 7 films I watched in June...

7

SCARY MOVIE 6

I mean..this was bad. I did not laugh once. I just found myself feeling bad for all involved. Wait, they got paid...so..they should be ashamed.

6

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE

Well, it's not as bad as what people are saying, however, still, unfortunately this film is not very good.

Director Travis Knight really did not know what he wanted this movie to be. It was not full campy; it was not full action packed; and it was not full emotional or gave you the feels. The film sadly ended up being lost and kept me looking at my watch because I had trouble caring. I also thought Nicholas Galitzine as the lead, Adam, was kinda stiff. So, this retro film, was a disappointment.

5

DISCLOSURE DAY

Well the Government is hiding Aliens. According to Spielberg.

Here is the good...

Emily Blunt and Josh O Connor are both fantastic in the leads.

Plus, there is one fantastic action scene involving a car.

The bad...

This film was silly and dated.

Colin Firth controlling minds with some devise..was stupid and unnecessary .In fact this may be his worse performance ever.

The building of a replica house was stupid,. You cannot just show her a picture?

Aaaaaaaand...you could not just post things on X or Insta or Facebook...local news? Really?

Then there is the end...we spent 2 hours for that ending?

4

GIRLS LIKE GIRLS

Based on a book by Hayley Kiyoko, so...she decided to direct the film version, and she did a wonderful job.

She had a lot of help with really good performances by the two leads: Maya Da Costa as Coley and Myra Molloy as Sonya. Also Zach Braff as Coley's father is really good, often not saying anything but saying so much.

So, anyway this film follows this new relationship. Why is it so low on the list this month? I really wished we had more of the two talking to each other. I honestly do not know what they had in common other than an attraction. Maybe the book delved more into it, but the film did not and I wanted more screen time of them together. In fact often I thought....Coley can do better.

3

POWER BALLAD

Directed by John Carney, this film follows a get together between cover band lead Rick played by Paul Rudd and Mega Star Danny Wilson played by Nick Jonas. Months after the get together Rick hears his song he wrote playing in a grocery store he was visiting! Danny stole his song. There is the set up. This was a fun watch. Yet it is also a touching movie about family and struggles to just be. This is well worth a look for streaming.

2

SUPERGIRL

Directed by Craig Gillespie; and starring Milly Alcock as Supergirl; and Eve Ridley as Ruthye the young orphan.

Boy, this film is getting beat up. People suck.

"She is awful as Supergirl" Wrong

"The bad guy was lame" Wrong...people do not understand, the bad guy was not as important as the battle of Supergirl to shake off the guilt of her past, being the survivor of the tragedy. It is her own demons she is fighting and Ruthye helps her see that.

I have seen this twice..I liked it even more the second time. If you don't mind how dark it is...and there is one big plot hole...just go with it. Will it be in my top ten? No. However I thought it was a good film.

1

TOY STORY 5

Well. I thought a lot about Frozen 2 and how I felt it had many messages and levels. In fact I think Frozen 2 was better than Frozen 1, I will die on the sword.

In Toy Story 5 it deals with many issues highlighted by Tech vs toys and lack of using imagination. 

Also it deals with peer pressure and FOMO.

Plus the sadness of being forgotten.

This is Jessie's movie, and you cannot help but love her, plus there are many new toys to visit.

Well done PIXAR!!

There you go. There are my 7 from June. I will be back in a couple of days giving you my top 5 of the year so far, as we reached the halfway mark.

Well...as always thanks for your time from the shadows.

Ranking All The Films I Watched In MAY!!!!! Worst to Best!

 

Ten films!! Yes Ten in May! The theme this May was wrapped around some very good performances...some may be called for Oscar Nominations at the end of the year. As for the films in May..well it was not a bad month. Soooo lets get started and I will make them quick if I can since there is 10!!

10

BREADWINNER

Well I really think Nate Bargatze is funny. I also understand what he tried to do here, use parts of his standup into a film for the whole family. Sadly it got old very quick and surprisingly boring. A better family film will come later in my list.

9

DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2

I wanted to like it, I really did. Sadly...I did not care about the storylines. Wait...I am supposed to care about Miranda losing her job?! Really?! Sooooo if she loses her job sheeeeee has to go live in one of her many houses? I could care less about that story line. I thought everyone in this movie was unlikable. Then they throw in an unrealistic romance. UGH.

8

MANDALORIAN AND GROGU

Well...I went in blind. I never watched the show. However I have seen all the Star Wars films. I really did not think this film was as bad as what people are saying. It is a western kinda. It worked for me. I can see that this was originally supposed to be episodes of the series on Disney+. You can feel the choppy stories and how they don't flow. Again..I was in..

7

Obsession

Okay I know the popularity! Still its not my type of film. As you know...I am not a horror film guy. Then throw in abuse of an animal. No.

Performance! However a spectacular performance by Inde Navarette as Nikki. Do not be surprised if you hear from her during award season....she is that good.

6

THE CHRISTOPHERS

Directed by the great Steven Soderbergh, this film follows the children of a famous retired artist, they enlist a forger to access his unfinished paintings and finish them so they can sell them when he dies.

Performances! Ian McKellen as the artist Skylar is so funny and lovely and grumpy all at the same time. Michaela Coel as Lori Butler the forger, she steals the film without saying much, so quiet saying so much with just a look. The movie is so quiet that sadly it is almost too quiet where some would say nothing much happens and they may be a little right.

5

HOKUM

Directed by Damian McCarthy, Hokum follows novelist Ohm Bauman as he retreats to a hotel to try and fix his writer's block. There is where things go off the rails. It's a horror film. A ghost story. A story about loss and redemption. Performance! A fantastic performance  by Adam Scott as Ohm Bauman the writer. Sadly I felt the film was overly long and could have used some editing. Still if you like a ghost story...well here you are.

4

IN THE GREY

Eliza Gonzalez; Henry Cavill; and Jake Gyllenhaal are a group of elite operatives hired to retrieve a billion dollar fortune. It is a military type film but also an Oceans 11 type of film. It delivers action and a lot of humor. This movie was a lot of fun, and I think once it hits streaming it will have a big following.

3   

TUNER

Directed by Daniel Roher, the film follows Niki, a talented piano tuner, who finds out along the way he also has an ear for safe cracking. 

This film is being highlighted by the return of Dustin Hoffman, however he is barely in the film. Performances! Leo Woodall is fantastic as Niki, and because of that we cheer for him as he gets in deeper. A very entertaining film for sure.

2  

PRESSURE

As odd as it is..it is a Meteorology film. As D-Day approaches the decision of when to hit the beach is on the reading of the weather forecast. I learned a lot and found the film entertaining and intense. Performance! Not Brendan Fraser as you would think....in fact Fraser may have been miscast as Eisenhower. The star here is Andrew Scott as James Stagg...this is an Oscar worthy performance for sure. This film should not be missed.

1

THE SHEEP DETECTIVE

Directed by Kyle Balda giving me the first real surprise of the year. Wow. It is a family film, with a little bit of Knives Out. It's a mystery; it is funny; and yet kinda emotional. 

Great voice work highlighted by Julia Louis Dreyfus; Chris O'Dowd; Regina Hall; and Patrick Stewart. A wonderful sweet emotional film!!!There is a reason why it is so high on Rotten Tomatoes., because it is that good.

Well there you go...bring on another Toy Story in June!!!!

As always thanks for your time...from the shadows!!!

Ranking All The Films I watched In The Theaters In April........Worst To Best

 Well ...we come to April..a little late...but..hey..here comes my April movies, settle down. I saw eight films in the theaters, and here they are ranked...

8

FUZE

Starring Theo James; Aaron Taylor Johnson; and Sam Worthington.

It is two stories that eventually collide. On one end a construction crew unearth a World War 2 active bomb. On the other end a crew decides to take advantage of the evacuations and rob a bank,

I found it entertaining. Until the stories collided, and then it seemed far fetched. People turning on each other often makes no sense. And a big reveal at the end that seemed like it was done in post and at that point we just wanted the film to end. It is sad because it started as a great bank caper idea.

7

THE DRAMA

This film follows a couple, Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Robert Pattinson), and the after effects of a confession by Emma.

See...Emma confesses she was thinking of doing something evil years ago but did not do it. I think because she did not do it, and got help. To me it's a big nothing butter, yet her partner Charlie and best friend Rachel (Alana Haim) treat her like ..well she did it because she thought about it. It is a ridiculous idea for a film. With every character being unlikable. Well acted I guess...that is all it has going for it.

6

YOU, ME, & TUSCANY

Anna, Played by our Little Mermaid Halle Bailey, jets off to Italy to stay at a Villa without permission...where hijinx occurs. Okay it is a Hallmark film pretty much. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Would I watch it again? Yes. Have I seen this story before? Yes on Hallmark. I just thought Berry was miscast in this film, and you can almost see her struggle to get us, the viewer, to believe her character. Other than that it is a good Hallmark type movie.

And Italy looks pretty.

5

NORMAL

Bob Odenkirk is back! This time playing the new sheriff in a small town of Normal Minnesota.

It is a pretty good mystery/action film. Yet it blows up...no pun intended in the back end. No spoilers, but the town is filled with corruption. I liked it , however there is an Asian mob added to the pool of violence that did not seem to fit the story line to me, and that storyline had me rolling my eyes. Still Normal is well worth a look on home viewing and Henry Winkler as a bad guy is awesome casting!!

4

MICHAEL

This film follows the rise of Michael Jackson as he separates from his father and his brothers.

This film is very interesting pertaining to its reception.

Critics crushed it

Movie goers loved it.

Well here is the good and bad....

The Bad:

It is a shell of a film...almost an old TV version of a Saturday night movie on the Network. And I am not talking about the cleaning of Michaels past. This movie does not really go into Neverland, and it is before Neverland, and this is it, if you want a movie about Michael and Neverland go make it. This is not about that. However, I mean a cleaned up version of Michael's father; the brothers reactions; Quincy; never any talk about money...I mean never. It seemed afraid to go into that. 

The Good:

Jaffar Jackson gives a fantastic performance of his uncle Michael.

The music and energy by Jaffar is what makes this film popular. I mean I was in the theater and people were

clapping and cheering. If you follow my blog, which you should, you always know I love it when films bring people out to the theaters, and deliver what they want. 

So...see Michael...you will be entertained.

3

OVER YOUR DEAD BODY

This follows husband and wife Lisa (Samara Weaving) and Dan (Jason Segel) as they make a trip to a cabin. Dan plans on killing his wife while there. Dan does not know however, his wife plans on killing him at the cabin. No spoilers. I was all in. Very gory. Often funny. Filled with action and tension and surprises. It just is a bit too long..that is its only weakness. Oh....poor Samara Weaving...(Ready Or Not)...does she ever have a film where she is not pummeled?

2

I SWEAR

The Oscar nominated film from Britain has finally hit the States.

This is the true story of John Davidson who grows up with Tourette's Syndrome, in a time where no one really knew what this syndrome was. Often sad and often funny...this film delivers.

This movie will give you all the feels, mainly because of the great performance by Robert Aramayo. 

Well worth a look for home viewing.

1

LORNE

Lorne Michaels. The leader of Saturday Night Live. Agreed to do this documentary, yet he hates doing the documentary. Which makes this documentary amusing and entertaining. He is a curmudgeon. 

Still even with his dislike for the camera, Director Norman Neville does a great job of giving the viewers a look behind the scenes of Lorne and his work weekly with Saturday Night Live. He adds great interviews with former cast and writers. There was never a moment in this informative and often funny documentary that I was bored. I was kinda sad it was over which says a lot.

Lorne is already available for home viewing. Watch it, you will not regret it.

Well there was April. May had already given me some nice surprises and one disappointment...only the devil knows...hint. 

So stay tuned. 

As always from the shadows thanks for your time.