It’s always an interesting thing to see what films resonate with different people and why. Everyone knows a lot of blockbusters or studio films have been underwhelming for me in the last few years. This summer I’ve already been disappointed by Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning and Lilo and Stitch was predictably bland. Now we have Karate Kid: Legends and most of my friends seem to be dogging on it, so it might surprise you to hear I quite enjoyed it! Go figure.

Now I should say that none of the criticisms I’m hearing on this film are inaccurate. It is very predictable and the story takes some strange choices like becoming a boxing movie for a large chunk, but I was still over-all entertained by what was happening on screen. This is partly due to the fact that I am a huge sucker for underdog sports movies and the movie is extremely short so the problems didn’t weigh on me the way they might have. The cast is also hugely likable so that goes a long way for this kind of formula film.

This entry in the franchise follows Li Fong (Ben Wang) as he moves to NYC with his Mom (Ming-Na Wen who I adore), and he is told he cannot fight anymore. Of course, that means he definitely will fight but it is only after getting a girlfriend (Sadie Stanley) and helping said girlfriend’s Dad prepare for a boxing match (like I said that angle was weird but it’s Joshua Jackson who is so charming I didn’t mind it.) Then he must challenge bad boy Connor Day in the Battle of the Boroughs which means he must learn karate in a couple weeks (he knew kung-fu before because he is from China not Japan.)

Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio are not in the movie as much as the trailer would have you believe but they are likable enough to make me smile throughout and Wang is really endearing as Li. I wish director John Entwistle had made better choices with the fight cinematography. Everything feels choppy and weirdly edited so if you are going for great fighting than moderate your expectations.

As you can tell from my review Karate Kid: Legends is a flawed film but it hits those underdog sports movie beats well, is short and sweet and has a very likable cast so it did enough to entertain me. Your mileage may vary. I have never seen an episode of Cobra Kai so I can’t speak to anything involving that show in the movie.

I do like that this is a movie that boys and girls should be able to vibe with equally but it might have been nice if the girlfriend was also a fighter as opposed to being the prize to be won and protected by both Connor and Li. Still, it’s a crowd-pleasing movie that made me smile and at the end of the day that’s what blockbuster entertainment is all about.

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Hi friends! Today I have my Goldilocks version of movie reviews. There is one movie I hated, one I was mixed on and one I liked a lot. So here goes

FRIENDSHIP-

https://youtube.com/shorts/ZhJlsL-MiYc?feature=share

Let’s start with the negative reaction. I went into the new movie Friendship completely cold with no prior knowledge of anyone involved except for Paul Rudd. The movie is made and written by Andrew DeYoung and stars Tim Robinson who evidently has a popular Netflix show but I’d never heard of him. Let’s just say Friendship has not encouraged me to watch his show.

I honestly almost walked out of this movie. I found it completely unbearable with its obnoxious lead character and terrible attempts at humor. I’ve liked awkward humor in the past but it often works by having some relief from said awkwardness or jokes that are over-the-top and funny you can’t help but laugh through the cringe. That was not the case here at all. Not one laugh. Instead it was just wondering why this person wasn’t being institutionalized for his unwell behavior. All of these people should have been more like Richard Dryfuss in What About Bob but at least in that movie Bob is sweet and likable and isn’t irritating everyone around him except for Dryfuss. This, on the other hand, is just a miserable experience, and I don’t recommend it to anyone unless you want to torture people with annoying characters.

Frown Worthy

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: THE FINAL RECKONING

https://youtube.com/shorts/0Yy1P5Z3mF0?feature=share

The Mission Impossible series is interesting because all of the 7 previous films have been entertaining even though they have not succeeded in attaching me to the characters and stories. They are pure spectacle but done at such a degree that its worth recommending.

Now we have  the latest in the franchise, Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning and I honestly feel torn whether to recommend this one. I was definitely not expecting to have this reaction but I can’t lie about the very uneven experience I had at the theater.

There are a bunch of problems with Final Reckoning. First of all, the first hour is an unending stretch of exposition dumps and nostalgia nods for fans of the franchise. This is understandable for a finale of  a long-running franchise but there’s too much. In addition, some of the exposition felt repetitive and even had a feeling like I was sitting down for one of Tom Cruise’s Scientology auditing sessions (there’s literally a moment where he hooks himself up to the entity device and it looks right out of a L Ron Hubbard book…) All that would be fine if it wasn’t so long and boring.

I was really struggling and then we finally get to an underwater scene that is very fun and a final fight sequence on a plane that is extremely impressive. The last act is quite fun with the whole team becoming involved and everyone giving good performances- particularly Angela Bassett as the president is very compelling.

If you can get a discount ticket then maybe see Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning for that last act on the big screen but just know you will have to sit through a lot of self-aggrandizing gibberish to get there. You’ve been warned.

Frown Worthy

SECRET MALL APARTMENT-

It’s interesting that the winner of this weekend is undoubtedly the smallest release. It’s called Secret Mall Apartment and it’s a documentary that chronicles a group of artists who build a secret apartment in the mall in Providence, Rhode Island. They do this as a  way to take back ownership of the land the mall took away but also as a kind of dare to see how long they can get away with it (which is 4 years!)

This is the kind of movie that could only be a documentary. Each step along the way one can’t believe what is happening or that they are getting away with it. They even have a video game system and sofa there along with other furniture.

Director Jeremy Workman also explores the nature of art and when does the community vs private individuals own their community. When does something become an artistic community asset and when is it junk? If you can find Secret Mall Apartment I highly recommend it.

Smile Worthy

I also saw Wolf Children on Mother’s Day and that was incredible to watch on the big screen. Highly recommend.

Make sure you check out the patreon for perks, exclusive reviews and to be part of our monthly events and watch alongs. Find out more here.

 

Hi friends! The last few weeks have been a bit of a dry period when it comes to new releases at the cinema but that should change quickly as summer movie season is soon to be upon us (hopefully this year is better than last year’s disappointing run of blockbusters.) I just have one to quickly report on and 2 classic films I had the joy of seeing in the theater last week.

MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL-

First up I had the great pleasure to see Monty Python and the Holy Grail in cinemas in honor of its 50th anniversary. They had an intro from all of the Python guys and shared some fun behind the scene details (evidently the shoot was muddy and cold but they were good sports about it. ) I can’t think of a movie that is more quoted and part of the cultural zeitgeist that more holds up to its reputation than Holy Grail. Usually that kind of repetition wears out a comedy but not the case here. It was funny then and it’s still funny today.

My favorite gags are the brave Black Knight and the Knights that Say Ni! It was so much fun to see Monty Python and the Holy Grail with a crowd. Highly recommend if you get the chance.

Smile Worthy (obviously)

JULIET & ROMEO-

If anyone should be designed to love Juliet & Romeo it should be me. I love romances, especially musicals and don’t mind a new take on a classic story. Unfortunately this bloated and mediocre production makes for one of the most frustrating experiences I’ve had a movie theater in some time.

I think there might have been a salvageable work here as a Disney Channel Original Movie or even Hallmark at around 80 minutes with the bland pop ballads and young leads but this new take on Shakespeare stretches out to a punishing 122 minutes and almost nothing works. The leads are bland, the songs are forgettable and the modern dialogue is cringeworthy (why change the dialogue when you have Shakespeare right there and then keep it in Elizabethan times?) To make matters worse they change the iconic ending and even advertise for a sequel at the end. Give me a break!

If only all involved had a little bit of fun with the material. For example, I enjoyed Journey to Bethlehem because it had a little bit of camp factor and didn’t take itself so deadly seriously despite being a Biblical story. This is just plodding and a real bore.

Frown Worthy

WOLF CHILDREN-

This year on Mother’s Day I had the chance to see the anime film Wolf Children by animator Mamoru Hosoda. This is not only the perfect film to see on Mother’s Day but one of the most beautiful animated films of the last 20 years. I love the authentic and raw portrayal of motherhood it shows with such humanity and heart.

In the film, Hosoda tells the story of Hana a young woman who falls in love with a man who is a wolf-man. She then has 2 children who are wolf children as the title suggests. The movie then chronicles the highs and lows of Hana’s journey trying to raise these unique children. In this struggle she is fearless but not in a cliche way. In many ways she is shy and sweet but willing to do anything for her children.

While watching Wolf Children I realized there aren’t very many good movies about motherhood. Every once in a while we will get a Nightbitch or Tully but considering how universal of an experience it is we don’t see it portrayed often. In this sense Hosoda’s film is even more special and unique. I love everything about it from the beautiful animation, to the unforgettable sound design and music to the moving story. It’s just fantastic. If you can see Wolf Children in theaters I highly recommend it.

Smile Worthy

Make sure you check out the patreon for perks, exclusive reviews and to be part of our monthly events and watch alongs. Find out more here.

Hi friends! I am sorry I am so behind on reviews. It’s just been one of those crazy times when I’ve been reviewing theater, working on my podcast, having a part-time job and trying my hand at writing a screenplay. Insane! Make sure you are following me on instagram for my out of theater reactions and I post them all on youtube as well.

I also sometimes do live streams to catch up on reviews quickly like this one:

The Amateur-

The Amateur is a serviceable little action spy movie with a good cast that helps the weak script. The problem is everything is too easy for our man-on-the-run. He puts things together with ease and always has the right answer to any problem. Still the action setpieces- particularly one involving a pool- are big and fun enough and like I said the cast good enough to be worthy of a watch.

Smile Worthy

Not Just a Goof-

I’m a big fan of A Goofy Movie so watching Not Just a Goof was a real joy. A Goofy Movie is one of the only films put out by Disney that I would say is a true ‘cult classic’ and this documentary goes into why it’s had such an impact as well as BTS making of the film. A joy to watch full of video taken by director Kevin Lima and including new animation as part of the documentary. One of my favorite films so far in 2025.

Smile Worthy

Drop-

I seem to have enjoyed Drop more than most. It’s one of those movies that you have a good time with while watching it and then when you think about it things start to fall apart. Still, I think director Christopher Landon capitalizes on the tension many of us feel about dating and online interactions to create a fun little thriller. The plan of the villain is completely insane but that almost makes it more fun. I wish they didn’t endanger a child at one point but Meghann Fahy is very good in the lead role and the pacing is tight enough at 95 minutes to not leave much time to be bored.

Smile Worthy

The Wedding Banquet-

I haven’t seen the 1993 film tis is based off of but it probably works much better. It’s a film that seems at home in the 90s and not its more modern setting. The main problem I had is Bowen Yang and Kelly Marie Tran’s characters are intensely selfish but the movie doesn’t seem to understand that. Especially at one point they do something incredibly selfish and cruel to their partners and it’s all played for laughs. Lily Gladstone is quite good as is Youn Yuh-jung but the overall movie I did not enjoy because of the characters.

Frown Worthy

Pride and Prejudice 2005-

I had the chance to see Pride and Prejudice from 2005  on the big screen and it was incredible. I know some people quibble with how true this one is to the book but I find it very romantic and engaging and it’s certainly beautifully shot. If you can catch it still in theaters by you watch it!

Smile Worthy

The Legend of Ochi-

I’m usually not a style over substance girl but there are times when something can look so unique it’s worth a recommendation. Such is the case with The Legend of Ochi. The story is kind of a mess and it can feel incredibly derivative but the world-building is so strong and the characters so cute it worked well enough. It’s certainly an incredibly ambitious film for a first project and brings back memories of films like Willow and The NeverEnding Story.

Smile Worthy

Sinners-

Like Ochi, Sinners is another film I had very mixed feelings on. I especially liked everything involving the music and choreography. I almost wish it was just a musical and didn’t try to bring in the horror elements but that’s just me. The movie felt like it was trying to be 7 different movies all at once and that left me feeling frustrated. Still, for the good I am recommending it but I certainly didn’t love it as much as most others.

Smile Worthy

Sneaks-

The best part of Sneaks is honestly the opening credits. It starts with a graffiti influenced style with bright colors that could have been interesting. Unfortunately after the credits finish the rest of the movie kicks in and it’s at best derivative and at worst ugly and unwatchable. I just don’t think having sneakers as lead characters work. You can’t anthropomorphize everything! The humor is bad and the animation sub-par (especially when it has to animate rats. Yikes!) Skip this one!

Frown Worthy

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Episode 3)

Believe it or not but I have never seen Revenge of the Sith on the big screen. It came out when I was on my mission and after having disliked the previous 2 I didn’t have much motivation to seek this one out on the big screen. Now in honor of its 20th anniversary I finally saw it on the big screen. While its problems are still obvious I did enjoy watching it. The downward spiral of Anakin Skywalker is compelling and the world-building quite beautiful. I’d say it is worth a watch.

Smile Worthy

Thunderbolts*-

I have honestly struggled with my feelings about the latest MCU film, Thunderbolts* (yes the asterisk is actually part of the title.) While I do want to give Marvel room to experiment and try new things I also was not prepared for how much of a divergence off of their normal formula this would be. Some will find this fresh and exhilarating and others will be turned off by it. I’m in the latter group. It was so unrelentingly bleak and depressing that I felt like I had stumbled into a sequel to The Batman without realizing it! There are some compelling performances by Florence Pugh and David Harbour (who gets all the laughs of the film) but then other performances are less convincing like Lewis Pullman feels like he’s acting in a different movie than everyone else. I get that these MCU titles are growing increasingly R rated (even having an R rating for last year’s Deadpool and Wolverine) but isn’t the intended audience still teenagers and families with older kids? Is this age-range really interested in existential dread, family conflict and depression? Shouldn’t these movies be a little bit fun and entertaining? This certainly isn’t and so while I can admire Marvel taking a swing it didn’t come together.

Frown Worthy

Another Simple Favor-

I think there is an audience for Another Simple Favor. That audience is just not me so take this review with a grain of salt. I really am not the biggest fan of over-the-top mysteries with loads of exposition and such is the case here. Each new reveal becomes increasingly ridiculous and only makes sense with long monologues explaining everything to us. This film does have great fashion and the Capri setting is escapist but it is far too long at 121 minutes (90 minutes tops for this kind of story.) If you liked The Glass Onion (I didn’t) maybe you’ll like this more than I did but it’s not a recommendation from me.

Frown Worthy

So there you have it. My quick thoughts on a bunch of recent movies. Pride and Prejudice 2005 and Not Just a Goof are my big recommendations from the group.

Make sure you check out the patreon for perks, exclusive reviews and to be part of our monthly events and watch alongs. Find out more here.