Struggling with his dual identity, failed comedian Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Pheonix) meets the love of his life, Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga), while incarcerated...
Maya and the Wave is currently playing at the Village East theater in New York, with upcoming screenings at the Laemmle Glendale and the Laemmle Monica...
Based on the New York Times Best Seller by Colleen Hoover, “It Ends with Us” stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, who gives a truly inspiring performance to a layered character.
Lively plays Lily Bloom, who overcomes a traumatic childhood and sets off to open her own flower shop. She meets a handsome neurosurgeon and the two begin a romantic relationship. But things take a dark turn when she starts to see signs of abuse similar to her past. She then realizes she must rely on her own strength to break a violent pattern and make a difficult choice for a brighter future. While the film might shy away from overly graphic images, they are not shying away from the issue of domestic violence. The approach is painfully realistic, in that it’s not often talked about and those involved may want to focus more on the positive in their life versus acknowledging any red flags.
Whenever a film is adapted from a book, you can always tell there are missing pieces that would have probably added more to the plot. At times “It Ends with Us” does feel rushed and audiences will want more from the characters. Luckily the film should satisfy readers and even encourage new ones. The film does a wonderful job at appealing to the emotions and giving an authentic perspective. There is a fine line to what may be considered romantic or aggressive. And this movie cleverly portrays how one might see things the way they want to instead of how they really are. While this film has romance and deals with a serious subject matter, this is a story about a strong, resilient woman, who is much more than what has happened to her. She is a daughter, a friend, a mother, a business owner, and she stands for hope.
The entire cast is fantastic, especially the much-needed comic relief by Jenny Slate, but it’s Lively and Baldoni who pull you in from the start with their polarizing performances. “It Ends with Us” is an unforgettable, compelling story that will move all audiences.
At first glance, “The Black Phone” could come off as a “ripped from the headlines” Lifetime movie. In actuality, the film is a familiar story about a child kidnapper/serial killer that unfolds in a completely unnerving and original way! It also features an incredible and disturbingly eerie performance by Ethan Hawke.
9. I Want You Back
When I watched this film back in February, I knew it would be in my top 10. Not just because I love the genre, but because this one felt reminiscent of some of my favorite 90’s romcoms. The film follows Emma (Jenny Slate) and Peter (Charlie Day) after they have both been dumped by their significant others. They bond over their losses and decide to work together to get their exes back. “I Want You Back” has a refreshing and hilarious screenplay that shines even brighter through Slate and Day’s chemistry.
8. Hustle
Less is more when it comes to the brilliance that is “Hustle”. Adam Sandler plays a basketball scout whose goal is to become a coach. In the midst of that journey, he stumbles upon a talented baller in Spain. They connect as two underdogs trying to prove themselves worthy of coming out on top. This is just one of those movies that excels through incredible performances and it’s a feel-good story. It’s easily my favorite performance by Sandler to date. “Hustle” is the hidden gem of 2022 that I hope everyone was able to find.
7. The Woman King
Based on true events, “The Woman King” is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s. The women are fierce warriors with unbelievable fighting skills. From its opening scene, the film hooks you in, and keeps you enthralled with exciting action sequences and a thrilling journey. It’s an inspiring and powerful movie.
6. Bros
Finally, a good romcom was shown in theaters this year! It’s crazy to think that “Bros” is the first romantic comedy about two men falling in love to be produced by a mainstream studio. It’s long overdue. But, if we had to wait this long, I’m glad we put it in the hands of Billy Eichner (Co-Writer) and Nick Stoller (Director/Co-Writer). In addition to the film’s historic romantic storyline, the movie also features and entirely LGBTQ+ cast. And it’s entertaining to watch some of those characters poke fun at their own current political identities. “Bros” goes beyond the surface level romcom with its conversation about the importance of LGBTQ+ historical figures.
5. Vengeance
B.J. Novak’s directorial debut is a dark comedy thriller about a podcaster who travels from New York to West Texas to investigate the death of a girl he was hooking up with. I may be bias, being from Texas, but anyone can relate to this story. It’s a hilarious satire about politics, media and technology. Novak is a tour de force, providing a sharp and witty script with a valuable message about how we “connect” with people. “Vengeance” is an original “whodunit” with a shocking and unforgettable ending.
4. Fresh
Mimi Cave’s debut feature goes from rom-com to a dark, provocative horror. Audiences may think they’ve seen this story before, but it hasn’t been told quite like this. For starters, the film features a Grade-A cast. Sebastian Stan’s character is unlike anything he’s played before. And Daisy Edgar-Jones gives an unforgettable performance, as she brings a whole new level to the “damsel turns badass” story arc. The film’s images range from picturesque to beautifully grotesque. “Fresh” delivers the whole package. It’s a deliciously, twisted horror/comedy that leaves you craving more.
3. The Menu
The best original screenplay award should go to “The Menu”. Talk about a brilliant script! This was one that audiences didn’t really know what they were walking into, but should have left very satisfied. In the film, a couple (Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult) travels to a coastal island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises. As the story unfolds, we find this is an exploration of the toxic relationship between art, artist and consumer. Are we still making the art that we were passionate about for ourselves or have we become sell outs? “The Menu” is a clever and delectable story.
2. The Batman
“The Batman” is one of the best Batman movies since “The Dark Knight”. I was hesitant when Robert Pattinson was cast, but he nails it with a brooding Bruce Wayne in his 20’s. The entire cast is fantastic, especially, the quick-witted Zoe Kravitz as probably the most realistic Cat woman, and a stunning, unrecognizable Colin Farrell as Penguin, and of course, a chilling Paul Dano as The Riddler. In this story, citizens know Batman’s name, but don’t quite know his full potential. However, when The Riddler, sadistically begins to murder key political figures and dirty cops in Gotham, Batman is pulled into the investigation to uncover the city’s hidden corruption and his family’s involvement. The film’s dark and gritty atmosphere paired with Matt Reeves’ alluring shots heightens the thrills and suspense during this enthralling murder mystery.
1. Top Gun: Maverick
My number one had to go to my favorite cinematic experience this year. This film had no business being as good as it was. But I am so happy to say it pulled off a sequel rarity in being better than the original. In “Top Gun: Maverick”, Pete Mitchell aka Maverick (Tom Cruise), has been serving as one the Navy’s top aviators for more than 30 years. He is ordered to return to “Top Gun” and instruct the new class of fighter pilots. Only problem, that class includes his late best friend, Goose’s son, Bradley (Miles Teller), who has unresolved issues with Maverick. What director Joseph Kosinski did here is no easy feat. He managed to take the good of the original film and elevate the story and special effects to new heights. The script is sharp, with a perfect combination of nostalgia and modern day. The acting is top notch, as these characters are portrayed with more emotion and vulnerability, and the flight sequences are heart pounding thrills.
The Rest of the Best:
11. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
12. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
13. The Good Nurse
14. Women Talking
15. Bodies, Bodies, Bodies
16. Bullet Train
17. Everything Everywhere All at Once
18. The Whale
19. The Fabelmans
20. Senior Year
Top 5 Worst Films of 2022
5. Jurassic World: Dominon – You bring everyone back for a messy story about giant locusts?
4. Firestarter (2022) – Not even Zac Efron could make this reboot worth it.
3. They/Them – Such a great idea with poor delivery and some of the worst acting.
2. Pinocchio (2022) – A lazy remake with poor graphics and the most annoying Pinocchio.
1. Halloween Ends – I didn’t think it could get any worse than the last film, but then this monstrosity was made. Barely any Michael Myers and too much unwanted romance.
Looking for the right romantic comedy for Valentine’s Day this year? The search is over, Amazon Studios’ newest film, “I Want You Back”, is witty, hilarious, and a whole lot of fun. I got a chance to speak with two of the stars from the movie, Scott Eastwood and Clark Backo. We discuss how you know you’ve found the right person, when they realize they were adults, and sing a little karaoke.
Watch the full interview and the film when it releases on Amazon Prime February 11, 2022.
Even Jenny Slate’s quirk
and charm can’t help this mess of a movie.
Based on the novel by Rebecca Dinerstein, “The Sunlit Night” follows Frances (Slate), a struggling painter from New York City. After her boyfriend breaks up with her, she finds out her sister is engaged and her parents are separating. Feeling lost and hopeless, she wants to leave home immediately; and gets an opportunity to paint a barn in Norway in a town where apparently the sun never sets.
Up until this point of the film, you’ve been treated to a funny and witty comedy with a lot of potential. Unfortunately once Frances arrives to Norway, all that potential goes out the window. The audience is left to endure a slow “self-discovery” that is all over the place.
Once Frances is acquainted with her new employer, she meets a few new people. She happens to run into Yasha (Alex Sharp), a Russian-American baker who has come to Norway to give his father a proper Viking funeral. That’s when the film suddenly turns into a “romantic comedy”. I use that term very loosely. In the quiet and rare moments spent between Frances and Yasha, there is no chemistry. There’s not even a spark. This relationship is incredibly forced and doesn’t make much sense. The reasons for why the two even like each other are vague.
The random, forced
comedy of a Viking tour guide (Zach Galifinakis) and Yasha’s cold, absentee
mother (Gillian Anderson) didn’t help the story either.
Slate does a fantastic job with the material she is given and the scenery is beautiful, but the “The Sunlit Night” fails to shine. It’s a dim, dull tale. Director David Wnendt seemed to have a great starting point, but didn’t know where to go from there. I still don’t understand the point of the movie, or how the characters evolved by the end of the film. But honestly, I didn’t care enough about any of them.
Rating: 1.5/5
“The Sunlit Night” will be available On Demand July 17.
How do our pets act when we’re not around? It’s a question we’re so curious about when we see dogs whimper as we walk out the door. When we see cats comfortably relaxing, and they seem like they could care less as we walk by them. Well, Illumination Entertainment’s newest film, “The Secret Life of Pets” tells us just that. From a cat who raids the fridge, to a dog who loves head-banging to rock music, these are just a few things we get to discover about the daily lives of pets in this film.
The story follows a terrier named Max (Louis C.K.) who has a great relationship with his owner, Katie (Ellie Kemper). And every day when she leaves for work, he anxiously awaits her return. Usually, he kills the time by having some his friends/other pets over to hang out. But his life is turned upside down, when Katie returns home one day with a new dog she got from the pound, Duke (Eric Stonestreet). Max instantly dislikes him, and the two can’t seem to get along. The following day during their group dog walk a fight ensues which results in them getting parted from their dog walker, and leaves them struggling to find their way home.
If this plot sounds somewhat familiar, try replacing the pets with toys. Yes, the premise of the film is essentially the same as “Toy Story”. Unfortunately, “The Secret Life of Pets” just doesn’t properly execute the same heartfelt message.
Don’t get me wrong, “The Secret Life of Pets” is still an enjoyable film and will thoroughly entertain kids. Especially through the biggest standouts of the movie Snowball (Kevin Hart) and Gidget (Jenny Slate), who provide the biggest laughs. Listening to Kevin Hart’s voice on a tiny, cute, little bunny who loathes humans is an ironic and hilarious combination.
I only wish that the film focused a little more on the things that pets do when their owners are gone and when they return home. They graze over the cliché actions we’d expect, but it is quickly over shadowed by a journey of trying to get Max and Duke home.
“The Secret Life of Pets” is absolutely worth the watch, but if you have already seen “Zootopia” or “Finding Dory”, don’t expect this film to come close in comparison. The entertainment value is there, but it lacks the heart and depth that we usually hope for from these family animated movies.
Jenny Slate gives a breakthrough performance in an authentic romantic comedy that touches on the daring topic of abortion.
Brilliantly written/directed by Gillian Robespierre and based on her feature short from 2009, Obvious Child tells the story of, Donna (Slate), a twenty-something stand-up comic who seems to be perfectly content with her life. But after her boyfriend dumps her to be with one of her “good” friends, she learns that when it rains, it pours. Within a week she has not only lost the man in her life, but also her job. So like any woman who is going through an emotional crisis, she decides to indulge in a careless night of drinking. That night she meets Max (Jake Lacy), a straight-laced honest to God good guy. They engage in a one-night stand that was never meant to be anything more. However, three weeks later Donna discovers she is pregnant and plans to get an abortion. But she is conflicted when Max reappears in her life and wants nothing more than to take her out on a “proper date.”
Though Obvious Child deals with a sensitive subject that most people have strong opinions on, it is important to understand that there is so much more to this story. It’s about finally facing the reality of being independent for the first time. Donna must make tough decisions that she would otherwise avoid. Like the film quote says “creative energy can sometimes come at the lowest point your life.” Regardless of the circumstances, audiences can relate to this film when remembering a dark time that forced you to start over.
Slate is best known for SNL, Parks and Rec, and many more comedic roles. Once audiences watch this film, Jenny Slate will be remembered for this incredible, uplifting performance that will make you laugh and ache. She shares a refreshing on-screen chemistry with Jake Lacy, as the two portray a awkwardly genuine relationship.
Donna doesn’t go through her troubles alone. She is supported by loving friends and family that chime in with advice and counsel. She has her English professor mother (Polly Draper), her puppeteer father (Richard Kind), and her best friend/roommate (Gaby Hoffman).
This story is not meant to offend anyone and it doesn’t try to change your beliefs on the topic at hand. The film just shows the point of view of a woman who solely handles the decisions of a serious situation in a light manner. I highly recommend this movie, as it is my favorite of the year so far. Obvious Child is smart, witty, hilarious, and unlike anything you’ve seen before.