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Movie Review: “A Real Pain”

A Real Pain follows opposite cousins David and Benji who reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. But their adventure takes a turn when tensions between the two resurface. The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival with high praise as it dives into the two character’s emotions and backstory.

Jessie Eisenberg plays the high strung, anxious family man, David and Emmy winner, Kieran Culkin plays the charming, carefree, erratic Benji, who will say whatever is on his mind even if it is inappropriate. These characters grew up like brothers, but eventually life drove them apart, affecting one of them more painfully than the other. Culkin and Eisenberg are the perfect “odd” couple that you would think are related in real life. This is due to Eisenberg’s deeply personal screenplay.

Though the two are on a journey to see the home their grandmother grew up in, along the way they take an impactful tour with a group of strangers to explore their Jewish roots, igniting a roller coaster of emotions as they visit stunning landscapes of their ancestor’s and the Holocaust camps near their grandmother’s old town. And surprisingly, this is the first time a narrative feature has been allowed to shoot on location at an actual concentration camp, making those scenes even more touching and powerful. But what’s going to move audiences are the performances. Eisenberg doesn’t veer from the type of characters we are used to seeing him play, but he is at his best in a role that feels his most authentic. While Culkin leaves you in tears from his heartfelt portrayal of Benji’s constant high and lows throughout the film as he grieves his grandma and deals with his own internal struggles.

The pain both characters are going through impressively speaks louder from their actions and sometimes silence, more so than any words they express to each other. A Real Pain is a sincere and thought-provoking, emotional journey that is elevated by the film’s beautiful and unforgettable performances. It’s a rare gem that will stay with you all year.

Rating: A-

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LONELY PLANET Interview w/ Laura Dern & Liam Hemsworth

“At a retreat in Morocco, a woman meets a young man whose acquaintanceship evolves into an intoxicating, life-altering love affair.” LONELY PLANET is a lighthearted, beautiful romance everyone can enjoy!

I had the opportunity to sit down with the stars of the film, Academy Award winner, Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth to talk about the film, who they are most comfortable with, places that have made them feel modest, and more!

LONELY PLANET streams on Netflix October 11, 2024.

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Movie Review: “Joker: Folie a Deux”

Struggling with his dual identity, failed comedian Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Pheonix) meets the love of his life, Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga), while incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital. This week I review. the unexpected musical sequel, “Joker: Folie a Deux”.

“Joker: Folie a Deux” opens in theaters October 4, 2024.

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Rapid Review: “I’ll Be Right There”

Mother’s have a tendency to want to care for everyone and handle everything. Making it hard for them to find any time for themselves. In the new comedy, “I’ll Be Right There”, Edie Falco stars as a mom who is constantly giving rides and all of herself to the loved ones in her life.

The film begins with Wanda (Falco) at the doctor’s office consoling her mom, Grace (Jeannie Berlin), who is convinced she has lung cancer. She then has to drive her pregnant daughter, Sarah (Kayli Carter) to the doctor’s office to check on the baby. After that she has to meet her son, Mark (Charlie Tahan) for his therapy appointment, where he shows clear signs of resentment towards his mother. You see, in addition to Wanda continuously trying her best to there for everyone, they don’t appear to be appreciative of her efforts. And Wanda’s ex-husband, Henry (Bradley Whitford) is no help because he’s too busy with his new wife and kids that he can’t seem to support either.

I know what I have described is far from groundbreaking and we’ve have certainly seen versions of this story before, but that doesn’t mean “I’ll Be Right There” isn’t offering something fresh. The heart and soul of this movie is Falco, who you connect with from the start. It’s her authentic and relatable performance as a mother who’s just trying to keep it all together that makes her so easy to care for her. She naturally shines and those around her are a solid supporting cast.

“I’ll Be Right There” has a simplistic charm to its mild story. The screenplay could have used a little more meat, but writer Jim Beggarly got the point across; writing about the ups and downs of family drama and Wanda being forced to re-examine herself. And in just under an hour and half, you will feel as though that comedic, yet bittersweet journey of self-discovery flew by.

Rating: B-

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AMBER ALERT Interview w/ Filmmakers & Golden Globes Winner Tyler James Williams

The significant Amber Alert hits close to home every time we hear it ring. The new thriller, “Amber Alert” powerfully exhibits how people just like us can help save a child’s life when we get these notifications. I had the opportunity to speak with the filmmakers (Kerry Bellessa, Summer Bellessa, and Joseph Restaino) and one of the stars of the film, Golden Globes Winner, Tyler James Williams.

“Amber Alert” opens in theaters and OnDemand September 27, 2024.

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Meena Harris and Rashida Jones join as Executive Producers on Maya and the Wave

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 in Los Angeles, and expanding through the end of the year   

NEW YORK—September 12th, 2024—The team behind Maya and the Wave announced today that Rashida Jones and Meena Harris have officially boarded the film as executive producers. The documentary tells the extraordinary story of Maya Gabeira, the first woman to surf the giant wave in Nazaré, Portugal. She nearly drowns – and is ridiculed by the male big wave surfers who dominate the sport. Three spine surgeries and five years later, she surfs the biggest wave a woman has ever surfed. When her accomplishment is disregarded, Maya enlists the help of her fans to fight for recognition — and becomes the first female surfer honored with a Guinness World Record in big wave surfing.

The story of the films’ release mimics Maya’s own story of heartbreak and comeback. Shortly after the Toronto premiere, the film’s cinematographer and co- producer, Jorge Leal, had a brain stem stroke, leaving him completely paralyzed. The crew and Maya rushed to his side and spent the next 10 months in hospitals and treatment centers, aiding in his recovery. With Jorge well enough to go back home, it was finally time to bring Maya and the Wave into the world. 

“We are so excited to have Rashida Jones and Meena Harris come on board the film. We admire them both so much for their commitment to amplifying female voices and are beyond thrilled to have their support. Getting the film here has been a journey, and they feel like the best partners we could ever have.” said Stephanie Johnes, the film’s director. 

“As we witness a global backlash against women’s human rights, we need powerhouse women like Rashida and Meena to champion women’s stories more than ever before. All hail these loud and powerful women for bringing their fire and their platforms to support a story that, at its core, is an everywoman’s story of living in a man’s world,” added producer Ali Johnes. 

“On and off the screen, Maya and the Wave is a miraculous story of resilience and perseverance. This inspiring portrait of an underestimated woman determined to win also happens to be an epic sports documentary — everyone should see it,” said Meena Harris.  

Rashida Jones added, “Maya and the Wave is inspiring, shocking, gorgeous, intimate and triumphant. Maya’s courage, determination and vulnerability will stick with me forever. Hers is the consummate heroine’s journey.  I’m so proud to have any small part of sharing this movie with the world.” 

Meena Harris is the founder and CEO of the Tony-Award winning company Phenomenal Media. She is a #1 New York Times bestselling children’s book author, and the co-founder and general partner of the VC firm Phenomenal Ventures. Meena is also a lawyer and influential activist for gender and racial equity. She most recently co-produced Dylan Mulvaney’s Edinburgh Fringe sensation, Faghag, and the Tony-Award winning musical Suffs, currently on Broadway.

Rashida Jones is an Emmy-nominated and Grammy award-winning actress, writer, director and producer, best known for her beloved roles on the universally acclaimed, fan favorite sitcoms, Parks and Recreation and The Office. Beyond acting, Jones is a renowned documentary filmmaker, who garnered an Emmy-nomination for her Netflix docuseries, Hot Girls Wanted, and won a Grammy for Best Music Film for Quincy, a film about her father, Quincy Jones. Jones is an outspoken feminist, and advocate for women’s rights and intersectional inclusivity, who often reflects these themes in her illustrious body of work.

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Movie Review: “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”

After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter accidentally opens the portal to the afterlife. I review the long-awaited sequel to one of Michael Keaton’s legendary roles, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is currently playing in theaters.

Rating: B+

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“The Wild Robot” – Activity Kit

THE WILD ROBOT is in theaters Friday, September 27. 

To celebrate, Universal Pictures and DreamWorks created activity sheets and activity pack for fans!

Click the link below and explore all the FREE fun activities you can do with the whole family!

The Wild Robot Movie Site | September 27, 2024 | DreamWorks

Watch the trailer below and the film when it hits theaters September 27, 2024!

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BLUE RIBBON BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP Interview w/ Sandra Lee, Jason Biggs, Bryan Ford & Bill Yosses

I had the opportunity to chat with baking legends and along with an AMERICAN legend: Sandra Lee, Bryan Ford, Bill Yosses, & Jason Biggs about one of my new favorite Netflix series, the BLUE RIBBON BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP. We discussed the series, which dessert from the season they personally connected with, and more!

For over 100 years, the American state fair has been the proving ground for the most wildly talented bakers across the United States. Now, for the first time ever, Blue Ribbon winning bakers from state fairs across the nation get the chance to compete against each other in the Blue Ribbon Baking Championship. Featuring host Jason Biggs and co-host and judge Sandra Lee, 10 award-winning pastry masters from across the U.S. gather to compete in the biggest blue ribbon bake off yet – and the chance to win $100,000. Former White House pastry chef, Bill Yosses, and award-winning artisan baker, Bryan Ford, also serve as judges. Only the baker with the most delicious, inventive, and masterful delicacies will win the nation’s ultimate blue ribbon.

BLUE RIBBON BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP streams on Netflix August 9.

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Movie Review: “Twisters”

This week I review the thrilling new sequel starring Glen Powell and Daisy-Edgar Jones, “Twisters”. How does it compare to the original? Find out by watching my full interview in the video below!

“Twisters” is currently playing in theaters.

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