“Night School” doesn’t quite make the grade

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Denise

Nutshell: I shouldn’t watch the end credits of a Hart & Haddish comedy trying to figure out why I’m unimpressed with what I just saw. But I was. Give these two better folks behind the camera. Grade: D+

“That’s what’s up.”

Story: Teddy Walker never finished high school, but he found himself a stable job as a salesman, which kept him more than cozy for seventeen years. But when he has to try for a new job, he finds his lack of a diploma keeps cropping up. Onward, to night school!

Genre I’d put it in: Fumbled Attempts At Bringing Talent Together

Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Original, though it feels like any number of school-based comedies. Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch: “Hellfest” throwback trailer brings the 80s!

Posted on September 25, 2018 by Denise

“Visit the park where the monsters are fake, but the terror…IS REAL”

I love this. Absolutely, totally 80s. What an amazing trailer. From the cool throwback logos and title card to the “weathered” film footage. It’s so totally 80s!  Synopsis!

A masked serial killer turns a horror themed amusement park into his own personal playground, terrorizing a group of friends while the rest of the patrons believe that it is all part of the show.

Hellfest comes to town this Friday, September 28th!

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TrailerWatch – “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” final trailer confirms a big fan theory

Posted on September 25, 2018 by Denise

“I think that might have been the best moment of my life!”

WE KNEW IT! In this trailer, we’re told that the lovely young witch (played by Claudia Kim) seen with Creedence is none other than Nagini herself!  Which means that you’d better bring all the Kleenex you possess when you go see this film. There’s gonna be some serious heartbreak.

As for the hint?  There’s more of a reveal of the relationship between Dumbledore and Grindelwald. “I cannot move against Grindelwald.” I have a feeling that more than a romantic relationship, it’s an Unbreakable Vow between G&D that prevents Dumbledore from harming his former friend.

Grindelwald comes to theaters November 16th, otherwise known as my birthday week. And I couldn’t have asked for a better prezzie.

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TrailerWatch: “Bumblebee” drops 2nd trailer and plenty of old school action!

Posted on September 24, 2018 by Denise

Starscream! Soundwave!The Autobots and Decepticons we know and love (or love to hate) are back, in full effect!

Travis Knight is taking a battered and broken Bumblebee franchise and retrofitting it. And I’m loving it. Bay who? Synopsis!

On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary, yellow VW bug.

Bumblebee drops December 21st, 2018.

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“The House With A Clock In Its Walls” –

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Denise

Nutshell: A boy finds out that he’s got magic in his family. Sound familiar? Well, while the Harry Potter franchise is an epic story, Clock is a wee tale. Director Eli Roth keeps things fast and fun, with a cast ready to play and art direction that dazzles.  Grade: B-

“BAD KITTY!”

Story: 9-year-old Lewis Barnavelt (Owen Vaccaro) goes to life with his eccentric uncle Johnathan (Jack Black) after Lewis’ parents die in an accident. But while Johnathan’s house feels like Willy Wonka by way of the Addams Family, there’s a darker secret hidden…in the walls… Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch: “Ralph Breaks the Internet” gives us dark web & Rick Astley!

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Denise

“I’m freaking out so hard right now.”

You and me both, little green buddy. While the first Breaks trailer gave us the Disney princesses, this new one drops us into the GTA-esque Slaughter Race! And with that comes Gal Gadot as Shank, a badass racer who gives Sarah Silverman’s Vanellope von Schweetz something to think about.

Get ready for sharks, distopia, selfies, and the best earworm of ’em all… Ralph Breaks the Internet hits screens November 21st. And I can’t wait to see more.

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Columbia Screening Pass-palooza: “Venom”!

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Denise

Time for the bad boy of the Spiderverse to get his movie on. And it just so happens that I’ve got screening passes for Venom! Synopsis!

When Eddie Brock acquires the powers of a symbiote, he will have to release his alter-ego “Venom” to save his life.

Short & sweet. (Okay, so an official press synopsis isn’t available yet…but what, like you want to be spoiled by an overabundance of 411? No.  no you don’t.) Let’s go!

Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch: “Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel”!

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Denise

HOT DAMN! It’s here y’all! Synopsis!

Set in the 1990s, Marvel Studios’ “Captain Marvel” is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that follows the journey of Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes. While a galactic war between two alien races reaches Earth, Danvers finds herself and a small cadre of allies at the center of the maelstrom.

GAAAAAAH! I’ll have more thoughts on this later, but for now? Enjoy this first look at Ms. Danvers!

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “Smallfoot”!

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Denise

Hey kids of all ages – I include myself in that, of course – I’ve got passes for the latest animated joint from Warner Brothers, Smallfoot! Synopsis!

An animated adventure for all ages, with original music and an all-star cast, “Smallfoot” turns the Bigfoot legend upside down when a bright young Yeti (Channing Tatum) finds something he thought didn’t exist—a human.  News of this “smallfoot” (James Corden) throws the simple Yeti community into an uproar over what else might be out there in the big world beyond their snowy village, in an all new story about friendship, courage and the joy of discovery.

After 21 Jump Street, I’m loving Tatum as a comedic actor. So? Let’s go!
Continue reading →

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“The Predator” brings back 80’s action-horror fun

Posted on September 13, 2018 by Denise

Nutshell: Many a moviegoer messes up when they hit the multiplex and expect Grand Cinema from action horror. And while this film ain’t Citizen Kane by a long shot, The Predator‘s particular blend of action, horror and laughs are just what the doctor ordered for this weary horror-hound. Grade: B

“They’re large, they’re fast, and fucking you up is their tourism.”

Story: An alien crash-lands onto Earth.  Hey – that’s how E.T. started!  Yeah, and how The Blob started. When this particular UFO crashes down, it brings a whole lot of mayhem to a group of black-ops soldiers. So when the lone survivor heads home, of course he’s put into a group of guys headed for “psych eval”.  But surprise y’all – where there’re going is exactly where the deadly alien has been brought to!  And guess what else – a bigger, badder alien is coming to hunt it down.  With Predato-pups!

Genre I’d put it in: Finally A Decent Sequel Sequels Continue reading →

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