“Maze Runner: The Death Cure”

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Denise

Nutshell: A fun ride, if you ignore the fact that this final film in the Maze Runner series is a tangled mess of cliches and overused tropes. I wish I could say I enjoyed the ride, but I was too bored with the scattered plot to do anything but shove popcorn into my gaping maw, and drool over zombie FX (and Aiden Gillian, of course).   Grade: C-

“When the hell does it stop?”

Story: Uh, I’ll pass on this one.  Something about the “Gladers” and Co. rescuing a friend, and then…? Boom, rage zombies, boom.

Genre I’d put it in: Disappointing trilogy enders. Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch: “Pacific Rim: Uprising”

Posted on January 24, 2018 by Denise

“Cadets?  You better gear up.”

I think I might dig this sequel, even though Idris Elba is nowhere to be seen. Why?  Because this feels like a mix of mystery (who let the Kaiju back into our world?) and Top Gun (cadets training to become Jaeger pilots).  Naturally, as a kaiju-aholic, I could be deceiving myself.  But I hope I’m not.  I need to know more about the plot before I fully believe in Uprising, because while the first half of this trailer is absolutely incredible, the second feels like a pander-fest for Michael Bay film aficionados.

After you peep this trailer, you decide. And then read on for the full 411 – including an in-depth synopsis – from Universal!

Continue reading →

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Wayback Review: “Fast Five”

Posted on January 24, 2018 by Denise
Today I share the very first movie review I wrote after moving here to B’more.  Originally published in April, 2011, I bring you: Fast Five!

I’ve prided myself on the fact that I’ve never seen a single movie in the Fast and Furious franchise.  Figured I could sniff out a load of “hours of my life I’ll never get back” a mile away.  But if the other films in the series that preceded Fast Five have stunts and special effects anywhere near as breathtakingly amazing, perhaps I’ve been a bit too presumptuous. Continue reading →

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “Fifty Shades Freed”!

Posted on January 24, 2018 by Denise

UPDATE: WINNERS HAVE BEEN SELECTED.  THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED, Y’ALL HAD SOME INCREDIBLE IDEAS!!!

Ready to see how Christian and Anastasia end up?  Because I’ve got passes for the Baltimore area screening of Fifty Shades Freed!  But first…synopsis!

Believing they have left behind shadowy figures from their past, newlyweds Christian and Ana fully embrace an inextricable connection and shared life of luxury.  But just as she steps into her role as Mrs. Grey and he relaxes into an unfamiliar stability, new threats could jeopardize their happy ending before it even begins.

The trailer looks like this story will have a lot of thriller elements to it.  And if I have to be honest, I wasn’t blown away by the first film, but damn if Fifty Shades Darker didn’t sink its hooks into me.  I ain’t ashamed y’all.  Ready?  Let’s go!  Continue reading →

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Oscar nominees announced!

Posted on January 23, 2018 by Denise

And while it’s no big surprise that Phantom Thread, Three Billboards, and The Post grabbed noms, it’s wonderful to see such great films get recognized.

The Academy announced this year’s nominees this morning, and so the Oscar pool begins. What are your favorites?

Read on for the full list!
  Continue reading →

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Con News: Stephen Amell comes to Awesome Con!

Posted on January 18, 2018 by Denise

That’s right, Arrowverse fans – Oliver is coming to Awesome Con! So get your DC/CW Universe questions ready, and let’s hope there’s a tidbit or two about new Arrow/Flash/Legends of Tomorrow crossovers…and maybe even another Supergirl appearance?

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TrailerWatch: Mr. Rogers biopic “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” gives me all the happy feels

Posted on January 16, 2018 by Denise

Daniel Tiger and Mr. Rogers. *swoons*

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, y’all.  Why?  Because the first trailer for the Mr. Rogers documentary has been released.  Synopsis!

From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville (20 Feet from Stardom), Won’t You Be My Neighbor? takes an intimate look at America’s favorite neighbor: Mister Fred Rogers. A portrait of a man whom we all think we know, this emotional and moving film takes us beyond the zip-up cardigans and the land of make-believe, and into the heart of a creative genius who inspired generations of children with compassion and limitless imagination.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? comes to our neighborhood in theaters June 8, 2018.

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TrailerWatch: “Show Dogs”

Posted on January 16, 2018 by Denise

“What kind of dog likes hip-hop?”
[Answer: all the best ones. DUH.]

I love dog shows.  I also really dug Miss Congeniality.  So why not mash ’em up?  If you’re liking the sound of that, check out the trailer for Show Dogs, which has one freakin’ adorable rotti.  Synopsis!

Starring Will Arnett, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Natasha Lyonne, Jordin Sparks, Gabriel Iglesias, Shaquille O’Neal, Alan Cumming, and Stanley Tucci, SHOW DOGS is a family comedy about the unlikely pairing of a human detective (Arnett) and his canine partner (voice of Chris “Ludacris” Bridges), who has to go undercover at the world’s most exclusive dog show to solve his biggest case yet. Catch it in theaters May 18, 2018!

Hip hop hooray, y’all!

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“Insidious: The Last Key”: tired tropes combine with new twists

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Denise

Nutshell: There’s no doubt that Lin Shaye is an incredible actress that brings top-notch talent to this series as psychic-in-charge Elise. There is, however, serious doubt that this series can continue, considering how it scrapes up the usual jump scares and night-vision tactics that have been a staple of the “other realms” horror subgenre.  Last Key is a lot of scary fun, but if this franchise is to continue, there needs to be fresh…blood. Grade: B

“I know where they go. They go into the dark.”

Story: Psychic Elise Rainier (Shaye) gets a phone call from someone desperate for her help.  Problem is, that someone lives in the house she grew up in.  A house jam-packed with ghosts, demons, and of course that red-faced creep that’s been around since the start of the franchise.  Will Elise and her crew try to help?  What do you think? Continue reading →

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “Den of Thieves”!

Posted on January 4, 2018 by Denise

Happy 2018 y’all!  Ready to get your New Year passes on?  Good, because I’ve got passes for Den of Thieves.  Synopsis!

DEN OF THIEVES is a high energy, fast paced, gritty action film that sets a syndicate of bank robbing criminals (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, O’Shea Jackson Jr, Pablo Schreiber) who are addicted to heists against an elite special task force of cops, led by Gerard Butler who will stop at nothing to catch them. When this crew of outlaws set their sights on the ultimate heist, robbing the Federal Reserve Bank of downtown Los Angeles, the heat gets turned up on all sides and it gets harder to distinguish the cops from the criminals and the good guys from the bad guys.

That cast sounds absolutely groovy.  Agree?  Let’s go!

Continue reading →

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