Aladdin

Meh...
The cartoon is so much better.

** Rentable

Rated PG (for some action and peril)

The Hustle

The tag line states, "They're giving dirty rotten men a run for their money.".... they're not.

This is another gender swap remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine. Which was itself a remake of Bedtime Story (1964) starring Marlon Brando and David Niven - both are better.

*1/2 Rentable

Rated PG-13 (for crude sexual references and language) 

Booksmart

Yet another gender-swap. This is female version of Superbad (2007) that isn't nearly as endearing or funny.

Highly disappointing.

*1/2 - Rentable

Rated R (for strong sexual content and language and teen drug use and drinking) 

Long Shot

Two childhood friends reunite twenty-five years later on a campaign trail. One the speechwriter the other the candidate. As they reminisce and get to know one another along the way, their new-found adult relationship could get in the way of her run for the White House.

This was totally forgettable. It has some funny moments, and in-spite of the predictable storyline and crude humor has a few laugh out loud bits of dialogue. It could have been better, nothing to run out and see but certainly might be Netflix material.

** Rentable

Rated R (for strong language, sexual content, brash humor and drug use)

Avengers: Endgame

Thanos has won destroying 50% of all living beings. The remaining Avengers struggle to keep their lives together while still protecting what is left of the universe. Still in desperate search of a way to fix what has happened, they set out to find Thanos...but can things be reversed?

No spoilers - just go see it. You know you want to and you won't be disappointed. Even with the outrageous running time of three hours and two minutes (that doesn't include previews so plan accordingly) it is well worth your time and is a pleasant wrap to the 22 movie-ology. OK who are we kidding - they made $1.2 billion dollars this weekend world wide - that is billion with a "B" - this is far from over, but it is a fantastically fun pause.

***1/2 - Must See

Rated PG-13 (for language and intense violence) 

Shazam!

Billy Batson is a runaway foster child, when he is placed within a new group home his life is turned upside down by a little bit of magic. Now an adult superhero, he has to figure out who he is and master his new found power before the evil Dr. Thaddeus Sivana can find him and his new family.

This was unexpectedly "super"! Super cute, super fun, just an all around super, hero film.  It was a dynamic combination of Big (1988) and The Mask (1994). 

This is the best DC comic book movie since Wonder Woman.

*** Must See

Rated  PG-13 (for language, intense violence and suggestive material) 

Captain Marvel

A rookie Kree warrior put to the test when sent to fight the Skrulls on a neighboring planet. Her team is ambushed and in the escape she ends up on a strangely familiar planet...Earth.

Meh. This isn't horrid but it certainly isn't one of Marvels' best movies. In fact the storyline itself is surprisingly predictable and unimaginative. The characters are very one dimensional and our heroine seems to have zero comedic timing, not to mention that her responses to everything seem to be a series of amatory smirks. There is also a pitiful subplot that I think is suppose to bring heart to the character but is so terribly cliche' that no one cares.

Certainly not Wonder Woman. (that's the only thing DC got right)

** Renatable

Rated PG-13 (for language and violence) 

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

Hiccup, now chief, along with his vigilante viking crew, set out to rescue dragons and bring them to Berk. Their missions ignite a new threat to their village and their way of life. Love.

This was cute, however not nearly as heartfelt or clever as the original. In fact, it doesn't really even live up to the second movie, which was a solid sequel. This final chapter is sweet albeit predictable and not innovative or endearing enough to hold a candle to its predecessors.

** Rentable

Rated PG (for mild language and thematic elements) 

The Upside

A wealthy quadriplegic hires an unlikely caregiver. Their worlds collide and at times are in perfect sync as they develop a life changing friendship.

Not as funny as I thought it would be and very predictable, nevertheless this is a feel good, slightly comedic drama about life, friends and the unknown that is worth seeing.

*** Must See

Rated PG-13 (for language, sexual content, drug use and thematic elements) 

Isn't it Romantic

Natalie has been raised on romantic comedies, and as such, it has left her as a lifelong cynic when it comes to love. So when she wakes up after a mugging in a live romcom she must use her knowledge of the formulaic, the cheesy, the predictable , the corny, and the trite, to get back to her real life.

This was a fun, if not brilliant, idea that was so poorly executed it was hideous.

 Cliché in its clichéity.

* Not-a-chance

Rated PG-13 (for sexual content and language)