Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

 

Shaun and his best friend Katy are living quiet albeit a tad floundering lives as valets. When a bus ride to work takes a mysterious and shocking twist - Shaun reveals himself as Shang-Chi who must now confront the past he thought he left behind.

This was fun. It wasn't the best of the Marvel Universe, but certainly not the worst. It is entertaining and funny however like most Marvel movies goes on for about 35 minutes too long. 

**1/2 Must See for Marvel Fans (rentable for the rest of the world)

Rated PG-13(for violence and language)

Free Guy

 

A video game character deviates from his programing and sends the gaming world into a tailspin. 

Definitely a fun tongue in cheek commentary on not only the world of video games but also those that actually live vicariously online. 

Entertaining, quickly paced and lots of unexpected cameos.

*** Must See

Rated PG-13 (for language, crude & suggestive references and violence)

The Green Knight

 

King Arthurs' nephew sets off on a quest to confront the Green Knight in an effort to prove himself worthy of the King's court. 

Based on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a late 14th century Middle English chivalric romance story, the author is unknown. It is apparently one of the best know Arthurian stories... still unknow to me, I had to look it up and read the story after I saw the movie. That being said the story is entertaining enough and made sense... the movie however did not. It was not only totally confusing, it took a great deal of liberty in its adaptation. 

Like watching someone hallucinate - perhaps more enjoyable if you are on something. 

* 1/2 - Totally bizarre, not a chance.

Rated R(for violence, sexual content and graphic nudity)

The Suicide Squad

 

The government makes a deal with the worlds most dangerous villains. A suicide mission that if successful will reduce their sentence by fifteen years. 

This revamp/sequel is mediocre at best. The characters are undoubtedly unique and quirky, the storyline however is weak and predictable. 

Obnoxiously gruesome violence and language leave this film with an R rating - which can only hurt DC as their target demographic is twelve to sixteen year old children who can't get into an R movie unaccompanied by an adult. 

** Rentable

Rated R(for gratuitous violence, gore, harsh language, and war)

Jungle Cruise

 

A biologist and her brother head to the Amazon in search of a legendary mystical tree that holds the power to heal all and any ailment. Convinced this will help the war effort of 1916 Great Britain they enlist the help of a corny joke telling tour guide and soon find themselves at odds with German soldiers along with 15th century Spanish conquistadores also in pursuit of the tree. 

Raiders of the Lost Ark meets Pirates of the Caribbean. Lots of homage paid to the ride with the corny jokes and hippo sightings, this was a fun adaptation of the famous Disneyland ride.

*** Must See (for Disneyland fans)

Rated PG-13(for action, violence and thematic elements)

Black Widow

 

Natasha Romanoff, confronts her past as she is pursued by a dangerous force that will stop at nothing to destroy her and her makeshift kin. 

Back in business and on the big screen. Yes this was also released on Disney+ but worth the trip to the theatre to see it as it was intended. And like anyone needs an excuse to leave the house - GO!

Very fun and well paced - stay till after the credits for some head scratching spin off thinking!

*** Must See

Rated PG-13(for language, violence & thematic material)

The Invisible Man

After a woman leaves her abusive husband, he commits suicide. She then doubting his death, finds she is still unable to escape the abuse.

Edge of your seat jumpiness - the music is exceptionally creepy and adds to the tense story-line.

Must See ***

Rated R (for language, thematic material, and violence) 

Call of the Wild

Based on the novel by Jack London this is a "disneyfied" version of the story.

It is cute and sweet and very family friendly as it leaves out the much darker elements in the novel.

**1/2 Rentable

Rated PG (for mild language, some violence, peril and thematic elements) 

Downhill

A woman faces the shortcomings of her marriage after her husband runs away from an oncoming avalanche leaving her and their two children behind.

This was good - keep in mind it is NOT a comedy. It has some comedic moments but in spite of its fantastically funny leads this is a drama full of poignant and painfully awkward moments. A remake of the movie Force Majeure it has an tormentingly slow pace that makes the 86 minute movie seem much longer than it actually is.

** 1/2 - Rentable

Rated R (for language) 

Birds of Prey: and the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn

After her explosive breakup with the Joker, Harley Quinn is now the target of every thug in Gotham.

I really wanted to like this but it is so all over the place. It is billed as a flick about a bunch of misfit women that come together to liberate themselves in some form or another. In the end, it has very little to do with the ensemble crew as a whole and is more a cluster of vignettes that are loosely related.

Bound to flop - due to excessive language it received an "R" rating, which in turn immediately blocks its targeted demographic of rebellious teenagers.

*1/2 ~ Barely Rentable

Rated R (for language and comic book violence)