Flash Movie Review: Presence
I WAS CONVINCED THE OUIJA BOARD had all the right answers. My friends and I went through a period when we were using the board every week. I admit I was naïve, but I thought the pointer was moving of its own volition. When we first started using it, I took the pointer and looked for some telltale sign that it used magnets or had some hidden device that moved it across the board but found nothing. Where some friends were asking elaborate questions, I kept my questions to a simple yes or no answer. I wanted to know if I would lose weight during the summer, or whether I would be a writer, or become rich. Out of those three questions I got a YES to all of them except the rich question. It still thrilled me. For several weeks, we enjoyed quizzing the Ouija board. However, it was a Saturday night, where we all got together at one of the friends’ houses for a pizza night, we were in the basement consulting the board when suddenly all the lights went out. It was right when a friend made a snide comment about the board because he did not get an answer he liked. It freaked us all out and we huddled together until our friend’s parents came down the stairs with flashlights. After that episode, we started avoiding the Ouija board. IT WAS NOT UNTIL COLLEGE, WHEN one of my wishes came true. I had lost enough weight to go down a couple of pants sizes. The university allowed first-year students to live off campus in designated apartments and I was lucky enough to have gotten one. The building was more than a few decades old, but I did not mind. I had a studio apartment that shared a communal kitchen with the other apartments on the floor. Saturday nights tended to be quiet since most of the students were out partying. I preferred to stay inside and catch up on my assignments since I was carrying a full load of classes. At first, during those times, I did not pay much attention to the creaks and sounds of the building. But, when a closet or bathroom door in my place slowly creaked with movement, I would get freaked out. There was no logical reason I could produce for the sudden movement of my doors; I would quietly sit still and try to listen to any sound that could help justify the occurrence. It started to feel to me as if there was some type of force that was making the doors move. I do not know if I would call it a presence, but I decided to move at the end of the school year. Having seen this psychological thriller made me wonder if something had happened years ago in my college apartment. HAVING MOVED INTO A NEW HOUSE, a couple of family members began to feel like they were not alone. It would not take long to convince the other family members. With Lucy Liu (Stage Mother, Charlie’s Angels franchise) as Rebekah, Chris Sullivan (Agnes, This is Us-TV) as Chris, Callina Liang (Bad Genius, Tell Me Everything-TV) as Chloe, newcomer Eddy Maday, and West Mulholland (A Great Divide, Dark Harvest) as Ryan; this horror movie directed by Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Let Them All Talk) was not really a horror film in my opinion. However, there was suspense, and I enjoyed the buildup of it. The cast was good, but I did not care for the camera work, where it looked like the camera was following everyone around, with all that comes with it like shakiness and close-ups. It was a shame because I felt those who are sensitive to motion sickness might get uncomfortable watching this picture. The idea of the story was interesting, but the buildup went on too long. I felt there could have been more tension and bigger scares, even though there were a couple of good moments. This was a no-frills movie, no silly or scary creatures or space aliens. I just wished it would have lived up to its hype.
2 stars
Flash Movie Review: Gladiator II
ANGER IS A TOOL THAT IF used carefully can fuel one in their endeavors. I firmly believe this since I am a product and result of it. Going through what I went through in school, my anger was nourished by the abuse and bullying I endured. Every time I was punched, kicked, and called a name, it only made my anger grow larger. Of course, no one saw it because I forced it to stay inside of me. Instead, I would excessively eat to stuff and keep my feelings down inside of me. I know this behavior is both typical and non-typical for others; but for me it worked, though ironically the more I ate to keep my feelings down, the more I was providing ammunition for the abusers and bullies to get meaner towards me. It was a vicious cycle. In the middle of this taking place, I had no idea my anger was plotting and nurturing my dreams, my dreams to just fit in with the rest of the school population. Sure, in my fantasy world I could hit a baseball farther than anyone else at school or be the fastest running back on the football team, but in the real world I felt I stood out because of my size, my hair, and my complexion dotted with acne. I just wanted to be invisible. Unbeknownst to me, anger had a plan. DURING THE EIGHTH GRADE SOMETHING HAPPENED inside of my brain. I wanted to wear clothes like everyone else, since many current fashions did not come in my size. So, I started exercising at home. A book I found at the library had photos with step-by-step instructions of different exercises like jumping jacks and sit-ups. Every day after school I would spend between 30-60 minutes doing various calisthenics. I never wavered or put off my exercising because my anger would not allow me. I wanted to show everyone I was not the things I was being called. My diet drastically changed where I got on this kick to drink hot bouillon for lunch with oyster crackers every day. I had read somewhere about not eating late, so I made a rule to finish eating at least five hours before I had to go to sleep. My other rule which again I had read in some magazine was not to put anything on top of things; in other words, eat a hamburger or hot dog plain with no catsup, mustard, pickles, etc. It took the entire school year and summer to lose weight; so, when it was time to start high school, I felt like I was a different person. This is what anger did for me and if you think that is something, please feel free to see what anger does for the main character in this epic action-adventure film. AFTER HIS HOME AND CITY WERE captured by the Romans, a man was forced to fight for his life in Rome’s colosseum. No one knew this man’s pedigree. With Paul Mescal (All of Us Strangers, Aftersun) as Lucius, Denzel Washington (The Equalizer franchise, The Magnificent Seven) as Macrinus, Pedro Pascal (The Uninvited, The Mandalorian-TV) as General Acacius, Connie Nielsen (Wonder Woman franchise, Role Play) as Lucilla, and Joseph Quinn (Overlord, A Quiet Place: Day One) as Emperor Geta; this drama was meant to be big and bold and seen on the big screen. I enjoyed the way the script wove in the original film’s story into this one where it made perfect sense. The acting was good by all, however, Denzel turned out to be the big eyecatcher of the group. He ate up his scenes. On the downside, the script dragged out the story way too long and had some ridiculous scenes, like the one with the shark(s). There was an overabundance of blood and gore which got tiresome. That with the script being predictable in places, made for a mixed viewing bag for me. This film did not catch all the pomp and glory of the original one.
2 ¾ stars
Flash Movie Review: Nightbitch
THE WOMEN I KNEW IN THE generation before me did not have jobs outside of the home. Most of my friends’ mothers stayed at home taking care of the house and raising the children. It was not until we were in seventh and eighth grade where some mothers went back to the work force. When I was little, I did not comprehend how much work these mothers did, even more with an increase in children in the family. It was not until we were older and would find ourselves, from time to time, sitting with a friend’s mother for a soft drink or dessert that I would comprehend how much these mothers did for their family. Now the interesting thing I noticed about this generation was most of the women gave little thought about having a career. By career, I mean like a lawyer, event planner or sales. Granted it was a different time and that was the norm back then. Adding to it, I honestly do not remember hearing anything about daycare centers where children could be dropped off while the parents were both working. The usual method was to find a neighbor or relative to babysit while the parent ran out to work or do errands. WITH ONE NEW GENERATION, IT BECAME a whole different story regarding having and raising children. The things I have seen and heard from my peers in my generation, many of the households have both parents working. Those who can afford it, send their child to daycare; others create a unique schedule where they can bypass daycare by parents working different shifts. I know one family who did this and when their schedules conflicted, they had one of their parents watch the children. A few of my friends were lucky that their company gave them twelve weeks of maternity leave; other friends chose to quit work by the time of delivery and stay home with their baby. No matter what the option, from what I have seen it is not an easy thing to do. I admire each and everyone of them because to me it is a big undertaking to choose to have a child. And I know for some, it is a struggle just based on being a witness to the people in my circles. One friend, who was an avid reader, had to spend several years only reading children’s books. By the time she had some free time, she was too tired to read any of her books. Being a parent is certainly not an easy job and if you do not believe me, see what happens in this dark comedy horror film. FROM A THRIVING CAREER IN THE art world to becoming a stay-at-home mom, a woman begins to feel primal urges she has never felt before. With Any Adams (The Fighter, The Woman in the Window) as Mother, Scoot McNairy (Speak No Evil, Luckiest Girl Alive) as Husband, Jessica Harper (Phantom of the Paradise, Shock Treatment) as Norma, Zoe Chao (Downhill, The Afterparty-TV) as Jen, and Mary Holland (Senior Year, Happiest Season) as Miriam; this movie’s lifesaver was Amy Adams. For me, it was pretty much the only thing. I found the script weird, not knowing if it wanted to be a satire, dark comedy, or horror film; it just never committed fully to a genre. I could have gotten into the satire and dark comedy, but the whole feral thing was a dud for me. I did think the directing and pacing were good; however, when one is sitting and wondering if this is going to be a take on a Franz Kafka story or a Saturday Night Live skit, it caused me not to be 100% into the story. If this had been a babysitting job, I would have passed it up.
1 ¾ stars
Flash Movie Review: September 5
I HONESTLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT attracted me to the television show. It may be partially the opening music, or the host, or the ability to see different states and countries. All I know is every Saturday afternoon, I would never leave the house because it was vital I sat down and watched The Wide World of Sports on ABC-TV. There was something about individuals competing against each other that first attracted me. Next, it was seeing sporting events that were never part of my elementary school’s curriculum, things like fencing and bobsledding. Everything taught in my physical education class was based on a team mentality. There was football, basketball, and baseball; the three prominent sports that overshadowed anything else being offered. I have often wondered why I am attracted more to individual sports instead of team/group sports. During my PE classes, I always hated the team activities, whether it was a baseball team or four-man relay running race. If I were to analyze myself, I would say part of the reason had to do with my self-image. Being heavier than most of the other students, I was usually picked last or close to last. Seeing how teammates would react not only to me or to anyone who did not catch, hit, or throw the ball to help in scoring was made to feel like a loser. Plus, the worst thing of all was having done something that caused your team to lose the competition in the final minutes of the game; I always tried to avoid being involved during that time. When you hear the comments over and over, you start to believe them. FOR ALL MY YEARS OF WATCHING Wide World of Sports, I have seen every Olympics game they televised. Host Jim McKay was the face of the television show; he felt like one of my parents’ friends, there was comfort in seeing him each week. His excitement and joy in reporting such a variety of different sports made me feel just as excited, even if I did not understand the rules of a game. It was okay if I did not understand because Jim and the other commentators always made sure their viewers understood what they were watching. For the 1972 Olympics, though my memory may not be rock solid, I certainly recall the monumental events that Jim and his team were televising around the world. A sporting event that had the pristine honor of bringing athletes from all over the world to one place for a common purpose was hopeful and inspiring. Suddenly, that all changed with the actions that took place at this Olympics. Whether your memory is crystal clear or vague about these games, it is an achievement to see how the director and writers show a different side to the events that are etched in so many people’s minds in this dramatic history thriller. AS THE ONLY TELEVISION CREW BROADCASTING live at the 1972 summer Olympics, the crew found themselves in the middle of a news shattering event that would take all the newspeople’s skills to manage the situation while live on television. With Peter Sarsgaard (The Survivor, The Lost Daughter) as Roone Arledge, John Magaro (Past Lives, Day of the Fight) as Geoffrey Mason, Ben Chaplin (Birthday Girl, Roads) as Marvin Bader, Leonie Benesch (The White Ribbon, The Teachers’ Lounge) as Marianne Gebhardt, and Zinedine Soualem (You Promised Me the Sea, Jasper) as Jacques Lesgards; this docudrama was a tight production that gave the viewer a new point of view from what they would have seen for themselves. I thought the acting was perfect as well as the sets. And I must commend the editing department because the switches between the current and archival footage were seamless. Though I could recall some of the activities that were taking place back then, the writers were smart to show them to us through the eyes of the television crew because it added to the suspense and tension. If awards were to be given out, I would give this movie a gold medal.
3 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: Back in Action
WHEN I AM ASKED HOW I keep my weight off, I tell them I exercise a lot. This usually satisfies the curious individuals. If the person is persistent and asks me what I do, I usually tell them I do a variety of cardio activities like cycling and power walking. When I say this, it usually goes one of two ways; the person is satisfied, or they ask me where I find the time. It is at this point I tell them it is because I am a fitness and yoga instructor. Some people upon hearing this want to tell me what they do or do not do for exercising; I am fine with either way. For some reason, people think I am judging them and that is not the case at all. Even in my yoga classes when participants come up and ask me how many times a week, they should do yoga, I tell them not to give themselves a number per week. Instead, I tell them to see how each day feels and see where doing yoga can make a difference for them. If they do it twice a week, then fine; if they do it every day, then fine as well. I tell them they must decide how they want to age through life; do they plan on being sedentary or active? Upon hearing this answer, each person I see is giving it serious thought. IT IS NOT LIKE I AM embarrassed telling people I am a fitness instructor; I prefer not saying anything because of people’s pre-conceived notions of what a fitness instructor is supposed to be. Or, I have people wanting to share their love/hate relationship with exercise and food. I have had individuals come up to me, knowing I am in the fitness industry, and share their medical ailments or history, looking to me to direct them or to corroborate their doctor’s advice. It is one thing to come up to me before a yoga class and tell me you have issues with, let us say, carpal tunnel syndrome, so I can be aware of it and offer them different options when doing a pose that involves their wrists or putting pressure on their hands. But when they tell me they have, for example, Meniere’s disease or Lupus, I always ask if their doctor said it was okay to participate in this class. So, this is why when I am not at the fitness center, I do not always mention in conversation that I am a fitness/yoga instructor. This is why I could relate in a way to the main characters in this action, spy comedy. FORMER CIA SPIES WHO EVERYONE BELIEVES are dead, gets their cover blown one night at a nightclub. How will they explain this to their children? With Jamie Foxx (Day Shift, The Burial) as Matt, Cameron Diaz (Annie, The Other Woman) as Emily, McKenna Roberts (Skyscraper, The Young and the Restless-TV) as Alice, Rylan Jackson (Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves) as Leo, and Kyle Chandler (Slumberland, The Midnight Sky) as Chuck; this action comedy was Cameron’s first film role in ten years and she has not lost her touch. Her chemistry with Jamie is what made the script in this film tolerable. There was nothing new added to this type of spy comedy as the story followed a generic template. At least the action scenes, which were many, were good and fun, and the banter going back and forth between Jamie and Cameron added a little extra spark. I wished the writers would have added a few twists into the story line to make this movie more interesting; but they did not, so the picture was average. And instead of tagging it a comedy, maybe the studio should consider using the term amusing.
2 stars
Flash Movie Review: Joy
WHEN I SEE A COUPLE WITH a new baby, I have no idea if the baby was conceived by them, adopted, birthed by a surrogate, or assisted by in vitro fertilization. It does not matter to me; I could not care in the least. The fact that a person wants to have and raise a child is a monumental commitment, a sacrifice in some way and comes with having an abundance of love. I do not know if it is odd or not, but growing up, I do not think anyone in my classes was anything but naturally conceived by their parents. Granted, I was not privy of any conversations and back then, people may have not wanted to share this information with outsiders. Regarding surrogates and IVF, I do not know if there were even options back then because I had never heard of such things. The only example I can recall was when I was six or seven years old, and I was told a family member was going to be a mother. The fact that I had recently seen her, I was stunned to hear the news and commented that she did not look any larger to me. Relatives had to explain to me what was adoption. After they felt like I understood what they were saying to me, I asked when the baby was arriving. THROUGH THE YEARS, I HAVE WITNESSED such a variety of different behaviors from adults when it came to either having children or their children having children; the actions run the gamut of sad to exuberant. One couple I know disowned their son because he was going to marry a woman who had diabetes. The couple was against it because they did not want their grandchild becoming a diabetic. I was flabbergasted. On the other hand, I knew a couple that desperately wanted to have a child but for whatever reason, they would not consider adoption since they could not conceive. They tried for years but to no avail. I am embarrassed to say this, but I felt it was a good thing, because they did not have the personality or internal makeup to be a parent, in my opinion. One of the reasons I say this is because I believe when one is selfish and a narcissist, they cannot be a good parent. However, I know none of this is my business; whatever a couple needs to do or not do regarding children is up to them, not me nor anyone else. When I was little, I remember hearing about baby Louise; but I had no idea so many people had an opinion about what it took for her to get born, since I have now seen what was taking place back then, in this biographical drama based on a true story. A YOUNG NURSE, SCIENTIST AND SURGEON agree to work tougher to help couples who wish to have a child. They were not prepared for the amount of resistance coming from so many different factions of society. With Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit, Lost Girls) as Jean Purdy, James Norton (Little Women, Mr. Jones) as Bob Edwards, Bill Nighy (The First Omen, The Beautiful Game) as Patrick Steptoe, Rish Shah (India Sweets and Spices, Sitting in Bars with Cake) as Arun, and Adrian Lukis (The Boys in the Boat, Judy) as Professor Mason; this movie succeeded due to the cast, especially Thomasin and Adrian, and the incredible true story. I thought the pacing worked well with the mix of scenes. There was drama, tension, excitement, and sadness all mixed within the script, though I do not know how much of it was true. But it did not matter, I felt the writers presented a heartfelt story that was captivating and touching. And the result was they and everyone else involved created a movie that provided the back story to a medical miracle that is now available to thousands today.
3 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: The Room Next Door
I CONSIDERED MYSELF LUCKY THAT I did not have to encounter death until I was thirteen years old. A close relative had passed away in what I now consider to be a quick manner. There was no sign or diagnosis of poor health; it was a heart attack and a couple of days later they were gone. The reason I feel I was lucky is because I had friends who had to deal with death at a much younger age than me. One friend’s father died during the fourth grade and another friend’s brother died when we were in the sixth grade. Us being at such an early age, my classmates and I did not have the skills to be as supportive as I learned at an older age. My friend was out of school for one week and upon his return, me along with other classmates rushed up to him when he walked through the doors of our classroom. Some kids asked him how it was to be out of school for the week; other kids felt the need to tell him what things he missed in our social activities as opposed to our educational ones. Of course, many of us expressed our sympathy by quietly saying we were sorry. Our friend took everything in stride, though looking back, I believe they were still in a state of shock. Their brother was only two years younger than us. IT WAS NOT UNTIL I WAS older that I experienced or better said, witnessed a death that was not sudden. The person lingered for months as they slowly wasted away. To this day I vividly see the image of them lying in a hospital bed as the nurse was rubbing an ice chip around their lips before they would accept it into their mouth, allowing it to melt to try and keep them hydrated. It was awful and I stayed as long as I could before departing. Watching them die was the catalyst for me to look at death differently. Keeping a person alive at all cost mentality was no longer a viable option for me. Seeing someone suffering for a long duration with no chance of recovery was inhumane to me. And especially if the person wanted to end their life while they still had some dignity was something in which I could believe. At first, when I broached this topic with family members, they thought I was a monster. Granted they were raised to respect life by helping the ill person maintain their time on the planet, but I knew their minds could change once they experienced what I went through with this person dying in the hospital. This is why I appreciated the story line in this dramatic film festival winning movie by award winning writer and director Pedro Almodovar. AFTER RECONNECTING AFTER A LONG separation, two friends embark on a getaway trip that might allow only one of them to return. With Julianne Moore (May December, Dear Evan Hansen) as Ingrid, Tilda Swinton (The Killer, The End) as Martha, John Turturro (The Batman, Fading Gigolo) as Damian, Alessandro Nivola (Amsterdam, The Brutalist) as the policeman and Juan Diego Botto (The Suicide Squad, On the Fringe) as the photographer; this film had the perfect casting of Julianne and Tilda. They were wonderful in their roles and made it look effortless to the point one thought they had this long-term friendship. There was an even pace in the direction which allowed time for the story to breathe as it was filled with the words from the thoughtful and sensitive script. Though there were a couple of predictable scenes, I enjoyed how the story, augmented with a large colorful palette, made it seem like we were allowed in to witness the intimacies shared by two old friends. For this being Pedro’s first English speaking film, he certainly was able to achieve the nuances and empathy between these two friends. And I certainly respected the decisions that were made in this picture.
3 ¼ stars
Flash Movie Review: Unstoppable
EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE OKAY ALL through the pregnancy, but after the birth it was obvious something was not right. I was not there but heard about it through friends. None of us knew what to do or how to offer help, so we waited for updates from the new parents. All we knew was the baby had physical issues that required surgery; the mental issues would become apparent soon after. In a situation like this, my friends and I decided not to send a gift like we had done in the past to our friends who became parents. This was more of a wait and see situation and the wait was long. The first time the parents reached out to us was three months after the birth. The updated news was sad. It turns out the baby was born with broken chromosomes, no fault of either parent. It was a rare genetic disorder that caused the break. Because of this, the baby was given only seven months to live. The news was devastating. The doctors said even if the lifespan were longer, the baby would never grow to a full height and weight, plus the mental capacity would remain close to the level of an infant. It goes without saying the parents were heartbroken; however, they decided to do whatever they could to give the best quality of life to their baby as long as it was necessary. SEVEN MONTHS PASSED AND THE BABY was still alive. The parents had to hire help since portions of the baby’s care required medically trained individuals. It was not until the baby was two years old before any of us got to see her. She was strapped into a baby stroller. The only verbal communication she offered was blowing raspberries and grunting. She looked more like an infant than a two-year-old. The latest prognosis from the doctors was she would live for only another two years. Seeing what the parents were doing for her, I understood why she was living longer than expected. The four-year mark passed, and she was still alive. When talking to the parents they were thrilled to have figured out what her different vocalizations meant by trial and error. Certain sounds were uttered when she was hungry; others were used to getting attention or to getting something. It was extraordinary; it was almost like a secret code. It is now twenty years and that baby that was not supposed to live past several months was still alive. She still looked and acted like an infant, needing diapers changed and being fed; however, the parents found joy in what was originally an unbelievably horrifying situation. A parent’s love is truly forged with iron will and dedication. It can be seen in this dramatic sports movie. DESPITE BEING BORN WITH ONLY ONE leg, a young man believes they can become a wrestler. His mother certainly was a believer. With Jharrel Jerome (Moonlight, Concrete Cowboy) as Anthony Robles, Jennifer Lopez (Atlas, Shotgun Wedding) as Judy Robles, Michael Pena (A Million Miles Away, Secret Headquarters) as Coach Bobby Williams, Don Cheadle (White Noise, Black Monday-TV) as Coach Shawn Charles, and Bobby Cannavale (Old Dads, Oll Swell in New York) as Rick Robles; this film based on a true story followed a similar sports hero template. However, it was done in a straightforward way, without having syrupy dramatic effects, which made it a moving experience. And I must add, I have seen this man wrestle, and it is incredible to watch him. The story may come across as your typical working-class tale, but with Jennifer’s and Jharrel’s performances it made this a must-see experience. I was totally into this picture. And one of the coolest parts was knowing Anthony was the stunt double. This was an inspirational story that shows how a mother’s love is the perfect foundation for a child to believe in themselves.
3 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: Hot Frosty
SHE SAID SHE COULD NEVER LOVE again, but I knew better. My friend had recently come out of a bad breakup, where her boyfriend had been cheating on her. They had been dating for five years, the last two living together. He moved out and she made sure he took not only all his stuff, but other things that she did not want around that would remind her of him. I was her emotional support through her anger and grief periods. Presently, she was working her way out from the bottom of her emotions, coming to terms with moving forward in life alone. She expressed how she could not go through such pain again and wanted to start focusing on things that would not only occupy her mind but if possible, bring her happiness. I understood how she was feeling because I had been in the same situation a couple of times, where I thought everything was going well until it was not. I was in two love relationships where I was cheated on, and let me tell you, it does a real number on one’s ability to trust anyone again. Just like my friend was beginning her period of rebuilding, I have done the same thing. My way was alternating periods of solitude with busy social activities. The hardest thing for me, which I believed would be the same for my friend, was breaking up the old routines I shared with my past partners. It took introducing new activities, new ways of thinking to get to a point where I would feel twinges of peaceful comfort. THE NEXT TIME I MET UP with my friend, she was in a better place. It had been a few months after her horrific breakup. It looked like she had lost some weight which she confirmed when she said she had been working out regularly. We were standing in line to place our order, she was in front of me. Besides those standing in line, there were customers walking in to look at the menu chart before getting in line. A guy who had been standing off to her side, turned and asked if she had ever tried their salads. She politely said yes and offered up her top two favorites. A couple of more words were exchanged before he thanked her and got into line. We soon placed our orders and sat down at a table. Not long after, the man who asked her about the salads chose a table near us. By the time we started on our dessert, after eating our main course, the guy came over to thank her for the suggestions for the salads; he enjoyed it. They chatted about the food as I detected a bit of flirting was taking place. Hopefully, he saw my wedding ring and she eventually introduced me to him as her best friend. Before I knew it, he asked her if she would like to have dinner later in the week. I waited to hear her answer and was happy she said yes. Such a random moment led to a dinner date. I think it is one of the best ways to meet someone, but this romantic comedy fantasy has a different spin on it that I was curious to see. STILL MOURNING THE DEATH OF HER husband, a restaurant owner unknowingly magically brings a snowman to life. Would there be time to get to know each other before he melts, though? With Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls, Lost in Space) as Kathy Barrett, Dustin Milligan (Running on Empty, Schitt’s Creek-TV) as Jack Snowman, Chrishell Stause (Staged Killer, Selling Sunset-TV) as Jan, Joe Lo Truglio (Role Models, Superbad) as Deputy Sheriff Ed Schatz, and Craig Robinson (Hot Tub Time Machine franchise, My Spy the Eternal City) as Sheriff Nathaniel Hunter; this film knew what it was and did not make any apologies for it. The story followed a simple template, but the sweetness and magical holiday spirit made for an easy viewing experience. The acting was okay, though I thought Craig’s character was out of place because of the cartoonish take on it. Outside of that, the writers wanted and for the most part created a fantasy that had a warm message wrapped inside of it. There was nothing fancy about this production; all it wanted to do was to touch people’s hearts.
2 ¼ stars
Flash Movie Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING BETWEEN his father and him, but I did not want to pry. We had known each other for some years and all that time I never met his folks. They lived out of state, and he would always be the one to travel to them for the holidays. We met at a coffee shop for a light lunch since we had not seen each other in a while. As soon as he walked in, I could tell something was wrong. He sat done; the first thing out of his mouth was telling me how ticked off he was at his father. I asked him why, and what happened. What he told me would upset me as well. It turns out, his father was always doing something to try and make a quick buck. One year he took funds out of the savings account and put a deposit down on a heat press transfer machine. I had to ask him what kind of machine was it. He said it was used to print things on T-shirts; his dad thought he could start an online presence to sell T-shirts he designed and made, using the machine. When I asked what kind of designs, my friend said his dad thought he was funny and could write jokes on the shirts and do others with different landscapes and artwork from a program that was included in his purchase. The online business never made money and eventually the father sold the machine used back to the company where he purchased it. THE THING MY FRIEND WAS UPSET about this time was his father had depleted most of his parents’ retirement funds to invest it in a company that was about to go public. His father thought it was a “sure thing” that would yield a huge gain. Like every investment he had made, as I soon found out, it failed. The company never went public, and the owners were nowhere to be found. All the investors lost their money and now his parents had no retirement funds to live on. I finally understood why my friend had issues with his dad. I asked what his mom thought of all these losses, and he said she was frustrated, toying with the idea of divorcing him; but she did not know how she would survive on her own. It was a sad situation; I felt bad for the mother. My friend said he was talking to his siblings to see what they could do to help the situation. He added, he grew up thinking his dad was the smartest person in the world, but then found out in his adult life it was not true. I offered dads are human just like everyone else; they can easily make mistakes and do crazy things. The perfect example of this can be found right here in this action, adventure fantasy. WHEN A NEW THREAT APPEARS ON Earth, it would force Sonic, voiced by Ben Schwartz (Renfield, Parks and Recreation-TV), and his friends to team up with the most unlikely being to try and save the planet. With Jim Carrey (Dark Crimes, Dumb and Dumber franchise) as Ivo Robotnik, Keanu Reeves (John Wick franchise, The Matrix franchise) voicing Shadow, Idris Elba (Beast, Three Thousand Years of Longing) voicing Knuckles, and Colleen O’Shaughnessey (Murder and Cocktails, Tails Tube-TV) voicing Tails; this latest in the franchise was more of the same. The action spreads out through the entire picture, with the same humor and predicaments. I was bored at times. The cast, both live and voices, were fine; though, I thought Jim Carrey was trying too hard to make his character a bit different this time. He appeared to mug and adlib for many of his scenes. I felt the script needed a rewrite with a better plot. I do not know if the investors in this film will break even. There were two extra scenes during the closing credits.
2 stars
moviejoltz 