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Category: New Releases

  • Barbie (2023)

    Barbie (2023)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]In 1959, American businesswoman Ruth Handler created Barbie, a doll made for little girls based on Germany’s Bild Lilli. Ruth’s husband Elliot co-founded the toy company Mattel, so she brought the doll to him, and the rest is history. Since its inception, Mattel has sold over a billion Barbie dolls and just as many accessories, clothes, vehicles, etc. In 2009, Mattel announced that Universal would work on a live-action movie, but nothing came of it. Sony Pictures was brought on to produce in 2014, with Amy Schumer and Anne Hathaway both in talks to star. Unfortunately, numerous delays led to Mattel reacquiring the rights and partnering with Warner Bros, leading to Margot Robbie being cast. Also serving as a producer, Robbie hired Greta Gerwig to direct, who agreed if her partner Noah Baumbach co-wrote. Following a few reshoots, Barbie finally hit the silver screen in July 2023.

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    Synopsis

    Life in Barbieland is splendid as Barbie (Margot Robbie) lives her days with her fellow Barbies and Ken (Ryan Gosling). However, things turn sour when Barbie starts asking about death, her routine is thrown off, and her feet go flat. She consults Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon) for help, and Weird Barbie suggests she find the child playing with her. With Ken stowing away in her car, Barbie travels to Venice Beach, where they almost immediately get arrested. While Barbie looks for her owner, Ken wanders off and learns about the patriarchy, leaving Barbie to spread the word. Elsewhere, Barbie and Ken’s antics get the attention of Mattel’s CEO (Will Ferrell), who’s determined to bring them in. Soon, Barbie finds her owner, Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt), who drops some harsh truths on her, making her question her existence. Things only worsen once Barbie sees what Ken has done to their home.

     

    Review

    To get this out of the way, Barbie is a feminist “take down the patriarchy” movie through and through. I’m not here to discuss gender politics, societal roles, or anything like that, so I’m not getting into that. As to the movie itself, I think there’s a lot to like about it, from the performances to the directing. First, I can’t think of anyone other than Margot Robbie playing a live-action Barbie, and she nails it. Not only does she look and fit the part, but she has a great character arc as her worldview expands. Ryan Gosling steals the show as Ken and shows off his comedic talent through his back-and-forths with Robbie. He’s hilarious when he’s just Ken and even funnier once he brings the patriarchy back to Barbieland. Also, Michael Cera is memorable as the even more forgotten Alan, somehow more pathetic than Ken.

    The production design for Barbieland is a sight to behold, feeling like a dollhouse come to life. It reminds me of the neighborhood from Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands, looking so idyllic that it’s almost creepy. It’s a great contrast to the mundanity of Los Angeles, though I almost wish more time was spent in Barbieland. While some jokes land, quite a few miss the mark and go overboard explaining the joke. Sometimes, it feels like the filmmakers interrupt the movie to preach about gender equality and women’s rights. Also, so many characters are packed in that it can be overwhelming, especially when most have the same name. At slightly under two hours long, there isn’t a ton of padding, and it moves at a decent pace. Overall, Barbie has some good qualities, but some material might be somewhat offputting for certain audience members.

     

    Buy Barbie from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YMAjrp.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Oppenheimer (2023)

    Oppenheimer (2023)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]While working on Tenet, Robert Pattinson gifted director Christopher Nolan a book containing speeches from theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. This sparked Nolan’s interest in Oppenheimer’s history, the creation of the atomic bomb, and the consequences of those actions. After announcing the project’s development in 2021, Nolan read the 2005 biography American Prometheus and based his screenplay on that. Around this time, he cut ties with Warner Bros. after they decided to release movies theatrically and on streaming simultaneously. A bidding war over the script ensued, with Universal coming out the winner and agreeing to Nolan’s stipulations. With a $100 million budget, the movie was shot between February and May 2022, mostly in and around New Mexico. The film featured an all-star cast including Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr, and Florence Pugh. After an extensive post-production period, Oppenheimer premiered at Le Grand Rex in July 2023.

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    Synopsis

    After earning his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Göttingen, J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) returns to the US. He teaches quantum physics at the University of California, Berkeley, and Caltech and eventually marries Katherine “Kitty” Puening (Emily Blunt). While teaching, Oppenheimer is visited by General Leslie Groves (Matt Damon), who wants him to develop an atomic bomb. Fueled by his hatred of Nazis and their Antisemitism, plus his Jewish background, Oppenheimer agrees and starts assembling a team. With some government funding, a small town is built in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and work on the bomb commences. Their work culminates in the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which leads to Oppenheimer speaking against developing nuclear weapons. This makes the once-renowned physicist a suspect as the government questions his loyalty to the US, given his communist ties. Will Oppenheimer be remembered as an innovator or a traitor?

     

    Review

    Writing a review of Oppenheimer will be difficult because there is so much more that works here than not. First, Cillian Murphy delivers the best performance of his career as the man behind the atomic bomb. He’s very logical and calculating but never comes off as stiff and robotic, showing plenty of emotion throughout his struggles. Whether he’s delivering a monologue or not saying a word, you can feel the emotion in Murphy’s eyes. The rest of the cast does a phenomenal job, with Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, and Florence Pugh standing out. Whether or not you’re a Christopher Nolan fan, you can’t deny that his films look fantastic; this is no exception. The fact that hardly any CGI was used makes the movie feel more natural and adds a more significant impact. The level of detail in the Los Alamos set alone is a testament to Nolan’s commitment.

    One thing going into this movie I didn’t expect was its non-linear storytelling, but it worked for me. The switch between color and black-and-white helps separate which scenes are happening when, but I can understand people getting confused. Also, the movie isn’t just telling the story of how the bomb was built, but also the before and after. It’s a biopic that’s also a character study that turns into a courtroom drama, but it’s handled well. When the film gets to the bomb, it’s quiet mainly, making it all the more impactful. The movie does delve into the politics surrounding the bomb and Oppenheimer, but it never bogs the material. While the three-hour runtime will put off most audiences, it’s an incredible three hours you should experience. Overall, Oppenheimer is Christopher Nolan’s best movie and one of the best movies of 2023 so far.

     

    Buy Oppenheimer from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Cbld5W.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Blade: The Iron Cross (2020)

    Blade: The Iron Cross (2020)

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    After 2017’s Puppet Master: Axis Termination closed out The Axis Trilogy, the long-running franchise was put on hold. In 2018, the famous horror magazine Fangoria released a soft reboot called Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich with Band producing. The following year, Charles Band announced The Deadly Ten, a series of ten films produced in-house at Full Moon. The first two titles announced, Weedjies: Halloweed Night and Necropolis: Legion, were released in October and November 2019, respectively. Another film announced for The Deadly Ten was a Puppet Master spin-off directed by John Lechago of Killjoy 3 fame. The movie would be a direct continuation of The Axis Trilogy that focused on the iconic puppet, Blade. While initially scheduled for a December 2019 release, the film was pushed back to the following year. In mid-2020, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Blade: The Iron Cross slashed onto Full Moon’s streaming service.

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    Synopsis

    Young psychic Elisa Ivanov (Tania Fox) works as a reporter while holding onto Andre Toulon’s puppets. Elsewhere, Ingenieur Erich Hauser (Roy Abramsohn) has synthesized Toulon’s life-giving serum to create an army of the undead. Hauser has discovered that he can harness bio-energy to bring the recently dead back to life after experiencing intense drama. Unfortunately for him, his experiments lead to several bodies turning up, which Elisa and photographer Barney (Griffin Blazi) discover. Meanwhile, Detective Joe Gray (Vincent Cusimano) also investigates the bodies and discovers the Nazis’ involvement. With their army of the undead rising, Elisa uses her psychic abilities to reawaken Blade to battle the Nazis. Hauser’s ultimate plan is to transmit a Death Ray to wipe out humanity and turn them into zombies. It’s up to a psychic, a photographer, a detective, and a puppet to save the world.

     

    Review

    While Blade: The Iron Cross isn’t the return to form fans might’ve hoped for, it’s not without its merits. For one, gorehounds will appreciate how bloody this movie is, with every throat slash resulting in gallons of blood. Also, it was wise for them to use Blade as the central figure since he’s arguably the most iconic puppet. The cast all do a decent job, with Tania Fox and Vincent Cusimano being the highlights. Roy Abramsohn makes for a proper lead villain, chewing up as much scenery as possible. Speaking of scenery, while the sets reveal the film’s low budget, they’re unique enough to add variety. Admittedly, the film doesn’t have the flair John Lechago lent to the Killjoy sequels, but it has some moody lighting. Lastly, the movie is short, clocking in at roughly 70 minutes, much less than the last film.

    Unfortunately, that’s where any positives I can glean from this anemic spin-off end, as this is ultimately a disappointment. Sure, the series dropped in quality after Puppet Master 5: The Final Chapter, but some entries were decent. While this one isn’t a glorified clip show, this spin-off shows how much the series has gone downhill. For one, Blade barely appears in the movie, which happens to feature his name in the title. Some technical problems pop up, such as establishing shots featuring a modern-looking city despite the 1945 setting. Plus, some scenes have an actor donning a Blade costume since they couldn’t afford stop-motion, and it sticks out. But what kills this spin-off’s potential is that it’s boring, which is the worst thing a movie can be. Overall, Blade: The Iron Cross isn’t the worst, but this iconic killer puppet deserved better.

     

    Buy Blade: The Iron Cross from Amazon: https://amzn.to/44BQ8Bk.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Sound of Freedom (2023)

    Sound of Freedom (2023)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Monteverde made a considerable splash with his 2006 directorial debut Bella, which earned top honors at TIFF. Monteverde followed this up with the 2015 WWII drama Little Boy, which received negative reviews and underperformed financially. Around this time, he and co-writer Rod Barr started writing a script about anti-human trafficking activist Tim Ballard. The screenplay was a biopic about his life, specifically how he went from Homeland Security officer to human rights activist. Ballard requested Jim Caviziel to portray him after enjoying his role in 2002’s The Count of Monte Cristo. The movie was shot in 2018 with 20th Century Fox distributing, only to be shelved once Disney acquired Fox. After the producers repurchased the rights, they searched for a distributor for the next five years before finding Angel Studios. After numerous delays, Sound of Freedom finally hit theaters on July 4th, 2023.

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    Synopsis

    Homeland Security agent Tim Ballard (Jim Caviezel) is tasked with tracking down pedophiles and anyone distributing child pornography. While he can put several offenders behind bars, he’s upset that he hasn’t saved a single child. Ballard decides to trick Ernst Ohinsky (Kris Avedisian) into meeting child trafficker Earl Buchanan (Gary Basaraba), arresting them both. Through Buchanan’s arrest, Ballard saves Miguel (Lucás Ávila), a Honduran child kidnapped with his sister Rocío (Cristal Aparicio). Ballard promises Miguel and his father Roberto (José Zúñiga) to find Rocío and flies to Cartagena to pursue a lead. After meeting with former cartel member Vampiro (Bill Camp), Ballard establishes a fake club for a sting operation. Despite his boss Frost (Kurt Fuller) telling him to pull the plug, Ballard is determined to bring Rocío home. He’ll go beyond the call of duty, so Rocío and thousands of children will sing the Sound of Freedom.

     

    Review

    Sound of Freedom is a movie I had never heard before until it exploded out of nowhere on the internet. I hadn’t seen a single trailer for this, but I got curious once I saw several YouTube videos discussing it. Having seen it, I can see why it’s getting so much attention, and there are good qualities to be found. Alejandro Monteverde does a competent job behind the camera and remains reserved with the material. It would’ve been easy to slip into exploitation territory, but he gives us just enough to infer what’s happening. Also, Jim Caviezel gives what’s easily one of the best performances of his career, and he cares about the material. His biggest strength is conveying a wide range of emotions at once through his eyes without saying a word. Granted, most of his dialogue sounds like lines explicitly made for the trailer.

    Another highlight is Bill Camp, playing a former cartel boss dedicated to saving children from captivity. He provides some levity while remembering when to pull back the comedy and get serious. I also have to commend Cristal Aparicio and Lucás Ávila for what had to be a challenging role. The rest of the supporting cast is good, though Mira Sorvino and Kurt Fuller don’t contribute much. Like many “based on a true story” movies, this one embellishes plenty of details, which hurts the central message. As many have pointed out, this movie doesn’t accurately portray the reality of child trafficking, instead reinforcing Hollywood stereotypes. While I commend the filmmakers for spotlighting this issue, I urge you to research before saying you know better. Overall, Sound of Freedom is a decent thriller, but it doesn’t fully address the reality of the situation.

     

    Buy Sound of Freedom from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CcyE5w.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

    Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]On a $178 million budget, Mission: Impossible – Fallout grossed over $790 million worldwide, becoming the eighth highest-grossing film of 2018. Additionally, the movie earned some of the franchise’s best reviews, topping off with a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In 2019, Tom Cruise announced that the next two installments would be shot back-to-back with Christopher McQuarrie returning to direct. Filming was supposed to start in February 2020, but production was pushed back due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Beginning in September 2020, the movie was shot in and around Italy, the UK, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates. With a roughly $291 million budget, this became one of the most expensive films ever made. The movie was initially supposed to come out in May 2022 but was replaced with Top Gun: Maverick. After five years, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One finally hit theaters in July 2023.

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    Synopsis

    IMF Agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is tasked with retrieving half of a cruciform key from an old friend. Said old friend, Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), has a huge bounty placed on her head, and Hunt rescues her. Later, he crashes a meeting with the U.S. Intelligence Community and confronts his superior, Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny). Kittridge explains that the key is somehow connected to “The Entity,” an advanced AI that’s gone rogue and become sentient. Hunt reunites with his old friends Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) to hunt down the key. Along the way, he runs into Grace (Hayley Atwell), a pickpocket who snatches the key before escaping to Rome. At the same time, The Entity has tasked Gabriel (Esai Morales) and his assassin Paris (Pom Klementieff) to stop Hunt. With everyone after him, Ethan is determined to get the key and kill The Entity.

     

    Review

    It’s incredible that the Mission: Impossible series has been going on for this long and keeps improving. Once again, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One delivers everything an excellent action movie should. You’ve got many great action sequences involving car chases, alleyway fights, desert shootouts, and a climax on a runaway train. As always, Tom Cruise delivers a charismatic performance and does some crazy, death-defying stunts that top what he did before. Series newcomer Hayley Atwell also does a great job and has fantastic chemistry with Cruise. Returning cast members Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Rebecca Ferguson are as dependable as ever and get their shining moments. It’s great to see Henry Czerny returning to play Kittridge after playing him in the original 1996 film. Pom Klementieff stands out as the silent but deadly assassin Paris, who comes off as intimidating without saying much.

    Admittedly, the one outlier in the cast is Esai Morales as the villain Gabriel, a former ally of Ethan’s. His performance isn’t terrible, but there’s not much to the character that makes him very interesting or memorable. The plot has so many twists that it can be hard to follow, and several scenes are just exposition dialogue. In its defense, many other films in the series had convoluted stories, so it’s not exclusive to this one. Also, at two hours and forty-three minutes, the film runs longer than it should, and some scenes could’ve been trimmed. Regardless, this is still an excellent action film with huge stakes, big set pieces, and engaging characters you’re invested in. Considering this is part one, I’m curious and excited to see how the second half ties into this one. Overall, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One proves the franchise is still strong.

     

    Buy Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4f97NWz.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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    Where to watch Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

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  • Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

    Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Against a $185 million budget, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull grossed over $790 million worldwide. While the film received decent critical reviews, audiences weren’t as kind to it, with many longtime fans feeling disappointed. Since Spielberg and Lucas’ original deal with Paramount was for five films, they started brainstorming potential ideas in 2008. Harrison Ford was entirely on board to return to the iconic role, feeling the last movie wasn’t a definitive conclusion. Unfortunately, the project languished in development hell until Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2012, acquiring Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Spielberg was initially set to direct but stepped down in 2020 and was replaced by James Mongold. The movie was shot in the UK, Italy, and Morocco from June 2021 to February 2022 for $295 million. After premiering at Cannes, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny hit worldwide theaters in June 2023.

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    Synopsis

    Set in 1969, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) lives in New York City and has recently retired from teaching. He’s visited by his goddaughter Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), who wants him to help her find Archimedes’ Dial. Her father, Basil (Toby Jones), had been studying it since he and Indy took it from the Nazis in 1944. Unfortunately, his obsession drove him mad, so he wanted Indy to destroy it, but Indy instead kept it hidden. It turns out that a former Nazi scientist named Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen) is after the Dial. Since Indy and Basil only found half of it, Voller and his men are hunting for the other half. Through some mishaps, Indy and Helena team up to search for the second half of the Dial. It’s a race against time to retrieve the Dial before the Nazis can use it to rewrite history.

     

    Review

    Compared to his previous adventure, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is better but not without flaws. For one, this film is unnecessarily long at over two and a half hours, longer than the other installments. Several chase sequences dragged out too long and could’ve been trimmed considerably, and not much would’ve been missed. Also, while she has her moments, Phoebe Waller-Bridge comes off as smug and egotistical in an annoying way. Willie Scott was annoying in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, but that was played for laughs. The filmmakers wanted something similar to Marion Ravenwood from Raiders of the Lost Ark, but it didn’t quite work. Speaking of characters, several side characters are introduced only to be quickly tossed aside, such as Antonio Banderas’ Renaldo. Plus, without going into spoilers, some plot elements don’t mesh as well as the filmmakers may have intended.

    While this installment doesn’t match the quality of Raiders or Last Crusade, it’s still a fun ride. Right from the opening sequence, you can tell that James Mangold understands what makes Indiana Jones work. Aside from some distracting de-aging effects, the first 20 minutes perfectly set up what to expect from the movie. Like before, Harrison Ford still delivers a solid performance as the aging, globe-trotting archaeologist, adding some humanity to the character. Mads Mikkelsen is an excellent villain, with Boyd Holbrook and Olivier Richters giving similarly solid performances as his henchmen. Unlike the last film, which had an artificial sheen, this one has a more cinematic look. Even if this doesn’t live up to earlier installments, this is a fun adventure film that shouldn’t be missed. Overall, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny isn’t groundbreaking, but it’ll provide plenty of thrills for fans.

     

    Buy Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Yv3u0U.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Divide & Conquer (2022)

    Divide & Conquer (2022)

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    After making her directorial debut with Honor Killing, Mercedes the Muse continued working for Troma on all her future projects. She followed that film with 2020’s Evul Twinz, about twin brothers going on a rampage after running out of medication. 2021 was a busy year for Mercedes as she also helmed Gruesome Twosome and co-directed Dark Mixtape and Gorenography. She also appeared in movies like Faces of Fear, VHS Violence II: VHS and KILL, and Grindsploitation 9. In 2019, she co-wrote and starred in the film Hellfire!, directed by her long-time collaborator Moses. For her next directorial effort, Mercedes decided to make something of a sequel to the 2019 feature. This would be her most ambitious project to date, filled with reverence for Troma while commenting on gender roles. In 2021, Troma unleashed Mercedes the Muse’s most significant project, Divide & Conquer, for the world to see.

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    Synopsis

    Three gyno warriors – Lilith (Irie Divine), Athena (Knotty Peach), and Toxie (Mercedes) – are out to destroy the patriarchy. After killing a few misogynist guys at a bar, the girls have attracted a local White Supremacist group. Known as the Knights of White, the group comprises Neo-Nazis who dream of conquering the world and spreading their ideology. During their journey, the gynos are ratted out by a sleazy motel clerk (Mark Torgl) and pursued by “The Stormtrooper.” With little hope of survival, the gynos are forced to return to their hometown of Tromaville to find help. Athena gets in touch with El Whetta Loca (Vada Callisto), who provides the gynos with serious firepower. They also get some help from gay club owner Ronny (Jade Theriault) and The Trash King (Lloyd Kaufman). Before the night is over, these gynos will use their pussy power to crush rapists and misogynists wherever they strike.

     

    Review

    Divide & Conquer is not made for everyone without mincing words, but that’s part of its charm. This movie is made for people who love trash in all its beauty and reject what’s considered “good taste.” You might want to look elsewhere if you can’t handle women urinating on misogynists and hypnotizing people with their vaginas. The movie is full of gross-out gags, cheap-looking gore, and gratuitous nudity, but it all serves a purpose. It’s meant to piss off people with conservative values and the stereotypical incel who love terms like “feminazi.” That said, the movie isn’t entirely black and white with its message, showing that both genders are capable of harm. It helps that the film doesn’t appear overly preachy or pretentious and remembers what it is. This is a foul, gross, outrageous exploitation film meant to shock and appall and largely succeeds.

    The three leading ladies all have a blast playing the gyno warriors, each bringing unique qualities to their characters. Irie Divine and Knotty Peach are the biggest standouts, though Mercedes also does well despite having few lines. Troma fans will also smile seeing people like Lloyd Kaufman and Mark Torgl in small but memorable cameos. Everyone else is appropriately over-the-top and ridiculous, though this can come off as annoying at times. Also, some effects stick out badly because of their cheap quality, though that might’ve been intentional. I wouldn’t say this is one of those intentionally bad movies, but more one that revels in its low-budget qualities. As I said earlier, most people will probably hate this film, but fans of trash cinema might like this. Overall, Divide & Conquer is loud, abrasive, disgusting, and unapologetic, and that’s what makes it work.

     

    Buy Divide & Conquer from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3py4lAe.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • The Flash (2023)

    The Flash (2023)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]In 1940, Gardner Fox and Harry Lampert created Flash Comics #1, which debuted football star turned superhero, Jay Garrick. The books were canceled in 1951, but DC rebooted the series by introducing Barry Allen in Showcase #4 in 1956. While there have been other versions of The Flash, Barry Allen became the definitive version of The Scarlet Speedster. The character was first adapted in The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure in 1967 before transitioning to Super Friends. John Wesley Shipp was the first live actor to play The Flash in the 1990s TV series. Since the late 1980s, plans for a live-action feature film had been floating around Hollywood with multiple directors attached. David S. Goyer, Shawn Levy, David Dobkin, Seth Grahame-Smith, and Rick Famuyiwa were involved before Andy Muschietti got the job. After numerous delays and behind-the-scenes controversies, The Flash finally hit theaters in June 2023.

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    Synopsis

    Barry Allen, aka The Flash (Ezra Miller), is still grieving over the death of his mother, Nora (Maribel Verdú). In his emotional state, Barry starts running faster and faster until he discovers he can travel back in time. Despite several warnings, Barry travels back and stops his mother’s death, only to get knocked into 2013. He meets his past self and gets him to get struck by lightning, which grants him powers but removes his. While Barry tries teaching his past self how to use his powers, General Zod (Michael Shannon) makes his presence known. Wonder Woman, Cyborg, and Aquaman don’t exist in this universe, but the Barrys find Bruce Wayne, aka Batman (Michael Keaton). With his help, they find a Kryptonian imprisoned in Siberia, but it turns out to be Kara Zor-El (Sasha Calle). It’s up to Batman, Supergirl, and The Flashes to stop Zod and save the Multiverse.

     

    Review

    Before going further, I’d like to state my feelings on The Flash are unrelated to the controversies surrounding Ezra Miller. My remarks towards Miller are strictly related to their performance and have nothing to do with the allegations against them. That said, Miller performs well playing a wiser, more sardonic Barry and a younger, more carefree Barry. The effects of conveying two Barrys are mind-blowing, and Miller does an excellent job of making both feel different. Of course, Michael Keaton steals the show, especially if you’re a fan of the 1989 Batman and its sequel. Relative newcomer Sasha Calle shows excellent potential as Supergirl, and I’m curious to see what she does next. Michael Shannon, one of the best aspects of Man of Steel, is solid in his few scenes as General Zod. The supporting cast all do a respectable job, and some fun cameos are sprinkled throughout.

    Speaking of cameos, this movie is loaded with tons of fan service, perhaps a bit too much. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse also had plenty of fan service, but the filmmakers worked it into the story. It doesn’t help that while some of the visual effects are decent, there are some genuinely horrendous CG shots here. Without spoiling too much, much of the CGI looks about on par with Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, and it’s distracting. Also, the final act is another big, explosion-filled action sequence that drags out too long. To give Andy Muschietti credit, there are some fun action sequences, and the emotional scenes hit where it counts. Compared to Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which was a huge letdown, this one’s more of a mixed bag. Overall, The Flash has some glaring flaws but has enough decent performances and heart to keep it engaging.

     

    Buy The Flash from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ABXbjU.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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    Where to watch The Flash (2023)

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  • Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)

    Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]With a $135 million budget, Bumblebee grossed over $460 million worldwide, making it the lowest-grossing of the series. Despite this, the film was the highest-rated entry in the franchise, earning a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While it wasn’t as commercially successful, Paramount decided to move forward with another sequel, formally announcing it in 2019. Travis Knight chose to return to his animation studio, Laika, so Creed II director Steven Caple Jr. was hired instead. For this installment, the filmmakers incorporated characters from the highly regarded CG-animated series Transformers: Beast Wars. Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback played the human leads, with Peter Cullen, Ron Perlman, and Michelle Yeoh voicing the robots. The movie was shot in and around Los Angeles, Peru, Montreal, and Brooklyn from June to October 2021. After premiering in Singapore in May 2023, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts hit theaters worldwide in June.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”75″ bar_bg_color=”#EDF000″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos) is a tech expert looking for work to support his sick brother Kris (Dean Scott Vazquez). Desperate for money, Noah agrees to steal a Porsche for his friend Reek (Tobe Nwigwe), which doesn’t go as planned. The Porsche turns out to be Mirage (Pete Davidson), one of a handful of Autobots living on Earth. Meanwhile, museum intern Elena Wallace (Dominique Fishback) uncovers a mysterious object that releases a massive energy surge. It just so happens the artifact is part of a key that can open portals through time and space. Its reappearance triggers the arrival of Scourge (Peter Dinklage), leader of the Terrorcons, and the Maximal Airazor (Michelle Yeoh). Airazor leads the Autobots to Peru, where they meet the other Maximals, including their leader Optimus Primal (Ron Perlman). The Autobots and Maximals must stop Scourge before he can restore the key and summon his master, Unicron.

     

    Review

    If you asked me back in 2017 if I was excited about another live-action Transformers movie, I would’ve said “No.” However, after being surprised by how good Bumblebee was, I anxiously anticipated what would come next, hoping for the best. And while it’s not quite as good, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is leagues above the Michael Bay movies. Like the last installment, the human characters are way more likable and not as insultingly unfunny as the Witwicky family. Anthony Ramos does a great job playing a guy struggling through life and trying to make the most of it. Dominique Fishback can sometimes get annoying, but she gets better and has solid chemistry with Ramos. Like always, Peter Cullen is excellent as Optimus Prime and Ron Perlman gives an equaling commanding performance as Optimus Primal. Michelle Yeoh is also great as Airazor, and Pete Davidson’s Mirage is hilarious.

    Peter Dinklage is virtually unrecognizable as the voice of Scourge, though he does a decent job as the villainous Terrorcon. While the last film was more emotionally driven, this one is more focused on big action sequences. Granted, there are some dramatic moments, such as Noah and Kris’ relationship and the scenes featuring the Maximals. As cool as it is to see Optimus Primal, Cheetor, Rhinox, etc., on screen, they aren’t featured very prominently. Like the other films, this one ends in a big CG-fest of giant robots fighting and blasting each other. Thankfully, you can at least see the action on screen, and it never feels like it’s dragging. Plus, this movie clocks in at two hours and seven minutes, which makes it infinitely better than the Bay films. Overall, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts isn’t perfect, but it’s another step in the right direction.

     

    Buy Transformers: Rise of the Beasts from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AsX0aF.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Toxic Tutu (2017)

    Toxic Tutu (2017)

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    While not a mega-blockbuster, The Toxic Avenger put Troma on the map and established Lloyd Kaufman as a cult figure. But while their landmark superhero horror-comedy became a cult phenomenon, it didn’t seem to do much for actor Mark Torgl. After playing Melvin the Mop Boy, he didn’t act in anything until Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV in 2001. To commemorate the original’s 30th anniversary, Torgl was invited as a guest to the Mad Monster Party Convention in 2013. While there, Torgl was accompanied by filmmaker Joe Nardelli, who filmed his time at the convention. This sparked an idea between the two to make a mockumentary about Torgl’s whereabouts after the original film. With the fanbase’s and Troma’s support, they raised $4,500 to shoot their fan project, which took roughly four years. In 2017, Toxic Tutu premiered worldwide at that year’s Mad Monster Party Convention, where it all began.

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    Synopsis

    After thirty years of being out of the public light, Mark Torgl makes his first-ever convention appearance. He meets all his loyal fans and is reunited with Lloyd Kaufman, who immortalized him as Melvin the Mop Boy. Unfortunately, before he can take in the sights and sounds, Mark is taken away by armed goons and presumed missing. On The Toxic Avenger, Torgl was exposed to toxic waste, which disfigured his face and has since resurfaced. The sludge has been linked to several deaths, as well as caused heightened sexual stimulation, which makes it highly valuable. At the same time, the kidnappers who abducted Mark are two sisters who specifically want him for their nefarious purposes. As the fans scramble in a panic, a group known as the Tutu Brigade sets out to rescue Mark. What do the sisters want, and what made Mark disappear for so long?

     

    Review

    Long before I started doing Troma Tuesdays regularly, I was a massive fan of the studio and Lloyd Kaufman. As a fan, I was interested in seeing a mockumentary about what happened to Mark Torgl, thinking it’d be fun. Unfortunately, while the film has ambition, Toxic Tutu stumbles over itself and becomes a disappointingly chaotic mess. I understand this movie had a minuscule budget, but I’ve seen much better-looking movies that cost very little. At first, the film starts like a mockumentary, with Mark Torgl being followed around as he tours the convention. There are some genuinely fun moments, and it’s heartwarming seeing Torgl reunite with Kaufman after all these years. Unfortunately, once Mark gets kidnapped, the movie seems to forget it’s a mockumentary and goes off the rails. What follows is so cluttered and all over the place that it’s hard to know what’s happening.

    We jump from Torgl touring a convention to a conspiracy about the toxic waste he ingested and how it resurfaces. Then, there are subplots about rival sisters, the director trying to uncover secrets at Troma, and overly convoluted backstories. I’m all for guerilla filmmaking, and sometimes what you capture in the moment works better, but it doesn’t work here. It doesn’t help that most of the acting is terrible, except for Torgl, Kaufman, Joe Nardelli, and Genoveva Rossi. Granted, there are some fun cameos from Diana Prince, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Mel Novak, and Shawn Phillips. We get a few interview segments with some of the original cast, which is a nice touch. Still, unless you’re a die-hard Troma fan, you will most likely hate this rather messy and unfocused mockumentary. Overall, Toxic Tutu is a film made by fans for fans, but that’s about it.

     

    Buy Toxic Tutu from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3WSTFsa.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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