We caught up with the director of LOCKED David Yarovesky (Brightburn, Nightbooks), just before we screened the film with no spoilers. The film took nineteen days to shoot. Watch our quick interview. Synopsis: No escape. No …
It was an enjoyable screening with two of the grandsons. The five year old said it was happy and sad at the same time. And he loved it! The twelve year old who has read …
Unstoppable is the inspiring true story of Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) who was born with one leg but whose indomitable spirit and unbreakable resolve empowered him to defy the odds and pursue his dreams. With the …
“Sonic 3 will beat out Mufasa, for sure!” — JimmityCritic (12) Sonic the Hedgehog 3, what a fun evening with the grandkids it was. When you have a 12, 10 and 5 year-old clap their hands at the end …
Mufasa: The Lion King was entertaining and the production value was amazing to watch. Set in Africa, all-new film blends live-action filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery. My 12 year-old grandson thought it was one …
We caught up with the director of LOCKED David Yarovesky(Brightburn, Nightbooks), just before we screened the film with no spoilers. The film took nineteen days to shoot. Watch our quick interview.
Synopsis:No escape. No mercy. Just survival. A petty thief (Bill Skarsgård) breaks into a state-of-the-art SUV, only to find himself trapped inside. Controlled remotely by its vengeful owner (Anthony Hopkins), the vehicle becomes a deadly prison, hurtling him into a high-speed battle for survival. From producer Sam Raimi (Evil Dead, Drag Me to Hell). The film is in theaters on March 21.
It was an enjoyable screening with two of the grandsons. The five year old said it was happy and sad at the same time. And he loved it! The twelve year old who has read most of the books, thought it was GREAT!
Dog Man is in theaters this Friday, January 31.
Jimmy, Milo, and Angela
Synopsis: When a faithful police dog and his human police officer owner are injured together on the job, a harebrained but life-saving surgery fuses the two of them together and Dog Man is born. Dog Man is sworn to protect and serve—and fetch, sit and roll over.
As Dog Man embraces his new identity and strives to impress his Chief (Lil Rel Howery), he must stop the pretty evil plots of feline supervillain Petey the Cat (Pete Davidson). Petey’s latest plan is to clone himself, creating the kitten Lil Petey, to double his ability to do crime stuff. Things get complicated, though, when Lil Petey (Lucas Hopkins Calderon) forges an unexpected bond with Dog Man.
The rest of the cast includes Isla Fisher, Poppy Liu, Stephen Root, Billy Boyd, and Ricky Gervais. Dog Man is directed by Peter Hastings (The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness).
The film is based on the Dog Man bookseries by Dav Pilkey. The author and award-winning illustrator of the Captain Underpants books.
Unstoppable is the inspiring true story of Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) who was born with one leg but whose indomitable spirit and unbreakable resolve empowered him to defy the odds and pursue his dreams.
With the unwavering love and support of his devoted mother Judy (Jennifer Lopez) and the encouragement of his coaches, Anthony fights through adversity to earn a spot on the Arizona State Wrestling team. But it will demand everything he has, physically and mentally, to achieve his ultimate quest to become an NCAA Champion.
Starring Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Anthony Robles, Don Cheadle, and directed by William Goldenberg.
“Sonic 3 will beat out Mufasa, for sure!” — JimmityCritic (12)
Sonic the Hedgehog 3, what a fun evening with the grandkids it was. When you have a 12, 10 and 5 year-old clap their hands at the end of a film, I think you have a hit.
Sonic 3 has fun with the audience and even within the filmmakers with their own story plot. All in all, it has something for everyone.
Synopsis: Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet. Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.
Director Jeff Fowler returns along with the all-star cast of Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub, and newcomers Alyla Browne and Krysten Ritter, with Keanu Reeves joining the franchise as Shadow the Hedgehog.
Mufasa: The Lion King was entertaining and the production value was amazing to watch. Set in Africa, all-new film blends live-action filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery.
My 12 year-old grandson thought it was one of his best films of the year. See his reaction below.
JimmityCritic and Angela Ortíz
Mufasa is a great movie with less singing and more action which is a great way to let kids enjoy the movie. It’s a more enjoyable movie than the first live action movie which was boring. Compared to other Disney live action movies I could think about rewatching it because it makes sense as a movie to show how everyone came to be prior to the Lion King. — JimmityCritic, 12 years-old
Synopsis: Exploring the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands, Mufasa: The Lion King enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.
Directed by Barry Jenkins, with songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and starring Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Theo Somolu, Braelyn Rankins, Anika Noni Rose, John Kani, Tiffany Boone, Kagiso Lediga, Preston Nyman, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Keith David, Donald Glover, Blue Ivy Carter, Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis, Dominique Jennings, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.
I’m Still Here is an official Brazilian submission to the 97th Academy Awards.
We really enjoyed this film. It’s a tough story with a lot of heart. And it has a great cast.
Angela Ortíz and Martin Elfalan
Synopsis: In this true story, Eunice Paiva’s (Fernanda Torres) husband disappears during the heyday of the Brazilian dictatorship in the 1970’s. The pursuit of answers about Ruben Paiva’s (Selton Mello) whereabouts change the course of his family’s life.
Directed By Walter Salles. In theaters January 17, 2025.
Update: Torres has become the second Brazilian to be nominated by the Academy in the best actress category. Her mother Fernanda Montenegro had the historic achievement in 1999 for Central Station. Montenegro is also in this film.
One of my favorite time of the year is the holiday season. I love Christmas for many reasons, especially my grandkids and grandnephews. We always find time to watch our old and new favorite Christmas movies. And they are many of all genres.
Angela Ortiz and Rosa Rodriguez
Now it’s that time of year, we screened The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. The film has some funny moments and of course it tugged at your heart.
Afterward, we did some arts and crafts. That was really fun. The film is in theaters, Friday, November 8.
Synopsis: The Herdmans are six siblings who have a reputation for being the worst kids in the world. However, when they take over the local church pageant during the holidays, they just might teach a shocked community the true meaning of Christmas.
Starring Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, Molly Belle Wright, Lauren Graham, Vanessa Benavente, and directed by Dallas Jenkins.
After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season.
Synopsis: Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.
The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
The film also stars Oscar® winner Michelle Yeoh as Shiz University’s regal headmistress Madame Morrible; Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers) as Fiyero, a roguish and carefree prince; Tony nominee Ethan Slater (Broadway’s Spongebob Squarepants, Fosse/Verdon) as Boq, an altruistic Munchkin student; Marissa Bode in her feature-film debut as Nessarose, Elphaba’s favored sister; and pop culture icon Jeff Goldblum as the legendary Wizard of Oz.
The cast of characters includes Pfannee and ShenShen, two conniving compatriots of Glinda played by Emmy nominee Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) and Bronwyn James (Harlots), and a new character created for the film, Miss Coddle, played by Tony nominee Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman).
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), Wicked is the first chapter of a two-part immersive, cultural celebration. Wicked Part Two is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 26, 2025.
In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, here’s an impactful new film Another Love Story, now available for streaming on TUBI. This timely film sheds light on the emotional and psychological journey of domestic abuse survivors and serves as a powerful tool for raising awareness.
Isadora Ortega (Actor/Co-Writer/Producer), who stars in the film, has dedicated her work to raising awareness about domestic abuse, a cause that is deeply personal to her. Her portrayal of Miriam resonates with anyone who has ever struggled with self-worth or been affected by the trauma of abusive relationships.
Synopsis: Miriam a budding novelist is in a dark place. Going through a mid life crisis and desperately wanting to live a lavish life and be romantically in love. At this age she is starting to believe that she is the problem her relationship is not working out because something is wrong with her…Now streaming on TUBI.
The Last of Us: The Complete First Season available for the first time ever in a 4K Ultra HD Steelbook limited-edition collectable on March 18.
In anticipation of the Season 2 premiere of The Last of Us on HBO, catch up on all nine episodes of the critically-acclaimed first season, along with nearly 3 hours of special features!
Synopsis: The Last of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel (Pedro Pascal), a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.
° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° Moana 2 is now available at Digital retailers, and will be released on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD March 18.
Synopsis:Moana 2 reunites Moana (Auli’i Cravalho and Maui (Dwayne Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller.
Kakamora Chronicles–Ever wanted to know more about the Kakamora? Gather
’round while Moni, everyone’s favorite Motunui historian, tells the tales from real
Solomon Island folklore surrounding the mysterious and unforgettable beings known as
the Kakamora. Fun in the Booth–Step inside the recording booth with the brilliant and talented actors of Moana 2 for some creative fun as they bring their characters to life. Deleted Scenes–Overall introduction to deleted scenes by directors.
° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° Shameless The complete series. All 134 episodes from theEmmy® Award Winning series will be available to purchase on DVD March 18.
Synopsis: Meet Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy): proud, working-class patriarch to a motley brood of six smart, spirited and independent kids who, without him, would be…better off. In Frank’s booze-addled view, parenting just eats into his hard-earned bar-crawling time around Chicago–so he leaves it to eldest daughter Fionna (Emmy Rossum) to hold down the fort. Bearing the de facto parent badge/burden, she’s donned the proverbial apron and makes sure her younger siblings do their chores, keep a clean-ish home, and everyone (no matter how small) works to keep the house lights on, as well as food on the table. Brothers Lip (Jeremy Allen White), Ian (Cameron Monaghan), and Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) use their intellect to break every rule in the book to survive and make the bank, while younger sister Debbie (Emma Kenney) would sooner steal her share, Toddle Liam (Christian Isaiah), the youngest, is just happy to be along for the ride. The Gallaghers are irreverent, endearing, resilient–and they’re absolutely, wildly and unapologetically Shameless.
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