MOVIE REVIEW: The House

There is a good comedy film somewhere in The House, a movie about two loving parents Scott and Kate Johansen, played by comic greats Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler, who resort to operating an underground casino in their friend's (Jason Mantzoukas) home in order to pay off their only child Alex (Ryan Simpkins) college tuition fund. 

There are some little funny moments in the film especially when Ferrell and Poehler are on the screen as parents. You can tell that some scenes are improvised and it works well. Another comic genius, Nick Kroll is in the film playing a corrupt local politician. He provides some spark in this film. 

The problem though with The House is that for a film with a short running time (88 minutes to be exact), it felt dreary. The scenes, especially in the underground casino just felt too long and there's a lot of unnecessary violence that's just too gross and repetitive. Not an even a glorified cameo by two time Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner, channeling his character in 2010's The Town can save the film. There should have more scenes with him.

Writer Andrew John Cohen, making his directorial debut, penned the excellent Seth Rogen and Zac Efron's Neighbors (2014). Unfortunately, he also did wrote it's poorly written sequel last year as well as the dreadful Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates also starring Efron. The House falls into the second category. Cohen has promise but hopefully on his next film project, he can do better than this. The same goes for Ferrell and Poehler.

MOVIE REVIEW: Spider-Man: Homecoming

Spider-Man: Homecoming is a big improvement to the previous reboot by Sony/Marvel starring Andrew Garfield. The casting of Tom Holland as a way younger Peter Parker is just about right. The decision of incorporating it into the Marvel Cinematic Universe gives joy to the million of fans who love watching superheroes joining forces together on the big screen.

Set after last year's Captain America: Civil War where Holland's Spidey made his first appearance, the movie balances well between being a kid and it's pitfalls when you are given superhero powers and trying to prove something to the world. You can feel his angst and insecurities. The casting of Oscar winner Marisa Tomei as a more sultry Aunt May is a breathe of fresh air when you think of the character. It's also fun to see Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. reunite after starring in one of the underrated romantic comedies in the nineties Only You. The flirtation of Aunt May and Tony Stark also started in the last Captain America film and hopefully it will continue in the future films of Marvel Studios whether be it The Avengers or the next Spider-Man film. The film's strength is also in it's diverse cast from newcomers Jacob Batalon as Peter Parker's best friend Ned, the beautiful Laura Harrier and actress-singer Zendaya.

It's surprising to see the Batman of my generation Michael Keaton in a Marvel movie. He plays Adrian Toomes aka Vulture the film's villain. As a film buff, my only concern of his casting is that his costume is very similar to the one he wore in his Oscar winning film three years ago Birdman. 

Spider-Man: Homecoming has a lot of easter eggs hidden for the comic book and film buffs

to discover and you won't be disappointed.