MOVIE REVIEW: Michael

 This is a sanitized version of the King of Pop's life from the mid sixties till the late eighties. You can even bring your entire family to watch the movie.  From his origin as a member of  The Jackson 5, the movie depicts Michael as the youngest son who's under the strict supervision of his father Joseph (Colman Domingo, in another Oscar worthy performance). It is mainly their relationship. The other 4 brothers are just in the background. It makes sense since the film in titled Michael and not the other Jackson family. MJ's real line nephew Jaafar Jackson turns in a commendable debut performance in his debut movie. 

I saw the movie in a Dolby Atmos sounded theater and that alone is worth the price of admission. We all grew up with Michael's songs and there are all utilized well in the film. No need to watch it in Imax since the only shots worthy on the large screen of the wide shots of Gary, Indiana and Dodger Stadium.

The producer Graham King has done it again. He produced Bohemian Rhapsody, also a sanitized version of the life of another icon Freddie Mercury. From the recreation of shots from their most popular concerts to toning down of their sexual orientation. It felt like Michael is in the same wavelength as Boheian. Surprisingly, the film's director Antoine Fuqua (Training  Day, The Replacement Killers) known for helming violent, gritty films, made a family friendly film like Michael.

MOVIE REVIEW: Superman (2025)

The latest reboot of the quintessential comic book superhero movie didn't disappoint at all. Now helmed by James Gunn or most popularly known as the director of the Guardians of the Galaxy series, Superman is made more human, capable of physical and emotional hurt as well as a kind being. Gone are the darkness of the Zack Snyder era.

David Corenswet was born to play Superman. He is of the same mold as Brandon Routh and Henry Cavill. Rachel Brosnahan is perfection as Lois Lane. Her beauty and strength lies within. Nicholas Hoult is a credible Lex Luthor.

To keep up with the times, the film includes scenes that reflect the current world situation right now. And yes, Clark Kent and his alter go ain't from Kansas. In reality, he could be persecuted if someone will tell authorities that he's not from here. 

In the age of streaming, Superman is worth your time and money to watch it on the big screen.

MOVIE REVIEW: Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

 I had low expectations coming into the preview. The last one in the series - 2018's Fallout felt tiresome. I was wrong. I was completely mesmerized by this. Dead Reckoning Part One is pure escapism from start to finish and it's no mean feat to do that since it has a running time of 2 hours and 43 minutes and actually leaves you wanting more.

Cruise's Ethan Hunt and the rest of the IMF crew from the previous films Benji (Simon Pegg) and Luther (Ving Rhames) had to face their biggest adversary yet. Kudos to the film's director/writer Christopher McQuarrie and co-writers Erik Jendresen and Bruce Geller for making AI an integral part of the film. Just like real life, the arrival of artificial intelligence into our daily lives provides a scary afterthought. The IMF team makes all effort that a key object that can control AI doesn't fall into the wrong hands. 

All the ladies in the films Rebecca Feguson, Hayley Atwell and Vanessa Kirby were fully utilized. From the Bering Sea to the Austrian Alps, the locations chosen were all top notch and Cruise' stunts are indeed a labor of love from him. 

After last year's unexpected critical and commercial success of Top Gun: Maverick, Tom Cruise is on a winning streak. I'm looking forward to Reckoning Part Two and hopefully make one more film that can finally win him a long overdue Academy Award. 

MOVIE REVIEW: Easter Sunday

 Filipino-American standup comedian Jo Koy is given his biggest break in Hollywood with Easter Sunday. He plays Joe Valencia, a variation of himself, a standup based in Los Angeles waiting for his agent Nick (played by the movie's director Jay Chandrasekhai (Super Troopers))'s call for a sitcom. He has a son Junior (Brandon Wardell) from a previous relationship and despise him for not having enough time for him.

Joe got a call from his mother (Lydia Gaston) and asked him to go to his hometown up north in Daly City aka Little Manila to celebrate Easter Sunday with his family. He brings along his son and drives up north. Hilarity ensues.

Jo Koy brings in the usual stereotype Pinoys from the stage to the screen. Among them are the fighting sisters (Joe's mom and her sister, his Tita (Auntie) Theresa played with good comic timing by Tia Carrere. A mischievous cousin Eugene (Eugene Cordero) and his sister nurse (Elena Juatco). Tony nominee Eva Noblezada is also in the film in a cute role. Tiffany Haddish is also in the film as Joe's past fling.

Kudos to him for showing in the film on how Hollywood treats ethnic groups. Easter Sunday doesn't make fun of the Filipino accent, it celebrates it. Jo Koy will probably push the boundaries on most conservative Filipinos about Roman Catholicism in the movie. On the record, I wasn't offended at all. 

As one who considers the San Francisco Bay Area as my home in the US, the movie is Jo Koy's love letter to it. Nothing but pure joy seeing the popular landmarks integrated in the film.

This is the first Hollywood  big studio film about Filipinos. On the record, Christmas is still the most beloved holiday for Filipinos but if Jo Koy's is Easters then it's all good.

MOVIE REVIEW: Minions: The Rise of Gru

Minions: The Rise of Gru is another entry in the Despicable Me films that has now become a cash cow for Universal Pictures. Like the Ice Age series from 20th Century Fox, you can't distinguish one film from another anymore. Fortunately, there are saving graces from this new entry.

First, it's a big improvement from the first Minions film. Steve Carell's Gru was left out in the first movie and it felt not right at all. The Minions and Gru have excellent chemistry and the lovable characters simply can't stand alone on their own. 

Second, the setting. The Rise of Gru brings us back in the 70s when Gru was embracing his bad side. He's a big fan of the Vicious 6, a group of villains. He hatches a plan to join them and this is where the fun part begins.

Third, the voice actors. Aside from Carell, Taraji P. Henson is a welcome treat in the film. She's perfection as the villainess Bell Bottom. It was awesome of Illumination Production to hire 80's icons Lucy Lawless, Jean Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren to voice Bell Bottom's henchmen. Too bad, they were  underutilized in the film. 

Fourth, the music.

Overall, despite it's shortcomings, Minions: The Rise of Gru is an entertaining film with some funny moments. 

MOVIE REVIEW: Top Gun: Maverick

 36 years is worth the wait for the sequel of one of the most defining summer movies of the 80s. It made Tom Cruise a global household name. I couldn't believe that the sequel flawlessly connects itself from the original and ends up being one of the most entertaining films that I saw on the big screen after a long time.

In the past years, cinemas were filled with superhero comic book movies that eventually saturated and most of them had the same look and feel. Top Gun: Maverick brought us the years before Marvel in which people were actually entertained with storylines about regular people with extraordinary skills and talent. Maverick delivers the goods anchored by Tom Cruise's charismatic performance in one of his most iconic roles.

Refused to get promoted because he loves what he's doing best: flying, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell has to face the reality of aging as he's assigned to train new pilots of Top Gun. They're set out on a dangerous mission to prevent global disaster in an unnamed country.

I won't spoil the rest but the film is highly unpredictable and edge of your seat action and suspense is well served.

Miles Teller, Jon Hamm and Jennifer Connelly and provide excellent support and their characters are excellently integrated into the film. Maverick's BFF Iceman (Val Kilmer once again) gives the film it's heart.

Too Gun: Maverick is best seen on the big screen. If you liked the first one, this is better!! 

MOVIE REVIEW: Onward

Just like in 2009's Up!, Disney/Pixar has made grief once again easy to digest in Onward. In the film which bears a resemblance to Disney's 2016 Oscar winning Zootopia, instead of animals the world's population is made up of mythical and magical creatures such as elves, centaurs, Manticores and fairies among others. The story of two teenage elf brothers: Barley (voiced by Chris Pratt) and Ian (voiced by Tom Holland) Lightfoot who lost their father at a young age and their relationship with their mother Laurel (voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and her centaur cop boyfriend Colt Bronco (voiced by Mel Rodriguez). 

On his 16th birthday Ian receives a gift from his deceased Dad thru his Mom. It was a chance for them to be reunited with him but only for a day. They immediately seized the opportunity but when the spell felt short, they embark on a quest that would change their lives forever.

Onward is a growing up movie about two young elves, discovering themselves on their path to adulthood. It also is a love letter to the past which we should always remember to protect and uphold so that future generations can learn what shaped us now. The film is also a good way to teacher younger kids about mythical creatures that had enchanted generations over time. I actually learned what a Manticore (voiced by Octavia Spencer) is thanks to Onward. Both Holland and Pratt have excellent chemistry playing brothers. They deserve another live action movie that's not in any comic cinematic universe. 

MOVIE REVIEW: Yesterday

The collaboration of two of my favorite people in the film world: writer Richard Curtis, who penned some of the best comedies in our lifetime among them Love Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill and Danny Boyle, who continues to astound us with films as diverse as the Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire to the trippy Trainspotting resulted in arguably  2019's best comedy Yesterday.

A struggling musician Jack Malik (Himesh Patel in a breakout role) can't seem to have a big break in his musical career. Ironically, an accident resulting from a cosmic glitch made him an overnight sensation. He woke up in a world in which the Beatles didn't exist. Jack sang some songs to his friends and family and they were impressed by his "songwriting" skills. It even caught the attention of real life pop superstar Ed Sheeran playing himself and Jack Malik never had better.

Curtis' touches are evident in the film: wonderful yet quirky friends of the lead. As well as Boyle's sginature one man's struggle in the world scenario. Yesterday is such a feel-good film anchored by the well-loved songs of the Beatles and great performances from the cast. Yesterday is the 3rd straight entertaining film about British music starting from Bohemian Rhapsody to Rocketman.

MOVIE REVIEW: Toy Story 4

Just when we all thought that the Toy Story franchise would conclude in the 3rd movie released 9 years ago, Disney/Pixar released a 4th one. It doesn't have the grandeur of the last installment but just like the other 2 movies after the 1st film, you can see the growth of the characters, animation and the story. 

Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the rest of the toy gang are now with their owner Bonnie (voiced by Madeleine McGraw), a shy, timid girl who finds happiness with her toys. When she's about to start kindergarten, Woody tags along and in her first class project, the teachers asks the students to make a pencil holder. With his help, Bonnie was able to make one from a spork, pipe cleaner and some googly eyes Woody got from the trash bin. It had a life of his own when Bonnie wrote her name on the popsicle stick feet. She named it Forky (voiced by Tony Hale) and Woody had to watch it's every move since Forky considers himself as "trash" and always finds a way to go back into the garbage bin. 

Aside from Forky, there are other new characters introduced in the film that will endear to moviegoers. Most notable is the guy of the moment Keanu Reeves voicing Duke Kaboom, a Canadian daredevil motorcycle stuntman who yearns for his owner who neglected him. The sensational comic duo of Key and Peele: Keegan-Michael Key and Oscar winner Jordan Peele bring their toned-down humor as carnival prizes Ducky and Bunny respectively. 

Toy Story 4 is also a love story anchoring on Woody's accidental reunion with his  longtime love Bo Peep (Annie Potts), who used to be his former owner Andy's younger sister's old toy who was disposed off early in the film. 

The Toy Story franchise keeps getting better and better. The ending might feel like a conclusion but I wouldn't mind a 5th installment of it.

MOVIE REVIEW: Captain Marvel

Captain Marvel rises above most superhero origin stories primarily because of its casting. With Oscar winner Brie Larson playing the titular lead with four nominees led by Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury as well as Jude Law, Djimon Hounsou and the regal Annette Bening in supporting roles, it's indeed a marvel to see the acting greats of our era don costumes, do a comic book film and have fun.

Told in flashbacks, it builds a great structure as to who she is and/or was before. It doesn't have the flashiness and pomp of Black Panther, the mythical grandeur of Thor and the new age charm of Doctor Strange but it evokes nostalgia of the nineties. Just like the recent Transformer film Bumblebee, both films have a strong female lead and a soundtrack defining its era. The Transformers reboot was all about the eighties, Captain Marvel is the period of songs ranging to Garbage to Nirvana. 

As in any other film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain Marvel is connected to an upcoming one. You can easily guess what that is and yes the excitement over it is still there. There's also a heartfelt tribute to Marvel's main man Stan Lee done in a unique way.

MOVIE REVIEW: Glass

Exactly two years, Director M. Night Shyamalan rebounded from his misfires (After Earth, The Happening and Lady in the Water among others) with Split. The film starred James McAvoy playing Kevin Wendell Crumb who's wrestling with multiple personalities among them, a mutant like persona with cannibalistic tendencies known as "The Beast". The beauty in Split aside from a tour de force performance from it's lead actor is that it's actually connected to another Shyamalan movie 2000's Unbreakable starring Bruce Willis as David Dunn aka the movie title, a reluctant superhero and Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah Price - the complete opposite of Dunn. His bones are brittle giving him the name of Mr. Glass. He is a comic book obsessed catalyst on the lookout for other people like him resulting in bringing in together Dunn and Crumb. This is a great setup on what could have been a brilliant film on the genre now dominated by films starring Marvel and DC characters.

Shyamalan though, took the wrong route and made Glass into an anti superhero film loaded with unnecessary lecture on the connection of comic book heroes, villains and psychology. It would have a treat if McAvoy, Willis and Jackson's characters were let loose outside on the streets of Philadelphia instead of being confined in a mental institution 90% of the film. It is headed by a sleepy and underutilized Sarah Paulson who plays a doctor that downplays the leads capabilities and strengths. 

 Movie buffs who loved Unbreakable and Split will surely be entertained by it. Those who didn't saw the two previous films prior to this will surely be confused. Better watch Unbreakable and Split first.

Glass isn't that bad. It could have been better.

MOVIE REVIEW: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Marvel and Sony Animation leveled up the superhero movie genre with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The film introduces us to Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) successor of Peter Parker. He is an Afro-Latino kid who also had the same fate as Parker in becoming the superhero. With a gorgeous animated backdrop of New York City plus some retro touches, the film also has a storyline that's never before been seen in previous animated films - the multilevel dimensions most commonly used in sci-fi films.

Into the Spider-Verse is a love letter to all the Spidey fans out there. Within the other dimensions exists other variations of Spider-Man. It's such a thrill to see Spider-Man Noir (voiced by Nicolas Cage), the Japanese anime inspired Peni Parker and even Spider Ham all together with Miles Morales in one screen fighting the common enemy led by Kingpin (voiced by Liev Schreiber). This is the best film in the franchise since 2004's Spider-Man 2 starring Tobey Maguire and James Franco.

MOVIE REVIEW: Ralph Breaks the Internet

Disney didn't disappoint with Ralph Breaks the Internet - a highly intelligent fun sequel that's perfect for the family of the internet generation.

Six years had passed since arcade game anti-hero Ralph (John C. Reilly) and his best friend car racing sweetheart Venellope (Sarah Silverman) saved the Sugar Rush arcade game from Turbo. This Time, the duo kept up with the times and discovered the vast world of the internet when the owner of the arcade Mr. Litwak (Ed O'Neill) installed a connection in the arcade. The duo needed a find a key component that can keep Venellope's game in good working condition. They ended up, as expected in EBay in a hilarious setup that worked.
The Disney brand was fully utilized in the film. The Marvel and Star Wars heroes and villains as well as the Disney Princesses all shine in one part of the film. Kudos to most of the original voice actors who reprise their speaking parts. This is one great homage to pop-culture that appeals to all generation. The most significant new character in the film is Shank (voiced by Gal Gadot) from a new game that's built for the internet. The interaction between Venellope and Shank is priceless.
Ralph Breaks the Internet is worth your time and money to see it on the big screen. It's highly entertaining yet it imparts lessons on a world lost in technology.

MOVIE REVIEW: Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody succeeded in which other musical rock biopics didn't. It introduced Freddie Mercury to a new generation of music lovers and made his band Queen more accessible to a wide demographic. The Bryan Singer helmed film also cemented the British group's legacy as one of the world's greatest bands. Some sectors complained that it should have gone into frontman Freddie Mercury's darker side, but in a world littered with negativity nowadays, Bohemian Rhapsody turned out to be an inspirational film without sentimentality and it may even encourage musicians to dream big.

Rami Malek (TV's Mr. Robot) was born to play Freddie Mercury. Both Malek and him (who has born Farrokh Bulsara) trace their roots in the Middle East. Malek completely disappeared into the iconic singer and he mastered all his movements and mannerisms well. He shouldn't be forgotten come awards season time early next year.

It was wise to make the film revolve to the days that culminated to Live Aid 1985. Queen's 20 minute set in Wembley Stadium is always remembered as one of the best live performances ever. Some musician friends of mine said that there were inaccuracies about Freddie's life. That can be disappointing to hardcore fans but all in all Bohemian Rhapsody is a commendable film that celebrates music at it's best. 

MOVIE REVIEW: Halloween (2018)

I had low expectations for the latest installment of Halloween. Ever since the first movie came out back in 1978, there had been sequels and reimagination (2007's Halloween by Rob Zombie comes into mind), you just feel saturated by it. When the buzz for this year's version was good and found out that Blumhouse (makers of the best films right now in the genre), I grabbed the chance to watch it. It is actually good!!

Halloween 2018 discards all the previous sequels and it's set in the present time. 40 years later, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is a traumatized woman from the events in the first film. She is shunned by her daughter Karen (Judy Greer) for being so paranoid and distances her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) every time and opportunity she can.

The iconic villain Michael Myers is now housed in a mental institution and when two investigative journalists came to visit, bringing them a part of him that attracts himself to killing, mayhem begins. 

Devoid of any effects and out of this world premises, Halloween 2018 is a great throwback of the horror/slasher films of the 70s in the age of social media. From the films intro, the music and the actors, Halloween brings authentic horror that's a good escape to the real horrors that the world is experiencing today.

MOVIE REVIEW: Crazy Rich Asians

Crazy Rich Asians is a heartfelt romantic comedy with a distinct emphasis on family customs and traditions on people that is sadly underrepresented in Hollywood. Based on the bestselling book by Singaporean Kevin Kwan, the film gives justice to the book (which I read) with it's perfect casting of the actors that matches to the characters quirks and wonderful cinematography that gives justice to the vibrant cosmopolitan island country of the author.

The situation of Rachel (Constance Wu), a Chinese-American professor living in New York City meeting his Singaporean boyfriend Nicholas Young's (Henry Golding) family in his home country is just like any typical situation Asians living in the USA go thru. What makes Crazy Rich Asians stand out is when she finds out about the wealth of her boyfriend's family which sets the pace for 2 hours worth of fun. From matrons who organize bible study groups as a way of gossiping about other people to gaudy Palace of Versailles inspired mansions. Michelle Yeoh playing Eleanor Young aka Nicholas mom is icy cold perfection. The role could have been a caricature but Yeoh's acting plus the outstanding writing prevented it from being one.

Gemma Chan, Chris Pang and Sonoya Mizuno are the eye candy cast members while Ken Jeong, Nico Santos and Awkwafina who's on a roll this summer after Ocean's Eight brings excellent comic relief to the film. 

It took Hollywood 25 years to make another film with a predominantly Asian cast. The Joy Luck Club, also based on a book was the last one. I won't be surprised based that the two books right after Crazy Rich Asians would be made into movies as well at the soonest possible time. 

MOVIE REVIEW: The Spy Who Dumped Me

Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon star in The Spy Who Dumped Me. They play two best friends in Los Angeles whose lives turn upside down when Audrey (Kunis)'s boyfriend Drew (Justin Theroux) split up with her just before her birthday. It turns out that he's living a double life as a spy and when he had to do it to spare her from harm. Things then started to be complicated and both Audrey and Morgan (McKinnon) are both on the run from both the law and the bad guys.

The Spy Who Dumped Me rises above the typical buddy for it's unpredictability and the perfect comic chemistry of the lead actresses. Kunis already proven her comic worth in previous films but it is Kate McKinnon who is the driving force of the film. The Saturday Night Live actress is still looking for her breakout role in film since her Ghostbusters reboot alongside Melissa McCarthy wasn't a big hit as expected. The film is gorgeously shot in Europe and it's fun to watch as it makes fun of Americans on foreign soil and backpackers among others. This is one smart female buddy comedy that can be placed side to side to McCarthy and Sandra Bullock's The Heat.

MOVIE REVIEW: Teen Titans Go! To The Movies

My nieces were excited when I told them that I had screening tickets for this movie. I absolutely had no idea who and what the Teen Titans are except I saw them in passing on ads on cable TV. I brought the two girls with me and I was pleasantly surprised. Teen Titans Go! To The Movies is the most Marvel among all the DC films there is.

Led by Robin (voiced by Scott Menville) forever in the shadow of Batman (voiced by Will Arnett), the Teen Titans must prove that they are worthy to have a movie of their own and step out of the shadows of DC's most popular superheroes. The Boy Wonder is supported by characters such as Raven, Starfire, Beast Boy and Cyborg. The team each have their own unique superpowers but they are still in search for that big break for them to be popular. There is enough humor for all ages: from the physical slapstick ones for the kids as well as some deep pop culture references for the adults. I loved it when they make fun of themselves and was shocked when they injected jokes really intended for the parents. 

The animated film is full of color and it reminded me of the Powerpuff Girls and that is a compliment. Teen Titans Go! To The Movies ranks alongside with the Incredibles 2 as the best animated films so far of 2018.

MOVIE REVIEW: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

It's time to go back to the island of Kalokairi and find whatever storyline there is to continue the story of Donna Sheridan (Meryl Streep), her daughter Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) and her "three dads" Sam (Pierce Brosnan), Harry (Colin Firth) and Bill (Stellan Skarsgard). 

As shown in the trailer, most of us know that Donna has passed away and the sequel focuses more on flashbacks with Downton Abbey's Lily James as the young Miss Sheridan. The way Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again intertwines the flashback and the opening of Sophie's dream hotel honoring her late mom is pure genius. It's an ultimate summer escapist flick anchored by a great ensemble of well-liked actors and the addition of Cher as the grandmother of Sophie. The 70's icon number in the final act is the highlight of the film. The songs are rehashed but who cares when ABBA is well-loved worldwide plus an amazing cast singing and dancing to it. It is the film equivalent of going back to the karaoke bar with friends singing the songs and having a good time.

Just like when the first movie came out ten years ago when the US financial crisis is starting to hit the world, Here We Go Again provides great entertainment in a world of chaos.

MOVIE REVIEW: Incredibles 2

The 14 year wait for the Incredibles sequel was all worth it. Picking up where the first film ended, the superhero family aka The Parrs are forced to be integrated back to a normal life after the world banned superheroes for the wreck and havoc they caused after fighting villains. Bob Parr (Craig T. Nelson) aka Mr. Incredible, his wife Helen Parr aka Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) and their kids Violet and her brothers Dash and Jack Jack all felt disheartened but they can't do anything about it.

A glimmer of hope came from media-savvy mogul Winston Deavor (Bob Odenkirk) who's a big fan of superheroes and hope to bring them back on the global stage. With his PR instincts, he feels that Elastigirl is the perfect fit to be the face of a superhero renaissance. She accepted it for the family thus relegating her husband Bob to be a stay at home dad taking care of their young kids. Deavor too has an inventor sister Evelyn (Catherine Keener having fun in her role) who's always behind his endeavors. 

Together with family friend Lucius Best aka Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson), it's fun to see him and Bob doing household duties and taking care of the kids. Moviegoers and fans of the first film will surely Jack-Jack's antics. Incredibles 2 came in the right time in Hollywood. It's all about women empowerment as the ladies in this animated film gets the best roles and the actresses (Hunter and Keener) gets the best lines as well. Fan favorite superhero costume designer Edna Mode (Brad Bird) is also in the sequel with one funny scene.

It's good to know that the director of the first film Brad Bird is back in the director's chair. With a smart script and entertaining characters, Pixar is back with it's best sequel since Toy Story 3.