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.

MOVIE REVIEW: Alien: Covenant

Five years after the polarizing Prometheus, the prequel series gets back on the right track with Alien: Covenant. An excellent production design anchored by a strong performance by Michael Fassbender plus all the gore that's missing from the recent sci-fi movies. Director Ridley Scott clearly still has the magic dust left from his last film also of the same genre: the highly entertaining The Martian.

Those who felt confused or haven't seen Prometheus need not worry, there's a good explanation on how this film is connected. Set in a remote planet that resembles earth, Alien: Covenant brought back the fun that went missing in the last three films in the series. It also has the feel of Star Wars: Rogue One being in another uncharted planet where the conflict all happens with more carnage and tension. I'm now looking forward to the next two films that will eventually bring us to the start of the one that started it all: 1979's Alien.

MOVIE REVIEW: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Disney/Marvel took a risk with the first Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014 since it's one of the lesser known comic books in the company, Fortunately it became a big box office hit with its irreverent humor and great chemistry from the cast.

Vol. 2 retains the best qualities of the first film. It however has the beautiful psychedelic like visuals last seen in Doctor Strange and some great cameos that will make you smile. The soundtrack also offers more obscure songs (compared to Vol. 1) from the past yet it worked and blended well in the movie.

This sequel is all about family. From fathers to father figures and friends you consider to call your own. Don't be surprised if some tears come out of your eyes especially in one of the final scenes of the film.

Chris Pratt shines more in this sequel since his character Peter Quill found his father Ego (a magnificent Kurt Russell). The two provide most of the best scenes in the film minus the action and if there's ever an award for casting, this is a surefire nominee.

Guardians Vol. 2 is one fun movie that will make you wish for more of the Marvel misfits on the big screen.

MOVIE REVIEW: Smurfs: The Lost Village

The first fully animated feature film in the franchise, Smurfs: The Lost Village goes back to its TV animated roots of my generation's childhood. It's a delight to see the blue elf like creatures back in their natural habitat devoid of live action and Neil Patrick Harris. The animation is modern yet it doesn't measure up to the charm of the TV series in old school 2D. 

The film is basically about Smurfette (voiced by pop superstar Demi Lovato), the only female in the village. It is a good premise since we were all wondering when we were kids on why she's the only one. The answer lies on this film with the old Smurf gang and the villain Gargamel (voiced by Rainn Wilson this time, a step back from Hank Azaria's commendable turn in the 2 live action animation films) and his cat and sidekick Azrael. The  new additions are the Forbidden Forest and what's inside. I won't spoil it but it certainly preps up for more films in the series.

Smurfs: The Lost Village could have been better as a film but undoubtedly it has a heart. 

MOVIE REVIEW: Ghost in the Shell

I entered the theater without any prior background and knowledge on the original source of the film. I only know the poster of the anime film and that my younger cousins were talking about it before during one of my stays in San Francisco.

Ghost in the Shell is basically a dark film whose brightness only comes from the neon lights and 3D larger than life hologram images in an unnamed city. Scarlett Johansson, in a slight variation of her titular role in 2014's Lucy plays Major, a human saved from an accident and cyber-enhanced to fight crime. She will soon discover that it ain't the truth while a new kind of criminal that can hack into people minds bring havoc to them. 

The production design is awesome but not necessarily groundbreaking. We had seen it before in other films such as Blade Runner and even the first Lego Movie. Oscar winner Juliette Binoche playing Dr. Ouelet is the film's heart and uber cool Japanese actor Takeshi Kitano steals some scenes as the lead's big boss Aramaki. The two mentioned are the standouts among the supporting actors.

Ghost in the Shell is best seen on the big screen. It enhances the films visual appeal. There's bound to be questions on Johnson's casting of the lead character but otherwise it's entertaining to watch.

MOVIE REVIEW: Beauty and the Beast

Disney's live action remake of the first animated film to be ever nominated for the Best Picture Oscar back in 1991 stays faithful to the original material and yet still comes off as fresh, thanks to an amazing cast anchored by the fully grown (from her Hermione days in the Harry Potter series) and beautiful Emma Watson and Downton Abbey's Dan Stevens, hidden 95% in the movie in prosthetics makeup as the Beast. The two leads can also carry a tune!!

Whatever the animated movie lacked, this Bill Condon directed film made it up by adding some new songs also composed by its original songwriter Alan Menken which further enhances the characters feelings. In my opinion, the showstopping "Be Our Guest", sung by Ewan McGregor channeling his Moulin Rouge character Christian, outdid the original one and the iconic dance number with Emma Thompson being a worthy successor to Angela Lansbury's Mrs. Potts singing the title song was beautifully shot and gracefully choreographed.

Luke Evans was born to play Gaston. He showed off his vocal chops that was well known in his stint on the West End stage and Josh Gad provides comic relief with some innuendos as his sidekick Le Fou. The film also stars the great Ian McKellen as Cogsworth and for diversity Broadway's sweet voice Audra McDonald as the new character Garderobe and the ravishing Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette.

The film bridges the gap between those who first saw the first animated film and their kids that they are bringing in watching this new version.