A DOG’S WAY HOME (2019)

Directed By: Charles Martin Smith 

Written By: W. Bruce Cameron and Cathryn Michon

Based On the novel by: W. Bruce Cameron 

Cinematography: Peter Menzies Jr. 

Editor: David S. Clark, Debra Neil-Fisher and Sabrina Pilsco

Cast: Ashley Judd, Jonah Hauer-King, Alexandra Shipp, Edward James Olmos, Barry Watson, Wes Studi, Chris Bauer, John Cassini, Brian Markinson, Patrick Gallagher 

As a puppy, Bella finds her way into the arms of Lucas, a young man who gives her a good home. When Bella becomes separated from Lucas, she soon finds herself on an epic 400-mile journey to reunite with her beloved owner. Along the way, the lost but spirited dog meets a series of new friends and manages to bring a little bit of comfort and joy to their lives.

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These are the perfect family films as they are filled with innocence cute show, survival and loving, as well as offer adventure.

They are also manipulative as hell because they want you to get emotionally invested in the film. This is in a film you watch for the filmmaking necessarily or even the story but you will find yourself emotionally involved no matter how long you watch the film.

Especially as they usually focus on the dogs as they know that it is a weakness for the majority of the population to fall in love with these films, or find them more personal or personable.

No, like most of these films this one is based on a novel it still is more about a dog. The people who is a fax and who effect it has every scene seems to be introduced to new characters and get their story and leaves at the right moment, to affect their lives, and more positive ways.

Will admit that these films are guilty pleasures, even for me, and I’m not a dog owner, but I continuously watch the sermons once in a while and find myself charmed, even though I know the tricks, and I know better. They are even diverse and to reach each possible member Of a demographic of the audience.

Which then makes her feel all the more designed rather than natural

at least this one is directed by Character actor, and veteran Director, Charles Martin Smith, which might be why I give this one just a little bit more credit than it deserves.

Grade: C+

ANYONE BUT YOU (2023)

Directed By: Will Gluck 

Written By: Will Gluck and Ilana Wolpert 

Story By: Ilana Wolpert 

Cinematography: Danny Ruhlmann

Editor: Kim Boritz-Brehm and Tia Nolan

Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Glenn Powell, Gata, Alexandra Shipp, Charlee Fraser, Bryan Brown, Dermont Mulroney, Rachel Griffiths, Hadley Robinson, Michelle Hurd, Joe Davidson, Darren Barnet 

After an amazing first date, Bea and Ben’s fiery attraction turns ice-cold–until they find themselves unexpectedly reunited at a wedding in Australia. So they do what any two mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple.


A sexier romantic comedy that plays like a sex comedy. Only lacking any truly carnal action, but flirts around with it, In a more innocent manner.

The whole movie is of course a will they or won’t they. Where they feel like they are fooling their friends and their friends feel like they have the upper hand over them.

The film tries to breathe life into a tired staple or genre. The results aren’t terrible. As the film stays entertaining fluff. That you will forget about soon after watching. 

It is a bunch of beautiful people in impossibly lush locations and privilege-loving fantasy lives. So it plays like a fantasy for the audience. 

the film keeps trying to make Sydney Sweeney into a more physical comedian and less an object of desire but never goes fully into quite embarrassing humor or anything truly juvenile. 

Luckily the movie focuses more on the comedy and less on the romance until it is needed. 

Hollywood keeps moving Glen Powell into being a star for good reason. As he is a movie star handsome and charming. Though you might find yourself obsessing about his hair throughout as it is usually perfect and never movies but doesn’t look stiff. 

It’s an across-the-board film as it is diverse and includes every kind of demographic a mainstream film could aim for. 

It’s nice to see Bryan Brown and Rachel Griffiths on the screen again and clearly having fun Even if the movie casting seems all over the place. Though definitely filming in Australia as most of the supporting cast seem to be natives and we see all the popular sights. 

Not to mention while you can understand Powell’s character being tempted by his ex. Played by Charlee Fraser, As she is gorgeous and it’s flattering she needed such a good-looking guy to replace him and get over him. Sydney Sweeney’s ex in the film played by Darren Barnet is there in appearance but gets nothing to do or any real character Arc. Really he’s the only character who really has nothing to do but is just there. 

This seems like the movie the Justin Timberlake movie FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS was supposed to be, only here the leads are likable and insistent like it is chasing any trends or trying to be cool. Instead, this movie just remembers to be sexy. 

This seems a starter movie for both the stars here, trying to see how much box office power they have with them as the main stars.

Grade: C

JEXI (2019)

Written & Directed By: Jon Lucas & Scott Moore 
Cinematography: Ben Kutchins 
Editor: James Thomas 

Cast: Adam Devine, Rose Byrne, Alexandra Shipp, Ron Funches, Charlyne Yi, Michael Pena, Wanda Sykes, Justin Hartley, Kid Cudi

Phil has a major dependency issue – he’s addicted to his phone. He has no friends, he has a job writing pop culture “Top 10” lists, and his love life is non-existent. But his Facebook status is about to change. When he is forced to upgrade his phone, the latest model comes with an unexpected feature… Jexi – an A.I. life coach, virtual assistant, and cheerleader. With her help, Phil begins to get a real life. But as he becomes less dependent on his phone, Jexi’s artificial intelligence morphs into a tech nightmare determined to keep Phil all to herself, even if it means ruining his chances of finding success.


Directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, known to make comedic free for all films. Some that work and are quite funny and some that don’t, but while this one is scaled back it still has the chaos and anarchy run amuck in Certain scenes 

This is a comedy film that feels a little late to the party. As it seems to want to lampoon technology and the growing need of people to live by it. 

It also provides a movie that has a high concept story and comes off as simplistic as possible, but also trying to have a certain hipness to sell itself to a willing audience.

It feels like a script where it was better to pitch and spitball. Trying to build a Whole film around the concept. That was more fun in thinking about rather than in execution. 

As it still ends up feeling out of place to a degree like a 1990’s comedy. Even as the film is supposed to be more dependent on cutting-edge technology. Where it showcases the danger of technology, limiting it more  and the rewards of living life and experience.

Though the film Also shows what can happen when someone who is the center of your attention loses interest or has no dependence. How vengeful they can be in that loneliness.

It also in its own way shows what an addiction can do to us. Therefore love your life for your own enjoyment. 

The cast all seem to give it they’re all. As every character seems over the top to a degree. Adam Devine is a funny and able leading man, but needs to find better scripts than these subpar romantic comedies of the Netflix variety.

Alexandra Shipp is attractive as the love interest but is given nothing to really do rather than show independence early on day then fall into romance and be the most understanding cool, beautiful girl in the movie.

Though the late romantic square becomes awkward and doesn’t exactly work. Nor is it explained why Jexi is the way she is.

In the end, it was a perfectly ok time waster. As long as you know what you are getting into and don’t expect much.

Grade: D+

SHAFT (2019)

SHAFT_5350.dng

Directed By: Tim Story
Written By: Kenya Barris & Alex Barnow
Based Upon the character John Shaft from the novel by: Ernest Tidyman
Cinematography: Larry Blanford
Editor: Peter S. Elliot 

Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Jesse T. Usher, Regina Hall, Alexandra Shipp, Richard Roundtree, Avan Jogia, Luna Lauren Velez, Issach De Bankole, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Matt Lauria, Tashiana Washington 


JJ Shaft, a cyber security expert with a degree from MIT, enlists his family’s help to uncover the truth behind his best friend’s untimely death.

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TRAGEDY GIRLS (2017)

tragedy girls

Directed By: Tyler MacIntyre
Written By: Chris Lee Hill & Tyler MacIntyre
Based on an Original Screenplay By: Justin Olson
Cinematography By: Pawel Pogorzelski
Editor: Martin Pensa 

Cast: Alexandra Shipp, Brianna Hildebrand, Craig Robinson, Kevin Durand, Elise Neal, Jack Quaid, Nicky Whelan, Rosalind Chao 


A twist on the slasher genre, following two death-obsessed teenage girls who use their online show about real-life tragedies to send their small mid-western town into a frenzy and cement their legacy as modern horror legends.


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