KPOP DEMON HUNTERS (2025)

September 16, 2025 ~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang

Story By: Maggie Kang

Written By: Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang, Danya Jimenez and Hannah McMechan

Head Of Cinematography Layout: Gary H. Lee

Editor: Nathan Schauf

Featuring the voices of… Arden Cho, May Hong, Ji-Young Yoo, Ken Jeong, Daniel Dae Kim, Ahn Hyo-Seop, Yunjin Kim, Lee Byung-Hun,Liza Koshy, Joel Kim Booster

When they aren’t selling out stadiums, Kpop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey use their secret identities as badass demon hunters to protect their fans from an ever-present supernatural threat. Together, they must face their biggest enemy yet – an irresistible rival boy band of demons in disguise.

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Trust me, this film came totally as a surprise to me as the title pretty much says it all and I didn’t at first have too much interest in it but heard so many glowing reviews and word-of-mouth that I decided to check it out and I’m glad I did

As this animated film was truly a marvel to experience and caught me totally off guard. It’s dramatic. It’s funny. It’s silly has supernatural elements, but is also a satire of K-pop music and the whole industry or phenomenon around it well also exposing the heart of it and how meaningful the music can be to not only the artist, but especially the audience

It also works as a full-blown musical with not only the stage performances of the songs, but also in their singing their emotions after certain dramatic scenes

This is also a film that could only be told truly an animated form as to make a live action version of this film. You couldn’t exactly get the angles and the budget would have to be super inflated, and it just wouldn’t lend itself to the silliness at certain times.

Now the film has action sequences, but it’s not heavily an action film. It seems to care more about emotions and humor as well as being an outcast.

This one just has an energy and excitement that feels contagious and you’re willing to follow the film wherever it goes.

It’s quite enjoyable and I have to say so far one of the better films that I have seen this year I can say it certainly not for everybody but if you ever just wanna have fun and get lost in a film with a pretty good soundtrack to boot or just a fan of musicals you should definitely give this film a try

Grade: B

THE WILD ROBOT (2024)

May 3, 2025March 9, 2025 ~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Written & Directed By: Chris Sanders

Based on the book by: Peter Brown

Cinematography: Chris Stover

Editor: Mary Blee

Featuring the voices of: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Stephanie Hsu, Bill Nighy, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames, Catherine O’Hara

After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island’s animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose.

This film shows what can be done by a true independent individual spirit and not doing what you have been trained or necessarily program to do, but interestingly also teaches you that by doing that you might learn not only to be your own person, but humanity and itself as well as to help those around community or culture you might find yourself and that is different from yourself how to assimilate into that culture and find your own friends and family but also if you have to, you can simulate into what you’re supposed to be but still at heartbeat who you need to be and who you are

I can truly say I wasn’t expecting much from this film and figured it would be. You know a typical moralistic tail and it seems like it’s going to be that way, but then it takes so many broad strokes or subverts what you’re used to and a different way that you can’t help but get emotional watching it and especially around the third act, or truly showcases the bond between parent and child and appreciation and the length of love between them where your downright willing to sacrifice yourself for them and vice versa how they sometimes have to take care of you when you’ve given it all you got

That is when the film is at its strongest and most powerful. It’s cute and previous scenes, and can be funny and ferocious. It’s perfect for kids and families like because I believe whoever sees this film will get something out of that, that is strong and meaningful to them.

I don’t watch those animated films sometimes, other than the artwork. It feels like more of the same, but I can truly say that this one affected me more than I expected to and it’s truly something special. I can see why it has so many fans, such that seem to come from nowhere.

Grade: A-

BEAVIS & BUTTHEAD DO THE UNIVERSE (2022)

May 2, 2025March 9, 2025 ~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed by: Albert Calleros, Geoffrey Johnson and John Rice

Written By: Mike Judge, Lew Morton, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Guy Maxtone-Graham and Ruben Martinez

Story By: Mike Judge, Ian Maxtone-Graham and Guy Maxtone-Graham

Editor: Robert James Ashe, Phil Davis and Mike Mendez

Cast: (Voices) Mike Judge, Gary Cole, Andrea Savage, Nat Faxon, Chi McBride, Carlos Alazraqui, Toby Huss, Tig Notaro, Jimmy O. Yang, Brian Huskey, Stephen Root

After a “creative” judge sentences them to space camp, a black hole sends our adolescent heroes 24 years into the modern future where the duo misuse iPhones, embark on a quest to score, and become targets of the Deep State.

I wasn’t expecting this film to be such a disappointment, but then again, look at the material.

Growing up, I was like most teenagers. I was a fan of the show Beavis and Butthead and I even thought they’re movie Beavis and Butthead to America who is actually hilarious and strangely the film does still stand up.

This is a welcome return of the characters and their universe of sorts ends up being so disappointing because it feels exactly what it is a sequel and it’s a sequel and every true meaning of the word it’s bigger where we’re talking a story about Space exploration time, travel and different dimensions in worlds it feels very unnecessary

It’s still funny and has some great brilliant moments here and there, but I can’t tell if I grew out of the humor or if the material just isn’t that strong but even at barely 90 minutes it feels too long and it doesn’t feel firm at all and it has a coherent story still feels like there’s a lot of things thrown at the wall to see what will stick

Don’t give me wrong, it’s not bad or horrible. It’s just disappointing considering the miracle that was the first film. No one expected it to be as funny or actually, as good as it was here. This is the movie. I think most people expected the first time around, only you get your hopes up for a sequel that you hope will be at least equal to the first one, and here is where you get the disappointment.

If you’re a fan of Die Hard, you will be happy with the film, if you’re new to this phenomenon, or the characters, this might not be the place to start, and you will find the film maybe more OK. Then again, it might be that we have grown out of that demographic and it still seems to be aiming for that same teenage demographic, even after all these years.

Grade: C

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM (2023)

October 3, 2024August 4, 2024 ~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Jeff Rowe and Kyler Spears

Written By: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Jeff Rowe, Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit

Based on TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES characters, Created By: Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

Head Of Cinematography: Kent Saki

Editor: Greg Levitan

Voice cast: Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Ice Cube, Jackie Chan, Ayo Edebiri, Maya Rudolph, John Cena, Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Natasia Demetriou, Giancarlo Esposito, Paul Rudd, Post Malone, Hannibal Buress

After years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtles set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers through heroic acts. But they soon get in over their heads when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.

Over the years, there have been many reboots of this franchise as well as ongoing, animated television shows. There were even two live-action films after the initial live-action trilogy of films.

I have to say that this animated film is the best of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise since the original animated series and also the first two live-action films which are near deer to my heart. I saw them in theaters and the first one I kept trying to see in theaters and I think, I tried five times to see it in theaters and it was always sold out. This was before you could buy your tickets online so when I finally did get to see it, it was so magical and felt so worth it.

This film emphasizes the teenage part of the title as the characters do have fighting skills, but they are also still teenagers at heart growing up and wanting to belong but also wanting to have fun and not necessarily so mission-focused.

With it being more about teenagers, it prepares you to have patience with that aspect as an adult, though it’s a perfect family film that feels a bit more funky and fun than any of the films have before. It’s a film for a younger audience though older fans can’t enjoy it.

Here’s a little bit reimagined with a more urban feel in a different villain than the nemesis usually the villain Shredder.

The film is a lot more fun and emphasizes a bit more humor than action.

The star voices don’t add too much more of a hay isn’t that such and such factor that would work with or without them, though it is nice to see here, the familiar voice does at times the danger of taking you out of the film, especially when it comes to certain beloved characters.

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, take over the franchise or the ideas for the story here and rework it, just as they have others that they either produce or create shows like THE BOYS and PREACHER amongst others. At least it seems like the stuff that they are behind that RIP that they were fans of from the beginning so while they are making it a little more hip, they know what the fans like. Enjoy and want.

The film is an original story at heart. It’s closer to the more blockbuster material of the animated cartoon than the previous live-action movies that starred Megan Fox.

It’s a reboot for a franchise that continues to reinvent itself while sticking to the same premise, yet never venturing into the dark original world of the cult comic book from which it came.

Grade: B+

ENTERGALACTIC (2022)

August 18, 2023July 16, 2023 ~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Fletcher Moules
Story By: Kid Cudi and Kenya Barris
Written By: Ian Edelman, Maurice Williams, Esa Lewis, Sidney Schiff and Judnick Mayard
Editor: Carole Karvetz Aykanian

Featuring: Kid Cudi, Jessica Williams, Laura Harrier, Ty Dolla $ign, Vanessa Hudgens, Timothee Chalamet, Macaulay Culkin, 070 Shake, Jaden Smith, Christopher Abbott, Keith David, Arturo Castro, Teyana Taylor, Luis Guzman, Kenya Barris

Jabari, a charming, streetwear-clad artist on the cusp of real success. After a chance run-in with his cool new photographer neighbor, Meadow, Jabari has to figure out whether he can make space for love in his life.

This was initially supposed to be a series for Netflix before it was decided to just combine all the episodes and make it into a film. Which explains the episodic nature of the film. As well as why the film is broken up into chapters. It’s all for the better here.

This film might come across as a Kid Cudi vanity project. As he created it, produced it, and came up with the story. to go with his album of the same name or the movie was thought out first and he just made music for it. Either way, it is a triumph.

Like the animated Spider-verse movies with the same kind of animation. Only here it is used to tell an urban love story with a lot of surreal imagery and a kind of fantasy version of an urban life love story. That constantly feels like a dream, you want to live in and makes New York into the wonderland you always wanted or remembered. Adding to its legendary status.

This is a movie you wish was told in love action, but the animation makes it come off more magical without it. It might make an impact but not as strong.

Even if the story is familiar as a love story. Only with more modern and hip elements. That is to the overall experience. As we get side characters telling their tales as advice that are comedic elements all their own, and add to the climate, but also shows how what the main character have is special. Especially as this film features characters of color and also adds in certain sexual elements that the spider-verse couldn’t delve into.

The dialogue and script could be a bit sharper, but works leaving room for realism and the reality of the moments.

This truly is a rare type of film where an audience of color gets to see themselves represented in a love story that isn’t all about sex and fighting for your relationship to survive. Where the audience gets a colorful point of view with a diverse cast and cutting-edge animation. While focusing on the love story has something today about microaggressions and the prejudice minorities deal with, especially in professional settings and even the art world. Though that never overpowers the narrative

Grade: B+

WENDELL & WILD (2022)

February 9, 2023February 5, 2023 ~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Henry Selick
Written By: Henry Selick and Jordan Peele
Based on A Book By: Clay McLeod Chapman and Henry Selick
Cinematography: Peter Sorg
Editor: Robert Anich, Jason Hopper, Mandy Hutchings and Sarah K. Reimas

Featuring the voices of: Lyric Ross, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Angela Bassett, James Hong, Ving Rhames, Natalie Martinez, Sam Zelaya, Tamara Smart, Seema Virdi, Ramona Young

Two scheming demon brothers, Wendell and Wild, enlist the aid of 13-year-old Kat Elliot to summon them to the Land of the Living.

Henry Selick is a master of his craft it is unfortunate that we rarely get to see or experience his projects, but when we do, you are certainly in for a good time. His projects should be looked forward to, as most audiences do for a new Pixar film.

This film feels fresh and is full of diversity which Is rare in animation, especially in films of this kind. Where here the lead character is female and celebrated for her gumption and tenacity.

The one weakness the film has overall is that while it seems deemed to be short and simple. It could have used more enrichment when it came to the characters’ stories. Especially for a film supposedly based on Selick’s unpublished children’s book.

Now of course some parents might not agree with the film being so dark and having a more supernatural and underworld motif. Though really it is advertised on the poster.

As a person with a weakness for song and dance, it might have been more full overall go there was a musical number or music somewhere.

It also offers a reunion of Keegan Michael Key and his comedy partner Jordan Peele (who co-wrote and produced the film) in animated form and with the same Chemistry and hijinks. In Fact, the title is the character’s names

The film has subtle satire about capitalism

And prison industrial complex. As well as a family message for those with and without. How you are not your parents and to be open to your children’s ideas. Especially if at heart they are trying to update something for you.

It makes sense why this came out around Halloween. As it makes a perfect film for the season and a good film to watch with the family.

I was expecting a different marvel than this but also better than expected.

Grade: B

APOLLO 10 1/2: A SPACE AGE CHILDHOOD (2022)

August 6, 2022August 7, 2022 ~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Written & Directed By: Richard Linklater Cinematography: Shane F. Kelly

Editor: Sandra Adair

Cast: Jack Black, Zachary Levi, Glenn Powell, Bill Sage, Milo Coy, Lee Eddy, Josh Wiggins, Natalie L’Amoreaux

The story of the first moon landing in the summer of 1969 from two interwoven perspectives. It both captures the astronaut and mission control view of the triumphant moment, and the lesser-seen bottom up perspective of what it was like from an excited kid’s perspective, living near NASA but mostly watching it on TV like hundreds of millions of others. It’s ultimately both an exacting re-creation of this special moment in history and a kid’s fantasy about being plucked from his average life in suburbia to secretly train for a covert mission to the moon.

This film feels more like a loving living memory. That is more an autobiographical look back at childhood in 1969. Nothing about the culture, times, and family life of those times.

As obviously this is a project close to writer/director Richard Linklater’s heart. Where the side plot of a kid experiencing space exploration is to give the film more of a center and a kind of big plot to attract audiences.

That eventually makes good on the promise of that story but is treated more as an afterthought. As not only is it more wish fantasy but also is kind of a metaphor for the last days of innocence before getting older and into not only adulthood but young adulthood where responsibilities pile up and things become more concrete. Though it is handled here as just another episode as part of the character’s youth.

The film uses rotoscoping animation, a technique the director has used before in previous films WAKING LIFE, and his adaptation of A SCANNER DARKLY. Here it is used more personally which gives the film and its characters a more vibrant life and flexibility that might have been harder to create in live-action. Plus it allows for that time to seem more like an otherworldly fantasy.

Though its use here is not as outlandish and surreal as his previous projects with it.

The film is impressive but never quite exciting even though it isn’t designed to be. It more feels like the Billy Joel song WE DIDN’T START THE FIRE. With it being a pop song to groove to but also made up of so many historical references you want to look up the ones you don’t know. So in effect a kind of lesson of sorts also of all that has happened since then. A nice memorial to those times.

Grade: B

THE PRINCE OF EGYPT (1998)

August 5, 2022August 7, 2022 ~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner & Simon Wells

Written By: Philip LaZebnik

Cast: (Voices) Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover, Patrick Stewart, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Helen Mirren, James Avery, Eden Reigel

Egyptian Prince Moses learns of his identity as a Hebrew and his destiny to become the chosen deliverer of his people.

This movie really takes me back as I remember it being a big release at the time and a big holiday one at that. I was working at a movie theater at the time of my first job and remember the shows staying packed for weeks full. Almost every show.

I also remember how messy yet warm and sweet-smelling the theaters would be afterward. Not only that but constantly hear the duet by Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey on the song BELIEVE.

This embezzled that song into my head and anytime I hear it now it reminds of this movie and takes me to a happy place.

Shocked, it took me so long to see this last film. As one never watched it in theaters and can tell that was a lost opportunity. As this definitely works best on a big screen. As the story is epic, so is the film. Even for an animated movie, it feels majestic.

It tells such a grand story in a short amount of time with plenty of impacts.

Not usually a fan of biblical films but this doesn’t feel preachy. It just feels like a story from history with some supernatural elements. Though still is a story about the strength of character and faith.

Watching the film you might prefer fewer songs that make it feel more like a musical without song and dance numbers but montages and memories instead.

Which also helps counter and explain its darkness in the second half.

It allows for more stories to be told in a shorter time. As well as showcase their emotions in the moment and at the time of course most family animated films do have songs to keep kids and some adults from feeling restless though for this film. Not to mention it helps embed the movie into memories through those sing-along songs. This is impressive all-around yet more for adults, there could have been less.

The animation is impressive and has stood the test of time.

Even in one of the action scenes such as the final battle scenes and the sandstorm sequences and the miracles/plagues.

Grade: B+

ANTZ (1998)

August 4, 2022July 25, 2022 ~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Eric Darnell & Tim Johnson
Written By: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz & Todd Alcott
Editor: Stan Webb

Cast: (voices) Woody Allen, Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Sylvester Stallone, Jennifer Lopez, Christopher Walken, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtain, Anne Bancroft, Danny Glover, John Mahoney, Paul Mazursky, Grant Shaud, Jim Cummings

Z, the worker-ant strives to reconcile his own individuality with the communal work ethic of the ant colony. Falling in love with the ant-Princess Bala, Z strives to make social inroads, and then ultimately must save the ant colony from the treacherous schemings of the evil General Mandible that threaten to wipe out the entire worker population. Themes of individuality run rampant.

This was one of the first animated films to really have an all-star cast of voices and really put the film out like a blockbuster with real stars. It is a hit most studios thought that that formula would work. It worked for a short period of time until the audience realized the story matters too.

While the ensemble all-star cast is here some are odd casting choices that reek of Stunt casting at times and are More like picking actors who would never co-star together regularly.

One of the reasons now anytime an animated film comes out that it is successful for the most part is more than it seems as there are no purely live-action kids films. Animated is usually the only form of children’s entertainment that is coming out unless you count fantasy films though those are aimed at the whole family.

Woody Allen perfectly cast this as his comedy film with broad humor and from an outsider viewpoint amongst his peers, again an unbelievably gorgeous female lead he gets to romance. Though essentially it also feels like a Woody Allen Movie. Only with more action and outside of New York and of course for a younger audience.

This film came out against the similarly themed A BUGS LIFE life from Pixar. which I will admit is more impressive visually, but I find this film to be more all-around enjoyable. This is more pedestrian and not as impressive in the animation. This is kind of basic. Not made to be so special. Full of more enjoyment.

A BUG’S LIFE seemed to think visuals first story second believing the audience to be so enraptured by the animation they won’t care about the other details as much. The same type of thinking that reminds me of the film AVATAR

Grade: C+

ANTZ (1998)

August 4, 2022August 7, 2022 ~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Eric Darnell & Tim Johnson Written By: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz & Todd Alcott

Editor: Stan Webb

While the ensemble all-star cast is here some are odd casting choices that reek of Stunt casting at times and are More like picking actors who would never co-star together regularly.

Grade: C+