MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY (2024)

Directed By: Peter Segal

Written By: Pete Segal, Erich Hoeber & Jon Hoeber 

Based on Characters Created By: Erich Hoeber & Jon Hoeber 

Cinematography: Larry Blanford

Editor: Jason Gourson 

Cast: Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman, Ken Jeong, Kristen Schaal, Anna Faris, Craig Robinson, Foula Borg, Taeho K., Billy Barratt, Tanner Burjaq 

JJ, a veteran CIA agent, reunites with his protégé Sophie, in order to prevent a catastrophic nuclear scheme threatening Vatican City, which disrupts a high school choir trip to Italy.


While the first film was surprisingly endearing and entertaining, this sequel isn’t horrible, but while it hits half of the same spots as the first film, this time, it feels a little more forced and unfocused as the first film felt specific this film felt general 

Now anyone who was looking forward to this sequel I’m sure won’t be greatly disappointed, though the problem here is that as with all sequels, it must be bigger while the first film was singular. This one is more international and foreign locals. It has its moments but seems to be missing that, and the sweetness that made the first film work

It also doesn’t help that this film has a much bigger cast a lot of bigger more recognizable names and small roles that you would expect more 

The film is predictable and it tries and all the characters do have their chemistry, but for some reason, it just isn’t as charming as the first though it is entertain 

The film feels like a successor of the Frankie Muniz starring film AGENT CODY BANKS this is a continuation and the kid’s spy genre, not the SPY KIDS franchise.  only here more of a buddy comedy like AGENT CODY BANKS, less a James Bond-type story, and adventure as this one is more all about teamwork.

Dave Bautista actually looks a little smaller this time around, but he is still an imposing force who gets stuck in more comedic situations, but he used well in the action sequences. 

Chloe Coleman is hilarious a girl with a crush, but who still also has her eyes on the prize as far as missions go and hold her own and all of her scenes of action and comedy and even a little romance. 

There is plenty of action in comedy and some jokes and languages that I am a little surprised they got away with a PG-13 movie but then again it’s all done and innocence and fun and not trying to be dirty or nasty. Even if it feels a little more risqué, the previous film was more of a children’s film. This is a little bit more of a preteen movie, but it’s still at heart a family film that you can watch together.

Grade: C

65 (2023)

Written & Directed By: Scott Beck & Bryan Woods 

Cinematography: Salvatore Totino 

Editor: Josh Schaeffer and Jane Tones

Cast: Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, Chloe Coleman, Nika King 

After a catastrophic crash, pilot Mills quickly discovers he’s actually stranded on an unknown planet. Now, with only one chance at rescue, Mills must make his way across an unknown terrain riddled with dangerous prehistoric creatures in an epic fight to survive.


Adam Driver truly puts himself through the wringer in this movie. Which rises above the material and keeps it watchable. As he is definitely inspired by something throughout.

I only wish as an audience member we could feel the same way. 

The film is disappointing even though it seemed to come out of nowhere when released. 

The audience should expect more from the writers of A QUIET PLACE. Who wrote and directed this film. You want a little more originality or at least try to put an original spin on the material. This just feels like a lost 1980s science fiction, B-movie with modern special effects.

Understand that this is a starter film for the screenwriting duo, to show what they were capable of, but you would hope there was something better. As this seems like a film that was either lying around or that they were brought in to salvage and failed. 

The film tries to world-build and gives us glimpses of this new planet or terrain that Adam Driver is exploring. At first naturally then as he tries to survive against dinosaurs and repair his ship. 

Though pretty soon this feels like a movie that owes itself more to those special effects than making an entertaining movie. This feels more like it could have easily been more of a video game.

Worst of all it Comes across as basic. Most of the audience has seen this type of film before. Only here it’s presented in new wrapping.

Grade: C- 

GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE (2021)

Directed By: Navot Papushado 
Written By: Navot Papushado & Ehud Lavski
Cinematography: Michael Seresin
Editor: Nicolas De Toth

Cast: Karen Gillian, Lena Headey, Paul Giamatti, Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh, Carla Gugino, Chloe Coleman, Ralph Ineson, Michael Smiley, Adam Negaitis 

Three generations of women fight back against those who could take everything from them.


The film Plays like pop art to please the masses full Of neon coloring. As it takes a bunch of action film narratives and tries to splice them All together with some nods to film noir.

It strangely comes off kind of dull but very colorful. As we watch, trying to figure out what movie caused this scene’s inspiration. 

The action sequences are inspired and what the film depends on. As well as its Tarantino-inspired dialogue and quirkiness.

The film also like JOHN WICK tries to world build, unfortunately, it barely gives us a chance to know the characters or what is going on before a heavy emphasis on this. Which can lead to confusion early on.

Even if it more feels like HOTEL ARTEMIS with Its Rogue galleries of criminals, organizations, killers, doctors, clinics, and dealers. Though again John wick-ish with this network of criminals and yet also POINT BLANK with its organization that rules most of the underworld business. 

Just as the DRIVE inspired jacket she wears throughout 

While giving a more female-oriented point of view of the action in these types of films with a recognizable cast. Visually the film has all that it takes and is truly a style over substance but with an increasing degree when it comes to Netflix films it seems rather contained than open. Even as it works well with what it has. 

As the story is far from simple for this type of film as the action seems to follow and seems to only. Be confusing because it needs a reason to have an action sequence. 

The problem is that with all of this it still comes off limp and surprisingly a little dull. It’s like a meal that has food coloring nice to look at but ultimately something you have had before and are used to. 

As even the score tries to use Sergio Leone-inspired music or random pop hits more to fit the action sequences than anything.  Not necessarily adding anything to the emotional more like the director just thought it would be nice if this song played during this sequence. No real new meaning except for some irony.

Just as Karen Gillian is fine in the lead but is left with nothing to make her stand out. She comes off as having the skills but is pretty bland and one-note. She, unfortunately, stand out the least amongst the cast.

The only spark of originality other than color scheme comes for. The library and librarians were played by Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett, and Carla Gugino. They are a nice breath of fresh air. Where the most impressive action sequence takes place. Also, the clinic is A cute sequence as well as the diner. 

Also the organization’s three henchmen they send to take her out up a challenge but seem pretty bad to be exclusive assassins. They come across as more muscle or thugs that would be back up or the type assassins have to do clean up Or dirty work for or Vice versa. Like a wrecking crew destroying and making a mess.  so that there is no evidence 

The villains offer no personality, only a stereotypical look of either Eastern European stereotypes or well-suited goons and backup men.  

It’s also a film that feels like it’s trying too hard. It wants to stand out from the rest which is understandable, but by trying too hard to be like the others or those that came before it Lacks its own individual personality and feels like a loser, and ultimately Proves to be about nothing 

It’s obviously a movie for a more mainstream audience looking. For an action escape and it works on that level but doesn’t offer anything new or original mist some nice dressing. As it definitely is more commercial and slick but offers nothing of depth. Like a best seller with no actual good writing just a story to work off of And try to live up to fill in the blanks 

Grade: C-