THE LAST SHOWGIRL (2024)

Directed By: Gia Coppola 

Written By: Kate Gersten 

Cinematography: Autumn Durald Arkapaw 

Editor: Blair McClendon And Cam McLaughlin 

Cast: Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Billie Lourd, Kiernan Shipka, Brenda Song, Dave Bautista, Jason Schwartzman, Linda Montana 

A seasoned showgirl must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run.

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This from falters, but it’s not entirely its fault, as the film was heavily hyped to be a comeback vehicle but then when it was released, it was a whimper, though the way it was talked about by the few who didn’t see it you expected so much more and better than it had this kind of hype about it and then, when you watch the film, Kenmore has a light touch but you were already expecting to see so much more now you can’t help but feel a little disappointed.

Which is why it’s usually best to go in with no expectations and hopefully most of you will go into this film with not too many expectations then maybe you can get into it but for me it felt like a lost cause almost.

This film could easily be compared to a star in trying to say some thing about her career in popularity, where the main character is a former show girl who has always lived that kind of lifestyle gotten by on her luxe, and try to support herself and her daughter throughout the years and now that she’s older kind of being pushed out as the show that she stars in is being canceled and can’t seem to get a job In any other shows, though she has experience, she doesn’t have the formal so-called education for the jobs, and also due to her age.

It’s a film that’s sad man tries to give the character dignity even though throughout, she seems to be a pushover who seems to only want to stand up to the wrong people the people who actually care about her, but are making her answer for her flaws and mistakes. Unfortunately they’re asking while the world seems to be against her.

The film has a guerrilla style camera work, and it does have a story deep down in there, but it just doesn’t feel like a very strong as the film try to be more of a slice of life that’s not going to please everyone and more revolves around Pamela Anderson’s character than us really getting to know too many of the other characters.

As even the younger stripper, she works with her costars in the show kind of looked at her to be a mama hen even though her own daughter feels like she neglected her when she was growing up even though Anderson’s character was trying to do the best that she could add time is, it might’ve been selfish, but it was some thing that she loved where she had to choose between her to loves, and she gave one more attention than the other.

There’s nothing bad about the film, but I believe your interest in the film will be as how much do you really care about her character or any of the characters and while I applied it for a showing a film about a woman dealing with feeding beauty and it seems like aging makes you feel you’re made to feel useless

Especially with the supporting role played surprisingly by Jamie Lee Curtis in a way to tan overly made up cocktail waitress who used to be a dancer, but had to go to waitressing and still misses the days of dancing, but also seems to have other personal problems of living, a fast lifestyle even though she can give good life advice, and somehow is worse off than Pamela Anderson’s character though like her characters make up, she might be a bit much, but what is needed a contemporary for Pamela Anderson’s character to truly talk to you and deal with.

One wishes they could’ve gotten into the characters more, as it seems to deal with surface level, but it never really makes you wanna go deeper than the surface of what is shown even though the main point of the film is to go underneath that to see the person and not the beauty or the Luxury or the faded glory but it feels like something that could’ve been told and still manage to have a little bit more to it.

As one remembers her at the peak of her popularity with a bombshell, she was one of the bombshells to reference over the years that has truly asked her to act, even if the character is familiar

This film was talked about as a possible. Oscar consideration. Slow down, would have fooled the industry just because she shows herself with no make up written for her in mind. 

As it even struggles to keep the audiences interest at 89 minutes as there’s just not enough, this feels like a film that would’ve done gangbusters in the 1990s independency but here it just feels like fluff and sort of a gift to Pamela Anderson for making it in Hollywood after all these years as it’s the first time I’ve seen with her that really and challenges are even though it feels also custom-made for

Grade: C

PARACHUTE (2023)

Directed By: Brittany Snow 

Written By: Brittany Snow and Becca Gleason 

Editor: Henry Hayes and Matthew L. Weiss 

Cast: Courtney Eaton, Thomas Mann, Francesca Reale, Kid Cudi, Dave Bautista, Joel McHale, Gina Rodriguez, Jennifer Westfeldt, Kathryn Gallagher, Lukas Gage 

Follows Riley, who has recently been released from rehab after struggling with addictions to food and body image. She meets Ethan and finds herself navigating the line between love and a new addiction.


This film is the directorial debut of actress Brittany Snow and it’s a very accomplished debut as you think it’s going to be a typical twenty-something romance, It reveals itself to be much more.

As there is a romance, it’s also a character piece. That deals with damaged characters throughout and the person who chooses to be with this character and it helps, but it’s not the healthiest relationship for either.

As the film goes along, we see what might have helped to cause Riley the female lead character  problems, and issues, and throughout we see her getting better, but also how she kind of sabotages herself and how the man who is in love with her might actually be hurting her and himself by enabling her

It seems like they might be good for each other, but at the wrong time and in helping each other, they’re only digging themselves deeper into their own problems as their romance is never defined though obvious to all.

We also see how her problems affect those around her friends, family, and even associates.

As what starts off as typical slowly reveals its depths and though it might only offer sketches of certain side characters, it does offer a reality and a look at all of their lives and how they affect one another 

The film is more nourishing than one might expect as you come for something lighthearted, and you get something quite heavy, and the performances of the leads are just so devastating Eaton. This is the first time that I remember her in a leading role and quite strong and affecting and Thomas Mann , who I remember from many teenage or of age films really steps into his own as an actor and his lead in the leading role of the suitor who buries his own misery, trying to help others, but only sinks himself, and the others even lower by not truly allowing himself to be happy. Teaching the power of letting go.

This is definitely a film to check out and really live with as it’s not typical even the ending isn’t typical, but it feels true and Its Own Way, Earnest with ambiguity and hope.

Grade: B+

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

STUBER (2019)

Directed by: Michael Dowse
Written By: Tripper Clancy
Cinematography: Bobby Shore
Editor: Jonathan Schwartz

Cast: Dave Bautista, Kumail Nanjiani, Natalie Morales, Mira Sorovino, Iko Uwais, Betty Gilpin, Karen Gillian, Steve Howey, Jimmy Tatro 

A mild-mannered Uber driver named Stu picks up a grizzled detective who is hot on the trail of a sadistic, bloodthirsty terrorist and finds himself thrust into a harrowing ordeal where he has to keep his wits, himself unharmed, and work with his passenger while maintaining his high-class rating.


This is a buddy film rather than a buddy cop as only one character is actually a cop, but the film is centered around taking down a crime syndicate. So maybe it can count as a buddy cop film.

For a film that is supposed to be more comedic and stays that way through most of the film. It is surprisingly violent in parts graphically. 

This film is more random when it comes to the buddy dynamic. Usually, you try to get stars who have different types of audiences to be ina fil. Together hoping the audience will mix and match. Here you have two actors one who is more known. As a stand-up and Dave Bautista who is more of an action movie actor. Here it offers each of them to try genres they are not usually in or at least show skills in a different genre. Showing each as versatile.

Just as how the characters and actors seem forced together. As two different elements combined into a familiar formula. The film feels that way also where we know what is supposed to happen and will happen. Only here it seems that the film is more viewed and conceptualized to include more modern and current culture into the story and references. Which is understandable as the film’s

The title is a play off of not cab’s or taxi’s (as we already have a movie named and based off of that) but the new version of those Uber (and obviously not being a film about that company had to make a play on the name for the title)

Just as some trends are memorable what this film is based on and how the film plays. This film is instantly forgettable not bad or horrible as it is entertaining a bit while you watch it, but easily forgettable by the end.

Which is a shame as the cast is likable and eclectic. Even casting Iko Uwais as the villain. Where as most action films he is the hero. He has that badass fighting style that makes him a believable match for Dave Bautista. Even if for some reason they give him dyed blonde hair. Guessing that is to more recognize him throughout.

The funniest scene actually takes place inside a male strip club. It’s Not genius or well thought out but is funny. It is also very colorful.

You immediately know who is supposed to be a villain or end up being one. As they have way too big a name to play a minor role and it seems ominous especially in a scene In the middle of the film and it seems like the score goes to bad guy theme as the person walks in but really doesn’t nothing bad or evil. So later when revealed to be the villain you are barely shocked. 

This film is enjoyable as long as you don’t expect much and don’t come looking for much. You pretty much know what’s going. To happen so if just looking for something that moves and might be a fun time. Try this film 

Grade: C

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2014)

guardians

Directed By: James Gunn
Written By: James Gunn & Nicole Perlman
Based on the Comic-Book By: Andy Lanning & Dan Adnett
Cinematography By: Ben Davis
Editor: Fred Raskin, Craig Wood & Hughes Winborne
Music By Tyler Bates 


Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Lee Pace, Dijmon Hounsou Michael Rooker, Benecio Del Toro, Karen Gillan, Glenn Close, John C. Reilly, Vin Diesel (Voice Only), Bradley Cooper (Voice Only), Sean Gunn, Peter Serafinowicz, Gregg Henry

After stealing a mysterious orb in the far reaches of outer space, Peter Quill is now the main target of a manhunt led by the villain known as Ronan the Accuser. To help fight Ronan and his team and save the galaxy from his power, Quill creates a team known as the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ to save the world.

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BUSHWICK (2017)

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Written & Directed By: Cary Murnion & Jonathan Milott
Cinematography By: Lyle Vincent
 Editor: Joe Hobeck
Music By: Aesop Rock 

Cast: Dave Bautista, Brittany Snow, Angelic Zambrana, Arturo Castro, Jeremie Harris 



the story of twenty-year- old Lucy and war veteran Stupe. Texas is trying to secede from the U.S., and NYC is being used as a negotiation tool. Lucy meets Stupe after coming up from the subway into the military invasion of Brooklyn. Together they decide to cross the treacherous five blocks of Bushwick – littered with looters, local militias, the invading forces, and one crazy cousin – in order to get home and be reunited with Lucy’s grandmother.

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HOTEL ARTEMIS (2018)

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Written & Directed By: Drew Pearce
Cinematography By: Chung-Hoon Chung
Editor: Gardner Gould & Paul Zucker 


Cast: Jodie Foster, Sterling K. Brown, Sofia Boutella, Dave Bautista, Zachary Quinto, Brian Tyree Henry, Charlie Day, Jenny Slate, Jeff Goldblum, Kenneth Choi 


A woman known as The Nurse runs a high-security, members-only hospital for high-rolling criminals in Los Angeles. When a bank robber brings his injured teammates along with $18 million in jewels there, both mob boss Wolf King and the police follow. With the hospital under siege, The Nurse, her orderly and her other criminal patients have to defend themselves.


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