MARSHMALLOW (2025)

Directed By: Daniel Delpurgatorio 

Written By: Andy Greskoviak 

Cinematography: Flip Vandewal 

Editor: Andy Palmer 

Cast: Paul Soter, Corbin Bernsen, Pierson Fode, Giorgia Whigham, Kai Cech, Alysia Reiner, Amiya Cech, Maxwell Whittington-Cooper, Amanda Clayton, Max Malas, Samantha Neyland Trumbo 

When a once-fabled campfire tale becomes real, a group of campers uncover a profound secret that questions their very existence.


First off want to thank screen-centered.com aka Myriamtalksaloy  for her initial review and recommendation of this film 

A lot of movie fans say that there is no originality out there. Well, I am glad to say this film proves them wrong because what starts out as a typical summer camp/or film evolves into something totally different and original.

Which is why I would suggest watching the film blind, before reading this review, because there will be spoilers and hints towards what happens and where it goes.

I truly enjoyed this film, especially because of what it was able to do which was keep you guessing and throw me off quite a few times. It offers the traditional coming-of-age summer camp story, but then adds in something a bit different.

As the film plays like a horror film specifically for kids while being a typical summer camp horror film, with characters a bit younger than expected. Then it offers twist upon twists, that feed upon each other. that it could almost play or be a GOOSEBUMPS tale as I’m sure many will compare to an M night shamalayan film 

If you go, expecting something he’ll be able to pick up on the choice sooner and faster. One is quite surprised by some reactions.

As just because if it has a twist ending, doesn’t mean we should label it as instantly M night. Shamalayan rip off as this place is better that some of his film story wise.(though he has a better eye as a director and sensationalize his material a lot more. Which then makes you expect the twist.) 

This is a tricky film as it did surprise and entertain, but it didn’t amaze or offer the same level of production or direction as the film has a good idea in decent filmmaking, though it doesn’t come off as memorable

Now the film seems aimed at kids featuring very little violent, though there is violence and a little exploitation, as it does offer a sexy, no nudity and not as graphic as it could’ve been, but it’s there. As this comes off almost as a more violent AMBLIN movie type tale. Not necessarily distinct though the story is. Though the problem would be if it was more distinct, it might tip off the audience.

Why are so many complaining. it’s not stupid and backs itself up with its twist and turns as it goes in many directions sometimes opposing each other, but feel it is more growing in those create and show the pains of it. Which can happen in world building, though by the end it feels fresh and enjoyable tale.

The problem  is that we as movie goers and audience is complained. There is nothing new or that there’s no originality then when we get some bitch about the so-called plot holes and problems or nitpick it to death, yet support the same old stories only done more modern with bigger names behind the scenes, and we tend to pray over praise when something is decent and does its job as more and more today it seems such a rarity for a film really to be that way so that when something is good, we give it too much credit and treat it like it’s great when actually, it might be average at best. depending on your basis of what makes a good movie or what you score a movie on or by that would definitely recommend this film as it touches all the bases 

The film is modern yet seems more 1980s inspired. It switches gears with each new discovery, but does it with subtlety,

I’m going to need a sequel to this film ASAP before the characters and kids age out. Which should be easy based on what is hinted at in the finale.

Grade: B

THE MAN FROM TORONTO (2022)

Directed By: Patrick Hughes 
Written By: Robbie Fox and Craig Bremmer 
Story By: Robbie Fox, Craig Bremmer and Jason Rosenthal 
Cinematography: Rob Hardy
Editor: Craig Alpert 

Cast: Kevin Hart, Woody Harrelson, Jasmine Matthews, Kaley Cuoco, Ellen Barkin, Pierson Fode, Jeancarlos Canela 

The world’s deadliest assassin and New York’s biggest screw-up are mistaken for each other at an Airbnb rental.


The film was originally supposed to Co-Star Jason Statham. Which would make more sense as a more dream combo. Not that woody Harrelson isn’t good. It just feels like he is a replacement. As he does what the role requires but hasn’t even known for too many action roles in quite a while.

So while his role is supposed to be more action-oriented. He only seems to use these skills on other assassins. As his character is so synonymous that he rarely has to use violence before they confess everything. Even as we know he has the finesse to actually do the things they fear. So it is more about intimidation. 

Kevin hart tries but it feels like again he is playing a similar role to most of his others. A kind of sad sack dreamer who gets motivated in the middle of the film to do what he needs to do to finally accomplish his mission and be successful. 

Though even here hart’s heart doesn’t seem as much into it. As he does create an annoying character who never seems to shut his mouth and say everything he is thinking, but again he knows he has played this type of role before and there is only so much of a variant that he can do with it.

At this point, it would be nice if Kevin Hart made a film that was just him as the star no more mismatched buddy comedies. Let him be center stage and truly make his mark. That might actually be noteworthy. As it would showcase his talents more and not seem so much like he is dependent on others to sell himself. 

The film’s action scenes try to be exciting even as most characters other than the leads and bigger cast names seem disposable. They never offer any kind of challenge. As the audience knows how each situation most likely will turn out.

There are some exceptions; the airplane fight and the gym fight actually enliven the movie and are a bit easier especially after other action sequences seem to fizzle.

Just as it would have been nice for more comedic scenes where Woody Harrelson is nervous around the opposite sex and opening up around new people. Just as more could have been done when it came to the

Handsome FBI agent who Kevin hart’s character is jealous of, allowing us to see why he should be jealous would have been funnier.

Director Patrick Hughes has made some silly yet violent guilty pleasure action comedies before with THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD films. Though those were much more hardcore in language and violence. This one is played safer and PG-13 so it can only go so far and doesn’t feel like it goes far enough in some scenes. So the film Lacks bite in action and In comedy. The material just never feels that strong 

Overall if you are a Kevin hart fan you will enjoy the movie. The film just feels like the typical Netflix big-budget team-up movie with very little reason or strength in the storytelling. 

Woody Harrelson is bland here can tell he was a replacement in casting. 

The film is serviceable but not as fun as you think it will be or it could have been. As Kevin hart does his usual schtick and the material feels too familiar for all involved

Grade: C-