AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM (2023)

Directed By: James Wan

Written By: David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick

Story By: James Wan, Jason Momoa, and Thomas Pa’a Sibbert

Based on the character AQUAMAN created By: Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger 

Cinematography: Don Burgess

Editor: Kirk Morris

Cast: Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Amber Heard, Randall Park, Nicole Kidman, Temuera Morrison, Dolph Lundgren, Martin Short, Indya Moore, John Rhys-Davies, Jani Zhao, Pilou Asbaek 

Black Manta seeks revenge on Aquaman for his father’s death. Wielding the Black Trident’s power, he becomes a formidable foe. To defend Atlantis, Aquaman forges an alliance with his imprisoned brother. They must protect the kingdom.


Luckily, this film isn’t as bad as it had been predicted or advertised. So what does work in its favor is that it feels kind of a bit like a retread of the first film as it has pretty much the same cast of characters who survived the first film, and essentially the same villain only this time who has managed to acquire more strength and power Through supernatural means partially being possessed, but still determined to take down Aquaman and Atlantis if he can.

Amber Heard who plays Aquaman’s wife in this film her role is either severely cut down from before or meant to just be a placeholder as a love interest. As she is barely in the film and is in an action or two, but really, given nothing to do and not too much importance.

The film plays more like a buddy comedy with Aquaman teaming up with his half-brother, who has been in prison and they learning and going through their differences to trust one another, and to join together, to save Atlantis, thus allowing his brother to get his honor back throughout.

This sequel like the first film has quite a bit of comedy. However in this film, the special effects are a little more distracting as they are not as impressive in fact, while watching the film, it feels like you’re watching a video game demo almost rather than a film. This is good when it comes to the action sequences when it tries to do the dialogue scenes it doesn’t quite fit as well.

If the film had maybe tried to give Aquaman a different villain, this film might have been worthwhile, but with it feeling like a retread, it kind of limits itself.

I am impressed that they managed to make Aquaman so dynamic on the big screen as before he had been either a minor character or more of a laughing stock at with his limited abilities and costumes in the past. 

This is a film where you can see the budget on screen, but somehow it limits itself which is a shame because there seem to be so many possibilities as you’re watching the film instead of what you get, which is ultimately disappointing.

This is a shame, as I was one of those who enjoyed the original way more than I expected to, but like the sequel to Shazam this film just feels like what you thought the first film was going to be it doesn’t improve, and in fact, it’s worse.

This is a shame, considering the impressive cast and Jason Momoa just looks like a badass superhero either way. 

Grade: C- 

TOTALLY KILLER (2023)

Directed By: Nahnatchka Khan 

Written By: David Matalon, Sasha Perl-Raver and Jen D’Angelo

Story By: David Matalon and Sasha Perl-Raver

Cinematography: Judd Overton

Editor: Jeremy Cohen 

Cast: Kiernan Shipka, Olivia Holt, Lochlyn Munro, Julie Bowen, Randall Park, Charlie Gillespie, Troy L. Johnson, Liana Liberto, Kelcey Mawama, Stephi Chin-Salvo 

When the infamous “Sweet Sixteen Killer” returns 35 years after his first murder spree to claim another victim, 17-year-old Jamie accidentally travels back in time to 1987, determined to stop the killer before he can start.


A movie that one can easily see why there is a comparison with the film FINAL GIRLS. Both involve trying to save mothers from a killer having a serial killer who seems unstoppable and being sent into a different period of world.

Though Totally Killer has its own identity and a mystery more at its heart as well as back to the future time travel element.

This movie really makes no sense but it also doesn’t try too hard to. It’s silly and funny as well as fun. This by the end comes across as a guilty pleasure. It is a horror film but feels more like a comedic send-up of slasher films as well as time travel films with some graphic violence.

It’s simplistic but half the humor Is having a character with modern sensibilities dealing with the less politically correct attitude of the past. As well as the movie is a bit tongue-in-cheek and has a sense of humor about itself. Though staying on the ball when it comes to the story and plot. As well as characters.

Kiernan Shipka is good in the lead role being equally dramatic and comedic when need be. It’s also nice to see a film that is more diverse when it comes to casting and not making it a big deal or obvious. 

Director Nahnatchka Chan’s second movie after the surprise hit ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE also brings along that film’s star and co-screenwriter Randall Park to play a small, pivotal supporting role in the film. 

This plays more like a teen comedy and is a film you have to experience to get the most out of it. Talking or reading about it doesn’t do it full justice. It has the right campy attitude with enough rebelliousness and inside jokes from the culture of that era and movies.

In the end, it is a mystery that has you guessing. Though when all is revealed it doesn’t feel like it matters as much as it should. 

Grade: B- 

SHORTCOMINGS (2023)

Directed By: Randall Park 

Written By & Based On The Graphic Novel By: Adrian Tomine 

Cinematography: Santiago Gonzalez 

Editor: Robert Nassau 

Cast: Justin H. Min, Ally Maki, Sherry Cola, Randall Park, Jacob Batalon, Tavi Gevinson, Debby Ryan, Sonoya Mizuno, Timothy Simons

Follows a trio of young, Bay Area urbanites–Ben Tanaka, Miko Hayashi, and Alice Kim–as they navigate a range of interpersonal relationships while traversing the country in search of the ideal connection.


This film is an anti-romantic comedy that is a breath of fresh air. As it is a movie after my own heart. Adapted from a graphic novel by Adrian Tomine 

The film offers a character-driven slice of life. That possesses a dry sense of humor. As it presents situations in the main character’s life. So that it feels more like a hangout movie. As we explore the character’s world, more witness his relationships.

How he complains and believes himself to be the victim always. Closing himself off from others and feelings in general. How he becomes his own worst enemy and slowly alienates others. Who actually wants to like him.

That ends up becoming a story of a kind of redemption or how a jerk finally wakes up to himself and his negative aura.

To give you an example of the main character imagine the worst film snob and magnify it as a personal outlook on most things. 

The film hits home as it is a reminder of sorts for one at a younger age. One would want to believe not as bad but plenty of aspects are personality. Though he is more successful relationship-wise and has more friends around him.

The film is dark-humored like a young Asian unsuccessful Larry David. Who you don’t root for or agree with. As we watch him go through interactions and her cross over and come to a head. 

The lead character is so Insufferable. Half of the entertainment is watching him fall off his high horse constantly. Especially as he starts to build any chances of hope. Then usually sabotages himself or his partners. Wake from any kind of charm ornament attention he was giving them.

This is the type of character who usually seems to be the hero of most relationship dramedies made by twenty-somethings. Whereas the world revolves around them and everyone else has the problem, not them.

Sherry Cola almost steals the whole film. Her character is reminiscent of her character in the film JOYRIDE only with more depth and sarcasm here. 

It’s nice to see the film take on racial politics but not be all about it and offer Asian American characters’ points of view and let them be more diverse and full.

Grade: B

STRAYS (2023)

Directed By: Josh Greenbaum

Written By: Dan Perrault 

Cinematography: Tim Orr

Editor: Greg Hayden, Sabrina Plisco and David Rennie 

Cast: Will Forte, Brett Gelman and Voices By: Jamie Foxx, Will Ferrell, Randall Park, Isla Fisher, Sofia Vergara, Rob Riggle, Josh Gad, Greta Lee 

An abandoned dog teams up with other strays to get revenge on his former owner.


Like the similarly themed movie GOOD BOYS, which has foul-mouthed kids at its center as the source of its comedy, but at least that film had a plausible story behind its outrageousness. Here we deal with foul-mouthed animals, mostly dogs who talk. 

This film is silly and just seems like a joke writer’s haven. As most of the jokes seem to revolve around poop, penis’ and foul language.

So that it seems like a film made for 13-year-olds only it is marked for adults. Who might enjoy this after a few too many, Which is similar to GOOD BOYS. 

As I wish I could say this was a fully entertaining hit that doesn’t seem to happen until the second half of the film. 

Don’t get me wrong the film does have its moments, but they are so far and few are in between. This seemed like it could have worked more as a skit or short film than necessarily a 90-minute feature film. That seemed to be made for pet lovers and since dog movies seem to do so well at the box office 

While it’s true that major comedy stars are behind the voices. It truly only adds to the film for name recognition rather than making the film any better or more entertaining. It might just add a bit of recognizability. 

The film is made to reach a certain demographic and is built more than anything off of a gimmick

Grade: D+

DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS (2010)

Directed By: Jay Roach
Written by: David Guion & Michael Handelman
Based on the original screenplay “Le Diner De Cons” by: Francis Veber 
Cinematography: Jim Debault 
Editor: Alan Baumgarten & Jon Poll

Cast: Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, Zach Galifinakis, Jemaine Clement, Bruce Greenwood, Larry Wilmore, Andrea Savage, Lucy Punch, David Williams, Stephane Szostak, Ron Livingston, Kristen Schawlow, Nick Kroll, Randall Park, Chris O’Dowd, Jeff Dunham, Octavia Spencer, Rick Overton 

When he finds out that his work superiors host a dinner celebrating the idiocy of their guests, a rising executive questions it when he’s invited, just as he befriends a man who would be the perfect guest.


While I quite enjoyed the french original it was smaller scale and crueler. Limited in its locations and hijinks. 

As Well the lead was less likable and by the end, all that happens seemed more like a well-deserved comeuppance. Though after a while you Could feel his pain

This American remake is opened up more to allow more characters and situations. That makes the film feel more Bloated than it needs to be.

The film has a talented comedic cast, who all seem to go over the top and try way too hard to make the material work when not needed and steal the movie. It doesn’t feel so much as fun and entertaining. With each trying to top one another in a game of one up man ship that it feels grand in its upper-crust air. Though proves that some bits and pieces are good enough. Which is a shame because the cast is pretty solid. 

Steve Carrell feels too familiar with this role in THE OFFICE of being innocently annoying and stupid more silly here and bigger. While He is one of the stars he keeps getting scenes stolen from him by co-Stars.

Steve Carell does what he is supposed to do and can be a chameleon usually in roles you would never believe he would be cast in, but here he never quite makes a mark to pass into an original or a classic. 

The film certainly lacks any subtlety. The film still wants the main stars to be likable. So the film opens up the story for more hijinks. As well as padding out the cast and a third act showdown. Whereas the original could have been a theatrical stage piece.

One can give credit for opening up the Story but each new location most feels like a set up where you know things are going to go wrong. 

The film isn’t As snobbish or highbrow as this seems more broadly humored. 

Yet again though this is a remake made for now original the foreign language one was and other than it’s the Main point most is changed around for a more mainstream appeal that subtracts what made it so special in the first place. It’s never a good place to be, because if you follow too closely then it’s like the film

LET ME IN practically the same shots with different actors and in English with minor changes. Where you might as well watch the original as everything is pretty much the same. You just won’t recognize the cast and will have to read subtitles.

So if you have seen the original while this is bigger it comes off strangely and as even if you haven’t seen the original. This still will be way too familiar and you’ve seen it before and done better.

GRADE: C

THE MEDDLER (2015)

meddler_unit_0178.CR2

Written & Directed By: Lorene Scafaria
Cinematography By: Brett Pawlek
Editor: Kayla M. Emter 


Cast: Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne, J.K. Simmons, Jerrod Carmichael, Cecily Strong, Lucy Punch, Michael McKean, Billy Magnussen, Jason Ritter, Casey Wilson, Megan Echikunwoke, Amy Landecker, Harry Hamlin, Robert Picardo, Shiri Appleby, Laura San Giacomo, Roger Arron Brown, Randall Park, Bill Fagerbakke 


An aging widow from New York City follows her daughter to Los Angeles in hopes of starting a new life after her husband passes away.

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ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE (2019)

Always Be My Maybe Ali Wong, Randall Park Credit: Ed Araquel/Netflix

Directed By: Nahnatchka Khan
Written By: Ali Wong, Randall Park & Michael Golamco
Cinematography: Tim Suhrstedt
Editor: Lee Haxall 


Cast: Ali Wong, Randall Park, Keanu Reeves, Michelle Buteau, Susan Park, Vivian Bang, Charlene Yi, Daniel Dae Kim, Casey Wilson, Karan Soni, James Saito, Lyrics Born 


A pair of childhood friends end up falling for each other when they grow up.

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SEX TAPE (2014)

Cameron

Directed By: Jake Kasdan
Written By: Kate Angelo, Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller
Story By: Kate Angelo
Cinematography By: Tim Suhrstedt
Editor: Steve Edwards and Tara Timpone 


Cast: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Rob Corddry, Ellie Kemper, Rob Lowe, Nat Faxon, Randall Park, Kumail Nanjiani, James Wilcox

When Jay and Annie first got together, their romantic connection was intense – but ten years and two kids later, the flame of their love needs a spark. To kick things up a notch, they decide – why not? – to make a video of themselves trying out every position in The Joy of Sex in one marathon three-hour session. It seems like a great idea – until they discover that their most private video is no longer private. With their reputations on the line, they know they’re just one click away from being laid bare to the world… but as their race to reclaim their video leads to a night they’ll never forget, they’ll find that their video will expose even more than they bargained for.

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AQUAMAN (2018)

aquaman

Directed By: James Wan
Written By: David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick & Will Beall
Story By: Geoff Johns, Will Beall & James Wan
Based On The Character “Aquaman: Created By: Paul Norris & Mort Wesinger
Cinematography By: Don Burgess
Editor: Kirk Morri 

Cast: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Nicole Kidman, Dolph Lungdren, Yahya Abdul-Manteen II, Temeura Morrison, Leigh Whannell, Michael Beach, Randall Park 


Arthur Curry learns that he is the heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, and must step forward to lead his people and be a hero to the world.

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