Enter the film community, and you’ll see jeers of derision at new movies; “They don’t make ‘em like they used to,” scream those factions of the internet. There’s merit to the anecdote; practical effects taking backseat to digital, a rubbery grey aesthetic taking precedence over vibrancy and such, but ultimately …
Mark Wahlberg, the star of Arthur The King, had numerous peaks and valleys throughout his career. These include highlight performances in films like The Departed (for which he was nominated for an Academy Award) and The Fighter. On the flip side, he has also had many cinematic misfires like Max Payne, The Happening, and some films in the Transformers franchise. In the …
Avatar: The Last Airbender is the latest animated property to get the live-action treatment from Netflix. There has been some success with this trend, such as Netflix’s adaptation of the anime One Piece, but reimaginings such as this have to work hard to justify their existence, as their animated counterparts are already …
Animated sequels can be a challenge; sometimes, the sequel isn’t as good as the original (Shrek the Third is a perfect example). Other times, the sequels can be better than the original (Shrek 2). In DreamWorks Animation’s case, they now have two franchises that have maintained their quality throughout their sequels …
Nickelodeon cartoons were a staple of the after-school experience for many kids and families during the late 90s to mid-2000s. From Spongebob Squarepants to Invader Zim, some of the most popular shows ever to spawn from the channel emerged during this period. However, one of these shows stands heads and shoulders above the …
Franklin Armstrong was the first black character in Peanuts. He’s also the character that the newest Snoopy Presents animated special is all about. Welcome Home, Franklin is Franklin’s origin story. First introduced in 1968 after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. and at the behest of teacher Harriet Glickman, Franklin was a barrier-breaking character and …
All Percy Jackson and the Olympians episodes, starring Walker Scobell, Leah Jeffries, and Aryan Simhadri, are now streaming on Disney+. Connor looks at the merits of one-to-one book adaptations and finds that the series lacks some of the books’ magic. When the Chris Columbus-directed movie Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief was released in 2010, young, avid …
The original Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory movie from 1971 was a bit of an anomaly. Sometimes, when a film’s elements come together in just the right time and place, it is something akin to lightning striking. This process cannot be predicted, duplicated, or repeated, at least not easily. The …
Illumination has certainly made some colorful entries into the animation canon, namely with the Despicable Me franchise, but it has yet to make anything on par with the best of studios like Pixar, Laika, or Cartoon Saloon. Their most recent effort, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, certainly made money, but it was also …
Like a mythical quest, Percy Jackson and the Olympians have taken the long road to get to this series. It may have taken time, but Percy Jackson’s arrival is a thunderous, thrilling triumph. When the first book was released in 2005, it created an entirely new fandom. Unfortunately, the 2010 film Percy Jackson …
Merry Little Batman is the latest film from Warner Bros. Animation and DC Studios. Originally slated for release on the now-renamed HBO Max, the movie will land on Prime Video tomorrow, December 8th. The main character of this holiday adventure is Damian Wayne, who comic readers will know is the son …
Candy Cane Lane is the latest original film to hit Prime Video, just in time for the holiday season. While this review is coming out a few days after its release, it is currently #1 on Prime’s Top 10, and honestly, it deserves to have that spot. Is it the greatest …
Netflix’s latest holiday movie, Best. Christmas. Ever!, is a festive and fun holiday flick. The film sparkles with heartwarming moments that reflect genuine emotion. Despite some candy cane-sized plot holes, Heather Graham and Brandy Norwood’s endearing performances and Best Christmas Evers’s lively pace keep the yuletide spirit alive and keep us believing in St. Nick and St. …
In the realm of Christmas comedies where heartfelt wishes and magical transformations abound, Genie falls short of granting its own wish to be a memorable and rewatchable holiday flick. Despite its star-studded cast as shiny as Aladdin’s lamp, including the comedic prowess of Melissa McCarthy and the charm of Paapa Essiedu, and the combined expertise …
Dashing Through the Snow is a heartwarming and cute, family-friendly movie that’s a great addition to family movie night in the Christmas season. With strong themes of family, meaningful diverse representation, and a smart premise tied to familiar Christmas tropes, Dashing Through the Snow is a rare win for the whole family. …
Mark your calendars, acting Starfleet cadets and families alike! The long-awaited animated series Star Trek: Prodigy is finally set to beam onto Netflix on December 25th, making it the perfect addition to your holiday festivities. The big announcement came today during Netflix’s Geeked Week. Season 2 of Prodigy will air on the …
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is a predictable yet colorful, charming coming-of-age story with a positive message for both kids and parents. The story is beautifully animated with a visually enchanting world. Its fast pace makes up for its waltz through well-trodden story tropes. [Editor’s note: This review has some mild spoilers …
The world premiere of The Little Mermaid drew a star-studded crowd last night, with celebrities turning out to the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles to celebrate the highly anticipated live-action remake of the beloved Disney classic. The red carpet was awash in blue, the color of the sea, as stars like Halle Bailey (Ariel), Melissa McCarthy (Ursula), Jonah …
Peter Pan & Wendy is a must-watch for fans of the beloved classic. It’s a heartwarming and whimsical adventure grounded in friendship and fueled by happy thoughts and pixie dust. For families with kids, it’s the perfect movie night pick. The movie is a sincere take on the classic Barrie story and is …
On April 5th, The Super Mario Bros movie came to theaters everywhere. Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, it’s the story of, well, the Super Mario Brothers. Michael Fogel, known for Minions: The Rise of Gru, wrote the screenplay. The voice cast includes Chris Pratt (Mario), Charlie Day (Luigi), Jack Black (Bowser), and Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach. Adapting a video game, especially a series …