The fundamental flaw with Dreamworks' Kung Fu Panda 4 is spelled out in the first few minutes. As Po, the Dragon Warrior (Jack Black, still enthusiastic in his voice work for the most part) arrives for a very special ceremony - the opening of a new noodle shop run by his dads, Mr. Ping (James … Continue reading Come On, Chameleon! – Kung Fu Panda 4
I like to think that, overall, 2022 was a better year than 2021. There were some down moments, to be sure - Billie Eilish won an Oscar before Lin-Manuel Miranda, I had to move my mother into hospice, Republicans retook the House, basically every celebrity we still cared about died, AMC charged us more money … Continue reading The Best (and Worst) of 2022
There is one true master when it comes to stop-motion animation filled with delightfully macabre imagery, and that's Henry Selick. Beginning his directorial career with The Nightmare Before Christmas, he's never shied away from giving audiences a dark, funny, and sneakily emotional treat through his work. But it's been a long time since his most … Continue reading Death’s Rich Pageant – Wendell & Wild
Normally I try to put out a review within 24-48 hours of seeing a movie. Sometimes my schedule gets in the way, but more often than not, I want to critique something while it's still fresh in my mind. That was not possible in this case. It's not that Everything Everywhere All at Once didn't … Continue reading Embrace the Chaos – Everything Everywhere All at Once
Earlier this month, I took the rare step of including Pixar's latest movie, Turning Red, in the monthly "This Film is Not Yet Watchable" column. That almost seems like tempting the cinema gods, right? Saying that a trailer for a Pixar project looks bad? Pixar, the studio that's only had maybe three misfires outside of … Continue reading Panda Express Yourself – Turning Red
I Actually Paid To See This 