AMC Citywalk Theaters and a Dark Delicacies Signing!

Right now, I’m on a quest to see six movies before they are out of theaters. One film I saw on Halloween, Chris Stuckman’s Shelby Oaks, review soon! Today, was K-Pop Demon Hunters since it is the last day for it. Also signings at Dark Delicacies, the store is no longer there, but there are pop-up signings at Emerald Knights! One of the interesting parts of Universal Cinema AMC at Citywalk Hollywood is the displays of costumes and props. Just in the enterance as several glass cases for Black Phone 2 characters including Ethan Hawke’s The Grabber complete with mask. The movie was again fun to watch again, the seats rumbled with the music, so I liked watching again K-Pop Demon Hunters. To the left is a lounge area that featured costumes from the drama, Anemone, which features the costume of Daniel Day-Lewis’ Ray. Against the back wall were dresses of Dracula’s Brides that were featured in Van Helsing (2004). The costumes were probably the best part of that film. 

Dracula’s Brides costumes from Van Helsing, AMC Citywalk, photo by the author. 

Upstairs were ghost maquettes from Casper (1995), the costume worn by Bjork in The Northman (2022), and from 47 Ronin (2013), the green dress worn by Rinko Kikuchi. I did stop at the store which features merch from Horror Nights and also Dark Universe. I saw Mystery Pin Collection boxes which were $20, cups for the same price?, and they had the two figure sets, Dracula’s Bride & Dracula, also Frankenstein & Victoria, not The Bride?, both around $80. Two figure sets are usually $70!, so about ten dollars more. Emerald Knights Comics & Games is on 4116 W. Burbank Blvd. somewhat close to the old Dark Delicacies store. I usually went to both stores when I went for a signing. This time I was picking up the Making Monsters book since I missed the signing! 

Author Paul Terry at the signing for Kolchak The Night Stalker: Haunted & Hunted, author’s photo. 

This was for Silent Night, Deadly Night based on the horror movie by Armando Munoz who even had a Santa suit and axe! I was talking to Paul Terry who wrote Kolchak: The Night Stalker Haunted & Hunted. Both books are sold out for Dark Delicacies. I did see copies available at moonstonebooks.com. They are only $8! We chatted about horror films including The Woman in Black (1981) tv film not the latest version (saw it available for rent on Amazon Prime), Warner Bros. Horror Made Here, and of course the Kolchak: The Night Stalker show. Darren McGavin plays Carl Kolchak, a reporter who happens to get tangled in supernatural matters, of course it is known that this show led to The X-Files. Terry is also the writer of The X-Files: The Official Archives (2020). I like Emerald Knights for trading card games, picking up comics, and the Dark Delicacies signing are always great especially talking to owner, Del Howison!  

#ShelbyOaks, #ChrisStuckman, #UniversalCinemaAMCCitywalkHollywood, #BlackPhone2, #TheGrabber, #EthanHawke, #VanHelsing, #Casper, #TheNorthman, #Bjork, #47Ronin, #RinkoKikuchi, #DarkDelicacies, #EmeraldKnightsComicsAndGames, #SilentNightDeadlyNight, #Armandounoz, #TheNightStalkerHauntedAndHunter, #PaulTerry, #TheXFilesTheOfficialArchives

The Art of K-Pop Demon Hunters at Gallery Nucleus!

Gallery Nucleus had an opening reception for The Art of K-Pop Demon Hunters on October 18th and this exhibition ends on November 2nd, tomorrow!, just like the theatrical run of the animated film. The gallery is located at 210 East Main St. in Alhambra. K-Pop Demon Hunters is currently playing in theaters again after its debut on Netflix on June 20th and in theaters August 23-24th. The last day of the exhibition and film is tomorrow so you can make it a combo trip! Check out more info about the gallery at: www.gallerynucleus.com. The best part of the artworks in the gallery is to see different works that helped build the animation phenomenon. 

The Art of K-Pop Demon Hunters, Gallery Nucleus, photo by the author. 

The panelists for the opening reception, a ticketed event included a number of talented people who worked on the movie; Joshua Beveridge, Animation Director, Production Designers Dave Bleich and Helen Chen, and Art Director Wendell Dalit. I missed the panel though it is impressive to see their work on the Gallery Nucleus walls. The store is at the front of the gallery with the K-Pop Demon Hunters album, prints for sale, and other books and artwork filling the shelves. Note the prints may still be found in the store even if the exhibition has concluded. Browing through the artwork is reason enough to go to Gallery Nucleus. Past the store is the gallery that filled up the room. In the center were two cases that had artwork that had prints for sale. 

“Honmoon Time” by Christina Chang, author’s photo. 

There was a black and white watercolor by Production Designer Helen Chen of Rumi that caught my eye. On the right side of the room was production art, character designs, and storyboards. There was a grey Derpy, artwork of “Golden”, and a great portrait of Hunter/x surrounded by plants. I really like the art that was on the other side of the gallery which had prints for sale. A standout for me was “Honmoon Time” by Christina Chang which used digital and acrylict make it almost like a shield with a 3D effect. It had Rumi, Mira, and Zoey ready to fight with Sussy and Derpy. “Jinu’s song” used digital, ink, and screentones to create Jinu playing his Bipa while Derpy hugs him and Sussy looks on. This is a black and white illustration by Wynton Redmond. There is so many pieces of art in different formats, colors, and characters. Hopefully, you can see them in person at Gallery Nucleus and catch the movie in the theaters! 

#TheArtOfKPopDemonHunters, #GalleryNucelus, #JoshuaBeveridge, #DaveBleich, #HelenChen, #WendellDalit, #HonmoonTime, #ChristinaChang, #JinusSong, #WyntonRedmond   

Back to Twin Pines Puente Hills Mall Meet Up!

Tonight was a historic day, Oct. 25th, just before Marty McFly’s traveling back in the DeLorean, celebrated at the Back to Twin Pines Puente Hillls Meet-up! October 21st was Back to the Future Day. Tonight was a meeting of fans of Back to the Future with help from Collector’s Outlet and “cast, crew & cars” brought by the Back to the Future IG group! This is took place at the Puente Hills Mall, the filming location of Marty’s trip in the DeLorean, 1600 S. Azusa Ave. in the City of Industry. It began at 4 p.m. with tents set up and rows of DeLoreans! Inside the mall was a meet and greet next to the Twin Pines Mall sign. At the square of tables was Jeffrey Weissman, who played George McFly in Parts II and III, having a line line of fans. 

                                          Back to Twin Pines Puente Hills Mall Meet-up, photo by the author. 

The table was full of actors and stunt people; Bobby Bennet (Michael J. Fox stunt double), Charlie Croughwell (stunt double for Michael J. Fox), Cristen Kauffman (Betty), Johnny Green (Scooter Kid #1), Katherine Britton (Peabody Daughter), Gary Morgan (stunts for Parts II and III), Bob Schmeizer (Marty McFly Skateboard Stunt Double), Per Welinder (also Marty McFly Skateboard Stunt Double), Robert Krantz (Bystander #2), and Richie Gaona (Part II stunts). This event went from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and was free to attend. Across from the Ross Dress For Less was the parking lot with DeLoreans and other vehicles, free photo ops, and prop recreations. Besides the DeLorean, there was the Dr. E. Brown Enterprises white van, the blue VW Van Bus that was next to the Fox Photo booth! At the exact time, 1:15 a.m., Oct. 26, there will be a photo op with all of the fans. The Puente Hill Mall was sold so this may be the last Back to Twin Pines event! 

#BackToTwinPinesMallMeetUp, #PuenteHillsMall, #BackToTheFuture, #CollectorsOutlet, #BackToTheFutureIG, #BobbyBennet, #KatherineBritton, #CharlieCroughwell, #RichieGaona, #JohnnyGreen, #CristenKauffman, #RobertKrantz, #GaryMorgan, #BobSchmeizer, #PerWelinder 

It's the Birthday of Christopher Lloyd!

It is the birthday of Christopher Lloyd make certain you wish him a happy birthday on his page! He has brought joy to audiences at his roles even the villains! Lloyd made his film debut as Taber, alongside future Taxi cast member, Danny DeVito, in the classic drama, One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest (1975)! An iconic role for Lloyd was Jim Ignatowski on Taxi starting with a cameo in season 1's "Paper Marriage" (1978). He became a series regular in the following season. He won two Emmys for Supporting Actor in 1982 and 1983. He appeared as Captain Schultz in the Mel Brooks comedy movie, To Be Or Not To Be (1983). Incredibly he moved into the genre universe opposing Kirk for the secrets of Genesis in Star Trek III: The Search For Spock (1984)! 

One of his wildest roles was as John Bigboote in The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai (1984). Lloyd followed up with his most iconic role in Back To The Future  (1985) as Dr. Emmett Brown! His pairing with Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly was brilliant. Also in 1985, Professor Plum was played by Lloyd in the comedy based on the boardgame, Clue. Lloyd continued with groundbreaking parts like Judge Doom in the animation/live action, Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988). He returned as Doc Brown in Back To The Future Part II (1989). Then, finished the trilogy with Back To The Future Part III (1990). Lloyd voiced the villain, Merlock, in Duck Tales The Movie. He returned as Doc Brown, host of the Institute of Future Technology in Back To The Future The Ride. It opened 1991 in Orlando and closed in 2007. Lloyd had another well known part as Uncle Fester in The Addams Family (1991). 

More adventures of Marty and Doc Brown were in Back to the Future: The Animated Series that lasted two seasons, Lloyd hosted the live action segments. Lloyd won a Lead Actor Emmy for playing Alister Dimple in Road To Avonlea (1992). Uncle Fester and Lloyd returned in Addams Family Values (1993). A fun part was as the Boss Angel, Al, in the comedy, Angels In The Outfield (1994). In 1997, Lloyd voiced Rasputin in the animated film, Anastasia. He made a cameo as the mentor of Mike Flaherty played by Michael J. Fox. This was in the 1999 episode, "Back to the Future IV - Judgment Day" of Spin City. Lloyd played the Wizard of Oz in the tv mini-series, The Witches Of Oz (2011). He appeared as Principal McTavish in the 2014 episode of The Michael J Fox Show. Next, Lloyd voiced Jim Ignatowski in the episode, "My Fare Lady" (2015) of The Simpsons. 

Also in 2015, Marty McFly and Doc Brown surprised audiences on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Then, Lloyd played David Mansell in the action film, Nobody (2021). Another surprise was Lloyd entering the SW universe as Commissoner Helgait in the "Guns For Hire" (2023) episode of The Mandalorian. A cameo as the Alchemist was played by Lloyd in the fantasy comedy, Man And Witch The Dance Of A Thousand Steps (2024). Another return for Lloyd as Doc Brown as the video host of the trams in Back To TheFuture Destination Hill Valley. This was at Universal Studios Hollywood for Universal Studios Fan Fest Nights. He was back as David Mansell in the action sequel, Nobody 2 (2025). Also this year, Lloyd played Professor Orloff in the series spinning off from The Addams Family, Wednesday. There seems an endless trove of memorable roles for Lloyd! Happy Birthday Christopher Lloyd! 

#ChristopherLloyd, #OneFlewOverTheCuckoosNestm #DannyDeVito, #Taxi, #ToBeOrNotToBe, #StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock (1984)  #TheAdventuresOfBuckarooBanzai, #BackToTheFuture, #DrEmmetBrown, #MichaelJFox, #MartyMcFly, #Clue, #WhoFramedRogerRabbit, #BackToTheFuturePartII, #BackToTheFuturePartIII, #DuckTalesTheMovie. 

#BackToTheFutureTheRide, #TheAddamsFamily, #UncleFester, #BackToTheFutureTheAnimatedSeries, #RoadToAvonlea, #AddamsFamilyValues, #AngelsInTheOutfield, #Anastasia, #SpinCity, #TheWitchesOfOz,  #TheMichaelJFoxShow

#TheSimpsons, #JimmyKimmelLive, #Nobody, #TheMandalorian, #ManAndWitchTheDanceOfAThousandSteps, #BackToTheFutureDestinationHillValley, #UniversalStudiosFanFestNights, #Nobody2, #Wednesday

Godzilla: Kaiju Drop Review!

Godzilla: Kaiju Drop is a fantastic coin push game with the power of Godzilla! This is exclusive to Round1 Bowling & Arcade locations. The console has an elongated hexagon shape for four stations. I went to the Round1 at the Puente Hills Mall in the City of Industry. It is one of the few stores left at that mall.The game is more expensive than the average coin pusher, but offers a new wrinkle. 

Godzilla: Kaiju Drop game at Round 1, author’s photo. 

A  blue or greenish crystal marble is sent down a tube and then can be timed to go through a cutout that cycles around for extra marbles! Also there is a large red ball. I think the result is also random so I have to check the screen. There are a total of ten cards to be pushed. I saw on eBay that the set goes for $169! The cards are Godzilla, a closeup of Godzilla, Battra, Biollante, Destroyah, King Ghidorah, Little Godzilla, Mechagodzilla, Mothra, and Space Godzilla, all from the Heisei era. 

Godzilla figure ready to stomp players inside the console!, photo by the author. 

A  blue or greenish crystal marble is sent down a tube and then can be timed to go through a cutout that cycles around for extra marbles! Also there is a large red ball. I think the result is also random so I have to check the screen. There are a total of ten cards to be pushed. I saw on eBay that the set goes for $169! The cards are Godzilla, a closeup of Godzilla, Battra, Biollante, Destroyah, King Ghidorah, Little Godzilla, Mechagodzilla, Mothra, and Space Godzilla, all from the Heisei era. 

The best part is the figure of the Heisei Godzilla figure spinning around in the center. It is stunning! There were three consoles at the arcade with the mere or more players. Usually themed coin pushers have one or two players. I didn’t win a card, I went to other games including a King Kong on Skull Island game. I won a Cowardly Lion card from a Wizard of Oz game where you spin a basketball sized sphere to roll a prize wheel! Godzilla: Kaiju Drop is a must play game so head to your nearest Round1! 

#GodzillaKaijuDrop, #RoundOne, #Godzilla, #Battra, Biollante, #Destroyah, #KingGhidorah, #LittleGodzilla, #LittleGodzilla, #Mechagodzilla, #Mothra, #Spacegodzilla, #HeiseiEra, #KingKongOfSkullIsland, #WizardOfOzGame

The Conjuring: Last Rites Review!

The Conjuring: The Last Rites gives the chills and a satisfying conclusion to the solo Conjuring films! The movie’s director is Michael Chaves who previously directed the third entry into the series, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021). The story is by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick who also had story and screenplay duties on the third Conjuring movie. Producer and director of the first Conjuring film, James Wan, also gets story credit. The screenplay is by Johnson-McGoldrick, Ian Goldberg, who wrote the screenplay for the Conjuring Universe film, The Nun II (2023), and also Richard Naing is part of the writing group and also worked on the second movie of The Nun. This covers the very beginning of the paranormal investigations by Ed and Lorraine Warren in 1962. 

This was followed by the first Conjuring (2013) movie by their case involving Annabelle. Then, the case with the Perons in 1971. Next, The Conjuring 2 (2018) opens in 1975 with the Warrens investigating the Amitville murders that raised their profile. It introduced The Nun and focused on the Enfield  poltergeist in London, 1977. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) is set in 1981 with the first demonic possession trial that involved Arne Johnson. It is 1964, Young Ed (Orion Smith) and Young Lorraine (Madison Lawlor), how is pregnant, are meeting with a woman at an antique shop. Lorraine. She mentions that her grandfather at the shop was hearing voices. The woman had stopped by the shop and finds her grandfather has died, hanging himself! 

She continues, “Something changed, I could feel it.” Chills started running through me here. Ed and Lorraine turn to the store room. Lorraine reassures Ed and then walks into the dark room. She walks past dolls and masks. Several clocks tick and then one clock strikes the hour and everything goes quiet! Lorraine walks up to a covered object and pulls off the white sheet. It is an antique long mirror with carvings of three babies at the top. Lorraine introduces herself and she is told by a voice, “I feed on your fear”! She reaches out with her fingertip and the mirror cracks. Lorraine sees a demonic reflection of herself, fearful images and then her baby going into labor! Ed races with Lorraine in his car through the rain. They reach the OB emergency room, it is a difficult birth with blood on Lorraine’s belly, the doctor encourages her to push. 

Then, the lights go out. Lorraine looks over the doctor to the darkness in the hall. Lorraine gives birth, but there is a problem with the baby. She screams to hold her baby and repeats, “Please, bring her back.” The baby starts to cough and then cry. The nurse asks about the baby’s name and Lorraine says, “Judy Warren.” I love the sinister mixed with the hope of a birth. A similar scene was in the supernatural horror movie, The Seventh Sign (1988). Then, we get home movies of Judy growing up, taking her first steps and riding a merry-go-round with her mother, now played by Vera Farmiga, and father with Patrick Wilson back as Ed Warren. Vera Farmiga returns as Lorraine Warren and last appeared as the character in The Nun. Wilson also appeared in that film and also returned for another franchise film, Insidious: The Red Door (2023) which he also directed. 

As a young girl, Judy goes up crying to her mother and tells her that she can’t make the terrifying visions go away. Lorraine has her calm, face to face, reciting a nursery rhyme, “Lucky Locket” from 1842. This calms Judy and runs through the movie with her focus on the story. We move then to 1986. We see the suburbs of West Pittston, Pennyslvania. Then, to the house of the Smurl family, a large family of eight, with the young girls running around, twins Carin (Tilly Walker) and Shannon (Molly Cartwright). Walker was in the sci fi show, Neuromancer. The is the first film for Cartwright. There is the grandfather, John (Peter Wright) comfortable in his lounge chair in the chaos. Also there is the grandmother, Mary (Kate Fahy). Sisters, Heather (Kila Lord Cassidy) and Dawn (Beau Gadson) arguing while entering the kitchen. Cassidy played Anna O’Donnell in the thriller, The Wonder (2022). Gadson played Young Princess Margaret in the drama show, The Crown. 

Then, we have the mother, Janet (Rebecca Calder) at the center of the family. Calder was Mrs. Adam in the horror movie, The Cursed (2021). The father, Jack (Elliot Cowan), enters the house after driving up from work. Cowan played Lewis Pirenne in the sci fi series, Foundation, adapting Isaac Asimov works. Lastly, is their dog, Simon. Heather is worried about getting her hair ready for her confirmation. Her mother, Janet, of course calms her down and helps with Heather’s hair. At the confirmation, Jack is busy using his video camera to record Heather. The Smurls are a regular large family with activity going on, but a strong family unit. Later, at Heather’s birthday party, she is shown her present, a mirror that Grandpa got at a swap meet. This is the antique mirror with Warrens complete with the tiny crack made by Lorraine! The evil is not destroyed and is ready to take more innocents! 

A cake is brought out and Heather is about to blow out the candles, but they snuff out before she can do so. The lights go out and a ceiling light falls knocking over Heather and giving her a cut to the head! There is text explaining that the Warrens have retired. This was after a heart attack, Ed suffered in 1981, with the events of The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021). It is stated that this was the last case of TheWarrens. This moves to a church where the Warrens are giving a lecture about the supernatural. The audience scoffs comparing them to Ghostbusters. A students asks Ed why they retired. Lorraine answers that they are still making presentations and planning on writing a book. Later, at a restaurant, they discuss the lecture with Judy (Mia Tomlinson) now an adult. Thomlinson played Anne Bonny in The Lost Pirate Kingdom (2021) documentary series. She brings up the heart attack that had her parents stop their investigations. Ed is busy talking with the waiter. Lorraine notices Judy silently whispering the “Lucky Locket” rhyme! 

Five Antique Mirrors out of Five! 

#TheConjuringLastRites, #VeraFarmiga, #PatrickWilson, #MiaTomlinson, #BenHardy, #BeauGadsdon, #KilaLordCassidy, #RebeccaCalder, #ElliotCowan, #MollyCartwright, #TillyWalker, #KateFahy, #PeterWight, #SteveCoulter, #OrionSmith, #MadisonLawlor 

Top Ten Favorite Movies of 2025!

These are the ten favorite films up to the summer of this year! The first is Sinners masterfully directed and written by Ryan Coogler. The most fascinating part was Coogler’s terms in first-dollar gross, final cut, and ownership of the film after twenty-five years from its opening on April 18th of this year. It is a powerful story that is part vampire horror merged with blues music all set in the 1932 period after WWI. The twins, Smoke and Stack, are twins both played by Michael B. Jordan. They are cleverly identified by red and blue. The setting up of the juke joint takes some part of the beginning and I took it as slow paced, but I suspect that there might be something that I missed watching the film. I watched many behind the scenes and analysis of the movie, but I think I would fall short of just a surface review.

I would say the same of the second film, Warfare co-written and co-directed by Alex Garland. I was just stunned by his previous movie, Civil War (2024) about war time correspondents, veteran Lee Smith (Kirsten Dunst) and rookie photographer, Jessie Collin (Cailee Spaeny). It revealed powerful scenes of war through the journalist witnessing them. Warfare also has Ray Mendoza, former Navy SEAL who participating in the Iraq War events, he is the co-director and co-writer. This makes for an honest and harsh depiction of war. It takes away from Hollywood conventions of a war movie. There is Lieutenant, in charge of Alpha One, Erik played by Will Poulter. Elliot Miller, the sniper, Cosmo Jarvis portrays him. Communications is handled by Mendoza played by D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai. 

Since it is not a typical war film, the characters don’t fall into tropes, we don’t instantly get into their life stories. It really feels like a glimpse into these events and it is painful. Warfare, Civil War, and Sinners are all streaming on HBO Max. I hope to review the two new films, but just don’t feel I can write a review to do justice to them. I highly recommend these movies and will add they are challenging, Sinners has thrills, but they are all are complex films. In terms of entertainment, the finest is K-Pop Demon Hunters, it is a phenomenon similar to Barbie (2023) for that aspect. It has just invaded pop culture around the world that the casual person may know a song, characters, and basic plot. One of the drivers for its popularity is the songs, it has made a sensation of Ejae, singer and songwriter for the movie.  

Then, there is the brilliance of the director, Maggie Kang, who created the concept of the movie. Next, perfect casting, Arden Cho is a standout as Rumi, Mira played by May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo playing Zoey. This film skyrocketed the creative talent to the mainstream. Beautiful animation with a story that centers on the darkness that is inside of Rumi. It transcends simple anime, but I found it fascinating that there are many anime tropes, but gives them twists and a clever story. It is of course streaming on Netflix. The next film may be less well known and had a shorter time in theaters, one day, but my fourth favorite movie is Red Sonja. This film is probably not known to most film goers, I tell others and they mistake it for the 1985 flick. For some people, after watching a movie, it drops out of their memory and they can’t remember if they have seen it. For me, fan of the character, and presented with a new version of the She-Devil with a Sword.  

It just swings around my brain like a spear. I’m fascinated with this Hyrkanian world. Red Sonja is directed by M.J. Bassett who really brings a love of the character and building the world. I was stunned by Matilda Lutz’s portrayal of Sonja. Also, the comic book origins of characters reflected here. Then, we have Wallis Day as Annisia, a match for Sonja. Lastly, we have Robert Sheehan as Dagan. He makes for a great villain, there is a nice character twist for him, his innovations are about to conquer the world. Dagan’s obsession is his weakness which he doesn’t understand. The action is intense, when Sonja takes out four guards, I kept thinking she should cut a bloody swath through the empire. The movie captures the power of Robert E. Howard’s Hyperborea. The fifth movie is The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The problem with the MCU is the films and tv shows is just too much to keep track, but you can go in cold to this movie.  

The problem with the MCU is the films and tv shows is just too much to keep track, but you can go in cold to this movie.  This FF film also doesn’t require the viewer to know anything about the comics. In fact, expectations of Marvel’s First Family from the comics will work against viewers. My favorite part is the movie’s loving tribute to Jack Kirby. This is from the 1964 setting, the designs, and of course the character of Rachel Rozman named after Kirby’s wife, Roz. It is impressive world building with director, Matt Shakman. Then, we have a first rate cast that features Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, then Joseph Quinn playing Johnny Storm, and finally Ben Grimm portrayed by Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Plus, H.E.R.B.I.E.! I love the world of Earth-828 so much that I made a trip to Disneyland to see the FF. Even with the cosmic threat of Galactus, the Fantastic Four calms everyone and give them hope! 

This of course dovetails to another superhero movie at #6, Superman! James Gunn, writer and director refreshed the super films. The film brushes away the dusty darkness to reveal the blue and red of The Last Son of Krypton. The scale has expanded beyond David Cornswet’s Superman, Lex Luthor played by Nicholas Holt, and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. There is just fun with the genius of Mr. Terrific (Ed Gathegi) and his awesome T-Spheres. Metahumans of all kinds, some world building to fill a pocket universe, and Krypto! Superman set up the second season of The Peacemaker to continue to the next movie, Man of Tomorrow! The number seven movie is The Conjuring: The Last Rites still in theaters. Review is coming up! Michael Chaves is the film’s director, his earlier horror movies just lacked the tension, but it is here in this part of The Conjuring Universe! It is of course currently playing in theaters. 

The driving force of these films is the acting duo of Vera Farmiga playing Lorraine Warren and Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren. The best married couple in horror movies! This is the last film of The Conjuring movies, there are other films in the franchise, centers on the last case of The Warrens. It goes back to the beginning so we also have an ending. Clever. The daughter of Ed and Lorraine, Judy (Mia Thomlinson) also becomes important with her boyfriend, Tony Spera (Ben Hardy), ex-police officer, assisting everyone on the case. Tony is interesting with a very funny part when he proposes to Judy. Very early in the film, I felt chills, that’s all I need for a horror movie. Something demonic is within an antique mirror that was left by the young Warrens and end up with the Smurl family. Great cameos and wrap up of the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren! 

Ballerina is the number eight movie for me. Personally, it ranks at the top of the Wick films. A showcase for Ana de Armas as an action hero. She was in the action comedy, Ghosted (2023) and of course was Paloma in the Bond film, No Time to Die (2021). Ballerina makes de Armas lethal as Eve Maccaro, a protector not an assassin like Wick. The film still has the fighting that is blunt and visceral like the other movies in the Wick series. Eve is an imperfect character, I love character with flaws, bent on revenge. Eve is challenged since she faces larger and multiple opponents, but her training by Nogi (Sharon-Duncan Brewster) tells her to fight like a girl! This was also the title of the Evanescence song that ran on the end titles. Like Wick, Eve becomes a figure out of Slavic mythology, the Kikimora, a night spirit that could helpful or dangerous. 

The best part is that it cleverly weaves through the last two John Wick movies from Eve’s perspective. It is directed by Len Wiseman who co-wrote and directed Underworld (2003) with another powerful female lead. It has the return of many of the John Wick players, including Keanu Reeves back as John Wick, Winston (Ian McShane), Charon (Lance Reddick), his last film!, and Anjelica Huston as The Director of the Ruska Roma. So passing up this film will leave a gap in the Wick movies. They are joined by Norman Reedus (Daniel Pine), former member of a cult of assassins and Catalina Sandino Moreno (Lena), a current nember of the rogue assassins. Behind them all is The Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne)! #9 and #10 are Disney films. I’m going to put Snow White at number 9. There was so much backlash to this film, but for me, I walked out of the theater and I was smiling. It made me happy and I think that is the point of movie going. 

Snow White is a fantasy adaptation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Disney’s first animated movie, which in turn was based on the 1812 Brothers Grimm fairy tale. One adaptation should not compared to the other because ultimately you have to go back to the original. It had the queen forced to wear iron slippers and dance until she died. The character of Snow White is wonderfully played by Rachel Zegler. She was also in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023). The lead is not an innocent girl lost in a forest, Zegler brings more to Snow, she is a young woman who has lost her parents and tries to fulfill the dreams of her father and herself Zegler’s singing is great as well as Andrew Burnap who plays Jonathan. He is not a prince, but a leader of rebels resisting the queen. 

Director Marc Webb has refreshed the story which may have been too far for some, but it is beautiful world building and a plus for me with the live action adaptations. The songs are by the duo, Pasek and Paul, who also crafted the songs for The Greatest Showman (2017). Next the Dwarves, there are many moments that are fun, and though I didn’t like their appearance in the first trailer, they work. The Dwarves, though, don’t figure strongly in the beginning and ending. Gal Gadot has fun as the Evil Queen who doesn’t have a name though names are important in this telling. She was Regina in the series, Once Upon a Time. The extent of her powers is unknown. What is a mystery with the story is that Dwarves mine for gems, but their relationship to the rest of the kingdom is confusing. A kind king and queen never give a look to the Dwarves? Shouldn’t this wealth be the reason for the Evil Queen’s interest? Snow White is worth a watch now on Disney+. 

#Sinners, #RyanCoogler, #MichaelBJordan, #Warfare, #AlexGarland, #RayMendoza, #WillPoulter, #CosmoJarvis, #DPharoahWonATai, #CivilWar, #KirstenDunst, #CaileeSpaeny, #KPopDemonHunters, #MaggieKang, #Ejae, #ArdenCho, #MayHong, #JiYoungYoo, #RedSonja

#MJBassett, #MatildaLutz, #WallisDay, #RobertSheehan, #FantasticFourFirstSteps, #MattShakman, #VanessaKirby, #PedroPascal, #JosephQuinn, #EbonMossBachrach, #Superman, #JamesGunn, #DavidCornswet, #NicholasHoult, #RachelBrosnahan, #EdGathegi

#TheConjuringLastRites, #MichaelChaves, #VeraFarmiga, #PatrickWilson, #MiaThomlinson, #BenHardy, #BallerinaMocie, #LenWiseman, #AnaDeArmas, #KeanuReeves, #IanMcShane, #LanceReddick, #AnjelicaHuston, #NormanReedus, #CatalinaSandinoMoreno, #GabrielByrne 

#SnowWhite, #MarcWebb, #RachelZegler, #AndrewBurnap, #GalGadot