Review: Queen & Slim

Release date: November 27, 2019
Running time: 132 minutes
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Turner-Smith, Bokeem Woodbine 

Queen & Slim takes a very real--and unfortunately increasingly common in America today--situation and builds an eye opening, empowering Bonnie and Clyde-esque movie around it.  Good-natured young man Slim (Kaluuya) and attorney Queen (Turner-Smith) have an awkward first date and are about to call it a night when they are pulled over.  After a series of very human responses to some ridiculous questions from the officer, the cop then puts them in a situation that forces them to go on the run.  Their resulting journey is the main thrust of this movie and tells a tale of injustice and public perception that is all too common today.  

It is important that movies like Queen & Slim are made.  Personally, I am not afraid that I will get pulled over when I am driving simply because of how I look and I also am not concerned that people are judging me based on the color of my skin.  Movies like Queen & Slim not only give those who have no experiences with the types of injustices portrayed in the movie a window into what that can look like, but it also tells a story that focuses on black culture in America.  What Queen & Slim does so amazingly is that the story is 100% believable.  The situations portrayed in the film, both the initial one and the resulting escape from the law are not stylized in the way that Hollywood normally would.  There are no larger than life scenes or profound realizations, the movie simply gives those viewers a look into the complications that young black individuals face on a daily basis.  And it does so in a way that highlights the injustices and focuses on how that affects regular people.

Queen & Slim is well-written, with a very believable story line.  Director Melina Matsoukas crafted two very different main characters that feel like complete people, with all the complications and emotions that that brings.  Kaluuya and Turner-Smith complement each other perfectly throughout, and they go all in for their characters.  Some of the best moments are not even lines, just facial reactions that Kaluuya does perfectly.  All the good and bad decisions that occur in this film feel real and it allows the audience a greater view into this complicated situation.  

Queen & Slim gives a window into racial injustice in America, told through stellar performances, strong writing, and a commitment to realism that preaches a powerful message. 

Watch It

What to Watch This Weekend: November 28, 2019 (Thanksgiving)

In Theaters: Knives Out

Since you are spending time with family (or avoiding time with family), why not check out this dysfunctional one?  Knives Out assembles a killer cast of characters and pairs it with Rian Johnson's amazing style and wonderful, witty writing to create an amazingly entertaining whodunit. .  For more information, check out our review!

At Redbox: Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw

Although it doesn't have the Fast & Furious "family," this film does still attempt to keep the family spirit of the main series alive.  Hobbs and Shaw is the fast summer movie that we expected, so jump into an exotic car, buckle up, and enjoy the ride.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (HBO): Crazy Rich Asians

Another movie about dysfunctional families, Crazy Rich Asians focuses on a wealthy guy with a heart of gold trying to introduce his fiancee to his Singaporean family, with mixed results. The acting and humor are a lot of fun, as are the spectacular set pieces.  And the overall family message is heartwarming to see.

Streaming (Netflix): The Irishman

A different kind of family movie, the Irishman is getting all the Oscar attention for its long, compelling story and Scorsese's amazing filmaking.  Stay indoors during the during this long, cold weekend, devote three hours to this epic film, and reward Netflix for releasing a streaming movie so close to the box office debut.   

Review: Dark Waters

Release date: November 22, 2019
Running time: 126 minutes
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Mark Ruffalo, William Jackson Harper 

Dark Waters is a new legal drama about a lawyer trying to sue a powerful corporation, DuPont, over potential environmental contamination.  Robert Bilott (Ruffalo) is a corporate environmental lawyer that is dragged into suing one of the world's largest and most powerful chemical companies.  He unknowingly gets himself and his client into a multiyear fight that will test his courage, his health, and everything he believes in.  

Ruffalo is an underrated actor, and his performance in Dark Waters is simply amazing.  Robert Bilott is a very talented legal mind, but his character is quiet, a little awkward, and has a set of mannerisms that make you think you are seeing a different person.  And Ruffalo completely transforms for this film, taking on the persona of Bilott.  Ruffalo is the main focus of the story and gets the majority of the screen time, but the supporting cast--especially Anne Hathaway as Bilotti's wife Sarah and Tim Robbins as Billot's boss Tom--help propel the story along.  

Another surprising aspect of Dark Waters is that the legal drama itself seems relatively accurate.  Although some parts of film and overall case are likely exaggerated for the movie, for the most part this movie captures how crushing a large litigation can be and the consequences it can have on the person bringing the case as well as the community that person calls home.  From the tactics of delay, to drowning someone in discovery, to using legal notices effectively, the film feels like one of the most accurate movies I have seen.  The story itself is also compelling, and the theme of corporate greed overcoming environmental concerns seems to be particularly relevant in modern America.  However, despite me really enjoying the movie, it definitely drags towards the end (though that might just be an accurate showing of how long the legal process takes).  And some of the lines are overly dramatic, despite the writing being generally very good.

Dark Waters shows what a driven person can do against seemingly insurmountable odds.  It has a fantastic performance by Ruffalo, a relevant story, and a strong sense of authenticity and justice.  

Watch It

Review: Knives Out

Release date: November 27, 2019
Running time: 130 minutes
Starring: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas

Knives Out is a stylish whodunit that follows the investigation into the death of a wealthy writer whose family seems to have plenty to hide and plenty of reasons to do it.  It has a Clue-like vibe with an interesting cast of characters, great style and cinematography, and some campy but enjoyable performances.  It also has plenty of twists and turns throughout the film, and although the main story is a little predictable, the journey is well worth it to spend time in director Rian Johnson's mystery tale.  

The best thing about Knives Out is the incredible cast of characters that Johnson has assembled for this film.  No two family members are alike and each have their own strengths, quirks, and definite weaknesses.  The dysfunction that this family exhibits and the ebbs and flows of the relationships between the members is really fun to observe.  On top of the family members, we also get to see a kind-hearted nurse, a quirky private eye, and a couple of good-natured detectives who help to complement interesting case.  

And that cast is brought to life by perfect performances married with stellar writing that keeps the interactions witty, meaningful, and without superfluous information.  Despite the long run time, the film progresses steadily, introducing new facts and twists throughout.  On top of the great cast and writing, the film has a fantastic style.  From the first scene, you can tell that this movie was lovingly crafted: each scene is perfectly composed to highlight this great cast and the wonderful interactions they have.  From the statues, to the architecture of the house, to the colors and outfits that adorn the family, and the beautifully composed advertising for this film, Rian Johnson's sense of style is immediately evident and wonderful to see.  However, despite all the praise, Knives Out is predictable at times.  However, even if you have an idea of what will happen next, it is still wonderful to see how the characters get there and to see if you were right or wrong.  

Knives Out assembles a killer cast of characters and pairs it with Rian Johnson's amazing style and wonderful, witty writing to create an amazingly entertaining whodunit. 

Watch it

Review: Pagalpanti

Release date: November 22, 2019
Running time: 149 minutes
Starring: Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, Ileana D'Cruz

Pagalpanti is a new slapstick comedy about a man with cosmically bad luck: no matter what he tries to do and how careful he is with his ventures, it always gets messed up.  However, he has a heart of gold and two dedicated, cursed by association friends to help him on his journey.  He also has a strong desire to succeed and prove everyone (most importantly, the guru who foretold that his luck would be so terrible) wrong, which leads to many many hilarious and unfortunate situations.  

Given the three main characters and their constant disastrous endeavors, the movie has a very three stooges feel.  No matter what they try to do, something always goes wrong.  However, their general good nature of the three and their own lucky ignorance about life tend to move them along without much injury.  Along the way, they make new friends and enemies.  A movie like this will live and die by its comedy, and the comedy is only hit or miss.  The three friends are very likable and do a good job in their cursed roles, but the movie has many jokes that fall flat and even fewer laugh out loud moments.  That's not to say the movie doesn't have its moments, such as a ridiculous car chase and a haunted house experience, but overall I wish the film had been funnier.

Aside from the comedy, the plot of this movie drags on.  As a Hindi film, 2 and a half hours are normal, but this one really felt like it was that long.  The trio go through several attempts to break their curse, which was admirable, but it feels like there were a few too many attempts than necessary.  The five or six dance sequences were enjoyable but not spectacular, often being short and with a relatively small supporting cast.  And the computer graphics in the movie were noticeable, which can really break the experience.  The movie also, at one point, takes a nationalistic turn that didn't have much foretelling and feels like it was meant to add more weight to the ending.  

Pagalpanti has a slapstick, three stooges style with charismatic stars and several laughs.  However, the long run time, hit or miss comedy, and noticeable computer graphics should make you think twice before seeing this.  

Don't See It

Screening: THE AERONAUTS

THE AERONAUTS

Opens nationwide on Friday, December 6^th; on Amazon Prime December 20^th  

Rated PG-13 with a running time of 101 mins

SYNOPSIS:  In 1862, daredevil balloon pilot Amelia Wren (Felicity Jones) teams up with pioneering meteorologist James Glaisher (Eddie Redmayne) to advance human knowledge of the weather and fly higher than anyone in history. While breaking records and furthering scientific discovery, their voyage to the very edge of existence helps the unlikely pair find their place in the world they have left far below them. But they face physical and emotional challenges in the thin air, as the ascent becomes a fight for survival.

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBQYHz6skJ0&pbjreload=10

• Twitter: @theaeronautsmov

• Facebook: @theaeronautsmov

• Instagram: @theaeronautsmov

• Hashtag: #TheAeronauts

• Website:  https://www.theaeronauts.movie/

Screening Details:

WEDNESDAY, December 4—7:00 PM

Landmark Bethesda Row

7235 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Be sure to Like and Follow Watch or Pass on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and share with your friends!

As always, screenings are first-come, first-served so please arrive early to ensure you get a seat.

Screening: DARK WATERS

DARK WATERS

Opening in DC on November 27^th

Director: Todd Haynes

Writers: Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahan

Producers: Mark Ruffalo, Pamela Koffler, Christine Vachon

Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Camp, Victor Garber Mare Winningham, William Jackson Harper, Bill Pullman

Story: Inspired by a shocking true story, a tenacious attorney (Ruffalo) uncovers a dark secret that connects a growing number of unexplained deaths due to one of the world's largest corporations. In the process, he risks everything – his future, his family, and his own life - to expose the truth.

Screening Details:

Monday, November 25

7:00 PM

Landmark E Street

Screening Link: http://focusfeaturesscreenings.com/errfS50405

Be sure to Like and Follow Watch or Pass on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and share with your friends!

As always, screenings are first-come, first-served so please arrive early to ensure you get a seat.

What to Watch This Weekend: November 22, 2019

In Theaters: Frozen 2

Frozen 2 is a movie you know you're going to see; thankfully the beautiful animation, catchy songs, and laugh out loud moments (for kids and adults) will make you appreciate a trip back to Arendelle. .  For more information, check out our review!

At Redbox: Dora and the Lost City of Gold

The live action movie based on the very popular animated kids show was a surprisingly good film, with a funny cast, plenty of Dora easter eggs, and an exciting story that will entertain young and older viewers. 

Streaming (Disney+): Lady and the Tramp

Lady and the Tramp updates a Disney classic with a live action remake and is a worthy exclusive for Disney+.  It's a fun tale with plenty of cute animals, a nice balance of live action and CG, and a heartfelt story that will appeal to new and old viewers.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (Netflix): The Grinch

Get into the holiday spirit with Illumination's animated movie The Grinch.  This remake of the classic Dr Seuss tale adds some bright, beautiful animation and enough updates to keep story fresh.  

Review: Lady and the Tramp (2019)

Release date: November 12, 2019
Running time: 103 minutes
Starring: Tessa Thompson, Justin Theroux, Sam Elliott

As Disney continues an endless march to remake all their animated classics, they have released one exclusively for Disney's new streaming service, Disney+.  Boasting real life actors and animals that are part real, part CG, it is a pseudo live action remake of one of the most beloved Disney films of all time.  If you have not seen the original, Lady (Tessa Thompson), a dog with a good home life, is thrust into the streets and meets a scrappy dog with a heart of gold named the Tramp (Justin Theroux) who takes her under his wing and shows her the ropes.  Along the way Lady will make new friends and learn more about herself and what she can do.

Translating a film from an animated movie to a pseudo live action film can be risky, but thankfully Lady and the Tramp looks great.  Most of the film seems live action with some great sets that evoke the New Orleans feel of the original.  The animals seem to be part real animals, part CG.  They look relatively natural and I'm glad Disney didn't go full on CG for this one.  Having the live action actors and sets makes this movie feel different enough from the original, yet still evoke enough of the classic film to be recognizable.  I especially liked that an iconic eating scene was faithfully recreated with some updated jokes and additional humor.

A trend of Disney's classic remakes has been to update the movie to remove material that might be considered in poor taste and to modernize some of the character roles and plots.  This trend continues with Lady and the Tramp, and thankfully updates one scene that would be considered culturally insensitive today.  Although that scene is well known, I'm glad Disney is proactively taking on these types of scenes when doing the remakes, which ensures that the film can be enjoyed by new viewers and those who already know the story.  If there are any negatives about Lady and the Tramp, it's more to do with the general strategy of remaking Disney animated classics.  Disney changed enough to differentiate the film, but it is still a remake of a movie that many people have seen.  However, it is still an enjoyable remake and gives you something special to watch on this new streaming service.

Lady and the Tramp updates a Disney classic with a live action remake and is a worthy exclusive for Disney+.  It's a fun tale with plenty of cute animals, a nice balance of live action and CG, and a heartfelt story that will appeal to new and old viewers.

Watch it

Review: 21 Bridges

Release date: November 22, 2019
Running time: 99 minutes
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Sienna Miller, J.K. Simmons 

21 Bridges follows NYPD detective Andre Davis (Chadwick Boseman), the son of a slain ex police officer that cares for his mother with dementia.  Early in the film, Andre is tasked with a New York City-wide manhunt for a duo of cop killers.  While in pursuit of these killers, Andre has no choice but to put Manhattan on lock down for the first time in history by shutting down the 21 bridges that grant entry and exit to the island.  But as the night grows deep, Andre begins to uncover a massive conspiracy that blurs the lines between what he thought was right and makes him question who is hunting who.

What's truly special about this film is the chemistry between Boseman and the producers of this film Russo Brothers (Anthony and Joe Russo) who seem to put Boseman in position to excel and shine in his role. Not only is this movie the Russo Brothers first movie after the launch of their own mini-studio called AGBO, but it is the first film working with Boseman after the success of Avengers: Endgame.  Boseman has had mixed success in his non-super hero films, but when he is teamed with the Russo brothers he is fun to watch. Much like his work portraying iconic historical figures in his biopic films, he truly brings the character Andre Davis to life and gets the viewers invested in no time even though the character seems a little shallow.

This movie is short and sweet, well-paced with a climatic score and some amazing cinematography.  The movie truly pays homage to the throwback cop thrillers of the past. Also there tons of Avengers references within this movie and that's not by mistake considering those that are involved with this film.  

But even though 21 Bridges does a lot right, the plot as well as the supporting characters truly lack substance. This plot isn't one you haven't seen before, nor will it catch you off guard.  There were even times when I thought some of the decisions were just not feasible and others that just didn't make any sense.  There was a ton of potential here that seems to not come together.  With a predictable plot and underutilized potential this movie just doesn't fully deliver.  Perhaps you should hold off on crossing this bridge until the movie is out for rental.

21 Bridges has a charismatic star, a well-paced story, and a climactic score that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the film's end game.  

 Rent it

Review: A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

Release date: November 22, 2019
Running time: 108 minutes
Starring: Tom Hanks, Christine Lahti, Matthew Rhys 

In Tom Hanks's latest portrayal of a childhood icon, he takes on the role of Mister Rogers.  However, this movie is not at all what I expected it would be, but that was a very good thing.  I expected this movie to be a dramatization of Mister Rogers's life, but that wouldn't have been a very good use of the man with a highly rated documentary on Mister Rogers's life released just last year.  Rather, A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood is a fictionalized, inspired by story about a troubled, but ultimately good man meeting Mister Rogers.  The timing is set more modern, in the late 90s, and the problems that Lloyd (Matthew Rhys) deal with are modern, relateable problems including family drama and a troubled past.  And with this background, Lloyd meets Mister Rogers (Tom Hanks) who uses his endless understanding and patience on his new friend.

Tom Hanks completely transforms himself into the iconic man, taking on his clothing, his mannerisms, his love of people, and his amazing sense of empathy.  Some of the "Mister Rogers" scenes take place on set during a filming of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, others take place in New York, but all the time Hanks is a perfect portrayal of Rogers.  His new friend, Lloyd, also does a wonderful job as a good, driven man with a lot of personal issues.  Lloyd is a complicated character with a lot of baggage, and that is portrayed wonderfully by Rhys.  

The movie also does a great job with the style of the film.  Oftentimes it will cut to a fictitious Mister Rogers show, and the movie will go into a 4:3, old style broadcast format.  This gives a sense of authenticity to these scenes and the movie as a whole.  They also recreated neighborhoods and animated them similarly to how they Mister Rogers' neighborhood was animated.  

Although I liked the story and thought that this was a good choice for this movie, given the close proximity to the fantastic documentary, the fictionalized story might turn off many movie goers.  And many also might feel like this is a bait and switch due to the movie being mostly about a random person and his problems.  But what this does allow is a film that is able to be set in a more modern time, with modern problems, yet show how Mister Rogers's philosophy on life and people is just as applicable now as it has ever been.  With so many problems in this world, Fred Rogers's wonderful personality and ideas are just as relevant now as they were back then.  

A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood shows that the ideas of kindness, friendship, and understanding are just as relevant now as they have ever been.  Tom Hanks's perfect portrayal of Mister Rogers is a treat to watch and will help the iconic man touch a new generation of people.   

Watch it

Screening: 1917

1917

Wide Release

January 10, 2020

Cast:George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Claire Duburcq, with Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch

Director:Sam Mendes

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqNYrYUiMfg

Rating:R

Sam Mendes, the Oscar®-winning director of Skyfall, Spectre and American Beauty, brings his singular vision to his World War I epic, 1917.

At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers, Schofield (Captain Fantastic’s George MacKay) and Blake (Game of Thrones’ Dean-Charles Chapman) are given a seemingly impossible mission. In a race against time, they must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers—Blake’s own brother among them.

1917 is directed by Sam Mendes, who wrote the screenplay with Krysty Wilson-Cairns (Showtime’s Penny Dreadful). The film is produced by Mendes and Pippa Harris (co-executive producer, Revolutionary Road; executive producer, Away We Go) for their Neal Street Productions, Jayne-Ann Tenggren (co-producer, The Rhythm Section; associate producer, Spectre), Callum McDougall (executive producer, Mary Poppins Returns, Skyfall) and Brian Oliver (executive producer, Rocketman; Black Swan).

The film is produced by Neal Street Productions for DreamWorks Pictures in association with New Republic Pictures. Universal Pictures will release the film domestically in limited release on December 25, 2019 and wide on January 10, 2020. Universal and Amblin Partners will distribute the film internationally, with eOne distributing on behalf of Amblin in the U.K.  https://www.1917.movie/

Screening Details:

1917

Tuesday, November 26

7:00pm

Regal Majestic

a Rafflecopter giveaway Be sure to Like and Follow Watch or Pass on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and share with your friends!

As always, screenings are first-come, first-served so please arrive early to ensure you get a seat.

Review: Frozen 2

Release date: November 22, 2019
Running time: 103 minutes
Starring: Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Idina Menzel

It's Frozen 2.  If you have kids, you're going to watch it.  You don't need me to tell you anything about this movie because you already bought your tickets for opening weekend.  But in any event, Frozen 2 follows our band of sisters and friends from the first movie as they are forced to journey outside of Arendelle due to a new threat.  The group will learn about Arendelle's past, which they will need to understand to help save Arendelle's future.  

The original movie was a surprise hit that had a wonderful combination of heartfelt story, catchy songs, strong female lead characters, and the right amount of magic to capture audiences.  Frozen 2 tries to recapture this combination, and at times it is successful.  The movie starts off slowly, with an overdose of songs and some strangely off animation.  However, once the group gets past the first act, the movie really picks up.  The animation becomes more beautiful, with some really spectacular weather and elemental effects, and as always, pretty amazing snow and ice.  The songs also become more spaced out and meaningful.  

The story of Frozen 2 is decidedly darker and more grown up than the first film.  Similar to how Harry Potter became more mature as the series progressed, Frozen 2 seems to be trying to appeal to the audiences that loved the original but are now 6 years older.  However, don't worry, there is still plenty of silly humor and ridiculousness to appeal to the younger viewers.  However, a pleasant surprise was that--similar to what Pixar has mastered--many of the jokes of Frozen 2 have a double meaning to appeal to the adults in the theater.  There were plenty of times that the entire theater, adults included, laughed out loud.  And there is one song that has a fantastic, eighties inspired presentation that had the older folks enthralled.  

However, despite all this positive, Frozen 2 is not a perfect film.  The songs are entertaining, but don't have the same instant appeal as the first movie's soundtrack.  I'm sure they will grow on me (and I'm also quite sure I will be listening to the soundtrack over and over again for the next couple of years), but it seemed like they were less catchy and had more exposition to move along scenes.  Some had awkward phrasing or forced statements that didn't seem natural like the soundtrack of the original.  And the story, despite being pretty complicated with a bunch of new information that doesn't really fit with the previous movie, also wraps up extra quickly (likely to keep the movie at under two hours).  But, again, it's Frozen 2 and you know you're going to see it.  There is plenty to like and keep you entertained for the entire film, and it lets us revisit the beloved characters from this world.

Frozen 2 is a movie you know you're going to see; thankfully the beautiful animation, catchy songs, and laugh out loud moments (for kids and adults) will make you appreciate a trip back to Arendelle. 

Watch it

Review: Ford v Ferrari

Release date: November 15, 2019
Running time: 152 minutes
Starring: Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Caitriona Balfe

Ford v Ferrari tells the unlikely story of when the Ford Motor Company sought to reshape its image and start a European racing team to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.  Ford taps the most famous American race car builder / driver, Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) to make this happen.  Shelby, in turn, relies on his friend Ken Miles (Christian Bale), a brilliant driver and mechanic who is more comfortable around cars than people due to his tendency to say exactly what he is thinking.  These two start an unlikely odyssey to take on Ferrari in the most grueling and famous race of the year. 

Despite Ford v Ferrari telling the tale of corporate bravado, the main draw of the film are the personalities of Shelby and Miles.  These two men had very different personas but shared a love of racing and a desire to be the best.  The conflict and camaraderie between these two race icons is painful and exhilarating to watch, as is the product of their collaboration, the Ford GT40.  Damon and Bale are amazing to see, with Bale especially going all out as Miles.  

As you would expect, a movie about race cars should make you feel like you are experiencing one.  And Ford v Ferrari does not disappoint.  From the loud whine of the engines to the boom of the cars on the track, Ford v Ferrari's sound is top notch.  Additionally, for theaters that are equipped with some sort of force feedback, the vibration of the race is perfectly communicated through the seats, really making you feel like you are behind the wheel!

Ford v Ferrari tows the racing line for national pride, and thankfully stays on track.  It doesn't derail itself with unnecessary nationalism despite the clear America vs Italy rivalry.  Rather, the focus is on competition and business pride, which was a pleasant surprise.  The movie is also on the long side, but like the Le Mans race, it takes time but has a great pay off.

Ford v Ferrari is a high octane experience with fantastic acting, a compelling story, and a combination of exhilarating sound and heart pumping race scenes that will make you think you are on the track!

Watch it

What to Watch This Weekend: November 15, 2019

In Theaters: The Good Liar

The Good Liar takes a dream duo of Mirren and McKellen and weaves a tale of deception that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  For more information, check out our review!

In Theaters: Better Days

Better Days is a powerful film that tackles intense, emotional subjects.  It has strong performances, a heart wrenching story, and shows some of the darker aspects of human nature and our society.  For more information, check out our review!

At Redbox: The Peanut Butter Falcon

The Peanut Butter Falcon was a surprise hit earlier this year and is now available at Redbox.  It has nearly universal critical and audience appeal, a heartwarming story, and strong performances that should not be missed.

Streaming (Netflix): Zombieland

The sequel is doing quite well in theaters but if you still haven't seen Zombieland: Double Tap, or just want to refresh yourself on the cult classic original, Zombieland is available to stream on Netflix.  Just remember Rule #77, watch this movie!

Streaming (Amazon): Instant Family

Instant Family is a feel good dramady that tackles adoption.  It has a good combination of heart and comedy that will make a nice film to watch during this cold winter weekend.