Barbie (2023)

Yes! This overweight bearded human went to see the Barbie movie. And I loved it.

Directed by Greta Gerwing, and co-written by her and Noah Baumbach, this film is based on the long-time cultural phenomenon by Mattel.

Margot Robbie is our central “Stereotypical’ Barbie. She resides in Barbieland, a matriarchal society where women are successful, self-confident and self-sufficient, as are all other Barbies. In this world, their Ken counterparts just hang out while the Barbies have all the important jobs and make all the decisions. “Beach” Ken (Ryan Gosling) seeks a closer relationship with Barbie, but is constantly rebuffed.

When SB starts having weird thoughts and her feet are suddenly flat, she seeks help from “Weird” Barbie (Kate McKinnon), who tells her that the person that is playing with her is sad and that is affecting her and the world of Barbieland. She must journey to the “Real World” and help the owner of the doll and set things right. And, of course, Ken stows away in her car to help.

In the real world, everything is different. It is the opposite of Barbieland, where the Parichay rules and women are treated as second class citizens. Ken learns of this and thinks it’s a pretty cool idea and heads back to Barbieland to change things. Barbie must avoid the MIB style Mattel corporation and its CEO (Will Ferrell), and help Gloria and her daughter Sasha (America Ferrera & Ariana Greenblatt). Gloria and Sasha journey with Barbie to Barbieland and help her and the other Barbie’s remove the inequality from their home created by the Kens.

This movie had me with the 2001 parody at the beginning. It’s a comedy with smart writing, goofy moments mixed with the poignant ones, a great sense of fun, a catchy soundtrack, and a beautiful message about equality, inclusion and personal self-worth without a soap box in sight.

Rhea Perlman is so sweet and wise as Barbie’s creator Ruth Handler’s ghost who has an office on the 17th floor. The Barbie and Ken’s feature actors: Issa Rae, Alexandra Shipp, Emme Mackey, Hari Nef, Sharon Rooney, Ana Cruz Kayne, Rite Arya, Dua Lipa, Nicola Fennell. Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ncuti Gatwa, and John Cena. Dame Helen Mirren narrates. AMAZING!

Psycho Goreman (2020)

Psycho Goreman is a 2020 Canadian is a science fantasy action horror comedy film from writer director Steven Kostanski. And it’s bonkers. It’s like blending a hyper violent sci-fi horror film from the 80s with a Saturday morning cartoon.

Siblings Mimi and Luke (Nita-Josée Hanna & Owen Myre), after playing the game they invented ‘Crazy Ball’, are digging a hole in the backyard because the loser has to be buried alive (don’t ask), and they discover a glowing pink gem, which the loveable little sociopath Mimi claims. But taking the gem from its resting place has unleashed an alien warlord hell bent on destroying the universe.

The siblings find this alien killing machine the next day in a nearby warehouse. Here they find that whoever holds the gems has the power to control and command the “Arch-Duke of Nightmares’ ‘, whom the pair rename Psycho Goreman or PG for short (voiced by Steven Vlahos and played by Matt Ninaber). So, Mimi uses the alien monster to have fun, and since she is a little twisted, it is hilarious and it is troubling. Even mum and Dad (Alexis Kara Hancey & Adam Brooks) get in on the action.

On the planet Gigax, the Templars, an extreme religious galactic police force, has found out about the beast’s release. Their leader Pandora (Kristen MacCulloch and voiced by Anna Tierney) heads to Earth disguised as a human to stop the menace.

Meanwhile, PGs old crew tries to kill their old master. But Mimi would let him fight back until he apologises for being mean. When he does, the blood flows. Everything changes when Pandora slits the family unit. Its supercharged mum, Luke and Pandora vs Mimi, Dad, and PG as they battle for the Earth with ‘Crazy Ball’.

This film is batshit insane and better than it has the right to be. Gory and brutal but also kind of innocent. The effects and costumes are well put together and the make up effects, especially on PG and Pandora are freaking sweet. Even if the alien council and PGs old crew look like villains from a Power Rangers TV show, it all still works beautifully. Nita-Josée Hanna’s Mimi is the film’s highlight. And would you believe a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.

M3GAN (2022)

M3Gan is a horror/thriller, with Sci-fi leanings, from writers Akela Cooper and James Wan, directed by Gerard Johnstone, and Blumhouse Productions.

After Cady (Violet McGraw) loses her parents in a car accident, she goes to live with her aunt Gemma (Allison Williams), a roboticist working for the toy company Funki. Gemma isn’t a people person and doesn’t know how to connect to Cady. So, she retools a project she has been working on and creates M3GAN (model 3 Generative Android), a child-sized humanoid robot doll powered by artificial intelligence, designed to be the ultimate companion and protector. M3GAN’s presence at first is a positive one. Cady connects with her and is the much-needed distraction from the loss of her parents, and takes the pressure off Gemma who has no idea how to work through her own grief let alone that of a child.

Gemma boss David (Ronny Chieng), while at first against the idea, falls in love with the possible success and convinces the higher-ups of M3GAN’s potential as a money maker. This puts more pressure on Gemma. When M3Gan and Cady are attacked by the neighbour’s dog, M3GAN begins to protect Cady from any and every threat to her charge, often with very violent results.

Leading up to the M3GAN product launch, Gemma becomes convinced that M3GAN is killing people and interfering in her and Cady’s lives. She shuts down M3GAN and takes her to the company lab with run diagnostics. Devastated at the possible loss of her friend, Cady breaks down. But Cady and Gemma repair their relationship, and head home. But M3GAN won’t let that stand. Busting out of the lab in iconic fashion (that weird dance), M3GAN heads home. The little family must defend themselves against the now psychic A.I. creation.

I was surprised how well this film works. The real relationships between the three lead characters are beautiful and real. And the character design of M3GAN is simple and well executed, with the ‘uncanny valley’ doing most of the heavy lifting in the horror department. M3Gan was portrayed by actresses Amie Donald (body) and Jenna Davis (voice), their performances paired with the design created an amazing horror icon. This is a classic cautionary tale expertly made. Loved it.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is an animated adventure comedy produced by DreamWorks Animation. It is a sequel to 2011s Puss in Boots, itself a spin-off of the Shrek franchise. Out of the six films in the Shrek universe, Shrek 2 and this wonderful film, are the best of the lot.

Puss (Antonio Banderas) is down to his last life, having spent his previous 8 lives on adventures and laughing in the face of death. But when Death (Wagner Moura) in the form of a ghostly cloaked wolf welding two handheld scythes, comes to challenge the arrogant little cat, Puss fears for his future. He runs, giving up his adventurous ways to hide as a house cat. Here he meets a small Chihuahua disguised as a cat he names Perrito (Harvey Gullen) who befriends Puss. But when Goldilocks (Florence Pugh) and the Three Bears Crime Family (Ray Winstone, Olivia Coleman & Samson Kayo) smash the house looking of Puss to help steal the map to the location of the last wish currently in Big Jack Horner’s (John Mulaney) possession, Puss decides to do it on his own to wish for his lives back.

Stealing the map from Jack, Puss comes across Kitty Soft Paws (Salma Hayek), who has her own reason to steal the map. Puss and Kitty form an uneasy alliance, with Perrito along for the ride, to journey to the centre of the dark forest to find the fallen wish star and the last remaining wish. And try to stay one step ahead of Goldi and the Bears and Jack and his fierce baker’s dozen.

The animation here is amazing. Gone is the strict adherence to the past films, this film employs a wonderfully stylised animation that calls back to Disney and Looney Tunes shorts. It is gorgeous to look at. Every frame is artwork. The story is also one of the best in animation in recent years. The emotional journey of the characters plays out perfectly and organically, with the performers giving it their all for the dramatic and comedy scenes. Oh, the comedy. The humour is top notice, I even did a spit take and one point. The perfect comfort food.

Ten Minutes to Midnight (2020)

Ten Minutes to Midnight is a surreal vampire horror film from writer/director Erik Bloomquist.

Late night radio DJ Amy Marlowe (Caroline Williams) arrives at work for her show Ten Minutes to Midnight with a bat bite on her neck. Security guard Ernie (Nicholas Tucci), who oddly enough is carving a wooden stake, is convinced Amy could have rabies. Before her show, Amy is called into the office of the station’s manager Bob (William Youmans), who is a bit of a sexual predator, and is present with Sienna (Nicole Kang), who is destined to be her replacement. Amy discovers that tonight’s show is to be her last. A fact that everyone is aware of for over a week, even her friend and producer Aaron (Adam Weppler). She was kept out of the loop.

Amy has a breakdown, which is made worse given the fact that, due to the bat bite, she is slowly turning into a vampire. Something, like her replacement for the previous week, she is not aware of. The stress of losing the job that has defined her for 30 years and the transforming into a vampire, Amy goes on somewhat of a psychedelic and surrealist journey. And we are on the ride with her like watching someone else’s fever dream.

There is also the possibility that the radio station is also haunted with lost souls. This possible story element comes after everybody is dead and Amy relives the night events with all the principal characters suddenly playing different roles. Climaxing in a party for Amy populated by familiar faces she has never met all dressed in black. And her going away gift is a coffin.

The movie is about how people resist and accept change. Some Amy fights despite the inevitability that she will have to leave her job and transform into a creature of the night. It also has a nice commentary on ageism in the media. This movie is definitely a trip. The lighting, cinematography, and score all add to the otherworldly nature of the story. It’s like a modern-day punk rock Carnival of Souls. And horror legend Caroline Williams is a revelation, the show is hers. Made by lovers of the horror genre.

Airheads (1994)

This 1994 comedy was, and still is, one of my favourite 1990s flicks and a happy place. Directed by Michael Lehmann, of Heathers and Hudson Hawk fame, and written by Rich Wilkes, it tells the story one the lengths one band will go to be heard.

Chazz (Brendan Fraser) is desperate to get his band, The Lone Rangers, a record deal. He even sneaks into a record company’s building and talks to exec Jimmie Wing (Judd Nelson) before getting thrown out. So, after his girlfriend Kayla (Amy Locane) kicks him out, Chazz and his band mates, siblings Rex and Pip (Steve Buscemi & Adam Sandler) hatch a plan to sneak into the local radio station KPPX, to get their tape played on the air.

Once inside the station, shock jock Ian “The Shark” (Joe Mantegna), a bit of a rock and roll anarchist himself, puts them on the air. But before their song can be played, the station manager and business douche Milo (Michael McKean) breaks up the party. Then the boys put out the very realistic toy guns and take control of the station and the employees’ hostage, which include Suzzi (Nina Siemaszko), Marcus (Reg E. Cathey), Yvonne (Michelle Hurst) and Carter (David Arquette). What follows is a comedy of errors and a journey of discovery for the anti-establishment rockers. When the cops turn up, negotiations start through Sergeant O’Malley (Ernie Hudson) and his offsider Officer Wilson (Chris Farley). The boys can’t play their reel demo, so they send the cops looking for Kayla to get her copy of the tape. They make insanity defence style demands of the cops (nude picture of Bea Arthur anyone), pass the time playing some awesome tunes and partying with half of L.A., many of which are outside the station to support our heroes.

Every performer uses their comic and dramatic chops to the fullest. Every character seems real and believable. There is some solid on-screen support from Michael Richards, Marshall Bell and great cameos from Harold Ramis, Mike Judge, White Zombie and Motorhead’s Lemmy. A kinda prefect 90s comedy commenting on the music industry with a killer soundtrack. Sits perfectly in the middle of a triple feature of This is Spinal Tap and Empire Records.

Last Action Hero (1993)

Last Action Hero is a 1993 big budgeted action comedy directed by John McTiernan, and written by Shande Black and David Arnott from a story by Zak Penn & Adam Leff. And it’s so meta, The Twilight Zone is jealous. The film follows 10-year-old Danny Madigan (Austin O’Brian), a film buff living in crime ridden New York City with his widowed mother. Danny’s only escape is going to the once beautiful, now run down, movie theatre run by Danny’s friend, elderly owner Nick (Robert Prosky). Danny’s favourite films are that of the Arnold Schwarzenegger led Jack Slater series.

When Nick invites Danny to a private screening of the latest Jack Slater film so he can check the print, Nick makes a show of giving Danny a ticket once owned by Harry Houdini. And old Harry must have had some real Dr. Strange powers, because a short time into the film, Danny is transported by explosion into the fictional world of the movie. Slater’s boss Captain Dekker (Frank McRae) teams the two together to take down mob boss Vivaldi (Athony Quinn) and his number two, Benedict (Charles Dance). Danny keeps trying to convince Jack that he is a character in a movie. The muscular cop doesn’t believe him, but the villainous Benedict does. Benedict kills his boss (spoilers), steals the ticket and heads to the real world with a plan to unleash movie villains on reality. Danny and Jack must follow into the real world to top the cartoonish madman.

This film was on high rotation for me in high school. It tells an entertaining, often ridiculous but polished story while poking fun at action movies cliches and Hollywood. John McTiernan is on fire in the directors’ chair, and with Dean Semler as the DP and Michael Kamen handling the music, this flick is a sugary treat. It even comes with a great rock soundtrack complete with an original song from AC/DC. It also hosts co-stars and cameos from Tom Noonan, Art Carney, F. Murray Abraham, Mercedes Ruehl, Joan Plowright, Ian McKellen, Jim Belushi, Robert Patrick, Sharon Stone, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Little Richard, Tina Turner, Bridgette Wilson, and Danny DeVito as the voice of the animated cat detective Whiskers. Beautiful bonkers fun.

The Marvels (2023)

The Marvels is a 2023 sci-fi fantasy action-adventure film from director Nia DaCosta who co-wrote the film with Megan McDonnell and Elissa Karasik, and is the 33rd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The film sees the return of Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), as well as Monica Rameau (Teyonah Parris), last seen in WandaVision and Ms Marvel / Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) from the Ms Marvel series. In this tale, ex-Cree soldier now leader Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) seeks the Quantum bands. She finds only one, as the other is in Kamala’s possession. But she is still able to use it to create artificial jump points to destroy planets to save her own dying world Hala. While investigating the residual energy, Danvers and Rambeau both come into contact with the energy at the same moment and link her powers with that of Kamala’s. As A result, every time they use their powers, they all physically switch places with each other. No matter where they are in the universe. They have to band together to control their switching and save the countless planets from Dar-Benn’s trauma fuelled mission. Also in the mix is Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) who is working with the trio on the space station S.A.B.E.R. to fix out how to stop Dar-Benn. Kamala’s family from the series is also present, and is taken to the station where they end up helping with a very strange problem connected to the loveable alien ‘not-cat’, Goose.

This is a return to form for the MCU. This is an enjoyable fun ride of a movie with likeable characters, a decent plot, and great situational set pieces. With a good dose of humour. DaCosta’s directing of the material is damn good, she directed one of my recent favs in the recent Candyman film. Laura Karpman’s score fits right in and enhances the story. And I could fault the CGI either. And at 1 hour and 45 minutes, it’s shorter than most MCU flicks. The cast are all great, but Iman Vellani’s Kamala is damn infectious.

And to all those out there who called this film the “end of the MCU”, “garbage”, and “dead on arrival”, do you even know what fun is anymore?