Lightyear (2022) Rated PG

Posted on September 23, 2022 by laurarachel4

Buzz Lightyear spends years trying to make it back home. Starring Chris Evans, Keke Palmer, and Peter Sohn. 

I’m rather surprised by this film and it’s not a good surprise. First, this film must be a stand-alone film. It’s not a prequel or even anything that represents what we know of Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story series. It’s like they were making up a story for the TV cartoon of Buzz Lightyear that inspired the doll. Nothing about this film makes any sense. I think it’s the worst film that Disney has released in the last few years. That’s saying a lot – there are some bad ones out there and this has to be worse than them. The only likable thing is Socks. The script tries to be funny, but nothing is funny except Socks. There are blatantly inauthentic moments throughout the film. It makes you wonder what the filmmakers were thinking. This film is not worth the watch. 

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New This Week in Theaters, September 22, 2022

Posted on September 22, 2022 by laurarachel4

Don't Worry Darling (2022) - IMDb Don’t Worry Darling (R)
Opens on Monday, September 19
Starring: Florence Pugh, Olivia Wilde, Chris Pine 

A 1950s housewife living with her husband in a utopian experimental community begins to worry that his glamorous company could be hiding disturbing secrets.

The Railway Children Return (2022) - IMDb The Railway Children Return (PG)
Opens on Friday, September 23
Starring: John Bradley, Jenny Agutter, Sheridan Smith 

Follow a group of children who are evacuated to a Yorkshire village during the Second World War, where they encounter a young soldier who, like them, is far away from home.

On the Come Up (2022) - IMDb On the Come Up (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, September 23
Starring: Sanaa Lathan, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Method Man 

Story centers on 16-year-old Bri, who wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Facing controversies and with an eviction notice staring down her family, Bri doesn’t just want to make it, she has to make it.

Wicked Game (2022) - IMDb Wicked Game (NR)
Opens on Friday, September 23
Starring: Dini Blake, Dini Blake

An electrifying thrill-ride is unfolding with propulsive energy, unexpected twists and breathtaking action.

The Swearing Jar (2022) - IMDb The Swearing Jar (NR)
Opens on Friday, September 23
Starring: Adelaide Clemens, Douglas Smith, Patrick J. Adams 

“It is a rare and miraculous thing to find your one true soul mate.” Carey soon learns that finding two of them can pose an even greater problem.

Yakuza Parents Guide | Age Rating (2022) Yakuza (NR)
Opens on Friday, September 23
Starring: Pat Casey, Maya Forbes, Josh Miller 

The tale of a yakuza (Japanese gangster) who makes his way through the Japanese criminal underworld.

My Imaginary Country - Rotten Tomatoes My Imaginary Country (NR)
Opens on Friday, September 23
Starring: Patricio Guzmán

Protests that exploded onto the streets of Chile’s capital of Santiago in 2019 as the population demanded more democracy and social equality around education, healthcare and job opportunities.

Watch the trailer for Sinéad O'Connor documentary 'Nothing Compares' (streaming soon) Nothing Compares (NR)
Opens on Friday, September 23
Starring: Sinéad O’Connor

The story of Sinéad O’Connor’s rise to worldwide fame, and how her iconoclastic personality resulted in her exile from the pop mainstream. Focusing on prophetic words and deeds across a six-year period (1987-1993), the film reflects on the legacy of this fearless trailblazer, through a contemporary feminist lens.

Synopsis by IMDB. 

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Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977) Rated TV-G

Posted on September 22, 2022 by laurarachel4

An outcast donkey in Roman Judea finds his destiny on the way to Bethlehem. Starring Roger Miller, Brenda Vaccaro, and Paul Frees.

This is one of the lesser-known Rankin/Bass productions. Although, it is one of my favorites during the holiday season. It’s not the best written, but I enjoy how the Christmas story is turned not on its head but maybe 180 degrees. We follow the donkey who was born with oversized ears and was outcasted because of them. We see him discover the reason for his birth and his destiny. This story isn’t as warm and loving as some of the other Rankin/Bass films, but it does touch your heart. It’s emotional and you don’t lose the true Christmas story. This is one film that you can’t miss during the Christmas Season. It’s worth the watch.

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Mafia’s Greatest Hits (AHC) Rated NR

Posted on September 21, 2022 by laurarachel4

This series showcases the different eras of the Mafia’s rise and fall. Starring Colin Tierney, Selwyn Raab, and Thomas Reppetto. 

The series gives us the backgrounds of different outlaws in their ranks while also showcasing how the FBI and law enforcement changed their tactics to catch them. They interview the men and women who took down the criminal enterprises and discuss what made each individual a threat to society. It’s a great history lesson as we learn about the Mafia and the law during different periods. They also use a few dramatic recreations to bring them back to life. It’s a show that is worth a watch. 

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My Friends Tigger and Pooh – Super Sleuth Christmas Movie (2007) Rated NR

Posted on September 20, 2022 by laurarachel4

Pooh and friends try to rescue Santa’s trainee reindeer, Holly. Starring Dee Bradley Baker, Mikaila Baumel, and Kimberlea Berg.

This film was made for kids, and it’s an extended episode of the series, My Friends Tigger and Pooh. The animation is more computer animation rather than the older style of the Pooh series. The series is geared more toward preschool children with the added character of Darby (instead of Christopher Robin). She takes over the show rather than allowing us to enjoy the friendship of the Pooh characters. Some of the voice acting really doesn’t do the original characters justice. I especially didn’t enjoy Travis Oates’ voice for Piglet; it’s too deep and raspy for a cute little piglet. Roo sounds tired, and then you have the songs, which weren’t really a part of the original Pooh series. They just don’t fit into the story at all and distract from it. While it’s cute for preschoolers, it’s not the best and one that I wouldn’t recommend as a yearly watch, making it not worth the watch.

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New This Week on DVD, September 20, 2022

Posted on September 20, 2022 by laurarachel4

 Vengeance (R)

A writer from New York City attempts to solve the murder of a girl he hooked up with and travels down south to investigate the circumstances of her death and discover what happened to her. Starring B.J. Novak, Boyd Holbrook, Dove Cameron 

 Dynasties II: Season 2 (NR)

A sequel to the Attenborough’s great nature show following the lives of different dynasties from the animal kingdom. Starring David Attenborough, Daan Smit, Mary Melville 

 Kim’s Convenience: The Complete Series (TV-14)

The misadventures of a Korean-Canadian family running a convenience store. Starring Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Jean Yoon, Andrea Bang

 The Equalizer: Season Two (R)

A man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him cannot stand idly by when he meets a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters. Starring Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz 

 Ultra City Smiths: Season 1 (NR)

Follows the investigation into the mysterious disappearance of fictional metropolis Ultra City’s most famous magnate by two intrepid detectives. Starring Julian Barratt, Kristen Bell, Chris Conrad 

 Legacies: Season Four (TV-14)

Hope Mikaelson, a tribrid daughter of a Vampire/Werewolf hybrid, makes her way in the world. Starring Danielle Rose Russell, Aria Shahghasemi, Quincy Fouse 

 Theodore Roosevelt (TV-14)

Two-part series on U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt looking at his work as a progressive reformer as well as his contradictions such as being a passionate conservationist who also hunted animals. Starring Shane John Kruger, Rufus Jones, Marco Mintaka

 Outlander: Season 6 (PG)

An English combat nurse from 1945 is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743. Starring Caitríona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Sophie Skelton 

 Great American Recipe (NR)

It is a cooking competition series where talented home cooks from different regions of the country have opportunity to showcase their signature dishes and compete to win the national search. Starring Alejandra Ramos, Graham Elliot, Leah Cohen

 The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family (NR)

The story of the rise and fall of the Boleyn family during the reign of Henry VIII. Told through the narration of historical academics juxtaposed with actors performing several significant scenes. Starring Shelley Conn, Elizabeth McCafferty, Philip Brodie 

Synopsis by IMDB. 

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Maneater (2022) Rated R

Posted on September 19, 2022 by laurarachel4

A group of friends is stalked by a man-eating shark. Starring Nicky Whelan, Trace Adkins, and Shane West. 

It’s not surprising that this is a typical horror film where there is a lack of script and the actors try to work with it. It’s a subpar horror film. Adkins does his test of whether or not to become an actor starring in his first film, a horror film. The story isn’t bad for a horror film – at least the character stories make sense even if the attacking shark doesn’t. Then you have the CGI shark which doesn’t bring much horror – even with the music that’s supposed to induce terror. This film is not worth the watch. 

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Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Detroit Lions (HBO) Rated NR

Posted on September 18, 2022 by laurarachel4

This series chronicles the second year of the Head Coach of the Detroit Lions as he leads the team from training camp through the preseason. Starring Liev Schreiber, Kelvin Sheppard, and Aidan Hutchinson.

This series follows the coaching staff of the Detroit Lions as they go through their training camp and the preseason games. It’s always interesting to watch a team train and their antics off the field as stress relievers. You also get a glance at where the coaches want to take the team during the season. We also get glimpses of the new trials the players will have to work through to become a team. While all that is interesting, sometimes it can be boring to watch another team do the training rather than the team you enjoy watching. This series doesn’t have that many boring points, but I also didn’t find it all that interesting. With the lack of direction in the series, it’s not worth the watch. 

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Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983) Rated G

Posted on September 17, 2022 by laurarachel4

The classic Charles Dickens Christmas Carol is portrayed by classic Disney animated characters. Starring Alan Young, Wayne Allwine, and Hal Smith.

This is one of those classics that should be watched every season, especially if you enjoy Dickens’ classic Christmas Carol. This is one to watch if you can get past the Disney animations portraying the characters of The Christmas Carol. However, the animation does carry the heart of Dickens’ classic. The warmth and truth of the season are evident in the recreation of the story – they kept it true to the tale. While it’s a shorter version, it still highlights the warmth of the season or Scrooge’s heart as it changes. This is a version worth a watch.

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Flip to a Million (HGTV) Rated NR

Posted on September 16, 2022 by laurarachel4

Two couples who flip houses for a living move to a new town and compete to see which can earn a million dollars in six months. Starring Jonathan Wrobel, Danielle Wrobel, and EJ Williams.

This is an interesting show if you like to watch house flipping shows. This series places two couples in a new town with just $1000 each to start flipping houses with a goal of turning the $1000 into a million dollars in just six months. While the show is interesting for fans of the flip, I think it lets viewers into how to start flipping houses. If you’re broke and don’t have the people around you to help give you a leg up, this show helps you see how to get started. Not every decision is the best, and sometimes you just have to take the leap. Although the show would be a fun watch for fans of flipping, I do wonder about the couples’ marriages. I’m a little worried that they aren’t the best, but with work and play it’s always a fine line. This show is not worth the watch.

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