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The Mosley Review: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Do you wanna know why we constantly revisit World War II in film? It isn't because it was the greatest war. It isn't because of the enginuity that came from it. Its because it features the most robust stories ever to be told or discovered whether its from the American or the European campaign. There are probably hundreds of classified documents that are still sealed to this day and it is always fascinating to see them revealed. Yes, we love the heroism in the stories about the front lines, but what's more interesting to see is the internal planning of all Allied Forces and how they're plans get executed. Whether they succeed or fail is the real drama and the stuff of legend that ends up inspiring fictional characters we all know and love. That is what this film lovingly highlights and I have to say it was a smooth and joyful ride has good suspense with great action and comedy. The tone was a bit off at times as it would struggle with wanting to be a smart espionage driven story and a adventure film with little consequence for the heroes in the story.

Henry Cavill truly charms every moment he's on screen as Gus March-Phillipps. He was a fun leader of the ragtag team of mercenaries and I liked his controlled nature. He never really seemed to have doubts, but he did have a moment or too that he felt challenged. The amount of glee and calm he has in this film was cool in the more action driven scenes. The most standout moment of the film truly comes from his introductive scene as within in five minutes, you understand the man and his motivation. Alan Ritchson was good and brutal as his fellow merc, Anders Lassen. I liked the banter he had with Gus as the film went along and how eager and efficient of a Nazi killer he was. Henry Golding was fun and smart as the explosive expert of the team, Freddy Alvarez. The banter between him and Anders was fun as they would tease each other often. Hero Fiennes Tiffin was good as Henry Hayes and even though he didn't have that much depth, he was effective and a valued navigator in the war occupied Atlantic Ocean. Alex Pettyfer was cool and collected as Gus's oldest friend, Geoffrey Appleyard. You really felt the bond and history between them in the scenes that they had together. Cary Elwes is always a joy to see on screen and as Brigadier Gubbins 'M', he was perfectly royal and commanding as the leader of the secret operation the team is recruited for. Freddie Fox was good as the iconic Ian Fleming and I loved that he was apart of the operation from beginning to end. He wasn't a forgotten character and I liked that he seemed to plotting out his soon to be famous character. Rory Kinnear was fantastic and steadfast as Winston Churchill. He had a dominating presence and sense of urgency that is needed for the legendary Prime Minister. Eiza González and Babs Olusanmokun were fantastic as Marjorie Stewart and Mr. Heron. Their chemistry together was great and I enjoyed their convert planning and business deals. Eiza charms the screen with such control in her more tense dialogue scenes and Babs was that quiet type of dangerous that you never saw coming. Til Schweiger is always intense as a hero or villain and as Heinrich Luhr, there is an amount of sinister motivation in his eyes that made him the marquee antagonist.

The score by the director's frequent collaborator, Christopher Benstead, was good, quirkie and epic toward the end of the film. I felt the tension in the finale the most thanks to his score as the action kicks off and the plan doesn't go as smooth. Like I said before, the tone was a little all over the place at times since you have so many parts moving at once. Director Guy Ritchie's flair for elaborate planning was on display, but it felt a little rusty in its execution. Its a massive cast so not everyone has a chance to have a moment to shine outside of the action. Maybe some of them didn't really have much to work with or the real people in the true story the film was based on weren't that deep. Either way, I still had fun with the film and I enjoyed the action. Is it gonna be one of the most memorable films of Guy Ritchie's filmography, no, but it'll be a fun one to view once in awhile. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

#the ministry of ungentlemanly warfare #henry cavill #alan ritchson #alex pettyfer #henry golding #eiza gonzalez #babs olusanmokun #cary elwes #rory kinnear #freddie fox #til schweiger

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The Mosley Review: Abigail

Oh what a time the horror genre is having this early into the year! We just had an awesome take on demonic possession and now, the team behind the great current Scream sequels and the outstanding Ready or Not, deliver yet another insanely fun horror film. I can't think of the last time we had a good vampire film that was straight forward and not about the depression of living forever or some boring slog of a teen romance. This film from the beginning throws you right into the story and sets up the players pretty quickly while leaving enough mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat. Time management and speed are always the key elements when it comes to the horror thrillers and this film excels at that. Not only do the thrills keep coming, but the violence on display is actually story driven and inventive at times. The cast alone is what makes or breaks these type of films and they truly make this film because you care about each one in a unique way.

Alisha Weir was outstanding and intense as Abigail. There are so many layers to her performance that many would not be able to achieve at her at age. There is a level of regalness, experience and that deep seated joy in the hunt for her food. What I loved is that she actually retained her humanity in many moments and was honest. Melissa Barrera was awesome as Joey and I loved the compassion in her voice and her steadfast strength in the film. She may be one of the smartest and untrusting people in the room, but she was also the most balanced. The chemistry between her and Abigail was the heart of the film and was fascinating to see their plot unfold. Dan Stevens was great and unflinching as Frank. I loved that he was the most aggressive and sometimes cunning of the group with his more controlling nature. Kathryn Newton is always a joy to see on screen and as Sammy, she was the classic young and spunky character that enjoyed the thrill of the heist. Kevin Durand is one of those actors that you love to see and he can capture your heart with his charm. As Peter, he may have been the big brute of the group, but he had a heart of gold and it shines in his chemistry with Sammy. William Catlett was cool and active as Rickles. He had the right ideas about the situation they were in, but acted a little too late. He was the strong silent type, but I think him and Joey would've made a great team. The late Angus Cloud was good as Dean and even though I sometimes had a hard time understanding him with the mumbling of his lines, he still had charm and was hilarious in some great scenes. Giancarlo Esposito continues to be a powerhouse on screen and as Lambert, he may not be in the film alot, but his presence is felt in the set up of the story and throughout the film.

The score by Brian Tyler was excellent and nails the thrilling pace of the film and underscores the intense moments of violence. When it comes to the violence, the gore in this film was absolutely satisfying and the build up to each kill or gross out visual was well done. The sound and effects team really know how to make each bite impactful and each pop look and sound so powerful. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett of Radio Silence truly love the horror genre and have made yet another glorious horror thriller that re-invigorates the vampire genre in such a fun way. They follow the rules they set up in the beginning and do not waver. This is definitely one of my favorite films of the year and I can't wait to watch this again. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

#abigail #melissa barrera #dan stevens #kathryn newton #alisha weir #kevin durand #william catlett #angus cloud #giancarlo esposito #matthew goode

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The Mosley Review: Civil War

Quite possibly the most controversial and dangerous genre of film is the one that focuses on politics or the political climate of an era. Biopics about presidents, getting the truth out about a government assassination or even just a film about an interview with a former president can trigger debates on what the film is actually trying say. The conversations of whether a film is leaning toward Democrats or Republicans, the left vs the right and so on are always polarizing and you’re damn if do lean a certain way and damned if you don't. What makes this particular film fascinating and particularly memorable is that none of what I just said is the subject matter. It is a fantastical, although somewhat plausible, “what if” story that’s intense, scary and free of any constraints of political influence. This was a tense and disturbing road trip film across classic Americana that follows the journey of the perfect non-combatants imaginable. Journalists. Yes, you get the violence of the civil war, but it is through many unique perspectives that are brilliantly realized and fulfilled by the end.

Kirsten Dunst gives a stirring and sofisticated performance as a renowned war photographer Lee Smith. You can see the amount of horror she has seen in her career in the way she carries herself and how she handles the chaotic moments. I loved that even though she was truly war torn, she still had moments of whatever was left of her humanity to shine. As the film progresses, you see a side of her that she tries to keep under control and I loved that internal struggle becoming external. Wagner Moura was fun and somewhat bloodthirsty as her colleague and fellow journalist, Joel. He was truly all for the adrenaline as the story progresses and I loved his chemistry with Kirsten. I believe he was probably one of the only ones that could really bring out the lighter side of Lee. Stephen McKinley Henderson was awesome and warm as veteran journalist and their mentor, Sammy. He was wise, quick witty and so loveable. The three of them together were fun to watch in a great hotel scene and even the moments in the car. He may have been older and slower, but you felt his influence in the journalism community. Cailee Spaeny was great as the aspiring young and hungry photographer, Jessie. To be honest, she was dangerously becoming that typical kid that you have to save from everything because she was too inexperienced or lacked the senses to look before she leapt. Her scenes with Lee were the most important as they both were a representation of the classic teacher and student trope that was used effectively throughout. Lee really saw herself in Jessie in many scenes and she tries her best to pull her out of her naivety and school her about the open road. Jesse Plemons was truly terrifying as the unnamed white-nationalist militiaman. As seen in the trailer, you get the sense that he has no qaulms about killing and his trademark dry and sometimes emotionless line delivery truly keeps you on edge. That scene alone was the highlight of the film. Nick Offerman was good as the President of the United States in the film. He was not in it for too long, but when he is, he sets the tone and is the key to the whole plot of the film and a particular scene.

The lack of score throughout the majority of the film was excellent and really let the characters breathe and the world sink in. When the score is active, composers Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow do an amazing job of heightening the drama and elevating the tension to another level. Visually the film is perfect and through the moments of excellent photography, it highlights the horror of war and the reverence many had for it. Sometimes a moment in a still image tells a story of its own and that is expertly illustrated in this film. Once again writer and director Alex Garland has taken a unique perspective on a subject matter that most fear or are ready to talk about actually happening. Just like Ex Machina, this film gives a pretty grim look at a hypothetical future that is both fascinating and intense. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

#civil war #kirsten dunst #wagner moura #cailee spaeny #Stephen McKinley Henderson #nick offerman #jesse plemons #a24

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The Mosley Review: Monkey Man

Vengeance driven films are a cornerstone of the action genre and it’s good to see more of them popping up her and there. Yes, we had the John Wick saga that started out that way and became the new standard for the genre and for action sequences in general. It actually showcased the artistry in stunt performers and actors doing their own fight scenes. What's slowly creeping back into the spotlight is the brutality of these type of films. It’s always amazing to watch the lead character kick ass, but the more realistic and blood soaked it is, the more you see feel the rage and justification behind it. That's what this film does in such a old school way that I appreciated. The story itself is simple and yet expansive with its many locations, highlighting of the darkside of the drug fueled VIP parties and a surprisingly spiritual look into ones motivations. The film truly takes its time to develop the rage, the character growth and the plotting that most films today shy away from.

Dev Patel is always outstanding and as Kid / Bobby / Monkey Man, he really delivers a vastly layered character that is pure in his quest for vengeance. I loved the growth of him being a not so great brawler that once an opportunity presents itself, he seeks out his target in a elaborate way that includes his environment. He was a creature of his environment and I loved that he was unrelenting. The amount of focus, pain, sadness and sometimes joy in his eyes as he reaches his ultimate goal was so immersive and haunting. Sharlto Copley is always great and as his fight handler, Tiger, he was the perfect showmen and scummy promoter. Pitobash was fun as the mid level gangster, Alphonso. I liked the small amount of chemistry between him and Bobby and how they sort of became friends amongst the madness. Vipin Sharma was great as the spiritual leader, Alpha. He represented the more internal struggle that Bobby goes through and his words of wisdom and sorta medicine man feeling to his character was cool. He was that classic motivator to the hero trope that ultimate helps re-ignite the fire within. Ashwini Kalsekar was truly a mean and powerful business woman as Queenie Kapoor. There was a special kind of venom to her that made her one of the most unlikable characters and shows her excellent acting skill is. Sikandar Kher was a brilliantly menacing villain as Rana Singh. The man was the scum of the earth and one of the most brutal men to ever grace the screen. I loved the fights between him and Bobby as they are truly the most personal, brutal and satisfying.

The score by Jed Kurzel was pulse pounding, ethereal and sometimes soothing in the flashback moments of innocence. It really kicks off in the fight scenes and in a specific portion during the finale fight sequence, I loved that it took a much more melodic tone instead of the traditional fast, electronica beat. I loved the gritty and grimy visuals of the film and especially how the action was shot. Yes, shakey cam is used, but it is the most steady shakey cam ever and nothing is truly lost in the impact of the hits or use of weapons. The tuk tuk chase sequence was awesome and fun. The sound design in the film was top notch and you feel the impact of the very meaty punches, slices and stabs along the way. This was a truly fun, dark and engaging blood soaked revenge story that knew the assignment and excelled with the right amount of spirituality added for extra credit. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

#monkey man #dev patel #sharlto copley #Pitobash #vipin sharma #sikandar kher #ashwini kalsekar

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The Mosley Review: Late Night with the Devil

The easiest and sometimes over saturated genre of horror is the supernatural. Specifically, dealings in the occult, religious themes and the occasional demonic possession arc of a story can be fun, if its with a fresh take. Honestly, I believe every year there is at least 4 different possession films alone and they all are sourced back to the church one way or another. Every once in a while, you get a possession story that has a unique twist on the genre. This film takes not only the psychological road, but also the skepticism and illusionary work and I loved every second of it. The documentary / found footage element truly works in its favor in keeping you immersed in the story and the characters in a way that was refreshing and exciting. Its a small and contained story that felt more like a stage play at times than an episode of a late night talk show which also is a major plus.

David Dastmalchian is one of the most underappreciated character actors working in Hollywood and as Jack Delroy, the host of Night Owls with Jack Delroy, he shows that he can most definitely hold your attention as a leading man. The emotional depths he takes Jack on in some of the most subtle ways in his eyes was magical. Jack was definitely the classic portrayal of ambition and selfishness that overtakes his care for those he calls friends. I was absolutely enthralled with his performance and I can't stress enough how amazing he is. Rhys Auteri was fantastic and heartwarming as his sidekick, Gus McConnell. The two of them are your classic duo of host and comedic relief, but you get a deeper look into their friendship and I loved how he was the voice of reason in many scenes. Gus gets a moment that was visually grotesque and awesome in practicality. Josh Quong Tart was perfect as their greedy and intense producer Leo Fiske. Fayssal Bazzi was great and fun as a the first psychic guest Christou. I liked that through him, we see the level of skepticism in motion and the first taste of the paranormal that may or may not have happened. Ian Bliss was truly one of the biggest standouts and a great antagonist as the magician turned skeptic, Carmichael the Conjurer. Even though he was such a condescending and sometimes obnoxious guest, he had truly great arguments. He had the juiciest dialogue in the film as well. Laura Gordon was excellent as the parapsychologist and author, Dr. June Ross-Mitchell. Her connection to her patient was never understated and it was tense with every warning she gave about how unstable things could get. Ingrid Torelli was outstanding as her patient Lilly D'Abo. There are so many layers to her performance and the many visual tricks that are displayed on and around her. Once she becomes possessed, she gives a great physical performance even if its a bit brief. The amount of time used in her demonic state was well utilized and I liked that even when she wasn't under control of the other being, there was a sense of something clawing at the surface of her mind.

The score by Glenn Richards and Roscoe James Irwin was excellent and I loved the theme of the talk show and how much of an earworm it became for me. The use of silence is well used to punctuate the level of terror and eerie visuals. There are so many subtle touches visually happening at all times and one of my favorites happens once Lilly arrives. The cinematography was outstanding and I loved that the aspect ratio was correct for the time period and how the backstage footage was captured in black and white. It was a great breathing point for the narrative and the characters. The cgi effects that happen in the last bit of film sort of ruined the magic a bit and I wished that was more subtle in execution. With a genre that is overly saturated with the same type of story, this film truly takes a trip down an untapped avenue of the supernatural horror spectrum and it was a welcomed one. This was something truly special. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

#late night with the devil #david dastmalchian #laura gordon #ian bliss #fayssal bazzi #ingrid torelli #rhys auteri

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The Mosley Review: Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

When it comes to Kaiju films, why do we all rush out to the theater? Is it to witness the destruction, mayhem and epic fights on the biggest screen possible with the best sound? Is it the environmental message they sometimes hold in the seams of its story? Is it the lore or is it the interpersonal story of the returning characters of the franchise as new loveable ones get introduced? Am I really serious about the human story question? We run to see the titans we love fight other monsters and save the world. Nobody really cares for the human story even if it is somewhat sweet and adds a level of relatability. At least these films from the beginning knew what they are and don't overstep their bounds. This franchise started off about the humans and wisely switched focused to the titans and their enemies. That is the promise that is fulfilled in every frame of this film with the characters delivering the exposition to keep the viewers on track of what's going and how it all makes sense.

Rebecca Hall returns as Dr. Ilene Andrews and she delivers a serviceable performance. She is just about the same as she was in the past film, but this time she was more about the adventure than just the science. Kaylee Hottle also returns as Jia and she continues to have the most heartfelt scenes with Kong. As her Dr. Andrews' adopted daughter, there was a genuine chemistry between them and it was the heartwarming if not cheesy. Bryan Tyree Henry returns as the loveable extremist and podcaster, Bernie Hayes. He hasn't skipped a beat with the amount of manic energy and comedic timing in every scene he's in. Dan Stevens was a fun and delightful addition to the troupe as Trapper. He was a full on hippy dentist that's just there for the adventure and flirtatious energy between and him and Dr. Andrews. Alex Ferns was cool the standard military dude Mikael, but he still has a fun and strong presence. Now the real stars of the film take center stage and I loved every second of their scenes. Kong was truly a badass and I loved that we get to see him be a shade of that classic 80's action hero that’s a smart, no nonsense leader and is for defending other apes like him. There is a smaller red ape that Kong meets and I had a huge fear that this kid was there just to sale toys, but he has his purpose and ultimately becomes useful. Godzilla was a destructive force that was truly on a mission this time around. It seemed everytime you saw him on screen, he was throwing down with another titan or just getting annoyed by the humans attacking him when he's simply preparing for an upcoming battle. I loved it anyway and liked that his new resting place. When Kong and Godzilla meet again, it was hilarious, fun and awesome once they actually team up. The new villain of the franchise, the Skar King, was sort of weak, but formidable.

The score by Tom Holkenborg and Antonio Di Iorio was good and bombastic and as epic as you'd want it to be. I really loved the mixture of 80’s synth and how it gave it that somewhat fantasy feel. The last 30 minutes of the film is where it adds to the chaos happening. Like I said before, you came to see our favorite titans take on a new villain while destroying everything in their path. While yes there are humans in the story, they were just there to keep us on track with the plot so we don't get bored. This film delivered on that promise and I was thoroughly entertained and you will be too. It may not be the best film of the year, but it was a massive and action one for sure. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

#godzilla x kong: the new empire #rebecca hall #brian tyree henry #Kaylee Hottle #Alex Ferns #dan stevens

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The Mosley Review: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

Nostalgia is a fleet of tug boats in the front and rear of a massive ship or tanker. They will lovingly push and guide the ship forward into familiar waters, but they can't carry it the entire way home. They have a limited distance of travel and don’t sail past the point of no return. Unfortunately, many franchises have yet to learn that lesson and rely on those tug boats for life. Ghostbusters: Afterlife was guided perfectly and went full speed ahead into new and uncharted waters with curiosity and warmth in its heart. I walked into this film knowing that the waves of nostalgia would brush up against this new story, but I felt this time that it started pummel the otherwise overly crowded ship. At first, I was loving the day to day ghostbusting with the new team and where they all ended up. Shortly after, the film started to take a turn in relying on too many reused moments, lackluster comedy that stopped the tension dead in its tracks and a vast number of characters that were given too little to do or were contradictory to one another. There were 4 out of the 6 plotlines that should've been the main focus of the film and would've driven the plot home to a more powerful conclusion. The amount of character development would've been more interesting and not so watered down and unfocused.

Mckenna Grace returns as Phoebe Spengler and she exudes the same amount of charm she had from the previous film. She begins to showcase that teenage rebellious angst in this film and it was interesting to see her befriend someone unexpected. She has a lot of pent up rage and its on full display at times. Finn Wolfhard as Trevor Spengler this time around nails that "I'm an adult now so treat me like one" attitude and it was fine, but that's really the extent of his development and I was a little saddened by that. Carrie Coon returns as their mother Callie Spengler and I still liked her protective and sometimes chill nature. I do wish she was a bit more stern and not so easy going when it came to some of the sass she receives from Phoebe. Paul Rudd returns as her boyfriend Gary Grooberson and I loved his chemistry with the family. He truly shines when he is trying to be a bigger part of the Spengler family and I found that was truly the heart of the film in many ways. Logan Kim continues to steal scenes as the loveable and intense Podcast. I would totally watch an entire film about his adventures with Phoebe and Ray Stanz or the rest of the younger ghostbusters anyday. Celeste O'Connor returns as Lucky Domingo and I liked that she was given the ability to play with some of the new equipment and be proficient at it. Her chemistry with Trevor is still palpable and I want a teen love story between them because they are too much fun together. Ernie Hudson, Dan Aykroyd, Annie Potts and Bill Murray all return as Dr. Winston Zeddemore, Dr. Ray Stanz, Janine Melnitz and Dr. Peter Venkman and they all get to have fun and shine in the best way. The chemistry between Winston and Ray has never been stronger. Their "Judgement Day" scene from the original film was my favorite and their conversation in this one was just as fantastic and important. Ray and Podcast have also have an amazing bond that I want to see expanded upon in a mentorship capacity. William Atherton returns as now Mayor Walter Peck and he was still delightful to watch. It fits that he still has it out for the Ghostbusters after 40 years. He was that grumpy old man you see on a porch that never stopped hating everyone.

There are a alot of new characters that join the franchise and this is where I meant it got crowded. Kumail Nanjiani was wonderful and funny as Nadeem Razmaadi. I liked that he was a driving force behind the plot and did get to have his comedic time to shine, but a bit too much in my opinion. There is a difference between a one liner that perfectly buttons a scene and a one liner that just lingers for too long. He has at number of the latter and I hated seeing that happen to a great actor and comedian. James Acaster was fascinating as one of Winston's engineers, Lars Pinfield. Through him, you are introduced to the possible future of the paranormal investigative side of the Ghostbusters that I hope will be the focus in the future and with him leading. I would watch an entire series just with him and a science team doing studies on the different classes of ghosts they capture and examine. Patton Oswalt as Dr. Hubert Wartzki was as good as you'd expect. He had the expositionary lore position of the film that I felt was wrongfully given to him. If Ray has studied the paranormal legends, folklore and beyond for his entire life, then why not make him the source of all knowledge for Podcast and Phoebe? I just felt Hubert truly stole alot of the thunder from Ray and you honestly could've cut his character completely. Just imagine for a second that Phoebe, Podcast and Ray work together to investigate the new villain and it would present a moment for Ray to have another chance to study with Egon through his granddaughter and you see that glow of happiness in Ray’s eyes and heart. Sounds awesome right?! Emily Alyn Lind was good and melancholy as Melody. I'll try not to spoil too much, but I'll say that she presents a interesting perspective on ghostbusting and possibly the humane nature of it. Her chemistry with Pheobe was a highlight of the film and gets a decent payoff.

Composer Dario Marianelli takes the helm this time around and delivers a fun score that incorporates the classic Elmer Bernstein score motifs while delivering his own themes. I do miss Rob Simonsen's touch from the previous film though. The use of more practical effects is always been a staple of the franchise and it continues here. I liked seeing the new and creepy ghosts in the film and wanted to know more about them. So what are my final thoughts on this new chapter in the GB franchise you ask? Afterlife was a welcomed and heartfelt return to the franchise, but this film felt like it wasn't handled with the same amount of care. Yes, it was more an adventure and more like an episode of the original animated, but it lacked a fully focused narrative that could service each character purposefully. There should've been less nostalgia, trim off the one liners and the many different plots at hand. You have too many characters on a single case and it came together in the end, but you still feel that void of logic in its essence. What I wish this film had done was let the tension and fear build and actually let the audience feel as if any of them could die. Don't be afraid to have that level of terror, darkness and seriousness that comes with facing these dangerous spirits. Stop adding all these characters and focus on the ones you already have. If this film was the many building blocks sprawled across the table that it felt like, then the next film needs to focus on the blocks that fit and not add more blocks to the pile. In the end, I still liked the film and I had alot of fun with this messy and scattered entry, but I hope the next film truly lets the tug boats of nostalgia return to the docks and allow the franchise set sail into more mature and fresh waters. I’m curious to see a director’s cut of this film because it truly felt like it needed another five minutes to clean up some of the mess. There is one mid credits scene that was fun, but its not that important. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

#ghostbusters frozen empire #mckenna grace #carrie coon #paul rudd #finn wolfhard #logan kim #ernie hudson #dan akroyd #bill murray #annie potts #celeste o'connor #kumail nanjiani #patton oswalt #emily alyn lind

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The Mosley Review: Kung Fu Panda 4

There’s many a franchise that get a third entry and finish the journey of a character, but leave the back door ajar just enough for a possible and welcomed fourth entry. Other franchises ended perfectly with their third entry, but the money earned was too good and then comes a fourth film that was okay, but completely unnecessary. Leave it DreamWorks Animation to add a fourth entry to another one of their great franchises and luckily it was the former. I always loved the Kung Fu Panda franchise and how genuinely innocent, sweet and encouraging they have been with each entry. Each film had a specific theme of growth and believing in yourself, learning your past and above all, loving the family that raised you no matter the difference and loving the new family you chose. All of this mixed with the philosophical lessons of kung fu itself. It has been a sweet ride and this time around was another welcomed exploration into one the most important parts of mastering martial arts. The art of not being selfish and passing on the knowledge and wisdom you have learned. All of that and more was on full display with a number of returning cast members and a few new ones.

Jack Black returns as the loveable panda and now experienced Dragon Warrior, Po. His evolution from a fan of kung fu to becoming a master has been hilarious and wonderful to witness. His childish wonder, welcoming heart and charismatic nature has never been better and Jack brings us back to the character and his world as if it was yesterday. Dustin Hoffman returns as the same old cranky yet wise Master Shifu. Their chemistry has never been stronger and is still fun to watch Po constantly break his barrier and test his patience. He's always been another great father figure for him and it shows more in this film. Speaking of father figures, James Hong and Brian Cranston return as Po's adoptive father Mr. Ping and Po's biological father Li Shan. I loved them both throughout the series and they are truly the heart and soul of the franchise and of Po. I loved that they get to have an adventure of their own this time around and they work together so well and are hilarious. Awkwafina joins the franchise as the elusive Zhen. She may be a thief, but she does have a heart of gold. I liked her chemistry with Po, even though her story was a little predictable. She was still fun to watch and I liked that through her, we got to see a new city and the underground crime world. Ke Huy Quan was great as the leader of the den of thieves, Han. He may not be the brightest, but he was definitely someone you wanted on your side. The great Ian McShane returns as Tai Lung in a more spiritual fashion and when you see the film, it'll make more sense. He was still filled with contempt for Po, but he understands him. The new villain this time around and a clever one I might add, The Chameleon was voiced by the outstanding Viola Davis. There are so many fun visual moments with her transformations and I loved her devilish smile. Her plot may not have been the most diabolical and I really didn't feel too threatened by her, she still had an interesting idea for domination.

The score was composed once again by the great Hans Zimmer and Steve Mazzaro. Alot of the familiar themes comeback and their version of Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train really stuck out in a very fun way. Visually the film carries that signature vibrence and sheen these films are known for. Like I said before, I thought the plot was very predictable in many ways as the film progressed and I didn't find the threat level as intense as Kung Fu Panda 2, but I still enjoyed myself alot. It may be the weakest in the franchise, but still a worthy entry and definite great time for the whole family. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in comments below. Thanks for reading!

#kung fu panda 4 #jack black #awkwafina #james hong #bryan cranston #viola davis #ke huy quan #ian mcshane

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The Mosley Review: Dune: Part Two

I believe that something astronomical is happening before our eyes. Something that is currently defining this generation of cinematic glory and storytelling. There are many other franchises that have fallen to current political views and a lack of vision or respect for the source material. Now I haven't read the source material myself, but from some of my most trusted friends, this new adaptation Frank Herbert's classic novel of the same name, was taken into the hands of a brilliant storyteller and he did not disappoint. There wasn't a moment that I wasn't fully enthralled with the world's that were presented and in all of their dark and sometimes haunting beauty. What I truly loved was the inner workings of the multiple ideals, threats and contingencies at work and how they all are weighed upon a single decision of a character's ascendancy. It may seem like a massive can of worms, but once you see the threads that have been woven, those that are plucking them and those that tried to cut them, its a beautiful dance of politics and freedom that ultimately leads to war. All of this is brought to life by the returning and introduction of new outstanding cast members.

Timothée Chalamet was outstanding this time as the now more experienced and weary Paul Atreides. His portrayal of the classic reluctant hero and destined messiah known as "Muad'Dib", was truly fun to watch. You see him weigh the religious power he could possess against the power of his love for another. Its a fine line to walk and Chalamet delivers. Zendaya was fantastic and had alot more to do as his love interest Chani. Her opposing views of the zealotry of the Fremen really nails home the fact that she wishes to remain free of conflict and made up prophecies. The chemistry between her and Paul has never been stronger and I loved their bond and especially the great challenge their relationship goes through. Rebecca Ferguson was outstanding once again as Lady Jessica and the trials and evolution she goes through was shocking. I loved her openness to absorbing the knowledge of the Fremen and their customs. She truly begins her journey early in the film and it is truly spiritual, painful and cerebral all at once. Josh Brolin returns as the always badass and loyal member of the Atreides Guard, Gurney Halleck. He was one of the main reminders to Paul of the duty to his house and to his royal birthright. His friendship with Paul has never been more emboldend and I couldn't wait to see Gurney dish out his deserved vengeance.

Stellan Skarsgård returns as the head of House Harkonnen, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen and he is as evil and cunning as he was in the first film. He doesn't waste time in putting into motion his multi-tier plans to take Arrakis. The great Dave Bautista returns as his impatient and rage fueled nephew Glossu Rabban Harkonnen. You can see the shock and fear in his eyes once he realizes a real challenge has presented itself. Austin Butler was outstanding as the other nephew, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. From his gorgeous gladiatorial introduction to his sinister and animalistic approach to battle, he was a force to be reckoned with and I loved every second of it. I also loved his voice and how it was very similar to Vladimir's. Add's to that familiar tone and somewhat worship. Charlotte Rampling was truly on fire as Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam. Through her, you see all the threads being woven and especially how devious and quickly each action is implemented. Christopher Walken was a great choice as Shaddam IV, the Padishah Emperor of the Known Universe. For the time he was on screen, he brought the gravitas world weariness needed. I liked Florence Pugh as his daughter, Princess Irulan. She gets to witness first hand the plots, lies and betrayals and I liked that she wasn't really for it all.

The magnificent Hans Zimmer returns as the composer and I couldn't imagine these films or the rest of the future films without his earth shattering score. The Harkonnen Arena, Worm Ride and Gurney Battle are just a few of my favorite tracks. The use of silence and no score is brilliantly placed in so many epic moments of the film whether its during an intimate conversation between characters or the climactic knife fight. This film is visually on par with the Part One, but somehow looks even more impressive. I can go on and on about the intricacies of the film and how it made me feel complete, but I'd rather let you experience the magic. This is an absolute MUST SEE IN IMAX to get the full scope and soundscape of the worlds presented. This is definitely one of the best sci fi films of the year and the level of quality that other franchises influenced by it need to step up to. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in comments below. Thanks for reading!

#dune part two #timothee chalamet #zendaya #javier bardem #rebecca ferguson #dave bautista #stellan skarsgard #austin butler #josh brolin #christopher walken #florence pugh

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The Mosley Review: Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender (Season 1)

And so the trend to try and adapt a beloved anime, manga or an American animated series to live action continues. It isn't uncommon that the fans demand it or someone has a vision to bring such beautiful piece of art to the big screen. It just the fact that each attempt has been a disaster or has completely missed the point of the source material. Not everything in animation translates to live action so changes have to be made for an audience to digest the information. Which in this case, was a travesty since the rich themes of identity, personal growth, fear, loss and the power of hope is what made the original animated series a masterpiece. Such themes that connected with children and adults alike is what made the series such a massive draw. Now we all know how horrible the 2010 film adaptation so there’s no need to retread those waters. You can say that expectations were tempered going into this new Netflix adaptation with all the problems that existed internally. To be fair, I will not continue this review by comparing every aspect of the original series to this new live action version, but I will always encourage you all to seek out the original series. That being said, I will save my biggest critiques at the end. Now, I went into this series with the single hope that it would be as close as possible to the original series. Well, this was a better adaptation that captured a certain percentage of what made the cartoon special, but you can feel the tug of war going on from the very first 3 episodes. This version wanted to establish that there is a dark and grittier edge to it, but also show the light hearted and fun nature of the adventure across the different nations and the lessons each character learns. In my opinion, for every great moment this series provides and gets right, there was an empty void where any connection to original show or even to the characters themselves was severed.

Gordon Cormier was really good as Avatar Aang. In many ways, he nails the character’s many emotional states as he slowly comes to grips with the loss of his Air nomad friends and mentor. He captured the pain in the Aang’s heart and also his childish humor in many scenes. I wish he had more time to actually grow out of his reluctant hero stage instead barreling through the most formative moments with his new friends. Lim Kay Siu was wonderful as Air nomad mentor Gyatso and I loved the emotional bond they had in the beginning of the show. Their chemistry was very strong and was the life blood for Aang. Kiawentiio was good as Katara and I felt she was done dirty in this show. She felt too sheepish at times and I wished she was more strong willed. She had her self doubts which is part of her arc, but I wish her steadfast nature was way more present. Everything was handed to her and she never really earns her upgrades in a selfless way as she comes off as more selfish when with Aang. Aside from a major missing character trait, Ian Ousley was excellent as her older brother Sokka. He nailed the characters' strength and humor, but I do wish he was a little bit more awkward. The family drama between Sokka and Katara was great and I liked the way it was resolved even if it was too quick. The 3 of them together make for a decent group, but I didn't feel as if they were really bonded. It felt as if they were following Aang as extra characters instead of being his friends and actual new emotional core of his heart. Utkarsh Ambudkar was awesome as the King of Omashu / Bumi. His playful nature was on full display and his message about making the hard decision as the Avatar and in his own way, as a King, was heard. He isn't the mad genius you love, but more the war torn and world weary older man. Maria Zhang was great as the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors, Suki. She was strong, had a good and ambitious heart. Her instant chemistry with Sokka was cool and I loved their training montage. I wish they took more time to develop the eventual love story between them instead of just jumping right into it.

Dallas Liu was fantastic as Prince Zuko. He nailed his obsessive desire to capture Aang and bring him back to the Fire Nation. His story was a bit more fleshed out as we get to see the deeper emotional toll of his father's banishment. Dallas also nails the physicality of the character and I enjoyed every action scene. You feel the desperation, pain and overall need to please nature of his broken spirit. Paul Sun-Hyung Lee was great as his guardian and beloved character, Uncle Iroh. He is such a layered character and in the amount of time we get with him, it isn't wasted. I really liked that his past as a warlord was brought up and you see his regret. He is always been the nurturing core for Zuko and he was exactly that for this version of the series. Daniel Dae Kim was perfect as Fire Lord Ozai. He was the tyrannical lord of the Fire Nation that we all know and I loved how cold and unflinching he was in his tactics. There was a moment where I thought we were about to see an emotional side of him come out, but I'm glad I interpreted it wrong. It wasn't a father's care that was being shown to Zuko, it was more disappointment and shame and that was rough. Ken Leung was awesome as Commander Zhao and he nailed the characters arrogance and hunger for respect and power. He wanted forge his legacy in the Fire Nation and I loved his ambition and dedication. He was an excellent adaptation of the villain. On the other hand, we have a character that is not supposed to be focused on so heavily in the first season. Elizabeth Yu was good as Princess Azula, but I believe she missed the point of the character. She is supposed to be the absolute polar opposite of her brother Zuko and truly her "father's daughter". Where Zuko shows doubts and emotion, she shows rage, venom and ice cold dedication to setting the world ablaze. Here she is doubtful, second guessing and sometimes winey as hell. The actress did what she could, but she is the second character in this show that I think was done dirty.

Takeshi Furukawa takes over the reins as the series composer and he did an epic job. He nailed the emotional beats and made the action even more intense. He incorporates some of the original themes from the animated series and a favorite song returns as well. I do miss the touch of Jeremy Zuckerman and Benjamin Wynn, but Takeshi did a wonderful job. Visually, the show was torn between vibrance and darkness and I wish they leaned more into the vibrance of the worlds without the dark overcast in almost every location. Like I said before, there were so many things that rubbed me the wrong way as this adaptation completely rushes past or condenses so many arcs for the sake of time. The first 20 minutes of the show was a mistake in my opinion, because we see the Air Nomads being wiped out instead of hearing about. Sometimes the stories about an event are more heartbreaking than actually seeing it. That 20 minutes could've been condensed to dialogue like the opening of the animated series. Princess Azula and her friends should have never been introduced in this season until the very last shot of the show. That's precious time wasted to build her up instead of forging Team Avatar. Aang needed to connect more with his new friends and rely on them instead of his dead mentor. That's why they never felt like a team or a new found family for Aang. This show really would've benefited from a 10 episode run instead of 8. In the end, it all boils down to the question of “Was this a faithful adaptation to the original animated series?” I would say that its a good cover album that takes too many artistic liberties and misses the many notes that made the first album a masterpiece. Fans like myself will like it better than the 2010 abomination, but will still see the major flaws. I highly recommend going back and watching the masterpiece the original series is, but if you don't, you'll still be entertained by this adaptation. Let me know what you thought of the show or my review in the comment below. Thanks for reading!

#avatar the last airbender #Gordon Cormier #kiawentiio #Ian Ousley #Dallas Liu #paul sun hyung lee #ken leung #Daniel Dae Kim #lim kay siu #utkarsh ambudkar #elizabeth yu #netflix #nickelodeon

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The Mosley Review: Lisa Frankenstein

Often the question the same question comes up in cinema. Why don't we have any more romantic comedies? Where are the quirkie coming of age films that tackle the age old themes of teen life struggles, social constructs within the popularity of each group or just the classic build up to a date to prom? Where are those films?! Well, here's a film that illustrates why that film genre has been buried and is slowing being unearthed. Like many of you, I enjoy a darker and off beat rom com from time to time and how it reflects the current youth lifestyle. Unfortunately, most of today's youth is online instead of in the real world. It was refreshing for this film to strip away modern tech and go back to the often romanticized era of the 80's and fully embrace the sorely missed awkward teen trope and macabre tone of early Tim Burton films. This film excels in that many times when it focuses on that vary grove it tries to stay in. Where it falters is in its weird pacing issues and lack of personal identity. It ultimately had nothing to say that I haven't heard already and it rushed its way through the magical nature of the heartfelt story that exists inbetween the seams.

Kathryn Newton was fun as the shy and distant teen Lisa Swallows. What I liked in the beginning was her innocence and sort of quiet demeanor in the way she would interact with people in her life. For a few moments she had a mystery to her that gave her that needed silent edge. She was a teen of very little words and when she finally finds her confidence, that's when the character really comes to life. I wish we could've played with her psychological decent and how she copes with things. Liza Soberano was really perky and loving as her lively sister step sister, Taffy. I liked their dynamic and how Taffy is always lifting up Lisa from her more secluded nature and gets her to come out of her shell more. The chemistry between them was really good and made for a lighter version of an almost "Heather's" situation. Joe Chrest was good and essentially a little more attentive version of his character from Stranger Things, Ted Wheeler. Carla Gugino was fantastic as always and as Lisa's stepmother Janet Swallows, she was very much the wicked stepmother from Cinderella. Now the real standout of the film and the most charming character was Cole Sprouse as The Creature. His beautifully tragic story was told expertly in the opening credits and he was a joy to watch once he comes back to life. The physical comedy and sometimes micro expressions he made were brilliantly executed and I loved every second he was on screen. The chemistry between him and Lisa was the heart of the film and even though not a word is spoken from him, his intentions are clear. The two of them together bring out the Edward Scissorhands love story aspect of the film and it felt like a gothic fever dream at times.

The score by Isabella Summers was good and serviceable, but I wish she leaned more into the horror a bit more which was also a problem with this film. For the majority of the film, I felt as if the film was really living its namesake. It was a greatest hits collection of all the best parts of the 80's horror comedies and early Tim Burton love stories that had so much heart, but this film failed many times to stay focused on those tropes. Where it was succeeding was when it would go down the implausible and fantastical fun of the love story, but it makes sharp turns away from it as things started to get more serious. The best way I could describe my feelings here is if you just look at the first trailer for this film. You get that exact macabre and comedic horror feel the film wanted to be. You get that, but it feels more watered down. Maybe if the film just focused on her coming out her shell and got rid of the stepsister and the other goth girl bully in the film, then maybe this would've been what that trailer promised. Also, I don't know if it was the theater I was in, but the sound mixing in this film was atrocious in the first 20 minutes of the film. The dialogue and score was turned down so low that I had to really focus on what was being said and I almost lost a god chunk of the story. Overall, this was a gothic rom com that had potential to be a new standout among the other same type of films we get each year, but I think it was bogged down by too many characters and the lack of expertise in the field. It could've been so much more. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

#lisa frankenstein #kathryn newton #cole sprouse #liza soberano #carla gugino #Joe Chrest

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The Mosley Review: Argylle

In the world of the spy action genre, very few have successfully planted their flag and changed up the formula while still having fun with it. Director Matthew Vaughn showed that he had a unique style and vision for genre with the Kingsman franchise. He showed that he will still have the plot twists, the larger than life villains and fun action sequences but a signature visual flare that is unmistakable. Well he's done that yet again, but this time its a problematic balance. I love when the idea of books coming to life is toyed with in reality and this film has so much fun with that concept. From the opening scene to the end of the second act, I was adoring how much fun I was having with the twist and turns, the action sequences and sometimes off beat charm of the comedy. Where it lost me is when the film breaks its own rules of realism and brings everything that was in the fantastical world into the real. I can absolutely pinpoint where the film falls apart and ceases to be a fun surreal spy action comedy and becomes a implosive parody of itself. I'm all about a storyteller's creative vision being realized, but sometimes being told no is a good thing.

Henry Cavill was perfectly charming and witty as the fictional live action version of the titular book character. He has that perfect level suave and I absolutely wish the entire film stayed in his world as this film once again proves he would be a great James Bond. Dua Lipa was good for the time she was on screen as the Bond girl equivalent LaGrange. John Cena was good as well as his Argylle's partner Wyatt. He was an excellent Q to his Bond. Bryce Dallas Howard was great as the author of the titular character's story, Elly Conway. The journey she goes through as the world she created and predicted starts attacking her in real life was fun and filled with great comedic timing. I loved the psychological toll it was taking on her as she would diss-associate by having Argylle as her coping mechanism. A deeper meaning comes into the play later for her and I liked that fun take. Sam Rockwell will always and forever be the most fun and enjoyable presence on screen and as Aidan, he excels at that again. He makes the character a great and nonchalant action hero that I was rooting for the entire way and loved his emotional connection to a certain character. The chemistry between him and Elly was fun and made for a good rom com. Samuel L. Jackson was just hanging out and having fun as the hacker Alfred Solomon. Catherine O'Hara is always a joy on screen and as Elly's mom, Ruth, she was a blast. Bryan Cranston was awesome as the The Division director Ritter and he gets to have some truly sinister moments in the film that stand out above the rest.

The score by Lorne Balfe was excellent and nails the mix of disco and early 70's style of Bond. The visual effects range from outstanding to purposefully campy and that is where the film lost me. I get for certain characters, the visual flare of the hallway shootout is sort of a romantic and colorful celebration in their heads and I liked that, but that’s where the hijinks should've stopped. What follows after the hallway shootout is a sequence that tells you that if "X" catches on fire from a single bullet, everyone is dead. The film ignores this rule and goes absolutely bananas by having a certain character do something without a doubt kills everyone including themselves with an instant spark from 2 weapons they use. I'm trying to be spoiler free as I can, but it was so stupid and it ruins the film. Expecting your audience to believe we're grounded again after betraying them 10 seconds ago, was insulting. The film would've saved face and 10 minutes if that sequences was cut completely and stayed within the tone of the film. Director Matthew Vaughn has his signature style all over this film and he truly gets the fun of the spy action genre, but like I said before, someone should've told to stop with his usual antics and focus on the main plot. You had everything right, but he just went too far. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

#argylle #henry cavill #bryce dallas howard #john cena #sam rockwell #ariana debose #catherine o'hara #bryan cranston #samuel l jackson

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The Mosley Review: I.S.S.

Most would probably agree that films set in outer space that are not a biopic, sci-fi action, fantasy, horror or apart of a major franchise, tend to be more on the quieter and somewhat boring side. Don't get me wrong, I love a good outer space film and many have come along that were actually thrilling. Gravity and 2017's Life are two of my recent favorites and is a good litmus test of the range of the genre. So going into this film, I was interested in the premise of a more confined living space and how two groups of astronauts from different walks of life would react to a situation thousands of miles below them. From the beginning, I connected with both groups and their conversations felt real and loving with the right amount of strain. Once the real threat happens and their dedication their countries comes into question and turns the film into a plotting and sometimes intense thriller. The pacing during one scene in particular was a bit stagnant and the characters could've said less to get the objective across.

Ariana DeBose was excellent and engaging as Dr. Kira Foster. She was pretty much the center piece of the film and through her eyes you experience the American side of the conflict. I loved her genuine love for people and I liked that she kept her head on straight in the middle of the crisis. John Gallagher Jr. is always great and as Christian Campbell, he was fun and perfectly worrisome. His immediate chemistry with Kira in the opening minutes of the film set up their friendship perfectly. Chris Messina was great as the leading American astronaut Gordon Barrett and I loved that he wasn't determined to keep everyone on task. He may come off as brash at times, but he was always welcoming. Maria Mashkova was wonderful and strong as Weronika Vetrov. Her chemistry with Gordon was one of the shining moments of the film and I liked their little not so hidden romance. Costa Ronin and Pilou Asbæk as brothers Nicholai and Alexey Pulov, were both excellent in their own ways. Nicholai had a edge to him and was willing to do anything for his country, but he still loved his brother. Alexey really was the center point of the Russian team and I loved him the most. Pilou has this uncanny ability to bounce between the most cunning villain in other films and he could be the most charismatic and heartfelt person in the room with just his eyes. He was the latter in the film and I was so relieved to see him bring that part of him out.

The score by Anne Nikitin was serviceable and hits at the right moments of tension, shock and horror. Visually the film may be sterile because of the story being centered in one place, but the geography of the space station was well mapped out. The sense of claustrophobia is clear and adds to the constantly growing tension. The moments we do get to spend out in space were beautiful and terrifying as you're looking down on a burning planet. For such a small and simple story, I enjoyed this bite sized thriller and it doesn't overstay its welcome. Its definitely a fun matinee film. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

#i.s.s. #ariana debose #chris messina #john gallagher jr. #Maria Mashkova #Costa Ronin #pilou asbæk

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The Mosley Review: Best Films of 2023

Well! 2023 has come to an end and what a tumultuous year it has been for the entertainment industry. There were some shake ups on release dates and some films were shifted to 2024 for a number of reasons. Whether it was because of the massive SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes or because the films were rushed, it didn't stop a crop of good films from coming out in 2023. This years' list may not be as long as others, but it is still my pick for the very best Hollywood had to offer. As always, if you want a more detailed review of all the films on my list, just click the title of each film. Now, without further ado, here's my list of the best films of 2023!

John Wick 4: There are very few films that start out as a small, simple, and almost as an underdog. The original film came out of nowhere with minimal promotion and it grew into becoming one of the greatest action film franchises of all time. From beginning to end, this film was a finale that incorporated any and every from of martial arts, gunfoo and even paid homage to classic samurai sword fighting. It was thrilling all the way through and a surprisingly emotional end to something that only happens once in a lifetime. Keanu Reeves is now one of the greatest action stars of all time and I hope this franchise stays gone on this high note and never revisit it.

When Evil Lurks: As a horror fan, you get many recommendations a year and a healthy helping of so many films. Alot of them stick to a familiar formula, but end up being nothing you haven't seen before by the finale. I'm always looking for a horror film to keep me on the edge of my seat with anxiety, wonder, nausea from the imagery and above all, terror. This film Argentinian film did that in spades. The thought of giving the possession genre a more biohazard twist and sticking to the rules that were set was refreshing and loved every second of it. This film ripped the safety net out from under you as it plunges you deeper into the dark and grotesque nightmare. What a magnificent horror film.

Oppenheimer: Lets face it. We all wanted to see the great Christopher Nolan tackle the subject of an atomic bomb and to see it detonate through his specific IMAX lens. We got that, but what we also got was a truly haunting and sometimes disturbing examination of man that became one of the most genius and destructive minds in human history. The fact that we delve into the titular characters’ life, the events preceding, during and following the effects of his creation was truly mesmerizing. We got to see the emotional and psychological toll it took on the brilliant scientist and all the others that wanted to be apart of that historical moment. The court drama that ensued was fascinating and gave a face to true villain and an outstanding supporting performance from Robert Downey Jr. This was truly one of the best dramas of the year and one that I'm glad to have experienced in its full 3 hour IMAX glory.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse: With the surprise the first film was, you would be hard pressed to deliver something on the same scale or better than the awesome and stylish origin story for a character that really wasn't embraced in the beginning. The story may have taken some familiar turns with Miles Morales in the beginning, but to open with Gwen Stacey / Spider-Gwen and to go through the emotional journey between her and her father was amazing. The team behind the ground breaking animation has done it yet again and mixed in the use of water colors, inks and other forms of animation from different nations. It was a sight truly to behold and nothing short of an art gallery in every frame. The intensity of the story going from a kid trying to find his place in the universe to defying all by doing his own thing was great and frustrating at the same time. This film has one of the best cliffhangers in cinema history and I can't wait to see how this story comes to a close.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: Few storytellers get the honor of finishing their stories unhindered by outside influences. Even fewer get the chance to end a trilogy the way they intended and with a through line that keeps paying off the more you revisit each entry before the conclusion. The Guardians films started off as the outcast heroes that nobody knew anything about and as we fell in love with this ragtag team, we got to see them become a real family. The emotional origin story of Rocket Raccoon was in the seams of Vol. 1 and 2 and it now comes full circle with one of the best performances of Bradley Cooper's career. The High Evolutionary made for an excellent villain that is also a brilliant commentary on the state of a certain company that is seeking to execute the same plans of reconstruction in its many cinematic properties. You can look deeper into James Gunn's brilliant writing and directing and his message was clear. The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy ends on such a sweet and powerful note that many have not reached in so long and I am so glad the actors, production team and many others fought for James Gunn to complete his vision. Definitely one of the best films Marvel Studios has released in years!

Evil Dead Rise: There truly is something magical happening with this series of films. It seems that everytime we get a new entry to this franchise, somehow they keep getting better and better. The 2013 remake was gnarly and stayed true to the franchise roots and this film does the same by staying small and personal. The story was simple, but the creative scares and intense violence was top notch. The tension was so great and the choice to make it about a family is always a welcomed touch. Just the possession process of the mother alone was horrific and sad. The film progressed and I was very impressed with the practical gore effects and stunt work. Alyssa Sutherland gives an impressive and devilishly gleeful performance as Ellie and definitely is up there for me as one of the best Deadites ever. Sam Raimi's franchise legacy is in very good hands.

And now we've come to the moment you've all been waiting for. For me, this choice was a no brainer and truly broke all the boundaries many films wouldn't pass. The best film of 2023 is.......

Poor Things: Right from the beginning, this film set its own path and delivered its own take on the coming age story. The unconventional take on the story element of woman birthed of scientists' experiment was something that could've gone horribly in the wrong hands. It’s handled with care and it was truly breathtaking to experience the mental growth of a child in full grown woman's body. Emma Stone was challenged to colour outside the lines by creating a character that discovers her own path recklessly, analytically and with an open mind that was not afraid to challenge societal norms and ideals. She had the best dialogue to make a meal out of and I was never not hungry for more as I was anticipating her reactions. Mark Ruffalo was on another level of joyous vanity and comedy all mixed into one. This is the most energetic, uncompromising and pompous character I've ever seen him portray and he makes you actually care about him by the end of the film. The vocal dance between both Bella and Duncan was the most interesting part of the film and their chemistry was volcanic. The dance sequence was one of my favorite scenes. This was truly the best film of the year for me and I highly recommend this metaphorical dark comedy to any and all that want to see a showstopping cast at their very best.

Alright folks! That was my list of the best films of 2023! It was an interesting year for the horror genre and to end on a such a high note with one of the most unconventional coming of age stories was a treat. Do you agree with my list? Let me know what you think or tell me what your picks of the best films of 2023 are in the comments below. Thanks for reading and here's to 2024!

#best films of 2023 #keanu reeves #when evil lurks #florence pugh #robert downey jr #oppenheimer #hailee steinfeld #across the spiderverse #christ pratt #alyssa sutherland #evil dead rise #emma stone #mark ruffalo #poor things

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The Mosley Review: Worst Films of 2023

So here we are. 2023 has ended and what a year of disappointments it has been. This year we saw alot of franchises return. A few in particular wanted one last chance to redeem themselves and in my opinion should've stayed in the shadows of their past glory. We also saw the end of a cinematic universe and how messy that was handled. Not all was bad though. We got to see a film with a fun concept that went all out on its gory promise and well, actually, it was pretty forgettable. I'm not gonna beat around the bush anymore. Without further ado, I give you my list of the worst films of 2023. As always, if you want a more detailed review of all the films on my list, just click the title of each film. First up......

Cocaine Bear: Talk about a wild story that was sort of true. The thought of a cocaine fueled bear on a rampage in a forest set in the 80's seemed like a ludicrous idea reserved for the back corner of the low budget horror section of Blockbuster. Well it was exactly that and for about 30 minutes, the idea was fun and had the right tone. Somewhere along the many lines of snortables, the film took a wrong turn and had no idea what it was trying to be. The tone was shifting from drug recovery to family comedy to romantic comedy to hardcore monster movie and so much more. It lost its appeal really quickly and failed to stay in the pocket it initially carved out. Such wasted potential.

The Marvels: And so Marvel Studios attempt to give their one overpowered and unlikeable character a second chance to be liked and actually have some form a story and character development. This time she had 2 additional heroes to come with her on this action packed romp and for the most part, it worked. Where the film truly failed is its terribly written plot that could've been summed up in less than 20 minutes and the fact that they made their main hero the villain without any sense of repentance for her actions against an entire civilization. There was an emotional core there that should’ve been fully explored and not drowned out by the needless action scenes and unnecessary musical sequence. The real standout of the film was Iman Vellani as Ms Marvel and I hope for the future that she takes the lead from now on. Everyone else in the film felt like an after thought, but at least the chemistry between the 3 leads saved the film from being a complete disaster. Speaking of disasters, don't get me started on the god awful mid credits scene.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny: There was a small chance that this beloved franchise could rise from the ashes of the fourth entry and truly lay Indiana’s fedora to a satisfying rest. You had a great director, Harrison Ford dawning the fedora one last time and all the hopes of us Indi fans. What did we get? A over budgeted, character inflated, time traveling mess of a finale that spits in the face of what made those original 3 films magical. It wasn't about the action set pieces and the over use of CGI, but the fact that it was small, simple and real. There was a goal that had its other worldly properties whether it was the Arc of Covenant or The Holy Grail, but it felt more real than the finale of this film. What was really heartbreaking was the fact that once again our hero become sad, old, broken down loner with everyone in his life leaving him to rot in silence. It happened to Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and now Indiana Jones. This film introduced one of the worst characters in the franchise and one that I hated with a passion as she did everything in her power to try and get Indie killed or try to profit off of his dead friends. And you expect me to believe she all of a sudden cares about Jones in the last 5 minutes of the film?! Piss off! Kingdom of the Crystal Skull had more respect than this piece of trash.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom: Ah yes. The end of an era lands on a sequel to a fun first entry that had stylistic problems, but nevertheless was good. Now, we get this extremely scatter brained and ridiculous excuse for a sequel. I felt that the tone wanted to have an underwater Lord of the Rings type of mythos which if edited and rewritten properly, could've been massive. Alas, we get this hot steaming pile of crap that was boring after the third overly CGI action sequence and weak one noted villain motivation. Jason Mamoa and Patrick Wilson were the only reason to watch this film. Jason was himself most of the time while cosplaying as Aquaman and Patrick Wilson was brilliant and sometimes dumbed down as Orm. The brotherly love and chemistry between them actually saved the last act of the film. Other than that, this film illustrated why the DCEU had to end and I wish it had stuck to their original plan of having one last meet up with Ben Affleck's Batman instead of the stupid mid credit scene we got to a joke that was great once.

Now we've come to the end of the road. There were some truly horrendous films this year, but none of them match the level of disappointment this film did. Ladies and gentlemen, the worst film of 2023 is........

Expendables 4: There was an idea to get all of the best action stars of the 80's, 90's and 2000's together in a pure action film that featured all of them together for the first time. It was The Avengers of action film stars and it worked...... in the first 2 films. The third film saw the horrible decision to make a PG-13 entry to appeal to the younger audiences. They realized that mistake too late and it cost them dearly. Well, now they came back with a hard R rated fourth entry, as it should've been, but with only a fraction of the stars that began this franchise and it was absolute garbage from beginning to end. The relationship between Sylvester Stallone's Barney Ross and Jason Statham's Lee Christmas was at the heart of the franchise and that is stripped away. What we're left with is a piss poorly edited, overly CGI'd mess of wasted time and money. Not even Statham could save this film from mediocrity or the horrible sight of Megan Fox trying to act or look like she could do any sort of fight sequence. You had one of the best action stars in Iko Uwais and you did nothing with him. Seriously, that man would destroy Jason and he barely got one or two worthy hits in. Andy Garcia was the only person that understood what type of film he was in and he truly went for it. John Wick 4 was one of the best action films in years and it showed that the action genre has moved far beyond these fossils.

And that's it everyone! That is my list of the shiniest turds known as the worst films of 2023. If you missed any of these films last year and have any interest in watching them, take this list as an advisory to what you're about to watch. Do you agree with my list? Let me know and tell me what your worst films of 2023 are in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

#worst films of 2023 #megan fox #jason statham #phoebe waller bridge #brie larson #ray liotta #indiana jones and the dial of destiny #expendables 4 #the marvels #aquaman and the lost kingdom #cocaine bear

[themosleyreview]

The Mosley Review: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Remember back in the mid 2000's where ever major studio film had a summer blockbuster that was filled to the brim with an insane amount of nonsensical action which was fueled by CGI and about 2 gallons of Redbull? One film in particular comes to mind that was the major culprit of having an over abundance of CGI and a very comical attempt at a story. G.I. Joe: the Rise of Cobra was that film and the studio tried their hardest to make up for with a more "grounded" sequel I guess. I hoped that no film would ever take the same route as that film. Well here we are with a another film that prioritizes demolishing your senses with an insane amount of sonic and visual noise to distract you from the abysmal storytelling. The DCEU as we know it comes to an end with this film and they do send it off with a huge amount of action, but showcased why it was failing. The lack of consistent tone and character development was appalling and boredom set in heavily halfway through the film.

Jason Mamoa returns as Arthur Curry / Aquaman and honestly, it was 90 percent Jason having fun and about 10 percent Arthur's story. Don't get me wrong, its always fun watching the man work, but I wish he matured the character into the King of Atlantis instead of the fun surfer dad. Amber Heard returns as his wife Mera and she was good for the amount of time she was on screen. She gets to play in the action, but not much else character development wise. You know those type of characters that are written in to be the moral compass and also the very cheesy comic relief that has an overused catchphrase? Well, Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin was exactly that character and he was great in the opening but after that, I couldn't stand him. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II returns as David Kane / Black Manta and for the most part he was good and menacing. His motivation for vengeance knows no bounds and that's really all he has to do in the film. There really wasn't anywhere for him to take the character or evolve him in anyway. He was whittled down to a cliche in so many ways and I felt sorry for him. Now the one character that actually had substance and had the best performance was Patrick Wilson as Orm Marius. He understood the film he was in and had the most character growth. I loved his chemistry with Arthur and I wish the film was about just the two of them. The path of redemption for Orm was way more interesting and sometimes hilarious as he gets a taste of surface life. There is a great emotional scene with him toward the final act that really solidifies the brotherhood between him and Arthur that was the gold standard I wish the film reached.

The soundtrack was fun and served as a driving force during the majority of the action and comedic scenes. Composer Rupert Gregson-Williams did what he could to underscore the scattered emotion in the film and his score during the massive action set pieces was good. I'm all for fun and action fueled stories, but when it is earned and the story calls for it first. This film felt like it had so many people throwing in different ideas to spice up a dish that didn't need it and now its just a soggy mess that people might say they liked, but don't love. I didn't hate this film for it is watchable, but its definitely one of the worst ways to end a cinematic universe. I truly wish the same amount of love and care went into the finale of this universe and it breaks my heart to see so much potential wasted on a cheap and rushed sequel. Even the mid credits scene was unnecessary. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

#aquaman and the lost kingdom #jason mamoa #amber heard #nicole kidman #yahya abdul mateen ii #randall park #dceu

[themosleyreview]

The Mosley Review: The Iron Claw

A film based on a true story can be one of two sides of a coin. On one side, you can focus on the rise and success followed by the glitz and glamour and eventually the hard realities and eventual fall. One the other hand, you can focus on the personal life of the subject and lightly focus on the rise to fame, but push it aside to get more in depth with the subject's family. Well this film sits right on the spine of the coin. Yes it does primarily focuses on the real story of the Von Erich wrestling family, but also glosses over all of their achievements, accolades and stardom rather quickly. You almost don't really get a chance to see why they were considered to be one of the greatest families in the history of the sport. What you do get is the heartbreaking story of a family being led by someone that never left the past and pretty much forced their dream on their sons. What was fascinating is the depiction of the wrestling world almost being a co-antagonist to the life story of the Von Erich’s. The immersion into the psychologocial ramifications of the sport is explored in a sad way that we've seen in many other true stories and it leaves you in a more melancholy state throughout the film.

Zac Efron delivers a stirring and hard hitting performance as Kevin Von Erich. The amount of weight he bares of the family name in the world of wrestling was huge and you see first hand of how he tries to please his father's ambitions. You see the amount of pain he endures from the doubts that are placed upon him. His wrestling matches were the most intense and sometimes brutal and Zac shows great dramatic and athletic prowess. Harris Dickinson was great as his younger brother David Von Erich and I loved that he was the most charismatic one of the family. Harris had the most chemistry with Zac and their conversation in the bathroom scene one was one of their best moments together and his mic skills were excellent. Jeremy Allen White was strong as Kerry Von Erich and loved his dedication. He accurately portrays that desperation to hang on to whatever athleticism he has left after a possible debilitating injury. The amount of sorrow in his eyes was heartbreaking as his story progressed. Stanley Simons was so heartfelt and innocent as Mike Von Erich. He nailed that boyish charm and joy of playing music instead of following the family business. He was truly the most lovable and hardest to watch as he should've never been in the ring. Lily James is always great and she was great as Kevin's love interest Pam Adkisson. The moment Pam and Lilly meet, you could see the sparks between them fly as her flirtation turned into pure love even with Kevin's awkwardness. Maura Tierney was absolutely wonderful as their mother Doris Von Erich. You see the love she has for her family in a fantastic dinner scene. She bears the heaviest amount of emotional weight as the family curse strikes and it was very hard to watch. The stairs scene really hit me. Holt McCallany was great and truly toxic as their father Fritz Von Erich. He was an excellent businessman and the amount of motivation he would give to his sons was great, but horrible at the same time. He never really let go of his dream and became more of a coach and less of a father. Holt nailed that horrific nature of a person past their prime and delivered a performance that is in the lexicon of great villains. Aaron Dean Eisenberg was outstanding as Ric Flair and he nailed his eccentric, larger than life, and villainous persona.

The score by Richard Reed Parry was good when present and added to the heartfelt moments and sadness to the more somber scenes. The wrestling sequences were shot very well and I liked the sort of Creed approach where you are in the ring with the characters. It was immersive and sometimes jarring since the main focus wasn't really about the showmanship. That's where I felt this film lacked. It was a great study on the family, but I think this held back by its runtime. I really wanted to connect a little more with each brother and truly delve into the reason why they were considered one of the greatest wrestling families in the industry. The performances were outstanding across the board and although this may not be the greatest wrestling film ever made, but it sure is up there. Perhaps this would’ve been a better miniseries than a film. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review of the film. Thanks for reading!

#the iron claw #zac efron #jeremy allen white #harris dickinson #stanley simons #holt mccallany #maura tierney #Aaron Dean Eisenberg