Tag: Keegan-Michael Key

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) | REVIEW

Mario, Peach, and Toad in The Super Maro Bros. Movie — PHOTO: Universal Pictures.

Directed by Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, and Pierre Leduc — Screenplay by Matthew Fogel.

In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, brothers and New York City plumbers, Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt) and Luigi (voiced by Charlie Day), accidentally travel through an underground pipe that takes them to another world, but on their way there, they are separated with Luigi being sent to the Dark Lands where he is soon imprisoned by the evil Bowser (voiced by Jack Black), while Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom. While trying to reunite with his brother, Mario meets Toad (voiced by Keegan-Michael Key) and Princess Peach (voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy), and they go out on an adventure together. At the same time, Bowser prepares his proposal to Princess Peach, and he is not ready to take no for an answer.

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REVIEW: Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review of Dolemite Is My Name — Directed by Craig Brewer.

In 2006, Eddie Murphy, one of the greatest American comedians of all-time, was about to have his big moment in the spotlight as an actor. His performance in Dreamgirls given him industry recognition and critical praise. He had now finally won a Golden Globe and, realistically, he had set his sights on the golden statuette handed out by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Eventually, though he was nominated, he lost the award to Alan Arkin. Back then, it was speculated that his appearance and performance in the critically panned Norbit was to blame for him having missed out on his Oscar. It’s ironic, really, that perhaps comedy had cost Eddie Murphy the most coveted award in cinema. With that having been said, comedy can take him back to Academy Awards. Because Dolemite Is My Name is a hoot and Eddie Murphy genuinely gives an awards-worthy performance in it. Continue reading “REVIEW: Dolemite Is My Name (2019)” →

REVIEW: Toy Story 4 (2019)

UK Theatrical Release Poster – Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The following is a review of Toy Story 4 — Directed by Josh Cooley.

I once wrote that I am ‘a part of the Pixar-generation,’ i.e. I’ve grown up with their films and Toy Story was one of the first films I saw. I’ve loved almost all of the Pixar-films, and I love the Toy Story-films most of them all. The first film was a childhood favorite of mine. The second film was almost equally brilliant and becomes better the more I watch it. And, especially for my generation, the third film was a cathartic and nostalgic heartbreaker that had adults bawling their eyes out in crowded theaters or airplanes.

Toy Story is a special film series. The first three films are all some of the greatest animated films ever made and arguably include a couple of masterpieces among them. But it is also a film series that ended on the perfect note with Toy Story 3. So, I cannot say that I ever really wanted a fourth film. However, Toy Story 4 from feature film debut director Josh Cooley is another heartwarming and heartbreaking coming-of-age tale featuring childhood playthings. Though we didn’t need it, Pixar has, thankfully, brought us yet another great installment in this beloved film series, even though the fourth film isn’t as much of an instant classic as the first three films were. Continue reading “REVIEW: Toy Story 4 (2019)” →

REVIEW: The Predator (2018)

Theatrical Release Poster – 20th Century Fox

The following is a review of The Predator — Directed by Shane Black.

While I enjoy both franchises, I’ve always been more of an Alien-fan than a Predator-fan. I don’t rewatch the classic original Predator-film often, I don’t have a particularly favorable opinion about the sequels. In fact, the spin-off film Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem is one of the films that I dislike the most. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Predator (2018)” →

REVIEW: Win It All (2017)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review of Win It All – Directed by Joe Swanberg

Mumblecore filmmaker Joe Swanberg’s newest film – Win It All – is a Netflix ‘original film.’ As you may remember, Win It All isn’t Joe Swanberg’s first Netflix release. In 2016, Netflix released the first season of Joe Swanberg’s anthology dramedy series Easy, which was a show that I enjoyed even if it didn’t blow me away. I’m much more fond of Win It All, which, I believe, gives us one of the strongest performances Jake Johnson, who I’ve become a big fan of, has ever given. Continue reading “REVIEW: Win It All (2017)” →