Erik M.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is the second prequel to the popular Harry Potter series of films and finds the Magizoologist Newt Scamander who, along with some friends and allies, tries to thwart the evil plot for world domination in progress by the charismatic dark mage, Gellert Grindelwald. Many tie-ins to what happens with Hogwarts and its young students abound, along with various strange creatures, chases, and menaces! At times confusing and a bit underwhelming after so many prior films, it nevertheless dutifully fills in some blanks for those fans who want every plot-hole addressed and can't get enough of the magical world J. K. Rowling created.

Erik M.

Waterworld invites the viewer to a story set upon an endless ocean in a distant, dystopian future as a disaster has left humanity adrift on a virtually landless, gray-green desaturated planet and its struggling inhabitants fight over the few remnants of resources left. Kevin Costner stars as the Mariner, a mutant human-like being that has adapted to survival on this wet "Mad Max" sea-scape, having webbed feet, gills and being essentially amphibious. The Mariner's path crosses a spirited woman called Helen and a gifted young girl named Enola with a tattoo on her back that may hold the key to a promised dry land, but a sinister high seas gangster named The Deacon wants to gain the child and conquer such a near-mythical place for himself. The Mariner reluctantly takes the pair aboard his vessel and along on his voyage in this grim, mostly ugly film that tries to buoy the dragging, sinking story-line with odd touches of humor, including awkward dialogue delivered by everyone, including Dennis Hopper as the villain. Over two hours long, mean-spirited and a bit meandering, Waterworld is notable as among the most expensive films attempted, having some imaginative action and set designs, an early role for Tina Majorino, plus spawning home video games, novelization and successful theme park attractions. Waterworld is not for everyone, but it paddles along and may entertain those who wondered what such a place might be like if such a global catastrophe ever happened.

Erik M.

Chevy Chase, Daryl Hannah and Sam Neill star in this science fiction film that strains to fit comedic elements while trying to be faithful to the novel upon which it is based. Ground-breaking special effects at the time ably make Chevy Chase seem invisible-including during his interactions with food, smoking and even his co-stars. Unfortunately, the film becomes a long chase and fails to find its stride-the jokes are flat, the situations forced, and there's few surprises.

Erik M.

Cadillac Man stars Robin Williams as a sleazy car salesman who's got one too many mistresses, needs to sell a quota of cars or lose his job, has to deal with an unbalanced spouse of one of the mistresses and evade the mob before they possibly kill him! Tim Robbins, Lori Petty, Fran Drescher and others help add their energy to this want-to-be madcap mess of a comedy that runs out of fuel midway. Some funny parts, but not a particularly proud moment in cinema for any involved.

Erik M.

Solace is a thriller/mystery starring Sir Anthony Hopkins as a psychic who is being asked by the F.B.I. to assist in stopping a serial killer who seems to be preying on random people and painlessly killing them suddenly. What develops is a relationship between the psychic, one of the F.B.I. Agents he's assisting and the killer during a cat-and-mouse pursuit to end the murders. The element that makes this movie different from your average crime drama is that there's an unusual motive at work and that the killer is also a psychic. This one also has some interesting visuals to demonstrate how those powers work. Sometimes slow, predictable and even improbable, it's worthy of a look if you enjoy movies like Seven.

Erik M.

Alien Nation, the movie that spawned a short-lived TV series of the same name and 5 made-for-TV films, is essentially a science fiction crime drama with a spin on the buddy cop trope-Sam "George" Francisco is a Newcomer, a stronger-than-human alien who's a member of a formerly enslaved race who teams up with a hard-boiled, gruff human police detective named Matthew Sykes to serve the diverse people of Los Angeles where the aliens have settled. The two must move past their differences in order to stop a murderous drug ring aimed at taking advantage of the aliens' conditioning. Audiences today might find this 1980s film a bit slow, the makeup effects now not-so-remarkable, and the stereotypes obvious, but it was ambitious to create a race that resembled us yet were different enough to discuss and explore issues of immigration and discrimination/marginalization at that time...topics relevant enough today that there's been talk of a reboot/remake as of 2015. Fans of 1980s action/science fiction/cop films as well as those who might enjoy this "Lethal Weapon-but with an alien partner" should give this a look; James Caan and Mandy Patinkin provide an interesting, if familiar, cop pairing. Others might see the film as "too familiar" and find it a tad dull, however.

Erik M.

Bohemian Rhapsody is a moving, musical tribute to the band Queen and their bold, flamboyant lead singer, Freddie Mercury. While parts of the story are bumped around and otherwise fictionalized for the sake of telling the tale, Bohemian Rhapsody is based upon much of the history of the group, from their humble start to their catapulting to super-stardom! Rami Malek convincingly channels Freddie's appearance, speech and mannerisms while the singing voice is an amalgam of Mercury's own, Malek's and Marc Martel. If you're a fan of the band and its enduring music, someone interested in a drama about the showman behind the music who put one of the most visible faces to the then-emerging aids epidemic, or a lover of rock concerts and rock history, there's something here for you! Be aware that there are scenes depicting drugs and homosexuality, so parents should exercise what discretion and guidance is appropriate, and some viewers are forewarned.

Erik M.

What happens when three delusional and pampered actors are dropped on-location into a Southeast Asian jungle and have to fend for themselves against real dangers?! Tropic Thunder provides the hilarious answer as Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. play memorably silly characters stuck out in the middle of who-knows-where and are forced to face a bit of reality while surviving gun-wielding drug smugglers, wild beasts and other unscripted threats! Fast-paced and full of profane, irreverent humor, Tropic Thunder takes aim at Hollywood, war-action films, and anything else that they can take a shot at! Watch for cameos and especially Tom Cruise as a sleazy producer from hell! There's nothing P.C. about this film, and it's not for small kids-but it is funny.

Erik M.

The Astronaut Farmer showcases Billy Bob Thorton's understated performance style as a single-minded man driven to go into space-even if he has to build his own rocket to do so! Charlie Farmer had trained as an astronaut and does just that, to the ire of the military and every other authority as he audaciously tries to live his dream against all odds, various laws and even active attempts at ruining his life to prevent it. In the process he experiences both fame and scorn, near-death and financial ruin-yet remains undaunted. The movie directed by Mark and Michael Polish is giddily inspirational and uncompromisingly family-friendly in its approach to promote a well-meaning message about taking chances and going after even unconventional goals with gusto. Like watching Rocky, you may find yourself rooting for this underdog! Give this film a chance.

Erik M.

Rocky Balboa (2006) is a bit of a sentimental drive down the character's life and fictional career as the aging boxer misses his beloved Adrian, encounters others from his past and decides to go back into the ring with the current, younger champion for what starts as an exhibition match but escalates into a major event. This is a film for fans of the franchise as there are nods to the entire series and Rocky sums things up as "Fighters fight." Older, more prone to being paternal than pugilistic, Rocky contrasts the far younger, modern, brash Mason "The Line" Dixon outside the ring, while the fighting itself is as familiar as Rocky's first film's bout. You'll still cheer for the Italian Stallion; you just won't be in for many surprises from this nostalgic film.

Erik M.

The Descent is a horror thriller wherein a group of female friends go cave exploring together after previously surviving a tragic vehicle accident a year earlier together after an outdoor trip. Leaving behind them some wits and caution, the friends find themselves in a cave complex unknown to them where vicious, hungry bat-faced humanoids prowl looking to make a meal out of any living thing-or any ONE-they encounter. What ensues is a brutal and bloody battle for survival between the adventure-seeking women and the mostly male, gollum meets bat-faced things! Claustrophobic, acrophobia and fear of the dark can all add to the terror, if watching young ladies face ruthless flesh-rending monsters isn't enough. The tragic back-story of one of the explorers helps the viewer identify and root for her, but the rest are mainly there as snacks for underground dwellers. OK if you want to see if anyone survives the perils of the caverns, by the caves themselves or what lurks within...otherwise, it's a messy crawl, so be forewarned.

Erik M.

Super 8 is a throwback to much earlier child-centered adventure films of the kind like E.T., Stand By Me and Explorers, but with a scarier edge as a group of young people with an interest in film are attempting to make their own amateur zombie picture with a hand-held camera when they witness-and nearly fall victim to-a terrible and mysterious railroad accident. What unfolds involves the military, disappearances and what may be an alien encounter. The junior filmmakers try to unravel the clues they find as their small town becomes the epicenter of something that will change their lives forever. Not for very young viewers without supervision, but OK for the tweens and up as a Science Fiction Monster movie with a deeper message about family and healing after experiencing tragedy. Watch for nods to producer Spielberg's storytelling as interpreted by J.J. Abrams throughout and an early strong performance by Elle Fanning.

Erik M.

Puppet Master (1989) is the first film of the very successful franchise wherein unique, dangerous dolls take on a type of life thanks to an Egyptian immortality spell and seek out psychics gathered by one of their own for a diabolical plan and to keep the secret of the spell hidden. The world is introduced to the slashing Blade, the drilling Tunneler, strangler strongman Pinhead, and others as they gruesomely dispatch their victims in this evil toy horror story. The film is pre-CGI, instead using stop-animation and other practical special effects in-camera to animate the malevolent toys. A bit dated, slow and predictable by today''s standards, Puppet Master still stands as a disturbing example of the possessed or cursed objects in cinema which would include such memorable menaces as Chucky, the clown doll in Poltergeist, the maniacal small Zuni fetish statue in Trilogy of Terror, etc.

Erik M.

The X-Files Movie (1998) expands upon the threat of alien invasion that was a major part of the paranoia mythology of the series. FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Skully encounter more cover-ups, outright denials and danger as they continue their uphill battle to uncover the truth despite the X-Files being "closed." The film plays like an episode, which is what makes the movie work-that viewers are still still left scratching their heads and wondering at the end keeps the magic of the series intact. Fun for fans and those new to the story alike.

Erik M.

Paddington (the first film of the series) follows the polite and friendly ursine cub on his grand trip from the forests of Peru to London, England, where he's trying to fit in and find a family to stay with. Remarkably seamless blend of live action and CGI-bear antics brings the beloved character and his interaction with his unprepared human hosts to life, as poor Paddington manages to get into all manner of mischief even at his most well-meaning. Adding to their troubles is a ruthless taxidermist/museum director who'd love to possess Paddington's pelt. Can Paddington manage to endear himself to the Brown family and evade the unkind Millicent Clyde, who wants to add Paddington to her permanent collection. British sensibilities and humor come together with wacky hi-jinks to create a charming film that's entertaining for the whole family.

Erik M.

Saving Mr. Banks is a sometimes funny and sad look at the challenging relationship that forms between Walt Disney and the very serious and cautious author of Mary Poppins when he tried to gain her trust and permission to take the beloved work and make his animated/live-action musical. Both share troubled childhoods and find some commonality, eventually...the film delves into their backstories and why they're so opposite. Emma Thompson's irritable and passionately defensive portrayal of P.L. Travers practically steals the show, leaving Tom Hank's exasperated Walt Disney almost sedate in her wake. While not entirely historically accurate, Saving Mr. Banks is touching and pleasant viewing for those interested in learning more about the many difficulties faced in bringing Mary Poppins to life.

Erik M.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose is "based upon a true story" about a priest's struggle to free a young woman from the grip of several demons and the trial that follows due to her death. Part court drama and part horror film, the movie see-saws between the premises as the story of what happened to unfortunate Emily unfolds. Was Emily psychotic and wracked with seizures as asserted by the prosecution or was she in fact possessed? Watch and see.

Erik M.

My Bloody Valentine is a gory 3-D shocker about murder and mayhem at a mining community caused by a deranged individual who then, years later, appears to return to start all over again! Bloody, violent and fairly senseless, the visceral horror and the question of who's behind the carnage will keep fans of this genre entertained. Receiving a Valentine is normally a nice thing; you don't want to receive a heart-shaped box from this maniac, though.

Erik M.

What Lies Beneath is Robert Zemeckis' homage to Alfred Hitchcock thrillers in this haunted tale of a prominent professor and his wife experiencing disturbing visions and strange occurrences when they move into his family's suburban home and their daughter goes off to college. Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer star as the unfortunate couple, whose marriage and sanity unravel as suspicions about a possible murder grow. Tense, well-acted and entertaining from start to finish, What Lies Beneath won't let you escape its grasp once it draws you into the mystery and danger.

Erik M.

Ralph Breaks the Internet (Wreck-It Ralph 2) takes the terrific duo of the huge, lovable but emotional and clumsy lug Ralph and his tiny, hyper, smart-mouthed friend Vanellope and thrusts them both Online with often hilarious and perilous results! Disney Princesses, various Internet entities along with old and new faces come together to tell a story about friendship and change in this smart and sassy sequel! Fans of the original Wreck-It Ralph won't be disappointed, and neither will those who will recognize characters from Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar, as part of the fun remains spotting the cameos and keeping up with the gags! Terrific CGI animation, a good story and fun for the family make Ralph Breaks the Internet a worth successor to the original and will have you looking forward to where Ralph and Vanellope might go next! Race to see this one.

Erik M.