Erik M.

Jurassic Park is a fantastic-though somewhat dated now-film about genetically-engineered amusement park animals and the first people that they terrorize. Alan Grant, Ian Malcolm and others try to stop the creatures from leaving the island, setting up the rest of the franchise. A true Classic.

Erik M.

Batman (1989) is one of the first-and arguably among the best-movies starring the Capped Crusader as he takes down his nefarious foe, The Joker, in this Tim Burton classic! Both are played well by Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson! A must have for any superhero buff.

Erik M.

Man on Fire is Denzel Washington Vs. Organized crime in Mexico where then-little Dakota Fanning is Pita, who is ransomed, ultimately, by her own father. Ruthless yet touching story about how far one would go when he cares about a child.

Erik M.

Little Shop of Horrors is a Comedy/Horror/Musical about a plant from outer space that finds Seymour, Audrey and the others and upends their lives while eating people! It gets bigger and bigger until it becomes a existential threat to Skid Row. Remarkable puppetry, great songs and a nice cast makes this odd, old film well worth checking out.

Erik M.

Ashy Slashy once again finds himself up against the Undead but this time he has allies and age in this follow-up series where he goes from party dude slacker to superhero. Does that mean that he'll have an easy time fighting the Evil? Nope. They suffer and joke through it all and, in the end, Ash becomes a true Legend, complete with a cyber babe! Groovy.

Erik M.

"The Chin" Ash Williams is BACK, and he's taking unfortunate others to the cabin in this nightmarish and funny sequel with more sick and savage jokes! Can Ash finally get rid of the Book and the ghoulish Deadites that come to swallow his soul? The physical acting alone plus the chattering make this an instant classic.

Erik M.

Push is a Science Fiction Thriller about various mutants vs. The Division (government agents) fighting for an injection. Some scream loud, others alter chance, sniff out foes, are precognitive, control minds, etc. throughout the world. Chris Evans and Dakota Fanning must gain the injection if they're to save Dakota's mom. It's silly, to be honest.

Erik M.

Avatar (2009) is the first in what may be several movies that combine James Cameron's passions with a little Pocahontas and big action! Jake Sully is a Human soldier who is trained to take over when his brother dies to drive a Na'vi body and represent Human interests on a moon of planet Pandora. The humans are there primarily to get Unobtainium from under the spiritual center (a titanic tree) at any cost. There, he meets Neytiri, a large blue catlike humanoid who earns his trust and love. Together, they rally the other aliens and assorted creatures to fight for their world and drive the Humans back in this science fiction action drama! Can Jake rally and fight, gain love, and be a hero? Watch and be amazed.

Erik M.

Avatar: The Way of Water is a phenomenal story about the extended Sully family joining forces with the Reef People against the selfish and dangerous humans, who allege that Earth is dying YET still want to take over the planet and obtain a scarce liquid from Pandora's whale-like creatures. More fighting, philosophy, love and family by James Cameron. Epic underwater scenes, flight and some harrowing moments. While not very gory, there are moments of peril and death. It's very good.

Erik M.

Evil Dead (2013) is a nastier, gruesome take on the Sam Raimi classic where a new group of friends go to the cabin in the woods and die in horrible ways. The words said are a bit different but there are some callbacks and assorted awfulness here without the humor. This is definitely the Grind house version, so beware.

Erik M.

The Evil Dead (1981) is a Horror/Thriller with comedic elements about the first time Ash Williams and his friends go up to a spooky cabin and meet up with the Deadites and the infamous Necronomicon in this unapologetically sick story by Sam Raimi. "Join us..." and other taunts abound as the terror becomes frighteningly ridiculous! Watch and beware.

Erik M.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is a family friendly adventure about the Chipmunks and the Chipettes getting stranded on a tropical isle, briefly find treasure, deal with rotten Ian and going through many comic hi-jinks until a volcano erupts! A castaway complicates things by wanting said treasure, even if it puts Jeanette in mild danger. Sweet, cute movie all around with songs to delight the little ones and a story about responsibility. Ahoy.

Erik M.

Kevin Bacon stars in this supernatural thriller as a man who is put under hypnosis and then thinks that a girl was murdered. Definitely worth a look.

Erik M.

Alien: Covenant shows how evil android David tricked a colony ship to land and fall victim to a xenomorph infestation in this latest offering by Sir Ridley Scott. With Shaw dead and used to make more, android Walter beaten, and everyone else made into Xeno snacks, David sets a nasty surprise for anyone who follows. Sick, nihilistic movie.

Erik M.

Shazam! is back, and he's brought his super-powered siblings with him to fight the daughters of Atlas the Titan and a bunch of Greek monsters! It has humor and action, but a little less pizazz. Still all right action/adventure for the superheroes...though, honestly, no Skittles commercials! There "might" be a sequel. Gal Gadot makes an appearance as WW.

Erik M.

UglyDolls is about a bunch of misfit toys who just want to have fun and be loved just like the others. Sadly, they are put down and ridiculed by the Perfects, a line of popular and fashionable figures. One day, a doll named Moxy goes out to prove that she can be loved, even if she has to run the Gauntlet and beat Lou, the best doll. Familiar yet important themes and cute characters combine to make UglyDolls OK for the little ones or softhearted but not so much for the cynical. Still worth a shot.

Erik M.

Superman Returns is the fifth installment on the franchise where the title hero finds that the world has moved on and Superman has to find his place again. Lex Luthor hatches an evil plot involving pieces of his home planet. This is the only one starring a grossly underrated Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, James Marsden and others. Great score, decent effects and a pretty compelling storyline plus Marlon Brando.

Erik M.

Bee Movie is an animated CGI family comedy with Jerry Seinfeld as Barry Benson, who dreams of flying outside of his hive and onto new adventures. While trying to live his dream, he meets up with Vanessa Bloom (Renée Zelleger), a Florist, and soon sue the honey industry for all bee-kind, citing cruelty, misappropriation and other abuses. The flowers die when the bees stop pollinating, causing them to reconsider. Plenty of bee-related gags and other sight and size puns. It's just OK and may entertain the little ones.

Erik M.

The Men Who Stare at Goats is a bizarre comedy about just where taxpayer dollars are going to...which is Psych research, obscure religions, alternative explanations and other hokum back in the 80s (if it ever stopped). The ensemble cast is genuinely pretty funny, while the "real" subject is just too weird, like stuff pulled from the cheesiest tabloids, comic books, etc. You may like the wacky premise. Give it a shot.

Erik M.

The Blind Side is about a young man from the wrong side of the tracks who's taken in by an affluent family and given a chance at a football career, a home and a family that cares in this sports drama story starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw and Quinton Aaron as Big Mike Oher. Some tropes and controversies arise, but beyond that there's also hope, courage, faith and helping others, too. Maybe see this film and think about what it means to YOU.

Erik M.