Super Mario Bros. (Film Review)

Director(s): Rocky Morton & Annabel Jankel
Date Released: May 28, 1993

The Super Mario Bros. film…isn’t that bad.

2017 in Review: Interracial Relationships, Child Actors, Down-to-Earth Performances and Superior Sequels (Ideas & Thoughts)

What do interracial relationships, child actors, down-to-Earth performances, and superior sequels have in common?  They all appeared prominently throughout 2017.

Annihilation (Quick Review)

Annihilation is a bizarre blend of surreal, existential examination of life and a survival horror popcorn-flick.  The film’s premise is typical of its genre: a group of stock characters are sent on a dangerous mission and are gradually taken out by beasts and mutations until it’s down to a sole survivor.  Yet the film’s straightforward plot is mixed in with an eerily unsettling, horrific even, yet captivating exploration towards evolution.  Annihilation is far from what I consider an avant-garde film, yet too unorthodox to be a conventional survival-horror.

Game Night (Film Review)

Game Night encompasses the positives of its title’s premise: it’s a lot of fun, there’s plenty of laughs, and its full of good friends bonding together.  The big difference between a typical game night and here is the film ups the gaming challenge to a whole new level.  Max (Jason Bateman) and Annie (Rachel McAdams) are a match made for each other.  Both are overzealous enthusiasts for all forms of competitive gaming.  The pair met at a trivia game night—simultaneously answering Tinky Winky to the question “Who is the purple Teletubby?”—and immediately fell in love.  The couple love hosting game nights, inviting over fellow couple Kevin (Lamorne Morris) and Michelle (Kylie Bunbury) as well as their friend Ryan (Billy Magnussen) and any date he brings along.  Max’s competitive mentality, however, has caused issues with his sperm count, making his and Annie’s tries for a baby in vain.  Their doctor theorizes the cause of such competitive stress may stem from Max’s more successful brother Brooks (Kyle Chandler)—a guy who gives backhanded comments and has always beaten Max at games.

Honeycrisp (Link Review)

Here's another VOD review I did for The Nerd Mentality.

HONEYCRISP (link to the review)

FRJ's Top 10 Films of 2017 (Film List)

It has been a much better year.

Paterson or: The Brilliance of Mundanity (Film Analysis)

Paterson is brilliant.

10 Hidden Gem Films: 2017 Edition (Film List)

You there!  Tired of seeing the same old genericism within mainstream Hollywood?  Desiring films that take risks, are creative and distinct?  Well, look no further, for you’ve found what you are looking for!