Rotten Bananas

Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” has received another remake in the form of a computer-animated facelift, but it is time to examine if it really needed one or if this iteration of the now-classic Christmas tale is just another cash grab by Universal Pictures.  To get to the …

“The Crimes of Grindelwald” takes us back in time to when plots were convoluted and racial stereotypes reigned supreme.  The film, directed by David Yates, acts as a sequel to 2016’s “Fantastic Beasts,” and is part of prequel series of films to the popular “Harry Potter” series. The film picks up …

“The Girl in the Spider’s Web” doesn’t live up to the spy-thriller hype; it doesn’t even thrill its main characters.  The film, directed by Fede Álvarez, is based on the popular mystery/spy-thriller book series, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” by David Lagercrantz, and focuses on two central characters: Lisbeth …

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is a stunning show of Freddie Mercury’s tragic life and Queen’s troubled lifetime.  The film, directed by Brian Singer, focuses on the life of famed lead singer of Queen, Freddie Mercury, until his iconic and almost mythic performance at Live-Aid in 1985. The film begins in Mercury’s college days …

“Life Itself” presents a vignette view into the slice of life genre.  The film, written and directed by Dan Fogelman, centers around four generations of a family, most of whom have little to no interaction with each other due to particularly tragic circumstances. It opens with a sequence narrated by …

“A Simple Favor” is a who-dun-it mystery that uses the backdrop of suburban tedium to engage the audience.  The film, directed by Paul Feig, features vlogger Stephanie Smothers, played by Anna Kendrick, and public relations executive Emily Nelson, played by Blake Lively. Smothers and Nelson become acquainted after exchanging dark …

“The Nun” spooks and scares theatres with genuine intrigue and a dark and sinister narrative.  The film, directed by Corin Hardy, exists as part of “The Conjuring” shared film universe but doesn’t act as a prequel as one might expect. The events of the film take place 20 years prior …

“Christopher Robin,” is a heart-warming romp through a garden of Disney nostalgia.  “Christopher Robin,” directed by Marc Foster, showcases a sequel outing to the whole of A.A. Milne and E. H. Shepard’s classic tales. The titular character has grown up from his previous adventures with the living toys of the …

“Ant-Man and the Wasp,” directed by Peyton Reed, breeds scientific jargon with buddy cop humor to make a movie that anybody can and should enjoy.  Acting as both a sequel to 2015’s “Ant-Man” and this year’s “Avengers: Infinity War,” the action centers, or sometimes a charming lack thereof, on Scott Lang, an ex-con who after crossing paths with brilliant …

The Incredibles 2, directed by Brad Bird, does the impossible: the film is the perfect sequel to an already incredible starting point.  A sequel outing featuring the titular super-family, the Parr’s, is led by family man Bob and stay-at-home mom Helen, appearing as the typical American family. The parents have …