The Crow (2024) review
In the original movie “The Crow” in 1994, there’s a prominent refrain of “It can’t rain all the time.” of course meaning sometimes it rains and sometimes there’s sun. Is this new retelling of “The Crow” in 2024 going to bring us rain or sun? Is it going to disappoint or will it entertain? You’ll have to watch this episode to find out. The new “The Crow” stars Bill Skarsgard (It, Barbarian, John Wick 4) as Eric Draven and FKA twigs as his true love, Shelly. The movie is kicked off by a friend of Shelly’s letting her know that there is something she has that incriminates the big, bad guy in this, played by Danny Huston. As you’d expect, the bad guys know about this and kick off the chase element of this movie. Shelly, in the meantime, is sent to a massive drug rehab center/prison where she meets, and strikes up a relationship with Eric. In one way this turns out to be a bad turn of fate for Eric because he and Shelly are murdered because she knows about that incriminating evidence. Eric, however, isn’t sent to the afterlife, he is offered a chance to go back to the land of the living and put right what was made wrong. In other words, find the scumbags that killed him and Shelly and exact terrible revenge on them. This way he and Shelly can find peace. Also, he has a crow to play criminal Google Maps for him to help Eric find the right baddies. This “The Crow” remake also stars Josette Simon, Laura Birn, Sami Bouajila, Karel Dobry, Jordan Bolger, Sebastian Orozco, David Bowles, Trigga, Samba Goldin, Isabella Wei, Jordan Haj and Dukagjin Podrimaj.
Alien: Romulus review
In 1979, director Ridley Scott got caught up in the “Star Wars” hype and knew he needed to direct a space movie. That movie ended up being “Alien.” Now 45 years later, the Alien franchise is still alive and kicking with the new movie, “Alien: Romulus.” In this latest installment, we start out on a space mining planet with our main character, Rain, played by Cailee Spaeny. She’s trying to find a way off this hazardous planet, to a better planet, with her “brother” Andy who is really a synthetic her Dad programmed to protect her. She then is presented with a plan to get them off the planet by her friend Tyler, which is to fly up to another ship floating above the planet and use that to escape. All of them get up there, along with some others in the group, only to realize it’s not a ship. It’s a seemingly deserted massive scientific space station. They move forward with their plan to find some cryo-pods to use for them to cryo-sleep they’re way to the new planet but you know what they say about best laid plans. Little do they know that this space station isn’t deserted, it’s a graveyard. The reason it is, is still on board and this group unintentionally unleash it and its a nightmare from there. Soon Rain and the group are being chased down by alien face huggers looking to implant their alien seed. On top of that they have another synthetic trying to secure some corporate research from the space station and if humans have to die for it, so be it. The group aren’t allowed off the space station until this mission is complete, all the while, having to try not to get killed or impregnated by killer aliens before the space station crashes. Is it good enough to blast off out of your house to go see? Check out this episode to find out.
Cuckoo review
Some people go to the mountains for vacation, for a little rest and relaxation, not for a sinister and terrifying experience, like the one you see in “Cuckoo.” This movie from German director, Tilman Singer, is about a teenager, Gretchen, who ends up moving with her Dad, her stepmom and much younger half-sister to a mountain resort in the German Alps. There, they are greeted by Herr Konig, who runs the resort and for who Gretchen’s Dad and stepmom will help build a new resort. Gretchen gets serious “stranger, danger” vibes immediately from Herr Konig, played by Dan Stevens, with his creepy voice and suspicious ways of touching her. Gretchen, played by Hunter Schafer, is a fish out of water here and she also soon sees some undoubtedly strange things around the resort. She’s already the stereotypical angst-filled teenager, but soon she also finds herself chased by horrifying entities, and trying to help a cop figure out who’s responsible for several murders at the resort. All while, trying not to get killed and survive one more minute with her stepmom and half-sister, whom she despises. It’s a mountain of trouble in the German Alps and Gretchen just isn’t having a great week. Is it worth your 90 minutes to see why? Check out this episode to find out. “Cuckoo” also stars Jan Bluthardt, Marton Csokas, Jessica Henwick, Mila Lieu, Greta Fernandez, Proschat Madani, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Konrad Singer, Kalin Morrow and Johannes Benecke.
Trap review
It’s been awhile since we’ve seen Josh Hartnett star in a prominent movie, but after his prominent role in “Oppenheimer”, he’s back and starring in “Trap.” This is the latest movie from M. Night Shyamalan, the famous director of “The Sixth Sense”, “Unbreakable” and “Signs.” In “Trap”, Hartnett plays Cooper, a Dad who’s taking his daughter to a big concert for a mega-popular singer named Lady Raven. Once he gets into the concert, he notices a massive police and FBI presence. Cooper later finds out that the concert has been set as an elaborate trap to catch a serial killer called “The Butcher.” Now he’s really stressed, and if you watch the trailers or the movie, you’ll know why. Also, there’s a FBI profiler there to describe all the moves The Butcher will make to try to get out of the trap and what law enforcement should then do. All the while, Cooper has to be a good Dad and enjoy the concert with his daughter, who is excited to be there for Lady Raven. As the movie goes on, the trap gets tighter and tighter as law enforcement rules out more and more suspects and closes in. Will The Butcher be caught? How many will die in the process? Is it worth even seeing this movie to find out? Check out this episode to see if it is worth seeing. “Trap” also stars Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Alison Pill, Hayley Mills, Jonathan Langdon, Mark Bacolcol, Marnie McPhail, Kid Cudi, Russ, Marcia Bennett, Vanessa Smythe, M. Night Shyamalan, Lochlan Miller, Steve Boyle, David D’Lancy Wilson, James Gomez and Nadine Hyatt.
Deadpool & Wolverine review
The hero that loves to eat chimichangas while executing a perfect superhero landing is again knocking at your door! The merc with the mouth himself, Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, is back and he’s bringing a “friend.” You thought he was dead at the end of “Logan” but the Disney Marvel money was just too sweet and so Hugh Jackman as Wolverine comes back to join our indestructible hero in “Deadpool and Wolverine.” No such resurrection for Marvel will come from this movie alone but the prospect of getting these two all-time fav characters together is exciting. In this third Deadpool movie, our beloved Wham fan has gone limp in life and he’s looking for a way to matter again. He’s still got the love of all his friends but he there’s someone in his life that he wants back and he’s willing to do anything. Deadpool soon receives an offer to give him almost exactly what he wants but at a terrible price. Enter Wolverine into the movie when Deadpool learns he’s an important part of everything going on in this movie. They don’t exactly start out creating their own secret handshake and riding a tandem bicycle. Wolverine, who can count being super anti-social as one one of his superpowers, doesn’t want to split a PB&J sandwich with Deadpool, much less help him in his quest. Will Deadpool be able to win Wolverine over? How many Madonna songs will be in the soundtrack? Does Jonathan Majors make a cameo? Is it worth finding out? Check out this episode to maybe find out. “Deadpool and Wolverine” also stars Emma Corrin, Matthew Macfayden, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, Brianna Hildebrand, Shioli Kutsuna, Stefan Kapicic and Randal Reeder.
MaXXXine review
There have been some bizarre movie trilogies but the Ti West-directed “Pearl Trilogy” tries to take the bizarre trilogy crown. “Maxxxine” is the final movie in this bloody, murderous trilogy where all the movies feature two dynamic, driven, crazy ass women who will do anything for fame. One is Pearl and the other is Maxxxine. Mia Goth plays both parts in a provocatively intriguing way. We first saw Maxxxine in the first movie in this trilogy, “X.” Now in this third movie she’s in 80’s Hollywood trying to find that elusive fame that so many crave. She’ll do anything to get it, including some things you just couldn’t imagine. On top of that, there’s a serial killer running around Hollywood doing things you just couldn’t imagine. Maxxxine suddenly has something maybe chasing her while she chases fame. The body parts pile up even if the primo acting parts aren’t piling up for Maxxxine. Also Kevin Bacon co-stars as a private detective who threatens Maxxxine with her bloody past. Will she survive this and get the fame she’s looking for? Is it worth surviving traffic to get to the theater to find out? Check out this episode to find out! “Maxxxine” also stars Elizabeth Debicki, Giancarlo Esposito, Michelle Monaghan, Halsey, Charley Rowan McCain, Simon Prast, Deborah Geffner, Daniel Lench, Chloe Farnworth, Brad Swanick, Uli Latukefu, Susan Pingleton, Moses Sumney, Zachary Mooren, Ned Vaughn, Marcus LaVoi and Sophie Thatcher.
The Bikeriders review
Motorcycle clubs get some attention this week on Movies Merica with the new Jeff Nichols movie “The Bikeriders.” You may know Jeff Nichols from his previous movies “Mud” and “Midnight Special.” This movie stars Tom Hardy as Johnny, the founder of the Vandals bike riding club and Austin Butler as Benny, another member. Butler is like a younger “rebel without a cause” member to Hardy’s older, settled but still rough founder. Enter Jodie Comer as Austin Butler’s wife Kathy, who is scared of the club, yet intrigued and awed by it. As you might expect, this bike riding club doesn’t just stay a bunch of guys and their old ladies riding around, having a great time. These are roughnecks who just don’t care, so that gets them in trouble with people who hate bike riders, the law and other clubs. The heat gets turned up on the club and life gets bloody real fast and this causes tension between Johnny, Kathy and Benny. The club also has to deal with increasing danger as the club expands to other cities and they find they now have some scarier members that don’t take orders from anybody, not even Johnny. The fuse has been lit, when will it explode? “The Bikeriders” also stars Michael Shannon, Damon Herriman, Mike Faist, Boyd Holbrook, Norman Reedus, Beau Knapp, Emory Cohen, Karl Glusman, Toby Wallace, Happy Anderson, Paul Sparks and Will Oldham.
End Of Watch review
We go rough and tumble this week on Movies Merica with a retro review of the gritty cop drama End Of Watch. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena star as LAPD cops, Brian and Mike, who patrol one of the worst, if not the worst, crime-ridden parts of L.A. This film shows the seedy world they have to protect and serve the citizens of, all while not getting killed by any number of criminal scum. Gyllenhaal’s character, Brian, takes up filming his, and Mike’s, exploits in this world with his personal camera so we get a unique take on the cop drama. Also with this distinctive perspective, it shows the brotherly bond between Brian and Mike as they bust each others chops when they’re not busting perpetrators. Alongside the rough edges and brutal violence of their job, End Of Watch also presents Brian and Mike’s personal lives and who they’re trying to protect and stay alive for. End Of Watch doesn’t hold back on the darkness of the job while at the same time infusing the movie with humor to help you make it through. Is this movie worth your time? Check out Movies Merica to find out! End Of Watch also stars Natalie Martinez, Anna Kendrick, America Ferrera, Frank Grillo, David Harbour, Cle Sloan, Jaime FitzSimons, Cody Horn, Shondrella Avery, Everton Lawrence, Richard Cabral and Diamonique.
Bad Boys: Ride Or Die review
In 1995, Michael Bay made Bad Boys and introduced us to the characters of Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowrey, played respectively by Martin Lawrence and Will Smith. Now 29 years later, they’re back in the fourth Bad Boys movie, Bad Boys: Ride Or Die. Again it brings you some more intense action than you’d expect in a comedy but also of course the slap you in the face laughs you’d expect. Since it’s all these years after the first movie, Marcus and Mike have much more complicated off-duty lives. However, that doesn’t stop them from having to deal with some serious baddies. This time the baddies are trying to frame their dearly departed Captain Howard, played by Joe Pantoliano, and Marcus and Mike aren’t having it. Plus, Captain Howard is trying to help them find the baddies involved from beyond the grave sort of speak. You get the gun fights, the car chases, the mid-air death-defying action sequences, the hard-edged comedy and some returning characters. Does it all add up to some riveting bad boy action or is the movie just plain bad? Check out this episode to find out that very thing. Bad Boys: Ride Or Die also stars Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Nunez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Jacob Scipio, Melanie Liburd, Tasha Smith, Rhea Seehorn, Tiffany Haddish, DJ Khaled, John Salley, Bianca Bethune, Dennis Greene and Quinn Hemphill.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes review
We’ve been getting Planet of the Apes movies for decades now and the latest installment is Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. This installment jumps many generations into the future after the events of the last Apes movie, 2017’s War for the Planet of the Apes. We meet the main character of this installment, Noa, and his friends and family. They’re part of a peaceful ape clan who raise eagles as part of their tradition. On the eve of Noa’s bonding ceremony with his eagle, murderous invaders lay siege to his clan, and those they don’t kill, they take prisoner. Noa barely survives and recovers only to find all of them gone. He begins a journey to find his clan and rescue them but finds he is being followed by a rare human. He also happens upon an orangutan named Raka and together, with the human, they form a trio for this rescue journey. They’re pursued the entire way by the murderous invaders. Will they be able to rescue the clan on time? Is it worth going to the theater to find out? Check out this review episode to find out. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes stars Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, William H. Macy, Peter Macon, Lydia Peckham, Dichen Lachman, Sara Wiseman, Karin Konoval and Eka Darville.
The Fall Guy review
Movie stars are made to look heroic, awesome, tough and gritty in their movies and who makes them look that way? Stunt men and women. The Fall Guy is a love letter to the stunt community within the movie business directed by former stuntman David Leitch. It’s of course also a take on the hit 1980s Lee Majors TV show of the same name. This time it’s Ryan Gosling playing Colt Seaver as a Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a detective of sorts. Colt is the stuntman for the biggest movie star in the world up until something drastic happens. When that happens he vanishes, including ghosting his flame, a movie writer named Jody played by Emily Blunt. However, he’s called back into action when his old job suddenly becomes available again. Does he want to jump off buildings, barrel roll cars, get set on fire and do all the things stunt people do again? When he finds out his former flame Jody is directing the movie the stuntman opening is for, well that changes the game. You get explosions, car chases, gun fights, an action movie lovers dream and work that keeps plenty of stunt people employed. Is it worth checking out at the theater? Watch this episode to find out. The Fall Guy also stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer, Stephanie Hsu, Winston Duke, Ben Knight, Matuse, Adam Dunn, Zara Michales, Angela Nica Sullen and Megan O’Connell.
True Lies review
I go back to 1994 for this week’s review. Specifically the epic, action-packed Arnold Schwarzenegger spy thriller True Lies. This was James Cameron teaming up again with his Terminator for this big budget, eye-popping spectacle. Schwarzenegger plays Harry Tasker who has his wife and daughter convinced that he’s just a dull to the bone computer salesman. In reality he’s a spy for the covert Omega Sector hunting down and stopping threats. Things get dicey when he hears something that makes him think his wife is having an affair and he investigates. Some terrorists really end up spoiling his investigation, just to launch a nuclear attack plot on the United States. Schwarzenegger is joined by Jamie Lee Curtis as his wife, Eliza Dushku as his daughter, Tom Arnold as his partner and the late, great Bill Paxton as “super spy” Simon. If, amazingly you haven’t seen this, is it worth checking out? Watch my retro review of True Lies to find out. True Lies co-stars Tia Carrere, Art Malik, Grant Heslov and Charlton Heston.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare review
The British pride themselves on being gentlemanly. That goes all out the window in the movie The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare when they know they’re dealing with Nazis during World War II. British officers, along with none other than Winston Churchill himself, send a team of bad boys to deal a critical blow to the German submarine fleet. This team is led by Henry Cavill, who’s character they had to let out of military prison to lead this team. He’s joined by Alan Ritchson, Alex Pettyfer, Henry Golding and Hero Fiennes Tiffin. The boys find themselves heading towards Africa where the boats that supply the German submarine fleet is headquartered. These ungentlemanly bad boys are tasked with wreaking havoc on this submarine supply system. They also get help from Eiza Gonzalez as a half-Jewish actress who is very motivated to hurt Nazis and Babs Olusanmokun who is a casino owner near these headquarters, who doubles as a British spy. The action gets good and brutal, you might say, downright ungentlemanly. Is it worth a gentleman and gentlelady taking the trip to the theater to check this out? Check out this episode to find out. This also stars Cary Elwes, Rory Kinnear, Til Schweiger, Freddie Fox, James Wilby, Henrique Zaga, Danny Sapani, Matthew Hawksley, Simon Paisley Day, Mark Oosterveen and Victor Oshin.
Civil War review
Up until this movie, everyone has had to picture only in their mind what the next civil war in America would look like. Now the new movie from director Alex Garland, “Civil War”, provides the visual representation of what such a war would look like. As you’d expect, it’s horrifying and brutal and the protagonists in this movie are there to take pictures of much of it. Kirsten Dunst and Cailee Spaeny play war photographers along with Wagner Moura and Stephen McKinley Henderson working alongside them. They all embark on a road trip from New York City to Washington D.C. to try to get an interview with the President of the United States before the forces fighting him take him out. Along the way, they see the horrors of this civil war and come close to death themselves. This isn’t war fighting in some other country. This is a bloody war in these modern times in America. Is it worth your time and strength to experience this movie? Check out this episode to find out. “Civil War” also stars Nick Offerman, Jefferson White, Nelson Lee, Evan Lai, Vince Pisani, Justin James Boykin, Jess Matney, Greg Hill, Edmund Donovan, Tim James, Simeon Freeman, James Yaegashi, Dean Grimes and Alexa Mansour.
The Abyss review
In “The Abyss”, after a U.S. nuclear submarine is lost at sea, the U.S. Navy enlists the help of a crew of an underwater oil drilling platform to help find it. A team of Navy SEALs, led by Michael Biehn as Lieutenant Coffey, is sent down to the crew to lead the rescue operation. Unbeknownst to the crew, led by Ed Harris as Bud Brigman and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Lindsey, the SEALs have another possible mission. A mission that is deadly for all. On top of that, during the rescue operation, deep sea otherworldly beings start appearing and ratcheting up the already high tension even more. Are these otherworldly beings friend or foe? Then to elevate the tension even more, Lieutenant Coffey starts acting psychotic due to pressure sickness from being deep undersea. Not the development you want, especially with a guy in possession of nuclear warheads. Where is this flashpoint going to end up? Is it worth watching to find out? Watch this retro review episode to find out. “The Abyss” is the movie James Cameron made between “Aliens” and “Terminator 2: Judgement Day” and I’ll talk all about it in this episode. “The Abyss” also stars Leo Burmester, Todd Graff, John Bedford Lloyd, J.C. Quinn, Kimberly Scott, Captain Kidd Brewer Jr., George Robert Klek, Christopher Murphy, Adam Nelson, Dick Warlock, Jimmie Ray Weeks, J. Kenneth Campbell, Ken Jenkins, Chris Elliott and Peter Ratray.
Dune Part Two review
The Dune books by Frank Herbert are widely said to be impossible to make into movies or shows. However, a few have tried and the latest is director Denis Villeneuve with, first, his Dune Part One film in 2021 and now Dune Part Two. Overwhelmingly, the consensus is that Villeneuve succeeded beautifully with his first Dune film in introducing movie audiences to the world of Dune. Now we get his Part Two which continues the story of Paul Atreides, who is royalty, but also could be the most powerful being in the entire universe someday. What will he do with this power? Will he engage in good to help out the people of the universe or will his power end up killing billions of people? Dune is also about Paul’s alliance with the people of the planet Arrakis, known as the Fremen. We also see his battle against his enemies, the Harkonnens and the Emperor. Is Dune Part Two entertaining as it tells this complex, twisted tale? Check out this show to find out. Dune Part Two stars Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Lea Seydoux, Stellan Skarsgard and Charlotte Rampling.
Land of Bad review
The gunfights are plentiful, the explosions are numerous, the hand-to-hand combat is abundant and the tension is sky high in the new movie Land of Bad starring Russell Crowe, Liam Hemsworth, Milo Ventimiglia, Ricky Whittle and Luke Hemsworth. In Land of Bad, special forces operators are sent on a mission in the Philippines to rescue a CIA asset in the hands of terrorists. Unfortunately for Sgt. JJ Kinney (Liam Hemsworth), he’s been picked for the mission to coordinate all military aircraft in the area to support the mission. Before long, things go south and Kinney finds himself in the title of the movie, a land of bad. Russell Crowe plays an Air Force drone pilot that has to help Kinney make his way through this hell and occasionally pummel some terrorists with drone missiles along the way. Will Kinney make it out alive with his eyes in the sky and bringer of doom helping him? Is it worth finding out at the theater? Check out the show to find out. Land of Bad also stars Chika Ikogwe, Daniel MacPherson, Robert Rabiah, Jack Finsterer, Lincoln Lewis and Gunner Wright.
Bob Marley One Love review
Bob Marley is known as the most famous Jamaican but he’s also considered the paragon of reggae music. Bob Marley One Love is the new movie that gives us a closer look into what drove him and the turbulence he experienced. Marley grew up in poverty, the son of a black mother and a white father, but his undeniable musical ability helped him rise above that. This movie features those sweet musical offerings peppered throughout. Kingsley Ben-Adir plays the legendary Marley and Lashana Lynch plays his wife Rita who braves the danger of Jamaica with him. Marley’s musical career origins are also explored, along with providing some cinematic representation to what his songwriting process was like. Does Bob Marley One Love give us a look into Marley’s life in an entertaining way? Check out this episode to find out. Bob Marley One Love also stars James Norton, Tosin Cole, Umi Myers, Anthony Welsh, Nia Ashi, Aston Barrett Jr., Anna-Share Blake, Gawaine “J-Summa” Campbell, Naomi Cowan, Alexx A-Game, Michael Gandolfini.
The Crow review
When someone makes a list of the best 90s movies, this week’s movie is usually on the list. I bring you my review of classic, The Crow. The Crow was Brandon Lee’s final film. He sadly was accidentally killed on the set of The Crow. He was famously precluded in death by his father Bruce Lee, who also died far too early in life. We still got a masterful performance by Brandon Lee as Eric Draven, who comes back from the dead to avenge his, and his fiancée’s, murder. He goes up against some slimy baddies led by the murderous and twisted Michael Wincott as Top Dollar. He gets help from a cop played by Ernie Hudson and his friend Sarah played by Rochelle Davis. The action, the drama, the tension is all accompanied by a edgy, hard-hitting lineup of tracks that enhance it all. Join me to do a deep dive on this dark classic. The Crow also stars David Patrick Kelly, Jon Polito, Bai Ling, Tony Todd, Sofia Shinas, Anna Thomson, Angel David, Laurence Mason, Michael Massee, Bill Raymond, Marco Rodriguez and Kim Sykes.