FRIDAY FAMILY FILM NIGHT

In which Miss Angie returns and along with the Mister join me in reviewing THE POD GENERATION (2023), from writer/director Sophie Barthes.  In a not-so-distant future where artificial intelligence and technology have become a central part of human life, a young couple, Rachel and Alvy (Emilia Clarke and Chiwetel Ejiofor), decide to start a family using an artificial womb, or "pod," to avoid the inconveniences of a natural pregnancy. As Rachel's career at a tech company flourishes, her botanist husband Alvy grows increasingly attached to the pod and its natural life within, while Rachel struggles to form a bond with the baby that's been made using technology. The film becomes a satirical exploration of our society's reliance on technology, questioning the true meaning of connection, nature, and what it means to be a parent in a world of manufactured convenience.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 50 m, is rated PG-13 and is streaming on Hulu but also to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.ADDENDUM: this review was recorded before Disney's decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel. While we like and recommend the film, we ask viewers to use alternate streamers to access the film as we are in solidarity with creatives at this time.The @TheDiaryOfACEO episode talked about in the review can be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UclrVWafRAI&t=13sThe book reference in the review [Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-deficit Disorder by Richard Louv] can be found here:  https://www.awesomebooks.com/book/9781848870833/last-child-in-the-woods-saving-our-children-from-nature   #ThePodGeneration #SophieBarthes #EmiliaClarke #Rachel #ChiwetelEjiofor #Alvy #VinetteRobinson #Alice #AslinFarrell #HRDirector #JeanMArcBarr #PegazusFounder #RosalieCraig #WombCenterDirector #AlixDunmore #Eliza #MeganMaczko #Elena #RitaBernardShaw #Rebecca #DystopianSciFi #Satire #Comedy #Romance #SciFi  @Hulu  @DisneyPlus  @PrimeVideo  #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing THE MATRIX (1999), from directors/writers Lana and Lilly Wachowski.  The film tells the story of a talented hacker, Thomas Anderson a.k.a. Neo (Keanu Reeves), who is drawn into a hidden rebellion after being contacted by the enigmatic Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), who reveals that the world Neo knows is a simulated reality called the Matrix. As Neo is awakened to the truth, he must choose whether to accept a dangerous path that could free humanity — and discover who he really is.  The film clocks in at 2 h and 16 m, is rated R and is currently streaming on HBO Max.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#TheMatrix #LanaWachowski #LillyWachowski #KeanuReeves #ThomasAnderson #Neo #HugoWeaving #AgentSmith #CarrieAnnMoss #Trinity #LawrenceFishburne #Morpheus #GloriaFoster #Oracle #JoePantoliano #Cypher #BelindaMcClory #Switch #JulianArahanga #Apoc #MattDoran #Mouse #MarcusChong #Tank #AnthonyRayParker #Dozer #PaulGoddard #AgentBrown #RobertTaylor #AgentJones #Action #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Cyberpunk #Dystopian #SciFi #MartialArts #Fantasy  @HBOMax   #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing SUPERMAN (2025), from writer/director James Gunn, based on characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.  The film dives into the complexities of Clark Kent's (David Corenswet) dual life, exploring his struggle to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as he navigates his role as both a journalist and the Man of Steel. The film sees Superman facing unintended consequences after intervening in an international conflict, leading to a tarnished reputation and presenting his arch-nemesis Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) with an opportunity to exploit the situation. Ultimately, Superman must win back public trust and confront Luthor's schemes with the help of his colleagues at the Daily Planet and his loyal super-dog, Krypto.  The film clocks in at 2 h and 9 m, is rated PG-13 and is still in theaters.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#Superman #NationalAlliedPublications #JerrySiegel #JoeShuster #DCComics #JamesGunn #DavidCorenswet #Superman #AlanTudyk #Gary #GraceChan #SupermanRobot12 #BradleyCooper #JorEl #AngelaSarafyan #Lara #MichaelRooker #SupermanRobot1 #PomKlementieff #SupermanRobot5 #MaríaGabrielaDeFaría #TheEngineer #SaraSampaio #EveTeschmacher #StephenBlackehart #SydneyHappersen #GiovannieCruz #CherylKimble#NicholasHoult #LexLuthor #WendellPierce #PerryWhite#BeckBennett #SteveLombard #NevaHowell #Ma Kent #PruittTaylorVince #PaKent #MikaelaHoover #CatGrant #SkylerGisondo #JimmyOlsen #RachelBrosnahan #LoisLane #ChristopherMcDonald #RonTroupe #ZlatkoBuric #VasilGhurkos #FrankGrillo #RickFlagSr #EdiGathegi #MrTerrific #NathanFillion #GuyGardner #IsabelaMerced #Hawkgirl #SeanGunn #MaxwellLord #Superhero #Comics #ComicCharacter #Superman2025 #ActionEpic #AdventureEpic #SciFiEpic #Action #Adventure #SciFi  @WarnerBros  #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing THUNDERBOLTS* (2025), from director Jake Schreier with a screenplay by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo; from characters created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley.  The film tells the story of a group of anti-heroes—including Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Red Guardian (David Harbour) and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen—who are brought together by CIA Director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfuss) for what they believe is a new government team. They soon realize they've been set up on a suicide mission to be eliminated by a powerful new threat, the unstable super-soldier known as Sentry, and are forced to unite to survive. The film becomes a psychological and emotional journey as the team must confront their own personal traumas, which manifest in a mind-bending, final showdown against Sentry's destructive alter ego, the Void.  The film clocks in at 2 h and 7 m, is rated PG-13 and is currently streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#Thunderbolts #TheNewAvengers #KurtBusiek #MarkBagley #StanLee #JackKirby #JoeSimon #PaulJenkins #JaeLee #JakeSchreier #EricPearson #JoannaCalo #FlorencePugh #YelenaBelova #SebastianStan #BuckyBarnes #JuliaLouisDreyfus #ValentinaAllegraDeFontaine #LewisPullman #RobertReynolds#DavidHarbour #AlexeiShostakov #RedGuardian #WyattRussell#JohnWalker #HannahJohnKamen #AvaStarr #Ghost #OlgaKurylenko#AntoniaDreykov #TaskMaster #GeraldineViswanathan #Mel#WendellPierce #CongressmanGary #Superhero #PoliticalDrama #PsychologicalDrama #Action #Adventure #Drama #Fantasy #SciFi @DisneyPlus @Hulu   #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing HARD, FAST AND BEAUTIFUL! (1951), from director Ida Lupino with writing credits to Martha Wilkerson and based on John R. Tunis' AMERICAN GIRL novel.  The film tells the story of Florence Farley (Sally Forrest), a talented young tennis prodigy whose ambition is ruthlessly manipulated by her social-climbing mother, Millie (Claire Trevor). As Florence rises through the ranks of professional tennis, her mother schemes to exploit her talent for wealth and status, pushing her daughter to achieve dreams she herself couldn't. Torn between her mother's relentless drive, the allure of fame and fortune, and a budding romance, Florence must navigate the cutthroat world of competitive sports and the destructive influence of her maternal ambition.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 18 m, is rated Approved.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#HardFastBeautiful #JohnRTunis #AmericanGirl #IdaLupino #MarthaWilkerson #ClaireTrevor #Millie #SallyForrest #Florence #CarletonGYoung #Fletcher #RobertClarke #Gordon #KennethOatterson #Will #Drama #Romance #Sport  #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

* Recorded in the Spring **In which Kid 1 joins me in reviewing CHALLENGERS (2024), from director Luca Guadagnino with screenplay credits to Justin Kuritzkes.  The film is a steamy romantic sports drama centered on Tashi (Zendaya), a former tennis prodigy turned coach, who orchestrates a high-stakes match between her husband, Art (Mike Faist), a struggling champion, and his former best friend and her ex-boyfriend, Patrick (Josh O'Connor). As the two men face off on the court, the film flashes back through their intertwined past, revealing a complex web of ambition, betrayal, and intense rivalry fueled by their shared attraction to Tashi. The narrative culminates in a climactic final match where the lines between sport, desire, and personal history blur, leaving the audience to question who truly wins.  The film clocks in at 2 h and 11 m, is rated R and is currently streaming on Prime Video and MGM+.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#Challengers #LucaGuadagnino #JustinKuritzkes #Zendaya #Tashi #JoshOConnor #Patrick #MikeFaist #Art#Drama #PsychologicalDrama #Romance #SteamyRomance #Sport  #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing FIXED (2025), from a script by Genndy Tartakovsky, Jon Vitti and Steve Greenberg and story credit to Steve GreenBerg, Rich Lufrano, Genndy Tartakovsky and Jon Vitti, the film is directed by  Genndy Tartakovsky. The film is an adult animated comedy film about a happy-go-lucky dog named Bull (voiced by Adam Devine) who learns he is going to be neutered. Determined to have one last night of freedom with his friends before the procedure, Bull embarks on a wild, raunchy adventure. The film, which has been described as a "hard R-rated" comedy, explores themes of friendship and self-acceptance through its explicit and often crude humor. The film clocks in at 1 h and 27 m, is rated R and currently streaming on Netflix. Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#Fixed #GenndyTartakovsky #JonVitti #SteveGreenberg #RichLufrano #AdamDevine #Bull #IdrisElba #Rocco #KathrynHahn #Honey #FredArmisen #Fetch #BobbyMonihan #Lucky #BeckBennett #Sterling #MichelleButeau #Molasses #RiverGallo #Frankie #AdultAnimation #DarkComedy #Adventure #HandDrawnAnimation #RaunchyComedy #Romance #RomanticComedy #Animation Comedy @Netflix #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Monsters join me in reviewing LOST IN STARLIGHT (2003), from director Han Ji-won with writing credits to Han Ji-won and Kang Hyun-joo.  The Korean animated film is a sci-fi romance set in 2050 Seoul. It follows Nan-young (Kim Tae-ri), an astronaut preparing for a mission to Mars to follow in her late mother's footsteps, and Jay (Hong Kyung), a musician who restores retro sound equipment. Their relationship, which begins after a chance meeting, is tested by the vast distance and time difference when Nan-young embarks on her mission, forcing them to navigate a long-distance relationship spanning light-years.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 36 m, is rated PG and is currently streaming on @Netflix.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#LostInStarlight #HanjiWon #KangHyunJoo #KimTaeRi #MaitreyiRamakrishnan #NanYoung #HongKyung #JustinHMin #Jay #Comedy #RomanticComedy #FeelGoodRomance #Romance #HandDrawnAnimation #Space #SciFi #SpaceSciFi #Animation #Drama #Animation  @Netflix  #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing INTERSTELLAR (2014), from a script by Jonathan and Christopher Nolan, the film is directed by Christopher Nolan.  In a near-future where Earth is succumbing to crop blight and dust storms, a widowed former NASA pilot named Cooper is recruited for a last-ditch mission to save humanity. He must lead a team of astronauts through a wormhole near Saturn in search of a new, habitable planet. As they travel through time-distorted space, Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) grapples with the emotional cost of leaving his family behind, particularly his daughter, Murph (Mackenzie Foy/Jessica Chastain/Ellen Burstyn), as he races against time to find a new home for mankind.  The film clocks in at 2 h and 49 m, is rated PG-13 and we watched it on the @HooplaDigital app but it's also streaming on Paramount+ and Plex TV and to rent/buy on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#SupportYourLocalLibrary ⁠ ⁨@hoopladigital⁩ ⁠ #Interstellar #ChristopherNolan #JonathanNolan #AllisonJanney #MatthewMcConaughey  #Cooper #MackenzieFoy #JessicaChastin #EllenBurstyn #Murph #TimothéeChalamet #CaseyAffleck #Tom #JohnLithgow #Donald #MichaelCaine #ProfessorBrand #AnneHathaway #Brand #BillIrwin #Tars #WesBentley #Doyle ##DavidGyasi #Romilly #JoshStewart #Case #TopherGrace #Getty #MattDamon #Mann #AdventureEpic #Epic #PsychologicalDrama #Drama #Quest #SciFi #SpaceSciFi #TimeTravel #Adventure #Drama  @HooplaDigital  @ParamountPlus  @Plex  @PrimeVideo  #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS (2003), from the book by Michele Alexander and Jeannie Long; screenplay credits to Kristen Buckley, Brian Regan and Burr Steers, the film is directed by Donald Petrie.  The film is a romantic comedy about a women's magazine columnist, Andie (Kate Hudson), who must write an article detailing how to get a man to break up with you in ten days. Unbeknownst to her, the man she chooses, Ben (Matthew McConaughey), an advertising executive who has made a high-stakes bet that he can make any woman fall in love with him in the same amount of time. Both try to manipulate the other to win their respective bets, but they soon find themselves genuinely falling for each other.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 56 m, is rated PG-13 and we watched it on the @Hoopla app but streaming on various platforms and to rent/buy on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#SupportYourLocalLibrary ⁠ ⁨@hoopladigital⁩ ⁠ #HowToLoseAGuyIn10Days #MicheleAlexander #JeannieLong #KristenBuckley #BrianRegan #BurrSteers #DonaldPetrie #KateHudson #Anndie #MatthewMcConaughey #KathrynHahn #Michelle #AnnieParisse #Jeannie #AdamGoldberg #Tony #ThomasLennon #Thayer #MichaelMichele #Spears #ShalomHarlow #Green #RobertKlein #Phillip #BebeNeuwirth #Lana#SamanthaQuan #Lori #JustinPeroff #Mike #CeliaWeston #Glenda #JamesMurtaugh #Jack #Comedy #RomanticComedy #FeelGoodRomance #Romance  @HooplaDigital  @PrimeVideo  #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister and Monsters do a compare and contrast of KISS ME KATE (1953) and THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (1967), both sourced from Shakespeare's play.  KISS ME KATE is directed by George Sidney screenplay credit to Dorothy Kingsley and book credits to Bella and Sam Spewack.  The story is a story within a play and Kate is represented by Kathryn Grayson as Lilli and Howard Keel is Fred/Petruchio.  The film is a musical with much of the music and lyrics credited to Cole Porter.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 49 m, is rated approved and we watched it on @TCM but is available to rent/buy on Amazon.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.THE TAMING OF THE SHREW is directed by Franco Zeffirelli with screenplay credits to Paul Dehn, Suso Cecchi D'Amico and Franco Zeffirelli.  This stars Elizabeth Taylor as Katharina and Richard Burton as Petruchio.  This film is more faithful to the Shakespeare play but condensed for time.  The film is rated approved and clocks in at 2 h and 2 m - we also watched this on @TCM  but is available to rent/buy on Amazon.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.      #WilliamShakespeare #KissMeKate #GeorgeSidney #DorothyKingsley #BellaSpewack #SamSpewack #KathrynGrayson #Lilli #Kate #HowardKeel #Fred #Petruchio #TheTamingOfTheShrew #FrancoZeffirelli #PaulDehn #SusoCecchiDAmico #ElizabethTaylor #Katharina #RichardBurton #Comedy #Drama #Romance  @TCM  @Amazon  #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing THE POPE OF GREENWICH VILLAGE (1986), from a script by Vincent Patrick from his 1979 novel , the film is directed by Stuart Rosenberg.  The film follows Charlie (Mickey Rourke), a sharp-dressed, street-smart maître d’ with big dreams, and his reckless cousin Paulie (Eric Roberts), whose impulsive schemes constantly derail their lives. After losing their jobs, they get involved in a low-level heist that spirals out of control, entangling them with the local mob and resulting in unintended tragedy. As pressure mounts, Charlie is forced to choose between his ambitions, his conscience, and his loyalty to Paulie. The film blends gritty realism with dark humor, capturing the heartbreak, chaos, and stubborn resilience of life on the fringes of New York’s Little Italy.  The film clocks in at 2 h and 1 m, is rated R and we watched it on the Hoopla app but is available on MGM+, PlutoTV, Tubi and to rent/buy on Amazon.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#SupportYourLocalLibrary  ⁨@hoopladigital⁩  #ThePopeOfGreenwichVillage #VincentPatrick #StuartRosenberg #EricRoberts #Paul #MickeyRourke #Charlie #DarylHannah #Diane #GeraldinePage #MrsRitter #KennethMcMillan #Barney #TonyMusante #Pete #BurtYoung #BedBugEddie #MEmmetWalsh #Burns #JackKehoe #Bunky #PhilipBosco #PauliesDad #ValAvery #Nunzi #JoeGrifasi #JimmyTheCheeseMan #TonyDiBenedetto #Ronnie #RonaldMaccone #Nicky #Gangster #Action #Comedy #Crime #Drama  @MGMplus  @PlutoTV  @Tubi  @Amazon  #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing NOBODY'S FOOL (1986), from a script by Beth Henley, the film is directed by Evelyn Purcell.  The film tells the story of Cassie (Rosanna Arquette), a young woman living in a small town whose life has been haunted by a past filled with trauma, including stabbing her ex-boyfriend and giving up her baby for adoption.  However, her life takes an unexpected turn when a traveling Shakespearean theater troupe comes to town, and she begins a relationship with a kind-hearted stagehand named Riley (Eric Roberts). The film follows Cassie's journey as she tries to overcome her past and embrace a new beginning, learning to find hope and love in the process.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 47 m, is rated PG-13 and we watched it on DVD but is available to rent/buy on Amazon.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#NobodysFool #BethHenley #EvelynPurcell #RosannaArquette #Cassie #EricRoberts #Riley #MareWinningham #Pat #LouiseFletcher #Pearl #JimYoungs #Billy #StephenTobolowsky #Kirk #AnnHearn #Linda #CharlieBarnett #Nick #JJHardy #Ralphy #WilliamSteis #Frank #BelitaMoreno #Jane #LewisArquette #MrFry #ScottRosensweig #Winston #Comedy #Drama #Romance  @Amazon  #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which Kid 2 joins me in reviewing BANANA SPLIT (2018), from director Benjamin Kasulke and a script by Hannah Marks and Joey Power.  April (Hannah Marks) is heartbroken after breaking up with her long-term high school boyfriend, Nick (Dylan Sprouse). To her surprise, she forms an unlikely and deep friendship with Clara (Liana Liberato), who happens to be Nick's new girlfriend. The two navigate the awkward and complex dynamics of their bond, keeping their friendship a secret from Nick, leading to humorous and poignant situations as they approach college.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 28 m, is rated R and is currently streaming on Prime Video, Roku Channel and Tubi but also to buy/rent on Amazon's platform.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#BananaSplit #HannahMarks #April #LianaLiberto #Clara #DylanSprouse #Nick #LukeSpencerRoberts #Ben #YA #Comedy #Friendship @PrimeVideo  @RokuUS  ⁠@⁠Tubi     #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

** Originally recorded in 2023 **In which the Mister joins me in reviewing ANIMAL KINGDOM (2010), from writer/director David Michôd.  The story follows seventeen year-old Josh "J" Cody (James Frecheville) after his mother's death, as he moves in with his estranged, crime-family grandmother and her three volatile sons in Melbourne. J is quickly drawn into their dangerous underworld, which is increasingly under scrutiny from both corrupt and determined police. As tensions escalate and violence erupts, J finds himself caught between loyalty to his ruthless family and his own survival..  The film clocks in at 1 h and 53 m, is rated R and is available on The Roku Channel and Tubi but also available to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#AnimalKingdom #DavidMichôd #JamesFrecheville #Josh #JackiWeaver #Janine #JoelEdgerton #Baz #LukeFord #Darren #SullivanStapleton #Craig #BenMendelsohn #Andrew #GuyPearce #NathanLeckie #LauraWheelwright #Nicky #TrueCrime #Tragedy #Drama #Thriller #Crime  @PrimeVideo⁩  @RokuUS  ⁠@⁠Tubi  #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing THE ILLUSIONIST (2006), based on the story “Eisenheim the Illusionist” by Steven Millhauser, the film is directed by and has a script by Neil Burger.  In turn-of-the-century Vienna, illusionist Eisenheim (Edward Norton) rekindles a forbidden romance with noblewoman Sophie (Jessica Biel), who is betrothed to the violent Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell). Using increasingly mysterious performances, Eisenheim manipulates public perception and orchestrates a grand deception to expose the prince and escape with Sophie. The film blends romance, political intrigue, and magical misdirection in a period mystery with a dramatic final twist.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 50 m, is rated PG-13 and is available on several streaming platforms like Hulu, Prime Video, AMC+, Fawesome, Peacock, Plex, Pluto TV, The CW, The Roku Channel and Tubi but we caught it on the Hoopla app but it's also available to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#SupportYourLocalLibrary@Hoopla#TheIllusionist #StevenMillhauser #NeilBurger  #EdwardNorton #Eisenheim #PaulGiamatti #InspectorUhl #JessicaBiel #Sophie #RufusSewell #CrownPrinceLeopold #EddieMarsan #Josef #AaronTaylorJohnson #YoungEisenheim #EleanorTomlinson #YoungSophie #PeriodDrama #SupernaturalFantasy #PsychologicalThriller #Drama #Suspense #Mystery #Thriller #Romance  @Hulu @PrimeVideo⁩  @AMCplus  @Fawesometv  @Peacock  @Plex  @PlutoTV  @TheCW  @RokuUS  @Tubi  #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing THE PRESTIGE (2006), from a script by Jonathan and Christopher Nolan, based on Christopher Priest's novel, the film is directed by Christopher Nolan.  In turn-of-the-century London, two rival magicians — Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) —become locked in a deadly competition to create the ultimate illusion, each willing to sacrifice everything for supremacy. As their obsession deepens, they blur the lines between performance and reality, morality and madness. The film unfolds like a magic trick itself, revealing in its final moments the devastating cost of ambition, secrecy, and identity.  The film clocks in at 2 h and 10 m, is rated PG-13 and is currently streaming on Hulu and to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#ThePrestige #ChristopherPriest #ChristopherNolan #JonathanNolan #Hugh Jackman #RobertAngier #ChristianBale #AlfredBorden #MicahelCaine #Cutter #PiperPerabo #Julia #RebeccaHall #Sarah #ScarlettJohansson #Olivia #SamanthaMahurin #Jess #DavidBowie #Tesla #AndySerkis #Alley  #Drama #Thriller #Mystery #Sci-Fi #Tragedy #Steampunk #PeriodDrama  @hbomax  @PrimeVideo⁩  #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing BRING HER BACK (2025), from a script by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman and directed by Danny and Michael Philippou.  The film is a tense supernatural horror story about two siblings, Andy and Piper (Billy Barratt and Sora Wong) who uncover terrifying secrets in their foster home with their new foster mother, Laura (Sally Hawkins).  As a sinister ritual unfolds around them, they must rely on each other to survive the creeping threat of forces both human and otherworldly.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 25 m, is rated R and is in theaters but also available to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#BringHerBack #DannyPhilippou  #MichaelPhilippou #BillHinzman #SoraWong #Piper #BillyBarratt #Andy #JonahWrenPhilips #Oliver #BodyHorror #SupernaturalHorror #Horror #Mystery #InTheaters  @PrimeVideo⁩  #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing A MINECRAFT MOVIE (2025), from a script by Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Neil Widener, Gavin James, Chris Galleta from a story by Allison Schroeder, Chris Bowman and Hubbel Palmer; the film is directed by Jared Hess (who also does double duty in voicing General Chungus).  When a group of unlikely heroes from the real world are transported into the pixelated universe of Minecraft, they must learn to survive in a land governed by creativity, danger, and blocks. Guided by a quirky mentor, Steve (Jack Black), siblings Natalie (Emma Myers) and Henry (Sebastian Hansen) and their friends Dawn (Danielle Brooks) and Garrett (Jason Momoa), embark on a journey that tests their courage, teamwork, and imagination. The film blends humor, heart, and adventure in a visually striking take on the beloved game.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 41 m, is rated PG and is currently still in theaters but also streaming on HBO Max and to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#AMinecraftMovie #JaredHess #ChrisBowman #HubbelPalmer #NeilWidener #GavinJames #ChrisGalleta #AllisonSchroeder #JackBlack #Steve #JasonMomoa #Garrett #SebastianHansen #Henry #EmmaMyers #Natalie #DanielleBrooks #Dawn #RachelHouse #Malgosha #GeneralChungus #JenniferCoolidge #VicePrincipalMarlene #JermaineClement #Daryl #MattBerry #Nitwit #Action #Adventure #Quest #Slapstick #Fantasy #Comedy  #InTheaters  @hbomax  @PrimeVideo⁩  #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

** This review was originally recorded months ago from a watch on TCM **In which the Mister joins me in reviewing EVERY GIRL SHOULD BE MARRIED (1948), from a story by Eleanor Harris and script credits to Don Hartman and Stephen Morehouse Avery, the film is directed by Don Hartman.  The film follows Anabel Sims (Betsy Drake), a determined young woman who sets her sights on a handsome, confirmed bachelor pediatrician, Dr. Madison Brown (Cary Grant) and uses a series of clever schemes to win his affection and convince him to marry her.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 25 m, is rated Approved and is available to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#EveryGirlShouldBeMarried #DonHartman #EleanorHarris #StephenMorehouseAvery #BetsyDrake #Anabel #CaryGrant #DrBrown #RomanticComedy #Drama #Romance  @TCM  @PrimeVideo⁩  #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library