Tag: film

The Amateur “Review”

Release date: April 11, 2025 (USA)

Director: James Hawes

Distributed by: 20th Century Studios

Based on: The Amateur; by Robert Littell

Budget: $60 million

Edited by: Jonathan Amos

Checked out the Chinese Theatre in LA after the Nintendo Switch 2 Hands On Event. Guess what we watched 😀 Haha buckle up for a triple batch “Review” starting with The Amateur.

So we’ve discussed recently the things a father would do to get back his daughter or that of the fatherly bond to return a daughter. How about taking that energy and seeking to revenge the death of your wife.

Laurence Fishburne (Playing Henderson) is back!(Thankfully because he’s awesome!) as Morpheus!? Not this time! Henderson aids our CIA Decoder Charlie Heller (Played by Rami Malek) in his training for revenge. Maybe some lessons along the way of what type of person Charlie is but firstly. The reason for why this movie exsists.

Rachel Brosnahan (Playing Sarah, Charlie’s wife..well.. yea wife 😀 :*(.. )

Watched this with my wife and she was in tears. She fell in love with this couple and made such an impact on the story and purpose for character motives and direction. This was a fun movie with much better pacing than similar movie Black Bag. My wife and I enjoyed this type of thriller being told with different methods for action than just guns. Lots of fun surprises even if the trailer showed 2 of the big kills.

This feature did feel a little long, maybe 20 minutes which is where I’m back and forth between a fine movie and a good one. Maybe if the seating was more comfortable it’d be a 7 and my wife had a good time with this one but wow I’ve been spoilt with Harkins Theatres. Their seats, popcorn quality, staff are all incredible and going to other theatres has definitely highlighted their charms and excellence. Big shout out to them after experiencing the IMAX Chinese Theatre in LA.

A weak 7/10 Popped score but a fun thriller that’s mostly being seen in that above to great rating on socials. 61% RT to 89% on Fandango. Stay tuned for a very different type of movie in this weeks batch. King of Kings.

Did you check out The Amateur this weekend? Love to hear your thoughts below. Thanks for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews” and don’t forget this is 1 of 3 for this batch :D.

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Freaky Tales “Review”

Release date: April 4, 2025 (USA)

Directors: Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden

Distributed by: Lionsgate Films

Music by: Raphael Saadiq

Production companies: Entertainment One Films; MACRO Media; Gowanus Projection

Was between this and luckiest man in America. Can’t speak for the latter but glad I checked out Freaky Tales 😀 was a solid good time.

Apologize for the lateness on this “Review”. I’m sure most theatres may have lost this title in their bookings this week with the amount of content releasing. That being said if you can find a showing. It’s worth checking out :D.

Freaky Tales is an interesting title. Telling a story across 4 chapters that interweaves even if slightly at first connects to make a solid good movie. I’d even say a weaker great movie. So what is it about?

Take Scott Pilgram vs The World & Kill Bill, with your main enemy being neo-Nazis set in 1987 Oakland California. Each chapter focuses on a different set of characters. From an NBA star, to a corrupt cop. Female rap duo and Punk teenagers. Sit back and enjoy this these freaky tales dealing with this group of Nazis.

Some surprise cameos in this title are so worth checking out and everyone did a great job in each role. Only thing that took me a bit to get into is the first chapter. It’s aspect ratio or quality was vastly different to chapters 2 through 4. It’s a creative choice but interesting for sure. Part 4 was what brought this solid 7 up into the 7.5/8 region for me personally.

Thus with that we come to presenting Freaky Tales with a great score of 8/10. Other platforms range from 72% to 88% with 91% of google users liking this movie. So people are thoroughly enjoying this title.

Have you checked out Freaky Tales? On your radar? Love to hear your thoughts on this one. Stay tuned throughout this week as several titles release.

Plan on “Reviewing” The Amateur, Drop, King of Kings, Warfare & Sneaks this week. So lots to look forward to as April ramps up. Before we get to May, keep an eye on Popped Dates for my Summer expectations / hopes and predictions :D.

Thanks for coming to Popped for your movie “Reviews” and we’ll see you, next batch.

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Hell of a Summer “Review”

Release date: April 4, 2025 (USA)

Directors: Billy Bryk, Finn Wolfhard

Distributed by: Neon

Box office: $1.8 million

Production companies: 30West; Aggregate Films

We’re back movie goers with a fun one – A trip to memory lane of older slasher movies in this campy fun Hell of a Summer.

Thoroughly enjoyed the pacing of this title. No stretching moments or story plots out. Sets title up. Shows you type of action and then goes into the introduction of our characters.

Great cast across the board here. From our camp lead Jason played by Fred Hechinger. Plays the old guy in the group quite awkward but charming qualities. Then our several counselors of Camp Pineway.

(Honestly there’s a lot of great younger actors here so let’s include them all. Skip this part if not interested.) From Finn Wolfhand playing Chris. His friend Bobby played by Billy Bryk. The popular ones Demi & Mike played by Pardis Saremi & D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai. Supporting (Love?) interest – Claire & Shannon played by Abby Quinn & Krista Nazaire. Then our supporting characters with their own personal charms and personalities – Miley (Julia Doyle) – Ezra (Matthew Finlan) – Ari (Daniel Gravelle) – Noelle (Julia Lalonde).

What more can I say for this title honestly. It was a fun one. Half way in things start to heat up and then all the slasher fun begins. Loved all the surprises left out of the trailer. Was refreshing to see for a change.

Grab some popcorn and enjoy a solid 7/10 good experience packed with campy jokes and more camp like humor. Would love to hear yours thoughts on this one. Seems mixed online from 55% on RT, 6 on IMBD & Letterboxd. 98% of google users like the movie also which I’m curious how that’s calculated.

Anything I may have missed before we dive deeper into April that should be checked out? The Friend? Comes to mind but let me know if there’s others. Possibly Wednesday morning I’ll release a Popped Date while waiting in the queue for Comic Con Hotels Raffle :D.

See you all then and catch you Friday night with The Amateur “Review”. Big Nintendo Day that day for me 😀

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A Minecraft Movie “Review”

Release date: April 4, 2025 (USA)

Director: Jared Hess

Budget: $150 million

Producers: Jason Momoa, Vu Bui, Torfi Frans Ólafsson, Jill Messick, Mary Parent, Roy Lee, Jon Berg, Cale Boyter

Story by: Allison Schroeder; Chris Bowman; Hubbel Palmer

Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures, Universal Pictures, Legendary Entertainment

Well, Well, Well, It’s finally crafted itself into existence……wish it hadn’t.

Jack Black is back again and despite Jason Momoa and himself trying to pull the wool over your eyes that you’re having a good time. This movie was a freak train wreck through and through. I’m honestly so confused by what I’ve just watched I’m like was this bad bad or bad good bad.

Honestly it’s bad. It speed runs the intro. Setting up little of the world, specially for those with little to no knowledge of the franchise. The jokes are just Jack Black trying to capture the days of School of Rock with Momoa by his-side. How’d this thing get past a test screening.

Just as Sonic & Mario with a slight boost with Detective Pikachu started to turn the tables on bad video game movies. We have this and Borderlands showing us how little we’ve grown away from those times. We’re a tug of war battle away from loosing the bad video game movie stigma and I’m not appreciating it. Mario Bros 2 launches next year, FNAF is end of this year. Followed by more Sonic & now Legend of Zelda. Please slow down and think of what you’re creating and why Sonic & Mario worked.

Again some of this is god awful and maybe would make you laugh at how dumb it is but seriously even if the fans of the franchise were hating this. It’s freaking stupid. Bonus point for you all. My fave thing to point out it seems. The freaking end scene is in the trailer! Like WHAT! STOP showing off your end scenes in the trailer. I’m so over it. Seriously I was thinking of a 3.5 but Cap4 was better than this. Honestly after watching this and Death of a Unicorn Cap4 needs to be bumped up slightly because now I’m feeling bad for it. Yea it showed off this ending material but it’s at least somewhat good despite that.

Going with a 2.5/10 to join Screamboat. What a waste of the evening. Maybe I need sleep from being price shook by Nintendo but hey that’s the world we’re living in and the timeline that’s playing out.

Plan to check out Minecraft. A fan or new to series? Love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Maybe the sequel will be better…… shudder!

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Screamboat “Review”

Release date: April 2025 (USA)

Director: Steven LaMorte

Producers: Steven LaMorte, Amy Schumacher, Michael Leavy, Steven Della Salla, Martine Melloul

Distributed by: Iconic Events

Based on: Steamboat Willie; by: Walt Disney; Ub Iwerks

Music by: Yael Benamour; Charles-Henri Avelange

Shall we rapid fire today’s “review” batch.

Maybe more inline for those into Terrifier? (I never really sat down to watch the series) but Screamboat had a lot of promise for a B rated horror movie. Sadly it outstayed its welcome going on 30minutes to long and tried to wrap the feature up for a sequel / series.

Honestly I hoped it was so bad it’s good but it’s just bad. With some enjoyment for the first hour then walk out honestly. (Unless you’re digging it). Once the addition of the whore birthday party of Disney Princess’s left center stage this movie was between Willie and some random human characters that bored the poopdeck outta me.

Why was Pete a human and not recreated like Willie was? Is his public domain on a separate timeline? Honestly New York vs Willie Mouse wasn’t what I signed up for.

Honestly, enjoy the first hour. If you’re not committed then walk out and catch it on streaming. It’s lower than streamer and lower than so bad it’s good. Popped Score of 2.5/10.

I’ll update the bottom 5 list tomorrow. It’s been a long day with the Switch 2 Direct and then staying up for this batch but hey. That’s showbiz baby 😀 Gotta keep on keeping on to hit 100 :D. Honestly I after this evenings batch I may take the weekend off….. yea get ready for the next one.

Watching this to tempt me into Terrifier franchise wasn’t the smartest move but hey, go watch it with a group. Maybe get drunk before or get ready to cheese over this. Enjoy the classic tunes and whistles. Mixed with Joker laugh. Maybe you’ll have an okay time.

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Magazine Dreams “Review”

Initial release: January 20, 2023

Released: March 21, 2025

Director: Elijah Bynum

Screenplay: Elijah Bynum

Producers: Jeffrey Soros, Dan Gilroy, Jennifer Fox, Simon Horsman

Box office: $701,365

Distributed by: Briarcliff Entertainment

Wasn’t on my radar, however my friend asked if I intended to watch this feature. I’m so glad I did. Just like another feature that released this week. We’re discussing the movie. Although real life events have had a huge impact on this title. I’ll be discussing the feature in this “Review”. Love you my friend ❤ Congratulations and so happy for you. With that ray of light, “may your heart be your guiding key”.

Jonathan Majors is back and with a 2 year delay on this title from original release and may sadly not be up for Oscars (Despite totally worthy) lets dive into his character Killian Maddox trying to make it in the world of professional bodybuilding while taking care of his ailing grandfather.

From the top, this feature is very dark. In several avenues. Remember the light, find a source and continue forth. The first hour alone was so jam packed with events I thought the movie was abouts to wrap but still have 1 hour remaining. My freaking mind was blown with this. A solid good movie throughout, I was raising my score little be little each way not wanting to watch this title again for the heaviness. But then the light hit. I saw it and grasped on. Entering the tier of greatness.

Killian idolizes the worlds best and heavily featured in body builder magazines “Brad Vanderhorn” played by Mike O’Hearn. This was his only point of communication to others outside of his grandfather and appointed therapist. I can discuss how dark this gets but I’ve painted that picture enough to hold back here. Experience this story and ride yourselves. Jonathan Majors does an incredible job acting through so much emotion. Trying to hold things together while portraying the disconnect within his mind to social aspects.

I wrote a line here that hit me hard, struggling between his career and isolated social life. His career can be impacted by surgery under knife. Even if this surgery can be life saving. His life’s over without the career and over without the surgery so what does one do? On the other side, people are scared of who you are. Struggling with social queues, having thoughts and discussions within your head that let’s out emotion and feelings to those unprepared. This is a very sad and depressing movie that gets you feeling for this guy.

Love to write more but wanting to avoid spoilers so I’ll keep it here. A great movie that without giving anything away hopefully. Ends with such an impactful saying / statement to all. It’s a heavy one but a story worth visiting. Open your heart and mind. Find your light. Then continue forth for the next 2 hours. A great movie 8/10. I may revisit but sometime down the road.

Others on social platforms are rating this from a 6.8 on IMBD to 91% on Fandango and 95% with google users. I stated it at the top and I’ll say it once more. I’m glad I checked this title out.

Have you checked out Magazine Dreams? Love to hear your thoughts below. Maybe we can dive a little deeper but for now. Let’s allow others to experience this story.

Thank you for coming to Popped for your movie “Reviews”, I’ll see you for a triple dosage of Popped “Reviews” this coming thursday.

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Ash “Review”

Release date: March 21, 2025 (USA)

Director: Flying Lotus

Producers: Matthew Metcalfe, Nathaniel Bolotin

Distributed by: Amazon.com

Production company: XYZ Films

Looking like the Returnal video game and starring Aaron Paul. I took a dive into the space of Ash…. let’s discuss. (Really! I’d love to discuss. But not about this movie….directly..?) Confused? Let’s work backwards to understand…. get it ;p.

Shudder, the horror streaming platform has once again got a movie into theatres. Going by the RT scores. Good for them! I’d like to discuss this in a new segment I’ll be making, possibly every week or 2. We need a bigger discussion directly rather than throughout “review” postings.

Riya, played by Eiza Gonzalez wakes up after some visual imagery with a head wound and unsure what is going on. It’s now up to Riya to explore this space to not only piece together what’s going on but also to survive and something has destroyed the station and even killed her crewmates ! :O! The movie starts you off later in the timeline to piece together throughout.

If you’re interested then stick with the next hour and 20 ish minutes. If not. Good luck! You’ll be waiting awhile to get a recap then “enjoy?” the last 40minutes as you get to go forward past that point to wrap the 2 hour film up.

Maybe it’s not for me but it’s definitely hitting for some with reviews from 5.8 to 76% scores on media platforms. Sadly this film for me personally was intended for the Shudder streaming platform to enjoy that last 40minutes. But that’s where the bigger discussion comes from.

This movie does save some cool music and sound effects for the later half. Intriguing story / development. For some, some visual horror and jump scares even if they failed for me personally. It’s a cheap movie, but hey, it’s a movie after all. Enjoy your popcorn and relax. Or you could go watch the Alien franchise :S.

It’s a straight up streaming movie for me personally. 3.5/10 – Others are enjoying it so maybe worth checking out. At least to see that final 40 minutes. You know me and those last 40 minutes 😉 (Nod to Ne Zha 2 :D).

Bigger conversation – I’ll probably type up a Popped Date 😉 about streaming services and their movies going onto the big screen. I love it! Keep it coming. But maybe get your better movies on the big screen rather than your mid B tier. It’s a reason why we call movies a streaming movie.

Wouldn’t it be nice to see a “Streaming Movie” actually being praised and on the big screen winning awards. That after seeing it on the big screen get to go home and in a few months get to experience it again! Disney + and other platforms have issues with their sound mixing. Sometimes headphones are better than speakers. But the theatre has the immersion.

No worries about picture, sound or comfort as it offers the ultimate experience. So why not bring your ultimate features? A small piece of the bigger convo I’d like to discuss.

Sound interesting? Then keep an eye on that Popped Date and maybe a Youtube video will be created from that discussion?

Thank you for taking the time to come by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. I started this journey last year and despite the second year attempting to elevate this space with a podcast. The execution was poor and not worth yours or my time. That being said, I’d like to elevate and expand this space. Make it a platform / community where we enjoy movies and share our experiences and discuss.

I have have a ton of time to watch the movies. But editing YT Videos or content isn’t the best either for myself. So I’ll continue to cook and through the Popped Dates will create a space to plant those seeds and see what blooms. I’d like to get that down in the second year of Popped and possibly move in that overall goal by or into the third year. What comes after the third year ? Good question! But by 2026 I’d like to have found those answers and look forward to having you along with me on this ride.

Once more, greatly appreciated. I’ll see you next batch!

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The Alto Knights “Review”

Release date: March 21, 2025 (USA)

Director: Barry Levinson

Producers: Barry Levinson, Irwin Winkler, Jason Sosnoff, Charles Winkler, David Winkler

Budget: 45 million USD

Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures

Cinematography: Dante Spinotti

De Niro got me in. The Bullet that didn’t kill me kept me there. The story that unraveled had me wanting to finish this once and for all. The right way. Frank Costello’s way 😀

Based on true events. The Alto Knights is a tale being told of Americas two most notorious gangsters, Frank Costello played by Robert De Niro & Vito Genovese….played by Robert De Niro.

At first I had no idea what I was watching. So many factions and sides to this back and forth Piece by Piece storytelling between movie and documentary. Then it clicked. I got it. It was like the match being lit before the fuse made contact.

I was in! I had my side and I was rooting for the boss. Which Boss? Ah! You didn’t pay attention to the clues ;), enough’s enough. Let’s get into the meat and potatoes shall we.

I’m not going to ruin this experience. So did I enjoy it? Yes! De Niro and all the other actors did a great job. From having no knowledge and a little hard to navigate into. I was won over and thoroughly enjoying it. Even at the cost of the fuse reaching it’s destination in fireworks.

Fireworks you say? I’ll let you enjoy, sit back and watch history unfold on this tale. Learn some history that this was based on and have a good time. For myself personally. I felt the feature was very good, giving this a Popped score of 7.5/10. Good watch, maybe wont revisit it but enjoyed the ride. Others looking online while writing this. Seem to of had the opposite experience with some platforms ranging from 39% to 6.1/10. With google users rating 88%.

With this info, use your best judgement if The Alto Knights is worth checking out and spending 2 hours with these characters. I had a good time. Love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Thanks for coming by Popped.blog for your movie “Reviews” , stay tuned for tomorrow with Ash! – Want to hear my thoughts on the movie as a spoiler “review” also let me know and I’ll dive deeper into previous or up coming batches.

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Locked “Review”

Release date: March 21, 2025 (USA)

Director: David Yarovesky

Producers: Sam Raimi, Zainab Azizi, Ara Keshishian, Petr Jákl, Sean Patrick O

Based on: 4×4; by: Mariano Cohn; Gastón Duprat

Production companies: ZQ Entertainment; Raimi Productions

Had no idea about this movie prior to going in. The actors / Producer caught my eye and …. was locked in on this one ;).

This “Review” will be short due to a fairly simple setup but a whole lot of depth once locked in.

Bill Skarsgard plays Eddie Barrish, a down on his luck / deadbeat dad. Take your pick. Having to turn to crime in order to get by and acquire money to repair his vehicle in order to pickup his daughter. Eddie finds himself within the vehicle that will lock him in for a ride he wasn’t prepared for.

Anthony Hopkins plays William, a character played through the car to interact with Eddie in this horrific yet enlightening? Experience to come for them both.

I’ve come to thoroughly enjoy all the projects that Bill Skarsgard signs up with. Locked is yet another title on his belt which is a solid good experience. He mostly carries this movie as the majority is played out within the car itself. Great camera work and story telling.

Again I wont go into details or plot points for those curious on this one so I’ll slap this with a straight up 7. Good ride on this one and glad I checked it out.

Have you checked out Boy Kills World? If so you’ll enjoy this one. Tomorrow I’ll be checking out The Alto Knights so check back later on tonight for a slightly different movie.

Thank you for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews” and I’ll see you, next time.

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Snow White “Review”

Release date: March 21, 2025 (USA)

Director: Marc Webb

Budget: 209 million USD

Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Adapted from: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Snow White

Music by: Jeff Morrow (score); Larry Morey and Frank Churchill (songs); Pasek and Paul (new songs);

“Reviewing” Disney’s Snow White: Not getting involved in politics and all. Just discussing the movie as that’s why we’re here on Popped. To discuss and “Review” movies of which this is.

For those already decided on watching or forgoing this feature. This “Review” isn’t really for you…..unless you’re open to the thought of checking it out or interested in my thoughts. Otherwise, on the fence or curious, stick around for my journey across the kingdom of Disney’s SnowWhite.

The Good

Rachel Zegler is Snow White in this version of Snow White. Surprised me with how good she made the bad scenes, almost saving the movie in moments which blew my mind that I actually liked her. From her songs to the new story additions she felt in place….Until those gosh darn last 30minutes after a certain story beat occurs…..how poisoned things went to end it all.

Andrew Burnap whom plays Jonathan in this edition of Snow White. This tweaked story added to this edition of Snow White introduces a band of bandits that fight in the name of the king. Their leader Jonathan was a nice addition to this story and worked well with it, not feeling forced or out of place unlike his merry band which seemed to offer just comedic relief and little of a band of bandits.

The Story & Music which some was new and others was nostalgia play. Scenes with the dwarves was saved due to the music. I still didn’t like them but between the music and Snow White I didn’t hate them.. The first 15minutes was all new? story before leading up to the intro of the original film. (The Original is a little hazy in memory so apologize if some of it was actually in there) Up until the last 30minutes the story progressed well and I enjoyed the new additions weaving between an okay 5.5 to a fine movie 6.5. Sadly the bad was just bad enough that the poison hit that much harder into my system.

The Bad

Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. Until she turned into the evil witch, I hated all the scenes with the Evil Queen. It felt like she just read the script and didn’t get into her character. The songs felt off and the story / acting was pulling me out of the world being created. Bad casting? I’m not sure. Maybe a mixture of that and a poor script which led to the poison to end my curious bite.

The Seven Dwarves were saved by nostalgia plays of music. I disliked their design going in and I couldn’t get behind them whilst watching their scenes. The ending was a total WTF and their….magic? hands was not explained nor lead to anything later on. Maybe the magic of CGI? You’ll have to tell me about that scene in the mine because WTF. I was honestly enjoying my delicious Harkins Popcorn until that scene made me freeze in shock.

Partial bad nod to the huntsman – I see they attempted to pull off the original scene but didn’t hit the same. Maybe it was what came after in the woods but a partial bad nod.

The Poisoned Apple

This movie would have been just okay to fine at best depending on your personal experience. That all changed for myself in the last 30 minutes as the movie needed to wrap up. I wont spoil the ending but I’ll drop a couple of things nodding to it.

Dopey was almost in there as an okay member of the film. Actually getting some scenes where I rooted for him… WTF Disney…WTF.

Gal Gadot resolution / ending / Her Singing 😦

The kingdoms people again resolution / ending was very odd and jarring compared to the setup of the film.

With that we come to our conclusion of Snow White. A roller coaster of slight ups and down but staying pretty consistently between the 5’s & 6’s. Came to an awful downward journey in the last 30 minutes coming in at a 4.5/10.

What are your thoughts on the movie Disney’s Snow White? Skipping it for a different movie this week / next? Or holding out for Minecraft? Love to hear your thoughts and I’ll see you across this weekend with a few titles.

The Alto Knights, Ash & Locked before next week ending March with Death of a Unicorn, The Woman in the Yard & A Working Man to end March and jump into Spring season of 2025 movie going before Summer lands around the corner.

Thanks for checking out Popped for your movie “Reviews” and I’ll see you next batch :D.

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