If there’s one thing that I would wager to be a difficult venture for any filmmaker to capture on camera, it’s everyday life. Because the fact of the matter is, everyday life is kinda boring in its own right and part of the reason we don’t see it on the silver screen that often is because everyone in the industry knows we go to the cinema to escape from the mundane parts of our lives to be entertained for a couple of hours. Which means that often times, if the humdrum details of our day-to-day lives pop up in cinema, it’s there to ground the story or transition us to something more important in the plot.
 
But, while everyday life tends to be an afterthought in film, it is entirely possible to make such matters compelling on the silver screen, provided that a filmmaker is able to find ways to make the more banal moments of our day interesting and compelling and perhaps the best way to make that happen, is to give the audience a story that features a character in some kind of crisis or at a crossroads and when I find a motion picture that manages to pull of that incredible feat, I immediately make it a part of my collection simply due to the fact that it is a rare treat to see movies that capture those unique moments in our lives and one such film that does that, that I celebrate as often as possible, is the 2005 adaptation of Rex Pickett’s brilliant novel, Sideways.
 
Now for those who haven’t seen this motion picture, in it we are introduced to a man named Miles who is in fact, at a crossroads in his life. For he’s wondering at this point, if his dreams of settling down with a special someone and selling his novel will ever come true. But, for the time being, he can keep those worries on the back burner, for his best friend Jack is getting married in a week, and to celebrate Jack’s voyage into holy matrimony, this dynamic duo are headed to wine country for the week and while that seems like a simple and relaxing way to bid farewell to the single life, it’s a vacation that will change their lives forever. For Jack is looking to have one last fling as a single man and Miles will quickly learn that at some point, one has to face the problems that chew at our souls. 

​So, this is hands down, one of my favorite films for so many reasons. One of them being the fact that it is a delightful comedy, with down to earth jokes and quirky moments that you simply don’t see on screen all that often and the warm and goofy nature of those jokes instantly brings your guard down. Which is important because once you get past the comedy…you’re plunged into quite the cerebral story about two guys who are quite frankly, in the midst of a mid-life crisis. Because clearly Jack is terrified about giving up his wild ways and settling into true adulthood, and he fights this new chapter in his life with every fiber of his being and Miles, is clearly panicking over the fact that he’s in the middle of his life and has yet to accomplish any of his goals and that’s…just fascinating.
 
Because those two issues, are flat out what we discussed a little bit ago. These are the everyday issues that people face and the movie does a fine job of making those personal crises compelling and fascinating and it also allows for something as mundane as breakfast or dinner to come to life by allowing for the characters to express their concerns, their hopes and their dreams in those moments in realistic fashion and well, that makes this film a powerful character study to say the least and you truly get to know the characters inside and out because of these special moments that are at times, supremely relatable. Because I think we’ve all been in Miles’ shoes and sat at a dinner table where we feel we don’t belong, or don’t feel up to socializing even though we dragged ourselves out for the evening or dealt with the burden of a friend who’s more or less cast us aside to our own devices to go chase a pretty face.
 
But what matters most about this motion picture is that it offers no easy answers in regard to the theme that it presents in that; life doesn’t always go the way we planned. And I truly appreciate the fact that it ends like any other day, with hopes and dreams still on our minds and that it reminds us that sometimes, little steps are what we need to start accomplishing wonders and well, those little plot points, combined with powerful performances truly make this a special film through and through and one that quite frankly, I recommend as often as possible because it is so incredibly unique. Because it really is hard to find a film that captures the essence of what’s on our minds at times, and the anxiety we feel in dealing with people and events and well, those elements make this an instant classic in my mind and a surprisingly hopeful film when all is said and done. Because if Miles can handle life’s little and big disappointments and still find a reason to soldier on, so can the rest of us. 

The quest for the truth in motion pictures, is often something that is portrayed as quite the noble cause, and with good reason. For when a character or characters set out to uncover said truth, they’re usually doing it to improve lives, right a wrong and inspire us to do the same when we know that there is something unjust that needs to be revealed to the world. If anything, this quest in cinema always makes for a compelling and powerful ride, but it’s best we be honest with ourselves after watching these kinds of films and remember…that the quest for the truth is a messy and terrifying process in real life.
 
Because if someone has gone to great lengths to cover something up, there’s a reason they want to keep that truth hidden from the world, since the harsh reality of said lie can cause all kinds of problems when the facts are revealed to the masses, which means they will fight hard to keep the truth buried. Which is why when someone finally decides to dig in and unravel the lie in question, they have quite the hard road ahead, one that usually features all kinds of roadblocks and difficult decisions. But while Hollywood often glamorizes this rough process, once in a while, movies find their way onto the market that properly chronicle the long and difficult road to the truth and one that recently moved me, was 2015’s Spotlight.
 
Now for those unfamiliar with this particular motion picture, it is set in 2001 and follows a group of special investigative reporters for the Boston Globe who work in a department that shares the movie’s namesake. And shortly after their new editor arrives on the job, they are asked to investigate some strange allegations regarding a Catholic Priest who allegedly abused children without an ounce of consequence and it doesn’t take long for this investigation to reveal something horrifying, in that…there has been a massive cover up of years of systemic abuse from multiple pastors, and that said cover up came at the direction of Boston’s top Cardinal. Which means it will be up to the Spotlight team to provide a careful and detailed story that properly exposes this lie to the world, in order to give the many victims involved, some sense of justice…

So, if any part of that plot summary seems familiar in the slightest, that would be due to the fact that this movie is based on true events since the Spotlight team did break this story back in 2002 and well, learning how they pulled off a feat as big as this in a predominantly Catholic town is one of the many elements that makes this film so compelling. Because the team did indeed run into a lot of roadblocks in getting this story out to the public and while that quest for knowledge should be enough to make this film worth watching, what truly drew me in when it comes to this story, is the fact that it holds nothing back when it comes to what the team discovers in regard to the many years of abuse that people endured from pastors they trusted.
 
Because you’re privy to some ugly details in this film, and you’re also witness to the anger that comes from years of inaction and that immediately invests you in Spotlight’s work, and you quickly come to realize that they may be the only hope when it comes to exposing this nightmare and while I fully understand it’s a movie and fictionalized, knowing that this team had to hear similar stories time and time again, and experience the anguish of the abused to write this story…definitely gives you pause. As does how the ‘villains’ of the story handle Spotlight’s search for the truth since the Church is portrayed as indifferent on the matter, as if this is all no big deal and something that should be ignored and well, it is moments like that, which make this film infuriating in the right kind of way, because you too want justice for the innocent.
 
Yet what is truly impressive about this film, is that it is loaded to the brim with big time, A-list stars, whose performances never once rise above the story that’s being told. In fact, their amazing portrayal of the Boston Globe’s crack team of investigative reporters are humble and grounded in nature, and of course, so good, that at times it feels as though you’re right there with the team. If anything, this is a movie that I feel guilty for missing in theaters. Because it’s powerful, it’s poignant and an important chapter in American history since it chronicles the exposure of an incredible lie, one that went far beyond the borders of Boston and if you didn’t catch it theaters either, catch it now, because it really is worth your time.

Everyone has the feeling that they are going crazy sometimes, but some people firmly believe that they are in the right while everyone else around them is mistaken. It is hard to prove that you are of sound mind when it seems like the world is against you, you just have to stick with your story and make sure that it never changes, at least that is what the lawyers say. Even if everyone seems to be against you, you should never go against yourself, once you do that, well, you have lost the battle and more so, yourself.

After an avalanche has shut down the train line for the night, Iris Henderson and many other passengers are forced to take refuge in their hotel which is not used to this kind of volume of guests. As nothing seems to be going right for friends Caldicott and Charters, Miss Froy is loving the local life and enjoys herself by listening to people singing throughout the night. But when a game of musical chairs being played with elephants takes place above her room, Miss Froy and Iris call to complain and get the nuisance removed. As the stomping comes to an end, Iris is greeted by Gilbert who makes his disgust with her well known, but as he is getting ready to tuck himself in to bed in her room, he gets the call that allows him back into the attic for one more night.

As night turns into morning, everyone is up and ready to get on the train to reach their final destination. But Miss Froy has misplaced her bag and needs help in finding it before the train departs. Trying to help the kind old woman, Iris gets hit in the head by a falling flower planter and is struggling to stay awake. With Miss Froy by her side, Iris is loaded on to the train to go back home as she is going to get married in a few days and cannot miss her trip. Keeping her eye on the young bride to be, Miss Froy is able to keep her up and walking and the two go and get a cup of tea in the dining car. As the two women are feeling better, they return to the sleeper car and Iris passes out again, but when she comes to, her new friend seems to have vanished. 

Asking her fellow passengers what happened to Miss Froy, Iris is astounded to find out that nobody seems to remember the woman. Searching the train for her friend, Iris bumps into Gilbert who is happy to take up the hunt with her, but when he sees everyone’s response about the missing woman, he is starting to believe that Iris has made the entire story up. Talking with Dr. Hartz, a brain surgeon, Iris is made to feel like she has dreamed the entire thing as well, but when she returns to the dining car and sees Miss Froy’s name on a window, she knows that there is something amiss. Searching the train cars once again, Iris and Gilbert find a little clue in the luggage car that could prove that they are not making up the woman to begin with. But losing a pair of glasses in a fight with a magician, the two are left with only their word against everyone else’s. With their theories in hand, the two try to find out what is really happening on the train, and when they discover a secret that Dr. Hartz is keeping from them, all bets are off when it comes to their personal safety.

A very interesting tale that keeps you engaged throughout. With some clues being thrown your way about who could be behind the disappearance of Miss Froy, you are also left wondering if she might be a figment of Iris’ imagination as well. It all comes down to timing and that is questioned often in this movie to make sure you remember the timeline of events that have occurred. When you are left to trust no one, you are forced to question every character that has been put on the screen until you find out 'who done it', yet you may be surprised at who actually did it. With a fun twist during the finale, this is the kind of movie that shows you that no matter how good the special effects are in a feature, storytelling is the most important aspect of keeping the audience engaged.  

Any regrets? That is the question everyone asks themselves at least one time in their lives. The timing of when this question is asked will allow you to either take action or just look back and wonder how your life would have changed. The only regret Gary King has is not finishing the magical Golden Mile Pub Crawl with his friends twenty years earlier.

Friendship is a funny thing as The World’s End shows. Gary King is bound and determined to get his old band (of friends, but he was in a band as well) back together to embark on the historical pub crawl once again. Even though his old pals have moved on with their lives, they have fallen back under the allure Gary brings to the table, following their fearless leader once more.

The plan is simple: One Night, Twelve Pints in Twelve Pubs in Newton Haven, their old home town. Seems like nothing would be able to stop them from attaining greatness for the evening, even as they are pulled over entering the town. Little resistance is in store for the group as they let the bed and breakfast owner know of their intentions for the evening, well at least Gary does, before setting out to achieve what once seemed to be the impossible. Are you lost yet? Don’t be. The World’s End moves at a very fast pace, so you don’t want to get out of your seat. Pegg, Wright and Frost deliver once again with a different genre movie. The rest of the assembled cast delivers as well, with call outs for Paddy Considine (Steven) and Rosamund Pike (Sam) who just brighten up the story line with innocence or kick-assory.

It's been twenty or so years since the boys have been home and the town has certainly changed.  Everyone seems much more somber and nobody seems to remember the great Gary King, or the rest of the group for that matter, except for the local drunk and drug dealer, but they will not lead on as to what has happened to the town after all this time and why everyone seems to be, for lack of a better term, blank. Then the battle begins, against a couple kids at first, but it turns out to involve the entire town. Their resistance could be futile. 

Even though this movie is a bit darker than what you may be used to in Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz, it still delivers on the laughs, along with action. Now I am not sure how a bunch of drunk guys could be so efficient in bar room brawls, but this group pulls it off. Guys, these action sequences are meant for you and there is no shame in being able to name off some of the moves they perform since they'll remind you of the WWE matches you watched growing up. Ladies, there is more of an action story line in this film than a love story, but there is a sweet moment at the end so disregard when the dreamy Adrian is seen across a busy dance floor, since he's been dead for so many years.

If you are still thinking of regrets from your life, or anything you think should not be left unfinished, you will need to go see this film for some additional perspective. You can see the trials and errors of yourself or your group, you may be right all the time, or you may be wrong.  It does not matter as long as you are willing to reform yourself to be what others expect you to be...a slave to the system. If you are not willing to do that, then you had better be ready to fight for what you believe in. Just make sure you make up your mind before you get to The World’s End.

I always find it supremely interesting how sometimes, fans of a particular film or burgeoning franchise, immediately christen a forthcoming sequel as good or bad, without even seeing a trailer or hearing any particular plot details. It’s something that I’m as guilty of as well, and I know that I make those pre-judgments based upon how that first film turned out. Because usually the proof is in the pudding. If the movie did just enough cash to warrant a sequel, or it was always planned to have them and the first entry in the saga is mediocre at best, how on earth can we expect it to be worth our while going forward?
 
But when the opening chapter is downright incredible, to the point where you watch the movie multiple times in theaters because you’re hungry for more, then you know deep down in your bones that you’ve witnessed something special and that part two is going to completely and utterly be worth your time and that’s precisely how I felt shortly after it was announced that Kingsman: The Secret Service was going to get a sequel. Because Matthew Vaughn’s first Kingsman film was breathtaking and refreshing and I didn’t see how a sequel could fail in the slightest. But sadly, I was unable to get to the theater in time to see the second chapter of this saga, but thankfully there is the wonder of cable and HBO and thanks to that partnership I was finally able to see if Kingsman: The Golden Circle lived up to the hype I’d built up for it in my mind.
 
As it turns out, it most certainly did, and this is hands down a delightful sequel through and through because it gets a great many things right. First and foremost, I love the fact that everything that happens here feels like a natural progression from the first film. For often times sequels love to reinvent the wheel and try to revolutionize a franchise to blow the fans away. But here, there’s growth for Eggsy, who has clearly settled into his role as a Kingsman and relishes in his new life and he’s confident as a hero now and that confidence is of course put to the test by an evil drug lord named Poppy, who wants the Kingsman out of the way in order to grow her evil empire and well, that’s where things get interesting.

​Because in many ways, this movie is The Empire Strikes Back of the Kingsman saga since we see the ancient organization disappear from the face of the earth, forcing Eggsy and Merlin to team up with their American counterparts, Statesman, and this is where Eggsy continues to grow and shine. For now he’s without the safety of what he knows, and he’s put to the test in ways he never imagined and this really is the darkest hour for what’s left of Kingsman and I love the fact that the movie went bold like this and gave us a villain ten times worse than Valentine, which is scary in its own right and the wonder of this movie doesn’t quite end with its surprisingly bleak nature. Because this film also features quite the treat by bringing Harry Hart back from the dead, and even that has depth to it.
 
Which is why I’m such a fan of this sequel, because everything has meaning and purpose in this story, which isn’t always something you find in a sequel, and even the elements that continue along from The Secret Service are important and relevant to this story making this sequel a beautifully woven tapestry that gives the audience everything they loved about the first film, all while taking the audience to new heights when it comes to the characters we love. But sadly…the film also finds ways to break our hearts since we do bid farewell to some beloved characters in this tale, something that I had a feeling was going to happen since it’s a darker story, but I was simply unprepared for how this went down, to the point where John Denver’s ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ now breaks my heart every time I hear it.
 
But, all of that aside, the fun and adventure present in the first film is here as well, and by adding America into the mix, we are treated to some incredibly colorful characters in this film since the Statesman are quirky and hilarious and this film also confirms that Elton John is a genuine badass and Julianne Moore is simply a terrifying delight as Poppy, and well…if you couldn’t tell just yet, I absolutely loved this movie. and I’m definitely kicking myself in the pants for not seeing it in theaters right away, because I could have enjoyed the wonder of this story a whole lot sooner. And if this is the potential ending for the saga, as the finale of this film implies, what a way to go out and I’ll be revisiting this film and its predecessor often, now that they’re both in my collection… 

​I think it is safe to assume that we all have several movies in our collection that others would deem, dubious at best. These are the off color, weird movies that often don’t appeal to the masses. But sometimes a unique and quirky story outright calls to you in unexpected fashion and you’re inclined to bring it home, or in the case of today’s review, movies in that vein are an outright guilty pleasure, and for me, one such movie that meets that criteria and that I find myself popping in from time to time to get an unexpected chuckle from, is a 1997 comedy starring the ultra-talented John Leguizamo; The Pest.
 
Now, in this tale we are introduced to Miami con man, Pestario ‘Pest’ Vargas, who is currently in a lot of hot water since he owes the Scottish Mob fifty-thousand dollars and there’s not a chance in hell he will be able to raise that amount of money by the deadline the Mob has set. But as fate would have it, a strange opportunity falls into his lap when German Hunter Gustav Shank offers Pest quite the business proposition. If Pest were to come to his private island to join him on a unique hunting venture, he will earn himself the fifty grand. Which, seems like easy money so, Pest agrees to the deal, but there’s one slight problem when it comes to this offer in that, it’s Pest that Gustav will be hunting and the only way Pest can get his hands on the money, is to find a way to survive for the next twenty-four hours…
 
So, what makes this film quite the guilty pleasure on my part goes beyond the fact that it was a quirky box office bomb back in the day, because that would be the easy way out in explaining my love for a movie, since so many box office castoffs have turned out to be gems when we revisit them on home video later. No, instead the reason I continue to revisit this movie here and there is simply due to the fact that it throws caution to the wind in a way that few films do. Because the fact of the matter is, this is a movie that simply would not receive a green light in this day and age since it works hard to basically offend everyone with its heavy use of stereotypes and saucy jokes that give you pause and it’s just stunning to see a comedy film cross the line in that fashion anymore, and it definitely takes you by surprise at times.
 
Yet, morbid fascination aside when it comes to the envelopes this movie pushes, one reason I enjoy it so is because, there are some genuine laugh out loud moments to be found in this film. The stereo stand-off at the club is so ridiculously over the top that you simply cannot help but laugh, and there are plenty of quick physical gags and slick moments to keep you chuckling and really, the centerpiece of the movie is John Leguizamo himself, who just so happens to play Pest Vargas because John is at his absolute best here. It’s as though he bottled the more manic moments from his one man shows and channeled them into Pest here and his wild interpretation of the character and the care-free way that Pest operates simply works and he sells comedic moments that would have otherwise fallen flat.
 
However, despite my personal enjoyment of this film, the million-dollar question that hangs over this review is whether or not this is a movie that I can recommend to others and honestly, the answer to that question is maybe. Because if you’re not good with humor that is at the expense of others, then this movie is going to outright infuriate you, make no mistake about it. But, if you’re in the mood for a goofy comedy, and such matters don’t bother you, and you’re down with a unique take on The Most Dangerous Game, then this movie may be up your alley. Granted, I’m sorry to provide a wishy-washy answer there, but it really does come down to personal preference. If anything, this is one that stays on my shelf simply due to the fact that it’s bold in its own right when it comes to the jokes it tells and it really does try to have a little genuine fun with the audience. 

If there’s one constant we can all agree upon when it comes to film, it is that cinema will forever be a carefully curated product, one that is designed to take the audience on a grand emotional ride and really, there’s nothing wrong with that. After all, we go to the movies to get away from our everyday lives and enjoy raw entertainment for a couple of hours, so seeing something that’s been perfectly designed to make us laugh, or cry, or send our spirits soaring is never a bad thing, in fact it really does serve as its own magical form of therapy.
 
However, while I too enjoy disappearing for a little while in a magical world on the silver screen, I also find myself enjoying films that shatter the norm. These are the movies that experiment with ideas and notions that aren’t commonly found in motion pictures, and the movies that I’ve truly come to love when it comes to this off beat line of thinking, are the ones that take the time to explore the sheer randomness of the universe, the ones that provide us with a story that shows us the extraordinary circumstances that people sometimes face and recently, I took the time to revisit one such film that fits this criteria to a tee, in Collateral.
 
Now for those unfamiliar with this film, in this story we are introduced to a cab driver named Max who is flat out looking for more in life. He dreams of owning his own limousine company someday, but is nowhere near achieving that goal just yet, so he plugs along in a job he cannot stand to simply pay the bills. But on this night, a night that seems like any other, Max’s life is about to be changed in the most unexpected of fashion. Because a man in his cab named Vincent, has just offered Max a boatload of money to be driven around to several stops this evening, but there is a catch when it comes to all that cash. For Max comes to discover that Vincent is a master assassin and he is now the personal driver for a cold-blooded killer and if he doesn’t get Vincent where he needs to go, Max will be another victim on this hitman’s list…

So, I’ll say it point blank now, I freakin’ love this movie, for so many reasons and the first one is…it’s outright originality. Sure, in many ways this serves up the age-old trope of a man being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but wow, what a twist to put to that particular idea. I mean come on, a regular old cab driver being forced to deal with murder and mayhem in order to save his own hide? That’s a concept that still feels fresh after all these years and the sheer randomness associated with this idea is what helps this film work. Because sometimes, bad things come our way, and while it may not be a psycho killer riding in our car, the idea of bad juju falling from the sky isn’t new to us because we’ve had it happen to us, and we’ve all been Max and worked to figure out a way forward as our world comes crashing down around us.
 
However, the uniqueness of this film doesn’t just end with its concept, how Max’s story is told is equally as fascinating. After all, this is a movie set in Los Angeles, and one would think that a story set in that sprawling metropolis would offer up a grand and sweeping tale. Instead, this is quite the intimate affair, with most of its scenes set inside the cab. Wherein Max and Vincent interact and get to know one another and it’s just fascinating to see these characters treat each other like human beings, despite the two worlds they come from and it’s equally as intriguing to see them silently learn from the other, even though they only take a little bit away from each other and the success of this is attributed to the fact that the right actors are in place to make these types of juicy interactions pop on the screen since Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx are downright brilliant as Vincent and Max, respectively.
 
Yet what impresses me the most about this film, is how seamlessly all of these elements come together. Because let’s be honest, there’s a lot to chew on in this motion picture. It’s part personal disaster for Max, it’s a thriller by way of Vincent and it’s a grand character study on what turns men evil and how we sometimes have to stand up for ourselves regardless of the threat posed to us and it all works here thanks to Michael Mann’s masterful direction of Stuart Beattie’s screenplay and it really is a film that simply sucks you in when you settle in to watch it and in my eyes…it’s a downright flawless motion picture. So, if by chance you haven’t seen this one yet, please do, it really is a magnificent story through and through, one that definitely stays with you long after this nightmare evening comes to a close.   

If there’s one thing that’s always fascinated me about how villains are portrayed in film and television, it’s how writers and directors and actors work hard to humanize the bad guy or gal. Which quite frankly makes sense, because we have to spend at least two hours or more with these twisted folks and getting to know them helps us to understand their motivations and their pain and such a move can actually make the villain in question quite memorable and iconic since adding depth gives them new life on the small and silver screen.
 
However, I firmly believe that there is a deeper and more psychological reason as to why we like having our villains be a tad more human in their appearance, because in many ways, such a move helps to separate the audience from the evil of the world. After all, we watch shows or movies to escape everyday life sometimes, and seeing a quirky baddie helps with that. Because the harsh reality of the world is that bad people, have no problem doing bad things, and there is no remorse or quirk when it comes to the worst of the worst, they’re simply sadistic and sick and that’s why I fully appreciate films that are willing to go all out and portray bad people as they are and recently, I had the opportunity to watch a motion picture that lets the bad part of humanity flow in The Grand Son.
 
Now, in this particular movie we are introduced to a young man named Tod who lives one heck of an awesome life. For he is Hollywood royalty and lives off of the coattails of his grandmother Judy, who was once a movie star, and she brings in the bacon these days by hosting a home shopping network show, and her residual money and current earnings allows for Tod and his sister Lani to enjoy a carefree lifestyle where nothing worries them in the slightest. But one day, when Tod goofs around with his grandfather’s gun, he accidentally kills Judy, and now he is faced with one incredible choice. Let the truth come out about what has happened and suffer the consequences, the kind that include seeing his wonderful way of life fade away, or…do whatever it takes to keep this mistake a secret so he can keep on living the champagne lifestyle and of course, Tod chooses the latter and gets to work on weaving an incredible web of lies…

So, let me get this out of the way first; this is a bleak and dreary film. One that is filled to the brim with vapid and irritating characters who stop at nothing to maintain the strange bubble surrounding their lives and I make mention of that up front, because that’s precisely why I loved this film. You just don’t see movies that often anymore where the characters are in essence, lost to the world and while there’s nothing relatable about Tod and his family when it come to their respective plights, this motion picture in many ways has a flair about it that resembles reality T.V., meaning that you simply cannot look away and you are curious to see what Tod will do next to cover up his lie. 
 
But what truly impressed me the most in this film, is that it’s detachment from the audience actually helps to strengthen the story, since it forces the viewer to carefully examine Tod’s rotting world and reality and well, what you find is simply fascinating. Because it’s inherently clear that this is a world that Tod and his sister were born into and they don’t understand or comprehend anything else, and Tod’s desperation to hang onto every last aspect of it, despite the fact that it is metaphorically crumbling around him like the aging mansion he lives in, is about as tragic as it gets. Yet while should feel sympathy, you can feel nothing for Tod, because his actions simply don’t allow you to. All you can do is sit back and watch a bad person do bad things without an ounce of remorse.
 
If anything, all of these elements make this motion picture simply fascinating to say the least, and I truly appreciated the fact that this movie took the time to be as dark and as twisted as it could since it really does put the ugliest parts of humanity on display. And while it seems odd that I would praise that, I think sometimes in film or television or print, such a push toward all that is necessary, to frighten us and remind us that the world needs more kindness. Because who knows how Tod and his sister would have ended up in life had their grandmother shown them more than a desire to be famous and comfortable and well, if you’re looking for a movie that offers you something more than the usual thriller, and leaves you thinking, look no further than this one because while it takes you on an ugly ride, it definitely gives you pause once the credits start to roll.     

If there's one particular element about motion pictures that I truly love every time I settle in to watch a movie at home or in a darkened theater, is that in some form or fashion, be it good or bad, these stories find a way to touch your soul. Yes, we may hate them from time to time, or we outright love them, but they reach us, they make us feel and it's why we keep coming back for more.

Granted as we get older, film tends to appeal to our soul for different reasons, because eventually some of the magic that film provides us in our youth fades, but man...it's hard to forget how movies used to make us feel as kids, when they were the living embodiments of our dreams and took our minds to places we never expected to go, and one motion picture of many that managed to accomplish that when I was a kid, recently came up in discussion with a friend of mine and it only felt right to revisit, The Last Starfighter. 

Now for those unfamiliar with this gem from 1984, the plot revolves around a young man and a dreamer named Alex Rogan who wants nothing more than a chance to leave his unimportant life in a trailer park behind and do something special with his future. But it seems as though, that day will never come. That is until he beats the lone arcade game in his complex, because that game, Starfighter...has sent a signal deep into space, letting the Rylan Star League know that this young man is ready to join their fight against the evil Ko-Dan Empire and whether he likes it or not, Alex will become the galaxy's last line of defense from the evil machinations of a mad ruler...

So, allow me to get the fanboy out my system because man...growing up this movie was something else. Because about the time it came out, I wanted nothing more than to be an astronaut and see the stars so a steady dose of space travel themed sci-fi was fed into my mind and then this sucker came along, and I was in awe. I loved the idea that an average dude could suddenly become a hero and save countless worlds and well...it only reinforced my love of space travel themed science fiction further. But, before I spend the next few paragraphs going beyond super geeky, this is a review and there is a reason that the film accomplishes this kind of wonder, because it has a damn solid story.

Everything about this script simply works. The setup is subtle and believable, and you quickly find a way to connect with Alex. We've all been in his shoes, hoping for more but expecting less and we've all wanted a moment where someone noticed something greater in us. But what truly makes Alex's journey in this film so magical, is the sheer fact that he has to earn everything. It's not enough for this awesome and dangerous opportunity to land in his lap, he has to go out there, fight to be better, and earn the right to be a Starfighter. It's lovely message that the film sends about how much work has go into the things we do if we ever want to see any measure of success and it's something that I didn't catch in this film until years later when I was mature enough to process it.

But the film goes beyond mere philosophy, in modern sci-fi fashion there is plenty of powerhouse special effects and breathtaking moments to be found, and while the effects are a touch dated in this day and age, there's still a sense of awe to be found when you watch space opera-esque battles unfold before your eyes and of course...nothing beats a good old fashioned Death Blossom. Either way, this is another one of those classic films rooted in good storytelling above all else and it's one that I'm glad I could pull off the shelf and enjoy once again because for a brief moment, I found that younger version of me sitting in front of the television once again...and my eyes were once more wide with wonder at a story that still lets my spirit soar...

Growing up in the 80’s, I was privy to many things that kids these days will never understand, but one thing that they might know about is one of the biggest action stars in history; Arnold Schwarzenegger. Not being able to watch most of his movies when they came out, since they were rated R, I have had to make up for lost time. With action movies being the biggest thing in the 80’s that I can remember, it seems a bit unfair that they all had to be so gory or have naughty language thus keeping the youth from that generation from being able to watch them, but alas, hindsight is 20/20 and most movie companies now understand the importance of having a lesser rating to draw more people in to see their films.

After the world economy has collapsed, police forces are forced to stay on high alert and Ben Richards is leading his team into battle. After disobeying a direct command to kill civilians in a food riot, Ben is relieved of duty and is framed for the actions that took place. Being locked up, Richards and his band of freedom fighters are looking for a way to escape and have finally found one when the guards get too relaxed in doing their jobs. With Harold and William by his side, the team is able to bring down the gates and escape scot free. Not truly understanding their cause, Richards goes his own way and has a plan to disappear once and for all.
​
Arriving at his brother’s apartment, Richards is surprised to see a pretty young woman named Amber living there instead. Finding out that his brother has been taken away, it is time for him to find a way to leave as well. Trying to leave the state with Amber’s travel card, Richards is caught at the airport with nothing to show for it. Being taken to the offices of the biggest television show producer in the world, Richards is asked about his future and if he would like to try and battle for his freedom. Not agreeing to anything right away, he is conned into going onto the show to try and keep his fellow escapees from facing certain death.