It is difficult to know what will happen in the future, especially when it comes to business. Not knowing what the next big trend will be, much less how the internet will find another way to make your shopping experience more enjoyable, you just have to be willing to go with the flow.  Even if your product may not seem to be hot right away, all it takes is one person to show it being used and you will get another customer, then another, then another. It seems to be the way things are going, I mean I want to buy a bottle opener app for my phone. That may be the greatest thing ever, even if it does not work.

Crime has become so bad over the years that the police force has been forced to take a look at an alternative way of fighting it. With the new Scouts being partially powered by A.I., they have become the greatest threat to all of the evil doers in the country. As long as they are dropped in the right place at the right time, they will do their jobs and subdue any threat that presents itself. Finding out first-hand what these droids can do, Ninja, Yo-Landi and Amerika think that they have been able to get off of the hook for twenty million dollars that needs to be paid to Hippo, but alas, the rival gangster was able to escape as well and will make good on his deal to kill them if they do not pay.

Deon Wilson’s design of the Scouts has been loved by the local law enforcement and another order of a hundred units has come in. Knowing that he can do much better with the A.I. program, he is looking to make a program that will also allow the bots to think for themselves. Being fueled on Red Bull, Deon is able to crack the code and just needs one bot to test it out in and when Scout 22 has been beaten to the point it cannot be repaired, he decides to give the old peacekeeper an upgrade, but when being confronted by Ninja and his gang, he may not get the chance. With the promise of building them a bot of their own, Deon is able to see his next project come to life before his very eyes. Knowing that the A.I. will need to learn, Deon tries to explain to the gang what the robot needs, but none of them seem alright with having a kid playing around their house while the A.I. evolves, except for Yo-Landi who wants to take it slow.

While at work, Deon’s rival designer Vincent is getting tired of the golden boy getting all of the funds and when his peacekeeping robot, the Moose is shot down by the police force, he is ready to crack.  With a plan of his own to get his bots into production, he pulls out all the stops and loads a virus into all of the Scout models allowing the cities to fall into havoc. Knowing that what happened was not a programing error, Deon is able to save his favorite Scout model Chappie from the virus and is forced to take up a battle against someone that has much more military training than him while Chappie will be caught in the crossfire. With time running out for the broken robot, Drew is able to figure out the secret of consciousness and apply it to the robot’s mind but will anyone make it out alive when the Moose is unleashed on the baddies and is also focused on killing Drew in the process?

Okay, I will say it, this is Short Circuit for the new generation. There I said it and what is my thinking behind it you may ask. Well, you have a robot that is self-aware and growing into his surroundings, also a robot that has developed a consciousness. With that being said, you have a ton more action and killing, but with the spray paint job that Chappie gets, along with the bling, damn, it is hard to think of anything else. I liked how the storyline moved through the different stages of the bot's growing and finding out what he thinks is right and wrong, even without the best teachers. Ninja and his gang start to get excited when they see their bot turn into a badass gangster, and even Yo-Landi is proud of her little boy. Not really what I expected when going into this movie, but I am far from disappointed in the result, as it kept me entertained, and I was definitely excited to see what happens next. With an alive robot, some big guns, tons of shooting and a pissed off co-worker, this might be the tale of a growing boy that we have been missing for so long… or not, Johnny 5 is Alive!

There can be nothing more hurtful than to hear that your services are no longer required. When you are at the top of your field and are let go because of it, you wonder who or what will be replacing you. Hopefully your employer is gracious enough to let you leave on your own time and not force you to train your replacement, because that is just cruel. Never knowing what the future will hold for anyone, it may be a blessing in disguise that you never expected, just keep looking forward, never back.

Working with a chimpanzee for the past year, Teri has seen growth in herself and Virgil and wants to keep working. But when her boss comes in and tells Teri that her funding will not be renewed, the soon to be professor is dumbfounded and wants to do everything in her power to keep Virgil from being mistreated by anyone, since she is the only one, he knows. With the promise that the chimp will be passed on to a zoo, Virgil is carted away from the university and Teri for bigger and better things. But what nobody knows is where Virgil will really end up, since the government has plans for him.

Needing to come up with a great excuse for stealing an airplane from the base, Jimmy Garrett is in hot water once again. Telling a lie, but not debating the reason for taking the plane, Jimmy is reassigned to a division that he knows nothing about. Meeting his new boss Doctor Carroll who is in charge of the Experimental Pilot Performance Project, Jimmy is grateful for the new opportunity. But when he sees that he will not be the one being trained, he starts to question what is happening around him. Being in charge of training chimpanzees on how to pilot planes, Jimmy quickly finds out that his new friend Virgil is something special and can help his career by leaps and bounds.

Working side by side with his new friend, Virgil shows that he is smarter than the average chimp and is trying to communicate with his new handlers, but nobody takes note, until Jimmy sees sign language being used on the television. Knowing that Virgil is trying to tell him things, Jimmy takes the time to learn what the signs mean, and he knows that Virgil is not really cut out for what the program has in store for him. When it is announced that the stake holders are on their way to check up on Doctor Carroll’s project, Jimmy is promoted and sees firsthand what is really happening to the chimps that graduate. Not wanting this to happen to any more of the test subjects, Jimmy needs to come up with a plan to get the innocents free of the training compound, but that may be easier said than done. 

Just your average story about a boy and his chimp taken to the next level with having the military testing on the animals with radiation. You have to hand it to Jimmy since when he finds out that what he is doing is actually delivering his chimps to their death, he wants to take a stand for what is right. Even though none of the superiors will listen to his argument, they know that he is right, but being a time of possible war with nuclear weapons, everything must be checked and rechecked. With chimpanzees, an out-of-control pilot, sign language, an upset university worker, a doctor with an agenda and a smart chimp that wants to help his friends, it is a sad story that needed to be told, if not to save the animals, to at least get the public informed about what animal testing can really look like.

Small towns keep no secrets, which can be the one drawback to living in them, especially if you have a reputation of being a troublemaker. With everyone being in everyone else’s business, you may find that it can be uncomfortable when you are trying to do something that can better your lifestyle. Doing things against the law never goes unchecked, even if you think that you can get away with it. Seeing everybody on a daily basis, they all know that something is up when you start acting differently, so it might not be the best place to try and get away with anything.
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As the Cartels are growing in power in Mexico and waging wars against each other, they are running out of one thing that can keep them in power, bullets. With a plan to make money the easy way, the Mercy brothers have decided to be bullet runners for the Cartels and pull in some quick cash. But when Clive Mercy is pulled over by Sheriff Leland with a load, he tries to hide the fact that he has been smuggling for many months now. Leland has caught on to what the brothers have been up to and noticing the same drivers in different trucks along the same road, he is ready to see what has been going on. Not willing to give up his secret, Clive tries to attack the sheriff, but finds himself on a cold slab as Leland is going to do what needs to be done in his town to protect folks.

Coming back to his hometown, Wallace is welcomed with anything but opened arms. Taking over as sheriff for Leland and his ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ mentality, Wallace is stuck questioning what is happening in his town. Chopping up Clive’s truck and finding illegal ammo hidden throughout, he knows that there is something bigger going on and needs to find Ken Mercy before something bad happens to him. Checking out his normal spots, Wallace is able to find the dealer’s new house with Ken trying to recover from the burns he got from his truck. Heading down to call for help, Wallace is met by someone he never expected an enforcer from the Cartel that only has one thing on his mind, to kill whomever is on his list.

Losing his hand in the fight, Wallace will not lay off of his new investigation and gets the names and addresses of whomever else could be involved. While trying to get the answers he wants, Leland comes back into the game and does his own snooping and starts with his old car dealer friend Shep Diaz who is getting money from somewhere, but not from his dealership. Getting shot by Shep, Leland knows he is on the right track and keeps Wallace in the loop of what is going on in the small town. Knowing that a war is on its way to the town, either to get rid of Shep or to eliminate the folks that get in their way, the Cartel’s assassin is free to work on his list as he sees fit.

Just a fun but disturbing look at how the border towns have to police their people and those looking to hurt them. With the Cartels gaining in strength and being able to make deals with folks to smuggle things that they need to survive, it is frightening to think of what they will do when they don’t get what they want. The drive that Wallace has to keep his townspeople safe is admirable, even after losing his hand to the Cartel’s man and seeing Leland bringing himself out of retirement is how you would like to draw it up. Two men versus a cartel may not be the numbers that would prove to be successful, but it is better than being walked over when there are others that want to help the cause. With a charred body, plenty of gun shots, a one-handed sheriff, an old sheriff with a big gun and plenty of blood, there is little to keep anyone from getting lost in the little town, but I did spend a lot of time trying to figure out why everyone there does not seem to like Wallace one bit. Happy Viewing.

​Holding a grudge is something that I’ve never really understood. Overall, I believe it is a waste of time and effort to keep something in your system towards a person that wronged you long ago. While I do like the idea of forgive and forget, there is no problem in showing how much you dislike or distrust the person, because how are they going to understand that they were in the wrong. Life is too short to keep hatred in your heart for so long, while you don’t actually have to forgive the person, you can let it go in your own way and continue to live your life to the fullest with a happiness that makes life worth living.
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Rolling up on a gruesome scene, Officer Albrecht wants to try his hardest to find the ones responsible for the murder of Eric Draven and his fiancé Shelly as soon as possible. But with nobody in the building willing to talk about what they might have witnessed; he will be left with an unsolved murder under his belt. Helping to keep an eye on young Sarah who was a friend of the family, Albrecht has never forgotten what he saw, but things in his city are about to take a turn for the worse as a new character is about to reveal himself.

Waking from a year of dead slumber, Eric Draven knows why he has been given a second chance above ground. Wanting revenge for what was done to himself and Shelly, Eric must gather all that he remembers to find the men responsible. With a strange power of touch, Eric is able to remember and re-live events that are attached to people, along with objects. With more to go off of in finding his first victim, Eric is ready to make this Halloween night one that no one will ever forget. Being able to subdue Tin Tin with his own weapons, Eric moves on to the next man on his list, Funboy, who had his way with his dead wife.  

Finding the junkie doing what he loves most of all, Eric makes sure that he is not only about killing the men responsible for his death, but also helping those who need him most. Allowing Sarah’s mother to leave unharmed, Eric is able to cash in on the junkie at his own game and makes sure he goes on a trip that he will never forget, much less survive. Seeing the woman running out of the club, Grange is curious as to what has happened. Checking out the room, he gets a look at the white-faced vigilante that is killing off his employer’s men. Reporting back to his boss, Top Dollar, the two are tasked with finding out who this man is and what he really wants.
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With two men down and two to go, Eric turns his attention to T-Bird who seemed to be the mastermind behind the events that took place a year ago. With more violent memories shooting through his mind about that night, Eric gives the bomb expert a little going away present with a bang. With only one man left, Eric is able to find the offices of Top Dollar where the man should be and stops in for a quick meeting to take Skank away for his own purposes. Top Dollar however is not willing to serve his man up to anyone and wants to take this dead man down once again. As the battle rages on and Top Dollar sees that his new foe is not easily defeated, he and his sister must come up with another plan, one that can kill the undead. Eric is not willing to give up until all aspects of his revenge are fulfilled, but little does he know the hell he has just opened up in the city on one of its most dangerous nights.

I remember watching this movie in theaters with a good friend who absolutely loved it. While I was not blown away by it back then, my opinion of the movie has changed over the years. While you can complain about the plot holes that are left up to your imagination, overall, the storyline is what it needs to be from beginning to end. One of the things that I am really blown away by with this movie is that there are no small parts, as every character is central to how the story is going to end. You don’t get to see this in a lot of movies these days. The love that Eric still had in his heart throughout all of the killing had to be my biggest takeaway from this movie, as he never lost his humanity and only wanted the ones responsible for his fiancé’s death, the rest was thrust upon him. With plenty of gun play, some fun fights, a junkie mother, an off-duty cop helping and an undead hero, this movie leaves it all on the screen and will not leave you longing for anything more.   

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Enfant Terrible’.
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For the most part, movies that feature the life and times of a famous individual, work hard to recreate key moments from their lives and it is understandable as to why. Simply because that allows for the audience to feel as though they are genuinely bearing witness to an important moment in history, one that means the world to them and that really is an impactful way to make these types of motion pictures. Since we really do get a collective thrill over seeing someone we adore, take part in a powerful moment that was normally only enjoyed within the framework of our imagination. But while that definitely makes for a wonderful viewing experience, it is safe to say that this type of filmmaking is quite stylized in nature. Since they rarely feature the intimate and formative moments of the famous person in question. 
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But once in a great while, you run into a biographical picture that truly encapsulates the person it spotlights to a tee. Which has its pros and its cons. Because if such a story is done correctly, you’ll see their darkest hours and vulnerable moments. The kind that removes the mystique we associate with the famous person in question and for some… that’s a terrifying prospect since we have a firm image in our mind of who they are and what they should be. But truth be told, it would serve audiences better to see these folks in the raw, since it helps to remind us, that famous folks are people, that go through struggles like the rest of us, and they found success, because they are good at something special and dedicated to it. And it just so happens that there is a new BioPic on the market that offers up a frank and powerful examination, of the life and times of acclaimed director Rainer Werner Fassbinder in Enfant Terrible.

Now in this particular motion picture, we join Rainer in his early days as a director, when plays were his primary focus of work. Allowing for us to quickly understand that theater was the perfect place for him to cut his teeth and feed his desire to get behind the camera and well, once that happens… that’s where this particular film digs deep into Rainer in a manner that most BioPics avoid. For we are privy to a lot of intimate moments with Rainer. The kind that really help us to understand what kind of decision making went into assembling his unique and progressive motion pictures and seeing that in action is quite fascinating for certain since we are so rarely privy to such an exploration on screen and what’s amazing is that this film works even harder to truly plunge the audience into Rainer’s head. 

A feat this story accomplishes, by offering up some of the most unique set designs one has ever seen in a BioPic. Because there are no accurate recreations to be found here, nor are there visits to important places that Rainer visited in his life. Instead, every scene in this movie is brought to life on a hastily assembled set. One that is only half dressed or resembles a storyboard and the whole point of putting together sets like this to explore key moments in Rainer’s life… is to help us climb inside his head and see the world as he does. Which is a stroke of genius for certain, since it ties in wonderfully with Rainer’s musings on how all of life is cinema and storytelling and while set design isn’t something one often talks about in reviews, it really is quite important here, since it also helps to add a fascinating layer of intimacy. 
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Because that particular choice removes any visual distractions, allowing for us to truly see Rainer the man, not the legend and that allows for his insecurities and fears and anger to be put on full display. Which helps the viewer to understand that he is a genuinely flawed man like the rest of us, one that wanted everything we want out of life and sadly… never found the love he so desperately craved and never made the masterpiece he wanted to make. Nor did he ever seem to find true satisfaction and joy with his work and that stunning twist, makes this one powerful biopic when all is said and done. One that presents a great and revered mind in the absolute raw and takes the viewer on quite the visceral experience.    

One that oddly is quite inspirational in nature. Because despite the fact that Rainer lived his life full of doubt and fear and outright loneliness… nothing ever stopped him from living his dream, and we can in fact... take a great deal away from how he handled that. Because being fearless and eager to disregard the word 'no' and negative advice in general, definitely has its benefits. As does sticking to one's guns when it comes to our vision for the future and well, that's really the legacy that Rainer leaves behind and that lesson definitely makes this movie a worthwhile watch. Because you can never go wrong with a story that offers up a positive message and takes us on quite the emotional ride, and getting a firsthand understanding of what makes Rainer tick, handles that latter element and well, if you've got a couple of hours to spare and would like to expand your horizons in regard to cinema and the creative process, then please give Enfant Terrible​, a look. 

Our modern society really is something to marvel at. Because we’ve set up a system that genuinely helps people to succeed. For the freedoms we enjoy allow for us to explore the world at an early age and come to discover what excites us and motivates us, a process that in turn allows for us to easily focus upon who we want to become in this world as we grow, and chase that with gusto when we reach adulthood. And these wonderful systems and freedoms are in place so that no one feels as though they will be left behind and have every chance to grow and succeed and change the world when they finally settle into a particular career field and well, when one considers how many people find their way in life… it’s safe to say this system is… mostly a success. And 'mostly' is the right word to use, because in reality, this ‘one size fits all’ approach to helping people find their place in the world… really doesn’t work for everyone.

For some folks see the structure of modern society and find themselves ill when looking at it, which motivates them to forge a different and unique path when they set out on their own. So that they can find something that gives them a personal freedom they know they’ll never find within the system, and these are the folks that ironically become the poster child for the mantra of chasing’s one’s dream. Since they moved mountains, to grab hold of their true north in life. But while we often celebrate the end result of their endeavors, we rarely take the time to listen to the more difficult aspects of their journey since it is human nature to only look at the end of the story. But thankfully, the entertainment world never has a problem with showing us how tough and rewarding it can be to forge one’s path outside the system and recently, this reviewer was treated to an advance screening of a film that chronicles that journey in great detail in Schemers.

Now in this particular motion picture, one that is based off of the life and times of legendary music promoter David McLean, we are transported back into the late 1970s… when David was quite frankly trying to figure out his future. For a chance encounter with a lovely lady’s jealous boyfriend, ended any chance of him playing professional soccer like he thought he would and the other jobs available in his hometown, while stable and well-paying… appear boring and fruitless. Leaving David to genuinely ponder upon what his future is going to look like in life. But the opportunity to impress a cute girl named Shona, by putting on a massive music event, ignites something within David’s soul. For he comes to discover he’s quite good at packing a house with bands and their fans and that leads him and his two mates to start their own promotional business. One that will sadly find itself on shaky ground, when they have to deal with connected men in order to grow their passion into something more. 

Which is a plot that initially doesn’t seem as though it is going to dive all that deep into what it looks like to buck the system in order to find one’s true calling. In fact, it seems more akin to a crime drama. But as the story continues along and you get to spend more time with David and his friends Scot and John, it becomes clear that this motion picture really does offer up some poignant observations on how difficult it can be to leave the system behind to forge your own trailblazing path in the world. Because these guys are simply starting from scratch to become promoters, which is no easy task since they have zero connections in this business and no clue where to start. Plus, they must work with unsavory characters in order to bring their dream to fruition and well… that allows for us to see first-hand just how much failure and trial and error goes into giving this path a go, and that really is a wonderful point to make since stories don’t talk enough about the hardships any dreamer will encounter on their journey toward fulfillment. 
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But while that does make for some sobering moments in this tale, the kind that almost motivate the viewer to stick with the system over anything else, there was mention of the fact that this path can indeed offer up incredible rewards. Something that is hammered home by way of David’s persistence and insistence that risks need to be taken in the boldest manner possible. Because eventually his efforts pay off in spades and the joy and peace that he and his friends find, speaks volumes to the fact… that chasing our dreams in a fearless manner and disregarding what the system or others have to say… is true freedom. Because it puts us firmly in the driver’s seat and allows for us to truly become a pioneer at what we do and while we will indeed make mistakes along the way, and embarrass ourselves as well… who cares? For in the end, the person that opted to turn their back on the norm and do things their way, achieves a happiness that few will understand and that makes this movie an incredibly inspiring tale, one that motivates you to get out there and grab hold of your dreams by any means necessary.

Obviously though, perhaps don’t get involved with small-time or big-time gangsters as David did. But go for it. That’s the theme of this film, and that’s a wonderful message to find as we emerge from a trying time where everyone is wondering what their second chance in life should look like and well, all that message alone really does makes this movie an exceptional and worthwhile watch. Yet while the message is definitely worth celebrating, what truly makes this film so unique and worthwhile, is the sheer fact that it co-written and directed by Dave McLean himself, and he makes his directorial debut here and handles it well. Since this movie is crisp and clean and filled with magnificent performances from talented young actors looking for their shot at the dream as well. Which means that this motion picture's message, is grounded in honesty and well, when the time comes for this story to be released in your neck of the woods, do give it a look. Because this really is a delightful and inspiring tale, one that truly stays you in all the right ways, long after it has come to an end.

​Please enjoy this preview trailer for the upcoming romantic comedy, Introducing Jodea. Which arrives in theaters on June 4, 2021.

Caution: This article contains some spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Cerebrum’. 

​One unfortunate truth that we eventually learn about the universe as we grow older, is that it has no problems shifting gears and taking things away from us instead of giving them to us. Which is something we begin to discover when our parents and older loved ones begin to fade from existence, and as our health and longevity beings to slip away as well. Which is a lesson that prompts us to cherish every moment because they will never come again and to savor the memories that are produced from said moment, since remembrance is something we firmly and incorrectly believe cannot be robbed from us either. 
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For there are illnesses of the mind that can wipe our fondest moments away and eventually, they can rob us of our health. Which is why science is racing to do what it can stop that possibility, so we can in fact, hang onto yesterday for as long as possible. In fact, what they mean to us is so important, that their power pops up in fiction often as well, to the point where creative minds have pondered upon how our world might look and/or change if we could preserve memories beyond death and illness and it just so happens that a recent release from director Arvi Ragu, takes this exploration one step further. For Cerebrum ponders upon what might happen, if we could actually live vicariously through the memories of others, a feat this film accomplishes by offering up one unique plot.

For in this film, we are introduced to a man named Tom Davis, who is going through some tough times financially. To the point where he has decided to head to his brilliant father’s ranch and take up Dr. Kirk Davis’ offer to pay him to take part in an experiment involving memory. But what Tom is unprepared for, is the incredible discovery, that this father has managed to create a device that can clone the mind akin to data and put that ‘data’ onto a disk that can then be inserted into a wearable device. One that allows for the user to see those memories. A device that could in theory, revolutionize health care, provided of course… Tom can protect it. For there are forces that want this invention for nefarious purposes and it will be up to Tom to preserve his father’s legacy and memory in more ways than one, when those very forces end Kirk’s life.

Which is, an incredibly realistic plot when all is said and done. Because that setup, leads to a grand exploration of how current technology could in fact, make such a device work. Since wearable technology and transferring terabytes of data is no big deal anymore, and the odd realism of this tale, doesn’t end with the science. Because let’s be honest, people would indeed love to get their hands on a device like this and see what life was like for their parents or siblings and of course… people would in fact, try to use this in a negative light and use it for control as evidenced in this film. But while that realism alone could have carried this movie and does make for some powerful moments, this story does have more to offer than mere science fiction.
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For it also has a lot of heart. Because the broken relationship that Tom and Kirk have plays a big part in this story as well, and Tom’s ability to live through his father’s eyes, albeit briefly, allows for him to come to understand his father like never before and forgive him for the sins he committed when Tom was a boy. And that particular plot thread, is clearly designed to serve as some poignant commentary. The kind that serves to remind us that we shouldn’t wait for technology or a grandiose sign to open up to our families and loved ones about our feelings and our decisions and our experiences in life. Because had Kirk done that sooner, and without the help of a digital device, he could have repaired the rift between he and his son ages ago and made incredible memories then.

Which makes this quite the moving film when all is said and done, one that really does remind us to live in the moment and make all the memories we can so that there are no regrets down the line, regardless of what the future holds and that also makes this movie, a fascinating watch for certain. Because it really does offer up some solid science fiction, the kind that could in fact, become a reality and all of those elements truly allow for the viewer to lose themselves in a wondrous world and to top it off, it features some fine performances as well. Since Christian James (Tom) and Anirudh Pisharody (Bhuvanesh) and John Ruby (Reinhard) do a wonderful job of transitioning between the various personalities they host over the course of the film and Alexxis Lemire (Chloe) also deserves a shout out for being the actor that serves as the emotional anchor, so the story never loses sight of what matters. So, if you’re looking for something original and unique to enjoy, give Cerebrum a shot, since it truly does offer up a story unlike any other.