The Dink (2026)

A former tennis pro reluctantly takes up pickleball while recovering from an injury, where he struggles to fit in with those he sees as beneath him. I didn't care as much about the tired sports plot as I did about the plausible romance, which hinges entirely on Mary Steenburgen still being unbelievably hot in her 70s. Despite the predictability of it all, I enjoyed it way more than I expected.

3 grunters out of 5

Sorry to Bother You (2018)

A deeply weird film that seems like a shame to spoil in any way. It involves a broke man who becomes a telemarketer and tries to get ahead in the industry. Director Boots Riley has some pitch black sensibilities and this film is dripping in irony. Blending elements of surrealism and science fiction, you might not know where the hell it's going, but you'll certainly know when you get there.

3½ white voices out of 5

GOAT (2026)

In an anthropomorphic world of animals, a goat wants to be the 'greatest of all time' at basketball. And that's the end of any originality this film has to offer. Stylistically, the animation is bright, colorful and very appealing to the eyes, but the subject matter is trite and uninspired. Another dull and forgettable sports underdog comedy. Easily impressionable kids will dig it, I suppose.

½ a cloaca out of 5

Deathstalker (2025)

*sigh* The poster sucks. They had one job...

I was ready to shit all over this reboot until they used the classic theme from Deathstalker II. And then they used cheesy practical effects. And the tongue in cheek humor. But no nudity. Every film in the series is chock full of sex except this one. I'm very conflicted. In some ways, this is the best Deathstalker movie because it fulfills the potential of the originals that they could never achieve due to lack of budget. In other ways, it feels derivative and tawdry. And the filters in this movie match the ugliness of the poster. I just don't know, guys...

2½ cursed amulets out of 5

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

The best Ghostbusters sequel since Part II. Unfortunately, this one involves too many moving parts and not enough focus on the original Ghostbuster crew, which is really all anyone wanted. Still, it's an entertaining picture that strives to bring back what we all loved about the original, even though it feels bloated with one too many storylines and characters (as you can glean from the poster above). I honestly wouldn't mind more films in the series in this vein, although time seems to be running out and the actors aren't getting any younger.

As for the plot, we're back in NYC, and it's cold. That's really all you need to know.

3½ ecto-containment units out of 5

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES [2016]

Director Greg Mottola's action/comedy Keeping Up with the Jonseses joins a long list of potentially very funny dumb movies that never live up to it's potential.
When a mysteriously perfect couple move into the neighborhood, a boring husband & wife think there's more than meets the eye...and there is.
Sure there's plenty of chuckle-worthy moments but it gets you going and then constantly hits a wall of unfunny boredom.  The first half of the film is so paint-by-numbers by the time you get to the better final half the film has almost lost all hope.  The always entertaining Isla Fisher and Jon Hamm keep the film from getting too ho-hum but it's nearly not enough.

2 snake bars out of 5

THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY [2013]

Taking inspiration from James Thurber's classic short story, director Ben Stiller radically changes the finer details of The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty.
As different as it is from it's source material, the message is still there quite clearly beneath all the beautiful visuals and wonderful music.  As nice looking and sounding as the film is it gets hurt by a lot of flat-lining awkward dialogue that can't must muster up the inspirational heights that the story aims for.  Stiller knows funny but doesn't always get the timing right which makes for some distracting moments of laughter that might have been better on the cutting room floor.  It's a fine film with a character that's more than easy to relate to but somehow doesn't quite hit what it's aiming for.

2½ snow cats out of 5

SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD [2012]

Writer/director Lorene Scafaria continues her fascination with developing an unexpected relationship with a stranger on a road trip in the mildly depressing and thoughtful comedic drama Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World.

The film starts off pretty bumpy, as it struggles to find an even tone but becomes incredibly engaging in the second act and then stumbles off a bit near the end.  With the help from some subtle yet emotional performances from Steve Carell and Keira Knightley and a huge cast of cameos, the film becomes much better than what was originally written. 

It's not a perfect film but it's one I'd like to revisit just to welcome the characters back into my home. 

3½ loneliest instruments in the world out of 5

Young Adult (2011)

What would happen if you took the plot of Bad Teacher and placed it in the very capable hands of the writer and director of Juno? Well, you'd have a much better movie, for one. Former popular girl Charlize Theron now lives in shambles ghostwriting for a once popular young adult series and striving for some balance in her life. When she receives a "new baby" pic from an old flame, she decides to go back to her hometown and try to break up his marriage in order to be with him again. Believe me, it's a lot better than it sounds. Patton Oswalt is wonderful as the nerdy guy she once ignored. This is Diablo Cody's best work to date.

4 Ken-Taco Huts out of 5