Archive for the 'Editorials' Category
March 31st, 2022 by Peter Paras
Three years after filming began, two years after the first trailer, Sony’s latest “In Association with Marvel” feature, Morbius, finally opens this weekend. Based on one of Spidey’s legendary Sinister Six, Dr. Michael Morbius is a “living vampire” (much like star Jared Leto), which might make you think of the Blade trilogy. Is this how the MCU gets the Day Walker? No, since this is exclusively Sony’s property, but as it’s been nearly two decades since the last Wesley Snipes outing, there’s an inherent curiosity for how our current era will handle the balance between bloodsuckers and superheroes. The cast also includes Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, Tyrese Gibson, and another Jared… Harris. Was Morbius worth the wait? Grab a pack of blue-colored artificial blood and drink up! Continue reading ‘‘Morbius,’ The Living Vampire, Sucks (Movie Review)’
March 29th, 2022 by Peter Paras
This week, Hulu releases the first three episodes of the limited series The Girl From Plainville, based on the real-life “suicide texting case.” At the center was high schooler Michelle Carter who was found guilty of manslaughter in 2017. Elle Fanning stars as the troubled teen who may or may not have convinced 18-year-old Conrad “Coco” Roy (Colton Ryan) to take his own life in 2014 via texts. Looking back, it’s easy to see why social media blew up with tweets, podcasts, and even an HBO documentary, I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth Vs. Michelle Carter. It was inevitable a limited dramatic series would happen, and one assumes the new Hulu series delivers more than the made-for-TV movie, starring Bella Thorne, did in 2018. The Girl From Plainville aims to shed light on a young woman who appeared so opaque in public. Continue reading ‘Elle Fanning Reveals There’s More To ‘The Girl From Plainville’ (TV Review)’
March 29th, 2022 by Peter Paras
Based on the Marvel comic of the same name, Moon Knight is a six-episode season, opening up a new side of the MCU. Critics were given access to the first four episodes before the first episode premieres on March 30 on Disney+. Going in, I knew zero about the split-personality superhero. However, I was intrigued by the London to Egyptian settings and the strong dual leads (Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke). I’ve (mostly) enjoyed all the MCU television outings, both on D+ and Netflix, and was ready to look myself in the mirror and say, “let’s go, cool grey-outfitted hero dude!” Having seen two-thirds of the season, did it reach the highs of Loki or the unevenness of Falcon and the Winter Soldier? Time to find out! Continue reading ‘Marvel’s ‘Moon Knight’ Offers Promise & Problems (TV Review)’
March 24th, 2022 by Peter Paras
Paramount Pictures’ The Lost City hopes to be the kind of adventure/rom-com that would easily score at the box office during the 2000s. Times may have changed (even without a pandemic), but movie stars should still be able to open a Romancing the Stone-type film for the modern era, right? The Sandra Bullock vehicle was even originally pitched with her co-star from The Proposal, Ryan Reynolds, in mind. Mr. Deadpool certainly would have had a different kind of character than the hunky but not exactly witty one Channing Tatum plays, but the truth is it wouldn’t matter either way. Bullock has always had great chemistry with pretty much anyone: Clooney in Gravity, Kidman in Practical Magic, and the cat from The Heat, to name a few. Plus, a scene-stealing Brad Pitt and a heel turn from Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe are fun bonuses. The action might be less than what Disney showcased in last year’s Jungle Cruise, but the laughs are certainly better. The Lost City hopes to discover an audience more interested in jokes than explosions anyways, although there are plenty of big booms too.
Continue reading ‘A Trip to ‘The Lost City’ is Overlong but Still Fun (Movie Review)’
March 17th, 2022 by Peter Paras
During the 80s and 90s, erotic thrillers were a sound investment for any major studio. Films like 9 1/2 Weeks, Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct, and Indecent Proposal were events. All but one of those films was directed by Adrian Lyne. Hard-R, adult-skewing movies were an active part of the cultural conversation. In the past two decades, Lyne has only directed one other film, 2002’s Unfaithful, starring Diane Lane. Lyne’s particular brand of highly charged sensual kicks could be considered a relic of a bygone era if they weren’t so well made and, frankly, memorable. Still, in an age overwhelmed by audience-friendly superhero flicks, could a simple story about a jealous husband and his promiscuous spouse top the box office like the movies that made household names out of Glenn Close, Sharon Stone, and Demi Moore? We’ll never know… okay, so actually we do, and the answer is no. Lyne’s latest will be debuting this weekend exclusively on Hulu. Deep Water pairs Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas: two stars ready to raise their body heat.
Continue reading ‘‘Deep Water’ Offers Shallow Thrills (Movie Review)’
March 14th, 2022 by Peter Paras
Since development as a series was announced way back in 2013, Halo has miraculously kept Steven Spielberg on board as executive producer. There was never a chance The Beard would direct but keeping the live-action version of one of the biggest video game franchises of all time at Amblin Entertainment was enough to keep yours truly hopeful. Now that the 26th-century sci-fi tale has arrived on Paramount+, home of Star Trek, is there enough streaming space in the universe for another hero who (mostly) keeps his helmet on? Time will tell, but who needs Grogu when an assault by the Covenant boasts one of the most brutal openings in television. Suit up, Master Chief, you’re gonna need a weapon. Continue reading ‘‘Halo’ Is Combat Evolved, Story Still Convoluted (TV Review)’
March 3rd, 2022 by Peter Paras
With The Batman, Robert Pattinson is the seventh actor to play the Caped Crusader, thereby eclipsing the number of James Bonds to hit the silver screen. Both made their live-action debuts in the 60s. Of course, there are way more Bonds films (26 official) than Batman (13), yet each new iteration has been an event. Director Matt Reeves (Dawn of and War for the Planet of the Apes) had been eying Batman: Year One for years, and while this 2022 feature is technically the Bat’s second year as Gotham’s vengeance-driven vigilante, that’s certainly close enough. Thankfully, that means we get to skip the overly used death of billionaire Bruce Wayne’s parents. If you’ve seen the trailer, you might have noticed that the dream of the 90s/early 00s is alive and well in Gotham City. To be fair, the character has always been kinda moody, so an emo Bruce Wayne isn’t the stretch one might have assumed. Think more My Chemical Romance’s Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge era, less Tobey Maguire’s dancing fool a la Spider-Man 3. So, let’s apply guyliner and tussle our carefully curated locks. After all, we have a city to save, Mr. Wayne! Continue reading ‘‘The Batman’ Begins… Again! (Movie Review)’
February 23rd, 2022 by Gregg Senko
There are three universal things that are known to unite people; music, food and sports. The third of those three has not failed to produce a number a timeless films in the genre such as Field of Dreams, Miracle and Sandlot, just to name a few. Every once in a while, the great sport of American football gets its due on the big screen. In the vain of gridiron greats such as Rudy and Friday Night Lights comes American Underdog, the biopic of Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, and yet, this film could be best described as not being a sports film and that depth proves to be a good thing.
Continue reading ‘American Underdog (Blu-ray Review)’
February 16th, 2022 by Peter Paras
Sony Pictures’ Uncharted looks to be Spider-Man star Tom Holland’s next box office hit this weekend. Based on the beloved PlayStation series by developer Naughty Dog and directed by Venom’s Ruben Fleischer, this mid-budgeted adventure flick leans more towards pleasing fans of Holland (and, to a lesser degree, co-star Mark Walhberg) than fans of the videogame. Arguably, this is a smart move for a new franchise looking to appeal to anyone, although, in the end, the quality of the thing is still the thing. In other words, is this modern day adventure debut any fun?
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Continue reading ‘Sony’s ‘Uncharted’ Film Lacks PlayStation’s Fun (Movie Review)’
February 11th, 2022 by Peter Paras
Just in time for our second pandemic Valentine’s Day, Universal Pictures is releasing a love letter for fans of Jenifer Lopez and, to a lesser degree, Owen Wilson. Marry Me, a high concept “will they won’t they” rom-com, debuts in theaters as well as exclusively on Peacock during this time of romance. Over twenty years ago, the same studio delivered a massive hit with Julia Roberts playing a movie star who smiled like Julia Roberts and fell in love with an affable Hugh Grant playing an “ordinary” version of the English charmer in Notting Hill. Will a 2022 offering with J. Lo starring as a pop star who marries a down-to-earth stranger played by Wilson have audiences saying ‘I do’? I’d bet for most, the answer is probably more a “maybe,” but for diehard fans of Hustlers’ leading lady, this lightweight rom-com is an easy “yes!”
Continue reading ‘Old School Star Power Elevates ‘Marry Me’ (Movie Review)’
February 9th, 2022 by Peter Paras
Five years later, Kenneth Branagh dons the ‘stache once again as Inspector Hercule Poirot. Following the 2017 hit, Murder on the Orient Express, Branagh’s Poirot is back for the Egyptian-set sequel, aptly named Death on the Nile. The third filmed adaption of Agatha Christie’s bestselling 1937 novel features a large cast, including Wonder Woman herself, Gal Gadot, along with Branagh, Armie Hammer, Annette Bening, Letitia Wright, and more. Murder on the Orient Express took in an impressive $352 million globally. Hopes are high that this non-comic book studio release entices audiences ready to figure out whodunit. Set (mostly) on a luxury steamer ship, Branagh shot the film in 70mm as he did with Express. Will fancy costumes, wide compositions, and a strong ensemble be enough for another go at an old-fashioned murder mystery?
Continue reading ‘Hercule Poirot Investigates Stylish ‘Death On The Nile’ (Movie Review)’
February 7th, 2022 by Gregg Senko
For Jazz enthusiasts and those in the music industry, the name Bob James rings true with that of an accomplished musician and composer. For the unfamiliar, it likely sounds as the most common of names. Rest assured that his accomplishments and skill are not of the common variety though. The 4k UHD Blu-ray release, Feel Like Making LIVE! Bob James Trio, both recaps his background and highlights his band’s talent, with a certain emphasis on the latter. Let’s delve into the DNA of this ultra high definition disc and breakdown the anatomy of its delivery.
Continue reading ‘‘Feel Like Making LIVE! Bob James Trio’ (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)’
January 27th, 2022 by Jason Coleman
It’s January…Sundance time! The Sundance Film Festival 2022 is currently underway virtually and thus once again more than just the lucky few get the chance to get a gander at possible cinematic wonders in store. Sadly, a large portion of the fictitious features either have a name attached (Karen “Nebula” Gillan is not exactly an unknown!) or have distribution and are going to hit the TV screen soon after. (You can catch Fresh on Hulu in March…for free!) So to lesson the distinctive Hollywood vibe of Sundance I decided to strictly hit the documentaries for a change and was certainly glad I did. (Though truth be told I saw a LOT of HBO Documentary headers going in!) From personal tales of abuse both at work and home to tales of powerful men falling and strong women rising, check out my four Sundance Film Festival 2022 Encapsulated Movie Reviews documentary-style below! Continue reading ‘Sundance Film Festival 2022 – Four Encapsulated Doc Reviews’
January 12th, 2022 by Peter Paras
Over a decade since the fourth installment became the late Wes Craven’s final film, Scream returns to the sleepy albeit bloody town of Woodsboro. New directors and writers are ready to take a stab at the ultimate metaseries that changed the game for scary movies in 1996. Legacy actors Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, and David Arquette have returned alongside newcomers Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, and Jack Quaid. Twenty-five years after Sidney Prescott defeated not one but two Ghostface killers, can she still make with the stabby stabby? In 2022, will Ghostface have their own TikTok? Is #GutYouLikeAPig taken? One of the biggest horror franchises of all time has lasted three generations: from the slacker days of the nineties to the entitled millennials of the aughts. Now, the time has come time for zoomers to answer the call…
Continue reading ‘The 5th ‘Scream’ is Fiendishly Brutal (Movie Review)’
January 10th, 2022 by Brandon Peters
Halloween Kills arrives to everyone on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray tomorrow – January 11th! We are offering you a chance to win a free copy of the film with this brand new giveaway! All you need to do is watch the video below and follow the instructions. Have your entry in by Friday, January 14th (1/14/2022). I’ll be announcing the winner later that very same day. Make sure you either subscribe to my YouTube channel or follow me on Twitter or Instagram @brandon4KUHD. New Michael Myers movie, not hard to enter, and a chance to take home a free copy of this wonderful 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray. Why not give it a shot?
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. Continue reading ‘GIVEAWAY! – HALLOWEN KILLS On 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray!’
January 3rd, 2022 by Aaron Neuwirth
Time for another look at the rest of the year from the top of it. I’ve assembled my annual list of Most Anticipated Films for 2022. I find it’s always exciting to look ahead at the films set to arrive this year. It’s also a relief to be more or less back on track and not have to deal with too many more leftovers, as far as films that were delayed because of the pandemic (although there are still a few). With that in mind, I’m also well aware some movies aren’t even on my radar yet. However, I’m still plenty happy to see all of the current potential and narrow it down to some interesting or fun-looking titles. The following is a month-by-month look at what movies I am looking forward to seeing this year (links for trailers where available). Feel free to name the films you are all looking forward to in the comments.
Continue reading ‘Aaron’s Most Anticipated Films of 2022 – A Month By Month Look’
December 31st, 2021 by Peter Paras
2021, amirite? We’re now over a year into the current generation of consoles, yet being able to actually purchase a PlayStation 5 or an Xbox Series X/S is still nigh impossible. Proving what we already knew: scalper bots are truly the worst. The shortage of chips and other factors have made the supply fall far short of demand. Fortunately, many of the year’s best were playable on the older PS4s and Xbox Ones too. Meanwhile, Nintendo released an OLED version of their Switch alongside the first Metroid in years. The year in games saw plenty of highs, although nothing hit the masterpiece level of 2020’s The Last of Us Part 2. Instead, 2021 spread the love with different kinds of experiences: an incredible shooter that heralded the return of Master Chief, a colorful Pixar-level tale featuring not one but two Lombaxes, and plenty of abominations courtesy of the Umbrella Corporation.
Continue reading ‘Peter’s Tremendous Top Ten Video Games of 2021′
December 30th, 2021 by Adam Toroni-Byrne
I must start this year’s top ten list off by radiating my excitement about this particular list. I have been lucky enough to write for Whysoblu for approaching 3 years now. I have written reviews, top ten lists, and published PR too. I have loved all the work I’ve been able to do – even when the movies haven’t been great. The fun of this list for me, and what makes me so excited is that I’ve finally seen enough movies to make a year-end list, and it’s been a blast being able to take in so many varied movies… The good, the bad, and the ugly…
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Continue reading ‘Adam’s Super Smooth Top Ten Films of 2021!’
