Blue Beetle - Review
Blue Beetle - Budget of $104 - 125 million - 2 hours and 7 minutes
Jaime Reyes returns home to his family after finishing his pre-law degree. He plans to land a high-paying job and move his family out of Palmera City. His family anxiously awaits his arrival, but his sister, Milagro, wants the family to be honest with Jaime. Their father, Alberto, and mother, Rocio, tell Milagro to wait until Jaime eats to give him the unfortunate news.
After Jaime takes his first bite, Milagro tells Jaime that his parents must sell their home. And Alberto had a heart attack. Their landlord tripled their rent, and they can't pay the price hike. Jaime's uncle Rudy blames Kord Industries for the gentrification. Jaime promises to find a job and move the family to a big house on the hills. But he will put off post-grad school, for now, instead of burdening his family with more debt.
Jaime and Milagro got a job cleaning pools to make ends meet. Jaime hasn't found a job in his field because he lacks experience. As they scrape gum off the pool furniture, Jaime spots Veronica Kord and her private security, Ignacio, walking inside the home. Jaime can't work up the nerve to ask Veronica for a job, but Milagro has no problems using Veronica's bathroom. She asks Jaime to be her lookout.
Jennifer pulls her aunt, Veronica, into a room and watches an ad for the One Man Army Corp (OMAC). Jennifer reminds Veronica that Jennifer's father, Ted, didn't want Kord Industries involved in weapons manufacturing anymore. Veronica demands that Jennifer back off. Since Ted left Jennifer and disappeared, Veronica is in charge and wants the business to do what it does best. Jennifer walks towards the door to exit, and Ignacio tries to grab her, but Jaime verbally defends Jennifer. Jaime stammers before Milagro comes out of the bathroom. Veronica fires Jaime and Milagro. Jaime approaches Jennifer, and she tells him that his chivalry isn't needed. Milagro calls out Jennifer's ungrateful attitude, and Jennifer apologizes. She tells Jaime to come to Kord Industries, and she will find a job for him.
Jaime arrives with his cheering family in tow. Before he meets with Jennifer, his grandmother, Nana, blesses him. Jaime sees Jennifer running down an escalator and onto an elevator. He mirrors her movements and meets her downstairs. She hands Jaime a burger container. She demands that he guard it with his life and never open it.
Jaime takes it home, and his family encourages him to open the box. They all play with the high-tech scarab inside. When Jaime touches it, it scans his face, goes inside his body, and attaches to his spine. It covers Jaime's body and takes him on a wild adventure. When Jaime wakes up, he is on his parents' couch naked. Jaime steals Rudy's car to get answers from Jennifer. After dodging a hail of bullets, Jennifer sits with Jaime's family to explain. The scarab is a world-destroying weapon that chooses its hosts. Veronica needs its code to complete her OMAC project. However, Veronica couldn't find someone to activate the scarab so she could download its programming. With the scarab active, Jaime is in danger. Jaime wants Jennifer to remove the scarab now. The journey to expelling the scarab will make Jaime experience the ultimate sacrifice, learn the truth about Nana, and uncover his destiny to become the Blue Beetle.
First, Nana is a gangster. She keeps the family determined, holds her wits during battle, and gives encouraging words during the darkest time. Jaime may have the suit, but she has the real power. Second, Jaime is a reluctant hero. He stumbled into this power and now wants it removed from him. He has to grow and learn to accept his new destiny. Finally, his family doesn't sit around waiting for Jaime to save them. They take on Veronica and her goons for Jaime. Also, the graphics are stellar for a DC film. Often, the audience complains the visuals are too dark. This color palette of the film reflects Jaime and his family. It's fun, bright, and burst with excitement. The downside of this movie is the sound effects drown out Jaime's suit's A.I., Khaji-Da. You will miss funny one-liners and hidden information about the exoskeleton. See this film on the best screen possible, and don't let the detractors keep you away. Also, there are mid and post-credit scenes.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
Everything is going to be okay - Alberto
Now is not that time - Nana
Sacrifice must be made for the greater good - Ignacio
You know the drill, round them up - Victoria
Bad weed never dies - Rudy
We don't make weapons anymore - Jennifer
How do I look - Jaime
Where were you - Milagro
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Strays - Review
Strays - Budget of $46 million - 1 hour and 33 minutes
Doug's girlfriend spots puppies for sale outside a general store. She instantly falls in love with one, Reggie, but Doug hates him. She cares for the dog until Reggie pulls another woman's underwear out of Doug's bedroom. She tries to take Reggie, but Doug won't let her out of spite. From that day forward, Reggie does everything to get Doug to love him. One day, Doug receives an eviction notice and blames his mother because her check is short. Doug packs his things, and Reggie accidently knocks over the boxes to get a ball. Seeing that Reggie broke his favorite bong, Doug decides to remove Reggie. He grabs Reggie and the ball, gets in the car, drives far away, throws the ball, and tells Reggie to get it. When Reggie runs after the ball, Doug gets in his car and leaves. He thinks he's free of Reggie, but Reggie always comes back. Reggie believes this is part of the game.
Doug has had enough of Reggie coming back, so he drives Reggie 3 hours away. Reggie finds the ball but has difficulty maneuvering out of the alleyway. So he rests before returning to Doug. Reggie attempts to leave the alley, but two rottweilers accost him. They take his ball and threaten his life. Then, a large shadow appears on the building and terrorizes the rottweilers. The rottweilers laugh when the dog comes around the corner because he's a tiny dog, Bug. The rottweilers stop chuckling when Bug babbles with crazy thoughts and threats against them and himself. The rottweilers run away, and Bug advises Reggie to get tough since he's a stray. Reggie tells Bug he has an owner and explains his life. Bug sadly listens to Reggie's tale and gives him gut-wrenching news: Doug abandoned him.
Bug introduces Reggie to two of his friends, Maggie and Hunter. Maggie's owner abandoned her after she got a cuter dog better suited for Instagram posts. Hunter trained to be a K-9 but flunked out because he didn't like confrontation. Now, he works at a retirement home as a therapy dog. Bug tells Reggie that being off the leash is a blessing. Strays can do whatever they want. He has to know the rules. First, if you pee on it, you own it; second, you can hump anything you want. Finally, you are on your own. After spending the day off the leash with Bug, Maggie, and Hunter, Reggie thinks about Doug and their relationship. He is going back to Doug. Not to play. But to bite off his dick. Bug, Maggie, and Hunter will help Reggie find Doug and exact revenge.
This movie is not for children. It depicts animal neglect, a man pleasuring himself, and overt sexual content. Parents, don't be fooled by the cute dogs on the posters or the talking dogs on the commercials. This movie has Ted-like humor with animal cuteness. The writers stay within the minds of dogs. They sniff each other, fear fireworks, and have a strange view of humans. Bug thinks humans keep dogs to collect their poop and turn it into chocolate. As you watch, it's easy to forget the story's heart. Be kind to dogs. They aren't toys. Pets are living beings with feelings. They need you as much as you need them. If you are not into crass humor, this isn't your movie. Otherwise, see this movie at the matinee price.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
I'm doing your job. Now, f*** off - Maggie
Drop the ball, Reggie - Bug
You know what they say: the best relationships are the hard ones - Reggie
Bug, you know I don't like confrontations - Hunter
Good luck fetching this - Doug
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Back on the Strip - Review
Back on the Strip - Budget Unknown - 1 hour and 57 minutes
Merlin loves to perform magic with his best friend, Robin. Robin will be his assistant for the upcoming talent show. Merlin worries this will be the last time they see each other because Robin will attend Julliard in the fall. He thinks she will forget about him. Robin gives him a quick peck and promises to be his friend for life. But he wishes they were more than friends.
Merlin got the most coveted spot in the talent show. During his escape trick, Merlin asks a member of the Ghetto Gangsters to secure his handcuffs. They laugh as he struggles. Then, they pull his pants down and expose his large appendage for the entire auditorium. Embarrassed, Merlin runs off the stage, leaving Robin alone.
Merlin performs his illusions but as a clown for kids' parties. It's been four years since he's seen Robin, and he's ready to tell her how he feels about her. He goes home to change, but Robin is already there with her new boyfriend, social prankster Blaze. Robin informs the crowd that she will dance in a reality TV competition with Blaze as her partner. Then, Blaze proposes to Robin, and she accepts. Robin can see the pain in Merlin's eye as Blaze makes fun of Merlin for being a clown. Merlin announces to the crowd that he is moving to Las Vegas to become a magician. Verna hears the lie. However, instead of scolding Merlin, Verna buys him a one-way ticket and asks her friend, Rita, to let Merlin stay at her hotel.
Merlin arrives at the rundown hotel and tricks Rita into letting him perform on her stage. Along with the hotel, Rita runs a club called The Chip. Years ago, Rita had a male exotic dance team called The Chocolate Chips. The dancers were Mr. Face, Mr. Body, Mr. Slim, Dr. X, and the leader, Mr. Big. The group separated after a falling out, but Mr. Big still visits the club. So, Rita is willing to give Merlin's magic show a chance. Merlin accidentally sets his pants on fire and tears them off during his routine. Mr. Big found his new leading man. He wants to get The Chocolate Chips back together and bring money to Rita's hotel and club. Can Merlin keep up the façade when his past crashes into his dance?
This movie had a few funny and shocking moments, but the plot dragged. One scene in the film paid homage to A Different World while asking a critical question: Is Dwayne the villain (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer)? Then, this film corrects this moment. Sadly, the film uses obvious props for children and doesn't make the best use of their comedians. Yes, this movie is comical. But it should have streamed on BET+, TV One, or Bounce TV instead of in the theaters. If you are a fan of the main cast, see it during the matinee. Otherwise, wait for streaming.
I give it 2 out of 5 stars
Lord, I hope you ain't in here jerking your 'Johnson' - Verna
She's actually not that sweet - Merlin
You know he's the bad guy, right - Robin
We back in business - Mr. Big
I gained a little weight. A smidge - Mr. Body
You think church can't turn up - Mr. Slim
I didn't name you that. Blame your parents - Dr. X
You just got Blazed - Blaze
He's out - Mr. Face
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