FRIDAY FAMILY FILM NIGHT

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing DIE HARD (1988), currently streaming on HBO Max. From a novel by Rodrick Thorp and directed by John McTiernan, the story follows John McClane (Bruce Willis), a NYC police officer who goes out to L.A. to try and mend fences with his wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) and arrives at her office during her company's Christmas party.  But Hans Gru...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing 2003's ELF, from a script by David Berenbaum and directed by Jon Favreau, the story follows Buddy the Elf (Will Farrell) who leaves the North Pole and goes :through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops" and then walks through the Lincoln Tunnel in search of his dad (James Caan).  The fil...

In which the Mister and Uncle Jay join me in reviewing PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES (1987), currently for rent on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play Movies & TV and Vudu. Written and directed by the late John Hughes, the movie tells the story of ad man, Neal Page (Steve Martin) who finds himself in a battle to get home in time for Thanksgiving.  In what should be a straight and easy tri...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing Netflix's THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES 2 - a continuation of their 2018 film.  Starring Darby Camp as Kate Pierce, Kurt Russell as Santa Clause, Goldie Hawn as Mrs. Claus, Jahzir Bruno as Jack and Julian Dennison as the antagonist, Belsnickel; the film follows Kate to Cancun as she's on Christmas vacation with her mom and brother and her m...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946), based on a story by Philip Van Doren Stern, screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Jo Swerling, Michael Wilson and Frank Capra (who also directs): the story follows the life of George Baily (James Stewart), a long time resident of quaint Bedford Falls, who's only dream in life has been to shake the dus...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing MIDNIGHT RUN (1988), written by George Gallo and directed by Martin Brest, the story follows Jack Walsh (Robert DeNiro), a "disgraced" ex-cop who now works for a bails bondsman (Joe Pantoliano), Jack is tasked with bringing in Jonathan "The Duke" Mardukas (Charles Grodin), an accountant who stole money from a dangerous mob boss (Dennis Fari...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing AVA (2020), written by Matthew Newton and director Tate Taylor, the story follows a young woman named Ava (Jessica Chastain), as a member of a black ops group where she's honed her assassin skills.  However, her personal life and familial ties are so fractured and continue to haunt her.  John Malkovich (Duke), Colin Farrell (Simon...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing Pixar's RATATOUILLE (2007), winner of a Golden Globe and Oscar for Best Feature Animated Film.  Directed by Brad Bird, with a co-directing credit to Jan Pinkava, the story follows a young rat named Remy (Patton Oswalt) who inspired by Chef Gusteau (Brad Garrett) dares to dream of making his desire to be a great chef into a reality. &nb...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing THE WITCHES (2020), based on a book by Roald Dahl and currently streaming on HBO Max.  With writing credits attributed to Robert Zemeckis (who also directs), Kenya Barris and Guillermo Del Toro, the story follows a young boy (Jahzir Bruno) who loses his parent in a car accident and who's picked up by his Grandmother (Octavia Spencer) t...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing CORALINE (2009), based on a novella by Neil Gaiman.  Currently streaming on STARZ and written and directed by Henry Selick, the film follows Coraline Jones, 11, who moves to the Pink Palace Apartments and is trying to settle into her new home and life when she suddenly is made aware of a door in the wall that leads to a mirror world, v...

In which the Mister, the Monsters and Uncle Jay returns to join me in reviewing SHAUN OF THE DEAD (2004), which we saw on spectacular DVD! Written by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright and directed by Edgar Wright, the story follows Shaun (Pegg) a lovable loser in a dead-end job, with a crumbling relationship, a contentious relationship with his stepdad, among other things.  Kate Ashfield (Liz), Nic...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing HUBIE HALLOWEEN (2020) currently streaming on Netflix.  Directed by Steven Brill, with writing credits attributed to Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy, the story follows Hubie Dubois of Salem, a fixture in the community but also the target of relentless bullying from various townsfolk.  In spite of being seen as a loser by many, Hubie...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE (2016), which you can watch for free right now on IMDb TV.  Directed by Dan Trachtenberg from a script by Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken and Damien Chazelle; the film follows Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) who gets caught up in a accident while driving and wakes up in an underground bunker with Howard (John Goo...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing FRIGHT NIGHT (2011), a remake of Tom Holland's 1985 film of the same name.  This incarnation is directed by Craig Gillespie and stars the late Anton Yelchin as Charley, a young man who comes to realize his new neighbor is so much more than he seems.  Colin Farrell gives an outstanding performance as Jerry, a very creepy and ruthle...

For tonight's DINNER & A MOVIE, we're looking at 2018's HEREDITARY, written and directed by Ari Aster and currently streaming on Amazon Prime.  A story that melds family drama and horror ultimately culminates in a conclusion that's horrifying and satisfying.  The entire movie fills you with unease and dread and we're beyond impressed with this filmmaker and look forward to more of hi...

In tonight's DINNER & A MOVIE, the Mister and I are looking at 2016's THE WAILING, written and directed by Hong-jin Na.  The film follows Jong-goo (Do-won Kwak), a policeman in a small, rural village in Korea that is being plagued with strange murders and occurrences.  The main suspect is the Japanese Man (Jun Kunimura) who begins to become an active presence in Jong-goo's nightmares...

In which the Mister, the Monsters and Uncle Leo join me in reviewing COCO (2017), from  Pixar Studios and directed by Chris Butler and Sam Fell.  This film, currently streaming on Disney+, tells the story of a young man named Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez), an aspiring musician who is trapped with a family that has censored music for many generations, in their lives and home.  Unwilling...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing PARANORMAN (2012), from Laika Studios and directed by Chris Butler and Sam Fell.  This film tells the story of a young man named Norman (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who has the ability to see and speak with ghosts.  Strange things start to happen and his family's black sheep uncle (John Goodman) comes to Norman with a call to action over im...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing SLEEPY HALLOW (1999), currently streaming on Netfix. Based off Wahington Irving's story "The Legend of Sleepy Hallow" and directed by Tim Burton, this film tells the story of a New York Constable, Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) who is sent by his superiors to the Upstate town of Sleep Hallow, to investigate the beheadings of some townsfolk by...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing CONSTANTINE (2005), currently streaming on HBO Max. Based off Garth Ennis/Jamie Delano's "Hellblazer" comic and directed by Francis Lawrence, this is a noir take on a demonologist/exorcist who is trying to help a policewoman piece together what really happened to her twin sister as he tries to get some good points in his favor to cancel out...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing A BABYSITTER'S GUIDE TO MONSTER HUNTING (2020), currently streaming on Netflix. Based off Joe Ballarini's book and directed by Rachel Talalay, the film tells the story of a young girl, Kelly (Tamara Smart) who was once visited as a small child by the Grand Guignol/Bogeyman (Tom Felton).  While babysitting her mother's boss's young son,...

In tonight's edition of our DINNER & A MOVIE of FRIDAY FAMILY FILM NIGHT - the Mister and I review FREAKS (2018), currently streaming on Netflix.  Writers and directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, tell the story of a lonely little girl who pines for a normal life with loving family, while trapped in a dilapidated house with her overprotective and super paranoid father who claims he's...

It's another edition of our DINNER & A MOVIE of FRIDAY FAMILY FILM NIGHT - in which the Mister and I review WE ARE WHAT WE ARE (2013), currently streaming on Amazon Prime/Tubi/Vudu/Sling and Pluto TV.  Based off writer/director's Jorge Michel Grau's SOMOS LO QUE HAY (2010), this incarnation of the story follows the Parkers, who have lived in a non-descript remote rural town somewhere in A...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing PAN'S LABYRINTH (2006), currently streaming on Netflix. Written and directed by the amazing Guillermo del Toro, the film tells the story of a young girl, Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) who goes with her mother, to live with her new stepfather, Vidal (exquisitely played by Sergi López), a cruel and sadistic general in Franco's army. Ofelia finds com...

In which the Mister and the Monsters join me in reviewing DRAG ME TO HELL (2009), currently streaming on Hulu. Based on a script by Sam and Ivan Raimi, the film tells the story of a young loan officer (Alison Lohman), who denies another extension on loan forgiveness on an old woman's existing loan and then finds herself as the recipient of a terrible curse.  Will she be able to turn...