FRIDAY FAMILY FILM NIGHT

In which Miss Angie returns and along with the Mister join me in reviewing THE POD GENERATION (2023), from writer/director Sophie Barthes.  In a not-so-distant future where artificial intelligence and technology have become a central part of human life, a young couple, Rachel and Alvy (Emilia Clarke and Chiwetel Ejiofor), decide to start a family using an artificial womb, or "pod," to av...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing THE MATRIX (1999), from directors/writers Lana and Lilly Wachowski.  The film tells the story of a talented hacker, Thomas Anderson a.k.a. Neo (Keanu Reeves), who is drawn into a hidden rebellion after being contacted by the enigmatic Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), who reveals that the world Neo knows is a simulated reality called the Matrix. A...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing SUPERMAN (2025), from writer/director James Gunn, based on characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.  The film dives into the complexities of Clark Kent's (David Corenswet) dual life, exploring his struggle to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as he navigates his role as both a journalist and the Man of Steel. The fi...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing THUNDERBOLTS* (2025), from director Jake Schreier with a screenplay by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo; from characters created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley.  The film tells the story of a group of anti-heroes—including Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Red Guardian (David Harbour) and Gho...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing HARD, FAST AND BEAUTIFUL! (1951), from director Ida Lupino with writing credits to Martha Wilkerson and based on John R. Tunis' AMERICAN GIRL novel.  The film tells the story of Florence Farley (Sally Forrest), a talented young tennis prodigy whose ambition is ruthlessly manipulated by her social-climbing mother, Millie (Claire Trevor). As Florence ris...

* Recorded in the Spring ** In which Kid 1 joins me in reviewing CHALLENGERS (2024), from director Luca Guadagnino with screenplay credits to Justin Kuritzkes.  The film is a steamy romantic sports drama centered on Tashi (Zendaya), a former tennis prodigy turned coach, who orchestrates a high-stakes match between her husband, Art (Mike Faist), a struggling champion, and his former best friend and...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing FIXED (2025), from a script by Genndy Tartakovsky, Jon Vitti and Steve Greenberg and story credit to Steve GreenBerg, Rich Lufrano, Genndy Tartakovsky and Jon Vitti, the film is directed by  Genndy Tartakovsky. The film is an adult animated comedy film about a happy-go-lucky dog named Bull (voiced by Adam Devine) who learns he is going to be neutered. Dete...

In which the Monsters join me in reviewing LOST IN STARLIGHT (2003), from director Han Ji-won with writing credits to Han Ji-won and Kang Hyun-joo.  The Korean animated film is a sci-fi romance set in 2050 Seoul. It follows Nan-young (Kim Tae-ri), an astronaut preparing for a mission to Mars to follow in her late mother's footsteps, and Jay (Hong Kyung), a musician who restores retro sound equipme...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing INTERSTELLAR (2014), from a script by Jonathan and Christopher Nolan, the film is directed by Christopher Nolan.  In a near-future where Earth is succumbing to crop blight and dust storms, a widowed former NASA pilot named Cooper is recruited for a last-ditch mission to save humanity. He must lead a team of astronauts through a wormhole near Saturn in sear...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS (2003), from the book by Michele Alexander and Jeannie Long; screenplay credits to Kristen Buckley, Brian Regan and Burr Steers, the film is directed by Donald Petrie.  The film is a romantic comedy about a women's magazine columnist, Andie (Kate Hudson), who must write an article detailing how to get a man to b...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU (1999), from a script by Karen McCullah and Kristen Smith from William Shakespeare's play, the film is directed by Gil Junger.  The film is a modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare's play The Taming of the Shrew, set in a high school. The film follows a new student, Cameron, who falls for Bianca, but can't date her unti...

In which the Mister and Monsters do a compare and contrast of KISS ME KATE (1953) and THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (1967), both sourced from Shakespeare's play.   KISS ME KATE is directed by George Sidney screenplay credit to Dorothy Kingsley and book credits to Bella and Sam Spewack.  The story is a story within a play and Kate is represented by Kathryn Grayson as Lilli and Howard Keel is Fred/Petruch...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing THE POPE OF GREENWICH VILLAGE (1986), from a script by Vincent Patrick from his 1979 novel , the film is directed by Stuart Rosenberg.  The film follows Charlie (Mickey Rourke), a sharp-dressed, street-smart maître d’ with big dreams, and his reckless cousin Paulie (Eric Roberts), whose impulsive schemes constantly derail their lives. After losing their jo...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing NOBODY'S FOOL (1986), from a script by Beth Henley, the film is directed by Evelyn Purcell.  The film tells the story of Cassie (Rosanna Arquette), a young woman living in a small town whose life has been haunted by a past filled with trauma, including stabbing her ex-boyfriend and giving up her baby for adoption.  However, her life takes a...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing MERCHANT IVORY (2023), from director Stephen Soucy, and writers Stephen Soucy and Jon Hart.  The 2024 documentary "Merchant Ivory" explores the remarkable professional and personal partnership between director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant. It delves into their unique filmmaking process, often characterized by shoestring budgets and on...

In which the Mister and Miss Angie join me in reviewing A ROOM WITH A VIEW (1985), based on the novel by E.M Forster and Oscar winning script by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, the film is directed by James Ivory.  The film follows young Englishwoman Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter) on a transformative trip to Florence, Italy, with her prim cousin and chaperone, Charlotte (Maggie Smith). While there,...

In which Kid 2 joins me in reviewing BANANA SPLIT (2018), from director Benjamin Kasulke and a script by Hannah Marks and Joey Power.  April (Hannah Marks) is heartbroken after breaking up with her long-term high school boyfriend, Nick (Dylan Sprouse). To her surprise, she forms an unlikely and deep friendship with Clara (Liana Liberato), who happens to be Nick's new girlfriend. The two naviga...

** Originally recorded in 2023 ** In which the Mister joins me in reviewing ANIMAL KINGDOM (2010), from writer/director David Michôd.  The story follows seventeen year-old Josh "J" Cody (James Frecheville) after his mother's death, as he moves in with his estranged, crime-family grandmother and her three volatile sons in Melbourne. J is quickly drawn into their dangerous underworld,...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing THE ILLUSIONIST (2006), based on the story “Eisenheim the Illusionist” by Steven Millhauser, the film is directed by and has a script by Neil Burger.  In turn-of-the-century Vienna, illusionist Eisenheim (Edward Norton) rekindles a forbidden romance with noblewoman Sophie (Jessica Biel), who is betrothed to the violent Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell)....

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing THE PRESTIGE (2006), from a script by Jonathan and Christopher Nolan, based on Christopher Priest's novel, the film is directed by Christopher Nolan.  In turn-of-the-century London, two rival magicians — Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) —become locked in a deadly competition to create the ultimate illusion, ea...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing BRING HER BACK (2025), from a script by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman and directed by Danny and Michael Philippou.  The film is a tense supernatural horror story about two siblings, Andy and Piper (Billy Barratt and Sora Wong) who uncover terrifying secrets in their foster home with their new foster mother, Laura (Sally Hawkins).  As a sinister ritual u...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing A MINECRAFT MOVIE (2025), from a script by Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Neil Widener, Gavin James, Chris Galleta from a story by Allison Schroeder, Chris Bowman and Hubbel Palmer; the film is directed by Jared Hess (who also does double duty in voicing General Chungus).  When a group of unlikely heroes from the real world are transported into t...

** This review was originally recorded months ago from a watch on TCM ** In which the Mister joins me in reviewing EVERY GIRL SHOULD BE MARRIED (1948), from a story by Eleanor Harris and script credits to Don Hartman and Stephen Morehouse Avery, the film is directed by Don Hartman.  The film follows Anabel Sims (Betsy Drake), a determined young woman who sets her sights on a handsome, confirmed ba...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing THE CRUSH (1993), from writer/director Alan Shapiro.  When a young journalist, Nick Eliot (Cary Elwes), rents a guesthouse from a wealthy family, he catches the attention of their precocious 14-year-old daughter, Adrian (Alicia Silverstone). What begins as innocent flirtation quickly escalates into dangerous obsession as Adrian’s unreciprocated...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing THE BIRDCAGE (1996), from a script by Elaine May and directed by Mike Nichols, the story is based on the play "La Cage Aux Folles" by Jean Poiret.  Armand Goldman (Robin Williams), the gay owner of a drag nightclub in South Beach, and his flamboyant partner and star performer Albert (Nathan Lane) agree to play it straight when Armand’s son, Val (...