FRIDAY FAMILY FILM NIGHT

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR (1995), from a script by Douglas Carter Beane, the film is directed by Beeban Kidron.  Three New York City drag queens—Vida Boheme (Patrick Swayze), Noxeema Jackson (Wesley Snipes), and Chi-Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo) — embark on a cross-country road trip to compete in a national drag pageant,...

In which the Mister and Kid 1 join me in reviewing MOONLIGHT (2016), from a script by and directed by Barry Jenkins, the story is based on the unpublished semi-autobiographical play  In   Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue  by Tarell Alvin McCraney.  Winner of 3 Academy Awards (Best Motion Picture of the Year/ Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role [Mahershala Ali] and Best Adapted Screenpl...

In which the Mister and Kid 2 join me in reviewing THE LAST DRAGON (1985), from a script by Louis Venosta and directed by Michael Schultz.  In 1980s New York City, a young martial artist named Leroy Green (Taimak), also known as “Bruce Leroy,” embarks on a spiritual and physical journey to attain the highest level of martial arts mastery known as “The Glow.” Along the way, he must protect a music...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing COMMANDO (1985), from a story by Jeph Loeb, Matthew Weisman and Stephen de Souza and a screenplay by Steven de Souza, the film is directed by Mark L. Lester.  A deposed South American dictator, Arius (Dan Hedaya) foolishly unleashes hell upon himself when he attempts to extort a retired elite soldier named John Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger) into an assass...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing I LOVE MY DAD (2022), from writer/director James Morosini. Chuck (Patton Oswalt), a father, desperate to be in his son's life, befriends his son Franklin (James Morosini) online through social media, while pretending to be a young woman named Becca. But things descend into an absolute cringe-filled nightmare when his son falls in love with...

** This review was recorded in February ** In which the Mister joins me in reviewing I SAW THE TV GLOW (2024), from writer/director Jane Schoenburn.  An awkward young boy forms a bond with a teenage girl obsessed with a television show. This obsession leads to her disappearing and him questioning his reality.  The film clocks in at 1 h 40 m, is rated PG-13 and is currently available on Max but als...

** Please note this review was recorded before the Oscar nominations were announced this year ** In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing TANGERINE (2015), from a screenplay by n Baker and Chris Bergoch; the film is directed by Sean Baker. A transgender prostitute embarks on a quest to find the woman her pimp/boyfriend cheated on her with while she was in jail. The film clocks in at 1...

In which the Mister and Kid 1 join me in reviewing MICKEY 17 (2025), from writer/director Bong Joon Ho, from Edward Ashton's "Mickey 7" novel.  Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson), a disposable worker on a recently colonized planet endures one horrific death after another as he is cloned each time he dies. But when a new clone is created while he’s still alive, the ramifications of his...

In which the Mister and Kid 1 join me in reviewing SINNERS (2025), from writer/director Ryan Coogler.  Twin brothers (Michael B. Jordan TIMES 2) return to their rural home to open a juke joint, but beyond the challenges of launching their business and facing their pasts, they must confront a sinister supernatural threat.  The film clocks in at 2 h and 17 m, is rated R and is currently in theaters....

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing ONE FALSE MOVE (1991), from a screenplay by Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson, the film is directed by Carl Franklin.  After a series of brutal murders, three criminals head toward a small Arkansas town where they plan to hide. As detectives close in, a local sheriff finds the case hitting closer to home than he ever expected.  The film clocks in at 1 h...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing FRAILTY (2001), from screenwriter Brent Hanley, the film is directed by Bill Paxton.  A man who claims to know the identity of a serial killer recounts his childhood under a father who believed he was divinely commanded to destroy demons disguised as people.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 40 m, is rated R and is currently streaming on Tubi, Ple...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing RUSHMORE (1998), from a screenplay by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson, the film is directed by Wes Anderson.  The film tells the story of Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) and his friendship with local industrialist Herman Blume (Bill Murray) and Rosemary Cross (Olivia Williams), the woman they both love who comes between them.  The film clocks in at 1 h 33 m,...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing SOONER OR LATER (1979), from writers Bruce and Carole Hart, the film is directed by Bruce Hart and based off their novel of the same name.  Thirteen year old Jessie (Denise Miller) is a young girl who dreams of romance and reads romance novels, while putting on makeup to come across as older and more exciting.  She meets musician Michael Skye (...

In which the Mister and Miss Angie join me in reviewing CONCLAVE (2024), from a novel by Robert Harris, the film has a screenplay by Peter Straughan (winner of the 2025 Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award) and is directed by Edward Berger.  After the death of the Pope, Thomas Lawrence (a riveting performance by the always luminescent Ralph Fiennes), the Dean of Cardinals, must convene a conclave...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing WILD AT HEART (1990), from writer/director David Lynch, the film is based off Barry Gifford's novel "Wild at Heart: The Story of Sailor and Lula".  Sailor (Nicolas Cage) and Lula (Laura Dern) flee across the American South while being hunted by agents sent by Lula’s unhinged mother, Marietta (Diane Ladd). As their journey descends...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing EMMA. (2020), from a novel by Jane Austen, the film has a screenplay by Eleanor Catton and is directed by Autumn de Wilde.  After an initial successful matchmaking venture, Emma Woodhouse (Anya Taylor-Joy), decides to meddle in the love lives of her friends, to disastrous results.  The film clocks in at 2 h and 4 m, is rated PG and is currently streaming o...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing CLUELESS (1995), from writer/director Amy Heckerling, the film is a reimagining of Jane Austen's novel EMMA, set in 1990s Beverly Hills.  In this story Emma is Cher Horowitz (Alicia Siverstone), a popular, rich, high schooler who is coming off the throes of victory from her first attempt at matchmaking.  Convinced she can repeat her previous su...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981), from a screenplay by John Carpenter and Nick Castle, the film is directed by John Carpenter.  In a future where Manhattan is a giant prison where the inmates are free to run wild, outlaw Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) gets one shot at freedom when he's coerced into a solo mission to rescue the President (Donald Pleasence) after...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing LOCKOUT (2012), from writers James Mather, Steve Saint Leger and Luc Besson, the film is directed by James Mather and Steve Saint Leger.  A wrongfully convicted ex-agent named Snow (Guy Pierce) is offered freedom if he can rescue the President’s daughter, Emilie (Maggie Grace) from a space prison where the inmates have taken control.  The film...

In which Kid 1 joins me in reviewing COMPANION (2025), from writer/director Drew Hancock.  Iris (Sophie Thatcher) joins her boyfriend Josh (Jack Quaid) for a quiet weekend at a remote lake house. As tensions rise and strange truths begin to surface, Iris is forced to confront a reality far more disturbing than she imagined..  The film clocks in at 1h and 37m, is rated R and is currently streaming...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing UPGRADE (2018), from writer/director Leigh Whannell.  Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green), a technophobe mechanic, becomes a quadriplegic after a brutal mugging that also kills his wife, Asha (Melanie Vallejo). Offered a chance to regain mobility through an experimental AI chip implant called STEM, Grey discovers the implant's capabilities ex...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing KRAVEN THE HUNTER (2024), from a screenplay by Richard Wenk, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway from characters created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, the film is directed by J.C. Chandor.  After miraculously surviving a lion attack and gaining amazing powers, young Sergei Kravinoff flees from his crime lord father, returning years later as the mysterious vigilant...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing KICK-ASS (2010), based on Mark Millar's comic, with a screenplay by Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman, the film is directed by Matthew Vaughn.  Dave Lizewski's (AaronTaylor-Johnson) decision to find out what would actually happen if a person tried to become a superhero takes him on an unbelievable adventure.  The film clocks in at 1 h and...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing BLUE VALENTINE (2014), from writers Derek Cianfrance, Joey Curtis and Cami Delavigne, the film is directed by Derek Cianfrance.  The film is a portrait of a married couple, Dean and Cindy (Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams), navigating the highs of falling in love and the heartbreak of growing apart..  The film clocks in at 1h and 52m, is rated R and is c...

In which Kid 1 joins me in reviewing COMET (2014), from writer/director Sam Esmail.  Told through fragmented moments in time, Comet (2014) follows the intense and unpredictable love story of Dell (Justin Long) and Kimberly (Emmy Rossum) as their relationship unfolds over six years.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 31 m, is rated R and is currently streaming on Paramount+, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel...