FRIDAY FAMILY FILM NIGHT

TRIGGER WARNING: this is an anime for adults with sex, nudity and violence throughout the story. In which the Mister joins me in reviewing WELCOME CITY (1987), from a novel by Hideyuki Kikuchi, and screenplay credit to Yoshiaki Kawajiri and Norio Osada, this film is directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri.  A human man and a woman from the demon world must work together to protect a perverted old man who is...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing FROM UP ON POPPY HILL (2011), directed by Gorô Miyazaki, from a script by Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa, the film is based on the comic by Tetsurô Sayama and Chizuru Takahashi.  This coming-of-age tale set in 1963 Japan follows Umi, a young girl as she navigates the challenges of growing up amidst social and cultural changes. She forms a connec...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing THELMA (2024), from writer/director Josh Margolin.  When the fiercely independent Thelma (an absolutely fabulous June Squibb) gets scammed out of $10,000 her family thinks it might be time to move her into an assisted living facility.  After overhearing their plans, she sets out on a quest to not only prove she can be independent but find the scammers and...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing INSIDE OUT 2 (2024), directed by Kelsey Mann, from a script by Meg LeFauve, Dave Holstein and Kelsey Mann.  Puberty is messy in this fantastic sequel to Pixar's original 2015 hit movie. Riley (Kensington Tallman) is now thirteen and just when Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith) and the rest of Riley's emotions (Lewis Black as Anger, Tony...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing PROBLEMISTA (2023), from writer/director Julio Torres.  A timid immigrant named Alejandro (Julio Torres) embarks on a journey away from his idyllic home to come to New York to CHASE HIS DREAM.  His journey is rocky navigating immigration, housing and career which includes attempting to wrangle the chaotic whims of an eccentric art critic, Elizabeth (Tilda...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT'S ME MARGARET (2023), from Judy Blume's novel, the screenplay and direction are by Kelly Fremon Craig.  After her parents, Barbara and Herb (Rachel McAdams and Benny Safdie) surprise her with a move to the suburbs of New Jersey, Margaret Simon (Abby Ryder Fortson) struggles to navigate the social pressures of 6th g...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing THE IRON CLAW (2023), from writer/director Sean Durkin.  Based on the true story of the Von Erich wrestling dynasty, the film is told from the viewpoint of Kevin Von Erich (Zac Efron) and weaves the tale of how this Texas-based wrestling family's legacy is marked by both incredible success in the ring and tragic personal struggles, offering a raw and h...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN (1992), from writers Kim Wilson, Kelly Candaele, Babaloo Mandel and Lowell Ganz; the film was directed by Penny Marshall.  A heartwarming and inspiring film about two sisters, Dottie and Kit (Geena Davis and Lori Petty) who join a women's baseball league that forms during World War II. Together with their teammates, a...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing HARVEY (1950), from a screenplay by writers Mary Chase, Oscar Brodney and Myles Connolly; the film is directed by Henry Koster.  Elwood Dowd (James Stewart) is an extremely friendly man who, to his elder sister's (Josephine Hull) dismay, insists on befriending any and all strangers he meets and introducing them to his best pal Harvey; a giant 6 foot ta...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing IF (2024), from writer/director John Krasinski.  A young girl, Bea (Cailey Fleming) who lost her mother to illness now finds herself in danger of also losing her father (John Krasinski). As her father prepares for an operation that could save his life, the young girl stumbles upon a world of abandoned imaginary friends and works with a mysterio...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing BOY KILLS WORLD (2024), from a screenplay by Tyler Burton Smith and Arend Remmers; the film is directed by Moritz Mohr.  In this chaotic action/comedy, a deaf and mute boy is trained to become a deadly weapon of revenge against the evil overlords who destroyed his family.  The film stars Bill Skarsgård as the boy as a man and includes Jessica Rothe as June...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE (2024), from writers Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the film is directed by Shawn Levy.   The long awaited third installment in the Deadpool franchise finds Deadpool/Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) on a mission to save his corner of the multiverse from destruction, but he needs the help of a reluctant Wolverin...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing PUNCH DRUNK LOVE (2002), from writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson.  A lonely and socially awkward man, Barry Egan (a magnificent Adam Sandler), trapped in a dysfunctional family finds his world upended when he unexpectedly finds love in his sister's co-worker/friend, Lena (Emily Watson).  However, a recent mistake threatens to derail his newfound happ...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing THE FISHER KING (1991), from writer Richard LaGravenese, the film is directed by Terry Gilliam.   A narcissistic radio host, Jack Lucas (Jeff Bridges), has it all and is riding high on a wave of fame, success and adulation. However, one day his reckless words inadvertently inspire a tragic event, plunging him into a self-destructive spiral. He...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing AMERICAN FICTION (2023), from writer/director Cord Jefferson and based off Percival Everett's novel ERASURE.  While reconnecting with his family, a frustrated novelist, Thelonious "Monk" Ellison (a transcendent Jeffrey Wright in the lead role), tired of the literary landscape that handsomely rewards authors of stereotypical portrayals of Blac...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing IDIOCRACY (2006), from writers Mike Judge and Etan Cohen, the film is directed by Mike Judge.   The film follows a remarkably average man, Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson), who wakes up from a military experiment 500 years into the future only to discover he is now the smartest man on Earth.  Maya Rudolph, Dax Shepard and Terry Crews round out the main...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing MILLENNIUM ACTRESS (2001), from writers Satoshi Kon and Sadayuki Murai, the film is directed by Satoshi Kon and Kô Matsuo.   The life, love and obsessions of a beloved but reclusive movie star, Chiyoko Fujiwara (voiced through different ages by Fumiko Orikasa, Mami Koyama and Miyoko Shôji) are imaginatively explored and interwoven with scenes from her work...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing PAPRIKA (2006), from writers Yasutaka Tsutsui, Seishi Minakami and Satoshi Kon, the film is directed by Satoshi Kon.   A young scientist, Chiba Atsuko, and her alter ego, Paprika (voiced by  Megumi Hayashibara), must try to solve a mystery when the world of dreams becomes deadly after an experimental technology that allows users to share dreams...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing HEATHERS (1988), from a script by Daniel Waters, the film is directed by Michael Lehmann.  In this dark comedy, a girl named Veronica (Winona Ryder) feels hopelessly trapped as a member of the most popular clique in her high school, the Heathers - Heather Chandler (Kim Walker), Heather Duke (Shannen Doherty) and Heather McNamara (Lisanne Falk). Then a myst...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing BOTTOMS (2023), from writers Emma Seligman and Rachel Sennott, the film is directed by Emma Seligman.  In this raunchy comedy, school outcasts PJ (Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri) hatch a scheme to attract the attention of the popular girls, particularly Isbael (Havana Rose Liu) and Brittany (Kaia Gerber), at their school by starting a fight cl...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing HIT MAN (2023), based off articles in the Texas Monthly by writer Skip Hollandsworth, the script here is credited to Glen Powell and Richard Linklater (who is also the director).  The film follows the story of a bland college philosophy professor named Gary Johnson (Glen Powell) who finds himself living a double-life when he agrees to moonlight for the loc...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing THE FALL GUY (2024), from writers Glen A. Larson and Drew Pearce, the film is directed by David Leitch.  Stuntman Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) suffers an almost fatal injury and is pulled out of a self-imposed retirement when he's asked to work on a movie directed by his former girlfriend, Jody (Emily Blunt), but quickly learns there's m...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing ORDINARY PEOPLE (1980), from the writers Alvin Sargent and Nancy Dowd (uncredited), from Judith Guest's novel, the film is directed by Robert Redford and garnered 4 Oscars (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Writing/Screenplay based on Material from another Medium and Best Supporting Actor).  Conrad Jarrett (Timothy Hutton) struggles with the guilt of g...

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing THROW MOMMA FROM THE TRAIN (1987), from writer Stu Silver and director Danny DeVito.  In this dark comedy, a writing teacher, Larry (Billy Crystal) unwittingly becomes entangled in a murder plot when one of his students, Owen (Danny DeVito) mistakes his advice for an agreement to kill for each other.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 28 m, is rate...

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing ALL OF US STRANGERS (2023), from the writers Andrew Haigh and Taichi Yamada, the film is directed by Andrew Haigh.  Adam (Andrew Scott), a solitary writer, finds himself in a new relationship with his neighbor, Harry (Paul Mescal). As they grow closer Adam decides to revisit the home where he grew up, finding himself welcomed by his parents (Claire Foy and...