Every once in a while, a trip to the theater hits differently in hindsight. On August 10, I headed over to AMC to catch Muppet Treasure Island as part of their “Fan Faves” program. Believe it or not, it was my first time watching the film. I went in expecting a lighthearted afternoon with Kermit and the gang, and while it delivered plenty of laughs, reflecting on that screening today carries a much deeper resonance.
Continue reading
I sat down at AMC on August 6 to see Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and it came with a personal milestone: it was my first time watching a Tom Holland Spider-Man film. Going in without the direct theatrical baggage of his earlier trilogy gave the whole experience a fresh slate, and overall, I walked away genuinely impressed and thoroughly entertained.
Continue reading
Sometimes, the best pop culture recommendations come from the most unexpected places. In my case, it wasn’t an algorithmic trailer or a glossy film review that finally pushed me into Bikini Bottom—it was a college classroom.
Continue reading
If you have a toddler or young child at home, you already know that PAW Patrol is practically an institution. But recently, the franchise reached whole new heights by combining two things kids obsess over most: heroic pups and giant prehistoric dinosaurs. Between catching the new PAW Patrol: Dino World movie on the big screen and diving into the brand-new Xbox video game, our household has been fully immersed in Dino Island—and it has been an absolute blast.
Here are my thoughts on both the theatrical experience and the latest console adventure.
Continue reading
If you know anything about my taste in cinema, you know that Robert Englund is royalty in my book. Wes Craven’s New Nightmare holds the top spot as my absolute favorite movie of all time, and I still have vivid, incredibly fond memories of sitting in a packed theater back in the day to watch Freddy vs. Jason. So when I saw Englund himself post about Pinocchio Unstrung on Facebook, I hesitated for zero seconds. Any chance to see a brand-new Robert Englund movie on the big screen in theaters is an immediate, non-negotiable ticket purchase for me.
Going into it, I expected campy fun, but I didn’t expect just how thoroughly entertained I’d be.
Continue reading
I finally made it out to my local AMC to catch Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey in Dolby Cinema, and after sitting with it for a bit, I’ve got some thoughts.
First off, let’s get the big verdict out of the way: it’s a great movie, and it really is something everyone should see at least once. When Nolan takes on a mythic story on this scale, the sheer ambition on screen demands to be witnessed in a theater setting.
That said, my experience came with a few interesting surprises—and a couple of caveats.
Continue reading
Every so often, a film comes along that doesn’t just entertain you—it quietens the noise of the modern world and completely resets your perspective.
Directors Barbara Miller and Philip Delaquis, along with Executive Producers Richard Gere and Oren Moverman, have delivered something truly extraordinary with Wisdom of Happiness: A Heart-to-Heart with the Dalai Lama.
Having watched my fair share of spiritual and philosophical documentaries over the years, I can say without hesitation that this is easily the most profound and impactful documentary I’ve ever seen featuring the Dalai Lama. I was so deeply moved by the experience that I immediately pre-ordered a digital copy the moment the credits rolled.
Continue reading
I am still recovering from a Saturday night at the theater, and honestly, my ribs might be bruised from laughing so hard. The Invite is an absolute riot.
Continue reading
I have a confession that might get my Disney card revoked: I’ve never actually seen the 2016 animated version of Moana.
Growing up, my Disney rotation was strictly classic-era. I spent my childhood captivated by the masterpieces of the Disney Renaissance and earlier—films like Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid. And, of course, Beauty and the Beast, which has held the undisputed crown as my absolute favorite Disney film for as long as I can remember. Because of that nostalgia, I sometimes drag my feet when it comes to the newer properties. But when the buzz around the 2026 live-action adaptation of Moana started building, I decided it was time to finally dive in blind.
I am so glad I did. This movie is an absolute triumph—highly enjoyable, deeply moving, and an incredibly spectacular family film.
Continue reading
If you know anything about my usual taste in movies, Young Washington isn’t typically the kind of film I’d see. Historical biopics can easily feel dry, stuffy, or like a glorified history lecture, so it’s usually a genre I skip. But I decided to give this one a shot anyway, and honestly, it completely exceeded my expectations.
Continue reading