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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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I recently took my three-year-old son out for a big afternoon at the movies to catch Minions & Monsters. We opted for the full IMAX experience at our local AMC, and from a pure sensory standpoint, it absolutely delivered. The animation was jaw-droppingly crisp, the colors practically leaped off the massive screen, and the audio design was incredibly immersive. For a toddler, it was a total sensory paradise. He had an absolute blast, completely locked into the visual spectacle from start to finish.
But as the parent sitting next to him, I was a bit underwhelmed by the movie.
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