Tag Archives: Film Review

Why The Expendables Are the Ultimate “Turn Your Brain Off” Blast

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Let’s be honest for a second. Sometimes, you don’t want a deeply complex psychological thriller that makes you question the meaning of existence. Sometimes, you don’t want a slow-burning indie drama that leaves you staring at a blank screen in existential dread.

Sometimes, you just want to see a building explode while a 1980s action icon delivers a corny one-liner.

That is exactly why I will always defend The Expendables franchise. As a massive fan of these films, a huge part of my love comes down to two absolute legends: Sylvester Stallone and Jet Li. Stallone is the mastermind behind this entire glorious madness, assembling the ultimate action-movie Avengers. And Jet Li? The man is a human lightning bolt, bringing incredible martial arts precision to the heavy-artillery chaos.

The secret to enjoying this series is simple: don’t take them too seriously. If you walk into these movies expecting grounded realism, you’re doing it wrong. They are an unapologetic throwback to the golden age of action—loud, over-the-top, and an absolute blast.

With four movies now in the books, let’s break down the franchise, movie by movie, to see how this wild ride evolves.

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The 2018 Robin Hood Movie is Actually an Absolute Blast

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Let’s be honest for a second. When the 2018 reboot of Robin Hood hit theaters, the critics absolutely eviscerated it. It was called unnecessary, a mess, and everything in between. Because of that, I avoided it for years. But the other night, I finally decided to put it on with zero expectations—mostly because I’m not a Robin Hood purist who needs every adaptation to strictly copy traditional folklore.

And you know what? I was completely blown away by how much fun it is.

Contrary to all that early negative press, I found this movie to be a total blast from start to finish. If you’re willing to let go of what you think a medieval movie is supposed to look like, there is so much to love here.

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Masters of the Universe Review: A Good Movie Weighed Down by Forced Humor

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As a kid who grew up glued to the TV watching reruns of the original He-Man and the Masters of the Universe animated series in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the announcement of a new live-action film hit me right in the childhood. I was one of those kids who didn’t just watch the show; I lived it. I distinctly remember sprinting at top speed around the house, hoisting my plastic Power Sword high in the air, and yelling “I have the power!” at the top of my lungs. In fact, my commitment to the role was so total that I once suffered a spectacular wipeout right by the front door because I was too busy staring up at my plastic weapon to notice what my own feet were doing.

When the 1987 live-action film came along, I absolutely loved it. Say what you want about it, but it had a tremendous cast—Frank Langella’s Skeletor remains iconic—and a dark, synth-heavy vibe that completely captured my imagination. Because of that lifelong fandom, my expectations and hopes for Director Travis Knight’s 2026 Masters of the Universe were incredibly high.

Ultimately, the new movie mostly lived up to what I wanted, even if it trips over its own feet along the way.

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Revisiting Hero: Jet Li’s Greatest Martial Arts Epic

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Ever since finishing Jet Li’s fascinating new memoir, Looking for Jet Li (which I just wrote about here), I’ve been on a massive deep dive through his filmography. Reading about his transition from a hyper-disciplined wushu champion to a global action star—and ultimately to a man focused on deep spiritual mindfulness—adds a whole new layer of meaning to his entire body of work.

While revisiting his classics, one film stood out as an absolute masterpiece demanding its own dedicated spotlight: Zhang Yimou’s 2002 epic, Hero.

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A Love Letter to the Music and the Man: Why Song Sung Blue is a Must-Watch

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If you’ve ever found yourself belting out “Forever In Blue Jeans” at the top of your lungs in a crowded room, you know that Neil Diamond isn’t just a singer—he’s a feeling. As a lifelong fan, his music has been the soundtrack to my life. I was even lucky enough to be in the crowd during his final performance in Philadelphia, a night filled with a bittersweet magic I’ll never forget.

So, it was with equal parts excitement and nervousness that I sat down to watch Song Sung Blue. Could a movie really capture that specific “Solitary Man” soul?

The answer is a resounding yes.

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Jurassic World Rebirth Review: Is It the Best Since the Original?

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Let’s be honest: after the globetrotting, locust-filled spectacle of Dominion, many of us were ready to let the Jurassic franchise settle into a nice, quiet fossil bed. But Gareth Edwards stepped in, whispered “back to basics,” and gave us Jurassic World Rebirth.

The result? A film that feels less like a bloated corporate product and more like a high-stakes survival thriller. It’s not perfect, but it’s the most “Jurassic” this series has felt since the 90s.

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Not Quite Tim Burton: The Weird Visual Identity of the Live-Action Grinch

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It has been over two decades since Ron Howard and Jim Carrey teamed up to bring Dr. Seuss’s most famous curmudgeon to life in live-action. For a generation of moviegoers, the 2000 version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the definitive holiday watch. For others, it remains a fever dream of latex and noise.

Revisiting the film today, it stands as a fascinating, chaotic, and mostly successful experiment. It isn’t perfect—far from it—but it possesses a manic energy and a genuine heart that makes it impossible to ignore during the holiday season.

Here is why I still love the Green One, despite a few coal-sized lumps in the stocking.

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Death on the Nile (2022): Glamour, Jealousy, and Murder on the High Seas

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When Kenneth Branagh returned to the director’s chair — and to Hercule Poirot’s iconic mustache — for Death on the Nile (2022), audiences were invited aboard a lavish Egyptian river cruise where love, betrayal, and greed simmered beneath the surface. Based on Agatha Christie’s 1937 novel, this film is both a sequel to Murder on the Orient Express (2017) and a standalone whodunit, offering a fresh take on one of Christie’s most famous mysteries.

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Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom: A Dazzling Underwater Adventure

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James Wan’s Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom plunges viewers back into the vibrant depths of Atlantis, delivering a visually stunning and action-packed sequel that expands upon the beloved lore of the DC Universe. Following Arthur Curry, portrayed by Jason Momoa, this film dives deeper into his journey as he grapples with his responsibilities as both a king and a hero.

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Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker

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Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker stands out as a pivotal moment in the legacy of the Dark Knight. Released in 2000, this film seamlessly integrates the beloved elements of the Batman Beyond series with the rich history of Batman’s character, particularly through the lens of the Joker’s chaotic influence.

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