Phil sees TOY STORY 4 at The Cinelux Almaden Theatre & Lounge - July 3, 2019

TOY STORY 4

Starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Jordan Peele,  Keegan-Michael Key, Madeleine McGraw, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves
Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Stephany Folsom
Cinematography by Patrick Lin, Jean-Claude Kalache
Edited by Axel Geddes
Produced by Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, Mark Nielsen, Jonas Rivera
Directed by Josh Cooley
Distributed by

When I saw TOY STORY 3 back in 2010, I balled my eyes out! Seriously balled my eyes out! If you saw that movie and said that that last half hour of the film didn't leave you a weeping like a little girl, then you are lying your monkey ass off!! Everyone I spoke to since the film's release have stated that they cried like a three-year-old. As I walked out of the theater all those years ago, I thought for sure that this would be the last time I would see Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Slinky, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, and the rest of the gang. Then in 2018, Pixar announced that they were making TOY STORY 4, for a 2019 release. And yes, I went and saw it this past weekend, and it was very good, just not great.

The film's official synopsis: Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo’s adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they’re worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that’s the least of their worries.

So, let's get down to the nitty gritty of this movie. The computer animation is absolutely, mind-blowingly stunning!! I am always taken aback on just how awesome and realistic the animation looks! It's just astounding!! It's light years from what the original film looked like! You can see the blades of grass, hair blowing in the wind, individual rocks and pebbles, dust bunnies, it's all there for you to behold with your own two eyes!!

As for the story itself, it was OK. Truth be told, I found the film to be more of an epilogue than a true sequel. The third film ended on such an emotionally satisfyingly conclusion that there was no way this film could top it. And it doesn't even come close to that. With TOY STORY 3, we were on such an emotional roller coaster of ride, especially those last twenty minutes. Here, I felt like this was more of, "Hey, let's see where these characters are now. Just in case you were wondering." I wasn't wondering at all. In the years between the third and fourth film, we've been treated to some hilarious shorts and a couple of half hour specials, and I was fine with that. I didn't need, nor did I want, this sequel. It's totally unnecessary, but I can see why Pixar made it. I just wasn't emotionally invested in it, but if you have kids, then they are gonna love this! And that's why it was made: this is a love letter for all those kids who have now grown up with it, thanks to their parents, who watched these when they were kids. TOY STORY crosses generations, and it brings families together. It doesn't matter if your a child or a parent; there's something for everyone to love and enjoy. And. in the long run, that's all that matters. So pay no attention to me, I'm just sounding like "Old Man Phil" but I'm still glad I saw the movie. It made me want to bring my family to see.

TOY STORY 4 is a solid entry to this beloved franchise and is Pixar's best animated film to date!! You have never seen a film like this before!! And FYI, you might cry during the film, especially at the end! Anyway, this was a great movie for fans of the series! So take the family to your favorite theater and go see this movie!! 4 out of 5 stars!! Recommended!!

 
TOY STORY 4 is currently playing in theaters in 2D, 3D, and IMAX nationwide, including at the Cinelux Theaters here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cineluxtheatres.com. 

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil's Top Ten Films of 2018 - January 2, 2019

Hello again everybody and Happy New Year!! I'm gonna predict that 2019 will be another fantastic year for movies, as was 2018! There were an insane amount of movies that I absolutely loved and found myself walking away feeling completely transformed from viewing it. And that is the power of cinema: taking me somewhere new, showing me something I have never seen before, telling me a story I have never heard of and meet characters I can only imagine meeting. So without further adieu, here are my Top Ten Films of 2018!

10) KING COHEN: Buckle up for KING COHEN, the true story of writer, producer, director, creator and all-around maverick, Larry Cohen (BLACK CAESAR, GOD TOLD ME TO, Q: THE WINGED SERPENT, THE STUFF). Told through compelling live interviews, stills and film/TV clips, the people who helped fulfill his vision, and industry icons such as Martin Scorsese, John Landis, Michael Moriarty, Fred Williamson, Yaphet Kotto and many more, including Larry himself, bring one-of-a-kind insight into the work, process and legacy of a true American film auteur. Few can boast of a career as remarkable or prolific, spanning more than 50 years of entertaining audiences worldwide! It's about damn time that Cohen had a film about himself and his body of work! Fans of this iconic filmmaker will want to look for this informative documentary on the horror streaming app Shudder.

9) ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: In the aftermath of CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. As he struggles to re-balance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he's confronted by Hope van Dyne (Evangaline Lilly)  and Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglass) with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside The Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from their past. Paul Rudd does a great job as Scott Lang again, bringing his haplessly heroic loser to life once again. But he steps it up immensely, as he’s Hank’s and Hope’s only hope of defeating their newest adversary: Ghost (played spectacularly by Hannah John-Kamen). Both Michael Douglass and Evangaline Lilly return as they lay their emotions out for all to see, as they both discover something (or someone) that they thought was lost forever. And Lilly kicks some major ass in the film! Also returning are Scott’s loveable and goofy friends Luis, T.I., and Kurt.

8) BORG/McENROE: It is the 1980 Wimbledon tennis championship. Bjorn Borg is the number 1 tennis player in the world and the undisputed king of Wimbledon. He has won the tournament four times in a row - a fifth consecutive time would be a world first. However, a new face has appeared in the tennis world and presents a serious threat to Borg's title hopes - John McEnroe. This was LaBeouf’s best performance to date, as he nailed McEnroe’s character and mannerism perfectly! Gudnason shines as Borg and is a dead ringer of him! Both actors commanded the audiences’ attention as we were swept up into the movie. Janus Metz directed the hell out this movie, especially in the third act which kept me on the edge of my seat! For all you fans of this sport, this was one indie film that flew under the radar, so make sure you go see this! One of the film's I saw at last year's Cinequest Film Festival.

7) THE INCREDIBLES 2: In this incredibly heroic, action-packed sequel, Helen is called on to lead a campaign to bring Supers back, while Bob navigates the day-to-day heroics of "normal" life at home with Violet, Dash and baby Jack-Jack -- whose superpowers are about to be discovered. Their mission is derailed, however, when a new villain emerges with a brilliant and dangerous plot that threatens everything. But the Parrs don't shy away from a challenge, especially with Frozone by their side. That's what makes this family so INCREDIBLE. Another hit from Pixar Studios, you cannot help but laugh your head off while you're watching the film. Plenty of jokes for the kids with some sly one for the adults, but overall, it's a great family film! The old gang returns to voice all your favorite characters, plus some newbies to make it fresh and exciting!

6) THE LAST MOVIE STAR: Legendary actor Burt Reynolds stars as Vic Edwards, a washed-up, has-been actor whose glory days a long behind him. When I he accepts to attend the Dallas Film Festival, he is paired with the organizer's eccentric sister Lil (Ariel Winter), who takes him on a trip down Memory Lane, only to discover what it means about growing older and coming to terms with your past. I absolutely loved this movie!! Reynolds' performance was just incredibly poignant, remarkable and all-too real. Sadly, we lost this talented actor this past year, but if there is any justice, fans of the legendary actor will see his greatest performance of all time! Director Adam Rifkin marks his return to the mainstream and a turn in his career. Another film I saw at last year's Cinequest Film Festival.

5) ENTHUSIASTIC SINNERS: The film's about a police officer who comes to the home of a widower after receiving reports of gunshots there. From there, the two embark on a lust filled 24 hour adventure of sex and fun, but ending up falling in love with each other. However, as the day ends, so does their fantasy world and both must face their real world personas. What I really loved about the film that it was a film about adults having sex, enjoying sex and treating it as a human emotion, rather than something that is used for comedic purposes or treated with such disrespect. There is absolutely nothing wrong with sex, but for some reason, we are so hung up on it. Writer/director Mark Lewis treats sex with honesty and care, showing us that it's an emotion, much like love. Actress Maggie Alexander bares not only her body, but her soul and emotions as she bring vulnerability, humor and longing to her character Shelby. Her performance is so raw and captivating that she commands the audiences' attention. My favorite film from last year's Cinequest Film Festival!

4) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY: BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. Freddie defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound. They reach unparalleled success, but in an unexpected turn Freddie, surrounded by darker influences, shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career. Having suffered greatly without the collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. While bravely facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. Queen cements a legacy that continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.

3) DEADPOOL 2: After surviving a near fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming Mayberry's hottest bartender while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste. Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas, the Yakuza, and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship, and flavor - finding a new taste for adventure and earning the coveted coffee mug title of World's Best Lover. The movie was so damn popular, the studio re-released the film in a PG-13 rated version, with former child actor Fred Savage recreating the intro of THE PRINCESS BRIDE with Deadpool playing Peter Falk's Grandpa role! Yup, it looks like there's no stopping everybody's favorite Merc with a Mouth!!

2) BLACK PANTHER: After the events of CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, King T'Challa returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country's new leader. However, T'Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne from factions within his own country. When two foes conspire to destroy Wakanda, the hero known as Black Panther must team up with C.I.A. agent Everett K. Ross and members of the Dora Milaje, Wakandan special forces, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war. never thought that I would see a film like this: an African cast, filled with African clothing, African beliefs and traditions, and the lead is an African superhero. When "The King" Jack Kirby and Stan "The Man" Lee unleashed the Black Panther in The Fantastic Four back in 1966, little did they know that they were making history. Here is a black cast, directed by a black director, is one of the highest grossing films of all time!! It's time to wake up Hollywood and smell the change!!

1) AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR: As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos. A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment - the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain. The fact that I saw this film in the theaters FOUR FREAKING TIMES should indicate how much i enjoyed it!! The MCU forever changed with this one movie, and the repercussions are still being felt! Now with the sequel coming this April, Marvel fans will finally see how this all plays out, and who will be leaving the MCU forever!! My favorite film of 2018!!

And there you have it folks! My Top Ten Films of 2018! It looked like the year that comic book based movies and animated family films prevailed. But every year this list gets harder and harder to put together, but these were films that really made an impact on me, and I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading my picks. So if by chance there are films here that you haven't seen yet, I encourage you to check them out. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by them!

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil wishes you all a Happy New Year!! - January 1, 2019

At the Cinequest Film Festival in March 2018.

Hello everyone out there on the internet and welcome to 2019!! Hard to believe that another year has gone into the history books! Now granted, the state of the world of 2018 was very bleak, which was reflected and referenced in many of the movies I watched. In these dark times, we look towards the world of art to see its commentary and views of life, love, and the political and social issues that have plagued this country, especially since November 2016. Overall, it was an interesting year; a year full of great movies, surprises, and losses.

As I mentioned in past posts, the Bay Area institution The Camera Cinemas officially closed all its locations in 2017, marking the end of an era of movie going experiences for many film lovers like myself. Basically, they went out of business, and I was completely devastated by this news. The Camera Cinemas played a pivotal and vital role not only for this blog, but on myself as well. They were the only place I could see the very best in independent cinema, documentaries, foreign film, as well as spotlight local films, artists, and film festivals like the Cinequest Film Festival and CASMFest. They were so important to the landscape of the Downtown San Jose area that, truth be told, hasn’t been filled yet. In 2018, both the Pruneyard Campbell and Downtown SJ reopened as new film theaters, with Csmera Cinemas co-founder Jack Nybloom being part owner in both businesses. The old Camera 7 reopened in the summer as the brand-new Pruneyard Dine-In Cinemas, completely remolded and refurnished with new reclining leather chairs, enhanced visuals and surround sound, and a restaurant Cedar Room (formerly the old Boswell Bar) as part of theater, providing very delicious meals and tasty drinks for the moviegoers. I had the pleasure of seeing some movies there and I did have a very positive experience, the old Camera 7 is still there with me. Same was said with the Camera 3 Cinemas on the corner of Second Street and San Carlos in downtown. It was reopened in February as the 3Below Theaters & Lounge, picking up where the Camera 3 left off. It’s still the home for the Comedy Sportz Impov Comedy Group, the midnight screenings of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW with my friends The Barely Legal shadowcast, an home for some of the best indie, foreign, and documentaries from all over the world. Now owned by Nyblom and with the former owners of the long gone Retro Dome in Saratoga, they added some new ingredients to the theater, namely retrospectives of classic Hollywood movies, and stage plays as well. So as the old saying goes, "Everything that’s old is new again." While I’m sad to say goodbye to the Camera Cinemas, it’s nice to welcome both the 3Below Theaters and the PrunyDine-In Cinemas to my movie going world!

After the Camera Cinemas closed, I frequented another local theater business, which also went through some renovations last year as well. The Cinelux Theaters have also been a staple here in the Bay Area, and I was more than happy to give them my support. I saw a plethora of movies at my three favorite locations: the Cinelux Alamden Cafe & Lounge in San Jose, Cinelux Plaza Theatre in Campbell, and the Cinelux Tennant Station Stadium 11 in Morgan Hill. Established over 50 years ago, the Cinelux Theateres are a great alternative to the overwhelming mall theaters, and they support several local organizations and international charities like March of Dimes, The Second Harvest Food Bank, and UNICEF for example. So if you’d like to support local businesses and are a cinema lover, then please visit your local Cinelux Theatres!!

With 2019, a wide array of works of art has now become part of the public domain, especially silent films. This is very good news for my friends over at the Niles Essany Silent Film Museum, which I came back as a volunteer and docent. It felt good to be back to one of my favorite places in the Bay Area, having been part of the museum family since 2006! We had a lot of great shows in 2018. Some of the highlights for me were the annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival, Charlie Chaplin Day weekend, our DVD release party for the museum’s silent film BRONCHO BILLY AMD THE BANDIT’S SECRET. Originally titled THE CANYON, the movies took four years to complete, and was made using the old hand cranked film cameras from the museum and was shot on Kodak black and white 35mm filmstock. The final cut looked absolutely stunning! It looked like it came straight from the silent film era! It was incredible to see, and I was so happy to get it on DVD! And now with copyright expired, many of the movies we have in our film vault can now be exhibited without the monetary constrainments that prevented the museum from screening them. So keep your eyes peeled to the museum’s website for some awesome silent film shows in the new year!!

 Then there are all the films that are now available on a plethora of streaming services, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and my personal favorite, Shudder. So many great films either fly under the radar or don't get to be screened at movie theaters, and therefore, having these media outlets gives the filmmakers a chance for an audience to find and watch their movies. And if this means watching a movie on my TV, iPad, or iPhone, then so be it! I just want the opportunity to view films that I wouldn't be able to see any other way. Not only that, but I'll be reviewing a lot of cool movies ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to indie films, cult classics to porno chic, comedy and GLBTQ films. You name it and I'll be watching and reviewing it!

As you can see, I'm gonna be very busy and this is just the tip of the iceberg. I'll have some other surprises that'll make you want to come back over and over again. So get ready folks for one hell of a ride in 2019!!

Thank you all out there who have been reading and supporting my blog. I don't get paid doing this. I do it for the fun of it. I'm a film fanatic, cinephile, movie junkie, whatever you want to call me. So I hope you'll stick around another year as I bring you another year of reviews, fun and adventures!

Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year!

Phil's Halloween Horror Watch: HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3 (2018) from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment - October 14, 2018

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3 Blu-Ray

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3 (aka HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION)
Starring the voices of Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, Keegan-Michael Key, Jim Gaffigan, Kathryn Hahn, Chris Parnell, Chrissy Teigen
Screenplay by Michael McCullers, Genndy Tartakovsky (based on characters created by Todd Durham)
Edited by Joyce Arrastia
Produced by Michelle Murdocca, Carey A. Smith, Genevieve West
Directed bu Genndy Tartakovsky
Released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Welcome to spooky Day 13 of my Halloween Horror Watch! So for today, I decided to veer off from my normal criteria and watch something that was fun for my whole family. My kid is only six years old, but I'm trying to teach him about the classic horror films, more specifically the Universal Monster Films of the 1930's. In the modern age, these monsters have found a new lease on life in the form of the HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA franchise, which features characters like Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy, the Wolfman, etc. This past week, I picked up the latest installment of the franchise HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3 for all of us to watch!

The film's official synopsis: Join your favorite monster family as they embark on a vacation adventure on a luxury monster cruise ship so Drac can finally take a break from handling everyone else's vacation at the hotel. It's smooth sailing for Drac's Pack as the monsters indulge in all of the shipboard fun the cruise has to offer, from monster volleyball to exotic excursions, and catching up on their moon tans. But they hit rocky waters when Mavis realizes that Drac has fallen for the mysterious captain of the ship, Ericka, who hides a dangerous secret that could sink their plans for a dream vacation.

The whole gang is back to voice these iconic and hilariously entertaining characters that I have been a fan of since I was a kid. Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, and Keegan-Michael Key all return to voice their respective characters that I've enjoyed from the past two movies, but this time we are introduced to a couple of newbies to the series. Funnyman Jim Gaffigan comes on board to voice Dracula's long time enemy Abraham Van Helsing. If you have ever caught his stand-up specials, then you know what to expect from the man! Joining him on his mission is is great-granddaughter Ericka Van Helsing, voiced by the extremely talented Kathryn Hahn, who can see in films like WE'RE THE MILLERS, AFTERNOON DELIGHT, BAD MOMS, and its sequel A BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS. Also lending his voice is Chris Parnell from Saturday Night Live as Stan and the rest of the Fishmen. Parnell has also voiced several other characters in the previous films.

Original Theatrical Poster (2018)

The movie was released to theaters on July 13 of this year and it performed extremely well! The film's budget was a staggering $80 million (cause of the star power paychecks the studio had to pay) but is grossed a worldwide boxoffice total of $426,104,170!! So it's safe to say that we'll probably get more sequels later on down the road, especially since the film's ending was left wide open for more movies.

The Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack comes with a lot of special features for the kids to watch: Three All New Scary-Oke Sing Alongs: Sing along to three HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3 inspired songs with your favorite characters: “Dennis Had a Giant Dog” – Sung by Dennis & Winnie, “Monsters Like to Party Down” – Sung by Johnny, “Oh These Wolf Pups” – Sung by Wanda Werewolf, Plan Your Own Spook-tacular Sleepover: This feature will give you all details on how to make your own sleepover spook-tacular! From snacks to crafts to games and more, follow these steps to create a Hotel T sleep-over with your friends and family, the perfect setting to binge watch all 3 Hotel Transylvania movies, Vampire Make Over: Mavis and Drac Tutorial: Learn how to turn yourself into your favorite HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3 characters, Behind the Screams – The Voices of HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: Step behind the "screams" with the returning stars and hilarious new cast to see how these characters are brought to life in the recording booth, Johnny’s Home Movies (Franchise Recap): Johnny brings viewers up to speed on what’s happened in the Hotel Transylvania franchise so far, “I See Love” Monster Dance Party Dance Along: Get up and get moving to this haunting monster mash, Drac’s Zing-tastic Read Along: It's storytime with your favorite characters have a silly tale about Drac's search for a Zing!, and Two Mini Movies: Puppy and Goodnight Mr. Foot.

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3 is a family fun movie that will make fans of the franchise laugh with joy while fans of classic horror monsters will get a kick out of the modern interpretations! There's also a message that everyone can relate to: Nothing's more important than your family! And you can Zing! more than once! If you don't get the last one, then you better get your kids to have you watch the two previous chapters of the series!! And what better way to spend the Halloween season with this monster-filled family fun film!! 4 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3 is available in a Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital combo and DVD + Digital from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. To purchase a copy for your family, visit your local retailer. The movie is also on VOD, iTunes and other streaming platforms.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the horror!

Phil sees COCO at the Cinemak Century Oakridge 20 - February 1, 2018

Pixar Animation Studio is one of the finest animation studios of all time! With films like TOY STORY, CARS, WALL-E, FINDING NEMO and UP, the studio has released some of the most awarding winning and critically acclaimed movies of all time, and in the shortest amount of time. Today, I went and saw their latest endeavour, and it marks as one of my new favorite movie from them. All I can saw is that COCO is destined to be one the studio's very best!!

The film's official synopsis: Despite his family's baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector, and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history.

The film features the talented voices of Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, Edward James Olmos, Jaime Camil, Renée Victor, Gabriel Iglesias, and Cheech Marin for starters.

Being Hispanic American, I was completely moved on how much Pixar honored our heritage, our traditions, and how much family means to us. The norm is that Hollywood will fill theater screens with stereotypes and caricatures and they have relied on this for way too long. Finally, I saw a film that honored the Mexican community with intelligence, respect, and strong characters that we are emotionally invested in.

The movie was directed by Lee Unkrich, who's Pixar credits include co-directing TOY STORY 2, MONSTERS, INC., FINDING NEMO, and then directing TOY STORY 3 solo.  Joining him his his co-director Adrian Molina, whose writing credits include MONSTERS UNIVERSITY and THE GOOD DINOSAUR. Together, these two gentlemen have made one of Pixar's best films ever! The compositions and set-ups and excellent, the camera pans blend in with the film and they let the emotional scenes linger to accentuate the story. And let me tell you, this was such an emotional film!

Since this is a computer animation movie, I can't forget to mention it. The studio has come a long way since the release of TOY STORY. Holy cow!! The animation looks freaking amazing!! There is so much details in every single frame!! From the golden leaves to The Land of the Dead, it was a spectacular sight to behold!! An I thought the animation in CARS 3 was impressive!! The amount of detail is extraordinary!! 

What I loved most about the movie is the story. It's a story based in Mexican traditions and folklore. All the characters are a representation of me, my family, and friends. For the first time, I felt proud seeing my people shown in a positive light, and at the heart of the story is family. Family comes first always, and everything else will fall into place.

COCO is one of the best family films of all time and Pixar's best to date!! You have never seen a film like this before!! And FYI, you will cry during the film, especially at the end! I cried. Twice. Maybe three time. Anyway, I loved this movie!! So take the family to your favorite theater and go see this movie!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!! 

COCO is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the Cinemark Century Theaters here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at http://cinemark.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil's Top Ten Films of 2017 - January 2, 2018

Hello again everybody and Happy New Year!! I'm gonna predict that 2018 will be another fantastic year for movies, as was 2017! There were an insane amount of movies that I absolutely loved and found myself walking away feeling completely transformed from viewing it. And that is the power of cinema: taking me somewhere new, showing me something I have never seen before, telling me a story I have never heard of and meet characters I can only imagine meeting. So without further adieu, here are my Top Ten Films of 2017!

1) STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI: Rey (Daisy Ridley) develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance, lead by General Lea Organa (Carrie Fisher), prepares to do battle with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the First Order. The fact that I have seen the film three times already should indicate you just how much I loved it! But it is also heartbreaking to watch because it was the last film that actress Carrie Fisher appeared in before her untimely passing in December 2016. Writer/director Rian Johnson as deliberately taken the franchise into uncharted territory and I am very excited to see where this will lead.

2) THE DISASTER ARTIST: Based on Greg Sestero best-selling tell-all about the making of Tommy's cult-classic disasterpiece THE ROOM (“The Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made”), THE DISASTER ARTIST is a hilarious and welcome reminder that there is more than one way to become a legend—and no limit to what you can achieve when you have absolutely no idea what you're doing. James Franco is absolutely amazing in the movie and has become a force to be reckon with within the Hollywood community. His resume is very eclectic and personal, taking on roles and projects that really reflect his diverse interests of subjects. The film just sucks you in and doesn't let go until its beautiful conclusion!

3) SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING: A young Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland), who made his sensational debut in CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, begins to navigate his new found identity as the web-slinging super hero in SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine – distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man – but when the Vulture (Michael Keaton) emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened.

4) TURN IT AROUND: THE STORY OF EAST BAY PUNK: Narrated by Iggy Pop, the documentary spans over 30 years of the California Bay Area’s punk music history with a central focus on the emergence of Berkeley's inspiring 924 Gilman Street music collective. The film is the definitive telling of this vibrant story, drawing from a wide variety of voices, featuring exclusive interviews with and the music of the most famous and infamous rock and punk bands in history, including Green Day, Metallica, Rancid, Dead Kennedys, and over 100 more interviews with artists and musicians from California’s East Bay punk music scene. The film was nostalgic for me because I was there when the events in the film were unfolding. This is one documentary that the whole world needs to see and that punk rockers will watch forever!

5) THOR: RAGNAROK: Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok—the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization—at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela (Cate Blanchett). But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger—the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo)! Both Hemsworth and Hiddleston have the best on-screen chemistry within the MCU and I can't get enough of them. I can watch these two all day! Cate Blanchett's Hela is cunning, vicious and deadly and is easily one the greatest villains in the MCU. Easily the best film in the series and is one of the funniest, action packed films within the MCU!!

6) CARS 3: Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician with her own plan to win, inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet, and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn't through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing's biggest stage! After the disappointing CARS 2, the third installment shifts its focus back on Lightening McQueen as he struggles with becoming older, losing his mentor Doc Hudson and his place in the ever-changing world of racing. This family film contains themes that adults will relate to with action and humor that kids will have fun watching.

7) WONDER WOMAN: Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when a pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers and her true destiny. Directed by Patty Jenkins and starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen and Danny Huston, the movie become one of the biggest blockbusters of 2017! It also become the highest grossing film directed by a woman, the first female superhero to earn $821.9 million worldwide and was the biggest film to come out of the DC Extended Universe!

8) GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2: Set to the backdrop of 'Awesome Mixtape #2,' Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team's adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their new found family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill's true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes' aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand. Writer/director James Gunn takes these band of misfits and cranks the adventures up to 11, all the while expanding of the characters themselves as well. What Gunn has done with this film is focus on the theme of family, whether it's blood or friends that are your family. This was a blast to watch!

9) DESPICABLE ME 3: After he is fired from the Anti-Villain League for failing to take down the latest bad guy to threaten humanity, Gru finds himself in the midst of a major identity crisis. But when a mysterious stranger shows up to inform Gru that he has a long-lost twin brother-a brother who desperately wishes to follow in his twin's despicable footsteps-one former super-villain will rediscover just how good it feels to be bad. Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier return for the sequel but are joined by South Park co-creator Trey Parker, who plays the hilariously former 80's sitcom child star to super villain Balthazar Bratt. With its themes of sibling rivalry, family acceptance and living in the past, the movie contains all the fun, charm and laughs of the previous installments!

10) LOGAN: In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X somewhere on the Mexican border. However, Logan's attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are upended when a young mutant arrives, pursued by dark forces. THIS IS THE WOLVERINE I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR TO SEE SINCE 2000!! Jackman's performance of Old Man Logan is spot on!! His Logan is haggard, weary, laced with regret, remorse and alcohol. He's once again retreated from the world and wants to stay hidden from it. He's still ultra violent when he's backed up against that wall and he cusses like a truck driver. But, he still cares and it comes though, especially towards the end of the film. Needless to say, if he does get an Oscar for his portrayal of Logan, there will be Hell to pay!! An outstanding acting job from Mr. Jackman!!

And there you have it folks! My Top Ten Films of 2017! It looked like the year that comic book based movies and animated family films prevailed. But every year this list gets harder and harder to put together, but these were films that really made an impact on me, and I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading my picks. So if by chance there are films here that you haven't seen yet, I encourage you to check them out. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by them!

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil wishes you all a Happy New Year!! - January 1, 2018

At the VICTOR CROWLEY screening in Monterey.

Happy New Year everybody!! Well, another year has come and gone. While I didn't blog as much I would have liked to, I still saw a lot of films last year. Plus my life changed again. I moved back down to San Jose, I'm getting ready to go back to my old career and I'm watching movies at new theaters. So like the old saying goes, "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

However, 2018 will be another fun-filled year! With the loss of the Camera Cinemas (the Camera 12, Camera 3 and the Camera 7 all closed in the last two years) as well as the Bluelight Cinema, I'll be seeing films more at the Cinelux Theaters, which is another locally owned business that I'll be supporting quite a bit. The old Camera 3 in Downtown San Jose will be re-opening as 3 Below, which will pick up where the Camera 3 left off, including the midnight screenings of THE ROCKY PICTURE SHOW with my friends The Barely Legal gang!! Also, I'll be going to the Cinemark Century Theaters as well as the AMC Theaters to watch my movies.

Not only that, but I'll be reviewing a lot of cool movies ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to indie films, cult classics to porno chic, comedy and GLBTQ films. You name it and I'll be watching and reviewing it!

With me being back home, I'll also be attending all my favorite film festivals and events, including the Cinequest Film Festival, CAAMFest, The San Francisco Silent Film Festival, The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum and the Peaches Christ shows!!

As you can see, I'm gonna be very busy and this is just the tip of the iceberg. I'll have some other surprises that'll make you want to come back over and over again. So get ready folks for one hell of a ride in 2018!!

Thank you all out there who have been reading and supporting my blog. I don't get paid doing this. I do it for the fun of it. I'm a film fanatic, cinephile, movie junkie, whatever you want to call me. So I hope you'll stick around another year as I bring you another year of reviews, fun and adventures!

Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year!

Phil sees MOANA in 2D from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures - April 22, 2017

Family movies are often referred to kids movies due to the fact that they're aimed specifically for kids. While that's a generic definition of that, it's whole heartily false. As a forty-something adult, I enjoy in what they bring. They're extremely fun to watch, have interesting characters, are set is some fantastic world and lastly, more importantly, they remind us that life is magical and anything is possible. It's the inner child in every adult that begs to be let out once in a while, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I feel it's a healthy expression. Case in point, my recent viewing of the new Disney movie MOANA, which is one of their best films in a long time.

The film's official synopsis: Moana Waialiki is a sea voyaging enthusiast and the only daughter of a chief in a long line of navigators. When her island's fishermen can't catch any fish and the crops fail, she learns that the demigod Maui caused the blight by stealing the heart of the goddess, Te Fiti. The only way to heal the island is to persuade Maui to return Te Fiti's heart, so Moana sets off on an epic journey across the Pacific. The film is based on stories from Polynesian mythology.

You can always count on Disney to bring in the fun with their characters. Voice over actress Auli'i Cravalho is perfect as our heroine and adventurer Moana. She brings strength, naivety, self assurance and that spirit of adventure to her character. The man himself Mr. Dwayne Johnson brings the laughter and fun as Maui, the mystical God who teams up with Moana to fulfill her quest. Now I have to admit that Johnson has become one of my favorite actors in Hollywood right now. Mainly because he's really good actor. And by doing voice over work for this movie, ot proves that he's a very talented individual. Guiding Moana on her journey is Gramma Tala, voiced by the talented  Rachel House. If you don't know her name yet, you better get acquainted with her work. She's been several amazing films like WHALE RIDER, EAGLE VS. SHARK and has appeared in television shows like Hope and Wire, Soul Mates and the Wolf Creek mini series.

What I really enjoyed about the movie is that it takes us back to when were we younger; to a time when were optimistic, full of life, always looking for adventure and not being scared of it because it sounded like fun to us. Now that I'm older, I don't feel as adventurous because I'm now wiser, smarter and I don't feel like I have the time or energy to do anything (yes kids, getting old does suck). But I can still remember what those emotions feel like, and at times it makes me feel young again. That's what's fun about kids movies: they make you feel young. And there's nothing wrong with that!

The other factor I enjoyed was that it touches upon adult themes; such as responsibility, destiny, life and death. However it's told in a way that children can understand. These are very important life lessons to learn, even though we wish we could ignore them. Unfortunately, we cannot and therefore, it's a part of life that we must accept. That's also what I enjoy about kids movies; there's a lot of life lessons that are shown throughout the frames of the movie and that's a smart thing to address.

Directors John Musker and Ron Clements did several months of research for the film. They immersed themselves in the Polynesian culture and mythology of the its people. They really tried to make the film respectful to the culture and I think they did a damn good job. So two big thumbs up to Musker and Clements on a job well done. And on a side note, this is the first Polynesian-themed Disney animated feature film since 2002's LILO & STITCH. About damn time we got another Polynesian movie Disney! What took you so damn long, huh?

MOANA is a superior family film that will be watched for generations to come! It full of laughs, adventure, fun and once again shows that with a little bit of self-confidence, there's nothing we can't do! So kids, I say to you all is this: Go out there and make this world a better place! And make sure your folks take you to see this movie!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

MOANA is still playing in selected theaters nationwide. Check your local listings to see if it's playing at a theater near you. The movie is also available on Blu-ray and DVD, as well as digital download, on demand, iTunes and other streaming services.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees GOOSEBUMPS from Sony Pictures/Columbia Pictures-February 6, 2016

As a kid, I grew up reading the classics: Dr. Seuss, The Little Golden Books, The Hardy Boys and so forth. These books were so much fun to read that I'd read the same books five or six times. The idea of getting lost in a book and imagining you were on the ship hunting Moby Dick, or swinging through the jungle as Tarzan, or traveling 10,00 leagues under the sea. Fast forward to the present and today's generation of kids are reading a different kind book. One the is spooky and creepy, filled with chills and thrills, bizarre creatures and horrifying monsters. The series is called "Goosebumps" and they are written by the prolific R.L. Stine. The books were adapted into a very popular television series on the children network Nickelodeon that ran from 1995 to 1998. Then finally in 2015, the books was brought to the big screen. So let me tell you what I thought about the film GOOSEBUMPS.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2015)

The film's official synopsis: Upset about moving from a big city to a small town, teenager Zach Cooper (Dylan Minnette) finds a silver lining when he meets the beautiful girl, Hannah (Odeya Rush), living right next door. But every silver lining has a cloud, and Zach's comes when he learns that Hannah has a mysterious dad who is revealed to be R. L. Stine (Jack Black), the author of the bestselling Goosebumps series. It turns out that there is a reason why Stine is so strange... he is a prisoner of his own imagination - the monsters that his books made famous are real, and Stine protects his readers by keeping them locked up in their books. When Zach unintentionally unleashes the monsters from their manuscripts and they begin to terrorize the town, it's suddenly up to Stine, Zach, Hannah, and Zach's friend Champ (Ryan Lee) to get all of them back in the books where they belong.

Unlike the televisions series which each episode focused on one particular story and character, the film featured of all these every single characters that haunts within the pages of Stine's books. Black is fantastic in the film as our strangely bizarre and reclusive writer and he also provides the voices of the creepy ventriloquist dummy Slappy and the Invisible Boy. Both Minnette and Rush have great on-screen chemistry as out teen leads and lovers Zach and Hannah, who has a very cool secret that gets revealed in the middle of the film. Lee as Champ is a riot and reminds us all that one friend we had growing up that was  just completely nerdy. But he gets his redemption by defeating a werewolf and saving the girl he likes. You go Champ!!

Director Rob Letterman made is feature length debut with the 2004 computer animated family film SHARK TALE, which did very well at the boxoffice. He then followed that film up with MONSTER VS ALIENS in 2009. After making two computer generated films, in 2010 Letterman made his first live-action movie GULLIVER'S TRAVELS, which marked his first collaboration with Jack Black. With his knowledge of making family films and taking on the classic children book series, Letterman once again proves that he has the ability to direct an awesome movie that is both fun and filled with action and humor with a touch of chills to keep the kids entertained as well as their parents.

GOOSEBUMPS is a worthy adaptation to a classic literary series that families will enjoy for years to come. The movie really does belong in your film library much the the book series should be on your kids' bookshelves. It really is that good of a film and one that needs to be seen over and over again. 4 out of 5 stars! Recommended viewing!

GOOSEBUMPS is now available on Blu-Ray and DVD at your local retailer. It's also available on Redbox and Video On Demand. 

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees MINIONS from Universal Pictures-December 14, 2015

I saw DESPICABLE ME when it first came out back in 2010. It wasn't my favorite film but I did fall in love with those cute, little yellow minions. Apparently so did the rest of the world. Then DESPICABLE ME 2 came out and then the minion fandom really took off. There were toys, games, posters, rides, even a kids cereal! Soon it became clear that eventually Universal Pictures were going to release a minion movie to cash in on the popularity. And wouldn't you know it? They did release a minion movie entitled MINIONS. And it was a cute movie to watch too.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2015)

The film's official synopsis: Ever since the dawn of time, the Minions have lived to serve the most despicable of masters. From T. Rex to Napoleon, the easily distracted tribe has helped the biggest and the baddest of villains. Now, join protective leader Kevin, teenage rebel Stuart and lovable little Bob on a global road trip where they'll earn a shot to work for a new boss-the world's first female super-villain-and try to save all of Minionkind...from annihilation.

As with most kids movies, the plot is pretty straight forward and predicable but you know what? Who bloody cares! Why do I say this? Because it was a cute, sweet and funny movie that tickled my funny bone and me forget about life's problems for a while. Being an adult and parent, I have a lot to worry about stress over. There's work, bills that need to be paid, rent, car issues, groceries, laundry, etc. But when was the last time you indulged your inner child? Whenever I see a family film, I always like to stress that idea. Go ahead and just have fun watching a film that will make you laugh out loud with joy and care-free delight. After all, that's what being a child is all about.

The movie was directed by the combo of Kyle Balda and Pierre Coffin, the later directed the DESPICABLE ME films. They keep the film light on its feet, the laughs frequent and the fun at full throttle. The script was written by one Brian Lynch, the man who wrote PUSS IN BOOTS, HOP and the upcoming Illumination Entertainment/Universal Pictures release THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS. Granted this isn't the best written story, but for the kids, they will eat it up. And I wouldn't be surprised if you and your family started quoting the movie as well. Plus, since the film takes place in 1968 (yup, this is a prequel), there's a lot of far out catchphrases to quote man.

Actress Sandra Bullock finally makes her villain debut as the infamous Scarlet Overkill who, along with her ultra groovy husband Herb (Jon Hamm),is in need of some henchmen to help her take over England. Bullock's portrayal of Scarlet is evil, nasty and hilariously entertaining to watch. She's just simply a cold-blooded monster that we get to laugh at. So she's a despicable villain that you'll love to hate. The great Michael Keaton and Allison Janney play funny villain couple Walter and Madge Nelson respectively, who pick-up our hitchhiking yellow friends and take them along to the super cool Villain-Con where they meet their new master.

Co-director Coffin provides the voices to out three favorite minions: Bob, Kevin and Stewart. They're cute, yellow, funny and lovable and are so mass marketed now that I'll make you sick. Seriously these guys are freaking everywhere. But that's OK cause that's Hollywood for you. But in all honesty, I really did enjoy the movie and all the wacky, crazy schenanigans these three get into. Kevin is the brave leader who must keep them together and focused on their mission of locating a super villain to work for. Stewart is the guitar playing, smooth talking ladies man who might love his bananas more. And then there's Bob. Yeah, I love Bob. He's my favorite minion just because he's so damn adorable! I just wanna pinch those fat cheeks of his and give him a whole barrel of bananas!! 

Overall MINIONS gets my vote for Best Family Film of the Year!! It'll warm your heart while make you laugh out loud with action and adventure that only a minion could have! So grab the family together and see this movie! 4 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

MINIONS is now available on both Blu-Ray and DVD at your local retailer. The movie is also available at your local Redbox as well as on Netflix and Video On Demand.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil attends the ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES show hosted by Peaches Christ atthe Castro Theatre-November 21, 2015

Castro Theatre Marque for the Peaches Christ Show.

It's been far too long since I've been to San Francisco, let alone seeing a movie here in the city. So tonight I finally made my triumphant return to one of my favorite theatres of all time: the historic Castro Theatre! To make this even more extraordinary, tonight's event was the film ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES hosted by none other than San Francisco's favorite drag queen superstar Peaches Christ!! And as an added bonus, my fiancée "Lola" and our friends "Hunter and Piper Chase" came out to the screening as well. Now this was their very first Peaches Christ show ever!! So I had the pleasure of popping all three of their cherries, Castro Style!!

We pulled up to the theatre and got our tickets for the 8pm show (there was a 3pm showing earlier that afternoon, but as everyone know, that late show is where all the fun is). We walked in the front lobby and it was electrifying! The front lobby was packed and there wasn't one empty seat in the theatre! The crowd was getting rowdy, people were screaming, the excitement was off the charts! My friends couldn't believe just how crazy these shows get and they were getting all excited as they were about to see one the greatest shows on Earth! We made our way to our seats and around 8pm the lights dimmed at it was finally showtime!!

Promotional Poster (2015)

As with all Peaches' screenings, there was an incredible pre-show before the film and what a pre-show it was! Tonight was the return of the infamous Sharon Needles (RuPaul's Drag Race season four winner as the sexy Morticia) along with Jinx Monsoon (Debbie), Qween (Fugsley), Heklina (Uncle Fister), Manuel Caneri (Comez), Peggy L'Eggs (Trandma Ma & Becky Cranger), Redwood (Felch), Chaka Korn (Amanda), Rory Davis (Miss Thing) and last, but certainly not least, Peaches Christ as Thursday!! Plus, let's not forget the excellent dancers L. Ron Hubby, Velveeta Whoremel, Roxanne Redmeat and Michael Turner!! Whew!! Now that's one outstanding cast to have!!

The pre-show started with the now iconic Addams Family theme song and the audience was clapping along. The out came Thursday and Fugsley and the audience screamed with delight. Soon the whole Addams Apple Family was on staged and the screaming and cheering for Sharon Needles was deafening! The Addams Apple Family were rejoicing the birth of their new baby boy, which meant that Morticia and Comez had to hire a nanny to help out. Enter the deranged, maniacal and hilarious Debbie, who goes in for the kill by sending Thursday and Fugsley off to summer camp and convinces Uncle Fister to marry her and cut off the rest of the family! Eventually entire family comes together and they all live unhappily ever after!! A fantastic and crowd pleasing pre-show from start to finish!! My friends and I loved it!!

After the pre-show, my friends and I were able to meet some of the cast members and were able to get some awesome photos. I personally would like to thank Heklina, Peggy L'Eggs, Manuel Caneri and Redwood for taking the time to take these amazing pictures and just being really cool, down-to-earth people. And because I am all for giving credit where credit is due, here are some of the pictures we took with them:

Hunter, Heklina & Piper at the Castro Theatre.

Lola & myself with the great Manuel Caneri.

Piper & Hunter with Peggy L'Eggs.

Peggy L'Eggs posing with Lola & I.

Piper & Hunter with the manly Manuel Caneri.

Lola & I with the very tall Redwood.

What an extraordinary night we all had! Another fantastic Peaches Christ show has come and gone! But don't you fret my friends! While this was her last show for 2015, her next show will be the totally radical 80's flick TEEN WITCH with lead actress Robyn Lively live in-person! That event will take place on January 8, 2016 at the Castro Theatre! So make sure you come check that show out! And if you are interested in becoming a fan of Peaches Christ, or want to view her upcoming shows, visit her website at http://peacheschrist.com. To view the Castro Theater's film schedule, visit their website at www.castrotheatre.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees PIXELS from Sony/Columbia Pictures-November 9, 2015

Family films are usually fun to watch, especially if you're an adult. A lot of the times the filmmakers will add references or jokes that pertained to your youth that makes you laugh while simultaneously entertaining your kids. Now when you think of family films, Adam Sandler isn't the first name that pops in you mind. However, his HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA films have been big box office hits over the past couple of years. However, his live action films have been doing poorly, which to be honest is a real shame. Despite all the negative press and reviews, PIXELS is one of my new favorite family films this year that everybody should see.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2015)

The film's official synopsis: Sam Brenner (Sandler), Will Cooper (Kevin James), Ludlow Lamonsoff (Josh Gad), and Eddie "The Fire Blaster" Plant (Peter Dinklage) all played classic arcade video games as teenagers. But now they have to use their skills to try to save the world from aliens. The aliens watched video feeds that they thought was a declaration of war. So they send down the classic arcade games to destroy earth. They also get help from military specialist Violet Van Patten (Michelle Monaghan). They have three lives and if all three get used then Earth will be destroyed, and every time they lose a live the aliens take someone's life. Who will win, us or the aliens? It's an all-out battle to save our planet and everyone on it.

Let me start by say that this was a lot to fun to watch. First, it entertained me on a nostalgic level. I was that kid who along with my friends would over to the mall and hang out at the arcade playing video games all day. I played those games when they first came out. Pac-man, Donkey Kong, Q*Bert, Dig Dug. Galaga, Centipede, the list of games I played goes on and on. And it was such a treat to see these games once again but this time attacking Earth! That was a hoot!

The script was laces with 80's references while giving us the reality of being an adult. When Sandler finds Monaghan crying in her closet while drinking wine out of a sippy cup cause her ex-husband ran off with a 19-year-old yoga instructor, it was hilarious. I mean let's face it: we've all done crazy things when our spouse or significant other runs off with someone else and we're left behind trying to piece together out life back. And here we see first hand how funny we look while doing this. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. There's plenty of action to coincide with these jokes that intertwine with each other perfectly.

Sandler is funny as our nerdy, tech geek turned hero Sam and he had great on-screen chemistry with Monaghan. Josh Gad's Ludlow had some of the best lines in the film! And let's not forget Peter Dinklage's character Eddie "The Fire Blaster" Plant, who is probably the most bad ass arcade player ever captured on the big screen!

The film was directed by the one and only Chris Columbus, the man who brought us modern day classics like HOME ALONE 1 & 2, MRS. DOUBTFIRE, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE, NINE MONTHS and HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS. Columbus does an exceptional once again showing us his directing style compliments the humor and action within the film. As you may or may not know, Columbus is a local filmmaker. Yup, his headquarters is based out in San Francisco and it's nice to see him directing again.

Overall PIXELS is hilarious, action packed, arcade filled joy ride for the whole family. So do yourself a favor and ignore what those prestigious, pompous critics are saying. This movie does what it's supposed: entertain us and forget about for a while. It's that plain and simple. So have have fun watching it with kids as well as your inner child. 4 out of 5 stars!! Definitely worth watching!!

PIXELS is now available on both Blu-Ray and DVD at your local retailer. You can also order the movie on Video On Demand, Digital Download as well as at your local Redbox.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!