jwm321

Ghostlight masterfully captures a family's journey through life with authentic performances and a compelling story, making it a must-see drama. The film can be a bit of a slow burn at times, but it is still an immensely moving character study on an ordinary dad who struggles to open up about his emotions. Each character in the film is uniquely complex and likeable. Yet, every single character still feels like someone you would know in real life. There are no Hollywood stars, extravagant sets, or lavish locations. Instead, the film is an accurate representation of real life, and so, it becomes extraordinarily relatable.

Gil Kenan's Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is an entertaining addition to the storied franchise. Starring Paul Rudd, the film is essentially about a powerful ghost/god trying to destroy the world. The crew responsible for stopping this ghoul features a multitude of different characters from previous Ghostbusters movies, combined with a few new faces. This film is jam packed with different characters and plotlines. It reaches a point of oversaturation, however, where the film seems to be relying on nostalgia and throwing as many recognizable figures on the screen as it can. Still, I have to say I enjoyed the film overall. With the volume of jokes, there were many misses, but also lots of successful humor. There are a few instances where dumb jokes land because of the delivery. The cast does a solid job with comedic timing, despite some of the middling writing. The film also doesn't try to be too deep. It knows its place as a fun, goofy movie about hunting ghosts, and for the most part, stays within its lane. The action is fun, and the characters are likable. All in all, I thought this new Ghostbusters movie was an enjoyable experience that left me entertained, but not overly impressed.

Adam Wingard's sequel to Godzilla vs Kong is filled to the brim with nonstop action and adventure. The film focuses primarily on Kong, as Godzilla takes a back seat until the end of the movie. The main narrative is that a team led by Rebecca Hall and Dan Stevens embark on a journey to the "Hollow Earth" to decipher a mysterious signal. Meanwhile, Kong is on a journey to find more of his kind. The cast does well, despite playing somewhat generic characters. It is, however, very clear that the filmmakers' principal focus is the spectacle, and the story is just a vehicle for the epic fight scenes. The fight scenes are indeed epic, however, as the monstrous titans engage in multiple colossal battles throughout the film. I think the film may have tried to balance too many ideas, though, including the emotional story involving Rebecca Hall's character and her daughter. There was just not enough buildup of the human storyline to make the conclusion rewarding. All in all, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is a fun popcorn movie, delivering spectacular action, and nothing more.