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What Makes American Dreamer a Must-Watch for Fans of Dark Humor? | Five-Minute Film Freak

Peter Dinklage is co-stars with the legendary, Shirley MacLaine in American Dreamer, a dark comedy from Plaion Pictures which will be available for digital download on March 17th. Will this St. Patrick’s Day be a lucky one for film lovers lovers worldwide? Let’s explore.

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I was first introduced to the on screen work of Peter Dinklage in 2003 when a friend in Los Angeles who was trying to break into the business, invited me to see what he called a groundbreaking feat of acting in the indie film, The Station Agent. I was deeply affected by this drama that found Dinklage playing a reclusive, antisocial man who ends up living in an abandoned train depot, who comes in and out of his shell thanks to unexpected relationships with his neighbors turned friends.

AD PosterPeter Dinklage

Peter Dinklage’s Unmatched Screen Presence

In the two decades since,  I’ve seen Dinklage pop up in everything from a cameo in Elf, to disappointments like Underdog and Adam Sandler vehicle Pixels, blockbusters like Avengers: Endgame, an X-Men film or an adaptation of Cyrano a few years back. Regardless of the quality of the production, Dinklage always holds the screen in a captivating way. In fact, I can’t wait to see his turn in the upcoming remake of The Toxic Avenger.

Shirley MacLaine in American Dreamer

As for his co-star, Shirley MacLaine has been a fixture of Hollywood for over 60 years. The Apartment is pure 60’s entertainment, Terms of Endearment is a sappy 80s classic, Guarding Tess where she shared the screen with Nicolas Cage in the 90’s is good for a laugh, to say nothing of her bravado as Endora in the Bewitched movie from 2005. The fact that MacLaine is still lighting up the screen in her 90s is a testament to her talent and innate charisma.

Peter Dinklage as Phil Loder in American Dreamer

So what do these stars deliver when they team up for American Dreamer? In short, American Dreamer is the story of Phil Loder (Peter Dinklage), a professor of economics, whose dream of owning a home is tragically out of reach until a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes his way when a widow (Shirley MacLaine) offers Phil her sprawling estate for pennies. Of course, things are never that simple.

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The Comedy of Frustration

Dinklage is playing the best kind of curmudgeon in his role of Phil Loder. The kind of human who is at once charming and well-spoken, while barely able to contain his frustration about the state of his own life. Phil is sometimes found lost in a fantasy wherein he is kept company by beautiful women in bikinis while lounging on the grounds of a lakeside estate. The dream of the title is literally just that, since he is an untenured college instructor who can’t even get a parking space placard, let alone afford a home in the modern economy.

The irony of it all being that he understands exactly what historical events have led to his dreams of home ownership being completely out of reach. A great setup and a character who immediately pulls in the audience, while pushing away the people in his life with crass dialogue and sarcastic wit.

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It’s this caustic attitude that makes his friendship with a slick Realtor played by Matt Dillon a bit confounding. Phil demands to be invited to open house events for homes he can’t possibly afford and provides derisive commentary to the sales pitch that would endanger Dillon’s ability to close the deal. In private, Phil verbally assaults his friend in a way that makes you wonder what their relationship is based on, because it’s far from friendly. 

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Using Anger for Maximum Comedic Effect

Despite this caustic conversations, Dillon agrees to setup a meeting for a massive estate being sold for less than a tract home in suburbia, which leads to a delightful sequence of Phil selling literally everything he owns to get the money required to sign the contract. Particularly entertaining to me was the scene of a garage sale where Phil gets snippy with a woman trying to talk him down from $1 to 50 cents for a vintage action figure, which he informs her angrily, “Is a collectible!” Dinklage uses the comedic angle of Phil’s anger for maximum effect, while somehow allowing the audience to maintain a touch of sympathy for this gruff character.

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Shirley MacLaine as Astrid

Luckily Astrid (Shirley MacLaine) is just as tough and puts Phil in his place after this first night in the house that he now shares with the elderly owner. TWIST! You see, that’s the rub. Phil will eventually get the home when Astrid passes away, but in the meantime is given only a single room in the residence and treated as a renter. Phil was already frustrated, but now with the dream nearly tangible and pulled away back into the ether yet again, he’s furious. And thus the comedy ensues.

Danny Glover Private Eye

American Dreamer has a Strong Supporting Cast

Phil is wondering just how much longer this woman can stay alive and keep him from inheriting what is now rightfully his, but his basic humanity keeps getting in the way as Phil saves Astrid from multiple near death experiences. He then hires a private investigator played in a hilarious cameo by Danny Glover. He enlists this senior citizen sleuth to figure out more about Astrid’s many “kids” that come in and out of the estate with various accents, with the hope of gaining an edge on how to make the home his sooner than later.

The dynamic between MacLaine and Dinklage is special and as their affection for one another grows, most importantly the viewer buys into Phil’s struggle. Especially when another “kid” of Astrid’s, Maggie, played by Kimberly Quinn inserts herself into the rental agreement, using her status as an attorney to threaten Phil for taking advantage of an old lady. As you might imagine, this relationship softens as well (maybe a bit too conveniently) and soon Phil becomes a confidant to Maggie in caring for Astrid. That’s not to say there aren’t some bumps in the road for dramatic effect, but the pursuit of what seems like such a simple dream is a satisfying one by film’s end.

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I should point out that there is quite a bit of physical comedy by Dinklage throughout the run time of American Dreamer, as he is constantly injured by the home he is trying to make his own. These sequences add an extra spice to the film that make it feel like more than a rote drama about two crusty customers who find friendship in unlikely places. 

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The Final Verdict

American Dreamer is a heartwarming “dramedy” that is given a satisfying edge thanks to a dash of black humor that will entertain those looking for more than just another film to pass the time. It’s anchored by strong performances from two stars of the silver screen that know how to deliver.

You can find American Dreamer available on digital download as of March 17th on Amazon Prime and other video streaming services online.

Next: Discuss American Dreamer on our Film Forum

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drop movie

Drop ~ To Be Released in Theaters on April 11, 2025

“DROP”, is a Psychological Thriller movie, scheduled for a theatrical release in the US on April 11, 2025; and will start streaming on Hulu on June 15, 2025.

All single moms who haven’t been on a date for a while, love it when someone calls and threatens their child who is at home, while they’re sitting at a dinner table with their new date.

DON’T HURT MY FAMILY!!

In “DROP“, Violet is a young widow with a young son who hasn’t been on a date in FOREVER! She finally decides to get back into the dating world. She’s nervous, terrified, doesn’t know what to say or do or expect, doesn’t know what her date expects from her … never once thinks somebody will call during her date and TERRORIZE HER!!

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Freakier Friday Body Swap now comes in four ways

Freakier Friday: Body Swap now comes in four ways

Freakier Friday is now the body swap movie we never thought would happen—bringing back Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis for another hilarious and chaotic adventure. After 22 years, the stars have aligned: Lohan is experiencing a Hollywood renaissance, and Curtis recently won an Oscar. Now, Disney is making the unexpected sequel a reality.For years, the idea of a direct sequel to the 2003 hit Freaky Friday seemed like a pipe dream. The franchise did continue in some form—a 2018 remake reimagined the story as a Disney Channel musical—but nothing matched the magic of the original pairing of Lohan and Curtis. However, fan nostalgia and the perfect timing in both stars’ careers have paved the way for their return.

In the original 2003 film, Anna (Lohan) and her mother Tess (Curtis) were a mother-daughter duo who struggled to get along. While at a Chinese restaurant, they had a heated argument, prompting the restaurant owner’s mother (played by Lucille Soong) to intervene. Thanks to magical fortune cookies, Tess and Anna found themselves trapped in each other’s bodies. Through the experience, they gained a deeper understanding of each other, and as they finally expressed their true feelings, the same magic reversed the swap, leaving them with a stronger bond.
Now, history is repeating itself in an even wilder way. Anna is all grown up and now a mother herself to her daughter, Harper (Julia Butters). It seems she is either divorced or widowed, as she is set to marry her fiancé, Eric, a single father with a daughter named Lily (Sophia Hammons). But this time, instead of fortune cookies, a visit to a mysterious fortune teller sets off the body-swapping chaos. In a twist that takes things to a whole new level, Anna swaps bodies with her daughter Harper, while Tess swaps with her soon-to-be step-granddaughter Lily. At this rate, the entire wedding party might want to stay away from fortune tellers—unless they want to spend their honeymoon in someone else’s body.

Freakier Friday Trailer

 

Freakier Friday | Teaser Trailer | In Theaters August 8

The recently released trailer confirms that the body swaps in Freakier Friday will be so complex, you might need a pen and paper to diagram who is in whose body. Or, better yet, a detective board with red strings connecting all the characters. With multiple characters switching identities, the chaos is ramped up to a whole new level, promising hilarious and mind-bending moments that will keep audiences guessing.
Adding to the nostalgia, Rosalind Chao will reprise her role as Pei-Pei, the restaurant owner from the original film, alongside Lucille Soong as her mother. Perhaps this time, they will have a role in unraveling the four-way body swap, using their mystical knowledge to help Anna, Tess, Harper, and Lily find their way back to their own bodies. Or, knowing them, they may just shake their heads and hand out more fortune cookies for good luck.

Trivia: The History of Freaky Friday

There are actually four Freaky Friday movies! The Lindsay Lohan movie many of us grew up with is actually a remake of the original 1976 film starring Jodie Foster. Then, in 2018, Disney gave us a musical remake. Now, with Freakier Friday, we finally have the first direct sequel in the franchise.
While details about the plot remain under wraps, the return of Curtis and Lohan ensures that Freakier Friday will tap into both nostalgia and new comedic potential. Will the characters be dealing with modern-day tech, new family dynamics, or an entirely new supernatural twist? Maybe Anna and Tess will wake up to find they’ve accidentally swapped with their pets this time—because why stop at four? No matter what, this sequel is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing comebacks in recent Disney history. Interestingly, this sequel appears to nod to the 2018 Freaky Friday remake. In that version, Ellie (Cozi Zuehlsdorff), Anna’s equivalent, had an Asian love interest. Now, Lindsay Lohan’s character will have a love interest played by Manny Jacinto, who is Filipino. Whether this connection was intentional or just a fun coincidence, it adds another layer of continuity to the Freaky Friday legacy. With filming reportedly in early stages, fans will have to wait to see just how freaky things get this time around. But one thing is certain—Freakier Friday is happening, and it’s bound to be as confusingly entertaining as a game of musical chairs at a family reunion. Freakier Friday is expected to be released in August 8 2025.

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y2k max

Y2K Will Crash Max April 4

WB streaming service Max currently has an exclusivity deal with A24 that guarantees all their movies will appear on that service first (and HBO). The next to roll out is Y2K, the period piece comedy-thriller from late last year.

Y2K takes place in the time frame that its title implies, and is initially about two boys who crash a rager, unaware that everything else is about to crash. One came with the goal of finally asking out his crush, but they both have their eyes on the giant bottles of booze. They don’t get very far with either goal before the Y2K bug actually hits, and turns out to be as bad as everyone says it is, only worse. No one predicted that VCRs were going to come alive and Tamagotchis were going to turn murderous, but hindsight is 20/20….or 2000 in this case.

With its action-oriented, apocalyptic premise, Y2K was one of A24’s more expensive ventures — and it unfortunately didn’t pay off, as people didn’t buy quite as many tickets for showings of this as they did with previous A24 features. If you didn’t see it, you’re in good company, but if you’ve got Max you’ll be able to check it out soon and see what you think of it.

Y2K stars Jaeden Martell, Rachel Zegler, Julian Dennison, The Kid Laroi, and Fred Durst. It was directed by Kyle Mooney from a script by Mooney and Evan Winter. Winter also produced the film alongside Jonah Hill, Matt Dines, Alison Goodwin, Chris Storer, and Cooper Wehde. Y2K will premiere on Max Friday, April 4 and will run on linear HBO the next day at 8 PM ET.

Y2K | Official Trailer HD | A24

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Lilo Stitch Live Action Could Break Disneys Adaptation Streak

Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Could Break Disney’s Adaptation Streak

Lilo & Stitch marks a potential turning point in Disney’s rocky journey with live-action adaptations. Past remakes like Mulan, The Little Mermaid, and the upcoming Snow White have all faced notable criticism, but Lilo & Stitch appears to be dodging those pitfalls with the agility of Stitch himself.

Mulan struggled due to its pandemic release, missing the theatrical experience and instead debuting as a rental exclusive on Disney+. Then, The Little Mermaid sparked controversy over Halle Bailey’s casting as Ariel. Despite her clear talent, online discussions became contentious, with criticism fixating on her race. Meanwhile, Snow White is already facing scrutiny before its release. Trailers have been heavily criticized on YouTube, with backlash focused on Rachel Zegler’s casting and her outspoken political commentary.

In contrast, Lilo & Stitch is being commended for its authentic casting choices. Both Lilo and her sister Nani are portrayed by Hawaiian actresses, a move praised for respecting cultural authenticity. Initial concerns about colorism in Nani’s casting arose after photos made her appear lighter than expected, but this seems to have been an issue with lighting. In reality, she has a tan complexion, and her casting stays faithful to the character’s roots. Both actresses seem to capture the essence of their characters, maintaining the spirit of the original story.

The trailer introduces Stitch (voiced by Chris Sanders), a dog-like alien who escapes his planet in a spaceship and crashes on Earth. Meanwhile, Lilo (Maia Kealoha), a lonely young girl, longs for companionship. Their eventual meeting leads to an unlikely friendship, with Lilo exclaiming how “adorable and fluffy” Stitch is. Nani (Sydney Agudong) gently reminds her that with Stitch comes responsibility—like owning a pet, except this one could potentially destroy your neighborhood.

Lilo & Stitch Official Trailer

 

Lilo & Stitch | Official Trailer | In Theaters May 23

 

What Lilo doesn’t yet know is that Stitch is a powerful alien engineered to destroy planets, adding a cosmic twist to their evolving bond. You know, just a normal pet problem.

Stitch’s CGI design has also been well-received. Rather than appearing unsettling, he looks like a realistic version of the original animated character. Early reactions to the trailer have been positive, notably avoiding the negativity that often lurks in the comments section like a grumpy neighbor.

The movie pays homage to its origins. The original Lilo & Stitch celebrated Elvis Presley’s music, and the remake continues this tradition. The trailer includes classic Elvis tracks and stunning visuals of Hawaii, preserving the soul of the story. Unlike other remakes that modernized key elements to mixed reception, Lilo & Stitch remains true to its heartfelt narrative.

One area where the film could improve is in its visual presentation. The trailer’s color grading appears overly dark, evoking the atmosphere of a survival horror PS2 game. For a story centered on love, family, and the beauty of Hawaii, brighter and more inviting visuals would better suit its tone. Hopefully, this is just a temporary effect in the trailer, and the final film will embrace a more vibrant aesthetic.

Ultimately, Lilo & Stitch represents diversity done right. If the final movie matches the promise of its trailer, it could be the adaptation that finally breaks Disney’s streak of controversial live-action remakes.

Lilo & Stitch | Official Teaser

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Watch Free K Drama Movies and TV Shows Online Tubi

Four (4) Reasons Tubi TV is My Fave FAST Service for Kdramas

FAST means Free Ad-Supported Streaming. In the USA there are at least four (4) free ad-supported streaming platforms that you can GO-TO for Korean dramas.

1) Tubi TV — Owned by: Fox Entertainment (Rupert Murdoch) (Launched: April 2014)

(2) Pluto TV — Owned by: Operated by the Paramount Streaming division of Paramount Global. (Launched: March 2014)

(3) The Roku Channel — Owned by: Roku, Inc. (Launched: September 2017)

(4) Freevee — Owned by: Amazon (Launched: January 2019)

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the dark domain

The Dark Domain: The Inevitable Mickey Vs Winnie The Pooh Horror Film

Winnie the Pooh became a public domain character in January of 2022 and unwittingly introduced the concept of turning freshly let loose IPs into the centerpieces of low-budget horror movies. The trend got a lot louder when Mickey Mouse became PD two years later. Now the inevitable has happened: someone’s making a “crossover” movie where Evil Mickey and Evil Pooh fight, killing a lot of folks in the process. They call it The Dark Domain: MVW Mickey-vs-Winnie and it’s being brought into existence by Untouchables Entertainment.

I could describe the “lore” of this thing, but I can’t possibly do it better justice than they did, so:

A century ago, two convicts disappeared into Hell Forest, a place feared for its dark legends and whispers of a malevolent curse. Their mysterious vanishing marked the beginning of tales about a sinister force lurking within the forest, feeding on those who dared to enter.

In the present day, a group of childhood friends, each haunted by their own unresolved traumas and fears, feels an inexplicable pull to return to the reform school they once attended. Nestled in the center of the forest’s dark heart, the abandoned hell-camp stands as a decaying monument to their lost innocence. Its walls echoing with secrets and forgotten horrors. Each of them is drawn by a force they cannot understand, as if the forest itself is calling them to confront the darkness of their anxieties, regrets, and unhealed wounds.

The forest takes shape in the grotesque forms of twisted versions of two beloved childhood figures: Dark Mickey and Dark Winnie. These monstrous entities, born from the darkest corners of the group’s psyche, embody their worst fears and regrets—Dark Mickey, a sinister manipulator and bloodthirsty force of chaos, and Dark Winnie, a feral predator who thrives on destruction.

As the two clash in a violent, unrelenting battle, their fight becomes more than just a physical confrontation. These twisted incarnations, born from the group’s own inner demons, force them to face not only the nightmarish creatures but also the darkness within themselves.

That’s quite a lot to chew on. You could say these guys really take their Winnie the Pooh horror seriously. Dark Mickey is played by Daniel Wilkinson, who previously starred in something called Pitchfork, and Dark Winnie is Chris Boudreaux, who has NCIS on his resume. The flick was directed by Glenn Douglas Packard.

The Dark Domain: MVW Mickey-vs-Winnie has finished post-production and is expected to premiere later this year. Oh bother.

THE DARK DOMAIN: MVW MICKEY-VS-WINNIE | Official Trailer (2025)

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renner

Renner Will Be Available On Demand March 28

The evil-robot thriller Renner opened in theaters February 7. Its journey to home video will be a quick one; the film lands on VOD March 28. We’re assuming digital and Blu-Ray releases will soon follow, as they usually do.

We posted a review of Renner not too long ago. It goes places you might not expect from a film about Frankie Muniz as a tech genius. Renner can solve any complex problem, except how to relate to a female of his species. That’s when he gets the idea to use his skills in THAT area by building an AI dating coach. She is a giant eyeball who orders him around.

Renner and Jamie, his next door neighbor, are getting closer. The advice of Salenus (the name of the eyeball) seems to be working at first, but then she starts acting sinister, and becomes a threat to them both. The problem? Renner accidentally programmed Salenus with the personality of his manipulative mother. How Oedipal can you get?

In addition to Muniz as the title character, Violett Beane plays his love interest. Taylor Gray and Marcia Gay Harden also star; I’m guessing the latter actress is mother dearest. The film was directed by Rippberger based on a script from Luke Medina and Martin Medina. Look for Renner on VOD March 28…and don’t trust the machines too much, especially if they start ordering you to eat your vegetables and clean your room.

RENNER - Official HD Trailer (Frankie Muniz, Violett Beane, Marcia Gay Harden) - Sci-Fi Thriller

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Mount Chiak p2

Mount Chiak ~ Uh oh! They Didn’t See the Sign

“Mount Chiak” is a 2023 Korean movie, categorized as Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Science Fiction (Sci-Fi), and Horror; and streaming on Tubi TV.

SUMMARY: A vacation to go mountain biking turns into a nightmare. The group of friends can’t see their attacker. Will anyone survive? If only they had seen the sign.

We Picked an Awesome Place for Mountain Biking!

In “Mount Chiak”, when Min-Joon gets on his bike it’s as if they are ONE and can’t be separated. Mountain biking is an exhilarating sport but not for the faint of heart. Min-Joon is bold, brave, and daring. So unafraid that he ignores the story about the grizzly unsolved murders on Mount Chiak. A group of victims were found, and each person was cut into 18 pieces. But there was no weapon or any kind of evidence. But you know how people are. They think: ‘That happened to them, But it won’t happen to me!’

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