After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana journeys alongside Maui and a new crew to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.
A woman, thrown into the stay-at-home routine of raising a toddler in the suburbs, slowly embraces the feral power deeply rooted in motherhood, as she becomes increasingly aware of the bizarre and undeniable signs that she may be turning into a dog.
The creature feature Monster on a Plane, written and directed by German filmmaker and storyboard artist Ezra Tsegaye, world-premiered on 20 April at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF), before making its way to the Horrorant International Film Festival in Athens. The Brussels-based gathering is known for its eclectic selection of fantasy, sci-fi and horror films, as well as for its very vocal audience, often providing rowdy live commentary during screenings.
And judging by said commentary, this particular picture was right up the public’s alley. It is indeed deliciously fun to watch: on his way from Mermaid Lagoon Island to Hamburg, Professor Singh (Dieter Landuris) smuggles a little critter onto a plane full of hilariously caricatured, mostly German passengers, in the name of science. However, the fluffball does not seem all that keen on helping find a cure for cancer; instead, all hell breaks loose when it starts snacking its way through the passenger manifest…
The ensemble cast play well off each other, and what makes the film particularly entertaining is the kind of self-deprecating humour with which the characters are imbued – a quality rarely found in German movies. All of the Germans on board have a thick accent, making them sound atrocious and amusing in equal measure.
Eva Habermann plays the lovely flight attendant Natalie, one of the few people one prays will still be alive upon landing. Robin Czerny is easily the most annoying passenger on the plane – turn off that phone already! – but he goes from zero to hero when people’s lives depend on it. Philippe Brenninkmeyer is the smooth but somewhat arrogant pilot of Flight 123 – and luckily enough, he did not forget to pack the plane’s manual. Isabel Dornheim plays a seductive, superficial student bully and Fred Aaron Blake a serial killer who almost steals the monster’s limelight.
Most of the passengers cause you to sympathise with the monster – a recipe that works well for this film. It is not a deep movie that will prompt you to search for videos of people offering their theories on the flick for nights on end, but not every film needs to be, after all. It offers nods to beloved 1980s classics like Gremlins and even Indiana Jones, but also to more recent pictures like Snakes on a Plane. The colour grading, the candy-like, neon lights and particularly the monster’s vision give it the look of a graphic novel. The effects are low-budget but creative, especially considering that most of them were achieved with handmade elements and miniatures. The monster initially looks like a murderous version of a 1980s Snugglebum toy, but grows bigger as it farts out mind-altering gases and racks up the kills. All in all, it’s an enjoyable ride.
Monster on a Plane was produced by Riot City Entertainment, a subsidiary of Cornelsen Films (Germany).
'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' Review – Eddie Murphy’s Star Power Shines in a Stale Sequel
It’s been 40 years since Detroit’s maverick detective Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) first stumbled into the glossy world of Beverly Hills, and 30 years since his last misadventure. Now, Foley is back in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, and it’s striking how little has changed. Murphy still carries the film with his trademark charisma, but the plot is largely recycled, feeling more like a rerun of past films than a fresh installment.
The formula remains the same: Foley causes chaos in an opening Detroit action sequence before heading to Los Angeles—this time motivated by a threat to his adult daughter. Once there, he wreaks more havoc, clashes with authority figures, and ultimately saves the day, proving his unorthodox methods right. While entertaining, this approach feels predictable and safe, relying heavily on Murphy’s star power rather than innovation.
Murphy’s magnetic presence remains the highlight, lifting the film beyond its otherwise formulaic structure. His charm, combined with high-octane chase scenes, keeps the energy up. However, the movie never recaptures the boldness and edge of his early career, opting instead for a safer, more comfortable version of Foley.
Hollywood’s love affair with familiar intellectual properties (IPs) plays a big role here. Studios, eager for a sure thing, often choose to bank on established franchises, making it easier for marketing departments to sell a film to a pre-existing fanbase. While this doesn’t guarantee a bad movie, the best reboots or sequels take risks, as seen in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie or the Planet of the Apes reboot series. Unfortunately, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F leans in the opposite direction, becoming a victim of nostalgia and caution.
This is most evident in the score, which leans heavily on Harold Faltermeyer’s iconic Axel F theme from the original film. While it provides an instant hit of nostalgia for fans of the first movie, the track feels painfully dated, evoking the 1980s so strongly that it might as well come with leg warmers and a boom box.
Despite these setbacks, there are a few redeeming elements. The film benefits from the combative relationship between Foley and his estranged daughter, Jane (Taylour Paige), a Beverly Hills defense attorney. Their dynamic is predictable—estranged children and troubled marriages are practically a staple in cop movies—but Murphy and Paige share an engaging chemistry that adds some emotional depth to the story.
The action sequences, directed by Australian commercial filmmaker Mark Molloy, are another strength. True to form, Foley commandeers a variety of vehicles, crashing them in increasingly chaotic ways. The car chases, along with a particularly fun sequence involving a snowplow, add bursts of energy whenever the plot starts to lag. These stunts provide some of the film’s most entertaining moments, even if they occasionally stretch the limits of believability.
At its core, Beverly Hills Cop has always been about giving Eddie Murphy space to dominate the screen. Now in his 60s, Murphy may have lost some of the raw aggression that fueled his early performances, but he remains captivating. He injects a surprising amount of life into material that has long since gone stale, reminding audiences why Axel Foley is still such an iconic character.
In the end, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is an entertaining but uninspired sequel. It offers enough laughs and action to keep fans of the franchise satisfied, but it lacks the innovation or boldness needed to make it truly stand out. Eddie Murphy still shines, but even his megawatt charisma can’t fully disguise the film’s creaky, paint-by-numbers approach.
"Mean Girls," directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., offers a fresh take on the beloved classic, breathing new life into the iconic story with a talented ensemble cast and a modern twist. Starring Angourie Rice, Reneé Rapp, and Auli'i Cravalho, this 2024 release captivates audiences with its updated portrayal of high school drama and the timeless quest for acceptance.
Set in the digital age of social media and influencer culture, the film follows Cady Heron (Angourie Rice), a newcomer to North Shore High School who finds herself entangled in the complex web of teenage cliques. From the moment she encounters the formidable Plastics, led by the charismatic Regina George (Reneé Rapp), Cady is thrust into a world of gossip, betrayal, and fierce competition.
One of the film's strengths lies in its ability to capture the essence of the original while infusing it with contemporary themes and sensibilities. Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. deftly navigate the delicate balance between homage and innovation, paying homage to Tina Fey's iconic screenplay while also introducing fresh perspectives on modern teenage life.
The cast delivers standout performances, with Angourie Rice shining as the relatable yet determined Cady Heron, navigating the complexities of friendship and identity in the digital age. Reneé Rapp brings a magnetic presence to the role of Regina George, infusing the character with equal parts charm and menace, while Auli'i Cravalho delivers a heartfelt portrayal of Janis Ian, the outsider seeking redemption.
While the film maintains the humor and wit of its predecessor, it also delves deeper into themes of cyberbullying, social pressure, and the impact of technology on adolescent relationships. Through its engaging storyline and authentic character development, "Mean Girls" offers a timely commentary on the challenges facing today's youth, reminding viewers of the importance of empathy, resilience, and self-discovery.
In conclusion, "Mean Girls" (2024) is a delightful and relevant addition to the teen comedy genre, capturing the essence of the original while also carving out its own unique identity. With its talented cast, sharp writing, and contemporary resonance, this film is sure to captivate both longtime fans and newcomers alike, solidifying its status as a modern classic for generations to come. Watch Movie.
Netflix’s latest animation-to-live-action series, based on the beloved Nickelodeon cartoon, takes a fresh approach to the iconic tale. Rather than merely replicating every shot, it delves into the characters’ depths, breathing new life into their emotional journeys. Watch movie,
The story revolves around Aang, the last Airbender, who awakens after a century of accidental frozen slumber to find his people wiped out and the Fire Nation wreaking havoc. The trauma he carries shapes his future, and the burden of being the Avatar—master of all four elements—weighs heavily on his young shoulders. But this adaptation wisely focuses less on his powers and more on his role as a peacemaker and savior.
The live-action transition sacrifices some of the original’s whimsy for a more grounded and mature tone. Yet, this shift works in favor of the story. Aang’s unwavering compassion shines brighter against the slightly darker backdrop. The world, from grand cities to quirky hybrid animals, is lovingly brought to life.
The cast—Gordon Cormier as Aang, Kiawentiio as Katara, and Ian Ousley as Sokka—faithfully captures the spirit of the core trio. Their performances elevate the show, even amidst its flaws, including unconvincing special effects and rushed storytelling.
In summary, Netflix’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender” isn’t a flawless masterpiece, but it has heart—a crucial ingredient for fans of Team Avatar. It’s a beautifully crafted disappointment that manages to honor the original while carving its own path.
In the ever-expanding realm of action comedies, Role Play emerges as a competent yet somewhat unoriginal caper. The film follows a married couple, portrayed by the always-watchable Kaley Cuoco and David Oyelowo, who find themselves thrust into action when the wife’s secret job as an assassin comes to light. While it doesn’t break any new ground, it manages to avoid the pitfalls that often plague similar films.
Cuoco, fresh off her success in The Flight Attendant, takes on the role of a suburban mom with a double life – globe-trotting assassin by day, PTA meetings by night. Her chemistry with Oyelowo injects energy into the proceedings, even if the wattage is slightly lower than the A-list stars we’re accustomed to. The film’s victory lies in not being as atrocious as some of its counterparts, a bronze medal in a field where gold is elusive.
Role Play balances humor and intrigue, albeit with a dash of familiarity. It’s funny in a quiet, chuckle-to-yourself kind of way, emphasizing character-driven moments over explosive action sequences. While the latter may leave something to be desired, the film’s charm and charisma make it an entertaining ride worth taking.
So, if you’re up for a low-key blend of comedy and suspense, give Role Play a shot. Just don’t expect it to redefine the genre – it’s more like a cozy date-night flick than a game-changer. Watch HD Movie.
A terrific rom-com premise is mostly wasted in director Carlson Young’s Upgraded, starring Camila Mendes and Archie Renaux as two strangers who bump into each other on a transatlantic flight. Out on Prime Video, the movie falls back on tried-and-tested genre tropes for almost the entire duration of its 90-minute run-time, although it’s up for debate if it wants to rewrite the rulebook at all. The result is something that, despite the foreign setting and intermittently enjoyable shenanigans, feels all too familiar.
Mendes plays Ana, a young intern at a coveted art gallery, who is sent to shadow her demanding boss on a trip to London. Ana is crashing on her sister’s couch, her art history degree hilariously compared by her brother-in-law to his ‘masters in kung-fu movies’ — which is to say that it’s just as worthless. But despite her lack of options, Ana is an ambitious young woman. In many ways, she’s like Anne Hathaway’s character in The Devil Wears Prada. And often, Upgraded appears to draw from that rom-com classic quite liberally. There is no greater similarity between the two films, for instance, than the characterisation of Ana’s boss. Clearly modelled on Miranda Priestly, who was played so memorably by Meryl Streep in that film, Ana’s boss in Upgraded is an equally haughty middle-aged woman named Claire Dupont. She’s played by a game Marisa Tomei, who gives her a vague Eastern European accent and a formidable reputation. The rumour around the office, however, is that Claire is actually from Wisconsin. Either way, she’s a tough cookie. She barks orders at her minions, doesn’t tolerate incompetence, but takes notice of Ana after she displays her keen observation skills during a high-stakes auction. Impressed, Claire commands her to join her and her two mean girl assistants on the Europe trip, where she intends to close a major deal. Out of spite, the assistants book Ana on a different flight. But in a fortunate turn of events at the airport — the lady behind the counter takes pity on her — Ana is upgraded to first class, and this is where she runs into the charming William. Watch movie.