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Seeing this as an adult definitely helped me catch a lot more of the nuances of the film. That being said, I saw this movie dozens of times as a kid and always loved it. As a kid, you are drawn in by the magic and wonder of it all. As an adult, you catch the sarcasm and moral lessons sprinkled throughout the whole thing. I’m sad we are yet to get book 2 of this story. I remember reading the original pair and loved both. I need an adventure in the Great Glass Elevator. This is a classic and has almost the same cinematic importance as movies like The Wizard of Oz and Star Wars (the original 1977 movie). Fun fact: The guy who played Charlie starred in one movie and this was it. He never performed in a film before or since. He had Gene Wilder as his teacher and that is an amazing opportunity for any actor. The only issue I had was the slow start to the movie, but once Charlie gets his ticket, the movie takes off and never slows down. I love this movie and I think most people do. So if you have never seen this, get on it. Story - 19% Characters - 20% Pacing - 19% Spectacle - 18% Entertainment - 19% Total score: 95% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

The sequel needed to go bigger and it actually did that. It introduced more trolls based on the biggest genres of music. It was actually a nice visualization of how some people actually do treat their favorite genres. It could also be a metaphor for different cultures and races as well. While not quite as good as its predecessor, this sequel made a bigger story that kept the core of what made the first movie good. I will say, I do think the cast was a little too big. It became a game of who voices who, but you only get a couple of chances because of so many smaller parts. This is still a good watch to enjoy with the kiddos in your life. Story - 17% Characters - 18% Pacing - 18% Spectacle - 17% Entertainment - 17% Total score: 87% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

It’s the Justice League vs their evil dollar store counterparts. I love the multiverse as much as the next person, but the use of it wasn’t as good. I mostly think the end goal didn’t seem to make sense. But the other Earth swaps sides of heroes and villains. So variants of good guys are evil and vice versa. I do wish there was a bit more to it. There wasn’t much substance beyond “We have to save the multiverse from these evil knockoffs”. It is cool in concept but lacks the fun, creativity, and pizzazz of other animated films. It is an okay watch, but there are better options. Story - 17% Characters - 16% Pacing - 16% Spectacle - 18% Entertainment - 16% Total score: 83% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

This show had everything you could want in a sci-fi time adventure. Loki was a treasure as always and Sylvie was also fantastic. The TVA mysteries was a thread that pulled in viewers every week. This show also sets up Kang the Conquerer which will probably be the next Thanos-level Avengers threat. It was endearing and emotional. Not to mention Loki watching a recap of his future post-New York was a clever, and quick way to get his character arc somewhat close to where he was when Thanos killed him. He is still arrogant but it fast-forwarded his overall compassion. This show is interesting and compelling and is a must-watch. Story - 20% Characters - 20% Pacing - 18% Spectacle - 19% Entertainment - 19% Total score: 96% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

Magic Mike: The selling point of the movie is obviously the sex appeal of some very fit big-name actors. At its core, it is honestly a solid movie about being an entrepreneur and the struggles that come along with it. Whether your business is done legally or not, there will always be hurdles. And of course, when drugs are involved, things get messy fast. The chemistry between the stars is impeccable and it tells a genuine, borderline gritty story of that Cali lifestyle when you have the grandest of ambitions. The drama and lack of score during the dramatic scenes are expertly contrasted with the fun, upbeat stripper show scenes. It’s like Game of Thrones. Come for the eye candy, stay for the actually compelling story. It’s worth a watch, but make sure you watch it with people you are comfortable with. There is male stripping after all. Story - 17% Characters - 18% Pacing - 15% Spectacle - 18% Entertainment - 16% Total score: 84% Magic Mike XXL: How do you make a sequel to a movie about strippers and the breakdown of life drama? You make it a road trip movie obviously. There were still plenty of drama moments, but it was about the group’s last hurrah before they all became boring adults…despite already being in mid 30s and older. There were plenty of eye-candy scenes. Joe Mangenello’s character at the convenience store was the best on the trip obviously. There were lots of cool cameos and the finale dance-off was well worth the build-up throughout the movie. Like the first movie, come for the eye candy dances, and stay for the characters and drama. This movie is very on par with its predecessor. Story - 17% Characters - 16% Pacing - 14% Spectacle - 20% Entertainment - 16% Total score: 83% Magic Mike's Last Dance: This movie had me thinking of something I never thought I would think about the trilogy as a whole. So scale-wise, this had the natural progression of a city movie to a road trip movie to an international movie. But storywise, this would make more sense as the second movie. The arc could have been all the stuff that happened in the first movie. Then, he steps away and keeps working odd jobs until he is discovered by Selma Hayek. She offers him a gig to spruce up a live show. It’s successful and all is good. Then everything is back to basics after a falling out but he managed to start a business. The old crew begs him to go on a trip and do one last show before the whole crew truly gives up the dancer's life. The road trip can be a memory lane trip and it ends on the epic finale. Instead, we get this awkward almost midlife crisis movie. As a whole it is enjoyable but it felt more rom-com than the drama that it started out as. It’s not a bad movie, but it doesn’t really give much reason for existing in the franchise. It has some callbacks, but other than that, this could have straight up been its own independent movie. It could have passed as a soft reboot. Honestly, only see it if you like the franchise or Channing Tatum/Selma Hayek. Story - 15% Characters - 15% Pacing - 18% Spectacle - 18% Entertainment - 16% Total score: 82%

One day I want to play bingo with an animated kid's film. This one definitely checked a lot of the boxes. It has vibrant colors, catchy music, grand adventure, adult jokes, butt jokes, and a nice message. The Bergen side plot was basically a ripoff of Cinderella with the slave maid dolling up for a prince and having an evil step-mother like figure. It does everything you expect from an animated kid's film. If you watch this with a younger sibling, cousin, or just babysitting; you will still have a good time. It has a great message about how others bring out the happiness we all have. Singing and dancing together is also hard to do while sad, so maybe the trolls are on to something. Don’t dismiss this movie just because it is meant for kids. It is sweet and wholesome. If you hate this movie you have no soul. Story - 17% Characters - 18% Pacing - 18% Spectacle - 18% Entertainment - 18% Total score: 89% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

What if the city was the Hunger Games? That is essentially what happens in this movie. Katniss takes everything personally and decides to assassinate President Snow. The ragtag group has to survive a perilous journey. This is at least more engaging and interesting to watch compared to part one. I also realized the acting is top notch and everyone brought their A-game. Josh Hutcherson really brings it as a broken, mind-controlled person. A far cry from the sweet guy in the first film. While I believe the first 2 films are better overall, this was a solid final entry in this beloved franchise. Story - 18% Characters - 19% Pacing - 17% Spectacle - 19% Entertainment - 18% Total score: 91% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

This had all the ingredients of a great superhero movie. Lex is president and basically created the same thing as the Sokovia Accords in Captain America: Civil War. While we don’t get the full DCverse scale of this, Batman and Superman are alone. I love Lex using his charisma to become president and easily turn hero and villain alike on Superman. And of course, there is a meteor headed for Earth because why not? There are plenty of fight scenes with interesting fight combinations. Almost like playing the Injustice game in a way. This is a fun story with action, humor, and stakes. There are so many DC characters and really feels like a true DC experience with the two golden boys leading the charge. Story - 20% Characters - 18% Pacing - 18% Spectacle - 19% Entertainment - 20% Total score: 95% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

This movie definitely brought back Winter Soldier/Civil War vibes. It wanted to be an exciting thriller while still making a statement. That statement was in regard to race and legacy. You can’t take the easy way out. You have to face things or people fight back. The pacing felt slow at times but every character was amazing and had their struggles. It was a well-crafted story and seeing Sam grow to accept his role as the new Captain America was amazing. It’ll also be cool to see John Walker in the dark avengers they are slowly building. Story - 18% Characters - 20% Pacing - 15% Spectacle - 18% Entertainment - 17% Total score: 88% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

I never really liked the last book in general. This movie focuses on the propaganda aspect of the rebellion. Not much happens story-wise besides filling in what happened to District 13 and what happened in the aftermath of the previous film. There are some cool new actor additions but it is not enough to make this one as good as the first two. The selling point for the series was the hunger games. This puts all of the story into the rebellion group. The good parts of the fightback all happen in the next movie. It fills out the story overall but does not stand alone in regard to the film saga. It may have been better to make a 3-hour finale rather than two 2-hour films. Studios need to make that money though. Story - 18% Characters - 17% Pacing - 16% Spectacle - 18% Entertainment - 17% Total score: 86% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

Catching Fire is easily the strongest entry of the trilogy. The game itself has a unique threat element to it. The characters are all interesting. The struggle and rebellion are starting to ignite beautifully. Everything about this is turning it up to the next level. Ending on a cliffhanger really cements the ending of the second act in this bigger story. This is a must-watch to be paired with the first film. Story - 19% Characters - 19% Pacing - 18% Spectacle - 17% Entertainment - 19% Total score: 92% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here

I feel like a lot was missed during this Green Lantern origin story. The biggest thing is they rushed through him getting his powers. There was no “What is this? How does it work?” He gets the ring and all of a sudden everything about the powers comes naturally to him. The ring is supposed to give the user the ability to create anything. They make hands, clamps, and beams. Also, I’m not super well versed in the Green Lantern comics but I thought he was supposed to have his own small, carriable lantern. The oath was never said unless I missed it. This is a mess and boring. There were a couple of cool action scenes, but overall lacked way too much Green Lantern lore. Story - 16% Characters - 15% Pacing - 15% Spectacle - 17% Entertainment - 16% Total score: 79% Grade scale: 90%-100% = must watch 80%-89% = solid, but could be better 70%-79% = Not terrible, watch if the characters or story interests you 60%-69% = only watch for completionist reasons 0%-59% = just skip it, I find the positives and they don't exist here