Movie Theater at South Point
Cinemark Century 16 in Las Vegas

Movie Guru's Current Movie Briefs

• The Bride!
  

  I have watched the trailer several times.  This looks like a very busy movie.  I looked up the lyrics to a one hit wonder song called Monster Mash and both of these creative, artistic outliers seem to have the same pulse.  This is the movie of the week for me.  Take a chance.  It is not on your beaten path.
• Hoppers
  

  Ever since returning home from Goat several weeks ago, the younger grandkids have been crying out to see Hopper, Pixar’s latest film.  Now that it is opening this weekend, I am ready.  Of course, if the older kids decide to go, I will need to get a second job to pay for the concessions.  If the movie is good enough, which I am certain it is, then will be worth the cost even including the collectibles which are always on sale nowadays.  
• Scream 7
  

  I have no interest and will not be watching.  It was number one at the box office last week with a big gross, if that means anything to you. 
• Marty Supreme
  

  Written By Michael Harris
  Heroes are just villains who have their story told from their perspective. Marty Supreme offers the question of what it would be like if the protagonist does not participate in a fulfilling arch. What does it mean when someone sacrifices everything for an ending far from perfect? There is more to this movie than just table tennis. This film has consistent drama, painful events, and high stakes. However, because its goal was to be tense and chaotic, it was ugly and hard to watch. Its purpose is to show the lengths to which people go to chase their dreams and if their decisions are worth it. It definitely does not fulfill the role of being a feel-good sports movie in time for the holiday. I would recommend skipping this one, especially for families.
• Anaconda
  

  Jack Black and Paul Rudd in what looks like a slapstick comedy which hopefully has not given away all the laughs in the previews.  The previews were hysterical if you understand Jack Black and Paul Rudd.  If not and you get drug along by friends or family, the movie is only 96 minutes long so just deal with it.  
• Avatar: Fire and Ash
  

  Written by Michael Harris
  Success has consequences. When a franchise grows, its freedom shrinks. Avatar: Fire and Ash has the defining characteristics of all of the other films in the series: emotional appeals, anti-imperalist themes, impressive visuals, and consistent action. Avatar movies are made for 3D viewing. Therefore, viewers who normally may not understand the purpose of this format may enjoy watching this film in 3D, due to its focus on immersion. However, the movie prioritizes making fans content and loses the sense of originality present in the first Avatar. The movie’s format bases itself on causation from previous establishments within the franchise, which makes it unenjoyable to newcomers to the series and decentralized. Too many plot lines become established, which prevents any real growth from being noticed in the characters. Still, Avatar: Fire and Ash’s serves as an agreeable and enjoyable film, making it a worthwhile watch for those wanting to see the next big budget movie.
• The Housemaid
  

  It is a thriller on the horror side.  At least it looks that way to me.  I have seen Sydney Sweeney in about five different movies in the last year.  Even though her choices have been less than steller, her energy astounds me.  She reminds me of the Twilight actress who was not ready for prime time but has become a true actress and filmmaker.  I wish the same for Sydney.     
• Spongebob the Movie – The Search for Squarepants
  

  Spongebob has never let me down.  I watched the preview and didn’t pay attention but laughed anyway.  Spongebob is the Mickey Mouse of my kids’ generation.
• Wicked For Good
  

  Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific is a classic American musical.  The song Bali Hai is as good as it gets.  If you are a musical aficionado and have not seen South Pacific, you are in for a treat.  I have no opinion about Wicked and Wicked: For Good.  In order to create a successful Broadway musical today, it is as much about the special effects as the actual music.  I cannot criticize the Wicked duo when they are so beloved by fans of all types and ages.  So be it,  Enjoy the movies and ignore critics altogether.
• Now You See Me Now You Don’t
  

  The third in the series of a team of magicians who play Robin Hood during big time heists.  If you haven’t see the first two check them out on streaming if you can.  It isn’t necessary but would be a test of how badly you want to see this latest.
• Anemone
  

  What is an anemone?  Actually I sort of know but wonder why it would be the title of this movie.  Are they trying to bury it before anyone gets the chance to see it/  Consummate artist Daniel Day Lewis returns to acting after eight years in retirement.  Of course we who know his iconic performances beginning with My Left Foot will be first in line.  But a quick warning.  The film is written and directed by his son, a good enough reason for the Dad to return to the screen but maybe not a sign that this will be a movie deserving of great praise.
• One Battle After Another
  

  Leonardo DiCaprio with Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn, directed by auteur Paul Thomas Anderson (look him up).  Recently released Caught Stealing was a failed auteur madcap action film.  One Battle After Another looks great for those us who want to see a successful auteur madcap action film.  This could be the one.
• Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle
  

  Living with a 19 year old I am inundated with anime on my TV.  I did go with my son to the first Demon Slayer movie (it is also a popular series).  He was let down.  I enjoyed the movie very much.  Don’t even bring up dubbed versions of Japanese anime.  That’s a no-no.  Subtitles are in all the way.  The world is changing.  Korean K Pop is currently in vogue playing on Netflix while the same movie played in sold out theaters.  The same is true for this movies.  Sold out premium shows all weekend.  We are not alone anymore.
• Superman
  

  Written By Michael Harris
  It feels like DC films have constantly been testing the waters lately. Due to the company’s many box office flops in recent years, DC decided that it would be in their best interests to reboot the franchise under James Gunn and Peter Safran. Superman plays it safe and uses what they know will work. With high stakes, honorable characters, and incredible graphics, the viewer is compelled to be invested in the story and its characters. However, the would-be dramatic scenes are undercut by the feeling that they were specifically made for the trailers, the main characters are seemingly one-dimensional even among moral dilemmas, and many subplots feel like they were cut. Still, Superman (2025) has a sort of originality that impresses me, even though its characters have been reused for decades. Overall, Superman is definitely a worthwhile watch for new and old fans alike as DC starts its new chapter.
• F1
  

  Written by Michael Harris
  F1 does not recreate the wheel but refines it. It takes the successful pieces of other franchises and joins them together in order to appeal to a wide audience. The protagonist, Sunny Hayes (Brad Pitt), fills a John Wick archetype, where his growth to become the best at what he does is not shown, but left to imagination in the form of a legacy. Because the film was by the director of Top Gun Maverick, it was given the technical tools to make it appear accurate to real life Formula 1 racing. However, the movie still feels unrealistic due to its downplaying of the dangers of racing and a predictable story. Filled with unnecessary subplots and a long two and a half hour run time, F1 loses most of its emotional impact, but is still an overall good action movie that is worth watching.
• Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning
  

  Tom Cruise is a brute.   In his Mission Impossible movies his stunt work really is impossible.  The movies themselves have deteriorated over time, but the action is young Jackie Chan but with millions of dollars in preparation and invention backing up every death defying moment.  This “final” impossible and the one before ir are more than I can handle though I am sure I will leave the theater in awe of an old man astounding us all.
• The Surfer
  

  Another Nick Cage movie comes out of nowhere.  And I am glad.  Cage continues to step up to the plate and hit homers in movie after movie surrounded by young filmmakers all putting forth maximum efforts creating low budget genre hybrids.  I could tell you a little bit about this movie but, as always, the less you know the better.