Movie Theater at South Point
Cinemark Century 16 in Las Vegas

Movie Guru's Current Movie Briefs

• A Minecraft Movie
  

  Jason Momoa and Jack Black seem to be digging the movie in which they are participating.  And I have three different groups who want me to take them to this videogame extravaganza: the three little grandkids, the teenage grandkids, and my son who buys concessions like a group.  (My son wants to go immediately and cannot wait for either of the other groups.)  The preview did not excite me but Minecraft is not my thing.  Oh well.  It is off to the movies which is good all around.  (I think you can tell I have nothing to say about this movie while the market crash is devastating all our retirement funds.
• My Love Will Make You Disappear
  

  A Filipino movie that comes after the successful run of the last Filipino USA release of Hello Love Again which was such a joy to watch.  I have not viewed any previews but want to see it all the more without any giveaways as to plot or individual scenes.
• A Working Man
  

  Jason Statham in his latest all out action XD extravaganza directed by Beekeeper’s David Ayer.  If you were not interested in Beekeeper last time out, you might take a chance this time if you can deal with non-stop violence against human traffickers.  Otherwise I would say take a pass.
• Death of a Unicorn
  

  Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega accidently kill a unicorn and pay the price.  I am not certain if this is a horror thriller or a comedy or a horror thriller/comedy mashup.  Whatever.
• Woman in the Yard
  

  A scary woman sits in a chair in a yard.  This is either a lost Samuel Beckett play or the dumbest idea since humans first roamed the earth.  Last week we were asked to sit through Locked.  For those who remember this was the one where a bad boy gets “Locked” in a car and is tortured by the voice of Anthony Hopkins for two hours.  I would not be surprised if this “Woman in the Yard” tops that one for a total waste of time.
• Alto Knights
  

  Written by Michael Harris
  Alto Knights narrates the great feud between the New York mobsters Vito Genovese and Frank Costello and the situation that would notoriously bring the nationwide mob scene to the FBI’s eyes. While the movie does create a dramatic environment through tense relationships and an unclear progression, the plot is hard to follow and without a definite meaning. For about fifteen minutes of the film, it is narrated in a documentary style, just to prevent confusion. However, this is not successful as unnecessary confusion is created by the two leading roles being played by the same actor. Honestly, Alto Knights is a worthwhile experience if it is seen as an intriguing documentary. If you are waiting for the next Godfather, this film is not it.
• Snow White
  

  The movie industry stands with baited breath.  Can Snow White bring people back to the movies?  I have no idea.  Again word of mouth will mean everything.  During the Holiday season the Red One opened and suffered dearly, while Mufasa opened poorly but word of mouth kept it in theaters for months.  The Snow White trailer looks interesting, and I have a granddaughter.  If the movie is good, and she wants to see it twice, maybe her four brothers will come along.  That is word of mouth.
• Locked
  

  A trailer like this reminds me how important word of mouth is when choosing a low profile movie. What I get from the trailer is the following: A young thief steals a fancy car that is protected by high tech and remains locked in the car forever. Something like that. What is the chance that this movie can hold your attention? Only friends and family and co-workers can help you out if they are the first to see the film.
• Novocaine
  

  Jack Quaid is on the verge of movie stardom with the recent Companion, this Novocaine, and the upcoming Neighborhood Watch.  I am not looking foward to 110 minutes of violence done upon a genetic freak who cannot feel pain.  But Quaid seems to be playing it for laughs.  Love Hurts tried a similar route of extreme violence for laughs and failed.  Maybe this one can pull it off.
• Black Bag
  

  Stephen Soderbergh’s latest, this a spy thriller starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender.  Soderbergh’s last film, Presence, was one of his small, unique, filmic experiments that appealed to his fans.  This seems to be a “real” movie with stars, various exotic locations, and am intriguing Hollywood-like plot.  I heartily recommend what should be an enjoyable movie sit down.
• Opus
  

  This looks interesting.  A music legend is sealed away from the public for thirty years and something probably evil brings her out.
• Last Supper (2025)
  

  An early Easter faith based rendering of the Last Supper including motivations for various disciples behavior and inner thoughts.
• Anora
  

  Holy Cow.  Since it’s victory lap last year at the Cannes Film Festival I waited breathlessly for Anora’s arrival in American theaters.   It played at the South Point.  Underwhelming customer interest.  The Golden Globes ignored it, and the Academy Awards with its five Oscar wins including best picture brought it back for a second try.  It is a crazy comedy with terrific script and performances.  Mostly English taking place in Brooklyn and Las Vegas, but with a certain amount of Russian,  A Russian billionaire’s spoiled brat son falls for a stripper and let the comedy begin.  The movie is rated R but is filled with cursing and nudity.  Cover your children’s eyes and ears.  Better yet, don’t take the kids.  Anora is a really fun movie.  
• Last Breath
  

  I do not want to do this.  Why should I base a brief movie prediction about a real life miracle rescue on the trailer?  Why not?  The trailer is supposed to get you excited about the movie.  Sometimes it succeeds.  Often it fails.  Woody Harrelson saving underwater divers is a lot to ask.  In one trailer scene I ask myself, “Is he stoned?”  It seems this is based on a true story (except for Woody Harrelson being the hero).  I always hope movies will be good, but with this one I can only hope that there are not too many underwater scenes in darkness.  
• The Monkey
  

  Based on a short story by Stephen King, there was a time that would have meant something.  Director Oz Perkins this film’s director is much more important to the current horror crowd coming off his surprisingly interesting hit Longlegs with Nick Cage.  I am tempted to make myself watch this latest Perkins effort, but I will not be visiting the concession stand.
• NeZha 2
  

  This Chinese animated historical sequel is doing Avatar business in China leading to this breakthrough play date all over the United States.  
• Paddington in Peru
  

  Family films have been the winners of the last year.  Paddington is beloved and treated with respect whenever the Brits put him on the big screen.  I look forward to taking the grandkids.
• Captain America Brave New World
  

  Personally I do not like the idea of replacing Steve Rogers with his pal and giving him the same title.  Then I feel a little shaky watching Harrison Ford since his CGI age reduction in the last Indiana Jones popping up on streaming (Shrinking), on TV/streaming (1923), and now as the President in Captain America back in his actual grizzled state.  What about the movie you say.  Hopefully it is a deserving hit that grabs your attention and gets you out to the movies again.  Attendance has been weak so far in 2025.
• Dog Man
  

  The crowds pile in for Moana and Mufasa and Sonic the Hedgehog but give me Dog Man and Bad Guys any day of the week.  Bugs Bunny is not lovable but is funny.  Roadrunner is not lovable but is funny.  Dog Man will be funny.  (I agree with regular readers that we would all be better off with intern Michael Harris handling these family films, but he has school interfering with our needs.
• Fight Risk
  

  Mark Wahlberg in an action flick after several years of smaller films.  What makes this one special is the director, Mel Gibson, who goes unnamed in the promotion of this movie.  Check out Gibson’s directorial filmography.  He makes this movie worth a look.
• A Complete Unknown
  

  Written by Holiday Season Intern Michael Harris
  I am not going to pretend I can give A Complete Unknown due justice. Going into this film, I knew nothing about who Bob Dylan was or the 1960s, specifically the Cold War. However, this movie spoke for itself. With the outer appearance of a well-made romance drama, it is packed with a deeper meaning. A Complete Unknown is the story of people finding something to put their hope in during a time where uncertainty imprisoned the world. They were looking for freedom, and this well-made film questions what this truly means. No matter how much or little you know about this movie, you will be touched.
• Sonic 3
  

  Written by Holiday Season Intern Michael Harris
  In 1949, a book called A Hero with a Thousand Faces was published by mythologist Joseph Campbell. This piece argued that all stories follow the same story structure. Sonic 3 stood out to me for this reason. It is essentially the PG adaptation of the Spider-Man movies. Humor, action, power, and responsibility, the major themes of the Spider-Man movies, are all intertwined perfectly. The stakes are never higher in this dramatic film of anger, honor, and loss, ending in the ultimate sacrifice. This is a movie that will not only entertain your children, but make you laugh at the pop culture references. This is the first movie I am going to honestly and wholeheartedly recommend. Happy Holidays everyone.
• Moana 2
  

  Written by Holiday Season Intern Michael Harris
  As the Lion King has Hamlet, Moana 2 has The Odysseus. Disney has always had a custom of turning classic literature into children’s movies, and this is no exception. The sequels of successful movies are always difficult to make, so aligning this movie with a great work seems like a safe move. However, in the attempts to add depth to the series, it has lost some of its identity. The songs were forced and the humor did not land, but the animations were still incredibly impressive. The climactic scenes are intense, but still enjoyable for a younger audience, as the movie does a good job at keeping the viewer mesmerized. I would rate this movie as the best written children’s movie this year, and definitely a movie your children will enjoy. It is ultimately your choice whether to see this movie this Thanksgiving.