The Mosley Review

Hello and welcome my fellow film nerds to my film review blog, The Mosley Review! My name is Marcus Mosley and I am NOT a professional film critic. I am a film nerd at my very core and I really enjoy talking about them and expressing my utter joy or despair of films I see with you guys and gals at the theater. I hope you enjoy my reviews and please like, comment, share and subscribe if you really like my writings. So what film should we go see?

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The Mosley Review: Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Ever since The Thunderbolts*, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has gone back to basics by returning to the more grounded and thematic storytelling that's led by great performances instead of spectacle. The fantastical element will always be there in the superhero genre, but now it feels like there is a plan. All of that is on full display in this new chapter of our favorite wall crawler's life. Right off the bat, the tone of the film was more mature and I loved that we are fully focused on the daily life and emotional struggle of adult life while being essentially alone. The themes of maturity, vengeance, acceptance and letting go were wonderfully explored. The fun of the franchise is still intact and the action is more grittier this time, but it isn't being held down by trying to achieve a more massive scope. For the story itself, it is shockingly well contained and perfect as we are focusing on one main character's new life.

Tom Holland continues to dazzle as Peter Parker / Spider-Man. It is rare to have this much of a character growth that is handled with care and Tom has done a great job maturing Peter from a teen figuring things out and now into a young man. Peter's care for his friends and fellow heroes was always at his very core and it was truly compelling to see a massive part of his core missing. There is true heartbreak, rage and sometimes depression within him and it was great to see him navigate that loneliness. On the Spider-Man side of things, Tom truly has given a new dimension to Peter's hero persona. Even during and after an event, he always stayed to check on the civilians or even his enemies to see if they're okay. He has always been a man of the people and I loved how that has never gone away. There is a darkness that’s emerging from Peter as he is beginning to change and I loved the emotional and especially the physical exploration as he investigates his new evolution. Jon Bernthal joins the fray as Frank Castle / The Punisher and he hasn't skipped a beat. Not only does he keep that intensity as he pushes the borders of the PG-13 rating, but he also retains his wit and dark charm. Spider-Man and Frank have this almost older and younger brother like friendship that was refreshing and infectious. They made a great team and I couldn't get enough of the bond they have toward the second half of the film. Mark Ruffalo returns as Bruce Banner / The Hulk and he was just as nerdy and fun as expected. The scientific brain of his working with Peter was so much fun and when he eventually, turns into the Hulk, its actually scary. We all love to see Hulk raging, but this time around it was handled more like a tragic horror film and it was wonderful. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon return as Peter's old friends MJ and Ned and they haven't skipped a beat. You truly see how much it torments Peter to see them move on with their lives without any knowledge of him. There is still a story to be told with them and what is explored here was truly special. Tramell Tillman was welcoming and slick as the head of Damage Control, William "Bill" Metzger. He shows that even the best allies may also have an ulterior motive. Now the biggest and best performance comes from the wonderful Sadie Sink as the new mystery character of the film. By the time you're reading this, you'll know who she is, but I'll save the reveal for the film. Sadie has become a true powerhouse of a performer and her ability to draw you in emotionally with her eyes was astounding. The character in the film goes on an equally powerful and tumultuous journey that is filled with sadness, anger and yearning for answers. She is touted as the villain of the story, but I don't think so. Once you get to know her, she was perfectly justified and I loved the bond that both her and Peter have once they finally get a chance to talk per say.

Franchise composer Michael Giachinno returns once again and delivers a more somber and intimate score that truly underscores the maturity of the character. The fun, bombastic and epic sound is still intact during the action sequences as the current Spider-Man theme pulses through it. What I loved the most is when it was more subtle during the emotional moments of the story. The action in this film was hard hitting, brutal and wonderfully designed in its execution as every part of the environment has a part to play. Like I said before, the character of Spider-Man is all of us as we navigate through life whether be with friends or dealing with the lose of loved ones. This film captures that truth and truly was the beginning of the next chapter of Peter's life as a man and a hero. The implications of his actions in this film will affect the greater MCU and I can't wait to see the fallout of his discoveries. This was by far the most grounded, adult and best acted film in the MCU and in my opinion, the best live action Spider-Man film to date. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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The Mosley Review: The Odyssey

Outside of the worlds of Tolkien, George R. R. Martin and Frank Herbert and second only to the Roman Empire and The Bible, there are no other stories that better encapsulate the meaning of the word Epic than Greek Mythology. For over hundreds of years, the story of The Iliad and the vast poems of author Homer inspired artists of all kinds and taught lessons of humility, compassion, strength and how to treat others in the most civil way even if they have bad intentions. The action, romance and scope of these iconic stories have always been the centerpiece, but the best adaptations have explored the characters internally. The demand for quality storytelling could not be higher as it calls for someone with a clear vision and understanding of the material to deliver a new and fresh perspective to a story we all know. Christopher Nolan has already carved his place in history as one of the best storytellers of our time and now, he has truly shown that he is one of the few that can deliver a true cinematic experience like no other. His ability to transport you back in time in a more grounded and practical way was unbelievable and brings back to life the discipline of the old school filmmaking. The shear scope and tone of the film was almost biblical and I loved the heavier themes at work. Not a frame was wasted nor a performance was phoned in.

Matt Damon leads this voyage as Odysseus and I couldn't believe how much nuance and depth he brought to the character. He's often portrayed as the silent hero in the greater battle of Troy and the wisest and this iteration touches on that, but Damon takes a deeper look into the man. His devotion to his men was at his core as he was a strong leader and his defiance to the Gods was great, but what I truly enjoyed was the weight he carries with every choice he makes. There was remorse for the violence he helped release upon the people of Troy and then his dedication to fulfilling a promise to not only his fallen, but to his family was inspiring. Anne Hathaway commands the screen as his ever patient and devoted wife, Penelope. Their chemistry was the core of the emotional undertone of the film and I felt her heart break when he went on his mission. Her steadfast belief and internal rage and dismay was wonderfully explored in a scene with her son. Tom Holland did a great job as their grown son, Telemachus. His honor was always tested and I loved that he kept the laws set by the household. The bond between him and his mother was explored well and his over eagerness overshadowed the stress of the situation in the palace. All three of them were fantastic together in many so ways. John Leguizamo was outstanding as Odysseus' blind servant, Eumaeus. John brought a level of grace, truth and wisdom to the character and he felt more like a brother to Odysseus than a servant. The time he spends with Telemachus was interesting as he was not only a great teacher, but a mentor as well. Himesh Patel steals the film as Odysseus's second in command, Eurylochus. Whether it was in battle or facing the unknown waters on the boat, he would was right there with Odysseus and he wasn't afraid to challenge him on many of his questionable decisions. Their chemistry was great and Himesh almost commanded many scenes better than Damon. Robert Pattinson was perfect as the ever slimey and plotting, Antinous. Even though he was loyal to the thrown, he was more loyal to his own ambitions and I loved how Robert brought to the surface his cowardly underbelly. Zendaya was great as the ever present Goddess Athena and I loved the haunting nature of the character. Her appearance only to Odysseus eyes was a great theme that plays throughout the film and I loved how it is resolved. Samantha Morton was terrifying and brilliant as the witch, Circe. Her entire segment of the story was both haunting and a hard truth for the period. The commentary at hand in her scene was clear and played a double role in the practical and disturbing horror element of her character.

Composer Ludwig Göransson continues to deliver some of the most haunting, epic and beautiful scores. His unique style of mixing modern voices with the classical sounds were wondrous and added to the scope and almost biblical nature of the story. The cyclops and Laestrygonians sequences were equally spectacular and horrific as Ludwig's score felt like two different horror films filled with despair and pain. My only gripe is the Nolan’s persistent need to deafen the audio in his films when it comes to dialogue. I love the bombast score, clashing of swords and crashing waves all day, but lets keep the voice track clean next time. One thing I truly loved was that this adaptation of the story was done in a non-linear fashion which added another layer of desperation and intrigue as it all gets revealed. The Fall of Troy was apart of that and it was more than just the end of the war for Odysseus. The technical achievement of this film cannot be understated as what you see on screen is 99% in camera. I say 99% because there is a creature that is obviously CGI, but the rest of the film uses classic techniques like forced perspective and shifting sets outdoors. This was movie magic at its finest and entirely captured on true IMAX film stock. There's so much more I can gush about, but I'd rather you experience this masterpiece yourselves. The 1997 miniseries has always been my favorite version of the epic tale and now, Christopher Nolan has delivered what I consider to be the best adaptation. If you can secure tickets to an IMAX 70MM screening, do it because then you will truly experience this touchstone moment of cinematic history and a the sheer scope of the legendary story. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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The Mosley Review: Evil Dead Burn

What drives us horror fans to the theatre when a new Evil Dead film is released? What are we excited to see? Is it the unhinged violence that befalls the new set of victims? Is the amount of bloodshed? Is it the dark comedy that happens inbetween the carnage? Is it the story that sets up the characters that then ultimately leads to the catalyst that sets off a chain of events? All of the above. I believe the entire Evil Dead franchise has become one of the pillars of quality long after its creator has left the writer and director's chair and it shows with each new and unique film. The last 2 films were spectacular in story and execution as they not only introduced new lore and new levels of terror that I have thoroughly enjoyed. Now comes this new entry and I am perplexed. I do enjoy the connectivity, expansion of lore and inventiveness of the carnage, but something was missing. The consistency of practicality is there with the Deadites and they were by far the most aggressive and grotesque this series has seen so far, but I felt it was the weakest story. I never desire Oscar caliber writing from these films, but I want to at least connect and empathize with a single character and well, none of that happened here. I loved the momentum and tension building once we get to the main location, but as we approached the final crescendo before the finale, I felt the film overstayed its welcome and delivered a pretty lackluster final confrontation.

Souheila Yacoub was good as our lead and grieving wife, Alice. The amount of pain, guilt and rage building inside of her throughout the film was well done by Souheila. Alice was not without her flaws as she was far from being the most innocent wife. George Pullar was good and confrontational as her late husband, Will Price. The two of them had a great chemistry in the beginning and to see their marriage deteriorate quickly was chaotic to say the least. It was a toxic marriage on both sides and I'm glad that it was explored. Hunter Doohan was great as Will's younger brother, Joseph Price and man was he the gentle child of the family. All he wanted was peace and once things start to go bad, you see the progression of fear and cowardice that was rightfully infuriating. Eventually, the bravery comes out in an especially bloody way and I loved that evolution of the character. Luciane Buchanan was excellent as his girlfriend, Thya and even more electric as a Deadite. The sequences between her and Joseph were the standout of the film as they were sadistic and especially intimate as the kitchen scene brought out the turth of both Joseph and Thyla. Erroll Shand was awesome and intense as the father of the family, Edgar. The amount of grief that strikes him early in the film was the perfect catalyst for his decent into madness. Erroll carries that amount of tension and delivers the first round of brutality expertly and I loved his creepy enjoyment. Tandi Wright was great as his wife, Susan Price. The entire family is truly toxic as there is an insane amount of unspoken abuse and through Susan, she showcases her trauma in the form of her casting blame on everyone else. I loved that layer of her and how it plays into the terror that befalls the family and her mental deconstruction.

The score by Double Danger was intense and thunderous in the best way. It really soars once the Deadites enter the house. The level of brutality is always a highlight of the franchise and this film is by far the most graphic and grotesque this franchise has ever seen. Its relentless and creative in set up and execution. There is a fall on the stair case that was so jarring and painful to witness and I loved it. The themes of abuse, toxic relationships and dissociation was all trough out the film and it didn't take long for them establish that. My main issue with the film was how chaotic the story felt. I loved the dark humor, but the story itself was very thin and almost an after thought completely. The characters themselves were not necessarily as fleshed out as I would've liked and it was hard to care for anyone because they're all horrible people. The finale of the film dragged on a bit too long for me and I hated the amount of CGI used when the staple of the franchise is practicality. Don't get me wrong, there's definitely CGI in the film, but here it was built up so much to the point where the reveal was lackluster. Overall, I did enjoy the film, but its definitely the weakest of the Evil Dead franchise. Do stick around for the 2 end credit scenes though as one of them needs a serious explanation. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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The Mosley Review: Supegirl

Perhaps the most egregious thing a film could do is try to reshape, rework and ultimately repeat the same story again. Follow me and tell me if this sounds familiar. A flawed, drunken and depressed hero somehow finds themselves thrust into a mission to help another seek absolution. Along the way, the hero's loved one is attacked and faces certain death unless they can find the main antagonist with the only knowledge and/or device that can save their life. As the race against time begins, the reluctant hero and their new companion will both go on a bombastic journey of self reflection and eventually, both will reconcile deep wounds and find new purpose in life that inspires each other to be better. Sounds good and like a standard template right? Well somehow this film figured out a way to deliver that template, but without enough emotional depth to make me care for the overall scope of this space trotting adventure. Don't get me wrong, there is heart in the film, but it only exist in the first quarter and the final sequence of the film. The rest of it was so melancholy and lost all sense of momentum or purpose. I'm familiar with the titular character and how her life differs from her more famous cousin, but I truly felt what could've made me fall in love with this iteration of the character, was sadly left on the cutting room floor.

Milly Alcock was great and kept me invested as Kara Zor-El / Supergirl. She tackles the traits of a more broken, depressed and careless Kara as we get a more unique perspective of being one of the last living Kryptonians. I loved that we get the see her life on what was left of Krypton and how it effected her emotionally and mentally. Her physicality was fun and once she finally gets free of her drunken stupor, she slowly becomes a force. I really wish there was more to her personality though. At times, it felt like she was undercooking the gravity of the overall plot and I wish she had just a bit more polish in the last half of the film. There is more to improve on with Kara and I hope that Milly gets a chance with a better written script. Eve Ridley was good as Kara's unlikely companion, Ruthye Marye Knoll. For the most part, her motivation was all encompassing and sort of hindered her character progression. At times she was an insufferable brat, but there was a spark of some hope for her yet. Both of them were mirror images of each other and I liked how they brought the heart out of one another toward the end. David Krumholtz as and Emily Beecham were fantastic as Kara's parents, Zor-El and Alura In-Ze. They really captured the desperation and pain of sending away their only child to safety. For the time we spend with them, the chemistry was the strongest between David and Milly and the most heartbreaking. Matthias Schoenaerts was decent as the main antagonist, Krem of the Yellow Hills. He nailed the slimey and sadistic nature of the human trafficking space pirate leader, but that's it. He had nothing else to do but be menacing and make the same threats over and over again. He truly felt like a second in command instead of a leader. Now the one that nearly stole the film and perhaps the most faithful adaptation I've seen of a character, was Jason Mamoa as Lobo. From the moment he springs to life to the last shot of him blasting off in his iconic roaring space chopper, I was enthralled. Jason truly captured the look, imposing presence, dark humor, blood thirsty and intense personality of Lobo. My main concern was that we were gonna get too much of him and we got the perfect amount. I can't wait to see more of him in the future.

The score by Claudia Sarne was not particularly as memorable as I wanted it to be. It serves its purpose in the big sequences, but it comes to life in the more somber moments. My biggest gripe is when superhero scores don't service the main character by giving them a memorable theme. Unfortunately, that has happened here where we sort of get a theme, but it doesn't feel like a "This is Supergirl!" theme. Its not easy coming up with an iconic theme, but oddly enough, Lobo has a theme and its awesome. Given the tone of the film, I get the use of pop songs is warranted in some moments, but this time around, it was annoying. There is nothing wrong with delivering a rousing score during a visual showcase instead of a slowed down version of a classic song. Its the same mistake that Captain Marvel made and I hated seeing that happen here. When I described the story template earlier, could you guess the specific movie I was explaining? If you guessed Guardians of the Galaxy 3, then you'd be correct. This film was a stripped down version that lacked the overwhelming emotional core and logic, especially during the final sequence. Overall, I didn't hate this film, but I didn't love it either. It was just so disappointingly bland and I hope for a better and more hopeful story for the character. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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The Mosley Review: The Death of Robin Hood

Here's a fun fact. Second only to Sherlock Holmes, Robin Hood is the most adapted character in media to date. That is quite an accomplishment given that he has always been at the example of a hero of the people. The life of an outlaw has always been glorified and glamourized by Robin Hood and eventually cowboys, but what isn't spoken about is the reality of the lifestyle. The amount of blood shed, bodies piled up overtime and the effect on the later generations of those slain weighs on you. The constant fear of hunted down by the law or others never leaves. That's what this film highlights the best and I loved every bit of it. The first 15 minutes shows you exactly the type of brutal world that the famous outlaw lived in and how sometimes, not all killing was justified. I loved the themes of mortality, regret and melancholy in a time where nobility was not so easily defined.

Hugh Jackman was outstanding as the older, grizzled and weary Robin Hood. The exploration of a legend of this caliber can go in the direction of all out hero or villain, but Hugh plays as something I’ve never seen done with the character. Hugh plays him as just a regular man that is plagued by his bloody legend instead of empowered by it. The pain of living almost eternally on the run from the relatives of those he killed was fascinating to explore and how each kill did not bring him joy, but sorrow. In his youth, he may have enjoyed the thrill, but with age comes wisdom and reflection. Hugh does a magnificent job portraying the weight of Robin's past. Bill Skarsgård was great as Robin's oldest and most loyal companion, Little John. Little John has always been a man of action and I liked seeing the arrested development of the character. He's always been a family man and that rings true here, but through him, you see that he never really grew out of that mentality of always wanting a glorious adventure that leads to bloodshed. You can feel the years of friendship between him and Robin and how their skills have never dulled. There is one scene in particular that showcases the subtle distain Robin has for violence and the ravenous joy Little John gains in contrast. Jodie Comer is always wonderful and as the prioress of a rural nunnery, Sister Brigid, she exceptional. There was a calming nature to her as she tended to those on the island with her, but also a heavy tension. The moments that build between her and Robin were wholesome and peaceful. Brigid's healing words bring such calm to Robin and I loved that he didn't take it all for granted and wanted to protect it. Faith Delaney was great as Little Margaret. Its a hard achievement to portray such a range of emotion at a young age with very little dialogue. Faith was a natural and I loved her scenes the most once she opens up to Robin. Noah Jupe was really good as Arthur / Godwyn. There was so much indecision in his eyes as he was on a mission and I liked the subtlety of it. Murray Bartlett was good as The Leper and was a voice of perspective for Robin. There was more to the character that took me by surprise and I loved how he impacted the lore of Robin's past.

The score by Jim Ghedi was both haunting and somber. I loved the weight of it in the opening action sequences as it helped elevate the darkness of the brutality and tone of the first half of the film. Visually, the film was smokey, cold and dirty as it perfectly illustrated the harshness of the life of Robin and later, the beauty of the world around him. Once we get to the island, the film lightens up and becomes very melodic. Overall, I enjoyed this slower paced and meditative look at the last days of the legendary outlaw. The film captures the majority of the true lore of Robin's last days and I enjoyed the many little details and changes. Not many films take the time to explore characters with atmosphere and reflection anymore and I was truly happy to see this film take that almost forgotten path. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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The Mosley Review: The Furious

Its truly a damn shame that we don't have martial arts films any more in cinema. Particularly, American cinema. Many will point to the John Wick franchise, but that was gun fu and not kung fu. Films like Ong-Bak and The Raid revitalized the genre and were really the last time we had a proper and original martial arts driven film. I'm truly saddened by it, but partially happy because every time we get one, it is fantastic and truly scratches the eternal itch for hand to hand combat. This film truly scratches that itch deeply with its brutal and hard hitting fighting styles that showcases the technical, physical and visual storytelling missing in the action cinema today. The story itself may be simple, but it was not without the perfect amount of drama, heart, tension and charm. Hopefully, this will signal the world that the genre needs to return.

Xie Miao was fantastic as the honest tradesman with a past, Wang Wei. He was a hard working dad in place that wasn't so peaceful and he did his best to make a life for his daughter. I loved that the decision to make the character mute due to an brain injury and how it effects him as the film goes along. Yang Enyou was outstanding as his daughter, Rainy. The chemistry and heartfelt moments between them were wonderful. He may speak through sign language, but he could hear her every gripe with her training. The moment Rainy is taken from Wang, it was truly heroing to watch him fight so hard to get so close to saving her in the inciting incident of the film. As the story goes along, Xie delivers some of the most impressive combat and physicality I've seen so far this year. He was a brutal, efficient and creative fighter in some of the most fluid and sometimes comedic ways possible. Joe Taslim was great as the journalist, Navin and I liked that his story was sort of connected to Wang's. Joe delivers his alarming amount of charm to Navin and I enjoyed his investigative and strategic mind. When its time for him to get into the fight, he doesn't disappoint. He was equally powerful in all of his fight scenes and I loved that he showed the physical strain of the intense movement. The skill of both him and Miao were a treat to witness during the finale of the film. Brian Le stole the film as one of the main henchman, Ho. The man was truly unstoppable and truly a physical force to be reckoned with. He had a childish charm about him that was funny and intimidating as well. Joey Iwanaga was great as the sociopathic child trafficker, Paklung. Joey nailed the spoiled child of a crime lord archetype very well and his fighting prowess was equally unhinged. Yayan Ruhian is always awesome and scary when he is on screen and as the bow caring right hand man of Paklung, Tak, he delivers yet another powerful performance. He was the most deadliest killer in the film and by far the bloodiest as he truly puts his bow to work. I haven't seen this much carnage with a bow on screen before and it was glorious.

The score by Elliot Leung brought the intense and pulse pounding action to life with his bombastic and lively score. The cage fight and cold storage sequences were the highlights of his action prowess and the more somber moments between Wang and his daughter bring to the life heart of the score. Like I said before, we don't get action like this anymore! It was visually satisfying in every way and the brutality was enhanced 10 fold by the outstanding sound design. Every punch, drop kick or bone crunching impact of the ball peen hammer was delicious. Let this film be a wake up call to the world to produce more martial arts films as we are in desperate need of them. I rarely do recommendations in my review, but if you liked this film, then I highly recommend another great martial arts film with heart and brutality, "The Man From Nowhere". Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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The Mosley Review: Disclosure Day

One of the biggest questions that I've asked throughout my life is what would the world do if all evidence of alien life forms were ever released to the public and how would we react? Well, a number of films, television shows and even YouTube videos are dedicated to that answer and I've come up with my own over the years. Do I believe they're real? Yes. Do I believe their among us? Absolutely! What I believe the public would do is simple. Alot of us would be curious and want to know everything and the other half would be so fearful of change. Not of the environment or what it would do to our economy, but what it would do the devout religions of the world. If there's one filmmaker that has been at the forefront of this belief and not afraid to explore those themes, its Steven Spielberg. He’s the only director, to my knowledge, that has given us almost all the different variations of human responses to the idea of aliens. All range from the perspective of wonder through a child’s eyes to the curiosity of an archeologist and to the protective nature of a father. This time around, we have the rebellious nature of a few ex-government employees wanting to disclose everything and I have to say that is was thrilling for the most part. I loved that the story didn't shy away from questioning humanities faith in God and the overall theme of having control. Where I think the film sort of falls apart though is when all the reveals begin and even though its the most interesting part, I think less would've been more here.

Josh O'Connor was great as the brave and charismatic, Dr. Daniel Kellner. He was dedicated to the mission of disclosure and I loved that he cared for the people he works with. He may have been reckless, but his heart is what kept him going. Josh is really great at showing sincerity with only his eyes. He brings to life the disturbing weight of knowledge in one particular scene and I loved his reactions. Eve Hewson was great as Daniel's girlfriend, Jane Blankenship. As former woman of the cloth, her backstory perfectly highlighted the questions on faith and what it could do to a person. Her chemistry with Josh was good and she really gets put through the ringer a bit in the film. There is a decision that should've been made sooner with her character that happens way too late as it was the basis of Daniel's recklessness and frankly stupidity. Colman Domingo is always great and as the leader of the disclosure team, Hugo Wakefield, there was such an aura of earnesty and warmth to the character as he finds the excitement of the event approaching intoxicating. He never used Daniel or anyone else on his team as a sacrifice and treated them like equals. Colin Firth was cool as the main antagonist and the head of the Wardex corporation, Noah Scanlon. He represented the somewhat oppressive and suppressive nature of the government. You come to understand why he wants to keep the truth a secret because of the ramifications of it all. He also had a creepy tone to him as he would use the alien tech to infiltrate and track Daniel in a brilliant scene between him and Jane. He wasn't as menacing or violent as he could've been and there in lies the problem with his character. I wanted more of something to be afraid of instead of intrigued. Now the real star of the film was undoubtedly Emily Blunt as Margaret Fairchild. The transition from her regular day to odd things happening to her was so seamless that it was perfectly jarring as you realize she's changing. The emotional and psychological toll it takes on her was very engaging and powerful during the second half of the film. Emily has an ability to bring out the most haunting and stressful part of the human condition while conveying the beauty of vulnerability. She does that here and by far, this was one of her best performances to date.

Spielberg's long time friend, collaborator and legendary composer John Williams delivers yet again a masterful work of tension and wonder. The emotional core of the film is brought to life by Emily's performance, but John's score cements it all as his ability to make any story musically soar was on display. The cinematography and shot compositions were all fabulous as Spielberg delivers his classic technique of completely using the environment to showcase movement, drama and his trademark style of action. The car chase sequence and train sequence all show that he hasn't lost his touch when delivering practical action that's seamlessly mixed with CGI to enhance but not overtake. Where I think this film differs from his more memorable alien films, is that there really wasn't anything truly to grasp on to. The thrilling plot of getting information to the masses was fun but I felt this film was more about the "what if?" aspect instead keeping it grounded. The mcguffin devices were too convenient at times and honestly underpowered for the amount "danger" the story wants us to feel if they’re miss used. Overall, I did like it, but I really wanted to love it. Its just the last half that really felt undercooked and maybe too long that made the film miss the landing in my opinion. Let me know what you thought of the film of my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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The Mosley Review: Scary Movie 6

I believe its gonna take maybe another year or two before we get massive variety of films in the comedy genre. Until then, I'm enjoying the trickling of all different types of comedy. That being said, I think I speak for everyone when I say that this was an often requested and anticipated return of the Wayans family to the comedy genre that we've been waiting for. In my opinion, the Scary Movie franchise was the last pillar of good spoof comedy and when it was taken from them, the rest of the industry horribly copied their style. Seeing almost all of them comeback and deliver what they're best at was so refreshing. Not all of the jokes were funny as it were, but for the majority, I was having fun and eagerly waiting to see where the story was gonna go. The references, callbacks, and cameos all range from great and unexpected surprises to maybe it should've stayed on the cutting room floor. This may not have been the best return the franchise needed, but it was a welcomed one nevertheless.

The main crew are all back and they haven't skipped a beat. Anna Faris was great once again as the classic weird and sweet Cindy Campbell. She is more seasoned now as she deals with a new killer and I loved her spoof combination of Laurie Strode and the mother from Final Destination: Bloodlines. Regina Hall returns as Brenda Meeks and once again she delivers a stand out performance. She gets to play her older now and not the same young loud friend even though that side of her does comeback for a bit. The chemistry between her and Cindy continues being the best and funniest part of the film and it was a blast to see them together again. Olivia Rose Keegan joins the cast as Cindy's oldest daughter, Sara and it was astounding how much Olivia looks like a younger version of Cindy. For a second, I actually thought she was Anna's real daughter. The strained relationship was fun to explore and I liked that Sara got to have an adventure of her own. Savannah Lee Nassif was good as Cindy's youngest daughter, Tuesday. Her character was pretty self explanatory, but I did enjoy the physical comedy with her in the hospital the most. Gregg Wayans and Sydney Park were great as Brenda's son and daughter, Brad and Dei Meeks. They both get their moments to shine in the film, but I loved the dichotomy between them of what it means to be black in current society. Marlon Wayans returns as our favorite stoner and Brenda's brother, Shorty. Shorty comes off as the same, but he also grows a bit smarter this time around as he shockingly takes charge in the finale of the film. Shorty gets one of the best sequences in the film that not only spoofs Get Out, but another popular film that certain fans will go nuts for. Shawn Wayans returns as Ray, Brenda's gay ex-boyfriend. Honestly, he's all over the place in this film and I liked it. He just sometimes randomly appears and goes all out with the gay jokes while claiming he is straight now. Cindy, Brenda, Shorty and Ray all come together once again and their chemistry was the best and made for some of the best laughs and physical comedy of the film.

Composer Haim Mazar does a good job enhancing the "horror" moments of the film and I liked how he covered the action of the finale. Now not all jokes and bits hit as the franchise is known to throw as much at you as possible while delivering a somewhat comprehensive story. This film not only spoofs the horror genre, but the current societal taboos of today and I loved every bit of it. The Wayans said no punches would be pulled and well, none were. Although the pacing was brisk, I did feel the cohesion was missing from the art of comedy the first films had. Overall, I wasn't expecting the best of the best, but something along the good of the first film and the ridiculousness of the second. That is exactly what I got and I had fun with this new entry. Will it be the best spoof movie of all time, no, but it'll still be fun to watch from time to time. Do stick around for the many end credit scenes. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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The Mosley Review: Masters of the Universe

Oh the 80's. Perhaps the most innovative, creative and stylish era of all time that bore the most iconic and epic stories in entertainment that are still beloved to this day. Being a true 90's kid, I too grew up on live action and animated films, tv shows and franchises like Ghostbusters, G.I. Joe, Transformers and the list goes on. One series that was in my peripheral, but sadly never truly caught my eye, was He-Man and the Master of the Universe. I saw the toys and a few moments here and there, but the iconic catchphrase I knew and repeated. So I had a pretty fresh set of eyes walking into this film and I knew to expect a fun sci fi fantasy adventure that lived for the silly and thrived in the scope of its lore. I was thoroughly entertained for sure, but saddened by the insane amount of mistakes made by other franchises that share the same spirit of fun, infect this film. What I wanted was to live in Eternia the entire time. I wanted to explore the plains and dungeons of this new world as we get a taste if that in the awesome opening. Unfortunately, we are thrust into suffering an ungodly amount of time on Earth. The mistakes I mentioned also range from an inconsistent tone across the first half of the film. I love good humor as much as the next person, but whenever there is a moment of character development, emotional depth or a sliver of darkness that gives the film gravitas outside of the action sequences, a horrible amount of jokes are shoved in to distract or derail. At least the cast knew what type of film they were in and nailed it.

Nicholas Galitzine was outstanding and fun as Adam Glenn / He-Man. I loved that from the moment we meet him and to the very last shot of the film, we see the natural progression of him yearning to return home and understand his destiny as the champion of Eternia. He never forgot where he came from and was still that kid at heart that was good and believed in giving everyone a chance. When he eventually gets the iconic sword of power and becomes He-Man, Adam never forgot the man underneath the muscles. We don't get a true evolution of a character like this in movies that often anymore and Nicholas handled it very well. Camila Mendes was a bit of a mixed bag for me as Teela. Camila brought to life her great physicality and commanding presence but unfortunately, that was the majority of her progress. She was that one note for the majority of the film and there were moments where she would relent and not be so harsh to Adam or her father. There is a heart underneath that tough exterior and I wish I saw a bit more if it. The chemistry between her and Adam was good, but it could've been better. Idris Elba was having the time of his life as Teela's adoptive father, Duncan / Man-At-Arms. There was a great deal of compelling storytelling trying to pry itself free of the joke’s maw as he was dealing with the guilt and shame of losing the battle for Eternia with alcoholism. The heart to heart moments between him and Adam were good as he finally started feeling alive again as Adam tries to level with him. The relationship between him and Teela were truly stomped on by the comedy and I hated that. It was a good opportunity for him to have a reconnection with his daughter and his inner strength that Adam inspires, but like I said, jokes. Alison Brie was good as Evil-Lyn, but really got the short end of the character development stick. I loved that she was the right hand sorceress of Skeletor and how abusive that relationship truly was. I just wish she had more of a motive or something else to do instead of posturing. Jared Leto has always been a great and committed actor, but recently hasn't been cast in the best roles to show off his skills. As Skeletor, he was beyond perfection as he captured the characters' menacing presence, innuendos and wonderful dark humor. He knows what and who he is and he doesn't relent at all. Jared nails that balance between evil and mustache twirling comedic timing with ease. When He-Man and Skeletor eventually meet and clash, it is the highlight of the film as they both deconstruct each other in the best way.

The score by Daniel Pemberton absolutely captures the soul of the epic 80's metal sound and I loved every bit of it. There are times where the main theme becomes repetitive, but there was enough evolution of it as the film progressed. Visually, the film was stunning as the costumes popped and the visuals of Eternia mesmerized. The sound design was truly pulsating with enough base that you felt every punch, blast, sword clash and explosion. Like I said before, the biggest flaw with this film was the tone. By the final 30 minutes of the film, it finally found its footing as the previous hour and a half stumbled along the way. It was almost like the film was afraid to be serious or emotional as if it would lose the audience. We don't need to always cut the tension every second with a hardy amount of quips every five seconds. Also, there is a character that returns in the last few minutes of the movie that really drove my last point home of being miserable in the Earth segment. I hope the eventual sequel learns from these mistakes and goes for the depth of the characters instead of undermining them every chance it gets. I don't mind cheese, but there is such a thing as too much cheese. Do stick around for the 3 end credit scenes though. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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The Mosley Review: Obsession

WOAH! It is takes alot for a film in the horror genre to surprise me and make me say WOAH! Now, I'm not trying to come off all high and mighty, but you have to admit that there are alot of safe and honestly boring horror films out there that may have one or two qualities worth rememberance. Every once in a while a new entry comes along and takes a fresh concept to a level that doesn't go for the easy and choses to tell an intimate story that is relatable, terrifying and sad. This film truly took me for an unexpected ride that I truly couldn't get enough of. I loved the stillness and the classis trick of using the edge of each frame to build the tension and unsettling presence of danger that isn't predictable. The most basic of basic mistakes that many horror films fail to remember is to set up your rules, follow them to the letter and let the story naturally escalate while not contradicting the rules. This film does that expertly and in one particular scene, it introduces a great point of lore that was so satisfying and gut wrenching.

Michael Johnston was fantastic as the sheepish lead, Bear. The complexity of this character was not surface level by any means. He was the classic definition of the nice guy that has pure feelings for someone, but his neurotic nature truly holds him back. What I loved about the character is that even he knows what he wished for was wrong, but the way he deals with it was based in true terror and trauma as he sinks into himself. He was the perfect case of a selfless person becoming selfish, destructive to others and overall lost in his despair. Michael delivered an outstanding performance that was restrained and explosive in the best way possible. Cooper Tomlinson was great as their douchey friend, Ian. He is one of the best guys to have on your side as he would stand up for those he cares about while also not being afraid to poke fun. He gives a mixture of good advice to Bear while also giving him the absolute worst advice as well. He wasn't without a brain though. Even he was starting to question the situation that Bear asked for and his reaction was logical and hilarious at times. Megan Lawless was great as another part of the friend group, Sarah. Honestly, I loved her character the most as she was a very chill person and I loved how she had a future she was striving toward. The chemistry between her and Bear was greatest during a scene when all of them were at work together. If anything, she was the only innocent person of the story. Now the real standout and terrifyingly heartbreaking performance came from none other than Inde Navarrette as Nikki. From the beginning, you can see the light of her fun and welcoming personality shine through as her chemistry with the entire cast was perfect. The real terror begins once you see that light in her eyes instantly get snatched away from her. Every once in awhile there is a performance that instantly becomes so haunting that it stays with you. Inde delivers such a performance and I loved how it slowly progresses from lovingly weird to creepy and finally demonic. The back and forth between her and Bear was the heart of the film and it was truly sad and wrong on so many levels. Once you realize who the real villain of the story is, it changes the whole perspective of the film.

The score by Rock Burwell was great and haunting. If was offbeat and sometimes synth driven as the more innocent and emotional moments come through. He used the more loud musical hit wisely as he didn't rely on the big bass drop or strings to scare the audience. The cinematography of the film was excellent as it stays consistent with a shadowy golden look that uses green to a more sickening degree. Almost every shot could be a still frame that tells a story by itself. Like I said before, once you follow the rules of your horror story, the natural escalation of terror can work as long as the story is solid and this film was all of that. The dissection of the many themes of forced relationships, devotion and how the selfish nature of a one sided love can be disastrous was brilliantly captured. The phone call scene to "the company" was one of my favorite scenes as it showcased what I suspected without confirming it completely, while in turn, led to one of the best Sam Raimi style endings I've seen in a long time. Yeah, this is definitely one of my favorite horror films of the year that I highly recommend. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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The Mosley Review: Backrooms

Now this one was interesting. I only have a very slim amount of knowledge of the origins of the series this was based on, but from what I saw, I enjoyed. This film captures what most horror films attempt and slightly get right. Not only do we get a slow burn of atmospheric tension, but we get the best of what found footage films used to be. Those moments were genuinely creepy and almost scared me because its not what's in front of the camera, but what's on the side of the frame that freaks me out. I loved the sense of disorientation when we are in the titular location and how each corner featured something odd and intriguing. The film tries to balance the tension and thrills with a very grounded human story that sometimes doesn't really have a resolve or progression. The onscreen talent do guide us through those themes of depression and desperation, but they truly sale the terror of discovery in this new parallel universe of unknown origin.

Chiwetel Ejiofor is always a welcomed sight on screen and as the furniture store owner, Clark, he delivers yet another compelling performance. There is alot of depression and strain going in Clark's life and it may not seem like we get alot of time with him, but what we get is a fully developed character thanks to Ejiofor's outstanding performance. I felt I understood him more once he finds the door to the backrooms. The mental journey he goes through in record time and how he helps us the audience understand that place was fantastic. Finn Bennett and Lukita Maxwell were great as his only employees Bobby and Kat. They were a good couple and I loved their reactions when they witness Clark's discovery. Through them, you get the full experience of the found footage genre and how fun and scary it used to be. Mark Duplass was great as Phil and I won't spoil his part in the film, but what we got with him was equally important and fun. Renate Reinsve was fantastic as Clark's therapist, Dr. Mary Kline. I liked that there is an unresolved trauma within her that’s visually explored and how it is linked to the backrooms was great. The doctor and patient relationship between her and Clark was explored in a simple but effective way in one of the most twisted scenes of the film. I loved seeing her explore the backrooms the most because she shows an a great deal of empathy in her discovery toward the last half of the film.

The score by Edo Van Breemen and Kane Parsons was eerie and haunting in the best way. I loved how it was used strategically to ratchet up the tension towards the middle of the film, but it didn't break the immersion. The greatest strength of the film is its visuals and I loved the clean and colorful design of the backrooms themselves. Each corridor and corner really had some of the best lighting and added to the immersion and sense of dread as you didn't know what lay beyond the shadows. Like I said, this was a slow burn of a thriller that has elements of body horror that I enjoyed, but I did feel as if the pacing could've picked up a bit in the middle. Perhaps one more moment of disorientation and confusion would've really sold the desperation of Clark or even Mary harder. Overall, I did enjoy how the film wrapped up and how it earned its ending. For a debut film, I say Kane Parsons has delivered an impressive debut with a clear vision a world that I can’t wait to explore further. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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The Mosley Review: Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

It is always a good day when I can wake up, go to the movie theatre and see a new adventure in a galaxy far far away . From the moment I could recognize the magic of this beloved franchise and to the day I die, I will always be a die hard Star Wars fan. That being said, I can whole heartedly acknowledge its greatest achievements and its abysmal faults. Now comes a new film that sort of falls in between those lines and I was okay with it. We come to these films hoping to see an advancement in the lore or to see character development of those we love and we get crumbs of that, but not enough in my opinion. Its false to say that the spirit of adventure was missing, but it is true that this film didn't feel like a story that was either groundbreaking or sadly, necessary. I hate saying that because I know that there is a lot love that goes into these stories, but I can't shake the shocking amount of ambivalence that washed over me once the credits began to roll.

Pedro Pascal, Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder all return as Din Djarin/ The Mandalorian. Pedro delivers the same level of stoicism to the character we all love and further explores his father like feelings to his adopted son Grogu. Brendan and Lateef continue to bring the amazing physicality to the character in some of the best stunt work I've seen for the character. From his classic cowboy swagger to his quick and brutal fighting style, its all a show stopper in the great action set pieces we get along the way. Grogu is still the cute foundling and I liked that he has become more confident and effect. He gets his own amount of side quests and I found one particular scene with a fisherman the most compelling scene in the film. Steve Blum returns as Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios and it was great to see the character enjoying his job as a pilot for the New Republic. His charm was intact and I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing him absolutely destroy stormtroopers left and right. Sigourney Weaver was good as colonel and leader of the New Republic's Adelphi Rangers, Ward. Her commanding presence was great and I like that she doesn't really where her heart on her sleeve. She is a war time leader and she shows it subtley, but her performance was a pretty hollow. Martin Scorsese provides the voice of Ardennian shopkeeper, Hugo and he was a fun addition to the film. He pretty much was himself the entire time, but you could tell he was having fun. Jeremy Allen White was great as the voice of Rotta the Hutt and I liked that he took the character in a familiar, but new direction. Rotta breaks the stereotype of the Hutt race and truly has his own motivations and dreams. I loved his physicality as his story was more Gladiator influenced.

Ludwig Göransson returns as composer and he continues to deliver the same epic and experimental musical sound the series is known for. Film score is always the second character in a Star Wars picture and his score was very much that. From the bombastic opening to the groovy theme of Shakari to the more intimate themes in the second half of the film, the score soars to new levels of inventiveness. Visually, the film is gorgeous to look at as the action in this film was the main course. The opening AT-AT sequences was brilliant and I loved the snake pitt the most honestly as the visual effects were the best this franchise has seen in quite some time. I witnessed this film in IMAX and that is truly the only way to see the sheer scope of the action. The problem I felt the most about this film is sense of uneven scaling. For a second, it seemed as if the story was leading to some massive reveal or cameo that may have some bearing on the future of this timeline or maybe set up an event. Unfortunately, none of that happens. We come to see Star Wars films branch into a massive arching story that has meaning or growth for the characters involved and sadly none of those staples are here. It was a fun adventure yes, but by the end of this film, I felt like I just watched a higher budget version of the Ewok Adventures films. After you see this film, I want you to ask yourself this question. If this film didn't exist, would it have changed the trajectory of the franchise or effect the main characters in any meaningful way? Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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The Mosley Review: The Sheep Detectives

Oh this film hit a special place in my heart. Not only was this film immediately my most anticipated once I saw the trailer, but it reminded me of one of my favorite 90’s films as kid that I couldn't get enough of. Babe was one of those special and delightful films about identity, finding and protecting a family that may not be yours, but they were your home. It also feature deeper themes and realities of farm life and by all accounts, an achievement in storytelling for using real animals. This film carries on that wonderful tradition and succeeds where all the "live action" animated films fail. Yes, the animals in Babe were a mix of real and animatronics where as this one features mostly CGI animals, but their emotional face expressions match the incredible voice acting and tone of the story. I'm always up for a good murder mystery and this film gives you a very cute story that all can enjoy. The perfect blend of themes of mystery, societal bias and even willful compliance to divert from a problem instead of facing and learning from it, rarely is executed so well in one story. This film perfectly executes all of this and more.

The voice cast on the sheep side was astounding and all did wonderful work. Julia Louis-Dreyfus was truly wonderful as the empathetic and smart sheep, Lily. She was more of the den mother of the flock and I loved that she was so warm and kind. I loved her journey as she started to take the lead in the investigation of her shepherd's death and her chemistry with him was magical. Chris O'Dowd was great and wise as Mopple. He carries the heaviest burden in the film as the one sheep that knows all and remembers all. Chris delivers his more dramatic chops as he bring to life the sadness in his eyes. Regina Hall was fun as Cloud. She was the more dainty diva sheep and she nails it. Bryan Cranston was as striking and powerful as you'd expect as Sebastian. He has a very violent backstory that does not shy away from the horror of it and it highlights one of the biggest themes of the film. I loved that he called out everyone for their prejudice and cowardice. He was the voice of reason and stole the film for the most part. Patrick Stewart was having the time of his life as Sir Richfield. He was eldest protector of the flock and so shakespearean that it was hilarious as he would constantly proclaim to know whom the murderer was. Now the one that'll steal your heart and definitely break it was the talented child Tommy Birchall as The Winter Lamb. The themes that I expressed earlier hit the hardest with him as Sebastian sees himself in the kid. Such a great performance from Tommy and the rest of the cast as they brought a human touch to the sheep.

Hugh Jackman is always a joy to watch and as the shepherd of the flock, George Hardy, he brings out the wonderful and wholesome nature of the character. He truly cares for every sheep in his flock and it brought him genuine joy to nurse them and protect them. I could've watched an entire film of him interacting and reading to the sheep. Nicholas Braun was fun as the bumbling and slow town police officer with a heart of gold, Tim Derry. I liked that he evolves a little faster towards the end and wasn't a complete dumb dumb. Nicholas Galitzine was good as the journalist, Elliot Matthews. He was always curious about the town and his scene in the "festival" was great. Molly Gordon was good as George's daughter Rebecca Hampstead. She was the sweet and not always innocent daughter that comes to town, but her real story explains why. I enjoyed her chemistry the most with Tim as you kinda see something sweet brewing between them. Hong Chau was great the innkeeper, Beth Pennock. There is a connection to be discovered with her that explains her obsession and I loved how Chau delivered the somewhat sadder side of her truth. Emma Thompson was just her jolly self as George's lawyer, Lydia Harbottle. She may have been the mediator of George's estate, but Emma was just there for fun and I enjoyed it.

The score by composer Christophe Beck was emotional, delightful and perfect as the mystery began to unravel. It was very traditional and cheeky in the more comedic moments. Visually, the film is a breath of fresh air as all the colors were rich and vibrant. Babe was groundbreaking for its technology for facial and mouth expression with live animals and even though we've vastly progressed tech-wise, this film harkens back to that style in a way that’s new and classic at the same time. This was truly one of the most heart warming and delightful experiences I've had in a long time and I cannot recommend this film enough to all ages. Let me know what you thought of my review or the film in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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The Mosley Review: Mortal Kombat II

Second chances are rare in the movie business. They're even rarer when adapting a well known and beloved property. I'm all for films getting a second chance at redemption or even listening to the fans and improving on what worked and fixing what didn't. Such a rare case has now occurred here and I have to admit, this was a vast improvement over the abysmal first film in this new franchise adaptation. We all know the lore of the Mortal Kombat game is rich with mysticism, violence and characters we all know and love. I was happy to see almost that same love and reverence was captured in this film. The action may be satisfyingly gory, the recreation of famous fighting stages were fantastic, but it all came down to what this film needed over the previous film, a better written, emotional and focused story. I wasn't going into this film looking for a cinematic masterpiece, but what I ended up getting was exactly what I hoped for. This was a bloody good fun popcorn flick that has the right amount of camp and takes itself not too seriously. Now of course the film isn't perfect. There are some performances that save it from the depths of the Netherealm while others keep it treading the most viscous pit of acid.

Adeline Rudolph was fantastic as Kitana. She truly surprised me as she nailed the conviction and emotion of the character. Adeline showcases Kitana's warrior spirit and wasn't afraid to tackle her more steadfast yet good heart. When she begins her journey through the tournament, her physicality was excellent and I loved how accurate her use of her bladed fans translated from the game to screen. She bore the most dramatic weight of the film wonderfully. Tati Gabrielle was good as her best friend, Jade. Tati's take on the character was fun and I enjoyed her loyalty to Kitana, even when she is forced to follow her Emperor's command. There was chemistry there that is simple but good. Ludi Lin and Max Huang return as both Liu Kang and Kung Lao and they were better this time around. The sense of brotherhood between them was unfairly weak in the first film, but in this I felt more connected to them during their fantastic fight sequence. Jessica McNamee and Mehcad Brooks return as Sonya Blade and Jax and I was a little disappointed. The both of them really didn't get enough time to develop their partnership further. And honestly, their fighting skills have not improved. They're the best special forces operatives and they fight like school kids. Mehcad brought out Jax's charm, but Jessica was pretty hollow this time around as Sonya. Lewis Tan returns as Cole Young and I never hated the character, I just hated that he was added when you already have your star characters to pick from. That being said, Lewis Tan does a good job with time we spend on him in this film. His physicality has always been great and it was here too. Tadanobu Asano was great as the ever insightful and strong Lord Raiden. I'm glad that he got to show how much he cares about the champions he loses. Hiroyuki Sanada returns as Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion and he rocks the screen once again with ease. He may not have much to do, but what he does is spectacular. CJ Bloomfield was really fun as Baraka. He embodied the Tarkatan warrior spirit and tribalism. Josh Lawson returns as Kano and he is just as hilarious and ever the scene stealer. He was always perfectly cast and he reminds you why. Martyn Ford was fantastic as the looming and dangerous, Shao Kahn. Not only does he nail his brutality, but he also nails his ruthless and cunning nature. He is an almost unstoppable force to be reckoned with and I loved every second he was on screen. Now the other main star of the film truly captured an older version of the beloved character and I was all for it. Karl Urban was perfect as Johnny Cage and I loved how he made him more modern day as an aging action star in a time where martial arts films have all but disappeared from the mainstream. Its a fun redemption story that has been featured in the games and I loved seeing it here. Karl was an excellent choice and I loved his comedic timing.

The score by returning composer Benjamin Wallfisch was way more epic and powerful this time around. He delivers the scale of even the smallest fight in the film and I loved the emotional strings he pulls during the finale. The sound design in this film was outstanding. You could feel every bone crunching punch, every ear splitting spin of Kung Lao's bladed hat and impact of Shao Khan's hammer was earthshattering. The first film truly had some horrific dialogue and awful world building as certain locations were boring to look at. This film truly fixed alot of those problems and made the other realms full of life. There's plenty of cheesy dialogue here too, but the tone of the film allows it to fit. The recreation of the many stages from the first and second Mortal Kombat games were spot on and truly great fan service. My only quams was that the lore itself was either forgotten or even retconned to the point where alot it doesn't make sense. Overall, I had way more fun with this entry as it actually gave me more of what I wanted from the first film. Its not the greatest video game to film adaptation ever made, but it is a step in the right direction. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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The Mosley Review: The Devil Wears Prada 2

Like the shifting winds of Santa Ana, a change may have actually arrived. I always go into sequels to a very popular film, released 20 years ago, very cautiously because of the spotty track record. It could be a sequel that serves no purpose than to line the pockets of studio heads or a story that advances the characters and builds upon what made the original great. Welp, this was one of those rare occurrences where a sequel was warranted and it avoided the typical pitfalls others willingly dove into in. The member berries are unavoidable, but thankfully they didn't rule the story. This film felt more like a fun high school reunion where everyone is wiser and evolved while some still remain the slick and unlikely friend you truly missed. The spirit and heart of the first film was lovingly retained and I found myself sinking back into the world of high fashion and stress these unforgettable characters live for.

Anne Hathaway returns as as Andrea "Andy" Sachs and she excels at bringing back that loveable and plucky attitude the character is known for. She has truly become a strong and respected journalist and I loved that she never gave up her will to strive for the best. There is a hardship that is thrust upon her that is topical and is currently effecting every industry today. Anne has this unique charm and emotional awareness to keep the character grounded and I loved that she didn't allow her character to regress. Tracie Thoms returns as Andy's longtime friend, Lily and she doesn't skip a beat. We all have that one friend that has been with us through the majority of our lives and has kept us leveled. Lily is that friend and I loved the fun back and forth with them. Lucy Liu was cool as Sasha Barnes and I loved that even though she may be one of the richest women in the film, she didn't let it control her. I liked Patrick Brammall as Peter and Andy's new love interest. Their story doesn't overtake the overall narrative, but its that fun instant rom-com chemistry that is almost non-existent these days that wonderfully fueled their scenes. Emily Blunt was fantastic yet again as Emily Charlton. To see her finally in an executive role at Dior, was delightful and she never ceased to have that cutthroat and sarcastic humor. The moment her and Andy reunite, there is a bond there that is kismet. How they explore their friendship is devious at times, but never spiteful. Stanley Tucci is still one of the greatest and smartest actors out there and his return to Nigel Kipling was sorely missed. He continues to be that perfectly honest and charming pulse of the fashion world and friend to Andy you love to see. He retains his indestructible wit, charm and heartwarming devotion to doing the best for those he cares about. The chemistry between him and Andy was the major highlight of the first film and it's even more so here. The one and only Meryl Streep returns as the iconic and devilish director of Runway Magazine, Miranda Priestly. Her same cold, brash and unforgiving personality is still wholly intact and I loved that she is brought to task as she faces the current social climate in her own way and doesn't compromise. We got to see a few slivers of her humanity in the first film and now a little more than half of her mystique dissipates as Andy comeback to help her. Meryl always delivers and I genuinely could feel the fun and joy radiating from her as she inhabits Miranda once again. I've always thought of Nigel and Emily as living manifestations of her sarcastic and stylistic business driven self. Andrea represented that young, spunky and warm side of herself that she completely forgotten. That's why their chemistry works the best and it sores to new levels in this film. All of them together were the reason you came to see the film and they don't disappoint.

The score by returning composer Theodore Shapiro was just as fun and warm as you'd expect. The memorable themes all return once we get back to Runway and I loved his score the most in the more intimate moments with Nigel and Miranda. The visuals were the most important in this film since we're in the world of fashion and the film was beautiful, but a bit inconsistent. The colors are there, but for the most part there is that pesky shade of gray in the color correction that clashes with everything. I'm not a fashionova, but that bothered me as too many films are afraid to have true color or darkness in their cinematography anymore. Overall, I was impressed by the quality of the storytelling and large amount of heart the film had. Its the hardest thing making a sequel to a film 20 years later and I was glad to see the original team return and knock it out of the park. If you loved the original, then you're gonna love this. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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The Mosley Review: Michael

I want you to understand something. For this current generation, none of your minds could fathom the career, the legacy and the power one man had over the entire world. There isn't and they'll never be anyone that will match the majesty of the one true King of Pop. For the rest of us that were alive to witness it all, we know that when Michael Jackson announced he had a new album release, we bought it immediately. When he had a new music video about to air on television simultaneously, we planned our lives accordingly and the world stopped! I was born into a home filled with movies and at any given moment, music was playing and of course The Jackson 5 and Michael's entire catalogue was playing. I was born after the beginning of his solo breakout career and it was glorious. That being said, I have seen almost every documentary, news report and biopic that aired and they all gave you an insight into the origins of the Jackson family. Now comes a new biopic that celebrates the creation of the iconic songs, albums and performances, but somehow was a disappointment. This film celebrates Michael in his earlier years, but lacked the required exploration into him as a human being. We get slivers of his anxieties and pain when dealing with his family drama, but it quickly shies away from the most important moments and goes into another song or business deal. I did enjoy myself, but it was unfortunate how fast this film blitz through his formative years.

Colman Domingo was outstanding and perfectly overbearing as Michael's father, Joseph Jackson. Domingo captured the relentless dedication to push his children to be the best in the most abusive ways. There was a level of venom in his voice and body language that was undeniable and scary at times. Nia Long was great as Michael's mother, Katherine Scruse-Jackson. She was the needed gentle and nurturing voice in the film and even though we didn't get too deep into their marriage, Nia embodied her strength. Larenz Tate was excellent as the legendary producer and president of Motown, Berry Gordy. For the time we spend with him, Tate brings out the charm and commanding presence of the character. I loved that we saw his supportive and constructive nature in a great scene between him and young Michael. Miles Teller was very chill and strong as Michael's entertainment lawyer and manager, John Branca. You see the strong business relationship between him and Michael begin and all though it was glossed over quickly, it showed that he actually cared about him as more than an artist. Deon Cole was a surprise as Don King. Not only did he nail his cadence, but he nailed the cutthroat nature as one of the most iconic businessmen and promoters of all time. KeiLyn Durrel Jones was awesome as Michael's personal bodyguard, Bill Bray. What I loved is that we got to see how much he cared for him and was sort of his council when needed. He was there from the beginning and as the story progresses, so does Michael's trust in him. Juliano Krue Valdi was amazing as young Michael Jackson. From the moment he's on screen, he captures the innocence and energy of the young icon. I loved that he highlighted the yearning for him to be a normal kid and that self realization that he’ll never be normal. Now the film moves quickly and once we get into the teenage years, the film takes off with an incredible performance.

Jaafar Jackson not only portrays his uncle, but he becomes his uncle, Michael Jackson. The complete transformation was undeniable and somewhat scary how many times I forgot I wasn't watching the real Michael. He nailed his speech, mannerisms and of course his iconic style of dance. I enjoyed that he kept the sweetness of Michael intact. He was a jovial man that embraced all not matter your race or belief. I enjoyed the scenes where Jaafar showcased his charity work as a humanitarian. Beyond the iconic outfits, songs and music videos, Jaafar got the chance to portray his loneliness for a bit. That's where I wish the film slowed down and focused a little harder. We get to see his internal and external demons at work when dealing with his father and the pressures of fame, but not enough in my opinion. Jaafar celebrates the icon, but I felt he didn't get enough time to showcase the young man growing into his independence. His chemistry with Nia Long was emotionally charged and every scene with Colman was fueled with tension. The kitchen scene between Michael and Joseph was where I felt the most tension and the hardest amount censorship. The actual recreations of Michael's legendary performances, music videos and creation of his biggest album, were showstopping indeed. Jaafar resurrects the legend to a point that was supernatural. Its what you came for and he delivers.

Aside from all the hits, Lior Rosner delivers a solid score that highlights the emotional core of the film. I loved how Lior weaved the tunes into the score as it gave the more quiet moments a needed punch. Visually, the film was gorgeous to witness on the big screen. The cinematography captured the scale of the arenas and the scale of his career in even the smallest venues like the county fair. Like I said before, I was disappointed that the film felt like it was put on fast forward. If you strip away all the glitz and glamour of the performances and music, what do you have? That's where the film needed to shine. It is the quiet moments away from the cameras and behind closed doors where we get to know the human being and this film sort of failed at that. I wasn't looking for the dark and tragic life of Michael, but I wanted to see this film not shy away from it either. I wanted to live in his shoes for a while before the next song. The kitchen scene was really the moment where it should've come to ahead and even the person next to me said it best. "Okay, that could've been longer." Overall, was this a great first half of a two part biopic, no. It was a fun and entertaining celebration of the icon, but it lacked the necessary depth required for it to be as groundbreaking as the man himself. If you want a true deep dive into the Jackson family, I recommend you track down a copy of the VH1 miniseries, “The Jacksons: An American Dream”. Here's to hoping part two brings it home. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

[themosleyreview]

The Mosley Review: Lee Cronin's The Mummy

I’m at a bit of loss here as to what I just saw. I don't think this film knew what it wanted to be in the first place. Don't get me wrong, this was a well made horror film, but it was truly missing so much that would've given it a lasting appeal. All horror films have multiple themes and any good storyteller will use at least 2 of those themes to tie together the entire narrative. Well this film had at least 5 different story plots and themes happening at once. So the question is, what was this film? Was it a supernatural horror film? Was it a family driven missing persons mystery? Was it a gore driven film that was just there to push the envelope without any substance? Well, yes to all. Ironically, it wasn't structured enough to break out of the same old song and dance that the Evil Dead franchise created and has been duplicated by others for years.

The cast do the best they can with they have and honestly, they were perhaps the worst family on screen possible. Jack Raynor and Laia Costa were good as the Father and Mother, Charlie and Larissa Cannon. Given that Charlie was an investigative journalist, I wish he actually put those skills to better use more throughout the film to find his daughter. For the most part of the film, he just stands there with the same look of shock on his face until the end of the film when he finally makes a decision. Larissa was the caring nurse and I did like seeing her try to take care of Katie, but what I would've enjoyed seeing is the emotional toll. Let her have a moment where she even doubts her daughter’s chances or even a moment to herself to break down. The two of them together had pretty good chemistry for the first half of the movie and then after that there wasn't much time to get to know them. Shylo Molina was good as the oldest son, Sebastián Cannon. He does a good job handling the standard angst and troubled teen arch that doesn't really go anywhere. Billie Roy delivers the perfect sweet and innocent personality of the youngest daughter, Maud Cannon. She eventually becomes apart of the darkness the plagues the house and joins in on the gross out moments. Together, they were perhaps the most dysfunctional family I’ve seen in a while. I didn’t feel any connection to them or a sense of family bond. May Calamawy was awesome as Detective Dalia Zaki and I enjoyed her side of the story the most. I always enjoy the story of a rookie investigator becoming a detective over time. Through her, I felt the story was actually going somewhere and possibly had some stakes to it. She was drastically underplayed in my opinion. Natalie Grace delivers a fantastic physical performance as Katie Cannon. She delivers on the creepy and grotesque nature of her condition and I enjoyed her dedication. I would've like to have had more suspense around her condition instead of going for the obvious demonic tone.

The score by Stephen McKeon was thunderous and delivered the terror with the shrieks and churns of the strings. His score truly takes off in the last half of the film and he doesn't hold back when creating an epic sound to the visuals. Speaking of sound, this film is loud and not in a fun way. Sound design is one of if not the most important factor of all horror films and well this one bombards you throughout. The first half was alright because it was more subtle, but once we get to the Cannon household, everything is turned up to twelve. The house is so creaky and everyone’s footsteps sounded as if the wood paneled floor beneath them was about to break. It was just too much at times. The make-up in the film was excellent on Katie, but this where I had the biggest problem with the film. The film focused so heavily on gross prosthetics and disgusting visuals that the story truly disappeared halfway through and I was bored. I've seen plenty of viscera from many a horror film, but this was in your face just to be in your face. I get it, you want us to see how horrible this entity is, but the expression “less is more” means alot here. Overall, I truly wished this was more of a detective story about a father searching for his missing daughter. Maybe then this wouldn't have been such a waste of potential. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!