Precious (2009)

 Genre: Drama
Directed by: Lee Daniels
Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz
Running Time: 110 minutes

 

Claireece Precious Jones is a 16 years-old girl with a troubled life at home. Victim of physical, sexual and verbal abuse, she finds herself pregnant for the second time. Kicked out of her junior high school, she is referred to an alternative school called Each One Teach One, where goes despite her mother’s lack of appreciation for the importance of education.

This film is based on the 1996 novel Push, by Sapphire. It tells a grim story, but a powerful one. The cast does a strong job here. Sidibe and Mo’Nique are particularly solid. Precious is a movie that packs quite a punch, one that will keep you reeling well after its done. Well worth seeing.

Rating: «««««

Bert Kreischer: Lucky (2025)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Jeff Tomsic
Cast: Bert Kreischer
Time: 67 minutes

 

Bert Kreischer’s comedy is not everyone’s cup of tea. Sure, he tends to be a little over-the-top, but I usually dig his stuff. This latest comedy special is no different. Sure, he falls a little in the TMÌ zone discussing sex with his wife that much, but the material is funny. The last bit about his late dog made the show for me. It is so good. Funny and touching at the same time. I was entertained and moved. Those pants, though, damn!

Rating: ««««

The Alto Knights (2025)

Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: Barry Levinson
Cast: Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Cosmo Jarvis
Running Time: 123 minutes

 

This film is inspired by the true story of the power struggle between Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, two childhood friends who became top bosses within the Mafia. After Genovese called a hit on his rival, and Costello barely survived, things took a turn that would alter things forever.

It was an interesting choice to have De Niro pull double duty here and play both main roles, but, if anyone could pull it off, it was the 81-year-old actor known for so many great roles. De Niro pulls it off superbly here. The supporting cast is also very good.

Sure, The Alto Knights doesn’t have the same panache as some of the other classics of the Mafia genre of cinema, but it is still a very good movie.

Rating: ««««

Canadian Bacon (1995)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Michael Moore
Cast: Alan Alda, John Candy, Bill Nunn
Running Time: 90 minutes

 

A US president who is struggling in the polls is convinced by his advisors to stage a cold war with neighboring Canada to make the population forget their dislike for their leader. In the meantime, a sheriff on the New York side of Niagara Falls decides to get involved in the war with his friends, causing much chaos in the process.

This comedy had flown under the radar as far as I was concerned. Never even knew Michael Moore was not only a documentary director. This was his only fiction film, but you can clearly see his viewpoint here.

 Canadian Bacon goes for the silly and low-brow side of things, but it is really entertaining in the process. And I must say it feels not so far-fetched anymore, given the actual state of relations between Canada and the US. It was cool to see such a star-studded cast in action delivering laughs.

Rating: ««««

Bill Burr: Drop Dead Years (2025)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Ben Tishler
Cast: Bill Burr

 

In his latest comedy special, available on Hulu and Disney +, Bill Burr offers a version of himself that is at his most personal and introspective. Now in his 50’s, he discusses such topics as depression, the feelings men can have, relationships, family and the possibility for a man to drop dead just like that after a certain age.

I relate so greatly to Bill Burr’s comedy. The man is amazing in the way he tackles difficult topics and manages to make you laugh about them. This show is no exception. The man has truly become a master of his art.

Rating: «««««

It Ends With Us (2024)

Genre: Romance / Drama
Directed by: Justin Baldoni
Cast: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate
Running Time: 130 minutes

 

Lily Bloom, a young woman who had a difficult childhood growing up in Maine, realizes her dream of opening her own flower shop in Boston. She meets neurosurgeon Kyle Kincaid and starts this passionate relationship with him. Their situation becomes tense and difficult once Lily’s childhood boyfriend, Atlas Corrigan, comes back in the picture.

This film, based on the Colleen Hover novel of the same name, seems to have been marred by controversy among the cast and the filmmakers. That being said, the product on screen is still very good. Sure, things seem to fall into place a little too easily in the story, but It Ends With Us is still a compelling look at the matter of domestic violence. A few of the lines have really stuck with me.

Rating: ««««

Novocaine (2025)

Genre: Action / Comedy
Directed by: Dan Berk and Robert Olsen
Cast: Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson
Running Time: 110 minutes

 

Nathan Caine is an assistant bank manager who has always lived a sheltered life because of a condition that makes him unable to feel pain. His outlook on life starts changing when he meets Sherry, another employee at the bank who goes out with him and then spends the night with him. The following day, there is bank robbery and Sherry is taken hostage by the three criminals dressed as Santa Claus. Dissatisfied with the cops’ reaction, Nathan Caine decides to take matters into his own invulnerable hands.

This film is a fun thrilling ride. Sure, some of the violence is over-the-top and there is major suspension of disbelief is needed, but it is all so entertaining. The chemistry between Quaid and Midthunder is undeniable, and Ray Nicholson (yes, Jack’s son) has great potential as a villain. Really good.

Rating: ««««