Finding Dory (2016)

Finding Dory (2016)

A heartwarming dive into family, memory, and self-discovery with one of Pixar's most lovable characters taking center stage.

 SPOILER-FREE SYNOPSIS:

A year after the events of Finding Nemo, the beloved forgetful blue tang Dory experiences a sudden breakthrough: she remembers she has parents somewhere in the ocean. Despite her short-term memory loss making every moment a fresh start, Dory sets out on a determined quest to find them. Her loyal friends Marlin and Nemo join her journey, leading this unlikely trio across vast ocean currents and into the Monterey Marine Life Institute—a place that holds more answers than Dory could have imagined.

Along the way, Dory encounters new friends who become as memorable as the mission itself. This is a story about the lengths we go to for family, the unexpected people who become our family, and discovering that our greatest challenges can become our greatest strengths. It's an emotional, colorful, and ultimately uplifting adventure that explores what it truly means to belong.

 THE GOOD:

Animation & Environment:

The animators at Pixar have done a wonderful job with the environment and animal animations. Every underwater setting feels alive and detailed, from the vibrant coral reefs to the mysterious depths of the ocean, creating a visually stunning world that draws you into Dory's adventure.

Voice Talent & Character Development:

The voice talent gives each character a wonderfully fun personality. Ellen DeGeneres returns as Dory and is absolutely delightful, while the ensemble cast brings depth and charm to every supporting character, making the emotional moments land even harder.

Themes of Family & Acceptance:

The film thoughtfully explores what family means beyond biology, celebrating neurodiversity and showing that everyone has value and purpose, no matter their differences or perceived limitations.

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Sexual Content: Dory mistakenly thinks she needs to explain reproduction to Mr. Ray's class, beginning with "When two fish love each other..." before being interrupted; mild and handled quickly.

Language:Mild name-calling (crazy, stupid, insane, nuts); exclamations like "holy carp," "holy Neptune," "darn it," "heck"; generally very clean.

Violence & Gore: Scenes of characters being chased by a large squid; a baby fish swept away by a strong current; very light cartoon violence with comic relief softening the intensity. The filmmakers handle perilous situations in a way that dilutes rather than heightens the threat.

Disturbing Themes: Dory's separation from her parents as a young child and her subsequent loss of that memory; scenes depicting loneliness and fear; Dory experiences a panic attack. These emotional moments may resonate strongly with children who have anxiety about getting lost or separation from parents.

Other: No alcohol, drugs, or smoking.

Age Recommendation: 3+

FINAL VERDICT:

Finding Dory is a beautiful sequel that honors its predecessor while charting its own course. It's a film that celebrates the unconventional, teaches resilience through a child's eyes, and reminds us that family isn't always about where you come from—it's about who shows up for you. Parents will appreciate the thoughtful handling of difficult themes, and kids will be delighted by the colorful world and lovable characters. This is a movie that works for the whole family.

Available to rent or purchase on Prime (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4vCs0vv

 RATING:

🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟 out of 

🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟

Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)

It's time for the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man to grow up.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Spider-Man: Brand New Day finds Peter Parker having made a choice: he's all-in on being Spider-Man, having largely set aside his Peter Parker identity to focus entirely on his role as the city's protector. When a new and nearly unseen threat emerges to endanger those he loves most, Peter discovers that even total immersion in the suit can't shield him from the weight of what he's sacrificed. This is a more serious, grounded Spider-Man story—not as dark as Spider-Man 2, but decidedly more mature and weighty than the three previous Tom Holland films.

Cretton has crafted a film that takes Peter's journey seriously while honoring what was established in the earlier movies. The result is a Spider-Man story that feels earned and complex without ever losing sight of what makes him such an enduring character—his humor, his resilience, and his inability to truly disconnect from those he cares about.

The Good

Acting

Tom Holland, Sadie Sink, and Jon Bernthal all deliver great performances. Holland particularly shines as a Peter fully committed to the Spider-Man role, showing real depth and growth in his portrayal.

Direction & Cinematography

Cretton's directing is brilliant, and the cinematography matches that vision. What's especially impressive is how true the film stays to the established characterizations from the previous movies, even as the entire tone feels weightier and more mature.

Dialogue & Writing

Nothing feels awkward or forced here. The dialogue reads as authentic and true to who these characters are, which can be tricky when you're juggling multiple returning and new faces.

Content Warnings

The language includes profanities and obscenities—roughly 10–15 instances spread throughout, with no F-words. Violence is in line with the Spider-Man franchise: lots of damage, explosions, and the visceral reality of fighting. Spider-Man himself ends up with a bloody and beaten face, and several people suffer serious injuries (though deaths aren't shown on screen). There's brief partial nudity—Peter is shown in his boxer briefs, and a pool scene includes implied sexual content with minimal exposure. Peter and MJ share an intimate, passionate kiss.

Alcohol appears at a housewarming party where the main characters consume alcoholic drinks. There are mini kegs present, and Peter takes one sip of an alcoholic beverage before setting the cup aside. Characters also consume energy drinks.

The film leans into themes where science and human innovation are positioned as replacements for God or natural processes—something parents should be aware of. Given the moderate violence, language, alcohol presence, and thematic elements, this one is best for ages 16 and up.

The Verdict

Spider-Man: Brand New Day proves that the wall-crawler's story still has room to grow. This is a film for anyone who's invested in Peter Parker's journey—and for teens ready for a more serious superhero story. It's a solid entry that honors the web-slinger while taking him to a more grounded, emotionally complex place.

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🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️ out of

🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️ 

⭐⭐⭐ (Good)

Acceptability: 7/10

EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS (2014)

 EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS (2014)

Epic in scope but lacking in conviction. Ridley Scott’s biblical retelling misses the mark with dialogue-sparse characters and historical liberties that undermine the source material.

SPOILER-FREE SYNOPSIS

Christian Bale stars as Moses in this adaptation of the biblical account of the Exodus. Bale’s Moses attempts to convince the Pharaoh to release the enslaved Hebrew people from Egypt. Instead of negotiation, the plagues arrive mysteriously, escalating the conflict toward an inevitable confrontation.

The film struggles with pacing between its character drama and spectacle. Key conversations that should carry emotional weight feel sparse and rushed. The plagues—which should feel divine or at least earned—appear disconnected from narrative progression, feeling more like visual set pieces than consequences.

THE GOOD

Visual Spectacle: Ridley Scott brings his signature scale to the production. The Egyptian sets, costumes, and cinematography are visually impressive and create an immersive ancient world.

Christian Bale’s Commitment: Bale gives what he can with the material, bringing intensity and conviction to Moses even when the script doesn’t support dramatic moments.

Production Design: The film’s technical craftsmanship is solid. Cinematography, costume design, and production values feel lavish and deliberate.

Ambitious Scope: The filmmakers attempt something grand and operatic. The scale of the vision is clear, even when execution falters.

CONTENT WARNINGS

Violence: Moderate to strong.

• Plague sequences with disturbing imagery (water turning to blood, locusts, darkness)
• Battle scenes with weapons and combat
• Deaths of firstborn sons (spiritually significant but presented graphically)
• Some intense moments of suffering and destruction

Language: Minimal profanity.

Sexual Content: Minimal. Some implied relationships but nothing explicit.

Themes: Slavery, oppression, divine judgment, family separation, religious conflict.

Disturbing Content: The depiction of the plagues, particularly the death of the firstborn, could be intense for sensitive viewers.

Age Recommendation: 13+ (some intense content; younger viewers should have parental guidance)

FINAL VERDICT

Exodus: Gods and Kings is a visually ambitious film that undermines its own narrative with dialogue-sparse characters and significant biblical inaccuracies. The story of Moses and the Exodus has inherent power, but this adaptation struggles to convey it through interaction and character development.

The film teaches about faith, liberation, and standing against oppression, but these themes feel distant rather than felt. The relationship between Moses and Pharaoh—the emotional core of the story—lacks the dialogue and conflict necessary to make their confrontation resonate.

Who might enjoy it: Fans of biblical epics, viewers who appreciate grand production design, those interested in Ridley Scott’s filmography despite mixed results.

Why it falls short: The film prioritizes spectacle over character, leaving the audience emotionally disconnected from pivotal moments. It’s better crafted than some faith-based films, but the ambitious scope exposes rather than hides its narrative weaknesses.

RATING

👑👑👑👑👑 out of 

👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑

Good intentions and impressive visuals can’t overcome hollow character work and historical liberties that betray the source material.

Rent it on Prime and see for yourself (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4vx4ekw

X-Men: Days of Future Past – The Rogue Cut (2014)

X-Men: Days of Future Past - The Rogue Cut (2014)

This expanded cut restores meaningful character arcs that the theatrical version overlooked, offering superhero action with real stakes and thematic depth.

SPOILER-FREE SYNOPSIS

In a dystopian future, mutants face extinction hunted by Sentinels. Wolverine is sent back to 1973 to prevent Mystique from assassinating the creator of these robots. To succeed, he must unite the fractured younger versions of Xavier and Magneto—ideological enemies—and prevent a war that will doom the mutant species.

The Rogue Cut restores deleted scenes that flesh out supporting characters and add emotional weight to key story beats. This isn’t filler; it’s restoration of purpose.

THE GOOD

Spielbergian Direction: Bryan Singer crafts intelligent action sequences that serve story over spectacle. The pacing feels earned, not rushed. High-concept time travel has philosophical weight rather than existing as plot mechanics.

Powerhouse Performances: James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender deliver career-best work as younger Xavier and Magneto. Their ideological conflict feels personal and earned. Hugh Jackman grounds the film with Wolverine’s raw humanity.

John Williams-Level Score: The film’s music enhances without overwhelming. Sound design creates tension through implication rather than assault.

Thematic Depth: The film explores fate vs. free will, the cost of survival, and whether the future is predetermined. It asks serious questions while maintaining blockbuster entertainment.

Restored Footage Matters: Unlike most extended cuts, these additions don’t pad the runtime—they complete character arcs and deepen relationships.

CONTENT WARNINGS

Violence: Significant sci-fi action violence.

• Multiple hand-to-hand combat sequences
• Gunfire and mutant powers used destructively
• Character deaths (some emotional, some brutal)
• One intense execution scene
• Explosions and property destruction

Language: Moderate profanity. A handful of strong words scattered throughout, not gratuitous.

Themes: Discrimination and genocide (Sentinel program targets mutants), moral ambiguity, betrayal and redemption.

Sexual Content: Minimal. One scene of brief partial nudity (non-sexual).

Other: Characters use cocaine in a 1970s-context scene (historical, not glorified). One implied sexual encounter.

Age Recommendation: 13+ (strong content; parental discretion for younger teens unfamiliar with X-Men)

FINAL VERDICT

Days of Future Past - The Rogue Cut proves that extended cuts can genuinely improve films when they restore character work rather than add fluff. The film teaches that our choices matter, redemption is possible, and unity despite difference is stronger than division. It celebrates the X-Men’s core message: acceptance of difference as strength.

Who will enjoy it: Longtime X-Men fans, viewers who felt theatrical cut was rushed, character-driven sci-fi fans, teenagers interested in superhero narratives with stakes.

Why it matters: This is one of the strongest entries in the X-Men franchise, and the restored material is essential viewing.

RATING

❌❌❌❌❌❌❌ out of 

❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌ 

X-Men: Days of Future Past – The Rogue Cut (2014) - Available to rent or purchase on Prime (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4aV6yKL

Tomorrowland (2015)

Tomorrowland is a brilliant homage to the Disney attraction. Disney did a great job in casting this movie as all of the actors hit their marks and make their roles believable. George Clooney lives up to the hype and Britt Robertson makes people pay attention. For this young, relative new-comer, I see great things in her future. Tim McGraw, Raffey Cassidy, and Hugh Laurie round out what is on-screen a wonderful supporting cast! The only issue I had with this movie was the pacing at the end. I don't want to give anything away, but the ending comes way too quickly for me. All in all, with this being a Disney movie and it having a PG rating, I recommend this movie to any family wanting to have a fun time at the movies.

Overall, I'd give this movie
                                  out of

The Expendables 3 (2014)

For the third installment of the all out action series, the Expendables 3 leaves a little to be desired. Most of the movie is spent getting a new team together for no apparent reason. So with a good chunk of the movie getting a new "band together," there's not much time left for great action and blowing up stuff. I thought that having the cheese-fest of constant quotes from the last movie was bad enough, but I'd take that again for the third if that meant it'd be a better movie. The cast is fun. The old crew is the same group we've come to know from the other two movies. The new crew adds nothing and seems quite bland in contrast to the rest of the crew. The exception to this is Antonio Banderas. He is almost single-handedly the humor in this movie. Kelsey Grammer, Mel Gibson, and Wesley Snipes are all good additions to the cast. Harrison Ford's performance, on the other hand, seems a little lack luster. It seems that he'd rather be on any other set than this one. This makes me kinda apprehensive about his performance in the upcoming Star Wars movie. When the action finally does come, it doesn't disappoint. I just wish there was more of it. As you'd expect with an action movie, violence and language are the main "objectionable materials" in this movie.

Overall, I'd give this movie
                                  out of

Godzilla (2014)

I'm going to start this off by saying the only Godzilla movie I ever watched was the '98 film with Matthew Broderick, which I didn't think was bad, but apparently I'm in the minority. Now, fast forward 16 years and it's time for a Godzilla comeback. The movie itself was a typical "monster movie." Monster comes in, wrecks the city, fights army and/or other monster, then leaves. The cast isn't remarkable. No big names that have been "big" and "buzz-worthy" for more than 5 years. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen are convincing in their roles. The visuals are pretty nice looking. There's not much in the way of objectionable material other than violence and a few scenes that could be scary for small children.

Overall, I'd give this movie
                                  out of

Draft Day (2014)

8.8/10


Draft Day is not your normal football movie. In fact, this movie (SPOILER ALERT!!) doesn't even have a full game of play in it! The casting was unique, but everyone was a nice fit. It was a little weird having Jennifer Garner and Kevin Costner as love interests, but once the movie gets going, it's hardly noticeable. Tom Welling plays a pretty convincing pro quarterback. Dennis Leary is adequate as the head coach, but doesn't have enough screen time to make it a bad casting decision. As far as objectionable material, the language is really the only thing that I could find in this movie. Originally, this movie was rated R because of the language, but after some petitioning from the studio, the MPAA gave it a well deserved PG-13 rating. The story was nice and a little predictable, but in a fun way. If you're a sports fan, I would highly suggest this movie!

Overall, I'd give this movie

                                  out of

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

8.8/10


Guardians of the Galaxy was a fun blast into the Marvel Cinematic Universe! I believe that this will be the biggest movie of the summer. Marvel strikes again with great casting choices. I'm not a huge fan of Zoë Saldana, but she does a good job as Gamora. I've watched Batista on WWE programming for the past 10-ish years, and this is one of the best performances I've seen him give. I also didn't think having a name like Bradley Cooper as a voice actor would do much for the movie, but he really brought Rocket to life! I hadn't had much exposure to Chris Pratt before this movie, but he was an excellent choice for the starring role of Star-Lord. Vin Diesel is also great as Groot. The cameos are a brilliant part of this movie, too. As a child of the '80s, I sang along to the soundtrack and had a great time! The action was fun, and the plot was very enjoyable. In my opinion, this is by far the most fun movie Marvel has put out so far. I'm excited for the sequel, but not excited that we'll have to wait until 2017!! As far as objectionable material, there are a few choice words and one obscene gesture, no nudity, and lots of action.

Overall, I'd give this movie
                                  out of