The Dink

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Dustin “The Hammer” Boyd (Jake Johnson) used to have a promising tennis career until an accident got in the way. Now he works as a coach at the country club his father, Chuck Boyd (Ed Harris), owns and feels like he will never amount to anything ever again. After receiving medical advice by Dr. Stone (Ben Stiller) that pickleball will help loosen up his wrist, Dusty joins an amateur league. While he initially hates everything about the sport, he soon starts to open up to his fellow team members and finds something within himself that he thought had long ago disappeared.

I don’t know much about pickleball and I’m not that clued into tennis either. What I do know is that the two are usually pitted against each other, with most saying that tennis is the superior sport. But pickleball gained quite the following during the pandemic and now it is literally everywhere, so I wasn’t at all surprised when a film was announced that would revolve around it. While I do not think of myself as an expert, at least I know more about it than I did before.

The story itself was pretty generic. It’s not the first time we’ve seen a washed up athlete find passion in something unexpected and it probably won’t be the last. As a result, I found it to be a predictable watch. This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes I like having something mindless that I can just tune out to. It was just a bit too stereotypical for me.

Where the film did excel was in its cast. Johnson is giving it his all and you can tell that he’s having a blast. Not all of the jokes landed, but he kept trying and I’ll admit I did laugh quite a bit. The group of women Dusty befriends while playing pickleball were fun. Mary Steenburgen was delightful as Candace, a divorced woman who is trying to get her groove back. Cleo King and Lynne Marie Stewart were hilarious as Gail and Judy. The three of them worked effortlessly off of Johnson and I really enjoyed their scenes together. Chloe Fineman had a short but sweet role as Dusty’s ex girlfriend Marisa and I enjoyed the cameos by actual tennis champions Andy Roddick and John McEnroe.

Apple TV+ is known for putting out top notch quality projects. I’m a bit surprised as to why they decided to take on The Dink because it was just mediocre. If it wasn’t for the cast, I probably wouldn’t have bothered to check it out. It was fine for a one time watch, but it was ultimately forgettable.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

Descendants: Wicked Wonderland

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Once upon a time, Descendants was a beloved trilogy featuring Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson and Cameron Boyce. When the original films wrapped, fans weren’t sure what was going to happen to the franchise. In 2024, a spin off was born. Audiences were taken on a journey to Wonderland and were introduced to new characters such as Red (Kylie Cantrall), Chloe (Malia Baker) as well as the Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora) and Cinderella (Brandy). It was off to a shaky start and I was doubtful when the next film, Wicked Wonderland, was announced. But curiosity got the better of me and now here we are.

Picking up after the events of The Rise of Red, Red and Chloe are adjusting to life after their time traveling adventures. Although they got what they wanted: the Queen of Hearts is now kind and Cinderella is safe, there are still consequences for altering the timeline. Soon, a new foe makes himself known. Maddox Hatter (Leonardo Nam) is out for justice and when he captures the Queen of Hearts, it is up to Red, Chloe and their new friends to save her and Wonderland.

This film was more enjoyable than the last. I thought the storyline was more intriguing and the new characters were welcome additions. Red now has a sister named Pink (Liamani Segura) who came about due to the timeline change. As Pink is my happy color, I loved that there is now a character that perfectly encapsulates everything pink. We also got to know Hazel Hook (Kiara T. Romero), Captain Hook’s daughter and Luis Madrigal (Alexandro Byrd), Luisa Madrigal’s son. My only qualm with Luis was that he possessed the same magical powers as his mother, which if you have seen Encanto, does not align with the rules of magical powers. The hints of a romantic relationship between Red and Luis as well as Chloe and Hazel were apparent and they peaked my interest. I’d be up for more of them in the inevitable next instalment.

Where I couldn’t help but feel let down was just in the lack of magic. While the sets are a beautiful technicolor palette that is so appealing to my senses, it feels like something is missing. The acting is subpar at best and the songs are not as catchy as they once were. The only stand out for me this time around was the duet between Brandy and Ora and I wouldn’t be surprised if that was largely because they are so iconic themselves. I can’t remember any of the other ones.

Descendants: Wicked Wonderland was a step up from its predecessor. I was more invested this time around thanks to the interesting plot and the new faces. It will never hold a candle to the first three films, but perhaps it doesn’t have to. Maybe it can stand on its own. I’ll continue to watch, but I need to stop expecting it to be something it’s not.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

The Odyssey

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After the Trojan War, Odysseus (Matt Damon) wants nothing more than to travel home to Ithaca and back to his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and his son Thelmachus (Tom Holland). Throughout the course of his ten year voyage, Odysseus comes across many creatures that threaten his life. But with perseverance and the help of his men, he vows to never give up.

Coming off the heels of Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan shocked fans when he announced that his next feature film would be an adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey. Unlike anything he had done up until that point, it was a risk that audiences all over the world would wait in bated breath for. As the days counted down and the release drew closer and closer, the film grew into being one of, if not the most anticipated of the year. While the acclaimed director is not afraid to take risks, all eyes were still on him and he delivered yet another masterpiece.

I don’t think I have ever seen a film that featured so many major name in cinema. In addition to Damon, Hathaway and Holland, there was also Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, John Leguizamo, Mia Goth, Himesh Patel, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, Lupita Nyong’o and Samantha Morton. Some of these casting choices may have been questionable at first; if a project has so many big names attached to it, the chances of it succeeding is not always a given. Although many of these actors only had limited screen time, every single one of them used what time they did have to their advantage and delivered phenomenal performances. Damon and Hathaway in particular were outstanding and I would be shocked if they didn’t receive Oscar nominations for their roles. I was also very impressed with Patel’s Eurylochus who was a true pillar for Damon’s Odysseus.

Truly a feast for the eyes, the cinematography and landscapes were elevated to a whole other level. Nolan is known for his on location shootings and this just made the story feel more real. Spanning across Morocco, Greece, Iceland and Scotland to name a few, each were expertly chosen and built upon to create some incredible sets. Combined with a masterful score from Ludwig Göransson that matched every scene and gave it a whole new meaning, every single one of my senses were heightened.

I had initially been worried that I wouldn’t understand the story and therefore not enjoy myself. One I realized what it was actually about, I was able to fully immerse myself. That being said, I did feel the run time and felt like it could have been a little bit shorter. I was also thrown off course with the use of modern American English. It was a choice I’m not sure I would have made.

The Odyssey is another Nolan epic. He took a big risk and it completely paid off. With its sprawling locations and brilliant performances, it just worked. I’m sure this will be another awards season darling and I am looking forward to seeing it all unfold.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Moana

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We all know the story of Moana. The daughter of a chief, she knows that one day her time will come to lead her people. When her island’s crops don’t grow properly and their fish begins to run out, Moana sets out on a journey to restore the heart of Te Fiti, a goddess, who is behind the environmental turmoil. In order to complete her quest, she must seek the help of Maui, a demigod, who was responsible for stealing the heart in the first place.

The latest of Disney films to receive the live action treatment, the original Moana film burst onto the scene only ten years ago. We also got the sequel two years ago. Because of those reasons, I do think this new version came too early. The story is still so fresh and current; it didn’t need to be revamped. There are so many other movies that Disney can adapt if that’s the route they really want to go down. As a result I wasn’t entirely looking forward to checking this out, but I’ll admit it was better than I was expecting.

Catherine Laga’aia takes over as the titular character from Auli’i Cravelho. I was initially unsure of her casting, but she really made the role her own. Not only did she look the part, her singing voice was pristine and I had chills during How Far I’ll Go. Dwayne Johnson reprised his role as Maui and while Maui is such an iconic character to begin with, I’ll admit I was quite distracted by the wig he wore. That being said, the chemistry between the two leads was organic and reminiscent of the first.

If a film is remade, there are usually updates that are incorporated. This helps elevate the material and make it more accessible for a wider audience. That was unfortunately not the case here. Instead we got a carbon copy of the original. This isn’t an awful thing – the story is timeless after all, but it just further iterated why this film wasn’t necessary. It offered absolutely nothing new.

Additionally, while beautiful to look at, it was clear that most of the settings were in front of a green screen. Some moments were extremely CGI heavy which isn’t an awful thing per se, but did take away from the realistic feel of it. I still couldn’t help myself from falling in love with Pua and Hei Hei. They truly are some of the best Disney sidekicks ever.

Overall, the live action Moana was nothing more than a cash grab. Still, it was a cash grab that I was more than happy to partake it since I am a fan of all things Disney. I think it helped that I went into it with super low expectations because it really wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. I just wish they had waited a few more years.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

The Invite

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The Invite, directed by Olivia Wilde, is the type of film where you think you know what is going to happen, but it ends up being something else entirely. Going into it as blindly as possible is best because it allows the audience to fully immerse themselves in all that is about to unfold. Even then, nothing can prepare you for what’s to come.

Joe (Seth Rogan) and Angela’s (Olivia Wilde) marriage is on thin ice. When they invite their elusive neighbors Pina (Penelope Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton) upstairs for a dinner party, the evening escalates into something neither of them could have ever expected.

There couldn’t have been a better choice for each of these characters. They became these flawed and colorful individuals; everything about their performances was just effortless. Rogan brought his usual funny guy schtick, but this time with a self deprecating flair. His one liners and facial expressions had me cracking up. Wilde, who pulled double duty, was phenomenal. A true mix of comedy and heartbreak, she really gave it her all. Cruz exuded her usual allure and sex appeal while Norton smashed it as the strong, but silent type. The chemistry between the four of them was electric and I could feel it all the way through.

We all know how much I love a locked room setting and this one was no exception. Tensions, emotions and all that’s in between were at a fever pitch. It started slowly though it was obvious that something was brewing under the surface. As it continued to grow, those feelings only intensified. Thanks to the brilliant performances and the impeccable script by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, this only made the entire experience better.

Let’s get one thing straight – The Invite packed a punch. I’ve been thinking non-stop about it since and that’s because it has so many layers to it. At the end of the day, the reason why it resonated with me so much is because it’s about how being an adult is reconciling with who you truly are with who you actually wanted to be. I know I’ve hit that point in my life and I’m sure many of you have too. So, because of that reason, I implore you to watch this film. It may just be my favorite of the year so far.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Enola Holmes 3

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It’s been nearly four years since Enola Holmes last graced our screens. Now the young detective is back and our story picks up in Malta. Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) is set to marry Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge) in an elaborate ceremony fit for a lord and lady. But the nuptials are thrown off course when Dr. Watson (Himesh Patel) announces that Sherlock (Henry Cavill) has gone missing. Enola is suddenly thrust into a case unlike any other. With help from her mother Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter) and local Mikiel (Joe Azzopardi), it’s a race against time to find Sherlock.

I love everything and anything having to do with Sherlock Holmes. The first two Enola films are so much fun! They’re lighter in tone due to the younger heroine front and centre, but they also deal with some important topics too. I couldn’t wait for this new instalment, especially since the last one came out so long ago. Now that the cast have grown up, I was curious to see if and how this would be reflected in the story.

From the get go, the tonal shift was evident. Like Enola who is preparing to become a wife, Brown has also recently gotten married and adopted a child. The level of maturity was ramped up significantly. The case, for example, is the most emotional one yet and the way in which this influenced the characters was interesting to watch unfold. This did make it feel like the stakes were raised and while some of the other themes were a bit muddled, this one at least shone through.

People often say that Brown overacts, but I don’t agree. I have always liked her as an actress and I think this role is perfect for her. With this being her third outing, she’s got it down to a T. The character is relatable and I think young girls can really look up to her. All the usual suspects are back for the adventure too. I particularly enjoyed Bonham Carter who just looks to be having a ball. Sharon Duncan-Brewster has returned as Moriarty too. We have had many variations of this individual over the years, but I quite like how they chose to make her a woman here.

While I do agree that Enola Holmes 3 is the weakest of the bunch, I still had a great time with it. It took a while to get going, but once it did I was hooked. Though this could stand as a finale, and a fitting one at that, I also wouldn’t be opposed to more in the series. I guess only time will tell!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Minions & Monsters

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Those lovable Minions are back and this time they’re taking on Hollywood! Allow us to travel back in time to the 1920s. The Minions are on a quest to find their new master; they thrive when they have someone to serve. After a slew of mishaps, they stumble onto a movie set and fall in love with cinema. Best friends James and Henry (Pierre Coffin) fall in love with the art and decide to embark on making a film of their own.

Being the third film in the franchise, you would think they would have run out of steam by now. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I could watch a million iterations of these little guys running around doing just about anything and I would never be bored. They are just so funny and cute. Their antics are just way too fun.

This outing chose to pay homage to various cinema genres of yesteryear. From the silent film and film noir, monster movies and musicals, the Minions covered them all in a subtle yet impactful way that cinephiles all over will be able to appreciate. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was one of those films where the more you watch it, the more Easter eggs you uncover and I love that.

Coffin, who not only directed the film, but who lends his voice talents to each Minion character, is once again phenomenal. The way he can differentiate each individual is truly impressive. The supporting cast also delivers great performances. Allison Janey, Christoph Waltz, Jeff Bridges, Jesse Eisenberg and Zoey Deutch all contributed and elevated the material.

Minions & Monsters is a solid entry in the franchise. Choosing to go down a different route with the homage to cinema paid off. It was something new and fresh while still incorporating the usual hilarious hijinks we have come to expect from these films. A fun time for the whole family to enjoy.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Supergirl

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The DC Universe was rebooted in 2025 with Superman. While the film had it’s flaws, it did signify a new and promising era for the comic book series. When it was announced that Supergirl would be getting the big screen treatment next, and that Milly Alcock would be in the starring role, I couldn’t contain my excitement. I loved her work on both House of the Dragon and Sirens – to see her featured in one of the summer’s biggest blockbusters was going to be a treat.

Forced to leave her home and family behind on Krypton, Kara Zor-El (Alcock) has a major chip on her shoulder. Her only confidante is her dog Krypto. Spending most of her time planet hopping and drinking to numb her feelings, Kara is simply just trying to get through the day to day. When Krypto is poisoned, Kara reluctantly teams up with Ruthye (Eve Ridley), whose family was killed by the same creatures, to get revenge.

I wanted so badly to enjoy this film, but there were so many things about it that just didn’t work. Alcock was perhaps the only bright spot throughout. She had the whole wounded and moody thing down pat and I really felt for her. The relationship she shared with Krypto was also a delight to watch; nothing can come between a girl and her dog after all. But the rest of the cast came up short for me. Ridley didn’t make a big enough splash. I actually found her to be a bit annoying in some scenes. As nice as it was to see David Corenswet reprise his role as Clark Kent, he was more on the sidelines this time around and therefore didn’t have much impact. Jason Momoa had his grand return to DC as Lobo and while I was initially curious about his character, I soon realized that he was a bit too cartoonlike for my taste. And don’t even get me started on Matthias Schoenaerts who portrayed villain Krem. While he looked the look, he did not talk the talk. I found him to be quite one-dimensional and not scary at all.

The storyline was also uninspired. Visiting different planets and meeting new beings should be fun, but this felt exhausting. They were jumping around so much, it was hard for me to keep track. It also didn’t help that the writing wasn’t up to standard. Additionally, there were some very obvious CGI sequences that took me out of it completely. I understand that a film taking place in space means I need to suspend some disbelief, but this was too much. At least it had a killer soundtrack.

I am not sure why Supergirl went so wrong when it had all the ingredients it needed to be right. It just lacked so much of that magic I look for when watching a superhero film and I kept wondering when it would be over. I’m not ready to write the DCU off just yet, but I am unsure of it’s next venture at this point.

Rating: ♥️♥️

Voicemails For Isabelle

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Jill (Zoey Deutch) and Isabelle (Ciara Bravo) are not only sisters – they are best friends. Inseparable, ride or die, they speak to each other every single day about everything and anything. But Isabelle is sick and when she passes away, Jill’s whole life is turned upside down. Currently competing for a coveted baker position in San Francisco, Jill throws herself into her work and swears off men. As a way of coping, Jill starts leaving voicemails for Isabelle. Unbeknownst to her, the phone number has been reassigned to real estate agent Wes (Nick Robinson) and he ends up listening to all her confessions.

There are films that you watch and then there are films that make you feel. Voicemails For Isabelle falls into the latter category. I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect going into it and I’m glad that I didn’t because I was granted such a beautiful viewing experience. The storyline may not be entirely original, but that didn’t matter. Every other aspect worked.

Deutch just has this charisma about her. She’s magnetic to watch. With the heavier subject matter, I was able to see another side to her that I hadn’t before. Not only did she nail those emotional scenes, I felt like I was on this grief journey too. Each decision was so relatable and came across so naturally. It had been a hot minute since I’d seen Robinson in something. He fell right back into the romcom game effortlessly. The chemistry he shared with Deutch was sincere. I also thought the supporting cast were strong with the likes of Harry Shum Jr. and Leah McKendrick as Andy and Breeda, Wes’s best friends, as well as Toby Sandeman as swarmy podcast host Tyler, Nick Offerman as the diabolical Chef Bastien and Lukas Gage as Arthur, a classmate of Jill’s at the cooking school.

At the core of the movie, however, is the love story between Jill and Isabelle. Their bond was so incredibly special and this was captured right from the get go. I need to give a shoutout to the actresses who portrayed these two when they were younger, Alice Comer and Iris Everly, because they helped set the scene of what was to come. For once it was nice that the focus wasn’t just on a romantic type of love, but instead love in all forms. That unbreakable bond between sisters was beautifully depicted throughout and although I do not have a sister myself, it still impacted me deeply.

Voicemails For Isabelle is one of those films that wasn’t just entertaining. It had something to say and it said it loud and clear. Funny, devastating, not afraid to be vulnerable and deeply human, it was like a rollercoaster in the best possible way.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Toy Story 5

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It has been thirty years since Pixar captured the heart of audience’s around the world with the original Toy Story. The adventures of Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) have defined generations. While the initial three films of the franchise proved sufficient enough, two more installments have been made over the years. Although they may not have been entirely necessary, I will never pass up a chance to spend time with these characters.

This time around, the toys are threatened by a new foe: technology. When their kid Bonnie (Scarlett Spears) is gifted a tablet by the name of Lilypad (Greta Lee), her attention shifts and her old friends are abandoned. Jessie (Joan Cusack), who is most recently in charge of Bonnie’s room, takes it upon herself to prove to Bonnie that she isn’t too old to play with toys after all. What transpires is a journey unlike any other the toys have experienced while they try to prevent becoming a thing of the past.

In the previous films, Woody and Buzz have been at the forefront. Now the spotlight is entirely on Jessie and I thought the choice was perfect. Despite her making her introduction in the second film, there was still a lot we didn’t know about her. I appreciated learning about her backstory with her first owner Emily and how she came to live with Andy and then Bonnie. Cusack, who is starring in her first role in seven years, delivers a genuine and heartwarming performance. New additions Conan O’Brien as Smarty Pants, Craig Robinson as Atlas, Shelby Rabara as Snappy and of course Lee as Lilypad were all expertly casted. O’Brien in particular had some scene stealing moments that had me in stitches.

In true Pixar fashion, this story tugged at the heartstrings. The technology plot was depicted in such a realistic way. As a nineties kid, I grew up with various Barbies and other toys. I didn’t get into screens until later and I am glad about that. Children can be easily influenced and I thought the experience that Bonnie had with social media was spot on. It just further iterated that while tech has enhanced our lives in many ways, we mustn’t forget the times before it.

Toy Story 5 was a worthy addition to the franchise. I had a blast being reunited with these characters. The animation was once again in top form, and it was filled with a solid blend of humor and heart. I was five years old when the first film came out which was a little younger than Andy was back then. Now I am thirty five, the same age as Andy’s mom. Growing up with these films has been such a pleasure and once again I was proven that Toy Story really is one of the greatest animation franchises of all time.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5