kjproulx

Minecraft is a game that I haven't played one second of. So this was not something I went into having any knowledge about, and quite frankly, didn't look very good from the promotional material. Admittedly, I was pretty much turned off by the trailers, but something in me was far too curious about it. After viewing it, I have to say that all the hate towards it isn't really warranted, but it's also not very good. I have a feeling little kids will eat this movie up, as well as older kids/teenagers who grew up playing the game.

Steve (Jack Black) a struggling doorknob salesman, discovers the Orb of Dominance and the Earth Crystal, which transport him to a vibrant, cubic world. There, he builds a home for himself, but is imprisoned for decades in this world. Garrett, a failing video game store owner, finds Steve's old belongings, including the Orb and Crystal, which lead to a portal that takes him, siblings Henry (Sebastian Hansen) and Natalie (Emma Myers), and a woman named Dawn (Danielle Brooks) to this colourful world. Now pursued by and trying to take down Malgosha, this movie just becomes silly fun. You never feel any of the stakes, but I enjoyed the movie for what it was.

Jack Black delivers a few memorable lines that had me laughing, and the kids are charming enough, with Danielle Brooks turning in a solid performance, though I wish her role had more depth. However, the real standout for me was Jason Momoa. He brings his natural charisma to the role, blending his signature energy with a fun, family-friendly vibe that made the movie much more enjoyable. Additionally, Jennifer Coolidge's brief, quirky appearance is amusing but ultimately insignificant. Still, it adds to the film's weird charm. Ultimately, the cast is what held this otherwise messy story together for me.

Overall, A Minecraft Movie falls short. The story is overly simple and predictable, and the film's bizarre, silly nature often works against it. However, it manages to be somewhat enjoyable because the cast fully embraces the absurdity of the material. Director Jared Hess, known for films like Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre, brings his signature offbeat style to the project, which, surprisingly, works for me here. While this is a movie I'll likely forget soon enough, it does have its moments. It's not worth seeing in theaters, but I didn't mind watching it.

Weird and original concepts always intrigue me, and when I see the A24 logo, I'm instantly interested. They rarely steer me wrong, at least when it comes to unique and daring ideas. So, for those reasons alone, Death of a Unicorn was a must-watch for me. While the film absolutely delivered entertainment and originality, it didn't quite hit the satisfying heights I was hoping for. I had a great time with it, but a few elements kept it from being something I loved.

The story follows Elliot (Paul Rudd) and his daughter, Ridley (Jenna Ortega), as they travel to a secluded retreat hosted by Elliot's CEO, Odell (Richard E. Grant). Along the way, they hit what appears to be an actual unicorn. In disbelief, and unsure if it's even dead, they load it into their car and continue on. Naturally, chaos ensues at the retreat, leading to an increasingly bizarre and entertaining series of events. While the wild premise kept me engaged, the final couple of scenes left something to be desired. The ending, while not bad, felt predictable and played out in a way that made me roll my eyes, as it's a trope I've seen done countless times before.

One of the biggest highlights of the film for me was Will Poulter as Shepard, Odell's privileged yet oddly endearing son. His performance was one of his best yet, effortlessly blending entitlement, intelligence, and an offbeat sense of humour. He elevated every scene he was in, often stealing the spotlight. Credit also goes to writer-director Alex Scharfman, who makes an impressive feature debut. Having primarily worked as a producer before this, stepping into both writing and directing with such a bold concept is commendable. The dialogue is sharp, and the film's absurdity is handled with a clear creative vision.

That said, Death of a Unicorn does have some noticeable shortcomings. The CGI, in particular, is rough, making it obvious where the budget wasn't spent. While the practical effects are strong, the digital ones can look distractingly bad, breaking the immersion at times. Additionally, some moments of melodrama feel forced, clashing with the film's otherwise eccentric tone. Despite these flaws, the cast's chemistry, the inventive premise, and the film's sheer weirdness kept me entertained. If you're in the mood for something bizarre and comedic, I'd still recommend checking it out.

One of Them Days is a film that wasn't even on my radar until I happened to notice it playing in theatres a few weeks ago. It's a small comedy that hasn't gotten nearly the attention it deserves. What finally convinced me to check it out were the positive reviews, and I'm so glad I did. While the trailer didn't leave much of an impression on me, the humour works far better in the context of the film itself. In an era where great mainstream comedies seem few and far between, this one feels like a breath of fresh air. If you haven't seen it yet, I recommend giving it a chance.

The standout element of this film is the writing. Syreeta Singleton, known for her work on TV comedies like Insecure and Central Park, crafts a sharp and heartfelt story about two female roommates struggling to pay their rent and facing imminent eviction. The entire film unfolds over the course of a single day, as the pair scrambles to come up with the money to save their apartment. Singleton's background in sitcoms translates seamlessly to this feature, with perfectly timed situational comedy and well-placed moments of chaos.

Of course, the film wouldn't be nearly as effective without its two phenomenal leads. Keke Palmer is always a joy to watch, but the real surprise here is SZA, whose acting chops I hadn't seen before. Their chemistry is undeniable; they play off each other with such ease and authenticity that I completely bought into their portrayal of lifelong friends. Their back-and-forth banter is hilarious, but the film also takes the time to explore the emotional depth of their relationship, adding real heart to the story.

While One of Them Days isn't groundbreaking in terms of comedy or storytelling, its humour and emotional core make it something special. The balance between laugh-out-loud moments and genuine sentiment sets it apart from many other similar comedies. By the time the credits rolled, I was genuinely surprised at how much fun I had with this film. One of Them Days is currently playing in theatres and available on demand, and I think it's worth your time.