Movie Theater at South Point
Cinemark Century 16 in Las Vegas

Movie Guru's Current Movie Briefs

• Obsession
  

  Read the short short story The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs. 1906. It is published free of charge on the internet. Then go see Obsession, a modern riff on the story which is put together with care and carries the audience from start to finish. The difference is this version shows the horror while the book works on your imagination.
• Tuner
  

  If you follow movie doings like I did once upon a time, then you know more about this movie than I do.  What I know because I still follow interesting movies along the fringes is that this is an action winner with intelligence that pays back customers with taste in spades. I want to see this one. First on my list.
• Scary Movie
  

  This is the Wayans Brothers reboot bringing the old gang back together again which looks like a middle of the road reboot.  If a new generation finds the old jokes as funny as the last generation did, the movie will bring joy to millions.
• The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act
  

  If the title is wrong, my fault. I watched enough of this You Tube sensation to wonder what is going on. The visuals were fascinating but what was happening. I know nothing. But there were lots of customers wearing chess pieces on their heads so someone knows something.
• Masters of the Universe
  

  The preview actually looks better than Mandalorian probably the weight of the Star Wars universe beat down the chance to have fun with the film.  Star Wars started out as just a bunch of fun characters whipping their way around planets and weird beings that were new to sci-fi.  Masters of the Universe along with the return to movies of He-Man has a much better chance of sending the audience home looking for more.
• Power Ballad
  

  Written by Michael Harris
  How can authenticity be obtained in a world where expectations stand at the forefront of people’s minds? Modern films often serve as cycles of the building and breaking of tension to allow for people to not only connect with themes but to release stress. However, in exchange for comfort and familiarity, they lose the honesty and originality that makes movies meaningful. Power Ballad, a sincere musical comedy starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, juxtaposes the beauty of ambition with the messiness of human relationships. Though, like all movies, it does have certain weaknesses. It faces a lack of substance due to songs cutting into the run time, rather predictable character arcs, and the absence of any true turning point. Overall, Power Ballad is a worthwhile watch for those who want an impactful but flawed film that seeks to discover the purpose of music.
• Star Wars Mandalorian and Grogu
  

  What is a Grogu.  I assume it is a Baby Yoda.  if it is this might be a fun movie.  Better than Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy?  I doubt it but hope for the best.  Why in heck did they title it this way?  How about Baby Yoda: The Movie.  That would have brought in another 100 million in grosses.  Disney messed up this one, but I am still looking forward to what I hope will be a great return to the greatest film series of all time, Star Wars.
• Mortal Kombat 2
  

  It is a sad day when a fanboy movie like Mortal Kombat 2 blocks out the likes of Michael and Devil Wears Prada 2 and even the Billie Eilish tour event in order to play Mortal Kombat 2 in the most desirable premium theaters.  Johnny Cage is a fun character and the individual battles will be well done I am certain, but the exhibitors picked the wrong horse in this race.
• The Devil Wears Prada 2
  

  Michael is a big hit even though the critics savaged the biopic.  Now the critics seem to be leaning in the direction of mauling this sequel.  Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Anne Hathaway have promoted the heck out of this one, and the merchandise sales are going through the roof.  The critics may be right, but I expect the public to drown them out at the box office.
• Michael/Melania
  

  I believe that unbiased viewings of each of these films would find them both as interesting as they are entertaining. However Melania, the First Lady documentary, and Michael the pop singer musical/drama, are weighed down by ferocious likes and dislikes before potential customers have even seen the films. As much as the Michael filmmakers deserve credit for mixing the scintillating musical scenes with the horror of young Michael receiving undeserved beatings from his father, those who believe Michael Jackson’s known public life disqualifies him from having anything positive written about him are missing an incredible performance by his nephew Jaafar Jackson. And if you are a Never Trumper, you take it out on Mrs. Trump as a way of getting back at the President.
  Bottom line. If you can ignore the prejudice against and for either of these movies, you might find enough to like about them while at the same time opening your mind up to ingrained opinions that destroy the ability to enjoy the two films.
• Marty Supreme
  

  Written By Michael Harris
  Heroes are just villains who have their story told from their perspective. Marty Supreme offers the question of what it would be like if the protagonist does not participate in a fulfilling arch. What does it mean when someone sacrifices everything for an ending far from perfect? There is more to this movie than just table tennis. This film has consistent drama, painful events, and high stakes. However, because its goal was to be tense and chaotic, it was ugly and hard to watch. Its purpose is to show the lengths to which people go to chase their dreams and if their decisions are worth it. It definitely does not fulfill the role of being a feel-good sports movie in time for the holiday. I would recommend skipping this one, especially for families.
• Avatar: Fire and Ash
  

  Written by Michael Harris
  Success has consequences. When a franchise grows, its freedom shrinks. Avatar: Fire and Ash has the defining characteristics of all of the other films in the series: emotional appeals, anti-imperalist themes, impressive visuals, and consistent action. Avatar movies are made for 3D viewing. Therefore, viewers who normally may not understand the purpose of this format may enjoy watching this film in 3D, due to its focus on immersion. However, the movie prioritizes making fans content and loses the sense of originality present in the first Avatar. The movie’s format bases itself on causation from previous establishments within the franchise, which makes it unenjoyable to newcomers to the series and decentralized. Too many plot lines become established, which prevents any real growth from being noticed in the characters. Still, Avatar: Fire and Ash’s serves as an agreeable and enjoyable film, making it a worthwhile watch for those wanting to see the next big budget movie.
• Wicked For Good
  

  Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific is a classic American musical.  The song Bali Hai is as good as it gets.  If you are a musical aficionado and have not seen South Pacific, you are in for a treat.  I have no opinion about Wicked and Wicked: For Good.  In order to create a successful Broadway musical today, it is as much about the special effects as the actual music.  I cannot criticize the Wicked duo when they are so beloved by fans of all types and ages.  So be it,  Enjoy the movies and ignore critics altogether.
• Anemone
  

  What is an anemone?  Actually I sort of know but wonder why it would be the title of this movie.  Are they trying to bury it before anyone gets the chance to see it/  Consummate artist Daniel Day Lewis returns to acting after eight years in retirement.  Of course we who know his iconic performances beginning with My Left Foot will be first in line.  But a quick warning.  The film is written and directed by his son, a good enough reason for the Dad to return to the screen but maybe not a sign that this will be a movie deserving of great praise.
• Superman
  

  Written By Michael Harris
  It feels like DC films have constantly been testing the waters lately. Due to the company’s many box office flops in recent years, DC decided that it would be in their best interests to reboot the franchise under James Gunn and Peter Safran. Superman plays it safe and uses what they know will work. With high stakes, honorable characters, and incredible graphics, the viewer is compelled to be invested in the story and its characters. However, the would-be dramatic scenes are undercut by the feeling that they were specifically made for the trailers, the main characters are seemingly one-dimensional even among moral dilemmas, and many subplots feel like they were cut. Still, Superman (2025) has a sort of originality that impresses me, even though its characters have been reused for decades. Overall, Superman is definitely a worthwhile watch for new and old fans alike as DC starts its new chapter.
• F1
  

  Written by Michael Harris
  F1 does not recreate the wheel but refines it. It takes the successful pieces of other franchises and joins them together in order to appeal to a wide audience. The protagonist, Sunny Hayes (Brad Pitt), fills a John Wick archetype, where his growth to become the best at what he does is not shown, but left to imagination in the form of a legacy. Because the film was by the director of Top Gun Maverick, it was given the technical tools to make it appear accurate to real life Formula 1 racing. However, the movie still feels unrealistic due to its downplaying of the dangers of racing and a predictable story. Filled with unnecessary subplots and a long two and a half hour run time, F1 loses most of its emotional impact, but is still an overall good action movie that is worth watching.
• Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning
  

  Tom Cruise is a brute.   In his Mission Impossible movies his stunt work really is impossible.  The movies themselves have deteriorated over time, but the action is young Jackie Chan but with millions of dollars in preparation and invention backing up every death defying moment.  This “final” impossible and the one before ir are more than I can handle though I am sure I will leave the theater in awe of an old man astounding us all.
• The Surfer
  

  Another Nick Cage movie comes out of nowhere.  And I am glad.  Cage continues to step up to the plate and hit homers in movie after movie surrounded by young filmmakers all putting forth maximum efforts creating low budget genre hybrids.  I could tell you a little bit about this movie but, as always, the less you know the better.
• Top Gun: Maverick
  

  Archetypal Hollywood film making where the special effects support the story as opposed to overwhelming the story.  And the story is communal screen writing at its finest.  Lots of writers immersing themselves in the original Top Gun and creating a team of characters, both new faces and old, all working selflessly without egos for the greater good of the film.  Hats off to their Captain Tom Cruise.  He cares about his audience.