By Michael C. Woody | Lake Panorama Times

“Spider-Man: Brand New Day”

As a longtime Spider-Man fan, I am happy to report that not only is this a great Spider-Man movie, but it might be the best of the bunch. They not only told a good story, but they managed to un-do some of the stupid stuff that the last movie heaped on to us. Tom Holland continues to prove that he has mastered this character whether it is in plain clothes as Peter Parker or in the blue and red costume as the web slinger. No one has done it better. Zendaya as Mary Jane Watson is also excellent in a role that really has little to add to the story. Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk and Jon Bernthal as The Punisher are also perfectly cast. Not sure where this franchise goes from here, but they have definitely raised the bar with this one. Grade: A

“The End of Oak Street”

With a cast that includes Ewen McGregor and Anne Hathaway, you may walk in with high hopes for this movie about a family whose neighborhood houses a portal into a reality that has dinosaurs of many shapes and sizes literally tearing it apart. I don’t go in expecting a whole lot, but I certainly expected more than they delivered. Maybe they used some of the writer’s pay to get these two high-profile actors? The story ends up being more silly than scary, but, blessedly, it was just a hair more than 90 minutes so the pain was short-lived. I am not sure what they were thinking when they signed up for this film, but all I was thinking was that I should leave early.  Sue and I stayed till the bitter end, but it was a footrace to get to the car. Grade: D

“Mutiny”

Jason Statham will never receive an Oscar (or nomination, for that matter) but when you sit down in one of his movies you know that it will not be a lengthy film and that he is going to punch the heck (not the word I wanted to use) out of everyone in his path. This film is no different. When the wealthy man that he works for is killed on the eve of his retirement, Statham’s character jumps into action to find the killers. This leads him to a pier and a jump onto a vessel leaving port. From there the story switches gears and we find that the ship is led by a crooked captain and his equally evil crew. Oh, and by the way, they are also smuggling a large group of people who I’m guessing were not expecting a trip. They are fortunate that Statham’s character is willing to step in (as is a very pretty blonde woman) and help them escape. If you’ve ever seen a Statham film, they are for the most part, entertaining and a lot of people either get shot or they get the snot beat out of them. I can’t complain about Statham’s movies. They are a great break from thinking, and the action is always well done. He doesn’t disappoint here. Grade: B+

“One Night Only”

In the future, society has banned sexual activity except for one night of the year. You’ve got to give it to the film that it has the most unique story of the year. The rules don’t state who with or where this activity needs to happen. So we meet a beautiful woman (Monica Barbara) and a man (Callum Turner) who amazingly meet on this crazy, crazy night and do their best to complete both of their missions. I give the movie credit for the most creative storyline I’ve seen in a long time. It’s a fun movie that also has something to say and it says it very well. Someone had a great idea and everyone involved with this film did their level best to make a great movie. It’s not a great movie but it gets close. Grade: B+

“Tony”

I believe that someone messed up with this film’s title. Does anything in that title give you an idea of what this is or why you should see it? It has hurt the film. The fascinating story of famous chef Anthony Bourdain is actually one of the better films I have seen this year. We see Bourdain as a screwed-up kid who has an ability to make up stories on the spot to get into, or out of, trouble. He chases a girl across the country and finds that she wants to have nothing to do with him. He gets a job in a kitchen doing lots of dishes but eventually is given the chance by the chef (a great turn by Antonio Banderas) to make something of his life. The rest, as they say, is history. Also one of the year’s best. Grade: A

“Spa Weekend”

Do you remember “The Hangover”? “Bachelor Party”? “Bridesmaids”? OK, now you will understand the humor of “Spa Weekend.” Four very funny women (three friends and another who they felt they had to invite) head off for a wild weekend at a spa. Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Michelle Bureau and Anna Faris make up this crazy bunch looking for fun at a high-end hotel/spa. The humor is rude and crude, but there is barely enough of a story to keep the boat afloat. The moments of fun are sometimes far between. Nothing to do this weekend? You could do worse.
Grade: C+

I will be back next month with “The Dog Stars” set in a post-apocalyptic world where a handful of people survive (for now) a deadly flu virus. Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin and Guy Pearce take direction from Ridley Scott. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are back in “Practical Magic 2.” And yet another “Hunger Games” movie. Until then, pass the popcorn.  

Michael C. Woody has been reviewing movies on radio and television since 1986. He and his wife, Susan, are residents of Lake Panorama.

By Michael C. Woody | Lake Panorama Times

“Toy Story 5”

When you take a classic movie that is universally loved and make a fourth sequel, you are taking a calculated risk that you can recapture the magic one more time. My concerns for that quickly disappeared as “Toy Story 5” brought back the whole gang, and they united in their concern about an electronic device being introduced to their family. The series continues to be a crowd pleaser with equal shares of fun, humor and heart. It doesn’t hurt that it also has a character named Woody! Grade: B+

“The Death of Robin Hood”

Starring Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer, this film is a story about Robin Hood that I’m not sure is true or just made up. Regardless, it’s an excellent film about an aging man on the run and the woman who helps him. It is way more violent than I expected, but it is a strong movie that I would like to see again. By the way, is there anything that Jackman can’t do? Grade: B+

“Young Washington”

The folks at Angel Studios rarely miss the target –– and they are back at it with this biopic about our first president of the United States. We see George Washington as a young man and a military officer who takes chances and wins big. Like most Angel Studios films, it is well made and entertaining in its depiction of the young Washington and how he made his name. Grade: A-

“Moana”

The animated version of “Moana” was an excellent film and a huge hit for the folks at Disney Pictures in 2016. Now we get the live action version, which is equally excellent and entertaining. The actress playing Moana is tremendous, but it is Dwayne Johnson who steals the film. Great action, great humor, the songs are excellent and the story held the attention of a huge IMAX audience. Grade: A-

“The Invite”

There are two couples living in an apartment building at odds over loud noises coming from the bedroom upstairs. They are played very, very well by Ed Norton and Penelope Cruz. Their downstairs neighbors (Seth Rogen and Olivia Wilde) invite them for dinner so they can confront them about their nocturnal habits and the volume of those activities. Tread carefully with this movie. The subject matter is handled well, but the movie goes further than you might expect. It is really well done but is not for the faint of heart. An interesting premise that is very well handled. Grade: B+

“Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass”

On that previous topic, we get another movie with a similar plot. This time, a young couple is confronted with the opportunity to engage with their dream celebrity, bringing up the conversation about which celebrity you would choose. The premise is fun, but the movie goes off the rails about halfway through and ends with a thud. Grade: C

“The Odyssey”

As an English major from the University of Iowa, I find it strange that I never read this epic poem. Now, I don’t have to, with this excellent version that covers most of the tale. This film gives you everything you wanted and much more.  Director Christopher Nolan brings this epic film to theaters across the country, especially IMAX theaters as Nolan shot the entire film with IMAX cameras. It is long, a true epic, but so well done with such a fantastic cast — Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, John Leguizamo, Zendaya and Charlize Theron to name a bunch. I can’t imagine another film that stands a chance at winning Best Picture this year. What a film. But please, please see it in the IMAX in Waukee. Grade: A

“Motor City”

On the other end of the spectrum was a mystery movie at The Palms Theatres in Waukee. “Motor City” is a head-shaker for sure. Uber violent, crazy loud and literally without dialogue, the film tells the story (set in 1977 Detroit) about some seedy characters and their seedy lives. The film, for the most part, has no dialogue, but it does have a great 1970s soundtrack. It’s dark. It’s violent. It’s dirty. And it’s best not to see. Grade: F

Michael C. Woody has been reviewing movies on radio and television since 1986. He and his wife, Susan, are residents of Lake Panorama.

By Michael C. Woody | Lake Panorama Times

“Power Ballad”

This film would fit nicely in the “good” category. It stars Paul Rudd as a wedding singer and was produced by Guy Richie, which means smart dialogue, well-staged violence and beautiful women in distress. Unfortunately, the writers seem to be spinning their wheels in this genre to the point where you can count the amount of time for the double cross, the double, double cross and lots of explosions. This is not one of his best. I’ll bet it was more fun to make than it was to watch. GRADE: C+

“Winter Hymns”

I hesitate to even mention a film titled “Winter Hymns” for two reasons. The first is that it is going to be nearly impossible to find until it hopefully lands on one of the streaming channels. The second reason is that it is a devastatingly sad look at a doctor’s long, but typical, day meeting with families and individuals suffering from a variety of horrible illnesses. The movie is full of brilliant performances and raw emotions without a single false note. The film starts in the darkness of morning and ends in the darkness of evening. It is wonderful but will be difficult to find on streaming services. I understand that the company that runs FLIX Movie Theatres was looking at booking the movie in all of the theaters across the country. GRADE: A

“Spider-Noir”

This series is a daring but failed attempt to translate a series of comics set in a Spider-Man future on streaming services. What happens on the page of a superhero comic can struggle to translate well on a screen — large or small. This is a perfect example of “lost in translation.” Nice try, but it was not for this Spider-Man fan. GRADE: C-

“Scary Movie 6”

I vaguely remember seeing the first and second films in this franchise and tapping out after those two. With little else to see, I wandered into the Palms Theatre and IMAX in Waukee one Sunday morning to see if the franchise still has anything left to offer. It does not. The jokes are stupid. They are not funny and, in many cases, are offensive. GRADE: F

“Tuner”

I got a call from a New York-based PR firm asking if I would be able to get to a movie in Des Moines titled “Tuner.” I checked the trailer on IMDB.com, and it looked good. I called a friend of mine, and he and his wife joined my wife and me at the Varsity Theatre in Des Moines one Sunday evening. We sat in silence as the film told the story of an unlikely piano tuner who falls in with a group of bad guys who realize that his piano-tuning skills can also be used to crack safes. That’s all I will tell you, other than you need to see it. It is easily one of the year’s best and most likely a top five pick for best of the year. Difficult to find but so, so worth it. GRADE: A+

“Disclosure Day”

A new Steven Spielberg-directed movie is usually cause for celebration and, in my opinion, “Disclosure Day” fits that bill perfectly. Like any good movie, this one sets up an intriguing story that there are aliens among us, and they have plans to make a move. I don’t want to give you too much information and spoil any part of the fun, but it is time for the aliens to come out of hiding. Like many of Spielberg’s films, there are big thoughts in play, great ideas on the way and not a second to wait. Spielberg sets up a great “what if?” story. The concept is both unique and fun that rolls out over a two-and-a-half-hour runtime. The cast is wonderful with Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo and Wyatt Russell.

If you can catch it in the IMAX, it is quite a treat. GRADE: A

“Office Romance”

My final movie is “Office Romance” on Netflix. It is an abysmal and unnecessarily raunchy romantic comedy featuring Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein. GRADE: D-

Michael C. Woody has been reviewing movies on radio and television since 1986. He and his wife, Susan, are residents of Lake Panorama.

By Michael C. Woody | Lake Panorama Times

“Michael”

With a title like that, how am I not going to be intrigued? It was a fabulous look at the early career of Michael and his brothers in the Jackson 5. It shows his overbearing father who saw the talent in his sons early and did his best to develop their talents and showmanship, sometimes in demanding ways. As Michael aged, he began to steal the spotlight from his older brothers. By the end of the film, he is a single act and embarking on the career we remember him having. The film does an excellent job focusing on his music career and not the creepiness that haunted his life. The film ends early in his solo career, but I’ve read that we have at least one sequel coming, if not two. The sequels will certainly be dark and controversial, so enjoy this look at the early career of this wonderful performer. GRADE: A-

“Fuze”

This film, which was touted as being from the director of “Hell or High Water” and written by Taylor Sheridan, was quietly released and did a little business. Those two pieces of information are enough for me to drive across town to see it. What I found was an intense film with almost non-stop action. The action and story are so elaborate that it was sometimes difficult to follow. The dialogue was also difficult at times, and I wished for subtitles. The story is set in Afghanistan and is full of too many flashbacks. If you love action films and don’t care so much about the story, this might be perfect for you. GRADE: B-

“Apex”

This Netflix film stars Charlize Theron, Taron Edgerton and Eric Bana. We get an action-packed look at a female mountain climber who is dealing with a recent tragedy in Norway but travels to Australia to continue on her travels and hopefully get over her loss. All was going great when a well-intentioned young man turns out to be a not very well-intentioned man. This leads to a cat and mouse chase full of impossible stunts as she tries to escape. The whole time I was watching this, I felt like I had seen this story before and remembered it being more engaging. At the end of the day, it was a waste of great talent. GRADE: C-

“The Devil Wears Prada 2”

Without getting into whole lot of details that would ruin the movie for most people, I can tell you that the title of the film is just the start of a total lack of creativity. The first movie was smart, sassy and entertaining, but this sequel produced more yawns than smiles for me. At the end of the year, this will be one of the biggest disappointments and wastes of an outstanding cast. GRADE: C-

“Animal Farm”

I vaguely remember seeing the animated version of this when I was much younger. It didn’t make much of an impression on me then, and this new version didn’t make much of an impression on me today. The story is familiar, and it does mirror our society today, as it did in the earlier version. This is a tough one to adapt, as you need to instill human tendencies and bad habits into farm animals to successfully make your point. I was more bored than intrigued by this newest version. GRADE: B-

“The Sheep Detectives”

The trailer for this film made it look fun and maybe one of those quirky comedies which would unexpectedly amuse and entertain you. The film is about a murder, and a group of sheep decide they need to solve this case. This might have been a unique and possibly interesting movie, but I found it to be slow and not nearly as funny as it thought that it was. A missed opportunity. GRADE: C-

“Obsession”

Admittedly, I have lost most of my taste for horror movies. They are too violent, too stupid and there are too many of them — sometimes three or more per month. With little else to review, I took a chance on “Obsession.” In the movie, a distracted young man pines for a beautiful co-worker and finally gets a date with her. To assure that the date goes well, he stops in a store and buys a device that will grant him one wish: for his coworker to love him more than anyone else in the world. The film presents this relationship as horrific, and he cannot escape it. In a nutshell, this film has a fresh but worrying storyline and more than its share of “look away” moments. It was so, so creepy. With great caution, I give it a grade most horror films never achieve. GRADE: B+

“In the Grey”

If you see the poster for this movie, it proudly states that it is a Guy Ritchie film. Let me translate that for you: scantily clad women, usually with deadly martial arts skills, plus really handsome men who can also handle guns like they have used them since birth. Ritchie has made a bunch of movies that all seem to be the same with slight moderations to the story. A few of them, “The Covenant,” “Snatch” and “Sherlock Holmes,” have been entertaining. Recently, what would typically be a cause for excitement turns into a boring chase film that comes nowhere close to charming, funny or entertaining. Ritchie still gets great actors to help him, but even that didn’t keep me from repeatedly checking my watch. GRADE: C

Michael C. Woody has been reviewing movies on radio and television since 1986. He and his wife, Susan, are residents of Lake Panorama.

By Michael C. Woody | Lake Panorama Times

“The Drama” 

“The Drama” stars two beautiful people (played by Robert Pattinson and Zendaya) who meet in a cute way, have a nice relationship and naturally decide to get married. The stress of that decision and all that accompanies it put their relationship to the test right up to, and including, the wedding. “The Drama” has moments of humor and lots of craziness with its share of angst and darkness. GRADE: B+

“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” 

“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is the sequel to “The Super Mario Brother’s Movie,” two movies that will confound me right up to my death bed. It is only marginally more coherent than the first film, but you need to be a whole lot younger than I am to even start to understand (or care about) this mess of a movie. I will score this for the kids younger than 12. GRADE: B-

“You and Me & Tuscany” 

“You and Me & Tuscany” is a romantic comedy about a young woman (played by Halle Bailey) who has a habit of getting into the homes of people who are out of town — or the country — in this movie. When she sees the opportunity to sneak into an empty Italian villa, she jumps at it. A family in this small-town setting assumes she is the fiancée of the owner of the villa, which quickly gets messy when she falls in love with another man. The movie is full of fluff, fun and lots of Italian cooking. It redeems itself late in the film and ends up being much better than I expected. GRADE: B

“Normal”

“Normal is an interesting action crime thriller film starring Bob Odenkirk (and Henry Winkler of “the Fonz” fame in a small role) that takes place in the corrupt small town of Normal, Minnesota. Odenkirk is the new sheriff in town. When he investigates a bank robbery in his first few days, his own deputies open fire on him, revealing that the town’s law enforcement is compromised. Inside the bank, he discovers a big secret — a cache of cash, gold bars and military-grade weapons. They are tied to a criminal operation connected to Japanese gangsters — really bad guys who have come to this small town to take what they feel is theirs. GRADE: B+

“Lee Cronin’s The Mummy”   

I don’t have a clue who Lee Cronin is, but I really don’t care to see any more movies from him.  “The Mummy” is a bloody, gory mess of a film. We are introduced to a young America family living in Cairo with young children. When a daughter is stolen by a creepy looking lady, the family grieves her loss and struggles to move on. Fortunately, or maybe not, they find their daughter eight years later. She is not in great, or even good shape. The film goes down from there. “The Mummy” is creepy and has a few good moments but goes way too far. GRADE: C-. 

Michael C. Woody has been reviewing movies on radio and television since 1986. He and his wife, Susan, are residents of Lake Panorama.

By Michael C. Woody | Lake Panorama Times

Since I reviewed 10 movies last month, I will take it easy on you this month with only a handful of new films opening,

“Midwinter Break” 

(most likely headed to streaming soon)

This is an interesting movie that will pull you in deeper and deeper as the movie methodically unspools. It is a small film with little to no promotion that I can recall. Leslie Manville and Ciarian Hinds play an old couple on a trip to Amsterdam for a weekend away from home. We find that she is not a happy woman but a very strong Catholic with a secret plan. This is a quiet and sad movie about a couple who have maybe fallen out of love. It is a film that is wonderfully acted with a unique story. Grade: A-

“Hoppers” 

(in theaters)

I see fewer kids movies these days, but “Hoppers” pulled me into the theaters with a great teaser trailer. A young girl who is a spunky environmentalist is inspired by a local pond and all of the creatures that live in it. When the community wants to get rid of the pond, she starts a crusade to save it. This is a well-made animated film with a strong and important message. Grade: A-

“The Bride” 

(in theaters)

In Warner Brothers’ latest update of their legendary horror film vault, we get this update of “The Bride of Frankenstein.” The film claims that Mary Shelley wrote “Frankenstein” on a bet, and we all know how much that decision probably repaid her handsomely. Here we see a woman who has also been brought back from the dead, several times. Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Annette Bening, Penelope Cruz, Perter Sarsgaard and Jake Gyllenhaal star for Gyllenhaal’s sister, Maggie, who wrote and directed the film. It is a dark, crazy and ultraviolent film that has little to offer most moviegoers. Grade: D

“Reminders of Him” 

(in theaters)  

Romance author Colleen Hoover gives us the story of a young woman who was just released from prison and is walking home. We quickly understand that something bad has happened and that she literally has no one to help her. Her attempts to find work are met with closed doors, but she finally finds an opportunity at a local coffee shop. From there, her tale of woe unspools. It’s an interesting story ,and the movie is actually better than it needed to be. Grade: B+

“Project Hail Mary” 

(in theaters)  

Based on the best-selling book by Andy Weir (“The Martian”), “Project Hail Mary” is the story of a high school science teacher who is pulled away from his day job by the government to help save our planet. Our planet and many others are at risk of dying, and the government needs someone with the skills and intellect to save us. The less I tell you, the better off you are, but what I can state is that the story is great, the filmmaking is breathtaking and Ryan Gosling is brilliant in this role. Sue and I saw it in a packed IMAX house, and it was a spectacle for sure.  See it and be amazed. Grade: A-

“The Pout Pout Fish” 

(in theaters)   

My old friend and retired school teacher Kathi Millin told me that this a wonderful story. I took a chance on the movie, and I enjoyed it, but it is definitely targeted to a younger audience than a lot of the recent animated hits. Nick Offerman lends his distinctive voice to the lead role. Grade: B+

I’ll be back next month with some early summer movies for you. 

Michael C. Woody has been reviewing movies on radio and television since 1986. He and his wife, Susan, are residents of Lake Panorama.