Movie Theater at South Point
Cinemark Century 16 in Las Vegas

Movie Guru's Current Movie Briefs

• 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.
• Billie Eilish Hit Me Hard & Soft: The Tour Live
  

  Increasingly popular singer Billie Eilish is a rocket crashing through outer space and landing in a James Cameron (director of Avatar 1-3, Titanic, Terminator, Aliens) spectacular 3D extravaganza rendition of Eilish’s most recent tour. A tour de force of imagination on the part of both the performer and the filmmaker.
• The Sheep Detectives
  

  A British family delight that might be a bit strange for subject matter, the murder of Hugh Jackman the sheep herder, and the talking sheep who set out to find the killer.  I need to think before taking the 6 and 7 year old, but for everyone else, “All aboard.”
• Hokum
  

  A writer gets caught up in Irish horror.  Thankfully it looks as much mental as physical which makes me think of Stephen King.  
• 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.
• The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
  

  The kids are coming!  The kids are coming!  Bring your wallets.  Incredibly expensive souvenirs and toys selling out as we speak.  Have a great time.
• Project Hail Mary
  

  Ryan Gosling, it seems is a fish out of water who is chosen to save the world.  I always like Gosling in movies and look forward to this one.  It seems to be an intelligent space odessey based on a book by the author of The Martian, another out of space movie with a pleasing Matt Damon.
• 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.
• Anaconda
  

  Jack Black and Paul Rudd in what looks like a slapstick comedy which hopefully has not given away all the laughs in the previews.  The previews were hysterical if you understand Jack Black and Paul Rudd.  If not and you get drug along by friends or family, the movie is only 96 minutes long so just deal with it.  
• 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.
• One Battle After Another
  

  Leonardo DiCaprio with Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn, directed by auteur Paul Thomas Anderson (look him up).  Recently released Caught Stealing was a failed auteur madcap action film.  One Battle After Another looks great for those us who want to see a successful auteur madcap action film.  This could be the one.
• 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.