Century 16 South Point and XD
Movie Theater In Las Vegas

Movie Guru's Current Movie Briefs

• The Order
  

  Jude Law as the FBI agent who  tracks a white supremacist group in 1984 and has his hands full at all times.  True story.  So I will see it first as everything else has been crowded out of theaters by Moana 2 and Wicked Part One and Gladiator II.
• Gladiator II
  

  (An aside).  Notice that the three biggest holiday movies are sequels or Part Ones each opening for Thanksgiving and expected to dominate through the Christmas holidays.  Sequels and Part Ones.  The safest bets.  Though Joker 2 was an incredible exception (a musical – see Wicked brief).  Gladiator II is a director Ridley Scott epic sequel.  If you are not a Ridley Scott devotee, look up his filmography.  You will know how badly you want to see this movie.  Co-starring Denzel Washinton no less.  And for a special treat, spend the extra few bucks  and watch it in our XD theater.  That will be a blast.
• Moana 2
  

  Written by Holiday Season intern Michael Harris. As the Lion King has Hamlet, Moana 2 has The Odysseus. Disney has always had a custom of turning classic literature into children’s movies, and this is no exception. The sequels of successful movies are always difficult to make, so aligning this movie with a great work seems like a safe move. However, in the attempts to add depth to the series, it has lost some of its identity. The songs were forced and the humor did not land, but the animations were still incredibly impressive. The climactic scenes are intense, but still enjoyable for a younger audience, as the movie does a good job at keeping the viewer mesmerized. I would rate this movie as the best written children’s movie this year, and definitely a movie your children will enjoy. It is ultimately your choice whether to see this movie this Thanksgiving.
• Wicked: Part 1
  

  Movie musicals of all sorts have not been performing at the box office lately no matter how well made.  The 160 minute run time on this one makes it adults only, though too many will bring their children and suffer through their understandable rejection of any too long movie.  But I digress.  Wicked’s early access screenings and $30 special event showings have all sold out.  The Wicked masses have spoken.  My wife and I both enjoyed a road show performance of the play at Las Vegas’ terrific downtown Smith Theater (just do not purchase tickets for any of their events in the top level).  Anyway – Happy Thanksgiving 2024.
• Red One
  

  When everyone thinks one team is going to win a game, it is almost always the other team that wins (at least against the spread).  And when everyone watches a movie preview and group thinks, this is going to be great, watch out below.  I have been talking this movie up for weeks.  The previews are great.  Then I came to my senses.  The previews show all funny scenes.  Number one – that takes the fun out of seeing those scenes at the actual movie.  Number two – I am getting the chills thinking about how many times I am going to have to take the grandkids to the concession stand during a 2 hour and 3 minute possible dud.  I feel like if I take all five kids, then maybe 2.5 of them will like it.  Maybe that will make the investment worthy of the movie visit.
• Weekend in Taipei
  

  Classic B action movie written and produced by Luc Besson and starring Fast and Furious graduates Luke Evans and Sung Yang.  Filmed in Taipei this opens up all kinds of new backdrops for one hour and forty one minutes of action and romance.  It seems Luke Evans is returning to Taiwan to reignite a long ago romance with unforeseen consequences.  Look up Luc Besson’s filmography.  You will know right away how badly you will want to see this movie.
• Anora
  

  Pay attention.  This movie about a Las Vegas stripper and the son of a Russian oligarch will explode upon your consciousness during Oscar season.  Being able to see it now is a gift.  I only know the preview and its winning the best picture and best actress at the Canne Film Festival. And though I know director Sean Baker from his previous well received work, I know nothing about Miss Mikey Madison previous of a long running streaming series.  
• Saturday Night Live
  

  Oh boy. Time to break out the smoke. Actually, in my day, every TV show and movie was time to break out the smoke. We are about to see a backstage representation of the fear and loathing of the iconic live, late night show’s first week ever, I am afraid it will be filled with more fact than fun. I would prefer a film showing the party going on at my good friend’s Mitch’s house while we watched the first episode ever. We were hooked after the first inhale. And no – Bill Clinton was not invited
• Joker Folie a Deux
  

  Maybe it is just me, but I am totally creeped out by the “love” affair between Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in this big budget, mainstream, tentpole that is supposed to carry movie exhibitors into a money making holiday season. I feel like I will be revolted by this movie, but I am wrong 50% of the time.
• Megalopolis
  

  The Francis Ford Coppola who created masterworks of film, now in the final years of his life, has made a muddled and indulgent film that only cineastes could love. However it is wrong to attack what is obviously a bad choice, and in fact his failure is no worse than Orson Welles’ Other Side of the Wind, Muhammed Ali’s final fights, Willie Mays’ misplays in centerfield for the Mets, Johnny Unitas barely able to throw a decent pass for The San Diego Chargers, ad infinitum. For all he has meant to the history of film, I tip my cap to Francis Ford Coppola.
• Blink Twice
  

  No wonder people of faith the world over despise Hollywood. Zoe Kravitz, an excellent actress, wrote and directed this moral failure starring her significant other Channing Tatum. Hopefully this short and spoiler filled plot summary will protect you from considering this movie in theaters or via streaming. A rich guy brings a group of single young ladies to join his friends on his secluded luxury island. Each night they rape and sodomize and slice open the necks of various of the female guests after spraying them with a forget everything perfume that erases their memories of the previous night’s debaucheries. Then the remaining two heroines turn the tables and Django Chained- like violently massacre all the males except Channing Tatum who the bigger star of the two survivors marries.There was absolutely no excuse for a distributor financing this script and distributing the finished film worldwide. And the agents involved should take some of the blame as well.
• Godzilla Minus One
  

  This is a brand new English dubbed Japanese rethinking and tribute to the English dubbed (except for Raymond Burr) 1950s original. Bring the kids.

  Wrong! This is a terrific, subtitled flick; a great movie with incredible sound design and award worthy effects, with excellent screenwriting, and an unbelievable final battle that dissolves into an unexpected denouement. The premium XD theater presentation for this one is worth every extra penny.