Connect with us

Movie Reviews

Releasing today on digital is ‘Rocky’s’, an exemplification of friends evolving over time – Review

Published

on

So often we take for granted the time spent with friends, thinking the good times and light troublemaking will never end. I’m willing to bet most if not all would do it all over if given the opportunity. Rocky’s follows six friends who reunite under unfortunate circumstances, but their unique dynamic hasn’t faltered. The parking lot of the Rocky’s deli shop, where they spent most of their time outside of high school, is the setting for this film. You see yourself conversing with your own friends when hearing their banter. The writing is witty, the characters are all well-defined, and you really enjoy the group as a whole, dare I say would want to even join them. Rocky’s is an enjoyable self-contained story about friends converging later in life but falling back into familiar habits. Watch the film starting today on digital platforms and catch the trailer below.

Growing up, Charlie and his friends spent their days loitering in the parking lot of Rocky’s, the neighborhood 24/7 deli. Years later, after drifting apart during their college years, Charlie receives word that an ex-girlfriend has tragically died. He returns home ahead of the funeral, aware that there are some people that it will be awkward to see. His first stop is Rocky’s, where he runs into a cast of characters from his past; some are happy to see him, others are not. In real-time, Charlie’s old crew reconnects to confront past wounds, eat a few sandwiches and face the reality that they’ve grown up, whether they want to admit it or not.

ROCKY’S stars Stanley Simmons (The Iron Claw, Superior), Ben Cook (West Side StoryPretty Little Liars), Gil Perez-Abraham (The BatmanCarry On), Jasai Chase Owens (Mutt, The Expanse), Ani Mesa (Superior), Sharlene Cruz (In The Summers), Steven Maier (Omni Loop), Brandon Lindsay (A Soldier’s Play – National Tour), and introducing Dante Palimteri and Dani Foster. The film was co-written and directed by Benjamin Cohen and Max Strand and produced by Josh Michaels, James Benson, and Grant Curatola.  Gravitas Ventures will release ROCKY’S on digital platforms on January 21, 2025. 

Ted aka Steady is a film critic and the managing editor forCountdownCityGeeks.com. He has covered some of the largest pop culture events in the world including SXSW and San Diego Comic-Con. He has also hosted a variety of events such as eSports Tourneys, film festivals, to moderating panels for some of the biggest names in entertainment including Josh Brolin, Rosario Dawson and Giancarlo Esposito.

Movie Reviews

Final Destination Bloodlines – This wild horror film takes you down memory lane where it all makes “cents”. (Movie Review)

Published

on

By

While patiently waiting and strategizing over a decade, the mysterious entity of Death finally settles the score. Final Destination Bloodlines takes you back to 1968 where it all began. Brec Bassinger makes a solid entrance in the film portraying the young Iris Campbell – The root of all chaos from messing with predestined mortalities.

Richard Harmon takes charge of holding the film together with his role as the rebellious Erik. Harmon knows how to deliver the fright in this arrogant heavily pierced character.

Final Destination Bloodlines has a great storyline, but unfortunately, the remaining cast seemed sapless like twigs.

On the other hand, watching Tony Todd’s last film appearance as William John Bludworth brought out emotions in the theater.  The mystifying backstory of Bludworth was revealed along with his connection to Death’s design – those last words were haunting.

Final Destination Bloodlines is all about the details. It focuses on the small elements that trigger the chain of events making it “crystal clear” the characters will slip through the cracks trying to defy Death. The numerous disaster scenes are truly worth watching in IMAX format. Directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein made great use of the color red throughout the film, with an excellent choice of needle drops to set the tone for the characters’ gruesome fatality. One moment I was singing and in a split second screaming.

Nonetheless,  this movie has many shocking twists and plenty of blood splatter to keep horror fans gasping and on the edge of your seat. Unlike the other films in the Final Destination series, this one blends in humor to relieve the tension to create an elevating viewing experience. It also brings back the original tactics that Death had planned to put into motion – careful driving behind a trailer hauling massive logs.

Just like the overall basis of the series, no matter how hard  the characters tried to escape and challenge their fate, Death’s retribution ultimately concludes in Final Destination Bloodline.  

Final Destination Bloodline will be released in theaters May 16, 2025.

Continue Reading

Movie Reviews

In theaters May 9th is the fascinating sci-fi film, ‘Watch the Skies’ – Review

Published

on

Watch the Skies is a heartfelt sci-fi film with a remarkable ensemble cast, showcases the impressive talent of rising star Inez Dahl Torhaug. The story centers on a young protagonist as she unravels the mystery surrounding her father’s disappearance years before. This all happened while he was conducting investigative work on UFOs. The film balances whimsical and quirky moments with deeply profound emotional scenes that are captivating.

A unique blend of British-European humor and sci-fi adventure, Watch the Skies draws inspiration from a real-life Swedish extraterrestrial research group. Sci-fi enthusiasts will find themselves particularly well-equipped to enjoy this charming and thought-provoking cinematic journey.

Synopsis: A rebellious teenage woman’s father went missing years ago and she believes that he didn’t run away but was abducted by aliens. She joins forces with a funky UFO club made up of a lovable group of weirdos and rejects. Together, they embark on an adventure that takes them far beyond the boundaries of the law and ultimately, our world.

Continue Reading

Movie Reviews

Blake Lively brings extravagant fashion to this murder-mystery comedy movie in ‘Another Simple Favor’ – Review

Published

on

By

When it comes to making a grand entrance in a movie , Blake Lively definitely kills it in Another Simple Favor. She looked sophistically stunning in those posh outfits and lavish shoes! Lively really steals the spotlight portraying the charming and deceptive Emily Nelson / Hope McLanden who disrupts Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) during a book reading to ask for a simple favor. Kendrick is a master in emerging into roles of the sweet, impulsive and vulnerable characters.

This saga takes place in the beautiful Island of Capri, where the extravagant wedding of Emily (Lively) to the handsome Italian mobster Dante Versano (Michele Morrone). When Aunt Linda (Allison Janney) makes a surprise appearance with Emily’s deranged mother Margaret (Elizabeth Perkins), well you know sparks will be bursting. Stephanie (Kendrick) is determined to seek answers to the mysterious occurrences and disappearance of Emily. The plot thickens with mind-bending, jaw-dropping twists, which leads the possibility of a trilogy.

The entire cast was amusing. This movie has a lot of dark raunchy humor, which at times could be a bit “tmi”. From feuding scenes with Henry Golding as Sean Townsend (Emily’s ex-husband) to Blake’s bedroom scene where she playing a dual role – uncomfortable, awkwardness. However, it received plenty of laughter from the audience.

Another Simple Favor will be available on Amazon Prime Video starting May 1, 2025. It will sure be a great suggestion for a girl’s night movie party.

Continue Reading

Trending