In which Kid 2 joins me in reviewing BANANA SPLIT (2018), from director Benjamin Kasulke and a script by Hannah Marks and Joey Power.  April (Hannah Marks) is heartbroken after breaking up with her long-term high school boyfriend, Nick (Dylan Sprouse). To her surprise, she forms an unlikely and deep friendship with Clara (Liana Liberato), who happens to be Nick's new girlfriend. The two navigate the awkward and complex dynamics of their bond, keeping their friendship a secret from Nick, leading to humorous and poignant situations as they approach college.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 28 m, is rated R and is currently streaming on Prime Video, Roku Channel and Tubi but also to buy/rent on Amazon's platform.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

#BananaSplit #HannahMarks #April #LianaLiberto #Clara #DylanSprouse #Nick #LukeSpencerRoberts #Ben #YA #Comedy #Friendship 

@PrimeVideo  @RokuUS  ⁠@⁠Tubi     

#FridayFamilyFilmNight

Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

** Originally recorded in 2023 **

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing ANIMAL KINGDOM (2010), from writer/director David Michôd.  The story follows seventeen year-old Josh "J" Cody (James Frecheville) after his mother's death, as he moves in with his estranged, crime-family grandmother and her three volatile sons in Melbourne. J is quickly drawn into their dangerous underworld, which is increasingly under scrutiny from both corrupt and determined police. As tensions escalate and violence erupts, J finds himself caught between loyalty to his ruthless family and his own survival..  The film clocks in at 1 h and 53 m, is rated R and is available on The Roku Channel and Tubi but also available to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.
#AnimalKingdom #DavidMichôd #JamesFrecheville #Josh #JackiWeaver #Janine #JoelEdgerton #Baz #LukeFord #Darren #SullivanStapleton #Craig #BenMendelsohn #Andrew #GuyPearce #NathanLeckie #LauraWheelwright #Nicky #TrueCrime #Tragedy #Drama #Thriller #Crime  @PrimeVideo⁩  @RokuUS  ⁠@⁠Tubi  #FridayFamilyFilmNight
Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing THE ILLUSIONIST (2006), based on the story “Eisenheim the Illusionist” by Steven Millhauser, the film is directed by and has a script by Neil Burger.  In turn-of-the-century Vienna, illusionist Eisenheim (Edward Norton) rekindles a forbidden romance with noblewoman Sophie (Jessica Biel), who is betrothed to the violent Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell). Using increasingly mysterious performances, Eisenheim manipulates public perception and orchestrates a grand deception to expose the prince and escape with Sophie. The film blends romance, political intrigue, and magical misdirection in a period mystery with a dramatic final twist.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 50 m, is rated PG-13 and is available on several streaming platforms like Hulu, Prime Video, AMC+, Fawesome, Peacock, Plex, Pluto TV, The CW, The Roku Channel and Tubi but we caught it on the Hoopla app but it's also available to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

#SupportYourLocalLibrary

@Hoopla

#TheIllusionist #StevenMillhauser #NeilBurger  #EdwardNorton #Eisenheim #PaulGiamatti #InspectorUhl #JessicaBiel #Sophie #RufusSewell #CrownPrinceLeopold #EddieMarsan #Josef #AaronTaylorJohnson #YoungEisenheim #EleanorTomlinson #YoungSophie #PeriodDrama #SupernaturalFantasy #PsychologicalThriller #Drama #Suspense #Mystery #Thriller #Romance  @Hulu @PrimeVideo⁩  @AMCplus  @Fawesometv  @Peacock  @Plex  @PlutoTV  @TheCW  @RokuUS  @Tubi  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing THE PRESTIGE (2006), from a script by Jonathan and Christopher Nolan, based on Christopher Priest's novel, the film is directed by Christopher Nolan.  In turn-of-the-century London, two rival magicians — Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) —become locked in a deadly competition to create the ultimate illusion, each willing to sacrifice everything for supremacy. As their obsession deepens, they blur the lines between performance and reality, morality and madness. The film unfolds like a magic trick itself, revealing in its final moments the devastating cost of ambition, secrecy, and identity.  The film clocks in at 2 h and 10 m, is rated PG-13 and is currently streaming on Hulu and to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.
#ThePrestige #ChristopherPriest #ChristopherNolan #JonathanNolan #Hugh Jackman #RobertAngier #ChristianBale #AlfredBorden #MicahelCaine #Cutter #PiperPerabo #Julia #RebeccaHall #Sarah #ScarlettJohansson #Olivia #SamanthaMahurin #Jess #DavidBowie #Tesla #AndySerkis #Alley  #Drama #Thriller #Mystery #Sci-Fi #Tragedy #Steampunk #PeriodDrama  @hbomax  @PrimeVideo⁩  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing BRING HER BACK (2025), from a script by Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman and directed by Danny and Michael Philippou.  The film is a tense supernatural horror story about two siblings, Andy and Piper (Billy Barratt and Sora Wong) who uncover terrifying secrets in their foster home with their new foster mother, Laura (Sally Hawkins).  As a sinister ritual unfolds around them, they must rely on each other to survive the creeping threat of forces both human and otherworldly.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 25 m, is rated R and is in theaters but also available to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.
#BringHerBack #DannyPhilippou  #MichaelPhilippou #BillHinzman #SoraWong #Piper #BillyBarratt #Andy #JonahWrenPhilips #Oliver #BodyHorror #SupernaturalHorror #Horror #Mystery #InTheaters  @PrimeVideo⁩  #FridayFamilyFilmNight
Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing A MINECRAFT MOVIE (2025), from a script by Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Neil Widener, Gavin James, Chris Galleta from a story by Allison Schroeder, Chris Bowman and Hubbel Palmer; the film is directed by Jared Hess (who also does double duty in voicing General Chungus).  When a group of unlikely heroes from the real world are transported into the pixelated universe of Minecraft, they must learn to survive in a land governed by creativity, danger, and blocks. Guided by a quirky mentor, Steve (Jack Black), siblings Natalie (Emma Myers) and Henry (Sebastian Hansen) and their friends Dawn (Danielle Brooks) and Garrett (Jason Momoa), embark on a journey that tests their courage, teamwork, and imagination. The film blends humor, heart, and adventure in a visually striking take on the beloved game.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 41 m, is rated PG and is currently still in theaters but also streaming on HBO Max and to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

#AMinecraftMovie #JaredHess #ChrisBowman #HubbelPalmer #NeilWidener #GavinJames #ChrisGalleta #AllisonSchroeder #JackBlack #Steve #JasonMomoa #Garrett #SebastianHansen #Henry #EmmaMyers #Natalie #DanielleBrooks #Dawn #RachelHouse #Malgosha #GeneralChungus #JenniferCoolidge #VicePrincipalMarlene #JermaineClement #Daryl #MattBerry #Nitwit #Action #Adventure #Quest #Slapstick #Fantasy #Comedy  #InTheaters  @hbomax  @PrimeVideo⁩  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

** This review was originally recorded months ago from a watch on TCM **

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing EVERY GIRL SHOULD BE MARRIED (1948), from a story by Eleanor Harris and script credits to Don Hartman and Stephen Morehouse Avery, the film is directed by Don Hartman.  The film follows Anabel Sims (Betsy Drake), a determined young woman who sets her sights on a handsome, confirmed bachelor pediatrician, Dr. Madison Brown (Cary Grant) and uses a series of clever schemes to win his affection and convince him to marry her.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 25 m, is rated Approved and is available to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

#EveryGirlShouldBeMarried #DonHartman #EleanorHarris #StephenMorehouseAvery #BetsyDrake #Anabel #CaryGrant #DrBrown #RomanticComedy #Drama #Romance  @TCM  @PrimeVideo⁩  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing THE CRUSH (1993), from writer/director Alan Shapiro.  When a young journalist, Nick Eliot (Cary Elwes), rents a guesthouse from a wealthy family, he catches the attention of their precocious 14-year-old daughter, Adrian (Alicia Silverstone). What begins as innocent flirtation quickly escalates into dangerous obsession as Adrian’s unreciprocated feelings turn vengeful. Nick finds his career and safety unraveling as he becomes the target of her increasingly unhinged attempts to control and destroy his life.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 29 m, is rated R and is currently available Prime Video, Fawesome, Peacock, Plex, The CW, The Roku Channel and Tubi but also to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

#TheCrush #AlanShapiro #CaryElwes #Nick #AliciaSilverstone #Adrian #KurtwoodSmith #Cliff #GwynythWalsh #Liv #AmberBenson #Cheyenne #JenniferRubin #Amy #EroticThriller #PsychologicalThriller #Crime #Drama #Thriller @fawesometv  ⁠@Peacock⁠  @plex  @thecw  @RokuUS  @Tubi  @PrimeVideo⁩  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing THE BIRDCAGE (1996), from a script by Elaine May and directed by Mike Nichols, the story is based on the play "La Cage Aux Folles" by Jean Poiret.  Armand Goldman (Robin Williams), the gay owner of a drag nightclub in South Beach, and his flamboyant partner and star performer Albert (Nathan Lane) agree to play it straight when Armand’s son, Val (Dan Futterman) announces his engagement to the daughter of ultra-conservative Senator Keeley (Gene Hackman). Chaos and comedy ensue as the couple attempts to conceal their true identities during a dinner with their future in-laws. Ultimately, love and authenticity prevail as the truth is revealed and grudgingly accepted.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 57 m, is rated R and is currently streaming on Prime Video and Peacock but is also available to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.
#TheBirdcage #JeanPoiret #LaCageAuxFolles #MikeNichols #ElaineMay #RobinWilliams #Armand #NathanLane #Albert #DanFutterman #Val #HankAzaria #Agador #GeneHackman #SenatorKeeley #DianneWiest #Louise #CalistaFlockhart #Barbara #ChristineBaranski #Katharine #Comedy #Pride #LGBTQ+Stories  @Peacock  @PrimeVideo⁩  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR (1995), from a script by Douglas Carter Beane, the film is directed by Beeban Kidron.  Three New York City drag queens—Vida Boheme (Patrick Swayze), Noxeema Jackson (Wesley Snipes), and Chi-Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo) — embark on a cross-country road trip to compete in a national drag pageant, but when their car breaks down in a small, conservative town, they end up transforming the community with their charm, fashion, and kindness. As they help the townspeople embrace self-expression and tolerance, the queens themselves grow through friendship and self-discovery. In the end, the town stands up against bigotry, and the trio continues their journey, leaving behind a legacy of empowerment and acceptance.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 49 m, is rated PG-13 and is currently available Tubi and Peacock but also to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.
#ToWongFooThanksForEverythingJulieNewmar  #BeebanKidron #DouglasCarterBeane #PatrickSwayze #VidaBoheme #WesleySnipes #NoxeemaJackson #JohnLeguizamo #ChiChiRodriguez #StockardChanning #CarolAnn #BlytheDanner #Beatrice #ArlissHoward #Virgil #JasonLondon #BobbyRay #ChrisPenn #SheriffDollard #MelindaDillon #Merna #BethGrant #Loretta #AliceDrummond #Clara #MargotHugot #Katina #JenniferMilmore #BobbyLee #MikeHodge #JimmyJoe #MichaelVartan ##Tommy #JamieHarrold #BillyBudd ##RuPaul #RachelTensions #JulieNewmar #JulieNewmar #Drama #Comedy #RoadTrip #Pride #LGBTQ+Stories #DragQueens #FemaleFilmmakerFriday @Tubi  @Peacock  @PrimeVideo⁩  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library