In which the Mister and Kid 1 join me in reviewing MARTY SUPREME(2025), from a screenplay from Josh Safdie and Ronald Bronstein, the film is directed by Josh Safdie.  
An ambitious and cocky shoe salesman named Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet) navigates the gritty, high-stakes world of competitive table tennis in 1950s New York City.  Driven by a desperate, relentless obsession to be recognized as the world champion, Marty hustles through global tournaments and chaotic personal entanglements, frequently jeopardizing his own life and relationships in his single-minded pursuit of greatness.  As his reckless behavior forces him into increasingly dangerous situations, he is confronted with the stark reality of whether his insatiable ego will lead him to triumph or total self-destruction.  The film clocks in at 2 h 29 m, is rated R and is currently streaming on HBO MAX but is also available to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.
#MartySupreme #JoshSafdie #RonaldBronstein #TimothéeChalamet #Marty #LarrySloman #Murray #MariannTepedino #Mariann #OdessaA'zion #Rachel #RalphColucci #Lloyd #TylerTheCreator #Wally #GeorgeGervin #Lawrence #LukeManley #Dion #FranDrescher #Rebecca #SandraBernhard #Judy #EmoryCohen #Ira #GwynethPaltrow #Kay #KevinOLeary #Milton #KotoKawaguchi #KotoEndo #Drama #PeriodDrama #PsychologicalDrama #Sport  @HBOMax  @PrimeVideo  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

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

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing ELEANOR THE GREAT (2025), with screenplay credits to Tory Kamen, the film is  Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut.  

A sharp-witted 94-year-old woman named Eleanor Morgenstein (June Squibb) struggles to rebuild her life in New York City following the death of her longtime best friend.  Desperate for connection and a sense of purpose, she accidentally stumbles into a support group for Holocaust survivors and impulsively claims her late friend’s tragic history as her own.  As this elaborate deception earns her the admiration of a local journalism student, Nina (Erin Kellyman) and provides her with the attention she craves, Eleanor finds herself sinking deeper into a lie that threatens her newfound relationships and her integrity.  The film clocks in at 1 h 38 m, is rated PG-13 and is currently streaming on Netflix but also to buy/rent on Prime Video.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

This episode is for Soo with love.

#EleanorTheGreat #ToryKamen #ScarlettJohansson #JuneSquibb #Eleanor #ErinKellyman #Nina #RitaZohar #Bessie #ChiwetelEjiofor #Roger #JessicaHecht #Lisa #WillPrice #Max #StephenSinger #RabbiCohen #LaurenKlein #Vera #ElaineBromka #April #Drama #FirstTimeDirector #FemaleFilmmakerFriday  @Netflix  @PrimeVideo  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

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

In which Kid 2 joins me in reviewing BACKROOMS (2026), a supernatural horror feature debut from director Kane Parsons, from a script by Will Soodik and based on Kane Parsons's series.  

A struggling furniture store owner named Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor) discovers a mysterious, glowing doorway in his showroom that leads him into an infinite, unsettling dimension of yellow-hued, empty rooms.  When Clark vanishes into this liminal nightmare, his therapist, Mary (Renate Reinsve), begins a desperate search to find him, only to be drawn into the same surreal maze that preys upon their deepest personal traumas.  As the boundaries of reality unravel, the pair must navigate the physics-defying environment to survive the chilling, atmospheric threat lurking within the endless corridors.  The film clocks in at 1 h 50 m, is rated R and is currently in theaters - go check it out.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

#Backrooms #KaneParsons #WillSoodik #RenateReinsve #Mary #ChiwetelEjiofor #Clark #MarkDuplass #Phil #FinnBennett #Bobby #LukitaMaxwell #Kat #AvanJogia #NarenWarne #RobertBobroczkyi #PirateClark #FoundFootageHorror #PsychologicalHorror #PsychologicalThriller #SupernaturalHorror #Horror #SciFi #Thriller #NewRelease #InTheaters  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

Break music by Olive G: OMG - Composition Number 1

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

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing EXIT 8 (2025), with screenplay credits to Kentaro Hirase and Genki Kawamura and based off Kotake Create's video game, the film is directed by Genki Kawamura.  A man named "The Lost Man" (Kazunari Ninomiya) finds himself inexplicably trapped in an endless, sterile subway corridor that loops back on itself whenever he makes a mistake.  To escape this liminal purgatory, he must meticulously observe his surroundings and follow a strict set of rules: turn back if he spots an anomaly, and proceed only when the hallway appears perfectly normal.  As he repeats the journey to reach the elusive "Exit 8," he is forced to confront his own deep-seated anxieties and existential guilt, transforming the simple game-inspired premise into a haunting exploration of isolation and the human condition.  The film clocks in at 1 h 35 m, is rated PG-13 and we caught it in theaters.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

#Exit8 #KotakeCreate #KentaroHirase #GenkiKawamura # KazunariNinomiya #TheLostMan #YamatoKochi #WalkingMan #NaruAsanuma #TheBoy #NanaKomatsu #LostManPartner #KotoneHanase #HighSchoolStudent #TaraNakashima #MotherOnTrain #HirotaOtsuka #ScreamingManOnTrain #Japanese #BodyHorror #FolkHorror #MonsterHorror #PsychologicalHorror #PsychologicalThriller #SupernaturalHorror #Action #Adventure #Horror #AAPI #AsianAmerican #PacificIslanders #AsianStories #NewRelease #InTheaters  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

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

In which Kid 1 joins me in reviewing OBSESSION (2025), a  supernatural horror feature debut from writer/director Curry Barker.  

A shy music store employee named Bear (Michael Johnston) impulsively uses a cursed "One Wish Willow" trinket to make his longtime crush, Nikki (Inde Navarrette), fall in love with him.  While his wish initially appears to grant him the romantic life he has always dreamed of, Nikki’s affection quickly intensifies into a volatile and nightmarish fixation that threatens the lives of everyone in their orbit.  As the couple's domestic reality descends into a gory and psychological hell, Bear is forced into a desperate, high-stakes battle to reverse the supernatural enchantment before his own desires destroy him.  The film clocks in at 1 h 48 m, is rated R and is currently in theaters - it definitely lives up to the hype - go check it out.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

#Obsession #CurryBarker #IndeNavarrette #Nikki #MichaelJohnston #Bear #CooperTomlinson #Ian #MeganLawless #Sarah #AndyRichter #Carter #DarkRomance #PsychologicalHorror #PsychologicalThriller #SupernaturalHorror #Romance #Thriller #NewRelease #InTheaters  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

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

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing KILL (2023), from screenwriters Ayesha Syed and Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, the film is directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat.  

An elite army commando named Amrit (Lakshya) boards a New Delhi-bound train hoping to reunite with his secret love, Tulika (Tanya Maniktala), and prevent her from entering an arranged marriage.  His mission takes a harrowing turn when a ruthless, knife-wielding gang of bandits hijacks the train, leading to a claustrophobic and unrelenting battle for survival within the cramped sleeper carriages.  As the violence escalates into a brutal, high-stakes game of vengeance, Amrit is forced to evolve into a one-man killing machine to protect those he loves and dismantle the gang from within.  The film clocks in at 1 h 45 m, is rated R- and we caught it on Hulu.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

#Kill #NikhilNageshBhat #AyeshaSyed #Lakshya #Amrit #RaghavJuyal #Fani #TanyaManiktala #Tulika #Hindi #MartialArts #OnePersonArmy #ActionEpic #Survival #Action #Crime #Thriller #Drama #AAPI #AsianAmerican #PacificIslanders #AsianStories  @Hulu  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

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

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing CRAZY RICH ASIANS (2018), from screenwriters Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim, from the best selling novel by Kevin Kwan, the film is directed by Jon M. Chu.  Native New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), to his best friend's wedding in Singapore, only to discover that he comes from one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Asia.  Thrust into a world of opulence and high-stakes social maneuvering, Rachel finds herself the target of jealous socialites and Nick's formidable, disapproving mother, Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh) who believes she is not a suitable match for the family heir.  As she attempts to navigate this unfamiliar and judgmental environment, Rachel must decide if her love for Nick is worth the challenge of defying the strict expectations of his elite heritage.  The film clocks in at 2 h, is rated PG-13 and we caught it on HBO Max.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

#CrazyRichAsians #KevinKwan #AdeleLim #PeterChiarelli #JonMChu #ConstanceWu #Rachel #HenryGolding #Nick #MichelleYeoh #Eleanor #GemmaChan #Astrid #LisaLu #AhMa #Awkwafina #PeikLinGoh #HarryShumJr  #Charlie #KenJeong #WyeMunGoh #SonoyaMizuno #AramintaLee #ChrisPang #Colin #JimmyOYang #Bernard #RonnyChieng #Eddie #RemyHii #Alistair #NicoSantos #Oliver #JingLusi #Amanda #CarmenSoo #Francesca #PierrePng #Michael #FionaXie #Kitty #VictoriaLoke #Fiona #JaniceKoh #Felicity #AmyCheng #Jacqueline #ChiengMunKoh #Neenah #CalvinWong #PT #KhengHuaTan #Kerry #ConstanceLau #Celine #SelenaTan #Alix #RomanticComedy #Comedy #Drama #Romance #AAPI #AsianAmerican #PacificIslanders #AsianStories  @HBOMax  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

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

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing THE RAMEN GIRL (2008), from writer Becca Topol, the film is directed by Robert Allan Ackerman.  A young American woman named Abby (Brittany Murphy) finds herself suddenly stranded and directionless in Tokyo after her boyfriend abruptly abandons her.  Seeking comfort in a local noodle shop on a rainy night, she is so deeply moved by the food that she impulsively resolves to learn the craft, desperately convincing a tyrannical and temperamental ramen master to take her on as his apprentice.  Despite a severe language barrier, grueling physical labor, and her mentor's intense skepticism, Abby undergoes a demanding emotional and culinary journey as she struggles to infuse her cooking with genuine soul and reclaim her sense of purpose.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 42 m, is rated PG-13 and we caught on the Hoopla app - go support your local public library.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

#TheRamenGirl #BeccaTopol #RobertAllanAckerman #BrittanyMurphy #Abby #ToshiyukiNishida #Maezumi #SojiArai #Toshi #KimikoYo #Reiko #DanielEvans #Charlie #TammyBlanchard #Gretchen #RenjiIshibashi #Udagawa #GabrielMann #Ethan #ComingOfAge #Drama #Romance  @Hoopla  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

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

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing UPTOWN GIRLS (2003), from writers Julie Margaret Hogben, Mo Ogrodnik and Lisa Davidowitz from a story by Allison Jacobs, the film is directed by Boaz Yakin.  A carefree Manhattan socialite named Molly Gunn (Brittany Murphy) loses her entire rock-star inheritance to an embezzling business manager, forcing her to find employment for the very first time.  She takes a position as a live-in nanny for Ray Schleine (Dakota Fanning), a fiercely independent, germophobic, and emotionally guarded eight-year-old girl who has grown up way too fast.  As Molly's whimsical, childlike nature clashes with Ray's rigid, overly mature exterior, the unlikely duo begins to crack each other's shells and teach one another what it truly means to grow up.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 32 m, is rated PG-13 and we caught on the Hoopla app - go support your local public library.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

#UptownGirls #JulieMargaretHogben #MoOgrodnik #LisaDavidowitz #AllisonJacobs #BoazYakin #BrittanyMurphy #Molly #DakotaFanning #Ray #MarleyShelton #Ingrid #DonaldFaison #Huey #JesseSpencer #Neal #AustinPendleton #MrMcConkey #HeatherLocklear #Roma #ComingOfAge #Family #Comedy #Drama  @Hoopla  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

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

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing ROOM FOR ONE MORE (1952), from writers Jack Rose and Melville Shavelson and from Anna Perrot Rose's book, the film is directed by Norman Taurog.  

The Roses, Poppy and Anna (Cary Grant and Betsy Drake), decide to open their busy household to foster children who have struggled to find a place in the world.  They first welcome a defensive, troubled teenage girl and later a young boy with a physical disability, testing the family's patience and their "room for one more" philosophy.  The story follows their journey as they navigate the domestic chaos and emotional hurdles required to turn a crowded house into a genuine home for children in need of stability.  The film clocks in at 1 h and 38 m, is rated Approved and is currently in streaming on the Hoopla app - go support your local public library.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

This episode is dedicated to all the Moms - whether by biology or choice - we thank you all!
#RoomForOneMore #AnnaPerrotRose #JackRose #MelvilleShavelson #NormanTaurog #CaryGrant #Poppy #BetsyDrake #Anna #LureneTuttle #MissKenyon #IrisMann #Jane #GayGordon #Trot #MalcolmCassell #Tim #GeorgeWinslow #Teenie #CliffordTatumJr #JimmyJohn #LarryOlsen #Benji #Family #Comedy #Drama  @Hoopla  #FridayFamilyFilmNight

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