Off Script Film Review

Zack Snyder's 'Justice League' has officially landed on HBO Max, but is this four-hour film worth your time - and is it any better than the theatrical cut? The guys dig into the changes from Joss Whedon's theatrical cut of the film in 2017 and the unbridled confidence in Snyder's commitment to his own artistic vision after reviewing the news and a couple of trailers that might be worth looking at.

Disney's new animated film 'Raya and the Last Dragon' is now available at home and in theaters, but is the $30 premium price tag worth the cost of in-home admission? Also, the streets of Los Angeles may not be quite the same as they were twenty years ago, so how's a noire classic like L.A. Confidential hold up in 2021? Finally, the 2021 Oscar Nominations are live and we've got hot takes about them!

Frances McDormand shines in 'Nomadland', the Golden-Globe-winning feature (now available on Hulu) about a melancholy housewife who's forced to hit the road after the untimely death of her husband. Also, 'Minari' is now available on VOD, but is this story of the American dream as told through the eyes of a newly-immigrated South Korean family worth the $20 price of admission? Finally, Alamo Drafthouse has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Disney+ is about to raise prices (again), and why isn't Cinemark running Raya and the Last Dragon?

The Golden Globes have come and gone and Off Script is back to review 'Judas and the Black Messiah', the new Shaka King film that tells the story of Bill O'Neal, Black Panther and FBI Informant, and his involvement in the assassination of Black Panther Party Chairman Fred Hampton (currently available on HBO Max). Also, Studio Ghibli returns to the screen in 'Earwig and the Witch', an adaptation of a Dianna Wynne Jones story that follows Earwig, a young orphan, on her journey to becoming adopted by a malicious witch and her even scarier roommate. Finally, the Golden Globes happened, a new Superman reboot is in the works, and what's Paramount+ all about?

Critics are raving about the new Netflix film 'Malcolm & Marie', so what's this two-star black-and-white picture doing that's so inviting? Director Sam Levinson might have the answer, but you'll have to dig deep to find out in this one-location drama starring Zendaya and John David Washington as quarreling lovers. Also, Christopher Nolan's latest film may not have wowed audiences, but a look back at his magical 2006 film 'The Prestige' may just give us a taste of what we can expect from his next feature. Finally, Mattel is making a hip-hop themed Uno film, Disney is shutting down their recently-acquired acclaimed animation studio Blue Sky Studios, and who's winning the Golden Globes this year?

Denzel Washington's new cop drama 'The Little Things' arrives on HBO Max, but is this procedural hunt-the-serial-killer film worth watching? Then, David Lynch's 'Mulholland Drive' is available for streaming, but this Los Angeles love story might leave you with more questions than answers. Also, AMC is back in business, more movies have been delayed, and there's some new trailers for upcoming features that you might just want to know more about.

How do you make a movie during a pandemic? HBO's 'Locked Down' might have the answer - a film about two estranged lovers who find themselves drawn together to steal a priceless diamond from a locked-down London department store. Also, Regina King kicks off her directing career with Amazon Prime's 'One Night in Miami', a dramatic look back at a fictional evening when four titans of black culture came together to look back at where they've been and turn towards where they're headed. Also, Godzilla versus Kong is happening sooner rather than later, and what's going on with Captain America?

Tom Hanks is in cinemas everywhere in 'News of the World', the new Paul Greengrass feature that touts Hanks as a traveling newsman who unwittingly stumbles upon a young girl with a mysterious past and travels across the wild west of 1800's Texas to return her to her family. Also, Zach Snyder's 'Man of Steel' is finally available on HBO Max, so how does this reimagingin of Superman's origin story (and the first film in the DCEU) hold up in the rearview? Finally, Roku has scooped up all of Quibi's old shows, Family Video is (finally) shutting it's doors for good, and what's this about Netflix putting out new films every week?

The opening weekend ticket sales for 'Promising Young Woman', may not have been all that promising, but is this offbeat thriller about a 30-something college dropout seeking revenge for her childhood friend more than meets the eye? Also, Netflix premieres 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom', a based-on-a-stageplay film about historical blues singer Ma Rainey and her band's struggles to record her signature record one hot Chicago summer day. Finally, we've got our top 10 films of the year and you might be surprised at what's topping the list in 2020.

Superheroes are back in 'Wonder Woman 1984', the sequel to Patty Jenkins' 2017 reimagining of the character that sees Gal Gadot traveling the globe in an effort to stop a shrewd television star's nefarious attempt to take over the world. Also, Disney-Pixar tackles the afterlife in 'Soul', a heartwarming story about a New York jazz pianist who realizes he's missed his chance to truly live after his untimely demise on a busy street corner. Finally, independent theaters are getting a covid stimulus package, MGM puts itself up for sale for a cool $5 billion, and is Patty Jenkins returning for Wonder Woman 3?