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Live on the KVTA Morning Show with Spence Rich Gualano and Diana Olea, 6:00am-6:30am
every Thursday morning on AM 1590 KVTA.
Films/Shows Previously Discussed
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
12/28/2023
Wonka
The story about how Willy Wonka got his start in the chocolate
industry. This family-friendly musical/comedy is full of joy and magic.
A big hit for good reasons: It's an absolute delight.
The Retirement Plan
Nicolas Cage stars as a retired assassin who must protect his
daughter and grandchild from the mob. Typical revenge movie buoyed by
the another fun and quirky performance by Cage.
Reacher
The big hit series based on the big man in the Lee Child novels
returns with this story of revenge. Jack Reacher couldn't be better cast
and the writing sticks close to the best-selling books so the
entertainment value is high throughout.
12/21/2023
Holiday in the Vineyards
Completely harmless and dutifully entertaining Christmas movie
using the Hallmark playbook. Better than many other Christmas movies
this year.
Merry
Little Batman
Batman has retired to raise his now eight-year-old son, whose
only dream is to be a superhero. He gets his chance on Christmas Eve
when Batman is called away and the Joker takes advantage. Funny, wildly
animated and full of heart. An animated Christmas movie for the Batman
fan.
Ernest Saves Christmas
Yeah, I talk about hits one every year but this big-hearted
comedy in which Ernest P. Worrell helps Santa pick a replacement is
silly, slapstick-y and full of good holiday spirit.
12/14/2023
Mr. Monk's Last Case
The "defective detective" returns for yet another case when his
stepdaughter's fiancé winds up in trouble. It's great to see Adrian
Shaloub and the gang back on the case in this film that captures the
comedy, the camaraderie and most of all the heart of the classic TV
show, Monk.
Obliterated
The story of an elite military team that must stop a terrorist
group from destroying Las Vegas. Silly, over-the-top and strangely
entertaining. Obliterated plays like the A-Team with swear words,
headshots and raunchy sex.
May December
Inspired by the true story of a teacher who fell in love with
her 7th grade student, this film tells the story of the couple years
later, as a married couple with children, and the movie star who spends
weeks with them researching the role for a future movie. Amazing
performances (especially from Charles Melton) make this an interesting
character study but the plot seems just a little predictable.
12/07/2023
Candy Cane Lane
A battle for the best-decorated house on Christmas day turns into a
neighborhood gone crazy when the 12 Days of Christmas comes to life.
You'd expect funnier from the likes of Eddie Murphy than this unfunny
holiday film so stuffed with clichés it feels like it's going to burst.
Family Switch
Another Christmas movie that just doesn't quite work, this is another in
the "body switch" genre in which an entire family trades places with one
another and learns about the magic of Christmas. Hey, it's got Rita
Moreno in it, so it's worth watching.
The Scarlet Letter
The 1934 film based on the Nathaniel Hawthorne story is
fascinating to watch because it was produced almost ninety years ago ...
and tells a story that took place in the 1650s. Another amazing Film
Masters print with perfect sound and image quality. You'll never see
this film in a better light. Also worth checking out: Alan Hale, Sr. and
his comedy chops..
11/30/2023
Godzilla Minus One
The fire-breathing dinosaur returns in this throwback movie that takes
place at the end of World War II. Godzilla's not the good guy in this
one and the sub-plot is human-based and emotional. Surprisingly, one of
the best films of the year.
Genie
Melissa McCarthy stars as (you guessed it) a genie in this
holiday comedy in which she helps a man get his family back together.
Cute, funny and, if you like McCarthy, irresistible.
Navigating Christmas
Typical Hallmark Holiday fare about a divorced woman and her
son and their vacation in a lighthouse ... where, of course, she meets
the "curt but cute" lighthouse owner.
11/16/2023
Quiz Lady
Awkwafina plays a woman who has been obsessed with a game show
her entire life. When her mother gets into trouble with the mob, she
realizes she must play the game to pay the piper. What starts out as a
typical estranged-sisters story turns into something more, aided by a
great cast, including a wonderful Will Ferrell.
The Killer
David Fincher directed this taught thriller about an assassin
who makes one mistake that takes him into battle with ... well,
everybody. Stylish, violent and features on of Michael Fassbinder's best
performances.
A Murder at the End of the World
An amateur sleuth (Emma Corrin) finds herself in the middle of
a murder mystery at a secluded retreat of the rich and powerful.
Entertaining but sometimes dull, sometimes convoluted.
11/09/2023
Nyad
A blockbuster cast brings the story of Diana Nyad to the
screen. Nyad, a marathon swimmer whose dream was to swim from Cuba to
Florida (played by an almost unrecognizable Annette Bening), is helped
by her best friend and coach, played by Jodie Foster. Fascinating true
story with award-caliber performances.
Bodies
Based on the graphic novel, this tale of a murder traverses
several centuries and focuses on the differences and similarities of
each. Intriguing, but we'll see how later episodes go.
The Burial
Tommy Lee Jones stars as a funeral home owner who goes to war
with a corporation with unorthodox attorney Jamie Foxx at his side.
Impressive performances make this inspired-by-a-true story interesting
throughout.
11/02/2023
Five Nights at Freddy's
Based on the video game (and Willy's Wonderland starring Nicolas Cage)
this horror film puts a struggling single father in a Chuck E.
Cheese-like restaurant with evil animatronics. Nothing special here: I'd
recoomnend Willy's Wonderland instead
John Carpenter's Suburban Screams
Legendary horror director John Carpenter docudrama about tales of
paranormal terror that took place in seemingly perfect small towns. Not
bad, but you'd expect more from the man who gave us Halloween and The
Thing
Lessons
in Chemistry
Brie Larsen stars as a young chemistry major who fights sex
discrimination in 1951. A lot of cliches here but good performances buoy
the whole thing.
10/26/2023
The Fall of the House of Usher
Mike Flanagan's story about a drug company who've made their billions
off the suffering of others is so well-written, so well-acted and so
brilliantly imagined that it's all but irresistible.
Beast
from Haunted Cave / Ski Troop Attack
Another beautiful transfer from our friends at Film Masters, this pair
of discs is more interesting for their history (two of legendary
producer Roger Corman's earliest films) than for their actual content.
Killers of the Flower Moon
Martin Scorcese's latest film is the true story of con-men versus a
masterpiece of wrongdoing
10/19/2023
The Dead Files
Documentary series about a former NYPD Homicide Detective and a medium
who investigate potential hauntings together. Entertaining, fi some a
little bit dubious.
Talk to
Me
Genuinely original and terrifying film about a ceramic hand whose
handshake leads to meetings with the dead. Gory, intense and wild.
Goosebumps
Yet another rendition based on the books by the brilliant R.L. Stine.
This series is designed for the YA audience, somewhere in the
neighborhood of 15 and 16, and is pretty entertaining throughout.
10/12/2023
Totally Killer
A slasher movies that turns into a time travel movie that features some
humorous social commentary. Entertaining Halloween fare.
Pet Semetary: Bloodlines
3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Ghost
Featuring every possible Hallmark Movies cliche, this movie is neither
funny enough, or romantic enough to recommend. Kinda cardboard.
10/05/2023
Spirit Halloween: The Movie
A group of kids spend the night in one of those Spirit Halloween stores
that pop up every year. The same night as the planned return of an evil
spectre. Again, for the kids, but entertaining enough for everyone this
time of year.
Reptile
Benecio Del Toro makes any movie worth watching ... except maybe this
one. A jumbled mess of a film that really offers no surprises despite
fine performances by Del Toro and Alicia Silverstone.
The
Reptile
A 1966 Hammer Horror film that, admittedly, is a little slow moving (as
were most of the Hammer horror movies) but features some amazing monster
make-up and a lot of creepy scenes.
09/28/2023
The
Continental
Based on the assassin's hotel in the John Wick series, this wildly
violent action/adventure series has lots of the fighting, but little of
the Wick charm (including no John Wick)
Spy
Kids: Armageddon
Definitely aimed at the kids, this amusing and inventive spy story is a
lot of fun to watch.
The
Wonderful World of Henry Sugar
One of the best things I've seen all year. A young gambler discovers a
guru who can see through items. He learns the man's techniques to win
big ... but learns another lesson entirely. From director Wes Anderson
09/21/2023
Who is
Erin Carter?
Just okay action series about a young mother with a past that
catches up to her.
The
Wonder
Weird but fascinating period piece about a young girl who hasn't eaten
in four months ... and her potentially deadly secret.
The
Giant Gila Monster/The
Killer Shrews
The best versions of these classic(?) sci-movies you'll ever see. From
Film Masters.
09/14/2023
Sitting
in Bars with Cakes
A bait and switch movie. Starts out like a romantic comedy; turns into
something much more serious.
Gamera:
Rebirth
Kaiju fans rejoice in this resurrection of the giant turtle, anime
style. (As long as the kids aren't watching; vulgar language abounds)
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Visually stunning, old-timey adventure movie in the vein of Indiana
Jones
09/07/2023
Vacation Friends 2
The first one was funny enough to make you ignore how ridiculous it was.
This one, not so much.
Nobody
Bob Oedenkirk makes this John Wick-ish action movie a blast.
Meg 2:
The Trench
A lot of fun, and a lot of dumb. Giant shark (and octopus) versus Jason
Statham
08/31/2023
You are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah
Amsterdam
Suits (again)
08/24/2023
Harlan Coben's Shelter
The
Pope's Exorcist
Suits
08/17/2023
Heart
of Stone
Asteroid City
Painkiller
08/10/2023
Only
Murders in the Building
Hidden
Strike
Sharks
of the Corn
08/03/2023
Happiness for Beginners
Twisted Metal
Full
Circle
(because I forgot some important stuff last week)
07/27/2023
Barbie
Full
Circle
They
Cloned Tyrone
07/20/2023
Justified: City Primeval
The
Horror of Dolores Roach
Tony
Hawk: Till the Wheels Fall Off
07/13/2023
No Hard
Feelings
The
Out-Laws
The
Bear (Season2)
07/06/2023
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
The Outfit
Glamorous
06/29/2023
Hijack
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
The
Blacklist
06/22/2023
Tiny Beautiful Things
Extraction
The Old
Man
06/15/2023
Based
on a True Story
Renfield
Flamin' Hot
06/08/2023
White House Plumbers
Arnold
Deadloch
06/01/2023
FUBAR
Being
Mary Tyler Moore
Ted
Lasso
05/25/2023
Vacation!
05/18/2023
The
Mother
Alex Borstein: Corsets & Clown Suits
Alaska Daily
05/11/2023
Evil Dead Rise
Ghosted
Quasi
05/04/2023
The Diplomat
A Small
Light
Mrs.
Davis
04/27/2023
Vacation!
04/20/2023
Vacation!
04/13/2023
Beef
Unstable
The Consultant
04/06/2023
Murder Mystery 2
Shmigadoon (Season 2)
Prom Pact
03/30/2023
John
Wick: Chapter 4
Rabbit
Hole
The
Night Agent
03/23/2023
Boston
Strangler
The
Boston Strangler
Frenzy
03/16/2023
Perry
Mason
Ted
Lasso
Grand
Crew
03/09/2023
True
Lies
The Reluctant Traveler
History of the World Part 2
03/02/2023
Cocaine Bear
We Have
a Ghost
02/23/2023
The
Company You Keep
80 For
Brady
Somebody I Used to Know
02/16/2023
Off
02/09/2023
Not Yet
Dead
Wolf
Pack
The
Outwaters
02/02/2023
Poker
Face
Shrinking
Shotgun
Wedding
01/26/2023
Accused
That
'90s Show
The
Pale Blue Eye
01/19/2023
Night
Court (2023)
The Last
of Us
Fantasy
Island
01/12/2023
Between
Two Ferns
The Menu
Slow Horses
01/05/2023
The
Whale
Glass
Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Will
Trent
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