'Abbott Elementary' Impresses the Critics

         On October 9, 2024, ABC premiered the fourth season of 'Abbott Elementary', which has earned rave reviews from critics. In the series, "A group of dedicated, passionate teachers -- and a slightly tone-deaf principal -- find themselves thrown together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible public servants may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do -- even if they don't love the school district's less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children." The ensemble cast includes Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Sheryl Lee Ralph, William Stanford Davis, and Chris Perfetti. Read the full review round-up below.

        Samantha Coley of Collider says, "Class is back in session for the Abbott Elementary gang, and Season 4 looks all set to pass with flying colors. When we last left off with our faves at Abbott, Janine (Quinta Brunson) was throwing the perfect end-of-year party catering to each of her co-workers in ways that only Janine can, and — perhaps most importantly — Janine and Gregory (Tyler James Williams) solidified their place in the will-they-won’t-they hall of fame with a steamy, season-ending kiss.We won’t spoil what the future may bring for Teddie (aka Teagues + Eddie), but we can confirm that Brunson continues to breathe fresh life into the very best sitcom tropes with Season 4. In the opening episode, titled “Back to School,” Janine is fully integrated back into daily life at Abbott after her time at the district, and we’re introduced to what will likely be a season-long source of conflict as the construction of a new golf course brings a wave of gentrification to west Philly. Though Janine has left the district, we’ll still be seeing some familiar faces from her personal and professional past pop up in guest capacities, bringing the jokes and some fun narrative conflict for our favorite teachers. Meanwhile, shifting dynamics keep the show's familiar formula from getting stale, and moving into the show’s fourth season, the cast only continues to feel more cohesive and lived-in."

Photo Courtesy of ABC/Disney and Gilles Mingasson

       Sarah Little of Screen Rant notes, "As if there was ever any doubt, Abbott Elementary season 4 continues the show's tremendous track record of providing a multitude of laughs, exciting character developments, and intriguing new conflicts that directly affect Willard R. Abbott Elementary School. Quinta Brunson's ABC mockumentary sitcom revolves around Abbott's teachers and staff workers, including Brunson's Janine Teagues. The series focuses on their relationships with one another and their personal and work struggles. The Emmy Award-winning series has routinely been praised for its humor and willingness to address real issues in the public school system, and season 4 isn't any different." Continuing, "The Abbott Elementary season 3 finale paid off Janine and Gregory's story. After a season full of obvious pining for one another, it ended with them kissing in her apartment while the documentary crew tried to sneak a peek inside. Although this development was exciting for those rooting for the couple, many also worried that season 4 would backtrack and separate Janine and Gregory once again. The good news is that Abbott Elementary season 4 rectifies its past mistakes while also taking what has worked in the past and making it new."

       Joshua Harris of Paste Magazine praises the series, stating, "Abbott’s writing remains as sharp as ever, seamlessly lending laugh-out-loud moments with earnest and heartfelt interactions. With a season-long arc focused on gentrification, the series promises to deliver fresh narratives while preserving its charm."

'This Time Each Year' Reviews: "Hallmark fans are in for a treat!"

         On October 24, 2024, Hallmark Channel premiered 'This Time Each Year', which has earned rave reviews from critics. In the film, "Despite a trial separation, Lauren pretends to still be with her husband, Kevin, to placate her overbearing mother. The ruse may be just what the couple needs to finally work on their marriage." The ensemble cast includes Alison Sweeney, Niall Matter, Victor Zinck Jr., Ezra Wilson, Craig March, and Laura Soltis. Read the full review round-up below.

        Girls Gone Hallmark says, "Hallmark fans are in for a treat! Alison Sweeney and Niall Matter, two beloved Hallmark stars, are appearing together for the very first time in This Time Each Year, a heartwarming holiday movie premiering as part of Hallmark’s Miracles of Christmas on Hallmark Mystery. Directed by Crystal Lowe, This Time Each Year promises to deliver a beautiful blend of love, second chances, and holiday magic." Adding, "With its heartwarming story and the exciting first-ever collaboration between Alison Sweeney and Niall Matter, This Time Each Year is shaping up to be a holiday favorite. If you love stories about second chances and family, this movie is sure to hit all the right notes."

Photo Courtesy of Hallmark Media and Jeff Weddell

'Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage' Will Impress Fans of 'The Big Bang Theory' Universe

         On October 17, 2024, 'Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage' premiered on CBS to positive reviews from critics. In the series, "Georgie and Mandy raise their young family in Texas while navigating the challenges of adulthood, parenting and marriage." The ensemble cast includes Raegan Revord, Montana Jordan, Emily Osment, Dougie Baldwin, Will Sasso, Jessie Prez, Rachel Bay Jones, Annie Potts, and Zoe Perry. But what did the critics say?

Photo by Joshua Jumarie on Unsplash

        Ana Dumaraog of Screen Rant says, "The Young Sheldon follow-up, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage proves how far Chuck Lorre's TV franchise has come since The Big Bang Theory." Adding, "Having followed both The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon, I was concerned about Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage's change in format. Instead of being a single-cam show like its parent series, it transitions to a multi-cam series, which means it is filmed in front of a live audience. The Big Bang Theory had the same approach, and it just couldn't handle drama and emotional moments like Sheldon's origins did. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage is unexpectedly emotional. Don't get me wrong, it is still funny. Jordan and Osment have excellent chemistry, and Sasso is phenomenal as the McAllister patriarch who knows not to pick a fight with his wife. That said, the sitcom picks up just a couple of months after George's unexpected death. The Coopers are still reeling from the loss, which the new show handles so well. Georgie's scenes in particular are emotional, especially when he slows down and realizes that his dad is no longer around and how that relates to him also being a father now."

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

       Rob Owen of Pittsburgh Tribune-Review notes, "Executive producer Chuck Lorre is known to course-correct when a show needs it. While the jury’s out on what Georgie & Mandy will become, an opening credits sequence of the title characters doing an energetic tango is a winner from the jump." Continuing, "All comedies take time to jell and executive producer Chuck Lorre is known to course-correct when a show needs it (see: “Mom”). While the jury’s out on what “Georgie & Mandy” will become, an opening credits sequence of the title characters doing an energetic tango is a winner from the jump."

'Don't Move' Reviews: "Netto and Schindler keep the audience on their toes and deliver a nail-biting good time"

         On October 25, 2024, Netflix releases 'Don't Move', which has earned predominantly positive reviews from critics. In the film, which is a Halloween treat, "When a killer injects her with a paralytic agent, a woman must run, fight and hide before her body completely shuts down." The ensemble cast includes Kelsey Asbille, Finn Wittrock, and Daniel Francis. But what did the critics say?

        Bee Dolores of Horrorverse notes, "Brian Netto and Adam Schindler throw their hats into the revenge/thriller ring with Netflix's Don't Move. Lean and mean, the film isn't reinventing the wheel but does offer a flip on the usual formula. Finn Wittrock plays unhinged killer Richard who injects Iris (Kelsey Asbille) with a paralytic agent. Stuck in the middle of the woods, Iris struggles against her failing body and proves she has more fight than Richard anticipated. Recovering from the loss of a child, Iris uses every trick in the book to outsmart her attacker, going as far as dragging herself into a nearby stream to get away. If she can buy enough time for the drug to wear off, she might have a chance. Netto and Schindler keep the audience on their toes and deliver a nail-biting good time that fits somewhere between Alone and Hunted."

Photo by Oscar Vargas on Unsplash

'Venom: The Last Dance' Divides Critics

         On October 25, 2024, 'Venom: The Last Dance' was released by Columbia Pictures, receiving a mixed reception from critics with a score of 40% on Rotten Tomatoes. In the film, "Tom Hardy returns as Venom, one of Marvel's greatest and most complex characters, for the final film in the trilogy. Eddie and Venom are on the run. Hunted by both of their worlds and with the net closing in, the duo are forced into a devastating decision that will bring the curtains down on Venom and Eddie's last dance." The ensemble cast includes Juno Temple, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alanna Ubach, and Rhys Ifans. But what did the critics say?

        Alonso Duralde of The Film Verdict says, "Narrative cinema rarely cares this little about actual narrative, transforming what’s supposed to be the concluding chapter of an ongoing saga into little more than pure sensation — blobs of color, bursts of sound." 

        Mike Massie of Gone With The Twins writes, "Why are all these random concepts drummed up on a whim, with no background, no rules, and no reasons? With such pitiful writing, it’s impossible to take any of the scenarios seriously." Adding, "It begins by introducing a random new villain with random allies, foiled by random betrayers, who create a random way of imprisoning that villain for what is supposed to be eternity. But, of course, they also devise a random way for him to escape, which means that he must pursue a random way of tracking down that ludicrously contrived loophole. None of this is explained with any sensible justifications; it’s the most generic of fantasy setups, hoping that by narrating it with an ominous voice and forbidding imagery (murky creatures scurrying through inky environs), audiences will just accept it as the way it is. It’s the absolute laziest and most pathetic way to kick off a premise. It is, however, right in line with the last couple of Venom features, so it’s far from unexpected. Skipping past some of the multiverse nonsense, Eddie again strikes up his exhausting schtick with the invasive symbiotic goo, like a more divided, less cohesive, less amusing version of Jim Carrey’s Stanley Ipkiss as he fights the comically anarchic forces of the Mask. And it’s still painfully unfunny."

       Kate Sánchez of But Why Tho? A Geek Community was more impressed, stating, "While Venom: The Last Dance may be weaker than its predecessors (of which 2018’s Venom is the best), it’s still a good time, and you can tell leading man-turned-writer Tom Hardy is having one too." Concluding, "Hardy may not have embodied the villain we all expected through his run as the character, but he has brought chaotic fun and care to the character. It works, from leaning into fan service and the very funniest of AO3 shipping moments to the creativity of creating two completely different personalities portrayed by the same actor."

       Giovanni Lago of Next Best Picture notes, "We’ll miss watching Tom Hardy rock Hawaiian shirts, ride motorcycles, and argue with himself as Eddie Brock, but definitely not enough to have to sit through another one of these films again."

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

'I Will Never Leave You Alone' is a Spooky Season Treat

         On October 18, 2024, Dark Sky Films released 'I Will Never Leave You Alone', which has earned predominantly positive reviews from critics. In the film, "Richard is a mute who is on parole from prison and has been released into the mandatory custody of a superstitious real estate investor who pays him to stay alone in a haunted house for six days to rid it of evil spirits. This is his chance to return to a normal life, but there's a dark catch: if he fails to stay all six nights, the investor will send him back to prison. Once on the isolated property, Richard finds a creepy, old doll that unleashes the evil spirit of a witch murdered on the property centuries ago. The witch haunts him and eventually tortures him using the painful memories that led him to prison. Pushed to his limit after a few days, he can't leave or stay. Unable to ask for help or even scream, Richard is trapped and alone, struggling to cope with haunting as it destroys his reality. There's no telling what Richard will do if the witch-ghost fully invades his mind." The ensemble cast includes Kenneth Trujillo, Katerina Eichenberger, Emma Anne Wedemeyer, and Christopher Genovese. Read the full review round-up below.

        Kat Hughes of THN says, "I Will Never Leave You Alone is a film that is consumed by feelings of guilt and regret. As Richard begins his vigil, he finds himself tormented by his past. Regardless of whether the rumoured ghosts are real, Richard has the echoes of his former life to deal with. Prior to going to prison he lived with his wife and young baby. Sadly, their lives were less than idyllic, with Richard a destructive alcoholic and his wife Emma (Katerina Eichenberger) struggling with postnatal depression. As I Will Never Leave You Alone progresses, initial glimpses of Richard’s time before extend to fully fledged scenes. The longer they become, the more harrowing and confronting the story becomes. The true extent of the horror that Richard has endured is eventually revealed; it is thoroughly unpleasant and exceptionally bleak. If you thought The Coffee Table was upsetting, you haven’t seen anything yet." Adding, "As Richard is haunted by his past, he is simultaneously stalked by a wicked presence within the house. Unlike those before him, Richard does not crumble, the stoic and silent character seemingly accepts this treatment as punishment for his former actions. Instead of becoming increasingly more terrified, he is affected by his encounters in different and more dangerous ways. Watching him fall to pieces is tough to see, but Kenneth Trujillo gives a fantastic performance. Richard’s self-imposed silence means Trujillo has to convey a range of complex emotions through facial expression alone, and the actor does stellar work at making the audience invest in him. Not quite a tragic hero, Richard does still evoke empathy from the viewer. The closer the film gets to its conclusion, the higher the emotional toll on the audience."

       Anton Bitel of Projected Figures notes, A haunted man in a haunted house, hoping to exorcise his own damaged soul as much as the “evil spirits” within, even as this weeklong residency triggers all his deep, better-forgotten traumas – it is a premise that opens the film to both supernatural and psychological readings. For as things go bump in the night, and in this lonely, isolated place Richard’s own personal ghosts catch up with him as much as the legendary Crone who was already inhabiting his dreams and his mind before he even arrived here, we see different narratives resonating, different planes of existence intersecting and different metaphors mixing, with our mute, marginalised hero exhibiting the same longing and loss, grief and guilt, as the lonely stitch-mouthed witch who has been plaguing this farmhouse, once and always her own, for centuries.  I Will Never Leave You Alone is not only the title of writer/director DW Medoff’s second feature (after Pollen, 2023), but also a recurrent phrase in its narrative, uttered in flashback and written on scrap paper and emblazoned over the mantelpiece where Richard lights his expiatory candles. The words are equivocal, ambiguating between a promise of an everlasting commitment to love and a threat of eternal haunting – and Richard’s past failure to live up to the former is what has led him to these domestic interiors of horrific history and illusory wish fulfilment, where forever homes are found and lost lovers reunited – just so long as you never wake up."

Photo by Benjamin Cheng on Unsplash

'Dominique' Reviews: "an absolutely ferocious action movie with stunning plot twists"

        On October 11, 2024, Lionsgate released 'Dominique', which has earned predominantly positive reviews from critics. In the film, "Dominique, a well-trained assassin, flees from her troubled past in an attempt to begin a new life in South America." The ensemble cast includes Oksana Orlan, Maurice Compte, and Chase Coleman. Read the full review round-up below.

       Julian Roman of MovieWeb says, "Oksana Orlan, a statuesque fashion model turned actress, writer, and producer, will kick your ass and break a foot doing it in Dominique, an absolutely ferocious action movie with stunning plot twists. The film initially seems like another mindless and forgettable VOD entry we've seen countless times. That expectation changes dramatically when a razor-sharp first act goes in a truly shocking direction. Every character is fair game once ruthless and sadistic baddies are unleashed. Steel yourself for shock, awe, and heartbreak. There are no sacred cows or boundaries here." Adding, "Director/writer Michael S. Ojeda, who previously worked with Orlan in The Russian Bride, stirs up a second act hornet's nest with a big reveal. Jaws will hit the floor. What transpires is visceral, ugly, and completely reframes the story. Ojeda deserves credit for not being predictable. He baits the audience into a false sense of security, then delivers a narrative wallop that hits like a freight train. Ojeda raises the stakes to the point of no return. Dominique must choose to follow her conscience or allow a bad situation to get worse. That's not an easy thing for someone who's always chosen self-preservation."

       Avi Offer of NYC Movie Guru notes,, "Dominique (Oksana Orlan), a ruthless assassin, hides out with a police chief, Santiago (Maurice Compte), and his family after killing members of the mafia. When the mafia kills Santiago, she sets out for revenge against them while trying to protect his family in Dominique. The screenplay by writer/director Michael S. Ojeda doesn't get any points for originality. Of course, there's a MacGuffin which, in this case, happens to be a laptop with a recording of a mafia killing that would incriminate them if it were to go public. It's essentially a less bonkers version of John Wick set in a jungle with a female lead instead of a male in the lead role. Oksana Orlan commands the screen in an electrifying performance which helps to elevate the film well above its mediocre screenplay. There are a few surprisingly moving moments between her and some of Santiago's family members who she's defending. The action scenes are decent, but nothing exceptional. Fortunately, Ojeda maintains suspense from start to finish and doesn't allow the film to overstay its welcome or become exhausting by keeping the running time under 2 hours. At 1 hours and 34 minutes, Dominique is an explosive, gripping and exhilarating action thriller. It opens at Cinema Village and on VOD via Lionsgate."

Photo by Katie Goertzen on Unsplash