"Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation" Review by Tim Hellman

 'HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION': Three Stars (Out of Five)

The third installment in the popular computer-animated horror-comedy series. The story has to deal with Dracula and his monster friends taking their summer vacation on a Luxury Monster Cruise Ship, when Dracula falls for the ship's captain, who's also trying to kill him. The film was once again directed by Genndy Tartakovsky (who also helmed the first two), and it was written by Tartakovsky and Michael McCullers. It once again stars the voice talents of Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, Kevin James, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, Keegan-Michael Key, Molly Shannon, Fran Drescher and Mel Brooks (all reprising their roles from the other movies). While Kathryn Hahn and Jim Gaffigan join the cast. It's gotten mostly positive reviews from critics, and it's also another hit at the Box Office as well (just like the others). I enjoyed it, but not quite as much as the first two.

Dracula (Sandler) and his monster family decide to take a summer trip, aboard a Luxury Monster Cruise Ship. When Dracula meets the ship's captain, Ericka (Hahn), he immediately falls for her. What Dracula doesn't know is that Ericka is the great-granddaughter of his longtime archenemy, Professor Abraham Van Helsing (Gaffigan). Dracula then spends the rest of the trip trying to impress her, while she continuously tries to kill him.

The movie is charming, and somewhat witty and funny as well (just like the others). It's not quite as clever and funny as the others though, but it's still likable enough (in my opinion). It also, once again (of course), has a great message about not discriminating against others based on their appearance (which is a really important message to me). This is one of the reasons I really liked the film's predecessors as well. I think if you enjoyed the other ones, you'll probably like this one almost as much too.

Official Poster and Action Packed Red Band Trailer for "The Predator"

20th Century Fox recently released the official poster and red band trailer for Shane Black's upcoming film "The Predator". The film stars Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key and Olivia Munn.

"The Predator" hits theaters on September 14th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: www.thepredatormovie.com  

Plot Synopsis:

From the outer reaches of space to the small-town streets of suburbia, the hunt comes home in Shane Black's explosive reinvention of the Predator series. Now, the universe's most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having genetically upgraded themselves with DNA from other species. When a young boy accidentally triggers their return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race.

"The Predator: Official Red Band Trailer

First Trailer for Shane Black's Upcoming Film "The Predator"

20th Century Fox recently released the first teaser trailer for Shane Black's upcoming film "The Predator". The film stars Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key and Olivia Munn.

"The Predator" hits theaters on September 14th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: www.thepredatormovie.com  

Plot Synopsis:

From the outer reaches of space to the small-town streets of suburbia, the hunt comes home in Shane Black's explosive reinvention of the Predator series. Now, the universe's most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having genetically upgraded themselves with DNA from other species. When a young boy accidentally triggers their return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race.

"The Predator: Teaser Trailer

"Don't Think Twice" Blu-Ray Review by Anthony T

This year has been a difficult one for me, as I haven’t done many mainstream film reviews, as it’s been mostly low budget or foreign films that nobody has heard of. When I had the chance to review “Don’t Think Twice, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity as I’ve heard great things about it.

The film is about comedic improve troupe who performs on a weekly basis to small crowds. Everything is well and good until one of the team makes it big and joins a late night TV show. The rest of the members begin rethink their lives and wonder if it’s all worth it to play in front of small crowds realizing that they may never make it to the big time. The film stars Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs and the film’s writer/director Mike Birbigia.

From time to time, you come across an independent film that doesn’t get the big theatrical release and catches your eye. “Don’t Think Twice” is one of those films where I was into the characters its entertaining story.

The reason why the film succeeds was its direction from writer/director Mike Birbiglia. It was very well directed. He does a very good job making sure everything keeps moving at an entertaining pace. From the way that he directs the scenes to making sure he get the technical aspects that he needs to make everything work, it’s done in a flawless way that you’re into the film and the characters. If those directing aspects aren’t there, it comes down a couple of notches. Thankfully, it’s not the case as Birbiglia’s direction was great. The other thing that I liked about his direction was the way that he handles the performances. I thought, the performances were great as everyone in the main characters gelled very well with each other as the chemistry was there. Birbiglia does a very good job in making sure the performances stand out from each other. It made me interested in the performances and the characters. Speaking of performances, I really enjoyed Keegan-Michael Key and Gillian Jacobs in this. They both made sure that their characters had personality to them in comedic and dramatic scene. Whether it was in the improve scene to the scenes that they had with each other, I was entertained and interested in those characters and everyone around them. Those performances helped anchored this film as they were both great and made the film even more entertaining.

The screenplay also written by Birbiglia was also great. One of the things that I liked about it was the fact that it focuses on the characters and the ups and downs that these characters go through. It made me interested with the film story as it didn’t feel forced which made it more interesting to watch. The other thing that this screenplay does well is it balances the humor with the dramatic aspects. By doing this, it kind of gives you a realistic feel that is the film’s charm. Birbiglia does this very well as I was into this film and its characters from start to finish.

The Blu-ray extras include a deleted scene, “The Creative” which talks about the creative team behind the film, “Don’t Think Twice: “The Art of Improv” which goes into the improve aspect of the film, “The Commune” which talks about the characters in the film. All of them are short featurette as it goes into the making of the film and each of the film’s characters. Overall, it was okay but it doesn’t go in depth into the making of this film. This was one of those releases where there should’ve been a commentary track, as I would’ve liked to have known more in detail

This is truly the best film I’ve seen this year. I suggest you find the time and see this film as it’s both entertaining and emotional. With its great performances and its excellent direction, “Don’t Think Twice” is a great film from start to finish.

Review Rating: Five Stars
Extras Rating: Two Stars

Critically Acclaimed "Don't Think Twice" Heads to DVD & Blu-Ray

Universal Pictures recently send us information for the upcoming DVD & Blu-Ray release of the indie hit "Don't Think Twice". The film stars Keegan-Michael Key ("Key & Peele," Keanu), Gillian Jacobs ("Girls," "Community"), Mike Birbiglia (Sleepwalk with Me, Trainwreck), Kate Micucci ("The Big Bang Theory," When in Rome), Chris Gethard ("Inside Amy Schumer," "The Chris Gethard Show") and Tami Sagher ("Broad City," "Girls").

Special features on the DVD and BluRay includes deleted scenes and exclusive behind the scenes featuring the cast and filmmakers discussing the creative process of bringing this film to life.

"Don't Think Twice" hits DVD and Blu-Ray on December 6th.

Press Release:

A member of a popular New York City improv troupe catches their big break forcing the group to reevaluate their success and confront their fears in the hilariously honest film, Don't Think Twice. The bittersweet behind-the-scenes look into the lives of six best friend comedians comes to Digital HD on November 22, 2016 and Blu-ray™, DVD and On Demand on December 6, 2016 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Hailed by critics as "one of the best films of the year" (Michael Phillips, Chicago Trbune) and "this summer's funniest movie" (Alan Scherstuhl, The Village Voice), Don't Think Twice is "the perfect movie about the cost of chasing dreams" (Peter Hall, Fandango). The Blu-ray™ and DVD are packed with never before seen deleted footage and exclusive behind the scenes featuring the cast and filmmakers discussing the creative process of bringing this film to life.

From Mike Birbiglia, the director of Sleepwalk With Me, and Ira Glass, the creator of "This American Life", comes this smart and hilarious comedy about the lives of professional funny people starring Keegan-Michael Key ("Key & Peele," Keanu), Gillian Jacobs ("Girls," "Community"), Mike Birbiglia (Sleepwalk with Me, Trainwreck), Kate Micucci ("The Big Bang Theory," When in Rome), Chris Gethard ("Inside Amy Schumer," "The Chris Gethard Show") and Tami Sagher ("Broad City," "Girls"). For 11 years, the six-person comedy team known as The Commune has killed it onstage while waiting for their big break. Suddenly, the team finds itself at a crossroads when one of the members becomes a solo success and the rest of the group realizes they may not make it big after all.

"Don't Think Twice" Review by Tim Hellman

'DON'T THINK TWICE': Five Stars (Out of Five)

Critically acclaimed comedy-drama flick, written and directed by Mike Birbiglia. It tells the story of a New York City improv troupe, that's torn apart when one of it's members gets a big TV break. Birbiglia also costars in the movie; with Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Chris Gethard, Kate Micucci and Tami Sagher. The film received almost unanimously positive reviews from critics (99% positive on Rotten Tomatoes), and I absolutely loved it as well!

Jack (Key), Samantha (Jacobs), Miles (Birbiglia), Bill (Gethard), Lindsay (Sagher) and Allison (Micucci) are all comedians living in New York City. They're also the talented members of an improv troupe, that's about to breakup; due to the closing of the local theater they use. Each one of them dreams of getting a job on the popular variety show 'Weekend Live' (which is exactly like 'SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE'). When Jack gets offered a gig on the show, it causes severe jealousy (and much drama) among the entire group.

The movie is extremely funny; the cast are all great in their roles, and they're hilarious as well. They also seem like real people though, with real problems; that's one of the reasons they're so funny. The movie is surprisingly heartfelt as well; it's a real (and very genuine) tearjerker (I was sobbing by the end of it). That's the ingredients for a great (5 star) movie to me; it's really entertaining (throughout), filled with lovable characters, and I cry (multiple times) at the end. It's one of the very best films of the year!