Masterplan – Review

Masterplan – Prime Video – 1 hour and 49 minutes

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Jay finishes a heist and gets a notification about a lucrative breaking-and-entering job. He accepts the listing and arrives. He starts setting up explosives when Chiara walks in. She’s a French hacker who got the notification too. For a brief moment, they work together and grab the item. The lights cut on, and Roger claps for them. It’s his home and notification. He wants to see if they can work together because he planned a bigger heist. He wants them to steal something important from a secure location. Jay and Chiara laugh and refuse him. They believe Roger is running an insurance scam. However, he’s not. He shows them Chiara’s toothbrush and Jay’s teeth-bleaching tray. He stole them to perform a DNA test. He’s their father and a master thief. As Jay confirms the story with his mother, Chiara listens to Roger’s romantic past with hers. They decide to join in Roger’s plan. Roger tells them he wants to steal the Mona Lisa from the Louvre. They can’t believe it. However, he promises this will be the last job they will ever have to pull. Jay and Chiara agree. This heist will be a wild family trip. But can thieves trust each other?

This comedy-heist film starts with an exciting premise. After that, everything falls flat, and every plot point is predictable. During one scene, the camera pans down to Roger’s pocket and gives everything away. It’s a longer version of Leverage, but less fun (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The only compelling moment is when a guard confronts Jay in the hallway. You will hold your breath to see how he makes it out. The writers try to add a bigger bad guy, but he never feels like an honest threat. This film is not worth a free Prime Video.

I give it 2 out of 5 stars

So what do you want to steal – Chiara

Here’s my butt. Take a good look – Jay

Every heist is impossible until someone proves otherwise – Roger

Sacrifice – Review

Sacrifice – Netflix – 1 hour and 40 minutes

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Troubled actor Mike arrives at an old mine to attend a climate charity event hosted by tech billionaire Ben and his wife, pop star Gloria. Mike demands his agent, Oliver, stop the gas-powered limo. He fears others will judge him for not using an electric vehicle. After his recent red carpet tantrum, Mike must make the best impression. Oliver assures Mike that everyone will forget the flamethrowing incident. However, Ben throws it in his face because Mike and Gloria had an affair. During a performance, Mike escapes to the bathroom but doesn’t see the eco-terrorist enter the ballroom. Their leader, Joan, believes the world will end by the next red moon if they don’t perform three actions. Joan’s sister must kill a king, and her brother must find true love. Joan has to find a hero who will sacrifice himself to the fire. At first, everyone in the room scoffs. Then, Joan cuts off a patron’s hand. Joan’s brother picks a performer called Daughter Earth, and Joan’s sister chooses Ben. Unsure of who the hero is, Joan asks everyone to vote by applause. Mike barges in as Joan points at him. Everyone loudly claps as Mike soaks up their admiration. Before Oliver leaves with the remaining hostages, he warns Mike that this is real. Mike, Ben, and Daughter Earth are in danger. Will they be sacrificed?

This dark comedy points out the hypocrisy within Hollywood and the ultra-rich. However, it’s undermined by weirdness and continuous lulls. And the script isn’t funny. The beginning is a mess of self-important people who hate each other. Then, the performance is a nightmarish overproduction with twerking. The terrorist group is too insane to take seriously, and the conclusion leaves more questions than answers. The actors offer their best performances to a failed script. At the end, the audience will have one question: What was the point? This film has wasted talent, with great costumes and a solid backing track. You should skip this film.

I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars

The old way must burn to ash for the new way to be born – Joan

My dad had a great head of hair right until the end – Mike

You want to hold my hand – Oliver

I love you – Gloria

Don’t flatter them with your fear – Ben

Love of Your Life – Review

Love of Your Life – Prime Video – 1 hour and 51 minutes

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Nurse Maya arrives at Charlie’s house after work to purchase a drawer. He asks her out on a date, and Maya responds with maybe. However, she changes her mind because he’s so charming. Soon they are in love, and Maya introduces Charlie to her best friend, Jason. Charlie thinks Jason is immature but dependable. They become fast friends. Later, Charlie introduces Maya to his family, and she bonds with Charlie’s mother, Ruth. Years later, they are happily married, but Maya is unsure about children.

Maya works during the Covid-19 outbreak. She helps families use FaceTime to say goodbye as she loses them. Maya deposits her scrubs in a garbage bag near the front door and greets a sympathetic Charlie. Maya stays home when Charlie gets sick. His asthma sends Charlie into a steep decline. When his O2 level reaches a scary low, she calls an ambulance. However, she can’t go with him. Her co-workers FaceTime Maya. They allow her to say her final goodbyes to him. Maya becomes depressed and remembers where Charlie wanted to go. After losing the love of her life, she needs to escape it. Can she run forever?

This romance thrives on the spark between Charlie and Maya. The writers make them silly and honest as they stumble through conversations. You will feel like a fly on the wall as they court each other. Even after his death, you can still feel the love she carries for him. Songs, food, and laughter spark pain in her eyes. She loses herself in alcohol, food, and one-night stands to overcome her mistakes. Viewers will see it as a cry for help. Now, the story drags in the middle as Maya goes on a journey of self-discovery and therapy. Maya’s age serves as the chapters, and ages 30 to 32 drag. The story picks up when circumstances force Maya to confront the past. Then, the plot gets the major conflict it needs. While this is a compelling love story, the plot could be shortened with a voice-over and a montage.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

That’s not right – Charlie

They say you can’t run away from your life, but you can. It just makes you a monster – Maya

You’re so full of crap sometimes – Felix

What have you done – Ruth

I guess we’re still the same people – Jason

Animals – Review

Animals – Netflix – 1 hour and 48 minutes

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Mayoral hopeful Mark meets with his campaign manager, Chris. His polling numbers are down with the Latin American community. Chris suggests he add more money to his campaign by obtaining a loan. Chris knows his wife, Abigail, will be furious because he spent all their money on his campaign without informing her. A loan will add fuel to the fire. Chris assures Mark he will win the campaign and recoup his losses. Mark signs the loan and goes home.

Therapist Abigail meets with a patient but can’t focus because her boyfriend, Ron, texts her. They meet in the building’s basement to discuss their future. Ron left his wife and got an apartment. He knows his wife will be hurt, but he wants to be happy. He encourages Abigail to leave Mark so they can start their lives together. She worries about how it will affect Mark’s campaign and their son, Denny. 

Abigail’s housekeeper, Cecilia, asks Abigail to hire her boyfriend, Ramon. Ramon is a hard worker and is a single father to Hector. Abigail can’t because he’s an undocumented immigrant. It will look bad for Mark’s campaign. Cecilia sadly accepts Abigail’s answer and takes Hector and Denny trick-or-treating. As Mark and Abigail relax at home, Mark gets a call. Someone claims to have kidnapped Denny. Mark thinks it’s a prank until they get proof. The kidnapper wants $7 million by tonight. Chris has a fixer, Dayle, to handle this situation. But her fee is 20% of the ransom. So, Mark would need $8.4 million. Mark and Abigail agree. After Dayle arrives, Denny walks inside alone. He got separated from Cecilia during a haunted house and walked home. When the kidnapper calls again, Mark gives him choice words and hangs up. 

Later, Cecilia returns to the home with bruises. Someone attacked her and kidnapped Hector. The kidnapper knows he made a mistake, but he still wants his money. If Mark lets Hector die, he will label Mark a racist. Abigail assures Ramon and Cecilia they will pay, but Cecilia doesn’t believe her. Dayle tells Mark to agree to the terms but only if they can get the money tomorrow. The kidnapper relents. Dayle warns Mark that she has other ways to handle this, but it will cost more. If word gets out, it will ruin him. Meanwhile, Ramon goes off on his own to save his son. Will they save Hector without ruining Mark’s political dreams? 

This thriller has great pacing. It keeps Mark and Abigail under pressure while they work through their issues and he stays on the campaign trail. However, the plot falls into expectations instead of giving the audience more. First, viewers uncover the underlying issues in their marriage with a highly public image. Then, Denny is kidnapped. When he returns, viewers will have an audible release. All seems well, and the movie falls flat for a moment. When Hector is the victim, they walk an emotional tightrope but feel comfort that Denny is home. They can use this release to discuss their problems privately because their son isn’t in danger. However, these conversations are petty and belittling to the situation. A child is missing. Who cares about your affair and financial issues? Their discussions are whiny, unnecessary, and slow down the pace. They film attempts to pick things up in the end, but the writers rush the conclusion. This film had potential but gets lost in the drama.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

Mark, not everybody’s going to like you. It’s okay – Abby

Why do I feel like the bad guy – Mark

People are expensive to reach – Chris

You only get one life – Ron

This is the worst day of your life. I have your son – Kidnapper

I’m not interested in judging – Dayle

R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead 2 – Review

R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead 2 – Tubi – 1 hour and 33 minutes

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It’s been a year since Sam fell victim to a curse. His mother and brother forgot about him, and Sam lives with Rusty. Every day, he digs holes in the fields with Becka, looking for the cursed book. But they haven’t found it. Rusty pleads with Sam to give up the search. Sam vows to keep going. Sam and Becka go to school and stop Chad from bullying Evan. Evan returns home, and his uncle neglects him. Evan’s uncle demands Evan take out the trash. There, Evan sees something glowing. It’s the book. Evan takes it inside, and it opens to a page. Evan reads the incantation, and zombies with pumpkinheads appear. They consider Evan family and will do anything to protect him. They put Evan’s uncle in a trance and stuff Chad in a locker. When Sam and Becka uncover the truth, they beg Evan to stop. But he refuses. Sam wants to save Evan and himself. Can Sam retrieve the book and reunite with his family?

This holiday spook fest is perfect for kids. If you like the first movie, the second is just as entertaining. The film opens with Sam’s nightmare, reminding viewers of the first film’s heartbreaking conclusion. Then, the plot explains the developing parental relationship between Sam and Rusty. Rusty tries to balance between being a parent and being a friend. As the plot thickens, viewers get a new cast of characters. Evan promotes sympathy. Even though he summoned the zombies, he wants a family. You will hurt for him. He is lost like Sam. The jokes invoke a quick chuckle, while the action keeps you entranced without being too scary. The graphics department gave the zombies a cartoonish look so they wouldn’t frighten younger viewers, and the makeup doesn’t have blood, just pumpkin guts and vines. If your children prefer horror, this movie will be too campy for them. Otherwise, the family should enjoy the Halloween comedy with a loving lesson.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

Maybe it’s time to admit it’s not here – Becka

Wear whatever you feel comfortable being disappointed in – Sam

It’s gone – Rusty

Let one who enters the circle never walk alone – Evan

Struggle tells you more than answers ever will – Cassandra

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