Back in Action What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Netflix After an 11-year acting hiatus, Cameron Diaz has returned to the big screen, but good grief, she couldn’t find something better than this derivative, silly, rote action comedy? Co-written and directed by Seth Gorgon (Horrible Bosses, Identity Thief), the film follows CIA […]
Glen Starkey
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BINGEABLE: Landman
Landman BINGEABLE: Landman What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024-present Where’s it showing? Paramount Plus Score another TV hit for writer/actor Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone, 1883, 1823, Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, Lioness). Landman is another macho neo-Western, this time about the boom-or-bust oil business. The story centers on Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton), a fixer for […]
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NEW FLICKS: A Real Pain
A Real Pain What’s it rated? R When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Hulu, Amazon Prime I missed this one when it played at the Palm Theatre, but it’s made many critics’ Top 10 lists for 2024. I wouldn’t put it in my top 10 (A lot of competition last year!), but this is a thoughtful […]
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American Primeval depicts a romance-free version of western expansion
American Primeval What’s it rated? TV-MA What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Netflix Peter Berg directs creator Mark L. Smith’s Western TV miniseries set in 1857 during the Utah War and the violent clash between the Mormons, the U.S. government, early settlers, and the indigenous tribes, […]
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Conclave makes Pope picking fascinating
Conclave What’s it rated? PG What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Peacock Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front) directs Peter Straughan’s Golden Globe-winning screenplay based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel about selecting a new pope after the current one dies unexpectedly of a heart […]
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BINGEABLE: The Agency
The Agency What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Paramount Plus with Showtime Based on critically acclaimed French TV series Le Bureau des Légendes (2015-2020), this George Clooney and Grant Heslov-produced American version follows covert CIA agent “Martian” (Michael Fassbender), who after a long undercover assignment in Africa under the name “Paul Lewis” […]
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NEW FLICKS: It’s What’s Inside
It’s What’s Inside What’s it rated? R When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Writer-director Greg Jardin helms this sci-fi black comedy about old college friends with complicated histories who get together at a pre-wedding party that devolves into a nightmare when one guest, Forbes (David Thompson), shows up with a suitcase containing an experimental device […]
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Local author Froggy Phevoli writes Side Effect, a young adult sci-fi story
Get your copy You can buy a copy of Froggy Phevoli’s book, Side Effect, on Amazon at amazon.com/Side-Effect-Froggy-Phevoli/dp/B0DJVJBPD1. Zack Connor can read minds, but the 16-year-old’s superpower comes with a downside. Whenever he reaches into someone’s thoughts, his own thoughts are revealed. He doesn’t know where his power comes from, and his overbearing mother, Carol, […]
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Nosferatu delivers a creepy gothic parable of disease
Nosferatu What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande Writer-director Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse, The Northman) helms this retro iteration of the classic vampire tale focusing on Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), who’s haunted […]
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Juror #2 explores the moral implications of a conflict of interest
Juror #2 What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Max Clint Eastwood (Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino) directs this legal thriller written by Jonathan A. Abrams about journalist Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult), who’s selected to serve on the jury of a high-profile […]
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BINGEABLE: The Madness
The Madness What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Created by Stephen Belber (Tape, Drifting Elegant), this gripping thriller explores race relations, social and mainstream media, wealth distribution, big tech, political influence, and ultimately conspiracy. Colman Domingo stars as Muncie Daniels, an on-the-rise CNN pundit on the cusp of getting his own […]
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Our Little Secret is a cookie cutter Christmas rom-com
Our Little Secret What’s it rated? TV-14 What’s it worth, Anna? Stream it What’s it worth, Glen? Stream it Where’s it showing? Netflix Stephen Herek (Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Mr. Holland’s Opus) directs Hailey DeDominicis’ script about old flames Avery (Lindsay Lohan) and Logan (Ian Harding) whose relationship ended a decade ago but who […]
