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On Screen Dayton

BCT brings ‘Let the Right One in’ to life this weekend!

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Beavercreek Community Theatre is celebrating the spooky season with ‘Let the Right One In.’ This weekend is the final chance to see the production which is directed by Chris Harmon. Here is what he shared with us about this coming-of-age story.
937: Why did you choose ‘Let the Right One in’ this Halloween season? 
It’s a different take on both classic vampire lore, and coming-of-age stories. As a director, it presents as a new challenge to stage in a compelling, and accessable way.
937: What does this production promise for the audience? 
The assembled score is comprised of a lot of early 80’s punk, and new wave music. The cast had a chance to offer a lot of input into this aspect of the production so it’s very collaborative in that sense. In terms of atmosphere, the space is really transformed into a stark Scandinavian vibe by the set, and  experimental — and at times avant-garde lighting design. And it’s a vampire story, so of course there’s blood! Lots of it. At one point nearly half a gallon of blood in three seconds! Which is to say nothing of the actors who have invested considerable time into not only their craft but some exceedingly quick and clever set transitions.
937: Is it like the film?
Yes, and no. Yes in that the essence of the main character’s vulnerability and frankness is definitely present. No, in the sense that we don’t have a lake on stage that a body is discovered in.
937: What do you hope the audience walks away feeling? 
I hope they feel that they have experienced something new in the theatre. I want them to feel exhilarated by an unconventional script. I definitely want them to question if this is a love story about Oskar and Eli, or is it not a love story.
937:  Who makes up this strong cast?
The two leads, Karter Hoffman as Oskar, and Sophia Harvey as Eli are fantastic in their roles. They are supported by an incredible ensemble which includes Everett Green, Jamie McQuinn, TJ Montgomery, Sasha Kozlova, Steven Mongelli, Grayson Thompson, Kobe Smith, and Maren Wasser.
Janet Powell has designed some really delightful 80’s Northern Europe costumes. Becky Howard’s design for props is exquisitely detailed. Both Michael Cardoza, and Nick Vanderpool have crafted some amazing very special, and surprising blood effects. Alex Kancler’s sound design is crazy compelling. Angelé Price-Maddah has been a fantastic assistant director. Kayla Graham is fight and intimacy coordinator – her work is incredibly essential to the piece.  Andrew Darr’s lighting design is mysterious and vibrant.  And my set design…well, it’s okay.
Tickets and Times: This Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets at bctheatre.org 
Anything You’d like to add? Yes. Lady Cardoza is a fabulous producer.

937: I’m sure our readers are as intrigued as I am. Make sure you catch the show at BCT this weekend! Thanks Chris!

Final Weekend for Gratifying ‘Dial M’ at Theatre Guild!

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Dayton has an amazing theatre scene with some excellent actors. I was lucky enough to catch up with one of the best, Matt Meier! He is part of the dynamic cast of ‘Dial M for Murder!’ at the Theatre Guild!

937: Hi Matt! So, so good to see you! Tell me…Why was ‘Dial M of Murder’ chosen for the Theatre Guild this year?

MM: Each year, a committee reads dozens of scripts and assembles the complete season, balancing all sorts of factors. The Guild is known for doing shows that are often new to Dayton audiences, and while many people might remember the Hitchcock film, the region hasn’t seen a stage production of it for a long time. It’s a riviting script, written by Frederick Knott in the 1950s, and still holds up nearly 75 years later! Who doesn’t love a good crime thriller?

937: Listen, I am addicted to ‘Investigation Discovery Channel’, soooooo…..Anyway, what can the audience expect from this production?

MM: Director David Shough brings his rich artistic vision to every production he leads. ‘Dial M’ features a beautiful art deco-inspired set by Red Newman, fabulous midcentury costumes by N. Lynn Brown, dramatic lighting, and a jazzy underscore that masterfully builds suspense. 

937: Sounds like theatrical perfection! What is a brief plot line you can share with us about the story?

MM: A cunning husband. A flawless plan. One fatal call. In this razor-sharp, midcentury mind game of deadly charm, calculated lies, and impetuous greed, the plot to commit the perfect murder begins to unravel. What follows is a taut and twisted Hitchcockian thriller—where life and death hang on the line.

937: Hitchcock truly was/is a master. Love how these stories endure, on and off stage & screen! What are you hoping people walk away feeling with this show?

MM: This show is just fun! You’ll find yourself rooting for the bad guy and also hoping he gets caught in his web of lies. It will keep you guessing til the very end!

937: And I know the Guild has stellar casts….

MM: Oh yes….in this production we have Cora Ceipek as Margot Wendice, Jared Mola as Max Halliday, Matt Meier as Tony Wendice, Danny Lipps as Captain Lesgate, Jim Walker as Inspector Hubbard and Frank Maranje as Thompson.

937: A fantastic group indeed!! I know this is the last weekend. If we want to catch the show, can you give us dates and times?

MM: Yes, sadly this is the final weekend — Friday, Oct 24 at 8pm; Saturday, Oct 25 at 5pm; Sunday, Oct 26 at 3pm.

937: I have such respect for the Theatre Guild thanks for sharing this with us Matt. Any parting words?

MM: Dayton is fortunate to have such a strong theatre scene, and we invite you to be part of it! Tickets are available online at DaytonTheatreGuild.org. 

937: THANKS MATT!!!!

MM: Thank YOU, Josh!!

‘Anthropology’ hits the stage at Sinclair this weekend!

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It is always great to see something new on the stages in the Dayton area. This time around, it is ‘Anthropology’ at the Sinclair Theater. We got the scoop on the performance! So excited to chat with the show’s director, Gina Neuerer!

937:  Why did you choose Anthropology?

I read the script of anthropology and immediately wanted to be part of telling this story. The playwright, Lauren Gunderson, is an incredibly creative storyteller and is telling a thriller of a story with anthropology! You’re on the edge of your seat, holding your breath, all the way through to the end. From an educational standpoint, the script offered our performance students the ability to develop deeply layered characters and the technology students the opportunity learn computer and video design and engineering skills.

937: It really is about finding the script that puts it all into play like that!!  What do you hope audiences gain from this production?

I look forward to the audiences experiencing this fast-paced, beautiful story. I look forward to the audience being witness to the love and grief within this family and the many ways we cope with trauma and how it is possible to come together after we break apart.

937: Which of course means the story must be a doozie….can you gives us insight into the story itself?

When Merril creates an AI version of her sister, she finds herself questioning the difference between reality and fiction.  As her creation begins to develop motives of its own, Merril’s life is thrown into chaos as her family gets pulled into the power of a well-programmed machine.  A story that intertwines the love of family with AI technology, anthropology will take you on a journey that will have you questioning what is real and what is not.

Here is a quote from the playwright:

“While anthropology is a roller coaster of the contrasting tensions between technology and its creators,” says Gunderson, “this play is truly a very human story of family, grief, resilience, love and sisterhood… all new technology – like all art – is first and foremost a method of expressing and coming to understand ourselves.”

937: This sounds so intriguing, and THRILLING!!   What days/times is it showing?

The show runs at 7pm on

Oct 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18

And 2pm on Oct 12

The cast consists of Tiffany Higgins, Adalia Gaynier, Rosi Green, Kimberly Borst, and Ryan Ford.

Where: Sinclair Community College, Black Box Theatre (Building 2), 444 W. Third St., Dayton  

Ticket Information: $15 plus $2 service fee. No at-the-door ticket sales. All tickets must be purchased online at: www.sinclair.edu/tickets

 

Prepping for Toronto International Film Fest – 2025

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Hello Dayton937!

It’s hard to believe that Labor Day is here…and it will soon be time to head to Toronto again for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).  The line-up at TIFF is extensive –  “209 features, 6 Classics, 10 Primetime films, and 66 shorts” – so I have a lot of decisions to make.  The pass that I have will allow me to see dozens of dozens of films with other press and industry folks (these are no-frills screenings…just the movies plus lots of networking and movie-talk while waiting in lines).  In addition, I will get 10 tickets to public screenings – the events that get media attention – red carpets, big stars, Q&A’s, etc.

I’ve been scanning the line-up and making some initial picks, but I definitely leave room for some word-of-mouth and industry buzz to guide my decisions once I’m in Canada.

On this side of the festival, here are a few titles I’m looking forward to seeing:

HAMNET is the new film directed by Academy Award winner Chloé Zhao (NOMADLAND).  I love the cast, and the film looks lovely.

ETERNITY looks like it will be fun.  I love the entire cast.

Richard Linklater’s NOUVELLE VAGUE – about the making of the French New Wave classic BREATHLESS (Linklater has 2 films at the festival…clearly a busy man).

There are a handful of films playing at TIFF that I’ve already seen – like ELEANOR THE GREAT (starring National Treasure June Squibb – opening Sept. 26 at THE NEON), BLUE MOON (Richard Linklater’s fantastic film starring Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, Andrew Scott & Bobby Cannavale – which will be playing at the OUT HERE DAYTON Film Fest on October 10), and NUREMBERG (a fascinating courtroom drama about the Nuremberg trials starring Rami Malek, Russell Crowe and Michael Shannon – certain to be a NEON fan favorite this Fall).  Because I won’t be screening them at the festival, I won’t be “reviewing” them in this blog per se…but I urge you to find out more about each of them.

Starting Thursday, Sept. 4, I’ll keep track of each film that I see at TIFF in this daily blog.  I appreciate Dayton937 for allowing me to use this platform to keep my thoughts in order and stay in touch with NEON fans.  www.dayton937.com/tag/tiff

Thanks for reading!

Jonathan McNeal, manager of THE NEON

McCoy on Movies: Honey Don’t

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Margaret Qualley shines in a dark, LGTBQIA+ dark comedy
that’s not as bright as her performance

Don’t have time to read a full, detailed movie review? Been meaning to talk about a movie for a while but just haven’t gotten around to telling a friend? Have no fear – get caught up with Quick Hits!

“Take notes … I’m the best thing about this film and you
know it.” Honey O’Donahue (Margaret Qualley) investigates
in a scene from Ethan Coen’s HONEY DON’T! Credit:

 

Karen Kuehn © 2025 Focus Features LLC. All Rights Reserved.
HONEY DON’T! 
 
There are exactly two reasons to see HONEY DON’T, the second installment of Ethan Coen’s “lesbian b-movie trilogy” written alongside his lesbian, non-traditional partner Tricia Cooke: (1) To watch Margaret Qualley, who stars as a queer, Bakersfield, CA-private eye that’s more masculine 1925 than she is 2025 in her demeanor, own every scene she’s in and (2) the gratuitous surely to some and likely not gratuitous enough to others nudity and sex crammed into the film’s 90 minute run-time. (Those who cheered the removal of the Pulse Nightclub crosswalk in Florida need not buy a ticket for reasons that should now be overtly obvious.
Moral objections to seeing LGTBQIA+ characters on screen – along with possibly the most corrupt preacher of the year in Chris Evans as drug dealing, murdering, fornicating church leader Drew Devlin – notwithstanding, HONEY DON’T finds Qualley outperforming the thin-yet-familiar material she is given to work with at every turn. That’s not to suggest that the other actors don’t bring their best to their roles as much it is to say what they were given to work with is b-movie pulp at best and sometimes, not in the best way. The film is far better, however, than the first installment in the Coen/Cooke three-pack, the long-forgotten, ostensibly goofy Drive-Away Dolls, but it’s staying power – outside of those who long to stare at star actors naked and/or REALLY enjoy ALL Coen brothers films (not just the hits) – is minor. Charlie Day adds a few laughs as a clueless detective, there are the standard schlubby/mysterious foreign Coen characters and quirky violence leading to a climax … But Bound, this is not.
So, if you’re wondering if you should put HONEY DON’T on your honey-do list, the answer is … Maybe – if you have 90 minutes to kill or just want to see an actress make honey out of a rather spent hive of a story that could have delivered so much more.
 

RATING (OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN): 2 1/2 of 4

 

 

 

McCoy on Movies: Highest 2 Lowest

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Denzel Washington takes a musical journey to explore a man’s
morality, legacy in Spike Lee’s latest

Don’t have time to read a full, detailed movie review? Been meaning to talk about a movie for a while but just haven’t gotten around to telling a friend? Have no fear – get caught up with Quick Hits!

 
HIGHEST 2 LOWEST 
 
“I’ll just throw on a Yankees cap and no one will know I’m Denzel Washington … At best,
they’ll think I’m just Mariano Rivera …”  David King (Denzel Washington) takes a
very compromising ride in a scene from Spike Lee’s HIGHEST 2 LOWEST. © 2025 A24.

All Rights Reserved.

 

 
What is the price of fame and success? Can you retain the love of what brought you fame when the demands of your industry make it so much easier to copy and paste what’s popular versus striving for something original and true? What is the common thread between someone who wants to achieve the high life and someone who simply needs the opportunity to achieve it? 
 
While these are the central themes in Spike Lee’s modern take of the 1963 Akira Kurosawa film High and Low, the only question a potential movie goer needs to ask is the following: How much do you feel like diving into a tale as old as time that featuring a fresh coat of digital paint for the modern world? As music mogul David King, the man with “the best ears in the business,” Denzel Washington still knows how to take command of a scene, even when it may not be that compelling. 
 
Then again, Spike Lee throws in all his trademark love letter to New York elements well to advance the story of King, forced to decide between his money and saving the life of Kyle (Elijah Wright), the son of his chauffeur, Alan (Jeffrey Wright). The film’s best sequences occur hen using music – the famed Puerto Rican Day parade accentuated by the sounds of the Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra as a backdrop for a key sequence, an intense lyrical back-and-forth between King and aspiring rapper Yung Felon (A$AP Rocky) – sticking with the film’s exploration of what type of a man King is: Will he be one that that values money and his legacy more than doing what is right .. Or can he do what is right at the risk of everything he has worked so hard to achieve going up in flames? While not exactly a perfect journey, it is one audiences (especially longstanding Washington fans) are more likely to enjoy than not.
 
RATING (OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
 

 

McCoy on Movies: Weapons

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Weapons delivers imaginative, twisty suspense in market lacking such

“Hello, I’m a creepy child with a smile to match … What could go wrong?!” Alex Lilly (Cary Christopher) in a scene from writer/director Zach Creeger’s WEAPONS. © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:

 

CAST: 

Julia Garner (Justine Gandy)

Josh Brolin (Archer)

Alden Ehrenreich (Paul)

Benedict Wong (Andrew)

Amy Madigan (Gladys)

Austin Abrams (James)

Cary Christopher (Alex Lilly)

Toby Huss (The Captain)

 

WRITER /DIRECTOR: Zach Cregger

THE PLOT: WEAPONS introduces us to Justine Gandy (Julia Garner), a third grade teacher in the suburbs of Pennsylvania (or at least, one can assume that based on the colors on the license plate on her Toyota RAV4). Justine is not having a good day … And neither are the parents of the 17 children in her classroom that all have suddenly gone missing after running out of the front doors of their homes at exactly 2:17 a.m. Alex Lilly (Cary Christopher), however, seems to be just fine since he was the only one that showed up to her room the next day. 

 

While parents such as Archer (Josh Brolin) are calling for Justine’s head as he is convinced she knows more than what she’s telling, her principal Andrew (Benedict Wong) and her police officer ex-flame Paul (Alden Enrenreich) believe she’s telling the truth. But given the fact that Justine (A) has what could be perceived as a problem with alcohol and (B) was let go from her previous school, you can (C) see why more people in town are not convinced she’s as innocent as she says. 

 

But as all their stories begin to intersect, it becomes clear something evil is afoot … And this small town may never be the same ever again. 

THE REVIEW: “Well … that was … different.”

If you’ve seen one and/or both of the trailers for WEAPONS, you already know that seeing scores of people running in a trance-like state at full speed would be cause for concern in the real world … So it might come as a bit of a surprise that the film is a MUCH slower burn than you might originally believe. Likewise, whereas there is some definite gore and violence, WEAPONS is much more story driven than it is by the former, so those coming a typical hack-and-slash might need to pump the brakes on that expectation.

 

There are some issues with WEAPONS that keep it from being as great as it could be. There’s some foreshadowing that can be hard to ignore, the characters – Garner’s in particular – utilize logic that at times seems to show the absence of any and the ending may leave some desiring a bit more answers since some open-ended questions definitely remain. What the film has going for it, however, is a bit of unexpectedness to it that makes up for it that, for the average person, is enough to keep them intrigued until the film’s final act pieces everything together as to why what is happening is happening (for the most part).

In an era where most horror movies are really just psychological thrillers with a lot of cursing and jump scare scenes, WEAPONS manages to come armed with enough tension and surprise to make most moviegoers not wanting to draw one demanding a refund. Just know that whatever you think you’re getting, you likely are not … Even if you jump ahead and start to figure things out before Justine and Archer do.

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

 

McCoy on Movies: FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS

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Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), Sue Storm (Vanessa
Kirby), Reed Richard (Pedro Pascal) and Johnny Storm
(Joseph Quinn) prepare for the moment in
FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS.
© 2025 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS

You have to give Marvel Studios credit. For with there already being four – yes, FOUR – Fantastic Four films in existence (in case you didn’t know, there’s a 1994 B-movie that predates all the turn of the century versions and it’s … yeah), bringing Marvel’s first family to life has never been an easy challenge. This isn’t even factoring in supposed “super hero fatigue” coupled with the rise in Internet chatter about “woke” superheroes. (While the film mostly avoided the latter, some were miffed that Pedro ‘I’m now starring in EVERYTHING’ Pascal is taking up the mantle of Reed Richards, a.k.a. Mr. Fantastic.)
 
In the case of FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS, director Matt Shakman has delivered what is easily the best take on the heroic quartet – in this case, taking place on Earth 818 and not the main 616 where we “live” in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Whereas Pascal is able to capture the genius-yet-socially-awkward-but-underlying-caring nature of Richards greatly, Kirby makes Sue Storm’s dedication to both Reed and the concept of family integral to both the team and the overall story. Quinn captures Storm’s hotheaded (pun intended) nature, but balances it with an intelligence previous versions haven’t often shown. The most intriguing individual may be Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s portrayal of Ben Grimm a.k.a. The Thing, which focuses on all the elements of humanity his character tries to maintain despite his physical stature.
 
Now, how this iteration of the Four eventually make their collective way to Earth 616 remains a mystery, one which is only intensified by one of the two post-credit scenes following the film’s conclusion. But in the meantime, FIRST STEPS takes significant ones at re-establish the importance of the Fantastic Four along with their potential for the next phase of the MCU.
 
For longstanding fans of the comic book quartet, that’s a fantastic prospect to look forward to in the future.
RATING:

 

 

Yellow Springs Film Fest Kickoff to Feature Kevin Nealon

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The Yellow Springs Film Festival is a celebration of creativity, connection and innovative performances exhibiting narrative and documentary feature films, shorts of all genres, stand up comedy and live music. The festival takes place annually, the first weekend in October.  Announcement of their kick off party for the 3rd annual  festival has revealed stand up comedian Kevin Nealon will be their special guest.

Nealon is an Emmy and SAG-nominated actor and comedian who sets himself apart from other comedic performers with his unique sense of humor, dry wit and likable demeanor. Nealon is best known for his nine-year stint as a cast member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, and received critical acclaim for his role in the hit Showtime series Weeds. Kevin currently produces and hosts his digital series Hiking with Kevin, and tours his stand-up globally. He will be releasing his latest book, I Exaggerate: My Brushes with Fame (Abrams), on October 25, 2022. Part art book, part memoir — the book is full of original full-color caricatures Kevin has created along with funny, endearing personal essays about his famous friends. Past guests include Michael Keaton, Jimmy Kimmel, Lin Manuel-Miranda, Cheryl Hines, Ray Romano, Al Franken, Hilary Swank, Kumail Nanjiani, Kate Beckinsale, Conan O’Brien, Adam Sandler, and more.

As one of the longest running cast members on NBC’s Saturday Night Live (1986-1995), Nealon created some of the show’s most memorable characters, including ‘The Subliminal Man’ and ‘Hans and Franz.’ Nealon’s recurring role as an anchor on ‘Weekend Update’ helped make the sketch a show staple. In 1988, he earned an Emmy nomination as part of the SNL writing team.

Each year YSFF gives a $3,000 prize through the Julia Reichert Award to an emerging female documentary filmmaker. In addition each year the festival provides a free educational seminar open to the public and partners with Wavelength Productions to showcase a program of short films directed by female or non-binary BIPOC filmmakers. 

The kickoff is Friday, October 3 · 5 – 6:30pm at the Foundry Theater at Antioch College.  Tickets can be purchased online for $40. Announcements of films to be screened and special events still to come.

McCoy on Movies: Superman

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James Gunn brings humanity to an alien character with DC Universe lead film reboot

SUPERMAN

The most controversial movie of the year focuses on the choices we make as humans, what makes us human, fear of those different than us and takes aim at the evil corporations and billionaires do under the guise of helping society all while showing a person of color as one of the smartest on earth.
 

Go figure.

The first official cinematic entry in James Gunn’s tenure as the head of the DC Comics Cinematic Universe, SUPERMAN – the 2025 version – can be viewed in one of two ways: (1) This is a super “woke” (which ironically is the opposite of “asleep,” but that’s another conversation entirely …) film where an alien makes us look at our fear of those different from us, how they could take over and showing us this unrealistic view where all these DEI hires have to “save us” from evil, white, male billionaires …


OR

(2) This is a multi-layered film that, while not perfect, makes a character that has been portrayed historically as having one weakness as being vulnerable – not just to kryptonite, but a world that doesn’t understand him and at times, fears him. This is a film that likewise shows the true danger of letting the rich run wild with unchecked power, how propaganda can be near fatal to thought, progression and society … All while throwing in a mix of humor, secondary characters that actually contribute significantly to a story and a lead perfectly cast for his role.

Smart fans will take the latter approach.

RATING:

 

McCoy on Movies: JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH

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JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH
There’s an old adage that says, “Give a man a fish, he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.” In the case of JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH, one might say, “Give a film studio a dinosaur and they’ll give an audience one really great movie. Let that same studio have a bunch of dinosaurs and they’ll give audiences the same formula with a few tweaks and watch as they keep buying tickets.”
There’s a scene early on in REBIRTH where Rupert Friend’s character explains to Scarlett Johansson’ character that over time, people lost interest in dinosaurs. That should serve as enough of a warning to the savvy film viewer to know that the next two hours are going to feature what you already know to expect from a Jurassic World film:
  • An evil corporate person who always thinks of profit over anything else to their own demise;
  • A nerdy scientist who values dinosaurs more than humans the way people who love dogs but have few friends do their pets;
  • Another example of helicopters NOT being a good idea in these situations;
  • Soldiers who seem to be trained at the Acme school of bad henchmen;
  • A character that seems like a goof at first but shows redeeming qualities;
  • A scared child that should never have been in this situation in the first place; and
  • A monster hybrid dinosaur that no one in their right mind would ever create, attendance needs of the actual park be damned.
So, despite the film’s title, there’s absolutely nothing new happening in JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH. But given the film’s massive July Fourth weekend box office tally, expect another Jurassic World film to spawn within the next 2-4 years.
RATING:

QUICK HITS- 60 Second Movie Reviews

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Reviews for movies you’ve likely thought about seeing in 60 seconds or less

Don’t have time to read a full, detailed movie review? Been meaning to talk about a movie for a while but just haven’t gotten around to telling a friend? Have no fear – get caught up with Quick Hits!

THE AMATEUR

Miss the days when Rami Malek was running around help take down evil corporations as Elliot Anderson on Mr. Robot? Get your fix of him taking out the people responsible for the murder of his wife while exposing government corruption in THE AMATEUR while it’s still in theaters. Instead of being your typical action movie shoot-em-up,  Malek’s portrayal of mild-mannered Charles Helle to bring more of a thoughtful exploration of a man seeking vengeance and justice, his brain being more intriguing than sheer brutality. While the film’s climax is the one moment that feels the most implausible, the near two hour joyride en route to getting there is strong enough to overcome it. Think of THE AMATEUR like watching the nerdy, undersized kid show you why you should never underestimate someone determined to use the one skill they have – their intelligence – to play chess with a bunch of criminals barely skilled at checkers.
 
 
RATING:

 
@ 2025 Disney. All Rights Reserved. 

 

THUNDERBOLTS* (a.k.a. *THE NEW AVENGERS) 

 

Miss the days when Marvel Studios paired up fish-out-of-water people who had to learn how to work together otherwise the entire world – if not universe – might perish? THUNDERBOLTS* brings those days back with a fantastic mix of humor, action battle sequences and most importantly, humanity helping to showcase the different aspects of being a hero (not to mention life) and dealing with one’s own personal demons. THUNDERBOLTS* might not only help those who often don’t feel seen to do so and come to terms with their own pasts so they don’t continue affecting their future, but also do the same for the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Florence Pugh shows how a strong female lead should work (looking at YOU, Captain Marvel entries) while David Harbor provides enough laughs as The Red Guardian that you should definitely consider booking his limousine service. 

 

RATING:

 

McCoy on Movies: Sinners

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Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan turn in a near perfect Southern Gothic tale in SINNERS

The teaser poster for writer/director Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Creed, Fruitvale Station) southern gothic horror thriller SINNERS. Credit: Alon Amir © All Right Reserved.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:

 

CAST: 

The Smokestack Twins Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan)
Sammie a.k.a. Preacher Boy (Miles Caton))

Beatrice (Tenaj Jackson)

Mary (Hailee Steinfeld)

Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo)

Remmick (Jack O’Connell)

Annie (Wunmi Mosaku)

Grace (Li Jun Li)

Bo Chow (Yao)

Pearline (Jayme Lawson)

 

WRITER /DIRECTOR: Ryan Coogler

THE PLOT: Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan) are twins who left their native Clarksville, Mississippi for a better life up north in Chicago long ago. Now, they are back and throwing around cash like it’s going out of style … For it seems that good fortune up north has led them back to Clarksville where they plan to open up their own juke joint. (It is 1932, after all.)

 

Their cousin Sammie a.k.a. Preacher Boy (Miles Caton) is a talented musician who’s pastor father (Saul Williams) has warned him about the perils of picking up the guitar he is fond of and playing secular music, a.k.a. the blues. But Sammie wants to follow his dreams, dreams which become stronger once he meets local legend Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo). Meanwhile, Smoke and Stack are building up their staff for their new venture, which, in addition to Delta Slim, includes local general store owners Grace (Li Jun Li) and Bo Chow (Yao), sharecropper Cornbread (Omar Benson Miller) and potions expert (and Smoke’s old flame) Annie (Wunmi Mosaku). Also hanging around is Mary (Hailee Steinfeld), a woman whose ethnic background has complicated her relationship with Stack, a.k.a. her former lover. Then again, Pearline (Jayme Lawson), a married woman in her own right, has caught the fancy of Sammie who is ready to let his little light shine.

 

All the parties find themselves in for an enjoyable opening night at Club Juke – until it isn’t. For once a man named Remmick (Jack O’Connell) comes a calling, their entire night is about to change … And all sinners will be punished for their deeds.

THE REVIEW: “No notes.” Those were the two words I texted a friend after finishing SINNERS, the latest collaboration between writer/director Ryan Coogler and his frequent muse, Michael B. Jordan. For in mixing in themes of music and its importance to the soul (literally), southern gothic themes relating to race and horror elements, Coogler’s latest film might be his best effort to date. For it is a cinematic experience of culture and storytelling that is a masterclass in creating and investing in characters and moments topped off with themes of love, loss and music.

Jordan has already staked his claim as one of Hollywood’s best young (aka under 40) talents; SINNERS finds him pulling off the remarkable task of playing twins and giving each enough depth to stand on their own. Whereas Stack is fast and smooth, Smoke is calculated, much more rough around the edges and yet both are passionate about their dreams and losses (as well as the impact of the women in their lives). Whereas Robert DeNiro’s recent turn as two mob bosses in The Alto Knights has been criticized by some as too much self-indulgence, it’s hard to imagine someone else turning in a dual performance that begs attention as much as Jordan does watching SINNERS. 

 

Likewise, whereas Steinfeld’s and O’Connell’s character could quickly become one dimensional, both – just like Mosaku as Annie – craft personalities that are intricate to Smoke and Stack’s respective stories. While most will come to SINNERS for Jordan as the headliner, it is newcomer Miles Caton that is the film’s center, both musically and in terms of many of the various themes explored during the film’s two hours and 17 minutes. Caton’s future should be as bright as his performance is memorable which, given all he asked to do in his feature film debut, is saying something.

There have been many great duos in history from Abbott & Costello to Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson … With SINNERS following their previous efforts (Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), Coogler and Jordan have proven yet again they can make fantastic cinema together, this time exploring a new realm while maintaining all the elements – humor, timing, emotion and captivating scenes – that made all their prior journeys together work. Is that because of Jordan flexing his prowess to bring Coogler’s vision to life or Coogler putting his actors in the best possible light to shine? It’s both – and that’s what makes SINNERS a top film so far in 2025. 

For like all of us, SINNERS may not be perfect, but it’s about as close to perfect as any human making a movie of its nature could hope to be. 

 

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

 

McCoy on Movies: NOVOCAINE

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Jack Quaid vehicle Novocaine likely to leave fans
of his work on The Boys in stitches

“Hello … Oh me? I’m just waiting around waiting on the next season of “The Boys” like everyone else …” Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid) takes a moment to phone a friend after being caught in a snare trap in a scene from co-directors Robert Olsen’s and Dan Berk’s action/comedy/romantic comedy NOVOCAINE. Credit: © 2024 PARAMOUNT PICTURES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:

 

CAST: 

Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid)

Sherry (Amber Midthunder)

Roscoe (Jacob Batalon) 

Simon (Ray Nicholson)

Ben (Evan Hengst)

Andre (Conrad Kemp)

Mincy (Betty Gabriel)

Coltraine (Matt Walsh)

Earl (Lou Betty, Jr.)

 

DIRECTORS: Robert Olsen and Dan Berk

WRITER: Lars Jacobson

THE PLOT: Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid) is mild-mannered 30 year-old man living in San Diego. He works as an assistant bank manager where he tries his best to help those like Earl (Lou Betty, Jr.) facing hard times. He lives alone in his apartment, playing his favorite RPG online with Roscoe (Jacob Batalon) and he is fond of wearing a tie with reindeer on it during the holidays, which, since it’s Christmas Eve, seems appropriate. 

 

Nathan also has an extremely rare – and very serious – medical condition: Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA), which means is has the inability to feel pain or changes in temperature (and in real life, a very decreased sweating ability). People with CIPA often suffer a long road to recovery as a result of their injuries, marked by slower healing, especially when they do so incorrectly. This is why Nathan has read an extensive amount of medical books, has dummy-proofed his house to avoid running into sharp corners and even avoids chewing since he’s afraid he might bite his tongue in half – or worse. 

 

But despite living a very simple (and safe) life, there is one thing that makes Nathan wonder if he should risk it all: Sherry (Amber Midthunder), the relatively new teller at the bank where they both work. Fast-forward to a wonderful night hanging out with Sherry at an art exhibition and let’s just say why he might not be able to feel pain, Nathan is definitely feeling something.

 

What he didn’t expect to feel, however, was the terror and panic that ensues when a trio of Santa Claus-dressed bank robbers led by Simon (Ray Nicholson) enter his bank and decide to make two withdrawals: a sizable amount of cash and Sherry as a hostage. Awakening after being temporarily disposed out to discover Sherry gone, Nathan decides to do something that could change his life forever: Pursue the bad guys, save the girl and embrace the nickname that has dogged him since middle school.

And it’s a good thing he can’t feel pain – because he’s about to experience more pain than most people will in their entire life to try to save the girl of his dreams.

THE REVIEW: Far be it for me to worry about Quaid becoming typecast as as a nice guy who specializes in playing nice guys thrust into the most insane of situations given his long run on Amazon Prime’s The Boys, but … If Quaid keeps delivering performance that balance chaos, charm and great quips as he does in NOVOCAINE, it might be hard for him to escape it – not that his fans will be mad about that.

It take a true talent to play a convincing nerdy individual who can also pull off action sequences and make the cartoonish feel realistic (when it’s obvious they are absurd), but if there’s ever an actor in 2025 that excels at that, it’s Quaid. In much the same fashion his character on The Boys always has a desire to do the right thing or find a resolution for a situation, once he is forced into action, he remains a sympathetic character for whom you root. His interplay with Midthunder rivals that of his interactions with his Boys co-star Erin Moriarty; his “please don’t make me do this” to “OK, I’m going to do this and if I die, so be it” transition being on display once again.

In short, Novocaine may feel VERY familiar to fans of Quaid’s work on The Boys, but it also shows that he can be the lead in a vehicle versus a co-star (albeit in the front) of an ensemble cast. There’s nothing wrong with knowing one’s formula and sticking to it, especially when it works as well as it does in NOVOCAINE.

If that sounds like a journey you’re interested in taking, you’ll likely be a left in as many stitches as the film’s titular character.

 

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

Showcase Cinemas was Dayton’s Gen X Movie Theatre

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It’s your favorite neighborhood Culture Celebrator again. I’m back with another awesome trip down memory lane. If you’re like me, a Generation Xer, you have to remember the movie theatre where you saw all of your favorite movies from 1989 to 2009…Showcase Cinemas.  Did you go?

Showcase Cinemas was located at 7737 Waynetowne Blvd. in Huber Heights, Ohio. The exact opening date for the building was December 15th, 1989. Showcase boasted multiple theatres inside and a massive parking lot. It immediately became the place to be to watch movies for a large swath of the Miami Valley. It also was the number spot for Gen X to watch the latest blockbuster (later classic) flicks. I can vouch for this statement because I was one of those young people. Near every smash hit movie released from 1989 to 2005 I saw at Showcase, and so did most of my friends.

 

The Showcase party was over in 2010. That’s when Texas-based company Rave Motion Pictures bought the Huber Showcase Cinemas location. Two years later, Cinemark USA (also based in Texas) bought Rave, and now Cinemark Huber Heights 16 stands on Waynetowne Blvd.


I’ve recently been to Cinemark, and it’s an impressive movie house. But Showcase Cinemas has my memories and my heart. I’m sure you fellow (slightly) older folks feel the same way. Talk to me, did you go see your favorite films at Showcase? What were they? Let’s rap…and celebrate our culture.

 

McCoy on Movies: Captain America: Brave New World

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Mackie solid despite underwhelming adventure awaiting Captain America: Brave New World

The final theatrical poster for CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD.  © 2025 Walt Disney Studios. All Rights Reserved.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:

KEY CAST MEMBERS: Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Tim Blake Nelson, Giancarlo Esposito, Danny Ramirez, Carl Lumbly, Shira Haas and Xosha Roquemore

DIRECTOR: Julias Onah
 
THE BACK STORY: Steve Rogers may have walked off into the sunset … But that doesn’t mean America won’t continue to face threats, domestic, international and – as any dedicated Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) watcher can tell you – across galaxies and multiple universes. That’s why Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) is on the case, taking up his mentor’s mantle, complete with a new Falcon – a.k.a. Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) in training by his side. In addition to a new title, Sam also has a new boss in the form of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Harrison Ford, taking over the role left vacant by the late William Hurt), a.k.a. the newly elected President of the United States of America. 
 
The discovery of adamantium on a celestial island (yes, X-Men fans and the five of you that liked the Eternals movie, adamantium has made its way into the main MCU) is set to once again change the world. That’s why a seemingly changed Ross is looking to shed his hotheaded reputation and lead a peace treaty involving all the world’s major nations.
 
Problem is, Ross hasn’t been exactly honest about a few things, leaving Sidewinder (Giancarlo Esposito) on the hunt to steal the precious metal for an unknown buyer. But as things unfold and land his role model, the original Captain America Isiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) behind bars,  Sam ends up trying to prevent an international incident … Even if Samuel Stearns (Tim Blake Nelson) has plans that might otherwise sending Ross into a rage where he – and the entire world – will end up seeing red as a result. 

THE REVIEW: Given the current political/social state of America, it should come as zero surprise that if you are the type that has demonized the letters “DEI,” CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD is not the film for you. Likewise, if you are suffering from superhero fatigue and/or cannot see past the skin color of the film’s titular character, you should stay home as well.

 

However, if you enjoy most of Marvel Studios’ releases and are able to watch a story that focuses more on traditional superhero values (peace, a man with designs on revenge and/or justifiably using his intelligence/force for the right reasons but in nefarious ways), BRAVE NEW WORLD hits the mark more than it misses. 

 

Much moreso than in the lackluster Falcon & the Winter Soldier Marvel limited series, Mackie carves out his own niche as Cap in BRAVE NEW WORLD, paying homage to Chris Evans work in the role while putting his own stamp on the character. Wilson’s status as a black man is a minimal part of the story, which instead focuses on a man trying to honor his predecessor and serve the country that, in 2025, all of its citizens may or may appreciate his service. With Mackie’s Sam Wilson rumored to lead the next iteration of The Avengers, his performance shows he has the stamina to step into the role Evans helped define … Even if he still needs a bigger defining experience to firmly establish him as such.

 

In fact, if there is one thing that could be seen as more of a letdown, it’s the fact that BRAVE NEW WORLD simply follows the beats required of a standard Marvel adventure: There’s a hero facing some sort of internal crisis, a villain with motivations you can somewhat understand and some really good fight sequences with jokes throw in occasionally for good measure.

What BRAVE NEW WORLD needs, however, is a truly remarkable villain and definitive moments that make it feel like less of a prelude to other adventures. Nelson’s version of the man known to many comic book fans as The Leader doesn’t feel like he’s truly capable of such a name and you’ll either enjoy Ross’ gamma antics or find them too familiar to drive you. (The latter crowd is the type that almost takes more enjoyment in not enjoying something ala Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons.)

All things considered, in trying to show Sam Wilson can be just as good as other heroes, BRAVE NEW WORLD is fine … But it fails to do the one thing it needed to do, which is the exact opposite of the aforementioned sentence: Give him a adventure that make his heroics stand out in definitive fashion as compared to the rest of his peers. 

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):