TONY’S TAKE

Proud member of the Critics’ Choice Association! Reviewing the newest releases every week on Morning Blend St. Louis, airing Saturday and Sunday mornings at 5:30am on KPLR 11 and on YouTube after (https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBlendStLouis); now syndicating in Kansas City, Indianapolis, San Diego, and soon-to-be in Nashville! Be sure to follow me on Twitter/BlueSky/Letterboxd @MoselloATC as well for the latest movie news, reviews, and reactions from straight-out-of-the-theater!

SACRAMENTO – & DROP – & WARFARE – COMING SOON!

HOME SWEET HOME: REBIRTH – 2.5/5

HOME SWEET HOME: REBIRTH is entertaining and full of intrigue, but could have been so much more. This video game adaptation takes some MAJOR swings which should definitely be applauded, including a few shockingly dark and brutal sequences. However, the film’s “cool”, fantastical premise and creature design is held back by a very poor script; suffering from poor dialogue, overspoken exposition, and a far-too-quick finale. The cast, consisting of William Moseley, Urassaya Sperbund, Akeira Hadden, and deliciously evil Michele Morrone, never are given a chance to stand out; though it’s beyond clear that Morrone is having a blast with his role. While the film is certainly flawed, I absolutely still enjoyed it and hope there’s more to come for the franchise!

FREAKY TALES – 3/5 & THE MARTIAL ARTIST – 2/5

HELL OF A SUMMER – 3/5

THE LIFE LIST – 3/5

THE LIFE LIST is a film that will undoubtedly tug at your heartstrings, evoking thoughts of death and grief with a twist. Though it’s predictable and would have greatly benefited from a shorter run time, the film has enough charm thanks to Sofia Carson and some excellent supporting work from Connie Britton will certainly stay with you. While it may require suspending your disbelief is some moments, the film will certainly make you think about how you can positively impact your loved ones even after you’re gone. I know I personally found the idea incredibly rewarding, though perhaps a more “toned-down” version would be more applicable for real life. The film will begin streaming only on NETFLIX March 28th!

DEATH OF A UNICORN – 4/5 & BOB TREVINO LIKES IT – 4.5/5 & THE PENGUIN LESSONS – 3.5/5

THE RESIDENCE – 4/5

THE RESIDENCE is a dark, comedic murder mystery at the White House that works so well due to Uzo Aduba’s charm and wit, with strong support from Giancarlo Esposito and Randall Park as well. Each episode is styled and titled-after a famous murder mystery as well, smartly paying homage to so many that have come before it. With so many twists and turns and endless misdirection, you’ll be left guessing “whodunnit” until the very end. You can investigate the murder for yourself only on NETFLIX March 20th!

THE ELECTRIC STATE – 2.5/5

THE ELECTRIC STATE offers a promising premise of a technological takeover and, while it has its moments, is mostly just wasted potential. Timely robotic conversations and impressive visuals aren’t enough to compensate for its lack of heart and humor; and the voice cast far-exceeds the live action one as well. The source material offers a strong base, but overdone gags keep it from ever becoming more that that. Sadly, it’s an uneven mess that serves as a reminder of what could’ve been. Streaming only on NETFLIX 3/14!

BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F & DESPICABLE ME 4

FANCY DANCE – 4/5 & DADDIO – 4/5 & JANET PLANET – 2/5

INSIDE OUT 2 – 4.5/5 & TUESDAY – 4/5

THE BIKERIDERS – 4/5

BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE – 4/5

YOUNG WOMAN AND THE SEA – 4/5 & FOR LOVE AND LIFE: NO ORDINARY CAMPAIGN 5/5

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA – 4.5/5 & THE GARFIELD MOVIE – 3/5 & THE BLUE ANGELS – 4/5

IF – 4/5 & I SAW THE TV GLOW – 2/5

KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES – 3/5

THE FALL GUY – 4.5/5 & THE IDEA OF YOU – 3/5

CIVIL WAR – 5/5 & ABIGAIL – 3.5/5

CHALLENGERS – 4/5

GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE – 3.5/5 & ROAD HOUSE – 3.5/5

PROBLEMISTA – 3/5

ARTHUR THE KING – 3.5/5

KUNG FU PANDA 4 – 3/5

DUNE: PART TWO – 5/5

DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS – 3/5

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE – 3.5/5 & MADAME WEB – 1.5/5

THE TEACHER’S LOUNGE – 4/5

SUNCOAST – 3/5

THE UNDERDOGGS – 3.5/5

AMERICAN FICTION – 5/5

THE ZONE OF INTEREST – 4.5/5

TOP 15 FILMS OF 2023

OPPENHEIMER
THE HOLDOVERS
MAESTRO
ANATOMY OF A FALL
AMERICAN FICTION
SALTBURN
POOR THINGS
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
MAY DECEMBER
SOCIETY OF THE SNOW
SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE
THE ZONE OF INTEREST
BARBIE
THE BOY AND THE HERON
PAST LIVES

HONORABLE MENTION (alphabetical)

ALL OF US STRANGERS
GODZILLA MINUS ONE
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4
THE KILLER
WONKA

THE COLOR PURPLE – 3.5/5

THE BOYS IN THE BOAT – 4/5

THE IRON CLAW – 3.5/5

POOR THINGS – 4.5/5

SALTBURN – 4.5/5

WONKA – 4/5

WISH – 3.5/5

NAPOLEON – 3/5

THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES – 3.5/5

NEXT GOAL WINS – 3/5

THE MARVELS – 3.5/5

THE HOLDOVERS – 5/5

THE KILLER – 4/5

KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON – 4/5

THE BURIAL – 3/5

THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER – 3/5

PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE – 3/5

STRAYS – 4.5/5

TALK TO ME – 4/5

HAUNTED MANSION – 2.5/5

OPPENHEIMER – 5/5

THE MIRACLE CLUB – 3/5

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE – 4.5/5

ASTEROID CITY – 3.5/5

NO HARD FEELINGS – 3/5

THE FLASH – 4/5

ELEMENTAL – 3/5

THE BLACKENING – 3/5

TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS – 4/5

SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE – 5/5

KANDAHAR – 3.5/5 & THE LITTLE MERMAID – 3/5

CARMEN – 3/5

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 – 5/5

AIR – 5/5

THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE – 3/5

SPINNING GOLD – 2.5/5 & TETRIS – 4/5 & DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES – 4/5

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 – 5/5

SCREAM VI – 4/5 & CHAMPIONS – 4.5/5

Morning Blend St. Louis takes on the Academy Awards! Click below to see our predictions on every category, with new categories airing every Saturday and Sunday morning on the show!