The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild - A Disappointingly not Entertaining Spin Off from the Ice Age Franchise

This new movie was released on Disney+ on Friday, but as I already set my mind on another series, I postponed this till Sunday noon. Since my wife and I like light comedy movies, we thought it would be a good idea to watch this one just for fun. So how was the movie then? I'll get into it now.

Brief Story Line

Wanting to find their own "destiny", the possum twins Crash and Eddie (both voiced by Vincent Tong), left their adoptive sister the mammoth Ellie (Dominique Jennings) & her husband Manny (Sean Kenin Elias-Reyes), the saber tooth Diego (Skyler Stone) and the sloth Sid (Jake Green) for an adventure of their own. They somehow ended up in the Lost World and met with their old friend, the one eyed weasel Buck Wild (Simon Pegg - Truth Seekers TV series, Star Trek Beyond etc).

(TV SERIES) All of Us Are Dead - Another Amazing Zombie Apocalypse Series Perfectly Combined with Coming of Age Story

Ever since I saw this series' poster and the very brief synopsis in the coming soon section of Netflix many weeks ago, I was already intrigued by it. And so when it was finally released on Friday, I decided to watch this one together with my wife ahead of other interesting series and movies shown on that same day. Well let us dive into it now.

Brief Story Line

In Hyosan high school, everything started like any other day for junior students like Lee Cheong-san (Yoon Chan-young - Mama TV series, Mothers etc), his childhood friend Nam On-jo (Park Ji-hoo - House of Hummingbird etc) and their classmates such as the cool Soo-hyuk (Park Solomon - Sweet Revenge TV series etc), the class president Nam-ra (Joo Yi-hyun - Hospital Playlist TV series etc), the snobby Na-yeon (Lee Yoo-mi - Hostage: Missing Celebrity etc) and the others. Even the bully like Gwi-nam (Yoo In-soo) was still doing his usual bullying to other students including Eun-ji (Oh Hye-soo). 

The Addams Family 2 - An OK Sequel of the Weird Addams Family Going on a Road Trip

When this movie was released in Indonesian cinemas yesterday, my wife and I decided to see it on the same day as we wanted to have some fun. Without further ado, here's more on the movie.

Brief Story Line

After participating in a science fair held by renonwned scientist Cyrus Strange (Bill Hader - Power Rangers, It: Chapter Two etc), Wednesday (Chloë Grace Moretz - Tom & Jerry, Shadow in the Cloud etc) was feeling unhappy. Her father Gomez (Oscar Isaac - Dune, Star Wars: The Last Jedi etc) decided to go on a family road trip across the US to bond with her and to cheer her up. 

Antlers - A Slow Burn, too Stylish and Lacking Intensity for a Horror Movie

This movie was just released in Indonesian cinemas yesterday, and I decided to see it by myself since my wife was not interested as it was a horror film. Well let us find out on the movie then, shall we?

Brief Story Line

Story was set in a small town in Oregon state, where a young boy named Lucas (Jeremy T. Thomas) seemed to be having troubles at home and in school. His teacher Julia Meadows (Keri Russel - Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, The Americans TV series etc) was worried about him. Despite the disapproval from her brother & sheriff Paul (Jesse Plemons - Game Night, Friday Night Lights TV series etc), Julia still tried to pry into Lucas' conditions.

Copshop - An Action Thriller Movie with Simple Story and Sufficient Thrill

Yesterday, there was this new movie released in one of the cinema chains in Indonesia. It was an action thriller movie that interest me due to its lead cast and the seemingly intriguing story. I have never seen the trailer shown at all, so not sure what I would be getting into. Anyway, here's more on the movie.

Brief Story Line

Teddy Muretto (Frank Grillo - The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, Beyond Skyline etc) was a fixer who was on the run from people who were chasing him. In order to save himself, he purposely punch a rookie police officer in a small town named Valerie Young (Alexis Louder) to get himself in jail. Meanwhile, a professional hitman Bob Viddick (Gerard Butler - Angel Has Fallen, Geostorm etc) who was after Teddy, managed to be put in the same jail.

Hotel Transylvania: Transformation - Very Light & Hilarious Supposedly Final Sequel

I noticed about this new movie released on Prime Video few days ago. It is the 4th installment of the Hotel Transylvania movies and since my wife and I liked the previous films, we were interested in watching it. It was also quite convenient as the movie was easily accessible. OK we'll get to it then.

Brief Story Line

While celebrating the 125th anniversary of Hotel Transylvania, Drac (Brian Hull), his daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez - Only Murders in the Building TV series, Another Cinderella Story etc), her husband Johnny (Andy Samberg - I Love You Man, Brooklyn Nine Nine TV series etc), and the rest of the gang were enjoying the time of their lives.

(TV SERIES) Archive 81 - Spooky & Eerie Slow Burn Horror Series Based on Popular Podcast

This new series was released on Netflix last Friday and I was intrigued by the seemingly mysterious nature and thought it would be interesting as it's been a while since I watched this kind of show. All right, without further ado, I'll get right on it.

Brief Story Line

Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie - Underwater etc) was working at a Museum of the Moving Image as specialist in retrieving damaged footage or archive from old tape, films or videos. Being one of the best in the fields, Dan was hired by Virgil Davenport (Martin Donovan - The Portrait of a Lady etc) who was the owner of a Fortune 500 company LMG to restore some videotapes by a filmmaker named Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi - Jack Ryan TV series etc). The tapes were found from the ruins of fire on Visser apartment back in 1994. 

The 355 - Action-Packed Female-Led Spy Action Movie

While we saw movies in the theaters during the past few weeks, we were shown the trailer of this film quite frequently. At first I thought it was an old movie that just got its release in Indonesian theaters while my wife thought it was just another B movie. But after finding out it was a new 2022 film and she heard it was a cool enough action movie, we decided to give it a try yesterday. 

Brief Story Line

Mace (Jessica Chastain - IT Chapter Two, The Huntsman: Winter's War etc) was a CIA agent who was partnered with Nick (Sebastian Stan - The Falcon and the Winter Soldier TV series, The Devil All the Time etc) to retrieve a dangerous device from a Colombian agent Luis (Édgar Ramírez - Yes Day, The Girl on the Train etc).

Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway - Funnier Sequel to the Adorable Mischievous Rabbits from the Popular Children's Books

After seeing the trailer to this movie, I was kind of looking forward to see it as it promised some good laughs and we did enjoy ourselves with the first movie. Yesterday it was released in limited theaters, so it was a bit of a challenge to see it. But we managed to finally do so. So here's more of the movie.

Brief Story Line

After the events of First movie, Bea (Rose Byrne - Instant Family, I Am Mother etc) and Thomas (Domhnall Gleeson - Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Anna Karenina etc) were getting married. Peter (James Corden - Smallfoot, Trolls World Tour etc) with his cousin Benjamin (Colin Moody) and his sisters Mopsy (Elizabeth Debicki - The Great Gatsby etc), Flopsy (Margot Robbie - The Suicide Squad, Focus etc) and Cotton Tail (Aimee Horne) were feeling happy for them.

Brazen - Too Light of Mystery for My Personal Taste

Last night I watched 2 new movies released on Netflix, but I chose to write this one instead due to various reasons. I was interested in watching this as it was a murder mystery. OK, let's get more to it.

Brief Story Line

Grace Miller (Alyssa Milano - Insatiable TV series, Kiss the Bride etc) was a successful mystery novel writer who went back to her hometown to accompany her younger sister Kathleen (Emilie Ullerup - Chesapeake Shores TV series etc) as she was having personal problem. Unbeknownst to Grace, Kathleen actually had a secret life of being webcam performer aside from working as English teacher in a private high school.

(2022) Scream - Quite Faithful Sequel to the Original Successful 1996 Movie

I was already eyeing for this movie for quite some time as my wife and I are major fans of the Scream movies. So when it was released yesterday and played in the theater near our home, we decided to see it immediately rather than waiting till the weekend as we did in recent weeks. Well, I'll get right to it then.

Brief Story Line

In Woodsboro, the infamous Ghostface reappeared after 25 years from the first murder. The killer started to attack a group of high school students that consisted of Tara (Jenna Ortega - The Babysitter: Killer Queen, You TV series etc), her best friend Amber (Mikey Madison - Better Things TV series etc), the twins Chad (Mason Gooding - Love, Victor TV series etc) & Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown - Yellowjackets TV series etc) and Wes (Dylan Minnette - Don't Breathe, 13 Reasons Why TV series etc).

Sing 2 - A Bigger, Better and Grander Sequel

After playing in theaters for few days and missing out on its early screening day last week, my wife and I finally got the chance to see this movie yesterday. We would have probably seen it earlier had it played in the theater near our home on its premier day. Anyway, I should get to it now.

Brief Story Line

Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey - The Gentlemen, Dallas Buyers Club etc) who was now having modest success with his theater at local level wanted to make it in the big league at Redshore city. Together with the talents he recruited in the first movie, i.e. Rosita (Reese Witherspoon - Walk the Line, Big Little Lies TV series etc), Johnny (Taron Egerton - Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Billionaire Boys Club etc), Meena (singer Tori Kelly), Gunter (Nick Kroll - The Addams Family etc) and Ash (Scarlett Johansson - Ghost in the Shell, The Jungle Book) they went to the city to do an audition.

(Special Screening) Till We Meet Again - Unique Love Story with Strong Chinese Mythology Background

It has been quite a long time since my wife and I went to Special Screening of upcoming movie in theaters, since we prefer to avoid crowded places during the pandemic. Not that the pandemic is over now, but after experiencing the virus ourselves and getting vaccinated, both of us were not as rigid as before. Anyway, when my wife got the latest invitation to the screening of this movie, we decided to go and see it. After we were introduced to new F&B products specially designed for CGV audience, plus some exciting giveaway time, the movie finally started at almost 7 PM. So how was it? Let us find out more, shall we?

Brief Synopsis

When Allan (Kai Ko - Tiny Times movies, A Choo etc) died and went to the underworld, he was given a choice to reincarnate into an animal or become the God of Love. Through some tough challenges, he finally managed to become one and was partnered with Pinky (Gingle Wang - Detention, Plurality etc).

(2021) The Last Duel - Intriguing Story Based on True Events During Medieval Era in France

Two days ago I found out there was a new movie released on Disney+ which caught me by surprise as it was quite new (released in the US in mid October 2021) and if I am not mistaken, did not play in Indonesian theaters. It was interesting for me as I remember reading some good things about the film. So here's more on the movie.

Brief Story Line

Set in medieval time in France, Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon - Ford v Ferrari, Downsizing etc) started to befriend a squire named Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver - Star Wars: The Last Jedi, House of Gucci etc) during the war. Upon their return, both were informed to serve under Count Pierre d'Alençon (Ben Affleck - Live By Night, Argo etc) by King Charles VI (Alex Lawther - The End of the F***king World TV series etc). While Jean was a brute person, Le Gris was much more educated and managed to gain the trust from Count Pierre, which made their friendship grew apart.

The Ice Road - A Rescue Mission Story with Some Neeson Style Action

This new movie was released only yesterday. Despite not knowing what the movie was all about, but as it starred one of our favorite star Liam Neeson, my wife and I decided to see this immediately. It was convenient for us as it was easy to access & also played in theater near our home. OK, I'll dive right to it then.

Brief Story Line

When a diamond mine exploded in Canada, some miners including René Lampard (Holt McCallany - Wrath of Man, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back etc) and Cody (Martin Sensmeier - The Magnificent Seven 2016 remake etc) were trapped inside. Sickle (Matt McCoy - Jack Ryan TV series etc) who was the GM of Katka that operated the mine, sought for help to save the miners. As the equipment was too big and heavy, it required to be transported by trucks which must be delivered through long dangerous icy roads. 

(TV SERIES) The Wheel of Time Season 1- A Truly Exciting Fantasy Series

I noticed about this series few weeks ago and thought it looked interesting. But what made me intrigued was the fact that it was highly regarded and I also found out it has been renewed for a second season even before its premiere date on Prime Video. Anyway, let us find out more, shall we?

Brief Story Line

Set in the fantasy world where magic exist, Moiraine (Rosamund Pike - I Care a Lot, A Private War etc) who was part of an elite group of women with magical power called Aes Sedai was searching for a potential dragon reincarnation, referred to as Dragon Reborn. It is prophesized that this Dragon could either end or start a war. Together with her warder Lan Mandragoran (Daniel Henney - Big Hero 6, Criminal Minds TV series etc), Moiraine went to the small village of Two Rivers where she was informed there were 4 people in their early 20s who might be the Dragon Reborn.

(TV SERIES) The Silent Sea - A Good Enough Mystery Thriller Sci-Fi Series Which Could be Better with More Consistency in the Suspense

This series had been released on Netflix for more than a week before I finally got the chance to watch it, as I was busy finishing other series and seeing new movies at the cinemas. I completed the whole season last night after starting on New Year's eve. All right, I'll go straight to it now.

Brief Story Line

Set in the future, the earth was suffering from lack of water that resulted to humans have to be rationed for taking them. The government of South Korea represented by Director Choi (Gil Hae-yon - In Her Place etc) and Mr. Kim (Heo Sung-tae - Squid Game TV series etc) decided to assign a group of people to the abandoned Galhae station on the moon to retrieve a sample within 24 hours.

Ron's Gone Wrong - A Lovely Story of Unlikely Friendship Between a Boy and His Robot

Ever since I saw the trailer of this movie in theaters few times earlier, I was immediately interested in watching as it looked promising with lots of comedy. So when it was finally released yesterday, my wife and I were excited. Luckily my office allowed the staff to go home earlier due to New Year's Eve and we could see it in the afternoon. Anyway, here's more on the movie.

Brief Story Line

Story was set in the future where children were using B-bot, a small robot that was designed to be the user's best friend and could do almost anything with various protection mode. Barney (Jack Dylan Grazer - Luca, It etc) a middle school kid was the only one that did not have any B-bot in his school. When his father (Ed Helms - The Hangover trilogy, The Office TV series etc) and grandmother (Olivia Colman - The Mitchells vs. the Machines etc) realized that Barney really wanted to have a B-bot, they decided to buy one for him. However, it turned out to be defective which disappointed Barney. But once he got to know more on the B-bot which was later called Ron (voiced by Zach Galifianakis - Keeping Up with the Joneses, Missing Link etc), they formed an unlikely bond.

Meanwhile the Tech company Bubble's CEO Mark Weidell - The Voyeurs, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom etc) and COO Andrew Morris (Rob Delaney - Tom & Jerry 2021 version etc) who found out about the defective B-bot, tried their best to find and fix Ron before it affected other B-bots.

So how would the story conclude? Find them all in this fun comedy movie.

End of Brief Story Line

Just like what I was hoping for from the trailer, this movie was indeed fun. It was having some hilarious moments here and there but what I did not really expect was the quite deep story and characterization. What started as a seemingly just for fun movie turned out to be a beautiful film of heartwarming friendship between a boy and his robot. The bond between Barney, a boy who was estranged from his childhood friends with the defective B-bot was just lovely to watch.

Like any other computer animated movies, it would not have been amazing if it were not for the wonderful voice talents. This time I thought Zach Galifianakis and Jack Dylan Grazer did an excellent job in portraying their characters Ron and Barney respectively. Rob Delaney was also pretty good in playing his role as the annoying COO. What made me admired them even more was apparently the animation and voice acting were done remotely due to Covid-19 pandemic. So it was certainly great job by the directors Sarah Smith, Jean-Philippe Vine and Octavio E. Rodriguez.

This movie started off brightly with the introduction of the interesting B-bot and our main character Barney. From the start you would immediately feel the sympathy towards him as the only boy without any B-bot and his social awkardness certainly did not help. So as soon as he met with Ron and they got to know each other better, you could feel the warmth of their friendship and really rooted for them. One funny thing though, I thought that the forest scene would be the end of the movie as it felt like a proper conclusion. Therefore, it was surprising for me to see they still continued the story and to be honest, it felt unnecessary at first. But as the story progressed, I could understand and appreciate it better. That was a much more awesome and beautiful ending which got us really emotional (my wife in particular).

Another thing that made this movie felt good was definitely the rich soundtrack and background music. It also has a good quality animation. Having a duration of 106 minutes was just nice. There was no mid or post end credit scenes, but if you keep on watching the closing credit, you would see lots of funny animation of Ron going rather wild. Overall this is a surprisingly better than expected movie of friendship with background of technology advancement. It is a fabulous film for the whole family to see which would bring warmth to your heart. So if you are looking for something good to start your year, this would definitely be a great option. 

Happy watching!

Mike's movie moments rating: 4 out of 5 stars