The Menu is a wickedly satirical, dark comedy about the parasitic cycle of consumeristic relationships between the givers and the takers in life. Yet in all honesty, these two are not mutually exclusive. Since everyone plays the part of one or the other at some point during their lives, many times switching from hour to hour, between the two. The film illuminates the problem of stripping all life of any meaning beyond our own making and in doing so the modern world has turned all relationships into economic calculations. Further, the movie brilliantly portrays the ways in which humans use each other, taking advantage of one another as if we’re all just choosing from a menu to get what we want and then discarding each other like a dirty paper napkins. And let’s be honest, in this godless world, the pursuit of more of what we want is all that matters, so even if a little human sacrifice is necessary to procure it, we’ll tolerated it.
The movie doesn’t stop there as it exposes our world. In deconstructing everything, by disenchanting what was once enchanted, life has lost all joy, happiness and purpose. Even the simple pleasures like a meal have become status symbols and therefore savorless.
There is a faint spark of hope in the movie. One can still recover the pleasures of life if they remember that it is the simple things that make it worth living. Seeing another person, not as a commodity, but as a fellow being with dignity, who deserves love, gratitude and respect. In doing so, it reveals how our relationships are meant to be a dance of blessing, as each person uses their gifts and talents to enrich the other.
Sadly not enough people understand this and for most it is too late. Guilt rears its ugly head with the knowledge that our sin is insurmountable and must be cleansed. Yet this makes no sense, for we are sure the material is all there is, which produces one nihilistic answer, suicidal immolation. Leaving those remaining to dine on ashes, with little hope that anything can ever change.
The cast of The Menu is devilishly good. Ralph Fiennes serves up a delicious performance as the premiere chef at the ultra exclusive restaurant, Hawthorne. Nicholas Hoult is perfect as the foodie devotee to the famous chef and Anya Taylor-Joy continues to prove how versatile she can be as the suspicious escort for Hoult’s fanboy. The Menu is full of things to make you think about while doing it in fiendishly fun ways. It is rated 4 out of 5 stars.
I’ve not really liked the previous MCU films for the character of Spider-Man. He’s never felt like Peter Parker because they’d stripped him of the emotional core that makes the character who he is. Thankfully this has been rectified in No Way Home. This is another film in 2021 that knew exactly how to use nostalgia perfectly. If only the Star Wars sequels could have been this good. The movie is not without its issues but it comes together in the end, well. Don’t miss 
This is a tricky one to write when many people have still not seen the film, so no worries if you are reading this, there will be no spoilers. Look for the spoilers on 
DC Comics saw its last movie, Aquaman obliterate expectations and it all began with doing early screenings for fans. Now with Shazam!, two weeks away and garnering strong, early buzz, they’re hoping to repeat that success by giving fans the opportunity to see their latest movie. I was lucky enough to see it durning one of these screenings and the question is, ” Is the magic strong with Shazam! or does it fizzle out?”.
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Her struggle for identity is also a frustration. This should be the core of the movie, the question of, “who am I.” She’s a woman without a past, that is tortured with memories that don’t make sense, yet you never feel that. Honestly Veers and Danvers are pretty much the same. There is not a shift in characterization or tone, it is all one note and that note is, “I’m too cool for school.” In the end, the lead character ends up being the least interesting person on screen.
It’s been ten years since Joe Cornish has directed a film and let’s hope that after this we will not have to wait ten more for another. His latest movie, The Kid Who Would be King is an utterly delightful retelling of the Arthurian legend in a modern setting. This film feels like the Amblin films from the 80s, full of heart but with a poignant message to boot.
From my original review, “James Wan has created the most comic book, comic book movie ever. Everything about Aquaman is fantastical and completely out of this world which he embraces with loving arms. Instead of shying away from the weird, Wan just goes for it in a way that’s always a sight to behold. It’s Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones, Godzilla and Star Wars, all in one.” Along with Solo, this is the most fun I had in the theater this year. Don’t miss 
Peter Jackson’s masterpiece is one of the most important films of the year. He brings the First World War to life through the magic of technology, reviving 100 year old footage and colorizing it to let us see the war the way the soldiers of that time did. He also allows the men to speak for themselves so that the story told is their story. I cannot recommend this enough.
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