Entertainment Movie Reviews and Upcoming Release Dates

By Tony Beal IN THEATERS

The titular assassin finds himself at a turning point in his quest for freedom against the High Table.

It’s been impressive to see how far the John Wick series has come from its low budget origins, and the newest film is the culmination of that. We’ve gone from the excellent nightclub fights and shootouts of the first film to impressive large scale brawls involving cars, guns, and swords that increasingly escalate in scenes that can go up past 30 minutes. Despite that, there’s still the knowledge that the series never forgot what made it special in the first place, be it the small-scale final action sequence or Keanu Reeves’ performance of a man who is unsure of his place beyond killing. That’s before you get to a cast of unique and diverse characters who are just as tortured, veering down that path, or are just absolute fun. The film is a true accomplishment and career high from everyone involved, and possibly the best film of the series.

The plumber brothers are transported into an alternate world where they find themselves unlikely heroes.

I understand I may be in the minority with this opinion, but I expected more from a movie based on the “Mario Brothers” video games. It’s disheartening to see a lack of creativity in the storyline and entertainment, relying heavily on poor music choices and tiresome ironic humor. The film features a celebrity voice cast, most of whom seem to be playing themselves, with the exception of Jack Black and Keegan-Michael Key, who genuinely immerse themselves in their roles. On a positive note, the animation is truly remarkable and expressive, making it one of the best I’ve seen from an Illumination film. Kudos to the animators for their incredible work! Despite the stunning visuals, the movie feels forgettable. However, it remains watchable and will undoubtedly appeal to younger audiences.

“Renfield” to genuinely capture the essence of an underground work, but “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” achieves just that. Much of this authenticity comes from its documentary-style approach, with visuals depicting a world bathed in perpetual twilight and actors who resemble real people plucked from the streets. The film’s intensity is palpable, not only during action sequences but also in quieter, small-scale moments where a single misstep could lead to catastrophe. In a time when highbudget action movies often feel uninspired and low-stakes, this film demonstrates the remarkable impact that can be achieved with limited resources. “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” is truly an exceptional cinematic experience.

Dracula’s longtime assistant, Renfield, attempts to find happiness and his own independence in modern day New Orleans.

It’s unfortunate when a horror-comedy falls short because one aspect doesn’t quite measure up to the other, and “Renfield” seems to struggle with both. The sarcastic, self-aware humor prevalent in modern entertainment, such as “Rick and Morty” (which shares a writer with “Renfield”), comes off as particularly grating here, clashing with the intended horror atmosphere. Most characters in the film are unlikable and overly quippy, including the titular character and his boss (despite commendable efforts from Nicholas Hoult and Nicolas Cage). The action sequences also disappoint, with choppy editing and minimal impact, even when blood splatters across the screen. This lackluster action does not blend well with the harsh, unappealing colors. While there are occasional successful gags or gore moments, they are rare and not enough to sustain the entire 99-minute runtime.

New Releases

May 5

“Guardians Of the Galaxy Vol 3”

May 12

“Hypnotic”

“Book Club: The Next Chapter”

“Love Again”

“Knights Of the Zodiac”

“Fool’s Paradise”

“BlackBerry”

“The Mother” (Netflix)

“Crater” (Disney+)

“Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” (Apple TV+)

May 19

“Fast X”

“Master Gardener” (Limited)

“White Men Can’t Jump” (Hulu)

“How To Blow Up a Pipeline”

A group of climate activists plot the destruction of a pipeline in West Texas.

It’s uncommon for a mainstream film

May 26

“The Little Mermaid”

“The Machine”

“About My Father”

“Kandahar”

“You Hurt My Feelings” (Limited)

The Links Neighborhood Grill

ADDRESS: 18823 Country Club Pkwy., Peoria

PHONE: 623-561-1681

CUISINE TYPE: American

With change all around us, The Links is truly your neighborhood grill and we are offering takeout. We have changed our menu slightly due to product availability... So, welcome to the AntiVirus Menu! We are still serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Have a hankering for small plates? Our appetizers are the best in the business. Call or order online. We will have it ready when you get here! We are also available for catering.

TheLinksGrill.com

Mochilero Kitchen

ADDRESS: 6791 W. Happy Valley Rd., Ste. 100, Peoria

PHONE: 623-440-5588

CUISINE TYPE: Mexican Open 7 days a week!

Weekend Brunch Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Mochilero Kitchen prides itself on preparing meals with the highest-grade ingredients with every dish made from scratch. From prime meats and poultry to farm-harvested produce, each meal is made by hand with the same care as we do for our families. Book your next party with us! Each event is bespoke to your needs to provide a memorable experience.

MochileroKitchen.com

CHARLEY’S SPORTS GRILL

ADDRESS: 8110 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale

PHONE: 623-322-6593

CUISINE TYPE: All American, Cocktails and Draft Beer

Open since July 2020, we fashioned Charley’s to be a comfortable and welcoming neighborhood sports grill where you can meet family and friends while enjoying great house-made food, sports on 36 TVs, off-track betting, and live music every Friday and Saturday night. We have 23 beers on tap, including our Guinness, Smithwicks and Harp Towers. We are the proud winners of 18 Best of the West Valley awards including Best All-Around Restaurant, Best New Restaurant, Best Sports Bar and Best Bloody Mary.

CharleysSportsGrill.com

LAKESIDE BAR & GRILL

ADDRESS: 9980 W. Happy Valley Pkwy., Ste. #1101, Peoria

PHONE: 623-566-1470

CUISINE TYPE: American & Southwest

Celebrating 15 years in the NW Valley! Live music every Saturday and wall-to-wall TV’s to catch all the games! Plenty of seating for groups of all sizes, two dog-friendly patios, and best burgers, brews, American and Southwest favorites in the NW Valley. Daily 3-7pm Happy Hour and specials, including our Friday All-You-Can-Eat Fish Fry. Order carry out or door dash at lakesidebarandgrillaz.com.

LakesideBarAndGrillAZ.com