Review: Smurfs (2025) with Special Guest Ava

  It’s the 3rd film in the supposedly 5 film never-ending Na’vi Narrative Avatar franchise and it’s expected to make another 2.5 Billion dollars on a 400 Million dollar budget because despite having a story that cherry picks not only it’s favorite tropes about pushing back in colonization, but this time it’s borrowing straight from the indigenous groups that James Cameron has been walking amongst recently, for good and possibly for offensively bad. Streaming now on Youtube, Apple TV, FandangoAtHome, Amazon Video, etc ♦♦   Director: James Cameron Writers: Amanda Silver, Rick Jaffa, James Cameron Starring: Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Kate Winslett, Oona Chaplin, Stephen Lang, Edie Falco Runtime:  197 Minutes Synopsis: It’s the third Avatar film and this one is about the fire version of the Na’vi.  And also one of the character is so mad she’s now a “full blown racist”.    Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  Christy is a biographical sports drama chronicling the early boxing career of renown women’s boxing champ Christy Salters who was almost murdered by her abusive husband/manager/trainer James “Jim” Martin.  The film stars Sydney Sweeney as Christy Salters and Ben Foster as Jim Martin. Check out our review to hear Phenom’s strong reaction and opinions to what played out on the big screen with this film and the mess of a marketing debacle that led to abysmal numbers at the box office. Streaming now on Youtube, Apple TV, FandangoAtHome, Amazon Video, etc ♦♦ Director: David Michod Writers:  David Michod, MIrrah Faulkes, Katherine Fugate Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, Katy O’Brian, Ethan Embry, Chad L. Coleman, Jess Gabor, Naomi Graham Runtime:  135 Minutes Synopsis: Sports Drama chronicling the life of Hall of Fame Women’s Boxing Champion Christy Salter. Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  Judy Hops and Nick Wilde are officially buddy cops in this return to Zootopia.  But this time the stakes are higher as everyone goes hiss-terical over a snakes showing up at the big Zootenial Gala to steal an old journal that holds some secret about the town’s new weather walls.   Listen in as Ava and Phenom give their review of this fun film! Playing Now in Theaters etc ♦♦   Director: Jared Bush, Byron Howard Writers: Jared Bush Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin Jason Bateman Ke Huy Quan Fortune Feimster Andy Samberg David Strathairn Shakira Idris Elba Patrick Warburton Quinta Brunson Danny Trejo Runtime:  1 Hour  48 Minutes Synopsis: A bunny and a fox team up again to uncover a hidden mystery about the founders of their town that involves some dangerous reptiles.    Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  One of the smartest things I did this year was give this film a 2nd chance viewing.  Initially, I didn’t give Good Boy the attention it deserved but saw other critics raving about how good it was.  I went back in for round 2 and was knocked off my feet.  Indy (the dog) carries this film with an adorable, heartwarming while terrifying performance.  I just to wanted to reach through the screen and save Indy from all the bad things and you will too!   Check out our review to get all the deets about Indy and what made make their film and the performances so endearing.    Currently playing in Theaters  now ♦♦   Director: Ben Leonberg Writers:  Alex Cannon, Ben Leonberg Starring: Indy, Shane Jensen, Larry Fessenden, Arielle Friedman,  Runtime:   Minutes Synopsis:  A dog and his owner take a trip to stay in rural family home, and immediately things get wild in the wilderness as Indy the dog starts to see and sense dark entities haunting the house and possibly his owner.    Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  HIM is a film with messaging about Fanship vs Worship, the sacrifice of Mind, Body, and Soul for sports, and cognitive disassociation that comes with being an pro-athlete and more specifically one committed to the brutalities of American Football.  But does it stick the landing with all this messaging?  All the praise to Kira Kelly for these visuals!  Check out our review to find out.    Playing Now in Theaters ♦♦   Director: Justin Tipping Writers:  Justin Tipping Cinematography: Kira Kelly Starring:  Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies, Guapdad 5000 Runtime:   96 Minutes Synopsis:  After a brutal attack a young football prodigy a goes to train at a remote compound with a retiring legend to help with his recovery, but immediately things are not what the seem and the young football star starts to have a mental break down.   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  The Long Walk is one of the better ensemble castings this year, with deep rooted character development amongst a group of mostly charming young men who have felt the need to make the ultimate sacrifice.  It fits right in line with how King’s tales delicately handle camaraderie in dystopian dramas where people are subjected to horrific outcomes while striving for new hope.  Check our our review to hear while Brandon can’t wait to experience this beautifully tragic film again.  Playing in Theaters ♦♦   Director: Francis Lawrence Writers:  J.T. Mollner Starring: Davis Jonsson, Cooper Hoffman, Ben Wang, Tut Nyuot, Garrett Wareing, Judy Greer, Charlie Plummer, Mark Hamil Runtime:   108 Minutes Synopsis:  50 lottery winners compete in a life or death contest where the last man walking is the winner and gets to wish for whatever they desire.    Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  Caught Stealing is a story of pure chaos that matches the energy cinematographer Matthew Libatique brings to it on screen from behind the camera.  It’s Run Lola Run in phantom HD shot for IMAX and is well worth an evening or matinee ticket.  It just might finally answer the question “Does Austin Butler have the chops to carry a whole film on his back”. Check out our review to find out if his charisma makes the cut.     Streaming now on Youtube, Apple TV, FandangoAtHome, Amazon Video, etc ♦♦   Director: Darren Afronosky Writers:  Charlie Huston Starring: Austin Butler, Zoe Kravitz, Liev Schreiber, Regina King, Vincent D’Onofrio, Bad Bunny, Action Bronson Runtime:   107 Minutes Synopsis:  When different groups of mobsters and crime syndicates randomly start showing up and kicking the crap out of Hank looking for something they think he stole from them after he’s caught in his neighbor’s apartment, he realizes not just he and everyone close to him is in danger and has to run long enough to find and give back when they think he’s stolen.   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  Because this is a kids’ film I thought it best to get the opinion of a kid in this review!   Streaming now on Youtube, Apple TV, FandangoAtHome, Amazon Video, etc ♦♦   Director: Chris Miller Writers:  Pam Brady Starring: Rihanna James Corden Nick Offerman JP Karliak Daniel Levy Amy Sedaris Natasha Lyonne Runtime:   92 Minutes Synopsis:  A no named Smurf attempts to find his special Smurf gift but in doing so opens a portal to the real world allowing Razamel to kidnap Papa Smurf and search for an ancient magical text to control all the magic in the world.   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

Three Years after revealing himself to the world, Superman must prove his humanity and save the world from the maniacal ploys of an obsessed and borderline deranged Lex Luthor.   Streaming now on Youtube, Apple TV, FandangoAtHome, Amazon Video, etc ♦♦   Director: James Gunn Writers:  James Gunn Starring: David Corenswet Rachel Brosnahan Nicholas Hoult Edi Gathegi Anthony Carrigan Nathan Fillion Isabela Merced Walktime:  129 Minutes Synopsis:  Superman is back.   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!  

  It’s just better for everyone involved here if you listen to our review above.  Enjoy! Mickey 17 opens in US theaters March 7, 2025 ♦♦   Director: Bong Joon-ho Writers: Bong Joon-ho Starring: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo, Anamaria Vartolomei, Patsy Ferran, Holliday Grainger  Runtime:  1 Hour 23 Minutes Synopsis: A poor sap takes a job on a space voyage as an Expendable, a person designated as the sacrificial lamb for deadly jobs and deadly scientific experimentations only to be reprinted back out to do it all over again.  But when the death of his 17th iteration doesn’t go as planned, he has to face himself and hide the truth.   Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Follow us on Twitter: @Phenomblak @InsanityReport @TheMTRNetwork   Our shirts are now on TeePublic.  https://teepublic.com/stores/mtr-network   Want more podcast greatness? Sign up for a MTR Premium Account!