The Pliley Review

  Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller Rating:   TV-MA Synopsis: After a global pandemic destroys civilization, a hardened survivor takes charge of a 14-year-old girl who may be humanity's last hope. *** I will go on record immediately that I love this game and have played it through many times over the years. So when I heard about the TV show I was very excited.  I will admit that at first I was unsure about some of the casting choices, however it was clear very early on that each person played their parts beautifully. Both Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal did an amazing job in the lead roles. Gabriel Luna also played a great Tommy. Yet my heart could not stop the happiness when I saw the video game voice actors, Merle Dandridge as the same character  M arlene, Jeffrey Pierce the original Tommy as  Perry. And of course, the amazing  Ashley Johnson, the original Ellie, playing a new character of Anna and last but definately not least, the...

  Genre: Sci-fi, Adventure Rating:   PG-13 Synopsis: After a war between humans and machines, robots lost their freedom, people lost themselves in tech, and Michelle lost everyone she loved - or did she? *** Hearing about this movie I was very intrigued to see where it would go. The answer all over the place.  Right off the bat, the movie is visually beautiful and the fight sequences between everyone is just amazing.  Props to human characters played by Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Stanley Tucci and Giancarlo Esposito. Each one brought their character to life in a very real way and performed perfectly against so much CGI. And while the characters were likeable, well the ones you were supposed to like, and you were cheering for the good guys, they could not help the writing or the storyline from crashing out in the final act. Without spoilers it is hard to discuss the storyline in more detail, but I will say that the storyline was very strange and t...

  Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical Rating:   PG Synopsis: After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she's ever faced. *** After the huge success of the first Moana movie I had high hopes for this one.  Right off the bat this was just as visually stunning and the water effects are just breathtaking. The biggest highlights for me were the introduction of the little sister and the same amazing dynamic between Moana and Maui, Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. The vibe between them is just amazing to watch and each character feels genuine in their struggles.  I was slightly confused with the fact that the village is shown as still living on the same island as the last movie even though they made a big show of leaving at the end. I believed this indicated that the entire village were wayfinders but this ...

  Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Thriller Rating:   R Synopsis: When a mysterious enemy frames their late captain for corruption, Miami cops Mike and Marcus go rogue to expose a conspiracy - and clear their own names.  *** Being the huge Bad Boys fan I am, I was excited to hear about this one.  Right out the gate, we’re back with the boys driving fast with their usual banter and I was living for it. They were not playing around and within the first few minutes, I was freaking out. The plot played out beautifully and with the right amount of tension, though knowing some of the actors it was not a stretch to predict some upcoming events.  Will Smith as Mike and Martin Lawrence as Marcus are a classic combination that just works in this type of setting. I secretly hope they continue these movies for years to come.  The most recent cast members Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Jacob Scipio, and Paola Nunez who joined during the last movie, all retu...

  Genre: Family, Musical, Adventure Rating:   PG Synopsis: When a powerful spell turns her parents into giant monsters, a teenage princess must journey into the wild to reverse the curse before it's too late. *** Watch out Disney I think Netflix is coming for you! It is hard to say much without giving away the story, however, I am happy to say that this is not your typical princess story and the twist-like ending is just perfection.  The animation is just gorgeous and the songs are catchy enough to keep your interest. The voice actors did a great job embodying their characters and bringing them to life. Special shout-out has to go to Rachel Zegler as Princess Ellian and John Lithgow as Bolinar who really brought out all the emotions through their journey.  This movie has all the makings of an adventure movie that kids and adults alike will love. Final Thoughts Interesting take on an animated princess movie and I’m here for it.  Score: 8 out of 10. Great family...

  Genre:  Comedy, Adventure  Rating:   PG Synopsis: Po must train a new warrior when he's chosen to become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace. However, when a powerful shape-shifting sorceress sets her eyes on his Staff of Wisdom, he suddenly realizes he will need some help. Teaming up with a quick-witted corsac fox, Po soon discovers that heroes can be found in the most unexpected places. *** Since I consider Po, my spirit animal I had high hopes for the continued story and was intrigued to see where it would go.  Though the story starts with promise it is sad to think that Po would lose his title, essentially ending the series. The cast still gave a great performance, and of course, Jack Black as Po is iconic. The new addition of Awkwafina as Zhen added some much-needed banter, heart, and comic relief since the Furious Five were absent this time around.  The animation was great and they chose a good villain, however, the final battle was really ...

  Genre:  Sci-fi, Adventure Rating:   PG-13 Synopsis: Paul Atreides unites with the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future. *** Part Two wastes no time in jumping right back into the world of Arrakis and the war for control of the spice. If you have read the original book or watched the older movie version you will have some idea of where the story is going.  However, without spoilers, the ending does not match the book exactly, so even if you know, you will not know everything.   Like the first movie, the cast is brilliant and plays to their characters extremely well. Timothée Chalamet is still crushing it as the main character Paul. The introduction of the newest character, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen played by Austin Butler added the right amount of threat. I do have to shout out, Florence P...

  Genre: Action, adventure Rating:   PG-13 Synopsis:  64 years before he becomes the tyrannical president of Panem, Coriolanus Snow sees a chance for a change in fortunes when he mentors Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from District 12 *** With the new book announced for 2025, I had to post my review of the latest movie adaptation. Knowing the Snow character from the original story will give you a good idea of where the story is going, so throw any ideas of a redemption arch immediately out. But it is truly a journey watching how the character we all love to hate chooses paths that lead him to the future we know.  The entire cast embraced the characters and brought new life to the Hunger Games name. Individual shout-outs have to go to Josh Andrés Rivera as Snow’s childhood friend, Sejanus Plinth, Peter Dinklage as the creator of the games, Casca Highbottom, and of course, Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird. Rachel crushed it and I was so proud of her. And gi...