Eleven years ago, now (this year is celebrating the ten-year anniversary due to the pandemic and cinemas being closed last year), Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World hit cinemas and had many fans in obsession with its brilliance of technology and captivation among the world with its fans of video games. I saw Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World again in the cinema, but this time in Dolby Digital (a premium format usually at AMC locations). In Dolby Digital, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World felt my experience from many years ago took me to a whole new world of the works of Edgar Wright. With the cinema and videogame like feeling, many pulsating moments of action, and I felt like I was playing a video game with the immersion of the film. I also felt I was experiencing a videogame being played in front of me. The experience was pure adrenaline!

To recap the plot, the film takes place in Toronto, Canada, and gears on Scott Pilgrim (played by Michael Cera), an introverted and shy guitar player who has a nerd group of friends, and he lives with his roommate Wallace (played by Kieran Culkin). Scott always struggles to overcome his shyness and that is why he sticks with his nerd friends who are obsessed with video games and music. Many times, his sister Stacy (played by Anna Kendrick) always finds she needs to give him insight on how to move forward with his socially awkward attitude that he carries with him every day. His life starts to see some light when he meets the women of his dreams. That women Ramona Flowers (played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Once Scott starts to get to know her, he realizes he has got a small issue he has to deal with. Ramona’s seven evil ex-boyfriends come around and put him up to battle for Ramona. Scott now must use his powers and charisma to defeat them and win Ramona.

From re-experiencing Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, I come to realize the films technological elements is where the film’s continuation of the different evil ex-boyfriends is where the film only becomes more awesome as it progresses. In the fighting moments lines of the sound effects are thrown in. It is like a comic book and videogame combined. The scenes are setup like it is a new level. The world of Wright’s film is glorious with making its audience feel in the moment. I was not wanting the film to end. Also, the entertaining dialogue between Scott his friends, Ramona, and the evil ex-boyfriends add to the laughter and entertainment.

For fans of the films of Edgar Wright and that love Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, this is one not to be experienced again in Dolby Digital. I feel it being in Dolby Digital is where these videogame adaptation movies are the format it is made for. Fly through the fighting moments in the mountains of Toronto, follow Scott in his storyline of taking apart the exes to win the women of his dreams, and do not even think about missing this opportunity. After a weird year of movies and experiences coming back, this is one that is worth it! Four stars!

From a video game spanning over two decades, there is now a film that is a decent introduction to a universe of potential other films. Mortal Kombat has the elements that fans will expect including the crazy comic violence, the beloved characters from the games, the signature fighting moves, and a film that involves non-stop combat. Mortal Kombat is a film in which the violence comes with consequences.  However, the over-done violence is an excellent representation of the evolution of the Mortal Kombat gaming. The movie is directed by newcomer Simon McQuoid who has taken the perfect steps to evolve the story and set it up to continue.

The video game we love starts with the story of an MMA fighter who fights for a living. His name is Cole Young (played by Lewis Tan). He also has a marking on him that he assumes is a dragon birthmark.  Suddenly, he starts to get hunted down by other warriors who have this same symbol because those who have it have been chosen to fight in the underworld known as Mortal Kombat. Cole finds himself training with other warriors who have been in his position before in a realm that seems far removed from this world. However, Cole must adapt to the forces he is given in order to stop what evil enemies may come his way. The enemies are Sub-Zero (played by Joe Taslim, a name that is always popular in the video games) and other chosen ones who have taken an evil side. The film becomes a suspenseful bloodbath just like a comic book.

Mortal Kombat had me hooked. The choreography is brilliant and the action is non-stop. This movie is a true adaptation from the video game and it is done right. Throughout the film, the action grows as the danger becomes more serious. On top of that, the movie offers insight into why the main character is being chosen for the competition which is an important aspect of the series. There were moments where I felt a little lost, since some of the suspense was done differently than I expected. In retrospect, I believe that is because this Mortal Kombat film lays  the foundation for what is to be continued.

Overall, Mortal Kombat is a thrill ride of action, blood, and guts, but delivered in the video game comic book way. Seeing this in IMAX added to that experience. I felt during all the suspenseful scenes I could feel the sound. It was a cinematic experience I have been eager for after many months of wondering when big titles would be shown on the big screen again. The movie is also on HBO MAX, but for Mortal Kombat fans, I highly recommend the big screen experience. Three stars.

Mental health is a serious subject in the world we live in today and is especially so for those who work in the field. In Every Breathe You Take, the psychiatrist has his own mental health challenges which makes the movie somewhat hard to watch. It is, however, an enticing film and quite suspenseful as the conflict gets out of control. There are moments of misdirection which oddly is where I found Every Breathe You Take was able to hold my attention. However, even during times when I was intrigued, those moments did not provide much light given all the darkness of the film.

Every Breathe You Take takes place in British Columbia. The film’s focus is on a family that is dealing with grief after the loss of a son, and on a daughter who was just expelled from school. The father is Philip who is a psychiatrist (played by Casey Affleck), The mother is Grace (played by Michelle Monaghan), and the daughter is Lucy (played by Linda Eisley). Philip’s life is his patients and helping them improve their lives. However, he tries to ignore the grief he is suffering after the loss of his son and does not know how to deal with the situation involving his daughter being expelled from school.  He devotes his time to his patients to keep him distracted from the emotions he has after his son’s death. Philip’s life hits uncharted territory when he finds out one of his patients has died (supposedly of suicide). He comes across a man named James (played by Sam Claflin) and James says he is the brother of the deceased patient. Life for Philip and his family takes a turn for the worst when he lets James into his life. James puts Philip’s life on the line by making up lies to ruin Philip’s career and utilizing other insane tactics. Philip  tries to figure out if James is really the brother of his deceased patient, or if he is just mentally insane. Given Philip’s personal situation, he is not mentally prepared to handle the danger that James poses.

Even though the film is not pleasant, it is the right role for Casey Affleck. He is known to play characters who are depressed, ill-fated, or are caught in life-threatening situations. In this role, he plays someone suffering from depression as he did in Kenneth Lonergan’s Manchester by the Sea (2016). Affleck is again brilliant in this film, because he has a way of hiding his emotions in sessions with his patients.  During the movie, you can hear the emotion in his voice as he tries to relate to his patients. The question is whether he is mentally prepared to be a psychiatrist given the circumstances in his own life and the loss of a patient. 

Every Breathe You Take is emotional and suspenseful. I enjoyed it for the suspense, but the emotional elements were a challenge. It pushes the envelope with the topic of mental health issues. However, for those who are interested in suspense based upon a puzzle of lies, deceit, and destroyed reputations, then you may enjoy Every Breathe You Take. Before watching the film, I suggest researching it more given it is heavy with many sensitive elements. Therefore, I give this one three stars.