Moviefone Editorial

Tag: Charlie Day

  • Movie Review: ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’

    (L to R) Yoshi (Donald Glover), Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) in Nintendo and Illumination’s 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
    (L to R) Yoshi (Donald Glover), Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

    Coming to theaters on April 1, ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie‘ is a follow-up to the box office hit, ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie‘, and is based on the 2007 video game Super Mario Galaxy and its 2010 sequel. The film features the returning voices of Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach.

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    Related Article: ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Sequel is ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’

    Initial Thoughts

    (L to R) Luigi (Charlie Day) and Mario (Chris Pratt) in Nintendo and Illumination’s 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
    (L to R) Luigi (Charlie Day) and Mario (Chris Pratt) in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

    Mario and Luigi are back with a few new friends in ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’. It doesn’t take long to realize that this sequel is even better than the first movie, which felt like more of a set-up than anything else. There are infinite worlds and characters to explore now, and with the addition of fan favorites Rosalina, Yoshi, and Bowser Jr., things have been leveled up.

    The Lumas in Nintendo and Illumination’s 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
    The Lumas in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

    Everything seems better this time around, which isn’t to say ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ wasn’t good, because it was, but this time Illumination knows what they are doing and they lean into it. Now that viewers know these characters, they can deliver more action, funnier jokes, and a lot of Easter Eggs that fans will love to point out.

    Story and Direction

    Rosalina in Nintendo and Illumination’s 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
    Rosalina in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

    When it comes to the story, admittedly, there is not much of one. It is a fairly simple premise, much like the video games. A princess is kidnapped. Chaos ensues. Said princess is rescued. Illumination knows how to keep viewers entertained throughout the film, however, thanks to gorgeous animation, Nintendo Easter Egg cameos and references, and a whole lot of action.

    (L to R) Bowser Junior and Bowser in Nintendo and Illumination’s 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
    (L to R) Bowser Junior and Bowser in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

    Thanks to those action sequences, the movie moves very quickly. It never takes a breather or slows down, which makes it the perfect film to take kids to. It is funny and sharp witted, as nearly every joke lands. The story itself is geared towards a younger audience, but gamer parents will be thrilled with all of the references that are packed into it.

    Cast and Performances

    (Center) Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) in Nintendo and Illumination’s 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
    (Center) Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

    Just as with the first film, the cast never feels as if they are doing impressions of the video game characters. They make them their own, which is what helps this movie to work as well as it does. If that was not the case, the voices would get old very quickly, and it would distract from the story and action.

    (L to R) Yoshi (Donald Glover) and the Tostarenan in Nintendo and Illumination’s 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
    (L to R) Yoshi (Donald Glover) and the Tostarenan in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

    The new cast members stick to this as well. Honestly, because of all the action and chaos happening, there is not a whole lot of dialogue, and when there is, it is pretty basic. Still, the cast all does a great job making these characters lovable and entertaining for kids and adults alike.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), Yoshi (Donald Glover) and Luigi (Charlie Day) in Nintendo and Illumination’s 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
    (L to R) Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), Yoshi (Donald Glover) and Luigi (Charlie Day) in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

    There was never a question as to whether or not ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ would end up getting a sequel, and the same is true about a third movie in the trilogy. Considering ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ not only sets up for more surprises in the end-credit scenes, but is also more entertaining than its predecessor, we shouldn’t have long to wait for the next movie to be announced.

    ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ recieves a score of 78 out of 100.

    (L to R) Luigi (Charlie Day), Mario (Chris Pratt), Yoshi (Donald Glover) and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) in Nintendo and Illumination’s 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
    (L to R) Luigi (Charlie Day), Mario (Chris Pratt), Yoshi (Donald Glover) and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

    What’s the plot of ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’?

    Mario ventures into space, exploring cosmic worlds and tackling galactic challenges far from the familiar Mushroom Kingdom.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’?

    (L to R) Yoshi, Baby Luigi, Toad and Baby Mario in Nintendo and Illumination’s 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
    L to R: Yoshi, Baby Luigi, Toad and Baby Mario in Nintendo and Illumination’s THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

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    Buy Tickets: ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ Showtimes

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  • Donald Glover Voicing ‘Super Mario Galaxy’s Yoshi

    (Left) Donald Glover attends the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 8, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images. (Right) Yoshi in Nintendo and Illumination’s 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
    (Left) Donald Glover attends the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 8, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images. (Right) Yoshi in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

    Preview:

    • Donald Glover is voicing Yoshi in ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.’
    • Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy and Charlie Day all return to their roles.
    • The new movie lands on April 1.

    Having seen big box office success with 2023’s ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie,’ studio Universal and animation powerhouse Illumination have naturally come up with a sequel, this one drawing from the ‘Super Mario Galaxy’ game.

    And at a recent Nintendo event, Illumination boss Chris Meledandri announced that ‘Atlanta’ star Donald Glover would be voicing dino favorite sidekick Yoshi in the movie.

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    He’s not the only new piece of casting news around ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ as we also learned that Issa Rae will voice Honey Queen and Luis Guzman is Wart.

    Related Article: ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Sequel is ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’

    What’s the story of ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’?

    (L to R) Luigi, Yoshi, Mario and Toad in Nintendo and Illumination’s 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
    (L to R) Luigi, Yoshi, Mario and Toad in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

    After defeating Bowser (Jack Black) in the original movie, Mario (Chris Pratt), Luigi (Charlie Day) and Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) are back for another adventure and must face off against the evil Koopa King and his son, Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie).

    They’re also transported to outer space and explore various planets, like a fiery volcano world, an underwater planet and a techno-land with neon, gravity-defying obstacles. In the new trailer, the Mushroom Kingdom heroes team up with Rosalina (Brie Larson) and Yoshi (Glover), the egg-laying dinosaur (who’s normally silent except for the occasional “Yoshi!”).

    When will ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ be on screens?

    ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ lands in theaters on April 1.

    (L to R) Yoshi, Baby Luigi, Toad and Baby Mario in Nintendo and Illumination’s 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
    L to R: Yoshi, Baby Luigi, Toad and Baby Mario in Nintendo and Illumination’s THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

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    Buy Tickets: ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ Showtimes

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  • ‘Super Mario Bros.’ Sequel is ‘Super Mario Galaxy Movie’

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

    Preview:

    • ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ sequel has been confirmed as ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’.
    • Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy and other original voice cast members will return.
    • The new movie is due April 3rd, 2026.

    Back in 2023, ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ opened to an impressive $146 million on Easter weekend, on its way to a huge $1.36 billion worldwide gross.

    It was hardly a surprise then, when Universal, Illumination and Nintendo confirmed a sequel last year.

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    Now, via an announcement from Illumination boss Chris Meledandri, we know what that sequel will be called: ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’.

    Related Article: Movie Review: ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’

    What was the story of ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’?

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

    While working underground to fix a water main, Brooklyn plumbers Mario (Chris Pratt) and brother Luigi (Charlie Day) are transported down a mysterious pipe and wander into a magical new world under threat from the powerful Bowser (Jack Black). But when the brothers are separated, Mario embarks on an epic quest to find Luigi.

    With the assistance of a Mushroom Kingdom resident Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) and some training from the strong-willed ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), Mario taps into his own power.

    What’s the story of ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’?

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

    There are no official details for the movie’s plot, but that title suggests it’ll draw in part from the ‘Super Mario Galaxy’ video game, promising a cosmic adventure for our hero and his friends.

    The ‘Super Mario Galaxy’ game centers on the character of Rosalina, a space princess that Nintendo itself has said shares similarities with Princess Peach. Within the first Galaxy game, Rosalina’s backstory is revealed through pages of a storybook, with her journey through the stars explained as her searching for her long-lost parents.

    Rosalina’s parentage is kept vague, with her mother pictured but kept largely obscured. But Nintendo is said to have once planned a more concrete backstory that linked Rosalina and the Mushroom Kingdom, with her being related to Princess Peach in some way.

    We do know that the likes of Mario (Pratt), Princess Peach (Taylor-Joy), Luigi (Day), Bowser (Black), Toad (Key), and Kamek (Kevin Michael Richardson) will all be back for the sequel.

    When will ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ be in theaters?

    The movie will arrive on screens on the previously-confirmed date of April 3rd, 2026.

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

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  • Movie Review: ‘Honey Don’t!’

    Margaret Qualley stars as Honey O’Donahue in writer/director Ethan Coen’s 'Honey Don't!', a Focus Features release. Credit: Karen Kuehn / © 2025 Focus Features LLC.
    Margaret Qualley stars as Honey O’Donahue in writer/director Ethan Coen’s ‘Honey Don’t!’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Karen Kuehn / © 2025 Focus Features LLC.

    Opening in theaters August 22 is ‘Honey Don’t!,’ directed by Ethan Coen and starring Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans, Charlie Day, Kristen Connolly, Billy Eichner, Gabby Beans, Lera Abova, and Talia Ryder.

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    Related Article: Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin And Guy Pearce Joining Ridley Scott’s Sci-fi Dystopia ‘The Dog Stars’

    Initial Thoughts

    Margaret Qualley stars as Honey O’Donahue in writer/director Ethan Coen’s 'Honey Don't!', a Focus Features release. Credit: Karen Kuehn / © 2025 Focus Features LLC.
    Margaret Qualley stars as Honey O’Donahue in writer/director Ethan Coen’s ‘Honey Don’t!’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Karen Kuehn / © 2025 Focus Features LLC.

    The second chapter in a proposed lesbian B-movie trilogy dreamed up by director/writer Ethan Coen and his wife, writer/editor Tricia Cooke, ‘Honey Don’t!’ follows up the pair’s first installment, 2024’s ‘Drive-Away Dolls.’ But while that was a caper/buddy road comedy that benefited (as far as it went) from the affection between Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan, ‘Honey Don’t!’ is a takeoff on the noir genre that is saved only by another great performance from Qualley and the handful of spicy sex scenes she shares with Aubrey Plaza.

    The rest of ‘Honey Don’t!’ — named after a Carl Perkins song — is even more insubstantial that ‘Drive-Away Dolls’ ended up being, with a formless script that plays like a rough draft and an overabundance of plot strands and characters that drift in and out of the picture without anything meaningful to tie them together. It’s barely a movie, making us wish that Ethan and his brother Joel would reunite.

    Story and Direction

    (L to R) Writer Tricia Cooke, actor Margaret Qualley and writer/director Ethan Coen on the set of their film 'Honey Don't!', a Focus Features release. Credit: Karen Kuehn / © 2025 Focus Features LLC.
    (L to R) Writer Tricia Cooke, actor Margaret Qualley and writer/director Ethan Coen on the set of their film ‘Honey Don’t!’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Karen Kuehn / © 2025 Focus Features LLC.

    Story and direction: two things that ‘Honey Don’t!’ is badly in need of. Qualley plays Honey O’Donahue, a tough, queer private detective who lives and works in the arid town of Bakersfield, California, where she stays close to her sister (Kristen Connolly) – who is on the edge of poverty with her six kids – and does her best to protect and help her.

    Although local cop Marty (Charlie Day) – who refuses to accept that the glamorous Honey is a lesbian – insists that the car accident death of a potential client is an open-and-shut case, Honey has her suspicions. Those lead her to a local church called the Four-Way Temple and its pastor, the sleazy Drew Devlin (Chris Evans), who is smuggling drugs when not luring vulnerable young women into his bed and fetish gear. The investigation turns personal when Honey’s own family is dragged in, dredging up ghosts from her past even as she begins a torrid affair with an evidence room officer, MG Falcone (Aubrey Plaza).

    Charlie Day stars as Marty Metakawitch in writer/director Ethan Coen’s 'Honey Don't!', a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2025 Focus Features LLC
    Charlie Day stars as Marty Metakawitch in writer/director Ethan Coen’s ‘Honey Don’t!’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2025 Focus Features LLC

    As with many noirs, neo or otherwise, the story is often fragmentary. But there’s nothing else beyond Qualley’s central performance to keep our interest. Most of the other cast members – except perhaps for Plaza and Day – make little to no impression, many of the jokes don’t land, and scenes meander about with little tension or vitality. The movie feels like Coen and Cooke slapped it together on the fly, and the drab, parched setting saps whatever energy the story may possess.

    There’s something in here about female empowerment and the need to stop submitting to patriarchal figures, but it’s handled so limply that any thematic concerns have no weight. And the story’s dénouement is so abrupt and baffling that one is left wondering what the hell happened. One major subplot ends up going absolutely nowhere at all – an indication of just how slipshod and lazy the entire film seems.

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R( Aubrey Plaza and Margaret Qualley star in writer/director Ethan Coen’s 'Honey Don't!', a Focus Features release. Credit: Karen Kuehn / © 2025 Focus Features LLC.
    (L to R( Aubrey Plaza and Margaret Qualley star in writer/director Ethan Coen’s ‘Honey Don’t!’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Karen Kuehn / © 2025 Focus Features LLC.

    Margaret Qualley is the sole reason to stick around in ‘Honey Don’t!’ Her Honey is tough, frank, and fun even if the rest of the movie around her is dismal, and she shines in Honey’s procession of brightly-colored flowered dresses. Her line readings are deliberately staccato and flat in the noir tradition, and there’s just enough revealed about her to be frustrating, because Honey is a terrific character looking for a better movie.

    Aubrey Plaza and Qualley truly sizzle in their sex scenes, but Plaza’s Falcone is too much of a cypher and is let down by the script toward the end. Chris Evans is simply miscast: the former (and future?) Captain America is too arch here and much better served by movies like ‘Materialists.’ Charlie Day earns some chuckles as the lunkheaded but sweet-natured Marty, and Gabby Beans deserves more to do as Honey’s assistant Spider, but everyone else fades into the blazing Bakersfield sun.

    Final Thoughts

    Chris Evans stars as Drew Devlin in writer/director Ethan Coen’s 'Honey Don't!', a Focus Features release. Credit: Karen Kuehn / © 2025 Focu Features LLC.
    Chris Evans stars as Drew Devlin in writer/director Ethan Coen’s ‘Honey Don’t!’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Karen Kuehn / © 2025 Focu Features LLC.

    There is the hint of a far more interesting movie here, and making the classic noir detective figure into a lesbian could add a fresh new spin to the genre. But ‘Honey Don’t!’ just does not work.

    Like ‘Drive-Away Dolls,’ this has the quirks, violence, and casual comedy of a Coen brothers movie, but even less of whatever magical focus the combination of Joel and Ethan brings to their best films. This feels more like self-indulgence, cheapening even what’s supposed to be a B-movie.

    ‘Honey Don’t!’ receives a score of 30 out of 100.

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    What is the plot of ‘Honey Don’t!’?

    In Bakersfield, California, female private detective Honey O’Donahue (Margaret Qualley) investigates a woman’s death and tangles with the head of a mysterious church.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Honey Don’t!’?

    • Margaret Qualley as Honey O’Donahue
    • Aubrey Plaza as MG Falcone
    • Chris Evans as Reverend Drew Devlin
    • Lera Abova as Cher
    • Charlie Day as Marty Metakawitch
    • Gabby Beans as Spider
    • Talia Ryder as Corinne
    • Kristen Connolly as Heidi O’Donahue
    • Billy Eichner as Mr. Siegfried
    • Jacnier as Hector
    • Josh Pafchek as Shuggie
    • Kale Browne as Honey’s Father
    • Kara Petersen as Mia Novotny
    Writer/director Ethan Coen’s 'Honey Don't!', a Focus Features release opens in theaters on August 22, 2025. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2025 Focus Features LLC
    Writer/director Ethan Coen’s ‘Honey Don’t!’, a Focus Features release opens in theaters on August 22, 2025. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2025 Focus Features LLC

    List of Ethan Coen Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Honey Don’t!’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Coen Brothers Movies on Amazon

     

  • TV Review: ‘Mythic Quest’ Season 4

    Rob McElhenney in 'Mythic Quest,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    Rob McElhenney in ‘Mythic Quest,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    ‘Mythic Quest’ Season 4 receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.

    Arriving on Apple TV+ on Wednesday January 29th with its first two episodes (the other eight will follow weekly), ‘Mythic Quest’ returns us to the familiar, chaotic environs of the titular video game’s creators, who are struggling to balance their egos, expectations and stress levels, while confronting some topical issues such as the use (and abuse) of Artificial Intelligence.

    The likes of Rob McElhenney, Charlotte Nicdao, David Hornsby and Danny Pudi as just some of the quirky characters who must find a way to co-exist without wanting to scream.

    Related Article: Editors Dean Zimmerman and Shane Reid Talk ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’

    Is ‘Mythic Quest’ Season 4 a journey worth taking?

    (L to R) Ashly Burch and Imani Hakim in 'Mythic Quest,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    (L to R) Ashly Burch and Imani Hakim in ‘Mythic Quest,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    The real risk with a show such as ‘Mythic Quest’ that exists in its own particular heightened comic realm that it can almost become tiring to hang out with the likes of Ian Grimm (McElhenney), such a raging narcissist who normally shows little sign of maturing (though he has made some development). The comic lifespan of such a concept might be limited.

    Yet the team behind ‘Mythic Quest’ (which McElhenney co-created with his fellow ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ veteran Charlie Day and Megan Ganz, who also worked on the show, but whose resume including the likes of ‘Community’ and ‘Modern Family’) has been careful to judge how much of Ian to include in each episode and where to leaven his tone.

    The show hasn’t entirely avoided feeling like its spinning its wheels, but there has been enough of an evolution for characters such as Ashly Burch’s Rachel and Imani Hakim’s Dana –– who have gone from being youthful game testers in the early seasons to creating her own game (Dana) and working as the company’s Chief Financial Officer (Rachel).

    Others, such as Jessie Ennis’ calculating assistant Jo have remained fairly unchanged, though in Ennis’ case, she brings such enjoyable enthusiasm to the role that it doesn’t feel like stagnation.

    Script and Direction

    (L to R) Charlotte Nicdao and Rob McElhenney in 'Mythic Quest,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    (L to R) Charlotte Nicdao and Rob McElhenney in ‘Mythic Quest,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    McElhenney and the writing staff have somewhat hit the reset button in some respects this season, with Ian and fellow creator Poppy Li (Charlotte Nicdao) back in the Mythic Quest Studios fold and obsessed with crafting a new expansion for the game. Yet even with them there is some movement –– Poppy has found romance with a handsome artist who has nothing to do with the video game world and Ian? Well, Ian is still mostly Ian, even if an encounter with an AI version of himself goes give him a chance for self-reflection (mostly learning how ridiculously annoying he can be to work with).

    If there’s an issue this season, it’s that the show never quite hits the heights of earlier outings, such as the inspired ‘Quarantine’ from Season 1 (with the writers and cast creating comedy gold over Zoom) and the follow-up, ‘Everlight,’ which chronicles the madness of the company’s annual fantasy adventure-themed party.

    And while the show has become rightfully celebrated for its thoughtful, beautifully-crafted stand-alone episodes, this year’s offering, which catches up with Ian’s son Brendan, AKA the game streamer Pootie_Shoe, played by Elisha Henig, never quite holds the same power.

    A murder mystery episode that still features the main character at least boasts some welcome storyline momentum.

    ‘Mythic Quest’ Season 4: Performances

    The cast continue to put in good work this year, even if the scripts don’t always support them.

    Rob McElhenney as Ian Grimm

    Rob McElhenney in 'Mythic Quest,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    Rob McElhenney in ‘Mythic Quest,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    As we mentioned above, McElhenney’s character does show a little growth here, but he’s still mostly the oafish, obsessed weirdo who drives the series.

    Charlotte Nicdao as Poppy Li

    Charlotte Nicdao in 'Mythic Quest,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    Charlotte Nicdao in ‘Mythic Quest,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    Nicdao embraces the chance for Poppy to finally have more of a life outside of the office, and she continues to make the goofier side of her character work.

    David Hornsby as David Brittlesbee

    David Hornsby in 'Mythic Quest,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    David Hornsby in ‘Mythic Quest,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    Another occasional ‘It’s Always Sunny’ actor/collaborator, Hornsby’s character is at his best when he’s flailing and has his usual crop of moments to shine this season, especially when dabbling with AI moderation.

    Ashly Burch as Rachel

    Ashly Burch in 'Mythic Quest,' now streaming on Apple TV+.Ashly Burch in 'Mythic Quest,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    Ashly Burch in ‘Mythic Quest,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    Burch’s character is a little underserved this year, though her ongoing storyline with Hakim’s brings a nice aspect of real heart to the show, without diminishing their comic potential.

    Danny Pudi as Brad Bakshi

    Danny Pudi in 'Mythic Quest,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    Danny Pudi in ‘Mythic Quest,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    As with Burch, Danny Pudi’s (a ‘Community’ veteran) Brad perhaps doesn’t have as much to do this year, and he’s also still locked into his one comic persona of the ambitious, grasping financial expert whose fortunes took a tumble in earlier seasons.

    Yet that’s no reflection on Pudi, who continues to find dig laughs out of any situation.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) David Hornsby and Danny Pudi in 'Mythic Quest,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    (L to R) David Hornsby and Danny Pudi in ‘Mythic Quest,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    Though it never hits the heights of earlier seasons, the new run of ‘Mythic Quest’ remains a show where you enjoy spending time in its world and laughing at what the madcap characters are going to do next.

    There is, however, the creeping feeling that it might be time to start wrapping things up, as there are only so many zany antics characters like these can get up to before things start to feel repetitive, and that’s certainly the case at times here.

    Team ‘Mythic Quest,’ though, remains an imaginative bunch and it’ll be interesting to see what they’ve come with for spin-off limited series ‘Side Quest,’ which is a four-episode anthology series spinning off supporting characters, and that will be on screens with all episodes on March 26th, the day the main show’s season finale launches.

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    What’s the story of ‘Mythic Quest’ Season 4?

    In Season 4, the reunited team at Mythic Quest confronts new challenges amongst a changing video game landscape as stars rise, egos clash, relationships bloom, and everyone tries to have a little more work/life balance.

    Who stars in ‘Mythic Quest’ Season 4?

    • Rob McElhenney as Ian Grimm
    • Ashly Burch as Rachel Mayee
    • Jessie Ennis as Jo
    • Imani Hakim as Dana Bryant
    • David Hornsby as David Brittlesbee
    • Charlotte Nicdao as Poppy Liwanag / Poppy Li
    • Danny Pudi as Brad Bakshi
    • Naomi Ekperigin as Carol
    Rob McElhenney in 'Mythic Quest,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    Rob McElhenney in ‘Mythic Quest,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    List of Rob McElhenney Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Rob McElhenney Movies on Amazon

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  • Movie Review: ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

    In theaters now, ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ brings the world of the Nintendo icon to the big screen for the second time.

    There is a great movie a little cynically based on a famous IP that features the voice of Chris Pratt. Unfortunately for this, it’s called ‘The LEGO Movie’, which took the basic building blocks of the popular plastic toy, and in the hands of Phil Lord and Chris Miller (plus a lot of other talented types) became a wild and dazzling mix of knowing pop culture gags, smart goofiness and genuine heart.

    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ is looking to channel some of that energy, but focused more on entertaining little ones, it never reaches the same level. Which is not to say it’s devoid of entertainment value.

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    What’s the story of ‘Super Mario Bros.’?

    While working underground to fix a water main, Brooklyn plumbers Mario (Pratt) and brother Luigi (Charlie Day) are transported down a mysterious pipe and wander into a magical new world under threat from the powerful Bowser (Jack Black). But when the brothers are separated, Mario embarks on an epic quest to find Luigi. With the assistance of a Mushroom Kingdom resident Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) and some training from the strong-willed ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), Mario taps into his own power.

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

    Nintendo was a solid basis

    Given the sheer amount of games, worlds, characters and situations in Nintendo’s catalogue, there was certainly enough material already present to spin something fun. Instead, the gaming backdrop is largely the source of a whole basket of easter eggs drawn from a variety of titles.

    And there are one or two deep cuts that only true Nintendo fans will recognize (full disclosure, this writer has played a few of the games but didn’t catch everything). One or two sequences, such as an early chase played from the side, and the training process that Mario goes through, will give gamers a shiver of pleasurable recognition, but those are few and far between.

    Some of the heavy hitters, such as Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen) and father Cranky Kong (Fred Armisen) are given key roles in the story, though some of the voice choices are confounding –– while some roles feel like they’ve been well matched with talent (such as Key’s Toad and Peach’s Taylor-Joy) –– others, particularly Rogen, are more of a mystery. The Canadian funnyman has admitted that most of his animated characters tend to just sound like him, so why not give one of the most important roles to someone who doesn’t bother to really come up with a new voice?

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

    Related Article: Chris Pratt and Taylor Kitsch Talk ‘The Terminal List’

    Voice-wise, Pratt is also a surprise, and fairly generic (especially given how much spirit he brought to ‘LEGO’s Emmett).

    You can see (or rather hear), though, why the filmmakers might have preferred not to have the traditional Mario voice through an entire movie. And when you meet Mario and Luigi’s family early on, you understand further (original Mario voice actor Charles Martinet has one of his two cameos in their scene), and honestly? It’s a stereotypical gathering that will offend more people than it charms.

    Pratt and Day have decent chemistry as brothers, though the movie falls down some cliched warp pipes as it explores their backstory and when they’re separated, Luigi is all but ignored until the end.

    Once they’re drawn into the Nintendo world, there’s a lot of exposition to get through, but at least it’s delivered in decently entertaining form. And let’s all be honest –– like the recent ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’, this is starting from a point where the last cinematic adaptation of the source is considered a big miss. Here, that would be 1993’s ‘Super Mario Bros.’, a confusing mélange of gritty and fantastical that went the live-action route but felt like it was a David Lynch fever dream. At least the bright, breezy animation feels like a better fit. But it’s not perfect.

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

    Style over storytelling

    The biggest issue to be found with the movie is in its script and story. While there are some beautifully designed and animated shots to be found here, with plenty of detail and some faithful recreations of certain elements, you do wonder why the same level of craft put into making Mario’s overalls look right wasn’t given over to the humor.

    Most the jokes here fall flat, and the ones that do hit are likely to be chuckles rather than anything else. Credit, then, to Black, who makes Bowser an actually funny character (we won’t spoil his agenda besides the usual domination, though if you know what he often gets up to in the games, you can probably figure some of it out). There are serious shades of the actor’s Tenacious D personality (particularly when Bowser gets musical), but he melds it into something that doesn’t feel like a wholesale repeat.

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

    It’s busy and loud in places and will appeal more to younger viewers than the sort of four-quadrant charmer that Nintendo and movie producers Illumination might prefer, but then aiming at the youthful crowd has worked well for the latter in the past, given the box office success of the ‘Minions‘ in particular. It’s just a shame that their formula vacuum took in a hugely iconic source material with such promise and churned out a broad movie that features your average hero storyline, a lot of talk about saving kingdoms and more confusingly given the target audience, a load of needle drops that will fly straight over their heads (“Holding Out for a Hero”, for example, or “Take on Me”).

    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ is not a bad movie, exactly, it’s just more of a missed opportunity to do something as fresh and inventive as some of the best out there.

    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie receives 5 out of 10 stars.

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

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    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ is produced by Universal Pictures, Illumination, and Nintendo. It is set to release in theaters on April 5th, 2023.

  • Charlie Day to Write, Star in, and Direct the Comedy ‘El Tonto’

    Charlie Day to Write, Star in, and Direct the Comedy ‘El Tonto’

    Charlie Day in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
    FX Networks

    Charlie Day is taking a seat in the director’s chair.

    The “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” actor is set to helm an upcoming comedy. Day will write, star in, and direct the film “El Tonto,” Variety reports. Cameras are due start rolling in October.

    The film is a satire of Hollywood, according to THR. Day plays a character who is deaf, mute, and not overly bright, yet who becomes famous after arriving in Los Angeles. The story follows his sharp rise as well as what happens after he falls back to earth.

    Producers Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros of Armory Films called the script “hilarious” and “incredibly original,” per Variety. According to them, “films like this just don’t get made anymore.” They’re working alongside Andrew Levitas of Metalwork Pictures, Wrigley Pictures’ John Rickard, and Page Fifty-Four Pictures’ Alex Saks. Endeavor Content is distributing the film.

    Day is known for both writing and starring in the comedy series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” which is currently in its 13th season. Now, fans will get to see another side of his work as he steps behind the camera to direct.

    So far, no release date for “El Tonto” has been announced.

    [via: Variety; THR]

  • Ice Cube Says ‘Puppies’ With Mean Face and It’s Kind of Scary

     

    Ice Cube from Fist Fight
    Ice Cube from Fist Fight

    Ice Cube can make anything sound like it’s the last words you’ll ever hear.

    Words like “puppies.”

    Don’t believe it? Made in Hollywood reporter Patrick Stinson put it to the test, asking the star of “Fist Fight” to say nice things with a mean face.

    Check it out:

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  • Tracy Morgan Cast in ‘Fist Fight’ as First Project Announced Since Injury

    Tracy Morgan
    Tracy Morgan

    After making a surprise appearance onstage at the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday since suffering an injury last year, Tracy Morgan’s first project has been announced – the forthcoming comedy “Fist Fight.”

    According to Deadline, the former “30 Rock” star will be featured alongside Charlie Day and Ice Cube in a role that has not yet been revealed. Dennis Haysbert and JoAnna Garcia Swisher are also expected to join the cast.

    The comedy follows Day as a mild-mannered English teacher who brawls with a fellow teacher (Cube) one day after school.

    “Fist Fight” is a return to acting for Morgan, who was critically injured in June 2014 after a Walmart semi struck his limousine in New Jersey. Comedian James “Jimmy Mack” McNair, a friend, died in the crash. Morgan received an undisclosed settlement in the matter.

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