Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022):

The huge budget reportedly in the $250 million area is visible in every scene with the costumes, the colour, and the authenticity of the various languages and dialects spoken here. The special effects are fine, but this is a character-driven movie at every level, so there is far more here than just a bunch of stuff blowing up. We join the story learning of the death of T'Challa, king of Wakanda, and secretly Black Panther. At the United Nations security council, the nation's Queen, Ramonda (Angela Bassett), and mother of the deceased ruler, is on the carpet with representatives of various nations insisting that Wakanda’s vibranium be made available to the world. Ramonda, in a show of impressive strength and collective class, demonstrates what might happen should anyone try to extract the rare substance from her country. She is not one with whom to trifle, and the matter seems put to bed. Because of the loss of its leader, there is reason to believe that outside factions may see Wakanda as a weak nation subject to the opportunism of those who would take what is not theirs for their own uses. We also see something unusual in a visit from a being named Namor, who leads an underwater civilization consisting of generations of Mayan people who have evolved to live beneath the waves. It seems that he too wants vibranium and he is prepared to make war to get it. With the table set, it's time to go to work serving up the main course in this long (2 hours and 41 minutes) action-thriller with many layers of story, and plenty of thought-provoking situations. Despite its long run time, there was very little drag time with important information being delivered in almost every scene. Lupita L'yongo is back as Nakia, but the movie really belongs to Shuri (Letitia Wright) whose character was the sister of the deceased monarch. She delivers her lines with a flair that makes every word believable. Stay seated as the credits roll, as there is a key scene about three minutes in, but then you are free to go. Excellent thriller! Rated 14A.

Spoiler Alert (2022):

There is a subtitle to this film which I won't include here, although you may have seen it in the print ads and in TV promos for this based-on-actual-people story. Jim Parsons ("The Big Bang Theory") is a gay man named Michael Ansiello. The real Michael Ansiello co-wrote the screenplay, which was based on his autobiographical novel about his relationship with Kit Cowan (Ben Aldridge of "Fleabag" and "Pennyworth"), a story that bounces around between the time they meet, the adventures they pursue together, and the life-threatening illness that befalls Kit. It's a story that is heart-warming, life-affirming, and funny as it follows their relationship through many different ups and downs. A love story filled with romance and comedy, this is the second major studio release in the past two months to feature a tale of love in the LGBTQ community, that one being "Bros" which crashed and burned at the box office. This one did a little better, but only a little. Rated 14A.

Rogue Agent (2022):

James Norton plays the lead character here in this thriller based on actual events. In real life, British conman Robert Freegard was able to convince many of his victims, mainly women, that he was an operative for MI5, the British spy agency, and that he had been assigned to “protect them” by his superiors. Protect them from what? He told them that they were targets for assassination by the IRA (Irish Republican Army) and that it was his job to get them into safe houses for their own protection and safety. Once taken into his confidence, Freegard was able to exploit the women in many ways, placing them under his control, as they believed that he was acting for the government agency. When one woman, played by Gemma Arterton, figures the con artist out, she recruits others to go after him, finding that the so-called spy is actually working as both a car salesman and a bartender. An excellent drama with real-life appeal. Rated 14A.

That '90s Show (2023) (TV Series):

Two decades have passed since a teenaged Eric Forman (Topher Grace), living with his family, and enjoying a life of 8 track tapes, the music of Led Zeppelin, and Farrah Fawcett posters, was the perception many had of what those days were like. To help make the transition to the '90s, a much more grown-up Topher Grace reprises his role of Erik in the first episode of this new series, not to be seen for the balance of the episodes of season one. The actors who played his parents, Red and Kitty Forman (Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp) are back for the full 10 segments of this new show however. Wilmer Valderrama who played Fez in the original series also makes an appearance in the initial episode. The venue is still the State of Wisconsin, and it's 1995. Leia Forman, daughter of Eric and Donna (Laura Prepon) pays a summer visit to her grandparents and is introduced to a whole new generation of friends, not-so-friendly teens, and some that will become friends for life in the town of Point Place. Rated 14A.

Slumberland (2022):

A good cast shows up for this adventure story that will appeal to children 8 or 10 and up. Based on the comic book series "Little Nemo in Slumberland '' by Winston McClay, we follow the adventures of a tweenage girl named Nemo and her eccentric companion Flip (Jason Mamoa) who come together after Nemo's father Peter (Kyle Chandler goes missing at sea. Set in the Pacific Northwest, but shot in Toronto, we follow Nemo as she is sent to live with relatives in the big city, a place foreign to her after the coastline life she had been living. While struggling in a new school with new people all around her, Nemo finds a secret map which hooks her up with Flip, and begins a challenging journey through lands of dreams and nightmares that she believes will help reunite her with her lost father. Rated PG.