Elemental

• Director: Peter Sohn
• Writers: John Hoberg, Kat Likkel, Brenda Hsueh
• Starring: Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendy McClendon-Covey, Catherine O’Hara

Grade: B

Pixar’s best films, like Ratatouille, Up, Finding Nemo, or Inside Out, have the ability to transport audiences to new worlds, and explore thought-provoking ideas that appeal to moviegoers young and old alike. Though the venerated studio has struggled to measure up to its glory days in recent years, there have been bright spots, like Turning Red or Luca. Its newest release, Elemental, attempts a four-quadrant film by crafting an adult-minded story while filling it with bright, beautifully realized characters, but ultimately falls short in some crucial areas.

Flamin’ Hot

• Director: Eva Longoria
• Writers: Lewis Colick, Linda Yvette Chavez
• Starring: Jesse Garcia, Annie Gonzalez, Dennis Haysbert, Tony Shalhoub, Emilio Rivera, Matt Walsh

Grade: B-

2022 was the year of the miniseries and television show centered on infamous real-life grifters, ranging from the enjoyable to the forgettable. Whether it was exploring Elizabeth Holmes (The Dropout) or Anna Delvy (Inventing Anna) or Anna and Rebekah Neumann (WeCrashed) – plus an extra few that I’m likely forgetting – something compelled the television gods into telling these stories all at the same time. Now, in 2023, the focus has shifted to the true stories behind some of our most iconic brands and products. First it was Nike with Air, then Nintendo and Tetris, then BlackBerry. Naturally, the next in line would be the true story of *checks notes* the creation of the “Flamin’ Hot” varietal of Cheetos with Flamin’ Hot.