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The Portokalos family heads back to Greece to honor the memory of their father and a family reunion, but, before you can say souvlaki the chaos ensues. Crossed wires and a classic comedy of coincidences exposes new family secrets, new relatives, new loves, and of course a wedding. Topping things off, it can only be done Grecian style. Written and Directed by Nia Vardalos this kitschy waltz down memory lane sets up for expected sit-com esque comedic delivery with a few unexpected twists along the way. Reuniting the cast we’ve already come to know including Vardalos, John Corbett, Andrea Martin, Maria Vacratsis, Joey Fatone, and Gia Carides, this completely harmless feel good film plays to its strengths and doesn’t overstay its welcome with a brisk runtime of 91 minutes. Relatable for anyone who’s come from a large family or wants to feel like they’ve come from a large family, this goofy look at family dynamics manages to bring some surprisingly heartfelt moments together. You could do a lot worse. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is rated PG-13.

Setting up for Spooky Season, what happens when we die is the thesis explored in Writer/Director Serena Dc’s latest documentary Beyond the Grave. Interviewing those who’ve had near death experiences, death doulas, cryogenic doctors, psychic mediums, and ghost hunters, the search for answers into the unknown continues and provides fodder for further discussion. A bit stilted stylistically in its story telling with some creative editing choices early on, Dc manages to ask a number of provocative and respectful questions of her subjects, and, maintains a curiosity of what we don’t know but can only speculate, which is ultimately the goal for any accomplished documentary maker. So, while the self narrated and scripted portions of the film might be better digested with the help of other voices and interview perspectives, the message is still interesting and Dc is setting up nicely to become a recognized voice in the world of the paranormal and unexplained phenomena. Running 90 minutes in length this exploration into death hits the mark as a conversation starter. Beyond the Grave is not rated and available on most streaming platforms.

When Reggie the dog (Will Ferrell) is abandoned miles from home by his human, Doug (Will Forte), his desire to return home takes a dark turn with the enlightenment of a few new dog friends Bug, Maggie and Hunter (Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher, Randall Park). But, when push comes to shove, will Reggie still have the taste for blood or will his domesticated instincts get the best of him? Written by Dan Perrault and Directed By Josh Greenbaum this derivative, and less than incredible journey home has a few moments of dog humor genius punctuated mercilessly with the same crude F-bomb punch line over and over for an hour and thirty three minutes. And, to be 100 percent clear, despite the apparent cuteness of talking dogs, in no way is this film fit for young audiences, stop do not pass go. And, while practically every modern day dog movie gets thrown under the Strays bus in some capacity, which has its moments of clever, the end result back to the same expletive laden conclusion brings up an empty well bucket by the film’s expected and semi ho hum end. Strays is rated R.