When two of Gotham's most notorious villains break-up...the rebound is criminal. This is a review of the new film, Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn... Harley Quinn and the Joker are splitsville and that puts a huge target on her back drawing the attention of crime boss Black Mask. Director Cathy Yan brings us to her version of Gotham City which is feeling the wrath of the breakup... Margot Robbie is spot-on again as Harley Quinn...who was dating the Joker...but surprise, two psychopaths had some relationship issues... She gets some help battling the city's henchmen from the talented and tough Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Black Canary... ...the Huntress played by the dangerous and remarkably funny Mary Elizabeth-Winstead... ...and Rosie Perez is a jaded Gotham Cop who's sent packing by the force...and has the most amazing wardrobe...you'll see what I mean. I had a good time following this Joker-free all-girl group of villains in vigilantes... ...but it did feel like it was missing something...kinda like the Venom movie...with no Spider-Man. The story was a bit thin, the script was uneven... ...but I loved the acting, the camera work was cool...the different takes and views really worked. And while I know there was a lot of CGI ...the fight scenes themselves were well choreographed with some great stunts and quality kills and injuries ...taking a page from the John Wick movies... ...a welcome change from the blurry mess you get in Marvel flicks. And because of all that...I give Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn... ...three and a half stars out of five on the Rob Rating Scale.

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'Birds of Prey' is an action-packed comic book rebound

Miami's finest are back ready to ride together and die together. This is a review of the new film, Bad Boys for Life... The leader of a vicious drug cartel is on killing spree taking out those who were part of an old case involving Mike and Marcus...that could have family implications... Will Smith and Martin Lawrence team up again in this third installment of the Bad Boys franchise which says so long to director Michael Bay... and brings in is the combo of Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah...who maintain a similar ratio of action to plot. Also back for more is Joe Pantoliano as the Pepto-guzzling Chief Howard. Fresh faces include Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Charles Melton and a perfectly evil Paola N??ez. 17 years after the really bad, Bad Boys II, Smith and Lawrence appear re-energized...even stepping up the cheesy banter a bit... ...with Lawrence's Marcus at one point questioning...Do you want your legacy to be muscle shirts and body counts? That said, there's no reason any Bad Boys movie needs to be over two hours long like this one which after an intense, armrest-grabbing action sequence... ...goes off track taking the audience with it. The good thing is...things do eventually get back on track and it heads on an international chase to find out who's behind the killings... ...and just how it involves the guys...while revealing an unexpected twist. And that's why I give Bad Boys for Life, three-and-a-half stars out of five on the Rob Rating Scale...it's billed as one last ride...but is it really?

'Bad Boys for Life' delivers action & cheesy fun one last time

The Skywalker story line in the Star Wars universe comes to an end. This is a spoiler-free review of the new film, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' isn't the chosen one but restores some balance

Jersey City's mayor says it's clear the gunmen in Tuesday's deadly shooting targeted a Jewish market, but he refused to call it an anti-Semitic attack. He says surveillance video shows the gunmen driving slowly through the city's streets, then stopping outside the grocery store where they got out and immediately opened fire. A police officer, three bystanders and two suspects were killed. Saudi Arabia's oil company Aramco has surpassed Apple as the largest listed company in the world with a value of $1.88 trillion. It's in its dramatic debut on the Saudi stock exchange, the company gained 10% in its first moments. Trading came after a mammoth initial public offering that set the record as the biggest ever in history. Swedish climate change activist Greta Thunberg says she was "a bit surprised" to be named Time's Person of the Year. The teenager's become the figurehead of a global youth movement pressing for faster action on climate change.

News Espresso: Jersey City's mayor says gunmen targeted kosher market, Saudi Aramco gains 10% in debut, climate activist Greta Thunberg is Time 'person of the year'

It's back to the jungle for another adventure via a vintage video game. This is a review of the new film, Jumanji: The Next Level... When we last left Spencer, Fridge, Martha and Bethany they completed the game...and then destroyed the game console... But who wouldn't want to go back when you're Dr. Smolder Bravestone... This one's called the next level...which in video game terms should mean it's more challenging requiring maybe some more thought... ...but in this case the writers hit reset offering up a pretty weak premise to get our heroes back in Jumanji. That said, once they're there...it's again an action-packed race to complete tasks and save the day...all with only three lives. And I do appreciate the stuck with your random avatar twist. The original cast is back with Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black and Karen Gillan in this case...reprising and assuming new roles. While newbies include Awkwafina showing her versatility...and the so-cool Danny combo featuring Glover and DeVito. If you liked the previous film chances are you'll dig this one as well...the story's not too deep but there is a lot to laugh about... ...and a few tense moments including some angry stampeding ostriches and a floating bridge chase that was lot of fun. And for that I give Jumanji: The Next Level, three-and-a-half stars out of five on the Rob Rating Scale...never underestimate the importance of a zoologist.

'Jumanji: The Next Level' gets lost in the jungle

House Democrats've announced two articles of impeachment against President Trump - abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Speaker Nancy Pelosi called it a "solemn act." Voting is expected in a matter of days in the Judiciary Committee and by Christmas in the full House. Trump insisted he did "Nothing" wrong. Police say a man with an illegal gun has killed six people and hurt three others in a hospital in the eastern Czech Republic. The apparent suspect later shot and killed himself as police approached his car. The death toll from Monday's volcanic eruption in New Zealand has now risen to six. About 30 others are still hospitalized. Investigators believe another eight bodies remain on White Island but they say it's too dangerous to recover them. U.S. productivity fell over the summer. It was the first decline in nearly four years. The Labor Department says productivity edged down 0.2% in the third quarter.

News Espresso: Democrats unveil 2 articles of impeachment against Trump, death toll rises from New Zealand volcano, suspects kills 6 in Czech hospital

The House Judiciary Committee is convening to formally receive the investigative findings against President Trump as the White House mounts an aggressive attack on the proceedings. If the Judiciary Committee approves articles of impeachment by Friday that would set up a final impeachment vote in the days before Christmas. A Justice Department inspector general report is expected to say the FBI had a legitimate basis to open its investigation into ties between the president's 2016 campaign and Russia. It's also expected to say senior law enforcement officials weren't motivated by partisan bias. A New Zealand volcanic island has erupted in a tower of ash and steam while dozens of tourists were exploring the moon-like surface, killing five people and leaving many more missing. The site was still too dangerous hours later for police and rescuers to search for the missing. More than 600 institutional investors managing 37 trillion dollars in client assets are calling for governments to step up their efforts against climate change. The investors, including banks, pension funds and insurance companies, directed their message Monday to countries participating in a two-week U.N. climate conference in Madrid.

News Espresso: Judiciary Committee receiving Trump impeachment findings, New Zealand volcano kills at least five, Institutional investors call for climate change efforts

Hiring jumped last month to the highest level since January as U.S. employers ignored global trade tensions and added 266,000 jobs. The Labor Department says the unemployment rate declined to 3.5% from 3.6% in October. President Trump's taking a new approach on impeachment with him and his allies accepting the reality he'll likely be impeached by the House. The president tweeted telling Democrats that if they're going to impeach him, to 'do it now, fast, so we can have a fair.... trial in the Senate.' A Kenyan official says a six-story building has collapsed in the capital, Nairobi. Some people are feared to be trapped in the debris. Police say 10 people have been rescued by residents using their bare hands. Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein is scheduled to appear in a New York City courtroom today for a pretrial hearing in his rape and sexual assault case. He's currently free on one million dollars bail. Tennessee has put a 53-year-old blind inmate to death in the electric chair for his conviction in the 1991 killing of his estranged girlfriend. Thursday's execution was only the second of a blind inmate in the U.S. since the nation's reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976.

News Espresso: Hiring jumped in November, Trump tweets on impeachment, Harvey Weinstein to appear in court

Saying President Trump's 'wrongdoing strikes at the very heart of our Constitution,' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered a public statement this morning announcing House Democrat will move ahead with articles of impeachment. 

News Espresso: Pelosi calls for articles of impeachment, Paris shut down over strikes, U.S. sailor opens fire at Pearl Harbor

The House Judiciary Committee's holding it's first impeachment hearing since the release of a 300-page report by Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee that found "serious misconduct" by President Trump. This, as Trump meets with NATO leaders near London. The full House'll decide whether Trump's actions stemming from a July phone call with Ukraine's president warrant impeachment. Several NATO leaders've been caught in an unguarded exchange on camera during a reception at Buckingham Palace apparently gossiping about Trump's behavior. In response, Trump called Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "two-faced" after he was overheard appearing to gossip about Trump. North Korean state media says leader Kim Jong Un rode a white horse up a sacred mountain on his second symbolic visit in less than two months. Kim has made previous visits there before making major decisions. The North's threatening provocation if the U.S. refuses to make concessions in nuclear diplomacy by year's end.

News Espresso: Trump's 'serious misconduct' takes center stage at hearing, NATO leaders appear to gossip about Trump, North Korea's Kim again rides horse up sacred peak

President Trump criticized Democrats at the start of a NATO leaders' meeting in London, calling their impeachment push "unpatriotic" and "a bad thing for our country." Trump has criticized Democrats for holding an impeachment hearing while he is abroad. The House Judiciary Committee has set a hearing for Wednesday on the constitutional grounds for Trump's possible impeachment on Wednesday. The woman who says she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and made to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17 is asking the British public to support her quest for justice. Virginia Roberts Giuffre told BBC Panorama that people "should not accept this as being OK." Andrew has categorically denied having sex with Giuffre and apologized for his association with Epstein. Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg arrived in Portugal by catamaran after a three-week trip from the U.S. The climate activist is heading to Spain for U.N. climate talks, amid a new scientific report saying there's mounting evidence the world's getting even hotter.

News Espresso: Trump calls Democrats impeachment push 'unpatriotic,' Prince Andrew's accuser asks UK public for support, Greta Thunberg arrives by sail in Europe

A snowy nor'easter bearing down on the East Coast is snarling travel and causing schools to cancel classes. The storm dumped one round of snow on parts of the region late Sunday and forecasters say it could drop 10 to 20 inches total by Tuesday morning. Heavy snow is also possible in the Appalachian Mountains down to Tennessee and North Carolina. The head of the United Nations says he's "disappointed" with efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and the world's most polluting countries should accept that they, too, need to become carbon neutral by 2050. The UN Secretary General, however, says the European Union's initiative of a "green pact" could make the bloc a world champion to push other big polluters in the same direction. The House impeachment report on President Trump's actions toward Ukraine is being unveiled today behind closed doors for key lawmakers. The report's being made available for committee members to review ahead of a vote Tuesday to send it to the Judiciary Committee for Wednesday's landmark hearing.

News Espresso: Storm builds over U.S. East, House impeachment report coming ahead of landmark hearing, UN chief disappointed by climate action so far

Albania's government says the death toll from Tuesday's earthquake has now soared past two dozen. Hundreds are hurt, and rescuers are still searching for survivors. The winter storm that slammed Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska has made its way into the upper Midwest. A "bomb cyclone" weather phenomenon's also expected to knock out power and trees and dump snow in California and Oregon. As the House Intelligence Committee prepares its impeachment report, the House Judiciary Committee is planning an impeachment hearing. Next Wednesday, lawmakers'll hear from legal experts examining the constitutional grounds for President Trump's impeachment. The leader of Britain's main opposition party has accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson of secretly negotiating the basis of a trade deal with the U.S. ahead of the country's departure from the European Union. The Labour Party's Jeremy Corbyn says it includes a contentious plan to extend patents for U.S. drug companies.

News Espresso: Death toll rises from Albanian earthquake, travelers brace for snowy Thanksgiving, UK's Labour accuses government of secret trade talks with U.S.

A strong earthquake's struck Albania...and rescue crews are searching for people in collapsed buildings. The country's defense minister says the death toll stands at more than a dozen. Hundreds are hurt. A strong storm could dump up to a foot of snow in parts of Colorado and Wyoming today....before moving into the Plains, and bringing high winds and more snow to Minnesota, Wisconsin and upper Michigan. The Upper Midwest could get more snow from Thanksgiving through Saturday.... ...and the large balloons at New York's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade may be grounded because of high winds. The House intelligence committee's report on its impeachment investigation may come out as soon as next week. Committee Chairman Adam Schiff's told colleagues the evidence of wrongdoing and misconduct by President Trump is "clear and hardly in dispute." ...but what's left is to decide whether Trump's behavior is compatible with his office and whether impeachment is warranted. Republicans - and Trump - insist he's done nothing wrong.

News Espresso: Deadly earthquake hits Albania, wintry weather threatens U.S. holiday travel, House committee's report on impeachment could land next week

Pentagon chief Mark Esper has fired Navy Secretary Richard Spencer over his handling of the case of a SEAL accused of war crimes who President Trump has defended. Trump tweeted his satisfaction with Spencer's firing and says he'll nominate the U.S. ambassador to Norway to replace him. Spencer says he and Trump appear no longer to share the same understanding of "the key principle of good order and discipline." Newly revealed classified documents show that camps the Chinese government runs in the country's far west are not for voluntary job training, as Beijing says, but for forced ideological and behavioral re-education. The documents lay out the government's deliberate strategy to lock up predominantly Muslim minorities to forcibly assimilate them and rewire their thinking. Taylor Swift has surpassed Michael Jackson's record at the American Music Awards. Swift took home six honors, including artist of the year, at Sunday's show....beating Jackson's record of 24 AMAs.

News Espresso: Esper fires Navy secretary over SEAL controversy, secret documents on China mass detention camps, Taylor Swift beat's Michael Jackson's AMA record

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