MOVIE REVIEW: EENIE MEANIE

 

A reformed teenage getaway driver is dragged back into her unsavoury past when a former employer offers her an opportunity to save the life of her chronically unreliable ex-boyfriend.

Director: Shawn Simmons

Cast: Samara Weaving, Karl Glusman, Jermaine Fowler, Marshawn Lynch, Randall Park, Steve Zahn, Andy Garcia

Release Date: August 22, 2025

Genre: Comedy, Horror, Thriller

Rated R for violence/bloody images, pervasive language, nudity, some sexual material and brief drug use.

Runtime: 1h 46m

Review:

Eenie Meanie is the kind of film that feels instantly familiar since it borrows from far better heist films but it’s still entertaining enough thanks to another strong turn from the Samara Weaving who carries the film with incredible ease.  Shawn Simmons feels like a mash up of a Baby Driver and Ocean’s Eleven if you bought the off-brand version from a discount store.  That's not to say that his film doesn't boast some inspired moments because it does especially during the film's first two acts.  Those moments are fun, but the characters and situations are incredibly familiar which leaves the heavy lifting up to his cast which proves to be up to the task.  Samara Weaving is given another chance to showcase her talents here with the film giving her plenty of time to shine.  Weaving is an immensely talented actress and here she's given the opportunity to display her comedic and dramatic throughout.  There are plenty of familiar faces here in supporting roles with Karl Glusman, who happily chews up scenery as the loser love interest, getting the largest amount of screen time but Weaving proves to be the glue that keeps it all together no matter how nonsensical the situations get.  Andy Garcia and Steve Zahn pop up in limited roles but both actors seem to be screaming for screentime to flesh out their respective roles.  Giving each of them a bit more time, especially with Weaving, could have given the film a more nuanced sense of depth that's sorely lacking.  Also, the film takes a turn, tonally, in the film's final act that jarring since everything up to that point had been so lighthearted and freewheeling.  It leaves Eenie Meanie on rather dour note, which is a strange choice since everything else has played out in a fairly predictable manner.  

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: BORDERLINE

 

A helplessly romantic sociopath escapes from a mental institution and invades the home of a '90s pop superstar. He just wants to be loved; she just wants to survive.

Director: Jimmy Warden

Cast:  Samara Weaving, Ray Nicholson, Jimmie Fails, Alba Baptista, Eric Dane

Release Date: March 14, 2025/UK Digital release September 8th 2025

Genre: Comedy, Horror, Thriller

Rated R for violence and language

Runtime: 1h 34m

Review:

Writer turned director, Jimmy Warden, debut film is a fun, if uneven comedy elevated by a strong comedic turn from Samara Weaving and a wonderfully unhinged performance from Ray Nicholson.  Warden seems to be brimming with ideas he wants to toy with which makes the breezy runtime feel more chaotic than it needed to be.  He's got a solid eye for visuals as he delivers a handful of well-crafted sequences that are sure to linger in your memory after the film ends, particularly one involving a certain Celine Dion song.  He does struggle with keeping a consistent tone as the film swings from over the top comedy to something darker and much more off kilter.  It makes for a herky jerky experience as we get inspired moments of madness followed by some dead spaces that kills the momentum.  Thankfully, his cast proves to be more than capable of carrying the film over the majority of these bumps in the road.  Samara Weaving flexes her impressive comedic muscles as the self centered singer/actress that fuels Ray Nicholson's Duerson obsession.  Her reactions are hilarious throughout as she reacts to the insanity provided by Nicholson and scene stealer Alba Baptista.  This film offers Ray Nicholson a wonderful showcase for his acting chops as he gets plenty of time to shine.  At this point in his career, it’s difficult not to see bits of his father come through especially in a role like this but that's not to say he isn't immensely talented in his own right.   Alba Baptista proves to be the real surprise here though as she brings her own brand of insanity to her role as a fellow escaped mental patient.  It’s a shame that the role is painfully underwritten because she could have really done something special with a better script.  Eric Dane gets the thankless job of being the straight man here which he can do in his sleep as Weaving steadfast bodyguard.  All in all, Borderline may not be a perfect entity, but it is entertaining enough, primarily thanks to its cast, to overlook some of its more glaring flaws.

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: HONEY DON'T!

 

Small-town private investigator Honey O'Donahue probes a series of strange deaths that are tied to a mysterious church.

Director: Ethan Coen

Cast: Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans, Charlie Day, Kristen Connolly

Release Date: August 22, 2025

Genre: Comedy, Crime, Mystery, Thriller

Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, some strong violence, and language.

Runtime: 1h 29m

Review:

Honey Don't boast an eclectic collection of characters and a stylish approach to the noir inspired tale, but it never manages to coalesce into a cohesive whole.  Ethan Coen's second entry in his "lesbian B-movie trilogy," after 2024's Drive-Away Dolls, offers a similar assortment of colorful characters, random smattering of violence and fun sense of black comedy.  That film wasn't perfect, but it did have a more focused and coherent plot that drove the film forward, something sorely missing here.  The story here is more of a collection of disparate story threads that are not fully formed or organically connected.  That's not to say there aren't inspired moments because there are quite a few thanks to some witty, rat-a-tat dialogue and strong turns from the cast.  The film never manages to get out of first gear as it struggles to find its flow throughout in spite of the film's cast.  The cast is primed and ready to deliver the goods led by another solid turn from Margaret Qualley.  Qualley is laser focused as the tough as nails, quick witted private investigator who loves a pair of click clackin heels.  She's always the most interesting character onscreen but the film seems to be content to go off on a handful of assorted tangents.  The supporting characters are all fun with both Chris Evans and Aubrey Plaza clearly having a ball as the cult leader and Honey's love interest respectively.  Unfortunately, both characters feel painfully underwritten and the film gives them scant time to make the kind of impression you'd expect.  It all makes up for a collection of characters and storyline that feel painfully undercooked which keeps Honey Don't! from being something memorable.  

 

C

MOVIE REVIEW: NOBODY 2

 

Workaholic assassin Hutch Mansell takes his family on a much-needed vacation to the small tourist town of Plummerville. However, he soon finds himself in the crosshairs of a corrupt theme-park operator, a shady sheriff, and a bloodthirsty crime boss.

Director: Timo Tjahjanto

Cast: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, RZA, Colin Salmon, Gage Munroe, Paisley Cadorath, Christopher Lloyd, John Ortiz, Colin Hanks, Sharon Stone

Release Date: August 15, 2025

Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime, Thriller

Rated R for strong bloody violence, and language throughout.

Runtime: 1h 29m

Review:

Nobody 2 is a straightforward sequel that focuses on what made the first one fun and turns it up to an almost cartoonish level of incredibly fun action which is all anchored by Bob Odenkirk central performance.  Timo Tjahjanto takes the reins behind the camera and proves more than capable of delivering the over-the-top action that the first film delivered.  There are fits of frenzy as he delivers a pair of particularly impressive set pieces, one on a boat and the water park finale, that are as nonsensical as they are enjoyable.  You get the sense that Tjahjanto is just itching to bust out the next action sequence during some of the more plot driven moments.  Those expecting the characters to get fleshed out more in this entry might be left a little disappointed since the film moves at a breakneck pace.  Odenkirk is still incredibly fun as the workaholic middle aged assassin who is desperately in need of a break.  He manages to balance his character's duel sided personality which makes it mostly believable that he's a family man and incredibly lethal side at the same time.  He does get some small scenes with Connie Nielsen that gives her a tad more to do this go round but she still feels woefully underused.  Likewise, Christopher Lloyd and RZA pop in and out of the story periodically with both getting their big moment which is great but you are left wishing they had a bit more time to work with.  Newcomers, Sharon Stone, John Ortiz and Colin Hanks are also shuffled on and off screen so quickly that they really don't make much of an impact.  Sharon Stone does manage to chew up every scene she's in with impressive gusto but the film never takes full advantage of her.  It all keeps Nobody 2 from being better than the original but still more than fun enough for fans of that film.  

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE BAD GUYS 2

 

Reformed criminals Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Shark and Ms. Tarantula are trying very hard to be good. However, they soon find themselves hijacked into a high-stakes heist that's masterminded by a new team of delinquents they never saw coming -- the Bad Girls.

Director: Pierre Perifel

Cast: Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Zazie Beetz, Alex Borstein, Richard Ayoade, Lilly Singh, Danielle Brooks, Maria Bakalova, Natasha Lyonne

Release Date: August 1, 2025

Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Family, Mystery

Rated PG for action/mild violence, rude humor and language.

Runtime: 1h 44m

Review:

The Bad Guys 2 is an energetic follow up to the original that's more than capable of standing on its own two feet with bigger action sequences, paired with a fun script and confident voicework from its cast.  Pierre Perifel follows up his original film with another blast of colorful, kinetic pop that's able to deliver fun for kids and adults alike.  The film's animated Ocean's Eleven energy is a fun departure from the standard family fare.  It’s still got a solid underlying message about finding redemption after making mistakes but it’s never overly didactic in its messaging which allows it to keep an adventurous sense of fun.  Sam Rockwell, Craig Robinson, Awkwafina, Anthony Ramos and Marc Maron all return from the original as the titular Bad Guys who are now finding their way after they've reformed.  They share an established chemistry together that works well for the story especially when the script lets them bounce back and forth with slyly witty dialogue.   Sam Rockwell again serves as the film's backbone as the Wolf who still possess the natural confidence from the first film, but the character is given some actual growth as he tries to navigate the straight and narrow while keeping his crew together.  Danielle Brooks is a perfect foil to his character as a fan/competitor who drags him back for one last heist by blackmailing him.  Brooks brings a similar sort of confidence as the leader of the Bad Girls who feels wants to leave her mark regardless of the consequences.  Maria Bakalova and Natasha Lyonne are fun as her lackey's although the script gives them the short end of the stick with neither getting fleshed out the way the other characters are.  Lyonne manages to make the most of scenes especially early when paired with Marc Maron's Snake.  Once we arrive at the extended final act, the film starts to lose a bit of steam as it struggles with the same energy which could have been fixed with some judicious editing to knockdown the film's runtime by 15 minutes or so.  That being said The Bad Guys 2 proves to be one of the better animated sequences that improves on nearly everything that made the original work.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: WEAPONS

 

When all but one child from the same classroom mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.

Director: Zach Cregger

Cast: Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Cary Christopher, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Benedict Wong, Amy Madigan

Release Date: August 8, 2025

Genre: Horror, Mystery 

Rated R for strong bloody violence and grisly images, language throughout, some sexual content and drug use.

Runtime: 2h 8m

Review:

Zach Cregger's sophomore film, Weapons, is a Pulp Fiction style maze that's equal parts unnerving and hilarious, powered by stellar turns from Josh Brolin and Julia Garner.  Cregger's film is visually potent from the start, and he delivers a series of shocks that are sure to leave an impression long after you leave the theater.  That shouldn't come as a surprise after his debut film, Barbarian, which was populated with more than enough nightmarish imagery but here he uses structure to slowly unfurl the central mystery from different points of view.  It keeps everything off balance and unpredictable, particularly in the first half of the film before it shows its hand.  Its grabs and holds your attention for the majority of the film but it might lose some more hardcore horror aficionado once it reveals the game Cregger is playing since it blends more than a few genres with its twisted sense of humor.  The characters are all damaged individuals that are dealing with variety of issues that makes them feel more three dimensional than you'd expect from most horror films.  It helps that his cast is fully committed to his brand of madness and deliver strong performances across the board.  Julia Garner leads the way with a multilayered turn that really shows off her immense talent in a way the other films she has been part of this year have not.  Her alcoholic, obsessive teacher is a treasure trove of complexity and imperfections even before her class goes missing.  She's traumatized and ostracized by the event but Garner is still able to give her an authentic sense of caring about the kids and what happened to them.  Josh Brolin's character is obsessive, to a fault, about finding out what happened to his child and aims his ire at Garner's character initially.  Brolin brings the appropriate sense of misguided parental intensity that just comes through the screen especially early on.  Alden Ehrenreich's recovering alcoholic cop who's involved in affair with Garner's character is a bit more straightforward and one dimensional with his subplot being used more as connective tissue for the overall narrative as opposed to a fully formed character.  Cary Christopher, Austin Abrams and Benedict Wong are solid in smaller supporting roles even though their character could use a bit more depth before the wheels start to fly off in Weapons rather nutty finale that's sure to be contentious with some people. 

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE NAKED GUN

 

Following in the footsteps of his bumbling father, Detective Frank Drebin Jr. must solve a murder case to prevent the police department from shutting down.

Director: Akiva Schaffer

Cast: Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, CCH Pounder, Danny Huston

Release Date: August 1, 2025

Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime

Rated PG-13 for crude/sexual material, violence/bloody images and brief partial nudity.

Runtime: 1h 25m

Review:

The Naked Gun series springs back to life with a barrage of visual gags and word play jokes that recapture the comedic energy of the original Abrahams/Zucker productions starring Leslie Nielsen.  Director Akiva Schaffer does a strong job of recreating the goofy energy that permeated the older film right from the start and he rarely lets the foot off the gas.  The throw everything at the wall approach works incredibly well as jokes and gags fly at such a fast pace that it never lets the audience linger too long on anything.  The jokes that land and those that don't are thrown onscreen in steady succession with the cast being more than game to roll with it.  Liam Neeson is the linchpin to it all as he takes the reins of the legendary Leslie Nielsen with incredible ease.  Neeson extended stay as onscreen tough guy works wonderfully here as he's clearly having a blast embracing the absurdity of the script and action playing out in front of him.  There’s something about his gravelly voice delivering some of the most inherently silly lines of dialogue that recalls Nielsen's pitch perfect deadpan delivery.  It helps that he shares strong comedic chemistry with Pamela Anderson who displays some impressive timing.  They clearly are having a ball onscreen together and that energy comes through the screen.  The supporting players don't get as much time to shine with Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, CCH Pounder and Danny Huston doing the most with their limited screentime.  Huston in particular seems to be channeling Ricardo Montalban from the 1988 film which the film should have used to a greater extent.  His character's masterplan seems lifted from the original Kingsman film which makes the last act a bit clunkier than what came before it.  Still, it’s hard not to appreciate how well 2025’s The Naked Gun revives this particular style of comedy.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS

 

Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and the Thing face their most daunting challenge yet as they defend Earth from Galactus and Silver Surfer.

Director: Matt Shakman

Cast: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Julia Garner, Sarah Niles, Mark Gatiss, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser, Ralph Ineson

Release Date: July 24, 2025

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for action/violence and some language.

Runtime: 1h 55m

Review:

The Fantastic Four: First Steps retro futuristic aesthetic instantly gives Matt Shakman's film a distinctive look paired with strong chemistry from its core cast makes it easier to overlook some of the script's deficiencies.  Shakman decision to go with more of a period setting works wonders for the film especially as we are introduced to the titular team through a series of montages of their previous exploits.  It gives the film a fun energy from the start that it tries desperately to maintain throughout.  The action thrown on screen is fun with its more sci-fi leaning story opening up the action to space set sequences which work incredibly well such as the team’s first encounter with Galactus.  There are slivers of Kubrick's 2001 visually referenced here and there for good measure as we follow Marvel's first family.  Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn are solid across the board with their familial connection and interactions coming off as sincere and naturalistic.  Vanessa Kirby's striking appearance and strong screen presence gives us the most fully realized version of Sue Storm as there is little question that she serves as the backbone of the family and film as whole.  She adds an impressive level of depth to the character that really shines through during a speech she delivers about halfway through the film.  Pedro Pascal is a bit more of a mixed bag because his sincerity fits the role well, but his usual everyman charm works against him here since we're supposed to believe he's one of the world's smartest people.  He proves more than capable of pulling off the emotional side of the role, but he just can't pull off the analytical side believably especially since his character is wrong numerous times throughout the film.  Thankfully, Pascal and Kirby work well together onscreen, which makes it easier to overlook him being miscast here.  Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn are better suited to their roles, but the characters feel a bit short changed by the script as they're never really fleshed out and only given a few distinguishing characteristics.  Moss-Bachrach in particular seems ready and willing to add some real pathos to his character if given the chance.  Julia Garner and Ralph Ineson are both talented performers, but they're terribly underused as paper thin villains which never takes advantage of their skills.  Missteps like that keep The Fantastic Four: First Steps from being something truly special even though it will still rank as the best onscreen iteration of these characters outside of The Incredibles. 

B

MOVIE REVIEW: TOGETHER

 

After moving to the countryside, a supernatural encounter starts to transform a couple's love, their lives, and their flesh.

Director: Michael Shanks

Cast: Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Damon Herriman, Mia Morrissey

Release Date: July 30, 2025

Genre: Comedy, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi

Rated R for violent/disturbing content, sexual content, graphic nudity, language and brief drug content.

Runtime: 1h 42m

Review:

Together is devilishly funny bit of body horror sprinkled with bits of rom-com which works better if you don't think about the story too much and focus on stellar turns from Dave Franco and Alison Brie.  Writer/Director Michael Shanks leaves quite an impression in his directorial debut by delivering an equal balance of visceral frights and relationship humor that hits more often than not.  He judiciously utilizes a series of well timed jump scares scattered throughout to give you a sense that something horrific could be lurking in the deepest recess of your nightmares.  Long overhead shots take full advantage of the scenic setting but there's something just slightly off that keeps everything unsettling.  Casting real life husband and wife proves to be a masterstroke since Franco and Brie bring an air of authenticity to their relationship.  Their interchanges will likely sound familiar to anyone who's been in a long term relationship.  Alison Brie takes full advantage of her talents here as we get the full spectrum of her character's traits which swing from sweet but mildly passive aggressive to cuttingly acidic in the blink of eye.  Dave Franco is equally impressive as her boyfriend, who's clearly used to be overshadowed and domineered by the time we meet him. Their relationship reeks of the worst kind of toxic codependency with neither being able to take the final step and just leave.  Even as things get increasingly insane there's something relatable about their endless cycle of arguments and reconciliations that leaves neither happy.  The allegory here is about as blunt as they come as they literally become unable to leave each other as we witness a series of increasingly grotesques encounters.  The script doesn't concern itself too much with why this has happened to them which feels like Shanks might have painted himself into a corner, ultimately deciding to just avoid a  tangible of explanation altogether.  It’s, ultimately, a minor complaint because Together works on so many levels thanks to strong direction and performances from its central duo. 

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: 40 ACRES

 

Surviving on an isolated farm after a series of plagues and wars, a former soldier and her family make one last stand against a vicious militia that wants to take their land.

Director: R. T. Thorne 

Cast: Danielle Deadwyler, Kataem O'Connor, Jaeda LeBlanc, Michael Greyeyes, Milcania Diaz-Rojas, Leenah Robinson

Release Date: July 2, 2025 US/August 1, 2025 UK

Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rated R for strong bloody violent content and language.

Runtime: 1h 53m

Review:

R.T. Thorne's debut film, 40 Acres, is a lean mean apocalyptic thriller that delivers impressive action along with plenty of thematic allegory, powered by a steely turn from Danielle Deadwyler.  Initially, there's a sense of familiarity to the proceeding with portions of it echoing the bleakness of 2009's The Road.  The family unit here though is a seasoned team ready to defend their land at a second’s moment thanks to the leadership of Danielle Deadwyler's tough as nails Hailey Freeman and Michael Greyeyes Galen's both of whom were former soldiers before becoming a couple after the end of the world.  Their relationship is a steady balance of carrots and stick as they prepare their kids to survive in this brutal landscape.  They are both overprotective to a fault but it’s all a means to an end to give their offspring the best chance to endure in the future.  Deadwyler's hardened stare barely breaks throughout as she serves as a stoic taskmaster for the adopted family.  Greyeyes provides a bit more tenderness as a counterbalance to her with book loads of history shared via unspoken looks which gives their relationship an air of realism.  The film allows us plenty of time to get to know each of the younger family members with Kataem O'Connor and Leenah Robinson getting the most screentime.  O'Connor is solid as the eldest teenage son, full of angst and ready to rebel by exploring beyond the limits imposed by his parents.  He brings the right amount of resentment for his mother which is revealed to extend further into the past.  On the other side of the coin, Leenah Robinson and Michael Greyeyes have a much more congenial, loving daughter/father relationship with some of their interchanges providing some much-needed moments of warmth.  The film methodically establishes the setting and characters before building to its more action heavy finale which boasts a series of well-constructed action sequences highlighted by a moment in a darkened house that's sure to leave an impression.  Once it's all said and done, 40 Acres brings together its themes of family, legacy and perseverance in an impressive manner especially since it’s packaged in such a familiar package.  

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: EDDINGTON

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, N.M.

Director: Ari Aster

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O'Connell, Micheal Ward, Austin Butler, Emma Stone

Release Date: July 18, 2025

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Western

Rated R for strong violence, some grisly images, language, and graphic nudity.

Runtime: 2h 25m

Review:

Ari Aster's Eddington is aggressively overstuffed as he tries to capture the general insanity of the summer of 2020 through the lens of the fictional town with Joaquin Phoenix doing the majority of the heavy lifting onscreen.  The film is a measured, slow burn as we watch real world external events and the story threads thrown onscreen move toward their unavoidable intersection.  Aster takes his time setting the table with the assorted collection of characters that inhabit the town, establishing them more as types than anything else.  Joaquin Phoenix's mask adverse Sheriff, Joe Cross, is a sad sack of a man when we meet him, finding some sliver of empowerment by taking up the cause of personal freedom that leads him to run for mayor against Pedro Pascal's Ted Garcia, Eddington's incumbent mayor.  Phoenix plays the character as a lonely, emasculated man that's in a position of power but totally inept until he grabs hold of his cause.  His wife Louise serves as little comfort as she has issues with physical contact leaving both isolated even when they are together, a recurring theme that serves as an undercurrent to the entire film.  Emma Stone looks appropriately disheveled and bizarre with one moment giving off some strong Carrie vibes as her character falls under the influence of Austin Butler's cult leader.  There's some fertile ground that's left untended with their relationship as both Stone and Butler are underutilized with both popping on and off screen far too quickly.   Louise's conspiracy obsessed mother played effectively by Deirdre O'Connell gets more screentime with an air of sly calculation amid all the insanity she traffics in.  Pedro Pascal's character is more straightforward and less nuanced as he serves a performative counter point to Phoenix's Cross.  He's given precious little time to really flesh the character out which leaves him coming off far more one dimensional than Cross.  Likewise, a subplot involving local BLM protest and a love triangle involving Cameron Mann, Matt Gomez Hidaka and Amélie Hoeferle feels undercooked, serving as little more than a plot device for the final and rather brutal finale which drags out into an unnecessarily long epilogue that leaves more questions than answers.  In the end, perhaps that point Aster is trying to achieve with Eddington serving as a rumination on the isolation that led to the increased insanity of that moment in time with no end in sight.  

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER

 

When five friends inadvertently cause a deadly car accident, they cover up their involvement and make a pact to keep it a secret rather than face the consequences. One year later, the past comes back to haunt them as they learn someone knows what they did last summer. Stalked by a mysterious killer, they soon seek help from two survivors of the legendary Southport massacre of 1997.

Director: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson

Cast: Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, Sarah Pidgeon, Billy Campbell, Gabbriette Bechtel, Austin Nichols, Freddie Prinze Jr., Jennifer Love Hewitt

Release Date: July 18, 2025

Genre: Horror

Rated R for bloody horror violence, language throughout, some sexual content and brief drug use

Runtime: 1h 51m

Review:

The legacy revival of I Know What You Did Last Summer dusts off the same basic plot of the original with fresh new faces, led by Chase Sui Wonders and Madelyn Cline, but it never decides if it wants to play it straight or lean into outright camp. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson film borrows heavily from the 1997 original as it immediately feels familiar for better or worse.  Legacy films typically have a classic film to fall back on for inspiration but if we are being honest the original was a so-so product of the post Scream craze.  It’s an opportunity for her to do something different or interesting with the concept, something she toys with at various points but never fully commits.  There are moments that feel like the film might go full bore satire thanks to an incredibly fun turn from Madelyn Cline who seems to be channeling Amanda Seyfried's Mean Girls character throughout.  She provides the film with some much-needed injections of energy that the film sorely lacks since it’s never scary or inventive with its kills.  The clunky need to add in random call backs to the original film like random mannequins in a restaurant or a parade float in a cemetery ultimately keep the film from ever finding its own footing.  Chase Sui Wonders does her best to keep the whole thing afloat as she desperately tries to deliver a much more nuanced performance that the film deserves.  The script doesn't do anyone any favors as it's filled with plenty of aggressively stupid logical leaps that are just nonsensical instead of shocking.  Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt's return should make a bigger impact on the film than they do, which just hammers home the point that their original characters weren't terribly interesting to begin with.  There's a late game story thread about the gentrification of the town and its horrific history which would have been a more interesting approach to the story than we get in this overlong, tepid redux.   

C-

MOVIE REVIEW: SUPERMAN

 

When Superman gets drawn into conflicts at home and abroad, his actions are questioned, giving tech billionaire Lex Luthor the opportunity to get the Man of Steel out of the way for good. Will intrepid reporter Lois Lane and Superman's four-legged companion, Krypto, be able to help him before it's too late?

Director: James Gunn

Cast: David Corenswet,  Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced

Release Date: July 11, 2025

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for violence, action and language.

Runtime: 2h 9m

Review:

James Gunn's Superman forgoes all the dour, grittiness of Snyder's take on the character by going in the opposite direction by embracing a more colorful, less grounded approach that allows for him to have more fun with the character and his heavily populated comic book world.  Gunn doesn't bother with the usual origin story instead he gets right into the action almost immediately which gives the film a strong headwind that rarely lets up throughout its runtime.  The world he splashes onscreen is fully formed, already populated by villains and heroes who battle regularly.  It all leans heavily into its comic book roots which feels like it unburdens him and his cast to just have fun with the characters and story.  The action sequences are bombastically big and fun however this version of Superman is beaten around on more than a few occasions.  This version of the character is established but also still green enough to give moments of trepidation and self-doubt.   David Corenswet easily steps into the role with a disarming, boyish charm that fits the character perfectly especially when he's in his Clark Kent guise.  He has the perfect "Aw, shucks" quality that Christopher Reeve brought to the role back in the 1978 version that makes the character easy to like.  This is very much the boy scout version of the character who's straightlaced, well intentioned and ultimately just trying to do the right thing.  Rachel Brosnahan is equally impressive as she takes up the Lois Lane mantle with her performance being a mix of Margot Kidder and Dana Delany's animated versions.  Her Lane is plucky enough to hold her own against the Man of Steel as exemplified with a wonderful character moment during a private interview with him.  Corenswet and Brosnahan share excellent chemistry together, something that shines through in that scene as they bounce off each with believable ease.  I personally would have preferred a bit more focus on them at the cost of some of the more extraneous characters we get time with.  The "Justice Gang" made up of Green Lantern, Mister Terrific and Hawkgirl played by Nathan Fillion, Edi Gathegi and Isabela Merced are fun when they pop up on screen, but we're given the tiniest bit of information about each.  Fillion has a blast playing up the jerk angle as Guy Gardner's Green Lantern while Merced does what she can with the limited amount she's given to work with as Hawkgirl.  Edi Gathegi gets more screentime as the super genius Mr. Terrific, playing him mostly like a human supercomputer with occasional flashes of personality.  He gets a fun action sequence that feels like Gunn is plagiarizing his own work from Guardians of the Galaxy as it feels fairly similar to Yondu and his arrow.  In the same vein, Krypto essentially serves as this film's version of Groot with his appearance being well used for relatable pet comedy.  On the downside, Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor is more of a mixed bag as he comes off more like a hodgepodge of previous versions but missing the cold calculating, genius from the best take of the character which was Clancy Brown's work in Superman The Animated Series and Justice League.  Additionally, the film is overstuffed with ideas and plotlines that the film almost buries the titular character under the sheer weight of it all.  Still, it’s hard not to appreciate what Gunn and his cast accomplish with this restart of the DC movie universe with this easy to enjoy and incredibly fun version of Superman.  

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH

Zora Bennett leads a team of skilled operatives to the most dangerous place on Earth, an island research facility for the original Jurassic Park. Their mission is to secure genetic material from dinosaurs whose DNA can provide life-saving benefits to mankind. As the top-secret expedition becomes more and more risky, they soon make a sinister, shocking discovery that's been hidden from the world for decades.

Director: Gareth Edwards

Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Ed Skrein

Release Date: July 2, 2025

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence/action, bloody images, some suggestive references, language and a drug reference.

Runtime: 2h 14m

Review:

Jurassic World Rebirth offers the big scale dinosaur action we've come to expect from the long running series however it suffers from an identity crisis as it struggles to figure out if it wants to lean into its horror roots or something more family friendly and safe.  Gareth Edwards is perfectly capable of handling the dinosaur mayhem that occurs throughout the film by delivering impressive set pieces.  There are sequences that are reminiscent of his older works such as The Creator, Godzilla and Monsters which work well for this franchise.  The required T-Rex set piece is particularly well executed although people of a certain age might get heavy hints of the Land of the Lost intro from the 70's.  The rest of the action is solid but it’s nothing groundbreaking or new which is disappointing since the crux of this entry being that this was an R&D island which worked on genetic splicing to create something new to keep the public’s waning interest in the park and their regular dinosaurs.  It’s a bit of unintentional meta commentary on the series itself as this entry’s creatures really don't take any wild swings with the raptor/pterosaur hybrids and Distortus rex (which looks like a weird hybrid of the Rancor from Star Wars and an Alien from that franchise) which aren't nearly as memorable as they should be.  The story doesn't help matter much as we get competing narratives with one following Johansson's covert opt to retrieve dino DNA and a random family that's rescued by her team after being shipwrecked by Mosasaurus.  The script separates each group once they hit the island for no discernible reason other than to expand the geography of the film.  Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali top line the film and their characters are given hints of deeper development which should have been nurtured with more screentime instead of the narrative tangents provided by the most generic family in the form of the Delgado's.  It’s a headscratcher of a decision since the film has two top list stars that could have carried this film with general ease, but the script decides to sideline them for half the film's screentime.  As a result, both groups of characters are underserved and they all come off as far more generic than they should be, especially considering the top tier talent.  It leaves everything in Jurassic World Rebirth feel like a retread of the far superior original, something a steady series of clunky visual easter eggs manage to hammer home.

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: M3GAN 2.0

 

Two years after M3GAN, a marvel of artificial intelligence, went rogue and embarked on a murderous rampage, its creator, Gemma, has become an advocate for government oversight of AI. Unbeknownst to her, a defense contractor has created a military-grade weapon known as Amelia, the ultimate infiltration spy. However, as Emlia's self-awareness increases, it becomes less interested in taking orders. Hoping to stop Emilia, Gemma decides to resurrect M3GAN, making it faster, stronger, and more lethal.

Director: Gerard Johnstone

Cast: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Amie Donald, Jenna Davis, Ivanna Sakhno, Aristotle Athari, Timm Sharp, Jemaine Clement

Release Date: June 27, 2025

Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for strong violent content, bloody images, some strong language, sexual material, and brief drug references.

Runtime: 1h 59m

Review:

M3GAN 2.0 switches up the horror tone of the original to a goofier, sci-fi slant that mines films like Terminator 2 among others which works more often than not if you go with the flow.  Gerard Johnstone avoids making this series into a Chucky clone by going in a different direction which is sure to turn off some people, but he manages the change in tone and genre with impressive ease.  The film has a breezy feel to it that makes it easy to enjoy even though its story is more than a tad nonsensical.  He's clearly comfortable leaning into the sillier aspect of this particular story something he did with the original, albeit in a more restrained manner.  The action is bigger and louder across the board with the climatic robot karate fight being chock full of B-movie cheese.  The cast fully embraces it all and seems up for everything that Johnston throws at them.  Allison Williams and Violet McGraw return from the first film as adoptive mother and daughter with McGraw being given more to do this go around.  Williams is given much more latitude as the disgraced robot designer turned advocate for ethical usage of AI in this entry than her more reserved turn in the original.  Violet McGraw also got so much to do here as a preteen with her character having turned into something of robotics prodigy in the intervening years.  They both work well together as parent and siblings who have dealt with a bit more than the usual preteens.  Brian Jordan Alvarez and Jen Van Epps both also return as Gemma's coworkers who have stuck with her for some reason all things consider but it does provide some comedy once M3GAN returns in earnest.  Amie Donald and Jenna Davis are back providing the body and voice to a now slightly taller M3GAN that's explained away in a throwaway line of dialogue.  Davis' voice work is hilariously sardonic here even as the titular robot experiences a bit of personal growth throughout the film from killer robot to more of a protector.  Jemaine Clement has a fun but all too brief appearance as a tech billionaire in the mold of Elon Musk that leaves you wishing he'd gotten more screentime.  Ivanna Sakhno is given the rather thankless role of AMELIA (Autonomous Military Engagement Logistics & Infiltration Android) who serves as M3GAN rival.  While the majority of the returning cast is given so much more to do this go around, Sakhno isn't asked to do much outside of look robotic and make good use of her stunt fighting training.  With the film clocking in at nearly 2 hours it would have been worthwhile to have given her something more interesting to do than what she's tasked with.  M3GAN 2.0 has plenty of fat that could have been trimmed to make room for a bit more time with Sakhno's character but she's more than capable of giving off a murderous stare in this enjoyably comedic sci-fi romp.  

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: GEORGE A. ROMERO'S: RESIDENT EVIL

 

A documentary that brings to light the vision that director George A. Romero had for an adaptation of Resident Evil, using newly filmed interviews with those who were there, and unravels the secrets behind why it was never produced.

Director: Brandon Salisbury

Cast: George A. Romero, James Rolfe, Charlie Kraslavsky, Pat Jankiewicz, Eric Pirius, Pablo Kuntz, Michael Felsher, Jim Krut, Matthew Blazi

Release Date: January 7, 2025

Genre: Documentary

Not Rated 

Runtime: 1h 50m

Review:

Brandon Salisbury's George A. Romero's Resident Evil documentary works as a retrospective of both the Resident Evil video game franchise and Romero's career and his far-reaching impact.  Salisbury's approach is rather methodical but informative as he tracks the rise of the Resident Evil video game franchise and its ultimate intersection with its uncredited godfather in the form of George A. Romero.  It’s a fascinating behind the scenes tale of what should have been a match made in heaven before falling apart for a variety of reasons.  Salisbury uses archival documents from Romero's estate to give us an insight into what he was attempting to deliver had he been given the reins of this cinematic adaptation.  The retrospectives of the game and Romero himself that begins the documentary are rather dry as it covers fairly well-known information about both and their rise to prominence.  Once we reach the singular moment where both entities come together serves as the most intriguing portion of the film's two-hour runtime.  There's a solid sense of Romero's mindset as he sees the chance to help with the adaptation of the video game which borrowed so much from his legendary films as a way to take back some sort of agency of his ideas.  The documentary does a solid job of leading us along the journey as his adaptation slowly begins to fall apart due to corporate interference.  We're given a window into his bitterness after the project collapses, especially once the zombie genre takes off in the subsequent years.  George A. Romero's Resident Evil ends on a bit of a somber note as it tracks the latter half of his career and ultimately his death in 2017 with heartfelt remembrance and longing for his Resident Evil film that never came to be.  

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: F1

 

In the 1990s, Sonny Hayes was Formula 1's most promising driver until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, the owner of a struggling Formula 1 team convinces Sonny to return to racing and become the best in the world. Driving alongside the team's hotshot rookie, Sonny soon learns that the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Cast: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Javier Bardem, Shea Whigham

Release Date: June 27, 2025

Genre: Action, Drama, Sport

Rated PG-13 for strong language, and action.

Runtime: 2h 36m

Review:

Joseph Kosinski's F1 delivers some truly intense and thrilling racing sequences that really put you in the driver's seat which is sure to leave an impression even though the plot is more or less a dramatic take of 1989's Major League.  This is a sleek film that really takes off when it gets the camera inside the cars and we feel the propulsive energy of the motors.  Kosinski pulls off some impressive technical feats by giving the audience a full 360-degree view during the film's energetic racing sequences that leave you feeling every twist and turn of the track in a visceral way.  It would all be even more engaging if the story and characters matched the level of creativity and artistry as the visual but sadly, they prove to be little more than a collection of sports movie clichés.  The characters all fit into nice tidy boxes with their general characteristics and motivations easily related in a brief synopsis.  Brad Pitt is perfectly cast as the weather worn, former golden boy that's brought back to the sport that he'd walked away from decades ago after a tragic failure.  Pitt's natural, earned screen charisma makes his character far more interesting than he would be in a lesser actor's hands.  There are moments where you get the sense, he's digging for more depth to the character whose ultimate motivation seems to be the same as Ricky Bobby's in Talladega Nights.  It’s a testament to him as a true movie star that he can make some of the film's clunkier moments and dialogue palpable with his natural delivery.  Damson Idris is solid as the hotshot rookie who's brash but still intimidated when Pitt's character shows up.  Idris is an incredibly talented performer, anyone who watched his work in 6 seasons of FX's Snowfall can attest to that, but the script gives him painfully little to work with as Joshua Pearce's rivalry/friendship plays out in predictable fashion with Sonny Hayes.  There's a moment where it feels like the script might take their relationship and the story into more meaningful territory which would have been far more interesting than the more predictable path, they end up choosing.  Kerry Condon is given the thankless job as the perfunctory love interest that's given just enough backstory to give her character a tad more depth than you'd usually expect. Javier Bardem has fun as the team owner and former teammate of Pitt's Sonny Hayes that brings him back into F1.  Tobias Menzies is wasted as the scheming board member who's hoping for the team's failure and ultimate sale.  Once it’s all said and done you get the feeling there was an opportunity for F1 to be something truly special if the amount of time and care put into the racing sequences had been given to the story and characters. 

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: ELIO

 

Elio, an underdog with an active imagination, finds himself inadvertently beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide. Mistakenly identified as Earth's ambassador to the rest of the universe, he starts to form new bonds with eccentric aliens while discovering who he's truly meant to be.

Director: Adrian Molina, Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian

Cast: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldaña, Remy Edgerly, Brandon Moon, Brad Garrett, Jameela Jamil

Release Date: June 20, 2025

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Rated PG for some action/peril and thematic elements.

Runtime: 1h 39m

Review:

Elio, Pixar's latest animated feature, brings a breath of fresh air with is original story and colorful characters while still managing to center itself around an emotional core.  The trio of directors, Adrian Molina, Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian, deliver a lively sci-fi tale that's fun and easy to enjoy.  The character designs are inventive and wonderfully crafted especially once the action moves into the Communiverse.  They manage to keep a steady pace with the action which keeps the plot moving, something that both parents and children alike will appreciate.  It gives the film a nice flow that rarely lets up as we follow Elio's journey as he progressively gets more and more in over his head.  It helps that the central character is likeable from the onset even as he tries to deal with the loss of his parents and find his place in the world.  Yonas Kibreab voices the character with impressive enthusiasm layered with tinges of sadness that's some depth to the character.  He and Zoe Saldaña share a believe rapport together as she navigates the best way to deal with her nephew who she's left to care for.  Saldaña does a solid job of balancing her character's conflicted situation where she wants to do the best she can for Elio but is equally overwhelmed with the responsibility thrust on her which stalled her career.  There's a fair amount of subtle nuance to it that's easy to miss among the cornucopia of visuals thrown on screen, but it adds so much to the overall story especially in the back half of the film.  Brad Garrett and Remy Edgerly bring a similar sort of energy to Lord Grigon and his son Glordon.  Garrett's deep baritone voice works well for his seemingly aggressive character while Edgerly provides a solid contrast as his son who's not interested in his dad's work.  Edgerly and Kibreab make for a fun duo in the middle portion of the film with their friendship feeling believable as they're both looking for acceptance and attention from their guardians.  It all may not be as emotionally deep or devastating as some of Pixar's other films such as Coco or Inside Out, but Elio will leave you feeling good when you walk out of the theater.  

  

A-