MOVIE REVIEW: MOTOR CITY

 

In the 1970s Detroit, John Miller falls for a local gangster's girl and lands in prison for a crime he didn't commit. With his life ruined, Miller hatches a plan for revenge.

Director: Potsy Ponciroli

Cast: Alan Ritchson, Ben Foster, Pablo Schreiber, Lionel Boyce, Shailene Woodley

Release Date: July 24, 2026

Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rated R for strong bloody violence, some grisly images, drug content, sexuality/nudity and language

Runtime: 1h 43m

Review:

Motor City is a fascinating experiment in telling a 70’s style actioner via music and visuals with nearly no dialogue that’s surprisingly effective and distinctive to make for a memorable experience if you buy into the approach.  The no dialogue approach used does take some time getting used to, but Potsy Ponciroli delivers some fairly impressive visuals paired with a stellar 70’s soundtrack that makes the adjustment easier.  It initially feels like you are watching a straightforward film with the dialogue turned off and only the soundtrack running, which is interesting to say the least but once you start following the basics of the general story it’s easy to either buy in fully or check out.  Needless to say, this isn’t the kind of film that’s going to be for everybody since this film is far more aggressive in its commitment to the no dialogue approach than other recent films that kept their protagonist mostly mute such as the Sisu films or 2023’s Silent Night.  This film may have less than ten words of dialogue spoken throughout which asks a lot of the assembled cast.  Thankfully, they are all up to the challenge as they are able to communicate the story with their ability to emote without any dialogue.  Alan Ritchson capably leads the way making solid use of his massive frame to deliver the action which he pairs with enough earnest emotion to make you feel every bit of his journey.  He gives the character a certain level of vulnerability that’s unexpected especially since it would have been easy for him to just put it on badass auto pilot.  He does get his chance to show off his action mettle especially in the final act highlighted by a particularly intense and brutal fight with Pablo Schreiber, who exudes 70s dirty cop throughout, in an elevator.  Shailene Woodley is solid as the love interest even if she’s drowned out by Ritchson and Ben Foster’s villain.  Foster, an underappreciated character actor, manages to chew up the scenery with impressive gusto as the crime lord that destroys Ritchson’s character’s life.  He utterly loses himself in the role by making the character as flamboyant as he is hateable.  It makes the final act all the more satisfying thanks to performances on display even though I could have done without the final ten minutes.  Motor City won’t be for everybody due to its very distinctive approach but whether you are onboard or not, you have to appreciate the artistry on display.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: PROJECT HAIL MARY

 

Science teacher Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory slowly returns, he soon discovers he must solve the riddle behind a mysterious substance that's causing the sun to die out. As details of the mission unravel, he calls on his scientific training and sheer ingenuity -- but he may not have to do it alone.

Director: Phil Lord, Chris Miller

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, Milana Vayntrub, Priya Kansara, Liz Kingsman

Release Date: March 20, 2026

Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for some thematic material and suggestive references.

Runtime: 2h 36m

Review:

Project Hail Mary is easy to enjoy blockbuster that melds 2001 with E.T. that’s powered by impressive visuals and stellar turn from Ryan Gosling that propels the film to impressive heights.  Phil Lord and Chris Miller deliver a solid combination of emotion and large-scale visuals that make for more than a handful of dazzling moments.  Interspacing flashbacks throughout gives the film a slow reveal of the plot that works well since Gosling’s character awakens in a state of semi amnesia.  The slow rolls out does more to flesh out the character than it does to provide any real surprises as to how he ended up on the ship in the first place.   Those flashbacks give Sandra Hüller time to flex her impressive dramatic muscle as she delivers a rather textured turn as the mysterious woman tasked with trying to save the Earth who recruits Gosling’s, school teacher, Ryland Grace.  Hüller and Gosling share strong chemistry together which leaves you wishing the film had given their relationship just a tad more time to germinate especially since they both working off each incredibly well.  Lionel Boyce’s officer Carl also could have used more screentime as well since they also work off each other with a naturalistic ease that really speaks to their fast friendship.  It’s a minor issue but considering the film’s sizable length it would have been great to have those relationships fleshed out a bit more especially since both performers are begging for more to do.  That being said, this film is carried from start to finish by Ryan Gosling’s multi-faceted turn that makes the entire thing so incredibly watchable.  Gosling is in rare form here as he seamlessly shuffles through a series of emotions over the course of the film.  It’s a particularly impressive since he’s working with a puppet for the majority of the time in the form of his alien counterpart Rocky.  The fact that their relationship comes through as genuine and believable is a testament to his talent and the vocal work from lead puppeteer, James Ortiz.  Their relationship plays out like an older version of Elliot and E.T.’s relationship from the Spielberg classic with much more collaboration at play as they try to save their respective worlds.  Their bromance is fun and heartfelt enough that you won’t mind too much that your heartstrings are being purposely pulled for maximum “aww” effect.  It’s not a terribly complicated or revelatory story but Gosling provides so much depth to his accidental, coerced hero that you can’t help but get enveloped in their journey even if Project Hail Mary has nearly as many false endings as Return of the King.  

A-