MOVIE REVIEW: THE RUNNING MAN

 

In the near future, "The Running Man" is the top-rated show on television, a deadly competition where contestants must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins. Desperate for money to save his sick daughter, Ben Richards is convinced by the show's ruthless producer to enter the game as a last resort. Ratings soon skyrocket as Ben's defiance, instincts and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite, as well as a threat to the entire system.

Director: Edgar Wright

Cast: Glen Powell, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin, Katy M. O'Brian

Release Date: November 14, 2025

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rated R for strong violence, some gore, and language

Runtime: 2h 13m

Review:

Edgar Wright’s take on The Running Man sticks much closer to the Stephen King novel than the 1987 Schwarzenegger film, but it struggles to find its own identity with it never able to decide if it wants to go full camp like that film or lean into the darker dystopian side of the King novel.  Wright’s energetic style meshes well with the over-the-top action sequences and he’s clearly most comfortable in those moments.  There’s a bit of Paul Verhoeven 80’s style world building, think Robocop, that leans into the satirical side that’s fun but never explored enough to make a meaningful impact.  It’s an unsteady balance of energetic action with occasionally gruesome deaths paired with slower moments dealing with dying kids and ruminations about revolution.  It’s a weird mix that makes for a herky jerky flow to the film especially since the performances across the board are generally over the top.  Glen Powell leads the film capably, but he feels miscast from the start since his character is supposed to be a beaten down, desperate man something his chiseled features and physique don’t really communicate.  It’s not Powell’s fault of course and he delivers a solid, likable performance from start to finish but his character lacks the kind of depth you’d expect.  He’s got some basic character traits, and they don’t really expand beyond being good-hearted with a serious anti-authority streak but there’s little else to him when it’s all said and done even after becoming a sort of folk hero.  Josh Brolin is much better suited for the role of the show's swarmy producer, Dan Killian, and he clearly relishes hamming it up in the role.  Brolin is loads of fun every time he pops up but the film doesn’t take full advantage of his rather inspired turn.  The same can be said for Colman Domingo turn as Bobby T, the host of The Running Man show, who is having a blast playing the charismatic, over the top character.  They both are so over the top and energetic, you’re left wondering why Wright didn’t just go all in and deliver something more outright satirical that likely would have been more meaningful than slavishly serving King’s original story.

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

 

Many years after the reign of Caesar, a young ape goes on a journey that will lead him to question everything he's been taught about the past and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.

Director: Wes Ball

Cast: Freya Allan, Owen Teague, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, William H. Macy

Release Date: May 10, 2024

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence/action

Runtime: 2h 25m

Review:

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is a technical marvel with its impressive motion-capture performances and visceral action set pieces, but it’s grounded by strong storytelling that makes you care about the digitally created characters.  Wes Ball takes the reigns of the revived franchise with a solid sense of direction and confidence as he opens up a new chapter in the story.   Ball clearly has a love for the franchise as he peppers his film with a bevy of nods to the original film in both visual and musical cues throughout.  His most impressive feat though is managing all the visual effects while never losing focus on the characters.  The film only contains three major action sequences which are visually dazzling but there's a degree of care taken in between to make sure those moments matter.  Owen Teague is tasked with filling the massive shoes left by Andy Serkis as the new lead character.  His performance is thoughtfully authentic and heartfelt as he gives the character a believable sense of guilt and self-doubt that plague the accidental hero.  It’s an engaging, likable turn that forms a tangible emotional connection with audience from the opening sequence with Lydia Peckham's Soona and Travis Jeffery's Anaya.  Peckham and Jeffery make the most with their limited screen time, leaving a noticeable impression which bodes well for future installments.  Likewise, Peter Macon's turn as the orangutan Raka is surprisingly effective which leaves the film missing his presence once he's off the screen.  Kevin Durand's Proximus Caesar makes for an intriguing villain but the film doesn't spend enough time on him to make him as layered as they could have before becoming full on murderous in the final action sequence.  The concept of having Caesar's ideals being warped in the years after his death is fascinating but the story doesn’t explore it in any serious way which feels like a missed opportunity.  Freya Allan serves as the main human actor for the majority of the film and does solid if unremarkable work compared to her costars.  William H. Macy makes a late stage appearance but doesn't really make much of an impact outside of having a familiar face relay some background exposition.  The final act does have a strangely rushed feel to it especially since the previous two acts had a measured more methodical pace.  It’s not bad enough to make the story collapse but a noticeable stumble getting to the finish line.  

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: RICKY STANICKY

 

Twenty years after creating the imaginary Ricky Stanicky, three childhood friends still use the nonexistent pal as a handy alibi for their immature behavior. When their spouses and partners get suspicious and demand to finally meet him, the guilty trio decides to hire washed-up actor Rod to bring him to life. However, when Rod takes his role of a lifetime a little too far, they begin to wish they never invented Ricky in the first place.

Director: Peter Farrelly

Cast: Zac Efron, Jermaine Fowler, Andrew Santino, Lex Scott Davis, Anja Savcic, Jeff Ross, William H. Macy, John Cena

Release Date: March 8, 2024

Genre: Comedy

Rated R for sexual material, language throughout and some drug content.

Runtime: 1h 53m

Review:

Ricky Stanicky's silly setup should be perfectly suited for Peter Farrelly's talents especially with game cast but its never as consistently funny as it should be.  Farrelly's film feels familiar from the start with its goofy, over the top comedy and occasional gross outs paired with some choppy sentimentality.  The best Farrelly brother’s film's worked because the comedy bits tended to make it easier to overlook some of the film's shortcomings.  Peter's solo films have never reached the heights of his collaborations with his brother from the late 90's and early 2000's, a trend that continues here.  There are bits that work mostly thanks to a game cast highlighted by John Cena who does the majority of the heavy lifting.  The biggest issue is the film can never maintain the comedic energy since there are a handful of moments that fall flat which makes the whole thing feel longer than it actually is.  Zac Efron, Jermaine Fowler, Andrew Santino and Cena all do their best, but the comedic dead spots highlight how thinly scripted the whole thing is.  The cast seems to be begging for better material to work with Efron making for a great straight man to the assorted zaniness happening around him.  Likewise, Fowler and Santino's comedic talents feel underutilized throughout which is a shame.  The result is a passable but easily forgettable comedy that feels like it could have been much better.    

C-