MOVIE REVIEW: THE SMASHING MACHINE

 

MMA fighter Mark Kerr reaches the peak of his career but faces personal hardships along the way.

Director: Benny Safdie

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, Oleksandr Usyk

Release Date: October 3, 2025

Genre: Action, Biography, Drama, History, Sport

Rated R for language and some drug abuse.

Runtime: 2h 3m

Review:

Benny Safdie's, The Smashing Machine, has a different ebbs and flow than most sports biopics which gives it a distinctive but uneven feel that keeps us at arm’s length from Mark Kerr despite strong turns from Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. There's a sense of melancholy that hovers over the entire film even as Kerr becomes a champion and deals with opioid addiction.  The first half of the film feels similar to Mike Figgis' Leaving Las Vegas, especially if you have no familiarity with Kerr's story beforehand as we watch him put his body through the ringer to become a champion.  There's something oddly sanitized about it all as we are never given any sort of insight into his struggle until much later on in the film.  Dwayne Johnson's performance has a measured intensity behind his determination to excel but the script never gives him many moments to really dig into the psyche of the man.  Only a small moment at a demolish derby gives us the slightest bit of insight into his internal machination and the film could have used more of them.  Johnson, to his credit, delivers his most focused performance that really shows he's capable of so much more than his standard fare.  The film gives him a showcase to deliver something more subtle in his acting which makes it all the more frustrating that the script doesn't give him something more interesting to work with.  Emily Blunt is in the same boat as she delivers excellent work as Kerr's acidic, passive aggressive girlfriend who becomes steadily more unstable and biting.  They share a sequence in the latter part of the film that allows both of them to shine which leaves you wishing the story had taken advantage of their chemistry earlier on.  Mixed martial artist, Ryan Bader, proves to be the biggest surprise as he delivers a rather tender and thoughtful turn as Kerr's best friend and fellow competitor Mark Coleman.  There's an unspoken bond that comes through when Bader and Johnson share the screen together which gives their relationship an authentic connection.  By the time it’s all said and done, The Smashing Machine, becomes just as much a story of Coleman's career resurrection as it does Kerr's which likely would have worked better overall for the story's focus.  

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: GOOD BOY

 

A man moves into a new home that has supernatural forces lurking in the shadows. As dark entities start to threaten him, his brave dog comes to the rescue.

Director: Ben Leonberg

Cast: Shane Jensen, Arielle Friedman, Larry Fessenden, Indy as himself

Release Date: October 3, 2025

Genre: Comedy, Horror, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for terror, bloody images and strong language.

Runtime: 1h 13m

Review:

Ben Leonberg's feature film directorial debut, Good Boy, is an impressive cinematic magic trick that effectively places you in a dog’s point of view as he watches his owner slowly succumbs to an evil entity in a haunted house.  Leonberg meticulously crafts his film by using a bevy of perspective shots to give Indy a palpable sense of emotions as he experiences the increasingly bizarre happenings occurring in the house.  The haunted house in the wood’s setting is a classic horror movie trope but by changing the perspective it feels fresh for the better part of the film’s efficient runtime.  Things unfold how you’d expect in most of these stories, but Leonberg has a solid sense of how to set up atmosphere and build tension to deliver a handful of well-timed frights that’s sure to make more than a few people jump in their seats.  A handful of wonderfully shot doggy nightmares have a mesmerizing effect that’ll leave you wondering what your dog is really dreaming about when they’re rustling around.  The general plot is related to overheard second hand conversations between Shane Jensen’s Todd and his sister Vera played by Arielle Friedman as we learn tidbits about his failing health and their tragic family history.  It would have been easy to simply rely on the central gimmick and deliver a barebones story, ala 2024’s  In A Violent Nature, but there’s enough heft to this story that it would have worked as a straight forward haunted house film.  What Leonberg is able to do with his real-life dog, Indy, is nothing short of amazing as the countless hours of shooting to get the right look or reaction from his canine star pays off in spades.  Indy is a rather adorable golden retriever which will instantly have you engaged in his long-term well-being, especially as things get precariously more dangerous.  He’s an incredibly engaging leading man in spite of the fact that he can’t speak which is a testament to Good Boy’s production and Leonberg’s masterful direction.    

A

MOVIE REVIEW: ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER

 

Bob is a washed-up revolutionary who lives in a state of stoned paranoia, surviving off-grid with his spirited and self-reliant daughter, Willa. When his evil nemesis resurfaces and Willa goes missing, the former radical scrambles to find her as both father and daughter battle the consequences of their pasts.

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti

Release Date: September 26, 2025

Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Rated R for pervasive language, violence, sexual content, and drug use

Runtime: 2h 50m

Review:

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another delivers a little bit of everything with bits of humor, drama and heartfelt emotion, melded into an epic chase movie that’s populated by a collection of caricatures brought to life by its top tier cast.   Anderson’s film pulsates with energy from the moment it starts and rarely lets up which is an impressive feat for a film that’s nearly three hours long.  He stages big set pieces throughout the film that give the film an epic feel, culminating in a cleverly shot car chase over a series of hills.  There’s a constant beat to the whole thing as we follow Leonardo DiCaprio’s Bob journey from revolutionary to paranoid, burnout single father who’s just trying to do the best he can with his daughter.  We follow his torrid love affair with Teyana Taylor’s all-in extremist, Perfidia Beverly Hills, which takes a turn once she’s pregnant and Bob reassesses his life.  The story is draped in a series of hot topic issues such as domestic terrorism and extreme immigration enforcement, but it never delves into them in any substantive way.  The characters exist on opposite ends of the power structure, and both use the levels available to them to reach their ultimate goals which allows for a rather colorful collection of characters to be thrown onscreen. Leonardo DiCaprio leads the way with an unglamourous role that he dives right into with impressive gusto.  There is a fair amount of depth to his character as he evolves from his frenetic love affair with Perfidia to what he becomes sixteen years after the fact.  He does his best work after the time jump by delivering a level of authenticity behind his bumbling burnout with his heartbreak for his lost love and genuine drive to save his daughter.  DiCaprio and Chase Infiniti have a moment near the end of the film that delivers an emotional, heartfelt exclamation to the whole story.  Infiniti, in her big screen debut, proves to be more than capable of holding up her side of the story by giving her character a believable naiveite to start before moving into self-survival mode.  She’s able to convey a hefty amount of emotional information with simple looks or gestures as she’s swept up in the insanity that her character is dropped into.  Sean Penn’s Col. Steven J. Lockjaw is a rather fascinating collection of facial tics and pent-up self-hatred.  Penn is clearly having a ball playing with the clear contradictions that make up the character from giving him a very specific gait when he walks, likely due to his secret proclivities, or his measure but off-putting speech pattern.  Benicio Del Toro is perfectly suited for his role as the laid-back karate sensi/migrant mover, but you wish the film had spent a bit more time on fleshing out the character to give him a bit of depth.  Likewise, Teyana Taylor’s Perfidia is a kinetic ball of anarchic energy in the film’s opening act leaving a strong impression, but the story takes her offscreen rather quickly never to return.  Small nitpicks aside, One Battle After Another is an engaging ride that is hard not to enjoy thanks to its razor sharp direction and strong performances.  

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: HIM

 

Cameron Cade is a rising quarterback who suffers a potentially career-ending injury after being attacked by an unhinged fan. Just when all seems lost, Cam receives a lifeline when his hero, Isaiah White, offers to train him at an isolated compound. However, as the training accelerates, Isaiah's charisma turns into something darker, sending Cam down a disorienting rabbit hole that may cost him more than he ever bargained for.

Director: Justin Tipping

Cast: Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies, Naomi Grossman

Release Date: September 19, 2025

Genre: Horror, Sport

Rated R for strong bloody violence, language throughout, sexual material, nudity and some drug use.

Runtime: 1h 36m

Review:

Justin Tipping's Him frames football and its undying fanaticism in an insane mythological, paganistic veneer which is tearing at the seams with thematic subtext.  Tipping's visually are bombastic but impactful as he throws a series of striking moments onscreen.  He's got a clear vision in mind that's reflected in his confidence behind the camera which gives the film a devil may care vibe.  Those expecting something more grounded or straightforward might be turned off as he takes increasingly wild swings with each chapter.  It's in your face and heavy handed which is sure to be divisive when it’s all said and done.  Those that find it engaging will find plenty to enjoy especially as the film's horror aspect start to take hold in the second half.  It’s decent into cult like paganism is pretty easy to predict from the onset with the ultimate reveal being telegraphed a mile away.   The central duo of Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Withers are given copious amount of time to shine with both delivering impressive performances.  Wayans gives his character a readily apparent charm paired with an undercurrent of unpredictable danger which makes for a fascinating tightrope for him to balance on.  Withers handsome boyish looks give his character an air of innocence that works well with his damaged, single-minded determination.  They have strong chemistry together which works well for the film as it carries some of the script's clunkier moments.  Jim Jeffries, Julia Fox and Tim Heidecker are fun in small supporting roles with Jeffries leaving the biggest impression.  The film moves at such a break neck speed that you're left wishing it'd taken a moment to flesh out some of its ideas and characters a bit more.  Regardless, Him is the kind of film that'll leave a marked impression good or bad depending on the viewers.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: PSYCHO THERAPY: THE SHALLOW TALE OF A WRITER WHO DECIDED TO WRITE ABOUT A SERIAL KILLER

 

A writer befriends a retired serial killer in a desperate attempt to find inspiration for his next novel and save his marriage. Covering as his marriage counselor, the killer teaches him his methods as reality becomes deadlier than fiction.

Director: Tolga Karaçelik

Cast:  John Magaro, Steve Buscemi, Britt Lower, Ward Horton, Sydney Cole Alexander

Release Date: April 4, 2025 (United States)/September 15, 2025 (UK)

Genre: Comedy, Crime, Thriller

Unrated 

Runtime: 1h 42m

Review:

Tolga Karaçelik's English language debut is a manic, black comedy that's as chaotic as it is funny thanks to excellent turns from its central cast.  Karaçelik film possesses a palatable energy from the start which it maintains for the majority of the film's runtime.  He moves the film along at a steady pace even as it threatens to veer off the rails as the situation gets increasingly insane.  As the film's overly long title suggests, this isn't the type of film that takes itself seriously with the script providing a handful of laugh out loud moments thanks to wonderful performances from its trio of stars.  John Magaro brings a kind of aloof energy to his character who's desperate to find inspiration for a new project.  There's something likable about the character even though he's nearly incapable of making a decision on his own without being pushed into it.  Britt Lower is a perfect foil to him as his exhausted, passive aggressive wife who resents her husband with increasing intensity.  When the pair is onscreen, they have wonderful chemistry together as a longtime couple who are on totally different wavelengths after years of resentment and miscommunication.  They make for a fascinating onscreen couple, especially as Lower hurls acidic comments that reflect the level of disdain her character has for her aloof husband.  Steve Buscemi is perfectly cast as the disarmingly friendly, retired series killer who is more than happy to provide background for Magaro's Keane.  The film is at its best when the three share the screen together like an impromptu meeting in the middle of night or the pseudo marriage counseling session, topped off by a riotous sequence in the final act.  Psycho Therapy proves to be one of those hidden gems that deserves a larger audience in the long run.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES

 

Documentarian Marty DiBergi follows estranged Spinal Tap bandmates David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel and Derek Smalls as they search for a drummer and prepare for a reunion concert in New Orleans. Joined by music royalty Paul McCartney and Elton John, Spinal Tap wrestles with their checkered past to put on a show that they hope will solidify their place in the pantheon of rock 'n' roll.

Director: Rob Reiner

Cast: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner, Fran Drescher, Valerie Franco, Chris Addison, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Garth Brooks, Questlove, Trisha Yearwood, Chad Smith, Lars Ulrich

Release Date: September 12, 2025

Genre: Comedy, Music

Rated R for language including some sexual references.

Runtime: 1h 22m

Review:

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues might not reach the heights of the original, but it still serves as a fitting encore to the story and characters.  Rob Reiner returns behind the camera and onscreen as documentarian Marty DiBergi with impressive ease on both counts.  The 40-year gap between the two films makes for plenty of fertile ground for the mockumentary to spoof since we have our fair share of aging rockstars still on the scene.  The offscreen drama after the original film revitalized the band’s career isn't too complicated or deep but it makes perfect sense for these characters.  Michael McKean's David St. Hubbins is still the chaotic mess we met in the original film and is as petty as ever as he's forced to rejoin the band due to some fine print in their original contract.  It’s the perfect kind of pretext to bring the Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer's characters back together.  A montage of what these characters have been doing in the years since their break up is a hilarious appetizer for the main entree of these three guys trying to prep for a 1-night reunion performance.  Their ability to recapture the character's general vibe is pretty impressive as all three jump back into each one skin without missing a beat.  The assorted obstacles they run into as they reform and attempt to get this show off the ground is perfectly in line with the kind of self-inflicted silliness of the original even if they're not quite as memorable as the original.  It was always going to be a tough act to follow, and they don't have that seminal moment like this "this one goes to 11" but there's still plenty to enjoy especially their ongoing search for a new drummer and their living quarters in New Orleans.  Valerie Franco's Didi Crockett ends up tempting fate and joining the band as the new drummer.  Franco brings a breath of fresh air to the ensemble with her effervescent, positive energy coming through the screen.  Chris Addison, as their new concert promotor who can't comprehend music, Simon Howler gets more than a few moments to shine with his deadpan delivery of a variety of increasingly insensitive and silly suggestions for the aging rockers.  A series of cameos are all fun but Paul McCartney and Elton John get the biggest amount of screen time and they're clearly having a ball goofing around with the "legendary" band.  The film moves at an incredibly fast pace which leaves you wishing Reiner had given some moments a bit more time to germinate before moving on since some of the latter moments have a rather reflective quality that brings the character's full circle emotionally.  It would have added another layer to the whole thing but as is Spinal Tap II: The End Continue delivers the goods especially for fans of the original film.      

B+