Well, for sure this is no masterpiece. This will not rank alongside Stanley Kramer’s film in the annals of cinema. For sure, Kramer’s film was wise enough to skip the Nazi top brass and instead treat other trials that might make for more surprising outcomes. It was more modest and yet more ambitious. This film […]
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It might as well be subtitled: “Blood and Bananas.” “Primate” is probably the movie I wanted out of the new “Anaconda” movie. It’s a creature feature that takes advantage of the carnage and the people who must evade it either make some stupid choices or know how to dodge it. It may not be labeled […]
The thought of owning a monkey as a pet always seemeddangerous to me. Primate creates that situation and throws in moments of mayhem and horror. Directed by Johannes Roberts, this is one of those thrillers where a jungle is already part of a family’s life. However, when resources are not aligned, there is a combination of bad tests and non-thorough examinations. The monkey then jumps out of its cage with […]
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Greetings again from the darkness. Well, it’s not exactly a ‘good cop/bad cop’ scenario, since only one of them is a cop – and he’s suspended and out of his territory. It’s also not a traditional ‘Buddy comedy’ since these aren’t buddies, but rather estranged, grudge-holding half-brothers. Still, the premise is admirable, and the casting […]
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“I have scales. This is so f***ed!” True friendship endures many challenges. But what if one of those challenges happens to be a mermaid transformation? Written, produced and directed by Victoria Negri (Gold Star), the short film Mermaid, Bitch is a quirky and heartfelt fantasy-comedy about a young woman who wakes up to discover she’s […]
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A gem where connections are found in unlikely places. A masterclass of comedy about finding meaning after loss. The Baltimorons is a Christmas miracle from the mind of Jay Duplass. Co-written by Michael Strassner who is also the lead In the film. The Baltimorons relies upon the formulaic approach involving someone trying to grieve and cope with disconnect on Christmas Eve. I have long admired Duplass. In this film, he showcases the ability […]
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Boundaries are crossed in After the Hunt, a film in which lies come back into play with disciplinary matters at hand. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, this film’s writing is disturbing yetrealistic in a fictional #Metoomovement scenario. This story paints a vivid portrait in a college setting. The film has moments which provide context around egotistical matters some of which get dismissed based upon harsh choices. After the Hunt reminded me of the characteristics of individuals who think they are untouchable. The film involves two professors, and a student. […]
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Year: 2026 Runtime: 114 minutes Director/Writer: Beth de Araújo Actors: Mason Reeves, Channing Tatum, Gemma Chan, Philip Ettinger, Syra McCarthy, Eleanore Pienta, Dana Millican By Rosa Parra “Josephine” centers on an 8-year-old girl who witnesses a sexual assault and navigates her response, while her parents grapple with the reality that their daughter has questions about […]
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Nuremberg brings a little-known WWII story to life in this crowd-pleasing genre piece. Oscar winners Rami Malek and Russell Crowe deliver big time performances that play to their strengths. Although the film is traditional in every respect, it speaks to our present with surprising resonance. Recommended.
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This depressing holiday drama is predictable, emotionally draining, and ultimately forgettable.
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This is a lighthearted comedy that works to find an escape from reality. It is an unexpected “reality” of finding joy in times that are questionable making Is This Thing On? one of the most authentic films of 2025. It takes a deep dive into stand-up comedy while grappling with separation. From the mind of Bradley Cooper, there are charms that are inevitable and make this a gem. […]
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Reporting from the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. If Charli XCX had her say, brat summer would be here to stay. If her label, manager, world tour crew, and dozens of hangers-on had their say, brat summer would never go away. The goals are the same, but the reasons behind them are very, very different. Directed […]
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Amongst his many other achievements with the Black Panther films, Ryan Coogler, in telling the story of Wakanda, managed to make Marvel feel *legitimate*; stately and seemly and above reproach. Now that he gets to cash the blank cheque that that success bought him with Sinners, he has, to my great delight, gone entirely the […]
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Over at Exclaim!, I reviewed Die My Love. The drama explores the pressures of motherhood and the ways it can cause a people to lose sight of themselves. You can read my full thoughts on the film via the link below: Die My Love Review
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This film is melancholy, filled with plenty of potions to amplify the sadness. Rose Byrne delivers a spellbinding performance in this anxiety-filled story. If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You is written and directed by Mary Bronstein who has an eye for creating tolerance in the face of a conflicting pattern. There are a bucket of problems only getting worse while an individual struggles to keep standing and thriving. The […]
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Over at That Shelf, I reviewed Marty Supreme. The film revolves around a self-centered ping pong player who is determined to achieve greatness at all costs. You can read my full thoughts on the film via the link below: Marty Supreme Review
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What makes Anaconda so entertaining is the fact that the plot revolves around characters that are true to the original franchise. This creates cleverness built upon a solid foundation. Given that the film stars Jack Black, Paul Rudd, and Steve Zahn, there are plenty of twists to keep the momentum spiraling with joy. Slithers of snakes combined with devotion to a franchise takes audiences on a journey filled with laughter. Directed by Tom Gormican, this […]
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There have been extraordinary writers over centuries whose work has been transcendent, and more importantly, lasting. The words of William Shakespeare influenced writers and playwrights to emulate his prose and modernize his writings. His comedies were clever, but the complexities of his characters in his tragedies offered depth and emotional resonance, even […]
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Marty Supreme is the latest entry in what feels like Josh Safdie’s unofficial trilogy of protagonists who are absolute nightmares of human beings—and yet, somehow, you can’t stop rooting for them. Following Good Time and Uncut Gems, Safdie once again delivers a chaotic, anxiety-inducing, anything-goes movie centered on a narcissistic freight train of a man […]
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Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet is not an easy watch — and it isn’t meant to be. This is a hushed, grief-soaked 16th-century love story that sits with sorrow rather than dramatizing it, inviting the audience into a space where silence carries as much weight as dialogue. Nearly two months after its release, I still found myself […]
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