The upcoming season of Black Mirror has some heavy competition.
âFILM GRADE: A-
Companion is the kind of thriller that hooks you early and never lets go. Itâs sharp, suspenseful, and eerily reminiscent of Black Mirrorâwhich, as a fan of that series, I mean as a high compliment. While itâs not a full-fledged horror film (so donât expect jump scares), it delivers a chilling, violent edge that keeps the tension thick from start to finish. Â
At its core, Companion is moreâŚ
Okay, I'm ready for the sequel 'Another One of Them Days'.
â¨FILM GRADE: B+
I love me some Keke Palmer. And SZA is one of my favorite artists, so when I heard she was jumping into acting, I was hyped. And let me tell youâthis movie did not disappoint. One of Them Days is one of those rare comedies that just makes you smile and laugh without trying too hard. Itâs laid-back, itâs easy-watching, but not in a lazy, throwawayâŚ
This was as flat as Mark Wahlbergâs fake bald head.
đŤFILM GRADE: D-
If you needed a film as an example of pure, unfiltered nothingness, Flight Risk is it. This isnât just a thriller that fails to thrillâitâs a movie that fails to do anything. At all. Itâs the cinematic equivalent of staring at a blank wall for 90 minutes, except a blank wall at least leaves room for personal interpretation.
The setup, which should lend itself to tension, mystery,âŚ
I am spearheading the campaign for Saorsie Ronan to replace Karla Sofia GascĂłn's Best Actress nomination at the Oscars.
â¨FILM GRADE: B+
The Outrun is a deeply affecting and unflinching portrayal of alcoholism, its roots, and the long road to recovery. The film, anchored by an extraordinary performance from Saoirse Ronan, doesnât shy away from the raw, messy reality of addiction, offering an intimate character study that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. Â
Ronan is, without a doubt, theâŚ
Reese Witherspoon does not age.
đ¤ˇđťââď¸FILM GRADE: C+
This was kinda what I expected. Didnât think this would be a knockout, but I had some laughs. Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell are two actors I generally enjoy, and they do their best to carry this one, but the material theyâre working with is just⌠fine.
The plot? Predictable. The comedy? Hit or miss. Itâs one of those films that you put on when you need something easygoing, and while itâsâŚ
"The best thriller of the year" was the biggest lie.
đżFILM GRADE: B-
September 5 is a fine film. Thatâs about as much enthusiasm as I can muster for it. Itâs not badâfar from itâbut the way some critics are lauding it as an awards contender feels like a stretch. The film takes a behind-the-scenes approach, focusing entirely on the newsroom directors scrambling to report the events rather than the events themselves. While I found the decision-making process interesting, I couldnâtâŚ
I never grabbed on.
âFILM GRADE: D
Thereâs nothing worse than a movie that feels longer than it actually is. Thatâs Never Let Go in a nutshellâa thriller that drags its feet, stretching its runtime like taffy but never giving you anything worth chewing on. For a genre built on tension and excitement, this one never once had me on edge. Â
Sure, the atmosphere is creepy, but never genuinely unsettling. There are jump scares, but theyâre cheap and predictable,âŚ
This show ain't about the Bat or the Cat, but the Bird with the brains.đ§
đSERIES GRADE: A
As a massive fan of Batman stories, I went into The Penguin with some hesitation. A Batman show without Batman? Itâs risky business, but I couldnât have been more thrilled with the outcome. Matt Reeves' universe, which already gave us the fantastic The Batman, has now spun off into a gloriously dark, gritty series that stands tall on its own. While Reeves doesnâtâŚ
This is quickly becoming the Fast & Furious of animation; too many sequels.
đ¤ˇđťââď¸FILM GRADE: C+
Despicable Me 4Â is a fine entry in the franchise. Itâs cute, charming in parts, and carries the energy of a direct-to-DVD storylineâthough letâs be honest, thatâs been the vibe since the first sequel, even spilling over into the Minion spinoffs. The magic of the original film remains a tall order to recapture. Â
On the technical side, Illumination once again proves their mastery of animation.âŚ
Y'all acting like a 20 year age gap is just a cute personality trait...
đFILM GRADE: C-
Something about Queer just didnât click for me. As someone who wholeheartedly supports the rise of queer narratives in cinemaâespecially in todayâs cultural climateâI was rooting for this film to be a meaningful addition to the genre. While Moonlight set a high bar by blending emotional depth and artistic elegance, Queer feels like it prioritizes art over substance, leaving the viewer disconnected from its characters andâŚ
ZoĂŤ Kravitz, please be our female Jordan Peele.
âFILM GRADE: A-
ZoĂŤ Kravitz makes her directorial debut with Blink Twice, and if this is any indication of her potential as a filmmaker, the industry better get ready for her rise. A confident first step, the film establishes Kravitz as a director with a sharp eye, a knack for storytelling, and an understanding of what makes psychological thrillers work. While Blink Twice draws heavy inspiration from projects like The White Lotus, GetâŚ
I did this for you Cameron Diaz. Welcome back.
â ď¸FILM GRADE: D+
Letâs give it up for Netflixâs first cash grab of the year! Back in Action delivers exactly what youâd expect from a mid-tier Netflix action-comedy: a handful of redeeming moments scattered across a sea of mediocrity. Â
First, letâs address the highlight: Cameron Diaz is back, and her return to acting is a welcome sight. Even though the material doesnât live up to her talent, itâs great to seeâŚ