1st Reviews

If you have yet to watch Star Wars: Visions , you are missing out. Each episode tells a unique story from different animation companies from all over the world. In turn, we get completely fresh takes on corners of the Star Wars universe we didn't know existed. With season three now available, it is the perfect time to get on board with this amazing series. Season three consists of nine, 15–20 minute episodes. Of the nine episodes, three are sequels to past fan-favorite installments, and the other six are brand new adventures with different stylistic approaches, characters, and color palettes. There will be people who argue that Star Wars needs to stay on the big screen — but to those people I will say that a film may have a $200 or even $300 million dollar budget, yet a well-made animation is priceless and could never be translated to live action. Season three of Star Wars: Visions continues to expand the universe in ways we would never be able to get in any other...

Kathryn Bigelow's urgent ensemble piece boasts incredible tension while gripping its audience through a singular structure and masterful building of suspense. The director, who also helmed the remarkable The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty , gives A House of Dynamite the same sophistication and attention to detail. Rebecca Ferguson provides the audience’s entry point into this bleak and riveting window of time. In a movie that could have come off as cold and procedural, Ferguson’s humanity and gravitas make us feel like we’re in good hands — alongside terrific performances from Idris Elba, Anthony Ramos, and Tracy Letts. The proficiency and cooperation each character demonstrates makes every role distinct and compelling. The nuances behind this (hopefully forever hypothetical) scenario are deeply compelling. The film’s secret weapon lies in the unity of its stylistic parts — Bigelow’s commanding direction, Barry Ackroyd’s immersive handheld cinematography, Vo...

Music biopics have found themselves a tried and true formula, and though Springsteen deviates from it, it also falls into a few of the same familiarities. Instead of focusing on the Boss’s entire life or the creation of each and every one of his hits, it’s a quieter film about the recording of his more stripped-down, intimate album Nebraska , that lets us get up close with the man behind the legend. Jeremy Allen White is excellent as one of America’s most iconic and beloved rock stars, capturing the singer’s desire for versatility and personality in his art while struggling with depression. Jeremy Strong, however, ends up stealing the screen in almost all of his scenes. Refreshingly for the genre — and for the actor — music producer Jon Landau isn’t portrayed as a greedy, conniving villain, but as Bruce’s most reliable and caring friend, someone willing to stand up for his art and vision even against his own corporate interests. Strong wonderfully captures the deli...

The holidays are right around the corner, and the best way to get into the holiday spirit is to watch movies about this special time of year. Everyone says that the holidays are their favourite time of the year, but let’s be honest — as great as they are, they’re also typically stressful and exhausting. Hollywood loves portraying the holidays as this magical time, but finally, a holiday classic is here to show us the true honesty behind the season and what a typical gathering really looks like. A Christmas Party is about a large holiday get-together with the Hartman family, extended family, and friends. Sounds simple enough, but when is getting together with your extended family ever simple? Alex Helmer and Guy Davide Knoll co-wrote this incredibly detailed film with a massive supporting cast. With so many characters, there’s no shortage of entertainment. Anyone with a large family can relate to the chaos that comes with being in the same room with twenty relat...

Remember when you were a kid, time seemed to move a lot slower. Like a summer break in between school years playing with your friends, felt like a lifetime. Eephus is that feeling but with middle aged men. Eephus tells the story of the last game to be played at a local baseball diamond before it is destroyed and the land is redeveloped. Two men's league teams who have been playing together for years spend the day playing one last game together and try to keep the memory of the good old days alive. Anyone who has played any men's league knows it is always a mixed bag of people — different generations and living different ways of life — but all coming together for the love of the sport. Part of the humor in the film is the interaction between all of these characters. Who is complaining about back pain, who has to leave the game early because he has kids — it's all part of the fact that the league is for fun, and the film captures it all perfectly. So...

Dwayne Johnson has always been typecast for his action and adventure roles and has been compared to other wrestler-turned actors like John Cena and Bautista for a number of years. It was only a matter of time that the action star followed his fellow wrestlers to take on a more serious role. That role comes in the form of The Smashing Machine . The Smashing Machine is a biographical sports drama about MMA fighter Mark Kerr and a very specific time in his life between the years of 1997–2000. This period was his rise to fame in the mixed martial arts world and his involvement in the Japanese Pride fights, which would eventually set the stage for the formation of UFC around the world. Off the mat, most of Mark's interactions are with his girlfriend, Dawn, played by Emily Blunt. To nobody's surprise, they have great chemistry together which is expected based on their prior work experience together. Mark and Dawn go through many relationship issues due to dru...

Chris Stuckmann’s inspiring journey from YouTube film reviewer to a filmmaker whose debut is receiving a wide theatrical release is truly inspiring. The film has an interesting approach to paranormal investigators with a great first act that subverts expectations and takes some interesting mockumentary routes, before getting real serious, real quick. Camille Sullivan in Shelby Oaks (2025) Camille Sullivan delivers a strong lead performance, and at the film’s center is an emotionally gripping relationship between two sisters, which you feel deeply even though they don’t really share the screen together. It hangs over the film as a catalyst for the story. However, the final act lacks substance, taking an underwhelming route out that feels like things were resolved too quickly without much explanation, or intrigue for the audience to ask more about what’s left unanswered. Still, this is a debut with lots of promise for an incredibly passionate and promising filmm...

Park Chan-wook’s genre-blending critique of the modern-day job market starts with a relatable hook — a man is laid off his job and needs to find a way to support his family — but in the director’s typical fashion, the film soon escalates into uncontrollable madness, filled with dark humor and macabre. Lee Byung-hun gives the best performance of his career as a man faced with a seemingly impossible set of decisions as he loses the comforts of his life, and the ability to say he and his family are well off thanks to him. Lee Byung-hun delivers one of his most haunting performances. The film stands out due to its blend between genres and tones, and the sheer unpredictability of the lengths its lead character is willing to go. Park’s direction is at some of its strongest in scenes that combine tension, silliness, and disgust. The movie’s satire is irresistible and the consequences, or lack of, leave a lot to think about in an ending that’s bizarre yet mature, even ...

Like sorting through your candy after a night of trick-or-treating, V/H/S/ Halloween is a mixed bag. The eighth instalment in this cult-favourite horror anthology series comes up short of previous entries, but there are still a couple of treats in here that should satisfy your twisted cravings. A chilling still from V/H/S/ Halloween . Diet Phantasma This wraparound segment follows an R&D team testing a new low-calorie soda made with “real ghosts.” It’s silly fun, but gets a bit repetitive with each new test subject. The commercial playing during the end credits was a nice touch. Rating: ★★½☆ Coochie Coochie Coo This short feels like walking through a haunted house — but not in a good way. The plot is like something torn from a creepypasta thread. Everything is constantly being spelled out in a painfully obvious way. The practical effects and makeup are decent, and this is probably the only segment that comes close to being scary...

Peacemaker retains its heartfelt magic while never slowing down the crazy. John Cena portrays a character who’s dim-witted and destructive, yet has become emotionally intelligent and a deeply good friend. John Cena returns as the chaotic but big-hearted Peacemaker . Danielle Brooks proves herself as the most talented performer of the lot and a national treasure. She’s remarkable, nuanced, and irresistible as Chris’ best and least problematic friend, Leota Adebayo. Jennifer Holland also gets so much to work with and steps up her outstanding game as Harcourt. Not to mention Steve Agee as Economos and Freddie Stroma as Vigilante — the constant is that everyone has grown thanks to Peacemaker’s friendship (except maybe Vigilante; he’s still an idiot). Frank Grillo is excellent as the restrained yet vengeful Rick Flag Sr., giving a very calculated and unexpected performance. Tim Meadows is hilarious as expected, and Sol Rodriguez is also great. ...

Lorenz Hart’s story is one of brilliance, but not necessarily success — at least in his own eyes. Ethan Hawke does a great job of capturing a man whose personality is extravagant yet whose sense of self is so small; his awareness of his talent comes with impossible standards he sets for himself. Ethan Hawke as Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon . Hawke devours the screen and never gives a dull moment, while Margaret Qualley and Andrew Scott also shine. The film is set in one location but paints a vivid picture of characters whose relationships and life paths are built on adoration, success, and failure. The score and makeup are the only elements that feel distracting, but Blue Moon is still an engaging character study and an impressive piece of work by the end. Rating: ★★★½☆ Review by: Gal Balaban

In space, no one can hear you scream, but on the internet, everyone can hear you argue about this show. Alien: Earth has proven to be the most divisive season of television since The Last of Us sparked volatile online discourse six months ago. Noah Hawley’s series isn’t short on ambition, though it’s not always able to bring its big ideas to fully realized fruition. A still from Alien: Earth Set two years before the events of the original film, this series begins with a Weyland-Yutani research vessel crash-landing on Earth. Meanwhile, a rival company called Prodigy has been experimenting with transferring the consciousness of dying children into synthetic adult bodies. With Yutani wanting their specimens back, and Prodigy chasing more power and control, things ultimately get messy, especially with Xenomorphs and other dangerous lifeforms on the loose. This series incorporates so much of the franchise’s lore and themes, while also taking several ...

James McAvoy’s directorial debut focuses on two Scottish rappers who pretend to be American in order to be taken seriously and make it big in the London hip hop scene. The two lead performances are fun, but the film rests entirely on the success of the concept for the audience member — its audacity and outrageousness is hilarious at times and entertaining, but the film fails to maintain that momentum when focusing on its overarching character journeys and moral messages. Two aspiring Scottish rappers perform in James McAvoy’s California Schemin’ . California Schemin’ is a perfectly standard film with some entertaining and funny scenes, while falling into some familiar and sappy territory when the characters are faced with hard choices or consequences. Rating: ★★★☆☆ Review by: Gal Balaban

Mona Fastvold’s latest endeavor is almost impossible to describe, but will certainly cast its bizarre spell on many viewers. Amanda Seyfried gives her most potent performance yet, portraying a woman whose faith and guidance becomes relentless in the face of tragedy and hardship. The film brings to light the story of the Shakers, a religious group whose form of worship and communion were rather unique, and compliments the musical element of the film, as their worship is practically in very visceral song and dance. Lewis Pullman and Thomasin McKenzie also greatly stand out here. Amanda Seyfried as Ann Lee in The Testament of Ann Lee The cinematography and the editing make the film almost dream-like, to evoke the state of divinity the worshippers must’ve felt, but also touches on intense and difficult imagery that tests the characters and their surroundings to the brink. Though it’s a slow burn that may lose some for various reasons, it’s also captiv...

Many films have seen musical adaptations, and then had those musicals adapted into their own films. Some of these musical remakes have worked as thoughtful updates to the story — like The Producers and The Color Purple — while others, such as Mean Girls and Matilda , have failed to justify their existence on the big screen, offering little new to the material. Kiss of the Spider Woman may feature the same characters and premise, but it feels completely fresh, thematically powerful, and in many ways surpasses the original. The film’s unique approach follows two political prisoners in 1983 Argentina connecting over the memory of an old Hollywood movie, which they recount as a musical — providing both an escape from and a reflection of their harsh reality. Tonatiuh delivers an incredible performance as Molina, offering a completely new interpretation from William Hurt’s portrayal in the 1985 film. Molina longs to belong to a world that has rejected ...

This retelling of one of the most famous novels in history feels like Guillermo del Toro's ultimate passion project, with a sweeping scale and breathtaking cinematography. The production design is perhaps some of the greatest of all time, with the attention to detail and color schemes serving as the source of much of the film's beauty. Oscar Isaac is great as the titular scientist whose ambition becomes his own undoing, while Jacob Elordi is incredible, disappearing into the Creature but delivering much soul beneath the towering makeup work. The supporting cast stand out too, including Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, and Charles Dance — it feels like everyone is honored to have been given the chance to work with the master of gothic fantasy. Though its ambition is spellbinding, Frankenstein 's first half suffers from pacing issues — some scenes feel drawn out, as if del Toro showed us the extended version of his masterpiece before trimming the fat...

“Only monsters play god.” Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a literary work that explores humanity in its darkest form. Through the immorality of reconstructing a creature from bodily remains to cheat death, there’s a grounding level of humanity. Unfortunately, death is inevitable. Witnessing it at a young age can shape one’s perception of the world. Shelley’s novel focuses on finding beauty in the unknown and in the memory of those who have passed on. Shelley had faced immense hardship as a woman, as well as a fascination with how the human body functions. The loss of her children altered how she perceived life and death, and her grief informed much of her work. She incorporated themes of abandonment, loss, guilt, and grief in her writing, but Frankenstein challenges those ideas the most. Dr. Frankenstein and the Creature can be seen as embodying a father-son dynamic — a parent unable to understand their child, or fearful of failing them by bringing them into the world....

In 1970s Detroit, Miller (Alan Ritchson) falls for a local gangster’s girlfriend. After emerging from prison, he vows to seek vengeance against the crime boss who tore his life apart. Both Ben Foster and Alan Ritchson deliver career-best performances as two men bound by vengeance and love for the same woman, Sophia (Shailene Woodley). Ritchson, long underrated in Hollywood, finally proves he has the gravitas of a leading man. With minimal dialogue, the film relies heavily on facial expression, music, and silence — elements that together hold the audience in a hypnotic grip. For a film to truly stand out, it needs to excel beyond its surface — and Motor City does exactly that. With so few words spoken, the visuals must carry the story, and they absolutely do. The action sequences are electrifying, with one standout set piece ranking among the goriest and most memorable in recent action cinema. Motor City isn’t a reinventi...

A horror film told from the perspective of man’s best friend, Good Boy could have easily fallen victim to the novelty of its premise. Instead, it has enough bark and bite to sustain its unique hook. Todd and his dog Indy move to an old family home in the countryside, where ominous events begin to unfold. Framing the story through Indy’s eyes brings a fresh spin to a familiar haunted-house setup. Dogs are perceptive and emotional, but they don’t grasp danger the way humans do. Indy’s confusion makes the film more unsettling and, at times, heartbreaking. It’s not especially scary, but the anxiety of watching Indy navigate what’s happening to him and Todd can be powerful. As a concept piece, it mostly works. The film runs a lean 73 minutes and gets into the story quickly. Plot is light; mood and emotion do the heavy lifting, and that approach is effective even if the film occasionally struggles to sustain momentum. The exposition can be a little on the...

Fans of Ozark rejoice! Not only does Black Rabbit also star Jason Bateman, but it replicates the tension, humour and messy family dynamics that made Ozark one of Netflix’s biggest hits. This 8 part limited series struggles slightly with momentum at times, but it’s certainly gripping enough to be your next binge watch. Jake (Jude Law) and Vince (Jason Bateman) are brothers with a turbulent history in the restaurant industry. Their brotherly bond is rocky, but it’s clear they genuinely care about each other. Jake runs an upscale, critically acclaimed restaurant and bar, with lofty dreams of expanding the business. When Vince comes back into the picture after years of absence, he brings his troubled past with him. This really does feel a lot like Ozark in tone and spirit. It builds a growing sense of anxiety surrounding these brothers, which sweeps into the lives of everyone around them. There’s levity - mostly from Bateman’s iconic witty delivery, but this is a most...

  Noah Hawley’s small-screen dive into one of the most iconic film franchises lacks the urgency, terror, and fascination of the best Alien films. The production design of this franchise always stands out and is the highlight of this show. However, the story is so dull and loses the essence of what makes Alien so great. Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Timothy Olyphant, and Essie Davis are all giving competent performances, but their material lacks thematic urgency, down to the dialogue they’re given to work with, and many supporting characters are irritating. The look of the Xenomorph also feels… off here. One of the reasons the series didn’t work for me is that I feel Alien is inherently not built for a small screen long form of storytelling… or weird rock-n-roll needle drops. The slow build of the lore here doesn’t compare to the simplicity of human beings with almost nothing to protect them and the vast void of space facing off against the most terrifying killing machine in the un...