Category: Ratings
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28 Years Later – Memento Mortuorum
28 Years Later – 2025 Director Danny BoyleWriter Alex GarlandStarring Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Alfie Williams, Jack O’Connell, Ralph Fiennes For a zombie film, 28 Years later is strangely contemplative. The film is beautifully shot over Northumberland, U.K. and the soundtrack is equally propulsive and effective. The story centers around the Island of Lindisfarne. It…
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Beekeeper goes right to the top
Beekeeper – 2024Director David AyerScreenplay Kurt WimmerStarring Jason Statham, Jeremy Irons, Josh Hutcherson, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Bobby Naderi, Minnie Driver, Phycilia Rashad, Jemma Redgrave Jason Statham movies have the range of late Charles Bronson. The difference is that Statham is more fluid and finds more creative ways to take out the bad guys. Still, if you’ve…
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Hellboy: The Crooked Man is tame compared to earlier entries
Hellboy: The Crooked Man – 2024Director Brian TaylorScreenplay Christopher Golden, Mike Mignola, Brian TaylorStarring Jack Kesey, Jefferson White, Adeline Rudolph, Martin Bassindale, Joseph Marcell, Leah McNamara, Hannah Margetson The Hellboy franchise has bounced around plenty since Guillermo Del Toro first had the reigns 2004. The protagonist went from an unforgettable (Perlman) to memorable (Harbor) to…
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Ballerina 2025: A New Chapter in the John Wick Universe
“Ballerina,” directed by Len Wiseman, is a John Wick side quest featuring Ana de Armas as Eve, a skilled assassin driven by vengeance after her father’s murder. She trains with the secret group Kikimora while grappling with her identity. The film excels in combat scenes, particularly in its explosive last act, despite some character weaknesses.
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Red Rocket – Dreams of a User
As he does in his other films, The Florida Project and Anora, Baker shows an unerring ability. He can grab acting talent from obscurity. Every performance here is award worthy and of bedrock quality. Baker tells the Greek tragedy for the common American lowlife.
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Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning Review
“Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning” features Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in a story intertwining previous narratives while facing an AI threat. Although the initial pacing is sluggish, the film delivers exhilarating action sequences in the second half. Despite being the weakest entry, it offers engaging moments for long-time fans.
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2025’s Black Bag: Uncovering Secrets in a Spy Drama
Black Bag, directed by Steven Soderbergh, is a modern spy thriller starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett. The plot centers on George Woodhouse, tasked with uncovering a leaker of a top-secret software within a week. As tensions rise during two dinner gatherings, suspicions shift among five suspects, culminating in a dramatic reveal.
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Why Another Simple Favor Fails to Impress
Another Simple Favor – 2025 Director Paul FeigScreenplay Jessica Sharzer, Laeta KalagridisStarring Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Elizabeth Perkins, Michele Morrone, Elena Sofia Ricci, Henry Golding, Allison Janney A sequel to A Simple Favor was something to which this viewer looked forward. Anna Kendrick plays one of her more memorable characters in…
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Is Thunderbolts Worth Watching? Full Review
“Thunderbolts,” directed by Jake Schreier and starring Florence Pugh, follows Yelena Belova, a super fixer working undercover. As she grapples with her past and the implications of her missions for the CIA, the film delivers emotional depth, despite a rushed finale. Overall, it stands out as a rewatchable addition to the MCU.
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Anora Shows Power as the Cover of Weakness
In “Anora,” directed by Sean Baker, 23-year-old Ani navigates life as a stripper turned girlfriend to a Russian oligarch’s son. The film explores themes of class disparity and personal value through Ani’s experiences, mixing dark humor with poignant moments. Madison’s performance captures the struggles of Generation Z, highlighting the fragility of hope and self-worth.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 