Dav628

Heart Eyes is a redesigned stereotypical horror movie fest now to the theme of love and Valentine’s Day. The movie actually excels in making you care for the rom com element of the film which is important as this movie is significantly more a rom com than a straight horror movie (much to my disappointment as a huge horror fan). The movie also is quite genuinely funny, something directly and sometimes indirectly due to the triple digits of horror, comedy, and romance tropes seen in this movie. Some chase sequences were interesting and some kills were fantastic but besides that the horror didn’t excel to the level of another holiday horror movie, Thanksgiving directed wonderfully by Eli Roth. The killer Heart Eyes I wish was interesting. The movie tries to build atmosphere and suspense toward this antagonist but by the end of the movie, the killer is thrown around like a joke. Much lost potential in the horror and the killer. Such a great idea and yet so little done. The reveal wasn’t all too interesting and was among the most obvious killer reveal in cinematic history. I hate to be a Valentine's Day grinch, but Heart Eyes is slightly a disappointment. Though it may make a fun date night film on a streaming platform one day.

The Monkey by Osgood Perkins is quite the peculiar watch. The film offers a very upfront message on dealing with losses and family dynamics but the movie is also very upfront with also having fun. This is not in the slightest related to Longlegs or any essence of that film. This movie is more comedy than horror or even thriller based. The movie has some of the most astonishing gory moments I have ever seen put to screen and bravo! While the movie has excellent gore, intriguing themes, and balanced characters, the movie is offbeat. That is plot and story wise. The first third of the movie is devoted to the younger life of the two main boys of this story which is quite interesting and well developed, but the next two thirds are a mishmash of new ideas from Perkins and threads of King's story. Some of it works and some of it doesn't. Whatever faults The Monkey takes, it can recover thanks to its comedy, its "horror", and is cinematography.Quite the surprising film of 2025. Not a film for everyone or even of fans of Longlegs but it is a good bloody time!

Last Breath is quite by the books rescue movie, but the topic and subject of this movie are taken seriously making it truly interesting. The characters are nothing but surface level in the movie but that gives more room for plot which holds this movie together, without a doubt. Also it is well edited with an exceptionally smooth pacing. Also props to the underwater cinematography, can't help but admire it.

Drop is a tense, frightening, and exhilarating time at the movies. This movie was right up my alley of a mystery thriller with great horror elements and props to Christopher Landon on the direction of the film which was clear and decisive. Additionally I would also like to give propers to the cast, cinematography, score, and set design. All these 4 elements work together in unison to the make the film that much better. The production crew was very creative in how to make this who-dun-it thriller something different and new, reflecting aspects of our modern day society. When I say the movie doesn’t stop or slow down on suspense, I mean it! It keeps going and the climax is oh so good! My only nitpicks of the movie come from an extended plot line only introduced during the climax of the movie itself and the constant moving around of characters and story which don’t help the slower moments to breath and be relaxing. Overall, very very happy with the end result of this thriller!

Paddington in Peru is a sweet film that is not quite like the first two but is a good side quest on its own. Much of the plot is passable and much of the character development is quite fine. The movie really “Goldilocks” a lot of elements which doesn’t make this movie really special but it makes a really really great family, a family movie that they don’t tend to make anymore. In a world that each family film has to bring a something new and inventive, Paddington in Peru manages to tell a simple, sweet, and endearing story. The movie however does live up to the sentimental punch the first two had, which is great. Not all of the side plot works and some of the middle of the movie stretches to fill in the runtime but looking back, it’s a good time.

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning is an ode to action films and the Mission Impossible as a whole. I was very cautious about the nostalgia bait the movie would promote, but the movie assured me that it was not only original but respectful in its tributes to past films. The movie takes the AI plot from the last film and expands it further into the most existential threat. The sharp direction by Christopher McQuire helped concentrate this threat and suspense in the movie which is one of the most suspenseful films ever put out. Some of the talks works and some of it doesn’t however I can understand the thought behind every single scene in this nearly 3 hour long movie which frankly flew by. The action, as always, is the best in the business and is even more greater with the score of this movie. The movie, once again, only gets bogged down by excessive conversations which are very complex for the average movie goer. Overall, I find this movie to be a very satisfying Mission Impossible movie that takes such great joy in nostalgia and Tom Cruise.

One word. Psychedelic. The Surfer is quite unlike anything, the closest comparison being Ari Aster if he was Australian. There is so much to unpack in this movie and yet it all make sense. The idea of this conflicted man who loses his sense of belonging, blurring the line from surfer to bum, is well portrayed in the movie. At the center of that is the idea of toxic masculinity which is so apparent in this movie. This film presents a lot of commentary to the audience which admittedly is overwhelming but it is so interesting to see it unravel in this scenario. The film is extraordinarily well made from its cinematography, editing, sound design, score, production design, costume design, and more. Nicolas Cage is, per usual, excellent in this movie at all times. This film may be stretching it or overpacking it but it delivers not only commentary but entertainment. I have to think about this one a little longer. Also, just got to say, most stubborn character of all time, just go to a different beach, no big deal.

Thunderbolts* or now *The New Avengers is a great Marvel film that will really show exactly how good Marvel films were and can be. This movie, obviously, has superb action and comedy but it also has a lot of character. The thing many Marvel movies and movies in general have been missing is true heart to the story and characters. This film has that, dealing with real serious issues of loneliness, depression, and general mental health. The thought I would include these words in a Marvel movie shows how mature this movie truly is. The way the movie builds this heart is a direct focus on character. It has been said by many that the downfall of movies in the 21st century has been the mainstream pivot from character-driven movies to plot-based movies. However, Thunderbolts* brings back a character-driven film to theaters that still has decent plot but focusing on character development more, and man is a worth it in the long run. Because of this choice, all consequent actions the film makes are great, from “villain” to post credit reveal. This movies is defiantly a top MCU movie that (I think) will usher in a new age of Marvel movies.

Companion is a quite a clever modern horror movie that absolutes rocks every element. The characters in this movie, both real and artificial, truly exemplify well made horror characters that you don’t mind seeing come to a gory end. This focus on characters rather than story helps make Companion a very entertaining time as the movie is very funny with its simple but clever plot. There’s not much to be said without spoilers. The less you know, the better. However, I can say that features of Iris and her storyline make her a stand out of the movie. Ultimately, had a great time with this movie.

Friendship is one of the most human films I've seen in a while. The movie has true heart to it which makes it quite an impactful story. Not to mention it's hilarious, like really funny stuff. The premise is as simple as the title implies but the consequences of such a friendship are demonstrated well into this film. Tim Robinson as Craig Waterman is one of the most sympathetic and relatable characters in 2025. His approach to such a conflicted and desperate character make this movie truly shine. The underlying horror of this movie in how friendships, of all capacity may inflict damage and progress in your life. The movie is absolute entertainment start to finish. To say I was hooked into this film would be an understatement. Friendship is fantastic must-watch of 2025!

Presence is quite totally confused as a movie. It is all over the place at times. It can’t decide whether it is a thriller, a horror, or a straight up drama. At the end of the day, it turns out to be a very talky drama with ghosts and suspense in the last 5 minutes of the movie. However the twist does so much work to make this movie bearable in the long run. I can admire the characters in the movie who seem like actually humans adapting to a new home in their own ways. The teen girl character of Chloe was quite the stellar addition to the movie who felt like a very relatable teen character. The presence element of the movie sounded so cool at first but it became underwhelming as all it turned out to be was the ghost just standing there doing nothing, making me forget the camera is from the perspective ****. Overall, underwhelming but some smart choices saved this movie.

I’m gonna need a minute or two to process Warfare. Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza have a razor sharp direction with the movie that is not comparable to other war movies. It just gives you the raw and clear experience of warfare during the Iraq wars on terrorism. The movie is experience based and not story based, for that I have to admire the heck out of it because it excels in the experience. The cinematography, the cast, the sound design, and the practical effects are what make this movie that much better. Warfare is a hard movie to recommend because it’s not for everyone, for on reason or another. However, I think this movie, in time, will be looked upon as an example of true warfare demonstrated on screen. The movie does fall in its story and it’s dialogue which aren’t easy to read because this movie is solely based on the memories of veterans and it was written my one. Even though the movie indulgences in experience, when dialogue kicks in during slower moments, which is most of the movie, the movie starts to absolutely drag on and milk itself for more runtime. For this major choice, I doubt I will come back to this film because how hard it is to follow but it is worth a watch. Who knows? I’m still digesting the movie and all its intense insanity. This immersive experience is still one for why viewing.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, Steven Soderbergh is the most overrated director in Hollywood. Black Bag is a spy thriller in very poor fashion with flat direction, poor cinematography, and a very mediocre script. The establishes a solid exposition that goes down the drain after 20 minutes. I will give props to the last 30 minutes of the movie which do overtime to save the movie in the smallest ways. The story goes from a hit on a rat to saving the world from WW3. This is just ridiculous. For a spy thriller centered on marriage, this movie lacks that connection between the main two leads, and it’s not the fault of the actors or their chemistry. This movie is a misfire on all cylinders and is very unenjoyable.

What a beautiful story. The movie is the movie we need right now. Not because it ground breaking or one of a kind but because it’s refreshing and true. It full heartedly sticks to the fantasy of the original film and then some. Timothee Chalamet brings his A game along with Olivia Colman and Director Paul King. His writing and directing bring the right beat to the story. There’s something for everybody to like. Comedy, Action, Chocolate, and Hugh Grant. You can’t go wrong! And top that off with this film being a very clever musical. Wow, what a story Wonka is. It’s composed of pure imagination!!