The Ritual follows a remote convent where demonic possession grips a young girl and forces the clergy to face their darkest fears. Directed by David Midell , known for The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain , the film sticks closer to traditional horror structure but benefits from a strong atmosphere and a serious tone. The pacing is steady, and while it doesn’t break new ground, it’s well-shot and doesn’t waste time on fluff. It keeps its focus tight and lets the actors do the heavy lifting. Al Pacino , best known for The Godfather and Heat , plays the veteran exorcist brought in for one last case. He gives a weary, grounded performance that doesn’t feel like he's trying to reclaim old glory. He’s calm, serious, and believable. A solid presence from start to finish. Dan Stevens , known for Legion and The Guest , plays a skeptical academic observer. He’s improving with every role and brings just enough tension to scenes without overshadowing others. His character works best when ...
Jurassic World: Rebirth attempts to relaunch the franchise with a fresh cast and setting, but it ends up feeling like a commercial in search of a plot. Directed by Gareth Edwards , known for Rogue One and Godzilla , the film is filled with baffling creative choices. There’s product placement in almost every scene, and most of the action sequences are over-edited and underwhelming. Edwards seems more interested in drone shots and branding than tension or logic. Written by David Koepp , who once gave us Jurassic Park and Mission: Impossible , the script is shockingly clumsy. The dialogue is flat, the pacing is off, and the characters regularly make decisions that would embarrass even the worst horror movie victims. It’s hard to believe the same writer once helped build this universe. The film is basically Aliens but with dinosaurs. Scarlett Johansson , known for Marriage Story and Black Widow , stars but seems like she’s checked out. Her performance lacks the spark she once h...