The Cloverfield Paradox (2018)

The Cloverfield Paradox is a science fiction film set in the Cloverfield universe where scientists are trying to solve the energy crisis with a hadron collider in space.

I had never heard of the director before today, Julius Onah, and after today I'd say he's competent. The shots he chooses to use are interesting and different. He uses classic shots like in the position of power the person should look down on the weaker and vice versa. Also, I didn't notice any problems with the shots used during dialog. The last shot of the film was the only moment where I tilted my head in wonder as to why he chose that. It posed a lot of questions, which is both good and bad.

The writer is Oren Uziel. He wrote 22 Jump Street and Shimmer Lake and has proven that he can write both science fiction, crime, and comedy. Not many people can say they've done the same. The writing has some problems and I can't really get into spoilers but you'll find yourself asking 'How?' at some of the events that happen which I imagine fanboys will say that it's a paradox, you don't need to understand. As a man of reason and mathematics, I couldn't overlook some of the flaws in the writing. Side note: he's also writing the reboot for Mortal Kombat.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw plays the main character who has lost her children due to a tragic accident. It's a key bit of information that the beginning glosses over due to the writing. It's not a spoiler, and you should know this going in. She is convincing throughout the film and I couldn't find anything wrong with her performance. She can convey messages without having to speak which is key to a great performance. You might recognize her for her brief appearance on a show called Doctor Who.

Daniel Brühl plays Schmidt. I loved his performance in Inglourious Basterds and as Zemo in Captian America: Civil War. His character is interesting enough and has a few scenes with Ziyi Zhang, the woman from Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and, my favorite of her performances, Hero. I can't really say too much about what their characters do without spoiling anything but safe to say Brühl does great and Zhang is here to sell the movie to the Chinese audiences. There is a lot of Mandarin spoken in this film.

Result: B- (It's above average, the second movie was much better, and I do look forward to the next)

Comments

Scream 7

Scream 7 (2026) marks the return of Kevin Williamson , the original writer of Scream , now stepping back in to write and direct. The result is a sequel that feels closer in spirit to the franchise’s roots. It balances meta commentary with straightforward slasher brutality and, for the most part, it works. Neve Campbell returns as Sidney Prescott and immediately grounds the film. Her presence alone gives the story weight, and the script wisely centers her instead of sidelining her. There are a few cameos from figures in Sidney’s past that longtime fans will appreciate, and while some feel more nostalgic than necessary, they never fully derail the pacing. Also, she's not past her prime. Isabel May , known for 1883 and Alexa & Katie , steps into a major role and holds her own as Sidney's daughter. She brings a modern energy without feeling like a forced replacement, and her dynamic with Campbell adds tension that feels organic rather than manufactured. The violence is tu...

Dracula (2026)

Dracula (2026) is written and directed by Luc Besson , and it feels like a filmmaker trying to modernize a classic myth while chasing a younger audience. The film is hyperactive in its editing, filled with quick cuts that rarely let a scene breathe. It is hard not to compare that to the more confident pacing of The Fifth Element , which trusted its style and performances to carry attention without frantic cutting. Here, the editing feels almost desperate at times. Caleb Landry Jones takes on the title role and uses a very odd accent that feels like a deliberate directorial choice. He also leans heavily into overacting, pushing expressions and line delivery to theatrical extremes. In Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri , he was more subdued and forgettable in a supporting role. Here he is front and center, and the performance is certainly memorable, just not always in a good way. Christoph Waltz plays the priest positioned as the protagonist. As expected, he brings his tradem...

How to Make a Killing (2026)

How to Make a Killing (2026) is written and directed by John Patton Ford and released by A24 . The film clearly aims for sharp satire and quirky character study, but it never fully commits to being as biting or unhinged as it wants to be. It plays like an oven mitt version of American Psycho , handling similar themes of ego and moral decay but with far less edge. Glen Powell , known for Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You , delivers a decent performance. He has natural charisma and screen presence, and he carries the film capably, but the script never gives him the psychological depth needed to make the character truly interesting. Margaret Qualley , recognized for Kinds of Kindness and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood , feels like she is playing a variation of the same character she often portrays. She is effective, but there is little new here in terms of range or transformation. Jessica Henwick , known for Cuckoo and Glass Onion , gives the strongest performance of the tri...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog