Pain Hustlers (2023)

Pain Hustlers is a fictional story based on how similarly true events transpire in the pharma business.

From the director of various Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts films, David Yates, the film is very different than a typical Yates film. He had a major stinker with The Legend of Tarzan and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. This is by far his best film. Who knows why but perhaps it's the first time writers Wells Tower and Evan Hughes, both who've basically done nothing. That being said it's a great way to start.

Emily Blunt has a hard time with her American accent throughout most of the film, but she does a great job playing the rags-to-riches woman who just wants what's best for her kid. It's relatable and builds on her legacy as an actress.

Chris Evans plays the man who brings Blunt into all of this. He plays a much more interesting character than he has in his previous few Netflix films. I believe he's trying to branch out and show his range but he keeps playing unlikeable characters. Regardless of how well he plays the character, he's going to get a reputation that will have moved away from Captain America and into a negative typecast.

The film was interesting and believable. It was a great first time for Tower and Hughes. This also is the best David Yates movie, but that's not saying much. Result: B-

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Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is directed by Jon Favreau , known for Iron Man and Chef , with much of the story influence clearly coming from Dave Filoni , known for Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Ahsoka . Unfortunately, the film falls into the same “and then” style of storytelling that hurts many modern franchise films, where scenes feel stitched together without enough meaningful progression. Entire stretches of the movie, particularly long sequences involving Grogu wandering through a forest, feel padded and lacking purpose. Instead of building momentum, the film drifts from moment to moment without ever creating a compelling central narrative. Pedro Pascal , known for The Last of Us and Narcos , once again plays the Mandalorian, though his presence feels strangely limited. It is difficult not to notice how often the character appears disconnected physically and vocally, giving the impression that Pascal himself may not have been involved in large portions of the performa...

In the Grey (2026)

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Lee Cronin's The Mummy is directed by surprise-surprise Lee Cronin , best known for Evil Dead Rise , and his style is immediately recognizable. The film plays less like a traditional Mummy story and more like a modern possession horror with a different skin. It often feels like a “what if Evil Dead involved a mummy,” leaning heavily into familiar genre beats rather than carving out something distinct. The tone prioritizes intensity and shock, with a focus on gore over sustained dread, which keeps it engaging in moments but limits its ability to build true horror. Jack Reynor , known for Midsommar and Sing Street , plays the father figure at the center of the chaos. His performance is solid and grounded, fitting well within the expectations of the genre. He brings a level of sincerity that helps anchor the film, even as the story follows a fairly predictable path. His arc plays out in a way that will feel familiar to anyone who has seen possession films like The Exorcist , but ...

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