Drive-Away Dolls (2024)

Drive-Away Dolls is an LGBTQ comedy mainly featuring lesbians.

Ethan Coen can direct but he can't take a film like this and turn it into something interesting. It is obvious that this film was written from the mindset of being a victim. It tries so hard to be Fargo which really just cements that Coen has lost his touch. He's not writing for general audiences, he's writing for modern audiences. The problem is that "modern audiences" don't go to the theater. His quick dialogue is still there but it comes across as jarring with all the verbiage.

Margaret Qualley puts on an accent and while sometimes it comes across as charming, sometimes it comes across as trying too hard to be hick. She's supposed to be a Texan but doesn't act or sound like any Texan I've met. She's a good actress, but her character in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was much better written as here she seems so one-dimensional. While I was disappointed in this film, I'm still excited for her in Kinds of Kindness which should be out now.

While Qualley plays the free spirit, Geraldine Viswanathan plays the more uptight lesbian. She does a pretty good job acting as it seems to be an improvement over when she was in Blockers. She's supposed to be in the Thunderbolts movie but that movie I'm totally worried will flop.

The film reeks of virtue-signaling and really doesn't have much to say or entertain. Result: D

Comments

One Battle After Another (2025)

One Battle After Another (2025) is written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson , who is no stranger to ambitious projects after films like Licorice Pizza and, one of the best films of all time, There Will Be Blood. His direction once again shows his knack for blending complex characters with striking visuals, though the film occasionally falters in how it handles some of its supporting roles. Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio , known for The Wolf of Wall Street and Titanic , is nothing short of amazing. He completely commits to the role, bringing intensity and emotional depth that anchors the movie. Oscar winner Sean Penn , best remembered for Mystic River and Milk , transforms himself into a truly awful villain. His presence is unsettling and effective, giving the story one of its strongest dramatic cores. Oscar winner Benicio Del Toro , from Sicario and Traffic , plays the calm and collected Sensei with quiet authority. His controlled performance contrasts...

The Strangers: Chapter 2 (2025)

The Strangers: Chapter 2 (2025) is directed by Renny Harlin , who also helmed The Strangers: Chapter 1 earlier in the year. Much like its predecessor, this sequel leans into style and shock value, but Harlin does a slightly better job balancing tension with atmosphere. Filmed back-to-back-to-back with the rest of the trilogy over 52 days in Slovakia, the production feels rushed but not without improvement. Madelaine Petsch , known for Riverdale and Sightless , returns as the lead and noticeably carries the film. Her performance is sharper this time, showing more range and conviction despite the quick filming turnaround. She brings much-needed emotional weight that the script itself often lacks. Ema Horvath , who appeared in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and What Lies Below , gets more focus here. While her character is central to the story, the writing doesn’t give her much depth beyond moving the plot along. Still, she holds her own against the chaos. Richard Brake ...

The Toxic Avenger (2025)

The Toxic Avenger (2025) is directed and written by Macon Blair , who is better known as an actor than a filmmaker, with notable roles in Green Room and Blue Ruin . His writing and direction lean into the over-the-top chaos expected from a Toxic Avenger remake, embracing absurdity with confidence even if not every choice lands cleanly. Peter Dinklage , best known for Game of Thrones and Cyrano , takes on the strange task of grounding this bizarre film and succeeds in making it entertaining. His ability to balance seriousness with the absurd tone gives the movie its core strength. Taylour Paige , known for Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom , injects charisma into her role, making her presence one of the film’s highlights. Kevin Bacon , with decades of work including Footloose and Mystic River , delivers his usual charm, clearly enjoying himself in the chaos. He plays the films big bad. Elijah Wood , who audiences know from The Lord of the Rings trilog...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog