Kinds of Kindness (2024)

Kinds of Kindness is a triptych drama movie with each having a weird twist and oddity about it.

I knew I was going to see something weird going into a Yorgos Lanthimos movie. The director of The Favourite, The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and most recently Poor Things. He has a weird way of telling stories and knows how to do callbacks. He has an attention to detail that most people would miss. He's got another Emma Stone movie coming out next year called Bugonia which I'll be seeing.

Speaking of Stone, she has to play three different roles in the film and each feels drastically unlike the previous. If people continue to see her in these types of roles they will put her alongside Cate Blanchett, Katharine Hepburn, and Meryl Streep. She started out in comedy but it seems she'll end in drama.

Jesse Plemons is not an attractive man, but he knows how to use his delivery to really sell the character he's playing. He doesn't have much diversity but he can at least make them feel different. You might remember him as Gary in Game Night, or that shaded soldier in Civil War. What kind of American are you?

There are some other supporting characters that all did well, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, and the upcoming star Hunter Schafer. Most people might not know who she is but with her role in Euphoria and the anticipated Cuckoo movie, I imagine she'll become more well known. Margaret Qualley was in a pretty bad movie earlier this year in Drive-Away Dolls but she was much better here.

The film is going to be too weird to recommend it to just anyone. For that it's result is a B+

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