The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is directed by Matt Shakman, known for his work on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and WandaVision. While his direction shows flashes of creativity, it's clear he’s working under the weight of a script that doesn’t let him take full control.

Pedro Pascal, who has recently been in The Last of Us, Eddington, and The Mandalorian, feels overused and out of place as Reed Richards. He doesn't have range and plays the same character he did in all his other work.

Vanessa Kirby, known for Pieces of a Woman and the Mission: Impossible franchise, shines with both elegance and intensity as Sue Storm. Her presence elevates every scene she's in. She is written as the main character, and if you're a Fantastic Four purist, this might bother you.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach, recognizable from The Bear and Andor, delivers a passable version of The Thing, though he doesn’t quite hit the emotional beats. Joseph Quinn, breakout star of Stranger Things, steals the spotlight as Johnny Storm. His charisma and energy are spot-on for the Human Torch.

Julia Garner, best known for Ozark and recently Wolf Man, is miscast as the gender-swapped Silver Surfer. Yes, I know her character was in the comics, but it does feel pandering to choose this one over the more popular one. While the choice is bold, it doesn’t land convincingly.

The overall story struggles with tone and cohesion. Result: B

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The Smashing Machine (2025)

The Smashing Machine (2025) is written and directed by Benny Safdie , better known for his work in front of the camera in films like Good Time and Oppenheimer . Safdie’s eye for gritty realism translates into this film, but the story suffers somewhat from being too loyal to its source material. The authenticity makes it a strong character study but keeps it from being as entertaining as other films in its genre. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson delivers one of the most surprising performances of his career. Known for action-heavy roles in films like Fast Five and Black Adam , here he shows a range of emotions rarely seen in his past work. This is clearly his Oscar push, and it is likely he will receive at least a nomination for his work. Also from Oppenheimer, Emily Blunt, plays the girlfriend character with frequent emotional swings. The volatility works for the role her performance brings depth and unpredictability to the film. I mentioned to my wife that everyone knows a gi...

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

Avatar: The Way of Water is the followup to James Cameron's original box office winner Avatar. Continuing Jake Sully's story, now protecting his family from Colonel Miles Quaritch again. Written and directed by James Cameron . The worst parts of the writing probably came from the writers of Mulan, both Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. In terms of direction, there was the expectation that Cameron would recreate some sort of magic of Avatar, Terminator 2, or even Aliens. I think Cameron gave the skeleton of the story and Jaffa and Silver added their own dialogue and beats. Cameron doesn't really write boring movies and I was bored through parts of the film. 3 hours and 12 minutes is a long time to have amazing dialogue and writing. Sam Worthington is back but you don't recognize him since he was barely in the first film except in his avatar form. Most people don't know Worthington. Maybe if you played the Call of Duty Black Ops games as he played Alex Mason. I most...

Him (2025)

Him (2025) is directed by Justin Tipping , best known for Kicks , with Jordan Peele serving as a heavy-handed producer. Despite the talent involved, the film leans into “and then” style writing that feels meandering and leaves the audience more tired than engaged. Marlon Wayans , known for White Chicks and Scary Movie , goes over the top in a way that doesn’t fit the film’s intent, creating more distraction than humor or depth. Tyriq Withers , previously in I Know What You Did Last Summer , turns in an even weaker performance here, offering little in the way of presence or believability. Julia Fox , who gained recognition for Uncut Gems , is strange and out of place, adding little to the narrative. Jim Jefferies , a comedian known for Legit , is barely given anything to work with, and his limited screen time wastes his talent. I found myself bored and not surprised. There is also a bit of sacrilegious writing that might turn off some audiences. Result: C+

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