Movies, Film, and Chili

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 ...

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 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...

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+

The Long Walk (2025) is directed by Francis Lawrence , who is best known for helming the last four Hunger Games films. While the source material has plenty of potential, the direction and writing here feel uneven, leaving the story without the same impact his previous work carried. Cooper Hoffman , recognized for Licorice Pizza , leads the film but gives only an average performance compared to his breakout role. His delivery lacks the spark that made him so captivating before. The standout instead comes from David Jonsson , known for Alien: Romulus , who gives the most compelling and emotional performance in the film. Mark Hamill , beloved for his iconic role as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars , unfortunately delivers the weakest and wooden acting in the cast, coming across as stiff and disengaged. He tries his best to channel his inner unhinged patriot but it's clear he doesn't have a good frame of reference. Ben Wang, who has appeared in projects like Karate Kid: Legends and...

Caught Stealing (2025) is directed by Darren Aronofsky , known for Black Swan and The Whale , with the screenplay adapted by Charlie Huston . Aronofsky keeps the tension high while balancing gritty realism with stylized action sequences, creating a film that feels raw yet cinematic. Especially with Bad Bunny's  main scene. Austin Butler , acclaimed for Elvis and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood , commands the screen with a performance that rivals his breakout role. He brings emotional depth to a very flawed yet sympathetic protagonist. Zoe Kravitz , recognized for The Batman and Mad Max: Fury Road , delivers one of her strongest performances to date, adding nuance and sharp charisma to the story. Matt Smith , best known for Doctor Who and Last Night in Soho , brings a unique 90s persona that makes his scenes stand out.  Liev Schreiber , from Ray Donovan and X-Men Origins: Wolverine , and Vincent D'Onofrio , known for Daredevil and Full Metal Jacket , both add subtle humo...