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 beautifully with the chaos around him.

Teyana Taylor, who has appeared in Straw and one of my favorite 2023 films A Thousand and One, is unfortunately sexualized early in the film and then tossed aside by the script, a disappointing use of her talent.

Newcomer Chase Infiniti, making one of their first major appearances, is mesmerizing and grounded. Her performance feels authentic and is one of the most exciting surprises of the film.

I was worried going in the film would be too political as I didn't want to watch propaganda. While the film is great, it does strike some chords that will alienate half the audience. Expect an Oscar. 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)

In the Grey is written and directed by Guy Ritchie , known for Snatch and The Gentlemen , and the film carries all the style and personality audiences expect from him. The dialogue is sharp, the pacing is confident, and the story constantly moves with a sense of swagger that keeps it entertaining throughout. Ritchie once again proves he knows how to make even familiar action setups feel fresh through his direction and character work. Eiza González , known for Baby Driver and Ambulance , plays the beautiful and manipulative lawyer role perfectly. She brings confidence and charisma to every scene, balancing charm with danger in a way that fits naturally into Ritchie’s world. Beyond just looking the part, she fully commits to the character’s aggressive personality and ends up being one of the film’s strongest presences. Henry Cavill , known for Man of Steel and The Witcher , delivers another very likable performance. His natural charm works extremely well here, especially in the fil...

Lee Cronin's The Mummy (2026)

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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