Movies, Film, and Chili

Anaconda (2025) is a reboot comedy of the 90s film, written and directed by Tom Gormican , who previously delivered the clever and self-aware The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent . Unfortunately, that lightning does not strike twice. The core problem is simple. The jokes do not land. If horror films are judged by scares per minute, then comedies should be judged by laughs per minute, and this one delivers virtually none. Any humor that works was already burned in the trailer, leaving the film feeling empty and painfully drawn out. Jack Black , known for School of Rock and Jumanji , leans heavily into his loud, chaotic persona, but here it becomes grating rather than charming. His performance feels unchecked and repetitive, as if volume alone is meant to substitute for comedy. Instead of elevating scenes, he often drains them of momentum. Paul Rudd , who audiences know from Ant-Man and I Love You, Man , somehow comes off just as irritating. Rudd is usually likable even in weak m...

The Housemaid (2025) is directed by Paul Feig , best known for comedies like Bridesmaids and Freaks and Geeks , and the tonal clash is noticeable. Feig leans into slick presentation and surface-level tension, but the film never quite reconciles its thriller ambitions with its obvious messaging. As an adaptation, it feels safer and more predictable than it wants to be, especially given how clearly it telegraphs its twists. Sydney Sweeney , known for Euphoria and Anyone But You , plays a down-on-her-luck woman recently out on parole who is desperate for work. She does what she can with the role and brings some emotional weight early on, but the writing limits her range. Her character cycles through bashful and annoyed so often that it starts to feel repetitive rather than psychologically layered. Amanda Seyfried , recognizable from Mamma Mia! and Mean Girls , plays the wealthy woman whose life slowly unravels as the power dynamic flips. Seyfried is solid and more controlled than Sw...

Marty Supreme (2025) is written and directed by Josh Safdie , who previously directed Good Time and Uncut Gems . This film carries that same frantic Safdie energy, with constant motion and pressure that rarely lets the audience breathe. It is chaotic by design, sometimes to a fault, but the intensity feels intentional rather than sloppy. Even when the pacing threatens to overwhelm, the film remains compelling due to the strength of its performances. Timothée Chalamet , known for Dune and Call Me by Your Name , plays the title role and fits it perfectly. He fully commits to the character’s ambition and volatility, balancing confidence with insecurity in a way that feels natural for him at this stage of his career. This is not a transformative performance, but it is a highly effective one, and he clearly understands the rhythm and demands of a Safdie-style film. Odessa A’zion , who audiences may recognize from Grand Army and Hellraiser (2022) , is a standout as the love interest. S...

No Other Choice (2025) is directed by Park Chan-wook , the filmmaker behind Oldboy and Snowpiercer . His signature style is all over this film, with moments of completely bizarre dialogue and acting choices that feel intentional rather than accidental. While it doesn’t reach the heights of his most celebrated work, it’s still unmistakably his, strange, uncomfortable, and darkly humorous. I still need to see The Handmaiden , which many consider his best film, and this only reinforced that curiosity. Lee Byung-hun , who many Western audiences may remember from G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and KPop Demon Hunters , plays the lead role as a desperate father trying to secure a job. His character’s decision to literally eliminate the competition is where the film fully leans into its absurdity. I barely recognized him at first, which speaks to how fully he disappears into the role. His performance walks a fine line between grounded desperation and unhinged logic. Son Ye-jin , known for Th...

  Avatar: Fire and Ash is the third film in the James Cameron sci-fi epic.  What can be said about Christopher Nolan can be said about James Cameron , except Cameron makes billions of dollars while Nolan makes hundreds of millions. Oppenheimer came close though. Generation Z will not understand how impactful Titanic was but so many of them understand and went to see the first  Avatar. Sam Worthington  and Zoe Saldaña  return as the king and queen warlords of the Na'vi. This time they got whales and squids on their side. That might sound an awful lot like the second movie and you'd be right. This film adds more to the lore but pretty much tells the same story.  Oona Chaplin , of Game of Throne fame, is on fire as Varang. She's beautiful and joker level crazy with her pyromania. Her existence is really just to sell the dichotomy of this film and the second, but she was still enthralling never the less. Also the soap opera love between her and the main vill...

Jay Kelly (2025) is written and directed by Noah Baumbach , known for Marriage Story and Barbie , and this time he turns his sharp eye toward the chaotic, funny, and often heartbreaking dynamics between actors, their families, and the people who try to manage both. Baumbach’s writing is witty and grounded, and the film finds a balance between being self-aware and deeply sincere. It is easily one of his lighter works, but that warmth works in its favor. George Clooney , known for Michael Clayton and Up in the Air , was born to play this role. He slips effortlessly into the character, blending charm, worn-down maturity, and a subtle comedic touch that feels tailor-made for the story. Clooney brings so much authenticity that half the time it feels like he is simply letting the camera catch him existing in the world Baumbach built. Adam Sandler , known for Uncut Gems and Hustle , brings the total opposite energy from Clooney, which is exactly why their dynamic works so well. He leans...

  Five Night's At Freddy's 2  is the sequel to the video game movie released in 2023.  Director Emma Tammi is lucky the fanbase is showing up for her movie. Without them she would be a complete unknown and with her ability to direct she would remain as such. Scott Cawthon can write video games but when it comes to realistic or natural dialogue between children he can't help himself. Piper Rubio  cannot act well. The way she delivers lines is as if the director didn't ask her to try again. With how cheap these movies are made I imagine that was how it went. No way was this the seventh take.  Elizabeth Lail  is probably the best of the main characters while Mckenna Grace seems to be in the movie just so they could say she was. She really feels out of place with her ability to act compared to these main characters.  Horror veterans will be happy to see Skeet Ulrich  and Matthew Lillard  return to the same movie but they should have had a scene t...