Movies, Film, and Chili

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton , the filmmaker behind Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings , and he brings a welcome sense of energy and confidence to the latest chapter in Spider-Man's story. Cretton keeps the pacing brisk and knows exactly when to indulge in fan service without letting it completely overshadow the story. There are enough crowd-pleasing moments that longtime fans will likely leave satisfied, even if the film falls just short of true greatness. Tom Holland , known for The Impossible and Spider-Man: No Way Home , gives what I consider to be his strongest performance as Peter Parker. I'm usually critical of his acting, but here he shows far more emotional range and confidence than in his previous appearances. Zendaya , known for Dune and Challengers , also delivers one of her best performances to date. Which if you know me, that is a considerable statement. The chemistry between the two feels more natural than ever, and bo...

I Can Only Imagine 2 continues the story established in the original film, but it relies too heavily on manufactured drama to justify its existence. Rather than allowing conflict to arise naturally, the screenplay feels like it's throwing darts at a wall, pulling together different events simply to create another emotional character arc. Director Andrew Erwin once again proves he can get the most out of his cast despite the weaker material, doing his best to elevate a script that often undermines the growth established in the first film. Unfortunately, much of the character development that made the original so effective feels lost here, making this sequel a noticeable step down. John Michael Finley returns as Bart , but his portrayal leans far more into melodrama this time around. While it's understandable that the screenplay wants to give its protagonist another emotional journey, it comes at the expense of believable character progression. After everything his character e...

The Dink is a sports comedy centered around the world of pickleball, a premise that will probably turn away a good number of viewers before they even press play. Fortunately, director Josh Greenbaum understands exactly how ridiculous that sounds and wisely leans into the absurdity instead of trying to make the sport seem more important than it is. The film is self-aware from beginning to end, never taking itself too seriously. It's also easy to see why this skipped a theatrical release in favor of streaming. This feels like the kind of movie that will naturally find a larger audience on Apple TV+ than it ever would have in cinemas. Jake Johnson , known for New Girl and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse , stars as the film's lead. While Johnson has proven to be a likable comedic actor in the past, he never quite generates enough laughs here to carry the movie on his own. Sean Clements , known for Workaholics , delivers the type of humor that reminded me why that series never...

One Night Only is a romantic comedy written by Travis Braun , creator of T.O.T.S. , that ultimately turns out to be something very different from what its marketing suggests. The trailers present it as a lighthearted Valentine's Day romance, but the film quickly pivots into a dystopian story that blends elements of The Purge with overt political commentary. Whether that shift works will largely depend on the viewer's expectations, but I found the bait-and-switch frustrating. The political messaging is so persistent that it frequently overshadows the romance at the center of the story. Despite that, the direction from Will Gluck is surprisingly strong, with confident staging and solid pacing that keep the film engaging even when the screenplay becomes heavy-handed. Gluck did Anyone But You and the romance really felt similar to the point I couldn't help but think of the film even though I had forgotten he had done the film back in '23. Another distraction is the amou...

Her Private Hell is written and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn , and unfortunately it continues the filmmaker's uneven output following the heights of Drive . This is a film that wields symbolism like a sledgehammer, repeatedly beating the audience over the head with imagery and dialogue that leave little room for interpretation. There is no subtlety to its themes, and the screenplay introduces some characters through clumsy exposition rather than allowing them to develop naturally. The score is another major distraction, overwhelming scenes that would have benefited from restraint instead of constantly demanding the audience's attention. To make matters worse, the ending is telegraphed so early that there is little satisfaction when it finally arrives. It left me wondering whether the brilliance of Drive was more a product of its cast and collaboration than Refn's direction alone. Sophie Thatcher , known for Companion and Yellowjackets , delivers what is easily her w...

Motor City is directed by Potsy Ponciroli and is a film that relies almost entirely on visual storytelling. With what feels like no more than six lines of dialogue throughout its runtime, Ponciroli places the burden on his direction and the performances to carry the narrative. He succeeds more often than not, using framing, pacing, and silence to build tension instead of exposition. The result is a revenge thriller that feels heavily inspired by Drive , directed by Nicolas Winding Refn , though it never quite reaches the same level of style or emotional resonance. Even so, paying homage to one of the best neo-noir films of the last two decades is hardly a bad thing. Also, it has an amazing elevator scene similar to the one in  Drive . Alan Ritchson , known for Reacher and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare , plays a man who has been wrongfully accused and embarks on a relentless quest for vengeance. It's a role that perfectly suits his imposing physical presence, and he prove...

Pinocchio: Unstrung is written and directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield , the filmmaker behind Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey and its sequel. In terms of overall quality, this lands squarely between those two films. The direction is competent enough to keep the story moving, but it never rises above the low-budget slasher formula the filmmaker has become known for. The screenplay offers a few interesting ideas by reimagining the classic fairy tale as horror, yet it never fully commits to expanding the concept beyond its premise. While there are moments of creativity, the film is ultimately held back by uneven storytelling and inconsistent execution. Richard Brake , known for 31 and Barbarian , plays a dark interpretation of Geppetto and gives the film its strongest performance. It would have been easy for the role to become overly theatrical or cartoonish, but Brake keeps his performance restrained and unsettling instead. His quiet menace makes the character feel believable within th...

Young Washington tells the story of George Washington before the American Revolution, chronicling the experiences that shaped him into the tactically brilliant military leader remembered throughout history. Directed by Jon Erwin , known for I Can Only Imagine , the film carries many of the same hallmarks as his previous work. His direction is earnest and straightforward, with an underlying message that is never particularly subtle. While the historical setting provides an interesting backdrop, the film struggles to find its rhythm early on, especially during its opening sequences with the younger cast. Fortunately, it improves considerably in its final third, where the story becomes more focused and engaging. William Franklyn-Miller takes on the role of the young George Washington , but he unfortunately lacks the screen presence needed to carry a film centered almost entirely on his shoulders. He delivers a respectable performance, but the emotional weight and leadership qualities t...

They Will Kill You is written and directed by Kirill Sokolov , who attempts to put his own spin on the survival horror formula popularized by film  Ready or Not . This time there is no deadly game. Instead, the story revolves around a cult and a bizarre pig demon. Unfortunately, the concept is far stranger than it is compelling, and not in a way that benefits the film. Sokolov's direction never quite finds the right balance between horror and dark comedy, while the screenplay struggles to give the audience a reason to invest in its increasingly absurd premise. The entire production feels more like a direct-to-streaming release than a theatrical feature, and considering it reportedly earned only $10 million domestic against a $20 million budget, that impression is difficult to shake. Zazie Beetz , known for Joker and Deadpool 2 , stars as the film's protagonist. While she remains as beautiful as ever, her performance never rises above the material she's given. She neither ...

The Odyssey is written and directed by Christopher Nolan , bringing one of history's greatest epics to the big screen with his signature ambition and scale. There were rumors that the film would lean heavily on a newer interpretation of the source material, and after watching it, I can understand where those concerns came from. Many of the scenes that feel unnecessary or overextended stem from that interpretation and could have been trimmed without hurting the overall narrative. Once again, Nolan demonstrates that he is a stronger director than writer, crafting visually stunning sequences while allowing the screenplay to become overly indulgent at times. The other surprising misstep is the absence of Hans Zimmer . The change in composer is immediately noticeable, and while the score is serviceable, it lacks the emotional power and memorable identity that Zimmer has brought to so many of Nolan's previous films. Matt Damon is perfectly cast as Odysseus, delivering exactly the k...

Apex is directed by Icelandic filmmaker Baltasar Kormákur , whose underrated action film 2 Guns demonstrated his ability to balance suspense with character-driven storytelling. Here, he brings that same confidence behind the camera, keeping the film engaging from beginning to end. The screenplay by Jeremy Robbins , known for The Purge television series, delivers a story with a twist that genuinely caught me off guard. I won't say anything more because even acknowledging there's a surprise can change how someone watches the film, but it's one of the movie's biggest strengths and helps separate it from a typical streaming thriller. Charlize Theron , known for Mad Max: Fury Road and Atomic Blonde , once again proves why she's one of Hollywood's most reliable leading actresses. It's surprising to see someone of her caliber spending so much time in Netflix productions, especially when she consistently elevates whatever material she's given. Even when the ...

The Invite is directed by and stars Olivia Wilde , who delivers a remarkable improvement behind the camera compared to Don't Worry Darling . Every camera angle, character placement, and movement feels deliberate, giving the film a strong visual identity while allowing the performances to breathe. The screenplay, written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones , showcases the duo's background in comedy. Their sharp dialogue and impeccable timing had the entire theater laughing throughout, balancing humor with genuine character development in a way that never feels forced. You might remember Jones from Parks and Recs. Olivia Wilde plays Angela, a self-described control freak whose marriage is put under the microscope over the course of one unforgettable evening. Wilde fully commits to the role, creating a character who is both frustrating and sympathetic. Her chemistry with Seth Rogen , who plays her husband Joe, is one of the film's greatest strengths. Their arguments feel so...

The Mortuary Assistant is directed by Jeremiah Kipp and written by Tracee Beebe and Brian Clarke , adapting Clarke's video game of the same name for the big screen. From a directing standpoint, there is nothing particularly remarkable, but there is also very little that stands out as a misstep. Kipp keeps the film moving at a steady pace and delivers the expected scares without relying too heavily on cheap tricks. The screenplay, however, wears its inspirations on its sleeve, often feeling like a retread of Evil Dead (2013), borrowing many of the same possession and demonic horror beats but adding enough of its own identity. Willa Holland , known for Legion and Arrow , plays the film's protagonist. She delivers a competent performance and handles the role professionally, but much like the direction itself, there is little that leaves a lasting impression. She carries the film well enough without elevating the material, making for a serviceable lead in a story that never fu...

Evil Dead Burn (2026) is written and directed by Sébastien Vaniček , making his first major Hollywood feature after gaining attention with his French horror work. He immediately proves to be a stronger character writer than plot writer, as the film spends much of its first half developing its cast while the overall story takes longer to find its footing. It is not until midway through the film that Vaniček's eye for visual storytelling truly takes over, delivering several memorable horror sequences with confident camera work and effective tension. By the time the credits roll, it becomes clear that he is currently a better director than screenwriter, though that is hardly a criticism considering this is an impressive Hollywood debut. Hunter Doohan , known for Wednesday and Your Honor , initially appears to be the film's central protagonist. As the story unfolds, however, it becomes apparent that Souheila Yacoub , known for Dune: Part Two and Climax , is the true lead. Yacoub...

Voicemails for Isabelle is written and directed by Leah McKendrick , whose previous acting work included a small role in I Know What You Did Last Summer . Here she steps behind the camera with a romantic comedy that aims to balance humor and modern relationships, but the screenplay struggles under the weight of uneven characterization. Much of the dialogue comes across as forced, and the humor often leans into exaggerated "girl boss" moments that quickly become repetitive. The biggest weakness is that nearly every male character, with one exception, is written as either incompetent or one-dimensional, leaving the story feeling less like a balanced romantic comedy and more like a collection of caricatures. As a result, the central romance never develops the emotional foundation it needs. Zoey Deutch , known for Set It Up and Zombieland: Double Tap , plays Jill and gives an energetic performance, but the screenplay works against her. The character is repeatedly described as...

Wuthering Heights is directed by Emerald Fennell , known for Promising Young Woman and Saltburn , and opens with a striking image that immediately signals this will not be a conventional adaptation of the classic novel. The film remains faithful to several of the book's narrative choices, particularly in how it lingers on the characters' early years before fully embracing the central tragedy. While this approach accurately reflects the source material, the pacing occasionally suffers, with several montages and extended childhood sequences lasting longer than necessary. One element that works especially well is the portrayal of Catherine and Heathcliff's adoptive father, whose volatile temper contrasts sharply with the affection he shows the two children, echoing one of the novel's stronger character dynamics. Margot Robbie , known for Barbie and I, Tonya , delivers one of the strongest performances of her career as Catherine. She captures the character's passio...