Movies, Film, and Chili

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (2025) is written and directed by Scott Cooper , known for Crazy Heart and Hostiles . Cooper brings his usual grounded, character-focused direction to this film, capturing both the grit and quiet poetry of Bruce Springsteen’s life and music. Even for those who aren’t fans of “The Boss,” the film works as an emotional drama about artistry, loss, and self-reflection. Jeremy Allen White , best known for The Bear and The Iron Claw , disappears into his portrayal. At times, he’s nearly unrecognizable in both appearance and delivery. White manages to balance intensity with vulnerability, showing a man who’s haunted yet deeply passionate. It’s a masterclass in subtle expression, with his ability to communicate emotion without words being one of the film’s greatest strengths. Odessa Young , known for Shirley and Mothering Sunday , is radiant. She lights up every scene she’s in and brings warmth to a film that could have easily been too brooding. Her c...

The Black Phone 2 (2025) is written and directed by Scott Derrickson , the mind behind Sinister and the original The Black Phone . While Derrickson’s return should have elevated the sequel, the film instead leans too heavily on exposition, losing much of the dread and mystery that made the first entry so chilling. The scares feel explained rather than experienced, and the pacing suffers because of it. Mason Thames , reprising his role from the original, delivers a respectable performance. Now older, he brings maturity to the character, though much of the fear and vulnerability that made him compelling in the first film is gone. His performance is serviceable but lacks the spark of discovery the story needs. Ethan Hawke , known for Training Day and Dead Poets Society , returns as The Grabber. His presence still commands the screen, but his reduced role feels like a missed opportunity. The movie never finds a figure as haunting or magnetic as his portrayal in the original. Madelein...

Roofman (2025) is written and directed by Derek Cianfrance , known for co-writing Sound of Metal and directing The Place Beyond the Pines . While the story’s real-life basis limits the emotional depth and narrative creativity compared to his earlier work, Cianfrance still manages to build tension and authenticity through grounded character work and realistic pacing. The direction shows his skill in capturing human struggle, though it doesn’t reach the same heights as his past projects. Channing Tatum , who both produces and stars, delivers a solid performance. While it doesn’t demand the same emotional intensity as Foxcatcher or the boldness of Blink Twice , Tatum’s portrayal of the titular Roofman carries genuine effort and restraint. He manages to evoke empathy without leaning too heavily on dramatics, showing a maturity in his acting that’s commendable. Kirsten Dunst , known for Interview with a Vampire and Spider-Man , continues her streak of strong dramatic performances. She...

Tron: Ares (2025) is directed by Joachim Rønning , known for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil , with writing credits going to David DiGilio and Jessy Wigutow . The film manages to capture the visual splendor and energy that fans expect from the Tron series while offering a surprisingly coherent and engaging narrative. There’s little downtime, and the pacing keeps the audience invested from start to finish. Jared Leto , who previously starred in Blade Runner 2049 and Dallas Buyers Club , delivers a strong performance as one of the central programs, balancing his enigmatic presence with emotional undertones. He fits perfectly within the neon-soaked world of Tron and commands the screen in every scene he’s in. Jodie Turner-Smith , known for Queen & Slim and The Acolyte , plays another key program and brings a calm authority that complements Leto’s performance. She manages to convey both strength and vulnerability, making her one...

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...

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...