Movies, Film, and Chili

Freakier Friday (2025) is directed by Nisha Ganatra and written by Elyse Hollander and Jordan Weiss . The writing is the weakest aspect of the film, leaning into a fantasy of having it all: a dream career, a perfect love interest, motherhood, and a magically open and understanding teenager. Both writers are relatively new and this might just be a learning curve. Ganatra isn't new to film, but had more success in television. Jamie Lee Curtis , known for Halloween (1978) and Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) , overacts in her role, leaning too heavily into physical comedy. Lindsay Lohan , best known for Mean Girls (2004) , also struggles to find the right balance between charm and believability. Julia Butters, who stood out in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) , and Sophia Hammons , from Under Wraps (2021) , do much better, giving grounded and heartfelt performances that carry the emotional weight of the film. The movie is just okay, with a final act that saves it fr...

Americana (2025) is written and directed by Tony Tost , best known for his work on Longmire . His approach here focuses more on character work than plot, with the script itself being serviceable but not remarkable. Still, it provides a strong platform for the cast to showcase their abilities. Sydney Sweeney delivers an impressive performance as a waitress with a stutter, bringing nuance and empathy to a role that could have easily felt one-note. It’s one of her more grounded performances and a highlight of the film. You'll remember Syd from her American Eagle commercial. Halsey is nearly unrecognizable in her role, playing with a fierceness that stands out and proves her versatility outside of music. Her presence commands attention whenever she’s on screen. I was first introduced to her from MGK 's music video Forget Me Too. Eric Dane takes on a villain role and succeeds at being thoroughly hate-able, leaning into his darker side effectively. His work gives the film muc...

Nobody 2 comes with a change in creative leadership, as Timo Tjahjanto takes over directing duties from Ilya Naishuller . The difference is noticeable, with the sequel lacking the same energy and spark that made the first film stand out. The script, written by Aaron Rabin , suffers from uneven pacing and tonal issues. While he avoids some of the pitfalls that bogged down his work on Marvel’s Secret Invasion , his late-game writing choices undercut the story’s tension and credibility. Bob Odenkirk once again commits to his role, doing the best he can with a weaker script. His physicality and dry delivery still make him a compelling lead, but the film doesn’t give him much new ground to cover. You'll remember Bob from Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad . Connie Nielsen is underwritten, with her character lacking individuality or meaningful development. She feels more like a placeholder than a partner to Odenkirk’s character, which is disappointing given her talent. You'll r...

Weapons is written and directed by Zach Cregger , who previously made Barbarian . Here, he delivers his best work yet, creating a film that feels like Pulp Fiction  with a horror twist. The nonlinear storytelling, sharp tension, and bold tone make it one of the most unique films in recent years and, for me, the best movie of the year so far. Julia Garner , fresh off her roles in The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Wolf Man , gives her strongest performance of the year. She brings a layered intensity to her role, balancing fear, cunning, and vulnerability in a way that keeps you glued to her every move. Josh Brolin is at his most gripping since No Country for Old Men . His presence commands the screen, and he uses his experience to create a menacing yet magnetic performance that elevates every scene he’s in. Alden Ehrenreich delivers the best performance of his career. He completely disappears into his role, showing a range and charisma that surpasses anything he’s done befor...

How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is directed by Dean DeBlois , who also wrote and directed the original animated trilogy as well as Lilo & Stitch . His return to the property ensures a faithful live-action adaptation that honors the tone and emotional core of the original. Visually, the film captures the bond between humans and dragons, with the exception of some controversial choices in casting presentation. Mason Thames , best known for The Black Phone , gives his best performance yet as Hiccup. He brings a believable vulnerability and growth to the role, matching the spirit of the original character while adding more emotional nuance in live-action. Nico Parker plays Astrid and is strong in the role, though the decision to light and style her to resemble a white Viking, despite her mixed heritage, has sparked justified conversation. Despite that, Parker's acting is solid, and she handles the action and emotional beats well. You might remember her from Dumbo. Gerard Butle...

The Naked Gun (2025) is directed by Akiva Schaffer , best known for his work with The Lonely Island and the underrated comedy Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping . His comedic style blends absurdity with sincerity, and while this remake doesn’t hit quite as hard as his past projects, his direction still captures the zany tone of the original Naked Gun series well enough to work. Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebin Jr. and surprisingly fits into the role. Known for intense thrillers like Taken and The Grey , Neeson leans into the slapstick with commitment. His deadpan delivery helps sell the ridiculousness around him, and he ultimately carries the film by balancing parody and sincerity. Pamela Anderson is cast as the love interest, and while her role is fairly monotoned, she does exactly what’s needed: look glamorous and play it straight while chaos happens around her. She doesn’t try to overdo it and fits the comedic world well. Danny Huston plays the villain, a role he’s no strang...