Movies, Film, and Chili

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 ...