Movies, Film, and Chili

Exit 8 is directed by Genki Kawamura , who is best known as the producer of Your Name. , though his work as a director may be less familiar. The film leans into a minimalist premise, building tension through repetition and unease rather than large set pieces. It succeeds in creating an atmosphere that keeps you alert, with a structure that slowly reveals its rules and stakes. While the story ultimately comes together in a satisfying way, the journey there can feel a bit too restrained to stay consistently engaging. Kazunari Ninomiya , known for Gantz and Letters from Iwo Jima , carries much of the film on his own. His performance fits the tone well, grounded and reactive in a way that matches the film’s quiet tension. He does a solid job making small moments feel important, though the script doesn’t always give him enough variety to fully showcase his range. Still, he keeps the film watchable even when the pacing slows. Overall, Exit 8 is a well-constructed film that nails its ten...

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is directed by Aaron Horvath , Michael Jelenic , and Pierre Leduc , with a script by Matthew Fogel , who also worked on The Super Mario Bros. Movie . This sequel brings back the core cast while expanding the universe significantly, pulling in fan-favorite characters like Fox McCloud , Rosalina , Bowser Jr. , and Yoshi . The film leans heavily into spectacle, bouncing rapidly from one set piece to another. It often feels like a chain of “and then” moments, stitched together with references to the games rather than a tightly constructed narrative. Chris Pratt , known for Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World , returns as Mario and delivers a similar performance to the first film. He remains serviceable in the role, but the script doesn’t give him much room to grow this time around. Mario feels more like a vehicle to move the audience through the different worlds rather than a character with a meaningful arc. Anya Taylor-Joy , known for The Queen’s Ga...

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come  reunites the directing duo of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett , known for Ready or Not and Scream VI . Despite releasing seven years after the original, the story picks up immediately where the first film left off, which creates a slightly odd but mostly workable sense of continuity given the visible passage of time. The film leans harder into its dark comedy and expands the twisted family game concept, raising the stakes while keeping the same chaotic energy that made the original stand out. Samara Weaving , known for Ready or Not and Babysitter , steps back into the role with ease. She still brings that frantic intensity and sharp comedic timing, but there is a noticeable shift in her presence. The character feels more hardened, less reactive, which fits the story but loses a bit of the unpredictability that made her performance so memorable the first time around. Still, she anchors the film and keeps it grounded even when things get ridic...

Project Hail Mary (2026) is based on the novel by Andy Weir,  who brought you The Martian,  and directed by the duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller , known for The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street . They bring a surprising amount of heart and clarity to a story that could have easily become too technical or isolated. The film balances science, humor, and emotion well, never losing focus even when it narrows down to one man against impossible odds. Ryan Gosling , known for Blade Runner 2049 and La La Land , delivers a flawless performance. He carries much of the film alone, forced to express a wide range of emotions without always having another actor to bounce off of. It is a demanding role and he handles it effortlessly, making the isolation feel real without ever losing the audience’s attention. James Ortiz plays the alien, which is not a spoiler given the marketing. His performance brings personality and charm to a character that could have easily felt gimmicky. The in...

Whistle (2026) plays less like a finished horror film and more like a theater kid’s passion project that somehow made it to the screen. The script tries to build emotional investment in the main character but never succeeds, and the horror elements are almost nonexistent. The scares simply are not there, leaving the film feeling hollow for a genre that depends heavily on tension and payoff. The screenplay comes from Owen Egerton , whose work here feels more like a personal self insert than a fully realized character.  The protagonist, played by Dafne Keen , comes across almost like a gender swapped version of the writer himself. Keen, known for Logan and His Dark Materials , tries to bring intensity to the role but the material gives her very little to work with. The direction from Corin Hardy , who previously directed The Nun , feels restrained by the script. It is hard not to feel a bit bad for him because there is only so much a director can do when the writing does not provi...

Reminders of Him (2026) is directed by Vanessa Caswill and written by Colleen Hoover and Lauren Levine . The film clearly aims for an emotional romantic drama, but it struggles early on trying to manufacture relationship development and sexual tension. Much of the setup feels forced, stretching how people actually behave in relationships and leaning heavily into "fantasy" romance rather than something believable. Maika Monroe , known for It Follows and Longlegs , gives a decent performance with the material she is given. She sells the emotional weight of the character fairly well, but the script often puts her in situations that feel more engineered for melodrama than natural storytelling. Tyriq Withers , recognized from I Know What You Did Last Summer and Him , tries to bring sincerity to the role, but the lack of chemistry between the leads makes the central relationship difficult to buy. He does what he can, though the screenplay never gives the romance enough authe...