Movies, Film, and Chili

Dracula (2026) is written and directed by Luc Besson , and it feels like a filmmaker trying to modernize a classic myth while chasing a younger audience. The film is hyperactive in its editing, filled with quick cuts that rarely let a scene breathe. It is hard not to compare that to the more confident pacing of The Fifth Element , which trusted its style and performances to carry attention without frantic cutting. Here, the editing feels almost desperate at times. Caleb Landry Jones takes on the title role and uses a very odd accent that feels like a deliberate directorial choice. He also leans heavily into overacting, pushing expressions and line delivery to theatrical extremes. In Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri , he was more subdued and forgettable in a supporting role. Here he is front and center, and the performance is certainly memorable, just not always in a good way. Christoph Waltz plays the priest positioned as the protagonist. As expected, he brings his tradem...

How to Make a Killing (2026) is written and directed by John Patton Ford and released by A24 . The film clearly aims for sharp satire and quirky character study, but it never fully commits to being as biting or unhinged as it wants to be. It plays like an oven mitt version of American Psycho , handling similar themes of ego and moral decay but with far less edge. Glen Powell , known for Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You , delivers a decent performance. He has natural charisma and screen presence, and he carries the film capably, but the script never gives him the psychological depth needed to make the character truly interesting. Margaret Qualley , recognized for Kinds of Kindness  and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood , feels like she is playing a variation of the same character she often portrays. She is effective, but there is little new here in terms of range or transformation. Jessica Henwick , known for Cuckoo and Glass Onion , gives the strongest performance of the tri...

Psycho Killer (2026) is a religious-tinged detective thriller that leans far more into procedural tension than outright horror. Directed by Gavin Polone , who is better known as a producer than a filmmaker, the movie benefits heavily from its screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker , the writer behind Se7en . His fingerprints are all over this. The writing is sharp, layered with foreshadowing that only fully clicks at the end, and structured in a way that constantly feels like it is building toward something inevitable. The gorgeous  Georgina Campbell plays the detective tracking down the titular killer, and she carries the film with confidence. You'll remember her from Barbarian and recently Cold Storage.  The script gives her plenty of emotional range to explore, from controlled professionalism to visible cracks under pressure. She handles the lore-heavy exposition well and grounds what could have been overwhelming backstory. It is another strong showing for her and proof she c...

Cold Storage (2026) is a sci fi horror thriller that surprised me in a good way. The writing is solid enough that it actually calmed some of my worries about Disclosure Day coming later this year since the same writer is involved. The story holds together and stays engaging, even when the visuals do not. The CG is laughably bad at times, but the acting/chemistry keeps the movie watchable. Jonny Campbell directs, with the screenplay by David Koepp , known for Jurassic Park and Spider-Man . His writing here is tighter than expected, which is why it gives me more confidence about Disclosure Day. The direction is straightforward and lets the script do most of the work, even if the effects budget clearly limits what can be shown on screen. He needs a redemption after  Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull. Joe Keery , known for Stranger Things and Free Guy , is the main reason I showed up. He proves he can handle a leading role after Stranger Things and carries the film with a relax...

Crime 101 (2026) is a crime thriller that checks the basic boxes of what should work, but the writing never tightens enough to make it compelling. It hits familiar beats, runs longer than it should, and never quite earns its tension. It feels like a good movie outline stretched into a full runtime. Bart Layton , known for American Animals and The Imposter , directs, and his uneven filmography shows here. The structure is serviceable, but the pacing drags and the scenes lack urgency. The direction is competent without being memorable, and the film never finds a sharp identity. Chris Hemsworth , known for Thor and Extraction , plays the reclusive criminal at the center of the story. He tries to lean into a quieter, more internal performance, but he does not fully sell the damaged foster child mentality the script is aiming for. The performance feels like an attempt rather than a transformation. Mark Ruffalo , recognized for Spotlight and The Avengers , feels like he is on autopilo...

Send Help (2026) is a survival thriller that quietly builds tension until the jump scares start landing, at which point it becomes very clear who is behind the camera. I actually forgot it was a Sam Raimi film until one particular scare snapped that memory back into place. The film balances suspense and character moments well, and the visual presentation helps sell the emotional shift across the story. Sam Raimi , known for The Evil Dead and Spider-Man , brings his trademark timing to the scare beats and camera movement. His direction gives even simple moments a sense of unease. The film is more restrained than his wildest work, but the horror mechanics are sharp and effective when they show up. Rachel McAdams , recognized from The Notebook and Mean Girls , delivers a strong performance that is helped a lot by smart costume and makeup design. The first half intentionally downplays her appearance to make her seem worn down and ordinary, while the second half lets her natural presen...