Movies, Film, and Chili

Tuner is written and directed by Daniel Roher and centers around a piano tuner who becomes involved in cracking safes, balancing his growing criminal life with his personal relationships. The film has a very specific tone that will not work for everyone, but it knows exactly what audience it is aiming for. Roher keeps the story grounded and character-focused, allowing the tension to come more from personal choices and atmosphere than from explosive action. It moves at a deliberate pace, which may lose some viewers, but those willing to settle into its rhythm will likely appreciate what it is doing. Leo Woodall , known for The White Lotus and One Day , plays the lead role and does a strong job carrying the film. He balances the nervousness and charm of the character well, making the transition between ordinary working man and reluctant criminal believable. Woodall gives the film its emotional center and keeps the quieter moments engaging through sheer screen presence. Havana Rose L...

Passenger is directed by André Øvredal , known for The Autopsy of Jane Doe and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark , with a script by Zachary Donohue and T.W. Burgess . The film centers around a demonic presence tied closely to the title itself, and when it focuses directly on the horror elements, it works surprisingly well. Øvredal still understands how to stage tension and build effective scares, but the material between those moments struggles to stay engaging. The pacing slows considerably whenever the horror steps aside, leaving the film feeling uneven overall. Jacob Scipio , known for Bad Boys for Life and Expend4bles , takes on the boyfriend role but never fully feels like someone the audience naturally roots for. Whether intentional or not, his screen presence lacks the vulnerability or charisma needed to carry the quieter sections of the film. He handles the horror scenes competently enough, but the emotional connection never really forms. Lou Llobell , known for Foundatio...

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is directed by Jon Favreau , known for Iron Man and Chef , with much of the story influence clearly coming from Dave Filoni , known for Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Ahsoka . Unfortunately, the film falls into the same “and then” style of storytelling that hurts many modern franchise films, where scenes feel stitched together without enough meaningful progression. Entire stretches of the movie, particularly long sequences involving Grogu wandering through a forest, feel padded and lacking purpose. Instead of building momentum, the film drifts from moment to moment without ever creating a compelling central narrative. Pedro Pascal , known for The Last of Us and Narcos , once again plays the Mandalorian, though his presence feels strangely limited. It is difficult not to notice how often the character appears disconnected physically and vocally, giving the impression that Pascal himself may not have been involved in large portions of the performa...

In the Grey is written and directed by Guy Ritchie , known for Snatch and The Gentlemen , and the film carries all the style and personality audiences expect from him. The dialogue is sharp, the pacing is confident, and the story constantly moves with a sense of swagger that keeps it entertaining throughout. Ritchie once again proves he knows how to make even familiar action setups feel fresh through his direction and character work. Eiza González , known for Baby Driver and Ambulance , plays the beautiful and manipulative lawyer role perfectly. She brings confidence and charisma to every scene, balancing charm with danger in a way that fits naturally into Ritchie’s world. Beyond just looking the part, she fully commits to the character’s aggressive personality and ends up being one of the film’s strongest presences. Henry Cavill , known for Man of Steel and The Witcher , delivers another very likable performance. His natural charm works extremely well here, especially in the fil...

Obsession is written and directed by Curry Barker , marking the first film of his that I have seen, and it leaves a strong impression. The film builds tension through character-driven horror rather than relying entirely on jump scares or spectacle. It understands how to create discomfort and maintain suspense, allowing scenes to breathe long enough for the unease to settle in. The horror feels confident and focused, delivering some of the strongest scares/scenes since Weapons last year . One scene in particular, the car, was so full of dread that the payoff was so very earned. Michael Johnston plays the timid central character and does an excellent job selling the vulnerability and awkwardness the role requires. His performance feels believable throughout, making it easy to invest in his fear and growing desperation as the situation escalates. Johnston carries much of the emotional side of the film and helps ground the more intense horror elements. Inde Navarrette , known for S...

Mortal Kombat II is directed by Simon McQuoid and written by Jeremy Slater , known for Fant4stic , which understandably does not inspire much confidence at first glance. Thankfully, the writing here is a major improvement, delivering a story that is more focused and far more entertaining than the first film. The sequel embraces the chaos and personality of the franchise more confidently, balancing action, humor, and fan service better than its predecessor. While the film still stumbles in places, it feels like a genuine step forward. Karl Urban , known for The Boys and Dredd , easily carries the film as Johnny Cage. His storyline is the strongest in the movie, largely because Urban knows exactly how to play the role with the right mix of arrogance, humor, and charm. He gives the film energy whenever it slows down and feels completely comfortable in the over-the-top world. Adeline Rudolph , known for Hellboy: The Crooked Man  and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina , plays Kitana, t...