Movies, Film, and Chili

Posts

Michael (2026)

Michael is directed by Antoine Fuqua , known for Training Day and The Equalizer 2 , and this film clearly carries his stylistic fingerprints. It aims to capture the life and legacy of Michael Jackson through a more personal lens, balancing spectacle with intimate character moments. While Fuqua brings a strong visual identity and some powerful sequences, the film struggles with pacing. The editing feels bloated at times, with certain stretches lingering longer than they should, which disrupts the overall flow. Jaafar Jackson , making his debut and known primarily for being the nephew of Michael Jackson , takes on the monumental task of portraying his late uncle. He does an impressive job embodying both the physicality and presence, capturing the voice, movement, and charisma in a way that feels authentic rather than imitative. It is a performance that carries the film and makes it easy to stay invested even when the structure falters. Colman Domingo , known for Rustin and Euphoria...

Lee Cronin's The Mummy (2026)

Lee Cronin's The Mummy is directed by surprise-surprise Lee Cronin , best known for Evil Dead Rise , and his style is immediately recognizable. The film plays less like a traditional Mummy story and more like a modern possession horror with a different skin. It often feels like a “what if Evil Dead involved a mummy,” leaning heavily into familiar genre beats rather than carving out something distinct. The tone prioritizes intensity and shock, with a focus on gore over sustained dread, which keeps it engaging in moments but limits its ability to build true horror. Jack Reynor , known for Midsommar and Sing Street , plays the father figure at the center of the chaos. His performance is solid and grounded, fitting well within the expectations of the genre. He brings a level of sincerity that helps anchor the film, even as the story follows a fairly predictable path. His arc plays out in a way that will feel familiar to anyone who has seen possession films like The Exorcist , but ...

Exit 8 (2026)

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 (2026)

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 (2026)

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)

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...