Movies, Film, and Chili

Hamnet (2025) is directed by Chloé Zhao , known for Nomadland and The Rider , and produced by Steven Spielberg , whose legacy includes Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan . Zhao’s quiet, human-centered style blends unexpectedly well with Spielberg’s sweeping emotional sensibilities. The result is a film that is intimate yet cinematic, grounded yet overwhelming in its emotional impact. It is easy to see why many are calling it a frontrunner. The writing, pacing, and visual storytelling come together with remarkable precision. Jessie Buckley , known for I'm Thinking of Ending Things and Women Talking , delivers the best performance of her career. She is raw, expressive, and heartbreakingly human. Every scene she’s in is layered with emotion, and she elevates the material far beyond what even great writing could accomplish. Her portrayal is the emotional anchor of the film. Paul Mescal , known for Aftersun and  Gladiator II , is equally powerful. While his performance in G...

  Rental Family is about an American living in Japan as an actor who falls into an odd acting gig as a surrogate family member or something similar for other people to cope or find meaning in relationships.  Written and directed by Hikari, who brought us the critically acclaimed movie 37 Seconds which was sent straight to streaming back in 2020, so don't feel bad if you've never heard of it. This time around she's getting a proper release. Her direction is very artistic and the character writing is great. There are even moments of laughter in this drama.  Brendan Frasier plays the main character a "token white guy" as the movie puts it. He is on a role with these select films. I'm excited for a Mummy reunion and his return with The Whale  was great. This wasn't as well acted as The Whale, but it was still good. I'm not too sure this will get nominated for any Oscar or do well at the box office, but it was still good. Result:  B

The Running Man (2025) is directed by Edgar Wright , known for Baby Driver and Hot Fuzz , but this remake lacks the trademark charm, rhythm, and comedic punch that define his best work. The film feels noticeably muted, almost as if Wright was creatively restrained or intentionally holding back, resulting in a tone that is far more conventional than expected from him. The visual flair is still present, but the energy is dialed down and the humor is sparse, creating an experience that feels competent yet oddly subdued. Glen Powell , known for Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You , leads the film well and brings his usual charisma to the role. He emotes effectively and fully commits to the character, but the makeup choices surrounding him occasionally distract and left me wondering what the creative team was trying to convey. Still, Powell carries the emotional beats and remains one of the film's strongest assets. Josh Brolin , from No Country for Old Men and Dune , steps comfor...

Christy (2025) is directed by David Michôd , known for The King and Animal Kingdom , and written by Mirrah Foulkes , who penned Judy & Punch . While both bring a grounded and deliberate tone to the film, there’s something missing in the pacing and camera. The direction is competent but occasionally flat, leaving certain moments feeling less impactful than they should. Still, the story holds strong thanks to the performances. Sydney Sweeney , known for Euphoria, Anyone But You,  and Madame Web , delivers one of her most mature and layered performances to date. She brings intensity, fragility, and conviction to the title role, proving she’s more than capable of carrying a serious dramatic film. Her emotional control and subtlety make the story believable, even when the writing wavers. Ben Foster , whose work in Hell or High Water and Pandorum  has always stood out, once again shows why he’s one of the most underrated actors working today. His character is despicable, ye...

Frankenstein (2025) is directed by Guillermo del Toro , the visionary filmmaker behind Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water . His style once again blends gothic beauty with emotional storytelling, and his long-awaited take on Frankenstein is everything you’d expect: tragic, poetic, and visually stunning. Del Toro’s passion for monsters and misunderstood souls shines through every frame, making this adaptation both faithful and deeply personal. Oscar Isaac , known for Ex Machina and Dune , gives a grounded and believable performance as the tormented Dr. Frankenstein. He captures the obsession and guilt of a man who has gone too far, balancing intellect with a quiet madness that feels earned rather than exaggerated. Mia Goth , who has proven herself in Pearl and Infinity Pool , continues her run as one of the most mesmerizing modern actors. Her ethereal presence fits perfectly within Del Toro’s world, and she brings depth and vulnerability to a role that could have easily been o...

  Bugonia is Yorgos Lanthimos ' fifth film that I've seen. This time it's about a woman abducted by two conspiratorial men who think she's an alien from the galaxy of Andromeda. Lanthimos  had a wild ride with Poor Things and The Lobster . While Kinds of Kindness and The Favourite were more tame, Bugonia  is a wild ride from beginning to end and is so tightly written and directed that there are no scenes that are out of place or unintentional. Perhaps it's the screenplay done by the writer of The Menu  which I still need to see. Perhaps it was source material done by Jang Joon-hwan  who hasn't really done much in America, though looking at the movie Save the Green Planet!  it doesn't appear to be so. While the direction and writing is superb the film wouldn't be anything without the amazing performance of the postered woman, Emma Stone. This isn't her first time working with Lanthimos  either, but it's easily my favorite performance of hers. She ...