Aidan Kelley

The lure of some solid '90s nostalgia should be good enough bait for a compelling story, but unfortunately, the only thing that Monster Summer reels in is a story that we've all heard a hundred times before.

War Machine does indeed struggle to stand out in a crowded subgenre of alien invasion movies, but it also does enough to likely satisfy action and sci-fi fans. There are glimmers of brilliance with Ritchson's surprisingly nuanced performance in the lead role and at least one truly great action sequence, but just about every other aspect falls into "just fine" territory.

The predictable story would be forgivable if Bad Shabbos' execution of this darkly comedic crime caper had a truly excellent execution.

Midas Man may not go on to become as influential as the individuals it has as its subjects, but it's still a decent enough crowd-pleaser that is safe, entertaining, and just the right amount of twisty and shouty.

Lilo & Stitch feels like it was made by a boardroom of folks who wanted to sell more Stitch merchandise. Chris Sanders and Maia Kealoha have enough charm to keep families entertained, but it's also hard to deny that these two characters are just as, if not more, endearing in a film you can watch right now on Disney+.

Fixed has the stylish hand-drawn animation that Genndy Tartakovsky is so well-known for, but the juvenile humor feels beneath a filmmaker of his stature.

The undeniable likability of Ben Wang keeps things from sinking, and the marvelous action sequences mark a strong start to Jonathan Entwistle's feature filmmaking career.

While the film does make an admirable effort to focus on Neeson's action hero as a true character rather than a mere blunt instrument for fight scenes, but thanks to an overly cliché screenplay, the movie will likely be another forgettable action film in Neeson's filmography.

Under the right circumstances, the story that The Trouble with Jessica tries to tell could work if it paired its comedy with a meaningful perspective on depression and self-harm. Instead, this misguided take on a dark comedy ultimately lacks laughs, thrills, and overall reverence for severe topics.

Instead of exploring a twisted version of a magical realm, this pseudo-trip to Neverland keeps things stuck in the real world that the kids of these stories are usually trying to escape.

Unfortunately, Lee Cronin's The Mummy is so focused on replicating other horror movies and relying on familiar tropes that it honestly has very little in common with the bandaged monster it's supposed to be about.

As a film, Mortal Kombat II does still have some issues with some awkward pacing and perhaps one too many characters to juggle, particularly in the first half. But once the second half gets going, it becomes a bloody good time and a bone-crunching spectacle from start to finish.

The film feels like it's making use of storytelling devices and clichés that have been used over and over again in other stories. The end product is something that is serviceable and easy to digest, but also far too familiar, lacking any major innovations.

If you're a hardcore Hellboy fan, The Crooked Man has enough to keep you engaged. If you're looking for something a little bit more in your dose of Big Red, you might be better off waiting for the next inevitable reboot.

Luc Besson's Dracula is weird. Really weird, borderline nonsensical at certain points. That being said, its great take on its title character is enough to call this one of the Leon: The Professional and The Fifth Element filmmaker's strongest in recent years. It takes a lot of swings, and while not all of them hit, it nails the stake in the heart of what makes this story so timeless and special.

Anaconda had the premise and bones to be something really special when it comes to meta remakes. It had a great cast and a surprising amount of heart, but that's simply not enough to save the movie's rough pacing and pointless subplots from the jaws of a giant snake who barely appears on the call sheet.

Those hoping to see their favorite killer Fisherman tackle some fun action sequences will get their money's worth, even if the villain's resolution will raise a lot of eyebrows. If you're looking for something deeper, like fleshed-out characters both new and old and a twisted mystery tale, then this newest installment doesn't hit the mark.

Suffice it to say, Captain America: Brave New World is not the 2025 start that Marvel fans may be hoping for, with more pressure now being put on Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. If anything, the film has more in common with Sony's disastrous attempts to make its own Marvel movies than it does with the prior entries that turned the MCU into what it is today.

Is Venom: The Last Dance the best film in the trilogy? I would say so, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't have quite a bit of fun while watching it.

It's got enough charm and entertainment value to keep fans of Brando entertained and satisfied from start to finish. In short, Billy Zane makes Waltzing With Brando an offer that's hard to refuse.Waltzing with Brando is in theaters now.

The direction that The Carpenter's Son is charting is the right one, as there are some moments of genuine intrigue, and it's not always clear if the titular character is going to fall into the path of the dark side or take on a more noble path. However, Cage's supporting role and the rest of the movie's more meandering moments and subplots, including a rushed ending, prevent it from being heralded as the enduring cult classic that a lot of Cage's other recent hits have become.

Kraven the Hunter's bland storytelling, subpar acting, and staggering technical issues are proof that the Spider-Man IP needs to be protected before it becomes an endangered species.

Where the first movie left fans satisfied with the bare minimum, and non-fans bewildered with boredom, the second installment will likely leave fans even happier and non-fans satisfied with a solidly entertaining robot slasher.

A solid performance from Jason Patric does give the film a little bit of extra mileage, but weak action and an utter waste of Sylvester Stallone's talents as both an actor and action star bog the film down in too many issues to count.

Where Wick Is Pain takes things a step further is with a deep dive into the difficulties of making a movie in general, not just a big flashy neon-laced action flick.

The sci-fi thriller certainly has some bumps along the road, but a dedicated performance from Jessica Rothe helps amplify it into an intriguing ride that cleverly showcases the actor's impressive range.

If you're looking for a narrative and humor that matches the heights of the first movie, you'll likely walk away disappointed in how it takes such a hard pivot towards mean-spirited and juvenile attempts at shock value, leaving the heart and relatable stakes of the original completely in the dust.

Appofeniacs may not be packed to the brim with wacky action scenes and tense horror sequences, but when those moments do come along, they're executed with great finesse from behind the cameras.