Benjamin Franz

Insidious: The Red Door has some wonderful jump scares, some very creepy sequences, and it gives new terror to the prospect of receiving an MRI. This is an excellent summer horror film, and if you like having the bejesus scared out of you, Insidious: The Red Door will provide about 2 hours of entertainment.

If you’re looking for a good scare, or at least an Alien sequel that is willing to be a sweaty blue-collar fable, seek out Alien: Romulus. This is a very fine flick.

I found the film to be a sweet experience and a marked change of pace from standard cinematic fare these days. Truly, it’s independent film where you find the titles worth championing. Seek this out if you need a film that will serve as a warm hug.

This film poignantly captures the hurt feelings of the women subjected to this man’s perversion. It is a sobering experience. Seek it out if you’re intrigued.

Generally, I found Running on Empty to be a joyful contemplation of life. It’s also a pretty solid calling card for Daniel André.

Bigger, brassier, and gayer than its predecessor, Mean Girls (2024) is a saccharine overload of cinematic bombast.

Overall, The Cherry Bushido is a fun time, and I found it to be a very different sort of samurai film. It’s loud, brash, and seeks to propagandize the Japanese to embrace their warrior nature. I quite enjoyed that. If you’re into unsubtle tales of demons and samurai, this is the film for you.

The Road to Patagonia is a beautiful travelogue. If you enjoy nature documentaries or even surfing documentaries, this one is for you. Check it out. It’s radically glorious.

Onlookers is a novel exercise in audio and visual presentation. Natural light, loads of wild sound, and the environment of Laos are presented plainly with zero artifices or embellishments. If you’re looking for a new kind of travel film, this is for you.