Bobby LePire

Terezin is a compelling WWII tale that finds a new way to approach the evils the Nazis perpetuated upon an undeserving people. The direction is splendid, and the cast is magnificent.

Thanks to a smart screenplay, excellent, stylish direction, and an outstanding cast from top to bottom, the entire production will unnerve and shake up all watching.

The Last Autumn is a marvel to look at. The powerful imagery immerses audiences into a world most don’t know about. In fact, there are times when things feel rather otherworldly.

Shepard is smart enough to helm Unsettled as more than just an observational documentary. He wants the viewer to be stirred and inspire them to act for change. He does so by employing a fantastic score that perfectly matches the highs and lows these people experience. And instead of going for big and flashy, Shepard keeps the focus rather grounded, which makes it more intimate, thus more emotionally rewarding.

The finale of Zero Avenue is as brutal and wild as one would hope. Even though the first five minutes are a little patchy, the rest of the film easily overcomes those issues. The two leads are great, the plot is very original and exciting, and the director maintains a tense atmosphere.

Ten Tricks is a sweet, goofy little comedy about sex. If that or any of the stars appeal to potential audience members, then prepare for a sexy and silly time.

True creativity is not always found in creating something new but figuring out ingenious solutions to seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and these people are very creative.

The Last Stop In Yuma County is a stylish, great-looking noir with an excellent cast.

Spaz does not break any ground in terms of style and technique. However, the main subject is fascinating all on his own, and his story is equally as compelling. The good, the bad, and the ugly are presented here for everyone to consider and draw their own conclusions about Spaz’s work and temperament.

The story structure and characters are compelling, while their actions are intentionally offputting. Plus, the meta-angle isn’t overplayed and is used just enough to make everyone watching question where the plot will go next.

My Dead Dad could have been histrionic, filled with overacting, based on just its plot synopsis. However, thanks to carefully written characters, an excellent cast, and some jaw-droppingly inspired editing, the drama finds the truth in the small moments between people.

Porcelain War is an engaging, timely look at art, war, homeland pride, and the resilience of the human spirit. While it is not subtle, it is impactful and never dull.

Sleep No More may not be flawless, but it is a solid and entertaining watch. The pacing is mostly excellent as things move so fast audiences barely have time to breathe. The cast is phenomenal and makes even underwritten parts feel whole. [2024 re-release]

It is an anxiety-inducing production that is bolstered by the astounding performances of Patric and Krause. While the ending is weak, two-thirds of the film works so wonderfully it is still worth watching.

The Cuban does not develop everything in its screenplay to complete satisfaction. But what’s there is very good and believable. Combine that with the jaw-dropping directing and visual style, along with the pitch-perfect cast, and you are left with a compelling drama that is well worth it, flaws and all.

For its searing look at mental deterioration in solitary confinement and ingrained racism in the prison system, Caged is an absolute must-watch, minor flaws and all.

The cast is excellent, and the story structure is so unique that it is refreshing. Bareisa has taken the family drama formula and reworked it entirely into something heartfelt, heartbreaking, and utterly absorbing.

While the more dramatic side of The Planters does not totally gel, when the movie works, it is a slice of delightfully idiosyncratic comedic genius. The cast is terrific, the screenplay is amusing, and the whole affair is immensely rewatchable.

Most of the cast is excellent, and the writing is very clever. Couple those elements with the fun, cartoony animation, and one gets a pleasing little family film that, thankfully, does not fit into a specific mold.

The documentary is a life-affirming piece of filmmaking that will paint a smile on your face and leave a song in your heart.

The Tundra Within Me is a conventional but good romance. What makes the film stand out is its examination of modernity versus traditions, nature versus nurture, and artistic pursuits versus practicality.

Five Nights At Freddy’s has flaws, but it is an excellent adaption. It feels like the game while still being accessible to any newcomers by crafting an original story.

The Quake hits a handful of the cliches one expects from a disaster film, as well as having one character’s death not mean as much as it should. However, thanks to strong characterizations and good acting the plot is still engaging. However, the reason to watch the film is the excellent cinematography and awe-inspiring effects.

When I Consume You is stunning to look at and beautifully acted. Even though not everything makes sense, Ewing and Dumouchel ensure that every emotional beat feels honest and the entire film breezes by, as it is startlingly original and unique. It is not perfect but it is ambitious and touching, and that is enough.

Tigers Are Not Afraid isn’t quite the masterful dark fairy tale it aspires to be. The humor is entirely unnecessary and tonally misplaced. But what it gets right, it does brilliantly. The acting is superb, the mix of fantasy and realistic drama is sublime, and the story is haunting and fascinating in equal measure.

Mercy Falls asks viewers to make a giant leap of logic to work fully. It makes everyone seem foolish for a brief moment. But the kills and action are brutal and intense. The cast, McKeown and Lyle especially, is giving it their all. The directing and cinematography show just how well Hendrick is honing his craft.

In the end, In His Own Words: XXXtentacion does a fabulous job of allowing the subject to speak their piece. X had been through a lot and hoped his challenges could help others. The rapid way his fanbase grew showed he was right. Steele and Stone do Onfroy’s legacy proud with a thoughtful examination of who he truly was and what drove him.

Fortunately, the core cast is phenomenal, especially leads DiCaprio and Lawrence, who are both luminous and effortless. Combine that with the fantastic editing and the jaw-dropping ending, and one gets a flawed but entirely worthwhile viewing experience.

Despite missing some needed scenes to carry forward the lead’s emotional throughline, this is a good film that is sure to resonate with its core demographic.

Billie Piper’s first feature-length movie as screenwriter and director may have bitten off more than it could chew, but it is a daring debut that marches to the beat of its own drum. I respect it for that and enjoyed it more often than not.

Paul Solet’s Tread takes a little while to grab the audience; however, once the stakes are fully understood, it becomes quite intense. Plus, the way it plays with audience sympathy is genius, making for an involving watch.

A Desert is a solid neo-noir with excellent visuals, good characterizations, and fantastic acting.

As a celebration, the documentary is an uplifting and joyous experience filled with amusing stories and engaging anecdotes.

The Naughty Nine is a breath of fresh air from the usual holiday fare. Yes, it still has that feel-good message that so many Christmas titles have, but it goes about it uniquely.

Overall, this is a strong feature debut for Alexander and Ford, but perhaps next time they can let a third set of eyes glance at the script.

Villains stumbles early on. However, due to the precise editing, excellent design work, and a cast that knock it out of the park at every turn, the film is still highly enjoyable.

Joe Cornish has pulled off a fantastic feat- a children’s fantasy adventure that balances the drama, action, and humor perfectly and will keep an audience of any age entertained through its entire runtime.

While the familial drama is more engrossing than the terrorist plot, Deierling is at least ambitious and swings big. Plus, the acting is superb, so the two halves still work together.

Saving Brinton loses focus a few times, but its noble heart will keep the viewer engaged. Zahs is an affable chap, and his love of history is remarkable. His quest to save Brinton’s collection is an enjoyable one that will leave the audience happy and with a deeper affection for the way these films were shown back in the day.

While a few flaws are present, the directors and screenwriter deliver a high energy bloodbath with several creepy scenes, excellent puppetry work, and a cast that shines brightly. It is well worth a watch, and I greatly look forward to a sequel.

Caviar is an audacious first feature. But King’s confident direction and bold storytelling give way to a thrilling experience. While the deepfake technology ranges from good to not, the cast more than makes up for it.

The renowned artist’s life is so compelling that her story, simply told though it may be, is still incredibly gripping and engaging.

Bunker is a gripping little thriller with solid characters and impressive visual flair.

If you were to rewrite the first five minutes of Bloodthirsty and left everything else the exact same, you’d have a perfect movie. As it stands, thanks to atmospheric directing, mostly good writing, and a brilliant cast, you have a very good one that is high on the creep factor populated with likeable, engaging characters.

If you did not enjoy Iron Sky, then its sequel will not sway your opinion of the franchise. Iron Sky: The Coming Race doubles down on the ridiculous antics and significant action setpieces. The spectacle of it all is even grander than the first; just remember that the characters are not. For fans, it is precisely the follow up they have been waiting for.

Survive The Game may tell an oft-told story, but the script avoids most well-worn tropes in favor of a no-frills actioner. Said action is exciting and fun throughout, as the game cast (especially Murray and Ward) capably bring the proceedings to life.

Cage and Kinnaman work well together, with the former being gloriously over-the-top and the latter keeping things grounded in a form of reality. All in all, this thriller works from beginning to end.

Employee Of The Month ratchets up the zany antics into a thrilling and hilarious conclusion. By the end, the point the filmmakers are driving home is well made and never feels didactic. The cast is great, and the ending is pitch-perfect. So get ready to laugh until your sides hurt.

Little Deaths is an engaging little thriller with a great ending. While there are a few scenes that don’t wholly work, Romeo and Leotta keep viewers engaged thanks to their performances. The stellar music stands out as well, as does the final sequence which is more moving than expected.

Red Snow is a lot of fun. The two leads are well written and excellently performed. The jabs at traditional vampire lore prove to be most amusing. While it never becomes creepy, the film still is an absolute blast from beginning to end.

The Haunting Of Hollywood is effective when focusing on the characters and the horrifying and dramatic effects the past can have on people. The actors are compelling and deliver robust, humanized performances. For the most part, the directing brings forth the truth of the emotional baggage and trauma being dealt with. But when it goes into full horror mode, the style does not mesh and becomes jarring.

#AMFAD: All My Friends Are Dead is a well-crafted horror comedy that provides a thoroughly enjoyable viewing experience. The cast brings their smartly written characters to life, adding depth and dimension to the story.

The Golem is creepy, as the cinematography is awash with atmosphere and the use of such a creature is interesting. The dramatic side of things mostly holds up as well, and when combined with the excellent acting, the movie turns out to be very effective and memorable.

Yuni is a beautiful, tender film with strong characterizations. The cast is excellent, and the subtle direction reinforces Yuni’s overwhelming feelings.

Palmer keeps the jokes coming at a steady pace while the cast, especially Robertson, deliver hilarious and sweet performances. So don’t think about it too hard and have a good time.

Girl On The Third Floor has enough carnage and bloodshed to satisfy all gorehounds. Director Travis Stevens gets terrific performances from an excellent cast, and the atmosphere is consistently foreboding.

Safer at Home starts on an off-putting note, and the epilogue muddies the timeline to the point of confusion. But, nestled between those two baffling sequences lies a gripping thriller brought to life by astute direction, an intelligent screenplay, and a great cast. While not perfect, this independent production is still worth an adventurous audiences’ time.

Wolfgang examines the life and game-changing career of Wolfgang Puck in a visually engaging and charming way. While it repeats itself every so often, the food on display is delectable, and every interview is a trove of information.

It is a charming affair featuring a stellar cast with believable chemistry. Plus, there is enjoyment in getting to decide Cami’s fate and seeing where it takes you. I am going to rewatch this and choose another path.

While director Alison Reid tries to be a bit more engaging than a simple talking-head documentary, with varying success, the movie has earnestness and heart. So, even with its issues, it is still a solid good time.

The core cast, Pine and Foster especially, are superb, while the screenplay gives them plenty to chew on. At a quickly moving 105 minutes, the film is worth the time investment.

Hard Miles is standard fare, but it is well-made. The cinematography is fantastic, capturing the rush of freedom a bike can offer. The score is also a great addition. The cast is solid, and the story is a sweet, engaging affair.

American Hangman makes a mystery out of a few things that are too easy to guess, so it takes a while to get going. However, thanks to sharp direction, an original take on the dramatic police procedural, and a truly excellent, very game cast, the movie is a worthwhile 100-minute watch.

Camp Hideout is another fun feature from Sean Olson, who is quickly becoming the go-to filmmaker for solidly made, independent, family-friendly fare. The action hijinks are both exciting and funny. The cast is good, and the direction keeps the momentum at a steady pace.

Even at 81-minutes long, Poppy Field drags a bit in the middle. But, the story is important, the lead actor is stunning, and the direction is excellent. Overall, this is a revealing and riveting look at how countries are dealing with the LGBTQIA+ in the worst possible ways.

Unbridled tells a conventional story, but it adds enough new twists to prove engaging. The acting is strong and the direction assured, so even when the script drops the ball, there is still a reason to remain invested. Plus, the ending is genuinely heartwarming and cathartic. Not all dramas achieve that.

The cast is solid and matches the high drama of the story nicely. But the reason for checking this film out is the racing. The races are elegantly shot, tense, and breathtaking. Blatz’s love of motorcycles and racing is on full display and proves fun to watch.

Painkiller hammers its message home, which might frustrate some viewers. But, the direction is good, the action exciting, the story interesting, and the score is beyond stellar.

578 Magnum does not tell a fresh tale, and the editing leaves a lot to be desired. But Dinh delivers where it counts: the action. The action scenes are stellar and will take the audience’s breath away. The cast is also great and delivers their martial arts with intensity.

King Car is chock full of beautiful and crazy sequences; all brought to life by a fantastic cast.

Camp Cold Brook accomplishes a seemingly Herculean task. It manages to make both slasher flicks and movies centered on paranormal investigations feel fresh without being a deconstructionist take.

Pet Sematary balances humor, drama, and horror believably while exploring the inner turmoil of a seemingly ordinary couple; though the script does not go far enough in establishing their new life and dodgy special effects hurt some scenes. Happily, the cast makes up for these flaws with great turns, lead by Jeté Laurence, whose performance is reason enough to watch the film.

Words of War is a solid drama about a remarkable woman.

There are plenty of grisly and fun murders, and the effects are stellar. The cast, led by a terrific Holloway and an over-the-top Combs, is genuinely fantastic.

Easter Bloody Easter starts off rocky, and not every joke lands. However, due to the sheer number of punchlines, the hit-to-miss ratio is high. The leads thoroughly understand the material and deliver perfectly calibrated performances to match the intentional cheese of the plot. In the pantheon of Easter horror films, this is a good one to rewatch every spring.

Assassin is an engaging look at the pursuit of revenge despite its cost to one’s soul and mind. The cast is excellent, and the dialogue is clever. While the plot isn’t strikingly original, nor is its twist, there is still plenty of fun to be had. Plus, it is nice to see Willis giving it his all for one of the last times.

Time Trap is highly creative, populated with relatable characters, with a whip-smart script. Sadly, the very end of the movie undoes the tense atmosphere setup throughout. While it does not ruin the film, it does leave one a bit disappointed.

Rally Caps works where it counts: the friendship between Jordy and his new teammates. The inspirational aspect pulls hard at the heartstrings because Cipolla’s script carefully sets up Jordy and his dilemmas.

Ruby’s Choice has a few issues that prevent it from being great on all fronts. But most of the plot is interesting, and the ending is perfect. The cast, led by a stunning Jane Seymour, excels and outshines the occasionally wonky writing and voice-over.

The emotions of 200 Meters are honest and felt in almost every scene.

Popular Theory is an amusing film with just enough heart to be more than a one-time watch.

Best Summer Ever wants to do so much at once that it never slows down to allow the more dramatic moments to sink in properly. But, as a showcase for the cast and crew, it works rather well. Most of the songs are good, the dancing is energetic and well-choreographed, and it has charm to spare.

I Get Knocked Down is lively and fun. It examines one of the odder songs to become a phenomenon with humor and surprising profundity. Plus, afterwards, you’ll have one helluva song stuck in your head.

Swallowed features great acting, especially from Malone, and a truly intense final act that must be seen to be believed.

Gateway isn’t the next new face of horror. But it is a visually dense fright fest with a solid cast. While it is a little long, Owens proves he has what it takes to succeed.

Brute 1976 is no X, but it is a solid if clichéd slasher. The cast is meh, with two exceptions, but the sheer amount of death and bloodshed provides a cathartic release. Then the ending happens, and the movie proves to have a shocking amount of staying power.

Thanks to a committed cast and an amusing screenplay that works more often than not. Reality Queen! proves to be a charming affair. Mix in the surprising amount of depth mined from the brilliant ending, and despite its issues, this mockumentary proves worth a watch.

The motion picture skates just above average, thanks to the well-done action and cinematography. The cast tries to overcome their underwritten parts but succeeds only some of the time. Grammer and Dauqin are very compelling, and fans of theirs will be pleased.

Interviewing prominent politic figures, business executives, teachers, and everyday citizens with big dreams, the documentary finds the humanity that unites all the globe.

Dead Ant is not quite the slam dunk it could be, based on its concept and cast. However, the faults don’t deter from the sheer fun and energy of the production. Combine that with the very game cast, led by a dynamic and lively Jake Busey, and you get a recipe for a good time.

Hero Mode might make some adult viewers roll their eyes or just groan with its misunderstanding of technology. But the screenplay offers up some genuine laughs along with a general sweetness making it great for viewers of all ages.

It is a documentary that shows the passion one entertainer has for one of the most iconic singers of all time. Davi’s drive to see it happen is what keeps the audience engaged, and the discovery of his singing voice is worth the time to watch the movie all on its own.

Halloween Party is not scary, and as a horror movie, that is a problem. But, the characters are engaging and fun, brought to life by a wonderful cast. And the directing and writing are excellent, so there’s a lot for eager audiences to take in. Just go in expecting an engaging mystery, not scares, and you’ll be fine.

The direction keeps things moving along nicely, while the cinematography makes the whole production look bigger and slicker than it would come across otherwise. Couple that with a decent script and two strong lead performances, and one gets a fine entry into the survival-thriller genre.

While Villains Inc. is overstuffed with ideas and story threads, it’s a fun and funny ride that’s worth your time. The cast, led by the ever-capable Everton, is a shining example of comedic talent. Each actor’s impeccable timing and seamless interaction with one another make for a delightful viewing experience.

The Resort takes a while to get to the good stuff, and the rhythm is interrupted every now and then. But the scares are effective, the cast does what they can with the material, and the cinematography is great. The island and the resort are captured well, and the strong reliance on setting does help smooth over some of the bumpier spots.

Voice Of Shadows takes a familiar premise and adds an original twist, creating a scary little mystery.