Ferdosa Abdi

The film is outstanding in almost every regard. It's an uplifting, hilarious, gut-wrenching, and stunning animated adventure that reaffirms the power of a parent's love.

There is no single frame of this film that isn’t maximizing this story's potential, its wit, humor, or charm. Every moment counts and transforms Turning Red into a visual feast.

A Perfect Pairing may not stand out to most, but its wholesome aura, charming leads, and beautiful cinematography is enough to warrant an enthusiastic watch. If the goal for any romantic comedy is to fill one with that particular, indescribable warm and fuzzy feeling, then A Perfect Pairing accomplishes that.

The film, comprised of over 20 stories, is a cry for help. A cry for humanity. A cry for justice.

The best action sequence comes at the end, which bolsters the film's best use of camera movement and editing to highlight the fight choreography.

The synopsis sounds straightforward, but there is a lack of balance from the start, and the film has an ill-mannered approach to telling a sensitive or impactful story about sex trafficking.

The Mother is a lean, mean actioner, but one that could have benefited from better editing and a tighter script. That’s not to say that the film is terrible or unbearable by any means, it's just that it is a straightforward narrative that does not require a nearly two-hour run time to tell it right.

Ultimately, Cassandro is a touching tale of a remarkable person who paved the path for others to find liberation and acceptance through their chosen art.

It’s pretty darn great. It’s goofy, endearing, darkly funny, and incredibly relevant.

The Monk and the Gun is a true crowd-pleaser, a poignant message wrapped up in a humorous and vibrant tale.

It is a solid sports biopic that aims to celebrate the cherished memories the Antetokounmpos have and their continued success as a united, happy, and prosperous family.

What makes it practically perfect is that it accomplishes everything it sets out to do. It is funny, exciting, beautiful, and all-around meaningful.

The film effectively illustrates how hazing is not singularly a university issue.

Ultimately, the film has some heartfelt moments and themes, and while dark and violent, it is, in the end, an uplifting story about family, legacy, and hope.

From its compelling topic choice, a star-making lead role, stellar ensemble cast, and crafty execution, Música is a must-see.

From beginning to end, Hellbender is an impressive, at times shocking, and enthralling triumph.

The Devil's Bath is bleak but well worth the watch, especially if you like being guided down Franz and Fiala's dark, twisted rabbit hole.

The Long Walk is a film that requires patience from the audience as it unfolds; there is plenty to digest. With a stellar ensemble cast and a challenging, emotionally-driven narrative, this atypical ghost story will nestle into viewers' minds until Mattie Do’s next directorial triumph.

Fire Island is a mesmerizing, joyous experience and one of the best modern adaptations of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The film has also solidified itself as one of the best romantic comedies to date. It is filled with plenty of hearty laughs, heartfelt sighs, and heartbreaking moments, making it worth revisiting repeatedly.

I don’t go out of my way to drag films, as there is so much time and effort put into every project, and a film of this caliber was likely made with the best of intentions. But intending to craft a pitch-black dark crime comedy is different from actually executing one well. And Riff Raff just doesn't land.

From its endearing animation style, which blends a 2D aesthetic with 3D technology, to its poignant and refreshing writing, Orion and the Dark is a true joy to watch.

Cummings and McCabe don’t quite balance the purple envelope mystery with the character study of a self-involved man, and the ending takes a sharp left towards confusion, but it is surely something worth watching.

The film is at its best, visually and narratively, when it is deeply entrenched in metal. There is a visceral impact to the third act which truly hones in on what this film has been lacking from the beginning.

Laymon expertly crafts a narrative that feels as universal as it is unique. This film embraces a hopeful path, expressing with absolute sincerity that believing in the humanity of others is essential to healing.

Ultimately, Michel Franco’s Sundown feels hollow and too nihilistic for its own good.

The ending feels way too cookie-cutter perfect. Scrambled is a worthwhile experience, though, as it is a personal tale that aims to empower through laughter.

Krieps has such a clear vision of who Vivienne is when she isn’t the object of romance, violence or intolerance. Her quirks and quiet dominance ultimately shift the film toward the direction Mortensen thought he was headed.

The lingering lesson in all of this is Megan Fox deserves better and Big Gold Brick is a solid turd of a movie.