Kenneth Seward Jr.

Amazon’s Heads of State is a near-humorless buddy comedy film, saved by its compelling leads and elaborate action sequences.

Despite having an interesting take on werewolves, The Beast Within proves to be a middling experience.

The premise is interesting, some of the scenes are nicely shot, and the acting – especially that of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Fanny Bornedal – is believable. Unfortunately, it's also weighed down by predictable twists and lackluster thrills.

Netflix’s The Monkey King is an example of a potentially great film that’s undone by poor pacing, uneven animation, and a truly unlikable protagonist.

An engrossing, inventive, and at times, unsettling horror film.

They Cloned Tyrone is a comical mash-up of genres that pays homage to 1970’s Blaxploitation. It features a strong cast, an engaging premise, and a stylish aesthetic that sets it apart from similar films.

Suzume is a captivating film that depicts the grieving process in a creative and thoughtful manner. It features a strong cast, a moving score, and some truly amazing animation.

Despite its limited scope and predictable plot, The Magician’s Elephant succeeds at being a quaint animated film with a positive message.

We Have a Ghost is a mostly bland movie, elevated by a few good performances and an intriguing premise that doesn’t go as far as it seems like it should.

The Seven Deadly Sins: Grudge of Edinburgh Part 1 is an entertaining return for fans that feels incomplete, even more so for newcomers.

Netflix’s Scrooge: A Christmas Carol manages to delight thanks to solid animation, a lively cast, and strong musical performances.

The Curse of Bridge Hollow is a mundane introduction to horror, with a bit of charm sprinkled in for good measure.

Netflix’s The Dirt won’t win any awards nor will it inspire any would-be musicians, but it is entertaining and offers up a compelling story about Mötley Crüe. And while it isn’t a completely accurate depiction of the band’s tumultuous career, the film itself is insightful.

IO provides a different take on a familiar premise. The story is intimate in nature, with a plot that highlights the importance of relationships – not just between partners or family members, but relationships in general. Its pacing and lack of urgency betrays the drama though.

The last thing a filmmaker wants to hear about their horror movie is that it was boring. Unfortunately, that word best describes Malevolent. Void of scares, its few engaging moments early on – and Celia Imrie’s acting – just aren’t enough to help Malevolent rise above its stilted performances and nonthreatening ghosts.

Patient Zero never realizes its potential.

Kings' fragmented treatment fails in delivering a compelling story. It also lacks the depth and clarity needed to convey a solid message, which one can assume was the purpose given the liberal use of certain politically charged images and sound bites. The potential was there for something grand though.

Netflix's Extinction has its moments but is marred by a familiar premise, an uneven pace and a weak lead performance.

Woman Walks Ahead has some narrative issues but is ultimately a well-acted biographical drama.

Set It Up is as formulaic as they come. That fact alone isn’t enough to avoid it on Netflix though. Most fans of this genre know what they are getting into, easily enjoying the charming displays of friendship, the few silly moments, and predictable ending.