With a lack of any undersea horror action, off-kilter characterization punctuated by poor acting, and a script that is taking itself way more seriously than it has any right to, there’s no enjoyment to be taken from this shameless attempt to capitalize on a lucrative IP.

Carry-On is pure escapist fare that you can turn on while sitting next to your Christmas tree, and it has enough energy that you won’t feel the need to check your phone every 10 minutes.

Dirty Angels is often too serious and too overtly political for its own good.

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.

As your run-of-the-mill newsroom thriller, September 5 proves to be a riveting watch with two stand-out performances from Sarsgaard and Magaro and compelling direction from Fehlbaum.

James Mangold's A Complete Unknown explores the music of Bob Dylan with fantastic care and a great performance by Timothée Chalamet.

If anything else, Abruptio will make you highly uncomfortable, and it's so unnerving that it will give you nightmares. Perhaps that's the whole point of using puppets.

War of the Rohirrim's storytelling woes might mean this isn't the epic return to Middle-earth that many Lord of the Rings fans may have been hoping for, but that's not to say the film's not without merit.

It may not feel fully original, and some moments could be honed, but it's a solid, visually gorgeous outing from Huston anchored by an excellent central performance from Michael Pitt.

Overall, the biggest takeaway that I had while watching Mary is that it was a missed opportunity. A missed opportunity to give the mother of Jesus more development than we've seen in prior depictions of the Nativity story, and a missed opportunity to truly show the cruelty of Herod's actions as a ruler.

The Order is a solid crime drama that sometimes hits too close to home, but that's what makes it so terrifying.

If Breakup Season has a lesson for us, it is that relationships can end even when we least expect it and that it hurts like hell. It is an odd message to deliver on a date such as Christmas, but even odder is how cozy it feels. The movie is bittersweet, sure, but the sweetness is still there.

It all leads to a final fight that should feel epic but ends up being more disappointment.

It is not a movie with the intention of entertaining its audience, but rather of challenging, reminding, and warning.

For all the charm and innovation that That Christmas is going for, it ends up being a predictable and rather deflated movie that is playing to a much younger audience than it lets on.

It's a good adaptation that stays true to the source material, but Chapter 2 still falls short of adaptational greatness.

Beyond the ‘90s references, Y2K is an underwhelming, but mostly entertaining movie that never quite goes as far as it should with its concept, comedy, or the relationships between its characters.

Nosferatu shows Robert Eggers at the height of his powers, building an atmosphere of choking menace anchored by magnificent turns from Lily-Rose Depp and Bill Skarsgard.

Mononoke doesn't just deliver great works of art in every frame. It challenges you to keep up with it.

Come for Lohan, stay for Harding, and watch until the end for Kristin Chenoweth — all while ignoring some of the most robotic dialogue your ears ever heard.

Ross has found an overwhelmingly perfect way to bring Whitehead’s story to the screen, one that feels like a step forward for how cinematic stories can be told. It’s beautiful, heart-wrenching, and refreshing in equal measure. Now, Nickel Boys is a masterpiece in two different formats.

Perry’s work in Pavements is one of the wildest and unhinged approaches to a music documentary ever made, but the fact that he pulls it all together into something that isn’t a mess is a testament to Perry’s craft.

Moana 2 explores the possibilities of this universe, and builds on the bond between Moana and Maui, but stays a bit too close to the original's formula.

Flow takes a fascinating and effective approach to animated stories and shows that the barrier between the two types should be broken down more often.

In a land where truth is habitually stripped away in favor of political and religious control, Bread & Roses serves as a reminder of the bravery of those who sacrificed all for the love of their country and community.

With a well-composed original soundtrack and stunning visuals, Spellbound is one of the best animations of the year.

Despite some issues with pacing and its exploration of the two main storylines, this buddy comedy is entertaining and powered by a delightful trio.

It features a predictable love story with two charming leads, spicy but comical all-male performances, and a fast-paced plot that will pass you by. Beware, this isn't a groundbreaking watch by any means. It is just another cozy title to keep you in high spirits while you sip hot chocolate and control the urge to unwrap presents before Christmas Day.