The animation is beautifully done, with striking color and simplicity.

With more daring in the direction and more inspiration in the writing, the movie could have been entertaining, even if it was something done many times before. Instead, it is utterly derivative and routine in every aspect. It is a picture that attempts nothing and achieves nothing.

This cast keeps the story grounded as each man is tested throughout the film.

In preparing A Compassionate Spy, James seamed together a spellbinding collage concerning the life and times of Ted Hall and his family. It is a wonderful documentary, and I encourage everyone who wants a greater sense of the story of the Atomic Age to check it out.

Strays hits my sweet spot in comedy. It is goofy, silly, and filthy. Your mileage may vary, but I can’t wait to see this again.

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.

Blue Beetle is worth seeing, but it has many missed opportunities.

Streaks of sadism emphasize the prevailing humanity, as do the borderline-psychedelic brushstrokes: the intentionally murky nightmarish visuals, Ariel Marx’s nervous score, the bleak set design, the impassivity with which cinematographer Chananun Chotrunngroj’s camera observes the two women’s descent into madness.

Peter Case: A Million Miles Away is an eye-opening portrait of an unsung songwriting powerhouse.

A biopic like Oppenheimer allows viewers to take pause and understand how the human mind has powers that propel life and change the world forever.

The heart of Return to Dust is centered on the married couple’s efforts to construct a new home by hand. It’s grueling work, but through Li’s stunning visuals and mastery of pacing, we become engrossed by the details not only of the labor but by their burgeoning love.

Rub comes out of nowhere and reinforces your belief in the magic of independent filmmaking.

Bobcat Moretti speaks to everyone with its inspirational story.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem has something for fans of all ages.

Casting and premise are Haunted Mansion‘s greatest strengths, though many of the best ensemble moments or narrative choices are fleeting.

Walid is a satisfying tale of good and evil that rolls out some moral instruction on principles, but the icing on the cake is the long-form hand-to-hand Silat fighting that rounds out the film.

It signals a strong new voice in the genre with the Philippous that is equally confident, commanding, and committed to slinking under your skin.

In The Elephant 6 Recording Company, Stockfleth has assembled the definitive document about a scene that is exceedingly difficult to define. The achievement of getting his arms around the concept and presenting it as such a coherent and entertaining experience is impressive and important.

North Circular is a strikingly perceptive film.

Underdog may seem like a story with niche appeal, but the result will surely resonate with all the underdogs out there.

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.

Olivia Côte and Laure Calamy make the film worth watching if you are in the mood for a story about an awkward but enduring friendship.

For those who don’t care as much about the moral of the story, there are many ways to enjoy this film. It’s a good time, and one can easily just vibe on the music and color palette, the goofy humor, and an amusing nostalgic catalog of Mattel toys and accessories without investing too much brain power into the social justice commentary.

Black Ice is the kind of film where you are in a different world once finishing it.

Higuchi’s knowledge and commitment to the lore, franchise, and Toku genre make Shin Ultraman a must-watch for fans. The film balances classic tropes and introduces new characters in a format allowing any newcomer an ideal entry point into the many Ultra-verses. It’s a masterclass on reintroducing a beloved character while keeping the overall legacy in mind.

This is an inspiring and emotional watch with one’s mom, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

The film works best on a subconscious level.

Even in the more chaotic moments, the filmmaker still delivers a beautiful, exciting, and interesting movie in a way only Wes Anderson could.