Dwayne Johnson has always been typecast for his action and adventure roles and has been compared to other wrestler-turned actors like John Cena and Bautista for a number of years. It was only a matter of time that the action star followed his fellow wrestlers to take on a more serious role. That role comes in the form of The Smashing Machine . The Smashing Machine is a biographical sports drama about MMA fighter Mark Kerr and a very specific time in his life between the years of 1997–2000. This period was his rise to fame in the mixed martial arts world and his involvement in the Japanese Pride fights, which would eventually set the stage for the formation of UFC around the world. Off the mat, most of Mark's interactions are with his girlfriend, Dawn, played by Emily Blunt. To nobody's surprise, they have great chemistry together which is expected based on their prior work experience together. Mark and Dawn go through many relationship issues due to dru...
Chris Stuckmann’s inspiring journey from YouTube film reviewer to a filmmaker whose debut is receiving a wide theatrical release is truly inspiring. The film has an interesting approach to paranormal investigators with a great first act that subverts expectations and takes some interesting mockumentary routes, before getting real serious, real quick. Camille Sullivan in Shelby Oaks (2025) Camille Sullivan delivers a strong lead performance, and at the film’s center is an emotionally gripping relationship between two sisters, which you feel deeply even though they don’t really share the screen together. It hangs over the film as a catalyst for the story. However, the final act lacks substance, taking an underwhelming route out that feels like things were resolved too quickly without much explanation, or intrigue for the audience to ask more about what’s left unanswered. Still, this is a debut with lots of promise for an incredibly passionate and promising filmm...