1st Reviews

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...

Park Chan-wook’s genre-blending critique of the modern-day job market starts with a relatable hook — a man is laid off his job and needs to find a way to support his family — but in the director’s typical fashion, the film soon escalates into uncontrollable madness, filled with dark humor and macabre. Lee Byung-hun gives the best performance of his career as a man faced with a seemingly impossible set of decisions as he loses the comforts of his life, and the ability to say he and his family are well off thanks to him. Lee Byung-hun delivers one of his most haunting performances. The film stands out due to its blend between genres and tones, and the sheer unpredictability of the lengths its lead character is willing to go. Park’s direction is at some of its strongest in scenes that combine tension, silliness, and disgust. The movie’s satire is irresistible and the consequences, or lack of, leave a lot to think about in an ending that’s bizarre yet mature, even ...

Like sorting through your candy after a night of trick-or-treating, V/H/S/ Halloween is a mixed bag. The eighth instalment in this cult-favourite horror anthology series comes up short of previous entries, but there are still a couple of treats in here that should satisfy your twisted cravings. A chilling still from V/H/S/ Halloween . Diet Phantasma This wraparound segment follows an R&D team testing a new low-calorie soda made with “real ghosts.” It’s silly fun, but gets a bit repetitive with each new test subject. The commercial playing during the end credits was a nice touch. Rating: ★★½☆ Coochie Coochie Coo This short feels like walking through a haunted house — but not in a good way. The plot is like something torn from a creepypasta thread. Everything is constantly being spelled out in a painfully obvious way. The practical effects and makeup are decent, and this is probably the only segment that comes close to being scary...

Peacemaker retains its heartfelt magic while never slowing down the crazy. John Cena portrays a character who’s dim-witted and destructive, yet has become emotionally intelligent and a deeply good friend. John Cena returns as the chaotic but big-hearted Peacemaker . Danielle Brooks proves herself as the most talented performer of the lot and a national treasure. She’s remarkable, nuanced, and irresistible as Chris’ best and least problematic friend, Leota Adebayo. Jennifer Holland also gets so much to work with and steps up her outstanding game as Harcourt. Not to mention Steve Agee as Economos and Freddie Stroma as Vigilante — the constant is that everyone has grown thanks to Peacemaker’s friendship (except maybe Vigilante; he’s still an idiot). Frank Grillo is excellent as the restrained yet vengeful Rick Flag Sr., giving a very calculated and unexpected performance. Tim Meadows is hilarious as expected, and Sol Rodriguez is also great. ...

Lorenz Hart’s story is one of brilliance, but not necessarily success — at least in his own eyes. Ethan Hawke does a great job of capturing a man whose personality is extravagant yet whose sense of self is so small; his awareness of his talent comes with impossible standards he sets for himself. Ethan Hawke as Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon . Hawke devours the screen and never gives a dull moment, while Margaret Qualley and Andrew Scott also shine. The film is set in one location but paints a vivid picture of characters whose relationships and life paths are built on adoration, success, and failure. The score and makeup are the only elements that feel distracting, but Blue Moon is still an engaging character study and an impressive piece of work by the end. Rating: ★★★½☆ Review by: Gal Balaban

In space, no one can hear you scream, but on the internet, everyone can hear you argue about this show. Alien: Earth has proven to be the most divisive season of television since The Last of Us sparked volatile online discourse six months ago. Noah Hawley’s series isn’t short on ambition, though it’s not always able to bring its big ideas to fully realized fruition. A still from Alien: Earth Set two years before the events of the original film, this series begins with a Weyland-Yutani research vessel crash-landing on Earth. Meanwhile, a rival company called Prodigy has been experimenting with transferring the consciousness of dying children into synthetic adult bodies. With Yutani wanting their specimens back, and Prodigy chasing more power and control, things ultimately get messy, especially with Xenomorphs and other dangerous lifeforms on the loose. This series incorporates so much of the franchise’s lore and themes, while also taking several ...