Movie Night (Official Movie Discussion Thread)

Weapons





PRAISE: Writer and Director Zach Cregger takes one of the most haunting and sad things that can happen to a parent or family a child or children completely vanishing off the face of the Earth and builds on that to craft a haunting story. Where did they go? Who or if anyone was involved? These questions were played with throughout the film,which made it involving and then some. A great job is done with multiple character stories including great as usual Julia Garner portraying Justine Gandy, the teacher who's seventeen students just ran off into the night at 2:17 A.M. Garner channels a bit of her character from the series Ozark Ruth,which i didn't mind at all. Then there's Archer Graff (Josh Brolin), the devastated father of one of the missing children. A cop named Paul (Alden Ehrenreich), a junkie named Anthony (Austin Abrams), school principal named Andrew (Benedict Wong) and last but not least Alex (Cary Christopher) who's the only one in his class who didn't run off into darkness. Amy Madigan completely immersed herself into her role as Aunt Gladys. I completely understood what the characters were going through and why they took certain actions. How fear and love can play on the aforementioned actions even limiting what a person can do,this was done so well in the movie. Praise to everyone behind the makeup work. It just made some frightening scenes more intense. In fact I didn't know whether to laugh or be scared at what was happening on screen several times.There are a handful of jump scares. When the music played in certain scenes with absolutely no other sound as dark images danced across the screen it was incredible to take in. Even as the movie entered it's last thirty minutes I was still uncertain about why things were happening. What was the backstory of a particular standout character.Still there's this fairy tale like vibe in the movie which i enjoyed. Cregger doesn't hold back on certain things involving younger characters which I admired.

PROBLEMS: Some story threads were a bit to ambiguous for me.Sure it made me become more involved and maybe Cregger wanted audiences to come up with their own theories but i wanted more of an explanation especially after a character enters the movie. The pacing could have been better.One moment was predictable.

Scale of 1 to 10 a 7½
 
The Pickup





It wasn't long before I realized I was in for a generic time watching the beginning of this movie about a routine cash pickup taking a wild turn when two mismatched armored truck drivers get ambushed by ruthless criminals. In the first four minutes of the flick there's a blatant error. But before I get to how bad this movie is Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson have some funny moments whether it's through mannerisms or ad libbing. I kept saying yes let's keep going with their ad libs because this is funny. But both actors are bogged down by Kevin Burrows and Matt Miders basic and painfully unfunny script. This is the type of movie I can easily pick apart but the movie consistently picks itself apart. There's something that happens in the movie that could have easily been settled with a lawsuit. In fact the characters phone would have been ringing off the hook with lawyers looking for an easy payday. There is a huge unnecessary action sequence. A pet peeve of mines in commercials,movies and TV shows a character everyone calls a screw up at work and useless but the character still remains employed. Keke Palmer is only effective in one scene. Eva Longoria looks stunning but just collects another easy Amazon paycheck. I was almost impressed in which I thought a thread in a story was going to go but was dissapointted five minutes later. I can't believe the cast of this movie attached themselves to something so dull.

Scale of 1 to 10 a 4
 
Red Sonja 2025




When I'm scrolling through the weekly comic book offerings on different blogs Red Sonja comics are always present. Along with Cosplay and the aforementioned comics the character is still very popular with fans. This must have been the thoughts of the creators of this film because they provide bad ass moments in which the character literally shines. Portrayed with focus and fiercestness by a more than capable Matilda Lutz it's fun to watch her flip and fight. Rhona Mitra is still stunning. The banter between Dragan and Annisia (Wallis Day)is fun because they have such an odd relationship in the movie.There are interesting creatures scattered throughout the movie and I did enjoy some of the fight and battle scenes. I did enjoy some extremely unintentionally funny moments. I liked that the movie did at least try to be epic. Set designs look cool i especially liked the uniqueness of the arena.

PROBLEMS: The villain in the film Emperor Dragan portrayed by Robert Sheehan (“The Umbrella Academy) is so wimpy, flimsy and weak he was laughable and then some. I lost track of how many times he screeched Kill Her !! Other characters are hugely underdeveloped. The ADR and dubbing in the movie are absolutely awful. The editing was pretty bad too because even with an R rating I could tell where they cut some of the violence. The movie really tries but needed a stronger story and characters.

Scale of 1 to 10 a 6½
 
Night Always Comes





PRAISE : There is something so appealing about the middle of the night,dont know where im going to end up odyssey movies. I think my love for these type of movies began with 1985's Into The Night and it was done to a T and then some in 2017's Good Time. This movie captures the same vibe of the aforementioned and i was with Vanessa Kirby character Lynette all the way in her overnight mission because it involves something loving and noble. Kirby does a great job here showing raw emotion and desperation. Also turning in terrific performances as Lynettes, mother Doreen ,Jennifer Jason Leigh and her only brother, Kenny ,Zach Robin Gottsagen, a thirty-something who has Down syndrome as great as he was in Peanut Butter Falcon. The mission is harrowing and then some. Who to trust,who to call upon before the deadline that i was repeatedly reminded of that made me say : Come on you still have time. I didnt even recognize Julia Fox as Lynettes former roommate, Gloria who is all the right amounts of obnoxious. So many good actors do great work with their time on screen Curtis McGann ,Michael Kelly, Eli Roth) and last but definitely not least Stephan James. In some scenes with these characters i knew things werent going to be easy but others i really like that i thought oh yeah they are on the up and up and do right by Lynette because its beyond jarring when things go left with them. The way the film plays out towards the end with a couple of gut punches was perfection and it ended the way i thought it should.


PROBLEMS: A couple of moments didnt ring true to me. I was doubtful about how one scene played out and found myself saying that wasnt easy but suddenly turned easy for a character.


Scale of 1 to 10 an 8
 
Highest 2 Lowest



PRAISE: Director Spike Lee teams up with actor Denzel Washington for the fifth time for this movie which is about a powerful music mogul who is targeted by a ransom plot, he is forced to fight for his family and legacy while jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma. There are so many scenes that ring true in this movie. The uncertainty of life and finances. The relationship between fathers and sons . How desperation can make someone look like there is no logic and reason to them. Most of the actors do a great job . Making relationships and partnerships feel real. Its still incredible to watch Washington. He fully grabbed my attention so much so I was hanging on every word he said. From deal making to displaying love for his family, the man didn't miss a beat. Director Spike Lee and writer William Alan Fox establish great set ups in the story. An ultra moral dilemma and how it plays out was edge of your seat worthy.Back to the ringing true the movie hits the nail on the head about social media. Uplifting you for awhile, loving you on Monday morning but hating by Tuesday evening. How dependent creators have become on social media. Lee displays how everything is changing in various industries from film to music. Theres good pacing in certain sequences accompanied with a score that I definitely got caught up in. There are terrific displays of raw emotion. One scene filled with the aforementioned was extremely effective. There are great nods to classic movies,musicians, New Yorks melting pot and New York City itself.

PROBLEMS: I don't think a couple of music videos and a scene that felt like a Showtime at the Apollo segment were necessary. There are a couple of scenes that I couldn't fully get on board with. One was far to convenient it actually made me laugh and it took me out of the movie for a few minutes. Plus it involved a couple of people that were supposed to be smart and they didn't question what happened. I know what Lee was trying to set up in another scene that I felt was kind of forced and he did something similar in 1990' s Mo Better Blues . I guess i would have preferred a shoe drop instead.

Scale of 1 to 10 an 7½
 
BANG





If you like huge unintentional laughs that walk hand in hand with action sequences this is the movie for you. The story what there is of it is about Bang (Jack Kesy), one of the most feared hitmen, who questions his violent life after a near-death experience. Kesy does what a lot of action stars have done with their roles over the year's. Blankly staring, grunting and only saying a few words. Peter Weller chews up the scenery and then some as a sadistic gangster looking like Silvermane from Marvel comics. I couldn't help but laugh at another character each time they showed jealousy because it was made clear from the start the only thing the character cared about was money. The line deliveries from multiple characters was awful. This movie has so many mistakes and gaffs I lost count. The core of the story is ridiculous like something you would see in some lame comedy. I kept questioning why certain steps weren't taken especially when characters had enough money to alter things. How a thread played out visually was absolutely hilarious. There are some good kills and the body count is off the charts. There are far to many how and when did they do that moments. A couple of actresses provide nice eye candy. I wonder if people will catch the same crazy things i did. I just know this is going to end up on TUBI soon.

Scale of 1 to 10 just for the ridiculousness, unintentional laughs and action an 8. Regular scale a 3
 
Eden




PRAISE : I knew this movie was based on a true story and I wanted to go in with only the basic synopsis. After watching the movie and digging deeper into the true story i could see why Director Ron Howard was drawn to this story about a group of disillusioned Europeans settling on a remote, uninhabited island in the Galápagos. But all kinds of turmoil and tensions begin to rise . All of the actors do a great job portraying their characters Dr. Friedrich Ritter (Jude Law) and his wife, Dore Strauch (Vanessa Kirby), who fled from society because of their disdain for it and so he can write his manifesto. The only time he really smiles is when a supply ship and film crew stop by. When they chafe at the arrival of Heinz (Daniel Brühl) and Margret Wittmer (Sydney Sweeney) along with their young son, Harry (Jonathan Tittel) it opens up to so many great moments of tension between them and Cheshire cat like sinister smiles to go along with it. But the true form of turmoil arrives when Baroness Eloise Bosquet de Wagner Wehrhorn accompanied by two men (Ana de Armas) who is the ultimate vixen,trouble maker,who thinks she's God's gift to the world and the main idea she has for the island is commercialism. So not only does the group have to battle the elements and wild animals but each other. The consistency of all of the aforementioned really made the first hour entertaining. I did like the movies closing moments and the score that accompanied it.

PROBLEMS: I found myself drifting in and out of the movies second hour. It felt repetitive for the most part and I wish Howard had leaned more into the haunting, and truth is stranger than fiction situations that happened on the island. I think he really could have gotten to a place far more compelling and involving.

Scale of 1 to 10 a 6½
 
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This was surprisingly really good. Planned to have it on in the background but got hooked. Saw it on paramount
 
Caught Stealing




PRAISE: This is definitely dark comedy week at the movie theatre's. Or at least a couple of films definitely have a dark comedic thread in them. This movie is about Hank ( Austin Butler) doing the simplest favor that unfortunately leads to all kinds of mayhem and pain. The cast of the film do a great job in the film from moments of raw emotion and huge quirks. Butler really does a great job here. There are slow reveals that show how life has shaped his mindset and i found myself immediately rooting for him. Zoe Kravitz as Yvonne displays all the right amounts of love,care and sexiness. She and Butler have great chemistry. Regina King as Roman was very watchable and the Brooklyn accent was a nice touch.I wanted to choke out Russ portrayed by Matt Smith so he definitely did a good job with his role.Liev Schreiber as Lipa Vincent D’Onofrio as Shmully were funny and dark simultaneously. Writer Charlie Huston is able to balance grossness,a high body count, and romance for most of the film.There was definitely a shocking moment in the movie i didn't see coming and I zoned out just like a character did and let out a Oh No when it happened. Director Darren Aronofsky displays some of his usual flare and visuals and definitely captures the grit of 1998 New York City. The soundtrack is pretty good as memories came flooding back of hit songs from the late 1990s.

PROBLEMS: The movie definitely pulls back on where it was headed or could have leaned into it felt like it was replaced with scenes that were unnecessarily drawn out.

Scale of 1 to 10 an 8
 
The Roses





PRAISE: I believe I watched the 1989 film The War of the Roses at least twenty times over the years because I enjoyed it so much. Much of it had to do with the incredible talents of Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner and how far the sparring couple would take things. In this reimagining of that movie characters, Ivy (Olivia Colman) and Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch) almost reach that level. Of course everything is going to be expanded on Thirty six years later. From tech to modern humor. The movie does a good job for the most part. The dialogue is salty and then some and the movie never loses its grip on being witty and raunchy. Speaking of expansion the cast is much larger than the 1989 film. The various characters portrayed by Andy Samberg , Kate McKinnon, Ncuti Gatwa, Sunita Mani, Zoe Chao, Jamie Demetriou and last but not least Allison Janney who definitely steals the movie for about eight minutes are fun and come with their own quirks, hang ups and desires and they were good for a good portion of the movie. I enjoyed how frank discussions were and the rapid fire insults that were made by Theo and Ivy. When the movie leans into the dramatic especially when dynamics change in their home with the children and who's on top financially the movie still worked for me plus with the added charm of Cumberbatch and Colman I found myself smiling a lot. Also throw in some sight gags and reflections about married life and the movie excels.

PROBLEMS: It did feel like the movie pulled back on a few things even though the couple end up in dark places. Even with all of the changes and expansions sometimes they lead to the movies pacing issues.The schtic from the various characters especially Kate McKinnon's starts to thin out towards the end of the movie. There was still a couple of predictable moments even within the originality of the movie.



Scale of 1 to 10 a 7½
 
Splitsville





PRAISE: Writers Kyle Marvin and Michael Angelo Covino take everything about breaking up and turns it up about one hundred notches in this story about two couples who stir up all kinds of turmoil with open relationships and boundaries that are crossed and then some. I admire all of the actors in the film Dakota Johnson as Julie,Adria Arjona as Ashley, Michael Angelo Covino as Paul
Kyle Marvin as Carey,Nicholas Braun as Matt,and David Castaneda as Fede from their deadpan delivery of lines to what they put themselves through physically. The dark comedy moments, the frankness and how scenes play out visually really worked for me for the most part. The insecurities of the couples,their desires and losing focus on whats important added to the movies more dramatic moments. I really loved how it hit the nail on the head about my own feelings and thoughts about open relationships and if they can be maintained. I liked that what usually happens at the end of movies like this happened in its first thirty minutes. Sure every relationships has its up and downs but there's this extra layer of tension and complications that are slowly revealed that makes the movie very involving. This movie has a heavy French sex comedy vibe to it so its no wonder it received an eight minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival.

PROBLEMS: The movie really steers into the repetitive lane far to much even with its closing scene. There are some illogical moments that were definitely overdone.

Scale of 1 to 10 a 7½
 
Relay




PRAISE: Right in the middle of some movies,or right after watching some movies I'm inspired to do a deep dive Is this factual? Does this type of thing exist in real life? Relay is about a fixer who assists whistleblowers while concealing his identity. The chemistry between
Riz Ahmed as Tom and Lily James as Sarah is key in this movie. It surprisingly works on different levels. The closeness of the chemistry and the distance. The relationship was involving and pulled me in even when I kind of felt something was a little off after the first hour. This was an interesting watch and a very good cat and mouse thriller. The leads turn in great performances that are believable and then some. As I'm writing this i still haven't done my deep dive but it involves some interesting turns and paths this story takes. I couldn't help but smile when the movie spends some time in my NYC haunts. The additions to the cast including Sam Worthington as Dawson Willa Fitzgerald as Rosetti, Jared Abrahamson as Ryan seemed one note at first but it was fun watching them work and their frustrations. Writer Justin Piasecki and director David MacKenzie know exactly what they're doing by crafting their own thriller and nodding to thrillers that have been just as interesting over the years. This is definitely true when it comes to assumptions I made about a character and thinking oh this is going to take a Brian De Palma route. This was like watching The A Team but with action sequences reserved for certain moments instead of every fifteen minutes.

PROBLEMS: Tied to me feeling like something was off in the first hour is a far to noticeable flaw in the script that lead to a predictable moment within the movies last thirty minutes. Its frustrating because the film was doing so well up to that point.

Scale of 1 to 10 a 7½
 
She Rides Shotgun





PRAISE: I've rooted for a lot of bad people in movies over the years. I rationalized over the bad things they were doing. I did the same for Nate who is portrayed with all of the right intensity and regret by Taron Egerton. Sure he's done this and that but he's making amends. He cares about his daughter Polly who is beautifully portrayed by Ana Sophia Heger right up to the last frames of the movie. The movie is about a newly released ex-con protecting his estranged 11-year-old daughter at all costs. There's plenty of raw emotion in the movie. I liked that i was unsure about a character. I liked that the movie pushed me to assumptions. Also that this is far more than a dad and kid on the run movie. There's some very good layering in the movie. Rob Yang plays Detective John Park, a detective that definitely colors outside the lines and Yang turns in an unflinching performance. Egerton and Heger have great chemistry in ultra serious moments and playful ones.Director Nick Rowland shapes scenes that involving and then some particulary in some stand out action sequences laced with violence. One in particular is in a cramped space that made it even more thrilling. As Sheriff Houser, John Carroll Lynch infuses his great versatility into another intimidating character.

PROBLEMS: A smart character makes an ultra bad decision that was unbelievable. The ending was predictable for the most part right from the first scenes . Another character was so intensely angry there's no way in the world he would have made a more drawn out decision.

Scale of 1 to 10 a 7½
 
The Toxic Avenger (2025)






PRAISE: Only by diving in to the campiness,ultra gore,innuendo, visual and sound gags just like the cast of this movie(Peter Dinklage as Winston Gooze / Toxie ,Jacob Tremblay as Wade Gooze ,Kevin Bacon as Bob Garbinger, Elijah Wood as Fritz Garbinger, Taylour Paige as J.J. Doherty and Julia Davis as Kissy Sturnevan )did was i able to enjoy it for what it is for the most part . If you ever watched the 1984 movie( i still laugh at the reactions from people watching it for the first time) or the 1991 animated series Toxic Avengers ( i still remember my brother collecting the action figures) i think you will find something to like in this 2025 movie. I laughed several times. Sometimes due to how over the top it was or how ultra silly situations played out.As far as tributes to Troma Films go this was an enjoyable one.This is definitely a gore fest and I clearly saw why people have walked out of screenings of the movie.

PROBLEMS: Every joke didn't work for me. The movie definitely stalls several times and I wanted to get to the climax which I knew would be over the top and then some.

Scale of 1 to 10 a 7
 
The Long Walk






PRAISE: Right out the gate I'm going to say The Long Walk is the best screen adaptation of a Stephen King story since 1994's The Shawshank Redemption. The story is about a dystopian near-future America where one hundred teenage boys participate in a brutal annual contest, the Long Walk. The acting is off the charts great. The gentleman in the film: Cooper Hoffman as Raymond Garraty / #47 ,David Jonsson as Peter McVries / #23, Garrett Wareing as Stebbins / #38
Tut Nyuot as Arthur Baker / #6 ,Charlie Plummer as Gary Barkovitch / #5 ,and Ben Wang as Hank Olson / #46 turn in such great performances. I immediately felt like I knew them as they go on this long walk,their jokes,dreams ,competitiveness, their feelings about life ,love and friendship all felt so real. Its all coupled with the right amounts of tension and anger. I actually forgot about certain necessities one would need in such a long walk and when its mentioned by a few of the characters the movie becomes increasingly involving. Its also a harrowing watch as dissolution and hopelessness eats away at the psyches of the men. I couldn't help but think of The Hunger Games movies and the 1969 movie They Shoot Horses Don't They. Usually the use of captions in a film kind of annoy me but in this movie I found them to be necessary. I started thinking about my own endurance and how many miles I've walked for pleasure or when I had no other options but to walk. Sometimes the violence was jarring and its tied to me caring about the characters that are well developed for the most part. When the score by Jeremiah Fraites kicks in with moments of raw emotion its perfection. I really liked what this movie had to say about true friendship. Director
Francis Lawrence is so on point in many scenes pulling away from certain moments while taking in reactions from the road and small towns the men walk through. He and writer JT Mollner have crafted a moving and harrowing movie.

PROBLEMS: I have some minor complaints about a couple of side characters. The audio was a bit off in a couple of scenes

Scale of 1 to 10 a 9

Its one of the best movies of 2025
 
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