Reviews
Reel Review: Ballerina
Ballerina doesn’t reinvent the wheel—it just spins it faster. Ana de Armas steps into the John Wick universe with grit and style, playing a trained killer tracking the people who murdered her father. The setup is simple. The execution is clean. The movie knows its job and does it: sharp gunplay, tight close-quarters fights, and…
Reel Review: The Killing Cove
The Killing Cove sets itself up as a revenge thriller but veers off course quickly. What starts as two sisters plotting justice after a party assault turns into a confusing mash of horror-lite and teen soap. There’s the atmosphere—coastal gloom, a few solid shots—but the script plays it safe. Dialogue is stiff, twists are forced,…
Reel Review: A Widow’s Game
A Widow’s Game (La viuda negra) is a Spanish true-crime thriller directed by Carlos Sedes, currently available on Netflix. The movie dramatizes the notorious 2017 “Black Widow of Patraix” case, where María Jesús Moreno Canto, alias Maje, outsourced the killing of her spouse with the assistance of her boyfriend. The story is told through three…
Reel Review: Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
A quiet, thoughtful rom-com that wears its heart—and its heartbreak—on its sleeve. Jane Austen’s Wrecked My Life follows Agathe, a blocked Parisian writer who finds herself at an English Jane Austen retreat thanks to a meddling best friend. Camille Rutherford brings vulnerability and wit while the film gently riffs on Austen tropes: brooding men, period…
Reel Review: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is a high-octane, emotionally charged conclusion that brings Ethan Hunt’s story full circle. Tom Cruise is as charismatic as ever, performing eye-popping stunts at breakneck speeds, as the film carefully considers themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and legacy. Director Christopher McQuarrie orchestrates a globe-trotting adventure with suspense, practical effects, and…
The King of Kings
The King of Kings (2025) is an animated version of Jesus’ life told through Charles Dickens (voiced by Kenneth Branagh) narrating to his son Walter. Based on Dickens’s lesser-famous work, The Life of Our Lord, the movie combines biblical events with 19th-century narrative. The voice cast performs solid, including Oscar Isaac as Jesus and Pierce…
On Swift Horses
On Swift Horses is a slow-burning post-war drama of illicit desire set against a sun-drenched 1950s backdrop. While performances, particularly Daisy Edgar-Jones and Jacob Elordi’s, are good, the pacing is slow in spots, and the emotional payoff is subtle. Beautifully shot, the film is visually pleasing, with stunning cinematography capturing intimacy and isolation. But the…
Reel Review: The Legend of Ochi
The mystery movie last night was The Legend of Ochi, and to say I was disappointed is an understatement. The Legend of Ochi is a visually confused mess that’s trying too hard to be profound but ends up flat and boring. The movie reminds me of 80s fantasy movies such as E.T. and The Dark…
Sneaks
Sneaks is a decent animated comedy that doesn’t quite reach the level of other movies in its genre but is likable enough to hold the attention of younger viewers. The animation is crisp and energetic, if not innovative, and the characters are entertaining, if unremarkable. The plot travels familiar territory and never takes a chance,…
The Wedding Banquet (2025)
The Wedding Banquet (2025) is a contemporary remake of the 1993 original, presenting a new spin on the tale of love, identity, and familial expectations. Based in Seattle, the movie revolves around Min (Han Gi-chan), a gay Korean artist who suggests a green card marriage to his friend Angela (Kelly Marie Tran) to prevent him…