Matthew Liedke on Film

REVIEW: Imperfect ‘Hail Mary’ still scores with charm, excitement

Not going to lie, this movie lost some points for not having the 2Pac song “Hail Mary.” I’m only kidding, sort of.

“Project Hail Mary” is a film based on the novel of the same name by Andy Weir. Fans of both film and books likely remember Weir’s other novel “The Martian,” which was adapted into a film, garnering award recognition. The latest Weir book-to-movie production stars Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, a molecular biologist aboard an interstellar spacecraft.

Grace wakes up with his ship nearing its destination in a far off system. There, he’s tasked with investigating a microorganism that eats energy from stars, including the sun, which will drastically cool the Earth. Tragically, he wakes up to find his two crew mates passed away. However, he encounters an alien also studying the star eater, and the two decide to partner on a solution.

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REVIEW: ‘They Will Kill You’ will entertain you

After “You’re Next,” “Satanic Panic,” “Ready or Not” and a RON sequel, we get the next movie in the Woman Surviving Evil Rich People Cinematic Universe.

In “They Will Kill You,” Zazie Beetz stars as Asia Reaves, a woman who gets a job as a maid in a New York high rise building after a 10-year prison sentence. Her stint behind bars was because of an incident involving her attacking her abusive father to protect her younger sister.

Now out of jail, Asia is looking to get her life together with her new job. She’s also looking to reconnect with her sister who she hasn’t seen in years, and is committed to using this opportunity to find her. However, she soon learns that the owners of the building have ulterior motives, namely sacrificing their new maid to Satan to keep their immortality.

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REVIEW: Strong cast and inspiring tale help lift ‘Tow’ over issues

A 2025 film with Rose Byrne playing a mother in a difficult living situation and stressful personal life? Yes indeed, and it’s not “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.”

In this movie, debuted at a 2025 film festival but just hitting theaters now, Byrne stars as Amanda Ogle. The film tells the true story of how Ogle, a homeless woman in Seattle on hard times, is trying to get back on her feet while living out of her 1991 Toyota Camry.

Unfortunately, the last thing she owns is stolen during a job interview, and later towed away after it’s ditched. Receiving a huge bill to get her car back, she decides to take the matter to court, claiming she wasn’t at fault because of the theft. To help her, an ambitious non-profit lawyer, Kevin (Dominic Sessa), decides to help her.

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98th Academy Award Predictions

The Super Bowl of cinema is near.

This Academy Awards, the 98th ceremony in history, is headlined by the title fight of “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners.” In one corner, a dramatic, comedic thriller. In the other, an elevated horror action picture. The Oscars won’t be limited to this face-off, though.

Other films will be recognized in several categories, and there will be surprises along the way. As always, I’m weighing in with my expectations for who is likely to win, as well as my thoughts as to who or what is most deserving.

Before we get into the predictions, here’s a helpful glossary of acronyms ahead: GG = Golden Globes. WGA = Writers Guild of America. DGA = Directors Guild of America. ACE = American Cinema Editors. SAG = Screen Actors Guild. ASC = American Society of Cinematographers. AA = Animation, or Annie, Awards. ADG = Art Directors Guild. MPSE = Motion Picture Sound Editors. BAFTA = British Academy of Film and Television Arts. CCA = Critics’ Choice Awards.

REVIEW: ‘The Bride’ is an abomination

First “Lisa Frankenstein,” and now this. Yeesh.

Written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, “The Bride” is a retelling of “Bride of Frankenstein.” However, rather than take place in the 1800s, this one is set in 1936 Chicago. The movie centers on Ida (Jessie Buckley), a young woman who is killed one night at a mob bar after she’s suddenly possessed by the spirit of Mary Shelley.

Meanwhile, Frankenstein (Christian Bale), the monster who took the name of his creator, has become exhausted from a century of loneliness and wants a significant other. With the help of a Chicago-based scientist, Dr. Euphronious (Annette Bening), they resurrect Ida, creating a wife for the monster. Their ensuing escapades result in havoc and chaos.

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The art of movie studio logos

Well, award season is nearly wrapped up and the summer blockbuster season is still more than a month away.

So. How about movie studio logos? Now I wouldn’t say this holds much merit when it comes to cinema as an art form. In fact, it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme. However, despite that, they tend to leave a big impact. Many of them are memorable, and they stick with a person because they’re made to.

2026 Oscar Docs: A look at the nominees

Unlike last year where I was only able to catch three of the five nominated films for Best Documentary Feature, I have managed to watch the whole lineup, and then some. It was worth it, too, because this was one of the best group of nominees in the category in years.

The 2025 collection covers a wide range of topics, all with unique styles and effective approaches. Below, I share my thoughts on all five. Additionally, I’m including my take on two shortlisted pictures detailing significant topics.

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REVIEW: Solid action in ‘Protector’ overwhelmed by other problems

Kids, this here is what we used to call “straight to DVD.”

“Protector” is an action film very much in the vein of “Taken,” as it centers on the protagonist’s daughter being abducted. Milla Jovovich stars as Nikki in the film, a woman who for years served in the United States Army with multiple combat tours during America’s wars in the Middle East.

She ends her military career, though, when her husband passes away, so she can be at home with her daughter, Chloe (Isabel Myers). Because she was gone for years, their relationship is strained. But when Chloe is abducted by traffickers, Nikki goes in to protective mom mode, and leans on her special forces training.

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REVIEW: Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ is an enjoyable mix of science and nature

Pixar has had a mixed track record in the 2020s, but fortunately, it’s new release is one of the better flicks from the animation studio.

The latest feature from the Disney affiliate centers on Mabel (Piper Curda), a college student who cares deeply about animals and nature. Her appreciation puts her at great odds with her city’s mayor, Jerry (Jon Hamm), who intends to develop a highway bypass. Doing so would mean the destruction of a natural area Mabel holds dear.

One night, when looking for solutions with few options left, she learns of a program at her college which has developed life-like robots, one of which looks like a beaver. The robots are controllable by humans with a neural link, and Mabel takes control of one to connect with animals and lead them in taking back there home under threat.

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REVIEW: ‘Crime 101’ is a familiar but refreshing drama course

Since it’s been out for a while, I’m sure it’s been mentioned a bunch. So, insert Hulk and Thor joke here.

The reason for that lede is the actors now well-known for their appearances in Marvel movies both appear in “Crime 101.” Chris Hemsworth in the movie portrays a jewel thief, Mike, who’s pulled several successful heists. Each one he does efficiently, and with a unique commitment to non-violence.

Mark Ruffalo, meanwhile, is Lou Lubesnick, a detective who manages to deduce that all of the recent jewel heists are tied to Mike. As his investigation heats up, Mike is approached about a new big job, but is concerned about doing so, especially since he recently started a new relationship.

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