Tag: Review

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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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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REVIEW: ‘How to Make a Killing’ sorely lacking in humor, suspense

I need Margaret Qualley to back off the crime movies, because between this and “Drive Away Dolls,” it’s not been a great run in the genre.

Rather than the focusing on her, though, “How to Make a Killing” centers on Glen Powell’s character Becket Redfellow. A blue-collar worker in New York City, Becket appears to come from, at best, a middle-class background. However, he’s tied to a family with immense wealth, and remains in the will, meaning a fortune is possible.

Yet he’s not exactly first in line to receive anything. In fact, he’s far from it, more like fifth or sixth. Knowing his family abandoned his own mother leaving her to fend for herself, Becket decides to take matters in his own hands, and knock off heirs to put himself in a better position. But while he thinks he’s in the clear, a person from his past starts to suspect him.

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REVIEW: Though fun, ‘Psycho Killer’ plays premise too straightforward

Slasher meets police procedural? Sure, why not.

That’s what’s offered up in “Psycho Killer,” where the film’s protagonist, Jane (Georgina Campbell), is hunting a murderer who’s slaying across the country. The latest in his rampage took the life of Jane’s husband and fellow Kansas state trooper. Vowing to bring him to justice, Jane launches a national endeavor of her own, trailing the suspect.

As she tracks down the man, known only as the Satanic Slasher for the symbols he leaves behind, the killer manages to find new victims. With a major deadly event planned by the killer to finalize his effort, the pressure is on Jane to stop him.

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REVIEW: Sam Raimi’s ‘Send Help’ is a zany good survival flick

If you thought Rachel McAdams was intense as Regina George, just wait until you see her in survival mode.

That’s the gear she shifts into in this film by director Sam Raimi, where she plays financial strategist Linda. While she’s a bit awkward in the office, she’s also a hard worker who’s an expert with the corporation’s fiscal data. Because of her knowledge, she’s expecting a big promotion.

However, the business’ new, crass CEO Bradley (Dylan O’Brien) chooses to promote his college buddy instead, though he does offer Linda an opportunity to move up in the company on a work trip. On the way there, their plane crashes with Bradley and Linda as the only survivors. Fortunately, Linda is also well versed in staying alive in rough situations.

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REVIEW: Gimme ‘Shelter’ at a matinee price and I’m good

Tell me, what’s a Beekeeper want with being a wickie?

I ask that question because Jason Statham, star of the 2024 action flick “The Beekeeper,” plays a man living in and upkeeping a lighthouse. However, the lighthouse, situated on an island off the coast of Scotland, isn’t actually active. The reason he’s there is because he wants to be completely off the grid at an undisclosed location.

Michael Mason is a former elite black operations soldier, and his only connection to the world is a commercial sailor and his niece who deliver supplies. However, after a tragic incident, the sailor is killed and in helping the girl, Mason is spotted by the government that now wants him eliminated to cover their tracks.

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REVIEW: ‘Mercy’ has a rough script but offers some schlocky fun

Chris Pratt may not have his Guardians of the Galaxy starship in this flick, but he’s still working with some high-tech equipment.

Pratt stars as Chris Raven in “Mercy,” a Los Angeles Police Department detective who was a major advocate in creating an artificial intelligence program that handles court cases as a way to expedite the judicial process. The effort has ramped up convictions with 90-minute trials, where a person has a chance to prove their innocence.

If their evidence is insufficient, the AI program, taking the appearance of a woman dubbed Judge Maddox (Rebecca Ferguson), will exact justice. For a murder case, that includes execution. Unfortunately for the detective, he wakes up suddenly needing to mount a defense for a murder he claims he didn’t commit.

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