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Predator: Killer of Killers (2025) Review:

Predator: Killer of Killers is a 2025 sci-fi action thriller horror animated film directed by Dan Trachtenberg. The script was written by Micho Robert Rutare. It was produced by 20th Century Studios and 20th Century Animation. It’s distributed by Hulu. It features the voices of Lindsay LaVanchy, Louis Ozawa, Rick Gonzalez, Damien C. Haas, Doug Cockle, Laura Holt, and Michael Biehn. “It is an anthology story set in different time periods: Viking-era Scandinavia, feudal-era Japan, and World War II, as each era encounters a Predator.”

Following the release of Prey (2022), the Predator franchise had a bit of a resurgence. The film was pretty well-received by critics and audiences alike, which ends up creating more entries for the franchise, which I’m completely on board with. There are many things you can explore in this franchise, and I loved how we are getting that with this animated film. It has a very intriguing premise, and the trailers also look really solid. I was really looking forward to it. After watching it, this is another solid addition to the Predator franchise.

Predator: Killer of Killers (2025) is a brutal, bloody, thrilling, and entertaining animated film. It is very well directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who was also the director of Prey (2022). There is plenty of style and effort put into this film. It does a terrific job expanding the mythologies of the franchise, and I also loved how it didn’t really hold back with the R-rating. There is blood everywhere. Limbs and other body parts are flying all over the place, and it was absolutely glorious to watch. There is also plenty of tension put into the film.

As for the voice cast themselves, they’re pretty solid. A lot of the voice performances here are great. Aside from that, the overall chemistry of the voice cast is also really solid. In of the script, it is quite decent. Like I’ve mentioned earlier, I like how the film further expands mythology. There are some surprises here, while setting up an interesting future as well. But ittedly, it does have its faults. While the premise is something that many people always wanted to see, the execution can be quite inconsistent and clunky.

The anthology structure of the story, with the three storylines feeling rather underdeveloped. Apart from that, the three storylines also have a pretty similar structure to one another, which does make it feel a bit repetitive, in my opinion. Aside from that, I also didn’t really care much for the characters. It could’ve been handled a lot better, but as a whole, it was still serviceable. It does have its moments here and there. The action scenes are highly entertaining. The animation, camera work, and direction are really incredible.

Speaking of its animation, it is outstanding. It is smooth and consistent. It has a pretty similar style to other animated films, such as both of the Spider-Verse films. Many of the designs are really solid. There are a lot of shots here that are stunning to look at. The music composed by Benjamin Wallfisch is also excellent. It made some scenes much more effective. There is also an effective atmosphere. In of its production, this aspect right here is pretty solid. The sound design and other technical aspects are handled really well.

With a runtime of 90 minutes, the pacing is relatively decent. Because of the film’s narrative feeling a little bit clunky and underdeveloped, this ends up affecting the pacing, making it inconsistent. There were times where it felt rushed, and other times, repetitive. However, despite its issues, as a whole, this is still a very well-made animated film. It is a pretty solid entry in the Predator franchise. There are plenty of incredible moments. It is a pretty enjoyable watch, and I’m also really looking forward to the future of the franchise.

8/10

What are your thoughts?

Hazbin Hotel (2024) Season 1 Review:

Hazbin Hotel is a 2024 adult animated musical comedy television series created by Vivienne Medrano. Its pilot episode was originally released back in 2019, eventually being picked up for a first season in 2024. The show is produced by SpindleHorse, Bento Box Entertainment, A24, and Amazon MGM Studios. It features the voices of Erika Henningsen, Stephanie Beatriz, Alex Brightman, Kimiko Glenn, Blake Roman, Keith David, and Amir Talai. “It follows the daughter of Lucifer, who opened a hotel that offers demons a chance at redemption.”

The whole lore of Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss is definitely interesting, to say the least. From the creator to its writing, reception, and fandom, they are on a completely different iceberg. Controversies and weird fandom aside, I didn’t mind this show that much. Do I understand where a lot of its criticisms come from? Absolutely. However, there are also some elements that are quite solid. I’ve also watched the pilot episode of this show, which was okay, I guess. It is also interesting to see the pilot and TV show being quite different.

Hazbin Hotel (2024) is a decent adult-animated TV series. It is well-made, with some really solid elements, but also some that certainly could’ve been handled better, making it a mixed bag. It is decently directed. As for the voice cast themselves, they’re fantastic. A lot of the voice performances here are excellent. The musical performances as well are incredible. It is honestly one of the better aspects of the animated show. Aside from that aspect, I thought the overall chemistry between the cast was also pretty decent.

The overall animation is pretty solid here. It was pretty smooth, and I liked how the colors pop. I also liked the art style quite a bit. The character designs here are decent. Because of the incredible animation, it is actually quite a stunning animated TV series to watch. There is a pretty serviceable atmosphere here. Another standout here is its songs. Each episode has 2 songs, and a lot of them are surprisingly terrific. They’re well-produced, catchy, and entertaining. There is also a pretty solid production with the TV series.

As for the writing, this is where many of the issues come from. The writing is both decent and completely awful. The premise is intriguing, but the animated series struggles to keep its identity and its central cores. On top of that, there are just too many things happening with each episode, so there isn’t really any proper time to breathe it all in. It feels really rushed. The story, setting, and characters are underdeveloped. Some of the dialogue here can be quite repetitive as well, with the constant use of curse and sexual jokes.

Speaking of the jokes, they’re a mixed bag. I will it, there were a few times where I chuckled, but there are also a couple of jokes here that fall completely flat. There were instances where it tried a bit too hard in what it was trying to do with its tone and themes. There’s also this running theme within the series where it tries to keep some of the characters like a creepypasta, and it just feels weird and dated, in my opinion. Because of that, the show’s overall tone can feel a bit all over the place. The action scenes are pretty fun.

Pacing-wise, it is a mixed bag. Again, there are just way too many things happening with each episode that make it feel pretty rushed. It could’ve used a couple more episodes to flesh out its narrative, setting, and characters. Again, it is not as terrible as I was expecting it to be. It definitely has a lot of glaring issues, and I can understand why it is disliked by many. However, there are some elements that are actually quite solid. It has potential; it’s just that the execution could’ve been better. But as a whole, it is a decent watch.

6/10

What are your thoughts?

Moonlight (2016) Review:

Moonlight is a 2016 coming-of-age drama movie that was written and directed by Barry Jenkins. The story was based on an unpublished semi-autobiographical play, In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue, by Tarell Alvin McCraney. It is distributed by A24. The film stars Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, Alex R. Hibbert, André Holland, Janelle Monáe, Naomi Harris, and Mahershala Ali. “It is about the story of a man and his struggles to find himself. It is told in three chapters of his life: his childhood, adolescence, and also early adult life.”

I watching this back then and ended up really liking it. That being said, I honestly haven’t really watched this film for quite some time now, and I have been meaning to revisit it for a while. Unfortunately, it did take me a lot longer than expected because I didn’t really have the time to get through it. Thankfully, I have now. After finally rewatching it, I have to say, wow! This is such a phenomenal experience. It helped that I didn’t much from it, which made it feel like I was watching it for the very first time again.

Moonlight (2016) is a masterpiece. It is a beautiful, mellow, genuine, emotional, and powerful film. It is masterfully directed by Barry Jenkins. I absolutely love how tender and sincere his direction is here. The script is fantastic. The story is consistent and effective. The main character was developed pretty well. Much of the dialogue is terrific. Its themes of identity, masculinity, and love are tackled exceptionally well. In of its overall tone, this aspect here is handled really well. There were so many heartfelt moments.

As for the cast themselves, they’re phenomenal. The film is filled with spectacular performances. Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, and Alex R. Hibbert all did a really incredible job at portraying the same character at different stages of his life. Another standout from the cast is Mahershala Ali. Despite his limited amount of screentime, his performance is still incredible. He absolutely deserves to win Best ing Actor. The rest of the cast all did an outstanding job here. Aside from that, the chemistry here is also pretty solid.

Visually, the film is absolutely gorgeous. The camera work and the color grading here are just outstanding. There are so many shots here that are really stunning to look at. It also has a pretty effective atmosphere. The music composed by Nicholas Britell is beautiful. It fits the tone, and it also elevates the film even more. In of its overall production, this aspect right here was also executed incredibly well. It is a very well-edited film. The sound design is amazing. Other technical aspects of the film are also handled pretty well.

Pacing-wise, it is solid. I was completely locked in with this film. It does a terrific job keeping it interesting. It didn’t really feel like there was a dull moment here. It was very consistent throughout its entire runtime. There are so many moments here that are phenomenal. The ending itself is just absolutely beautiful. From start to finish, this film right here truly captivated me. It feels like an experience. It is a film that resonated with me in so many aspects. It is masterfully crafted, and it is also one of the best films of the last decade.

10/10

What are your thoughts?

Uninvited (2024) Review:

Uninvited is a 2024 revenge-thriller movie directed by Dan Villegas. The script was written by Dodo Dayao. It is produced by Mentorque Productions and Project 8 Projects. It is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It stars an ensemble cast of Vilma Santos, Aga Muhlach, Nadine Lustre, Tirso Cruz III, Mylene Dizon, Lotlot De Leon, Elijah Canlas, Gabby Padilla, RK Bagatsing, Ketchup Eusebio, Gio Alvarez, and Nonie Buencamino. “It revolves around a mother seeking revenge on a billionaire who's responsible for her daughter's death.”

I’ve been curious about seeing this film. I thought the trailer looked pretty intriguing, but what really caught my attention with this film was its star-studded cast. Unfortunately, I haven’t really been able to see this film in theaters back in its MMFF 2024 release. That being said, it was recently released on Netflix, along with other MMFF 2024 entries, within the weeks of June. So, I figured that now would be a really good time to finally check this film out. After watching it, I have to say, this one right here was a fairly decent watch.

Uninvited (2024) is a decent revenge-thriller film. It’s decently directed by Dan Villegas. There is actually a decent amount of style. It has a simple yet fairly decent build-up, only to have an underwhelming payoff. As for the cast, they’re incredible, which is easily the main highlight of the film. It carried most of the film. The performances are fantastic. Vilma Santos and Nadine Lustre are excellent. Aga Muhlach gives a pretty creepy performance. It will make a lot of people uneasy. The overall chemistry of the cast is also very solid.

In of its script, it is where I find many of the film’s issues. Aside from being formulaic with its story, being your standard revenge thriller flick, the main problem is that the execution felt pretty lacking. There wasn't a proper time to fully develop its story and characters, making it feel rushed. Sure, it did a decent job keeping you intrigued, but you ultimately want to know more about how the main character got to that point in the story. But then the film suddenly ended. It was abrupt, and it didn’t make me care all that much.

With its runtime only clocking in at about 93 minutes long, the film could’ve used 20-30 more minutes to fully develop the narrative and characters. Again, it felt pretty rushed, making its overall pacing uneven. Visually, it looks decent. There are some fairly solid shots here and there. The music is also pretty decent. It has a pretty decent atmosphere. In of its production, this aspect right here was handled very well. Despite some of its glaring issues, it has its moments. It is a decent and fairly enjoyable revenge thriller flick.

6/10

What are your thoughts?

The Life of Chuck (2024) Review:

The Life of Chuck is a 2024 sci-fi drama comedy film written and directed by Mike Flanagan. It is based on the 2020 novella of the same name by Stephen King. It was produced by Intrepid Pictures and FilmNation Entertainment. It was distributed by Neon. It stars Tom Hiddleston, Benjamin Pajak, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nick Offerman, Karen Gillan, Annalise Basso, Matthew Lillard, Jacob Tremblay, Mia Sara, and Mark Hamill. “The story here follows the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz. It is told in three different chapters.”

I was actually quite looking forward to seeing this film right here. The trailer looks fantastic and interesting. It also helps that it has a solid cast and an excellent director. I really enjoyed a lot of Mike Flanagan’s work in horror films. I was curious about what he’ll be able to bring to a film that has a completely different genre. After watching it, I have to say, I really loved this film. It is honestly the type of film that needs to be watched today, especially given the themes that it tackles. There were so many aspects here that were well executed.

The Life of Chuck (2024) is a beautiful, warm, and affecting film. It has plenty of heart and charm injected into it. It is incredibly well-directed by Mike Flanagan. The way he was able to handle it here felt very unique. It has an incredible ensemble cast. The performances are excellent. Tom Hiddleston is pretty terrific here. Mark Hamill is one of the standouts among the cast. Benjamin Pajak and Chiwetel Ejiofor are also amazing. The rest of the cast did a fantastic job here. Aside from that, their overall chemistry is also pretty excellent.

In of its script, it was pretty well-written. I find the story to be very touching. I absolutely loved how the story was told in reverse. It is centered on each part of Chuck’s life, and I like how the story unveils as it goes on. The main character is also handled pretty well. Its themes centered around life, loss, memory, existentialism, etc., are all tackled really well here. It makes for a very powerful and emotional film. I loved how it also balances its wholesomeness with some darker elements. Again, it has a lot of heart and charm.

Visually, it looks beautiful. There were a lot of shots in here that are stunning. The atmosphere is effective. The music composed by The Newton Brothers is gorgeous. In of its production, it is also pretty solid. The pacing can be a little bit inconsistent here and there, especially during its second half. That being said, despite its issues, this right here is still an amazing film. It is incredibly well-made. It has plenty of incredible moments. As a whole, it has resonated with me, and it is also one of my favorite movies of the year so far.

9/10

What are your thoughts?

Sidenote: The dance sequence with Tom Hiddleston is perfection.

Karate Kid: Legends (2025) Review:

Karate Kid: Legends is a 2025 martial arts action-adventure drama film directed by Jonathan Entwistle. It’s written by Rob Lieber, and it serves as the sixth film in the Karate Kid franchise. It is produced by Columbia Pictures and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. It stars Ben Wang, Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, Aramis Knight, and Ming-Na Wen. “The story here focuses on Li, a kung fu prodigy who moves to New York and competes in a local karate tournament. To win it, he’s trained by two masters.”

In preparation for this franchise’s latest installment, I have decided to rewatch and review all of the Karate Kid films. The first Karate Kid film is incredible. It has a lot of charm and heart. The rest were a mixed bag. Despite the Cobra Kai TV series going overboard, I was actually quite looking forward to seeing this movie. After watching it, I’m actually feeling a little mixed about the film. Was I expecting it to be incredible? Not really. It’s decent, but I just kind of wish that the execution for its final product could’ve been much better.

Karate Kid: Legends (2025) is a pretty average film. It is by-the-numbers and has a fair amount of enjoyment. It is decently directed by Jonathan Entwistle. It is fairly competent throughout its course. It has some style. As for the cast, they’re really excellent. The performances were great. Ben Wang gives a solid performance as the film’s new protagonist. Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio are obviously the selling point, and they are pretty entertaining to watch. The overall dynamic between its main three actors easily carried this movie.

The script, on the other hand, is not good. Aside from being formulaic and following a lot of the same story beats as its predecessor, the story is too rushed. It goes at such a fast pace that there isn’t really any proper time to fully develop the story and characters, which ends up making it feel lacking in that department. Even if I wanted to like the new protagonist, the script did such a poor job in fleshing him out that his backstory becomes rather uninteresting. I also didn’t really care much for the other characters in this movie as well.

Also, as much as I loved Ralph Macchio in this movie, his inclusion felt very much just for the sake of being there and fan service. The flow of the narrative did not really feel natural. Aside from that, the villain was also very boring. Sure, the franchise isn’t known for having a strong script, but they could’ve at least done a much better job executing it. In of its tone, it was handled fairly well. It knows what it is supposed to be. It’s pretty silly. There is some nice humor, and it has a decent amount of heart and charm put into it.

Visually, it looks pretty solid. This is a very stylized film. There were a couple of great shots here and there. A lot of the camera work for the fight scenes is fantastic. The atmosphere and music are pretty serviceable. In of its overall production, I thought this aspect right here was also handled fairly well. A lot of the stunt work and fight choreography here are incredible. It is certainly one of the main highlights of the film. Speaking of the fight scenes, they’re enjoyable to watch. It’s another standout, and we do get plenty of it.

Pacing-wise, it is inconsistent. Like I’ve mentioned earlier, the movie feels way too rushed. It could’ve used 20 more minutes to develop its narrative and characters, because what we got here is severely lacking. Aside from that, the shift between its first half and the second half feels pretty abrupt. The editing could’ve been executed a lot better as well. There were some moments that fell pretty flat. But despite some of its issues, it was still a fairly watchable film. It has its decent moments, but it also could’ve been much better.

6/10

What are your thoughts?

Sucker Punch (2011) Review:

Sucker Punch is a 2011 action-thriller fantasy film directed by Zack Snyder. The screenplay was co-written by Snyder and Steve Shibuya. It was produced by Legendary Pictures and Cruel and Unusual Films, and it’s distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film stars Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Carla Gugino, Oscar Isaac, Jon Hamm, and Scott Glenn. “It follows a young woman and her fellow inmates who embark on a quest to collect five mystical items and escape the institution.”

I have been meaning to review this film for actually quite some time now. I just didn’t know how I would take my approach from it. I seeing this film for the first time, and I was weirded by the premise. However, there is something oddly entertaining about it. By the way, I’m also watching the extended cut. Rewatching it, I honestly still don’t really know what I think of this film right here. It has a lot of aspects to like about it, but it also has a lot of noticeable issues. It makes the overall experience for me confusing.

Sucker Punch (2011) is an ambitious, weird, visually striking, over-the-top, and just borderline insane film. It has an absurd yet intriguing premise. It is one of the weirdest movies I’ve ever seen due to the different mix of genres. It was decently directed by Zack Snyder. There is actually a feel of genuine charm here. As for the cast themselves, they’re okay. The performances are a mixed bag. There were some that could have been a lot better, while others are pretty decent. The chemistry of the cast is also pretty serviceable.

In of the script, this is where a lot of the issues come for me. It’s a very weird yet intriguing premise. It is a mix of so many different things, which does end up making the film feel very messy. It was also done in a way that feels really clunky and confusing. It doesn’t help that the third act of the story was not good. Sure, the themes of empowerment and abuse are all present. However, the overall execution leaves a lot to be desired here. It felt too ambitious, in my opinion. The characters could’ve been much better as well.

Visually, it looks incredible. Sure, it is basically a CGI-fest film. It is completely bloated with CGI, but at the same time, I can’t deny it looks awesome. There were so many shots here that are just absolutely striking to look at. The camera work is excellent, and there is a pretty effective atmosphere here. Aside from that, I thought the music here is really solid. The score and many of the songs were actually good. It helps set up the overall mood of the film. In of its production, this aspect right here is also handled very well.

The pacing could’ve been a lot better. There are a couple of instances where the film is quite a drag to get through, especially during its third act. It ends up feeling very inconsistent. In of its tone, this aspect right here was pretty decent. It borders the line of being too overtly melodramatic to bat-shit insanity and pretty over-the-top. The action scenes here are pretty amazing. It is one of the main highlights of the film. Each action set-piece feels like it was taken out from a video game, and it was cool and very entertaining.

Again, this film is such a mixed bag for me. There are plenty of things to like about it, and I can understand why it has its fans. However, the film just has too many issues for me to fully like it. That said, I also can’t deny that due to the film being very ambitious, it doeses stand out compared to Snyder’s other works. There is also something about it that makes me revisit the film every once in a while. So, in a way, it does slowly grow on me in each rewatch. But again, those glaring issues drag this film for me from ever fully liking it.

6.5/10

What are your thoughts?

Army of Thieves (2021) Review:

Army of Thieves is a 2021 heist action-comedy crime movie directed by Matthias Schweighöfer. The script was written by Shay Hatten. It serves as a prequel to Army of the Dead (2021). It is produced by The Stone Quarry and distributed by Netflix. It stars Matthias Schweighöfer, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ruby O. Fee, Stuart Martin, Guz Khan, Jonathan Cohen, Noémie Nakai, and Christian Steyer. “The story follows Ludwig Dieter, who has been recruited by a mysterious woman to lead a group of aspiring thieves on a top-secret heist.”

Similar to Army of the Dead (2021), I don’t know why I was suddenly in the mood to rewatch this film. I’ve already revisited and reviewed the previous film, so I figured I’d do the same thing with this as well. Army of the Dead (2021) is a decent zombie flick despite its many issues. As for this one, I being pretty curious about how they will be able to do a prequel to Matthias Schweighöfer’s character given that he’s one of the main highlights of the previous film. Rewatching it, I thought they did a pretty competent job here.

Army of Thieves (2021) is a decent heist film. It actually does a fairly solid job being its own separate film. It’s fairly well-directed by Matthias Schweighöfer, who is also the main star of the film. It has a pretty solid cast. Many of the performances here are incredible, with Matthias Schweighöfer being the main standout. He’s the main reason why a lot of this film works. His character is very likeable and entertaining. I also like how his character is developed further in this film. The rest of the cast is terrific. The chemistry is fantastic.

In of the script, it’s decent. It is very by-the-numbers. It has a lot of the tropes and clichés you would expect in a heist flick. It doesn’t really bring anything new to the genre. Sure, it still has its moments here and there, but as a whole, the story here could’ve been much better. It felt a little lacking and forgettable. Aside from that, I find the ending to be rather anticlimactic. As for the characters themselves, while I did like Dieter’s character, the rest of them felt very dull. They’re just pretty much whatever here, and nothing else.

Visually, it looks decent. There are some solid shots here and there. It has a decent atmosphere. The music is okay, and the overall production of the film is relatively solid. Pacing-wise, it is inconsistent. There were some moments here that were a little bit of a drag to get through. It could’ve been executed much better. That being said, despite its issues here and there, as a whole, it was a pretty decent heist film. It has some solid moments. It’s a decent second installment. It’s fairly enjoyable to watch even if it is also forgettable.

7/10

What are your thoughts?

Army of the Dead (2021) Review:

Army of the Dead is a 2021 action-crime horror movie directed by Zack Snyder. The script was co-written by Snyder, Shay Hatten, and Joby Harold. It’s produced by The Stone Quarry and is distributed by Netflix. The movie stars Dave Bautista alongside Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera, Theo Rossi, Matthias Schweighöfer, Nora Arnezeder, and Hiroyuki Sanada. “Following a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries ventures into the quarantine zone in order to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted.”

I don’t know why I was suddenly in the mood to rewatch this film, so I figured that I’d go ahead and revisit it. I’d also do the same with its prequel. I was really looking forward to this film. The trailers look incredible. I really liking this film back when I initially saw it. I thought it was a nice return for Zack Snyder in the zombie genre. Now, I haven’t really seen it in a while, and rewatching it, it definitely has more issues this time around. It is a movie that has so much potential given its premise, but it did not quite reach that.

Army of the Dead (2021) is a big, loud, chaotic, bloody, visually striking, and bloated zombie flick. It is fairly well-directed by Zack Snyder. It features a lot of the pros and cons that you’d expect in a Zack Snyder film. As for the cast, they’re solid. A lot of the performances are pretty good. Dave Bautista did an excellent job here. Ella Purnell is also pretty good here. Matthias Schweighöfer is one of the main standouts of the cast. The rest of the cast did a solid job in the film. There is also some really decent chemistry between the cast.

In of the script, this is where I have issues with the film. The narrative could have been a lot better. There is a lot to explore here, but what the film ended up focusing on in its story was underwhelming. It was clunky, dull, and uninteresting. It was rather unfortunate to see, especially given its strong opening credits. The narrative could have been streamlined. There were some moments in the story that are rather stupid. Aside from that, I also didn’t really care much for the characters here. A lot of them were just really bland.

As for its overall tone, I thought this aspect right here was handled pretty well. It’s over-the-top. The action scenes were pretty solid. It was very bloody, violent, and chaotic, especially during the third act. Again, the opening sequence is phenomenal. It’s pure zombie chaos, and it was entertaining to watch. Unfortunately, we just haven’t been able to see a lot of that stuff. We were instead stuck with a lot of bland dialogue and uninteresting narrative. As for its humor, it actually worked quite a bit. There were some funny moments.

Visually, it looks incredible. Many of Snyder's films are visually stunning, and this film is no different. There are so many shots here that are just absolutely gorgeous to look at. The camera work and the aspect ratio help the film capture its large scope. Aside from that, there is some decent atmosphere put into the film. The music is solid. In of its overall production, this aspect right here is also handled pretty well. The set designs for the post-apocalyptic Las Vegas look terrific. The makeup design here is also pretty great.

Pacing-wise, it was definitely a drag to get through. It didn’t need to have a runtime of 148 minutes. There are times where it felt really bloated. It could’ve been significantly a lot shorter to make the overall flow better. On rewatch, yeah, this film right here isn’t as solid as I it being. It noticed a lot more issues than the last time I saw it. That being said, I still think that this is a fairly decent film. It has its fair share of great moments. Sure, it could’ve been a lot better, especially given its premise. Still, it is a fairly enjoyable watch.

7/10

What are your thoughts?

M3GAN (2022) Review:

M3GAN is a 2022 sci-fi horror movie directed by Gerard Johnstone. The script was written by Akela Cooper. It is produced by Blumhouse Production and Atomic Monster. It’s distributed by Universal Pictures. It stars Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Jen Van Epps, and Ronny Chieng, with Amie Donald and Jenna Davis as M3GAN. “It follows a roboticist who developed a brilliant life-like doll, M3GAN. When M3GAN becomes self-aware, she turns hostile to anyone who is between her and her human companion.”

With the release of M3GAN 2.0 (2025), I figured I’d revisit the first movie in preparation for the sequel. With that out of the way, I having low expectations for this film. I saw a couple of clips on social media, and it looked absolutely horrendous. It didn’t really help either that the film was released in the month of January. I saw it, and to my complete surprise, I actually did not end up hating this at all. I haven’t seen it for a while, and after rewatching it, I very much have the same opinions about it as before.

M3GAN (2023) is a decent sci-fi horror film. It’s silly, chaotic, and charming. It doesn’t take itself seriously. It’s decently directed by Gerard Johnstone. This film right here is actually handled in a competent manner. It has a solid cast. The performances are fantastic, with Allison Williams and Violet McGraw being the main standouts. Both Amie Donald and Jenna Davis played M3GAN really well. The film did a good job at making her character silly, charming, and terrifying. The rest of the cast did an amazing job. The chemistry is solid.

In of the script, it was competent enough to keep itself serviceable. It did a decent job at setting up the relationship between Gemma, Cady, and M3GAN. It’s one of the main highlights of the film. That being said, the story has its fair share of issues. It takes a while for its overall story to get going. The first half can be a bit of a drag to get through. There are some instances where the film is dull and uninteresting. Aside from that, the script has its fair share of tropes, story beats, and predictability to the Child's Play franchise.

Visually, it looks okay. There is some decent camera work here and there. It has a serviceable atmosphere put to it. The music is decent. Other technical aspects of the film are also handled fairly well here. Pacing-wise, it could’ve been a lot better. Again, there are some moments that are a drag to get through. I know the film has an unrated cut, but it would’ve been way better if it was already R-rated from the start. It has its issues, but as a whole, it’s still a competently made film. It has its moments, and it is fairly entertaining.

6.5/10

What are your thoughts?

Lost in Starlight (2025) Review:

Lost in Starlight is a 2025 Korean sci-fi romance animated film directed by Han Ji-won. The screenplay was co-written by Han Ji-won and Kang Hyun-joo. It is produced by Byun Seung-min, Bae Gi-yong, Kim Bo-ra, and Hwang Ji-eun. It was distributed by Netflix. It features the voices of Kim Tae-ri, Hong Kyung, Sharon Kwon, Kang Ku-han, An Young-mi, Jang Mi, and Yoon Ah-young. “The narrative follows an astronaut and a musician. The astronaut leaves Earth for Mars, where the vast, infinite space divides the star-crossed lovers.

I was looking forward to seeing this movie quite a bit. I saw the trailer and thought it looked really stunning. But to be completely honest, I actually forgot about it releasing on Netflix. It wasn’t really until my brother pointed it out that I ed that this film was actually releasing. Nevertheless, I decided to watch it. After finally watching it, I have to say that I was very happy with this animated movie right here. It knows what it is supposed to be, and it executes it pretty well. It hit all of the right notes to be effective.

Lost in Starlight (2025) is a sweet, cozy, vibrant, heartfelt, charming, and entertaining animated film. It is pretty well directed by Han Ji-won. As for the voice cast themselves, they’re pretty fantastic. Many of the voice performances in here are incredible. Their overall chemistry with one another is also pretty solid. As for the story, it was serviceable. It was pretty by-the-numbers. It has a lot of the things that you’d expect, but at the same time, it was executed fairly well. The two main characters and setting here are very solid.

Of course, the main standout here is the animation. This is, without a doubt, a gorgeous-looking animated film. The animation is absolutely beautiful. It is smooth and vibrant. The camera work is excellent. I loved how they were able to mix in its 2D animation with the 3D environment. There are so many scenes here that just completely pop through the screen. It is such a vibe; there is a very effective atmosphere put into it. Aside from that, the music is another aspect of the film that’s amazing. The songs are pretty outstanding.

In of its production, this aspect here was handled really well. The editing and sound design are good. Pacing-wise, I think it was fairly solid. There were a couple of bumps here and there, but for the most part, it was still decent. Sure, the film doesn’t really do anything new. It has a lot of the tropes that you’d expect. But despite its issues, as a whole, I still really liked this film. It knows what it is, and it executes it very well. It is incredibly well-made. There were plenty of amazing scenes, and it is also really enjoyable to watch.

8/10

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Martyrs (2015) Review:

Martyrs is a 2015 horror film directed by Kevin and Michael Goetz. The script was written by Mark L. Smith and is a remake of the 2008 film of the same name directed by Pascal Laugier. It’s produced by Wild Bunch, The Safran Company, and Blumhouse Productions and is distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment. It stars Troian Bellisario and Bailey Noble alongside Kate Burton, Caitlin Carmichael, Romy Rosemont, and Melissa Tracy. “The story follows two young women who seek out revenge on the people who abused them.”

I recently watched Martyrs (2008), which was a complete mindfuck of a film. It’s very bleak, disturbing, visceral, and weird. I didn’t fully like it as other people do, but there are plenty of aspects about it that are really solid. It has incredible direction with fantastic performances from its cast. It was highly effective. Since I saw that film, I figured that I’d also watch the remake, which is considered by many to be a pretty horrible film. At first, I was like, how awful can it be? After watching it, it turns out it is a pretty horrible film.

Martyrs (2015) is a perfect example of an unnecessary remake. It stripped any of the things that made the original film’s visceral nature and impact and turned it into a sanitized, dull, generic, and boring horror film instead. Kevin and Michael Goetz’s direction is lackluster. It lacked the intensity; it just felt very whatever. Even the violence and brutality here felt pretty lacking. The performances weren’t really all that good. The chemistry between the two leads is unconvincing. The rest of the cast could have been a lot better as well.

In of the script, it was a mess. The story felt pretty dull and generic. The execution was really clunky. It also did a massive change within the second half of the story, and even if I thought the original’s second half was repetitive, this change right here ended up taking away what made the original very effective. The overall characterization for the two lead characters here also falls flat compared to the original. It felt sloppier in its execution. It is bland in many aspects. The themes that it tackles are also poorly presented.

Visually, it lacks the grittiness and visceralness of the original. It goes for a more generic look, which did remove a lot of the effectiveness of the original. There were also a couple of handheld shots, and it was just pretty ugly to look at. Pacing-wise, it is also pretty inconsistent. The main structure dragged in so many moments. Again, it completely missed the point of the original, settling for a very generic and forgettable horror film instead. It is a shallow, boring, and unnecessary remake. It is one of the worst remakes I’ve seen in a while.

1/10

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Martyrs (2008) Review:

Martyrs is a 2008 French psychological horror thriller drama movie written and directed by Pascal Laugier. It is produced by Eskwad and TCB Film. It is distributed by Wild Bunch. It stars Morjana Alaoui and Mylène Jampanoï alongside Catherine Bégin, Robert Toupin, Patricia Tulasne, Juliette Gosselin, Xavier Dolan, Erika Scott, Jessie Pham, and Jean-Marie Moncelet. “The story follows two young women who go on a quest of revenge against the people who abused them. However, it leads to a journey of torture and depravity.”

This film has been on my watchlist for a very long time now. Ever since I have heard about it, it has always piqued my interest. I was really curious to see it; I just haven’t had the time to get through it. However, now I have, so I figured I’d watch it along with the remake. I was looking forward to seeing it. The weather is rainy and cozy, and because of that, I’ve prepared myself to watch this film. After finally watching it, I have to say, this film ended up giving me a migraine. I actually had a rough time getting through this one.

Martyrs (2008) is bleak, violent, disturbing, nauseating, and horrifying. It is pretty well directed by Pascal Laugier. It does an excellent job at presenting its horror elements, making it quite a difficult time to watch. It is a film that has some aspects that are pretty incredible, but it also has some that fell rather flat for me. As for the cast, they’re amazing. The performances are outstanding. Morjana Alaoui and Mylène Jampanoï are standouts here. The chemistry between the two is great. Their characters are also handled really well.

In of the script, this is where I have a lot of issues with the film. Don’t get me wrong, it certainly has its moments here and there. The premise itself was intriguing. I thought the first half of the film was solid. The themes of revenge, abuse, religion, and existentialism are tackled pretty well here. I get what they’re trying to do, but the sudden shift from its first half to its second half feels very abrupt. There were times where it felt pretty repetitive and directionless. It somewhat drags the overall narrative of the film for me.

Visually, it looks terrific. There are some exceptional shots here. It also has a pretty gritty look to it, which makes the film highly effective in its overall atmosphere. Aside from that, the score composed by Seppuku Paradigm is also pretty solid. In of its production, this aspect right here was also handled really well. The practical effects from its blood and gore are fantastic. Other technical aspects of the film, such as the editing and sound design, are also executed really well. It elevates the film’s disturbing nature pretty well.

Pacing-wise, it was inconsistent. Like I have mentioned, the second half was a bit of a drag to get through. This film is not for everyone. I can understand others will like it while others don’t. Sadly, it wasn’t for me. It is no doubt a very well-made film with excellent direction and performances. It deals with a lot of heavy themes. It did end up lingering on with you, but for me, this just didn’t land for me all the way through. I ended up having conflicting feelings about it. It is definitely not a movie that I would revisit any time soon.

7/10

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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) Review:

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a 2022 action-adventure superhero film directed by Ryan Coogler. The script was co-written by Joe Robert Cole and Coogler. It is produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The film stars Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Dominique Thorne, Tenoch Huerta Mejía, Martin Freeman, and Angela Bassett. “After the death of their king, T’Challa, the nation of Wakanda fights to protect their nation from intervening world powers.”

With the release of the Ironheart (2025) television miniseries, I figured that I’d rewatch this film in preparation for the new Marvel series. Serving as a sequel to Black Panther (2018), which is a fantastic film. Its sequel, Wakanda Forever, has gone through a very difficult production following the death of its lead star, Chadwick Boseman. So, when they’ve eventually announced a sequel, many people are intrigued by how they’ll be able to pull off its story. With that, this sequel here actually did a pretty solid job at that.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) is a solid sequel. It’s big, mature, action-packed, heartbreaking, and powerful. Given its circumstances, they’re still able to create a sequel that continues to expand the world while also honoring the late Chadwick Boseman. It’s an incredibly well-directed film. Ryan Coogler did a very excellent job with the overall direction here. In of its overall tone, it was handled really well. Again, it’s a mature film that has some very emotional moments. It also has some decent humor here and there.

As for the cast, they’re incredible. The film is filled with outstanding performances. Letitia Wright’s role is expanded here, and she was spectacular. Her character also got a lot more development, as she’s basically the main character now. Another standout here is Angela Bassett, as her performance is pretty powerful. Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Dominique Thorne, Tenoch Huerta Mejía, and the rest of the cast did an amazing job with their performances. Their chemistry with one another here is also excellent.

In of the script, it was fairly solid. I thought the story was quite intriguing. The characters are good. I really liked how its world is expanded even more. The themes of grief and family are explored really well. It does have some issues. There are some aspects of its narrative that could’ve been handled a lot better. It does take a while to get going, which makes parts of its structure clunky. Aside from that, there are also a lot of characters in the film, and some of them could have used a bit more development, in my opinion.

Visually, it looks really terrific. There were a lot of shots in this film that are absolutely stunning to look at. There is some fairly effective atmosphere put here. The music composed by Ludwig Göransson is amazing. In of its overall production, this aspect right here was handled really well. The costumes, the make-up, and the set designs are incredible. There are a few shots where its CGI is noticeable, but for the most part, I thought the effects here were fairly solid. Other technical aspects of the film were also handled really well.

Pacing-wise, it is inconsistent. With a runtime clocking in at about 162 minutes long, there are a couple of scenes that dragged. You can definitely feel the length of its runtime. It could’ve been trimmed and had a much smoother flow. While it may not be as great as its predecessor, given its difficult task, the fact that they’re still able to make a solid follow-up is commendable. There are still plenty of things and incredible moments here. It definitely has its issues, but as a whole, this right here is still an entertaining and emotional movie.

8.5/10

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The Continental: From the World of John Wick (2023) Series Review:

The Continental: From the World of John Wick is a 2023 action crime drama television miniseries that was developed by Greg Coolidge, Kirk Ward, and Shawn Simmons. It serves as a spin-off and a prequel to the John Wick franchise. It was released by Peacock. It stars Colin Woodell, Mishel Prada, Ben Robson, Nhung Kate, Hubert Point-Du Jour, Jessica Allain, Ayomide Adegun, Jeremy Bobb, Katie McGrath, and Mel Gibson. “Set in the 1970s, the show follows a young Winston Scott who’s been roped into the world of assassins.”

Continuing my John Wick franchise review, I already did a review for the films; up next is the TV miniseries. I haven’t really seen this show for quite some time, so I figured I’d go ahead and rewatch it. However, the last time I saw this, I being really disappointed by it. It’s a shame because the trailer seems fun. After rewatching it, this is still quite a drag to get through. It had the potential to be a really solid TV show. Unfortunately, its execution leaves a lot to be desired, making it a pretty inconsistent experience instead.

The Continental: From the World of John Wick (2023) is disappointing. It is such a mixed bag of a TV show. It is not terrible by any means, as it has some aspects that landed and elements that fall completely flat. It is well-directed. It is sleek and stylish. At times, it felt like a comic book. Tonally, it was handled very well. It has a decent cast. The performances are really good. Colin Woodell gives a fairly solid performance. Mel Gibson is also one of the standouts among the cast. Aside from that, there is some decent chemistry here.

My biggest problem with this show is the script. The writing was pretty clunky. The story felt uninteresting and all over the place. It could’ve been an interesting narrative, but its execution leaves a lot to be desired. At times, the story felt directionless. Throughout its three episodes, the show struggles to find its footing, and when it finally does, it is already nearing its ending. Aside from its lackluster story, I also didn’t really find any of the characters here to be that compelling. A lot of them were just pretty bland and forgettable.

The action scenes are solid. The camera work, stunt work, and fight choreography are well-executed. They may not be as outstanding as the John Wick films, but they were still really enjoyable to watch regardless. Visually, it looks solid. There were some pretty great shots here and there. I thought the atmosphere was pretty decent. The music is terrific. Many of the song choices were incredible, as they fit the series’ overall setting and tone. In of its overall production, this aspect of the TV show was also handled very well.

Pacing-wise, the series is also very inconsistent. There are a couple of moments here that were just pretty slow and boring. The three episodes mark didn’t really do a solid job of creating a coherent and satisfying experience. It’s still a decent watch, but it is pretty unfortunate, as this show had so much potential. What could have been a solid expansion on the world of John Wick becomes an inconsistent, unnecessary, and forgettable series. Hopefully, the Ballerina (2025) movie does a better job in creating a spin-off.

6/10

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John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) Review:

John Wick: Chapter 4 is a 2023 action thriller movie directed by Chad Stahelski. The screenplay was written by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch. It was produced by Summit Entertainment, 87Eleven Productions, and Thunder Road Films. It stars Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Shamier Anderson, Rina Sawayama, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Scott Adkins, Lance Reddick, and Ian McShane. “Legendary hitman John Wick is still on the run. He is trying to defeat the High Table so that he can finally earn his freedom.”

With the release of Ballerina (2025), I figured I’d revisit all of the John Wick films in preparation for the franchise’s latest entry. I already wrote a review for John Wick (2014), John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), and John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019), all of which are really solid action films. I’m now continuing my review with the fourth entry in the franchise, John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). I was really looking forward to this film back in 2023, and it did not disappoint. It ended up being one of my favorite films of that year.

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) is a triumph. It is a big, chaotic, intense, high-stakes, and action-packed epic. It is incredibly well directed by Chad Stahelski. This is the fourth entry of the franchise, yet it still somehow manages to keep itself fresh. It continues to expand this intriguing world. The action scenes were once again the highlight. It features some of the most breathtaking action set pieces I have seen in recent years. It is non-stop action that continues to build up each set piece, where you feel very exhausted by the end.

It has an amazing cast. The performances are outstanding. As always, Keanu Reeves is pretty incredible as John Wick. His performance and dedication to the character and stunt work are appreciated. There were also a lot of standouts within the rest of the cast. Donnie Yen is awesome in the film. Bill Skarsgård is solid, and he is easily the best villain in the franchise. Shamier Anderson and Rina Sawayama are pretty excellent. The rest of the cast all did an incredible job. Their overall chemistry with one another is also really terrific.

In of the script, it was pretty fantastic. The story is interesting, and it does a terrific job at continuing the narrative from the previous entries. It is a culmination that was built from its predecessor, and it pays off in a satisfying manner. There were a few nitpicks here and there, but for the most part, I really enjoyed the script here. Throughout its runtime, we got to see different locations that were really intriguing. Not only that, but a lot of the characters here are handled pretty well. A lot of them were actually interesting.

Visually, it looks fantastic. It is slick, stylish, and captures the film’s scope really well. The camera work and color grading are amazing. There were so many shots here that are just absolutely stunning to look at. The music composed by Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard is also pretty terrific. There is an effective atmosphere. In of its overall production, this aspect right here was handled really well. The stunts, the fight choreography, and the set designs are all well-executed. The editing and sound design are also really solid.

Despite the film having a runtime of 170 minutes, it does a pretty excellent job at keeping the pacing engaging. Sure, it is long, but it didn’t feel like it was boring. There is always something going on that keeps it intriguing. It is a sprawling epic with so many spectacular and memorable scenes. From start to finish, it is a blast to watch. It is an incredibly well-made film that is a satisfying culmination of the previous entries. It is my favorite in the franchise. It’s entertaining, and it is also one of the best action films in recent years.

10/10

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John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) Review:

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum is a 2019 action thriller film directed by Chad Stahelski. The screenplay here was written by Derek Kolstad, Shay Hatten, Chris Collins, and Marc Abrams. It is produced by Summit Entertainment and distributed by Lionsgate. It stars Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Mark Dacascos, Laurence Fishburne, Asia Kate Dillon, Lance Reddick, Anjelica Huston, and Ian McShane. "With a $14 million price tag on his head, John goes on a journey to do everything he can in order to survive a legion of ruthless hitmen.”

With the release of Ballerina (2025), I figured I’d revisit all of the John Wick films in preparation for the franchise’s latest installment. I already wrote a review for John Wick (2014) and John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), both of which are really solid action films. I’m now continuing my review with the third entry in the franchise, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019). Following the success of the previous films, I was really looking forward to this film. Revisiting it, this one right here is still a very entertaining and solid film.

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) is a very solid film. It’s slick, stylish, action-packed, and intense. It’s well-directed by Chad Stahelski. It takes things to another level by being bigger than its predecessor. It has a terrific cast. Once again, Keanu Reeves does a spectacular job in the role of John Wick. One of the main standouts from the cast is Halle Berry. Despite her limited screentime, she is absolutely outstanding in this film. The rest of the cast did a fantastic job. Their overall chemistry here is also very solid.

It further expands its world by introducing some things. There were some really intriguing elements here. That being said, I thought the overall script could’ve been improved. I find its story to be a bit inconsistent. It felt more like a setup than a proper story. In my opinion, the third film has the weakest storyline in the franchise. It also has the weakest villain in the franchise, serving more of an exposition dump rather than an actual villain. Still, it has its moments here and there. I had some fun despite the issues within its script.

Visually, similar to its predecessor, this is a pretty slick and stylish film. The camera work and color grading are amazing. There were plenty of shots here that were stunning to look at. It has an effective atmosphere. The score composed by Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard is pretty solid. In of its production, this aspect right here was handled really well. Once again, the action scenes, stunt work, and fight choreography are a standout in this film. The editing, sound design, and other technical aspects are also executed very well.

Pacing-wise, it is a little inconsistent. There are some scenes here that are a bit of a drag to get through, especially during its second act. It could’ve been handled a lot better. That being said, despite some of the issues that I have with it, as a whole, I still really liked it. This is still pretty well made from start to finish. It has some pretty excellent and memorable moments, especially when it comes to its action scenes. While it is my least favorite installment in the franchise, this is still a very solid film. It’s really enjoyable to watch.

8.5/10

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John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) Review:

John Wick: Chapter 2 is a 2017 action thriller movie directed by Chad Stahelski. The script was written by Derek Kolstad. It’s produced by Summit Entertainment, Thunder Road Pictures, and 87Eleven Productions and is distributed by Lionsgate. It stars Keanu Reeves, Common, Laurence Fishburne, Riccardo Scamarcio, Ruby Rose, Lance Reddick, Peter Stormare, John Leguizamo, and Ian McShane. “The legendary ex-hitman John Wick is once again forced out of retirement, where he must fulfill an oath that he made in the past."

Serving as the second installment in the John Wick franchise, I am continuing my review of the John Wick films in preparation for Ballerina (2025). The first John Wick film had made such a huge impact within the action film genre in the modern day. It is incredible, and it is one of the best action films of the last decade. It’s such a huge success. Naturally, a sequel was made, which I really looking forward to. The trailers look really good. It looks like it is a ton of fun. After rewatching it, I still pretty much liked this film.

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) is bigger in basically every single aspect than its predecessor. The action scenes are louder and more bombastic. The scope of its world is also bigger. Expanding what was already an intriguing setting and making it more well-realized. Of course, this cannot be accomplished without the outstanding direction of Chad Stahelski. Similar to the first film, his direction here is very slick and stylish. He does such an excellent job in handling so many different elements, making the film feel cohesive for a lot of the time.

As for the cast themselves, they’re pretty incredible. Keanu Reeves is once again really fantastic in his role as John Wick. The dedication that he gives through many of the stunts and fight choreography is terrific. His character is further explored in this sequel. He’s still an absolute badass. The rest of the cast all did an incredible job with their performances. Their chemistry with one another is also great. In of the script, it’s pretty solid. Like I’ve mentioned earlier, the world of John Wick here is further expanded.

That being said, it does have its fair share of issues here and there. The story is a bit weak and uninteresting in some parts. There were times where it could’ve been a lot more consistent. Not only that, but the main villain here is also very dull and boring. That being said, I thought the story here was still fairly decent and was still entertaining. In of its overall tone, this aspect right here was handled really well. Again, the action scenes are just absolutely phenomenal to watch. They’re, once again, the main spotlight of the film.

The action scenes were bigger, more brutal, and more over-the-top. A lot of the camera work, stunt work, and fight choreography are spectacular. It is also a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously. There is a lot of silliness in this franchise, and I liked how self-aware it actually is. There are plenty of moments that are outstanding and entertaining. In of its overall production, this aspect right here was handled pretty well. The editing and sound design are solid. The same thing can be said about the other technical aspects.

Visually, it is slick and stylish. There were a lot of shots here that are stunning to look at. It also has plenty of atmosphere put into it. The music that was composed by Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard is pretty good. Pacing-wise, it is a bit inconsistent. The first act in particular was a little bit of a drag to get through. There is also some very horrendous-looking CGI and green screen. Nevertheless, it is still a solid action-thriller film. It is still pretty well-made. It’s very enjoyable to watch, and it is also a solid sequel to its predecessor.

8.5/10

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John Wick (2014) Review:

John Wick is a 2014 action thriller film directed by Chad Stahelski. The script was written by Derek Kolstad. It’s produced by Thunder Road Pictures, 87Eleven Productions, and MJW Films. It is distributed by Summit Entertainment. The film stars Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Willem Dafoe, Adrianne Palicki, Dean Winters, John Leguizamo, Lance Reddick, and Ian McShane. “It follows ex-hitman John Wick (Reeves), who has come out of retirement in order to track down the people who took everything away from him.”

With the release of Ballerina (2025), I figured I’d revisit all of the John Wick films in preparation for the new franchise’s latest entry. I when I first saw this film back in 2014. I only saw a couple of clips in its marketing and thought the film didn't look all that good. I had such low expectations for this film that when I finally saw it, I was really surprised at how incredible it actually ended up being, with each sequel being more action-packed than the previous one. Revisiting it, this right here is still a very fun film.

John Wick (2014) is a spectacular action film. It is slick, stylish, atmospheric, intense, brutal, and enjoyable. It is incredibly well directed by Chad Stahelski. There is a lot of effort put into creating this interesting world. As for the cast themselves, they’re very incredible. Keanu Reeves is outstanding. It is one of his best roles. Sure, some of his line deliveries were quite terrible, but as a whole, he was still really excellent in this role. The rest of the cast all did an amazing job. Their chemistry with one another is also pretty good.

As for its script, it is pretty solid. It has a very simple yet effective narrative. I liked how it actually takes its time in building up its story and its main character, John Wick. It feels satisfying and adds a lot of tension. The third act is pretty weak. There are some aspects here that certainly could’ve been handled a lot better. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the overall script. Again, one of the things that this film here did pretty well is creating such an interesting world. One that we did eventually get to see further explored with its sequels.

In of its overall tone, this aspect right here was handled really well. There is a nice balance in its tone, having serious moments while still being self-aware. Of course, the main highlight of the film is its action scenes. The camera work, choreography, editing, and stunts are absolutely fantastic. It was such a breath of fresh air, especially at the time. This style of action ends up influencing other action films that came after it. The red-circle club scene is incredible. It is memorable and also pretty entertaining to watch.

Visually, it is slick and stylish. The camera work is incredible, especially when it comes to the action scenes. There were so many shots here that are quite stunning to look at. I also liked the color grading. Aside from that, the film here also has a really effective atmosphere. The soundtrack is also pretty amazing. It actually fits the film’s overall tone and atmosphere. In of the production, this aspect right here was handled really well. The editing, sound design, and other technical aspects of the film are also pretty well executed.

Pacing-wise, there were a few inconsistencies. There were a couple of moments in its second half that felt a little bit slow. Thankfully, it did quickly pick up. It’s filled with so many incredible and memorable scenes. Sure, it certainly has a couple of issues here and there. Despite that, it is still an incredibly well-made film. It is such an entertaining film. At the time, it was such a huge surprise. It left an impact on how action films are being made today. Aside from that, it also spawned one of the best action movie franchises of all time.

9/10

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Crank: High Voltage (2009) Review:

Crank: High Voltage is a 2009 action-crime thriller film written and directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. It serves as a sequel to Crank (2006). It’s produced by Lakeshore Entertainment and distributed by Lionsgate. It stars Jason Statham alongside Amy Smart, David Carradine, Dwight Yoakam, Bai Ling, Efren Ramirez, and Clifton Collins Jr. “After surviving a deadly fall, Chev Chelios sets out on a mission to find his heart after the Chinese mobster and replaced it with a battery-powered artificial one.”

Crank (2006) is an insane film. It is aggressive, self-aware, and chaotic, yet it also has a bit of a charm to it. I’ve already done a review for the first film, so I figured that I’d also watch and review its sequel, which came out in 2009. I seeing the trailer for this film on a DVD, and I’ve always thought that it looks really over-the-top, more stupid, and insane compared to its predecessor. After watching it, I have to say I was completely right. This sequel right here is even more unhinged, stupid, and coked up than its predecessor.

Crank: High Voltage (2009) ramps up the adrenaline, absurdity, insanity, and aggressiveness. The action scenes are pretty fun to watch, while the humor is even more crude and low-brow than before. As for the cast, they’re pretty incredible. Jason Statham is the standout and is even more bat-shit insane in this film. Narratively, it is messier than the first film. It tries to follow more characters and their plotlines, and it just comes off as highly unfocused. Once again, the dialogue is trashy and the characters are pretty unlikable.

Visually, it’s not quite as stylized and grimy as the first film, but it still fits the overall aesthetics of the film. There is some decent atmosphere put in here. The music that’s composed by Mike Patton is pretty alright. In of its overall production, this aspect right here is handled fairly well. A lot of the stunt work here is pretty great. The practical effects are solid, while the visual effects, on the other hand, are noticeable. The editing here is once again pretty quick, aggressive, and hyper-stylized. Pacing-wise, it is pretty decent.

With its runtime of 96 minutes, the film does a fairly decent job at keeping itself moving at a frenetic pace. Similar to its predecessor, I can understand why people wouldn’t like this film, more so with this sequel. It ramps up the first film’s aggressiveness, mayhem, absurdity, etc., to a sequel that doesn’t quite capture the charm of its predecessor and goes for a more mean-spirited approach. That being said, despite some very noticeable issues, I still kind of enjoyed it. Like its predecessor, it is also a guilty-pleasure film for me.

6/10

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Crank (2006) Review:

Crank is a 2006 action-crime thriller film written and directed by Brian Taylor and Mark Neveldine. It was produced by Michael Davis, Gary Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg, Skip Williamson, and Richard S. Wright. It was distributed by Lionsgate. It stars Jason Statham alongside Amy Smart, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Efren Ramirez, Dwight Yoakam, Carlos Sanz, Reno Wilson, and Keone Young. “It follows an assassin who’s been poisoned and only has an hour to live. He must keep the adrenaline running through his body in order for him to stay alive.”

I seeing a poster of this film at the cinemas back when I was a kid, and I’ve always thought that it was a sequel to Jason Statham’s The Transporter (2002). The first time I saw it, I didn’t like the film here. I haven’t really seen it for quite a while now. So, I figured that I’d go ahead and rewatch both Crank films. After rewatching it, I can’t really help but think that this film right here was definitely a product of its time. It has many moments that are questionable. I honestly forgot just how bat-shit insane this film actually is.

Crank (2006) is unapologetically aggressive and immature. The movie’s complete self-awareness, insanity, and absurdity make it entertaining to watch. It’s action-packed, hyper-violent, and has lowbrow humor; I still cannot help but laugh. It has a solid cast with Jason Statham as the standout. He is completely coked-out in this film. The screenplay here is very much non-existent. You are all of a sudden completely thrown into the story, and it was bare-bones. The dialogue is trashy, and the characters are also pretty unlikable.

Visually, it looks intentionally ugly, as this actually gives a sense of griminess that fits with the film’s overall aesthetics. It also makes it even more hilarious given how grounded this film looks, yet the things that are happening around it are complete absurdity. The music composed by Paul Haslinger here is pretty decent. There is some decent atmosphere. The stunt works are pretty solid. The visual effects are very noticeable. Editing-wise, it is pretty aggressive, as it was cut in a certain way that will definitely make you feel anxious.

With its runtime of 88 minutes, it does a solid job at keeping its audience entertained by how completely insane it is. There were plenty of moments here that were pretty entertaining and silly to watch. It definitely has plenty of issues. As I’ve already mentioned earlier, it’s a film that is not for everyone due to its aggressive and immature nature. But again, I just can’t help but be entertained with how unapologetically self-aware and over-the-top this film is. It ends up adding a lot more charm to an already guilty pleasure film for me.

7/10

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Blue Beetle (2023) Review:

Blue Beetle is a 2023 sci-fi action superhero film directed by Angel Manuel Soto. The script was written by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, based on the DC Comics character. It was produced by DC Studios and The Safran Company. It was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film stars Xolo Mariduena, Bruna Marquezine, Belissa Escobedo, George Lopez, Damian Alcazar, Elpidia Carrillo, Raoul Max Trujillo, and Susan Sarandon. “It follows Jaime Reyes, who has found himself in possession of an ancient alien relic known as the Scarab.”

I’ve been looking forward to this movie ever since it was announced. I have really enjoyed the character of Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes) ever since I saw him on Batman: The Brave and the Bold. I really enjoyed this movie the last time I saw it. There were a lot of things to like about it. It was actually quite underrated. However, I haven’t really seen this film in a while, so I figured that I’d go ahead and rewatch it. After finally watching it, I have to say, I still really liked this film right here quite a bit. It’s still a blast to watch from start to finish.

Blue Beetle (2023) is a pretty simple yet entertaining superhero film. It has plenty of heart and charm put into it. It’s a fairly well-directed film, Angel Manuel Soto. The action scenes are fun, and the humor is solid. As for the cast themselves, they’re incredible. The performances are fantastic. Xolo Mariduena is a terrific casting for Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle. His performance was really charming and fun. The rest of the cast all did an excellent job with their performances. Their chemistry is actually one of the best parts of the movie.

In of the writing, it was pretty serviceable. It is a fairly generic script. It has the tropes and clichés of a superhero film. It was very simple, predictable, and formulaic, but the execution was handled fairly well. It does make the film watchable despite those issues. However, there were still some aspects that could’ve been handled a lot better. The villains were pretty lackluster. That being said, I did like the main character, as well as his overall dynamic with his family. The central themes of the film here are executed really well.

Visually, it looks decent. There was some nice camera work used here. It also has a decent atmosphere. The music that was composed by Bobby Krlic is quite good. In of the production, it was pretty solid. One of the main standouts for this film is Blue Beetle’s costume, and it looks absolutely incredible. It’s one of the most comic-accurate suits I’ve seen. I also really appreciate how most of the costume was practical. A lot of the visual effects are solid. Another thing, the choreography for its action scenes is well-executed.

Pacing-wise, I think the film could've handled this aspect a lot better. It is not a boring movie by any means, but there were definitely a few scenes that dragged. It makes the film’s flow a bit inconsistent. There were also some shots where the visual effects are little noticeable. That being said, I still really liked this film. It has plenty of pretty solid moments. It certainly has some issues. Like I’ve mentioned, it is pretty formulaic, but as a whole, it is still a really entertaining movie to watch, one that has a lot of heart and charm in it.

8/10

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Max Steel (2016) Review:

Max Steel is a 2016 action-adventure superhero movie directed by Stewart Hendler. The script was written by Christopher L. Yost, and it is based on the action figure line by Mattel. It was produced by Dolphin Films, Mattel Playground Productions, and Ingenious Media. It’s distributed by Open Road Films. The movie stars Ben Winchell, Josh Brener, Ana Villafañe, Andy García, and Maria Bello. “It follows teenager Max McGrath, who comes across Steel, an alien creature. The two form a bond and turn into the superhero Max Steel.”

I didn’t really grow up with the toy line or even the animated show, which is how I knew the character of Max Steel. I seeing a couple of commercials for it on the television, but I didn’t take any interest. Also, the last time I saw this film, I thought it was not that bad, but it’s still not a really good film. However, I haven’t seen this film for quite a while now. I figured I’d revisit it, which ended up being a terrible idea. After rewatching it, I have to say, this film is actually way worse than I . It is a rough watch.

Max Steel (2016) is a dull superhero film. It is pretty formulaic, predictable, and boring in so many aspects. Stewart Hendler’s direction is pretty lacking. Throughout the course of its runtime, it just feels really bland. As for the cast themselves, they could’ve been much better. A lot of the performances here are really dull. Some of the line deliveries here fall flat. The chemistry between the cast is also very lackluster. Tonally, it was a mess. It doesn’t know if it wants to be serious or self-aware. The action scenes are boring.

In of the screenplay, it is poorly written. From start to finish, this is a very by-the-numbers superhero narrative. It has all of the tropes and clichés that you expect in a superhero film. The structure is formulaic and uninteresting. Not only that, but the execution was just very clunky, and it was also pretty forgettable. As for the characters themselves, they’re very dull. I did not care for a single one of them here whatsoever. The main villain was pretty generic and predictable. Some of the lines of dialogue here are pretty terrible.

Visually, it lacks any sort of style and color, which makes everything pretty uninteresting to look at. As for Max Steel’s costume, it actually doesn’t look that awful. The visual effects are a mixed bag. The editing was pretty choppy. Pacing-wise, it is also a drag. It actually feels longer than its 92-minute runtime. There are many moments where it is really boring to watch, as it is very generic and is filled with so many dull scenes. It’s such a poorly made superhero film. Without a doubt, it is one of the worst superhero films of all time.

1.5/10

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Fountain of Youth (2025) Review:

Fountain of Youth is a 2025 action-adventure mystery film directed by Guy Ritchie. The script was written by James Vanderbilt. It is produced by Apple Studios, Skydance Media, Project X Entertainment, and Radio Silence Productions. It is distributed by Apple TV+. It stars John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, Eiza González, Domhnall Gleeson, Arian Moayed, Laz Alonso, Carmen Ejogo, and Stanley Tucci. “It follows two estranged siblings who team up in order to embark on a globe-trotting adventure in finding the fountain of youth.”

Initially, I wasn’t really planning on watching this film. But I didn’t really know what to watch at that time, so I figured, why not give it a shot? That being said, I didn’t have any expectations for this film whatsoever. The poster didn’t look all that good, and I didn’t watch a trailer for it. I also saw the film’s negative reviews. After watching it, this film had the tools to be a decent and fun action-adventure film. However, it leaves a lot to be desired. It turned into another big-budget direct-to-streaming film that is just pretty lackluster.

Fountain of Youth (2025) is a lackluster, soulless, and boring action-adventure film. It is a mix between the Indiana Jones films, National Treasure, and Da Vinci Code, but without all of the charm or tension. It does not have any form of identity. It’s unfortunate because Guy Ritchie’s direction is actually one of the better aspects of the film. He tried making a somewhat enjoyable film, but it ends up ultimately failing in so many elements. A lot of the movie’s issues here are attributed to the screenplay, which was so poorly written.

The story is very formulaic. It has all of the tropes and clichés that you’d expect in a film like this. It would be okay if it were executed well, but it’s not. It was incredibly lackluster. The story is really clunky and boring. It’s pretty predictable. On top of that, the characters are also pretty unlikable. Some of the dialogue here is also terrible. As for the cast themselves, they’re serviceable. The performances were decent. However, the chemistry is severely lacking. The action scenes are uninteresting, and a lot of the humor here falls flat.

Visually, it looks decent. It pretty much has a big-budget feel to it. The music is bombastic. The production is solid. The locations and set designs are well done. As for the visual effects, it is a bit of a mixed bag. The editing is very choppy. Take the opening sequence of the film, which felt very awkward. The cuts in some of the scenes are also really clunky. It makes the pacing feel all over the place. There were times where the film also felt bloated. It’s just a really poorly filmed movie. Again, it is pretty bland, uninteresting, and forgettable.

3.5/10

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Twin Peaks: The Return (2017) Review:

Twin Peaks: The Return is a 2017 crime mystery horror drama thriller TV series created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. It premiered on Showtime. It is produced by Showtime Networks, Lynch/Frost Productions, and Twin Peaks Productions. It stars Kyle MacLachlan, Sheryl Lee, Laura Dern, David Lynch, Miguel Ferrer, Chrystabell, Naomi Watts, Grace Zabriskie, Michael Horse, and Robert Forster. “It is set 25 years after the original series, wherein the inhabitants of Twin Peaks were stunned when a local teenager was murdered.

Serving as a third season of the original TV show that ran from 1990 to 1991. This third season picks up after the original’s cancellation. It also marks my final review of the Twin Peaks series and films, which have been a unique experience watching all of them. They’ve completely resonated with me. The story, setting, characters, and atmosphere have all stuck with me. Similar to the previous entries, I was looking forward to this one. After watching the entirety of The Return, wee, for ourselves, another very unique experience.

Twin Peaks: The Return (2017) is dark, surreal, atmospheric, brutal, disturbing, and just absolutely insane. It is an incredibly well-directed TV show by David Lynch. It feels more mature than before, yet it still carries a lot of his own style. It is a very solid return to the world of Twin Peaks, while further expanding it as well. In of its overall tone, this aspect was handled very well. It still has that offbeat humor and campiness that are part of the charm of the original TV series, while at the same time, it is also much darker and more disturbing.

As for the cast themselves, they’re outstanding. The performances are excellent. Kyle MacLachlan reprises his role here, and he was incredible. He gets to play multiple characters, and it was pretty terrific to watch. One of the main standouts of the show here is actually David Lynch, who has more significant screen time than in his previous appearances. His interaction with Miguel Ferrer is one of the highlights of the TV show. The rest of the cast did a pretty amazing job with their performances. The overall chemistry is spectacular.

In of the script, it was pretty solid. The story picks up right after the events of season 2, and it does a pretty incredible job continuing where it left off. Calling this third season absurd is an understatement. It is somehow weirder and more confusing than the previous two seasons. It gives you more questions rather than answers. There are definitely some moments here where it is pretty difficult to follow, but in typical David Lynch fashion, it allows the viewers to analyze and leave some things up to their very own interpretation.

That being said, not everything within the script here comes together. There were some instances where the narrative was clunky and uninteresting. It has moments where it drags in telling its story. Nevertheless, it still has a pretty intriguing narrative. The setting was handled really well, even if it can get a bit messy at times. As for the characters, they were solid. It’s nice to see many of the original characters return. Some of the new characters were a mixed bag. The overall themes that it tackles here are executed pretty well.

Visually, it looks absolutely stunning. There were so many shots here that are just breathtaking to look at. The camera work and color grading are amazing. It is an incredibly atmospheric series from start to finish. Angelo Badalamenti’s theme is memorable as always. Not only that, but the soundtrack for this season is actually pretty fantastic. In of its overall production, this aspect right here was handled really well. Sure, some of its special effects here were a little bit dated, but for the most part, they worked fairly well.

Pacing-wise, it is a slow burn; I’d say even more than its original run. It takes a while to get going, and you can definitely feel that in the first couple of episodes. There are also a couple of moments where the flow of the show feels clunky. But regardless of the issues, it is still an incredibly well-made TV series. One that does a fantastic job at continuing the original. Throughout its run, there were plenty of standout moments. It resonates with its audience, and like the ones that came before it, it is another pretty unique experience.

9.5/10

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