Dog Man is a new 2025 animated superhero comedy film based on Dan Pilkey’s children’s graphic novel series from the same name. It serves as a spin-off and and story within a story of 2017’s Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie. The film has an ensemble cast that includes Pete Davidson, Lil Rel Howery, Isla Fisher, Poppy Liu, Stephen Root, Billy Boyd, and Ricky Gervais. This is not only Universal’s second movie to come out this year, but it’s also the second one to have “Man” in the title. What’s more ironic is that I am giving them both the same score.
I can’t say I was looking forward to this at all. I knew nothing about it and nothing about interested me. I even had an invite to go see this early at a press screening, but tapped out the night before because of how tired I am. I felt like it wasn’t worth it. That says a lot when I saw every Universal movie that I have been invited to for the last year. I even saw Migration, which happened to be the movie that put me on the map for Universal’s screener list, so I am eternally grateful. This… was just not it. I am glad I didn’t sacrifice my sleep to see this.
With a 72% on Rotten Tomatoes and hearing the laughs surround me in the theater, I know this is going to be a hit. The film has a $40 million price tag attached to it, and I am already seeing where the film will make $30 million in its opening weekend. That’s great! Even if movies are not for me, I am glad that there are movies that help keep the theater business thriving. In recent years, it makes sense for studios to capitalize on family friendly movies as they almost never fail.
What I did like about the film is how it wears its heart on its sleeve through its humor and themes. The humor has a sarcastic tone that reminded me of DreamWorks’ original works with some strong scenes that stood out. I didn’t quite understand the sarcastic tone as it almost felt out of place, but there are some standout moments that did make me chuckle. The film even manages to have some meaningful character arcs with Petey (voiced by Pete Davison), having the strongest one that will connect with families.
Maybe I saw it in the wrong format, but I felt like my head went through blender after I saw it in Dolby. I know someone else who also watched it and enjoyed it in the same format. I think I am just more easily overstimulated. I don’t need loud noises and the plot changing every 5 minutes to be entertained. As someone who was not familiar with this property at all, I didn’t see the point in it at all. This was supposed to be a Captain Underpants spin-off, but you’d never know it. Considering it’s been 8 years since that movie, it’s hard to believe why no one thought it would be a good idea to have a connection to something that is far more popular.
The origin of how Dog Man becomes the titular character is not only dark, but it doesn’t make any sense. What we know about these characters before they have to become the same person is simply bizarre. So, they both died and became the same person? I know it’s a kid’s movie, but what a strange concept. They literally tie on the head of a dog of a human, but also give the character dog arms. This sounds like a concept better suited for a Tim Burton stop-motion picture. Once again, I am not familiar with the material its based off. Instead, it would have been better if there was no origin and we just saw this character as it was to begin with. Petey is already a cat. Why couldn’t we get the same thing with a dog? At least the dog could have a voice.
Since the film resolves around a character that mainly makes dog noises, it’s harder to relate to the character. Due to this, the film has Pete Davidson & Lil Rey Howery talking a LOT. I don’t mind Davidson and I really like Howery. It’s within the script and the direction that makes them be consistently loud and obnoxious for little to no reason. Sitting right next to a speaker throughout with everyone consistently yelling was not enjoyable.
The film also has multiple storylines going on at the same time. It feels like it’s changing every few minutes that it made me forget what happened moments earlier. Instead of trying to be exciting, it comes off boring and lifeless. I will say I like the animation, especially when it mimics its comic book style. When the plot changes every so often, why should I care though? I don’t even think the kid version of me would have enjoyed this.
I am not meaning to sound harsh. This is a film that has substantial potential. I love this type of humor. It reminds me of DreamWorks and Illumination’s earlier works. Similar to Despicable Me 4, I don’t need the plot to consistently change throughout. It feels like I got whiplash. It’s the equivalent of doom scrolling on TikTok. I think the film could have been better had it slow down in its pacing. The film is moving so quickly. By the time it gets to its third act, it stretches out for about 30 minutes to meet a reasonable runtime.
Overall, Dog Man will win over families and fans of the material, but this one is not for me. I don’t think I could recommend this to anyone who is neither familiar with the material nor anyone who doesn’t like genre. For me, there was plenty of missed potential that could have been better capitalized had it slow down the pacing and give the film more of a purpose. I don’t need to be overstimulated to be entertained. Maybe watching this in a quieter setting would make me appreciate it more.
Picking up right from the last episode, the doctors begin treating the same guy who started spazzing out in the last episode. The situation is resolved pretty quickly within the episode’s opening minutes. Shortly after, more madness ensues. It’s astonishing how much is packed into this episode. This is most stressful episode yet, but also a heartfelt one where we learn more about the characters.
Much like the previous episodes, you are still seeing a large portion of what’s going on from Robby’s perspective. You have your moments with the side characters where Robby will pop in here and there. As someone who likes to keep themselves busy and like to help people, this episode actually made me question why I didn’t go into this field. This show just gives you a transparent view of this world. Just when you think someone isn’t going to make it, they end up pulling through, because these are trained professionals. I can’t even begin to understand how Robby can juggle so many cases at the same time. He can just flip like a switch.
We get more of Whitaker in this episode, who I believe will go down as a fan favorite by the end of the season if he isn’t already. In the prior episodes, we’ve seen him have to switch his clothes on multiple occasions. He doesn’t do it once, but twice in this episode. The guy isn’t safe from anyone. It’s admirable how he still keeps on going even when he doubts himself. There are people who believe in him. I think many people will see themselves in this character.
We finally get McKay’s backstory! She has been quiet around Javadi, who she knows has been lowkey judging her. McKay ends up confiding in another patient around the same age as her. We learn a lot more about McKay through this dialogue, which is one of the best conversations I have seen so far in the show. Fiona Dourif’s performance as McKay is outstanding. She manages to find this balance between being a doctor and being a person. When Javadi comes in and messes up the moment, McKay doesn’t even yell at her. She is honest about why she did was not okay in the hopes to make Javadi better at her job. It’s such a heartbreaking storyline that I deeply connected with.
Coming from the last episode is a storyline involving a teenager who is seeking an abortion. The story really goes to show how much the doctors care about her situation. This storyline actually ends the episode on a clever cliffhanger that worked better than last week’s. Without getting into any spoilers, I do wish it went a step further. If it went that extra step, my jaw would have been on the floor. You’ll know what I mean when you see it.
The patient from a few episodes ago who came in with sickle cell finally gets the treatment she needs, but it ends an interesting story with Dr. Mohan. She’s really focused on developing a relationship with patients instead of helping them at times. She talks to this patient and her wife like everything is okay. Just as Robby checks in, she immediately changes her tone with what’s going on. She tells Robby how bad she really is, forcing Robby to be real with all of them. Why didn’t she do that before? She ends up helping the patient though. I get the sentiment of developing relationships with patients to make them feel more comfortable, but there needs to be a line. I am really intrigued as to what’s going to happen next for Dr. Mohan.
As for other things, the guy with chest pain from the first episode is still trying to get treatment. A stolen ambulance is still on the run, forcing some employees to bet on it. A kid comes in puking blood. An older lady gets treatment for a dislocated shoulder with some of the best one-liners. I really like that character. This is just an all around terrific episode with so much to add. The events that are happening isn’t just happening to keep us on our toes. It’s happening to paint a realistic picture of what this life looks like.
I have two small issues with the episode. For how quickly the opening scene is resolved, the show didn’t need to end there on a cliffhanger. Ending it there last week amounted to nothing as it was not one of the show’s main focuses. Also, the episode clocks in at about 46 minutes. For a show that capitalizes on the hour format, I really want to be in this show in real time. I understand you probably aren’t thinking about it, but when you know how short it is, it does take me out of the illusion that I am right there with these doctors.
Overall, another impressive episode. I was looking away at times, because I couldn’t bare the thought of someone getting hurt again or worse. You just never know what’s going to happen in this show. This episode also manages to fill in the gaps with who these characters are. We’ve got 10 episodes left! I can’t wait to see what happens next. Please, let there be enough people who watch this to warrant a second season.
The Pitt is a new medical drama created by R. Scott Gemmill, which premiered on Max on January 9, 2025, with its first two episodes. The series unfolds over the course of a single 15-hour emergency department shift at a fictional hospital in Pittsburgh, with each episode covering one hour of the shift. The story is led by Dr. Michael “Robby” Rabinavitch, a seasoned senior doctor portrayed by Noah Wyle.
As of this publication, four episodes have aired. After becoming a huge fan of the first few episodes, I reached out to Warner Brothers, and they kindly granted me early access to each episode—up to two days ahead of their official release. I’ll be posting my reviews every Wednesday night at 9 p.m. EST, a full 24 hours before each episode premieres on Max at 9 p.m. EST on Thursdays. With Episode 5 premiering this week, I’ll be releasing my review later this Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST. In the meantime, here are my reviews of the previous episodes to catch everyone up on my thoughts so far.
Episode 1
The first episode of The Pitt immediately throws you into the madness. Fans of 24 and ER will have plenty to enjoy here. ER is especially fitting here as it not only comes from the Gemmill who worked on the show, but also stars Wyle who starred on the show. I was really curious about Wyle, because he seems like someone I’ve seen before, but to be honest, I think I am getting him mixed up with Thomas Jane. After learning more about Wyle, though, it’s clear he’s the perfect fit for the role. His dedication to the medical field is evident—beyond his time on ER, he’s been deeply involved with organizations like Doctors of the World, among others. It’s clear he’s the ideal person for the role.
I don’t know much when it comes to understanding the terminology the show throws around. Yet, it does a great job at simplifying it to help us better understand. To be fair, I didn’t even think this would be a show for me, which says a lot with the praise I am giving it. Between the intensity and character development, there is more than enough to keep viewers invested.
Even though the show covers an hour in real time, it’s still short of an hour in runtime. We learn a lot about so many characters. Since I am now covering the show, I have seen this episode twice and I am picking up on even more, because the show is throwing a lot at you, and it’s easy to miss things the first time around. It’s a show you want to watch immediately, but watching it at 9pm EST might be too late. It will give you a lot of anxiety, which might keep you up at night. With so many storylines unfolding, there’s plenty to get invested in.
The show doesn’t hold back on the graphic scenes either. Someone comes in from a possible hate crime that leads to a resident passing out (I don’t blame them). A patient makes herself sick to protect their child from hurting other people. A child consumes drugs. A doctor steps a little too close to the edge on the top of a roof. Most of these situations involve Wyle’s character. It’s quite remarkable how collected and knowledgeable he is throughout, even when he’s still reeling over something traumatic. While it doesn’t show what happened during the pandemic exactly, we get glimpses of what it was like for them during that time. I really respect how the show covers how the pandemic still gives the employees trauma. On top of that, he’s also dealing with the possibility of the hospital shutting down with a higher up consistently pestering him.
The only setback I have with this episode involves a patient who speaks a foreign language that no one understands. It takes a while for everyone to understand where the patient comes from. Personally, I don’t quite understand why no one decided to use Chat GPT to figure it out. That would have resolved that issue immediately. It could have not even been Chat GPT. I am just throwing that out there as an example. It just felt like it was a conflict that could have been resolved easier.
VERDICT: 4.5/5 (Amazing)
Episode 2
The show keeps up the momentum all thanks to stellar direction and a tremendous performance from Wyle. Wyle’s performance as Robby is intelligent, cool, collected, and always knows what to say and do. He’s the perfect mentor to everyone around him. He’s not arrogant, but he won’t be afraid to be honest. With the amount of things he’s multitasking, it’s impressive how good he is at his job.
There’s a particular side story involving an older patient where Robby has to be real with the patient’s adult children. The children give Robby more problems, but he’s still patient with them, because he knows what they have to decide is not an easy choice. The fact that he rarely gets mad shows how much he cares for people and for his job.
This episode fleshes out its characters and storylines more. You can see where nothing is ever rushed, which is helped by its hour-by-hour format. You become more and more invested with these stories that you want to see resolved. The show lays out plenty of mystery as well to reel us in to see what happens in the end. At the same time, you just know things are going to only get worse since these employees still have 13 more hours to go. It’s hard to believe this show won’t release its final episode until April 10th.
All the side characters are also relatable and admirable. Most notably, the female characters are well written with some amazing performances. Taylor Dearden as Dr. Melissa “Mel” King is likable as a socially awkward individual. Fiona Dourif is great as Dr. Cassie McKay who has more experience with life over the other ones she works with. She’s a lot more socially aware and it’s clear in this episode that she has quite a bit of personal problems she has to deal with. Then, there is Shabana Azeez as Victoria Javadi who is trying to prove that she’s worthy of her job and not because her parents work there.
Gerran Howell plays as fourth-year medical student Dennis Whitaker who lacks confidence even when he is incredibly smart. The way his character ends this episode will surely set the tone for his character for the rest of this season.
While these storylines continue to progress, the show has a realistic tone to it all. Everyone is consistently busy dealing with people’s problems, but the show still finds time to have heart & humor. It’s quite remarkable how much is jam packed into each episode. You really feel everything with these characters in real time.
VERDICT: 5/5 (Perfect)
Episode 3
Picking up right from the last episode, the show wastes no time getting you back into it. The way this show flows so far can either make you binge watch it or anxiously anticipate for the next episode. This is the equivalent of a weekly episodic show where you can talk about it with your coworkers at the water cooler. You could also binge watch it, but binging all 15 episodes in one sitting sounds overwhelming, which is why I’m okay with the episodic format. Plus, I wouldn’t recommend missing out on this show. The fact that it also releases at a specific time makes it an event worth watching.
Starting where the last episode ended, Gerran Howell’s character as Dennis Whitaker continues to try to revive someone he felt close to. Unfortunately, it doesn’t end well. You’d think he’d give up afterwards, but he keeps going. There’s even a comedic side plot involving him having to get new clothes. That’s the reality of people who work in this field. They have to make their best judgement and keep going. It has to be draining and traumatic at the same time. It’s no wonder Wyle’s character as Robby is still reeling from the pandemic.
You’d think with the amount of arrogance Robbie exudes, he’d show no sympathy. That continues to not be the case. He takes the time to respect those who passed. He checks in with those around him. He’s genuine with everyone around him. Given what his colleague almost went through in the first episode, I hope he doesn’t try to do the same at the end of this season.
More and more madness ensues. Not only are prior storylines still going, but new situations arise. Someone with a nail in his chest comes in. A girl who won’t wake up also comes in who has a connection with a comatose patient from the prior episode. There’s an open heart surgery. An EMT gets their shoulder hit by a truck. The anxiety doesn’t stop.
Other notable characters in this episode are Dr. Trinity Santos, played by Isa Briones, and Dr. Frank Langdon, played by Patrick Ball. Santos has a lot of arrogance that needs to be checked. People might be annoyed by her. Similar to Squid Game’s Thanos, Briones does a great job at playing a character that is not meant to be completely liked. The difference is that what she does is a result of a coping mechanism. Langdon could be arrogant, but it’s clear his arrogance is in check. He does have experience that makes him an effective right hand for Robby. Whenever he has down time, he’s always concerned about getting his kids a dog, which shows how he can keep going with the amount of things he has to go through.
Dr. Samira Mohan, played by Supriya Ganesh, has a notable scene with Robby. Robby calls her out on going too slow. She tries to reassure him by saying that she has the highest success rate, where Robby argues that the slower she goes, the less people they can treat. He snaps her out of it, persuading her to do more. I’m really interested to see what she does next.
There is so much more that occurs that I won’t even spoil it. There are twists and turns at every corner that will keep you engaged. The episode concludes with Robby helping a grieving woman with a connection to a patient from the first episode. Robby didn’t deal with the patient directly. It’s interesting to see the person who tried to help the patient versus the person having to deal with the fall out.
I could see where the daughter of the older patient might be a little much or even selfish to some people, but I believe the actress played the character perfectly. It makes complete sense to want to hold onto your loved ones longer. Considering how much time is spent with this storyline, it’s going to be interesting to see how it ends.
Now I just need to know if Robby gets that bathroom break in the next episode. At least there’s more reality to that over 24.
VERDICT: 5/5 (Perfect)
Episode 4
Episode 4 continues to solidify the fact that this is one of the best shows out now that you don’t want to miss. It’s actually impressive how production is able to pick up right after the last episode as though there was no break in between.
We see the conclusion of the older man with his two kids. At what first seemed like it wouldn’t amount to much, ended up bringing together some of the show’s core themes. We see his children reach peace with the decision, but we also see where Robby has flashbacks from the pandemic that took place in the same room. It shows how the scars never go away. It’s incredibly poignant. The talent who played the son and daughter of the dad were incredible.
This episode slows down quite a bit. There’s a trans character who gets their arm cut who finds some respect from the people treating her. Robby finally gets that bathroom break. A grumpy patient finally gets the treatment he needed from the first episode. Whitaker goes through something comedic that’s going to require him to change clothes again. It’s an episode where it felt like a lot of storylines are starting to come to a close. You even get to see Dr. Mohan taking on more responsibilities since her talk with Robby.
Now that I have seen all 4 episodes twice, it’s quite remarkable how I’m catching new details that make more sense. The amount of things everyone has to go through all while staying calm not only shows how well crafted the story is, but also how committed the talent is to their characters. The show is a true love letter to the the heroes that work in this field.
The only thing I didn’t like in this episode was the very end. Just as everything starts to resolve, a brand new issue comes up at a convenient time that makes us wait for the next episode. Personally, it would have been okay if the show ended before that happened to help us breathe a little until the next episode. I understand the point of it is to show the job never stops. It just felt like incredibly convenient timing to keep us wanting to see the next episode. Nonetheless, I’m curious to see how this plays into the next episode.
The Girl with the Needle is a 2024 Danish historical psychological horror film directed by Magnus von Horn, from a screenplay written by von Horn & Line Langebek. The film was selected to compete for the Palme d’Or at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, named one of the top 5 international films of the year by the National Board of Review, and nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards and for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards. The film takes place in 1919 where Karoline, played by Vic Carmen Sonne, who works as a wet nurse for a secretive adoption agency for disadvantaged mothers, grows suspicious of the woman who runs the operation.
I’ve been interested in the film for quite some time now, but a release date in the U.S., nor a digital screener, was available. Now that it became available on Mubi, I finally got around to seeing it. Since it’s now an Oscar nominee for the Best International Feature Film category, it felt like now was a perfect time to review it. Taking place 105 years prior to its release date, it’s fitting for the film to transport you back in time with it being in black-and-white. The opening credits are even in black-and-white (even if it goes on long enough to be a running gag).
This film truly blew me away. Many people are excited by the fact that The Substance is getting nominations at the Oscars, but I don’t think this one is getting the proper attention. To be fair, it’s been a lot harder to find and to watch. This story, though, is not for the faint of heart. It has imagery and story beats that will stay with you. For context, I am currently having to play Inside Out 2 in the background to having something more upbeat playing. If anything, I believe that goes to show how effective The Girl with the Needle is.
There’s quite a bit of story setup here that I clocked at around 40 minutes. For a 2-hour movie, that may not be for everyone. Some even may question if it was added just to fill up the runtime. To me, it adds so much development to the characters and to the story. Just when things get bad for Karoline, you think the major inciting incident is going to occur… and you’d be wrong. Everything she goes through gets worse and worse. At first, it seems like her problems of her own doing. Instead, her problems stem from the way people take advantage of her. It could speak on the way the horrors of war and societal issues were addressed at the time, but I’d go a step further to say that it still speaks on issues today.
From the way war veterans are treated when they come back home to tackling topics like abortion access and the morality around it is something that I believe viewers could strongly relate to. With a horror undertone, it brings shock, awe, and entertainment, but it will leave you with a dreadful feeling that we need do better for others and not do the things we believe will be for the best. The themes can get a little meddled at times. I wasn’t sure if the film was trying to condone abortion at times. I don’t believe that was the case. Then again, this is going to be a film that many people will get something different out of it.
One of the film’s strongest assets comes from the lead performance from actress Vic Carmen Sonne. Had I saw this sooner, she could have made possibly made it into my top 10 performances of the year. She is so earnest in her approach. You believe everything she is feeling. Every time things keeping worse for her, you feel even worse for her. It’s a performance that is 100% carried from start to finish. I can’t wait to see what she does next.
The film’s other strong assets stem from the cinematography and sound design. As mentioned, the film transports you back to its time, and that wouldn’t be possible without the film’s technical components. Not only does the film look like it was literally shot in 1919, but it has some beautiful imagery. It is consistently amazing to look at it, even in the film’s more disturbing scenes. The sound design is just as effective with bringing you back to its time. From the way the dialogue sounds to the eerie score, this offers something in film that is far too rare these days.
Overall, I can totally get on board with the praise The Girl with the Needle is getting, along with the awards recognition. The performances, cinematography, and sound design are all effective. The pacing may not be for everyone and the themes may get overlooked, but there is still something engaging and original here that’s worth exploring. I can’t see it winning Best International Feature Film at the Oscars, but the nomination warrants the film’s quality.
Flight Risk comes from the director of Braveheart, Apocalypto, and Hacksaw Ridge (we all know it’s you, Mel Gibson. The poster won’t fool us into believing this is any good). This apparently come from a screenplay in 2020 that was voted as the year’s “Black List” of the most-liked unproduced screenplays in Hollywood (lol okay). The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace. The plot follows a polit transporting a U.S. Marshal and a witness, where the intentions of everyone on board comes into question. Or, if you saw the trailer, then you basically know everything that happens.
If you’re interested in watching this, I don’t blame you at all. Wahlberg hasn’t been good in anything in who knows how long and Gibson has been met with much controversy for as long as I can remember. Yet, there was still some sort of promise in a film that looked to just be fun. Instead, it’s a film that is much worse that you could ever imagine with only Wahlberg’s presence being the film’s smallest saving grace.
The film’s true major characters are played by Dockery, the U.S. Marshall, and Grace, the witness. The film opens up on a terrible green screen where we are meant to believe Grace is hiding out in. That should have been a bad omen of what the rest of the film’s visuals were going to be. We are immediately thrown into Grace’s character being caught by Dockery. These opening minutes offer some of the worst dialogue and direction I have seen in some time. It’s January, so I suppose dumping it here was fitting. Both characters act like caricatures of themselves. Grace is annoying from start to finish. Dockery is there trying to save the film as the film is really about her more than anyone else.
Wahlberg shows up and we immediately know where the film is going to go from there, because trailers give too much away these days. The time it takes for Wahlberg’s character to finally reveal his true intentions. Way too much unbelievable setup. I couldn’t care less of what happened next. Grace continues to be annoying with some of the weirdest actions. It’s like he’s trying to be in an 80’s film, which might have been fitting since Gibson directed it. Why Wahlberg didn’t just take these two out immediately is beyond me.
By the time he reveals his true intentions, he’s tied up for nearly the rest of the movie save for a few times he gets out and tries to attack the heroes. Someone said that he probably has about 15 minutes of screentime and that couldn’t be anymore from the truth. Wahlberg’s choices in film as of lately has been truly baffling. I thought it was just his straight-to-streaming movies, but that’s not the case. Since he spends so much time tied up, what’s the point of the movie, you ask? There is none.
The film’s primary objective is to have this be about Dockery’s character. At the mid-point, it’s revealed that she accidentally got her last witness killed. Grace is shocked at this news as this should be relevant at all. Once again, who cares? Oh, right, it’s to give Dockery the missing characterization she was needing to begin with. Her character manages to escape death a few times by flying the plane. Then, she needs help from someone to fly the plane. But didn’t she already fly the plane? It makes no sense to me.
The way this film wraps up is as believable as you would think. Dockery saves the day, but wait, there’s more! She somehow knows someone new is trying to kill Grace’s character, who really is. She saves him once again! She could care less about saving this person and more about saving her own ego. About the time everything is said and done, it ends on the most baffling and questionable final shot I have ever seen.
I do want to bring up the fact that this cost $10 million. Most of the money must have gone to the cast and crew, because this looks terrible. The effects are phoned in and Gibson’s direction shows that he couldn’t care any less. In comparison, The Brutalist cost jsut as much and that movie looked much better. From a production management perspective, it’s frustrating when any sort of money is used improperly in any movie. There are filmmakers who would love to have that kind of money to deliver something good. The film is already opening to a $4.4 million box office, which is modest, but it’s not warranting a box office return. There are big names attached to this who are capitalizing on their names, instead of caring enough to deliver something worthwhile.
Overall, Flight Risk might be exactly what it sets itself out to be for any moviegoer, even if it’s far worse than it has any right to be. Mark Wahlberg is perfectly fine as he has shown in the past in an antagonist role. The film’s flaws stems from the terrible dialogue, little to no characterization, and awful effects. Five minutes in, I was ready to give up. This film serves literally no purpose even when its trying to be fun. If you are looking for something more fun with an evil Mark Wahlberg, I’d recommend watching Fear.
Presence is a film that was released initially in 2024 at the Sundance Film Festival, but had it wide release this weekend. On a quick side note, it’s crazy how long it takes for certain films to be publicly available after a debut at a film festival. Directed by Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Trilogy, Logan Lucky) and written by David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Secret Window), the film stars Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, and Callina Liang. The plot revolves around a family who moves into a suburban home and becomes convinced they’re not alone.
Soderbergh happens to be one of the biggest names in film working right now, and yet, he continues to make smaller independent films. His ability allows him to release movies once, sometimes twice, a year. He already had another film with David Koepp as writer coming out in about 2 months titled Black Bag. What’s so surprising is how he continues to create something new, fresh, and exciting. I can already see this not being for everyone as it’s not as horror as the promos would like you to think; however, it’s Soderbergh’s ability to create something that mimics the horror tone for this family drama.
Lucy Liu is an underrated actress, and she’s great here, but seeing Chris Sullivan act as her husband was quite surprising. The actor is 12 years younger than the actress. Even though the couple’s marriage in the film is strained due to Liu’s character committed something illegal, there is something familiar between the fictional husband and wife. Some may be familiar with Sullivan’s work on This Is Us. It’s great to see Sullivan get some bigger work, especially with the like Liu & Soderbergh. Liu & Sullivan act completely in sync and totally believable as a couple. That’s why it’s even more convincing to believe what this couple goes through, making it easier to sympathize with their situation.
Many viewers will tell you this is not at all what you’d expect from a movie like this. My best suggestion is to keep it that way. I heard the film’s true format before I saw it. While it’s not the film’s major twist, it’s unique approach took the surprise of the film’s format away from me. Since the film follows a strict format throughout, there are a lot of one-take shots, showing how much time Soderbergh spends with his talent to create authentic performances, all while allowing the cast to fully memorize their dialogue. The camera work is also quite seamless and never misses a beat. This approach may not be for everyone as it doesn’t answer all the questions, but the film ends on a note that gives you more than enough to piece the rest together.
One major standout in the film is star Callina Liang, who plays as the couple’s teenage daughter. I can see Liang’s career taking off after this. It’s great to see a talented actor or actress who’s career will take off when they haven’t been in anything major. From what I can see, she has a few credits under her belt. Truthfully, she is the film’s major character. Without her, the film’s thematic messages don’t work. The way she displays anxiety & emotion is deeply authentic.
Liu’s character as her mom is more obsessed with her brother, Tyler, played Eddy Maday. It doesn’t seem like his character is as important as you would think. Liu’s character treats him as some sort of god, and it can get weird with how much she treats him like a surrogate husband. When the true reality of his character comes into play, it will make you reevaluate everything you saw, especially with the way he treats his family and how his family treats him.
The way this film concludes literally had my jaw on the floor. I didn’t want to accept it, and that’s something that will also turn people off. While the twist does work for its story and themes, the reality of the fallout doesn’t make as much sense. There’s so much that’s open in the air that the family manages to piece together. I guess it is believable, but I also think the film could have spent more time showing that fallout. I would have loved to have seen how the family reacted to it all. The ending not only had me almost in tears, but it made me want to rewatch it as it made me view the film in a brand new perspective.
Overall, Presence won’t for everyone, even those looking for a simply ghost horror story. To me, this felt like director Steven Soderbergh utilizing his past techniques as a filmmaker to create something new and exciting that’s fitting for the film’s story. The twist is amongst one of the best one’s I have seen in recent memory. In the end, it will probably give you emotional damage, but it also probably wouldn’t have been possible without the film’s talented cast and tremendous camera work.
Inheritance is a new film set for release in theaters on January 24, 2025. The film follows a young woman drawn into an international conspiracy after discovering her father is a spy. Phoebe Dynevor & Rhys Ifans star in the leading roles with a script from Neil Burger & Olen Steinhauer and it is directed by Burger himself.
I knew almost nothing about the film other than the small logline. I initially didn’t even have this on my watchlist for the month. However, it grabbed my attention when I got an early screening for the film. I am so happy I watched it immediately. January has been good to us so far, but this film easily takes the cake. I have already seen some reviews on Letterboxd, and I hope this film gets the attention it deserves.
What was really surprising about the film is how it just throws you right into the situation. Within the first 20 minutes, you understand this character and her motives. The film just takes off from there and never lets go. It’s actually quite impressive what the film is able to do within its smaller runtime that’s something between 90 and 100 minutes. Dynevor is convincing her role as someone who always gets the bad end of the stick. On a personal level, I could relate to how much she tries to believe people are good, which ends up giving her a dynamic story that’s easy to follow.
I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Dynevor gets more leading roles after this. Rhys Ifans is great, but even on a supporting level, he never overshadows the film’s main star. Ifans was a perfect fit for the role as someone who will manipulate those around him to get what he deserves. You feel things from Dynevor’s perspective, and you want to believe her dad is a good person.
Dynevor’s characterization helps keep the momentum going as you see her travel from country to country evading trouble. There’s a particular car chase that truly blew my mind. It reinvented what an action scene could look like in an espionage thriller. As someone who grew up on spy movies, I haven’t seen something this inventive since The Bourne Ultimatum. The way the camera cuts from all angles is truly impressive. What’s even more impressive is how the editing looks so seamless, when I am sure in reality, it was not easy to stop traffic to film these scenes.
The cinematography may not be for everyone. I noticed it immediately when we get a close up of characters next to each other. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s also quite unique. I wouldn’t have thought to have used this particular style. The film is all the better for it. While I had no problem with it, it works better in the film’s more intense scenes. There’s a sense of feeling like you are right there with these characters. It’s almost like you are someone spying in on these spies. It’s very fun and creative.
While the film has a lot of high points, the film’s script doesn’t always work int the film’s favor. There are some performances that are wooden and sound robotic that could have been easily improved, but I am sure a tight schedule was the cause of it. The ending, while it is deeply thematic, is also deeply unrealistic. The way the film wraps up is satisfying, but it also forgets all of the loose ends. It acts like a sequel is inevitable, when in reality, it won’t ever happen. More problems come up for this character. Just because she gets one solution, all of her problems apparently vanish. A sequel could be a good way to flesh out what happens. Realistically, I would be surprised if it did get a sequel. It works better on its own. Due to that, it would have been far better had the film found a way to either resolve everything or not bring up more problems for the main character.
Overall, Inheritance truly surprised me in nearly every way. It’s style may not be for everyone, but it offers something new and exciting on what has to be a smaller budget. For a January release, I was consistently enthralled in the suspense and with the story. Pheobe Dynevor & Rhys Ifans both give some terrific performances. While the story can be quite unbelievable at times, the film still offers plenty of entertainment value. This is without a doubt one of the most thrilling movies I have seen in quite some time. It’s certainly worth checking out when it comes out this weekend.
Initially set for a late 2024 release, Back in Action is set to debut on the Netflix platform this weekend. Cameron Diaz comes out of retirement from acting to join Jamie Foxx in a spy action comedy film. The film is simply about former CIA spies, Emily (Diaz) and Matt (Foxx), who are pulled back into espionage after their secret identities are exposed. The fact that Diaz was coming out of retirement sounded really exciting. Foxx has mentioned that he convinced her to come out of retirement just to have fun… and that’s exactly what this film sets out to do.
As much as I wanted to like this film, there are movies that are not meant for critics. Sure, it’s nice to have fun and turn your brain off. The film’s glaring problem out of all the problems it has is the fact that it is past its prime. It feels like what a mid-life crisis must feel like. It’s trying so hard to capture the glory days of mediocre movies that were simply fun. Between recycled plot lines, predictable actions & dialogue, and noticeably bad effects. Even though the film has 2 writers credited to the project, there was a total of 17 additional people who also contributed to the script. That’s insane, and the film shows it.
It’s great to see Diaz back on screen again. It’s clear she is having fun, and I am glad she was able to since that’s why she came out of retirement. Having her be in a relationship with Foxx allows the two to work perfectly together. It’s clear they have undeniable chemistry. The problems the film has I do not put on them. At the end of the day, they are there to speak the dialogue and act the parts that were given to them. If a friend wanted to watch this, I honestly wouldn’t mind watching it with them. It’s the exact type of film to not take seriously with your friends. I am just glad Netflix exists. If this went to theaters, this would have bombed HARD.
The film boasts an impressive supporting cast that includes Andrew Scott, Kyle Chandler, and Glenn Close. That’s a winning cast! Unfortunately, they are all in a separate movie whenever they are on screen. If I were to tell you this was directed by the same guy who did Horrible Bosses, that would set the tone for a good time. If I told you after it was also directed by the same guy who did Baywatch (2017), it would all make sense. The film is overly ambitious for its own good with a nice cast to disguise just how bad the direction and script is.
The film starts off as the equivalent of a James Bond film. The script is ridiculous that the cast manages to make it somewhat entertaining. There is a prologue set 15 years in the past before Diaz and Foxx’s characters has kids. There is a terribly edited and shot action scene in a flying plane. When we glimpses of the plane from the outside, it looks like it is still rendering from the computer. I can’t even imagine what the budget was for this. For context, this film wrapped in April of 2023. That’s almost 2 years where the film could have used more time to clean up the editing and the effects. Since the film was shot with body doubles while Foxx was in the hospital, it’s clear no one really cared nor what to do with this movie.
Fast forward to present day and we see the couple acting cringier than ever. They have 2 kids who behave just as about as what you would think for a film like this. The older teenage daughter has attitude problems and is somehow able to get into bars. The younger son has awkward dialogue that is meant to be important to the story later. The kids offer nothing new that hasn’t been done before. I think they were only added to make it make sense for this couple at this age. Nothing against the kids who actually played the characters, but the story would have been far better if it focused primarily on the two main characters. The more I think about it, I think this film was solely made out of test groups of people who wanted different things, resulting in a random mess.
The film lingers on for the rest of its runtime. It wastes its cast and uses outdated twists that are infuriating to witness. I am trying to stay away from spoilers here in case anyone is still interested in watching it. There are just certain aspects of the plot that occur with the side characters that are redundant and wasted. Characters overcomplicate certain situations that make no sense. With a near 2-hour runtime, you can only imagine how this film feels like it goes on and on. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, but when you have a cast like this, this should have been at least fun.
Overall, if you are looking to watch something with a group of people, need something playing in the background, or simply don’t mind a mindless movie with a charming cast, I suppose you could do much worse. The film has so much potential though that could have made it a lot of fun. Instead, I was ready for the film to end halfway through. I hope everyone in front of the camera has a quick bounce back, and I hope Diaz had fun, even if it meant I didn’t have fun.
Directed by Leigh Whannell and written by Whannell & Corbett Tuck, Wolf Man marks Whannell’s second feature film in the Monsters franchise after the success of The Invisible Man. It’s hard to believe it’s been five years after that film. Whannell has curated so much success in his career. Between his signature camera style and authenticity to horror, it makes sense as to why Universal found him to be the perfect fit for this. While I can imagine where a majority of people will undoubtedly enjoy this, this was just not for me.
The premise is quite simply. Family man Blake relocates his wife, daughter, and himself from San Francisco to his childhood home in Oregon after his father passes away. As soon as they arrive, a werewolf claws Blake’s arm, leading the family to barricade themselves in the family home. When Blake begins to transform into the werewolf, he puts the lives of his loved ones as risk. Simple and to the point. Unfortunately, it’s the weakest character driven drama I have seen from Whannell’s filmography by far.
The film opens up Blake’s upbringing and it’s as generic as it comes. We see how he was raised with his father and we get some understanding of this world, but we have zero clue as to the why. You’d think we’d get some big dramatic moment that leads into the present day. Nope, it just cuts to the present day just as Blake’s dad gets done summarizing how he saw something in the forest. He clearly knows what it is, but decides to knowingly risk his and his son’s life for this? I guess if this took place in the 1600’s or something, that would make sense. Boom. There you go. Why not do that? You could have really leaned into the origins of this character. Instead, we get another family drama surrounded by an iconic character that deserved better writing.
When we cut to the present, we see grown up Blake, played by Christopher Abbott. His wife, Charlotte, played by Julia Garner, is there along with their daughter, Ginger, played by Matilda Firth. We get a by-the-books explanation as to who these people are and where they are at in their life. Abbott & Garner already have zero chemistry and their marital rift is simply random. It lacks any purpose as to why they feel the way they do. Charlotte plays sympathetic towards Blake’s grieving. Then, out of nowhere, Blake convinces Charlotte to move back to his family childhood home, literally for no reason. It’s been at least 20 years. Why endure that trauma again? I guess that’s one theme the film has going for it. If you go chasing your past, you’ll regret it. It’s best to appreciate what you have now. Unfortunately, the film quickly glimpses over it as the family decides to pack everything up… for no reason. I guess it would make sense if they lost their home. Nope, that’s not the case. Similar to 2024’s Speak No Evil, another Blumhouse film, the film is less interested in the drama or the story and is more excited about the action and horror.
The film then quickly gets into what you paid your money for, and it does have its highs. There are some creative decisions made from Whannell’s signature camera work to the makeup transformation of the creatures. When the film leans into the horror is when the film is at its best. Unfortunately, it’s not as much as you’d think. It doesn’t quite lean into the horror as much as it should. The film is actually effective when it simply just shows the imagery without the music. Big fan of that. With dragged out family drama and limited location, the film doesn’t get the opportunity to do more with what it has. If you blended A Quiet Place and Speak No Evil (2024), you’d get a movie that doesn’t feel quite that original.
When the film hits its high, I can certainly understand the appeal. Abbott’s transformation into the werewolf is truly unreal. As a fan of practical effects, I am glad this film gets that right. There are some moments where Whannell uses the same POV cinematography where the camera follows the character’s movements. He know how to make the camera a character. The score is also haunting and riveting. The sound design is also insanely impressive.
Besides the amazing makeup transformation, POV cinematography, and haunting score, the film quickly gets redundant in the third act. It feels like a mix between dragging out the runtime and not know how to end the film. It not only copies the first act, but it is literally just people running back and forth with little to nothing changing. There is also a “twist” that I saw coming a mile away. The problem stems from the film relying on the beginning to give you clues as to what’s to come rather than giving meaningful character development that leaves you feeling like you learned something. I know Whannell is capable of that according to his last film.
I am already hearing where viewers want Whannell to lead the Monsters franchise. As long as he can make the stories more original, he is capable of it. I know people will enjoy this. This feels like Speak No Evil (2024) all over again. I just really wanted a better story that sparked more shock & originality and left me feeling for what these characters went through. Instead, I just can’t stop thinking about the daughter’s future therapist not believing a single word she says. Also, what was up with that final shot? What exactly am I supposed to take from that? Just so much lost potential.
Overall, viewers will enjoy this and Blumhouse is going be happy with the box-office results. At the end of the day, I can’t complain about that. If you are looking for some mindless monster fun, I’ve got the perfect recommendation for you. While Whannell shines in the horror, the story and dialogue really holds the film back from reaching its full potential when it lacks any importance as to why characters make the decisions they do.
Directed by Lawrence Lamont & written by Syreeta Singleton comes a film starring Keke Palmer & SZA – an unlikely duo you didn’t know you needed. When Alyssa’s (SZA) boyfriend steals her rent money, her and her roommate, Dreux (Palmer) race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact. Keke Palmer is an underrated actress & I love SZA’s music. When I was accepted to a press screening, I immediately accepted, and I am glad I did.
This is a great time! My theater was consistently laughing throughout. It’s just unfortunate when people don’t take the no phones rule seriously and there’s no consequences, such as the case for the individual in front of me. Crazy stuff. Back to the movie. I wouldn’t say I was consistently laughing, but I had a great time. There’s a lot of fun that I would say is more held together by the cast more than the script.
It baffles me that Palmer hasn’t been in more. Between this and Nope, I really hope she gets more work. I am unclear as to whether or not she needs it, but I think it’s something the audience needs. Her charisma with everyone and everything is electrifying. She helps bring her together to life through humor and heart. SZA is also great as Palmer’s other half. They have such great comedic timing. You can truly believe these two are friends in real life. I hope this isn’t the last that we see them in a movie together.
As for the rest of the cast, I was really impressed by how good everyone was. Maude Apatow is there. At first she seems pointless, but then she serves a purpose that makes her character really interesting. That goes for everyone else. This is a stacked cast. I wouldn’t say the writing always does the characters favors, but the directions really helps bring the craziness out of the situations to help the characters give solid performances. Having Katt Williams there speaking the truth was a hilarious touch. It’s great to see Keyla Monterroso Mejia get more work after Curb Your Enthusiasm. Aziza Scott is also a solid standout! Great casting and direction really helps us get invested with the characters.
The writing is a lot of hit or miss for me. It is very predictable as it sets specific groundwork to make you pay close attention. Just as something weird happened, I was like “Oh, I bet you this will happen…” And it did. There are also some moments where I questioned why they needed to happen. A landlord goes through the effort of taking everything out of an apartment, but decides to change his mind. Who does that? My bad, this is a movie. When this consistently happens throughout the movie, it could be annoying, but it is once again elevated by its amazing cast. I think the third act takes the most surprising turn, even it can still result in some eye rolls for comedy sake. There are things that happen that would never happen, but its heart is in the right place that makes it enjoyable.
The themes can also be repetitive. Just as the movie started, I could immediately see what it was going for, and it all happened. The difference is the journey to get there and what it had to say about your hardest days. It’s not the kind of film that you need to ponder on, but it did have me thinking how some of the worst things can lead to the best things in life. I like how the film took course over one day. It not only adds urgency to the situation, but also shows how life can change for the better if you don’t give up.
The technical components work in the film’s favor. There is some unique editing that was quite comical. The cinematography gave us a grand landscape of the L.A. area, even when it strongly reminded me of what’s really going on over there. The film also has a great soundtrack to accompany the craziness the film endures.
Overall, I had a good time with it. I enjoy the craziness more than I laughed, and that’s okay. With such a likable cast attached, it’s hard not to have fun. With strong direction and cliche writing, the film still finds way to make this an entertaining watch. It’s something I wouldn’t mind watching again, and I certainly believe this will be something viewers will enjoy when it opens wide this weekend.
The Creative Cinematic Collection 
You must be logged in to post a comment.