Reviews
Sentimental Value (2025)
S
StevenCsMoviesFebruary 9, 2026
StevenCsMoviesFebruary 9, 2026At what point does the fight between artistic expression and personal connection become untenable? Director Joachim Trier delves into this question with his most authentic movie to date, SENTIMENTAL VALUE. This Norwegian film is truly remarkable. There is so much to dive into and enjoy, especially for me. It’s a movie about making a movie, but it’s also a very intimate, genuine, and personal family drama. Nora (Renate Reinsve) is a stage actress. Her estranged father Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård), an established filmmaker comes back into her life, asking her to be in what could be his final movie. From the very first scene, I was engrossed in these people’s lives. Everything in this movie worked for me. It’s the most talented ensemble I’ve seen all year, which also includes Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas as Agnes, Nora’s sister, and Elle Fanning as Rachel, a famous actress. All 4 of the core performers have earned themselves an Oscar nomination, as did the movie itself. I will definitely be taking a look at Trier’s earlier films. This is a film that a lot of people will connect with, whether it’s the complex family dynamics or the process of making a movie. I didn’t feel like I was watching a movie at all. There’s a very clever meta angle that feels almost surreal at times. One of the goals of filmmaking is to capture humanity, to create something real. SENTIMENTAL VALUE is as real as a movie can get, and is in my top 5 movies from the past year. I couldn’t find it for free at the moment, but it’s definitely worth it.
The Strangers: Chapter 3 (2026)
SStevenCsMoviesFebruary 7, 2026
StevenCsMoviesFebruary 7, 2026I, like so many others, am not a fan of the STRANGERS franchise. The first 2 I didn’t mind, but the next trilogy of movies are something else. THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 3 has just released, so let’s dive in. This is the third movie of a trilogy that started bad and has gone downhill from there. Director Renny Harlin filmed all three of these artistic turds at the same time, which may have saved some money, but he shouldn’t had been so confident. This was a failed experiment that never justifies its own existence. This story easily could’ve been edited down into one great movie. CHAPTER 1 is a home invasion, CHAPTER 2 is a survival nothing burger, and CHAPTER 3 just goes full “Dexter”. You have three acts right there, just edit them down. Maya (Madelaine Petsch) gives us serious “final girl” vibes as she is terrorized by the titular strangers. This could’ve been a story about how trauma can make people into sociopaths. That would’ve been at least interesting. On paper, a story where the “final girl” may or may not be corrupted sounds cool and refreshing. At least it would be, in better hands. There are some ridiculously loud sound effects and jump-scares that pissed me off. On the other hand though, there’s an infuriating lack of much-needed dialogue throughout this movie. Not only does it help characters develop, but it also makes people seem more like actual humans. Petsch is still the best aspect of this franchise. Her physicality is pretty demanding. She deserves better than this. This last movie finally answers every question I’ve had while watching, and each answer is stupid. Wait, there’s one question it never answers: Why am I watching this? This trilogy completely lost the plot when they started spoon-feeding you information about the strangers themselves. They’re strangers. You’re not supposed to know anything about them. That’s what made them scary. The randomness of violence is what this franchise is supposed to be about. Overall, THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 3 is a movie. Thank God the franchise is over. Let it die, please?
The Moment (2026)
J
Jenn The EditorFebruary 7, 2026
Jenn The EditorFebruary 7, 2026not enough mock in this mockumentary for my liking but i was pleasantly surprised by how unique and singular it is. aidan zamiri you are one to watch..
A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)
E
emmacinefila24February 7, 2026
emmacinefila24February 7, 2026Hermosa película por donde la mires, los diálogos son sacados directo de la obra razón por la cual la película se siente muy teatral de la mejor manera posible. Lo que más resuena es saber que fue escrita hace tanto tiempo y que sigue resonando con las vivencias del ser humano. Todos los actores hacen un papel muy bueno teniendo en cuenta que la película no pide actuaciones muy complejas puesto que es una comedia ligera, sin embargo, destaco el trabajo de Dominic West (Lisandro) pues es el que, siento yo, mejor supo adaptar la teatralidad propia del guion al lenguaje de la pantalla grande, se nota el trabajo por mantener la esencia de ambos lenguajes.
La película tiene un diseño de producción bellísimo que te remonta a la fantasía de los 80s con ese toque místico y retro; cuando no había efectos especiales y todo era más "casero" por decirlo de alguna manera. Es refrescante y cálida, como una tarde de verano, la historia no tiene un gran conflicto y aun así es entretenida, quizás puede parecer que roza lo infantil pero sus diálogos dejan ver la profundidad de Shakespeare.
En cuanto a la trama es muy simple; la película y la obra siguen tres tramas de personajes que se terminan por unir y entremezcla en el bosque. En la obra la historia se sitúa en la antigua Grecia, Atenas, y en la película se desarrolla en La Toscana, Italia, a fines del siglo XIX.
El primer relato que se presenta es sobre cuatro jóvenes con historias de amor cruzadas; por un lado están Lisandro (Dominic West) y Hermia (Anna Friel), dos enamorados a quienes se les niega estar juntos porque el padre de la muchacha quiere que ella se case con un jóven llamado Demetrio (Christian Bale). A su vez, Helena (Calista Flockhart) esta perdidamente enamorada de Demetrio quien una vez la cortejó pero que ya no la ama.
El segundo relato es el de unos obreros quienes son actores aficionados a los que se les da la oportunidad de presentar la obra "Píramo y Tisbe" en la boda del Duque. Kevin Kline interpreta a uno de los obreros que no tiene muchos dotes artísticos pero se empeña en querer interpretar todos los papeles.
El tercer relato es el de las hadas; la Reina, Titania, interpretada por Michelle Pfeiffer y el Rey, Oberón, interpretado por Rupert Everrett pelean por la custodia de un niño Indio y debido a ello El rey elabora un plan que terminará por involucrar a más personas de las que debería.
La película tiene un diseño de producción bellísimo que te remonta a la fantasía de los 80s con ese toque místico y retro; cuando no había efectos especiales y todo era más "casero" por decirlo de alguna manera. Es refrescante y cálida, como una tarde de verano, la historia no tiene un gran conflicto y aun así es entretenida, quizás puede parecer que roza lo infantil pero sus diálogos dejan ver la profundidad de Shakespeare.
En cuanto a la trama es muy simple; la película y la obra siguen tres tramas de personajes que se terminan por unir y entremezcla en el bosque. En la obra la historia se sitúa en la antigua Grecia, Atenas, y en la película se desarrolla en La Toscana, Italia, a fines del siglo XIX.
El primer relato que se presenta es sobre cuatro jóvenes con historias de amor cruzadas; por un lado están Lisandro (Dominic West) y Hermia (Anna Friel), dos enamorados a quienes se les niega estar juntos porque el padre de la muchacha quiere que ella se case con un jóven llamado Demetrio (Christian Bale). A su vez, Helena (Calista Flockhart) esta perdidamente enamorada de Demetrio quien una vez la cortejó pero que ya no la ama.
El segundo relato es el de unos obreros quienes son actores aficionados a los que se les da la oportunidad de presentar la obra "Píramo y Tisbe" en la boda del Duque. Kevin Kline interpreta a uno de los obreros que no tiene muchos dotes artísticos pero se empeña en querer interpretar todos los papeles.
El tercer relato es el de las hadas; la Reina, Titania, interpretada por Michelle Pfeiffer y el Rey, Oberón, interpretado por Rupert Everrett pelean por la custodia de un niño Indio y debido a ello El rey elabora un plan que terminará por involucrar a más personas de las que debería.
The Investigation of Lucy Letby (2026)
A
Alex SoutheyFebruary 6, 2026
Alex SoutheyFebruary 6, 2026This Netflix doc is badddd, bad, bad. That the crimes are bad goes without saying. But it must be said about the doc itself. Even taking Netflix’s quantity over quality approach to true crime docs, this is a poor exploration not just of the criminal but of the crime. Check the shift schedule. Figure out it could only be Letby. Okay now re-explain that and re-use clips for the next 45 minutes.
Hamnet (2025)
AAlex SoutheyFebruary 5, 2026
Alex SoutheyFebruary 5, 2026Contains spoilers
“Is it really him?” Judith asks about her twin, Hamnet, at a particularly heartbreaking moment.
The Shakespeare of it all may be what draws audiences into theatres to see writer-director Chloe Zhao’s adaptation of author Maggie O'Farrell’s Hamnet, but it is the performances by the actors who portray the Shakespeare’s children that will keep them talking long after they’re back home.
Any criticism for Zhao’s previous film, Eternals, falls away quickly as she beckons us into a well-crafted, and shot, forest imbued with myth and history, populated by committed actors Paul Mescal (William Shakespeare) and Jessie Buckley (Agnes Shakespeare). They give arresting, somewhat anachronistically styled performances.
Who cares about Eternals with ingredients this enticing?
The greatest pleasure, then, comes as a surprise, because it is not who we’d expect (the aforementioned breakout stars), it’s the kids. Jacobi Jupe plays the titular Hamnet, and Olivia Lynes plays Judith.
SPOILERS: The second half of the film concerns itself with how William and Agnes Shakespeare — and to a lesser extent Judith and the other supporting characters — react to losing Hamnet.
This is the hinge upon which, for some audiences, the emotions will swing. The second half will be what they feel in their bones as opposed to the joy in the first half, but losing Jupe means it loses its shining star. Should the second half be in darkness? Maybe that suits the story better, considering its events, but it doesn’t make it more enjoyable as a movie watching experience.
Is Hamnet a novel about how the real world impacts Shakespeare’s inner world, which comes out in his art, or is it about A Marriage Story, set against a Victorian, Shakespeare background? Both? Neither?
I haven’t read the novel upon which this film is based. If the film follows the book closely, then fair enough, but by attempting to be two things, it only almost achievs them, instead of sticking the landing to just one.
We know of Shakespeare’s passion for his writing not because of what this story tells us until it’s too late, but because we as a society are familiar with the general history of Shakespeare — at least that he is a famous playwright.
Is this just — by its end — a kind of overly maudlin, roundabout, Bohemian Rhapsody take on how Shakespeare wrote Hamlet? Or is it happy to be a little more abstract, a la At Eternity’s Gate? Zhao, presumably, would prefer the latter, but here and there Hamnet dips close to the former.
Its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, but Hamnet disappoints because of how great it is on paper.
The Shakespeare of it all may be what draws audiences into theatres to see writer-director Chloe Zhao’s adaptation of author Maggie O'Farrell’s Hamnet, but it is the performances by the actors who portray the Shakespeare’s children that will keep them talking long after they’re back home.
Any criticism for Zhao’s previous film, Eternals, falls away quickly as she beckons us into a well-crafted, and shot, forest imbued with myth and history, populated by committed actors Paul Mescal (William Shakespeare) and Jessie Buckley (Agnes Shakespeare). They give arresting, somewhat anachronistically styled performances.
Who cares about Eternals with ingredients this enticing?
The greatest pleasure, then, comes as a surprise, because it is not who we’d expect (the aforementioned breakout stars), it’s the kids. Jacobi Jupe plays the titular Hamnet, and Olivia Lynes plays Judith.
SPOILERS: The second half of the film concerns itself with how William and Agnes Shakespeare — and to a lesser extent Judith and the other supporting characters — react to losing Hamnet.
This is the hinge upon which, for some audiences, the emotions will swing. The second half will be what they feel in their bones as opposed to the joy in the first half, but losing Jupe means it loses its shining star. Should the second half be in darkness? Maybe that suits the story better, considering its events, but it doesn’t make it more enjoyable as a movie watching experience.
Is Hamnet a novel about how the real world impacts Shakespeare’s inner world, which comes out in his art, or is it about A Marriage Story, set against a Victorian, Shakespeare background? Both? Neither?
I haven’t read the novel upon which this film is based. If the film follows the book closely, then fair enough, but by attempting to be two things, it only almost achievs them, instead of sticking the landing to just one.
We know of Shakespeare’s passion for his writing not because of what this story tells us until it’s too late, but because we as a society are familiar with the general history of Shakespeare — at least that he is a famous playwright.
Is this just — by its end — a kind of overly maudlin, roundabout, Bohemian Rhapsody take on how Shakespeare wrote Hamlet? Or is it happy to be a little more abstract, a la At Eternity’s Gate? Zhao, presumably, would prefer the latter, but here and there Hamnet dips close to the former.
Its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, but Hamnet disappoints because of how great it is on paper.
Send Help (2026)
L
Lucas.February 5, 2026
Lucas.February 5, 2026This movie is a lot of fun. It's pretty one note, but the two mains are fantastic and it's a great mix of humour and horror/action. Plus this boss-employee dynamic is awesome. Outwit. Outlast. Outplay.
Send Help (2026)
JJenn The EditorFebruary 5, 2026
Jenn The EditorFebruary 5, 2026oh this is FUN. need dylan to finally get his flowers and be the lead in every major motion picture from here on. insane comedic timing he has. they also had fab chemistry.
The Housemaid (2025)
AAlex SoutheyFebruary 5, 2026
Alex SoutheyFebruary 5, 2026Unhinged (compliment).
Narration was bad, but it does give the movie more of a novel feel, which helps considering it's an adaptation. Just not sure Sweeney's narration performance got there.
Fun to see Seyfried unhinged in a popcorn horror-thriller like this, and then see her do something like Ann Lee.
Narration was bad, but it does give the movie more of a novel feel, which helps considering it's an adaptation. Just not sure Sweeney's narration performance got there.
Fun to see Seyfried unhinged in a popcorn horror-thriller like this, and then see her do something like Ann Lee.
The Wrecking Crew (2026)
AAlex SoutheyFebruary 4, 2026
Alex SoutheyFebruary 4, 2026You have seen this movie before.
Do you like Shane Black’s movies? Do you like the movies that borrow heavily from that style? How about those that are “plays” on that style? Cheeky, semi-self-aware copycats abound.
The Wrecking Crew is now one of them. Lucky for us, it sits in the fat middle of the aforementioned spawn of Black (for those keeping score, The Nice Guys is first class).
Wrestler-turned-pretty decent actor Dave Bautista and brooding yet goofy, bawdy Jason Momoa play half-brothers. They are not two peas in a pod, but they share more than part of their heritages in common — mostly violence.
Surprise surprise, they have to learn to work together after a long period of estrangement.
For those of you who can stomach hacky, action-comedy jokes we’ve heard a hundred times before in the genre with a smile, and get a kick out of the pretty setting and committed actors, you’re in for a good time.
For everyone else, there’s Mastercard.
Do you like Shane Black’s movies? Do you like the movies that borrow heavily from that style? How about those that are “plays” on that style? Cheeky, semi-self-aware copycats abound.
The Wrecking Crew is now one of them. Lucky for us, it sits in the fat middle of the aforementioned spawn of Black (for those keeping score, The Nice Guys is first class).
Wrestler-turned-pretty decent actor Dave Bautista and brooding yet goofy, bawdy Jason Momoa play half-brothers. They are not two peas in a pod, but they share more than part of their heritages in common — mostly violence.
Surprise surprise, they have to learn to work together after a long period of estrangement.
For those of you who can stomach hacky, action-comedy jokes we’ve heard a hundred times before in the genre with a smile, and get a kick out of the pretty setting and committed actors, you’re in for a good time.
For everyone else, there’s Mastercard.
Send Help (2026)
SStevenCsMoviesFebruary 4, 2026
StevenCsMoviesFebruary 4, 2026Have you ever had a boss you just want to really hurt, perhaps maim? In the horror/thriller/comedy SEND HELP, both Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien do the best work of their careers. McAdams plays Linda Liddle, a socially awkward survival enthusiast. O’Brien plays her new boss Bradley Preston, a typical condescending, misogynistic douchebag. The beginning is effectively uncomfortable, being a toxic work environment. On their way to Thailand for a business trip, the plane crashes on a deserted island, with them being the only survivors. This is where familiarity goes to die. If you’re familiar with director Sam Raimi’s work, you might not be surprised by the violence, projectile vomit, and wacky horror moments. If you’re not, well you are now. He plays with power dynamics in such a creative way, a lot of it eliciting laughs from me. The highlight of this movie is McAdams and O’Brien. They are amazing together. Even though McAdams has won an award for SPOTLIGHT, this is my favourite performance. The movie goes off the rails in the most sadistically fun way possible. The tables turn quite a few times, keeping it interesting and unpredictable. Danny Elfman has a unique score that lets you know when the tone changes. When I found out this experience was also in 3D, I was verifiably hesitant. Thankfully, it actually added to the thrills and the humor. Overall, SEND HELP is a visceral experience that somehow combines MISERY and CAST AWAY, with a style that only Sam Raimi can give you. I highly recommend this extremely entertaining movie. Go support originality! Remember, monsters aren’t born monsters.
Danger Close (2019)
AAlex SoutheyFebruary 3, 2026
Alex SoutheyFebruary 3, 2026What are we even doing anymore?
I mean is this movie fine? Sure. It's pretty corny in places (a lot of places), and pretty clichéd.
This is the kind of movie that's been coming out since like the 1940s. It says "2019", but it could've been 1988, or 2005, or 2026. The enemy are border-line faceless. The good guys can be broken up into clear archetypes. Their character growth -- in whichever direction -- is predictable.
The Vietnamese are so not focsed upon despite being the Ever-Encroaching Enemy, this barely qualifies as a Vietnam War Action movie.
I mean not one "Fortunate Son" needle drop?
I mean is this movie fine? Sure. It's pretty corny in places (a lot of places), and pretty clichéd.
This is the kind of movie that's been coming out since like the 1940s. It says "2019", but it could've been 1988, or 2005, or 2026. The enemy are border-line faceless. The good guys can be broken up into clear archetypes. Their character growth -- in whichever direction -- is predictable.
The Vietnamese are so not focsed upon despite being the Ever-Encroaching Enemy, this barely qualifies as a Vietnam War Action movie.
I mean not one "Fortunate Son" needle drop?
The Stranger (2025)
LLucas.February 3, 2026
Lucas.February 3, 2026Slaps. If you are a Camus fan and have read The Stranger, you absolutely need to watch this. If you want a movie that packs a lot of philosophy, check this out. Or if you just love beautiful black and white. Great experience and a very unique film.
The Testament of Ann Lee (2025)
LLucas.February 3, 2026
Lucas.February 3, 2026Unfortunately a disappointment. Amanda Seyfried is amazing in this, but I just struggled to connect emotionally with this story. Religious zeal is a cool concept, and I see how Ann's earlier experiences influenced her decisions later, but something about this film just didn't connect with me. It has some cool parts, but all around I wanted more. Would not recommend unless you're really interested in the Shakers.
Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart (2026)
AAlex SoutheyFebruary 3, 2026
Alex SoutheyFebruary 3, 2026Considering the true twists in this disturbing story, the doc kinda bungled them.
Steal (2026)
AAlex SoutheyFebruary 3, 2026
Alex SoutheyFebruary 3, 2026The first episode is a high-wire act and the cast and crew pull it off without a hitch. From that point on, the tension begins to unrival due to less and less plausible storyline developments.
Sophie Turner emerges the big winner here, proving she’s not forever doomed to be considered just the eldest Stark girl. She isn’t in a period piece, wearing some sort of frock. She isn’t the damsel in distress. She isn’t the trophy to be won.
She is at the centre (in a few different ways) of a sophisticated, violent heist in London, surrounded by oddly unflappable men and women with more secrets than they can handle.
There are moments where Turner’s character — Zara — may fall into the aforementioned, simplified roles, but only to the extent reality always falls inescapably into an easily identifiable bucket/archetype at any moment in time.
Steal is 100% worth starting — the first episode is worth the price of one month of Prime Video. Whether it’s worth finishing… That relieson if you like British crime stuff (think a more intense Broadchurch), Sophie Turner, or you don’t have anything better to do for six fast-paced episodes.
Sophie Turner emerges the big winner here, proving she’s not forever doomed to be considered just the eldest Stark girl. She isn’t in a period piece, wearing some sort of frock. She isn’t the damsel in distress. She isn’t the trophy to be won.
She is at the centre (in a few different ways) of a sophisticated, violent heist in London, surrounded by oddly unflappable men and women with more secrets than they can handle.
There are moments where Turner’s character — Zara — may fall into the aforementioned, simplified roles, but only to the extent reality always falls inescapably into an easily identifiable bucket/archetype at any moment in time.
Steal is 100% worth starting — the first episode is worth the price of one month of Prime Video. Whether it’s worth finishing… That relieson if you like British crime stuff (think a more intense Broadchurch), Sophie Turner, or you don’t have anything better to do for six fast-paced episodes.
