Reviews

It is such a cliché to say it, but this was my introduction to Swedish film, and the very particular world of Ingmar Bergman. A knight during the Middle Ages, played by Max Von Sydow, is haunted by the presence of a man in a dark cloak who is...Death (Bengt Ekerot still spooks me). They play chess, play mind games with each other (or is that just Death leading the game), and then they reach the only conclusion possible after Black Death ravishes the land. Fate is fate, and maybe the film has become infamous and parodied to death (thank you, Bill and Ted), but please take some time to watch this gateway to a world of filmmaking we should all love and enjoy...
...and enjoy the dance!

Oh, Miss White... You had a much better prom than I ever did.
Sorry, that was a bit flippant, but a part of me cannot accept that Brian De Palma's classic take on Stephen King's first novel is now fifty years old, and has not dated in its ability to scare us (only the wardrobe department proves that the years have passed). Carrie White (played by Sissy Spacek) is the ultimate outcast. Her peers despise her; her mother is a religious fanatic who continually chastizes her (a gleefully malicious Piper Laurie); and then there is that whole telekinesis thing. Imagine being back in high school, not knowing what to do with yourself, and then discovering such an incredible source of power. With a cast including Amy Irving, Nancy Allen and John Travolta (!), you owe it to yourself to watch the original and understand why living in the golden age of horror really was a wonderful trip.
Now, where is my tux?

Not quite the masterpiece it wants to be, but I was truly intrigued by its look, feel, and commentary on religion, desire and family. A priest in a small town is approached by an odd pair of siblings who want him to take the life of... Well I won't spoil that part. Just know that this priest is the guardian of a boy who believes that the world out there is violent, dangerous, and not worth the trip (blame the priest for that outlook), and you begin to feel as though this will be another film about how Catholicism does not always provide the healthiest of outcomes. But there is so much more to this film and I truly hope that you get to see this very interesting narrative, shot in glowing black and white sequences that will knock you out.
Now, let us prey... I mean, pray.

The SPIDER-MAN franchise has had many iterations. I love them all, especially the animated ones. Tom Holland is back in his fourth swing-around in SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY. I believe this is his best performance. It’s a more grounded, emotional, and mature version of Peter. Taking place after NO WAY HOME, Peter (Tom Holland) is extremely lonely and isolated. His best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon) and girlfriend MJ (Zendaya) have no memory of him. He did the hard thing, because that’s what heroes do. As he’s watching them have their own lives at MIT, he throws himself into the crimefighting side of Spidey with the cooperation of Detective DeWolff (Liza Colón-Zayas). When a new antagonist appears, he is forced to get out of his funk and save the day yet again. This might be a hot take for some people, but this is my favourite live-action Spider-Man movie. It’s what I’ve been waiting for. It has the perfect balance of character drama and superhero action. The cameos and the antagonist are considered spoilers to me, so I won’t say who they are here. You’ve probably already heard by now, but still. I will say each cameo lends itself to the story. There are reasons they’re there. The antagonist does a fantastic job in the role. They throw in a bunch of references and easter eggs that comic fans and even video game fans are going to notice. None are superfluous. Peter now understands grief and heartbreak. He carries the weight of life in silence. There’s a reason this movie has surpassed $1 billion in 6 days. People don’t have superhero fatigue. They are just tired of half-assed stories pieced together with big but forgettable action set-pieces. I can’t get over how much I love Jon Bernthal. As an actor, as a human, but especially his relationship with Tom Holland. I would watch a Spider-Man and Punisher buddy movie any day of the week. Their chemistry and banter here is the best. His relationships with each and every character in this movie are so heartfelt and genuine. Parts of the story are clearly inspired by SPIDER-MAN 2. The Spidey suit is beautiful, with no CGI this time. It’s inspired by the other iterations of Spider-Men, since he met them in the last film. This movie has the best swinging sequences I’ve seen, sometimes going into Spidey’s POV. A lot happens in this movie, but it’s weaved together so well and held tight as a spider web. Not only is SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY amazing on its own, it’s also an intriguing stepping-stone for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It feels like a brand-new day for them. Stay for the post-credit scene! It’s very open to interpretation. Remember, nobody, not even superheroes, can go through life alone. With great power comes great responsibility. Stan Lee would be so proud. Excelsior!

muy buena
regehdhej3h 31 y uno de los que

Irredeemable garbage. No plot, kills that lose their shock, and blatant use of AI make for a terrifyingly dull movie. I should've walked out.

Third time around, this time in IMAX 70MM.

I really wasn't prepared for exactly how big this screen was, and they played a scene from Dune: Part 3 in the pre-roll (also shot on IMAX 70mm)

The siege of Troy alone in this format was worth the price ($25!), it's almost like seeing it for the first time.

Beautiful film, and it goes to show you that Nolan can make an emotionally affecting film that justifies its runtime.

What would you give up for the one you love? There’s a Broadway musical that has made its way across the pond to the movie theater, HADESTOWN. This theatrical experience started as a 5-day run, but it quickly expanded. This was filmed in 2025 at London’s West End, featuring the original cast who elevated this musical to earn eight Tony Awards. By Zeus, they earned them. As a fan of Greek mythology, the story was familiar. It was told in such a beautifully creative way, the songs sifting me through. The performances of the entire ensemble are each amazing. The story is a very clever melding of two Greek tales, focusing on two relationships. The first is between the dictatorial Hades (Patrick Page) and the edgy Persephone (Amber Grey). The second is between a musician Orpheus (Reeve Carney) and his muse Eurydice (Eva Noblezada). This melding works so well because of André De Shields, who plays the herald of the Gods himself, Hermes the storyteller. He does a great job narrating the story, helping us lesser mortals have a better understanding. I’m always fascinated with Greek mythology and the gods, not sure why. The bluesy, jazzy feel of the music lends itself really well here. The set design looks simple but it found ways to surprise me as it went on. I enjoyed every song. This is only the second Broadway musical I’ve seen in the movie theatres, last time being HAMILTON. They should do it more often for us lowly folk. I was fully immersed, due to how close the camera was able to get, and due to how emotional each performance got. Overall, HADESTOWN is an amazing musical with a poignant message and emotional resonance. I had a blast with this, and I think you will too. Remember, “Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all” – Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

hola gente

Y?

A powerful and unsettling film, the story follows a couple so desperate for money that they claim that one of them is suffering from cancer and needs all the donations that they can get for her survival. At first, it feels like a very grim comedy, and then...the turn. I don't think that it sticks the landing too well, but the performances are truly remarkable, especially Ayan Utepbergen as the husband, Azamat (I felt he was channeling early-1970s Jack Nicholson in some scenes). You could feel that the director knew just how dark it could get, but did not want to handle all of the elements involved in this change. And yes, the ending will stick with you.
Please seek this one out and have a little sympathy for the liars out there without any options.

And I love this film! Beginning as a simple mockumentary on the life of a French rapper, it pivots to vampires and the career-ending/boosting effects of becoming a creature of the night. I saw this at the Fantasia Film Festival, and I was lucky enough to meet the three leads (the comic fangs were a nice touch), and there is so much more that I would like to tell you about this film and have to keep quiet about (no spoilers, folks). Let's just say that it covers fame, sexism, French culture, the power of music and the importance of knowing what you are getting into if you really want to be a cameraman in this situation (wink, wink).
Enjoy and take a bite!

good

good

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