The Roses (2025)

My initial thought when I heard this adaptation of The War of the Roses would be directed by Roach was that it might lean into the silly, the over the top battling of soon-to-be exes, and the trailers did push it in that direction. However fortunately it actually spends more time on the relationship between its lead characters than on the revenge. And that part of the movie is quite good. It's often quite smart and endearingly funny. The final act, which falls into the cliches of divorce is less so but it feels like the film knows this, sort of rushing through it so that it doesn't have to spend much of its time there. The only downside is that it doesn't give its final moments enough time to truly resolve and therefore loses some of it punch. 

The Roses examines the ways marriage itself can eat away at connection between the parties. Neither Colman or Cumberbatch's characters are ideal humans but they are both quite relatable and generally lovely, facing very real world (for upper middle class white people anyway) challenges and the film does a nice job of diving into this. The script is funny, if sometimes a bit loose, and it is delivered with a charming dexterity by the film's too amazing leads, actors who can do almost anything, and have surprisingly good chemistry together. 

So while I very much enjoyed it, The Roses left me wanting near the end as they descend into a silliness which just saps some of the power of the rest of the film for laughs which don't quite feel worth it all. I think there is a darker movie here which could have truly taken the characters into a sort of madness and then redemption in a way that might have been more heartfelt. However, as I mentioned earlier, the ending is rushed and less honest than what had come before, and I wasn't sure I entirely bought the final moments. But still, Colman and Cumberbatch are both so good (as are the supporting cast) that The Roses makes for some good, if not perfect, viewing that does ask us to consider some questions about marriage and relationships and perhaps laugh a little too. 

The Roses 

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, Andy Samberg, Alison Janney, Sunita Mani, Ncuti Gatwa, Jamie Demetriou, Zoë Chao, Kate McKinnon 

Director: Jay Roach

Writer: Tony McNamara

The Toxic Avenger (2025)

Despite a bumpy road Macon Blair's love letter to B-moves is finally getting its release and thank goodness cause it is a whole lot of fun with undercurrents of brilliance running through it. With its underground aesthetics, subversive messaging layered into its excessively conspicuous plot, and its heavy use of practical effects The Toxic Avenger is intentionally designed to feel like its from another age, yet its morals couldn't be more modern. It also embraces the legacy of its brand (and its genre) by leaning into silly gore in ways that are clever and damn entertaining. 

Dinklage truly shines here. While being both funny and silly, he also brings a heavy amount of pathos to his role as widowed step father trying to do right by his teen step-son. His relationship with Tremblay is sweet in a genuine way despite how tongue in cheek the movie is trying to be. Their chemistry is so strong make sure you stick around for the post-credit scene which works entirely on the strength of their relationship. 

Macon has woven quite subtly a lot of modern critiques into this otherwise very blatant, in your face film. I appreciated how many throw away lines made sharp, insightful points while we are laughing at some absurdity. This film is smart and fun and sweetly sentimental while bathed in a lot of fake looking gore and blood. 

The Toxic Avenger

Starring: Peter Dinklage, Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige,Julia Davis, Jonny Coyne, Elijah Wood, Kevin Bacon

Writer/Director: Macon Blair 

Caught Stealing (2025)

I have to confess I've never really liked an Aronofsky movie. I think that may have changed with his adaptation of the Huston novel Caught Stealing, a crime thriller with just enough humour to keep it from wallowing in its quite dark storyline but not tipping over into self-satire. This is the sort of film one could see Tarantino directing, which likely would have taken the film down a far more over-the-top path. Instead, Aronofsky plays it cool, sticking to the story, and letting the emotional beats hit themselves while delivering a gripping tale centred around a very likeable, and rather lucky, protagonist. 

The film's story (from the novel) does require a certain amount coincidental confluences of events that keep it from feeling overly realistic which is why Aronofsky's restrained direction makes it work. He has assembled a strong cast around Butler who truly pulls off the lead character's arc in a way that keeps us invested in him. This story could have easily jumped the shark and there may be a few moments that made me scratch my head, including a fridging moment which boarders on exploitative yet also is used to set up so much of the plot's resolution. In fact a lot of characters have to die for our central character to make it out alive, but I found the film pays respect and makes us all feel the losses without getting too weighed down in the misery nor shrugging it off with inopportune humour. 

I felt is all came together rather well and set up what could be a film series if Butler and Aronofsky are so inclined. I normally do not find Aronofsky's choices to be ones I am interested in, but this film, a bit more commercially minded and accessible, is made in the way I enjoy a good commercial movie to be made, with a bit more brains and a strong cast doing good work. So while his "artier" films aren't to the taste of how I like my "arty" films, perhaps our aesthetics related to mainstream movies are a bit more aligned.

Caught Stealing

Starring: Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D'Onofrio, Benito A Martínez Ocasio (Bad Bunny), Griffin Dunne, Carol Kane, Laura Dern

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Writer: Charlie Huston

The Thursday Murder Club (2025)

It isn't often a film has a cast as wonderful as this. The rest of my review may sound a bit critical so I want to say first off how much I enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club, and that is entirely due to just how wonderful watching all these actors together was. Mirren, Brosnan, Kingsley, Imrie, Pryce, Grant... legends everyone. Ackie and Tennant are some of my favourite working actors right now. It was impossible for me not to have a fun time with all of these talents gathered together. 

Having said that The Thursday Murder Club suffers from best-seller-itis symptoms. Like a lot of popular fiction it is designed to hit all the typical plot points in the most mundane and accessible ways to be generally pleasing over being actually interesting or intellectually challenging. It doesn't help that it is directed by the ultimate paint-by-numbers director working in Hollywood. There is no flare or mystery to this mystery. 

*Slight Spoilers* Also the mystery best-seller genre is rife with stories that are woven to be a series of red herrings with an unlikely twist revealing who'd you'd least expect. So the trick is to simply expect the least expected no matter how convoluted the path to getting there needs to be. The Thursday Murder Club is a primary example of this problem. The fact that resolution is centred around likeable characters we are sympathetic to feels less inventive and more formulaic. 

Yet, as I said in the beginning. I enjoyed it immensely anyway, despite all its flaws. While a film like this had the potential to be very rewatchable, its extreme blandness likely lessons the fun of any subsequent viewings. However would I be excited if they announced a seuqel with this cast coming back? You bet your sweet bippy I would. 

The Thursday Murder Club

Starring: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, David Tennant, Johnathan Pryce, Naomi Ackie, Richard E Grant, Tom Ellis

Director: Chris Columbus

Writers: Katy Brand, Suzanne Heathcote

Ne Zha 2 (2025)

After the success of the first Ne Zha it is clear the producers felt they could go all in on the sequel and they do. It is an epic film, a visual feast, and a set up for even more to come. They know they are on to something that audiences around the world are eating up and they are going for it. And it's paying off with Ne Zha 2 becoming the highest grossing animated film in the world.

As I already mentioned Ne Zha 2 is truly epic in scope. The cast is huge and the adventure is big. The film is almost 2 1/2 hours and fills all of its runtime with action and drama. It never feels like it's repeating itself or stretching from the first film's premise. The film maker has built a truly immersive world and filled it with fun characters. 

Like the first, the story does often feel... convenient. Fantasy stories often suffer from the creators being able to just pull whatever rabbit out of their hat they wish to advance the story or create a set back when needed. But the adventure is so much fun and so intense its easy to forgive the short cuts. 

My main critique is more of a personal taste issue. I can't remember the last time there was this much toilet (literally) humour in a film. That never works for me but it doesn't seem to be turning off audiences. But be warned there are some intense dark moments that might make this a hard watch for younger viewers. The runtime may hinder their enjoyment too.

Ne Zha has found a unique visual style which both feels a part of its cultural tradition and very new. There is no denying this is a gorgeous film to watch and a truly good time. The film ends with an expectation there will be more and it's hard to imagine after how successful this has been that we won't be seeing part 3 sometime soon. 

Ne Zha 2

Starring: Crystal Lee, Aleks Le, Michelle Yeoh, Vincent Rodriguez III

Writer/Director: Jiaozi

 

Eenie Meanie (2025)

Eenie Meanie is the sort of film that has a lot of great ideas and a lot of good parts, but doesn't quite come together in a way that works well. While it isn't a terrible watch and manages to be entertaining enough, most of it feels like it could have been better. It just doesn't quite click. There is a better film somewhere here in this story. 

Let's talk about what's good. The big thing is the cast. Weaving is clearly capable of leading a film and she does a good job here but her character isn't written quite well enough for her to truly shine. But her co-star Glusman has a breakout moment. I haven't felt he's been overly impressive in most of the films I've seen here, but his role in Eenie Meanie is a scene stealer, and he rises to the occasion. He is delightfully entertaining throughout. This movie has a far better cast than what you might expect and they all step up. I think the film's flaws would be even more obvious without them doing such a great job. 

The film's biggest weakness might be how it sets out quite a few large barriers that it never quite overcomes. Weaving's relationships are set out as quite unhealthy and it never quite redeems them enough for where they go. This is a 90 minute movie that needs more time to flesh out its story and characters. There is a great car chase near the end and some quite funny moments, and overall I wanted to be invested in what I was watching. I'm just not sure it earns all the pathos needed to really sell this successfully. 

Eenie Meanie

Starring: Samara Weaving, Karl Glusman, Jermaine Fowler, Marshawn Lynch, Randall Park, Steve Zahn, Andy Garcia 

Writer/Director: Shawn Simmons 

Night Always Comes (2025)

I found director Caron's previous film, Sharper, interesting if not perfect, and Night Always Comes feels like a step up, perhaps due to the central performance by Vanessa Kirby who truly gets to show off just how talented she is with this complex and fascinating performance. The film follows her character over the course of one night as she navigates one set back after another attempting to salvage what she can of her plan for herself and her brother while so much of her past catches up with her. She is riveting. 

The film does a good job of setting up just how classist structures prevent many people from pulling themselves out of precarious circumstances. One of the things I have found interesting is the way much of the criticism this film has taken is centred around judging the main character's choices, in the same way our culture often judges the choices of those who live day to day without the security of knowing how next week's costs are going to be paid. The meta text here proves much of the movie's point. 

For me Caron's visuals are beautiful here even if his narrative telling doesn't always feel smooth. Still Night Always Comes is extremely watchable despite some of the powerfully troubling moments in the story. Caron has shot a visually rich film. But most of what makes it work is Kirby truly shining through as the incredible actor she is, supported by what is mostly a very talented cast, especially Leigh, Gottsagen, and James. 

Night Always Comes

Starring: Vanessa Kirby, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Zack Gottsagen, Stephen James, Randall Park, Julia Fox, Michael Kelly, Eli Roth 

Director: Benjamin Caron

Writer: Sarah Conradt

Sweet Summer Pow Wow (2025)

Sometimes a film with a lot of heart and charm can still turn out to be... not great. The cast here has a lot of charisma and the story, while very rote, is engaging. But the script often lets everyone down by being awkward and unnatural. The film, following a very formulaic rom-com model uses a lot of wornout tropes and makes a great deal of narrative assumptions to the point where it rarely feels authentic. 

Where the film succeeds is in how organic and natural it weaves in its cultural references. There is an ease to this which makes it all flow nicely despite the romance storyline's clunkiness. The art direction and score truly stand out and the film never feels forced. 

Some of the cast are stronger than others which sometimes takes you out of the story, but the film both benefits and suffers from having the legendary Graham Greene in an extended cameo role. His talent over-shines those weaker cast members sometimes drawing attention to it but he also pulls it all back together with his incredible on screen presence.

So while there was a great deal to like about Sweet Summer Pow Wow there were also a lot of flaws distracting us. Even having said that I would like to see where this film maker goes next. 

Sweet Summer Pow Wow

Starring: Joshua Odjick, Tatyana Rose Baptiste, Graham Greene

Director: Darrell Dennis

Writers: Darrell Dennis, Katya Gardner

KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

Yes it's completely predictable and formulaic. Yes its of-the-moment trendy capitalizing on music and art trends that are fleeting. Yes it is an American pastiche of Korean pop culture. But then how come it's so much fun. Like actual K Pop KPop Demon Hunters has a catchy hook that is hard not to get seduced by. Its also lovingly earnest in its love letter to Asian pop tropes. So while it might have the depth of a wading pool KPop Demon Hunters is too much sweet fun to dump on. 

This feels like the sort of thing that could grow into more. Further movies could explore more of the lore and characters' backgrounds. For now it feels somewhat slim and limited but there is a great deal of potential in world building here. With the success this film is having no doubt we'll get more. I just hope they don't cheep out on the sequels.

KPop Demon Hunters

Starring: Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong,k Joel Kim Booster

Directors: Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans

Writers: Danya Jimenez, Hannah McMechan, Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans

Nobody 2 (2025)

Like the first Nobody, 2 is a fun romp that seems to be what would John Wick be if he had a family and wasn't taking himself seriously. While the film begins to provide some diminishing returns, it remains a fun watch that benefits from having a tongue in cheek attitude and a blessedly short runtime. I'm not sure this feels like the sort of things that should go on in perpetuity and perhaps might be better watched on streaming that as a night out to the movies. 

Odenkirk is good in this role, being both believable and self-deprecating enough to pull it off. Lloyd and Stone are both just clearly having fun without having to put in much effort. I guess my main thing with this sequel, which makes it feel a little less than its predecessor, is that it never feels like anyone is putting that much into this. Perhaps the right expression would be "three-quarters assed" since "half-assed" doesn't feel quite fair. I think if this had been drawn out it would have overstayed its welcome but at a brisk 90 minutes it paper thin script/story manages to work. 

Nobody 2 feels little like a throw away film for watching at home that will feel like light distraction that offers little more than just mild entertainment, which isn't bad in itself. 

Nobody 2

Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, John Ortiz, RZA, Colin Hanks, Christopher Lloyd, Sharon Stone 

Director: Timo Tjahjanto

Writers: Derek Kolstad, Aaron Rabin

Weapons (2025)

Weapons manages to be both an evocative puzzle of a movie and a classic feeling horror film that draws on genre conventions in a way that pays loving tribute to its sources. While I was impressed with much of Creggar's debut film, Barbarian, I had my critiques of it too. With Weapons I feel he has elevated his ideas further being fully committed to a movie that is both a scary camp fire story, a gripping character study, and a comment on hard to process real world tragedy, all balanced with just the right dash of humour which doesn't distract from the seriousness but allows some room to breath. Weapons juggles all of this, keeping all the balls in the air, and delivers an experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat. 

There is a lot to process here and I think it's the sort of film that I will revisit and get more out of with further viewings. But it also works as a stand alone story that doesn't leave you confounded. It is remarkable how the film gives you the satisfaction of a conclusion and an explanation while also leaving so many questions to ponder. The audience can leave as the credit roll, closing the book on the tale and accepting an understanding of what they just saw. Or they can reflect on much of what was suggested, ask questions about some mysteries, and perhaps even reflect on what impact there will be for the characters and the world this is set in, after we get up and leave the cinema. Part of what makes Weapons so satisfying is just how much it works in different ways. 

I appreciated that Weapons has some iconic images that I believe are going to secure themselves in American cinema cannon. This has the potential to join the ranks of classic horror films while also leaving itself open to interpretation and water-cooler discussion about its meanings and impacts. Madigan is certainly going to go down as one of the great cinematic horror characters, and may also pop into many viewers' nightmares. 

It may be hard to do as this film enters the zeitgeist, but Weapons is the sort of movie that is best to go into knowing as little as possible. The question may be what does it mean to you? How are you processing what you watched? What emotions and fears does it trigger? What does it make you reflect on? Even if you choose not to spend much time deconstructing it, Weapons has at its heart a creepy story that is ruthlessly engaging, that it is hard to take your eyes off of. 

Weapons

Starring: Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, Amy Madigan 

Writer/Director: Zach Creggar

Eephus (2025)

I had no idea what the word "eephus" means. I have no interest what so ever in baseball and find it hard to relate to heterosexual male bonding. But along comes a film like this, with its quiet tenderness, its slice of life perspective, and some honest raw performances, and I was charmed by Eephus and, dare I say, moved. Set over the course of the last amateur baseball game before the local field is demolished for new development, Eephus is a story about connections, passions, aging, and loss, filmed in the most unassuming manner that you don't expect it to hit the way it does. 

Eephus is never heavy handed or on the nose. We are presented with a cast that is made up of mostly unrecognizable faces, very real world/average faces, and we watch them play a game of baseball. But the film avoids any sport movie cliches. There isn't some final inning hailmary, no underdogs overcoming the odds, no tragic go-down-fighting loss, or any of the tropes we expect in these films. Instead the energy is in the conversations as the game is played, the connections between the friends and casual acquaintances sharing this moment of interaction. The "big" finale is not in some sporting achievement but in the playing to the end itself. 

Eephus defies expectation and ends up being something completely different than you'd expect. It doesn't do so through bold gestures but with quiet passion. There is a script here is that is masterful in feeling 100% like natural conversation while communicating so much to its audience about the men we are watching and their world. It also speaks to something beautiful about community sport and what makes community in the first place. It also, quite deftly and surprisingly, offers fascinating explorations of heterosexual male relationships and connections. There is a contemplative aspect to this film which raises it above what one might anticipate and offer something truly fresh and downright entertaining without being showy.

And that's what "eephus" means. It is a kind of pitch that is slow yet deceptive with a long high arch. The film copies that with its narrative and cinematic trajectory and hence the name of the film. 

Eephus

Starring: Keith William Richards, Frederick Wiseman, Bill Lee

Director: Carson Lund

Writers: Michael Basta, Nate Fisher, Carson Lund

Shook (2025)

Wala impresses with this feature debut. While his script sometimes belabours his points and perhaps his jokes overstay their welcome, Shook remains an enjoyable watch. Wala's strength appears to be in creating and depicting relationships as Ash's romance, his family dynamic, and his circle of friends all feel remarkably honest and authentic. 

My main critique of Shook is how it sometimes overemphasizes things. A lot could go unsaid or unrepeated and have a greater impact. But the story here is strong as is the cast. Shook pays tribute to his home Scarborough by making the area a character itself in the story. Again sometimes this gets laid on pretty thick, but one can truly sense and feel the city and its presence. 

What impressed me most was the way he balanced three stories so seemingly effortlessly. There is the romcom, the family drama, and the buddy movie all packed in together in a way that feels seamless and natural. I like that he didn't attempt to solve the the threads either despite a bit of a rush to wrap things up in the final act. 

Overall, Shook is a delightful watch with only a few hiccups. The kind of film that makes you want to see what the film maker will do next. 

Shook

Starring: Saamer Usmani, Bernard White, Amy Forsyth, Pamela Mala Sinha 

Director: Amar Wala

Writers: Adnan Khan, Amar Wala

The Pickup (2025)

Story's recent film, The Blackening, was smart, funny, and fascinating. Unfortunately The Pickup is not really any of those things. The main problem appears to be the script which makes each set piece over the top beyond believability, that has a plot filled with cliches and holes, and is filled with humour that just isn't very funny. The cast does what it can with what its got and Story competently handles the direction. But little can overcome this dumb story that feels churned out in a weekend. 

The open scene sums up a lot of the problems with the film. It is in theory attempting to be a hilarious meet-cute bit fails on all fronts by escalating in a way that feels neither natural nor all that funny. So many of the jokes just fall flat or feel forced and so many of the film's action sequences feel overly choreographed and ridiculous. And in the end the film attempts to rehabilitate the villain in a way that is insulting to the audience's intelligence and just isn't successful. There is a line where Longoria's character looks at Davidson and says "you know how stupid that is, right?"

Perhaps the worst part is that The Pickup is boring. It's hard to believe a film starring Eddie Murphy and Keke Parlmer is this dull to watch. There is a reason this went straight to Prime and didn't get a theatrical release. 

The Pickup

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Keke Palmer, Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria, Andrew Dice Clay 

Director: Tim Story

Writers: Matt Mider, Kevin Burrows

Riff Raff (2025)

Riff Raff has a clever script and a wicked cast but it's execution often feels pedantic making it loose momentum occasionally. Still there are moments that make it worth a watch even if it doesn't always work perfectly. It has scenes that are a lot of fun, and the performances, creating relationships between the characters, do a lot of heavy lifting. So it ends up being a bit of mixed bag that you won't be sorry you watched but are unlikely to revisit. 

The biggest asset here is Coolidge who gets to play a role that isn't just the one she's been typecast in. It is a layered character that plays into her strengths but also gives her more to do than we often get to see. But she's not alone. Miles J. Harvey gives an impressive standout as the central character, our narrator, who ties everything together. He is the "everyman" character that we can connect to amongst the crazy cast of characters presented and he brings a pathos that movie needs to up its stakes. Truly the entire cast does good work here and there are moments the script gives them that are truly enjoyable. 

I will give it credit for mostly keeping its heightened violence off screen. It doesn't indulge in fetishizing any of that.

The main problem is there is a real paint-by-numbers approach to how it is shot and put together. It often feels like a copy of a Coen Brothers film or a Tarantino film instead of finding it's own voice. There are a few clunky moments that keep it from truly connecting.  It's a near miss, but if you want to enjoy some great moments from this cast it's still worth checking out. 

Riff Raff

Starring: Jennifer Coolidge, Ed Harris,Gabrielle Union,Lewis Pullman,Miles J. Harvey, Emanuela Postacchini, Michael Angelo Covino, Pete Davidson, Bill Murray 

Director: Dito Montiel

Writer: John Pollono

Together (2025)

While body horror is not my favourite genre of horror, Together has all the hallmarks of the sort of unsettling stories which get into our deep fears and pull them to the surface, which is far more up my alley. For me the strengths of the film were far more about the intellectual existential horror themes and its weaknesses were when it got into gross out horror. While I have critiques of some of its more out there moments I still think Together works and found it deeply discomforting. 

Warning I can't discuss the pros and cons of Together without *spoilers* so read this after you've seen it.

I'll get the critiques out of the way first. So much of when Together gets into showing us the graphic body merging it becomes less scary. A big part of this is because it doesn't look real. The film's budget and it's leaning into full display (instead of attempting shadow and suggestion) make it seem fake looking. Whether its the hikers in the cave or the final surrendering, the effects just weren't effective. So much of what was happening here could have been done with far less vivid imagery and likely would have felt more real and therefore more terrifying. 

Also as the film hit its climaxes, it felt too on the nose, like it was holding our hand, making sure we understood. I never need a film to talk down to me. This isn't just in the graphic images. A good example of this is Jamie. There is a scene near the end of Act II which pretty much outlines who he (they?) are we didn't need the bigger, more dramatic, more full out evil reveal near the end that just reeked of horror cliches. He didn't need to be a villain, just an example, which would have left things more ambiguous and far more interesting. The film feels like it's going for a goal of a kind of ambiguity yet it pushes its final scenes so over the top that hinders that achievement. 

Same with the ending, watching Tim and Millie physically merge was unnecessary and distracting. It could have ended with them dancing, some suggestive shots of "coming together", and then cut to that final shot. Again I would have found this a far more powerful culmination of what the film is doing. Together does great work of this in earlier bits (the legs fusing, and that incredibly filmed sex scene). I was disappointed it had to wrap it up the way it did. We knew where it was going and we understand what was going on. I wish it would have trusted us to just go with it and ride it to the end without continually asking "did you get it?" "did you get it?" "see what I did there?"

But that's enough of that, cause overall I really did find Together fascinating. The way its story explores the complications of relationships, individuality, dysfunction, is so rich it is the sort of film that just begs for its audience to go for drinks after to discuss. It gives us so much to chew on and remains generally entertaining throughout without dragging its story. 

It is also quite effectively disconcerting. Our culture promotes finding "the one" and the "perfect relationship" and Together asks some difficult questions about that. It uses a very disturbing metaphor to do it and one that will not only make us squirm but perhaps shriek. The casting of real life couple Brie and Franco adds additional layers to these questions in a film that is already so robust in its themes. Overall Together is a winner even if Shanks could use a little restraint to up the ante even more. 

Together

Starring: Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Damon Herriman

Writer/Director: Michael Shanks