Movie Film Reviews

The Running Man is quality. Its high concept is rich with social commentary. Themes of inequality, surveillance, militarism, propaganda, and commercialism are satirized. By preserving its emotional core, the script blends adventure alongside sobriety. The protagonist isn't complex, but his motivation is relatable. In turn, an internal conflict arises between familial responsibilities and revolution. Though the arc feels muddled, these pieces are present. There's setup/payoff

Frankenstein is fueled by timeless storytelling. Some might find it cliche, but that's inherent when faithfully adapting such a foundational tale. It has an iconic plot, Shakespearean drama, and vast themes. Ideas like mortality, creation, forgiveness, obsession, identity, abuse, grief, and loneliness all trace back to contemplations on the human condition. Each character bears flaws plus internal conflicts, yielding opportunities for poignant arcs. Intensity, layers, physic

Predator: Badlands constructs a simple storyline, earned arcs, and mild themes. However, the script rarely exceeds these adequate standards. Cramped by excessive action, drama is rushed plus exposition-heavy. This broadens emotions while muting relatability. Since dialogue overexplains, subtext becomes belabored. There's minimal survivalism, pointless franchising, numbing stakes, clunky humor, contrivances, and predictability. Internal conflicts are weak, making growth less

Mixing absurd satire alongside tragic intimacy, Bugonia is potent. Its thriller plot sustains tension, sharp dialogue, surprises, and decisive character choices. With internal conflicts on full display, drama feels effortless. Social commentary (spanning from dehumanization to self-destruction) anchors itself to a central thesis of control. Black humor heightens juxtaposition while forging a playfully cynical worldview. It has setup/payoff as well as motifs. Remarkably dynami

Despite its plot feeling slight or aimless, Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere is a portrait of depression. It explores themes of identity, generational trauma, isolation, escapism, artistic expression, and confronting inner demons. Never oversimplified, the characters are humanized with flaws. Although it sometimes waxes poetic, the dialogue remains natural. There's earned vulnerability, a creative process, and minimal cliches. While somewhat one-note plus largely interna

Shelby Oaks is all premise. Preoccupied with exposition plus plot cliches, it never develops drama beyond initial motivations. As a result, characters are generic tropes, rendering the story broad and thin. With no internal conflicts, there are no arcs. Its intense, vulnerable, and code-switching performances eventually feel one-note due to one-dimensional roles. The mystery becomes shallow because the detective work is incidental as well as contrived. Its dialogue is often

After the Hunt introduces themes of power, intellectualism, ethics, consent, generational differences, trauma, and identity politics. Many might find its conclusions indecisive and, consequently, counterproductive. However, the story's core message is about our willingness to bend our beliefs for personal gain. Though its dialogue can be pretentious while the protagonists (plus their drama) feel distant, this detachment reflects how they posture for optics. Elevating these p

Despite developing an immersive mood, Black Phone 2 struggles to solidify dynamic substance. The script unpacks themes of PTSD, but stagnates around that. Its plot is thin yet oddly convoluted with backstory. Missing direct internal conflicts, the protagonists' arcs ultimately seem mild. When these core literary flaws merge into a slow-burn approach, the writing becomes slight and monotonous. Awkward quips as well as heavy exposition make the dialogue feel unnatural. There a

Convoluting its formulaic narrative while sapping its drama, Tron: Ares is all exposition. Because it wholly prioritizes the plot,...

Despite a thin plot, Good Boy 's high concept cultivates emotional insights. Showing instead of telling, it has minimal dialogue plus...

The Smashing Machine harnesses an understated story for perceptive drama. Thin but subversive, its plot allows emotions to radiate. This...

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey uses a high concept for earnest drama. Though heavy-handed, it examines themes of hindsight, opening up,...

Fearlessly addressing hot-button political issues while maintaining an intimate heart, One Battle After Another is a statement. Built...

Introducing ideas of obsession, idolization, and dehumanization, Him 's premise invites social commentary with deeper psychology....

Sorry, Baby 's blend of humor with tragedy provides a personal look into serious topics (like mental health and assault). While some...

The Long Walk unpacks the political and philosophical sides of humanization. Although its themes of authoritarianism, connection, and...

Showing over telling, No Country for Old Men exemplifies the art of implication. Its tight plot creates looming tension as well as...

The Conjuring: Last Rites clumsily stumbles between hollow scares and sanctimonious sentimentality. The plot is a repetitive series of...

Despite many Coen Brothers hallmarks, Honey Don't! doesn't solidify. It has mystery, flavorful side characters, quick dialogue,...

With compelling pieces that don't always unify, Caught Stealing is almost great. While the plot can feel convoluted, its premise as well...