The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE is a 2026 animated adventure comedy film directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, from a screenplay written by Matthew Fogel. The film, which is a sequel to THE SUPER MARIOS BROS. MOVIE (our full review here), is based on the 2007 video game Super Mario Galaxy. Production companies include Illumination and Nintendo.

Mario ventures into space, exploring cosmic worlds and tackling galactic challenges far from the familiar Mushroom Kingdom.

The cast of voice actors includes Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Kevin Michael Richardson, Benny Safdie, and Brie Larson

THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE made its debut in theaters April 1st, courtesy of Universal Pictures.

THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE is yet another reason to take what the majority of the so-called “critics” say with a grain of salt. Big surprise, right? Nah, not really. In my experience most critics seem to have a disconnect when it comes to films based on video games, so why they continue to even try and insert their two cents is beyond me.

Personally, I grew up playing these games as a kid, and now as a parent myself, this is absolutely the perfect movie experience to share with my kids. Plus as someone who has loved movies the majority of my life I am always looking for films to share with my kids, but unfortunately they are still young and always seem worried about movies being “too scary”. Mind you, scary at their age is a dinosaur or any bad guy in any movie ever. After getting them a Switch 2 for Christmas, they have become obsessed with Mario Kart, so they could not wait to go and see THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE.

We were all very excited to finally see it, and THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE delivered. My 7-year-old said he gives the movie a 9-10, which is pretty good considering he tends to be a tough grader. He has been watching a ton of videos from YouTuber’s who focus primarily on content related to Mario Kart World, but as the film release has gotten closer they have talked a good amount about what they expect to see with different characters etc. So for that reason my son has been talking about what he was hoping to see in the film, and to say he was pleased would be an understatement.

Personally, I loved how many easter eggs the film included for the generation that grew up playing Mario, and the fact that it also found a way to entertain the new generation made it that much sweeter. I felt like every character had an opportunity to get the audience laughing, but I dare to say Bowser was my favorite this time around especially considering the development of his character.

The story was engaging, the characters were all fantastic, and I personally thought the ending was pretty much perfect. I was locked in from the opening sequence and looking over to see the smiles on my kids faces throughout the film was pretty awesome. My 5-year-old’s best friend came as well, and the two of them getting each others attention during parts of the film that got them really excited was incredibly sweet to see. In my humble opinion, that is what its all about.

THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE is hilarious, I can’t even say for sure how many times I laughed out loud. The film does a great job serving up humor that targets the adults specifically, but man was it cool laughing along with my kids at something that brought me so much joy throughout my childhood. The voice actors were so good here with everyone bringing a little something to their character.

Chris Pratt and Charlie Day are pure perfection as Mario and Luigi, sharing fantastic chemistry. Jack Black was just awesome yet again as Bowser, even better this time around in my opinion. Benny Safdie was really good as Bowser Jr., and I loved that they brought in my guy Glen Powell to play Fox McCloud, better known as Star Fox, which was such a great cameo by the way. From Brie Larson, Anya-Taylor Joy, Donald Glover, Keegan-Michael Key, to Issa Rae, and on and on from there, this was one heck of a cast.

As expected from an Illumination Entertainment film, THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE looks incredible. I found myself in awe of the visuals basically from start to finish, and I also really enjoyed the fact that at times they showed what the graphics looked like when I was a kid. What a change! The impressive visuals help to make THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE that much more of an immersive film experience, and it was really cool to see some of the power-up transformations for Mario and Luigi especially, as well as all the cameos.

There really isn’t much else to say honestly, the movie just looks really, really good. I have to talk about the amazing score/soundtrack which served up a healthy dose of nostalgia for me and honestly had me smiling from ear to ear. The team behind the music for THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE was not messing around and they helped to ensure I will be snagging the 4K Blu-ray on release day. Also for people keeping track, as much as I enjoyed THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE, I thought this was better and my kids seem to agree.

THE VERDICT

An absolutely hilarious, action-packed, and endlessly fun adventure for the entire family, THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE is a nostalgic and immersive theater experience that delivers for all ages. Trust the audience score and ignore the so-called critics on this one, because this is a movie well worth the price of admission. The entire theater I was in clapped as the credits hit the screen if that tells you anything at all. Also, be sure to stick around for the post-credits scenes as we look ahead to the next movie!

TED TAKES RATING - 8.5/10

THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

They Will Kill You

THEY WILL KILL YOU is a 2026 action comedy horror film directed by Kirill Sokolov, and written by Sokolov and Alex Litvak. The film is produced by Andy Muschietti (Mama, It, It: Chapter 2) Barbara Muschietti, and Dan Kagan, and executive produced by Russell Ackerman, John Schoenfelder, Carl Hampe, Litvak and Sokolov.

A woman (Zazie Beetz) takes a housekeeping job in a mysterious New York City high-rise. As she unravels the building's dark history of disappearances, she uncovers links to a possible satanic cult.

The cast includes Zazie Beetz, Myha’La, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, and Patricia Arquette.

THEY WILL KILL YOU made its debut in theaters March 27th, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

THEY WILL KILL YOU released at an interesting time in my opinion because it came out just a week after the release of READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME (our full review and trailer here), which felt very similar but also had an established following considering it was a sequel. With that being said, within I would say the first 20 minutes or so there was much more to this film than I originally realized. I need to give a massive kudos to the marketing team because although the trailers were absolutely fantastic, they still somehow kept the primary theme of the film hidden. This is not easy task especially this day and age, so I need to give credit where credit is due.

Now obviously I can only say so much about the film without spoiling it myself which would be a massive A-hole move on my part, so I will steer clear of doing that and instead do my best to share my thoughts relative to peoples expectations or just my experience as a whole. I thought THEY WILL KILL YOU was a blast to watch in theaters. The film has sort of a gritty almost comic book feel to it, with your obvious villain from the past that sets up what is to come with twists and turns along the way.

The story has so many more layers to it compared to what the trailer shows which is obviously a good thing, but what the trailer does a tremendous job of is establishing the over-the-top and gloriously satisfying violence the film serves up. If you’re in the mood for gratuitous violence, action, humor, and a surprisingly good story, THEY WILL KILL YOU is the film for you.

THEY WILL KILL YOU does not hold back with the action sequences, and some of the kills are just incredible. The opening fight scene that is shown in the trailer had me ready to jump up and down, and this was just the tip of the iceberg. I could try and compare the overall feel and direction of the film to other franchises out there, but it may give things away and that is a risk I am not willing to take.

Just trust me when I say that THEY WILL KILL YOU is action-packed, extremely bloody, hilarious, and endlessly entertaining. I thought the cast was great as well with Zazie Beets killing it as per usual, pun intended, as well as other notables performances from Patricia Arquette, Paterson Joseph, and fan-favorite bad guy Tom Felton.

THE VERDICT

A wild and creative horror thriller with a touch of dark humor that brings something fresh and original to the genre, THEY WILL KILL YOU does not disappoint as it serves up over-the-top and gloriously satisfying violence.

TED TAKES RATING - 7.9/10

THEY WILL KILL YOU is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come

READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME is a 2026 dark comedy horror film directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, from a screenplay by Bettinelli-Olpin, Guy Busick, and R. Christopher Murphy. It is the sequel to the 2019 film READY OR NOT (preview and trailer here), which Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett also directed.

After surviving one deadly game, Grace (Samara Weaving) and her sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) must now outrun four rival families competing for a powerful throne - winner takes all.

The cast includes Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, Néstor Carbonell, Kevin Durand, Olivia Cheng, David Cronenberg, and Elijah Wood.

READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME made its debut in theaters on March 20th, courtesy of Searchlight Pictures.

Literally picking up where the first film left off on the front steps of the burning mansion, READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME is the sequel we were all hoping for. I really enjoyed the first movie so I went back and gave it a rewatch right before seeing the new movie, so it was awesome to see that it was such a seamless transition. Needless to say the first film ended in a way that took many people by surprise, but I will say right now the idea of these people “spontaneously combusting” is a driving force of the sequel.

In my opinion this part of the film adds to the dark comedy piece of it all, and it also brings with it a supernatural element to the film which I loved. At the end of READY OR NOT right before Grace exits the burning house she catches a glimpse of what seems to be the ghost of the man pulling the strings. The idea of this is a big part of the story for READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME and I can say without a doubt this is very much a good thing.

Grace, thinking her living nightmare is finally over, wakes up in a hospital bed handcuffed and soon comes to the very unfortunate realization that the rich and psychotic family she married into is far from done with her. Grace’s estranged sister Faith decides to show up and support her sister at the worst possible time as they both find themselves in a fight for their lives. We are quickly introduced to easily one of my favorite characters, a man known only as The Lawyer played by Elijah Wood, who is the man that ensures all rules are followed accordingly.

Similar to the first film, the ultimate goal is to kill Grace, who now has the help of her sister, as she is now the last remaining member of the Le Domas family. She is to be hunted by each head of family using only specifically sanctioned weapons, and whoever manages to killer her assumes the seat of ultimate power. Needless to say Grace is underestimated yet again, and the hunt is that much more fun this time around.

READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME is honestly everything I could hope for from a sequel, and then some. The first film set the stage for the premise perfectly so this time around the fun starts right away so it really doesn’t miss a beat. I thought the feel of the film was great, and the dark comedy element was very much prevalent once again and I honestly laughed out loud quite a bit. Having great characters was that much more important this time around and they absolutely nailed it. READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME is hilarious as well thanks to the dynamic between all of these families each convinced they have what it takes to win it all.

I already mentioned Elijah Wood who was awesome, and Samara Weaving once again proves herself as the ultimate Scream Queen. I thought the other new additions were fantastic as well including Kathryn Newton who had great chemistry with Weaving. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Animal Kingdom’s Shawn Hatosy were so damn good together. I really liked veteran actor Nestor Carbonell in this as well, he always seems to set the tone with the intensity of his characters. Also a shoutout to a Kevin Durand, Nadeem Umar-Khitab, Dan Beirne, Olivia Cheng, Antony Hall, Varun Saranga, and of course horror legend David Cronenberg.

At the end of the day READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME is a dark comedy horror film that has a blast with the craziness. In the original film it all centered on this one family, but the new film takes everything to the next level as it becomes a battle for the power that comes along with the top spot. It turns out the power and influence knows no bounds as the power spreads to world politics and beyond, adding additional intrigue for viewers as far as why these people would go to these lengths to kill Grace.

THE VERDICT

Embracing an absurd premise and stepping it up a notch with great new characters and bigger stakes, READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME is fun from start to finish and everything you could possibly want from a sequel. If you enjoyed the first film you will absolutely love this movie so be sure to check it out in theaters. I doubt they will do a 3rd movie, but if somehow they feel the desire I would absolutely watch it.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.1/10

READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Project Hail Mary

PROJECT HAIL MARY is a 2026 science fiction adventure film produced and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, from a screenplay by Drew Goddard. The film is based on the 2021 New York Times best-selling novel of the same name by Andy Weir (The Martian).

Astronaut Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) awakens on a spacecraft with no memory of himself or his mission. He slowly deduces he is the sole survivor of a crew sent to the Tau Ceti solar system in search of a solution to a catastrophic event on Earth. In his search for answers, Grace must rely on his vast array of scientific knowledge, sheer ingenuity, and human will – but he may not have to search alone.

The cast includes Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, and Milana Vayntrub.

PROJECT HAIL MARY made its debut in theaters March 20th, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios.

Lets be honest, they had me at Ryan Gosling. That is my guy. He is such an amazing actor, but one my favorite roles of his would probably be The Place Beyond the Pines, probably because it felt like such a different role for him. Gosling is easily one of the most talented actors working today, and he has proven that when it comes time to tug at the old heart strings, he is more than capable.

The marketing campaign for PROJECT HAIL MARY has been pretty impressive to say the least, building up steam during the Super Bowl and never slowing down. But they really didn’t need to sell me on the movie, I was already going opening day no matter what.

The day finally came and I was able to see PROJECT HAIL MARY during a Thursday afternoon showing in a packed IMAX theater, and all I can say is wow. This movie is just so damn good. I was sitting there with a bunch of complete strangers and within 30 seconds of the film starting we were all laughing out loud like a bunch of friends. Ryan Gosling’s impact on the film was felt immediately, and it just got better from there.

This is such a big movie in so many ways and you really should try and see it in IMAX, ACX, Screen X, or whatever kind of “X” technology is available for you. While you’re at it check out the horror movie X (our full review here), which is also fantastic. Bottom line, when it comes to PROJECT HAIL MARY, go big or go home!! But seriously, see this movie in theaters because if you even consider waiting until it releases at home, you are doing yourself a disservice. Plus the successful release of the film likely means it will stay in theaters for awhile (fingers crossed).

I loved every single thing about PROJECT HAIL MARY. In every way this film encompasses the reason why we go to the movie theater. So often I will go and see a movie that I am excited about and I will show up to a half-full theater, which is a bummer. Granted I often try and go to matinee showings when possible because I have way too many kids, but it just did not matter with PROJECT HAIL MARY.

When I was reserving my seat online I couldn’t believe how fast the theater was selling out. Clearly the marketing campaign worked getting people pumped up for this movie, but the biggest accomplishment is the fact that it absolutely delivers in every conceivable way. I got up from my seat with the biggest smile on my face as the credits began to roll.

Ryan Gosling has accomplished so much in his career as an actor, but his performance in PROJECT HAIL MARY may be his best yet. Seems like a crazy thing to say, right? I agree. But he is everything in this movie. He is hilarious, smart, heartwarming, and his infectious personality literally shines through the screen. Basically if you read his characters bio on Match.com you would be ALL IN. All jokes aside, his character Ryland Grace is the ultimate blend of humility, compassion, and selflessness. Also quick shoutout to actress Sandra Hüller who was amazing as well, and also my guy Lionel Boyce (The Bear), who crushed it as Carl.

Now granted it took some doing to get him there, but you will fall in love with Ryland Grace I can guarantee you that. He is just so incredibly relatable as the definition of an imperfect person poised for a story of redemption. I have yet to read the book, but a buddy of mine told me that Gosling was without a doubt the perfect person to play this character, and that statement alone moved the book to the top of my must-read list. Admittedly, I read books at a snails pace, but I hear it is a very easy read that keeps the pages turning.

Plus, what is better than art benefiting art? Think about it, people who love movies will go see PROJECT HAIL MARY, and people who loved the book will also go and see the movie. In turn, people like me who were blown away by the movie will now read the book. It is a really awesome full circle sort of thing that just makes it that much more special when a book becomes such a successful movie.

We have to tip our hats to sci-fi/fantasy author Andy Weir, who also wrote The Martian, which Ridley Scott turned into a blockbuster film starring Matt Damon back in 2015. Bottom line, if you get two of your books made into movies with the lead roles going to Matt Damon and Ryan Gosling, you better get a damn star on the Hollywood Hall of Fame that is all I am saying.

Back on track a bit here, PROJECT HAIL MARY is just such an amazing film. When I think about it I honestly can’t help but smile, and I really just want to see it again as soon as possible. My hope is I can get my wife out to see it with me assuming we can lock our kids in the closet for 2 1/2 hours without law enforcement getting involved. Kidding, sort of. The friendship between Grace and Rocky, the incredible visuals, the poetic soundtrack/score, the limitless humor, it all just comes together to create one of the best moviegoing experiences in recent memory.

I watched a video of a surprise appearance Gosling did at an early screening for the film, and he said something that resonated with me. He said it is not our job as viewers to keep the moviegoing experience alive, but it is the job of studios, directors, actors, etc, to create something that is worthy of the big screen. Well PROJECT HAIL MARY is not only worthy of the big screen, it is the best theater experience this year and it is not even close.

THE VERDICT

A rare cinematic book-to-screen adaptation featuring an incredibly touching performance from Ryan Gosling, PROJECT HAIL MARY is a hilarious and heartwarming sci-fi adventure that absolutely blew me away. I can seriously talk about how much I loved this movie for hours and hours, but do yourself a favor and see this movie in theaters as soon as humanly possible.

I mean, Ryland Grace made a trip to space to save mankind with no chance at getting back, a quick drive to the theater in support of his heroism really is the least you can do.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.8/10

PROJECT HAIL MARY is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Undertone

UNDERTONE is a 2026 supernatural horror thriller film written and directed by Ian Tuason, in his directorial debut.

A podcast host covering spooky content moves in to care for her dying mother. When sent recordings of a pregnant couple's paranormal encounters, she discovers their story parallels hers, each tape pushing her toward madness.

The cast includes Nina Kiri, Kris Holden-Ried, Michèle Duquet, Keana Lyn Bastidasand, Sarah Beaudin, Seled Calderon, and Adam DiMarco.

UNDERTONE made its debut in theaters March 13th, courtesy of A24.

I absolutely love horror movies, and as I have gotten older I am always in search of that movie that can truly scare me. Now I’m not talking about jump scares, I’m talking about actual chills. For me a movie is genuinely scary when I get chills down my spine and can hardly move. It is such a strange sensation but somehow something I continue to crave. With that being said, horror movies in general are incredibly subjective. What I find truly scary another person may find stupid, and vice versa. As a kid I was scared to death of the Child’s Play films to the point where my older brother would chase me around the video store with the case and I would run for dear life. Good times. I also vividly recall being traumatized by the original Pet Sematary film. Needless to say I didn’t have much supervision as a kid.

Now as an adult I would say that I have become very desensitized to horror in general to the point where not much bothers me, but as I was saying I still crave those chills. In my adult life one of my most vivid memories when it comes to a horror film genuinely scaring me is the original Paranormal Activity film back in 2007. I remember experiencing chills down my entire body during this film, and what a unique experience it was seeing it opening night and not knowing what to expect. I still remember sitting in my car in the parking lot and being startled by the door of the car next to me shutting. I lived alone at the time and I remember thinking if I wake up at 3:00 AM I am going to lose my mind. Now that is what horror is all about, a film that impacts you in such a way that it stays with you after leaving the theater. This is a rare experience for sure, which brings me to the latest horror film UNDERTONE, which hit theaters with a ton if hype behind it.

Right out of the gate I will say that UNDERTONE is a very good horror film, and it did manage to give me chills. It was really well executed with an interesting and genuinely creepy premise, some super creative and effective camera work, and score/sound design that absolutely demands the theater experience. If you have any interest in seeing this film and enjoying it, you need to see it in theaters, and if possible a theater with Dolby Digital sound. When the main character puts on her headphones it is like the audience is putting on the headphones too which is a cool aspect to the film, but to take full advantage of that viewers need to hear all of these sounds that seem to come from all over. Plus if you see the film in a theater with lesser quality sound, or if you decide munch on your popcorn a bit too loudly, you will without a doubt miss some things that will impact the effect the film has on you.

UNDERTONE is very much a slow burn style horror film, but this is part of what makes it so good. I mentioned the original Paranormal Activity film and in some ways this reminds me of that. The film has a very somber tone from the start and sort of slowly builds to the more shocking parts of the film that gave me chills, but I had to be patient. Plus, UNDERTONE utilizes a shooting style with a sort of offset camera angle, so if the main character is at her desk she is sort of to the right of the screen so you are constantly watching to see if something is going to happen in other parts of the room. Plus at times the camera will actually move around the home giving viewers the feel that they are sort of experiencing things first hand which was a nice touch.

As far as what makes UNDERTONE scary it is all the little things. The sound, the way the camera moves, the progression of the situation with the main characters mother, and lastly the main part of the story involving the random recordings that are sent to her podcast. The recordings get increasingly more terrifying, and the subject matter is incredibly creepy as it dives into a dark side of children’s nursery rhymes. The vulnerability of the main character as she listens to these recordings is a big part of what makes UNDERTONE work so well, and viewers can feel her level of fear increasing. I actually really liked the final act of the film which also reminded me of Paranormal Activity as it sort of hits you like a freight train.

UNDERTONE is a really good horror film and I have no issue whatsoever recommending it, but I also think the style and uniqueness of the film may not be for everyone. If you are distracted or whispering to someone sitting next to you the film just won’t hit the same. Plus if you are someone that prefers jump scare style horror films this really isn’t for you. Plus UNDERTONE won’t satisfy people looking for the blood and gore found in most horror films. It is more concerned with a deeper type of fear that is built up over the course of the film, and if it is unable to pull you in during that journey, it will be a lost cause.

I know that UNDERTONE is getting hailed as the scariest movie you’ll ever see (or hear) etc, and I don’t think that is at all the craziest opinion to have, but I can for sure see audiences being split on how they interpret the film. This is very much elevated horror, a term made popular around 2010 that describes a more artsy, high-concept style horror film focusing on focusing on psychological depth, metaphors, and thematic substance over traditional jump scares and gore. Now admittedly I pulled the definition from the internet, but that is 100% how I perceive the term elevated horror, and it makes me think of films like It Follows, The Babadook, and several others. Some people will absolutely love UNDERTONE, and some may say it is horrible and not scary at all, but that is just the horror genre for you.

THE VERDICT

A chilling slow-burn horror film utilizing effective camera techniques and a genuinely creepy original story, UNDERTONE hits hard but absolutely demands the theater experience with high-quality sound. As I talked about as good as this film is it still may not be for everyone, but if you are a horror fan go in with an open mind and lock in because UNDERTONE delivers if you give it a chance.

TED TAKES RATING - 7.9/10

UNDERTONE is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

How to Make a Killing

HOW TO MAKE A KILLING is a 2026 dark comedy drama thriller film written and directed by John Patton Ford. The script was loosely inspired by the 1949 British film Kind Hearts and Coronets by Robert Hamer and John Dighton.

Disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family, blue-collar Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell) will stop at nothing to reclaim his inheritance, no matter how many relatives stand in his way.

The cast includes Glen Powell, Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Bill Camp, Zach Woods, Topher Grace, and Ed Harris.

HOW TO MAKE A KILLING made its debut in theaters February 20th, courtesy of A24.

I really like Glen Powell a lot so I was pretty excited for this movie when it was announced, plus the fact that a A24 was involved was a huge plus for me as well. I will admit that once the official release we came around, I was surprised at how limited it was. None of the theaters near me had it, and I honestly wasn’t sure if it was going to get a wide release at all.

Thankfully, the film hit my local theater in week two and I made my way over there on the first day it was out. Because it was already out a week I saw some of the initial feedback and it wasn’t great honestly, at least not what I expected. I didn’t look at the actual reviews, but I just saw a few headlines calling out Powell for having two flops, including this and The Running Man (preview and trailer here). But as per usual, I’m not going to let my opinion be swayed so I went into the theater with an open mind, although I was a bit more skeptical because of the negativity.

Honestly, I really liked HOW TO MAKE A KILLING. Right out of the gate, I would say that the tone of the film may have rubbed some people the wrong way just in terms of the fact that it’s a bit I guess darker than maybe some people would’ve thought, but in my opinion I thought it still had a good mix as far as a fairly well rounded dark comedy.

I will point out that the film is inspired by Robert Hamer’s 1949 film, Kind Hearts and Coronets, and that can often lead to some negative feedback for people who loved the source material and were expecting a different direction in the movie. I did not see that film but after doing some research it was fascinating how much of the story they kept the same while making some great changes to the ending. I thought the film was interesting throughout and was very funny. Glenn Powell was great in his role, and it just had a unique blend of moral grey area in terms of what this character ended up doing throughout the film and why.

I actually really liked how the film set the stage for the story. The film opens with Glenn Powell‘s character telling the story to someone after it already happened, so he more or less ends up narrating a good majority of the film. This added a certain level of intrigue, because you already knew sort of where he ends up by the end, but are constantly left guessing how he got there. The story in general was very interesting and filled with various eccentric characters, which is made even better by the fact that the cast really was great. I thought Glenn Powell was awesome as I said, and HOW TO MAKE A KILLING had one heck of a supporting cast.

The two other lead characters are played by Margaret Qualley and Jessica Henwick. Qualley plays Julia, a love interest of Becket’s from the early years who he crosses paths with later in life. She becomes a big part of the story and Qualley was really good in her role. Henwick plays the girlfriend of one of the Redfellow’s cousins who Becket ends up winning over in a very unorthodox way.

Henwick is much more of an underrated actress compared to Qualley but I thought she was gorgeous and her character really helped to balance out the tone of the film and Becket’s “double life”. Small roles that are very deserving of honorable mention go to Bill Camp, Topher Grace, Zach Woods (Silicon Valley), and last but certainly not least my guy Ed Woods, the patriarch of the Redfellow family.

What I loved most about the story is you really felt for Glenn Powell‘s character and the bad hand that he was dealt, and for that reason I had a hard time disagreeing with some of the questionable choices he made. I also liked that nothing was ever a cut and dry, so it’s not like you have the sociopath character to the point where you know more or less what they’re going to do. His character was driven by a desire to get what he felt he deserved, and several easy to dislike characters made things a bit easier on him for sure. Plus, I was impressed with the twist at the end that definitely caught me by surprise.

THE VERDICT

A fun and clever dark comedy drama full of eccentric characters and a certain infectious energy, HOW TO MAKE A KILLING kept me engaged from start to finish with a satisfying final act. I’m not sure I understand the criticism of the film unless perhaps people were expecting a full on comedy or full on drama, but for me the balance of dark comedy with a drama feel is what makes the film so entertaining.

TED TAKES RATING - 7.6/10

HOW TO MAKE A KILLING is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die

GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE is a 2025 sci-fi action comedy drama film directed by the talented Gore Verbinski, from a screenplay by Matthew Robinson. The film premiered at the 2025 Fantastic Fest film festival.

A "Man From the Future" (Sam Rockwell) arrives at a diner in Los Angeles where he must recruit the precise combination of disgruntled patrons to join him on a one-night quest to save the world from the terminal threat of a rogue artificial intelligence.

The cast includes Sam Rockwell, Haley Lu Richardson, Michael Peña, Zazie Beetz, Asim Chandhry, Tom Taylor, and Juno Temple.

GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE made its debut in theaters February 13th, courtesy of Briarcliff Entertainment.

First and foremost, I love me some Sam Rockwell. He has to be one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood, at least in my opinion. He did get some well deserved acknowledgment for his performance in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri which earned him a Best Supporting Actor award, but that movie was honestly just a tip with the iceberg for him, even though it was one of my favorite performances. Rockwell is just one of those actors that has such a unique feel in terms of his delivery, which is most often best utilized in dark comedies. The trailer for GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE with Rockwell in the lead role, had me absolutely sold as a movie I needed to see on opening night.

I feel like it’s also worth giving a little bit of background on director Gore Verbinski, who is a super creative talent, albeit probably a bit off his rocker. He directed the original The Ring film way back in 2002, followed by the Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, a couple years later. I’m a huge horror fan, and I stand by the fact that The Ring holds up as one of the better horror films in the last 25 years honestly. It was just really messed up and super well done in terms of how dark and just how raw it felt. I was interested to see what a director like Verbinski would do with a unique sci-fi action film like this.

Bottom line, GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE is an awesome film. The trailer gives you a pretty good idea in terms of just how wacky it is, but man it is just so well done and just so interesting from start to finish. Sam Rockwell is without a doubt the glue that holds the performances together, but the film has a super talented cast. I mean you got Juno temple, Michael Peña, Haley Lou Richardson, and Zazie Beets headlining the rest of the cast.

Rockwell‘s massive personality is a big part of what drive the narrative of the film, but the story unfolds in such a way that you get background for the other characters that sort of allows them the opportunity to stand on their own as well. It’s crazy because as far as the cast goes, this is pretty much perfect for me because I love everyone in this film. Michael Peña has been my guy for as long as I can remember, and Haley Lou Richardson is having a very intriguing career and man, she is just great here. The entire cast honestly really delivered, even some of the more unknown smaller roles in the film.

In the age of social media and AI, I feel like GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE has an original story that we can all relate to. In the film’s opening scene Rockwell‘s character talks about how our obsession with smartphones and social media has basically turned us into idiots and that is a big reason why the human race goes to the wayside in the future. He talks about how our mindless scrolling has ruined our ability for critical thinking, which I 1000% agree with.

It’s funny because having young kids who demand a lot of my attention, recently I have personally felt this tug-of-war of wasting time on my phone that should be spent more constructively, so the film really spoke to me which added to my overall intrigue right from the jump. Social media is just part of it, ultimately the films primary antagonist is artificial intelligence (A.I.), and what is considered to be unrestricted power.

Obviously the premise of a guy supposedly from the future dressed like a B-list Ghostbusters character walking into a diner to recruit random strangers to help him save the world is as wacky as it gets, but finding a way to weave in elements of the story that viewers can legitimately relate to just speaks to Verbinski‘s genius. There are so many layers to GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE and honestly many of them come by surprise.

The story unravels in a chapter format so that viewers get to go back a few days and get backstory for each of the main characters and how their story impacts the primary narrative of the film. That being said, the film is all over the place with some crazy bonkers things that happen. More than anything else, it is absolutely hilarious pretty much from start to finish. I just had so much fun with this movie, and even the final act was equally hilarious and concerning as we continue our obsession with A.I. This is for sure a repeat viewing sort of film so that you can appreciate all of the little nuggets you may have overlooked the first time.

THE VERDICT

A wildly hilarious sci-fi comedy drama that is unpredictable and intensely unapologetic, GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE is easily the must-see film of the year. Director Gore Verbinski does not hold back letting audiences know exactly how he feels about technology and our growing reliance on artificial intelligence, and I have to say the man makes some convincing points.

If nothing else let this film be a reminder to get off your phones and enjoy life, and have some face to face human contact for a change. And while you’re at it be sure to see GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE in theaters! I absolutely cannot wait to see it again, and I am convinced it will only get better with multiple viewings.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.8/10

GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Crime 101

CRIME 101 is a 2026 crime thriller film written and directed by Bart Layton, who previously co-wrote and directed the 2018 crime thriller film, American Animals. The film is based on the 2021 novel from author Don Winslow.

Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, Crime 101 weaves the tale of an elusive thief (Chris Hemsworth) whose high-stakes heists unfolding along the iconic 101 freeway have mystified police. When he eyes the score of a lifetime with hopes of this being his final job, his path collides with a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) who is facing her own crossroads, forcing the two to collaborate.

The cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Halle Berry, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Monica Barbaro, and Corey Hawkins.

CRIME 101 made its debut in theaters February 13th, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios.

CRIME 1O1, which initially had plans for a 2025 release, instead hit theaters on February 13th alongside other intriguing films like Gore Verbinski’s sci-fi comedy thriller GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE (preview and trailer here), starring Sam Rockwell. I had a hard time deciding on which of these two I wanted to see first, but CRIME 101 won out in the end because I do love me a good crime thriller and anything that stars my guy Chris Hemsworth. Plus the fact that the film is based on a book intrigued me as well since I will likely get my hands on that in the near future.

CRIME 101 is a smooth and immersive crime thriller that in many ways felt like the 80’s or 90’s era films that Hollywood always seems desperate to re-create. I have read the film drawing comparisons to Steve McQueen’s Bullitt (1968), or one of the best heist thrillers ever made in the 1995 film Heat. Now clearly it is unfair to try and compare such classic films, but you can’t help but feel that throwback style to a film that focuses so much on intense car chases and natural character development.

Chris Hemsworth plays Davis, a mysterious and very calculated thief who carefully plans his heists to ensure he gets out cleanly and nobody gets hurt in the process. He draws the attention of an aging detective named Lou, played by Mark Ruffalo, who is convinced that a series of crimes along freeway 101 in Los Angeles are related, and he believes they are the work of one man that has been outsmarting police at every turn.

Right from the jump I loved the intrigue surrounding Hemsworth’s character as the opening sequence focuses on his methodical approach to these high-value heists. It is clear that he is a very OCD individual who also has a certain distrust for people which stems from past trauma. The film centers around the initial heist which results in Davis having an uncomfortable brush with his own mortality causing him to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Although Davis plans his heists in meticulous detail with a focus on minimizing risk, an unfortunate misstep he could not have accounted for leaves him questioning his next job.

Davis meets with the man who helps sell his stolen goods, a no-nonsense character named Money played by Nick Nolte, and tells him that the heist he has been planning is a not happening due to a level of risk and unknowns he is not comfortable with. Money, who already knows the details of the job, risks their partnership by giving the job to a maniacal hothead named Ormon, played by Barry Keoghan, who hammers around on a dirt bike covered in tats like he’s Ryan Gosling in The Place Beyond the Pines, an incredible film by the way. This decision puts Davis and Ormon on a dangerous collision course that makes for one heck of a fun ride.

CRIME 101 is unique in the sense that it has all of these interconnected stories, giving viewers just enough background for each character, so that once everything comes to a head you feel some level of connection to each character. On one hand you have the cat and mouse game between a determined detective and a talented thief who has carefully evaded law enforcement, but the wrench in it all is Ormon who is basically a wrecking ball to everything around him.

I really liked CRIME 101 and I thought the setup was great with how everything came together. One of my all-time favorite films is the 2004 drama Crash, so I have always appreciated when a story can have all of these interconnected paths that impact the final outcome. I loved all of the characters and how they fit into the story, and each came with their own baggage.

It was a bit different seeing Hemsworth as this quiet and somewhat socially awkward guy since I am so used to seeing him full of confidence and personality. Davis does not lack confidence in the slightest, but his past has led to a general distrust of people and what it means to be happy. I really liked all of the characters, even Ormon who you can’t help but dislike as he is the primary antagonist for the film, but his character is still intriguing and brings excitement to the film. You are also left wondering about his background and sort of what brought him to where he is now.

CRIME 101 offers everything you could want from a crime/heist thriller, from great shots and camera work, to a hard-hitting soundtrack, and of course some awesome edge-of-your-seat car chases that really take viewers back to old-school cinema. The camera work made you feel like you were right there in downtown Los Angeles, and for me the cinematography added a ton to the feel of the film. At times it did feel like a blend of Heat and The Place Beyond the Pines, which is high praise of course. An insurance appraiser named Sharon, played by Halle Berry, is suffering a self-worth crisis in her career and she finds herself mixed up with Davis after she is passed up for a promotion. And I mean, who doesn’t love Halle Berry, she was amazing as always.

I thought the story was great from the start, full of intrigue and anticipation ensuring it never felt boring. I kept wanting to see what was going to happen next, and for my money the final act was absolutely fantastic. As far as the story goes I also really liked that the film even showed the perspective of the jewelry store owner who even though they were the victim, the insurance company considered the possibility that they were in on such a well-planned heist. Bottom line, CRIME 101 is just a very well-rounded film with something for everyone.

THE VERDICT

A stylish crime thriller with a stacked cast helping to bring intriguing characters to life, CRIME 101 boasts old school heist film vibes and keeps the pedal down with an exhilarating and satisfying final act.

Whether we are talking about Heat, The Town, The Place Beyond the Pines, or Den of Thieves, I just love me a good heist thriller especially when it includes memorable characters. This is just my kind of movie. CRIME 101 is absolutely worth seeing in theaters, so check it out and enjoy the ride.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.4/10

CRIME 101 is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Solo Mio

SOLO MIO is a 2026 romantic comedy drama film directed by Chuck and Dan Kinnane, from a screenplay the brothers co-wrote with Kevin James. The film had its world premiere at the Coconut Grove Cinépolis in Miami, FL, on January 20th, 2026. The film took a unique marketing approach, creating a social media profile in October 2025 which included video uploads from Kevin James giving insight into his life as an art teacher. The videos, which eventually concluded with him sharing a story of his proposal with a fellow teacher, were incredibly popular as people weren’t sure if James was marketing a film or if something else was going on.

A wedding disaster leaves the groom (Kevin James) stranded in Rome, heartbroken in the world’s happiest city. But with one determined local—and a few meddling vacation couples—in his corner, his ruined honeymoon becomes an adventure he never expected. Because sometimes heartbreak is just the first chapter of a better story.

The cast includes Kevin James, Jonathan Roumie, Kim Coates, Alyson Hannigan, and Nicole Grimaudo.

SOLO MIO made its debut in theaters February 6th, courtesy of Angel Studios.

As someone who watches The King of Queens nearly every night before bed, I am a big fan of actor Kevin James. Known for his comedic roles as a stand-up comedian and actor, James’ has always been known as the funny guy, a role he has embraced over the years. Now he has taken on some unexpected roles like the 2020 thriller film Becky where he plays a crazed convict, but the vast majority of his projects are comedies. I also thought he was hilarious in the recently released Prime Original action comedy PLAYDATE (preview and trailer here). When I first saw the trailer for SOLO MIO it seemed to be a nice change of pace for the actor, and I was looking forward to checking it out.

I actually really liked SOLO MIO. It is very much a romantic comedy, but I felt like it had enough of a balance to where it didn’t just appeal to the ladies out there. Plus the story is from the perspective of James’ character as he navigates heartbreak, so you get to see things from his point of view. James plays Matt Taylor, a middle school art teacher who finally feels like he found true love with a new teacher at his school. The whirlwind romance leads to a proposal, and eventual wedding and honeymoon in the gorgeous city of Rome, Italy.

Unfortunately due to the cruel mistress that is cold feet on the wedding day Taylor is left at the altar and stranded in Rome with a weeks worth of honeymoon festivities already planned and paid for. Unable to shift the scheduled events, Taylor finds himself alone on tandem bicycles and romantic boat rides with a group of other honeymooners. Thankfully for Taylor, a chance encounter at a coffee shop, and few friendly and very eccentric couples in the group turn a sad turn of events into quite the adventure.

James is really good here and I liked how vulnerable his character seemed, and although he was often directly involved in some hilarious moments, he wasn’t the driving force which is new for him. His character is incredibly likable, and even after he has his heart broken he never gives up hope and you can’t help but root for this guy. I feel like people would assume unbearable loneliness in a similar situation, but lucky for him he was grouped with other couples that defy the chains of what we could consider to be normal social behavior.

He quickly catches the eye of Julian, played by Kim Coates (Sons of Anarchy), who is on his 3rd honeymoon with the same woman (a hilarious story in itself), played by Alyson Hannigan (American Pie). Julian is very confused by the fact that Matt is alone on these romantic excursions, and eventually forces his way into the situation. I thought Coates was absolutely hilarious in his role as this unfiltered charismatic yet clearly off his rocker in many ways guy who seems to have a soft spot for Matt’s situation. Plus if you have seen Coates in the incredible Sons of Anarchy series, it is strangely satisfying to see him in this role. Hannigan was great too as she fit right in with the willingness to accept the absurdity of the situation.

Another couple, Heather and Neil played by Julie Ann Emery and Jonathan Roumie, round out this friend group. Heather and Neil have their own issues as the newly married couple was formerly a therapist and patient relationship. I just loved how Julian and Neil unapologetically force themselves into Matt’s life even after he says over and over again “I don’t even know you!”.

One example of the hilarious dynamic is Matt walks out onto the balcony of his room and hears yelling next door, soon after Julian walks out onto his balcony and Matt says is everything okay, Julian responds emphatically “100%!” with a big smile, and says I’m coming over! Before he leaves his balcony Neil comes out the next room over and quickly says “me too!” and soon both men are at Matt’s door. Just such a funny set of circumstances with all of these characters in the best setting possible that kept a smile on my face from start to finish. As far as the cast I also thought that Nicole Grimaudo, who plays Gia a coffee shop owner, was fantastic.

THE VERDICT

A hilarious yet genuinely heartfelt romantic comedy that treats viewers to a different side of actor Kevin James, SOLO MIO is a delightful experience full of laughs and picturesque shots of beautiful Rome, Italy. It is rare that I prioritize seeing a romantic comedy in theaters unless perhaps it is more of the R-rated variety, but Kevin James in the lead role sold me and I am glad I took the chance.

This is the rare PG movie in the romcom genre that just feels very well-rounded. If you are looking for a great date night movie leading up to Valentines Day, look no further! Plus if they did a follow-up buddy comedy film with James, Coates, and Roumie, I would 110% see that movie opening day.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.3/10

SOLO MIO is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

The Strangers: Chapter 3

THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 3 is a 2026 horror film directed by Renny Harlin, from a screenplay by Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland. It serves as the fifth film in The Strangers film series, and the final installment of a new trilogy following THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 1 (our full review here) and THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 (our full review here).

In the "Strangers" finale, survivors face new threats from masked strangers. Secrets emerge, jeopardizing their lives as the line between reality and peril blurs in their battle for survival.

The cast includes Madelaine Petsch, Gabriel Basso, Ema Horvath, and Richard Brake.

THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 3 made its debut in theaters February 6th, courtesy of Lionsgate.

You simply have to respect a franchise that is seemingly un-killable, pun intended. The original 2008 film built a massive following within the underappreciated horror slasher genre, and I have been along for the ride from the very beginning. I thought the original film was fantastic, and the majority of critics still trashed it pretty good. I have also seen every single series entry in theaters, that’s commitment, right?

Anyway, the new trilogy kicked off in May 2024 with THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 1, and I will admit I was excited to jump back into this horror slasher world. Please check out my review if you haven’t already, but similar to THE STRANGERS: PREY AT NIGHT (our full review here), the sequel to the original film, it was packed to the brim with “why would you do that?!” moments and just too many things that made zero sense that took away from the overall impact of the film. And for that reason I was pretty harsh in my review. THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 1 suffered a very similar fate with a ridiculous amount of dumb moments throughout the film.

But listen, at the end of the day a defining characteristic of this series of films is people doing idiotic things that result in a brutal murder by these “strangers” for seemingly no reason whatsoever. The film did however try and set the stage for what was to come with a similar series of events to the original film. Now all is not lost as THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 took a step in the right direction, focusing on the survival element and including more of the horror slasher elements I came to see. I left the theater very pleased, and even the cliffhanger ending had me looking forward to the next film which was right around the corner. Now in comes the finale to the new trilogy, THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 3.

Now this film is very much a mixed bag as it borrows from the first two films instead of continuing the positive momentum of the 2nd film. I’m going to first focus on the positives, and honestly if you can get past the annoying stuff their is a lot to like about this movie as it relates to THE STRANGERS universe. Up until THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 we really didn’t have much backstory on what was going on, all we knew for sure that this podunk town and grimy diner was to be avoided at all costs. Oh and if someone comes looking for this Tamara person, you better grab yourself a weapon, and fast. But this film actually sheds some light on the backstory of who this Tamara person is, and why people are seemingly murdering random strangers. I thought this was really cool, and it was another reason why I was impressed with this film. It still left questions to be answered by the end, but the cliffhanger was significant in terms of the series’ main backstory.

THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 1 kicks off right where the last film ended, continuing the pursuit for Maya, the first person to ever survive a visit from THE STRANGERS. The film also includes several flashback scenes as we learn more about each one of these crazed killers, which was a nice touch. Similar to the last film THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 3 makes sure to include several shots of the killers and their iconic old truck, which was a real treat for me. I always loved how the guy, known as Scarecrow, reminded me so much of Jason back in his burlap sack days. Just a big dude that carried that you better not let me get my hands on you type attitude along with him, and the axe certainly didn’t hurt his intimidation factor.

By the end of the film fans have a full-circle understanding of how THE STRANGERS came to be, and I thought this part of it all was super cool. The core of the story made sense to me, and I liked how it all came together. Fans of the films will have fun talking about the lore of THE STRANGERS, and even the ending of THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 3 leaves viewers with room for interpretation. Also as expected the film includes a fantastic soundtrack, with a nice mix of some classic hits. Plus I have become a fan of actress Madelaine Petsch, and I think she is absolutely gorgeous.

Alright so as you can imagine all is not flowers and rainbows, and even though I liked a lot about THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 3, it was yet again riddled with many of the same issues. The acting in general was actually pretty good although the younger versions of the characters in some of the flashbacks could have been better. From start to finish the film is full of the trademark what the hell are you doing moments, and some of the decisions the characters make are just beyond ridiculous. Now I can’t go in depth without spoiling the film obviously, but at the end of the day are we really going to just shred the film for doing something it has been doing from the very beginning?

I’m not giving it a free pass by any means, but as a fan of the films from the start THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 3 still delivers. In some ways the dumb stuff makes for fun back and forth with your friends after seeing the movie. Like when I saw THE STRANGERS: PREY AT NIGHT in theaters with my buddy, I swear we spent an hour talking about the dumb things the characters did. At the end of the day the backstory alone makes this film worth seeing for fans, and anything we can do to support the horror genre I am all for.

I will say that I feel like they could have done a better job of telling the origin story where it would have been more impactful. As far as the majority of critics are concerned, I’m honestly not even sure why they bother reviewing these movies because they say the same things every time. The horror slasher genre in general tends to live outside of the world of proper film critiquing, and for that reason I would take what Rotten Tomatoes has to say with a grain of salt. At the end of the day, I’m just a guy who is also a fan of the films trying to give you my honest opinion.

THE VERDICT

A horror slasher with several redeeming qualities yet still plagued by many of the same issues as previous installments, THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 3 finally shares the full origin story for our favorite masked serial killers and is definitely worth seeing for fans of the franchise.

After the film ended I quickly checked online to make sure it didn’t include a post-credits scene (it does not), and I got sucked into a Reddit thread that included the poster spoiling the movie, and all of the commentors asking 1000 questions so they didn’t have to see the movie for themselves. I mean come on people, clearly you care enough to ask all of these questions, so get off your ass and see the movie for yourself!

TED TAKES RATING - 5.9/10

THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 3 is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Send Help

SEND HELP is a 2026 darkly comedic psychological horror thriller directed by Sam Raimi, from a screenplay by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift (Friday the 13th, Baywatch).

Two colleagues (Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien) become stranded on a deserted island, the only survivors of a plane crash. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, but ultimately, it's a battle of wills and wits to make it out alive.

The cast includes Rachel McAdams (Spotlight, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret., Mean Girls), Dylan O’Brien (Twinless, Saturday Night), Edyll Ismail (La Brea), Dennis Haysbert (Far from Heaven), Xavier Samuel (Elvis), Chris Pang (Crazy Rich Asians), Thaneth Warakulnukroh (Thai Cave Rescue), and Emma Raimi (Happy Pills).

SEND HELP made its debut in theaters January 30th, courtesy of 20th Century Studios.

First and foremost, I love me some Sam Raimi because at the end of the day he is a horror guy through and through. Kicking off his illustrious career back in the early 70’s his work always has a certain tone or feel true to his vision, but what impresses me most about him as a director is his insane versatility. I mean think about it for a second, he directed one of the all-time horror classics in The Evil Dead (1981), followed by a fantastic sequel a few years later.

And then in 1995 he churns out the epic action drama western The Quick and the Dead, which included one of the best casts imaginable. Quite a shift right? For sure, but that quickly became the identity of Raimi as his career continued to include the supernatural horror film The Gift (2000), Spider-Man (2002), followed by the 2nd and 3rd film in quick succession, Drag Me to Hell (2009), and most recently the visually stunning Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2002). He really can do it all.

After a short break from the cozy directors chair Sam Raimi returns with SEND HELP, a film touted as a dark comedy/psychological thriller featuring a role from Rachel McAdams that nobody could have seen coming. McAdams plays Linda Liddle, an extremely intelligent but admittedly socially awkward workaholic who finds herself passed over for a well-deserved big promotion after her boss dies and his son takes over the company. Now it is bad enough that her new boss Bradley, played by Dylan O’Brien, is going against his father’s wish to promote her and instead deciding to promote the much less capable Donovan, who happens to be his frat brother.

And to make matters worse Linda quickly becomes the butt of the jokes at the office, an unfortunate position to be in which is unfortunately fueled by her questionable hygiene and general odd behavior. Which is too bad for Linda because not only is Bradley a real bros bro, he is seemingly a narcissistic germaphobe who is immediately disgusted by her. But things soon take quite a turn when Linda, Bradley, Donovan, and a few other executives from the company experience a tragic plain crash on a business trip. Linda and Bradley find themselves as the only survivors, and the tables quickly turn as Linda, who is obsessed with the long-running reality series Survivor to the point where she sends in an audition tape, finds herself as the new “alpha” in this complicated relationship.

As per usual I won’t spoil anything but I felt like it was important to elaborate on what you see in the trailer to try and set the stage for the film. And first of all kudos to Raimi for doing the impossible which was make Rachel McAdams unattractive. He had to pull out all the stops though, going as far as to make her weirdo that not only stuffs tuna fish sandwiches into her desk drawer, but also lives alone with a bird she has conversations with.

Now it didn’t last long in my opinion as once she turns into badass survivor Linda I was back on the train ticket in hand, and what a wild transformation it was for her character. The beating heart of the film is the cat-and-mouse game between Linda and Bradley, as he finds himself in the uncomfortable position of relying so heavily on a person he looked down on and had power over. Linda makes it very clear that he is no longer in charge, and Bradley learns the hard way more than a few times that if he crosses Linda, he will be left without the necessities he needs to survive.

Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien are both absolutely incredible in this film, and I thought the story was fantastic. It was just so immersive to the point where I was fully bought in to the fact that they were stranded on this island and had to do everything in their power to survive, and the psychological tug-of-war between the two characters kept me on the edge of my seat. I really liked how the story kept me guessing in terms of what was to come for these two after the plane crash, and I thought the final act was amazing.

The writers did such a great job of ensuring viewers absolutely despised Bradley, and watching Linda take control and assert dominance is hugely satisfying. One scene in particular had me as a man incredibly uncomfortable to the point where I damn near covered my ears and closed my eyes (the look on Bradley’s face in the above photo gives you an idea). I also loved how the outcome of the story hinged so much on Linda’s psyche which essentially pushed her over the edge in this new reality she found herself in. The film is also beautifully shot on a picturesque island in Thailand.

THE VERDICT

A clever and satisfyingly entertaining psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, SEND HELP is the ultimate cat-and-mouse game of survival and yet another gem for talented director Sam Raimi. I had high hopes for this film and it absolutely delivered. As good as the trailer is, I don’t think it gives justice to just how immersive of an experience it is, and the performances are fantastic. Get out and see SEND HELP in theaters as soon as you can, you won’t be disappointed.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.1/10

SEND HELP is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Shelter

SHELTER is a 2026 action thriller film directed by Ric Roman Waugh (Snitch, Shot Caller), from a screenplay by Ward Parry.

On a remote coastal island, a reclusive man (Jason Statham) rescues a young girl from a deadly storm, drawing them both into danger. Forced out of isolation, he must confront his turbulent past while protecting her, sending them on a tense journey of survival and redemption.

The cast includes Jason Statham, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Bill Nighy, Naomi Ackie, and Daniel Mays.

SHELTER made its debut in theaters January 30th, courtesy of Black Bear Pictures.

Give me a release week of movies that includes a new movie from Jason Statham, and I’m a pretty happy guy. The latest Statham movie is directed by Ric Roman Waugh who is no stranger to gritty action crime drama films. Teaming up with an actor like Statham made perfect sense allowing for a collaboration of two very talented individuals. Now you can debate all you want about whether or not Statham is just a type cast sort of actor, but I feel like there’s a difference between a guy who can only play a certain role, and a guy who is just so damn good at playing that type of role yet still has a ton of versatility as an actor. Jason Statham is quite simply not only a bad ass, but he is a damn good actor.

I fell in love with Statham as an actor back when I watched him in the 2002 action film The Transporter. Statham played a man named Frank Martin who specialized in “transporting” packages for unknown clients, and he always completed the job, no matter what. The film was co-written by the incredibly talented Luc Besson, the man who wrote and directed one of the best crime drama films ever made, Léon: The Professional (1994). Now Statham is absolutely perfect in the role where he just mows down bad guy after bad guy, and I would’ve had no problem if SHELTER was that kind of movie, but instead it feels more like one of the Bourne films where the pacing is a bit slower as the story unravels. Similar to Jason Bourne, Statham plays a man named Mason, a former government assassin who was the best at what he did, but finds himself in the crosshairs of his former employer.

Mason is a mysterious man living at an old abandoned lighthouse on an island off the coast of Scotland with his dog. He lives a very solitary life and has supplies delivered to him by boat once a week from a young girl named Jesse and her uncle. A bad storm during a delivery forces the injured young girl in the care of Mason, setting off a domino effect that leads to his past catching up to him. First and foremost Mason is a man that is not to be messed with, and once people begin to come after him and he decides that this little girl is to be protected at all costs, he will stop at nothing to ensure her safety. Mason’s former boss goes rogue in an effort to have him killed, which leads to some intense and exciting action sequences after they send a very dangerous and relentless man to kill him.

Jason Statham has starred in so many great movies, but I honestly think SHELTER is one of my favorites. This film just felt like an opportunity for Statham to really show his talent as an actor, and the emotional depth of his character is just as important as his skill and physical strength. Viewers will feel invested in his character and will appreciate his loyalty and sheer dedication to protecting this girl at all costs. I also thought that young actress Bodhi Rae Breathnach, who plays Jesse in the film, was absolutely fantastic. Bill Nighy was great as Statham’s former boss.

Shooting took place in Wicklow, Ireland, and the cinematography courtesy of Martin Ahlgren is absolutely breathtaking. I loved the slower pace and the gritty feel of the film, which was maximized by a stellar soundtrack from David Buckley. SHELTER is a slow burn experience that requires an appreciation for the characters and the setting, and taking all of that in is the only way to get the full experience. Plus just on the technical side as far as fight sequences and action scenes in general with car chases etc, SHELTER delivers the goods and then some.

THE VERDICT

A slow burn action thriller that showcases Jason Statham’s talent as an actor, SHELTER is a gritty and immersive experience packed with emotional depth and top-tier action sequences. Whether you consider yourself to be a Statham fan or not, this film is without a doubt worth seeing in theaters.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.2/10

SHELTER is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Anaconda

ANACONDA is a 2025 action comedy horror film directed by Tom Gormican (That Awkward Moment, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent), from a screenplay he co-wrote with Kevin Etten. The film is a comedic reboot/reimagining of the 1997 horror thriller film of the same name.

Doug (Jack Black) and Griff (Paul Rudd) have been best friends since they were kids, and have always dreamed of remaking their all-time favorite movie: the cinematic "classic" Anaconda. When a midlife crisis pushes them to finally go for it, they head deep into the Amazon to start filming. But things get real when an actual giant anaconda appears, turning their comically chaotic movie set into a deadly situation. The movie they’re dying to make? It might just get them killed

The cast includes Jack Black​, Paul Rudd, ​Steve Zahn, ​Thandiwe Newton, ​Daniela Melchior, Ben Lawson, and Selton Mellow.

ANACONDA made it’s debut in theaters December 25th, courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

When I first saw the trailer for ANACONDA, I had an instant jolt of nostalgia. I’ve seen the original film easily 20 times, and it is absolutely a classic in my opinion. Another big draw for me was the cast for sure, and I am all for adding to the underappreciated comedy genre. The trailer just had the feel of a don’t take it too seriously and just sit back and enjoy a type of film, and I’m more than okay with that. It took me a bit longer than usual to check this one out in theaters with the holidays and all of the craziness they bring, but overall I would say I was pleased. I feel like I went in with fairly tempered expectations, just in terms of the type of film that it was, and in my opinion it delivered. 

The premise for the film is pretty well explained in the trailer. Basically you have two long long time best friends who decide they want to reboot the classic film Anaconda. The two best friends, played by Paul Rudd and Jack Black, have instant chemistry together. The other two primary characters who were part of their friend group include Thandiwe Newton and my guy Steve Zahn, an actor who I always appreciate seeing on screen. I thought the cast was one of the primary strengths of the film, and I just felt like everyone was having fun the entire time. I don’t wanna give it away just in case, but the film also includes a fantastic cameo from an original cast member.

Although ANACONDA certainly didn’t break the bank in terms of visual effects, I still thought that it provided enough to warrant a trip to the theater to see it on the big screen. The film includes a nice balance of action and comedy, but the tone stays pretty light throughout while also including some feel good moments by the end. I also have to give credit to Selton Mellow who I thought was hilarious as Santiago, the snake handler who they hired for their film. I just loved what his character brought to the dynamic of the rest of the characters, and he was just great with some of his dialogue.

I’m not going to sit here and act like ANACONDA is a must see film, because it’s just not. It is slow at times and not all the jokes hit quite as well as they had hoped. But with that being said, if you enjoy yourself a good comedy and consider the original film to be a classic, it is easy for me to recommend seeing this in theaters. Like with most goofy comedies, you really need to go in more or less knowing what to expect, and if you do that with ANACONDA, I feel like you’re going to come out more than satisfied.

THE VERDICT

A goofy comedy with a great cast and a fun premise,  ANACONDA delivers plenty of laughs and the nostalgia alone is worth the price of admission. Now it’s admittedly far from perfect and definitely not an instant classics within the genre, but I had fun with this movie and I would have no problem at all watching it again.

TED TAKES RATING - 5.9/10

ANACONDA is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Rental Family

RENTAL FAMILY is a 2025 coming-of-age drama film directed by Hikari, from a screenplay she co-wrote with Stephen Blahut. The film premiered at ‪the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 6th, 2025.

A lonely American actor (Brendan Fraser) living in Tokyo starts working for a Japanese "rental family" company to play stand-in roles in other people's lives. Along the way, he finds surprising connections and unexpected joys within his built-in family.

The cast includes Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Gorman, and Akira Emoto.

RENTAL FAMILY made its debut in theaters November 21st, courtesy of Searchlight Pictures.

In my opinion, Brendan Fraser has been an American icon for as long as I can remember. It goes without saying that his performance in The Whale was transformative as far as his acting career, but this dude has always had that “it factor” that is honestly rare to find. Frasier just has a certain energy on screen that demands the attention of the audience. When the trailer released for RENTAL FAMILY, I knew without a doubt this is gonna be yet another absolute gem for him.

I am honestly a sucker for a good tearjerker, and just the coming-of-age genre in general. I mean, at the end of the day that is the power of quality cinema, the ability to feel something from a film. That was the vibe I was getting from RENTAL FAMILY, and I’m thrilled to say that the film absolutely delivered. Some films just have the ability to immerse the audience from the opening scene, and RENTAL FAMILY finds a way to set the stage for an all-encompassing story in what feels like just a few minutes.

I found myself instantly drawn to Frazier‘s character, and I felt an emotional attachment to him that to me was genuinely earned. Just reading recent interviews Fraser did as he talked about the grind to succeed in the film industry and the fact that he struggles with confidence issues feeling like he will never be enough. I mean come on people, we need to protect this man at all costs. Brendan Fraser is as real as an actor can get, and he takes on roles that are important to him and that mean something.

In RENTAL FAMILY Frasier plays the role of a struggling American actor living in Japan named Phillip Vandarpleog. Part of what makes this film so great is you get to see the world from the eyes of his character, and with that you see how much he wishes he had more meaning to his life. Something as simple as looking out the window of his apartment over to the next building where he can see the lives of other people, spending meaningful time with family, enjoying celebrations, etc. Soon Phillip stumbles upon an opportunity to work for a small agency that hires actors to play real roles in people’s lives. Most notably Phillip takes on the role of an absentee father to a young girl, and a journalist who is attempting to tell the story of an aging actor terrified that his legacy and his memory is fading away.

Initially Phillip does his best to fulfill his obligations, but he soon faces the reality that these people need more than just an actor playing a role. Phillip makes the decision to risk his career to be the person that these people really need in their lives. I thought that Frasier was incredible in this film, and just the amount of pure emotion that he displays on screen you just need to see to believe. I’ll admit, I did had to reach for the tissues a few times. I’m not ashamed to admit that, but just the emotional connection I had to this film from the start right until the very end was really special to me. Frasier was fantastic, but the entire supporting cast was really incredible as well.

I honestly can’t say enough good things about all of the performances in the film. The main supporting cast included veteran actor Takehiro Hira who was really good in this as the owner of the small agency. Actress Mari Yamamoto was great as well, and I really enjoyed the chemistry she shared with Fraser. Although he had a smaller role I thought Kimura Bun took full advantage of his opportunities. I was genuinely impressed by young actress Shannon Gorman as her character was pivotal in the story as it helped to unlock what had been missing in Phillip’s seemingly lonely life. Actor Akira Emoto also plays a very special role in the film.

One thing I really loved about Branden Fraser‘s character was the fact that he was able to tap into his own trauma to help him better support these people he was trying to help. I feel like the overall message of the film is that when we are feeling stuck or hopeless in our lives, sometimes connecting and attempting to really help others can be the best way to lead us back to what we need to help ourselves.

As far as a technical elements, everything really seems to just work in unison, with some beautiful shots and breathtaking cinematography, matched up with what I thought was a truly beautiful soundtrack compliments of composers Jon Thor Birgisson and Alex Somers. This soundtrack is already added to my playlist library and may just replace my current mood music mix. It really is that good. I have always wanted to explore far away places and different cultures, and I just loved how the film included this American man who although he had been living in this place for nearly 10 years, he still had so much to learn. Filmed on location all over gorgeous Japan, I found myself having this urge to walk in to this hole in the wall establishment and order a beer and ramen. RENTAL FAMILY does an incredible job immersing viewers in Japanese culture and the unique feel of this city.

THE VERDICT

A beautifully shot coming-of-age drama that explores the power of human connection and our desire to find real meaning in our lives, RENTAL FAMILY is a fantastic film and such a unique and impactful emotional journey. Get the tissues out because this is a movie that makes you feel something, and for me that just goes above and beyond a traditional theater experience. Please get to the theater as soon as possible to see RENTAL FAMILY so that we can get more of these impactful original stories. Highly recommend.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.5/10

RENTAL FAMILY is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Tron: Ares

TRON: ARES is a 2025 science fiction action film directed by Joachim Rønning, from a screenplay by Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne. It is a standalone sequel to TRON: LEGACY (2010) and the third installment in the Tron franchise. Rock band Nine Inch Nails composed the score for the film.

A highly sophisticated Program, Ares, is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission.

The cast includes Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, Jodie Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, Cameron Monaghan and Gillian Anderson, and Jeff Bridges.

TRON: ARES made its debut in theaters October 10th, courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

It is wild to me that the original TRON film came out way back in 1982, before I was even born mind you, and somehow the franchise still has a very solid following. The good old days of cinema the majority of people made it a point to see movies in theaters, which is certainly part of the reason why so many movies were packed with action and great visuals. Now granted the original film feels pretty dated now, but it still has a special nostalgic feel to it. It took until 2010 before another film finally hit theaters serving as sort of a reboot of the franchise, and I was very impressed with TRON: LEGACY. The film kept the feel of the original and included much of what made that movie so great. Another 25 years later we finally have a follow-up film and I for one was pretty excited about it.

First and foremost, I knew I had to not only see TRON: ARES in theaters, I had to see it on the biggest screen with the biggest sound. So I made the trek to my closest IMAX theater which to my surprise had the film playing in 3D, and man was it worth it. Similar to the AVATAR franchise, the TRON movies need to be seen in IMAX 3D because it is not just a movie, it is an experience. I was blown away by the visuals and the soundtrack from the jump, and I don’t think the smile ever left my face. It seriously felt like a ride at an amusement park that you never wanted to get off. The film is incredibly beautiful and action-packed so it absolutely flies by. I thought Jared Leto was amazing in his lead role as ARES, and I was genuinely impressed by the screenplay which was an unexpected plus for me. Overall this was just a super cool theater experience that I couldn’t recommend more.

To be honest I went in fully expecting a film that was 85% eye candy with just enough story to keep you interested, but it was much more than that. TRON: ARIES had a powerful message as it touched on the fact that life is precious, and tomorrow is not promised for anyone. For this reason it is important that we take full advantage of our time on this earth doing something good. The film is firmly rooted in how it all began in the original classic over 40-years ago, once again focusing on someone attempting to do the right thing while fending off an adversary fueled by greed and success. Just overall a great story full of heart and enough emotional attachment to keep viewers very much engaged and caring for the characters.

It should be obvious that I was blown away by everything TRON: ARES had to offer on the technical side. I mean it was just a masterclass in video and audio, and will likely be a movie that is used to showcase the massive home theater setup. It just hits so damn hard, and whether you care more about the visuals or the sound, it has something for everyone. I really can’t express strongly enough that if you don’t see TRON: ARES in IMAX 3D, it will be an entirely different movie.

It reminds me of seeing AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER in a standard theater because I couldn’t make it over to the IMAX, and it was just fine honestly. The following week I was able to make it over to the IMAX 3D and the fact that it was a completely different movie really blew me away. So I guess if I was going to knock the film I would say that you need to get the full experience in theaters otherwise you won’t be able to appreciate it. It’s like when I talk to people about the original AVATAR and they are like yeah I thought it was fine, and I ask them how they saw the movie and they say they saw it at home. Needless to say I just give them a blank stare and walk away because ain’t nobody got time for that sort of nonsense.

THE VERDICT

A massive film featuring stunning visuals, an incredible soundtrack, and a surprisingly heartfelt story, TRON: ARES absolutely blew me away and is easily one of my favorite theater experiences this year. As I said you really should make your best effort to see this in IMAX 3D, but either way this film demands the theater experience. So what are you waiting for, go see it!!

TED TAKES RATING - 8.5/10

TRON: ARES is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

The Smashing Machine

THE SMASHING MACHINE is a 2025 biographical sports drama film written, directed, co-produced, and co-edited by Benny Safdie (Good Time, Uncut Gems). Cinematographer Maceo Bishop, who worked with Safdie on The Curse (2023–2024), shot the film on 16mm film. Belgian musician Nala Sinephro composed the score for the film.

MMA fighter Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson) reaches the peak of his career but faces personal hardships.

The cast includes Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk.

THE SMASHING MACHINE made its debut in theaters October 3rd, courtesy of A24.

If you consider yourself to be a true lover of cinema, Benny Safdie is quite simply one of those dudes that gets you pumped up when one of his movies hits theaters, and I was extra excited for THE SMASHING MACHINE because of the subject matter and the involvement of Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. Initial trailers for the film were very well received with most people pointing to the fact that it seemed that this could be a real breakout role for Johnson, and boy was it ever.

THE SMASHING MACHINE was fantastic and honestly everything I hoped it could be as it told a meaningful and fascinating story, while also allowing viewers the opportunity to once again appreciate the talent of Benny Safdie. In many ways the film feels likem you just stepped out of a time machine because of how every single detail is just a blast from the past. I was completely immersed for the just over 2-hour runtime, and I honestly couldn’t believe how great Dwayne Johnson was in this.

MMA fighter Mark Kerr is known as a true pioneer and one of the earliest athletes to help pave the way for what the UFC has become today. Kerr dedicated his life to the sport, and spent significant time in Japan fighting for the Pride organization. There was a ton of controversy surrounding the sport in the early days because of how brutally violent it was, but athletes like Kerr proved that the sport deserved its rightful place. Mark Kerr was a phenomenal athlete, but he was a unique and caring human being that put a great deal of pressure on himself to be successful.

Winning was all Kerr knew, and when his personal life began to jeopardize the career he worked so hard for, everything began to spiral out of control. Kerr dealt with drug dependency issues as well as issues with his longtime girlfriend Dawn (Emily Blunt), but who he was as a person and as a fighter was never questioned. He built meaningful relationships because of his commitment to give the sport everything he had, and the friends he made along the way cared for him deeply.

Dwayne Johnson is nothing short of incredible in this role. From the opening scene you could tell that Johnson put in the work to adapt everything that made Kerr such a unique human being, right down to his mannerisms and how he talked to people. I could tell right away that he was the type of person that had a really big heart, and he just had a certain energy that people gravitated towards. Even though he was involved in an incredibly violent sport, Kerr came across as a gentle but admittedly flawed man outside of the ring.

Benny Safdie is known for having dialogue-heavy films and that is for sure the case here as well, but I found myself absolutely transfixed by Johnson’s portrayal of Kerr even during the most simple interactions. Johnson made sure viewers got to know the man that Mark Kerr was, and his ability to make you truly care for him in such a meaningful way was quite an achievement. Emily Blunt is an amazing actress, and she was incredible as Dawn Staples. The chemistry Blunt had with Johnson was absolutely undeniable, and I could not imagine a better duo taking on these roles. MMA fighter Ryan Bader was really good as Kerr’s close friend Mark Coleman who also helped Kerr bring the sport to the forefront.

I genuinely enjoyed Mark Kerr’s story, and more than anything I am glad he finally got the acknowledgement he rightfully deserves. This man gave the sport everything he had, and hardcore fans of what the UFC has become should absolutely know his name and what he meant to the sport. The film closes with a present-day tribute to Mark Kerr, and it put an ear-to-ear smile on my face. I’m so glad Benny Safdie made the decision to make this film, and it is yet another impressive addition to his resume.

THE VERDICT

A powerful biographical sports drama featuring writer/director Benny Safdie’s unique cinematic style, THE SMASHING MACHINE is a transformative experience featuring a career-best performance from actor Dwayne Johnson. I was absolutely immersed from start to finish, and I just found myself so intrigued by how Johnson was able to truly become this character as he embodied the passion and pain Kerr carried throughout his career. THE SMASHING MACHINE is a top-tier film that deserves to be seen in theaters.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.7/10

THE SMASHING MACHINE is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

The Strangers: Chapter 2

THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 is a 2025 horror thriller film directed by Renny Harlin, and written by Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland. A direct sequel to THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 1 (our full review here), it is the fourth film in The Strangers film series and is the second installment of a new trilogy of films.

When they learn that one of their victims, Maya (Madelaine Petsch), is still alive, they return to finish what they’ve started. With nowhere to run and no one to trust, Maya must survive another horrific chapter of terror as The Strangers – driven by a senseless, unceasing purpose – pursue her, more than willing to kill anyone who stands in their way.

The cast includes Madelaine Petsch, Gabriel Basso, and Ema Horvath. 

THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 made its debut in theaters September 26th, courtesy of Lionsgate.

I was openly disappointed in THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 1 mainly because the film seemed incredibly lazy to me, almost like they expected the fan base to show up to theaters no matter what the quality of the film was. The acting was atrocious, the writing made very little sense, and the thriller factor rarely hit home. The end of the film did leave me with a glimmer of hope as far as where they planned to go with this new trilogy, and I am happy to report things are finally trending in the right direction.

THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 is actually a very entertaining film, and above all else it seemed to improve on what the first film failed to execute. Chapter 1, 2, and 3 were all filmed back to back, but the team behind the films confirmed that after the release of Chapter 1 they listened to fan feedback and went back to do some “enhancement shoots” focusing on what fans wanted to see more of. I’m not sure exactly what they changed, but I can say with certainty that Chapter 2 felt much more aligned with the feel of the franchise.

THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 picks up right where the last film left off, taking viewers back to Maya’s hospital bed. Maya, the sole survivor of the tragic events in the first film, quickly realizes that she is on her own and survival is her top priority as the killers return to finish what they started. Local law enforcement inadvertently puts Maya back in the crosshairs as they inform the locals that she did in fact survive, but Maya proves to be quite a force as she fights back with everything she has in equally brutal fashion.

I really liked how she was able to turn the tables and in many instances the hunters become the hunted. The killers quickly realize they are up against a formidable foe which leads to some very entertaining action sequences. The majority of THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 is Maya’s fight for survival, and as a fan of the franchise that is exactly what I came to see. The film does feel very much like a bridge between Chapter 1 and Chapter 3, but that was my expectation and I thought the team behind the film embraced that and made the most of it.

Even though THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 skips out on excessive dialogue replacing it with the action viewers came to see, I really liked where they took things with the story. The first film struggled with lack of clear direction and poor acting, but that really isn’t the case here. THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 does a really nice job touching on the origin story of The Strangers, which I thought added a nice layer of depth to the overall feel of the film. This also played a huge part in the cliffhanger that has me excited for the 3rd film.

I liked how the events unfolded as Maya fought with everything she had to survive the night. The film also utilizes flashbacks in a creative way which I thought added to the intensity of the film while also highlighting Maya’s mental state as a victim. I also thought the cast did a great job this time around, and I thought Madelaine Petsch was awesome in this. Granted the fact that she is quite easy on the eyes doesn’t hurt, but she really held it down so kudos to her. I thought the pacing was effective, and the ability to immerse viewers back into the world of The Strangers really paid off.

On the technical side of things THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 was pretty damn good overall. As a big fan of slasher films, I loved some of the great shots of the killers that gave me slasher vibes. THE STRANGERS franchise is iconic for the effective use of cinematography and score which always set the stage for what would become a very intense game of survival. I thought the first film failed to prioritize this aspect of what has made this franchise so great, but thankfully they went back to the original formula and I am glad they did.

A solid cat-and-mouse style horror thriller with slasher vibes, THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 is a step in the right direction returning to the original formula and giving fans more of what they came to see. As I talked about during the review the first film was a mess, so it was encouraging that they were able to clean things up a bit in anticipation of Chapter 3. It is far from perfect but if the first film in the new trilogy left you wanting more, THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 is well worth a trip to the theater.

TED TAKES RATING - 6.5/10

THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

The Long Walk

THE LONG WALK is a 2025 psychological horror thriller film directed by Frances Lawrence (The Hunger Games films), from a screenplay by JT Mollner, based on the 1979 novel of the same name by Stephen King. It is accomplished author Stephen King’s first-written novel, published under his pseudonym Richard Bachman.

In a dystopian United States ruled by a totalitarian regime, a group of young men enter an annual walking contest in which they must maintain a speed of at least three miles per hour or risk execution. The contest ends when only one walker remains alive.

The cast includes Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, Jordan Gonzalez, Joshua Odjick, Josh Hamilton, with Judy Greer, and Mark Hamill.

THE LONG WALK made its debut in theaters September 12th, courtesy of Lionsgate.

It has been proven time and time again that if a Stephen King book is getting made into a movie, it is probably worth seeing. King is an exceptionally talented storyteller who is best known for his work in the horror genre, but he does like to mix it up. THE LONG WALK is the most recent adaptation of his work, and as per usual the team behind the project had a ton to work with. I honestly loved this film and I thought that it was one of the more unique film adaptations just because it did feel very different.

To me THE LONG WALK felt very similar to The Hunger Games in terms of the overall story, so it makes sense that the man behind the camera for that franchise, Francis Lawrence, also stepped in to direct this film. Lawrence is a great director and he really knows how to appeal to audiences with sympathetic characters and a powerful message. This film is very intense and I actually found myself cringing at times which is rare for me.

THE LONG WALK is an annual competition that puts individuals from each state against each other in what is essentially a walk to the death. The grueling walk is broadcast live on television as it is said to give hope to a country that has found itself struggling financially. The sole survivor is awarded with a significant amount of money and one wish. The film works incredibly well as it is able to develop several characters who are competing in the walk, making it so when someone is eliminated the audience feels that loss. I thought the film did an amazing job focusing on the humanity of such a dark time as the contestants rallied together to support each other while knowing that only one of them would make it out alive. I liked learning of the backstories of each character, and even though you may like some characters more than others, each character will have a profound impact on you which makes the lasting impression of THE LONG WALK that much more meaningful.

I thought the cast in this film was on another level, which impressed me considering the majority of the actors are fairly unknown. Veteran actor Mark Hamill is fantastic as the films primary antagonist known only as “The Major”. Cooper Hoffman, the son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, was incredible. Hoffman plays one of the more pivotal roles in the film, and he was just so damn good. Hoffman stars alongside David Jonsson who was amazing as well.

The two actors displayed amazing on-screen chemistry, and their performances were a big reason for why the film works so well. I just hope they get the recognition they deserve and this leads to more opportunities for them going forward in their careers. The supporting cast was great as well, with several actors turning in impressive performances including Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Jordan Gonzalez, Judy Greer, and Joshua Odjick. Many of these names I heard for this first time while writing this review, but man were they good.

From a technical perspective THE LONG WALK was fantastic. The film does such a great job having an intimate feel which allows these characters to seem fully alive on-screen. I was locked in from the opening sequence and the film just had this feel like if you look away even for a second you might miss something. And even though the actual walk was said to be broadcast live all over the country, the film never showed that aspect which helped to make it feel that much more raw and intimate. The camera work was amazing, and some of the more graphic sequences were just hard to watch which speaks to how effective the film is at creating this feeling of desperation.

THE VERDICT

A chilling and brutally violent psychological horror thriller film from The Hunger Games director Frances Lawrence, THE LONG WALK puts viewers on the edge of their seats with yet another top-tier Stephen King adaptation. This film hits hard with its ability to develop some great characters that audiences will genuinely care about thanks to a stellar cast, and the overall message of the film will linger well after leaving the theater.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.4/10

THE LONG WALK is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Caught Stealing

CAUGHT STEALING is a 2025 dark comedy crime thriller film directed by Academy Award® nominee Darren Aronofsky, from a screenplay by Charlie Huston, based on his book of the same name.

Former high-school baseball phenom Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in a dangerous struggle for survival amidst the criminal underbelly of 1990s New York City, forced to navigate a treacherous underworld he never imagined.

The cast includes Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Griffin Dunne, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and Carol Kane.

CAUGHT STEALING made its debut in theaters August 29th, courtesy of Sony Pictures.

There is no denying the sheer talent of director Darren Aronofsky, the dude is a legit visionary. When he tells a story, you better believe that story is going to hit hard, for better or for worse. His work can be very intense, a great example is the 2010 psychological drama Black Swan. Fantastic movie don’t get me wrong, but man that movie just messed with my head to the point where I had to take a break from watching it. His 2008 sports drama The Wrestler was amazing, the 2017 psychological horror thriller Mother! was wild, and his 2022 award-winning drama film THE WHALE (our full review here) was just on another level. So I guess what I am trying to say is his films are always really good, but an argument can be made that some of them are not for everyone. When CAUGHT STEALING was first announced I was very intrigued by Aronofsky working with talented actor Austin Butler, and when the first trailer dropped I was pumped because it just looked like my kind of movie.

I won’t beat around the bush, CAUGHT STEALING was so damn good and easily one of my favorite movies from Darren Aronofsky, giving it a slight edge over THE WHALE mainly because it was just more entertaining in my opinion. This is unapologetic 90’s era cinema that in many ways reminded me of Pulp Fiction, although I’m not going to sit here and try to compare the two because that is an all-time great film. CAUGHT STEALING is a stylish crime thriller film that is built around the characters and the circumstances they find themselves in.

Austin Butler plays Hank Thompson, a former baseball phenom who watched his lifelong dream get taken from him after he made a mistake that changed his life forever. Now a seemingly care-free and charismatic baseball obsessed guy working as a bartender at a dive bar in NYC, Hank seems content taking life one day at a time. But after his punk rock neighbor lures him into the criminal underbelly of the Big Apple, Hank becomes a very popular guy with the wrong people. Things quickly go from bad to worse for Hank as each decision he makes seems to drag him deeper and deeper into a hole he can’t find his way out of.

I really loved Austin Butler’s character and I was honestly mesmerized by his performance. It felt like one of those roles where an actor becomes a character to the point where you forget about anything else they have been in, which is quite an achievement for a guy who played Elvis. Butler just had this natural on-screen chemistry that audiences eat up, and he was a big reason why the movie was so damn good. No matter how bad things got he still seemed to have this dark sense of humor which made everything that much more entertaining.

The film had a great supporting cast as well, with a fantastic performance delivered by the sexy Zoë Kravitz. Kravitz has natural chemistry with Butler and in many ways she helps to balance out his character, serving as the person who is a bit more realistic and level-headed. My guy Griffin Dunne was awesome as he played the alcoholic drug adduct owner of the bar where Hank worked. The veteran actor who was amazing us Uncle Nicky in the drama series This Is Us, helped to keep the comedy alive and well in CAUGHT STEALING. Other notable performances were delivered by Regina King, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, better known as Bad Bunny. The cast was just great all-around.

Taking place in 90’s New York, CAUGHT STEALING just felt so damn authentic to that era and reminded me of so many movies set in the city during that time period. Director Darren Aronofsky is a native of New York City, so it makes sense that he wanted to capture the feel of that era with a genuine authenticity and man did he crush it. Aronofsky is so damn talented behind the camera and he brought the city to life. I was never bored and I just kept wanting more from CAUGHT STEALING. The movie absolutely flew by, and I honestly can’t wait to see it again. I also thought the technical elements of the film were a huge factor when it came to bringing 90’s New York City to life, and the soundtrack and cinematography was on point.

THE VERDICT

A character driven 90’s era crime drama packed with dark humor and featuring a fantastic performance from Austin Butler, Darren Aronofsky’s CAUGHT STEALING is vintage cinema and yet another gem from the supremely talented director. I am a big fan of 90’s era crime films and I commend Aronofsky for his ability to transport viewers back to this time period.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.3/10

CAUGHT STEALING is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Weapons

WEAPONS is a 2025 mystery horror thriller film written, produced, and directed by Zach Cregger. Cregger recently wrote and directed the hard-hitting 2022 horror thriller BARBARIAN (our full review and the trailer here), which is an absolute must-see.

When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.

The cast includes Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, Amy Madigan, and Justin Long

WEAPONS made its debut in theaters August 8th, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

When I went to see BARBARIAN in theaters back in 2022, I honestly didn’t know what to expect from writer/director Zach Cregger. I went in fairly blind and to be honest the movie blew me away. It was clear from the jump this dude was talented, and I was locked into this movie from the start. I liked so much about BARBARIAN, but one element I liked the most was how Cregger told a story that developed over a long period of time which was a really cool way for the events in the film to unfold.

Now lets talk about his latest film, WEAPONS. I loved this movie! As soon as the credits hit the screen, I just wanted to tell anybody who would listen all about what I just watched. My wife is a wuss and cannot handle horror movies, so she told me as soon as I got home that under no circumstance could I tell her about the movie. Bummer, I know.

WEAPONS was incredibly entertaining, packed full of some great original horror elements brought to life by a super talented cast, and writer/director Zach Cregger yet again reminds people that he understands filmmaking. The movie just has a little bit of everything, a feeling of constant dread with the horror element, a dose of mystery, thriller, and even some comedy for good measure. I felt like the film balanced the tone in such a unique way that WEAPONS should appeal to a much wider audience compared to traditional horror films.

One thing I know for sure after seeing WEAPONS, Zach Cregger is a master storyteller. This dude just gets it. He gets an original idea in his head and he finds a way to share that idea with viewers in the form of quality cinema. As I mentioned in the opening Cregger has his own style of telling his stories, and with WEAPONS he utilizes an approach that tells the story from the perspective of each main character, and it was just magical.

With this format you get to see the unsettling events first hand as they develop and you also begin to understand the story more with each perspective. You get to experience certain events from the perspective of one character and something that happens may not make sense, and then you experience the same events from the perspective of another character and it comes full circle. I just thought it was amazing how Cregger did this and in some ways it reminded me of the book The Girl on the Train, which to this day hooked me like no other book. With WEAPONS you honestly never really know what the heck is going on until the final act.

From a technical perspective WEAPONS is absolutely ridiculous. First and foremost, the score gave me chills. I wish I could have experienced this movie in IMAX because it was clear that the audio was a big part of the experience. During some of the more powerful scenes the sound just ramped up in such a way that made everything feel massive and immersive. The camera work makes everything feel intimate when it needs to be, and I have to touch on the editing because I don’t think they wasted a single second. I don’t know what else to say, WEAPONS is not only one of the best horror movies I’ve seen in quite some time, it is one of the best overall movies I have seen.

The entire cast is perfect, with a breakout role Julia Garner and Josh Brolin, one of the most talented actors working today. Garner’s career has really taken off ever since she made a name for herself with the hit crime thriller series Ozark, and the fact that she held her own alongside someone like Brolin speaks volumes about her as an actress. I can’t wait to see more from her. We were even gifted some screen time from Justin Long who starred in Cregger’s previous film, BARBARIAN. 

The supporting cast was top notch as well, with memorable performances from Alden Ehrenreich, Benedict Wong, and Justin Abrams. Veteran actress Amy Madigan, who began her career back in 1981 with TV roles on shows like CHiPs as well as a role in the 1989 comedy Uncle Buck, is just amazing in this film. I don’t want to give anything away, but just know that Madigan is a huge part of this movie and she deserves a ton of praise for this role.

From the perspective of someone who sees a lot of movies, on average about two a week in the theater, WEAPONS is really on another level and an absolute must-see. Certain directors impress me to the point where I will be at the theater for their movies no matter what, and Zack Cregger now finds himself in this rare category. I feel like he will continue to get better with each project he works on, and I can’t wait for the Resident Evil movie he has on the horizon.

THE VERDICT

A captivating original story uniquely told from the perspective of each main character, WEAPONS is yet another gem from writer/director Zach Cregger and easily the best horror movie this year. I can’t remember the last time I was so incredibly immersed in a horror movie, and for that reason the 2-hours absolutely flew by. Awesome story, great acting from the entire cast, and top-tier technical elements. Bottom line, this movie is a must-see.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.8/10

WEAPONS is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.