Materialists

MATERIALISTS is a 2025 romantic comedy film written and directed by Academy Award nominee Celine Song (Past Lives).

A matchmaker's lucrative business is complicated when she falls into a toxic love triangle that threatens her clients.

The cast includes Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal, Marin Ireland, Sawyer Spielberg, Lindsey Broad, Eddie Cahill, and Louisa Jacobson.

MATERIALISTS made its debut in theaters June 13th, courtesy of A24.

When it comes to movies I have always had a fairly broad appreciation for genres, which is why I can bathe in the beautiful violence of a film like BALLERINA (our full review here), and without missing a beat go check out Celine Song’s romantic comedy drama film MATERIALISTS. Now in terms of grabbing my interest it certainly helps that the main cast includes Dakota Johnson, Captain America himself Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal.

I’m embarrassed to admit that I have yet to see Song’s debut film PAST LIVES (preview and trailer here) but knowing that it is now readily available on Netflix I will be watching it very, very soon. Unfortunately the film had a limited theatrical run so I missed it in theaters, but I know a ton about it and I am excited to finally see it. Because of PAST LIVES I am familiar with Song and what seems to be the magic touch when it comes to romantic comedy drama films, so I was excited to see what she was able to do with MATERIALISTS.

I know I keep referring to MATERIALISTS as a romantic comedy drama film, but after seeing it for myself although it definitely has funny moments it is for sure more of a romantic drama. First and foremost I really enjoyed this film and felt like the signature touch of writer/director Celine Song was prevalent throughout. In my opinion when it comes to filmmaking and you don’t have the benefit of special effects and just all that extra stuff to keep audiences entertained, the core of the film which to me is the writing stands out that much more.

I can say without a fraction of a doubt that Celine Song is an incredibly talented filmmaker, and I feel like where her talents really shine through is the writing. MATERIALISTS is a spot on modern day romantic drama film that focuses on the reality of dating which can honestly be very depressing. If you ever experienced the world of online dating you know that it is very sad and incredibly hilarious all at the same time. I never once questioned the authenticity of the film which is a huge plus in my book.

Dakota Johnson plays Lucy, a successful single woman in New York who has built a career finding love for others working for a matchmaking service. On the surface Lucy is confident and believes in the power of true love which is a big reason why she is so good at her her job, but eventually it becomes clear that navigating love may require more than just a checklist and an algorithm. Viewers get to know Lucy on a very intimate level and I felt completely immersed as we watched her attempt to make sense of it all as far as life and love as she navigated her past relationship with John (Chris Evans), and Harry (Pedro Pascal), the rich and handsome bachelor considered a “unicorn” in the matchmaking business.

Celine Song is incredible at creating these characters that feel real because you get to see their great qualities as well as their flaws, and audiences will find themselves torn between what they feel are the right decisions Lucy should be making. At its core MATERIALISTS is a film that hammers home the age old message, you simply cannot fake true love. The entire cast is fantastic from top to bottom allowing viewers to just appreciate the nuances of the film as the story is told.

I just loved the overall feel of MATERIALISTS, and I felt like Celine Song did such a great job creating an authentic portrayal of the messiness of finding love. People always have their list of “non-negotiables”, I actually just found my wife’s a few weeks ago which she wrote out before we met and I thought it was hilarious, but the reality is that the person you think you should be with and the person you fall in love with may have nothing in common.

Sure you would prefer someone who has it together because that just makes life that much easier, but at the end of the day you can’t fake a connection, and you either have it or you don’t. I mean sure, in a perfect world I will someday find a sugar momma on the side who will happily finance a lavish lifestyle for my family, but until then I will take my imperfect but genuine relationship I have built for the last 10+ years that has led to a beautiful family, and many more good days than bad. What more can you ask for?

THE VERDICT

A funny and genuinely moving story of the messiness of modern-day dating and the pursuit of true love, MATERIALISTS is a fantastic film and further proof that Celine Song is an incredibly talented filmmaker. I love a good romantic comedy but they often tend to be a dime a dozen, and I feel like a film like this is up there with some of the top-tier films in the genre like Crazy, Stupid, Love. for example which is one of my absolute favorites. MATERIALISTS has its own identity and just feels like an effortlessly entertaining experience for viewers without all of the bells and whistles, and to me that is a testament to the film at its core.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.6/10

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

Ballerina

BALLERINA is a 2025 neo-noir action thriller film directed by Len Wiseman and written by Shay Hatten. It is a spin-off and the fifth film in the John Wick franchise, set between the events of Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) and Chapter 4 (2023). The film is also actor Lance Reddick's final screen role, which will be released posthumously in 2025.

Young female assassin Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma organization sets out to seek revenge after her father's death.

The cast includes Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Keanu Reeves, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, and Ian McShane.

BALLERINA made its debut in theaters June 6th, courtesy of Lionsgate Movies.

It is rare but every once in a great while a new film franchise is born that creates a seismic shift in the cinema landscape and that is exactly what happened back in 2014 when the John Wick franchise was born. Keanu Reeves is a legendary icon in the film industry, easily one of the most recognizable stars thanks to a massively successful career, but he is also known to be just a really good guy. Reeves took on this new role and to say that he literally became John Wick would be an understatement.

This larger-than-life almost mythical character became a cultural icon and one thing was for certain, you do NOT mess with John Wick. I fell in love with everything about this franchise and the incredible universe it created, but after Chapter 4 it seemed that a run of nearly a decade was finally coming to an end. A few spin-offs for the franchise were announced including a film called BALLERINA, a new action thriller directly linked to the John Wick franchise and starring Ana de Armas. Naturally I was intrigued although I tried to keep my expectations in check because naturally it would be nearly impossible to create something worthy of such a polarizing franchise, right?

As a diehard John Wick fan, I honestly thought BALLERINA was fantastic and even better than I expected. I tried to go in with moderate expectations because I do think so much of this franchise, but man did they pull out all of the stops here as they expanded on the universe and did justice to in my opinion the best action thriller franchise in the last decade, and it’s not even close. Ana de Armas is an absolute beast in this role and she deserves a ton of credit for what she was able to accomplish here. If you want to dip your toe in the John Wick universe you better be a real badass and she plays the part for sure.

A big test for BALLERINA was finding way to make the movie feel like it belongs in the John Wick universe, and without giving anything away it honestly felt like I was re-watching the original John Wick in the sense that the events of this film line up with where it all started. In many ways it felt like how the Breaking Bad series Better Call Saul found a way to stay true to the hit series by picking up from the beginning with an entirely different perspective. Similar to John Wick, Eve is fueled by revenge to the point where she is basically seeing red. She understands all of the rules and the simple fact that there are some lines you cannot come back from if they are crossed, but when revenge is the only thing that matters nothing will get in the way.

Eve’s journey to becoming a badass killing machine feels very authentic and I really liked how realistic the action felt even though it does get very over-the-top at times. In a good way, of course. I won’t spoil it but one specific standoff during the final act of the film is absolutely glorious. The action, the fight sequences, the cinematography, the soundtrack, it is all very much true to the John Wick franchise and for that reason it is just on another level. I thought the cast was amazing with the return of several franchise regulars including Ian McShane, and an emotional final on-screen appearance by the legendary Lance Reddick. I also loved the addition of The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus. If you consider yourself to be a fan of this franchise you need to see this movie as soon as possible, simple as that.

THE VERDICT

A stylish and gritty action thriller that carves out its own identity while effectively expanding the polarizing John Wick universe, BALLERINA was so much fun and absolutely exceeded my expectations. Hardcore fans of this franchise will leave the theater with an urge to re-watch all of the John Wick films, and to me that is the ultimate compliment. Ana de Armas is a legit badass and I can’t wait to see where they take things with her character.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.3/10

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

Bring Her Back

BRING HER BACK is a 2025 horror thriller film directed by Danny and Michael Philippou, the duo behind the hit horror film TALK TO ME.

A brother and sister uncover a terrifying ritual at the secluded home of their new foster mother.

The cast includes Sally Hawkins, Billy Barrat, Sora Wong, Jonah Wren Phillips, Sally-Anne Upton, and Stephen Phillips.

BRING HER BACK made its debut in theaters May 30th, courtesy of A24.

There is certainly something to be said about Australian twin brothers Danny and Michael Philippou, who after finding great success with their YouTube channel seemed to become film directors pretty much overnight. On YouTube where the brothers are known as RackaRacka, they built a massive following of 6.88 million subscribers making horror comedy videos and performing stunts. They began at the age of 11 doing backyard WWE inspired wrestling videos and do not try this at home Jackass style stunts.

In 2014 the brothers worked on the crew that made the horror film The Babadook, which I saw in theaters and bought when it came out on Blu-ray. Between that and It Follows, 2014 was a fantastic year for horror movies. I imagine that project helped to inspire the brothers as they worked towards making a horror movie of their own. In 2022 the brothers directed their debut horror film TALK TO ME, which was filmed in their hometown of Adelaide, and produced by Australian production company Causeway Films. The film found great success and the brothers recently confirmed that a sequel is in the works. I really liked TALK TO ME for several reasons, and it was clear that although it was their debut film, these brothers had an eye for quality cinema.

Back on topic, BRING HER BACK is a gem of a follow-up film as it brings with it all of the top-tier technical elements I fell in love with when I watched TALK TO ME, but it was also very unique and deep. This is much more of a slow-burn horror film that takes viewers on a journey, a traumatizing journey for sure, but a journey nonetheless and if you are patient it is absolutely worth it. If you go in expecting more of a traditional horror film or even just more of the spine-tingling horror you got from TALK TO ME you will be disappointed, but trust me when I say that BRING HER BACK has its own visceral signature, and some of the scenes I damn near had to look away.

It is quite clear early on that something is seriously wrong with this foster mother, but the film forces you to be patient as the pieces of the puzzle slowly come together. BRING HER BACK is so many things, but first and foremost it is top-tier filmmaking, but it is also powerful in terms of the subject matter and the overall deeper meaning of the film, and it really makes you feel something. I didn’t leave the theater feeling depressed or grossed out or anything which I thought was notable.

I had this feeling where I felt impacted by the film in a way that is sort of hard to describe. I felt sympathy for every character in the film by the end as I came to the realization that they were all victims of circumstance, and the often unbearable emotional weight of trauma and grief. Let me be very clear, BRING HER BACK is not an easy watch, but this film was crafted with purpose and intention, and as far as horror films go this movie really hit hard.

THE VERDICT

A beautifully shot slow-burn horror thriller that effectively explores extreme trauma caused by paralyzing grief in disturbing fashion, BRING HER BACK is a powerful film that will stay with you days after leaving the theater. This movie hit me hard and I honestly don’t know how you can dismiss it as anything other than a work of art. It may not have the scare factor of TALK TO ME in the sense of traditional horror, but this is a film with purpose and meaning, and it will get under your skin and stay there.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.1/10

BRING HER BACK is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Friendship

FRIENDSHIP is a 2024 comedy drama film written and directed by Andrew DeYoung in his directorial debut. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8th, 2024, as part of the festival's Midnight Madness program.

Suburban dad Craig falls hard for his charismatic new neighbor, as Craig’s attempts to make an adult male friend threaten to ruin both of their lives.

The cast includes Paul Rudd, Tim Robinson, Kate Mara, Jack Dylan Grazer, Josh Segarra, and Billy Bryk.

FRIENDSHIP made its debut in theaters May 2025, courtesy of A24.

I’m sure I sound like a broken record by now, but I will always make sure my ass is in a theater seat for opening day of any movie A24 slaps their good name on. Plus the excitement level is just that much higher when you add in the fact that one of my favorite comedic actors Paul Rudd is one of the stars of the film. Early feedback for FRIENDSHIP seemed to draw comparisons to a darker take on the film I Love You Man, which also starred Paul Rudd, and I was intrigued by this as I am a big fan of that movie as well.

First of all, I absolutely loved this movie. Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson are on fire here, and easily one of my favorite comedic tandems as of late. Paul Rudd is my guy, but I honestly wasn’t super familiar with Robinson before seeing this movie, and man let me just say he shot up my list for sure. Reading up on him it seems that his style is “cringe comedy” and to say he is a technician would be an understatement. Kate Mara is fantastic here as well, and I really liked Jack Dylan Glazer’s performance. FRIENDSHIP is absolutely hilarious, and even though I lost count of how many times I laughed-out-loud at the theater, I added to it by cracking up out of nowhere at home when I thought of a scene in the movie. I also saw the movie in a packed theater on opening day which was awesome, although a few times I was the only person laughing which is probably a red flag in terms of my sense of humor.

I am a huge fan of comedy films because at the end of the day we all need laughter in our lives, and what I really loved about FRIENDSHIP was just the unique blend of dark comedy and dry humor. Oftentimes I found myself laughing at nothing more than a certain look on the face of Tim Robinson’s character Craig, who seemed to be living a life straight out of an R-rated sitcom. Craig is the very impressionable “good guy” who finds himself very close to the edge thanks to personal issues and a demanding career. When he is thrust into a world he never could have imagined after meeting his new neighbor, his life will never be the same.

When the film was first announced I immediately assumed that the focus would be on this normal suburban dad who got sucked into a friendship that would ultimately derail his seemingly normal life. Now in some ways this is true, but when I watched the trailer it was obvious that the unhinged person was actually the normal guy all along. But what you soon figure out watching the film is that FRIENDSHIP is much more than initially meets the eye, and as they say it takes two to tango.

From a technical standpoint FRIENDSHIP is top-tier filmmaking and in many ways has a very arthouse feel to it which I loved. The film more often than not relies on a less-is-more approach with the camera work and editing, which allows the story and the characters the opportunity to take center stage. I had no idea who writer/director Andrew DeYoung was prior to seeing this film, but I am now certain this is a talented dude who just gets it. I also loved the soundtrack for the film as it added a ton to the overall feel.

Although the film is packed with cringeworthy moments thanks to some fantastic writing and next-level situational comedy, it was so much fun watching how the two main characters influenced each other leading to a wild and though-provoking climax. I loved the film from start to finish, but I will warn you that some people may have an issue with the end of the film as it will leave you wanting more. For me FRIENDSHIP is one of those films that creates a very engaging narrative and gives you a ton to think about, but by the end leaves viewers having to piece together the actual “ending” themselves.

Now I understand the I Love You Man comparisons, but FRIENDSHIP is also very different in the sense that it is as much about what is left unsaid. This is a movie that takes a different approach in terms of a traditional comedy, mainly because it attempts to connect with audiences on a deeper level instead of just tying things together in a neat little bow at the conclusion of the film. In many ways FRIENDSHIP is a character study focusing on the insecurities that plague us well into adulthood. On the surface it seems that Craig is the one with the problems who ropes his neighbor Austin into his tornado of bad decisions, but when you dig deeper you realize both men are equally damaged. Craig is navigating an identity crisis, and Austin is struggling with self-worth and what seems to be a mid-life crisis. Both men meet at a crossroads in their respective lives and careers, leading to a volatile yet hilarious and life-altering friendship.

THE VERDICT

A laugh-out-loud hilarious and irresistibly cringeworthy dark comedy featuring stellar performances from Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson, FRIENDSHIP is a unique take on the absurd complexities of male bonding during adulthood. All I can say is do not dismiss this as just another comedy because it really is so much more than that. I give writer and director Andrew DeYoung all of the credit in the world because this man really created something special with FRIENDSHIP, and going forward I will be sure to support any other projects he works on.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.2/10

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

Final Destination Bloodlines

FINAL DESTINATION BLOODLINES is a 2025 horror thriller film directed by Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky from a screenplay by Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor, from a story by Jon Watts, Guy Busick, and Lori Evans Taylor. It is based on characters created by Jeffrey Reddick. The film marks the 6th entry in the Final Destination franchise, and the first entry since 2011.

Plagued by a violent recurring nightmare, college student Stefanie heads home to track down the one person who might be able to break the cycle and save her family from the grisly demise that inevitably awaits them all.

The cast includes Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, Richard Harmon, Owen Patrick Joyner, Rya Kihlstedt, Anna Lore, with Brec Bassinger, and Tony Todd.

FINAL DESTINATION BLOODLINES made its debut in theaters May 16th, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

The FINAL DESTINATION film franchise is iconic, that is simply a fact that cannot be argued. The formula for the first film was absolutely ahead of its time which is a big reason why the franchise enjoyed a successful 11-year run that churned out five films. One thing I love about this franchise is the fact that each film offered something unique while still capturing the magic that made the original so great.

You could even argue that the original film isn’t the best film in the franchise, which is honestly something you could debate all day long with fans. For example, FINAL DESTINATION 2 hit especially hard because after that movie, I was never able to comfortably drive behind a truck hauling giant logs. I also have vivid memories heading to the theater to see FINAL DESTINATION 2 during a blizzard, and I swear I looked left right up and down probably a hundred times on my way to the theater.

There is something to be said about a movie that can stick with you like that. Now it’s been almost 15-years since the fifth film came out, and I honestly didn’t think that we would get another movie in this franchise. So when the marketing started to come out about a new movie, I was absolutely ecstatic. I was trying to keep my expectations in check because I am such a big fan, but on my way to the theater admittedly I was looking to be transported back to the good old days of movie watching.

FINAL DESTINATION BLOODLINES was absolutely fantastic! I mean, I can’t even begin to explain how many things they did to not the only appease hard-core fans of the franchise, but to also create something that is just standalone a great movie. FINAL DESTINATION BLOODLINES finds a way to go full circle in terms of the overall premise of the films, while also upping the anti-on production value, scale, And most importantly, some friggin’ awesome deaths.

I went back and re-watched the original film, and although it was certainly goofy in some ways, it was never really intentional, making the tone feel sort of off. I felt like as the franchise progressed, they started to gravitate towards that blend of horror and comedy making for a much more impactful experience. FINAL DESTINATION BLOODLINES is absolutely in the vein as it can be hilarious at times but can also have you gritting your teeth in suspense. I was honestly so uncomfortable at times knowing that something was about to happen, and that just speaks to how well they handled the sequences in this film.

I’m finding it difficult to go too in-depth without giving anything away, but the domino effect of the FINAL DESTINATION films is just on another level here. I mean, honestly I’m having a hard time finding many critiques of this film. I thought the acting was great all things considered in terms of the blend of humor and horror, I loved the soundtrack, and the special effects were absolutely amazing. Clocking in at just shy of 2-hours I felt like the film didn’t seem to waste a single minute and was edited to perfection, and I’m honestly having a hard time deciding on which one of the awesome deaths was my favorite.

Just touching a bit more on the overall story, to be honest I tried to avoid watching too much of the trailers just because I wanted to be surprised to see what direction they decided to go as they attempted to reboot the franchise. After seeing FINAL DESTINATION BLOODLINES, I honestly feel like they handled it perfectly as they found a way to stay true to the franchise while also breathing new life into a very loyal fanbase.

Seriously this movie was just so much damn fun and I want so badly to just talk about it, but I’ll stick with my guns and not spoil anything and hope that someone else I know will see it sooner than later. Even the final seconds of the film felt like a tribute to the franchise, which I absolutely loved. Plus speaking of tributes, legendary actor of Tony Todd was given the sendoff he rightfully deserved in this film. He will be missed.

THE VERDICT

A massively entertaining horror comedy that perfectly captures the magic of the original films, FINAL DESTINATION BLOODLINES is an incredible addition to an absolutely iconic franchise. If you consider yourself to be a fan of this franchise, you need to see this movie as soon as humanly possible. I can’t wait to add FINAL DESTINATION BLOODLINES to my 4K Blu-ray collection, and have my fingers crossed that it will include some great extras on there as well.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.9/10

FINAL DESTINATION BLOODLINES is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Fight or Flight

FIGHT OR FLIGHT is a 2025 action comedy directed by James Madigan, from a screenplay by Brooks McLaren and D.J. Cotrona.

A mercenary (Josh Hartnett) takes on the job of tracking a high-value asset known only as The Ghost on an international flight. Realizing the plane is filled with assassins assigned to kill them both, the pair must work together in a fight for their lives.

The cast includes Josh Hartnett, Katee Sackhoff, Charithra Chandran, Julian Kostov, Marko Zaror, and Juju Chan Szeto.

FIGHT OR FLIGHT made its debut in theaters May 9th, courtesy of Vertical Entertainment.

With scripts getting recycled or remakes left and right movies often feel very familiar these days, and when I first saw the trailer for FIGHT OR FLIGHT I immediately thought this was 100% the plane version of the 2022 Brad Pitt action comedy thriller BULLET TRAIN (our full review and trailer here).

I will admit it still looked fun and I love me some Josh Hartnett, but I figured it would be a limited or VOD release anyway so I knew I would see it at some point. To my surprise FIGHT OR FLIGHT received a wide release showing that Hartnett still has some juice left, and I made sure to head over to the theater to see if it was worth an hour and a half of my precious time.

FIGHT OR FLIGHT does feel very familiar but I felt like director James Madigan and writers Brooks McLaren and D.J. Cotrona took the familiar concept and had fun with it. In many ways it felt like they watched BULLET TRAIN and did what they could to make a movie that was similar but still fun and engaging, and I actually really enjoyed it. Now this is more like the little brother as it does not have anywhere near the budget or star-studded cast, but they take advantage of what they have at their disposal.

There is no doubt in my mind that this movie is on Amazon Prime for $4.99 day one without Josh Hartnett because he is undoubtedly the primary draw for the film. Hartnett plays Lucas Reyes, a former Secret Service agent turned bleached blond alcoholic who has fallen on hard times with a target on his back, before he is given an opportunity to take on a mission that will clear his name.

Unfortunately for Reyes this mission is quite literally a death trap at 10,000 feet as he ends up on a flight full of contract killers gunning for the person he is tasked with taking into custody. He quickly realizes his predicament has left him with little options so he uses his resourcefulness and knack for successfully beating people to death to his advantage. Plus the plane was very well stocked with nips so that kept him going.

The premise is very straightforward, which was fine because Hartnett was the primary driver of the film anyway, as he serves up constant comic relief and is awesome in the stunt department. The action is pretty much non-stop once it gets going, and it seems to ramp up as the story progresses. FIGHT OR FLIGHT also included a few twists and turns which I thought was a nice touch.

As I pointed out Josh Hartnett is the primary draw for this film and for good reason because he delivers on all fronts. Hartnett recently starred in M. Night Shyamalan’s mystery thriller TRAP (our full review here), which seemed to be a bit of a career resurgence for the longtime actor. I mean the fact that he crushed it as a sociopathic serial killer and seamlessly shifted to play a badass former Secret Service agent is proof that my guy can still do it all.

I really liked Charithra Chandran in a strong supporting role, and I thought that she had great chemistry with Hartnett. Honestly the entire supporting cast was great, even though many of them only had about 20-seconds on-screen before Reyes sent them to the afterlife.

Similar to BULLET TRAIN, as bloody and violent as FIGHT OR FLIGHT can be it always has a goofy feel and never takes itself too seriously. I did feel like the tone of the film was a bit unbalanced at times, and I would like to have seen a bit more of a focus on Reyes’ backstory as it never seemed fully fleshed out.

The film chose to prioritize the action sequences over the story which did work out in the end as it was never boring, and some of the fight sequences were an absolute blast to experience. Plus it is worth noting I loved the final act when Hartnett took on a group of bad guys armed with a chainsaw. That was without a doubt the icing on the cake for me.

THE VERDICT

An engaging action comedy packed with creative fight sequences and fun characters, FIGHT OR FLIGHT may feel familiar but its never boring and Josh Hartnett on a rampage with a chainsaw is worth the price of admission alone. I didn’t expect a ton with this movie and I felt like it delivered more than enough making it easy for me to recommend seeing it in theaters.

“Who hired you? You’re not even sober.”

“I’m getting way closer than I’d like to be.” - Lucas Reyes

TED TAKES RATING - 7.3/10

FIGHT OR FLIGHT is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Sinners

“You keep dancing with the devil, one day he’s gonna follow you home.”

SINNERS is a 2025 gothic supernatural horror film written, directed, and co-produced by Ryan Coogler, the talented writer/director behind Fruitvale Station, Black Panther, and Creed. The film is produced by Coogler and frequent collaborators Sev Ohanian and Zinzi Coogler. The executive producers are Ludwig Göransson, Will Greenfield and Rebecca Cho. Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson handled the music for the film.

Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.

The cast includes Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, Jack O'Connell, Jayme Lawson, Wunmi Mosaku, Omar Benson Miller, Hailee Steinfeld, Lola Kirke, and Christian Robinson.

SINNERS made its debut in theaters April 18th, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

THE GOOD

Ryan Coogler has always been a master storyteller, but SINNERS feels like the full flowering of his talent — a sweeping, soulful, and searingly original vision that cements him among the greats of modern American cinema. After seeing the glowing praise pour in for a week, I caught SINNERS in IMAX with my girlfriend, and it’s safe to say it exceeded the hype. This is Coogler’s best film yet, a triumph of atmosphere, emotion, and innovation.

Set against the haunting backdrop of the Mississippi Delta in 1932, SINNERS instantly immerses you in a richly textured world where past and future collide. Michael B. Jordan, in his finest performance to date, plays twin brothers Smoke and Stack, war-scarred veterans turned dreamers, trying to carve out a life for themselves — and their community — in the shadow of racism, violence, and supernatural menace. The premise sounds heavy, and it is, but Coogler balances the darkness with a palpable love for the culture, history, and spirit of his characters.

The film’s opening act is astonishing: a slow-burn tapestry of music, memory, and myth-building. Working again with cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Coogler crafts images that feel at once timeless and urgent, the dusty fields and flickering lights of the juke joint rendered in shimmering 70mm grandeur. It’s easily one of the best-looking films of the year, a technical marvel that never loses sight of the humanity at its core.

And then there’s the music. SINNERS doesn’t just have a great soundtrack — it has one of the most vital, bone-deep integrations of music into narrative storytelling in years. Ludwig Göransson’s score, interwoven with stunning blues performances recorded live on set, feels like a living, breathing character in the film. Each song, each chord, carries the weight of generations, the joy and pain of a people trying to endure and transcend. It’s no exaggeration to say the music pierces through you — it’s exhilarating, heartbreaking, and essential to the film’s magic.

What’s most impressive, though, is how SINNERS straddles so many genres without ever feeling confused. It’s a historical epic, a horror fable, a supernatural thriller, and a musical — and somehow it’s all of those things at once, fully and confidently. There are echoes of FROM DUSK TILL DAWN and NEAR DARK in the way the horror unfurls, but Coogler’s approach is more soulful, more mournful. The supernatural elements never drown out the deeper emotional currents about family, trauma, faith, and the complicated quest for freedom.

The cast is uniformly excellent. Hailee Steinfeld brings a complex, tragic energy to Mary, while newcomer Miles Caton, as Sammie, gives a breakthrough performance full of youthful yearning and stubborn hope. Wunmi Mosaku is a standout as Annie, radiating both strength and sorrow. Jack O’Connell’s vampire villain Remmick is chilling yet charismatic — a monster born of the same broken system as his victims, which gives the film’s horror a devastating resonance.

Michael B. Jordan’s dual performance, though, is the film’s heartbeat. Smoke and Stack are brothers forged in the same fires but shaped into very different men, and Jordan makes you feel every ounce of their love, resentment, and pain. It’s a virtuoso performance that captures the contradictions at the heart of SINNERS itself: beauty and brutality, loyalty and betrayal, survival and sacrifice.

THE BAD

If there’s one minor critique, it’s that the film’s third act leans a little heavier into traditional horror action beats, slightly thinning the complex textures Coogler weaves so deftly early on. But even then, the film’s emotional gravity never wavers. Coogler doesn’t just want to scare you — he wants to haunt you. And SINNERS lingers long after the credits roll.

At 138 minutes, SINNERS is a dense, layered experience, but it’s never ponderous. Every moment feels earned, every payoff rooted in character and history. Coogler directs with a confidence and boldness that feels almost revelatory — a reminder of what ambitious, personal filmmaking can achieve when given the resources and freedom to flourish.

THE VERDICT

In a year already full of strong films (BLACK BAG & MICKEY 17), SINNERS stands apart. It’s not just one of 2025’s best movies — it’s one of the most resonant, daring works of mainstream American cinema in recent memory. It feels destined to become a classic, the kind of film that audiences and artists will be studying and talking about for decades.

Ryan Coogler has always been great. SINNERS proves he’s something rarer: a visionary. And we are lucky to be witnessing his prime.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.8/10

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

Drop

DROP is a 2025 mystery thriller film directed by Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day, Freaky), and written by Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach. Producers on the film include Michael Bay, Jason Blum, Brad Fuller, and Cameron Fuller.

A widowed mother's first date in years takes a terrifying turn when she's bombarded with anonymous threatening messages on her phone during their upscale dinner, leaving her questioning if her charming date is behind the harassment.

The cast includes Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Violett Beane, Jacob Robinson, Reed Diamond, Gabrielle Ryan, Jeffery Self, Ed Weeks, and Travis Nelson.

DROP made its debut in theaters April 11th, courtesy of Universal Pictures.

The “cat-and-mouse” thriller genre of films has a ton of wiggle room when it comes to screenplay, with the overall idea being to keep viewers hooked and guessing right until the very end. The trailer for DROP enticed me right away but I did have concerns in terms of how they would be able to maintain the appeal for the entire film, and whether or not things would get a bit too wacky by the end. Thankfully you can rest assured because my concerns were put to rest pretty much immediately as DROP proved to be one of the more enjoyable films I have seen in some time.

The film taps into two things that give people anxiety this day and age, our reliance on technology and online dating. Violet is a single mom with more baggage than most people thanks to a traumatic past, but she is finally willing to take a chance by going on a date with Henry, a man she had been talking to online for a few months. Violet’s nerves are put to rest early on as her charming date and restaurant with a breathtaking view point to a promising evening, that is of course until she receives a DROP on her phone that changes everything. What seems like a joke at first turns deadly serious forcing Violet to make decisions that will change her life forever.

I’m not going to lie I was hooked from the jump, and I just loved how the story began to unravel. I apologize for the overuse of the term cat-and-mouse thriller, but it is just the perfect description for DROP. The story is such a whirlwind and it gets more intense by the minute leaving viewers on the edge-of-their-seats. The cast is fantastic and I loved the chemistry between lead actors Meghann Fahy (Violet) and Brandon Sklenar (Henry). Both characters have a certain level of intrigue adding depth to the story, and I really liked the direction of the screenplay. I mentioned my concern as far as the film maintaining interest and providing a satisfying final act, but man did it deliver. DROP is a wild ride from start to finish and everyone involved deserves a ton of credit.

DROP is creative in terms of the screenplay but it also delivers big time from a technical standpoint. The story needs to make Violet seem isolated as her life hangs in the balance and under the control of a mysterious stranger communicating with her via her cell phone, and they did a great job utilizing technical elements like showing some of the messages she was seeing as an on-screen graphic for example. Plus the camera angles are wild as viewers feel like everything is spiraling out of control. I also thought the score/soundtrack was amazing as it blended perfectly with the overall feel of the film. I mean sure the premise is over-the-top in many ways if you want to overthink it, but if you are willing to sit back and just appreciate DROP it will be more than worth your time I guarantee it.

THE VERDICT

A crafty and fast-paced cat-and-mouse thriller that gets the hooks in you early and never lets go, DROP embraces a wild premise delivering an incredibly entertaining experience for viewers. I really enjoyed this movie and can easily recommend it to anyone who is looking for something fresh and exciting. Do yourself a favor and see DROP in theaters.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.3/10

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

Warfare

WARFARE is a 2025 war drama film written and directed by Iraq War Veteran Ray Mendoza and Civil War’s Alex Garland. Garland is a very talented director who recently blew audiences away with the war drama CIVIL WAR (our full review here), and this collaboration with Mendoza looks to have audiences in for quite a treat.

A platoon of Navy SEALs embark on a dangerous mission in Ramadi, Iraq, with the chaos and brotherhood of war retold through their memories of the event.

The cast includes D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett, Taylor John Smith, Michael Gandolfini, Adain Bradley, Noah Centineo, Evan Holtzman, Henrique Zaga, Joseph Quinn, and Charles Melton.

WARFARE made its debut in theaters April 11th, courtesy of A24.

I absolutely love a good war drama, whether we are talking PLATOON, BLACK HAWK DOWN, or one of my more recent favorites THE HURT LOCKER, they just suck me right in and the experience sticks with me. The films I mentioned are very intense, and although a big focus is on the gunfire and explosions in the battlefield, they do a fantastic job touching on the emotional toll it has on the men and women fighting to protect our freedom. When the first trailer dropped for WARFARE I simply could not wait for this movie to come out. I will watch anything A24 touches, but this movie just had a unique feel of a special cinematic experience. I had to see this on the biggest screen possible so I made my way to the IMAX for the early release screening, and boy was it worth it.

WARFARE opens with the speakers blaring as this platoon of Navy SEALs bond as they watch the music video for the 2004 hit song Call on Me, by Eric Prydz. It was such a cool way for the film to open as viewers had an opportunity to see these men as human beings; sons, brothers, husbands, fathers, before they embark on a mission that will change their lives forever. Soon after we find ourselves in the streets of Iraq on an eerily quiet night with nothing but sporadic gunshots erupting in the distance.

It is hard to explain how it feels to be watching a movie like this on a giant IMAX screen in complete silence, knowing that it is only a matter of time before the audio in the theater erupts. WARFARE does an incredible job setting the stage for this mission as everything happens in real-time, and by the time the film ends you will feel like you were right there with them.

I was blown away, simple as that. This is the story of a carefully planned mission that took a tragic turn, quickly shifting to a battle of survival. It really didn’t matter if it was a veteran of two tours or a guy experiencing his first action, you saw the fear on the faces of these men as they sacrificed their own well being in an effort to save their brothers. During an explosion, I damn near jumped out of my seat because it was so unexpected and I was just beyond immersed in what was happening on-screen.

WARFARE is incredibly intense and the gunfire will be ringing in your ears long after you leave the theater. I thought the entire cast was nothing short of amazing, with a big shoutout to Will Poulter and Cosmo Jarvis for their performances. Director Alex Garland is a beast behind the camera, and his collaboration with Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza is a match made in heaven, simple as that. The film ends with a tribute to the men who fought in this battle and it was pure perfection. I can’t wait to see it again.

THE VERDICT

A fast-paced and absolutely bone-chilling war drama from the perspective of the brave men who lived it, WARFARE puts viewers in the streets of Ramadi, Iraq, creating a uniquely immersive experience you won’t soon forget. You need to see this movie on the biggest screen possible in order to fully appreciate the masterpiece that Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza have created. WARFARE is on another level as a war drama film, and this is absolutely a movie I will be adding to my 4K Blu-ray collection. What are you waiting for, go see it!

TED TAKES RATING - 9.8/10

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

Novocaine

NOVOCAINE is a 2025 action comedy film directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen who previously co-directed Villains (2019) and Significant Other (2022), from a screenplay by Lars Jacobson.

When the girl of his dreams is kidnapped, a man (Jack Quaid) incapable of feeling physical pain turns his rare condition into an unexpected advantage in the fight to rescue her.

The cast includes Jack Quaid (The Boys), Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Jacob Batalon, Betty Gabriel, and Matt Walsh.

NOVOCAINE made its debut in theaters on March 14th, courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

NOVOCAINE is like a swiss army knife when it comes to a specific genre; it is part heist thriller, part action comedy, and part thriller with a dash of romantic comedy. I went in expecting over-the-top action and an abundance of violence, and trust me it is VERY violent, but I was pleasantly impressed with such a high quality blend of genres mainly because everything worked so well. I am obsessed with heist thriller films like DEN OF THIEVES or WRATH OF MAN, I just can’t get enough of that adrenaline-infused action and NOVOCAINE brought some of that as sort of a nice almost unexpected bonus.

If you read the synopsis or watched one of the trailers you have a basic idea of what to expect, but man did writer Lars Jacobson really sink his teeth into the overall idea. The film opens with Nate (Jack Quaid) getting himself ready for work, but right away you can tell something is different about him. He has his shower setup a certain way to control how hot the water gets for example, and he has to set a timer on his phone as a reminder to use the bathroom “so his bladder doesn’t explode”.

Nate has a genetic condition that makes it so he cannot feel pain, not even a little bit, and for that reason he also can’t feel other basic things we may take for granted. I won’t go much more in-depth on it but the point I am trying to make is Jacobson really sells the audience on this condition that Nate suffers from, and before the film gets crazy we have already bought into it and that is huge.

Nate lives a very mundane life mainly due to his condition and his reluctance to put himself out there in a social setting. He works as an assistant manager of a bank and it is very clear that he is beyond bored of his life. He develops a bit of a crush on a new teller but before he can act on it the bank is robbed and she is taken as a hostage, which I mean is just his luck, right? Nate decides that he is done living on autopilot and takes matters into his own hands as he goes full vigilante in an attempt to rescue a girl that he feels could very well be the person he was waiting his entire life to meet.

Now Nate doesn’t quite become John Wick, unless we are talking about battered and beaten John Wick who looks closer to death than anything else. But thankfully for Nate although he can still die of course, due to his condition he can’t feel any of the pain that is inflicted on him, and it is a lot. Nate’s revenge tour is like an out-of-control freight train of bad decisions which provides endless entertainment. NOVOCAINE is action-packed and has some incredible special effects and fight sequences, and I loved that the comedy element is present pretty much throughout.

No matter how crazy things get, you will have a smile on your face and the film even has a nice feel-good element to it. I was so pumped that by the time the credits hit the screen I just wanted more, so needless to say the film flew by. The collaboration between directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen and writer Lars Jacobson just worked so incredibly well, and it was clear that this was a project everyone involved just had a blast working on. Plus I was impressed with all of the twists and turns as far as the overall story, and it was not quite what I was expecting and I mean that as a compliment.

Actor Jack Quaid has been on quite a run as of late, and this is easily my favorite role of his and I just want to picture him as this character forever. He was amazing in the sci-fi thriller COMPANION (our full review here), but he played a very unlikable character. Quaid has been around since 2012 making his acting debut in the 2012 film THE HUNGER GAMES with several small roles since then, but the biggest impression that he made on me was without a doubt his role in the Amazon Prime series THE BOYS, which premiered in 2019.

He has been on quite the career trajectory since then and I absolutely expect that he will continue to impress because he is a very talented actor. I have been most impressed by his versatility as an actor, proving he can handle action, comedy. and everything in between. For one reason or another he does seem to thrive in these fish-out-of-water roles as a regular guy who ends up way over his head leaving a path of destruction in his wake. He is scheduled to star in a crime thriller film titled NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH alongside The Walking Dead star Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and I am surely looking forward to that.

I really enjoyed the supporting cast as well although Quaid definitely dominated the screen-time as the star of the film. Amber Midthunder was great as Nate’s love interest Sherry. Ray Nicholson, the son of the legendary Jack Nicholson, was awesome as well as one of the films primary antagonists. He has been on a bit of a heater himself recently playing a role in the horror thriller SMILE 2, and a starring role in the under-the-radar dark comedy BORDERLINE, now available VOD. Ray may not have the historic career his father has had, but he is a talented actor and I expect we will see him in more projects going forward.

Jacob Batalon is awesome as Nate’s gaming buddy and does a great job adding to the comedic element of the film. Most people will recognize him as Tom Holland’s nerdy buddy in Spider-Man. Betty Gabriel and Matt Walsh play the detectives hot on Nate’s trail, and the two of them were great together. I especially liked Walsh as he always has this hilarious demeanor about him even when he is playing a seemingly serious role. I also really enjoyed Lou Beatty Jr. in a small but important role as one of the customers at Nate’s bank. Evan Hengst has a small role but he does have a very badass fight scene with Quaid’s character that is well worth mentioning.

THE VERDICT

A wildly entertaining and laugh-out-loud action comedy with a dash of heist thriller, NOVOCAINE was just so much fun from start to finish and a movie I highly recommend seeing in theaters. This movie delivers on so many levels, and I just applaud each and every person that had the opportunity to work on this project because it just seemed like so much fun, and the final product proved that. I just love when everything comes together, and it is clear that this was a movie that was made with a love and appreciation for the movie theater experience.

I don’t know about you, but it feels good when a movie opens with the cast or director thanking me for seeing this movie “the way it was meant to be seen”. It almost feels like I am fulfilling my civic duty as a lover of movies or something. Do yourself a favor and get out to see NOVOCAINE in theaters sooner than later to ensure studios continue to make fantastic movies like this. Also the marketing for this movie, just pure genius.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.3/10

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

Black Bag

BLACK BAG is a 2025 spy thriller film directed by Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven, Haywire) and written by David Koepp (Presence, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny).

When intelligence agent Kathryn Woodhouse (Cate Blanchett) is suspected of betraying the nation, her husband (Michael Fassbender) - also a legendary agent - faces the ultimate test of whether to be loyal to his marriage, or his country.

The cast includes Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, and Pierce Brosnan.

BLACK BAG made its debut in theaters March 14th, courtesy of Focus Features.

When it comes to a Steven Soderbergh film I don’t need much convincing to get me to the theater on opening day, I honestly don’t even need to watch a trailer. The guy rarely disappoints, and even a lesser film by his standards is still worth the price of admission. I was very much looking forward to BLACK BAG as it had the feel of vintage Soderbergh and boy was I right.

I absolutely loved this movie, it just had everything that you needed in a spy thriller, but more than anything else instead of relying on spectacle the meat and potatoes of the film was the story and the characters. A Soderbergh film is truly a work of art, and this is yet another quality collaboration with talented screenwriter David Koepp, who Soderbergh also worked with on Kimi (2022), and Presence (2024). I was immersed in the story from the opening scene, and it was like a hook was in me as I desperately needed to find out what was going to happen next. The film also has a throwback feel to some of the best spy thriller films in the last 30-years which is a massive compliment.

BLACK BAG has an incredible cast, but the story centers around stars Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett, a husband and wife who also happen to be spies working for the same organization. The duo work separately and have a very specific level of secrecy that must be respected in order to protect their professional integrity, and if one or the other asks a question that cannot be answered for this reason the response is simply “BLACK BAG”, a term meaning answering the question would violate professional integrity, hence the title of the film.

George (Fassbender) and Kathryn (Blanchett), are viewed as the ultimate power couple by their peers/co-workers as they have found a way to make their marriage work while sharing an incredibly volatile career field. George is known to be the human form of truth serum and it is quite literally impossible to lie to him. When he is tasked with finding a mole within his organization that could very well be his wife or one of his close friends and co-workers, he will leave no stone unturned to find the truth.

I won’t spoil anything but I just loved how the complicated web began to unravel, and although I was worried I may miss something and not quite understand the overall premise, the screenplay impressed me at every turn as although it was complex it still came together in such a way that made perfect sense. Each character had a certain level of intrigue whether it be on a personal or a professional level, and this added intriguing layers to the story. I felt like I was on the edge-of-my-seat from start to finish and I was never bored, not even for a second. BLACK BAG clocks in at a very modest hour and 30-minutes, and the film absolutely flies by.

I wasn’t just in awe of the acting in BLACK BAG, I was also blown away by pretty much every single technical element of the film. The score was perfect which really needs to be the case for any spy thriller worth it’s salt, and Soderbergh’s camera work was next-level as the film always felt intimate and personal. Fassbender’s character is the epitome of self-control so when he starts to feel like things are spiraling out of control I felt the anxiety he was feeling, and that is thanks to incredible character development and a masterful performance by him. I also have to give a shoutout to the editing team because they did not waste a single frame.

The cast is nothing short of amazing in this film, and I thought everyone absolutely crushed it. Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett are on another level as always and have perfect chemistry. I really enjoyed Tom Burke in what I felt was a very unique and complex role. Marisa Abela was really good as well and I enjoyed the toxic but entertaining relationship she shared with Burke’s character. Regé-Jean Page was lowkey one of my favorite performances as it was really hard to get a good read on his character, and I enjoyed the intrigue of the working relationship he shared with Fassbender. Naomie Harris is always fantastic and she really left her mark here as well.

THE VERDICT

A stellar cast and a captivating screenplay anchor Steven Soderbergh’s latest gem of a film, BLACK BAG is a tantalizing spy thriller and an instant classic for genre fans. I really enjoyed this movie from start to finish, and just loved how even with high expectations it delivered on all fronts. If you enjoy a good spy thriller or just a great cinema experience in general, this is an absolute must-see.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.5/10

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

Riff Raff

RIFF RAFF is a 2024 crime comedy film directed by Dito Montiel, written by John Pollono. The film premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

The life of a former criminal is thrown into turmoil when his old family appear for a long-awaited reckoning.

The cast includes starring Ed Harris, Miles J. Harvey, Jennifer Coolidge, Gabrielle Union, Pete Davidson, and Bill Murray.

RIFF RAFF made its debut in theaters February 28th, courtesy of Roadside Attractions.

RIFF RAFF is a dark comedy drama film that offers a bit more than you’d expect from the genre. The film opens with narration from a character by the name of DJ (Miles J. Harvey) as he attempts to set the stage for this dysfunctional family drama. The film takes the “so how did I get here” Deadpool approach as you get a quick glimpse of the pivotal moment during the films final act before going back to before everything hits the fan. DJ is an extremely intelligent but clearly sheltered but good-natured teenager preparing for college.

He is spending Christmas and the New Year with his stepfather Vincent (Ed Harris) and his mother Sandy (Gabrielle Union) at their vacation home, a rural cabin located in picturesque Yarmouth, Maine. I fell in love with the relationship between DJ and his stepfather as they seemed to have a very special bond. This special family trip is quickly interrupted when Vincent’s estranged son Rocco (Lewis Pullman) arrives in the middle of the night with his his very pregnant girlfriend and his mom, Vincent’s ex-wife Ruth (Jennifer Coolidge).

I will say the film does require patience from the perspective of the screenplay because viewers are given breadcrumbs by way of flashbacks as the overall story is pieced together. I felt like it was slow-moving at times making it seem like I was just waiting on something to happen, but it was worth it in the end once everything came full-circle. I honestly loved the overall story, and I was impressed with the serious themes writer John Pollono chose to weave in this well-crafted web of his creation. Pollono, who wrote and directed the film version of his award-winning play SMALL ENGINE REPAIR in 2021, prefers to tackle complicated themes in his stories and he sticks to what he knows here. I won’t dig into it much more than that because I don’t want to spoil anything, but by the end the story hit me much harder than I thought it would. RIFF RAFF is as much about dysfunctional family dynamics as it is about loyalty, and facing the hard truth that as human beings we are far from perfect.

The cast is a big selling point for RIFF RAFF and for good reason because everyone was fantastic. I wasn’t familiar with Miles J. Harvey at all before this movie and I really liked him in this. He has this good-natured innocence about him that just makes him seem like such a fish-out-of-water amongst of all of the calamity happening around him. It was great because you can see him trying to make sense of the craziness, and more often than not he just shakes his head realizing he will never understand these crazy people he calls family. Ed Harris is awesome as always, taking on the balancing act of a family man with a dark past. Gabrielle Union has limited screen time but she was really good as well. Bill Murray is a legend and although he does have a small role, he is amazing as always. Pete Davidson is also really good as Murray’s right hand man.

I absolutely loved Jennifer Coolidge as Vincent’s no-filter alcoholic ex-wife Ruth. Ruth is the epitome of what you see is what you get, and although she is very clearly someone more than willing to push boundaries, I found myself drawn to her especially as her character gets fleshed out throughout the story. And talk about a career resurgence for Coolidge with the HBO Max series WHITE LOTUS and now several other projects, she has come a long way since she portrayed Stiffler’s mom in AMERICAN PIE.

Lewis Pullman is one of those up-and-coming actors and I thought he did a great job as Rocco, taking on a fairly complex character that required a significant amount of emotional depth. I thought Emanuela Postacchini did a really nice job as Rocco’s girlfriend Marina who is a centerpiece to the overall story, and I have to point out the fact that she is absolutely gorgeous. Actor Roger Guenveur Smith was in the movie for about 5-seconds during a flashback as Sandy’s (Gabrielle Union) father, but all I could think about was Mike Epps making fun of his hairline in the 2002 comedy ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS. Such an underrated movie.

THE VERDICT

A surprisingly moving dark comedy thanks to a fantastic cast and a powerful screenplay from writer John Pollono, RIFF RAFF is a technically sound character driven film well worth your time. Just go in knowing that this is definitely more drama than it is comedy, because if you’re looking for laugh-out-loud moments you will be disappointed.

TED TAKES RATING - 7.2/10

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

Toxic Town

Written By: Deidre, Special Guest Reviewer

TOXIC TOWN is a 2025 limited drama series written and created by Jack Thorne (Wonder, Joy), and is based on the true story of the Corby poisonings.

The tragic toxic waste case in the East Midlands and three mothers fighting for the justice for the rates of upper limb defects in babies born in Corby were subsequently found to be three times higher than the national average.

TOXIC TOWN made its debut February 27th on Netflix

Finally, a female here to bring some female perspective to these series/movies. Who doesn't love a well-rounded team? Let me start by saying, I'm entirely too emotional to watch series like these. I chose it as my first review in over a half a decade because within this cast are some of my favorite characters from other series. Dave from Bank of Dave (Rory Kinnear), Eloise from Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie), Mr. Bates from Downton Abbey (Brendan Coyle), and last but certainly not least and my personal fav, Aimee from Sex Education (Aimee Lou Wood). I mean, what a cast am I right? In all honesty, this series was absolutely heart wrenching but so worthy.

As an individual who lost their father from cancer due to environmental toxins, this really hit home. On the lighter side, one of my best friends is from the North of England and so many of the phrases said are ones I hear all the time and they always make me giggle. Like a slapped arse is always my favorite. Let's get down to the grit of this series. The first 10 minutes of the first episode was enraging to say the least. The will of women though, am I right?

Where there's a will there's a way and their tenacity were commendable. Having friends that live near where this happened, it honestly makes my heart ache. Jodie Whittaker was absolutely brilliant throughout as was Dave, I mean Rory (of course). I don't know about anyone else but when I watch a series, I take it as fact as I'm viewing it and knowing what I know in connection to the meat of this series, it is easy to believe that this happened because the reality is, it does happen. Greed drives so many bad decisions and there are so few people that will stand up and fight.

I'm so proud of each and every human who did the right thing in this story. The term better late then never comes to mind, but I'm not one to accept that, things should have been done sooner. A lot sooner. I genuinely appreciate the lighthearted humor at times or else I would have cried through the whole thing. This doesn't surprise me with the series I've seen previously from this cast though and who doesn't love some good banter.

THE VERDICT

I've watched a lot of series in my day, including a lot of English series as they tend to be my favorite. This was a beautifully written story. Brilliantly acted. Incredibly shot. Not going to lie, I bawled through most of the final episode. I realize again that it might be because it's a little close to home in different ways but gosh, this was a great series. My only complaint was a very few misses in the fine details. Only things that those of us with a critics' eye would likely notice. I call it my OCD eye, as I'm far from a professional critic.

Additionally, without giving it away, there was the start of a "what's going on here" moment in episode 4 between Susan (Jodie) and Peter (Michael Socha) that got me to thinking. They could have built on that, or it could have even been a continuation of the story but in the end, I loved it. Everyone should watch this series. Everyone should know about this story, because unfortunately this type of thing happens. The more you know and all that. Knowledge is power and the fact that certain people in this story profited while others suffered and didn't care, is well, outrageous but not surprising. THE BALLS. We move forward with knowing that there is good and light in the world. Go find the good people within it and hold onto them. I highly recommend.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.8/10

TOXIC TOWN is now streaming on Netflix. Check out the latest trailer below.

Last Breath

LAST BREATH is a 2025 survival thriller film directed by Alex Parkinson and written by Mitchell LaFortune, Parkinson, and David Brooks. It is a feature film remake of the 2019 documentary of the same name that Parkinson co-directed with Richard da Costa.

A true story that follows seasoned deep-sea divers as they battle the raging elements to rescue their crew mate trapped hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface.

The cast includes Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, Finn Cole, Cliff Curtis, Bobby Rainsbury, and Mark Bonnar.

LAST BREATH made its debut in theaters February 28th, courtesy of Focus Features.

If I’m being honest, when the first trailer released for LAST BREATH, I really thought that it was going to be just one of those bottom of the barrel movies cashing in on the acting cred of someone like Woody Harrelson. But boy was I wrong. I went in pretty much blind, not knowing anything about the true story the film is based on, and I’m glad I did.

This was one heck of an experience and a movie that I won’t soon forget. The entire story in itself is just absolutely crazy, and it is just one of those stories that needed to be told. The cast is spectacular, the screenplay was essentially flawless, and the production design was just perfect from top to bottom. Every moment of action felt raw and very real, and all of the underwater shots were incredible making for a very immersive experience. Every single person that worked on this film deserves a ton of credit for carefully crafting an experience well worth the price of admission.

The cast was just on another level with some of the best on-screen chemistry I have experienced in quite some time. The casting department deserves a ton of credit for putting together a talented group of actors that do not miss a beat. Finn Cole plays Chris Lemons who is the diver the story is based on. Cole is an up-and-coming actor who is incredible in the drama series Animal Kingdom, and it was great to see him deliver like he did in a feature-film. He was just perfect in this role as he came across as someone that is very easy to root for.

Starring alongside Cole is one of my all-time favorite actors in Woody Harrelson, and no surprise that he is amazing as always. Harrelson plays Duncan Allock, the 20-year veteran who took Lemons under his wing. It was just pure joy to witness the connection between Cole and Harrelson as the two truly immersed themselves in their characters. Simu Liu was fantastic as well as he played Dave Yuasa, a veteran diver who was a bit more mysterious. The entire cast was stellar from top to bottom, with notable performances from Bobby Rainsbury, Cliff Curtis, Mark Bonnar, MyAnna Buring, and Josef Altin.

The screenplay is an absolute homerun, and I’m not talking about just barely clearing the fence, this is a 500ft bomb into the nosebleeds. LAST BREATH somehow finds a way to get viewers to emotionally connect with the characters in a very short amount of time considering the film clocks in at just over an hour and a half. I found myself genuinely caring for these characters, particularly Chris Lemons, the primary focus of the film played by Finn Cole.

The film opens by giving us a glimpse into the life Lemons is building with his fiancée Morag, played by Bobby Rainsbury, and I just felt this overwhelming sense of compassion for this beautiful young romance blossoming right before my eyes. I also felt a connection to Lemons, someone who was determined and passionate about his admittedly dangerous choice of career, but he also had a strong understanding of his obligation to those who cared for him. I don’t think LAST BREATH hits as hard as it does without the emotional connection to these characters, and boy does it make for a very special cinematic experience. The sheer intensity of some of the moments in the film are honestly hard to explain, and you just really need to experience them for yourself.

THE VERDICT

An exhilarating and gut-wrenching story of incredible perseverance, LAST BREATH is an equally compelling and intense thriller based on true events that will have you on the edge of your seat right until the final seconds. This movie honestly blew me away and is easily my favorite theater experience of the year so far. From the amazing performances to the hard-hitting story, everything just came together to make for must-see cinema. LAST BREATH needs to be experienced on the big-screen so be sure to make it over to the theater sooner than later. I honestly can’t wait to see it again, just be sure to have a few tissues handy.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.2/10

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

The Monkey

THE MONKEY is a 2025 supernatural horror film written and directed by Osgood Perkins and produced by horror legend James Wan. The film is based on the 1980 short story by Stephen King. The film is the second collaboration between Osgood Perkins and Neon after the incredibly successful horror film LONGLEGS (our full review here).

After stumbling upon their father's vintage toy monkey in the attic, twin brothers Hal and Bill witness a string of horrifying deaths unfolding around them. In an attempt to leave the haunting behind, the brothers opt to discard the monkey and pursue separate paths over time. However, when the inexplicable deaths resurface, the brothers are compelled to reconcile and embark on a mission to permanently eliminate the cursed toy.

The cast includes Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, Christian Convery, Colin O'Brien, Rohan Campbell, and Sarah Levy.

THE MONKEY made its debut in theaters on February 21st, courtesy of Neon.

Osgood Perkins’ THE MONKEY is the kind of horror-comedy that swings wildly between absurdity and tension—sometimes nailing both, sometimes slipping on its own banana peel. Based on Stephen King’s short story, the film embraces its ridiculous premise with a self-awareness that’s both refreshing and, at times, a little too in on the joke.

Theo James pulls double duty as twin brothers who inherit the worst possible family heirloom: a toy monkey that plays its little drum and, in return, serves up death like a demented short-order cook. Perkins takes liberties with King’s story, leaning hard into over-the-top carnage and jet-black humor, turning what could’ve been a straightforward supernatural thriller into something that feels like FINAL DESTINATION and EVIL DEAD 2 got stuck in a blender.

The kills are gloriously unhinged, executed with a gory slapstick quality that makes you wince and laugh in equal measure. Perkins’ script relishes in the sheer absurdity of death, making it a running joke that’s as unsettling as it is entertaining. The film’s strongest moments come when it fully commits to its own madness—one particular set piece involving a bowling alley is destined for cult status.

However, the humor doesn’t always land as sharply as the hatchets, and the film occasionally stumbles in balancing its tone. There are stretches where the emotional beats feel undercooked, especially when the movie asks us to invest in the brothers’ strained relationship amidst the chaos. Some characters feel more like cannon fodder than actual people, and while that’s part of the joke, it does leave certain scenes feeling hollow.

That said, Perkins’ direction is confident, and the film looks great. The cinematography and practical effects bring a stylish griminess to the carnage, and the drumming monkey itself is surprisingly effective as a horror icon—equal parts goofy and unsettling, like if Chucky got his hands on a percussion set.

THE VERDICT

Ultimately, THE MONKEY is an entertainingly deranged ride that doesn’t reinvent the horror wheel but spins it fast enough to keep things interesting. It’s not flawless—some of its gags overstay their welcome, and it occasionally fumbles its emotional core—but when it works, it really works. If you can get on board with its gleefully nihilistic sense of humor, there’s a lot of fun to be had.

It’s messy, it’s loud, it’s occasionally brilliant—and even when it’s offbeat, at least it’s keeping time.

TED TAKES RATING - 6.7/10

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

Captain America: Brave New World

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD is a 2025 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Sam Wilson / Captain America, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It is intended to be the fourth installment in the Captain America film series, a continuation of the television miniseries The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021), and the 35th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Julius Onah directs the film from a script written by the writing team of Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson, and Matthew Orton. The film is part of Phase 5 of the MCU.

After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.

The cast includes Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson / Captain America alongside Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Xosha Roquemore, Carl Lumbly, Giancarlo Esposito, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, and Harrison Ford.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD made its debut in theaters on February 14th, courtesy of Marvel Studios.

Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD is a film with a lot on its shoulders. Not only does it aim to solidify Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) as the rightful heir to the shield, but it also weaves political intrigue, global conflict, and classic superhero action into its runtime. The result? A film that soars in moments but struggles under the weight of its own ambitions.

Let’s start with the positives. Anthony Mackie fully owns his role as Captain America. While Steve Rogers’ legacy looms large, BRAVE NEW WORLD wisely leans into Sam’s unique leadership style—one built on compassion and strategy rather than super-soldier strength. Mackie brings charm and gravitas to the character, making his journey feel personal and distinct. His dynamic with Danny Ramirez’s Joaquin Torres (the new Falcon) is a highlight, offering a fresh mentor-student relationship that feels organic rather than forced.

The action sequences are another win. Julius Onah’s direction delivers crisp, well-choreographed fight scenes that emphasize Sam’s agility and tactical mind. The set pieces—ranging from aerial dogfights to street-level brawls—keep the energy high, even when the pacing lags elsewhere. The film also benefits from some impressive practical effects and grounded combat, reminiscent of CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER.

However, BRAVE NEW WORLD also carries some glaring flaws. The story, while intriguing on paper, often feels overstuffed. With political conspiracies, government cover-ups, and a race for a newly discovered metal, the film juggles too many plotlines at once. This leads to a second act that meanders before finding its footing again in the climax. Some character arcs, particularly those of key villains, lack depth, making their motivations feel more obligatory than compelling.

Another issue is the film’s tonal inconsistency. It flirts with being a tense political thriller, then pivots to standard superhero spectacle, occasionally dipping into comedic banter that doesn’t always land. While Marvel’s signature humor has worked well in the past, some of the quips here undercut moments that should carry more dramatic weight.

As for Harrison Ford’s take on Thaddeus Ross, he’s predictably great—gruff, commanding, and effortlessly charismatic. But his role in the story might leave some fans wanting more, given the amount of buildup surrounding his character’s inclusion. Giancarlo Esposito’s presence adds an air of menace, though his screen time is surprisingly limited.

Visually, the film is a mixed bag. The cinematography shines in practical stunt work and grounded fights, but some of the CGI-heavy moments—especially in the third act—suffer from that all-too-familiar Marvel inconsistency. It’s never outright bad, but there are scenes where the seams show.

THE VERDICT

Ultimately, CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD is a solid but uneven entry in the MCU. It gives Sam Wilson a well-deserved spotlight and delivers thrilling action, yet it struggles with its narrative focus. Fans of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will likely appreciate its themes and character work, but those expecting a return to WINTER SOLDIER-level storytelling might leave a bit underwhelmed.

Not quite a home run, but Sam’s shield still flies high.

TED TAKES RATING - 5.7/10

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Heart Eyes

HEART EYES is a 2025 horror comedy thriller directed by Josh Ruben, from a screenplay by Phillip Murphy, Christopher Landon, and Michael Kennedy. Ruben directed the 2021 horror comedy Werewolves Within (our full review here), now streaming on AMC+ and Shudder. Producers include Christopher Landon, Greg Gilreath, and Adam Hendricks.

For the past several years, the “Heart Eyes Killer” has wreaked havoc on Valentine’s Day by stalking and murdering romantic couples. This Valentine’s Day, no couple is safe…

The cast includes Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, Gigi Zumbado, Michaela Watkins, with Devon Sawa, and Jordana Brewster.

HEART EYES arrived in theaters February 7th, courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing.

As a horror slasher fanatic, HEART EYES hurt my soul. This movie was just not very good for several reasons, but most frustrating is the fact that it could have easily been so much better. I went in expecting an over-the-top horror slasher that was heavy on the comedic element, but this movie was just all over the place. One minute it seemed like it was trying to be serious, and the next it felt like it belonged in the Naked Gun franchise. I have no problem with the horror slasher genre dipping both feet in the comedy pool, but I do feel like you need to have a solid balance or at the very least a clear identity. HEART EYES just feels more like a roll your eyes brand of goofy thanks to poor writing and slow pacing making it hard to stay engaged.

I heard comparisons to the horror slasher Thanksgiving (our full review here) which had me pretty excited to be honest, but these movies could not have been more different. Thanksgiving was creative as it served up enough gore and brutal violence to appease horror slasher fans, but it also had the perfect blend of humor to keep things just light enough to get a laugh when it needed to. HEART EYES spent far too much time focusing on the two main characters making it feel like the killer was an afterthought.

Not only was the HEART EYES killer not scary or even intimidating at all, he was downright goofy in his attempts to claim his victims. In my opinion with a movie like this you need to find ways to build up the killer by having more of a group of main characters, that way he can slowly take them out one at a time adding to the threat of his character. Instead the majority of the film is the killer failing to kill two seemingly easy targets over and over again while taking out a few random people along the way.

I really felt like HEART EYES was in the middle of an identity crisis, because on one hand it seemed to be inspired by the Scream movies, but then it seemed to be trying to go more the route of an original horror slasher with the sights set on the potential for a franchise. It just felt like a mess as far as the overall tone, and by the end of the movie I was ready for it to be over, also I did have to pee really, really bad. Plus it is never a good sign when a 97-minute movie feels like it is dragging. Also the “big reveal” at the end was a big time letdown.

I didn’t hate the cast, but I did feel like it was a victim of poor writing. I did like Mason Gooding in one of the lead roles, although it did throw me a bit considering he was in Scream VI (our full review here) which I loved, and I struggled with the fact that HEART EYES seemed desperate to build on inspiration from that franchise but failed miserably. Olivia Holt was fine as she certainly looks the part, she just feels more like someone better utilized in a supporting role. I love Jordana Brewster from the Fast and Furious franchise and I thought she was fine in her role. It was cool to see my guy Devin Sawa of the OG Final Destination movie, but man is he looking old. Michaela Watkins (You Hurt My Feelings) is lowkey one of the best supporting actresses working today, but her role here was super strange and just felt out of place.

HEART EYES is not unwatchable. It does have some redeemable qualities like a cool mask that made for some great shots of the killer, and I did like how they attempted to pay homage to the horror slasher genre. The film also included top-tier production value. In many instances the characters made fun of themselves which is a common theme for this genre, and it did get a few laughs out of me. I also thought that for the most part the special effects looked great, keeping HEART EYES from feeling like a B-movie horror. I also enjoyed the soundtrack and felt like it fit well with the film.

THE VERDICT

A slow-paced horror comedy suffering from a glaring identity crisis, HEART EYES is a jumbled mess of slapstick humor and poorly executed slasher tropes. Don’t shoot the messenger because I wanted so badly to love this movie, and who knows maybe you will enjoy it more than I did, but in my humble opinion this is really just a slap in the face to the genre. To be honest I regret not just seeing Companion (our full review here) again. I’m genuinely upset this wasn’t better, just feels like a waste of great marketing. Feel free to still see HEART EYES in theaters, just do yourself a favor and keep your expectations in check.

TED TAKES RATING - 4.3/10

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

Sugarcane

Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie’s SUGARCANE is an unflinching examination of the Canadian Indian residential school system and its multigenerational impact on Indigenous families. By intertwining survivor accounts, archival material, and investigative journalism, the film aims to uncover a dark chapter of systemic oppression and explore the lingering scars it has left on descendants. The result is a film that is deeply important, often powerful, but occasionally constrained by its own methodical approach.

The premise of SUGARCANE is deceptively straightforward: an investigation into the residential school system where Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and subjected to cultural erasure, abuse, and neglect. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that the story is anything but simple. The film dives headfirst into survivor testimonies, which form the emotional backbone of the documentary. Their recollections—unflinching, raw, and deeply personal—serve as both an indictment of the system and a testament to their resilience.

The filmmakers deserve credit for giving space to the voices of survivors. Each testimony is presented with care and reverence, avoiding sensationalism while allowing the gravity of their experiences to resonate. Particularly moving is the story of a woman whose family line was nearly severed by her time in the schools, and yet who finds small acts of joy and resistance in the traditions she fought to reclaim. These moments are where SUGARCANE shines brightest, capturing the tension between pain and perseverance that defines the legacy of these institutions.

Visually, SUGARCANE opts for a restrained, almost meditative style. Archival footage and photographs are interspersed with sweeping shots of the Canadian wilderness, a stark juxtaposition that underscores the unnaturalness of the schools’ existence against the land’s timeless beauty. Mali Obomsawin’s score weaves through the narrative, subtle but evocative, enhancing the film’s emotional heft without overshadowing the voices at its core.

The documentary’s investigative elements add a compelling layer to its storytelling. Kassie and NoiseCat meticulously trace the system’s roots, revealing the governmental and religious complicity that allowed it to thrive. However, this methodical approach occasionally slows the film’s emotional momentum. The transitions between the personal and the procedural can feel jarring, and some segments lean too heavily on exposition, creating moments where the film risks losing its emotional grip.

One of SUGARCANE’s most striking achievements is its handling of intergenerational trauma. Through the lens of descendants, the documentary captures how the pain inflicted by residential schools reverberates through time. These stories add depth to the narrative, showing how systemic cruelty shapes identities and relationships across decades. Yet, they also offer glimpses of hope, as descendants work to reclaim what was stolen and rebuild fractured cultural connections.

While the film’s scope is undeniably ambitious, it occasionally struggles to balance its multiple threads. The meticulous detailing of systemic injustices is essential, but it sometimes overshadows the human stories that make the film so compelling. A tighter focus on a smaller group of individuals might have allowed for a more emotionally cohesive narrative without sacrificing the broader critique of the system.

SUGARCANE is at its most impactful when it lets the survivors’ voices guide the story. The moments where the camera lingers on their faces, capturing their pain, strength, and determination, are deeply moving. These scenes remind us of the personal cost of systemic oppression, grounding the documentary’s broader themes in lived experience.

It’s worth noting that SUGARCANE doesn’t offer easy resolutions. The film doesn’t pretend that the wounds inflicted by the residential school system can be healed with a single reckoning. Instead, it highlights the ongoing struggle for justice and recognition, refusing to let its audience look away from the long road ahead. This unflinching honesty is one of the film’s greatest strengths, even as it leaves viewers with a heavy heart.

THE VERDICT

Ultimately, SUGARCANE is a powerful, if imperfect, exploration of a painful history that demands to be remembered. It succeeds in amplifying the voices of those who lived through the horrors of the residential school system and those who continue to grapple with its aftermath. While its investigative structure sometimes dulls its emotional edge, the film’s commitment to truth and justice ensures its place as an important, necessary work.

TED TAKES RATING - 6.2/10

SUGARCANE is now streaming on Disney+. Check out the latest trailer below.

Companion

COMPANION is a 2025 dark comedy written and directed by Drew Hancock (Blue Mountain State, Suburgatory). Zach Cregger, Raphael Margules, J. D. Lifshitz, and Roy Lee serve as producers.

A weekend getaway turns bloody and violent when a subservient android that's built for human companionship goes haywire.

The cast includes Jack Quaid, Sophie Thatcher, Harvey Guillén, Rupert Friend, Lukas Gage, Marc Menchaca, and Megan Suri.

COMPANION made its debut in theaters January 31st, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

COMPANION seemed to be right up my alley especially considering many people were calling it M3GAN (our full review here) 2.0, which I absolutely loved, so I was very excited to check this out. I’m a sucker for a good sci-fi horror with a mix of dark humor, and COMPANION was all that and then some. This movie was so much fun to watch thanks to a very well-written screenplay with witty and thought-provoking dialogue, and the cast was just fantastic. Jack Quaid has been on an upward trajectory since he found success with the Amazon Prime series The Boys, and COMPANION serves as a great opportunity for him to shine in a lead role and he crushes it.

I absolutely loved the story and how everything came together. Although you go in sort of knowing what to expect, COMPANION has a unique approach making it so viewers are engaged and excited to see what happens next. The film has sort of an ominous tone to it giving viewers the feeling that things are not going to end well. I commend Drew Hancock for putting together a screenplay that may seem simple at first glance but is actually complex and raises several questions as it relates to human behavior and AI. In many ways COMPANION is more about our faults as humans as it relates to urges and general greed than it is about why AI can be dangerous and unpredictable. Things really went off the rails quickly in the final act and I enjoyed every minute of it.

As much as I loved the story the cast was a huge reason why this movie was so good. I mentioned Jack Quaid earlier in the review but he is worth talking about again. I always seem to forget that he is the son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan, but it is also good that he is forging his own path as an actor. I went down the IMDb rabbit hole a bit and realized that Randy Quaid, cousin Eddie from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, is the older brother of Dennis Quaid.

You may have known that already but I thought it was a fun fact. Getting back on track, Jack Quaid does such a great job as your typical sort of nerdy nice guy, but there is more to him than meets the eye as the story progresses. In my opinion Quaid has proven that he has the ability to play complex characters, and I can’t wait to see him in the upcoming action thriller Novocaine (preview and trailer here).

Starring alongside Quaid as his “companion robot” Iris is Sophie Thatcher, and the chemistry between the two is so good. Thatcher’s career has blown up as well as of late, making her mark with the Showtime series Yellowjackets which is fantastic if you haven’t seen it, as well as starring in recent horror films The Boogeyman (our full review here), and Heretic. Thatcher is a very talented actress, and I’m glad she is finally getting all of these opportunities to showcase her talents.

COMPANION serves as a really nice opportunity for her to show her versatility and I just loved her in this role. Harvey Guillén is absolutely hilarious as always, and I really liked Lukas Gage who is fresh from a chilling role in Smile 2. Guillén and Gage play a couple in the film and they are just so damn funny together. Gage is also involved in a really cool moment in the film that gave me Terminator vibes during the final act. Megan Suri is really good as Kat, and Rupert Friend makes his mark as Serge, a character initially perceived as the films primary antagonist.

Now I get the comparisons to M3GAN in terms of the focus on artificial intelligence, more specifically a robot that becomes very much intertwined in our personal lives, but as similar as the two films are they are also very different. In COMPANION we experience a more proven sort of AI much more engrained in everyday life compared to M3GAN who was essentially a trial run that did not go well.

In COMPSANION these “companion robots” seem to be about as commonplace as an iPhone, and what makes the story so interesting is just the fact that it is more about the characters taking advantage of AI than it is the dangers AI poses like it does in M3GAN. I honestly really liked the approach of both films, and I thought each was through provoking in its own way. I also thought M3GAN was a bit darker overall, with COMPANION finding a few more ways to really utilize the comedic element.

THE VERDICT

A violent and hilarious dark comedy horror film featuring a breakout performance from star Jack Quaid, Drew Hancock’s COMPANION is a creative and satisfying take on the future of AI. This movie is just so much fun and I honestly can’t wait to see it again. Be sure to grab a few friends and check COMPANION out in theaters sooner than later.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.4/10

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

Flight Risk

FLIGHT RISK is a 2024 action thriller directed by Mel Gibson (Braveheart, Hacksaw Ridge), from a screenplay by Jared Rosenberg.

A pilot transports an Air Marshal accompanying a fugitive to trial. As they cross the Alaskan wilderness, tensions soar and trust is tested, as not everyone on board is who they seem.

The cast includes Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace.

FLIGHT RISK made its debut in theaters January 24th, courtesy of Lionsgate Movies.

To be honest, when the first trailer dropped for FLIGHT RISK, I almost assumed it would be a direct to streaming movie. For one thing, the trailer sort of came out of nowhere, and I came across it when I was browsing trailers in general, as I often do. Once I watched the trailer, it just seemed a little bit low budget to me and limited with the overall setting. Now it’s obviously hard to ignore the fact that Mel Gibson directed the film or Mark Wahlberg‘s involvement, so either way I was intrigued. Once the official trailer dropped the marketing campaign really ramped up and you could tell that the movie was going to be a wide release. Plus at the end of the day, Mark Wahlberg is going to fill seats with his involvement regardless.

As I made my way to the theater, I was prepared to be disappointed considering my initial thoughts and the negative reviews from early screenings, but honestly, I was pleasantly surprised with this movie. FLIGHT RISK is a very linear thriller in the sense that it only has a few characters and everything takes place primarily in this small plane, but it still sucked me in and had a certain entertainment value that was unique in some way. Overall, the film had a big enough thrill factor to keep me engaged, but it also had a lot of humor that was sort of sprinkled throughout in these unexpected moments but still made you laugh, even though the tension was pretty high at the time.

The theater I was in consisted of mostly older people which wasn’t surprising to me as they are less likely to be swayed by critic review, plus like I said Mark Wahlberg‘s name alone would entice people. Throughout the film the entire audience was engaged and everyone even laughed out loud several times, and overall I felt like the experience was very positive.

Now the story itself is pretty run of the mill in the sense that we’ve all kind of seen it before, but I felt like they still handled it pretty well and focused on what mattered most in the film, which is the actors and the characters themselves. First and foremost I really liked Mark Wahlberg in what is a pretty unique role for him. He plays a very polarizing character who you despise pretty much right away, but you still can’t help but be entertained by and at times laugh at.

I also felt like his character was fairly complex because you could tell he was clearly a charismatic sociopath, but you also weren’t quite sure what his motives were or to what lengths he would go. To say he was a loose cannon would be an understatement for sure. I had mixed feelings early on from Topher Grace from That 70’s Show, but he grew on me towards the end of the movie and helped add a surprising emotional element. I thought Michelle Dockery was solid throughout the film.

From the opening scene FLIGHT RISK lacked the gritty feel I thought a film like this desperately needed which had me concerned. As things progressed this concern didn’t go away, at least not right away, but as the tone of the film became a bit more obvious I started to feel that much more immersed in what was taking place on-screen. I mean to be honest I can’t quite put a finger on the overall tone of the film, but by the end it worked. It feels a bit corny at times with some of the dialogue and the character interactions, but as ulterior motives are fleshed out things get to be a bit more grounded FLIGHT RISK really hits hard.

FLIGHT RISK is far from perfect but for me it was a very entertaining hour and 30 minutes, and I actually thought the film’s final act was thrilling and sort of ended exactly how it should have. The film also has some great visuals with some cool scenic shots of Alaska, which was a nice touch as well. If you want to pick this movie apart you certainly can, but for my money this is worth a trip to the theater.

THE VERDICT

A straight-forward thriller that packs a much bigger punch than I anticipated, Mel Gibson‘s FLIGHT RISK features Mark Wahlberg as an unhinged psychopath while carefully balancing tense action mixed with effective and timely comedic moments.

I honestly don’t have the energy for people who enjoy picking movies apart just so they can try and sound smarter than they really are, which in my opinion is about 90% of the critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Plus let’s be honest, Mel Gibson isn’t exactly universally loved in Hollywood. A movie like FLIGHT RISK is admittedly flawed and unapologetically simple, yet rewarding for viewers willing to give it a chance.

TED TAKES RATING - 6.5/10

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