OUTCOME (2026)

 

Directed By Jonah Hill

Written By: Jonah Hill and Ezra Woods 

Cinematography: Benoit Debie 

Editor: Nick Houy and Nicholas Ramirez 

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Jonah Hill, Cameron Diaz, Matt Bomer, Susan Lucci, Martin Scorsese, Ivy Wolk, David Spade, Kaia Gerber, Drew Barrymore 

Follows Hollywood star Reef as he is forced to confront his problems and atone for his past after being threatened by a bizarre video footage from his past.

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Let me start off by saying that this is one of the worst movies I have seen that has been released in 2026 which is surprise and consider considering the level of talent behind it

It’s not often a film lives up to its title so thoroughly. 

I will admit I am a fan of Jonah Hills. He doesn’t bother me as an actor and as a director, he has proven to be talented, surprisingly reaching upwards and showing range,  aspiring when everybody seems to usually write them off one note. As his debut directorial mid 90s was actually a really good film better than most expected one wishes this misfire was his debut so that with mid 90s he would be shown to be getting better instead of the reverse.

This film feels oddly personal or at least based on something he has experienced as it is about a star, searching for meaning and trying to explore what an apology means as we all know Jonah Hill has heard his problems, publicly mentally and emotionally and it feels like he’s trying to explore those feelings or given an explanation with this film

The problem is that this film is so lifeless, dill and even at under 90 minutes such torture to sit through. It still feels too long.

First of all, Jonah Hill gives himself a supporting role where it seems like he’s trying to out act his lead Keanu Reeves, and get all the attention which does work because there’s not much to any of the material here so if he’s loud brash in fact, he’s the only one who brings life into the film and the script other than Martin Scorsese playing someone from Keanu Reeves past

It feels like the script had a bunch of ideas that may be needed to be sharpened and explored as sometimes the film does come across at a good point or a good idea but the way it’s delivered so bad

The direction is lackluster as the film never seems to have any pacing nor do individual seeds. They just seem to lay there and play their without any momentum so they keep coming across flat even when they’re supposed to be hilarious.

Even the locations and filming all seem to be way too lit and look un appealing as everything almost seems like it’s artificial rather than natural and you’re filming in California, which makes the film look small and ugly almost like you wonder if half this film fell in the front of a green screen and filled in later. Especially when having a cinematographer like Benoit Debie. Who is a master when it comes to raw images and can still

Make them breathtaking. 

Keanu Reeves seems half the time embarrassed or uncomfortable in this film and even if it was for a character, we never get to see him actually have fun or be at peace as this is supposed to be a comedy and he’s playing more like a hard bitten drama even when we do see a glimpse of his past where he supposed to be this drug addicted party guy he gives the same delivery.

Also, the big tape that is supposed to be at the heart of the storm that they’re hunting down because it could prove to wreck his career embarrassing. Once we actually see what’s on it. It’s pretty time compared to what it could be or what maybe us in the audience might believe if anything it just shows a vulnerability that might actually discussed a few, but actually endeared him even more.

There are a bunch of celebrities in this movie playing small, smaller roles who just seemed like they’re there, waiting around to get their moment in the sun, and then move on as most of them are only there for a senior or two

Nor do I understand, Cameron Diaz or Matt boomers characters involvement in all this as Reeves best friends. His character already has an assistant, and these two are his best friends. I don’t know if they’re his entourage because neither one of these two seems to have jobs and they’re all about positivity and giving support, but what do they do with most of their day? when he’s actually out there doing things? they seem to be here  more to maybe give commentary, as seemingly his only friends and they are there to give positivity, but they never have dramatic scenes of their own or judgment. 

Not to mention while one loves Cameron Diaz as an actress. Her return to the big screen as of late has been in bad to lackluster films. Here reuniting with Keanu Reeves after starring in the disappointing 1996 crime thriller romantic comedy film STEALING MINNESOTA. Which I for one had great hopes for and had great ideas and characters but no story or anything new or interesting to bring to the table. So here together another disappointment.

Also wonder if it was intentional that his PR team of image makers to help him through what might be an upcoming tragedy are all played by minorities. 

Also strange seeing Joey Lawrence as a kid performing on THE TONIGHT SHOW. Being a Stand-in for Keanu Reeves character as a kid. 

In the end, other than a spare to turn by Martin Scorsese and Jonah Hill’s  Way overacting it seems to try and make a memorable character of himself in a film based on himself, but not playing himself. This film seems very disposable and like a bunch of Apple plus movies seems a reason to get a bunch of big name actors together but not have the material to support them or entertain the audience

This even comes across more disappointing than the usual streaming offerings which it seems perfect for this is not something I could imagine being that great on the big screen.

It’s hard to understand how a film that has so many people I actually enjoy involved came out so terrible.

Grade: F

URCHIN (2025)

Written & Directed By: Harris Dickinson 

Cinematography: Josee Deshaies

Editor: Rafael Torres Calderon

Cast: Frank Dillane, Harris Dickinson, Megan Northam, Karyna Khymchuk, Shonagh Marie, Amr Waked, Diane Axford, Okezie Morro

A young addict living on the streets of London is given a shot at redemption, but his road to recovery soon curdles into a strange odyssey from which he may never escape.

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At first, I didn’t know what to expect from this film, but it proves to be a harrowing character study. Of someone going through their hardships and who, despite even their mistakes and bad judgments you still root for. No matter how bad it or they get.

The film is constantly surprising and filled with plenty of joy and hope, but also just as much dread that hangs over it at times.

Which has an audience member might be what you appreciate the most about the film as it gives a realistic presentation that isn’t necessarily uplifting, but isn’t doom and gloom either.

As the film shows homelessness, but it also shows rehabilitation for better or worse seemingly it is what you make of it, but there are plenty of challenges to it, and it depends on the individual and the strength of their character. As there is always temptation in the film. Also choose the show the many ways in which it can go wrong.

The only thing that might be a bit annoying about the film is the visual metaphor of nature and Woodlands the wonders of it that seems to represent the main character’s mental state at times or used to show the passage of time

This film is the directorial debut of Harris Dickinson and it’s quite impressive as he doesn’t make it a showcase for a new role for himself to show range. He does eappear in the film, but in a smaller supporting role. He wrote, directed it and the great. Frank Dillane is amazing in the film, but it also chooses to show the public about the hardships of a certain lifestyle that many and it can’t help. 

had I seen it last year that’s definitely would’ve made my top 20

Grade: A 

BIRDEATER (2023)

Written & Directed By: Jack Clark & Jim Weir 

Cinematography: Roger Stonehouse

Editor: Ben Anderson 

Cast: Shabana Azeez, Mackenzie Fearnley, Ben Hunter, Jack Bannister, Clementine Anderson, Alfie Gledhill, Harley Wilson, Caroline McQuade 

A bride-to-be is invited to her fiancé’s bachelor party, but when uncomfortable details of their relationship are exposed, the night takes a feral turn.

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This Australian film is a hard film to explain or exactly describe that as it builds itself a horror film, though it’s not quite that though throughout there are plenty of shocks and a lot of uncomfortable scenes.

This is a film best to go into blind and discover for yourself. So hopefully you watch it before reading the review. As I will try not to spoil it.

Though the film focuses more on friendships and relationships and the traumas, they can cause or being in one while trying to get over trauma

The pain and torture we cause the ones we care about in love as well as our ourselves for the people we love.

As this filmmore explores the horrors of relationship post traumatic stress, and the realization that the longer you spend with each other, there is a depth, but it also leads you to start drifting away from one another, and the fear that might cause. 

this is a film more for the audience to discover as this is definitely an Avant Garde presentation  and everyone will have a different reaction to the film or get something out of it differently than another person as it is that audacious. It tries to answer most of the questions but leaves some more ambiguous.

It also tries while dealing with these issues and subjects to be a character study for each member of the ensemble. As we wonder what fuels them and at times they’re blatant cruelty towards one another.

One will admit there are many times when I was confused as to what exactly was going on. As the film sets up some mysteries that are explained in others that aren’t quite though leads you on the path to some kind of answer. It’s that type of film.

Well, just as when we think we have figured it out or we have gotten all the answers we get another point of view on a character or a relationship that totally changes our initial opinions.

Ben Hunter who plays Dylan comes across the strongest here, but it might be because his character is also written as the biggest in the loudest, but you can tell there’s a vulnerability underneath all his bravado.

By the end, the film definitely gives the audience something to think about which it also offers throughout the film while also throwing them off base and leaving them to wander and think throughout

Grade: B- 

L’ARGENT (1983)

 

Written & Directed By: Robert Bresson

Based on the story “FAUX BILLET” By: Leo Tolstoy

Cinematography: Pasqualino Desantis and Emmanuel Machuel

Editor: Jean-Francois Naudon 

Cast: Christian Patey, Vincent Risterucci, Caroline Lang, Sylvie Vanden Elsen, Michael Briguet, Marc Ernest Fourneau, Jean-Frederic Ducasse 

A counterfeit bill that starts off as a schoolboy prank leads to incarceration and violence.

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Now will admit at first I thought this was going to be a kind of anthology like TWENTY BUCKS (1993) where a counterfeit bill is passed amongst many different people and we see the different experiences an adventures that come with this bill and passing it along if you haven’t seen that film I highly recommend it 

Here I would say that the first third of that of this film plays like that were a fraudulent counterfeit bill is past amongst many other others, though here it seems that after passing through a few people and us seeing their various adventures with the bill it seems to the fate of one particular character throughout 

As because of this bill in a few others that come into his possession that he has no idea our counterfeit it starts a down slide for him of losing his job going to jail his wife, leaving him all because of things that he can’t control and fats of chance

Where he does run into characters who also have experience with this bill, though he doesn’t know that they have as we see some characters further adventures because of the bill, not necessarily with the bill so they all seem to circle back, and it seems throughout while most of the characters are kind of crooked, not surely evil just morally challenged him as the most honest out of them seems to be punished the most

Most of the actors throughout this film are not professionally trained actors, which helps give the film a realism. What also makes the film so memorable is not that so much. It’s a moral film, but it’s a third act which just seems cruel and tragic. 

That goes for realism and reminds us that the world isn’t fair nor is it a fairytale where there are happy endings for everyone.

This is why me of those films that might seem rough but managed convey so much with so little. The map of the human soul and how society can be so cruel to some. When individuals try to cut corners or push the blame onto someone else rather then admit to their own mistakes.

This film is a French film, classic for a reason. It is definitely hard hitting, especially when you don’t expect it to. It has assertive charm and polished to it, but it also stays melancholy and matter fact throughout. Most of the cast are non-professional actors which helps it all feel more real and was Director Robert Bresson’s style. This was also his last film and truly feels like a loss by the end and only adds to the sting of the ending. 

it also seems to move briskly, smooth and gets straight to the point. Though it still leaves you devastated. 

Grade: A-

TOMORROWLAND (2023)

Directed By: Brad Bird 

Written By: Brad Bird And Damon Lindelof 

Story By: Brad Bird, Jeff Jensen and Damon Lindelof 

Cinematography: Claudio Miranda 

Editor: Walter Murch and Craig Wood

Cast: Britt Robertson, George Clooney, Hugh Laurie, Raffey Cassidy, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan Michael Key, Chris Bauer, Judy Greer, Thomas Robinson

Bound by a shared destiny, a teen bursting with scientific curiosity and a former boy-genius inventor embark on a mission to unearth the secrets of a place somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory.

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This is a film sure to make the audience nostalgic At least it did for me. As to family films, but also even just Disney films that had a lot of action and were usually sci-fi, but also had an innocence to them.

It’s ambitious in a rare way that is more earnest and adventure filled. Again an AMBLIN type movie only here we deal with adults a bit more,  it still involves children at heart.

Yes, it’s obviously following in the trend of movies based on rides or Disney attractions, hoping for the same success as PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN. Though this one seems a little more thawed out maybe it’s because it’s based on an attraction at the more educational Epcot Center. This film takes place in a kind of land that they were hoping the attraction would be in first place showing cutting edge, scientific inventions and hoping to inspire young minds. Not to mention more family oriented. 

The film feels like a live action cartoon in scope. Not as in looking like animation filled with bad and unrealistic cgi. More just the energy and size of the production.  The energy is fun and infectious for the audience at first. As the film obviously promotes imagination and science. As well as big ideas and being creative. 

It even has legendary editor Walter Murch doing part of the editing. Truly making it kind of old school. 

Wouldn’t expect anything less from Director Brad Bird. Who seems to specialize in these types of science during and action films. From the days when he was making animated films and shorts. Though it has a bit of an JJ Abrams flavor. As it has that mystery box, Mcguffin that opens you up to the rest of the film and its themes. Maybe because it was written by his go to screenwriters Damon Linelof. 

The film is held or centered around a star. Who goes the film it’s own kind of Wizard of oz. As he really is the star of the second half of the movie. As star Brit Robertson passes the baton from the first half but still stays in the running. Only pushed to the background. As she is still the audience surrogate.

The film steals seems to encourage the destiny dead Mom narratives with the encouraging dad father figure or just dad issues even though here her father seems to be a good one. He just doesn’t know what to do with her ambition and still seems oddly out of touch even though he’s in her life.

The film does get a little cutesy, but should kind of have a wide audience other than Disney adults and families. Even if it does tend to get a little plan towards the end yet positive and tries to be enticing. It’s idealistic not excellent, but good enough.

It’s like Epcot center in general, a fun ride yet tries to teach and encourage intelligence.

This film should have had a better box office and be talked about more. Hopefully it find its crowd. 

Grade: B-