WOLFS (2024)

 

Written & Directed By: Jon Watts

Cinematography: Larkin Seiple

Editor: Andrew Weisblum

Cast: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams, Richard Kind, Poorna Jagannathan, Zlatko Buric, Sergio Cota Jr. 

Two rival fixers cross paths when they're both called in to help cover up a prominent New York official's misstep. Over one explosive night, they'll have to set aside their petty grievances and their egos to finish the job.

This is George Clooney and Brad Pitt making another buddy comedy together and involving crime. This should have been a slam dunk and while the film Has its Moments. They are far and few in between. 

This is another film that seems like they are having more fun than the audience is watching it. As it tries to be formulaic and offer surprises and slights of hand. That by the end will Make the audience think the film Is smart and has an ace up It’s sleeve. Like the OCEAN’S TRILOGY the stars have been in before, but if that movie is calculus this is math 102.

It doesn’t help that the movie stays small scale

Throughout. Which would be great with lesser stars but keeping it small hinders the film and shows how thin the screenplay is. As we have to not only stay with the characters and their various arguments, but somehow find humor, charm and tension. Which the film doesn’t really Offer.

So it comes off as muddled and not a bad recipe, but like someone followed the recipe and shorted some ingredients and added too much of other ones to make up for it. 

Watching the film also makes one come to understand why these movies aren’t Memorable. You have a big name cast, a big name director Jon Watts (SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME) and yet it feels stale, Small Scale and basic, because while it has locations and action. These films obviously are Made For streaming and they have little if any visual Flair and feel compacted. Director Watts even seems to include an inside joke of a Spider-man eque stunt by a young man for those in the know. Though it also leave you

Wondering was this film an audition for an ocean’s sequel. 

The stature seems shrinked then one would expect. Like making a feature film but with the limits of a television movie. Not to mention the villains are all stereotypical with an added dance sequence. 

This is similar to what the Russo brothers 350 Million movie THE GREY MAN with Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans felt like any other Netflix movie. Other then a basic script, but the directors aren’t Trying to be subtle or visually Brilliant. They are doing just enough to tell the story and do what it takes without any passion or extra Effort. Sort of like assembly room and like weathermen there are Consequences or punishments.

So it just keeps happening. As Apple+ is no better or worse then any other streaming service. Except they are newer and this feel like when the studio DREAMWORKS SKG. Everyone wants to work with them and they have stars at their disposal and seem to green light anything. As long as a big star is attached, but never seem

To bother to read the script or develop them to be better. So that they come off as basic and the only pull is the stars.

George Clooney hasn’t truly starred in a good movie in awhile. Nor has he made a hit but is still

Treated like an A-lister. When he does choose to be in a film.

Leaving the audience to only marvel at Austin Abrams. Who is the only one in the film Who feels alive and like he is trying.

It feels like the film is disrespectful to the audience by going them, but so much and not giving it their all and feeling like just enough is what the audience deserves and should be honored to get. 

As the leads seem more interested in being cool. The filmmaker seems to want to offer some kind of polished grit. That tries to make things more serious, dangerous, dark and action packed. That never comes across other than polished and dark. Nor does the screenplay come off as smart as it thinks nor as cute. 

Grade: C- 

MANODROME (2023)

 

Written & Directed By: John Trengove 

Cinematography: Wyatt Garfield 

Editor: Julie Monroe and Matthew Swanepoel

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Adrien Brody, Ethan Suplee, Odessa Young, Lamar Johnson, Philip Ettinger, Sallieu Sesay, Evan Jongigent, Caleb Eberhardt 

Conflicted about his girlfriend's pregnancy, Ralphie's life spirals out of control when he meets a mysterious family of men.

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Manodrome is a film with a cast far too good for the material they’re strapped to. What begins as though it might tackle the incel phenomenon, the so-called male-loneliness epidemic, or even the seductive pull of male-only cults, quickly turns into a character study of a protagonist we’re never truly allowed to know. Instead of insight, we get glimpses, most of them involving Jesse Eisenberg screaming or pumping iron under red-headed territory. so glaring it almost feels like an emotional shortcut. Are we supposed to feel sympathetic simply because he’s a ginger giant now?

The film flirts with psychological depth but never commits. It gestures toward big themes: masculinity vs. femininity, queer repression, emotional stunting in men, but abandons each just as quickly. There are moments where it feels like the film might actually be about a closeted man’s struggle for comfort in his own skin; then it swerves back into gym-bro asceticism. It raises the question of what the film thinks its own subject is: toxic masculinity, queer panic, vulnerability, male bonding, or just the world’s most intense Fitness recruitment video?

Eisenberg’s character seems written as a case study in emotional volatility, desperate for attention, terrified of receiving it, pushing away anyone who offers care, and ultimately betrayed by the one person he lets in. But because the script avoids true psychological exploration, these behaviors drift into abstraction. They happen, but they’re never grounded. We observe him, but we’re not invited to understand him.

Technically, the film is competent sometimes striking. The cinematography aims for a chilly, Lanthimos-adjacent precision, but without the thematic or tonal control to justify the comparison. Scenes play out with an almost clinical frankness, hinting at a sharper, more daring film beneath the surface. 

You can’t help but wonder what Manodrome might have become under the guidance of a director truly adept at blending psychological discomfort with stylistic purpose. Yorgos Lanthimos comes to mind simply because he excels at exactly the things this movie only imitates.

Meanwhile, the supporting cast feels underused. Adrien Brody, who once won an Oscar for throwing himself into the void emotionally, seems here to be collecting an easy paycheck. Eisenberg, a former nominee himself, does admirable work inside a role that ultimately gives him little to explore besides a ringtone so annoying you begin to suspect it’s the film’s real antagonist.

Every twenty minutes the movie seems to reinvent itself, without ever improving. The plot wanders, the tone shifts, and by the end you’re not sure the film knows what it wanted to be in the first place. For all its supposed psychological weight, Manodrome proves surprisingly hollow, a film that demands interpretation but offers little reward for the effort.

these are some of the thoughts I had while watching the film…

It would be brilliant if this whole man cult plan was just a financial scheme to build a members only gym

I don’t know if it’s the movie or how many times we hear it. Jesse Eisenberg’s character has the most annoying ringtone 

In the end, it’s a puzzle that doesn’t feel worth solving. You’re free to skip it; you won’t be missing anyone’s best or even notable work.

Grade: D+

TAPAWINGO (2023)

Directed By: Dylan K. Narang 

Written By: Dylan K. Narang and Brad Demerea

Cinematography: Jarrod Russell

Editor: Rex M. Teese 

Cast: Jon Heder, Jay Pichardo, Kim Matula, Gina Gershon, Sawyer Williams, Amanda Bearse, John Ratzenberger, Billy Zane, Chad Dukes 

An oddball becomes the bodyguard for a misfit teenager and finds himself in the crosshairs of the town’s family of bullies.

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This film plays like a sequel, continuation or feels like it takes place in the same world as the feature film NAOPLEON DYNAMITE. As well as THE SASQUATCH GANG (which felt like a live action Beavis & Butthead inspired film, only with a lot more innocence) which having John heater starring the film only helps fit into that framework

This film is slightly crazy, but still kind of innocent and clean with Ernest characters passing time in a kind of Arrested Development. It all feels

A bit dated and that they are slowly Catching up but still stuck.

Feels like it could’ve been from Greg Garcia, the creator and show-runner of shows like MY NAME IS EARL and RAISING HOPE. Where it feels a little episodic, but comes together in the end, but you watch these characters who seem kind of stuck in a kind of child like innocence, no matter how adults the behavior.

Though unlike those other films and characters. They might be odd and quirky but here at laws the characters feel a bit more lived in a the filmmakers. As well as the actors have a soft spot for them.

With a main character who is living a relatively normal life and then made into a misfit.

Rather than starting off that way. 

Where it feels like it’s not a fantasy, but it feels like a world that has been built and you’re wondering through and you can’t help but be charmed even with a kind of crime tale set in the middle you still can’t really tell what’s gonna happen next, but you can’t wait to see.

It’s a harmless film

Grade: B-

WAKE UP (2023)

Directed By: Anouk Whissell & Yoann-Karl Whissell

Written By: Alberto Marini

Based on A story/idea By: Martin Soudan 

Cinematography: Leo Hinstin

Editor: Joris Laquittant and Francois Simard 

Cast: Turlough Convery, Benny O. Arthur, Jaqueline More, Thomas Gould, Alessia Yoko Fontana, Kyle Scudder, Aidan O’Hare, Charlotte Stobier 

In an attempt to draw attention to the environmental crisis, young activists decide to invade and vandalize a furniture store. The protest quickly turns into a massacre when they find themselves trapped with a hunting-obsessed night guard.

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This feels like a pretty basic horror set up. Where the characters are pretty much put into place and the inciting incident that triggers the so-called beast or monster is unleashed. While we watch the core group get killed off in continuously gory and hopefully inventive even maybe shocking Ways.

This movie is under 90 minutes but feels longer for some reason. Even though it is pretty cut and dry. While it takes its time getting to the action.

What saves the film is the third act where it finally feels like it’s moving and trying to be creative. Especially as that is when the film chooses to humanize the victims, somewhat. So that the audience cares more than the type of characters we have been presented with. As when they do start to get eliminated there is very little to react to as we barely know them.

The only thing that humanizes them and truly reminds us that this shouldn’t be seen as fun and entertainment and tries to make the film that much more a tragedy, is when one character says “They’re just kids” 

The only problem is that the film seems to have so much fun at their dismissals. Including a quite cruel ending and a cynical bumper at the end. So that it seems half hearted or like a cynical joke. There only to up the ante for the audience. The filmmakers saying see it’s much worse then you think.

The cast is diverse, as they are disposed of equally. Though the main perpetrators and cowards seem to be the Caucasian characters. 

It’s a perfectly fine time waster but there is nothing that special about the film. It’s entertaining and realizes to not wear out it’s welcome.

Grade: C-

STONE COLD FOX (2025)

Directed By: Sophie Tabet

Written By: Sophie Tabet and Julia Roth

Cinematography: Ken Seng 

Editor: Joel Griffen and Jennifer Lee

Cast: Kieran Shipka, Krysten Ritter, Kiefer Sutherland, Jamie Chung, Mishel Prada, Karen Fukuhera, Gabrielle Maiden, Adam Elshar 

In 1986, the defiant Fox breaks out of an abusive commune in search of her family. But when the queenpin kidnaps her little sister and sends a crooked cop after her, Fox has no choice but to infiltrate the very place she escaped.

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Set in 1986, though truly could be modern except for a lack of electricity and maybe the fashions. As the film plays like a throwback. Especially when it comes to retreading a familiar story. Only here from more of a female perspective. 

This was a major disappointment, especially considering the cast. As it’s one of those films where they have an actually interesting story in plot and managed to keep it moving and interesting, but at some point, the film just seems to stand there and brings no excitement, nor does it build on the things that it sets up.

It has one clever twist and definitely has style, but you can tell the films limitations because there’s so much more that can be done in the film. Just seems to leave it there and let the audience use their own imaginations which can be inventive if left for us once or twice, but not constant.

The film also offers no real surprises. You know where it’s gonna go as a telegraphs it before it gets there and then when you get there, it just does nothing new or all that interesting except for a few points and perks of the fellow.

Everyone gives a good performance, you just wish there were more to their characters or were given better dialogue, than something a little more to do. as it’s a film that seems like it’s gonna be more but plays pretty basic.

Most of the cast is female and talented females. So that they’re very few men in the film and the few that there are seem very inept. So it’s more like ladies are doing it for themselves. it is a little empowering.

Though there are two characters in the film that just seem to be there for no real reason, more in the background, but they’re not really workers nor are they henchman and they don’t seem to be the main villains even their love interest so are they just there for company it seems and while they are of some use. A little bit more towards the end, they really didn’t still really need to be there.

Going into this film, I wanted to really root for this film as it has a bunch of actresses who I really admire their work Jamie Chung Krysten Ritter, Mishel Prada, and they’re given good roles. It’s just that they all feel a little bit more cliché Mishel Prada is the only one who kind of gets the more interesting not typical role, but it still leaves her with very little to do and few chances to truly go to weird or dark places that the role seems to demand.

Though it is nice for a leading role for Kieran Shipka, who seems to be becoming quite of the character actress and has finally grown into more leading female roles.

Luckily, this film goes by fast. As it’s under 90 minutes

Grade: C- 

SEW TORN (2025)

Directed & Edited By: Freddy Macdonald 

Written By: Freddy Macdonald and Fred Macdonald

Cinematography: Sebastian Klinger

Cast: Eve Connolly, Calum Worthy, John Lynch, K Callan, Ron Cook, Thomas Douglas, Caroline Goodall, Werner Beirmeier 

A seamstress gets tangled in her own thread after stealing a briefcase from a drug deal gone bad. In an escalating game of cat and mouse, her different choices lead to drastically different outcomes along the way.

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This film was a little bit more unexpected, though it came recommended. I tried my best to go into it blind. All I know is it had to do with knitting and some kind of crime caper. Both of which are true though the way they match together is very intricate.

It starts off slow, but then becomes a kind of choose your own adventure tale where it’s based on the main characters decision and we see her faith based on each of these decisions. So that it might remind some of RUN LOLA RUN. it is noticeably different and the way that it plays

The film does have a quirk factor, that at times threatens to overcome the material, but luckily because of that when violence or the story turns dark though not Unexpected it does provide a little bit of shock for the audience.

This is one of those kind of cute Indie films that shows a lot of spirit and ingenuity, even if it does come off at times a little too clean, cut and polite, considering the material involved.

Though it shouldn’t disappoint any audience members, as it is, a cleverly designed film that by the end does feel inspired. Especially as a captivating thriller.

Though for all its ingenuity, it just feels like it should’ve had a stronger hold on the audience and make you feel something as it comes off as an appetizer or rather light meal that looks bigger than it actually is, but you don’t quite feel full by the end.

Grade: B- 

CANDYLAND (2022)

 

Written & Directed By: John Swab

Cinematography: Will Stone

Editor: Andrew Aronson and John David Allen 

Cast: Olivia Luccardi, Eden Brolin, Sam Quartin, Owen Campbell, Virginia Rand, William Baldwin, Guinevere Turner, Brad Carter

A seemingly naive and devout young woman navigates her way into the underground world of truck stop sex workers a.k.a. "lot lizards."

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This is a film that pulls no punches, especially when it begins. It’s going into the film wasn’t quite sure where it was going to go even though watching it on shutter suspected a horror film but it seems like for the first third of the film. It’s more of a drama.

Even though considering where the film ends up going. It seems a bit unnecessary to be so graphic, but sets up the unpredictable nature and showing it’s Not afraid to go certain places 

That throughout the film, always seems to stay open as it offers a host of many ways it can go. As throughout the film. There seems to be a clash of genres as it starts off matter fact, drama that has a murder mystery in the background when initial killings start to happen. as it also feels kind of like a misdirection at first, but when the killer is revealed, we are shocked, but watch their ways as they try to avoid getting caught, though we do wonder when they will strike again also. Even as the film still stays pretty dramatic with the killings involved as we began to truly care about the characters.

Though slowly, the narrative becomes a true horror thriller. As the film keeps changing its identity I guess sort of like the characters there’s the before and then there’s a after.

as at first, there were so many ways that it could’ve gone and thought it would go, but ultimately it ends up, not going there. It makes its own way, which works for the film. Only wish maybe the killer wasn’t revealed as soon as they were crow that they played up the mystery angle a little bit better and longer.

The film does have an interesting scene of a red herring that is graphic and hard hitting, but also shows you the dangers of the lives. They lead and their line of work and offers a humanity more to the characters and helps to show the depths of one of the relationships between the characters and how messed up it is even when seeking justice in doing the right thing

As the film play so many rules just as the characters do one minute it’s a hangout film the max. It’s a hard hitting docudrama, then a mystery then a slasher then at times even a Grindhouse film that tries to tie in Christmas randomly. Though it occasionally breaks up its own rhythm. It’s trying to show that it’s moving into a new phase. Wish it could have been a bit more seamless And tightly written. So it made more sense. It does go to show that just because one thing is happening, that doesn’t mean other things stop irnchange necessarily with the new situation 

For all of its good graces by the end, it feels a little bit like a b-movie, even though it tries to hit hard with the ending.

The film manages to stay unpredictable in the end doesn’t go where you expect those stays down with an ultimate come uppance.

By the end, the theme seems to be sexual repression and how violent it can make someone.

Grade: C+