SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE (2025)

Written & Directed By: Jalmari Helander

Cinematography: Mika Orasmaa

Editor: Juho Virolainen

Cast: Jorma Tommila, Stephen Lang, Richard Brake, Tommi Korpela, Kaspar Velberg, Paaru Oja, Eriki Laur, Maksim Demidov

Returning to the house where his family was brutally murdered during the war, “the man who refuses to die” dismantles it, loads it on a truck, and is determined to rebuild it somewhere safe in their honor. When the Red Army commander who killed his family comes back hellbent on finishing the job, a relentless, eye-popping cross-country chase ensues – a fight to the death.

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This sequel film definitely lives up to its title. As the film was unexpected, as I didn’t think that the character had more hardships to go through and yet here it is. It’s pretty much more of the same only it seems to get to the action almost immediately after a brief set up of where we are and what the main character is trying to do.

Like most sequels, this is bigger as at each level he the main character. Sisu is facing more challenges. so that each level is broken up into a chapter and then each chapter it seems he’s facing the same enemy, but only harder and tougher like at first he’s just facing soldiers then in the next level he’s facing tanks and then in the next level, he’s facing planes and so on. So that we can see how each level gets more difficult and challenging. Though mostly it seems lkkenthe stunt men do most of the work. As this is a film meant for them the most. 

There’s very little dialogue as our hero. Sisu is mute throughout, which might be meant to remind the audience of THE MAN WITH NO NAME trilogy. As it does have the theme of revenge, but it’s not a western. It’s more an action war film.

 This sequel was not needed, but it still has impressive, action and strangely more American actors playing Russians this time around. which I figure offers more name recognition and to broaden the appeal of the film and widen its audience as the first one is more of a cult, action film, and they obviously wanna make this into a franchise. 

that would fit the tone of director, Jamari Helander, previous action filled films, such as RARE EXPORTS and BIG GAME 

If looking for balls to the wall, action film with some gore, this film is right up your alley as it does serve the kind of hard-core action you rarely see on the big screen anymore. This film was definitely meant to be seen in a movie theater or on the biggest screen as possible.

Grade: C 

PIZZA MOVIE (2026)

 

Written & Directed By: Nick Kocher & Brian McElhaney

Cinematography: Bella Gonzales

Editor: Matt McBrayer

Cast: Gaten Matarazzo, Sean Giambrone, Lulu Wilson, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Marcus Scribner, Caleb Hearon, Sarah Sherman, Jordan Carlos

High college students face an unexpectedly epic journey when they must navigate two flights of stairs to retrieve their pizza delivery, turning a simple task into a surreal adventure.

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This is pretty much a stoner movie so it will make some kind of sense at least as far as the premise but for the most part, it’ll just be silly off the wall and gonzo.

That would really makes me wonder is when the writer directors of this movie Nick Kochner & Brian McElhaney who form the comedy duo BriTANick, when they are writing this movie are they quite under the influence to make the material work. As if they are when they’re sober how do they make it seem plausible or make sense oh, that’s just a thought.

I’m happy to see so many child actors I remember growing up and working in this film as it is off the wall and occasionally funny, but it just doesn’t reach the height of hilarity for me even with all of its juvenile humor, some of which might be offensive it just came across as cute not necessarily anything daring. So that even with the cursing and as offensive, it might be minorly it still feels like a teen film maybe a little bit harder edged and surprisingly almost sexist.

The film isn’t totally stupid. It’s just silly. It does have kind of a surprisingly smart and glorious bastards signed up as well as a Meta element that wasn’t expected. It doesn’t completely work, but for the most part does.

It’s a perfectly fine time waster. As I can’t

See remembering much afterwards. As you pretty much get what you might expect with a few surprises. 

Wouldn’t mind seeing more of these comedies that at least try for something different and new and has sparks of originality rather than the plane comedies that are supposed to be raunchy and energetic and that just feel way too familiar

Grade: C

BALLS UP (2026)

 

Directed By: Peter Farrelly 

Written By: Paul Wernick & Rhett Reese

Cinematography: John Brawley 

Editor: Sam Seig 

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Paul Walter Hauser, Benjamin Bratt, Molly Shannon, Sacha Baron Cohen, Daniela Melchoir, Eric Andre, Eve DeDominici, Chelsey Crisp

Two marketers pitch a bold new condom World Cup sponsorship. After a booze-fueled scandal, they must outrun chaos to survive.

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This film is one of the stupidest of the year, So far intentionally. Though expected to be disappointed. While the film certainly isn’t the best of the year. It is surprisingly hilarious.

Though one of the selling points of the movie is the gross out humor. Which shouldn’t come as a surprise considering it’s directed by Peter Farrelley. While this film certainly fits this formula of early 2000’s gross out comedies that are sensational and over the top. It stays within his wheelhouse. Though it still Manages to shock considering it stars Mark Wahlberg.

This comes across as another paycheck job for him. He tries to have enthusiasm, but he looks tired and exasperated. He seems to lack his usual charm in the lead, but he works in his role.

It ultimately boils down to being a buddy comedy where the two supposed mismatched leads learn to become friends. Though all their troubles and camaraderie. 

The true scene stealer of this film is Paul Walter Hauser. As usual in the co-lead. He stays believable, lovable and the Everyman throughout. Though there are certainly other cast members who have fun with their roles and are standouts such as Benjamin Bratt and Sasha Baron Cohen making a return to the big screen.

If you are not a fan of these types of films, this movie isn’t for you I think what when the audience over as you expected typically silly comedy and that leans more into the stupid and while it certainly stays that way, it’s also the gross out jokes that you’re just not expecting with such a pedigree.

While also having fun about the obsessions of men, people and a country never overly insulting but just ridiculous. It’s never quite off color but it is racing that enjoyable. It’s not a film. You might remember 15 minutes after you watch it though it is something that has definitely re-watchable and a guilty pleasure.

This isn’t the type of film you watch for the filmmaking or the acting it’s more film. You just watched to have fun and have a good time with no matter how ridiculous.

Grade: C 

FLIGHT RISK (2025)

 

Directed By: Mel Gibson

Written By: Jared Rosenberg 

Cinematography: Johnny Derango 

Editor: Steven Rosenblim

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, Topher

Grace, Leah Remini, Maaz Ali, Paul Ben-Victor, Eilise Patton, Monib Abhat 

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.

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to be honest, this phone plays like a TV movie from the 80s or 90s though what makes it worthy of the big screen is that it’s directed by Mel Gibson and that it stars Mark Wahlberg, whose idea of stretching to play a villain was making his character partly bald 

As most of this phone takes place on a small carrier plane where reluctant witness is going to testify against the mobster with an FBI agent as his chaperone and the pilot who ends up not being who he supposed to be, but actually a hitman 

Even when he is taken down, but not killed, they have to figure out how to fly the plane to safety, as well as finding out who exactly they can trust and who the mole might be in the organization largely off screen, so we only hear their voices, though as soon as I heard Leah remini’s voice. I knew it instantaneously.

The film is cut and dry though it tries to stay suspenseful with some shocks and a bit of action. Even though for the most part the film is pretty predictable.

It’s one of those film Where you wonder why the cast and director of Gibson’s stature decided to make this film. Which seems simple even by Netflix standards. 

Was he trying to sharpen his directing chops or was this a favor to someone he owed. As that can be the only explanation for Mark Wahlberg’s involvement as a favor to Gibson and try Playing a heel in a movie he didn’t suspect many would see or just for fun and the film Doesn’t totally rest on his shoulders. 

If you are looking for a movie with low stakes or just to play in the background that is pure blockbuster popcorn. This might be the film for you. As it is very lite and unassuming.

Grade: D+ 

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 MID90s 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.

So that this Feels like a commentary for him on cancel culture in the way it affects those who are victims of it or could be.

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 badly. 

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. As the film seeks to have its visuals more closeted by being indoors, but not have a rich, visual, palette and rather than any action it’s more conversational with insights that seem to lay there, but don’t offer too much for the audience except maybe some understanding of character, but this is supposed to be a comedy and it seems to want to be a conversational drama more at times full of Enlightenment That’s just not working here.

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