Mehnificent

Founders Day, a slasher film directed by Erik Bloomquist, attempts to redefine the holiday-themed horror genre with a concept rooted in a nebulous celebration that varies across diverse locales. Positioning itself as a dark, festive parody within the slasher subgenre, the film centers around a masked assailant targeting participants of a town’s anniversary political campaign. Despite its intriguing premise—combining elements of political intrigue, holiday revelry, and horror—Founders Day ultimately presents as a mediocre effort that falters amid predictable storytelling and inconsistent production quality.

Deep Cover, a 1992 film directed by Bill Duke, strikes a slick and stylish note in the crime thriller genre, beautifully encapsulating the atmosphere of the early '90s. This neo-noir piece features Laurence Fishburne in a commanding role as Russell Stevens Jr., an undercover cop trying to navigate the seedy world of Los Angeles' drug trade. The film delves into themes of morality, corruption, and the complex dynamics of the War on Drugs, yet it doesn't quite escape its own superficial tendencies, ultimately leading to an experience that's compelling but not without its flaws.

In a landscape filled with espionage thrillers, Black Bag ventures into the murky waters of betrayal and intrigue, directed by the esteemed Steven Soderbergh and penned by David Koepp. The film, released on March 12, 2025, in France and shortly thereafter in the United States, stars a lineup of talent including Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, and Pierce Brosnan, all attempting to weave a narrative centered on a top-secret software leak and the moral quandaries that follow. Yet, despite the film's enticing premise, the final product lands solidly in the "good, not great" category. It reveals the frustrating reality of a story with remarkable potential, yet ultimately squandered by poor pacing and underdeveloped characters.

Cold Wallet, the 2024 thriller directed by Cutter Hodierne, dives headfirst into the chaotic world of cryptocurrency, perfectly capturing the mania surrounding digital assets, meme coins, and the ever-looming specter of rug pulls. With a plot that is as relevant as today's headlines, the film follows a ragtag group of Redditors who, after losing their savings to a notorious crypto scam, resort to drastic measures. Their scheme leads them to the secluded mansion of the enigmatic Charles Hegel, played by Josh Brener, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown that blends dark comedy with moral ambiguity. As the film explores the lengths to which everyday individuals will go in the pursuit of justice—or money—it increasingly pushes viewers into a whirlwind of ethical dilemmas and tension.

In the realm of psychological horror and apocalyptic dread, M. Night Shyamalan's Knock at the Cabin, finds itself at a crossroads, unfortunately veering towards the forgettable rather than the frightful.

It’s What’s Inside, the 2024 cinematic cornerstone (or pitfall) brought to you by the innovative Greg Jardin. With a cast that reads like a “who’s who” of talented up-and-comers—Brittany O’Grady, Gavin Leatherwood, and a few others I may forget as soon as the credits roll—you might think I was in for a treat.