Movies

Just when you think you've seen it all in the action genre, Counterattack emerges, delivering a film that surprises in some areas while faltering in others. Released as an international production, it ambitiously ventures into the treacherous landscapes of the Mexican drug war, weaving a tale steeped in camaraderie, courage, and conflict. The film presents an odyssey laced with machismo and explosive moments, though it ultimately falls prey to familiar pitfalls that leave the viewer wanting more.

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.

Popeye's Revenge, the cinematic event of 2025 that nobody asked for but apparently someone thought we needed. This British slasher horror debut, directed by William Stead and written by Harry Boxley—who, let’s be honest, seemed to have one foot in the cereal aisle while brainstorming—takes the beloved spinach-loving sailor and drags him into a realm far more grotesque than the one fans of E.C. Segar could ever imagine. What promises to be a dark transformation of the iconic character ends up traversing dangerous waters, rarely surfacing from the murky depths of absurdity.

Where do I even start with this gem of a film named MR-9: Do or Die? From the very moment the credits start rolling, it feels like they might as well have been playing the theme song from the Jaws soundtrack because you’re about to witness a horror show that’s both comedic and tragic in equal measure. Directed by Asif Akbar, this supposed spy action thriller is an international collaboration between the United States and Bangladesh—because what could possibly go wrong when you mix countries that are worlds apart in filmmaking sensibilities?

The cinematic experience that is Battle Over Britain—where expectations plummet so low that they might just reach the sub-basement of filmmaking standards. Released on Prime, this ambitious attempt to capture the relentless spirit of World War II aerial combat unfolds like a labor of love that’s had one too many boiling pots of water splashed on it. As it unveils its narrative of a fresh-faced young pilot eager to defend his homeland, audiences are left wondering if the filmmakers were equally determined to defend our senses from any semblance of quality.

Star Trek: Section 31, the latest “triumph” in the hallowed Star Trek franchise. Released on Paramount+, this film attempts—let’s be generous here—to capture the magic of the Star Trek universe, but instead, it resembles a hapless child playing dress-up in a too-big, moth-eaten uniform. Longtime Star Trek fans, brace yourselves: this isn’t just bad; it’s a nostalgic nightmare. With its confused characterizations and incoherent plot, the film stands as a testament to what happens when you take a beloved franchise and toss it into a blender set on “oblivion".

How we love a good biopic, especially one centered around a character as illustrious as Vladimir Putin. Enter the cinematic catastrophe known as Putin, directed by Patryk Vega, a name that will surely join the ranks of legendary filmmakers—right next to Uwe Boll. Released on January 10, 2025, this film promised an exhilarating journey through the life of the iron-fisted ruler of Russia. Instead, it delivers a jumbled mess that is about as coherent as Putin's own policies. Bravo, Vega, for turning a once gripping narrative into a nonsensical exercise in confusion and disappointment. If you were looking for a mind-bending experience, you certainly got one—though I imagine insomnia will yield more fulfilling results.

The Gorge, directed by Scott Derrickson and penned by Zach Dean, plants itself firmly in the realm of apocalyptic cinema with an audacious twist. Made available to viewers on Apple TV+ on February 14, 2025, this film juxtaposes a tender romance with gripping survival horror. As the audience follows the journey of two elite snipers, Levi Kane and Drasa, played by the compelling Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy, they are drawn into a narrative that challenges the boundaries of love, resilience, and existential uncertainty.

In Brother, Takeshi Kitano presents an enigmatic exploration of the yakuza world transplanted onto the Californian landscape, a project both daring and distinct in its execution. Premiering at the Venice Film Festival in 2000, the film pulls viewers into a gritty narrative that straddles the Pacific, weaving together elements of Japanese crime ethos with American street realism. The film thematically delves into loyalty, cultural clash, and the minimalist expression of violence, all seen through Kitano’s unique lens.

With Outrage Coda, Takeshi Kitano delivers the final chapter of his visceral yakuza trilogy—a narrative weave soaked in betrayal, violence, and the ephemeral notions of honor and retribution. Released in Japan on October 7, 2017, this film attempts to encapsulate the intense emotions and merciless actions that define its preceding volumes, though it ultimately strides on a slightly less impactful note. While Kitano's subdued directorial form may not pierce through with relentless vigor, his on-screen performance as Otomo steadfastly seizes the audience’s attention, ensuring that the character’s return remains the epicenter of the narrative storm.