Movies

There’s something very contemporary about Companion, that sense of ordinary people, lacquered in anxiety, stumbling into catastrophe by way of a Silicon Valley fever dream. Drew Hancock, no hack, has made a movie that wants to stare at the icy void where technology and human vanity collide, then crack a joke so the void doesn’t stare back too hard. It’s a science fiction thriller in horror makeup, but with the nervous giggle of a dinner party gone off the rails.

Say what you will about Martin Scorsese, the man can squeeze new blood from a dead body, even when that corpse is the gangster film itself. With Casino, he revisits the operatic, violence-soaked terrain so memorably realized in Goodfellas. But this is no mere retread. Here, in the sun-baked, gaudy playground of Las Vegas, Scorsese paints with brighter neons and darker shadows, as if the moral decay is more lurid for being so thoroughly lacquered in gold. And, confession time, this is the one that tops my list, staking a claim even above Goodfellas in the Scorsese firmament.

Carjackers is a haphazard amalgam that could generously be described as cinematic confusion. Streaming on platforms that likely won’t dare claim it as an exclusive, the film tells the story of Nora and her motley crew of valets and bartenders who moonlight as thieves, hitting up unsuspecting wealthy patrons. As if this dual life wasn’t complicated enough, they decide to pull off their biggest heist yet, all while being hunted down by a hitman hired by their own hotel’s director. The premise is tantalizing enough to spark interest, but strap in because this ride is heading straight into the pit of mediocrity.

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.

As a professional assassin's retirement goes south thanks to an injured young woman, I walked into this film with trepidation, hoping to see a riveting tale unfold. What I received instead felt like a poorly executed school project, showcasing huge gaps in the storyline and timelines so inconsistent they rival the plot twists in a daytime soap opera.

As I settled in to watch, I hoped for something that would set itself apart from other action flicks. It turns out, my hopes were not just met but exceeded; this film is a delightful ride that cleverly balances tension, humor, and heartfelt moments.

Set in the laden halls of the Vatican, Conclave embarks on a journey filled with surprises and underlying tensions. The central narrative revolves around Cardinal Lawrence, who finds himself not only leading the conclave but also unraveling various secrets and scandals that surround prospective candidates.

Watching Civil War was like stepping into a haunting reflection of a potential future for my society. Directed by Alex Garland, the film offered a raw and unsettling scrutiny of an America engulfed in civil conflict, all unfolded through the perspective of war journalists.

where do I even begin with this cinematic adventure? Picture this: a movie that claims to be an action thriller but ends up feeling like a list of every bad spy cliché ever written—on a napkin.