simhoop

A generational fumble - armed with the best-selling book not involving Harry Potter and a cast on their top of their collective game, Ron Howard creates one of the most boring movies of the first decade of the 21st century. He even makes Hanks dull! I recall binging this page-turner back in the day and yet this completely uninteresting film adaptation took me several days to endure through.

80 _79%

Death by Lightning (2025) - Rated 22 Sep 2026

Bite-sized and spot on: well cast (even if everyone plays their archetype), well produced and overall rings historically true, Death by Lightning was a nice (and brief) trip into a president and time in America I knew virtually nothing about.

70 _66%

Doctor Strange (2016) - Rated 15 Sep 2026

I'd have liked to live longer in Strange's fall from egotistical grace and climb to sorcery superstardom but I guess the film just wants to get to the floating cape as fast as possible. Similarly, I would've preferred a more unique personality rather than Tony Stark-lite. And I also wish the villains had more to do. Still, I ended up liking Dr. Strange. Sure, it's a little too safe with all of its decisions but it executes on everything well - decent acting, interesting story. Good Marvel fare.

20 _4%

The Toxic Avenger (1984) - Rated 13 Sep 2026

If I squint hard enough, maybe I can see what inspired a decades-long cult-followed franchise, but this is undeniably a garbage movie. Absolutely terrible acting, editing and directing, and the entire thing is dubbed on top of that! Sure, the over-the-top, under-budget gore is at least fun, but there’s just nothing solid to plant my feet on here. Not horror, not superhero, and not good comedy, Toxic Avenger just constantly aims at the lowest common denominator and calls it entertainment.

40 _18%

Star Wars: Tales of the Empire (2024) - Rated 12 Sep 2026

I got through two episodes - and then, really only because I was also reading while having it on in the background. I just can't connect with Star Wars anymore, it seems. Everyone is a jedi or a sith and it doesn't seem as mysterious or unique or cool. The art is fine and I'm sure it's competently made but I'm bailing.

100 _96%

Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story (2025) - Rated 31 Aug 2026

Absolutely riveting. Sure, this is a standard procedural of the police investigation into a case but what separates this from others is 1) how genuinely sadistic and insane the killers are (a serial killer marriage!) and 2) how much first source material is used like interviews and video recordings to make the case come alive. Gripping!

30 _7%

Pet Sematary (1989) - Rated 20 Aug 2026

Boring, silly and at times ridiculous for much of the movie while never scary. That is not a good thing for this type of film.

45 _28%

Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020) - Rated 17 Aug 2026

Probably cleverer than I expected, but "Face the Music" is awfully executed. No one seems to be acting here except Carrigan and Sadler, and it’s rarely funny. The kids reliving their dads’ past feels tired, as does the idea of two surfer dudes in their 50s. There are some good ideas, including a more mature goal for the boys, and Death is still great, but everything feels exhausted. Worst of all, the music is bland. Most heinous!

80 _79%

Blow Out (1981) - Rated 16 Aug 2026

The late '70s and early '80s feel like a dreadfully boring era for cinema, so I was surprised to find a movie as old as I am this taut and engaging. Movies about moviemaking are usually glamorous, but this one uniquely focuses on sound while also questioning art's effectiveness. Travolta and Lithgow are great, though Allen's high-pitched affect takes me out of every scene of hers. I love the real Philadelphia locations, and De Palma's comic-book aesthetic is always a pleasure.

65 _63%

The Martian (2015) - Rated 02 Aug 2026

It builds tension by making rational thinking the hero, but unlike its spiritual successor, Project Hail Mary, it stumbles with unnecessary detours back to Earth and a tacked-on action climax. Like its famous potatoes, The Martian is satisfying in the moment, but with so many better options, it's not one I feel compelled to revisit.