June was yet another busy month for movie releases, both in cinemas and on streaming. Unfortunately due to the vast amount of content I was unable to write full, in depth reviews of every new release I managed to catch last month, but here are my quick thoughts on them all. Be sure to check out my reviews for those I have gone into great depth, including “Predator: Killer of Killers”, “Ballerina”, “How to Train Your Dragon”, “28 Years Later”, and “F1”.
Overall I would say it was a solid month for theatrical releases, with the handful listed above proving to be more than enjoyable, with other surprises including “Deep Cover” which streamed on Prime Video.
Thoughts and Reviews in June:
The Accountant 2(2025)
Dir: Gavin O’Connor
Cast: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Daniella Pineda, J. K. Simmons
Synopsis: Forensic accountant Christian Wolff teams up with his estranged but highly lethal brother to track down mysterious assassins.
Review: The buddy comedy angle makes for a far more engaging and entertaining action romp second time round. A surprisingly fun time to be had with this despite its formulaic premise.
Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)
Dir: Dan Trachtenberg
Cast: Lindsay LaVanchy, Luis Ozawa Changchien, Rick Gonzalez, Michael Biehn
Synopsis: A Viking raider, a ninja in feudal Japan, and a World War II pilot encounter a fierce intergalactic hunter.
Review: Dan Trachtenberg once again delivers the gore, action and visual flair in this innovative entry in the “Predator” franchise, but the anthological structure rushes its three-pronged narrative.
“Predator: Killer of Killers” Review Here
Ballerina (2025)
Dir: Len Wiseman
Cast: Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, Keanu Reeves
Synopsis: Trained in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma, Eve Macarro takes on an army of killers as she seeks revenge against those responsible for the death of her father.
Review: It may be the weakest entry in the John Wick franchise on account of major reshoots, but the relentless action and an ass-kicking Ana de Armas more than make amends for the spin-off’s narrative shortcomings.
The Surrender (2025)
Dir: Julia Max
Cast: Colby Minifie, Kate Burton
Synopsis: A fraught mother-daughter relationship is put to a terrifying test when the family patriarch dies, and the grieving mother hires a mysterious stranger to bring her husband back from the dead.
Review: This latest blend of grief and supernatural horror fails to make the most of its promising setup, but two solid lead performances just about make amends for the inconsistent pacing
“Final Destination Bloodlines” Review Here
Clown in a Cornfield (2025)
Dir: Eli Craig
Cast: Katie Douglas, Aaron Abrams, Carson MacCormac, Kevin Durand, Will Sasso
Synopsis: Looking for a fresh start, Quinn and her father move to the quiet town of Kettle Springs. They soon learn the fractured community has fallen on hard times after losing a treasured factory to a fire. As the locals bicker amongst themselves and tensions boil over, a sinister, grinning clown emerges from the cornfields to cleanse the town of its burdens, one bloody victim at a time.
Review: Not the most original or scariest horror film you will see this year, but this agricultural slasher hilariously dissects the cultural divide between Boomers and Gen Z with bloody results.
Deep Cover (2025)
Dir: Tom Kingsley
Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando bloom, Nick Mohammed, Paddy Considine, Ian McShane, Sean Bean
Synopsis: An improv teacher and two of her students infiltrate the London underworld by impersonating dangerous criminals.
Review: This surprisingly entertaining and hilarious caper follows a trio of struggling comedians as they improvise their way through the London crime scene as part of an undercover sting.
The Shrouds (2025)
Dir: David Cronenberg
Cast: Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce, Sandrine Holt
Synopsis: Karsh, a creative entrepreneur who lost his spouse, develops a machine designed to communicate with deceased individuals.
Review: David Cronenberg’s peculiar body horror falters significantly in its narrative, rendering its thought provoking themes about modern technology and, privacy, and grief completely ineffective.
How to Train Your Dragon (2025)
Dir: Dean DeBlois
Cast: Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gabriel Howell, Julian Dennison, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Peter Serafinowicz, Nick Frost, Gerard Butler
Synopsis: On the rugged isle of Berk, a Viking boy named Hiccup defies centuries of tradition by befriending a dragon named Toothless. However, when an ancient threat emerges that endangers both species, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader.
Review: This charming yet overly loyal live-action adaptation of the animated classic suggests that DreamWorks haven’t learned from Disney’s mistakes, as they are also guilty of profiting from a beloved IP’s legacy.
“How to Train Your Dragon” Review Here
28 Years Later (2025)
Dir: Danny Boyle
Cast: Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Alfie Williams, Jack O’Connell, Ralph Fiennes
Synopsis: It’s been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped from a biological weapons laboratory. Still living in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amid the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily defended causeway. When one of them decides to venture into the dark heart of the mainland, he soon discovers a mutation that has spread to not only the infected, but other survivors as well.
Review: This highly anticipated zombie sequel sees Danny Boyle and Alex Garland recapture the urgency and visceral intensity of the ground-breaking original by addressing modern social anxieties
The Phoenician Scheme (2025)
Dir: Wes Anderson
Cast: Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Friend, Hope Davis, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe
Synopsis: Wealthy businessman, Korda appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists, and determined assassins.
Review: Wes Anderson continues to plunge into his own stylistic rabbit hole, as he once again fails to bring the warmth necessary for viewers to invest in his latest cast of colourful characters.
F1: The Movie (2025)
Dir: Joseph Kosinski
Cast: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Javier Bardem
Synopsis: In the 1990s, Sonny Hayes was Formula 1’s most promising driver until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, the owner of a struggling Formula 1 team convinces Sonny to return to racing and become the best in the world. Driving alongside the team’s hotshot rookie, Sonny soon learns that the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.
Review: This feature length advertisement for F1 is ironically formulaic in its storytelling, but some exhilarating race sequences and a charismatic Brad Pitt make for a breath-taking cinematic experience.
Dan Loves Film 
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