★★★★ Rian Johnson continues to explore the seasons with his third Benoit Blanc murder-mystery, cleverly weaving the Easter backdrop into a witty and gripping clash between faith and secularism.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025)
Him (2025)
★★1/2 The American Football horror flick bursts onto the field with an ambitious, promising kick-off, but tangled messaging and a wobbly tone cause director Justin Tipping to drop the ball well before reaching the blood-soaked end zone.
The Smashing Machine (2025)
★★★★ Johnson and Blunt shine, but it is Benny Safdie's daring fly-on-the-wall approach that pulls you right into the heart of this UFC biopic, which had me unexpectedly rooting for the trailblazers of a sport I previously cared little about.
One Battle After Another (2025)
★★★★★ Hilarious and thematically rich, Paul Thomas Anderson's sweeping political caper allows the celebrated director to orchestrate a dazzling spectacle of controlled chaos in his boldest and most captivating film yet.
I Swear (2025)
★★★★ Full of humour, warmth, and raw emotion, this biopic brings Scottish campaigner John Davidson's story to life, spotlighting the daily challenges of Tourette syndrome and inspiring greater understanding.
The Long Walk (2025)
★★★★ This emotional and deeply affecting adaptation of Stephen King's dystopian novel gruellingly explores the depths of human endurance, elevated by unforgettable performances from Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson.
Highest 2 Lowest (2025)
★★★ Despite Spike Lee's bold stylistic flourishes in this jazz-infused spin on a Kurosawa classic, his latest joint stumbles with erratic pacing and a distracting upbeat soundtrack that drains away any sense of peril.
The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)
★★1/2 Lacking in freights and originality, the film pivots the spotlight onto the Warrens themselves, casting the real-life paranormal investigators as daring pioneers despite their exploits remaining dubious decades later.
Caught Stealing (2025)
★★★1/2 Austin Butler electrifies every scene with majestic charm in this surprisingly fun crime caper from Darren Aronofsky, though the director's signature grit sometimes clouds the film's light-hearted tone.
August Movie Round-Up
Quick thoughts and reviews of all the new releases I was able to catch in August.
Dan Loves Film 