James Preston Poole
@JamesPPoole
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đ -Approved Critic | Texas Ex l Writer: @DiscussingFilm @MyCosmicCircus @ButWhyThoPC | He/Him | Genre Cinema Forever
Joined July 2017
You werenât there in 2011 opening night to hear the âNoâ and it shows.
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Matthew Vaughnâs last (and maybe only truly) good movie. Deeply misunderstood.
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Funny that the allegedly âterribleâ âAQUAMANâ sequel features at least three of the coolest images Iâve seen in a while in just a teaser.
First teaser for âAQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOMâ. Trailer releases on Thursday.
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If youâre not watching TRAP like a Wile E. Coyote/Roadrunner bit that doubles as Shyamalanâs musings on fatherhood, youâre doing it wrong.
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Every fear I had about Green Lanterns in the DCU is coming true.
New teaser for Guy Gardner in James Gunnâs âSUPERMANâ. In theaters on July 11.
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So they did minor post production audio work. Like most movies.
'The Brutalist' Director Brady Corbet Says Use Of AI In Post Was For "Hungarian Language Dialogue Editing Only;" Filmmaker Asserts Adrien Brody & Felicity Jones' "Performances Are Completely Their .
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URGENT PSA: SINNERS technically has a mid-credits scene, but itâs full-on the true last 10 minutes of the movie. DO NOT LEAVE once the initial credits roll.
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My local theater was ALIVE last night. Tons of people flocking to SINNERS, packed house for REVENGE OF THE SITH, nearly every show of everything seemed close to selling out. This is a very healthy sign. Now- drop the prices.
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Not only is CIVIL WAR Alex Garlandâs best film, itâs his APOCALYPSE NOW. A staggering journey into the dark heart of a decaying nation that examines the role of journalism, desensitization to violence, and division. Genuinely speechless. Review coming to @DiscussingFilm
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THE IRON CLAW: a heartbreaking tragedy steeped in Americana. Efron, White, Simon, and Dickinson add such interiority to their portrayal of the Von Erich family that it makes what happens sting so much more. Artful, empathetic, and at times exhilarating. Wiping tears away.
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TERRIFIER 3 is truly evil. And I mean that in the best possible way. Grindhouse beyond Grindhouse. Truly sickening practical effects mixed with a lore that is getting more and more intricate. I donât know how Damien Leone tops this. Lauren LaVera THEE final girl.
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SPIDER-MAN: #AcrossTheSpiderVerse is very much a Part 1, but when it's this great of a first part who cares?! Perfect in every aspect, with a metatextual element that interrogates the very nature of the Spider-Man mythos. A new high for Hollywood animation AND superhero films.
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Movie re-releases such are an exciting trend. Hope it builds to a SPEED RACER IMAX rollout in 2027.
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@RaceplayShawty wait- is your theater a one-screen? Cause if so, might have to rename this movie to OOF.
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FRIENDSHIP is, as expected, one of the best cringe comedies ever made. Tim Robinson gives his tour-de-force performance of manners, Rudd is great, but truly itâs writer/director Andrew DeYoungâs deeply empathetic take on loneliness that makes this linger. #SXSW2025
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DUNE: PART TWO is a work of such scale/craft that itâs intimidating. A perfect adaptation of the novel that captures the bleak peril of prophecy. Visually unimpeachable. Dread-fueled. Utterly transportive. Movies like this are why cinema exists. People will remember this forever.
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LOVE LIES BLEEDING starts as a decently slick and sexy romance until werewolfing until something else entirely. It gleefully becomes SAINT MAUD on steroids (literally), a gloriously mean spirited spiral of love and violence. Katy OâBrianâs a STAR. This oneâs for the freaks.
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No, âEXORCIST: BELIEVERâ is not an anti-abortion movie. Very much the opposite. And itâs highly embarrassing/irresponsible that a prominent critic would say that knowing that they have a big enough following who will stick the movie that label for perpetuity.
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#FastX: Big. Loud. Dumb. A High-Octane blast that recaptures the series peak. The po-faced ridiculousness is wielded as a holy weapon, propelled by a relentless momentum. Faces old and new shine, the set pieces sizzle, and a doozy of a cliffhanger seals the deal. Awesome.
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Mike Flanaganâs âTHE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHERâ is a masterpiece. Weaving together Edgar Allan Poeâs stories in a narrative that plays like Gothic Succession, it may be one of the best things Netflix has ever released. Full review below.
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#ScreamVI ditches the inert energy of the previous film for a setting shift that leads to a much more playful, gory, and all around ambitious sequel that marks a true return to the âanything goesâ, heavily satirical ethos of the series. Verdict: it rocks!.
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DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE feels miraculous. A high energy ode to superhero cinema past that goes beyond nostalgia into kid in a candy store madness, the Ryan Reynolds/Hugh Jackman is everything you wanted and more, despite some grating toilet humor. Review coming to @DiscussingFilm.
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ZACK SNYDERâS JUSTICE LEAGUE is the first film to prove the notion of superheroes as the modern myth. A towering achievement in comic book adaptation that cares as deeply about its characters and its themes as much as its epic-scale spectacle. Better than we could have imagined.
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INFINITY POOL: hedonism and cloning and Mia Goth, oh my! One of the most original films in years, I fully expect it to inspire some very polarized reactions. As for me? It was my brand of mind-bending, abrasively satirical, very sick cinema. #Sundance2023
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A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE is a compact, thrilling stand-alone prequel. As bleak as it is life-affirming, this lean, mean existential drama in the clothes of an alien invasion blockbuster is filled to the brim with high tension action and tender performances. Review tomorrow.
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Just about everything about the central war in CIVIL WAR- how it kicked off, what the factions are, what people are fighting for- are all given to you in the film. They just donât give you a text crawl at the beginning or beat you over the head with exposition.
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DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE exceeds low expectations, coming out of the other side one of the strongest comic book movies of the 2020s. This thing is a joyous ride that makes a case for superhero movies if they have this energy. Review via @DiscussingFilm:.
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A REAL PAIN wears its heart firmly on its sleeve. Writer-director Jesse Eisenberg meditates on connecting with the pain of the past to deal with the pain of the present. Like the movie itself, Kieran Culkin brings the laughs and breaks hearts. #Sundance2024
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SALTBURN: A perverse character study that enjoys pushing the audienceâs buttons past the point of no return. The cast? Unreal. Production? Heavenly. I laughed, I was horrified, but mostly I was just happy to see this kind of big swing taken.
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I adored M. Night Shyamalan's TRAP. An arch, pulse-pounding character study of a serial killer struggling to keep his work and family life separate, Shyamalan has never been sharper as Josh Hartnett puts on a tour de force performance. Review below:.
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Iâve just arrived in Dallas for the world premiere of A24âs THE IRON CLAW. Watch this space and @DiscussingFilm for first reactions, red carpet interviews, and reporting on tomorrowâs press conference for the film.
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MONKEY MAN is a big moment for Dev Patel. His debut features showcases a fully-formed action sensibility, complete with strong world building, social consciousness, and gripping action. A stone cold banger itching for many rewatches. Review below.
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Lionsgate briefly had a video from Luca Guadagnino about AMERICAN PSYCHO , but they accidentally let it slip that Luca will be here at the convention later for "another film". Expect SGT. ROCK news out of the #CinemaCon WB panel.
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SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 face plants on itself whenever humor is involved, but whenever itâs focused on telling an epic story, itâs, um, supersonic. Thatâs all due to a reverence for the lore, great portrayal of Shadow, and sense of stakes. Review here:
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I saw GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE. Sorry, no review. But what I can say is that itâs the best of the series, full stop. Stupendously well written, not leaning too hard on nostalgia, and telling a story better than even the original could muster. A winner in every sense. #CinemaCon.
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A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE is a lean, mean prequel that bests the other two films by sneaking in palpable existential human drama in a pulse-pounding package. A bleak, touching, and very assured example of the power of good science fiction. Full review:.
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CHALLENGERS: the erotic thriller is back!. Sexy as hell, UNCUT GEMS-level stress, and a central trio whose complicated, messy, DRAMATIC relationship that defies easy analysis. Trent Reznor and Atticus Rossâ score brings the house down. Another Luca Guadagnino smash.
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#MadameWeb is totally fine. Thereâs really not a lot to say here. The leads are charming. Dakota Johnson is a witchy weirdo. The slasher/FINAL DESTINATION meets superheroes vibes are there. But thereâs just not a whole lot to it. Not a disaster. Just kinda there.
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CHALLENGERS is the kind of cinema that makes you feel alive. A sexy, stressful burst of energy that doubles as a showcase for the triple threat of Zendaya, Josh OâConnor, and Mike Faist. Read my 5/5 review via @DiscussingFilm:.
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#SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse tops the original in every conceivable way. Its eye popping animation, subversion of mythos, and huge heart make for something that feels downright revolutionary. Check out my review below.
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BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE is the proper kick off to summer movie season. BAD BOYS II level energy and mayhem? â
.Will and Martin banter in top form? â
.Adil and Bilall casually redefining the way Hollywood shoots action? â
. Review below: .
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âI SAW THE TV GLOWâ is a movie that rocked me to my core. Combining analog horror and the aching pain of self-actualization, this is a watershed moment in independent filmmaking that announces Jane Schoenbrun as a true auteur. Full review below.
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It is May 12, 2023. Vin Diesel has announced FAST X is no longer a two-parter but now a trilogy. It is May 12, 2025. Vin Diesel has announced FAST X is no longer a trilogy but now a quintet. It is May 12, 2027. Vin Diesel has announced FAST X is no longer a quintet but now-
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EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE is the kind of movie that reinvigorates my love of the movies. A killer multiverse hook is just the cherry on top of a delirious, hilarious, emotional, and UNIQUE experience. A perfect movie, through and through. #SXSW22
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Although it had aspects that were frustrating, #TheSuperMarioBrosMovie is a best case scenario situation. An eye-popping adventure crafted with love and wit, fans young and old will find something to enjoy. Check out my review!
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As light as it is on laughs, DEATH OF A UNICORN is a surprising success in the creature feature, JURASSIC PARK-style elements. My review for @DiscussingFilm:.
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2017: BLADE RUNNER 2049.2016: 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE.2015: MAD MAX: FURY ROAD.2014: GONE GIRL.2013: OBLIVION.2012: THE DARK KNIGHT RISES.2011: DRIVE.2010: THE SOCIAL NETWORK. A bit basic, but this is how I feel!
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KNUCKLES is a great time. A family-friendly alternative to the anarchic comedy stylings of fare like the TED series that will satiate fans and those looking for a fun new buddy comedy. Full review via @DiscussingFilm:.
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DOCTOR SLEEP is the BLADE RUNNER 2049 of horror sequels. Elegant, emotional, explosive- a triumph for both sequels and horror. I donât even know what to say other than that this is my favorite movie of 2019. A follow-up Kubrick and King fans will be fully satisfied by.
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I still think THE BRUTALIST is the best movie of 2024âŚ.
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LOVE LIES BLEEDING moves with infectiously harsh energy. Rose Glass is 2/2 with visceral genre benders. What a nasty, fun little thriller elevated by a committed Kristen Stewart and a supersonic Katy OâBrian. Full review below!.
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Yo just cause a movie does something you don't like doesn't mean you have the right to spread a major reveal all over the timeline days before its official release. Like even mutuals are doing this. Come on guys.
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While not all of it works for me, I have to applaud IMMACULATE for having an extremely ballsy reveal and an all-timer of an ending. Decent religious horror fare that thrives off a great score, actually excellent third act, and a ferocious turn from Sydney Sweeney.
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SMILE 2 hollows you out and crawls right into your skin. Parker Finn goes full auteur mode in this perfect sequel that thrives off of Naomi Scottâs powerhouse performance and a downright unsafe-feeling atmosphere. Review via @DiscussingFilm:.
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PREDATOR: BADLANDS sees the Predator crash land in a post-apocalyptic alien planet environment in the future. The twist? HE'S being hunted and must team up with a character played by Elle Fanning. Yeah this looks sick. No notes.
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GODZILLA x KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE is a heater. By far the strongest of the Monsterverse, the Kaiju action and characterization of our monsters takes center stage. A complete blast that gives you exactly what you came for and then some. Iâm over the moon.
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They're really erasing the end of LOGAN so Hugh Jackman can make epic chimichanga jokes with Ryan Reynolds. Nothing is sacred.
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Now this is what I'm talking about! #ScreamVI is a grand return to subversive form for the franchise, upping the gore, lore, and "core four". Radio Silence puts their own stamp on the franchise in a big way.
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#HouseofGucci is sexy, stylish, and totally ridiculous, which is totally the appeal. Talk about an overblown campy great time. Sceneryâs being chewed left and right, and I couldnât get enough. Youâd be hard pressed not to have a blast with this. Ridley Scott is 2 for 2 in 2021.
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Buoyed by a fantastic true story, the infectious #AIR is a showcase for an outstanding cast and an unqualified comeback for Ben Affleck the director. Expect this to be a huge hit! Full review below.
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âTRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTSâ is my least favorite of the live-action Transformers. Sporadically fun, it devolves into watching an unimaginative kid play with toys. That might work for some, but not for me. Review below.
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I had a ton of fun with Y2K. It works as a love letter to the era in which itâs set as well as a showcase for incredible young talent and an anarchic sense of humor. Kyle Mooney effectively translates his style of comedy to the big screen. Review below:.
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Miles Teller as Elvis is some pretty perfect casting if theyâre intending to go the dark (truthful) route with the movie and show him as a deeply flawed individual. TOTDY and WHIPLASH are proof of Tellerâs immense talent.
Austin Butler, Miles Teller, Harry Styles Eyed for Baz Luhrmann's 'Elvis Presley' Movie
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Guilty or not, there's no denying the pleasure of #FastX for the committed. It's an absurd romp that will serve as jumping then reversing backing over the shark for some, and one of its best entries for others. Consider me in the latter camp. Review below.
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#CivilWar is not interested in having a simple conversation. Alex Garlandâs finest hour instead chooses to focus on journalism, apathy and divisiveness in an @A24 production that shakes the ground beneath it. A critical work. Review via @DiscussingFilm:.
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Buoyed by its ensemble and a tremendous Zac Efron, THE IRON CLAW examines brotherhood and perseverance after loss. A gut-wrenching experience not to be missed. Full review below.
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Welp, my MAGAZINE DREAMS review is making the rounds again. The movieâsâŚuh⌠not great⌠but something you kinda just have to see to believe.
âMAGAZINE DREAMSâ, starring Jonathan Majors, releases on December 8 in theaters. Find out if it will be worth the watch:
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X and PEARL are not only great horror films, but interesting treatises on Hollywood and Authenticity. So of course I had to write about it for my friends @DiscussingFilm , as well as how MAXXXINE could bring the saga to a close. Check it out!.
Ti West shocked audiences this year with 'X' and 'PEARL'. Read how both films explore the evolution of horror and what to expect in 'MaXXXine':
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#SawX is easily the best entry into the series since SAW VI and the ultimate revitalization of these movies. Although it ditches the more soap opera elements for a personal story, that turns out to be the ultimate boon, humanizing John Kramer and bringing the most vicious traps.
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If you havenât heard of THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING yet, get ready to for the rest of the year. A completely surprising, unpredictable piece of Southern comfort that introduces the world to a new talent in the form of Angelina LookingGlass. My review:.
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âTHE EXORCIST: BELIEVERâ is another testament to the power of character-first storytelling. A deeply unsettling, then outright horrifying, look at how a community deals with the perversions of evil, David Gordon Green gives this his all. Review below.
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YOUR LUCKY DAY is not only a great showcase for the talents of the late Angus Cloud, itâs also a tense potboiler brimming with class consciousness. Review below.
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Seeing A DIFFERENT MAN and THE APPRENTICE back-to-back felt like witnessing the arrival of the next great actor, dead serious.
sebastian stan giving two of the best leading performances of the year i know thatâs right!!.
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DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES is a pleasant surprise! The occasional quip can derail things, but this a capital M Movie that successfully replicated the joy of the tabletop RPG with great style. Review below!
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Dramedies about estrangement are easy to come by. Jesse Eisenberg's outstanding sophomore directorial feature gets something really special out of it by relating that to generational guilt/trauma. A touching, earnest film. Full review below.
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Since TERRIFIER 3 has now hit theaters, many are wondering how many more weâll be getting. Damien Leone, in our conversation for @DiscussingFilm gives an idea of the road map for the TERRIFIER films going forward: likely 2 more, with shorter runtimes.
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Thereâs a prequel to Stephen Kingâs âPET SEMETARYâ streaming now. And folks, âPET SEMETARY: BLOODLINESâ is the rare follow-up to a King story that actually managers to enrich its original. Review below.
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In INFINITY POOL, Brandon Cronenberg fully establishes himself as a unique force in horror. His bitingly satirical, revolting, and deeply psychological disturbing third feature is unlike any movie youâve ever seen. Full review below!
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#ImAVirgo is bizarre in the type of delicious way only @BootsRiley can do. The wacky concept of a 13 foot tall teen is a gateway into some searing social commentary about race, class, capitalism, and superheroes. Need to see more but could even top SORRY TO BOTHER YOU! #SXSW
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Iâve been waiting for this day all of my writing career⌠as of today Iâm officially a @RottenTomatoes Tomatometer-approved critic!. Thank you to everyone whoâs read my ramblings and supported my work in any way. I couldnât be more in shock and happy to be here.
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Fear not, #TheToxicAvenger reboot is exactly as gross, irreverent, and punk rock as it can be. Peter Dinklage and Elijah Wood are among many giving their all in a midnight movie mish mash of zany bad taste that lives up to the originalâs Troma heritage.
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@AndrewJ626 thereâs nothing a voting body loves more than a movie for children that teaches them lessons they should already know.
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Getting to sit down and discuss PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH with the mad geniuses behind it was good enough, but the fact that they were so enthusiastic and open about their process made our conversation of 2023âs hottest animated feature a total blast!.
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#ImAVirgo is the grand return of @BootsRiley to narrative storytelling, bound to take television by storm with its endearing protagonist and sharp satire of classism and the superhero industrial complex. So much to discuss and even more to come.
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I had the privelege of speaking with SQUID GAME breakout Oh Young-Soo for @DiscussingFilm . The conversation was rewarding, entertaining, and may just include a couple tidbits about the upcoming season 2⌠check out below!.
#SquidGame Season 2 will have âmore dramaticâ games than what weâve seen before. What games would you like to see?. Read our interview with Oh Young-soo:
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It may have come out just this past weekend, but thereâs never a bad time to watch âTOTALLY KILLERâ, a totally lovable pastiche of sci-fi and slashers smothered in sweetness. Check out my review below!.
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#TheMatrixResurrections is two things: a giant middle finger to the state of IP-driven blockbusters and the proper MATRIX 4 we deserve. Dense, visually one-of-a-kind, heartfelt, going all in on the boldness of the sequels. No one does it like Lana Wachowski.
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@CultureElixir first half was brilliant! I saw flashes of what couldâve been HBOâs next hit đ.
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Not to be overdramatic but this may be the worst casting for anything ever. Danny DeVito was RIGHT THERE
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#Blackberry was a huge surprise for me. Matt Johnson brings his independent spirit to make what couldâve been a dry biopic into an infectious tech saga full of outstanding performances, particularly Glenn Howerton. Full review below!
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There is a lot to love in IMMACULATE. Unfortunately, despite a bonkers third act and a completely committed Sydney Sweeney, it fails to separate itself from the glut of religious horror movies. Full review below via @DiscussingFilm : .
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DEATH OF A UNICORN surprised me a bit! Starts off as a typical A24 satirical comedy before making a hard, wild turn into creature feature territory and topping it all off with a bit of earnestness. Will Poulter absolutely the MVP. Clearly a labor of love as well. #SXSW2025
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BETTER MAN is a touching story of the perils of fame, addiction, and not being right with oneself. Itâs also a musical where Robbie Williams is portrayed as a CGI monkey THE most convincing digital character Iâve ever seen. Utterly delightful. ELVIS (2022) level stuff.
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For those as enamored by âTHE IRON CLAWâ as I was, my chat with Harris Dickinson for @DiscussingFilm is a great insight into what it takes to play such a physically and emotionally demanding role. Check it out below.
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JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM is the only JURASSIC PARK movie since the original to do something fresh with the concept. Check out my analysis of why this imperfect, frequently brilliant franchise black sheep deserves its due.
Now that the #JurassicWorld series has fumbled to a disappointing conclusion, it's clear that 'FALLEN KINGDOM' is still the best of the trilogy. Find out why.
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