Avatar: Fire And Ash (2025)

 

That was a marathon to get through. I feel less connected to each Avatar film that comes out. The storytelling in this one felt tired. The characters aren’t as engaging. Monkey Boy was kind of annoying. I heard there might be two more coming. Don’t really care either way at this point. 

Rating: C

Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair (2004)

 

Nice to have a reason to revisit these films as a single feature, with deleted scenes added or improved. I originally rated them an “A”, and I won’t argue with myself over it, other than to say that nothing tops seeing them for the first time.

Heel (Good Boy) (2025)

 

I thought this was going to be a comedy for some reason. It absolutely is not. The film tackles the question of forced rehabilitation. The divide between good guys and bad guys is fluid. There’s some warmth to be found, but always with an undercurrent of tension. An intriguing British indie. 

Rating: C+

Freaks Out (2021)

 

I simply can’t fathom how a film like this gets made. The story and characters are bonkers, but everything is crafted so seriously that you can’t help buying into it. The cinematography is gorgeous. 

Mainetti is a wizard of a director. Not every choice he makes is genius, but it’s hard to turn away from the screen. One could describe this as circus freaks vs. Nazis, and you’d be right, but it’s so much more than that. You really have to see it to understand. I can’t wait to see Gabriele Mainetti’s next project.

Rating: B

Marty Supreme (2025)

 

This movie is a lot. It’s long. It’s tedious. It’s filled with characters who make poor choices. One could draw comparisons to John Safdie’s previous film, Uncut Gems, which I hated. 

Marty Supreme has some lighter moments that helped keep the viewer from complete despair. The ping pong action scenes are amazing. Timothee trained in the sport for 6-7 years in preparation for this role. Seems like CGI would have saved him a lot of trouble, but he’s a method actor. 

Rating: C

Air (2023)

 

Based on the true story of how Nike signed Michael Jordan and took over the athletic shoe market. It’s scrappy and fun. A much better pairing of Affleck and Damon than The Rip. 

Rating: C+