The Rip (2026)

 

Not the Ben and Matt reunion I was hoping for. The script wasn’t very good. Performances didn’t feel genuine. Yawning through the big finale. 

Rating: C-

Ballerina (2025)

 

Another surface level John Wick universe shoot-em-up. Little in the way of creative storytelling. Typical action movie tropes. Non-sensical plot devices. They make these girls study ballet for years, but never provide rational justification. It’s not like the boys are becoming licensed plumbers as part of their training.

Time is only a concept. Wick appears to be just up the road; able to hop on a 30 minute train ride to the big finale when called upon, despite the lair being a super-secret remote village. It’s lazy writing that most action films subscribe to. 

How terrible is this assassin cult at their job of assassinating if one fly weight ballerina can dispatch their entire village in one evening? 

Rating: D+

Silent Night (2023)

 

The movie is called Silent Night and the lead is “silent” after catching a bullet in the throat. I get the pun. But why does everyone else in the film have to be mute? It’s weird that his wife never talks to him. That she’s ok with him buying a Mustang, artillery, a really expensive camera, etc while she’s holding down a remedial job. Where is all that money coming from? 

John Woo leaves all these plot holes uncovered in pursuit of a big revenge finale that plays more like a MAGAtard’s wet dream. Karanan had no business signing onto this eyesore. 

Rating: F 

A Most Violent Year (2014)

It felt like the entire movie was building up to something big, which never arrived. A more interesting movie would have allowed for his wife to bring in her mobster family to set things right. Conflict in their marriage would have escalated as she took over wearing the big boy britches. Oh well.

Rating: C

Che (2008)

4 ½ hours is a lot of time to devote to watching a movie, but Che is well worth the time investment. Soderbergh and Del Toro do Che's story justice, creating a very unHollywood film, just the way Fidel and Che would have wanted it.

As you'll learn from the making-of doc, nothing was filmed that wasn't sourced from a true account. This film was 10 years in the making and is more a labor of love than a studio investment. I wonder if they were able to make their money back.

Performances are gritty and real. The life of a revolutionary isn't easy, and it shows on screen. Definitely an educational, as well as entertaining, piece of cinema.

Rating: B

Maria Full Of Grace (2004)

The first Columbian film I've ever seen, and a good one to start with. This film won the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival. It tells the story of a 17 year old girl who gets caught up in drug running into the US. It's really well done and the acting is great.

Rating: B-

Fast Food Nation (2006)

Picks up where Super Size Me left off and where Food Inc. continued, although not as good as either of those docs. Still, it makes you rethink your opinions of the fast food industry and immigration, the two main topics of the film. It was a bit dark, but I guess that's the point. It will leave you feeling depressed and second guessing that next trip to Mickey D's.

Rating: C