28 Years Later (2025)

 

After being blown away watching 28 Days Later at Sundance, I was excited to see Danny Boyle taking the reins again for this third installment. I expected it to be a similar tone and style, but he made some odd choices this time around. Some I liked, some I didn’t. 

Plenty of tense scenes and gore to keep your heart rate up. The film is almost completely devoid of humor, except for an unexpected bit in the middle. I wish they would have leaned into that more. Not as good as I had hoped. 

Rating: C+

The End We Start From (2023)

 

An interesting semi-post-apocalyptic premise that had some nice narrative flourishes. But like the city, the story got bogged down, with very little happening. I appreciate good dialogue and characters, but stuff needs to actually happen. It’s a shame they didn’t do more with it. 

Rating: C-

Free Guy (2021)

 

A background in playing video games will make this movie more fun, but it isn’t necessary. The writing and acting are good enough to make up for some of the references being lost on you. 

Visually and audibly, it’s fun to see on the big screen. Ryan Reynolds and Jodi Comer really elevated the material. Excellent facial expressions in this film. It was surprising how quickly I got pulled into this fake world and what happened there. Not an easy feat within the confines of 90 minutes. 

The script was funny. Bit characters pulled in some huge laughs. A lot of creative nerd/gaming culture Easter eggs are there to be enjoyed. 

Rating: B-