Coyote vs Acme

My View: Coyote vs. Acme  (2026)   PG  In Coyote vs. Acme, Coyote is tired of using Acme products that blow up in his face or hit him on the head when he is trying to catch the goofy Roadrunner. So he hires a lawyer and sues Acme for all the heartache they have caused over the years. He chooses Kevin Avery (Will Forte), who has never won more than 300 dollars from Acme, to take on Buddy Crane (John Cena), a big-shot lawyer who has never lost a case. When I was a kid, I loved cartoons. I lived for Saturday morning when all the new cartoons premiered, and I studied TV Guide as if I was going to have a big test on it. While I much preferred Bugs Bunny, I still enjoyed Road Runner and the Coyote. I loved the little poof that used to appear at the bottom of some failed attempt to catch the Road Runner, where the Coyote instead fell to the desert floor below the high cliffs he was always projecting himself off of. Well, I am happy to say that there are plenty of “poofs” in Coyote vs Acme, bringing back some fun times from my childhood. Will Forte does a magical job of making us care about a down-and-out lawyer whom The Coyote hires to take on the big-city lawyers representing Acme Manufacturing. It’s a funny idea, and I loved how, even when in the city and living in a hotel room, The Coyote is still putting together machines to hopefully capture the Road Runner or, at the very least, get himself out of bed. The film does a great job of paying homage to the cartoons of the past and brings back a few cartoon characters along the way. As a big fan of the legendary character voice man Mel Blanc, there were a couple of voices of characters that I didn’t think worked, but that’s a minor quibble for a film that was a heck of a lot of fun. Kids will have fun with the film and don’t worry about the PG rating, as I think it’s mostly because of the violence, something that all the Road Runner/Coyote cartoons had. After you see this film, you will have one question: Why, oh why, did Warner Brothers not want to release this film? I have no clue, but I am glad we got to see this film bring back wonderful memories of my childhood, sitting in front of the TV on a Saturday morning.  My Rating: Full Price  Coyote vs Acme Website  Now playing in theaters

My View: The Dog Stars  (2026)  R   The Dog Stars is set after a devastating pandemic that almost wiped out humanity. The film follows Hig (Jacob Elordi), a former pilot, and Bangley (Josh Brolin), a gun-toting former Marine, as they live on an abandoned air base, constantly on watch for roaming scavengers called Reapers. After hearing a mysterious radio voice, Hig flies his plane past the “safe zone” hoping to find a better life. I enjoyed this film, mostly because of the star power of the four leads in Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, and Guy Pearce. And wait until you see the scene-stealing Allison Janney in just a bonkers role. Because the film is directed by four-time Oscar-nominated Ridley Scott (Thelma & Louise, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, The Martian), I have a feeling many critics will not like this film as much as I did. The film has some problems, including a very weird section that feels out of place with the rest of the movie (hence the bonkers role that Janney plays). The film is about a man who is suffering from grief over the loss of his wife and his simple life. All that’s left is his faithful dog, who is his constant companion. Hig flies out every day to scout the surrounding area for danger, as survivors keep trying to raid the small airport that Hig and Bangley have made their home. But Hig really flies to find a place where things are more normal. Where people live without the constant threat of attack. Hig hears someone on his airplane radio trying to contact him, and he starts to believe there might be hope out there. The film has some firefights, but it is more about how people cope with isolation, grief, and loneliness through Hig's eyes. Josh Brolin steals every scene he is in, and I kept wondering if this part was too easy a role for him, because it certainly fit his personality. If you are looking for an action film, this might not fill your quota of action pieces, but for a film that lets its actors work together on screen to develop characters you care about, it fits the bill. The Dog Stars is no way a perfect film and won’t be nominated for many awards, but I enjoyed watching the cast's performances, especially Mr. Brolin. My Rating: Bargain Matinee  The Dog Stars Website   Now playing in theaters

Indiefest:  Idiots  (2026)  R  Idiots follows two down-on-their-luck men (Dave Franco and O’Shea Jackson Jr.) hired to transport a wealthy teenager (Mason Thames) to a rehab facility. What should have been a routine job goes wildly out of control as the road trip becomes a mixture of drugs, crime, and a series of detours that put the two men in touch with some people you don’t want to make mad. Idiots is a film you'll forget as soon as you leave the theater. And maybe that’s the way it should be about a film where everyone seems to get high. Idiots starts with a simple, promising premise but soon loses momentum it never recovers from. The script lets down a talented cast, including a very funny performance by Peter Dinklage as a menacing leader of a small-town gang. The film starts to fall apart in the second half, as things get a little too complicated for extended laughs. I also felt the film slowed down as soon as Kiernan Shipka, an exotic dancer who gets involved with the trio and brings some life to the 2nd act, left the guys before the last act evolved. Idiots isn’t a bad film; it just seems to have run out of ideas by the final third of the film. Kind of like Franco’s character, who keeps forgetting what he is doing. My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Idiots Website    Now playing in theaters

My View: Colony  (2026)  R  Colony is about a biotech conference in a Seoul high-rise, where a disgruntled former employee unleashes a fast-mutating, fungus-driven virus that creates zombies that are part of a hive that can adapt and communicate, allowing them to grow like an AI network. Inside the quarantined building, survivors become trapped in a high-stakes slaughterhouse.  Review will be up Friday night.  Colony Website   Now playing in theaters

Indiefest:  Buddy  (2026)  R  In Buddy, a group of children are trapped inside a 1990s-style children’s television show hosted by Buddy, a giant, bright-orange unicorn. Buddy doesn’t like it when they try to escape. Really doesn’t like it. Buddy is a very strange horror film that I wanted to like more, but it never delivers the scares and tries too hard to be gross. The look of the film at the start is spot on for that ‘Barney” knockoff look, with a mix of characters, from the giant stuffed animals like Buddy, to the talking household objects like a mailbox or a chair, to the human characters like a nurse or mailman. All are destined to die horrible deaths, but the film doesn’t make them scary or funny enough to make them stand out. Once the film leaves the kid-show setting, it loses whatever momentum it had. The novelty wears off about 30 minutes in, and it never strikes a chord between comedy and horror, making it a lesson not learned. As Buddy tells us, “It’s time for your hug”. No thanks, Buddy, I think I’ll pass. My Rating: Cable   Buddy Website  Now playing in theaters

Indiefest:  Finding Emily  (2026)  PG-13  Finding Emily follows 23-year-old Owen (Spike Fearn), a sound engineer at a student union who meets the girl of his dreams, Emily, and, before she disappears, gets her phone number. But the next morning, he discovers the number doesn’t work, and he sets out to find his Emily. Owen is about to go on a quest to find Emily, and with the help of another college student named Emily (Angourie Rice), he is about to become famous in his search for his Emily. What we know, and Owen doesn’t, is that the new Emily has an ulterior motive. To prove that love, as the movie quotes Freud, “is a state of temporary psychosis,” she is going to use Owen to prove her thesis. I am a sucker for rom-coms, and this hit the spot. Is it predictable? Sure. However, it does a nice job of making it a modern-day romance where all forms of our online culture both help and impede finding our true love, or at least our true infatuation. Spike Fearn and Angourie Rice are perfect together as the unlikely duo that teams up to find the forewarned Owen’s Emily. The two play off each other, which makes their attraction feel real and believable. The supporting cast, in true rom-com fashion, is a group of oddball characters, along with the hunky guy who our Emily is attracted to. We know how this is going to end, and it doesn’t disappoint, though I would have loved a bit more to the reveal that our Emily does (spoiler alert, though is it really?) to win Owen back. Be sure to stay through the credits for a song Owen sings that updates where all (and I mean all) the characters are now.  My Rating: Full Price  Finding Emily Website  Now playing in theaters

Indiefest:  Union County (2026)  Union County tells the story of Cody Parsons (Will Poulter), whom the county placed in a mandated drug court program during the opioid crisis in rural Ohio. The film follows Cody as he tries to put his life back together after years of being a drug addict. Cody’s foster brother, Jack (Noah Centineo), is also in the program, and the court hopes the two will support each other. Almost from the start, though, you can tell that Jack will be a bad influence, taking Cody to a party almost immediately after getting into the program. Jack drinks at the party, but Cody has a ray of hope when he meets Anna (Elise Kibler), a recovering addict, and they connect. This is a film where you cannot predict what will happen, except that the road to recovery is full of potholes. It’s how you deal with those potholes that can make the difference between failure and success. Will Poulter gives a multi-layered performance that touches your heart and soul, expressing almost every feeling through his expressions and body language. This is a film about how difficult it is to pull yourself up from the depths of drug addiction. Union County is both depressing and hopeful at the same time. Made even more real because New York-based filmmaker Adam Meeks, before he even knew he wanted to do this story, went to a meeting of an adult recovery program in Union County, Ohio. That meeting inspired the film, and over 40 of the cast are members or former members of the program, making this film even more heartfelt as we hear their stories. Union County uses real people and their views on life and addiction to help us understand their plight and how a program like this can make a difference. That use of lived experience, combined with Cody's fictional story, makes a lasting emotional impact.  My Rating: Full Price  Union County Website  Now playing in select theaters 

Forgotten Film: The Dead Girl  (2006) R  A woman (Toni Collette) finds a young woman dead in a field. The mystery of who killed the woman is told through five connected chapters, focusing on a different woman whose life changes after the body is found. The final chapter gives us the victim’s (Brittany Murphy) last day. The brilliant cast includes Rose Byrne, Marcia Gay Harden, Mary Beth Hurt, Kerry Washington, James Franco, Giovanni Ribisi, Josh Brolin, Mary Steenburgen, and Piper Laurie. It’s a fascinating way to look at a mystery, and as usual, Brittany Murphy’s performance will break your heart; it’s so good. Few people saw this film, but it was nominated for several Independent Spirit Awards. My Rating: Full Price The Dead Girl Website   Available on Amazon Prime and Tubi

Weird Credits:  From the credits of The Dog Stars:  Double Dog Handler

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You:   Onslaught  (2026)  R   Onslaught follows Celeste (Adria Arjona), an army veteran and single mother living in a trailer park. Celeste will have to use her sniper training when a rogue squad of genetically engineered soldiers escapes from a secret military facility and starts killing everyone in sight. Adria Arjona is best known for her roles in the 2015 season of True Detective, Hit Man (2023), and Andor.   Onslaught Website   In theaters nationwide on Friday, September 4, 2026

Until Next Time!

Tony

My View:  Tony  (2026)  R   In Tony, it’s 1975, and Anthony (Dominic Sessa) hasn’t gotten the writing fellowship he was counting on and has followed a girl from school that he has a crush on, Nancy (Emilia Jones), to the seaside town of Provincetown. With no money and no place to stay, he stumbles upon a restaurant and somehow convinces the chef/owner (Antonio Banderas) to give him a job and a place to stay. Oh, Anthony’s full name. Anthony Bourdain. And this summer will change his life and the culinary world. I am a big fan of the late Anthony Bourdain. I loved his book, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, and his travel shows. This is the origin story of how Anthony, or as he calls himself in the film, Tony, got his start in the kitchen. Right from the start, the film uses a quote to show Tony is a selfish, pompous asshole. That’s the reason this film works so well. It’s a film about a man lost in his own selfishness who encounters a group of people, most good, a few not so much, that help Tony find his way in life and how to be a better person. This is a magical performance by Dominic Sessa, who burst onto the scene in one of the best films of 2023, The Holdovers. Sessa captures Bourdain's personality, showing his wit but maybe not the wisdom he showed later in life. Sessa's chemistry with the cast is brilliant, especially in his scenes with Antonio Banderas and Emilia Jones. It’s hard to portray a person whom you don’t like, but Sessa can win us over and root for a guy that sometimes isn’t worth rooting for. It’s a raw story about a boy becoming the man that he is destined to become, all because of the love and support of a family of strange and wonderful people in a small coastal town. We get to see that by the end of the film, Tony is worthy of the name Anthony Bourdain, and we are all the better for it.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  Tony Website  Now playing in theaters

My View:  Mutiny  (2026)  R   Mutiny follows Cole Reed (Jason Statham), whose billionaire industrialist boss is murdered right in front of him, and Cole is set up to take the fall for the murder. Cole goes on the run and uncovers an international conspiracy. I usually have fun with Jason Statham films. The Bee Keeper was a blast to watch. But it's not good when a Steven Seagal film (Under Siege) does Die Hard on a ship better than your film. The problem is that we want Statham to bust some heads and break a lot of bones. Instead, for the most part, we get a Statham character who shoots a lot and fights a lot less. You don’t go to a Statham movie for its plot, and that’s part of the problem: it takes forever for the action scenes to happen. And can you guess what is in one of the shipping containers? I did. And the film has an ending so badly developed that I am pretty sure it was written in about 5 minutes on the back of a script rejection letter. I’ll keep going to Jason Statham films, but you really should miss this one. Book a train or a plane and skip this voyage on the choppy seas.  My Rating: Cable  Mutiny Website  Now playing in theaters

My View:  Insidious: Out of the Further  (2026)  PG-13  Insidious: Out of the Further is about Gemma (Amelia Eve), a young mother raising her daughter in the house where she grew up. Gemma discovers she can enter The Further and can bring back what lives there to the real world. Once demons realize she has this power, she becomes a target. The sixth installment of the Insidious series, and while the first one was great, I have a request. Please, please stop making these films. Having Lin Shaye show up as Elise Rainier for three minutes (ok, maybe six) doesn’t make this movie part of the series, just like having Stan Lee show up in Princess Diaries 2 doesn’t make it part of the Marvel Universe. The scares are minimal, although getting stuck in a couch fort has some merit, and some attempts at scares are just stupid (i.e., stuff taking place in a dentist chair). The plot was too easy to figure out, and the big reveal was one of those times when the audience goes “duh!” And don’t get me started on the ending. Gemma’s neighbors will not be too happy with her. I’d make a joke out of the Further part of the movie’s title, but this series just isn’t worth the effort. Note: There is a bonus scene after the first portion of credits.  My Rating:  You Would Have to Pay Me To See It Again    Insidious: Out of the Further Website Now in theaters

Familyfaire: The Magic Faraway Tree  (2026)   PG   The Magic Faraway Tree follows the Thompson family as they move from the city to the country, dreaming of starting a home-grown tomato sauce business. The kids soon discover a magical tree that leads to a group of eccentric inhabitants and a whole new world of fantasy lands. This is a highly enjoyable family film that leans heavily on whimsy and less on a structured plot. But that’s okay because we have a great time following the kids, especially Fran (Billie Gadsdon), who doesn’t talk and is withdrawn, unlike her older sister Beth (Delilah Bennett-Cardy), who hates the outdoors, and her younger brother Joe (Phoenix Laroche), whose entire world is gaming. The parents (Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy) are fulfilling the dream that they had long ago. Fran is the first to discover that the woods contain magical worlds where you can visit places where candy is plentiful, or wishes are granted. This film is best suited for a younger audience, who will find the antics of the magical tree's inhabitants funny and colorful. The film isn’t Willy Wonka, but it’s not meant to be. It’s a fun, joyful trip to a magical place where kids can turn off their phones and join in, exploring a world made for having a great time. My Rating: Bargain Matinee  The Magic Faraway Tree Website Now playing in theaters

Indiefest:  It Ends  (2025)  R    In It Ends, four friends, out of a late-night drive, discover that the road they are on has turned into a never-ending two-lane ride to hell, where they are surrounded by untold horrors and a drive that may never end. We all know that road trips can mess up even the closest of relationships. What if you were stuck in a car forever? Where if you stopped, bad things would happen, and the road you are on never ends? How would you handle it, and how long before you would give up? That is the premise of this film, which I found completely frustrating to watch. It’s an interesting idea, but I kept thinking it would make a great short film (I saw it at the Atlanta Film Festival), but there isn’t enough story to sustain it as a feature. The film is part horror film, but the scares are few and far between. It’s more a character study of four friends and how each one handles the idea that they will never get off this road or get home. In the end, I didn’t care who would be left or whether they would keep going or give up. I kept hoping they would run out of gas, but only the plot did that.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  It Ends Website Now playing in theaters

Indiefest:  Late Fame  (2025)   Late Fame follows Ed Saxberger (Willem Dafoe), a New York mailroom worker whose once-forgotten poetry is suddenly discovered and revered. Ed is invited to meet a group of young creatives, The Enthusiasm Society, including actress Gloria (Greta Lee). This is a movie that, because of the cast, should be better than it is. However, the film feels like it has a story worth telling but just can’t find it. And yes, any film with Willem Dafoe in the lead is still a film worth watching, but I never felt fully invested in the film, knowing how it was going to pan out, and I was right. Greta Lee is fun as the actress who winds men around her little finger, including Ed, but we know from the first meeting that Ed will get infatuated with her, and it will not end well. I could see from the start that the friendship Ed makes with the Enthusiasm Society will be a letdown at some point. Late Fame is a story of how fleeting fame can be and how even the smallest spotlight can light that flame again. Unfortunately for us, that spotlight isn’t bright enough for us to care. My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Late Fame Website   Now playing in select theaters

Indiefest:  Hot Spot  (2026)  R  Hot Spot is set in the near future, where a sentient A.I. rules society. Jan 623 (Andrzej Konopka) is an investigator sent to solve a murder in a refugee camp. He discovers a rebel group led by Rana (Noomi Rapace) that is plotting to overthrow the digital overlord. The more Jan 623 investigates, the more his identity unravels, and his world soon falls apart. This is one of those films where I walked out of the theater going, “What the heck did I just see?” I have no clue what the plot is beyond the first fifteen minutes, and even then, it’s pretty murky. Everyone is hooked up to a sentient A.I., which allows you to talk to people without a phone, and get this, you see executions of rule breakers in the collective hive mind. Fun stuff. I guess it’s a mystery, but I have no clue if that's really right. I’m just guessing because our “hero” is sent to investigate a murder, but I don’t think he ever solves it, or does he? Noomi Rapace is wasted as a leader of a rebellion group, and she seems to have a connection with Jan 623, but over what, I don’t know. As the film goes along, it just gets weirder and weirder, and that’s saying a lot when we see the family pet in the first fifteen minutes that is some kind of giant grub that apparently has teeth. In the theater I saw it in, two people walked out after about 20 minutes, and we hadn’t gotten to the really strange parts. People die, Jan 623 keeps having visions, and Noomi’s character enjoys wearing a veil that covers half her face. Other than that, I’ve got nothing, other than this movie is just out and out weird for weirdness’ sake. I don’t think you will be singing the song that comes at the end of the film as you walk out of the theater wondering, ‘What the heck did I just see?'  My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again  Hot Spot Website  Now playing in select theaters 

Forgotten Film:  Train to Busan  (2016) R   A divorced father (Gong Yoo), more interested in his job than his young daughter (Kim Su-an), takes the morning train to Busan to take her to live with her mother. Unbeknownst to them, a virus has broken out, creating zombies, and one is now on their very train. It’s a journey that may never reach its destination. This is one of the greatest zombie films ever made, and it’s a thrill ride that never lets up once we get on the train. This film contains some of the scariest scenes I have ever seen. What I love about this film is the cast of characters, from the high school baseball team to the evil executive to the couple that is going to have a baby; we have a range of people on the train that we get to know and love (except for the evil executive), wanting them to survive this train of horrors. The zombies are scary, and the choreography of their attacks is mind-blowing. There is a scene near the end of the film that you won’t believe how scary and brilliant it is. The ending delivers a perfect callback to an earlier scene. So get a ticket and hop aboard. Don’t get too comfortable in your seat because it’s going to be a bit bumpy.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  Train to Busan 10th Anniversary Website  The film is celebrating its 10th anniversary and is in theaters.    

Weird Credits: From the credits of The Magic Faraway Tree:  Angry Pixie Stunt Double

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You:  The Dog Stars  (2026)  R   The Dog Stars is set after a devastating pandemic that almost wiped out humanity. The film follows Hig (Jacob Elordi), a former pilot, and Bangley (Josh Brolin), a gun-toting former Marine, as they live on an abandoned air base, constantly on watch for roaming scavengers called Reapers. After hearing a mysterious radio voice, Hig flies his plane past the “safe zone” hoping to find a better life.The film is based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Peter Heller.  The Dog Stars Website  In theaters on Friday, August 28, 2026.

Until Next Time!

The End of Oak Street

My View:  The End of Oak Street  (2026)  PG-13  In The End of Oak Street, the Platt family must band together after a mysterious event rips their ordinary street out of its location and transports it back in time. The family must stick together because some enormous animals are roaming the neighborhood, called dinosaurs. This is a movie that I call “just stupid fun.” Now you want to leave your thinking brain at the door, see it with an audience so you can react with the crowd at all the dino kills (and there are a ton of them), and just have a good time. The film is based on an incredibly flimsy plot, a family dynamic that doesn’t always work, and some just God-awful dialogue. However, it has dinosaurs attacking anything that moves and in very brutal ways. It, in the Spielberg tradition, has stupid kids that somehow stay alive against the odds and a cast of supporting characters that you can’t wait to see get chomped by a dinosaur or two. I had to overlook the dynamic of the parents, played by Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor, who fight and bicker through a good two-thirds of the movie. And it has an ending so full of holes you could fit a whole slew of T-Rexes in it. Still, I had fun watching the film, but try to forget about it as soon as you leave the theater, or you might start not to like it. And by the way, watch where you step while on Oak Street; the dinos apparently crap a lot. A bit of a warning for families: the kills are pretty brutal, and there is a scene between two amorous dinosaurs that may take some explaining to young ones.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee  The End of Oak Street Website  Now playing in theaters nationwide

My View:  Don’t Say Good Luck  (2026)  PG-13   Don’t Say Good Luck follows 15-year-old Sophie Birenbaum (Sunny Sandler), who gets the role of a lifetime, the lead in her high school’s production of the musical Waitress. Just as Sophie has hit the spotlight, she finds out that her mother’s (Melanie Lynskey) cancer has returned. The film gets high marks right off the bat because Sophie’s life revolves around her landing the lead in Waitress, one of my favorite Broadway musicals. Add in the always-fascinating Melanie Lynskey as the loving mother of three whose life is being upended, and you have a movie worth watching. Lynskey portrays a parent who has to weigh the heavy burden of knowing her daughter is not well against the constant teen angst of her daughter, who has a crush on the boy playing her co-lead in the musical and doesn’t have the confidence to handle the role or the crush. Sunny Sandler has worked her way up to become a solid actress and is perfect in the role of a girl who might be a little too young for what she is going through, but will figure out by the end of the film that she can handle it with a little help from her family and friends. And yes, the show-stopping song from the musical, Sara Bareilles' She Used to Be Mine, is left for the end of the film, and Sandler knocks it out of the park for an ending that hits all the right notes. So get out some tissues and get ready for a few tears along the way as we follow Sophie as she navigates a time she will never forget.  My Rating: Full Price   Don't Say Good Luck Website  Now playing on the Netflix platform

Indiefest:  Olmo  (2025)  Olmo follows a 14-year-old boy named Olmo (Aivan Uttapa) who is constantly saddled with caring for his bedridden father, Nestor (Gustavo Sánchez Parra), by his mother and sister. When Olmo is invited to a party by the cute girl in the neighborhood, he has to figure out a way that he can leave his father behind in the house as he attends the party. This is a fine coming-of-age film about a teen who feels overwhelmed by having to take care of a father who he thinks doesn’t care about him, all the while wanting to be next to the girl of his dreams. Olmo is a typical teen who is a little selfish and makes bad decisions, as teens often do. The problem is that he is given the task of taking care of his father, and everything he tries to do to get someone else to take care of his father falls through. Writer/director Fernando Eimbcke does a masterful job of letting us into the family's dynamics, with a mother who must be the breadwinner while relying on her two teenage children to care for their father when she is away. And both kids have issues with their father, who isn’t an easy person to be around, while also depending totally on others even to change his shirt or go to the bathroom. This is a beautiful film about family and how responsibility can be overpowering, especially when you are a teen who is controlled more by his desires than by his brain.  My Rating: Full Price  Olmo Website  Now playing in select theaters

Indiefest:  Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma  (2026)   R  Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma follows Kris (Hannah Eindbinder), an ambitious indie filmmaker who is hired to reboot the long-running slasher franchise Camp Miasma, which features a killer named Little Death. Wanting her film to be authentic, Kris tracks down Billy (Gillian Anderson), an actress from the original 1970s film, who lives at the rustic campsite where Camp Miasma was filmed. Kris does not know what she has gotten herself into. There has been some talk about how films are cutting sex out of their movies because audiences don’t want it. Well, filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun says “hold my beer!” and gives us a film where sex becomes one of the main elements. As with her earlier film I Saw the TV Glow, Teenage Sex and Death starts fairly conventional, but as it goes along, it gets weirder and weirder. Though an early sign of what we are in for is Kris’s navigation system sending her down a road that doesn’t seem to exist, and there are times when the shots of the scenery seem right out of an illustration. This film is a hodgepodge of genres. It’s an homage to the slasher films of the 70s/80s like Friday the 13th, with flashback scenes from the first Camp Miasma film that fit the 70s slasher films look and feel, along with the blatant teen sex scenes where bad things happen when someone gets romantic. But this is also a satire of Hollywood's search for the next big thing, rebooting old film series with new filmmakers. And we get a relationship film between Kris, who admits that she hasn’t enjoyed sex in a long time, and Billy, who forces Kris to investigate why. This film was a bit hit-and-miss for me. I loved the performances of both Hannah Einbinder as the uptight, full-of-herself filmmaker who falls under Billy’s spell and Gillian Anderson, who radiates sexual chemistry with just a look and a quick laugh. I loved all the flashbacks to the 70s films, which capture the absurdity of those slasher films in all their bloody glory. However, the film gets a little too weird for me to fully enjoy the outcome (though I loved the final scene), and it doesn’t quite work at the dramatic level it aspires to. Still, it’s a film worthy of watching, especially for slasher film fans and for the brilliance of Gillian Anderson.   My Rating : Bargain Matinee Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma Website Now playing in theaters

Indiefest: The Wrong Girls  (2026)  R  The Wrong Girls follows best friends Frankie (Kristen Stewart) and Molly (Alia Shawkat), who live paycheck to paycheck while getting high as much as possible. The two accidentally gain telepathic powers after taking an experimental drug, and things go downhill from there. This stoner comedy never got going for me, almost from the start. Frankie and Molly's solution to everything is to light one up, no matter what obstacle is in their way. The script tries too hard to make everything funny, and we never get a chance to catch our breath (mostly because of all the pot smoke) to get to know the characters. The plot is so half-baked (pun intended) that I think the writers got into the girls’ stash before the outline was done. Trying to explain the plot is too much for me to handle, but the two get some sort of weird drug that gives them powers to hear each other’s thoughts and also hear what their two beloved cats are thinking. The cats, voiced by Seth Rogen and Kumail Nanjiani, constantly commenting on their owners, were the only times I laughed during the film. Dylan Meyer directs the film, and the supporting cast includes several brilliant comedians who are wasted and have almost nothing to do but look puzzled at everything our blitzed-out duo has to say. I guess I should have smoked one before I got to the theater like the guy in front of me must have done, because he laughed at almost every line in the film.  My Rating: Cable  The Wrong Girls Website   Now playing in theaters 

Indiefest:  The Rivals of Amziah King  (2025)  R    The Rivals of Amziah King is about a beekeeper and musician, Amziah King (Matthew McConaughey), who runs his honey empire in the backwoods of Oklahoma. His estranged foster daughter, Kateri (Angelina LookingGlass), returns after many years and learns the business under his tutelage. Ruthless rivals will threaten that business; Kateri will have to draw on all her strength to protect what Amziah has built. Matthew McConaughey is a force of nature as Amziah, a man who loves his life, his music, his bees, and his vast group of friends. McConaughey is perfect as a man full of love, expressing it through his music and philosophy. As soon as he recognizes Kateri, one of his former foster children, he invites her back into his world with open arms, wanting to share with her the world as he sees it, and of course, his bees. This is one of those performances only McConaughey can pull off. Newcomer Angelina LookingGlass matches him in a dazzling performance in her first feature-film role. LookingGlass keeps up with McConaughey as the wide-eyed, fast-learning Kateri, who loves soaking up Amziah’s knowledge about bees and how their world mirrors ours. This is a strange mix of genres: part coming-of-age film, part revenge film, with a lot of music that brings you joy every time you hear Amziah and his friends perform. The first half is a fast, joyous ride with a group led by the dynamic Amziah. Then the plot turns, and things get very serious, but it never forgets about what happened in the first half. This is a wild ride with plenty of twists and turns, filled with a bluegrass/folk blend of music that will make you want to stay to the end. It’s a film about a group of people filled with hearts of gold who work together to right a wrong. And that gold might come from a bunch of Amziah’s bees. My Rating: Full Price  The Rival of Amziah King Website  Now playing in theaters 

Forgotten Film:  In the Mouth of Madness  (1994)  R  A famous horror writer’s books are causing the readers to literally lose their minds, as the best-selling book is causing widespread schizophrenia. The writer, Sutter Cane, has gone missing, and the publisher, needing the next book to satisfy the writer’s crazed fans, hires an investigator, John Trent (Sam Neil), to find the writer. Trent is joined by the writer’s editor (Julie Carmen), and they end up in the New England town where Cane’s books are all set. This is a fun horror film that plays on the Stephen King-like author whose work is far more evil than anyone thought. Directed by horror master John Carpenter, has some truly scary moments, and it’s always fun to watch the late Sam Neil work on screen. Watching this film might make you hesitate to read the next horror book by Mr. King or any of your other horror writers.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee  In the Mouth of Madness Info  The film is available on most streaming services

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma: Lead Environment Artist

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You:  Never Stop Chasing  (2026)   Never Stop Chasing is a documentary that follows the career of legendary storm chaser Reed Timmer as he pursues the world’s most dangerous tornadoes with friends and colleagues for the past 20 years. The film is a rollercoaster ride about a job that Timmer loves, but at a price. Reed Timmer was the inspiration for Glen Powell’s character Tyler Owens in the 2024 film Twisters.  Never Stop Chasing Website  The film comes out in select theaters on Friday, August 21, 2026

Until Next Time!

One Night Only

My Take: One Night Only  (2026)  R   In One Night Only, Owen (Callum Turner), who has been recently dumped, and Allie (Monica Barbaro), a young woman who wants to finally meet someone, keep crossing paths on a chaotic night when love is in the air. So when I saw the trailer for this film, I thought it was set on Valentine’s Day. Nope, it takes place in an alternate timeline where extramarital sex has been outlawed. Everyone gets a chip that lets the government know when you have sex, and get this, if you don’t wear a condom. The government has set aside one night (a full twelve hours) for everyone to have sex out of wedlock. What makes this film fun is that the filmmakers do a good job of setting up the premise and letting the hijinks begin. I loved that Allie is a singer who sings those TV jingles for all sorts of products. Her best friend abandons her on the night, and Allie sets off on her own to find someone worthy of having sex with. Owen, on the other hand, has picked this night to propose to his longtime girlfriend (played by Maya Hawke), but she has plans of her own. So after Allie and Owen have a not-so-cute meetup, they keep encountering each other throughout the night, even when it seems they have found other people to have sex with. We know better, and that’s part of the fun of this rom-com: watching the two keep meeting throughout the night. Turner and Barbaro have amazing chemistry and play off each other extremely well. They throw barbs at each other with dexterity and abandon. Adding to the fun is Molly Ringwald, who plays Owen’s mother. LaVar Burton appears as her amorous lover who kicks Owen out so that they can join in on the night’s activities. Before leaving, both give Owen some romantic advice on how his night should go. This is a fun, silly rom-com with two beautiful actors who clearly enjoy the roles. We can’t help but root for Allie and Owen to end up together. But will they figure out they are meant to be together in time to have sex? You will have to go on the adventure with them to find out.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee  One Night Only Website  Now playing in theaters

My View:  The Last House  (2026)  PG-13  In The Last House, a family of four finds themselves suddenly sealed inside their home with no way out. They will have to band together to survive, with their resources dwindling and a mysterious, looming threat responsible for their entrapment. The Last House takes forever to get going, giving us what seems like a typical TV drama you would see on cable, with some money troubles and a teen son who is starting to rebel against his parents. I had a few COVID flashbacks, including saying hello to people at a distance (they communicate with their neighbors with writing boards), but it takes a long time for there to be any scares. The film, almost from the start, gives us clues to what is going on, but it takes forever for anything to happen beyond the kids complaining about not having enough to eat or not being understood. When the external threat finally appears, it's underwhelming, and the family suddenly becomes action heroes (all thanks to the father’s workout regimen). The inconsistent CGI and choppy action sequences don’t help make the film work. At least we don’t have to wait for next week’s episode, where the littlest one gets a crush on her teacher. Just a warning. There are a number of animal deaths in this film and all are caused by humans.    My Rating: Cable    The Last House Website Now playing on the Netflix platform

My View:  Ice Cream Man  (2026)  R  Ice Cream Man is set in a small suburban town that descends into madness when a creepy, smiling ice cream vendor (Ari Miller) comes to town and serves ice cream to children that turn them into homicidal maniacs. Ice Cream Man, directed by one of the genre’s big names, Eli Roth, doesn’t deliver more than lots of blood and guts without any thought. The kills by the kids become tedious, and the plot, when explained why it’s happening, is just downright boring. I guess some of the kids' kills are funny, but is this a horror film or a comedy? I say neither, as it’s not funny or scary. The dialogue gets worse as the quips keep coming, and some of the acting is right out of a bad 50s horror movie. Add in the fact that director/writer Roth has admitted that he used generative AI for the black-and-white, Fleischer Studios-style cartoons that hypnotize children in the film. And this is a horror film to avoid, unless you are a die-hard Eli Roth fan and even then you might not enjoy it. I have no idea what point Roth wanted to make with this film other than that kids love ice cream and killing adults. There is a very small bonus scene at the end of all the credits of the film.  My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again  Ice Cream Man Website   Now playing in theaters

Indiefest:  The Samurai and the Prisoner  (2026)   The Samurai and the Prisoner takes place inside Arioka Castle, where a samurai, Lord Araki Murashige (Masahiro Motoki), has barricaded himself after rebelling against his lord. As the siege by the lord wears on, a brutal murder occurs within the castle. In response, Araki turns to a man he has imprisoned in his dungeon, Kuroda Kanbei (Masaki Suda), to solve the crime. This is about a man playing the long game to overthrow a ruthless warlord, with a plan that involves winning without killing. This is a man who thinks that he can not only tempt fate, but he can defeat it. The problem is that people die in mysterious ways, and Lord Murashige must use a prisoner to help figure out who is doing the killing and why. Murashige soon learns that Kanbei is not only smart but is wise in the ways of politics, and so Murashige trusts the man with all his secrets. This is a fascinating film that combines political intrigue with a whodunit, slowly allowing us and the Lord to figure out the motive for the murders and who was behind them. The Samurai and the Prisoner is a film that requires a lot of concentration from the viewer to keep up with all the plot twists. With beautiful cinematography and remarkable costumes, the film requires attentive viewing; you will miss a clue or two if you don't. While there are some battle sequences for samurai action fans, the focus remains on the characters’ attempts to unravel the murders. This unique period piece keeps you guessing until the last sword is drawn and the last conversation over tea is finished. My Rating: Full Price   The Samurai and the Prisoner Website The film is in select theaters 

Indiefest: Cookie Queens  (2026) G  Cookie Queens is a documentary that follows four young Girl Scouts as they navigate the high-pressure, million-dollar business of Girl Scout cookie-selling season. Be prepared to fall in love with four girls, from vastly different backgrounds, who all want to hit their goals and win prizes. You have Olive, the record-setting Girl Scout who sells her cookies online with commercials that she shoots with her dad. Nikki, who is following in her sister's award-winning footsteps, with a family that orders over 18,000 dollar’s worth of cookies. And her opposite, Shannon Elizabeth, whose parents constantly worry about taking a financial hit if she can’t sell her cookies. And then there is little Ara, a five-year-old diabetic who takes Pilates classes so she can pull her wagon full of cookies through the neighborhood and sell the 55 boxes she has set as her goal. We see how hard the girls work, the pressure that they and their families are under to succeed, and how some of the girls are just born show-stopping sellers. What makes this film such a blast to watch is that it lets us see that all four girls are fun, funny, and just nice little girls with a dream. A dream to sell enough cookies to go on a camping trip, or to Europe, or just to get a pin that they can wear. And I have a feeling, after seeing this lovely, terrific documentary, you won’t pass by a Girl Scout selling her cookies outside your grocery store without stopping to get the sales pitch for a box or two… okay. Maybe three. My Rating: Full Price  Cookie Queens Website  Now playing in theaters

Forgotten Film:  Best Worst Movie  (2009)  Documentary on the making of Troll 2, considered one of the worst movies of all time, the cast of characters that made the movie, and the fans who, for the past 35 years, have made the film into a beloved cult classic. Back in 1986, a cheesy horror film called Troll was made. It was a modest success, best known for its stop-motion effects and weird, bad-guy trolls. For some reason, Troll 2 was then made by an Italian filmmaker, Claudio Fragasso, and his wife, and it made almost no sense and had very little to do with the original Troll movie. It doesn’t help that Claudio didn’t speak English, and his wife wasn’t the greatest scriptwriter. The film was barely released, but through the magic of a few old VHS tapes that traveled throughout the country, a fandom started reveling in the weirdness and downright horrible filmmaking. This documentary explores how the film came about and the band of somewhat strange cast and crew that made the film what it is. The documentary is a joy to watch, especially for highlighting the small-town dentist who was one of the stars of the film and revels in the newfound stardom it has created.  My View:  Full Price  Best Worst Movie Info  Available on most streaming services

Weird Credits: From the credits of One Night Only:  Shooting Medic

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You:   Don’t Say Good Luck  (2026)  PG-13   Don’t Say Good Luck follows 15-year-old Sophie Birenbaum (Sunny Sandler), who gets the role of a lifetime, the lead in her high school’s production of the musical Waitress. Just as Sophie has hit the spotlight, she finds out that her mother’s (Melanie Lynskey) cancer has returned. The all-star cast includes Steve Buscemi, Bebe Neuwirth, Max Greenfield, Jack Champion, Jon Lovitz, and Stephanie Beatriz.  Don't Say Good Luck Website  Premiering on Netflix on Friday, August 14, 2026

Until Next Time!