The Long Walk

My View:  The Long Walk  (2025) R   The Long Walk is set in the near future, as a group of teenage boys compete in the annual contest known as “The Long Walk.” The winner is awarded whatever he wants for the rest of his life. The game is simple; maintain a pace of three miles per hour or you’re out - permanently.This film is incredibly difficult to watch. Bleak and heartbreaking, The Long Walk tells a story of desperation and how friendships can develop even when the world is falling apart, providing hope when it seems there is none. The two main characters on the walk are Raymond, #47, portrayed by Cooper Hoffman, and Peter, #23, portrayed by David Jonsson, who, to keep each other going, strike up a friendship and slowly learn about each other’s lives. Through their conversations, we learn why each boy is doing the walk and what they hope to gain from winning. The Long Walk, written by Stephen King during the height of the Vietnam War, is a bleak film that, despite being set in the late 1960s, still holds significant meaning and relevance to the issues facing our society today. As the film progresses, the stakes become higher, as boys are killed for not being able to keep up with the pace.This is a horror film in the sense of impending doom that can strike at any moment and often does, sometimes in shocking ways. Hoffman, showcasing his growth as a powerful and nuanced actor much like his late father, is the center of the film. His character, Raymond, tries to play peacemaker at the start and is willing to risk his own life to help others keep going. Raymond has a winning way about him that makes others want to be around him. However, as the grim task becomes harder as boys Raymond has gotten to know have fallen, he seems to take each death harder and harder. David Jonsson portrays Peter as a boy who has had a horrible life and is willing to go the distance to have a chance at a better one. Peter serves as the perfect companion for Raymond, always being the stronger one who keeps his and Raymond’s focus on the task ahead and not on what has happened in the past. I will warn you that this is a brutal watch and does not pull any punches in showing the violence. Watching this film can be challenging, especially in the last 30 minutes when you have become attached and vested in the characters, all of which, except one, are going to die. The Long Walk explores the themes of despair, loss of faith, and brutality, but it’s also tells a story about friendship, love, and family, even if it is fleeting. The Long Walk is one of the best films of the year, bolstered by performances from two brilliant actors who make us fall in love with their characters, even though we know that this love will be short-lived.  My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again  The Long Walk Website  Now playing in theaters nationwide. 

My View: Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale  (2025  PG  In Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the household is on the brink of social disgrace with Mary (Michelle Dockery) in the middle of a very public divorce and the family facing financial ruin. The Crawleys will have to embrace change if Downton Abbey is to survive. While I did not watch the TV series, I have enjoyed my time with the Crawley family and their servants in the three films, including this one. I thought the first film, Downton Abbey (2019), did a brilliant job of letting fans of the series continue with the family, while letting us ‘newbies’ understand the dynamics of the family and who everyone was. I felt the 2nd film was a little too simple in its plot, but I am happy to say that this third and final (sniff) film in the series is a wonderful goodbye to the family (which I include with the servants) that we have all come to love. The film is filled with various plot-lines, including a scandal, the potential downfall of the family’s fortune, and the retirements of longtime servants. Throughout the story, we also experience a royal ball, a day at the races, a county fair, and a visit from a legendary writer, all of which keep us entertained.  What I loved is that we get to see the growth of the characters and how they have evolved over the years, though some continue to make a mistake or two along the way. For fans of the series and the movies, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is an enjoyable sendoff and lets us take our time saying goodbye to characters that we have grown to love.  My Rating: Full Price  Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Website  Now playing in theaters. 

My View:  Spinal Tap II: The End Continues  (2025) R  In Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, the band reunites after 15 years for one final concert, and documentary filmmaker Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) is there to document it all. Will the band survive the rehearsal, let alone the concert? Rob Reiner brought us the hilarious mockumentary This is Spinal Tap back in 1984. While not a hit at upon its initial release, when the home video version hit the market, it found an audience, and a classic was born. The film introduced a pseudo-documentary style that was later used to great success in TV shows like The Office and Modern Family. Now, 40 years after that film, Reiner is back, giving us a glimpse into what the band members are up to, and it’s not much. Their endeavors include running a combination cheese and guitar shop, managing a glue museum, and creating hold music. I had fun watching the guys being idiots once again. There are some fantastic running gags and lots of cameos that allow us to revisit a few friends from the past. Of the new cameos, the extensive scenes with Paul McCartney and Elton John are particuarly enjoyable as both preform with the band. Still, the film overextends its welcome, even with the slim run time of eighty-three minutes. The subplot of a feud between Nigel (Christopher Guest) and David (Michael McKean) goes on way too long without a decent payoff. I also grew tired of Simon (Chris Addison), a concert promoter who can’t process music and seems to hate everything that the Tap boys stand for. That said, I did laugh quite a bit, and it was enjoyable seeing the band in all its glory during the reunion concert (the venue became available because a Stormy Daniels event fell through).  I believe that fans of the first film will have a good time with this sequel, but I wonder if those who haven't seen the original will find it as funny. It's unfortunate because the band could use the work, but perhaps a cruise ship gig will come their way. My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Spinal Tap II Website  Now playing in theaters.

My View:  Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity Castle  (2025)  R Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity Castle follows the Demon Slayer Corps as they launch an assault on Muzan’s Infinity Castle, the headquarters of the demon king. The slayers face off against the Upper Rank Demons and Muzan himself, striving to finally bring an end to the centuries-long battle. Unless you follow the TV series, have seen the other films (6, I think), or have read the manga series, you will be lost like I was (having never seen any of it). The film starts as one of our heroes is trying to run through the castle to find the head demon, someone named Muzan. It’s called a castle, but it seems like some sort of always-changing multi-dimensional maze to me. There are a bunch of other Demon Slayer Corps members also trying to find and kill Muzan, but they keep finding other demons to slay. Apparently, the demons are on some sort of ranking system, and some are harder to kill than others. There are a lot of Demon Slayers, and I had a hard time keeping up with who was who and who they were battling. All I know is that this film was 2 hours and forty-five minutes of Demon Slayers running (lots and lots of running), demons talking a lot, and some battles where no one seemed to win. To say I was confused and lost would be an understatement, though the crowd I saw it with was enthusiastic about the battle sequences and sad when a Demon Slayer died or passed out. I did enjoy the origin arc of a demon named Akaza, which reminded me a lot of some of the ‘50s/’60s samurai movies I have seen. The film ended on a cliffhanger, with a couple of our heroes passed out because of a battle, and Muzan bragging that he would never be defeated.The film feels like it tried to cram too much into the plot, with too many characters to keep up with and a main villain who talks a lot. Demon Slayer: Infinite Castle attempts to play on our emotions, but without the knowledge of the series backstory, those scenes felt hollow to an uninitiated filmgoer like me. Fans of the series will have fun with the battles, but for someone new to this series, it seemed like a lot of story with little outcome. Being thrown directly into the action without understanding the characters or the reasons for their conflict was quite challenging for me as an outsider. There will be two more of these films to complete the battle between the Demon Slayer Corps and Muzan. I have a headache just thinking about it.  My Rating: Cable  Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Website  Now playing in theaters

My View:  The Wrong Paris  (2025)  The Wrong Paris tells the story of Dawn (Miranda Cosgrove), who has been accepted to a Parisian cooking school but doesn’t have the money to fly there. To cover her expenses, Dawn enters a dating contest to win the heart of a bachelor (Pierson Fode), a contest that takes place in Paris. Unfortunately, the contest is in Paris, Texas. I like Miranda Cosgrove, primarily due to her starring in iCarly, but this lackluster rom-com never takes off. The first 20 minutes are promising, when we see Dawn on her grandmother's farm, and there is a chance encounter with Trey at a country dance bar. Had that storyline had continued, I would have enjoyed it, but we were soon off to Paris, Texas (which is in the northeast corner of the state above Dallas). The Wrong Paris could have been a humorous take on the romantic contests that occur seemingly every few months on TV and streaming, giving us an inside look at how they manipulate everything. Instead, the film relies on slapstick comedy that is never funny and misses the mark. The romance between Trey and Dawn seems forced, and we never get the feeling that the two are really meant to be together, other than that they both wear cowboy boots. By the end, I didn’t quite know how everything wrapped up, which sums up the film as a whole. My Rating: Cable  The Wrong Paris Info  The review of the film will be up Friday night. 

Indiefest:  Bang Bang  (2024) R  Bang Bang is about retired boxer Bernard “Bang Bang” Rozyski (Tim Blake Nelson), whose promising career was cut short by rumors of Bang Bang taking a dive. Now he has a chance for redemption when he starts training his grandson (Andrew Liner) to box. Tim Blake Nelson gives a tour de force performance of a man who is stuck living in the past. It’s a down and dirty performance of a man who only knows how to fight and sees his grandson as a ticket to get back into the game and get redemption. Bang Bang is a character study where you won’t like many of the people that inhabit its world, but you will be fascinated to find out what happens to them.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee Bang Bang Info Now in select theatres. 

Indiefest:  The Baltimorons  (2025) R  In The Baltimorons, Cliff (Michael Strassner) has a dental emergency on Christmas Eve and meets Didi (Liz Larsen), a dentist who treats him. Both of them realize they have nowhere to go for the holidays, and Cliff persuades Didi to explore Baltimore together. It’s an accident that brought them together, but it’s love that will keep them together.  I loved this romantic and funny movie, which is a joy to watch as we follow Didi and Cliff on a night of adventure, discovery, and a little trouble. Strassner and Larsen have sizzling chemistry, playing off each other to create both comedic and romantic moments. This isn’t a knee-slapping comedy, but one that brings plenty of smiles and a few chuckles while we watch two people find they enjoy each other's company and want to spend as much time together as possible. The Baltimorons is a film that cherishes its city and the people who inhabit it, especially Didi and Cliff. My only minor quibble is that I wished Cliff had been better and funnier at improv. He didn’t deliver the goods, as they say in improvland. However, that’s an insignificant problem in a film that has heart and is a delight to watch, as two people discover that maybe life is worth living when shared with someone who cares. My Rating: Full Price  The Baltimorons Website  Now playing in theaters

Indiefest:  Boys Go to Jupiter  (2024)  In the animated film Boys Go to Jupiter, a teenager who calls himself Billy 5000 (voiced by Jack Corbett), is trying to make money working for the food delivery agency Grubster and thinks he has figured out a way to play the system and make some big money. Boys Go to Jupiter is a delightful and funny film about a teen who is living in his sister’s garage and has set a goal for himself to make 5,000 dollars to pay her for letting him stay there after being abandoned by his mother. We watch as Billy makes deliveries (using his hoverboard) to a host of strange characters that inhabit his ocean-side city. Billy falls for the daughter of a local orange juice manufacturer. Her mother is an inventor whom we only see through her robot. The film is part sci-fi comedy, part manifesto on the evils of corporations and capitalism, while also having a heart and soul that highlights the importance of friends and family. It’s a bold adventure that uses animation to capture a strange combination of the ordinary and the weird to a delightful mix. So go root for Billy 5000 to meet his goal and maybe find a little romance and happiness along the way.  My Rating: Full Price  Boys Go to Jupiter Website  Now playing in select theaters. 

Forgotten Film:  Amateur  (1994)  R  Isabelle (Isabelle Huppert) is a virgin who lives in New York, was a nun for fifteen years, and now writes pornography for a living. She meets Thomas, who walks into the diner where Isabelle writes her pornography stories. Thomas has amnesia, and the Dutch money he has on him is the only clue to who he is. That’s how this wild, mystery/drama/comedy starts, which includes a prostitute and former porn actress (Elina Lowensohn) who used to be married to Thomas and is out to kill a businessman named Jacques, whom she blames for all her trouble. Amateur is a bizarre yet enjoyable movie, set in 1990s New York City, that is enjoyable to watch because of Isabelle Huppert, the former nun who is drawn to Thomas and decides to help him. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep it interesting. Hal Hartley, known for his award-winning films The Unbelievable Truth (1989) and Trust (1990), directs the film. Look for Parker Posey in a small role as a squatter and Currie Graham as a video store clerk.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Amateur Info  Available to rent/buy on Amazon.

Weird Credits: From the credits of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale:  Home Economist 

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: The Smashing Machine  (2025)  R   A look at three years (1997-2000) in the life of mixed-martial arts and UFC fighter Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson). Supported by his girlfriend, Dawn (Emily Blunt), Mark struggles to overcome addiction and make a comeback in the UFC universe, when the sport was just beginning to gain popularity at the time. The film has been the talk of the fall film festival circuit. When I first watched the trailer, I didn’t recognize Dwayne Johnson until near the end; I kept thinking, “Where did they find an actor with such a massive physique?” The Smashing Machine is the first solo film from writer-director Benny Safdie, who, with his brother Josh, brought us Good Time (2017) and Uncut Gems (2019).   The Smashing Machine Website  In theaters on Friday, October 2, 2025.

Until Next Time!

The Conjuring: Last Rites

My View: The Conjuring: Last Rites  (2025) R  The Conjuring: Last Rites is about Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), who, as renowned paranormal investigators, have taken on many a dangerous case. This time, they are confronting a demon they met before, and it may be the last case the Warrens ever take. I thought the first two films of the series were fun and scary rides, providing well-done horror that created a lot of tension throughout their stories. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for this (hopefully) final installment in the Warrens’ story of battling paranormal beings. The film is incredibly long and has far too much exposition, which hinders the story’s momentum, causes it to drag at a snail’s pace. There are many hints to our favorite scary doll named Annabelle, but it’s main focus is on a demon inside a mirror that gets pissed at the Warrens and vows revenge. I’m not sure demons hold grudges or vow revenge. Still, this one seems to be focused on the Warrens, especially on their daughter, Judy (Mia Tomlinson). This connection becomes evident almost immediately, yet Ed and Lorraine appear oblivious to it throughout the film. It seems that too many demon fights have slowed down the Warrens, and besides, in this film, they have retired because Ed is going to have another heart attack any minute. The scares are few and far between, overshadowed by family drama involving both the Warrens and the enormous family where that the mirror has taken up residence in. I got so annoyed by this large family with the kids running around everywhere that I was hoping something, anything, would happen to make them move out (which didn’t happen). The Conjuring: Last Rites is a lame, slow end to a horror series that started so promising. Maybe now, in real life, that comedian has bought the Warren’s collection, including the Annabelle doll, the scares can begin for real, because they weren’t in this film.  My Rating: Cable  The Conjuring: Last Rites Website  Now playing in theaters nationwide.

Indiefest:  Splitsville  (2025)   R  In Splitsville, Carey (Kyle Marvin) and his wife, Ashley (Adria Arjona), are not doing well, and Ashley tells Carey that she has been sleeping around and wants a divorce. Carey freaks out and runs to the house of his friend Paul (Michael Angelo Covino) and his wife Julie (Dakota Johnson). He tells them the news and discovers that Paul and Julie have an open marriage. Things are about to get either very interesting or very disturbing. If you liked the 2019 film The Climb (from the same team of Marvin and Covino), you going to love this film. I am a big fan of The Climb, about two friends where one keeps sleeping with the other’s girlfriends with very funny results. Splitsville is a full-out farce about love, relationships between both lovers and friends. There are a couple of absolutely hilarious fights, one of which, much to our delight, restarts just when you think it's over. Marvin and Covino have incredible chemistry together, and their interplay is so much fun to watch, as they joust over who is sleeping with whom. Adria Arjona’s character is the catalyst of the film, but she gets lost a bit as the focus shifts to the two guys and Dakota Johnson’s character. The star of the film is Johnson, who perfectly plays the serene Julie, who does a magnificent job of playing the object of the guys’ desire but gives both of them a lot of side-eye to their shenanigans. It’s a performance that could have been overplayed easily, but Johnson shows perfect restraint. So, see Splitsville and see who gets to end up with whom and why. It may surprise you.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  Splitsville Website  Now playing in theaters.

Indiefest:  Twinless  (2025) R   Twinless is about two men, Roman (Dylan O’Brien) and Dennis (James Sweeney), who meet in a twin support group for siblings who’ve lost their twin. Together, they forge a unique friendship that fills a void in their lives, becoming inseparable in the process. However, everything begins to change when Roman meets Marcie (Aisling Franciosi), and the situation reveals itself to be more complicated than it initially appears. I enjoyed this film because it does an excellent job of combining topics of loss, grief, and guilt with lots of comedic and heartwarming moments. Twinless is a story of two lost souls that find friendship through loss, proving that opposites attract. What makes this film intriguing and dark is that it features a couple of twists that are both shocking and unexpected. James Sweeney as the shy Dennis and Dylan O’Brien as the hothead Roman make us believe that these two very different characters could become close as their friendship fills a void that both have. Aisling Franciosi is delightful as Marcie, who goes from being a work-friend of Dennis’s to a possible love interest of Roman, much to the dismay of Dennis. Twinless is a film that continually surprises you as you get immersed in their world as two individuals search for comfort and possibly more from each other.  My Rating: Full Price  Twinless Website   Now playing in theaters. 

Indiefest:  The Threesome  (2025)   R   The Threesome follows Connor (Jonah Hauer-King), who on one unbelievable night, ends up sleeping with not only the girl of his dreams, Olivia (Zoey Deutch), but also a new woman he just met, Jenny (Ruby Cruz). The only problem is that both women end up pregnant, and Connor doesn’t have a clue how to handle this situation. For those of you expecting a typical “follow the rules” rom-com, you will be surprised-- hopefully in a good way. I loved the dynamic between Connor and Olivia, which is fun, snappy, and touching. However, I will admit that Zoey Deutch does most of the heavy lifting in this film. Deutch perfectly embodies the fiery, quick-witted, and strong-willed character who doesn't always follow the rules or her heart. I thought Ruby Cruz, as the quieter yet also humerous Jenny, was fantastic in the role, able to play off of Deutch’s persona with ease. Jonah Hauer-King is a bit of a charmer, but there were times when I felt he was a bit of a weak link. The storyline is inventive and has some great twists and turns to keep you guessing about how everything and everyone is going to end up. Overall, The Threesome is a delightful take on the rom-com genre, making it an enjoyable watch.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee The Threesome Website  Now playing in theaters

Indiefest:  A Little Prayer  (2023)   R   A Little Prayer is about Bill (David Strathairn) and his wife Venida (Celia Weston), who live and work in Winston-Salem. His son David (Will Pullen) works at Bill’s business and lives out back with his wife Tammy (Jane Levy). Bill is concerned that his son is drinking too much, and then learns that David is having an affair with a co-worker. Can Bill help mend the troubled marriage between David and Tammy? A Little Prayer is anchored by the subtle and moving performances of David Strathairn and Jane Levy. Strathairn as the father who struggles to keep his family together, while Levy as the put-upon wife of David, who puts on a brave and positive face, but inside is being destroyed little by little. Strathaim plays Bill as a man who has made mistakes in the past and is trying his best to make amends by being the peacemaker in the family. Unfortunately, his family keeps falling apart, tearing itself from the inside, and there isn’t much that Bill can do. All Bill can do is what he thinks is best, even if it means that things might get even worse. Levy is moving as the woman who always puts on a show of being happy when we see her in moments alone, where the pain and hurt are evident on her face or in her actions, such as wandering off into the backyard alone or being awake in bed while her drunk husband sleeps it off next to her. A Little Prayer is a film about people who have scars that have never healed. These wounds won’t mend until drastic changes are made, and not everyone is capable of making those changes.  My Rating: Full Price  A Little Prayer Website  Now playing in theaters

Indiefest:  Lurker  (2025)  R   Lurker starts when, while working in a retail store, Mathew (Théodore Pellerin) meets Oliver (Archie Madekwe), an up-and-coming pop star. To Mathew’s surprise, he becomes part of Oliver’s inner circle. However, this newfound access may come at a significant price—one that could be a matter of life and death. I had trouble with this film from the start because I never found myself liking or rooting for Matthew. Furthermore, I felt Oliver was a pompous ass from the get-go, as well. The film doesn’t quite know what it wants to be: a moody drama, a tense melodrama, or a suspense film. There is, of course, the subplot that addresses fame and how yes-men and women surround someone in Oliver’s position, and how to fit in; Mathew has to become one of them. However, I had a hard time believing how easily an awkward kid like Mathew made it into the inner circle and became Oliver’s personal documentary filmmaker. I wasn’t engaged in the story, and how it ends seemed too easy to come up with to try to shock us. And by the way, Mathew’s camera work is horrible: I can’t imagine sitting through an entire documentary created by him. It would be nauseating, unlike this film, which was just dull and unbelievable.  My Rating: Cable  Lurker Website Now playing in theaters

Forgotten Film:  The Pumpkin Eater (1964) Jo (Ann Bancroft) is a mother of five who left her 2nd husband, Giles (Richard Johnson), to marry a dashing screenwriter, Jake (Peter Finch), bringing her five children with her. At first, their marriage seems wonderful, but soon Jo feels abandoned as she is left to do the housework and raise the children alone. Things fall apart when Jo finds out that Jake is having multiple affairs and their marriage begins to unravel before her eyes. The screenplay is by Nobel Prize winner Harold Pinter and directed by Jack Clayton, who was nominated for an Academy Award for the 1959 film Room at the Top. The Pumpkin Eater was made during a time when adult audiences were accustomed to stories featuring characters in their 30s and 40s, unlike today's emphasis on teens and young adults. Forget the horrible title of the film and some of the outdate 1960s settings, and marvel at how good an actress Ann Bancroft is. She won her second Academy Award for this role, delivering a moving and brilliant performance. There is a literal knock-down, drag-out fight between Bancroft and Finch that is hard to watch; it is so realistic. The Pumpkin Eater is a film about a woman who is struggling to find happiness, faced with the choice of settling for less or moving on once again.    My Rating: Full Price  The Pumpkin Eater Info  The film is available on Tubi and Amazon Prime

Weird Credits:  From the credits of The Conjuring: Last Rites:  Costume Cutter

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You:  Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale  (2025)  PG  In Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the household is on the brink of social disgrace with Mary (Michelle Dockery) in the middle of a very public divorce and the family facing financial ruin. The Crawleys will have to embrace change if Downton Abbey is to survive. This is the third and final film of the series. There will be a small tribute in the film to the late Maggie Smith.  Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Website  In theaters on Friday, September 12, 2025.

Until Next Time!