The Bride!

My View:  The Bride!  (2026) R The Bride! is a retelling of the story of the Bride of Frankenstein. In the 1930s, Frankenstein’s monster (Christian Bale) had traveled to Chicago to seek the aid of Dr. Eupronius (Annette Bening) in creating a companion. Together, they revive a murdered woman, creating The Bride (Jessie Buckley), who is far more than expected. This sparks a romance, police attention, and more. It’s very hard to describe what this film is. Is it a horror film? Sort of. A musical? Sort of. A comedy? Sometimes. A romance?Nearly. Hard to follow? Absolutely. It is a film with some outstanding performances by Christian Bale as the love-lorn monster and Jessie Buckley as his intended love interest, but to say this movie is off-the-wall bonkers and all over the place would be putting it mildly. I mean, this film even has an homage to Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein. Buckley gives an incredible performance of a young woman who is raised from the dead and has a second person in her brain. That person is Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, credited with creating a story that is the origin of both horror and science fiction. Few actors could master this role, but Buckley mesmerizes, switching smoothly between characters, even within a single line. Bale’s monster is mostly a sidekick to The Bride and is happy to go along for the ride. Writer/director Maggie Gyllenhaal went for way over the top with a storyline that just gets weirder as it goes along, with musical numbers, murders, and lots of yelling. It’s a big swing by Gyllenhaal that just never connected for me and, frankly, by the end of the film, gave me a bit of a headache. A little of this film goes a long way, and I wasn’t willing to go that far with it. Still, Bale’s monster in tux and tails, doing a song-and-dance number, will stick with me for a long time. Ultimately, The Bride! left me more exhausted than entertained. There is a mid-credit scene if you can make that far.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee  The Bride! Website  Now playing in theaters

My View:  Hoppers  (2026)  PG  Hoppers takes place after a group of scientists invent a way to “hop” a human mind into a lifelike robot-animal body. Mabel (voiced by Piper Curda), an animal-loving teen, ‘hops’ into a robotic beaver to thwart a construction company from destroying an animal habitat. Mabel discovers that the animal world is full of surprises, including her unwitting role in an animal uprising. Hoppers is a fun, funny, and delightful return to good filmmaking for Pixar. The storyline is inventive, and the humor works from start to finish. Hoppers message about taking care of the environment is effective without being preachy. The film is fast-moving, and young kids are going to love all the talking animals. The humor makes this film stand out, and while the kids will be laughing at the antics, adults will enjoy all the side quips the characters make. Hoppers keeps the storyline moving as we go on a riotous adventure into the animal world that you won’t soon forget. The film has two post-credits scenes you'll want to stick around for. My Rating: Full Price  Hoppers Website  Now playing in theaters

My View: Protector  (2025)  R  Protector is about Nikki (Milla Jovovich), a decorated ex-soldier who left that life to raise her daughter, Chloe (Isabel Myers). When Chloe is kidnapped, Nikki sets off in a race against time to find her daughter, combing through the seamy criminal underworld. Nikki will stop at nothing to find and destroy the people who threaten her daughter. I have a feeling that they either didn’t have a huge budget or Milla wanted to take a day off, because once the film gets to the kidnapping, we are just told about Nikki’s first attempt to rescue Chloe. Then, later in the big battle sequence, there are a couple of times when we hear gunshots but see nothing other than Nikki coming through the doors where the shots were fired. I think fans of Milla will be disappointed with the action sequences, which mostly feature her shooting people rather than hand-to-hand combat. And Protector has an ending that just feels like the writer wanted a twist at the end and then said screw it, here’s a twist that will mess with you. Instead, it just makes you mad. My Rating: Cable   Protector Website   Now playing in theaters

Indiefest:  Dolly  (2025)  R  Macy (Fabianne Therese) is out in the woods with her boyfriend when they encounter a monstrous, doll-masked figure, Dolly (Max the Impaler), who takes Macy back to a house of horrors, where Dolly intends to raise Macy as their own child. This gore-fest horror film starts out strong but runs a bit out of steam by the end. The film is shot on 16mm film, which gives it a great 70s horror vibe, with plenty of Texas Chainsaw Massacre homages thrown in, but it lacks the scares to keep our interest in the slender storyline throughout. Fabianne Therese does an admirable job as our heroine, but there’s not enough in this film to make it more than an interesting idea that just doesn’t have enough substance for a full-length film. My Rating: Cable  Dolly Website     Now playing in theaters

Indiefest:  Heel  (2025)  Heel follows 19-year-old Tommy (Anson Boon), whose life revolves around drugs, parties, and violence. After a night of debauchery, he is kidnapped by a married couple (Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough) who hold him in the basement and subject him to relentless mind games in an attempt to put him on the right path and make him a ‘good boy.’ This is an interesting concept for a film that spends too long developing the story and then ends up very predictable. However, the film is worth watching for the two leads, with Stephen Graham as the dad/kidnapper/jailer and Anson Boon as the punk imprisoned and subjected to constant brainwashing. Stephen Graham has just the right amount of creepiness, making his character seem sincerely nuts while also showing a bit of caring. Anson Boon is perfect as the young man who thinks he can live forever and get away with anything he wants to, including violence. Boon keeps the film moving, and we never know when he will erupt and unleash the retribution he promises. Still, the film feels stunted in its character background, and we never find out why the whole family accepts the kidnapping. We just know that Tommy will never change. Or will he?  My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Heel Website  Now playing in select theaters and available to rent on some streaming platforms.

My Rating: Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man  (2026) R Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is set in 1940 Birmingham, amidst the chaos of World War II. Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), against his better judgment, has returned to face his own demons and choose between confronting his legacy or destroying it. This is a must-see for fans of the TV series, but if you haven’t seen the TV program, you can still get the gist of the plot pretty easily. This is a wonderful and interesting character study of two men: Tommy, who has lost everyone he cares about, and Tommy’s son, Duke (Barry Keoghan), who has taken over the Peaky Blinders gang. Duke is trying to make his own way in the world, but he's making some risky decisions that will have major consequences. Tommy has escaped into the countryside and is writing his memoirs. Two people show up to convince Tommy to save his son from a major mistake. His sister, Ada (Sophie Rundle), pleads for him to come back with little result, and Kaulo (Rebecca Ferguson), the twin sister of Duke’s mom, who was the love of Tommy’s life. Kaulo, though some seducing and Romani Gypsy logic, convinces Tommy to come back. Now the question is, can he reach Duke in time, and will Duke betray him? The film is a blast to watch, as Cillian Murphy does what he does best: brood and be imposing. Adding to the mix is Keoghan, who plays the wild-card kid perfectly, whose choice we don’t know what it will be or when he will erupt. This is a perfect companion to the series, and even if you don’t know the story, the film’s storyline and performances will keep you on the edge of your seat.  My Rating: Full Price  Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man Website   Now in select theaters and on Netflix on Friday, March 20, 2026

Forgotten Film:  Best in Show (2000) PG-13  A behind-the-scenes mockumentary about what goes on in the cut-throat world of competitive dog shows. We follow a group of dog owners who are willing to do anything to ensure that their pampered canines have every chance of winning. Directed by Christopher Guest and co-written by Guest and Eugene Levy (though much of the film features improvised dialogue), the film is a hilarious look at a special group of people who believe their dogs are better than even they are. I picked this film out because, even though it has an all-star cast, the late Catherine O’Hara stands out as Cookie Fleck, the co-owner with her husband, Gerry (Eugene Levy), of their dog, Winky. Cookie, it seems, has slept with everyone at the show with the possible exception of her husband. O’Hara’s performance is a masterclass in how to deliver comedy with such ease and is a delight to watch. My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  Best in Show Info The film is available on most streaming platforms.

Weird Credits: From the credits of The Bride!: Special wigmaker to The Bride

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: They Will Kill You (2026)  R  A young woman (Zazie Beetz) takes a job as a housekeeper at a NYC high-rise that has a history of mysterious disappearances. She soon realizes that the high-rise is a deathtrap, and she is its latest victim. They have no idea who they hired, but the high-rise is about to find out. Zazie has been on a hot streak with her Supporting Actress Emmy nod in the TV series Atlanta, and films like Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, and Joker: Folie a Deux.  They Will Kill You Website The film will be in theaters on Friday, March 17, 2026

Until Next Time!

Scream 7

My View: Scream 7  (2026)  R   In Scream 7, Sidney (Neve Campbell) has retreated to a quiet new town with her daughter, Tatum (Isabel May). But peace shatters when a new Ghostface emerges, targeting Tatum. Now, Sidney must confront a relentless evil that’s closer than ever. The first Scream was a great horror film, with incredible writing and some fun kills that kept you guessing until the end. However, the franchise has gotten progressively worse as it has gone along, including the last couple that just defied any sort of logic, even for horror films. So after Neve got lowballed by the studio and didn’t appear in 6, I had high hopes with her coming back and Kevin Williamson, the writer of the first film, at the helm. I enjoyed the opening of this film, with two idiots visiting the Scream BNB, but after that bit of fun, the film goes downhill fast. The kills are unimaginative; there isn’t any of the Williamson wit in the script, and the movie seemed to go on forever. The film even tries to make Sidney/Neve guilty for not appearing in Scream 6. Really, Kevin? I think it’s time to retire the black gown and the Ghostface mask and move on to something new. My Rating: Cable   Scream 7 Website  Now playing in theaters nationwide

Indiefest:  Pillion  (2025)  R  Pillion follows Colin (Harry Melling), who lives at home with his parents and works as a parking enforcement officer, a job he hates. The only thing he seems to love is singing in a barbershop quartet. One night, while singing with his group in a bar, he meets Ray (Alexander Skarsgård), a man Colin feels is way out of his league, and Ray asks him out. Soon, Colin is swept off his feet by this motorcycle-riding, incredibly handsome man. Just one catch: Ray wants Colin to be his submissive. This is a romantic love story in which we join Colin on his journey into a relationship in which one person dominates the other, and they both enjoy it. What makes this film work is that we are clueless about where this relationship is going, as Colin is, so we see everything, every new experience, through his eyes. And we are often as surprised as he is about where the relationship goes. My favorite scene is very early in the film, when Colin is allowed to visit Ray’s apartment. Nothing is explained to Colin; he must figure it out on his own, and we see where he fits in when Ray sits on the couch and pats the seat next to him. Instead of it meant for Colin, it’s an invitation for Ray’s dog, and Colin is left to stand behind the couch, as we wonder what the heck he has gotten into. The film does a magical job of keeping us as unbalanced as Colin is. In fact, at some point, you go along as Colin does, allowing the film to take you on a ride into a strange love story. The film works because of the chemistry between the two actors, and we get the feeling that Ray will not make Colin do anything he isn’t willing to do. I will warn you that this film shows quite a bit of the sexual nature of this relationship and may not fit everyone’s taste. That being said, I loved this strange, unconventional, heartwarming story with a bit of humor that works thanks to the performances on screen, which feel real. Strange, but real.  My Rating: Full Price  Pillion Website  Now playing in select theaters

My View:  Man on the Run  (2025)  R   Man on the Run is a documentary about Paul McCartney forming his new band, Wings, after the breakup of the Beatles. The film features home videos and photos of Paul and Linda from the band’s formation in the 1970s and its tours through the years. This documentary from Morgan Neville does an outstanding job of showing how difficult it was for McCartney to continue his career after the Beatles. The film is a treasure trove of home movies, recording sessions, and interviews with both Paul and Linda, as well as numerous band members who made up Wings over the years. What surprised me was the songs I had forgotten from those early post-Beatles McCartney albums. Some great, some good, and a few were pretty bad, but it was an artist discovering his voice again without his partner in crime. This is a film not about an ex-Beatle but about an artist finding his way into adulthood and bringing us along for the ride through his music, including his love for Linda. It’s an amazing journey into a life that the world thought it knew but really didn’t.   My View: Full Price   Man on the Run Website     Now playing on Amazon Prime

My View: The Bluff  (2026)  R  The Bluff is set in the 19th-century Caribbean, where former pirate, Ercell “Bloody Mary” Bodden (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) is forced to protect her family from a past that she wishes she could erase when her former captain, Connor (Karl Urban), shows up seeking revenge. I enjoyed this action romp that revisits the pirate motif with lots of action and some rousing fight sequences. Priyanka Chopra Jonas gives the action sequences her all and, after a slow start, is believable as a feared and formidable bloodthirsty pirate. The last third of the film is a blast (no pun intended) as Bloody Mary fights for her family against seemingly overwhelming odds, but she has a few tricks (and bombs) up her sleeve, along with a knife or two.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  The Bluff Website   Now playing on Amazon Prime

Indiefest:  Dreams  (2025) R  In Dreams, Jennifer (Jessica Chastain) is a powerful American socialite who is in charge of a foundation that supports the arts. She meets Fernando (Isaac Hernandez), an undocumented Mexican ballet dancer, with the idea of helping him get work. Their friendship starts a secret affair that could destroy everything Jennifer has worked for. The film is directed by Michel Franco, known for his award-winning films Heroic (2023), New Order (2020), and After Lucia (2012). I am a big fan of Jessica Chastain, but this is not one of her best. She seems somewhat uncomfortable in the role, and some of the dialogue she is given sounds as if it were written in another language and then poorly translated into English. The film is dull, except for the ballet sequences, and Isaac Hernandez is magnificent in those scenes. However, the rest of the film is filled with Chastain wearing incredible outfits, and that’s about it. The film feels cold, and what little heat it provides is just in those dance sequences.  My Rating: Cable  Dreams Website   Now playing in theaters

Forgotten Film:  Urban Legend  (1998) R  Like the original Scream (1996), this is a film where the victims are very aware of what could happen to them, which makes it all the more fun. It takes place on a college campus where a group of students have taken an Urban Legends class, and then students start dying from being killed like the legends that they learned about. Like Scream, the cast is what makes this film work, with Jared Leto, Tara Reid, Natasha Gregson Wagner, Michael Rosenbaum, Rebecca Gayheart, and Alicia Witt as our heroine who figures out why the killings are happening. Added to the mix is our old horror friend, Robert Englund. While not as good as the original Scream, it's still a fun horror film with some grisly kills and a few twists to keep you guessing. My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Urban Legend Info  The film is available to rent on Apple TV+

Weird Credits: From the Credits of The Bluff: Leading Helpers

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: Hoppers  (2026) PG  Hoppers takes place after a group of scientists invent a way to “hop” a human mind into a lifelike robot-animal body. Mabel (voiced by Piper Curda), an animal-loving teen, ‘hops’ into a robotic beaver to thwart a construction company from destroying an animal habitat. Mabel discovers that the animal world is full of surprises, including her unwitting role in an animal uprising. The film was inspired by scientists using robotic animals to study their behavior without a human being present.  Hoppers Website  In theaters on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Until Next Time!