These reviews are written in the order I saw them! All movies reviewed out of five stars.
Backrooms: a complex, masterful psychological horror film (my favorite subgenre) with plenty to offer in subsequent viewings. This is a bold, original directorial debut by a Gen Z filmmaker (one of two box office mega-hits this summer - a promising sign for the future of theatrical releases). With an undeniably post-modern, expressionist approach, this one isn't for everyone. A strictly literal viewing could leave audiences scratching their heads, but the themes of consigned memory and liminal space made physically manifest could yield many interpretations and ample discussion after the credits roll. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Mandalorian and Grogu: as a self-identified Star Wars fan who happily streamed all three seasons of the Disney+ show, there was plenty here to keep me engaged. Yes, this is as technically impressive as one has come to expect from these space operas. However, the plot felt like loosely-stitched story ideas left over from the show and held together only through some clumsy exposition by an under-utilized Sigourney Weaver. Dazzling effects didn't make up for a total absence of real growth or emotional connection between the titular odd couple leading the film, and it also suffers from an absence of authentic character motivation. Overall, there's not much we haven't seen before - outside one fantastic action sequence at the film's center. The finale felt obligatory and the overall impression was underwhelming. The Force is not strong with this one. ⭐⭐
Masters of the Universe: A film too silly to be taken seriously; a film too serious to enjoy its own silliness. This is the paragon of what's wrong with Hollywood right now: a heavy reliance on nostalgic IP with an obligatory tentpole approach to all-for-none filmmaking. As compared to the fantastic Barbie movie of 2023, this He-Man flick was truly a missed opportunity. There are nods here to the problems of violent, hyper-masculinity and gestures as to how ridged gender norms impede self-authenticity or social progress... but these notions are abandoned in favor of the most comatose tropes and storytelling on studio-approved autopilot. I'm not sure I expected better, but I wasn't impressed. ⭐
Obsession: The other aforementioned Gen Z filmmaker debut, this dark contemporary fairly tale has so much to offer on a shoestring budget. Beat by beat, I found it hit all the right notes and masterfully plays on expectations, light and shadow, jump scares and long, eerie takes with a haunting musical score. While there's nothing groundbreaking here for the thriller/horror genre, this generation's Fatal Attraction speaks to the dual contagions of social anxiety and unhealthy attachment in the hyper-connected, present day dating hellscape for 20-somethings. Of particular note is Inde Navarrette's fantastically dynamic lead performance - unquestionably the make-or-break narrative fulcrum of the film. Thus far, this is my pick for Best of the Summer. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Disclosure Day: What's old is new again, and Spielberg's latest sci-fi thriller is an imaginative yet grounded, modernized vision of his earlier Close Encounters and ET morality plays. More interested in humanity's reaction to aliens than the gray creatures themselves, this one felt overly long in its center but confidently escalated to a satisfying conclusion worthy of its runtime. There's also an odd timeliness in returning to existential questions arising as early as the post nuclear detonation 1947 crash in Roswell; Spielberg implores us to examine our own humanity and ability to truly see one another. The world is on the brink and, just maybe, the existence of a superior outside intelligence is just what we need to get our Earthly shit together. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Toy Story 5: At this point, it's clear to me that this series of films is hardly about a plucky ensemble of toys, but rather uses these inescapably adorable characters to probe our changing relationship with interpersonal belonging, essential qualities of childhood, communal play, and technology. Smartly, the story focuses on what extended screen times and a more sedentary, isolated lifestyle is doing to our kids. Though the film suffers from the usual pitfall of insufferably aloof parents, there's plenty of exciting story beats, uncannily mature jokes, and genuinely heartfelt moments on offer here. Is the series getting even better over time? I'm still toying with the idea. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
