“My Dead Friend Zoe” is an earnest look at the grief process
After an incident at work, Merit (Sonequa Martin-Green), a U.S. Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, is forced to attend therapy. Despite the best efforts of her VA group counselor, Dr. Cole (Morgan Freeman), Merit remains aloof in her perspective on the world. She also has a strained but tough-love relationship with her mother, Kris (Gloria Reuben).
Christoph Waltz’s natural charm fails to save “Old Guy”
Two-time Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz collaborates with genre director Simon West on “Old Guy,” which The Avenue produces. Greg Jonson writes the screenplay.
“Cleaner” is a quick and enjoyable “Die Hard” variation
Director Martin Campbell delivers another female-led action film in Cleaner from Lionsgate. Matthew Orton, Simon Uttley, and Paul Andrew Williams pen the film’s screenplay. Set in present-day London, a group of radical activists led by Marcus (Clive Owen) takes over an energy company’s annual gala, seizing 300 hostages to expose the hosts’ corruption.
“Everyone Is Going To Die” takes a different approach to the invasion genre
After gaining some experience with a short film and a documentary, director Craig Tuohy shifts to the horror genre for his feature debut, “Everyone Is Going to Die,” produced by Saban Films. The story follows British real estate entrepreneur Daniel (played by Brad Moore), who seems to have it all: wealth and a young girlfriend named Julie (Marina Lazaris). However, due to his infidelity, he now has a strained relationship with his daughter Imogen (Gledisa Arthur).
Sundance 2025 Review : “Ricky”
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a film critic is the opportunity to attend the Sundance Film Festival and observe an actor for whom one has long stood in support, finally achieving a significant breakthrough role. This sentiment is particularly relevant in the case of actor Stephan James, who collaborates with first-time director Rashad Frett in “Ricky,” an adaptation of Frett’s short film of the same title.
Frankie Muniz takes on the world of AI in the enjoyable ‘Renner’
Renner (Muniz), a reclusive computer genius driven by a need for control, designs an AI named Salenus (voiced by Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden) to help him overcome his crippling social anxieties and find love. Encouraged by Salenus, Renner connects with his alluring neighbor Jamie (Violett Beane) and her brother Chad (Taylor Gray).
“Valliant One” is a lost cinematic mission
Producer Steve Barnett, known for genre favorites like “300,” “Land of the Dead,” and last year’s captivating “Hit Man,” makes his directorial debut with the military thriller “Valliant One,” produced by Briarcliff Entertainment. Barnett also co-wrote the screenplay with Eric Tipton, based on a story he developed with Tipton.
“Like Father Like Son” fails to tap into solid premise
Director Barry Jay explores themes of generational trauma in his latest feature, “Like Father Like Son,” from Lionsgate. Jay also pens the film’s screenplay, which centers on the lengths one man will go to end a brutal cycle of violence.
Despite a mundane script, “Alarum” offers mindless entertainment for fans of the cast
Director Mark Polish brings together one of Hollywood’s sons and action icons for his latest action film, “Alarum,” from Lionsgate. Alexander Vesha pens the film’s script, which centers on two married spies caught in the crosshairs of an international intelligence network that will stop at nothing to obtain a critical asset.
“Laws of Man is a solid genre entry
Director Phil Blattenberger continues mixing history with action in his third film, “Laws of Man,” from Saban Films. Blattenberger also pens the film’s script, set during the dawn of the Cold War. At the dawn of the Cold War, U.S. marshals Frank (Jacob Keohane) and Tommy (Jackson Rathbone) pursue wanted murderer Benjamin Bonney (Dermot Mulroney) in the deserts of Nevada and stumble upon a sinister plot that threatens to upend the very foundations of justice and peace.
“A Legend” is a weak reunion for Jackie Chan and director Stanley Tong
Legendary martial arts icon Jackie Chan reunites with writer and director Stanley Tong for their tenth collaboration in “A Legend” from Well Go USA. The film is a threequel to “The Myth” and “Kung Fu Yoga.” During a glacier excavation project with his students, a distinguished archaeologist, Professor Chen (portrayed by Jackie Chan), observes that the uncovered artifacts closely resemble a jade pendant he has encountered in his dreams.
“Hard Truths” is powerful reunion for director Mike Leigh and Oscar nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste
In a performance already garnering awards talks is the wonderful Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Pansy, whose body language moves from the first scene. Pansy has an addiction to her fear, a woman whose anger is a lost shield that saves her from the world but that splits her family apart.