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SCIENCE FICTION / DYSTOPIAN FUTURE. “Project Hail Mary.” / “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die.” / “Red Plague.” / “Ghost in the Shell.”

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“Project Hail Mary” (2026, Amazon Prime) Science-fiction. A middle school teacher awakens aboard an interstellar spacecraft with no memory of how he got there.         This critically-exalted feature is directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and written by Drew Goddard , based on the 2021 novel by Andy Weir . It stars Ryan Gosling , as Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher and former molecular biologist on a mission to save humanity, and respected European luminary Sandra Hüller as Eva Stratt, the head of the international task force behind “Project Hail Mary.”        The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes has glowing superlatives: "A visually dazzling space odyssey that's carried along effortlessly by the gravitational pull of Ryan Gosling at his most winning, ‘Project Hail Mary’ is a near-miraculous fusion of smarts and heart." I can't say this sci-fi isn't a fine movie but having watched ...
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DRAMA. “Love Lies Bleeding.” / “Filthy Animals.” / “Americana.” / “Mass.” / “Hot Summer Nights.”

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“Love Lies Bleeding” (2024, Fawesome) romantic thriller . The lesbian relationship between a reclusive gym manager, who is estranged from her powerful father, a sinister businessman with a criminal history, and an ambitious bodybuilder gets wrapped up in the father's web of violence and coverups.         As expected, critics praised this silliness. Rotten Tomatoes : "Lust and violence collide to powerfully pulpy effect.” While I thumb-up the involved performance of Kristen Stewart as the reclusive Lou and Katy O'Brian as the bodybuilder Jackie, I don’t really dig the fantastic plot and the whoa! “supernatural” bit. Besides the two leads, all the rest are confectionary caricatures. 🎥💻📽 “Filthy Animals” (2024, Amazon Prime) crime thriller. Set on Christmas Eve, it follows two outlaw misfits—a thrill-seeking drug enthusiast, and a bodybuilder out of rehab—who hunt down child sexual predators, until a mysterious woman derails their mission.  ...
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FOREIGN MOVIES. “Sukiyaki Western Django.” / “Colors of Evil: Red” and “Colors of Evil: Black.” / “A Yard of Jackals.” / “White Trash.” / “Moka.” / “Partisan.”

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“Sukiyaki Western Django” (2007, Filmrise) English-language Japanese Western film . In a desolate Nevada town, two warring clans—the white-clad Genji and the red-dressed Heike—fight over a hidden gold stash. A nameless gunslinger arrives, playing both sides while secretly helping a widowed prostitute exact revenge on the clans.         The title refers to the Japanese dish “ sukiyaki ” as well as Sergio Corbucci 's film “ Django .” The genre is mainly Spaghetti Western, as inspired by Akira Kurosawa 's jidaigeki film “ Yojimbo .”        Talk about horror royale, think “Audition” (1999) and “Ichi the Killer” (2001). Action? “13 Assassins” (2010) and “Blade of the Immortal” (2017). The director: Takashi Miike. I am not saying he is outstanding but definitely, his treatment of his projects is different, meant to stay with you.        “Sukiyaki” appears like a costume fest comedy....
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MOVIES THAT SUCK! “Murder at Hollow Creek.” / “Custom.” / “Stockade.” / "No Escape.” / “A Serbian Film.” / “The Last Seven.”

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“Murder at Hollow Creek” (2024, Fawesome) action-comedy thriller. A disbarred lawyer and his eccentric brother attempt a massive robbery to pay off medical bills for their dying sister. The plan goes wrong, trapping them in a dangerous game with a Serbian mobster.         In most cases, these veterans are fine performers: Mickey Rourke, Jason Patric, and Penelope Ann Miller. Mr Rourke as the crime boss Terry Petrovic also wears eyeliner, I think. Day job? And Mickey needed rent money. And these supposedly two leads, Keli Price and Jack Kesy, as brothers Gavin and Nick, where did they come from? 🎥💻📽 “Custom” (2024, Amazon Prime) psychological horror. A couple producing custom erotic films get caught up in a mysterious, ritualistic conspiracy.         The grim, morbid visuals should appeal to some, plus the unsettling vibe and provocative weirdness have followers for sure. The mood is set. But the supposed ...
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DRAMA MYSTERY-THRILLER. “Send Help.” / “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle.” / “To Kill a Wolf.” / “Buckskin.” / “A Perfect Enemy.” / “Thoroughbreds.”

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“Send Help” (2026, Hulu) survival horror thriller , directed by Sam Raimi . An employee and her boss become stranded on a desert island after a plane crash and attempt to survive while tension rises between them.         Rotten Tomatoes gave this movie a 92 percent (of 295 reviews) positive rating. “A viciously clever script.” Hmmm. And adds: "Putting director Sam Raimi's penchant for diabolical mayhem to great use.” Sure, Mr Raimi has proven his effectiveness through the years but not with this one.         Aside from Rachel McAdams’ all-out zeal and unapologetic focus, I am not really moved by this movie. And I never liked Dylan O'Brien, anyway. 🎥💻📽 “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” (2025, Hulu) psychological thriller. Reinterpretation of the 1992 original with a dark twist. A stressed attorney and mother hires a seemingly perfect nanny, only to discover they share a twisted, tragic history.   ...
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