After Yang is an inspiring film about connection, love, and loss. It is a one of a kind film combining the sci-fi and drama genres, and it is truly compelling.

After Yang is set in a futuristic world where artificial intelligence controls much of what goes on. Colin Farrell plays Jake, who is married to Kyra, played by Jodie Turner-Smith. They live with their daughter Mika, played by Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja, and a child android named Yang, played by Justin H. Min. Yang breaks down, which saddens Mika, and Jake does what he can to figure out how to repair Yang. But in the process Jake realizes that he hasn’t been as connected to his family as he could have been since they had Yang living with them. The film alternates between past and present, and it’s flashback sequences are dazzling and wonderful. The film’s sci-fi/AI angle only adds to the creativity. The writing is sensitive and moving.

I’m a big fan of films where technology is prominent, so After Yang’s futuristic setting really spoke to me. The film reminded me somewhat of Her (2013), directed by Spike Jonze. The world in After Yang is similar to the world in Her, but the AI feature in After Yang is a person, not an electronic voice like in Her, which makes Yang much more endearing. After Yangreminds us that although technology can add to our life, it can’t replace meaningful relationships with actual people, and we need to keep our loved ones (who are human) close.

I really loved After Yang. Unlike many sci-fi films that are geared toward younger people, this is a sci-fi film that the entire family can enjoy. It was also nice to see a sci-fi film that is empathetic and touching, as well as creative and powerful. After Yang takes us to an alternative world of surrealism, but with meaningful elements. I give After Yang three and a half stars.

The fun of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre came from the loads of bloody violence and terrifying chase sequences. From Netflix comes a continuation of the fun, but one with a bigger population of victims, and even more terror from the evil Leatherface. The ninth film in the franchise, this Texas Chainsaw Massacre is amped up, gritty, and downright disturbing. But in the end it’s still the same old thing, with a few twists.

The key characters in Texas Chainsaw Massacre are Melody, Lila, Dante, and Leatherface, played by Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Jacob Latimore, and Mark Burnham, respectively. Melody, Lila, and Dante are in a deserted Texas town to start a new business, and they have no idea about the evil violence that terrorized the the town almost five decades ago. Leatherface is back after all that time and the town is once again in grave danger. But it’s now the era of cell phones, which gives the film a bit of an entertaining twist.

Like the previous films in this franchise, Texas Chainsaw Massacre has a wealth of disturbing terror that knows no boundaries. And this one manages to reach new heights of slashing and killing, including slaughters on a bus and in an ambulance. As soon as that we’ll-known noise starts, viewers know someone (or many people) is going down.

Certainly not what I would call an amazing film, but Texas Chainsaw Massacre will be entertaining for those who love that sort of violence. Pretty much the same as the others, though. I give Texas Chainsaw Massacre two and a half stars.

I was hot and cold about Robert Pattinson playing Batman/Bruce Wayne in The Batman. Sure, he makes a great vampire. But the Caped Crusader? I am pleased to report that Pattinson does indeed have that dark, Batman attitude, and he pulled off an astonishing performance. This is one that Batman fans around the world will not want to miss.

This iteration of the Batman saga has Paul Dano as one of Batman’s biggest enemies, the Riddler. Dano’s Riddler comes off as quiet and thoughtful, but he’s also a ruthless murderer who always has to hide the meaning of his messages. Only the Batman, with some help from some of his friends, can figure out the Riddler’s message. Dano’s Riddler leaves a dark trail of violence and evil that some may actually find hard to bear.

The Batman is of course set in Gotham City. Bruce Wayne is early in his career as the head of Wayne Enterprises, playboy extraordinaire, and the Dark Knight. His faithful servant Alfred, played by Andy Serkis, is by his side. The city of Gotham is corrupt and the Riddler, meanwhile, is killing people and leaving clues linking to more victims. Some of the other classic Gotham City criminal minds are also adding to the chaos, including Carmine Falcone, played by John Turturro, and Oswald Copplepot, aka The Penguin, played by Colin Farrell. Zoe Kravitz plays Catwoman Selina Kyle, who teams up with Batman and detective James Gordon, played by Jeffery Wright, to put together the Riddler’s puzzles.

Darkness is still Batman’s ally in The Batman, but it’s also a friend of his enemies and the darkness grows with the deceit, corruption, riddles, and death—in both the narrative and noir sense. It can be seen in the darkness and cinematography of Gotham and in the darkness of the evil moments of the film.

The Batman is truly dazzling and haunting on many levels, and I was simply blown away. It was different than the other Batman films, but very captivating and exhilarating. Three and a half stars for The Batman.