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Film reviews

Is This Thing On? Review

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This is a lighthearted comedy that works to find an escape from reality. It is an unexpected “reality” of finding joy in times that are questionable making Is This Thing On? one of the most authentic films of 2025. It takes a deep dive into stand-up comedy while grappling with separation. From the mind of Bradley Cooper, there are charms that are inevitable and make this a gem. Will Arnett and Laura Dern are fantastic in their roles as a couple trying to find contentment while working together but also remaining happy. The challenges are real, but the laughter and connection are also portrayed authentically in the film.

Arnett plays Alex Novak and Dern plays Tess Novak and both are grappling with their immanent divorce. At the same time, distractions present more challenges, especially when it comes to finding a new normal and dealing with their own thoughts. For Alex though, he has found a means of escape. He startsdoing open mics at the Comedy Cellar in New York. In his sets, he continuously talks about connections and disconnections, but also the correlating values are what plays into his jokes—his humor paints the portrait of how marriage is truly no picnic, and how it is pretty much unexpected disasters on a regular basis.

He finds support from his friends ranging from Stephen (played by Sean Hayes) and Christine (played by Andra Day). He also finds some support from his other friend Balls (played by Bradley Cooper himself). Deep-down though, Alex still leans on his soon-to-be ex-wife for moral support. The concept of keeping connection alive while also finding a way to escape creates a new era to remind audiences of why we are human. Relationship still exists even with those that we may have grown to despise the most. The writing of the film is eloquent in the fact that Arnett plays a comic telling his many grappling stories in a comedy club setting.

There is empathy, there is hope, and there is inspiration. The film is incredibly moving. I adored Is This Thing on? for its portrait of finding outlets to express challenging concepts in life. I also felt a sense of wanting love to come around for the characters. Even in the juxtaposition of silly humor, it fits the premise and the purpose of findings of ways to feel connected and loved.

This may be one of the most comedic, creative, and unexpected comedies yet. A comic yet tender story which highlights the creative genius of Cooper. Knockout performances by Arnett and Dern as the couple that can vibe while also juggling many classical first-world problems.  The film has its moments that tend to drag a bit, but some dramas need those moments to remind the audiences of the foundation surrounding the conflicts of the film.

 A comedy club for escapism. A couple navigating ups and downs. Many realizations of wonders. A joyful and moving film. There is love even when separation abounds, and there is creativity that can come from it. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Is This Thing On?

 

Film reviews

The Housemaid Review

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This is one of those films that is based on a novel. It is slick and quirky which are two key ingredients that mix naughty and nice through the performances of Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. These two actresses display attitudes that lead to rumpus kicks and unexpected twists that are unforgettable. A joyful watch due to the mysterious and unexplained patterns of behavior. The reason behind the outbursts leads to a chemistry of suspense. Based on the novel written by Freida McFadden, The Housemaid creates a portrait of deceit and livelihood at risk. Bold colors of glory may be visible, but a dark secret lies beneath.

The film’s main character is Millie (Sweeney). She has a deadly past on her record that follows her. However, she lands a gig being a housemaid for a wealthy family. The mother is Nina (Seyfried). Her husband is Andrew (played by Brandon Sklenar). They live in a fancy mansion with their daughter Cecilia (played by Indiana Elle). Millie does all she can to present herself as a professional. The film’s writing paints the picture of a big house and happy life. This seemingly ideal life hits a major pause when Nina begins to have outbursts over Millie’s smallest mistakes. It is almost like Millie is being set upto fail. During this time, Andrew is dismissive and supports Millie more than Nina. The storyline showcases a house in turmoil where individuals are not on the same page.

Bipolar behaviors fuel this film. Especially with the house full of wondrous halls, there is no saying how Nina will react. There is more to the film which leads to the creation of mysterious patterns. The husband may be hiding something. The story weaves together disagreements along with backstories of unexplained issues from the past. Sweeney’s character is the queen of one team. She possesses that “no one can stop me” attitude with her natural beauty and layers of intelligence. Seyfried’s character adds more confusion with her lack of conversation and unpredictable outbursts. There is a party filled with terror when these two tango. Yet, there is a charm to the fun-filled suspense taking place in this super-rich house.

There are peculiar and romantic moments. In a scene where Millie feels connected to Andrew, the pot naturally gets stirred. The film does such an amazing job at displaying jealousy. It is syrupy yet explosive, like a chemical combustion in the mansion, between Millie and Nina. Overall, the film is a portrait that results in a fuming dynamic jumping back and forth between the lead characters. Who can trust Millie more? Is it Nina or Andrew? In truth, neither of them should trust her. It’s a free-for-all in The Housemaid where lies and secrets may be unraveled. The movie is a steady thriller with interesting layers that may seem overly sweet. Overall, a joyful experience. Three out of four stars for The Housemaid.

Film reviews

Avatar: Fire and Ash review

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Director James Cameron does not stop in his creative tracks to keep the mesmerizing world of the Avatar franchise flowing. With Avatar: Fire and Ash, the heat is in the moment as the world of Pandora hits territory with new revelations. At the same time, bad allies form—at the intersection of science, planet and people. It all comes down to whose side everyone is fighting for. Cameron keeps the momentum going in every fragment and in every detail. This fascinating film dazzles and shines boldly because the graphics of the vast areas of forests, skies, and seas are spectacular. The magical cinematics are uniquely blended which results in dynamics that keep this franchise getting better with each film. James Cameron knows what he is doing.

It has been three years since the events of Avatar: The Way of Water. This time, the uncharted territories on the lands of Pandora are the setting. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) are still trying to protect their children from the many events of the previous film. However, the dangers caused by the corruption of Recom Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) are not over. Now, Pandora has more advanced scientific experiments, yet the war is not over. Political aspects abound as civilizations take their stance in Avatar: Fire and Ash. The creatures and the people stand together. As the saying goes, “This family is our fortress,” which describes the defense that weaves togethers both emotionally and technologically in Avatar: Fire and Ash.

In this film, mayhem is working more effectively since the battles have been fought since the first film. The key focus is the conflict between Sully and Quaritch. Quaritch wants to maintain control and utilize Pandora for other purposes once he has the chance to demolish it. For Sully though, it is his home. He will not give up the fight for his family and homebase, especially with a native who wants to be one of them. The boy Spider (Jack Champion) is connected to Jake’s family. However, no human can breathe on Pandora without a mask. What if he has the chance to become one of them? Science is what matters, but mayhem reinforces the main point of the film.

There is a continued, formulaic approach that broadens even more in Avatar: Fire and Ash. Cameron utilizes technological components to keep the film’s various conflicts moving to points of breach. The film is captivating in portraying the fight between good vs. evil. Jake is with his family and has joined the forces on Pandora, but many of those he started with still want to navigate the sciences to abuse and torment. The subjects of civilization and democracy are what Cameron so effectively tackles both cinematically and technologically.

Additional characters add much emphasis to the film includeRonal (Kate Winslet), Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver), General Frances Ardmore (Edie Falco), and Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi). Ronal and Dr. Grace Augustine are on the same side as Jake and Neytiri, but General Frances and Parker Still remain on the opposing side. General Frances wants to bring the military back for execution, while Parker is focused on science for business. War, in this film, goes up several notches with a new creature Varang (Oona Chaplin) in the mix. She brings threats to Jake and his family, but also to the rest of the Na’vi. There are double the enemies, added chaos, and incredible cinematography which makes this Cameron film brilliant.

Looking back to the beginning, there is a pattern and tone to the writing which continues to become more immersive as these films continue. Scientific advancements in the world combine with conflicts between the humans and the Na’vi. Jake is in the middle and has become one of the Na’vi. Beginning as someone who cannot use his legs, the world of Pandora is where he stands. The people he began with are allies of both good and bad. Fortunately, there is much more to the planet that can be utilized for good. For Cameron, the journey towards acceptance and perseverance does not end without a rollercoaster ride. I was blown away by watching this movie in Dolby Digital. The flying and action scenes were enthralling. The things Cameron is known best for are all back again. As always, he takes this installment to new heights. Four out of four stars for Avatar: Fire and Ash.