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Film reviews

I Know What You Did Last Summer Review

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This is a continuation where alumni of its cast hold strong, but the momentum falls flat. I Know What You Did Last Summer has the thrills and terror to be a blockbuster and to continue in the vein of its 1997 title almost thirty years later, and with a plot that is the most predictable yet. Overall, though, I found some joy in the fact that many of the once young celebrities were back in a feature based on what made them famous back in the day. My issue though, is how I was able to predict every single outcome. I have to say I knew that going in, but the downside is that it dismisses the fundamentals of misdirection in a feature like this.

The focus of the film is on five friends, and they are Danica Richards (Madelyn Cline), Ava Brucks (Chase Sui Wonders), Milo Grifin (Jonah Hauer-King), Teddy Spencer (Tyriq Withers) and Stevie Ward (Sarah Pidgeon). They are involved in a horrid accident, and an indescribable creeper keeps stalking them making them their prey. The same setup is used as in the 1997 version with the town being back in Southport. The terrorizing event of the past is referred to as “The Southport Massacre of 1997.”  This is a tale with revisited events and alumni returning to help these new younglings in moving forward with the threat of the killer and the risks of the town finding itself in limbo.

The returned characters are Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze Jr.), Grant Spencer (Billy Campbell), Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt), and a brief glimpse of Helen Shivers (Sarah Michelle Gellar). Ray, Grant, and Julie bring more to the table though since they have confronted a treacherous murderer before. The question though, is who can be trusted? The small town of Southport tries to keep the silence in strong forms. With the increased flow of quiet, more kills tend to happen, and with thatmore news spirals around town. It is set up where personalities mingle, and there are secrets that are looking to be uncovered. I Know What You Did Last Summer is fun in its foundational chills, however the downfall is that it leans toward being cheesy. “Cheesy” as in its writing lacks quality. The plus side though, is how it has a majority of its 90s alumni to help maintain some standards.

There is a darkness in the kills with slashing stabs. There are moments of misbelief. The tread of the depths of terror is deep and steady. The puzzle from the previous events keeps the focus at a high level. The outcome though, is mediocre. Even though I accepted the silliness, it felt good to see its cast from back in the day reliving the terrors through and upon others. Especially with Campbell and Prinze Jr, because nowadays their projects go seemingly unheard of. At least this is a fun comeback adventure for them. Overall, though, this film is rushed, funny, and kind of a bore. The gutsy scares of this script did not carry the same quality as its predecessor. I will say that my rating falls at two out of four stars for I Know What You Did Last Summer.

Film reviews

Eddington Review

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Creative and domineering. This film is a masterclass from a director who can tango with true events and attach them to a fictional story. From the mind of Beau is Afraid, Ari Aster brings his audiences Eddington. A story based on a setup of the COVID-19 pandemic mixed with political class and surprises that test limits fuel a wicked grandeur of fun and limitless sensations. Aster  puts all his moments in one bowl which transpires into an array of different flavors. Some moments are funny, others serious, and certain ones blurry, which leaves the door open for unanticipated events.

Before going into detail about the plot and other spellbinding moments, I do want to mention that the film loops in the political issues faced in the world because of COVID-19. It also ties in the Black Lives Matter scenarios and covers the political fiasco of masking and other safety precautions. So, scenes in Eddington are insensitive. However, those scenes add fuel to the fire and help cross-examine anarchy in an interesting way. Thanks to Aster’s mind, there is no blind for joy in Eddington.

Eddington is the desert town where the film is set. The two characters of focus are a sheriff and a mayor. The sheriff is Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) and the mayor is Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal). Phoenix returns to working with Aster after Beau is Afraid and plays an anti-vaxxer in this role. Pascal as the mayor displays safety concerns which range from masking to social distancing to eliminating anything that might spread the virus. Many patterns and habits that were common during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic are refreshed in the audiences’ minds in Eddington. I found this look back at history fascinating. Even though the pandemic was a hard time for everyone, Aster’s vision gives it a creative side with a suspenseful aspect to look back at. 

Joe, the sheriff who is very set in his ways, decides to take on the task of trying to run for mayor. Eddington is a world of political war in a small town. Aster utilizes the tension of real-life COVID events which makes this dark comedy irresistible and exhilarating. A lot of the film falls back on the performance of Phoenix—his personality is the success factor. Pascal’s performance is revolutionary as well. They are both the kings of their political views, and it makes Eddington shine with hysterical vengeance.

My respect for Aster has grown to new heights. Eddington reminded me of my nightmares and turned them into poetic portraits. COVID-19 made my mind boil and seeing it portrayed in a fictional setting felt like a form of revenge. “TAKE THAT COVID!” Aster takes realistic political scenarios and makes his audience feel the heat of the hard times while reminding them to be present in Eddington.

Eddington has characterizations that seem like they’re in comic-book form. Two other characters that add to the film’s intensity are Louise Cross (Emma Stone) and Vernon (Austin Butler). Louise is the wife of Joe, and she is back and forth in bipolar mode and unaware of her husband’s practices. Vernon is a podcaster trying to build a following based on his wild, yet ridiculous beliefs. The setup of Eddington is slightly satirical, but it leads to the best outcomes even when events fall apart. This film is a sensational adventure that has politics interweaving over obstacles. It is a rollercoaster that is lethally stunning. Eddington is one of the best films of 2025. Aster’s world of COVID is accurately portrayed and is bound to boggle minds and invigorate his audiences. Four out of four stars for Eddington.

 

Fathom Entertainment, Film reviews

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (50-Year Anniversary) Review from Fathom Entertainment

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This is a film that has spanned the ages and captured audiences around the world. The story includes good times and bad, both of which have shed light on a variety of psychological and emotional issues. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is five decades old and it still holds a life-changing place in my heart. I have seen this film many times, and I have read the book. Reading the book was a hard, but captivating read for me as I tuned into the words on the page and correlated them with aspects of the movie. There is light and darkness that interweave poetically in this film set in an institution full of troubled minds.

Of course, the movie is known for the mind-boggling performances of Jack Nicholson (as R.P. McMurphy) and Louise Fletcher (as Nurse Ratched), a dynamic duo whose ongoing boxing match has invigorated the film’s fans for years. Given the many events that happen in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, I always contemplate, “What is fair?” The film is based on the novel by Ken Kesey and directed by Milos Forman. It is a masterpiece intended to be produced on stage but that touched a larger audience on-screen.

While watching the film at a local cinema in the western suburbs of Chicago with Fathom Entertainment, I could feel that the audience was enthralled. There was laughter when anticipated, and shock and awe during many emotional moments, including when Nurse Ratched puts her foot down. The abuse of power showcases the wrath of uncertainty in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. McMurphy is the only one brave enough to challenge the system and prove Nurse Ratched wrong. But when she is wrong, she still wins. When that happens, the story takes viewers on a journey of questions and answers which lead to an outcome of tolerance deep within the narrative of the film.

Even though McMurphy’s character is a bad influence, aspects of his personality show layers of empathy especially because of his close bond with his inmates. His friendships with Billy (Brad Dourif), Taber (Christopher Lloyd), Martini (Danny DeVito), and Fredrickson (Vincent Schiavelli) form a special bond that makes the film encouraging. Even though all these characters have done wrong, there is a form of goodness and inspiration within the institution.

Despite all the frustrations, there is light for those seeking change in this setting. The changes that do occur are not just because of authority. The institution is a place of routine and structure, but through the actions of the patients, some of the rigidity is challenged. Nurse Ratched is always the one who brings down the positivity or catches those who are mischievous. Although her job involves laying down the rules,when she provokes anger in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, it builds the notion in McMurphy to rebel. This classic film still successfully thrives in its 50th anniversary restoration. Four out of four stars.