Film reviews, Netflix

Train Dreams Review

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Based on the novel by Denis Johnson, Train Dreams is well-written masterpiece that weaves through changes due to unexpected life complications. Love and life are lost, yet there are also moments of restoration. At the same time, the inspiration to keep one’s head together keeps the momentum afloat. Directed by Clint Bentley, this is his second-best installment since Sing Sing. However, there are more real-life tracks exploring changing times in this film. The 20th century is dramatized in a cinematic dome of complexity in Train Dreams.

The film’s main characters are Robert and Gladys Grainer (Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones) who play husband and wife. Robert Grainer is the primary breadwinner of the family and works as a logger and a railroad employee. He tries to work hard to maintain his happy family, but reality hits hard when there is a fire. Gladys and their child go missing. Robert begins to lose work and must find odd jobs. During this time, finding side gigs is not easy. In Train Dreams, the impact of doing hard physical work and its connection to mental issues are highlighted.

The vibrant and humanistic personality portrayed in Edgerton’s performance is full of heart. He displays what it looks like to never give up. There are others around him who do not give up on him either. One of these supporters is Arn Peeples, played by William H. Macy. He is an old colleague who is always focused on working hard. However, he knows the hardship endured when seasons change. The changing weather conditions add extra weight to the losses at the center of Train Dreams.

The story also reveals that there are different notions regarding what is lost and what can be restored. It is abundantly clear that things can’t be fixed overnight. During an era with limited technological advancements, the level of patience required in Train Dreams prompts caring audiences to pray for the Grainer family, especially for Robert since Gladys is the one missing. The focus of the prayers is for Robert to find more work and to be reunited with his family again. While he is the one most impacted, others who work on the railroad or as loggers are suffering too. 

Many moments are woven uniquely together in Train Dreams and include shifting patterns of working, feeling lost, and being forced into a pause mode. The lighting and cinematography areout of this world. The scenes of the mountains surrounding theareas where the film is set create a sense of urgency and aspiration. Filmed in and around the beautiful rural forests of Washington state, the trees and the skies shine a light throughout Train Dreams. It is a magnificent portrait with a 20th century adaptation and takes audiences on a breathtaking journey to remember that everyone deserves a chance. Also, it is a reminder that there is still good in the world, even during times when it seems that all is lost. One of the best films of 2025. Four out of four stars for Train Dreams.

Film reviews

Predator: Badlands Review

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Predator: Badlands is jolting and offers a thrill ride where creativity with CGI combined with a new beginning puts it at the top of the game. With a sci-fi direction that is unstoppable in its ability to deliver glorious imagery during exciting action sequences. Compelling motions weave back and forth and caused me to jump out of my seat frequently. Combats of landsand monsters take place in uncharted territory. The era of this franchise is on a track that I find amusing. Predator: Badlands exceeded my expectations.

The film is about a young predator that is not in his clan. His name is Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. Things went awry with his team, and the planets and territories are shifted. He meets an ally named Thia, played by Elle Fanning. There is an alien creature dynamic in which the moving parts are colliding in the world. Teamwork is at hand, while also on the verge of clashing components. There are lots of monsters, lots of vast lands, and spaceships abound making Predator: Badlands quite unique.

There is fully a vibe of CGI taking effect. Its utilization creates scenes that feel like they are being correctly executed in a way that many would expect for a movie with “Predator” in the title. There are moving creatures, different ships, clans all over the place, and clashes and chaos everywhere. I was sold on this full throttle adventure because of how it evolved. While there is initially much disconnect, the film progresses into finding an ally and then working through complicated trails as the story continues. The duo has a strong force.

Director Dan Trachtenberg keeps stepping it up with his films and alien creatures. His ability to find connections amid conflict is highlighted by his writing which focuses on continuity. He can effectively bring connections into play for a purpose. Predator: Badlands was on-point. The “point” was “chaos” among clans and a creature ostracized. Predator: Badlands strikes up a new source of meaning. Typically, in sci-films, there is a bigger source of influence when an alien is out of their circle—that is what creates the wars among allies and politics in the fictional settings. Given that context, the question that is also asked is, “Is Thia trustworthy?” The journey of wrongdoings has many loopholes creating a mysterious sci-fi ride unlike any other in Predator: Badlands.

The ride of questioning components in crazy lands with new creatures is invigorating. Predator: Badlands was colorful in the way the film depicts skies and space as well as lands of intensemilitary action. Overall, it is stellar. For those who love the previous Alien or Predator films, this one is a treat. The graphics are well correlated with the levels of terror and suspense. There is accuracy with it. So many moves along the way in Predator: Badlands makes for non-stop fun. Lots of space, lots of adventure and tons of robotics too. I rate Predator: Badlands at three-and-a-half out of four stars.

4DX, Back to the Future, Capsule Reviews, Film reviews

Back to the Future in 4DX

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Back to the Future, an Immersive Experience:

It has been forty years since the first Back to the Future was released in cinemas, and many cinemas around the world have turned back the clock by releasing it  once again. This time in IMAX and 4DX. I saw Back to the Future in 4DX, and I will say I felt like I was back on the ride that was once at Universal Studios. Despite the ride sadly coming to a close, the 4DX experience felt like a much longer and innovative experience that I never wanted to end. It felt exhilarating to revisit the days of Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett Brown. Michael J. Fox (Midnight Madness, Class of 1984) is Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Goin’ South) is Dr. Emmett Brown. The relationship of a young teen and a scientist traveling back in time is a gem that sparks many unforgettable moments. The 4DX upgrade is like a touch of physical joy for its audiences to feel like they are in the Delorean.

4DX Features:

4DX has many blends of moments with fog, rocking chairs, and loud sound effects. So much that it feels like an invigorating ride of suspense turbulence. With Back to the Future, audiences will experience an icy mist on their faces as the Delorean comes back from the cold temperatures. As there is the suspense to go back in time, they will feel their seats rock, jolt, and halt. Also, as there are the confrontational moments with antagonist Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson), the seats will stomp or wiggle. The oomphs of feeling part of the movie does not hold back the fun with Back to the Future in 4DX. The experience is so immersive that it feels like seatbelts and helmets should be worn. The nostalgic  fun is hard to dismiss.

Worth the time?

Back to the Future in 4DX is definitely well worth the time and the energy. Especially for those who have kids and want to take their children to see it in a cinema for the first time. I will say though, that if choosing 4DX, to mentally prepare children for the fact that the seats will be moving around throughout the duration of the film. The fun aspect about that though, is the fact that parents can tell their kids they are going back in time with Marty and Doc Brown. That is how I felt with the 4DX moments of Back to the Future. I felt all the moments I loved were just rushing back to me to the max. This was a surreal blast from the past. 

Review is also available on MovieArcher at the link below!

https://www.moviearcher.com/movie-archer/classic-targets-in-4k/back-to-the-future-1985

Treating cinema in many forms of art!