Tag Archives: Film reviews

Capsule Reviews, Chicago Critics Film Festival 2025, Film reviews

Brother Verses Brother (Chicago Critics Film Festival 2025)

Leave a comment

This is one of those rare masterpieces where humanistic value hits the championship level due to an intertwining connection. Brother Verses Brother, written and directed by Ari and Ethan Gold, is an enthralling narrative in which musical tones and beats find meaning in unexpected corners. Much of this engrossing film is improvised which knocks it out of the ballpark. The vibing ride of music ebbing and flowing and the dynamics fading in and out spark feelings poetically.

The film’s inspiration is based upon family tales to the Gold brothers. It is also inspired by Francis Ford Coppola’s narrative of live cinema. The pacing of Brother Verses Brother is under the control of Ari and Ethan while finding their paths in San Francisco. Family emotions and all kinds of memories make the movie tremble. When scenarios run deep, the music abounds. While this film is much like Once, Brother Verses Brother has more continuity that requires audiences to change gears repeatedly. The deep writing does not stop throughout all the mesmerizing ups and downs of the Gold brothers in Brother Verses Brother.

The film’s music is a combination of pieces from Ari and Ethan along with tracks from Brian Bell and Lara Louise. It is a journey of musical people connecting to two brothers finding themselves and experiencing tons of growth along the way. The changes the brothers go through in Brother Verses Brother makes the movie hum. Their creativity gives them a sense of power and curiosity to expand to even more positive influences. By far, one of the best narratives of the year. This is a film that is for all artists around the world. The musical component and sharing of artistic crafts are just spectacular. Four out of four stars for Brother Verses Brother.

 

 

Film reviews

Fight or Flight Review

Leave a comment

This is by far one of those suspense thrillers that I found somewhat lackluster. It begins with the setup being that of saving someone. The writing appears to be in scribbles as this film dilly dallies into the sky with much mayhem. There are politics and corruption involved, but that aspect has poor writing as well. Fight or Flight is a title that got me thinking of the phrase “like or dislike”—altogether I am neutral (but something in the back of my mind wants to despise this movie).

The selling point is Josh Hartnett. It is like he is a new Liam Neeson type actor of interest for suspense films. This is because he just did Trap, a film where he is an enemy in a concert. Now, in Fight or Flight, he is a mercenary on a plane. Both of these roles have similarities. The biggest one of them is that they are a blur, glorifying sinisterism without meaning. 

Hartnett plays Lucas Reyes, an operative who has done covert missions. He has lived off the grid and developed many bad habits, however, he has a chance for redemption. He is hired byKatherine Brunt (played by Katee Sackhoff), to track down an unidentified and threatening target. For Lucas this is one of those missions that he feels is an entrapment and it truly is. He arranges to get on a flight for this mission and the plane ride is where all the unveiling moments show their true colors. 

The dynamic is very off-putting, as the film rushes its patterns by throwing characters into the mix with a lack of a background.Lucas meets Isha (played by Charithra Chandran). She is on the plane for the same purpose. With the threat lingering on the plane, Fight or Flight turns into an onboard death match which keeps the poor writing and continuity to the lowest level possible. Its violence aims to be like the Netflix series Squid Game. The combat had me sold, but the reasons behind it all happening…not so much. 

When there is suspense on a plane, I tend to want more emphasis on understanding what I am getting into. Fight or Flight did not start with any of that, it just threw in the tangential elements instantly.  Leaving the rails of the main storyline whichwas that there is a threat aboard. Instead of developing what the problem is, the rollercoaster of violence kept going on a tirade. So much so that just lacked a sense of meaning. However, the violence did speak to the film’s title.

One of the most rushed and quality-lacking airport thrillers I have seen. It is hard to see the positive in Fight or Flight, as overall I just felt that the context failed to captivate me. Unfortunately, it will be one of those films that is all based on its viewership. Others may be sold by its concept, but some may not. I was one of those that kept rattling my head and wishing for better. One out of four stars for Fight or Flight.

Film reviews

The Surfer Review

Leave a comment

For Nicolas Cage, The Surfer is another flick where his egotistical and bipolar moments solidify lead to chaos. This dark comedy flows as it explores many aspects of an individual looking to fulfill his dreams. Along the way, The Surfer feels intuitive. Directed by Lorcan Finegan, this film is a fascinating portrait of a man hoping for his dream to become reality. Cage is the center of all of this. Throughout The Surfer, there are plot twists which become more enriching than the audience may see at first. To be clear, there is no surfing in the movie. Instead, I think of it as Cage “surfing” his way to establish a foundation on uncharted territory. In the early stages of his journey, there are plenty of obstacles. With Cage as the lead character, audiences know what he tends to deliver when annoyances come his way.

Cage’s character’s name is The Surfer. He takes his son on a surprise visit to his favorite beach that he grew up on. He tells his son he is going to buy a house so they can have many surfing adventures. Finn Little plays The Kid, the son. There are many issues that arise during their trip. The Surfer is in a bidding war on the home he wants to purchase. He is waiting for a call from a real estate agent and is all set to get the home of his dreams, which is the home he grew up in. To prove his commitment, The Surfer spends his days in his car awaiting this important call. From that point on, the movie is filled with adventure involving a bunch of odd characters and wannabes that cause things to boil to a breaking point.

What makes The Surfer quirky and attention-grabbing is all the crazy scenes. It is clearly uncharted territory when it comes to Cage’s performance especially when people keep telling him, “DON’T LIVE HERE…DON’T SURF HERE!” The comedy and dark fantasy in the film’s setup are compelling. The film’s writing makes Cage’s performance unravel like a bipolar dragon. When he does so, it is chaotic and silly but also relentlessly brilliant. This is the role for Cage, playing a man so angry that his first-world issue is not being prioritized. The Surfer is not gnarly because of the waves, but due to the treacherous plateaus in Cage’s character. Two-and-a-half out of four stars for The Surfer.