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Film reviews

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

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Writer and director Rian Johnson is back with another Knives Out and this one may be the best of them all. The clues, the people, the egos, and the matters all make these mystery thrillers so fanciful and wonderful. Especially with Daniel Craig reprising his role as Benoit Blanc bringing out the laid-back detective mannerisms. At the same time, he also projects the personality focused on solving the case and putting the pieces together one-by-one. The whole film is an exciting ride of questions filled with humor and fun set in a church this time around. The wrongdoings have a lot to do with faith and fate—but also involvement of the community comes into the question as well. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery involves a pattern of realizations created to blindside audiences with clever writing. Johnson is a genius.

Benoit Blanc meets Rev. Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), a promising young priest. There is also Martha Dealcroix (Glenn Close), a lady employed by the church. The main head of the church is Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), who is at the top of the congregation. The film highlights a church family seen from various strange angles. Then a murder occurs and Blanc steps in. The others involved are Dr. Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), Vera Draven (a lawyer played by Kerry Washington), Lee Ross (a book author played by Andrew Scott), as well as Simone Vivane (a disabled former client played by Cailee Spaeny). Jud is trying to keep the peace while getting the case solved but not point fingers. At the same time, his words of wisdom are at stake.

The curious moving parts explore faith and other theories in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. The puzzling concept is that it all comes down to who has the most loyalty or jealousy. At the same time hierarchy plays a role and Jud wants to maintain his place in the hierarchy. Benoit must help him find the missing pieces to determine who, why, where, and what has caused a death involving the church. There are loads of curiosities and crazy dynamics. The puzzling factors in this popular franchise make audiences spin with joy while also being surprised by the many unexpected treasures in the stories. Johnson knows how to fill his mysteries with syrupy entertainment while also ensuring time passes quickly while audiences enjoy them. 

Since this film takes place in a religious setting, it opens many theories which have to do with commitment to a church. These theories give the roles of Brolin and Close purpose as they hold seniority in the church but also have fishy elements in their characterizations. Johnson keeps audiences wondering who is responsible for the harsh crime in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.

The levels of ego exhibited by those characters who feel entitled grabbed my attention during this film. In addition to the pastor who is trying to remain truthful to his faith, there is the detective trying to solve the crime. It takes two to tango while dealing with the ugly elements of surprise in this story. This movie is amasterpiece in which the game keeps spinning as the characterskeep playing the blame game. Be prepared for heads to roll. Four out of four stars for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.

Film reviews

Jay Kelly Review

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Noah Baumbach’s films always spark human emotions because his writing creates moments in which audiences experience sadness. When directing films about divorce like The Squid and the Whale and Marriage Story, he paints the portrait that shows everyone is impacted in these situations but still deserving of empathy. Baumbach has also directed films on dynamics like Margot at the Wedding and Kicking and Screaming in which he carefully establishes that there is a level of disconnect. In his newest feature Jay Kelly, there is disconnection from life due to fame. This film takes a more lighthearted approach with joyful scenes, while still being sad.

The film’s main character is Jay Kelly, played by George Clooney. He is a high-profile celebrity who feels like his reality keeps him from experiencing the real joys in life. His agent is Ron, played by Adam Sandler. Together, they go on a trip abroad to follow Jay’s daughter. On their adventure, much of Jay’s life opens doors that lead to surreal emotions not only for Jay, but also for Ron, and his other friends. Celebrity life does not only have difficult aspects for the celebrity, but also for the people around the celebrity. The story involves a series of moving obstacles where stress and life seek common ground and happiness is a struggle to be found.

I have watched Jay Kelly twice already and both times the insights into the life of celebrities were compelling. The notion of having a life split in two, personal and non-existent, is explored. The “non-existent” part caused by being high-profileis portrayed in the performance of Clooney and Sandler. They are a duo, tour-de-force fighting for a life of sacrifice and fame, while also dealing with reality on the other side. Jay Kelly is the epitome of success, with new doors opening to heartfelt revelations about what it means to be human.

I appreciate the audacity that Baumbach brings to the film’s writing, especially during the journey through places in Europe.There are times when Jay travels on a trait which is not an ideal setting for a celebrity. Ron finds this stressful, yet at the same time, he is trying to keep Jay’s fame alive by continuing to find him gigs. Is Jay truly happy? Does Jay think about his team’s happiness? The complicated life of a celebrity is filled with frustration in Jay Kelly. The dynamic between Clooney and Sandler highlights the unpleasant underbelly of success and accomplishments.

Baumbach always tackles topics that involve more than meets the eyes. I have always felt a sense of sorrow, followed by strength after seeing a project he has directed. With Jay Kelly, the lighter side crept in more for me since there was not a harsh melancholy or a trainwreck of damage to bring on the tears. There was a more subtle sense of understanding the subject matter this time around.

Within the depths of fame and glory, the disconnect of family hit deep for Ron. Sandler’s performance shines with humanistic value. He plays a hardworking father. His wife is Lois, played by Greta Gerwig. Ron puts a lot on the line for Jay. So much, in fact, that he misses out on his kid’s life. As Jay is trying to be there for his own kid, Ron is missing his own. Jay Kelly is a competition amongst priorities. Baumbach is not afraid to display the serious consequences of life’s choices. Baumbach uses a unique approach to help viewers appreciate the many people who are important in our own lives. Even someone who is famous and has loads money still needs to find happiness andwhat brings personal fulfillment beneath the surface.

This movie is stunning achievement of cinematic glory destined to be Hollywood hit. Baumbach challenges sadness and courage. Clooney delivers one of the most monumental and touching performances of 2025. This is also one of the best films that Sandler and Clooney have made for years. Baumbach pushes the boundaries to uncover the things that bring humans down. He also shows that even tough things can be dealt with. Overall, Baumbach hits a home run delving into the subject of fame in Jay Kelly. Four out of four stars for Jay Kelly.

 

Film reviews

Nouvelle Vague Review

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A fascination of my days at Cannes film festival came upon me with Nouvelle Vague. That is because I was a student intern at the prestigious film festival in 2016. Richard Linklaer brought me back to the historic days of Cannes and the early days of directors trying to make a name for themselves…all around the focus of Jean-Luc Godard. Nouvelle Vague is a classy gem of cinematics with a large body of centerpieces to keep the vibe of New Waves feeling present. Nouvelle Vague is so vibrant. With black-and-white lighting and cinematography, historic vibes and movie competition are at the heart and soul of the film itself. Linklater knows how to push boundaries among what makes a film a true and surreal masterpiece. Especially one aiming at the younger days of a director of our generation…Jean-Luc Godard.

Linklater puts all his efforts into directing a film to the wonders aimed at the French New Wave. The film is aimed at the early days of the film Breathless. Guillaume Marbeck is Jean-Luc Godard, and he plays the role authentically. It aims at the era of his struggles, but also his cinematic visions coming to life. He is one that pushes the limits of his filmmaking. He does this byfinding his own art and creating the meaning behind the movies he wants to create. The cinema as an art is seen through the deep lens of the artistic creations surrounding Nouvelle Vague. 

The politics of success are all on the table. Even the ones of tension. But the lighting creates a sense that illuminates the thought of tension. It helps to remind its audience that the hero is Godard. Linklater’s approach is subtle, vibrant, and on point. Especially with the dynamic of capturing how Godard directs Breathless. Expect lots of trial and error, and politics, but also expect Godard to not take no for an answer…that is what creates a pioneer of success that fuels a reel to burn with rapid colors of glory.

I do love how there is the key tone of the early days of the industry. The days of what it took to create movies to capture essence without computers. The days of creating prints and film reels by slicing—its was all about consistence and attention to detail—Godard was all about that—Linklater is as well with Nouvelle Vague. The many moving parts to create a film to grab audiences in this historic sense captures how the competition had tons of heat based upon what studios, directors, critics, or producers were looking for—Godard wanted to be his own craftsman.

The round up of actors is where the politics heat-up the film for wonders of success. That is because this is the era where names had a purpose. Zoey Deutch plays Jean Seberg and Aubry Dullin plays Jean-Paul Belmondo. The dynamics of Marbeck, Deutch and Dullin are a gem. Linklater knows how to create love and hate relationships that make audiences ask how do some tolerate each other? How do they do to that in an era that goes way back? How did they find success? Tons of leverage and more connections come around in Nouvelle Vague.

The film felt like a treat for me. I have worked in cinemas. I have seen transitions of movie projectors, I have seen many types of film reels, I have taken film history courses, and I still go out of my way to find prints of films that I cannot see anywhere else. I felt I was in the world of time machine of projection reels—because I was taken back to how the moving parts of studios and filmmakers went at it in a completely different era. Linklater brings in many thorough colors to the mix with such historic value. Four out of four stars for Nouvelle Vague.