 20th Century Studios, 2025. What an impossibly high bar that has been set for director James Cameron, where each new film he makes is expected to reinvent cinema all over again or be casually dismissed as a disappointment.
The early criticism aimed at "Avatar: Fire and Ash," that it feels “too similar” to its predecessor, says far more about our warped expectations than it does about the film itself. Since when did consistency, coherence, and a director confidently expanding the world he created become a flaw? With "Fire and Ash," Cameron has once again built, refined and deepened his cinematic universe, delivering another immersive, meticulously crafted chapter that reminds us why Pandora remains one of the most fully realized worlds in modern blockbuster filmmaking.
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 20th Century Studios, 2025. Full disclosure: I don't have vast knowledge of the Predator Cinematic Universe, nor am I a dedicated fan of this series. What I can tell you is that the Predator franchise has now spanned six live-action stand-alone movies, an animated film (2025's "Predator: Killer of Killers") and two crossover films. They've collectively grossed over 550 million, and on the heels of "Predator: Killer of Killers" and Hulu's surprisingly great 2022 entry, "Prey," the series seems to be headed in a positive direction.
The new life breathed into the franchise can perhaps be credited to Dan Trachtenberg, the writer/director of "Prey" and "Predator: Killer of Killers," who now brings us "Predator: Badlands." Unfortunately, this latest effort feels like a blatant, soulless attempt to try to broaden the series' appeal.  Disney, 2025. When Disney released the original "Tron" back in 1982, it wasn't considered a financial success when all things were considered. It was groundbreaking for its special effects, even landing a pair of Oscar nominations for Best Costume and Best Sound, and over time has undeniably become a cult classic.
Disney was so committed to keeping the Tron IP alive, it released a 2010 sequel, "Tron: Legacy," which was a modest box office success, despite a lack of critical enthusiasm (it currently holds a 51% Rotten rating on RottenTomatoes.com). It even opened a Tron roller coaster at its theme parks, further proving that Disney has no intention of moving on from this seemingly promising franchise. "Tron: Ares" carries on the unfortunate Tron tradition of being visually dazzling without containing even a modicum of soul beneath the hood. With a loud, pulsating, high-octane score by Nine Inch Nails (apparently not just composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, but the whole band), it is a nonstop onslaught on the senses...a merciless, relentless attack that may have been worth the punishment, had it been attached to anything remotely resembling human emotion.  Marvel/Disney, 2025. Things have never been worse for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as so-called "superhero fatigue" has seemingly taken over the moviegoing audience. That is, until earlier this month when rival DC Studios rejuvenated the box office with James Gunn's take on "Superman," a movie that has gotten raves from critics and audiences alike, and has grossed (at the time of this writing) nearly half a billion dollars at the box office.
Maybe it wasn't "superhero fatigue," but Marvel burnout instead? With the odds stacked against them, Marvel relies on one of their oldest superhero groups to finally right the ship...and wouldn't you know, the Fantastic Four save the day.  Warner Bros. Pictures, 2025. Superman is not just an alien, he's from another time. And until James Gunn's "Superman," no other filmmaker has had the courage to lean into what has made him one of the most - if not the most - aspirational character in the history of American fiction.
 Universal Pictures, 2025. A key question one must ask themselves when going into a "Jurassic Park" movie is: What do I truly expect? Expectations - and where we set them - play a major part in how we experience any film. Sometimes, aiming too high can almost guarantee disappointment. That's not to excuse a movie that sets a low bar for itself...rather an acknowledgement that much of our reaction depends on the mindset we bring to the theater.
Taking into consideration that the first "Jurassic Park" movie was a ground-breaking, earth-shattering blockbuster and a global phenomenon - and considering just how TERRIBLE many of the sequels have been - it's safe to say that "Jurassic World: Rebirth" is a bona fide success. It draws on our nostalgia without feeling manipulative. It simplifies things to the core of what made the first one a hit, without merely trying to recreate it. You could say - in a fitting parallel to the film's plot - that this installment extracts a bit of the original's DNA, in a noble attempt to finally do something worthwhile with it.  Disney/Pixar, 2025. The mere mention of the word "Pixar" used to bring with it an expectation of exceptionalism. And while the studio still is capable of producing magic from time to time (see last year's "Inside Out 2"), "Elio" contains very little of it.
 Warner Bros. Animation/Ketchup Entertainment, 2025. While the beloved Looney Tunes characters are familiar and respectful, these aren't exactly your parents' Looney Tunes.
"The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie" is shockingly the first all-animated Looney Tunes movie ever released in movie theaters. It's also not being distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures...that duty is being handled by the much smaller Ketchup Entertainment, which is why this film might feel a bit "under the radar" for most. And while this weird, zany sci-fi story is quite harmless, it also feels a bit uninspired. It's been nearly 100 years since the release of the very first Looney Tunes animated short...and this is what we've all waited for?  Buffalo 8, 2024. Fifteen years in the making, and every bit of blood, sweat and tears poured into "Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom" is apparent.
Matt Busch’s "Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom" is an impressive feat of independent filmmaking that feels like cinematic comfort food—familiar, adventurous, and deeply satisfying. Known for his work as a professional illustrator on various Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Indiana Jones projects (and much, much more over his 30+ years in the industry), Busch proves he’s more than just a renowned artist; he’s a capable, bold and passionate storyteller. And what he was able to pull off from a technical standpoint - on a budget of around a paltry $200,000 - simply defies all logic or explanation. As a film critic for 15+ years, having seen thousands of films over that span, I can say with full confidence that I've never quite seen anything like this. Independent filmmaking and blockbuster popcorn movies have never been mashed together in this way, nor did I think such an amalgam was even possible. Busch has some brass balls for even attempting such a massive undertaking, and what he's been able to accomplish is nothing short of a mind-boggling achievement. And it's singular: It might take until the actual year 3477 for another creative talent such as Matt Busch to come along, because there is NOBODY else who could have even come close to making this project work in the way that he does. This self-made film, crafted by a self-made man is available for pre-order on Apple TV+ as of December 20th, 2024, and it hits various VOD platforms on January 3rd, 2025. I simply cannot recommend this film enough. Read on for my full review.  Paramount Pictures, 2023. I couldn't imagine caring about SPOILERS for a Transformers movie, but if you don't already know what's coming - scene after scene of mindless action, lame jokes, awful characters and zero stakes - then be warned: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS.
Specifically, the "stinger scene" during the end credits will be spoiled. You've been warned. *** SPOILERS AHEAD *** |
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