“I've never been so scared in my entire life. And I've never felt more alive.”

Civil War paints quite the picture and is likely to leave a lasting impression. I know it did with me. Despite awareness of the film’s premise, I didn’t know what to expect from the film written and directed by Alex Garland, the filmmaker responsible for films like 28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later, and Ex Machina. I suppose given his storied career in the dystopian film genre, I expected that this film would follow suit. However, while the film does fit comfortably in that genre, it also had the makings of a cautionary tale. The film, which follows a team of journalists who travel across the United States during a rapidly escalating second American civil war which has engulfed the entire nation was an intense and engaging experience that is not easily forgotten. Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Cailee Spaeny serve as our journalist team, and each and every one of them shine as they embark on this rollercoaster journey that leaves it mark on each character.

"The world is changing."

Maybe not as fast as you might think. It was the first days of summer 1976, and The Omen joined a crowded decade of satanical films that started with Rosemary's Baby in 1968 and following through The Exorcist in 1973, and by 1976 it was time for the ol’ Antichrist himself to be born in The Omen. All three of these became classic films. The Omen went on to have a couple of sequels that saw Damien, the Antichrist himself, grow up into Sam Neil and attempt to use his great political power to fulfil the Biblical prophesies of the End Days. It didn't work out so much for Damien, and Sam Neil ... well ... he went on to fight some dinosaurs in a little island park attraction called Jurassic Park. The franchise has been idle for decades, and when I heard it was going to be revised with a prequel called The First Omen? Let's just say my Spidey senses were tingling, and I was more worried about a cash grab that would really have very little to do with the first film and likely become a forgettable chapter in the whole business. I couldn't have been more wrong. The fact is that The First Omen is a pretty wonderful film on its own, but it doesn't stop there. The film pays high honor to the original film, and while not shot on film, it was shot with care to make it all feel like it has a connection to the earlier works not only in theme and subject, but in texture. It wouldn't hurt to take a look at The Omen first, but it's not necessary. This is a completely standalone film that pays off pretty nicely at the end if you are indeed familiar with the 1976 film.

“You like John Wick? I have the same gun from the movie!”

I choose the aforementioned quote because it is impossible not to draw parallels between Monkey Man and John Wick. Both are action-packed movies featuring a protagonist out for revenge. Additionally, both protagonists spend time on dishing it out, but also having to take a good deal of abuse while carrying out their bloody campaign. However, in Monkey Man I’d have to say the bloodshed is more of a prominent fixture. It works for it, though. Gives it a visceral edge. Making his directorial debut, Dev Patel showcases himself as a jack of all trades, as he not only directs but also stars in and co-writes the film. I never thought of Patel as an action star. To me, he’s the guy exploding on the scene with shows like Skins and movies like Slumdog Millionaire before establishing a stable career in the industry, usually in the drama genre. But after viewing the film I see his commitment to the authenticity and choreography. And before we launch into the debate about whether it was really him or a double taking the abuse, it’s worth noting that while filming this movie he sustained a number of injuries, including a broken hand, two broken toes, a torn shoulder, and an eye infection. And while the eye infection seems out of place next to the other more physical injuries, if that isn’t commitment to craft, I don’t know what is.

“I have a ghost to bust.”

When Afterlife was initially announced back in 2021, my thoughts were: why do we keep messing with things instead of preserving them? Ghostbusters was an iconic film franchise that already suffered one failed attempt at reboot. So when I went to see Afterlife, I was expecting the law of diminishing returns to be in effect. However, to my mind, Afterlife, with its homage to the dearly departed Harold Ramis and inclusion of the original crew, was not a reboot, but a continuation. It worked, and brought with it some of the nostalgia from the franchise’s original run. Now as expected, one good turn deserves another, and we now have Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Once again, we were at risk of destroying a good thing, but thankfully we had the right people at the helm who were able to blend the old with the new, which is no surprise given that the film was co-written by the son of the franchise’s original director. Additionally, not only does the film maintain credibility by bringing back the entire cast of Afterlife such as Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, and Finn Wolfhard; it also reaches back in time and brings together the original crew in the form of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd (who also credited with the original story idea), Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, and William Atherton. Throw in new cast members like Silicon Valley’s Kumail Nanijiani and Patton Oswalt, and you got yourself a party.