- Now Streaming on Disney+: ‘The Fantastic Four:First Steps’ Proves That Family Is the Strongest Superpower
The Fantastic Four: The First Steps has made its long-awaited debut on Disney+. Originally released in theaters on July 25, 2025, fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe were eagerly awaiting this superhero team to “flame on” to their screens at home. And it did not disappoint. Directed by Matt Shakman, the movie follows a team…
- ‘Regretting You’ Struggles to Balance Comedy and Tragedy, Faltering Under Its Own Emotional Weight
Regretting You is a dramatic romance that achieves much more in the comedy department than in the romance one. It is overly aspirational in its adaptation of the 2019 novel by writer Colleen Hoover, attempting to cram in oversized tragic plotlines without enough dramatic chops to measure up to the task—whether from its cast or,…
- ‘Maintenance Required’ Sputters in its Attempt to Give the Rom-Com Trope a Modern Tune-Up
“Maintenance Required” marks the directorial debut of writer-director Lacey Uhlemeyer, centering on a female-led, family-owned auto repair shop. The film is largely inspired by a short documentary she previously created about an all-female auto shop, as well as classic romantic comedies. Stylistically, the film leans unabashedly into romantic comedy tropes, calling to mind genre staples…
- “The Smashing Machine” Delivers a Knockout: Safdie’s Solo Debut and Johnson’s Career Best
“Uncut Gems” co-director Benny Safdie makes his solo directorial debut with another A24 film, “The Smashing Machine,” a biopic tribute to the birth of MMA and one of its pioneers, Mark Kerr. The year is 1997, and Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson) is at the height of his MMA career. He’s won two consecutive UFC titles,…
- Moving Forward After the Split: Sweeney’s “Twinless” Offers a Searing Portrait of Grief and Redemption
After James Sweeney’s 2019 debut feature “Straight Up,” he has returned as writer, director, and lead actor in “Twinless,” a measured dark comedy and psychological drama that picks at the scabs of grief and absence. The film’s premise centers around a chance encounter between Roman (Dylan O’ Brien) and Dennis (James Sweeney) at a support…
- Tatum and Cianfrance Tackle One of NC’s Most Notorious Figures in “Roofman”
The city of Charlotte, North Carolina is not exactly known for its representation in major cinematic productions, at least in comparison to your typical New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago centric films. However, Channing Tatum appears to have laid claim to Charlotte in his filmography more than any other A-list star. “Roofman” marks the…
- Sex, Ultraviolence, and Deadpan Wit: Coen and Cooke Deliver Again with ‘Honey Don’t!’
After their 2024 runaway hit Drive-Away Dolls, Ethan Coen and his wife and creative partner, Tricia Cooke, are keeping their foot on the gas with the second film, Honey Don’t!, in their unexpected sapphic trilogy. Margaret Qualley, who starred in Drive-Away Dolls, slides back into the driver’s seat as Honey O’Donohue, a private investigator and…
The Fantastic Four: The First Steps has made its long-awaited debut on Disney+. Originally released in theaters on July 25, 2025, fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe were eagerly awaiting this superhero team to “flame on” to their screens at home. And it did not disappoint. Directed by Matt Shakman, the movie follows a team…
Regretting You is a dramatic romance that achieves much more in the comedy department than in the romance one. It is overly aspirational in its adaptation of the 2019 novel by writer Colleen Hoover, attempting to cram in oversized tragic plotlines without enough dramatic chops to measure up to the task—whether from its cast or,…
“Maintenance Required” marks the directorial debut of writer-director Lacey Uhlemeyer, centering on a female-led, family-owned auto repair shop. The film is largely inspired by a short documentary she previously created about an all-female auto shop, as well as classic romantic comedies. Stylistically, the film leans unabashedly into romantic comedy tropes, calling to mind genre staples…
“Uncut Gems” co-director Benny Safdie makes his solo directorial debut with another A24 film, “The Smashing Machine,” a biopic tribute to the birth of MMA and one of its pioneers, Mark Kerr. The year is 1997, and Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson) is at the height of his MMA career. He’s won two consecutive UFC titles,…
After James Sweeney’s 2019 debut feature “Straight Up,” he has returned as writer, director, and lead actor in “Twinless,” a measured dark comedy and psychological drama that picks at the scabs of grief and absence. The film’s premise centers around a chance encounter between Roman (Dylan O’ Brien) and Dennis (James Sweeney) at a support…
The city of Charlotte, North Carolina is not exactly known for its representation in major cinematic productions, at least in comparison to your typical New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago centric films. However, Channing Tatum appears to have laid claim to Charlotte in his filmography more than any other A-list star. “Roofman” marks the…
After their 2024 runaway hit Drive-Away Dolls, Ethan Coen and his wife and creative partner, Tricia Cooke, are keeping their foot on the gas with the second film, Honey Don’t!, in their unexpected sapphic trilogy. Margaret Qualley, who starred in Drive-Away Dolls, slides back into the driver’s seat as Honey O’Donohue, a private investigator and…