FilmGator – Between Movies

A private user reviewed Americana (2025)

Americana

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/americana-movie-review-the-weight-of-tradition-in-a-modern-western-key/

"Americana carries thematic richness and characters with emotionally satisfying arcs, brought to life by an inspired cast. It's true that the narrative loses some power in questionable structural choices and a genre fusion that, while ambitious, doesn't always succeed ...

A private user reviewed Sentimental Value (2025)

Sentimental Value

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://talkingfilms.net/sentimental-value-review-joachim-triers-profound-meditation-on-art-grief-and-forgiveness/

"Sentimental Value is, ultimately, a mature and profoundly moving movie that resonates with the authorial mark of Joachim Trier.

The film triumphs thanks to the strength of its narrative and the excellence of the four central performances. It's a meditation on inherited pain, the intricate cost of artistic creation, and the difficult, yet essential ...

A private user reviewed Magazine Dreams (2025)

Magazine Dreams

Toxic masculinity is a topic that has garnered increased attention in recent years, addressed in various outlets from TV talk shows to social media to myriad print resources. And now, in the latest offering from writer-director Elijah Bynum, the subject has made its way to the big screen (although it almost didn’t – see below). This character study of amateur bodybuilder Killian Maddox (Jonathan Majors) follows the life of this highly disciplined competitor who’s little known in the field but is determined to one day win major titles and fulfill his ...

A private user reviewed Ziam (2025)

Ziam

Beautifully executed but not entirely coherent.
Zombie movies can become incredibly difficult to write and direct as you need a lot of moving pieces to build and maintain the tension of an ongoing catastrophe like that. This is not a bad attempt, but it cannot stand shoulder to shoulder with things like Train to Busan, which is a Korean zombie movie that you probably should see instead. The martial art action in this feels gratuitous and some of the casting is lackluster at best. I can't recommend this even though it looks ...

A private user reviewed Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

Captain America: Brave New World

'Captain America: Brave New World' came close to pleasing me, but in the end I think it is not consistently enjoyable enough to be classed as something I'd want to watch again and/or recommend. There is quite a bit about it that I did like, but the down moments hurt the ups.

The cast and their characters are positives. I'm a big fan of Anthony Mackie's as he has done many roles in films that ...

A private user reviewed The Toxic Avenger Unrated (2025)

The Toxic Avenger Unrated

This doesn’t start well, indeed after about ten minutes I thought it was just going to be “Tyrion Lannister” does “Bruce Banner”. Well I was quite pleasantly surprised as it takes those foundations and, with it’s tongue firmly implanted in it’s cheek, and with him suitably armed with his newly radioactive mop, we set off on a crime caper with a difference. Kevin Bacon’s “Bob Garbinger” runs a big chemical company that routinely churns out enough gunge into the rivers and streams of the city to give Julia Roberts and Albert ...

A private user reviewed Mickey 17 (2025)

Mickey 17

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/mickey-17-review-robert-pattinson-shines-in-bong-joon-hos-latest-genre-bending-adventure/

"Mickey 17 presents an intriguing sci-fi concept and raises interesting questions, even if it doesn't always explore them with the desired depth.

Bong Joon-ho continues to demonstrate his mastery in blending genres, but here, the satire and lack of subtlety in the narrative end up limiting the emotional and philosophical impact of a ...

A private user reviewed Ballerina (2025)

Ballerina

Entertaining enough spin-off that features great stunts and action sequences one would expect from the franchise and while the story isn't terribly strong (to be fair none of the JW movies had amazing plots), it was a solid time-waster and Ana de Armas was fairly good in the lead. Reeves for his part probably had about 10-minutes of screen time and likely collected a nice paycheck for a day or two of filming. I won't say it broke new ground however I did think it was a step up from John ...

A private user reviewed Elio (2025)

Elio

The geeky young “Elio” has been orphaned into the care of his military aunt “Olga” who works for Uncle Sam helping folks to navigate the debris that’s floating around in outer space. He likes to speak his own language “Elioese” and is fascinated, obsessed even, with making contact with alien life. He’s convinced that there is intelligent life out there, so imagine his surprise when he hears of a possible response from the Voyager mission sent decades ago. Next thing, well he is transported to the kaleidoscopic “communiverse” where everyone share ...

A private user reviewed The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent (2025)

The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent

This is quite a tensely shot short drama that depicts a scene on a train that has been stopped on it's journey through Bosnia by a paramilitary gang seeking Muslims. They are polite enough to the "brother" passengers whose papers they inspect, but "Milan" (Silvio Mumelaš) in one carriage has no papers and is terrified. His fellow travellers offer him some comfort and one, the retired captain "Tomo" (Dragan Mićanović) sticks his neck out when they try to remove the man from their compartment. When the train eventually moves on, fellow ...

A private user reviewed My Mom Jayne (2025)

My Mom Jayne

It’s curiously ironic that the search to learn more about a loved one you barely knew turns out to be a journey of discovery about oneself. Nevertheless, such was the case for actress Marisla Hargitay, daughter of screen legend Jayne Mansfield (1933-1967), who directed this revealing new HBO documentary about her relationship (or lack thereof) with the famous mother she lost in a tragic car accident when she was only three years old. Mansfield, one of the most visible movie idols of the 1950s and ʼ60s, was molded by the Hollywood ...

A private user reviewed The Ugly Stepsister (2025)

The Ugly Stepsister

Now I don’t suppose you’d have kicked “Prince Julian” (Isac Calmroth) out of bed for eating herring, but right from the start this apple of everyone’s eye looks distinctly dull! I’m not sure that the besotted “Elvira” (Lea Myren) realised that when she embarked on quite a tortuous make-over to turn her chubby and buck-toothed body into something that might turn the head of this royal highness, but needs must when the debt collectors are circling. This is probably the most grotesque take on the “Cinderella” story you are ever like ...

A private user reviewed Twinless (2025)

Twinless

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/twinless-movie-review-james-sweeney-and-dylan-obrien-turn-pain-into-art/

"Twinless is unafraid to explore the most ambiguous zones of suffering, transforming pain into striking, inspiring cinema. James Sweeney demonstrates a distinct authorial voice, Dylan O’Brien delivers one of the best performances of his career, and the result is a powerful reflection on identity, memory, and survival ...

A private user reviewed Heads of State (2025)

Heads of State

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/heads-of-state-movie-review-a-film-youll-forget-tomorrow-but-enjoy-today/

"Heads of State doesn't reinvent the wheel, nor does it pretend to. It's an action-comedy that knows exactly what it wants to be - and thanks to the full commitment of its leads, Ilya Naishuller's creative energy, and a light, entertaining tone, it rises above its formulaic script ...

A private user reviewed KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

KPop Demon Hunters

I enjoyed this movie, but boy do I have issues with the storytelling and the glamorizing of K-pop idols' lives.

SPOILERS AHEAD:

1. Rumi was born part-demon, right? Her mother was a demon hunter and her father was a demon, which implies that not all demons are evil, right? Yes? No? We are never told how Rumi's mother died ...

A private user reviewed STRAW (2025)

STRAW

Awful movie, the acting is amateur, and the story is atrocious. Really poorly written and the tone was all over the place. Also, there is no diversity at all in this movie, as all the headliners in the film are black. This is important to note in 2025. I thought Hollywood required diversity in movies? Hmm seems racist ? ...

A private user reviewed Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)

Predator: Killer of Killers

“Predator: Killer of Killers” (2025) is not just another installment in the long-running Predator franchise—it’s a daring, animated anthology film that dares to rewrite the rules. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (of Prey fame) and Joshua Wassung, and penned by Micho Rutare and Jim Thomas, this animated feature dives into fresh waters by presenting a triptych of stories from vastly different historical periods, united by one terrifying element: the Yautja, or Predator ...

A private user reviewed She Rides Shotgun (2025)

She Rides Shotgun

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/she-rides-shotgun-movie-review-ana-sophia-heger-delivers-a-star-making-performance/

"She Rides Shotgun tells a relatively simple, even formulaic story - a man on the run, a redemption arc, a family bond forged in the fire of survival. But it's in the way it tells that story - with emotional honesty, top-tier performances, and intimate, inspired direction - that the movie finds its unique power. It doesn't reinvent the genre, nor does it try to.

A private user reviewed Apex (2026)

Apex

This might not be the most original thing in the world, but it is executed well and the characters are relatable enough to build tension. That makes the moments of fright more engaging and leaves you ultimately quite satisfied. The casting is fantastic, and of course the locales where this is shot are breathtaking. It's really not a bad movie, and I recommend it.

A private user reviewed The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)

The Mandalorian and Grogu

Find more reviews @ https://www.manuelsbento.com/

Rating: B-

Stepping into the theater for The Mandalorian and Grogu, my anticipation was fueled by the undeniable charm of its main duo, and on a purely sensory level, this leap to the big screen absolutely delivers a blockbuster experience worthy of the largest IMAX canvas. From the breathtaking opening set piece — boasting ...