In A Violent Nature

In a Violent Nature (2024)

A Victim of Viral Hype and Slow-Motion Slasher Tropes

★★☆☆☆

An ambitious "ambient slasher" that struggles to move past its own hype and pedestrian pacing.

Directed by Chris Nash, In a Violent Nature is a textbook example of a film being crushed by the weight of its own viral momentum. Marketed as a transcendent horror experience following successful festival runs, the reality is far more humble: it is a low-budget, B-movie slasher with a clever perspective twist. Heavily influenced by the "over-the-shoulder" camera work of modern video games, the film attempts to subvert the genre by following the killer instead of the victims. However, once the initial thrill of this aesthetic choice fades, the audience is left with a film that spends the majority of its runtime simply walking through the woods.

"The juxtaposition between peaceful serene nature and horrific violence is poetic... but after awhile becomes painfully pretentious. I envy the new viewers who years from now will come to the film with no expectations."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director/Writer: Chris Nash
• Starring: Ry Barrett (Johnny), Andrea Pavlovic
• Cinematography: Pierce Derks (The "Follow" Cam)
• Vibe: Ambient / Experimental Horror

The Vision

Nash's vision attempts to strip away the score and fast-paced editing of the 1980s slasher era, replacing it with a meditative, almost nature-documentary feel. While critics found this "slow cinema" approach refreshing, many general viewers felt the lack of a "fast travel" option turned the experience into an endurance test. The film's much-discussed "unique kill" provides a moment of morbidly creative fun, and the final monologue offers a poignant meditation on surviving trauma, but these moments of brilliance are frequently buried under the film's own pretension.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Aspect Ratio: The film was shot in a 4:3 Academy ratio, intended to frame the killer more like a dominant force of nature while restricting the viewer's peripheral vision.
• No Score: There is virtually no musical score in the film; the soundscape relies entirely on the ambient noises of the Ontario wilderness to build tension.
• The Yoga Kill: The special effects team spent weeks developing the mechanics for the film's "centerpiece" kill—which has already been hailed as one of the most creative in slasher history.

✅ Pros

• A bold, unique twist on the traditional slasher perspective.
• One incredibly creative and morbidly memorable centerpiece kill.
• Impressive use of ambient sound and serene nature visuals.

❌ Cons

• Excessive, repetitive sequences of just walking through the forest.
• The critical hype creates a massive gap for audience expectations.
• Pacing that borders on the painfully pretentious.

🏆 Final Verdict

Stripped of the fanfare, it’s a "pretty cool" Friday the 13th knock-off with an experimental edge. Catch it on a late night with zero expectations and you might find it to be a worthwhile, albeit slow, diversion.

View original review on Letterboxd

Argylle

 

Argylle (2024)

An Ambitious Spy Parody Tangled in Its Own Cleverness

★★½☆☆

A charismatic lead duo trapped in a narrative that sacrifices logic for unearned invention.

Directed by Matthew Vaughn, Argylle is an ambitious tribute to and parody of the spy genre. While it features enough twists, turns, and chases to fill two movies, it ultimately struggles with its own complexity. The film frequently disrupts its own tension with extensive exposition, requiring lengthy flashbacks and monologues to explain the plot's many layers. While Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell make for a charismatic twosome, the movie often trades realism for "cleverness" to a fault.

"The ensemble all seem to be winking at the audience, acknowledging the irony of it all and unabashedly sharing how fun this all is for them. It's just a shame that the filmmakers couldn't find that gear and tone to make it all truly special and memorable."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Matthew Vaughn
• Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill
• Supporting: Bryan Cranston, Catherine O'Hara, Dua Lipa, John Cena
• Cinematography: George Richmond

The Vision

Matthew Vaughn attempts to recapture the stylized energy of his Kingsman franchise, leaning heavily into a meta-narrative about authorship and reality. The film is undeniably beautiful, showcasing creative action set pieces and impressive execution across various international locales. However, the vision is hampered by a PG-13 tone and an increasingly off-the-wall, absurd third act that pushes the parody into territory so far-fetched it loses its narrative anchor.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• The Elly Conway Mystery: Before release, a viral theory suggested that the real-life "Elly Conway" (the fictional author in the film) was actually Taylor Swift, a rumor the director eventually debunked.
• The Cat’s Pedigree: Alfie the cat is actually played by Chip, the real-life pet of director Matthew Vaughn and supermodel Claudia Schiffer.
• Kingsman Connection: Vaughn has hinted in interviews that Argylle exists within a shared universe that may eventually cross over with his Kingsman series.

✅ Pros

• Charismatic and engaging chemistry between Howard and Rockwell.
• Creative action sequences and beautiful global locales.
• Impressive technical execution and high production value.

❌ Cons

• Over-reliance on exposition and lengthy, disruptive flashbacks.
• An increasingly absurd third act that sacrifices narrative logic.
• Winking performances that can feel "too on the nose."

🏆 Final Verdict

Entertaining at a basic level, but ultimately a missed opportunity. Argylle is a flashy, fun diversion that unfortunately outsmarts itself before it can become a genre classic.

View original review on Letterboxd

Atlas

 

Atlas (2024)

A Painfully Conventional Ride Through Sci-Fi Tropes

★★☆☆☆

A competent but derivative AI thriller that leans heavily on its star power and CGI budget.

Directed by Brad Peyton, Atlas is a competent, but painfully conventional science fiction and action feature. With standard, stereotypical characters and a plot obviously inspired by Blade Runner, Terminator, and Pacific Rim, the film struggles to carve out its own identity. On the plus side, the movie boasts some strong special effects and impressive production design for a straight-to-streaming title. Jennifer Lopez puts up a game effort, even if the material feels like a collection of ideas we've seen a half-dozen times before.

"Lopez has reached that level of fame where she can only be seen as herself despite her best intentions. In her defense, it's hard to picture this film being greenlit without her, considering how mediocre the material is."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Brad Peyton
• Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Simu Liu, Sterling K. Brown
• Voice Cast: Gregory James Cohan (Smith)
• Platform: Netflix

The Vision

Brad Peyton attempts to create a high-stakes "man vs. machine" odyssey, but the vision often gets lost in the generic beats of the script. Jennifer Lopez is undeniably watchable as she navigates the film, but she feels miscast as a brilliant but traumatized data analyst—a role that demands a level of character depth the superstar's massive public persona tends to overshadow. The film's strength lies in its visuals, which provide enough "eye candy" to keep the average viewer engaged through the predictably listless narrative.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• AI Resonance: The film's release coincided with a global surge in AI discourse, though critics noted that the screenplay actually predates the current ChatGPT era by several years.
• Physical Production: To help Lopez react to her robotic companion, the production used a real voice actor on set rather than just recording the lines in post-production.
• Netflix Numbers: Despite mixed critical reviews, Atlas debuted at #1 in over 90 countries on Netflix, proving Lopez's enduring global "greenlight" power.

✅ Pros

• Strong special effects and high-quality production design.
• Jennifer Lopez is a magnetic, pleasantly watchable presence.
• Functional action sequences for fans of the "mech" subgenre.

❌ Cons

• Derivative plot that feels like a collage of better sci-fi films.
• Jennifer Lopez feels miscast as a "traumatized analyst."
• Stereotypical characters and uninspired dialogue.

🏆 Final Verdict

A "comfort food" sci-fi flick that won't win any awards for originality. Atlas is a glossy, mid-tier spectacle that serves its purpose as a weekend stream but disappears from memory the moment the credits roll.

View original review on Letterboxd

Hit Man

 

Hit Man (2023)

A Rom-Com with a Wicked, Noir-Stained Twist

★★★☆☆

A charming fairy tale built on a dark foundation, confirmed by the electric charisma of its leads.

Directed by Richard Linklater, Hit Man overcomes suspense and noir film stereotypes by inserting much-needed, unexpected black comedy into the proceedings. While the script might read like a silly Lifetime thriller on the surface, Linklater’s steady comedic hand transforms this morbid story into something genuinely charming. The film hinges on the affable charisma of Glen Powell and Adria Arjona, an attractive and likeable couple that keeps the audience rooting for them even as the absurdity peaks in the third act.

"Linkletter's steady comedic hand transforms the morbid, dark story into something resembling a charming fairy tale. It all shouldn't really work."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Richard Linklater
• Starring: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona
• Writers: Richard Linklater & Glen Powell
• Based on: Skip Hollandsworth (Texas Monthly Article)

The Vision

Richard Linklater’s vision leans into the philosophical nature of identity, disguised as a breezy rom-com. By utilizing Glen Powell’s range through a series of "hit man" personas, the film explores how we perform ourselves for others. It manages to feel like a "star-making" turn for both leads, despite them both already being on strong trajectories toward superstardom. The direction ensures the film remains grounded in character even when the plot dips into traditional noir territory.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• True Story Roots: The film is loosely based on the real-life story of Gary Johnson, a staff investigator for the Harris County D.A.'s office who actually posed as a hitman over 60 times.
• Writing Duo: Glen Powell didn't just star; he co-wrote the screenplay with Linklater after discovering the original 2001 article in Texas Monthly.
• Persona Prep: Powell worked closely with the hair and makeup departments to create distinct looks for his various aliases, ranging from "American Psycho" chic to backwoods grit.

✅ Pros

• Electric chemistry between Glen Powell and Adria Arjona.
• Masterful tonal balance between black comedy and romance.
• Richard Linklater’s character-first directorial style.

❌ Cons

• Plot absurdity in the third act may stretch believability for some.
• On-paper premise can feel a bit like a generic thriller tropes.

🏆 Final Verdict

A confirmed success for its leads and a delightful genre-bender. Hit Man is proof that with the right talent and a steady hand, even the darkest premises can feel like magic.

View original review on Letterboxd

Remembering Gene Wilder

 

Remembering Gene Wilder (2023)

A Breezy, Background-Ready Highlight Reel

★★☆☆☆

A safe, non-controversial look at a comedy legend that serves better as a "time killer" than a definitive biography.

Directed by Ron Frank, Remembering Gene Wilder functions primarily as a highlight reel of the artist's iconic works. While it lightheartedly touches on his most famous films through the eyes of his colleagues, it lacks the depth one might expect for a talent of Wilder's magnitude. Most effective is the incorporation of narration from his own audiobook autobiography, but the film ultimately fails to offer anything groundbreaking or particularly insightful about his complex personal life or artistic process.

"Wilder's works merit a more extensive examination, as well as his interesting personal life. [It is] the kind of documentary that Netflix is unfortunately becoming famous for: time killers to put on in the background as one goes about their chores."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Ron Frank
• Starring: Gene Wilder (Archival), Mel Brooks, Alan Alda
• Supporting: Carol Kane, Harry Connick Jr., Karen Wilder
• Narration: Gene Wilder (via "Kiss Me Like a Stranger")

The Vision

The documentary aims to be a celebratory, nostalgic trip down memory lane rather than a deep investigative dive. While it successfully captures the "charitable" side of Wilder's legacy, the directorial vision is safe and non-confrontational. It relies heavily on familiar anecdotes and existing footage, missing the gear to make it truly special. It settles into the role of comfortable streaming content—perfect for passive consumption while tending to daily tasks, but leaving dedicated fans yearning for a more extensive examination.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Self-Told Story: The use of Wilder’s own voice from his 2005 memoir, Kiss Me Like a Stranger, allows the actor to essentially narrate his own life story from beyond the grave.
• Blooper Gold: Many viewers consider the rare, extended blooper reel from Young Frankenstein to be the absolute highlight of the documentary’s archival footage.
• Brooks' Blessing: Longtime collaborator Mel Brooks provided extensive new interview footage, offering a firsthand look at the chemistry that defined 1970s comedy.

✅ Pros

• Touchingly incorporates Gene Wilder’s own narration.
• Excellent archival bloopers, especially from Young Frankenstein.
• Breezy and easy to watch for casual fans.

❌ Cons

• Lacks deep insight or groundbreaking new information.
• Feels like surface-level "background" content.
• Avoids more complex or difficult aspects of Wilder’s life.

🏆 Final Verdict

A modest tribute that functions well as a "Greatest Hits" package. If you’re looking for a profound exploration of Wilder’s genius, you might be disappointed, but it’s a pleasant enough companion for a rainy afternoon.

View original review on Letterboxd

Brats

 

BRATS (2024)

Unpacking the Stigma of the "Brat Pack" Moniker

★★☆☆☆

An uneven examination that lightly scratches the surface of 80s stardom without delivering deep insight.

Directed by Andrew McCarthy, BRATS is an uneven examination of the group of actors famously labeled "The Brat Pack" by a notorious 1985 New York Magazine article. McCarthy attempts to unpack the lasting effects and stigma of being lumped into this non-existent social peer group. While he visits icons like Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore, and Rob Lowe, the exploration often feels slightly pretentious or self-pitying. It is a justifiable exercise given the cultural weight of films like The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo's Fire, but it lacks the meaningful depth a different directorial approach might have uncovered.

"The real lost opportunity is missing out on seeing a group reunion of the performers all together... in the small, solo settings the examination comes off at best, slightly pretentious and at worst, self-pitying."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Andrew McCarthy
• Featuring: Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, Ally Sheedy
• Special Appearance: David Blum (Writer of the original article)
• Platform: Hulu

The Vision

Andrew McCarthy’s vision is deeply personal, framed as a journey to reconcile with his own past. He focuses on the "trauma" of the label—being belittled or losing out on prestigious roles—but the film eventually admits the moniker has evolved into a badge of merit. Unfortunately, by keeping the interviews to intimate, one-on-one settings, the film misses the electric potential of a group dynamic. It treats these 1980s touchstones as important time capsules, yet fails to provide an insightful or particularly entertaining narrative for the very generation that grew up with them.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• The Missing Members: Notably absent from the new interviews are Molly Ringwald and Judd Nelson, whose lack of participation highlights the lingering divisiveness of the "Brat Pack" label.
• The Original Sin: The documentary features a face-to-face meeting between McCarthy and David Blum, the journalist who coined the term, marking their first conversation in nearly 40 years.
• Hulu Hit: Despite critical mixed reviews, the documentary became a massive viewership success, proving the enduring allure of John Hughes-era nostalgia.

✅ Pros

• Fascinating to see 80s icons reflecting on their youth.
• Highlights the cultural importance of 1980s youth time capsules.
• The confrontation with the original article's author is a highlight.

❌ Cons

• Missing the "big win" of a full cast reunion.
• Can feel self-pitying given the actual advantages of their fame.
• Surface-level analysis that lacks genuine industry insight.

🏆 Final Verdict

A nostalgic but ultimately shallow walk down memory lane. BRATS is worth a watch for the sheer 80s pedigree, but it leaves you wishing for a more meaningful examination of its famous subjects.

View original review on Letterboxd