Nobody 2

 

Nobody 2

Hutch Mansell’s Deadly Family Vacation

★★★1/2☆

A rare sequel that sticks to its guns without reinventing the wheel.

Hutch Mansell, AKA Nobody, returns. This time, he’s taking his family on vacation. After the destructive events of the first film, Hutch is still paying off his massive financial debts to the country. Sure, it’s all just an excuse for another destructive adventure—but it’s still a lot of fun.

"I’m just a guy trying to get my deposit back."

— Hutch Mansell

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Timo Tjahjanto
• Writers: Derek Kolstad, Aaron Rabin, Bob Odenkirk, Umair Aleem
• Starring: Bob Odenkirk (Hutch), Connie Nielsen (Becca), Sharon Stone (Lendina)
• Supporting: Christopher Lloyd (David), RZA (Harry), Colin Hanks (Abel)
• Cinematography: Rahadi Mandra

The Director's Vision

Sequels are tricky; the decks are always stacked against them. The temptation for creatives is to go either "bigger and badder" or to reinvent the wheel. Luckily, Nobody 2 does neither. The film maintains the fun while sticking to what made the first film great.

New director Timo Tjahjanto (The Night Comes for Us) delivers entertaining action mixed with satisfying vengeance, all against unsavory antagonists who definitely have it coming. The explosive set pieces provide creative fun and visual candy, especially the satisfaction of seeing cocky bad guys underestimating Hutch and his lethal family.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Director Swap: Director Timo Tjahjanto was hand-picked for the sequel due to his reputation for "hard-hitting, visceral action," marking a shift toward a more aggressive style than the first film.
• Sharon's Villain Era: Sharon Stone reportedly joined the cast because she wanted a role that allowed her to be "unhinged and menacing," playing the ruthless Russian boss, Lendina.
• Family Training: Connie Nielsen underwent significantly more tactical training for the sequel, as the script specifically called for her character, Becca, to be just as lethal as Hutch.
• Universal Connection: Fans continue to speculate about a "Nobody/John Wick" crossover, as both were written/created by Derek Kolstad.

✅ Pros

• Bob Odenkirk's incredible physical commitment to the role.
• Sharon Stone’s scene-stealing turn as a high-stakes villain.
• The "lethal family" dynamic adds a fresh, feel-good layer.

❌ Cons

• The plot setup is essentially an excuse for a redo of the first.
• Colin Hanks' character feels slightly overshadowed by Stone.

The Performances

• Bob Odenkirk: Delivers another fun, physically impressive performance, proving once again he is a legitimate action star.
• Sharon Stone: In a bold revelation, she is unhinged and menacing as Lendina. It’s the kind of villain turn we haven't seen from her in years.
• Connie Nielsen: Finally gets to show off her lethal side alongside returning family members Christopher Lloyd and RZA.

👀 Where to Watch

Nobody 2 (2025): Now available for digital rental and purchase on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

Streaming: Expected to land on Peacock in late 2026.

Read more on Letterboxd

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Whether they finish this story as a trilogy remains to be seen, but Nobody 2 leaves us in a good place. It’s a strong sequel that satisfies the craving for John Wick-style action with a tinge of black humor. Check out the original and this sequel—the viewer won't regret it.

Final Verdict: A Knockout Sequel

The Naked Gun 2025

 

The Naked Gun (2025)

 A Refreshingly Silly Return to Police Squad

★★★☆☆

Liam Neeson proves the franchise is in safe, deadpan hands.

An unabashedly, refreshingly silly affair, The Naked Gun makes a welcome return in 2025. While the film is connected in name and legacy only—as original creatives Zucker and Abrahams have reluctantly passed the baton to Seth MacFarlane’s team—I can report that the franchise is in safe and capable hands.

"Whether I can lean into the lightheartedness, I don't know... I'm not Leslie Nielsen. But the script is very funny."

— Liam Neeson

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Akiva Schaffer
• Writers: Dan Gregor, Doug Mand, Akiva Schaffer (Story by Seth MacFarlane)
• Starring: Liam Neeson (Frank Drebin Jr.), Pamela Anderson
• Supporting: Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Danny Huston
• Cinematography: Lafuente Guijarro

The Director's Vision

Major kudos must go to Director Akiva Schaffer, who also co-wrote the script. This type of humor is not easy to pull off, as demonstrated by the many "movie" parodies that have failed before. Schaffer finds the perfect balance of visual gags, biting dialogue, and extreme situations.

Clocking in at less than 90 minutes, the runtime is an act of mercy. It allows audiences to catch their breath between laughs before the logical brain can analyze the plot. I honestly feel like I missed half the jokes from laughing so much—a trait shared with the original films where new comedic layers are still being discovered decades later.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• The Neeson Pivot: Liam Neeson was famously nervous about the role, citing that he is "not a comedian," but Akiva Schaffer insisted that his "deadly serious" action persona was exactly what the role required.
• Pamela's Noir Roots: Pamela Anderson's character is a direct homage to the "femme fatale" archetypes of the 1940s, specifically tailored to mirror Priscilla Presley’s Jane Spencer.
• Lonely Island DNA: Director Akiva Schaffer brought in several collaborators from Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping to ensure the "visual gag-per-minute" ratio stayed high.
• Classic Cameos: Keep your eyes peeled for several background cameos from original Police Squad! bit players hidden in the precinct scenes.

✅ Pros

• Liam Neeson’s perfect, aloof, straight-laced take on Drebin Jr.
• Rapid-fire jokes that demand multiple viewings.
• Pamela Anderson is surprisingly humorous and fits the noir vibe perfectly.

❌ Cons

• Purists may miss the specific "ZAZ" (Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker) touch.
• The plot is (intentionally) paper-thin.

The Performances

• Liam Neeson: Benefits from his overly serious disposition, serving the legacy of Leslie Nielsen beautifully. He stays "in the pocket" of the joke without ever winking at the camera.
• Pamela Anderson: Does a fun take on the stereotypical noir bombshell without overplaying her hand, proving she has great comedic timing.
• Paul Walter Hauser: As the new Ed Hocken, Hauser provides a brilliant comedic foil that keeps the precinct scenes grounded in absurdity.

👀 Where to Watch

The Naked Gun (2025): Now available for digital purchase on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

Streaming: Scheduled to arrive on Paramount+ in mid-2026.

Read more on Letterboxd

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This movie finds that sweet spot that many parodies tend to blast right by. It’s a film that definitely needs to be watched again to appreciate the depth of the humor. So watch The Naked Gun more than once—you likely won't regret it.

Final Verdict: A Mile-a-Minute Riot

Highest 2 Lowest

 

Highest 2 Lowest

A Spike Lee Joint with Many Layers

★★★☆☆

A soulful, New York-centric reimagining of a Kurosawa classic.

Spike Lee's Highest 2 Lowest is a film of many layers. On one level, the movie is a loose remake of Akira Kurosawa's classic noir High and Low. But it is also a love letter to the city of New York, highlighting the urban beauty and melting pot community that makes the city so unique.

"We’re not just remaking a masterpiece; we’re translating it into the language of 21st-century Brooklyn."

— Spike Lee

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Spike Lee
• Writers: Alan Fox, Spike Lee
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright
• Supporting: ASAP Rocky, Ice Spice, Dean Winters
• Cinematography: Matthew Libatique

The Director's Vision

This film is a strong sociological examination of old-school philosophy vs. the new school. It looks at how different age groups' experiences inform choices and what is the acceptable cost for attaining success. It’s also an examination of the ruthlessness and politics of the modern business world—complete with backstabbings and ruthless negotiations.

While some might argue it fails to live up to the lofty story elements of Kurosawa's original masterpiece, if you view it through the prism of being a "Spike Lee Joint," it is a rousing success. It highlights the complexity and charm of New York while reuniting the legendary team of Lee and Denzel Washington.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Fifth Collaboration: This marks the fifth time Denzel Washington and Spike Lee have worked together, following Mo' Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man.
• Apple & A24: The film was produced by Apple Original Films but received a full theatrical release via A24 before hitting streaming.
• Kurosawa Roots: The original 1963 film was itself loosely based on the Ed McBain novel King's Ransom, making this a western adaptation of an eastern adaptation of a western book.

✅ Pros

• Denzel Washington’s commanding, nuanced lead performance.
• Vibrant, authentic cinematography that acts as a NYC travelogue.
• Strong, modern take on class and generational conflict.

❌ Cons

• Suffers under the inevitable comparison to the Kurosawa original.
• The thriller/mystery elements feel secondary to the social commentary.

The Performances

• Denzel Washington: Once again proves why he is a master of the craft, bringing a weary, old-school dignity to a man caught in a ruthless corporate and moral trap.
• Jeffrey Wright: Provides an excellent, cerebral counterpoint to Denzel, making their scenes together the highlights of the film.
• Ilfenesh Hadera: Gives a grounded, strong performance that centers the film's domestic stakes.

👀 Where to Watch

High and Low (2025): Stream it now exclusively on Apple TV+.

The Original (1963): Available to stream on The Criterion Channel or Max.

Read more on Letterboxd

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Check out Highest 2 Lowest . It warrants a healthy recommendation from me as there is quite a bit to enjoy in the film. But whatever you do, please check out the original Kurosawa film eventually—it is arguably one of the greatest films ever made.

Final Verdict: A Modern Spike Lee Classic

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

 

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

 A Strange, Disjointed Return to the Afterlife

★★½☆☆

A wildly excessive hot mess that rewards die-hard fans but leaves others behind.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a movie as strange and disjointed as its behind-the-scenes development. After the original was a modest 1988 hit that became a cult classic, a sequel seemed like a no-brainer. But for whatever reason, the project couldn't come together until 2024. Whether or not it should have happened is up for debate.

"The screenplay is so jam-packed with characters, threads, and set pieces, that it feels less like a movie and more like a jumble of Post-it notes for several could-be sequels combined."

— Mashable

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Tim Burton
• Writers: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar (Story by Seth Grahame-Smith)
• Starring: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Jenna Ortega
• Supporting: Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, Danny DeVito
• Music: Danny Elfman

The Director's Vision

The production design, special effects, and performances are all first-class, but the story suffers from too many threads. Tim Burton seems content pulling on all of them at once. There are needless callbacks that annoy more than they entertain, and the film is wildly excessive—betraying the simple charm of the original.

From too many musical numbers that don't add to the plot (a "MacArthur Park" sequence instead of "Day-O") to an unfunny reliance on Spanish-speaking humor, the film feels "off." While taking place in the underworld should be fun, here, less would have definitely been more.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Handmade Feel: Michael Keaton reportedly insisted that the sequel feel "handmade" with minimal CGI, favoring practical effects and puppets.
• Plan B: Brad Pitt is actually a producer on the film through his company, Plan B Entertainment.
• Animated Omission: To address Jeffrey Jones' absence, Burton used a stop-motion animated sequence and a headless corpse to represent Charles Deetz without using the original actor.

✅ Pros

• Michael Keaton’s infectious energy as the "Ghost with the Most."
• Jenna Ortega is a perfect fit for the "surly goth teenager" archetype.
• Stunning, top-tier practical production design and makeup.

❌ Cons

• Messy, overstuffed plot with too many competing storylines.
• Awkward handling of missing original cast members.
• Excessive musical numbers that stall the narrative.

The Performances

• Michael Keaton: Reprises his role with feral, jabbering joy, proving no time has passed since 1988.
• Jenna Ortega: Delivers a delightful performance as Astrid, capturing the difficult relationship with her mother, Lydia.
• Winona Ryder & Catherine O'Hara: Their return is a nostalgic win, though the script doesn't always give them enough to do amidst the chaos.

👀 Where to Watch

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024): Now streaming on Netflix and Max.

Digital Rental: Available on Apple TV and Max.

Digital Rental: Available on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Read more on Letterboxd

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Considering the time between films, one would think they could have come up with something better for fans. Unfortunately, they couldn't. It's not a total loss—if you're a die-hard Burton fan, you'll find plenty of aesthetic delights. But for the rest of us, it’s a bit of a drag that lacks the simple charm of the original.

Final Verdict: A Strange, Off-Key Resurrection

Honey Don't!

 

Honey Don't!

A Solo Ethan Coen Caper That Almost Fits the Mold

★★1/2☆☆

A serviceable mystery that misses the "Joel filter" but keeps the quirk.

Honey Don't! is a mildly intriguing mystery featuring an affable lead performance from Margaret Qualley. What makes the film frustrating is that it features some of the unorthodox originality of the best works of the Coen Bros, but something just feels a little off.

"It's a dizzying, candy-colored neo-noir that proves Ethan Coen’s solo voice is as loud—and as weird—as ever."

— Variety

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Ethan Coen
• Writers: Ethan Coen, Tricia Cooke
• Starring: Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans
• Supporting: Charlie Day, Billy Eichner, Margaret Reed
• Cinematography: Ari Wegner

The Director's Vision

The patina of the Coen brothers' legacy is all over this film: quirky characters, surreal situations, off-kilter images, and unique staging. However, it only features the creative input of one brother, Ethan Coen. One wonders what Joel could have contributed to round out some of the uneven edges.

Chalk it up to a lower budget or the lack of a "Joel filter," but the project drags at points—which is telling for a 90-minute runtime. Despite a script that feels less polished than their collaborative classics, the trademark sensibilities are present. Make no mistake, this is a Coen production through and through.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Spiritual Sequel: This is considered the second installment in Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke's "Lesbian B-Movie Trilogy," following 2024's Drive-Away Dolls.
• Bakersfield Vibes: The film was shot extensively on location in Bakersfield, California, to capture that specific "off-the-beaten-path" Americana aesthetic.
• Chris Evans’ Pivot: After years of playing Captain America, Evans reportedly jumped at the chance to play a "magnetic and unhinged" cult leader type.

✅ Pros

• Magnetic performances from Aubrey Plaza and Chris Evans.
• Margaret Qualley continues to be an engaging indie lead.
• Vibrant, unconventional visuals and "B-movie" energy.

❌ Cons

• Noticeably uneven pacing despite the short runtime.
• Script feels a bit thin compared to the Coens' gold-standard works.

The Performances

• Margaret Qualley: Delivers an engaging, affable lead performance that keeps the mystery grounded.
• Chris Evans: Goes delightfully "unhinged," leaning into a character type we rarely see from him in blockbuster cinema.
• Aubrey Plaza & Charlie Day: Plaza remains magnetic as ever, while Day provides some of the film's most humorous beats.

👀 Where to Watch

Honey Don't! (2025): Now available for digital purchase and rental on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Read more on Letterboxd

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It's still fun to visit a Coen movie, even if it's just one brother at the helm. Honey Don't! is a handsome production that, despite being a bit rough around the edges, serves as a solid reminder of why this specific brand of filmmaking remains so unique.

Final Verdict: Serviceable Solo-Coen Quirk

Together

Together

A Disturbing, Body-Horror Marriage Counseling

★★★☆☆

A perfectly serviceable body-horror film best served for genre fans.

Together is a perfectly serviceable body-horror film, though it is best served for fans of the genre. It features some of the most disturbing imagery and gross-out humor moments of 2025. The movie benefits immensely from the real-life marriage of Dave Franco and Alison Brie, a relationship that anchors the story as it revolves around the ups and downs of a modern partnership.

"Together uses the 'conjoined' trope not just for shocks, but as a visceral metaphor for the suffocating nature of codependency."

— The Hollywood Reporter

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Dave Franco
• Writers: Dave Franco, Alison Brie
• Starring: Alison Brie, Dave Franco
• Cinematography: Guy Godfree
• Genre: Body Horror / Psychological Thriller

The Director's Vision

The horror elements here play as an analogy of romantic insecurities and the difficulties of self-identity while sharing a life with someone. It’s a unique and sometimes humorous way to approach these profound issues. However, as a non-horror fan particularly adverse to the body-horror sub-genre, I found the general silliness of the conceit hard to overcome. While the thrills were somewhat wasted on me, I admire the creativity and execution on display.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Real Life Chemistry: This marks the fourth collaboration between the married couple, following The Little Hours, The Disaster Artist, and Somebody I Used to Know.
• Practical Effects: Dave Franco insisted on using practical "prosthetic suits" to keep the actors physically connected during filming to heighten the sense of claustrophobia.
• Sundance Premiere: The film caused several walkouts during its midnight premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival due to its "visceral" final act.

✅ Pros

• Excellent, lived-in chemistry between Brie and Franco.
• Genuinely creepy and top-tier practical body-horror effects.
• Clever use of horror as a metaphor for relationship codependency.

❌ Cons

• High "gross-out" factor may alienate non-horror fans.
• The metaphor occasionally gets buried under the "silliness" of the premise.

The Performances

• Alison Brie: Brings a grounded, empathetic soul to the film, making the more outlandish body-horror elements feel emotionally resonant.
• Dave Franco: Manages to balance the "gross-out" humor with a vulnerable performance that highlights the character's fear of losing his identity.

👀 Where to Watch

Together (2025): Now streaming on Hulu as of early 2026.

Rental: Available for purchase on Google Play and Apple TV.

Read more on Letterboxd

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If you love horror films, Together should definitely be added to your queue for its disturbing scenes and genuinely creepy moments. But if you’re unable to turn yourself over to the fantasy elements of the genre, this will likely be a hard pass.

Final Verdict: A Visceral, Divisive Genre Piece

How To Train Your Dragon 2025

How to Train Your Dragon

A Painfully Accurate, Heartwarming Mirror

★★★☆☆

A stirring success for new generations, though a bit of "deja vu" for old fans.

How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is an almost painfully accurate, yet heartwarming, live-action interpretation of the animated classic. This is both a positive and a negative. In terms of remaking an animated film, this is probably the best way to do it: getting the original director to helm the project and bringing back the most famous performer from the animation, Gerard Butler, to reprise his role.

"The goal was to make the dragons feel like they truly inhabit a 3D space—heavy, breathing, and tangible—without losing the soul of the original designs."

— Dean DeBlois

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director/Writer: Dean DeBlois
• Starring: Mason Thames (Hiccup), Nico Parker (Astrid), Gerard Butler (Stoick)
• Supporting: Nick Frost (Gobber), Julian Dennison (Fishlegs)
• Cinematography: Bill Pope
• Music: John Powell

The Director's Vision

Director Dean DeBlois honors his own work by restaging almost everything from his original story in live-action form. The negative, however, is that there isn't much reason to see this version if you are already familiar with the source. Action beats are literally ripped from the animated film, set to the same stirring musical score. Fans will have "deja vu" throughout the entire runtime.

Yet, the film doesn't rock the boat with unnecessary filler, which is admirable. The special effects are outstanding; the dragons rival the CGI seen in the best Jurassic Park films. This movie isn't for those who have seen the original dozens of times—it's a stirring success for future generations to enjoy.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Reprising the Crown: Gerard Butler is the only lead actor from the animated trilogy to reprise his role (Stoick the Vast) in the live-action version.
• Toothless Tech: To make Toothless feel "real," the VFX team studied the muscle movements of black panthers and domestic cats to ensure the "live" interaction felt authentic.
• The Powell Connection: Oscar-nominated composer John Powell returned to adapt his original themes, recorded with a massive 90-piece orchestra to maintain that signature "Viking" sound.

✅ Pros

• Stunning, world-class dragon CGI and practical sets.
• A star-making turn from Nico Parker as Astrid.
• Faithfully preserves the emotional core of the original.

❌ Cons

• Almost zero derivation from the 2010 script.
• Feels redundant for anyone who has seen the animation recently.

The Performances

• Mason Thames & Nico Parker: Both add minuscule, personal changes to Hiccup and Astrid that make the characters feel fresh in a "real" world setting.
• Gerard Butler: Reprises his role with the same booming authority, grounding the film's legacy.
• Nick Frost: Brings a delightful, bumbling energy to Gobber that provides the film's best comedic beats.

👀 Where to Watch

How to Train Your Dragon (2025): Now available for digital rental and purchase on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Streaming: Scheduled to arrive on Peacock in mid-2026.

Read more on Letterboxd

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If you're new to the franchise, this is a must-see. But if you’ve already seen the original dozens of times (like those of us with kids), it’s probably not worth taking in except for the curiosity factor. It honors the animated film excellently, serving as a stirring success for the next generation.

Final Verdict: A Faithful, High-Flying Homage