LEGENDS OF THE CONDOR HEROES: THE GALLANTS
2025 | Dir. Tsui Hark | 147 Minutes
3 out of 5
A flawed adaptation of a small portion of Jin Yong's Legends of the Condor Heroes, Tsui Hark doesn't bother providing proper exposition for those unfamiliar with the source material, nor does he faithfully adapt the handful of chapters from the book that this picture ostensibly covers, opting to occasionally flash back to key moments leading up to this particular segment of the story while taking questionable creative liberties. The pacing is all over the place, the heavily CGI-augmented action is entertaining enough until the weightlessness eventually robs it of all impact, and the feature ultimately culminates in a final battle newly fabricated for the film that fails to provide it with an adequate ending. Xiao Zhan and Sabrina Zhuang Dafei share good chemistry in the lead roles as one of the most famous couples in wuxia fiction, though Zhang Wenxin delivers the most impressive performance in the greatly expanded role of the feisty Mongolian princess, while Tony Leung Ka-Fai is convincingly formidable as pathologically conceited Western Venom Ouyang Feng despite looking quite ridiculous especially after his faulty final power-up.
THE MONKEY
2025 | Dir. Osgood Perkins | 98 Minutes
4 out of 5
Pitch black hilarious featuring inventively over-the-top kills, it's a merciless horror comedy that makes light of inevitable mortality and the random indiscrimate nature of death. The pacing is solid until it slows to a frustrating slog just before the finale, and any catharsis to be had in the end is undercut by cruel humor, but it's a fun thrill ride overall. Theo James and Tatiana Maslany's amusing performances are spot-on, clearly understanding the assignment.
LOVE HURTS
2025 | Jonathan Eusebio | 83 Minutes
3 out of 5
Though it features amusing action choreography and a fun cast, the picture is instantly forgettable, falling disappointingly flat when it comes to comedy and romance. Even as an excuse to tie together a series of fight scenes, the script is woefully undercooked, with so much voice over work making it abundantly obvious the filmmakers were desperately attempting to save this in post. Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose deserve so much better. Extra point awarded for Mustafa Shakir equiping double sleeve knives (and using them well) as a reference to The Avenging Eagle that's less obvious than the poster for that movie prominently displayed at the villain's hideout.
COMPANION
2025 | Dir. Drew Hancock | 97 Minutes
4 out of 5
A delightfully dark comedy playing with a relatively straightforward sci-fi premise in some clever ways yielding violent results. While the social commentary is very on-the-nose, and the picture doesn't convey any particularly groundbreaking ideas, its brilliant cast, well-paced structure, and slick execution make it a consistently thrilling ride. Sophie Thatcher gives a stand-out, unpredictably versatile performance in the titular role.
PRESENCE
2025 | Dir. Steven Soderbergh | 85 Minutes
3 out of 5
Technically impressive but somewhat sparse on narrative, Soderbergh's take on the haunted house picture is cleverly constructed and serviceably compelling, but its spirited camerawork will ultimately be better remembered than any of its corporeal characters. Callina Liang's performance as the sensitive daughter goes a long way to sell both the interpersonal conflict and the occasional lo-fi supernatural outbursts, though audiences seeking a good scare beyond a handful of tense moments have plenty of other more frightening options.
