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Review by Adam Donato  Cinephiles, rejoice! The cinema event of the year is finally here. Three years after finally tasting Oscar gold, Christopher Nolan is back with The Odyssey. Of course, the film has a star studded cast led by Matt Damon as Odysseus. The film is poised for box office success as the major movies of the last three weekends: Moana (2026), Minions & Monsters, and Supergirl, all underperformed. No major players are to follow until Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Just think about how many tickets for The Odyssey have already been bought before the movie even opened. Nolan is truly an event filmmaker to the highest degree. Even the great Spielberg struggled to have a non franchise summer blockbuster hit just last month. With such lofty expectations, is it possible for Nolan not to disappoint? It’s like watching prime Barry Bonds, but without all the controversy. The Odyssey is an excellent adaptation of the epic poem. Think about how silly Nolan’s cap must look with so many feathers on it. It’s such a distinct entry in his filmography. He’s known for these in depth, futuristic science fiction films that are dark, gritty, and grounded. With The Odyssey, Nolan perfectly translates his distinct style to the realm of mythology. All of Nolan’s movies have such a high floor, that ranking The Odyssey among the rest of his works really does just come down to a matter of subgenre preference. It’s easily one of the best movies of the year as a whole and yet another shoo-in for a slew of award nominations as well as obnoxious box office success for such a mature movie as this.  So of course the five star restaurant delivered a satisfying meal, but do detractors to the might of The Odyssey hold any validity? One could complain about the three hour run time, but the film has excellent pacing that makes the audience feel like they just went on an epic journey and don’t feel like it took all of their day. Some could complain about how grounded the movie is, preferring the bombastic likes of the Clash of the Titans franchise, but they would be wrong. The fantastical elements of the story stand out more and have more impact due to Nolan’s ability to hold back. One could argue that the movie is too dark and boring, but one of Nolan’s better attributes is his ability to include comedic moments that don’t feel forced or cringe. There’s several moments that had the audience busting up. The film ends with such a satisfying sequence that created a raucous audience reaction. Movies are subjective, but this is as unsubjective as it gets.
One of the shining compliments for The Odyssey is this is in contention for Matt Damon’s best performance of his career. Odysseus’s journey home is an epic adventure, but what’s more compelling are his moral beliefs. The concept of fighting vs. hunting is such an interesting idea to play with here. He has all the support in the world here from the rest of the cast as the tenth most popular actor in the movie could lead their own movie. Standouts of the group include Robert Pattinson as the deliciously villainous Antinous and Anne Hathaway as the tragically complex Penelope. This might easily be the best performance of Tom Holland’s career. To acknowledge the silly controversy of all the “inauthentic” casting, it’s only a problem if you’re a hateful bigot. Surprise, the guy who makes exclusively awesome movies delivered yet again. The Odyssey truly dwarfs all other movies of this sort. It’s a visually stunning film full of intense action sequences and incredible performances. There are not many event filmmakers today so audiences should take advantage of this opportunity and check out The Odyssey in the biggest and best format possible as it was intended to be seen. The Odyssey is a rare type of movie experience that actually delivers in full force. The Odyssey journeys into theaters July 17th! Rating: 5/5
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Review by Steve Barton II  Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex disorder and it’s hard to create a definition that fully encompasses everyone diagnosed. Due to it being a spectrum, every individual has their own set of characteristics and quirks that make them unique like a snowflake. When it comes to Lauren Meyering’s new film Horsegirls, she found her perfect leading snowflake with Lillian Carrier playing Margarita. In Horsegirls, we follow Margarita (Carrier) as an autistic girl in her 20s that’s being forced to grow up due to her mother’s illness. While Margarita does enjoy her time at her new job with the Halloween store, her passion is fully invested in a competitive hobby horsing team that accepted her for who and how she is. Horsegirls may seem like just another inspirational drama to some people, but it will be deeply special to the right ones. While many films of a similar nature may dramatize or undercut characters with disabilities, Horsegirls doesn’t fall victim to that trope. Margarita isn’t shy about how she feels and is brutally honest, even to a fault. Her journey is a complicated one with her fighting off becoming an independent adult and learning how to become the best hobby horse rider she can. Lillian brings her own personal experiences to Margarita and fleshes her out into a compelling character who isn’t always perfect, but tries her best anyway.  Along with Lillian, the supporting cast around her all do fantastic in their respective roles especially Gretchen Mol as Margarita’s mother who is desperately trying to prepare her daughter for her eventual death. Her story and performance will hit deep for any parent or caregiver of someone with special needs and seeing that they aren’t alone in these struggles or situations. Jerod Haynes as Margarita’s hobby horse coach deserves an honorable mention, especially for how tender and kind he was to this lost girl looking for someone to accept her. His character is a classic example of a scary bear on the outside, but a sweet, kind mentor who shows Margarita how special she is to the hobby horse world. The addition of Tony Hale as Margarita's uncle was a fun surprise and may help give this movie the eyes it deserves. While his role isn't robust, his short appearance is memorable and humorous.
In the end, Horsegirls is an excellent example of how to show the struggles that come with living and growing with mental disabilities without being offensive. They don’t make autism her “super power” like past films, but instead show that she has bad days like we all do and the authentic feeling will strike deep to audiences. While most of Horsegirls looks fairly basic and comparable to other comedic dramas, the dreamlike sequences give the film its own unique visual identity. With those moments where Margarita is floating in her happy place, the way everything slows down and she looks like she’s in pure bliss resembles a beautiful surreal artwork. If you’re looking for a slice of life story with a character that you’ll instantly love and root for throughout her complex journey, Horsegirls will get the job done. Horsegirls gallops its way into limited theaters starting July 17th! Rating: 4/5 Review by Steve Barton II  What makes a possession movie good? Is it the terrifying thoughts you get when you place yourself in said scenario? Or is it the mentally taxing situation where you can’t trust the people you love most, due to them being infected by another being? The combination of those and so much more is what makes the Evil Dead film franchise one of the strongest in the horror genre! Evil Dead as a franchise was birthed from the creative genius Sam Raimi back in 1981 on a shoestring budget and built it into a multi-million dollar series. The story sprawls across three films originally, then a brutal reimagining in 2013 that brought Bruce Campbell back for the incredible TV series Ash vs Evil Dead. After the show's untimely demise, the series sat dormant until Lee Cronin revived it in 2023 with Evil Dead Rise. In 2026, Cronin hands the reins off to Sébastien Vanicek for Evil Dead Burn and he brings his own style to this storied franchise. Evil Dead Burn follows Alice (Souheila Yacoub) as she’s mourning the loss of her husband with her in-laws, but what they don’t know is specifically what caused his untimely demise. As the family becomes infected one by one by the deadites, Alice can finally be truthful to these disgusting monsters. With Evil Dead Burn being created by French director Sébastien Vanicek, the influence of New Age extremity horror is all over this film. As shocking as it is to admit, Evil Dead Burn is the most brutal and evil movie in the entire series and it’s not even remotely close. With Vanicek being influenced by films like Martyrs and High Tension, the brutal nature of French horror cinema vibes perfectly in this series, while also giving it a refreshing look and style. The kills the deadites cook up for the Price family will have the gore hounds howling and the less enthusiastic folks hiding under their seats. The disturbing imagination that could conjure up using hot candle wax and loaded dishwashers to do harm is as interesting and powerful as it is frightening. Several scenes had the entire theater gasping and shrieking in unison, especially with the car scene rivaling Wolverine & Deadpool in their battle. There is certainly a mix of practical effects with digital touch-ups and enhancements, but it's all done with the utmost precision and skill. With the brutal nature of Evil Dead Burn, it’s good that its cast of characters are all layered with familial drama and their own kinds of evil.  Whether it’s keeping secrets or telling fibs for “the greater good”, every family has their own brand of drama and internal conflict. The cast of Evil Dead Burn bring each character to life authentically and makes the horrific events feel like a nightmare experience that most people can eerily relate to. Souheila Yacoub as the leading lady does an incredible job grounding the insanity and also showing the nightmare of dealing with your unruly in-laws. Souheila may be the lead of Evil Dead Burn, but the star of the show is the patriarch of the family, Edgar Price played by Erroll Shand. His electric deadite performance is so strong countering him being a silent, brooding father who's clearly disappointed in everyone and everything in his life in the beginning. Luciane Buchanan’s deadite performance was also very impressive and Maude Davey as Grandma Polly was the comedic relief that this film desperately needed at times. Keep your eyes peeled for Bruce and other references because Evil Dead Burn is chock full of them.
In the end, Evil Dead Burn stays true to the core values of the franchise, while also bringing in a fresh new look. The camera work and editing in Evil Dead Burn is dynamic and sleek and may be the most cinematic of the bunch. The violent scenes will shock you to your core, but grandma's offensive jokes keep things silly and fun (as they can be). Evil Dead Burn may be a bit darker than some folks may expect, but horror fans will be happy to get their carnage candy. If you enjoy feeling terrified while also experiencing an interesting story about the dynamics of a fractured family while grieving, Evil Dead Burn checks every box. Evil Dead Burn is in theaters starting July 10th! Rating: 4.5/5 Review by Steve Barton II  If there’s one thing you should never do, it’s underestimating the strength and determination of a woman! Being a woman in today’s society already comes with its unique challenges and it can be tripled for a woman trying to live independently during the 1800s America. They’ve fought hard for the last 100+ years to claw back their rights and the system is still tilted in the favor of men. In Colonial America, women were viewed as more of an asset or tool rather than a bodily autonomous human. When it comes to The Isolate Thief, a young woman (Mackenzie Foy) whose parents have passed away and left her alone at their desolate outpost. After she discovers gold near her home and steals it from a group of violent criminals who have completely taken over her family home. Have you ever asked yourself if the Coen Brother’s True Grit and Home Alone’s scripts got spun around in a blender, what’s gonna come out? Probably not, but nevertheless director John Suits delivers on that strange concept in a solid way. The story begins like many westerns that came before it with the main character (Foy) narrating her journal entry and filling the audience in with all the necessary context. Audiences may be able to assume where the story is going with this young, lonely girl having her homestead impeded upon, but it goes darker than you’d expect. The performances from the small ensemble cast certainly help in creating the unique tone, but the great practical effects and western sets really sell it all.  Many lower budget productions wouldn’t think twice about taking the “easy way out” and using digital effects over the entire film. With The Isolate Thief, the first sight of blood and violence sends a shock down your spine in the best way. Seeing the brutality of our antagonists after taking in the quiet scenery with the young girl was jarring, like hitting the first hill on a rollercoaster. While it may be a mix of practical and digital effects, the high quality of the effects like severed limbs and stab wounds elevates The Isolate Thief from being just another bland western that no one under 50 would see.
The main concept of female empowerment and showing power in a solitary battle and it’s done so with Mackenzie Foy leading one of her first films in her adult life. While she may have been the lead in The Nutcracker and the Four Realms and Disney+’s Black Beauty, this is one of her first roles that breakout of the Disney/childhood realm and she kills it. Her character development of being a lost girl under attack to her enemies rueing every choice they made that brought themselves to her doorstep is compelling and inspiring. Having Sean Bean as your ultimate foil and scene partner will always help make a good performance great too. Sean is incredible as this sly, charming yet evil and heinous villain who would kill you and somehow have you apologizing to him. The cameo appearance from the icon Joe Pantoliano was a scene stealer and he’s almost completely unrecognizable in the makeup and outfit he’s wearing. Odeya Rush and Ty Simpkins show promise both in roles that are outside their normal work, especially with Simpkins who went from playing a cute kid in Insidious and Jurassic World to a vile creature of a man here. In the end, The Isolate Thief is a fun watch and an empowering story for young women finding their independence. While it’s awesome that movies like Barbie and other traditionally “female” movies are made more often, not all women love all the pink and playing dress-up. Having a story outside of the normal rom-com genre that they’re often regulated to is refreshing for them and wider audiences alike. With a solid cast of characters and brutal violence that will make the strongest man cringe, The Isolate Thief is right for any western genre fan or anyone looking for a solid movie. The Isolate Thief is available in theaters starting July 10th! Rating: 3.5/5 Review by Adam Donato  It’s a volatile world out there if you’re a Disney live action remake these days. Snow White totally bombed at the box office, meanwhile Lilo & Stitch was five million away from being the highest grossing movie of 2025 at the domestic box office. We went from cancelling all live action remakes to greenlighting them. In theory, they’re only going to get better at it with practice and there’s been plenty of practice. The latest Disney live action remake is of a movie that came out only a decade prior, Moana (2016). 2025 really opened the floodgates for how recent a live action remake can be. While Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs came out 88 years ago, Lilo & Stitch is the first live action remake of a 21st century Disney Animation Studios movie. Dreamworks pushed the boundary even further with a How to Train Your Dragon live action remake that was very successful. Guess they’re running out of classics. There was just a successful animated Moana sequel in theaters not even two years ago. If Moana is what the masses want, then why not oblige them? The best thing the Moana live action remake has going for it is that it’s so inoffensive. This is in large part because so little is changed. That does beg the question, why produce a live action remake so quickly and not have much of anything new to offer? It just screams cynical and lazy business decision. This comes right after a Moana (2016) sequel that was intended to be a Disney+ series with no Lin Manuel Miranda. It’s sad to see what started as an amazing animated movie, be so blatantly exploited solely for profit. That being said, it is a good thing that the Moana live action remake isn’t offensive. Families will enjoy that, but cinephiles won’t have as much to complain about. There is a certain acceptance that this is just the norm. The bar and the ceiling is low. Moana (2026) is a beat for beat remake of the original animated film. It made some slight changes here and there. None of them were an improvement.  Is a movie just bad if there’s a better version of it that exists? Sure, Moana (2026) is a hollow version of a widely acclaimed movie, but making such a safe movie does establish a decent floor. The goal is clearly not to improve upon the original film, but to celebrate how perfect the original film is. This establishes a low ceiling for this type of thing. If your goal is to remember Moana (2016), see what it would look like in live action, and have an inoffensive, good time, then Moana (2026) will scratch that itch.
One of the more interesting aspects of these live action remakes is the casting. Moana (2026) introduces Catherine Laga’aia in the title role. She does fine in the lead role. Playing the title character in a successful Disney live action remake doesn’t guarantee future career success. Mena Massoud played the titular role in Aladdin (2019) and despite that movie making a billion dollars, he's nowhere near a household name. Laga’aia doesn’t quite capture the charisma that is the animated Moana, but delivers a decent interpretation. It’s interesting that a Moana live action remake happened before a Frozen live action remake. It’s easy to wonder how much influence Dwayne Johnson had in the quickness of this particular live action remake. It’s funny that he would be so eager to embody the live action version to Maui because he looks absolutely ridiculous. In the live action Aladdin, it was interesting (for better or worse) to see Will Smith try to play the Robin Williams Genie. Here, Dwayne Johnson is trying his absolute best to recapture the magic from Dwayne Johnson’s performance in Moana (2016). Maui is a vain douchebag, but so is The Rock’s public image these days. Is he nailing a performance that was tailor made for him or is he sleepwalking through a performance he’s totally checked out of? It doesn’t matter if you’re laughing with him or at him, at the end of the day, you’re laughing. His goofier moments are the best moments in the movie. The visuals of the film are expectedly uninspiring, but at least there’s no character designs that are detrimental to the film. Tamatoa is the worst of them, but he’s also supposed to be ugly and his sequence in the movie is brief so it’s not as bad. That’s the advantage that the live action remakes that are about humans have. Disney clearly thinks that audiences crave realism for these live action remakes so the non-human characters become very limited in their ability to visually express emotions. Not really worried about that too much with Pua and Heihei though. They’re both cute and fun enough. Moana (2026) delivers a watered down version of Moana (2016). It’s crazy that so much money was invested in such a derivative cash grab. Still, the story of Moana is an enduring one. Better movies have been remade much worse than this. Strictly for families only and Moana super fans. Everyone else can stick to the original. Y’know, the classic 2016 movie. Moana wayfinds into theaters July 10th! Rating: 3/5 |