Author Archives: Keith Garlington

REVIEW: “M3GAN 2.0” (2025)

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I’m still not sure how, but “M3GAN” turned out to be one of the surprise hits of 2022 both with audiences and critics. It was yet another movie delving into the world of artificial intelligence yet with its own potentially fun twist. Unfortunately the feature never quite hit its marks. It wasn’t scary enough to be good horror, and it never fully embraced the absurdity of its story.

But “M3GAN” made enough money for Universal Studios to green-light a sequel. Sadly “M3GAN 2.0” is a mind-boggling misstep. It’s a movie plagued by baffling choices that’s sure to alienate many established fans while failing to convert any new ones. Returning director Gerard Johnstone ditches the horror genre altogether and instead makes a science fiction action movie. In reality, it’s a grueling two-hour slog, hampered by endless exposition, uninspired action, and a story as emotionless and robotic as the film’s eponymous AI.

Image Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Allison Williams returns as Gemma, a high-tech roboticist who created an AI-powered humanoid doll named M3GAN. But when M3GAN gained self-awareness, she began killing anyone who came between her and her human companion, Cady (Violet McGraw). Since those events, Gemma has become a crusader pushing for regulations against AI, especially involving children. Meanwhile her niece Cady is mostly over her encounter with M3GAN, but her relationship with Gemma is a bit complicated.

Elsewhere (and this is where the movie immediately flies off the rails) a secret branch of the United States Army is giving a demonstration of their new secret weapon – an android named AMELIA. Built on technology copied from the original M3GAN, AMELIA is designed to carry out covert infiltration missions and assassinations. But the demonstration goes south after AMELIA reveals herself to be self-aware. She breaks from her mission, kills a key asset, and escapes.

Image Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Desperate to regain control of their dangerous AI creation, the military approach Gemma about obtaining another copy of M3GAN’s code. Their plan is to create another android to hunt down the rogue AMELIA (brilliant). But Gemma doesn’t have a copy – or so she thinks. It turns out M3GAN installed a backup of her mind into Gemma’s smart house. When M3GAN finally reveals herself to Gemma, she offers to help stop AMELIA in exchange for a new body.

From there it’s mostly scene after scene of bone-dry exposition as the movie lumbers onward. A few action scenes are thrown in to no effect and there are some vain attempts at humor. Meanwhile the cast of characters struggle to earn our interest. It’s especially tough for Williams who does everything she can to make things interesting and add a human pulse. Sadly “M3GAN 2.0” spends too much time reinventing itself. And the results are near catastrophic. “M3GAN 2.0” is in theaters now.

VERDICT – 1.5 STARS

REVIEW: “F1” (2025)

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You don’t have to be a hardcore Formula One fan to enjoy “F1”, the latest big budget blockbuster from director Joseph Kosinski. In fact, you could say “F1” uses car racing much like “Top Gun” used flying fighter planes. And much like “Top Gun”, Kosinski’s film features its own perfectly cast A-lister who brings some notable star wattage to an already brilliant movie.

There’s no denying that “F1” sticks close to a tried and true blockbuster formula. But who cares when it’s executed this flawlessly? Kosinski directs with such energy and confidence. And while the script may hit some familiar dramatic beats, screenwriter Ehren Kruger fully immerses us in the world of Formula One Racing. He does so while creating compelling characters and dodging many of the usual pitfalls that can come with sports related movies.

Image Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Much of the film’s success starts with its star, Brad Pitt. Bursting with charisma and personality, Pitt gives a terrific performance playing a race-car driver named Sonny Hayes. Sonny once had a bright future as a young driver in Formula One. But his reckless reputation and a nasty wreck ended his once promising F1 run. That was three decades ago. Since then, Sonny has been driving cars in a number of smaller circuits.

After winning an IMSA series race, Sonny is visited by his old friend and former teammate, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem). Ruben owns a struggling Formula team called APX Grand Prix. As they enter the second half of the season, APX hasn’t scored a single point. And with only nine races left, Ruben needs a win or he could potentially lose his team. He recently lost his best driver, and his #2 is an extremely talented yet inexperienced and immature rookie named Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) who could use a little guidance.

A desperate Ruben offers Sonny a seat on his Formula One team – an offer which Sonny initially turns down but ultimately accepts. But he’s greeted with skepticism from a Ruben’s established yet frustrated team, especially young Pearce who’s determined to be the team’s new #1 driver. With the prospect of losing their jobs looming over them, the APX team is forced to hang their hats on a driver some say is over the hill and washed up.

“F1” has numerous things going for it starting with the exhilarating racing scenes. Everything from the cinematography, editing, and sound design adds to the electricity. Even Hans Zimmer’s pulse-pounding score feeds the white-knuckle energy that can be felt in every rev of the engine, every pop of the exhaust, and every screech of a tire. It’s especially kinetic on the big screen which is where everyone should watch it.

Image Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

The collection of characters add to the fun starting with Pitt, whose effortless charm and old-fashioned star power has a Paul Newman-like draw. Idris is a good foil, playing a character who proves to be more than some shallow hothead. Bardem fits nicely as an antsy team owner while Academy Award nominee Kerry Condon gets a good role as the team’s technical director and Sonny’s potential love interest. And since the film was shot during the 2023 and 2024 F1 seasons, a number of real-life drivers, team owners, and commentators make appearances.

“F1” is an impressively balanced feature that will appeal to every audience. Whether you’re a die-hard Formula One fan or an uninitiated newbie (like me), Kosinski’s throwback summer spectacle taps into what makes going to the theater special. While it’s hard to call its story original, it is consistently entertaining, from its propulsive start to its satisfying finish. And having Brad Pitt in his charismatic groove is the icing on the cake. “F1” is in theaters now.

VERDICT – 4.5 STARS

REVIEW: “The G” (2025)

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The insanely versatile and always authentic Dale Dickey is an actress who can express more in one stare than many can with heavy direction and pages of dialogue. She has always been a captivating screen presence, often playing gritty and menacing characters while at other times conveying an unvarnished Southern charm. Her performances are often subtle yet they’re almost always memorable.

Dickey gets a terrific lead role in “The G”, a gripping crime thriller from Canadian writer-director Karl R. Hearne. The film premiered two years ago at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and since then has been making its rounds across the globe. Now it’s getting a wide distribution courtesy of Dark Sky Films, hopefully followed by the kind of audience the movie deserves.

Image Courtesy of Dark Sky Films

Dickey plays Ann Hunter, a leathery and tough-minded 72-year-old who spends too much of her day smoking cigarettes and swigging vodka. She has no family outside of her ailing husband Chip (Greg Ellwand) and his granddaughter from his first marriage, Emma (Romane Denis). Emma admires Ann and the two have gotten close. But Ann has a dark past that she has kept hidden from Emma. And she’s forced back into that past after a vile chain of events threatens those closest to her.

Everything turns when a group of men arrive at their home with a court order to move Ann and Chip to a care facility. The court puts them under the care of a man named Rivera (Bruce Ramsay). As their legal guardian, Rivera immediately gets control of their assets. It goes something like this – the “guardians” target isolated elderly people who they believe may have money. They then get diagnoses from corrupt doctors who say the patients are incapable of caring for themselves. It then goes before the courts where judges give the “guardians” control.

Image Courtesy of Dark Sky Films

But Ann is no normal target and she’s certainly not the helpless old woman they assume she is. Rivera and his cronies find it out once Emma is put in danger while trying to help her grandparents. The gritty Ann turns grittier and Dickey captures it with striking authenticity. Her quiet stoicism turns menacing as she slowly peels back some of her character’s layers. But the best quality of her performance is in how Dickey is able to have us rooting for Ann and fearing her at the same time.

While it may sound as if “The G” turns into a prototypical violent payback thriller, the film actually has much more going on than that. Hearse takes his time developing his story. Much more of a slow-burn than an edge-of-your-seat nailbiter, the story earns our investment and rewards our patience. It does so on the back of the fearless and formidable Dale Dickey, who remains an actress deserving of more recognition than she gets. “The G” releases June 27th in theaters and on VOD.

VERDICT – 4 STARS

A24 Releases New Character Posters for Ari Aster’s “Eddington”

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A24 has released six new character posters for Ari Aster’s upcoming neo-Western, black comedy hybrid “Eddington”. The film had its world premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival where it received an array of mostly positive but still somewhat mixed reactions. The film features a stellar cast that includes Oscar winners Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone along with the seemingly ever-present Pedro Pascal and the always compelling Austin Butler.

“Eddington” hits theaters July 18th. Check out the six new character posters below and let me know if you’ll be seeing Ari Aster’s latest.

New on Home Video: “The Minecraft Movie” on Blu-ray + Digital

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Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures are bringing one of 2025’s highest grossing BLOCKbusters to home video. Based on the best-selling 2011 video game “Minecraft” (developed by Mojang Studios), the simply titled “The Minecraft Movie” has made just under $1 billion at the global box office. Now it’s available to own which should please the legions of loyal fans who made it such a financial success.

This new Blu-ray edition of “The Minecraft Movie” comes with a digital copy and will be available to purchase on June 24th. See below for a full synopsis of the film as well as release info including a list of special features.

About the Film:

Year: 2025

Runtime: 101 Minutes

Director: Jared Hess

Screenwriters: Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Neil Widener, Gavin James, Chris Galletta

Cast: Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Emma Myers, Sebastian Hanson, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Coolidge, Rachel House, Jemaine Clement, Jared Hess, Matt Berry

Rating: PG for violence/action, language, suggestive/rude humor and some scary images

Welcome to the world of Minecraft, where creativity doesn’t just help you craft, it’s essential to one’s survival! Four misfits—Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Momoa), Henry (Hansen), Natalie (Myers) and Dawn (Brooks)—find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world (and protect it from evil things like Piglins and Zombies, too) while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve (Black). Together, their adventure will challenge all five to be bold and to reconnect with the qualities that make each of them uniquely creative…the very skills they need to thrive back in the real world.

“A Minecraft Movie” has taken the box office by storm, earning more than $872 million worldwide and is the largest domestic opening for 2025 and the largest movie based on a video game.

Special Features:  

  • Building the World of Minecraft: Block Party – featurette (14:19)
    • Grant Major’s team brings Minecraft’s Overworld to life with blocky textures, vibrant biomes, and square props. Through practical effects and digital art, they craft a cinematic Minecraft world!
  • Creepers, Zombies, and Endermen Oh My!  – featurette (13:14)
    • Explore the unique mobs in A Minecraft Movie, including Creepers, Piglins, and Zombies. The featurette features live action looks and onscreen performances, with expert designers and artists contributing.
  • A Minecraft Movie: Block Beats – featurette (9:01)
    • Music brings A Minecraft Movie to life! Jack Black, Jason Momoa, and Danielle Brooks created fun tunes like “I Feel Alive.” Fans will love behind-the-scenes clips and insights into the film’s music.
  • A Minecraft Movie: Pixel Pals – featurette (14:02)
    • Jack Black and Jason Momoa pour boundless energy into A Minecraft Movie, from Jack’s gaming breaks to Jason’s wardrobe design. Their chemistry and behind-the-scenes fun bring joy to this film!
  • Marlene + Nitwit – featurette (5:07)

REVIEW: “28 Years Later” (2025)

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Danny Boyle put his own unique spin on the zombie genre with his acclaimed 2002 horror gem “28 Days Later”. He stepped aside for the 2007 sequel, “28 Weeks Later” – a movie that wasn’t as well received as its predecessor but that I personally enjoyed just as much. Now after 18 years, Boyle has returned with “28 Years Later”. And joining him again is the first film’s screenwriter, Alex Garland. The two make for a captivating creative pairing.

Much of “28 Years Later” delivers the bleak and visceral experience teased in its trailers. Boyle creates a dark, gruesome, and forbidding hellscape where any notion of hope hangs by a thread. It’s also helped by four rock-solid performances from Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and young Alfie Williams. But despite its ability to fully immerse us, the storytelling is hampered by plot holes, glaring questions, and a bonkers cliffhanger ending that feels yanked from an entirely different movie.

Image Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

After a horrifying opening set in the Scottish Highlands, we’re introduced to the world 28 years after the second outbreak of the Rage Virus. It turns out the virus, which instantly turns anyone infected into a ravenous zombie, has been contained throughout much of Europe. Yet a ravaged England remains under a strict quarantine. Just off the coast, a group of people have built a community on a small island that’s only connection to the mainland is a heavily fortified causeway that can only be accessed during low tide.

Taylor-Johnson plays Jamie, a father who is preparing his 12-year-old son Spike for the community’s rite of passage ritual. It’s where a father accompanies his kid to the mainland for the first time – acquainting them with its dangers and guiding them to their first “kill”. For Spike (who is two years younger than the normal age), the ritual is especially trying, not just because of the perils he will face, but because he hates to leave the side of his ailing mother, Isla (Comer).

Once on the mainland, Jamie leads Spike deeper inland, showing him how to use his training to navigate the treacherous landscapes. Spike eventually gets his first kill, but soon after the pair is forced to flee after a violent zombie horde appears. They seek refuge in the attic of a dilapidated house where they find safety from the zombies. But it causes them to miss their window to return home by crossing the causeway.

As they spend the night in the attic, Spike notices the glow of a large fire in the far distance. Jamie tells him it’s probably Dr. Ian Kelson (Fiennes), a reclusive survivor dismissed by the community as a savage crazy man. After a few harrowing encounters – one with a hulking mutated zombie called an Alpha – Jamie and Spike make it back to the community. As the town celebrates his return, a frustrated and disillusioned Spike is more interested in his mother. Defying his father, Spike sneaks Isla out of the community and across the causeway in hope of finding Kelson and potentially a cure for her sickness.

Image Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

From there “28 Years Later” turns into a perplexing mix of harrowing survival horror and coming-of-age drama. Some scenes are raw and genuinely unsettling and will leave you rattled. Other scenes are surprisingly tender, specifically between Spike and Isla. Boyle and Garland manage to create a number of truly captivating sequences. The problem lies with the connecting narrative tissue (or lack thereof). Things don’t always sense and there are holes in the story that are too big to simply look over.

“28 Years Later” is the first of a two-part story which becomes aggressively obvious in the film’s final scene. Without spoiling anything, let’s just saying the movie ends on a rather preposterous note that doesn’t really help cover its other shortcomings. Still, Boyle delivers several scenes fueled by in-the-moment tension to make the movie worth seeing. The world he creates is a fittingly grim representation of a society collapsed, and the pure horror of the zombie attacks is undeniable. If only there was more connecting its big moments. “28 Years Later” is in theaters now.

VERDICT – 3.5 STARS