Supergirl (2026)

Supergirl deserves her due. Kara isn't just some carbon copy of Superman. She's a reluctant hero with a punk rock attitude. Unfortunately, it feels like she's been sidelined for most of her own movie. As the second film in the DCU, this doesn't feel part of a cohesive whole. The stakes are curiously low. Lobo is in it for some reason, but doesn't really justify his inclusion. Milly Alcock is super as the titular heroine, but by the time she's kicking ass in the suit, it's already fallen victim to a generic capeshit plot. It does exactly what you think it's going to do. No subverted expectations here. It lacks all of the darkness and emotional depth that made Superman stand out for me, which doesn't bode well for the DCU's future. It's too bad because I was rooting for her all along.

2 bastiches out of 5

Note: Next project in the DCU will be the limited series Lanterns this summer, followed by the theatrical release of Clayface, just in time for Halloween '26.

Superman (2025)

David Corenswet dons the blue tights and red undies in James Gunn's hard reboot of the franchise, and the first film in the newly christened DC Universe. A lot is riding on this film in order to fulfill expectations, and Gunn has the unenviable task of building a shared universe on the shoulders of this movie, but it manages to (mostly) succeed with flying colors. It's a bold and auspicious start as we're dropped into this fully developed world and asked to keep up. There's a lot going on and it feels like we're already three movies deep. We're introduced to the "Justice Gang" (Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific) as well as Lex Luthor (played by Greatest Actor of His Generation Nicholas Hoult). Krypto the dog also features heavily as an unexpected hiccup along the way.

Is it better than the first two Superman films from 1978 and 1980? Not in my opinion. But it easily stands alongside that version of the character, and it blows the brooding SnyderVerse out of the fucking water. Most importantly, it feels like a Superman movie again. This Superman resembles the golden age of comic books; he's full of hope and humanity, all about damage control and protecting creatures great and small. And John Williams's theme once again does the heavy lifting of bringing the beating heart and soul to this franchise.

So, does it do enough to wipe the bad blood left by the fallen DCEU? Only time will tell if audiences accept this new direction, but it's going to be an uphill battle as Marvel continues to dominate their own shared cinematic space.

4 punk rockers out of 5

Note: Next film in the new DCU is slated to be Supergirl, arriving in June 2026.

Pearl (2022)

In a prequel to X (2022), we flashback to 1918, where young Pearl has big dreams of being a star and will stop at nothing to get it. Her mother is strict and forces her to care for her ailing father, while she acts out her silent rebellion in other subversive ways. This film is much different than its predecessor and takes on a melodramatic tone reminiscent of early cinema, in all of its Technicolor glory. I actually enjoyed this one a lot more because it's a tragic character study into the mind of extreme isolation, but it is no less bloody or disturbing.

It goes without saying that Mia Goth is outstanding in this role, and I felt so much sympathy for her, despite the obvious signs of psychopathy.

4 stag films out of 5

Twisters (2024)

30 years later, nostalgia is everything, but I definitely wasn't counting on this particular chestnut coming back again. Basically accomplishing the exact same task as its predecessor, two storm chasers are out...y'know...chasing storms and stuff. One happens to be a gritty, determined female and the other a brash, cocky male, so you know how that works out. This ain't rocket science, folks! If you've seen the original, there's nothing new for you here, but it's entertaining enough in that brain-dead popcorn way that audiences seem to eat up.

2½ foreboding cumulus clouds out of 5