Kiss of the Spider Woman (2025)

An adaptation of the 1992 stage musical, based on the 1976 novel (which was previously adapted into a film in 1985). In an Argentinian jail cell in 1983, a flamboyant man relays the story of his favorite movie to a political prisoner being held for questioning. These Technicolor sequences serve as a fanciful diversion from the stark horrors of prison life. Jennifer Lopez stands out as the titular character, which I enjoyed in contrast to the rest of this drab film. Unfortunately, it's a movie at war with itself that cannot be reconciled.

1½ pairs of shitty underpants out of 5

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY [2016]

Taking a slight detour from the established Skywalker family Star Wars stories, director Gareth Edwards' Rogue One remains in the same universe but delivers a far darker and violent tone.
In what is essentially a footnote in the original saga, the film tells the story of the scoundrels rebelling against the Rebels, as they go on a dangerous mission to retrieve the plans of the infamous Death Star.
Filled with all sorts of familiar faces, bridging the gaps between the two sets of trilogies, the film clearly panders to it's fans and with a quality film like this it's easy to take in.  Edwards relishes in playing in an already well-established series but he gives it his own stamp of gritty chaos that feels fresh to the universe.  There's a bit much going on in the beginning but once the action starts up it all swiftly comes together as a damned fine pulpy sci-fi thriller.

4 not very nice days on the beach out of 5

ELYSIUM [2013]

After the astonishingly wonderful District 9 I was more than eager to dive back into another gritty Neill Blomkamp sci-fi thriller.
Unfortunately Elysium doesn't quite live up to his previous film.
Not to say it's bad, in fact it's filled with some wonderful & creative ideas, thought provoking themes and some amazing visuals but Blomkamp seemed to forget to add any dimension to his characters this time around.  With what little characterization there is, it almost feels like a Saturday morning cartoon.  It's heavy weaknesses aside, Elysium is still an enjoyable sci-fi thrill ride that rises above most of the other trash they try to pull off as sci-fi these days.

3 brain downloads out of 5