Train Dreams (2025)

Chronicles the life of one Robert Grainier, an ordinary man without much sense of direction or purpose, who searches for meaning in the absurdity and tragedy that follows him during the early twentieth century. Life is simple but hard, and similarly, I found this film meditative but dull, which is probably an accurate depiction of what life was like back then. The cinematography is beautiful and brings to mind the works of Terrence Malick, as we're treated to long stretches of quiet contemplation. It seems to be about how the world changes and leaves us behind, which is as profound as it is devastating.

3 boots nailed to a tree out of 5

F1 (2025)

Car goes vroom-vroom. The audience cheers. Humans are simple creatures.

A grizzled, disgraced former Formula One driver (Brad Pitt) returns to the sport after a 30-year absence and clashes with a young hotshot in an effort to save their losing team. Each attempts to prove themselves for their own reasons, while breaking the rules along the way. It's basically Days of Thunder for a new generation. There aren't too many surprises to be found here. It circles the well-traveled path and arrives pretty much where you would expect.

2 pit stops out of 5

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

"Do you think God gives a damn about miniature donkeys, Colm?"

"I fear he doesn't. And I fear that's where it's all gone wrong."

Set against the backdrop of the Irish Civil War of 1923, off a small village isle of Ireland, a man refuses to speak with his lifelong best friend without any given explanation. That's all you need to know. I honestly didn't know how they'd stretch that premise out to two hours, but I felt compelled throughout. This is a modern masterpiece and one of the best films I've seen in a long time.

5 dreams gone out of 5

Note: Unless you're familiar with Irish vernacular, watch it with subtitles on. 

Night Swim (2024)

A family moves into an ideal new home where the swimming pool in the backyard just happens to be haunted. Pretty standard PG-13 horror fare that feels a bit too watered down (*rimshot*). The performances are all fairly strong (especially Kerry Condon as the put-upon mom), however it's telegraphed pretty early on what's happening, so there aren't many surprises to be found. As with most films of this type, a lot is left to the imagination, although it probably would have benefitted from showing some actual horror. 

This premise might have worked a lot better as an R-rated summer flick exploiting our underlying fears of water and drowning. At least I had some screaming teen girls sitting behind me, which raised the stakes a bit.

1½ toy boats out of 5