Ella McCay (2025)

A young upstart appointed to governor navigates the tricky politics of home dynamics and public office, with a heaping dose of "girl power." James L. Brooks brings his trademark light comedic style to the proceedings, but this feels so hollow and empty at its core that I don't even know what it's trying to say. Performances are good, but almost everyone feels wasted in their role.

1½ screams out of 5

Alien: Romulus (2024)

Set between the events of Alien and Aliens (yet made 40 years after the fact), this loose "inter-quel" shouldn't work as well as it does. But behind the skilled direction of Fede Álvarez (Evil Dead, Don't Breathe), he manages to pull it off with enough finesse to make Ridley Scott proud. It retains that lo-fi look that makes you feel like it was shot back in the '80s (with one glaring exception which I won't spoil). You've got all your classic staples here; androids, cocoons, ovomorphs, face-huggers, chestbursters, full-on xenomorph and...well, I'll let you discover for yourself. 

There are not too many surprises to be found here if you are familiar with the Alien franchise, but it's done so competently, you don't really mind. It's nostalgia bait for sure, but it's a good one.

3 wait...what is that? out of 5