Christy (2025)

Sydney Sweeney dresses down, weights up, and goes through the "ugly actor process" (not unlike Dwayne Johnson in The Smashing Machine) to portray real life figure Christy Salters, a tough as nails fighter who busts her ass to make her mark on women's boxing while suffering through sexism, homophobia and domestic abuse. As cynical as I am about these biopics, this is both a harrowing and inspiring story with standout performances by Sweeney and Ben Foster; although, if you've seen one sports underdog movie, you've seen 'em all.

3 pockets full of change out of 5

The Housemaid (2025)

A woman with a troubled past becomes the live-in maid for a wealthy household that seems to house a lot of secrets within. It's a twisty-turny psychological thriller with mysteries abound that keep unraveling. Lots of weirdness and inconsistencies throughout. It all falls apart towards the end, but it's an entertaining ride getting there. It also poses the question: Who would win in a fight? Amanda Seyfried or Sydney Sweeney's cleavage?

2½ deadbolts out of 5

Eden (2024)

Based on actual events, a group of settlers (including a doctor writing his manifesto, a couple trying to start a family, and a Baroness with her harem) arrive at a remote locale in the Galápagos Islands circa 1929, where they are at once at each other's throats as they're forced to contend with harsh living conditions, scarcity of resources and lack of medical care. This is a harrowing survival drama at times, though it's filled with enough black humor to ensure your safe harbor. It's a movie that plumbs the depths of "love thy neighbor," but I hated it on principle. It's kind of a mess, though I guess that's the point.

3 wild boars out of 5

Americana (2023)

A strange movie that reminded me of Strange Darling at times. Told slightly out of order, it's fun to see how all the pieces fit together. It's like a modern day cowboys and Indians, with a Tarantino and Coen Brothers-like influence that can be felt throughout. I enjoyed the randomness and silliness quite a bit.

3½ ghost shirts out of 5

Anyone But You (2023)

A very traditional type of R-rated romantic comedy that isn't made very much these days. It's a cute story, but so so predictable. One of those movies where if people would just talk to each other and explain themselves, they could avoid so much of the misunderstanding and complication that occurs. But I suppose that's the very definition of a rom-com. It survives on the chemistry of the leads alone, but it's so stupid because you already know how it's going to end. They're the two hottest people in the film. I'll just leave it at that.

I liked it, despite myself. I'll never know this kind of happiness in my life.

3 "they've gone full Titanic" out of 5

Immaculate (2024)

Demon babies were all the rage in 2024. This was the first of three major motion pictures involving the spawn of Satan (there were actually more, but not quite as overt in its themes). 

Sydney Sweeney stars as the newly appointed nun invited to an Italian convent which seems to house a lot of dark secrets and hushed tones. While she suspects nefarious intentions at play, she finds herself with "immaculate" conception (it was already spoiled in the title) and is hailed as the next Virgin Mary. You can kind of guess where this is going and, for the most part, I thought this was pretty conventional religious horror, but it's really the ending that makes it for me.

2½ Corinthians out of 5