BLUE MOON (2025)

October 23, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Most everyone, especially lovers of Broadway musicals, knows the work of Rodgers and Hammerstein. And they should. Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II are regarded among the most prolific musical production writers in history. Their projects include “The King and I”, “Carousel”, and “The Sound of Music”. Their first collaboration, “Oklahoma!” is at the center of this latest from acclaimed director Richard Linklater (his NOUVELLE VAGUE coming out this year) and writer Robert Kaplow (ME AND ORSON WELLES, 2008). Yet we can’t help but wonder why so few are familiar with the work of Rodgers and Hart. Together, composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Lorenz Hart wrote more than one thousand songs, including “My Funny Valentine”, “The Lady is a Tramp”, and of course, “Blue Moon.”

An opening title card provides quotes made about Lorenz Hart. The first describes him as “fun”, while the second states, “he was the saddest man.” The contrast is startling. We first see Ethan Hawke as Lorenz Hart as he stumbles and collapses in a dark alley. We then flash back seven months to March 31, 1943, the opening night of “Oklahoma!” on Broadway. Hart leaves the production before it’s over and heads to Sardi’s, where he plants himself at the bar, conversing with Eddie (Bobby Cannavale), his favorite bartender. This kicks off one of the more dialogue-heavy movies we will likely ever see … fitting for a man who excelled at assembling words.

It takes little time for us to recognize Hart’s bitterness and envy towards his former partner’s (Rodgers) success with a new collaborator (Hammerstein). He’s alternatingly condescending and profane … until Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott) shows up and Hart turns on the fake charm. For a single setting film (rare in movies, not so rare in live theater), this one is surprisingly complex. Hart’s sexuality is hidden much better than his alcoholism. In fact, Rodgers offers to work with him again for a revival of their “A Connecticut Yankee” – but only if Hart stops drinking and behaves professionally towards their work. These are the issues that previously divided them.

Adding yet another layer is the presence of Elizabeth Weiland (Margaret Qualley). She has charmed ‘Larry’, who claims to love her … although he states, “everybody loves her.” Their relationship is askew, as he adores her and likely wants more, while she wants him to introduce her to the great Richard Rodgers. Also in the mix is a terrific sequence between Hart and the “Charlotte’s Web” writer E.B. White (Patrick Kennedy). Their wordplay nears competition and ends with what would be a Stuart Little idea. Periodically drawn into the evening’s progression is Sardi’s house pianist (Jonah Lee), who idolizes the work of Rodgers and Hart. As if all that isn’t enough, we get interactions with future director George Roy Hill (David Rawle), whom Hart counsels to concentrate on friendships (i.e., Butch and Sundance), and an obnoxiously whip smart young theater protégé named Stevie (Cillian Sullivan as teenage Stephen Sondheim).

Seemingly an odd casting decision for a short, Jewish, alcoholic man who is both miserable and talented, Ethan Hawke is absolutely terrific as Lorenz Hart. Alcoholism may destroy a partnership, and true love may constantly elude him, yet Hawke allows us to see the genius within. Hart would be dead just a few months after this painful (for him) opening night of “Oklahoma!” … leaving little doubt that his all-time favorite line was fitting: “Nobody ever loved me that much.” (from CASABLANCA)

Opening nationwide on October 20, 2025

WATCH THE TRAILER

Leave a Comment » | Drama | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

LUV YA’, BUM! (2025, doc)

October 23, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. It’s unusual for a documentary to credit three directors, but these three have been involved with some of the best Texas-based documentaries. Sam Wainwright Douglas, David Hartstein, and Andrew Alden Miller have each worked on at least one of these: HONKY TONK HEAVEN: THE LEGEND OF THE BROKEN SPOKE (2016), TOWER (2016), FADERS UP: THE JOHN AIELLI EXPERIENCE (2024), and ALONG CAME KINKY … TEXAS JEWBOY FOR GOVERNOR (2009). This time, their collaboration gives us a history lesson on legendary football coach O.A. “Bum” Phillips.

The film opens with a stream of acclamations for Bum from a lineup of folks who would know: former opponents, former players, league coaches, and even an owner. The raving compliments in the opening and throughout the runtime are delivered by such football luminaries as Terry Bradshaw, Dan Pastorini, Earl Campbell, Jerry Jones, Wade Phillips, Wes Phillips, JJ Watt, Archie and Peyton Manning, Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, Elvin Bethea, Mike Barber, Mike Renfro, Gary Kubiak, and Von Miller. Dennis Quaid serves as the narrator.

The title would lead us to believe that this is a documentary on Bum Phillips, and while he and his career are profiled, this is every bit as much about the Houston Oilers, the rabid fan base, and Bum’s influence on players and coaches, and his son and grandson. It’s clear that Nederland High School football coach Bum Phillips learned a great deal from then A&M coach Bear Bryant, and the impressive thing about Bum’s career is how he took the knowledge from Bryant and Bum’s other coaching gigs and turned it into his own style … and a successful professional coaching career.

Archival footage captures the excitement of the ‘Luv ya Blue’ period in Houston, as Bum guided the Oilers into prominence. During Bum’s tenure (1975-1980), the Oilers fans were the envy of the league as they waved their banners from a sea of blue in the Astrodome. They even had a Houston Oilers anthem (surely annoying for fans of any other team). The Oilers rivalry with the dominant Steelers is discussed, and numerous players offer insight into what it was like to play for Bum. There is even a full segment on former Longhorn and all-time Oiler great, Earl Campbell. We hear from Earl and see footage of some of his amazing runs. Bum’s famous quote about Earl, “I don’t know if he’s in a class by himself, but I do know that when the class gets together, it sure don’t take long to call the roll.” And of course, the Mike Renfro catch/non-catch is shown.

With his familiar Stetson and Texas drawl, Bum Phillips was a popular icon. Clips of interviews with his son Wade and grandson Wes, both successful NFL coaches (and each with a Super Bowl ring) demonstrate just what an influence Bum was for them … even after he retired to his ranch. While we leave this viewing understanding that Bum was an excellent coach and well-respected, we also are confident he was a class act. For a man who had nearly as many memorable quotes as Yogi Berra (although Bum’s made a bit more sense), the film leaves us with this one: “Winning is only half of it … having fun is the other half.”

Winner of the 2025 SXSW Documentary Spotlight Audience Award, the film is set to premiere in select theaters across the country on October 24, 2025, followed by a digital release on November 25 

WATCH THE TRAILER

Leave a Comment » | Documentary | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

WHERE THE WIND BLOWS (2025)

October 23, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. If the Hallmark Channel produced a Western Romance movie, it would likely look much like this one from writer-director John Schimke, who along with co-writer Mike Maden, adapted the 2009 novel from Caroline Fyffe for the silver screen. Filmed in Montana, there are some terrific landscape shots displaying the vastness of the 19th century frontier.

Chase (Trevor Donovan, “90201”) stops into a saloon with his buddy Nathan (C Thomas Howell). While Nathan seems right at home with the booze, women, and gambling, Chase heads up to his room alone, despite the temptations of the ladies. Awakened by shots fired, Chase finds Nathan lying in a pool of blood … the result of cheating at poker. Chase rides off to inform Nathan’s wife – although he softens the tale quite a bit.

As a widow, Jessie (Ashley Elaine) finds herself with a ranch in need of a man and herself in need of a ‘pretend’ husband so that she can finalize an adoption. It turns out that Chase is not only the hunkiest blond cowboy, he’s also the most upstanding and he agrees to help her. Chase also finds many reasons to go shirtless, and Jessie, who sports entirely too much make-up for a prairie woman, doesn’t mind one bit.

Jessie has a loyal friend in town named Mrs. Hollyhock (Michelle Hurd, “The Glades”), and she’s also being stalked by the required villain drifter (Rob Mayes) … a man who is quite the contrast to our hero, Chase.  There is little doubt where this one is headed, and there are few, if any, twists or surprises along the way. Only the visuals of the setting prevent this one from being total cornball, however, these days we should be thankful for any story about a decent man who treats others well.

In select theaters on OnDemand beginning October 24, 2025

WATCH THE TRAILER

Leave a Comment » | Drama, Western | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

THE SUMMER BOOK (2025)

October 20, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Watching this film is how I imagine it would be to view a poem. It’s meditative and slow … somehow calming us as we contemplate the topics broached. Director Charlie McDowell (THE ONE I LOVE, 2014) and screenwriter Robert Jones have adapted the 1972 novel by Tove Jansson. Granted, it’s an unusual set up for a film shown anywhere outside of a film festival, yet because it is poignant and relatable, it’s an easy one to recommend.

Nine-year-old Sophia (newcomer Emily Matthews) arrives by boat on an island in the Gulf of Finland with her father (Anders Danielsen Lie) and her grandmother (8-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close). The well-worn family cabin has clearly been an annual retreat, and a simple straw hat clues us in to the fact that Sophia’s mother has recently passed away. Dialogue is relatively minimal here as we watch these three go through each day. The few interactions that occur are quite meaningful. The father, an illustrator who spends his time focused on work, is grieving deeply over his wife. Sophia is frustrated and longing for his attention. She tells her grandmother, “He doesn’t love me since she died.” It’s a heartbreaking moment.

The film’s best scenes are those with Sophia and her grandmother, a woman trying to fill a gap while also dealing with the reality of her age (a failing memory and worsening health). Grandmother is wise and recognizes this is her moment to pass along life lessons. These include social graces (with neighbors) and the joy of quiet moments. The three chip in to cultivate a struggling poplar sapling – seemingly transformed into a tribute to the departed mother and wife. A man we assume to be Sophia grandfather drops off a box of fireworks for Midsommer, and though he’s a no-show for the festivities (and duds), his inclusion of a special surprise for Sophia is a hit.

Grandmother urges her emotionally distant son to show warmth to Sophia, as she (grandmother) won’t always be around. It’s a rare film that covers grief, growing old, and growing up … any one of these would be (and has been) a central theme for many movies and stories. McDowell’s film is not one for showoff acting performances, yet Glenn Close and young Emily Matthews are so natural together, that we realize this is something special. In keeping with the film’s tone, composer Hania Rani’s score is serene, while including some wonderful piano. There is a moment when Grandmother answers a question with, “Life is long, Sophia”. She could have added, ‘except when it isn’t’.

Available on all major VOD platforms beginning October 21, 2025

WATCH THE TRAILER

Leave a Comment » | Drama, World Cinema/Foreign | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

RE-ELECTION (2025)

October 20, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Real life doesn’t offer too many opportunities for ‘do-overs’. Fortunately, movies do. Dallas born-and-raised (now Los Angeles-based) Adam Saunders wears many hats for this film that was inspired by his own life. Mr. Saunders wrote the story, directed and produced the film, and takes the lead role.

Jimmy Bauer (Saunders) is what one might call a loser (although that description has been expanded so much in recent time that it’s probably not the right one to use here). Jimmy is 42 years old. He lives in a shed behind his dad’s (Tony Danza) struggling memorabilia shop where he works since he never finished high school. Use whatever descriptive label you prefer, but realize that none of that is his biggest personal flaw. Instead, that would be Jimmy’s hang-up that his life’s turning point was losing the Senior year Class President election to Manish Singh (Rizwan Manji). 

Manish not only won that election, he also became Governor of Texas and married Jimmy’s dream girl. See, Jimmy thinks Manish stole the life that he was meant for … and rigged 8-ball giveaways were a key. Now, 25 years later, he sees a do-over is possible by going back to high school and running (again) for Class President. His overly supportive sister Shawna (Patty Gugenheim) happens to be the school Principal. Jimmy is shocked with just how out-of-touch he is with today’s high schoolers. He knows very little about social media, technology, or gender-neutral bathrooms. In fact, he thinks throwing “a kegger” is a good idea to win voters.

Jimmy does find support from Noa (Bex Taylor-Klaus), a brilliant non-binary student, and Ama (Nathalie Kelly), a teacher and former classmate of Jimmy’s. She remembers him as being very kind to her. The whole campaign is quite a spectacle, and as you can imagine, Jimmy goes through some serious growing pains. As a psychological study, it’s interesting to note that ‘coming of age’ stories once revolved around teens and twenty-somethings. These days, it’s about a 42-year-old learning what it means to be an adult and a decent human being. There is a terrific message here about life and politics. Selflessness and service to others is what matters, and living with regrets is not a path to happiness. A famous Thoreau quote is used a couple of times during the film and is even on a poster in Stan’s shop. “What a man thinks of himself, that it is which determines, or rather indicates his fate.” Saunders’ film is a brisk 84 minutes of comedy and life lessons.

WATCH THE TRAILER

Leave a Comment » | Comedy, Drama | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

GROW (2025)

October 16, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. I’m not sure if pumpkins get short-changed with most of their attention coming only during one season, or if perhaps they receive more attention than deserved during that season. Either way, pumpkins are rarely at the center of a cinematic event … despite having their moments during animated TV specials like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “Spookley, the Square Pumpkin”. Director John McPhail (the excellent ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE, 2017) sets out to change that with a screenplay by a trio of writers: Nick Guthrie (MINI’S FIRST TIME, 2006), Ruth Fletcher (“Hawaii Five-O”), and Ruth’s husband and writing partner, Christos N. Gage.

Common sense tells us that if you are going to have a family-friendly, heartwarming story, then you best include a kid worthy of attention. When we first meet young Charlie Little (Priya Rose-Brookwell, “The Lazarus Project”), she’s trying to escape from a home for abandoned kids so that she can track down her mother … a mother who left her behind to pursue the bright lights of Hollywood. Instead of locating her mother, Charlie gets connected with her Aunt Dinah (Golda Rosheuvel, “Bridgerton”). It’s not a smooth transition because Charlie is a precocious child who wants to be loved, and Aunt Dinah is a very reserved woman trying to make ends meet on her struggling Little Farm.

Mugford, the local village, is known as the Pumpkin Capital of the World, and Charlie immediately dedicates herself to winning the cash prize at this year’s contest for the biggest pumpkin. See, Charlie is not just a spirited kid, she is also one with plants – she converses with them, and feels what they feel. Charlie and Dinah enlist the help of Arlo (Nick Frost, The Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy), a local with some past success in the contest. What’s surprising here is the nefarious activities of those involved with the contest – secrets, vandalism, and outright cheating. In other words, the pumpkin contest turns into a life lesson for young Charlie who always sees the best in others – even Toby the dog.

Charlie pampers ‘Peter’, her prize pumpkin, while we get riffs on PSYCHO and THE GODFATHER, and even a use for lion dung. Supporting work comes from Joe Wilkinson (“After Life”) as Dinah’s former farmhand, Jane Horrocks and Tim McInnerny as local pumpkin legends, and Jeremy Swift (“Ted Lasso”) as a lab technician under intense pressure. The film reminds me of some of the Disney movies from the 1960’s, as it’s charming and funny, and offers up some life lessons – complete with emotional depth as the relationship between Charlie and her Aunt Dinah develops. I don’t get many full-blown family films to review, and it’s nice to see one that works on multiple levels.

Opens nationwide on October 17, 2025

WATCH THE TRAILER

Leave a Comment » | Comedy, Drama | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

WISDOM OF HAPPINESS (2025, doc)

October 16, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Co-directors Philip Delaquis and Barbara Miller opt against an on-camera Q&A session with the Dalai Lama and instead allow His Holiness (the 14th Dalai Lama) to speak directly to the camera on topics pertinent to what’s happening in the 21st century. This approach allows the film and his words to wash over us like a meditative event … calm and soothing. His words not only guide us on ways to chill out, but also inspire us to pay close attention to the current situation.

He opens by stating that “everyone wants peace and happiness”. While logically, we believe this, yet the actions of some, leave us doubtful. Still, going with that premise, the Dalai Lama proceeds to stress the importance of finding a peaceful mind through deep breathing, compassion, education, and the power of nature. The filmmakers include some amazing archival footage dating back to his childhood and the upheaval in China that led him (and so many others) to be refugees to India, where he remains today at age 90.

Obviously, this isn’t a ‘normal’ movie, or even a typical documentary. More than anything it’s a reminder … a recommendation to reset our approach. We are so caught up in what he terms “busy, busy, busy” that it causes us stress and concern, leading to unhappiness. He says peace is the way to happiness, which is our purpose in life. By peace, he refers to a peaceful mind as well as a lack of war/conflict (resolved through dialogue) and a caring approach to our planet and environment.

What a different world this would be if global leaders took the Dalai Lama’s approach of compassion and kindness into their governing of nations.

Opening in select theaters nationwide on October 17, 2025

WATCH THE TRAILER

Leave a Comment » | Documentary | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 (2025)

October 9, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. We all love a thrilling whodunit murder mystery. The best ones offer a magical blend of creative story, interesting setting, and fascinating characters. Writer-director Simon Stone (THE DIG, 2021) has delivered a film adapted from the best-selling 2016 novel by Ruth Ware. Frequent writing partners (SEBERG,2019) Joe Schrapnel and Anna Waterhouse collaborated with Stone to adapt the novel into a movie that looks great, and for the most part, fulfills the above listed requirements.

Keira Knightley stars as Laura Blacklock, an award-winning journalist who has been through a recent traumatic experience while on the job. Her editor (an underutilized Gugu Mbatha-Raw, BELLE, 2013) tries to convince Laura to take some time off. Instead, she accepts an invitation from billionaire Richard Bullmer (Guy Pearce) to join his gaggle of rich friends aboard a 3-day cruise on his ultra-luxury yacht. The purpose is to fundraise for cancer treatments as a tribute to his wife Ann, recently stricken with the dreaded disease.

The guest list includes the very rich and famous, and Laura’s job is to cover the ‘charitable’ event. You’ll likely notice pretty quickly that, just like in real life, movie billionaires are difficult to relate to and easy to dislike. Some are outright obnoxious like Adam (Daniel Ings, “The Gentlemen”) and Heidi (Hannah Waddingham, “Ted Lasso”), while others are just a bit too creepy, such as Dr. Mehta (Art Malik) and the host, Bullmer. There’s also rock star Danny Tyler (Paul Kay, “After Life”), a former party animal who has cleaned up his life and is intent on avoiding trouble and bad publicity.

 Coincidentally (or not), Bullmer has hired Laura’s ex-boyfriend Ben (David Ajala, “Star Trek: Discovery”) as the official photographer for the cruise. Things are going awkwardly fine until the middle of the first night when Laura is awakened by a scuffle next door that results in someone going overboard. The conspiracy is in full mode once all passengers are accounted for and Laura is positioned as a bit unstable, given her insistence that she heard and saw someone go in the water. A couple of other interesting supporting roles are covered by Gitte Witt and Kaya Scodelario (“The Gentlemen”), neither of which belong to the rich group.

The rest of the movie comes down to Laura trying to solve this mystery, while certain forces are preventing her from doing so. It’s a tale as old as time, and a common cliché – follow the money until you have your answer, and don’t trust the filthy rich folks. There’s another theme here that I found even more interesting, and that’s the frustration and panic that Laura feels when no one believes her story. It’s such a tough challenge. Her struggle and tenacity is what makes the film work. It’s highly likely that the novel plays even better than the screen version, as some of what happens here seems unlikely in a real-world event. Still, there is entertainment value in trying to stay ahead of the curve.

Releasing globally on Netflix on October 10, 2025

WATCH THE TRAILER

Leave a Comment » | Thriller | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

STEVE (2025)

October 3, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. You know those days when it feels like you are being pulled in all directions, and nothing seems to go right? Welcome to 24 hours in the life of Steve, the headteacher at Stanton Wood, a reform boarding college for troubled/challenging young men. This is one of those days that feels like a week. Even before he walks through the front door, he’s already getting pulled this way and that – a minute here, a quick decision there, a request for a sidebar, a need to run something by him. It’s a relentless job, heightened by the presence of a BBC documentary crew.

Writer Max Porter adapted his 2023 novel “Shy” for the big screen, and the film reunites director Tim Mielants with Cillian Murphy (Oscar winner for OPPENHEIMER, 2023), his leading man from SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE (2024) and “Peaky Blinders”. Murphy is one of the few actors who is somehow just as effective when he’s not talking as when he is. It’s a skill that benefits this film which is … choose your preferred descriptive word … frenetic, chaotic, hectic.

These students are certainly energetic and that energy often slips into a combative mode. The faculty spends an inordinate amount of time diffusing these conflicts. We only see bits and pieces of academic teaching, leaving the bulk of time devoted to life lessons and behavioral advice. Emily Watson plays the school psychiatrist/therapist, Jenny, and as with all the adults working at Stanton Wood, her heart is in the right place – regardless of the immense frustration that goes with the job. Tracey Ullman, flashing some dramatic chops, is Steve’s most supportive co-worker – and quickly expresses her displeasure at his tendency to self-medicate. Lola (Little Simz) is the newest faculty member, and she has one particularly tense scene in the cafeteria … proving her mettle in this environment.

The source novel is entitled “Shy”, and although Steve is the focus of the film, the student named Shy (Jay Lycurgo, “Titans”) seems to be a special case for Steve, and Shy’s phone conversation with his mother is the most heartbreaking moment in the film. When it is announced that the school is too expensive to run and will be shut down in six months, the presence of a local official (Roger Allam) leaves little doubt that a political message is being delivered. A recurring element finds the documentary crew asking each participant to name three words that describe themselves. Steve’s response: “very, very, tired”. He looks it and we understand. Some nice camera work from cinematographer Robrecht Heyvaert gives us glimpses of a lovely world outside the walls of Stanton Wood, whereas inside the stress is palpable.

Premiering on Netflix on October 3, 2025

WATCH THE TRAILER

Leave a Comment » | Drama | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

SHELL (2025)

October 3, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Every one of us wants to look good and feel good. But how far will we go? What if our livelihood depended on looking young? There is no denying that societal pressures favor those who are pleasing to the eye, and of course, Hollywood is the poster child for rewarding beauty and youth … and penalizing, or at least ignoring, the other end of the spectrum. The second film from director Max Minghella (his first was TEEN SPIRIT, 2018) features a screenplay from Jack Stanley (THE PASSENGER, 2023), and it likely pays a price for coming on the heels of last year’s THE SUBSTANCE (2024), a body horror film with a similar theme, but one that was far more extreme.

The film opens with a terrific sequence with the rarely seen Elizabeth Berkley (SHOWGIRLS, 1995) as Jenna Janero. The sequence firmly establishes that we’re in for a ‘body horror’ ride; although unfortunately, this is one of the best scenes for quite a while. We then meet Samantha Lake (Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men”), a struggling actor who has hit the dreaded age of 40 – a poor ‘choice’ in Hollywood. Sam’s career peak seems to have passed her by and now she’s auditioning for roles against much younger actors – including Chloe Benson (Kaia Gerber, SATURDAY NIGHT, 2022), whom Sam babysat years ago.

After a professional nudge, Sam finds herself at Shell Corporation, a strange place that promises its clients vitality and the end of aging. The Director and face of the company is Zoe Shannon (Kate Hudson, ALMOST FAMOUS, 2000), a 68-year-old woman who doesn’t look a day over 40. Not surprisingly, delivering youth to women is extremely lucrative, and Zoe lives her luxurious lifestyle in a stunning mansion. Oh, there is a downside … some clients have to be ‘disappeared’ when the side effects pop up.

Dressed in a ridiculous oversized Columbo trench coat (supposedly to trick us into believing Ms. Moss is a hefty woman), Sam is a bit reluctant at first to join the Shell program. All it takes is handsome and smooth-talking Dr. Hubert (Arian Moayed, “Inventing Anna”) to ease her into the program. Soon Sam and Zoe are buddies and spending a great deal of time together, relishing their youthful looks and subsequent riches.

Of course, all fantasies must come crashing down at some point, and although her psoriasis is gone, the side effects cause the worst Vanity Fair interview in history, and lead to an extreme third act. Dr. Thadeus Brand (Peter MacNicol, “Ally McBeal”), the inventor of Shell returns for Sam’s debrief. His use of lobster enzymes comes into play, resulting in a sequence of splatter.

It’s a bit odd that the film never capitalizes on women taking power, or even taking control of their own life. Although Kate Hudson does nice work here, I couldn’t help but think that casting Gwyneth Paltrow would have added a touch of irony. Este Haim provides a bit of support work as Sam’s assistant and friend, and the focus pretty much remains on the obsession/pursuit of youth and beauty – at any cost. Director Max Minghella is best known as an actor (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) and as the son of Oscar winning director Anthony Minghella (THE ENGLISH PATIENT, 1996). It’s likely meant as satire, but the film strikes so close to today’s societal pressures, especially on women, that we can’t help but be a bit saddened by it. One thing’s certain … there was a missed opportunity for the B52’s “Rock Lobster”.

In Select Theatres & On Digital October 3, 2025

WATCH THE TRAILER

Leave a Comment » | Drama, Horror | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »