Greetings again from the darkness. It’s been said that we must experience the bad times to fully appreciate the good times. However, while those bad times are occurring, they can feel overwhelming and like it will never get better again. It’s also been said that inner peace can only be found by appreciating what one has. All of this philosophy is on display in this latest from writer-director John Carney and co-writer Peter McDonald. Mr. Carney has been the creative force behind three other gems centered on music: FLORA AND SON (2023), SING STREET (2016), and ONCE (2008). Mr. McDonald’s 2011 short film PENTECOST received an Oscar nomination. These guys are talented and they’ve done it again with this film.
For twenty-five years (plus or minus), Paul Rudd has crafted a certain on-screen persona. He’s been so adept at this that most of us are quite aware of what to expect for a Paul Rudd movie or role. In a welcome change of pace, this time it’s different. As the lead singer of a wedding band, he still fires off a few patented one-liners, but he is also a middle-aged married guy with a teenage daughter. Rudd’s Rick is the sensitive type who still harbors dreams of what could have been as a songwriter and rock star had he not moved to Ireland for the girl. Rick is often frustrated at playing the same old re-tread hits over and over as well-dressed folks dance the night away.
A twist of fate finds Rick crossing paths with Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas), a singer who was once part of a mega-hit Boy Band. Danny is now attempting to transition to grown-up music in an industry that doesn’t always embrace a change of style. His agent, Mac (Jack Reynor) makes this abundantly clear. Rick and Danny spend a few post-wedding hours proving their love of music as they fine-tune some songs in Danny’s palatial suite. They share what each has been working on and generously offer the other some suggestions. Rick leaves reinvigorated about reclaiming his joy in songwriting, while Danny takes a different approach to quell the pressure of re-branding his image.
What follows is not just a life lesson, but commentary on art and greed and blind ambition. Playing key roles here are Rick’s wife (Marcella Plunkett) and daughter Aja (Beth Fallon), and especially Rick’s guitarist and close friend Sandy (played by the film’s co-writer Peter McDonald). Our parents train us to ‘do the right thing’, but what happens when others don’t? Therein lies the life lesson. From a musical standpoint, the lip-synching could have been better produced to sound live, but that’s a minor quibble for a movie that’s so entertaining while introducing us to a new path for Paul Rudd.
Opens in theaters on June 5, 2026
Posted by David Ferguson 
Greetings again from the darkness. Director Adam Carter Rehmeier (DINNER IN AMERICA, 2020) and screenwriter Tom Dean prove that a film need not cover new ground to be entertaining. Of course, it does help to have a strong cast. We’ve seen other movies, some considered classics, with star-crossed lovers wreaking havoc on the road. A few other romantic crime thrillers that come to mind are BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967), BADLANDS (1973), SUGARLAND EXPRESS (1974), and NATURAL BORN KILLERS (1994).
Greetings again from the darkness. We all love a good (and sneaky) twist in a movie. It takes exceptional storytelling and acting to pull it off, and it’s a bit funny when it becomes obvious that the screenwriter just kind of ran out of ways to maintain the suspense. That’s what happens about twenty minutes into this one from writer-director Katie Aselton, real life wife of filmmaker Mark Duplass, who also co-wrote this script.
Greetings again from the darkness. For those of us who love movies and watch entirely too many each week/month/year, we have hardened to the fact that every so often we find one that simply doesn’t click for us. Even then, we hope to latch on to a particular character, setting, or element to the story that will keep us engaged. Sometimes the really odd, unconventional films are the ones with the most to offer – even though they often require the most ‘mental’ effort to connect.
Greetings again from the darkness. The Farrelly Brothers (Bobby and Peter) were the creative force behind such comedy classics as DUMB AND DUMBER (1994), THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY (1998), and one of my personal favorites, OUTSIDE PROVIDENCE (1999). At some point, the brothers decided to split up and work on their own projects. Peter won a couple of Oscars for GREEN BOOK (2018), and now Bobby, working from a screenplay by Thomas Moffett (AN ACTOR PREPARES, 2018), delivers one more in line with the brothers’ early works.
Greetings again from the darkness. The first feature film from writer-director Sophy Romvari has been well received on the festival circuit, and it’s easy to see why so many have been drawn in by this Canadian- Hungarian production. It’s a deeply personal film with autobiographical elements from the filmmaker. The best family dramas often deliver a gut-punch, and this one certainly does … yet it’s the storytelling structure that provides hope for future gems like this.
Greetings again from the darkness. Thoreau famously wrote, “The mass of men live lives of quiet desperation.” That quote may overstate the being of the staff at The Grand, a 100-year-old hotel that once provided service for royalty, but now the seaside inn is crumbling at the seams and desperate for guests. The feature film directorial debut from writer-director Harry Sherriff and co-written by Laurence Tratalos is quite a pleasant surprise.
Greetings again from the darkness. The concept of ‘normal behavior’ seems quite elusive these days, but clearly the uncontrollable ticks and inappropriate (for proper society) verbal outbursts of Tourette Syndrome add to life’s complexities. Writer-director Kirk Jones (WAKING NED DEVINE, 1998) takes on the true story of John Davidson, whose actions prove role models come in many forms. Although the film doesn’t dig too deeply, it benefits from the real-life actions of one man and a couple of excellent lead performances … plus the always welcome presence of two beloved character actors.
Greetings again from the darkness. The popularity and staying power of Karaoke shows just how much we enjoy singing. Even for those with crippling stage fright, singing in the shower can provide a bit of joy. But what about those with real talent? There is only so much room for the Adeles and Ed Sheerans of the world. Co-directors Angelique Molina and Abraham Troen take us inside the world of collegiate a cappella (singing without instrumentation). Now, you are likely to immediately think of either church choir, barbershop quartets, or Pentatonix … all fine singing choices, yet all a bit different than what the film documents.
Greetings again from the darkness. As evidenced by the abundance of ‘shoot-em-ups’ released each and every year, it’s clearly not that challenging for screenwriters to find a reason to have characters firing bullets at each other. Director Ben Wheatley proved his mettle with this genre in 2016 with the excellent and madcap FREE FIRE. This time out, he’s working from a script by Derek Kolstad (the “John Wick” and “Nobody” franchises) and Bob Odenkirk (well known comedy writer and star of “Better Call Saul”).
