Saturday, September 30

Saw X

Director: Kevin Greutert

Review: Could use some tightening up, particularly in its third act, but brings enough new angles and silly fun to justify itself.

Watch it if: You like Saw movies.

And if you liked: Saw, Saw II, Saw III, Saw IV, Saw V, Saw 3D

Wednesday, September 13

Stalker

Director: Andrei Tarkovsky

Review: Intriguing and haunting in its own way with a visual style that draws the eye in and a tone that stays with you.

Watch it if: You're ok with a slow slow burn.

And if you liked: Solaris, Annihilation, The Thing

Check this out: Roadside Picnic

Friday, September 8

The Game

Director: David Fincher

Review: Magnetic and compelling in a fun way that balances its ludicrous events with a hard edge that grounds it.

Watch it if: You want something that uses a slickness and prestige style to hide how deeply silly it is.

And if you liked: Total Recall, Would You Rather, Fight Club

Tuesday, September 5

Decision to Leave

Director: Park Chan-wook

Review: Sumptuous in its visuals and sensual in its tone with a story that draws you in with its masterfully handled emotional tension.

Watch it if: You want something that never lands in an easy, untangled place.

And if you liked: Insomnia (2002), Vertigo, Joint Security Area

Haunted Mansion (2023)

Director: Justin Simien

Review: A chunk too long and underuses a lot of its strong design with stiff blocking but still manages to deliver plenty of wit and even some emotional heft.

Watch it if: You're ok with a family film touching on some fairly dark themes.

And if you liked: The Haunted Mansion (2003), Beetlejuice, Casper

The Bob's Burgers Movie

Director: Loren Bouchard and Bernard Derriman

Review: Fairly light in its touch but brings enough fun story and ideas to carry itself through.

Watch it if: You're ok with a musical that largely forgets it's a musical.

And if you liked: The Simpsons Movie

Bloodsport

Director: Newt Arnold

Review: Fairly straight forward in its narrative but absolutely bonkers in its tone and production.

Watch it if: You're happy to just roll with a film for what it is.

And if you liked: Big Trouble in Little China, Mad Max

Check this out: Frank Dux