Ben

[Ben @Just_BenP]

Masters of the Universe has always been on its own wavelength, this is no different. It lags behind the pacing needed to keep up with all the silliness and action, but otherwise it works well enough. As much as I hate to hand it to him, Jared Leto is great as Skeletor. 5.8/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

Backrooms builds & builds on the initial unease developing the feeling into an overwhelming anxiety. The fully realized sets manage to feel real and impossible at the same time. But the final act is a let down, especially compared to the incredible found footage segments. 7.3/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

The Sheep Detectives is as well constructed as any mystery, it just happens to star Julia Louis-Dreyfus as a sheep. From the director of Minions 2 & the writer of Chernobyl, its more thoughtful & earnest than you’d expect. Incredible movie about life, death, grief, & sheep.8.5/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

I Love Boosters is a surreal caper with a fantastic ensemble. Boots Riley’s brand of Marxist maximalism is perfectly suited for a fight with a fashion billionaire,its so stylish and funny this is practically its own genre. One of the strangest movies to get a wide release. 7.6/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

The Mandalorian & Grogu looks like a credit card commercial and fails to make you feel anything. Spinning off a show with rapidly escalating stakes, it fails to show how this is any different and should be a movie at all. Martin Scorsese voice acting may be the highlight. 4.2/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

Obsession is the best horror movie of the year so far. It’s perfect kind of blend of horror and comedy, always keeping you unsure of whether the tension is building for you to recoil or laugh. Navarrette is incredible and proves she is an up and coming star to watch. 8.5/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

Mortal Kombat 2 portals from one fight scene to the next quickly enough to not have you worrying about all that plot nonsense. New characters are fun and fight choreography is great but the story and dialogue are given barely a second thought. 6.0/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

Hokum is lots of good old fashioned scares and creepiness, with great set ups and payoffs throughout. A lot going on but never drifts focus from the horror. The perfect movie to reinforce a reasonable fear of bed and breakfast’s generally, and Irish ones specifically.
7.5/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

Mother Mary is more of a spooky chamber piece than a sprawling pop star drama. Challenges your expectations and takes big swing after big swing, along with a major genre shift. Definitely won’t be loved by everyone, but likely a future cult classic and wholly unique. 7.4/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

Over Your Dead Body is a silly and gory good time. Midnight movie vibes, more focused on a laugh or a surprise every minute than anything else. Great fight choreography and successfully pushes boundaries a bit while still getting plenty of laughs. 7.2/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

Super Mario Galaxy is the kind of movie you forget about as you walk out of the theater. Sort of wanders along with cameos pushing everything forward, never really bothering with a story. And Chris Pratt saying mamma mia still feels like discrimination against Italians. 3.8/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

The Drama is completely tasteless (complimentary). Shocks you initially then beats you into submission with more and more jarring moments mixed with some surprisingly great laughs. A sensational pitch black comedy that you’ll want to look away from but won’t be able to. 8.3/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come maybe would have been better if it was just more of the same, but instead spends too much time setting up elaborate relationships and lore that grinds everything to a halt. Still a fun and gory movie and doesn’t take itself too seriously. 6.3/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

Project Hail Mary is Ryan Gosling’s one man show from start to finish. His effortless pathos and charm pushes the whole movie forward and gives his animatronic costar life. Plus, Sandra Huller is a brilliant bit of casting in the biggest crowd pleaser of the year so far. 8.1/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

The Bride! lurches from moment to moment and scene to scene so unexpectedly that it is occasionally a fun watch. Bold and bizarre to a fault, it is a hell of a big swing that whiffs and crashes from minute one. But at least it’s plenty weird and never boring. 4.3/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

How to Make a Killing never leans into anything that could make it interesting & instead ends up being a forgettable movie to watch on a plane. Theres some good casting of side characters (Zach Woods & Bill Camp especially) but Powell’s charm isnt enough to carry this one. 5.1/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

Wuthering Heights is gaudy and relentless horniness set to a Charli XCX soundtrack. Its edginess, stylization & humor will definitely rub some the wrong way, but the fantastic costumes & set designs are undeniable. Closer in style/tone to Babygirl than Pride & Prejudice. 7.6/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

Crime 101 is a parody of a movie title but this is a surprisingly well constructed sprawling crime drama. Juggles the main cast well & leaves you wanting a little more from all the characters. Overwritten at times but great chases & a nice homage to Michael Mann movies. 7.4/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

Send Help is schlocky, silly fun. McAdams and O’Brien have great chemistry, playing the crazed and ridiculous power games perfectly. Plenty of laughs and some shocking gore make for a great popcorn/date movie in a usually dour month for theaters. 7.9/10

[Ben @Just_BenP]

No Other Choice has one of the sharpest scripts of the year. Incredible performances and some seriously crazy editing/camera tricks work to engross you in the shocking violence, manic energy, and dark humor. Lee Byung-Hun needs to be in the Best Actor conversation. 9.2/10