Tag: 2025

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Movie Review

Lady in the Urn (2025) Movie Review

Lady in the Urn – Movie Review

"Lady in the Urn" is a short horror film featuring a couple haunted by unsettling events linked to an urn, invoking possession and danger.

First Reaction – Lady in the Urn has some good scares but never as scary as it could have been.

Director: Kevin Van Stevenson

Writer: Kevin Van Stevenson (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Hanna Mandel
  • Andrew Chen
  • Coral Cataldo
  • Chris Spinelli
  • Laura Meadows

Plot: After returning home from a funeral, a couple discovers that Sharon’s late mother’s urn is at the center of a series of haunting disturbances, unraveling a chilling connection to a murder and a vengeful spirit.

Runtime: 1 Hour 9 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Lady in the Urn starts when Sharon (Mandel) and Niv (Chen) return home after a funeral. It was for Sharon’s late mother and they bring the urn home. However, they quickly begin getting haunted by unsettling events connected to the urn.

The couple turn to supernatural means to solve their problem, as Sharon begins showing signs of possession. It becomes a race against time to save her before the spirit takes her next victim.

Verdict on Lady in the Urn

Recap

The movie follows a couple who return home from a funeral only to find an unusual series of events following them. They quickly get caught in the middle of a supernatural journey and must battle to retain their lives.

Best Parts

The movie has some disturbing scares and builds to a shocking series of events. We get strong performances, which keep the connection between the horror alive.

Worst Parts

The movie jumps in a bit too suddenly and could have had more time establishing the grief Sharon and Niv have been through. In some of the camerawork, it tries something outside the box but ends up more jarring than you would expect.

Final Thoughts –Lady in the Urn is a nice short, and sweet horror tale.

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Movie Review

Snake Creek (2025) Movie Review

Snake Creek – Movie Review

Snake Creek is a by-the-book late-night creature feature.

First Reaction – Snake Creek is a by-the-book late-night creature feature.

Director: Charlie Steeds

Writer: Charlie Steeds (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Four friends become hunted by a giant killer snake during a canoeing trip on the Chattahoochee River and must overcome their differences in order to survive.

Runtime: 1 Hour 16 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Snake Creek starts when Bill (Bash), Kevin (John), Patrick (Ogletree) and Aylmer (Rockwell) head off on a canoeing trip. However, it turns into a nightmare when they clash with a giant killer snake. Their attempts at rescue see them clash with a redneck family with plans of their own.

It becomes a race to survive from the deadly snake and the crazy family. Can they make it out alive before it is too late?

Verdict on Snake Creek

Recap

The movie follows four friends who go on an adventure weekend. However, they clash with a killer snake and locals who want to keep him around. It becomes a race to survive in a wilderness of the unknown.

Best Parts

The wilderness elements of the film are fun, using the idea of exploring the world and being free from modern society.

Worst Parts

While the concept is good, the film doesn’t give us enough investment into the characters. Their relationship never feels that close and things are too generic. Elsewhere, the attacks never feel like a threat and more protection of land.

Final Thoughts –Snake Creek is a generic by-the-book creature feature.

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Movie Review

Gator Creek (2025) Movie Review

Gator Creek – Movie Review

Gator Creek is a typical monster movie featuring plane crash survivors battling hungry alligators in the Louisiana everglades.

First Reaction – Gator Creek is a typical late night monster movie without the effects to hit the levels it should.

Director: Taneli Mustonen, Brad Watson

Writer: Ashley Holberry, Gavin Cosmo Mahrtens (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Athena Strates (The Good Liar)
  • Madalena Aragao (El Turco)
  • Elisha Applebaum
  • Mohammed Mansaray
  • Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong

Plot: Vacation turns disaster when Houston grad, Kyle and her friends escape a plane crash in the desolate Louisiana everglades, only to discover there’s something way more dangerous lurking in the shallows.

Runtime: 1 Hour 27 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Gator Creek starts when a group of students go on a vacation Kyle (Strates), Alice (Aragao), Malika (Applebaum) and Sam (Mansaray). Kyle is facing the grief of losing someone close to her, while her friends believe it could help her relieve some of the trauma.

However, their trip turns into a nightmare when the plane they are travelling in crashes in the Louisiana everglades. They must work together with the fellow survivors to find safety. Meanwhile, the shallows are filled with human gators, who are relentless on their spree.

Verdict on Gator Creek

Recap

The movie follows a group of plane crash survivors who must survive the local gator population. They are hungry, angry and fast, meaning it becomes a race against time to survive their attacks.

Best Parts

The location for the crash is the highlight of the movie, it is nice seeing an American threat for once, instead of a distance rainforest. It proves dangers can be found they’re in the wrong places.

Worst Parts

The attacks a shot in an overly shaky cam way, which doesn’t always click and often with way too many cuts. Elsewhere, the gators look CGI, which for a slightly bigger budget isn’t as good as ti should be. The motivation for the trip comes off as confusing too, as it is one-part full celebration, the other is a grieving party.

Final Thoughts – Gator Creek is a typical late night monster horror.

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Movie Review

Love the Skin You’re In (2025) Movie Review

Love the Skin You’re In – Movie Review

"Love the Skin You’re In is a meaningful film about self-acceptance, confronting the past, and the importance of personal growth amidst challenges."

First Reaction – Love the Skin You’re In has a nice message and shows expressing feelings can bring people together.

Where to Watch

Love the Skin You’re In (TVOD Release 2/3/26)

Director: Kenn Michael

Writer: Sauda Johnson-McNeal (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Sauda Johnson-McNeal
  • Obba Babatunde
  • Flor Delis Alicea
  • Blythe Howard
  • Jaqueline Fleming

Plot: A successful career woman seems to have it all: compassion for others and a family legacy she’s proud to protect. But when her estranged father returns and the women’s center she runs begins to crumble, old wounds resurface. As her people-pleasing spirals, therapy helps her confront the past and find the courage to say no and choose herself.

Runtime: 1 Hour 47 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Love the Skin You’re In

Recap

The movie follows a successful career woman whose achievements become questioned when her estranged father returns. Elsewhere, the women’s centre faces an uncertain future. With a massive opportunity coming her way, she must face her past problems to succeed.

Best Parts

The movie explores the daily struggles of face up to the previous troubles in life. It shows the bigger impacts they take on people’s lives despite their achievements. Elsewhere, we get a series of strong performances which bring the movie to the next level. Meanwhile, the strong message about understanding more complex people is important to show a higher level of patience.

Worst Parts

While the story is important battle to show how important it is to never give up on yourself is strong. It doesn’t seem to hit the bigger impact the story would like to achieve. This isn’t making it bad, it means it doesn’t stand out as much as others.

Final Thoughts –Love the Skin You’re In has a big message and shows you can achieve more by embracing your past.

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Movie Review

The Stranger in My Home (2025) Movie Review

The Stranger in My Home – Movie Review

The Stranger in My Home fails to impact fully despite a compelling premise of a swapped daughter disrupting family dynamics and secrets.

First Reaction – The Stranger in My Home struggles to deliver the bigger impact the story suggests.

Director: Jeff Fisher

Writer: Adele Parks, Chris Sivertson (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A handsome stranger’s claim that a couple’s 15-year-old daughter was switched at birth throws their perfect family into turmoil, unearthing shattering secrets.

Runtime: 1 Hour 31 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Stranger in My Home starts when the Mitchell family, Ali (Bush), Jeff (Johnson) and Katie (Miller) live a normal life. However, a stranger Tom (Carmack) arrives on the doorstep with surprising news. He claims Katie was swapped at birth with his daughter, and the family is thrown into chaos with the news.

When the story becomes a reality, the family is thrown into turmoil. They don’t know how to handle the change in situation or how to move forward. Elsewhere, it isn’t just the daughters in the middle of the problems; the parents have their problems too.

Verdict on The Stranger in My Home

Recap

The movie follows a family who gets torn apart by the sudden news that their teenage daughter might have been swapped at birth. However, the secrets open up bigger secrets, which can tear the family apart even more.

Best Parts

The impact of the news is interesting to see and provides the shock value to move the story along.

Worst Parts

While the impact of the first message is interesting, the insane amount of drama drags the story down. Elsewhere, the performances are not as strong as they need to be and slowly hold the movie back. This falls into a series of over-the-top unnecessary drama, which doesn’t click to the bigger impact.

Final Thoughts –The Stranger in My Home struggles to get out of first gear despite the big story.

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Movie Review

Code 3 (2025) Movie Review

Code 3 – Movie Review

"Code 3" explores a burnt-out paramedic's final shift, showcasing the challenges faced in emergency services while delivering strong performances and relatable struggles.

First Reaction – Code 3 is an excellent reflection of daily struggles.

Director: Christopher Leone

Writer: Christopher Leone, Patrick Pianezza (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Follows a paramedic that is so burnt-out by the job that he is forcing himself to resign, however, he first must embark on one last 24-hour shift to train his replacement.

Runtime: 1 Hour 44 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Code 3 starts as we meet burnt-out paramedic Randy (Wilson). He works with Mike (Howrey) and is assigned students to help them learn quickly. The latest student, Jessica (Carrero), must learn quickly, as Randy has little patience for students. However, Randy’s methods show the paperwork problems with saving lives.

As Randy tries to escape his job, he knows the next step would take too long to achieve and reluctantly continues his role. However, his life changes when he gets a new job and must finish his final shift.

Verdict on Code 3

Recap

The movie follows a burnt-out paramedic who desperately wants out of the job. His dreams come true, but he must make it through a final shift with a rookie on board.

Best Parts

The movie highlights the daily struggles paramedics go through trying to save lives. Elsewhere, it shows the problems in the hierarchy and the treatment they give each other. The performances are brilliant and reflect the problems they are going through in a midlife crisis. Where the movie shines in showing how different people react to paramedics, some with cheering, others with hatred.

Final Thoughts – Code 3 is an excellent movie highlighting the struggles of paramedics.

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Movie Review

Gandhi: The Power of the Powerless – Movie Review

Gandhi: The Power of the Powerless – Movie Review

Gandhi: The Power of the Powerless explores Gandhi's non-violent message, showcasing its historical impact but lacks new insights into familiar stories.

First Reaction – Gandhi: The Power of the Powerless has an incredible message, but one we have heard before.

Where to Watch

Gandhi: The Power of the Powerless (VOD Release 1/27/26)

Plot: Gandhi’s message of non-violence resonated with millions all over the world and served as an inspiration to all humanity, especially those battling racism, tyranny, and injustice. From Martin Luther King Jr. to Nelson Mandela to bringing about the fall of communism in eastern Europe, Gandhi’s approach to peaceful protest [Ahimsa] brought about massive changes to the world and is still felt today.

Runtime: 1 Hour 46 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Gandhi: The Power of the Powerless

Recap

The documentary follows the power of Gandhi’s message about standing up for peace, not fighting for it. It shows how his message helped many of the important people in recent history guide change from peaceful messages. It also highlights the importance of his decisions and the impact they had on how the world operates.

Best Parts

The documentary illustrates how a peaceful approach led to a shift in people’s perception of change. It gives a series of historical moments with iconic leaders who changed nations and created a freedom by following in their footsteps.

Worst Parts

While it shows the big message, I don’t know if it does enough to tell the incredible stories already told. The leaders who made an impact, we have seen their message and stories for years.

Final Thoughts –Gandhi: The Power of the Powerless is a big history lesson, but it doesn’t do too much new.

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Movie Review

Novocaine (2025) Movie Review

Novocaine – Movie Review

Novocaine follows a bank manager, Nate, who, immune to pain, embarks on a chaotic rescue mission after his girlfriend's kidnapping.

First Reaction – Novocaine tries too hard to be edgy and outside the box.

Director: Dan Berk, Robert Olsen

Writer: Lars Jacobson (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: When the girl of his dreams is kidnapped, a man incapable of feeling physical pain turns his rare condition into an unexpected advantage in the fight to rescue her.

Runtime: 1 Hour 50 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Novocaine starts when lonely assistant bank manager Nate (Quaid) meets the girl of his dreams, Sherry (Midthunder). He has a secret, which means he doesn’t feel pain. When robbers break into the bank, they force Nate to open the vault and kidnap Sherry.  

Nate decides to stand up for himself for the first time and go in search of Sherry. However, he ends up going through a host of criminals, while Detective Mincy (Gabriel) tracks down the leads. Nate ends up getting himself in more trouble than he imagined.

Verdict on Novocaine

Recap

The movie follows a lonely bank assistant manager who decides to stand up for himself and try to save his new girlfriend after a bank robbery goes wrong. However, things get out of hand, forcing him into a world of criminals.

Best Parts

The twists and turns along the way are fun to see unfold. Some of the action is entertaining and creates the chaotic environment.

Worst Parts

The way the story unfolds doesn’t drag us in and using the syndrome where someone can’t feel pain to make an unlikely action star doesn’t click. Elsewhere, the performances struggle to make an impact and the film ends up feeling like it wants to create viral moments over a bigger story.

Final Thoughts –Novocaine is over the top and doesn’t hold back from it.

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Movie Review

Strike a Chord (2025) Short Movie Review

Strike a Chord – Short Movie Review

"Strike a Chord" is a captivating short film about indie artist Quinn Carter navigating pressures of fame and competition in the music industry.

First Reaction – Strike a Chord is a charming drama in the music industry.

Director: Madeline Sclichter

Writer: Madeline Sclichter (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Madeline Sclichter
  • Mia Pampena
  • Gianni Delmastro
  • Shane Sclichter

Plot: Rising indie artist and music influencer, Quinn Carter, is making her mark on the music industry, having just hit 1 million followers. But her talent and willpower are put to the test when her record label puts her in direct competition with pop princess, Bella Ray, for representation. Can Quinn persevere and keep her record deal or will she crack under pressure?

Runtime: 22 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Strike a Chord

Recap

The short movie follows music influencer Quinn Carter, who has been making an impact with her musical talent. However, with more fame comes additional pressure from the record label. She must turn to the people she trusts the most while working under intense pressure. Can she overcome this pressure or not?

Best Parts

The movie shines in showing the pressure placed on music talents in the social media world. It highlights what made it important to them in the first place and shows the bigger business being more cutthroat. There is also a surprise with lasting effects created by entering the industry. Elsewhere, the music works nicely and fills the blend of indie and pop. I often like to discuss short movies that have potential for a longer movie, and this is a perfect example of one that could easily be expanded into a longer story. However, it doesn’t lose anything by being last.

Final Thoughts –Strike a Chord is a charming reflection on music industry.