Tag: 2025
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Full Circle: How ‘Stranger Things 5’ Masterfully Pays Off Its Legacy
“Stranger Things” burst onto screens and captivated audiences worldwide. Its blend of 1980s nostalgia with supernatural adventure struck a chord that sent viewership numbers soaring beyond Netflix’s wildest expectations. But all good stories eventually reach their conclusion. November 2025 marks the beginning of that end, as fans prepare to witness “Stranger Things” fifth and final…
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Predictable Cheer: Tyler Perry’s Latest “Finding Joy” Feels More Formulaic Than Festive
Tyler Perry’s work is frequently debated, but that’s hardly unusual for creatives. What has become clear, however, is that Perry has an undeniable gift for portraying family dynamics. His comedic touch in those moments almost always lands, and when he leans into drama, it often borders on mastery. His ability to weave together family, conflict,…
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Whipped-Cream Comfort: Netflix’s “A Merry Little Ex-Mas” Goes Down Smooth
For the holidays, experiences usually fall into two camps: the lighthearted and the… not so much. Even when life isn’t exactly merry, bright, or light, the hope is always the same—peace and, if it can be managed, a little happiness anyway. The challenge, of course, is that sometimes there just isn’t much emotional “raw material”…
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Middling Thriller: ‘The Hand That Rocks the Cradle’ Fumbles Its Potential
Every revival raises the same question: what’s the real motive behind it? Some projects feel inherently justified, their return making perfect sense. Others have to work much harder to prove they weren’t a misguided idea from the start. Occasionally, a continuation feels gratifying, reinforcing the notion that there was something worthwhile about seeing a story…
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A Singular Presence: What ‘Being Eddie’ Teaches Us About Greatness
One of the most anticipated documentaries of 2025 debuted last week, “Being Eddie,” giving fans a front-row seat as one of the most iconic comedians, actors, and producers of our time told his story in a way only he could. Viewers naturally come in with expectations—hoping for revelations, behind-the-scenes truths, and untold chapters—but this documentary…
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All Charm, No Surprise: ‘Freakier Friday’ Plays It Safe
Some films succeed on charm and star power alone. They rally audiences with beloved actors and a heartwarming, feel-good message, and that combination is often enough to carry a project to success. The challenge arises when studios assume that the film’s triumph came from narrative strength rather than the perfect alignment of casting, tone, and…
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Ryan Murphy’s ‘All Is Fair’—Aesthetically Flawless, Emotionally Flawed
As a longtime admirer of Ryan Murphy’s distinctive storytelling, it’s always both a surprise and a thrill to see a new project stamped with his signature style. What sets “All Is Fair” apart, however, isn’t just Murphy’s creative influence; it’s the powerhouse ensemble he’s brought together. With a lineup that blends star power and sharp…
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The Horror Begins Anew: “Welcome to Derry” Captures the Terror Beneath Small-Town Perfection
Stephen King masterfully tapped into the terrors of childhood with his terrifying novel, It. The face of this fear, Pennywise the Dancing Clown, became an iconic horror figure, unforgettable and frequently adapted for both television and film. Now, audiences are taken to the very origin of this terror: Derry, Maine. Pennywise Undisguised For those familiar…
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“Goodboy: A Dog-Centric Horror That Struggles to Connect
Some films may seem promising in theory and on paper but require additional depth to truly resonate on a lasting level. Unfortunately, despite the hype surrounding the 2025 horror film Goodboy, it ultimately failed to live up to expectations. Cinematic Context “Goodboy” is a project by Ben Loneberg. It tells the story of a man…
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Blood, Tension, Zombies—The Elixir Hits Different
“The Elixir” is one of those films that quietly sneaks up on you—unassuming at first glance. It found its way onto my watchlist during a casual scroll through Netflix’s latest horror releases. The simplicity of its title and the intriguing promise of “zombie horror” were reason enough to press play. The Fountain Of Fatality The…
Uncut Diamonds 