Mr. Smith

@jdiggs67.bsky.social

Considered this a weak weekend for new releases but actually stumbled into two films that will likely make my top ten of the year. Carolina Caroline and Power Ballad are strong features and I recommend both. I’d give each of them somewhere around 8 out of 10 stars.

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#Primate is a fun, well-done, animal attacks/slasher b-movie that pulls a number of visual cues from its genre influences. Violent and gory with the rabid chimp getting right to it for a lean 89 minute runtime. Lighting bugged me. Set in Hawaii, it shouldn’t be so drab and dark.

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I’m torn on The Plague. It’s impressive filmmaking and I agree with the stellar reviews. Also, by its end, I don’t think I like it much. At least not as an entertainment. It’s an effective portrait of teen bullying (12-13 year olds) with socially awkward boys branded as having “the plague.” ⬇️

Time for my 20 favorite films of 2025 list. Hands down, the 2 best films I saw this year were One Battle After Another and Sinners. But aren't your favorites the ones you watch over and over? I've seen Superman and F4 6 times each (5 in theater) and Thunderbolts* 4 times. So here you go. #filmsky📽️

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The Toxic Avenger is too much fun, a b-movie blast that hits just the right tone, providing both ridiculous laughs and ridiculous gore. Peppered with disgusting flourishes and even a little bit of heart. Top ten flick of the year for me.

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Viewed only as a thrilling reimagining of Kurosawa’s High and Low, Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest might play a little uneven … but as a Spike Lee joint it’s highly entertaining, with great turns from Washington, A$AP Rocky, and, especially, Jeffrey Wright. Visually stunning, great soundtrack. 👍

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Despite my aversion to most body horror, I had a good time with #Together. As creepy and squirm-inducing as expected, it’s also a darkly comic tale about the toxicity of codependent relationships that’s not wallowing in its more disgusting traits in place of a thoughtful story.

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#sheridesshotgun is my favorite movie of 2025 to date. It’s a solid action-thriller. But what drives the movie to greater heights is Ana Sophia Heger, as Polly, the young girl caught in the middle of the intrigue. The character is so authentic … “Polly” is phenomenal and this is her movie.

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Fans of Talk to Me will enjoy the director’s follow-up #BringHerBack, an intriguing, brutal tale that will hold your interest. Still, the movie fails to deliver the emotional weight of the superior ‘23 film. A certain character should have been our Mia, but we’re left cold/alone.

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A generic riff on the franchise, #KarateKidLegends is a rushed affair that still manages to feel padded with pointless subplots and side characters. It’s an amiable enough diversion, but I don’t know why you wouldn’t just watch an episode of Cobra Kai instead.

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A psychopath runs a ‘swim with the sharks’ tourist attraction that proves all too real for some customers. I’m not a big fan of ‘captive victim’ flicks but #DangerousAnimals was a terrific surprise at last night’s mystery movie screening. Suspenseful and fun, check it out!

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Clown in a Cornfield is a solid, above average modern slasher. A handful of scenes are genuinely hilarious and it evokes a classic slasher vibe early. I was a bit disappointed as it progressed, and with its reveal, but had a fun time - most horror fans will. #ClowninaCornfield

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