40 Acres. Directed by R.T. Thorne
40 Acres is a brutal survival thriller about a family navigating a famine-ravaged, post-apocalyptic world. Philosophically rooted in the early seasons of The Walking Dead, 40 Acres is more than just a gritty fight for survival. It wrestles with the deeper question: what’s the point of surviving if you’re not truly living? Packed with gnarly kills, slick stunt-work, and anchored by a powerhouse performance from Danielle Deadwyler, who absolutely owns every scene, 40 Acres is a damn good time. Aside from a few moments of tonal whiplash, it’s a solid, gripping entry in the genre.
My Rating: B+
Spermageddon. Directed by Tommy Wirkola and Ramus A. Sivertsen
One film that I will definitely not be forgetting is the Norwegian adult animated musical-comedy, Spermageddon from directors Tommy Wirkola and Ramus A. Sivertsen. Unapologetically crude and wild, it surprisingly provides a thoughtful exploration of sex. Under the disguise of sperm singing and dancing about how they will be the one to fertilize the egg, it provides an insightful look into sexual health, consent, and relationships through two teenagers navigating sex for the first time. With a completely unfiltered look at sex education, Spermageddon is a fun romp that is as unhinged as it is clever.
My Rating: B+
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight. Directed by Embeth Davidtz
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight means well, aiming to tackle racism and colonialism through the eyes of a white girl in Zimbabwe during the Rhodesian Bush War, but its execution feels flat and overly literal. The film handles racism with some nuance, showing how children absorb harmful beliefs, but its take on colonialism is mixed messages. It tells us it’s wrong, yet paints the family as innocent victims just trying to survive amid violence. It’s hard to reconcile that with the message it’s supposedly trying to send. Despite its flaws, the film shows that director Embeth Davidtz has potential, and it’s worth noting Lexi Venter delivers one of the strongest child performances in recent memory.
My Rating: C+
Free Leonard Peltier. Directed by Jesse Short Bull and David France
Free Leonard Peltier is an insightful and important documentary that sheds light not just on the unjust treatment of Leonard Peltier, but of Indigenous Americans as a whole. With powerful interviews and beautifully restored archival footage, it paints a compelling and intuitive portrait. That said, its sluggish pacing makes the nearly two-hour runtime feel even longer. At least 15 minutes could’ve been trimmed without losing any of its impact. Overall, it’s a meaningful and necessary watch, but it definitely overstays its welcome.
My Rating: B
Cloud. Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa.
Cloud is a brutal thriller about what happens when a scalper scams the wrong person, setting off a chain of dangerous, bloody consequences. It’s not a perfect film as its pacing is a bit erratic, but it’s a bloody good time. Anchored by Masaki Suda, Cloud feels right at home in the Kiyoshi Kurosawa universe, where characters always seem to end up scorched after picking the wrong fight.
My Rating: B
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