Leviticus. Directed by Adrian Chiarella
Adrian Chiarella’s Leviticus is a queer spin on It Follows (2014). But instead of a relentless entity that takes the form of strangers with hollow eyes, the demonic force here appears as the person you love most. For its star-crossed lovers, that transforms love itself into an endless nightmare. Heart-pounding, brilliantly acted, and delightfully gnarly, Leviticus is a horror film rooted in the queer experience, illustrating how some people would rather unleash a demon to “fix” you than accept you for who you are. While the film loses some of its footing in the final act, Leviticus remains a standout horror film and a powerful addition to queer genre cinema.
My Rating: B
Leviticus is now available on VOD
Toy Story 5. Directed by Andrew Stanton
At the end of the day, Toy Story 5 is an unnecessary sequel, though I appreciated what it had to say. Technology has fundamentally changed the way we interact with one another, especially for children, to the point that we’re beginning to lose a part of ourselves. Toy Story 5 acknowledges both the dangers of technology and the ways it can be used for good. While I appreciated that commentary, I wish the film had pushed it further. It flirts with the idea that tablets and technology are increasingly replacing parenting and genuine human connection, but never fully commits to exploring that reality. Ironically, watching parents immediately hand their children tablets after the screening made it clear that the film’s message went over many people’s heads. Even so, I was happy to see Jessie finally get the spotlight she has deserved for years.
My Rating: B
Toy Story 5 is in theaters nationwide.
The Sheep Detectives. Directed by Kyle Balda
Listen, when I first saw the trailers for this film, I wasn’t expecting much beyond a silly whodunit made for families. What I got instead was something entirely different. The Sheep Detectives takes its whodunit premise and transforms it into a heartfelt story about grief, death, and healing. Its themes are accessible enough for children to understand while remaining sophisticated enough for adults to appreciate. Surprisingly smart, consistently hilarious, and genuinely brilliant, The Sheep Detectives is the film you never knew you needed.
My Rating: A-
The Sheep Detectives is now available on Amazon Prime Video
Minions & Monsters. Directed by Pierre Coffin
The little Minions are back at it again, and this time they’re taking over Hollywood. Minions & Monsters is a love letter to the magic of cinema, packed with movie references, adult jokes, and the franchise’s signature brand of absurdity. It’s consistently funny, delightfully silly, and an undeniably entertaining time at the theater. But that’s also where the film begins and ends. Minions & Monsters doesn’t aspire to be much more than a fun, lighthearted romp, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, it ultimately leaves little else to chew on once the credits roll.
My Rating: B-
Minions & Monsters is now in theaters nationwide.
Evil Dead Burn. Directed by Sebastien Vanicek
Evil Dead Burn is another gnarly, bloody, and unapologetically mean entry in the Evil Dead franchise. While the series continues to play it safe and doesn’t push the narrative in any bold new directions, that hardly takes away from how much fun it is. Packed with gloriously over-the-top performances, flying guts, gallons of blood, and all the derangement you could hope for, Evil Dead Burn delivers exactly what fans come for. It may not reinvent the franchise, but it’s another wickedly entertaining addition to the Evil Dead legacy.
My Rating: B-
Evil Dead Burn is now in theaters nationwide.
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