Month: August 2025

The Roses “Review”

Release date: August 29, 2025 (USA)

Director: Jay Roach

Producers: Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jay Roach · See more

Screenplay: Tony McNamara

Story by: Warren Adler

Running time: 1h 45m

Trailer seemed to show a lot but the actors are what intrigued me. I was expecting a comedy!

Maybe I wasn’t connected with the characters. Maybe it was the humor. Maybe I expected something else from it…. whatever it is. This movie left me in a funk for awhile after the ending dropped.

You’re setup with the couples introduction. Setting up Theo’s dream (Played by Benedict Cumberbatch) along with Ivy’s dream (Played by Olivia Colman). Skip forward 10 years (Which personally would have been nice to seen the relationship while it’s good and connect us to them.) they have a daughter and a son. Setting up the event between the dynamic. It takes the destruction of Theo’s dream and a rise and success in Ivy’s that changes the tide for this couple into a negative spiral.

While they start to resent one another. Their marriage greatly suffers. This is the movie that you’re watching. It’s not a funny light hearted feature. It’s not necessarily depressing. But it’s sad for sure. Something I’d never like my marriage to end up as.

I wont dive into all the story beats but if you check it out. I hope you enjoyed it. It’s based on reimagining the 1989 film The War of the Roses. Taking a slightly different and more modern cautionary tale.

It was mostly fine until that ending. I had movies that do this style of ending. 6/10.

Thanks for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. Hopefully next batch keeps above the 7’s. It’s been a minute since we had a scary movie right…? Ha, Horror has been the vastly majority lately so let’s continue it with The Conjuring next Thursday.

Either Thursday or across the Weekend I’ll try watch Splitsville also. There’s a movie called The Threesome….worth checking out? Let me know in the comments :D.

Until next batch though, happy movie going 😀

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The Toxic Avenger “Review”

Release date: September 21, 2023 (USA)

Director: Macon Blair

MPAA rating: R

Adapted from: The Toxic Avenger

Running time: 1h 42m

Distributed by: Cineverse Corp., Iconic Events

Intrigued by the trailer and loved the panel at Comic Con 2025. Had to check this feature out!

Modern day B-Movie? This was a lot of fun! Cult movie? Probably a niche interest but give it ago for sure. A fantastic intro setting up the villains grinds slightly to a slower pace before building back up into madness. So much cheesy silly fun and I’m all about it.

Peter Dinklage is playing single father “Winston Gooze”, a janitor at BTH company. A company mind you kind of like Simpsons Power Plant that’s infecting the residents through toxic waste and creating hideous mutations……

Winston’s son “Wade” is played by Jacob Tremblay, from excellent performances in the recent Life of Chuck. Prior years, Wonder, Room & Good Boys among many other features.

Kevin Bacon is the head of BTH “Robert Garbinger” who has an evil group of “Monsters?” working for him lead by Elijah Woods character (That gives me Penguin vibes) “Fritz Garbinger”.

Without going into the entire story and breaking it down. Let’s just say, our Toxic Avenger friend is here to save the day from these crooks and it sure does get toxic. Viewer discretion is advised for this unrated gore fest :D.

Sadly it didn’t keep the greatness levels engaged. However it was a solid good movie totally worth the watch. I’d watch it again for certain scenes but otherwise I’m ready to watch some sequels in this universe. Popped score of 7.5/10.

Speaking of wanting to watch more. Stick around for the ending post credit scene to see a tease of a sequel along with a fun little slice of life.

With that being said, what did you think of the Toxic Avenger? Too much and had to walk out? loved it? Something entirely else? Let me know in the comments below.

As always, appreciate you coming by Popped.blog for your movie “Reviews” stick around next up for The Roses.

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Caught Stealing “Review”

Release date: August 29, 2025 (USA)

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Cinematography: Matthew Libatique

Running time: 1h 47m

MPAA rating: R

Producers: Darren Aronofsky, Ari Handel, Jeremy Dawson, Dylan Golden

Trailer caught my attention – The cat, Matt Smith & Austin Butler got me to the ticket 😀

This movie doesn’t release fully until next week. I was fortunate enough to checkout the early access showing. So as usual spoilers will be off the table and even more so handled with care.

What’s Caught Stealing about? – Austin Butler’s character – Hank has gotten himself involved to no fault of his own….it was his flat neighbor Russ (Played by Matt Smith) ‘s actions that wound Hank in a situation with little to no friends to turn to and continuous dire situations amounting to navigate.

Mixed in the middle of it all is Russ’s cat which luckily has a liking to Hank and is advised not to pet as he’s a biter :D. The movie did start off a little slow but wasn’t fully to the point of boring as the movie would continue to put gas into the story and up the stakes. If only it found a balance to slowly put the foot on the gas and keep it slowly going faster and faster over fast, slow, fast, slow.

It’s an enjoyable film that’s a good watch. Maybe I’d watch it again for certain scenes / to see what the person I’m watching it with reacts to what’s to unfold. Otherwise, at least it has a cat and good actors with fun scenes.

A 7.5/10 it had great moments. I just wished it continued to stay in those great moments rather than needing time to rebuild the momentum.

P.S The other characters & actors are a lot of fun. But let me know who sticks out most to your experience in the comments below.

Thanks for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews” – Been a fun day of PoGo and continues tomorrow :D. Fun cherry on top with this movie. Looking forward to next week with Toxic Avenger & The Roses. Not before watching Ne Zha 2 again 😀 – When’s this movie releasing to own!

Until next time though, happy movie going everyone!

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Honey Don’t!

Release date: August 22, 2025 (USA)

Director: Ethan Coen

Screenplay: Ethan Coen, Tricia Cooke

Producers: Ethan Coen, Tricia Cooke, Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan, Robert Graf

Production companies: Focus Features, Working Title Films

MPAA rating: R

Okay, after watching this movie, I rated Americana to high, by just a smidge. This is taking it’s place. But what’s this! An empty theatre and seeing 50’s outta 100 for IMBd & RT scores :O

Let’s Discuss shall we 😀

The opening was very alluring that’s for sure. The lady coming down the rubble path to investigate a flipped over crashed car and still dripping with blood woman was just the appetizer for what’s to come.

Serious the more we got into this feature the more I questioned Americana. Yea I enjoyed that title but I really enjoyed certain characters. Honey Don’t! I enjoyed ALL the characters and actors.

The trailer even had me thinking it showed too much of the film…yea right! There was plenty of surprises and even more to explore. From a comedy angle that got good from its adult humor to it’s ….. 4th wall but not really 4th wall playing with the audience knowing what we know but knowing the character doesn’t know was a hoot.

Margaret Qualley as our Honey O’Donahue, Aubrey Plaza as the love interested cop MG Falcone. Chris Evans who was in the trailer but I honestly forgot he was in the movie till he popped up and WoW, LOVED! All his scenes 😉 haha as the Reverend Drew Devlin. The fantastic and hilarious Charlie Day as Honey’s other detective “friend?” Marty Metakawich along with so many others. This movie was honestly stacked with enjoyment.

I wont get into spoilers but just know this is a detective story looking into a murder that unravels so much. Adult humor is a packed a full. Mysteries & Comedy colide in this match up and I was all for it.

Sorry Americana but Honey Don’t! Took your lower end top 10 slot with an 8.5/10 I personally loved it despite others seemingly are not.

But hey if Honey Don’t! Isn’t your thing. Ne Zha 2 re-released with an English Dub today opening for this weekend. Check out the best Animated Movie of 2025. It’s solidly the best. You may see KPop Demon Hunters on sale but check that out on Netflix and spend your time at the theatre seeing Ne Zha 2. 😉 I chose my side 😀 Who will stand on the battlefield come the Oscars and choose Ne Zha 2!

With that being said…. Thank you for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. Have a wonderful weekend filled with great movies and love to hear your thoughts on what’s keeping people from enjoying this feature in the mid 50’s?

Until next time though, happy movie going!

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Americana “Review”

Release date: August 15, 2025 (USA)

Director: Tony Tost

Genres: Mystery, Western, Comedy, Thriller, Action, Adventure, Drama, Crime film, crime fiction, Crime Thriller

MPAA rating: R

Running time: 1h 47m

Distributed by: Lionsgate Films

Giving me vibes of Last Stop to Yuma County from last year I was excited to watch this title.

So how was it? Let’s discuss!

Telling a story across 5 parts – My favorite story telling method 😀 – This was a well executed tale and loved all the characters throughout. Specially Part 3 which tied everything together.

Starting off with a family that’s son has a reincarnation of a native American leader.

To a beautiful relationship between a local cowboy and dinner employee.

These stories among others are connected through a rare native American artifact – The Ghost Shirt.

All the actors did a great job from stand outs of Sydney Sweeney playing Penny Jo Poplin employee at the dinner. To her Cowboy friend Lefty Ledbetter played by Paul Walter Hauser.

Gavin Maddox Bergman playing the son Cal Starr did a great job introducing this feature. I speak highly of Last stop to yuma county from last year and this is a very good title. I’d say a smidge lower than yuma county but still a solid great watch. Weaker 9 but solidly a worthy watch I’d place in my top 10 list thus far. Maybe 8.5 if we need to cut some later in the year.

*EDIT* – Honey Don’t had me re-evaluate this decision knocking it down to a Solid 8/10.

So what did you think of Americana? Surprised so high? Think it’s in the 8’s ? Love to hear your thoughts as currently RT has it at 68% and IMBD at 5.6 hopefully that’s not due to the negativity going on around a certain actor right now which I wont get into.

Let’s enjoy the movies and keep it to the movie 😀 – That’d be nice 😀

Until next time though fellow movie goers. Thanks for coming by Popped.blog for your movie “Reviews” and as always. Happy movie going!

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Nobody 2 “Review”

Release date: August 15, 2025 (USA)

Director: Timo Tjahjanto

Producers: Bob Odenkirk, David Leitch, Kelly McCormick, Braden Aftergood, Marc Provissiero

Running time: 1h 29m

MPAA rating: R

Distributed by: Universal Pictures

Watched the first one after getting back from the epic IMAX showing of Ne Zha 2. Just intime for the premier of Nobody 2. So how was it? Let’s discuss!

Nobody 2 is back with the same fun and action packed family thriller lead by Bob Odenkirk as Hutch Mansell. Loved that they have their own style of intro that sets it apart from other family action movies.

Opening up in police custody and catching us up with the weekly mundane routine is a delight and I’d love more from this series as we catch up between each installment.

After taking out the Russians and all their money it’s time for a vacation for our family. Although that’s hard when you live with Hutch who’s a danger meant to himself :D.

This time around we get to explore more of the family and lots of growth potential for this series. From Connie Nielson as Becca Mansell Hutch’s wife to their children and even the legendary Christopher Lloyd playing the grandpa David Mansell.

Who are they really? Nobody 2 :O – hehe seriously though if you enjoyed the first then go watch this and have fun. Solid popcorn movie to fill in the gap between summer and the fall/winter holiday season. 7.5/10 a good worthy watch.

Sadly the other movies I mentioned all show late and I open a lot so may end up missing a couple of horror movies. However up next is Americana a nice addition to a certain list :D.

Thanks for coming by Popped.blog for your movie “Reviews” – and thanks for returning for another batch. Happy movie going!

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Freakier Friday “Review”

Release date: August 8, 2025 (USA)

Director: Nisha Ganatra

Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis; Lindsay Lohan; Julia Butters; Sophia Hammons; Manny Jacinto; Mark Harmon

MPAA rating: PG

Running time: 1h 51m

Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

It’s been HOW long since Freaky Friday released! Does this I.P return like Final Destination & Naked Gun or with I know what you did last summer? Let’s Discuss :D.

The opening to this movie felt very cheap to start with. Let’s get to the point with Disney Theatrical vs Disney + – This felt like Diary of a Wimpy Kid with the opening. It took some time but the cheapness was put to the side once the switch occurred.

To direct to the above statement on I.P this sits in the middle. I’d watch more with a good idea but I feel like it’s all been told between this and the previous movie. The opening was just okay. It wasn’t bad. It just offered what it was offering…. until the switch.

It was honestly a blast watching the actors having fun within their new roles. The jokes were fun where I actually laughed at a few. It took me out of the intro mindset and into a, I’m having fun with these characters. By the end I was feeling the feels and thoroughly enjoyed being apart of this almost 2 hour long movie.

Lindsay Lohan is back as Anna Coleman – Julia Butters is playing Annas daughter Harper Coleman – Jamie Lee Curtis is back playing Tess Coleman now a grandma – New additions to the family is the Husband Eric Davies played by Manny Jacinto & his daughter Lily Davies played by Sophia Hammons.

Looking for a fun movie to either nostalgia on a 22 year gap! Or maybe curious why this movie took so long and if it still has the magic? Then check out Freakier Friday after Weapons to something much more chill and lighter.

Getting out of the okay / it’s fine. Freakier Friday gets a 7/10 from Popped.

Thank you all for coming by Popped.blog for your movie “reviews”. The weekend ahead has a lot releasing from a sequel to Nobody 2 which I’ve yet to see the first one. Americana, along with 3 random releases, East of Wall, Jimmy Stiggs & Witchboard. A Western Drama, a Horror movie with a comedy sci-fi twist along with another Horror Thriller movie to keep the early season of Halloween alive :D. Don’t forget lastly Shin Godzilla in 4k!

See you in the next batch movie going viewers

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Strange Harvest “Review”

Release date: August 8, 2025 (USA)

Director: Stuart Ortiz

Producers: Stuart Ortiz, Bruce Guido, Alex Yesilcimen

MPAA rating: R

Distributed by: Roadside Attractions

Just saw Weapons and thought, hey! That was surprisingly funny now I’m looking for something darker? Then maybe your scope should be on Strange Harvest before it’s to late.

Is it real ? Is it made up? This film will have you honestly believing it’s all real. From the real locations and style of this mockumentary, Strange Harvest is a well executed and told story of Mr. Shiny a sadistic serial killer from the 1990’s to now….

You’re taken through this journey in an investigation via two detectives in the inland empire of San Bernadino County in southern California.

It starts dark and just builds to very intense and uncomfortable scenes. Like I mentioned above in the intro. You want something darker after seeing Weapons. Strange Harvest is a great dessert to end your horror movie binge :D.

7.5/10 or a weak 8/10 Popped score. Not something I’d watch again due to the content matter being enough one time but a very good watch and curious to see what director Stuart Ortiz has coming next.

Thank you all for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. Stick around as coming up next is something much lighter of a tone. Freakier Friday.

Hopefully this coming weekend is a pallet changer from all the dark spookiness 😀

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Weapons “Review”

Release date: August 8, 2025 (USA)

Director: Zach Cregger

MPAA rating: R

Screenplay: Zach Cregger

Producers: Zach Cregger, Raphael Margules, Miri Yoon, Roy Lee, J. D. Lifshitz

Running time: 2h 8m

If there’s one thing I’d request from audience viewers on this feature. It’d be not to ruin this movie. From what I expected going in to what I saw…..is summed up by W.T.F :D. Let’s Discuss.

How’d I paint a picture of this movie without going into spoilers. When 17 children have woken up at 2.17am ran out their front door and disappeared to never come back is your opening scene this movie doesn’t hold back.

Telling you this story through layers, picking characters point of view, then slowly revealing how we get to the movies combined conclusion. Is my favorite story telling method. Although not necessarily slow. It does require some sticking with it in order to get to some pretty awesome scenes maybe even for some intense.

I’d love to dive in deeper but go experience this through just the teaser trailer or no trailer at all. Seeing Julia Garner in this role is awesome as it’s what I wanted from her when watching Wolfman earlier in the year. There’s a lot of surprisingly good actors here which I didn’t catch from the trailer so enjoy their performances.

If anyone wants to discuss spoilers or anything I’d love to discuss more in the comments however for now I’ll wrap this “Review” of Weapons as this. It’s a great movie. Sure it has many questions to answer. Sure you may leave wanting 5 more minutes. But what if this was a part 1 or a piece of the puzzle for this mystery? What if there’s more to be revealed and layers to be pulled back on?

If Weapons is standalone I’d say 8.5/10. Let it cook and it’ll serve you something delicious. If we’re only at the surface of what went down. Then this could be a masterpiece series that I’m excited to jump back into and love to see more. When comparing it to Sinners. I couldn’t give this a 9. So make of that when going into watch Weapons this weekend.

Thank you all for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. Looking forward to hear your thoughts below :D. Think a genre should be changed from horror/mystery to something else? Let’s discuss that also :D.

Appreciate you being a member of Popped and stay tuned for more “Reviews” real soon. Either we’re going to stay in this dark realm with Strange Harvest or we’re jumping out to freakier matters with Freakier Friday.

Until next time though, happy movie going!

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2025 Mid-Way look “Review”

Welcome fellow movie goers, this Pop Date will go over a look at 2025 thus far and what’s planned to be reviewed. Maybe some hidden secret gems. Some disappointments? We’ll review in 2025 December to see the outcome.

By each month in bold will be movies I’ll lock in a review of, all going well. The Italic number is either a polled or a surprise random movie watch to add to months reviews.

August 2025 – 8 | 3

Bad Guys 2, Sketch & Naked Gun – Reviewed | Freakier Friday | Weapons | Nobody 2? | Witchboard | Honey Don’t! | Ne Zha 2 (Eng Dub) | Caught Stealing | Toxic Avenger

September 2025 – 4 | 2

Conjuring | Long Walk | Sound of Music? (Never watched more than 5 minutes) | Him | One Battle After Another | Spinal Tap 2?

October 2025 – 7 | 1

Smashing Machine | Roofman | Tron | Black Phone 2 | Good Fortune | Mortal Kombat 2 | Chainsaw Man | Stitch Head

November 2025 – 5

Predator | Running Man | See Me 3 | Wicked | Zootopia 2

December 2025 – 4

Freddy’s 2 | Avatar 3 | SpongeBob | Housemaid

This was using firstshowing.net on August 6th – 100 Movies for 2025 is looking certain!

Currently at 82 with 2 of those movies having caveat – 1 Streamer 1 Released 2024 Christmas going wide in America 2025 January…. Does it count ? :p either way 80 currently with a potential of adding at least 25 movies form the bold minus the re-releases. Yet along bonus movies and surprises along the way :D.

Top 5 thus far from 2025:

Ne Zha 2, F1 & Bring Her Back (Wasn’t even on my radar!) | Sinners | Life of Chuck (Glad I Watched) | (Betterman if allowed)

My hopes of a top 10:

Love Hurts (Big ooof) | Lilo & Stich (We’re talking about the animated one right? :s) | Ballerina (I feel bad) | Train Your Dragon (Was good but not top 10 good) | Jurassic World (Ouch) | Trey Parker Movie (Got delayed to 2026)

Dark Horse Shoutouts:

Captain America (In a different universe) | Looney Tunes (Still had fun!) | Mickey 17 (Ouch) | Minecraft (HAHAHAHA Dark Horse – slayed) | Until Dawn ( It is what it was) | M3GAN 2.0 (Way to not read the room) | Fantastic Four (Can we switch marvel movies to Thunderbolts :D) | Mortal Kombat 2 (Let’s GO!! There’s still hope!)

Love to hear your thoughts on this list – Anything stick out / Missing from the list?

Lots added to wrap the year up. Podcast R.I.P haha. Happy Watching All ❤

Last shout outs:

Weapons | Long Walk | Predator | Wicked | Avatar 3

My last hopefuls to make the top 10 list of 2025 – Let’s see if there’s any surprises and fails.

Thus far, here’s my personal bottom 5:

1Screamboat – 2.5/10
2The Legend of Ochi – 2.5/10
3A Minecraft Movie – 2.5/10
4Death of a Unicorn – 2.5/10
5Hurry Up Tomorrow – 3.0/10

How’s your 2025 looking thus far? In line with your expectations or having surprises along the way like Ne Zha 2 did for myself :D.

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