Tag: film

The Long Walk “Review”

Release date: September 12, 2025 (USA)

Director: Francis Lawrence

Story by: Stephen King

Screenplay: J.T. Mollner

Running time: 1h 48m

Producers: Francis Lawrence, Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, Cameron MacConomy

These actors did an incredible job! – I never thought about all the hurdles walking hundreds of miles would entail but wow I got my mystery question answered without knowing I had it.

Lets discuss shall we ?!?

Teens participate from every state to participate in the long walk. Get a wish granted and a whole lot of money. That is if you’re the sole survivor on 49 total participants.

You follow an incredible cast in this movie which you’ll create strong bonds with which will pull at your heart strings. You know only 1 survives so who do you pick to follow? Choose wrong and your hearts going to hurt more than anything. This movie doesn’t hold back punches. It’s pretty in your face with the challenges these young men are having to endure.

Ever thought about the freaking bathroom situation? Yea, I didn’t until someone had to go #2! That sh*t! was insane ;P. Here’s some shout outs for the actors and who their playing.

David Jonsson (From most recently Alien Romulus) playing Peter McVries. Cooper Hoffman (Saturday Night 2024) playing Raymon Garraty – Our introductory main character to the movie and it’s universe. Ben Wang (Karate Kid: Legends) playing Hank Olson. The legendary Mark Hamill is playing The Major. Roman Griffin Davis (Acted in Silent Night, Voice Acted in The King of Kings) plays Thomas Curley. Garrett Wareing (Ransom Canyon 2025 & Dead Sea 2024) plays Stebbins. Charlie Plummer (The Return) plays Gary Barkovitch and lastly but not least for everyone else in this great movie is Tut Nyuot (This is his first movie, however most recently was in the TV Series The Witcher as Shen) Playing Arthur Baker.

Skipped the actors portion or not above that’s all well and fair. But don’t skip this movie. It’s truly a great watch and I’d love to place it in my top 10 for this year but sadly falls just short at a 8/8.5. Just the topic matter and what’s on screen isn’t something I’d grab cereal and repeat watch a dozen times :P. But I’d watch it again and it’s better than a one time solid good movie thus placing it in the great 8 tier.

No spoilers here you can see but let me know your thoughts in the comments below :D.

Appreciate you coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. I’ve seen an up tick on readers recently and I appreciate you taking the time to come on by.

We have a solid good few months remaining before the year is out. How’s your top 10 list going. Waiting for any highly anticipated movies to knock off your lower top 10 list? Let me know :D.

Still to come for September – Him, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, & One Battle After Another – For the memes maybe Gabby’s Dollhouse.

October – Smashing Machine, Roofman, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Black Phone 2, Good Fortune, Chainsaw Man, Anniversary & Stitch Head. Possibly Bugonia & Pets on a Train.

November – Predator: Badlands, Keeper, Now You See Me, Running Man, Rental Family, Wicked: For Good & Zootopia 2.

Lastly for December – FNAF 2, Scarlet, Silent Night, Avatar 3, The Housemaid & SpongeBob. Maybe Anaconda & Marty Supreme?

Until next time though, happy movie going 😀

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The Legend of Hei II “Review”

Release date: September 5, 2025 (USA)

Director: MTJJ

Cast: Shan Xin, Mingyue Liu

Genre: Animation

Production company: Tianjin Maoyan Weiying Media Company Limited

Running time: 1h 59m

Screenplay: MTJJ, Kexin Peng

Glad I was recommended to watch this movie because WOW! I’ve got another series to watch / world to get into, along side that of Nezha :D. Shall we dive in!

I watched the first film, INCLUDING the 40 episode web series leading up to watching the last showing of Legend of hei 2 in theatres. Caught it JUST in time :D. Yes I’ll be purchasing this series along with Nezha 2 once they release. 😉 Guess who’s in this franchise. Freaking the legendary Naza 😀 otherwise known as Nezha hehe.

I can’t say I love the second movie more or less than the first title. It offers something solid with some returns but many new characters to explore. I wouldn’t be lying if I said my enjoyment was hindered by the lack of many characters from the first film and the webseries. But alas the move is still solid with plenty to get hyped about. SPECIALLY for those Naza fans like myself 😀 OMG it gets a .5 just for that alone haha.

So the first film is a prequel to the webseries and really establishes Hei. His master and the setting within the world with spirits and humans. The web series is a fun little series around Hei and his human friends mixed with some spirits and the best animal characters you’ll ever meet in a series. The sequel film continues to explore the world going into the dynamics of the spirits vs human conflict. Both sides live amongst one another. But not everyone’s happy about it.

Thus a war / mystery detective film is our sequels enjoyment. I’m ready for more, mostly to see Naza and some other characters within the guild & Enforcers. Unlike Nezha 2 which takes the scope of his village and expands it to literally worlds, planes of existence and vast vast more. This series takes place solely on earth and explores areas of conflict but mainly centered about a specific conflict rather than a global eye. So lots more to peel back and reveal deeper layers to the lore and character development of Hei.

Check it out and let me know your thoughts. I’d LOVE to have this at a 9/10 having it in my top 10 along with Nezha 2. Sadly though the fact it didn’t tie in those characters from prior installments that got me connected to this series to binge it all in 1 day it sits in a solid 8/10 great movie. For having Naza 😀 8.5/10 and a feature I’d happily watch again.

Any other recommendations? I’d love to hear them. However before this batch wraps up with The Long Walk. I appreciate you coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. Demon Slayer Infinity Castle will be up Monday Night / Tuesday so stay tuned for that if you’re interested :D.

Happy movie going fellow movie goers and I’ll see you in the next movie – The Long Walk :D.

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Splitsville “Review”

Initial release: May 19, 2025

Director: Michael Angelo Covino

Producers: Dakota Johnson, Michael Angelo Covino, Kyle Marvin · See more

Distributed by: Neon

MPAA rating: R

Running time: 1h 40m

Was recommended checking this title, out so yesterday I did just that – Let’s Discuss Shall We!

This movie started and all was well and okay, it’s okay. But then there’s a turning point. The fun fair – mainly the fish coaster ;). Just describing the scene to my wife had her laughing aloud last night :D.

So what’s this movie about? As displayed in the poster. You’re following two couples journeys in their relationship. Two best friends and their wives. One relationship is torn apart through one partner coming out they cheated and wants a divorce. The other have an open relationship where they can see others physically, while maintaining their emotional connection together within their marriage.

I’ve been comparing / competing this movie with The Roses. What I thought I was getting from that. I got within this movie. Despite having a lot of negative and destruction within their relationships, there’s a lot of light and fun in this movie that had me several times laughing out loud while connecting and feeling for these characters.

There’s a lot of scenes I look forward to re-watching and the finale got this from the 7.5 up to a 8/10 great movie for me personally. There’s a lot to enjoy in this one which I’ll hold back talking about so you get to experience fresh. Let me know in the comments your thoughts.

Thanks for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews” stay tuned later for another batch as I may checkout Twinless later on today. Don’t think I’ve even seen a trailer but peeking at the reviews. I’m intrigued!

Happy movie going everyone, we’ll see you next time 😀

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The Conjuring: Last Rites “Review”

Release date: September 5, 2025 (USA)

Director: Michael Chaves

Prequel: The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

MPAA rating: R

Running time: 2h 15m

Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures

Last Rites – The “Final” Conjuring movie? Let’s see shall we…

Last Rites is the final case for the Warrens as the film takes us from Lorraine during her pregnancy. Introducing the demon that follows another family in 1986 to the current days within 1986 for where the Warren family currently is while also telling the story of the Smurl family being aggressively haunted by the same demon entity. Through a mother fracking Mirror!. I hate mirrors!

I actually enjoyed the two stories in the beginning and middle acts. Lots of surprise scares that weren’t shown in the trailer. Sadly the ending act was the weakest and I can see why the current scores are coming in so low. With that said, it’s the final “episode” of this series so go have fun with this experience I don’t need to explain what type of movie you’re getting into.

It feels like a closing chapter for the Warrens but keep reading to hear a potential spoiler on sequel/s. Popped score of a weak 7/10. It’s a good one time watch. I actually enjoyed it for the franchise more than Wolfman which I gave a 6.5 fine score which is why it gets the 7 for me personally.

Closing out Comments prior to “Spoilers”

Before I mention a potential spoiler, wanted to say as usual a big thank you for all those that come by for these “Reviews”. We’re coming up to having done this for two years and I’m certainly not winding down any time soon….that I know of :D.

Thus stay tuned as we plan for future ideas in year 3 like the before mentioned ideas of joining Rotten Tomatoes Critic application March 1st. Among maybe other ideas? – Thinking Youtube shorts or something to co-inside with these “Reviews”. Either way, thank you again and let’s get into the potential spoiler talk for sequels.

Until next time though, happy movie going everyone 😀

*Potential Sequel Spoiler Discussion*

You’ve just watched the movie or interested to hear my thoughts on what could come next or how to continue this franchise timeline. Then let’s dicuss.

We have a couple of avenues I can see the creators taking this franchise.

Staying with Judy Warren and her husband Tony Spera and their children in the current day timeline. We’ve seen how connected Judy is to all these spirits so that’s an easy route to take.

Another route which seemed heavily nodded towards was the ending with the Annabelle music playing over the information about the current standings of the Conjuring Mirror. This could setup again within the current day timeline events that’ve occurred within our lives paranormal occurrences to the items within the Warren Museum.

Just because the Warren’s story has been told doesn’t mean that’s the ending of the spirits & Demons introduced and setup with the franchise. We have so many Youtube Paranormal investigators and experts out there inspired by the Warrens. With some good writing we could totally have modern day series based on this franchise going forth.

But that’s just my thoughts. I’d love to hear from you all in the comments below. What do you think is to come? Want this series to be over for good and return in like 20 years with the current day storyline I mentioned? I’ll be reading them all and very interested.

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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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