Tag: horror

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc “Review”

Release date: October 24, 2025 (USA)

Director: Tatsuya Yoshihara

MPAA rating: R

Running time: 1h 40m

Story by: Tatsuki Fujimoto

Adapted from: Chainsaw Man

Waited to watch with my wife, but as she’s busy went to check it out tonight!

It’s been a while since I’ve seen season 1. That being said, I loved the intro and was solidly back in with Denji and the crew. This includes some new faces also. Yea the trailer showed off the enemy so my rage goes on against trailers! We only need 1 at this rate studios. Why reveal so much in your trailers!

Anywho, that aside. Loved the relationship between Denji and this new cutie! Fan of the show – You’re going to watch this, I’m sure. But for those with little ones. This is R-rated. There’s a lot of adult material in this one. Demon Slayer may go with blood and demons. This is raunchy AF. As a heads up ;).

Combat was cool, but I was falling asleep by this point and missed a few lines. So another viewing is in order with my wife at some point before season 2 drops. (Yeah, I need to rest and stop watching so many movies haha. I also have to re-watch episodes for the same reason of falling asleep while watching at night).

It’s a pretty short movie at an hour and 40minutes. Had a lot of fun and going with the 8/10 great movie for Chainsaw Man. Love the 9’s on social media but this isn’t as good as Demon Slayer. Sorry Denji.

Stick around for a cute end scene of him though, after the credits roll have wrapped up.

Thanks for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. Played catch up a bit on this weeks batch. However next week is looking mighty promising. Christy & Predator: Badlands should do well with some supporting movies I’m going in blind – Die My Love | Sarah’s Oil (Saw Trailer) | Unexpected Christmas | Maybe… Nuremberg.

Week after has Keepers | Now You See Me: Now You Don’t | The Running Man.

Then the 2 week double whammy – Wicked for Good & Zootopia. Supported by Rental Family | Sisu 2 & Eternity.

See you all there in the next batch as we enter the two final months and prepare for Oscar Nominations of 2025 :O.

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Shelby Oaks “Review”

Release date: October 24, 2025 (USA)

Director: Chris Stuckmann

Producers: Chris Stuckmann, Ashleigh Snead, Cameron Burns, Aaron B. Koontz

Screenplay: Chris Stuckmann

MPAA rating: R

Running time: 1h 42m

Trailer intrigued me – Then found out who wrote & directed this movie – Chris Stuckman!

The film starts off almost like a mockumentary style – the Last footage of Riley (Played by Sarah Durn) being alive. One of 4 members of a paranormal show called Paranormal Paranoid. As they’ve all gone missing and news spreads across the area around Shelby Oaks. We get introduced to Riley’s sister Mia (Played by Camille Sullivan) being interviewed by the news before this style of intro gets flipped on its head and enters an actual cinematography film. Done superbly, mind you. Both from the intro to the switch, this movie had captivated me from here on out. (Despite being mega tired from a close open shift, I forced myself to stay awake to not miss a second.)

I made big praise to Chris Stuckman as I used to watch his movie reviews on youtube awhile back. Now I’m a returned subscriber but also a fan of his movies from here on out :D.

As usual, I won’t get into spoilers. So with the above, and with Mia going to find out what happened to her sister Riley. I will let you know this movie creates tension. Scares across several layers of depth. Not just jump, sound, presence etc. This is a well executed and produced movie which I’d watch again if asked. I can see this being huge on streaming.

Thoroughly enjoyed the movie with some slight weakness for the last act. Ending saves it? You decide. But honestly a well worth watching movie at a Popped score of 7.5/10.

Appreciate you coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. A triple dose batch of worthy watches for someone across the board. Sadly holding out to watch Chainsaw Man on Monday for a sub version. Local theatres near me has majority Dub which I’m not a fan of to be honest.

If spoilers are something to avoid with Chainsaw Man and the Dubs are not bad, then let me know in the comments below.

Until next time, though, fellow moviegoers. Happy movie watching 😀

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Black Phone 2 “Review”

Release date: October 17, 2025 (USA)

Director: Scott Derrickson

MPAA rating: R

Prequel: The Black Phone

Running time: 1h 54m

Distributed by: Universal Pictures

My most anticipated movie of 2025…. so how’d it go? Let’s Discuss!

Loved the first title back in 2021. Some big shoes to fill, that’s for certain.

Mason Thames is back after training a dragon earlier this year as Finney. Grown up and haunted by Ethan Hawke as The Grabber he’s the tough kid in school that now smokes cigarettes :O.

Madeleine McGraw, playing Finney’s sister Gwen, has also grown up but now has more severe and extreme dreams than before. These dreams share a connection with their mother, which sends them on a path to a religious campground to do battle with The Grabber once again.

Followed Popped since the first review (Night Swim). You’ll see that I mentioned the Blum house Universe being supposedly created after the events of this movie…. well, I have my theories if this is the path being taken still.

*Spoilers* – I think focusing on the daughter Gwen, could align with the next movie of Blum House, FNAF… let me know what you think? *Spoilers*.

Popped score of 6.5/10, some good scenes, but don’t let it fool you into thinking this was actually a good movie. It’s a solid streamer. The bar was set way too high for it to come anywhere near the first film. Sadly, we may have the M3GAN effect. Changing the tonal shift and psychological aspects to more paranormal may have lost what many like myself, thoroughly enjoyed about its origins.

Thank you all for taking the time to come by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. Next week we have a very nice feast of all sorts. :D.

From Chainsaw Man, Regretting You, Shelby Oaks (Maybe Springsteen) & Bugonia…. all going well, we have a good time. Potentially a solid week, but only time will tell. Wondering about the Oscar noms yet? Me too!

Let’s discuss that the end of October as we near Halloween and the winter movie slate cooks for release! 😀 See you next batch & happy movie going everyone.

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After the Hunt & Good Fortune “Reviews’

Release date: October 10, 2025 (USA)

Director: Luca Guadagnino

Cinematography: Malik Hassan Sayeed

Producers: Luca Guadagnino, Brian Grazer, Allan Mandelbaum, Jeb Brody

Screenplay: Nora Garrett

Running time: 2h 19m

Double batch “Review”…. you know what that means :(…. let’s a go!

Rapid Fire – Watch the trailer then watch last 30-40minutes of a 2 Hour 20minute film. Nothing really gets developed until then and the pacing never really picks up. It’s just long, feels long and to top it off. Adds a ticking sound track multiple times through the movie adding to the feeling of feeling long. It’s not bad but it’s not good. Above Average at best. A good background movie streamed at home.

*Spoiler Rapid Fire?* – Movie will show the consequences for 4 different accounts. When a rape is real – How it affects the victim & the predator. When rape is made up for revenge / to hurt someone – How it affects the victim & the saboteur.

6/10 Popped Score.

Release date: October 17, 2025 (USA)

Director: Aziz Ansari

Producers: Aziz Ansari, Alan Yang, Anthony Katagas

MPAA rating: R

Running time: 1h 38m

Genres: Comedy, Action

Fantastic cast. Great trailer. So why’s the film edited/written this way? Where’d it go so wrong?

Rapid Fire – Was looking forward to this one. While it had good moments, the majority of the good stuff is from the trailer. Not only was it in the trailer, but the trailer also had the scene in its entirety. Scenes shifted in & out so casually the film felt extremely dry. Not really all that funny sadly. Mostly Seth Rogen & Keanu were doing all the heavy lifting. Other actors did fine but the material provided was not good.

At best 6.5, but a Popped score of 6/10.

With that rapid-fire double “Review” – Stick around for Black Phone 2 with a little bit of everything before I hit the hay at 3 am: D.

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Bone Lake “Review”

Release date: October 3, 2025 (USA)

Director: Mercedes Bryce Morgan

MPAA rating: R

Running time: 1h 34m

Distributed by: Bleecker Street

Production company: LD Entertainment

For a title that came out of nowhere – This was an experience 😀 Let’s Discuss!

Bone Lake starts and end strong. Doesn’t hold back on its R rating and is very expressive with it’s storytelling and adult material. This isn’t for you if you’re not into heavy adult material & gore as it’s jam packed.

Think Barbarian meets Ready or Not. Bone Lake takes two couples booking the same Airbnb on this beautiful lake that just so happens to have a ton of skulls lying at the bottom of it…supposedly…

There’s plenty of intrigue and mystery with solid casting. Sage & Diego (Played by Maddie Hasson & Marco Pigossi) are our first focus couple after the solid hook of an intro. Cin & Will ( Played by Andra Nechita & Alex Roe) are our double booked Airbnb couple that joins us moments later.

How will this affect their stay? Well, without getting into spoilers, but casting an overall plot. Bone Lake is a movie to test your relationship. Testing the trust between couples & against temptations. Will the mystery of their stay be able to stand the test that’s to come their way?

Solid movie which I look forward to re-watching with my wife. Popped score of 8/10. Pleasantly surprised to see it come from nowhere and looking forward to another Bleecker Street movie to come in December – Fackham Hall.

Thanks for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. Posting this one a little late but should finish this weeks batch on Monday with The Smashing Machine :D.

Let me know what you think of Bone Lake in the comments or if you plan to check it out.

Until next time, though, happy movie-going going everyone.

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Good Boy “Review”

Release date: October 3, 2025 (USA)

Director: Ben Leonberg

Language: English

MPAA rating: PG-13

Genre: Horror

Running time: 1h 13m

Poster had me, hearing it’s from the perspective of Indy, this dog had me intrigued. Let’s discuss shall we.

Stick around for after the movie ends, there’s a behind the scenes with the director and his dog Indy. We find out that Indy didn’t even know they were in a movie and it’s pretty cool the difference between movie scenes and the behind the scenes footage.

Todd (Played by Shane Jensen) has something going on, potentially health risk. He moves into his grand fathers haunted house where he lived prior to passing along with his own dog.

Within this hour and 13-minute movie, you’ll have a good horror movie. Filled with scares and uncomfortable scenes that Indy does an incredible job at, along with the directing of the scenes. (There’s a film style they used (Which I forgot) to play off the audience’s own viewing experience to fill the movement and meanings of how the characters are feeling/portraying.)

I was between a 7 and a 7.5 throughout this feature. Ultimately, going to give a Popped scoring of 7.5 for the story told. There’s potential to rewatch to connect dots, but also to watch along with others’ first viewing. This was a good horror movie done with a unique style that isn’t used often. It’s a mixture of the dog’s POV along with regular movie shots, focusing mostly on the point of view of Indy from outside the eye and within.

Thank you all for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews” I’ll be back over the weekend with 2 more movies released this week Bone Lake & The Smashing Machine.

However, until next time – It’s time for Critical Role Campaign 4 to start 😀 and also, happy movie-going fellow movie goers :D.

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One Battle After Another “Review”

Release date: September 26, 2025 (USA)

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Running time: 2h 50m

MPAA rating: R

Cinematography: Paul Thomas Anderson, Michael Bauman

Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures

Intriguing trailer and lots of pre buzz about potential Oscar nominee – Had to check this out 😀

It’s interesting sitting down to right this as to where to start. Looking at the overview from googles search page it’s skipping the beginning of the movie which really gets going fast. Despite personally being the weakest point of the film for me. It does an incredible job setting up the entire movie. For an almost 3 hour long movie. Adding 10 minutes to fully establish / show how the connection was started between General Lockjaw (Played by Sean Penn) & the mother Perfidia Beverly Hills (Played by Teyana Taylor) would have been nice (Unless I totally missed it) (Carveat for this entire “Review” I had people talking 8 seats away from me the ENTIRE movie).

The “intro” or opening of this movie (Which felt like 3 movies in 1 without going into spoilers) had 2 timelines it felt like co-existing as they told this story of resistance and battle against the system (Without getting political within a political movie 😀 – It’s almost showing us the timeline that could occur with the current direction of America). Leonardo DiCaprio playing Bob Ferguson is later forced into a scenario where he single dad raises his daughter Willa (Played by Chase Infiniti).

You know me here at Popped I don’t like getting into spoilers so I’ll keep this groundings here to set the scene and with that One Battle After Another plays out constantly reflecting on the intros story and plagued by those decisions chasing them forth throughout the almost 3 hour long film.

Now I’ve mentioned it twice about this movie being so long, for a crucial point. To me personally, on top of the people constantly talking. Didn’t feel like 3 hours. It’s longer than Nezha 2 and still didn’t feel as long as that. Some scenes lasted more than 30 minutes but felt like mere minutes. Thanks to personally my opinion to the incredible music score. If there’s a category I’d nominate this movie for, would be that score. It impacted the scenes on an entirely different level which without it would have lost some oomph to what’s playing out on screen.

The last hour went by so quick but I honestly loved it. Great characters and impactful touching story. Wish I’d seen / saw the origins of that connection at the start but with how well crafted the entire remaining movie was. It made sense it felt complete and still played off that setup which was so crucial in driving that feeling throughout the movie.

Popped scoring of 9/10. I almost gave it 8.5 but thought of Sinners and put it down to the talking by me. I actually got up and moved seats because of them which ticked me off but I was so into the movie I didn’t want to leave. Going onto my top 10 list of 2025 which means something is getting taken off 😦 which would be Americana. This next 9/10 for 2025 is going to be tough as this is really shaping up my 9s to my 9.5 and maybe even 10 :O. INSANE! But I love movies and I hope you continue to enjoy watching them also.

Appreciate you all coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. Let me know what you felt of One Battle After Another in the comments below. I was going to checkout Gabby’s Dollhouse for a joke but decided against it. Still to come later in the week is Elanor the Great.

Next batch will be pretty big next week, we have 3 movies dropping Good Boy, Anemone & The Smashing Machine to kick off October. See you in spooky season :D.

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Xeno “Review”

Release date: September 19, 2025 (USA)

Director: Matthew Loren Oates

Producers: Kevin Hart, Matthew Loren Oates, Shana Marie, Jesse Jensen, Luke Kelly-Clyne, Bryan Smiley, Rameez Khan

Production companies: The Henson Company, Tabooma, HartBeat Productions

Running time: 1h 43m

MPAA rating: PG-13

Rare opportunity to watch a movie based on the poster and nothing else… how was it?

WoW what an interesting experience. Looking at the RT scores so far only critics have there rating up which is crazy considering the polarizing contrast to Him’s rating.

Alien crashed down to earth in a rather dark opening for a PG-13 movie. Some of the films elements really pushed this rating. In England there’s a 15 rating which this movie got close to but kept within PG-13. Our main character Renee (Played by Lulu Wilson) is from an extremely toxic environment and family. Her only friends being that of her reptile friends mainly her pet snake.

Linda her mother (Played by Wrenn Schmidt) and mothers boyfriend Chase (Played by Paul Schneider) are not a supportive loving family what so ever. Chase is a dead beat drunken A-Hole of a person while Linda has not delt with the passing of her husband and stays with Chase as he makes her feel needed.

Unlike the chemistry of Big Bold Beautiful Journey, Xeno actually creates a touching story between Xeno & Renee. I didn’t cry but my feelings were for sure going within the last 30 minutes. Stick around for a mid credit scene by the way for a potential sequel 😉 :D.

For those watching Xeno with little ones. Maybe get ready for some dark / adultescent conversations afterwards. From dark matters within the home. To current situations within America when it comes to loved ones and the government. This movie touches upon a lot of subjects that may strike an emotional cord within you.

For the most past the movie was fine to good. But that last 30minutes really sealed in the 7 rating touching on some 7.5 aspects of emotional feelings and connection to the characters. Theirs growth and plenty of lore to peel back within a potential sequel. Kevin Hart was one of several producers along with his production company being apart of this title. So maybe give support if you enjoyed and see if there’s more to come from this property.

Thanks for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews” :D. Appreciate you taking the time and hopefully excited or intrigued to see what comes next week with One Battle After Another. I’ve been hearing a potential award winner? We shall have to wait and see :D.

Until next batch though fellow movie goers, happy movie watching 😀

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Him “Review”

Release date: September 19, 2025 (USA)

Director: Justin Tipping

MPAA rating: R

Producers: Jordan Peele, Ian Cooper, Win Rosenfeld, Jamal M. Watson

Screenplay: Justin Tipping, Skip Bronkie, Zachary Akers

Production company: Monkeypaw Productions

Oof! This movie is getting hit hard, maybe there’s an enjoyable movie in Him…..for some?

Let’s work backwards. Then forth once more :D. Popped Score of 7/10 a weak but good watch movie. My wife literally broke this movie down on the way home saying she loved it and would re-watch it placing it in the 8’s for Popped. Online it’s getting hit with 29% to 60% for critics / audience. So what gives?

Him is a Horror? Thriller? Movie based around American Football. Cameron Cade (Played by Tyriq Withers) has been raised up on worshiping his dads/families team the San Antonio Saviers and their goat of a quarterback Isaiah White (Played by Marlon Wayans).

From his childhood to now up and comer Cameron has dedicated himself to being the Goat of the Saviers. Taking the opportunity to be trained by Isaiah White in his unfortunate forced retirement due to injury.

The trailer shows a lot of this training and despite that still offers a lot of unseen content from the second half and end of the movie. Here at Popped I wont go into spoilers. However I may touch on something that may help your experience in the below section….maybe? Which is why I gave the score on top if you’d like to give this movie a try or wait for streaming.

Wrap up Prior to “Possible” Spoiler Talk

Before we dive in deeper, wanted to say and give my appreciation to those that come by and check out Popped “Reviews”. I watch a lot of movies and sometimes come away with very different experiences to others. But hey, that’s why I love movies. We can watch the same thing and have totally different experiences and that’s a wonderful thing that movies offer in their experiences.

Giving Him a try this weekend or not, thank you very much for your time and would love to know your most marmite / vegemite movie going experience in the comments below :D. Joker 2 sticks out to me 😀

Possible Spoiler Talk

I came away from the ending having watched a dark story of American Football and the dangers that can and do occur with the game. It offers twisted horror elements and physiological imagery that creates moments of disturbed displeasure but nothing like the Conjuring with jump scares horror. It’s within the imagery and the deeper layers that this movie tells its story.

My wife came away dissecting all the layers of the movie through Theology. So much religion and messages from the working man to the 1% was dived upon within this film. Seriously I told her to make a review herself as it was such an interesting experience I didn’t have.

So maybe get into your psyche and think of depictions and meanings behind the characters and what’s being displayed on the screen. Lots of Greek nods. She never re-watches movies so to hear she would for this and the depth that the creator put so much attention into this movie was insane the divide it’s having with audience viewers. But hey, as mentioned above, that’s the beauty of the movie going experience.

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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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