10 100-Word Movie Reviews

This is a new review experiment I am trying out. As you all know, I love to review movies. What you may not know is that some movies don’t end up in the review log because I don’t feel like I have enough to talk about. Rather than forgetting about those films, here’s the 100-word review. I hope to do more of these in the future. Let me know how you like it.

Mickey 17 (2025), Bong Joon Ho

Mickey 17 has a fascinating sci-fi storyline that wasn’t explored enough. Bong Joon Ho returns after his success with Parasite, but his most recent film didn’t feel succinct. Robert Pattinson bestows an excellent performance that showcases his versatility. He plays two counterparts of himself, capturing two completely different personalities. His performance is the best part of the film. Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, and Toni Collette all give great performances. The visual effects are impressive, but what does the film amount to? The storyline with the giant insect creatures took away from the story. It’s worth seeing in theaters.

Bubble & Squeak (2025), Director: Evan Twoy

I watched Bubble & Squeak at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. I wasn’t sure what to think. The word for this film is ‘unusual’ and it's intentional. The word ‘cabbages’ is uttered so many times that I felt drunk from the non-drinking game. Himesh Patel and Sarah Goldberg star in the main roles. Although directed by Evan Twohy, it had major M. Night Shyamalan vibes with how campy it is. Twohy thought of the idea when he was a child. I did laugh in some moments. Behind the absurdity and all the cabbage-eating, Bubble & Squeak is a film about finding happiness.

Sunfish (And Other Stories on Green Lake) (2025), Director: Sierra Falconer

This film had the right idea with vignettes but could have had a better setup. Sunfish was director Sierra Falconer’s film project from UCLA. I like it when films use vignette-style. It’s rare. Storylines include a young girl living with her grandparents, a boy rehearsing violin at a camp, and two people on the run from the cops. Each had a good story, but these tales didn’t connect. It also took focus away from the lake, the main setting. The film is a well-directed passion project, but felt like four different short films taped together. Each story is about connections.

La Dolce Villa (2025) Director: Mark Waters

La Dolce Villa is a significantly better film compared to Mark Waters's embarrassing rom-com attempt with Mother of the Bride. La Dolce Villa is a complete change, reflecting a genuine love story. Oh, and the dialogue sounds real and not AI-generated. This is a film about finding your roots, whether young or experiencing mid-life crises. Scott Foley, Violante Placide, and Maia Reficcio did a wonderful job establishing their characters, but also with their relationships. If you ever feel stuck in your life, it’s okay to make a change. Again, check out this Mark Waters film over Mother of the Bride.

Flow (2024), Director: Gints Zilbaloldis

I was drawn to the unique animation style of Flow. I wish I had seen it when it was in theaters. Flow is a Noah’s Arc-esque story. A group of unordinary animals travel together. Characters include a cat, dog, heron, and a capybara (which I had to Google). No voices are included. It’s all-natural animal sounds that filmmakers recorded. The film was created out of computer software. These animals make an unlikely group which makes it believable that they have to understand how to trust one another. Its pacing is slow, but this Academy Award-winning film is worth checking out.

She Came to Me (2023), Director: Rebecca Miller

I watched She Came to Me in March last year and I still have no idea what to say about it. Peter Dinklage (Steven Lauddem) is splendid in the main role. After a STRANGE romantic encounter, Steven is inspired to create a popular opera. What was even going on with Anne Hathaway? It was a weird love triangle between Dinklage, Hathaway, and Marisa Tomei. And then there’s this subplot that has nothing to do with the film between a family’s conflicts with a love story. They didn’t connect! Rebecca Miller invented an intriguing concept, but it lacks a strong storyline.

Finding You (2020), Director: Brian Baugh

The message of Finding You is exactly what its title enforces. It’s not that I didn’t like the film, all the tropes, characters, and storyline are familiar. The trailer had Hallmark vibes. Brian Baugh added no surprises. Honestly, the film would have faired better without the romance angle. You know from the start the main characters will fall in love in their rivalry. The performances are dull, acting like they’re delivering their lines with a script nearby. The story is set in Ireland, offering beautiful images of the landscape. The characters are trying to find themselves in a new setting.

Carrie Pilby (2016), Director: Susan Johnson

I watched Carrie Pilby in July last year, and while I liked it, it’s another story we’ve seen before. It’s about a girl who is looking for the joy in life. Bel Powley connects with her character as Carrie tracks down interests and new callings. Nathan Lane was my favorite supporting character as the therapist. In her film debut, Susan Johnson did a notable job, but the finished film is somewhat bland. The message is right there from the beginning. It’s still a good advice film for anyone who is searching for answers. Keep trying new things. We’ll find happiness.

Postcards From the Edge (1990), Director: Mike Nichols

Postcards from the Edge is a funny film that you need to put on your watch list. Meryl Streep is terrific and comical in her performance. This film is a chance to see Streep and Shirley MacLaine as a mother-daughter duo. It’s the highlight. I read a behind-the-scenes fact that the film is based on Carrie Fisher’s own life. This gave the film a new angle for me. The downside is that the plot never felt concise, drifting between subplots. Mike Nichols addresses how fame is tough but you need to set boundaries. Postcards from the Edge is worth watching.

High Strung (2016), Director: Michael Damian

High Strung is about passion. Michael Damian interlaces a story about a musician and a dancer. I found the film bland. It’s still a good movie, but the characters and story didn’t have depth. I am a big fan of Nicholas Galitzine who does a tremendous job playing the violin. He learned how to play (along with doing the tango) for this film. I wasn’t fond of the character Ruby Adams (Keenan Kampa) who had a chip on her shoulder. Other viewers may have a different opinion from me, but it’s worth checking out High Strung for its reflective morals.