Seven 100-Word Movie Reviews

Zootopia 2 (2025), Directors, Jared Bush and Byron Howard

I really liked Zootopia (2016) when it first came out, and I wish I had seen it in theaters. That wish came true, except this time for Zootopia 2. Zooptopia 2 brings back the fun, animated world and strong dynamic between Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. These characters are incredible and have so much depth. Something felt missing to me. The film is predictable. It’s amazing what animators and writers created for this exotic world, but it’s repetitive in its message about teamwork. Directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard deliver an emotionally investing story, but could have explored more areas.

Urchin (2025), Director: Harris Dickinson

I watched Urchin at the New Hampshire Film Festival. The story centers around Mike (Frank Dilane), a troubled young addict. Dilane does an outstanding job. Urchin features the debut direction of actor Harris Dickinson. He incorporates an appealing style, though he gets lost in the tone. Its presentation is a dream-like quality. Urchin is a look into the world of addiction. The subject is not lampshaded. I wanted Mike to figure out his problems. The ending is bleak, which instills that not all problems can be solved, depending on how we handle the situation. It’s an interesting movie to experience.

Sacramento (2024), Director: Micharl Angarano

“Life is unpredictable.” So is this film. What looks to be a story about a young man trying to figure out his life becomes a scattered, directionless, and awkward film. Michael Cera, Michael Angarano, and Kristen Stewart star in the film. The story talks about friends growing apart, a relatable storyline for most adults. Rickey is not a nice person, and doesn’t get backlash about his behavior. The road travel angle saves it a bit. I always like road travel stories. I had no idea what was happening by the end. Films need to know their stories before screen execution.

The Hating Game (2021), Director: Peter Hutchings

Do you think we have enough romance films where the couple bickers the whole time? The Hating Game is based on the book by Sally Thorne. Co-workers Lucy and Joshua (Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell) compete against each other for every little office task until they find themselves falling in love. Director Peter Hutchings keeps the tone light and polished, leaning into the genre’s conventions rather than trying to reinvent them. While the story rarely surprises, the film is elevated by the strong chemistry between its leads. Romance films are not my cup of tea; however, the ending was tender.

The Hours (2002), Director Stephen Daldry

The Hours (2002) interweaves three women across different eras. The film enlists a powerhouse team of female actresses. Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and Julianne Moore play three women whose lives are connected by Virginia Woolf’s 1925 novel "Mrs. Dalloway." Did you know that Kidman wore a prosthetic nose for her role? The film has an all-star cast including Miranda Richardson, John C. Reilly, Toni Collette, Margo Martindale, Jeff Daniels, and more. Stephen Daldry’s direction is elegant and controlled, allowing the stories to bind together. Suicide is a focal point in the story, and each segment emphasizes how to help others.

The Prestige (2006), Director: Christopher Nolan

I watched The Prestige (2006) when a heatwave was blazing outside. The Prestige is one of those rare films about magic. Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, and Rebecca Hall deliver intense performances. It’s a gripping and constructed thriller about the cost of greatness. How far do you go for fame? I didn’t realize Christopher Nolan, the director of Blockbuster films like Oppenheimer and Interstellar, directed this film. The film’s dark Victorian atmosphere, precise editing, and layered narrative structure build towards a chilling conclusion. The final image has not left my mind. It’s how you end a movie.

My One and Only (2009), Director: Richard Loncraine

I watched this film a few months ago, and if you asked me, I’m not sure what it was about. Renee Zellweger stars as Anne Devereaux, an elegant socialite who is in search of a better life with her two sons. The whole second half meanders as Anne has several failed relationships and attempts to do something right. In the end, My One and Only is about a woman who learns to grow up. It also demonstrates a positive example of how kids can guide adults. We don’t have enough films about independence, which the film ignores its own plot.