Six 100-Word Movie Reviews

The Roses (2025) Director: Jay Roach

I am always up for a comedy. While The Roses is comical, it presents the usual story of a bickering couple who are competing for rank. I was hoping for something different. Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch make an excellent duo. They bring more to their characters from the script. Colman is pretty sassy at times. The constant arguing is the main issue. Their arguing bogs down the film, becoming tiring. I wanted Jay Roach to explore the changing dynamic of the meanspirited nature. Even the supporting characters don’t save the film, like Kate McKinnon, who tosses in awkward comedy.

Freakier Friday (2025) Director: Nisha Ganatra

Freakier Friday is a Freaky Friday cast reunion disguised to look like a movie. The same plotline happens again, except Tess and Anna (Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan) switch bodies with Anna’s daughter, Harper (Julia Butters), and soon-to-be step-daughter, Lily (Sophie Reyes). The four-way swap is confusing. And never felt believable. The writers don’t explore new territories; instead, they write funny filler scenes they know fans will love, like Jamie Lee Curtis fiddling with feminine care products. I also preferred Anna to marry Jake (Chad Michael Murray), and not Eric (Manny Jacinto), whose love story happens in a blink.

The Thursday Murder Club (2025), Director: Chris Columbus

I mostly watched this film for its four lead stars: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie. This is an iconic quartet who have each had incredible acting careers. They play a group of older friends who are figuring out a murder mystery. It was weird seeing Brosnan in this role. He is in the age range of the quartet, but he felt miscast. Aside from the cast, the movie fell flat for me. It’s an exciting mystery, but it has a dull pace. The message stands clear: Elderly people still have voices, and they’re also still sassy.

The Comic Shop (2025), Director: Jonathan L. Bowel

The Comic Shop is a film that any cartoonist or comic book fan should watch. The film is a heartfelt indie dramedy with a message about following your passions. Credits include Jessie Metcalf, Tristin Mays, and Micah Giovanni. The message reflects how we should keep pursuing passions, but also how important it is to take interest in others' hobbies. Jonathan L. Bowen’s pacing was somewhat uneven, and actors’ deliveries were flat. Aside from those two things, Bowen wrote about something that shaped his childhood. They filmed in actual comic stories, doing some rearranging. Add The Comic Shop to the watch list.

North by North Netflix Series (2025), Director: Stacey Aglok MacDonald

There have been a lot of transformative series out lately, and like their messages, it’s never too late for change. North by North was my recent treadmill binge series, and I couldn’t wait to watch each episode. Anna Liambe stars as Siaja, a young woman who starts standing her ground and making her own decisions. Not all her choices are worthy, though growth is all a part of adulthood. Another highlight of the series is Jay Ryan, who played Ben from It: Chapter 2. Guide your life with choices right for you. This is a series I would watch again.

Find Me Falling (2024) Director: Stelena Kirls

Before I knew it, Find Me Falling was over. This movie has all the predictable cliches, and yet it’s a lighthearted romantic film that we all need right now. The film stars. Harry Connick Jr., Agni Scott, and Ali Fumiko Whitney. It’s a good story, though it lacked drama. Along with the scenery, I liked the film’s message. No matter what happens, keep going. Director and writer Stelena Kirls made Find Me Falling, a film about the connection we make. It’s also a film that highlights music. The film has fun energy, and it’s a lighthearted rom-com. Check it out.