Six 100-Word Movie Reviews

Sorry, Baby (2025), Director/Star: Eva Victor, Actors: Naomi Acki, Louis Cancelmi

Get ready for a total downer film. I’ll start with the pros. Sorry, Baby is a well-directed drama that distinguishes skillful direction around a sensitive topic. Director, writer, and star Eva Vincent based the film on a personal experience of navigating sexual assault trauma. This film is meant to help others who are in her place. The cons: it’s a downer subject matter, the direction is strange in parts, and the acting is cringeworthy. What has happened to Fred Hechinger’s (Gavin) career? His character and acting are a total cringe-fest. Others may have different opinions from mine. Check it out.

The Housemaid (2025), Director: Paul Feig, Actors: Amanda Seyfried, Sydney Sweeney

I never felt the hype of The Housemaid. Amanda Seyfried, Sydney Sweeney, and Brandon Skenlar are great in the roles. Though Sweeney’s performance felt wooden. I just felt it was the typical romance mystery. The film is an effective but uneven thriller that knows how to hook you. However, the pacing can be inconsistent. Paul Feig’s direction leans heavily on family genre twists, and while some reveals are genuinely tense, others feel predictable. I am also not a fan of domestic abuse stories. Overall, it’s a solid, entertaining watch - just not as sharp as I was hoping it would be.

Anaconda (2025), Director: Tom Gormican, Actors: Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Steve Zahn

“Take me with you,” I mentally asked two theatergoers when they were walking out of Anaconda. Where is the snake?? This film is endless silly comedy, unnecessary to the story. With a comedy team like Jack Black, Paul Rudd, and Steve Zahn, you’d think this would be the funniest movie ever. They’re given little direction, and Zahn felt so misplaced. Only 20% of the film features a snake chase, and the other half is - you guessed it, nonsense! We seriously had to watch Jack Black get bitten by a spider (not a snake!) and watch Steve Zahn pee on him?

Ella McCay (2025), Director: James L. Brooks, Actors: Emma McKay, Jamie Lee Curtis

I’m not going to lie, but I was actually falling asleep in the theater when I saw this movie! Based on the trailer, Ella McCay looked like it was a film about a young woman taking new ground and reconnecting with an estranged family. Ella (Emma Mackey) is a driven, down-to-business woman, but she has no idea how to guide this segment of her life. Jamie Lee Curtis and Julie Kavner have the best performances. Most of the film is filler, like Ella’s brother, Casey (Spike Fearn), Ella getting high, and the pointless relationship subplot Casey has with Susan (Ayo Adebiri).

Burlesque (2010), Director: Steve Antin, Actors: Christine Aguilera, Cher

The entertainment industry is a hopping world where you need to know how to stick your foot in the door. Burlesque (2010) is a dazzling production with great music sequences, though the story loses focus on its main stars. The film stars the iconic singer legend, Cher, as Tess, the owner. She becomes the story’s fairy Godmother for Ali (Christine Aguilera). Nikki (Kristen Bell) was an unnecessary character, and her rebellious actions to get to the top fit Ali’s journey. Steve Antin directs a high-energy production, but I agree with Cher that the story could have had a stronger appeal.

Girl on a Bicycle (2013), Director: Jeremy Lavin, Actors: Vincenzo Amato and Nora Tschirner

Here’s the plotline: A man who is engaged is infatuated with a woman he sees on a bicycle. This film is a weird setup. After accidentally injuring the woman, Paolo (Vincenzo Amato) goes behind his fiancée’s (Nora Tschirner) back to take care of Cecile (Louise Monot) and her two kids. His actions are strange. He’s unfaithful. This movie is all about the consequences of lying. Okay, the best character in the film was Derek (Paddy Considine). I was asking myself if I should take this movie seriously anymore when a woman goes careening out a window like it’s a cartoon.