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FlixChatter Film Blog Let's Chat Movies! - Movies & Series
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Documentary Review: WICK IS PAIN (2025) – the agony and ecstasy of bringing the iconic ‘John Wick’ action franchise to life – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Few movie franchise deserves a documentary treatment, but the journey of the John Wick action series from independent film to billion-dollar franchise is an intriguing one. Wick Is Pain is such a perfect title, which was borne out of a remark director Chad Stahelski made to its star, Keanu Reeves, more on that later. Stahelski…
FlixChatter’s MAY 2025 Viewing Recap + Mini Reviews of Nonnas + A Sacrifice + Movie of the Month – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Woo wee!! May was a doozie! My hubby and I traveled to Portugal for the first time in late April until the beginning of May, and it was amazing!! We both adore Lisbon and Porto, especially the latter, and hope to be back there one day! It's not the most productive in terms of movie-watching.…
FlixChatter Review: The New Boy (2025) – a beautifully shot film that offers powerful insights into the enduring sting of Aboriginal assimilation – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Produced by and starring Cate Blanchett, The New Boy has had a long journey to the screen. Apparently, writer-director Warwick Thornton began writing the first draft of the film more than two decades ago. It's a story that holds a great deal of personal significance for him, as he was also raised by monks at…
Trio Trailer Spotlight of female-directed + female-led movies: Materialists, Bonjour Tristesse, Ballerina – all released in June – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
We're just days away from June, so the Summer Movie season is heating up! While temps have been trending lower than normal here in Minnesota (normal high is early 70s), it's going to be much warmer later this week. It might even hit 90 by June 1st! Well, I haven't done a trailer post in…
FlixChatter Review: Fountain of Youth (2025) – Guy Ritchie’s globe-trotting treasure hunting movie is devoid of fun, wit and heart – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
AppleTV heavily promoted this Guy Ritchie movie, and to be honest, I’ve enjoyed seeing John Krasinski and Natalie Portman’s promotional tours on a bunch of talk shows. As it turns out, their interviews are actually more entertaining than the movie! Just from the trailer, you get the vibes of archaeological action adventure classics like Indiana…
FlixChatter Review: Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (2025) – this French rom-com captures the essence of Austen as its heroine charts her own literary and romantic path – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman of a certain age on the brink of spinsterhood must be in want of a love life. But is it though? Agathe Robinson (Camille Rutherford) is in her early 30s, she works at the iconic Parisian bookshop Shakespeare and Company, and dreams of becoming a…
FlixChatter Review – Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning (2025) – Tom Cruise cheats death with gusto once more in a finale packed with action & melodrama – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
The Mission: Impossible franchise hits a big milestone this year… nearly three decades ago, the first film starring Tom Cruise opened in 1996. The Final Reckoning has a lot on its plate, working hard to say a fitting farewell to Cruise’s Ethan Hunt and his beloved franchise. It’s also designed to tie up loose ends…
In-Flight Movie Double reviews: Steven Soderbergh’s PRESENCE (2024) and Neil Burger’s INHERITANCE (2025) – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Being on long flights is usually my opportunity to catch up on recent releases I've missed. So I was delighted to see that these two films were available on my Delta flights to Lisbon and my return flight from Porto back to Minneapolis. PRESENCE A family becomes convinced they are not alone after moving into…
FlixChatter Guest Review – British indie comedy “Murder Ballads: How to Make It in Rock ’N’ Roll” – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Directed by: Mitchell TollidayStarring: Simon Callow, Imogen Wilde, Nicci Linn, Verona Rose, Luke de Belder, Fran Mcateer Murder Ballads: How to Make It in Rock’N’Roll is an expanded British independent film by upcoming director Mitchell Tolliday, based on his short feature Everything is Going to Be Fine (2020), and also stars Wilde, de Belder,…
FlixChatter Review: THUNDERBOLTS* (2025) – a great mix of pathos + humor while still delivering fun action sequences. Florence Pugh is the clear MVP. – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
I’ve been feeling Marvel-ed out for some time, so I wasn’t exactly clamoring to see Thunderbolts*. This year has been especially packed with superhero movies, something I haven’t seen in a while. I guess the pendulum has swung back, so there’s suddenly a demand for big tentpole comic book movies. We’ve got Captain America: Brave…
Guest Review – Netflix’s HAVOC (2025) – Tom Hardy is the only saving grace in this badly shot crime thriller with terrible CGI – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Writer and director Gareth Evans made a name for himself by making two highly regarded martial arts films, The Raid 1 and 2, in the Far East. His first major movie in the West was the underrated Apostle for Netflix. For his next feature, Havoc, he tackled the gritty action thriller genre with Tom Hardy…
FlixChatter Review: TWO TO ONE (2025) – Sandra Hüller stars in a German heist comedy set after the fall of the Berlin Wall – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Two To One presents a unique storyline that truly exemplifies that 'truth can be stranger than fiction,' as it's based on actual events. After the Berlin Wall came down, a communist family stumbles upon a bunker packed with cash that's about to lose its value. With their neighbors' help, they rush to dive into the…
Portugal on my mind – Films/TV series set in Lisbon, Algarve, and the Portuguese Riviera – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Jeremy Irons in Night Train To Lisbon Happy weekend, everyone!! FlixChatter is going on holiday!! 🇵🇹🏖️🌴😎 In fact, I've just finished packing as I was typing this. My hubby and I are going to Portugal for 10 days, to fulfill our bucket list we've had for ages! Since we both had a milestone birthday this…
FlixChatter Review – THE ACCOUNTANT 2 (2025) – Affleck + Bernthal have a blast in an entertaining sequel that brings back the vibe of 80s & 90s thrillers – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
There were talks of turning The Accountant into a franchise when it came out way back in the fall of 2016. But Ben Affleck has signed on to play Bruce Wayne/Batman in the old DCEU, so we never got to another chapter of The Accountant in the 2010s. But 9 years later, his autistic yet…
FlixChatter Review: The Legend of Ochi (2025) – A24’s first family-friendly movie brings a sense of awe and wonder to a familiar creature feature – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
From Steven Spielberg's E.T., Dean DeBlois's How To Train Your Dragon, and Netflix’s The Sea Beast, there is something so enchanting about seeing a young person connecting with a peculiar, misunderstood creature like nobody else could and discovering themselves in the process. A coming-of-age story involving a kid befriending a 'forbidden' creature is a familiar…
FlixChatter Review: SINNERS (2025) – Coogler’s stylish flair and the fine ensemble cast make this period horror a fun and entertaining watch – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Directed by: Ryan CooglerStarring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailey Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo, Li Jun Li 3 years removed from the globe-smashing Marvel hit Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), writer-producer-director Ryan Coogler again takes the helm – this time for a unique period-horror piece Sinners. Starring Michael B. Jordan in dual roles as…
Easter Special Review: The King of Kings (2025) – The story of Jesus is narrated through the lens of Charles Dickens in this star-studded animated feature – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
The story of Christ has been told cinematically countless times, though in terms of feature animation, this is the first one I’ve seen so far. Created by South Korea’s Mofac Animation and later acquired by Angel Studios for US distribution, what’s unusual about this one is that it’s got Charles Dickens in it. Apparently, the…
MSPIFF Feature Documentary Reviews: 2025’s Jury Award winner CHECKPOINT ZOO + Audience Award winner THE LAST JOURNEY – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
The MSPIFF just announced this year's award winners, which you can read about here. I just started drafting my reviews of these two documentaries when the news dropped, so let's just say I'm thrilled with the selections! Checkpoint Zoo Feldman Ecopark in Kharkiv used to be one of Ukraine's favorite animal sanctuaries, but it ended…
MSPIFF 2025 viewing recap + mini reviews + FlixChatter’s picks of 3 Favorite #MSPIFF44 films from the past 12 days – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
The 44th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) has come and gone!! The film festivities aren't over yet, though, as a selection of the BEST OF FEST is screening this week. Wish I could see some of the films I had missed, but I have a pretty severe cold as I'm typing this, however,…
FlixChatter Review: THE AMATEUR (2025) – Rami Malek effectively leads a vengeance thriller where the nerdy underdog gets the last laugh – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
The Amateur is a thriller based on the 1981 novel of the same name by Robert Littell, who also wrote the screenplay of the film adaptation that same year, starring John Savage in the title role. In fact, Littell actually wrote the novel after penning the script. This time we’ve got Rami Malek as a…
MSPIFF 2025 Documentary Review: Ai Weiwei’s Turandot – brilliantly captures Wei’s creative genius in a riveting and deeply moving way – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Ai Weiwei is a well-known Chinese contemporary artist and activist who has gained international fame for his thought-provoking art installations, architecture, photography, and active presence on social media. The film begins with the text ‘Everything is Art, Everything is Politics’ that’s attributed to Wei. If you haven't heard of Giacomo Puccini's Turandot, it's a story…
MSPIFF 2025 Review: LUZ – Isabelle Huppert stars in a cross-continent tale about rediscovering human connection via VR technology – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Luz is a fascinating exploration of connection with the use of technology, notably virtual reality, as characters living on two different continents collide in a VR world. It opens with a mythical translucent deer strolling the street of an LED-lit modern city. These fascinating and mysterious visuals are what fuel Flora Lau’s second feature, which…
MSPIFF 2025 Review: Chinese romance drama BOUND IN HEAVEN – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
My first film I saw at MSPIFF is this romance drama set in Wuhan, China. One fateful night, a successful, beautiful woman, Xia (Ni Ni), crosses paths with ticket scalper Xu (You Zhou) when she tries to get tickets to her favorite artist, Wong Faye. Sparks fly between them, and they have what seems to…
MSPIFF 2025 Week 1 Recap – Films that I saw + A conversation with Oscar-winning filmmaker Ang Lee – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
We were blessed with 'mostly' fantastic weather last week and a gloriously sunny weekend as I attended MSPIFF! Thank God for that, as there have been years where I had to cancel screening plans due to a snowstorm in April. My hubby and I even took a stroll by the Mississippi River in between screenings.…
FlixChatter Review: A MINECRAFT MOVIE (2025) – Jack Black’s jolt of energy makes it entertaining but this video game adaptation is largely forgettable – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Directed by Jared HessStarring: Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, Sebastian Hansen I’ve played Minecraft once in my life (Boomer vibes?), but I’ve watched my kids play it over the years; it is integral to their childhood – much like Atari was to mine. But I do see the beauty in it and…
FlixChatter Review: The Friend (2025) – Naomi Watts + the Great Dane keep this tale of friendship engaging, though the movie lingers a bit longer than it needs to be – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
It must be challenging for actors working with animals, not because the animals are hard to handle—thanks to the trainers on set—but because they probably end up being overshadowed by their four-legged co-stars. That is the case with Naomi Watts here who plays a writing teacher named Iris whose peaceful, solitary life in New…
FlixChatter Review: The Penguin Lessons (2025) – Steve Coogan gains a fresh perspective on life thanks to his scene-stealing avian friend – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
I love penguins, so the fact that there is a penguin in this film is the main draw for me. Based on Tom Michell’s memoir of the same name, it recounts his tale as an English teacher (played by Steve Coogan) who takes a job at a posh all-boys boarding school in Argentina just as…
FlixChatter’s MARCH 2025 Viewing Recap + Mini Reviews of NOSFERATU & BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN + Movie of the Month – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
So March did NOT go out like a lamb here in Minnesota. We actually got a bit of a snowstorm on Monday, though fortunately they're gone by yesterday afternoon and it was sunny and warmer enough that I went for a brief walk before dinner last night. Fingers crossed for nice weather in April as…
FlixChatter’s Appreciation Post: 10 GENE HACKMAN’s Lesser-Known Film Roles – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
The late great actor Gene Hackman passed away last month, and since he’s one of my top favorite actors, the news hit me harder than other celebrities’ deaths. I’m sure many fans of his work have listed their favorite roles that Hackman has portrayed. Little Bill or Popeye Doyle will likely make most people’s list…
FlixChatter Review: HOLLAND (2025) – Nicole Kidman leads an excellent cast, alas, all that buildup fails to deliver a satisfying ending – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
When I saw the trailer for this, I was immediately intrigued, as my husband and I went to Holland, Michigan, a few years ago to look at their famous tulips. This quaint Dutch town really comes alive in May during Tulip Time Festival, and this event is actually featured in the movie. Set in the…
FlixChatter Review: EX-HUSBANDS (2025) – an earnest dramedy of multi-generational men grappling with relationship crisis – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Ex-Husbands is an indie comedy-drama that dives into the lives of fathers and sons whose personal struggles come to light during a bachelor party getaway. Breaking up is a thread that’s explored throughout the film, starting with the shocking news that Manhattan dentist Peter Pearce (Griffin Dunne) received from his father—he is divorcing his mom…
FlixChatter Review: Death of a Unicorn (2025) – a creative and enjoyable horror comedy with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Written & Directed by Alex Scharfman In Death of a Unicorn, father and daughter Elliot (Paul Rudd) and Ridley (Jenna Ortega) are visiting the remote mountain lodge of an insanely rich pharmaceutical CEO and his family in the hopes of Elliot attaining a partnership in the company. On the drive to the mansion, the duo…
MSPIFF is back! 2025 MINNEAPOLIS ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL lineup + A Conversation with Ang Lee + MSPIFF44’s female-directed films I’m excited about – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
It's another exciting time for Minnesota cinephiles! MSPIFF is back from April 2-13 at The Main Cinema and various locations across the Twin Cities, including the Capri Theater in North Minneapolis, the Landmark Center in St. Paul, and the Edina Mann Theatre. As the biggest yearly celebration of international films in the area, MSPIFF44 is…
FlixChatter Review: Bob Trevino Likes It (2025) – an indie gem about the profound joy of unexpected friendship – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
This is a movie I immediately gravitated towards based on the title alone. The film draws inspiration from the personal experiences of its writer/director Tracie Laymon. It opens with Lily (Barbie Ferreira) crying over a recent breakup, but her dad (French Stewart) practically ignores her. She turns to Facebook in the hope of connecting with…
FlixChatter Review: Disney’s SNOW WHITE (2025) – While the lively tunes from Pasek + Paul make it enjoyable, this live-action remake is far from awe-inspiring – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
I was hesitant to check this out due to all the drama around it, but my curiosity ultimately won out. I’m not going to rehash all of the controversies, there are too many to list here, surely you’ve read about them by now. The live-action remake train has been choo-choo-ing at the Mouse House for…
FlixChatter Review: Oh My Goodness (Juste ciel!) – A whimsical French comedy of mischievous bike-racing nuns – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
When it comes to nun movies, one automatically thinks of The Sound of Music. Well Oh My Goodness does pay homage to the 1965 classic, starting with the opening scene featuring picturesque, hilly French countryside on a sunny day. At St. Benedict's convent, sister Béatrice (Guilaine Londez) suddenly goes berserk when she finds a white…
FlixChatter Review: Novocaine (2025) – Jack Quaid is an affable reluctant hero in this gore-fest action comedy – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Directed by: Dan Berk and Robert Olsen Starring: Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Betty Gabriel, Jacob Batalon To start, Novocaine, Berk and Olsen’s latest film, comes with a great premise: Mild-mannered, lonely and nerdy Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid), an assistant manager at a San Diego credit union, has a congenital disorder that prevents him…
FlixChatter Review: BLACK BAG (2025) – Soderbergh’s sleek, sexy spy caper makes the most of its impressive ensemble cast – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
Steven Soderbergh is a prolific filmmaker and he’s also a talented jack of all trades, one of those rare directors who’ve done cinematography, writing, editing, etc. I have to admit I haven’t always kept up with his work; the last film I saw that he directed was The Laundromat in 2019. Now, I’ve been anticipating…
FlixChatter Review: MICKEY 17 (2025) – Robert Pattinson’s comedic flair energizes Bong Joon-ho’s grand but uneven sci-fi satire – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
After a year-long delay, Bong Joon-ho’s highly anticipated film has finally reached US theaters. Mickey 17 came six years after Bong’s Oscar-winning film Parasite, a shrewd blend of black comedy, social satire, and Hitchcockian thriller, which stands as one of my top 10 favorite films of 2019. Set in the not-too-distant tomorrow of 2054, the…
FlixChatter Review: FLOW (2024) – a captivating journey of visual storytelling makes this animated movie a timeless classic – FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG
I've written a mini-review of this movie before, and it's on my Top 10 Best Movies of the Year list. Now that Flow is streaming on MAX, I thought I'd write a full review of this wonderful animated feature. Flow tells the story of a gray cat who seeks shelter and teams up with different…