Movie reviews of Jeffrey Rex Bertelsen

Although it has plenty of solid qualities about i, it can’t fully escape the messiness of it all and the fact that it doesn’t really have anything to say, and, given the stances taken by the star-spangled man with a plan in the previous MCU films, you should be able to expect more from a Captain America movie at a moment in time when the world is in disrepair. Review

The Gorge is a thoroughly entertaining genre-blend with solid stars, a believable connection and chemistry, and pure nightmare fuel (and plenty of it). Review

Chiwetel Ejiofor is one of the primary reasons why, but it also helps that Zellweger is all-in, while Hugh Grant is back in his part and, in being so, turns in a genuinely memorable and fun performance... Review

Kneecap is a wildly energetic music biopic with surprisingly competent performances, important themes, and a central message. It is a strong narrative feature debut from its writer-director. Review

Jon M. Chu’s Wicked is a really strong musical film adaptation with important themes, outstanding production and costume designs, and central acting performances that manage to make the entire project feel special, despite it being needlessly overlong and cut in two. Review

Companion is much more of a lightweight film than those modern masterpieces, but it is nonetheless a really fun time at the movies with clever sci-fi setup breadcrumbs, silly comedic bits, and solid acting from the lead cast that is about both gender politics and getting back at controlling significant others. Review

What You’re Cordially Invited definitely is, however, is a decent-enough streaming release to watch from the comfort of your own home with entertaining stars giving themselves over to a chuckle-worthy premise. Review

It is hard to watch both due to the dark material and what may be small pacing issues, but it remains a haunting film about harsh living and working conditions, especially for women, but also about the human monsters lurking in the dark preying on people in need. Review

It is a wonderful, smartly written, and sensitive but also funny two-hander that gets the most out of its central stars’ unique gifts, including the acting talents of its triple-threat filmmaker, whose star is now also on the rise behind-the-camera. Review

Pascal Plante’s Red Rooms is one of the most unsettling thrillers I’ve seen in quite some time. Review

Despite the good acting and the look of the film, Halina Reijn’s Babygirl can’t escape the feeling that it is a lesser version of other films in its genre... Review

Wolf Man is, at best, merely ‘okay,’ and, at worst, inadequate. But there are, again, things here that work, including the setup and pay-off of the daddy-daughter ‘mindreader’ bit. Review

Audiard swings for the fences with his film’s audacious genre-fluidity, but it lacks the depth required to live up to the incredible potential of its unique premise. Review

Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu is yet another successful genre film from a fan-favorite director, who does a good job of updating a classic narrative with modern filmmaking standards and artistry. Review

Juror #2 is a sturdy and compelling legal thriller with a tasty premise that is handled really well by Eastwood. Review

In addition to being built around a riveting screenplay, it features a dramatic original score from Volker Bertelmann, as well as striking visuals that emphasize the production design and the rich reds of the costuming. Review

Red One isn’t as bad as I had feared, but it should be a heck of a lot better given its talented and star-filled cast, as well as its huge production budget. Review

Anora is a stylish, genre-fluid film that manages to both deliver gut punches and rip-roaring comedy, in large part thanks to its relatively unknown supporting cast as well as its lead, Mikey Madison, whose central performance is of a star-making quality that burns and sparks with energy and attitude. Review

It is a beautiful but heartbreaking portrait of a hero both in front of and behind the camera, whose superhero role wasn’t the only thing heroic or super about him. Review

It is a fairly unremarkable offbeat, quirky, horny road film, which holds together thanks to the star power of its cast, the performances of its leads, and, arguably, the inventiveness of the transitions. Review

Fans of Saltburn will miss the fun, chaotic vibes and the gothic eroticism of Fennell’s film, but here they’ll be treated to a colder, more patient feel. Review

It likely won’t be as celebrated as the narrative films that precede it in McQueen’s oeuvre, but it is nonetheless a competently made film with glimpses of greatness scattered over the course of its two-hour runtime. Review

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’ Heretic is the kind of horror movie that is more thought-provoking than jump-scare-riddled and, frankly, it is all the better for it. Hugh Grant and his, somewhat against-type, devilish performance makes for the perfect anchor for the film, which shines brightly whenever he is in control. Review

It probably won’t be in the best-of-the-year territory, but Scott’s sense of historic action spectacle, Washington’s performance, and the exceptional production design and costuming make this film more than worth the price of admission. Review