Aarcflick

 *Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu* is a largely entertaining *Star Wars* film that, at the very least, offers some kind of "new hope" for the franchise. For me, *Star Wars* has always revolved around the films. I have seen all eleven—the three trilogies, plus *Rogue One* and *Solo*—yet I am no expert on the animated material and have watched very little of the *Star Wars* series available on Disney+, including the highly acclaimed *Andor*. Director: Jon Favreau Writers: Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Noah Kloor Stars: Pedro Pascal, Jeremy Allen White, Martin Scorsese Even so, I looked forward to the 133 minutes of *The Mandalorian and Grogu* with great enthusiasm, especially since I understood that one need not be up to date on the storyline to enjoy the film as a standalone work. Well, naturally, that old *Star Wars* habit persists: explaining to the uninitiated exactly what the movie is about right at the very beginning. Directed by Jon Favreau—from a screenplay he co-wrote...

When describing his proposal for the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow—later known as EPCOT, one of Walt Disney World’s few unique theme parks—Walt Disney stated that he envisioned it as "always in a state of constant evolution." It is surprising, therefore, to learn that while outwardly Disney parks adhere to this concept of perpetual evolution—adding, removing, and modifying attractions in step with the times and technological progress—internally, disused areas are left abandoned to their fate, not only occupying valuable real estate but also serving as unsettling reminders of the past.  This was the case with EPCOT’s Wonders of Life pavilion, which housed educational exhibits on health and the human body, theatrical shows such as *Cranium Command*, and the *Body Wars* simulation ride. It opened its doors in 1989 and, following a gradual decline over several years, closed permanently in 2007. Yet, rather than being demolished and rebuilt, the attraction was left ...

 Kara Young and Mallori Johnson star as twin sisters on a mission to murder their abusive father. One of the most revealing things about any filmmaker is the amount of darkness they allow to enter the worlds they create. An act of divinity in itself, film direction entails determining practically every rule of a given reality—setting the stage not only for the film’s characters but also for the actual audience who will bear witness to their ordeal. The magnitude of suffering, the limits of mercy itself, whether all the pain we see on screen holds any meaning... or if it holds none at all? Cinema, by its very nature, leaves that decision largely in the hands of the director. Director: Aleshea Harris Writer: Aleshea Harris Stars: Kara Young, Mallori Johnson, Vivica A. Fox Playwright-turned-filmmaker Aleshea Harris confronts viewers with truly harrowing material in her feature film debut, *Is God Is*—a dazzling revenge epic and road movie that is as stomach-churning as it is spiritual...

 Written and directed by Guy Ritchie, *In The Grey* is a stylish—albeit somewhat derivative—action thriller starring regulars from Ritchie’s filmography: Jake Gyllenhaal, Henry Cavill, and Eiza González. In its opening stretch, the film suffers from an excess of planning and setup; however, *In The Grey* benefits from a much stronger second half and, fortunately, saves its best for last. *In The Grey* kicks off *in media res*, with Sophia (González) seeking cover in a car caught in the middle of intense crossfire. Through voiceover, she explains that she is the kind of lawyer who operates in that "grey zone" situated between the moral and the immoral; and very soon—once the action returns to the present—we discover exactly what she means. Sophia leads a team of undercover operatives—including, though not exclusively, Bronco (Gyllenhaal) and Sid (Cavill)—who are hired by major corporations (or, perhaps, by anyone with a sufficiently deep checkbook) to recover stolen funds in e...

 A simple "be careful what you wish for" premise transcends the sum of its parts by making us fear being the perpetrator even more than being the victim. We are fast approaching the point where the surest path to becoming a horror film director is to start a career in short-form comedy. Jordan Peele shocked the world with *Get Out*; Zach Cregger turned this into a trend with *Barbarian* and *Weapons*; and Danny and Michael Philippou jumped on the bandwagon with *Talk to Me* and *Bring Her Back*. Now, YouTube prankster Curry Barker has released one of the best horror films of 2025. Director: Curry Barker Writer: Curry Barker Stars: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson *Obsession* kicks off with the simplest of horror premises: Bear (Michael Johnston) is a shy, sensitive music store employee who can’t seem to muster the courage to ask out his coworker and childhood friend, Nikki (Inde Navarrette). Instead of being honest with her and confessing his true feelings,...

 The primary pleasure of *Apex* lies in watching Theron push herself physically in the wilderness. While reviewing Baltasar Kormákur’s filmography, I discovered that he made his directorial debut with *Go LazyTown!* in 1996. That musical comedy centers on an athletic elf who inspires some indolent children to adopt healthier lifestyles and compete in a sports contest (I read the synopsis on IMDb). While watching Kormákur’s survival thriller, *Apex*, I realized that this new film, in a way, also revolves around being healthy and physically fit.  Director: Baltasar Kormákur Writer: Jeremy Robbins Stars: Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, Eric Bana If the main character, Sasha—played by Charlize Theron—manages to defeat the psychopathic Ben—portrayed by Taron Egerton—it is because this adrenaline junkie possesses the physical conditioning necessary to endure the rugged terrain of the wilderness. She is capable of scaling rocky mountains, fending for herself in turbulent waters, and ...