iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

What if #TheSocialNetwork was less of a dramatic thriller and more of a straight-up comedy? Aaron Sorkin's not totally unnecessary but thoroughly baffling companion piece, #TheSocialReckoning, answers that question, with disappointing results. Our review: bit.ly/4dJfPHh

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Brash and brimming with bravado, #Ink is Danny Boyle at his bombastic best. Embracing the punk rock attitude of Trainspotting to tell the story of the rise of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, it’s like The Social Network on acid, set amid the backdrop of 1960s Fleet Street. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

A literary game of cat and mouse rather than a literal one, #ATalentForMurder does the impossible — turning the business side of book publishing into a taut, suspenseful and layered thriller. Alden Ehrenreich and Helen Mirren prove to be the perfect foils for one another. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Tackling sexual assault and child PTSD with a compelling narrative and thought-provoking perspectives, #Josephine is a difficult watch, but an important one. Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan are excellent, but it’s newcomer Mason Reeves who’ll both break and warm your heart. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

“We tried to be very responsible and make sure that no actors were out of work because of it. The why, and its place in our society, of course, is a huge and complicated one.” Danny Boyle addresses the use of generative AI in the making of #Ink, at its #TIFF26 Canadian premiere.

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The Picture of Dorian Gray meets The Grudge, #Inherit is a tale of supernatural terror that’s terrifying if you’re afraid of creepy crawlers — however, fans of East Asian horror may not be as shook. Davika Hoorne commands the screen, but the scares are only skin-deep. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

#BadLieutenantTokyo is a blood-splattered East-meets-West crime thriller, and it’s Takashi Miike at his badass best. Shun Oguri and Lily James are electric as partners hunting an unlikely serial killer, but it’s Miike’s unmistakable flair that makes this entry so thrilling. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

“I was always taking pictures [and] the photographs became these weird heirlooms.. like talismans. We would talk about, ‘What if the photo was blank?’ And then it just evolved.” Zack Snyder talks the origin of his latest film, #TheLastPhotograph, at its #TIFF26 world premiere.

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

What happens when you take the central premise of Blade, throw in a little Mad Max, and toss it all in the blender with John Wick and some Sergio Leone? You’d get #Half, a fun but paper-thin revenge horror that delivers buckets of gore and not much else. #TIFF26 #MidnightMadness

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

A twisted tale that would make Rod Serling proud, #TheSpiral is a tour de force of nail-biting tension and skin-crawling suspense. Has this type of story been told before? Yes, but that doesn’t make this deal with the Devil any less worthy of the #MidnightMadness moniker. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

A wonderfully wacky alien invasion comedy, #AlphaGang asks: What if the aliens looked like Danny Zuko and were all utterly clueless? Packed with a Dirty Dozen’s worth of campy performances and a rockin’ soundtrack, the only surprise is that this isn’t in #MidnightMadness. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

For the most part, #TheLastPhotograph is a superb action thriller. Employing notable restraint not to overindulge in his usual cinematic techniques, Zack Snyder delivers a grounded and gritty career highlight. But when the melodrama hits, that’s when things fall apart. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

What can be said about #TheDebut other than it’s one of the year’s funniest, most toe-tappiest films? The entire cast is terrific, but Julianne Moore steals the show as a mousy housewife preparing for her stage debut. Definitely an Oscar-worthy performance for the ages. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

An intimate look at aging, #DiaryOfAMadOldMan isn’t body horror, but it is, in many ways, about the horror of being trapped in an aging body. Director Wayne Wang’s adaptation is an extremely slow burn for sure, but it’s saved by Lily Franky’s brutally honest performance. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Another crowd-pleasing slice of Chinese-Canadian life courtesy of Mina Shum, #WhatchaWant serves up a rhythmic balance of romance, drama and comedy. But while Ming-Na Wen is the obvious draw, it’s relative newcomer Isabella Wei who’ll dance her way into audiences’ hearts. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Making a genuinely funny yet poignant film about grieving a loved one is no simple feat; but with #TrashMountain, Caleb Hearon and Zooey Deschanel make it look easy. You’ll laugh and cry, thanks to the believable sibling chemistry they bring to this hilarious tearjerker. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

A heartfelt story about friendship, family and embracing one’s own individuality, #Julián is a vibrant and whimsical tale that’s both entertaining and inspiring. What helps it stand out from other animated fare, however, is the splash of diversity it brings to the genre. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

“I wish we didn’t need empowerment all the time, but I feel like it’s my mission to kind of make sure we uplift so we can keep going.” Writer/Director Mina Shum talks about her new film, #WhatchaWant, at its world premiere during #TIFF26.

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts and Dianne Wiest are impeccable in #ClosingNight, playing two generations of a family marred by grief and bitterness. But while the cast is top-notch, director Cody Fern’s debut feature has little to offer beyond its slow march towards finality. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

What happens when you take a hilarious premise, mix in a little psychological horror, and add some pointed social commentary about covert male predators? The answer is #EverybodyWantsToFuckMe, a thrilling exposé of the present-day patriarchy that belies its quirky title. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Adulting sucks. And with many choosing to delay the life milestones that defined previous generations, #ClubKid proves instantly relatable. A coming-of-age comedy for millennials and a heartfelt drama about not letting our past traumas define us, it’s essential viewing. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

A genre-bending tale about colonialism and generational trauma, #GodBlessYouMrKopu is a darkly comedic crime thriller that’s so much more than it lets on. Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi delivers a powerhouse performance, making this a vital addition to Pasifika Cinema. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

A fever dream as only Werner Herzog can conjure up, #BuckingFastard is an idiosyncratic tale of the absurdities that can ensue when two act as one. Kate and Rooney Mara delight with their duality, but if you’re expecting a traditional narrative, you’d best look elsewhere. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Slasher horror by way of dysfunctional family drama, #River offers up a nail-biting twist on the usual #MidnightMadness fare. Bolstered by gritty turns from Jane Levy and Jessica Rothe, it’s a tale about the legacies we leave behind that kills it in more ways than one. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

If How Stella Got Her Groove Back was a quirky Japanese musical fantasy that also doubled as an unconventional essay on grief and loss, #HaChanShakeYourBooty would certainly be it. Rinko Kikuchi delivers the most moving and bittersweet performance of the festival so far. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Part pseudo-documentary, part underdog comedy, #TheStuntDriver is a crash course in a forgotten piece of Canadiana and a reminder of what makes Canada great. As Ken Carter, Jay Baruchel will have you believing that a man can jump the St. Lawrence River in a rocket car. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

If you love Tank Girl and Judge Dredd, don’t sleep on #RogueTrooperMovie. Despite some uneven visuals, this love letter to the 2000 AD comic is just as irreverent as the source material. Think Avatar meets The Dirty Dozen — #MidnightMadness audiences are in for a treat. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Do father and mother really know best? That’s the question at the heart of #Fjord, a thought-provoking drama that pits liberal norms against religion and family values. Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve shine in what’s sure to be one of the year’s most talked-about films. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

A truly arresting crime thriller with an unconventional edge, #ArrestedMemory offers up a comedic twist on a genre crowded with the usual suspects. Hilarious, heartbreaking and action-packed, with a touch of romance along the way, it’s #MidnightMadness at its best. #TIFF26

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Dropping the central premise of Universal Soldier into the survive-till-dawn scenario of Halloween, #Onslaught is a gleefully gory mash-up that's guaranteed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats and rooting for its final girl protagonist. Our review: bit.ly/4i5ldHz

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Bridging the gap between Avatar and Dune, #Hope is a genre-bending thrill ride that's part creature feature, part epic sci-fi tale. Still, not even some brilliant Hollywood stunt casting can save it from becoming a victim of its own ambitions. Our review: bit.ly/4gwNrIS

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Whether you’re into superheroes, Canadian daredevils, or kaijus with atomic breath, the hype is real at #FANEXPOCanada! Can’t wait to spend the next four days soaking in all of our favorite fandoms — August 27-30 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre!

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

More a pensive character drama than an action-packed thriller, #TheDogStars is sure to divide fans of both Ridley Scott and post-apocalyptic films in general. Still, the stellar performances from the cast easily justify the price of admission. Our review: bit.ly/45P9RQE

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Balancing nostalgic fan service, side-splitting humor and a genuinely engaging story, #CoyoteVsAcme is one of the most laugh-out-loud films of the year, not to mention one of the best live-action/animation hybrids to ever grace the big screen. Our review: bit.ly/4ieQms4

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

A humans-versus-dinosaurs survival thriller that gives the Jurassic World franchise a run for its money, The #EndofOakStreet is a fiercely fun throwback to an era when movies like E.T., The Goonies and Back to the Future ruled the box office. Our review: bit.ly/4gbm9Yj

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Just like a tasting menu at a fine-dining restaurant, #Tony is the culinary equivalent of Anthony Bourdain's superhero origin story, offering up just enough of an engaging glimpse at what truly made this beloved and outspoken chef so special. Our review: bit.ly/4wkELLk

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Extend the ending of #Weapons to 90 minutes of bloody mayhem and you might have the one-note splatter-fest that is #IceCreamMan. Still, with its demented twist on the Pied Piper, this double scoop of blood and gore is a tasty summertime treat. Our review: bit.ly/4pWCZ1z

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Balancing an emotionally fraught storyline with eye-popping action, #SpiderManBrandNewDay is a return to form for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Still, fans hoping this sequel lives up to #NoWayHome had better keep their expectations in check. Our review: bit.ly/4bkYfIg

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

It takes one to catch one. We sat down with #FuriousOnHulu star Emmy Rossum to find out about the similarities between the FBI agent she plays on the show and the dangerous serial killer she’s hunting. Watch this clip from our chat & read our interview: bit.ly/4b7iNEa

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

“I love characters that exist in moral grey area. I like characters that are underestimated. I feel like I've been an underdog a lot in my life. So, I feel like I thrive as an underdog.” We chat with Emmy Rossum about her new crime series, #FuriousOnHulu: bit.ly/4b7iNEa

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

More of a reimagining than an exact retelling, #TheOdyssey delivers jaw-dropping spectacle and epic action. However, its true strength isn't its depiction of ancient Greece, but how it humanizes the tale's larger-than-life myths and legends. Our review: bit.ly/3T0Qml0

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

A scene-for-scene re-do that's virtually indistinguishable from its 2016 animated counterpart, #Moana remains an engaging story filled with fun characters and the same catchy songs. As a remake, however, it's as superfluous as legs on a fish. Our review: bit.ly/4paUVVH

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

A crowd-pleasing thrill ride that has no business being nearly as good as it is, #EvilDeadBurn is a gloriously gruesome and exceptionally gory sequel, not to mention the most bone-chilling and nightmare-inducing entry in the franchise so far. Our review: bit.ly/4vW4NFC

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

“The crew of people doing '97 are all fans of the original series. And they understood what we were trying to do in the beginning, which was a faithful adaptation of the books.” We chat with #XMenTheAnimatedSeries' Larry Houston about #XMen97 Season 2: bit.ly/43ZXb8B

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

“We had 30 years of books to work with in 1992, [but] the most impressive thing in the last 30 years that has come out of the X-Men canon [has] gotta be Age of Apocalypse.” We chat with #XMenTheAnimatedSeries' Eric and Julia Lewald about #XMen97 Season 2: bit.ly/4eweBQj

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

A Mad Max-style space adventure that's equal parts Taken, Men in Black and John Wick, #Supergirl yields some fairly entertaining action set pieces. Still, its biggest problem — and its ultimate downfall — is its bland, uninspired main villain. Our review: bit.ly/4ah6ZP9

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Balancing a fun-for-all-ages animated adventure with a relatable and heartstring-tugging tale about growing up, making friends, and even parenting, #ToyStory5 is an endearing sequel and quite possibly the best entry in the entire franchise. Our review: bit.ly/4ev1ptN

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

“Usually, in action movies, you're mostly focused on your physicality — but I have to juggle between the physicality and the dramatic aspect. It's a dream role for every actor, I believe, that you can do both.” We chat with Joe Taslim about #TheFurious: bit.ly/4usTjaV

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

More roller coaster ride than traditional sci-fi drama, #DisclosureDay isn't likely to be remembered as one of Spielberg's most beloved classics, but rather an interesting experiment or a fascinating footnote to a storied Hollywood career. Our review: bit.ly/4e6abxW

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The Reel Roundup @benmkwrites.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

A fun, action-packed love letter to the '80s cartoon that doesn't hold back on crowd-pleasing nostalgia and blockbuster fan service, #MastersOfTheUniverse is a rousing adventure that captures the spirit of its animated counterpart perfectly. Our review: bit.ly/4xdj7KY

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