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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

A Better Life; Important story that needs to be told and understood by everyone touched by this reality, even if the depiction is a little bit brushed up by Hollywood touches. There are great acting & directing moments, but other times that feel too off or telegraphed. Bicycle Thieves for today; B

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Backrooms; Bizarre metaphors abound in the liminal spaces beneath a retail store & in the hallways of our protagonists’ minds. How we process the tragic moments of our lives and where we store all the trauma is given a physical manifestation and emotionally powerful depiction by talented actors; B+

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Resident Evil; Offers up scene after scene of gruesome, brutal set pieces that get increasingly intense, much like a video game builds through each level. It’s elevated by Abrams’ genuine likability as a lead & grounded in a reason to care for him in all the chaos. Delightfully frightening fun; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Forgotten Island; Fresh, excitingly original in themes, storytelling & animation. The colours pop, the characters resonate and the animation style boldly conveys the storylines & experiences in uniquely expressive ways. A wild, kinetic romp that deftly navigates its shifts in tone extremely well; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Blade Runner: The Final Cut; Production design & artistic vision have kept this film relevant and influential throughout the years, despite its lack of any thrilling moments or spectacular scenes. The style and look supersede SciFi moral quandaries of the source material, yet the film is poetic; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Practical Magic; Silly little film that wastes 2 extremely talented ladies (actually, make that 4) on a wandering film that can’t find a tone. It’s trying to be a Hocus Pocus Thelma & Louise but the rom com & abuse plots don’t work in the midst of a family friendly comedy it’s also trying to be; C-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

The Salesman; A tense, spiraling family drama that succeeds on the superb acting and production’s realism. Though the ending is a little dragged out and staged, the way we get there is enthralling. There’s complex layers to this drama and it all doesn’t readily present itself on first viewing; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

The Drama; Raises some interesting questions around relationships but ultimately doesn’t push far enough & shies away from harder questions to conveniently focus on tidier topics. Haim is out of her league when it comes to the subtlety her costars are operating in. Flawed, yet still worth a watch; B

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Coyote vs. Acme; Fun, yet emotionally grounded in reality, blends high stakes w/cartoon goofiness in the way Roger Rabbit did before. The humans are excellently cast and know their roles well, while the toons are treated with a reverence and respect for their legendary status. Deservedly saved; B+

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Practical Magic; It’s odd this film has had such a long shelf life and cult following considering the emotional beats are merely told and barely earned. The sheer powerful talent of the two leads are enough to command anyone to watch, which makes the clumsy tone and plotting sadly not measure up; C-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Travis Barker: Louder Than Fear; A number of angles could have been taken, but dipping into a few of them pays off in the end. The path towards music, the family dynamics, the rise and fall of rock bands, the entrepreneurial enterprises, all make the horrific moments mean something; Well crafted; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Disneyland Handcrafted; Exceptional behind the scenes footage allows the visuals to do much of the talking about how extraordinary the feat of building Walt Disney’s dream truly was. Fortunately, the pacing & storytelling flow is of equal caliber, making this artifact appealing to most audiences; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie; A movie made for six year olds, w/barely a single joke or gag that exists outside of being a reference to a specific video game moment. It’s churned out candy coloured chaos that makes zero attempt to appeal to an average viewer who doesn’t know or care for this IP; D-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Avatar: Fire and Ash; No mistaking, the movie looks gorgeous & the world continues to be magnificent to look at. The craftspersonship is undeniable. Yet it still suffers from unremarkable characters, who are also very unlikeable at times, rehashing the same scenarios to justify action scenes; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Spider-Man: Brand New Day; Surprisingly manages to show more inventive ways to experience Spidey on the screen, w/spectacular stunt work & inspired super hero team ups and clever shots & sequences. On top of that, weaves an emotional arc w/impact, even if it meanders off on an odd pace for a bit; A

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

The Dink; A comedy in the manner of a 90s Adam Sandler movie, with a cast that elevates the execution of such a simple premise. Even though the plot points are telegraphed and story beats as old as time, it is fun & enjoyable to watch these tropes in the hands of the actors who are down to clown; C+

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Masters of the Universe; Completely leans hard into what it is, a goofy, nostalgic space opera medieval fantasy. The stellar cast play their parts with glee & heart, almost giving more than the story deserves. The jokes land and the dramatic touches play well, making for a satisfying silly movie; B

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

This is the Tom Green Documentary; Takes a measured look at the comedic career & life of a pioneering creative, noting the ground breaking work that inspired the current landscape, while recognizing influences and challenges that made him who he is. Does a great job for an autobiographical film; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

The Odyssey; Bold, exceptional filmmaking once again from a renowned master. The storytelling is brutally & somewhat grotesquely brought to life, with some modern sensibility and interpretation. Not a Nolan favourite for me, but a truly accomplished film worthy of the O.G. epic it’s sourced from; A

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Moana; Surprisingly good for a live action remake of a 10yr old film. Seeing the real life Polynesian people is quite impactful & the new Moana is exquisitely cast. Having realistic depictions heightens scenes of peril, while reimagining of fantastical elements still play really well. Enjoyable; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Whale Rider; Fantastic tale of battling patriarchal power & evolving traditions while respecting the Māori people and ways. Castle-Hughes is phenomenal in every way, eliciting tears of joy & heartache, while also hitting comedic moments. Performances are great and beautifully honest and grounded; A+

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

The Lunchbox; Cute little romance that’s more about navigating one’s way through life’s transitions than it is about finding a perfect match. The magic of food fuels a great revelation lovingly portrayed by the two sweet leads, who barely share screen time yet have a profound impact on each other; B

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Project Hail Mary; Gosling captivates like few others can, hitting the right tones of comedy, sadness, isolation, joy & creative spark. Many contrivances occur, but that’s ok because we’re along for the ride. Inspired storytelling makes the runtime feel short, though it’s got LOTR # of endings; A

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Supergirl; Tackles mature themes in a PG package, that would’ve been better served by a R rating to compound the grief, hardship & atrocity that is hinted at. Does more telling than showing, yet succeeds at presenting Supergirl as the foil to her famous cousin. Very good but not very rewatchable; B+

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Dog Day Afternoon; Immediately grabs your attention and deftly weaves through tones of comedy, drama and action guided by the superb performances of Pacino and the entire cast. The energy is electric as the robbery deteriorates and the pathos is palpable in how the story is written and directed; A+

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Toy Story 5; How many Toy Storys are too many? Turns out 5. Coasting on nostalgia & introducing new characters that don’t have the likability of previous films, the formula is tired & no longer inspired. Franchise has been lifted by sum total of toys, but there’s little for most toys to do here; B-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Bicycle Thieves; Stark filmmaking drops right into the post war desperation of an Italian father & takes us for a ride fueled by despair, pride and hope. His frantic search for what he considers his ticket for survival is compounded by the neorealism style, making his situation palpable. Classic; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu; Takes B-movie serials of yesteryears, adds some classic Hollywood inspirations like Blade Runner, French Connection and Butch Cassidy, in a Return of the Jedi flavour to appeal to both adult & child adventurers. Feels like a few episodes and not a true film; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Sentimental Value; A remarkable achievement in family drama storytelling, containing exemplary performances throughout the cast. Hooks you immediately w/clever juxtaposition of imagery & narration, inviting you into the complexity of this family’s past & present relationships. A masterclass; A+

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Billie Eilish-Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (in 3D); Interesting behind the scenes elements and in concert intimate access make this a special capturing of the tour for fans. The 3D adds very little, apart from some arena depth of fan’s views. Music itself feels more emotional but less exciting; B+

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; Epic use of score & cinematic touches, from extreme close ups to stunning panoramic vistas, entertain despite some bloated scenes and prolonged run time. The three leads could be interchangeable w/their title monikers, deliciously chewing scenery. Definite classic; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Outcome; Sold as comedy, but truly an introspective drama, it seems made for & more in tune w/Hollywood types than an average viewer. Casting Reeves is clear choice for character’s conundrum, as his real life goodness counters the role. Great cast but story fizzles while promoting daily decency; B-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come; The surprise and suspense of the first is lost in this attempt to up the ante w/more families of hunters. Sister character arc eliminates the original’s haunting aspect of the bride’s solitary state. Still, the actors are having a blast and it is slightly infectious; B-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

No Other Choice; Another modern critique of capitalist shortcomings told in dramatic fashion descending into horror. Superbly acted and well fleshed out by realized supporting characters with their own discoveries and motivations. Devilishly fun to keep up with before it takes quite a turn; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

I’m Still Here; Felt like this plodded along depicting moments that would’ve been better as a documentary or literature than a two hour plus attempt to convey the horrors of what the family/country went through. For me, dramatizations tend to minimize emotional impact, even if this well acted; C

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother, Hillel; The core element of what started & continues to drive the band shines through as various artists speak their absolute love for Hillel, all these years since his passing. The mix of testament and historic documents blends beautifully; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Predator: Badlands; If a franchise lives long enough, the villain will eventually become the hero. Latest instalment asks us to cheer for the underdog runt of Predators, and keeps us engaged with zany humour and some pretty gruesome kills and dismemberment. Another triumph for an aging franchise; B

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Prey; Nice change up to the Predator franchise mythos, supposing what the trophy hunting alien species might have run up against the equally skillful hunters from Indigenous nations. Centered around a young Native woman who’s breaking moulds amongst her people, story unfolds captivatingly well; B+

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

The Revenant; Iñárritu frames every scene masterfully so that it becomes permanently etched into our psyche. DiCaprio & Hardy display Oscar worthy devotion to enact efforts that bleed though the screen what must have been epic trials behind the scenes. Haunting, stark and realistic filmmaking; A

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Snatch; Like a live action Looney Tunes, the antics get sillier & crazier as characters fumble their way through messed up heists & failed fixed fights. Cast is down to clown, giving stars plenty to play around with. Soundtrack rocks and story beats along fabulously. Ritchie delivers his vision; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie; Parts Wayne’s World, Ferris Bueller, & the obvious Back to the Future, w/less humour than those three. Wears its influences openly & might wear thin for those who aren’t along for low budget hijinx, street level Canadian filmmaking. Peers will find joy in it; B-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

Secret Mall Apartment; Once an audience gets past potential scenarios its title may cook up, the reality remains fascinating. The footage seems too good to be true, save for the fact that it’s an artist’s project. The sum of its parts may not pay off, but like art, it’s the journey that counts; B

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Her; Poses interesting questions about modern relationships, dealing w/divorce & break ups, & how initial attraction morphs into something different as time together passes. All this portrayed by great acting, and a rather myopic view of artificial technology, makes for a thought provoking film; B

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Hoppers; Story, message and entertainment blend in the same Pixar manner we’ve cherished for three decades now. The 30th film comes in just below the studio’s legacy best, but right on par with some of its greatest hits. Fun and silly while still grounded in emotional reality, it’s pure enjoyment; A

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Black Bag; The economy of Soderbergh strikes gold once again. A taut thriller, stage play style experience, expertly acted by a fine cast. The spy world is given a domestic slant to great effect and high tension. Sold as having more action, it’s really the mind games bringing the excitement; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

GOAT; A zillion sports story tropes delivered w/fresh paint, tunes & animal types. The chaotic animation will make the same old story beats go down easier, w/fun in jokes, sight gags and solid voice acting. Made for the small balls, but with enough to enjoy for the adults, an easy crowd pleaser; B+

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Cinema Paradiso; A love letter to the communal town square that’s at the heart of small town film theatres. Told through loving enduring relationships btwn generations & the journey of their lifetimes. When clips of a life tell a story of love and what forms our lives, it is heartrending joyous; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Marty Supreme; A wild romp filled w/erratic unsympathetic characters, spearheaded by Chalamet’s full throttle performance in the title role. Bolstered by a great supporting cast, save for Paltrow, continuing her knack of sucking in great movies. Shocking, unapologetic moments abound & entertain; A-

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Materialists; Works best as a dark comedy when it’s speaking deadpan about sociopathic behaviour in an American Psycho way. But when it comes to the rom com angle, Johnson’s woodenness doesn’t convey anything appealing to either leading man. Still, Celine Song knows how to direct dialogue; B

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Keepin' it Reel @joejamesfilm.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

The Mission; Spectacular filming of the brutal dichotomy of colonial powers valuing South American indigenous peoples and territory for their subjugation to religion and exploitation of labour. The efforts to depict the scope and scale are unfortunately not given to the writing of the script; B+

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