Scene These Reviews

Going into Pillion , I expected two things: another great performance from Alexander Skarsgård (one of the most consistently compelling actors working today) and a kinky BDSM adventure between two men. What I got was something far richer and more emotionally resonant. While Skarsgård may be the more recognizable name, it’s Harry Melling who truly commands the film. His performance is raw, vulnerable, and quietly courageous, grounding the story with an emotional honesty that l

2025 brought many highs; I became a member of the Portland Critics Association, we launched Scene This, our weekly movie podcast that has survived its first year, I attended my first film festival (TIFF), and lastly, the year 2025 gifted me the most new releases films from any given year that I've ever seen. Of the 370 films I watched this year, 130 of them were released in 2025. For the top 25 of 2025, there is a mix of big studio films, independent films and a variety of un

Rental Family  is a film with a huge heart, which may manipulate your emotions, but it earns every tug with genuine warmth and charm. Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures As an American, it’s always refreshing to step into a story set outside the familiar, and it’s even sweeter when that story stars Brendan Fraser against the beautiful backdrop of Japan. Directed by Hikari , best known to many Western viewers for the acclaimed Netflix series Beef , Rental Family  follows Fr

The Predator has always been cinema’s apex killer, the ultimate hunter. But Predator: Badlands  feels like this generation’s Star Wars  script wearing a Predator mask and dropped onto Kong: Skull Island.  If you’re a fan of those combined elements, this one’s an entertaining ride filled with inventive planet dynamics where everything  wants you dead. But if you’re like me, someone who prefers the sweaty, action-fueled energy of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Carl Weathers trading

What does a prophecy look like? Would the heavens open up and deliver a divine sign, or would it manifest in something far more ordinary? When a prophecy unfolds in real time, is it centered on an extraordinary being, or could it involve someone refreshingly human? The Man Who Saves the World?  dares to ask these questions as it follows Patrick McCollum , a man who believes he’s been chosen to unite the Indigenous tribes of the Amazon, and ultimately, the entire Americas… or

Bugonia  navigates a web of conspiracy theories, pharmaceutical tech power plays, and alien mythos, all highly relevant in today’s world. Ironically, the film itself feels a bit alienating. Yorgos Lanthimos delivers a story with two strong acts that bookend the film beautifully, capturing the intended comedic tone, but the middle act collapses under its own weight. Odd character choices and unclear motivations muddy the narrative, pushing the plot forward without adding meani

After the Hunt  is a rich, philosophical exploration of generational divides, brought vividly to life by a stellar cast. It’s a dialogue-driven film, a “people talking” movie, that engages the audience through sharp, witty writing that leaves breadcrumb trails along the way. These trails occasionally mislead, intentionally so, mirroring the confusion, guilt, and defensiveness that can surface when each generation is confronted with devastating accusations before all the fact