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

“Father, I often think about the wind, how it moves things and how God moves the wind to bring everything where it should be, where it belongs.” These opening words in Karla Badillo’s debut feature OCA  set the tone for everything that follows, a meditation on faith, doubt, and the mysterious ways belief shapes human lives. Photo Courtesy of Cinema Tropical The film follows Rafaela, a nun who claims to receive visions from God, visions that often come true, though those aroun

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

Treasure of the Rice Terraces  is more than just a documentary, it’s a heartfelt exploration of identity, heritage, and the delicate act...

I’m usually the first to champion an abstract film that leans on allegory, but If I Had Legs I’d Kick You  is a big swing with too many...

The Smashing Machine  attempts to deliver a hard-hitting portrait of Mark Kerr, the legendary mixed martial artist whose career was...

What makes a masterpiece?  Is it the defining performance of a cast’s career? A witty, thought-provoking script? The way a camera glides...

The Great Eleanor  sets out to be sweet, charming, witty, and historically resonant, but its lack of dynamism leaves it striking only a...

Spanish filmmaker Ulises Porra’s latest film is a tense and moving exploration of colonialism in the early 19th-century Caribbean. At its...

I’ll be the first to admit, I love a good nature documentary. When I sit down for one, I want to learn something new, be swept away by...

Little Lorraine  sets up a promising premise: a coal miner whose opportunities have dried up reluctantly turns to his shady uncle’s...

Every now and then you come across a film that is equally unique as it is creative. When that film is a documentary that can resonate...

A Real Pain  delves into the lingering effects of generational trauma caused by the Holocaust, following two cousins on a journey through...

Every now and then, a film comes along that seamlessly blends art, storytelling, and an education on dark periods of history. Sing Sing...

Great art thrives on risk—pushing boundaries, forging its own path. Challengers , directed by Luca Guadagnino, certainly takes those...