Send Help (2026)

Despite her social awkwardness and frumpy appearance, Linda is really, really good at her job. But when the owner of her company dies and his frat-bro son Bradley takes the helm, she's passed over for a promised promotion and is tasked with proving her worth on a business trip... which is interrupted by a plane crash killing everyone on board except Linda and Bradley.

On the island, Linda's survivalist skills help her turn the tables on her useless boss. It's basically like a dumbed-down Triangle of Sadness.

C

Mean Girls (2024)

First: Jenna Fisher and Angourie Rice truly look like mother and daughter -- just A+ casting there. Second: the "Stupid with Love" number (watch it below) is so charming and singable that I can't stop listening to it. 

This is a really solid remake and probably would be rated higher if the first movie didn't exist at all. But, since it does, comparisons are inevitable and the big detriments for me are the non-Regina "Plastics" (they barely register as individuals) and Cady's transformation to mean girl, which was about as convincing as Sandy's transformation in Grease.

B

Thoughts & Prayers (2025)

This documentary takes a look at the industry that has sprung up in response to mass shootings in America's schools. Not only are there now "active shooter drills" in classrooms, the students can protect themselves with bullet-proof backpacks and tables that can be utilized as automatic weapon shields!

It's a sobering topic that this documentary doesn't seem to know how to handle. We just get a parade of products, befuddled educators, and anxious students. Maybe a counterpoint from the perspective of educators and/or students in countries that don't have this problem (i.e. all the other ones) could've driven home the point that this industry doesn't have to exist? Instead, it just keeps going and going and going without ever being brave enough to outright say what it should.

C-

Of Mice and Men (1992)

George and Lennie work on ranches and, to hear them tell it, those are usually the loneliest guys in the world. But these two aren't like that because they look out for each other. They've got also got a plan for the future, including buying a little house they know about with some chickens and rabbits, which Lennie will be allowed to tend. They'll have to get some money together first though and Lennie needs to practice being careful because he's too simpleminded to always understand his own strength.

But, for now, they've got new jobs bucking barley at Tyler Ranch. Curley, the owner's son, has a mean streak and believes Lennie to be an easy target. Then there's also the issue of Curley's wife, who's very pretty and very lonely. But George and Lennie prove themselves in the field and are accepted by the rest of the crew, eventually even bringing the aging Candy into their dreams of the future.

It's gorgeously shot and comes by its emotion honestly by staying true to the source material. Though I admit that I had to get acclimated to Malkovich's choice for Lennie's speaking voice, I was fully invested once I did and -- even with foreknowledge of how their story ends -- I truly bawled. It's a a confusing shame that this is the last thing Gary Sinise has directed.

B+

Act of Violence (1948)

A few years after the war, a veteran with a grudge comes looking for a successful suburban family man with the obvious intent of killing him. It becomes clear that the target knows what what's happening and may even feel it's justified, but that doesn't stop him from running while keeping his wife in the dark.

Though it builds a real sense of dread, the poetic justice feels equal parts too neat and unbelievable to be completely satisfying.

C+