Monthly Archives: September 2026

09.26.26
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Primetime

Robert Pattinson gives one of his most daring performances as TV host Chris Hansen, who led the boundary-pushing reality series To Catch a Predator on NBC. Pattinson brings us deep underneath the ambition and professionalism of the man to show us that his strength and determination come not from a desire to be a star, but from seeing himself as an investigative journalist who believes he’s doing the most important work that not even the authorities can achieve at his level. Merritt Wever is incredible here and the film’s standout. Her work in the film is deserving of so many flowers, portraying conflict, empathy, and ambition in the role of one of the show’s producers. Skyler Gisondo is also fantastic as an aspiring actor who gets cast by Hansen to join the team.

Filmed in a cinematic manner that feels distant from our present but still aware of its ploys, Primetime shows us the relationship between morality and exploitation, without ever giving us easy answers about how we should handle such situations, but allowing us to think about the complex and deeply uncomfortable nature of what we’re watching. Knowing as little about the true story behind the show and its journey will make many moments surprising as well, with lots of humor and shock being balanced with the audacity of these situations, but the knowledge that it’s also far too real and scary.

09.18.26
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Forgotten Island

Directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado took inspiration from their own friendship to create Forgotten Island, one of DreamWorks’ strongest films in over ten years. The animation is gorgeous, with a beauty you won’t find in any other film, live-action or animated, this year. Not to mention, the central friendship and Filipino representation illuminate this film, making it one of the most distinctive recent major-studio animated films. It’s pretty easy to get quickly invested in the two main characters and their bond, way before they travel to the titular island.

The lively animation style balances rapid movement and color, and the striking score by Nathan Matthew David does an incredible job of blending global influences and tones at light speed. H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, and Jenny Slate are all great in the voice cast, but it’s the animators who are the true stars here, having created something so eye-popping that it should be seen on the big screen, and it works well for all ages. Anyone who’s experienced friendship, old or young, near or long-distance, will likely enjoy the messages. Even if some jokes are overdone and the middle act does slightly drag, Forgotten Island is equal parts colorful and mature, covering visual, musical, and cultural ground that no animated film has quite like this before.

09.13.26
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The Uprising

In the story that inspired Robin Hood, a farmer leads a rebellion against King Richard II’s tyranny that will determine their fates and freedom.

This film presents some interesting moral and historical ideas, though Paul Greengrass aims for something that always looks epic without always maintaining a strong pace. Andrew Garfield leads the cast very strongly here, which includes great actors such as Thomasin McKenzie, Jamie Bell, and Katherine Waterson, and a special standout being Woody Norman as the king. The action, sets, and costumes are all put together quite well, even if the director’s shaky/documentary-like camerawork that’s occasionally woven in with more grand, cinematic shots, doesn’t always fit. The movie’s runtime also tends to drag in the latter half, which takes out much of the film’s energy, even if the ending itself is quite memorable. Still, the movie thinks it’s far more shocking than it is, and it’s a serviceable film about the cycle of violence and corruption in monarchy, without ever rising above the pack of similar films like Braveheart or The King.