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A Review of “Mortal Kombat II (2026)”

  The first Mortal Kombat film in 2021 had some good elements and felt closer to the games. However, it had a lot of problems, and there were definitely some odd creative choices made. Still, there was potential for the sequel to be a major improvement. Is that the case with Mortal Kombat II? Right from the get-go, I appreciate that the director and writer listened to the feedback and criticism surrounding the first film. One of the major issues with the original was the boring and dull movie-original protagonist, Cole Young. This time, they have replaced him with the far more charismatic Johnny Cage and the more interesting Kitana, both of whom are actual characters from the games and are played wonderfully by Karl Urban and Adeline Rudolph. Johnny Cage serves as the fish-out-of-water character: a washed-up actor who is thrown into the Kombat tournament. He is funny, cynical, and charming, with a character arc that is far more enjoyable to invest in. Kitana acts as ...
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A “QUICK!” Review of “Send Help (2026)”

  Sam Raimi turns a very predictable story into an entertaining two-hour flick. He injects many of his signature quirks such as the dark comedy, visceral horror, gruesome gore, and a kinetic filmmaking style which elevate the film. Rachel McAdams delivers a terrific, layered performance as the lead. She begins as someone awkward and cringy but gradually evolving into someone genuinely menacing and unhinged. The highlight of the film is the tension between her character and Dylan O’Brien’s. Despite all this, the film feels somewhat tame and isn’t among Raimi’s most memorable works. Still, it’s enjoyable enough that you’ll leave feeling you had a good time.
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A “QUICK!” Review of “Cold Storage (2026)”

  Liam Neeson plays an authentic 70-year-old man with a bad back. It’s admirable to see him give a more believable performance for someone of his age. The rest of the film is okay with some light chuckles and gory moments. It never takes itself too seriously, leading to a mildly enjoyable popcorn flick.    
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A Review of “Michael (2026)”

  Michael Jackson was, without a doubt, one of the biggest pop stars in history. It’s no surprise that he was going to get a biopic; if anything, I’m surprised at how long it took. He is one of my favourite artists ever, so of course I was going to watch this film. However, does it live up to his legacy? I remember having a lot of concerns about Jaafar Jackson’s casting. Firstly, it felt like nepotism, with them going for Michael’s own nephew, and secondly, I wasn’t sure whether he could handle the weight of portraying Michael in his acting debut. Those concerns ended up being unfounded, as Jaafar Jackson shines as the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. There are many moments where it genuinely feels like Michael himself is on-screen. He nails the look, the moves, and the mannerisms of his uncle. Colman Domingo is equally effective, portraying Michael’s father, Joseph Jackson, as both detestable and menacing. Special praise must also go to the costume and set designers fo...
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A “QUICK!” Review of “Exit 8 (2026)”

  I was interested to see how they would adapt an indie game with no real plot into a film. In the first act, it felt like they accurately captured the eerie, claustrophobic psychological terror of the endlessly looping subway. The film draws the audience in by having them scan for anomalies, just like the main character. There’s also strong tension in watching him struggle with his asthma while trying to escape. However, this is largely lost from the second act onwards, as the film shifts toward being more character-driven and leans into a metaphor for fatherhood. The tension and sense of terror fade, and even the asthma subplot is completely forgotten. While the execution isn’t great, the film is still well-made, with excellent camerawork. It’s not overly long and is generally an enjoyable 90 minutes.
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A “QUICK!” Review of “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die (2026)”

  This is an incredibly weird, wacky, and wild film! It’s a roughly two-hour, entertaining joyride about an unlikely group taking on a powerful A.I. overlord. The film offers a very “on-the-nose” exploration of modern technology addiction and societal apathy, but it works well within the tone it’s going for. Sam Rockwell delivers a hilariously unhinged performance and absolutely steals every scene he’s in. Whether this film works for you depends on how much you can embrace the random shenanigans that unfold. If you can, then this is a whole lot of fun!
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A “QUICK!” Review of “Bugonia (2025)”

  Emma Stone delivers a great performance here as a cool, calculating CEO who has been kidnapped by Jesse Plemons’ character. The standout, however, is definitely Jesse, who gives a phenomenally sharp, unpredictable, and layered performance. He brings a level of instability and anger to his character, but also moments of kindness and vulnerability that really work. What carries this film is the tension and conflict between the two, making it a genuinely compelling watch. Additionally, the cinematography and visuals are wonderful, with colours that truly pop, complemented by a music score that heightens the tension. However, what ultimately brings the film down is that it doesn’t quite stick the landing. The ending is predictable and feels a bit too on the nose in delivering its message. Still, this is an enjoyable film that illustrates the dangers of unhealthy delusions and class conflict.
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