Rusty Movies

Elf - A Hilarious, Christmas Classic Rating - 9/10 “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”      Elf has become one of the most beloved modern Christmas classics, and for good reason. It is a movie that balances silliness with heart, delivering a holiday film that is endlessly rewatchable.      Will Ferrell shines as Buddy the Elf, giving a performance that is both hilarious and strangely touching. His childlike innocence and boundless energy make him impossible not to root for, even when his antics go way over the top. Ferrell commits fully to the role, and that commitment is what makes the movie work so well.      The supporting cast is strong too, with James Caan playing the perfect straight man as Buddy’s no nonsense father, and Zooey Deschanel bringing warmth and charm as Jovie. Their interactions with Buddy give the film balance, keeping the story grounded even when things get ridiculous.  ...

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 - An Emotional Send-off to our Rag-Tag Friends Rating - 8/10 “We’ll all fly away together one last time.”      Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a fitting and emotional send off for one of Marvel’s most beloved teams. James Gunn brings the trilogy to a close with heart, humor, and spectacle, and while it is not perfect, it delivers on most of what fans have been waiting for.      What makes this film stand out is its emotional core. The story leans heavily on Rocket’s past, giving the character depth and weight that resonates throughout the entire film. The Guardians have always been a found family, but here that theme is pushed even further, reminding us how far these characters have come since the first movie.      The villain, the High Evolutionary, is one of Marvel’s stronger antagonists in recent memory. He is cruel, intense, and easy to hate, which makes the stakes feel higher and the conflict more meani...

Warfare - A Tense, Raw, War Film Rating - 9/10 “You can’t press pause just because you want a different ending.”      Warfare is one of those war films that breathes a terrifying sort of life into everything it shows you. It hits hard in its simplicity, remaining stark, raw, and honest, and I’m giving it a strong 9 out of 10 because it manages to pull off something very rare: it makes you feel like you’re in the mud with the soldiers, every moment both unbearable and necessary.      The movie follows a team of Navy SEALs during a mission in Ramadi, Iraq, where a seemingly straightforward surveillance operation spirals into chaos. What makes this special is how the story is told in near real time and with almost no filler. There’s no grand backstories or melodramatic monologues, just the day unfolding, shot after shot, full of tension, fear, and human fragility.      The acting across the board is excellent. The ensemble cast doesn’t need fl...

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania - A Sloppy Flop for the MCU Rating - 3/10 “I don’t have to win. We both just have to lose.”      Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is easily one of the weakest films Marvel has put out in recent years. It takes away everything that made the first two Ant-Man movies fun and unique, and replaces it with generic CGI sludge and an overstuffed story that never finds its footing.      One of the biggest crimes this movie commits is leaving out Luis. His hilarious storytelling was a highlight of the first two entries, and his absence is felt in a big way. Without him, and without the heist-style energy of the earlier films, this just feels like another bland Marvel outing that could have been about any hero.      The acting is fine enough, with Paul Rudd still bringing his charm, but the humor does not land nearly as well this time. Most of the jokes feel forced or just plain flat. The special effects are a huge le...

Superman (2025) - A Colorful, Hope-Filled Reboot Rating - 8/10 “The world doesn’t need me to be perfect. It needs me to try.”      James Gunn’s Superman is a strong reboot that delivers much of what fans have been hoping for. It has heart, spectacle, and strong performances while staying true to the idea of why Superman still matters. It is not flawless, but it is a good step forward for the DC Universe.      David Corenswet makes for a great Clark Kent and Superman. He has the right mix of charm and vulnerability, and he carries that sense of hope and responsibility that defines the character. Rachel Brosnahan shines as Lois Lane, giving her the sharp wit and determination that makes her more than just a supporting role. Their chemistry feels natural and adds weight to the story. Nicholas Hoult absolutely nails Lex Luthor, playing him as a villain you love to hate. He is menacing, obsessive, and intelligent, and he feels like a real threat rather than a...

Frankenstein - A Monstrously Good Adaptation Rating - 9/10 “I am not a sin. I am a creation.”      Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein breathes new life into a story that has been retold for generations by treating it not as a monster tale but as a tragedy crafted with elegance and imagination. From the very first frame, the film announces itself as something special. The visual design is astonishing, with moody color palettes, carefully composed shadows, and a painterly sense of scale that feels both intimate and operatic. Del Toro has always had a gift for making the grotesque beautiful, and here he refines that gift into a visual language that supports every emotional beat of the story.      The direction showcases everything that makes del Toro such a singular filmmaker. His attention to detail is unmatched, from the texture of the laboratory machinery to the subtle shifts in light that mirror the monster’s changing sense of self. The world he builds fe...

Rise of the Guardians - The Holiday Avengers Rating - 7/10 “We are the Guardians, and we protect the children of the world.”      Rise of the Guardians is one of those animated movies that feels like it should have been a bigger deal than it was. The idea is clever enough: take a lineup of holiday and childhood icons like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, and Jack Frost, and throw them together like some kind of Avengers team for kids. It is a fun concept, and at times the movie delivers on that promise, but overall it lands as just fine.      The animation is solid, especially with how distinct each character feels. Santa being this big Russian warrior, the Easter Bunny as a gruff Australian, and Jack Frost as the rebellious youngster give the group a nice variety of personalities. There are some entertaining action sequences too, and the movie has a certain grand sense of magic to it that works well for the premise.  ...

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - A Touching Tribute Rating - 8/10 “Only the most broken people can be great leaders.” Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had one of the toughest tasks in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. It not only had to follow up the groundbreaking first film, but it also had to deal with the devastating loss of Chadwick Boseman. The result is a movie that feels equal parts superhero epic and heartfelt tribute, and while it is not perfect, it succeeds in telling a moving story that honors its legacy. The acting across the board is strong, but Angela Bassett stands out above the rest. Her performance as Queen Ramonda is powerful, emotional, and commanding, bringing real gravitas to every scene she is in. Letitia Wright steps up in a big way as Shuri, showing growth and depth in a role that demands a lot. The film also introduces Riri Williams, and while she adds some fun moments, her inclusion sometimes feels like setup for future projects rather than a natural par...

Planes, Trains and Automobiles  - A Hilarious Holiday Classic Rating - 8/10 “Those aren’t pillows!”      Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a holiday classic that holds up decades later, and a big part of that is the unbeatable chemistry between Steve Martin and John Candy. On paper it is a simple road trip comedy about two mismatched strangers trying to get home for Thanksgiving, but what makes it stand out is the heart, humor, and humanity packed into every scene.      Steve Martin plays the uptight, easily frustrated Neal Page, while John Candy brings warmth and goofiness as Del Griffith. The contrast between the two is perfect. Martin’s straight-laced energy bounces off Candy’s lovable chaos, and together they create one of the most memorable comedy duos in film history. Their timing, delivery, and constant push-and-pull dynamic give the movie a rhythm that never slows down.      What also makes this film shine is how it balances ...

Thor: Love and Thunder - It's Way to Ridiculous Rating - 6/10   “This ends here and now!”      Thor: Love and Thunder is one of those Marvel movies that feels like it could have been something special but instead ends up all over the place. It has some fun moments, and Taika Waititi’s style is still very much in play, but this time the comedy is dialed up way too high, undercutting the story and characters in ways that make it hard to take seriously.      Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher is easily the highlight. His performance is intense, chilling, and layered, you can tell he gave this role everything he had. The problem is that the script barely lets him breathe. Gorr should have been one of the MCU’s best villains, but he is wasted with limited screen time and not nearly enough development. Every time he is on screen, the movie works. Every time he is not, you are left wishing it would go back to him.      Visually, the fil...

The Holdovers - A Beautiful Modern Classic Rating - 9/10 “We’re not here to get drunk and play grab-ass. We’re here to learn.”      Every once in a while, a film comes along that feels timeless, the kind of story that could have been made decades ago yet still resonates today. The Holdovers is exactly that kind of movie. Alexander Payne delivers a heartfelt, funny, and deeply human story about connection, loneliness, and finding family in unexpected places.      What really makes this film shine is the acting. Paul Giamatti gives one of his best performances, bringing layers to a grumpy, awkward teacher who finds himself stuck over the holidays with students who could not go home. His delivery is sharp and witty, but underneath the sarcasm and frustration is real pain and vulnerability. Opposite him, Dominic Sessa is outstanding as the student left behind. Their back-and-forth feels natural and lived in, creating a dynamic that drives the movie forward....

The Adventures of Panda Warrior - The Worst Movie You'll Hopefully Never See Rating - 0/10 “I am the chosen one!”      Rarely do I watch a movie that makes me question my life choices, but The Adventures of Panda Warrior is one of those rare cinematic disasters that somehow slipped through the cracks and onto a screen. Calling this a movie feels like giving it too much credit. This is not just bad, it is unwatchably terrible. From the opening moments to the painful ending, everything about it screams bottom-of-the-barrel knockoff.      The animation is shockingly awful. Characters move like broken action figures, their faces barely emote, and the environments look like something pulled from a 2002 PlayStation 2 cutscene that was rejected for being too ugly. It is genuinely hard to tell what is supposed to be happening half the time because the visuals are that sloppy.      Then you get to the voice acting, which is nothing short of embarr...

 Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - A Messy, Strange, and Entertaining Sequel Rating - 6/10 "Things just got out of hand."      Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is one of the more divisive entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and after watching it, I understand why. On the surface, it has all the makings of a major event film. You have Benedict Cumberbatch returning as Doctor Strange, Elizabeth Olsen stepping fully into the Scarlet Witch role, a multiverse concept that should feel limitless, and Sam Raimi in the director’s chair bringing his unique blend of horror and comic book flair. There are great pieces scattered throughout, but the end result is a messy ride that does not live up to its potential.      Let’s start with the positives. Elizabeth Olsen absolutely shines here. Her performance is intense, emotional, and layered, making Wanda the strongest part of this movie by far. She manages to elevate material that coul...

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish - A Shockingly Amazing Sequel Rating - 9/10 "I will never stop fighting for this life."      Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is one of those rare animated sequels that not only surpasses expectations but also feels like it breathes new life into the franchise it came from. This movie is excellent from start to finish, blending heartfelt storytelling, dazzling animation, and some of the best villains we have seen in an animated film in years. It comes so close to perfection, only missing the mark due to a few minor plot conveniences and some slower moments in the middle, but everything else more than makes up for it.      The story is surprisingly emotional, diving into themes of mortality, second chances, and what truly makes life worth living. For a film about a swashbuckling cat, it manages to carry some heavy weight while still being accessible to kids and adults alike. The action sequences are visually stunning, using a painte...

Spider-Man: No Way Home  - A Celebration of Spider-Man Rating - 9/10 "With great power, comes great responsibility."      Spider-Man: No Way Home is one of those cinematic events that had the weight of impossible expectations on its shoulders, and somehow it delivered. This movie is funny, heartfelt, and packed with nostalgia in all the right ways, while still giving Tom Holland’s Peter Parker some of his strongest character development yet. It feels like the perfect blend of fan service and genuine storytelling, which is not an easy balance to pull off.      What makes the film so effective is how it honors the past while still moving the current Spider-Man forward. Bringing back villains like Doc Ock, Electro, and of course Green Goblin could have easily turned into a messy checklist of cameos, especially given Sony's track record of putting too many villains in a Spider-Man film. Instead they are woven into the narrative in ways that feel natural....

 Looper - An Original Idea Done Right for Sci-Fi Rating - 9/10 “I don’t want to talk about time travel, because if we start talking about it then we’re going to be here all day talking about it, making diagrams with straws.”      Looper is one of those rare sci-fi films that feels both original and accessible. Directed by Rian Johnson, it blends action, suspense, and a layered story about choices, morality, and consequences, all wrapped up in a gritty, near-future world. It is not often that you get a time travel movie that feels this fresh and this confident in its own rules, but Looper nails it.      Joseph Gordon-Levitt does a great job as Joe, a hitman whose job is to kill people sent back from the future. Bruce Willis as the older version of Joe brings a perfect edge and intensity, and the way the two performances mirror and clash makes the story feel even more compelling. Their dynamic is at the core of what makes the movie work, and it is f...

Sky High - A Blast of Silly Nostalgia Rating - 7/10 “If life were to suddenly get fair, I doubt it would happen in high school.”      Sky High is one of those movies that just sticks with you if you grew up in the mid-2000s. It has that Disney Channel Original Movie energy but with a bigger budget and a surprisingly clever spin on the superhero genre. The idea of a high school for kids of superheroes is instantly fun, and watching the “hero or sidekick” dynamic play out hits both as a parody and as a genuine coming-of-age story.      The film is cheesy, no doubt, but it leans into that in a way that makes it charming instead of unbearable. The characters are colorful, the powers are fun, and the story keeps things light without ever taking itself too seriously. Kurt Russell as the dad is a blast, and the younger cast sells the awkwardness of growing up with powers in a world where expectations are sky-high (pun intended).      It is not ...

Eternals - An Epic Bore from Marvel Rating - 5/10 “When you love something, you protect it.”     Eternals had all the potential to be one of Marvel’s most unique and daring films. On paper, it sounded great — a sweeping story about immortal beings who have shaped humanity since the beginning of time, paired with a talented director and a stacked cast. At times, you can see the movie trying to reach those heights. The special effects are strong, the visuals are often stunning, and there are moments where it really does feel grand and epic in scale. It feels different than most MCU entries, like it is aiming for something deeper.      But ambition only gets you so far. The movie is juggling too many characters, too much lore, and too many storylines, and in the end, it does not quite balance any of them well enough. Some characters shine, but others barely leave an impression, and for a movie with such a long runtime, that feels like a missed opportunity. The p...

Puss in Boots - A Decent Shrek Spinoff Rating - 7/10 “Fear me, if you dare.”      Puss in Boots takes the swashbuckling side character from Shrek and gives him his own adventure. It is not a groundbreaking animated film by any means, but it is a decent ride with enough charm to keep things moving.      The movie coasts a lot on Antonio Banderas’s voice work, which is as smooth and confident as ever. Salma Hayek adds great energy as Kitty Softpaws, and together they make a fun duo. The rest of the cast fills out the world nicely, even if the story itself does not leave much of a lasting impression.      Visually, it looks fine for its time, though compared to other DreamWorks movies it does not stand out much. The plot is fairly straightforward, with a mix of action, comedy, and fairy tale antics that feel familiar. There are laughs and some nice moments, but it never quite hits the level of magic you might hope for.     ...

Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - A Refreshing Origin Rating - 8/10 “You can’t outrun who you really are.”      Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is one of Marvel’s most refreshing origin stories in years. It introduces a brand new hero to the MCU while delivering some of the best hand to hand combat we have seen in the franchise. The fight choreography is sharp, fast, and creative, with standout sequences like the bus fight and the battle on the scaffolding in Macau easily ranking among Marvel’s most exciting action moments.      One of the strongest elements of the movie is its villain. Tony Leung as Wenwu brings depth and nuance to the role of Shang Chi’s father, making him one of the best antagonists in the MCU. He is not just a power hungry figure, but a man torn between grief, love, and control. His presence elevates every scene he is in and gives the story real emotional weight.      On the flip side, the humor d...

Friendship - The Pure Insanity of Tim Robinson Rating - 7/10 “It feels good to have a friend.”      Friendship is one of the strangest and funniest movies I have seen in a while. Starring Tim Robinson, it takes his unique brand of cringe comedy and stretches it into a full story about a man desperate to connect with someone new. If you are familiar with his work, you already know what you are getting into, but if you are not, this might come as a shock. It is funny, it is awkward, and it will make you squirm in your seat in the weirdest ways.      What makes the movie work is Tim Robinson himself. He has this ability to take a simple interaction and make it explode into the most uncomfortable situation imaginable. The comedy never plays it safe. It leans into the awkwardness of human behavior and the way people stumble through social situations. Sometimes you will laugh out loud. Other times you will find yourself covering your face because of how uncomfo...