Rusty Movies

Man of Steel - Superman Deserves Better Rating - 5/10 “My father believed that if the world found out who I really was, they would reject me.”      Man of Steel is a strange contradiction. It is both a sweeping, grand reimagining of Superman and a cold, joyless experience that seems almost allergic to hope. Zack Snyder’s direction delivers a spectacle of incredible scale, but it also strips away the sense of optimism and humanity that define the character. The result is a film that looks powerful, feels important, and yet struggles to connect on an emotional level.      Henry Cavill gives a strong physical performance as Clark Kent. He clearly commits to the role and carries the weight of Superman’s legacy with sincerity. However, the script gives him little chance to show warmth or depth. Much of the movie feels like a prolonged exercise in brooding rather than a story about a hero inspiring humanity. Even when the action reaches its highest points, the e...

The Spongebob Movie - We're All Goofy Goobers  Rating - 8/10 "You don't need a license to drive a sandwich."      The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie is a perfect blend of absurd humor, childhood nostalgia, and surprisingly clever storytelling. Released at the height of the show’s popularity, it managed to capture everything that made the Nickelodeon series a cultural phenomenon while giving it a cinematic polish that still holds up. From the moment SpongeBob wakes up in his pineapple under the sea to the epic final showdown with Plankton, this film brims with personality, confidence, and heart.      One of the most impressive aspects of the movie is how it walks a fine line between chaos and structure. The jokes come fast and strange, from talking sea creatures in biker bars to David Hasselhoff appearing as himself in an unforgettable live-action sequence. Yet underneath the layers of silliness, there is a surprisingly solid story about self-belief and ...

Raya and the Last Dragon - Beautiful, but also Bland for Disney Rating - 7/10   “The world’s broken. You can’t trust anyone.”      Raya and the Last Dragon is a visually stunning journey through a world filled with vibrant colors, intricate details, and thrilling action sequences. Disney’s animation team delivers yet another feast for the eyes, crafting a universe that feels both ancient and futuristic, blending cultural influences into something uniquely their own. Every setting, from the shimmering waterways of Tail to the snowy peaks of Spine, shows remarkable artistry and care.      The story, however, doesn’t fully rise to match the beauty of its world. It follows a familiar arc of trust, redemption, and unity, but without the emotional depth or narrative surprises that mark Disney’s best work. The themes are strong and important, but the execution feels a bit safe, as if the movie is checking all the right boxes rather than breaking new ground...

Blade Trinity - A Bloody Mess Rating - 3/10 “You obviously do not know who you’re messing with.”      Blade: Trinity stumbles hard where its predecessors found strength. The third installment in the vampire-hunting saga trades the dark tone and sharp edge of the earlier films for forced humor, shallow characters, and bloated action sequences. It feels less like a gritty continuation and more like a studio-mandated attempt to turn Blade into a wisecracking superhero.      Wesley Snipes still brings intensity to the role, but he is weighed down by a script that never gives him the space to shine. Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Biel try to inject life into the story, but their characters are written more as comic relief than meaningful allies. The villains, including the portrayal of Dracula himself, come across as laughably generic rather than menacing.      Visually, the movie lacks the style that made the first two stand out. The fight scenes...

The Thing - A Cult Classic Creature Feature Rating - 8/10 “I don’t know what the hell’s in there, but it’s weird and pissed off, whatever it is.”      John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982) remains one of the greatest examples of practical effects-driven horror ever created. Set in the frozen isolation of Antarctica, the film traps its characters and the audience in a paranoid nightmare where no one can be trusted. The atmosphere is thick with tension from the very first scene, and Carpenter’s deliberate pacing turns the remote research station into a pressure cooker of fear and suspicion.      The story follows a group of scientists and workers who encounter an alien lifeform capable of perfectly imitating any living being. What unfolds is a slow descent into chaos and distrust, with each man wondering who might still be human. The real brilliance of The Thing lies not just in its grotesque transformations but in the psychological horror beneath them. The fi...

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron - A Spirited Adventure Rating - 7/10 “I had come to believe that horses and humans were meant to be together.”      Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is one of DreamWorks’ most heartfelt and visually stunning animated films. Blending traditional hand-drawn animation with early 2000s CGI, it creates a sweeping portrait of the American frontier that feels both timeless and powerful. The landscapes are vast, colorful, and full of life, capturing the raw beauty of the wild west with an artist’s touch. Every frame feels lovingly crafted, giving Spirit’s journey an epic, cinematic feel that resonates even today.      The story follows Spirit, a wild mustang determined to remain free despite the encroachment of humans and the challenges that come with captivity. Through his encounters with soldiers, settlers, and a young Lakota man named Little Creek, Spirit’s resilience and courage become a symbol of independence and hope. It’s a ...

Blade  II - A Bit More Bite Rating - 6/10 “You obviously do not know who you’re messing with.”      Blade II brings the Daywalker back with bigger action, more blood, and a heavier dose of early 2000s style. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, the film dives deeper into vampire lore and doubles down on visual flair and atmosphere. It feels darker and sleeker than the first film, filled with gothic set pieces, shadowy underground lairs, and plenty of stylized slow-motion combat. The movie has more energy and personality, even if it never reaches the full potential of its concept.      The story follows Blade, once again played by Wesley Snipes, as he reluctantly teams up with a vampire strike team to battle a new breed of mutated vampires known as Reapers. These creatures are faster, stronger, and far more terrifying than the standard undead, leading to some truly grotesque and creative fight scenes. Del Toro’s fingerprints are all over the film, from th...

Annihilation - Striking, but Confusing Rating - 8/10  “The Shimmer wasn’t destroying. It was changing everything.”     Annihilation is a science fiction films that manages to be both deeply unsettling and intellectually fascinating. Directed by Alex Garland, the movie dives into the unknown with haunting beauty and unrelenting tension. Natalie Portman leads a talented cast through a strange, dreamlike world where biology and physics twist into something unrecognizable. The result is a film that lingers with you, not because it gives clear answers, but because it forces you to question everything about evolution, identity, and self-destruction.      The story follows a group of scientists who venture into an environmental anomaly called “The Shimmer,” a mysterious zone where everything has begun to mutate. What they find is not a simple threat but a world constantly refracting and transforming itself. The visuals are extraordinary, combining vibrant...

Blade  - A Bloody Crazy Time Rating - 5/10  “Some mother******* are always trying to ice-skate uphill.”      Blade burst onto the scene in 1998 with a dark, stylish edge that helped lay the groundwork for the superhero boom that followed. It was gritty, bloody, and unapologetically cool for its time, mixing martial arts action with vampire mythology in a way that felt fresh and bold. Wesley Snipes delivers a commanding performance as the half-vampire, half-human hunter, embodying the role with charisma and intensity that make him easily the best part of the film. His presence alone gives the movie a confidence and swagger that few other comic book movies of that era could match.      The action sequences are fast and brutal, and the film’s opening nightclub scene still stands out as one of the most memorable vampire introductions in cinema. The visual style leans heavily into the late 90s aesthetic, leather coats, techno music, and quick-cut ed...

 The Super Mario Bros. Movie - Chris Pratt is so Cool Rating - 6/10 Wahoo!      The Super Mario Bros. Movie brings Nintendo’s most iconic characters to the big screen with a burst of color, energy, and nostalgia. It is a fast-paced animated ride through the Mushroom Kingdom that fans of all ages can enjoy. From the moment the familiar theme music kicks in, it feels like being dropped into the world of the games, warp pipes, fire flowers, and all. The animation is vibrant and beautifully detailed, capturing the look and feel of the classic games in a way that feels both modern and faithful.      There is no denying that this movie is packed with love for the source material. Every frame is crammed with Easter eggs and references that longtime fans will spot instantly. Whether it is a background nod to a classic level or a musical cue that recalls the early days of Mario and Luigi, the film celebrates its legacy in every way possible. That sense of fun...

Catch Me If You Can - An Endless Pursuit of a Great Film Rating - 9/10 “I’m not a doctor. I’m not a lawyer. I’m not an airline pilot. I’m nothing really. I’m just a kid in love with his father.”      Catch Me If You Can is a rare film that manages to be both wildly entertaining and deeply emotional. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this stylish cat-and-mouse story captures the essence of charm, wit, and heartbreak all at once. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers one of his most underrated performances as Frank Abagnale Jr., a teenage con artist who manages to outsmart banks, airlines, hospitals, and even the FBI. Opposite him, Tom Hanks is pitch-perfect as Carl Hanratty, the relentless agent determined to catch him. The chemistry between the two drives the film, balancing tension and humor with incredible precision.      Spielberg’s direction shines here. He handles the film’s brisk pacing and playful tone while grounding it with moments of surprising vulnerability....

Elektra - Old Marvel at their Worst Rating - 1/10 “You think I don’t understand death? I’ve lived with it every day of my life.”      Elektra is the kind of movie that makes you wonder if anyone involved truly understood what made the character compelling in the first place. Following the disastrous Daredevil movie, this supposed spin-off had a chance to course-correct, to dig deeper into Elektra Natchios as a complex, morally gray assassin. Instead, it doubles down on everything that went wrong before. What could have been a sharp and emotionally charged comic book film turns into a dull, lifeless slog that fails to entertain or inspire.      Jennifer Garner tries to bring something meaningful to the role, but she is trapped by a script that feels like it was written by committee and then stripped of all energy. The dialogue is flat, the pacing is sluggish, and the action scenes lack any sense of urgency or creativity. Even the visual effects, which c...

Tenet - Nolan is Getting a Little Too Confusing Rating - 7/10 “Don’t try to understand it. Feel it.”      Christopher Nolan’s Tenet is an ambitious and cerebral spectacle that pushes the boundaries of what a blockbuster can be. It is bold, stylish, and brimming with confidence, as Nolan once again dives into the complexities of time and perception. From the first gunshot that moves backward through glass to the film’s explosive final act, Tenet demands your full attention and never lets up.      The concept of time inversion is both fascinating and overwhelming. Nolan constructs a puzzle that feels like it is folding in on itself, and while the science might not always add up, the sheer audacity of it is thrilling to watch. Every scene feels meticulously crafted, from the choreography of reversed fight sequences to the massive set pieces that blur the line between forward and backward motion. Visually, the film is stunning, and the practical effects and...

Daredevil - What We Suffered Through Before Charlie Cox Rating - 2/10 “You can’t fight your past, Matt.”      The 2003 Daredevil film tried to bring one of Marvel’s most complex heroes to the big screen, but the result is a frustrating misfire that misses almost everything that makes the character compelling. What could have been a gritty, emotional story about justice, guilt, and redemption instead turns into a hollow and awkward early 2000s superhero flick that feels more like a music video than a movie.      Ben Affleck’s take on Matt Murdock never quite lands. His performance feels flat and disengaged, and the writing does him no favors. The same goes for the rest of the cast, who struggle with dialogue that is overly dramatic and direction that seems unsure of what tone to strike. The fight scenes, which should be the heart of the movie, suffer from dated CGI and poor choreography that rob them of any sense of weight or danger. Even moments meant to ...

Ratatouille - One of Pixar's Best Meals Rating - 9/10 "Anyone can cook."      Pixar’s Ratatouille is a rare kind of animated film, one that manages to be both whimsical and deeply profound. It is a story about dreams, passion, and identity, told through the most unlikely of heroes, a rat who wants to be a chef. What sounds absurd on paper becomes something magical on screen, thanks to exquisite animation, heartfelt storytelling, and one of Pixar’s best written scripts.      Remy, voiced with earnest charm by Patton Oswalt, is a rat with refined taste and a restless spirit. He wants to create, to bring joy through flavor, and to escape a world that tells him he does not belong in a kitchen. The film’s portrayal of his internal struggle, to reconcile his nature with his dreams, feels strikingly human. Paired with Linguini, a timid kitchen worker desperate to find his own place, Remy finds a way to express his talent, leading to some of the most clever and e...

  The 2026 Oscars Recap. Winners, Nominees, and the Usual Hollywood Self Importance      Another year, another Oscars ceremony where Hollywood gathers to pat itself on the back for three and a half hours. I have never been the biggest fan of the Academy Awards. The show often feels overly pretentious and self congratulatory, and the Academy itself has a long reputation for questionable taste. Half the time it feels like many voters probably did not even watch all the films they are voting on. That said, it is still one of the biggest nights in movies, and it is always interesting to see what wins, what gets snubbed, and what causes film fans to argue online for the next week.      The 98th Academy Awards took place on March 15, 2026 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and honored films released in 2025. The big winner of the night was One Battle After Another , which took home six awards including Best Picture and Best Director. Meanwhile Sinners ent...

Tron: Legacy  - A Digital Dull Rating - 5/10 “The Grid. A digital frontier. I tried to picture clusters of information as they moved through the computer. What did they look like?”      Tron: Legacy is a film that dazzles the eyes and fills the ears, but struggles to stir much else. It is sleek and stylish, a digital daydream painted in neon and sound. The world-building and visual design are easily its greatest strengths, creating a futuristic landscape that feels both nostalgic and ahead of its time. The problem is that behind all of the light and spectacle, there is not much heart to hold onto.      The story picks up decades after the original Tron , following Sam Flynn as he gets pulled into the same computerized world that once trapped his father. Garrett Hedlund does what he can with the material, but the script never gives him much depth to explore. Jeff Bridges brings some gravitas as both Kevin Flynn and his digital doppelgänger Clu, but ev...

Logan - A Perfect Farewell to the Character Rating - 9/10 “Nature made me a freak. Man made me a weapon. And God made it last too long.”      Logan is more than just another superhero movie. It is a raw, emotional, and beautifully crafted farewell to one of cinema’s most beloved comic book characters. Stripped of costumes, CGI overload, and world-ending stakes, the film delivers something far more powerful, humanity. Set in a bleak near future where mutants are nearly extinct, it tells the story of a broken man trying to protect what little good remains in his world. Hugh Jackman gives the performance of his career as Logan, portraying a weathered, tired, and haunted Wolverine who has seen too much and lost even more. There is a sense of authenticity in every growl and glance. Patrick Stewart is equally remarkable as an ailing Charles Xavier, bringing warmth, tragedy, and humor to the role. Their dynamic forms the heart of the film, two men once seen as gods now reduced ...

John Wick: Chapter 2 - Double the Action, Double the Fun Rating - 8/10 “The man. The myth. The legend.”      John Wick: Chapter 2 takes everything that made the first film a sleeper hit and turns it up several notches. It expands the world of assassins, secret societies, and gold coin exchanges into something that feels vast and fascinating without losing the sleek, grounded brutality that defined the original. From the opening sequence alone, it is clear that this sequel means business. The choreography is sharp, the camera work is fluid, and the action is as precise as ever.      Keanu Reeves continues to prove that the role of John Wick was tailor made for him. His stoic presence, physical commitment, and ability to convey deep emotion with minimal dialogue make the character as compelling as ever. Every punch, shot, and stare feels purposeful. Alongside him, the supporting cast adds real flavor, Ian McShane as Winston is endlessly intriguing, Common ...

The New Mutants - Another Nail in the X-Men Coffin Rating - 3/10 “You’re not alone anymore.”      The New Mutants had the potential to be something truly unique within the superhero genre, a darker, more psychological take on young mutants discovering their powers and fears. Unfortunately, the final result feels like a jumbled collection of half formed ideas that never quite come together. The film is neither scary enough to be a horror story nor exciting enough to be a true superhero film. It exists somewhere in the middle, lost and unsure of what it wants to be.      The cast actually does a solid job with what they are given. Anya Taylor Joy brings her usual intensity, Maisie Williams gives some genuine heart, and Blu Hunt has moments of sincerity that could have shined under better direction. The problem is that none of these characters get the depth or development they deserve. Their relationships are underwritten and the pacing is so uneven that emot...

Civil War - Another Gripping Alex Garland Film Rating - 7/10 “They’re not the good guys. We’re not the bad guys. We’re just trying to tell the story.”      Civil War is a gripping and unsettling film that imagines an America torn apart, not through some far fetched science fiction lens, but through the eyes of those trying to make sense of it, journalists on the frontlines. Directed by Alex Garland, this film does not hold your hand or over explain its world. Instead, it drops you into chaos and asks you to observe, to feel, and to interpret what you see. It is intense, grounded, and deeply uncomfortable in the best way possible.      The cast delivers sharp and believable performances that make the story feel almost too real. Kirsten Dunst gives one of her most grounded portrayals, showing both weariness and courage as a photojournalist who has seen too much. Her quiet strength contrasts beautifully with the reckless energy of her younger colleague, pla...