Abbasali Unwala

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 – “Visually Stunning, Emotionally Divided” Superman (2025) is a film that feels less like a superhero epic and more like a mirror to our present-day realities. While the storyline is okayish at best and doesn’t break much new ground in terms of plot or character arcs, it surprisingly hits a raw nerve with its underlying themes — especially the portrayal of a deep-rooted conflict between two opposing sides, which I couldn’t help but feel was a subtle reflection of the ongoing Gaza-Israel situation. The film doesn’t explicitly name names, but the moral gray areas, the collateral damage, and the emotional weight carried by civilians in the middle of powerful forces all echo too closely with real-world headlines. Whether intentional or not, that parallel gives the film a heavier tone than you’d expect from a Superman movie. What does soar is the visual direction. The CGI, the action set-pieces, and even the quieter, apocalyptic scenes are jaw-dropping. It’s clear the filmmakers poured their budget and effort into making this visually unforgettable — even if the story doesn’t quite live up to the same level. Overall, Superman (2025) is worth a watch for its spectacle and subtle political undertones, but don’t expect a revolutionary story. It’s not truth or justice that stands out this time — it’s the uncomfortable reality we’re already living in.

*️⃣ Performance Powerhouse – Al Pacino delivers a career-defining tour de force as Lt. Col. Frank Slade. His blind-eagle monologues, sharp wit, and raw emotional depth bring sincerity and gravitas to every scene. It’s the kind of performance you can’t look away from. *️⃣ Heartfelt Chemistry – Chris O’Donnell as Charlie Simms matches Pacino’s energy with quiet integrity. Their unlikely bond—from awkward introductions to mutual respect—feels genuine and emotionally resonant. The mentor–mentee dynamic is compelling and moving. *️⃣ Memorable Moments – From the iconic Tango scene (that line “That’s a man! …” kills it) to the courtroom speech that chills you, the film delivers scenes that linger long after the credits roll. *️⃣ One Minor Critique – The subplot around Charlie’s moral dilemma feels slightly predictable compared to the more nuanced character work and dialogue elsewhere. It’s engaging, but the resolution isn’t quite as surprising as the rest of the journey. ⸻ Bottom line: Scent of a Woman blends powerhouse acting, unforgettable moments, and heartfelt storytelling into a polished and emotionally rich package. It’s a film that earns its reputation, and even with a small hiccup in plot originality, it’s a must-watch if you appreciate character-driven dramas.

I wanted to love this surreal sci-fi thriller, but Vivarium ended up feeling more frustrating than thought-provoking. The premise is intriguing: a young couple trapped in a seemingly endless, identical suburban maze and forced to raise a mysterious child. But at just under 100 minutes, the film stretches that one idea way too thin. What worked: The eerie, pastel-perfect neighborhood and creeping sense of paranoia are visually unsettling. Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots both do credible jobs portraying fear, confusion, and desperation in the face of a bizarre nightmare. What didn’t: The pacing drags in the middle—they milk the one setup for more screen time than it can carry. The “child” is both creepily uncanny and sparsely written, which undercuts any emotional impact. And the story’s payoff? More confusing than satisfying, leaving me thinking, “So… what was the point?” I appreciate ambitious ideas on screen, but Vivarium never ventures beyond its intriguing start. It’s a decent watch if you’re into slow-burn existential dread, but don’t expect a gripping narrative or meaningful resolution. Entertaining in parts, but ultimately underwhelming.

Midnight Mass is a humdrum slog disguised as cerebral horror—seven episodes of endless talking that go absolutely nowhere until the last minute of the final episode. It’s like someone decided to make a vampire epic but mostly filmed two people having solemn conversations in dimly lit rooms. The dialogue isn’t deep—it’s overblown, preachy, and never-ending. I was half-convinced they were auditioning for a “longest monologue” contest. When anything remotely creepy finally happened, it felt tacked on and abrupt, not built-up. Scenes wander aimlessly across the island, and characters make decisions that defy all logic. The pace is excruciatingly slow—this should’ve been a movie, not a seven-hour mini-series. By episode three, I was fast-forwarding just to get to something—anything—that felt like real story. Honestly, the makeup and production can’t save the yawner of a script. I kept waiting for tension, terror, or at least a halfway satisfying payoff. But nope—just a protracted buildup and a rushed, hollow ending. Skip this one unless you have a burning desire to hear philosophical soliloquies while waiting for vampires to show up. Even then—you’ll likely fall asleep first.

I went into The Open House expecting a tense thriller. What I got was 90 minutes of nothing happening, followed by an ending so pointless it actually made me mad. The film throws out creepy setups — weird neighbors, dark basements, open doors — but never follows through. It builds tension like it’s going somewhere… and then just doesn’t. No answers, no backstory, not even a motive. It’s like the writers hit a word count and just stopped. The characters constantly make dumb decisions, the pacing drags, and the plot feels like it was made up as they went along. When the movie ended, I literally said out loud, “That’s it?” Honestly, the scariest part of The Open House was realizing I wasted my evening on it. Do yourself a favor and skip it.

Movie Review: Night Swim Night Swim attempts to dive into the horror-thriller genre but sadly ends up sinking without a trace. The film’s plot is riddled with logical inconsistencies, leaving the viewer more puzzled than petrified. From start to finish, the narrative lacks cohesion, making it difficult to understand how this project made it past the planning stage. What’s more baffling is the film’s overreliance on a single location — nearly the entire movie is confined to one swimming pool, resulting in a claustrophobic and monotonous viewing experience that fails to build any meaningful tension. The lack of variety in setting only amplifies the film’s shortcomings in writing and direction. With little to offer in terms of plot, character development, or originality, Night Swim stands out for all the wrong reasons. In a genre known for creative storytelling and suspenseful buildup, this film is unfortunately one of the weakest entries in recent memory.

Very slow & boring!! Looks really dull & acting is also subpar, main is lack of plot, not recommended

Very average movie. I have seen so many survival movies but here no military is called, police is not doing anything, just his frnd goes down with a torch on his head even his frnd is not given any walkie talkie or shoes or oxygen tank nothing, just chappals & torch absolutely makes zero sense. While pulling up also from no where hos frnd Avinash comes up & says to loosen the rope who looks completely drunk & not in his senses and everybody just follows his instruction. Even the end is just random like what happens with Subash nothing is shown plus in the entire movie the characters are unnecessarily so loud and over reacting to everything, very basic and average film

The movie overall felt quite underwhelming. A particular scene in the subway stood out as completely unnecessary, adding little to the plot or character development. For the most part, the emotional connection between the characters only came through towards the end, which was a missed opportunity to engage viewers earlier. While it’s not a bad film, it doesn’t rise above mediocrity and falls into the category of being just an average watch. It’s suitable for OTT streaming but lacks the depth or excitement to make it a memorable cinematic experience.

Only the 1st 10 to 15 mins were fun and then it’s an Extremely boring movie🥱