Category: 2025-2026

Spoiler-Free Review: “No Other Choice” (2026) directed by Park Chan-wook

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A 40-something man, Man-su (Lee Byung-hun), works at a paper factory; his managerial job provides his family w/ a comfortable life. His wife, Miri (Son Ye-jin), is SAHM of two kids (a teen boy and young girl). All of the family members have hobbies/interests which enrich their lives. Their home is lovely and spacious- a blend of French country house (preferred by South Koreans in the ’70s/’80s) and brutalist architecture. Man-su has a large greenhouse and loves gardening. Abruptly, Man-su’s entire work team is downsized; he is forced to work random jobs for many mos. Desperate to get back his livelihood and pride, he forms a plan to beat the competition when a perfect job opens up!

During the 2019 Busan International Film Festival, director Park Chan-wook confirmed that he was adapting Donald Westlake’s 1997 horror novel, The Ax. At that time, Costa-Gavras held the rights (after adapting it in French in 2005); the Greek filmmaker assisted Park during development. No Other Choice was selected as South Korea’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 2026 Oscars. It was submitted to the 2025 Venice Film Fest and received critical acclaim. I went to a screening w/ the DC Movie Club at Alamo Drafthouse (Bryant St) this past Spring.

If you’re NOT facing job loss, I’m guessing you have fam or friends who’ve dealt w/ it (esp. in the past yr)! This film taps into many (IRL) concerns of the modern age: economic anxiety, loss of status (public/private), crisis of identity (incl. perceived diminishment of masculinity), and the rise of AI. Here we have a dark comedy w/ absurd (yet somewhat relatable) moments rooted in the intense desperation of Mansu (as well as other male characters in his position). We see how the genders respond to uncertainty; as one astute viewer pointed out: “None of the women say ‘no other choice.'” Check this movie out on Disney+/Hulu or HBOMAX. There are few (modern) directors who can surprise (jaded) audiences, make them think, as well as entertain w/ (unique) shots/ visuals!

Spoiler-Free Review: “Sinners” (2025)

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From Ryan Coogler-director of “Black Panther” and “Creed”-and starring Michael B. Jordan comes a new vision of fear: “Sinners.” Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back. -Synopsis (Warner Bros.)

I think it’s his greatest acting challenge yet. I say that having been there to see him level up each time. Fruitvale (Station) was his first time in a movie. -Ryan Coogler re: Michael B. Jordan

I got a free pass to a pre-screening of Sinners at my (local/Regal IMAX) theater in April 2025. The theater was packed; it reminded me of the excitement during the “Barbenheimer” era! As I guessed, this was a must-see/mulit-layered movie. Check it out soon (Netflix)!

The writer/director, Ryan Coogler, said that his biggest influences were  Salem’s Lot (1979), From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) and The Faculty (1998). Another inspo was an ep of Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone (1959). The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank (in S3) centers on a young man from a small Midwestern town who returns to life at his own funeral. This shocks his loved ones and pastor. Despite their trepidation, the townspeople call it a miracle, until rumors swirl re: minor (yet noticeable) shifts in Jeff’s behavior.

The newcomer (breakout star) of the film, Miles Caton (Sammie), learned to play the resonator blues guitar to prep for his role. He recently turned 21, started out as singer, yet is a natural at acting. Just a breath of fresh air (in this time of nepo babies)! Jack O’Connell (Remmick) sings and dances; he is Irish and always wanted to jig in a movie. The large scoring orchestra has a number of talented musicians.

He was just in the dark–like he didn’t turn his lights on. Something about that was, like, so intriguing. This kid looked like he was in his basement, like in between homework assignments. But he had this voice–a once-in-a-lifetime voice. -Ryan Coogler on Miles Caton

Documentary filmmaker, Dolly Li, noted that Coogler’s father-in-law had Chinese Delta ancestors, like the Chows: Grace (Li Jun Li- recently seen in Babylon) and Bo (Yao- a Chinese-Singaporean actor). Sinners was set in Clarksdale during the Jim Crow era (the height of Chinese grocery stores’ popularity in the region). Li is listed in the end credits as a consultant.

[1] The acting across the board is full of nuance, expression, and authenticity.

[2] There’s a dark humour running beneath it all, and the music is incredible – bluesy, moody, full of soul. It’s a film that takes risks with tone and style, but it all comes together. Vicious, vibey, and unlike anything else in the genre.

[3] What separates (and elevates) this film from your standard supernatural horror flick is the fact that the director chose to spend more time in the first act developing our and exploring our characters.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

Spoiler-Free Review: “Nuremberg” (2025) starring Russell Crowe, Rami Malek, Michael Shannon, & Leo Woodall

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JUDGEMENT IS COMING. -Tagline

Hermann Göring: Just because someone is your ally, does not mean they are on your side.

In mid-1945, France, the Soviet Union, the UK, and the US convened a joint tribunal in Nuremberg (occupied Germany) w/ the Nuremberg Charter as its legal instrument. The charter upended the traditional view of international law by holding individuals, rather than states, responsible for breaches. Btwn November 20, 1945 and October 1,1946, the International Military Tribunal (IMT) tried 22 of the most important surviving Nazis leaders (in political, military, and economic spheres), as well as 6 German orgs. The charges were crimes against peace, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The purpose of the trial was NOT just to convict the defendants, but also to assemble irrefutable evidence of Nazi crimes, offer a history lesson to the Germans, and delegitimize their elite.

Dr. Douglas Kelley: I’m curious what the attraction was. There’s a failed painter, not a very good soldier, yet he was worshipped and revered.

Hermann Göring: He made us feel German again.

Dr. Kelley: How?

Göring: First of all, I had seen Germany crushed. And along comes a man who says “We can reclaim our former glory.” Would you not follow a man like this?

Dr. Kelley: Depends what else you were willing to do.

On THURS (last NOV 7th), I was among the early viewers of this historical drama written/directed by James Vanderbilt. I’d never hear of this filmmaker before; he was one of the screenwriters of Scream (2022) and Zodiac (2007). After seeing several promos and teaser trailers (on IG), I was V curious. FYI: I was a History minor in undergrad. There are several films/series re: the Nuremberg trials, BUT I haven’t watched them yet. I’d assumed that this story would be focused on the law, BUT it is told from a psychological (mental health) perspective. Dr. Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek) wrote the book 22 Cells in Nuremberg which detailed his personal accounts of interactions w/ Nuremberg trial persons. The final chapter details how he could see the events of pre-WWII Germany occurring in (modern day) U.S.

Justice Robert H. Jackson: We are able to do away with domestic tyranny only when we make all men answerable to the law, so that it can never happen again.

As one critic wrote on Letterboxd: “This movie couldn’t be more timely!” I suggest that ppl check it out (at least on streaming, IF unable to see in theaters). As I was at a matinee on a weekday, there were only a handful of ppl in my audience. I was moved and learned some things also! Justice Jackson (Michael Shannon) took leave from his day job (SCOTUS) to be lead prosecutor in the trials. After WWII, popular opinion (among Allies) was that captured Nazis should be hanged w/o trial. Russell Crowe is in his villain era, and it works for him!

[1] The “cat and mouse” relationship between Malek and Crowe is ever changing and complex. Very timeless story of the ascent of evil rings very true today. 

[2] This really worked for me. It felt electric, which seems crazy for the subject matter. It had a palpable energy, and so stylish.

[3] Overall a great cast, but for me the other standout was Woodall, the translator for the doctor. I wish younger people would see it including in high school, but I doubt they ever will in the US.

Parallels with 2025 events in the USA are very real plus now anti-semitism is worldwide.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

“The History of Sound” (2025) starring Paul Mescal & Josh O’Connor

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Lionel Worthing (Irish actor Paul Mescal) is a music prodigy from a humble Kentucky farming family who is able to visualize sound. Orphaned in adolescence, David White (British actor Josh O’Connor) is from a privileged background under his uncle’s guardianship in Newport, RI. Both become students at a music conservatory in Boston and meet at a bar in 1917. Their shared love of folk music brings them together; that bond soon becomes romantic. While the Great War (WWI) separates them, they’re brought back post-war when David (a researcher at an Augusta, Maine college) asks Lionel to accompany him on a trip to collect folk songs. Chris Cooper (the older version of Lionel) narrates the audiobook version of the short story on which the film is based.

Lionel: What happens to all the sound released into the world that is never captured?

The film was announced in October 2021, but due to challenges in aligning schedules of director Oliver Hermanus (who hails from South Africa and is a queer man of color), Mescal, and O’Connor, filming didn’t begin until FEB 2024. Mescal is one of the EPs, which marks the 1st time he has received a producing credit on a film. Mescal and O’Connor became close friends during the pandemic; both young actors shared the experience of becoming famous at the same time. Mescal co-starred in Normal People; O’Connor played Prince Charles in The Crown (S3 & S4). I was excited for this movie (being a fan of its leads), BUT was also somewhat hesitant. I was NOT a fan of the 2024 miniseries (Mary and George) that Hermanus directed. Though the story is centered around Lionel, David is the more interesting character. O’Connor’s gazes, micro-expressions, and (variety) of smiles draw the audience in. No wonder Lionel was under his spell and wanted to follow him wherever he went! The American accents are flawless and the singing was quite good, too.

[1] My favorite scenes were when Paul and Josh were together. They’re both great actors in my opinion, had amazing chemistry. I just wish we had gotten more! Having these two as your lead actors, the possibilities are endless. Perhaps my expectations were too high. That said, I loved the beginning and the last 30 minutes. Another positive is that it’s a beautiful film, with gorgeous shots!

[2] A love story is at the core of director Oliver Hermanus’ slow-moving 2025 period drama, but his introspective approach doesn’t generate enough heat to make it palpable beyond what is portrayed onscreen.

[3] The movie looks gorgeous. The American scenes in particular are reminiscent of the paintings of Andrew Wyeth. Art decoration and cinematography are beautifully detailed. The music is all based on American folk songs wonderfully augmented by evocative music composed by cellist Oliver Coates. […]

This movie is probably not for everybody, but those interested in folk music and American history will find it rewarding. I was tempted to add “gay studies,” but I think that would be somewhat misleading. That is, however, the central issue, even though it never takes center stage. I think that’s what makes the film so haunting.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

Spoiler-Free Review: “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” (2025)

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A young woman in Paris, who dreams of becoming a successful writer and experiencing true love, may finally have her Jane Austen moment… -Tagline

Writer-director (Laura Piani) was inspired to write this story during her time working at Shakespeare and Company, a famed bookstore in Paris. Agathe (Camille Rutherford) is a 30-something/Parisian/single bookseller who shares banter w/ her pal/co-worker Felix (Pablo Pauly). As Austen may’ve said, she is at the risk of being an “old maid” and he is a scoundrel (prone to hookups/situation-ships). Agathe accuses Felix of “breadcrumbing,” yet you still can imagine attraction btwn the two friends. Felix (secretly) submits the first few chapters of Agathe’s novel; to her shock, she is selected to attend a writer’s retreat (The Jane Austen Residency)! When she gets to England, she meets Oliver (Charlie Anson), a Lit prof whose parents run the residency.

This is type of mid-budget/rom com that rarely gets made (in the US) today! FYI: This film is in BOTH French and English. It deals w/ real-world issues, yet has quiet humor. None of the characters are glam, young, or look like “typical” movie stars. I recommend it for those who’re NOT only Austen fans, BUT enjoy quiet movies and (slow burn/brainy) types of romances. A neighborhood gal pal and I had a good time!

[1] The acting works for the screenplay. While short, nothing is forced. Nothing is contrived, either. Everything that happens here doesn’t elicit any disbelief.

[2] This movie has the capacity to make you smile and laugh and feel contentment with its conclusion. I’d recommend a watch.

[3] It was nice to get a fresh take on an Austin-like writer, rather than as a retelling of one of her characters. As Agathe observes, Austen was the first writer to write women as humans, and idea which absolutely needs to be revisited in the current media world. This film successfully does that in making Agathe a messy and imperfect human in the best way.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews