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James Preston Poole
Tomatometer-approved critic
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Rebel Moon - Part One: Director's Cut (2024) |
Rebel Moon – Chapter One: Chalice of Blood is a promising if not quite, but close to, return to form for Zack Snyder. - But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Aug 02, 2024
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Trap (2024) |
Trap combines white-knuckle suspense with black comedy in a one-of-a-kind character study that sees writer-director M. Night Shyamalan mastering his craft all over again. - Discussing Film
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| Posted Aug 02, 2024
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Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) |
With the exception of a few rough edges, Deadpool & Wolverine rises to the occasion as a summer blockbuster spark that could reignite the fervor around the Marvel Cinematic Universe. If future projects keep this up, that could be a great thing. - Discussing Film
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| Posted Jul 23, 2024
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The Black Phone (2021) |
The Black Phone isn’t just the best film Scott Derrickson has made thus far… it’s a larger testament to the kind of humanity and imagination that can come out of modern horror.
- Discussing Film
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| Posted Jul 23, 2024
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The Iron Claw (2023) |
The Iron Claw is exquisite human drama, plain and simple. - Discussing Film
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| Posted Jul 23, 2024
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Love Lies Bleeding (2024) |
Love Lies Bleeding reaches engrossing levels in its connective thematic tissue, which is the interplay between love and violence. - Discussing Film
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| Posted Jul 23, 2024
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A Real Pain (2024) |
A Real Pain taps into the common experience of connecting with the struggles of our past and trying to move through the aching of our present. Filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg has a distinctly humanist lens that reaches deep into our hearts. - Discussing Film
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| Posted Jul 23, 2024
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Monkey Man (2024) |
Monkey Man boasts a unique identity and bold originality to its epicness that cannot be compared to any other revenge thriller. - Discussing Film
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| Posted Jul 23, 2024
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New Strains (2023) |
As an art piece, or perhaps a time capsule, the project succeeds. As a film, it barely rises to the occasion. - But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Jul 20, 2024
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Oddity (2024) |
Due to a story very much worth telling and Carolyn Bracken giving the complex character of Darcy her all, Oddity carves a unique place in modern horror. - Discussing Film
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| Posted Jul 16, 2024
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When Evil Lurks (2023) |
Defiantly crossing several lines even the most twisted of films in the genre wouldn’t dare step over, and coursing with a helpless, hopeless feeling, When Evil Lurks has the makings of a new high-mark for horror, for those who can stomach it at least. - The Cosmic Circus
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| Posted Jul 13, 2024
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Napoleon (2023) |
I’m invigorated and inspired by the fact that a movie like Napoleon can exist in the modern era ... the blend of war epic and farcical romance, acted and directed masterfully, is the kind of full spectacle that we go to the movies for. - The Cosmic Circus
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| Posted Jul 13, 2024
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Rebel Moon: Part One - A Child of Fire (2023) |
Rebel Moon – Part 1: A Child of Fire is kind of a mess, but a delicious one, predicated on if you can see the potential in the universe and forthcoming longer cut or not. I see the vision. - The Cosmic Circus
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| Posted Jul 13, 2024
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Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) |
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a movie so desperate to be liked that it appeals to no one. It’s a tornado of mismanagement, tonal shifts, a story that doesn’t make a lick of sense, and a complete lack of identity. - The Cosmic Circus
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| Posted Jul 13, 2024
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Night Swim (2024) |
Night Swim is a shallow genre exercise that goes in one ear, out the other. - The Cosmic Circus
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| Posted Jul 13, 2024
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Civil War (2024) |
Civil War is a reflection of what you bring to it. That puts the impetus on the viewer to meet the film on its level. Some won’t like what they find. The nature of that discussion is what will ultimately make this film immortal. - Discussing Film
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) |
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire resorts to jingling keys in front of viewers’ faces instead of honing its more vital elements. If this is what the Ghostbusters franchise, or any other franchise for that matter, has to do to stay relevant, then good riddance. - Discussing Film
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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Y2K (2024) |
At the very least, this disaster comedy will appeal to millennials with fond memories of the ’90s time period. - Discussing Film
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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The Beekeeper (2024) |
It may not be(e) a game changer, but the base charms of The Beekeeper are pure honey. - The Cosmic Circus
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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Freaky Tales (2024) |
Freaky Tales feels like a fresh start for Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck, a wild genre extravaganza that’s equal parts tribute to 1987 Oakland and a major good time on its own. - The Cosmic Circus
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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Hit Man (2023) |
The creative partnership between Richard Linklater and Glen Powell hits its zenith in a motion picture that could single-handedly bring the rom-com back to its former heights. - The Cosmic Circus
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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Love Me (2024) |
Love Me oscillates through notable highs and baffling lows. - The Cosmic Circus
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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Lisa Frankenstein (2024) |
Diablo Cody ushers in a valuable new talent in Zelda Williams, Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse continue to hone their talent, and the dark-hearted among us may have found their new favorite movie.
- The Cosmic Circus
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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The Fall Guy (2024) |
It took him a while, but David Leitch finally found the perfect movie for his sensibilities. I doubt it will be his last great crowd-pleaser, as The Fall Guy is a harbinger for things to come. - The Cosmic Circus
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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Challengers (2024) |
Challengers simply makes you feel alive. - Discussing Film
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) |
Bad Boys: Ride or Die feels like a relic of action cinema past. Take a somewhat predictable storyline, throw in two lovable leads, and then pump all the juice into the action. It plays unbelievably well. - Discussing Film
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) |
This prequel is an assured work, one that brings the action and scares while at the same time treading fertile new thematic ground. It’s invigorating to see a franchise film be this concerned about being a great movie first and brand extension second. - Discussing Film
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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The First Omen (2024) |
The First Omen is an assured piece of work that makes its mark by taking its concept seriously. [Arkasha] Stevenson weaves a wicked tale that’s as scary as it is critical of organized religion. - The Cosmic Circus
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 (2024) |
For the faithful, Kevin Costner‘s introduction to his magnum opus is pure cinema, warts and all. - The Cosmic Circus
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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The Blue Angels (2024) |
Due to the inability to dig deeper here, it resembles a commercial that never ends ... The Blue Angels is great for footage of these masters of aerial maneuvering doing their thing and not much else. - But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024) |
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is a terrific action-comedy, a welcome return for a comedy icon with all the charisma and laughs you’d want from this sort of film. - But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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MaXXXine (2024) |
Maxxxine is a salacious, thrilling trilogy closer that sends out one of A24’s most ambitious projects out on the high notes of ’80s sleaze. Like the title character, Ti West and Mia Goth are stars.
- The Cosmic Circus
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| Posted Jul 09, 2024
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Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) |
As Caesar’s followers would say: “Apes Together Strong,” and if talented creatives continue to put in the work, this franchise will continue to be strong. - But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted May 08, 2024
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The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024) |
...The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is Guy Ritchie on autopilot. - But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Apr 18, 2024
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The People's Joker (2022) |
The People’s Joker is bonafide outsider art—a remixing of classic mythology to tell a compelling trans-coming-of-age narrative that will be lauded for years to come.
- But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Apr 05, 2024
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Sasquatch Sunset (2024) |
Due to everyone’s belief in Sasquatch Sunset, it becomes so much more than a silly Sasquatch story; it’s a genuine testament to the power of the family unit.
- But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Apr 02, 2024
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Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) |
Although Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire focuses on who will reign Earth, there’s no question which Monsterverse film reigns above all the others.
- But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Mar 28, 2024
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Things Will Be Different (2024) |
Things Will Be Different is a work of science fiction genius that deserves to become a cult classic.
- But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Mar 19, 2024
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Arcadian (2024) |
Arcadian is hardly the most original film to debut at SXSW. No matter, it’s still a great version of a post-apocalyptic family coming together story bolstered by cheer-worthy creature design.
- But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Mar 15, 2024
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My Dead Friend Zoe (2024) |
My Dead Friend Zoe drives home the heartbreaking struggle countless Americans back from war experience upon coming home. Its dubious politics regarding the United States military aside, it carries with it palpable authenticity. - But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Mar 11, 2024
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Babes (2024) |
Judging by the initial audience reactions, Babes looks to be a winner… Come for Ilana Glazer and Michelle Buteau’s outstanding chemistry. Stay for the treatise on friendship and the cosmic joke that is pregnancy.
- But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Mar 10, 2024
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Road House (2024) |
Road House shapes up as a serviceable remake that knows what it is, and doesn’t strive to innovate beyond that. In other words, the perfect movie for streaming.
- But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Mar 09, 2024
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Dune: Part Two (2024) |
…In an era where heroism and saviors are taken at face value, Dune: Part Two redefines what kind of stories blockbusters can tell.
- But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Feb 21, 2024
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Presence (2024) |
For all its flaws in dialogue, the effect of its approach makes it a welcome refresh for a well-trodden subgenre of horror. - But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Feb 06, 2024
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Kneecap (2024) |
Kneecap is a chronicle of a particular group and a rallying cry all in one. - But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Feb 06, 2024
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She Is Conann (2023) |
She is Conann is an invigorating new spin on a classic tale that breathes bizarre new life into it. - But Why Tho? A Geek Community
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| Posted Feb 06, 2024
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