East Side Sushi – 7/10

I happened to catch this movie on TV one day, and it immediately drew me in. Once I started watching, I couldn't stop. It's an uplifting story about perseverance, resilience, and how success often comes through failure and hard work.

The film follows a single mother who, along with her aging father, struggles to make ends meet by running a fruit cart. An opportunity arises when she takes a job at a local sushi restaurant, where she discovers a passion for the craft and dreams of becoming a sushi chef. Despite repeated setbacks and the challenges of mastering a new skill, she refuses to give up. Even after proving her talent, she must overcome prejudice from the restaurant's Japanese owner, who is reluctant to have a Mexican woman preparing sushi in front of customers.

Overall, East Side Sushi is a heartwarming, feel-good film about determination, breaking stereotypes, and pursuing your dreams. Definitely worth watching.

Pan-seared, salted beef short ribs cooked in a cast-iron skillet, served with sliced cucumbers seasoned with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, sesame oil, and a touch of Tajín for a bright, citrusy finish.

The Imitation Game (2014) — 9/10 This was a film that completely flew under my radar until I discovered it on Reddit, and I’m glad I gave it a chance. It delivers incredible highs and devastating lows, with some of the best acting I’ve seen in a while. Benedict Cumberbatch absolutely nailed the role, portraying a brilliant but arrogant character whose flaws slowly grow on you. I found similarities to the protagonist from the Chernobyl miniseries, especially the idea that “no good deed goes unpunished.” With excellent pacing and many emotional moments, this is a must-watch for anyone who hasn’t seen it.

Last Stop in Yuma County (2023) – 8/10

This film could have earned a 7/10 largely because of its ending in my opinion. The first two acts are strong enough to deserve a 9 so I settled on 8 overall. A traveling knife salesman, stranded at the last gas station before a long stretch of empty desert highway, is forced to wait for a fuel delivery alongside a group of strangers, each with their own reason for being there. The confined setting creates a tense, character-driven story with a distinct Tarantino-inspired atmosphere. As the situation spirals around stolen bank money, the film reinforces the idea that greed can bring out the worst in people. The dark final act keeps the tension high and over all the movie makes for a very entertaining watch.

Send Help (2026) – 8/10

Send Help is a highly entertaining survival thriller with a compelling story of redemption, anchored by an excellent performance from the film's protagonist.

The story follows a dedicated employee who, after years of hard work, is passed over for a well-earned promotion in favor of a sleazy friend of the owner's son. Recognizing her value to the company, the new owner invites her on an overseas business trip to meet an important client. When their plane crashes, she finds herself stranded on a remote island with her boss.

As they struggle to survive, she gradually discovers that life on the island offers a sense of freedom and purpose that was missing from her previous life and is not willing to give it up for any reason. The film balances survival, character development, and emotional growth remarkably well.

The final act delivers one of the best plot twists I've seen in quite some time, elevating an already engaging story. Send Help is an entertaining watch from beginning to end, and I would highly recommend it.

Dark Waters (2019) – 7/10

Dark Waters is a solid legal drama featuring an excellent performance from Mark Ruffalo. He plays a defense attorney who takes on a powerful corporation with immense influence, political connections, and financial resources.

Knowing that the film is based on a true story makes it especially disturbing. Learning what this corporation knowingly did to this community and many others is deeply unsettling. It also made me question the long-standing stereotype that West Virginia's high rate of birth defects is primarily due to incest. After watching this film, it seems plausible that this narrative helped distract attention from the environmental contamination that was causing serious health issues, including birth defects.

The film is well acted and tells an important, eye-opening story. While the pacing is a bit slow at times, it's still a worthwhile watch because of the real-world impact of the events it depicts.

Normal (2026) – 8/10

I had a great time watching this film. Once the action began, I was completely invested. While the action is very comic book-inspired and far from realistic, that's exactly what made it so entertaining, if you're willing to embrace the over-the-top style, it's a blast.

The story takes place in a town called Normal, though as the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that there is absolutely nothing normal about it. The protagonist arrives to fill a temporary position while a permanent replacement is found. He is portrayed as a genuinely kind and compassionate person who truly cares about the people around him.

After a bank robbery goes horribly wrong, the film takes a dramatic turn. Suddenly, the entire town is hunting him down, forcing him and two unlikely allies to fight for survival through a brutal, snow-covered night. The action is relentless, featuring creative and exhilarating set pieces that fully embrace the film's heightened, comic book-style approach.

As the story progresses, the protagonist realizes he can't simply fight his way through an entire town. Instead, he and his companions devise a clever plan to outsmart the powerful forces controlling the town, leading to an ending that delivers another satisfying twist.

Overall, Normal is an action-packed thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously. If you're in the mood for stylized action, unexpected twists, and a fast-paced ride, it's an easy recommendation.

Ever since I first watched Star Wars: A New Hope in the early 2000s with the added CGI I had always wanted to experience the original 1977 theatrical release exactly as audiences saw it.

For years, I searched for an original VHS copy but never had any luck finding one. Even if I had, by the time I became serious about tracking it down, televisions had advanced to at least 1080p, and an old 480p VHS transfer simply wouldn't have done the film justice.

Recently, I discovered Project 4K77, along with its companion restorations, 4K80 and 4K83, which preserve the original theatrical versions of the original trilogy. I was incredibly excited to learn these projects existed, and today I finally got my hands on 4K77.

Yes, the film is grainy, the lighting isn't as polished as modern releases, and there is no CGI and that's exactly the point. This is the closest experience to what audiences saw in theaters back in 1977, preserving the original look and feel of the film.

Wanted to share this with the community in case there are other Star Wars purists like me. 4K77 Link

Fresh (1994) – 9/10

Very rarely do I feel a film deserves a 9/10, and I don't believe a perfect 10/10 movie exists. Fresh is one of those rare films that earns its score.

The story follows a young boy trapped in a life that no child should have to endure a world with little personal space, little love, and almost no recognition. He realizes that if he wants a better future, no one is going to hand it to him. He must rely on his own intelligence, determination, and the help of people outside his immediate environment to escape the life he was born into.

The performances are outstanding, particularly from Giancarlo Esposito and Samuel L. Jackson, whose supporting roles add tremendous weight to the story. The film's storytelling creates a constant feeling of hopelessness that stays with you from beginning to end.

One of the film's greatest strengths is how it portrays the protagonist's emotional intelligence. When he interacts with children his own age, it's clear that he has matured far beyond them. Yet when he's around the adults in his life, he is reminded that he is still just a child. By the film's conclusion, however, it becomes evident that he is actually more intelligent and more strategic than many of the adults who dismissed him simply because of his age.

Fresh is ultimately a heartbreaking story of resilience and defiance against overwhelming odds. Beneath everything he endures is his unwavering love for his family, especially his older sister. He is a child forced to sacrifice his innocence and grow up far too soon because he cannot stand by and watch the people he loves continue to be exploited.

This is an unforgettable coming-of-age drama with exceptional performances, powerful storytelling, and an ending that leaves a lasting impact.

This is a mini-series rather than a movie. I reviewed the rules and didn't see anything regarding mini-series/shows, but if this review violates the guidelines and is removed, I'll refrain from posting these reviews in the future.

Escape at Dannemora (2018) – 8/10

Most of us remember the story of the prisoners who escaped from this prison because it dominated the news at the time, so I never had much interest in watching what I assumed was just another dramatization. That changed after I came across a YouTube Short featuring two of my favorite actors, Benicio Del Toro and Paul Dano, which immediately caught my attention.

The acting is outstanding. Even though I already knew how the story ended, the series remained incredibly engaging. It explores adultery, prison life, and how people's lives become deeply intertwined behind prison walls. As the story progresses, the pacing does an excellent job of drawing you into the escape, and I found myself rooting for the two inmates despite knowing the outcome.

The final episodes completely change your perspective. One episode focuses almost entirely on what each man did to receive a life sentence, instantly reminding you why they belong in prison and making it difficult to continue sympathizing with them. I would have liked to see more of the escape itself, as that aspect fascinated me and felt a bit too brief. Even though we all know how the story ends, the journey is driven by exceptional acting and compelling storytelling. I thoroughly enjoyed this seven-episode series and ended up binge-watching it.

Frankie and Johnny (1991) – 7/10

Frankie and Johnny is a heartfelt romantic drama that takes place in a time before smartphones, dating apps, and social media transformed the way people meet. Instead of relying on technology, the film explores how genuine relationships were built through face-to-face interactions, patience, and emotional vulnerability.

The story thoughtfully examines the challenges of dating from both the male and female perspectives, highlighting how each approaches love, trust, and commitment differently. Despite being set in a simpler era, the emotional struggles of forming a meaningful relationship remain just as relevant today.

I genuinely enjoyed watching this film. It balances humor and heartfelt moments well, making the characters easy to connect with and their journey engaging from beginning to end. The film's conclusion is particularly rewarding, revealing why one partner has been so hesitant to open up. Once their past is finally shared, the other character and the audience can fully understand the emotional barriers that had been standing in the way all along.

Overall, Frankie and Johnny is a warm, sincere love story that reminds us that while technology has changed the way people meet, the complexities of love, trust, and vulnerability have remained timeless.

Tetris (2023) – 8/10

When I started Tetris, I expected a movie about the creation of a legendary video game. What I got instead was a fascinating look inside the final years of the Soviet Union, where politics, corruption, and high-stakes business collided.

The film does an excellent job of showing how governments, powerful executives, and entrepreneurs fought relentlessly for the rights to one simple game. It's a reminder that behind many of the products we enjoy are complicated stories driven by money, influence, and competing interests. While everyone raced to secure the licensing rights, it was easy to lose sight of the person who actually created the game.

Tetris is an engaging mix of history, suspense, and business drama that kept me interested from beginning to end. Even if you're not a gamer, it's a compelling story about ambition, greed, and the value of innovation.

My rating: 8/10. Definitely worth watching.