Mike Kaye
@captainkaye42.bsky.social
430 followers 530 following 390 posts
Media critic, Co-founder of Renegadepopculture.com. Co-host of Renegade Animation. Music Nerd. Animation junkie.
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captainkaye42.bsky.social
I was pleasantly surprised by #Roofman, a film that plays to everyone's strengths, but especially Channing Tatum's. Portraying real-life spree robber Jeffrey Manchester allows him to show off his range as an actor. Highly recommended!
A review of Roofman (2025)
Quick thoughts: 2025 has been full of surprises, hasn't it? It's been about 9 years since Derek Cianfrance's last directorial effort, and he's returned with what looks to be his most accessible film t...
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captainkaye42.bsky.social
I'm a little late to this one, but that doesn't make #goodboymovie any less special! It might be cheating to have a dog as the protagonist, but Indy is so damn good that he makes it easy to root for him. Highly recommended!
A review of Good Boy (2025)
Quick thoughts: As a former dog owner, and someone who grew up watching Courage the Cowardly Dog, I was more or less the target audience for this movie. This is the feature directorial debut for Ben L...
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captainkaye42.bsky.social
I overall enjoyed #TheSmashingMachine, but it's probably my least favorite Safdie Brothers movie to date. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson gives a genuinely terrific performance, but the film itself struggles to find its own identity. A soft recommendation.
A review of The Smashing Machine (2025)
Quick thoughts: There is a trend that has been happening recently, with filmmaking duos splitting up, in an attempt for each brother to form their own creative identities. In the case of Josh and Benn...
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captainkaye42.bsky.social
I'll get to the other indie horror film next weekend, but for now, I encourage you all to seek out #BoneLake! Try to go into this as blind as possible like I did, because the less you know, the more effective the twist will be.
A review of Bone Lake (2024)
Quick thoughts: This turned out to be quite a busy weekend, hasn't it? Good Boy will probably have to wait until next week, because I wanted to make sure I saw this one in theaters. Ever since it prem...
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captainkaye42.bsky.social
Haven't had a chance yet to get to Marvel Zombies, but I 1000% agree with this, regarding more horror stuff in the MCU!
captainkaye42.bsky.social
Fair point. Right now, I’m speaking as a prisoner of the moment lol
captainkaye42.bsky.social
Speaking of Nolan, it does kinda feel like WB wants PTA to pick up where he left off, if you know what I mean.
captainkaye42.bsky.social
I can’t say that anything will tip There Will Be Blood for me.

But I will say that I like the direction he could be heading in post-OBAA.
captainkaye42.bsky.social
Like I said, I’m not going to argue against this.

But I have to ask, is this your new favorite PTA joint?
captainkaye42.bsky.social
One Battle After Another is not quite my #1 movie of the year, but I won't argue with anyone who puts it at the top of their list. This is PTA at his most populist, but still has a lot on its mind. Chase Infiniti gives an absolute star-making performance!
A review of One Battle After Another (2025)
Quick thoughts: I'd like to take a second to de-mystify the aura surrounding writer and director Paul Thomas Anderson. Despite how some of his films may be perceived, I have a hard time calling someon...
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captainkaye42.bsky.social
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that #HIMMovie is being overhated. There is plenty to like, from Marlan Wayans' incredible performance, to the production design and Bobby Krlic's phenomenal score. It just needed to be either smarter or dumber.
A review of HIM (2025)
Quick thoughts: Look, I have to be honest, I've never exactly been the biggest fan of studios using the name of a big name producer to sell a movie while upstaging the actual director. Not that I don'...
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captainkaye42.bsky.social
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is absolutely worth a trip to the theater! I'll have more in depth thoughts on the next Renegade Animation podcast, but for now, come for the gorgeously animated fight sequences, and stay for Akaza's heartbreaking backstory!
A review of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle (2025)
Quick thoughts: Do you want to know why the Demon Slayer anime is ending on a film trilogy as opposed to a traditional 11 episode final season? I can think of 2 reasons. One of them is pretty obvious,...
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captainkaye42.bsky.social
The Long Walk rules! Between this and The Life of Chuck, 2025 is now 2/2 when it comes to Stephen King adaptations. Director Francis Lawrence and screenwriter JT Mollner understood the assignment completely, and so did this incredible ensemble cast! See it!
A review of The Long Walk (2025)
Quick thoughts: This year, we're getting 3 adaptations of Stephen King's novels and/or short stories on the big screen. Earlier in the year we had Mike Flanagan's feel good drama The Life of Chuck, an...
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