Film Reviews 280
@filmreviews280.bsky.social
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Reviews should guide an audience, not spoil a film. In 280 chars, Caitlin Donnelly cuts 2 the chase—helping u decide which films r worth a view & which 2 skip. (View 500+ additional movie reviews posted since 2019 on X @FilmReviews280.)
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German teen secretly spreads truth about Nazis, regardless of consequences – Writer/director #MattWhitaker presents true WW2 story that fascinates/horrifies/saddens/inspires (perseverance) in #Truth&Treason that I’m happy 2 now know. #EwanHorrocks excels as lead.
UFC-centric #TheSmashingMachine has fanbase of millions, but I struggle 2 c appeal of #DwayneJohnson passion project. Kerr (Johnson) may think no bigger thrill than winning but I couldn’t get past idea that no bigger loss than 2 1’s brain(or life), an all 2 common UFC consequence. [X post: 10/15/25]
W/some minor changes (e.g. no selfies), I could easily imagine #TheWomanInCabin10 (“A human story 4 inhumane times.”) as a B/W 80 yrs ago. This new movie of romance/murder/mystery in 1 main setting –inaug lux ship 2 Norway– may b a bore 2 some, but I view it as harkening classics. [X post: 10/13/25]
RobertRedford only in his 20s when he acted in AlfredHitchcockPresents&TheAlfredHitchcockHour in the 1960s, but his skill is evident. I recommend streaming his 3 performances, as I enjoyed it 4 both it's typical Hitch-style story & its chars (of course, liked Hitch interludes 2) [X post: 9/17/25]
Understatement 2 say #CharlieSheen life has been unorthodox. Netflix 2P docu #akaCharlieSheen very interesting, whether ur a fanORnot, though cing it almost felt like form of voyeurism – drugs/sex/tv/movies/success/failure (Unfortunately, father&brother not among those interviewed) [X post: 9/15/25]
I understand desire 2 revisit a loved franchise family, the Crawleys. I don’t understand why DowntonAbbeyTheGrandFinale modernizes said fam&their issues. Despite title&depending on bo, anyone else think this isn’t really end, as house successor named? (I miss MaggieSmith grandma)
Variety perfectly described #Weapons like #BrothersGrimm story, the orig, not Disney. The film revolves around teacher/parents&Alex, as they search 4 answer 2 “Where did the kids go?” after 17 vanish. More an eerie, not scary horror, it should’ve been cut/compressed a bit (20or30m) [X post: 9/10/25]
Excluding 1st scene, #Twinless not all about sex, homosexual or straight, but 2 often undertones in story of man coping w/estranged twin’s death w/help of man who secretly has connection 2 death. Perhaps it would feel more authentic if either writer was twin OR Dennis had been lead [X post: 9/5/25]
#CaughtStealing good; #DarrenAronofsky has done better. Based on book said 2 b Hitchcockian, tale of NYC bartender/fmr baseball phenome isn’t same quality&2 convoluted btwn dreams/reality & past/present that I lost interest (sim w/ #AustinButler, as shirtless body often so bloody) [X post: 8/29/25]
I enjoyed #Eden & can’t understand why limit release a flop. Prob should’ve been developed/released at peak pop of reality tv/Survivor 2 capitalize on stranded ppl/island (Still, interpersonal conflict frequent fodder) Maybe #RonHoward enough $ he only chooses passion projects now? [X post: 8/27/25]
Appreciate that #Nobody2 setting was more vibrant than #Nobody, but that’s about all I can say positively about a film that starts with rather mundane family vacation challenges which unsurprisingly give rise to violent action. Are they prepping his son 4 another sequel? I hope not [X post: 8/25/25]
2nd in trilogy tends 2 b worst. Disliked Drive-AwayDolls, P1 of #EthanCoen "lesbian B-movie trilogy" as he terms them/like 2nd, #HoneyDon’t, less. Plot truly ~1hr w/29m of sex. So short but=🕒spent on life of Honey w/her click-clack heels & pastor investigation means no conclusion [X post: 8/22/25]
With involvement of #SpikeLee #DenzelWashington, I expected #Highest2Lowest 2 b firm + or -; instead, it’s ~. As whole, film is streaming quality, perhaps extended L&O:SVU episode. Acting didn’t reflect skill of the Oscar-winner…but soundtrack nice distraction from lack of uniquity [X post: 8/20/25]
Americana =“things associated w/culture & history of America” per Oxford definition. As East Coaster near metro area that is not what I saw in new film #Americana & I was bored by film that spent 2 much time focused on gun violence. Tbh, though, I’m not #SydneySweeney key fanbase [X post: 8/15/25]
"I am big; it's the pictures that got small." Discounting B&W, films like #SunsetBoulevard & chars like Norma r still common. Striving 4 career success & $$$, therewithin, as Joe must, is also not dated & why #Wilder classic remains entertaining (Feminist 4 era, particularly Betty) [X post: 8/14/25]
It’s good sign as 2 perceived authenticity that I wondered why #StrangeHarvest was theatrical feature, not Dateline story (B4hand, I hadn’t researched film) Stories from fams/cops independently terrifying, but wish more scenes featured villain, further showcasing his vile actions. [X post: 8/11/25]
Wish #FreakyFriday franchise 2025 reboot #FreakierFriday was simply modernized remake of orig w/new actors like ’76/’03 versions. As a 2003 teen, I enjoyed Lohan/Curtis film but no urge 2 revisit chars. So much nostalgia built-in but also mocking millennials, so not sure desired aud [X post: 8/8/25]
Exaggerated exmp of relationship, encapsulating early passion/fraught end in2 wknd trip, Oh, Hi! understandably/still deceivingly named. Modern/diff romcom? Maybe but tech not prominent. Lesson: no bondage in reconciliation sex early on. (Only 94m so 1 main set not claustrophobic) [X Post: 8/6/25]
Has #LiamNeeson been comedic actor in disguise, just like he disguised himself as little girl,etc in #TheNakedGun? LeslieNielsen irreplaceable in franchise&2 much energy spent on paying homage BUT 2bh, just like w/orig film, "dumb" jokes made me laugh, e.g. "MansLaughter...Must have been some joke".
Would the #SpiceGirls b flattered or aghast that their 1996 song #2Become1 was part of/perhaps inspiration 4 new film #Together? Rather than horror, I would describe Together a subpar psychological melodrama. Fantasy elements an odd distraction from couple’s issues, not frightening. [X post 7/30/25]
2nd 90s film in a row that didn’t need reboot. #HappyGilmore2 prob won’t satisfy orig fans of buffoonery nor will it fully satisfy fans of #AdamSandler more mature comedies 4 the opp reason–but just like Happy had 2 get in2 game again 2 earn needed $, it already has fan base/viewers [X post 7/28/25]
Millennials, just cuz movie was popular in our teens yrs doesn’t mean reboot needed. That said, I didn’t hate #IKnowWhatYouDidLastSummer2025, as it [1] acknowledges 1997 film [2] Hewitt & PrinzeJr r still key 2 plot [3] some aspects mimic original, including a lack of quality [X post: 7/25/25]
“Me. We.,” this MuhammadAli poem spoken by RabbiMo in #Guns&Moses reflects commitment 2 protecting flock, principle broader than 1 relig. While I very much enjoyed most of film, akin 2 detective dramas/presents itself as modern, I found Western-style shooting sequence out-of-place [X post: 7/22/25]
Every1 knows the Smurfs, created in '58/premiered in US on NBC in '81, so I wrongly assumed 2025 #Smurfs would attempt 2 appeal 2 (grand)parents not just kids they accompany. Smurfs remain cute & cast is star-filled, just recog it’s simply a 92m modern self-confidence lesson 4 kids [X post 7/20/25]
Not enough time passed 2 fully psych process #COVID era’s long-term effects, as attempted in #Eddington, partic not in purported satiric way (racial/ethnic riots/judgements remain now as antisemitism) What starts even keeled devolves 2 “defund police” promotion, a naïve proposition [X post: 7/18/25]