Ratings Central - Movies

I went into the first Smile  movie thinking I was in for a quick, predictable “one-and-done” horror flick in the style of Truth or Dare or It Follows . I expected slim plotlines, B-list vibes, and a forgettable experience. But Smile actually managed to deliver depth and genuine creep factor, and when I heard there’d be a Smile 2 , I immediately thought, Here we go—they’re going to milk this dry. Turns out I was wrong— Smile 2 was solid, continuing just six days after the events of the first film and taking an impressive dive into the dark, manipulative nature of the Smile demon. That level of respect for continuity and commitment to the psychological angle actually had me cautiously optimistic for Smile 2 .  Image by Rotten Tomatoes Solid Lore and a Deeper Character Dive Smile 2  builds well on the groundwork set up by the previous film, especially when it comes to understanding the Smile demon. In Smile 2 , we really get to see the mind games and subtle manipulations...

The premise of 9 Windows seemed like it might bring a fresh spin to the “stalker on the loose” genre. At first, it did. The story builds up the mystery effectively, keeping us on edge as Liza, the main character, tries to figure out who’s killing these people that are all in an online group she watches. The classic “who can you trust?” theme is strong, with Liza second-guessing everyone around her. Given her physical limitation from a recent car accident, which leaves her wheelchair-bound, it ups the stakes considerably. But as solid as this setup was, the film just didn’t deliver all the way through. Image by IMDb A Mix of Decent Performances and Muddled Execution The cast here does a good job, especially given the limitations of the script. Liza’s role, in particular, is solidly acted; she’s sympathetic yet flawed, prickly yet likable. You can feel her vulnerability and resilience, which carries much of the movie’s initial appeal. But as the story derails in the final act, her chara...

When I first saw the trailers for The Wild Robot , I expected a straightforward story about a robot learning to survive in the wild. To some extent, that’s true, but that’s far from the movie’s main focus—and honestly, that’s for the better. What I ended up with was a much more emotionally rich experience than the marketing suggested. Image by Universal Pictures Story and Animation: A Beautiful Combination Right off the bat, the story was more compelling than I initially thought. While the survival element is there, it quickly shifts into something more meaningful, as Roz, the robot, becomes the caretaker of a duckling. It’s a unique twist for an animated movie, and it doesn’t sugarcoat the harsh realities of nature. We see animals getting hunted or taken by predators, something most animated movies shy away from—certainly not the Disney-fied version of the animal kingdom. The movie wasn't afraid to take risks that feel refreshing in today’s overly safe films. And I can't talk ...

Going into The Bagman , I was fully prepared to sit through a low-budget gorefest, packed with cheap jump scares and predictable plotlines. But to my surprise, what I got was something much more refined—a slow-burn suspense thriller that outshines many bigger-budget projects. The film uses its time wisely, building tension and setting up a compelling atmosphere, while steering clear of the typical pitfalls that drag many horror flicks down. Image by IMDb Slow and Steady Wins the Race This movie doesn’t rush. It takes its time to develop the story, but does so in a way that keeps you mildly hooked. It’s one of those rare films where the slower pacing actually benefits the narrative, allowing each element to breathe and come into focus. You won’t find rapid-fire scares here, but rather a creeping sense of unease that makes you wonder what’s lurking in the shadows. The way The Bagman sets up its "rules"—through a twisted fairy tale—was pure brilliance. By tapping into something...

When I first heard about  The Substance , I was fully prepared to hate it. The concept just seemed weak, like something I’d seen recycled a dozen times in other sci-fi and horror flicks. But sometimes, it's good to be wrong. The movie managed to surprise me in more ways than I expected, and while it wasn’t without flaws, it certainly wasn’t the shallow mess I thought I’d be sitting through. Familiar Tropes, but Done Better Sure, there were elements in The Substance that I’ve seen before—stories about beauty, youth, and vanity have been done to death—but this one somehow managed to do it in a way that felt fresh. The execution here stood above a lot of other attempts at the same theme. I found myself more intrigued by the storytelling than I expected, and that’s saying something for a film I walked into with low expectations. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this film was the twists. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, The Substance would throw in something unexpecte...

The prospect of Speak No Evil (2024) intrigued me from the get-go. It’s a chilling thought: meeting strangers who could turn out to be sadistic killers—an everyday occurrence with terrifying possibilities. The potential for genuine thrills was there, but unfortunately, the film didn’t deliver the suspense it promised. Image by IMDb Something’s Just... Off I can’t quite put my finger on what was "wrong" with this movie, but there’s definitely something missing. Speak No Evil takes its sweet time introducing us to the characters and setting up the plot. It’s like the film was determined to make sure we were well-acquainted with everyone before anything remotely exciting happened. It’s not inherently bad to build up your characters, but when you’re an hour into a thriller, and nothing thrilling has happened, there's a problem. Image by CBR James McAvoy: The Misfire Performance I usually consider James McAvoy a standout star, but in this film, he just didn’t land for me. In...