The live-action version of Kengo Hanazawa's manga “Under Ninja” tells the story of a secret ninja organization in modern Japan and the rebels who break away from it. Directed by Yuichi Fukuda, the film stands out for its strong action scenes and the cast's passionate performances. However, Fukuda's trademark comedy style clashes with the manga's original tone, disrupting the film's overall balance and introducing challenges that influence how the story unfolds.

After watching ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash,’ I felt like I was seeing a repeat of the previous film. The movie is long—over three hours—and most of the new ideas show up early on. The rest felt like I’d seen it all before.

Superman is the first film in the new DC Universe, marking a big shift from the old DC Extended Universe. Director James Gunn offers a bold new take, blending his talent for character-building—seen in Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad—with sharp observations about today's world. The film is fast-paced, matching the visual style popular on platforms like TikTok. Its message, “kindness is the new punk,” challenges viewers worn out by superhero movies to consider: What truly defines Superman?

Director Shigeyasu Yaguchi, known for youth comedies like “Water Boys,” surprises fans with the horror film “Dollhouse.” Attracting Masami Nagasawa with its unique script, the film blends genuine scares with Yaguchi’s trademark humor. The 110-minute runtime delivers a sharp mix of eerie Japanese doll imagery and compelling mystery, earning the Grand Prix at the 45th Porto International Film Festival.

Ryan Coogler, best known for Black Panther and Creed, takes on his first major project with a completely original screenplay, not based on real events or existing stories. Sinners is a creative film set in 1932 Mississippi, mixing blues music with vampire horror. The movie has two sides: the first half is a lively musical filled with blues, and the second half shifts into a vampire horror story. Underneath, the film shows deep respect for Black culture and offers a strong critique of white society's cultural appropriation. It strikes a careful balance between entertainment and meaningful social themes. Those who know the history of African American music and the blues will appreciate it even more. To get the most out of this film, it's best to watch it with high-quality sound. The blues music and its emotional depth come through most clearly with good audio equipment.

Jurassic World Rebirth was written by David Koepp, who also wrote the original Jurassic Park, and directed by Gareth Edwards, known for his work on Godzilla and Rogue One. With such a strong team, expectations were high, but the movie turned out to be the weakest in the series.

Sophie Thatcher, a rising actress known for ‘Hereditary’ and ‘Yellowjackets’, takes on a new challenge as a companion robot in the sci-fi thriller ‘Companion’. The film begins like a sweet love story similar to ‘The Notebook’, but quickly shifts in a surprising direction. It’s already getting a lot of praise ahead of its January 2025 release. The film stands out with its dry, stylish look and a great mix of dark humor and suspense. Sophie Thatcher’s strong performance brings out the film’s humor, sadness, and emotional release. For a first-time director, it’s impressively well-made and is likely to be a key moment in Thatcher’s career, especially in how it explores love and control in the age of AI.

Director Zack Kreger, who made ‘Barbarian,’ returns with a bigger-budget film. This horror mystery tells the story of 17 children who vanish from their class at 2:17 AM, with the truth revealed from different viewpoints. The film uses a tense, non-linear structure, an unsettling mood like Us and Hereditary, and explores social themes in the style of Jordan Peele. While some viewers are split on the ending, the script and direction have earned strong praise. Blending horror, suspense, and mystery, WEAPONS stands out as a must-see film for 2025.

Three years after the TV series, Chainsaw Man: Reze Chapter exceeds expectations by turning fan feedback into its greatest strength. The bold directorial change reinvigorates the franchise, capturing the original manga’s chaotic pace and emotional intensity. The result is an adaptation that fully realizes Chainsaw Man's potential as a visceral, memorable cinematic experience.

The movie marks the first live-action version of DreamWorks Animation's hit series. Dean DeBlois, who directed all three animated movies, returned for the live-action version. He was hesitant at first, but his love for the series convinced him to take on the challenge. The most exciting part of the film is watching Hiccup and Toothless fly together. Filmed in Scotland and Finland, these scenes feel more real and lighter than anything in the animated movies. When they shoot out of the sea and glide through the clouds, it’s as thrilling as a roller coaster.