The most excellent fantasy story of the 20th century, once thought impossible to film, finally made it to the big screen. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is more than just entertainment—it's a landmark film that changed the history of cinema. With New Zealand’s stunning scenery, groundbreaking visual effects, and deep human drama, the film earned 13 Academy Award nominations and won 4. Games like Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and The Legend of Zelda all trace their roots back to this story.

The showdown with Smaug, the final boss of Part 2, was surprisingly brief. It was resolved early on, and the protagonists weren't even involved in the conclusion. But what really feels unsatisfying is Thorin’s character. The noble character we saw in Part 2 suddenly turns arrogant as soon as he gets his wealth back. There’s no real psychological build-up. Thorin doesn’t even defeat Smaug himself. The moment he gets his gold, he becomes arrogant. It feels out of character for the main hero. Why? That question sticks with you. The reason given is “dragon sickness.” So it really was a sickness? But the film never clearly shows how he got sick or how he overcame it. As soon as he recovers, he rushes straight into a massive orc army. It feels more reckless than heroic. It doesn’t have the same bold energy Aragorn showed when he led the Ringwraiths to the rescue in the earlier film. This last film left me feeling uneasy.

This film comes after Peter Jackson's 2002-2004 Lord of the Rings trilogy. Watching it reminded me of that world. I liked seeing familiar characters again, but the enemy monsters seemed too silly and not very threatening, which sometimes made the movie feel more like a comedy. That wasn't very pleasant.

The How to Train Your Dragon series has come to an end. This last film stands out for its stunning visuals and touching story, making it a proper “moving grand finale.” It highlights the best in animation, shows how much the characters have grown, and ends on a surprisingly emotional note. For longtime fans, it feels like the perfect reward.

Ambulance is a mid-budget action movie directed by Michael Bay, famous for his explosive visuals in the Transformers and Bad Boys series. This film is a remake of a 2005 Danish movie. Even with a $40 million budget, which is modest for Bay, the on-screen destruction feels much bigger. The movie drew attention for promising a return to Bay’s gritty action roots, similar to his 90s hits like The Rock and Armageddon. With new FPV drone shots, constant chase scenes, and tension inside the ambulance, the trailer set up expectations for a classic Bay blockbuster. But while the film delivers on action, it also brings some unexpected frustration.

‘Beast’ is a gritty survival thriller set in the African savanna. In just 93 minutes, Idris Elba plays a doctor and father fighting a deadly battle with a huge man-eating lion, alongside his two daughters. The plot is predictable, but the film still entertains. Its biggest strengths are the tight pacing and Idris Elba’s strong performance. The CGI lion and some character choices can be questionable, but the sound design, clearly made for Dolby Cinema, and the immersive long takes are excellent. While critics and audiences are split (Rotten Tomatoes: 69% vs. IMDb: 5.9), the movie offers solid B-movie action fun for those who enjoy that style.

Director Jordan Peele, who delivered the striking social horror films Get Out and Us, has finally taken on a true spectacle blockbuster with this ambitious project. While appearing to be a UFO movie at first glance, it is actually an intensely meta work that deeply questions cinema itself and the very act of “seeing/being seen.” It is Peele's new signature film, a stunning fusion of overwhelming visual beauty captured in IMAX and his most emotionally resonant story to date. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

In the middle of the DC Universe’s chaos, a new kind of savior appears. Black Adam isn’t your typical hero; he’s an antihero who stands firm and doesn’t apologize for his actions. While the script and characters have some rough spots, Dwayne Johnson’s strong performance, exciting action scenes, and the interesting JSA members come together to make a movie that’s more entertaining than expected. If you want pure action and excitement instead of deep storytelling, this film is a great choice.

The DC superhero film The Flash faced many delays and controversies. Its production was difficult, with director changes, Ezra Miller’s scheduling conflicts due to work on the Fantastic Beasts series, filming stops because of COVID-19, and, most notably, the lead actor’s repeated legal issues. Even so, the film was finished with a $200 million budget and stands as the unofficial end of the DC Extended Universe. At the same time, it acts as an important link to the new DC Universe. Director Andy Muschietti, known for showing young characters growing up in the two-part IT series, takes inspiration from the classic DC Comics story Flashpoint. He gives the story a […]

The film “The Meg” revitalizes the shark movie genre by reintroducing the ancient Megalodon. Jason Statham delivers an energetic performance that matches the film’s large-scale oceanic setting. The straightforward storyline, minimal dramatics, and the inclusion of an international cast, such as Li Bingbing, provide the excitement expected from a shark movie.