Danilo's FILM Reviews (2026)

18/07/2026

MOVIE REVIEW: "THE ODYSSEY" (2026) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Christopher Nolan's extravagant adaptation of Homer's classic poem is a monumental epic spectacle that is visually stunning and one of the most defining cinematic experiences of this decade, I was completely blown away by it. The film's emotional depth, extraordinary performances, and technical achievements are phenomenal. The film concerns Odysseus, played magnificently by Matt Damon, who delivers a brilliant career best performance of great physicality, after winning the Trojan War, he and his crew faces an extremely perilous decades long journey back to his home of Ithaca, meeting many mythological creatures like the Cyclops, Polyphemus, Sirens, and Calypso along the way. Thanks to Nolan's ambitious and masterful direction that crafts a grounded and psychological motion picture that focus more on the human characters than the fantasy elements of the story, which only makes it more powerful and more emotionally resonant. The massive acton sequences are immersive and perfectly choreographed, but the horrifying encounter with gigantic 60 foot tall, one-eyed, man-eating Cyclops in the cave is masterpiece of practical visual effects, and is astounding and nightmarish. Bill Irwin voiced and operated the giant Cyclops puppet to amazing effect. The supporting cast are all sensational, beginning with Anne Hathaway's passionate and potent performance as Queen Penelope, Tom Holland's Telemachus, the son of Odysseus and Penelope, the coming-of-age prince and future king delivers an impressive performance, Robert Pattinson delivers a scene-stealing performance as the arrogant and nefarious main suitor, Antinous, John Leguizamo is wonderful and delivers an endearing and moving performance as the loyal, nearly blind swineherd, Eumaeus, Lupita Nyong'o's marvelous dual performance as the beautiful and devastated Helen of Troy and her murderous sister, Clytemnestra is memorable, Samantha Morton is chilling as the witch, Circel, Jon Bernthal is tough and heroic as the warrior King of Sparta, Menelaus, Zendaya delivers a marvelous turn as the empathetic goddess, Athena, Charlize Theron is terrific in a haunting performance as the mysterious, immortal sea nymph Calypso, and Elliot Page's mesmerizing performance as the lone warrior Sinon, is most surprising despite his limited screen time. The cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema is remarkable, and the thunderous score by Ludwig Goransson is outstanding. If possible please see this staggering blockbuster in 70mm IMAX, because it absolutely breathtaking. It is the first feature film in cinema history to be shot from beginning to end entirely using IMAX 70mm cameras, that were designed especially for this film. The best film of 2026. Highly recccommened.

11/07/2026

MOVIE REVIEW: "OBSESSION" (2026) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Curry Barker's mega-hit debut motion picture is a dark, highly disturbing, cautionary horror tale that not only entertains but is genuinely scary. It concerns a love sick loner named Bear, impressively played by Michael Johnston, who has a major crush on his coworker, Nikki, brilliantly played by Indie Navarrette, who is absolutely terrifying, but does not have the courage to tell her how he feels. Bears ends up in a curio shop looking to buy Nikki a gift to break the ice, he purchases a "One Wish Willow,' a small stick that you break in half to make a wish. One thing leads to other and he decides to use it for himself, wishing that Nikki only loves him so very much. His wish will come with sinister and dangerous consequences, when Nikki becomes a monstrous love slave to Bear, who will not leave him, and needs his attention every waking moment. What follows is suspenseful and tragic, but the whole film works because of Navarrette's phenomenal performance which is a masterclass of great horror acting, her turn is so creepy and unsetting that she steals the enter film. Skillful direction by Barker, who also wrote this captivating horror film, striking cinematography by Taylor Clemons, and an effective score by Rock Burwell. One of this year's best films.

28/06/2026

MOVIE REVIEW: "PROJECT HAIL MARY" (2026) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Phil Lord & Christopher Miller's phenomenal screen adaptation of Andy Weir's novel is a captivating and extremely moving motion picture sci-fi epic that also visually stunning. It concerns a brilliant middle school science teacher, Dr. Ryland Grace, magnificently played by Ryan Gosling, who delivers a truly endearing lead performance, wakes up on space vessel that is now light years from Earth alone with the rest of the crew dead, he has no memory of who he is, or what he is doing there. As his memory begins to return he discovers that he is on mission to save humankind by stopping a mysterious extraterrestrial substance known as astrophage from killing Earth's sun. Dr. Grace soon comes across a gigantic alien spaceship with a sole survivor, a charming, small rock-like, multi-legged alien who he has named Rocky, amazingly puppeted and voiced by James Ortiz, who almost steals the entire film from Gosling. Rocky is on the same kind of mission that Grace is on, to save his world from the astrophage substance. What's follows is an unlikely friendship that grows into a caring relationship, the chemistry between Dr. Grace and Rocky is perfect and filled with heart and humor. Together Dr. Grace and Rocky will figure out a way to save their worlds. Astute direction by Lord & Miller, with exceptional visual effects that are very impressive, marvelous cinematography by Greig Fraser, and wonderful score by Daniel Pemberton. One of the best films of 2026, that is both an emotional powerhouse and hugely entertaining. .

13/06/2026

MOVIE REVIEW: "DISCLOSURE DAY" (2026) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Steven Spielberg's intriguing, intelligent, and gripping sci-fi UFO conspiracy thriller is his finest film in years. It concerns Daniel Kellner, wonderfully played by Josh O' Connor, who was an operative of Wardex, a super-secret shadow organization. Daniel has stolen data flash-drives that proves the existence of extraterrestrial entities, and the 79 year cover-up by the U.S. government. The nefarious head of Wardex, Noah Scalon, brilliantly played by Colin Firth, has kidnapped Daniel's girlfriend, Jane Blankenship, superbly played by Eve Hewson, she will be returned to him alive only if he surrenders and returns the data drives. One thing leads to other and both of them manage to escape together, so now Noah instructs his agents to kill Daniel and Jane and retrieve what he stole. Enter a Kansas City meteorologist named Margaret Fairchild, phenomenally played by Emily Blunt, who during a live telecast begins to speak in a strange unknown alien language, she later discovers that she has power to read people's mind by just looking into their eyes, and has the insight that she must locate and join Daniel on a mission to expose the truth to the world about the extraterrestrials. Margaret and Daniel join forces and are trying to get to Hugo Wakefield, marvelously played by an endearing Colman Domingo, who is the leader of the Wardex defectors, and will help Margaret and Daniel make 'Disclosure Day' possible, by releasing every piece of footage of extraterrestrial encounters ever recorded. Masterful direction by Spielberg, who gives his film plenty of suspense and sensational chase sequences, stunning cinematography by Janusz Kaminski, with an exquisite original score by the legendary John Williams, an engrossing screenplay by David Koepp from a story by Spielberg, and impressive CGI visual effects. I highly recommend this compelling and exciting blockbuster from one of America's greatest and most iconic directors.

03/05/2026

MOVIE REVIEW: "CRUISING" (1980) ⭐️⭐️⭐️

William Friedkin's cult-classic is darkly erotic and a highly controversial thriller concerning an undercover cop named Steve Burns, played marvelously by Al Pacino in low-key compelling performance, who’s assignment is to infiltrate the gay underground world of S*M leather subculture in New York City during the late 70s, to try and catch a sadistic serial-killer that has been seducing and then brutally knifing homos*xual men to death. Burns who is straight goes deep undercover as a gay man and a decoy for the murderer. He is completely isolated from the rest of the police department and his only contact is his superior Captain Edelson, superbly played by Paul Sorvino. He cannot even tell his girlfriend Nancy, wonderfully played by Karen Allen, about his assignment. As the vicious bloody murders continue Burns is starting to be personally affected by his exposure to the hardcore gay lifestyle and it begins to change him. Good direction by Friedkin, who also wrote the confusing and sometimes awful screenplay which is based on the novel by Gerald Walker. Striking cinematography by James A. Contner, and a marvelous original score by the late Jack Nitzsche, but the only real reason to see this film is for Al Pacino's captivating star performance, otherwise this motion picture is truly a mess. It is however fascinating historically as a look at how cruising for anonymous gay s*x, and the long-closed hardcore s*x clubs were like in the pre-AIDS era. Note: This motion picture when released in 1980 caused many g**s to protest the film for its distasteful view of the gay lifestyle. Cruising is ambiguous, brutal and not for all tastes.

03/05/2026

MOVIE REVIEW: "CRIMES OF PASSION" (1984) ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Ken Russell's bizarre erotic thriller with a titanic performance by Kathleen Turner as Joanna Crane, a high-end fashion designer by day and a kinky ho**er who calls herself China Blue by night. Two very different men will soon enter into her depraved double life, one is a creepy s*xually repressed bible-quoting p**n addict, the Reverend Peter Shayne, played chillingly by the late great Anthony Perkins, who is at his psychotic best here. He is a fake deranged street preacher who hangs out in the seedy part of town which is filled with peep shows, s*x shops and prostitutes, and carries a leather bag full of s*x toys, including a feet-long lethal vi****or which has sharp motorized razors on it. Reverend Shayne has becomes obsessed with China Blue and wants to “save her” even if it kills her. The other man is Bobby Grady, superbly played by John Laughlin, an unhappily married man with a frigid wife who falls hard in love with the fantasy-fulfilling China Blue. But things become dangerous as her two worlds begin to collide. Solid direction by the Russell in his outrageous over-the-top signature style, with fine supporting performances by Bruce Davidson, Annie Potts, Gordon Hunt, Dan Gerity, and John G. Scanion. But it's Perkins' scene-stealing turn that is the film's most memorable performance. The film also features some hot s*x scenes with Turner's China Blue, and some hilarious and disturbing scenes such as when Perkins' Reverend Shayne with China Blue in a hotel room says his "prayers” such as “Save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Save him from this big mouthed cooze with a motor-driven ass, forgive me lord, I speak not in vain but this little bitch provokes me so! “ Perkins has a lot of fun going full blown psycho. Entertaining and provocative it is one of the most unusual erotic films ever made. Note: Check it out in the unrated version which is much more s*xually graphic and potent then the R rated version.

03/05/2026

MOVIE REVIEW: "THE GAMBLER" (1974) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Karel Reisz's powerfully compelling and intelligent classic film about the addiction of gambling. It concerns a literature college professor named Axel Freed, brilliantly played by the late great James Caan in one of the finest and most intense performances of his career, who cannot control himself when it comes to gambling, and although he likes to win, it is secondary to the excitement he feels in the possibility of losing, leading to his girlfriend leaving him, his wealthy mother disowning him, and the mob wanting to kill him. Astute direction by Reisz, with fine supporting performances by Paul Sorvino, Lauren Hutton, Morris Carnovsky, Burt Young, Carmine Caridi, Vic Tayback, Steven Keats, M. Emmet Walsh, James Woods, Allan Rich, and Stuart Margolin. One of the best films of the 70s.

12/04/2026

MOVIE REVIEW: "BODY HEAT" (1981) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lawrence Kasdan's stylishly erotic film noir classic is a captivating and visually striking motion picture. About a seedy, cynical, lawyer from a small Florida town, Ned Racine, played sensationally by the late great William Hurt, who is a smug womanizing p***y magnet that nails all the local young women in town which includes nurses, secretaries, law clerks, and waitresses. He does not discriminate and he does not commit to any female that is until one sweltering summer evening when he meets a gorgeous young woman, Matty Walker, played magnificently by the beautiful Kathleen Turner in her dazzling big screen debut. Matty's voice is husky and enchanting, and she is the embodiment of every Femme Fatale that ever used s*x to get what she desired from a man all rolled up into one. Matty knows exactly what buttons to push on Ned. She is married to a wealthy middle-aged unscrupulous businessman, Edmund Walker, terrifically played by the late Richard Crenna in a perfectly slimy performance. Ned and Matty soon begin a torrid s*xual affair that turns into a dark romance when she manipulates Ned into murdering her ruthless husband to inherit his big money. The supporting performances in this gem of a film are all exceptional beginning with young Mickey Rourke's scene-stealing turn as a professional arsonist on parole who in a great scene tries to give Ned who is his lawyer, some good but unheeded advice. Ted Danson is memorable as Peter, a District Attorney who is a good friend of Ned's, whose quirk is a penchant for Fred Astaire dance routines, and J.A. Preston is wonderful as Oscar the cop, another good friend of Ned who reluctantly must go after him, and then later listens sympathetically as Ned tries to explain his tragic story. Masterful direction by Kasdan, who also wrote the original engrossing screenplay, brilliant cinematography by Richard H. Kline, with a lush jazzy score by great John Barry. A meticulously crafted thriller that is timeless.

12/04/2026

MOVIE REVIEW: "BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN" (2005) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ang Lee's brilliant extremely moving adult drama about forbidden gay love between two young cowboys named Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist, marvelously played by the late great Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in two unforgettable multi-layered Oscar nominated performances, They meet when both are hired to herd some sheep on Brokeback Mountain, they become close friends during the many weeks together in the grasslands of Wyoming, until one night of heavy drinking they engage in s*x and shorty after fall madly in love, unable to deal with feelings for each other they part ways and each settle down and marry and have children with their wives. But the need for each other brings them back together and for years to come they carry on their secret love affair during the fishing trips they take away from their wives until a major tragedy happens. Magnificent Oscar winning direction by Lee, with truly impressive supporting performances by Michelle Williams, Anne Hathaway, Randy Quaid, Valerie Planche, David Trimble, and Larry Reese. Gorgeous Oscar nominated cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto, and a majestic Oscar winning score by Gustavo Santaolalla. A powerful tragic love story. Winner of 3 Academy Awards including Best Director: Ang Lee, Best Adapted Screenplay: Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana, Best Original Score: Gustavo Santaolalla.

12/04/2026

MOVIE REVIEW: "BLACK SUNDAY" (1977) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

John Frankenheimer's intelligent suspenseful thriller which is based upon Thomas Harris' best selling novel of the same name. About a veteran Israeli commando, Major Robert Kabakov, sensationally played by the late great Robert Shaw in a brilliantly realistic performance, during a raid on a terrorist headquarters in Beirut he discovers a sinister plot by the Black September terrorist organization to annihilate 80,000 American civilians at the Miami, Super Bowl with a Goodyear blimp loaded with a powerful explosive projectile weapon of mass destruction. Masterful direction by the late great Frankheimer, with marvelous supporting performances by Marthe Keller and Bekim Fehmu as the head terrorists, Bruce Dern as the American collaborator who is a deranged Vietnam War veteran that is a major player in the terrorist plot, and Fritz Weaver as the lead F.B.I agent assisting Shaw. Nail-biting action sequences with an incredible climatic aerial chase finale between the deadly Goodyear blimp and a cargo helicopter with Shaw and Weaver abroad trying to stop the blimp before it reaches the stadium. Striking cinematography by John A. Alonzo, with razor sharp editing by Tim Rolf, and an evocative score by John Williams. A thoroughly engrossing motion picture thriller from beginning to end.

Danilo's FILM Reviews

18/07/2026

11/07/2026

28/06/2026

13/06/2026

03/05/2026

03/05/2026

03/05/2026

12/04/2026

12/04/2026

12/04/2026

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