The Reelist

Tag: film

  • “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (2025) review

    “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (2025) review

    I must admit, I admired the original I Know What You Did Last Summer. It had that late 90s charm to it while also being effectively creepy. The sequel, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, wasn’t quite as good but still worked well enough. And we don’t talk about the third movie. Almost 30 years later and there’s a new installment in the franchise, with the same exact title as the original. It’s following the trend of “legacy sequels” that have been releasing in the horror genre over the past decade or so. So, does this movie represent a return to form for the franchise? Sadly, the answer is no. 

    I Know What You Did Last Summer, directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, follows a group of five young adult friends – Danica, Ava, Milo, Teddy, and Stevie – on July 4th weekend. While hanging out on the side of a road to catch a view of the fireworks, Teddy’s antics cause a pickup truck to swerve and crash. Frantically deciding whether to call the police or disappear and act like it never happened, the friends choose the latter. The film fast forwards a year later when Danica receives an ominous note at her bridal shower containing the words “I know what you did last summer”, setting the stage for the ensuing murder spree by a person dressed in fisherman gear. It’s a very similar premise to the original, with minor differences here and there. 

    Like many horror movies that are part of franchises these days, the film brings back legacy characters from previous installments, namely ex- husband and wife Ray Bronson and Julie James, played by Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt, respectively. Although it’s a welcome sight to see these characters back, it feels more like nostalgia bait, as they’re not given much to do other than offer small pieces of advice here and there. The inclusion of these legacy characters opens up the possibility of exploring themes such as trauma and its lasting effects, but the film only briefly touches on it. 

    When talking about horror movies, the main question that tends to be asked is, is the movie scary? Well, not really. Granted, the original wasn’t known to be an all-time scare fest, but at least at the time it had an original plot, and it had its moments, whether it was jump scares or tension built through suspense. In this movie, there’s just not much there, not even any of the usual cheap jump scares. It’s also not very interesting past the initial setup when Danica receives the ominous note.  It’s often too chatty, especially towards the end, which is where the film ultimately falls apart. From characters making questionable choices, to a weird plot twist involving the killer reveal that feels out of place, the movie fails to stick its landing. 

    In the end, I walked away from this movie feeling disappointed and wondering why it was even made. It doesn’t bring anything new to the table, and I think that’s partly why it’s so uninteresting and pointless. Other horror franchises like Halloween, Scream, and Final Destination breathed new life into their respective franchises with recent entries, so why couldn’t this one follow in their steps? Maybe some things should stay buried in the past after all. 

    Rating: 2/5

  • “Superman”(2025) review

    “Superman”(2025) review

    A hopeful start to the DCU

    Out with the old, in with the new. The first official release of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Cinematic Universe has arrived. Moving away from Zack Snyder’s darker vision, many will be wondering, does Superman stick its landing? Other than a few bumps, it mostly does. 

    What’s important to note right away is that this is not an origin story. Gunn smartly decided not to rehash Superman’s same old origin, instead quickly catching the viewer up with a few lines of text in the first scene, while also explaining where the hero is currently. The story follows Superman a few years into being, well, Superman, and his popularity has never been higher. However, there are a few conflicts going on. There is a war escalating between two foreign countries (sound familiar?), and we learn that somehow the villainous Lex Luthor is involved. Lex, played very well by Nicholas Hoult, has it out for Superman and is determined to bring him down by any means necessary. It’s a basic premise that has more layers than meets the eye. 

    Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor

    Where the film shines most is when it comes to its casting. The two leads, David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, as Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane, respectively, knock it out of the park. Corenswet embodies the look and qualities of the title character, which leans more into the classic Christopher Reeve version that we all know and love. Brosnahan brings her own take to Lois Lane that feels fresh but also stays true to the character. It also helps that they have excellent chemistry, and many of the film’s best parts are when these two share the screen. I really wish we got more interaction between them, but unfortunately the film has to make room for other characters, and this is where things get a bit messy. It is established early on that there are other “metahumans” in this world, namely Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Mr. Terrific. Naturally, all three must be given some time to shine, and they do, but the issue is that it takes away the focus on Superman. This is his movie after all, and it would have been better if these characters were saved for the sequel instead. It’s not that these characters are in it a lot, but they are in it just enough to make the movie feel unfocused at times. 

    Another issue with this film is that it is ultimately sort of forgettable. There are some cool action scenes, but none that are memorable or stand out. Some of the film’s more interesting dynamics, like Lois and Clark’s relationship, don’t get enough spotlight. There are some interesting themes and ideas that are explored, notably the idea of Superman being an immigrant and trying to fit in. It’s a timely subject matter, but in the end it doesn’t get explored enough. Perhaps this is all just the nature of a popcorn action flick, where there’s more flash than substance. 

    All in all, Superman is a superhero film that, despite a few bumps along the way, delivers a solid start to Gunn and Safran’s DC regime. For many, it’s a welcome departure from the previous few movies featuring Superman and falls more in line with his classic interpretation. While I wished the movie was more focused and memorable, I left the theater hopeful and eager to see more of this universe. 

    Rating: 3.5/5