Movie reviews of Jeffrey Rex Bertelsen

Anora is a stylish, genre-fluid film that manages to both deliver gut punches and rip-roaring comedy, in large part thanks to its relatively unknown supporting cast as well as its lead, Mikey Madison, whose central performance is of a star-making quality that burns and sparks with energy and attitude. Review

It is a beautiful but heartbreaking portrait of a hero both in front of and behind the camera, whose superhero role wasn’t the only thing heroic or super about him. Review

It is a fairly unremarkable offbeat, quirky, horny road film, which holds together thanks to the star power of its cast, the performances of its leads, and, arguably, the inventiveness of the transitions. Review

Fans of Saltburn will miss the fun, chaotic vibes and the gothic eroticism of Fennell’s film, but here they’ll be treated to a colder, more patient feel. Review

It likely won’t be as celebrated as the narrative films that precede it in McQueen’s oeuvre, but it is nonetheless a competently made film with glimpses of greatness scattered over the course of its two-hour runtime. Review

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’ Heretic is the kind of horror movie that is more thought-provoking than jump-scare-riddled and, frankly, it is all the better for it. Hugh Grant and his, somewhat against-type, devilish performance makes for the perfect anchor for the film, which shines brightly whenever he is in control. Review

It probably won’t be in the best-of-the-year territory, but Scott’s sense of historic action spectacle, Washington’s performance, and the exceptional production design and costuming make this film more than worth the price of admission. Review

I thought My Old Ass was such a delightfully charming coming-of-age romantic comedy with an interesting, albeit underexplained, timey-wimey element... Review

Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance is a striking and unforgettable body horror social commentary masterwork elevated both by its sense of style and two genuinely stellar performances from thespians at opposite ends of their careers. Review

Smile 2, Parker Finn’s psychological horror sequel, is one of the best major studio horror releases of the year largely thanks to Parker Finn’s inventiveness and Naomi Scott’s performance. Review

Max Barbakow’s Brothers is the kind of film that is wholly reliant on our fondness for its castmembers, because the material that they work with isn’t quite up to scratch due to its narrative elements, arcs, and characters feeling relatively played out, it not being particularly funny... Review

Caddo Lake is the kind of rich mystery that, despite perhaps sometimes showing its cards a little too early on for me, really makes you think about the fates of the characters and the events in life that seem impossible to explain. Review

Gary Dauberman's Salem's Lot adaptation won’t be the definitive version as it is far too superficial of an adaptation to be that but, nonetheless, there are a good number of fast thrills along the way, and its moments of sufficient style made it so that I still had a good time with it despite its obvious drawbacks. Review

There are some things that I think are competent-enough about the film, despite some massive issues related to tone, pace (it feels much longer than it is), acting (though J.K. Simmons is perfectly fine in this, everyone around him struggles mightily to get anywhere close to the performance he is delivering), and writing. Review

Lawrence Sher’s cinematography is one of the film’s key highlights. So, despite the issues that the vocal majority of the internet is running with, there are legitimate things to praise about this fascinating but also deeply flawed sequel. Review

Despite being a noteworthy reunion for two movie stars, they are shockingly outshone by a relative newcomer, while the film, despite its eventual magnetic movie star charms, doesn’t feel like anything special, which is a huge missed opportunity given the talent involved. Review

Inside Out 2 is a really well-designed Pixar sequel that hits on all of the elements that made the first film great. It may be somewhat familiar and it may not be as emotionally impactful, but it still features inventive animation, great comedy, and exceptional and well-chosen vocal performances. Review

I’d still recommend this documentary to people who know nothing about this strange and cruel chapter of television history. Review

McAvoy predictably delivers a gloriously entertaining performance, as he always does in thrillers, and that alone will be enough, for many, to be excited by the competent remake, even if it is, ultimately, not particularly necessary. Review

It’s messy and overcrowded, and the ultimate climax of the film, which is the point of the film that feels the most like a trite and safe legacy sequel, isn’t as fresh as you would’ve hoped. That said, there is more than enough in this doubly named sequel that works... Review

Rebel Ridge is a brilliant showcase for its central, triple threat filmmaker, Jeremy Saulnier, and its lead actor, Aaron Pierre. Review

Warts and all, I had a good time with this film. It is a perfectly fine debut that pulls off great work from its enormously talented leading ladies. It never quite reaches the heights of Hitchcock, but that would be an unreasonable standard to hold anyone to in their debut. Review

Despite spending decades in the pipeline, it has ended up as nothing more than a forgettable and unnecessary late-summer movie season update on a beloved 90s cult hit. Review

It’s funny, oddly sweet in moments, freaky, occasionally sexy, and absolutely thrilling — the runtime flew by, for me. Review