The Movie Review Crew

We're continuing our Visual Masterpieces theme with a stunningly beautiful movie that will have you running the gamut of emotions. Have tissues ready for this one! OUR SCORES: Aaron - A Matt - B Shane - A Rotten Tomatoes - 51% IMDb - 7/10 THEME: Visual Masterpieces Chosen By: Matt McNeal

The visual effects in 'Sin City' were groundbreaking in 2005 and they are just as striking more than 20 years later. The characters' treatment of women is dated and problematic at times, but the movie does enough right to remain great. OUR SCORES; Aaron - A Matt - A Shane - B Rotten Tomatoes - 76% IMDb - 8/10 THEME: Visual Masterpieces Chosen By: Matt McNeal

This movie caught our host, Shane, on a bad day and he might have been a bit grumpy in this review. On the other hand, Aaron loved it. You tell us who is right! OUR SCORES; Aaron - B Matt - C Shane - C Rotten Tomatoes - 68% IMDb - 6.8/10 THEME: Based on A True Story Chosen By: Aaron Cronican

Political thrillers are not our jam; Most times we find them too boring to live up the "thriller" label. Director Ron Howard and a slew of amazing actors earn that label in Frost/Nixon , bringing an entertaining energy to this true story. OUR SCORES; Aaron - B Matt - S Nate - A Shane - B Rotten Tomatoes - 89% IMDb - 7.5/10 THEME: Based on A True Story Chosen By: Matt McNeil

Even those that have no interest in professional wrestling will appreciate this film. The entire cast is flawless and we guarantee you'll be reaching for the tissues by the end. OUR SCORES; Aaron - B Matt - S Nate - A Shane - B Rotten Tomatoes - 89% IMDb - 7.5/10 THEME: Based on A True Story Chosen By: Matt McNeil

Ryan Coogler's talent is on full display, as is that of the entire cast. Unfortunately, the "Day in the life" approach to Oscar Grant III's story felt manipulative and left a lot to be desired. OUR SCORES; Aaron - C Matt - C Shane - C Steve - C Rotten Tomatoes - 94% IMDb - 7.5/10 THEME: Based on a True Story Chosen By: Steve Rushlau

Rotten Tomatoes - 100% IMDb - 6.6/10 OUR SCORES; Aaron - B Matt - A Shane - A THEME: Pre 1980 Movies Chosen By: Nate Dudley All the President's Men (1976) is flawless down to every last detail. The only thing that could hinder one's viewing enjoyment is their level of interest in the subject matter.

Rotten Tomatoes - 100% IMDb - 6.6/10 OUR SCORES; Aaron - C Matt - B Shane - B THEME: Pre 1980 Movies Chosen By: Matt McNeal Phantasm is one of the most unique and visually creative horror movies out there. The 70s campiness, mixed with the surrealistic qualities, make for a dream-like experience.

Rotten Tomatoes - 100% IMDb - 6.6/10 OUR SCORES; Aaron - C Matt - B Shane - B THEME: Pre 1980 Movies Chosen By: Matt McNeal This horror anthology has an all-star cast and an undeniably 60s charm. It is an entertaining watch, but it goes more for a PG spooky atmosphere than true scares. Those looking for terror will be disappointed.

Rotten Tomatoes - 78% IMDb - 6.7/10 OUR SCORES; Aaron - B Matt - C Shane - S THEME: Pre 1980 Movies Chosen By: Shane Cronican We're kicking off our new theme with an action classic, led by a pillar of American Cinema, that helped shape the modern action genre. All due credit is given for its impact, but does it hold up as entertainment over 50 years after its release?

Rotten Tomatoes - 78% IMDb - 6.7/10 OUR SCORES; Aaron - C Matt - D Shane - C THEME: Police/Detective Movies Chosen By: Shane Cronican Unfortunately, we end this theme rotation with another disappointment of failed potential. A thought provoking story with an incredible all-star cast just doesn't come together like it should.

Rotten Tomatoes - 60% IMDb - 6.4/10 OUR SCORES; Aaron - F Matt - F Nate - D Shane - D THEME: Police/Detective Movies Chosen By: Nate Dudley Based on the true story of the hunt for Alaska's most dangerous serial killer, with Nic Cage squaring off against John Cusack; The foundation is here for a great thriller. Unfortunately, inexperienced filmmaking, poor storytelling, ugly visuals, and awful...

Rotten Tomatoes - 96% IMDb - 7.9/10 OUR SCORES; Aaron - B Matt - B Shane - B THEME: Police/Detective Movies Chosen By: Matt McNeal In the Heat of the Night (1967) deserves its place in film history as a groundbreaking drama examining racial tension, and for having a masterful performance from Sidney Poitier. Unfortunately, the murder mystery at its core is uninspired and its conclusion is a rushed...

Rotten Tomatoes - 92% IMDb - 7.2/10 Our Scores; Matt - B Shane - B Steve - B Theme: Police/Detective Movies Chosen By: Steve Rushlau Insomnia (2002) smartly forgoes the typical murder mystery trappings and becomes a tense cat-and-mouse thriller. The mystery takes a backseat to the psychological showdown between Al Pacino and Robin Williams, and they put on an acting clinic!

Rotten Tomatoes - 93% IMDb - 6.8/10 Our Scores; Aaron - B Matt - C Nate - B Shane - C Theme : Police/Detective Movies Chosen By : Aaron Cronican Jude Law and Jurnee Smollett are fantastic as cops hunting a white supremacist leader (Nicholas Hoult). Unfortunately, director Justin Kurzel's detached style left us wanting more. A connection to the characters and a sense of urgency could have pushe...

Our Score - 6.66/10 Rotten Tomatoes - 78% IMDb - 7.5/10 Theme: Lovecraftian/Cosmic Horror Chosen By: Aaron Cronican Dark City (1998) builds an awe-inspiring world and has an incredibly original noir mystery with some out of this world twists.

Our Score - 8.75 / 10 Rotten Tomatoes - 86% IMDb - 6.5 / 10 Theme: Lovecraftian/Cosmic Horror The Whisperer in Darkness (2011) is a movie made by Lovecraft fans for Lovecraft fans. The care put into every aspect of the movie is evident throughout, making for a movie that even those not into Lovecraft will appreciate.

Our Score - 7/10 (B-) Rotten Tomatoes - 58% IMDb - 7.1/10 Theme : Lovecraftian/Cosmic Horror Chosen By : Shane Cronican As it is with the Lovecraftian genre as a whole, In the Mouth of Madness (1994) won't be for everyone. It is weird and it leaves you without any solid answers. That being said, when John Carpenter is steering the ship, it's always going to be a fun ride!

Our Score - 5.56 (C-) Rotten Tomatoes - 88% IMDb - 5.6 Chosen By: Nate Dudley J.K. Simmons voices a Lovecraftian deity speaking to a man through a glory hole in a rest stop bathroom stall. If nothing else, the premise is unique, but there's too little depth and this one runs out of steam pretty quickly.

Our Score - 6.5 / 10 (C+) Rotten Tomatoes - 73% IMDb - 6.2 / 10 Chosen By: Shane Cronican Despite some narrative issues and a heavy lull in its second act, we enjoyed this thought-provoking, unique story. The unclear ending might make it frustrating to some viewers, but there is plenty to love before that.

2026 is here, so we look back and give you our Top 5 movies of 2025! Let us know your Top 5 in the comments!

Our Score - 5.13 / 10 (D+) Rotten Tomatoes - 91% IMDb - 6.1 / 10 Chosen By: Aaron Cronican The Dark and the Wicked (2020) is an unfortunate case of what could have been. An interesting premise, effectively creepy direction, and solid acting all become lost in a muddled, uneven narrative that fails to follow its own established rules.

Our Score - 2.88/10 (F) Rotten Tomatoes - 85% IMDb - 6.6/10 Chosen By: Nate Dudley Snowtown (2011) tries so hard to be indie that it ends up making the story of Australia's deadliest serial killer boring. If you're wondering why we don't like indies, watch this one.

Our Score - 8.83 / 10 (A-) Rotten Tomatoes - 97% IMDb - 7.6 / 10 Chosen By: Matt McNeal Sinners is an absolute masterpiece from everyone involved. Don't listen to Aaron's ice cold takes on this one; It's the best movie of the 2025, and it's not even close.

Our Score - 4.17/10 (D-) Rotten Tomatoes - 47% IMDb - 5.8/10 Chosen By: Aaron Cronican We remember loving Lake Placid when we were kids. Rewatching it over 25 years later, it's just not the same feeling. This movie does a lot of things wrong. Its greatest sin; It's just not that fun.