The Reel Critic

Benny Safdie’s “The Smashing Machine” follows real-life pioneering MMA fighter Mark Kerr — played by former wrestler Dwayne Johnson — as he fights to the top of his career while battling  personal hardships. The film also shines the spotlight on Kerr's complex interpersonal relationships and stars Emily Blunt as Kerr's girlfriend Dawn Staples and Ryan Bader as fellow wrestler Mark Coleman. Reggie...

Director Paul Thomas Anderson’s newest film “One Battle After Another” is an action thriller following ex-revolutionary Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio) who must rescue his daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti), from his corrupt military nemesis. In his rush to find her, both father and daughter are forced to confront the consequences of their past. The film also stars Teyana Taylor as Willa's revoluti...

From director Justin Tipping and Jordan Peele's Monkey Paw Productions, new film "HIM" asks: "What is the price of success?" After enduring a career-threatening injury, pro-football prospect Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) gets invited to train with his childhood idol Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans). While training in White’s private facilities, Cade is introduced to the darker side of pro-football.  Re...

“Love, Brooklyn” is a refreshing film capturing Black love in the big city. As Brooklyn is constantly evolving, Roger (André Holland) finds himself appreciating the change yet also longing for the past. His romantic relationships reflect a similar push and pull. As he struggles to let go of his ex-girlfriend Casey (Nicole Behave), he is also building a strong connection with Nicole (DeWanda Wise)....

After five friends reunite for an engagement party, their night takes a sudden turn when a man dies. Although they hide their involvement, someone finds out and is determined to make them pay. “I Know What You Did Last Summer” is a race to stay alive starring Madeline Cline, Tyriq Withers, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Sarah Pidgeon and more. By merging both mystery and comedy, Reggie “The...

Spike Lee’s newest joint "Highest 2 Lowest" finds music mogul David King (Denzel Washington) in the middle of a life-or-death ransom plot and a moral dilemma – questioning whether a contract makes the industry more about the money than the music. The film also stars Ilfenesh Hadera, A$AP Rocky, Jeffery Wright, Dean Winters and Ice Spice. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder breaks down the film into ei...

When astronauts Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm — played by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn, respectively  — return home from space, they discover newfound superhuman abilities. Four years later, they now protect the world as Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, The Thing and Human Torch. In order to defeat evil forces on a quest to destroy manki...

Ana de Armas stars in this action-packed continuation of the ‘John Wick’ franchise. We find her as Eve Macarro, an assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma, as she seeks revenge against her father’s killers. And don’t worry — Keanu Reeves still makes an appearance as the titular suited-up action star. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says ‘Ballerina’ is “the action film that action fans...

In this new installment of the ‘Karate Kid’ film franchise, kung fu prodigy Li Fong must let go of his past in order to fit in with his new classmates. But when a friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition and merges two skills into one with the help of Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso — played by Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, who reprise their roles from their respective 2010 and 1984 ‘Kara...

Tom Cruise returns for signature action stunts in this newest (but maybe not-so-final) installment of the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise. He stars once again as Ethan Hunt, agent of the Impossible Mission Force (IMF), racing against time with his team to find the Entity, an artificial intelligence that may destroy mankind. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says the film had him on the edge of his s...

Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively reprise their roles as Stephanie Smothers and Emily Nelson in ‘Another Simple Favor.’ Smothers travels to Italy to be the maid of honor to Nelson — but soon begins to suspect it all may be part of an elaborate revenge plot. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says the film has drama, laughs and absurdity, but may not be a run-to-the-theater kind of movie. "The Reel Criti...

Ben Affleck is Christian Wolff — AKA “The Accountant” — back for a lethal sequel. After an acquaintance is murdered, Wolff teams up with his brother Brax (Jon Bernthal) to solve the case. When the two uncover a deadly conspiracy, they become targets of a ruthless killer network. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says the film has more laughs than its predecessor — which at times clashed with the act...

When twin brothers return home to Mississippi for a fresh start, they uncover something far more evil than what they left behind. Michael B. Jordan stars as both twins, Smoke and Stack in ‘Sinners,’ alongside Miles Caton, Hailee Steinfeld and more. Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, the 2025 horror adventure film has two starkly different halves. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder calls it “a hist...

Rami Malek stars as CIA decoder Charlie Heller, whose world comes to a halt when his wife is killed in a terrorist attack. When his superiors don’t take action, Heller embarks on a dangerous journey to track down those responsible. One problem? He isn’t a trained killer. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says the film is smart and engaging — with hints of both Jason Bourne and John Wick — though it...

Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid) is an introverted assistant manager at a trust credit union with an interesting condition: He can’t feel pain. When his crush-slash-coworker Sherry is kidnapped in a bank robbery, Nathan decides to use his condition to his advantage and will stop at nothing to rescue her. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says the film is intriguing, suspenseful and (maybe unintentionally)...

2024 documentary 'Daughters' follows four young girls as they prepare to reunite with their fathers for a special Daddy Daughter Dance at a fatherhood program in a DC jail. Reggie "The Reel Critic" Ponder says the film offers authentic and vulnerable insight into the lives of families impacted by incarceration. 'Daughters' is currently available on Netflix, and has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes...

Yearly film series Melanin, Roots, and Culture celebrates Black stories and filmmakers at the Music Box Theatre, wrapping up tonight with “Life Within The Lens” — a short film screening showcasing Chicago creators. Other featured films included ‘The Woman King,’ ‘Here and Now’ and more. Film programmer Tyler Michael Balentine discussed the series with Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder. Find more inf...

In this latest Marvel Studios offering, Steve Wilson — previously the Falcon, now the new Captain America — finds himself in the middle of an international incident after meeting with president Thaddeus Ross, and must foil a malevolent global plot before it’s too late. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says the new installment of the ‘Captain America’ franchise is worth the watch, but feels the writ...

Action comedy ‘Love Hurts’ follows Milwaukee realtor Marvin Gable (Ke Huy Quan), who is shocked to receive a letter from Rose (Ariana DeBose): his former partner-in-crime who he left for dead. Pulled back into the world of hit-men and betrayal, Marvin is hunted down by his ruthless crime lord brother (Daniel Wu) as he reckons with his past. Amid the guns, gore and exaggerated fighting sequences, t...

When Alyssa's (SZA) boyfriend blows their rent money, she and her best friend-slash-roommate Dreux (KeKe Palmer) race against the clock to pay their rent, avoid an eviction and keep their friendship intact. The female buddy comedy debuted this week with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and the New York Times said the duo of Palmer and SZA "lights up the screen with starry zeal." Reggie "The Reel...

Based on a true story, 2024 film 'Unstoppable' is a story of strength, perseverance and defying the odds. It follows Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome), a determined wrestler born with one leg, on his journey to become a champion athlete. Reggie "The Reel Critic" Ponder raves about the film’s wrestling sequences and the depth of several performances — including that of Jennifer Lopez, who stars as Ro...

Contributing film critic Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says new film ‘Albany Road’ is a fun and interesting look at love. Celeste Simmons (Reneé Elise Goldsberry) is a New York business executive preparing for one of the most important meetings of her career when bad weather grounds her flight. Forced to share a rental car with an unlikely companion – her ex-fiance’s mother (Lynn Whitfield) — Ce...

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder reviews the new film adaptation of August Wilson’s 1987 play ‘The Piano Lesson.’ The story follows the Charles family of Pittsburgh during the Great Depression’s aftermath in 1936. The household is engulfed with disagreement over what to do with their prized family heirloom: a piano carved with designs by an enslaved ancestor. Malcolm Washington directed the adaptat...

When family man Justin Kemp winds up as a jury member of a high profile murder trial, he struggles with a moral dilemma that may influence whether the accused killer is convicted or set free in 'Juror #2.' The latest film from director Clint Eastwood, it stars Nicholas Hoult, Zooey Deutch, Chris Messina and more. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says though the film has interesting twists, it feels...

A24’s new psychological thriller ‘Heretic’ follows two young religious missionaries, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), as they spend the day knocking on doors to spread the word of God. When the women arrive at the home of Mr. Reed, played by Hugh Grant, the two find themselves trapped in an intricate and deadly game designed to test their fath. Hear film critic Reggi...