manda ✨

TIFF ’25: ‘Frankenstein’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi “Only monsters play god.” Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a literary work that explores humanity in its darkest form. Through the immorality of reconstructing a creature from bodily remains to cheat death, there’s a grounding level of humanity. Unfortunately, death is inevitable. And witnessing death at a young age can shape your perception of it, and the way the world functions around you.

'Frankenstein' Review: "It's an immersive Gothic story that deepens Mary Shelley’s themes while crafting a compassionate, human narrative that examines the meaning of a soul and the elements that make one pure of heart. Isaac may be the lead, but Elordi's Creature steals the spotlight."

TIFF ’25: ‘Eternity’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi In recent years, romantic comedies have made a resurgence in theatres. Audiences have craved authentic romances that explore different avenues. Not everyone can be lucky enough to find the love of their life, but when they do, it can also be a difficult decision. Sometimes people are plagued by making decisions based on what could have been. We all want to be able to live two different lives and see where different paths could have led us.

'Eternity' Review: "It is an imaginative film about second chances, and the meaning of relationships is deconstructed. Freyne explores the scope of a lifetime and the importance of choosing the right partner. Olsen’s exaggerated hysterics in rediscovering herself again is the highlight of the film."

TIFF ’25: ‘Hamnet’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi There have been extraordinary writers over centuries whose work has been transcendent, and more importantly, lasting. The words of William Shakespeare influenced writers and playwrights to emulate his prose and modernize his writings. His comedies were clever, but the complexities of his characters in his tragedies offered depth and emotional resonance, even if his protagonists were deeply flawed.

'Hamnet' Review: "Hamnet is the most profound and poignant film of the year, and pays homage to Shakespeare in a naturalistic way that other filmmakers have not captured before. Zhao is masterful in her direction, & the way the tragedy unfolds leaves viewers transfixed long after the film is over."

TIFF ’25: ‘The Smashing Machine’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi In the world of wrestling, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has made a name for himself. When he switched over to acting, it was a natural shift because of how talented he was in the ring. In his early years, Johnson had taken to comedies, which showcased his talents and made him enjoyable to watch. Once he became an action star and a massive box office draw, that’s when his persona began to change.

'The Smashing Machine' Review: "Dwayne Johnson delivers a unique, vulnerable performance that we haven’t seen from him before, showing growth in his craft. The issue with the film is not the performances, but more the writing for the characters. There was no depth to these characters."

‘Weapons’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi The horror genre has been thriving for decades, with new filmmakers producing modern horror classics for audiences. The conventions will always be similar, but it’s up to the filmmakers to be innovative to present these scares. The beauty of horror lies in the small moments that build suspense. For those who love the genre, the anticipation and the atmosphere play an important role in constructing a perfect horror experience.

'Weapons' Review: 'Cregger fills the gaps in each section for each adult, making well-rounded characters with depth concerning their connection to the children. The perspective changes throughout, with the disjointed narrative highlighting each adult involved in finding the missing children."

‘Alien: Earth’ Season One Review By: Amanda Guarragi The Alien franchise has always been centred on building suspense in the vast dark galaxy we call space. Most of the time, humans and cyborgs are trapped in a spaceship with a Xenomorph or other strange alien creatures. Throughout the franchise, each filmmaker has left their mark in choosing which new creatures to develop with practical effects. As technology advances, it’s interesting to see where the…

'Alien: Earth' Season One Review: 'Hawley pays homage to the past while crafting a distinctive sci-fi/horror series for new audiences. It expands upon what audiences love about the world Scott created. Hawley’s visual style and attention to detail open a different part of the mind for audiences."

‘Freakier Friday’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi The films of the early 2000s have a certain level of fun and whimsy that is severely lacking for this generation of movie-going audiences. The studio comedy on the big screen has been phased out, but people are craving wholesome projects that will make them feel good. These films don’t have to be perfect by any means, but bring a wave of nostalgia to a simpler time.

'Freakier Friday' Review: "Director Nisha Gantra and co-writers Jordan Weiss and Elyse Hollander created a perfectly nostalgic and modern comedy with an early 2000s whimsy that has been dearly missed by audiences. Lohan and Curtis were charming and delivered the comedic moments perfectly."

‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi In recent years, the fall of the superhero film has been studied by fans and critics alike. Fans have possibly been the worst critics when it comes to their favourite heroes not receiving the same tender love and care as others. It’s interesting to see the current state of criticism and how critics have approached the new wave of comic book films.

'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Review: "It's a fresh introduction to Marvel’s first family that uniquely captures the strength of family & the power of unity. It’s a retro-futuristic space adventure that perfectly delivers the Fantastic Four to the Marvel Cinematic Universe at their full power."

‘Eddington’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi As a newcomer in the modern age of cinema, Ari Aster has established himself as a crafty horror filmmaker who explores various forms of the genre. He has combined genres and broken genre conventions to elevate the meaning of horror. From Hereditary to Midsommar to Beau is Afraid, Aster is one of the most ambitious filmmakers who is incredibly gifted in creating a chilling atmosphere.

'Eddington' Review: " A true horror film about the downfall of humanity and the selfishness that has surfaced due to having a platform to express oneself. It’s a thought-provoking neo-western that perfectly encapsulates the life-changing international event that altered the trajectory of the world."

‘Superman’ (2025) Review By: Amanda Guarragi For over 80 years, Superman has always been a beacon of hope and purity. The appeal of Clark Kent’s Superman is that he is a wholesome young man who wants to do good for the people. His Boy Scout aura gives people the optimism that he will always make the right decisions.  Creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created an iconic hero with an impressive set of powers, beautiful optimism, and kindness.

#Superman (2025) Review: "With an anchor like Superman holding the universe together, Gunn has restored hope for the future of the DC universe and will present a new wave of favourite characters.  Corenswet has solidified his place as one of the best comic book character portrayals."

SUPERMAN is absolutely delightful from start to finish. Not once did my attention waver. David Corenswet had me locked in and had the best portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman. Gunn gave us a wonderful adaptation filled w humanity, heart and most of all hope. I’m in love. #Superman

EDDINGTON is my second fave Ari Aster film. It’s easily the most overwhelming theatrical experience of the year. The downward spiral unfolds with such precision, & the horror isn’t some distant fantasy. It’s the slow, all-too-familiar collapse of society we’ve all lived through.

‘F1’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi The world of F1 is an international event that unites people from all over the world. With each new circuit, the drivers become well-known and their skills are unmatched on the track. Racing has been treated as a dangerous sport because anything can go wrong on the track, especially if you’re not a seasoned driver. There have been film adaptations of racing video games, like…

'F1: The Movie' Review: "The main issue with F1 was the lack of depth for its characters. The relationship between Joshua and Sonny was integral to making the veteran/newcomer banter believable on and off the track, but sadly, it wasn’t developed to its full extent."

A ★★★ review of F1 The Movie (2025) Kosinski wanted Tony Scott's double sauce but F1 was severely lacking in heart. Sure, the racing was executed well, but the pacing as a whole was pretty rough. Brad Pitt also gave a poor performance, ...

Kosinski wanted to have the double Tony Scott sauce but sadly didn’t succeed #F1Movie boxd.it/a6walL

‘Materialists’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi Love in the modern age has undergone significant changes compared to its past. For one thing, marriage meant something more than a business deal, but as time went on, it became more about checking boxes than feeling deeply. Dating in the modern age is similar to playing games to reach a certain level. Men and women have been pressured to be reserved and not fully open themselves to the feeling of being consumed by someone.

'Materialists' Review: "deconstructs modern dating and shatters the perception of what should be attainable. Celine Song reminds audiences why we should remain hopeful for love in our lives and the importance of finding a life partner. Evans delivers his most heartbreaking performance to date."

MATERIALISTS is a heartfelt and lovely sophomore feature by Celine Song. She returns to the root of why we love who we love, and not for what society pressures us to believe in. Dating is the facade, but truly loving deeply is why we remain hopeful. Evans broke my heart.

TIFF ’24: ‘The Life of Chuck’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi Stephen King has been crowned the “Horror King” because of his ability to create a haunting and suspenseful atmosphere in his novels. His novels not only consist of the horror o…

Please go watch my second favourite film of the year this weekend #TheLifeOfChuck 🥹

“King’s novella is adapted quite beautifully by Flanagan as he expands upon the themes of existentialism, grief and love. It almost feels like a meditation for viewers.”
candidxcinema.com/2024/09/07/t...

Out now, I dig into the weirdness of FRIENDSHIP with the help of some friends including Marco Arriaga, @oyvegas.bsky.social, @amxndareviews.bsky.social, David Quinones and Jason Harris... None of whom are friends with me anymore after the recording of this super episode. What 🧩did you think of?

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is a pretty dull live-action remake. It doesn’t recapture the magic or the beauty of the animated feature. Toothless’ design was perfect and the best part of the film. Mason Thames carried the movie on his back w what he had to work with.

my favourite tom cruise movies ✨

‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi “Our lives are the sum of our choices. And we cannot escape the past.” After thirty years of watching Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) accept his missions and running towards the next threat, his final reckoning is finally here. Or we can hope it’s his final mission. As a diehard Mission: Impossible fan, the franchise has consistently exceeded its predecessor to make this one of the best action franchises in history.

'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' Review: " His focus was to thread from previous films to make this the ultimate finale. For the first time, McQuarrie’s direction lacked structure, and his writing lacked the cleverness of his other films. This final instalment felt empty and misguided."

‘Thunderbolts*’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi For the past two phases, Marvel has struggled with figuring out what the audience wants from their characters. The critical reception, excluding Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and maybe even Spider-Man: No Way Home, has been tough to watch as a fan. But, as a critic, it’s warranted. Superhero conventions have, unfortunately, become formulaic. So it’s important to have well-choreographed action sequences and a compelling character-driven narrative to make a strong film.

#Thunderbolts* Review: "Florence Pugh is the shining beacon of charisma desperately needed among the new heroes introduced. It is a grounded superhero film that fully understands the origins of Marvel characters and why they’re so beloved in the first place. The cast had great chemistry and banter."

‘Sinners’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi The current cinema-going climate has shifted, and the attention to box office numbers has been alarming. If a film’s box office doesn’t make half of its profit back within the first weekend, it’s automatically seen as a failure or not up to par with previous box office wins. What’s sad about this is that original films don’t have the opportunity to stay in theatres long enough for multiple viewings or even to grow over consecutive weekends.

#SinnersMovie Review: "Coogler’s script slowly descends into the supernatural horror that the film promises, but it’s the thematic complexities that add layers to it. It is a stunning fusion of genres that only elevates the basic structure of a supernatural vampire narrative."

‘Snow White’ (2025) Review By: Amanda Guarragi The first Disney Princess to grace the screen in 1937 was Snow White, and it seems they enjoy remaking her story. This iteration of the classic fairytale is possibly the most accurate. Snow White (2025) looks like a carbon copy of the animated feature with more songs added and a fearless modern characterization of the title character.

'Snow White' (2025) Review: "Rachel Zegler is a bonafide star and the perfect choice to portray Snow White. Apart from her beautiful singing voice, she’s endearing and exudes this genuine warmth that comes with a Disney Princess. The seven dwarfs were jarring at first, but they do grow on you."

#NovocaineMovie is out this weekend and Jack Quaid is a superstar! ✨

Full review here 📺:
youtu.be/i_fO5GRdMfA

Episode 3 of #DaredevilBornAgain  is now streaming! #Daredevil 

Check out my review here

📺: youtu.be/w_eOk0uYprw

‘Mickey 17’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi Over the years, visionary filmmakers have made defining films for each decade. Bong Joon Ho is one of those directors. In 2020, Parasite became the film to define the decade and challenge the rich with their questionable values. Whether you were part of the #BongHive that season or watched his other films- Okja, Snowpiercer, and Memories of Murder- …

'Mickey 17' Review: "Mickey 17 comes to understand that his life has value. Joon-Ho leaves us with a sense of hope at the film’s end, as Mickey Barnes recognizes that his worth isn’t defined by his role in society but by how he chooses to exist among others."

‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season One Review By: Amanda Guarragi After seven long years, Daredevil has returned to our screens. Daredevil premiered on Netflix in 2015. It became one of Marvel's most critically acclaimed television series because of its gritty nature, which offered a refreshing take on comic book heroes. When Daredevil was cancelled after three seasons, the #SaveDaredevil hashtag brought the comic community together. The actors gave exceptional performances and grounded their characters in Hell's Kitchen.

'Daredevil: Born Again' Season One Review: "The title works two-fold, with the show returning and Matt being reborn after a tragedy that changes him. It presents a character-driven narrative for our hero and antagonist. The brutal violence remains the same, with the tight-knit fight choreography."

The first two episodes of #DaredevilBornAgain are now streaming!!

Check out my spoiler review of episode 1 and 2 ✨

📺: 'Daredevil: Born Again' Episodes 1 & 2 SPOILER REVIEW || Brings The Sauce Back to the MCU
youtu.be/tRteSD4aWqg

97th Annual Academy Award Predictions Happy Oscar Sunday, everyone! The 97th Academy Awards are finally here. The big night is here after a fun year of films in 2024. It wasn't the strongest year, but compared to last year, it's hard to compete. Making final predictions was challenging because of how the Oscar race went this year. Here are my final predictions for the 2025 Oscars.

Happy #Oscars Sunday 🥂

Here are my final predictions for tonight!

Let's go Conclave Hive 🙏