RECENT RECS

In celebration of Pride Month, I feel the need to talk about Queer by the legendary Luca Guadagnino.

​

Queer isn’t your typical love story or even your typical Guadagnino film. It is a slow-burning, atmospheric adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ novel that favors mood over plot and is filled to the brim with unresolved emotional tension. Set in 1940s Mexico City, the film follows a lonely American expatriate (a compelling Daniel Craig) as he navigates an intense and unreciprocated obsession.

​

If you’re expecting something as tender as Call Me by Your Name or as narratively gripping as Bones and All, this might catch you off guard. But go in expecting something hazy, distant, and emotionally fractured, and you’ll find a film that lingers. Queer doesn’t offer catharsis, but instead, it is quietly devastating in its own way as it captures something just as powerful as closure: the ache of desire left unanswered.

If you're planning to watch Final Destination: Bloodlines, you should know it’s more of a reset than a sequel.

​

Set decades before the original film, Bloodlines explores the origins of Death’s design through a new cast and a fresh storyline. While it keeps the iconic chain-reaction kills and suspenseful buildup that fans expect, this film leans more into backstory and mythology than previous installments.

​

The film takes its time setting up the characters and their connections, which means the pacing feels slower at first. But once things kick off, it delivers the brutal, creative deaths the franchise is known for. There’s also a slightly more serious tone here, with more focus on fate, family, and the question of whether anyone can truly escape what’s coming.

​

If you're looking for a gory and thrilling film with a bit more depth than usual, Bloodlines is a solid return for the series.

If you're thinking about seeing Sinners, it's important to know that it's just as much a drama as it is a horror film.

​

Directed by Ryan Coogler, Sinners follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack, both played by Michael B. Jordan, as they return to 1930s Mississippi to open a juke joint in their hometown. What begins as a powerful story about family, trauma, and rebuilding quickly unfolds into something stranger and more supernatural.

​

The emotional weight of the film lies in the brothers' relationship and the tension between their shared past and diverging paths. While there are vampiric elements and chilling moments; legacy, grief, and identity lie at the heart of Sinners. Jordan’s dual performance is layered and deeply affecting, and the film’s visual style and musical choices give it a rich, immersive atmosphere.

​

If you're drawn to character-driven stories that slowly build toward something darker, Sinners is one-hundred percent worth your time.

If you’re curious about The Phoenician Scheme, it’s a tightly woven political thriller with Wes Anderson’s unmistakable touch.

​

This is Anderson’s first film since winning his first Oscar in 2024 for The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, and it shows a more dramatic, grounded side of his storytelling. The movie follows a wealthy arms dealer who, after a near-fatal accident, leaves his estate to his estranged daughter, sparking a web of family tension, secrets, and power struggles.

​

True to Anderson’s style, the film features meticulous visuals and a carefully crafted atmosphere, but with a sharper focus on moral complexity and emotional depth. If you appreciate intelligent thrillers that balance immaculate and adorable style with substance, The Phoenician Scheme is certainly a rewarding watch.