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‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ Blu-ray Giveaway!
I’m very excited to announce that I have Five (5) Blu-rays of Sonic The Hedgehog up for grabs. The discs, all of which are sealed, also come with the Digital Code and the DVD! Entry details are below!
‘Saccharine’ Review: Midori Francis Delivers “Fully Committed” Performance In Body Horror Film
Directed by Relic and Apartment 7A filmmaker Natalie Erika James, Saccharine centers on Hana (Midori Francis), a medical student who takes diet pills to lose weight. The pills, however, are made of human ash, and Hana’s actions lead to possible encounters with a ghost! Madeleine Madden is Alanya, a gym trainer who is the object of Hana’s affections and Danielle Macdonald is Hana’s close friend (and fellow medical student) Josie. Check out Bruce Purkey’s review below!
Read more: ‘Saccharine’ Review: Midori Francis Delivers “Fully Committed” Performance In Body Horror Film
Although Saccharine may be initially compared to The Substance, it might even harken back to a Roman Polanski classic. “It feels more like Repulsion, I think, where you have a singular character, not always trapped in her apartment, but she is trapped in her body,” said Bruce Purkey. “This thing that should be making her feel better about herself ends up making her spin more out of control. It’s a pretty interesting movie.”
Purkey praised the heck out of Relic, and although he viewed Apartment 7A as a “letdown,” he was looking forward to director/writer Natalie Erika James’ latest effort. Although he recommended Saccharine (he gave it 3.5/5 stars), he was slightly disappointed with the feature.
“The central performance of Hana by Midori Francis is really good,” added Purkey. “She’s fully committed. So that helps a lot with this movie too. So I probably sound like I’m higher on this movie than I actually am.”
Both Eric Holmes (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) and I ( ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2) gave Saccharine higher marks, and I will be posting a separate article where we discuss spoilers.
Saccharine, for me, is on the same level (and it may have exceeded) Relic. The third act, when Hana finally comes into her own, is a visual tour de force from James and cinematographer Charlie Sarroff (Smile, Smile 2). The final moments should divide cinephiles, but I was totally on board with James’ uncompromising outcome. Stay for the film’s end credits!
All three of our Saccharine reviews are up on CinemAddicts, and you can also check out Bruce’s solo coverage on YouTube:
Saccharine is now playing in theaters.
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Movies Out Today: Saccharine, Sick Puppy, Reckless, Ask E. Jean
There are a bunch of films out today that we covered on CinemAddicts that will hopefully be worth your time. Are you in the mood for a supernatural/psychological thriller (Saccharine)? What about a critically acclaimed documentary on journalist E. Jean Carroll (Ask E. Jean)? If Scott Adkins is your man, we have a Reckless (pun intended!) review from Eric Holmes. Last but not least, Bruce Purkey is up in the Cinem-Attic giving his take on an absolutely unexpected featured named Sick Puppy. Listen to our latest CinemAddicts episode for details on these new films!
Read more: Movies Out Today: Saccharine, Sick Puppy, Reckless, Ask E. Jean
Company and Shudder Release.
Saccharine centers on Hana (Midori Francis), a medical student whose life takes a turn for the worse after she takes weight loss pills that are made from human ashes! To take more pills, she shaves off parts of an overweight cadaver that she and her fellow colleagues have been studying. The feature co-stars Madeleine Madden as Alanya, the object of Hana’s affections, and Danielle Macdonald as Hana’s classmate/friend Josie. All three of us loved Natalie Erika James’ Relic (Bruce was not a fan of Apartment 7A), so there was a ton of high expectations with Saccharine. We recommend Saccharine and check out our review on CinemAddicts:
Scott Adkins stars in Reckless as an ex-convict who is attempting to avoid the cops and criminals while he is trying to reclaim his share of an old heist. The feature, directed by Elliott Montello, features Vinnie Jones as the main antagonist. Eric Holmes, who has Adkins on his Mt. Rushmore of actors, compares this film to Adkins’ previous movie Accident Man. Reckless is now out on Digital and On Demand.
Check out Eric’s review of Reckless (he gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 out of 5) below:
Directed and produced by Ivy Meeropol, Ask E. Jean centers on the life of journalist/advice columnist E. Jean Carroll. The 91-minute documentary also focuses on Carroll’s lawsuit against Donald Trump (she won both times). Holmes recommends the documentary, which is currently at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Meeropol will be doing Q&A’s at the IFC Center tonight through May 22nd. For more information on more Ask E. Jean showings, check out its official site.
Listen to Holmes’ Ask E. Jean review and check out his interview with Meeropol:
Directed and written by Jay Reid, Sick Puppy centers on Charlie (Natasha Calls), a woman who wants her hubby John (Brett Geddes) to stop being a serial killer. Although John decides to quit his killing ways, their lives are threatened when the police come knocking on their door! Running at 105 minutes, the film contains some absolutely unpredictable subplots. Bruce Purkey gave this movie a “One Star Banger” rating, meaning although he sees the movie as absolutely ridiculous and dumb, he had a great time watching the flick! Sick Puppy is now playing in select theaters and is available on Digital via Dark Sky Films.
Check out Bruce’s Sick Puppy review on CinemAddicts:
Bruce Purkey closes out the episode with a review of the new Netflix series The Boroughs and he teams up with Joseph Bridges (a cinephile I bow down to!) for a Scarred S**tless review).
Thanks for listening to CinemAddicts. If you have Movie Recommendations and Film Reviews as well, please share your thoughts in the comments!
‘The Drama’ Ending Explained And Spoilers: Charlie And Emma Happily Ever After?
Robert Pattinson and Zendaya have tons of chemistry, but of course The Drama is not a romantic comedy. CinemAddicts hosts Bruce Purkey and Eric Holmes break down the ending of this much talked about black comedy and discuss spoilers. If you have seen the movie and want to hear a few takes on the film, check out our video below. Share your thoughts on The Drama as well!
Read more: ‘The Drama’ Ending Explained And Spoilers: Charlie And Emma Happily Ever After?
Spoilers are coming in hot and heavy, so do not read further if you don’t want The Drama details uncovered!
The Drama’s Twist Hinges On One Big Secret
Charlie (Robert Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya) are a very much in love and engaged couple. Over a night of drinking wine with Charlie’s close friend Mike (Mamoudou Athie) and his wife Rachel (Alana Haim), their bond is put to the test after Rachel asks the couple and her hubby to name the worst thing that they have ever done!
The big twist which may have divided audience members is that Emma, as a teen, planned a school shooting but backed out of the plan. That is definitely way too much information, but maybe Emma believed she garnered enough trust from Charlie to keep their relationship on solid ground?
An Understandable Fracture In Emma And Charlie’s Relationship
Bruce Purkey reflected on how writer-director Kristoffer Borgli (Dream Scenario) delivered an uncompromising approach to Emma’s persona. “The relationship’s unraveling, the friendships are unraveling, the people are getting weird towards her,” said Purkey. “Emma can’t put the genie back in the bottle. But I think what’s interesting is as more of that story of her considering to do a school shooting comes out, the writer-director doesn’t let her, or us, off the hook. He keeps upping the ante.”
Bruce Purkey and Eric Holmes also discuss why Emma decided not to go through with the school shooting. “I think that the other shooting allowed her to see the aftermath of what she was about to do, and I think that she was disgusted with herself.” Purkey added that he sees Emma as the story’s most “empathetic” character.
The Drama is now available to Watch At Home via a slow of digital retailers. If you purchase/rent The Drama on Prime Video, we receive a commission as Amazon Associates members.
Check out Bruce and Eric’s spoiler discussion of The Drama:
We review Mobile Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe and Forge on this week’s CinemAddicts:
‘Affection’ Ending Explained And Movie Spoilers: Jessica Rothe Role Revealed!
Were you confused by the big twist in the new horror film Affection? CinemAddicts co-host Bruce Purkey offers up spoilers to discuss the twist and I give my thoughts on the ending as well. Check out our Affection movie spoilers and ending explained post below!
Read more: ‘Affection’ Ending Explained And Movie Spoilers: Jessica Rothe Role Revealed!
Ellie Was Right Along – This Is Not Her Family!!
If you have not seen Affection and don’t want spoilers talk, you’ve come to the wrong place and proceed no further!
In the beginning of the movie, Ellie is hit by another vehicle and the story immediately cuts to her lying down in bed next to her supposed husband Bruce (Joseph Cross). She claims that he is not her hubby, and she doesn’t have a daughter (Julianne Layne). Her assertion is she is married to another man and has a son.
Bruce says she is experiencing traumatic memory loss, and he has turned off cell phone service so there is no distraction to Ellie’s recovery. They live in remote and spacious farm house out in the woods, and Burce says it is all for Ellie’s benefit. As much as Ellie tries to live within this new “truth,” she is actually right! Always trust that first instinct!
Bruce, Althought Resourceful, Is Not A Very Good Guy!
The big twist is explained halfway through the story, as we learn that Bruce is still grieving over the loss of his wife and daughter. Their DNA is still available, as he is able to generate their bodies through some incubation process, and it means that he has created numerous clones of his loved ones!
Complicating matters is another tech when has Bruce being able to extract the memories of various people, and put their memories into his computer database. Once he merges a random conscious into a clone (whether it’s the wife or daughter), that clone inherits this new consciousness. However, if the clone’s DNA does not perfectly sync up or ultimately overpower the consiousness that was uploaded, then the subject becomes more erratic. This is why Ellie had all those seizures, and once this physical state emerges, it really is past the point of no return. Upon that stage, Bruce must kill the latest version of Ellie and start from scratch!
The Third Act Goes Off The Rails – In A Good Way!!
“This is what it means to love someone,” says Bruce, as he’s digging a grave, to Ellie.
By the third act, the newest version of Ellie gets the memories of everything that has happened thanks to the actions of the previous (and now severely injured) Ellie.
Bruce’s plans go awry when injured Ellie attacks him, and new Elie sets fire to the hole, killing them both. Of course, Alice witnesses the while thing! “I’m not f**king Ellie,” says the woman who, to clarify, is not f**king Ellie.
The Ending Is Kinda Happy And Kinda WTF?
Ultimately, the woman who is not Ellie takes Alice, who is now her daughter (they are obviously bonded through tragedy) back to her original home. It’s not known if she will find her husband and son, but at leaast she and Alice (who is actually not Alice), are together.
The woman who is not Ellie, however, did not burn down the warehouse which has the gestation unit and the consciousness files. Thus a new Ellie emerges and in the final moments she walks out and says (at least I think she says): “Mercy.”
Where will this Ellie go now that Bruce is dead, and is she the exact clone of the woman who survived? And are these clones actually aliens (due to the thing on the back of their neck?). It was a little bit confusing for me, but that said I thoroughly enjoyed the wings that director BT Meza took with Affection.
Check out Bruce Purkey’s Movie Review And Spoilers coverage of Affection:
CinemAddicts co-host Eric Holmes and I also review Affection on the latest episode We both enjoyed the film more than Bruce and recommend the film:
I also did a solo review of Affection and do a deep dive on the spoilers as well. Check out my 24-minute talk on Affection which is featured on our CinemAddicts Patreon!
‘Two Pianos’ Review: François Civil And Nadia Tereszkiewicz Shine In Subtle Romantic Drama
Filmmaker Arnaud Desplachin (My Golden Days) crafts another first rate cinematic tale with Two Pianos, the story of talented pianist Mathias Volger (François Civil) whose life turns sideways during his return home. His mentor (Charlotte Rampling) and a former lover (Nadia Tereszkiewicz) bring different complications, forcing Mathias to reexamine and possibly take hold of his life. Check out my CinemAddicts review below!
Read more: ‘Two Pianos’ Review: François Civil And Nadia Tereszkiewicz Shine In Subtle Romantic Drama
A Piano Prodigy Returns Home
After a long stint teaching in Japan, Mathias Volger returns to Lyon at the request of his mentor Elena Auden (Charlotte Rampling) who wants him to perform with her at a concert. Mathias’ homecoming is met with enthusiasm from the classical musical crowd, and Elena displays an overwhelming fondness for her protégé. Elena is slightly disappointed with Mathias’ career trajectory, urging him that artists of their talents are better off living in solitude.
Mathias’ ex-lover Claude (Nadia Tereszkiewicz) is happily married to his best friend Pierre (Jeremy Lewin). His chance encounter with Claude during his return leads him to faint and, upon recovering, a night of drinking leads him to jail. His agent Max (an engaging Hippolyte Girardot) bails him out the next day, and a disheveled Mathias heads to rehearsals with an understandably concerned Elena.
There is a slight mystery at the beginning of Two Pianos regarding a child Mathias encounters in the park. Upon digging through his mother’s (Anne Kessler) photos, Mathias finds a picture of himself that looks exactly like the young stranger. Is Mathias imagining the child, or is there something logical for this coincidence?
Two Pianos = Two Different Viewpoints
Some viewers may see Mathias as a complete narcissist thanks to self-sabotaging and sulking behavior. Two Pianos, however, is a subtle and resonant look at the difficult choices some artists make to pursue their lifelong dream. Although Mathias still has passion for Claude and finds happiness in Lyon, there exists a world beyond his comfort. Elena, whose life mainly focused on artistic achievement, urges Mathias to follow her path.
These conflicting ideas swirl around Mathias’ head, and director Arnaud Desplechin weaves an immersive tale that is refreshingly uncompromising. Though Desplechin has the tools to bring a ton of operatic moments to Two Pianos, he chooses to play lighter notes during several pivotal moments (including the finale). This subtlety gives the film a true to life depth. Add in the locked in performances of Civil, Rampling and Tereszkiewicz, and Two Pianos ends up a top tier cinematic experience (my rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️).
Check out my Two Pianos review on CinemAddicts or on YouTube:
Two Pianos, running at 115 minutes, is now playing at Angelika Film Center and the Laemmle Royal. National expansion runs through early June and check out Kino Lorber for details.
***We receive a slight commission if you use our Amazon SiteStripe and/or links for your purchases. Thanks for your support!
Trailer: Maria Bakalova and David Strathairn Develop AI Afterlife Connection In ‘O Horizon’
Oscar nominees Maria Balakova and David Strathairn topline O Horizon, an upcoming drama about a neuroscientist (Balakova) who can communicate with her late father (Strathairn) thanks to a new technology. Hitting New York (June 12) and Los Angeles (June 19) theaters next month, the picture is written and directed by Emmy winning filmmaker Madeleine Rotzler. Check out the trailer and discover more info on the film below!
Read more: Trailer: Maria Bakalova and David Strathairn Develop AI Afterlife Connection In ‘O Horizon’‘O Horizon’ Deals With Inevitable AI Issues
Although the trailer offers its share of comedic moments, it also shows the huge controversy behind the narrative. If neuroscientist Abby (Maria Bakalova) communicates with her late father (David Strathairn) through AI, how will that negatively impact her life. Since AI can already generate one’s voice and image, communicating with past loved ones must be around the corner?
Madeleine Rotzler Is An Acclaimed Documentarian
Along with O Horizon, director Madeleine Rotzler also directed the 2018 HBO feature O.G. which starred Jeffrey Wright. Her documentaries include A Hard Truth Ain’t It, the Emmy award winning Dangerous Acts Starring the Unstable Elements of Belarus, and The Lottery (it was shortlisted for an Academy Award).
‘O Horizon’ Movie Facts
The movie premiered at the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival and won the Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinema.
Bakalova, who received a Supporting Actress Oscar nod for Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, also starred in Dirty Angels and The Apprentice. Strathairn, who was last seen in the Netflix series A Man on the Inside, received a Lead Actor Oscar nod for Good Night, and Good Luck.
Running at 107 minutes, O Horizon co-stars Adam Pally, Maggie Grace, Avi Nash, and Paulina Porizkova. Check out the trailer below and share your thoughts!
We review Two Pianos and The Last One for the Road on the CinemAddicts podcast:
***We receive a commission when you use our Amazon SiteStripe and/or links for your purchases. Thanks for your support!
Trailer: Pierce Brosnan And Amir El-Masry Team For “Exhilarating” Boxing Tale ‘Giant’
Giant, the true story of British-Yemeni boxing champ Prince Nassem “Naz” Hamed” (Amir El-Masry) and his relationship with Irish boxing trainer Brendan Ingle (Pierce Brosnan), punches its way in theaters and VOD starting May 22. Directed and written by Rowan Athale, Giant was released in the United Kingdom January 9, 2026 and has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 61%. Check out the trailer and share your thoughts on the film!
Read more: Trailer: Pierce Brosnan And Amir El-Masry Team For “Exhilarating” Boxing Tale ‘Giant’
Giant Was A Longtime Dream Project For Director Rowan Athale
“I’ve wanted to make this film for many years, for many reasons,” said Rowan Athale in his director’s statement. “The most important being: one, because Naseem’s story, and his journey and relationship with life-long mentor Brendan Ingle, is as moving and heartbreaking as it is exhilarating.”
Like Most Boxing Films, It’s An Underdog Tale
Giant spotlights Prince Naseem Hamed’s rise from an underdog into a boxing icon as well as his relationship with Brendan Ingle, a steel industry worker who ran his boxing gym at a humble church hall. Brosnan, who underwent a big transformation to play Ingle, was seen last year in the series MobLand (Paramount+) and The Thursday Murder Club (Netflix).
A Cinematic Boxing Legend Joins The Giant Team!
Rocky franchise legend Sylvester Stallone is one of the movie’s executive producers. It is a fitting collaboration for Athale, who reflects on his childhood love for Rocky III in a Variety interview.
Giant Trailer Shows Hamed And Ingle’s Complicated Relationship
The trailer shows a few clips of possible friction between Prince Naseem Hamed’s relationship with Brendan Ingle. All you’ll need to do is search on the interwebs for the ultimate fate of their friendship, but for spoiler free purposes let’s just keep that info under wraps!
Rounding out the ensemble are Katherine Dow Blyton, Ali Saleh, Ghaith Saleh, and Toby Stephens. Running at 120 minutes, Giant hits theates and VOD May 22nd. Share your thoughts on the movie in the comments!
We review Two Pianos and The Last One for the Road on the latest CinemAddicts podcast:
Giant Is On Our CinemAddicts Radar!
I’m a sucker for boxing films and Pierce Brosnan projects, so Giant is a no-brainer watch for me. We’ll be covering the movie on CinemAddicts as well, so stay tuned for that review later this month!
***We receive a slight commission if you use our Affiliate links for your purchases. Thanks for your support!
‘The Last One For The Road’ Review: “Enjoyable” Hangout Movie Is “High On Character”
CinemAddicts co-host Bruce Purkey recommends the Italian feature The Last One For The Road on this week’s podcast. Now playing in New York (Film at Lincoln Center, IFC Center), the film is a meandering hangout narrative that Purkey said is “low on plot and very high on character.” There is also a bunch of drinking involved and some engaging conversation. Check out Purkey’s review for further insight on The Last One For The Road!
Madison Lawlor Reflects On “Exciting” Feeling Of ‘Casa Grande’ Return
Now playing in theaters, Casa Grande is an epic family drama about Hassie Clarkman (Madison Lawlor), a young woman who returns to her family farm in support of her ailing father Sawyer (John Pyper-Ferguson). Fans of the original series should be locked in for the further adventures of the Clarkman family, and Lawlor talked to Deepest Dream about the series’ impact on her life.
Read more: Madison Lawlor Reflects On “Exciting” Feeling Of ‘Casa Grande’ Return
The space between the Casa Grande series and the film was significant enough for Madison Lawlor to grow as an actor. “I think five years when you’re in your twenties feels pretty substantial in terms of the amount that you’re educating yourself and taking in and honing in on who you are and appraoch things,” said Lawlor, who starred last year in the feature Green and Gold. “And Hassie simultaneously grew up a lot in that time. Coming back from a TV show to a movie, there is something different about that format tonally as well. So it was exciting to come back to the same character but approach it differently.”
Listen to our review of Casa Grande on CinemAddicts:
As she matures as an actor, Lawlor has a grounded outlook on her creative life. “I think some of the best advice I’ve been given is – if you’re an artist, approach your life like that,” said Lawlor. “So everything that you do and people that you interact with should fill you up and inform you as well. I think living your life with a sense of curiousity and through that lens is important too.”
Now playing in theaters, Casa Grande co-stars Christina Moore and Lou Diamond Phillips.
Are you a fan of Casa Grande and will you be watching it this weekend? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Full interview with Madison Lawlor, John Pyper-Ferguson, and Christina Moore:
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‘Fuze’ Ending Explained And Spoilers: A Sam Worthington Surprise?
Directed by Hell or High Water filmmaker David Mackenzie,Fuze is an action-thriller with a healthy share of twists. On this week’s CinemAddicts, we review the movie and also dive into spoilers for the all-star cast feature. Co-host Eric Holmes and I had different takes on what surprised us the most about the movie. Check out our Fuze ending explained and spoilers review below!
Read more: ‘Fuze’ Ending Explained And Spoilers: A Sam Worthington Surprise?
Fuze hit theaters on April 24, and if you have not seen the movie, it’s worth checking out expecially if you are a fan of actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Sam Worthington, Theo James, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Each of them do solid work in the picture, although a couple of them do not get the lion’s share of screen time due to its twisty narrative. Spoilers are in the next paragraph – you have been warned!
Sam Worthington’s “X” Was Barely In The Film!
He may be an A-list actor, but Avatar’s Sam Worthington, who also starred in David Mackenzie’s Relay, was a supporting player in the feature. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Theo James play Will and Karalis, two highly different men whose lives changed during a mine filled firefight. Will promised to return the favor to Karalis after the diamond thief disabled a mine that was right under Will’s foot (Karalis cut the wires).
Co-host Eric Holmes was shocked to see Sam Worthington, who the heist leader X, die at the hands of Will. Holmes thought Worthington would have a much bigger role in Fuze, but ultimately that is one of the picture’s intended twists. He may be at the center of the Avatar universe, but in Fuze Worthington is just a piece of this intricate puzzle.
Why Did Theo James Lie About The Diamonds?
Why did Karalis continue to lie about the diamonds when he already had one hand smashed in by a henchman? He was placed at the trunk of a car and was presumably going to be killed. That is until X (Worthington) and his the surviving members of his crew chase down the henchman, cause a car crash, and take them out.
Karalis was skating a fine line by double crossing his heist partners, lying to his hired henchmen, and remaining confident that Will would return the “I saved your life” favor. Eric and I discuss that fake diamonds hand smashing scene ad nauseum in our spoilers video:
Listen to the full episode of this week’s CinemAddicts:
