
Breadwinner Flops in a Dated, Unfunny Gender-Swap Comedy
A misfiring gender-role swap comedy that aims to critique work-life balance but lands as a dated, unfunny misfire, with supporting players delivering more energy than the lead.
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A misfiring gender-role swap comedy that aims to critique work-life balance but lands as a dated, unfunny misfire, with supporting players delivering more energy than the lead.

A scathing review argues The Breadwinner recycles the Mr. Mom-era premise into a stale, joke-light comedy about a stay-at-home dad; Nate Bargatze’s goodwill isn’t enough to overcome clichés, and its retro take on gender roles feels out of step for today, making the film harmless but forgettable.

James Gray’s Cannes premiere Paper Tiger is a tightly wound 1980s New York tragedy about two brothers pulled into a mafia‑adjacent real‑estate scheme: Adam Driver's Gary exudes tragic grandeur while Miles Teller's Irwin clings to hard‑working idealism, as secrets and a health scare threaten to tear the family apart in a city on the edge.

A Tom’s Guide review finds Bob Odenkirk’s Normal to be a serviceable but forgettable 90‑minute action film that fails to capture the spark of Nobody. While the Minnesota-set premise involving the Yakuza and a temporary sheriff position has potential, the movie doesn’t develop its characters or atmosphere enough, sticks to telegraphed kills, and ends up more mundane than satisfying. It’s not a disaster, but it’s streaming‑worthy at best and worth skipping for a theatrical experience.

A tongue-in-cheek direct-to-Netflix shark disaster that smiles more than it wows: a hurricane floods the coast as bull sharks stalk the streets, delivering gory set-pieces and a few laughs, aided by solid effects and a Vanessa Carlton needle drop. Character depth is thin and the sharks are underutilized, but it’s fun enough to earn a 6/10 and stream on Netflix.

Vulture’s Bilge Ebiri calls Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice a wildly violent, stylishly chaotic action-comedy now on Hulu, featuring Vince Vaughn in a dual role and a time-travel twist. While the tonal shifts aren’t perfectly cohesive, the film’s zippy banter, inventive set-pieces, and a climactic shootout suggest strong midnight-movie/cult-potential for the right crowd.

Bilge Ebiri says Project Hail Mary is a flashy, entertaining sci‑fi adventure led by Ryan Gosling, but it's often undercut by a heavy, sometimes groan‑worthy injection of humor; the film follows Dr. Ryland Grace on a one‑way mission to stop star‑eating Astrophage from dooming Earth, blending suspenseful stakes with the directors' comedic flair. While it’s a watchable, ambitious ride, the humor can pull focus from the sci‑fi drama.

Sam Raimi returns with Send Help, a desert-island survival story that pits Linda Liddle against a spoiled CEO after a plane crash; the setup is sharp and satirical, and Rachel McAdams delivers a solid performance, but the film veers into gratuitous gore that undercuts believability and derails some of the satire, leaving the latter half feel derivative despite the strong opener. Release dates: Australia Jan 29, US Jan 30, UK Feb 5.

The review of 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' highlights its complex mystery plot, social commentary on conservative Christianity, and a central theme of genuine grace exemplified through the character of Father Judd, emphasizing acts of love and compassion as the true reflection of Christian faith.

The film 'Song Sung Blue' stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as local musicians inspired by Neil Diamond, but the movie is criticized for exploiting real-life hardships for dramatic effect and relying on clichés, which diminishes the authenticity of their stories.

The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants is a visually lively but ultimately exhausting and somewhat flat adventure that primarily appeals to children and dedicated fans, featuring silly jokes and familiar characters without much innovation or excitement for adults.

Playdate (2025), directed by Luke Greenfield, is a poorly executed comedy featuring Kevin James and Alan Ritchson as stay-at-home dads, with a bizarre mix of slapstick, regressive humor, and high-concept sci-fi elements that fail to entertain or develop characters, resulting in an unwatchable film.
The film 'Regretting You,' directed by Josh Boone and starring Allison Williams and Dave Franco, is a poorly executed adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel, criticized for its lack of originality, uneven tone, and superficial character development, failing to live up to the potential of its source material or Boone's previous work.

Netflix added the 2001 psychological thriller 'Don't Say a Word,' which, despite mixed reviews, offers a twisty and engaging mystery with solid performances, making it a good choice for fans of suspenseful films looking for a palate cleanser after less satisfying recent releases.

Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein' is a visually stunning, emotionally rich adaptation that reimagines the classic tale with a sympathetic Creature and a flawed Victor Frankenstein, emphasizing gothic beauty and tragic depth. The film highlights themes of parental abuse and the monster's innocence, with standout performances and elaborate production design, making it one of the most unique and heartfelt Frankenstein adaptations to date.