After the unexpectedly bonkers first film, we didn't feel as though a second was possible or necessary...

But after seeing the trailer, we become cautiously optimistic.

READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME

108 Minutes, Rated R

Written by Guy Busick, R. Christopher Murphy, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin

Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett

Synopsis:

After surviving one deadly game, Grace and her sister Faith must now outrun four rival families competing for a powerful throne - winner takes all.

A big winner out of the Sundance Film Festival, A24 snapped this one up quick and now it's in theaters for your viewing (and listening) pleasure:

UNDERTONE

93 minutes, Rated R

Written by Ian Tuason

Directed by Ian Tuason

Synopsis:

The host of a popular paranormal podcast becomes haunted by terrifying recordings mysteriously sent her way.

Is it worth the hype? Let's find out.

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You can read more reviews and opinions o...

Maggie Gyllenhaal is here with a tremendous cast (Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale) and inspiration from on of the greatest horror novels ever written to give us:

THE BRIDE!

126 Minutes, Rated R

Written by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary Shelley

Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal

Synopsis:

In 1930s Chicago, Frankenstein asks Dr. Euphronius to help create a companion. They give life to a murdered woman as the Bride, sparking romance, police interest, and radical social change.

There's been a LOT...

Big announcement today from Nathan Fillion and his former (?) shipmates:

FIREFLY RETURNS!

Sure, it's in animated form, and sure, they don't have an actual commitment from a distribution outlet yet...

But HEY! It's back.

~~~~~

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Blasting into theaters Friday, March 20, Ryan Gosling tries to save the world in

PROJECT HAIL MARY

156 Minutes, Rated PG-13

Written by Drew Goddard, Andy Weir

Directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller

Synopsis:

Science teacher Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship light-years from home with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission: solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out. He...

You can read more reviews and opinions on our website: https://VSMoviePodcast.com.

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And please, if you like what we...

Whelp... lots of people have lots to say about this one, the latest from Disney/Pixar:

HOPPERS

105 Minutes, Rated PG

Written by Daniel Chong

Directed by Daniel Chong, Jesse Andrews

Synopsis:

A 19-year-old animal lover uses technology that places her consciousness into a robotic beaver to uncover mysteries within the animal world beyond her imagination.

Yes, you could compare it to the Avatar films, no matter what the trailers tell you...

But is...

A24? Check.

Glen Powell? Check.

Margaret Qualley? Check.

What could possibly disappoint us about this one?

HOW TO MAKE A KILLING

105 Minutes, Rated R

Written and Directed by John Patton Ford

Synopsis:

Disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family, blue-collar Becket Redfellow will stop at nothing to reclaim his inheritance, no matter how many relatives stand in his way.

Let's bump off some of the competition, shall we?

~~~~~

Well, Valentine’s Day is here again, and with it, in addition to what I am sure are at least a dozen “new” Hallmark Channel movies, we get a couple Hollywood entries at the box office.

First up:

"WUTHERING HEIGHTS"

136 Minutes, Rated R

Written by Emerald Fennell, Emily Bronte

Directed by Emerald Fennell

Synopsis:

A passionate and tumultuous love story set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, exploring the intense and destructive relati...

Mark and Ryan join forces, for the first time in the same room, to discuss two new films:

MERCY

and

DRACULA

Sure, the dynamic is different (or is it?), but the discussion is just as good as ever.

But are the movies...?

~~~~~

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This is it. Listen as Mark and Ryan talk about their time screening films at the last Park City based

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

How were the movies?

How was the atmosphere?

Listen to find out.

~~~~~

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The boys both love Sam Raimi movies, and who doesn't love Rachel McAdams, who reteams with Sam after Doctor Strange: in the Multiverse of Madness for

SEND HELP

113 Minutes, Rated R

Written by Damian Shannon & Mark Swift

Directed by Sam Raimi

Synopsis:

Two colleagues become stranded on a deserted island, the only survivors of a plane crash. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, but ultimately, it's an unsettling, darkly humorous battle of wills...

This one has been on our radar since 2025's 28 Years Later, and we've been a bit psyched to see Ralph Fiennes and Jack O'Connell chew up this entry in the 28 franchise.

Alex Garland is writing this one again, so let's get right into it:

28 DAYS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE

109 Minutes, Rated R

Written by Alex Garland

Directed by Nia DiCosta

Synopsis:

As Spike is inducted into Jimmy Crystal's gang on the mainland, Dr. Kelson makes a...

The guys start off 2026 with two films in theaters TODAY, January 9:

GREENLAND 2: MIGRATION

and

IS THIS THING ON?

These are two very different movies, and we generally enjoyed one of them more than the other.

Continue on to find out which is what, and why.

~~~~~

GREENLAND 2: MIGRATION

98 Minutes, Rated PG-13

Written by Mitchell LaFortune, Chris Sparling

Directed by Ric roman Waugh<...

Well, it's the end of the year, so we thought we'd talk about the upcoming Awards Season as members of the UTAH FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION.

We discuss a few of the bigger categories and whether we'd make some changes to the nominees.

Oh, and now we have to talk about

AVATAR: FIRE AND ASS ASH

Enjoy.

~~~~~

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Our (likely) last two film reviews of 2025 both feature the amazing and talented Amanda Seyfried.

THE HOUSEMAID

and

THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE

These are two very dissimilar films, as you’ll find out, so let’s get started.

~~~~~

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We here at the Visually Stunning Movie Podcast love Jessie Buckley, so how much are we going to love her in this fantastically historical piece of fiction?

HAMNET

125 Minutes, Rated PG-13

Written by Chloe Zhao, Maggie O’Farrell

Directed by Chloe Zhao

Synopsis:

A powerful story of love and loss that inspired the creation of Shakespeare's timeless masterpiece, "Hamlet".

Probably a lot, but what about the rest of the movie?

~~~~~

You ca...

It's time. The biggest Awards-bait of the season with one of Hollywood's favorite actors, George Clooney.

JAY KELLY

132 Minutes, Rated R

Written by Noah Baumbach, Emily Mortimer

Directed by Noah Baumbach

Synopsis:

Famous movie actor Jay Kelly embarks on a journey of self-discovery, confronting his past and present with his devoted manager Ron. Poignant and humor-filled, pitched at the intersection of regrets and glories.

Mark and Ryan are definitely split on this one.

It’s time for the third entry in the Knives Out universe. Creator Rian Johnson hasn’t disappointed us with Kentucky Fried Detective Benoit Blanc yet, and we see no reason why he should start now.

WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY

140 Minutes, Rated PG-13

Written by Rian Johnson

Directed by Rian Johnson

Synopsis:

Benoit Blanc returns for his most dangerous case yet.

Watch to learn what the guys think of this one...

~~...

Well, it’s finally here: the sequel/follow-up/completion of last year’s theater-crowd favorite:

WICKED: FOR GOOD.

137 Minutes, Rated PG

Written by Stephen Schwartz, Winnie Holzman, Gregory Maguire

Directed by Jon M. Chu

Synopsis:

Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West and her relationship with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. The second of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.

How do Mark and Ryan feel about this second bite at the...

It’s no lie that Brendan Fraser is undergoing a career renaissance, and rightly so, as his Oscar-wining performance in The Whale demonstrated, and who may have surpassed that performance here.

RENTAL FAMILY

103 Minutes, Rated PG-13

Written by Hikari, Stephen Blahut

Directed by Hikari

Synopsis:

An American actor in Tokyo struggling to find purpose lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese "rental family" agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. He rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the beauty of human connection.

That's right, it's time for the annual tradition of "actor completely changes themselves physically for a role."

This time, it's Sydney Sweeney breaking a sweat and lacing up the gloves for

CHRISTY

135 Minutes, Rated R

Written by David Michôd, Mirrah Foulkes, Katherine Fugate

Directed by David Michôd

Synopsis:

Christy Martin never imagined life beyond her small-town roots in West Virginia—until she discovered a knack for punching people. Fueled by grit, raw determination, and an unsh...

From Netflix Animation,

IN YOUR DREAMS

90 Minutes, Rated PG

Written by Erik Benson, Alex Woo

Directed by Erik Benson, Alex Woo

Synopsis:

Stevie and her little brother Elliot journey into the wildly absurd landscape of their own dreams to ask the Sandman to grant them the perfect family.

How does this one stack up against the Disneys and Dreamworks?

Pull up a pillow and find out.

~~~~~

You can...

Racing into theaters this weekend, Edgar Wright brings us a new vision of a Stephen King classic:

THE RUNNING MAN

133 Minutes, Rated R

Written by Stephen King, Michael Bacall, Edgar Wright

Directed by Edgar Wright

Synopsis:

A man joins a game show in which contestants, allowed to go anywhere in the world, are pursued by "hunters" hired to kill them.

Glen Powell steps into the immortal Arnold Schwarzenegger's combat boots for this one.

...

In theaters now, Russell Crowe and Rami Malek go head to head, with Richard E Grant and Michael Shannon backing them up, in

NUREMBERG

148 Minutes, Rated PG-13

Written by James Vanderbilt, Jack El-Hai

Directed by James Vanderbilt

Synopsis:

A WWII psychiatrist evaluates Nazi leaders before the Nuremberg trials, growing increasingly obsessed with understanding evil as he forms a disturbing bond with Hermann Göring.

Heady and depressing stuff, with some absolutely sizzling performances (especially Michael Shannon).

Welcome back friend of the show Val Cameron as she and Mark discuss

SPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE

119 Minutes, Rated PG-13

Written by Scott Cooper, Warren Zanes

Directed by Scott Cooper

Synopsis:

Bruce Springsteen's journey crafting his 1982 album Nebraska, which emerged as he recorded Born in the USA with the E Street Band. Based on Warren Zanes' book.

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You can read more reviews and opinions on our website: https://VSMoviePodcast.com.

...

This week, Oscar winner Emma Stone re-teams with director Yorgos Lanthimos in a sticky tale of conspiracy and paranoia:

BUGONIA

118 Minutes, Rated R

Written by Will Tracy, Jang Joon-hwan

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos

Synopsis:

Two conspiracy-obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.

Yorgos' films aren't for everyone, and our own responses to his films have been varied. How will we respond to...

The guys both really enjoyed the risk-taking results Disney garnered from the first two volumes of

STAR WARS: VISIONS

So they were very much looking forward to this third installment.

Can the streak continue?

Listen and find out.

~~~~~

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A couple years ago, Colleen Hoover had the first film adaptation of one of her novels in theaters (IT ENDS WITH US). Now, we have the second:

REGRETTING YOU

117 Minutes, Rated PG-13

Written by Colleen Hoover, Susan McMartin

Directed by Josh Boone

Synopsis:

Centers on the strained relationship between young mother Morgan Grant and her teenage daughter Clara, exacerbated by Morgan's husband Chris's tragic death, forcing them to navigate life's challenges together.

Mark and Ryan freely admit...

Well, you don't get a film like this one every day:

GOOD BOY

72 Minutes, Rated PG-13

Written by Alex Cannon, Ben Leonberg

Directed by Ben Leonberg

Synopsis:

A loyal dog moves to a rural family home with his owner, only to discover supernatural forces lurking in the shadows. As dark entities threaten his human companion, the brave pup must fight to protect the one he loves most.

This is a film which deserves to be talked about...

it's no secret that the buys very much enjoy when A24 kicks out a new movie to chew on, and this one was no exception.

Some heady and unusual stuff from writer/director Mary Bronstein and star Rose Byrne:

IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU

113 Minutes, Rated R

Written and Directed by Mary Bronstein

Synopsis:

With her life crashing down around her, Linda attempts to navigate her child's mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person, and...

If it walks like a Gothic Horror and talks like a Gothic Horror, it must be the granddaddy of all Gothic Horrors,

FRANKENSTEIN

149 Minutes, Rated R

Written by Guillermo del Toro, Mary Shelley

Directed by Guillermo del Toro

Synopsis:

A brilliant but egotistical scientist brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.

Mark and Ryan absolutely love Guillermo's work, so this one should be a...

Scott Derrickson is calling, but will Finney answer again?

BLACK PHONE 2

114 Minutes, Rated R

Written by C. Robert Cargill, Scott Derrickson, Joe Hill

Directed by Scott Derrickson

Synopsis:

As Finn, now 17, struggles with life after his captivity, his sister begins receiving calls in her dreams from the black phone and seeing disturbing visions of three boys being stalked at a winter camp known as Alpine Lake.

Mark and Ryan were both fans of the first film...

Breaking into theaters today, Channing Tatum is:

ROOFMAN

126 Minutes, Rated R

Written by Derek Cianfrance, Kirt Bunn

Directed by Derek Cianfrance

Synopsis:

A charismatic criminal, while on the run from the police, hides in a hidden space of a toy store. There, he adopts a new identity and becomes involved with an employee, beginning a relationship as unlikely as it is risky.

Is ROOFMAN going to get away with his cinematic crimes or get taken down by...

Streaking into theaters this week, it's the third entry in the venerable TRON franchise,

TRON: ARES

119 Minutes, Rated PG-13

Written by Jesse Wigutow, David DiGilio, Steven Lisberger

Directed by Joachim Ronning

Synopsis:

A highly sophisticated Program, Ares, is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission.

Mark may have been looking forward to this one more than Ryan, but may also have been more unnerved by the idea of its very existence...

Now playing on Apple TV+ (our favorite streaming service... still not a sponsor), it's Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera in

THE LOST BUS

129 Minutes, Rated R

Written by Brad Ingelsby, Paul Greengrass, Lizzie Johnson

Directed by Paul Greengrass

Synopsis:

A wayward school bus driver and a dedicated school teacher battle to save 22 children from a terrifying inferno.

Based on true events, how do Mark and Ryan feel this one stacks up as a cinematic tale of...

Blowing up into theater for a limited run this Friday (October 10) before heading to NETFLIX in two weeks, it's the latest from director Kathryn Bigelow:

A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE

112 Minutes, Rated R

Written Noah Oppenheim

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow

Synopsis:

When a single, unattributed missile is launched at the United States, a race begins to determine who is responsible and how to respond.

Mark and Ryan have different takes on this one, be sure to let...

This time, the guys step into the ring with Dwayne "don't call me The Rock" Johnson as he takes a shot at his most dramatic role to date as fighter Mark Kerr in:

123 Minutes, Rated R

Written and Directed by Benny Safdie

THE SMASHING MACHINE

Synopsis:

The story of mixed-martial arts and UFC champion, Mark Kerr.

Is this one a knockout or will it get TKOed?

~~~~~

You can read more reviews and opinions...

Another year, another FanX. This time, Mark and Ryan both got to do some panel work (with and without celebrities), featuring folks like John Rhys-Davies, Danny Elfman, and Sean Schemmell, and topics like Monty Python and the Holy Grail and A24 (one of our favorite studios).

How did the event run overall?

Watch and find out.

~~~~~

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Have a listen as Mark and Ryan catch up on one of the more enjoyable streaming series they've watched

WEDNESDAY

8 Episodes (~ 45 Min each), Rated TV-14

Created by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar

Synopsis:

Follows Wednesday Addams' years as a student, when she attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a killing spree, and solve the mystery that embroiled her parents.

They both enjoyed Season 1 quite a bit and had high hopes as Season 2 finally hit Netflix after too long...