CinemaJaw

Reviewed: Back in Action, Presence

JawHeads, we’re diving into the action this week with Back in Action, the long-awaited reunion of Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx. Does their chemistry bring the heat, or is this one mission better left incomplete? We break it all down in our review.

PLUS: We take a closer look at Presence, a hidden gem making waves for its unique narrative and gripping performances.

And we’re thrilled to be joined by critic extraordinaire Mark Dujsik, who helps us break down the Best Scenes of 2024. From jaw-dropping action to emotionally charged moments, this year gave us plenty to talk about—and argue over!

It’s a jam-packed jaw with action, insight, and all the best cinematic moments. Let’s roll!

Reviewed: Wolf Man

JawHeads, this week we’re howling with excitement as we sink our teeth into Wolf Man! This modern reimagining of the classic Universal monster movie brings a fresh take to a timeless tale. Does it deliver the chills, thrills, and howl-worthy performances we’ve been waiting for? We’re breaking it all down.

Joining us is the always insightful Jeff York, bringing his expertise and passion to the discussion. Together, we’ll also be diving into our Top Male Performances in Film for 2024. From transformative roles to career-defining moments, this list is packed with the very best acting of the year.

It’s a jam-packed jaw filled with monsters, masterful performances, and deep cinematic dives. Let’s roll!

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Jeff:

Ry:

Timothee Chalamet

Guy Pierce

Justice Smith

Colman Domingo

Jeremy Strong

Reviewed: Wallace & Gromit Vengeance Most Fowl

Hey JawHeads, this week we’re cracking open a big one! Wallace and Gromit are back in Vengeance Most Fowl, and we’re here to review their latest, greatest (and most feathered) adventure. Does this long-awaited sequel take flight, or does it lay an egg? We’ll break it all down.

Joining us is the one and only Cati Glidewell, aka The Blonde in Front, bringing her passionate and insightful take on all things movies. With her help, we’re diving into our Top 5 Female Performances in Film 2024—a year that’s been packed with incredible performances from some of the best actresses in the business.

It’s a jam-packed jaw filled with claymation chaos, standout performances, and thoughtful film discussion. Let’s roll!

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Cati:

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Reviewed: The Brutalist

This week we’re diving into one of the most compelling films of the year—The Brutalist. Adrien Brody delivers a towering performance as visionary architect László Tóth in this ambitious historical drama. But does the film’s grand design hold up, or does it crumble under its own weight? We’re breaking it all down in our review.

PLUS: Inspired by The Brutalist, we’re counting down our Top 3 Adrien Brody Movies. From Oscar-winning classics to unforgettable indie gems, this guy has had an incredible career. Which performances make our list? Tune in to find out.

It’s another jam-packed jaw! Let’s roll.

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Ry:

The lights are dimming, the credits are rolling, and what a year it’s been, JawHeads! As 2024 comes to a close, we’re celebrating the best of the best with our Top 10 Movies of the Year. From breathtaking epics to unforgettable indies, this list has it all—and trust us, it wasn’t easy narrowing it down!

To help us break it all down, we’re joined by the one and only Brian Tallerico, Managing Editor of RogerEbert.com and one of the sharpest minds in film criticism today. Brian brings his expertise and unique perspective as we debate, celebrate, and dissect the very best movies of the year.

PLUS: We’re reflecting on the year that was—our favorite interviews, big surprises, and what we’re most excited for in 2025. And, of course, we’ll be thanking YOU, our amazing JawHeads, for making every episode this year a blast.

?? It’s our final jaw of the year, and it’s one you don’t want to miss!

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Brian:

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Reviewed: A Complete Unknown

Surprise! Some actors have pipes you’d never expect, and this week on CinemaJaw, we’re counting down our Top 3 ‘Who Knew They Could Sing?!’ Performances. From dramatic powerhouses belting out show-stopping ballads to action stars surprising us with soulful melodies, these performances hit all the right notes.

We’re also reviewing A Complete Unknown, the new Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet. Can Chalamet’s portrayal capture the mystery, complexity, and sound of Dylan’s legendary career? Or is it just blowing in the wind? We break it all down!

Plus, we dive into some of cinema’s biggest musical surprises—actors who made us say, “Wait… THEY can sing?” It’s a jam-packed jaw filled with rhythm, soul, and a few unexpected harmonies. Let’s roll!

Matt:

Ry:

Reviewed: The Order

Get ready, JawHeads, because we’re about to press play on a treasure trove of found footage greatness! This week, we’re joined by the legendary curators of odd VHS relics themselves—Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher from Found Footage Festival! These guys have seen it all, from bizarre instructional videos to the strangest home movies ever captured on tape. The Fest is currently on tour, about to make it’s stop in Chicago and then onto other cities. Check their site to see if it’s near you!

Inspired by their archival adventures, we’re counting down our Top 3 Found Footage Movies—whether it’s hidden gems, mockumentaries, or the iconic films that defined the genre. Expect some surprises, plenty of nostalgia, and maybe a few wild VHS-worthy picks of our own!

Plus, we’re reviewing The Order, the gritty new thriller starring Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, and Tye Sheridan. Does its dark, intense world of extremism and moral complexity hold up, or does the weight of its bleak tone sink the experience? We’ll break it down.

So grab your old camcorder, dust off that VHS collection, and join us for another jam-packed jaw! Let’s roll!

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Ry:

Joe:

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Bonus

Adrian Brody in his own “found footage” as a kid in a board game commercial.

Reviewed: Moana 2, Gladiator 2, Wicked

This week on CinemaJaw, we’ve got sequels and showstoppers galore! First, we dive into Disney’s Moana 2, a heartfelt return to the Pacific that’s sure to stir the waters of your soul. Then it’s off to the Roman Colosseum for Gladiator 2—can this epic follow-up rise to the occasion or does it fall on its sword? Finally, we take to the skies (and the stage!) with Wicked: Part I, the long-awaited big-screen adaptation of the Broadway sensation.

But that’s not all. We’re also testing our trivia mettle with Jeff Goldblum Movie Trivia—can we stump the Kubinski? And we continue celebrating the one and only Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a true titan of cinema, action, and eyebrow acting. It’s another jam-packed jaw, so let’s get into it!

Reviewed: Emilia Perez

Cinema is full of fresh starts, bold transformations, and second chances. This week on CinemaJaw, we’re diving into our Top 5 Character Rebirths or Second Acts. Whether it’s Gandalf’s rise as the White Wizard or Neo breaking free from the Matrix, we’re spotlighting characters who were reborn to rewrite their destinies.

On the review front, we step into the world of Emilia Pérez, Jacques Audiard’s bold and funky crime-meets-musical tale of identity and transformation. Does this genre-bending story hit the high notes, or does it get lost in its own groove? Plus, we celebrate Zoe Saldana in this week’s trivia challenge and give a shout-out to the one and only Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as our featured star of the month. Packed jaw? You better believe it!

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Reviewed: Memoir of a Snail, Blitz, A Real Pain

CinemaJaw is back this week with a lineup that’ll take you from the heartbreakingly slow to the painfully funny—literally! We’re diving into three films that bring their own unique twist to storytelling: Memoir of a Snail, Blitz, and A Real Pain. This episode has it all—whether you’re looking to ponder life’s big questions at a snail’s pace, or laugh (and cringe) at family drama, we’ve got you covered.

First up, Memoir of a Snail. Directed by stop-motion mastermind Adam Elliot, this is a film that says, “Slow down!” and really means it. We follow the journey of Grace Pudel and her little snail buddies through a story that’s equal parts tragic, hilarious, and, yeah, a bit weird. Is it worth inching along for this arthouse experience, or should we leave it in the garden? You’ll have to listen to find out!

Then there’s Blitz. Set during the tumultuous years of WWII, with a cast that takes no prisoners. If Memoir of a Snail is all about slowing down, Blitz is here to speed things right back up!

Finally, we dive into A Real Pain, the latest dark comedy from Jesse Eisenberg, who both directs and stars alongside Kieran Culkin. Let’s just say that if you’ve ever been on a family trip that went south, you’ll feel right at home here. Is this film “painfully” good, or is it just… a real pain?

PLUS! Each host pairs each review with a “double feature”, another movie to put on your queue that pairs nicely.

So grab your popcorn, hit play, and get ready for an episode that’s all about the speed, the laughs, and the heartfelt moments. Let’s dive in!