I Hate Critics Movie Review Podcast

In this episode of I Hate Critics, we dive into three intriguing new releases and revisit a classic holiday favorite!

• Red One Directed by Jake Kasdan and starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Chris Evans, J.K. Simmons, and Kiernan Shipka. When a villain kidnaps Santa Claus, an E.L.F. (Extremely Large and Formidable) operative teams up with the world’s greatest tracker to save Christmas in this action-packed holiday adventure.

• Emilia Perez Directed by Jacques Audiard and featuring Karla Sofia Gascón, Zoe Saldana, and Selena Gomez. This unique film tells the story of a notorious cartel boss who enlists a lawyer to help fulfill a lifelong dream: retiring and transitioning into life as a woman.

• A Real Pain Directed by Jesse Eisenberg and starring Eisenberg himself alongside Kieran Culkin. Two estranged cousins reconnect during a trip to Poland to honor their grandmother but must confront family secrets and unresolved issues along the way.

• Home for the Holidays Directed by Jodie Foster and starring Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., and Anne Bancroft. This dysfunctional family Thanksgiving movie is a heartwarming and hilarious reminder of why we sometimes dread the holidays.

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1994 continues to be one of the worst years for movies of all time with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Mary Shelly's Frankenstein Directed by Kenneth Branagh Starring Kenneth Branagh's ego Drowning in the ego of Kenneth Branagh, Mary Shelley's legendary monster story miscasts Robert De Niro as the monster while doing everything to indulge the ego of star and director Kenneth Branagh.

This episode of the I Hate Critics Movie Review Podcast is a celebration of love for memorable movies and iconic performances. We review two exciting new films and pay tribute to a legendary horror actor.

Anora Directed by Sean Baker Starring Mikey Madison

This week, we dive into Anora, a striking film from Sean Baker. Mikey Madison shines as Anora, a Brooklyn sex worker who finds herself in a modern-day Cinderella story after marrying the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch. But just as her dreams seem within reach, the fairytale turns dark when his family arrives from Russia, determined to end the marriage.

Heretic Directed by Beck and Woods Starring Hugh Grant

Next up, Heretic takes us into suspenseful and sinister territory. Hugh Grant plays the enigmatic Mr. Reed, a twisted character who traps two young missionaries in his home, forcing them into a deadly game of survival. It’s a thrilling tale of faith, fear, and resilience.

Classic: Candyman Directed by Bernard Rose Starring Tony Todd

In tribute, we remember Tony Todd, who passed away in 2024. Known best for his chilling performance as Candyman, Todd’s legacy in horror cinema is unparalleled. His imposing presence, unforgettable voice, and dedication to his craft have left an indelible mark on fans and filmmakers alike. R.I.P. Tony Todd (1954–2024).

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The Road to Wellville Directed by Alan Parker A staunch advocate of healthy living, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (Anthony Hopkins) opens a sanitarium that promotes his progressive, if eccentric, ideas about optimal well-being. Among the clients who arrive at the facility are the opportunistic Charles Ossining (John Cusack), who is keen on marketing Kellogg's cereal, and the wealthy Will Lightbody (Matthew Broderick) and his wife, Eleanor (Bridget Fonda). This comedy is inspired by an actual spa run by Dr. Kellogg at the turn of the century.

The Shawshank Redemption Directed by Frank Darabon Starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for the murders of his wife and her lover and is sentenced to a tough prison. However, only Andy knows he didn't commit the crimes. While there, he forms a friendship with Red (Morgan Freeman), experiences brutality of prison life, adapts, helps the warden, etc., all in 19 years.

In this episode, we review two new films and revisit a time-travel classic!

Here Directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright This introspective drama from Zemeckis follows multiple generations of couples and families as they inhabit the same home over a century. With Tom Hanks and Robin Wright leading the cast, Here dives into the layers of connection, change, and continuity within the walls of a single house.

Woman of the Hour Directed by Anna Kendrick, starring Anna Kendrick and Daniel Zovatto Set in 1970s Los Angeles amidst a wave of sensational murders, this film marks Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut. She also stars as a young actress who unknowingly encounters a serial killer while appearing on a dating show. Woman of the Hour blends tension and dark humor with chilling real-life inspiration.

Classic Film: Back to the Future Directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd No Zemeckis spotlight would be complete without Back to the Future! This iconic 1980s sci-fi adventure follows Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) as he travels back to the 1950s in Doc Brown’s (Christopher Lloyd) modified DeLorean. He must ensure his parents fall in love to safeguard his future—and find a way back to his own time.

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In this episode, we dive into Venom: The Last Dance, directed by Kelly Marcel and starring Tom Hardy. Eddie Brock and Venom are back with a choice that could change everything as they’re pursued by a relentless military figure and alien monsters from Venom’s home planet. Will the duo survive, and what sacrifices must they make along the way?

We also review Conclave, a taut thriller directed by Edward Berger and starring Ralph Fiennes, John Lithgow, and Stanley Tucci. This film brings audiences into the Vatican’s hidden corridors as Cardinal Lawrence unearths secrets that threaten the very core of the Catholic Church during a papal election.

Next up is Your Monster, directed by Caroline Lindy and starring Melissa Barrera and Tommy Dewey. This unique horror-comedy follows Laura Franco, an actress rediscovering her strength after meeting a strange, charismatic monster living in her closet.

For our classic pick, we revisit Agnes of God (1985). Directed by Norman Jewison and starring Jane Fonda, Meg Tilly, and Anne Bancroft, this tense drama pits science and faith against each other in a mystery involving a young nun’s shocking secrets.

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In this episode, we dive into Apple's troubled release of Wolfs. What went wrong, and why did such a promising film stumble out of the gate? We also discuss the film We Live in Time, starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. This poignant drama, directed by John Crowley, follows the unexpected and emotional journey of Almut and Tobias as they navigate the limits of time in their unconventional love story.

Next, we revisit the terrifying world of Smile and its sequel Smile 2. In Smile, directed by Parker Finn, Dr. Rose Cotter faces a spiraling nightmare after witnessing a traumatic event with a patient. In Smile 2, pop sensation Skye Riley, played by Naomi Scott, battles her own horrors as fame and darkness collide.

We also take a look at the horror classic The Ring (2002), directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Naomi Watts. This iconic tale of a cursed videotape still holds its place as a staple of modern horror, and we revisit its chilling story.

Timestamps:

• Wolfs Release Discussion – Why did Apple fumble?
• We Live in Time – Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield's heartwarming drama
• Smile – Parker Finn’s unique take on horror
• Smile 2 – Naomi Scott faces terror on a global stage
• The Ring – Revisiting the 2002 horror classic

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Check out Jeff's art at Jeff Lassiter Art and read Sean's reviews at Sean at the Movies.

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Pulp Fiction (1994) Directed by Quentin Tarentino Starring Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) are hitmen with a penchant for philosophical discussions. In this ultra-hip, multi-strand crime movie, their storyline is interwoven with those of their boss, gangster Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames) ; his actress wife, Mia (Uma Thurman) ; struggling boxer Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis) ; master fixer Winston Wolfe (Harvey Keitel) and a nervous pair of armed robbers, "Pumpkin" (Tim Roth) and "Honey Bunny" (Amanda Plummer).

Ed Wood (1994) Directed by Tim Burton Starring Johnny Depp and Martin Landau Because of his eccentric habits and bafflingly strange films, director Ed Wood (Johnny Depp) is a Hollywood outcast. Nevertheless, with the help of the formerly famous Bela Lugosi and a devoted cast and crew of show-business misfits who believe in Ed's off-kilter vision, the filmmaker is able to bring his oversize dreams to cinematic life. Despite a lack of critical or commercial success, Ed and his friends manage to create an oddly endearing series of extremely low-budget films.