In this episode, I discuss what I think makes certain horror films stand above the rest. Namely, I compare reliance on jump-scares, short term shock, and knee-jerk sorts of film styles to the stat-padding which is often found in professional sports. Perhaps effective in the moment or from a bird's eye view, but ultimately a detriment to not only the individual culprit, but eventually the art form at large. I discuss why certain horror films and athletes tend to have more staying power in our ongoing cultural conversations, be that their deeper themes and ways of creating fear, or their powerful dunking and three point shot. It's a bit of a amalgamation, but hopefully something that makes sense and is interesting to listen to. Happy Halloween! And, of course, feel free to debate me in the comments and let me know what you think about either the movies, sports, and athletes I discussed.Watch this review with clips from horror movies and basketball highlights on my YouTube Channel here.And find all my other links here.

In this video, I decide to get the ball rolling on the Halloween season a bit early. I discuss Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of Dracula with its star-studded cast, as well as a somewhat-slept on Pixar film that I recently watched for the first time. After watching each, I was struck by how both movies chose to depict the "monsters" they each featured. There was emphasis to varying degrees on the humanity underneath against the beastliness on the surface. And this in turns leads to the viewer responding in different ways to each "monster" in the respective films.So, I talk about how this works for each character, their arcs, and the films their in as a whole. I talk about what sacrifices are made for each type of "monster" and how these choices serve a movie in its entirety.Did you like this video? Let me know in the comments below! Any recommendations on what to review next? Or was there anything you wished I mentioned in this video that I didn't bring up?

Find this review on YouTube along with clips from both films here. And find all my other links here.

This go around, I discuss Weapons, an all-around unsettling and eerie horror-thriller movie from the creator who brought us Barbarian. While I don't think I loved Weapons quite as much as I did Barbarian, there was still a lot to enjoy, mull over, and unpack after viewing. And of course this is on top of the great tension and scares that it created. I also discuss one of my least favorite topics, Death of the Author, and how Weapons particularly makes me reverse my stance on it for this specific instance. Do you agree? Let me know what you thought of weapons in the comments below! Find this review as well as clips from the movie on my YouTube Channel here. And find all my other links here.

Last week, I saw the latest adaptation of Marvel's First Family. And, to be honest, I was pretty meh on it. I could certainly appreciate it, and understood that most of it was well done, but I just didn't connect to it in the same way I did with Superman recently. I talk about why this is in my review. Specifically, I mention the lack of character journeys from my point of view, and how this hindered my ability as a viewer to really connect with the main cast. Without this, it's hard to get much of an emotional response or attachment, in my opinion. Do you agree? Let me know in the comments. Find this review, along with clips from the film, on my YouTube channel here. And find all my other links here.

Last weekend, I saw Superman. And I've been thinking about it, listening to its score, jamming to its soundtrack, and just really enjoying everything about it since then. I really enjoyed it for what it was: a movie that rejuvenated a character and brought some amazing energy to me as a viewer. In the review I discuss what in the movie worked so well for me, and why I hold this particular adaptation in such high regard.

Did you like Superman? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments below!

Find this review on YouTube, along with clips from the movie, on my channel here. And find all my other links here.

Last week I saw 28 Years Later. Frankly, didn't love it. And this is despite really enjoying the original, 28 Days Later. Maybe I missed something in 28 Weeks Later? I dunno. I talk about what I think went wrong from my perspective in the film, citing some examples of shortcomings or parts of the movie that hold it back from being something more (or, in my opinion, better). Particularly some second-half narrative elements fell very short in my opinion. Watch this review, as well as scenes from the movie, on my YouTube channel here. And find all my other links here.

This time on Roulette Reviews, I discuss the finale to what might be one of my favorite series of all time. Mission: Impossible constantly delivers top-notch action, and in many ways it did exactly that in its swan song. But, it was not without flaw, and I discuss what I felt didn't make it quite as spectacular as some of its predecessors, ranging from its villain to its pace. Still though, it's a fantastic experience, and one I'm sure I'll revisit again and again. Have you seen Final Reckoning yet? Are you going to? Let me know in the comments! Find this review along with some really incredible clips from the movie on my YouTube channel here. And find all my other links here.

A few weeks back, I saw Thunderbolts. And, surprisingly, I really liked it. I can attribute a large part of my enjoyment to the film's sincerity in its ideas and its lack of fear when it comes to exploring those ideas. Though it isn't the first ensemble of misfits to come into a found family of sorts in the superhero genre, it does tread new ground. The emotional arcs it explores with its characters, and the vulnerable way it lets this happen, helps make the film feel special. I talk about all of this and more in this review. To watch this review in video form along with clips from the movie, check it out on my YouTube channel here. To find all my other links, look here. Thanks for listening!

Much like many others, I really enjoyed Sinners. It was incredibly fun, approachable, but above all else just incredibly-well executed. I talk about it's blend of entertainment and depth, and how Ryan Coogler does this. Namely, I highlight a few narrative tools he takes advantage of. I also mentionhow some of the themes of the story inform the stylistic decisions that are made with camera, music, and more; in turn, I mention how these stylistic choices wind up enhancing the story even further. If you'd want to watch this review along with accompanying clips from the film, check out my YouTube channel here. And for all my other links, check them out here.

In this video, I discuss season 2 of Severance and what I think is its guiding philosophy of always trying to make the most dramatic scenario possible for the progression of its narrative and the situations it puts its characters in. I talk about some examples of why this works and how this helps us as viewers connect with the series and its characters even further.

Do you agree? Let me know in the comments below!

Watch this review along with scenes from the show on my YouTube channel here. And find all my other links here.