KILLING MARY SUE (2025)

Written, Directed & Edited By: James Sunshine 

Cinematography: John Sawyer 

Cast: Sierra McCormick, Dermont Mulroney, Jake Busey, Sean Patrick Flannery, French Stewart, Martin Kove, Kym Whitley, Jason Mewes

A corrupt senator arranges for the murder of his biggest liability, his erratic burnout step-daughter, only for her to unwittingly discover her natural talent as an untouchable killer.


Thia film is based on the term Mary Sue, coined by infamous canceled Screenwriter Max Landis the definition of the term is a type of female character who is depicted as Unrealistically  lacking in flaws or weaknesses 

So someone decided to write a whole film around this character that is supposed to be a dark and dirty action comedy that is rather vulgar and really has no characters to like or really root for that takes ridiculous big plot swings, even though using very limited locations 

this film ends up feeling more like a comedic riff on the Becky movies, which is Becky and wrath of Becky, which are about a teenage girl who is pretty much a psychotic sociopath and gets put in situations where she has to be the hero, taking down a gang of villains which she does quite easily as there is no real threat.

It’s the same here as she seeks her stepfather‘s love throughout, even though he’s the one who has set her up to be assassinated so that he can be reelected with the sympathy vote.

The character here obviously has daddy issues and it seems to be an addict of many things drugs, rough, sex, violence, sensationalism, and luckily, only part of this is shown throughout the film 

wow, this film should be fun and it’s ridiculous scenarios. It almost seems like a tax write off for character actors to make guest appearances or cameos and there’s not really that much meat to it and as much fun as the film wants us to have and as much as it wants us to laugh, it just feels grating.

like a comedian telling you a joke that they insist is funny and that they laugh at themselves, but you as an audience member you get the joke, but it’s just not that funny as much as I think it is and that’s what it’s like watching this film, this should be somewhat of a low budget guilty pleasure 

but watching it, you just can’t wait for it to end as it seems pretty predictable even when it thinks it’s offering surprises and even when it tries to be more outlandish, it sounds ridiculous and stupid that you are already not taking this from seriously but it just makes the film seem all the more not worth it

Which is a shame as they do have material here that could’ve been used to make something at least a little more entertaining and creative in the end. This just comes off as a waste of time even as the back movies aren’t that great at least the first one is somewhat entertaining. This feels like an unofficial, comedic, spoof or sequel

feels like one should have known as it’s rare that when French Stewart is NFL that it will actually be good or enjoyable as even in Bob Trevino likes it he comes across as the weak link. Though LOVE STINKS was somewhat enjoyable but for all the wrong reasons.

This is a film that tries to be hip, cool and in on the joke and it just ends up being corny and tired.

It’s also a female oriented movie that you can tell was written by men with no subtlety. 

Grade: F 

ANYONE BUT YOU (2023)

Directed By: Will Gluck 

Written By: Will Gluck and Ilana Wolpert 

Story By: Ilana Wolpert 

Cinematography: Danny Ruhlmann

Editor: Kim Boritz-Brehm and Tia Nolan

Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Glenn Powell, Gata, Alexandra Shipp, Charlee Fraser, Bryan Brown, Dermont Mulroney, Rachel Griffiths, Hadley Robinson, Michelle Hurd, Joe Davidson, Darren Barnet 

After an amazing first date, Bea and Ben’s fiery attraction turns ice-cold–until they find themselves unexpectedly reunited at a wedding in Australia. So they do what any two mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple.


A sexier romantic comedy that plays like a sex comedy. Only lacking any truly carnal action, but flirts around with it, In a more innocent manner.

The whole movie is of course a will they or won’t they. Where they feel like they are fooling their friends and their friends feel like they have the upper hand over them.

The film tries to breathe life into a tired staple or genre. The results aren’t terrible. As the film stays entertaining fluff. That you will forget about soon after watching. 

It is a bunch of beautiful people in impossibly lush locations and privilege-loving fantasy lives. So it plays like a fantasy for the audience. 

the film keeps trying to make Sydney Sweeney into a more physical comedian and less an object of desire but never goes fully into quite embarrassing humor or anything truly juvenile. 

Luckily the movie focuses more on the comedy and less on the romance until it is needed. 

Hollywood keeps moving Glen Powell into being a star for good reason. As he is a movie star handsome and charming. Though you might find yourself obsessing about his hair throughout as it is usually perfect and never movies but doesn’t look stiff. 

It’s an across-the-board film as it is diverse and includes every kind of demographic a mainstream film could aim for. 

It’s nice to see Bryan Brown and Rachel Griffiths on the screen again and clearly having fun Even if the movie casting seems all over the place. Though definitely filming in Australia as most of the supporting cast seem to be natives and we see all the popular sights. 

Not to mention while you can understand Powell’s character being tempted by his ex. Played by Charlee Fraser, As she is gorgeous and it’s flattering she needed such a good-looking guy to replace him and get over him. Sydney Sweeney’s ex in the film played by Darren Barnet is there in appearance but gets nothing to do or any real character Arc. Really he’s the only character who really has nothing to do but is just there. 

This seems like the movie the Justin Timberlake movie FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS was supposed to be, only here the leads are likable and insistent like it is chasing any trends or trying to be cool. Instead, this movie just remembers to be sexy. 

This seems a starter movie for both the stars here, trying to see how much box office power they have with them as the main stars.

Grade: C

ABOUT SCHMIDT (2002)

about-schmidt

Directed By: Alexander Payne
Written By: Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor
Based on the Novel By: Louis Begley
Cinematography: James Glennon
Editor: Kevin Tent 


Cast: Jack Nicholson, Kathy Bates, Dermont Mulroney, Hope Davis, June Sqibb, Howard Hesseman, Harry Groener, Connie Ray, Len Cariou 


Warren Schmidt has led a safe, predictable life working in the insurance industry in Omaha, Nebraska for many years, yet now faces retirement. At the same time, he is forced to take a hard look at his wife, his life, and his relationship with his estranged daughter. An often hilarious series of events follow as Schmidt embarks on an unpredictable RV journey to attend his daughter’s wedding in Denver, Colorado

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