THIS IS NOT A TEST (2026)

Written, Directed & Produced By: Adam MacDonald

Based on the book By: Courtney Summers

Cinematography: Christian Bielz

Editor: Pamela Bayne

Cast: Olivia Holt, Froy Gutierrez, Corteon Moore, Carson McCormac, Chloe Avakian, Luke Macfarlane, Joelle Farrow, Krista Bridges, Jeff Roop

Follows Sloane and four other students who take shelter in their high school during a zombie outbreak.


Based on the young adult novel, THIS IS NOT A TEST feels like the kind of adaptation that probably trims away much of what made the book worth reading. I haven’t read the novel, but I’d wager there’s more room there for the characters to breathe than this film ever gives them.

Instead, it settles into familiar zombie movie territory. Imagine THE WALKING DEAD aimed at a younger audience, only with the occasional surprising moment, yes, including one scene I genuinely didn’t expect. Unfortunately, surprises are in short supply everywhere else. You’ll likely figure out who’s making it to the end long before the characters do.

The frustrating part is that the movie constantly hints at becoming something better. It sets up interesting situations, builds a little tension, then repeatedly backs away just as things are about to get exciting. There are plenty of opportunities to push the horror, the suspense, or even the emotional drama further, but it almost always chooses the safest route.

To its credit, the film isn’t bad. It’s competently made, moves at a brisk pace, and wisely doesn’t overstay its welcome. The cast is believable, likable, and does the best they can with material that rarely challenges them. The movie’s heart is clearly in the relationships and emotional survival rather than nonstop zombie mayhem, and some viewers will appreciate that approach.

If you’re newer to zombie films or horror in general, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy this more than I did. There’s enough action and tension to stay engaged, and it never completely loses its footing. For longtime fans of the genre, though, there’s very little here that feels fresh or memorable.

In the end, THIS IS NOT A TEST  isn’t a disaster. it just never becomes the movie it keeps teasing. It’s respectable, watchable, and occasionally effective, but it ultimately feels less like a finished statement and more like an early draft that needed one more rewrite.

Grade: C 

HEART EYES (2025)

Directed By: Josh Ruben 

Written By: Philip Murphy, Christopher Landon and Michael Kennedy 

Cinematography: Stephen Murphy 

Editor: Brett W. Bachman 

Cast: Mason Gooding, Olivia Holt, Jordana Brewster, Devon Sawa, Gigi Zumbado, Michela Watkins, Yoson An, Ben Black, Chris Parker, 

For the past several years, the “Heart Eyes Killer” has wreaked havoc on Valentine’s Day by stalking and murdering romantic couples. This Valentine’s Day, no couple is safe.

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This is a film that plays more like a romantic comedy that builds itself around a horror, film plot. It’s cute. It’s violin. It sometimes has a laugh or two and both sides with each other and against against each other. 

Whereas I wish you could be more like happy death day, which did have a comedy side and a horror side, but it also seemed to have its serious moments too. That made you care a little bit more. 

This film lacks that so that again the characters always feel exactly like that like characters rather than human beings, and why you worry about them in their peril the film, cynical, nature, almost every other character works against it as it seeks to be a dark comedy that reels a little bit more in violence 

If that is what you are seeking, you have found the perfect film for yourself and I will admit it stays entertaining through 90 minutes though after a while, it does becoming a bit predictable, though I will give it points for originality with ending to a certain extent 

No, again like a romantic comedy unfortunately the two leads who we follow are somewhat interesting, but not enough to hold your attention throughout the whole film where you really start to bond with them 

In fact, as a film where again some of the more supporting characters are way more interesting, and you had more screen time, but then it would probably require them to be either pulled into the plot story more killed. The audience would definitely want revenge on the slasher. 

I’m thinking, especially the best friend played by Gigi Zumbado, who the film could’ve benefited with her character being featured more or hell even being the lead character if they make a sequel to this film hopefully she will get that lead role

The film is enjoyable in a disposable way where your entertained while you watch it, but can’t see many watches and some of the scenes. Remind you so much of other horror films that either is paying two or based around. 

In fact, the only scene to me that was the most far would be that all these people are watching one of my favorite movies his girl Friday at a drive-in, even if it is Valentine’s Day.

It’s nice to see Jordana Brewster in any role that is not associated with the FAST & FURIOUS franchise 

Almost like rather than a comedy à la Simpsons episode where there’s a serial killer killing couples out and of course the city decides to still keep it Valentine’s Day celebrations going culminating and a driving and amusement park for lovers the slasher, a perfect opportunity of victims.

Not surprised that this film was also written, but some of the writers of the film’s FREAKY and IT’S A WONDERFUL KNIFE as well as TIME CUT. As this film has a similar feel. Where the concept is pushed more than anything else. Just as being directed by Josh Ruben who made WEREWOLVES WITHIN a mystery that seemed more to push the comedic elements more than the horror or mystery ones. 

Again, I don’t wanna make this film seem worse than it is as it does seem to be having a lot of fun and is made more for an audience. It’s just not a sharp as it seems to aim to be like fast food good in the moment, but overall not the best for you Nor noteworthy

Grade: C+

TOTALLY KILLER (2023)

Directed By: Nahnatchka Khan 

Written By: David Matalon, Sasha Perl-Raver and Jen D’Angelo

Story By: David Matalon and Sasha Perl-Raver

Cinematography: Judd Overton

Editor: Jeremy Cohen 

Cast: Kiernan Shipka, Olivia Holt, Lochlyn Munro, Julie Bowen, Randall Park, Charlie Gillespie, Troy L. Johnson, Liana Liberto, Kelcey Mawama, Stephi Chin-Salvo 

When the infamous “Sweet Sixteen Killer” returns 35 years after his first murder spree to claim another victim, 17-year-old Jamie accidentally travels back in time to 1987, determined to stop the killer before he can start.


A movie that one can easily see why there is a comparison with the film FINAL GIRLS. Both involve trying to save mothers from a killer having a serial killer who seems unstoppable and being sent into a different period of world.

Though Totally Killer has its own identity and a mystery more at its heart as well as back to the future time travel element.

This movie really makes no sense but it also doesn’t try too hard to. It’s silly and funny as well as fun. This by the end comes across as a guilty pleasure. It is a horror film but feels more like a comedic send-up of slasher films as well as time travel films with some graphic violence.

It’s simplistic but half the humor Is having a character with modern sensibilities dealing with the less politically correct attitude of the past. As well as the movie is a bit tongue-in-cheek and has a sense of humor about itself. Though staying on the ball when it comes to the story and plot. As well as characters.

Kiernan Shipka is good in the lead role being equally dramatic and comedic when need be. It’s also nice to see a film that is more diverse when it comes to casting and not making it a big deal or obvious. 

Director Nahnatchka Chan’s second movie after the surprise hit ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE also brings along that film’s star and co-screenwriter Randall Park to play a small, pivotal supporting role in the film. 

This plays more like a teen comedy and is a film you have to experience to get the most out of it. Talking or reading about it doesn’t do it full justice. It has the right campy attitude with enough rebelliousness and inside jokes from the culture of that era and movies.

In the end, it is a mystery that has you guessing. Though when all is revealed it doesn’t feel like it matters as much as it should. 

Grade: B-