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I recently watched Control Freak (2025), which was recently added to Hulu. The story follows a successful public speaker whose life revolves around her career, her boyfriend (a colleague), and her attempts to get pregnant. However, when she develops a persistent itch, her search for its cause uncovers dark secrets from her past. To find relief, she may need to confront her family and the truth she's been avoiding.

Written and directed by Shal Ngo (The Park), the film stars Kelly Marie Tran (Raya and the Last Dragon), Miles Robbins (Halloween, 2018), and Toan Le (The Sympathizer).

The premise had a lot of potential, and Kelly Marie Tran delivers an authentic, believable performance. However, the writing holds the film back. Both the pregnancy subplot and the family backstory feel underdeveloped, missing opportunities for deeper impact. There's a lot of itching-so much that it becomes unsettling after a while. While some scenes are effective and the CGI at the end isn't terrible, many of the film's resolutions feel cliched and uninspired.

In conclusion, Control Freak has a few solid moments and a strong lead performance but ultimately falls short. I'd score it a 5/10 and only recommend it with appropriate expectations.

I recently watched Critters 3 (1991) on Prime. The story follows residents of a Los Angeles apartment complex struggling to make ends meet. Their daily challenges take a deadly turn when a group of alien critters arrives, wreaking havoc and devouring anything in their path. Can the neighbors band together to stop the invasion?

Directed by Kristine Peterson (The Hard Truth), the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio (The Departed), John Calvin (Primary Target), Aimee Brooks (Days of Our Lives), and Nina Axelrod (Motel Hell).

This film follows the classic horror sequel formula of moving the "monster" from the countryside to the city. While the change in setting works, it doesn't match the eerie charm of the farm backdrop in the first two films. The diverse cast adds some fun, especially seeing a young DiCaprio at the start of his career. It was also great to see Charlie return. The critters remain entertaining, with their chaotic attacks, mischievous strategies, and amusing chatter. The horror effects are decent, though not top-tier. I particularly enjoyed the kitchen sequence, even if it felt like a Gremlins homage. The citywide chaos also added to the fun.

In conclusion, Critters 3 is a solid third entry in the franchise, though a step down from the first two films. I'd score it a 6/10 and recommend it to horror enthusiasts.

I recently rewatched Ladyhawke (1985) for the first time in a long time. Set in medieval times, the story follows a thief who escapes from a dungeon, only to be tracked by the authorities and rescued by a mysterious outlaw accompanied by a hawk. The outlaw takes him in, but the thief begins noticing strange occurrences-one set of oddities by day, another by night. As he digs deeper, he discovers there's far more to his rescuer than he ever imagined.

Directed by Richard Donner (Superman), the film stars Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner), Matthew Broderick (The Cable Guy), Michelle Pfeiffer (Scarface), Alfred Molina (Spider-Man 2), and John Wood (WarGames).

This is one of those films that immediately pulls you into its magical yet mysterious world, reminiscent of Willow. Rutger Hauer looks effortlessly cool, Michelle Pfeiffer is captivating as his love interest, and Matthew Broderick's portrayal of a bumbling but endearing rogue adds humor and charm. The costumes, settings, and props-especially the hawk-are beautifully done. While the storyline is straightforward and somewhat predictable, it remains a joy to watch unfold.

In conclusion, Ladyhawke is a unique and entertaining addition to the fantasy genre, backed by a great cast. I'd score it a 7.5/10 and strongly recommend it.