Joey Magidson
@joeymagidson.bsky.social
Editor and Owner: Awards Radar, Q&A Moderator, Awards Analyst/Prognosticator, Critics Choice member, Rotten Tomatoes certified critic
No Other Choice is easily one of the best directed films of the year. Park Chan-wook impeccably crafts this satirical black comedy. I’m not as over the moon about it as most of you are, but without question, this is what high end cinema represents.
November 15, 2025 at 2:20 AM
No Other Choice is easily one of the best directed films of the year. Park Chan-wook impeccably crafts this satirical black comedy. I’m not as over the moon about it as most of you are, but without question, this is what high end cinema represents.
Train Dreams is beautiful and profound, though always quiet. Joel Edgerton has rarely been better. The film left me deeply sad, but not because it’s a downer. It just taps into your emotions in a manner that may prove different for everyone. It will linger.
November 12, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Train Dreams is beautiful and profound, though always quiet. Joel Edgerton has rarely been better. The film left me deeply sad, but not because it’s a downer. It just taps into your emotions in a manner that may prove different for everyone. It will linger.
The Running Man is an effective and entertaining star vehicle for Glen Powell, while letting Edgar Wright have a fair bit of violent fun. Very timely, it has a messy third act that drags it down a bit, but overall it’s a good time.
November 11, 2025 at 1:33 AM
The Running Man is an effective and entertaining star vehicle for Glen Powell, while letting Edgar Wright have a fair bit of violent fun. Very timely, it has a messy third act that drags it down a bit, but overall it’s a good time.
Song Sung Blue is a heartbreaking and heartwarming look at the Neil Diamond tribute act Lightning and Thunder. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson fill these human beings with life, love, pain, and music. I was not expecting to be as moved as I was.
October 27, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Song Sung Blue is a heartbreaking and heartwarming look at the Neil Diamond tribute act Lightning and Thunder. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson fill these human beings with life, love, pain, and music. I was not expecting to be as moved as I was.
Jennifer Lawrence is spectacular in Die My Love, laying it all bare, emotionally and physically. One of her most hypnotic performances. Not everything Lynne Ramsay does her works (I did not care for anything involving the dog), but this one really stays with you.
October 15, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Jennifer Lawrence is spectacular in Die My Love, laying it all bare, emotionally and physically. One of her most hypnotic performances. Not everything Lynne Ramsay does her works (I did not care for anything involving the dog), but this one really stays with you.
The Grabber is back in Black Phone 2, which is basically now A Nightmare on Elm Street. Ethan Hawke is again unsettling and Scott Derrickson gets pretty creative with the form. Nothing to go crazy over, but a solid horror flick for spooky season.
October 15, 2025 at 1:01 AM
The Grabber is back in Black Phone 2, which is basically now A Nightmare on Elm Street. Ethan Hawke is again unsettling and Scott Derrickson gets pretty creative with the form. Nothing to go crazy over, but a solid horror flick for spooky season.
Also, trust me, the movie is phenomenal, regardless of if you love Bruce Springsteen like I do. See it!
October 13, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Also, trust me, the movie is phenomenal, regardless of if you love Bruce Springsteen like I do. See it!
It has been incredibly surreal seeing my quote for Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere in so many places. Literally have found it in the wild at subway stations, in addition to during playoff baseball and nationally televised football games. Just, wow.
October 13, 2025 at 7:39 PM
It has been incredibly surreal seeing my quote for Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere in so many places. Literally have found it in the wild at subway stations, in addition to during playoff baseball and nationally televised football games. Just, wow.
Is This Thing On? is a small film from Bradley Cooper, mixing divorce dramedy with stand up. Handheld and intimate, it ultimately follows a familiar path, though Will Arnett and Laura Dern are a winning duo. The middle has the most fun to offer.
October 10, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Is This Thing On? is a small film from Bradley Cooper, mixing divorce dramedy with stand up. Handheld and intimate, it ultimately follows a familiar path, though Will Arnett and Laura Dern are a winning duo. The middle has the most fun to offer.
After the Hunt has a lot on its mind and a lot to say, though it ultimately is far more interested in button pushing and surface level provocation than exploring the issues brought up throughout. It comes off muddled instead of captivating, with odd direction. A disappointment.
September 27, 2025 at 1:13 AM
After the Hunt has a lot on its mind and a lot to say, though it ultimately is far more interested in button pushing and surface level provocation than exploring the issues brought up throughout. It comes off muddled instead of captivating, with odd direction. A disappointment.
A House of Dynamite is one of the scariest and most upsetting movies I’ve seen in a very long time. Kathryn Bigelow doesn’t let you breathe for 112 minutes as we watch a nightmare scenario unfold. It’s impossible not to be terrified after watching this. Wow.
September 26, 2025 at 12:20 AM
A House of Dynamite is one of the scariest and most upsetting movies I’ve seen in a very long time. Kathryn Bigelow doesn’t let you breathe for 112 minutes as we watch a nightmare scenario unfold. It’s impossible not to be terrified after watching this. Wow.
Now Watching: A House of Dynamite
September 25, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Now Watching: A House of Dynamite
PTA always gets the best out of his casts and this is no exception. Whether it’s Leonardo DiCaprio’s stoner turn, Sean Penn’s terrifying yet deeply mockable character, Teyana Taylor’s fierce work, or Chase Infiniti’s breakthrough, it’s loaded with grade A acting.
September 21, 2025 at 8:52 PM
PTA always gets the best out of his casts and this is no exception. Whether it’s Leonardo DiCaprio’s stoner turn, Sean Penn’s terrifying yet deeply mockable character, Teyana Taylor’s fierce work, or Chase Infiniti’s breakthrough, it’s loaded with grade A acting.
Believe the hype about One Battle After Another. Paul Thomas Anderson’s biggest and most mainstream film (it’s a thriller and a chase movie!) is also loaded with timely political commentary. Still, it’s often very funny, while the nearly three hours flies by. Loved it.
September 21, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Believe the hype about One Battle After Another. Paul Thomas Anderson’s biggest and most mainstream film (it’s a thriller and a chase movie!) is also loaded with timely political commentary. Still, it’s often very funny, while the nearly three hours flies by. Loved it.
Wonder how long it is until this teen starts sneaking out at night to drink and party?
September 17, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Wonder how long it is until this teen starts sneaking out at night to drink and party?
My senior pup is a teenager! Happy 13th Birthday Benny! You’re old and grey, your back leg hurts, and you mostly want to sleep, but you also still insist on running to greet me at the door and jumping up on me. So, you’re at least young at heart.
September 17, 2025 at 4:03 PM
My senior pup is a teenager! Happy 13th Birthday Benny! You’re old and grey, your back leg hurts, and you mostly want to sleep, but you also still insist on running to greet me at the door and jumping up on me. So, you’re at least young at heart.
The Smashing Machine is light on plot, admittedly, but watching Dwayne Johnson play Mark Kerr is exactly as compelling as Benny Safdie intended it to be. Plus, incredible use of Bruce Springsteen’s Jungleland.
September 9, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The Smashing Machine is light on plot, admittedly, but watching Dwayne Johnson play Mark Kerr is exactly as compelling as Benny Safdie intended it to be. Plus, incredible use of Bruce Springsteen’s Jungleland.
Tuner is a unique and enjoyable tale. Gets a little darker than it needs to at the end, but Dustin Hoffman is very good in a small role. Creative sound design.
September 8, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Tuner is a unique and enjoyable tale. Gets a little darker than it needs to at the end, but Dustin Hoffman is very good in a small role. Creative sound design.
Eternity is a creative and cute romantic comedy. The high concept is very amusing, while the three central performances are rather effective. Enjoyable!
September 8, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Eternity is a creative and cute romantic comedy. The high concept is very amusing, while the three central performances are rather effective. Enjoyable!
Good Fortune is rough around the edges, though Keanu Reeves is a riot. Ultimately a good time and funnier than not, though starts in it a little shaggy.
September 8, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Good Fortune is rough around the edges, though Keanu Reeves is a riot. Ultimately a good time and funnier than not, though starts in it a little shaggy.
Rental Family is a very gentle and small movie. Brendan Fraser is reliably huggable in a story that contains no surprises, but likely will leave you with a warm feeling inside.
September 7, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Rental Family is a very gentle and small movie. Brendan Fraser is reliably huggable in a story that contains no surprises, but likely will leave you with a warm feeling inside.
Not quite sure what to make of Sacrifice, though when it’s being funny, it’s actually pretty funny. I will say this though, it has some balls and is never boring, which counts for something.
September 7, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Not quite sure what to make of Sacrifice, though when it’s being funny, it’s actually pretty funny. I will say this though, it has some balls and is never boring, which counts for something.
Roofman is a wonderfully entertaining yet also bittersweet tale. Channing Tatum and Derek Cianfrance make Jeffrey Manchester charming and lovable, yet never forget the tragedy of this man making the choices he made. Kirsten Dunst is excellent as well. A gem.
September 7, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Roofman is a wonderfully entertaining yet also bittersweet tale. Channing Tatum and Derek Cianfrance make Jeffrey Manchester charming and lovable, yet never forget the tragedy of this man making the choices he made. Kirsten Dunst is excellent as well. A gem.
Roofman is a wonderfully entertaining yet also bittersweet tale. Channing Tatum and Derek Cianfrance make Jeffrey Manchester charming and lovable, yet never forget the tragedy of this man making the choices he made. Kirsten Dunst is excellent as well. A gem.
September 7, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Roofman is a wonderfully entertaining yet also bittersweet tale. Channing Tatum and Derek Cianfrance make Jeffrey Manchester charming and lovable, yet never forget the tragedy of this man making the choices he made. Kirsten Dunst is excellent as well. A gem.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is the best one yet. Heavier themes yet also the funniest one, Daniel Craig and Rian Johnson should never stop making Benoit Blanc tales. Josh O’Connor steals the movie. What a good time!
September 7, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is the best one yet. Heavier themes yet also the funniest one, Daniel Craig and Rian Johnson should never stop making Benoit Blanc tales. Josh O’Connor steals the movie. What a good time!