December 17, 2025
jmunney
Cinema, Movie Reviews
Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, Elizabeth Perkins, Indiana Elle, Michele Morrone, Paul Feig, Sydney Sweeney, The Housemaid
They were maid for this (CREDIT: Daniel McFadden/Lionsgate)
Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone, Elizabeth Perkins, Indiana Elle
Director: Paul Feig
Running Time: 131 Minutes
Rating: R for Sex, Nudity, A Shocking Amount of Violence, and Other Disturbing Behavior (Including Sexual Assault)
Release Date: December 19, 2025 (Theaters)
What’s It About?: Millie Calloway (Sydney Sweeney) is desperate for a job, any job, especially one that’ll guarantee a roof over her head. She’s an ex-con out on parole who’s been living in her car, you see. So it feels like a miracle when she’s hired by Nina Winchester (Amanda Seyfried) as a live-in housemaid for her gated suburban mansion. Nina’s husband Andrew (Brandon Sklenar) and seven-year-old daughter Cecelia (Indiana Elle) are a little puzzled at first by their new roommate, but it’s really Nina that Millie has to watch out for, despite their promising start. Her behavior becomes increasingly unstable as she constantly gaslights Millie. Meanwhile, Andrew is lifesavingly eager to protect his new employee. But as you might suspect, The Housemaid is the type of movie where these characters aren’t exactly who they initially seem to be.
What Made an Impression?: History Repeating Itself: Is Sydney Sweeney basically just Amanda Seyfried but a decade younger? If we thoroughly compare and contrast their personalities and career arcs, it probably won’t be an exact match. But in this movie, their already similar faces and hair are styled about as closely as they possibly can be. And that is surely intentional in pretty much every way you can possibly conceive of.
Can We Be Real?: The Housemaid is a movie that you’ve got to be patient with, and director Paul Feig trusts that his audience will be okay with a two hour-plus runtime despite the breeziness of the trappings. Furthermore, you have to be willing to accept that until the final act, Seyfried is pretty much the only actor who’s not suppressing her emotions. But the payoff is worth it, because the climax is climactic all over the place. And before we get there, it’s not completely devoid of entertainment value, especially thanks to some especially droll line readings, like “Juice is a privilege, not something you drink out of a dirty glass.”
Broke is What They’re Going For: Throughout this review, I’ve been teasing just how twisty and revelatory this movie’s conclusion is. So of course I’m going to conclude by teasing that aspect once again. Obviously, now’s not the time for spoilers, but I will say that The Housemaid spends its last 45 minutes or so earning its R rating, and then some. Covers are dropped, old wounds are revealed, new wounds are poked, and just desserts are delivered forcefully. Folks, if you’re planning on seeing this, you gotta do so in a crowded theater full of stunned ooh’s and ah’s.
The Housemaid is Recommended If You: Wished that Conclave had been more like The Stepford Wives
Grade: 3.5 out of 5 Fake Resumes
December 16, 2025
jmunney
Cinema, Movie Reviews
Arturo Castro, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Clancy Brown, Derek Drymon, George Lopez, Ice Spice, Mark Hamill, Mr. Lawrence, Regina Hall, Rodger Bumpass, Search for SquarePants, Sherry Cola, sponge, SpongeBob, Spongebob Squarepants, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, Tom Kenny
Is it Sponge-worthy? (CREDIT: Paramount Pictures)
Starring: Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Mark Hamill, Regina Hall, Carolyn Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence, George Lopez, Ice Spice, Arturo Castro, Sherry Cola
Director: Derek Drymon
Running Time: 96 Minutes
Rating: PG for Cheeky Humor Overload
Release Date: December 19, 2025 (Theaters)
What’s It About?: The Flying Dutchman wants to break free! But will his scheme to accomplish that goal also result in the downfall of Bikini Bottom’s most famous fry cook? SpongeBob SquarePants (voiced as usual by the indefatigable Tom Kenny) has finally grown just tall enough to ride the local physics-defying rollercoaster. But when he actually lays his peepers on it, he suddenly decides that he’s not ready after all, so instead he and his best pal Patrick Star (Bill Fagerbakke) go on a deep(er)-sea adventure to prove their mettle as swashbucklers. Unfortunately, that puts him in the crosshairs of the aforementioned Dutchman (voiced nearly unrecognizably by Mark Hamill), who sees in Mr. SquarePants the perfect sacrificial lamb to break the curse of his ghostly existence. But have no fear, as Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown) and a surprisingly not-that-reluctant Squidward (Rodger Bumpass) are in hot pursuit to ensure that the boys have a little help to get back home safely.
What Made an Impression?: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Sponge: At this point, it’s important to establish some context in my own personal SpongeBob journey. I was 11 when the show premiered on Nickelodeon in 1999, which is to say that I was almost too old to become a fan of a new Nicktoon. But this one had a surreal sensibility that held an ageless appeal to hook me just in time. However, it was never Priority Number One in my TV viewing schedule, and by my college years, it had fallen pretty much completely by the wayside. Fast forward a generation or two later, and I’m stunned to discover that new episodes are still being produced. Apparently, that longevity is the source of significant controversy, as creator Stephen Hillenburg (who passed away in 2018) reportedly wanted the show to end after the release of the first big-screen outing in 2004. Plus, the switch to a more computer-generated animation style has represented the loss of a lot of the original charm for a significant segment of the fandom. But as someone who gradually drifted away from Bikini Bottom with no ill will, I don’t have any declared loyalty in these dilemmas.
Always Ready: So all that background info is a windup to saying that I came to Search for SquarePants with an open mind and an eagerness to rediscover that logic-breaking glee of days gone by. And I must say: I found it. Oh baby, I found it! This movie is an absolute delight that lives up to the very best of SpongeBob. The demented energy and penchant for absurd set pieces that mash up the animation with cheap-looking live-action are just as on point as they’ve ever been. Of course though, as someone who’s been out of the loop, I can’t declare for sure if this is a return to form or rather a continuation of sustained excellence. But I can confidently insist that this outing is a fine addition to a sterling legacy.
They’ve Got a Way with Words: To prove how much I loved this movie, I will enter into evidence my moviegoing notebook, which is absolutely filled to the brim with transcriptions of the most hilarious bits of dialogue. Here are some choice selections, which may or may not be just as gut-busting out of context:
-“But-but-but-” “Butts are for toilets.”
-“We can’t lose in a Winnebago.”
-“I say puh-tay-toh, you say puh-tah-toh.” “No, I don’t.”
I also lovingly wrote down a bunch of descriptions of visual gags, including a particularly cheeky one involving a brick that’s highlighted in the trailer.
Cool as Ice: Finally, I must heap special praise upon the theme song of SpongeBob’s growth spurt, “Big Guy” by Isis Gaston, aka The Bronx’s own Ice Spice (who also has a small part as an amusement park worker). It’s a total banger that’ll be thumping on my speakers throughout the holiday season. It’s not quite as iconic as Wilco’s “Just a Kid,” but give it a few years, and I might just be ready to declare that it’s on the same level.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is Recommended If: You loved SpongeBob back in the day and have fond memories you’d like to revisit, or if you never stopped loving this yellow guy and want to spend more time in boisterous movie theaters
Grade: 4 out of 5 Dutchmen
December 14, 2025
jmunney
Saturday Night Live, SNL Weekly Recaps, Television
Josh O'Connor, Lily Allen, Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live Season 51, SNL, SNL Season 51
I like Josh’s sweater, but I would never wear it, because I don’t ever wear sweaters (CREDIT: NBC/Screenshot)
Jeff “jmunney” Malone watches every new episode of Saturday Night Live and then reviews all the sketches and segments according to a “wacky” theme.
Thank you for visiting this Saturday Night Live Review Space once again. In this edition, we’re dissecting the eighth episode of the 51st season. It was another British Invasion, as England natives Josh O’Connor and Lily Allen formed the guest lineup.
For my Reviewing Gimmick this time, I’ll be taking inspiration from the upcoming new SpongeBob movie. Thus, my take on each segment will be Bikini Bottom-themed as I utilize Mr. SquarePants’ signature declaration and declare what I’m Ready for from each sketch.
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December 12, 2025
jmunney
Cinema, Comedy, Entertainment To-Do List, Music, Sports, Television
A Saturday Night Live Christmas, American Masters, American Masters: Starring Dick Van Dyke, Atropia, college basketball, College Bowl Season, College football, Dick Van Dyke, DJ Premiere, Dust Bunny, Ella McCay, Light-Years, Nas, Nas and DJ Premiere, Sarah Squirm: Live + In the Flesh, Saturday Night Live, SNL, Starring Dick Van Dyke
Squirmin’ in December (CREDIT: HBO/Screenshot)
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
Movies
–Atropia (Theaters) – Starring Alia Shawkat.
–Dust Bunny (Theaters)
–Ella McCay (Theaters)
TV
–American Masters: Starring Dick Van Dyke (December 12 on PBS) – There’s also a 100th birthday celebration for Dick airing in select movie theaters this weekend.
-A Saturday Night Live Christmas (December 18 on NBC, re-airing on December 22)
Music
-Nas and DJ Premiere, Light-Years
Sports
-College Football Postseason (December 13-January 19 on Various Networks) – I’ll be rooting for the Hoosiers to win it all.
Comedy
–Sarah Squirm: Live + In the Flesh (December 12 on HBO)
December 11, 2025
jmunney
Cinema, Movie Reviews
Andy Samberg, Barry Primus, Betty Buckley, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Bonnie Hunt, Byron Howard, Callum Turner, Chloé Zhao, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Dainton Anderson, Danny Trejo, David Freyne, David Wilmot, Don Lake, Elizabeth Olsen, Elliot Baxter, Emily Watson, Eternity, Fortune Feimster, Freya Hannan-Mills, Ginnifer Goodwin, giving thanks, Gratitude, Hamnet, Idris Elba, Jacobi Jupe, Jared Bush, Jason Bateman, Jenny Slate, Jessie Buckley, Joe Alwyn, John Early, Ke Huy Quan, Miles Teller, Nate Torrence, Noah Jupe, Olga Merediz, Olivia Lynes, Patrick Warburton, Paul Mescal, Quinta Brunson, Shakira, thankfulness, Thanskgiving, Zootopia 2
Thank you to the movies! (CREDIT (Clockwise from left): Agata Grzybowska/Focus Features;
Walt Disney Animation Studios/Screenshot; A24)
Zootopia 2
Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Ke Huy Quan, Andy Samberg, Fortune Feimster, Idris Elba, Patrick Warburton, Shakira, Quinta Brunson, Danny Trejo, Nate Torrence, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, Jenny Slate
Directors: Jared Bush and Byron Howard
Running Time: 108 Minutes
Rating: PG
Release Date: November 26, 2025 (Theaters)
Hamnet
Starring: Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn, Jacobi Jupe, David Wilmot, Olivia Lynes, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Freya Hannan-Mills, Dainton Anderson, Elliot Baxter, Noah Jupe
Director: Chloé Zhao
Running Time: 126 Minutes
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: November 26, 2025 (Theaters)
Eternity
Starring: Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, John Early, Olga Merediz, Betty Buckley, Barry Primus
Director: David Freyne
Running Time: 114 Minutes
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: November 26, 2025 (Theaters)
And now, I’m going to discuss my reaction to three films that came out in time for Thanksgiving but that I didn’t get around to seeing until December. Nevertheless, I shall reveal what I am thankful for regarding each of them, because it’s important to practice gratitude throughout the year.
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December 9, 2025
jmunney
Cinema, Movie Reviews
Andrew Scott, Annie Hamilton, Benoit Blanc, Bridget Everett, Cailee Spaeny, Daniel Craig, Daryl McCormack, Glenn Close, James Faulkner, Jeffrey Wright, Jeremy Renner, Josh Brolin, Josh O'Connor, Kerry Washington, Knives Out, Mila Kunis, Noah Segan, Thomas Haden Church, Wake Up Dead Man, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Where is this man on the scale of Awake to Dead? (CREDIT: Netflix)
Starring: Josh O’Connor, Daniel Craig, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, Thomas Haden Church, Jeffrey Wright, Annie Hamilton, James Faulkner, Bridget Everett, Noah Segan
Director: Rian Johnson
Running Time: 144 Minutes
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: November 26, 2025 (Theaters)/December 12, 2025 (Netflix)
You will believe a man can be resurrected! That’s the tongue-in-cheek promise of Wake Up Dead Man, the latest Knives Out mystery. As a lifelong practicing Catholic, I was especially primed to appreciate Benoit Blanc venturing off to an off-the-beaten parish on Easter Weekend to help the new young priest (Josh O’Connor) figure out the death of the firebrand monsignor (Josh Brolin). And ultimately, Rian Johnson very much succeeded in helping to restore my faith. That’s not to say that I had completely lost my faith, and it’s also not to say that any character literally comes back to life. (Although in the interest of avoiding spoilers, I’m not not saying that either.) Furthermore, I’m also certainly not saying that you have to be Catholic to enjoy this movie (nor that all Catholics will automatically enjoy it). But it did convince me anew of believing in the stories we tell ourselves, and that is a blessing.
Grade: 10 Awakenings out of 7 Crypts
December 7, 2025
jmunney
Saturday Night Live, SNL Weekly Recaps, Television
Dijon, Melissa McCarthy, Saturday Night Live, Saturday Night Live Season 51, SNL, SNL Season 51
Adding a little something to December (CREDIT: NBC/Screenshot)
Jeff “jmunney” Malone watches every new episode of Saturday Night Live and then reviews all the sketches and segments according to a “wacky” theme.
Will this be a December to remember? Well, laughter is often associated with memory, so hopefully SNL Season 51 will do its part to make its answer to that question a resounding “yes!” We have our first set of evidence in this regard in terms of the Melissa McCarthy-hosted December 6, 2025 episode, with musical guest Dijon. This is Ms. McCarthy’s 6th time hosting, but it’s my first time using a new reviewing gimmick, as I will assess where each sketch and segment should be categorized on the pH Scale. That is to say: I’ll be determining if they’re more acidic (less than 7) or more basic (greater than 7, up to 14). Am I being metaphorical here? Let’s find out!
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December 5, 2025
jmunney
Cinema, Entertainment To-Do List, Music, Television
100 Nights of Hero, 30 for 30, 30 for 30: Boo-Yah: A Portrait of Stuart Scott, Kyle M., Man Finds Tape, Winter's Wish
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
Movies
–Man Finds Tape (Theaters)
–100 Nights of Hero (Theaters)
TV
–30 for 30: Boo-Yah: A Portrait of Stuart Scott (December 10 on ESPN) – Sweet sassy molassy!
Music
-Kyle M., Winter’s Wish (Released November 21) – Featuring the new holiday classic “Mrs. Claus is Getting Down.”
December 4, 2025
jmunney
Cinema, Movie Reviews
Audrey Lynn-Marie, Elizabeth Lail, Emma Tammi, Five Nights at Freddy's, Five Nights at Freddy's 2, FNaF, FnaF 2, Freddy Carter, Josh Hutcherson, Matthew Lillard, Mckenna Grace, Piper Rubio, Skeet Ulrich, Teo Briones, Theodus Crane, Wayne Knight
Da Bear (CREDIT: Universal Pictures)
Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio, Matthew Lillard, Theodus Crane, McKenna Grace, Teo Briones, Freddy Carter, Wayne Knight, Audrey Lynn-Marie, Skeet Ulrich
Director: Emma Tammi
Running Time: 104 Minutes
Rating: PG-13 for Violence That Feels Like It Should Look Bloodier
Release Date: December 5, 2025 (Theaters)
What’s It About?: Have you ever had to deal with your younger sibling pining for her ghost friends inside murderous animatronics? That’s the very common dilemma that Mike Schmidt is dealing with while looking after his sister Abby (Piper Rubio) in the wake of the massacre at the end of the first Five Nights at Freddy’s flick that resulted in the death of serial killer William Afton (Matthew Lillard). Mike and Afton’s daughter Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail) are doing their best to look out for each other, but the spirits at the shuttered entertainment pizza joint are restless and still calling out to whomever they can lure into their clutches to escape their containment. Meanwhile, Abby is doing her best to make a good impression at her school’s robotics contest, but her teacher (Wayne Knight) is kind of a jerk.
What Made an Impression?: Land of the Rising Dead Kids: The primary antagonist this time around is the spirit of a little girl named Charlotte (Audrey Lynn-Marie), a victim of Afton’s who blames all the clueless parents at Freddy’s for her demise, since they just sat around and did nothing. That blame is now extended to all parents in her afterlife. This is kind of reminiscent of J-horror ghost stories, wherein the curse of a murdered child eternally reaches its coils into anyone who comes into contact with its presence. FnaF 2 is nowhere near as good as the classics of that genre, like The Ring or its Japanese original. But there was also a fair deal of schlock in that trend, so FnaF 2 surely isn’t the worst example, either.
Bang, Clank, Sizzle: When the monsters in your movie are lumbering animatronic animals, the sound mix tends to be filled with crashing metal, twisting gears, and crackling electricity. Unfortunately, these aren’t exactly the most pleasant sounds, though they’re certainly true to the situation. It’s not as bad as the worst Transformers sequels, which were incomprehensible in their garble of machinery. Considering that FnaF 2 is ostensibly a horror movie, this arrangement is horrifying in the sense that it tested my patience. But I’m not sure that was the intention.
Where’s the Edge?: Maybe if I were more well-versed in the lore of the FnaF video games and their various spinoffs, then perhaps these movies would hit harder for me. But I don’t really feel like I’m missing anything. The plots are straightforward and easy to follow, character motivations are clearly spelled out, and the visual language is sensible. There’s just no verve or pizzazz. Freddy and his crew may be ostensibly let loose, but the reality is that they’re still on a tight leash. But at least Wayne Knight gives a bizarrely great performance, so you might laugh a few times!
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is Recommended If You Like: Cold pepperoni
Grade: 2.5 out of 5 Animatronics
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