March 25, 2026
jmunney
Cinema, Movie Reviews
Amelie Zilber, Amy Wang, Fang Du, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Mckenna Grace, Shirley Chen, Slanted, Vivian Wu
This is how it looks when the movie is Slanted (CREDIT: Bleecker Street/Screenshot)
Starring: Shirley Chen, McKenna Grace, Vivian Wu, Fang Du, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Amelie Zilber
Director: Amy Wang
Running Time: 104 Minutes
Rating: R
Release Date: March 13, 2026 (Theaters)
Slanted slides into theaters with a devilish little premise: what if there were a medical surgery that would allow people of color to become white (in every possible way you can fathom)? For a business model like this to work, there would have to be people willing to erase their ethnicity for the sake of making a racist world easier to live through. Ergo our teenage protagonist Joan Huang (Shirley Chen), who gets the surgery and re-introduces herself to everyone as the white-presenting “Jo Hunt” (McKenna Grace). Slanted isn’t quite as unimpeachable as the similarly premised The Substance, but it is successful enough that I was still grappling with its repercussions days later. And that second life – that feels like home.
Grade: A Full Bowl of Potatoes Covered in 75% Sour Cream
March 20, 2026
jmunney
Cinema, Entertainment To-Do List, Music, Television
Arirang, BTS, Dead Lover, Hannah Montana, Jury Duty, Jury Duty Presents Company Retreat, Miroirs No. 3, Project Hail Mary, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, Saturday Night Live UK, SNL UK
Will this be my new favourite show? (CREDIT: Sky TV/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
–Dead Lover (Theaters)
–Miroirs No. 3 (Theaters)
–Project Hail Mary (Theaters)
–Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (Theaters)
TV
–Jury Duty Season 2 Premiere (March 20 on Amazon Prime) – This season is entitled “Company Retreat.”
–Saturday Night Live UK Series Premiere (March 21 on Sky One for Brits, Next Day on Peacock for Americans) – With host Tina Fey and musical guest Wet Leg!
–Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special (March 24 on Disney+)
Music
-BTS, Arirang
March 18, 2026
jmunney
Cinema, Movie Reviews
Chris Miller, Christopher Miller, James Ortiz, Ken Leung, Lionel Boyce, Lord and Miller, Milana Vayntrub, Phil Lord, Priya Kansara, Project Hail Mary, Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller
It’s a touchdown! (CREDIT: Jonathan Olley
© 2026 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.)
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, Milana Vayntrub, Priya Kansara
Directors: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
Running Time: 156 Minutes
Rating: PG-13 for Quite Mild Suggestive Themes and References
Release Date: March 13, 2026 (Theaters)
What’s It About?: Ryland Grace is just a middle school teacher! But he might also be the exact right person to save the world, and possibly even the entire universe. Here’s the potentially apocalyptic problem: a newly discovered form of microorganisms called astrophages are basically eating up our Sun and so many other stars… except for one strikingly immune astral body light-years away from Earth. Despite his current humble position, Dr. Grace has the precisely necessary background to tackle such an intractable problem. So one day he finds himself waking up in a spaceship very far from home, and it just so happens that he’s right next to a cute alien scientist that he dubs Rocky. And so, they of course team up to save the universe together.
What Made an Impression?: A Truly Alien Encounter: With more than a century’s worth of cinema about interplanetary adventures, it can feel like we’ve run out of all possible design ideas for extraterrestrial beings. And yet we’ve never before encountered anything quite like Rocky (though certain individual elements may harken back to some classics). Voiced and puppeteered by James Ortiz, he’s got the blocky geometry of TARS from Interstellar crossed with the boundless energy of a puppy and the playful genius of an Einstein.
A Bond as Vast as the Universe: I wonder how a movie critic from Rocky’s species would describe Dr. Grace in a review of their planet’s version of Project Hail Mary. I imagine this creature would be massively charmed and would even speculate that he would be giggling all the time on their planet’s analogue of Saturday Night Live. Anyway, that’s just a windup towards disclosing that Rocky and Grace’s friendship is absolutely lovely to witness. You could call them The Odd Couple of 2026, except that it’s not odd at all.
Remembering What It’s All For: If your favorite part of Toni Erdmann was Sandra Hüller busting out some Whitney Houston, then you’ll be happy to learn that she sings another noteworthy pop number in PHM. I won’t mention the exact tune here in case you want to go in cold, but I will note that it has been teased during the promotional cycle, and it’s a blast whether you’re ready for it or not.
We Can Do It!: With equal amounts of fun and worry to be had in this epic galaxy-spanning adventure, the biggest takeaway is that there’s still room for hope in an existence where everything seems to be crumbling apart. I was massively inspired by Grace and Rocky’s teamwork, and I suspect that you will be too. What a wonderful feeling to be left with when stepping out of the theater!
Project Hail Mary is Recommended If You Like: NASA, Interplanetary collaboration, Karaoke
Grade: 4 out of 5 Astrophages
March 13, 2026
jmunney
Awards Shows, Cinema, Oscars, Television
98th Academy Awards, 98th Oscars, Academy Awards, Oscar Predictions, Oscars, Sinners
#OscarBros (CREDIT: Warner Bros./Screenshot)
Here is my annual presentation of my best guesses for who shall emerge victorious at the 98th Oscars and whom I would select on my ballot if I were a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. We shall find out the truth together when Monsieur Conan O’Brien hosts the ceremony on Sunday, March 15, 2025.
Best Picture
Prediction: Sinners
Preference: Sinners
Best Director
Prediction: Paul Thomas Anderson
Preference: Ryan Coogler
More
March 13, 2026
jmunney
Cinema, Entertainment To-Do List, Music, Sports, Television
98th Academy Awards, 98th Oscars, A Pound of Feathers, Academy Awards, Celebrity Jeopardy, Celebrity Jeopardy All-Stars, Into Oblivion, James Blake, Kim Gordon, Lamb of God, March Madness, Oscars, PLAY ME, Slanted, The Black Crowes, Trying Times, undertone
THE OSCARS – Key Art. (Disney)
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
Movies
–Slanted (Theaters)
–Undertone (Theaters) – I liked the premise more than the execution, but it’s still worth checking out.
TV
–Celebrity Jeopardy! All Stars Season Premiere (March 13 on ABC)
-98th Academy Awards (March 15 on ABC) – Hosted by Conan O’Brien… for the second year in a row!
Music
-The Black Crowes, A Pound of Feathers
-James Blake, Trying Times
-Kim Gordon, PLAY ME
-Lamb of God, Into Oblivion
Sports
-Men’s March Madness (March 17-April 6 on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV) – And Selection Sunday shall be held March 15 on CBS.
-Women’s March Madness (March 18-April 5 on ABC and the ESPN Family of Networks) – With Selection Sunday being held March 15 on ESPN.
March 12, 2026
jmunney
Cinema, Movie Reviews
Anna Baryshnikov, Armen Weitzman, Benito Skinner, Beth Dover, Camila Mendes, Chloe Cherry, Chris Aquilino, David Wain, DJ Qualls, Gabbriette, Galina Jovovich, Gigi Zumbado, Harley Quinn Smith, Idiotka, Ilia Volok, Ivy Wolk, Jack Allison, Jake Choi, Jamar Malachi Neighbors, Jason Mewes, Julia Fox, Kevin Smith, Marcelo Tubert, Mark Ivanir, Mike Hanford, Mike Mitchell, Nastasya Popov, Natasha Behnam, Natasha Leggero, Nelson Franklin, Nerses Stamos, Nick Corirossi, Nik Dodani, Owen Thiele, Paul Rust, Ray Wise, Riki Lindhome, Ryan Perez, Sarah Ramos, Saweetie, Shaun Brown, Steve Agee, The Napa Boys, Vanessa Lee Chester, Zack Bia
Can an Idiotka be a Napa Boy? (CREDIT: Magnolia Pictures; Utopia/Screenshot)
Idiotka
Starring: Anna Baryshnikov, Camila Mendes, Owen Thiele, Benito Skinner, Mark Ivanir, Saweetie, Julia Fox, Galina Jovovich, Nerses Stamos, Gabbriette, Zack Bia, Shaun Brown, Jake Choi, Marcelo Tubert, Ilia Volok, Gigi Zumbado
Director: Nastasya Popov
Running Time: 82 Minutes
Rating: Unrated
Release Date: February 27, 2026 (Theaters)
The Napa Boys
Starring: Armen Weitzman, Nick Corirossi, Sarah Ramos, Jamar Malachi Neighbors, Mike Mitchell, Nelson Franklin, Chloe Cherry, Vanessa Lee Chester, Paul Rust, David Wain, Beth Dover, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, DJ Qualls, Ivy Wolk, Chris Aquilino, Natasha Behnam, Ray Wise, Mike Hanford, Ryan Perez, Natasha Leggero, Riki Lindhome, Steve Agee, Jack Allison, Harley Quinn Smith, Nik Dodani
Director: Nick Corirossi
Running Time: 92 Minutes
Rating: Unrated
Release Date: February 27, 2026 (Theaters)
Within the same week, I saw two little movies that simultaneously felt like they were made expressly for me and like they were from a planet I’ve never visited.
More
March 11, 2026
jmunney
Cinema, Movie Reviews
Reminding you to listen (CREDIT: Michelle Faye/Universal Pictures; A24)
Undertone
Starring: Nina Kiri, Adam DiMarco, Michèle Duquet, Keena Lyn Bastidas, Jeff Yung, Sarah Beaudin, Brian Quintero
Director: Ian Tuason
Running Time: 94 Minutes
Rating: R for Language (The Spooks are PG-13-Level)
Release Date: March 13, 2026 (Theaters)
Reminders of Him
Starring: Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, Lauren Graham, Bradley Whitford, Lainey Wilson, Jennifer Robertson, Zoe Kosovic, Nicholas Duvernay, Monika Myers, Hilary Jardine
Director: Vanessa Caswill
Running Time: 114 Minutes
Rating: PG-13 for Accident Images, a Few Punches, and a Little Bit of Skinny Dipping
Release Date: March 13, 2026 (Theaters)
In the course of my journeys in Cinematic Completism, I often see two very different movies in quick succession. And it doesn’t get much more starkly distinct than the humble horror flick Undertone and the tragic romance Reminders of Him. So when a moment like this happens, I occasionally like to let everyone know what this whiplash was like for me and guide you towards whether or not it’s worth experiencing it yourself as well.
More
March 9, 2026
jmunney
Best in Film 2025, Best of 2025, Cinema, Oscars
98th Academy Awards, 98th Oscars, Academy Awards, Jeff Malone Academy Awards, jmunney Academy Awards, Oscars, Sinners
If it’s a sin to win Oscars, I don’t want to be a saint! (CREDIT: Warner Bros./Screenshot)
The Oscar winners are determined by the thousands of members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. But what if … they were chosen by just one person? If I were singlehandedly in charge of running the Oscars, here’s how they would go down.
Please Note: Some of my decisions about categorization (like Lead vs. Supporting for actors, or Adapted vs. Original for screenplays) may differ from those of the Academy and other awards bodies.
Nominees are listed alphabetically (either by movie title or by nominee name), winners in bold.
Best Picture
Bring Her Back
The Day the Earth Blew Up
Highest 2 Lowest
The Luckiest Man in America
Marty Supreme
The Naked Gun
One Battle After Another
Sentimental Value
Sinners
Weapons
More
March 6, 2026
jmunney
Cinema, Entertainment To-Do List, Music, Sports, Television
Atlanta, Dolly, Gnarls Barkley, Harry Styles, Heel, Hoppers, Kiss All the Time. Disco Occasionally, Make-Up Is a Lie, Morrissey, Paralympics, Squeeze, The Bride!, The Greatest Average American, Trixies, Winter Paralympics
Is this what you see when you google “Average Man”? (CREDIT: Disney/Connie Chornuk)
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
Movies
–The Bride! (Theaters)
–Dolly (Theaters)
–Heel (Theaters and On Demand)
–Hoppers (Theaters) – Is this based on that old Dish Network commercial?
TV
–The Greatest Average American (Premiered February 25 on ABC) – Nate Bargatze-hosted game show with Family Feud influences
Music
-Gnarls Barkley, Atlanta – Reportedly their final album.
-Morrissey, Make-Up Is a Lie
-Squeeze, Trixies
-Harry Styles, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally
Sports
-2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics (March 6-15 on NBC, USA, CNBC, and Peacock)
March 3, 2026
jmunney
Cinema, Movie Reviews
Burn Gorman, Charles Dance, Christian Convery, Christoph Waltz, David Bradley, Felix Kammerer, Frankenstein, Frankenstein 2025, Guillermo del Toro, Jacob Elordi, Kyle Gatehouse, Lars Mikkelsen, Lauren Collins, Mia Goth, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Oscar Isaac, Ralph Ineson, Sofia Galasso
What’s the vector, Victor? (CREDIT: Ken Woroner/Netflix)
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, Felix Kammerer, David Bradley, Lars Mikkelsen, Charles Dance, Christian Convery, Kyle Gatehouse, Lauren Collins, Sofia Galasso, Ralph Ineson, Burn Gorman, Nikolaj Lie Kaas
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Running Time: 150 Minutes
Rating: R
Release Date: October 17, 2025 (Theaters)/November 7, 2025 (Netflix)
Now that I’ve checked the 2025 filmed version of Frankenstein off my to-watch list, I have finally seen every 98th Academy Awards Best Picture nominee! Despite its two-and-a-half-hour runtime, it did a good job of keeping me awake the entire time, which is quite an accomplishment considering my penchant in recent years for nodding off in the movie theater. Although maybe that also had something to do with the Himalayan sea salt dark chocolate bar I ate…
Anyway, the aspect of this telling that I enjoyed the most was its underlining of how lovely Mia Goth is – something I already believed and now believe even more! It’s a shame about all the violence, though. But that is indeed what the creature and his creator turned to, I suppose. Anyway, overall it was pretty good, I guess.
Grade: 3 out of 5 Frankensteins
Older Entries
Newer Entries
Jmunney's Blog 