Making a Verdict on ‘Coyote vs. Acme’

August 29, 2026

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Pictured: How It’s Been Going Lately (CREDIT: Ketchup Entertainment)

Starring: Will Forte, Lana Condor, John Cena, Tone Bell, Luis Guzmán, Martha Kelly, P.J. Byrne, Kenneth Choi, John Early, Eric Bauza, Candi Milo, Jim Cummings

Director: Dave Green

Running Time: 103 Minutes

Rating: PG

Release Date: August 28, 2026 (Theaters)

Here’s what I have to say about Coyote vs. Acme: I understand why the Acme Corporation would choose to utilize cartoon characters as test subjects for its dangerous products. They’re quite elastic and resilient, after all. Yes, I suppose they feel pain, but that appears to be temporary, and they also appear to be effectively immortal. Nevertheless, I believe that Mr. Wile E. Coyote has a legitimate complaint, as this testing ought to be carried out with the cartoon subjects’ consent. So there you go. Also, why don’t all major American cities have a carrot festival? (Or do they, and I’ve just not heard about them?)

Grade: 4 Meep Meeps out of Infinity Sisyphuses

Does ‘Mercy’ (the Movie) Take Mercy (the Virtue) on Our Souls?

January 27, 2026

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Is this the face of mercy? (CREDIT: Amazon MGM Studios)

Starring: Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, Annabelle Wallis, Kylie Rogers, Kali Reis, Chris Sullivan, Kenneth Choi, Rafi Gavron, Jeff Pierre

Director: Timur Bekmambetov

Running Time: 100 Minutes

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: January 23, 2026 (Theaters)

Have Mercy? In the latest Screenlife venture from director Timur Bekmambetov, some dude played by Chris Pratt must prove his innocence vis-à-vis the murder of his wife to an AI judge embodied by Rebecca Ferguson within an hour and a half, or else he will be instantly executed. So now that I’ve seen this movie, I of course must ask the question: did it make me want to be replaced by artificial intelligence? To which I’ll answer: of course not!

But if that replacement hypothetically must happen, would I prefer that it be Rebecca Ferguson-style? Well, when you put it that way, she does at least bring something unique to the occasion. But I’d still be fighting against it, because it’s just not living up to its supposed potential. Anyway, the movie kind of abandons its Screenlife gimmick for the last ten minutes or so as it gives way to a frenetic climax, and it’s overall a pretty rollicking time at the movies.

Grade: 4 out of 5 Acts of Clemency