December 2025 [1-7] (Copy)
Sew Torn, The Outrun, System Crasher, Left-Handed Girl, Stand By Me, Straight Outta Compton, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
- Sew Torn [2024] - 25
I often talk about how it’s important to review movies based on their specific context — sometimes films will have some weaknesses but, if you consider them for what they are [rather than what they aren’t], your opinion can change. Another thing I like to talk about [typically when these context-specific ratings come up] is how I’d feel if it was one of my own friends who made whatever movie is in question and, often times, that can change my thoughts as well… Sew Torn is saved by neither of these concessions, however. A multi-threaded film about a series of narratives gone wrong, Sew Torn neither knows what it wants to be, nor manages to handle any of its pieces with any sort of finesse. An interesting enough concept — a “what if” film that explores different actions taken during the same scenario — Sew Torn triggers one of my other very common criticisms which is: “this feels like a short turned feature film”… And it is… And it shows. While it is a debut from writer/ director Freddy Macdonald, it isn’t one that would be saved from my criticisms even if he was the best of my friends, and I’m honestly not even sure what inspired me to trudge all the way through its runtime.
- The Outrun [2024] - 91
Based on Amy Liptrot’s memoirs, Nora Fingscheidt and Daisy Lewis have constructed a powerful showing of addiction, struggle, acceptance, reliance, and peace in their 2024 release, The Outrun. Brought painfully to life by a subtle and beautifully broken Saoirse Ronan, and vibrantly captured by Yunus Roy Imer’s bleak-but-driven cinematography, this is a release not to be missed if you’ve ever been moved by the quote, "Not all those who wander are lost". In tone, this most closely reminds me of two films I watched in 2023: Makeup and Two For Joy, another set of experiences I highly recommend you have if this one resonates in any way [Makeup being my #45 in that year and Two For Joy my #33]. While I certainly wouldn’t fault anyone for not falling in love with this the way that I did, I do think that The Outrun is a film anyone would be hard-pressed to call “bad” regardless of context or taste.
- System Crasher [2019] - 90
From the same team as The Outrun, System Crasher is just as difficult, just as well acted and put together, and [in some ways] even more painful. Following the story of Benni — a 9-year old with severe anger issues and trauma — as she’s bounced from foster home to foster home, System Crasher is complex, loud, and difficult while simultaneously being incredibly simple, very touching, and supremely easy to love. While I ultimately lean just a touch towards The Outrun, I think that’s only because I saw it first and appreciate some of its minor refinements a little more. That said, both of these films are incredible pieces of human storytelling and I simply cannot wait for what these creators do moving forward.
- Left-Handed Girl [2025] - 72
Left-Handed Girl marks the second film by director Shih-Ching Tsou in collaboration with 4-time Oscar winner Sean Baker [Anora]. Telling the story of a Taiwanese family struggling to make ends meet, this is a film that struck me as a little busy, a little long, and a little like something I would appreciate a l[ot]ittle more if I was more knowledgeable about the culture from which it comes. Being very much on the outside, I thought that Left-Handed Girl was just OK and needed more focus — eschewing some of its more ultimately meaningless storylines for detailed character development — but I certainly didn’t hate it, and certainly wasn’t bored… I was just sorta “blah” about it. Nothing wrong with this one, but I’d have really liked it if was more concise.
- Stand By Me [1986] - 78
Awkward timing given recent events, Stand By Me is a movie that’s long been on my list and simply evaded me for some reason. I’m glad I finally got around to it, even if it isn’t likely to be something I remember for very long. The film has strong stand out moments and a journey that is ultimately meaningful and moving, but much of the film’s execution feels like a movie from 40 years ago and just doesn’t translate super well in 2025. While much of what the film has to say about growing up, breaking of the sacred circle, and the overall “kids on bikes” motif is really very excellent, this was an 89-minute movie that felt significantly longer than it was… Mostly because listening to a group of boys scream and jeer for that length of time is physically difficult. Like I said, I think the themes visited in this story are some of what King does best, but the experience itself is a little more challenging than I would have liked and I’ll likely be turning to other coming-of-age expeditions instead of re-turning to this one.
- Straight Outta Compton [2015] - 88
Certainly bolstered by the excellent music to accompany a great biopic, Straight Outta Compton was hugely enjoyable start to finish. While a little long at 2:27, that time is used very well to tell a complex and difficult story. From intelligent casting choices to stellar sound mixing, much of what director F. Gary Gray wanted to do comes across well, and is not only engaging, but moving and inspiring as well. An 88 is certainly a high score, but I do wish the film dealt a little more directly with the broader impacts that N.W.A. had on music and culture at large instead of focusing almost purely on the individuals of the group itself. Still all very compelling and important stuff, there’s just more to be told here that I think could have been fit into the runtime. A great film either way, if you haven’t gotten to this one already, I certainly recommend it when you have the space to be loud.
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower [2012] - 92
During certain parts of this movie I became more and more sure that I’d seen it before… But then other parts made me unsure if I’d ever even heard of it. A weird watch experience that ultimately ended in what is sure to be one of my favorite movies of 2025, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is intensely touching and deeply meaningful for anyone who’s ever been in love, needed friends, or dealt with something they just don’t know how to communicate. What we around the Cacciatoreviews house call a “nugget movie”, this is one that anyone who knows my taste could likely have predicted I’d fall in love with [A coming-of-age romance? Duh. Sold.]. Written and directed by the author of the novel, Stephen Chbosky, this is an adaptation that clearly maintains the heart and soul of the original work, and I can’t wait to see what the pages of this story hold that the film could not. There’s something impressively intuitive about this work — something that speaks through words unsaid almost more than those scripted out — and it makes me excited to check out both his other writer/director film, Wonder, as well as his upcoming project, Weekend Warriors.
I don’t often blanket recommend movies around here, but I think that The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a movie that everyone should see.
