A Complete Unknown is undoubtedly one of the best films of the year – if not the best- thanks to incredible acting and musical performances.

I should start this review off by noting that I knew almost nothing about Bob Dylan going into A Complete Unkown. Of course, I had heard his music before and could recognize his voice just about anywhere, but I did not know about his life or his rise to fame. I certainly did not know about the 1965 Folk Festival, which ends up being the climax of the flim.

This movie follows Bob Dylan’s life from 1961 to 1965. It details his songwriting and his decision to “go electric” at the 1965 Folk Festival, despite the board not wanting him to do so. Timothée Chalamet brilliantly portrays Dylan, truly becoming the singer, becoming more and more unrecognizable as the film goes on.

Bob Dylan’s tracks are not used in the film, but rather these are actual performances by the actor. The same can be said for the other singers that are portrayed in A Complete Unknown. This brings an authenticity to it, and is likely a large part of why the movie works as well as it does. There are intimate moments of Dylan writing in his room in his boxers, but at the same time, we also see him on stage in front of a sold out crowd.

Something I learned from watching A Complete Unknown is that Bob Dylan never wanted to be put in a box. Why should he have to define his genre of music? Can’t he just write and perform whatever he wants too without a label? Honestly, this reminds me of Taylor Swift’s style, as we have seen her jump and blend genres. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. There is a clear reason why Bob Dylan’s music is so popular, so just let him do his thing.

Elle Fanning plays Bob Dylan’s love interest (well, one of them), Sylvie Russo. This is the changed name of real life love interest Suze Rotolo. Fanning is exceptional, per usual, her chemistry with Chalamet is electric. No matter if they are showing affection or fighting, the two are captivating to watch.

One scene in particular, towards the end of A Complete Unknown, left me in tears. It became so easy to become invested in these two and their relationship. As someone who did not know the outcome of their story going into this movie, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened.

Another standout in the film is Edward Norton, who plays Pete Seeger, a real life folk singer who was one of Bob Dylan’s inspirations. When I tell you that this entire cast – lead and supporting – come together to make something unforgettable and special, I mean it. Norton and Chalamet have an intriguing dynamic.

Seeger takes Dylan under his wing at first, but it isn’t long before Dylan’s fame explodes, almost leaving Seeger in the dust. This culminates into Norton’s Seeger more or less being town between the past and the future, in terms of the creation of music and art.

I cannot talk about A Complete Unknown without mentioning Monica Barbaro’s portrayal of Joan Baez. She also has electric chemistry with Chalamet’s Bob Dylan – especially during their musical performances together. Whenever she opens her mouth to sing in this film, I literally get goosebumps. She is an extreme talent and could certainly be a singer as well as an actress should she choose to.

The back and forth of their relationship, and the way that it shapes the art they create together, is one of the many things that had me completely invested in this film.

I want nothing more than the soundtrack of A Complete Unknown on vinyl. The musical numbers have all stuck with me ever since watching this film for the first time, and I do not see them leaving me any time soon. The cast is phenomenal. One of the best ensembles of the year, hands down.

Of course, I cannot speak on how Bob Dylan fans will feel about this movie as I went into it not really knowing much about him. However, despite his imperfections, A Complete Unknown has made me a Dylan fan.

Undoubtedly one of the best films of the year. Timothée Chalamet brilliantly portrays Bob Dylan, while the supporting cast delivers their best-ever performances. Captivating musical performances are the icing on the cake. A truly awe-inspiring must-watch.

NEXT: Nosferatu (2024) Review: Terrifying Masterpiece or Bloodsucking Bore?

About A Complete Unknown

New York, 1961. Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota named Bob Dylan arrives with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music.

He forges intimate relationships with music icons of Greenwich Village on his meteoric rise, culminating in a groundbreaking and controversial performance that reverberates worldwide.

Timothée Chalamet stars and sings as Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, the electric true story behind the rise of one of the most iconic singer-songwriters in history.

A Complete Unknown comes to theaters on December 25.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is a great addition to the iconic franchise, delivering a deeper exploration of lore, despite its flaws.

Tolkien fans rejoice, there is a new addition to the iconic franchise – The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. This animated feature will likely be the introduction to The Lord of the Rings for a new generation. There is a lot to love about this film, although it does have its flaws, as well.

Based on just a few pages of text, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim tells the story of Hera (who Tolkien called the unnamed daughter in his works) and details the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand. Fans know where things will end up, but that doesn’t make the journey any less exciting.

Thanks to an incredibly talented voice cast – Brian Cox (Helm), Gaia Wise (Hera), and Luca Pasqualino (Wulf) – viewers will instantly love or hate these characters. As the story continues on, the emotion that is put behind them is easily one of the best parts of the movie.

The filmmakers made the decision to tell this story using anime-style animation. As someone who loves anime, I feel was the right choice. That said, some people do not like this style and will likely find issues with it. There are a few times where it feels flat, but overall, I find it to be a gorgeous way to tell this empowering and heartbreaking story.

I have two young daughters, so any time there is a strong woman on screen that they can look up to, I am all for it. Hera is exactly that. She is willing to do anything to protect her family, and her people, and seeing her go the extra mile, even when she is exhausted, is inspiring.

The story that is told throughout this film is heartbreaking at times. War is in the title of the film, so it should come as no surprise that there are several battles throughout. These are some of the best animated moments. The Rohirrim love their horses, and animating that many of them is no easy fit – but the team pulled it off without a hitch.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is not without its cameos from characters, but also from actors whose voices you should recognize. I do not want to ruin the surprise, so I will just say that two in particular were very exciting to hear in a scene together. That moment warmed my heart and made me smile.

The biggest issue with this film is the length. It clocks in at over two hours, which is long for an animated feature. There were certainly some parts that could have been trimmed. If it was under two hours, I would have had no real complaints about The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. My youngest daughter had a few moments where she started to fade and zone out because of the length. That said, my teen was fully engaged.

Overall The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is a wonderful addition to the franchise. Anime fans will love the style of animation and action fans will be pleased with the battles. While it goes on too long, the story is still an entertaining one.

NEXT: Skeleton Crew Review: Cute, Captivating, & Exciting

About The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

Set 183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan.

A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg–a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Héra, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their total destruction.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim comes to theaters everywhere on December 13.

Werewolves delivers exactly what you want from a movie that features Frank Grillo fighting werewolves with practical effects. It’s ridiculously fun!

All you have to do is take a look at the trailer for Werewolves and you will know that it is a whole lot of fun. Frank Grillo versus what feels like an unlimited amount of werewolves, ridiculous action sequences, and practical effects, come together to maket this one of the most memorable films of the year.

We, as a world, have had to deal with a pandemic recently, but not like this. In Werewolves the supermoon causes humans to turn into, you guessed it, werewolves. These bloodthirsty creatures take over towns, wrecking havok on them. Some people lock themselves inside so that they will not transform, and so that they will not have to fight off deadly creatures. Others embrace the change and enjoy the night as these monsters. This is where it feels similar to The Purge.

Very few actors could lead a film like this and take it to the next level, which is what makes Frank Grillo the perfect choice for the lead character. Determined to keep those he loves safe, Wesley is not afraid to venture into the night and stop the werewolves at whatever cost.

Grillo is a seasoned actor, and I trully love whenever I see him pop up in a film. He is fantastic at what he does, but he truly shines in this movie. Perhaps because Werewolves is so similar to The Purge, which he also stars in, he was able to step into this role as if he was born for it.

During our interview with director Steven C. Miller and star Frank Grillo, they discuss how this movie really is like The Purge with werewolves. However, it was also revealed that they dialed certain things back because it often felt too much like The Purge. What we end up with is a happy medium. A truly fun movie that will have viewers begging for more.

One of the best things about Werewolves is the use of practical effects. The werewolves are very clearly people in suits, but that is what makes is standout amongst a sea of movies with too much CGI.

There is blood, guts, and gore, but it is also practical. This feels like a film from years ago, but not in a bad way, in a way that will leave you will a smile on your face.

Werewolves boasts several incredible action sequences and is never afraid to get absolutely bonkers. Grillo shines as the lead, bringing a lot to the table. The story itself is interesting, and feels like something that could actually happen in real life. Honestly, more crazy things have occured.

This movie is an experience. It begs to be seen on the big screen. It is unafraid to push the envelope and get weird. There are glimpses of heartwarming moments and, without spoilers, the third act is truly spectacular. It shows just how far some people will go to protect the ones that they love. Inspiring, really.

Werewolves comes to theaters on Friday, December 6. I promise you, this is the perfect movie to see in a packed theater!

NEXT: Nosferatu (2024) Review: Terrifying Masterpiece or Bloodsucking Bore?

About Werewolves

In Werewolves, a supermoon event has triggered a latent gene in every human on the planet, turning anyone who entered the moonlight into a werewolf for that one night. Chaos ensued and close to a billion people died. Now, a year later, the Supermoon is back.

Werewolves comes to theaters December 6th.

Robert Eggers delivers his best work yet with Nosferatu, which boasts a captivating story, stunning visuals, and incredible performances.

Robert Eggers is one of those directors that you just know is the creative mind behind the project when you watch because of their distinct style – which is my favorite kind of director. Nosferatu (2024) is his best work. I never thought anything would surpass his first film, The Witch, in my book, but here we are.

From the stunning visuals to the insanely talented cast to the captivating story, Nosferatu is easily one of the best films of the year. Several scenes send chills down my spine just by me thinking about them. It doesn’t take long for Eggers to deliver on that first shocking scare, which sets the tone for a movie that, despite its over-two-hour-long runtime, will have audiences on the edge of their seat until the credits roll.

Nosferatu is a dark and gothic story, that focuses heavily on the obsession between a haunted young woman, Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her (Bill Skarsgård). Nicholas Hoult plays Thomas Hutter, Ellen’s husband. He steals the entire first act of this film.

It is impossible not to fall in love with him. He is not only charming, but he is also so very clearly head over heels in love with Ellen, which makes him a complete joy to watch on screen. Hoult knows how to select the correct roles for himself. Even when a movie is not so great, he is fantastic. Thankfully, everything about Nosferatu is wonderful.

Depp shines in the first act as well but truly comes into her own by the time the second and third act roll around. It is impossible not to become captivated by her – obsessed even – as viewers start to agree with Count Orlok that there is something special about her. There are several times when, because of the dark story, she needs to deliver what can best be described as raw, guttural, screams, and moans. The way that she gives herself over in these moments is impressive. It feels as if she goes into an out-of-body experience.

It takes a while for Willem DaFoe’s Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz to show up, but once he does, there is no surprise that he steals part of the show as well. It is very clear that DaFoe is having the time of his life, as he often does.

If you were not told that Bill Skarsgård is playing the vampire, you would never know. Not only does he, of course, look nothing like himself, but his voice is like something I have never heard before. He gives this role his all, and it makes it that much better of a film because of it.

Nosferatu is chilling. There are no jump scares placed just for the sake of jump scares, but there are a lot of scenes that will have viewers hiding behind their hands and watching through their fingers. Inherently scary, there is a lot about the concept of a human-obsessed vampire that is enough to terrify just about anyone.

The cinematography and stylistic choices certainly have a hand in what makes this movie so scary. It is not black and white, but the dulled colors and almost grayscale look help to make it feel like a long-lost monster movie that was dug out of a basement somewhere. And I mean that in the best way possible.

With an all-star cast that brings their a-game, breathtaking visuals, a haunting score, and a truly terrifying vampire at the heart of it all, Robert Eggers has outdone himself with this one.

You do not want to miss Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu when it comes to theaters on December 25.

About Nosferatu (2024)

Robert Eggers’ NOSFERATU is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.

Nosferatu (2024) comes to theaters on December 25.

NEXT: Feathers McGraw Was A Solution To A Story Problem In Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl