reviewforeveryone

Good Fortune 2025 is a supernatural comedy film directed by Aziz Ansari in his feature directorial debut, starring Ansari himself along with Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh, and Keanu Reeves.

Arj, struggling to make ends meet and living in his car, is shown by Gabriel through a life swap what it's like to be wealthy. Arj flourishes in Jeff's riches while Jeff faces the struggles of Arj's hard-working life. This supernatural intervention aims to show that wealth alone isn't the key to happiness, but unexpected consequences ensue. Through their experiences, they learn about hope, hardship, and the value of relationships.

The film explores themes of economic disparity, hope, and the meaning of true fortune beyond wealth. It critiques late capitalism, highlighting the gig economy and struggles of everyday workers versus the excesses of the wealthy. The supernatural element adds humor while addressing serious social issues of fairness, work ethics, and the intangible aspects of happiness.

Aziz Ansari shines as Arj, delivering a relatable performance of a man caught in precarious work without stability. Seth Rogen plays the wealthy Jeff with comedic timing, and Keke Palmer as Elena adds emotional depth as a unionizing coworker. Keanu Reeves stands out as Gabriel, the angel, bringing charm and humor to the supernatural role.

The narrative cleverly blends comedy with social commentary, using a body-swap trope to challenge ideas about money and happiness. The plot maintains engagement through a mix of situational humor and moments of introspection, although some critics find it slightly long for its 98-minute runtime. The story moves from supernatural mischief to thoughtful resolutions about identity and hope.

Good Fortune is a fun, amiable film that offers comic insight into the divide between wealth and poverty. It successfully uses humor and supernatural elements to highlight societal issues and human resilience, making it an entertaining yet meaningful watch.

The Lost Bus is a 2025 survival drama film directed by Paul Greengrass, who co-wrote the screenplay with Brad Ingelsby. It is based on the non-fiction 2021 book Paradise: One Town's Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire by Lizzie Johnson about the 2018 Camp Fire. It stars Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera, Yul Vazquez and Ashlie Atkinson.

Set during the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California, the film centers on Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey), a school bus driver, and Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera), a teacher. When the wildfire rapidly engulfs the town, Kevin is called upon to evacuate 22 children stranded at a school. What begins as a routine route turns into a tense, fraught journey through smoke, flame, blocked roads, and chaos, as they fight to reach safety

McConaughey delivers a grounded, intense performance, while Ferrera adds heart and calm strength. The child cast brings raw emotion and realism. The ensemble including Yul Vázquez, Ashlie Atkinson (as the dispatcher), and child actors holds up its weight in a film dominated by disaster visuals. The children's fear, confusion, and moments of quiet resilience are often cited as among the film's emotional strongest points.

Paul Greengrass keeps the tension high with his signature handheld style and gripping pace. The visuals of fire and chaos feel terrifyingly real, though some emotional beats feel rushed or predictable. Cinematographer Pål Ulvik Rokseth and the visual effects team succeed in creating a visceral, suffocating atmosphere of fire, smoke, and heat. The visuals are among the film's strongest assets: the bus lit by orange glow, smoke creeping through the frame, and the impression of encroaching danger are all powerfully rendered.

A powerful, visually striking survival drama that captures human courage in crisis. Despite a few clichés, The Lost Bus burns bright with emotion and intensity. If you're a fan of survival dramas and disaster cinema done well, It's not perfect, but it's a visceral, ambitious ride that reminds us how ordinary people can act extraordinarily under pressure.

One Battle After Another is a 2025 action thriller film produced, written, and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Inspired by the 1990 novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon,the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti,

Paul Thomas Anderson's war-political thriller follows Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio), a former revolutionary forced back into conflict when his daughter Willa disappears, reigniting battles with old enemies and his own past.

DiCaprio delivers a powerhouse performance balancing grit and vulnerability, while Chase Infiniti shines as his daughter. Sean Penn is chilling as Colonel Lockjaw is praised for a forceful, menacing turn. He's not just the villain for spectacle there's psychological complexity his obsession, cruelty, and ideological extremism are given weight. Benicio del Toro as Sergio brings physicality and humor, especially in sequences of guerrilla-style resistance. His presence adds variety to the ensemble and strong support comes from Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall

Anderson blends large-scale action with intimate drama, aided by Michael Bauman's sweeping cinematography and Jonny Greenwood's evocative score. The pacing is intense, though occasionally heavy with subplots. Climax was also ultimate.

Ambitious, emotional, and visually stunning this isn't just action, it's a reflection on legacy, sacrifice, and resilience. Despite its length, One Battle After Another stands out as one of 2025's most powerful films.