Hakihiko

"Elio" is a warm, imaginative film that may not redefine the animated landscape, but it delivers enough heart, creativity, and emotional sincerity to stand comfortably above the middle of the pack. It's a story bursting with color and personality, carried by a protagonist who's easy to root for and a universe that feels playfully alive.

The film's worldbuilding is one of its biggest strengths. The cosmic setting is vibrant and inventive, filled with clever visual touches that make each new environment feel exciting. Elio's journey - equal parts coming-of-age and intergalactic misadventure - offers a steady mix of humor and emotion, with several moments that genuinely shine.

While "Elio" occasionally stumbles with pacing and a script that doesn't explore its deeper themes as fully as it could, the overall experience remains engaging. The story has heart, the characters are appealing, and the film's emotional core comes through clearly, especially in its more intimate, character-driven scenes.

It may not reach the heights of Pixar's most iconic works, but "Elio" succeeds as a heartfelt, entertaining, and visually delightful ride. It's charming, sincere, and just imaginative enough to linger after the credits roll.

"Good Fortune" is a breezy, easygoing comedy that doesn't aim particularly high - and that's both its charm and its limitation. It's the kind of film that settles comfortably into familiar territory, offering a handful of laughs and a generally warm spirit without ever pushing itself into truly memorable territory.

The humor works well enough, especially when the movie leans into its more playful, slightly chaotic moments. The cast brings a likable energy, carrying scenes that might have otherwise fallen flat. There's a sincerity to the film that keeps it pleasant to follow, even when the jokes don't land as strongly or the scenarios feel a bit recycled.

Where "Good Fortune" struggles is in its lack of bite or boldness. The script plays things safe, relying on predictable beats and conflicts that resolve exactly as you expect. It's entertaining in the moment but rarely surprising, and it doesn't leave much of a lasting impression once the credits roll.

Still, there's an undeniable charm in how unpretentious it is. "Good Fortune" knows what kind of movie it wants to be - light, friendly, and undemanding - and it succeeds on that level. Not great, not bad, but a perfectly fine way to spend an evening when you're in the mood for something simple and good-natured.

"Frankenstein" is a striking reinterpretation of a timeless classic - a film that doesn't just revisit Mary Shelley's themes but reshapes them with remarkable ambition and emotional depth. What makes it stand out is how confidently it embraces the essence of the story while finding its own voice, resulting in a work that feels both familiar and refreshingly modern.

The direction is exceptional: atmospheric without being oppressive, stylish without losing substance. Every frame feels deliberate, capturing a blend of gothic melancholy and human vulnerability. The film's visual language - sharp, evocative, and meticulously composed - gives the narrative a haunting elegance that lingers long after the credits roll.

The performances are superb across the board, grounding the film's grand ideas with real emotional weight. The creature, in particular, is portrayed with a balance of menace, fragility, and tragic humanity that elevates the entire experience. It's a reminder that the heart of "Frankenstein" has always been about creation, responsibility, and the painful tension between longing and rejection.

What truly impresses is how the film manages to be profound without ever feeling pretentious. It's thoughtful, gripping, and surprisingly intimate - a rare mix in modern genre filmmaking. With its bold choices, compelling imagery, and deeply resonant themes, "Frankenstein" stands among the most inspired adaptations of the story in recent years.