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The Conjuring: Last Rites is not just a worthy entry in the franchise, it feels like the perfect ending. Admittedly, I'm new to The Conjuring franchise and have only just recently seen all the previous movies, but I have become a really big fan! Especially of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren - some of the very best casting of all time! So to say that this film is not only a solid conclusion to the franchise but also their run as Warren's is a huge compliment to the film! It brought the scares, some nice family drama that brings the emotion, and overall was a really fun time! Might even be one of my favourite Conjuring films (even though it doesn't come close to the first one). Given how good the first film is, it's probably no surprise that Last Rites doesn't hit those levels. While Michael Chaves' direction is good, and the best he's done in the franchise so far, style-wise this film still feels like it's chasing the original film. But, it's chasing them effectively. With Last Rites, Michael Chaves finally succeeds at making a great James Wan movie. The character work is excellent, the drama resonates and the funhouse scares are effective. It's a slow burn, but worth it in my opinion for the satisfying character moments. Most importantly, it admirably brings the prestige feel of the first two films back for a satisfying sendoff. I thought the overall mystery surrounding the mirror was good, though I hoped for one more final reveal at the end that never came. Other than that, this one might be my favourite since the original! I'm going to miss Patrick and Vera as the Warrens, they truly were the lifeblood of this franchise and gave it their all! Fans will be more than satisfied with this movie - it even has some fun easter eggs!

The Roses was a genuinely pleasant surprise of a movie! While I can't say I loved the original film, this modern retelling of "The War of the Roses" checked all the right boxes for me - it's the definition of a crowdpleaser and was just so much fun! It's a viciously fun watch but also surprisingly deep in its depiction of a loving couples' marriage turning toxic. Tony McNamara wrote a script that feels like an actors dream, you can really tell everyone had so much fun playing here. It's chaotic, dark, witty, the dialogue is razor sharp and hilarious, and the cast couldn't be more perfect! Olivia Coleman and Benedict Cumberbatch have insane chemistry - they are dynamite together and bring far more dramatic heft to these roles than the genre typically call for - and the film is all the better for it! Truly - I want them to do so many more movies together (like Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, for example) because I just loved their chemistry and banter so much! Benedict Cumberbatch, funnier here than ever, and Olivia Colman, precise as always, engage in hilarious, uncomfortable and campy verbal clashes, hurling emotional daggers one moment, and revealing their tainted yet undeniable affection for each other the next. Tony McNamara's script is not only blisteringly funny but the characters are written with so many true-to-life shortcomings and insecurities; feeling like a failure, our inability to say sorry to those we're closest too, missing out on your kids' childhood, and sacrificing your dreams so your partner can have a shot at theirs. This film is a delightful pressure cooker of simmering black comedy that eventually erupts into an absurd competition of bitterness, ego and cruel resentment. It's genuinely a thought-provoking comedy that's both a hilarious ride but also truly moving. Jay Roach's direction does not add much but the combustible chemistry between its leads makes this worth a watch. I would happily move into the breathtaking custom home these two share just so I could get a front row seat to watch these flawed yet relatable characters, dig their fascinatingly twisted bond deeper into a toxic cesspool of resentment and ego. The Roses is a great time at the movies - such a fantastic surprise of a film!

Part After Hours, part Baby Driver, Caught Stealing is a fast-paced, entertaining crime thriller that hurls an ordinary man into a tangled web of eccentric characters, double crosses, murder, high-speed chases, and all with an irresistible cat. As messy as it is, I had a blast with the break neck chaos, elevated by Matthew Libatique's camera work and Austin Butler showing new sides of leading man abilities, committing to the goofy places Darren Aronofsky takes us. This is Aronofsky at his most accessible and fun, but without sacrificing his edge or uniqueness. While channeling his inner Guy Ritchie, he brings enough filmmaking flair to make the ride enjoyable, even if it's ultimately goofy and somewhat forgettable. Austin Butler and Zoë Kravitz are both fantastic, but might be the unluckiest movie couple since True Romance. I've never been an Austin Butler fan, but this has to cement him as one of his generation's most charismatic leading actors. I loved him here. I also have to add that Matt Smith steals every single scene he is in! Caught Stealing is a wildly entertaining crime caper full of twists and turns, with all the grit and style of a 90s crime film!