"Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" is a baroque, melodramatic throwback that's a tad too sophisticated for young viewers, but not quite polished enough for box office success. The film follows Batman as he's mistaken for a mysterious killer by both police and gangsters, all while dealing with the return of his former flame, Andrea Beaumont. With an earnest tone, deafening score, and nods to Tim Burton's Batman, this animated feature offers high drama mixed with comic relief. Despite a strong voice cast including Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill, the clunky animation work teeters on self-parody. While it excels on television, this outing struggles to smoothly transition to the big screen due to its small-screen feel. In conclusion, "Mask of the Phantasm" is a fun yet flawed romp through Gotham City that falls just short of blockbuster status.

"Wild Horse Nine" is like a quirky McDonagh joke that starts off funny but takes a poignant turn. With Malkovich and Rockwell's dynamic duo as CIA operatives on holiday in Easter Island, the film mixes dark humor with soulful moments. Malkovich shines with his dry wit and melancholic charm, while Rockwell plays the straight man to perfection. As they navigate personal demons and political unrest in 1973 Chile, their friendship unravels in a bittersweet tale that blends vulgarity with grace. While the film may not be a McDonagh classic, it offers some nice riffing from its seasoned stars amidst jarring violent flourishes and sentimental touches. Overall, "Wild Horse Nine" serves up an enjoyable yet mournful buddy movie that delves into male friendship's complexities with irreverence and depth.

"Bad Apples" is a biting black comedy that takes a twisted look at the dynamics between teachers and students in a rural English cider country. Saoirse Ronan shines as Maria, an earnest yet ineffective teacher who finds herself pushed to her limits by the unruly behavior of one particularly troublesome student, Danny, played with riveting intensity by newcomer Eddie Waller. Director Jonatan Etzler expertly navigates the dark humor and moral ambiguity of the story, creating a tension-filled narrative that keeps viewers guessing about how far Maria will go to regain control. As Maria's actions escalate from unconventional discipline to shocking criminality, the film explores themes of power dynamics and societal dysfunction in an off-kilter and unpredictable manner. Supported by strong performances from Ronan, Waller, and Nia Brown as Pauline, "Bad Apples" delves into the murky waters of authority and manipulation within an educational setting. While the film may not always hit its mark with consistency or boldness in its satirical approach, it manages to deliver acrid comic moments and thought-provoking character dynamics that linger long after the credits roll. In this wickedly amusing exploration of teacher-student relationships gone awry, "Bad Apples" offers a cautionary tale wrapped in dark humor — reminding us that sometimes even those tasked with shaping young minds can fall victim to their own inner demons.

Ethan Hawke is truly having a moment in 2025, showcasing his impressive range with roles like a bitter gay lyricist in "Blue Moon" and a demonic child-killer in "Black Phone 2." However, it's his role in "The Weight" that really stands out. Set during the Great Depression, this off-the-grid adventure story follows Murphy (Hawke) as he navigates gold smuggling to provide for his daughter. Directed by Padraic McKinley and featuring Russell Crowe, the film has an old-school charm but lacks some much-needed suspense. While Hawke delivers a physically gruelling performance, the supporting characters fall flat at times. Despite its flaws, Hawke shines as Murphy, a proactive problem-solver who carries the film with ease. "The Weight" may not be perfect, but it's worth watching for Hawke's compelling performance alone.

"Resident Evil: Retribution" and "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter" offer a double dose of undead action that feels like one long, drawn-out video game cutscene. With Milla Jovovich's stoic heroics leading the charge against zombies and evil corporations, these films serve up explosions aplenty but lack substance or originality. Director Paul W.S. Anderson seems content to recycle plot points and action sequences from previous installments, delivering a mindless spectacle that struggles to justify its existence beyond catering to die-hard fans of the franchise. Despite Jovovich's physical prowess and a few fleeting moments of excitement, the overall experience is akin to watching someone play an overly repetitive video game on the big screen – it may entertain for a moment but ultimately leaves you craving something more substantial than flashy visuals and predictable storytelling. It's time for this shambling zombie series to finally rest in peace...or at least until the inevitable reboot crawls out of its grave.