Will Ashton returns with another Instant Take, this time tackling The Amateur, a new action-thriller starring Rami Malek (Mr. Robot, Bohemian Rhapsody) as a surveillance tech expert turned reluctant vigilante. With a vibe that borrows from Death Wish and Jason Bourne, the film delivers slick set pieces, familiar genre beats, and a central performance that’s more restrained than revolutionary.

Will explores how The Amateur flirts with deeper character nuance, particularly in its depiction of Malek’s potentially autistic-coded lead. Though the film never explicitly confirms it, the character’s traits raise questions about representation in action movies and whether the film embraces or falls back on tired tropes.

Alongside Malek, the film features a solid supporting cast: Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Laurence Fishburne, John Bernthal, Holt McCallany (Mindhunter), and Julianne Nicholson. Some standout moments include inventive “trap-like” set pieces and moody, high-rise shootouts that pop in premium formats. But Will questions if that’s enough to elevate an otherwise middle-of-the-road revenge thriller.

Will Ashton returns with another Instant Take, this time tackling The Amateur, a new action-thriller starring Rami Malek (Mr. Robot, Bohemian Rhapsody) as a surveillance tech expert turned reluctant vigilante. With a vibe that borrows from Death Wish and Jason Bourne, the film delivers slick set pieces, familiar genre beats, and a central performance that’s more restrained than revolutionary.

Will explores how The Amateur flirts with deeper character nuance, particularly in its depiction of Malek’s potentially autistic-coded lead. Though the film never explicitly confirms it, the character’s traits raise questions about representation in action movies and whether the film embraces or falls back on tired tropes.

Alongside Malek, the film features a solid supporting cast: Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Laurence Fishburne, John Bernthal, Holt McCallany (Mindhunter), and Julianne Nicholson. Some standout moments include inventive “trap-like” set pieces and moody, high-rise shootouts that pop in premium formats. But Will questions if that’s enough to elevate an otherwise middle-of-the-road revenge thriller.

Links:

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Will Ashton is back with a solo Instant Take on Novocaine, the action-comedy-romance hybrid starring Jack Quaid (The Boys) as a pain-insensitive bank employee who becomes an unlikely action hero. Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen (Villains), this film surprised Will with its surprising charm. But also its creative premise, and solid central performances, too.

Based on the real-life condition CIP (congenital insensitivity to pain), Novocaine walks a tonal tightrope between over-the-top violence and sincere character development. Will shares why Jack Quaid’s “young Tom Hanks” energy works so well here. Especially alongside Amber Midthunder (Prey), and how the film balances disability representation with fun genre thrills.

Will also unpacks some of the film’s weaknesses, including uneven comedy, some clunky reveals, and a few undercooked side characters. But overall, this one came in above expectations and might just be Jack Quaid’s best leading role to date.

Also starring Ray Nicholson, Betty Gabriel (Get Out), and Matt Walsh, Novocaine delivers quirky action, gory visuals, and a lot of heart…even if it sometimes plays it too safe.

Links:

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In this spoiler-free instant take, Will Ashton jumps on the mic solo to give you his first impressions of Black Bag, the sleek and sizzling new spy thriller from director Steven Soderbergh. With a star-studded cast led by Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender, Black Bag is a taut, high-style espionage caper that calls back to the classy, grown-up thrillers of yesteryear.

Will dives into what makes this film click.Iits sophisticated style, whip-smart screenplay (co-written by Soderbergh collaborator David Koepp), and a third act that actually sticks the landing. He compares it to classics like Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Out of Sight, highlighting how Soderbergh leans into his signature charm, sexiness, and cinematic craftsmanship.

Other stars include Naomi Harris, Pierce Brosnan, Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, and Marisa Abela. All of whom get their moment to shine. Will also touches on Fassbender’s continued hot streak post-The Killer. Plus, why Blanchett is perfectly matched for this kind of layered, stylish fare.

Clocking in at a brisk 95 minutes, Black Bag is a sharp and satisfying return to form. It's equally suited for a theater outing or a high-quality night in. Listen in for Will’s take on where Black Bag ranks among Soderbergh’s post-retirement filmography. And why this might be one of his most entertaining efforts in years.

Links:

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In this week’s episode, Jon Negroni and Will Ashton take a deep dive into Nickel Boys, the latest film from director RaMell Ross (Hale County This Morning, This Evening). An adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the film follows two Black teenagers trapped in the harrowing realities of Nickel Academy, a reform school in 1960s Florida that crushes hope as efficiently as it enforces silence. With Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson leading the cast and a uniquely immersive first-person perspective, Nickel Boys has drawn a lot of critical acclaim, but does it earn its accolades?

Jon and Will unpack the film’s daring cinematography, its unconventional narrative structure, and Ross’s refusal to hold the audience’s hand. They debate the film’s Oscar prospects, its underwhelming box office reception, and why its use of silence might be its most powerful weapon. Plus, how does Nickel Boys fit into the tradition of documentary filmmakers transitioning into narrative storytelling? And yes, Will finds a way to compare it to The Tree of Life, because of course he does.

Links:

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Today on Cinemaholics, we’re joined by two hilarious and incredibly talented filmmakers/actors, Harrison Xu and Ivan Leung, to talk about their new indie film, Extremely Unique Dynamic. This queer Asian meta stoner coming-of-age dramedy takes storytelling to a whole new level—it’s a movie about two guys making a movie about two guys making a movie. Yes, it’s as wonderfully chaotic as it sounds.

Extremely Unique Dynamic has been making waves, playing at over 25 film festivals and breaking box office records during its LA theatrical run. In this episode, Harrison and Ivan share the wild journey of creating a deeply personal, yet entirely universal story that subverts stoner comedy tropes while addressing themes of representation, identity, and authenticity.

We dive into everything—how they infused the film with their real-life personalities, their unexpected success at festivals, and even a bit of party bus pole-dancing backstory. Along the way, we also discuss pop-punk soundtracks, karaoke go-tos, and what they hope this movie will mean 50 years from now.

Plus, we get into some lighter moments, including their favorite reality TV shows, nostalgic movie picks, and the unexpected challenges of doing Q&As. Whether you’re a fan of stoner comedies, indie filmmaking, or unique dynamics (see what we did there?), this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Catch Extremely Unique Dynamics at upcoming screenings in LA, San Francisco, New York, and even Vancouver, with VOD release just around the corner.

Links:

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Today on Cinemaholics, we’re sitting down with director Tim Fehlbaum and actor John Magaro to talk about their new film, September 5. This gripping drama takes us behind the scenes of the 1972 Munich Olympics, where the ABC newsroom was thrust into the chaos of broadcasting one of the first live terrorist attacks. It’s a high-stakes story about media ethics, personal decisions, and the power of storytelling that feels just as relevant today as it was back then.

With Tim’s sharp direction and John’s striking performance, September 5 premiered at Venice to rave reviews and has already sparked some big conversations about how we navigate the intersection of truth, accountability, and media. We’re diving into all of it—how they approached such a delicate story, the challenges they faced, and why this film resonates so deeply right now.

You can also read or listen to our podcast review of the film with special guest Ema Sasic right here.

Links:

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In this special spoiler-free instant take, host Will Ashton delves into Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the latest installment in the high-speed franchise. He explores the film's dynamic action sequences, the evolving camaraderie among Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, and the introduction of Shadow the Hedgehog. Will also examines the performances of returning cast members Ben Schwartz and Idris Elba, as well as the film's vibrant visual effects and engaging storyline. Additionally, he reflects on how Sonic the Hedgehog 3 contributes to the expanding Sonic cinematic universe and what fans and skeptics alike might expect.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 premiered in theaters on December 20, 2024, distributed by Paramount Pictures, with a runtime of 110 minutes. The film features a star-studded cast, including Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Krysten Ritter, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, and Keanu Reeves.

Links:

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In this week's episode, Jon Negroni and Will Ashton dive deep into A Complete Unknown, the latest biopic from director James Mangold (Logan, Walk the Line). The film, starring Timothée Chalamet as the iconic Bob Dylan, chronicles the enigmatic artist’s rise to fame during the transformative folk scene of the 1960s. With Edward Norton and Monica Barbaro rounding out the cast, and a runtime of 140 minutes, the movie captures Dylan’s transition from a folk music darling to a rock 'n' roll revolutionary.

Jon and Will discuss Mangold’s directorial approach, Chalamet’s performance as the elusive Dylan, and the narrative’s attempt to balance the artist’s enigmatic persona with a traditional biopic structure. They also highlight the supporting cast, including Norton’s standout role and Boyd Holbrook’s intriguing portrayal of Johnny Cash. Is A Complete Unknowna respectful ode to Dylan’s artistry, or does it play it too safe? Tune in as the hosts break it all down, from the film’s subtle nods to Dylan’s legacy to its reception among fans and critics alike.

Searchlight Pictures released A Complete Unknown in U.S. theaters on December 25, 2024.

Links:

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