The Cinematic Reel

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Oct 21, 2026 3.5/5 Clayface’s dedication to tragedy and body horror would make David Cronenberg giddy. A gnarly piece of work that sets itself apart from the comic book films that have come before it through its grotesque body transformations. Go to Full Review Clayface (2026) 77% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Oct 6, 2026 4/5 Behemoth! delivers. Tony Gilroy’s cinematic conducting hits all the right notes, landing as another winner in Gilroy’s already impressive resume. Go to Full Review Behemoth! (2026) 86% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Oct 6, 2026 2.5 Bucking Fastard is probably not a film I will ever revisit. It’s ultimately a film that’s more style than substance, and despite committed performances by both Rooney and Kate Mara, Bucking Fastard goes nowhere FAST. Go to Full Review Bucking Fastard (2026) 69% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Oct 6, 2026 4.5/5 As an actor, writer, and director, Eisenberg deserves a standing ovation as the curtain closes. Go to Full Review The Debut (2026) 91% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Oct 6, 2026 2.5 Fjord left me feeling similarly cold and empty-handed as Cristian Mungiu’s characters. The film put me through the ringer for two and a half hours, only to leave me completely numb. Go to Full Review Fjord (2026) 92% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Sep 29, 2026 3/5 Digger is a fascinating mixed bag that I’m still trying to fully wrap my head around. Tom Cruise delivers a masterful, completely committed performance that reminds you just how damn good he is when asked to step outside the action-star persona. Go to Full Review Digger (2026) 53% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Sep 27, 2026 4.5/5 You can use every adjective imaginable to describe Godzilla Minus Zero, but its sheer scope finds a way to surpass them all. A Kaiju-sized W of a sequel! Go to Full Review Godzilla Minus Zero (2026) 92% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Sep 21, 2026 5/5 By the time the credits rolled, Club Kid had completely won me over. What begins as a chaotic, edgy and hilarious spin on a story we’ve seen countless times slowly reveals itself to be something far more sincere, emotionally rich and downright beautiful. Go to Full Review Club Kid (2026) 100% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Sep 21, 2026 4/5 After so many attempts at cracking the code of a Resident Evil adaptation, Cregger proves that maybe the answer was never about adapting the story at all. Sometimes, you just have to pick up the controller and play. Go to Full Review Resident Evil (2026) 96% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Sep 16, 2026 4.5 I Play Rocky goes the distance! Peter Farrelly captures the spirit of what made Rocky Balboa an icon by turning Sylvester Stallone’s journey into its own rousing underdog story. Go to Full Review I Play Rocky (2026) 85% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Aug 12, 2026 4/5 In many ways, The End of Oak Street is everything Jurassic World: Dominion wished it could be, proving that putting dinosaurs into the real world can actually work when there’s imagination, genuine stakes, and an emotional core behind the spectacle. Go to Full Review The End of Oak Street (2026) 86% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Aug 4, 2026 2/5 I wanted to believe Thanksgiving marked the beginning of a new chapter for Roth. Instead, Ice Cream Man feels less like the next step forward and more like a disappointing slide back into old habits. Go to Full Review Ice Cream Man (2026) 25% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Jul 28, 2026 4.5/5 Destin Daniel Cretton’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings its way into adulthood with its most grounded and mature story yet. It’s Peter Parker’s most personal and emotionally resonant journey to date, Go to Full Review Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) 90% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Jul 15, 2026 5/5 One thing is already certain: The Odyssey isn’t just one of the best films of the year; it’s a landmark cinematic achievement and a powerful reminder of why we continue to fall in love with movies. Go to Full Review The Odyssey (2026) 94% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Jun 25, 2026 2.5 Supergirl's faults are often masked by Milly Alcock’s wonderful performance, but the film is dragged down by a villain so bad it makes the ’90s Captain America Red Skull look inspired, and third-act VFX so rough it makes The Flash look like Avatar. Go to Full Review Supergirl (2026) 52% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Jun 16, 2026 1/5 For fans eager to see Holmes and Jackson together again, I’d recommend skipping Happy Hours altogether and revisiting Dawson’s Creek. Not only is it the better story, but it’s also the far more entertaining use of your time. Go to Full Review Happy Hours (2026) - - - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Jun 16, 2026 4/5 In a landscape filled with true-crime dramatizations and sensationalized retellings, The Leader stands apart by refusing to reduce its subjects to a headline. Go to Full Review The Leader (2026) 95% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Jun 16, 2026 4/5 What begins as a clever premise about an actor desperate to secure his place in Hollywood history evolves into a deeply affecting meditation on mortality and legacy. Go to Full Review In Memoriam (2026) 100% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Jun 16, 2026 3.5/5 Packed with memorable cameos, absurd detours, and a terrific lead performance from Zoey Deutch, Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass turns a ludicrous premise into an unexpectedly heartfelt adventure. Go to Full Review Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass (2026) 78% - -

David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Jun 16, 2026 5/5 As a kid, these films spoke to me through Andy. Today, they speak to me through Bonnie and as a father raising a daughter of my own. That ability to grow alongside its audience remains Toy Story’s greatest achievement. Go to Full Review Toy Story 5 (2026) 92% - -