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It’s another packed week at the movies, with a number of theatrical and streaming releases. Below is a look at the films I saw this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734.

In Your Dreams (Netflix)
Starring: Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Cristin Milioti, and Simu Liu
Synopsis: When things aren’t going your way, it’s tempting to try and change the course of your life. That’s especially true when we’re young and want to wish our ideal future into existence. What if you were offered a chance to make those dreams come true? In the new animated film In Your Dreams, streaming on Netflix Friday, a young girl has a vivid dream life. But when her real life starts to spiral out of control, she retreats into that dream life to find the answer. The film comes from Erik Benson and Alexander Woo, who have long-time experience in the art department on Pixar films. Here, they teamed on the screenplay and the direction for this original story that takes you into the world of dreams. In the film, Stevie (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) and her brother Elliot (Elias Janssen) have a fun relationship. They share a room, but don’t share much in terms of an approach to life. But they both become concerned when their Mom (Christina Milioti) gets a job offer out of town. When combined with her increasing fights with Dad (Simu Liu), they siblings worry they’re headed toward a family split. When Stevie finds a book that suggests the Sandman (Omid Djalili) can help make your dreams a reality, she thinks it’s the answer to all their problems. She and Elliot enter the world of dreams, where they find a unique guide in Baloney Tony (Craig Robinson), Elliot’s favorite stuffed toy come to life. But it turns out, the promise of fulfilled dreams comes with a price. Stevie is forced to make tough choices to protect her brother and get them out of a jam but can Elliot rally Mom and Dad before it’s too late. Netflix has really stepped up its movie slate in recent years, including some unique and creative animated offerings. Already this year we’ve gotten KPop Demon Hunters, which is likely to be a player in award season. But what about this animated tale? I think it could have some legs, too. The style here is strong and I enjoyed the voice cast. Benson and Woo do a nice job of telling this story. And the rich look of the dream world is a lot of fun. It also has a catchy story and packages it all in a tight 90 minutes. It’s possible that Baloney Tony will become a big hit, especially with younger viewers. That being said, it’s not a perfect film. It falls short of the emotional depth of some of the best animated films. It lacks some of the hook and pop of other animated films, despite being a fun, and satisfying viewing experience. Those that tune in will find a fun tale, but perhaps not one that becomes an instant classic. Still, if you’re looking for a nice story with some good visuals, this is a solid streaming option. In Your Dreams is now streaming on Netflix.
Rating: Rated PG for thematic content, scary images, action/peril and some rude humor.
Verdict: Three stars out of five

Nouvelle Vague (Netfilx)
Starring: Guillaume Marbeck and Zoey Deutsch
Synopsis: The French New Wave, and its filmmakers, had a profound impact on the art of cinema. Many of those involved are still revered by filmmakers and audiences for their techniques, work, and the daring of their stories. That’s something Richard Linklater’s new film, Nouvelle Vague, deeply understands. The film played at festivals and now launches on Netflix Friday. The film—the second from Linklater this year—is a celebration of the French New Wave. In particular, it’s about Jean-Luc Godard and his work to craft his masterpiece, Breathless. As the film picks up, a group of new auteurs is on the scene. Among them are Francois Truffant (Adrien Rouyard) and Claude Chabrol (Antoine Besson). Both are friends with a writer and critic, Jean-Luc Godard (Guillaume Marbeck), who has decided it’s time for him to finally direct his feature film. Godard has a story from Truffant and Chabrol about a car thief to make his own. And he sets about gathering financing and putting together a crew to shoot the film. That includes recruiting stars Jean-Paul Belmondo (Aubry Dullin) and the American actress Jean Seberg (Zoey Deutch). With his cast in place, he has 20 days to shoot his film. But the cast and producers begin to get weary of Godard’s unique style, unique process, and unique vision. Can he get the production to stay the course and bring his film to life? This is the second film from Linklater in 2025, joining the previously released Blue Moon. That film was about writers crafting great stage productions and musicals. In that case, already established legends beginning a new phase of the career or looking back on past success. With this, he’s focused on an iconic filmmaker who is just beginning. Either way, the films are about the struggle of artists. I enjoyed Blue Moon and the way it brought the story to life in a unique way with a unique setting. The same is true of Nouvelle Vague. While both films stand on their own and bring their own artistic merit, it’s interesting to consider them as a pair when looking at Linklater’s year in film. This film does a wonderful job of capturing the time and the style. It’s shot in a classic frame and in black-and-white. That helps transport you to the time and place. It’s a wonderful journey through the chaotic and fraught process of creating a masterpiece. We see Godard’s singular vision, even while his producers and cast are frustrated, confused, and dissatisfied. It’s an interesting and engaging journey. But it’s also probably a film story that most appeals to those with a love of film history. The film takes great care to frame and introduce everyone we’re about to see. Those who are familiar with the New Wave and its impact will recognize these names and these ideas. Those who are looking for a standalone film might be a little put off by the style of the storytelling. Still, this is a great labor of love for Linklater. I appreciated the performances and the craft. I like the way this is put together, and I had fun watching it. This is worth checking out for film fans. Nouvelle Vague is now streaming on Netflix.
Rating: Rated R for some language.
Verdict: Three stars out of five

Now You Seem Me: Now You Don’t (Theaters)
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Lizzy Caplan, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, Justice Smith, Rosamund Pike, and Morgan Freeman
Synopsis: It’s been nearly 10 years since we last saw the Four Horsemen on the screen. Well, a version of the Four Horsemen. Now, they are back. This new film is from director Reuben Fleischer, the third director in three films. It’s been 10 years for the Horsemen, and as we open, they’re back. Or are they? Really, it’s a trio of newcomers (Smith, Greenblatt, and Sessa), who use some AI trickery to bring the classics back as a cover for their own schemes. When Daniel Atlas (Eisenberg) finds them, he convinces them to join a mission for The Eye to take down Veronica Vandenberg (Pike), a diamond dealer with some elicit crime connections. As they pull a huge deal down, the other Horsemen (Fisher, Harrelson, Franco, and Caplan) get involved in a scheme that could be their undoing. This is an ambitious story. I like that they return all the Horsemen, but some aspects of the original films were lacking. That’s both true of some of the characters and of the style. There is a sense of style and humor that really made the first two films work. That’s missing here in a production that sags under the weight of too much plot. It ends up dry and dull at times. It doesn’t help that Pike’s villain is not only two-dimensional but posses an accent that should be its own character and is the real crime in the film. This has potential, and it wants to lead to a new chapter, but it doesn’t quite work. It’s a letdown that fails to capture what made the first film so special.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for some strong language, violence and suggestive references.
Verdict: Two stars out of five

The Running Man (Theaters)
Starring: Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Lee Pace, and Colman Domingo
Synopsis: This new film is an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, which was penned under the name Richard Bachman. It was previously adapted as a film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987. This new adaptation comes from writer/director Edgar Wright, and hues closer to the plot points in the book which was—ironically—set in 2025. The film is set in a near future where the country is under authoritarian rule, with a single network that controls communication and entertainment. The economy has collapsed, with the uber rich living decadent lives while many live in crippling poverty. One glimmer of hope is the game shows on the Network, like The Running Man, that offer a chance to earn enough to escape, if you can survive. Ben Richards (Powell) is a father who is out of work and struggling to provide for his wife and sick child. So, he decides to apply for a Network Show. A wily producer (Brolin) taps him as a potential star for The Running Man. He doesn’t want to risk it, but he needs the money. So, Richards jumps into the danger and spectacle, which might give him a chance to change the new world order. This is the second project based on a King story that has a similar plot and structure. Whereas The Long Walk, released in September, was a somber and grounded production throughout, this feels like something more of a spectacle. At times, it seems to be going for something more light-hearted. But that makes the beginning and ending feel disjointed, despite a solid second act that actually had me buying into the world a bit. The performances are fine, but nothing stands out. The story is a bit of slog at times and the ending lands in a darker place than what came before, feeling like a weird flex. The film is well made, and will be entertaining enough for most, but it doesn’t feel like it does justice to the larger ideas.
Rating: Rated R for strong violence, some gore, and language
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five