by Josh Sewell
Toy Story 5
(Rated PG for some thematic elements and rude humor. Opens in theaters on June 19.)
The premise: When Jessie (Joan Cusack), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the rest of the gang find their jobs in jeopardy after Bonnie receives a new Lilypad tablet (Greta Lee), they call on their old pal Woody (Tom Hanks) to help them rescue playtime from screentime.
The verdict: We probably didn’t need a fifth Toy Story movie – especially since the third installment wrapped everything up perfectly – but I was pleasantly surprised at how great it is. Pixar has bounced back nicely from their creative struggles this year, first with Hoppers and now this comedic, heartwarming new chapter in the lives of Jessie, Buzz and Woody.
Making Jessie the central focus is a brilliant choice that breathes new creative life into the franchise. Cusack effortlessly handles the added responsibility, making me wonder why we haven’t spent more time with her character already. Allen is also solid, though Buzz doesn’t have much character growth this time aside from his deepening love for Jessie.
I was bummed Woody doesn’t get more to do, but I understand it from a narrative standpoint. (Hanks is terrific as usual, but he couldn’t have spent more than a few hours in the recording booth.)
However, in a welcome surprise, Conan O’Brien is the comedic MVP as Smarty Pants, a new toy who befriends the gang. I also appreciated that the story (written by co-directors Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris) spent more time on the kid characters than usual, giving Bonnie a little bit of redemption considering how she treated Woody in the previous film.
Of course, everything is elevated by yet another poignant score from composer Randy Newman, one of the only behind-the-scenes creatives to be a part of all five films. Finally, Taylor Swift’s rabid fanbase will be happy to know her new song is a perfect fit for the franchise. It’s likely a shoo-in for a Best Original Song nomination.
Grade: A-
Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul
(Not rated but contains strong language and thematic elements involving addiction. Now playing in select theaters.)
The premise: This powerful documentary chronicles the difficult life of legendary musician Gregg Allman via archival recordings, interviews and dynamic performances. The film follows Allman’s musical awakening, the creation of the Allman Brothers Band and the grief that followed his brother Duane’s fatal motorcycle crash. It also covers his lifelong battle with addiction, his seven marriages and his eventual sobriety.
The verdict: I’ve lived in Georgia my entire life, so I’m familiar with most of the Allman Brothers’ music through cultural osmosis. However, before watching director James Keach’s insightful biography, I didn’t know much about Gregg or Duane. I knew the latter was killed in a tragic accident, but I wasn’t aware it happened when he was so young, or how it traumatized the former so deeply that he didn’t get clean until almost the end of his life.
Allman and everyone interviewed in the film – from several of his wives and children, bandmates, colleagues and friends – are all charismatic and compelling. As such, The Music of My Soul is a terrific watch for longtime fans and newcomers alike. It’s not playing in many local theaters but keep an eye out for it to hit VOD in a few weeks.
Grade: B+
The Furious
(Rated R for strong bloody violence and language. Now playing in select theaters.)
The premise: After the daughter of Wang Wei (Xie Miao) is kidnapped and corrupt police offer no help, he sets out on a rampage to find her himself. His only ally is Navin (Joe Taslim) – a journalist whose wife has mysteriously disappeared. Fueled by vengeance, the unlikely duo fights against human traffickers in this bloody martial arts thriller.
The verdict: We’re only halfway through 2026, but I’ll be stunned if we get a better action flick the rest of this year. Director Kenji Tanigaki (working with a screenplay credited to Mak Tin Shu, Lei Zhilong, Shum Kwan Sin and Frank Hui) has crafted some of the most innovative, jaw-droppingly brutal action sequences I’ve seen in quite some time.
While the premise of The Furious might be simplistic and familiar, it mostly serves as a framework for a barrage of almost nonstop fight choreography. No matter who they are or what they do, every character in the movie – from heroes to villains to children – possesses superhuman martial arts abilities.
What’s more, Tanigaki incorporates a lot of cool choices when it comes to frame rate speed and music cues, as well as some applause-worthy touches inspired by comic books and anime. While it won’t win any points for originality, The Furious is required viewing in the biggest, loudest theater possible surrounded by a bunch of other people.
Grade: B+
(Rated PG for some thematic elements and rude humor. Opens in theaters on June 19.)
The premise: When Jessie (Joan Cusack), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the rest of the gang find their jobs in jeopardy after Bonnie receives a new Lilypad tablet (Greta Lee), they call on their old pal Woody (Tom Hanks) to help them rescue playtime from screentime.
The verdict: We probably didn’t need a fifth Toy Story movie – especially since the third installment wrapped everything up perfectly – but I was pleasantly surprised at how great it is. Pixar has bounced back nicely from their creative struggles this year, first with Hoppers and now this comedic, heartwarming new chapter in the lives of Jessie, Buzz and Woody.
Making Jessie the central focus is a brilliant choice that breathes new creative life into the franchise. Cusack effortlessly handles the added responsibility, making me wonder why we haven’t spent more time with her character already. Allen is also solid, though Buzz doesn’t have much character growth this time aside from his deepening love for Jessie.
I was bummed Woody doesn’t get more to do, but I understand it from a narrative standpoint. (Hanks is terrific as usual, but he couldn’t have spent more than a few hours in the recording booth.)
However, in a welcome surprise, Conan O’Brien is the comedic MVP as Smarty Pants, a new toy who befriends the gang. I also appreciated that the story (written by co-directors Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris) spent more time on the kid characters than usual, giving Bonnie a little bit of redemption considering how she treated Woody in the previous film.
Of course, everything is elevated by yet another poignant score from composer Randy Newman, one of the only behind-the-scenes creatives to be a part of all five films. Finally, Taylor Swift’s rabid fanbase will be happy to know her new song is a perfect fit for the franchise. It’s likely a shoo-in for a Best Original Song nomination.
Grade: A-
(Not rated but contains strong language and thematic elements involving addiction. Now playing in select theaters.)
The premise: This powerful documentary chronicles the difficult life of legendary musician Gregg Allman via archival recordings, interviews and dynamic performances. The film follows Allman’s musical awakening, the creation of the Allman Brothers Band and the grief that followed his brother Duane’s fatal motorcycle crash. It also covers his lifelong battle with addiction, his seven marriages and his eventual sobriety.
The verdict: I’ve lived in Georgia my entire life, so I’m familiar with most of the Allman Brothers’ music through cultural osmosis. However, before watching director James Keach’s insightful biography, I didn’t know much about Gregg or Duane. I knew the latter was killed in a tragic accident, but I wasn’t aware it happened when he was so young, or how it traumatized the former so deeply that he didn’t get clean until almost the end of his life.
Allman and everyone interviewed in the film – from several of his wives and children, bandmates, colleagues and friends – are all charismatic and compelling. As such, The Music of My Soul is a terrific watch for longtime fans and newcomers alike. It’s not playing in many local theaters but keep an eye out for it to hit VOD in a few weeks.
Grade: B+
(Rated R for strong bloody violence and language. Now playing in select theaters.)
The premise: After the daughter of Wang Wei (Xie Miao) is kidnapped and corrupt police offer no help, he sets out on a rampage to find her himself. His only ally is Navin (Joe Taslim) – a journalist whose wife has mysteriously disappeared. Fueled by vengeance, the unlikely duo fights against human traffickers in this bloody martial arts thriller.
The verdict: We’re only halfway through 2026, but I’ll be stunned if we get a better action flick the rest of this year. Director Kenji Tanigaki (working with a screenplay credited to Mak Tin Shu, Lei Zhilong, Shum Kwan Sin and Frank Hui) has crafted some of the most innovative, jaw-droppingly brutal action sequences I’ve seen in quite some time.
While the premise of The Furious might be simplistic and familiar, it mostly serves as a framework for a barrage of almost nonstop fight choreography. No matter who they are or what they do, every character in the movie – from heroes to villains to children – possesses superhuman martial arts abilities.
What’s more, Tanigaki incorporates a lot of cool choices when it comes to frame rate speed and music cues, as well as some applause-worthy touches inspired by comic books and anime. While it won’t win any points for originality, The Furious is required viewing in the biggest, loudest theater possible surrounded by a bunch of other people.
Grade: B+
Reach out to Josh Sewell at joshsewell81@gmail.com or on BlueSky @joshsewell.bsky.social
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