That Nerd Zach

Weapons Review – In Cregger We Trust

The silhouette of a lone child runs across a deserted suburban street at night in a scene from the horror mystery Weapons.

Director Zach Cregger trades the frantic energy of Barbarian for something more sinister in his new movie, Weapons. It's a patient and deeply unsettling horror-mystery built on a quiet dread and flawless ensemble cast. Check out my full review to see why its atmosphere is more terrifying than any jump scare.

Eddington Review – Ari Aster’s Western about Everything and Nothing

Sheriff Cross holds up his hand mid-conversation in Ari Aster's Eddington, set in a quiet Western town.

Ari Aster's Eddington aims for pandemic parable meets western fable, but despite the craft, it lands with more indifference than impact.

Superman Review – James Gunn’s Love Letter to the Last Son of Krypton

Superman (David Corenswet) and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) kiss while floating midair in a sunlit atrium in James Gunn's Superman (2025)

James Gunn's Superman (2025) is a bold, heartfelt reboot that reclaims the Man of Steel with sincerity, sharp character work, and David Corenswet's instantly iconic take on Clark Kent.

The Summer Movie Overload – Are Studios Releasing Too Much, Too Fast?

The cast of Marvel's Fantastic Four in their iconic blue suits for the upcoming 2025 movie.

Summer 2025 is packed with back-to-back movie releases from Jurassic World: Rebirth, Superman, and Fantastic Four. As a movie fan, I'm starting to feel the burnout. Are we getting too much, too fast?

Jurassic World: Rebirth Review – Making Me Feel Like a Kid Again

Two titanosaurs roam a valley in Jurassic World: Rebirth, evoking the wonder of the original Jurassic Park.

Jurassic World: Rebirth delivers heart, suspense, and awe. Director Gareth Edwards brings the franchise back to its roots with emotional and cinematic roots. Check out my review to see why I think this is the most Jurassic the series has felt since 1993.

Is Apple Becoming a Major Movie Studio? – Their Strategy to Rival the Big Five

Find out if Apple is on the path to becoming a major movie studio. I explore how their focus on quality and theatrical releases is challenging Hollywood's giants.

28 Years Later Review – A Bleak, Brutal Return to Rage-Fueled Zombies

Characters in 28 Years Later walk through a bone structure while holding a baby.

Danny Boyle and Alex Garland return with 28 Years Later, a bleak and self-contained zombie movie that revives the rage virus in all the right ways. It may not blow everyone away, but it’s the kind of infection story we’ve been waiting for.

Elio Review – Captures That Pixar Wonder, but Loses the Focus

The main character Elio stands on a colorful alien planet beside his friend Glordon, a tall, eyeless alien, as they both look up in awe in a scene from Pixar's Elio.

I liked Elio. It's good Pixar that does what it needs to do, but it's not hitting those top-tier heights we know the studio can reach. My review on why this enjoyable space adventure gets scattered trying to handle too many ideas at once.

Déjà Vu With Pixar’s Elio: Is Disney’s Marketing Problem Repeating Itself?

The main character from Pixar's Elio lies on the sand, looking up at the camera while wearing a homemade helmet made from a colander.

Despite great buzz, Pixar's Elio is tracking for a box office flop. Is this a pattern? I explore Disney's marketing failures and ask if Pixar can survive them.

The Movie That Taught Me Heroes Could Be Human: 20 Years of Batman Begins

Batman and Commissioner Gordon stand next to the lit Bat-Signal on a Gotham City rooftop at night in a scene from Batman Begins.

Is Batman Begins better than The Dark Knight? 20 years on, discover why its focus on a flawed, human hero makes it the most profound film of Nolan's trilogy.