Archives for : Susan Kamyab Stephens
Stephen King’s newest adaptation, The Long Walk is not for the faint of heart. It’s a chilling and intense thriller grounded by the emotional depth of its relatable characters and the choices they make.
Based on King’s first-written novel, the film is set in a dystopian future where a group of teenage boys compete to win a life-changing prize in an annual contest known as The Long Walk, where they must maintain a certain walking speed or get shot. It is as stressful as it sounds, pushing horror boundaries that are equally terrifying, thought-provoking and emotional. The film is directed by Francis Lawrence, who ironically enough directed several of the Hunger Games movies, which plot wise feel eerily related. Lawrence masterfully captures the tension and anxiety these boys are feeling with every step they take. As soon as the walk begins, audiences will be on edge waiting for the inevitable demise of 49 walkers.
It is a difficult watch but if you can power through the unsettling images, you will be blown away by some early Oscar-worthy performances by Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson. Read full review here.
Rating: A-
“The Long Walk” opens in theaters September 12, 2025.
“After leaving Silver Falls following Alex’s love confession and her kiss with Cole, Jackie Howard spent the summer in New York City. When Katherine convinces her to return to Colorado, Jackie is determined to make amends with Alex and set boundaries with Cole while finding her place within the Walter family. But fitting back in isn’t that easy.”
I had the opportunity to speak with the stars (Nikki Rodriguez, Ashby Gentry, & Noah LaLonde) of the popular Netflix series, “My Life with the Walter Boys”. We discuss the series, what film they turn to when they are having a bad and more!
Don’t miss the highly anticipated season 2, streaming on Netflix August 28, 2025.
“In TWINLESS, two young men meet in a twin support group and form an unlikely friendship. Roman (Dylan O’Brien) and Dennis (James Sweeney) both search for solace and an identity without their other halves and soon become inseparable outside the group. But when Roman meets Dennis’ ebullient co-worker, Marcie (Aisling Franciosi), all is revealed to be not what it seems, as each man harbors secrets that could unravel everything.”
I spoke with the filmmaker and stars (James Sweeney, Dylan O’ Brien, Lauren Graham, & Aisling Franciosi) of the fascinating new dark comedy to discuss the film, books from their childhood that have shaped them, and more!
“Twinless” opens in theaters September 5, 2025.
“The Map That Leads to You” follows Heather (Cline), a young woman setting off on an adventure across Europe with her best friends before settling into her perfectly planned life. When she crosses paths with Jack (Apa), a magnetic and mysterious stranger, their instant spark ignites an emotional journey neither of them expected.
I had the opportunity to speak with the talented stars (KJ Apa, Madelyn Cline, Madison Thompson & Sofia Wylie) of the new romantic drama about the film, a time when they felt most present, and more!
“The Map that Leads to You” streams on Prime August 20, 2025.
While I loved Superman, the same cannot be said about the newest superhero movie to hit the big screen. The Fantastic Four always struggles to make a successful adaptation. They seemingly find the right cast, but the wrong script. The Fantastic Four: First Steps heads in a better direction than its predecessors but lacks the charm that typically leaves audiences wanting more.
Like James Gunn’s Superman, First Steps avoids an origin story. Set during a retro-futuristic 1960’s, the Fantastic Four and all their merchandise is adored in this world. Early in the film we learn that Sue Storm is pregnant with her and Reed Richard’s first child, which they had given up trying to conceive. This happy news is briefly celebrated around the world until Earth receives a harrowing warning by the Silver Surfer. She leads the Fantastic Four to a greedy and evil space God named Galactus, who threatens to destroy the planet unless Sue gives up her possibly superpowered baby.
I really wanted to love this one. The cast, including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss, and Joseph Quinn sounded so promising. But even their performances feel a little lackluster until the final act of the film. I do still have faith in them, but Marvel needs to figure out how to make audiences connect with their characters again. They had the right idea with Thunderbolts, but that may be because we already had established relationships with many of those characters. The only real attempt to feel anything here is Sue and Reed as first-time parents. Though we have empathy for them, what we know about those two, along with Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm is all surface level. And while the parenting storyline is sweet and I appreciate the simplicity of the plot, the embarrassingly poor CGI on their baby son is cringing and takes you out of the movie.
The biggest issue with First Steps is how it takes itself entirely too seriously. The jokes they attempt do not land, and with this group, you’d think there would be a few chuckles. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the best out of the four adaptations so far, but that is not saying much. However, if you stick around for the end credit tease, they do leave audiences with something to look forward to. Giving a little bit of hope for these characters you so desperately want to root for.
Rating: C-
Jessica (Megan Stalter) is a New York workaholic in her mid-thirties, reeling from a broken relationship that she thought would last forever and slowly isolating everyone she knows. When every block in New York tells a story of her own bad behavior, the only solution is to take a job in London, where she plans to live a life of solitude like a Bronte sister. But when she meets Felix (Will Sharpe) – a walking series of red flags – she finds that their unusual connection is impossible to ignore, even as it creates more problems than it solves.
TOO MUCH is another witty and relatable story by creator Lena Dunham, who continues to write authentic and endearing characters you can’t help but root for. I had the incredible opportunity to speak with Dunham, Megan Stalter, and Will Sharpe about the series.
TOO MUCH streams on Netflix July 10, 2025.
The last two Jurassic World films were a convoluted mess: a disappointing misfire after such a promising start to the revived franchise. After nearly three years, director Gareth Edwards tries his hand at a new installment with a brand-new cast. And while it is miles better than “Fallen Kingdom” and “Dominion”, that may not be saying much about “Jurassic World Rebirth”.
The film is set five years after the events of “Jurassic World: Dominion”. Dinosaurs are on the brink of extinction again as our ecosystem is not built for them and they are struggling to survive. Those still alive have made a home for themselves in a more tropical environment similar to where they once thrived. Three of the most colossal creatures carry genetic material that could be the key to a life-saving drug that could benefit humankind. Read full review here.
Rating: C+
“Jurassic World Rebirth” opens in theaters July 2, 2025
Materialists has officially revived the rom com genre with a modern take on a familiar story, and I for one, hope that this refreshing spin on love brings romantic comedies back to theaters. While the film is more of a romantic dramedy, it has all the makings of becoming one of my favorite films of the year.
Lucy is an ambitious young New York City matchmaker, who finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex. Starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, the plot raises a lot of questions about dating in the world today. Read full review here.
Rating: A+
“Materialists” opens in theaters June 13, 2025.
Shark movies have become a staple for this time of year, there’s something about watching “Jaws”, “Deep Blue Sea”, “The Shallows”, and many more during the outdoor swimming months that really gets us in the summer spirit. And now, audiences can add a refreshing twist to that list with “Dangerous Animals”.
Director Sean Bryne and writer Nick Lepard bring us the unexpected serial killer/shark combo horror fans will be chomping at the bit to see. Read full review here.
Rating: A-