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Latest from Chris Jones

Chris Jones
Entertainment Editor

Chris Jones, from Washington, Illinois, is the Mail Entertainment Editor covering Movies, Television, Books, and Music topics. He is the owner, writer, and editor of Overly Honest Reviews.

A Crime Thriller That Cuts Deeper Than Expected

The General's Daughter (4KUHD)

Few thrillers tackle institutional corruption with the ferocity seen here. This film distinguishes between exposing systemic failures and keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. Wrapped in military discipline and chain-of-command politics, the narrative builds a mystery while confronting uncomfortable realities about power, secrecy, and justice. The deeper the investigation goes, the murkier the morality becomes, making an unsettling experience as compelling as it is.

The Heist That Shook Disney’s Inner Circle

Stolen Kingdom

There’s something undeniably captivating about uncovering the secrets of a place designed to be flawless. STOLEN KINGDOM thrives on that sense of curiosity, revealing the hidden world of urban explorers, underground collectors, and the gray areas where nostalgia and crime intersect. Director Joshua Bailey delivers a documentary that feels like an expose on Disney and a surreal experience, pulling audiences into a world where passion for a theme park turns into an obsession with trespassing and stolen artifacts. It’s an unfiltered look at a community that operates in the shadows of a corporate giant, raising questions about ownership, ethics, and just how far some fans are willing to go for a piece of history.

Atmospheric Tale of Obsession and Isolation

Voices Carry

VOICES CARRY is an indie thriller by writer-directors Abby Brenker and Ellyn Vander Wyden. Set against the eerie tranquility of a New Hampshire lake and home, the film laces a character-driven psychological drama that explores the weight of the past and how it seeps into the present. It’s a slow-burn, atmospheric story that embraces mood and suspense over conventional horror tropes, blending human drama and mystery.

Chasing the Past While Holding Onto the Present

Nora

Music haunts the people who leave it behind, whispering reminders of what once was and what still could be. This film takes that idea and runs with it, exploring what happens when someone who once lived for music finds herself in a life where that passion feels more like a distant echo than a present reality. It’s a story of crossroads, of grappling with the weight of responsibility while longing for something more, and it delivers this emotional journey with a mix of grounded storytelling and whimsical musical numbers. While it doesn’t always hit the right notes, it makes an earnest attempt to blend reality and fantasy.

A Harrowing Tale of Survival and Systemic Failure

The Execution of Julie Ann Mabry

THE EXECUTION OF JULIE ANN MABRY doesn’t shy away from harsh realities—it leans into them, delivering an unpolished film in all the right ways. With a fraction of the budget, most productions would burn through in a week, and this independent effort delivers something more impactful than many dramas that cost ten times their budget. It’s an unflinching look at a life shaped by violence, neglect, and an unforgiving system, all told through a perspective that feels deeply personal.

A Documentary That Captures Humanity’s Best Instincts

Every Little Thing (DVD)

There’s something magical about how certain documentaries find a heartbeat that echoes beyond the screen. This one carries that kind of pulse, blending nature’s beauty with the determination of those who fight to preserve it. More than just a story about hummingbirds, it’s a testament to resilience—both in the wild and within the human spirit. A wildlife rehabilitator is at the center of it all, offering her time, skill, and boundless empathy to creatures so small they could be almost be overlooked. Yet, so significant, they become symbols of survival.

How Physical Media Became a Lifeline for Film

Boutique: To Preserve and Collect

Streaming may seem easy, but there’s nothing like holding a film in your hands—real, tangible, and permanent. For those who live and breathe physical media, BOUTIQUE: TO PRESERVE AND COLLECT is more than a documentary; it’s a battle cry. It’s a film that speaks directly to the diehard collectors, the cinephiles who revel in discovering hidden gems, and the passionate preservationists who refuse to let corporate licensing agreements dictate cinema's past, present, and future. This isn’t just a celebration of boutique labels—it’s a rallying call for the true guardians of film history.

A Journey Through Music, Memory, and Discovery

The Klezmer Project (DVD)

THE KLEZMER PROJECT doesn’t just tell a story—it plays with the idea of storytelling itself. Blurring the lines between reality and fiction, this film offers more than a documentary on Klezmer music (an instrumental musical tradition of the Ashkenazi Jews of Central and Eastern Europe;) it explores identity, history, and how narratives evolve. What begins as an impulsive deception to impress someone quickly transforms into an odyssey of cultural rediscovery, proving that searching for one thing sometimes leads to something entirely unexpected.

When Science Pushes Too Far, the Ocean Bites Back

Deep Blue Sea [Limited Edition]

Underwater horror isn’t exactly uncharted territory, but few films in the genre embrace chaos and high-stakes action quite like this one. Taking a concept that could have easily sunk into mediocrity, it delivers an adrenaline-pumping spectacle that balances suspense, action, and even a few unexpected laughs. It’s a creature feature that plays with audience expectations, never shying away from bold choices and ensuring no one is truly safe. With an isolated setting that turns the ocean into both a playground and a graveyard, it offers a thrilling experience that still holds up decades later. Not to mention a soundtrack that I was a big fan of!

A Chilling Exploration of Faith and Fear

Don't Torture a Duckling (Non si sevizia un paperino)

There’s something especially eerie about a mystery set in an isolated community, where the lines between truth and superstition blur, and paranoia can be as deadly as any killer. This is the unsettling core of DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING, a film that takes the structure of a murder mystery and layers it with social commentary and tension. While director Lucio Fulci is often associated with his later horror films, this entry in the Giallo genre is one of his most intriguing works, delivering a fascinating narrative and an examination of the fears lurking beneath the surface of small-town life.

Over-the-Top Fun With Just the Right Amount of Heart

Raging Midlife

Midlife crises take on many forms—some buy a flashy car, others revisit old hobbies, and then some go on a reckless mission to recover a lost piece of wrestling memorabilia. RAGING MIDLIFE sets up a premise that should be an easy win: nostalgia-fueled hijinks, absurd action, and a cast that includes Nic Costa, Rob Taylor, Paula Abdul, Eddie Griffin, and Walter Koenig. But instead of delivering a tight and engaging comedy, the film stumbles over its ambitions, getting lost in a mix of forced humor, underdeveloped characters, and a script that never fully capitalizes on its strongest ideas.

A Quirky Journey Through Love and Self-Discovery

Quackser Fortune Has A Cousin In The Bronx

Sometimes, a story about an ordinary person navigating life’s unexpected twists can be as compelling as a grand epic. This film leans into its quirks, embracing a protagonist whose profession might seem unconventional but speaks to a deeper narrative about personal choice, class dynamics, and the inevitable march of progress. While it doesn’t fully stick the landing in all aspects, it remains an engaging look at one man’s attempt to hold onto his identity in a rapidly changing world.

A Fresh Take on Classic Martial Arts Tales

Kung Fu Rookie (Timuchin)

KUNG FU ROOKIE is a delightful surprise from Kazakhstan's burgeoning film scene. Directed by Aman Ergaziyev, this action comedy introduces us to Timuchin (also what the film is known as in most regions,) a village youth portrayed by Timur Baktybayev who dreams of joining the police force. His journey into the city leads him to unexpected encounters with local gangsters, setting the stage for a series of energetic confrontations.

A Descent Into Terror That Won’t Be Forgotten

First Word on Horror

Some stories refuse to be confined to the page, demanding instead to be spoken, examined, and reshaped through the voices of their creators. This is the essence of FIRST WORD ON HORROR, a series that combines some of the most influential voices in contemporary horror and fiction. Across multiple episodes, celebrated authors share their work and untangle the inspirations, experiences, and philosophies that shape their writing. More than just a literary showcase, this series peels back the layers of craft, offering an intimate look at how personal history, cultural forces, and artistic vision coalesce into something powerful.

A Satirical Horror Comedy That Holds Nothing Back

Eating Miss Campbell

No punches are pulled, no lines are left uncrossed, and no taboo is too extreme—EATING MISS CAMPBELL is not interested in playing it safe. It tears through the horror-comedy genre like a wrecking ball, stuffing every concept imaginable into a chaotic, blood-drenched satire of high school life. Troma Entertainment has long been known for its fearless, no-holds-barred filmmaking, and this latest entry takes that philosophy to the extreme. Cannibalism, school shootings, suicide, and predatory teachers—nothing is off-limits, and the film treats it all with a level of irreverence that dares audiences to either recoil in horror or laugh at the sheer absurdity of it all.