Three Films Worth Talking About: My Latest Movie Weekend in Los Angeles

As a filmmaker and storyteller, I’m constantly looking for projects that inspire me, challenge me, or simply remind me why I fell in love with movies in the first place. Recently, I spent a couple of weeks in Los Angeles working on a documentary re-edit, and during some downtime, I headed to the theater—courtesy of my Regal Unlimited subscription—to catch a few films I’d been dying to see.

This isn’t a movie critic blog. I’m not here to trash films or pick them apart. I’m in the business of making movies, not tearing them down. My goal is always to observe, learn, and understand why something works or why something doesn’t, so I can become a better filmmaker. And with that mindset, I ended up seeing The Bike Riders, A Quiet Place: Day One, and Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1.

Here are my thoughts—honest, enthusiastic, and from the perspective of someone who truly loves cinema.

The Bike Riders: A Gritty, Beautiful Throwback to Classic American Rebellion

I went into The Bike Riders knowing almost nothing beyond the trailer—and what a fantastic surprise it turned out to be. Directed by Jeff Nichols and starring Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, and Tom Hardy, the film feels like a time capsule pulled straight out of a late-’60s photography book. And that makes sense, because it’s actually based on Danny Lyon’s real photojournalistic work documenting a Midwestern motorcycle club.

What blew me away was the authenticity of the world. The cinematography is smoky, grainy, and visceral—exactly what I imagine when I think of old-school biker culture. Austin Butler, once again, proves he’s one of the most magnetic performers working today. He’s got that James Dean, smolder-without-trying thing going on. Tom Hardy brings his trademark intensity without ever overselling it.

The story is told through a clever narrative device: interviews with Kathy, the unsuspecting woman who gets swept into the world of the Vandals motorcycle club. It’s a unique structure, and while I loved how inventive it was, it did create some emotional distance toward the end. I found myself wanting to sit with these characters longer—to live in their world the way I could with Nichols’ earlier films like Mud and Take Shelter.

Still, this is absolutely a film worth seeing in theaters. If you love character-driven dramas with style, atmosphere, and attitude, add this one to your list.

A Quiet Place: Day One – Familiar But Still Emotionally Powerful

I’ll say upfront: I’m a massive Quiet Place fan. The first film—especially that “I love you” moment between John Krasinski and Millicent Simmonds—wrecks me every time. It’s a perfect example of how grounded, human storytelling can elevate genre filmmaking.

Day One continues that tradition. Lupita Nyong’o anchors the movie with a heartbreaking, deeply human performance, and Joseph Quinn delivers an unexpectedly tender supporting role. The film takes us to New York City during the first hours of the alien invasion, which gives the scale a bigger, more chaotic feel.

But here’s the thing: it’s basically the same emotional formula as the first movie. That’s not a bad thing—if this were the first entry in the franchise, I’d probably be raving even more. It’s beautifully acted, well-crafted, and extremely engaging. But I found myself wanting the story to go someplace new, especially since a “day one” setting opens the door for military, government, or global perspectives. Instead, we stay very grounded… almost too grounded.

Still, it’s an excellent movie and absolutely worth watching. If you love character-first genre films, you’ll be locked in from the first scene.

Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1

The Most Ambitious and Conflicting Film Experience I’ve Had This Year

When people ask me what I thought of Horizon, I keep saying the same thing:
I think I just watched the best and worst movie of the year at the same time.

I’m a huge Kevin Costner fan. I love Westerns. And I truly admire big, ambitious filmmaking. Costner poured his heart—and a huge amount of his own money—into this project, and you can feel his passion in every wide-open shot of the American West.

The challenge isn’t the scale or the ambition. It’s the structure.

Horizon jumps between four or five different storylines across a vast timeline. Some of them are incredibly compelling. Others left me struggling to understand why they were included. The result feels less like a cinematic narrative and more like a pilot for a prestige TV series. And honestly, if it were a series, I think it might have been phenomenal.

Costner’s own storyline, surprisingly, is the weakest of the bunch—not because of the performance, but because it feels like it’s waiting for future chapters to become meaningful. Unfortunately, with Chapter 2 now indefinitely delayed, we may never see the full shape of what he intended.

But here’s the thing: I still recommend watching it. There is greatness in here. There are scenes that feel epic, emotional, and deeply cinematic. And if you’re a Western fan like me, there’s plenty to appreciate.

Support cinema. Support filmmakers taking risks. Even imperfect films can be worth experiencing.

Final Thoughts

This weekend reminded me why I love going to the movies—especially in theaters. Whether the film is flawless or messy, whether it blows me away or teaches me what not to do, I always walk out inspired.

If you’ve seen any of these films—The Bike Riders, A Quiet Place: Day One, or Horizon—I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts. What worked for you? What didn’t? How did the stories hit you as a viewer?

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned—more movie conversations are coming soon.