Atomic Fangirl

“How could I not love her? She’s my mother. But she’s Greek…”

Story: Ella has spent all of her 26 years close to her overprotective mother Despina. But when Despina suddenly passes away? Ella is at a loss…until her mom returns from the grave to be a neurotic angel on her shoulder. Just in time to give unsolicited advice – and be the third wheel – during Ella’s reunion with her childhood BFF, Nick. Opa?

Genre I’d put it in: Comedies That Could Be Horror Stories For My Family
Release Date: 2025 (Video On-Demand beginning 5/9/2025)
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Original, but if you have any Greek relatives? You’ll be hearing the choppers.

Gotta say: Oh, my Greek people. This isn’t a movie. It’s a PSYOP for anyone who’s dealt with a first-generation, overbearing mom. While Die can be enjoyed by everyone who’s mom’s love was both stifling and comforting, folks with Greek heritage will start to look around their houses for cameras and recording equipment. It’s as if writer/director/Despina actress Rachel Suissa plucked scenes wholesale from our brains and put them on screen.

“Oh YEEEEEAH.”

Story: Lucas Reyes has had a rough couple of years. On the run for botching a protection gig, he’s given one last chance to clear his name. All he’s gotta do is find the BlackCat terrorist “Ghost” on a flight to San Francisco and bring him in. Two things. One? Nobody knows what Ghost looks like. Two? A leak on the Dark Web means every mercenary is out to grab Ghost – and a 10 million bounty – before the plane touches down. The real bad news? He’s starting to sober up…

Genre I’d put it in: Bonkers Action Films
Release Date: 2025
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Original, but you’ll note homages to many different subgenres along the way

Gotta say: I could be quippy and say that this Flight is Air Force One meets Drunken Master. But that’s not enough to encapsulate the wild and crazy ride this movie will take you on. Director James Madigan takes from a whole lot of movie genres, and hits frappé, blending them all into a concoction that goes down smooth, even while it jolts you with a straight shot of pure energy.

“It’s just a date.”

Story: Violet has decided to get back into the dating scene after a long absence. That long absence being surviving DV, the “suspicious” death of her husband, and trying to make life better for her young son. Her date Henry seems like the perfect guy, but it’s the 21st Century, so cellphones gotta wreck everything. Or maybe it’s just the mysterious killer that keeps AirDropping Violet messages that threaten her son if she doesn’t play along. Immediately. And you thought dating was rough.

Genre I’d put it in: Stress-fests That Get Really Fun During Act 3
Release Date: 2025
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: OG, though there are vibes that hark back to other stressy action flicks like Red Eye and Phone Booth.

Gotta say: Before I get into anything, I need to post up a big ol’ TRIGGER WARNING for DV. The opening scene of Drop is an intense, no-holds-barred moment of terror for a bloody, beaten Violet and her menacing husband. Director Christopher Langdon and star Meghann Fahy do an incredible job selling this moment, and it might be too much for some survivors of DV. Now, with that out of the way? Drop is a complete stress-fest of a film for the first three quarters of the story, and fans of this genre will find much to love here. For folks who aren’t really down with “oh noes what’s coming” stories? You still may have some fun if you stick around. And you should. Hear me out.