This episode, the vibe is cinematic, and Patrick Beatty is joined by fellow UFCA critics Rebecca Frost of Geekshow Podcast and Kent Dunn from Baconsale and Showtime Showdown to deliver the best and worst of the week’s watches.

From animatronic mayhem in “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2”, or Oscar contenders like “Marty Supreme” and “Hamlet”, to new holiday family movies like “Oh. What. Fun”, this week’s slate is bringing chaos, prestige, and coziness all in the same popcorn bucket.

In Theaters

Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (PG-13)

A year after the nightmare at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, former security guard Mike and Officer Vanessa are still coping with the trauma they experienced, but keep the truth buried to protect Mike’s young sister Abby. When Abby slips away to visit her old animatronic pals Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy, her reunion sparks a new wave of terror.

What’s good about the sequel comes mainly from the visuals and lore for the “FNAF” fanbase. Clearly, many audience members at my screening were having a blast with all of the easter eggs and reveals that one can only assume is a net positive for the target audience. I liked the animatronics; I think they are deeply creepy and fun to watch, and even with less to do, I do still like the dynamics with the main characters. But once the fan service peels off, you’re left with a bare-bones story with weak scares and an ending as abrupt as it is jarring.

Keeping its PG-13 rating was likely crucial due to the fanbase being younger, but I still think this type of horror would be served much better if we got to see more gruesome kills that didn’t happen off camera or that cut away to the next scene. There are only so many jump scares a PG-13 horror movie can get away with before you feel the lack of creativity in making each moment have the biggest impact.

See It or Skip It? Skip It

Fakham Hall (R)

Set in an old English manor that looks like straight out of “Downton Abbey”, “Fackham Hall” is a satirical take on all things proper and British with a joke-a-second pace of laughs that, while not always landing, is more than enough to warrant a visit to the theaters.

See It or Skip It? See It

Marty Supreme (R) (In Theaters Dec 25th)

Set in 1950s New York, Marty Mauser is a shoe salesman by day and aspiring Ping Pong champion fueled by ego, delusion, and a relentless drive to be the greatest. When his dreams are dashed in a championship that ultimately removes him from his dream, Marty will delve into more and more levels of chaos, but will he have the wherewithal to overcome his own limitations to become what he’s always wanted to be?

What starts as a rompous sports biopic quickly becomes absolute insanity, tension, and yelling in a way only a director like Josh Safdie can do. You wouldn’t think a story about Ping Pong could be as intense as “Marty Supreme” is, but because the story takes itself so seriously, you completely buy into it. Chalamet is a force of nature, and this is likely the best performance of his career so far. I loved watching his character insult and offend everyone in his life, be completely wrong in his approach to life, yet still you won’t wanna look away, and you may even find yourself rooting for him.

Supporting performances by Odessa A’zion and Gwyneth Paltrow are very strong, and a surprisingly fun and natural addition with Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary. I loved the editing, pacing, writing, all of it is working at the highest efficiency, keeping the story as laser-focused as following a white ball. I absolutely see this being nominated for best picture, and acting categories alongside screenplay and directing for Josh Safdie.

See It or Skip It? See It

Hamnet (R)

“Hamnet” follows William and Agnes Shakespeare as they grow their lives and family together until plague sweeps through, shattering the household. Based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell, this film explores love, loss, and grief not just as pain, but as a force that transforms the lives of those affected by it.

Jessie Buckley gives a heartbreaking and lasting performance, putting her directly in the path for a best actress win. Jacobi Jupe, who plays young Hamnet, also delivers a performance beyond his years and should be considered for awards for young actors. The cinematography and direction by Chloé Zhao feel so intimate and approachable to a subject that I feel many people fear exploring because it might seem too hard to immerse yourself in. I was floored by how real these performances are, and that in part comes from excellent direction.

Overall, Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal deliver powerhouse performances. The kind of acting that leaves you wrecked. It’s rare to see a film this raw and this tender at the same time. “Hamnet” is both grief and grace.

See It or Skip It? See It

What’s Streaming?

Oh. What. Fun. (PG-13)

Claire (Michelle Pfeiffer) is a suburban mom who has had it with the Holiday stress put on mothers across the world, and she’s about to embark on her own journey to rekindle the spirit of the season. But what will her family think of her boycott of traditional norms, and will they be able to survive by themselves without the Matriarch of the family?

This is one of those inoffensive holiday films that keep you in a warm, cozy blanket with a hot cocoa, watching with your family. It has an impressive cast lineup, and there is some cute fun to be had. But this is not a new classic to turn to every year. It does its job well, knows the assignment of being a carefree and fun story, and I think that’s what takes it over the top for me to recommend.

See It or Skip It? See It

Did you see any of the shows reviewed this weekend? Leave a comment if so, and make sure to follow us on all our social media platforms and listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.