David’s Download: April 2025 Rewind
Beyond the movies reviewed by The Drive Home team each month, I try to watch several other movies – both at home and at the theater, including films I’ve never seen and some rewatches. April’s watch list was all over the map with some 90’s and 2000’s classics, new streaming fare, and a couple genre faves of mine. Check out the recap below, and consider adding some of these to your watch list.
Here’s how we’ll be categorizing movies in these monthly Rewinds on David’s Download:
Delete – don’t watch or never watch again
Play – worth a viewing if the genre, actors, or something about the film matches your cup of tea (also a nod to one of my favorite J.Lo songs)
Save – worth a rewatch or definitely a must-see if you have never watched before
DELETE
Holland
As our Raw Riders know, I will watch pretty much anything with Nicole Kidman in it. Holland is her latest streaming venture, and while it’s slightly better than last year’s abomination, A Family Affair (which won Kidman her first Roadie award for Worst Wig Presented by the Tacco Salon), it’s still not worth your time. The film is a thriller set in (you guessed it) Holland, Michigan about a woman who suspects her husband is cheating on her. Sounds like a surefire starring vehicle for our AMC goddess, but her awkward Midwest accent, the half-baked nods to Dutch culture, and glaring plot holes leave much to be desired. However, if you want to see someone get bludgeoned with a clog, this is your movie!
Borderline
I had a rough time sitting through this horror-comedy starring Ray Nicholson and Samara Weaving. The premise seemed right up my alley – a pop star must fend off a relentless stalker who recently escaped from prison – but the humor, suspense, and violence all fell flat for me. While Weaving was convincing as a pop diva in the vein of Madonna, Nicholson was grating and unfunny as her stalker, which is partially attributable to the try-hard, campy-in-a-bad-way script. The characters’ motivations and behaviors were often unclear or flat-out strange. I couldn’t wait for the end credits to roll on this one!
PLAY
Moana 2
The first Moana became an instant Disney classic, centering on a Polynesian “non-princess” who goes on a quest to establish her identity as a way-finder, so this sequel had big shoes to fill. Moana’s second adventure mostly delivers with beautiful animation, kooky new characters, and a zippy energy that should keep kids entertained and adults fairly interested. The music in Moana 2 is enjoyable, but forgettable. Nothing comes close to the caliber of the first movie’s “How Far I’ll Go,” one of the best Disney songs of the past 25 years.
The Faculty
This was my first viewing of the 1998 science fiction-horror film directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Scream scribe Kevin Williamson. Scream is my favorite franchise of all time, so I had high hopes for The Faculty. While it rips off sci-fi classics like Invasion of the Body Snatchers and the visual effects are a bit cheesy, it has enough personality and thrills to merit a watch. The character development and relationships between the teen leads were solid, and the “anybody could be an alien” aspect of the story kept me guessing. Plus, the cast is stacked – Josh Hartnett and Jordana Brewster (who both recently made comebacks in horror films Trap and Heart Eyes, respectively), Elijah Wood, Salma Hayek, Famke Janssen, Jon Stewart and many more. With a remake currently in development, I would highly recommend giving this a watch.
SAVE
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
It was about time I watched this Academy Award winner starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet! After 20 years, it still holds up. Eternal Sunshine is deeply profound, beautifully capturing how we approach, crave, and sometimes run away from love. The non-linear storytelling and unique visual language of the film draw you in and leave you deep in thought after the credits roll. Director Michel Gondry brings out a great dramatic performance from usually-hilarious Jim Carrey as Joel, and he is well-matched by Kate Winslet as the free-spirited Clementine. Supporting performances from Mark Ruffalo, Tom Wilkinson, and Kirsten Dunst are also strong. I will be revisiting this movie again!
A Simple Favor
With Another Simple Favor hitting Prime Video this week, I had to refresh on the original 2018 thriller-comedy. Nearly seven years later, and I still adore A Simple Favor. Say what you want about Blake Lively, but she nailed the role of “bad bitch” Emily, while Anna Kendrick was perfectly cast as her goody-two-shoes foil Stephanie. The plot is a bit convoluted, but the movie ultimately works because director Paul Feig deftly balances the outlandish twists and turns with a healthy dose of self-awareness and camp.
Final Destination 5
Another movie I had to revisit in anticipation of a May sequel, Final Destination 5 was better than I remember! (Last time I watched this was probably in theaters in 2011.) The acting is cookie cutter at best, but that’s not why anyone is firing this up on a streaming service. All we want are elaborate set pieces and gory kills, and this installment delivers! From gymnastics, to LASIK eye surgery, to acupuncture, to a bridge collapse, this Final Destination gives me life (…er, death) and the ending is a slam dunk.
Freaky Friday (2003)
If you couldn’t tell, I am in full “review mode” ahead of this summer’s sequels. Of the three prequels I watched this month, Freaky Friday was the one I saw longest ago, but I was blown away upon rewatching. This Disney remake is about as good as a family-comedy gets, delivering several hearty laughs even with a PG rating. Honestly, Jamie Lee Curtis should have been nominated for an Oscar for her performance in this before Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. Her comedic timing and chemistry with Lindsay Lohan are impeccable. Freaky Friday also has the heart that’s missing from a lot of Disney fare today, packing a poignant message about selflessness and empathy. Oh, and “Ultimate” is a BOP!