RealMelValentin
Mel Valentin
Senior Critic
Mel Valentin has been writing about his first and possibly his last love, film, for more than a decade. Born somewhere on the East Coast in the last century, Mel moved to the San Francisco Bay Area two decades ago. Mel spends his days looking forward to when we can all return to movie theaters and film festivals in person.Articles by Mel Valentin:
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April 1, 2026
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Review: Bigger Everything, Diminishing ReturnsThe video game sequel equals a bigger budget, bigger everything, but it brings diminishing returns for audiences.
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March 6, 2026
Sweetness Review: Pop Music Meets Misery in This Enthralling Psycho-ThrillerIn Canadian writer-director Emma Higgins’ enthralling psycho-thriller, Sweetness, starring Kat Hallet and Herman Tømmeraas, pop music meets Misery.
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February 28, 2026
Scream 7 Review: Meta-Slasher Wastes Neve Campbell’s ReturnNeve Campbell returns to lead Scream 7, in a tired entry in a franchise well past its sell-by date.
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February 22, 2026
This Is Not a Test Review: Middling Zombie Movie Treads Familiar GroundAdapted from the YA zombie novel, This Is Not a Test brings little new to a crowded genre.
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January 18, 2026
The Testament of Ann Lee Review: Amanda Seyfried Leads Idiosyncratic MusicalDepending on the definition, the total number of Christian denominations in the United States ranges from a few hundred to several thousand. Worldwide, that number jumps to approximately 45,000. Each denomination claims, if not a direct conduit to God, then to a religious leader (or leaders) who, like the Quakers and the Shakers did. Handed […]
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December 30, 2025
Song Sung Blue Review: Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman Elevate Winning True-Life TaleHugh Jackman and Kate Hudson elevate Song Sung Blue—a true-life, Neil Diamond-centric biopic from writer-director Craig Brewer.
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December 21, 2025
The Housemaid Review: Another Simple Melodrama from Paul FeigQuietly nestled in the foothills of San Jose, San Francisco’s sister city to the south, the Winchester Mystery House and its labyrinthine design have been a tourist attraction for more than a century. Built and rebuilt, designed and redesigned by Sarah Winchester, heir to the Winchester firearms company, the mansion reflected her intense interest in […]
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December 18, 2025
Avatar: Fire and Ash Review – James Cameron Goes Back to Pandora with Diminishing ReturnsJames Cameron’s return to Pandora, Avatar: Fire and Ash frustrates, underwhelms, and disappoints.
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November 27, 2025
Zootopia 2 Review: Sequel Brings Bigger Laughs, More HeartZootopia 2, the sequel to the 2016 box-office hit, delivers bigger laughs, more world-building, and a thoughtful, provocative message.
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November 14, 2025
The Running Man Review: Edgar Wright’s Flawed Adaptation Still Bests the FirstEdgar Wright’s flawed adaptation of Stephen King’s 1982 novel, The Running Man, still bests the first.
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November 7, 2025
Predator: Badlands Review: The Latest Entry Breathes New Life Into A Familiar FranchisePredator: Badlands, starring Elle Fanning and directed by Dan Trachtenberg, breathes new life into the familiar, decades-long franchise.
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October 26, 2025
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc Review: Anime Series’ Hits the Big ScreenChainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is strictly for fans of the manga/anime series, but still makes an impression through its explosion of sound and images.
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October 25, 2025
Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere Review – One-Note Biopic UnderwhelmsSpringsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere is a one-note biopic that disappoints with its shallow portrait of Bruce Springsteen’s album Nebraska.
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