Flicks and Friends with Zach Pope

Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 is PURE PERFECTION — the beginning of the end has finally arrived on Netflix! This is my full review of the first batch of episodes for Stranger Things Season 5! In this video, I break down why these episodes deliver everything fans have waited YEARS for: the emotional reunions, the jaw-dropping twists, the insane horror sequences, the character payoffs, and how this explosive start sets the stage for the FINAL showdown in Volume 2 and Vol 3! So much to talk about in this review as WILL BYERS GETS POWERS, Kali is back!, Vecna is kidnapping kids! and SO MUCH MORE! This is Zach Pope's Review on Stranger things Season 5 Vol 1 Review!

Zootopia 2 is the latest sequel from disney animation studio and after years later... Nick Wilde and Judy hopps are back on another case! Disney animation has been in a slump for a few years now for most so for Zootopia 2 to come out and be better than the original Zootopia! "Zootopia 2", After cracking the biggest case in Zootopia’s history, rookie cops Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman) find their partnership isn’t as solid as they thought when Chief Bogo (voice of Idris Elba) orders them to join the Partners in Crisis counseling program. But it doesn’t take long for their partnership to be put to the ultimate test when they find themselves on the twisting trail of a mystery tied to the arrival of a venomous snake in the animal metropolis. The trailer, poster and trailer stills are now available to download and share. While “Zootopia 2” introduces Gary De’Snake (voice of Ke Huy Quan), Nibbles (voice of Fortune Feimster) and quokka therapist Dr. Fuzzby (voice of Quinta Brunson), Shakira is also back with an awesome new song! This is my movie review for Zootopia 2!

ETERNITY is a romantic comedy MASTERPIECE! One of the most heartwarming, hilarious, and emotionally resonant rom-coms I’ve seen in years—Eternity is A24’s latest and greatest romantic achievement, and it’s going to stick with you long after the credits roll. In this video, Zach Pope gives their spoiler-free movie review for Eternity, the brand new romantic classic.

Wicked: For Good Movie Review! My Non spoiler movie review for Wicked Part 2!In this review, I break down what worked, what fell short, and why Wicked: For Good is still a solid, enjoyable time… even if it never reaches the heights it could have.

The Running Man Movie Review From director Edgar Wright comes The Running Man, the 2025 adaptation of the classic novel by Stephen King (under his Richard Bachman pen name). Set in a dystopian near-future, the film stars Glen Powell as Ben Richards, a man forced into a deadly televised game where survival is everything. In this review, I’ll highlight what works best (Wright’s direction, Powell’s performance, the dystopian world-building), where the film could have pushed harder, and why this remake might be the one that finally does justice to the original concept.👉 Don’t forget to LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE for more reviews, and drop a comment below:Did The Running Man hit its mark for you — or did the originals still hold the edge?

Every Predator Movie Ranked!It’s officially hunting season. Today, I’m ranking all 9 Predator movies — from Predator (1987) to Predator Badlands (2025)This franchise has evolved from 80s jungle horror to all-out sci-fi chaos, and with Badlands and Killer of Killers redefining what the series can be, it’s time to see which one truly stands at the top of the food chain. These are the films ranked in this video:Predator (1987)Predator 2 (1990)Alien vs. Predator (2004)Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)Predators (2010)The Predator (2018)Prey (2022)Predator: Badlands (2025)Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)Let me know your personal ranking of the Predator films down below 👇If you love sci-fi, horror, and action movies, hit that subscribe button for more reviews, reactions, and rankings every week!

Pluribus Review — Vince Gilligan returns with a mind-bending sci-fi epic that proves he’s still one of TV’s greatest storytellers.From the creator of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, Vince Gilligan delivers another knockout with Pluribus — a grounded yet deeply imaginative sci-fi series that explores humanity, identity, and the cost of connection in a fractured world.Starring Rhea Seehorn, luribus blends emotional storytelling with Gilligan’s trademark tension and moral complexity. I absolutely loved this series — it’s thought-provoking, haunting, and may just be one of the most fascinating pieces of TV this year.In this spoiler-free review, I dive into why Pluribus stands out among Apple TV+’s best shows, how its performances elevate the material, and why Vince Gilligan continues to redefine what television can be.If you’re a fan of Breaking Bad, Black Mirror, or Better Call Saul, The Leftovers or Severance you need to check this one out.👉 Don’t forget to LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE for more reviews, and comment below:

I LOVED BUGONIAFrom director Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite, Poor Things) comes Bugonia, a darkly satirical sci-fi thriller starring Emma Stone as Michelle Fuller, CEO of a major pharmaceutical company abducted by conspiracy-obsessed men who believe she’s an alien intent on destroying humanity. Having seen it early, I found Bugonia to be fascinating — a film that’s weird, unsettling, and absolutely alive with ideas. The performances are top-tier (Stone and Jesse Plemons in particular), the style is bold, and the satire cuts deeper than many give it credit for. Reviews say it’s “whip-smart,” “intoxicating,” and a reflection of our conspiracy-driven age.This is My movie review of BUGONIA

Star Wars: Visions Season 3 ReviewFrom Lucasfilm and Disney+, Star Wars: Visions returns with Season 3 (Volume 3), launching on October 29, 2025. This new volume features nine animated shorts created by legendary Japanese studios like Kamikaze Douga, Production I.G., TRIGGER, and more — delivering stylized storytelling that re-imagines the galaxy far, far away. After watching the entire season early, I found it to be a standout — stylish, bold, inventive, and emotionally resonant — possibly the best season of Visions yet. The mix of animation styles, cultural creativity, and familiar Star Wars themes feel fresh and exciting. While some anthology moments still hit varying levels, the high points here soar.In this review, I dive into what makes Volume 3 shine: the animation studios pushing boundaries, the standout episodes that deliver emotionally and visually, and why this season might be the perfect gateway for both anime fans and Star Wars lovers. Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and comment below:📌

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You Movie Review From writer/director Mary Bronstein and starring Rose Byrne, Conan O'Brien, Danielle Macdonald, and A$AP Rocky. DIRECTOR: Mary BronsteinCAST: Rose Byrne, Conan O'Brien, Danielle Macdonald, and A$AP RockyIf I Had Legs I’d Kick You is a film that grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go — a judgmental, funny, and sometimes painful look at revenge, identity, and the messiness of human relationships. The movie balances sharp dark-comedy moments with uncomfortable emotional beats, creating an experience that’s as thrilling as it is unsettling.In this review I dive into what makes this film work: the fearless direction, the committed performances, and those moments of startling honesty. I also break down where the movie stumbles — pacing choices that undercut the drama, tonal swings that won’t be for everyone, and a finale that some viewers may find divisive.If you like films that push boundaries, make you squirm, and stick in your head long after the credits roll, this review is for you.

IT: Welcome to Derry Episode 1-5 Non Spoiler reviewFrom showrunners Andy Muschietti & Barbara Muschietti (who helmed the original IT films) comes IT: Welcome to Derry, a chilling prequel series set in 1962 that expands the mythology of the town of Derry and the evil lurking beneath its surface. Having seen the first five episodes early, I found the series to be solid and worth recommending — it may not reinvent the wheel, but it delivers enough tension, lore, and creepy atmosphere to make fans of the films sit up and take notice.If you enjoyed IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two, you’ll appreciate the callbacks, the new characters, and the promise of deeper scares to come. In this review, I’ll walk you through what works—not spoiling anything—why the series hits early, and what it still needs to prove.

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere Movie Review From writer-director Scott Cooper comes Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, a biographical drama chronicling the making of Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 album Nebraska and the personal struggles behind the legend. The film stars Jeremy Allen White as Springsteen, with a supporting cast including Jeremy Strong, Paul Walter Hauser, and Stephen Graham. I found Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere to be a solid film — it doesn’t reinvent the biopic format, but its strengths lie in its lead actor. Jeremy Allen White delivers an incredible, transformative performance as Springsteen, fully inhabiting the role and delivering the emotional core of the movie.The narrative is competent and the production values are high, but the film sometimes falls into familiar biopic pitfalls — pacing issues, conventional structure, and moments where the film plays it safe. Despite that, the power of White’s portrayal elevates the whole experience and makes it worth recommending.In this review, I break down Jeremy Allen White’s performance, what the film gets right, where it could have pushed harder, and why I still recommend it — especially for fans of Springsteen or quality actor-driven dramas.

Frankenstein Netflix Movie Review — Guillermo del Toro's gothic masterpiece in theaters now on Netflix in NovemberFrom writer-director Guillermo del Toro comes Frankenstein (2025), a long-cherished passion project based on Mary Shelley’s classic. Starring Oscar Isaac as a tortured Victor Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi as the creature, and Mia Goth, Frankenstein delivers lush production design, tragic grandeur, and a story steeped in gothic horror and emotional depth. I found it to be a gothic masterpiece — one of the most visually arresting, emotionally resonant takes on Shelley’s novel in recent memory. Between Isaac’s conflicted scientist, Elordi’s monster finding sorrow in his creation, and Del Toro’s signature blend of beauty and darkness, this film doesn’t just adapt the story — it elevates it. In this review, I dive into what makes Frankenstein shine so bright as the definitive Frankenstein storyDon’t forget to LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE for more reviews, and share your thoughts in the comments: Do you think this is Del Toro’s best film yet?

Shelby Oaks Movie Review — A Near Perfect Debut from Chris StuckmannFrom writer-director Chris Stuckmann comes Shelby Oaks, a haunting exploration of loss, fear, and the supernatural that marks one of the most impressive horror debuts in years. Starring Camille Sullivan, Brendan Sexton III, and Keith David, the film follows a woman searching for her missing sister — one of the members of a paranormal investigation group known as The Paranormal Paranoids — as eerie footage and real-life horror begin to collide.I found Shelby Oaks to be a perfect horror debut — the kind that doesn’t just scare you, it stays with you. Stuckmann crafts an atmosphere thick with dread, mixing psychological terror, found-footage tension, and a deeply human story about grief and guilt.The movie truly got under my skin, evoking the unnerving realism of The Blair Witch Project and the existential unease of Signs. Every frame feels purposeful — from its chilling sound design to the way the camera lingers just long enough to make you doubt what you’re seeing.In this review, I break down what makes Shelby Oaks such a powerful debut, how Stuckmann balances emotion and fear, and why this might be one of the most effective horror films of the year.

Black Phone 2 Movie Review — the chilling return of The Grabber.From visionary horror filmmaker Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange, Sinister) and writer C. Robert Cargill, Black Phone 2 is the haunting continuation of the 2022 horror phenomenon. Four years after Finn (Mason Thames) escaped the clutches of The Grabber (Ethan Hawke), evil calls again — this time targeting his sister, Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), through terrifying dreams and visions that lead them to a snow-covered camp called Alpine Lake.I found Black Phone 2 to be a near-perfect sequel — one that’s just as good as the original, matching its tension, supernatural dread, and emotional core. While it doesn’t completely reinvent the formula, it expands the world, deepens the trauma, and delivers a story that’s both chilling and heartfelt.From Ethan Hawke’s return as the nightmarish Grabber to Derrickson’s grimy, dreamlike direction that echoes Sinister and Nightmare on Elm Street, Black Phone 2 is proof that Blumhouse still knows how to craft great horror sequels.In this review, I break down what makes Black Phone 2 work so well, what could’ve pushed it even further, and why it’s one of the best horror sequels in recent years.Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and comment below —📞 Did you think Black Phone 2 was just as good as the original?

Tron: Ares Movie Review — pure visual noise powered by a killer soundtrack.From director Joachim Rønning (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) comes Tron: Ares, the long-awaited follow-up to Tron: Legacy. Starring Jared Leto, Greta Lee, and Evan Peters, this neon-soaked sci-fi epic explores the collision between humanity and artificial intelligence in dazzling, digital style.Visually, Tron: Ares is stunning — filled with striking effects, slick action, and a pulsating Nine Inch Nails score that absolutely shreds. Greta Lee stands out with a magnetic performance that adds much-needed energy to the grid.But beneath the glow and spectacle, the film struggles to find its emotional core. Borrowing tropes from countless AI-driven sci-fi classics, Tron: Ares often feels hollow — a surface-level experience that never reaches the depth its ideas promise.In this review, I dive into why Tron: Ares is a feast for the eyes but a miss for the heart, what makes the NIN score the film’s saving grace, and how it stacks up against Tron: Legacy.Don’t forget to LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE for more reviews, and let me know in the comments: Did Tron: Ares live up to the hype or crash and burn in the grid?

The Smashing Machine Movie Review From writer-director Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems) comes The Smashing Machine, the story of MMA legend Mark Kerr (played by Dwayne Johnson). Alongside Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples, the film showcases Johnson in the most transformative, career-defining role of his career. His powerhouse performance, paired with Safdie’s raw, intimate direction, makes the movie feel deeply personal and at times unforgettable.But while Johnson and Safdie deliver, the script doesn’t. Generic and melodramatic in parts, it often reduces Kerr’s struggles to surface-level drama and sidelines Emily Blunt’s character. Without Johnson’s commanding performance and Safdie’s unique vision, The Smashing Machine wouldn’t land nearly as hard.In this review, I dive into what works brilliantly, where the story falters, and why this movie is both powerful and frustrating at the same time.Don’t forget to LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE for more reviews, and let me know in the comments: Do you think Dwayne Johnson just gave the best performance of his career?

Marvel Zombies Review — Marvel Studios goes full horror in this animated event.Marvel Studios’ Marvel Zombies is here, and it’s everything fans of post-apocalyptic horror could have hoped for. Paying homage to iconic classics while injecting fun MCU twists, this is a bloody, brutal, and wildly entertaining story that horror and Marvel fans alike will eat up.Packed with jaw-dropping zombie action, shocking moments, and one of the coolest team-ups in Marvel Animation yet (Blade/Moon Knight for the win!), Marvel Zombies feels like a love letter to the horror genre. My only complaint? I wish it had been longer!In this review, I break down why Marvel Zombies works so well, the standout characters, and why this series is a must-watch for fans of both Marvel and horror.Don’t forget to LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE for more Marvel & movie reviews, and share your thoughts in the comments: Do you think Marvel Zombies is Marvel’s best animated project yet?#MarvelZombies #Marvel #MCU #MarvelAnimation #MovieReview

HIM Movie Review — Jordan Peele & Monkeypaw’s latest horror tale misses the mark.From Oscar® winner Jordan Peele and Monkeypaw Productions (Get Out, Us, Candyman, Nope) comes HIM, a psychological horror centered on fame, idolatry, and the pursuit of greatness at any cost. Starring Marlon Wayans in a career-best dramatic performance alongside rising star Tyriq Withers, the film sets up a chilling premise with trippy visuals, unsettling vibes, and powerhouse performances.But despite the talent both in front of and behind the camera, HIM never lives up to its potential. While it teases being the horror GOAT of 2025, uneven themes, on-the-nose storytelling, and a rushed finale keep it from greatness. Instead, it lands as a disappointing, Twilight Zone-style story that’s more frustrating than frightening.In this review, I break down what works, what doesn’t, and why HIM ultimately fails to deliver on its bold promise.If you’re curious about HIM, a fan of Jordan Peele’s productions, or wondering whether Marlon Wayans can carry a horror film, this review is for you!

One Battle After Another Movie Review is a Paul Thomas Anderson crafts another masterpiece.From Warner Bros. Pictures and Academy Award-nominated, BAFTA-winning filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson comes One Battle After Another, a sweeping new drama starring *Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, Wood Harris, and Alana Haim. With an ensemble this powerful and Anderson’s visionary touch, the result is nothing short of breathtaking.For me, One Battle After Another is simply one of the best films of this decade—a true masterpiece of storytelling, performance, and cinematic craft. In this review, I break down why Anderson’s direction is some of his finest yet, how DiCaprio and the cast deliver awards-worthy performances, and why this film will be remembered for years to come.If you’re a fan of Paul Thomas Anderson, Leonardo DiCaprio, or just looking for one of the most powerful films of 2025, this review is for you.Don’t forget to LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE for more reviews, and share your thoughts in the comments: Do you think One Battle After Another is Paul Thomas Anderson’s best film yet?