828reviewsNOW is 828newsNOW’s weekly film criticism column by Pruett Norris, 828newsNOW reporter and member of the North Carolina Film Critics Association. 828reviewsNOW is dedicated to writing about the new releases you should – and should not – be seeing, whether in the theater or at home on streaming.
What to expect
1–3 weekly reviews of new theatrical releases
1 monthly round-up of films to see in theaters, watch on streaming or skip altogether
Rating scale
828reviewsNOW operates on a 5-point rating system.
- 1/5 = We watched so you didn’t have to. Skip.
- 2/5 = Not good!
- 3/5 = A perfectly serviceable time at the movies
- 4/5 = Good to great
- 5/5 = One of our favorites of the year
About Pruett Norris
Pruett Norris is a staff reporter and film critic for 828newsNOW. He is a member of the North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA) and graduated from Appalachian State University with degrees in English and Electronic Media/Broadcasting. He enjoys vampire movies, Scrabble and hanging out with his cat, Tommy Chainsaw. Contact him at pruett@828newsNOW.com.
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‘A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’ is dull, baffling malarkey – 828reviewsNOW
Read our 828reviewsNOW take on “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,” starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell. Spoiler: the title is misleading in nearly every way.
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Stephen King adaptation ‘The Long Walk’ trips over itself – 828reviewsNOW
“The Long Walk,” adapted from the Stephen King novel and directed by “Hunger Games” franchise helmer Francis Lawrence, is a brutal dystopian movie about 50 young men walking to their deaths on a long stretch of highway. Surprisingly, it’s about the power of friendship, too. Read our review for more.
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Hauntingly familiar ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ conjures up nothing new – 828reviewsNOW
After four main installments, two spin-off series and over a decade of jump scares, demonic possessions and one persistent haunted doll, “The Conjuring” universe comes to a close with “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” a mediocre finale to an inconsistent franchise.
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5 new movies to see, stream or skip in September 2025 – 828reviewsNOW
Looking for something to watch this September? Check out our 828reviewsNOW guide for the movies to see, stream or watch this month.
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Bad dogs: R-rated animated features ‘Fixed’ and ‘Dog of God’ – 828reviewsNOW
“Fixed” and “Dog of God,” two very different boundary-pushing animated films, may each center around dogs, but one is a far better boy than the other. Read our reviews for more.