Jarrod Jones
@jarrodjones.bsky.social
Writes about movies/TV. Words: The A.V. Club, etc. Runs DoomRocket. Subscribe, won't you? doomrocket.substack.com/
Turns out I have only seen thirteen movies released in 2020 -- it's my cinematic gap year. To fix this, I've started a '20 Watch-Thru starting with Evan Morgan's THE KID DETECTIVE, a film that sets the bar ridiculously high doomrocket.substack.com/p/hot-press-...
January 12, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Turns out I have only seen thirteen movies released in 2020 -- it's my cinematic gap year. To fix this, I've started a '20 Watch-Thru starting with Evan Morgan's THE KID DETECTIVE, a film that sets the bar ridiculously high doomrocket.substack.com/p/hot-press-...
PAYING FOR IT: Resembles Zwigoff’s GHOST WORLD, an alt-comic adaptation that captures the richness of its zeitgeist (here, late-90s Toronto) and is notably kinder to the oddballs depicted in the original work, making it emotionally stronger than its source doomrocket.substack.com/p/in-review-...
January 10, 2026 at 5:18 PM
PAYING FOR IT: Resembles Zwigoff’s GHOST WORLD, an alt-comic adaptation that captures the richness of its zeitgeist (here, late-90s Toronto) and is notably kinder to the oddballs depicted in the original work, making it emotionally stronger than its source doomrocket.substack.com/p/in-review-...
RUN AWAY is a slick mystery trifle made with distracted watchers in mind. Characters frequently reiterate the stakes and the roles they play; it’s one of those shows that obligingly works its recaps into the dialogue. And you know what? Didn’t bother me. doomrocket.substack.com/p/hot-press-...
January 9, 2026 at 9:36 PM
RUN AWAY is a slick mystery trifle made with distracted watchers in mind. Characters frequently reiterate the stakes and the roles they play; it’s one of those shows that obligingly works its recaps into the dialogue. And you know what? Didn’t bother me. doomrocket.substack.com/p/hot-press-...
The new attending is a pain, Whitaker grew a skibidi mullet, Mel is still a sweetheart, Landon is making amends — THE PITT is back and my heart is so full.
January 9, 2026 at 3:12 AM
The new attending is a pain, Whitaker grew a skibidi mullet, Mel is still a sweetheart, Landon is making amends — THE PITT is back and my heart is so full.
PRIMATE: Fun, dramatically shallow, riotously violent creature feature boosted by a somewhat convincing killer chimp and not much else. Still: killer chimp!
My review for DoomRocket: doomrocket.substack.com/p/in-review-...
My review for DoomRocket: doomrocket.substack.com/p/in-review-...
January 9, 2026 at 3:10 AM
PRIMATE: Fun, dramatically shallow, riotously violent creature feature boosted by a somewhat convincing killer chimp and not much else. Still: killer chimp!
My review for DoomRocket: doomrocket.substack.com/p/in-review-...
My review for DoomRocket: doomrocket.substack.com/p/in-review-...
My first DoomRocket dispatch of 2026, with quick looks at Netflix's ridiculously watchable RUN AWAY and Arrow Video's sturdy 4K remaster of UNDER SEIGE: doomrocket.substack.com/p/hot-press-...
January 5, 2026 at 11:20 PM
My first DoomRocket dispatch of 2026, with quick looks at Netflix's ridiculously watchable RUN AWAY and Arrow Video's sturdy 4K remaster of UNDER SEIGE: doomrocket.substack.com/p/hot-press-...
Catching up with the year that was over at DoomRocket:
Best (And Worst) Movies of 2025 doomrocket.substack.com/p/these-are-the-best-and-worst-movies
Best (And Worst) Movies of 2025 doomrocket.substack.com/p/these-are-the-best-and-worst-movies
January 2, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Catching up with the year that was over at DoomRocket:
Best (And Worst) Movies of 2025 doomrocket.substack.com/p/these-are-the-best-and-worst-movies
Best (And Worst) Movies of 2025 doomrocket.substack.com/p/these-are-the-best-and-worst-movies
Edgar Wright's THE RUNNING MAN is an unfocused action movie with a positively manic Glen Powell clearly giving it his all. As it turns out, that's just enough to make this worth seeing. Coleman Domingo for Prez.
My review for @pastemagazine.bsky.social: www.pastemagazine.com/movies/the-r...
My review for @pastemagazine.bsky.social: www.pastemagazine.com/movies/the-r...
The Running Man Fights A Knowable Yet Nebulous Enemy
Edgar Wright's action chops remain top notch, but The Running Man doesn't want to fully ground itself in the muck of Stephen King's story.
www.pastemagazine.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Edgar Wright's THE RUNNING MAN is an unfocused action movie with a positively manic Glen Powell clearly giving it his all. As it turns out, that's just enough to make this worth seeing. Coleman Domingo for Prez.
My review for @pastemagazine.bsky.social: www.pastemagazine.com/movies/the-r...
My review for @pastemagazine.bsky.social: www.pastemagazine.com/movies/the-r...
Reposted by Jarrod Jones
This book is out today. It was a pleasure and an honor to help a little bit in the process of creating it. REFLECTIONS tells the story of Roger Deakins' life and storied career in his words—with a lot of behind-the-scenes details and, of course, many pictures.
Reflections - Roger A. Deakins
In REFLECTIONS: On Cinematography, Deakins offers his fans and film enthusiasts the improbable journey of the “boy from Torquay, England” to Hollywood.
www.rogerdeakins.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:25 PM
This book is out today. It was a pleasure and an honor to help a little bit in the process of creating it. REFLECTIONS tells the story of Roger Deakins' life and storied career in his words—with a lot of behind-the-scenes details and, of course, many pictures.
Reposted by Jarrod Jones
A design I made for my fanzine combining hand drawn with Headline type. I modified it a little and still use it on my self published stuff
November 6, 2025 at 4:29 PM
A design I made for my fanzine combining hand drawn with Headline type. I modified it a little and still use it on my self published stuff
The new PREDATOR is silly and busy in that boring, Disney Star Wars sort of way. MANDALORIAN with a case of Mandible-Mush. My review for @avclub.com: www.avclub.com/review-preda...
Predator: Badlands brings Star Wars sweetness to film's most lethal hunter
Predator: Badlands brings Star Wars sweetness to film's most lethal hunter
www.avclub.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The new PREDATOR is silly and busy in that boring, Disney Star Wars sort of way. MANDALORIAN with a case of Mandible-Mush. My review for @avclub.com: www.avclub.com/review-preda...
Sharlto Copley doesn't save WITCHER S4 (no one can), but whenever he's on screen, he does something nobody's been able to do since the series premiered: he makes it interesting. The lesson? Put Sharlto Copley in everything.
November 1, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Sharlto Copley doesn't save WITCHER S4 (no one can), but whenever he's on screen, he does something nobody's been able to do since the series premiered: he makes it interesting. The lesson? Put Sharlto Copley in everything.
Reposted by Jarrod Jones
Over on DoomRocket, @arpadokay.bsky.social digs into the murderous intrigues of @laweyd.bsky.social's scintillating and darkly absorbing THE FOOL, THE ABSOLUTE MADWOMAN -- here's your REQUIRED READING for October.
Read/subscribe: doomrocket.substack.com/p/desire-dec...
Read/subscribe: doomrocket.substack.com/p/desire-dec...
Desire decimates in The Fool, The Absolute Madwoman
LaweyD's latest pushes fascination to its darkest extremes.
doomrocket.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Over on DoomRocket, @arpadokay.bsky.social digs into the murderous intrigues of @laweyd.bsky.social's scintillating and darkly absorbing THE FOOL, THE ABSOLUTE MADWOMAN -- here's your REQUIRED READING for October.
Read/subscribe: doomrocket.substack.com/p/desire-dec...
Read/subscribe: doomrocket.substack.com/p/desire-dec...
Over on DoomRocket, @arpadokay.bsky.social digs into the murderous intrigues of @laweyd.bsky.social's scintillating and darkly absorbing THE FOOL, THE ABSOLUTE MADWOMAN -- here's your REQUIRED READING for October.
Read/subscribe: doomrocket.substack.com/p/desire-dec...
Read/subscribe: doomrocket.substack.com/p/desire-dec...
Desire decimates in The Fool, The Absolute Madwoman
LaweyD's latest pushes fascination to its darkest extremes.
doomrocket.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Over on DoomRocket, @arpadokay.bsky.social digs into the murderous intrigues of @laweyd.bsky.social's scintillating and darkly absorbing THE FOOL, THE ABSOLUTE MADWOMAN -- here's your REQUIRED READING for October.
Read/subscribe: doomrocket.substack.com/p/desire-dec...
Read/subscribe: doomrocket.substack.com/p/desire-dec...
House ads used to mean something.
October 26, 2025 at 2:45 PM
House ads used to mean something.
My latest CIFF 2025 dispatch is live, with capsule reviews of Mary Bronstein’s IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU, Clint Bentley’s TRAIN DREAMS, and Gus Van Sant’s DEAD MAN'S WIRE doomrocket.substack.com/p/ciff-2025-...
CIFF 2025: If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Train Dreams, Dead Man’s Wire
Three films with very different approaches to yearning.
doomrocket.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:33 PM
My latest CIFF 2025 dispatch is live, with capsule reviews of Mary Bronstein’s IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU, Clint Bentley’s TRAIN DREAMS, and Gus Van Sant’s DEAD MAN'S WIRE doomrocket.substack.com/p/ciff-2025-...
Del Toro might be pulling from his vaunted passions, but his affection for monsters makes the beauty and horror of FRANKENSTEIN entirely his own.
I happen to think it's one of the year's very best. My review: doomrocket.substack.com/p/ciff-2025-...
I happen to think it's one of the year's very best. My review: doomrocket.substack.com/p/ciff-2025-...
CIFF 2025: Bugonia, Frankenstein
The 61st Chicago International Film Festival starts strong.
doomrocket.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Del Toro might be pulling from his vaunted passions, but his affection for monsters makes the beauty and horror of FRANKENSTEIN entirely his own.
I happen to think it's one of the year's very best. My review: doomrocket.substack.com/p/ciff-2025-...
I happen to think it's one of the year's very best. My review: doomrocket.substack.com/p/ciff-2025-...
If you're in Chicago today and want to catch a solid movie, WHAT MARIELLE KNOWS, Frédéric Hambalek's darkly comic unraveling of familial order featuring an enigmatic turn from Laeni Geiseler, is playing at AMC NEWCITY as part of CIFF.
My review: doomrocket.substack.com/p/what-marie...
My review: doomrocket.substack.com/p/what-marie...
What Marielle Knows Review: The economy of truth
Plus, a short called Baby Tooth.
doomrocket.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:04 PM
If you're in Chicago today and want to catch a solid movie, WHAT MARIELLE KNOWS, Frédéric Hambalek's darkly comic unraveling of familial order featuring an enigmatic turn from Laeni Geiseler, is playing at AMC NEWCITY as part of CIFF.
My review: doomrocket.substack.com/p/what-marie...
My review: doomrocket.substack.com/p/what-marie...
My first dispatch for CIFF '25 is live, featuring capsule reviews of Yorgos Lanthimos's BUGONIA and Guillermo del Toro's FRANKENSTEIN. Goodness, but we're starting strong: doomrocket.substack.com/p/ciff-2025-...
CIFF 2025: Bugonia, Frankenstein
The 61st Chicago International Film Festival starts strong.
doomrocket.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 5:06 PM
My first dispatch for CIFF '25 is live, featuring capsule reviews of Yorgos Lanthimos's BUGONIA and Guillermo del Toro's FRANKENSTEIN. Goodness, but we're starting strong: doomrocket.substack.com/p/ciff-2025-...
PEACEMAKER S2 is uneven and meanders more than it needs to reach eight episodes. But the finale's emotional peaks are equal to the best in Gunn's career; here, Cena et al. elevate to new euphoric heights. I sobbed despite the mess. Solid A.
My recap for @avclub.com: www.avclub.com/peacemaker-s...
My recap for @avclub.com: www.avclub.com/peacemaker-s...
Peacemaker goes out on a series high with "Full Nelson"
Peacemaker goes out on a series high with "Full Nelson"
www.avclub.com
October 10, 2025 at 6:39 PM
PEACEMAKER S2 is uneven and meanders more than it needs to reach eight episodes. But the finale's emotional peaks are equal to the best in Gunn's career; here, Cena et al. elevate to new euphoric heights. I sobbed despite the mess. Solid A.
My recap for @avclub.com: www.avclub.com/peacemaker-s...
My recap for @avclub.com: www.avclub.com/peacemaker-s...
DoomRocket's latest feature, DEEP DIVE, digs into HOUSE OF LEAVES' influence on 21st-century horror in film -- longform in four parts, courtesy of new DR contributor, "Jolemite." Read it! doomrocket.substack.com/p/zampanos-c...
Zampano’s Children: How House of Leaves Predicted 21st-Century Horror [Part 1]
Mark Z. Danielewski’s influence on modern horror in four parts.
doomrocket.substack.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:22 PM
DoomRocket's latest feature, DEEP DIVE, digs into HOUSE OF LEAVES' influence on 21st-century horror in film -- longform in four parts, courtesy of new DR contributor, "Jolemite." Read it! doomrocket.substack.com/p/zampanos-c...
For DoomRocket, @arpadokay.bsky.social returns to talk up Linus Liu's CAT MASK BOY, a YA OGN from Nakama Press that features plenty of nods to KAMEN RIDER -- and, surprisingly, shades of LA HAINE. Latest REQUIRED READING ready for your eyes: doomrocket.substack.com/p/a-top-shel...
A top-shelf blend of influences makes magic in Cat Mask Boy
Linus Liu's graphic novel shows how kids get along in an imperfect world.
doomrocket.substack.com
October 9, 2025 at 3:17 PM
For DoomRocket, @arpadokay.bsky.social returns to talk up Linus Liu's CAT MASK BOY, a YA OGN from Nakama Press that features plenty of nods to KAMEN RIDER -- and, surprisingly, shades of LA HAINE. Latest REQUIRED READING ready for your eyes: doomrocket.substack.com/p/a-top-shel...
A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE: I can't think of another director better suited to tap into the same nervy energy as Tony Scott's CRIMSON TIDE, but Kathryn Bigelow's tension-riddled return to fiction ends up being a didactic, Netflix-produced dud.
My review for Paste: www.pastemagazine.com/movies/a-hou...
My review for Paste: www.pastemagazine.com/movies/a-hou...
Kathryn Bigelow Ponders America At DEFCON 1 In A House of Dynamite
Kathryn Bigelow's anxious thriller A House of Dynamite provides apocalyptic dread, but little in the way of genuine thrills or pathos.
www.pastemagazine.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:01 PM
A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE: I can't think of another director better suited to tap into the same nervy energy as Tony Scott's CRIMSON TIDE, but Kathryn Bigelow's tension-riddled return to fiction ends up being a didactic, Netflix-produced dud.
My review for Paste: www.pastemagazine.com/movies/a-hou...
My review for Paste: www.pastemagazine.com/movies/a-hou...
My first dispatch from Screamfest (which kicks off its annual rampage through LA tonight), reviews Ehrland Hollingsworth’s DOOBA DOOBA (best of the fest so far), Dawid Torrone’s DEAD BY DAWN, Martijn Smits’ MEAT KILLS, and Kika Magalhães' short, DEVIL'S PRISM doomrocket.substack.com/p/screamfest...
Screamfest 2025: Dooba Dooba, Dead By Dawn, Meat Kills, Devil's Prism
The Los Angeles horror festival turns 25 this year.
doomrocket.substack.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:34 PM
My first dispatch from Screamfest (which kicks off its annual rampage through LA tonight), reviews Ehrland Hollingsworth’s DOOBA DOOBA (best of the fest so far), Dawid Torrone’s DEAD BY DAWN, Martijn Smits’ MEAT KILLS, and Kika Magalhães' short, DEVIL'S PRISM doomrocket.substack.com/p/screamfest...
I’m reading Chaykin’s CITY OF TOMORROW and I cannot get past how much this guy looks like Benny Safdie.
October 2, 2025 at 3:51 AM
I’m reading Chaykin’s CITY OF TOMORROW and I cannot get past how much this guy looks like Benny Safdie.