Mentions Mentions: Belén, Song Sung Blue & Predators
Belén (2025)
Directed by Dolores Fonzi. 3/5 stars.
Dolores Fonzi’s Argentine legal procedural Belén is certainly a worthwhile watch, but getting a sense of the legitimate power behind the film’s fact-based premise leaves something to be desired. Based on the book Somos Belén by Ana Correa, Fonzi’s film dramatizes an imprisoned woman’s fight to be released from prison after having what was, at the time, an illegal abortion (the film takes place between 2014 and 2016; Argentina legalized abortion in 2021). The young woman in question (Camila Pláate) didn’t even know she was pregnant when she arrived at the emergency room with stomach pains. While there, she miscarried, and in a disturbing and misogynistic turn of events, falls victim to Argentina’s extremely strict laws about ending a pregnancy. While in prison, her case catches the attention of a lawyer (Fonzi) who agrees to help her gain her freedom. It’s a good story, one that centers on a dedicated group of women working to change a male-dominated system, but it lacks any real punch. Its “movie of the week” feel takes away much of its potential, leaving 108 minutes of lackluster legal and political swagger. The story is there, but unfortunately the production is not.
Song Sung Blue (2025)
Directed by Craig Brewer. 3/5 stars.
Craig Brewer’s Song Sung Blue is perfectly passable. Unfortunately, that’s just about all the praise I can give it. As stories about Neil Diamond tribute bands go, you could do much worse (2001’s Saving Silverman comes to mind) but that isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement. Based on the 2008 documentary of the same name (which I have not seen and cannot vouch for), Song Sung Blue follows Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as dramatized versions of Mike and Claire Sardina, the married leaders of Milwaukee cover band Lightning & Thunder. How and why Hudson got an Oscar nomination for her efforts is beyond me, but Jackman, at least, seems right at home as the ups and downs of local stardom take hold of his character. The middle of the film sees a tragedy that, despite its basis in fact, is so jarring it becomes almost comical. The ending doesn’t fare much better, making the attempted emotional gut punch nearly non-existent. Fans of Diamond’s music will likely get a kick out of the Sardina family saga but from an artistic standpoint, Song Sung Blue doesn’t hold much weight.
Predators (2025)
Directed by David Osit. 3/5 stars.
If there’s one thing David Osit’s documentary Predators does, it’s make you feel all kinds of icky inside. Examining the rise and fall of NBC’s true crime series To Catch a Predator, Osit’s film delves deep into some pretty depraved subject matter, but by the end, it’s not just the perpetrators that will have you feeling like you need a shower. Host Chris Hansen doesn’t come away from the film exactly squeaky clean, as his unapologetically exploitative tactics are laid bare, as are the instances where said actions caused irreparable harm. The “decoys” he used to catch his predators have a lot to say about their experiences (none of it good), while allegations of entrapment swirl around the entire affair. Whether this kind of television was your thing or not, To Catch a Predator was a cultural phenomenon and did bring down plenty of bad men, but what Osit continually asks is whether it was justice or ratings ther were Hansen’s key motivators, and whether the important work of busting perverts should be left up to law enforcement or to network-backed vigilantes with cameras.
