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James Preston Poole

Tomatometer-approved critic
Biography:

James Preston Poole is a Houston-based writer who specializes in genre film, while also screenwriting and working on film sets whenever he can. He believes that as long as there’s someone out there to champion a movie, then there’s no such thing as “objectively bad.” James holds a Bachelor of Science in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas and owes everything to his friends, family, significant other Catherine, and their three-legged cat Trinity.

Reviews

Movies TV Shows
The Strangers: Chapter 3 (2026) 19% 7/10 EDIT “The Strangers Chapter 3 suffers from once again feeling like a piece of a bigger movie, sure. What’s different this time around is that it’s plenty compelling on its own, even in its fragmented form.” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Feb 6, 2026 Full Review In the Blink of an Eye (2026) 17% 5.5/10 EDIT “In the Blink of an Eye is unlikely to be the major comeback fans were expecting of Andrew Stanton.” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Feb 6, 2026 Full Review The Weight (2026) 96% 8/10 EDIT “The Weight is a blisteringly confident trek through Oregon, where each flirtation with death feels closer than the last, and each cinematic flourish outdoes the last.” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Feb 4, 2026 Full Review Iron Lung (2026) 59% 9/10 EDIT “Iron Lung is a remarkably accomplished debut for Markiplier behind and in front of the camera. A slow-burning submarine voyage into cosmic dread, more inspired than much of the modern horror genre, Iron Lung fundamentally trusts its audience. ” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Feb 3, 2026 Full Review I Want Your Sex (2026) 87% 4.5/5 EDIT “Gregg Araki's I Want Your Sex is hilarious, tender, and nuanced in how it tackles the differences between how older and younger generations embrace their sexual desires.” – Discussing Film Jan 30, 2026 Full Review undertone (2025) 88% 10/10 EDIT “Truly, Undertone is a can’t-miss horror event that will be mirrored for years to come by up-and-coming filmmakers. The message is clear to those who will listen: Undertone is the real deal.” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Jan 27, 2026 Full Review The Moment (2026) 62% 2.5/5 EDIT “Charli xcx proves herself as a talented actress in The Moment, but almost everything else about this derivative mockumentary falls flat.” – Discussing Film Jan 26, 2026 Full Review Buddy (2026) 83% 4/10 EDIT “There is a great version of Buddy (2026) that either goes much further or is simply cut down into a short film. In its current form, it's a disappointment.” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Jan 23, 2026 Full Review The Housemaid (2025) 74% 3/5 EDIT “While Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar understood the assignment at hand, a miscast Sydney Sweeney almost derails The Housemaid from being an enjoyable campy thriller. ” – Discussing Film Dec 16, 2025 Full Review Man Finds Tape (2025) 82% 8/10 EDIT “Man Finds Tape exceeds the boundaries it’s been given. A gem of expansive imagination that'll take the unsuspecting viewer by surprise. ” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Dec 5, 2025 Full Review Eternity (2025) 77% 7/10 EDIT “Through engaging visual design, fully committed lead performances from Miles Teller and Elizabeth Olsen, and a sense of genuine feeling, Eternity‘s sweetness becomes infectious.” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Nov 29, 2025 Full Review Sisu: Road to Revenge (2025) 95% 4.5/5 EDIT “Sisu: Road to Revenge is a huge improvement over the first film, delivering a high-octane action extravaganza that needs to be seen to be believed.” – Discussing Film Nov 19, 2025 Full Review Keeper (2025) 51% 9.5/10 EDIT “A true original that’s unafraid of losing some of the audience in its pursuit of visceral, psychedelic terror, Keeper puts the experience first.” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Nov 15, 2025 Full Review Now You See Me: Now You Don't (2025) 60% 3/5 EDIT “A fresh young cast and some undeniably fun magic sequences save Now You See Me: Now You Don't from its messy script. There just may be another rabbit to pull out of this franchise’s surprisingly sizable hat.” – Discussing Film Nov 13, 2025 Full Review Die My Love (2025) 74% 9/10 EDIT “Die My Love presents an unforgettable performance from Jennifer Lawrence that dares audiences to look away from the reality of motherhood that often goes unspoken.” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Nov 6, 2025 Full Review Shelby Oaks (2023) 55% 3.5/5 EDIT “Shelby Oaks pieces together its own tapestry of terror, marking a wickedly strong directorial debut for Chris Stuckmann. Unique films like this, which approach a timeless genre with vigor and a hunger to do something different, are vital to modern horror.” – Discussing Film Oct 24, 2025 Full Review Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc (2025) 96% 4/5 EDIT “While an over-reliance on having seen the first season of the anime might hamper the proceedings for some people, fans who are caught up are in for a ride beyond their wildest, gory dreams.” – Discussing Film Oct 23, 2025 Full Review Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die (2025) 93% 9/10 EDIT “Gore Verbinski is back and better than ever in a film that has it all.” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Oct 14, 2025 Full Review CAMP (2025) 94% EDIT “Camp is a surreal, aching take on melancholy, grief, survivor’s guilt, and the bonds we form to help us get through those things that could either be our salvation or drive us deeper into a hole.” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Oct 6, 2025 Full Review One Battle After Another (2025) 94% 9/10 EDIT “One Battle After Another is a mixture of disparate elements that shouldn’t work, but against all odds does.” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Oct 3, 2025 Full Review Black Phone 2 (2025) 72% 3/5 EDIT “Scott Derrickson's Black Phone 2 is far from the worst horror sequel this year, but it falls noticeably short when compared to its beloved predecessor in more ways than one.” – Discussing Film Oct 3, 2025 Full Review The Strangers: Chapter 2 (2025) 14% 2/5 EDIT “The Strangers – Chapter 2 is a functional horror movie at its base level, offering passable thrills. Beyond that, it's completely forgettable and often baffling in its decision to give The Strangers themselves a bizarre origin story.” – Discussing Film Sep 25, 2025 Full Review Vicious (2025) 44% 8.5/10 EDIT “Bryan Bertino brings a horror experience that eschews genre conventions and internal logic, instead crafting a unique, layered horror that often fails to receive its proper due. ” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Sep 24, 2025 Full Review Caught Stealing (2025) 85% 8.5/10 EDIT “Caught Stealing is the kind of movie that gets one excited about the power of the movies. ” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Aug 27, 2025 Full Review Lurker (2025) 95% 10/10 EDIT “This is a film that sends shivers down the spine. Lurker achieves a soaring brilliance from its dueling lead performances, visceral formal attributes, and the immediacy of its insights on fame.” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Aug 19, 2025 Full Review
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