Cinema Snapshots June 2026
What I watched last month...
Welcome to this month’s Cinema Snapshots! At the beginning of each month, I reflect on what I watched the prior month and provide a quick “snapshot” of my thoughts on those films. So without further ado, here are my Cinema Snapshots for June 2026.
Disclosure Day
A cybersecurity expert becomes a whistleblower after uncovering secrets about aliens, putting him on the run from a corporation. Meanwhile, a meteorologist experiencing strange phenomena joins forces with him to prove there’s life beyond our understanding.
My favorite film of 2026 so far! Steven Spielberg has a long history of making films about aliens, and oftentimes those films have rich metaphors for faith and the divine. If Close Encounters of the Third Kind is God speaking with Moses on Mt. Sinai (and I argued as much in my piece last month), Disclosure Day is Pentecost. God sends down His spirit for disciples to speak in tongues and share the Truth with the world. It’s a tense, emotional, and riveting watch, with a gorgeous score by John Williams.
Check it out while you can in theaters, and read my spoiler-filled roundtable discussion once you’ve seen it. “And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all people; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.” — Acts 2:17
★★★★★
The Sheep Detectives
George Hardy is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.
I was crying by the end of The Sheep Detectives, and only partially because this was my son Rory’s first trip to the movies. This is a fantastic family film, unafraid to confront themes of death and belonging but also hilarious from start to finish. And that’s to say nothing of the theological depth, taking full advantage of the good shepherd symbolism. I described it to my friends as Knives Out meets Paddington, which is just as fun as you’d imagine. You can watch the film on PVOD or in select theaters.
★★★★☆
Power Ballad
When Rick, a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves - even if it means risking everything he cares about.
Power Ballad is the kind of dramedy we rarely get anymore, featuring a unique story packed with emotion and humor. Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas both provide great performances and have a surprising natural chemistry together, and the song that the film is centered around is genuinely catchy and believable as a smash hit. The ending moved me to tears, and I always appreciate when filmmakers know how to properly utilize music to tell a story.
★★★☆☆
Premarital
Pastor Stewart Whitaker learns his daughter’s fiancé isn’t a believer just days before their wedding. His clumsy plan to convert him unravels into a funny, heartfelt clash of faith, family image, hypocrisy, and truth in small-town America.
Some really committed performances in Premarital (especially Jim O’Heir) save its shaky production value and a story that’s a little too scattered. For better and for worse you can tell the film is written by an exvangelical. The screenplay pushes boundaries that will scare off some religious crowds (including some language), but is also extremely understanding of Christian beliefs and believers. It covers a multitude of difficult topics for Christian communities and doesn’t have any easy answers (the prodigal son conversation towards the film’s end was beautiful though). Premarital is at its best when it acts as a Christian version of Father of the Bride; the heart really is a pastor struggling to come to terms with his daughter’s impending marriage. A little more focus on that and this film could have been really special; as it is though it’s still an enjoyable watch.
★★★☆☆
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu.
The Mandalorian and Grogu is not as chaotic or pandering as The Rise of Skywalker, but it’s equally as disappointing. It feels manufactured to be the safest, least offensive product possible, while barely containing a story or characters. The actors seem uninvested, the action is pretty paint-by-numbers, and the score, while engaging, often feels disconnected from the film it’s a part of. Vaguely “Star Wars-y” things happen and then the film is over.
★★☆☆☆
Obsession
After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.
Obsession has been the surprise breakout hit of the year, made for less than $1 million but already outgrossing the new Star Wars film. I finally had the chance to check it out, and while it may not have lived up to my astronomical expectations given its reception so far, I have to admit it’s a really good horror film.
It’s a pretty straightforward story, but is surprisingly well paced for a “gimmick” that could easily get old fast. Director Curry Barker (best known for his hilarious YouTube comedy sketches) has a solid command of the camera, properly utilizing escalating tension and scares in combination with some impressive performances. Not the scariest film of the 2020s as some have sold it, but a great watch nonetheless.
★★★☆☆
