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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
undertone (2025) 86% 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) 58% 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) 80% 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) 53% 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) 92% 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) 15% 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 Strange Harvest (2024) 92% EDIT “Strange Harvest is an ambitious work, gliding from procedural to something more cosmic, yet its inconsistent execution leaves something to be desired. ” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Aug 12, 2025 Full Review Freakier Friday (2025) 73% EDIT “A sequel that can comfortably sit side-by-side with the original as a delightful piece of family entertainment.” – The Cosmic Circus Aug 12, 2025 Full Review Ick (2024) 69% 9/10 EDIT “Ick is just so much fun, a bravely original genre mish-mash that radiates the kind of personality that begs to be canonized as a cult film. ” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Jul 30, 2025 Full Review Happy Gilmore 2 (2025) 62% 5/10 EDIT “Happy Gilmore 2 is perhaps the most autopilot version of an “Adam Sandler” comedy. It’s okay to pass the time with, sure. When all is said and done, however, there’s going to be more shrugs than laughs had.” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Jul 30, 2025 Full Review Hot Spring Shark Attack (2024) 67% 7.5/10 EDIT “Hot Spring Shark Attack won’t make you scared to go into the water, but it certainly is frightfully fun. ” – But Why Tho? A Geek Community Jul 11, 2025 Full Review
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