Jon Negroni

San Francisco

Freelance Writer and Host at Freelance

🇵🇷 Film Editor @InBetweenDrafts • Member CCA • Tomatometer-Approved Critic • Podcasts @_Cinemaholics, @MadMenMenPod, & Rookie Pirate Radio • He/Him

Articles

Ohana means mostly Nani now

2 weeks ago | inbetweendrafts.com | Jon Negroni

Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch (2025) is heartfelt, chaotic, and a bit uneven, but at least Nani finally gets the spotlight she deserves. It’s been 23 years since Disney’s blue, four-armed chaos gremlin cannonballed his way into our hearts, and now Stitch returns in live-action form. Yep, Lilo & Stitch (2025) is the latest in the Mouse House’s “nostalgia-fueled reimaginings” collection. A genre that’s become less of a creative decision and more of a tax write-off with CGI paint. But this one?
'Bring Her Back' Review

3 weeks ago | inbetweendrafts.com | Jon Negroni

From the Talk to Me filmmakers comes Bring Her Back, a chilling horror tale starring Sally Hawkins as the worst mom since Mrs. Doubtfire. Let’s say you’ve got an empty swimming pool, a blind girl, a mute demon child with the appetite of a cursed hippo, and Sally Hawkins whispering like she got possessed by a spirit at a vegan grief retreat in the woods. What do you even do with that?
One Piece 1145-1146 Manga Recap

1 month ago | inbetweendrafts.com | Jon Negroni

Hosts Jon Negroni (me) and Travis Hymas reunite (finally!) to talk through the chaos, carnage, and character drama in One Piece Chapters 1145 “Wildfire in Forest Sector 2, Branch Route 8” and 1146 “Motion in Stillness.” After a month-long break, the duo break down Gunko’s shocking fight with the Straw Hats, Loki’s past encounter with Rocks D. Xebec, and why Elbaf may be headed toward all-out war. Also on deck: is Dr. Hiriluk secretly Xebec?? Jon pitches the reddit theory. Travis pretends to like it.
'Ex Machina' at 10: How Alex Garland predicted the AI apocalypse

1 month ago | inbetweendrafts.com | Jon Negroni

There’s a moment in Ex Machina that still sticks with me all these years later. It’s not the iconic Oscar Isaac dance scene (though, let’s be honest, that’ll be seared into pop culture forever). It’s near the end, when Ava (sleek, graceful, wonderfully introspective Ava) steps out into the world for the first time. No fanfare. No Terminator soundtrack. She just walks away. Because she won.
Mad Men Men S5E2: 'A Little Kiss Part 2' [Podcast]

1 month ago | inbetweendrafts.com | Jon Negroni |Will Ashton

Don’s got shaving cream in the mirror, Megan’s got a mop and a plan, and Lane Pryce is one wallet away from going full American Psycho. It’s A Little Kiss Part 2! And on this episode of Mad Men Men, Jon Negroni, Will Ashton, and Mike Overhulse are breaking down the second half of Mad Men’s bold, chaotic, and deeply handsy Season 5 premiere.
'Holy Knights' and 'A Time For Warriors'

2 months ago | inbetweendrafts.com | Jon Negroni

Host Jon Negroni (me) sails solo this week as he dives into two jam-packed One Piece chapters: 1143 “Holy Nights” and 1144 “A Time for Warriors.” With Travis off this week, Jon breaks down everything from mythical Zoan reveals and villain backstories to the re-arrival of Scopper Gaban and the Straw Hats finally getting in on the action. And after the recap, Jon goes through some comments!Topics this week include:The Holy Knights’ bizarre Devil Fruits (Thorn-Thorn and Dream-Dream).
One Piece 1143-1144 Manga Recap

2 months ago | inbetweendrafts.com | Jon Negroni

Host Jon Negroni (me) sails solo this week as he dives into two jam-packed One Piece chapters: 1143 “Holy Nights” and 1144 “A Time for Warriors.” With Travis off this week, Jon breaks down everything from mythical Zoan reveals and villain backstories to the re-arrival of Scopper Gaban and the Straw Hats finally getting in on the action. And after the recap, Jon goes through some comments!Topics this week include:The Holy Knights’ bizarre Devil Fruits (Thorn-Thorn and Dream-Dream).
Mad Men Men S5E1: ‘A Little Kiss Part 1’ [Podcast]

2 months ago | inbetweendrafts.com | Jon Negroni |Will Ashton |Michael Overhulse

It’s season five, baby! And we’re back with A Little Kiss Part 1, the two-part premiere that gave us a Zubi Zubi Zoom into Don Draper’s new life. And all the weird vibes that come with it. On this episode of Mad Men Men, Jon Negroni, Will Ashton, and Mike Overhulse reunite to talk about Megan’s infamous birthday serenade, why Pete Campbell continues to be the show’s most interesting character, and what Joan’s mom and a certain baby’s butt have in common.
The Wheel of Time Season 3 Premiere Review

2 months ago | inbetweendrafts.com | Jon Negroni

“To Race the Shadow” kicks off The Wheel of Time Season 3 with stunning action, rich character moments, and some bold new storylines. The Wheel of Time is back for Season 3, and somehow, impossibly, it’s gotten a whole lot better. That’s not to say the first two seasons were bad, exactly—they were more like that friend who talks a lot about the original Robert Jordan books and swears it’ll all make sense once you get to Book 14.
One Piece 1142 Manga Recap: 'What I'm Afraid Of"

2 months ago | inbetweendrafts.com | Jon Negroni |Travis Hymas

One Piece 1142 is here, and we’re ready to talk about it on Rookie Pirate Radio, a podcast dedicated to the world of anime and manga. This week, Jon Negroni (me) and Travis Hymas discuss the latest chapter of the One Piece manga, titled What I’m Afraid Of.” One Piece 1141 is currently available to read for free on Viz.