You Can't Handle The Truth

FAST AND FURIOUS IS BACK, THIS TIME WITH ROMAN NUMERALS. What can I say about the tenth instalment though, it's more of exactly what we're used to by now, it's daft, dumb, defies the laws of God and Gravity throughout and ends on a monumental blockbuster that only Vin Diesel thinks must've been a great idea. Yet there's something so incredible about this film and it is the very definition of cinematic entertainment. I had a BLAST with it, and it may even be the most fun I've had at the cinema in years. So check out Fast X and you'll actually have an incredible time.

Disney's live action reimagining of the 1989 beloved classic is in cinemas now, with Halle Bailey taking on the role of Ariel. It's...fine. Perfectly watchable and harmless, but not as enticing or imaginative as the animated version, opting for more photorealistic animals as opposed to exaggerative and exciting portrayals of Flounder and Sebastian to name a couple. Halle shines, the directing is decent, it's just lacking a spark and ends up looking like a cgi blur under water for the most part. It'll be successful though so check it out if you're a fan of Disney's cash grabbing ways with their remakes.

DC's latest film hits theaters in a few weeks and the amount of praise it has been receiving over recent months is something of a mystery to me. Is it REALLY going to be that good?? Well after seeing the trailer at the cinema...they might be right. Anyway I'm excited and this episode should hopefully get you excited too, so enjoy and let me know how you're feeling about what is being described as one of the best comic book movies EVER.

Rian Johnson's bold new TV series is finally available in the UK (on Sky) and it's a must see for fans of classic detective shows. Think of it like an updated Columbo, a new cast every week bar the lead, in this case Natasha Lyonne, who must solve a series of crimes as she travels across the western States of America on the run. There's plenty of twists, turns, laughs, excitement and emotion to be found with this show and while it may take a few episodes to adjust to the narrative formula, you're rewarded extremely well throughout the first season. Available on Peacock oversees and Sky in the UK, enjoy!

The finale in Marvel's trilogy of Guardians films, sees James Gunn return to the directors chair in what may possibly be the thematically darkest film the studio has signed off on. For me, I didn't dig it. It's graphic in its depiction of animal cruelty and testing, making it a brutally harrowing watch and I honestly wouldn't recommend any younger child watching this, even if they're a fan of the previous two entries. Some of the film works, a lot of it doesn't but as a final farewell it packs a lot of emotion and heart into the two and a half hour runtime. In cinemas now.

Released in 2017, Vol. 2 continues the adventures of Star Lord, Rocket, Groot, Drax and Gamora six months after the events of the first film. Becoming a fully fledged team by the end of the first, thats an element that is picked up straight away in this instalment..for all of 30 minutes before the team splits up and there's tension all around. It makes sense given the narrative and to evolve the chemistry through drama and inevitably the team up moments are once again brilliant. Its a fun film, a solid sequel and captures a heavy amount of heart and humour so check it out before Vol. 3!

The first movie in James Gunn's trilogy, released in 2014 sees a band of rogues forced to work together and save the galaxy. Comedy, action, drama, romance, this film has it all. A wildly different film from Marvel at the time of release but what was likely their biggest risk, turned into one of their biggest successes. Great cast, great dynamic, very fun movie even if you're no Marvel fan! Streaming on Disney+ now if you're living under a rock and haven't seen it yet!

Yes I'm talking about John Wick again but this shall be the last time for a while I promise.. very simply, I saw it in IMAX and it was so good I would absolutely recommend seeing it like that if you can. I'm about a month late for recommending it since its left most cinemas now but its a great time nonetheless and you can't go wrong in imax!

This medieval fantasy flick based on the tabletop game is striking a chord with fans all around the world and also newcomers too. However...I didn't like it! And I really struggle to see what all the hype is for it. Chris Pine is the standout but everyone else is just kinda passable at best, but with a couple of decent scenes, shot and edited well, it's not enough for me to recommend you check it out. However it's available to rent at home now should you wish, and may still be in select cinemas.

This new London set rom-com is an absolute delight from start to finish, harkening back to the glory days of Richard Curtis flicks but with a splash of the 21st century to represent today in a much better light. Very important and exciting to see such a predominantly black cast and crew shine in one of the best rom-coms of the 2020s and possible century so far. Streaming on Hulu and Disney+ soon!

Ben Affleck returns to direct his first feature film in 7 years with the true story behind Nike's attempts to sign Michael Jordan in a never before seen shoe deal that changed the game completely. Matt Damon leads an all star cast where everyone is given their own chance to shine, the script is witty and sharp, the story is feel good and enlightening, every aspect of this movie works far better than it perhaps should when the reality is, it's a 2 hour movie about a shoe deal with most of the time spent watching characters on the phone. The ultimate dad movie of the year, I'd highly recommend Air. In cinemas now!

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a contender for worst movie of the year. Apple TV+'s latest flick is a disaster in every sense. An action rom com with some of the worst action set pieces and not an ounce of chemistry between the two leads, Ghosted is one movie you should ghost yourself. Chris Evans and Ana De Armas star, but just watch Knives Out instead cause they're utilised way better and it's a lot more fun. This is embarrassingly bad but I enjoyed reviewing it so I hope you enjoy too.

The spiritual sequel to Searching (2018) finally hits UK cinemas, only 4 months after its debut in the US. I even saw this film back in February (coincidentally when I recorded this review too) so its about damn time you're able to watch it. From what I can remember, it's a terrifically tense thriller that'll leave you jaw dropped for a good majority of the second half of the film. Upholstered by a career best performance from Storm Reid and an inventive style of filmmaking, Missing is one of the best films of the year so far. Check it out streaming worldwide and in UK cinemas soon.

This movie is dreadful do not watch it. Although it is on Prime if you're interested in a cyberpunk leathered up parody of the famous Mario Bros but this ain't like the games I played as a kid. God bless 90s video game adaptations

Lets-a-go with Illumination's attempt at starting a Mario movie franchise, with an all star cast and game accurate character designs, what more could you ask for! Well a decent script for starters, maybe a cohesive structure and genuine depth to characters but that's just me and what I like to experience from a movie. Sure I'm not looking for anything triumphant from a film based on a character that only really runs around kingdoms in search of a princess captured by a fire breathing turtle, but I think we deserve something a little better than this. It's filled with nostalgia and easter eggs for fans, and of course it is fun, but it's dispensable and forgettable and I'd find it much easier to recommend playing the games instead. In cinemas now!

My spoiler filled thoughts on Chapter 4 of Keanu Reeves' bullet fuelled franchise. It's unreal in every way, exciting and unique (especially impressive given its the fourth entry) but above all else it's classic John Wick. Fans will love it, newbies will be encouraged to check out the first 3, and there's a lot of bombshells to discuss in this review! In cinemas now.

The very beginning of an incredible franchise, that was nearly a straight to video flick. Keanu Reeves IS John Wick. And you don't want to mess with him. Yes it may be your typical revenge film but who wouldn't murder 80 people if your puppy had been killed unnecessarily. Slick, exciting, helluva good time this is, so watch them all now Chapter 4 is in cinemas currently.

After the first movie was a sleeper hit which amassed popularity in the couple of years after its release, chapter 2 picks up the ball and runs with it, delivering more of everything audiences loved about the first. Keanu kicks more ass, the antagonists are fleshed out more and this movie has some of the slickest, albeit most aggressive reloading of guns you'll ever see in an action flick. John Wick Chapter 2 is a rare case of a sequel being maybeeee sliiiightly betterrrrish than the first.

The third instalment sees Keanu Reeves on the run from...basically the entire world out to kill him. It's going 100mph from the opening scene and doesn't let up at all. Great stunts and action set pieces, interesting new additions to the cast and above all, utter badassery in John's methods of taking lives. Maybe I shouldn't enjoy it as much as I do but Chapter 3 is everything you expect and love from a John Wick film so check it out now!

The Baba Yaga is back after a 4 year wait since chapter 3 ended on a pretty interesting cliffhanger. Our hero (?) if you can call him that, serial killer might be more apt, is seeking retribution and clearing his name for the contract that has been set on him for a while now. But of course there are those looking for him and cashing in, not letting anyone stand in their way. What it results in is one of the best action movies of all time, with quite possibly the greatest final hour of all time. No exaggeration when I say you'll need to pick your jaw up off the floor several times during it, it's THAT good. In cinemas now so watch John Wick Chapter 4 and enjoy!

I have another guest joining me today! Eleanor and I are fittingly talking about The Menu, an experience best shared with others as a mysterious restaurant on a secluded island welcomes guests to one of the most unusual displays of dining ever seen. Boasting an impressive cast and dark humour, The Menu is a delight that'll keep you coming back for more. This is a spoiler filled review so if you haven't seen it yet, watch now on Disney+ before listening but I hope you enjoy our discussion! And check out Eleanor's own reviews on Instagram @elszna_film_reviews. Loved having another guest on so if you'd like to join, get in touch!

Shazam(!) 2 is here, four years after the first and while the first has a charming hero searching for himself, his family, his place in the world, this new one has...spinning block cities and a lot of product placement. I'm wondering how much skittles got paid. In fairness though its actually quite a fun movie. Some decent action, couple of truly laugh out loud moments, but a generic run of the mill sequel storyline and script, so has its flaws unfortunately so no surprise there given its DC. Anyway there's fun to be had so let me know what you think, as it's in cinemas now!

The Oscars were last night and here's my take on everything that won, and things that were snubbed. Biggest takeaway includes a great night for Asian representation with Everything Everywhere succeeding, snubs left Elvis empty handed and Angela Bassett not being rewarded for the greatest performance I've ever seen. All in all, a mixed evening with an average ceremony but listen for more of my views on the night! And let me know if you are pleased with what won!

PLANE. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. NO NEED TO EXPLAIN. ISSA PLANE. GERARD BUTLER ON A PLANE. BETTER THAN IT SHOULD BE FOR A MOVIE CALLED PLANE. HEAR ME MANSPLANE ALL ABOUT THE MOVIE PLANE.

Strap in for a colossal slating of Marvel's latest movie. If anybody knows just what has happened after a string of poor quality releases for the MCU then please let me know cause I'm dumbfounded at what might be the worst of the lot with Ant-Man 3. Not an ideal start to Phase 5, but we'll see where they go from here. Jonathan Majors is decent as Kang but I'm afraid that's all I can say for positives. In cinemas now, but not for much longer.

Ant-Man 3 is in cinemas now and if you wanna watch it you should probably do so very soon cause it won't be lasting long based on the current box office trend. I can totally see why because this movie is disappointing as heck, and just straight up bad. Outstanding way to kick off phase 5 of the MCU and I certainly can wait to see what happens next!

Yeah..pretty self explanatory. A bear does cocaine, goes on a rampage and it's fun. You don't need me to give my opinion because if you're wanting to watch this film, you're already aware of what to expect from the title so enjoy! That being said, I wish it was a little better, funnier perhaps through the script as I only found the violence to be funny but everything else kinda fell flat. Nevertheless it's cocaine bear of course its gonna be a good time so get in line and bring your coke along too. Or Pepsi works too.

There's a LOT to discuss in Damien Chazelle's 3 hour epic, specifically the huge swing taken with the finale of this film but luckily for you, I LOVE THIS KINDA THING. It may be the kind of ending which appeals much more to film students as opposed to casual moviegoers but I'd hope everyone will be able to appreciate it and what this film stands for. In cinemas and streaming on Paramount+ now, Babylon is a doozy.

Damien Chazelle's ode to 1920s Hollywood is more of a suicide note than a love letter, with its sprawling 3 hour runtime dedicated to manic parties, drugs, drama and developments. It's a fascinating look at the industry one hundred years ago and contains some unbelievably good scenes such as the transition from silent pictures to talkies and the way it revolutionalised everything. Babylon is a wild ride and I never wanted to leave, but having seen it 4 times I can safely say it's one of the most misunderstood films in recent yeare and an absolute smash for me.

The Brenaissance is in full swing and the Oscar is his for the taking. The Whale is a force of nature. An emotionally draining thriller from Darren Aronofsky boasting incredible performances and a gut wrenching narrative. Brendan Fraser plays Charlie, a 500 pound man, attempting to reconnect with his daughter over the course of a week in which his health rapidly declines. It'll make you cry, it just depends how MUCH it makes you cry. But goodness it's an incredible film and in a months time, the Oscar will be Brendan's. In cinemas now.

Kicking off season 3 with a bang, or a meow. PUSS IN BOOTS 2 IS INCREDIBLE. I had no expectations for this sequel, arriving 12 years since we've last seen the character not to mention 2 months after the film released overseas, I went in fully expecting a generic animated sequel. But this is remarkably entertaining and thought provoking at the same time. Tackling themes of morality and paired with swashbuckling action with an all star cast, Puss in Boots 2 is fantastic and you must check it out IMMEDIATELY. GO AND DO IT RIGHT NOW!!

Better late than never...here's my overall roundup for films in 2022! Featuring the best, the worst, the most watched, film that made me cry the most, film I'm most likely to recommend and many more categories. I've tried to avoid repeating films as much as possible so let me know what your choices would be for each category and this marks the 300th episode, as well as the end of season 2! Thank you all for your continued support and I'll see you soon for season 3!

The other side of the coin to the best films episode released last week. There's been a lot of awful films in 2022 and unfortunately I had to limit myself to only the worst 15 so here they are! Number 1 shouldn't come as a shock to anyone and for two years on the bounce I've ranked a certain super studio film to be the worst of the worst. Enjoy!

Fashionably late, here's my top 15 movies from 2022! And a few honourable mentions thrown in there too. Number one should be obvious if you know me or are a fan of this podcast. But in a year where I've watched almost 200 new films, the majority have been pretty poor so I'm pleased to be sharing some of the good ones and hope you agree! Enjoy!

Happy New Year everybody! To celebrate, I go through and share my recommendations on all the major releases due out in 2023 as well as some of the TV scheduled too. Upon first glance it feels like a lot of unnecessary sequels or spinoffs but I'm hopeful for some surprise hits and satisfying adaptations, so let's see what this year brings!

AVATAR 2 IS HERE. FINALLY. AFTER 13 YEARS. What more is there to say, in cinemas now, go and do yourself a favour by watching it. Breathtaking visuals albeit a meanderingly shallow story but we're not gonna worry about that now, it's all about those water scenes. It makes water look too good to be true so WATCH AVATAR 2 FINALLY!!

A lovely romantic road trip movie starring Timothee Chalamander and Taylor Russell, as they're discovering who they are and their unusual eating habits. I get it! So many great places to eat out when you're on the road. Unfortunately...they're cannibals. And this is a disturbing film to say the least. Truly horrible time but it's a well made film so maybe watch it...if you can stomach it. In cinemas now and available to rent soon!

Since this is on track to be Netflix's biggest live action series ever, and it's a wednesday, I'm here talking about Wednesday season 1. Everyone knows and loves the Addams family, and for years people have wished for a Tim Burton produced Addams family film/series. Well now he's delivered with this series centred all around the evil, homicidal daughter. Jenna Ortega is terrific as Wednesday and the show is a ton of fun once it gets going. All 8 episodes available now on Netflix and I'd recommend binging it! Great show, you'll enjoy!

David Harbour stars as a grumpy murderous Santa Clause in this Die Hard meets Home Alone meets John Wick style action film. Except it's not as good as any of those mentioned. I'm sure people will enjoy it and find it entertaining but for me, it wasn't that great unfortunately and feels like a very obnoxiously aggressive film that struggles to balance heart with violence. 5 years ago I'm sure I'd have loved it but just watch Fatman (2020) instead.

Based on the Tony award winning stage production based on the 1994 movie based on the book by Roald Dahl...Matilda the Musical is alright. It starts off very strong and I want to say it's better than I expected it to be, although it did lose my interest a bit in the middle. But it's a well adapted musical and captures the fun of the book, so I'm sure you'll enjoy it. In cinemas now and on Netflix in the US soon.

Firstly, is this a Christmas movie? Potentially. Is it a great movie? No doubt about it. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are fantastic in this dark comedy centred around a couple of hitmen who are laying low in Bruges. Simple plot, executed marvelously. Go and watch immediately

Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds team up for a musical retelling of A Christmas Carol. It's fine. Nothing groundbreaking, nothing that'll become a Christmas tradition but it's simply fine and might have you nodding your head to some of the songs. Unfortunately I can't remember any of them a few days after watching, so there's a lack of memorable factors within the film however it's still just fine. Streaming now on Apple TV+

So for those unaware, this is Knives Out 2! I was fortunate enough to watch it at TIFF back in September and beginning from the 23rd November, it has a week-long theatrical run before streaming on Netflix at Christmas. Go. And. Watch. This. Film. It's terrific and everything you want plus so much more from a sequel to Knives Out. Excellent murder mystery and you'll be laughing from start to finish, enjoy!!

Two months ago, I visited Toronto for the 47th International Film Festival and it was AMAZING. Here's everything I got up to and my experience at said festival! For those interested, I'd highly recommend going in the future. Great city, great people, huge movies and celebrities all around, the whole buzz and atmosphere is electric so TIFF is an absolute must. Enjoy!

Given that this movie is perhaps the most raw movie I've ever seen, certainly the most raw that Marvel have ever produced, it seems only right that my review be raw too. So I haven't edited it, haven't cut out the tears or the silences, enjoy the sad and depressing sound of me wallowing in despair at this movie. But it's very very good. So watch it and cry with me, in cinemas now.

Well, people suck. And I understand the irony of me saying that people suck, to people, however you'll understand if you experienced what I have at the cinema lately. Etiquette has just gone and it's total chaos and pandemonium at the cinema these days, have I missed something? Or am I the problem...listen and find out.

Steven Spielberg's latest film is out in US cinemas soon (or now) and I was lucky enough to see it a couple of months ago at TIFF for its premiere! While I wasn't as bowled over by it as most critics and audiences seem to be, I can still appreciate it's a good film and worth watching if you're interested in a fictionalised biopic about the legendary director himself. It's well told, albeit long at 2 and a half hours, but is guaranteed to be an Oscars contender so see it for yourself in cinemas now stateside. Yet in the UK, audiences will have to wait a little bit longer...

Halloween has officially ended, in real life (until next year) and in movie form (hopefully not next year). This is the conclusion of the Michael Myers/Laurie Strode saga and while everyone seems to be hating it, I quite enjoyed it...It's cleaner and better than Halloween Kills but certainly a change of pace for the franchise so understandably people are annoyed but hilariously I disagree. In cinemas now and streaming on peacock, enjoy!

Happy Late Halloween, time to celebrate with the final EVER entry in the franchise....until it gets rebooted again in a few years time. But for now, this is the supposed end in the Laurie Strode/Michael Myers saga and it's already divided audiences. I personally...enjoyed it though. It's an angry movie with lots of Halloween-ness and also a lot of unexpected-ness, but all in all it's different and that's okay in my book. Halloween Ends is in cinemas now and streaming on peacock.