Film 2417 - Black Phone 2

Intro: Once I refreshed my memory on the first film, it was time to go and catch the second one at the movies.

Film 2416: "Black Phone 2" (2025), Scott Derrickson
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Yegor, Niamh
Thoughts: “The Black Phone” — or how to ruin a franchise. I think this is one of the biggest disappointments of 2025, definitely one of the worst films I've watched this year. I was so excited that a sequel to the original "The Black Phone" was coming out, as I loved the first movie. But after seeing what they did with the story and how they decided to continue it, the only question I had in my mind was: “Why?” It's not because this film is so different from the first one — that wouldn't have bothered me too much, although it did because of how bad it was. It's mainly because this is such a departure from the original that it doesn’t even feel like they belong to the same franchise. The cinematography is bad, the whole look is glossy (which doesn't really make sense for a horror movie?), and most of it seems to have been filmed in front of a green screen, whereas The Black Phone felt grounded in reality, even though it belonged to the supernatural horror genre. This one… feels like a fever dream of its own. I know "Black Phone 2" got decent reviews, but it really didn't work for me. Bad.
Film 2117 - The Black Phone
Film 2416 - The Black Phone
Film 2417 - Black Phone 2
Cast: Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies, James Ransone, Demián Bichir, Ethan Hawke.
Box Office: $132 million
Worth a watch?: If you liked the first one… you won’t like this one. At least I didn’t. I wish I hadn’t seen it — it really ruined this franchise for me.
Awards: /
Key word: Bad dreams.
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Film 2416 - The Black Phone

Intro: Kate and I are rediscovering watching movies together at home, like we used to back in the day when we lived together in DCU. Only this time, we have a projector to make things feel more cinematic.

Film 2416: "The Black Phone" (2021), Scott Derrickson
Watched: From the projector
Language: English
Watched with: Yegor, Kate
Thoughts: I remember watching this in theaters and not knowing what to expect. I ended up really liking the movie, so it was only a matter of time before I rewatched it, especially with the second one coming out.
To no one’s surprise, I enjoyed this second watch as well. I remembered enough of the movie to know what to expect; still, it didn’t ruin the experience for me. I still think it’s a great addition to the supernatural horror genre, and Ethan Hawke is an amazing baddie, especially considering he acts with a mask on for almost the entire film.
One thing I really appreciate about "The Black Phone" is how grounded in reality it feels, even though the supernatural element of the story is so prominent.
Great movie.
Film 2117 - The Black Phone
Film 2416 - The Black Phone
Film 2417 - Black Phone 2
Cast: Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies, James Ransone, Ethan Hawke.
Box Office: $161.4 million
Worth a watch?: If you’re a fan of supernatural horror movies, this one should be on your watch list. A sequel recently came out, which is even more reason to check this film out.
Awards: /
Key word: 23317.
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Bengi

Film 2415 - Weapons

Intro: An evening at home with some nice food and a great movie.

Film 2415: "Weapons" (2025), Zach Cregger
Watched: From the TV
Language: English
Watched with: Yegor, Gigi, Seamus
Thoughts: Unexpectedly, my favourite movie of 2025 — so it was just a matter of time before I rewatched it.
This second time around, I enjoyed "Weapons" even more because I was able to pay attention to details I hadn’t noticed the first time I saw it in cinemas. It also felt less episodic this time; knowing the plot beforehand made the whole experience more cohesive, even though it’s split into different parts from the various characters' points of view.
Needless to say, apart from being a great horror movie, the standout of "Weapons" is Amy Madigan's performance. Back in the summer, not many people anticipated that her Gladys could become a vehicle for her second Oscar nomination, yet it happened. She even won at the Critics' Choice Awards for Best Supporting Actress, which was amazing to see — finally, some well-deserved recognition for her and for the horror genre in general. Unfortunately, missing out at the Golden Globes — where she lost to Teyana Taylor for "One Battle After Another" — and not receiving that BAFTA nomination were good indications that her chances of actually winning the Oscar gradually decreased, shifting from being a serious contender to simply being happy to be nominated and recognised.
Which is sad, because not only would her win have been a fantastic moment, but it also kind of repeats what happened last year with the "Anora" vs. "The Substance" situation: Demi Moore's performance was overlooked, and the Academy chose to reward a younger actress, once again reinforcing the young vs. older trope (which is, ironically, the core theme of "The Substance") and the general lack of support for the (body) horror genre when it comes to major acting awards. And don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with Mikey Madison's performance in "Anora"; I just feel like she could have had another opportunity to win an Oscar later in her career. Not to mention that the cultural impact "The Substance" had over the past couple of years is undeniable, and seeing Moore’s performance recognised would have been the cherry on top.
Going back to "Weapons," I think this movie is great and an impressive horror achievement. It was a smash hit at the box office, it’s still culturally relevant to this day, and overall, it’s simply an extremely well-made film.
P.S. As a testament to how much I liked this movie, I’m including the portrait of Aunt Gladys that I drew a month or so ago and posted on my The Moustache Designer Instagram account (feel free to give it a follow if you’d like: @the_moustached_designer).
Film 2399 - Weapons
Film 2415 - Weapons

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Cast: Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Toby Huss, Benedict Wong, Amy Madigan.
Box Office: $270 million
Worth a watch?: My favourite movie of 2025. So yeah, go and watch it.
Awards: Nominated for Best Supporting Actress (Amy Madigan) at the Oscars 2026. 2 nominations at the Golden Globes for Best Supporting Actress (Madigan) and Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. Madigan is also nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role at this year's Actor Awards.
Key word: Stick.
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Bengi

Film 2414 - Scream

Intro: And now, finally back from all my travels, the first thing I do is head to the Stella Cinema in Rathmines, Dublin, to watch one of the most iconic horror movies of all time. And yes, you guessed it, this was around Halloween last year.

Film 2414: "Scream" (1996), Wes Craven
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Rachel, Niamh, Sórcha
Thoughts: There's something about watching this movie in an actual theater that made me love it even more. To be fair, apart from being extremely pricey, the Stella Cinema is truly an amazing place to watch a movie: it's cozy, spacious, and painfully beautiful. So that definitely adds to the overall experience.
In general, I'm obviously a big fan of this first outing and of the "Scream" franchise as a whole, considering I’ve watched all of the movies at least once (and I'm definitely going to see the new "Scream 7," which is coming out on February 27). So it comes as no surprise when I say that this one is a cult classic I could watch over and over again.
Film 1123 - Scream
Film 2057 - Scream
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Film 2414 - Scream
Film 1249 - Scream 3
Film 326 - Scream 4
Film 2091 - Scream
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Film 2179 - Scream VI
Cast: David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Matthew Lillard, Rose McGowan, Skeet Ulrich, Liev Schreiber, Drew Barrymore.
Box Office: $173 million
Worth a watch?: Iconic original film of the "Scream" franchise — if you're a fan of slasher horror movies, this one should definitely be on your list if you haven't seen it already.
Awards: Nominated for 2 MTV Movie + TV Awards for Best Movie and Best Female Performance (Neve Campbell), it won the former.
Key word: Phone call.
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Bengi

Film 2413 - Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

Intro: After Corfu, I spent 2 weeks between Barcelona and Bologna. Before leaving again, though, I went to the movies to watch the end of this saga.

Film 2413: "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale" (2025), Simon Curtis
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh
Thoughts: I was a bit scared, I'll be honest. I liked the first movie, but the second one, although well made and not bad, wasn't as good as I had hoped. So I was a bit nervous about this one, considering the original TV show ended 10 years ago (and I'm not sure how many people were actually waiting for a third "Downton Abbey" movie).
Contrary to my expectations, "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale" is actually much better than I anticipated. You definitely feel the absence of Maggie Smith, but the movie does a great job of honoring her and her character. And for the rest, it's exactly how it should be: a longer episode of "Downton Abbey," but make it a movie and, on top of that, make it the last installment of the whole franchise.
It's sad to think that it's really time to say goodbye, but "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale" is an endearing final chapter and a great way to say farewell.
Film 1829 - Downton Abbey
Film 2106 - Downton Abbey: A New Era
Film 2413 - Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Paul Giamatti, Elizabeth McGovern, Penelope Wilton, Laura Carmichael, Brendan Coyle, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech, Michael Fox, Robert James-Collier, Phyllis Logan, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Dominic West, Kevin Doyle, Raquel Cassidy, Harry Hadden-Paton, Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola.
Box Office: $103.1 million
Worth a watch?: If you're not a fan, there's no real point in watching it, to be honest. But for those who love the Crawleys and appreciate the work of Julian Fellowes, this is definitely a movie to watch.
Awards: /
Key word: Divorce.
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Bengi

Film 2412 - The Conjuring: Last Rites

Intro: Not your classic Valentine's Day movie, yet a perfect depiction of my current love life.

Film 2412: "The Conjuring: Last Rites" (2025), Michael Chaves
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh
Thoughts: Honestly? Not the best outing of the franchise.
I'm a huge fan of the "The Conjuring" saga and all its spin-offs, but it’s been a while since they released a truly good film. This isn’t terrible by any means, but like its predecessor, it isn’t great either. I’ll still go see any new installments they decide to produce — which seems likely, considering this was supposed to be the final chapter of the saga and yet became the highest-grossing at the box office — but I do think the series could use a breather.
That said, Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are, as always, perfect as Lorraine and Ed Warren, and they carry the entire movie. I was hoping the story would be a bit scarier or more unsettling. By now, the Conjuring films seem to lean more into conventional horror tropes and jump scares rather than creating their own distinct world or continuing to build upon it. While watching it, at times "The Conjuring: Last Rites" reminded me of "The Exorcist" at times.
Film 578 - L'evocazione - The Conjuring
Film 1179 - L'evocazione - The Conjuring
Film 1190 - The Conjuring - Il caso Enfield
Film 1450 - The Conjuring 2
Film 2029 - The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
Film 2412 - The Conjuring: Last Rites
Film 804 - Annabelle
Film 1157 - Annabelle
Film 1405 - Annabelle: Creation
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Film 1782 - Annabelle Comes Home
Film 1673 - The Nun
Film 2216 - The Nun II
Film 1774 - The Curse of La Llorona
Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Mia Tomlinson, Ben Hardy.
Box Office: $499.2 million
Worth a watch?: Not the strongest of the four films available, yet there’s something comforting about seeing Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson step back into the roles of the Warrens once again. If you’re a fan of this saga or the horror genre in general, "The Conjuring: Last Rites" is still a solid option for an evening of chills.
Awards: /
Key word: Mirror.
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Bengi

Film 2411 - A Deadly American Marriage

Intro: Third documentary in a row, last movie we watched in Corfu, Greece.

Film 2411: "A Deadly American Marriage" (2025), Jessica Burgess, Jenny Popplewell
Watched: From my laptop
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh, Debbi
Thoughts: Another terrifying true story, but this documentary isn't as effective as the previous one we watched. Not a bad movie by any means, yet I didn't find it as compelling or as well told as the previous documentaries we watched. The story is less sensational, in the sense that the facts presented are closer to what you would expect from a typical true crime case. It's obviously a heartbreaking story, and it's devastating to witness what happened to this poor man and his family, but A "Deadly American Marriage" didn't quite glue me to my chair, if that makes sense.
Cast: Jason Corbett, Sarah Corbett Lynch, Jack Corbett Lynch, Molly Martens Corbett, Tom Martens.
Box Office: /
Worth a watch?: For those who appreciate true crime stories, I'm not a big fan of this genre. I don't find pleasure in witnessing other people's suffering or in the slightly voyeuristic component of this kind of piece of media.
Awards: /
Key word: Au pair.
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Bengi

Film 2410 - Abducted in Plain Sight

Intro: Debbi arrives to Corfu and the first thing we do at dinner the next day? We watch another documentary on Netflix because why not?

Film 2410: "Abducted in Plain Sight" (2017), Skye Borgman
Watched: From my laptop
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh, Debbi
Thoughts: This story is crazy and the fact that it's real is even crazier. I'm not sure how is Jan Broberg still in touch with her parents after all they did. And it isn't just speculations or 'he said, she said' scenario: the two parents are featured in this film and they corroborate, admit and describe the facts narrated here. It's insane.
I don't want to give too much away about this story, so I'm just going to say that a poor 12-year-old girl gets kidnapped TWICE by her neighbor, the parents know about it, they both have a sexual relationship with the kidnapper - who also abuses the girl, while the parents suspect it but chose not to believe the girl - and all they do is questioning if they were too naïve about it. And if you think I'm giving too much away... Watch this documentary and check how much I left out from the story.
Cast: Jan Broberg, Mary Ann Broberg, Bob Broberg, Karen Campbell, Susan Broberg.
Box Office: /
Worth a watch?: From Skye Borgman, the same director of "Unknown Number: The High School Catfish", this documentary covers a story that is so insane, it almost feels impossible. And yet it happened back in the 70s, it is true and you better believe aliens are involved too. Entertaining for sure, but extremely unsettling and disturbing.
Awards: /
Key word: The mission.
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Bengi

Film 2409 - Unknown Number: The High School Catfish

Intro: After the time jump to go through movie that are more relevant to this year's awards race, it's time to go back to where I left off. This is the second movie Niamh and I watched in Corfu, Greece.

Film 2409: "Unknown Number: The High School Catfish" (2025), Skye Borgman
Watched: From my laptop
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh
Thoughts: Like most reality TV shows and documentaries produced by streaming platforms nowadays, "Unknown Number: The High School Catfish" is a documentary that feels more like fiction because of how it’s edited and how the story is told. There’s a plot twist after another, in a crescendo of tension and chaos that culminates in the reveal of what’s actually happening behind the scenes. In this case, who was behind the horrifying text messages that the teenage girl Lauryn Licari was receiving.
I almost struggle to consider this a documentary, considering how overly produced it seems: when you watch it, it almost feels like you’re watching a mockumentary (like the previous Netflix hit "American Vandal"). It almost feels fictional for how absurd the story is and how glossy and visually clean it looks. It’s so strange.
Overall, though, I found it very compelling. The story is insane, and it’s even more unsettling to think that this happened for real, and that the person who stalked and harassed a teenager, along with her boyfriend and friends, actually decided to take part in this film. I understand that this person was trying to give her version of the facts, but considering who they are in relation to Lauryn, it’s almost absurd to me that the production gave them a platform. Far from me to censor anybody, but what this person did is disgusting and horrifying, and part of me doesn’t think they deserved the screen time they got thanks to this production.
"Unknown Number: The High School Catfish" is definitely an entertaining piece of media, but there’s a voyeuristic component and exploitation that don’t sit well with me. The story is as shocking as it is sad, and seeing a young girl having to go through all of this and, in the end, still being able to feel compassion for the person who put her through hell… As a viewer, it’s quite hard to watch.
Cast: Lauryn Licari, Owen McKenny, Shawn Licari, Kendra Licari.
Box Office: /
Worth a watch?: Definitely a crazy ride; it all boils down to who the stalker and abuser is. If you’re up for real stories like this one, then go for it. Otherwise, it’s better to find something else to watch.
Awards: /
Key word: Messages.
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Film 2435 - The Housemaid

Intro: I wasn't planning to watch it, to be honest, but when everybody started talking about it in a favorable manner, I kinda got curious.

Film 2435: "The Housemaid" (2025), Paul Feig
Watched: From my computer
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh
Thoughts: I didn’t read the book, so this was definitely an unexpected, crazy ride for me.
I don’t think "The Housemaid" is necessarily a good movie, but it’s definitely an entertaining one. Amanda Seyfried is great in it and perfectly fits her role. Sydney Sweeney, Brandon Sklenar, and Michele Morrone are also there.
I think, in general, the movie is too long (131 minutes), and some parts could have been cut without really damaging the end result. Especially towards the end—and after all the flashbacks showing how we got there—the repetitiveness starts to show, and you really want the story to end. Once the teeth, hair, and cuts twists are put into place, it starts to feel like there’s more shock value than actual narrative, so things get a bit too crazy.
Overall, though, "The Housemaid" is better than you might expect, in the sense that for as crazy as it is, you still end up having a good enough time. Or maybe my expectations were just too low.
Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone, Elizabeth Perkins.
Box Office: $329.6 million (to date)
Worth a watch?: An unexpected box-office hit, "The Housemaid" is far from a masterpiece, yet it delivers some entertaining moments. If you enjoy thrillers with wild plot twists, this movie will definitely be enjoyable.
Awards: /
Key word: Hair roots.
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