Film 2464 - The Drama

Intro: TThe buzz around this movie was impossible to miss: an A24 production with Zendaya & Robert Pattinson (on their first movie collaboration of many upcoming ones in 2026), an interesting concept, a marketing campaign for the ages and, cherry on top, good reviews. We couldn't miss it.

Film 2464: "The Drama" (2026), Kristoffer Borgli
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh, Debbi
Thoughts: I wasn't sure what to expect with this one. I can't say I was completely won over by it, but I definitely found it interesting, and I appreciate how it sparked a conversation and a media frenzy around the story's main topic, as well as how well Alana Haim played her character. I'll say it straight away: I liked "The Drama". I think Zendaya and Pattinson are perfect scene partners and deliver amazing performances, the screenplay is well written - really funny at times, surreal at others - and overall this is a very interesting ride. The dramatic aspects of the story definitely land, although I wish the film had focused on more than just one subject. I won't spoil anything; suffice it to say that the dramatic core of the story stems from a revelation made by Zendaya's character at the beginning of the movie. From there, chaos slowly builds until the day of the wedding, where everything culminates in madness. I'm not mad at the fact that the dramatics promised by the title of the movie - and the posters and trailers - are ultimately tied to only one element of the story, I just wish they had delivered a bit more. Because of how the marketing campaign was handled, I imagined shenanigans happening left and right, some sort of trainwreck unfolding in slow motion as the wedding date approached. Instead, although shenanigans do happen, they all stem from one thing and one thing only. And look, that's OK, but after a while I have to admit I got a bit tired of how the story kept bringing this revealed secret back up without having the characters really acknowledge it until the very end of the movie. It could have been cool to use it as the perfect dramatic engine to kick the story off and then eventually move on to other shocking revelations or events so that the story would keep progressing and become more chaotic each time. Instead, we spend the whole movie focused on one topic, and the screenplay chooses to explore how all the characters react and interact after the secret has been exposed. As I said, I'm not mad about it; it's all handled in a way that works for the story. I just think a different approach would have worked better for me. That said, while the two main leads are perfectly matched for their roles, I think Alana Haim is really the scene-stealer here. Her performance as Rachel is so good that you can't help but hate her. I was really impressed by her portrayal. All in all, "The Drama" definitely delivered enough dramatics to be entertaining and refreshingly good. The story could have pushed things even further, but I appreciate how the movie manages to start a conversation around a tough topic in a way that shows both depth and a clear point of view, while being satirical and serious at the same time.
Cast: Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Alana Haim, Mamoudou Athie, Hailey Benton Gates, Zoë Winters.
Box Office: $130.8 million
Worth a watch?: Its vibe reminded me of another A24 film that came out last year, "The Materialist", though obviously the two stories are different. If you enjoyed that one - or if you appreciate A24 movies in general - definitely give this one a watch. Zendaya and Robert Pattinson once again prove their star power and why they are two of the most interesting actors working in Hollywood today.
Awards: /
Key word: Worst thing.
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Bengi

Film 2463 - Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

Intro: I watched the first one because I was so curious to catch the sequel in theaters, so the moment I had an opportunity to go, off I went.

Film 2463: "Ready or Not 2: Here I Come" (2026), Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh
Thoughts: One of the best cinematic surprises of the year so far. Not in my wildest dreams would I have thought that the sequel to a relatively low-budget movie from 7 years ago—a film that had a good run but didn't necessarily make waves in pop culture—would turn out to be not only better than the original, but also THIS good. The cast is iconic, the story is extremely inventive, and it expands the lore in a way that pays homage to the source material while taking it to a whole new dimension. Overall, "Ready or Not 2: Here I Come" is such a wildly chaotic cinematic experience that—if you enjoy this genre—it's impossible not to have a good time. I have to admit that I particularly appreciated watching these two "Ready or Not" movies almost back to back, as I don't think I would have remembered much from the first movie had I not watched it just before catching its sequel at the cinema. Because of this, I was able to enjoy some of the references and callbacks from "Ready or Not" that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. I'm notoriously bad at remembering things. Samara Weaving is once again perfect for the role. She has a sort of fearless-but-pissed-off look that makes her character, Grace, so iconic. This time she's joined in the fight by her estranged sister, played by Kathryn Newton, while on the other side of the story, not one but two iconic actors enjoying a resurgence in popularity join the cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Elijah Wood. I think those two alone are reason enough to give this franchise—and this film specifically—a chance. All in all, "Ready or Not 2: Here I Come" is a breath of fresh air in a storytelling landscape that seems to be slowly moving toward more innovative and creative ideas, leaving at least some of the superhero blockbuster franchise fatigue behind. The shift was already in the air, but it's now even more obvious thanks to movies like this one and other recent unexpected hits such as "Obsession", "Backrooms", "The Drama", and "Send Help". It's an exciting moment for cinema, and it feels like we're finally moving beyond existing and established IPs to embrace original ideas and concepts that make the movie landscape feel interesting once again.
Film 2461 - Ready or Not
Film 2463 - Ready or Not 2: Here I Come
Cast: Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, David Cronenberg, Néstor Carbonell, Kevin Durand, Elijah Wood.
Box Office: $42.8 million
Worth a watch?: If you liked the first one, this sequel will blow your mind. I had the best time and was amazed by how much the scope of this franchise has expanded, and by how perfectly all the elements of the story come together. The result is a satisfying and remarkably well-executed film. This franchise really surprised me!
Awards: /
Key word: Rules.
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Bengi

Film 2462 - Weapons

Intro: Still obsessed with this one and happy it won an Oscar!

Film 2462: "Weapons" (2025), Zach Cregger
Watched: From the computer
Language: English
Watched with: Bill
Thoughts: I've expressed how much I like this film, how great I think it is, and what an amazing example it is of how a horror movie can become an iconic piece of pop culture, so I'll keep it short and sweet.
I think "Weapons" is the best movie that came out last year. It's a cinematic crazy ride, and Amy Madigan is a force of nature here. Her work as Aunt Gladys is untouchable, and I'm so glad she got her flowers. She deserved that Supporting Actress Oscar and, for once, the Academy made the right call. "Weapons" is very much an ensemble film, yet she's impossible to forget, as her impact goes far beyond her performance on screen.
I love this movie. It's inventive, well-written, smart, and has something to say. And this is, especially in the horror genre, an amazing feat to achieve.
Film 2399 - Weapons
Film 2415 - Weapons
Film 2462 - Weapons
Cast: Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Toby Huss, Benedict Wong, Justin Long, June Diane Raphael, Amy Madigan.
Box Office: $270 million
Worth a watch?: If you're looking for a horror movie with twists and turns and a villain for the ages, "Weapons" is the movie you've been looking for.
Awards: Amy Madigan won for Best Supporting Actress at this year's Oscars. 2 Golden Globe nominations 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: 2:17.
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Bengi

Film 2461 - Ready or Not

Intro: The second movie was coming out and I'd never seen (or heard of, to be honest) the first one, so, under Niamh's suggestion, I gave it a go.

Film 2461: "Ready or Not" (2019), Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: No one
Thoughts: A fun ride and a very inventive story, I quite enjoyed "Ready or Not".
I really didn't know what to expect and I wasn't sure I would enjoy this one, but I actually really did. I think Samara Weaving is great in the lead role and her physical chops are on full display here, proving to the audience that she not only can carry a whole movie on her shoulders, but that she's actually perfect for the genre and a movie star in the making. I've seen her in a bunch of things ("Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri", "Snake Eyes" and "Scream VI") but never as the lead, so this was really my introduction to her. And what an introduction! She's the star of the show, and deservedly so.
For the rest, "Ready or Not" lives on a simple premise - from the IMDb logline: "A bride's wedding night takes a sinister turn when her eccentric new in-laws force her to take part in a terrifying game." - and goes all in on the execution: a scary cat-and-mouse game, the fight for survival, and a potential curse that seems more like an urban legend than a real thing, until the ending shows the audience whether there was any truth to it.
It's not for the faint of heart, but I had a great time.
Film 2461 - Ready or Not
Film 2463 - Ready or Not 2: Here I Come
Cast: Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O'Brien, Elyse Levesque, Nicky Guadagni, Kristian Bruun, Henry Czerny, Andie MacDowell.
Box Office: $57.6 million
Worth a watch?: Extremely violent and absolutely not grounded in reality, it's fun to tag along for the ride and let the story lead you where it wants. It stems from a simple idea, but it's great to witness how the plot never takes the easy route and actually takes the time to explore unexpected scenarios until the very end. If you like this kind of comedy horror film, "Ready or Not" - and even more so "Ready or Not 2: Here I Come" - is the cinematic experience for you. Awards: /
Key word: Le Bail.
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Bengi

Film 2460 - Project Hail Mary

Intro: I honestly didn't know what to expect with this one. I wasn't even sure I wanted to see it, but Niamh really wanted to and, well, it was a good call.

Film 2460: "Project Hail Mary" (2026), Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh
Thoughts: I went in with zero expectations and came out a fan. "Project Hail Mary" is not going to be my favourite movie of 2026 for sure, but it's definitely way better than your average space movie and absolutely a step above most of the films I've watched this year so far.
First, it has to be said that Ryan Gosling is a charismatic film star. He clearly did something to his face - which makes him look a bit strange, something I couldn't stop thinking about throughout the whole movie - but it isn't drastic enough to make him look unrecognizable. It's just odd. Once you pass the uncanny valley moment, and especially once Rocky comes into the story, it really is all good and your brain moves on (not mine, but yours very likely). Anyway, back to Gosling: he carries the whole movie - and it's a long one! With not a lot to work with, it is thanks to him and the story that this film works so well and never feels boring or dull: it all starts slow and confusing, but the deeper we go into the story, the more everything gets a larger scope, the stakes get higher and higher, and Gosling never fails to deliver. Kudos to him.
Together with him, the real sensation of this movie: Rocky the alien. He has more emotional depth than some actors working in cinema today and considering he has no face... that says a lot. Mad enthusiasts are calling this performance Oscar-worthy - because (from Wikipedia) "[the] character was effected through a puppet controlled by a team of five puppeteers led by [James] Ortiz, dubbed the "Rockyteers", with Ortiz also providing the artificial voice assigned to him" - but I don't really think this is going to come to fruition. It's a mad stretch until next March, not to mention that a feat like this has never been achieved before. The Academy has always been very traditional in terms of performances and never rewarded anything that wasn't a human portrayal of a character on the big screen. I'm sure the movie will eventually get nominated for technical awards, maybe even Best Picture, but I'm not sure about the acting categories. We'll see.
Anyway, "Project Hail Mary" was quite the surprise. A long journey that is never tiring, an extremely fun and satisfying ride that is filled with scientific spectacle and a story that is able to balance well the more rooted-in-reality bits and the sci-fi elements that are imagination-based. All of this combined in a fully realized movie experience that reminded me of other films from the past like "Arrival", "Interstellar" and, of course, "The Martian", with which this movie shares the same author behind the original novel (Andy Weir).
Cherry on top is Sandra Hüller: I'm so excited to see her once again after her Hollywood big break a couple of years ago thanks to "The Zone of Interest" and that masterclass in acting that was "Anatomy of a Fall". It's so exciting to see her back on the big screen and even here, with a more traditional supporting performance, she still leaves her mark!
"Project Hail Mary", aka the movie I didn't know I needed to see. Ps. If I can be honest, the only thing I didn't like about this movie is the poster.
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung.
Box Office: $677 million
Worth a watch?: The movie event of the year so far. Not necessarily because of the amazing box-office result, but because for a while everyone was talking about this film. If you missed it, I'm pretty sure it's STILL in theaters.
Awards: /
Key word: Petrova line.
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Bengi

Film 2459 - Zootopia 2

Intro: Last time I watched the original movie it was a while ago, but I still remember it fondly. So when I heard about the sequel coming out, I was excited enough that I wanted to see it. It just never happened in theaters, so when the opportunity presented itself, I watched it at home.

Film 2459: "Zootopia 2" (2025), Jared Bush, Byron Howard
Watched: From the TV
Language: English
Watched with: Luke
Thoughts: I'll be honest, I don't have much to say about it. I liked it—I think it's a cute movie that works perfectly for kids and families, and it manages to capture the same fun and entertaining vibe of the first one. That said, the magic kind of stopped there for me.
Not that I expected much from this sequel. I think nine years between the first film and this one sort of robbed me of the genuine excitement I would have felt if this second installment had come out just a few years after the first one in 2016. So yeah, a fun watch and a cozy feeling of getting back to Zootopia and finding all the characters from the previous story, but that was kinda it for me.
Film 1107 - Zootropolis
Film 1369 - Zootropolis
Film 2459 - Zootopia 2
Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, Shakira, Idris Elba, Patrick Warburton, Quinta Brunson, Danny Trejo, Alan Tudyk, Nate Torrence, Don Lake, Bonnie Hunt, Jenny Slate, Michelle Gomez, Stephanie Beatriz, Jean Reno, Macaulay Culkin, Brenda Song, John Leguizamo, Josh Dallas, Auli'i Cravalho, Tig Notaro, Ed Sheeran, Yvette Nicole Brown, June Squibb, Rachel House, Mario Lopez, Michael J. Fox, Josh Gad, Anika Noni Rose, Dwayne Johnson.
Box Office: $1.870 billion
Worth a watch?: You liked the first one? You're going to enjoy this one too, I'm sure. It feels familiar, and the story is enjoyable and a fun ride, so go ahead and see it.
Awards: Nominated for Best Animated Feature at this year's Academy Awards. 2 BAFTA nominations for Best Children's & Family Film and Best Animated Film, it won for the latter. Nominated for 2 Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture – Animated and Cinematic and Box Office Achievement.
Key word: Patent.
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Bengi

Film 2458 - Scream 7

Intro: I was really excited to see this movie after the big success of the previous new entries. So we got to the cinema as soon as we could because we didn't want to miss it.

Film 2458: "Scream 7" (2026), Kevin Williamson
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh
Thoughts: I'm a massive fan of this saga, even when it's bad, but this time I wasn't pleased: "Scream 7" is too bad to be enjoyable.
Too many new details in the story come from things we never actually see happen on screen: Sydney has a new life, a new family, and even a teenage daughter who was never mentioned before (or at least I don't think she was? Did I miss something?). I understand that this is fiction and the story doesn't always have to be completely grounded in reality, but your main character can't suddenly become a different person from who they were in the past, and a teenage daughter can't just be added to someone's life whenever it's convenient for the plot. I don't know, it felt sloppy to me, like a choice made only to serve the story now that the characters from the previous two movies have been written out because of the controversies following Melissa Barrera's public statement against the genocide in Palestine (and the subsequent exit of Jenna Ortega from the franchise in support of Barrera being let go).
I understand it must have been complicated to basically reboot the whole story in order to shift the focus back to Sydney, change the location, and introduce new killers, but it all feels barely connected, and Ghostface's motivation here is so stretched that it completely ruins the surprise at the end when you find out who's behind the mask. It all feels really anticlimactic. Not to mention that all the cameos feel more like fan service than actual parts of the plot.
All in all, an extremely weak new outing for this slasher saga, a movie that tries to continue the legacy of the franchise but misses the mark entirely. "Scream 7" feels empty and in desperate need of new ideas that, clearly, haven't been found yet.
Film 1123 - Scream
Film 2057 - Scream
Film 2184 - Scream
Film 2414 - Scream
Film 1249 - Scream 3
Film 326 - Scream 4
Film 2091 - Scream
Film 2178 - Scream
Film 2179 - Scream VI
Film 2458 - Scream 7
Cast: Neve Campbell, Isabel May, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Anna Camp, David Arquette, Michelle Randolph, Jimmy Tatro, Mckenna Grace, Asa Germann, Celeste O'Connor, Sam Rechner, Mark Consuelos, Tim Simons, Ethan Embry, Matthew Lillard, Joel McHale, Courteney Cox.
Box Office: $214 million
Worth a watch?: A horror movie that mimics its predecessors but never quite captures the same highs the series reached in the past. A misstep for the franchise, although I'm sure this isn't the last we see of Ghostface considering this is already the highest-grossing film in the series so far.
Awards: /
Key word: Deepfake.
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Bengi

Film 2457 - Eternity

Intro: This was recommended to me by one of the girls I took the Screenwriting course with.

Film 2457: "Eternity" (2025), David Freyne
Watched: From my computer
Language: English
Watched with: Bill
Thoughts: I think this is one of those movies that sounds better on paper. I'm not saying "Eternity" is a bad movie or anything - I actually quite enjoyed it - but there's a clear limitation to its potential: once the main idea is revealed and the plot is in motion, there really isn't much else to talk about. Let me explain.
I'll start with the logline you can find on IMDb: "In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with and her first love, who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive." This perfectly sums up what you find in this movie, because honestly there isn't much else to it, which is exactly what I was referring to. The main idea is so powerful and interesting, but the movie barely explores any other topic beyond it. It's like there's an ocean of possible storylines, but the screenplay corners itself: there's a time constraint, there's a choice to be made, and there are only two options (technically three if Joan decided to leave both men behind). And that's the end of the road.
Although the movie explores many themes - loss, love, aspirations, memories - and is filled with a decent number of characters, the scope of the story remains tied to the love triangle and never really lets go until it gets resolved. Which happens at the end of the movie, obviously. So once that happens, we fade to black and go home. Which I found, in the grand scheme of things, acceptable, but also a waste of great potential. The afterlife feels like a two-dimensional carnival: a fun ride, but not much else beyond picking your ideal scenario and off you go for the rest of eternity. I don't know, I just hope the afterlife, if it exists, doesn't actually look like this one because it would stress the hell (see what I did there?) out of me. And considering you have all eternity ahead of you, and there's definitely no lack of space over there, I really don't see why people are required to make their choice within a week. That creative decision didn't really make sense to me, especially considering that once you pick your afterlife scenario, you can't change your mind. Forever. You're stuck there. Endless scenarios to choose from and you give me seven days?! Too intense for my little brain.
All of this said, I think "Eternity" is a beautifully crafted movie. Its aesthetics are quite pleasing and although the color correction is a bit too on the nose at times, I still appreciated how bright and vibrant the colors were.
Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, and Callum Turner make for a very interesting trio: all great actors and all perfectly cast for their parts. I thought Turner's character was unbearable and his story arc is something you can guess from a mile away, but look, we all need a villain. It also has to be said that Da'Vine Joy Randolph steals the show. She's unforgettable - she has such presence and charisma that you can't take your eyes off her when she's on screen. Such a star!
All in all, I enjoyed "Eternity". It's an unconventional story, it balances comedic and dramatic moments well, and it's beautifully shot. God save stories that try something different!
Cast: Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner, John Early, Olga Merediz, Betty Buckley, Da'Vine Joy Randolph.
Box Office: $35 million
Worth a watch?: I liked it, although I was hoping the scope of the story would be a bit broader. If you like A24 movies, this is another one you shouldn't miss.
Awards: /
Key word: Hair.
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Bengi

Film 2456 - Legally Blonde

Intro: Back to when I was still seeing Luke, on Patty's Day we decided to watch his favourite movie.

Film 2456: "Legally Blonde" (2001), Robert Luketic
Watched: From the TV
Language: English
Watched with: Luke
Thoughts: The more I watch this movie, the more I enjoy it. Back in the day, I think it was considered just a "silly" romcom, but nowadays it has gained cult status — and rightfully so.
Reese Witherspoon's performance as Elle Woods is perfect. She embodies the character in such a unique way; she was truly meant to play this part, and it definitely helped launch her career.
"Legally Blonde" is more than just a chick flick, and I think time has proven that. When it first came out, although it was a huge financial success, received accolades, and became part of pop culture, I still think it was viewed as a film made for young girls — just another comedy centered around romance and not much else. Movies like this one, "Mean Girls" or "Clueless", all proved to be much more than that, establishing legacies that would have been hard to predict 20+ years ago. Rewatching these movies all these years later and realizing how funny, entertaining, and well made they still are is not just a pleasure, but also a testament to their lasting value and legacy.
Film 887 - La rivincita delle bionde
Film 2261 - Legally Blonde
Film 2456 - Legally Blonde
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, Jennifer Coolidge, Holland Taylor, Ali Larter, Oz Perkins, Linda Cardellini, Raquel Welch.
Box Office: $142 million
Worth a watch?: Always a fun watch. If you've never watched it, give it a chance — it's funny, enjoyable, and Reese Witherspoon's performance is iconic..
Awards: 2 Golden Globe nominations for Best Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Actress – Musical or Comedy (Reese Witherspoon). 3 MTV Movie & TV Awards wins (Best Comedic Performance, Best Line, and Best Dressed all for Witherspoon) over 5 nominations (Best Movie, Best Female Performance)
Key word: Perm.
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Bengi

Film 2455 - Get Out

Intro: I actually forgot Niamh and I watched this while in Fuerteventura. This was my homework for the Screenwriting course I took earlier this year, and our lecturer asked us to watch the film and be ready to talk about it for the next class.

Film 2455: "Get Out" (2017), Jordan Peele
Watched: From my laptop
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh
Thoughts: To think that I didn't necessarily love this movie the first time I watched it... is crazy!
The more I rewatch it, the more I enjoy it, really. I think it's such a smart film and script, especially refreshing for when it came out. Daniel Kaluuya's performance is amazing, perfectly summed up by the scene on the couch. And Jordan Peele rightfully won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the twisted, compelling work he did here. The social commentary and irony his story brings up are so well crafted and perfectly executed that "Get Out" is a pleasure to rewatch every time.
Film 1378 - Scappa: Get Out
Film 1625 - Get Out
Film 2455 - Get Out
Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Caleb Landry Jones, Stephen Root, LaKeith Stanfield, Lil Rel Howery, Catherine Keener.
Box Office: $259.8 million
Worth a watch?: A really, really good psychological horror film that should be on everyone's list of movies not to miss.
Awards: 4 Oscar nominations (Best Picture, Director, and Actor for Kaluuya), it won for Best Original Screenplay. 3 BAFTA nominations for (Best Actor in a Leading Role for Kaluuya, Best Original Screenplay) it won for Rising Star (Kaluuya). 2 Golden Globe nominations (Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Kaluuya). 7 nominations at the MTV Movie & TV Awards (Movie of the Year, Best Actor in a Movie, Best Villain, Best Duo, and Best Fight Against the System), it won for Best Comedic Performance (Lil Rel Howery) and Next Generation (Kaluuya). 2 Actor Awards nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role (Kaluuya).
Key word: Photos.
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Bengi

Film 2454 - Wuthering Heights

Intro: Straight to the movies again, this time to watch the talk of the Winter season.

Film 2454: "Wuthering Heights" (2025), Emerald Fennell
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh, Debbi
Thoughts: I love "Promising Young Woman", and I like the boldness of "Saltburn", so I came into this with a naive sense of tranquility. I mean, the reviews weren't spectacular, but considering the many 'controversies' regarding the costumes, the quotation marks, and the actors (two Australians playing British characters), I thought it was more of a PR stunt than an actual issue with the movie. Boy, was I wrong.
I'll be completely honest: I really didn't like this movie. Not from an aesthetic point of view, nor from a purely plot standpoint. I thought it was mostly boring and visually daring just for the sake of it, which is never good.
The costumes didn't make sense to me. I appreciate when a movie goes bold and switches things up visually, but here it all seemed geared toward shock value rather than a genuine stylistic choice. Also—and this is just my personal opinion—I didn't like the costumes per se; they felt like a mix-and-match, not particularly inspired. It seemed like they decided early on that the movie should be daring and provocative, but when it came time to actually plan and execute it, the whole vision fell apart and they had to save face somehow.
Same issue with the interior design: it looks interesting from afar, but the moment you start focusing on the details, things stop making sense—especially in combination with the costumes.
Additionally, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi didn't do it for me. Their accents are all over the place and seem to change from scene to scene.
Personally, I didn't enjoy the plot much either. I was never a fan of the novel, if I'm being honest, so there's definitely some bias on my part.
All in all, I was very disappointed with this movie. It could have been such a cool project; instead, it's a messy patchwork that never fully comes together.
Cast: Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, Martin Clunes, Ewan Mitchell, Owen Cooper.
Box Office: $242 million
Worth a watch?: If you're a fan of Fennell's work, I think you should still watch this. I didn't like it, but this is clearly a very personal interpretation of the story and another entry in her filmography that shouldn't be missed. Personally, I would have preferred a bit more Charli XCX.
Awards: /
Key word: Wedding.
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Bengi

Film 2453 - O Agente Secreto

Intro: Finally back to the movies—it's still Oscars time, and we decide to go and watch this film before it leaves theaters.

Film 2453: "O Agente Secreto" (2025), Kleber Mendonça Filho
Watched: At the movies
Language: Portuguese, German
Watched with: Niamh, Debbi
Thoughts: I haven't seen many Brazilian movies in my life, so it was inevitable that I would compare this one to the one I watched a year ago, which was also nominated for multiple Oscars. The thing is, "O Agente Secreto" is not "Ainda Estou Aqui".
There are things I really enjoyed about this film: Wagner Moura, for one, is amazing. I think I saw him in previous American endeavours like "Elysium" and "Civil War", but I can't really say I remember his performances there. "The Secret Agent" was my real introduction to his work, and my oh my, I was impressed. I knew he didn't have a shot at winning Best Actor at the Oscars, but his is definitely one of my favourite performances from last year.
Furthermore, this is a very compelling story, especially for someone like me with no prior knowledge of Brazilian history. Once you get into the groove of the plot and how it’s told, once you figure out what the whole hairy leg situation is about, you do get invested. And here’s my biggest problem with this film: it's really hard to follow the story.
I know it might sound contradictory considering what I just said, but I found it really, really hard to follow everything that was going on—the time jumps, events I know nothing about, the number of characters, reading between the lines while also keeping up with subtitles, the three Wagner Moura characters... it’s a lot. Not even Debbi—who was born and raised in Brazil and lived there until 2023—knew about the leg thing and had to google it to understand what it meant (apparently it was a form of satire used in newspapers to call out shady police work back in the day, or at least that’s what she told me). I also had to check the plot on Wikipedia afterwards because I wasn’t sure about some parts (I should disclose that I fell asleep at one point, right at the pivotal moment of the sofa conversation where he's recording testimony about Ghirotti's corrupt activities. So yeah, that didn’t help).
Overall, I think "O Agente Secreto" is a good movie, but too chaotic for a story so complex and rich in detail and historical references that I knew nothing about. A more straightforward plotline would have definitely helped me grasp what I was watching without having to rely on the internet for a recap or further explanation. I'm not saying the story should have been simplified for international audiences, but at least for me, a more linear narration would have made a difference. And I know comparisons aren’t always fair, but the emotional impact that "Ainda Estou Aqui" had on me didn’t quite carry over here.
Cast: Wagner Moura, Carlos Francisco, Tânia Maria, Robério Diógenes, Alice Carvalho, Gabriel Leone, Maria Fernanda Cândido, Udo Kier.
Box Office: $22.5 million
Worth a watch?: Not an easy watch. The plot is dense (from Wikipedia: "It follows Armando (Wagner Moura), a former professor caught in political turmoil during the Brazilian military dictatorship, attempting to flee persecution.") and the screenplay doesn’t make it particularly easy to follow what’s going on—or at least that was my experience. Wagner Moura delivers a performance for the ages and proves he’s a superstar.
Awards: 4 Oscar nominations (Best Picture, Actor, Casting, and International Feature Film). 2 BAFTA nominations (Best Original Screenplay and Film Not in the English Language) and 2 Golden Globe wins (Best Foreign Language Film, Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama) over 3 nominations (Best Motion Picture – Drama). Nominated for Best Foreign Film at the 2026 César Awards. The movie competed for the Palme d'Or at Cannes 2025, where it won 4 awards (FIPRESCI Prize, Prix des Cinémas Art et Essai, Best Director, and Best Actor).
Key word: Hairy leg.
Trailer
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Bengi

Film 2452 - Quiz Lady

Intro: Back home after two weeks in Fuerteventura and before going back to the movies, this is the first film I watched.

Film 2452: "Quiz Lady" (2023), Jessica Yu
Watched: From the computer
Language: English
Watched with: Bill
Thoughts: Not groundbreaking, but I enjoyed it. It delivered exactly what I expected (and was looking for).
It’s always nice to see Sandra Oh, she’s a great actress and definitely deserves more roles on both the big and small screen, and here she’s no exception: she’s playing a very different character from what I’ve seen her do in the past. She’s loud and in your face, channelling crazy and unhinged energy. And look, she didn’t reinvent the wheel, but she definitely delivered. Especially next to Awkwafina, who is her exact opposite here. Reserved and invisible, her Anne gives off almost on-the-spectrum energy, especially when it’s time to play the game and answer all the questions.
Again, "Quiz Lady" isn’t giving anything we haven’t seen before, but the great chemistry between the two leads keeps the boat afloat, and it works.
Cast: Awkwafina, Sandra Oh, Paul Reubens, Jason Schwartzman, Holland Taylor, Tony Hale, Jonnie Park, Will Ferrell.
Box Office: /
Worth a watch?: I think this TV movie is a good vehicle for both Awkwafina’s and Sandra Oh’s talent, and if you like these two actresses, then this film is definitely for you. For everyone else, "Quiz Lady" is a fun enough ride that delivers some enjoayble moments and works as good, lighthearted entertainment.
Awards: It won Outstanding Television Movie at the 2024 Emmy Awards, securing Awkwafina and Sandra Oh (on her 14th nomination!) finally that Emmy win.
Key word: Linguini.
Trailer
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Bengi

Film 2451 - Angels & Demons

Intro: Last Fuerteventura movie before we came back to our everyday life in Dublin. Another Netflix pick.

Film 2451: "Angels & Demons" (2009), Ron Howard
Watched: From the laptop
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh
Thoughts: This was always my favourite of the three movies inspired by Dan Brown's book, but now that I've seen it again... I don't know anymore. I mean, I still find it entertaining and I LOVE Hans Zimmer's soundtrack, but overall, "Angels & Demons" isn't as great as I remember it to be. To be honest, after rewatching the first one right before watching this one, I have to admit some details of the two plots kinda merged together, and I couldn't tell the two movies apart anymore. The Church is still involved, Silas (Paul Bettany) and the Camerlengo (Ewan McGregor) almost feel like the same character, and because of the nature of the two stories (a race against time, the amount of plot twists and clues), there really are similarities between "The Da Vinci Code" and this film. Plus, the plot involving the Camerlengo is so absurd that it's hard to keep a straight face.
Anyway, for what it is, "Angels & Demons" is still an enjoyable, crazy (helicopter) ride.
Film 2448 - The Da Vinci Code
Film 81 - Angeli e demoni
Film 1287 - Angeli e demoni
Film 2451 - Angels & Demons
Film 1237 - Inferno
Cast: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer, Stellan Skarsgård, Pierfrancesco Favino, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Armin Mueller-Stahl.
Box Office: $485.9 million
Worth a watch?: If you like Dan Brown's books and/or enjoyed the previous film, this one is still a decent enough watch—something that cannot be said about the third, awful movie of this trilogy.
Awards: /
Key word: Tongue.
Trailer
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Bengi

Film 2450 - Mamma Mia!

Intro: Another evening in Fuerteventura, another movie at Debbi's. This time the trio reunited for dinner, and we decided to watch a movie that we all love (and that was available on Netflix).

Film 2450: "Mamma Mia!" (2008), Phyllida Lloyd
Watched: From the TV
Language: English
Watched with: Debbi, Niamh
Thoughts: Lately, musicals have been a hit or miss for me, but there are some that I can always go back to and enjoy. "Mamma Mia!" is one of them.
It's not perfect by any means. I think some of the shots are clunky, and the heavy use of green screen really takes you out of it in some scenes, but overall the music is great and the cast is fantastic, so it's an extremely enjoyable experience. More so than its sequel anyway.
Meryl Streep is a perfect Donna, and I think she has great chemistry with both Amanda Seyfried and her two bandmates (Julie Walters and Christine Baranski). In general, the female cast is a step above everybody else. The energy they bring and the fun they're having together transcend the screen and really reach the audience—it's contagious. Even more so if you know the songs: try not to sing along!
From a technical point of view, I think the movie could have been a bit "cleaner," but it compensates for its clumsiness with charismatic energy, wit, and a lot of fun.
Ps. I've been taking a Screenwriting class at the Lir Academy lately, and our lecturer asked us to come up with a couple of loglines for movies we had watched in the past. I picked "Weapons" and "Mamma Mia!", so I thought I'd include the one I wrote for this movie here:

A young woman planning her wedding on a small island in Greece decides to invite her three possible fathers to the celebration without telling her free-spirited mother. Things get complicated when the three men arrive at the same time, each believing he might be her father.

Film 1664 - Mamma Mia!
Film 1705 - Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Film 2450 - Mamma Mia!
Cast: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Julie Walters, Dominic Cooper, Amanda Seyfried, Christine Baranski.
Box Office: $706.4 million
Worth a watch?: If you love musicals, or this one specifically, "Mamma Mia!" the movie adaptation is good fun and shouldn't be missed. If musicals are not your thing... then it's better to leave it.
Awards: 3 nominations at the 2009 BAFTAs for Outstanding British Film, Best Film Music, and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. 2 Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical (Meryl Streep) and 1 Razzie Award win for Worst Supporting Actor (Pierce Brosnan). The movie was nominated for 1 Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media and Best Breakthrough Female Performance (Amanda Seyfried) at the MTV Movie & TV Awards.
Key word: Wedding.
Trailer
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Bengi