Film 2499 - The Odyssey

Intro: Back in July I was supposed to go and watch this movie at the Irish Film Institute -- my first time there. I booked my ticket for the 70mm IMAX show (because that's how the director intended the audience to watch the movie) but karma had a different plan in mind.
A few days before the show, my sight went double and I got hospitalized for a while to run some tests. I got discharged on the day I was supposed to go and see this movie and, obviously, I couldn't make it. It took another week before my sight went back to normal and only at that stage did I decide to give this movie another try. No more IMAX experience tho, just the regular one.

Film 2499: "The Odyssey" (2026), directed by Christopher Nolan
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh
Thoughts: I think it was important to explain what happened to me before I went to see this movie because the issue with my eyes had an impact on my perception of this film.
I'll start with the positives: I think "The Odyssey" is masterfully crafted and shot and, overall, it is indeed a cinematic experience. Possibly the true definition of a movie event -- more so than the new Spider-man, which is part of a massive franchise and extremely recognizable IP -- Nolan's new epic adventure dominated the mainstream conversation for weeks (ahead of and after its release) and took the box office by storm. In this regard, this is truly an amazing feat, considering how hard it is to bring people to the theaters nowadays, even more so if it's a film not attached to any previous franchise or saga and, like in this case, it's taken from an epic poem based on ancient Greek literature.
In this scenario, I think Nolan would play the intellectual property: he's one of the most recognizable and successful directors of our time and all his movies have seen an insane amount of success (box office and award-wise). So it comes as no surprise that people would be immediately interested in seeing his new movie, not to mention the follow-up to "Oppenheimer", the film that won Nolan the Academy Award for Best Director. Add in the insane amount of Hollywood A-listers that are playing big and small roles here and... I think it comes as no surprise that people were quite interested in checking "The Odyssey" out. Me included.
All of this taken into account and digested... it's time for me to admit that I didn't particularly like this film. For a variety of reasons. Maybe a list would make it easier, so here we go:

1. The reviews. As we know, good reviews create expectations. This film got crazy good ones, so I was expecting to be blown away, almost like my life was meant to be changed by this masterpiece. Needless to say, this had an impact on me.
2. I struggled to follow. I didn't know the story well enough from the get-go: I knew bits and pieces, but not the whole thing, and I have to admit I struggled to follow the story quite a lot, especially at the beginning. It's like I couldn't get into the story's rhythm. The many characters, the amount of dialogue, the time jumps, the unfamiliarity with the source material... So much to take in so quickly, and I felt like I had no time to process what was shown to me, nor was I given enough tools to follow along. As a non-English native speaker, I am aware that this isn't necessarily the movie's fault but, still, I think the story is a bit confusing. And this gets me to the next point.
3. The time jumps. I have no issues with a story jumping back and forth in time, but I believe it should be signaled somehow. I feel like here it's very much left to the viewer to realise where exactly in the story we are. There's no added text on the screen to signal location or time and -- what I found to be the most shocking part -- there's no real progression (or regression) of time visually. Or at least that was my perception. Anne Hathaway looks always the same throughout the whole 10 years this story covers, Tom Holland never loses his baby face and if it wasn't for Matt Damon's beard, I don't think I would have gotten any indication that some time had passed between the scenes. So confusing.
4. The characters. There are way too many. I realize that the source material has even more, but even as a movie adaptation that runs for 173 minutes there's way too much going on that cannot be addressed properly and in full.
5. The dialogue. This is what bothers me the most about "The Odyssey", especially because it's such a long movie: the dialogue is constantly rushed. Two things in particular stood out to me: a) there's never time to sit with what the characters have just said and b) the back and forth between characters is so fast that sometimes their answers feel unnatural because of how quickly they banter with each other. If something is said to a person that has an impact on them, you would expect them to take a moment to process that information and then react accordingly. Here there's none of that: the first line is said, then immediately we get a reply, then the subsequent reply and so on. And once the conversation is over, off we go to the next scene with no time to process what we just heard and watched.
6. The pace (aka editing). This doesn't refer to the whole movie, but sometimes the film jumps from one scene to the next in such a rush that -- yep, you guessed it -- there's no time to take in what was just shown.
7. Sound and visual effects. This could be just me because of my personal issue, but I thought everything was amped up to the maximum: the volume is crazy loud and some scenes show intense lights or flashing that I found so overwhelming I had to close my eyes and disengage for a moment. The sound especially I thought was too loud and overpowering.

So, because of these reasons, I really struggled with "The Odyssey". Technically, it is quite impressive and I love how much of the marketing campaign revolved around the behind-the-scenes and the technical skills that went into creating this film. I think it's so refreshing to put the artistry that made it all possible front and center, use it to draw people in and make them curious to catch this film at the cinema. That said, I won't lie: I miss sci-fi Nolan. I miss intricate plots and plot twists, I miss space and dream sequences, magicians and superheroes. I loved "Dunkirk" but wasn't super fond of "Oppenheimer" and I feel like this new entry follows a very similar path to these two previous movies, but in a way that has further taken away the fun and excitement that used to come with a new Christopher Nolan film. I mean, don't get me wrong, people are still extremely excited every time this director adds a new creation to his filmography -- me included -- and I'm still gonna go and see whatever he comes out with next, but I am a bit nostalgic for that era when a new Christopher Nolan movie meant new world building, the creation of the impossible and an original story that would take you on a journey.
Ps. It's pretty early to say, but I think it's safe to say that this movie will do great at next year's Oscars. Maybe it won't win it all, but definitely the technical categories are locked, possibly even Best Director for Nolan.
Cast: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Samantha Morton, John Leguizamo, Jon Bernthal, Himesh Patel, Bill Irwin, Elliot Page, Benny Safdie, Corey Hawkins, Mia Goth, James Remar, Travis Scott, Zendaya, Charlize Theron.
Box Office: $1.721 billion (as of today)
Worth a watch?: Definitely not my favourite Nolan movie, it doesn't even make the top 10 to be honest. It's long, loud, overly stuffed and a bit overwhelming at times, but just because it didn't work for me, it doesn't mean it's a bad movie or you shouldn't give it a go (if you didn't already). And especially because this film was so successful and drove much of this Summer's movie conversation, I'd suggest you make your own idea about it.
Awards: /
Key word: Zeus's law.
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Bengi

Film 2497 - They Will Kill You

Intro: I was really curious to see this one, but when it came out in theaters, I didn't make it in time to go and watch it. Being 2026, the year of the horror renaissance, I couldn't possibly leave this one behind. So, a few weeks ago, I decided to give it a go.

Film 2497: "They Will Kill You" (2026), directed by Kirill Sokolov
Watched: From the projector
Language: English
Watched with: No one
Thoughts: I think this movie is full of ideas, and some of them are really good, but towards the end, the story takes such a turn that it ruins the ending a bit for me.
I'll be honest, overall I enjoyed "They Will Kill You": it's bold and very creative, and it has the guts to tell a completely new story in such a unique way, combining elements from horror and thriller, sci-fi and comedy for an overall result that is a crazy ride. And if you like it, what an actual ride it is! It's not perfect, though. I think there is a tonal shift towards the second half of the movie that messes up the vibe a bit, but I appreciate the effort in delivering something new, especially in such a stacked year for horror films.
That said, the ending is where "They Will Kill You" lost me. The cult plot twist is fine -- I mean, not groundbreaking, but it's fun -- and when you mix this element with the fact that its members are immortal and keep on resurrecting... it's actually fun to watch.
My issue is the (real) villain of the story and the fight between him and our main protagonist: it's such a weird scene to watch and, without giving too much away, I think the visual effects are not up to par and, in general, this bit of the story is so over the top that it actually took me out of it. It looks so obviously computer-generated, and what's at stake is so out of the ordinary that I disengaged a bit. Not to mention that the skin part confused me a bit.
All in all, though, this movie surprised me. I went into it without knowing anything about it, with no expectations whatsoever and, yeah, I had fun. It's a combination of so many other movies blended together that it comes out the other side like something new.
Cast: Zazie Beetz, Myha'la, Paterson Joseph, James Remar, Angus Sampson, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, Patricia Arquette.
Box Office: $19.4 million
Worth a watch?: Definitely not a film for everyone, it's extremely violent and filled with dark humor. But if you enjoy films like "Kill Bill", "Ready or Not" and its sequel, or even "Rosemary's Baby", this one could actually work for you. Visually, it's very interesting, Zazie Beetz and Patricia Arquette banter off each other perfectly and, overall, the movie is such a crazy ride that, if you're into it, you end up having fun. For what it is, I enjoyed it.
Awards: /
Key word: Sister.
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Bengi

Film 2496 - The 'Burbs

Intro: I started watching the TV show that is based on this movie a while ago and got curious. So, once I finished the show, I decided to give the OG film a go.

Film 2496: "The 'Burbs" (1989), directed by Joe Dante
Watched: From the projector
Language: English
Watched with: No one
Thoughts: I'll be honest, I had never heard of this film before, which is a bit strange considering Tom Hanks is in it. In Italian, the movie is called "L'erba del vicino" and even that didn't ring a bell, so I went in completely unaware of what to expect. I mean, to a certain extent, considering "The 'Burbs" TV series is based on it, but we all know remakes tend to differ quite a bit from the original material, so I was definitely expecting differences and changes to the plot, the first one being that the main character here is a man, whereas in the series it's a woman (Keke Palmer).
Differences from the original material aside -- there are, but not to the point that the main idea is different: the shady neighbors remain, the mystery behind everyone's door and how everyone keeps a secret is still there -- I have to admit I enjoyed the TV series more. Obviously, this movie is from the late 80s, so it's more rooted in the culture of the time. So is the humor and the execution of the mystery, which to me felt like the weakest point of the whole "The 'Burbs" experience. I know this isn't a horror movie, so it's OK that there aren't scary moments, but considering how the sketchy neighbors plotline is portrayed, I was expecting a little bit of... fright?
Instead, after spending so much time dissecting the mystery, the whole thing resolves in such a hurry that, as a viewer, I wasn't sure the story was actually done. Which felt quite strange, to be honest.
In this sense, I think this movie is a product of its time: it utilises a different visual language that I'm not sure fully works nowadays. The resolution of the story is explained rather than shown, and you get to know what the whole mystery was mostly through dialogue and what is said afterwards, rather than seeing it on the screen.
Aside from this, though, I can't say I didn't enjoy this trip to "The 'Burbs". It's a fun enough ride, and I can understand why it is now considered a cult classic: the characters are all over the top, the shady neighborhood is a fascinating idea, and Tom Hanks gives a quirky performance that is quite unusual for him. On top of that, Carrie Fisher -- the icon that she is -- plays his wife, and the movie was shot on the same set that would later be used to create Wisteria Lane from the (iconic) show "Desperate Housewives", so I totally see the appeal.
So, all in all, I think the TV series spoke to me more, but I still enjoyed Joe Dante's crazy ride to the suburbs.
Cast: Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher, Rick Ducommun, Corey Feldman, Wendy Schaal.
Box Office: $49.1 million
Worth a watch?: If you watched the recent TV series, I'd say go ahead and watch this film to fully commit. The same applies to the opposite scenario: if you loved this movie in the past, I think Peacock's series is worth the watch, even just to compare the two products and see how they apply to the time period they were released in.
Awards: /
Key word: Furnace.
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Bengi

Film 2494 - Predator: Badlands

Intro: I didn't get the chance to see this film when it came out later last year and, to be honest, I kinda forgot about it. Then, a couple of months ago, somehow I remembered its existence and decided to give it a go.

Film 2494: "Predator: Badlands" (2025), directed by Dan Trachtenberg
Watched: On the computer
Language: English
Watched with: No one
Thoughts: I've never been a massive "Predator" fan, but I've watched enough entries in the franchise to be able to say that I really like the new direction they're going for. And it's mainly thanks to Dan Trachtenberg, who directed both this film and "Prey", the previous one from 2022.
What I enjoy the most about these movies is that the character of Predator is the main focus of the story in a way that's unconventional for the genre. Other franchises like "Alien", "Halloween" or "A Nightmare on Elm Street" have the bad guy - or alien, in this case - simply being the main antagonist. There's not much character development, and they are usually not what the story focuses on, but rather a mechanism that serves the plot and scares the viewer. But not here.
"Prey" before and "Predator: Badlands" now put the title character at the center of their plot. Here especially, we get to spend time with what traditionally would have been the villain of the story: Predator has to prove to its dad that he can hunt the apex predator and, to do that, it travels to a different planet and sets the story into motion. It's such a refreshing perspective!
Not only this, but the movie is actually good. Considering how few characters the story puts together and the limitations of having your lead not speak any human language, it's quite impressive how the screenplay is able to smoothly move things forward in an engaging and cinematic way. I especially like how many visual cues are used to progress the plot - the spit thing above anything else for me - and how much world-building has gone into creating this film. And it all plays out well in the end, because the film is engaging, visually interesting and never boring. For a standalone product like this, the world and character creation is quite impressive.
If I had to find something negative to say, Elle Fanning's character could be the weak link for me. Not because she's not good in the film, but mainly because her character does most of the talking - sometimes it could be a bit much - and because Fanning plays two roles here and, although it's understandable why, it would have been nice to have seen another human face.
All in all, I really enjoyed "Predator: Badlands" and, together with its predecessor, I think it's an impressive entry in the world of this franchise.
Film 2134 - Prey
Film 2494 - Predator: Badlands
Film 1707 - The Predator
Cast: Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Reuben de Jong, Mike Homik, Alison Wright.
Box Office: $184.6 million
Worth a watch?: If you liked "Prey", you'll definitely like this one! It's unfortunate this film didn't make enough of a splash at the box office to spawn more movies -- although the animated anthology film "Predator: Killer of Killers" was released on Hulu/Disney+ in June last year, just before "Badlands" hit theaters in November.
It's a good sci-fi film that takes the franchise in a new direction that is both refreshing and entertaining. Watch it and you'll see.
Awards: /
Key word: Spit.
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Bengi

Film 2491 - Fall

Intro: I was aware of this movie, but it never crossed my mind to watch it. Then recently I came across this film again and said to myself, why did I never watch it? It had all the elements that I would enjoy, so one evening I decided to give it a go.

Film 2491: "Fall" (2022), Scott Mann
Watched: From the computer
Language: English
Watched with: No one
Thoughts: I'll admit I was expecting a bit more, but overall I enjoyed "Fall".
A few elements stood out to me:

- Conceiving an engaging story that is set in one tiny, confined location for 2/3 of its runtime is quite impressive.
- The 610-meter-high television broadcasting tower shown here - which I thought was ridiculously tall to actually be real - is based on the real 625-meter-high KXTV/KOVR tower in Walnut Grove, California, United States. Once I realized a similar structure actually exists, my perception of this movie and its believability radically shifted.
- The height element is the real driving force of this story. Whether you're afraid of heights or not, it's undeniable that this movie is able to capitalize on this visual element to produce a continuous adrenaline boost that runs throughout the story. Without it, "Fall" wouldn't be as effective or have much else that would make it stand out. Remove the broadcasting tower and this is just another survival story, as we've seen many times before portrayed on the big screen.

All of this said, the downside is that the big plot twist at the end isn't as creative as the rest of the story. I mean, I didn't necessarily see it coming, yet it felt like a cheap twist timed to give the main character one last challenge to face.
And speaking of challenges - although I understand that the particular setting of the story made it, in a way, necessary - I thought the script gave its main protagonists way too many obstacles to overcome. The constant twists and turns the story pulls out get more and more frustrating as time goes by. I often found myself wondering: "And now what?" Obviously, it shouldn't be too easy to get rescued from the tower or there would be no story to tell, but the way the story persists in presenting new life-threatening or emotionally stressful plot points (the shoe, the drone, the flare gun, the injuries, the vulture, the cheating) compromised the overall enjoyment of this film for me. Not totally, as I still had a good time overall, but I wish there were fewer twists so that the story would feel less packed and flow slightly better.
Ps. A sequel, "Fall 2: Deadpoint", is coming out this September.
Cast: Grace Caroline Currey, Virginia Gardner, Mason Gooding, Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
Box Office: $21.8 million
Worth a watch?: If you're scared of heights, this is either the film that will get you over it or send you over the edge. I could barely handle it, to be honest, but I enjoyed how much "Fall" had me on the edge of my seat. Up to you to decide if you're up to the task.
Awards: /
Key word: 1-4-3.
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Bengi

Film 2480 - La città proibita

Intro: I had never heard of this film before the 2026 David di Donatello nominations came out. And even after that, I didn't think much of it. It was when it won Best Visual Effects that it actually caught my attention. I wouldn't say Italian cinema is known for its bombastic, over-the-top yet realistic visual effects, so the three wins - and specifically this one - at the David awards pushed me to learn a bit more about the movie and, eventually, I decided to watch it.

Film 2480: "La città proibita" (2025), Gabriele Mainetti
Watched: On the projector
Language: Italian, Mandarin
Watched with: No one
Thoughts: I really, really liked this movie.
First of all, you can tell the production budget was big enough to allow the filmmakers to fully realize the vision behind the story and really commit to it. "La città proibita" combines two cultures clashing together in a modern melting pot that results in distinctive color tones, aesthetics (fighting scenes included) and just the right amount of clichés to poke fun at. Also, I love that this story isn't confined to a single genre, but instead expands its scope across several: it's a martial arts film with mafia elements, action, romance and drama, with a little bit of comedy sprinkled on top. What a treat.
I was a bit surprised by how much I enjoyed this ride, I have to admit. Going into it, I didn't know what to expect, and I'm usually not the biggest fan of Netflix productions or modern Italian films. But "La città proibita" exceeds expectations and delivers an action-packed story that also manages to touch on deeper narrative elements (human exploitation, immigration, abuse, personal life goals, cultural clash, acceptance and, of course, family and romance) in a way that feels very unique thanks to its tone, dry style and humor. Needless to say, I was very impressed.
And maybe I shouldn't have been: Gabriele Mainetti has become one of the darlings of Italian cinema over the past decade and is possibly one of the most exciting film directors currently working we have back home, and this outing proves it once again.
If I had to pick something negative to say about it, it would be the big final plot twist. I think it comes a bit too late into the game, and the fact that Luca Zingaretti's character is barely in the movie until the end kind of gives away that there's still more to come involving him, considering how big of a movie star he is back home. It's like, why would Zingaretti agree to be part of this film if his character has so little impact on the story? Unless there's more to it that the audience doesn't expect while watching the story unfold... To me, this gave away the final twist a little bit, and I wish they had found a way to incorporate his story arc more organically throughout the whole film.
Apart from this, this film was a nice summer surprise: it has great energy, its own visual style, an amazing ensemble cast - Yaxi Liu does an amazing job considering she basically doesn't have any lines in Italian and her whole presence has to be conveyed through facial and physical expressions, while Sabrina Ferilli is just perfectly cast here - and it's an overall excellent cinematic experience. Controversial considering its themes and dramatic elements, but can I say I had a lot of fun watching "La città proibita"?
Cast: Enrico Borello, Yaxi Liu, Marco Giallini, Sabrina Ferilli, Chunyu Shanshan, Luca Zingaretti.
Box Office: $1,820,645
Worth a watch?: Polished Italian cinema at its finest; it's the best you can get from a Netflix production made back home. I had a great time, I think the story is engaging and well told, the production value is excellent, and Mainetti's direction really elevates the action scenes. And the film explores extremely heavy themes like human trafficking, sexual exploitation and immigration in a distinctive and unusual—but successful, especially for Italian cinema—way. Not your typical martial arts film, and definitely one you should check out.
Awards: 8 David di Donatello (Best Director, Editing, Music, Sound, Costume Design) and 3 wins for Best Visual Effects, Cinematography, and Production Design.
Key word: Restaurant.
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Bengi

Film 2470 - 30 notti con il mio ex

Intro: Still in Italy, I was looking for something to watch on the one evening I decided to spend at home. I was scrolling through Netflix, unsure what to watch, and found this. The last time I watched a new Italian movie was ages ago, so I decided to give it a go. To feel a bit like I still belong.

Film 2470: "30 notti con il mio ex" (2025), Guido Chiesa
Watched: From the TV
Language: Italian
Watched with: No one
Thoughts: I think the idea behind this story works and the potential is there, but I didn't fully buy the overall execution.
Bruno (Edoardo Leo) lives with his teenage daughter, with whom he struggles to connect. His ex-wife (Micaela Ramazzotti) comes back into the picture when she spends 30 days with them before being able to return to the real world now that her mental health treatment has concluded. I thought this premise was intriguing and could definitely set up an interesting story for all the characters involved, which it does to a certain extent. Being back together as a family is initially a struggle, but then things seem to work once again and, inevitably, feelings resurface and it all gets messy again. I'm fine with the story; I think it certainly doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it does a decent job of portraying a realistic scenario of what it would look like if a situation similar to the one depicted here happened in real life.
The issue for me lies with the ending, a classic cliffhanger that doesn't really work here. I'm not sure if this choice of ending the movie this way was intentional or just a replica of the Argentinian film this movie is inspired by ("30 noches con mi ex" by Adrián Suar), but it really bothered me. You've invested a couple of hours in this story, these characters, their lives and struggles, and how they finally start to cope with the new setup they're in and... the story ends. Caput. No more. Go home.
I'm sure this is supposed to be the movie's way of letting you decide for yourself what happens to these people, but it's actually just extremely frustrating. I really, really don't like open endings and, for a movie like this one, an alleged romcom, it is possibly the worst way to end your story. Or rather, not end it at all.
Ending aside, I appreciated Edoardo Leo's performance. To me, it was the one most grounded in reality. Micaela Ramazzotti is an extremely gifted actress, but here I felt she was basically giving off the same character vibes as the one she previously played in "La pazza gioia". Additionally, the whimsical, slightly frantic way she plays Terry started to get on my nerves after a while. You'd expect her character to grow and change as the story progresses, but there's a child-like quality to her that never really goes away, and I thought it felt unnecessary once Terry starts to regain her confidence and reconnect with her family.
I think I was expecting "30 notti con il mio ex" to be something different, maybe more comedic and lighthearted than it actually is. Which is obviously fine, but possibly not what I was looking for at that moment. That said, I still believe this could have been a better movie with a different ending, fewer dead moments, and a more grounded portrayal of mental illness, recovery, and reconnecting with the world and your loved ones.
Cast: Edoardo Leo, Micaela Ramazzotti, Gloria Harvey, Claudio Colica, Francesca Valtorta, Matteo Scattaretico, Anna Bonaiuto.
Box Office: $1,552,852
Worth a watch?: Not a romcom, more a dramedy... maybe? I didn't necessarily laugh, but there are definitely lighter moments. The ending was a big no-no for me. Overall, if you enjoy Italian movies, this is definitely not the worst one you could watch, but not the best either. It's more middle of the way for me.
Awards: /
Key word: Mental illness.
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Bengi

Film 2468 - The Running Man

Intro: A month ago I went back to Italy and stayed for three days at my cousin's in Igea Marina. The second night I was there we decided to watch a movie and eat piadina, and this is what the streaming platform could offer in terms of entertainment. Not necessarily what I would have watched otherwise, but one of the best options available anyway.

Film 2468: "The Running Man" (2025), Edgar Wright
Watched: From the TV
Language: Italian
Watched with: Fre, Giamma
Thoughts: I mean, I heard it wasn't good and that it flopped hard at the box office last year (this movie cost $110 million just to produce), but I didn't expect it to be bad, in a way. I love Edgar Wright's previous movies like "Hot Fuzz", "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World", "Last Night in Soho" and especially "Baby Driver", so I was sure he could deliver a decent film. Additionally, this story is an adaptation of a Stephen King novel, so overall this whole "The Running Man" experience seemed to have potential.
Reality is, there's just too much going on here to be enjoyable. The pace is so fast that there's barely any time to process what you've just watched before the story immediately pushes you to the next plot point. And it doesn't help that the screenplay throws so much at you that it's almost impossible to let it all sink in. It's simply overcrowded.
It also doesn't help that this is far too similar to things we've seen before and seen done better: "The Hunger Games" franchise, "1984", "Squid Game", and, more recently, "The Long Walk" (also adapted from a Stephen King novel) immediately come to mind. It's clear that this movie has potential; the idea is there and so is part of the execution, but overall it feels too overcrowded with characters and plot points, resulting in a story that somehow feels both half-baked and overlong. I wonder how it would have worked if this movie had been split into two separate films that actually took the time to tell the story properly, slowing down the pace and allowing us to sit with the characters, what they go through, and how they react to the environment they're immersed in.
Unfortunately that isn't the case, and what we're left with is a fast-paced science-fiction action film that includes dystopian elements while barely addressing the implications of its own themes: social inequality, privacy, voyeurism, and the extent one would go to achieve their goals.
On a personal side note, it's impossible not to notice how Glen Powell's career seems to be losing momentum rather quickly. He's not a bad actor by any means, and he's clearly a perfect fit for a product like this, but I think his recent flops ("The Blue Angels", "How to Make a Killing" and this one) are testament to how willing Hollywood is to bet everything on a new face before they've had the time to prove their value. Again, this isn't a dig at Powell, who does a decent job here, but rather what I consider an interesting example of how quickly things evolve in the world of cinema and how it's becoming harder and rarer to find new actors capable of reaching that A-list status which, back in the day, almost guaranteed box-office success and long-term career stability.
Cast: Glen Powell, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Katy O'Brian, Sean Hayes, Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin.
Box Office: $69 million
Worth a watch?: It's not so bad that it's unwatchable, but it's definitely not a good movie. Everything happens too fast, there's no time to process any information before we jump to the next scene, and it's overcrowded with characters. There's potential in there and the main idea behind the story is interesting, but the consequences and implications of having to survive on a lethal reality television show aren't fully addressed. Instead, the spectacle overshadows any meaningful commentary on relevant issues, which are only explored at a very surface level.
Awards: /
Key word: Flu medicine.
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Bengi

Film 2466 - Bring Her Back

Intro: I remember watching the trailer and thinking I really wanted to see this movie. Then I never actually got around to it when it was out in theaters. So, one evening when my twink boy was at mine, we decided to give it a go.

Film 2466: "Bring Her Back" (2025), Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou
Watched: From the computer
Language: English
Watched with: Bill
Thoughts: I surely enjoyed it, but I wouldn't say I'd watch it again anytime soon. Reality is, I had big expectations for this one because it was Danny and Michael Philippou's follow-up movie (and only their second overall) after the unexpectedly good "Talk to Me". I say unexpectedly only because I knew nothing about that film and watched it on a whim, not because no one expected it to be good, mind you. Anyway, with this one I definitely had expectations, which we all know what that means. "Bring Her Back" is a decent horror story supported by an amazing Sally Hawkins performance. I would say she carries the whole movie herself, but that wouldn't be entirely true, as her younger co-stars are quite good as well. Sora Wong and Billy Barratt work well off each other, and you'd believe they're actually step-siblings; Jonah Wren Phillips undergoes a physical transformation for the ages, and at such a young age the visual result is absolutely impressive. What I would consider the weakest link of "Bring Her Back" is the plot. It delivers the conventional horror scares, but the mystery behind it all is fairly easy to figure out by the midpoint. From then on, the story lost me a little, in the sense that I was more interested in seeing whether my theories were correct than actually following along and enjoying the movie. I think if you've seen a fair share of horror movies before, it's not too difficult to figure out what's cooking before the screenplay decides to tell you. I understand it's hard nowadays to deliver a truly original story—especially in the horror genre—so I wasn't too bothered by it, but I remember thinking about it while watching the film, and that feeling has stayed with me since. Especially now that I've seen "Obsession" twice and "Backrooms", two of the most successful horror movies of all time, both of which came out almost back-to-back. And with "Weapons" and "Sinners" making such a splash last year, both culturally and at the Oscars, it's impossible not to keep that in mind when checking out other horror films.
Cast: Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, Jonah Wren Phillips, Sally Hawkins.
Box Office: $39.1 million
Worth a watch?: Solid enough, but not the most original horror movie I've seen recently. If you liked "Talk to Me", give this one a go..
Awards: /
Key word: Grapefruit.
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Bengi

Film 2465 - Lee Cronin's The Mummy

Intro: God love a movie about ancient Egypt, pyramids, mummies and old curses. So when I heard about this film - from an Irish director, nonetheless! - I couldn't wait to go to the movies to see it!

Film 2465: "Lee Cronin's The Mummy" (2026), Lee Cronin
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh
Thoughts: Ok, let's be honest here: I didn't have big expectations for this one. I mean, I do have a fascination with ancient Egypt, I always have, so stories like this one are always a go for me. That said, I have to admit that, given the production budget ($22 million), the lack of star power (Jack Reynor is really the only recognizable face for English-speaking audiences) and the very demure marketing approach, I was expecting "Lee Cronin's The Mummy" to be an absolute abomination of a movie. And don't get me wrong, it isn't great, but it's also better than I expected, which genuinely surprised me.
First of all, the scope of the story is surprisingly big: we start in Egypt - first Aswan, then Cairo - before moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico. We move around, we chase some people, we relocate... and none of the locations ever feel cheap. It's not just an ugly green screen and a fake background. So I was quite impressed. Additionally, the visual effects aren't too bad and really help convey the story and its visual elements, especially when it comes to the little girl turning into the mummy (no spoilers here, it's literally on the movie's poster). I mean, you can tell they had to keep an eye on the budget, because some elements of the story are simply told to the audience rather than shown, but I understand the limitations and respect the effort. With what they had, they did a great job.
But I was mostly impressed with Lee Cronin. I have no idea who this man is, but he managed to:

• Put his name on the poster before the title of the movie in true horror style - I mean, I'm sure it was mainly because of trademark reasons, but hey, it is what it is.
• Secure funding for this crazy story about a cursed girl who turns into a mummy, possesses her siblings and, together, they desecrate their grandmother's corpse. Not the easiest pitch to sell to a studio.
• Produce this movie on a decent budget, put it out there and even open to $13.5 million and #3 at the American box office!

I mean, good for him! He had a vision and stood by it, and I respect that. Again, the movie isn't a masterpiece, but after considering all of the above, I have to admit that the whole operation behind "Lee Cronin's The Mummy" leaves a different impression. More than that, I'm glad that so many original stories are making their way to the big screen lately, and this is just another example of a (moderately) successful original IP that serves its purpose: telling a new story, entertaining its audience and providing a good time. And a good time I had.
Cast: Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, May Calamawy, Natalie Grace, Verónica Falcón, Hayat Kamille.
Box Office: $90 million
Worth a watch?: I've seen better movies, but I've also definitely seen worse. The story works well enough up until the end, when the whole ritual just sort of happens and you're not quite sure how or why. But I mean, do we really need to know? No. You can perfectly enjoy the crazy ride that is "Lee Cronin's The Mummy" and move on with your life without any problem.
Awards: /
Key word: Nectarine.
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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 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 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 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 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.
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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.
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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.
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Bengi

Film 2449 - People We Meet on Vacation

Intro: We're still in Fuerteventura and the girls have joined us on the island. Petra & Rebecca are on one side of the main village, while Debbi's accommodation is right next to ours. So on Monday, since Niamh had her college course, I went over to her's to watch a movie and have dinner together.

Film 2449: "People We Meet on Vacation" (2026), Brett Haley
Watched: From the TV
Language: English
Watched with: Debbi
Thoughts: I didn't know what to expect with this one. I didn't know the story, nor the book this is taken from, so I went in with low expectations and the hope that I would at least have a decent time. And look, to be fair, I did have a decent time at the beginning.
"People We Meet on Vacation" is your classic Netflix romcom that you watch and forget about the next day. There's nothing remarkable about it: the aesthetic is perfectly clean and glamorous, with no hint of real life anywhere. Everyone seems to be either rich or somehow gravitating towards a luxurious lifestyle, considering the way the characters are dressed and the locations they’re placed in. And of course, most of the romantic moments happen in what could easily be a postcard backdrop. But no one was really aiming for realism here.
Once you make peace with that and focus on the plot... oh jeez. If I had to summarize what happens in this movie, I'm not sure I'd be able to remember anything beyond the classic 'will they won't they' cliché. They're just friends, but secretly they're made for each other and obviously already in love, except the timing never seems to work in their favour. Eventually, towards the end, they find a way to finally **(I don't think it's a) SPOILER** make it happen for themselves. They are in love, all is good in the world, and we can move on because really, who in their right mind didn’t expect the plot to go exactly like this? Nobody.

Cast: Emily Bader, Tom Blyth, Sarah Catherine Hook, Lucien Laviscount, Miles Heizer, Jameela Jamil, Lukas Gage, Molly Shannon, Alan Ruck.
Box Office: /
Worth a watch?: Predictable and not memorable enough for any other qualities to make it stand out, "People We Meet on Vacation" is a good enough option for a night of brainless escapism, but not much else. Also, sorry to say, but I wasn’t impressed by Emily Bader's performance in the lead.
Awards: /
Key word: Ohio.
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Bengi

Film 2443 - The Long Walk

Intro: I didn't even know this movie existed before randomly watching a TikTok about the best movies that came out last year. This film was highly ranked and praised, so I was interested in giving it a go.

Film 2443: "The Long Walk" (2025), Francis Lawrence
Watched: From the computer
Language: English
Watched with: Luke
Thoughts: There are a lot of adaptations of a Stephen King's novel out there, and not all of them are good. This one is.
The idea behind this story is simple and effective: a group of teenage boys compete in an annual contest known as "The Long Walk," in which they must maintain a certain walking speed or get shot (IMDb). Walk for as long as you can—there's only one winner and no finish line.
In theory, it's insane to think that someone would willingly participate in this "competition," but for the sake of this story, I won't focus too much on that. Yes, there is a prize involved, but how desperate do you have to be to participate knowing that your chances of winning are 1 in 50?
Anyway, the premise of this film is intriguing, and the execution is overall extremely well made. I was skeptical at the beginning, as this is a story of constant movement with no fixed location. Before watching "The Long Walk," it's hard to picture how the movie is going to portray this concept—something that works well on paper but doesn't necessarily translate into what we consider a conventional storyline for the big screen. Yet, Francis Lawrence manages to deliver a cohesive and entertaining piece of media that is never boring or overstimulating for the audience, which I find extremely impressive. On top of that, all the actors deliver strong performances, and I was particularly impressed with Cooper Hoffman—the son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman—who gives a solid performance.
Overall, this movie reminded me a lot of "The Hunger Games" franchise: a deadly competition, the promise of enduring glory for the winner, the voyeuristic aspect of it (the walk is live-streamed for the whole country to watch), and young adults competing against each other but eventually bonding over this sadistic experience. There's less background story here—we're thrown into the action almost immediately and never leave it until the end—yet the similarities with Suzanne Collins's story are still there. And I think it's only fitting that the same director delivered both this film and four out of the five "Hunger Games" movies. Chapeau.
Cast: Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Jordan Gonzalez, Roman Griffin Davis, Josh Hamilton, Judy Greer, Mark Hamill.
Box Office: $63.1 million
Worth a watch?: Very tense and controversial, "The Long Walk" isn't a film for everyone, but it's definitely a good movie. If you enjoy dystopian survival thriller stories, this one can't be missed.
Awards: /
Key word: One wish.
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Bengi