Visualizzazione post con etichetta love. Mostra tutti i post
Visualizzazione post con etichetta love. Mostra tutti i post

giovedì 20 agosto 2026

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.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

giovedì 13 agosto 2026

Film 2489 - Tre uomini e una gamba

Intro: I don't know why or what caused it, really, but all of a sudden I felt like I really wanted to rewatch this Italian movie. When it came out, I was 10 and I think I remember going to the movies to watch it with my parents. So it's possibly a combination of nostalgia for this movie, missing my parents and/or Italy. I guess...

Film 2489
: "Tre uomini e una gamba" (1997), Aldo, Giovanni & Giacomo, Massimo Venier
Watched: From the computer
Language: Italian
Watched with: No one
Thoughts: Man, I really didn't remember much about this film. Like, it was almost like watching it for the first time all over again. And honestly, I had a blast.
It's hard to explain to non-Italian speakers the appeal of Aldo, Giovanni & Giacomo. They're super funny here, but it doesn't look like they're doing much, really. It's a mix of physical comedy, the juxtaposition of Northern and Southern habits and ways of life and, in this specific movie, the sketches. The latter, especially, are an interesting choice: they don't progress the story - if anything, they pause it - and yet they're possibly the funniest comedy bits here. Obviously, this was a clever way to include and acknowledge the trio's background in improv and theater, and these short stories within the actual main story are when the three comedians really shine the most. I didn't realize this until I rewatched "Tre uomini e una gamba", but most of the bits I remembered from the movie actually come from the sketches: Dracula, the 'cadrega', and Ajeje Brazorf are all small pieces of Italian pop culture from that time that I carry with me to this day, and I was so surprised to realize that I had completely forgotten they belonged to this film.
Needless to say, I quite enjoyed this watch. It's reminiscent of a specific time and place that reminds me of my childhood and offers a fast track to nostalgia, in a way that's hard to describe. I look at this movie in a way that isn't just from the perspective of the story it tells, but also (mainly?) what it reminds me of and what it means to me.
I really do find "Tre uomini e una gamba" to be extremely funny and probably Aldo, Giovanni & Giacomo's best movie to date. It's naive and simple, yet effective because of how straightforward the story is: the trio embarks on a journey to the South of Italy to get to Gallipoli in time for Aldo's wedding. On the road, adventures and misadventures happen and, of course, someone falls in love unexpectedly. It's just that, yet it's effective and heartwarming in a way that (Italian) comedy isn't capable of being anymore.
Cast: Aldo Baglio, Giovanni Storti, Giacomo Poretti, Marina Massironi, Carlo Croccolo, Luciana Littizzetto, Maria Pia Casilio, Augusto Zucchi, Mohamed El Sayed.
Box Office: €33.6 million
Worth a watch?: "Tre uomini e una gamba" is basically a time machine: if you're curious to see how we used to be and live in Italy back in the day, this is definitely one of the comedies I would recommend. And, if you end up enjoying it, other similar films to consider could be (from the same trio) "Così è la vita" and "Chiedimi se sono felice", Leonardo Pieraccioni's "Il ciclone", or Carlo Verdone's "Viaggi di nozze".
Awards: Nominated for Best New Director (Migliore Regista Esordiente) at the David di Donatello 1998.
Key word: Garpez.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

lunedì 10 agosto 2026

Film 2486 - Office Romance

Intro: Back in June, we spent a weekend in Dingle, Co. Kerry, to celebrate Niamh's birthday and, while there, we watched a couple of movies. This is the first one.

Film 2486
: "Office Romance" (2026), Ol Parker
Watched: From the TV
Language: English
Watched with: Debbi, Niamh, Eimear
Thoughts: I quite like romcoms, so this should be right up my alley, but I wasn't really sure I wanted to watch this one. Mainly for a couple of reasons: both Jennifer Lopez's and Netflix's movies aren't usually that good. So, combine the two elements together and you get why I wasn't feeling too excited about "Office Romance". The saving grace of the project is Brett Goldstein - who also wrote the script - one of my favourite actors from the "Ted Lasso" family. Because of him playing the lead, I was kinda intrigued.
I'll be honest, "Office Romance" is quite the odd movie. Lopez and Goldstein have nice chemistry and the romance is believable enough, I'll give them that. Overall, I guess the story is fine, but it definitely takes some strange turns: the birth scene is unnecessarily graphic, the British kink room is weirder than romantic, and the sister (Jodie Whittaker) plot twist is surprisingly serious for a movie like this. This last element especially felt the oddest to me because it doesn't really fit the vibe, even more so when the story tries to make the situation somehow funny by making her some sort of comic relief. It's not; she's in prison - if I recall correctly, she murdered someone? - and if you choose to include this dark element in your romcom, you should treat it in a more appropriate way. Or at least that's how I felt while watching the movie.
Overall, I appreciate the effort to deliver a film that is less your usual romantic comedy and a bit more of an oddball that catches you by surprise at times, but I'm not sure it's done in a completely successful way here. Also, in the more demanding emotional scenes - like the last one at the press conference - JLo still cannot deliver.
Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Brett Goldstein, Betty Gilpin, Amy Sedaris, Tony Hale, Bradley Whitford, Edward James Olmos, Jodie Whittaker.
Box Office: /
Worth a watch?: Of all the romcoms you can watch, I wouldn't have this one at the top of my list. It's fine, the production value is obvious, and Brett Goldstein surprisingly works for a project like this, but overall the story is emotionally inconsistent and feels stranger than it should at times.
Awards: /
Key word: Lawsuit.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

mercoledì 5 agosto 2026

Film 2485 - Disclosure Day

Intro: Not that I was dying to see this film... but when Steven Spielberg has a new one out, you can't really miss it, or what kind of cinema fanatic are you really?!

Film 2485
: "Disclosure Day" (2026), Steven Spielberg
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: No one
Thoughts: Oh boy.
I wasn't expecting this movie to be groundbreaking or a masterpiece, but I certainly didn't anticipate just how bored I'd be while watching it. I went by myself, so I was very much focused and present, and I definitely struggled to stay awake during some scenes. Especially at the beginning, when no one really knows what's going on, the story takes so long to actually get going that you begin to wonder what the point of it all really is. And, to be fair, that question still stands.
What I mean is that "Disclosure Day" doesn't seem to know what kind of movie it'd like to be, as it combines so many different elements from different genres: thriller, alien invasion, mystery, action, espionage, sci-fi, and... religious?! The mix is at times so random that it's really hard to take the story seriously. I appreciate the effort to go for something different and not just the seen-it-before alien invasion bit, but I'm not sure venturing into religious territory was the right choice (I'm referring to the moment where Emily Blunt's character reads one person's mind and says something along the lines of, "I don't want to be your religion." I legitimately laughed at that scene).
It's not just this, though. The alien aspect was quite disappointing in the end. Especially the big reveal where Blunt and the alien talk... I don't know, it really ruined the ending for me. I thought there was no need to show the alien, story-wise, and the visual effects really don't deliver. The end result just looks cheap and unconvincing. Speaking of visual effects, I also don't think they were very good throughout the whole film. For a movie that cost $115 million to make—and God knows how much to promote—the end result isn't up to par. The animals, especially, don't look believable and, look, nobody went to the cinema expecting this one to deliver a realistic take on possible human-alien contact, but the overall lack of believability takes you out of the story at times.
Last but not least, I think the story is way too overcrowded. Not just with different narrative elements or plot points, but with characters as well. Too many story arcs to complete, too many side stories we don't really care about. Rarely have I seen a character so obviously utilized as a plot tool as the boyfriend, played by Wyatt Russell: remove him from the story and literally nothing changes.
Anyway, I don't want to only shit on this movie, so here's a short list of the elements I appreciated:
  • Emily Blunt as a leading lady. I love her. She's clearly talented and can carry a movie on her shoulders with no problem. Her face does look strange, though.
  • Steven Spielberg is still a great director. The car chase scene was really good.
  • I'm glad to see Josh O'Connor making a splash in Hollywood. He's handsome and so talented, and hopefully he'll stop queerbaiting us in allegedly gay movie romances and either go all in or stop edging us.
  • The newsroom setting was interesting, although underdeveloped. I wish they'd explored that a bit more rather than all the government nonsense and the boyfriend crap.
All in all, "Disclosure Day" was unfortunately worse than I expected. Maybe a shorter, less crowded edit of this story would have worked better. And there was no need to show us the aliens: once you materialize on screen the one element your story has asked the audience to imagine, the fantasy is ruined.
Cast: Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Wyatt Russell, Elizabeth Marvel, Colman Domingo.
Box Office: $239.8 million
Worth a watch?: For Spielberg fans. It's not awful, but it is a confused story filled with too many elements that weaken the overall message. One of the biggest disappointments of 2026 for me.
Awards: /
Key word: Cardinal.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

lunedì 3 agosto 2026

Film 2483 - Obsession

Intro: Still pretty much obsessed. One last time.

Film 2483
: "Obsession" (2025), Curry Barker
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Steven
Thoughts: For a moment there, it felt like I was only going to the movies to watch "Obsession" and, yeah, it was kinda like that.
On my third watch, I have to admit that I still enjoyed this movie quite a lot. It didn't matter that I knew all the scary bits and where the story would go; this film felt fresh every time I watched it, which is an accomplishment in itself.
Pair that with an astonishing box office performance ($475 million worldwide on a budget of $750,000), Curry Barker's filmmaking career skyrocketing, and Inde Navarrette's and Michael Johnston's performances putting them on Hollywood's radar... You can't deny that "Obsession" is the movie surprise of the year.
Obviously I'm a huge horror film fan, so this movie was clearly my cup of tea to begin with, but the success behind this piece of media doesn't just rely on horror fans. The script is genius precisely because it isn't overly complicated compared to other similar outings in the genre: there's an enchanted object, a wish that leads to a curse, and protagonists who have to deal with the consequences. It's that simple, yet so effective. And the nuances this story presents are quite interesting and disturbing, possibly more so than the horror element itself: Nikki (Navarrette) is stripped of her agency and forced into a romantic relationship whether she likes it or not. Bear (Johnston) is shy and timid at the beginning, only to reveal his true colors as the story progresses and the abuse escalates. And he's not willing to stop. If anything, he's resentful that Nikki still won't love him back. It's tragic and terrifying at the same time.
So yeah, I do love this film. I think it's a great example of the heights the horror genre can reach when it's done right and, right now, "Obsession" is still my favourite movie of 2026.
Film 2472 - Obsession
Film 2478 - Obsession
Film 2483 - Obsession
Cast: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy Richter.
Box Office: $475 million
Worth a watch?: There is already Oscar buzz for this one, particularly for the Best Actress and Screenplay categories. Will these predictions come to fruition? It's way too early to say, but as the current movie landscape stands, there's clearly a chance (especially after last year's Best Supporting Actress Oscar win for "Weapons"). In the meantime, if for whatever crazy reason you still haven't seen "Obsession", do yourself a favour and go see it. I rest my case.
Awards: /
Key word: Cat.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

lunedì 13 luglio 2026

Film 2478 - Obsession

Intro: On Niamh's birthday we went out for lunch to celebrate her. After that, on the bus to town, Debbi was saying that she wanted to go to the movies, and she expressed disappointment because Niamh and I had already gone to see this movie without telling her. So - as the good person that I am - I went back with her.

Film 2478
: "Obsession" (2025), Curry Barker
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Debbi
Thoughts: Obsessed with "Obsession" #2.
It's no mystery I liked this movie a lot the first time around... and this time even more. I think mainly because I was able to focus on details I either didn't notice or register the last time. Knowing what to expect, and where and when the scary bits are, I was able to sit back and really pay attention to the rest of the story and characters.
One thing that felt different from the get-go was my perception of the main protagonist, Bear. When you watch this film for the first time, it's impossible not to feel sorry for him: you can tell he's lonely, shy as hell, and you can sympathise with him because we've all been in love with, or been taken by, someone who doesn't feel the same way. Reality is, though, Bear is a little piece of shit, something you only realise as you watch the story unfold. This time around, the minute I saw his face on the screen, this sense of hatred and disgust came up and I couldn't shake it for the entire film. So yeah, I guess I'm a huge fan of the movie, its main actor Michael Johnston, and a big, big hater of its main protagonist. On the other hand, it was great to rewatch "Obsession" and focus even more on Inde Navarrette's performance, especially now that it's become even more culturally relevant.

She does indeed steal the whole show here; hers is undeniably the performance that stays with you after you leave the cinema. And yes, of course it's because of what happens to her character, Nikki, but mainly because Navarrette's emotional and, at the same time, terrifying portrayal is a rollercoaster of feelings that's hard to shake. Nikki is trapped in her own body, her free will taken away from her (by a man, nonetheless), her whole life now revolving around Bear - who's only happy when Nikki behaves the way he expects her to - and the only desire of what's left of the real Nikki is to die. 
In the hands of a less capable actress, the portrayal of Nikki could have been disastrous, felt caricaturesque, or even undermined her story arc. So not only did Navarrette rise to the occasion and deliver an iconic performance, she also showed Hollywood the talented actress she is (and the industry took notice: "Obsession’s Inde Navarrette Met With MCU ‘X-Men’ Director").
All in all, this second watch solidified my love (and obsession) for Curry Barker's "Obsession" even more. Like last year with "Weapons", 2026 has another horror movie sitting atop my personal Movies of the Year list. There's still a while to go before this year ends, so who knows what film will actually claim the top spot, but so far this is the story that surprised me the most: terrifying on both an emotional and visual level, sad and creepy, with a great example of genius screenwriting.
Film 2472 - Obsession
Film 2478 - Obsession
Film 2483 - Obsession
Cast: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy Richter.
Box Office: $427 million (as of today)
Worth a watch?: An amazing horror experience able to deliver scares and twists while also managing to be emotionally disturbing in a way few other films in the genre are capable of. It is the movie surprise of the summer, the horror sensation of the year, and a piece of current pop culture that shouldn't be missed. Creative and unsettling, if you love horror films then this one's for you.
Awards: /
Key word: Necklace.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

giovedì 9 luglio 2026

Film 2477 - Benedetta

Intro: I wanted to see this movie for a long time, but I never found the right moment. A month ago Simon came to my place to watch something and, when I recommended this one, he was almost immediately on board. But I think we both weren't ready for what was to come...

Film 2477
: "Benedetta" (2021), Paul Verhoeven
Watched: From the computer
Language: French
Watched with: Simon
Thoughts: Possibly one of the wildest movies I've ever seen.
From the lesbian affair in the convent to the naked Jesus with no penis and the wooden dildo used as proof to accuse the title character, "Benedetta" is definitely a crazy ride. Not a bad one, I actually quite enjoyed the film, but it definitely caught me by surprise. To some comedic effect, at times.
Specifically, I think the comedic element of the story was mainly enhanced in my case by the subtitles, which were clearly not professionally made. I don't speak French fluently, but I do understand some bits and I could tell that the dialogue wasn't properly translated. Oftentimes a sentence would be translated literally from French in a way that wouldn't make any sense in English, which added a ridiculous tone to certain scenes. It was frustrating at first, but we decided to keep them on because of how absurd the whole thing eventually got. So, not the proper way to experience this movie, but one impossible to forget.
In a world of biopics that take themselves extremely seriously, I think Verhoeven clearly leaned into the absurdity of this story and ran with it. From IMDb's logline: "A 17th-century nun in Italy suffers from disturbing religious and erotic visions. She is assisted by a companion, and the relationship between the two women develops into a romantic love affair."
It's clear from the get-go that this isn't your typical religious movie tale: Benedetta (Virginie Efira) is a nun who rarely wears any clothes, has a lesbian love affair, speaks to Jesus, fakes stigmata, dies and resurrects—while her lover (Daphné Patakia) carves a wooden dildo... And these are just some of the more extreme examples of what the story throws at you. If you're up for the challenge, it's definitely a refreshing watch. It doesn't happen often that a movie showcases its most controversial elements in such a candid way: literally, what you see is what you get. It's crude, but not exploitative, as Verhoeven definitely displays a voyeuristic tone in his films ("Basic Instinct", "Showgirls", "Elle"), while clearly caring about his female characters. And although the sexual element is quite prominent, it never completely takes over the plot. Benedetta's story arc is defined, clear, and coherent, never compromised in favor of the sexual scenes. Obviously I can't be sure how much of what is shown matches the true story of the real Benedetta Carlini—I'm quite sure a great deal of artistic license was taken—but all in all I really didn't mind the wild direction this movie takes. At least, in its own way, it's a memorable cinematic experience.
Cast: Virginie Efira, Charlotte Rampling, Daphné Patakia, Lambert Wilson, Olivier Rabourdin, Louise Chevillotte, Hervé Pierre, Clotilde Courau.
Box Office: $4.3 million
Worth a watch?: Not your usual biopic, "Benedetta" is a film that would shock many viewers, but could be a great ride for some. It's definitely way too long (132 minutes) and some bits could've been cut out, but if you're up for it and you're ready to be entertained, this is surely a film that delivers.
Awards: In competition for the Palme d'Or and the Queer Palm at the 74th Cannes Film Festival. 1 nomination at the César for Best Actress (Virginie Efira).
Key word: Dildo.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

sabato 4 luglio 2026

Film 2474 - Sinners

Intro: It was only a matter of time before I gave this one another go. Especially after I spent months listening to the "Rocky Road to Dublin” song from its soundtrack.

Film 2474
: "Sinners" (2025), Ryan Coogler
Watched: From the projector
Language: English
Watched with: No one
Thoughts: I like it the first time around, but this time I loved it.
There's a lot to take in when you watch "Sinners". It's a vampire story, a horror movie, a musical, it's set in a historical setting, and it focuses on racial issues (of the African-Americans mainly, but the Irish as well). In many ways, this film reminded me of "Get Out": a social commentary of the African-American experience framed in the horror movie genre, where the scary elements of the plot are hightened by the horrors of reality. And interesting enough, both movies won the Oscar for Ogiginal Screenplay.
On top of a great story, "Sinners" fetures an amazing cast of talents: Wunmi Mosaku gives possibly her best performance so far and Jack O'Connell is delisiously evil, while Delroy Lindo finally get his first Oscar nomination as the old town harmonica player. Leading them all, Michael B. Jordan plays both twins Elijah and Elias, in a dual performance that secured him the Oscar for Best actor. Now, don't get me wrong, I think it was about time Jordan finally got some award recognition and he 100% deserved the win, but I can't not awkclnoledge the fact that Timothée Chalamet's strange Oscar campaign definitely worked in his advantage. It's possible that, without the theater and ballet controversy, Chalament could have won instead as he was predicted as the favourite to win in the category for at least half of the award season. That said, I'm glad Jordan won instead: it might look like a "quieter" performance in a way - especially compared to Chalament's on in "Marty Supreme" - but it is indeed a great one. Playing twins, there was definitely a challenge there in differentiating both characters in a way that would make them both stand out and Jordan absolutely succeded. Especially watching the movie this second time around, I noticed the different mannerisms, the different way he carries himself depending on which character he's playing, details I didn't notice before as I was more focused on following the overall story and keeping up with the dialogues (yes, I struggled a bit with all the different accents).
All in all, I think "Sinners" is the perfect example of what great movies can do: transport you to somewhere different you've never been before, tell you a compelling story you can fully immerse in, trascend you into someone else's life for a couple of hours making you feel what they feel and go through. It's magical. And that's why I love movies so much.
Film 2377 - Sinners
Film 2474 - Sinners
Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Delroy Lindo.
Box Office: $370 million
Worth a watch?: Look, it might not be your cup of tea and it's absolutely fine. Personally, I loved it: it's a feast for the eyes and ears (the soundtrack by Ludwig Göransson is crazy good), it's an original story full of creativity and meaning that goes beyond the expected and seens before "it's a vampire story". There's so much more to this film, it's shot beautifully, all the performances are top notch and Ryan Coogler's vision really comes to life here.
Give it a go and see how you feel!
Awards: The movie received so many accolades, I'll list them like this for convenience. In
bold the wins.

Oscars
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan)
Best Supporting Actor (Delroy Lindo)

Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku)
Best Original Screenplay
Best Casting
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Costume Design
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Best Original Score
Best Original Song (for "I Lied to You")
Best Production Design
Best Sound
Best Visual Effects

BAFTAs
Best Film
Best Director
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Michael B. Jordan)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Wunmi Mosaku)
Best Original Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Production Design
Best Costume Design
Best Makeup and Hair
Best Editing
Best Original Score
Best Sound
EE Rising Star Award (Miles Caton)

Golden Globes
Best Motion Picture – Drama
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama (Michael B. Jordan)
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Original Score
Cinematic and Box Office Achievement

Best Original Song (for "I Lied to You")

Actor Awards
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (Miles Caton, Buddy Guy, Michael B. Jordan, Jayme Lawson, Delroy Lindo, Omar Miller, Wunmi Mosaku, Jack O'Connell, and Hailee Steinfeld)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role (Michael B. Jordan)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Miles Caton)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Wunmi Mosaku)
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

Grammy
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
Best Score Soundtrack Album for Visual Media

Best Song Written for Visual Media (for "I Lied to You")
Best Song Written for Visual Media (for "Pale, Pale Moon")
Best Song Written for Visual Media (for "Sinners")
Best Instrumental Composition (for "Why You Here / Before The Sun Went Down")


Key word: Blues.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

lunedì 29 giugno 2026

Film 2472 - Obsession

Intro: I've seen this movie three times already since it came out a little more than a month ago. Some might say I am... obsessed.

Film 2472
: "Obsession" (2025), Curry Barker
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh
Thoughts: I don't think I realized how much I liked this movie the first time I watched it. I mean, it was clear that I liked it, but to be willing to go back an additional two times—and, on top of that, always finding new details and things to appreciate and enjoy—that is definitely a testament to how good this movie is. And I think it's even more remarkable when you factor in that "Obsession" is a horror movie and, usually, once you know the plot and the horrific secret/monster/mystery is revealed, part of the novelty and thrill of the story is gone forever.
It's clear that I'm not the only one who liked Curry Barker's film: $370 million made so far (over a budget of $750,000), many records broken (from Wikipedia: In its third weekend, the film made $27.4 million, becoming the first wide release outside of the Christmas season since E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) to increase its earnings for three consecutive weekends), the One Wish Willow merchandise and, as it happens when movies perform better than expected and connect with audiences, an extremely early potential Oscar campaign (that Focus Features seems to have confirmed). But is the movie really worth all the buzz that it has generated so far?
My personal opinion aside, I think "Obsession" is an incredibly clever movie. Unlike many other horror outings, this one actually presents a solid screenplay with an ending that not only makes perfect sense and surprises with a twist, but also wraps the story in a full-circle moment that is both satisfying and terrifying to watch. Considering there is nothing worse than a horror movie with a bad ending, "Obsession" feels even more refreshing because of this.
Additionally, both lead performances are great. Michael Johnston has the difficult task of portraying Bear, a shy and nerdy guy who has been secretly in love with his friend and co-worker Nikki. At the beginning he seems so nice and you really root for him; you feel sad for what happens to him and what he's going through. I guess everyone can identify with his experience in some capacity: we've all felt lonely, lost someone, or fallen in love with a person who didn't reciprocate our feelings. That said, it doesn't take much time before we realize how shitty of a person Bear is: his bruised ego makes him selfish and deaf to Nikki's cries for help (or mercy). There's really no other way to put it: he's a gigantic piece of shit.
Opposite him, Nikki (played by Inde Navarrette in a breakthrough performance) is, at the beginning of the story, ready to move on with her life, quit her job, and focus on her passion for writing, looking to fall in love with life again. This is obviously cut short by Bear's actions: imprisoned by the One Wish Willow curse, she'll turn into Bear's perfect girlfriend for a while, until things gradually take a crazy turn. Nikki's overall story arc and extremely sad and disturbing fate are perfectly portrayed by Navarrette's hypnotic performance. She's mesmerizing and clearly the star of the movie, and rightfully so. Her character's journey is terrifying, to say the least: trapped in a body that isn't hers anymore, forced to please her jailor in every possible way—mentally and physically—and unable to escape her fate. She's basically turned into an object, stripped of everything that made Nikki herself: her future and her will. I know this is just fiction, but it's scary when you think about it and reflect a bit deeper on this movie's plot and themes. And I do think it's relevant that the character who goes through this journey is the female one: dehumanized, objectified, and sexualized. In this political climate, I cannot help but wonder if Nikki's fate is just an extremified take on the female experience. But I digress.
Navarrette's portrayal is powerful and extremely physical, sometimes so hard to watch that you have to look away. But at the same time, so many iconic moments belong to her Nikki, and I think partly this is where the power of this movie lies: its story is simple and scary, the performances are good, and there are so many memeable moments. Go on TikTok and look for "Obsession" content and see it for yourself.
All in all, Curry Barker's film was such an amazing surprise. It's no secret I love horror films and I feel blessed with the amount of good content we've gotten lately: we've been spoiled with "The Substance", "Weapons", "Sinners", "28 Years Later", "Final Destination: Bloodlines" and "Send Help". With newcomers like this one and "Backrooms", the horror genre seems to find itself in a moment of cultural resurgence and relevance thanks to new, good stories and possibly the current need for escapism and entertainment. And "Obsession" rightfully takes its place in the zeitgeist of it all: it's a crazy, terrifying ride thanks to a smart script and a simple idea behind it all. That once again proves that you don't need a stellar budget and the biggest names in Hollywood to bring people to the theaters: the right ingredients will do that for you.
Film 2472 - Obsession
Film 2478 - Obsession
Film 2483 - Obsession
Cast: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy Richter.
Box Office: $370 million (as of now)
Worth a watch?: Horror movies are not for everyone, for sure, but if you do enjoy them, this is one for the ages. So far, my favourite movie that I've watched this year.
Awards: /
Key word: One wish.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

martedì 23 giugno 2026

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.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

lunedì 8 giugno 2026

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.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

martedì 26 maggio 2026

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.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

martedì 5 maggio 2026

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.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

giovedì 23 aprile 2026

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
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

martedì 21 aprile 2026

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.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

sabato 11 aprile 2026

Film 2444 - The Mummy

Intro: A cult classic that I'd rewatch over and over again—especially now, knowing that a new sequel (with all the original cast coming back) is coming out in 2028.

Film 2444
: "The Mummy" (1999), Stephen Sommers
Watched: From the computer
Language: English
Watched with: Luke
Thoughts: I've always been a big fan of ancient Egypt, mummies, the pyramids, and all that jazz, so when they put all of that into a blockbuster movie with Brendan Fraser AND Rachel Weisz... I couldn't resist!
I love this franchise, and I couldn't believe how little I remembered of this first film. I guess I had my memories mixed up between this movie and the sequel, which I definitely watched more times, as it was one of the first DVDs I got growing up.
Nothing else to say—I think "The Mummy" is class!
Film 1572 - The Mummy
Film 2444 - The Mummy
Film 737 - La mummia - Il ritorno
Film 1934 - The Mummy Returns
Film 1402 - La mummia
Film 927 - Il re scorpione
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Jonathan Hyde, Kevin J. O'Connor, Oded Fehr, Erick Avari, Patricia Velásquez.
Box Office: $422.5 million
Worth a watch?: Cheesy and a bit silly? Sure—and that's probably why it works so well. It's a fun ride, Brendan Fraser is charming as hell, and Rachel Weisz is the clear standout of the film. I think back in '99, nobody expected them to both win an Oscar... and yet here we are, 27 years later. A great blockbuster—go and rewatch "The Mummy" and have fun!
Awards: 1 Oscar and 1 BAFTA nominations for Best Sound. 1 MTV Movie + TV Award nomination for Best Action Sequence.
Key word: Key.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

sabato 4 aprile 2026

Film 2440 - The History of Sound

Intro: I'll be honest, I wasn't necessarily feeling the fantasy for this one, but I decided to give it a go considering it was Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor together in a gay romance... But God knows I've been fooled before.

Film 2440
: "The History of Sound" (2025), Oliver Hermanus
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh
Thoughts: Possibly one of the most boring movies I've seen in my life. And not just boring—pretentious boring. I hate when I'm promised something that isn't delivered: a gay romance? Barely. History of sound? What history? This film is more than 2 hours long and almost nothing happens. The two fellas fall in love and fuck for a while, then go their separate ways, make lives for themselves, and eventually find their way to "reconnect." The lies come out, life gets harsher, everything gets complicated, boom—we're in the present and saying goodbye. Fine. Fine. The End. I cannot describe how disappointed I was in this film. You feel no connection to the characters, the story feels very episodic and at times disjointed, and you learn almost nothing about music and the history of American folk songs. Which is so strange, considering a) it's in the title of the movie and b) the first part of the story is all about David's obsession with these songs... I also want to stress as much as possible how much this isn't a gay love story. The characters just happen to be two men falling for each other, and that's it. Both Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor fooled me once already with their gay-bait movies "All of Us Strangers" and "Challengers," so I guess this is the straw that broke the camel's back.
Cast: Paul Mescal, Josh O'Connor, Molly Price, Raphael Sbarge, Emma Canning, Alessandro Bedetti, Chris Cooper.
Box Office: $1 million
Worth a watch?: It feels less like a movie and more like an award-friendly vehicle, if that makes sense. I can see a world where "The History of Sound" is a good movie—interesting and well made. The version we have in this part of the multiverse, though, is just pretty to look at but empty, with not much to say. Which is quite disappointing.
Awards: In competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
Key word: Cylinders.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi

lunedì 30 marzo 2026

Film 2436 - One of Them Days

Intro: I missed this movie when it came out, but I remember reading good stuff about it. So, when I had the chance, I finally gave it a go.

Film 2436
: "One of Them Days" (2005), Lawrence Lamont
Watched: From the computer
Language: English
Watched with: No one
Thoughts: I did enjoy this movie. I thought it was funny, and the two leads had great chemistry. I didn't know Keke Palmer before seeing her in "Nope", so I'm relatively new to her, but damn, she's good! I think she has great comedic timing and an undeniable star quality.
That said, I struggled a bit with all the slang the screenplay uses. It's clear that this is an American product catered to an American audience, and at times I either didn't understand what they were saying or what they were talking about. Additionally, I thought the story was a bit overly chaotic just for the sake of it. Still, I had a good time watching "One of Them Days".
P.S. This is singer SZA's movie screen debut. She is an Academy Award nominee (for "All the Stars" from the "Black Panther" movie) and a 7-time Grammy winner.
Cast: Keke Palmer, SZA, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams, Maude Apatow, Janelle James.
Box Office: $51.8 million
Worth a watch?: It's a fun ride, and Keke Palmer and SZA work well together. Syreeta Singleton (the screenwriter, on her first attempt writing for the big screen) is definitely one to watch.
Awards: /
Key word: Payday Whenever.

Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi