For me #WickedForGood suffers from the same second half slump the stage show does. It’s still thrilling, and emotional, but it’s a much more frantic film, not using its time to dig deeper. The new songs are fine, and For Good is as emotional as you’d want, but it’s simply - good.

I enjoyed #TheRunningMan. It’s a fast paced and timely romp with a thoroughly compelling Glen Powell at its core. I laughed and cheered, especially at Josh Brolin’s hammy bad guy role. Comparing it to the Arnie would be a disservice but it’s a great take on a well worn subject.

Dan Tratchenberg takes some swings with #PredatorBadlands and I respect that. Not all of it works, and it’ll probably divide fans but it’s refreshing for a franchise to try something new and not be content with formula. Great score and creature design.

www.moviemarker.co.uk/the-worlds-e... @darrylgriffiths.bsky.social let me wax lyrical about the dark undercurrent in two films I love very much!

Obligatory LFF thoughts:

None more surprised than me I like #BlackPhone2 more than part one. I think it takes time to build up but the excellent setting, the fun twist on the story and Madeleine McGraw’s compelling performance make this a proper fun ride. The Grabber is still a rubbish name though…

I was surprised by how funny #OneBattleAfterAnother was. A blistering piece of statement art that features top performances from the cast. PTA hasn’t felt this energised in years and the Greenwood score is fantastic.

Brutal but very human #TheLongWalk is The Mist for post-Covid. I was drained by the end but the emotion given by the cast - stand out is David Jonsson - and a clear sense of building threat made this one of the best of the year. How it’s only a 15 is crazy!

A step up from the third one but #TheConjuringLastRites still lacks the James Wan magic. Too happy to coast on the easy chemistry of Wilson and Farmiga but never really gets going with the demonic threat. It’s all a bit vague, but the jumps are very well done.

So I preferred #Nobody2 to the first. I think it’s more focussed, more fun, and oddly emotional. Odenkirk is still a great Everyman hero, but matches against good baddies and terrific support the likes of Christopher Lloyd

Possibly too enigmatic for its own good but #Weapons can get a pass for committing the sin of over ambition. I laughed, I screamed and I laughed because I screamed. Superb acting, weird sense of unease, and terrific score

filmhounds.co.uk/2025/08/frea... #FreakierFriday

Stylish and lovingly retro #TheFantasticFour is a step into a new future. I loved its design, its deliberate storytelling, and its world building. Ralph Ineson smashed it as Galactus, and the family dynamic was so on point. I grinned the whole way through.

Silly, but endearing. #TheBadGuys2 is a solidly enjoyable family film that keeps the first film’s wacky antics going with a game voice cast. It makes no sense, but it’s manic energy more than makes up for it. The animation is still gorgeous to look at.

Overstuffed but brimming with heart #Superman had me smiling and never bored. There’s no denying there’s a little too much going on but when Gunn allows emotion to rule it soars. If the DCU can be this heartfelt we’re onto a winner. Just strip it back a bit. Krypto rules.

filmhounds.co.uk/2025/06/jura... #jurassicworldrebirth

Having not liked the previous three entries I had a heavy heart and yet #JurassicWorldRebirth lifted it. It starts rocky but then gets going in spectacular fashion. It’s probably the third favourite. Also I would die for Delores.

I really enjoyed the swings #28YearsLater took. The story evolves the ideas of the story original and poses some questions that linger for a while. It does suffer from feeling like the beginning a part one, but on the strength of this roll on The Bone Temple.

filmhounds.co.uk/2025/06/elio... #Elio

#Elio might just be the best Pixar film since Inside Out. It’s often funny, very thrilling and has moments that are very moving. It shows that even the biggest outsider can find community and that our complications make us who we are. Okay bye I love you.

Did you see the new #JohnWick spinoff Ballerina this weekend? What did you think of it? Find out what we thought in @paulkleinyo.bsky.social’s review: filmhounds.co.uk/2025/06/ball...

Maybe it helped that I saw it with my six year old but I was charmed by #HowToTrainYourDragon. The score is lush, there’s good emotion, it’s exciting. My only real gripe is that toothless looks too cartoony compared to the other dragons, but it’s fun and doesn’t diminish the OG.

#BallerinaMovie is at times fun and at other times poorly edited. The Wick world is such a great sandbox but Len Wiseman isn’t the director to play in that box. De Armas is great in the lead and the support are fun, but it spins its wheels until a thrilling third act.

filmhounds.co.uk/2025/05/the-... #TheLifeofChuck

The depth of compassion in #TheLifeofChuck didn’t fully hit me until I was on the train home. A film full of little moments of joy that make up the universe that is life. Flanagan continues his exploration of life itself and Mark Hamill delivers one of the years best speeches.

filmhounds.co.uk/2025/05/a-fi... #missionimpossiblethefinalreckoming

#MissionImpossibleTheFinalReckoning is a disappointment. Great stunts (duh) but no character or story investment. Lots of wtf moments, weird editing, questionable story choices and a tired plot. Feels like a first draft filmed in a hurry.

filmhounds.co.uk/2025/05/fina... #FinalDestination

Mixing great direction, inventive kills and a solid story #FinalDestinationBloodlines is the best the franchise has been. Gleefully gory and knows when to let a scene sit and build tension. I laughed, I clapped and a great final appearance for Tony Todd.

filmhounds.co.uk/2025/04/thun... #Thunderbolts

moviemarker.co.uk/what-the-28-... Made my debut at @moviemarker.bsky.social talking about this fantastic series and it's comments on British society.