Films/Shows Discussed
(Links take you to Internet Movie Database Info Page)

06/12/2025

FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK: BALLERINA (Theaters, 2025)
Starring Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Birney, Norman Reedus, Lance Reddick
An assassin sets out to kill the man who killed her father despite being ordered not to. Incredible action, scenery, photography and performances throughout. A real blast, with Reeves showing up again as John Wick.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7181546/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

MURDERBOT (AppleTV+, 2025)
Starring Alexander Skarsgard, David Dastmalchian, Sabrina Wu, Noma Dumezweni, John Cho, Jazck McBreyer.
A security android unlocks his system governor and finds himself struggling with human emotions and free will. A different kind of sci-fi show with an android that makes you laugh out loud, a solid storyline, and plenty of sci-fi action.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9288822/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

THE BETTER SISTER (Amazon Prime; 2025)
Starring Elizabeth Banks, Jessica Beal, Corey Stoll, Matthew Modine
A pair of estranged sisters—one much more successful than the other—must team up when their son is accused of murdering his father. Banks and Beal are terrific here, with a real sibling rivalry chemistry (thanks for the writers as well) but every single person in this show has a dark secret and soon the heaviness of it all weighs you down. Still, worth watching, especially for Elizabeth Banks.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32260680/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

06/05/2025

MOUNTAINHEAD (MAX; 2025)
Starring Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith, Ramy Youssef
Four of the richest tech leaders in the world meet up for their annual poker game weekend and discover that they may, in fact, have the power to take over the world. Tough movie to watch because it’s dark and grim but the scariest thing is you wonder just how possible it could be. From the creator of SUCCESSION and you can tell.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35396529/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

BRING HER BACK (Theaters; 2025)
Starring Billy Barratt, Sally Hawkins, Mischa Heywood.
A brother and sister are sent to a foster home where something so horrifying is taking place that neither can imagine it possible. Lots of gore and an intense and mature story makes this another horror modern classic from the filmmakers of TALK TO ME, this one isn’t for the meek, although it’s smart, well-acted, and truly terrifying.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32246771/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

STICK (Apple+; 2025)
Starring Owen Wilson, Peter Dager, Lilli Kay, Marc Maron, Timothy Olyphant, Judy Greer
Wilson plays an aging ex-golfer who’s been fired from his job but finds hope in a troubled teen prodigy. You really want to like this show because much of the cast is so charming, but it’s cliché’d to the point you know everything that’s going to happen, and the conflict between lead characters seems forced and unrealistic. Still, I’ll watch it to the end.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31710249/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

05/29/2025

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: THE FINAL RECKONING (Theaters; 2025)
Starring Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Esai Morales, Henry Czerny, Holt McCallany, Janet McTeer, Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, Tramell Tillman, Angela Bassett, Shea Whigham,  
Ethan Hunt goes up against a global AI threat called “The Entity” and everyone seems to want to stop him. Everything you’d expect from a final Mission Impossible movie, including action (and Tom Cruise stunts), a lot of heart and closure. Cinematic, in the true sense of the word.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9603208/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2_tt_6_nm_0_in_0_q_mission%2520impossible

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH (Apple+; 2025)
Starring John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, Eliza Gonzalez, Domhall Gleeson, Stanley Tucci
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Two estranged siblings join forces to seek the legendary Fountain of Youth. Using historical clues, they embark on an epic quest filled with adventure. If successful, the mythical fountain could grant them immortality. A poor carbon copy of Indiana Jones and National Treasure films, this film has little charm, less action (that works) and is way too dull.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27075958/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

WHITE COLLAR (Netflix; 2009-2014)
Starring Matt Bomer, Tim DeKay, Willie Garson, Tiffani Thiessen, Sharif Atkins, Marsha Thomason, Diahann Carroll,  
A white-collar criminal agrees to help the FBI catch other white-collar criminals using his expertise as an art and securities thief, counterfeiter, and conman. That rare TV series that goes for six seasons, manages to maintain its charm and excitement, and gives you a send-off that makes you want more … which is good because WHITE COLLAR: RESURRECTION may be on the way.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1358522/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

05/22/2025
Vacation! Vegas!

05/15/2025

ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR (Prime Video; 2025)
Starring Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick, Allison Janney, Alex Newell
Stephanie Smothers (a blogger) and Emily Nelson (the wealthy businesswoman she wrote about) reunite on the island of Capri, Italy, for Emily's extravagant wedding. Of course, murder and betrayal happen again.

NONNAS (Netflix; 2025)
Starring Vince Vaughn, Lorraine Bracco, Susan Sarandon, Brenda Vaccaro, Linda Cardellini, Talia Shire, Joe Manganiello
After his grandmother passes away, a man decided to open a restaurant to occupy his time ... and hires actual grandmothers as chefs. Based on a true story.

MOBLAND (Paramount+; 2025)
Starring Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, Hellen Mirren
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Two warring crime families battle over empires with a fixer, Harry Da Souza (Hardy) stuck in the middle.

05/08/2025

THUNDERBOLTS* / THE NEW AVENGERS (Theaters; 2025)
Starring Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Harbour,  
A group of heroes teams up after an evil senator tries to erase them from her history. Astoundingly entertaining film with tons of comic book action, huge doses of humor and a heart that is bigger than all the previous Marvel movies combined. Pugh and Harbour are stand-outs in an amazing cast. Features a villain that is scary and very real.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20969586/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

THE FOUR SEASONS (Netflix; 2025)
Starring Tina Fey, Will Forte, Kerri Kenney, Steve Carrell, Alan Alda, Marco Calvani, Erika Henningsen, Colman Domingo
Based on the 1981 movie written and directed by Alan Alda, this is the story of three couples who vacation together each season, but things change as life marches along and relationship and family dynamics change. Co-created by Tina Fey, this mini-series features outstanding performances, well-written dialogue and scenes and is equal parts funny, tragic and real. Kerri Kinney is the real stand-out here, getting the change to do more than the clown-ish character she played on Reno 911 to the full-bodied and tragic character she plays perfectly here.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30826447/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

THE GLASS DOME (Netflix; 2025)
Starring Leonie Vincent, Johan Hedenberg
A criminologist and her former police chief partner investigate the disappearance of a local girl in a small Swedish village that just so happens to be there criminologist’s former hometown, where she herself was once kidnapped and held. Gloomy, slow but very well made and acted throughout. We watched in the original Swedish language with English sub-titles but a dubbed version is available as well.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30750108/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

05/01/2025

HAVOC (Netflix; 2025)
Starring Tom Hardy, Timothy Olyphant, Forest Whitaker, Luis Guzman
Directed by Gareth Evans (The Raid: Redemption / The Raid 2)
After a drug deal gone wrong, a bruised detective must fight his way through the criminal underworld to rescue a politician's estranged son, unraveling a deep web of corruption and conspiracy that ensnares his entire city. Ultra gritty, super-bloody, action film with not a single pleasant character in sight. If you're into this sortof thing, however, this might be right up your alley.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14123284/plotsummary/?ref_=tt_ov_pl

THE ACCOUNTANT 2 (Theaters; 2025)
Starring Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, J.K. Simmons, .
Christian Wolff applies his brilliant mind and illegal methods to reconstruct the unsolved puzzle of a Treasury chief's murder. Better than the first film, The Account 2 mixes high-octane action with a perfect balance of humor, chemistry and terrific performances from its leads.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8888540/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

THE PITT (MAX; 2025)
Starring Noah Wylie, Tracy Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, many more
A day in the life of healthcare professionals in a Pittsburgh hospital as they juggle personal crises, workplace politics, and the emotional toll of treating critically ill patients, revealing the resilience required in their noble calling. Amazing performances throughout, with characters you really come to care about, and an unflinching realism to the daily roughness of the emergency room.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31938062/?ref_=ttpl_ov

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