Clayface

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After working hard for his whole life, rising star Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) is finally getting the recognition he deserves. With an Academy Award nomination and some exciting new roles on the horizon, he is on top of the world and nothing will could ever bring him down. That is until he makes a catastrophic mistake that results in a face changing accident. Knowing that this is his money maker, Matt turns to scientist Dr. Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie) and convinces her to help him. But instead of fixing him, the trial alters Matt’s life forever, causing him to become something that is not human.

This summer’s Supergirl outing was such a disappointment that I did not have high hopes for Clayface. That being said, I was still mildly curious because we’d finally be introduced to somebody new. How many iterations have we had of Batman and Superman? At last we’d be able to learn more about a lesser known character and where they got their start in the DCU. This sentiment alone was what kept me interested and I have to say how pleasantly surprised I was by the film.

Since the shake up, we have focused on various heroes that we have come to know and love. Now the shift falls on a villain and what a villain he was. Rhys Harries not only carried this film with everything he had, he really impressed me with his performance. Every choice he made was understood and warranted, even when they started getting darker. Often I complain about the lack of proper backstory and the reasons why they delve into madness don’t always make sense. Rhys Harries answered all my questions and then some. He started off as being completely beautiful and charming and the escalation was executed perfectly. As an actor, I cannot wait to see what he does next.

While I understood the importance of Ackie’s Corr and her relationship with Matt, I did not think their chemistry was convincing enough. They did start off on a promising note and I really liked their friendship. The romantic part of it all just seemed to come out of nowhere and it didn’t sit right with that Caitlyn’s fiancé John Borrelli (Max Minghella) was still in the picture. Another underdeveloped character, he served as a plot device more than anything else.

The overall plot was engaging and captivated me from the get go. I thought the pacing was reasonable and it built the tension in an effective way. The darker elements were depicted well and the body horror was truly something else. I’m not one to be squeamish, but I did have to look away at a couple of moments. I don’t think DC has ever leaned so far into this kind of material before and I was all for it. And instead of being unsure about the special effects used for these particular sequences, I thought they were really cool.

I know there’s not much to go off of, but Clayface is the best new DC film to date. Every choice that was made was the right choice and I could have easily sat through more. I hope this isn’t the last we see of Matt Hagen as I believe there is still so much of his story to be told.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Ghosts: The Possession of Button House

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When Jack (Scott Ellis Watson) and his friends Sammy (Eden Hollingsworth) and Lee (Sidhant Anand) attempt to hold a seance in the abandoned Button House, they don’t think they’ll actually be in touch with any spirits. Little do they know, the manor is inhabited by an array of ghosts. By some twist of fate, one of them, Julian (Simon Farnaby), inhabits Jack’s body. Finally able to leave the premises, Julian goes off in search of former home owner and friend Alison (Charlotte Richie) and her husband Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) to get their help with their future at Button House. But the possession comes with a price and if Jack and Julian don’t make it back on time, something very bad will happen.

Ghosts first premiered on the BBC in 2019. After five years of getting to know this lovable cast of characters, the show came to an end. As a fan, I was sad to say goodbye as I always preferred the British version to the American one. I almost couldn’t believe my luck when I heard that they were doing a film and not only that, but that it would release in cinemas nationwide. I was so excited to be reunited with this group and to return to this world.

There are so many different directions that this film could have gone in. I probably would have enjoyed anything they went with if I’m being honest. That being said, this particular story had all the elements that I would have expected to see from the Ghosts universe. There were hijinks aplenty, some spanners that were thrown into the works and above all, a whole lot of heart.

It was lovely to have the gang all back together again. Aside from the aforementioned characters above, Kitty (Lolly Adefope), Thomas (Matthew Baynton), Fanny (Martha Howe-Douglas), Pat (Jim Howick), The Captain (Ben Willbond), Robin (Laurence Rickard) and Headless Humphrey (Laurence Rickard) were along for the ride and they all had their moments to shine. It really was like no time had passed. I also must commend the youngsters who joined the cast. I felt like they were a perfect bridge between the older fans and the newer ones. Ellis Watson was great as Jack; he perfectly encapsulated that feeling of not knowing where he truly belongs and I like following him on his journey to acceptance within himself.

Ghosts: The Possession of Button House was the perfect continuation from the show. It was like reconnecting with a group of friends who I hadn’t seen in a while, but nothing had changed. It was just such a fun time and it had me smiling from ear to ear. I really hope they decide to do more films in the future.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Love of Your Life

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Maya (Margaret Qualley) is a dedicated nurse who has never thought about much beyond her career. When she meets Charlie (Gabriel Basso), she is swept off her feet into a whirlwind romance. But then heartbreak hits and Maya’s life comes crashing down around her. She flees her home and cuts contact with her friends and family to travel the world and avoid what she left behind. She soon discovers that she can only outrun her past for so long.

The only thing I knew about this film going into it was that it was going to be sad. I had no clue just what I was getting myself into. The whole way through I was on the verge of tears. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, something came along and completely changed its trajectory. I’ll admit I almost switched it off at the beginning because of the big ‘reveal’, but I am glad that I stuck with it.

Undoubtedly the anchor throughout, Qualley delivered an outstanding performance as our protagonist. The way in which she was able to portray the various stages of grief through her tears, expressions and moments of silence were not only genuine, they were extremely relatable. While she made some questionable choices along the way, I could understand each and every one of them. We all deal with loss differently so the depiction was spot on.

I’ve not watched The Night Agent, but I had watched this with my husband who is a fan, and he said it was refreshing to see Basso in a completely opposite type of role. He was the perfect leading man full of charm and good looks. It truly was like he could do no wrong. Aaron Pierre starred as Felix, a fellow traveler who Maya meets while in Portugal. The two hit it off instantly. There was no way we could compare Felix to Charlie because they both had such different personalities and they both came in at different points in Maya’s life. The same could be said for Patrick Schwarzenegger who portrayed Maya’s best friend Jason. He was always in love with her, but he never overstepped that line. He was also able to stand on his own amongst the rest and for that I was appreciative. Also, I very much enjoyed Catherine Keener’s performance as Charlie’s mother Ruth. It was raw and cutthroat, yet incredibly realistic. I wish we’d had more of her on screen.

For those of us who have lost someone, the story will hit you like a ton of bricks. There’s a quote in the film that says grief is never done. I can’t tell you how much I felt that. No matter how long it’s been, or how recent, the way in which we deal with it just evolves over time. And just because someone we love might no longer be with us doesn’t mean that that love we had for them is done either.

Poignant, heartbreaking and beautiful, Love of Your Life is worth watching. I just recommend you have some tissues handy.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

The Social Reckoning

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Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison) is a young Facebook engineer who loves her job, but even she can’t look away from the effects it’s had on society. Enlisting the help of Jeff Horwtiz (Jeremy Allen White), a Wall Street Journal reporter, the two band together to expose the truth about Meta.

When The Social Network came out in 2010, it received praise left, right and centre. Some argue it is one of the best films to ever grace the screen. I’ll admit I just found it to be okay, but I still appreciate the importance it had on our generation. A lot has changed in social media over the years. A follow up was inevitable; while these platforms have had so much positive impact, they have also been the cause of much detriment. Regardless of how much they decided to depict on screen, it was bound to be an interesting ride.

Madison, coming off of her Oscar win for Anora, delivers a spectacular performance as Frances Haugen. In a much quieter role, she was able to pull in and captivate the audience. The uncertainty of wanting to come forward despite loving her job was portrayed brilliantly. White was solid as the journalist with a lot to prove. He didn’t shine quite as bright as Madison, but I did enjoy their scenes together. Their budding friendship added some lighter tones to the story. Taking over the role of Mark Zuckerberg from Jesse Eisenberg was Jeremy Strong. I’ve read that some weren’t convinced by his take on the character, but I have to disagree. Not only did Strong look like Zuckerberg, I felt like he had his mannerisms down as well. Although he wasn’t as prominently featured as the other two, I do believe he made the most of his screen time.

Facebook started as a way for people to connect with one another. It was groundbreaking and it forever changed the way in which we communicate with each other. Over time, however, the way in which the company tried to engage with more users took a turn. Clicking on something once altered the algorithm and gave audiences things they thought they wanted to see instead of what it was they were actually interested in. This could then easily influence people to alter their beliefs or partake in activities they wouldn’t normally and therefore potentially causing harm to themselves and others.

I actually didn’t know about The Facebook Files and because of that I found the film to be educational. Some of the technical jargon went over my head, but the main idea was there at least. Aaron Sorkin, who wrote the first film, was back in the writer’s seat and this time around also added directing to his title. There’s a lot that can be said for the topic and I’m sure he had a lot of ground he wanted to cover. As the film was just under two hours long, some sequences felt rushed and others were tied up too quickly. Once the story gets going, it really grasped my attention and I could have sat through a little bit more.

While I cannot say that The Social Reckoning is better or worse than The Social Network, I can say that it is an important piece of cinema with a lot to say. With fabulous performances and an intriguing ongoing investigation, it was quite something for me to see the last few years unfolding on screen in front of me. Had it been just a smidge longer, it would have been even better.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Sense and Sensibility

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When the Dashwoods are forced to move out of their family estate, they find solace in a humble cottage in the country. Three sisters Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones), Marianne (Esmee Creed-Miles) and Margaret (Bodhi Rae Breathnach) embark on a journey of love, heartbreak and self discovery while in their new surroundings.

Author Jane Austen has had her work adapted for the screen time and time again. Sense and Sensibility, on its own, has been made into three television series and two feature films! Sometimes these updated versions are unnecessary, but because I am a big Austen fan, I was curious to see director Georgia Oakley’s take on the classic.

I know I read the book, but this was a while ago now and I cannot remember much. It’s not one of the ones that I am overly familiar with and as a result I went into the film with a fresh pair of eyes. I felt like this was the best way to do it as well because I was able to fully immerse myself in this version of the film. I was worried it wouldn’t grip me or that I would find it difficult to follow though that wasn’t the case at all.

A good romance is supposed to make you feel absolutely everything. Butterflies in your stomach, sweaty palms and above all the hope that the characters you are rooting for will end up together. At the centre of the story is the relationship between Elinor and Edward Ferrars (George MacKay). The will they won’t they was enough to make me want to rip my hair out because I honestly did not know how they were going to end up. There’s just something so innocent about love during this time period that hits differently. Marianne, on the other hand, captured the heart of two suitors – Colonel Brandon (Herbert Nordrum) and Willoughby (Frank Dillane). Her journey was the opposite of her older sister’s and it really made me feel sorry for her.

At the core of it all, however, is the depiction of sisterhood. While the film focuses more on the experiences of Elinor and Marianne, Margaret is still very much apart of the events that occur. Their bond is unlike any other and while they may disagree at times, they are always there for one another and really help build the other up in their time of need. I enjoyed the simpler scenes when Elinor and Marianne would be chatting in their bed chambers or when Elinor would spend time with Margaret in the fields close to their home.

Up until now, the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley was my favorite of Austen’s adaptions. I think that Sense and Sensibility has come very close to that. It really was beautifully done from its phenomenal casting choices (I mustn’t forget to mention Fiona Shaw’s scene stealing performance as Mrs. Jennings), to the breathtaking landscapes of the countryside and the sweeping score that really helped set the tone of the film. I know I was a bit late to the party with this one, but I am so glad I made time for it.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Verity

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When Lowen Ashleigh (Dakota Johnson) is hired to finishing writing a series of books penned by illusive author Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway), she has no idea what she’s in for. After learning from Verity’s husband Jeremy (Josh Hartnett) that Verity was in a life altering car accident, he invites her to stay at their house in Vermont so that she Lowen can get to work. But then Lowen uncovers what appears to be Verity’s autography and it has her struggling to differentiate reality from fiction.

Verity was the first book I ever read by Colleen Hoover. It’s stuck with me over the years because of its insane twist. I always wondered how that would work out if we ever got to see it live. Luckily for me, I got my wish. It wasn’t a surprise that Verity would get the big screen treatment. It is the fourth of Hoover’s novels that has and I think it is also the one that proved to be the most complicated. I’m not a Hoover fan by any means, but this is my favorite book of hers that I’ve read, and I wanted them to do it justice.

Let’s start with what they got right. The casting was a dream – Johnson, Hathaway and Hartnett in the lead roles is something I could have only ever hoped for. Lowen is an interesting character. She’s awkward and kind of dark. Johnson excelled in the awkwardness, but I would have loved the darker side to come out more. It would have better explained some choices that were made later on in the film. Hathaway, in her sixth film of the year, was having an absolute ball as Verity. No stranger to an unreliable character, she leaned into it all the way and was the highlight of the film for me. Hartnett had the heartthrob husband act done to a T. I’m glad he’s back and acting in more films again. Jeremy is yet another complex character and once again, this was not explored as much as it should have been.

Although I read the book a while ago now, I can’t help but feel like there was a lot they missed out on. This is a thriller and it never completely went to the places it needed to go. The book had so many moments that were unhinged; the film in comparison only scratched the surface. I would have preferred for it to be a little bit on the longer side so that fans of the book could see some pivotal moments come to life and for us to truly feel as though we were losing our minds right there along Lowen.

The pacing was off from the get go. I’m all for a slow burn, but this took it a step too far. They kept teasing us with these little moments of crazy and then wouldn’t give it the proper pay off. Because of this, I did not buy the flirtation between Lowen and Jeremy whatsoever. We were suddenly just supposed to believe that they had all this sexual tension when all we really were able to revert back to were two sharing a drink when everyone was asleep and Lowen’s birthday dinner at the Bavarian restaurant. The final act, which was super intense in the book and almost literally took my breath away, was rushed in the film and did not give me the same experience. It’s like they went from zero to one hundred without it feeling properly earned.

On its own, Verity is a solid enough film. The cast are great in their roles and the story will keep you entertained the whole way through. I went with my husband and he was on the edge of his seat. However, if you are a fan of the book, I wouldn’t be surprised if you were disappointed. I know I was.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

The Love Hypothesis

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Based on the novel by Ali Hazelwood, The Love Hypothesis follows Olive Smith (Lili Reinhart), a woman in STEM who is trying to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. Having dedicated most of her life to her passion, she has let other areas of her life go. Attempting to convince her best friend Anh (Rachel Marsh) that she has moved on from her long time crush on their mutual friend Jeremy (Nicholas Duvernay), Olive says that she is dating Dr. Adam Carlsen (Tom Bateman). Hated by her peers for his standoffish behaviour and unusual teaching style, nobody understands why Olive and Adam are together. What starts off as a fake relationship that is mutually beneficial for them both turns into something neither one of them would have expected.

Essentially Star Wars fan fiction, Hazelwood’s novel blew up after its release in 2021. I did read the book, but I wasn’t a big fan. I’m quite fussy about my romances okay? What made me want to check out the film adaption was the casting choices. Not to mention the fact that it actually looked really cute. Maybe I could get on board now. Turns out I had such a fun time with it.

I was glad to have Reinhart on my screen again and in a romantic comedy lead no doubt. She was the perfect choice for Olive from the looks down to the mannerisms. As for Bateman, I find it amusing that he’s married to one half of the couple that this relationship is based on (Daisy Ridley). It seemed only fitting that he was casted as the male lead. The two were absolutely electric together. Their first few encounters were so awkward, it was actually hilarious. I couldn’t help but giggle. But as they got to know each other, the sparks really began to fly. That hotel scene in Boston was pure fire!

Unfortunately I cannot speak to how close the film was to the book as I simply do not remember all of the details. What I can say is that it was an enjoyable story that was easy to follow. Not only that, but I appreciated the way in which they dealt depicted Olive and her journey working in science. It is known that women are treated differently than men are in this field. The fact that this is still happening in 2026 is ridiculous so I am glad that it was touched on in an appropriate way.

We need more movies like The Love Hypothesis. It was simply a feel good time. The chemistry between the two leads might have been what made me want to watch it in the first place, but I ended up getting so much more out of the experience.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Bad Apples

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Maria Spencer (Saoirse Ronan) is a school teacher dedicated to inspiring her class of ten year olds. Well, all of her students except one. Danny (Eddie Waller) is constantly late, disruptive and doesn’t seem to take anything seriously. When an encounter goes wrong, Maria ends up taking Danny home and locking him in her basement. Although she desperately wants to do the right thing, Maria is torn because now her class is flourishing and she’s getting new opportunities. Maybe what she did wasn’t so bad after all.

Based on Rasmus Lindgren’s novel De Oonskade, Bad Apples sparked my interest from the moment I saw the trailer. The premise got me – when you’re presented with an impossible choice, which one do you choose? Do you do the morally correct thing that is expected by society? Or do you cross a line and as a result have your life altered forever?

I love a good morally grey character. You feel bad for it, but at the same time you can’t help but root for them. As the film went on, Maria got further into her web of complication. No matter how crazy it all got, I couldn’t fault her for the choices she made. I understood where she was coming from. This is an individual who had everything taken away from her, who felt she constantly needed to prove herself, and by doing what she did, she finally took matters into her own hands. Ronan depicted Maria perfectly. It was refreshing to see her in such a role and the efforts paid off.

Although the audience are never clued in as to why Danny is the way that he is, Waller did a great job portraying the troubled child. He annoyed me at the beginning which was exactly the point of his character, however, I also found myself sympathizing with him. It’s clear he came from a broken home and while his situation is less than ideal, it’s clear that he formed somewhat of a bond with his teacher throughout his time in her house. Nia Brown starred as Pauline, another student of Maria’s. Somewhat of a teacher’s pet, the story takes a delicious turn when she discovers the truth about Danny. Pauline uses this to her advantage and it is then that things really take off. As a result, Brown was really a standout.

The material is dark. It is also very funny. The script is whip smart with some great dialogue. The overall experience was quite uncomfortable because I just did not know where it was going. That didn’t stop me from wanting to see what was going to happen and from relishing in the outlandish predicaments these characters find themselves in. It was like there was an impending sense of doom hanging in the balance and let me tell you the pay off was totally worth it.

Bad Apples was a breath of fresh air. I loved how it wasn’t afraid to push boundaries and really go there. It was funny, compelling and thoroughly entertaining. At the end of the day, though, it was an interesting portrayal of characters who may behave in rotten ways, but who are not rotten inside. One of my favorites of the year.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Practical Magic 2

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Practical Magic was released in 1998, but it wasn’t until many years later that it became a true cult classic. This is a film that I revisit every single year on Halloween. It is one of my all time favorites and when I heard that they were adapting Alice Hoffman’s The Book of Magic, I was hesitant. While we had the source material already and it wasn’t just some random legacy sequel, I did not know what to expect going into it. So I just tried to buckle myself up for the ride.

After the death of her second husband, Sally Owens (Sandra Bullock) makes her sister Gillian (Nicole Kidman) promise that they will never tell Sally’s daughters the truth about who they really are. Fast forward a few years and now Kylie (Joey King) and Antonia (Maisie Williams) are living normal lives and doing their normal jobs. But when Kylie tells her boyfriend Gideon (Xolo Marideuna) that she loves him, it prompts the curse that has engulfed their family for centuries to threaten his life. Willing to do whatever it takes to save him, Kylie travels to England in search of the truth of her family and to find out how to finally end the curse once and for all.

Stepping back into this world was effortless. Seeing the house and Maria’s Island once more on the big screen was just such a treat. The original was intimate yet impactful and luckily the sequel managed to build upon those same sentiments. We got to learn more about the lore and be witness to another side of witchcraft which was delightfully creepy and depicted in such a cool way.

Having Bullock and Kidman reprise their iconic roles as the Owens sisters was a gift I didn’t know I needed. They effortlessly fell back into these characters, tapping into all those things that made them so lovable in the first place. Their chemistry, always at the forefront of the film, is as strong as ever. I could literally watch them onscreen together a million times over. Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest also returned as the aunts Franny and Jet and it was equally as lovely to see them again too. Taking over as Kylie and Antonia are King and Williams. I thought they were perfectly cast and King really helped carry the emotional weight of the film. Unfortunately Williams was severely underutilized to the point where I almost forgot she was there. They really couldn’t have found a way to include her into Kylie’s whole arc? I can’t forget to mention Lee Pace who was also along for the ride as a warlock named Ian Wright. Obviously introduced as a new love interest for Sally, I did enjoy getting to know his character and thought that he fit in well.

The film isn’t perfect. The script is clunky and often times quite cringy with its dialogue. But it was also very funny and it captured that same essence that I feel every time I watch the first one. The first film was also a bit off in tone, campy if you will, and I do think that this one just elevated that. The bond of sisterhood and the message of girl power is still very prominent and that is why it works.

Overall, I may have been unsure of Practical Magic 2, but it exceeded my expectations. I think fans of the original will enjoy it for all the nostalgic throwbacks (and there are plenty) as well as the dynamic duo that is Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. This truly has made me even more excited for the fall and for spooky season to begin.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

One Night Only

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Sometime in the near distant future, a mandate is passed that prevents single people from having pre-marital sex. The rules are allowed to be broken one night a year. For Owen (Callum Turner) and Allie (Monica Barbaro), this is a night that they’d much rather avoid. This year, Owen’s long term girlfriend Malika (Maya Hawke) says she wants to explore other options while Allie is looking for true love. When the two strangers meet, sparks fly, but a series of missteps and side quests complicate their evening.

Director Will Gluck, who was behind the films Anyone But You and Friends With Benefits, is back with One Night Only. This one has been getting a lot of flack from the critics and I cannot for the life of me understand why. I loved everything about this film! As long as you lean into the crazy, it totally and completely works. I was sold from the get go and I found it to be a breath of fresh air.

This was my first time seeing both Turner and Barbaro star is something light-hearted and they completely smashed it. Their comedic timing was perfect; they had me cracking up during their various antics and I couldn’t wait to see how each of their evenings were going to pan out. Together they were electric and I thought it was smart to not have them immediately drawn to one another. It kept the audience on their toes because even though we know how it’s going to end, it wasn’t as predictable as it otherwise could have been.

There were so many cameos scattered throughout that it was hard to keep track. Every time somebody I knew popped up on screen, I squealed in delight because I really did not expect some of them to be there. For those who weren’t so much of a surprise, I enjoyed seeing Maya Hawke in something new. It was also a delight to have Molly Ringwald star as Linda, Owen’s very sexually liberated mother.

While the premise may be a bit far fetched, it is actually one we have seen before although much less violent and a lot more horny. The situations we see these characters get into are laugh out loud hilarious and not at all realistic, but they don’t have to be. I appreciated the way in which this film was very self-assured. The parodies were spot on, but they held an important message. Not only that, it was very sex positive which is not something we see too often.

Overall, One Night Only was a total blast. It sucked me in front the beginning and didn’t let go until the credits rolled. Callum Turner and Monica Barbaro served as charming leads and the comedy landed. Don’t listen to the haters – give this film a chance!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️