EdwardNorton – Credits Rolling

The Invite, directed by Olivia Wilde, is the type of film where you think you know what is going to happen, but it ends up being something else entirely. Going into it as blindly as possible is best because it allows the audience to fully immerse themselves in all that is about to unfold. Even then, nothing can prepare you for what’s to come.

Joe (Seth Rogan) and Angela’s (Olivia Wilde) marriage is on thin ice. When they invite their elusive neighbors Pina (Penelope Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton) upstairs for a dinner party, the evening escalates into something neither of them could have ever expected.

There couldn’t have been a better choice for each of these characters. They became these flawed and colorful individuals; everything about their performances was just effortless. Rogan brought his usual funny guy schtick, but this time with a self deprecating flair. His one liners and facial expressions had me cracking up. Wilde, who pulled double duty, was phenomenal. A true mix of comedy and heartbreak, she really gave it her all. Cruz exuded her usual allure and sex appeal while Norton smashed it as the strong, but silent type. The chemistry between the four of them was electric and I could feel it all the way through.

We all know how much I love a locked room setting and this one was no exception. Tensions, emotions and all that’s in between were at a fever pitch. It started slowly though it was obvious that something was brewing under the surface. As it continued to grow, those feelings only intensified. Thanks to the brilliant performances and the impeccable script by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, this only made the entire experience better.

Let’s get one thing straight – The Invite packed a punch. I’ve been thinking non-stop about it since and that’s because it has so many layers to it. At the end of the day, the reason why it resonated with me so much is because it’s about how being an adult is reconciling with who you truly are with who you actually wanted to be. I know I’ve hit that point in my life and I’m sure many of you have too. So, because of that reason, I implore you to watch this film. It may just be my favorite of the year so far.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

When tech billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton) invites his mismatched group of friends to a private island in Greece for the weekend, he’s surprised to see that detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) has come along for the ride. Perhaps it’s for the better when somebody turns up dead.

To say that Glass Onion was my most anticipated film of the year is an understatement. Ever since I heard the news that Netflix bought the rights to two sequels, my excitement sky rocketed – 2019’s Knives Out is one of the best films I have ever seen. I cannot sing its praises enough, so Glass Onion had big shoes to fill. And when it was released in cinemas for a limited time in November and I couldn’t see it on the big screen, I swear it almost killed me.

Luckily the wait was worth it. This instalment was everything I had hoped it would be and more. I didn’t know how it was going to compare to its predecessor and I was scared I would be let down. But I was proven wrong. The mystery this time around was much more intricate, with many details scattered throughout as well as red herrings to throw us off course. The script was tight and full of fun jokes that worked perfectly.

Where the film really shines is in its cast. Edward Norton as Bron was a shoo in as the leader of the pack. Kate Hudson as Birdie Jay was brilliant and one of the best roles I have seen her in. Dave Bautista embodied Duke Cody to a T while Kathryn Hahn as politician Claire Debella and Leslie Odom Jr. as Lionel Toussaint were great additions. Then there was Jessica Henwick as Birdie’s assistant Peg and Madelyn Cline as Duke’s girlfriend Whiskey. Seeing Cline in something aside from Outer Banks was so exciting. Janelle Monáe was mesmerizing as Bron’s partner Andi Brand; it was clear she was hiding something and I just wanted to know what!

But it was Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc who stole the show for me. I love everything about this character that director Rian Johnson created and I will never, ever get tired of him. The accent, the outfits (and we saw plenty of them this time around) and the fact that we learn more about him as these films go on, he is rapidly becoming one of my favorites ever.

As if you couldn’t tell, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery completely rocked my world. It may have taken some time to get going, but once it did, it did not stop for one second. I already can’t wait to rewatch it again and again.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥