Films you've seen in 2026

Do The Right Thing (1989)

Racial tensions simmer, then explode, over the course of a scorching summer day in Brooklyn. Still known as Spike Lee's masterwork, it was - somewhat scandalously - snubbed for the Best Picture Oscar nominations that year. It should have won, really. Perhaps the fashions & the Jheri curls have dated, but the uncomfortable truths of its message haven't, & that's exactly what the Academy wasn't comfortable with.
 
Haunt Season (2024)

The cast of a seasonal Halloween haunted attraction are getting picked off one by one. Great premise, not badly executed, but not enough frights. Props for the completely unnecessary gratuitous full frontal nudity from actor Brent Bentley though.
 
The Star (1952)
Bette thought lightning would strike twice with this film about an aging actress merely two years after the perfection that is All About Eve (it didn’t). She did get an Oscar nomination and it does have THIS amazing scene though.

 
Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)

The rise of Loretta Lynn from grinding poverty in the rural backwaters of Kentucky to country music superstar. Sissy Spacek snagged the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal, although these days I think biopics are seen as a bit typical Oscar bait. This is well made, though, & a fascinating story of someone truly making it from rags to riches.
 
Shine (1996)

Based on the true story of David Helfgott, a piano prodigy driven to a nervous breakdown by an exacting father & music teachers. This is the sort of overcoming adversity biopic that always gets the Oscar voters foaming at the fanny, but it didn't hold my attention as it just followed all the same beats as many other films of this ilk. His descent into mental instability all felt rather RUSHED too.
 
Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

Of course this film was going to be CATNIP to me as someone who grew up with all the classic NES, SNES & Sega games. The attention to detail is so good & they clearly love the source material as much as I do. It's genuinely funny, a lovely story & the made up games look as authentic & playable as the originals. One of the best from Disney/Pixar - hoping the sequel is as good.
 
Monster's Ball (2001)

Halle Berry starts an affair with Billy Bob Thornton without realising he helped execute her no good husband on Death Row. Decent enough although sombre & depressing throughout, although how well it's aged after 25 years is another debate entirely.
 
Threads (1984)

Yeah, I can see why people have called this the most frightening film ever made. It doesn't matter that the Soviet Union & West Germany no longer exist; that technology has progressed exponentially since this was made; that the fashions & the shops (spot such long departed high street names as BHS & Mothercare) have moved on. The basic premise of political tensions leading to a disastrous nuclear war are as true as ever, & what makes Threads so, so effective is the little touches of realism, right down to people carrying on with daily life like ironing & shopping as the news details the build-up to the bomb in the background, almost part of the furniture. Harrowing but essential viewing.
 
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Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019)

Struggling actor Leonardo DiCaprio & his erstwhile stunt double Brad Pitt negotiate late 60s Hollywood with Roman Polanski & Sharon Tate living next door.

I felt similar to this as I did to Babylon - although this is a better film - but it squanders the opportunity to tell a story about a fascinating Hollywood era by muddling in fictional elements & clumsy comedy & it's too long. Cut out an hour for a faster pace & get rid of the Sharon story altogether. Hollywood has never known how to deal with what happened to her - perhaps its darkest tragedy - & this version of events ain't it. Hoping Tarantino gets his mojo back for his reported final film.
 
Safe (1995)

Housewife Julianne Moore becomes allergic to everything around her. This oddball suburban horror, with its weird anxieties, niche social groups making each other even more paranoid, & sterile, clinical settings that pervade even people's homes, feels more relevant than ever in the barren hellscape that is the 2020s. A film decades ahead of its time.
 
Pillion (2025)

This was much better and 🤔-provoking than I was expecting. Hoorah for possibly abusive relationships and Douglas Hodge. Plus the reading KNAUSGAARD was just 😘👌
 
Stop! That! Train! (2026)

An extended version of one of the Drag Race comedy challenges - not as bad as that could have been considering how low quality some of those are, but didn't raise a laugh either. Not even giving us a shirtless scene with the hot conductor (I'd like to see the dick of) either - does this film know its audience BUT AT ALL?
 
Heavenly Creatures (1994)

Superb film debuts from Kate Winslet & Melanie Lynskey as the 2 halves of the infamous Parker Hulme murder case, with director Peter Jackson showcasing his credentials for the Lord Of The Rings franchise with the depictions of the girls' obsessively constructed fantasy world descending into a murderous folie a deux.

I've been obsessed with the Parker Hulme murder case ever since I saw this at 15, & it remains a gripping, shocking classic. If you don't know it, watch it ASAP, look up what happened to them both afterwards, & join me down the rabbit hole.
 
Animals on Netflix

Wtf. I thought the premise was quite enjoyable until the very end when it just turned into absolute slop. There was so many opportunities for a good twist but hero dad saves the day was not it.

And the boy getting yeeted into Ben Afflecks arms lol
 
Seen lots at the LFF so far, but today was The Slightest Touch. I honestly can only remember booking this because the title matched with the Five Star song! It’s a documentary about Colin Farrell’s friendship with Emma Fogarty who is the oldest living person in Ireland with Epidermolysis Bullosa.

I think he’s promoting it on Graham Norton this week and it’ll be streaming soon on HBO Max. I cried A LOT!

I also cried at another Irish film, Lemonade. About an 18 year old boy aging out of the foster care system and struggling to survive. I hope that gets a wide release.
 
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