Films That Matter
What Could Have Been: New York Ninja
There may be no better film to fit within the ‘What Could Have Been’ category than New York Ninja. Filmed all the way back in 1984 by famed martial artist John Liu in the Big Apple, as things progressed, they really didn’t... as 21st Century Film Corporation Inc. was going through financial issues and internal changes – meaning the money dried up. Soon, the movie, though relatively close to completion, was shelved, leaving it to sit ignored for close to 35 years. Never edited into any sort of complete form (nor having a soundtrack created for it), as the years passed, all the sound that was recorded was lost to time – leaving just the raw footage (there wasn’t even credits or notes for any of the actors who worked on the project).
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Star Pick with Billy Boyd
Star Pick with Billy BoydGregory's GirlJanuary 28, 2026For those of you who know me well, it is no secret that I’m a huge The Lord of the Rings fan... and it has been a goal of mine to meet and interview as many stars from the trilogy as possible. So, when I got the chance to chat with Billy Boyd about his favourite film, it was an absolute treat. Best known for playing Peregrin ‘Pippin’ Took, one of the loveable and quite comedic hobbits in the franchise (who is most often seen opposite Dominic Monahan’s Merry), it is most definitely worth highlighting some of his other roles, including 2003's epic Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (where he plays coxswain Barrett Bonden), 2005's On a Clear Day (a dramedy about swimming the English channel), while he also features in both the horror film Seed of Chucky and the television show Chucky (2021-2024), and even appeared in four episodes of the very popular series Outlander as Gerald Forbes.
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Singing the Blues
SinnersJanuary 21, 2026It is not too often that a mid or post-credit sequence leaves much of an impact as things come to a close. Usually meant to add a few final jokes to a comedy (think Airplance! or Old School), show some silly bloopers, or tease for a future film (Marvel has thrived thanks to these hints pointing towards coming storylines and movies), a rare example of something having a true impact on a narrative is Ryan Coogler’s period horror film Sinners (2025). A most dynamic feature melding many intriguing elements, the first thing that will be noticed is the time and setting – Clarksdale, Mississippi during the Great Depression (specifically 1932). Following twin brothers ‘Smoke’ and ‘Stack’ Moore (both played by Michael B. Jordan), and to a slightly lesser extent their cousin Sammie...
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A Bee in Your Bonnet or: A Bug in the System
BugoniaJanuary 17, 2026Sometimes a movie doesn’t fit nicely within a genre box. In today’s case, the film touches on bizarre sci-fi dialogue, brings forth some satirical dark comedy, plenty of drama and thrills, and centers on a crime... in other words, it’s another unique vision from Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster; The Favourite) – titled Bugonia (2025). . . inspired by the 2003 South Korean motion picture Save the Green Planet! by Jang Joon-hwan. Falling down the rabbit hole with Teddy (Jesse Plemons – Hostiles; Game Night) and his autistic cousin/helpful sidekick Don (Aidan Delbis – an excellent amateur casting of an autistic man), they have done copious amounts of research on the recesses of the internet into an alien species called the Andromedans – that are supposedly secretly residing amongst us while pulling the puppet strings.
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An Erotic Thriller Double Feature
The HousemaidChloeJanuary 14, 2026It is now quite rare to see an erotic thriller made. Thriving during the late 1980s and into the 90s, in a modern cinematic world that has become more cookie cutter and safe, it just doesn’t seem to fit within the current mold being used in Hollywood. That is why it is a breath of fresh air to see the current success of The Housemaid (2025). And, while we’re on that, it also ties into another film from back in 2009 called Chloe... not only because it falls within the same more adult themed genre, but also because they both star Amanda Seyfried. Starting with the 2025 offering from director Paul Feig, The Housemaid follows Millie Calloway (Sydney Sweeney) as she desperately seeks employment after a yet undisclosed difficult past. Falling into a seemingly perfect job as a housemaid for the wealthy Winchester family, Nina (Seyfried), Andrew (Brandon Sklenar), and daughter Cece (Indiana Elle), live in a gargantuan posh house on the edge of New York.
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Top 25 Films of the Decade: 2000s
January 7, 2026Back in 2020, I decided that it would be a good idea to post a top ‘25 Films of the Decade’ list to celebrate some of the best films of the 2010s... it took some tinkering (lots of crossing this one off and adding that one) – but I’ve got to say, the response made it absolutely worth it. With all that feedback, many asked if I could do the same for the decade before... it has taken longer than expected, but good things come to those who wait. So, without further ado, here are the best of the 2000s ... with a short description as to why each film made the cut.
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Bosom Buddies?
Just FriendsDecember 24, 2025It’s hard to believe that the Christmas comedy Just Friends (2005), directed by Roger Kumble, is celebrating its twentieth anniversary already this year. Not a big success at the box office at the time (only earning 50.9 million), it has slowly built a bit of a cult status over the last two decades. Though not received particularly well by critics at the time either, its joyous comedy, romantic elements, and Ryan Reynolds centred ensemble cast make for a most entertaining watch each and every holiday season.
