Tag: Drama

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Movie Review

A Chrismystery (2025) Movie Review

Chrismystery- Movie Review

Chrismystery is a heartfelt holiday film about a cop and her daughter resolving personal loss while solving a theft in their hometown.

First Reaction – Chrismystery is a charming, enjoyable, festive film.

Where to Watch

A Chrismystery (VOD Release 11/4/25).

Director: Matthew Toronto

Writer: Sean Wathen (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A big-city cop reluctantly returns with her daughter to her hometown taking a deputy sheriff job.  Though determined not to stay, when the town’s Christmas lights, decorations, and tree are stolen, she sets her mind on the case where everyone is a suspect.   Solving the holiday mystery, along with the charming sheriff, she may just discover that love is always a gift worth giving.

Runtime: 1 Hour 28 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Chrismystery starts when grieving deputy Annie (Lilley) and her teenage daughter, Leia (Levien) prepare for the next move. Christmas is coming, and Leia is desperate to celebrate this year, while her mother still holds back after losing her husband.

When the small town experiences a proper crime, someone steals the Christmas decorations. Annie must work with Sheriff Tom (Mayo) to uncover the truth and save Christmas. However, she has lost her Christmas spirit, and the case brings a new spark to her life.

Verdict on Chrismystery

Recap

The movie follows a mother and daughter as they prepare for their next Christmas after the death of their husband and father. They have a different way to look at the future and Annie must accept moving on with her life for her daughter’s future.

Best Parts

This uses the struggles of moving on after an unexpected family death. It shows the small town can be what you make it, you could be the outsider, or you could join a tight-knit community. Where the movie shines in holding back the romantic side of the story and focusing more on the community aspect of the story. The performances are great and give us a festive charm.

Worst Parts

There is the bigger question about whether Annie ever talked to Leia about their loss and why they need to move around so much. It seems like something is missed with the bigger problem between their strained relationship.

Final Thoughts –Chrismystery is a charming, festive film with a bigger point on community.

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Movie Review

The Partisan (2024) Movie Review

The Partisan – Movie Review

The Partisan is a compelling war film featuring a Polish spy navigating treachery during World War II, with strong performances.

First Reaction – The Partisan is a strong war story with excellent performances.

Where to Watch

The Partisan arrives on digital 27 October followed by DVD release 15 December, courtesy of High Fliers Films.

Director: James Marquand

Writer: James Marquand (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A Polish spy who works for the British during the Second World War. After a betrayal, she is compromised in Warsaw and finds herself in a murky world of treachery.

Runtime: 1 Hour 48 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Partisan starts as we meet Polish spy Krystyna Skarbek (Polanski), who has been working for the British. She remains in Poland to watch the actions of the Germans, reporting back to Trench Coat (McDowell). Krystyna must navigate the dangerous environment, never knowing who to trust to pass on information.

However, she begins to question her choices and finds herself in a treacherous area. She must decide what is the most valuable decision of her life, which could help turn the tides of the war.

Verdict on The Partisan

Recap

The movie follows a Polish spy working for the British. She must navigate the German invasion to uncover the secrets before being discovered. However, it will test her resolve in the battle for the truth.

Best Parts

The movie takes on the story of a spy in the horrific time of World War II. It effectively utilises this to showcase her intelligence in avoiding capture and keeps her making a difference in the larger story. The performances are great and help carry the story.

Worst Parts

While the story has an interesting series of events, it doesn’t do much to be different from many other stories. It doesn’t stand out from anything else, and by the end, the pacing isn’t as strong as the story.

Final Thoughts –The Partisan is a strong war story with great performances.

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Movie Review

Réservée (2025) Movie Review

Réservée – Movie Review

Réservée is an emotional romantic film about Evan and Rhian's serendipitous encounters leading to a relatable relationship journey.

First Reaction – Réservée is a powerful and emotional romantic story.

Director: Robert Anthony Dunford

Writer: Robert Anthony Dunford (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: All planets in our solar system revolve around the sun. For Evan and Rhian, their universe revolves around table twelve at the Rainbow Inn on Mill Lane.

Runtime: 1 Hour 13 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Réservée starts when Evan (Pople) and Rhian (Cameron) meet on the opposite side of a double date. However, their relationships don’t work out, and after more chance meetings, they have a chance at a date together.

The sparks fly between them and leave them wanting to follow through with their relationship. However, it leads them down a road of wondering more about chance meetings through a lifetime and whether they are meant to be.

Verdict on Réservée

Recap

The movie follows a couple having a chance meeting and slowly letting the sparks fly. It follows their steps as they start their relationship and see people in their lives getting in their way.

Best Parts

The movie thrives on the chemistry between the leads. It also shines by keeping the relationship simple and easier to relate to. This feels like a natural relationship cycle following realistic ups and downs. It has a huge step away from the more cinematic romantic stories and it is refreshing to watch.

Worst Parts

Some of the comedy doesn’t click in the best way, even if it is designed to lighten the mood at times.

Final Thoughts –Réservée is a brilliant, emotional and powerful realistic love story.

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Movie Review

The Stress is Killing Me (2025) Movie Review

The Stress is Killing Me – Movie Review

The Stress is Killing Me is a mid-life crisis comedy where friends at a reunion hilariously confront their dreams and hidden secrets.

First Reaction – The Stress is Killing Me has an oddball series of stories and connections to people in their lives.

Director: Tom Carroll

Writer: Tom Carroll (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A mid-life crisis comedy. Friends at their 20th college reunion decide to try their dream jobs. And it all goes hilariously wrong.

Runtime: 1 Hour 42 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Stress is Killing Me starts when a group of friends, including Kiki (Christopher) and Jason (Berry) attend a high school reunion. In the celebrations, they decide to spend a week together in a holiday home and pretend to have their dream jobs.

As the week unfolds, they get into their dream roles and find things much more complicated than they imagined. However, it is the bigger life secrets that consume them, causing their friendships to be tested.

Verdict on The Stress is Killing Me

Recap

The movie follows a group of high school friends who return for a school reunion. They decide to spend a week in a holiday home and pretend to have their dream job. However, it exposes their bigger secrets to the world.

Best Parts

The movie uses the old friendship connection to drive the story forward. It shows you can always have a connection to people, but you will go your different directions. The performances are great and make you feel the connections between the characters.

Worst Parts

When it comes to comedy, most fall short and leave us waiting for the kicker on the laugh.

Final Thoughts – The Stress is Killing Me is an oddball series of stories.

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Movie Review

The Smashing Machine (2025) Movie Review

The Smashing Machine – Movie Review

The Smashing Machine features strong performances but suffers from a familiar storyline, focusing on Mark Kerr's battles in MMA and personal life.

First Reaction – The Smashing Machine is hard hitting drama with an impressive series of performances.

Director: Benny Safdie

Writer: Benny Safdie (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: The story of mixed-martial arts and UFC champion, Mark Kerr.

Runtime: 2 Hours 3 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Smashing Machine starts as mixed martial artist Mark Kerr (Johnson) gets a chance to compete in a fighting tournament. He is joined by his trainer and best friend, Mark Coleman (Bader). However, his addictions catch up with him and his toxic relationship with Dawn (Blunt) leaves him in a difficult position.

Mark must overcome his addictions to battle through the tournament and move forward with life. However, the battle is tougher than before, making it the toughest battle of his career.

Verdict on The Smashing Machine

Recap

The movie follows Mark Kerr as he enters the fighting championship in Japan. Elsewhere, he must deal with personal issues and a toxic relationship with his girlfriend. All to become the pioneer for the UFC.

Best Parts

The performances are the strongest part of the movie, with Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt being fantastic. We get a film which feels like a documentary more than anything else. Some of the fighting is hard-hitting throughout, too.

Worst Parts

The movie struggles with the story being as interesting as many other stories out there. At the core of it, it doesn’t do anything we have seen before. When it comes to the competition, Warrior is far more interesting and intense for combat.

Final Thoughts – The Smashing Machine brings the best out of the cast, despite the weaker storyline.

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Movie Review

Sincerely Saul (2025) Movie Review

Sincerely Saul – Movie Review

Sincerely Saul shows the desperation to find yourself in life.

First Reaction – Sincerely Saul shows the desperation to find yourself in life.

Director: Ian Tripp

Writer: Ian Trip (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Stuck at home with his bedridden Grandma, Saul plans to kill himself on his 27th birthday if he doesn’t lose his virginity by then.

Runtime: 1 Hour 35 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Sincerely Saul starts as we meet lonely Saul (Schafer) who has plans to kill himself on his 27th birthday if he doesn’t lose his virginity. He lives with his Grandma Diana (Faerch), who needs care around the clock, too. However, the doctors are aware of his plans and force him to take part in therapy.

His addiction begins taking over, as he searches for a way to lose his virginity, but he has nothing else in his life. As his birthday approaches, Saul becomes more desperate to find a solution, which forces him to cross the line.

Verdict on Sincerely Saul

Recap

The movie follows a lonely man who has struggled to find his way in life. He wants to lose his virginity before he turns 27, and it is coming around, and if he doesn’t, he wants to kill himself. We follow the struggles to understand what is important in life, even if the life lessons hit harder than he expects.

Best Parts

The reflection of loneliness in life is strong. It highlights how difficult stepping out in life can be, and feeling left behind can catch up with you. The performances are good from the cast, and they show the spiralling descent our characters are going through.

Worst Parts

Some of the pranks are too much, and the lack of remorse comes off too much in the face. Elsewhere, it portrays Saul as someone horrendously naïve to understanding life, in a way that he never stood a chance in life.

Final Thoughts – Sincerely Saul is a good reflection on the challenges in life.

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Movie Review

Steve (2025) Movie Review

Steve – Movie Review

"Steve" portrays a headteacher's struggle to save a reform college while addressing his own and students' mental health challenges.

First Reaction – Steve is a brilliant reflection on mental health and the battles to understand it.

Director: Tim Mielants

Writer: Max Porter (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Follows headteacher Steve battling for his reform college’s survival while managing his mental health. Concurrently, troubled student Shy navigates his violent tendencies and fragility, torn between his past and future prospects.

Runtime: 1 Hour 33 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Steve starts as we meet headteacher Steve (Murphy), who has been running a reform college for troubled teenagers. The students have a mix of problems, which can lead to violent tendencies and mental health problems. A film crew arrive to document the college, as Steve battles to keep the place open.

Elsewhere, student Shy (Lycurgo) feels trapped in this world, where he doesn’t have the same mix of chaos as the other students. However, the college is battling to stay afloat, and the documentary could put a spotlight on the school, but Steve has his own problems to deal with.

Verdict on Steve

Recap

The movie follows a headteacher trying to keep his reform college for troubled teenagers from being closed. He has a documentary film crew show the ups and downs they face to try and grab a tiny bit more attention. Meanwhile, we learn the battles the students go through to understand where they fit into the world.

Best Parts

The movie reflects the struggles of understanding mental health and troubled teenagers during the 1990s. It shows the pressure placed on the headteacher as he battles to keep the hope alive. The performances are fantastic and drive the story, and show how large portions of the population were happy to shut people out. One of the biggest highlights is the chaotic feeling the movie has, mixed with the documentary style, which gives a wonderful reflection of the state of mental health.

Final Thoughts –Steve is a perfect reflection of the struggles in mental health.

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Movie Review

Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 (2024) Movie Review

Horizon An American Saga Part One – Movie Review

Horizon An American Saga Part One explores pre-and post-Civil War expansion, showcasing various characters' struggles, but feels better suited for television.

First Reaction – Horizon An American Saga Part One would be a lot more interesting as a television series.

Watch Horizon An American Saga Part One here.

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JustWatch

Director: Kevin Costner

Writer: Jon Baird, Kevin Costner (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Chronicles a multi-faceted, 15-year span of pre-and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American west.

Runtime: 3 Hours 1 Minute 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Horizon An American Saga Part One starts by showing the tensions between the expanding Civil War victors and the Native people. It follows a series of different people going through their journey in the American West.

The stories range from soldiers finding a place for their own, a lone gunslinger doing the right thing and survivors of a brutal attack.

Verdict on Horizon An American Saga Part One

Recap

The movie follows a series of people trying to live in the American West. We jump between the stories to learn the troubles they face to survive. It highlights the ups and downs of trying to begin a new life and the battle with the natives whose land they want to take.

Best Parts

The movie looks beautiful, and the cast gives great performances. It is an ambitious project which is open to creating even more.

Worst Parts

While the ambition is wonderful, it does feel like it could have been a more interesting television show. It has a lot of characters, and it is only the beginning of their many different stories.

Final Thoughts –Horizon An American Saga Part One is too long, with too much going on.

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Movie Review

Modern Whore (2025) Movie Review

Modern Whore – Movie Review

Modern Whore is a captivating exploration of a sex worker's journey, highlighting challenges and empowerment within the sex industry today.

First Reaction – Modern Whore is a fascinating dive into modern era of sex workers.

Director: Nicole Bazuin

Writer: Nicole Bazuin, Andrea Werhun (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Andrea Werhun
  • Gwen Adora
  • Richard Botell
  • Carole Brown

Plot: Andrea Werhun as she portrays her past roles as escort Mary Ann, stripper Sophia, and her OnlyFans presence – all part of her Toronto sex work journey.

Runtime: 1 Hour 20 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Modern Whore starts when Andrea (Werhun) explains her life as a sex worker. She started off learning her body could help her get better tips before exploring the idea of stripping and eventually escorting. Her journey explores meeting other sex workers from different backgrounds.

Andrea continues to show us the ups and downs of the industry and how more women have taken the power in the world. It shows her needing to escape this world and evolve to the next level of that world.

Verdict on Modern Whore

Recap

The movie follows a modern sex worker exploring the career she chose and how she experienced different things. It explores the different paths she took, the good and bad things she experienced and how she becomes powerful with what she wants.

Best Parts

The movie gives a fresh approach to sex workers and despite being told in documentary format It explores the events in a fictional style, where the narration feels like a personal story and interview. The performances keep us engaged and it keeps us see their stories from a more middle ground, rather than condemning either side. Elsewhere, it highlights how easily someone can get into the industry and what little protection they have.

Worst Parts

While the story is fascinating, it also felt like it missed a bigger chapter of protection, with the even more modern online only content. There are a few discussions, but we could have explored more of the ups and downs from that world too.

Final Thoughts – Modern Whore is a brilliant dive into a changing time for the world.