Films to watch & to look out for

Blue Moon
2025
Biography / Comedy / Drama / History / Music / Romance

On the evening of March 31, 1943, legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart confronts his shattered self-confidence in Sardi’s bar as his former collaborator Richard Rodgers celebrates the opening night of his ground-breaking hit musical “Oklahoma!”.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/qo7gRHip0lI - @SimCityAT

I thought that was George W Bush.

Chaos Walking.

Saw this on Netflix.  It's dystopian sci-fi drama. Despite being panned by critics, I thought it wasn't too bad.

Shelter

2025

Action, Thriller

A recluse on a remote Scottish island rescues a girl from the sea, unleashing a perilous sequence of events that culminate in an attack on his home, compelling him to face his turbulent history.

Bull Run

2024

Comedy

Follows Bobby Sanders, an ex-pro-hockey-player-turned-junior-banker as he navigates the peculiar and somewhat surreal world of high finance and faces life's meaning within this gilded cage.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/rWEosdZueso

Shelter2025Action, Thriller A recluse on a remote Scottish island rescues a girl from the sea, unleashing a perilous sequence of events that culminate in an attack on his home, compelling him to face his turbulent history. - @SimCityAT

Jason does it again.  He's established himself as a solid proponent of /earner in the genre.  Basically plays the same character in the same scenario.  I like his movies - simple, action and to the point.  I wonder what he's going to do when he's older much though?  Think Bruce Willis (close to death apparently according to some media reports) and Sylvester Stallone (still chugging along in the hit series Tulsa King).

Next to North Pole

2025

Drama / Romance

After her husband's betrayal, Victoria Murray packs up her daughters and escapes to her quirky hometown-North Pole, Alaska. Hoping for a fresh start, she's swept into the chaos of eccentric friends, offbeat family traditions, and awkward run-ins with an old flame. As midnight-sun adventures unfold, Victoria rediscovers the strength of her pioneer spirit -and faces a choice between guarding her wounded heart or risking it again for love.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYUvz6JJUwk

On Prime and others

Muzzle: City of Wolves

2025

Action / Drama / Horror / Mystery / Thriller

LAPD officer Jake Rosser endeavours to lead a peaceful life with his family and retired K-9 officer, Socks. However, tranquillity dissolves into chaos when a gang targets them in a brutal attack. Alongside his new K-9 partner Argos, Jake launches into a relentless pursuit of justice, determined to protect his loved ones.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/pmwhUan8QL8

My Secret Santa

2025

Action, Comedy, Romance

A single mom needs a job. A ski resort needs a Santa. Disguised as a St. Nick lookalike, can Taylor fool a charming hotel heir into ho-ho-hiring her?

Trailer: https://youtu.be/I9Y5qYp8ro8

On Netflix

My Secret Santa
2025
Action, Comedy, Romance

A single mom needs a job. A ski resort needs a Santa. Disguised as a St. Nick lookalike, can Taylor fool a charming hotel heir into ho-ho-hiring her?
Trailer: https://youtu.be/I9Y5qYp8ro8

On Netflix - @SimCityAT

These kinds of movie should all be on the Hallmark Channel.   Strangely my Dad liked those kinds of movie.

Entertainment News:

Netflix reportedly closes in on Warner Bros deal

This looks like a good deal for Netflix subscribers (like us).  There are so many good shows on Discovery and there's a massive  movie library from Warner Bros.   Netflix is pretty innovative and while I'm no real fan of their model (running shows for only 1 or 2 seasons, leaving us all hanging), it has to be better than Paramount and the Ellisons.  I'm against the Ellisons more than I am against Netflix.

I hope the Netflix deal succeeds and keeps market competition and many good shows going.

Trap House

2025

Action

An undercover DEA agent and his partner embark on a game of cat and mouse with an audacious, and surprising group of thieves - their own rebellious teenagers, who have begun robbing from a dangerous cartel, using their parents' tactics and top-secret intel to do it.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/mZJYxUqXuCM

Entertainment News:
Netflix reportedly closes in on Warner Bros deal

This looks like a good deal for Netflix subscribers (like us). There are so many good shows on Discovery and there's a massive movie library from Warner Bros. Netflix is pretty innovative and while I'm no real fan of their model (running shows for only 1 or 2 seasons, leaving us all hanging), it has to be better than Paramount and the Ellisons. I'm against the Ellisons more than I am against Netflix.

I hope the Netflix deal succeeds and keeps market competition and many good shows going. - @fluffy2560

Good and bad.... Hope the prices don't shoot up. Amazon has got MGM now, so they will be competing with each other.

Entertainment News:Netflix reportedly closes in on Warner Bros dealThis looks like a good deal for Netflix subscribers (like us). There are so many good shows on Discovery and there's a massive movie library from Warner Bros. Netflix is pretty innovative and while I'm no real fan of their model (running shows for only 1 or 2 seasons, leaving us all hanging), it has to be better than Paramount and the Ellisons. I'm against the Ellisons more than I am against Netflix.I hope the Netflix deal succeeds and keeps market competition and many good shows going.  - @fluffy2560Good and bad.... Hope the prices don't shoot up. Amazon has got MGM now, so they will be competing with each other. - @SimCityAT

Since reading more, the deal does not include Discovery, CNN and something else I don't recall.  It does include the WB library, studios and HBO.   I have concerns for CNN being an independent or at least pluralist news voice.  Perhaps someone else will take it.  Trump and Co will want to interfere to turn that voice off leaving very few to oppose the far right.  The only voice left in the mainstream would probably MSNBC (now MS Now - silly name).  Discovery also does a lot of good shows. Be a shame for that to disappear.

It's what we see in HU, that all independent voices are being ground into the dust slowly and surely.  The average Hungarian only sees what the government wants them to see.  And a free press is needed to keep the government accountable.   Not something Trumpist people want. 

I'm pretty sure things like HBO will become Netflix HBO premium channels or similar.   There's such a lot of shows available there, like Game of Thrones and Harry Potter.  Not that I give a damn about Harry Potter.  Never seen any of those  movies.

@fluffy2560

Disney is already doing that with its platform, combining and renaming them. Programs on ABC that would normally take a year to come on are now coming on in a matter of weeks from the original air date in America. It must be getting them dubbed, but 2 weeks, it's pretty good.

@fluffy2560
Disney is already doing that with its platform, combining and renaming them. Programs on ABC that would normally take a year to come on are now coming on in a matter of weeks from the original air date in America. It must be getting them dubbed, but 2 weeks, it's pretty good. - @SimCityAT

ABC?  Hardly hear anything from them.  I don't know what shows are coming from ABC.  Or NBC for that matter.

I think it's because Netflix and Disney are financing shows which get limited cinema releases and very     quickly appear on the streaming platforms.   They seem to make money at cinemas and arguably, the streaming platforms are effectively pre-paid cinema tickets.

BBC is involved too.  There's a Dr Who spin off called The War Between Land and Sea.  First two episodes are on BBC Iplayer and also Disney, then released on weekly.  So direct to online platforms before terrestrial broadcast. I guess because of the very high cost of production, they need to spread out the cost.  I wonder if the BBC will eventually be streaming for shows and be reduced to just rolling news services terrestrially.  It's going to get a massive shake up after the Trump debacle.

@fluffy2560

ABC - Grey's Anatomy, 9-1-1, The Rookie, Will Trent, High Potential, and Doctor Odyssey.

NBC - Law & Order franchise (SVU, Organized Crime) and the Chicago franchise (Fire, Med, PD)

It's over yet......

Paramount launches hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros

Paramount said it would take its deal directly to shareholders after six previous proposals were never "meaningfully" engaged with.

It's over yet......
Paramount launches hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros
Paramount said it would take its deal directly to shareholders after six previous proposals were never "meaningfully" engaged with. - @SimCityAT

Trump and his spawn will get involved in this.  The Ellison clan are supporters of Trump.  So we know which way that will go.   It's a shame they didn't do an immediate poison pill arrangement with Netflix.

It'll mean the end of independent voices such as CNN. 

This is the kind of thing that happened in Hungary - independent (i.e. non-government) media was removed/taken over.   Rumours are it was strong arm tactics. 

It has to be part of Donny's plan to restrict the media from commenting on him and his Magat base. 

Watched, Brief Encounter last night.

1974 version with Sophia Loren and Richard Burton.

Might check out the 1945 version tonight with Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard.

I love Sophia Loren so beautiful and a fairly good actress.

Can not take your eyes off of her, she steals every scene.

Just brilliant

Watched, Brief Encounter last night.
1974 version with Sophia Loren and Richard Burton.
Might check out the 1945 version tonight with Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard.
I love Sophia Loren so beautiful and a fairly good actress.
Can not take your eyes off of her, she steals every scene. - @Marilyn Tassy

The 1945 version has a lot of history.  It was filmed at night at a working UK railway station called Carnforth. There's even a museum I think at the station.

I didn't know there was a 1974 version and certainly not with Loren and Burton.  I'll have to try and get that one.

Shame about Burton and his alcoholism.  He was a fantastic actor with commanding presence. 

Hunting Season

2025

Action / Crime / Drama / Mystery / Thriller

When a reclusive survivalist and his daughter rescue a mysterious, wounded woman from a river, they become entangled in a deadly web of violence and revenge, forcing them to confront a brutal criminal to survive.

Trailer; https://youtu.be/iEXeoVFg5PQ

Hunting Season2025Action / Crime / Drama / Mystery / ThrillerWhen a reclusive survivalist and his daughter rescue a mysterious, wounded woman from a river, they become entangled in a deadly web of violence and revenge, forcing them to confront a brutal criminal to survive.Trailer; https://youtu.be/iEXeoVFg5PQ - @SimCityAT

Mel Gibson? 

Hell will freeze over before I watch any of his films.

Unfortunately, I have seen a few of them but that was before we all found out who he really was.

@fluffy2560

I thought he had retired from making films; he had been so quiet. OK may be not.

But I don't follow him, the last film I watched was Hacksaw Ridge, but he directed that.

@fluffy2560
I thought he had retired from making films; he had been so quiet. OK may be not.

But I don't follow him, the last film I watched was Hacksaw Ridge, but he directed that. - @SimCityAT

I am surprised anyone will hire him.  I've never heard of those movies.

He's made interesting films (and got financed to do it) before but he's so anti-British and abusive in other ways, I've decided against following him ever again. 

Shame really but he made his own bed.

US director and actor Rob Reiner and wife found dead 'with stab wounds' at their LA home

Reiner was a celebrated director whose work included some of the most memorable movies of the 1980s and '90s.

He directed such classics as This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men and Stand By Me.

US director and actor Rob Reiner and his wife have been found dead at their home in Los Angeles.

US director and actor Rob Reiner and wife found dead 'with stab wounds' at their LA home


Reiner was a celebrated director whose work included some of the most memorable movies of the 1980s and '90s.

He directed such classics as This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men and Stand By Me.

US director and actor Rob Reiner and his wife have been found dead at their home in Los Angeles. - @SimCityAT

Very sad news. I heard their son did them in with stabbing them.

I still see him in my mind as, Meat Head, from the tv show, All in the Family.

US director and actor Rob Reiner and wife found dead 'with stab wounds' at their LA home


Reiner was a celebrated director whose work included some of the most memorable movies of the 1980s and '90s.

He directed such classics as This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men and Stand By Me.

US director and actor Rob Reiner and his wife have been found dead at their home in Los Angeles. - @SimCityAT
Very sad news. I heard their son did them in with stabbing them.
I still see him in my mind as, Meat Head, from the tv show, All in the Family. - @Marilyn Tassy

Yep Nick is being questioned. https://people.com/rob-reiner-wife-mich … s-11868856

US director and actor Rob Reiner and wife found dead 'with stab wounds' at their LA home


Reiner was a celebrated director whose work included some of the most memorable movies of the 1980s and '90s.

He directed such classics as This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men and Stand By Me.

US director and actor Rob Reiner and his wife have been found dead at their home in Los Angeles. - @SimCityAT
Very sad news. I heard their son did them in with stabbing them.
I still see him in my mind as, Meat Head, from the tv show, All in the Family. - @Marilyn Tassy

Yes, talented guy. 

His movies have solid pedigrees and plenty of stars worked with him.   

Shame to come to such a horrible end.   I didn't see the son did it.  No cause of death was noted when I read the news on it.

I guess it'll come out sooner or later when they've done the autopsies.

Makes you wonder who is going to go next, not necessarily through non-natural means.

My money is currently on Clint Eastwood.   He's ancient but still working.

@fluffy2560

@fluffy2560
- @SimCityAT

Wow, Trumps ego is off the charts!

Everything is about him.

@fluffy2560
- @SimCityAT
Wow, Trumps ego is off the charts!
Everything is about him. - @Marilyn Tassy

The guy has completely lost the plot.....or has he?  It's just him, him and more him.   Utterly self-centred. 

I wonder if anyone truly has winner's remorse (i.e. feeling guilty for voting for him)?

Gil Gerard, ‘Buck Rogers in the 25th Century’ star, dies at 82

"Gil Gerard, the actor best known for playing sci-fi hero Buck Rogers, has died. He was 82.

His death in hospice on Tuesday was announced by his wife, Janet Gerard, on Facebook. She wrote: “Early this morning Gil – my soulmate – lost his fight with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer. From the moment when we knew something was wrong to his death this morning was only days."

Buck Rogers was one of my fave shows of the 1980s along with Battlestar Galactica (the later reboot particularly enjoyable).  I thought Buck would live forever.

Goodbye June
2025

Goodbye June is an upcoming Christmas drama film directed by Kate Winslet in her directorial debut, based on a screenplay written by her son, Joe Anders. It stars an ensemble cast that includes Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn, Andrea Riseborough, Timothy Spall, Helen Mirren, and the actress herself, Kate Winslet.

The film centres on four siblings whose lives change when their ailing mother takes a turn for the worse over the holiday season.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/vIDoYSWCuzQ - @SimCityAT

Kate Winslet: I never wanted to direct, but couldn't say no to this

Goodbye June2025 Goodbye June is an upcoming Christmas drama film directed by Kate Winslet in her directorial debut, based on a screenplay written by her son, Joe Anders. It stars an ensemble cast that includes Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn, Andrea Riseborough, Timothy Spall, Helen Mirren, and the actress herself, Kate Winslet.The film centres on four siblings whose lives change when their ailing mother takes a turn for the worse over the holiday season.Trailer: https://youtu.be/vIDoYSWCuzQ - @SimCityATKate Winslet: I never wanted to direct, but couldn't say no to this - @SimCityAT

I've read a review of this one and with that cast, it has to be worth watching.   

And Netflix too. 

Could be the Xmas Day movie.

The Kitchen:

I cannot tell if I posted this one before - searching doesn't work well.  But I watched it on Netflix.  It was worth it.  The story is good but it is violent with lots of death and mayhem.  Mafia movie. Kitchen refers to Hell's Kitchen in NYC.

Korean sci-fi:

The Great Flood

Story: Wasn't bad, wasn't good.  Special effects: Good.

Update:

I am watching the series Black Rabbit on Netflix.  It's essentially a version of the story of Cain and Abel.

It's a pretty good show and if you like convoluted and complex drama this is for you.  It is violent with death and malevolence but it doesn't detract from the story of two brothers in a love/hate relationship while running a restaurant/bar NYC.  Solid story in my mind.

The two stars make it worth it - Jason Bateman and Jude Law.   Others are good as supporting cast.  I noted Laura Linney as director on some episodes.  That reunites Bateman and Linney since hit show Ozark, which is re-establishing something of a theme in the genre.

It's got a relatively low rating on some web sites but don't let that put anyone off.  It's probably one of the best shows on Netflix now.  Episodes are about 1h long so it's good to get it over a number of days.

BTW, there's no search that works on previous postings so it means adding a new item to this thread. 

Korean sci-fi:
The Great Flood

Story: Wasn't bad, wasn't good. Special effects: Good.

- @fluffy2560

I agree with you on this one. Not bad, not good, but the special effects were on point!