MOVIE Morning

The second film of the 28 Years Later trilogy has been out in cinemas for a good few weeks now and, unfortunately, I hadn't been able to make it to a screening until yesterday. I love the original 28 Days Later - it might just be the absolute pinaccle of 'infected' horror stories onscreen. I even have a bit of a soft spot for 28 Weeks Later so I was pumped going into 28 Years Later last year. And overall, I would describe my experience with that film as mixed-positive. A lot of the individual pieces could be no shortage of moving, horrifying and surprisingly poignant... but as a whole, I really think Danny Boyle sacrificied some story flow and chaarcter for the sake of overstylization. I know I'm in the minority with that, and I LOVE Dannoy Boyle's work usually... but I was expecting to love it more... well, in comes 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Is it the best sequel in the franchsie? Find out in this review!28 Years Later: The Bone Temple:Directed by: Nia DaCostaWritten by: Alex GarlandProduced by: Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice, Bernard Bellew, Danny Boyle, Alex GarlandExecutive Producer: Cillian MurphyMusic by: Hildur GudnadóttirDirector of Photography: Sean BobbittEdited by: Jake RobertsCasting by: Des Hamilton, Leah HarrisonProduction Design by: Carson McColl, Gareth PughCostume Design by: Carson McColl, Gareth PughCast: Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman, Chi Lewis-ParrySynopsis: Dr. Kelson finds himself in a shocking new relationship - with consequences that could change the world as they know it - and Spike’s encounter with Jimmy Crystal becomes a nightmare he can’t escape.

Almost a month late but here it is! Today, I'll (FINALLY) be counting down my top 10 most anticipated movies of 2026! I haven't recorded myself talking about movies or TV in over three weeks, so I'm a little rusty... but I hope the wait for me to finally unveil my annual end-of-the-year lists will be worth it. 2025 was a prety darn good year for movies and 2026 looks like it's going to be even better, with a lot of franchises getting some new lifeblood, bold original visions hitting the biggest screens and movies from so many of our most prominent, beloved filmmakers. So, sit back, grab some popcorn and get ready to hear the ten films that I, personally, am most looking forward to in 2026... with a lot of honorable mentions!

James Cameron has returned to take us on a third trip to Pandora. Avatar: Fire and Ash is now out in cinemas worldwide and I finally, FINALLY had the chance to see the film yesterday after a long week of packing and traveling. This has easily been one of my most anticipated films of the year and pretty easily so because back in September 2022, I fell in love with this franchise. Finally having the chance to see the first Avatar in cinemas during its theatrical release-release was a game-changing cinematic experience for me and completely changed my perspective on a film that I felt very lukewarm to before that point. And then in December, Avatar: The Way of Water became a smash box office hit and, as far as I’m concerned, surpassed the first film by almost every single measure of quality. So, is the magic and awe of Pandora still alive? Is Avatar: Fire and Ash the best film in the trilogy? Find out all the answers in this review!Avatar: Fire and Ash:Directed by: James CameronScreenplay by: James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda SilverStory by: James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman, Shane SalernoBased on charaacters created by: James CameronProduced by: Jon Landau, James CameronExeucutive Producers: Richard Baneham, Rae Sanchini, Peter M. Tobyansen, David ValdesMusic by: Simon FranglenDirector of Photgraphy: Russell CarpenterEdited by: David Brenner, James Cameron, Nicholas De Toth, Jason Glaudio, John Refoua, Stephen E. RivkinCasting by: Margery SimkinProduction Design by: Dylan Cole, Ben ProcterCostume Design by: Deborah L. ScottCast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, David Thewlis, Jemaine Clement, Giovanni Ribisi, Britain Dalton, Jamie Flatters, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jack Champion, Brendan Cowell, Bailey Bass, Filip Geljo, Duane Evans, Jr., Kate WinsletSynopsis: In the wake of the devastating war against the RDA and the loss of their eldest son, Jake Sully and Neytiri face a new threat on Pandora: the Ash People, a violent and power-hungry Na’vi tribe led by the ruthless Varang. Jake’s family must fight for their survival and the future of Pandora in a conflict that pushes them to their emotional and physical limits.

Walt Disney Animation Studios has had a rough couple years (to be nice), so it should be a surprise to absolutely no one that I had very little anticipation for Zootopia 2, yet another nearly 10-year late sequel from one of the House of Mouse's big animation studios. I felt this way despite being a kid at the prime age when Zootopia came out, just like I was with Moana and Pixar's Inside Out. But, when I opened social media a few days ago... I was shocked to see this movie getting rave reviews and my curiosity was piqued.So, is Zootopia 2 a worthy sequel to one of the biggest original animated films of all-time? Find out in this review!Zootopia 2:Directed by: Jared Bush, Byron HowardWritten by: Jared BushProduced by: Yvett MerinoExecutive Producers: Jared Bush, Jennifer LeeMusic by: Michael GiacchinoCasting by: Grace C. KimProduction Design by: Corey LoftisCast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Shakira, Idris Elba, Quinta Brunson, Patrick Warburton, Andy Samberg, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, Nate Torrence, Jenny Slate, Alan Tudyk, Maurice LaMarche, Leah Latham, Macaulay Culkin, Josh Dallas, Tommy Chong, Raymond Persi, Phil "CM Punk" Brooks, John Leguizamo, David Fane, Josh Gad, Wilmer Valderrama, Stephanie Beatriz, Dwayne Johnson, Auli’i Cravalho, Tig Notaro, Amanda GormanSynopsis: After cracking the biggest case in Zootopia’s history, rookie cops Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves on the twisting trail of a great mystery when Gary De’Snake arrives and turns the animal metropolis upside down. To crack the case, Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before.

Wicked is back to defy gravity once again and rock the moviegoing population worldiwde. After the gigantic critical, financial and awards hit that was the first Wicked , Wicked: For Good aims to close out the adaptation of the stage musical. But, as most people online now, the second half of the Wicked musical is infamous for being much weaker than the first. I was shocked last year when I stepped into that screening and came out actually liking Wicked; I was not looking forward to seeing a nearly three-hour musical that was only going to tell half the story, but the performances, musical numbers and world building really won me over. I didn't think it was quite great, and scoffed a little at all the awards aclaim that followed its release... but there's no denying how much that movie struck a chord. So, with Wicked: For Good, is Jon M. Chu able to capture lightning in a bottle for a second time and deliver on what the stage musical could not? Find out in this review!Wicked: For Good:Directed by: Jon M. ChuBased on the musical stage play with music and lyrics by: Stephen SchwartzBased on the book by: Winnie Holzman; and From the novel by: Gregory MaguireScreenplay by: Winnie Holzman and Dana FoxProduced by: David Stone, Marc PlattExecutive Producers: Dana Fox, Winnie Holzman, Jared LeBoff, David Nicksay, Stephen SchwartzMusic by: John Powell, Stephen SchwartzDirector of Photography: Alice BrooksEdited by: Myron Kerstein, Tatiana S. RiegelCasting by: Tiffany Little Canfield, Bernard TelseyProduction Design by: Nathan CrowleyCostume Design by: Paul TazewellCast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Colman DomingoSynopsis: As an angry mob rises against the Wicked Witch, Glinda and Elphaba will need to come together one final time. With their singular friendship now the fulcrum of their futures, they will need to truly see each other, with honesty and empathy, if they are to change themselves, and all of Oz, for good.

Clint Bentley’s Train Dreams, an adaptation of a novella of the same name, has finally hit select cinemas around the globe. I had the chance to see this beautiful movie about a month ago at the BFI London Film Festival and I’ve been dying to talk about it but I wanted you guys to at least have the opportunity to seek the film out immediately after hearing me rave about it and… I wanted to see it again! Stick around to find out why I think this is one of 2025’s best movies!Train Dreams:Directed by: Clint BentleyScreenplay by: Clint Bentley, Greg KwederBased on the novella by: Denis JohnsonProduced by: Michael Heimler, Will Janowitz, Marissa McMahon, Ashley Schlaifer, Teddy SchwarzmanExecutive Producers: Joel Edgerton, John Friedberg, Scott Hinckley, Greg KwederMusic by: Bryce DessnerDirector of Photography: Adolpho VelosoEdited by: Parker LaramieCasting by: Nike Imoru, Avy KaufmanProduction Design by: Alexandra SchallerCostume Design by: Dakota Keller, Malgosia TurzanskaCast: Joel Edgerton, Felicity Joens, Kerry Condon, Paul Schneider, Clifton Collins Jr., Will Patton, William H. MacySynopsis: A logger leads a life of quiet grace as he experiences love and loss during an era of monumental change in early 20th-century America.

Noah Baumbach’s latest Netflix venture - Jay Kelly - hits limited release in cinemas in just a few weeks. I had the pleasure of seeing it at the BFI London Film Festival a few weeks back and have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to talk about it in a full-length review. The reactions to this movie have been pretty mixed since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. Why anyone at Netflix thought a European premiere made sense for a movie about an aging Hollywood movie star is beyond me… but here we are. Since that premiere, the reviews for this movie have grown to be much more kind. I’ve been really long forward to Jay Kelly because Noah Baumbach’s films tend to work for me and the premise, as well as as the opportunity for Adam Sandler to be on a serious movie again, had me very excited. So, am I one of the people really high on Jay Kelly, or was the initial mixed reception warranted? Find out in this review! Jay Kelly hits Netflix on December 5th.Jay Kelly:Directed by: Noah BaumbachWritten by: Noah Baumbach, Emily MortimerProduced by: Noah Baumbach, David Heyman, Amy PascalExecutive Producer: Donald SabourinMusic by: Nicholas BritellDirector of Photography: Linus SandgrenEdited by: Valerio Bonelli, Rachel DuranceCasting by: Douglas Aibel, Nina GoldProduction Design by: Mark TildesleyCast: George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards, Stacy KeachSynopsis: Famous movie actor Jay Kelly embarks on a journey of self discovery confronting both his past and present, accompanied by his devoted manager Ron.

Springsteen: Delvier Me from Nowhere was born in the U.S.A. and the rest of the world today. This has been one of my most anticipated movies of the back half of this year because I'm a big Bruce guy and I love Jeremy Allen White. The Bear is, without question, one of my favorite shows of the last couple of years and the idea of him playing The Boss was pretty awesome. The trailers ceetainly won me over and the pretty solid reviews out of the festivals have gotten me even more hyped. But, there is one elephant in the room: I am completely sick of these stupid and slight music biopics. Whetehr it was the Dylan movie, or the Elvis movie, all these movies have the same flaws and the same crowd that ends up really liking them. And I'm usually not a part of the latter. Is Springsteen an exception to that rule? Find out in this review!Springsteen: Deliver Me from NowhereWritten for the Screen and Directed by: Scott CooperBased on the book "Deliver Me from Nowhere" by Warren ZanesProduced by: Scott Cooper, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Eric Robinson, Scott StuberCo-Produced by: Richard Mirisch, Christopher SurgentExecutive Produced by: Tracey Landon, Jon Vein, Warren ZanesMusic by: Jeremiah FraitesDirector of Photography by: Masanobu TakayanagiEdited by: Pamela MartinCasting by: Francine MaislerProduction Design by: Stefania CellaCostume Design by: Kasia Walicka MaimoneCast: Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong, Paul Walter Hauser, Stephen Graham, Odessa Young, Gaby Hoffmann, Marc Maron, David KrumholtzSynopsis: Bruce Springsteen, a young musician on the cusp of global superstardom, struggles to reconcile the pressures of success with the ghosts of his past.