Why You Liked … Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle heads off on a video game adventure, where awkward teens get trapped in avatars way cooler than they are. It’s geeky, hilarious, and surprisingly deep, tackling friendship and self-acceptance while Dwayne Johnson flexes his pecs, Kevin Hart funnels raw energy from the sun, Jack Black channels his inner teenage girl, and Karen Gillan proves that jungle chic is a thing. It’s a reboot that actually works, blending action, comedy, and enough 90s nostalgia to make you feel renewed. Who knew jungle peril could feel this good? Read More …

Why You Liked … Monkey Man

Dev Patel’s Monkey Man is more than an action-packed revenge story—it’s a bold commentary on modern power structures. Patel’s character, Kid, starts as an antihero driven by vengeance but evolves into a symbol of resistance against corrupt elites. The film blends stunning fight scenes with spiritual themes, exploring the consequences of unchecked power and collective struggle. With villains embodying societal anxieties and a hero’s journey rooted in hope and sacrifice, Monkey Man asks us: Will we challenge the gods of today or settle for the scraps they offer? Read More …

Why You Didn’t Like … The Union

I’m digging into The Union, Netflix’s latest action flick with Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry. Despite the star power, this film is a wild ride of confusing plot twists, clumsy storytelling, and some head-scratching moments. I’m breaking down where it all went wrong. Think Drunken Master—but without the mastery. If you’re wondering why The Union left you puzzled, you’re not alone! Read More …

Why You Liked … Prey

Prey, directed by Dan Trachtenberg, revitalises the Predator franchise by returning to the core of what makes a survival narrative compelling: simplicity and heroism. Set in 1719, it follows Naru, a young Comanche woman, as she defies tradition to protect her tribe from an alien predator. The film’s strength lies in its cultural authenticity and focus on a new kind of hero—one who blends intelligence, tradition, and courage. Prey isn’t just an action movie; it’s a statement on representation, honour, and the timeless quest for recognition and belonging. Read More …

Why You Don’t Like Rebel Moon

Dan Brown published his The Da Vinci Code in 2003. Many people found it a thrilling page-turner. Fast-paced plot? Yep. Code-breaking puzzles? You bet. Art, religion, and conspiracy? In there too. It became a best-seller, spawning a Hollywood adaptation starring Tom Hanks. In 1965, Frank Herbert published Dune. It was arguably both groundbreaking and intricate, with McMassive world-building, political intrigue, and (well before we woke up to the need) eco-warrior themes. It’s regarded as a classic, also cranking out a (fucken superb) Hollywood adaptation (in three parts, two of which we’re still waiting for, Denis!). Blade Runner, one of my all-time favourite cyberpunk movies, and arguably what started me on the path to write Chromed: Upgrade, hit the streets in 1982. It’s a Ridley Scott masterpiece, with deeply thought-provoking and often disturbing themes, dystopian atmosphere, and (lest we forget) Harrison Read More …

Agency and The Creator’s Better AI Vision

A friend of mine said, “Richard, tech companies just want to be a low-level tax on humanity.” Let’s hold that in mind. We watched The Creator recently. This is Gareth Edwards’ latest sci-fi megahit, where our hero Joshua (in a stand-out performance by John David Washington) shepherds little girl Alphie on a quest to save the world. What’s important is that Joshua is on the side of the good guys, fighting against AI, and Alphie is a Simulant, an AI chassis with the face of a human girl, and on the side of the bad guys. In Edwards’ near-future world, AI are the villains that nuked Los Angeles, and all right-minded people should be upset about them. AI aren’t people, they’re just programming, and we should bury the machines. Except. The Creator does some spectacular things with storytelling, and Edwards Read More …

Bookshine Reviews Blade of Glass

And Steph liked it! “Richard Parry’s worldbuilding and plot are superb here, but what really stood out for me above everything else was his knack with characters. The dialogue exchanges are natural and witty, and you get a real sense for each individual character, their growth and the depth of the connections they forge as the story progresses. Even the horses have their own personalities and moments to shine – although not so much that they steal the show or disrupt the main plot. In addition to the classic fantasy tropes of good vs. evil and racing to find ‘the thing’, Parry has mixed in some interesting moral dynamics about corruption and perfection, dark and light, and who decides who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. I love the races of ‘others’ introduced here – the Read More …

The Gentlemen: the sweariest five-star movie you’ll see this year

We saw Ritchie’s The Gentlemen on opening day (January 1st). We went into this: Being Guy Ritchie fans, and Wanting something clever, funny, and with just right right amount of action. We weren’t disappointed. Our first hint of being in for something special was the ticket attendant who asked in very sombre tones if we knew this was an R-rated movie. We thought she was being witty but after seeing the movie I think she was doing more sensitive audience-goers a solid. It’s clear Ritchie needed a palate cleanser after Disney’s Aladdin – a fun enough movie but without enough room for him to really swing a sword. I prefer Ritchie doing what he does best – clever, fast movies that push at least one boundary each time (my favourites are King Arthur and The Man from U.N.C.L.E., now joined Read More …

Nevernight

You might remember me gushing about Red Sister. It’s time for me to show you the path to another great grimdark tale: Nevernight, by Jay Kristoff. While Nevernight’s hero is a young woman, that’s where basic framing between the two tales ends. Nevernight’s Mia Corvere hunts murderers: her mission is to avenge the death of her parents. While this seems at first blush a fairly typical narrative arc, what makes Mia’s journey a little different is her dedication. She’s not content to slip a knife in someone’s ribs: Mia joins the Red Church, to follow our Lady of Blessed Murder. It’d be easy for this tale to degrade into a charnel house of body parts at this point, but Kristoff never takes his eyes off the prize. Mia’s not a Terminator-style killer; she didn’t chose this life, but was rather Read More …