While viewing the awe-inspiring world of Avatar sixteen years ago, and again in Avatar 2, you find yourself either captivated by the enchanting blue beings of Pandora or not. As for me, I’m totally fascinated by them and the intricacies of their vibrant biosphere—bring it on! I was especially thrilled to see Spider, played by Jack Champion, have such a major role in “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” especially after interviewing him at the Critics’ Choice Awards in 2022. Yes, it’s a very long movie, 3 hours and 16 minutes, although I saw it in 3D, which I would highly recommend.

Is “Avatar: Fire and Ash” for small children, the answer is, no? It’s rated PG-13 complete with swear words and obscene jesters that are inappropriate for kids under 13 years of age. Also, they would become confused with the multilabel story lines, at times it was a little challenging and frustrating for myself to switch between scenes. Although all is forgiven as the bottom line for me is that “Avatar: Fire and Ash” is a masterpiece. It has elements covered in a science fiction reality, as in theme, speculative concepts, imagination, characters, futuristic ideas, advanced technology, future settings, and altered realities. In my prior teaching days of teaching bright children, we taught kids how to think critically and creatively. Director James Cameron’s Avatar films are some of my favorites as he implements so much creativity into all aspects of them.

The Sully family is the central family of the Avatar franchise: Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), his Na’vi mate Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), and their children Neteyam, Lo’ak, Tuk, their adoptive daughter Kiri, and human adopted son Spider (Miles Socorro). They form a blended and unique family on the fictional moon Pandora. It is mainly made up of gas, and scientists are actively looking for similar worlds. There are also floating mountains. It has gravity to keep Saturn’s narrow F Ring particles in line, though it also creates disturbances, featuring grooves, ridges, and a dusty surface. In contrast, the fictional Planet Pandora in Avatar has complex ecosystems, magnetic storms, and toxic air. The movie’s Pandora is also a lush, dangerous world orbiting a gas giant named Polyphemus.

The Sully family is the central family of the Avatar franchise: Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), his Na’vi mate Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), and their children Neteyam, Lo’ak, Tuk, their adoptive daughter Kiri, and human adopted son Spider (Miles Socorro). They form a blended and unique family on the fictional moon Pandora. It is mainly made up of gas, and scientists are actively looking for similar worlds. There are also floating mountains. It has gravity to keep Saturn’s narrow F Ring particles in line, though it also creates disturbances, featuring grooves, ridges, and a dusty surface. In contrast, the fictional Planet Pandora in Avatar has complex ecosystems, magnetic storms, and toxic air. The movie’s Pandora is also a lush, dangerous world orbiting a gas giant named Polyphemus.

Yes, the Sullys are still mourning the loss of their eldest son, Matteo, who died near the end of the second film. Neytiri and Jake try to carry on in the face of that loss, choosing anger and militant action as coping mechanisms. The other Sully children, Tuk and the adopted Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), along with the human named Spider (Jake Champion), grow and evolve with time. Kiri begins to explore her more profound connection to Eywa, the Goddess of Pandora, and the abilities granted to her, which, in turn, lead to Spider being able to breathe Pandoran air. This stunning revelation leads to a new conflict with the human colonizers, led by the repurposed Na’vi Quaritch. (Stephen Lang), joined by the savage, volcano-dwelling Mangkwan clan, as they race to discover how to save humanity to prevent Pandora’s exploitation for corporate gain.

Avatar: Fire and Ash is a masterpiece in its own right, despite being the third film in the series. If anything, the film will gain new audiences and continue to want more of the series. The breathtaking visuals and exhilarating action sequences keep the Pandora world engaging. This creative world sparks ideas in young and old to ponder and discuss. I have many questions for James Cameron if I meet him in the future, though for now I’m thankful these new ideas are out in the world, and who knows what others will create next. So yes, see Avatar: The Way of Water in a theater near you for a unique experience—my audience cheered and clapped at the ending, and that always makes me very happy.

Cast:

Director: James Cameron

Sarah Knight Adamson Hollywood 360 Radio Network

The animated movie “Zootopia 2” is an animated buddy- police officer movie that’s breaking box-office records. Opening with the highest global animated opening of all time $500.59 million dollars. Jason Bateman reprises his role as Nick the Fox and Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy the Bunny. This oddball team teaches us that despite ‘the natural order’ of predator and prey, as these two work together to help each other. “Zootopia 2” delivers the humor and charm of the first movie and so much more.

It has been nine years since “Zootopia” charmed audiences and received an Academy Award nomination in 2017 for Best Animated Feature Film. Today, both adults and children are flocking to theaters to see this delightful and humorous film, which promotes kind-hearted themes of compassion for others. I greatly appreciate movies that convey these messages, and as the box office results show, many viewers around the world do as well.

For the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, “Zootopia 2” has been nominated for Best Motion Picture – Animated, as well as the new category, Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. This category celebrates the film’s massive commercial success alongside its critical acclaim, and voters have expressed their delight with the blockbuster sequel.

As the ‘nature’ story goes, Nick is a scoundrel fox while Judy, the “dumb bunny,” is actually an intelligent rabbit, and he’s a severely loyal pack animal. The vital link to their appeal is their yin-and-yang demeanor. This duo is fun to watch, as the writers subtly remind us of Judy’s commitment to justice, and Nick has a breezy charm and a hint of pessimism. Although Judy is committed to her mission, she relies on Nick’s street smarts to help her succeed.

Mayor Bellwether (Jenny Slate) has been removed from office, and the story delves into the shady history of Zootopia during the Zootennial celebration. One of their escapades involves chasing down a tip about a customs official, and they uncover a plot to steal a historical journal detailing the invention of the weather walls. As they learn more about Zootopia’s history, they determine the real reason reptiles and snakes were banished and sent underground. Also, a new plan by wealthy developers, the Lynxley family, to relocate animal communities while expanding their chilly Tundraland.

Yes, I enjoyed “Zootopia 2” and can highly recommend it, as it’s playing in theaters now.

Sarah Knight Adamson© December 13,  2025

The comedy-drama film “Rental Family” starring Brendan Fraser combines heartfelt moments with lighthearted humor, making it appealing to fans of both genres. Fraser, an actor living in Japan, plays a character who deeply impacts people’s lives. Here, a Japanese girl is told that her long-lost ‘white’ biological father wants to meet her. Fraser is the right age and fits the role of a relatable ‘white dude.’ I was surprised to learn that this service actually exists in Japan and remains popular today, adding authenticity to the story.

Japanese filmmaker Hikari and her cowriter Stephen Blahut create authentic characters, each with their own concerns and detailed agendas, who work through a storyline that is methodically enchanting. The film is both hilarious and impactful, showcasing significant changes that make for an enjoyable experience for everyone

Having lived in Japan for seven years now, Phillip (Fraser) has lived in Japan for seven years and has no plans to move back to America. His acting career was stalled after a few silly TV advertisements. Meeting Tada (Hira), who runs Rental Family Inc., along with colleagues Aiko (Yamamoto) and Kota (Bun), changes his life. His jobs vary as a groom at a wedding, a journalist interviewing an acting legend (Emoto) who has dementia, and lastly as a father to the bright young girl Mia (Gorman), who thinks he’s really her long-lost dad. Phillip, being Phillip, can’t help but get involved with his clients, as he actually cares about them and their well-being.

Personally, I believe that the key to a great film is the excellent writing along with the superb direction, as the actors are able to dive in and make the film their own. Here we root for Phillip as he’s navigating his live to help others. Yes, it’s simple kindness, although that’s not always easy or comes naturally to people. What we as viewers see is the transformative power of kindness. We also witness the soft pace, quiet moments with bits of reflection, and comedy.

Fraser has already won our hearts in his Academy Award-winning film “The Whale” (2022), in which he played an obese recluse, embarrassed by his size. Here we see another side to Fraser as the “token white guy” who simply is a nice, kind guy, with no hidden agenda other than to help others with their problems of a missing relative. Yes, this is Brendan Fraser at his best, giving it his all, and I truly enjoyed his remarkable character and performance.

The musical, fantasy film “Wicked: For Good” rated PG-13 is absolutely outstanding! I was truly captivated by its powerful messages of acceptance, the importance of following your heart, and showing empathy towards others. Another significant element of this film is that the screen time has been widened for all characters. The talented Jonathan Bailey, Fiyero steals both witches’ hearts, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande), shines in his role, as does Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz. There is more passion and emotional heartbreak as Elphaba transforms into darker and more wicked ways in order to help everyone recognize that Glinda is indeed good.

The film radiates an abundance of passion and delves into darker themes, surpassing its predecessor in both depth and intensity. One of the stand out features are the dazzling set designs as they are over-the-top breath-takingly gorgeous! The talented Academy Award nominee director Jon M. Chu of “Crazy Rich Asians,” and “In the Heights” the film showcases his vision for both sets and the heartfelt storylines. However, his pacing does appear off with his numerous cut-aways to Elphaba. In particular, the Wicked Witch’s scenes tend to drag on as she broods excessively. Nevertheless, this flaw is overshadowed by the strong bond between the two main characters. Parents should be aware that this film may not be suitable for children, as the flying monkeys are much scarier than in the 1939 film.

For those who have not read the book, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire or have seen the stage musical Wicked by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, here are some essential details as the movie is based on both. Maguire’s novel is a modernizing, adult-oriented perspective on the characters and universe from L. Frank Baum’s classic 1900 children’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

It’s inspiring to see the chemistry between Arianna Grande as the Good Witch and Cynthia Erivo as the Wicked Witch, highlighting their talent and passion for their roles. Both are talented singers and actors; here, they appear to truly love what they are performing. Together, they devise a plan to free the animals from OZ that are being held in cages and silenced. Fiyero goes along with this plan, with some reservations. Unbeknownst to Glinda, Fiyero developed an attraction to Elphaba when he, Elphaba, and Glinda (then known as Galinda) were all students at Shiz University. In the first “Wicked” movie, the school’s corrupt dean of sorcery studies, Madame Morrible (played by Michelle Yeoh), served as a mentor to Elphaba and chose Elphaba over Galinda/Glinda; they were given special training in sorcery. Madame Morrible, who is an ally of the Wizard of Oz, had an agenda to use Elphaba’s magical powers to increase the oppression of animals and any supporters of their cause.

Elphaba boldly and emphatically resisted this agenda, so the Wizard and Madame Morrible lied about her, calling her evil and harmful. The Wizard and Madame Morrible also gave Elphaba the nickname “the Wicked Witch of the West” and declared her an “enemy” of Oz. This smear campaign made the citizens of Oz turn against Elphaba, and there is literally a witch hunt for her.

Most of the supporting characters with significant speaking roles from the first “Wicked” movie return, including Glinda’s sycophantic sidekicks, Pfannee (played by Bowen Yang) and Shenshen (Bronwyn James). These comic-relief characters have less screen time in “Wicked: For Good,” but their return keeps familiar faces in focus. New characters like the Cowardly Lion (voiced by Colman Domingo) and Dorothy (Bethany Weaver) appear, with Dorothy in a non-speaking role, adding fresh elements to the story.

The first “Wicked” movie earned 10 Oscar nominations and won two, including Outstanding Costume Design and Outstanding Production Design. “Wicked: For Good” is poised to earn nominations in similar categories, with visual effects and cinematography surpassing those of the original. Highlighting these achievements helps build excitement and anticipation for the film’s quality. Yes, I can highly recommend you see “Wicked: For Good” in a theater near you.

Sarah Knight Adamson© November 21,  2025

The hilarious movie “Good Fortune,” starring Aziz Ansari, Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, and KeKe Palmer, is a comedy with a deeper message about people struggling to make ends meet. The movie has the theme of swapping places with another person, as in the 1988 movie “Vice Versa.” Remember the 11-year-old Fred Savage, who swaps places with his dad, a business executive. Here, the wealthy Seth Rogen and the struggling factory worker Aziz switch places, and, typically, all business, Keanu Reeves is his comical ‘Budget Guardian Angel.

Lionsgate Photo

As most know, pure comedy movies are less common in Hollywood, and they rarely have a wide theatrical release. I can say that it was great to actually hear laughter in the theater! I truly miss that experience with an audience. During my screening, the laughter was nonstop and grew louder as the movie progressed. And to my surprise, a few people actually were clapping. The talk afterwards was all about Keanu as we know him mainly from his serious killing movies, John Wick.

The winner here is definitely Aziz Ansari, as he serves as writer, director, and actor. He plays Arj, a down-on-his-luck factory worker who is homeless and sleeps in a car. We see him taking his daily showers at the local gym, though he’s not showering because he just worked out; he genuinely needs to maintain healthy hygiene. The film shows us how difficult it is not to have money, and in this case, the James Baldwin quote “Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor,” is very close to the truth of the downward spiral effect.

Also, I’m a huge fan of comedy and Seth Rogen, whom I met a few years ago while on vacation in LA When I met him, he asked if he could sit down awhile and speak with me, as he was on a break from filming “Platonic” with Rose Byrne. I asked him about his road trip movie with Barbara Streisand that was released on December 19, 2012, titled “The Guilt Trip.” I said, My brother is a huge Barbara Streisand fan and thanked him for making the movie. I also said, “That must have been an interesting trip.” He replied, “Ohhh yes indeed.”

Sarah Knight Adamson© October 25, 2025

Keri Russell, one of my favorite actors, stars as Kate Wyler in the Netflix political thriller “The Diplomat”. Her portrayal of a character is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat; she also serves as an executive producer. In this review, I’ll delve into Season 3 without giving away any spoilers, and bring you up to speed on the series as a whole.

The Diplomat. (L to R) Keri Russell as Kate Wyler, Rufus Sewell as Hal Wyler in episode 303 of The Diplomat. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2025

Russell has been captivating audiences since her breakout role in the 1990s TV series “Felicity,” and caught my attention in the 2007 movie “Waitress.” In this film, she plays a waitress in a small Southern town who creates delicious desserts, but her marriage to an overbearing hooligan (Jeremy Sisto) makes her happiness impossible.

Another standout in Russell’s career is “The Americans” (2013), a unique series that delves into the lives of two KGB agents posing as an ordinary American couple during the Cold War. Russell’s co-star in this gripping drama is the talented actor, Matthew Rhys. They play Philip and Elizabeth Jennings two KGB spies who are in an arranged marriage, they are posing as Americans in suburban Washington, D.C. in 1984 during Ronald Reagan presidency. Teenager Paige and preteen Henry, are their children who are unaware of their parents’ true identities.

In “The Diplomat,” she plays a career diplomat propelled into the weighty role of U.S. ambassador to the UK in the middle of an international catastrophe. Her new situation places her under enormous anxiety on both her personal and professional life. The series extensively studies the intricate political and personal parleys. Her character, Kate Wyler, is a seasoned, behind-the-scenes crisis manager who is suddenly appointed to a high-profile ambassadorship and now faces personal and professional challenges. Her character and outstanding performance have resonated with audiences and critics, so much so that she was nominated for an Emmy Award.

As Kate navigates the unpredictable waters of geopolitical crises, she also struggles with a troubled marriage to her husband, Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell), a prominent British diplomat. These personal challenges add depth to her character, making her more relatable to the audience. He’s currently a sidelined diplomat who’s unhappy being in the background while his wife has center stage. Formerly, he was the US Ambassador to Lebanon, where he negotiated the end of wars through his ruthless tactics, and was also fired after accusing the Secretary of State of being a war criminal. Their chemistry is great to watch as his charismatic personality can turn quickly into driven, ruthless and manipulator similar to maneuvers he used in this negation’s during his career. He appears genuinely loyal to Kate, yet his ambition and his schemes often cause conflict between them.

Yes, “The Diplomat” is one of my favorite TV shows, and Season 3 was excellent as well. I enjoy the yin and yang between Kate and Hal; they are both such interesting and complicated characters to view, and at times unpredictable. Their acting is some of the best on TV right now. I am also thrilled there will be a Season 4.

Sarah Knight Adamson© October 11, 2025

Sullivan’s Crossing’ Season 3 dropped in Canada on April 27, 2025, and on the CW in the U.S. on May 14, 2025. All seasons are now available to view on Netflix. The early episodes focus on Maggie working to adapt to life at Sullivan Crossing while helping her father, Sully, remodel the business to keep it up to date. She does have troubles with the sadness of her miscarriage.

Unfortunately, Maggie also can’t practice in local medical rescue centers as she isn’t licensed in Nova Scotia. She receives support from her boyfriend, Cal, and her friends. And plants a tree in honor of her lost baby. Sully decides to travel to Ireland with his new love interest, Helen, leaving Maggie and Cal in charge of the Crossing.

During this time, Maggie and Cal’s relationship strengthens, although she questions his unfamiliar, controlling, and impulsive behavior. Actually, Cal’s demeanor change seems a bit off as he’s so easy going, and that’s how he has expressed himself, not to mention that’s the person she fell in love with. Not sure what the writers are thinking here.

Maggie goes with Cal to see his parents, as Sully and Frank investigate who’s behind the new development that has taken over Sullivan Crossings. All the townsfolk help Rob (Reid Price) save his new restaurant at Sullivan’s Crossing, as his previous restaurant was lost in a fire at the end of Season 2. The townsfolk rally to support Rob by helping him get his new restaurant up and running, highlighting the strong sense of community at Sullivan’s Crossing.

Lola lost her grandfather, Roy (Richard Donat), also her last blood relative, in Season 1. As a result, her relationship with Sully is more important than ever. While her mother was dying of cancer, she and Lola moved in with him. However, years later, as Maggie returned, an almost instant rivalry began between them. Fueled by their opposing viewpoints surrounding Sully, Lola saw the situation as Maggie abandoning him. Meanwhile, Maggie saw it as Lola replacing her.

Lola’s mother passed away due to her illness, leaving Sully to step up as a parental figure to her. However, as Lola’s bad luck would have it, there was more than her mom’s death that made Sully feel obligated to do right by her. It’s revealed in Season 2 that years earlier, Sully accidentally hit Lola while on her bike. At the time, he was drunk and distraught, chasing after Maggie, who was taken by her mother. Not seeing who initially struck her, she eventually learned the truth behind the hit-and-run.

Near the end, Edna (Andrea Menard) plays the role of Edna Cranebear, she’s the wife of Frank Cranebear and is a partner in the family business, Sullivan’s Crossing. She is a close friend of Maggie’s and often provides emotional support, as she’s level-headed and considers all aspects of a situation. Unfortunately, she has a brain tumor threatening her eyesight.

The great news is that Maggie, upon Edna’s insistence, agreed to be the one to perform the complex surgery. Thankfully, all went well, which led Edna to a full recovery. Before the surgery, Maggie speaks with Edna about the worst-case scenario where a stroke could lead to a loss of thinking and communication. Edna ponders both scenarios, deciding to risk the surgery as she said, “I wouldn’t be me anymore.”

A shocking conclusion sets the stage for Season 4, which will unfold at Rob’s restaurant party. Maggie’s ex-husband, Liam, dropped a bombshell: he was actually her secret husband. This revelation shocked Maggie, who thought she had found a life with Cal, and exposed a secret she kept from him and potentially others in the town. Season 4 has been confirmed and is set to air in 2026.

Sarah Knight Adamson© September 24, 2025

Starting from where we last saw her, Jenna Ortega shines in “Wednesday,” Season 2 Part 2, a comical mystery TV series now available on Netflix. The show follows Wednesday, the daughter of Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Gomez Addams (Luis Guzmán), as she gathers clues to solve a mystery in each episode. She is accompanied by the unique character, Thing, a crawling hand with a mind of its own, who often steals the show!

Astonishingly, the Netflix show maintains a determined speed with razor-sharp writing, purposely maneuvered conflict, and jump scares. There isn’t really any foreseeable plot twist as the series maintains surprises that keep the story wildly interesting and addictive. That explains my change in calendar bookings so that I’d be sure to view the next episode as soon as it drops.

In recapping a bit, in “Wednesday’s” Season 1 finale, Principal Weems, Gwendoline Christie, was killed by Marilyn Thornhill disguised as Laurel Gates, played by Cristina Ricci. She was injected with nightshade poison, revealing herself as Tyler Galpin to expose Laurel’s true identity. Though she appears to die, Weems is front and center in Season 2 as Wednesday’s spirit guide, demonstrating a supernatural return from the dead. Christie’s casting is a testament to the show’s attention to detail, as she is not only an excellent actor but also her height of 6 feet 3 inches adds a unique visual element to her portrayal as a floating spirit. See the photo below.

In the second season, (spoilers ahead) Wednesday returns to Nevermore Academy school and, while expanding her psychic abilities, she must have a new oppressor, try to prevent her roommates’ death. Enid Sinclair is an overly cheerful, colorfully dressed werewolf student at Nevermore Academy. She is portrayed by the actress Emma Myers and serves as a thwart to Wednesday’s darker demeanor, as she constantly tries to befriend her. In addition, Pugsley, (Isaac Ordonez) her younger brother also enrolls at Nevermore.

After Weems’ death, the new Principal is Barry Dort, (Steve Buscemi) whose power is pyrokinesis, the ability to create and control fire. This fiery power was featured notably in promotional materials for Season 2 and is central to his role as Nevermore Academy’s new principal. He is also a manipulative and cunning individual with a history of fraud and corruption, using his position and charisma to further his own immoral goals. As a Steve Buscemi fan, I can say he’s perfect for this role, he has that devilish twinkle in his eyes at times, as he appears to be having a blast.

We met Bianca Barclay (Joy Sunday) early on in Part 1 Episode one, she’s a popular siren student at Nevermore Academy, and quickly becomes a rival to Wednesday. What’s super fun is her luminous grayish-blue eyes that are not her real eye color; they are colored contact lenses designed to give her character a trademark siren looks. She wears these contacts to portray Bianca’s species, a siren, whose physical features include piercing, pale blue eyes used for manipulation and persuasion. 

The big reveal is that Patient 1938 is actually Tyler Galpin’s mother, Francoise, which utterly shocks Wednesday. The shocks don’t stop there, as Slurp turns out to be Francoise’s brother, and Tyler’s uncle is Isaac. The craziest reveal of all is that ‘Thing’ is the severed right hand of Isaac Night.

Beyond the plot twists, the performances elevate the season. Every actor breathes new life into their character, and the show widens the spotlight to showcase more than just Wednesday’s perspective. This shift gives the world of Nevermore a greater dimension, which allows for more character plot lines.

Wednesday has broken many TV records, with an enormous number of people watching the show, not to mention the Emmy Awards it has received. It’s my favorite TV show this year, and I am excited that Season 2, Part 2 has finally dropped with four new episodes. I really adore the castle in the film is located in “Ireland” and the name is Charleville Castle. It was built in 1798 by architect Francis Johnston for the Earl of Charleville. Situated in an ancient oak wood, it is now maintained by volunteers who offer tours and share its stories. The castle is also famous for its alleged paranormal activity, particularly the ghost of a young girl named Harriet who died there. I would like to visit there someday.

Sarah Knight Adamson© September 16, 2025

Wednesday TV series Season 2 Part 2 Netflix

Focus Features and Universal Pictures International distributing the film from Carnival Films.

They say that all good things must come to an end, and this is undoubtedly true for Downton Abbey. This farewell is accompanied by a deep sense of loss, particularly because my favorite actor, Dame Maggie Smith, as she was a remarkable scene-stealer. Her sharp wit as the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley is something I will always cherish. Tragically, she has passed away and is lovingly remembered through a beautiful portrait that hangs in the main entrance of the castle. In the trailer, you can even see Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), with tears in her eyes as she gazes at the portrait, paying tribute to her late grandmother, and the camera pans over her during the film.

After fifteen years, six television seasons, and three movies, the time has finally come to say goodbye. The “Downton Abbey” films are a standard carryover of Julian Fellowes’ admired PBS drama series. They are also the same style, with a longer running time and a more robust ensemble of guest stars. The “Downton Abbey” films are essentially extended episodes of the show, covering condensed topics that may be challenging to follow without prior familiarity with the source material. Yes, “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” doesn’t have the emotional complexities of its two predecessors, although its straightforward sincerity, its authenticity and honesty, is apparent.

 “The Grand Finale“ primarily focuses on the aftermath of Mary’s divorce from Henry, a situation that is far from typical for someone in her position. As a result, she is banished immediately from London society. She attempts to seek solace in her familiar Yorkshire, although snobbery does raise its ugly head. The setting is shortly after the events of “Downton Abbey: A New Era.”

Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), whose husband is Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), is shown grieving over his mother’s death. He questions his place in the world and has dedicated his life to upholding his role, resisting Cora’s gentle guidance to relax, as it’s his time to unwind. We also learn that Cora’s mother passed away, although this happens off-screen in between the two Downton Abby films. She was hoping that her inheritance would cover the construction that is dearly needed on the estate. Cora is in disbelief when Harold Levinson (Paul Giamatti), who plays her brother, delivers the bad news that their financial outlook is poor. We view Harold bringing in his shady financial advisor, Gus Sambrook (Alessandro Nivola), to explain his poor business dealings. We also discovered that Harold has mismanaged the family funds.

 What I especially appreciated is that each member of the cast has on-screen time so that they, as well as fans, can say their goodbyes. We stay in the present and don’t digress to the past, allowing time to soak in all the events of the time and to say goodbye to the beloved Downton cast that’s featured. We see key events like World War I, the Spanish flu, and the film succeeds in recapturing some of the fun of the show’s early days as it wraps up storylines for over a dozen characters.

 “The Grand Finale“ is a guilty pleasure to view and a victory for the franchise and all its characters we’ve grown to love. It sure is great to revisit characters we’ve become fond of, and the special scenery, and of course that gorgeous castle. Above all else, it’s lots of pure fun to spend another few hours in this delightful world.

Here’s the schedule for the release of “Downton Abbey the Grand Finale.” Tune in to NBC September 9th to view the special “Downton Abbey Celebrates the Grand Finale,” with the cast members. The movie will begin streaming on Peacock, September 10. The film will be available in theaters September 12.

Side Note: The movies were filmed on location at Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England. The castle is currently the private residence for the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, although certain parts are open to the public at different times of the year.

Director: Simon Curtis I’ve interviewed him twice for his movies, “Goodbye Christopher Robin” and “The Woman in Gold”

*Julian Fellowes is a multi-award–winning actor, writer, director and producer. As creator, sole writer and executive producer of the hit television series Downton Abbey, Fellowes has won three Emmy awards and a Golden Globe.

Cast List:

“Sketch” is promoted as a kids’ movie that features a child’s monster drawings that become mysteriously alive. The title ‘Sketch’ refers to Amber’s drawings, which are her way of expressing her emotions and coping with the loss of her mother. In turn, they immediately try to scare her and her friends, as well as anyone they can find. It’s playing in theaters now.

Sketch_Movie Still-285-2.jpg

The movie stars actor Tony Hale as a grieving dad, Jack, whose wife has died. He’s trying to raise his kids as a single parent. His daughter Amber’s violent, monstrous sketches cause trouble at school, but the school therapist, played by D’Arcy Carden, recommends that she continue drawing as a means to channel her anger over the loss of her mom. The therapist’s role is to guide Amber through her grief and help her express her emotions in a healthy way.

The movie’s premise, a child’s drawings coming to life, is a creative and engaging concept. The family members, including Tony Hale, deliver strong performances. However, the script’s intense moments may be too much for young viewers, leading to the question, ‘Do young children need to be frightened?‘ I’d strongly advise against bringing any child under the age of 10 to this movie.

The monsters, which are a manifestation of Amber’s grief and anger, chase the kids and spray them with a colored liquid. The kids try to outrun them, but it’s not always possible. When they are caught, it’s very frightening. The monsters are depicted as large, shadowy figures with glowing eyes and sharp claws, which might be too intense for younger viewers. Due to this, I’m out on this one.

Director and Writer: Seth Worley

Cast: Tony Hale, D’Arcy Carden, Bianca Belle, Kue Lawrence, Kalon Cox

Produced By: Steve Taylor, Tony Hale, Kevin Downes, Daryl Lefever, and Katelyn Botsch

Run Time: 92 minutes

Sarah Knight Adamson ©August 18, 2025

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