Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt in what seems to be the finale to the pretty darn good Mission Impossible franchise. Aptly titled 'The Final Reckoning'. Cruise and his IMF team try to save the world from the AI entity known as.. well, the Entity. Cue death defying stunts, lots of running and a whole lot of exposition.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of 'Dead Reckoning', and sadly, 'The Final Reckoning' was even more disappointing. Granted, there is your classic suspenseful beats, and the action (of course) is highly impressive. Cruise doing what he does best to give audiences the best experience whilst watching him cheat death. But the plot, as well as the sheer amount of exposition, is exhausting - making the film a bit of a slog to get through.

There is enough to make this an 'ok' watch, but it seems the dazzling heights that the franchise reached with ‘Fallout’ are but a distant memory.

Full thoughts in this review.

'Final Destination' returns to the big screen with it's newest addition; 'Bloodlines'. This time, death is taking down a whole family tree due to their ancestor cheating death years prior.

It certainly felt like a new and refreshing creative team were involved with this release. The franchise had reached a point of becoming stale and repetitive - afterall, there's only so many times you can watch people cheat death, only to then be killed in some freak accident. An argument can be made that it still feels stale this time round, however, the concept of a family that technically shouldn't be here and now being hunted was a fascinating spin.

Whilst the film does have its flaws, there's no denying that the ,mousetrap-like kills are as entertaining as ever. 'Bloodlines' also includes arguably the franchises best ever opening disaster, which given we're now 6 films deep, that is some going!

Full thoughts in this review.

Growing up, there was a good amount of horror/thrillers to choose from – but none more so impactful or impressionable, for my generation, than the 'Final Destination' series.

Having originally been penned as a potential episode of 'The X Files', co-writers James Wong and Glen Morgan repurposed the story into the feature that we all love today – and the franchise has never looked back. The concept and idea was so unique; death stalking those that cheated its plan, it’s no wonder the original release from 2000 has spawned four (soon to be five) sequels following its success.

The suspense and anxiety that drips into each scene for the survivors of Flight 180 is remarkable yet excruciating to endure. As well the ingenuity with its well-thought and equally terrifying 'freak accidents' that death pits the characters in, are just another reason as to why the 'Final Destination' franchise remains a favourite and highlight for so many. It may be 20 years since the originals released, but it holds up very well.

Full thoughts in this revisit.

Marvel’s latest entry 'Thunderbolts*' is a much needed, and frankly brilliant, return to form. It wasn’t at the top of my anticipated list, but its certainly left its mark.

Unlike most of the recent MCU releases, this feels raw and sincere with its narrative - whilst also being incredibly fun. The film tackles darker themes which allows for some excellent character exploration of its leads. It’s a film that most can resonate with, taking Marvel into places they haven’t before - all being executed perfectly.

The cast fire on all cylinders, the script is polished and well crafted, action on point with terrific cinematography and choreography.. 'Thunderbolts*' feels like the Marvel of old and I am ALL for it.

Full thoughts in this review.

Alex Garland teams up with Ray Mendoza for their new release 'Warfare'; bringing to the screen Mendoza's real life experience as a Navy SEAL during the Iraq war.. and it is brutal.

This boots on the ground, real life/real time viewpoint makes this film stand out higher than any other war film you may have seen before. It is nerve-racking, anxiety inducing, as well as feeling extremely real due to this being director Mendoza's own experiences.

Everything from the cinematography, which captures the events hauntingly, to the impeccable sound design for this film, gives off that impact of what it is like to be in the firing line and making you truly believe you are in the chaos with these soldiers.

It's a film that is not only another stand out for this year, but one that audiences need to experience at least once in their life.

Full thoughts in this review.

Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners' is arguably the filmmakers most ambitious, yet impressive, to date. Diving into American history, the film fully explores those themes of oppression and freedom, whilst also leaving its mark with its bite.

It's a film that sets itself apart from the rest due to the execution and talent both on screen and off. Michael B Jordan is tremendous in the dual role of twin brothers Smoke and Stack, Jack O'Connell is creepily jovial as the malevolent Remmick, Hailee Steinfeld is gorgeously excellent - but stand out goes to young Miles Caton as Sammie aka Preacher Boy because boy oh boy, does he have a bright future ahead of him.

'Sinners' will leave you transfixed and blown away by each sequence as it unfolds - the horror is dark, the world building though is on another level, as Coogler fleshes every location and character brilliantly, making 'Sinners' a rich and immersive experience from start to finish. And not to mention the score for this one courtesy of Ludwig Göransson.. Utter genius how the score and imagery go hand in hand together. Film of the year so far? No doubt about it.

Full thoughts in this review.

The directorial debut from Alex Scharfman 'Death of a Unicorn' is a bit of a mixed bag. It has some genuine thrills and comedic moments, but at times it feels that the movie doesn't know what it wants to be and thus doesn't fully stick the landing.

The stand out in this one is its fantastic ensemble, including Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Richard E. Grant, Téa Leoni and highlight Will Poulter - all of which have moments that shine, generating laughs that are welcomed. Even the horror is fun too, if you've ever wanted to see someone be impaled or eaten by a unicorn; you're in luck!

But while the film has its highs with the comedy and horror element, its social/class commentary, as well as tapping into themes of grief and parenthood, all feels very surface level stuff with its execution - causing it at times doesn't feel as natural as its trying to be.

Full thoughts in this review.

Jack Quaid stars as Nathan Caine; the man who feels no pain within Dan Berk and Robert Olsen's latest release 'Novocaine' - and my goodness is there a lot of fun, and blood, in this one.

As action comedies go, this is quite a fresh and original concept. With no pain to worry about, there's also no fear for Quaid's character, as he goes on a one man mission to save the girl of his dreams. The film does stay within its lane on that front, but its the imagination behind each grizzly blow that makes you appreciate what its trying to do.

Quaid can pretty much sleepwalk through this kind of role; its the standard quirky, nerdy, everyman flung into a bad situation that you would expect him to play. Nevertheless, 'Novocaine' does scratch that itch if you're looking for something fresh and equally fun.

Full thoughts in this review.

'Last Breath' is the terrifying and extraordinary true story of how deep sea diver, Chris Lemons, was left stranded 100 metres under the sea, with only his back up oxygen to save him.

While this story maybe familiar to its audience, its the way in which director Alex Parkinson executes bringing this story to the big screen that is the most impressive. Filming techniques such as wide shots that is mainly filled with blackness, limiting lead actor Finn Cole to a small portion of the screen, really sets in that fear and anxiety of how alone it is within the dark and underwater world.

The entire supporting cast, made up of Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu, create a great and believable chemistry, raising the stakes, as they look save their lost friend and diver. It might not be a film you rewatch after your initial viewing, but it is one you'll be telling people to check out.

Full thoughts in this review.

Returning to the FBI's basement to talk about yet another episode of The X Files. Joined in this revisit by fellow X Files enthusiast Tom Grant-Ward, as we discuss the controversial and only 'banned' episode of the show; Home.

Premiering in October 1996, the episode was met with a mixture of applause and disgust due to the graphic nature of the episode and its themes. Horror fans loved it, your average viewer... not so much. But even with this being arguably the darkest episode of the show, it is still hailed as one of the best - and it is easy to see why.

The episode includes so many horror tropes, as well as using inspiration and aesthetics from your classic horrors such as 'Texas Chainsaw' and 'The Hills Have Eyes', whilst thriving in the insecurities we all have when home alone.

'Home' essentially changed the game, and standards, for TV - and pits Mulder and Scully against some of the scariest and unsettling monsters the show has ever seen.

Full thoughts in this revisit.