Spider-Noir (2026) Review

After Nicolas Cage played a Version of Spider-Man in Into The Spider-verse, I thought it was a one off but out of nowhere last year it was announced that Cage would again be playing a version of Spider-Man in live action for Amazon. That show has finally come out and I have watched all the episodes of Spider-Noir and here is my review of it. The premise of the show Follows an out of luck private investigator who gets new work, which leads him into some dark places and a return to his old life. 

Main Character

As I mentioned above, Nicolas Cage takes on the role of Ben Reilly here and he is fantastic and I love his performance. There is enough of the Cage feel about it but it never feels like a caricature, Ben is a deep character and Cage really sells that. He is definitely not as squeaky clean as other heroes but I love that and it made him way more interesting. 

Supporting Characters

Lamorne Morris plays Robbie Robertson and I really enjoyed his character. He has wonderful chemistry with Cage and I just really like their friendship. His own narrative is interesting enough but he is at his best when with Cage. 

Li Jun Li plays Cat Hardy and she was a good character. She has plenty of complexity to her and it is interesting to see whether we are supposed to root for her or not. 

Karen Rodriguez plays Janet Ruiz who is basically Ben Reilly's assistant but there is more to her then that and I thought she did a great job. Again she has great chemistry with Cage and some of the best scenes in the show are just Ben, Robbie and Janet talking because of the quality acting and writing. 

Brendan Gleeson plays Silvermane and he is exactly what you expect but he is clearly having a blast in the role. He was perfect for the role and I found him pretty entertaining and again is just another actor with great chemistry with Cage. 

Everyone in this show does a great job and credit to all the performers. 

Story

The story is good. I really liked Ben Reillys character development and how he is struggling about whether he should actually be The Spider. I also liked how he is connect to the villains and how they come up with a plausible reason for him and the other characters to have powers. It does feel low level in terms of stakes but I think by focusing on the characters it does enough to make it interesting. 

Script

The script is excellent. There is so much excellent dialogue here and the balance between humour and drama is on point. Cage obviously adds his unique twist to everything but I like it and I just thought the writing was really good. 

Style

Now you can watch Spider-Noir in two different ways, either in colour or in Black and White. I decided to watch it in Black and White and I thought it added so much to the show. The cinematography is excellent and by giving this option it adds a uniqueness to this show. Also the action scenes really deliver and are a lot of fun. 

Overall

Overall, Spider-Noir is an Epic show with a truly special experience offered. This is some of Nicolas Cage best ever work and I think this will go down as a truly special comic book show that has a big cult audience. This will be up there for best shows of the year and I am so happy that it delivered. 

Rating - 10/10

007 First Light (2026) Review

Over the last few days, the gaming world has been taken over by the new James Bond game 007 First Light. I don't get the chance to buy and play new games all that often but I made sure that I picked up this game and lets just say I have played a lot of it since the release. So here is my review for the game. The premise of the game sees a young James Bond recruited by MI6 to take part in a new programme as he grows to become the ultimate super spy. 

Characters

Patrick Gibson takes on the iconic role of James Bond and I thought he was fantastic here. He just feels like a young James Bond, the tropes of the character ae there, but there is also some weaknesses due to his experience and youth. It is a great coming of age story and Gibson really excels here. 

Lennie James plays John Greenway and he adds some star power here. At first it felt like a generic grumpy mentor but as the game progresses, we learn more about him and his relationship with Bond is well realised and well developed.

The iconic characters from the films are here in M, Q and Monneypenny and I liked these depictions and their relationships with Bond. In particular, I really liked Q and having that older depiction with a younger Bond just really worked for me.

The villains are fine and there are a lot of them, they aren't amazing but did enough here to keep me interested. You get your bond girls as well and they vary in interest with a character called Isola who is the most interesting and the dynamic between her and Bond is pretty cool. 

Story 

As mentioned above, this is very much an origin story for James Bond and it handles it so well. It takes its time in telling its story and that made me really care about Bond and wanting to see him succeed. It has the twists and turns expected from a Bond film and even though it is sort of safe, I really enjoyed it and it is everything I wanted from this game. 

Side Activities

This game has some side content in the Tacsim missions. These are basically challenge scenarios, where you have to unlock outfits, gadgets and weapons. These are fun and provide you with different challenges to take part in away from the story mode. 

However, there just isn't enough of them. It feels like new missions will be added as DLC, but I definitely think there could have been more, I mean there aren't currently any driving challenges which feels like a missed opportunity. 

Gameplay

The gameplay is fantastic. The mix of stealth. hand to hand combat and gunplay is so satisfying and there are so many things to learn for this game. This game is hard and I died a lot, so you need to combine all of these things in order to thrive in First Light. 

Style

This game looks beautiful. All the game models look fantastic and the environments are totally breath-taking and make this game feel so huge. Travelling the globe as Bond was the right call and using the environment as weapons made it even better. 

Overall

Overall, 007 First Light is a fantastic game that really shows that single player story based games can really deliver and still have a huge place in gaming. I loved my time in First Light and I can't wait to play it again and find different ways to complete the missions. 

Rating - 9/10

Jack Ryan Season 2 (2019) Review

I continue my watch of the Amazon Prime show Jack Ryan ahead of watching the new film released in the franchise. Today, I finished the 2nd season of the show and here is my review for it. The premise of the season sees Jack uncover a mystery in Venezuela and when he arrives an action causes him to dig deeper. 

Main Character

John Krasinski is back as the titular character and I just really like him here. The character has definitely progressed from the first season. This is more action hero then Analyst which does feel like a natural progression and it is cool to see him as a more intense character. 

Supporting Characters

Wendell Pierce is back as as James Greer and he is great. He gets his own personal arc and it is handled pretty well and I still think the chemistry between him and Ryan is one of the better part of the show. 

Michael Kelly plays Mike November and he is an awesome addition to the cast. He is basically the third musketeer of the CIA here and I love this addition and just feel like he works so well with both Pierce and Krasinski. 

Noomi Rapace plays Harriet and she offered literally nothing to the show. They try and sell her as this mysterious character where you don't know anything about her allegiance but she is just really bland. The chemistry between her and Krasinski isn't great and her character fizzles out of the overall show.

The villains are incredibly generic and just feel like stereotypes that you would expect from a show with a little bit less care. 

Story

Easily the worst part of the show is the story this season. It is so different to the previous season that it kind of feels like a different show. Everything is super predictable and we spend way too much time with characters that don't really matter. Also the ending is super obvious and doesn't really make much sense, making it even more infuriating then the previous season. 

Script

The script is okay, there is way more drama to this season and it works pretty well when it comes to Jack Ryan. Also the little bits of banter are still there and they are a nice touch. But the drama with a lot of the other characters doesn't hit as well and feels like they are pretty bland. 

Style

There are some really great action sequences in this season and it feels really violent, potentially more violent then the first season. Despite having issues with other areas of the show, I actually thought the pacing was pretty good and I was never bored watching the show. 

Overall

Overall, Jack Ryan Season 2 is an Above Average Show. It is a big step down from the first season but it is still pretty enjoyable. It does enough to get by, but I am hoping for a real return to form for the third season. 

Rating - 6/10

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)

It has been 7 years since a Star Wars Film was released, so I was so excited to see a new Star Wars film at the cinema. I am also a pretty big fan of The Mandalorian, so yeah I really was looking forward to seeing Mandalorian & Grogu and I did that last night, so here is my review. The premise of the film sees Mando & Grogu look to rescue a Hutt in order to get more information on the position of the Imperial Warlords. 

Main Character

Pedro Pascal once again voices Mando and he is great. I just love how is voice fits the character and makes him feel like this cool bounty hunter who still has goodness to him. I also want to give credit to his two stunt doubles who do the majority of the time in the suit and add so much to the character. 

But lets face it, the star of the show is Grogu. That little green creature has taken over Star Wars and he does get some real moments to shine in this film. I wouldn't say their dynamic is developed, but it continues to be strong from the series. 

Supporting Characters

Jeremy Allen White voices Rotta The Hutt, who we haven't seen since The Clone Wars. I did like his character and I thought they did a decent job of developing him and separating him from the other Hutts that we have seen in the franchise. 

Sigourney Weaver plays Colonel Ward and though it is a smaller role, I thought she fit it really well. Getting a big name like Weaver adds plenty of pressure and for when she is on screen, I liked her performance. 

As a Star Wars Rebels Fan, I was buzzing to see Zeb in Live Action and he is still voiced by Steve Blum. I liked his dynamic with Mando and how he actually had a bit more to do then I expected which was a nice surprise. 

Also, seeing Embo make his live action debut was exciting and again, though he doesn't have lots of time on screen. He owns his minutes and is a nice opposite to Mando as a potential rival for the film. 

Story

The story feels very much in line with The Mandalorian show. It sees our two protagonists go on a quest which leads them to get into plenty of trouble. I liked the story and mainly it was nice to see Mando not really go after The Empire directly too much. It was something a bit different and gave our two leads a time to shine. However, I do think the film is very low stake compared to what the show had become and I king of wish there had been a bit more depth to the characters and maybe more for the fans of the show to really sink their teeth into. 

Script

The Script is okay, there are some pretty funny moments and some good banter between the characters. I just think the drama falls a bit flat, sometimes it feels like the film doesn't hit the emotional heights that it should considering the positions that the characters are in and their connection that we have seen over the last few years. 

Style

The style is good. It is nice to just see a film that is so unapologetically Star Wars and it has all the awesome action to match that. Some really great action and locations which again makes it stand out amongst other Star Wars films. But, I do think there is a bit too much CGI and I wish some of the creatures had been a bit more practical. Also the pacing at times does tend to drag and I think it could have shaved 10/15 mins off of it. 

Overall

Overall, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is a good film that is just a really fun time at the cinema. It does everything I expected and I think the fact I am a big fan of the show is making me enjoy it more then some might. It has some issues, but overall I liked it and found it to be a fun chapter in these characters stories. 

Rating - 7/10

Ranked - The Boys

After Five Seasons, Yesterday saw the end of Amazons biggest ever show The Boys. I have been a fan of the show and watched all the seasons, so I thought I Would rank them from worst to best in terms of quality and my enjoyment. There will be spoilers in here for the show, so I would recommend watching it before reading this. 

5. The Boys Season 5 (2026)

Unfortunately, the final season of the show is easily the weakest of the show. It spends way too much time setting up Vought Rising and doesn't take enough care with some of its characters or the overall story. The acting is top notch though, especially from Antony Starr and Karl Urban and I have to say that I was pretty satisfied by the finale, it is just a shame that the previous 7 episodes weren't as good. 

4. The Boys Season 4 (2024)

Overall, this is a great season of television that kept me enjoyed throughout. It has all The Boys feeling but goes the extra mile at times which is why it is much better then the final season. It also has a great final episode which really set up Season 5 well. The only reason that it falls a bit short is that some of the characters weren't written particularly well and some of their stories are super dull and drag it down. But it is a very entertaining season of the show. 

3. - The Boys Season 2 (2020)

The second season of the show, follows things up really well and in some areas does some things really well. The cast are really great here and the introduction of Stormfront played by Aya Cash is a big shot in the arm and it doesn't hurt to add Giancarlo Esposito. But the story had one story arc in particular that wasn't great and just the writing for the show felt weaker here. But again another great season. 

2. The Boys Season 3 (2022) 

After a great season 2, I think Season 3 was an improvement on that and one of the better seasons of the show. Homelander is at his best here and Starr continues to kill it. But a big star is the addition of Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy and he was awesome here and added a super interesting character dynamic. The only issue was that it maybe didn't quite deliver enough on its story but it was a truly fantastic season. 

1. The Boys Season 1 (2019)

It is a little sad to say but the best season of The Boys is the one that started it all in the first season. It just feels really raw and I think the fact that the show took more risks and everything just felt like they were putting a bit more effort into it. I actually think this might be my favourite version of Homelander and that really makes it stand out. I just think a few of the side plots don't quite work out but overall this is a truly fantastic show. 

Overall

Overall, The Boys is a fantastic show that kind of falls flat towards the end. I do think it is worth it and though it is a bit of a let down at the end it definitely deserves a watch and I will probably watch it all again. 

Jack Ryan Season 1 (2018) Review

A New Jack Ryan film has just come out and I feel like in order to get the best experience out of it, that I would go back and watch the show that came first. Over the last couple of days, I have watched the first season of Jack Ryan and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees a CIA Analyst thrown into the world of the front line as he has to take on a dangerous threat. 

Main Character

John Krasinski plays the Titular Character and he does a great job in the role. He adds plenty of depth to the role of Ryan and I really wanted to root for him in this role. There is a lot of charm and charisma to him and he was certainly a great choice as Ryan. 

Supporting Characters

Wendell Pierce plays James Greer and I liked his character and the relationship that he has with Ryan. It starts off as you expect but I liked how it develops and you clearly see a mutual respect being built there. 

Abbie Cornish is Cathy Mueller and she is the love interest and I liked her in this role. Her and Krasinski have excellent chemistry and their scenes together adds more depth to Jack Ryan. Though her role in the main story feels a bit of a stretch. 

Ali Suliman plays the villain here and I thought he was a pretty good bad guy. Okay, he is somewhat your traditional Muslim villain. But the show does give him some character development that makes him a more interesting character. 

Dina Shihabi plays Hanin and they give her plenty of development and she was good in her role. She is a strong character and I thought she filled her role really well. 

Story

The story is interesting, learning more about Ryan throughout is well done and this is a good character study. I am a fan of investigatory shows and this show did a really good job of connecting the dots and making you guess along with the characters. But, upon the ending of the show, I do think that it became a bit paint by numbers and predictable which is a shame considering it was interesting throughout and there is a storyline here, that I have no idea why it was included as it leads to absolutely nothing. 

Script

The script is really good, it has some strong writing and a really good balance between drama and humour. These characters and situation are interesting and the writing rises it above some of the basic ideas. I also liked how the foreign characters spoke their own language to each other which is something we just don't see much.  

Style

The style of the film is pretty cool. There are some decent action scenes and it travels around the globe well keeping locations interesting. However, I do think there are some pacing issues with the show and I think by focusing the story a bit more, those middle episodes could have been a bit better.

Overall 

Overall, Jack Ryan Season 1 is a great season of television. It has good performances and an engaging enough tale to keep you interested and is worth a watch. 

Rating - 8/10

The Boys Season 5 (2026) Review

For 7 Years, The Boys has been one of the best shows going and has kept up a high quality of seasons. We now have Season 5 which is the final season of the show and there is a lot of pressure for it to nail the landing. Today saw the finale of the season and I made sure to watch it this morning so here is my review for the fifth and final season of The Boys. The premise of the season sees Homelander attempt to become immortal, while The Boys attempt to finish their virus in order to take him down. 

Main Character

Antony Starr plays Homelander and he is still one of the greatest characters on television. Starr absolutely nails it and the character is at his most deranged and I just think this is a performance that deserves all the credit in the world. 

Karl Urban plays Billy Butcher and he is also so much fun in his role. He really is dealing with a crisis in terms of what is right and wrong but he still has the diabolical charm that the character has always had and it really works. 

Supporting Characters

I think only a few of the supporting characters were really given the time to shine and one of my favourites is Chace Crawford as The Deep. He has always been a great character but I really do think that they developed his character well and Crawford is just so good in the role. 

It is really hard to join a show in the final season but I really liked Daveed Diggs as Oh Father! He is a new character but has so much charisma and adds much needed energy to the show which is real credit to Diggs. 

However, some of the characters aren't as good. Jensen Ackles is back as Soldier Boy and I feel like he was such a let down here. I really just didn't like the writing for the character and there are so many issues with his role in the season. I don't blame Ackles but I wish he was given more interesting stuff to do this season. 

Characters such as Firecracker, Sage and Starlight are super underutilised this season and it feels like because there is so much to get through that some of the characters and their arcs are put on the back burner which is a big shame. 

Story

The story has some good stuff, I really liked the two main characters arcs and I thought they were well handled. There are some good conclusions to a lot of the characters stories and I was overall satisfied with the finale of the show, though it wasn't perfect. But the overall story of the show drags a lot and a lot of feels like build up towards future spin-offs instead of giving us the final seasons story that we deserve. I feel like the show promised so much but ultimately fell short and felt quite mundane by the end. 

Script

The script is okay, it has good dramatic monents and I still liked a lot of the humour that was here. However, I think the humour was overused and some of it was incredibly lazy. Especially, Soldier Boy had such repetitive humour that it just made me shrug. 

Style

The style of the show still has the blood and guts that it has always had and it just makes the show stand out to others of similar genres. But it does feel too small in scale for a final season and I just wish the show had a bigger budget to give the ending we really needed. Also the pacing of the middle episodes of the show is poor and just feels like they were hereto set up the future spin-off show Vought Rising. 

Overall

Overall, the fifth and final season of The Boys is above average and it is a big disappointment. It isn't terrible but it easily the worst season the show and doesn't give fans the worthwhile final season that they deserve. 

Rating - 6/10

Remarkably Bright Creatures (2026) Review

This film sees to have been very popular since its release on Netflix 10 days ago, so I found the time to watch Remarkably Bright Creatures and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees a widower trying to move on with her life, when two connections give her a chance of possible happiness. 

Main Character

Sally Field plays Tova Sullivan and this is genuinely up there with her best work ever. She is incredible in this film, there is so much emotion radiating off of her and you will truly connect with her performance. I think it is probably too early to talk about Oscar Nominations but I truly hope this performance will be up for discussion. 

Supporting Characters

Lewis Pullman plays Cameron Cassmore and he was also great in the role. Pullman is doing some great work recently and this is just another great performance. The best part of this film for me is the chemistry between him and Field and it really works. 

Colm Meaney plays Ethan Mack and he is a good addition to the cast. He is just a fun part of the film and I really liked how he worked with all the other characters and it really made him feel like the hub of the film. 

For the 3rd time in his career Alfred Molina plays an Octopus, this time called Marcellus and I really liked how he was used. He would occasionally add narration and I just thought his voice was perfect for the role and it just made me care about him more. 

Story

The story is filled with emotion and truly heartfelt moments. I ended up really caring about the characters and the situation that they are in, you want to see them be happy but there is a lot to get through to get there. The only issue is that this film is pretty formulaic and by the numbers, you can predict the ending early on and it takes very little risks. 

Script

The script is fantastic, there is so much love and care put into the dialogue and making these people feel real. There are laughs when needed and times where it gets emotional and that makes it a really great experience. 

Style

The film looks good and does a good job of making the area and location feel like an extra character and something that is important for the story being told. But the pacing is a little bit off, I think if they had trimmed the film by 10/15 minutes it would have been better and been a better overall experience. 

Overall

Overall, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a great film that encapsulates grief and hope and is such a great watch. This is not a film about an Octopus, it is so much more and I think you would be doing a disservice if you didn't see this film. 

Rating - 8/10

Injustice 2 (2017/2018) Review

After playing Injustice: Gods Among us, it was only natural that I moved onto the sequel Injustice 2. I played through the game and all of its content, so here is my review for Injustice 2. The premise of the game, sees Batman trying to rebuild the world after the regime, when a new villain attacks it forces former enemies to work together to stop his plan.

Characters

The late Kevin Conroy is back to play Bruce Wayne/Batman and I am at least glad that his character feels just like I would expect and lets face it Conroy could play the role in his sleep. He is Batman and it comes across well here. 

There are some other characters I liked, the main ones being Supergirl, Blue Beetle and Firestorm. It is nice for some of the smaller characters getting chapters in the story and I liked their inclusion here. 

However, Superman is still a bad guy here and because of the lack of a multiverse story that is all we get here. It just feels wrong to see a Superman who is so evil and I just can't help but feel like this is just a fad that needs to end, other companies have done it better such as The Boys with Homelander. 

But the biggest betrayal of a character is Wonder Woman, she is straight up homicidal and it makes her the true villain of the game in my opinion and easily the most dislikeable character which is a shame when she should be a hero. 

I mean at least we get an actual villain in this game with Braniac but he is pretty dull and it is pretty clear that he isn't the main crux of the story and is just being used as a plot device for the grudge between Batman and Superman. 

Story

The story is okay, as I mentioned above it is cool that different people get chapters such as Harley Quinn, Catwoman and Black Adam, it adds more variety to the game. It is also cool to somewhat see the heroes work together this time instead of against each other.

But the story is just really bland, as I said, though Brainac is the main villain it doesn't mean that he is interesting or even that important to the plot. I mean depending on your choices, there are 3 Batman chapters which is just way too many even for the most popular character. Also the ending is very abrupt and just feels like an excuse for a sequel/DLC which we haven't actually ever seen. 

Side Activities

This game has a lot of content. The STAR Labs from the first game are gone, replaced with a mobile game like multiverse mode with different towers and ways of playing. I am impressed with how much content is here and also the gear like system is incredibly detailed. 

However, this content is dangerous in terms of how much it takes from mobile gaming and loot boxes, it feels pretty lifeless and gets repetitive. Also, I wish the gear linked to the look of the characters, it feels like you can't get the exact look you want because you need the best gear to give you a chance of winning. 

Gameplay

The gameplay is still good. It is very fluid and I love the combos that feel really unique to the characters. Every character plays differently and that is a real compliment for those that made the game. However, there is an issue with just how much damage is done by some of these combos and it can feel pretty cheap. This is encapsulated by Braniac who is the cheapest boss I have ever played against and can literally take your health bar in 3 hits, it isn't challenging but just frustrating. There also seems to be less interest in the level transitions, object using and clashes which I all enjoyed in the first game. 

Style

The best part of this game is the style. It feels much grander then the previous game and I think the level design is so much better with some pretty awesome locations. Having the characters interact before each fight was also a great addition and makes these characters feel real and like they know each other. 

Overall

Overall, Injustice 2 is an above average game. It is 1 step forward, 1 step back with this game. Where it improves in some areas, it is worse in others. It is an okay fighting game but I am still waiting for a great DC Fighting game. 

Rating - 6/10

The Punisher: One Last Kill (2026) Review

Ever since his first appearance in 2016, I have been a huge fan of Jon Bernthal's depiction of Frank Castle/The Punisher. Ever since the Netflix shows went to Disney, we have seen the character remain as violent and dark as ever. Now we get a Special Presentation: Punisher One Last Kill and I watched it this morning and here is my review. The premise of the film sees Frank looking for purpose, when his past actions come back to haunt him and forces him to make a choice of his future as The Punisher. 

Main Character 

As mentioned above, Jon Bernthal is back as Frank Castle and he is just amazing in the role. You can just tell how much he loves this role and how much respect he has for the source material. There is so much emotion provided here and this is easily the best action he has ever done. 

Supporting Characters

Judith Light plays Ma Gnucci and even though she doesn't have a lot of screen time she leaves an impact on the show. Yes, she is clearly a villain and someone that Frank would be against but you do feel her pain and anger for the actions that Frank has done and that is handled really well. 

Jason R. Moore is back as Curtis and he is fleeting here but also effective. He is the inner voice for Frank and trying to aid him in his journey as The Punisher. I liked how the character was used, especially for the small screen time. 

There are other smaller roles here and they are really well handled and just added life into this short Special Presentation. There is also a small cameo that I wasn't expecting that added plenty to the story being told. 

Story

There was actually more emotion and drama in this story then I expected. The first act really focuses on Franks journey and how he really feels like he might be at the end of it, these scenes are slow but really heartfelt and feel real. Then we transition into some of the best action you will see and I just love seeing Castle go through all these bad guys. Unfortunately, because of the length of the movie and the fact its basically setting up future content, it doesn't quite have the meat on it that it really could and the ending doesn't quite feel complete and just again for setting up the future of The Punisher. 

Script

This is the script with the biggest contribution from Bernthal and I think that is clear to see as it really nails all the drama that is on show. I mean The Punisher has always been a dark character and that continues here and it is just nailed on. 

Style

It is truly hard to see how this is made by Disney. This is easily the most violent thing that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has seen and it is done in all its glory. The action scenes are amazing and the fact they didn't nerf the character makes it even more delightful. But again, the pacing isn't that great and that is mainly due to its shorter runtime so by the time you really get into it, it is over which is a shame. 

Overall

Overall, The Punisher: One Last Kill is a great Special Presentation. It has all the hallmarks of The Punisher with some of the best action you will see. I truly believed that if this was a 90 minute movie then it would be perfect. I am really hoping that this is going to lead to a new series or a film as we just need more of this. 

Rating - 8/10

Citadel Season 2 (2026) Review

3 Years ago, the first season of Citadel was released on Amazon Prime and it was billed as the most expensive show in history. After a mundane response, we finally have a second season of the show and I have watched all of the episodes, so here is my review. The premise of the show sees the characters from the first season split up as they are force to come out of hiding to try and stop a global threat. 

Main Character 

Richard Madden is back and this time he has his memories and is straight up Mason Kane here. Madden really tries and elevates the writing that his character receives and I credit him for doing good work. However, his character is way less interesting this season and it feels like the show wanted us to care less about him which kind of just comes out of nowhere and is a real shame. 

Supporting Characters

Stanley Tucci reprises his role as Bernard Orlick an he is given way more to do this season. He is obviously great and is easily the best character of the show. Tucci owns every scene that he is in and I am glad that his character was used more this season. 

Matt Berry is brought in as Frank Sharpe and I just love Matt Berry. He adds a lot of humour and charm to the show and though he kind of feels out of place, I think it works and I am glad that he was here. 

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is back as Nadia Sinh and unfortunately she is given barely anything to do. The show would be no different if she wasn't in it and I just feel like she sleep walked through this performance and didn't really show much care. 

The villains here are some of the weakest you will ever see in a show. All of them are super generic and offer incredibly little, the show seems to not overly care about them and just needs somebody for the supposed good guys to go against. 

Story

The story is easily the worst part of the show. This plot is even more generic and basic then the first season, you have literally seen everything from this show before. But this season has stories that just make no sense and it really feels like they go for shock value over concise and good storytelling. The ending falls really flat and doesn't have me excited if there is a future for this franchise. 

Script

The script is fine. There are some decent character drama and funny scenes but as a whole it just falls flat. The writing for a lot of the characters falls flat and there is way more going on this season and they don't seem to know how to balance it at all. 

Style

The best part of the show might be the pacing, despite its flaws, I felt like this was a pretty easy watch and dropping all the episodes all at once this time will probably help with viewership. But it is clear, that they dropped a lot of the budget and the show is nowhere near as grand as the first season, also a lot of the actions scenes are poorly filmed and just end up being incredibly choppy and hard to track. 

Overall

Overall, Citadel Season 2 is a Below Average Show. I didn't think much of the first season but this is a big step down even from that. I would say this show isn't worth the time unless you love Stanley Tucci but even then, you can see him in better things. 

Rating - 4/10

Mortal Kombat 2 (2026) Review

For many years now I have been a big fan of the Mortal Kombat franchise playing all the most recent games and having watched all of the previous films. So I was very excited to see the sequel to 2021's Mortal Kombat and I did that today so here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees the forces of Earthrealm compete in Mortal Kombat against their enemies Outworld in hopes of saving the world. 

Main Character

Adeline Rudloph plays Kitana and she is the character with the most depth in the film. We really follow her journey as she struggles with what side she is on and how she wants revenge against her father. Its a good character and one that is performed well. 

Karl Urban takes on the most anticipated role of Johnny Cage and I thought he fit into the role really well. He just fit this older action star who is past his prime but called into action and Urban really delivers. 

Supporting Characters

Martyn Ford plays Shao Khan and this is the quintessential interpretation of the character. He is an intimidating and evil villain that just oozes charisma. I just love what they did with him and it felt like the character came straight from the game. 

Tati Gabrielle plays Jade and she has one of the more interesting stories throughout the film. She is really conflicted between Shao Kahn and Kitana and I thought it was done pretty well for a film that mainly just focuses on fighting. 

However, I still feel like the characters from the first film don't really stand out. Except for Kano who even though its a smaller role, really stands out. Like Sonya, Jax and even Liu Kang have moments but I just felt with so many characters being in the film, the newer characters were handled better. 

Story

The story of this film isn't the greatest. However, it isn't all bad. First of all I am glad that there is actually a tournament this time and it is handled pretty well. Also the character development for a few of the characters is pretty good and something I wasn't expecting. But as a whole there just isn't much to rave about here. It's a very basic story and just feels like an excuse to get these characters fighting, a couple of characters are brought in for the third act and it just feels like they are rammed into the film for fan service sake. 

Script

I mean the script had me laughing quite a bit. The one liners are pretty cheesy but they are just in line with Mortal Kombat, Kano and Johnny Cage really carried this aspect. There is some drama and it is somewhat done well, but lets face it, this isn't the priority and it just doesn't have enough care to full give it credit. 

Style

Easily the best part of the film is the action sequences and the fights. They are vastly improved from the previous film and I just loved each one for how much like the games they felt and big credit has to go to everyone for this. Okay, there is some dodgy CGI but I love how the locations are ripped straight from the games and it just feels like it is made more by people who truly love the franchise. 

Overall

Overall, Mortal Kombat 2 is a good film that is much better then the previous one. I am glad they made the improvements needed, I mean it isn't perfect but for a fan of this franchise this was a step in the right direction and for me this is the best Mortal Kombat film ever put on the big screen. 

Rating - 7/10

Citadel Season 1 (2023) Review

I remember when this show came out, everyone was talking about how it was the highest budget for a TV show ever and that it was a must watch. I never did, but with the 2nd season of Citadel coming out this week, I thought it was time to finally watch this spy thriller. The premise of the show sees after a spy organisation is destroyed, a man is recruited claiming that he used to work for the organisation, but he has no memory of it. 

Main Character

Richard Madden plays Mason Kane and I thought he was good in the show. He really plays two roles here, the super confident spy in the flashbacks and then the family man who is trying to find out who he is in the present day. He is good and is a good leading man, his character is interesting enough to get by. 

Supporting Characters

Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays Nadia Sinh and she is also good in her role. She is more of the actual spy throughout the show and they do an effective job of making the audience question whether she can be trusted. The chemistry between her and Madden is probably the best part of the show. 

Stanley Tucci plays Bernard Orlick and it isn't exactly surprising that he is super entertaining here. I mean he doesn't have too much to actually do, but he has the best lines in the show and Tucci just seems to be having a lot of fun in the role. 

Lesley Manville plays Dahlia Archer and she is fine. She is the villain and she is clearly enjoying herself in the role and it isn't really until the latter parts of the season where she gets some time to shine which she does. 

Osy Ikhile plays Carter Spence and he is a smaller but good addition to the cast and I liked how he was an ally to Mason Kane and just felt like a good addition to the team of spies. 

Story

The story is easily the worst part of the show. It is like somebody watched a bunch of spy films and just picked the most generic plot ever to its show. I appreciate the acting and the clear budget but if you don't have an interesting story then it kind of makes it pointless. There are plenty of twists and turns and most of them are just really predictable or don't really make much sense. 

Script

The script is okay here. The dialogue has some decent drama and some actual chuckle worthy moments but it suffers like the story. Everything written here you have seen before and likely done better in other projects. 

Style

The show has a huge budget and it is on notice here. I did enjoy the international feel of the show and how it went to different countries. I also thought the action was pretty good, nothing breath taking but enjoyable enough. However, the pacing was a bit off. The balance between the flashbacks and the modern story is pretty messy and it makes you think that not a lot actually happens in the show. 

Overall

Overall, Citadel Season 1 is an above average show. It has some decent things about it, mainly the acting but its story falls way short and I would say that unless you are really interested it isn't one to rush to see. 

Rating - 6/10

Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 (2026) Review

Ever since the original Daredevil show premiered on Netflix, I have been a huge fan of the franchise, I also had a great time with the first season of Born Again so I was so looking forward to watching the second season of Born Again. The finale aired today and here is my review for the entirety of the second season of the show. The premise of the season sees Daredevil and his allies on the run as he attempts to prove Fisks guilt and bring justice to New York. 

Main Character

Charlie Cox reprises his role as Matt Murdoch/Daredevil and he is fantastic. There is real development with Matt here as he really struggles with the morality of his cause and struggling with the hostile environment of New York. Cox clearly loves the role and he really shows this with another really strong performance.

Vincent D'Onofrio also reprises his role as Wilson Fisk/Kingpin and this is still one of the best characters in all of television. You really see him embrace his role as mayor and his hatred for vigilantes. As the season progresses he becomes even more bloodthirsty and D'Onofrio really excels. 

Supporting Characters

Deborah Ann Woll is back as Karen Page and I really liked her role. Her and Matt are united in their plan and they really play off of each other really well with a really interesting dynamic. She was missing for a lot of last season but adds a lot to her character here. 

Wilson Bethel is also back as Benjamin Poindexter/Bullseye and I loved his character here. He has such a fascinating dynamic with Daredevil and you really see it play out well over the season. Bethel really ups his game for this season and makes Bullseye a true highlight. 

Arty Froushan plays Buck and he is given way more to do this season and they manage to create a really interesting character that is more then just a hired gun for Fisk. Credit to the actor and the writing as they made Buck one of the best parts of the season. 

Michael Gandolfini as Daniel is also one of the most improved characters and his relationship with Buck were some of my favourite scenes of the season. 

The rest of the cast are also great, with a nice return for Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones, an expanded role for Vanessa Fisk played by Ayelet Zurer and a reduced but memorable performance by Margarita Levieva as Heather Glenn. 

Story

The story is pretty good, especially when it comes to the character dynamics and development of said characters. The relationship between Matt and Fisk is at the heart of things and really encapsulates with a fantastic finale that is one of the best episodes in the 5 seasons of Daredevil programming. However, this show has so much going on that it struggles to balance it all. An example is the addition of Charles played by Matthew Lillard who doesn't really add anything to the plot and is just around to set up future shows, same can be said for Jessica Jones who is a bit underwhelming and introduced so late that she doesn't have lots of time to make a big impact. 

Script

The show is really well written. It does drama incredibly well and you really feel the tension build between characters whether they are allies or enemies. It has sprinkles of humour that is well realised and just so much character development with a satisfying ending. 

Style

The show ahs some of the best action scenes that you will see. They are visceral but keep that comic book action that makes it stand out amongst its peers. It looks great and has really good pacing throughout the season. 

Overall

Overall, Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 is a fantastic season of tv and a worthy continuation of the series. I am still a huge fan of the show and I am glad that it lives up to the hype. 

Rating - 9/10

 Apex (2026) Review

This film has been very popular amongst those using Netflix, so I decided to watch Apex and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees a woman travel to Australia for isolation when she comes across a life or death situation. 

Main Character

Charlize Theron plays Sasha and she does a good job in the film. She just delivers a strong performance as this lead character and I did find myself rooting for her to get through this situation. Don't get me wrong, she has definitely done better but for this film she probably does the best she can. 

Supporting Characters

Taron Edgerton plays Ben and I also thought he was pretty good. Don't get me wrong, he really straddles the line between committed and over the top but I thought he just about kept himself well enough to make this a fun performance. 

Eric Bana has a really small role here and I did enjoy the chemistry he had with Theron for the small about of screen time they have together. 

Story

The story is where the film really starts to fall short. This is one of the most predictable films that I have seen in recent memory, you will guess every twist and turn throughout and I just wished they could have done more here. It takes no risks and by the end of the film, you wonder really what was the point of the whole thing. 

Script

The script is another failure here. It just isn't written particularly well, it feels contrived in places and there just isn't any real scene where I truly felt the emotion or drama that is going on. 

Style

The film looks beautiful, it is filmed really well and I definitely think the location really helps the overall experience that I had. There are some good action sequences that were giving me reminders of the Tom Raider games that came out not that long ago. 

Overall

Overall, Apex is an above average film. It is a really forgettable film that ranges from the great to the dismal, it isn't very long but I wouldn't say this is something to rush and see. 

Rating - 6/10

Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord Season 1 (2026) Review

It is May 4th, meaning it is International Star Wars day which means we have to get some new Star Wars Content. Today sees the final 2 episodes of the new show Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord and I have watched both of them this morning and here is my review for the whole season. The premise of the season sees Maul trying to rebuild his Crime Syndicate when he comes across Jedi, The Local Police and The Empire. 

Main Character

Sam Witwer reprises his role as Maul and he is fantastic here. He has always been super menacing as the character and it is nice that it continues the calculating nature of Maul that was shown in both Clone Wars & Rebels. This show also adds way more depth to Maul and makes you really understand why he does what he does. 

Supporting Characters

This show has a big supporting cast and they all do a great job. Wagner Moura plays Brander Lawson and he is such a cool new character to the Star Wars franchise. He is a disgruntled police captain and I really like how his character is affected by events that take place over the show and Moura does a great job. 

The Jedi Master Daki and Devon are really well handled and add a bit of a different dynamic then would be expected. Daki definitely leans more towards a traditional Jedi way but Devon is frustrated after The Purge and wanting to do more. It is handled really well and takes something that could have been quite dull and makes it one of the more interesting parts of the show. 

British Comedian Richard Ayoade voices the droid Two Boots and he is a real highlight of the show. He has quick comedic timing but the character has some development and seeing the relationship between Lawson and Two Boots is a nice part of the show. 

Story

The story is good. It does a good job of developing Maul and his ambition following The Clone Wars. But actually I think the show does a better job with the supporting cast and mainly the relationships between them, whether that be Daki & Devon or Lawson and his son. I think that holds the show back a little bit, I think around the middle of it, the show focuses less on Maul and on the rest of the cast and I just wish there had been a little bit more Maul here. Though the finale was fantastic and worthy of any show. 

Script

The show is really well written, these animated shows are not kid shows and Shadow Lord encapsulates it. There is drama and confrontation between the characters but also some sprinkling of humour that is actually well done and doesn't feel out of place. 

Style

The first time we saw this type of animation was in 2008 for the start of The Clone Wars and this is easily the best it has ever looked. It looks incredible and adds so much to the show, these are the best animated action scenes that I have seen and the show looks beautiful and really stands out. 

Overall

Overall, Maul Shadow Lord Season 1 is a fantastic show that absolutely nails its characters and aesthetics. This is one of the best Star Wars projects in recent memory and I am really looking forward to seeing how these characters progress and develop in future seasons. 

Rating - 9/10