PREVIEW: Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (2025 Film) - Stars Camille Rutherford

Images: Icon Film Distribution

By Jon Donnis

Icon Film Distribution brings a fresh take on romantic comedy to UK screens this summer with Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, opening in cinemas from 13 June. Directed by acclaimed screenwriter Laura Piani in her feature debut, the film blends whimsical charm with self-discovery, offering a modern spin on the timeless pull of classic romance.

Pablo Pauly and Camille Rutherford dance in Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (Courtesy of Icon Film Distribution)

At the heart of the story is Agathe, a chaotic yet endearing Parisian bookseller who has all but resigned herself to the sidelines of love and ambition. Though she dreams of the grand emotions found in Austen's pages, real life hasn't lived up to the fantasy. That changes when she's invited to a Jane Austen Writers' Residency in England, forcing her to finally confront the gap between her imagination and reality.

Camille Rutherford and Pablo Pauly by the sea in Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (Courtesy of Icon Film Distribution)

Set partly in the legendary Shakespeare & Co bookshop and infused with the atmosphere of Austen's own Chawton, the film draws on Piani's personal experiences. Her goal, she says, was to create a story where the heroine doesn't need saving. Agathe must come into her own as a writer and as a person before love even becomes an option.

Liz Crowther in Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (Courtesy of Icon Film Distribution)

The film stars Camille Rutherford (Anatomy of a Fall), Pablo Pauly (The French Dispatch), Charlie Anson (Death on the Nile), and Annabelle Lengronne (Mother and Son). Early responses praise its balance of nostalgic rom-com flair with sharp, contemporary writing.

Annabelle Lengronne, Liz Crowther, Camille Rutherford in Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (Courtesy of Icon Film Distribution)

Described by Variety as "a delectable modern rom-com" and by ScreenDaily as "a kooky French riff on the famed 18th-century novelist," Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is set to charm fans of both literary romance and character-driven comedy.

Icon Film Distribution presents Jane Austen Wrecked My Life in cinemas from 13 June

PREVIEW: Dimension Slip (2025 Film) A Multiverse Mystery Where Reality Shifts and the Stakes Turn Deadly

Preview by Jon Donnis

Step into a world where nothing is quite what it seems, in Dimension Slip, a tense new sci-fi mystery landing on UK digital platforms on 28 April via Miracle Media.

Directed by Barbara Toschi (Chunks of Horror), this mind-bending thriller follows Kate, an out-of-work dreamer played by Sophie Craig (The Adventures of Maid Marion, The Bay), whose life is spiralling. Battling mental health struggles and plagued by intense seizures and visions, Kate becomes haunted by the image of a woman who looks just like her.

Everything changes when she wakes up in a bathroom that isn't hers, in a life that isn't hers. The people around her call her Hannah. But Kate knows something is very wrong. As she tries to make sense of her surroundings, it becomes clear that she's slipped into another dimension. A dimension where a killer is on the loose, and where Hannah has crossed into Kate's world to escape.

With her own identity erased and the clock ticking, Kate is forced to live as Hannah, navigating a dangerous world of secrets and deception. If she wants to survive and return home, she'll need to uncover the truth about Hannah's life. And stop the killer before it's too late.

Blending psychological tension with a clever science fiction twist, Dimension Slip explores identity, trust, and the thin line between worlds. With gripping performances and a fast-paced story, it is a mystery thriller that refuses to play by the rules of time or reality.

On digital 28 April from Miracle Media.

Apple TV - https://apple.co/3RvzWNw

COMPETITION: Win TOKYO POP on Blu-ray

Released 5th May 2025 by Third Window Films, this underseen gem of ‘80s American independent cinema by Fran Rubel Kuzui (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), TOKYO POP takes us on a breezy tour through bubble era Tokyo, replete with knowing nods to the city’s vibrant pop culture. 

And to celebrate we have a copy on standard Blu-ray to give away!

Synopsis:

Bleach-blonde wannabe rocker Wendy (Carrie Hamilton) is disillusioned with her life in New York City. After receiving a postcard from Japan saying “wish you were here,” she spontaneously hops on a plane to Tokyo with dreams of making it big as a singer. Quickly finding herself broke and a fish out of water, she moves into a youth hostel for gaijin (foreigners) and takes up work as a hostess at a karaoke bar. Just when she’s at her breaking point, she meets Hiro (Diamond Yukai), a rock ‘n’ roller whose band is looking for their big break. 

They form a romantic and musical connection and Hiro convinces Wendy to become their lead singer. Through a combination of hustle and luck, they stumble into their 15 minutes of fame, but Wendy soon comes to realize that being a gaijin rocker may be nothing more than a passing fad.

Pre-Order from https://hmv.com/store/film-tv/blu-ray/tokyo-pop

Enter now for a chance to win.

Who directs TOKYO POP?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here

1. Closing date 12-05-25

2. No alternative prize is available

3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.

4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

REVIEW: Fight or Flight (2025 film) Starring Josh Hartnett, Charithra Chandran, Marko Zaror, and Katee Sackhoff.

Review by Jon Donnis

Fight or Flight, directed by James Madigan, is a wild action-comedy that locks its audience in for a chaotic and often savage ride. Set almost entirely on a flight from Bangkok to San Francisco, the film follows exiled American agent Lucas Reyes (Josh Hartnett) who is given a final chance at redemption. His mission is to track and identify a mysterious asset known only as The Ghost. Matters soon spiral out of control when it becomes clear the plane is packed with assassins hired to kill them both.

Josh Hartnett anchors the film with a dry, self-aware performance that fits the tone perfectly. Surrounded by a capable supporting cast including Charithra Chandran, Julian Kostov, Katee Sackhoff, and Marko Zaror, the film moves at a relentless pace filled with cartoonish violence and absurd action set-pieces. Madigan's direction leans into the madness, delivering a high-concept B-movie experience that never takes itself too seriously and largely benefits from that approach.

Despite its energy, the film is not without its flaws. At just 100 minutes, Fight or Flight still manages to feel stretched, with some fight sequences dragging on longer than necessary. The script offers little in terms of character development beyond Hartnett's Lucas Reyes, leaving talented performers like Katee Sackhoff underserved. While the carnage is entertaining, the weak plot struggles to support the action, making the experience feel somewhat hollow once the credits roll.

Fight or Flight is a fun but forgettable romp, offering enough carnage, comedy, and magnetic screen presence from Josh Hartnett to satisfy fans of the genre. It treads familiar territory without bringing much new to the table, yet its commitment to pure chaos makes for an entertaining watch.

Score: 7 out of 10.

Out Now on Digital

Apple TV - https://apple.co/3GrsnoO

LEGEND Announces Channel Premiere Highlights for May 2025

LEGEND is turning up the heat this May with a packed schedule of channel premieres, offering a blend of underwater thrillers, high-stakes action, classic sci-fi, and gritty British crime. Headlining the month is James Cameron's rarely televised deep-sea adventure The Abyss, alongside a trio of classic 'matinee' movies that explore the dangers and mysteries hidden beneath the Earth's surface.

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH

Fans of vintage sci-fi can look forward to Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959), Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961), and The Poseidon Adventure (1972), featuring Gene Hackman, who also appears later in the month in military thriller Behind Enemy Lines.

There's more for science fiction lovers with the premiere of Imposter (2001), a psychological thriller based on the work of Philip K. Dick, and Highlander III: The Sorcerer (1994), where Christopher Lambert's Connor MacLeod once again faces an immortal threat.

THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE

The action line-up is just as strong, with Flight of the Intruder kicking things off on 3 May. The Vietnam War drama stars Danny Glover and Willem Dafoe as pilots taking matters into their own hands. Jet Li takes centre stage in Kiss of the Dragon, a stylish martial arts thriller set in Paris, while Gold, starring Matthew McConaughey, takes audiences on a high-risk journey through the Indonesian jungle in search of fortune.

British crime cinema also makes an appearance with The Business and Outlaw, two hard-edged dramas from director Nick Love, both featuring Danny Dyer. Outlaw also brings together Sean Bean and Bob Hoskins in a story of vigilante justice.

VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA

The month's schedule balances classic appeal with lesser-seen gems, providing something for fans of every genre. From undersea aliens to back-alley brutality, LEGEND's May line-up is a showcase of storytelling that spans decades and styles.

LEGEND May 2025 Channel Premieres:

• The Business – Fri 2 May @ 22:55
• Flight of the Intruder – Sat 3 May @ 21:00
• Journey to the Center of the Earth – Mon 5 May @ 14:30
• Imposter – Thurs 8 May @ 21:00
• Highlander III: The Sorcerer – Sat 10 May @ 21:00
• Kiss of the Dragon – Sat 17 May @ 21:00
• Gold – Sun 18 May @ 21:00
• Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea – Mon 19 May @ 14:45
• Outlaw – Fri 23 May @ 23:00
• The Abyss – Sun 25 May @ 21:00
• The Poseidon Adventure – Mon 26 May @ 14:35
• Behind Enemy Lines – Sat 31 May @ 21:00

LEGEND is available on Sky 148, Virgin 149, Freeview 41, and Freesat 137.