Tuesday, 8 July 2025

REVIEW: The Old Guard 2 (2025 Film) - Starring Charlize Theron

Images: Eli Joshua Ade / Netflix Press

Review by Jon Donnis

It's been a long wait for a follow-up to The Old Guard, and while the returning cast hasn't missed a beat, the same can't be said for the film around them. The Old Guard 2 picks up six months after the events of the first, with Andy, now mortal, leading her immortal team through a mission in Split. Booker is still in exile after his betrayal, and Quỳnh, once thought lost forever, has been freed from her centuries-long underwater prison. But instead of a rescue and reunion, it's revenge she's after.


There's a lot going on, and that's part of the problem. Rather than building on the foundation of the first film, the sequel feels determined to redraw the map completely. It throws in new characters, complex rules about how immortality can be passed on or taken away, and a villain who comes out of nowhere but is somehow the original immortal. Uma Thurman plays Discord, an arms dealer who once shared knowledge with a sage called Tuah, now living in Seoul and holding secrets about the immortals' existence. That could have been compelling, but it never quite settles.


Charlize Theron still gives Andy a real weight. Her character is struggling, having lost her powers but trying to hold the group together. There's a small spark of promise in the idea of what immortality means when it's no longer guaranteed. But the film doesn't explore that. It's too busy laying groundwork for another sequel, without resolving anything in this one.

The fight scenes do deliver. They're well put together, and the cast handles the action with sharp precision. Visual effects are solid. Joe and Nicky still have chemistry, and Nile continues to be a strong presence. Booker, even sidelined, has a moment of real consequence. But the emotional core just isn't there.


When Quỳnh finally confronts Andy, the weight of centuries should hang over their encounter. Instead, it's rushed. Worse still, after all that time buried alive, Quỳnh emerges looking completely untouched, flawless skin, perfect eyebrows. It's hard not to notice. It's a small thing, but it points to a wider issue. The film reaches for depth, but stays surface-level.

Thurman's Discord adds little. She's meant to be the first immortal, a looming presence with grand plans. But her motivations are thin, and her scenes feel like they're there to build out mythology more than tell a coherent story. Her final confrontation with Andy is brutal, but ultimately unresolved. She walks away, taking the remaining captured teammates with her, and promises they'll meet again. It's a cliffhanger. Not a conclusion.


And that's what makes the whole thing frustrating. After a five-year gap, The Old Guard 2 needed to justify its own existence. Instead, it ends up feeling like an overcomplicated bridge to something that may never arrive. The story set up in the first film is mostly ignored, and what we get instead is a web of new rules, characters, and hints at a wider universe that might never be finished.

There's talent on screen, and moments of potential buried in the noise. But the writing doesn't hold it together. It tries to say something big about power, trust, and what it means to live forever. What it ends up saying is very little.

Score: 4 out of 10.

Monday, 7 July 2025

PREVIEW: Ghosted (2025 Film) - A Fresh Take on the Search for Love

By Jon Donnis

A new romcom is set to arrive this July as Ghosted makes its digital debut in the UK. Inspired by real-life dating experiences, the film follows Mercy, a struggling actress trying to break into the industry while also navigating the minefield of modern relationships. Played by Jade Asha, who also wrote and produced the film, Mercy's story takes a familiar shape with a few new ideas thrown into the mix.

After years of bad dates and failed relationships, Mercy is still hoping to find the right person. When she meets the mysterious Michael, played by Byron Swiegers, there's a spark. But then he ghosts her. Her friends encourage her to try dating apps, and soon she matches with Blake, an American with instant chemistry. Blake, played by Kevin de Groot, seems perfect at first. That connection doesn't last either. He quickly returns to the States, leaving Mercy caught between what could have been and what still might be.

The story takes another turn when Michael reappears. Mercy starts to wonder if their brief encounter ended too soon. As she tries to figure out who really is the right man for her, she begins to lose focus on her career, friendships, and family. The search for love forces her to confront a different question entirely: what does she actually want for herself?

Ghosted is directed by Daniel Pacquette and set in London. The film has already picked up awards following its premiere in the UK and on the festival circuit. It will be available to watch on digital platforms from 21 July, released by Miracle Media.

Why Poker Scenes in TV Shows Pull Viewers In

Photo by Alexander Jawfox on Unsplash

Real Stats, Real Stakes


Poker scenes are a mainstay in television. They grab attention for reasons that run deeper than quick hands and big bets. In 2025, "Poker Face" Season 2 landed as the number two streaming original by average audience when it premiered, according to Nielsen. Only a few shows matched its minutes watched that month. Season 2 holds a perfect score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, keeping its "Certified Fresh" status and impressing both new viewers and fans of the first season. 

High Numbers, High Attention


Interest goes beyond the newest releases. The "Friends" poker episode from Season 1, aired in 1995, drew over 30 million viewers. This made it one of the top episodes in its season. That same episode now holds a near-perfect audience rating online, with viewers calling out the mix of humor and tension at the card table. The poker format works for fans. BetMGM found poker was the most searched casino game in the United States in 2024, even ahead of slots and blackjack. In states like Nevada, searches for poker outpaced all other card or casino games.

Poker in Films and Awards


Poker does not only appear on television. Films use the game's structure for crowded cinemas and home viewers. A well-known example is "Casino Royale," which returned to United Kingdom theaters in 2024 and grossed nearly $39,000. The movie's main poker scene used a mix of tight shots and camera push-ins, giving viewers a sense of tension as each hand unfolded.

Game Tables on Screen: Comparing Poker and Other Card Games


TV writers often use card games as turning points in famous episodes. The "Friends" poker game left fans quoting lines for years, while Casino Royale's tense competition is often ranked among the best casino scenes. These moments work because simple actions, like raising or folding, can reveal character motives in seconds.

Younger viewers might have grown up playing poker online, while others tried card games like blackjack or gin rummy at home. The common link is the suspense around each move. From playing poker at a kitchen table to watching fictional high-stakes matches, people tune in for the same reason: clear stakes and reaction-driven drama.

Behind the Green Felt


The appeal of poker on TV often comes from how stories unfold at the table. For the "Friends" episode, reports show the cast played real poker between takes. This detail added realism to both their performance and the flow of the episode. In "Poker Face," the main character uses poker logic to crack each week's story, blending classic mystery formats with high-stakes deduction.

Poker Mechanics Shape TV Plots


When action hits a peak, the camera moves in tighter, showing every decision and reaction. This technique lets viewers see not only the outcome of the hand but also each player's strategy and nerves.

"The Sopranos" and "Star Trek" both used poker tables as the setting for key character moments and twists. These scenes force characters to read each other within clear rules. The audience can watch, predict, and react in real time.

Final Thoughts: Poker on the Screen


Poker works on television for reasons shown in viewership numbers, ratings, and reviews. Scenes that use the game provide both a structure for the script and a way to show character motives. At the table, players can bluff, fold, or go all in. Each response is clear to the audience. Whether shot in black tie on film or at a kitchen table in a sitcom, poker remains a strong tool for writers to reveal motives, deepen tension, and hold attention.

Sunday, 6 July 2025

REVIEW: M3GAN 2.0 (2025 Film) - Starring Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Ivanna Sakhno, Jemaine Clement, Amie Donald and Jenna Davis

Review by Jon Donnis

There's a specific kind of thrill that comes when a sequel doesn't just repeat the original, but fully commits to flipping it on its head. M3GAN 2.0 doesn't just take a different road from the 2022 original, it jumps in a different vehicle altogether and floors it.


Gone is the horror-tinged satire of screen-time parenting and tech gone wrong. In its place, a sharp-edged, surprisingly slick sci-fi action flick. The sort that tips its hat to Terminator 2 without trying to hide it. (By tipping it's hat, I will admit the entire story is just a modern day retelling of T2, seriously, think about it.)

M3GAN = T-800 (original killer machine reprogrammed to protect instead of destroy)
AMELIA = T-1000 (advanced, more dangerous version of the original machine, nearly unstoppable)
Cady = John Connor (tech-savvy teenager who becomes central to the future of humanity)
Gemma = Sarah Connor (parental figure traumatised by past events, determined to prevent a technological apocalypse)
Christian Bradley = Miles Dyson / Skynet creators (represents the blurred line between human ambition and AI misuse)
Underground bunker hideout = Desert hideout in T2 (safe haven used to prepare for final confrontation)
AI takeover plot = Judgement Day (looming threat of machines replacing or eradicating humanity)

I cant say any more as I would literally spoil the entire plot.


Anyway it's self-aware enough to lean into the idea. M3GAN, once a wide-eyed, pint-sized murder machine with great posture and killer choreography, is now cast as a reluctant hero. A protector. Even a symbol of balance between human intuition and artificial precision. The switch shouldn't work. But weirdly, it does.

Allison Williams returns as Gemma, still haunted by what she created and now publicly advocating for oversight in AI development. She's joined again by Violet McGraw as Cady, no longer the grieving child from the first film, but a 14-year-old with opinions, attitude, and her own digital savvy. Their dynamic has shifted too. It's not just guardian and kid anymore, it's more combative, more layered. That tension sits under the whole film, giving the spectacle something personal to anchor to.

And the spectacle really lands. The plot, without giving too much away, centres around a next-gen android called AMELIA, created by a defence contractor who's clearly been mining M3GAN's original source code for inspiration. AMELIA is sleeker, stronger, deadlier, and free from the emotional bonds that made M3GAN interesting in the first place. What begins as an arms race quickly turns existential, and the world once again finds itself at the mercy of synthetic intelligence that doesn't particularly value human life.


Jemaine Clement gives the film a jolt of dry charisma as Alton Appleton, a tech billionaire (think Elon Musk) who feels like a mix of every real-world mogul you'd never want running the world's AI. He brings an oily charm to scenes that could've been too expository. But it's Ivanna Sakhno's AMELIA that adds menace. Not over-the-top villainy, just pure machine logic sliding quietly into tyranny. She never raises her voice, but you believe every threat. (She is probably closer to Kristanna Loken as the T-X in Terminator 3)

And then there's M3GAN. Played physically by Amie Donald and voiced once again by Jenna Davis, she's still got the uncanny poise and eerie confidence that made her iconic, but there's a new sense of purpose to her now. The script finds moments of unexpected humour and heart between explosions and system breaches. Her return is handled smartly, and the film takes its time earning her redemption, rather than just hitting a reset button.

It's definitely a tonal shift from the first film. That's the one thing likely to divide people. The horror roots are all but gone. This is high-concept action with clean set-pieces, a bit of techno-paranoia, and enough thematic ambition to keep it from feeling throwaway. If you were expecting another creepy, toy-sized stabfest, you're not getting that. But if you're open to a genre pivot, there's a lot to enjoy.

The performances across the board are strong. Williams continues to make Gemma likeable without glossing over her flaws. McGraw handles the teenage angst with subtlety. Even the supporting roles get space to breathe. There's a sense that everyone involved understood the assignment.

What's clever about M3GAN 2.0 is that it isn't trying to scare you this time. It's trying to make you consider who's really in control. The machines, the corporations, or the people trying to hold both in check. It even teases at ideas around cooperation instead of domination, without getting preachy.

The near 2 hour run time I would usually complain about, but the film never dragged, and kept me interested throughout.

There are flaws, of course. Not everyone will be onboard with the genre leap. It's a very different beast now, and the tonal whiplash might be too much for some. But for those who don't mind a franchise taking a risk, this one pays off.

It's fast, sharp, and strangely heartfelt. I liked the first film, but I think I liked this one more.

Score: 9 out of 10.

Out In Cinemas now!


Friday, 4 July 2025

REVIEW: Heads of State (2025 Film) - Starring John Cena, Idris Elba and Priyanka Chopra

Heads of State

Images Courtesy of: Prime Video via Premier PR

Review By Jon Donnis

There's a moment early on in Heads of State where Idris Elba's British Prime Minister and John Cena's US President nearly come to blows in a very expensive room. It's petty, ridiculous, and almost cartoonish in its energy. That moment is the clearest signal of what kind of film you're watching. It isn't aiming for sharp satire or political commentary. It just wants to entertain, and most of the time, it does exactly that.


Directed by Ilya Naishuller, the film runs on the not-so-subtle idea of what would happen if world leaders had to go full action hero to save the day. Elba plays Sam Clarke with all the clipped control you'd expect from a career politician, while Cena leans hard into the brash charisma of Will Derringer, a movie star turned President who seems only half aware that he's now running a country. They're mismatched in every way, which of course makes them the perfect accidental team once disaster strikes.

The setup is broad but efficient. Following a disastrous PR stunt meant to fix their icy public dynamic, Clarke and Derringer end up marooned behind enemy lines after an attack on Air Force One. Suddenly it's not just about keeping up appearances. It's about staying alive long enough to uncover the real threat and stop it from spiralling into something far worse.


From there, the film barrels across Europe, taking in dingy safehouses, chaotic train journeys, and glossy summits. Naishuller keeps the action moving at a steady pace, peppering in enough gadgets, betrayals, and explosions to stop things from going stale. Some of the set pieces feel deliberately over the top, but the performances keep everything grounded just enough to stay watchable. Elba and Cena have great timing together, flipping between mutual irritation and unlikely respect with ease.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas adds sharpness as Noel Bisset, the MI6 agent stuck trying to babysit the two of them while cleaning up the mess. Her role isn't just there for exposition or moral grounding either. She gets her own moments of impact, including a couple of standout fight scenes that don't waste time showing how capable she is.


Visually, the film does a lot with its budget. The locations feel varied and textured, and the pace rarely stalls for long. That said, the runtime could have used a trim. Just past the halfway point, there's a noticeable lull where the momentum threatens to sag under the weight of convoluted double-crosses and backstory. A tighter cut might have made the whole thing feel sharper.

There are also one or two moments where the CGI doesn't quite hold up under scrutiny, particularly during an early crash sequence. But these blips don't derail things. The tone is light enough, and the stakes exaggerated enough, that the odd visual stumble can be forgiven.


What's more interesting is the way the film flirts with the idea of leadership and ego, even if it never digs deep. Clarke and Derringer aren't heroes in the traditional sense, but they are men who have to work out, very quickly, what it means to be responsible when there's no one left to blame. That thread never takes centre stage, but it lingers in the background, adding a little depth to all the banter and bullets.

Heads of State isn't trying to reinvent anything. It's a fast-moving, character-driven buddy film wrapped in a globe-trotting political thriller. The laughs are frequent, the chemistry is strong, and the pace mostly holds. There are a few out of place anti Trump references, for example the bad guy is the America First idea, and of course Globalism will save the day, just ignore that nonsense that really felt shoehorned in to keep some Amazon higher ups happy.

I'd call it a solid 8.5 out of 10.

Out Now on Prime Video - https://amzn.to/44reO0N