PREVIEW: James Nelson-Joyce Stars in Gritty British Crime Drama Reputation, Coming 28 July

Preview by Jon Donnis

After making a serious impression in A Thousand Blows, James Nelson-Joyce returns to the screen with Reputation, a gritty British crime drama arriving on digital this July. Set in the fictional Lancashire town of Dennings, the film follows Wes, a working-class dealer whose grip on control starts to slip when his old friend Tommy walks free from prison.

It's been two years since the town was shaken by the tragic shooting of a child. While grief still lingers, a new street drug known as 'clown' has taken hold, with Wes profiting from the fallout. He's built an empire while Tommy's been locked away, but with Tommy now back on the scene and keen to expand, the uneasy balance begins to crumble.

Director Martin Law, making his feature debut, steers the story into bleak and compelling territory. The film draws influence from Shane Meadows' Dead Man's Shoes and Nicolas Winding Refn's Pusher trilogy, though it brings its own northern grit and lived-in realism. At its centre is Nelson-Joyce, delivering a tough, layered performance as a man torn between his loyalty to an old friend and his responsibility to the family he's trying to protect.

As Tommy pushes to scale the operation, Wes finds himself caught between those who love him and a partner who won't let go. Olivia Frances Brown plays Wes's fiancé, offering moments of warmth and clarity, while Kyle Rowe's turn as the unpredictable Tommy brings a dangerous edge. The relationship between the two men becomes the film's anchor, exploring masculinity, loyalty and the struggle to escape a life already written in the margins.

Reputation premiered at the Spirit of Independence Film Festival where it earned early praise for its bold direction and stripped-back realism. It's a film that doesn't shy away from darkness but finds human drama in the fallout. With baby Vinnie at home and his father urging him to walk away, Wes faces a choice between survival and self-destruction.

Tense, emotional and grounded in harsh reality, Reputation is set for digital release in the UK on 28 July via Miracle Media. It's one to watch for fans of British crime stories that steer clear of cliché and cut to the bone.

REVIEW: Eddington (2025 Film) - Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal,

By Jon Donnis

Eddington is a sprawling, intense film that tries to say a lot about modern America through the lens of a small town caught in a bitter standoff. Joaquin Phoenix leads the charge as Joe Cross, a sheriff who clashes with the town’s mayor, played by Pedro Pascal, over pandemic rules and power. It’s a story about how fear, politics, and misinformation can tear communities apart, but the film often struggles to balance its many ideas. At times it feels like it wants to cover everything all at once, which makes the narrative feel heavy and a little unfocused.

Phoenix is magnetic as always, delivering a performance full of tension and frustration that grounds the film. Emma Stone is a strong presence too, playing Joe’s wife with a mix of vulnerability and volatility that adds emotional weight. The supporting cast, from Austin Butler’s cult leader to Michael Ward’s deputy, bring interesting energy, but some characters feel lost in the shuffle. The film runs long, over two hours, and the pacing suffers because it tries to juggle so much without always making it clear what it wants to say.

One of the film’s weaknesses is that it doesn’t really pick a side, showing both the town’s divisions without leaning into a clear viewpoint. While that might be intentional, it leaves the satire feeling somewhat neutral and less sharp than it could be. Some plotlines aren’t fully developed, and the story can wander, which might leave viewers wanting more focus and clarity. It’s a lot to take in, and at times the film feels like it bites off more than it can chew.

Still, Eddington has its moments of dark humour and raw insight into how paranoia and conflict can escalate. The violence hits hard and feels real, never cheap. The film demands patience and attention, rewarding those willing to sit with its messy, complicated portrait of a community unraveling. It’s not an easy watch, and some might find it slow or confusing, but it stands out for its ambition and strong performances, even if it doesn’t always deliver a fully satisfying story.

I score Eddington a safe 6 out of 10.

Out Now

Apple TV - https://apple.co/4eWD8fQ

NEWS: LEGEND brings heat to August with a packed slate of premieres

By Jon Donnis

There's a bold, unashamed streak of pulp running through LEGEND's August premieres, and they're not hiding it. Kicking things off is the UK TV premiere of Acceleration, a high-octane revenge thriller where Dolph Lundgren plays a seedy crime lord who kidnaps a child to punish his disloyal employee. It's violent, fast and full of grit, and Natalie Burn's action-hero lead performance adds a surprising charge to what could've been a throwaway B-movie. She holds her own opposite Lundgren, which is saying something.

The month continues with the channel premiere of Drive, Nicolas Winding Refn's 2011 breakout hit. Ryan Gosling's performance as the quiet but deadly 'Driver' still feels iconic over a decade later, and the film's brooding style, sharp violence and synthy soundtrack are as influential as ever. It's a serious bit of programming that gives the lineup some real punch. Then there's Big Kill, a throwback Western that doesn't mind being a bit silly. With Jason Patric and Lou Diamond Phillips navigating a lawless desert town, it's got all the dusty shootouts and crooked preachers you'd expect.

ROBIN HOOD: THE REBELLION (2018)

Renny Harlin's 12 Rounds adds more action muscle to the lineup with John Cena in full unstoppable-detective mode. It's relentless and packed with stunts, but doesn't overcomplicate things. You also get Karl Urban's underseen Viking adventure Pathfinder, a brutal, moody piece that imagines Norse warriors invading pre-Columbian America. Not everyone will go for it, but it's got atmosphere to spare.

There's also Robin Hood: The Rebellion, which leans into old-school swashbuckling more than gritty realism. Brian Blessed plays Friar Tuck and chews through the scenery, while Ben Freeman's take on Robin keeps the pace moving. It's broad and more fun than it has any right to be. How I Spent My Summer Vacation shifts gears again with Mel Gibson stuck in a hellish Mexican prison. Somehow the film manages to mix dark humour with full-on brutality, and Gibson seems to relish playing the desperate anti-hero. It's rough around the edges, but weirdly effective.

BIG KILL

The schedule doesn't stop at films either. From 25 August, the original Charlie's Angels series returns, landing weekdays at 17:30. There's a retro charm to it that still holds up. Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson were huge stars for a reason, and even if some of the plots feel dated, the sheer charisma and camp style make it work. Whether you're watching for nostalgia or curiosity, there's a lot to enjoy.

LEGEND has always carved out a lane for genre lovers and late-night channel surfers. This August, they've lined up a string of titles that embrace action, pulp and bold characters. Not every film in the slate is subtle, but they're not trying to be. If you're after quiet introspection, look elsewhere. If you want brawls, blood and big personalities, August is sorted.

COMPETITION: Win When Evil Lurks on 4K UHD

Beware, When Evil Lurks is set to stake its claim on your shelf forever, as Second Sight Films announced that the shockingly disturbing film is the latest cult horror gem to get the Limited Edition treatment.

And to celebrate we have a copy on standard 4K UHD to give away!

Synopsis:

Demián Rugna’s devastatingly terrifying Argentinian horror had everyone talking on its World premiere and has garnered awards galore including Best Film at Sitges Film Festival, Best International Film at Fangoria Chainsaw Awards and a double win at Gérardmer Film Festival, the Audience Award and Critics Award.

When Evil Lurks certainly lurked in the minds of critics and audiences alike too, with Dumdums stating it’s ‘One of the most disturbing movies you'll EVER see’ and The Geek Show declared it ‘A powerhouse of a possession film, cementing Demián Rugna further as an absolute master of horror in the making’ and praise continued from The Cosmic Circus who said it ‘Defiantly crosses several lines even the most twisted of films in the genre wouldn’t dare step over… has the makings of a new high-mark for horror, for those who can stomach it at least’.

The wicked When Evil Lurks Limited Edition is now set for release on 28 July 2025 and is presented in a stunning rigid slipcase with brand new artwork and is presented in dual format edition including both UHD and Blu-ray with main feature and bonus features on both discs and a slew of special features including brand-new interviews, a new commentary and a new video essay and more please see full listing on attached. Separate Standard Edition 4K/UHD and Blu-ray versions will also be available on the same date.

Dare you pay a visit to the small Argentinian town plagued by a demon that’s possessing the locals and causing unimaginable fear and destruction wherever it goes?

The dark and chilling gorefest follows a devastating trail of terror, wreaked by a malevolent force on course to destroy a whole town. Two brothers – played in jaw-dropping performances by Ezequiel Rodríguez and Demián Salomón – accidently become embroiled with a possessed local man and are sucked headlong in to a fearsome fight against evil that knows no bounds. They are prepared to risk everything to try and stop this evil, beyond their wildest fears, from destroying those they love and humanity itself.

When Evil Lurks Limited Edition 4K/UHD and Blu-ray Box set is a brilliant, brutal, boundary-breaking horror you’re guaranteed to want in your possession.

Pre-Order from https://amzn.to/46lwbD2

Enter now for a chance to win.

Who directs When Evil Lurks?

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 04-08-25

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: I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) - Starring Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders and Jonah Hauer-King

Review by Jon Donnis

Twenty-seven years after the events in Southport first unfolded, I Know What You Did Last Summer returns with a new generation of guilt-ridden teens, a familiar hook-wielding killer, and just enough blood-soaked nostalgia to keep things afloat. Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, this fourth entry in the franchise slots itself directly after I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, brushing off the largely forgotten 2006 and 2021 entries and re-establishing continuity with a vengeance.

The setup is almost charming in its familiarity: a group of friends are involved in a late-night accident and choose to cover it up rather than face the fallout. A year later, they're picked off one by one by a killer who's very much in the know. There's no reinvention here, and the film leans into that deliberately. Robinson aims for the same glossy, lurid tone that made the '90s slashers so watchable, and to her credit, she mostly pulls it off.

Chase Sui Wonders anchors the film well as Ava Brucks, a slightly more grounded and thoughtful protagonist than some of the past franchise leads. She returns to Southport just in time to watch her closest friends unravel, starting with a cryptic note and ending with a series of brutal murders. Madelyn Cline is solid too as Danica, the bride-to-be who takes a particularly bloody journey from carefree party girl to blood-soaked survivor.

The film really earns its keep when it comes to the kills. There's an energy to the violence here that horror fans will appreciate. They're nasty, drawn out, and satisfyingly practical in a way that recalls the heyday of early 2000s horror. A scene in the now-shuttered Shiver's department store is especially strong, both for the way it taps into franchise lore and the way it builds tension before things go full carnage.

The return of Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. could have felt gimmicky, but actually ends up giving the story a bit more texture. Julie James is now a university professor who wants nothing to do with Southport, while Ray, now bitter and quietly disturbed, ends up playing a much larger role in the carnage than initially expected. There's a clever shift here, where nostalgia isn't just used for window dressing but actually woven into the structure of the story. Ray's arc, in particular, brings a level of personal betrayal that lands harder than expected.

Still, for everything the film gets right, there's plenty that doesn't quite land. The dialogue, especially among the younger cast, often sounds like it was filtered through a dozen TikTok scripts and rewritten for maximum cringe. Attempts at humour or sincerity regularly miss the mark, and there's a sense throughout that the film is trying far too hard to be in on the joke.

The nostalgia, too, becomes a bit of a double-edged sword. For fans of the original, there's some enjoyment in the references, the music cues, and the cameos, but it does start to weigh the film down. Rather than carving its own path, it often feels like it's tracing someone else's, hoping we won't notice the repetition.

I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) is far from groundbreaking, but it knows what it is. It delivers grisly deaths, throws in a few fun twists, and doesn't try to overcomplicate things. It's not going to dethrone the original, and it probably won't stick in anyone's memory for long, but as a late-night slasher with a good-looking cast and plenty of blood, it mostly does the job.

7 out of 10. Not essential, but far from the worst summer trip back to Southport.

In Cinemas Now!