Disney+ is so much more than just Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars films. I’ve been slowly exploring it’s catalogue on Star and have been surprised by the quality of movies on offer, competing against the likes of Netflix and Sky Cinema whilst beating Amazon Prime.
You can find everything from Academy Award winners to cult classics to recent releases that deserve more recognition. I’ve gathered all the movies I’ve watched that I recommend you watch at least once and ranked in order of most to least favourite based on the WYALAN rating:
WYALAN star rating explained:
- 5 stars – Highly enjoyed and would highly recommend as a must watch
- 4 stars – Enjoyed and would watch again in the future
- 3 stars – Glad I watched it once, but I’ll probably never watch it again
- 2 stars – Watched to the end, but I wouldn’t watch it again
- 1 star – DNF (did not finish)
Click the three dots on the left hand side to open the table of contents and quickly jump to a series or movie you haven’t seen.
You might be interested in my other best comedy lists:
Die Hard
Tagline: Yippee-ki-yay, Christmas just got explosive.
For Fans of: Lethal Weapon, Speed, The Rock
WYALAN rating: 5/5
Bruce Willis redefined the reluctant action hero as John McClane, a New York cop trapped in a Los Angeles skyscraper during a terrorist siege. With Alan Rickman’s icy Hans Gruber and John McTiernan’s slick direction, this is the gold standard for high-stakes mayhem. It’s tense, funny, and surprisingly festive – yes, it’s a Christmas movie, and no, we’re not debating it.
Tim’s Take: This is the gold standard for action movies – smart, suspenseful, and endlessly rewatchable, with unforgettable one-liners and one of the best movie villains of all time.
Speed
Tagline: Keep it above 50 or kiss your commute goodbye.
For Fans of: Die Hard, Mission: Impossible, Crank
WYALAN rating: 5/5
A bomb on a bus, a ticking clock, and Keanu Reeves in peak stoic mode – Speed is pure adrenaline. Sandra Bullock’s breakout role as a reluctant driver adds charm, while Dennis Hopper chews scenery as the villain. Jan de Bont’s direction keeps the tension taut and the pacing relentless. It’s the rare thriller that never hits the brakes.
Tim’s Take: Intense peril at every stage whilst still managing to find it’s funny bone, Speed is still a great action movie despite being released 30 years ago. Hopper is absolutely dastardly as the villain.
High Fidelity
Tagline: Love hurts, but mixtapes heal.
For Fans of: Almost Famous, Garden State, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
WYALAN rating: 5/5
John Cusack’s record store owner narrates his romantic failures through top-five lists and vinyl snobbery in this adaptation of Nick Hornby’s novel. Directed by Stephen Frears, it’s a witty, self-aware look at heartbreak, music, and emotional immaturity. Jack Black steals scenes, and the soundtrack is a character in its own right.
Tim’s Take: This is the definitive heartbreak movie for music nerds – Cusack’s confessional monologues are uncomfortably relatable. High Fidelity remains one of Cusack’s best performances.
Spy
Tagline: She’s got the gadgets, the guts, and zero chill.
For Fans of: Bridesmaids, Kingsman, The Heat
WYALAN rating: 5/5
Melissa McCarthy flips the spy genre on its head in Paul Feig’s riotous action-comedy. She plays a desk-bound analyst turned field agent, navigating explosions, betrayal, and Jason Statham’s gloriously unhinged self-parody. It’s sharp, silly, and surprisingly slick, with Rose Byrne and Miranda Hart adding extra bite.
Tim’s Take: Spy treads the line perfectly between fun spy comedy and full on slapstick parodies like Top Secret! A Feig and McCarthy collaboration is always a safe bet and there’s a laugh a minute it seems and reminds me of the humour from Zoolander. One of my favourite comedies to have been released in the last decade and deserves a lot more recognition. Statham’s cameo role is worth watching the film alone.
10 Things I Hate About You
Tagline: Shakespeare goes high school, and it totally slaps.
For Fans of: Clueless, Easy A, She’s All That
WYALAN rating: 5/5
This late-’90s teen rom-com reimagines The Taming of the Shrew with Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles trading barbs and longing looks. It’s witty, quotable, and anchored by a killer soundtrack. The cast is stacked – Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Allison Janney, and a young Gabrielle Union – and the paintball scene is rom-com canon.
Tim’s Take: One of my favourite rom-coms of all time, 10 Things I Hate About You has several brilliant character arcs which I think sets it apart from other rom-coms. It’s smarter and more emotionally resonant than your average high school flick. Ledger’s serenade on the bleachers is iconic.
My Cousin Vinny
Tagline: Justice wears leather and talks fast.
For Fans of: Legally Blonde, The Nice Guys, L.A. Law
WYALAN rating: 5/5
Joe Pesci’s Brooklyn lawyer stumbles into a murder trial in Alabama, and chaos ensues. Marisa Tomei won an Oscar for her role as Mona Lisa Vito, delivering courtroom sass and automotive expertise. It’s a fish-out-of-water comedy with razor-sharp writing and surprisingly solid legal logic.
Tim’s Take: A movie my brother had on VHS tape and thought it was funny then and still is as an adult (the what are you wearing scene will never not make me laugh and something I still quote to this day). Joe Pesci is brilliant as his usual biting, sarcastic self. The plot itself is great as it seems like there is no way out for the defendants and you’re left guessing if Vinny can win the case.
Alien
Tagline: In space, no one can hear you scream – except the cat.
For Fans of: The Thing, Event Horizon, Blade Runner
WYALAN rating: 5/5
Ridley Scott’s sci-fi horror classic is a masterclass in atmosphere and dread. Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley is the blueprint for badass heroines, and H.R. Giger’s creature design still haunts dreams. It’s slow-burn terror with industrial grime, existential unease, and one of cinema’s most iconic final girls
Tim’s Take: I don’t usually watch horror movies, but I actually enjoyed Alien. That’s how good it is, it’s definitely worth the hype. Tense and terrifying, Alien isn’t just sci-fi horror done right, it’s the blueprint.
Armageddon
Tagline: Oil drillers in space. NASA’s HR department is still recovering.
For Fans of: Independence Day, Deep Impact, Top Gun
WYALAN rating: 5/5
Michael Bay’s asteroid epic is loud, ludicrous, and oddly emotional. Bruce Willis leads a team of blue-collar misfits – including Ben Affleck and Steve Buscemi – on a mission to save Earth. The Aerosmith ballad, slow-motion hero shots, and zero-gravity melodrama make it peak ’90s blockbuster excess.
Tim’s Take: Sure it’s a ridiculous plot, but I don’t care. It’s a fun watch, has a great comedic cast and a wonderful ending.
500 Days Of Summer
Tagline: This is not a love story. It’s a story about love.
For Fans of: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Garden State, Her
WYALAN rating: 5/5
Marc Webb’s nonlinear romance charts the rise and fall of a relationship through Tom’s (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) eyes. Zooey Deschanel’s Summer is enigmatic, charming, and frustratingly real. It’s bittersweet, visually inventive, and brutally honest about expectations vs reality. The IKEA scene is both hilarious and tragic.
Tim’s Take: One of my favourite rom coms, I love the non-linear storyline, each time revealing why the relationship soured slowly. Unlike other rom coms, 500 Days of Summer is a realistic portrayal of relationships, compatibility and the effect of break ups.
Dodgeball
Tagline: Grab life by the ball.
For Fans of: Anchorman, Step Brothers, The Ringer
WYALAN rating: 4.5/5
Ben Stiller’s gym tyrant faces off against Vince Vaughn’s ragtag team in this absurd sports comedy. It’s packed with quotable lines, surprise cameos, and a gloriously stupid final showdown. Christine Taylor, Rip Torn, and Alan Tudyk round out the ensemble, and yes – if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.
Tim’s Take: I adored Dodgeball when it was first released, it was one of my favourite comedy movies as it is super quotable. While the jokes don’t hit as hard as they did, Dodgeball remains a fun watch. A unique underdog story, Stiller’s hyper-macho villain and Rip Torn’s deranged coach are still memorable comedic characters.
Con Air
Tagline: Buckle up – this prison transport’s got turbulence.
For Fans of: Face/Off, The Rock, Speed
WYALAN rating: 5/5
Nicolas Cage, mullet intact, plays a wrongly convicted ex-con hitching a ride on a hijacked plane full of maniacs. John Malkovich is deliciously deranged as Cyrus the Virus, and Steve Buscemi adds unsettling charm. It’s pure ’90s excess, with explosions, slow-motion heroics, and a soundtrack that dares you not to sing along.
Tim’s Take: You root for the hero from start to finish. Malkovich is excellent as an unhinged villain. Buscemi is quietly terrifying. Con Air is one of the best over the top action movies from the 90’s.
The Rock
Tagline: Welcome to the rock. Leave your logic at the door.
For Fans of: Die Hard, Armageddon, Mission: Impossible
WYALAN rating: 5/5
Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage team up to stop a rogue general threatening San Francisco from Alcatraz. Michael Bay’s direction is all fireballs and frantic pacing, but the cast elevates the chaos. Ed Harris brings gravitas, and the chemistry between Cage’s twitchy scientist and Connery’s suave ex-spy is unexpectedly delightful.
Tim’s Take: Another glorious explosive action thriller from the 90’s, Connery and Cage are a dream in this buddy cop adjacent film with a ridiculous plot (now we only have Jason Statham to rely on for our fill).
Little Miss Sunshine
Tagline: Dysfunction never looked so endearing.
For Fans of: Juno, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Farewell
WYALAN rating: 4.5/5
A broken-down VW van, a beauty pageant, and a family on the brink – this indie gem balances heartbreak and hilarity with precision. Toni Collette, Steve Carell, and Alan Arkin (who won an Oscar) deliver performances full of warmth and bite. It’s a road trip movie that finds grace in the grit
Tim’s Take: Take note Wes Anderson, this is how you create likable odd ball characters (see my take on Isle of Dogs for more context). One of the most rewatchable heartfelt road trip movies ever, Little Miss Sunshine is a reliable feel good watch with terrific character arcs a plenty.
Face/Off
Tagline: I want to take his face… off. Literally.
For Fans of: Con Air, Heat, Mission: Impossible 2
WYALAN rating: 5/5
John Woo’s operatic action thriller pits John Travolta and Nicolas Cage against each other – then swaps their faces. It’s ludicrous, stylish, and surprisingly emotional, with both actors gleefully chewing scenery. The shootouts are balletic, the stakes are absurd, and the doves are plentiful.
Tim’s Take: Cage and Travolta are unleased in this wild and wacky sci-fi adjacent thriller that would have not received it’s iconic status without them as leads. It’s worth watching Face/Off for their performances as each other alone. But the unique plot line also makes this an enjoyable rewatch.
True Lies
Tagline: Marriage, espionage, and horse chases through hotels.
For Fans of: Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Bourne Identity, The Incredibles
WYALAN rating: 4/5
Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a secret agent whose double life collides with domestic drama in James Cameron’s genre-blending blockbuster. Jamie Lee Curtis is magnetic, especially in a now-iconic dance scene, and Tom Arnold provides comic relief. It’s part spy thriller, part rom-com, and all chaos.
Tim’s Take: I wasn’t expecting to like True Lies as much as I did, but it’s an comedy spy thriller that’s very easy to watch. I shouldn’t have expected anything less in a comedy with Schwarzenegger as the lead I guess (I really need to get round to ranking his best comedy films), but there’s also a ton of comedic relief provided by Curtis, Arnold and Paxton throughout. I was surprised to see James Cameron attached to True Lies, he needs to stop making more Avatars and create more silly comedic films I think.
Isle Of Dogs
Tagline: Loyalty, fur, and stop-motion rebellion.
For Fans of: Fantastic Mr. Fox, Coraline, The Grand Budapest Hotel
WYALAN rating: 4/5
Wes Anderson’s animated tale follows a boy searching for his dog on a quarantined island of exiled canines. The voice cast is stacked – Bryan Cranston, Scarlett Johansson, and Jeff Goldblum among them – and the visuals are meticulously crafted. It’s quirky, melancholic, and oddly profound.
Tim’s Take: This might be a controversial opinion, but I would only rewatch a handful of Wes Anderson films. While I appreciate the aesthetics of all his films and will continue to watch everything he releases, I find his work formulaic, a bunch of (slightly annoying) odd ball characters and I feel like I’m watching The Royal Tenenbaums again. Maybe I find Isle of Dogs more palatable because it’s animated dogs, but I also love the plot which I think has more emotional stake than his other work.
The Sixth Sense
Tagline: Some secrets are best whispered.
For Fans of: The Others, Hereditary, The Babadook
WYALAN rating: 5/5
Night Shyamalan’s breakout hit is more than its twist – it’s a haunting meditation on grief and connection. Bruce Willis plays a child psychologist helping a boy (Haley Joel Osment) who sees dead people. The atmosphere is chilling, the performances are tender, and the ending still stuns.
Tim’s Take: Even though I know the end upon every rewatch, The Sixth Sense is still enjoyable. The ending still hits me and that’s testament to the build up Shyamalan, Willis and Osment do. For me, no other M. Night Shyamalan work comes close to The Sixth Sense.
Heat
Tagline: Cops, robbers, and one very tense coffee break.
For Fans of: The Town, Collateral, Sicario
WYALAN rating: 4.5/5
Michael Mann’s crime epic is a masterclass in mood, precision, and moral ambiguity. Al Pacino and Robert De Niro face off as cop and criminal, circling each other in a city that never sleeps. The downtown shootout is legendary, but it’s the quiet diner scene that crackles with existential dread. It’s noir with a pulse – and a soul.
Tim’s Take: It’s probably easy to say Heat wouldn’t be as enjoyable to watch if Pacino and De Niro we not the leads (could anyone fill these shoes in a modern day remake?), but the powerhouse performances really do add so much to this cat and mouse chase. Heat is so much more than just a typical Mann movie with explosions (although there are plenty in Heat), the fractured personal lives makes this a thrilling drama too.
See How They Run
Tagline: Murder, theatre, and a very flustered constable.
For Fans of: Knives Out, The Mousetrap, Gosford Park
WYALAN rating: 4/5
Set in 1950s London, this whodunnit pokes fun at its own genre while delivering a genuinely twisty mystery. Saoirse Ronan is a delight as the overeager rookie inspector, and Sam Rockwell plays it dry as her weary partner. It’s stylish, self-aware, and packed with theatrical flair
Tim’s Take: Characters and casting make or break murder mysteries. Luckily, See How They Run boast weird and wonderful in both areas. But it’s the delightful comedic chemistry between Ronan’s naivety and Rockwell’s surliness that really makes See How They Run a uniquely fun and fresh take on the classic murder mystery genre.
Juno
Tagline: She’s sixteen, pregnant, and way too clever for your judgement.
For Fans of: Lady Bird, Little Miss Sunshine, Booksmart
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Elliot Page stars as Juno, a whip-smart teen navigating an unplanned pregnancy with wit and heart. Diablo Cody’s Oscar-winning script crackles with one-liners, and Jason Reitman’s direction keeps things grounded. It’s funny, poignant, and refreshingly unsentimental.
Tim’s Take: Juno is a fresh, funny, and surprisingly poignant coming-of-age story that’s a perfect blend of humour, heart, and raw emotion. The adoption storyline helps ground this and gives real emotional depth. The brilliant leads are backed up by a stellar ensemble cast which helps make this off-beat and fun rom com watch.
The Fly
Tagline: Science got curious. Now it’s grotesque.
For Fans of: Annihilation, Videodrome, Splice
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
David Cronenberg’s body horror classic turns a teleportation experiment into a slow, sticky descent into mutation. Jeff Goldblum is mesmerising as the eccentric scientist whose brilliance curdles into tragedy, and Geena Davis brings emotional weight to the chaos. It’s grotesque, heartbreaking, and weirdly poetic.
Tim’s Take: Jeff Goldblum is perfect for this role as he’s unchained to be his usual weird and wacky self in this (some may say silly) sci-fi plot. The 80’s makeup and prosthetics make The Fly worth watching alone (see Alien or The Thing for more 80’s gold).
Rye Lane
Tagline: Breakups, banter, and bold colours in South London.
For Fans of: Before Sunrise, Insecure, Lovers Rock
WYALAN rating: 4/5
This vibrant rom-com follows two heartbroken twenty-somethings wandering through Peckham and Brixton, trading jokes and emotional baggage. Directed by Raine Allen-Miller, it’s visually playful and refreshingly British, with David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah radiating charm. It’s short, sweet, and full of swagger.
Tim’s Take: Rye Lane is a feel-good, refreshing rom-com that offers more than just typical clichés, thanks to its heartfelt performances and energetic style. It takes the best parts of any Richard Curtis movie (without the cheese). I also loved the will they won’t they chemistry between Jonsson and Oparah. Rye Lane is one of the best roms coms to have been released in the 2000’s.
Jojo Rabbit
Tagline: War is absurd. So is imaginary Hitler.
For Fans of: Life Is Beautiful, Moonrise Kingdom, The Death of Stalin
WYALAN rating: 4/5
Taika Waititi’s anti-hate satire follows a Hitler-obsessed boy whose worldview unravels when he discovers a Jewish girl hiding in his home. Roman Griffin Davis leads a stellar cast including Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell, while Waititi himself plays the ridiculous Führer. It’s bold, bizarre, and unexpectedly moving.
Tim’s Take: Taika Waititi’s portrayal of an imaginary Adolf Hitler is hilarious and over the top, cleverly mocking the dictator’s ideology. While the film’s comedic elements shine through, it also doesn’t shy away from the sadness and bigotry of its setting, offering both laughs and poignant moments. As we saw in Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Taika Waititi knows how to slowly weave heartfelt character arcs and Jojo Rabbit has it in spades.
Stuber
Tagline: One star for the ride, five stars for the chaos.
For Fans of: Central Intelligence, Ride Along, Bad Boys
WYALAN rating: 4/5
Kumail Nanjiani’s mild-mannered Uber driver gets roped into a violent police mission by Dave Bautista’s half-blind cop. It’s a mismatched buddy comedy with shootouts, sarcasm, and a surprising amount of heart. The plot’s thin, but the chemistry is solid and the gags land more often than not.
Tim’s Take: For me, Nanjiani is a safe bet when it comes to comedy films (I love the Big Sick). Stuber is an action comedy that’s an easy watch, backed by a silly premise.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri
Tagline: Grief doesn’t play nice.
For Fans of: Fargo, The Power of the Dog, Mystic River
WYALAN rating: 4/5
Martin McDonagh’s dark drama centres on a mother’s public protest against police inaction after her daughter’s murder. Frances McDormand won an Oscar for her blistering performance, with Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson adding layers of moral ambiguity. It’s raw, provocative, and laced with bitter humour.
Tim’s Take: I love In Bruges and Three Billboards has some similarities in terms a serious plot on paper while still finding time to add dry, witty dialogue to keep things light. Frances McDormand’s portrayal of a woman driven by anger and pain is both fiery and nuanced in her best role yet with Harrelson and Rockwell providing comedic support.
Date Night
Tagline: Suburban dinner plans meet criminal conspiracy.
For Fans of: Game Night, The Other Guys, Mr. & Mrs. Smith
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Steve Carell and Tina Fey play a married couple whose attempt to spice up their routine lands them in a whirlwind of mistaken identity and mob drama. It’s fast-paced, silly, and buoyed by their impeccable comic timing. Cameos from Mark Wahlberg and James Franco add extra absurdity.
Tim’s Take: I love most projects Steve Carell and Tina Fey’s are attached to, so Date Night was always going to be a hit for me. While the premise might sound formulaic, the duo’s chemistry elevates it into a light-hearted and hilarious escape from peril at every corner.
Birdman
Tagline: Fame fades. Ego doesn’t.
For Fans of: Black Swan, The Wrestler, Synecdoche, New York
WYALAN rating: 4/5
Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Oscar-winning drama follows a washed-up superhero actor (Michael Keaton) staging a Broadway comeback while battling inner demons and hallucinations. Shot to look like one continuous take, it’s technically dazzling and emotionally raw. Emma Stone and Edward Norton shine in supporting roles.
Tim’s Take: A film that doesn’t get spoken about enough nowadays, even though it’s just over a decade old. After watching, you’ll agree Birdman fully deserved all of the Academy Award wins as Michael Keaton gives a career-defining performance where you feel all the desperation of Thomson. I adored the single-shot illusion upon release and still do (even though more single-shot films and TV shows have been released since.
Office Space
Tagline: TPS reports, soul decay, and a rogue stapler.
For Fans of: The IT Crowd, Clerks, The Big Lebowski
WYALAN rating: 4/5
Mike Judge’s cult comedy skewers corporate drudgery with deadpan brilliance. Ron Livingston’s disillusioned office drone rebels against his soul-sucking job, while Stephen Root’s mumbling Milton becomes an unlikely icon. It’s painfully relatable and endlessly quotable.
Tim’s Take: Before The Office, there was Office Space. For anyone who has hated their office job and wanted to quit, this is for you. Office Space perfectly captures the mind-numbing absurdity of corporate life and all of the stereotypical co-workers you despise. Ever wanted to get back against a company? This is how to do it.
A Real Pain
Tagline: Grief, brotherhood, and Eastern European awkwardness.
For Fans of: The Farewell, The Royal Tenenbaums, Lost in Translation
WYALAN rating: 4/5
Jesse Eisenberg directs and stars in this bittersweet road movie about two cousins retracing their family’s Holocaust history in Poland. Kieran Culkin brings chaotic energy to Eisenberg’s neurotic restraint, creating a dynamic that’s both hilarious and heartbreaking. It’s a meditation on memory, identity, and emotional baggage.
Tim’s Take: If you thought Kieran Culkin was good in Succession, he takes elements of Roman and fuses it with charm and deep-seated pain to give Benji’s complex mood swings. David is the perfect foil for Benji. It’s testament to the acting and writing that despite the seriousness of the trip, you can’t help but chuckle when comedy is presented in small, dry doses.
Fire Island
Tagline: Pride, prejudice, and poppers.
For Fans of: Clueless, Sex and the City, To Wong Foo
WYALAN rating: 4/5
Joel Kim Booster’s modern take on Pride and Prejudice swaps bonnets for speedos and delivers a queer rom-com full of wit and warmth. Bowen Yang is magnetic, and Andrew Ahn’s direction balances satire with sincerity. It’s joyful, messy, and unapologetically horny.
Tim’s Take: Modern takes on a classics can be very hit and miss (I love 10 Things I Hate About You), but I would consider Fire Island unique enough to stand on it’s own. I love its sharp wit and authentic portrayal of queer friendships and love. It’s one of the better rom-coms to have been released in the 2020’s. We need to see Joel Kim Booster in more lead roles.
The Heat
Tagline: FBI meets foul-mouthed Boston cop. Chaos ensues.
For Fans of: Bridesmaids, Miss Congeniality, Spy
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy are a mismatched dream team in Paul Feig’s buddy-cop comedy. Bullock plays the uptight agent, McCarthy the unfiltered local detective, and together they dismantle a drug ring while trading insults and bonding over beer. It’s loud, crude, and surprisingly sweet beneath the profanity.
Tim’s Take: Sure, Melissa McCarthy is maybe type cast in these comedic roles, but that’s because she does it so well (especially with a plot where she can be frantic like The Heat). So many of her films are reliable, easy and fun watches. Throw Bullock and Feig into the mixture and this formulaic buddy cop movie becomes rewatchable.
Speed 2
Tagline: The boat’s too slow, the plot’s too thin.
For Fans of: Speed, Poseidon, The Meg
WYALAN rating: 4/5
Sandra Bullock returns, but Keanu Reeves wisely jumps ship. This sequel swaps a speeding bus for a hijacked cruise liner, and the tension sinks with it. Willem Dafoe hams it up as the villain, but even his leeches can’t save the pacing. It’s a cautionary tale in sequel excess.
Tim’s Take: I had avoided watching due to its reputation. But I’m here to tell you Speed 2 does not deserve it’s 4% Rotten Tomatoes rating. Sure, it’s not as good as Speed and is undeniably ridiculous, but there’s a campy, over-the-top charm to Dafoe’s creepy villain and the sheer ambition of the explosive finale. It’s essentially any Jason Statham movie. Speed 2 is worth your time.
Dead Poets Society
Tagline: Carpe diem, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.
For Fans of: The Breakfast Club, Good Will Hunting, Mona Lisa Smile
WYALAN rating: 4/5
Robin Williams delivers one of his most stirring performances as an English teacher who inspires his students to challenge conformity through poetry. Directed by Peter Weir, it’s a poignant, beautifully shot coming-of-age drama that celebrates art, rebellion, and the power of words. Bring tissues.
Tim’s Take: Few films make you want to leap on a desk and shout in iambic pentameter – this one does. Williams may be known for his comedic roles, but his performances in Dead Poets Society and and Good Will Hunting shows he offers so much more than just physical comedy. Williams balances warmth and wit, and the final scene is as stirring now as it was in 1989.
L.A. Confidential
Tagline: Glamour, corruption, and blood in the City of Angels.
For Fans of: Chinatown, The Untouchables, The Big Sleep
WYALAN rating: 4/5
Curtis Hanson’s neo-noir masterpiece dives into 1950s Los Angeles, where cops, starlets, and gangsters collide. Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, and Kevin Spacey lead a stellar cast, with Kim Basinger winning an Oscar for her role. It’s slick, brutal, and endlessly watchable.
Tim’s Take: This is a rare thriller that fires on all cylinders – smart script, stylish direction, and powerhouse performances from a trio of leads on the brink of stardom. It’s moody, sharp, and twists like a coiled snake.
Romeo + Juliet
Tagline: Shakespeare gets a Baz Luhrmann remix.
For Fans of: Moulin Rouge!, West Side Story, Cruel Intentions
WYALAN rating: 4/5
Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes bring tragic teen angst to this hyper-stylised adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic. Baz Luhrmann swaps swords for guns and Verona for Venice Beach, but keeps the original dialogue. It’s bold, chaotic, and surprisingly moving.
Tim’s Take: Romeo + Juliet is my favourite Shakespeare’s play. I had seen a modern adaptation at Shakespeare’s Blog which included a harlem shake and character wearing a huge Mickey Mouse head and left at the interval. So I had avoided watching Luhrmann’s version until recently. Stylistically, I am still blown away by Baz Luhrmann’s reimagining. Bright, brash and bold, it feels like a dizzying fever dream of passion and heartbreak – Claire Danes and Leo DiCaprio capture raw teen obsession like lightning in a bottle.
Enemy Of The State
Tagline: Privacy is dead. Will Smith is not.
For Fans of: The Fugitive, Minority Report, Jack Ryan
WYALAN rating: 4/5
Will Smith plays a lawyer unwittingly caught in a government conspiracy, with Gene Hackman as his grizzled tech-savvy ally. Tony Scott directs with kinetic flair, and the paranoia feels eerily prescient. It’s a slick, high-stakes thriller that still holds up.
Tim’s Take: Will Smith’s charisma and Gene Hackman’s gravitas make this a rare blend of brains and blockbuster thrills – it’s like Hitchcock with hard drives and helicopters.
Mean Girls
Tagline: On Wednesdays we wear pink.
For Fans of: Clueless, Easy A, Booksmart
WYALAN rating: 4/5
Tina Fey’s razor-sharp teen comedy is endlessly quotable and culturally immortal. Lindsay Lohan navigates high school politics, Regina George rules with lip gloss and cruelty, and the Burn Book burns everyone. It’s smart, savage, and still fetch.
Tim’s Take: Fey’s smart script amplifies teen drama together with an all-star comedy cast and physical humour, Mean Girls quite rightly remains one of the most beloved high school comedies ever.
Nomadland
Tagline: Home is where you park it.
For Fans of: Into the Wild, The Rider, Wendy and Lucy
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Chloé Zhao’s Oscar-winning drama follows Fern (Frances McDormand) as she travels the American West in her van, embracing a life of solitude and resilience. It’s quiet, poetic, and deeply human, with real nomads
Tim’s Take: Quiet, humane, and deeply moving – McDormand disappears into the role and Zhao’s filmmaking feels both intimate and mythic, capturing the vast loneliness and beauty of life on the margins. Nomadland will make you appreciate life just a little bit more.
The Transporter
Tagline: Rules are rules. Until someone puts a person in the boot.
For Fans of: Crank, John Wick, Ronin
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Jason Statham kicks off his action franchise as Frank Martin, a mercenary driver with a strict code and a very fast car. Directed by Louis Leterrier and Corey Yuen, with Luc Besson behind the script, it’s a slick French-English hybrid that delivers high-speed chases, hand-to-hand combat, and a human trafficking plot that adds unexpected weight. Shu Qi brings charm, and the underwater escape sequence is pure pulp brilliance.
Tim’s Take: This is sleek, no-nonsense action cinema – Statham’s stone-faced charisma and martial arts prowess give the film its pulse, and the fight scenes are refreshingly practical and stylish.
Tombstone
For fans of: Unforgiven, 3:10 to Yuma, The Quick and the Dead, Wyatt Earp, The Magnificent Seven
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Age rating: R (US), 15 (UK)
Directed by: George P. Cosmatos (Rambo: First Blood Part II, Leviathan) | Written by: Kevin Jarre (Glory, The Mummy [1999])
Cast: Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe
After retiring from law enforcement, legendary gunslinger Wyatt Earp seeks a quieter life in the frontier town of Tombstone with his brothers. But peace proves elusive when a violent gang threatens the town’s fragile order, forcing Earp and his enigmatic ally Doc Holliday to take a stand. Tombstone blends gritty Western realism with operatic flair, and Val Kilmer’s portrayal of Holliday—laconic, lethal, and strangely poetic—remains one of the genre’s most iconic performances.
Tim’s Take: Even if you don’t like Westerns generally, I would still recommend watching Tombstone. Kilmer absolutely steals the show with his swaggering, tragic take on Doc Holliday, and the film’s blend of pulp action, sharp one-liners, and sweeping drama makes it feel like a classic and a cult hit all at once.
Hot Shots!
Tagline: Top Gun meets bottom-tier logic.
For Fans of: Airplane!, Naked Gun, Spaceballs
WYALAN rating: 3/5
Charlie Sheen leads this delirious spoof of military machismo, romance tropes, and cinematic clichés. Directed by Jim Abrahams (Airplane!), it’s packed with absurd gags, surreal cutaways, and Lloyd Bridges in peak senile chaos. The film parodies everything from Rocky to Gone with the Wind, and somehow makes it all land.
Tim’s Take: While I think other Abrahams films such as The Naked Gun, Airplane! and Top Secret! are better, I think it’s still worth watching Hot Shots! The film’s brilliance lies in its relentless pace and deadpan delivery – Sheen’s commitment to the absurd makes it weirdly cool, and Lloyd Bridges is laugh-out-loud every time he’s on screen.
Taken
Tagline: He has a particular set of skills. And zero patience.
For Fans of: The Equalizer, Man on Fire, Jack Reacher
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Liam Neeson’s transformation into an action icon begins here, as ex-CIA operative Bryan Mills hunts down the traffickers who kidnapped his daughter in Paris. Pierre Morel directs with brutal efficiency, and Luc Besson’s script keeps the tension high. The phone monologue is iconic, the pacing relentless, and the body count satisfying.
Tim’s Take: With real stakes on the line, Taken delivers a gut-punch of suspense and adrenaline that leaves you breathless. Neeson’s no-nonsense, fatherly vengeance is what makes this thriller stand out – it’s hard to look away once the chase begins.
There’s Something About Mary
Tagline: Hair gel, stalkers, and one very popular girl.
For Fans of: Dumb and Dumber, Superbad, Crazy, Stupid, Love
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Cameron Diaz plays the titular Mary, the woman every man in the film is hopelessly obsessed with – Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon, and even a fake architect named Norm. Directed by the Farrelly brothers, it’s gross-out comedy with surprising heart. The dog scene, the zipper incident, and the “natural” hair product moment are all pop culture canon.
Tim’s Take: A rom-com with more emphasise on the comedy, There’s Something About Mary is a blend of heart and hilarity with plenty of cringe-worthy moments, but it’s all the more lovable for them. Diaz’s charming performance and the absurdity of the plot make this one unforgettable – especially for fans of ’90s comedy.
Free Guy
Tagline: NPCs deserve love too.
For Fans of: Ready Player One, The Truman Show, Wreck-It Ralph
WYALAN rating: 3/5
Ryan Reynolds plays Guy, a bank teller who realises he’s a background character in a violent online game. Directed by Shawn Levy, it’s a meta-comedy with heart, packed with cameos, pop culture nods, and Jodie Comer’s dual-role brilliance. It’s surprisingly sweet, visually inventive, and earned an Oscar nod for visual effects.
Tim’s Take: With Reynolds bringing his trademark wit and charm to the role, Free Guy is a blast of colourful fun and clever commentary on gaming culture. It’s an imaginative, fast-paced film that delivers laughs, action, and even a bit of heart.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Tagline: Wild animals. Civilised chaos.
For Fans of: Isle of Dogs, Coraline, The Grand Budapest Hotel
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Wes Anderson’s stop-motion debut turns Roald Dahl’s tale of a cunning fox into a meticulously crafted caper about family, rebellion, and poultry theft. George Clooney voices Mr. Fox with rakish charm, backed by Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, and Bill Murray. The animation is tactile and whimsical, the script (co-written with Noah Baumbach) crackles with dry wit, and Alexandre Desplat’s score earned an Oscar nod. It’s a feast for the eyes and ears, with enough existential angst to keep adults hooked.
Tim’s Take: In my top three favourite Wes Anderson films, there’s all the signature symmetrical shots and dry humour we’ve come to expect, Fantastic Mr. Fox is a feast for both the eyes and the heart. Clooney’s charismatic voice work is perfectly matched with the film’s charmingly oddball world. A masterclass in animation and storytelling that will have both kids and adults laughing, thinking, and marvelling at its design.
The Banshees Of Inisherin
Tagline: Friendship’s over. Fingers are next.
For Fans of: In Bruges, The Favourite, The Death of Stalin
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Martin McDonagh’s black comedy unfolds on a remote Irish island in 1923, where one man (Brendan Gleeson) abruptly ends his friendship with another (Colin Farrell), triggering a spiral of despair, violence, and donkey-related heartbreak. Barry Keoghan and Kerry Condon shine in supporting roles, and the film swept awards season with its haunting allegory and bleak humour.
Tim’s Take: I adore In Bruges and maybe came with too high of a bar which affected my enjoyment of the movie and will require a second watch with neutral eyes. But I still think it’s worth watching at least once. Expect the usual dry and dark humour from McDonagh.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Tagline: Revenge is a dish best served underwater.
For Fans of: Moonrise Kingdom, The Darjeeling Limited, The Royal Tenenbaums
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Bill Murray leads Team Zissou on a quest to kill the jaguar shark that ate his best friend, in Wes Anderson’s surreal maritime adventure. Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett, and Willem Dafoe round out the eccentric crew, while Seu Jorge serenades in Portuguese Bowie covers. It flopped at the box office but found cult status thanks to its deadpan humour, pastel palette, and emotional undercurrents. It’s a love letter to Jacques Cousteau, filtered through Anderson’s signature whimsy.
Tim’s Take: It’s Anderson at his most playful and most poignant – Bill Murray’s quietly devastating performance anchors the absurdity with real pathos, while every frame looks like a painting dipped in saltwater. Dafoe and Goldblum are perfect casting for any Anderson movie.
The Recruit
Tagline: Trust no one. Especially your mentor.
For Fans of: Enemy of the State, Spy Game, The Bourne Identity
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Colin Farrell plays a tech-savvy recruit pulled into CIA training under the watchful eye of Al Pacino’s veteran spook. What starts as a bootcamp thriller quickly spirals into a paranoia-laced game of manipulation and double-crosses. It’s slick, twisty, and just self-serious enough to feel like a guilty pleasure. Pacino chews through the script like it owes him rent.
Tim’s Take: Colin Farrell brings charm and intensity, while Al Pacino relishes every cryptic line – this one’s a tense, twisty thriller with old-school spy vibes and a genuinely gripping pace.
The Day After Tomorrow
Tagline: Climate change just got cinematic.
For Fans of: 2012, Deep Impact, Greenland
WYALAN rating: 3/5
Roland Emmerich’s disaster epic turns global warming into a blockbuster thrill ride. Jake Gyllenhaal and Dennis Quaid battle superstorms, flash freezes, and tidal waves as civilisation collapses. The science is questionable, but the visuals – especially the flooded New York – are undeniably impressive. It’s popcorn apocalypse with a side of environmental guilt.
Tim’s Take: It’s a thrill ride of collapsing cities and freezing oceans, but what sticks is the mix of earnest father-son drama and apocalyptic spectacle – Jake Gyllenhaal’s survival arc and that library scene are oddly unforgettable and helps separate it from the many end of the world movies.
I, Robot
Tagline: Trust no bot.
For Fans of: Minority Report, Ex Machina, Blade Runner
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Will Smith stars as a robot-sceptic detective in a future where AI assistants are everywhere – and one may have committed murder. Loosely inspired by Isaac Asimov’s stories, the film explores free will, ethics, and the Three Laws of Robotics with blockbuster flair. Alan Tudyk’s performance as Sonny, the sentient robot, adds unexpected emotional depth. It’s sleek, philosophical, and surprisingly poignant beneath the chrome.
Tim’s Take: Twenty years on and we haven’t reached I, Robot levels of AI just yet, but it definitely feels more relatable now than it did when it was first released. Will Smith delivers quips and punches in equal measure, but the real standout is the film’s sleek world-building and moral complexity – it’s a popcorn thriller that still asks big questions.
Predator
Tagline: If it bleeds, we can kill it.
For Fans of: Aliens, The Thing, Rambo: First Blood Part II
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Arnold Schwarzenegger leads a team of elite soldiers into the jungle, only to be hunted by an invisible alien with dreadlocks and a trophy fetish. John McTiernan’s direction keeps the tension taut, and the creature design is iconic. It’s part survival thriller, part sci-fi horror, and all testosterone
Tim’s Take: Schwarzenegger is in peak form here, but it’s the film’s tense atmosphere, brutal pacing, and that unforgettable invisible hunter that make Predator a must-see.
Runaway Jury
Tagline: The verdict is for sale.
For Fans of: The Lincoln Lawyer, The Firm, Erin Brockovich
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
John Cusack and Rachel Weisz play a mysterious couple manipulating a high-stakes trial against a gun manufacturer. Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman face off as opposing legal strategists, with surveillance, blackmail, and courtroom drama unfolding at breakneck pace. Based on John Grisham’s novel, it’s a legal thriller that’s smarter than it looks and twistier than expected.
Tim’s Take: This is a polished, intelligent thriller with strong performances and tense moral undercurrents – watch it for the verbal chess match between Hackman and Hoffman, and the surprisingly modern questions it raises about corporate influence.
Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid
Tagline: Two outlaws. One last ride.
For Fans of: The Sting, True Grit, Bonnie and Clyde
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Paul Newman and Robert Redford redefine the buddy western in this genre-bending classic from George Roy Hill. William Goldman’s Oscar-winning script blends sharp banter with melancholy, as the duo flee a relentless posse across the American frontier and into Bolivia. Burt Bacharach’s “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” adds unexpected whimsy, and the freeze-frame ending is pure cinematic legend. It’s funny, tragic, and effortlessly cool
Tim’s Take: I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this, and that’s mostly down to Newman and Redford who are magnetic together – funny, tragic, and cool in equal measure – making this more than a Western; it’s a study in fading legends and the cost of living outside the rules.
Sunshine
Tagline: One bomb. One sun. One very bad vibe.
For Fans of: Event Horizon, Interstellar, Moon
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Danny Boyle’s sci-fi thriller sends a crew to reignite the dying sun, but things unravel when they encounter the remnants of a failed mission. Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, and Michelle Yeoh anchor a cast caught between existential dread and cosmic horror. It’s visually stunning, emotionally intense, and ends with a surreal descent into madness.
Tim’s Take: This is intelligent, visually arresting science fiction with an emotional core – the excellent casting offers huge emotions and tension with high stakes.
Jumper
Tagline: Blink and you’re in Rome. Or trouble.
For Fans of: Push, Chronicle, The Matrix
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Teleportation sounds cool – until Samuel L. Jackson starts hunting you for it. Hayden Christensen plays a young man who discovers he can “jump” across the globe, but his powers attract a secret society bent on extermination. Jamie Bell adds grit as a rogue jumper, but the plot stumbles through its own wormholes. It’s a globe-trotting sci-fi with great locations and patchy logic.
Tim’s Take: While the story doesn’t always stick the landing, the concept is irresistible and Jamie Bell nearly steals the show with his snarky energy and rogue attitude.
White Men Can’t Jump
Tagline: Hustle first. Dunk later.
For Fans of: He Got Game, The Last Dance, Semi-Pro
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson team up – and trash talk – in this streetball comedy about con games, pride, and jump shots. Rosie Perez steals scenes as Harrelson’s Jeopardy-obsessed girlfriend, while the Venice Beach setting adds sun-drenched swagger. It’s sharp, funny, and sneakily heartfelt beneath the banter and basketball.
Tim’s Take: Harrelson and Snipes have electric chemistry, and Rosie Perez steals scenes left and right – this is as much about rhythm and banter as it is about basketball.
Theatre Camp
Tagline: Drama kids. Actual drama.
For Fans of: Waiting for Guffman, Wet Hot American Summer, Glee
WYALAN rating: 3/5
When the founder of a scrappy theatre camp falls into a coma, her clueless son takes over – and chaos ensues. Molly Gordon, Ben Platt, and Noah Galvin lead a cast of eccentric instructors and precocious campers in this mockumentary packed with Broadway references and emotional meltdowns. It’s equal parts satire and love letter to the stage, with a finale that’s both ridiculous and oddly moving.
Tim’s Take: This is a love letter to theatre nerds everywhere – its ensemble shines, especially Noah Galvin, and the affectionate satire hits all the right notes. Theatre Camp is a feel good easy watch.
Broken Arrow
Tagline: Travolta’s got nukes. Slater’s got sass.
For Fans of: Face/Off, Mission: Impossible, The Rock
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
John Woo directs this explosive thriller about a rogue pilot (John Travolta) who steals nuclear warheads and his former wingman (Christian Slater) who tries to stop him. Samantha Mathis adds grit as a park ranger caught in the crossfire. It’s full of slow-motion shootouts, desert chases, and Hans Zimmer’s twangy score. Not subtle, but definitely entertaining.
Tim’s Take: It’s over-the-top in the best way – Travolta relishes every villainous smirk, and Woo brings a signature blend of slow-motion mayhem and balletic gunplay. Doesn’t quite hit the heights of other 90’s action movies with a silly plot like Face/Off or The Rock, but still worth watching if you like this genre.
Gone In 60 Seconds
Tagline: Fifty cars. One night. Zero chill.
For Fans of: Fast & Furious, The Italian Job, Baby Driver
WYALAN rating: 5/5
Nicolas Cage leads a crew of car thieves in this glossy remake of the 1974 cult classic. With Angelina Jolie, Giovanni Ribisi, and Robert Duvall in tow, the film races through a high-octane heist to save Cage’s younger brother. The plot’s thin, but the chase sequences – especially the Shelby GT500 finale – deliver pure popcorn adrenaline. It’s loud, slick, and unapologetically obsessed with horsepower.
Tim’s Take: Cage plays it cool under pressure, Jolie’s magnetic presence smoulders on-screen, and the final car jump alone is worth the ride – this is pure, polished popcorn fun.
Fight Club
Tagline: You are not your IKEA catalogue.
For Fans of: American Psycho, Requiem for a Dream, The Matrix
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
David Fincher’s cult classic punches through consumer malaise with nihilistic flair. Edward Norton’s insomniac narrator spirals into chaos after meeting Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), a soap salesman with a taste for destruction. Helena Bonham Carter adds grit as the chain-smoking Marla, and The Dust Brothers’ score throbs with menace. It’s violent, philosophical, and endlessly quotable – just don’t talk about it.
Tim’s Take: Edward Norton’s slow unravelling, Brad Pitt’s swaggering chaos, and that final shot – this film doesn’t just punch, it lingers in the gut long after.
Borat
Tagline: Very nice. Very offensive. Very unforgettable.
For Fans of: Bruno, Jackass, The Office (UK)
WYALAN rating: 3/5
Sacha Baron Cohen’s Kazakh journalist travels across America in this mockumentary that blends satire, cringe, and chaos. Directed by Larry Charles, it’s part road trip, part social experiment, and part lawsuit magnet. It won a Golden Globe and earned an Oscar nod for its screenplay, despite being banned in several countries.
Tim’s Take: Sure, there are better examples in this genre like Nathan For You and Cunk on…, but Sacha Baron Cohen’s full-tilt commitment to character results in moments so outrageous and uncomfortable they cross the line into absurdity.
The Devil Wears Prada
Tagline: Fashion is pain. And Meryl is terrifying.
For Fans of: Clueless, Legally Blonde, Working Girl
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Anne Hathaway’s aspiring journalist lands a job at Runway magazine, only to face the icy wrath of editor Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep in one of her most iconic roles. Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci steal scenes, and Patricia Field’s costume design earned an Oscar nod. It’s sharp, stylish, and endlessly quotable.
Tim’s Take: Watching Meryl Streep transform a fashion boss into one of cinema’s great antiheroes is worth watching alone – add in Blunt’s scene-stealing sarcasm and a closet full of iconic looks, and this one’s unforgettable.
Super Troopers
Tagline: Law enforcement, maple syrup, and meow-based interrogation.
For Fans of: Anchorman, Reno 911!, Hot Fuzz
WYALAN rating: 3/5
Five Vermont state troopers spend more time pranking each other than enforcing the law – until a drug bust forces them to get serious. Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar and starring the Broken Lizard comedy troupe, it’s a cult classic packed with absurd gags, quotable lines, and a rogue moustache or two. The “meow” scene alone earns it eternal rewatch status.
Tim’s Take: Sure, it’s not a smart comedy and some scenes may not be filmed today. It’s juvenile, it’s ridiculous, and it’s proud of it.
Clueless
Tagline: She’s rich, stylish, and totally into civic engagement.
For Fans of: Legally Blonde, Mean Girls, Emma
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Amy Heckerling’s Beverly Hills update of Jane Austen’s Emma gave us Cher Horowitz, a matchmaking teen with a heart of gold and a closet that rotates. Alicia Silverstone is iconic, Paul Rudd is charming, and the slang is immortal. It’s frothy, funny, and sneakily feminist beneath the plaid skirts and lip gloss.
Tim’s Take: Alicia Silverstone is magnetic as the lovable yet hilariously out-of-touch Cher, and the film’s mix of satire and sweetness makes it way smarter than it first appears. It’s a time capsule of ’90s teen culture that still feels fresh.
The Big Short
Tagline: The economy’s about to collapse. Let’s make it entertaining.
For Fans of: Moneyball, Succession, Margin Call
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Adam McKay turns the 2008 financial crisis into a fast-paced, fourth-wall-breaking masterclass in economic absurdity. Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt play the misfits who saw it coming. It’s sharp, infuriating, and surprisingly funny – with celebrity cameos explaining subprime mortgages in bubble baths.
Tim’s Take: It’s testament to the writing that McKay managed to make a movie about the financial funny and factual. It superbly explains the complex scenarios in an easy to digest manner even a financial illiterate person such as myself could understand. This is a brainy, chaotic rollercoaster that turns subprime mortgages into edge-of-your-seat drama. It’s packed with unexpected laughs, biting commentary, and a standout turn from Christian Bale as the socially awkward genius who saw it all coming.
Cinderella Man
Tagline: Depression-era grit meets heavyweight glory.
For Fans of: Rocky, The Fighter, Seabiscuit
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Russell Crowe plays real-life boxer James J. Braddock, who went from washed-up longshoreman to world champion during the Great Depression. Directed by Ron Howard, with Renée Zellweger and Paul Giamatti adding emotional heft, it’s a rousing underdog story that punches hard and lands soft.
Tim’s Take: Cinderella Man is much more than just another boxing movie – it’s a moving portrait of resilience, carried by Russell Crowe’s stoic performance and an electric supporting turn from Giamatti. The period detail and emotional core pack a punch that lands far beyond the ring.
The Shape Of Water
Tagline: Love doesn’t always come with lungs.
For Fans of: Pan’s Labyrinth, Amélie, Edward Scissorhands
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning fantasy romance blends Cold War paranoia with fairytale tenderness. Sally Hawkins plays a mute cleaner who forms a secret bond with a captive amphibian creature, portrayed by Doug Jones in mesmerising prosthetics. The film’s lush production design and Alexandre Desplat’s score earned major awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. It’s strange, sensual, and utterly unlike anything else.
Tim’s Take: On the surface, The Shape of Water appears to be a sci-fi film due to the monster in the lab. But it’s more like a dark fairy tale that manages to be romantic, eerie, and deeply human all at once – anchored by Sally Hawkins’ expressive performance and Del Toro’s lush, dreamlike direction. A love story like no other, soaked in atmosphere and imagination.
West Side Story
Tagline: Jets vs Sharks. Love vs fate. Spielberg vs expectations.
For Fans of: Moulin Rouge!, La La Land, Romeo + Juliet
WYALAN rating: 3/5
Steven Spielberg’s 2021 remake of the classic musical is a visual and emotional triumph. Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose (who won an Oscar) lead a cast that dances, sings, and bleeds across a beautifully reimagined New York. Tony Kushner’s screenplay adds depth, and Janusz Kamiński’s cinematography is pure gold.
Tim’s Take: Not my favourite musical (it made me want to rewatch La La Land), but there’s no denying Spielberg brings fresh urgency and cinematic flair to a timeless tale, with dazzling choreography, bold set pieces, and a cast that breathes new life into iconic songs – this isn’t just a remake, it’s a reinvention.
Road To Perdition
Tagline: A father, a son, and a trail of bodies.
For Fans of: The Godfather, Miller’s Crossing, The Untouchables
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Tom Hanks plays a mob enforcer on the run with his son after a betrayal within the Irish-American mafia. Directed by Sam Mendes and based on a graphic novel, it’s a sombre, rain-soaked meditation on violence and legacy. Paul Newman’s final live-action role earned him an Oscar nod, and Conrad L. Hall’s cinematography won posthumously.
Tim’s Take: Road to Perdition focuses more on the storyline opposed to violence. Quiet, haunting, and immaculately composed, this is one of Tom Hanks’s most understated performances, with Newman and Law offering dark, chilling counterpoints in a gangster film that values mood and meaning over mayhem.
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Tagline: Forgery, loneliness, and literary sass.
For Fans of: American Splendor, The Squid and the Whale, Carol
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Melissa McCarthy dials down the comedy and turns up the pathos as Lee Israel, a failed biographer who starts forging letters from famous writers. Richard E. Grant is magnetic as her boozy accomplice, and Marielle Heller’s direction keeps it intimate and quietly devastating. It’s a love letter to misfits and moral grey zones.
Tim’s Take: Although I love the version of McCarthy who is frantic and over the top (Spy, The Heat, Bridesmaid), Can You Ever Forgive Me? proves that she can shine in more than just comedy, bringing depth and nuance to a flawed but oddly sympathetic character. Grant’s performance is a standout as the witty, charming foil, making this film both hilarious and touching in unexpected ways.
A Complete Unknown
Tagline: Folk prophet. Electric rebel. Dylan, redefined.
For Fans of: I’m Not There, Walk the Line, Inside Llewyn Davis
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Timothée Chalamet channels Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s biopic tracing the singer’s rise from Greenwich Village poet to Newport Folk Festival iconoclast. With Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, and Monica Barbaro in tow, it’s a moody, stylish portrait of artistic reinvention. The soundtrack hums with rebellion, and the casting is electric.
Tim’s Take: I know very little about Dylan and know a handful of his hit songs. A Complete Unknown presents an interesting storyline and intro to his career. It gave me more respect for his work, talent and perseverance for his art in the face of public opinion.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Tagline: He will rock you. And break your heart.
For Fans of: Rocketman, Almost Famous, The Doors
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Rami Malek won an Oscar for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury, and it’s easy to see why. This Queen biopic hits all the big notes – from formation to Live Aid – with swagger, sequins, and emotional depth. The timeline’s fuzzy, but the music and Malek’s performance are pure gold.
Tim’s Take: Aside from the widely popular music, Bohemian Rhapsody beautifully tracks the highs and lows of Freddie Mercury. Rami Malek’s Oscar-winning performance as Freddie Mercury is nothing short of mesmerizing, capturing the essence of the rock legend’s unique charisma and vulnerability. The film’s explosive music sequences and emotional depth make it a must-watch for fans of Queen and music biopics alike.
The Greatest Showman
Tagline: Spectacle, song, and circus-sized ambition.
For Fans of: Moulin Rouge!, La La Land, Newsies
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Hugh Jackman belts his way through this glossy musical inspired by P.T. Barnum’s life. Zendaya and Zac Efron add acrobatic romance, and the soundtrack (by Pasek and Paul) is relentlessly catchy. It’s not historically accurate, but it’s unapologetically theatrical – and “This Is Me” became an anthem for a reason.
Tim’s Take: The Greatest Showman is a superb combination of a great story, fun musical songs and all-star cast in Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron who’s infectious energy create an exhilarating ride that will have you singing and dancing long after the credits roll. The blend of spectacle, emotion, and performance is truly captivating.
Dangerous Minds
Tagline: Poetry, karate, and classroom rebellion.
For Fans of: Freedom Writers, Lean on Me, Stand and Deliver
WYALAN rating: 3/5
Michelle Pfeiffer plays a former Marine turned teacher who uses Dylan lyrics and candy bars to reach her inner-city students. It’s earnest, formulaic, and powered by Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise.” The message is heartfelt, even if the execution leans heavily on Hollywood tropes.
Tim’s Take: Other reviewers have pointed out the problematic nature of the film i.e. white savour and poor student stereotypes. While this may be true, I enjoyed the plotline for what it is – a teacher going above and beyond to help students achieve their potential. Michelle Pfeiffer’s powerful performance as Louanne Johnson elevates Dangerous Minds into an inspirational narrative about breaking down barriers and reaching young minds. The film’s mix of tough love and empowerment offers a compelling portrayal of a teacher’s impact on her students’ lives.
Deadpool
Tagline: Fourth wall? What fourth wall?
For Fans of: Kick-Ass, Logan, Zombieland
WYALAN rating: 3.5/5
Ryan Reynolds is perfectly cast as the wisecracking mercenary with regenerative powers and zero filter. It’s violent, meta, and gleefully inappropriate, with jokes that land harder than most punches. The X-Men cameo count is low, but the chaos is high – and the marketing campaign was genius.
Tim’s Take: An anti superhero movie of sorts, Deadpool is unfiltered, over-the-top humour and unique narrative style make it stand out in the crowded superhero landscape. The first movie is the best of the trilogy.
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