Genre: Action, adventure, drama

Age limit: 16

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Written by: David Scarpa, Peter Craig, David Franzoni

Starring: Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington

Panem et circenses

2024 cannot pass without a Ridley Scott movie. It’s long been rumoured that the director was making a sequel to one of his best-known works, and we had mixed feelings about it. We weren’t averse to seeing another tale from Rome’s less glorious era after all this time, and the casting of Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington gave us further reason to be optimistic. However, the memory of last year’s Napoleon is still fresh in our minds, and while it was not without its spectacular scenes, it was otherwise a disappointment. We were also aware of the moderately negative reception of the film, but despite the scandal on social media, we tried not to be influenced about Gladiator 2.

The plot runs on two lines, which later connect in a very predictable way. Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal), a Numidian warrior, loses everything and becomes enslaved after a clash with the Roman army. He regains his freedom in a gladiatorial contest in the Colosseum. Meanwhile, General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) grows increasingly disillusioned with the oppressive regime. But those who oppose him could find themselves in the infamous amphitheatre just as much as the defeated.

It would be unfair to judge solely in terms of historical authenticity. There are many characters inspired by real historical figures on screen, but they and the story are also fiction. It was not primarily the inaccuracies that bothered us, but the fact that the plot itself is rather boring. We are sure that after 30 minutes anyone can guess the outcome. Anyway, it’s worth rewatching the first part, because it’s not just small hints that are attached to the sequel.

We expected that the visuals would not be disappointing. The first impression was very convincing indeed. The film opens immediately with a battle scene, which sufficiently illustrated the harshness of the conquering campaigns. However, shortly afterwards, we were confronted with CGI animation that recalled the visuals of early 2000s console games.

The actors save the day. Paul Mescal in the lead role was a good choice, and apart from one rather overacted scene, he played the revenge-driven gladiator in an acceptable way all along. Pedro Pascal had a much harder job, as Accacius was the least complex character in the story. He was noticeably overshadowed. Denzel Washington, however, outshone them all. It’s true that he got the most rewarding role, but without his experience he could not have played Macrinus so well.

Gladiator 2 fits in perfectly among the mediocre sequels to films with long-standing fan bases, such as Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire or even Beverly Hills Cop 4. There’s nothing you don’t get from the first movie, which is also a visual feast after almost 25 years. It has its moments, it helps pass the time, but it doesn’t live up to the original. Not a Maximus experience, but not… Minimus.

What did you think of the film? What memories do you have of the first chapter? Leave your thoughts in the comments. If you liked our article, share it with others. You can expect our recommendations on both cinema and streaming fronts in December. And if you’re in the mood for a tasty movie and series-watching snack, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Fantasy, action, drama

Age limit: 18

Directed by: Miguel Sapochnik, Clare Kilner, Geeta V. Patel, Greg Yaitanes

Written by: George R. R. Martin, Ryan J. Condal

Starring: Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke

NOTE: The night is dark and full of spoilers. Only read our article if you’ve already seen the season, because we are writing about important plot details.

Time flies faster than Prince Daemon on the back of Caraxes. The second season of House of The Dragon is already over. It’s a great opportunity to recap our feelings and insights about the series, and to reflect on what we expect from it in the future.

While Targaryen infighting remains the essence of House of The Dragon, the series deftly portrays the increasingly complex network of allies that are taking shape. By the last few episodes, there was a greater sense that the jostling of the Greens and Blacks was forcing the whole of Westeros into division and civil war. Decisions made in the Small Council carried real weight, resulting in a steady realignment of power. But to be specific, Aemond’s elevation to the Regency was a predictable but still memorable moment. And the arrogance of King Aegon led to a shocking tragedy on the battlefield. Speaking of the battlefield, the clash in episode four was one of the most spectacular fight ever seen on TV. From the opening of the conflict to the final outburst of flame, it was a breathtaking scene. The last time we felt such excitement was during the Battle of the Bastards in Game of Thrones. It is clearly the highlight of the season in terms of action and drama.

We are increasingly asking ourselves what the future of the series will be? Well, we don’t want to make any predictions. Instead, we have summarised in 5 points how the series could be better.

Pacing: It has been officially confirmed that the makers are planning a four-season series.  We think that’s plenty of time to bring House of The Dragon to a close without missing a beat. The final seasons of Game of Thrones have moved at too fast a pace, characterised by a rush. But in the case of the current series, things sometimes happen too slowly. It would be worth finding a compromise.

As much as we love the world of Ice and Fire, to drag out the Dance of the Dragons for several more seasons would not be very exciting in our opinion. Instead, we want to see new stories from the Seven Kingdoms. Whether it’s the conquests of Aegon, the Children of the Forest, or the rebellion of House Baratheon, we’d certainly be excited, but we’d be most interested in a completely unknown story. We have recently learned that 7 more spin-offs are in the pipeline. We hope that the creators will strive for quality as well as quantity.

Personal dramas: Prince Daemon’s sojourn in Harrenhal was certainly not the experience the dreaded dragon rider had hoped for. The fever dreams that plagued him were portrayed in scenes so gruesome they sent shivers down the spine. At the same time, this made it quite a parking lot, which is a waste. The same is true of Rhaenyra: her character development and mental breakdown are almost completely absent. Let us hope that they will bring out more of these otherwise interesting characters.

Duels: The scenes between Rhaenyra and Alicent, Aemond and Aegon, Rhaenyra and Daemon, or even Alicent and Criston, have resulted in great dialogue, of which we want more and more in the future. We love the dragon fights, but also the witty exchanges full of intrigue. Everything is in place to portray the two sides’ confrontation in a unique way. 

Moral dilemmas: The choice between Black and Green felt too easy. More scenes would have been needed to further nuance the picture of the characters. It could be more challenging to vote for one side or the other. We feel that it would add real depth to the story if both sides could arouse sympathy and antipathy in the audience at the same time. 

Mystery: Aside from the political line, we must not forget that House of the Dragon is, after all, a fantasy. The fate of the Iron Throne is key, but we also want to hear about forgotten legends, rumours and mythical creatures surrounding the fate of great warriors. Although Daemon’s storyline has touched on these themes, it has not expanded the world of the series in any meaningful way. A little mystery would go a long way to improving the overall picture.

How did you like the second season? We look forward to your thoughts in the comments section. If you liked our article share it with others. And if you’re in the mood for a delicious movie and series watching snack, POPZ Popcorn is the best choice. 

Genre: Sci-fi, action, adventure, comedy

Age limit: 18

Directed by: Shawn Levy

Written by: Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese,Paul Wernick

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin

After years of rumours and anticipation, the most outspoken superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has finally arrived to shake up the comic book movie fan community. Deadpool is back on the scene, and just in time to bring freshness to a genre that is showing signs of fatigue.

The Deadpool movies have always been a category of their own in the MCU. Not just because of the style, language and visuals aimed at adult audiences. They dealt the clichés that characterise the comic books and film adaptations in a ruthless way, and this time is no different.

The story is so creative that we cannot write anything about it for your maximum enjoyment. What we can tell you is that, in keeping with current Marvel works, this is another cross-dimensional adventure with plenty of action sequences and the trademark fourth-wall-breaking jokes. Be careful! The filmmakers have not skimped on the brutality, so those more sensitive should think twice before buying a ticket.

It’s time to tell you about the most important thing: the duo of the movie. Deadpool brings his usual looseness, sarcasm and posturing. Wolverine, on the other hand, is on the big screen in a way he’s never been before. Beyond his classic yellow and blue costume, his whole persona is much more true to the comics. He’s a deeply wounded, lonely, burnt-out warrior who is very much not your typical, instantly likeable hero.

Deadpool and Wolverine could be a solution for cinema-goers who are looking for something new in the summer doldrums. Although it won’t be everyone’s cinema, due to the mature content and the ‘dirty’ humour, it is unique within its own genre. However, those who enjoyed the previous two films will almost certainly like this one. Another important tip: wait for the post-credits scene, otherwise you’ll miss an extra joke. 

What will the coming years bring? There are certainly more alternative visions, or parallel dimensions, possible for the studio. Last week’s Comic Con in San Diego fills us with optimism. Everybody is talking about the big return of Robert Downey Jr. as one of the best supervillains in the Fantastic Four and perhaps the entire Marvel Universe, Dr. Doom. It’s an excellent idea and we think it fits the multiverse concept perfectly. Especially in the light of the fact that they are supposedly planning to adapt the Secret Wars comics, which promises to be a monumental project.

What did you think of the film? Let me know in the comments. If you liked our article, give it a like and share it with others. And if you’re in the mood for a tasty movie-watching snack, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.