Genre: Documentary

Rated: 12

Written by: David Attenborough

Directed by: James Reed, Callum Webster

„There is more meaning and mutual understanding in exchanging a glance with a gorilla than any other animal I know.” (David Attenborough)

When it comes to what streaming services can offer, most people immediately think of entertaining feature films and TV series. However, if we take a closer look at the available content, we can find nature films and documentary series of the highest quality in exchange for our monthly subscription fee. David Attenborough, the master of the genre showcasing Earth’s wildlife, recently released a new work on the streaming giant’s platform. A gorilla story can be considered a sequel to the 1979 Life on Earth, which made the scientists studying primates world-famous.

The film is about Pablo, the silverback gorilla first observed 50 years ago, and his family. We learn how his offspring’s lives have unfolded since our last encounter. The existing narrative framework greatly helps us to better understand the characteristics unique to the species. Accompanied by stunning nature footage, we can study the gorillas’ complex social relationships, their highly expressive communication, and their moving, emotionally rich world. Caring for one another and a sense of belonging are just as evident as the power struggles between the oldest and the young, ambitious males.

It is difficult to speak impartially about the work of a filmmaker whose name is synonymous with nature films of the highest possible quality, crafted with a commitment to scientific excellence. A gorilla story does not use fast cuts or sensational, action-oriented scenes, but instead presents the silverbacks in all their honest, natural glory. Attenborough’s love for wildlife and his modest attitude are palpable in every image.

A gorilla story is an educational documentary that is highly recommended. If you’re looking for something truly different and are interested in our planet’s rich wildlife, look no further. It’s not as grand in scale as the director’s previous works, but it’s an excellent addition to his life’s work. If you have the time, it’s definitely worth watching. Before you do, however, we suggest you catch up on episode 12 of Life on Earth, which is about the first encounter with Pablo.

Do you watch documentaries or nature films? Do you have any favorites? We’d love to hear about them in the comments. We’re sticking with streaming content in May as well, and we’re getting ready to introduce two promising series. Stay tuned and let us know what you think on our social media pages. And if you’re craving a truly delicious snack to go with the perfect home movie experience, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Crime, thriller, sci-fi

Rated: 16

Written by: Marco van Belle

Directed by: Timur Bekmambetov

Starring: Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, Kali Reis

We could make a separate list of films we didn’t get a chance to see when they first hit theaters, but which fall into the “must-see” category in terms of both their basic concept and implementation. The topic of artificial intelligence is more relevant than ever. Solutions utilizing various language models are already part of our daily lives, representing the latest way to access information. In terms of genre classification and premise, Mercy is sci-fi, but in terms of the overall experience, it is first and foremost an extremely thrilling crime thriller.

In the future depicted in the film, advances in technology have taken law enforcement to a whole new level. An AI system called Mercy analyzes available evidence and assigns probability scores to every case and suspect. Homicide detective Chris Raven (Chris Pratt) played an active role in implementing the system. One day, however, he finds himself on trial before the machine, and he has 90 minutes to prove his innocence.

Mercy is a breathtaking work that keeps you on the edge of your seat from the very first minute. If anyone starts watching it, we’re almost certain they’ll stay glued to the screen until the very end. It achieves all this by essentially taking place in a single location, and for the most part, we see images on monitors and smart devices. Don’t let the sci-fi trappings deter those who dislike the genre, because the crime element is much more prominent.

There are just a few downsides worth mentioning to give a complete picture. *Artificial Mercy* is a Hollywood film through and through, a fact most noticeable in its overly didactic message and a few self-serving twists. The final 20 to 30 minutes slightly spoil what is otherwise a spectacular final product.

If you love stories full of twists and turns, and have even a passing interest in technology and moral dilemmas, go ahead and give it a try. It’s far from perfect, and seasoned crime drama fans will likely find fault with it, but with its unique visual style and fast pace, it makes for an excellent movie-at-home experience.

Which movies would you like to stream that you missed in theaters? Let us know in the comments. We’ll be back soon with a special Cineblog post. Watch lots of movies and TV shows, and share your thoughts on our social media pages. And if you’re craving a tasty snack for your movie night at home, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Comedy

Rated: 12

Written by: Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, Mike Van Waes, Chris Sanders

Directed by: Dean Fleischer Camp

Starring: Maia Kealoha, Sydney Agudong, Chris Sanders

Streaming services offer not only current content, but also a wealth of previous cinema hits. The live-action/CGI hybrid remake of Lilo & Stitch was a huge hit at the box office. The positive reception from audiences was a good recommendation for us to catch up on it in the comfort of our homes. We feel that the hype was completely deserved.

The main character of the story is Lilo, a little girl living on the beautiful Hawaiian Islands, who is raised by her sister Nani. In their difficult yet loving relationship, Nani strives to fulfill her role as the breadwinner. In addition to financial problems, parenting Lilo is also a huge challenge. One day, a new friend arrives in their lives. Stitch, or Subject 626, comes from the distant planet Turo and is the result of a secret genetic experiment. He is practically invulnerable, turns everything upside down, and is extremely quick to learn. Over time, Lilo and Stitch become inseparable friends.

Due to the large number of live-action remakes of varying quality, there is justified skepticism surrounding productions that are re-shot with actors. We can be open to such attempts if they respect the original material while adding something new. The new version of Lilo & Stitch was worth making mainly because of the excellence of the acting and the quality of the CGI animation. In addition to old fans of the cartoon, it will also provide enjoyable cinematic entertainment for newcomers.

Winter is still here, but the new adaptation of Lilo & Stitch will bring a wonderful Hawaiian atmosphere to your living room. This is a touching family film about sibling bonds, friendship, and love. We wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for high-quality family entertainment.

What do you think about live-action adaptations? We look forward to reading your comments. In March, we will choose our favorite among the films nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, and we will also review a comedy series coming to streaming. Watch lots of movies and series, and make your voices heard on our social media platforms. And if you’re craving a tasty snack to enjoy while watching movies at home, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Sci-fi, action, adventure

Rated: 16

Directed by: James Cameron

Written by: James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver

Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver

To close out the 2025 film year, we visited the cinema to see James Cameron’s monumental work, which doubles as a technological demonstration on the big screen. The new installment further expands the wildlife of Pandora, but the conflict between the colonizing humans and the native Na’vi remains unchanged. We were curious to see if the announced innovations would give us reason to leave the theater satisfied for the third time.

This episode introduces a new group, the Mangkwan clan. They are the tribe of ash, living in the volcanic regions of Pandora. They reject the possibility of harmonious coexistence with their environment and are proponents of aggressive expansion. Their leader, the ruthless Varang (Oona Chaplin), forms a strange alliance with the human RDA forces, who are equally striving to subjugate the planet. A clash with the aquatic Metkayina clan seems inevitable. Meanwhile, Spider (Jack Champion) experiences an unusual biological process: although born human, he is able to breathe without a mask and connect organically to Pandora.

Watching Avatar: Fire and Ash is a truly challenging undertaking. 197 (!) minutes of pure sensory overload, an incredibly intense audiovisual blast. There is no doubt that we have never seen anything like this in the cinema before, but its entertainment value is debatable. In any case, the creators cannot be accused of a lack of creativity. Cinema-goers can expect an unparalleled variety of visual richness.

While acknowledging all the efforts made in terms of technical implementation, we must also point out the film’s significant shortcomings. Although new elements have been added to the story, it has not changed substantially. We see the same clash between humans and indigenous inhabitants for the third time, which is not particularly interesting. The personal conflicts intended to be dramatic also lack tension. The marathon length is completely unnecessary, and the film’s rhythm is unpleasant and unbalanced. Irrelevant details are given too much time, while the action scenes are sometimes difficult to follow.

If you are longing for a sci-fi that takes you to unseen worlds instead of post-apocalyptic visions, Avatar: Fire and Ash is an excellent choice. However, it is worth considering that beyond the visuals and sound, it does not hold many novelties.

Will you go and see the new Avatar? Let us know in the comments! All that’s left is for us to thank you for your attention throughout the year. In 2026, you can continue to count on Cineblog if you are looking for something to watch. Watch plenty of movies and series, and let your voice be heard on our social media platforms! And if you’re craving a delicious snack for your home cinema experience, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Animation, adventure, comedy

Rated: 12

Directed by: Erik Benson

Written by: Erik Benson, Alexander Woo, Stanley Moore

Starring (voice): Hailey Magpali, Simu Liu, Cristin Milioti, Jolie-Hoang Rappaport, Elias Janssen

The attractive feature of modern animated films is their ability to simultaneously entertain younger viewers and provide meaningful recreation for the older audience, including parents. This is precisely why we occasionally include such creations in our film calendar. One of the largest streaming providers has just debuted a truly imaginative production.

Stevie (Jolie-Hoang Rappaport) is having increasingly strange dreams, mostly caused by her anxiety concerning her parents. Her mother is about to change to a new job, which may involve moving. Her greatest wish is for everything to stay the same as it was. Thanks to a magical coincidence, she is able to enter the realm of dreams. She sets out with her brother, Elliott (Elias Janssen), to find the mysterious Sandman, the master of dreams, who is allegedly capable of granting their wish: a perfect family.

In terms of visuals, In Your Dreams is what leaves the most lasting impression. Due to its theme, the dream world presented is full of creativity and excellent visual ideas. The storytelling skillfully plays with the blurring of reality and imagination, which provides a twisty plot and an exciting experience. The film does not disappoint in terms of humor either. Not every joke lands, but it provides plenty of cheerful moments. Moreover, the message and moral are simultaneously complex yet easily understandable for anyone.

In November, we were able to recommend some great series and films from the streaming platforms’ offerings. In your dreams continues to expand the range of animated films for the whole family. It is a sufficiently deep, humorous, and captivating work, which we warmly recommend to your attention.

What is your favorite animated film? Share it in the comments! You can count on us in the last month of the year if you are looking for something to watch. Stay tuned for more. Watch lots of great movies and series. And for the perfect movie night at home, don’t forget to pop a big bowl of delicious POPZ popcorn.

Genre: Comedy

Rated: 16

Written and directed by: Aziz Ansari

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Blanca Araceli, Aziz Ansari, Seth Rogen

A quality comedy is as rare as hen’s teeth. With the prevalence of drama, thriller, and crime genre productions, we were really looking forward to a lighter, mood-boosting form of entertainment. Among the October movie premieres, we noticed the latest film from acclaimed comedian Aziz Ansari, for which features Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen, among others. While Good fortune may not fall into the category of a riotously funny comedy, it contains more than enough value for us to confidently recommend it.

The basis of the story is the ‘life swap’ between Jeff (Seth Rogen), a wealthy, well-off tech entrepreneur, and Arj (Aziz Ansari), a poor man struggling with financial difficulties. The angel Gabriel (Keanu Reeves) wants to prove to the two men, who have completely different existences, that material possessions alone do not guarantee happiness, which is why he places them into each other’s lives. The story holds further twists, which livens up this well-known formula.

The greatest strength of Good fortune comes from its social sensitivity and its message. It encourages us to see past appearances and focus on the values that are truly important in life. It does all this without disputing the importance of financial circumstances. It draws attention to the fragility of happiness and the need for empathy towards those less fortunate than ourselves.

It’s a shame that the film’s extremely powerful message isn’t accompanied by any particularly funny scenes. Of course, there are still plenty of moments that will make you smile, especially when it comes to the fate of guardian angel Gabriel. If you really want to go to the movies and are looking for something other than the usual horror-dumping, Good fortune is worth the price of the ticket and your time.

How many comedies do you watch in a year? Are genuinely good ones so rare? We look forward to your opinions in the comments. November will once again be focused on streaming premieres. Watch lots of movies and series, and make your voices heard on our social media channels. And if you’re craving a delicious snack for your home movie night, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Drama, thriller

Rated: 18

Directed by: Paul Greengrass

Written by: Brad Ingelsby, Paul Greengrass, Lizzie Johnson

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera, Yul Vazquez

The colder months starting in October provide the perfect opportunity to browse the latest releases from streaming services from the comfort of our own homes. This time, we chose The Lost Bus, the new film from Paul Greengrass, the director who created the thrilling action scenes in the Bourne movies. The film, based on real events, caught our attention with its unique theme and excellent cast.

The story focuses on the 2018 Northern California wildfires, which were the most destructive natural disaster in the state’s history. Bus driver Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey) is struggling with burnout at work and problems in his personal life. He has no idea what a hellish day awaits him in the company of 22 children in need of rescue and a teacher (America Ferrera).

Beyond the obligatory clichés typical of disaster movies, the film strives for realism throughout. We gain insight into the work of firefighters, paramedics, and emergency management specialists. An excellent director was chosen to bring the depiction of the chaos to life. The tension builds gradually, and we can almost feel the heat and the suffocating air of the forest fire on our skin.

Due to the documentary approach of The Lost Bus, the personal dramas of the characters are unfortunately not as well developed. The crises in Kevin’s life are presented schematically, almost as a list. Yet McConaughey does his best to portray an average man in trouble who becomes a hero. Mary, the teacher who looks after the children, is written with much better proportion, and Ferrera’s sincere performance clearly adds to the film’s credibility and is responsible for its most emotional moments.

A huge negative aspect of the film is its nearly 130-minute running time. It would have been much better for the production’s pace if it had been limited to 90 minutes. As it is, despite the interesting and important subject matter, the excellent visuals, and the strong performances of the actors, we found ourselves frequently checking our watches as the film approached the two-hour mark.

If you are looking for something promising to watch on chilly autumn evenings, The Lost Bus is definitely worth seeing. There are few similar films in this genre, so it may be a good tip for those looking for something new.

What are you planning to watch this fall? Let us know in the comments. Next time, we’ll be back with another genre that has been pushed into the background lately: comedy. Until then, watch lots of movies and series, and if you’re craving a tasty snack to enjoy while watching them at home, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Crime, comedy

Rated: 12

Directed by: Chris Columbus

Written by: Katy Brand, Suzanne Heathcote, Richard Osman

Starring: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley

It is worth appreciating those months when, in addition to the many TV series premieres, streaming services also offer their own original films. In the first week of September, we chose The thursday murder club, which attracted viewers to their TV screens mainly with its illustrious cast.

The story takes place in a retirement village, where Elizabeth (Helen Mirren), Ron (Pierce Brosnan), and Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley), who are in excellent mental condition despite their age, solve long-unsolved crimes. Their active but peaceful days are disrupted by the arrival of a new investor (David Tennant), who wants to turn their home into an area filled with luxury properties. Following an unexpected turn of events, the club has to solve two murder cases.

You will see experienced, outstanding actors who, with decades of career behind them, play their roles with ease. The dialogues between them are enriched with light humor and unique message. While watching the film, we thought about how few works are about the elderly. In addition to the more somber themes of the end of life and the loneliness felt due to the absence of family members, the film also highlights hopeful, positive things, such as the vitality of community life.

The thursday murder club isn’t super interesting as a crime story, but it’s well-made. At first, the story felt pretty chaotic and unnecessarily complicated, since there’s a present-day case in addition to the past crime, not to mention the property purchase that threatens their home. Don’t expect brilliant solutions in this regard, but it’s fine for a one-time viewing.

If you are eagerly awaiting the third installment of Knives out coming in December, The thursday murder club can serve as a more or less adequate replacement for the remaining time. The actors work hard to ensure that when we get up from the couch, we don’t remember the boredom surrounding the mystery.

How did you like the movie? What good crime movies have you seen lately? Let us know in the comments. We’ll be back soon with more movie and series recommendations. Follow us on social media, and don’t forget to pop a big bowl of delicious POPZ popcorn to enjoy while watching.

Genre: Sci-fi, action, adventure

Rated: 12

Directed by: Matt Shakman

Written by: Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach

Marvel’s first family

The month of July continues to be dominated by comic book movies. It’s time for Marvel to make its presence felt, and in quite a significant way. One of the publisher’s most iconic works, The Fantastic Four, serves as the opener for Phase 6 of the MCU. We’ve been eagerly awaiting its release because, for us, the Reed family and Spider-Man is our absolute favorite. We were in a difficult position when it came to reviewing it, but we tried our best to give a comprehensive summary on both the movie’s strengths and its weaker aspects.

Regarding the story, avoid any detailed spoilers online. The trailers didn’t reveal much, which was a smart move by the marketing team. We find ourselves on Earth-828, an alternate 1960s, a completely different dimension from previous Marvel movies. The members of the Fantastic Four are known worldwide. They’re deservedly revered for saving humanity on numerous occasions. One day, a herald, the Silver Surfer (played by Julia Garner), arrives, delivering the threat from Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds: their entire planet will soon become cosmic sustenance for the entity. Our heroes go to negotiate with him, but in exchange for mercy, he demands something that is both dishonorable and merciless.

The film outlines a very serious conflict, one that, on a conceptual level, goes beyond typical blockbusters. We get the feeling they tried to introduce such an overwhelming premise that they ultimately pulled back from it. It’s strange that despite a two-hour runtime, the pacing of the plot feels rushed. Furthermore, there are many gimmicky elements, which make the scenes intended to be serious appear comical, almost bordering on parody.

Regarding the characters, we had to set aside our previous expectations. Reed Richards, or Mr. Fantastic, hasn’t changed much in personality: he’s still a cool-headed scientist capable of making the most rational decisions in any situation, completely excluding emotional aspects. The creators intended Sue to be his antithesis, but they went a bit overboard. They sculpted her into an emotionally very unstable character. While her behavior is understandable given her role in the story, in the comics and animated series, she’s a much more competent member of the team. Ben is also quite different from what we’re used to. He observes the events around him with almost stoic calm and even in pivotal situations needs to be prodded to use his powers. There’s no trace of the purposeful, at times short-tempered, cynical, yet lovable Thing we’ve grown so fond of. Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, however, remains the funny, cool, womanizing character. Luckily, the whole is more than the sum of its parts: they work well together as a team.

From the above, it might seem like we didn’t like the movie. While it’s true we didn’t get what we expected, we were easily able to set aside our preconceived notions. We found plenty of positives. The visuals are excellent. Finally, we saw a Marvel movie with a rich color palette. The retrofuturistic art design is eye-catching. We, anyway, adore works set in an alternate past, similar to the steampunk genre. Although the theme of starting a family is touched upon superficially, it leads to some humorous situations. Despite not being entirely satisfied with the characters, the casting is superb. The music is also spot-on, and Michael Giacchino deserves credit. Its sound reminded us of The Jetsons, which perhaps isn’t a coincidence.

The new Fantastic Four isn’t outstanding, but it’s a well-made, entertaining addition to Marvel’s cinematic lineup. The question is whether it will be enough to draw audiences into Phase 6. We’re rooting for it. Be sure to stick around for the first post-credits scene, as true to tradition, you’ll get another taste of the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.

Thank you for reading our review. If you’ve already seen the film, share your thoughts about it in the comments. In August, we’ll be back with streaming content recommendations. Join us next time!

Genre: Action, adventure, sci-fi

Rated: 12

Directed by: James Gunn

Written by: James Gunn, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster

Starring: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult

As usual, the summer is the time for big-budget, blockbuster productions. In the cool darkness of the cinema, fans are treated to films from two of the biggest comic book publishers. First up is DC Comics, and one of the world’s most iconic heroes, Superman, arrives on the big screen. It’s also a commitment from the creative mind behind the studio, James Gunn, who has made no secret of his ambition to open a new chapter in comic book movie history.

Our current recommendation is retrospective and comparative. Our focus is to give you a sense of how the current incarnation of the well-known hero is similar and different to previous film and series versions and what you can expect from it. As this is a key point of the film, we hope that it will make it easier for everyone to decide whether to give David Corenswet’s Kal-El a chance.

In most of the previous films and series, the charismatic, sympathetic side of the protagonist was in the foreground. We loved the movies starring Christopher Reeve, and we were delighted to follow the adventures of Lois and Clark. Although Superman Returns and Smallville were not bad, they failed to maintain our previous interest. But what those films had in common was that they presented Superman in his classic form. The legendary figure who was the archetype of the perfect superhero. Not only did he possess superhuman physical skills, but he was also morally irreproachable. As the last survivor of Krypton, he was in the absolute best service of humanity. The presence of the icon, played mainly by Reeve and Cain, brought serenity and hope to even the most desperate situations.

The real change came with Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel. The casting was excellent, and we had no complaints about the visuals, but the tone was radically different. In the style of the successful Dark Knight films of the time, Superman returned in a more serious, gloomy mood. But what suited Bruce Wayne, didn’t necessarily work well for Clark Kent. Cavill’s character, while still respectable, was more mysterious and lacked the friendliness and playfulness that made him a likeable character.

And how did the current approach work out? We’ve seen that the latest Superman implementation mostly goes back to the original direction, but it’s just brave enough to have been made with changes. Corenswet is a good-hearted, humorous, but morally principled title character ready to make tough decisions. He is not yet at the prime of his powers and is very fallible. But his real virtue lies in his ability to move on after his failures, to put aside his own egoism, and to be a good team player. And he has plenty of help. Superman 2025 introduces many new faces and conflicts to be resolved. He also serves as a touchstone for a new era of DC. As a result, the first 30-45 minutes feel extremely concentrated. Still, we can advise you to be patient for the first third, because things will come together nicely by the end of the story.

Gunn’s direction was a remarkable way to bring the superhero of nearly a century’s history to the screen. He even managed to live up to the extremely high expectations placed on him. It was more than a promising start for the rebooted DC Universe. We laughed a lot, were amazed by the thrilling action sequences, and got emotional. Overall, we had a great time and look forward to the sequel.

Which Kal-El is closer to you? Cavill’s mysterious, epic figure or Reeve’s serene, optimistic hero? How did you like the Corenswet version? Leave your answers in the comments. We hope we’ve inspired you to watch the film and that you leave the screening as satisfied as we were. We’ll be back soon with Marvel’s famous superhero family. In the meantime, watch lots of movies and series, and don’t forget to make a big bowl of delicious POPZ popcorn to complete the experience.

Genre: Fantasy, adventure, action, drama

Rated: 12

Directed by: Dean BeBlois

Written by: Dean DeBlois, Cressida Cowell, William Davies

Starring: Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler

We are living in the age of live-action adaptations. Today, almost all well-known cartoons have been recreated with famous actors and using modern animation techniques. As the adventures of Hiccup and Toothless have become classics in a relatively short period of time, the creators of the original work felt it was time to bring their work back to the public in a similar way. For our part, we do not consider such productions to be entirely unimaginative if they can add extra content and value to the source material by using new techniques. Fortunately, the remake of How to Train Your Dragon is a good example.

For those who don’t know the story, here’s a brief summary. For the Viking tribe of the Isle of Berk, dragons are a constant threat. They have been fighting the mythical creatures for generations. Hiccup (Mason Thames) realises that he is unwilling to slay dragons when he becomes a man. His resolve is strengthened by an encounter with the legendary Night Fury, Toothless, with whom he forms a lifelong friendship.

The new adaptation has enriched the well-known tale, especially on the visual side. For those who want to make up for the absence of House of the Dragon, the cinema is the perfect place to satisfy their cravings. Every journey through the Night Fury is beautifully scenic and an extremely intense experience. If there had been reins near us, we would have instinctively grabbed them. Of course there are plenty of other beasts in the film that also have an impressive look. And its Toothless appearance retains the traits that made it a cute, lovable, yet still respectable ancient creature. In some scenes we even liked it better than the cartoon version. If you’re specifically interested in this aspect, there are plenty of comparison videos online.

The live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon is best recommended for those who already loved the original or are looking for a fun, sophisticated family experience in the summer holidays. The difficulties of the father-child relationship and the theme of adolescence’s search for identity are also skilfully portrayed, adding emotional depth to the entertainment. To be fair, the story itself doesn’t have any huge twists and turns, and the actors don’t promise the moon, but anyone who goes to see it will not be disappointed.

What is your opinion of the original cartoon? Will you watch the new version? What do you think about remakes of this kind? We’re looking for your thoughts in the comments. Next time, we’ll be back with an overview of a much-anticipated series coming to streaming. Until then, watch lots of films and series. Remember, the ultimate home cinema experience is provided by POPZ popcorn.

Genre: Historical drama

Rated: 18

Directed by: Brady Corbet

Written by: Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold

Starring: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce

The Aesthetics of Concrete

On the first Sunday of March, the 97th Academy Awards took place, and they were not without surprises. While most people found The Brutalist and Emilia Perez to be the frontrunners, it was Anora that ultimately took home the award for Best Picture. The competition was tight, and overall, the awards were well-deserved. Among the winners, The brutalist became our favorite.

Hollywood continues to create great productions, but it is relatively rare to see ambitious projects like director Brady Corbet’s new work. The first thing everyone says about the film is its length. Indeed: at 3.5 (!) hours long, it will put most people off watching it. We sat down in front of it with similar feelings of disapproval, but our opinions on the subject have become more balanced. We have seen a lot of movies recently that we thought were completely unreasonable to cut to more than 2 hours. For example, the latest chapter in the Toretto clan, Fast X, stretched unnecessarily to nearly 150 minutes, but even Scorsese’s latest directorial effort, Killers of the Flower Moon, was needlessly stretched to 210 minutes. The brutalist, however, belongs to the lineage of grandiose stories spanning multiple decades, like Gone with the Wind, Ben-Hur, or even There Will Be Blood.

László Tóth (Adrien Brody), an architect, escapes the horrors of World War II from his homeland, Hungary, to the United States. The hope of a new life comes when a wealthy factory owner, Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce), commissions him to build a grand community center. László gets the opportunity to recover from his traumas and, through his employer’s connections, reunite with his wife, Erzsébet (Felicity Jones), who remained in Europe, and his niece, Zsófia (Raffey Cassidy). However, in exchange for this generous offer, he must pay a heavy price.

The brutalist was awarded three Oscars, and each one was well-deserved. Adrien Brody has not been this powerfully present on screen since The Pianist. He portrays a man bearing the pain of the past, feeling alienated and escaping into addictions, with complete naturalness. Although Felicity Jones did not receive separate recognition, her performance is just as fantastic as Brody’s. She plays a supportive, strong woman who overcomes the horrors she faced with her emotional intelligence. The music provides a mechanical, monotonous background, but the main theme is rich in emotion. The cinematography and camera work are top-notch. It is almost unbelievable that despite the low budget, the film is full of such wonderfully visual scenes.

There are only a few negatives that we must mention. Mr. Van Buren could have received more attention. While Pearce performed admirably, his character deserved more development. This is mainly because key moments in the story are connected to him, and we did not get to know his personality and motivation thoroughly enough. The other problem is that Zsófia was almost entirely sidelined. With the presence of more experienced stars, there wasn’t enough opportunity to get to know her better.

Due to its extensive runtime, it is only shown in cinemas on a few occasions. If you have the time, feel free to attend a screening. It is an excellent drama with great performances, which is outstanding in both visual and musical aspects. Most copies include a 15-minute intermission, making it more comfortable to watch. For those who find this experience too much for one day, it will soon be available for streaming.

How did you like the film? Do you agree with the academy’s decisions? What was your personal favorite? We look forward to your answers in the comments. We’ll be back soon with another recommendation. In the meantime, watch lots of movies and series, and if you like our content, share it with others. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a delicious snack for movie and series nights, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.