308, Tornado

I'm still playing catch-up to a few back-end 2025 releases but hopefully the last is Tornado, An Amazon Prime offering that on the poster promises "A Lean and Nasty, Gripping Thriller' and 'Exhilarating Samurai Action' - but sadly for me, Tornado fails on both counts.

Tornado is the name given to our title character - played by Japanese Model & Songwriter, Mitsuki Kimura (aka Koki) who along with her Father / Mentor, Fujin (Takehiro Hira - Captain America / Rental Family) make up part of a travelling circus as Pupeteers, touring their way through the villages and hamlets of 1700's Britain when their paths cross with a vicious gang of robbers - laden with gold from a recent heist.

Stopping for a break and deciding to watch the show, a young boy manages to steal the gold from the intrigued theives but is spotted by Tornado who then manages to take the gold for herself and hide it, which in turn, promps a man-hunt by the gang to reclaim their take and kill anyone who gets in their way.

That's about the movie - from then on it's just a 'back and forth' chase across moors and woodland with a few brief encounters along the way, inluding a stately home hideout and the base-camp of their traveling circus but in the end - this is basically down to the Gang, led by Sugarman (Tim Roth) versus Tornado.

You'd easily be fooled into watching this by the cast alone - Roth, a hero in my eyes for 'Lie to Me' and movies such as 'Pulp Fiction and 'Reservoir Dogs' stands alongside Son, Little Sugar (Jack Lowden - Slow Horses) and familar face Rory McCann playing the role of Kitten, which - after being The Hound in Game of Thrones, did make me chuckle.  

The rest of the Gang was pretty unknown to me albeit I did initially mistake Squid Lips for Alfie Allen - but alas it wasn't.  Nevermind - throw in some cameos from Joanne Whalley (ex Kilmer), known for Scandal / Willow & a fleeting 'blink and you'll miss it' part for TV regular, Alex Macqueen then all in all it was still a very recognisable cast.

Sadly, the pace is slow and somehow manages to make 90 minutes feel like 3hrs but the locations are well thought out - drawing you into a cold and menacing landscape with the chase scenes - albeit mostly on foot keeping the drama all in close proximity.  As for a Samurai movie - well, you need to wait until the last 20 minutes or so to get a feel for that but with a trained, young Japanese wannabe warrior taking on a bunch of old, beaten up, tired English ruffians, let's just say, Mortal Kombat - it is not.

Some of the effects towards the end do compare well with older Samurai movies, the blood spurting and limb removal is all very playfull but too much of it happens all too quickly, and in all honesty - the Gang doesn't really put up much of a fight once they are on the back foot which makes for a pretty straightforward and predictable ending.

They have tried to get momentum going by starting mid-way though the movie, then offering some flashbacks to get you up to speed before the final act but it doesn't really add to the drama.  Lowden plays this like he is just filling time until the next Slow Horses Season and Roth comes across like he is just after another paycheck.  It's a real shame becuase with such a great cast - and Koki stepping out as a potential 'next big thing' I'd have really liked a little more.

Its drawn out - slow, and although well shot and to some extent, well acted - it just doen't push any excitement buttons so no 'highly recommended' comments coming from me this time but, as always; If seeing a bunch of well known TV actors get together for a foot chase through the moors with some swordplay at the end floats your boat, then this has you written all over it.

(Images used in blog are sourced from IMDB, The Guardian, Deadline, The New York Times, High on Films & Deep Focus Review)

307, Anniversary

Released back in October 2025 and currenty available on Netflix, Anniversary is the disturbing tale of American society thrown into a dystopian future when a new additon the 'Taylor' Family, Elizabeth, soon to be daughter in-law to son Josh, releases a book called "The Change" a radical political mannifesto that throws life as they know it into total dissaray.  

The acceptance of this book on a national scale promts a "Change" in society and a totalitarian culture emerging over a 5yr period - with alarming and horrific outcomes and consequences for the family at the heart of this story.

That's the premise - and the movie starts quite light-heartedly with the 25th Anniversary Party of Ellen & Paul Taylor, brilliantly portrayed by Diane Lane (DC's Man of Steel / Judge Dredd) & Kyle Chandler (The Rip - Blog 304 / Godzilla).  

It's clear that early on, this is a tight-nit, loving & inclusive family with friends and relatives all in attendance to celebrate with the Taylors.  This includes daughters Anna, Cynthia & Birdie but it's the arrival of son Josh and his new fiance Elizabeth (played by Phoebe Dynevor - Bridgerton / Snatch TV) that prompts the beginning of the end.  

Ellen later recogises Liz as an ex-student of hers - almost sidelined by her radical political beliefs in class there is a visible tension between them but its the gift of Liz's book - The Change, to Ellen that really starts riling things up.

As sworn supporters of the constitution and democratic right, the void between The Taylor family & Liz becomes very clear with all but son Josh dismissing her ideas as complete ludicrousy, but as the national tide turns and the Taylor's end up being the isolated and intimidated minority, their lives and relationships crumble under the new regime and it's not until the very end of the movie that you get a real understanding of Liz's motives and how far she will go to get what she wants.

I have probably already spoilt more than I wanted too with this description, but I do stop short of describing exactly how the family collapses.  

The Parents & Daughters have their own individual storylines for how they deal with situations they are faced following the impact The Change has on all of them, but you have to feel for each and every one of them as their futures all play out.

The casting is pretty impressive ascross the board.  Aside from Parents Lane & Chandler, the daughters are played by Madeline Brewer (The Handmaids Tale), Zoey Deutch (Juror #2) & Mckenna Grace (Ghostbusters Reboot) and from a character perspective we get a mix of newly famous comedienne, working executive & younger 'impressionable' teen that show the many sides of impact this event has from multiple perspectives.

Then there is Josh - played by Dylan O'Brien (Maze Runner) who as a self-confessed failed science fiction writer, becomes overwhelmed and totally self indulged with the newfound wealth and power he seemingly has with Liz, having been credited as authors of the new world order - but is everything as it seems?

Anniversary is a hard-hitting realisation of what an alternative reality could easily become.  Watching it, I was slowly getting the feeling this could have been billed as a prequel to The Handsmaids Tale and that becomes more evident towards the end of the movie as The Change really starts to take a hold of a so-called polite American suburbia.

I kept thinking it'll be alright in the end or, something will happen and everyone will be fine, but I can't promise you any happy endings with this one.  Go in with your eyes open and watch it early enough to ensure you have time to watch something else to cheer you up afterwards!

The acting's fantastic, the storyline is harrowing and the message is thought provoking.  All elemets of a really clever movie but clever doesn't necessarily mean they all lived happily ever after.  If that's all you want - go to Disney+  

(Images used in blog are sourced from Wikipedia, Geek Vibes Nation, Movie insider, Rotton Tomatoes)

306, The Wrecking Crew

Any movie that opens with a Guns N'Roses track has to be be a winner - from it's vibrant opening sweeping drone shots of Hawaii to the final subdued beach scenes, this movie is action packed, full of laughs, violence and is definately one to watch!

I started this blog how I normally end them, but I wanted to get your attention early.  

The Wrecking Crew for me was an absolute gem of a movie.  Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista (slimmed down & fresh from a very recent outing in Afterburn, Blog 303) portray estranged half-brothers Jonny & James Hale, supported by a magnificent cast including fan favourite Morena Baccarin (DeadPool), Jacob Batalon (Spiderman) & Temuera Morrison (Mandalorian).

Bautista & Momoa deserve equal billing as the Hale brothers.  The Hero vs the Anti-Hero.  One a decorated Marine - one a disgraced Cop, seprated decades ago after an absent father left them both high and dry and after his untimely death (an alleged 'hit and run'), Momoa is the first sibling hot on the trail of their absent fathers killer after a visit from a Yakuza hit squad leaves him questioning what's been going on.  Heading home to Hawaii after a lenghtly absence, he is forced to begrudgingly team up with Bautista to work out why their father was murdered - and by who.

The chemistry between Bautista and Momoa is excellent - insult after insult & the sheer brashness of the back and forth is a real treat and both play their parts so well.  Baccarin is the always sensational on / off love interest of Momoa and is drawn back into the fray mid movie, whereas Bautista's Hawaiian family of wife, kids and cousin are all great.

A welcome addition were the intereludes from Pika (Batalon) - who now at 30yrs old, completely bald and to me, almost unrecogniseable from his Spiderman days just oozed confidence and comedy, a highlight being his 'parkour' rooftop escape where Momoa yells after him as being the 'Fat Jackie Chan'.  It was seamless and although I am sure there was CGI involved, (apologies Jacob if this was no the case) it looked awesome on screen.

The movie is just over 2hrs long but doesn't slow down for a minute.  The fight scenes are well choreographed, brilliantly visualised and yes, you can tell there is some CGI involvement but not enough to ruin the spectacle.  

The standout one for me was the opening 'Momoa versus Yakuza' fight where armed with only a towel and some element of his dignity - fends off three assassins with just his wit and a Guiness for support.

The movie builds, with the two brothers starting out at each others throats but as you'd expect, once rationalle for past behaviours is outed, the bond grows and we end up with a demolition duo who almost in a throwback to a Commando or Rambo plot line, seeming take out entire gangs in one fell swoop.

I will mention the the incusion of the local Hawaii PD Detective (Rennert), who was not only responsible for naming the twosome as "The Wrecking Crew" in a brief 'talking down' following one of their escapades, but also because he was played by Stephen Root who for me, albeit having an extensive CV of both live action, animated and voice over work - will always be Gordon from Dodge Ball.  A movie very close to my heart!

Although based in Hawaii, most of the filming took place in New Zealand and the scenery was breathtaking.  From the back street markets to the high rise towerblocks and sweeping golden beaches, I dont care where it was filmed - I want to go there!

Bautista has been a very busy boy - Afterburn only came out a short while ago and he has ten other pipeline projects that include Road House 2, Beowulf, Highlander and a reboot of the Last Airbender so he isn't slowing down anytime soon.  For me, he is actually way more watchable than that other WWE convert, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, and that's a tall order! (most of the time).  

As for Momoa, It's great so see him back doing what he does best, and with upcoming movies such as  StreetFighter (as Blanka), SuperGirl & Dune Part 3, I am looking forward to pretty much everything he has coming out - Minecraft 2 aside!

The Wrecking Crew is a great Action Comedy and the yet un-mentioned scenes to look out for are the Bridge / Helicopter Scene, which will have you wincing and gasping at the same time, the boiling over of the 'Brother on Brother' animosity that results in a great fight scene & the catering scene that includes a very short-lived performance from  Lydia Peckham (2025 TV's adaptation of Robin Hood / Nuremberg).  

Baccarin plays 'sultry sexy' as good as she always does and with the exception of very questionable  bad-guy Marcus Robichaux, (played by Claes Bang, who I didn't recognise as playing William Tell in the 2024 movie of the same name), everyone is great.

The only drawback, (and I am aware this has been mentioned in other reviews) is the lack of acknowledgement or humility for any of the completely innocent bystanders or car drivers, either maimed or killed in the many violent public fights that break out.  Considering one brother is a Cop and the other a decorated soldier, neither show any remorse for outcome of their actions.  BUT - it is just a movie afterall - so no one really died! 

Verdict - Very enjoyable, Lots of laughs and plenty of brutal, visual action.  And dont forget, a bit of Paradise City to get things going!

(Images used in blog are sourced from Plugged In, Wikipedia, Cgo Movies, Amazon UK, In-Bwetween Media & Cherrypics)

305, The Naked Gun

It's been 31yrs since the third part of the original Naked Gun trilogy was released, aptly named The Naked Gun 33 1/3 - The Final Insult where we were all taken in by the 'charms' of Anna-Nicole Smith and a return for Leslie Nielsen, doing what he always did best.  This new re-booted 4th installments sees Liam Neeson picking up the mantle as Frank Drebin 'Jnr' and Pamela Anderson starring as femme fatale Beth Davenport, in a welcome return to screen, continuing her movie comeback following a fantastic performance in The Last Showgirl.

These films don't take much working out and anyone (over a certain age) who has seen Police Squad, the Original Naked Gun films and AirPlane all know what to expect; A script littered with innuendoes and double entendres, slapstick comedy and witty one liners but sadly, this one (for me) just didn't quite hit the mark!

The plot line is basic.  Guy dies in car crash - suspected suicide, then becomes a murder investigation - who dunn'it and why - solve the case to save the department etc etc and we know very early on who the bad-guys are so don't expect any lat minute twists and turns in this one.  If anything, the focus of the movie is more on the relationship between the leading two-some, and I think with a run-time of under 90 minutes (85?) it's pretty much over before you've got a chance to get your 3rd beer. 

Yes, Naked Gun was definately 'of it's time' however those same jokes now appear extremely dated and probably haven't aged well in the modern era.  I don't think I'm old or prudish in that statement, I get all of it and can see why they did it, but it just doesn't land like it used too.  

To try and keep elements of continuity from the originals, a lot of the same gags do appear.  The overly impossible disguises for Drebin and the innuendo of an evolved (and even more suggestive) Kitchen 'Shadow' scene (remember the camping trip?) both make appearances, as does the constant 'coffee on demand' and mic-drop statement on-liners but sadly, I didn't really laugh once.  It all felt too staged and lacked the delivery that Nielsen had mastered.  Liam Neeson isn't famed for his slapstick comedy skills, wheras Nielsen was, making it all feel just a little bit wrong.

With that said, worth mentioning that Pamela was great.  Natural and gorgeous in pretty much every scene and to be fair, the whole cast made a decent rosta.  Aside from Neeson and Anderson there was  Paul Walter Hauser (Blackbird) as Drebins partner Ed Hocken 'Jnr', Danny Huston (X-Men) as the lead protagonist Richard Cane, CHH Pounder (Avatar / NCIS New Orleans) as Chief Davis and finally, Kevin Durand (Ballers / Real Steel) as Cane's hired muscle.

It even had cameos from WWE's Cody Rhodes and Rap legend Busta Rhymes but after the shine of a very recognisable cast - it all got very dull, very quickly.

There is no denying that this is a nostalgic trubute to the originals, and to their credit, the filmakers also haven't shyed away from some prior cast members or 'notable mentions' that let's say, haven't aged too well over time and given them a little bit of stick.  You'll work out who they are if you don't already.

The movie is what it is.  No Oscars just yet, but it did win the 2026 Best Comedy Movie in the Critics Choice Awards as well as an Outstanding achievement in Casting for a Big Budget Feature Comedy (I told you it was an impressive rosta!) from the Casting Society (CSA).  It's also nominated in over a dozen other award catagories across magazines and a spattering of US States Critics Choice events so there is some credibility to it, even after everything I have said - so what do I know!

Finally, if one good thing does come out of this moive, it's the budding off-screen relationship of Neeson and Anderson.  it's fair to say both have had traumatic and tragic love lives and if this movie brings two of hollywoods most recognisable faces togeher and genuinly creates something adorable - then good for them - and thanks to The Naked Gun for making it happen.

(Images used in blog are sourced from IMDB, The New York Times, Odeon Cinemas, AwardsWatch, MovieWeb & Vanity Fair)