manda ✨

‘Bridgerton’ Season 4, Part 1 Review By: Amanda Guarragi Dearest Gentle Readers, The long-awaited season for Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) finding a wife is finally here. After reading An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn, it’s safe to say that the majority of the adaptation in Part 1 is fairly similar, with some much-needed updates.  The second Bridgerton brother has become a fan favourite for his charm, wit and zest for life.

'Bridgerton' Season 4, Part 1 Review: "The likability of Sophie and Benedict is strengthened in the first episode and is well developed as the season unfolds. Thompson and Ha are wonderful together, so that whenever they’re on screen, they make you believe in romance again."

‘The Rip’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi In 2002, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Gerry Cardinale became co-founders of Artists Equity. This independent artist-led studio reimagines the relationship between talent, studio, and distributor. Damon and Affleck have both paved their way in the industry and have created a legacy of their own. Their first professional collaboration (uncredited) was in Field of Dreams, but their massive rise to fame was in 1997 with…

'The Rip' Review: "The Rip develops into an action-packed game of cat and mouse with surprising moments that were well-executed. Damon and Affleck both deliver powerful performances as they go head-to-head during the first half of the film."

‘People We Meet on Vacation’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi In the past few years, romance novels have regained popularity, and romantic comedies have become hits for many. People have forgotten that love - whether platonic or romantic - can help anyone through difficult times. One author has consistently delivered romantic novels, and she has now created her own little universe. Emily Henry skyrocketed the bestseller list and is now adapting her novels into films and television series.

'People We Meet on Vacation' Review: "Director Brett Haley effectively captured the essence of the novel, as Emily Henry shifted between past and present to fill in the gaps of Poppy and Alex’s relationship. Tom Blyth and Emily Bader had excellent chemistry that elevated the words off the page."

2026 Golden Globes Final Predictions Award season is in the air, and the Golden Globes will kick it all off! There were too many films to choose from in 2025, so making final picks was difficult, to say the least. Here are my final predictions for the 2026 Golden Globes! Best Motion Picture, Drama Sinners Best Motion Picture Musical/Comedy One Battle After Another Best Director…

Happy Golden Globes Sunday 🥂

Can't wait to watch Nikki Glaser again tonight ✨

Here are my final predictions for tonight! 🎥

2025 Year In Review By: Amanda Guarragi 2025 was a year marked by an incredible array of films. This year, there was a lot of variety, and studio films focused on original projects that truly delivered. Many notable directors released some of their best works this year, and some actors gave some of their best performances as well. The movies released this year have shown indie horrors, quality dramas, and human stories that bring audiences back to theatres.

As the year comes to a close, it's important to reflect on the films that made an impact in 2025! ✨

Here are my top 10 films, plus some honourable mentions! 🥂

‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians’ Season Two Review By: Amanda Guarragi In 2023, Rick Riordan’s classic young adult series Percy Jackson & the Olympians was adapted into a television series. Season one of the popular series was incredibly well done and set the tone for how the seasons would develop the novels. Each book would fill an eight-episode season, and that is enough time to retell each story. …

'Percy Jackson & the Olympians Season Two' Review: "The beauty of season two is the comfort of returning to Camp Half-Blood and the familiarity of the characters. The main draw is the chemistry between Scobell and Sava Jeffries, as diehard book readers love this pairing and their future."

TIFF ’25 Review: “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ By: Amanda Guarragi In 2019, Rian Johnson brought back the whodunit with Knives Out. It became a staple for annual Thanksgiving watching. Johnson crafted his own unique style while fusing similar conventions from the genre. He tackled family dysfunction and deceit in the first film and then a very secretive group of friends in the sequel, Glass Onion.

'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' Review: "The supporting cast was underutilized, & Craig had very little to do, hindering the film from being as strong as the previous two. It almost didn’t feel like a Knives Out film for that reason, and putting Blanc in the backseat was an odd choice."

‘Marty Supreme’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi When we are born, we are clueless about the journey ahead. What we seek as humans, even from a young age, is a purpose. We are told to pursue a path we are passionate about, but no one warns us how challenging it may be. Whether it’s struggling through medical school or struggling to write words on a page, everyone has their own Everest to overcome, not only to prove to others who may doubt them, but to prove to oneself that it is possible to achieve that goal.

'Marty Supreme' Review: "Safdie crafted something so personal with Mauser because audiences will see themselves in him. They will see the hard work and determination, but also the humility in restructuring one’s approach to a goal yet to be achieved. This is Chalamet's best performance to date."

TIFF ’25 Review: ‘Hedda’ By: Amanda Guarragi In the 1800s, Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen premiered his play "Hedda Gabler" in 1891. Ibsen’s work primarily focused on modern drama, and he wrote more realistic plays. The character of Hedda Gabler explored a woman’s resentment for being trapped in a marriage and a house she never wanted. Hedda Gabler is considered the more complex role for any actress to portray due to the depth of her moral values.

'Hedda' Review: "It's a dark, sexy and cunning period piece that explores female identity during a period of restraint and control. DaCosta’s changes to the source material enrich the story for women. Thompson and Hoss are mesmerizing & have incredible chemistry. One of the best films of the year."

TIFF ’25 Review: ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’ By: Amanda Guarragi In the 1700s, the religious community known as “The Shakers” originated in England. It is a sector of Protestant Christians. They were formally known as “The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing,” and eventually moved to the United States in 1774. A woman named Ann Lee led the community through their hardships. They believed in the dual nature of God (male and female), the pursuit of a heavenly community on Earth and ecstatic worship (shaking, quaking, singing, dancing and speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit entered their bodies).

'The Testament of Ann Lee' Review: "Fastvold linked the musicality of hymns and physical expression so beautifully, making them appear kinetic on screen. Seyfried conveyed the feeling of immense loss through her physical performance and delivered one of her strongest performances to date."

‘One Battle After Another’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi From Boogie Nights to There Will Be Blood and now, One Battle After Another, films by Paul Thomas Anderson have defined decades. The anticipation for a new Paul Thomas Anderson film matches the heights of a new Christopher Nolan or Martin Scorsese project. Audiences know the cast of characters’ll entertain them, but more importantly, the journey these filmmakers take them on.

'One Battle After Another' Review: "Infiniti completely owns the second half and channels the same level of forthright prowess as Taylor to show the lineage. The best way to describe Infiniti’s performance is silent but deadly. The entire cast is utilized perfectly, and all work together nicely."

TIFF ’25: ‘Frankenstein’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi “Only monsters play god.” Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a literary work that explores humanity in its darkest form. Through the immorality of reconstructing a creature from bodily remains to cheat death, there’s a grounding level of humanity. Unfortunately, death is inevitable. And witnessing death at a young age can shape your perception of it, and the way the world functions around you.

'Frankenstein' Review: "It's an immersive Gothic story that deepens Mary Shelley’s themes while crafting a compassionate, human narrative that examines the meaning of a soul and the elements that make one pure of heart. Isaac may be the lead, but Elordi's Creature steals the spotlight."

TIFF ’25: ‘Eternity’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi In recent years, romantic comedies have made a resurgence in theatres. Audiences have craved authentic romances that explore different avenues. Not everyone can be lucky enough to find the love of their life, but when they do, it can also be a difficult decision. Sometimes people are plagued by making decisions based on what could have been. We all want to be able to live two different lives and see where different paths could have led us.

'Eternity' Review: "It is an imaginative film about second chances, and the meaning of relationships is deconstructed. Freyne explores the scope of a lifetime and the importance of choosing the right partner. Olsen’s exaggerated hysterics in rediscovering herself again is the highlight of the film."

TIFF ’25: ‘Hamnet’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi There have been extraordinary writers over centuries whose work has been transcendent, and more importantly, lasting. The words of William Shakespeare influenced writers and playwrights to emulate his prose and modernize his writings. His comedies were clever, but the complexities of his characters in his tragedies offered depth and emotional resonance, even if his protagonists were deeply flawed.

'Hamnet' Review: "Hamnet is the most profound and poignant film of the year, and pays homage to Shakespeare in a naturalistic way that other filmmakers have not captured before. Zhao is masterful in her direction, & the way the tragedy unfolds leaves viewers transfixed long after the film is over."

TIFF ’25: ‘The Smashing Machine’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi In the world of wrestling, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has made a name for himself. When he switched over to acting, it was a natural shift because of how talented he was in the ring. In his early years, Johnson had taken to comedies, which showcased his talents and made him enjoyable to watch. Once he became an action star and a massive box office draw, that’s when his persona began to change.

'The Smashing Machine' Review: "Dwayne Johnson delivers a unique, vulnerable performance that we haven’t seen from him before, showing growth in his craft. The issue with the film is not the performances, but more the writing for the characters. There was no depth to these characters."

‘Weapons’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi The horror genre has been thriving for decades, with new filmmakers producing modern horror classics for audiences. The conventions will always be similar, but it’s up to the filmmakers to be innovative to present these scares. The beauty of horror lies in the small moments that build suspense. For those who love the genre, the anticipation and the atmosphere play an important role in constructing a perfect horror experience.

'Weapons' Review: 'Cregger fills the gaps in each section for each adult, making well-rounded characters with depth concerning their connection to the children. The perspective changes throughout, with the disjointed narrative highlighting each adult involved in finding the missing children."

‘Alien: Earth’ Season One Review By: Amanda Guarragi The Alien franchise has always been centred on building suspense in the vast dark galaxy we call space. Most of the time, humans and cyborgs are trapped in a spaceship with a Xenomorph or other strange alien creatures. Throughout the franchise, each filmmaker has left their mark in choosing which new creatures to develop with practical effects. As technology advances, it’s interesting to see where the…

'Alien: Earth' Season One Review: 'Hawley pays homage to the past while crafting a distinctive sci-fi/horror series for new audiences. It expands upon what audiences love about the world Scott created. Hawley’s visual style and attention to detail open a different part of the mind for audiences."

‘Freakier Friday’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi The films of the early 2000s have a certain level of fun and whimsy that is severely lacking for this generation of movie-going audiences. The studio comedy on the big screen has been phased out, but people are craving wholesome projects that will make them feel good. These films don’t have to be perfect by any means, but bring a wave of nostalgia to a simpler time.

'Freakier Friday' Review: "Director Nisha Gantra and co-writers Jordan Weiss and Elyse Hollander created a perfectly nostalgic and modern comedy with an early 2000s whimsy that has been dearly missed by audiences. Lohan and Curtis were charming and delivered the comedic moments perfectly."

‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi In recent years, the fall of the superhero film has been studied by fans and critics alike. Fans have possibly been the worst critics when it comes to their favourite heroes not receiving the same tender love and care as others. It’s interesting to see the current state of criticism and how critics have approached the new wave of comic book films.

'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Review: "It's a fresh introduction to Marvel’s first family that uniquely captures the strength of family & the power of unity. It’s a retro-futuristic space adventure that perfectly delivers the Fantastic Four to the Marvel Cinematic Universe at their full power."

‘Eddington’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi As a newcomer in the modern age of cinema, Ari Aster has established himself as a crafty horror filmmaker who explores various forms of the genre. He has combined genres and broken genre conventions to elevate the meaning of horror. From Hereditary to Midsommar to Beau is Afraid, Aster is one of the most ambitious filmmakers who is incredibly gifted in creating a chilling atmosphere.

'Eddington' Review: " A true horror film about the downfall of humanity and the selfishness that has surfaced due to having a platform to express oneself. It’s a thought-provoking neo-western that perfectly encapsulates the life-changing international event that altered the trajectory of the world."

‘Superman’ (2025) Review By: Amanda Guarragi For over 80 years, Superman has always been a beacon of hope and purity. The appeal of Clark Kent’s Superman is that he is a wholesome young man who wants to do good for the people. His Boy Scout aura gives people the optimism that he will always make the right decisions.  Creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created an iconic hero with an impressive set of powers, beautiful optimism, and kindness.

#Superman (2025) Review: "With an anchor like Superman holding the universe together, Gunn has restored hope for the future of the DC universe and will present a new wave of favourite characters.  Corenswet has solidified his place as one of the best comic book character portrayals."

SUPERMAN is absolutely delightful from start to finish. Not once did my attention waver. David Corenswet had me locked in and had the best portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman. Gunn gave us a wonderful adaptation filled w humanity, heart and most of all hope. I’m in love. #Superman

EDDINGTON is my second fave Ari Aster film. It’s easily the most overwhelming theatrical experience of the year. The downward spiral unfolds with such precision, & the horror isn’t some distant fantasy. It’s the slow, all-too-familiar collapse of society we’ve all lived through.

‘F1’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi The world of F1 is an international event that unites people from all over the world. With each new circuit, the drivers become well-known and their skills are unmatched on the track. Racing has been treated as a dangerous sport because anything can go wrong on the track, especially if you’re not a seasoned driver. There have been film adaptations of racing video games, like…

'F1: The Movie' Review: "The main issue with F1 was the lack of depth for its characters. The relationship between Joshua and Sonny was integral to making the veteran/newcomer banter believable on and off the track, but sadly, it wasn’t developed to its full extent."

A ★★★ review of F1 The Movie (2025) Kosinski wanted Tony Scott's double sauce but F1 was severely lacking in heart. Sure, the racing was executed well, but the pacing as a whole was pretty rough. Brad Pitt also gave a poor performance, ...

Kosinski wanted to have the double Tony Scott sauce but sadly didn’t succeed #F1Movie boxd.it/a6walL

‘Materialists’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi Love in the modern age has undergone significant changes compared to its past. For one thing, marriage meant something more than a business deal, but as time went on, it became more about checking boxes than feeling deeply. Dating in the modern age is similar to playing games to reach a certain level. Men and women have been pressured to be reserved and not fully open themselves to the feeling of being consumed by someone.

'Materialists' Review: "deconstructs modern dating and shatters the perception of what should be attainable. Celine Song reminds audiences why we should remain hopeful for love in our lives and the importance of finding a life partner. Evans delivers his most heartbreaking performance to date."

MATERIALISTS is a heartfelt and lovely sophomore feature by Celine Song. She returns to the root of why we love who we love, and not for what society pressures us to believe in. Dating is the facade, but truly loving deeply is why we remain hopeful. Evans broke my heart.

TIFF ’24: ‘The Life of Chuck’ Review By: Amanda Guarragi Stephen King has been crowned the “Horror King” because of his ability to create a haunting and suspenseful atmosphere in his novels. His novels not only consist of the horror o…

Please go watch my second favourite film of the year this weekend #TheLifeOfChuck 🥹

“King’s novella is adapted quite beautifully by Flanagan as he expands upon the themes of existentialism, grief and love. It almost feels like a meditation for viewers.”
candidxcinema.com/2024/09/07/t...

Out now, I dig into the weirdness of FRIENDSHIP with the help of some friends including Marco Arriaga, @oyvegas.bsky.social, @amxndareviews.bsky.social, David Quinones and Jason Harris... None of whom are friends with me anymore after the recording of this super episode. What 🧩did you think of?

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is a pretty dull live-action remake. It doesn’t recapture the magic or the beauty of the animated feature. Toothless’ design was perfect and the best part of the film. Mason Thames carried the movie on his back w what he had to work with.