As full of tropes as it may be, I found The Bluff, the latest Frank E. Flowers action-adventure from Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Karl Urban, rather satisfying and entertaining.
Set in the 19th-century Caribbean, Chopra Jonas plays Ercell, a woman who fights to protect her family after her island is invaded by vicious buccaneers.
The story, Chopra’s action movie chops, the fun set pieces, the look and feel, plus Urban’s engaging villainy, made for zero regrets for me about the time spent.
There is one moment that didn’t quite have me locked in, when Urban’s Captain Connor delivers a speech to his crew after they witness the full extent of Ercell’s deliciously vengeful wrath, but it’s a minor blip.
I got exactly what I needed from The Bluff. You might too, if you don’t mind violent yet easy-viewing, fun revenge stories led by badass women.
Spider-Man – A Brand New Day (2026), Tom Holland, Marvel Entertainment
Tom Holland, Zendaya, Mark Ruffalo and Jon Bernthal are back for Spider-Man – A Brand New Day, the fourth instalment starring Holland.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, a new threat that endangers Peter Parker’s loved ones means that he must break his promise to leave Spider-Man behind. and focus on college.
I’ve always known that Holland can move. Somehow, I don’t think I ever properly noticed just how well he does it, until this trailer. How wonderful it must be to master one’s body to such a degree. It’s no surprise that the man is Spider-Man.
Love the shot from inside the suit from 21 seconds into this trailer. Plus, it’s always great to see Ruffalo. The Bruce Banner/Peter Parker partnership should be fun.
Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando Jamaal Burcher, Ian Chance, Liza Colón-Zayas and Marvin Jones III also star.
Jason Segel, Samara Weaving, Timothy Olyphant and Juliette Lewis’s latest is Over Your Dead Body, an action/comedy/thriller about a highly dysfunctional married couple.
I’m getting strong Companion (2025) vibes here, even though there’s no obvious hint of AI in the premise.
I’m curious to see how this unfolds. Also, based purely on the types of violent roles that Samara Weaving tends to choose, I’m starting to wonder what she might be working through, given the recurring murder themes. To be clear, I’m not complaining. It’s simply a case of good, old-fashioned fascination.
Paul Guilfoyle, Kayla Radomski, Danusia Samal, Jake Curran, Robert Goodman, Nikolai Kinski and Keith Jardine also star.
Given the option, I’d never have guessed I’d choose to watch a film or series in black and white over colour. That is, until I saw the trailer for Spider-Noir, the upcoming eight-part action/adventure/fantasy/mystery starring Nicolas Cage, Li Jun Li, Lamorne Morris and Karen Rodriguez.
The stark contrast of true black against blown-out whites, and every smoky grey in between, is so striking that it’s inspiring a detour to the nearest gallery, one where I could lose myself in a black-and-white photography exhibition. There isn’t an exhibition that fits the bill right now, so I’ll wait for May 2026 to watch creator Oren Uziel’s 8-part Spider-Noir series. An action/adventure/fantasy about an ageing private investigator and former superhero who’s down on his luck.
Below are my favourite shots from the promising trailer.
Spider-Noir (2026), Nicolas Cage, Prime Video
He’s not looking directly at me, so this can hang on my wall at home. No problem.
Spider Noir (2026), Karen Rodriguez, Prime Video
The lighting. The asymmetry. The expression. Yes!
Spider-Noir (2026), Lamorne Morris, Prime Video
Two words: texture and shadow. Good day.
Spider-Noir (2026), Prime Video
Lines. Light. Movement. I need this humongous.
Spider-Noir (2026), Li Jun Li, Nicolas Cage, Prime Video
Yes to the intriguing perspectives. Thank you.
Spider-Noir (2026), Nicolas Cage, Prime Video
Lines and shadows for the light lover’s glee. Merci beaucoup.
When I think of brilliantly lit black-and-white films or shows, Roma (2018), directed by Alfonso Cuaron, comes to mind first. Based on how this looks, I may have another to add.
Thank you, film, you perfect amalgamation of all the arts.
New action/adventure/fantasy Spider-Noir stars Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilley, a 1930s-era, ageing private investigator down on his luck.
Forced to confront the ghosts of his past, Reilley grapples with a former life as New York City’s only superhero.
Directed by Oren Uziel, additional key cast includes Lamorne Morris, Brendan Gleeson, and Jack Huston.
Interesting spin on the Spider-Man story, this one.
How great it is that we have the option to watch two versions of this. One in colour and another in black and white.
Of course, my default preference is always colour. However, the way this trailer uses light in the absence of it, combined with framing, is genuinely arresting. Therefore, I’ll likely start with the black-and-white version. Then, if I like it, I’ll circle back and try the colour cut too.
Are you curious about the colour versus the black-and-white experience, too?
Karen Rodriguez, Andrew Lewis Caldwell, Brendan Gleeson, Jack Huston, Li Jun Li, Abraham Popoola, Randy Oglesby, Richard Robichaux, Exandrea Pitts, George Todd McLachlan and Ydaiber Orozco also star.
