Category Archives: No Spoiler Reviews

Documentary, No Spoiler Reviews

BEING EDDIE (2025) The Things I Liked…

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Being Eddie (2025), Eddie Murphy, Netflix
Being Eddie (2025), Eddie Murphy, Netflix

Director Angus Wall’s biography/documentary about American actor and stand-up comic Eddie Murphy is the good time I hoped it would be.

Watching Being Eddie had me feeling like a guest in Murphy’s beautiful family home, as he, along with family, peers and friends, reminisced about his life and career. Not while they were all in the same room, mind you. Even though that would have been fun too, kind of like this gem. The likes of Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Pete Davidson, Jamie Foxx, and Kevin Hart featured as talking heads in different locations.

I enjoyed the look back at some of his most celebrated works. From his stint as a Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast member to his more recent projects. I appreciated hearing about the stories behind the movies and stand-up comedy specials, and about how he navigated the weight of his own superstardom.

Thankfully, just as I imagined, while learning about what makes one of my favourite comics tick, I also got to hear some fresh jokes as he talked and told stories. A naturally funny person simply can’t help but amuse.

Being Eddie is a must for fans of his work. If only to relive some of the great times you had because he was dedicated.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Music, No Spoiler Reviews

ONE SHOT WITH ED SHEERAN – A MUSIC EXPERIENCE (2025): The Things I Liked…

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The latest project from Adolescence (2025) director Philip Barantini isn’t a movie, but an hour-long music film that captures British musician Ed Sheeran in one continuous take, as he moves around New York City performing his biggest hits. 

Locations featured in One Shot With Ed Sheeran – A Music Experience include open-top tour buses, the New York City subway and special events such as a surprise marriage proposal. 

As you can imagine, some planning had to take place to ensure Sheeran’s safety. Especially since the purpose of this was not to see what headline-making scenarios came to pass during the shoot, thank goodness. 

As predicted, my favourite thing about Barantini’s film is seeing how much joy Sheeran’s presence brought to several of the people he encountered. My other favourite thing is playing ‘spot the security personnel.’ Not that attempts were made to hide them, mind you, nor should there have been. 

A word that came to mind more than once while watching One Shot was ‘awkward.’ Some of Sheeran’s interactions with strangers had that clearly uncomfortable energy, and at times it felt like I was eavesdropping, especially because he rarely looked at the camera. If he’d occasionally addressed viewers directly, almost like a vlogger taking us along for the day, I think I’d have enjoyed the experience more.

Watching Barantini’s film reminded me of how unnerving it can be to watch someone rush across a busy city street. Particularly when the way the moment is captured doesn’t show you, the audience, how close the cars are. And Sheeran crossing the street was captured in this way several times. 

Overall, I’d describe the experience of watching One Shot as ‘just okay.’ It’s likely better appreciated by Sheeran’s biggest fans. As such, I say watch it if you’re a big fan or super curious. For me, the continuous-shot format is far more impressive when there’s drama involved. Whereas in a music film like this, it felt more like a novelty than a storytelling tool.

Have you seen One Shot with Ed Sheeran? What did you think? 

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Drama, Mystery, No Spoiler Reviews

BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER (2025): The Things I Liked…

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Ballad of a Small Player has two real standouts: Colin Farrell’s performance, and, speaking as someone who loves light and colour, the bright neon visuals of Macau.

The truth is, within the first three minutes, I’d already googled ‘Is Macau worth visiting if you don’t gamble?’ The results said yes. But after watching what unfolds in director Edward Berger’s drama/mystery/thriller, I’d have to think a bit harder before booking my ticket.

Ballad of a Small Player (2025), Colin Farrell, Netflix
Ballad of a Small Player (2025), Colin Farrell, Netflix

What makes Ballad a tough watch for me is that it follows a high-stakes gambler who’s already on the decline. We’re essentially watching someone have a bad time in the middle of their gambling addiction, as they cling to the hope of one last big win.

There are a few amusing moments, but this is certainly not a comedy, and since I’m still in my ‘no dark, depressing films for me, please’ era, I can’t say I fully enjoyed the overall experience. That said, there’s no faulting Farrell or anyone in the cast, and the film looks fantastic, colour-wise. As such, if you’re not in the same era as me and darker themes don’t bother you as much, then feel free to give Ballad a chance. You might have a better time with it.

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Drama, Fantasy, Horror, No Spoiler Reviews

FRANKENSTEIN (2025): The Things I Liked…

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Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, the story of a scientist whose creation of a monster leads to disaster, is close to everything I could have hoped for, and then some. 

Frankenstein (2025), Oscar Isaac, Netflix
Frankenstein (2025), Oscar Isaac, Netflix

Similar to Crimson Peak (2015), the last del Toro movie I was brave enough to watch, Frankenstein features his signature arresting cinematography, memorable production design, engaging storytelling, and an apparent love of jewel tones that speaks directly to my colour-loving heart.

Two hours and thirty minutes may be a long running time, I mean, it definitely is. However, it doesn’t necessarily feel that way because of the aforementioned elements that del Toro executes so very well. 

Frankenstein (2025), Mia Goth, Netflix
Frankenstein (2025), Mia Goth, Netflix

Starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz, del Toro’s Frankenstein, a fantasy/horror film, unfolds most epically. I was moved by the strong companionship, father and son, plus love themes, in addition to the great performances by all involved. 

Watch Frankenstein, for it’s one of the best films of 2025, and the horror elements are unlikely to be the nightmare-inducing kind. 

I personally appreciated Elordi’s performance so much, I was inspired to take a few moments to be thankful to Australia for the wonderful acting talent it’s blessed us with. Jacob Elordi and Milly Alcock in recent years, plus Margot Robbie, Chris Hemsworth, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Jeffrey Rush, Guy Pearce, and, of course, the queen herself, Cate Blanchett. Did I forget anyone?

Lastly, don’t be surprised if you find yourself falling a little bit ‘in love’ with at least one of the characters. I won’t say which.

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

ALL’S FAIR (2025): The Thing I Liked…

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All's Fair (2025), Niecy Nash, Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, Hulu
All’s Fair (2025), Niecy Nash, Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, Hulu

All’s Fair, Ryan Murphy’s latest legal drama, starring Sarah Paulson, Kim Kardashian, Niecy Nash, Naomi Watts, Glenn Close and Teyana Taylor, is not very good.

Considering the number of reputable actors involved, one would expect a series about a successful divorce lawyer and her all-female firm to be of a certain quality. What we get instead is the epitome of style, particularly in reference to fashion and production design, over substance. But not in a way that makes you rationalise and think: ‘Hey, not every series has to be of the highest depth and quality’. Instead, you’re left wondering how so many skilled performers agreed to be in this.  

All’s Fair is something one may continue to watch begrudgingly, with a sense of disappointment, because it’s more like a fantastical soap with melodramatic elements, as opposed to a series to be taken seriously and appreciated greatly.

The first 3 episodes were more than enough for anyone to reach the above conclusions. Yet, what happens in episode four only cements everything that the most hopeful had feared. In that, All’s Fair is sadly, as bad as many have said. The kind of show you tune into, mainly for the aforementioned style elements.

So, steer clear, unless you’re especially curious and don’t mind cringing and letting the below thought enter your mind as you watch: ‘Oh, wow. A bad script and prioritisation of style over all else really can make a top-tier actor seem far less skilled.’

Happy Film Loving,

G