Category Archives: Romance

Comedy, Drama, Romance

THE INVITE (2026): New Trailer From Edward Norton, Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz…

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Edward Norton, Penelope Cruz, Olivia Wilde and Seth Rogen’s latest is a comedy/drama/romance directed by Wilde.

Rogen and Wilde play a couple whose marriage has seen better days. They invite their intriguing neighbours to a dinner party, and naturally, the night takes some unexpected turns.

‘We love, a contentious environment.’

I can’t get over the delightful delivery of the above line, and how it seems like a good handful of the laughs will be courtesy of Norton’s character, an actor who’s always a highlight on any cast list. Particularly since you never quite know what he’ll bring. I’m into this cast.

May the finished film be as engaging as this great trailer. Silly question, but are you excited by this too?

Skip Howland, Rachel Thurow, Mel Powell and Mario Valdez also star.

The Invite Release Dates: June 26th, 2026 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

OFFICE ROMANCE (2026): The Things I Liked…

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I had a good time watching Jennifer Lopez, Brett Goldstein and Betty Gilpin’s latest romantic comedy, Office Romance, a story about an airline CEO who begins a policy-breaking romance with a new employee.

Directed by Ol Parker, Office Romance doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it does offer a refreshing soundtrack, a watchable story, and several laugh-out-loud moments. As someone who enjoys watching impressive, capable women on screen, it’s no surprise that I found it an easy watch.

The fact that there haven’t been enough new romantic comedy movies made in recent years may mean that I’m out of practice, but, somewhat surprisingly, I wasn’t able to guess key elements of the ending until they unfolded. So, a deserved point is due for the writing. 

When forced to pick just one thing that Office Romance does most impressively, I’d say it’s bringing together such a wonderfully magnetic cast. I mean, I’ve always enjoyed Lopez in such roles, like Goldstein because of Ted Lasso (2020-), adore Gilpin thanks to The Hunt (2020), Tony Hale because of Veep (2012-2019), and Malik Elassal due to this superb 12:44 minutes, plus X Mayo from season 3, episodes 2 and 4-8 of Loot 2022-).

Truth be told, Made in Manhattan (2002) and The Wedding Planner (2001) may still be my favourite Lopez romantic comedy films, but for me, Office Romance isn’t too far behind. 

Watch Office Romance if you’re curious.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, Drama, Romance

VOICEMAILS FOR ISABELLE (2026): New Trailer Starring Nick Offerman, Zoey Deutch, Lukas Gage, Nick Robinson…

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From writer/director Leah McKendrick, Voicemails for Isabelle is a new drama/comedy/romance in which Jill (Zoey Deutch) leaves voice messages to her deceased sister. Only, the messages aren’t exactly going anywhere close to where she thinks they are.

Nick Robinson, Nick Offerman, Lukas Gage, and Toby Sandeman are among the key cast.

This one I have to see because I’m a Robinson fan and I like the unexpected premise.

Also, who isn’t excited by an extra unhinged Offerman character?

Harry Shum Jr., Gil Bellows, Ciara Bravo, Spencer Lord, Leah McKendrick, William Vaughan, Calix Fraser, Roraigh Falkner, Megan Danso, Shane Dean and Amanda Khan also star.

Voicemails for Isabelle Release Dates: June 19th, 2026 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

THE DRAMA (2025): The Things I Liked…

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Even though I loved the trailer for Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s latest comedy-romance, The Drama, as I watched the film, I realised before the halfway point that I wasn’t enjoying myself.

Writer-director Kristoffer Borgli’s story, which follows a wedding week spiralling wildly out of control after an unexpected revelation from the bride-to-be, ultimately felt like a thought experiment I simply didn’t care for.

Even though there are a few amusing moments, the editing and overall execution proved more distracting than effective. To make matters worse, the musical score quickly became irritating, and I was immediately frustrated by Rachel’s huge overreaction near the beginning, which then shaped the reactions of everyone else around her.

What I can’t fault is the acting. It’s just a shame the story itself felt so contrived, and much of the drama overly forced. The heavy-handed music and that early overreaction certainly didn’t help.

My favourite scene is the very last one. Not because the film was finally over, but because the moment itself is genuinely touching.

If you’re curious enough about The Drama, you know what to do.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, Drama, Romance

ONE NIGHT ONLY (2026): New Trailer Starring Monica Barbaro, Callum Turner, Maya Hawke…

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One Night Only stars Callum Turner and Monica Barbaro as two New Yorkers searching for love on the ‘one night of the year when sex is legal for single people.’

Based on the novel by Travis Braun, and directed by Will Gluck, additional key cast includes Maya Hawke, Julia Fox, Molly Ringwald and LeVar Burton.

Firstly, Hello, super chemistry!

Second, what kind of silly-seeming premise is this?

I’ll still give it a chance because I like Mr Turner, and the chemistry. Also, this trailer brings back great memories of season one of Netflix’s Nobody Wants This (2024), mainly because of the music, and only a little bit because of the dialogue. I say that knowing full well that this is unlikely to unseat the very first episode of Nobody Wants This as the best 20+ minutes of any romantic comedy I’ve ever seen. But I’m open to being wrong.

How’s this looking to you?

Michelle Hurd, King Princess, Roma Maffia, Quintessa Swindell, Okieriete Onaodowan, Ben Marshall, Swanmy Sampaio and Priya Jain also star.

One Night Only Release Dates: August 7th, 2026 (US); August 28th, 2026 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G