Category Archives: Romance

THE DRAMA (2025): The Things I Liked…

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

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

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

VERITY (2026): New Trailer Starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, Josh Hartnett…

Verity (2026), Anne Hathaway, Amazon MGM Studios
Verity (2026), Anne Hathaway, Amazon MGM Studios

Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett are the stars of new crime/drama/thriller Verity.

Directed by Michael Showalter, Johnson is Lowen Ashleigh, a ghostwriter hired to write novels for a husband’s incapacitated wife. While on the job, Lowen discovers disturbing truths.

Hello, pleasant surprise!

Firstly, I’m relieved this isn’t a horror film. Second, Hathaway has been a busy lady. So far, this is the fourth film she’s in this year, after Mother Mary, The Devil Wears Prada 2, and The Odyssey. And third, doesn’t this look like promising fun?

Daniel Echevarria, Brady Wagner, Asel Swango, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Michael Abbott Jr, Emily McEnroe, Tom Galantich, Thursday Farrar, K.K. Moggie and Stephen Elrod also star.

Verity Release Dates: October 2nd, 2026 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

PRACTICAL MAGIC 2 (2026): New Trailer From Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Joey King, Lee Pace…

In Practical Magic 2, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return as two witch sisters cursed with never finding lasting love.

This long-awaited sequel to Practical Magic (1998) has the sisters on a mission to confront dark secrets and sacrifice for each other in an attempt to change their fates.

Directed by Susanne Bier, additional key cast includes Dianne Wiest, Maisie Williams, Stockard Channing and Liz Kingsman.

I don’t remember whether or not I’ve watched Practical Magic, the original film, but I’ll happily do it so I can take in the fun that this new sequel seems to promise.

The premise is quite compelling. Naturally, I’ll be wanting to see the curse lifted and to watch Bullock and Kidman have fun performing together.

Have you seen the 1998 Practical Magic?

Xolo Maridueña, Solly McLeod, John Polivka, Daniel Eghan, Tammy Appenzellar, Christopher Moore and Matthew Charlery-Smith also star.

Practical Magic 2 Release Dates: September 11th, 2026 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

BRIDGERTON SEASON 4 (2026): The Things I Liked…

The time has come for me to bow out of watching future Bridgerton stories.

For six years and four seasons, I’ve been quite devoted to following the love stories of the eight Bridgerton siblings. Season one was good, even if it had its frustrating moments. Season two remains my favourite, largely because of the Viscount, Anthony, though I wouldn’t call it perfect either.

My enjoyment dipped more significantly with season three. Season four, the most recent one, ultimately confirmed my decision to step away.

One might say I’ve had my fill of the colourful costumes, opulent set design, and clever use of modern music that the Regency-era series is known for. In truth, though, it’s the stories themselves that have gradually lost their hold on me. With each season after the first two, I’ve found the siblings’ love stories less engaging. It didn’t help that the most recent season leaned quite heavily on Cinderella.

Bridgerton - Season 4 (2026),Isabella Wei, Katie Leung, Michelle Mao, Netflix
Bridgerton – Season 4 (2026),Isabella Wei, Katie Leung, Michelle Mao, Netflix

Ironically, the part I enjoyed most in season four was the storyline involving the ‘evil’ stepmother and her two daughters. I was fully invested in seeing their behaviour exposed and their comeuppance delivered. I also appreciated the conclusion of the Queen’s best friend and her new lady-in-waiting storylines. Those are my main highlights, along with one more: a very sweet scene featuring the youngest members of the cast dancing.

Even though I’m bowing out halfway through, with eight Bridgerton siblings and a season planned for each, I’m grateful for the good times I did enjoy because the series happened. That includes attending two London premieres and eating the best gluten-free scone of my life in Leicester Square on April 21st, 2023. It was so good I even tried, unsuccessfully, to track down the caterer. I digress.

From here on, I intend to leave the series to those still fully enthused by it. The most I’ll do, if anything, is feature an especially great Bridgerton trailer, but that’s it.

Are you one of the fully enthused Bridgerton fans? If so, which season or character is your favourite?

Happy Film Loving,

G