Tag Archives: Mark Wahlberg

THE FAMILY PLAN 2 (2025): The Things I Liked…

The Family Plan (2025), Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan, Apple TV+
The Family Plan (2025), Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan, Apple TV+

The Family Plan 2, the sequel to The Family Plan (2023), starring Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Monaghan, is arguably more fun than the first film. Like its predecessor, it follows a former government operative forced to go on the run with his family while being pursued by deadly enemies.

I may be a little biased because The Family Plan 2 is set in my beloved city, London, England, at Christmas time, no less, and in Paris, France, but what I like most about both films is the family dynamic, helped along by the strong chemistry between the cast. Add some genuinely fun humour, and you’ve got an enjoyable Christmas action film with a handful of memorable moments.

That said, The Family Plan 2 isn’t flawless. There are one or two overly clichéd moments, a scene where Wahlberg’s character could really have used less dialogue, and action sequences that are mostly acceptable rather than standout.

Still, thankfully, the story and humour are adequate, and to my surprise, my favourite fight sequence doesn’t involve Wahlberg, but rather Monaghan and ‘a lady with a sword’. 

Watch The Family Plan 2 if you’re curious. It’s for sure a highlight on my 2025 Christmas movie viewing list.

Happy Film Loving,

G

THE FAMILY PLAN 2 (2025): New Trailer Starring Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan, Kit Harrington…

The Family Plan (2025), Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan, Apple TV+
The Family Plan (2025), Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan, Apple TV+

Read my spoiler-free movie review of The Family Plan 2 (2025).


Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Monaghan are joined by Kit Harrington in the partly London, England-set sequel to action/comedy, The Family Plan (2023)

Directed by Simon Cellan Jones, Wahlberg is a former government operative, still on the run with his family while being pursued by deadly enemies.

The first instalment of The Family Plan wasn’t perfect, but it was fun, well-paced and oddly Christmassy, which, for me, is always a plus.

I’m hoping for much of the same with this sequel, and the London setting is a bonus. I’m also looking forward to what Harrington does as the villain.

Are you excited to be in London, and Paris?

Zoe Colletti, Thomas Forbes-Johnson, Reda Elazouar, Daniel De Bourg, Jake Fairbrother, Van Crosby, Tara Macken, Laurel Lefkow, Abdul Basith, Prince Marfo and Elainea Emmott also star.

The Family Plan 2 Release Dates: November 21st, 2025…

Happy Film Loving,

G

PLAY DIRTY (2025): The Thing I Liked…

Play Dirty (2025), Mark Wahlberg, LaKeith Stanfield, Prime Video
Play Dirty (2025), Mark Wahlberg, LaKeith Stanfield, Prime Video

Mark Wahlberg, LaKeith Stanfield, and Rosa Salazar’s latest heist movie, Play Dirty, delivered in one way. It had a great first shootout just before the thirty-minute mark. Everything else after that isn’t noteworthy.

Having seen a handful of good heist movies before, Play Dirty just isn’t funny enough, clever enough, or adequately exciting.

The mix of personalities in this story didn’t work for me. And having an obvious enemy on the protagonist’s team. i.e., Salazar’s character, whom I disliked almost immediately, didn’t help matters either.

Wahlberg is always watchable to me, as are Stanfield and Tony Shalhoub. Unfortunately, director Shane Black’s script just wasn’t worth their talents and efforts. Nevertheless, as always, if you’re curious enough, you know what to do.

Happy Film Loving,

G

PLAY DIRTY (2025): New Trailer From Mark Wahlberg, LaKeith Stanfield, Rosa Salazar, Keegan-Michael Key…

Play Dirty (2025), Mark Wahlberg, Prime Video
Play Dirty (2025), Mark Wahlberg, Prime Video

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Play Dirty (2025).


We have a new heist movie starring Wahlberg, Keegan-Michael Key, LaKeith Stanfield and Rosa Salazar coming up.

From director Shane Black, Wahlberg plays a ruthless thief who stumbles upon a major heist.

This is just the kind of fun, light-hearted action I have time for lately. I also tend to enjoy Wahlberg in action roles like this. The talented Stanfield and Salazar don’t hurt either. I’m read.

Chukwudi Iwuji, Nat Wolff, Gretchen Mol, Thomas Jane, Tony Shalhoub, Hemky Madera, Alejandro Edda and Claire Lovering also star.

Play Dirty Release Dates: October 1st 2025 (US + UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

THE UNION (2024): New Trailer From Halle Berry, Mark Wahlberg, J.K. Simmons, Mike Colter…

Director Julian Farino’s latest action/comedy/thriller has Mark Wahlberg as a down-to-earth construction worker. One who’s thrust into the world of super spies, thanks to his high school ex, Roxanne (Halle Berry).

This is clearly not one to be taken as seriously as one might a Daniel Craig Bond film. But it should be fun, even more so, for me because it’s partly set in my beloved London, England.

Will you be watching these upcoming fun/silly shenanigans?

Alice Lee, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Lucy Cork, Jessica De Gouw, Jackie Earle Haley, Patch Darragh, Juan Carlos Hernández and Stephen Campbell Moore also star.

The Union Release Dates: August 16th, 2024 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G