Tag Archives: Michelle Monaghan

Comedy, Drama

THE WHITE LOTUS – SEASON 3 (2025): The Things I Liked…

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I’m up to date with all three seasons of The White Lotus, the HBO series about the lives and shenanigans of the guests and staff of a high-end hotel. 

Seasons one and two were great, and my favourite of the three. In this new third instalment, the performances are fantastic, as expected. However, I lost patience at certain points due to a slower pace – and because I didn’t find some of the character stories as engaging as I’d have liked. 

Further still, in the first and second seasons, I found the social commentary about the dynamics between the rich and the far-from-rich more poignant and interesting. That’s not to say this season isn’t worth your time if you’re curious. The acting is truly great, after all.

The White Lotus - Season 3 (2025), Jason Isaacs, HBO
The White Lotus – Season 3 (2025), Jason Isaacs, HBO

At the time of this post, the season three finale is still a few days out. Nevertheless, I doubt the result will change how I feel about this instalment compared to the first two. I’m happy to be wrong, of course. In fact, I’d prefer it. 

Bring on Sunday’s finale, and Season Four!

Have you seen The White Lotus? What first comes to mind when you think of each season? My spoiler-free thoughts for each are as follows: 

Season One: The delightful pace and chaos of Episode Four

Season Two: Jennifer Coolidge’s super memorable character and why, deservedly, plenty more people know the name Leo Woodall.

Season Three: Jason Isaacs’s, Sam Nivola and Patrick Schwarzenegger’s performances. Can I say, chef’s kiss? I just did. 

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, Drama

THE WHITE LOTUS – SEASON 3 (2025): New Trailer Starring Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Michelle Monaghan…

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White Lotus - Season 3 (2025), Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, HBO
White Lotus – Season 3 (2025), Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, HBO

Read my spoiler-free movie review of The White Lotus – Season 3 (2025).

HBO’s Emmy award-winning series about the shenanigans of the guests/employees of a luxury resort is back for a promising third season.

Seasons one and two were set in Hawaii and Italy, respectively. This time, we’re off to beautiful Thailand, and regular cast member Natasha Rothwell is joined by Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Walton Goggins, Leslie Bibb and Michelle Monaghan, to name just a few.

I enjoyed the characters, stories and performances in seasons one and two of The White Lotus. May this new instalment be another euphony that gets everyone looking forward to season four.

So far, Parker Posey, Jason Isaacs and Walton Goggins’s characters have me most intrigued. And you?

Are you also a fan of The White Lotus stories

Have you watched seasons one and two of The White Lotis?

The White Lotus Release Dates: February 16th, 2025, HBO

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews

THE FAMILY PLAN (2023): The Things I Liked…

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The Family Plan, the latest action/comedy from Mark Wahlberg may not offer anything new story-wise, but I did find it fun, well-paced and strangely Christmassy.

The Christmassy vibe is because a likeable family is central to the story’s heart. There’s also Vegas, a destination often described as ‘camp as Christmas’. 

The charisma and aesthetic that is Wahlberg had all the usual magic to make director Simon Cellan Jones’s film precisely what I needed. Especially considering that my movie appetite has leant towards less emotionally taxing productions of late.

My favourite thing about The Family Plan is the aforementioned special Wahlberg magic, including the unexpected dynamic between his character, Dan and Max, his youngest son.

Watch The Family Plan if you need some light action/comedy fun with an unexpected Christmassy quality.

Lastly and randomly, here’s something fun on the internet featuring Wahlberg, Will Ferrell and Chelsea Handler.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Comedy

THE FAMILY PLAN (2023): New Trailer From Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan, Ciarán Hinds, Maggie Q…

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Read my spoiler-free movie review of The Family Plan (2023).

New action/comedy The Family Plan stars Mark Wahlberg as former top assassin Dan Morgan. Dan is a suburban dad enjoying the quiet life until his past catches up to him.

Ciarán Hinds, Michelle Monaghan and Maggie Q are among the key cast.

It’s simple, I just really enjoy Wahlberg in action/comedy roles, and this has that non-emotionally taxing vibe I’m currently heavily into.

Also, anyone else get computer generated vibes when looking at the baby in this trailer?

If it happens that Whalberg isn’t your thing, how about the seemingly near identical Role Play (2023), starring Kaley Cuoco and David Oyelowo?

Zoe Margaret Colletti, Felicia Pearson, Saïd Taghmaoui, Jonny Coyne, Savanna Gann, Van Crosby, Anisa Nyell Johnson, Miles Doleac, Valkyrae, Hayley Keown and Al Vicente also star.

The Family Plan Release Dates: December 15th, 2023 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Drama, Horror, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

NANNY (2022): The Things I Liked…

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Nanny (2022), Anna Diop, Prime Video
Nanny (2022), Anna Diop, Prime Video

Sometimes you watch a movie that tells its story so refreshingly well, that you want to talk to someone about it immediately. You want to discuss the parts that thrilled, delighted and surprised you. But then you remember that you watched the movie all by yourself, which means that unless you want to strike up a conversation with the stranger next to you once the credits roll, you cannot. You also remember that you write spoiler-free movie reviews; meaning you still can’t mention the most fun specific details.

Written/directed by Nikyatu Jusu; the film in question that proved to be a rather pleasant surprise is Nanny; a drama/horror/thriller starring Anna Diop, Michelle Monaghan, Sinqua Walls and Leslie Uggams.

Nanny tells the story of Aisha, a Senegalese immigrant who takes care of the child of an Upper East Side American family. As Aisha goes about her days working and trying to piece together a life of her own in New York City, she starts having some not-so-easily explainable experiences.

I’ve mentioned a few times before that I don’t typically watch scary movies, particularly since a peaceful nightmare-free sleep is one of my favourite things. The great news here is that Nanny is more creepy than scary. It features well-executed special effects that I appreciated, even more, when the impressive reveal at the end came to light. There are beautiful shots, great lighting and a generally well-structured story to enjoy. One that hints perfectly at what is to come, but without spoiling the very worth-it ending.

I say give Nanny a chance and let the story surprise you. Though not perfect, mostly because of the rushed last five minutes, it’s certainly in the top two of my favourite movies I watched at the BFI London Film Festival this October.

Nanny Release Dates: 23rd November 2022 (Limited theatre release, US); 25th November 2022 (Limited cinema release, UK); Amazon Prime Video release, 16th December 2022 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G