John Cena, Eric Andre and Michelle Monaghan’s latest comedy, Little Brother, has Cena as a famous real estate agent whose life is disrupted with the arrival of his eccentric brother (Andre).
Directed by Matt Spicer, additional key cast includes Ego Nwodim, Christopher Meloni and Sherry Cola.
I may end up finding Andre’s character too irritating, but I still want to see this because of Cena.
Is this one you’re looking forward to?
Pilot Bunch, Sophia Bunnell, Bryce Gheisar, Christina Catechis and Brian Keane also star.
The Family Plan (2025), Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan, Apple TV+
The Family Plan 2, the sequel toThe 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.
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.
I’m up to date with all three seasons ofThe 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
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.
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?
