Yes, it’s 2026. Yes, it’s already February and I haven’t posted the recommendations for anything in 2026. Let’s play catchup!

August 2025

The Bad Guys 2 – Peacock

The Bad Guys ended up on my 2022 recommendations somewhat by accident. That April was light on good looking films with Crimes of Dumbledore being the big release of the month. I was happily surprised, giving the film three and a half stars and mentally filing it away as a fun kids film.

When Bad Guys 2 was announced, I was quite excited to see how our titular gang has fared since going good. It’s always a good sign when the director and writer return for the sequel, generally providing much more connective tissue and cohesion between the two films. We pick up a few months after the original, and the “Good” Guys are having trouble finding anyone willing to hire an ex-con, even ones with the Mayors blessing. What progresses from there is the heistiest heist imaginable – just serious enough to feel like there are stakes, and silly in great measure. You can read my review here.

Highest 2 Lowest – Apple TV

Spike Lee steps out of Madison Square garden with a modern adaptation of Akia Kurosawa’s High & Low (1963), set in modern day and staring the incredible Denzel Washington. Cinephiles and film studies students will be aware of original film, itself an adaptation of the novel King’s Ransom (1959) by Evan Hunter. Director’s from Bong Joon Ho to David Fincher list Kurosawa – and High & Low specifically – as a major influence to their work, and it seems we can add Spike Lee to that list. 

Ne Zha 2 – HBO Max

Slightly cheating by listing this in August, as it was released months prior, but August saw the A24 English dubbed version (headlined by Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh). I still watched the subtitled version, but was very very excited that the film got the US attention that it deserved. ★★★★★

The Thursday Murder Club – Netflix

I’m a sucker for films featuring older actors, especially the likes of Helen Mirren and Ben Kingsley. RED, Nonnas, Book Club – this has been a fruitful segment of films in recent years. This is still on my watchlist, but I’ll get to it one of these days.

September 2025

Completely struck out on watching any of these, which is especially bizarre with OBAA and Paul Thomas Anderson being so present in the run up to the Oscars. Rest in peace Rob Reiner.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues – HBO Max

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey – Netflix

Adulthood – Rent

One Battle After Another – HBO Max

October 2025

Strike out number two – again featuring two films heavily involved in the awards race.

Roofman – Paramount+

Good Fortune – Starz

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein – Netflix

Bugonia – Peacock

November 2025

Let me know if you start seeing a pattern. I will likely buy the forthcoming Criterion release of Sentimental Value before I actually see it.

Predator: Badlands – Hulu

Sentimental Value – In theaters, or Rent

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t – Rent

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery – Netflix

December 2025

Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair – Rent

I somehow never got around to seeing either of Tarantino’s Kill Bill movies, so when it was announced that ‘The Whole Bloody Affair’ was having an official release, I bought tickets so fast. 4.5 ★

Fackham Hall – Rent

Avatar: Fire and Ash – In theaters

I wish this was better. 2.5 ★

Marty Supreme – In theaters, or Rent

I really need to get caught up with my Oscar movies…