Category: Reviews

The Beauty of Rewilding: Ireland’s Atlantic Rainforest

Mossy woodland trail overlooking rugged coastal cliffs and ocean

This is an interesting documentary about my home country of Ireland. A bit of background information – almost all of Ireland’s natural forests were cut down by the British. About 12% of the island of Ireland is currently forested, it was only 1% in the early 1900s. However, true native woodland only comprises 2%, and most of this is managed.

n Irish Atlantic Rainforest (directed by Gary Lennon, 2026) is a strikingly beautiful and quietly powerful environmental documentary that transforms a small corner of Ireland into something that feels almost otherworldly.The film centres on Eoghan Daltun, a Dublin-born sculptor, author, and rewilder who in 2009 bought a 73-acre farm on the Beara Peninsula in West Cork.

The land was ecologically damaged—overgrazed by deer and goats and choked with invasive species, particularly rhododendron. His approach was deliberately minimal: he fenced out the grazers, cleared the non-native plants, and then largely stepped back to let nature recover on its own.

The result is the spontaneous return of a temperate Atlantic (or Celtic) rainforest, one of Europe’s rarest and most threatened habitats, complete with moss-draped trees, dense epiphytes, ferns, fungi, and returning wildlife.Lennon’s film is at its strongest visually. Cinematographers Ross Bartley and Brian O’Leary get remarkably close to the forest floor and the living surfaces of trees and rocks. Macro shots of flapped fungi, green-eyed insects, snails, and intricate plant life make the familiar Irish woodland look exotic and alien—lush, intricate, and teeming in a way that invites comparison with more celebrated tropical forests. The seasonal changes and the sheer density of life that emerges once pressure is removed are captured with genuine wonder. These sequences are the film’s greatest asset and frequently feel transcendent.

Daltun himself is an intense, articulate presence. The documentary interweaves his personal backstory—growing up in Dublin, studying sculpture in Italy, restoring a cottage, and eventually choosing radical simplicity on the edge of the Atlantic—with his ecological observations and arguments. He makes a clear, passionate case for passive rewilding and the recovery of native woodland as both an ecological necessity and a source of joy and meaning. Brief contrasts with other landscapes (including sequences elsewhere) underline how distinctive and fragile these Irish temperate rainforests are.

At around 90 minutes, the film sustains its focus without overreaching into heavy-handed advocacy. It is more observational and immersive than didactic, allowing the recovery of the land and Daltun’s lived experience to carry the message. Viewers come away with a vivid sense of what Ireland’s lost woodlands can still become when given space, and with admiration for the patience and restraint required to achieve it.Not every viewer will envy the isolation or the deliberate rejection of modern urban comforts that Daltun has chosen, but few will fail to be impressed by the results or moved by the beauty on screen. The documentary stands as both a celebration of one successful act of ecological restoration and a gentle, hopeful invitation to reimagine our relationship with the Irish landscape.

Five stars out of five for those interested in nature.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: A Stylish Spy Adventure Review

Two vintage sports cars driving along a winding coastal cliff road

Another gem from the 2010s. I’m on my holidays so that’s why I’m spewing out content lol If you would like to support this blog why not make a contribution or support our advertisers.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015) is pure stylish escapism—a sparkling, high-octane Cold War romp that delivers charm, chemistry, and cinematic flair in equal measure.Guy Ritchie’s sleek adaptation of the classic 1960s television series is a gleeful throwback that feels both nostalgic and freshly invigorating. Set against the tense backdrop of 1963, the film follows CIA operative Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and KGB agent Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) as they are forced into an uneasy alliance. Their mission: prevent a dangerous criminal organization from acquiring the means to build a nuclear weapon, with the help of the enigmatic Gaby Teller (Alicia Vikander). What unfolds is less a grim geopolitical thriller and more a stylish adventure filled with sharp banter, elegant set pieces, and irresistible period gloss. The original show was from the 60s, and its amusing that the Russian agent often has the better equipment. This is not something that would happen in a more modern film. Probably due to the fact that the failur

Cavill is perfectly cast as the debonair, morally flexible Solo. He brings a suave, effortless cool that channels classic leading-man charisma while adding a dry, self-aware wit. Hammer matches him beat for beat as the intense, disciplined, and occasionally explosive Illya; the physicality and simmering rivalry between the two create some of the film’s most entertaining moments. Their evolving partnership—from reluctant adversaries to reluctant partners—is the emotional and comedic heart of the movie, and their chemistry crackles with playful tension. Vikander is luminous as Gaby, bringing intelligence, vulnerability, and quiet strength that elevates every scene she’s in. Supporting turns, including Hugh Grant’s silky, understated contribution, add extra polish.

Ritchie’s direction is the secret weapon. He leans into the glamorous, high-fashion aesthetic of the era with gorgeous production design, impeccable costumes, and a rich color palette that makes every frame feel like a vintage magazine spread come to life. The action sequences are kinetic yet clear, blending inventive choreography with a light touch that never takes itself too seriously. Set pieces—whether high-speed chases, tense infiltrations, or clever heists—are executed with wit and visual inventiveness, keeping the energy buoyant throughout. The soundtrack, packed with period-perfect tracks and a score that swings between sleek sophistication and pulsing excitement, further immerses you in the world.

What makes The Man from U.N.C.L.E. especially delightful is its tone. It balances espionage thrills with genuine humor and old-school movie-star magnetism without ever tipping into parody or cynicism. The script (co-written by Ritchie and Lionel Wigram) keeps the plot moving at a brisk, entertaining clip while giving the characters room to spark off one another. There is a genuine sense of fun running through every scene—the kind of confident, crowd-pleasing craftsmanship that makes you lean forward in your seat and smile.

At a lean and satisfying runtime, the film never overstays its welcome. It knows exactly what it wants to be: a stylish, crowd-pleasing spy adventure that prioritizes entertainment, chemistry, and visual pleasure. In an era of darker, more self-serious blockbusters, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. stands out as a refreshing reminder of how enjoyable a well-made, stylish genre film can be.If you love classic spy movies, sharp dialogue, beautiful production values, and leads who look like they stepped out of a 1960s fashion spread, this one is an absolute treat. It gets four stars from me.

The Gambler (2014): A Masterclass in Character-Driven Drama

Man holding playing cards at a poker table in a luxurious casino

I came across this gem yesterday. A class film that relies on great writing and acting, no CGI or other special effects. It was made back in 2014, a golden age of cinema.

The Gambler (2014) is a stylish, tense, and highly watchable character study that delivers gripping drama, sharp dialogue, and standout performances.

Directed by Rupert Wyatt and written by William Monahan (The Departed), this remake of the 1974 James Caan classic follows Jim Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), a privileged literature profess

or and failed novelist whose self-destructive gambling addiction has landed him deep in debt to dangerous people. With only a week to settle what he owes, often just making things worse.

Bennett navigates a high-stakes spiral involving family, crime figures, and a budding connection with one of his students (Brie Larson).

What elevates the film is its commitment to atmosphere and character over conventional thriller tropes. Wyatt’s direction is sleek and controlled, with a cool, desaturated visual style that captures a moody Los Angeles underbelly. Card games and roulette spins carry real weight—the tension is palpable without relying on frantic editing or cheap shocks.

The score and carefully chosen tracks (including effective use of M83) heighten the sense of a man careening toward the edge while still seeking some form of meaning or reset. Mark Wahlberg delivers one of his strongest and most committed performances.

He fully inhabits Bennett’s mix of intellectual arrogance, self-loathing, and reckless compulsion. The monologues in the classroom—especially those about genius, mediocrity, and the unfair distribution of talent—crackle with intensity. Wahlberg makes the character’s contradictions compelling: a man who claims he isn’t really a gambler yet repeatedly courts ruin, who comes from wealth yet seems determined to strip everything away.

It’s a portrait of someone chasing the pure, existential charge of risk.The supporting cast is excellent. Jessica Lange brings fierce, wounded complexity as Bennett’s mother. John Goodman is magnetic and menacing as the loan shark Frank, delivering some of the film’s most memorable scenes with a mix of humor and threat. Michael Kenneth Williams and others add sharp texture to the criminal side of the story, while Brie Larson provides a grounded, intelligent counterpoint as the student who sees through Bennett’s defenses.

Monahan’s screenplay crackles with distinctive, literary-flavored dialogue that gives the film a distinctive voice. It explores themes of privilege, failure, addiction, and the seductive pull of the void without becoming preachy. The narrative maintains momentum and keeps the stakes personal and escalating, culminating in sequences that feel both inevitable and thrilling.

The Gambler isn’t a feel-good movie, nor is it trying to be. It’s a confident, adult drama about a man testing how far he can fall and whether anything of value remains at the bottom. Stylish, well-acted, and consistently engaging, it gets four stars out of five.

Mourinho: The Rise of Football’s ‘Special One’ Unveiled

Soccer tactical plan clipboard with a ball, whistle, and stopwatch on a bench in a locker room

The best thing about Mourinho as far as I’m concerned was the role he played in crushing the Manchester Utd, Arsenal duopoly in the Premier League. For that reason, he will always be “The Special One.” It was with some nostalgia that I watched this series last night.

Mourinho is a thoroughly engaging, high-production three-part Netflix documentary series that delivers an intimate, trophy-laden portrait of one of football’s most charismatic, polarizing, and successful managers. Released globally on 11 August 2026 and directed by BAFTA- and Emmy-nominated Joe Pearlman (known for work on Robbie Williams and Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now), with production from double Academy Award-winner John Battsek (of the acclaimed Beckham series), it benefits from two years of exclusive access to José Mourinho himself.

The series charts the arc of “The Special One” with energy and style, beginning with his breakthrough at Porto—capped by the stunning 2004 Champions League triumph—and moving through his transformative first spell at Chelsea, the historic treble-winning campaign at Inter Milan, the intense Real Madrid years, and key later chapters. It captures the essence of a manager who won league titles in four different countries and lifted the Champions League twice, revolutionizing what it meant to lead elite clubs while generating endless headlines and contradictions.

What elevates Mourinho is the exceptional roster of interviewees who bring the story to life with candid reflections. Sir Alex Ferguson, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Samuel Eto’o, Iker Casillas, Marcelo, Javier Zanetti, Petr Čech, Eden Hazard, and many others offer firsthand accounts of Mourinho’s methods, motivational genius, and larger-than-life presence. These voices illuminate why players would “run through walls” for him and how he commanded dressing rooms across Europe. Mourinho’s own interviews form the emotional core—charismatic, self-assured, and occasionally revealing—including the notable confession about nearly succeeding Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013 before choosing to return to Chelsea for a sense of belonging and love after his Madrid experience.

The production values shine throughout. Archival footage of iconic matches and celebrations pairs seamlessly with contemporary reflections, creating a dynamic, fast-paced narrative that feels both celebratory and insightful. Mourinho’s personality leaps off the screen: the competitive fire, the tactical obsession, the theatrical flair, and the unapologetic drive that turned him into a global icon. Moments of vulnerability—such as reflections involving family—add human depth without diluting the larger-than-life mythos. As Mourinho himself notes in spirit, you don’t make a documentary about someone who wins nothing; this series earns its subject by focusing on two decades of sustained excellence and the force-of-nature persona that made him essential viewing.

For football fans, Mourinho is pure box office. It celebrates the wins, the rivalries, the mind games, and the pure drama of a career that redefined modern management. Even as it portrays football’s ultimate contradiction—the winner the game can’t live without and sometimes struggles to live with—it leaves you admiring the relentless ambition and the special quality that made José Mourinho a legend.

Still, I felt that some of the conflict was glossed over. There was ittle mention of the Champions League semi final with Barcelona that almost totally boiled over

Three stars out of five from me.

Distant Love (Part 90)

Spaceships firing weapons at a futuristic city shielded by a blue energy dome.

An hour later, the thrusters of the ship ignite it into the air.

“This is it,” Maeve says.

Derek surveys the city. Large towering skyscrapers towards its center gradually reducing on either side. Timing is of the essence.

Pushing the joystick forwards, the ships hurtles forward swerving in and out to avoid buildings

“Two minutes from the destination,” said Maeve as the city flattens.

Its blue shield appears before them. Then it flickers.

Smiling, Derek shouts out, “The virus is doing its job.”

The shield disappears leaving the antenna defenceless.

Derek opened fire at the antennas as workers flee like ants below.

“Five ships incoming fast,” Maeve advises.

So far, all good.

“Time for us to leave. Over to the boys now.”

The ship shakes. “What was that?” Her tone of dread evident.

“Something first from below!”

Timothy accelerated below. One of the thrusters was undergoing rapid self repair but the other ships are gaining now.

“We are almost within their rage. They are about to fire. Most are only lightly armed but this thing won’t take much.”

“I know, I know,” Derek replies, “We are near to the Scottish Highlands. Let’s keep to the plan.

A volley of shots is fired on the ship and miss setting fires on the landscape below.

Quarterback Season 3: A Must-Watch NFL Documentary

Silhouette of football player wearing jersey number 12 walking from tunnel to field

I’m not a huge fan of the NFL. The games are so long but I appreciate a good game. And things can get exciting in the 4th quarter. So I decided to give this show a try.

It’s actually more enjoyable than watching a real game.

Quarterback Season 3 (often referred to as Quaterback Series 3) is an outstanding, deeply engaging Netflix documentary series that delivers one of the most intimate and compelling looks yet at life as an NFL quarterback.

Released on July 14, 2026, this third installment follows four signal-callers at distinctly different stages of their careers through the full 2025 NFL season: Washington Commanders dual-threat star Jayden Daniels (building on his impressive rookie year), Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran Baker Mayfield (with his signature fire and resilience), Tennessee Titans No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward (navigating the intense pressures of a rookie campaign), and Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco (embarking on a surprising midseason trade and new chapter with the Cincinnati Bengals).

Produced by Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, NFL Films, and Patrick Mahomes’ 2PM Productions, the series continues the franchise’s high standard of exclusive, fly-on-the-wall access.

What elevates Season 3 is its thoughtful casting and storytelling balance. Rather than focusing solely on championship contenders, it captures a rich cross-section of the quarterback experience—the soaring expectations and growing pains of youth, the mid-career battles for consistency and relevance, the veteran’s wisdom mixed with uncertainty, and the raw physical and mental toll of the position.

Viewers get unprecedented behind-the-scenes moments: pre-snap reads and audibles, locker-room reactions after wins and losses, film-study sessions, recovery from injuries, family life, and the personal sacrifices required to perform at this level. Daniels’ journey (including the role of his mother, an NFLPA-certified agent), Mayfield’s competitive edge and family milestones, Ward’s early professional adjustments and character-revealing moments, and Flacco’s unique midseason transition all feel authentic and layered.

The production quality shines throughout. NFL Films’ signature cinematic style, sharp editing that interweaves the four narratives effectively within episodes, and strong mic’d-up audio create an immersive experience.

The series highlights both the glory and the grit—spectacular plays and leadership moments alongside the grind of injuries, pressure, and the fragility of an NFL career—without feeling exploitative. Family dynamics, personal growth, and the human side of these athletes add emotional depth that appeals beyond hardcore football fans, while the football-specific details (play calls, defensive reads, weekly preparation) fully satisfy dedicated viewers.

Season 3 builds successfully on the strengths of prior seasons, refining the format into a reliable showcase of the most demanding position in sports. It underscores leadership, resilience, toughness, and the pursuit of greatness in a way that feels both educational and entertaining. The all-at-once release format makes it perfect for binge-watching, and the seven-episode structure maintains excellent pacing across the season’s arc.

In short, Quarterback Season 3 is a must-watch for NFL enthusiasts and sports documentary fans alike. Four stars out of five from me.

House of the Dragon Season 3 Review: A Spectacle of Fire and Blood

Dragon breathing fire on burning medieval castle under siege at sunset

This is a series that has been brewing very nicely without reaching the mass appeal of Game of Thrones. Probably just as well considering what a mess it ended up.

House of the Dragon Season 3 is a thrilling, reinvigorated triumph that finally delivers the full fire-and-blood spectacle and emotional intensity fans have been waiting for.After the deliberate, sometimes deliberate-to-a-fault setup of the first two seasons, Season 3 explodes out of the gate with urgency, scale, and purpose. The long-simmering Dance of the Dragons erupts into open, devastating conflict across sea, land, and sky. One thing though I’d recommend getting a rehash of what previously happened. I found it quite hard to remember!

Showrunner Ryan Condal and the creative team lean hard into the chaos and cost of civil war while never losing sight of the human (and dragon) drama at its core. The result feels like the series hitting its stride and matching—or in places surpassing—the peak spectacle and bleak grandeur of its Game of Thrones predecessor.

The season opens with one of the most ambitious and visceral sequences in the franchise’s history: the Battle of the Gullet. This naval clash is a masterclass in large-scale filmmaking—ships, dragons, fire, and desperation colliding in a sequence that is both breathtaking and heartbreaking. It sets a tone of high stakes and irreversible consequences that carries through the eight episodes. Subsequent set pieces, including major land engagements and dragon confrontations, maintain that elevated visual and visceral standard. The CGI and practical effects for the dragons feel more integrated and impressive than ever, turning these creatures into true forces of nature rather than mere plot devices.

What elevates Season 3 beyond pure spectacle is how effectively it balances the epic with the intimate. Emma D’Arcy continues to deliver a powerhouse performance as Rhaenyra, charting a complex evolution as she navigates the burdens of claim, loss, legitimacy, and power. Their work is layered, fierce, and often heartbreaking.

Matt Smith’s Daemon remains magnetic—charismatic, dangerous, and increasingly nuanced. Olivia Cooke’s Alicent brings quiet intensity and moral complexity to every scene. Supporting players shine as well, with strong contributions from the returning ensemble and notable new additions (James Norton’s Ormund Hightower stands out as a commanding, multifaceted presence on the Green side).

The writing gives characters sharper agency and more earned complications, allowing political maneuvering, personal betrayals, and the grinding realities of war (including institutional and human costs) to feel consequential rather than static

.Pacing is a clear improvement. Where earlier seasons sometimes lingered in preparation, Season 3 moves with purpose—major developments arrive, alliances shift, and the story advances meaningfully toward the larger Dance. There are still quieter, character-driven hours that dig into the psychological and logistical burdens of rule, and these moments of relative intimacy often rank among the season’s strongest. The show remembers that the most memorable Westerosi storytelling has always mixed dragonfire with human frailty, ambition, grief, and moral compromise. Themes of legitimacy, the price of power, the unpredictability of dragons as weapons, and the way war warps everyone involved land with greater clarity and force.

Production values remain top-tier: cinematography, score, costumes, and production design continue to make King’s Landing, Dragonstone, and the wider Seven Kingdoms feel lived-in and mythic. The season benefits from the groundwork of Seasons 1 and 2; earlier character work and political setup now pay off in satisfying (and frequently devastating) ways.

Season 3 is not without the franchise’s characteristic darkness and occasional messiness—this is still a story of civil war that makes monsters and fools of its participants—but it channels that bleakness productively. It is more action-packed, more emotionally resonant, and more confidently told than what came before.

For longtime fans of the world George R.R. Martin created and for anyone who stuck with the slower build of the earlier seasons, Season 3 rewards that investment handsomely. It is lavish, knotty, spectacular, and frequently gut-wrenching television that captures the tragic grandeur of the Dance of the Dragons. If the first two seasons were the fuse, this is the explosion—and it is well worth the wait.

Four stars out of five from me.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 Review

Starship bridge crew operating controls during warp speed travel

My regular readers will know how much I love Star Trek. And my favorite series is the Strange New Worlds one.

So, I was ecstatic to see that Season 4 is now available on Paramount+. Happy days. So far, the first three episodes have dropped.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 is a vibrant, inventive, and deeply satisfying return that captures the spirit of classic Trek while delivering bold genre swings, strong character work, and pure adventure. Premiering on Paramount+ on July 23, 2026, the 10-episode season (releasing weekly through a September 24 finale) picks up with Captain Christopher Pike and the USS Enterprise crew continuing their exploratory missions in the years before The Original Series. Showrunners Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers double down on the series’ episodic strengths—each outing offering a distinct tone and style—while deepening the ensemble and leaning into hope, ethics, friendship, and wonder. Early critical reception has been strong (including an initial perfect Rotten Tomatoes score that settled into Certified Fresh territory), with many calling it reinvigorated and among the show’s best work.

The season opens with “Valles Marineris,” a thrilling time-travel adventure that flings the Enterprise 65 million years into the past amid a stellar storm. What follows mixes dinosaurs (with impressive effects and practical elements), first-contact diplomacy with a warrior culture, moral dilemmas about interfering with history, and Pike confronting his own path and predetermined future. Anson Mount anchors it with quiet intensity and moral clarity, while guest star Saffron Burrows delivers a memorable counterpart. It’s ambitious, bittersweet, philosophically rich in classic Trek fashion (echoing themes from episodes like “The City on the Edge of Forever”), and a fun, high-concept kickoff that balances action, wonder, and character.

“The Griffin Incident,” shifts hard into psychological horror and body horror as Spock, La’an, and a returning young James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley) investigate a derelict Federation ship. It’s tense, visually striking, and unflinching, using the isolated setting and escalating hallucinations to probe the characters’ deepest fears and conflicts (including Spock’s dual nature and Kirk’s emerging sense of responsibility). Christina Chong, Ethan Peck, and Wesley shine in the high-stakes intensity, delivering one of the franchise’s more visceral standalone tales while advancing relationships. This is one of the best episodes of Star Trek every, right up there with Picard’s interactions with the Borg.

“Human Best Friend” provides welcome levity as a shore-leave comedy (with clear nods to TOS “Shore Leave” and hangover-style antics). The crew’s overworked bridge officers hit a pleasure planet whose atmosphere has intoxicating effects, leading to chaotic, character-revealing hijinks. It centers a delightful buddy dynamic between Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia) and Montgomery Scott (Martin Quinn), turning prior friction into mutual respect and growth, while giving Spock and Kirk further bonding moments. Silly by design yet grounded in friendship, teamwork, and the crew’s need to blow off steam, it’s pure Strange New Worlds charm.

What elevates Season 4 is the consistent excellence of the cast and the freedom to experiment. Mount’s Pike remains a standout—reflective, principled, and human—while Rebecca Romijn’s Number One, Peck’s Spock, Jess Bush’s Chapel, Celia Rose Gooding’s Uhura, Babs Olusanmokun’s M’Benga, and the rest of the ensemble get meaningful moments and pairings. Wesley’s Kirk continues to integrate naturally, and returning guests like Carol Kane’s Pelia add texture. The showrunners emphasize pure episodic storytelling without a single overarching “big bad,” allowing for cowboys, black holes, dinosaurs, haunted ships, comedy, and more (including a planned Jim Henson’s Creature Shop puppet episode). Production values remain high, the writing mixes sincerity with playful genre pastiche, and the hopeful, exploratory ethos feels reenergized.

It ranks among the more lively and memorable runs, giving every performer room to shine across adventure, horror, drama, and comedy. Minor notes about tonal shifts or underdeveloped threads in a highly episodic structure don’t overshadow the overall joy and quality.

As the penultimate season (with a shortened final Season 5 already ordered to bridge toward TOS), Season 4 feels like a celebration of what makes Strange New Worlds special: a crew worth spending time with, strange new worlds and ideas, ethical questions, and the enduring optimism of Starfleet. It’s peak modern Trek—entertaining, thoughtful, and endlessly rewatchable.

Five stars out of five from me.

Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy Review

Interior of a poultry farm with rows of white chickens and yellow feeders

I watched an interesting documentary yesterday. Beware, though; it might put you off your chicken for good.

Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy is an engaging, thought-provoking, and highly watchable Netflix documentary that smartly blends personal experiment, cultural insight, and industry investigation. Released in 2026 and directed by Liana Stewart (produced by Mindhouse), the film follows British comedian and BAFTA winner Mo Gilligan as he embarks on a bold 28-day challenge: eating nothing but fast-food fried chicken for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—84 meals in total—while traveling from South London to key spots across the United States. What begins as a playful, self-aware love letter to his favorite comfort food evolves into a compelling examination of the historical roots of fried chicken, the massive industrial forces behind its global popularity, and the real impacts on health, communities, the environment, and culture.

Gilligan is an inspired and charismatic host. His warmth, humor, and genuine curiosity make the material accessible and relatable rather than preachy. As a Black British comedian with a clear personal connection to chicken-shop culture, he brings authenticity and emotional honesty—openly sharing both his enthusiasm at the start and the physical and mental toll the experiment takes (weight gain, sluggishness, mood changes, and digestive issues). You can see him physically deteriorate on camera over the course of the show. This personal stake grounds the bigger themes and helps the film speak effectively to a broad audience, including younger viewers who might not otherwise seek out food-industry documentaries. It feels like a fresh, Gen-Z-friendly update to the Super Size Me formula, infused with Gilligan’s likable energy and comic timing.

The documentary covers substantial ground effectively. It traces fried chicken’s origins and cultural significance (including confronting racist stereotypes and examining marketing and appropriation), explores how modern industrial breeding prioritizes rapid growth over flavor and welfare, highlights the role of ultra-processed foods and additives, and looks at broader societal effects such as food deserts, targeted marketing in lower-income communities, labor conditions in processing, and environmental consequences of large-scale poultry farming. Journeys through places like Houston, New Orleans, Chicago, and Arkansas, along with conversations with experts, activists, and others, keep the pacing dynamic and the revelations impactful without overwhelming the narrative.

At roughly 96 minutes, the film is tightly assembled and slickly produced. It balances the gonzo personal experiment with travelogue elements and investigative threads, using Gilligan’s reactions and vulnerability to humanize statistics and systemic issues. It successfully sparks curiosity about food origins and encourages more informed choices without demanding absolute purity or lecturing viewers. Many will leave thinking differently about their next takeaway order while still appreciating the cultural joy and social role the food holds for many people. Overall, Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy succeeds as entertaining, enlightening viewing. Gilligan’s charm carries the personal story, the scope of the investigation is ambitious and relevant, and the result is a documentary that informs, challenges assumptions, and remains enjoyable throughout.

Four stars out of five from me. Not to be watched before dinner.

Kevin Hart Shines in 72 Hours Comedy

People dancing and celebrating at a rooftop party with city skyline and sunset in the background

Netflix recommended this film after the Kevin Hart. I was in the mood for a laugh so happy days!

72 Hours is a high-energy, laugh-out-loud ride that perfectly captures the chaos of generational culture clash while delivering pure escapist fun. Directed by Tim Story and led by Kevin Hart as Joe, a 40-year-old advertising executive whose career is on the ropes, the film starts with a brilliantly simple and relatable premise: Joe is accidentally added to a group chat of twenty-somethings planning a wild Miami bachelor party.

Seeing a golden opportunity to reconnect with youth culture (and save his job with a vodka campaign pitch), he impulsively joins the strangers for 72 hours of pure mayhem.What follows is a nonstop whirlwind of parties, misunderstandings, escalating stakes, and genuine heart.

Hart is in peak form—energetic, self-deprecating, and endlessly watchable as the older guy desperately trying to keep up with the younger crew. His physical comedy and rapid-fire delivery shine, especially in the escalating situations that force him way outside his comfort zone.

The younger cast, including Marcello Hernández, Mason Gooding, Kam Patterson, and Ben Marshall, bring fresh, sharp energy and excellent chemistry. Their interactions with Hart crackle with authentic generational friction that’s played for both big laughs and surprising warmth.

The Miami setting is vibrant and sun-soaked, full of colorful locations, yacht parties, nightlife, and the kind of larger-than-life set pieces that make this feel like a modern hangover-style adventure with its own distinct personality. The script (from writers including Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg) balances broad, raunchy comedy with moments of real insight about ambition, relationships, commitment, and what it means to stay relevant without losing yourself.

Supporting turns from Teyana Taylor and others ground the story emotionally, while cameos and side characters add extra layers of hilarity.Story keeps the pacing tight and the tone breezy. Even when the plot piles on complications (gangsters, mistaken identities, and wild party hijinks), it never loses the sense of fun or the central character journey. Joe’s arc feels earned—his desperate attempts to “get” Gen Z ultimately force him to confront his own life choices, and the payoff is both satisfying and genuinely funny.

At its best, 72 Hours is pure crowd-pleasing entertainment: loud, colorful, frequently hilarious, and surprisingly touching. It’s the kind of movie you watch with friends, quote afterward, and immediately want to rewatch for the best bits. Kevin Hart and the ensemble make the most of every chaotic second, delivering a feel-good comedy that understands both the absurdity of midlife panic and the joy of letting loose.

If you’re looking for a breezy, high-spirited Netflix comedy that celebrates the messiness of life across generations, this one delivers in spades. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to laugh, escape, and maybe reflect a little while having a great time. Four stars from me.