Recent Watch - Rental Family (2025)

Last night's watch was 'Rental Family' which I have been wanting to check out forever, and the movie lived up to every expectation I had, and then some. Brendan Fraser in interviews has called it a 'love letter to loneliness,' and honestly, no description fits better.

It's a tender, heart-warming film that explores the stories of some vastly different people in a grounded but really touching way, showing that isolation can come in many forms. I think the movie's biggest strength is in its simplicity; it doesn't ever become overly preachy, nor does it use profound, life-changing scenarios to get its message across. It mainly focuses on the issues of everyday people who crave, or sometimes practically need, someone to play a specific part in their lives, and for their own reasons choose to hire somebody to fill that specific role.

The movie presents its characters as real people without turning them into caricatures to be mocked, or reducing their loneliness or wanting for connection into a joke. Even with scenarios where many, especially western audiences, might wonder "why would someone do that?" it never resorts to ridicule; it doesn't judge the people who hire someone for the experience of companionship, friendship, or sexual intimacy, nor does it reduce the people who do that work into stereotypes.

Fraser's character Phillip is undeniably the heart of the film. It becomes clear early on that he is, above all else, a genuinely good guy who is not in an ideal place in life, but instead of playing with the usual bitterness and resentment formula, his isolation has made him more perceptive and empathetic towards the loneliness of others.

Which highlights the film's other huge strength: it turns the overused "hurt people, hurt people" trope on its head. Because while traumatic experiences do sometimes lead people down toxic paths, we also need stories that remind us that people with less than ideal backgrounds very often grow to be kind and protective, precisely because the absence of affection has made them acutely aware of its importance. Sometimes hurt people see the hurt in others better than anyone else.

We're not shown any lengthy flashbacks about Phillip's childhood, but we get enough info on how he grew up with an absent father and that his mother has passed, and the film trusts the audience to connect the dots as to what motivates him besides the initial need of being an actor out of work. Beyond the job, in the two main storylines Phillip's actions are primarily driven by the fact that he sees the loneliness in Mia and in Akira Emoto's character and, arguably, they see the loneliness in him, too. And that's what shapes both of those connections. 

In the end of the day, you don't need to fully understand someone's culture, background, or life choices to see the humanity in them, or to accept that yearning for the presence of a proud parent, or someone to play video games with, or someone to vent to, or any simple gesture or act of kindness is a deeply rooted human need. This is fundamentally the theme that the film sets to explore, and it does so brilliantly.

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Recent Watch - Send Help (2026)

Last night's 'it's 1am and I can't sleep' watch was 'Send Help', which I wanted to love but found just OK. It felt oddly restrained for a Raimi film, it had its funny moments and a few of his trademarks, but overall it didn't know where to lean. The movie clearly didn't set out to make any grand commentary on workplace sexism or social dynamics, though those themes are utilised quite well, and it never pretended to be elevated horror (not that I particularly like the artistic division the term creates), but I wish it had picked a lane between taking its plot points more seriously or, preferably, going fully unhinged, instead of remaining in a tame middle. Much like I wish Raimi had been given free rein to go full-on horror with 'Multiverse of Madness'.

I'm generally not a fan of the 'socially anxious/neurodivergent character played as an exaggerated caricature' trope, but it can work. There's a bit of 'Carrie' and a bit of 'Misery' in this, blended with some strong 'Triangle of Sadness' elements. Can't say I didn't enjoy it, but the way it ends also involves another trope I don't especially love either.

On the plus side, it's good seeing Sam Raimi return to his horror roots after way over a decade, and the casting was spot-on: Dylan O’Brien makes a very convincing insufferable tech-bro nepo baby, and Rachel McAdams is fantastic as Linda. I just wish the movie didn't hold back in certain aspects with her and had taken some even bolder steps to reach its full potential.

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ARC Read - The Marvel Creator Collection No. 1: "Back to the Savage Land" Barry Windsor-Smith at Marvel Vol. 1

In the world of comic books Barry Windsor-Smith is an artist with a long and significant legacy in the history the medium. Among his long line of work, he is known for redefining Conan The Barbarian in the 70s, and for his 'Weapon X' run, which provided a mature origin story for the X-Men's Wolverine, giving the character more complexity and nuance, and creating some of his most iconic moments that have since been translated to both animation and film.

He is one of the rare creators in the industry who often has complete artistic control over his work, from the writing to the pencils, inks, and colouring. His Jack Kirby influences are very clear, especially in his early work, but through the years his style has evolved and got an identity that is distinctively his own.

The Marvel Creator Collection No. 1 "Back to the Savage Land" Barry Windsor-Smith at Marvel Vol. 1 (the first of 3) collects some of his most popular, pre-Conan comics for Marvel, including Ka-Zar in Astonishing Tales, as well as some of his most prominent depictions of The Avengers, The Uncanny X-Men, Iron Man, and Doctor Strange. As the comics here are mostly silver age material, it's worth keeping in mind that both the writing and the themes are sometimes a product of their time. Some characters and storylines might come off as a little dated to someone who is more used to the modern comic book (or MCU) versions of some characters. Nevertheless, it's a great example of how the medium has grown, changed, and adapted through the decades. 

On the whole, this volume collects some great specimens of the history of some of Marvel's most well-known heroes. As this is Windsor-Smith's early work, it's interesting seeing how his artwork and overall style evolved and slowly broke away from Kirby's influence and took a form and identity of its own. Certainly a great read for any fan of classic Marvel, and of Barry Windsor-Smith's work specifically.

A big thank you to Fantagraphics Books for the advance review copy. This is a collection of classic Marvel Comics material, coming out on April 28, 2026.

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ARC Read - On the Set of Forrest Gump

'On the Set of Forrest Gump' revisits the now classic film through a primarily filmmaking lens, written by producer Steve Starkey and forwarded by Tom Hanks. From the journey of finding the right actors, to the discussion on how to adapt the book, and the changes that were intentionally made to give Forrest a different perspective, Starkey provides an extensive analysis on how the film began production, and how the end result came to be.

It was interesting seeing the logic behind the differences that exist between the movie and its source material, Winston Groom's 1986 novel by the same name, giving richer backstories to certain characters, following a less cynical approach, removing some of the more unconventionally fantastical elements, and telling an overall more heartwarming story.

It was also a pleasant surprise to see that the book did not fall into the trap that many behind-the-scenes memoirs fail to avoid by becoming too technical, and eventually too tedious. The writing is gripping, and the story is told from a very human and creative perspective. The inclusion of dozens of previously unreleased behind-the-scenes images, stills from the film and their corresponding snippets from the script, as well as the different trivia included, like the fact that Kurt Russell provided the voice of Elvis Presley for that famous (or infamous, depending on your feelings about it) scene of his brief encounter with Forrest, definitely add to the book's charm.

It goes without saying, but this is definitely a book for someone who has already watched 'Forrest Gump'. But at the same time, it should make for a compelling read for anyone invested in cinema history. No matter where you stand on the film's approach to sociopolitical themes, this is an interesting examination of the thought process, and the intent, that went behind the creation of the movie. Written in an unmistakeably earnest way, for what was undoubtedly a passion project that took the creativity, effort, and persistence of a lot of people to reach its final form.

The book adds an extra layer to the discussion surrounding 'Forrest Gump', and offers an in-depth exploration of the process of filmmaking. With thorough descriptions on how practical effects were used to shoot certain shots, and what visual effects made specific scenes possible, how certain scenes never made it into the film, and some solid examples of how artistic vision often clashes with budgeting and the viewpoints of studio executives. All in all, it is a book that as a movie lover I definitely enjoyed.

Big thanks to the University Press of Kentucky for the advance review copy.

The book is coming out on March 17, 2026. 

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ARC Read - The Tin Can Society

The Tin Can Society is a murder mystery with some Sci-fi and superhero elements, and also some pretty interesting twists to the plot that make it a genuinely intriguing read. It's an original story by Peter Warren, with gorgeous art by Francesco Mobili and colours by Chris Chuckry, that fit nicely with the overall theme.

The book begins with the violent murder of Johnny Moore, a tech mogul who has reached global fame through his groundbreaking inventions involving technology that powers innovative mobility aids for people with disabilities. The same technology also allowed him, despite his own disability, to moonlight as a superhero vigilante by the use of his Caliburn tech suit. His murder is what brings back together the group of his now estranged childhood friends, who are determined to get to the bottom of it and uncover who was responsible for killing him.

The mystery grabs you from the start, and I particularly liked the pacing, and how the book switches between flashback scenes, showing the main characters as kids, who were best buddies, accommodating their friend's disability without patronising him, shielding him from bullies, and sharing special moments that tightened their bonds, and current scenes of them as adults, who now barely trust each other, as what happened to cause them to drift apart is slowly revealed.

I also liked how Johnny is portrayed as a good, but flawed person with a complex personality. In fact, the same can be said for most main characters, their backgrounds, and their motivations, adding a very human and grounded tone that blends well with the otherwise futuristic elements of the book. The story wraps up nicely, without leaving any loose ends, and with a satisfying, and also rather touching conclusion. The way the mystery unravels also works well in keeping you invested up until the end. There is some graphic violence and gore, and some depictions of consensual sex, so it's not a book for younger readers, but it's definitely a worthy read for any adult fan of Sci-fi mysteries.

A big thank you to Image Comics for the advance review copy of the book. The Tin Can Society is coming out on February 11, 2026.

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Recent Watch - Snow Bear (2024)

"Snow Bear" caught my eye several months ago and, as it is now officially released for free on YouTube, I'm glad I finally got the chance to watch it after seeing all the praise and awards it has been gathering throughout the entire run of its limited film festival screenings. The film is an Independent passion project by Aaron Blaise, a former Walt Disney Animation Studios animator, who has contributed to films such as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas and Mulan. With a story by Aaron Blaise and Nick Burch, and music is by Mark Mancina and Marlon E. Espino.

It is an 11-minute short, that was entirely hand -drawn over the course of 3 years, and it certainly carries the essence of old-school 90s animation, hitting a nostalgic nerve the moment you glance at it. It's also a beautiful, tender story about a lonely polar bear who faces limitations when trying to form a connection with other animals of different species that live in his arctic habitat, so he creates a companion out of snow, finding little moments of happiness in pretending that he has someone who is exactly like him to be with.

The film is not only an impressive artistic feat, but also delvers a sincere, real-world message on environmental awareness, and the real danger several species face today due to the effects of climate change. At the same time, it's also a symbolic tale about loneliness, the innate urge to connect and belong, hope, and resilience. Staying true to its "you don't have to be alone" tagline, it ends in a heartwarming, optimistic note, that is very likely to make you shed a tear or two.

In an age of instant and mass-produced AI slop that tries to pass itself as art, but says nothing and means nothing, I'm really glad projects like this, with real heart and real effort poured into them, still exist.

A beautiful film in every single way.

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ARC Read - The History of Silent Hill

I love the Silent Hill series, especially the original Team Silent games. I consider the story and the dark themes it explores one of the best examples of supernatural horror, that goes beyond the gore and the jump scares. This book is clearly written by someone with deep passion for the series, it is well-researched, and I found that dividing it in sections, individually exploring each game, worked really well. I enjoyed reading it, I wanted to love it, but I did find some setbacks that prevented it from fully living up to my hopes for a deeper analysis of the mythology of Silent Hill.

First and foremost, this is a book written exclusively for someone who has played the games, remembers the lore, and is fully familiar with the events. I wouldn't recommend the book to anyone who is looking for an alternative way to experience the story, otherwise you will miss out on a lot of the nuance. My second nitpick would be the structure of the chapters. I feel that if the 'Plot' section came first with the characters, enemies, endings, and development sections following it, the flow of the book would be better, as the author references events and details that require you to have each game's story fresh in your mind to follow. Reading scattered info on a game's development and characters, and then reading the full plot, makes the overall experience feel a bit disjointed. Especially if it's been a few years since you played the games.

It is a detailed retelling of what took part in each game, but most of the time the book feels like talking to a friend who knows you are both on the same page talking about a specific subject you both enjoy, rather than a deeper analysis of the symbolism of each individual title. Not every detail is analysed, and not every term is explained, just mentioned. Furthermore, while I think the addition of screenshots from each game helped with the immersion of revisiting those settings, in many cases what the screenshot shows is totally irrelevant to what the text describes, showing different locations and characters next to a description of a totally different part of the plot, which feels a bit random.

Perhaps I was hoping for a different perspective, or something more complex than a recap of the events of each game. I did like how there was specific focus on certain characters, as I do agree with the author that the protagonists are not the only important figures in the grand plot of Silent Hill. The focus on Angela Orosco, for example, was spot-on. Angela is a character that doesn't get much screen time, but her story is one of the most impactful, dark, and memorable of the entire series. What draws her to Silent Hill isn't her guilt, but the unbearable burden of the monstrous things that were done to her that she carries with her, and that she cannot escape.

On the other hand, I really couldn't get behind the book's take on Lisa Garland. For me Lisa was always a tragic character, a young woman of 23, manipulated, abused, coerced into actions she didn't fully consent to by an older man in power who weaponised her addiction and withheld her drugs unless she did his bidding. There is a lot of complexity in her story, and on why Alessa treated her differently than all other figures trapped in Silent Hill. I feel that the book painting her as a junkie who selfishly helped Alessa just to get her next fix and assuming Alessa had no affection for Lisa, nor Lisa for Alessa, strips away that particular part of the plot from all its depth. That said, this is not something that I can hold against the book, as the kind of horror themes that Silent Hill explores are very open to interpretation, and each of us experienced the games differently. So this is not a flaw, it's just a perspective I disagree with. 

Admittedly, in most other cases the book approaches characters with a lot of empathy and understanding of their trauma, especially for both Alessa and Heather later in the Silent Hill 3 section. I think approaching the Silent Hill series in any capacity requires a certain level of sensitivity and understanding of very darks subjects, and props to the author here for the way the book handles this. 'The History of Silent Hill' may not be the definitive super-complex analysis of the mythology, symbolism, and psychology of those games, but it is certainly a solid revisiting to the town of Silent Hill, written by someone with an undeniable love for the franchise.

Thank you to Pen & Sword / White Owl for providing me with an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. 

The book is coming out January 30, 2026. 

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ARC Read - Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Pink Ranger

I belong to the generation of kids who, at some point growing up, caught the first series of 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers' on TV in all its campy glory. Back when it started as an adaptation of the Japanese 'Super Sentai' show, that also utilised a significant amount of footage from the original. Because of that, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for any material involving the OG team, and Kimberly and Trini in particular, them being the original two female rangers to appear on the show.

Reading "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Pink Ranger", which follows a grownup Kimberly, I can say that it certainly lived up to my nostalgic expectations. The book collects Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return #1-4, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Pink #1-6, "Re-Imagine" from the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 30th Anniversary Special, and a new short story.

I genuinely enjoyed all stories included in this volume, they all felt really true to the spirit of the show, but for me, the standout was "The Return", both because of the fact that it was co-written by Matt Hotson and the original Pink Ranger, Amy Jo Johnson herself, but especially for its mature tone and the way it approached the characters, and also for the touching way it pays tribute to Jason David Frank and Thuy Trang. It feels like a sincere love letter from Amy Jo Johnson to both the character she portrayed, and to her two co-stars who passed way too soon.

I like this version of Kimberly we see in the stories here. She feels like a slightly older, maturer, more experienced and no-nonsense evolution of the same character we watched back in the day. Where the book starts, we find her in her post-Rangers days, still a skilled fighter, and still eager to pop in and help where she's needed. Soon facing a situation that calls for her reaching out to Zordon and Alpha, which of course leads to her, once again, becoming the Pink Ranger. Revealing more than that would delve into spoiler territory, so I will just say that the way everything unravels feels organic, the story is gripping, with fast-paced action and stakes that are pretty high. Many old, familiar characters also make an appearance too, in a way that serves the plot nicely and works in bringing everything together. 

The art is simply beautiful. From Jenny Frison's gorgeous cover to the amazing illustrations of Nico Leon, the way fighting scenes are depicted and the unique use of pink undertones in the first story, highlighting Kimberly's signature colour in a very clever way, subtly hinting that we are reading a Power Rangers story, but this is still her book. Each story involves different artists, and naturally has a different stylistic approach, with each creator bringing something new to the table, but they all fit really nicely as a collection.

There's something a little bittersweet, but also rather cool, in meeting these characters again as a grownup reader, seeing how they have also grown up as well. The book is the collective work of some extremely talented artists and writers, and the stories included are done with lots of love and clear understanding of the humour, the campiness, the action, the friendships, and the heart that made the show work, channeling all those elements in a way that I believe will appeal to any fan.

A big thank you to BOOM! Studios for providing me with an advance review copy. The book is coming out  January 13, 2026.

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ARC Read - The UnChosen Volume 1: The Tower

I recently got the chance to read 'The UnChosen Volume 1: The Tower' that collects issues 1-4 of the miniseries drawn and written by David Márquez, whose art in the current Uncanny X-Men run I absolutely love.

At its core, it's a classic story about a girl discovering she has mysterious powers she cannot understand, who is taken to a special school so she can learn to control them. But even though this is hardly a new concept, the story takes a unique, interesting approach that breaks free of any tropes and creates a world and a mythology around how magic works in it that becomes very much its own thing.

The book starts by introducing Aida, finding herself amidst the aftermath of a massive explosion which she has seemingly somehow caused, shocked and confused, looking for her lost mother, as she is approached by two strangers with magical powers telling her they are here to help her. There's enough setup to get the reader invested without bombarding you with exposition. As the story unfolds, we get to discover things along with Aida, and start seeing the big picture through her eyes.

Aida as a protagonist is both likeable and believable. She justifiably doesn't know who to trust. She is assertive and determined, and despite being overwhelmed by everything that has happened to her, her heart is in the right place. She is written in a very human and realistic way, especially with how she reacts to the new supernatural things she is discovering, but also in the way she wants to find answers. She is not too eager to fully trust certain characters and she questions their motives as they hide information from her while she tries to make sense of it all. In many stories involving young characters there is an issue of making things too obvious, or too black and white, but this is certainly not the case here. We don't get too much background on the other characters, so we slowly get to know them, discovering their true aims and whether or not they are trustworthy, along with Aida.

The art is simply stunning, striking an organic balance between superhero comic aesthetics and modern-day fantasy elements. The action scenes are gorgeous and immersive, and the way magical powers are visualised is beautiful, and also very clever, especially in how certain spoken words are shown to hold power. Overall, 'The UnChosen' makes for a short but definitely fun read. It's a fresh take on the teen with special powers plot that can be enjoyed by young adult readers, but I'd honestly recommend it to any fan of the genre, regardless of age.

A big thank you to Image Comics for the advance review copy. The book is coming out on February 3, 2026. 

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32 Years of ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas'

 

32 years ago, Henry Selick's The Nightmare Before Christmas had its wide theatrical release. What began as a short poem with a few early character sketches by Tim Burton, was shaped by the contributions of many incredible artists into the cult classic we know. From Michael McDowell's initial draft to the final screenplay of Caroline Thompson (who also had concerns about the racist stereotype undertones of Oogie Boogie) that greatly expanded upon the original ideas, turned Jack’s curiosity into an existential search for meaning, and added emotional depth and complexity to the characters.

Sally wasn't part of Burton's original poem, existing only as a vague idea in sketch form. It's Thompson who created her entire arc, from her initially unrequited love to her desire for freedom and finding herself beyond what she was told she should be, serving as the heart of the film. The film’s characteristic gothic and whimsical aesthetic also owes its final form to the combined genius of visual consultant Rick Heinrichs, cinematographer Pete Kozachik, and art director Deane Taylor.

It took 3 years, over 200 meticulously crafted puppets, and an entire team of animators, puppet builders, and lighting designers to make TNBC what it is. Beyond the characters, the story, and the music, the film is also a prime example of the artistry of movie making and practical effects, and the magic of stop-motion animation.

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