Thursday, 16 October 2025

REVIEW: Good Boy (2025 Film) - Starring Indy

Review by Jon Donnis

Ben Leonberg's Good Boy might sound like a gimmick on paper. A horror film told almost entirely through the perspective of a dog could have easily collapsed under its own novelty. Instead, what Leonberg achieves in his feature debut is something quietly extraordinary, a supernatural story that's tense, affecting and completely unlike anything else released this year.

At a brisk one hour and thirteen minutes, the film wastes no time. We follow Indy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, and his owner Todd (Shane Jensen) as they leave behind city life for a decaying family home deep in the woods. From the moment Indy pads across the warped floorboards, the mood turns. The house creaks, shadows shift, and Indy seems to sense something we can't quite see. It's a clever use of perspective. The camera stays low, close to Indy, so we experience the story not from his literal point of view but from his constant presence. Every reaction, hesitation and movement becomes the emotional core of the film.


Leonberg shows remarkable restraint in never anthropomorphising Indy. There's no inner voice, no attempt to humanise him beyond what we can naturally read in his body language. The audience projects emotion onto him, which is part of what makes Good Boy so unsettling. His confusion and loyalty to Todd are heartbreaking, especially as Todd's health declines and the house's sinister presence begins to tighten its grip. By the time Todd's coughing worsens and he turns aggressive towards the dog he loves, the story starts to feel painfully real.

Indy's performance is astonishing. Whether credit lies with patient direction, sharp editing or pure animal intuition, it's hard not to be drawn to every twitch of his ears and flicker of his eyes. There's a tragic intelligence in the way he senses danger long before the humans do. It gives the film a slow, inevitable dread that builds until the final act.

Leonberg's direction is lean and inventive. The cinematography keeps to earthy tones and muted light, giving the house a sickly atmosphere. The score hums quietly beneath scenes rather than announcing scares, letting tension creep up instead of bursting out. There's a wonderful sequence where Indy explores the cellar and discovers the skeleton of the previous dog, Bandit. It's eerie and tender at once, more a moment of recognition than fright.


Still, Good Boy isn't flawless. Some viewers will inevitably find the concept too strange or even distancing. Without a human protagonist to anchor the emotional beats, parts of the story can feel slightly detached. The dialogue between Todd and his sister Vera (Arielle Friedman) occasionally tips into exposition, breaking the spell of realism that Leonberg otherwise maintains. And while the short runtime keeps things taut, a few scenes could have breathed a little more to deepen Todd's decline and the growing bond between him and Indy.

Those quibbles aside, Good Boy stands as one of the most original and haunting horror films of the year. It understands the power of simplicity and perspective. By trusting the audience to empathise with a dog rather than explain his feelings, Leonberg turns what might have been a novelty into a surprisingly profound meditation on loyalty and loss.

It's rare to see a debut this confident and this strange. Good Boy may be small in scale, but it lingers long after its closing shot. Indy proves that sometimes, seeing horror through the eyes of an animal reveals more about humanity than most films ever dare.

Rating: 9/10, A bold, moving, and genuinely unsettling original.


Wednesday, 15 October 2025

NEWS: Boston Kickout 30th Anniversary: Digital Release and One Night Only Screening

By Jon Donnis

Boston Kickout, Paul Hills' acclaimed coming-of-age drama, is back in a brand-new 4K restoration supervised by the director himself. To mark its 30th anniversary, the film will receive a special one night only screening and Q&A at London's Picturehouse Central on 20 October 2025.

Ticket info: http://bit.ly/3VcmTCo

The award-winning feature first made its world premiere in October 1995 and went on to earn international praise, winning numerous awards along the way. Three decades later, it returns looking better than ever, its new restoration capturing the grit and energy that defined the original release.

Boston Kickout stars John Simm, Marc Warren, Andrew Lincoln and Emer McCourt. All four went on to become major figures in British film and television, and their early performances here remain a fascinating glimpse at their talent in its raw form.

The film's soundtrack is a time capsule of the '90s, featuring The Stone Roses, Primal Scream and Oasis. It pulses through every scene, helping to drive the story's mix of rebellion, frustration and fleeting hope.

Set in the early '90s, it follows Phil, played by John Simm, whose family moved from the city to Stevenage in search of a better life. That dream quickly fades as he and his friends fall into a world of unemployment, violence and drugs. When his cousin Shona, played by Emer McCourt, arrives, Phil faces choices that could pull him out of the spiral or drag him further in.

Boston Kickout remains a powerful portrait of youth on the edge. Its 4K restoration and special screening will give audiences the chance to experience its raw emotion, striking performances and unforgettable soundtrack on the big screen once more.

Boston Kickout 30th Anniversary Release on digital 27 October, Limited Edition Box Set & Standard Edition out in November - Pre-Order at https://amzn.to/47nWaJU


Monday, 13 October 2025

REVIEW: The Smashing Machine (2025 film) - Starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt

The Smashing Machine

Review by Jon Donnis

Watching The Smashing Machine, I couldn't help but notice just how far Dwayne Johnson has come as an actor. He's not The Rock here, not really. He's Mark Kerr, stumbling through victories and failures with this raw honesty that hits harder than you expect. There's something in the way he carries himself, in the quiet moments after a loss or during a fight, that feels completely lived-in. Emily Blunt is brilliant too. Dawn could have been a flat, unsympathetic figure, but she's complicated, fragile and frustrating all at once, and Blunt captures that without ever overplaying it. Their relationship scenes are messy, uncomfortable, and somehow very real.


The film itself, well, it's a mixed bag. Safdie tries to cram so much into two hours that it never really breathes. One moment you're in the middle of Kerr's brutal fights, the next he's wrestling with personal demons or dealing with Japanese officials. Sometimes it feels like you're being handed pieces of a puzzle but never quite given the picture. The editing doesn't help either. It jumps around so much that I occasionally found myself trying to figure out what the film actually wanted me to feel.

And yet, there's something undeniably engaging about it. The fight scenes are tense, physically convincing, and full of small details that tell you a lot about Kerr's mindset without spelling it out. Moments with Bas Rutten and Mark Coleman are lively and often funny in unexpected ways, breaking up the intensity. Some quieter scenes, like Kerr arguing with Dawn or struggling in rehab, stick with you longer than you'd think. They feel messy in the best way, like life itself.


Where it falters is in perspective. If you don't know Mark Kerr, the stakes don't always land. The film tries to show the highs and lows, but it never really tells you why you should care beyond the fights. It's fascinating if you're already invested in MMA, but for a wider audience it can feel a bit thin.

Still, for anyone curious to see Dwayne Johnson actually acting instead of performing, there's plenty here to enjoy. And if you're a fan of MMA like me, there's a lot to take in. For a proper deep dive into Kerr's life, though, the 2002 documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr is still the definitive watch.


It's a film with flashes of brilliance and moments that really hit, but it never quite pulls it all together. I'd give The Smashing Machine a 7 out of 10.

In cinemas now, and coming to digital at https://apple.co/4mYa8qF

Friday, 10 October 2025

REVIEW: Harry Potter RealFX Junior Invisibility Cloak and Mystery Flying Snitch - Magic Made Real:

Review by Jon Donnis

Every generation of Harry Potter fans dreams of two things. Sneaking around Hogwarts under an Invisibility Cloak and catching the Golden Snitch at the final moment to win the Quidditch Cup. Thanks to the clever folk at WOW! Stuff, both of those fantasies have been brought to life in surprisingly impressive fashion.

Let's start with the Harry Potter RealFX Junior Invisibility Cloak. On first glance, it looks just like the one Harry unwraps from Dumbledore's Christmas parcel in the first film. The outside has that familiar silvery pattern we've seen countless times on screen, while the inside is a rich green that hides the tech magic behind it. The trick is simple but effective. Using the free app, the cloak's inner lining works like a portable green screen. You just slip it on, open your smartphone or tablet camera, and suddenly you're gone. Well, on screen at least.


It's easy enough for children to use, which makes it ideal for younger fans, though adults of smaller stature will probably give it a try too. The app includes backgrounds of classic locations like the Great Hall and Diagon Alley, so you can really look as if you've stepped straight into the films. It's the kind of toy that gets more entertaining the longer you play with it. You start with a simple disappearing act, then move on to directing entire scenes. The included stand helps to get the perfect shot, and before long, you'll be filling your phone with wizarding selfies and videos that would make even Fred and George jealous.


It's also, quietly, a neat introduction to how green screen effects work. It's educational without trying to be. And for under £35, it's one of those gifts that feels genuinely magical when you first see it in action. It's easy to imagine it being a big Christmas hit for families with young Potter fans.

Available on Amazon now at https://amzn.to/3KJurdZ


Now, the Mystery Flying Snitch is a different kind of magic. There's no screen involved here, just a bit of trickery worthy of any member of Dumbledore's Army. The Golden Snitch itself looks beautiful. Delicate wings that flutter, a gold sheen that catches the light, and the same slightly mischievous energy the prop had in the films.

The flight illusion uses invisible thread, the same kind of thing stage magicians use, and it really does work once you get the hang of it. Out of the box, it can be fiddly, but once you master the rhythm, the Snitch seems to hover and dart around you as if powered by pure magic. It's oddly satisfying watching it spin between your hands, especially when someone walks in and can't quite work out how you're doing it.


It's the sort of toy that rewards patience and imagination. Younger children might need a bit of guidance, but older kids, and anyone with a flair for showmanship, will love perfecting the illusion. When not in flight, it sits neatly on the display stand, complete with a Quidditch at Hogwarts collector's poster, which adds a nice finishing touch.

Put simply, both products manage to capture a bit of the joy that made the Harry Potter series so enduring. The Invisibility Cloak brings the visual wonder, the Snitch adds a touch of performance magic, and together they make brilliant gifts. Whether for a birthday or under the Christmas tree, these are presents that feel properly enchanted.

Available on Amazon now at https://amzn.to/3KLDTgQ


Part of the WOW! Stuff range in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, both the RealFX Invisibility Cloak and the Mystery Flying Snitch deliver what fans really want. A little piece of the Wizarding World, right there in your living room.

Thank you to WOW! Stuff for providing the toys for review.

Also make sure to check out our new Toys review site at www.playwithtoys.co.uk

PREVIEW: BELÉN (2025 Film) A Powerful Drama Arrives on Prime Video This November

Preview By Jon Donnis

Prime Video has announced that the acclaimed Argentinian drama BELÉN will open in select UK cinemas on 7 November, ahead of its exclusive streaming release on 14 November. The film, already gathering international attention, was chosen as Argentina's official submission for the 98th Academy Awards in the International Feature Film category, as well as for the Goya Awards' Best Ibero-American Film. It will be available to watch in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Set in Tucumán, Argentina, Belén tells the story of Julieta, a young woman accused of infanticide, and Soledad Deza, the fearless lawyer who takes on her case despite the personal and professional risks. What begins as a courtroom drama soon becomes a wider examination of justice, gender, and power. As the trial unfolds, Julieta's case ignites public outrage and sparks a movement that transcends borders, challenging a deeply conservative system and those complicit in its silence.

The film is directed by and stars Dolores Fonzi, known for Blondi, and is produced by K&S Films, the team behind the Oscar-nominated Wild Tales. Fonzi also co-wrote the screenplay with Laura Paredes, drawing inspiration from Ana Correa's book Somos Belén. The cast features Camila Plaate (Motoarrebatador), Laura Paredes (Argentina, 1985), Julieta Cardinali (Maradona: Sueño Bendito), and Sergio Prina (Motoarrebatador), with special appearances from Luis Machín (Cromañón) and César Troncoso (El Eternauta).

BELÉN is more than a legal drama. It's a raw, emotional story about courage, solidarity, and the fight for bodily autonomy. With its striking performances and sharp social commentary, the film offers both an intimate human portrait and a powerful indictment of systemic injustice.

Produced by Leticia Cristi and Matias Mosteirin, with Diego Copello as executive producer, BELÉN stands as one of the year's most vital and talked-about international releases. It's a film that demands to be seen, discussed, and remembered.

Save this page to watch on release date - https://amzn.to/4q3LDLb