Balls Up (2026) Film reviews by James Rodrigues, focused on the latest releases, and the gems deserving of more attention.

I could use any number of sentences to describe BALLS UP, but, frankly, the film is just bollocks.
Available now on Prime Video
www.thereviewingrodders.co.uk/2026/04/ball...

Overlook Film Festival: Buffet Infinity (2026) Film reviews by James Rodrigues, focused on the latest releases, and the gems deserving of more attention.

Previously played at @overlookfilmfest.bsky.social, BUFFET INFINITY is a one-of-a-kind work that crafts an unsettling tale through channel changing antics.
www.thereviewingrodders.co.uk/2026/04/over...

The Last Blossom (2026) Film reviews by James Rodrigues, focused on the latest releases, and the gems deserving of more attention.

THE LAST BLOSSOM is a heartfelt story about a Yakuza member reflecting upon happiness through life's quieter moments.
Available in UK Cinemas now
www.thereviewingrodders.co.uk/2026/04/the-...

The poster for Shrinking, an Apple TV show, which depicts Jason Segal and Harrison Ford sitting on benches.

The poster for Rooster, a HBO show, which shows Steve Carell walking through a college campus in a disheveled state.

The poster for the Scrubs revival, a show on ABC and Hulu, which shows returning cast Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and Sarah Chalke.

Between Shrinking, Rooster, and the Scrubs revival, I love that Bill Lawrence shows are on the rise again. Even if he isn't showrunning, the mixture of laughs and sadness still hits me as it did in my teenage years.

Available in UK cinemas now, THE DRAMA is a darkly comedic work about truly knowing those we love.
www.thereviewingrodders.co.uk/2026/04/the-...

It's #LetterboxdFriday so here are my #LastFourWatched.
🎵One of these things is not like the others🎵

Happy Birthday to you.

‘Dead Man’s Wire’ Review Stars: Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery, Cary Elwes, Myha’la, Colman Domingo, Al Pacino | Written by Austin Kolodney | Directed by Gus Van Sant How far would you go to right an injustice against you? That is a sentence often reserved for a revenge action film, but it appropriately describes Gus Van Sant’s first feature since […]

‘Dead Man’s Wire’ Review

Mercy (2026) - 1 star Geometry (1987) - 3 stars Back to School (1986) - 3.5 stars Stitches (2012) - 3 stars

It's #LetterboxdFriday so here are my #LastFourWatched. It was a solid run rounded off by utter shite.

Frightfest Glasgow 2026: ‘Deathkeeper’ Review Stars: Charles Cottier, George Pullar, Isabella Procida, Shuang Hu, Peter Thurnwald, Matthew Caffoe, Rebecca Barr | Written by Tristan Barr, Sandra Sciberras, Caleb Sciberras Scott | Directed by Tristan Barr Based on the novella series by Vasilios Bouzas, Deathkeeper is the latest feature from director Tristan Barr (2022’s Subject). The story follows the reclusive Luke […]

Frightfest Glasgow 2026: ‘Deathkeeper’ Review

Dead Man's Wire (2026) Film reviews by James Rodrigues, focused on the latest releases, and the gems deserving of more attention.

Available in UK cinemas now, DEAD MAN'S WIRE is a compelling crime thriller which never forgets about the human side.
www.thereviewingrodders.co.uk/2026/03/dead...

FrightFest Glasgow: Deathkeeper (2026) Film reviews by James Rodrigues, focused on the latest releases, and the gems deserving of more attention.

The last of my @frightfest.bsky.social Glasgow reviews is live, and this one is for Fantasy flick DEATHKEEPER. Heavenly stuff, or a demonic watch? Read my review to find out.
www.thereviewingrodders.co.uk/2026/03/frig...

FrightFest Glasgow: Jailbroken (2026) Film reviews by James Rodrigues, focused on the latest releases, and the gems deserving of more attention.

Previously played at @frightfest.bsky.social Glasgow is JAILBROKEN, a gripping thriller set entirely within a single prison cell.
www.thereviewingrodders.co.uk/2026/03/frig...

Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025) Film reviews by James Rodrigues, focused on the latest releases, and the gems deserving of more attention.

It may be March, but there's always time for a fun slice of Christmas horror. SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT offers a riotous slay ride that paints the snow red.
Available on Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital Download now.
www.thereviewingrodders.co.uk/2026/03/sile...

‘Rental Family’ Blu-ray Review Stars: Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Mahina Gorman, Akira Emoto | Written by Hikari, Stephen Blahut | Directed by Hikari Following her work on acclaimed TV shows such as Tokyo Vice and Beef, Hikari makes her English-language feature debut with Rental Family, a gentle tale about finding where you belong despite the unfamiliar […]

‘Rental Family’ Blu-ray Review

My Favourite Films of 2025 Film reviews by James Rodrigues, focused on the latest releases, and the gems deserving of more attention.

Now that life has stopped getting in my way, I've managed to write up my favourite films of 2025.
Feel free to read it, and be sure to tell me how wrong my choices are.
www.thereviewingrodders.co.uk/2026/03/my-f...

Scrooge, but wearing a hockey mask cos it's friday the 13th.

"You boy, what day is this??"

‘V/H/S/Halloween’ Blu-ray Review Stars: David Haydn, Samantha Cochran, Natalia Montgomery Fernandez, Elena Musser, Teo Planell, María Romanillos, Lawson Greyson, Riley Nottingham, Jenna Hogan, Jake Ellsworth, Michael J. Sielaff, Stephen Gurewitz, Carl William Garrison, Jeff Harms, Noah Diamond | Directed by Bryan M. Ferguson, Anna Zlokovic, Paco Plaza, Casper Kelly, Alex Ross Perry, Micheline Pitt-Norman, R.H. Norman Ever since […]

‘V/H/S/Halloween’ Blu-ray Review

‘Hostages’ VOD Review Stars: Charlotte Ritchie, Tanya Moodie, Nicholas Asbury, Raj Ghatak, Luke McQueen, Nick Helm | Written and Directed by Jim Owen For his feature debut, writer/director Jim Owen opens Hostages with a sight that will be familiar to viewers: people constantly on their phones. Included among them is Charlie (Charlotte Ritchie), an influencer whose content consists […]

‘Hostages’ VOD Review

Frightfest Glasgow 2026: ‘The Convenience Store’ Review Stars: Kotona Minami, Terunosuke Takezai, Tetta Seki, Shunsuke Tanaka, Takeo Gozu, Atsuko Sakurai | Written by Yoshimasa Akamatsu | Directed by Jirô Nagae There is something eerie to being in a store at a late hour, where the usual hustle and bustle of people searching for their desired items is replaced with empty aisles and […]

Frightfest Glasgow 2026: ‘The Convenience Store’ Review

FrightFest Glasgow: The Convenience Store (2026) Film reviews by James Rodrigues, focused on the latest releases, and the gems deserving of more attention.

I'm getting around to my @frightfest.bsky.social Glasgow coverage. Let's start with video game adaptation THE CONVENIENCE STORE.
www.thereviewingrodders.co.uk/2026/03/frig...

V/H/S/Halloween (2025) Film reviews by James Rodrigues, focused on the latest releases, and the gems deserving of more attention.

V/H/S/HALLOWEEN is a high-point for the series, ready to leave you unsettled, laughing, and marvelling at the penis shaped chocolate.
Available on Blu-Ray, DVD, to rent, and to stream on Shudder.
www.thereviewingrodders.co.uk/2026/03/vhsh...

Hostages (2025) Film reviews by James Rodrigues, focused on the latest releases, and the gems deserving of more attention.

Available on Digital Download, HOSTAGES approaches the 24-hour news cycle with hopes of offering a fresh take. The execution says otherwise.
www.thereviewingrodders.co.uk/2026/03/host...

‘The Secret Agent’ Review Stars: Wagner Moura, Carlos Francisco, Tânia Maria, Robério Diógenes, Roney Villela, Gabriel Leone, Alice Carvalho, Hermila Guedes, Isabél Zuaa, Maria Fernanda Cândido, Thomás Aquino, Udo Kier | Written and Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho Brazil, 1977. On-screen text describes this as “a time of great mischief” before opening with Armando (Wagner Moura) arriving at a […]

‘The Secret Agent’ Review

FrightFest: Noseeums (2025) Film reviews by James Rodrigues, focused on the latest releases, and the gems deserving of more attention.

NOSEEUMS is available on Digital and On-Demand from 27th February. My review of this film with interesting ideas is available to read.
www.thereviewingrodders.co.uk/2025/08/frig...

Available now is this absolute banger of a film. Check it out.

The Secret Agent (2025) Film reviews by James Rodrigues, focused on the latest releases, and the gems deserving of more attention.

THE SECRET AGENT is a compelling concoction of thrills, heartbreak, and genre detours amidst a politically charged work.
Available in UK Cinemas now
www.thereviewingrodders.co.uk/2026/02/the-...

Crime 101 (2026) Film reviews by James Rodrigues, focused on the latest releases, and the gems deserving of more attention.

CRIME 101 may not break the mould for crime thrillers, yet it is an engrossing watch that rises above its undynamic title.
Available in cinemas now
www.thereviewingrodders.co.uk/2026/02/crim...

I tried Dragonfruit tonight.

For something with the name of a mythical fire-breathing creature, I think it tasted really bland. A more appropriate name would have been Nigelfruit.

Looney Tunes: The Day The Earth Blew Up (2025) Film reviews by James Rodrigues, focused on the latest releases, and the gems deserving of more attention.

LOONEY TUNES: THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP is a playful take on an alien invasion with a great sense of humour.
Available in UK cinemas now.
www.thereviewingrodders.co.uk/2026/02/loon...