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Articles by JOHNSON THOMAS
‘Whalefall’: Believe it or not
Swimming against the tide and swallowing our disbelief whole, ‘Whalefall’ hopes to thrill with an incredibly far-fetched story that follows a scuba diver who, while looking for his father’s remains, gets swallowed by an 80-foot, 60-tonne sperm whale and tries to escape, with just one hour before his oxygen runs out. Is this by any chance probable? Well, director Brian Duffield makes a try and manages to keep it halfway believable. ‘Whalefall’ is based on the 2023 novel of the same name.
Social media reckoning, kind of
This sequel to David Fincher’s 2010 film ‘The Social Network’ has a script written by Aaron Sorkin once again, but this time he also directs the film. The story centres around the complex relationship between a whistleblower and a journalist, who are unwittingly placed in a cauldron where the perils of social media play out.
‘Digger’: In Cruise control
Alejandro G Inarritu, the director of cinematic gems such as ‘Amores Perros’ (2000), ‘21 Grams’ (2003), ‘Babel’ (2006), ‘Birdman’ (2014) and ‘The Revenant’ (2015), has finally come up with yet another English language feature winner. And it is likely to be both divisive and devastating to the audience. This latest venture, after an 11-year hiatus, is a bitingly witty, big-budget contemporary socio-political dramedy that floors you with its hard-hitting barbs on the politics of today.
‘Heart of the Beast’: Two stars, pitted against the odds
Brad Pitt, for long plagued with family issues, has emerged from his self-induced hibernation to star in this stirring, tear-inducing survival drama that could put him back in contention. Pitt’s performance, though gritty and realistic, pales in comparison to that of Uber, his canine co-star and the film’s real hero, whichever way you look at it. In this film, Uber is the one who will command your adulation and accolades.
The Digital Student: A Review of Social Media's Role in Learning and Personal Development
Abstract The rapid growth of social media has changed the way students learn, communicate and develop their personal and social identities. Platforms such as WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and X are no longer used only for social interaction. They are also used for sharing learning materials, discussing academic topics, working with peers, developing digital skills and maintaining professional networks.
‘Resident Evil’: Reviving a fatigued franchise
The sleeper hit ‘Weapons’ made director Zach Cregger a hot property in Hollywood circles, but picking ‘Resident Evil’ as his subsequent major directorial effort did not seem like a wise move. Cregger, however, soldiered on and managed to rejuvenate a much-fatigued franchise with his own unique style and class.
‘Fall 2: Deadpoint’: Survival thriller lacking in suspense
‘Fall’ had two thrill-seekers — Shiloh Hunter (Virginia Gardner) and Becky Connor (Grace Caroline Currey) — climb to the top of a 2,000-foot-high rusted TV/radio tower. The ladder breaks and the two find themselves in a precarious position, trapped thousands of feet above the ground. The film did have a vertiginous payload and since it was something different from the run-of-the-mill in 2022, it had a fairly decent run in the theatres and a better one in streaming.
‘The Magic Faraway Tree’: Blyton’s wonders
Enid Blyton’s book series gets the screen treatment and it’s a wonder-filled adaptation, if a little overly cute and long-drawn. The adaptation reveals themes relevant to the present times, features quirky characters, and has a fantasy element made more vivid by colourful visuals. Ben Gregor’s adaptation has children trying to save their father’s tomato farm.
‘One Night Only’: Romcom that works
It’s been a long while since we’ve been gifted with a romcom that actually works. Most romcom premises are based on fantasy and this one is no different. But the salient feature here is that it works despite having to suspend your disbelief. Imagine a scenario where the government outlaws pre-marital sex in the US, except for one night in a year where singles are legally allowed to fornicate.
TROYBOI UNVEILS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED “FT” EP FEATURING MORRAY, DAYA, DREW LOVE, & MORE
TROYBOI UNVEILS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED “FT” EP FEATURING MORRAY, DAYA, DREW LOVE, & MORE *UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL AUGUST 21 – TroyBoi has officially released his brand-new “FT” EP via Ultra Records, now available on all major streaming platforms. Built entirely around the power of cross-genre collaboration, the project serves as a masterclass in versatility, placing TroyBoi’s unmistakable production at the center of seven tracks featuring an eclectic roster of vocalists.
‘Tony’: Portrait of Anthony Bourdain as a young man
Anthony Bourdain, best-selling author of ‘Kitchen Confidential’ and the celebrated host of ‘Parts Unknown’, may have died a tragic and controversial death at the age of 61 in June 2018, but the life he led until that point, though troubled, had lessons for us all. He became a celebrity exposing the seedy underbelly of the restaurant industry and dining with President Obama in Vietnam.
‘The End of Oak Street’: Forget logic, and dino story soars
Horror film specialist David Robert Mitchell’s sci-fi survival thriller ‘The End of Oak Street’ is a fairly fun entertainer if you can overlook the plotting bloopers scattered around the narrative. Better known for the 2014 cult horror hit ‘It Follows’, Mitchell makes a meal of this Spielbergian JJ Abrams-produced dinosaur thriller, despite it being diametrically different from his genre expertise. Set in 1982, the film begins in an idyllic setting in the town of Flowervale.
‘ChaO’: Classic fairy tale with anime spin
This Japanese animated rom-com fantasy is an ecological fable about a mermaid princess and her love for a human. The film straddles comedy and drama in equal measure. The screenplay by Saku Konohana and Hanasaki Kino is ambitious enough to explore interspecies relationships, capitalism’s impact on environment, and romance engineered by destiny. Set in a futuristic world, Shanghai to be precise, the narrative focuses on Stephan, an engineer who works for a ship-building tycoon.
Brand new day, Spider-Man all the way
Marvel Cinematic Universe’s brand new sequel is a tough one for Spider-Man and therein lies its entertainment value. This film is a fun-filled, adrenaline-fuelled, stuffed to the brim, roller-coaster ride. Spider-Man has consistently delivered high-quality thrills and this one is no different. It may not have a brand new story but it is designed to keep you engaged and enthused throughout. It’s also a set-up for what is to come in the future.
Anuparna Roy Returns to Venice with Second Consecutive Feature in Orizzonti Competition
After Historic Best Director Win, Anuparna Roy Makes Rare Return to Venice with Second Consecutive Feature in Orizzonti Competition ~Set in Mumbai, her second feature Lovers In The Blue Night is the only Indian film to compete in the Orizzonti section of 83rd Venice International Film Festival~ ~Lovers In The Blue Night is produced by the four producers Vikas Kumar, Sharib Khan, Bibhanshu Rai and Romil Modi, who also backed Anuparna’s debut feature Songs Of Forgotten Trees~ Mumbai, July 23,...
Venice International Film Critics Week #SettimanaDellaCriticaVenezia
41. Settimana Internazionale della Critica September 2–12 Venice, Italy Imagining the future. Resisting the present.
‘72 Hours’: An unoriginal, unfunny hangover
This film starring Kevin Hart, with several Saturday Night Live alums for company, has a premise like ‘The Hangover’ but fails to tickle the funny bone. Directed by Tim Story, with the screenplay by Jon Hurwitz, Kevin Burrows, Hayden Schlossberg and Matt Miderand, this unoriginal retread is disappointingly unfunny and becomes more and more exasperating as the agony prolongs. What happens when a 40-something man goes partying with a 20-something foursome of friends?
The Odyssey, Picks And Piques, Hollywood Film Review, Johnson Thomas
Hollywood Film Review Johnson Thomas Film: The Odyssey Cast: Anne Hathaway, Benny Safdie, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, Matt Damon, Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, Zendaya Writer/Director: Christopher Nolan Rating: * * * * Runtime: 173 mins | 2026 | Christopher Nolan’s most ambitious, eagerly anticipated, most controversial $250 million epic ‘The Odyssey’ shot entirely with Imax cameras is the very first Hollywood film to have a Grand India Premiere a week before it’s theatrical release.
Paris Hilton, Serena Williams, Elon Musk, Gweneth Paltrow among Celebrities Ranked by their Biggest Digital Asset Holdings
Bitcoin is down 52%, yet Donald Trump reported earning $1.2 billion from crypto last year, and plenty of other celebrities are still holding onto their coins, too. A new July 2026 report by Coin Insider reveals which public figures are most invested in crypto right now. The tech billionaire behind Twitter and Block, Jack Dorsey, has $2 billion in Bitcoin, exactly half of his net worth.
‘Evil Dead: Burn’: Overdose of blood and violence
‘Evil Dead: Burn’ is an unapologetic bloody carnage. The film remains committed throughout to making you squirm in your seats with its extravagant gruesome spiel. This sixth instalment in the franchise, helmed by director Sébastien Vanicek and co-scripted by Vanicek and Florent Bernard, is replete with stomach-churning thrills. The narrative overdoses on blood and violence.
Robin Hood effort in futility
A revisionist spin on the oft-repeated legend of Robin Hood, this film is dark and grim and might find it hard to achieve enlightenment at the box office. We’ve seen Robin Hood as embodied by Errol Flynn, Sean Connery, Kevin Costner, Cary Elwes, etc. And they all were decades younger and swashbuckling heroes to boot. This one is a rather radical version. Here, the hero is an all-out anti-hero. This Robin Hood is not the romantic hero of the folk legend who stole from the rich and gave to the poor.
The Furious, International Film Review, Picks And Piques, Johnson Thomas
International Film Review Johnson Thomas Thanks for reading Johnson's Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Set-piece heavy false positive Actioner Film: The Furious (2025) Cast: Xie Miao, Joe Taslim, Yang Enyou, Jeeja Yanin, Brian Le, Joey Iwanaga, Yayan Ruhian.
Supergirl’s bumpy, uneven flight
Craig Gillespie’s interplanetary caped-crusader action saga has Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl (Milly Alcock), reluctantly joining forces with an unlikely companion on an interstellar journey of vengeance and justice. Gillespie’s attempt to revive Superman’s cousin as a viable canonical hero is rather lacklustre and messy to boot. Milly Alcock tries her best to raise the stakes here with a sharp-edged performance, but the end result is more tedious than entertaining.
COMICON BERGAMO 2026 :DRAGON QUEST CREATOR YUJI HORII AND ACTRESS CHARLOTTE HOEPFFNER TO BE MAIN CELEBRITY ATTRACTIONS
COMICON BERGAMO 2026 WELCOMES DRAGON QUEST CREATOR YUJI HORII AND CLAIR OBSCUR: EXPEDITION 33 ACTRESS CHARLOTTE HOEPFFNER The fourth edition of COMICON Bergamo returns from June 26 to 28, with major international guests from video games, comics, animation, cinema, TV series, games, music and pop culture Thanks for reading Johnson's Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Toy story you’d better not miss
This fifth iteration of Pixar’s super successful franchise about the secret lives of toys hits the sweet spot in terms of contemporary child-friendly messaging. In this film, it’s Jessie (Joan Cusack) the cowgirl’s job, with help from Buzz and Woody, to convince Bonnie (voiced by Scarlett Spears) and her neighbourhood twins that their tablets are a threat to their collective playtime. Together, they impart a sweet lesson about physical play being more rewarding than screen time.
Obsession (2026), Hollywood Film Review, Picks And Piques, Johnson Thomas
Jun 11 Thanks for reading Johnson's Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Hollywood Film Review Johnson Thomas Dark, Twisted and Disturbing Indie horror Film: Obsession Cast: Michael Johnston, Indie Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless Director: Curry Barker Rating: * * * Runtime: 109 m Curry Barker’s ‘Obsession’ is a tricky scary movie that is likely to put you off relationships for good.
Backrooms, Picks And Piques, Hollywood Film Review, Johnson Thomas
Hollywood Film Review Johnson Thomas Film: Backrooms Plagues the mind Cast: Renate Reinsve as Mary, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Clark, Mark Duplass as Phil, Finn Bennett as Bobby, Lukita Maxwell as Kat, Avan Jogia as Naren Warne Director: Kane Parsons Writer: Will Soodik, Kane Parsons Rating: * * * Runtime: 110 m Nineteen-year-old, Kane Parsons, creator of the viral web series of the same name, hits gold with this unusual horror story with the strangest of inclinations.
‘Disclosure Day’: Jewel in Spielberg’s crown
Steven Spielberg’s latest is a breathtakingly dramatic sci-fi conspiracy thriller. The script by Daid Koepp is a thematically complex amalgamation of ‘AI’, ‘Close Encounters’, ‘ET’, ‘Signs’, ‘Schindler’s List’ and many other alien mysteries. This combined formulation showcases the maestro at his very best. It’s 25 years since Spielberg made ‘AI: Artificial Intelligence’ and we are witness to that prophecy partially coming true in our daily lives today.
‘He-Man and the Masters of the Universe’: Creative reboot
This reboot of the cult classic ‘Masters of the Universe’ (starring Dolph Lundgren), which hit the screens 40 years ago, plays safe and retreads a similar path to glory. It delivers exciting entertainment and is more than likely to rake in the moolah world over. Though lover boy Nicholas Galitzine is no Dolph Lundgren, he has managed to create a place for himself in the superhero pantheon by playing the eponymous role with enthusiasm and sincerity, while also buffing himself up.
‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’: Similar tropes on IMAX scale
This form-breaking franchise, which has captivated generations with its otherworldly allure, presents a new instalment that is distinct and self-contained, yet compelling, under the direction of Jon Favreau. The Star Wars saga has seen 11 cinematic releases, comprising three trilogies, as well as ‘Rogue One’ and ‘Solo’. There have also been numerous animated productions and several TV series have been released on Disney+.
‘Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft’: Dazzling, but not quite
This 3D concert film, documenting the Manchester show of Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft tour, co-directed by Eilish and James Cameron and filmed last year, is an exciting experience. At the age of 24, Eilish is a pop star with a distinct and unique pedigree. She is famous, yes, but for one so young, she has already won numerous Grammys, scored several number one hits, and even bagged the Oscar for a Bond theme song.
Whodunit? Sheep play detectives
This live-action animation film about a flock of sheep trying to solve their shepherd’s murder takes us on a wild enchanting ride, making the improbable look probable and endearing. The film obviously appears to be referencing ‘Babe’ (1995), the Chris Noonan-directed multiple Oscar nominee that had us all wanting to own a piglet as a pet. This is Kyle Balda’s (‘Despicable Me 3’, ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’) first live-action feature meshing creature-feature with a whodunit.
‘Swapped’: A body swap, and foes turn friends
This smartly inventive animated comedy, directed by Nathan Greno and produced by Skydance Animation (the David Ellison-led studio), takes us on a magical journey through the animal kingdom where chaos and conflict reign because of a body-swap experience between a tiny woodland creature and a majestic bird. The fact that it’s similarly themed to Pixar’s much superior ‘Hoppers’ may be a downer, but there’s no doubting its innate charm.
MJ as he was, for most part
Antoine Fuqua’s biopic about the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, tells the story of the musician’s rise to fame from living in Gary, Indiana, with his ambitious father Joseph (Colman Domingo) and caring mother Katherine (Nia Long), formation of the Jackson Five in the mid-Sixties, and Michael’s eventual branching out into solo superstardom with ‘Thriller’. We see a young Michael (Juliano Valdi), along with his four brothers, being whipped into shape by their dad.
Mummy, no! - The Tribune
After the resounding success of his sophomore project ‘Evil Dead Rise’, Lee Cronin, backed by the hit team of Jason Blum and James Wan, attempts a sort of horror recast of ‘The Mummy’, set in Egypt, without the original actors, to lend it validity. The story itself is way different from the original but the mythology concerning the mummy, the paranormal accompaniments and horror symbolism appear to be similar. But this is no adventure; it’s just disgustingly puerile stuff.
‘Ready or Not 2: Here I Come’: Overdone sequel
This live game show action-horror follow-up picks up from where the 2019 feature let off. It’s also billed as a comedy but the excessive blood-letting and repulsive body pulverising action on display here is certainly not amusing. The “most dangerous game” played with wealthy, eccentric, power hungry families participating isn’t exactly original either.
‘Project Hail Mary’: Survivalist triumph
The stars are dying and the sun is disintegrating. Humanity may not survive another 30 years; we must learn to share the dwindling resources on planet earth. Apparently, solar parasite Astrophage, an alien microorganism, is feeding off the energy of stars. Based on Andy Weir’s second novel, a primary school teacher plays a reluctant saviour in this survivalist dramedy that’s funny, heartwarming and furiously entertaining.
Louis Theroux — Inside the Manosphere: World of toxic influencers
Louis Sebastian Theroux, a British journalist, documentarian, broadcaster, author and recipient of several British Academy Television Awards and a Royal Television Society Award, is known for documenting unusual and taboo subcultures, crime, justice system and celebrities. In his latest documentary, ‘Inside the Manosphere’, he turns his incisive lens on influencers. Mind you, these influencers are not of the harmless variety.
‘Iron Lung’: Losing the premise
‘Iron Lung’, an independent cosmic horror video game adaptation, marks the feature film debut of famous scary-games short-video YouTuber Markiplier (Mark Fischbach). He is the main lead and also performs a multiplicity of roles behind the scenes, including that of writer, director, co-producer and editor. The film is based on David Szymanski’s video game of the same name.
‘The Bride!’: Fascinating yet forgettable
Coming closely on the heels of Guillermo del Toro’s dream version of ‘Frankenstein’, the first to ever be nominated for Best Picture Oscar, writer-director Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Bride of Frankenstein story has a lot going for it, just as there’s a lot undermining it. ‘The Bride!’ is a quasi-feminist re-imagining of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, which reinvents the Bride of Frankenstein in a mythical Hollywood doomed romance.
‘Scream’ing for help
The three-decade-long franchise that made the villain, ‘Ghostface’, legendary appears to be stuttering in this last-ditch attempt to score riches. After six issues, the plotting has obviously gone stale and the writing has become tiresome. Nostalgia appears to be the key meant to unlock memories of cult moments from the past. Of late, the franchise seems to have lost its ability to make meta comments on genre fixations within the movie itself.
‘GOAT’: Pacy sports drama
Set in the world of competitive athletic animals, ‘GOAT’ is a highly imaginative, energetic basketball story. Co-directors Tyree Dillihay and Adam Rosette’s entreaty is beautiful and motivating. Being small in size is not a detriment to greatness in any sport — that is the inspiring message of this film based on the true life exploits of NBA legend Stephen Curry. Incidentally, Curry is credited with producing the film and voicing Lenny, a giraffe.
‘Wuthering Heights’: Joyless interlude
Emerald Fennell turns on the heat with her personalised version of Emily Bronte’s dark, complex romantic classic. This film is a loose adaptation of the 1847 novel. The explosive, passionate and destructive relationship between Heathcliff (Elordi) and Catherine Earnshaw (Robbie) finds fresh meaning in this adaptation. Though searing and intense, it is less complicated than Bronte’s tragic novel.
‘Scarlet’: Hamlet reimagined
‘Scarlet’ is a time-bending Japanese anime film that marries Shakespearean drama with ancient Japanese folklore. It examines how violence is inherent in human behaviour and makes a strong case for a future free from war. Writer-director Mamoru Hosoda earlier adapted ‘The Beauty and the Beast’ as ‘Belle’, but this time round it’s the much more ambitious ‘Hamlet’ which appears to be the obvious inspiration.
‘Mardaani 3’: Sluggish story mars brisk storytelling
In celebration of her 30th year in films, Rani Mukerji returns as Shivani Shivaji Roy, the empowered woman super cop who seeks to banish all the ills wreaked on women and young prepubescent girls. Shivani is upright and uptight, a ‘Singham’ in her own right. It’s a familiar role for Rani, who is essaying it the third time round in a film that hubby-producer Aditya Chopra has turned into a family IP under the Yash Raj banner.
‘Marty Supreme’ : Zippy, edgy drama
Josh Safdie’s solo directorial ‘Marty Supreme’ is set in London in 1952, and is about Marty Mauser (Timothee Chalamet), a young man with a dream, willing to go the distance in pursuit of greatness. This is a unique story presented in a refreshing way. Marty is a complex character and is not presented in a sympathetic way; yet, you can’t help getting involved in his foibles and want him to achieve his goal.
‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’: A relentless sequel
This sequel within Danny Boyle’s apocalyptic zombie franchise ‘28 Years Later’, a twist on the ‘undead’ prompted by the Rage virus, seeks to increment the blood, guts and gore factor, and does it in style. ‘28 Years Later’ may not have been a great horror flick, but it had its moments. This film is an opening act for newbie director Nia DaCosta. The story continues with Boyle as producer and Alex Garland as the writer.
‘The Chronology of Water’: A memoir of trauma
Kristen Stewart’s debut directorial feature, an adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir of the same name, is about a troubled young woman, Lidia (Imogen Poots), who escapes an abusive childhood and eventually recovers from tragedy and addiction issues to find her true vocation as a writer. The film opens with a shocking scene where you see Lidia in the agonising throes of a stillbirth, watching herself bleed while the baby is ejected from her body.
‘The Housemaid’: Watchable, just about
Paul Feig’s ‘The Housemaid’ is an adaptation of Freida McFadden’s thriller. McFadden is supposedly the nom de plume of a practising brain surgeon. That’s probably why the ludicrous setup, combined with an absurd turn of events, defies description. The female-centric thriller plays to extremes; it may not be great fun but is fairly serviceable. Millie (Sydney Sweeney), a woman with a troubled past and on probation, is seeking steady employment as a condition for her release.
‘Anaconda’: Boot this reboot
A reboot, this ‘Anaconda’ has Jack Black and Paul Rudd fronting it, but the comedy is, well, pitiful. This film has a smart premise that hearkens back to the original 1997 ‘Anaconda’, but to think that the intense fandom of Luis Llosa’s film inspired a remake within a remake boggles the mind. Llosa’s film had JLo in cargo shorts, Eric Stoltz, Jon Voight, Kari Wurher and Ice Cube, a casting that gave it an edge.
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