What is this boxing all about? “Boxer” (“Bokser”, 2024)

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directed by Mitja Okorn
© 2024 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

Today’s film was shot in my country, with the actors I know very well from other productions, and I do use Netflix, but somehow I totally didn’t see it anywhere. As if it was top secret. The funny part is that I’ve met a guy who worked in the filmmaking crew of “Boxer” and he’s recommended me to see it (if you’re reading this, greetings for you!). At first I didn’t feel much encouraged because biopics about sportspeople are often very similar and absolutely not entertaining to me. Then I checked the cast and I simply had to see it, even if that meant watching half-naked sweaty men fighting with each other. The story is fictional, but I can tell that the director did his homework about the reality of living in Poland after WWII. I’m not that old, but I know about those times from my family, and what you can see in “Boxer” is pretty accurate. Maybe except some costumes or make-up… but let’s skip to the plot. We meet a young man named Jędrzej (Eryk Kulm), whose father was a boxing star, so everyone expects him to follow the same path. However, building a career back then in Poland wasn’t that easy or financially appealing, so Jędrzej decides to emigrate together with his wife Kasia (Adrianna Chlebicka). Unfortunately, grass isn’t always greener on the other side, so the boxer has to decide what price he’ll pay for becoming a champion. What I obviously enjoyed in the film was the cast, especially the male part, because they are simply horribly talented actors, so no surprise. But I also appreciated how dynamic the pace was, so it wasn’t boring at any point. Unfortunately, I do think the film is too long, because even though I felt engaged in the story, I got tired somewhere in the second half. Oh, and the ending… not my cup of tea. I mean, I give a thumb up for the message, but not how they presented it. Still, I recommend you to see “Boxer”, because it’s not a typical sport film; it’s actually a universal story about the family pressure and not being able to choose our own dreams. So if you’re not into men destroying each other’s faces with fists, then I assure you there’s more to expect from this production.

My rating: 6/10
S.

We’ll go mad in the end. “Sátántangó” (1994)

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directed by Béla Tarr
© 1994 Arbelos Films. All Rights Reserved.

I learnt about Béla Tarr when I was studying Film at university and I promised myself back then that I’ll watch “Sátántangó” when the director dies. Why? Because the idea of watching an over 7-hour-long Hungarian drama didn’t sound like something I was ready to do. So I decided to postpone it… until now. Tarr has left us and it’s the perfect moment to appreciate him by writing about his most popular production. Just to make it clear – I did watch it. I kept my promise! Since it’s over 7 hours long, I needed to divide it into parts, because I needed to eat, pee and walk a bit not to end up with legs paresis. If you’re a superhero (or a maniac) who actually managed to watch it in one go, I sincerely admire you. You probably watched it in the toilet with a mini-fridge next to you, but still – impressive! And if you’re also as scared of the length of this film as I was, let me say that you have the right to feel this way. It’s not a pleasant romcom and you really need to have a lot of motivation to press play. But, damn, it’s a great production. Shortly about the plot, it’s based on the book of the same title by László Krasznahorkai (awarded a Nobel prize in 2025). We follow Irimiás (Mihály Víg), an impostor, who shows up in a poor Hungarian village. The people living there are absolutely hopeless and have no idea what to do with their lives. They consider Irimiás a saviour that may help them and show the right path. The man decides to use their innocence and naivety to gain something for himself. In the film, we observe the life in the village from different perspectives, in a non-chronological order, yet everything’s in the same tiring slow pace. After two hours you might start to feel frustrated how phlegmatic the film is, but closer to the end, you may actually appreciate it. Why? Because that’s the point. Well, it’s just my opinion, of course, but the reason why Tarr decided to make it so incredibly long is probably to exhaust the audience and make us experience the destructive helplessness of those villagers. If the film had been 2 hours long, this message wouldn’t hit with the same intensity. For example, there’s this one dancing scene that lasts for about 10 minutes. And you know what happens there? Nothing. You watch people dancing for 10 minutes. The camera doesn’t move and they are just dancing. Those long shots really make you question everything. And I agree that it’s one of those films that you must see before you die. The reason why I’m not rating it 10/10 is because of maltreating a cat while shooting (you will see). The crew said that they took care of the cat, but in my opinion it’s still an unnecessary element of the film. I’ll never support torturing animals for the sake of art. Period. However, the film in general is exhausting, yet magnificent. I can’t even imagine how much work and effort they put into creating it. I bet Krasznahorkai couldn’t be prouder for such an adaptation of his book. To end with a fun fact, in order to look natural during drinking scenes, the actors were actually drunk, which isn’t healthy, but at least you cannot say they weren’t realistic. What can I say? Rest in peace, Mr. Tarr.

My rating: 8/10
S.

The dead tree is as important as the living one. “Train Dreams” (2025)

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directed by Clint Bentley
© 2025 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

Writing a post about this production is incredibly difficult for me, because no matter what I do, it’s not enough to describe it. I could just say it’s a film about a man and his life. I could say it’s a film about hope and finding beauty in simple things. I could say it’s a film about the fear of loss and the helplessness of humans. I could write all the above, but it’s still not enough. If this post ends up being short, forgive me, but after watching the film you’ll understand why. I recommend you not to watch any trailers, as always, turn off your phone and focus for those 100 minutes. Even though the main character is a man living in post-World War I reality, we may find something for ourselves in his story. Instead of telling you about the plot, because I believe you should discover it yourself, maybe I could share my reflection after seeing the film. I realised how unfair life can be and that there’s not always sun coming after rain. Sometimes, it’s a thunderstorm or a hurricane, and the simple rain becomes comforting. I also realised that no matter what someone says, we’re all in need of affection, and loneliness is the worst punishment. Also, this film reminded me that we don’t need superheroes and made up creatures to forget about the reality. “Train Dreams” literally feels like taking a long train ride, where you’re alone in a compartment and the weather is gloomy, yet relaxing. You’re just looking out the window, listen to your breathing and let yourself dream. That’s what this production feels like. So if you’re in need of such experience, you shouldn’t be disappointed. It’s a truly moving story.

My rating: 7/10
S.

Scooby-dooby-doo. “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” (2025)

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directed by Rian Johnson
© 2025 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome to day 4 of 2026! How many of your resolutions are already postponed to 2027? Come on, be honest, we know how things work. I just hope that you’ll be regularly checking my blog and watching lots of good films. The rest can be done later. Let’s begin the year with something funny, thrilling and mysterious – so retired 007, Daniel Craig, playing Sherlock Holmes. This is the third film of the Knives Out series, where we follow Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), who each time has a different crime to investigate. If you haven’t seen the previous two parts – no worries, because it’s made in a similar way like other detective stories, so each part is a separate story. In this one, I’m taking you to church (just like Hozier wanted – wink, wink), where a young priest Jud (Josh O’Connor) becomes an assistant of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin). Since it’s a little town they serve in, new things aren’t very welcome here. Still, Jud notices Jefferson’s strange behaviour that influences the parishioners and he tries to make some changes, which is difficult on many levels. One day, Jefferson gets murdered in an unusual way and, obviously, Jud is the main suspect. However, here comes our mastermind Benoit Blanc whose job is to learn about this village’s secrets and find the actual murderer. I’ve seen all three parts of the series and as much as I enjoyed the first one, the second film wasn’t that exciting. So I didn’t feel like checking out the third part, but somehow I did out of boredom and actually got surprised. In my opinion, it’s almost as good as the first one. The mystery is so weird and complex that it makes it even funnier to be solving it. Not to mention the magnificent cast that you could watch for hours. I guess I had extra fun because not that long time ago I took part in a city game where the main task was to solve the mystery of a stolen object in a church. It was all made up, obviously, but we had to analyse how the thief actually managed to hide, steal and escape. So this film reminded me of that game and I was watching it thinking “yeah, Blanc, I know how you’re feeling, been there, done that.” I believe this is an awesome title to begin your year with. Let’s just hope you won’t need to wake up any dead men in 2026. Crossing my fingers for that.

My rating: 7/10
S.

Happy 7th Birthday!

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Dearest Readers who have nothing to watch!

They say that 7 is a lucky number. Well… 2025 wasn’t the most fortunate year, but let’s hope the power of 7 will actually emerge in 2026. That is why I’m sharing 7 four-leaf clovers to make sure our intentions are clear – we need more peace and love than drama and trauma. Also, as a cinephile, I’m a bit disappointed with very few good productions released in 2025, so I’m crossing my fingers for something to leave me speechless next year.

To uphold tradition, I’m sharing some basic statistics. In 2025 I’ve shared 113 recommendations, which is a much better result than in 2024, so despite my personal struggles, I managed to be your film IV drip. Wondering if you’ve actually seen all those productions… I guess it depends on your cinephile condition. Make sure to discuss the dosage with a professional (I’m just an anonymous blogger from the Internet, so I’m not responsible for your film addition). Apparently, there are many of you with this problem because my page was visited by over 27 900 people from 171 countries… Insane. That’s what happens when one day you randomly drop out of university and start your own blog. Jokes aside, I’m incredibly thankful for your support and often visits. You have no idea how much.

I’m still not giving up and I cannot imagine 2026 without my blog, so you can expect lots of new recommendations to appear here. Let’s cross our fingers for spectacular new releases to blow our minds, but also try to find time for the oldies, because cinema has no expiration date. Once again, thank you so much for being a part of this community and may your film addiction be un-rehab-le.

My rating: 10/10
S.

Our lives are the sum of our choices. “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” (2025)

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directed by Christopher McQuarrie
© 2025 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Am I the only one who feels the same way at the end of this year as Tom Cruise in that picture? Like… you’re helpless, there’s not much you can do, but you’re still hanging to that plane that is flying like crazy and there’s a big chance you’ll fall and crash your body in a hurtful way? Yep, that’s exactly what the end of 2025 feels like. It was definitely one of the worst for me and if 2026 has plans to be worse, I’ll gladly unsubscribe and get back to VHS kind of life. Do you even remember VHS? Or should I go dye my grey hair already? Anyway, the end of 2025 is also the end of Mission Impossible! Or is it? Well, it kind of gives the vibes of the final part, but you never know. And the ending says nothing specific, so I guess we will see. Anyway, this one is definitely not my favourite part of Mission Impossible, yet I couldn’t dislike it just like that – it’s Mission Impossible in the end. I adore this fast running Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), the soundtrack, the special effects and Tom doing things I would never do unless you paid me as much as he earns. This film is the continuation of the story of “Dead Reckoning” and I guess it’s pointless to watch it without knowing the first part. I mean, the plot is already very complex, so at least watch the first one and have the idea who is whom. I have to say that I didn’t feel much engaged in the story itself and I believe “Dead Reckoning” was way better when it comes to the screenplay. However, it’s still thrilling, full of plot twists and action, so as a fan of Mission Impossible I wasn’t devastated – just slightly disappointed. I guess Tom focused too much on doing all the dangerous things to be remembered as the guy with huge cojones. Burning parachuting, diving, flying “off” the plane… I mean, yes, Tom, you are damn brave and I’m not even joking about it. Standing ovation for you there. But I wish they polished the screenplay a bit more so the film could be remembered also for the plot. But hey, isn’t it the best kind of film to end 2025 with? Full of plot twists, random dangerous actions and with a poor story to remember. Perfection if you ask me. Let’s hope 2026 will be more generous and we will finish it with a relaxing comedy. Or at least a documentary about koalas. Pretty please.

My rating: 6/10
S.

Can this night get any better? “Unaccompanied Minors” (2006)

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directed by Paul Feig
© 2006 Warner Bros. Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

How many of you can still move and how many of you promise themselves not to make the same mistake again next year? Well, either way, you may need something to cheer you up, so here’s my little recommendation. This film was actually one of my favourites when I was a teenager, so even though it might not be liked by adults that much, I still feel pretty nostalgic about it. The story takes place in the US on Christmas Eve, where Spencer and Kate (Dyllan Christopher & Dominique Saldaña), siblings, are travelling from California to Pennsylvania to spend Christmas with their dad. The charm of having divorced parents, you know what I mean. They need to have a layover during which the weather gets so much worse that it’s impossible to fly anywhere. Since they are both minors, they end up in a special room where all children and teenagers travelling alone wait for their flights. The place is pure hell and I bet nobody wants to spend their Christmas Eve like this. What’s more, at some point Spencer and Kate get separated and might not see each other till the next day. The boy must find a way to reunite with his sister because little Kate still believes in Santa and if he doesn’t get her a gift by the morning, it’ll ruin her Christmas… Yes, I loved Spencer for being such a great brother! He manages to make some friends and together with other teenagers, they’re trying to survive at the airport and make sure that little Kate will still believe in Santa! Not gonna lie, when I was a teen myself, I dreamed of being stuck at an airport and just play with my peers. Especially, since in this comedy children are way smarter than adults (and not only in this comedy, apparently) and seeing grown-ups being tricked all the time is pure joy. I feel like this production has been forgotten, so I’m more than happy to remind you about it. It’s not only a funny family film, but it also teaches great lessons and I bet everyone can find something for themselves there. The most important is that it’s kind of based on a real story. Lots of children have to travel like this between cities or countries because of their parents’ divorce and the “best” decision made by the judge. I’m sure they will remember those airports or train stations more than spending time with both parents every year. So, as I wrote, not only in this comedy children are smarter than adults. Wish you a meaningful reflection.

My rating: 6/10
S.

Do you usually write letters to people who don’t exist? “Dear Santa” (2024)

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directed by Bobby Farrelly
© 2024 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Ho, ho, ho! Is this the time we can finally meet to argue and eat so much we can’t move anymore? Indeed! Of course, some of you celebrate Christmas in peace and joy, like in those cute songs, and some others don’t do anything specific that day and just try to survive till the end of the year, which is also fair. Personally, I don’t celebrate Christmas, but I love winter and this December mood, so I have to recommend you something Xmassy to watch. And since I’m also quite sarcastic, this year I’m writing about “Dear Santa” – a comedy like no other. We get to know little Liam (Robert Timothy Smith), who’s a lovely primary school student. The family has lost Liam’s brother, which also led to tensions between the parents, who seem not to notice how that influences Liam. Anyway, the boy has one more issue to deal with, which is dyslexia. He keeps making mistakes and his classmates make fun of him for that, except Emma (Kai Cech), Liam’s crush. His disorder is actually very important in this story because when he writes a letter to Santa, he accidentally addresses it to Satan (Jack Black). And since the global post works incredibly well, the letter indeed reaches Satan, who decides to pay Liam a visit. The confused boy is sure that this man is Santa, and Satan doesn’t correct him to have a bit of fun. Liam is given three wishes from the red guy, which sounds like a dream come true, but nothing comes without a price… I’ve seen quite average ratings, but I actually enjoyed this comedy. Especially, since I’m tired of all those copy-paste romcoms, so a dyslexic boy meeting Satan sounds like a brilliant idea to me. I agree that some jokes were cringy, but in the end, I liked it more than another “girl from a big city goes to a little town and meets the most handsome man there and it’s Christmas time”. Jack Black is a marvellous comedian, so I never get bored with his performances. Perhaps it’s not a film to watch with your grandparents or that annoying aunt that feels offended by literally everything, but if you’re looking for a ridiculous production with Xmassy vibes, then that’s a great choice. Anyway, no matter what you’re planning to do these days, eat well, sleep well, take care of yourself and don’t get surprised to see Jack Black in your living room one night. Merry and bright!

My rating: 6/10
S.

Cut. Perfect. “Sentimental Value” (“Affeksjonsverdi”, 2025)

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directed by Joachim Trier
© 2025 Nordisk Film. All Rights Reserved.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present you a potential Oscar winner in 2026. Would I award it myself? I don’t know, because I haven’t seen all the nominated films, but I have a feeling it may be a strong candidate. Not only is this production well-made, but it may also play with the Academy members’ emotions. How come? First, let me tell you a few words about the plot. We get to know two adult sisters, Agnes and Nora (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas & Renate Reinsve), who’ve lost their mother and get a chance to rebuild the connection with their absent father, Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård). The man is a film director who recently has been dealing with some career issues. He meets with his daughters and makes a surprising offer – he wants Nora, who works as an actress, to play in his new production. The woman doesn’t even think about it because there’s no way she can imagine working with her father. Gustav decides to hire an American actress to play the role that is very personal because the film is based on the man’s family history. What comes out of this situation is for you to see, I don’t want to spoil too much. However, I mentioned at the beginning that some cinema people may actually feel extra engaged in this story. The reason why I think so is because an artist’s life is quite specific. It’s not just a job they do, it’s their identity, their passion. So building ordinary relations with artists can be quite challenging. I’m not saying they are incapable of loving someone or starting a family, but you need to accept that their work will always influence your relation. Mostly because art is a tool to fight our inner demons and artists tend to be quite complex people. They can be angels, but you need to read the instruction how not to cut their wings. And also learn to be patient when they focus too much on being artists and not your beloved one. So it’s not an easy adventure, but I’m sure for many it’s a great one. Even though at first you may dislike the character of Gustav, at some point things can change. Also, this film is an important lesson to all the children of difficult parents that there’s a reason why they are like this. You don’t have to accept it, but sometimes it’s worth to remember. This story gives a lot of food for thought and I’m guessing they may win the golden guy for that.

My rating: 7/10
S.

There’s one winner and no finish line. “The Long Walk” (2025)

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directed by Francis Lawrence
© 2025 Lionsgate. All Rights Reserved.

It’s a film about walking. Period. Can’t remember more accurate title of a film to be honest. It’s literally a looooong walk. But I’m still writing about it, which means I liked it, right? Right. And I believe you should try it as well. Before watching the film, I actually decided to read the book it’s based on. The title is the same and it was written by Stephen King, under his pseudonym Richard Bachman. I like to read books first, because then I can imagine the story myself. However, if I watch the film first, later, I just see the same pictures while reading. So I grabbed that novel and hoped for a fun ride, but instead I got incredibly bored. The general idea is amazing, but the way it was written – it was really difficult to keep on going. Even though the book is pretty short, it took me a long time to finish it. So I was quite discouraged before watching the film, but luckily, the adaptation is way better! We move to some alternative times where the US is in a huge economic crisis. Therefore, any way of earning money for living is worth trying. Any. In order to give people a chance to improve their life and also to entertain everyone, there’s a long walk organised. 50 young men (in the book there are 100) voluntarily sign up to walk nonstop across the country. Sounds easy? Well, there are some rules to follow. You cannot stop, you cannot walk slowly, so basically you cannot rest. And if you do, you get a warning. What happens after the 3rd warning? Well, the volunteer finishes the walk… and his life. Where’s the end of this? Simple – wherever the one before last dies. There can only be one winner. So as I said, I loved the idea for this story. To be honest, that’s exactly how I imagine the future – people will be doing anything to survive. Perhaps such long walks become an actual tradition… You may think it’s insane to sign up for something like this, but if the prize is huge and can significantly improve your life, then you don’t think twice. However, if you don’t like reflecting on such future, I may also share that to me this long walk is a metaphor for coming of age. All the volunteers are young men who see it as a competition, but then, during the walk, they start learning life lessons – both heart-breaking and uplifting. Just like in life. And it kind of depends on you how you walk your way, but there’s also a lot that cannot be controlled. Wait, is it again a depressing interpretation? Damn, I guess it is. Anyway, the film is much better than the book (I’m sorry Stephen/Richard), because I actually felt engaged in the story and not bored by the fact they’re just walking. Also, the ending is different in the film and, in my opinion, waaaay better! So if you haven’t read the book, you may skip it. But if you have and didn’t like it, then give this adaptation a chance. I hope you won’t be disappointed.

My rating: 6/10
S.