Pearcey's Picks (2026)

24/07/2026

NEW REVIEW: THE ODYSSEY

By now I'm sure you're all aware that Christopher Nolan is my favourite director of all time. The auteur has been making nothing but bangers for over 20 years now, and he has in my opinion four 5 star films, more than any other filmmaker. Interstellar, Inception, The Dark Knight and Dunkirk are all genre masterpieces, and his latest effort The Odyssey... has just become his FIFTH 5 star film.

This is a film that genuinely reaches new heights in filmmaking. I've never seen anything quite like it. The commitment to practical is everywhere: minimal CGI, natural lighting, real locations and enormous physical sets. It makes the film feel insanely epic.

The opening 30 minutes are almost entirely exposition, which might be a hurdle for some, but I was hooked from the very first minute. Despite running around 165 minutes, the pacing is incredibly impressive - it absolutely flies by. It's exhilarating from start to finish.

It does has all the hallmarks of classic Nolan: dialogue occasionally drowned out by Ludwig Göransson's booming score and a non-linear narrative that demands your full attention. But I also think this is one of his strongest scripts. There's some genuinely beautiful writing throughout. It has a lot of heart, particularly during a touching scene late-on involving a dog that had me reaching for the tissues.

The cast is loaded too. Matt Damon has never been better, whilst John Leguizamo (John Wick, Romeo & Juliet) was the biggest surprise for me with his deeply sincere turn. Tom Holland impressed me as son Telemachus and I feel he's getting far too much hate online. Anne Hathaway is given many of the film's biggest emotional moments, while Robert Pattinson convinces as the morally slippery Antinous.

The scale is staggering. Every major set piece is a belter, and while the middle hour can feel slightly episodic as it moves from one mythical spectacle to another, every sequence is riveting and jaw-dropping in both ambition and ex*****on. It also gets surprisingly weird at times as there are several genuinely unsettling sequences, and it almost feels like Nolan's first real flirtation with the horror genre.

I've already seen it twice, and it's even more rewarding on a second viewing, with countless details and connections revealing themselves. If possible, you have to see it in IMAX. As the first film ever shot entirely with IMAX cameras, it delivers some of the most breathtaking images I've ever seen on a cinema screen. For Hereford, our nearest IMAX screens are Cardiff or Cheltenham. I travelled to Cardiff and it was worth every mile.

This feels like a once-in-a-generation film and simply one of cinema's greatest achievements. A truly special experience.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

17/05/2026

To celebrate turning 30, I wanted to share my 30 favourite films of all time. Some may find a few of my choices controversial and I know this won’t please everybody, but this list probably sums up my taste in cinema better than anything else — a mix of gorgeous cinematography, epic action, big laughs, unforgettable performances and films that just feel special every time I watch them.

I also wanted to include a variety of genres and vibes because limiting it down to just 30 was painful enough already. And besides… it’s my birthday, so I can do what I want.

If you’ve somehow missed any of these, I seriously recommend giving them a watch.
This is my 30 for 30 👇

30: Mission: Impossible – Fallout
29: The Hangover
28: No Country for Old Men
27: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
26: The Departed
25: Inglorious Bastards
24: Top Gun: Maverick
23: Inception
22: Get Out
21: Wind River
20: Django Unchained
19: Se7en
18: Pineapple Express
17: Jaws
16: There Will Be Blood
15: The Incredibles
14: Sicario
13: 21 Jump Street
12: Dune: Part Two
11: Dunkirk
10: Moneyball
9: GoodFellas
8: Whiplash
7: La La Land
6: The Wolf of Wall Street
5: The Dark Knight
4: Saving Private Ryan
3: Heat
2: Interstellar
1: Pulp Fiction

24/04/2026

REVIEW | Michael

I’m a huge fan of Michael Jackson’s music. I grew up listening to him and his catalogue still sounds better than ever. I also saw MJ the Musical in the West End last year and thought it was brilliant, which only reinforced my appreciation for him as an artist. Say what you will about him away from the music, but purely as a performer and creator, he has a strong claim as the greatest of all time.

That’s exactly what Michael as a biopic is trying to convey. Does it shy away from his off-stage allegations? Definitely. Does it break new ground for the genre or reveal anything we didn’t already know? Not really. But is it an immensely entertaining spectacle that looks and sounds fantastic on the big screen? Absolutely.

This is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for fans. Jaafar Jackson is incredible in the lead role, transforming into his uncle in a way that feels almost uncanny at times. The supporting cast is also strong across the board. It’s a shame Janet is nowhere to be seen, but everyone involved delivers. Colman Domingo is frighteningly accurate as Joe Jackson, and Juliano Valdi is a standout as young Michael in the opening act.

As expected, the musical sequences are a huge highlight, and they all go so hard. Hearing hits from his Jackson 5 days through to his early solo albums blasting through cinema speakers is incredibly satisfying.

It’s a shame the reviews have been so negative, because this is far from the worst biopic - it’s genuinely a lot of fun. Much of the criticism seems to focus on the limited exploration of his personal life and controversies. The film does lightly touch on some of it, but keeps Michael in a largely positive light. But look at Straight Outta Compton (a film I love and one that was critically acclaimed) which also sidestepped major controversies surrounding NWA, especially Dre.

Newcomers or sceptics probably won’t be won over here. But for fans of Michael Jackson, this is an easy recommendation. Sometimes, you just want to be entertained—and on that front, Michael absolutely delivers. The critics can beat it.

10/03/2026

Out now on UK Netflix is one of the most delightful surprises in recent years: I Swear.

Warm, funny and deeply moving, it’s the kind of film that reminds you how powerful simple, heartfelt storytelling can be.

The film follows a young boy living with Tourette syndrome—a condition rarely explored in mainstream cinema. It’s an important story, and I Swear tells it with remarkable care and sensitivity. Rather than reducing the condition to a gimmick or tragedy, the film treats its characters with honesty and compassion. It genuinely opened my eyes.

What struck me most was the tone. I laughed a lot. I cried a lot. The film is pure, real and disarmingly honest, blending emotional depth with perfectly timed humour. It never feels manipulative; instead, it lets the humanity of the story shine through, creating a true crowd-pleaser.

At the centre of it all is a spectacular performance from Robert Aramayo. Many will recognise him as the young Ned Stark in Game of Thrones, but this role feels like a defining moment in his career. I’m a huge fan of both DiCaprio and Chalamet, but seeing Aramayo take home the BAFTA Award over such huge names genuinely made me smile. It felt like a proper, well-earned upset.

There’s also something about its unmistakably British charm that I completely fell for. I’m always a sucker for that tone—grounded, relatable and full of personality—and the supporting cast are wonderful across the board. Yes, the story can be a little predictable at times, but honestly, I loved every second of it.

I’m still annoyed at myself for missing this in cinemas last year. It’s easily one of the best films of 2025, and I’m convinced it would have landed comfortably in my Top 5 of the year if I’d caught it sooner.

I can’t recommend it enough. It already feels like an instant British classic.

24/02/2026

NEW REVIEW | CRIME 101

I love a good crime film, heists especially. The genre cornerstones for me are Heat, Thief and The Town. The latter was released in 2010 and has not since been beaten, meaning it’s been over 15 years since we’ve had a robbery flick that truly deserves to sit at that table. Hell or High Water is a special film, but that’s more of a western. Den of Thieves tried to breathe new life into the formula, and while it delivered some solid action, it was essentially a Heat retread populated by largely unlikeable characters. The less said about its sequel, the better.

Enter Crime 101. Maybe it’s the lack of serious competition in the genre. Maybe it’s just my built-in bias toward these kinds of films. But I kinda loved this?

It doesn’t reinvent the wheel. It’s definitely too long. And it still feels a little rough around the edges. But what it does deliver is mood — thick, simmering, sun-bleached tension. This is a stylish, brooding thriller with gorgeous cinematography and a real sense of place, using authentic Los Angeles locations to ground the story. It feels tactile and lived-in in a way many modern genre films don’t.

The opening scene is an absolute corker — lean, confident and immediately gripping. And when the film finally builds to its climactic showdown, it’s properly tense stuff. The kind where you find yourself holding your breath without realising it.

Chris Hemsworth delivers one of his strongest performances outside of the Thor role. He’s convincing, controlled and carries the physicality the part demands. There’s a slightly awkward romantic subplot with Monica Barbaro that not only slows the film down, but tries to frame him as a shy, nervous introvert around women. Which given that he looks like Chris bloody Hemsworth, is unintentionally amusing. But once the film locks back into crime mode, he absolutely rocks.

It’s a stacked cast and everyone brings the juice. Mark Ruffalo brings a grounded intensity as the pursuing cop. Barry Keoghan does what Barry Keoghan does - unpredictable and slightly unhinged. Halle Berry delivers her strongest performance in years, reminding everyone just how magnetic she can be on screen. It’s great to see the legendary Nick Nolte here too, but damn he’s getting on now.

Is Crime 101 a new genre classic? No.�Is it flawed? Absolutely.�But is it a moody, well-acted, handsomely shot crime thriller that understands the slow-burn tension that makes heist films work?
For me… Yes.
And honestly, that’s been long overdue.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Pearcey's Picks

24/07/2026

17/05/2026

24/04/2026

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