F1 “Review”

Release date: June 27, 2025 (USA)

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Producers: Brad Pitt, Joseph Kosinski, Lewis Hamilton, Jerry Bruckheimer, Chad Oman, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner

Production companies: Dawn Apollo Films, Apple Studios, Plan B Entertainment, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Monolith Pictures

Running time: 2h 36m

MPAA rating: PG-13

Excited by Brad pits last Apple TV movie…. before they put Wolfs on digital release. We’re back with F1, a jam packed emotional roller coaster of character growth and insane journey for the APX GP team. So what did I think? Let’s Discuss shall we.

Ruben Carvantes (Played by Javier Bardem) long time friend in this career to Sonny Hayes (Played by Brad Pitt). Has visited Sonny to recruit him to be a partner driver alongside his rookie Joshua Pearce (Played by Damson Idris) for their failing team APX GP. Half way through the season and cant keep their second racer and at risk of loosing their jobs. Sonny Hayes is here to save the day?

There’s great performances from the entire crew. I loved the emotional journey from each of these racers along with the overall team. I wish we had longer with some of the other characters but they managed to have a relationship for Kate (Played by Kerry Condon) in this movie while leaving Jodie (Played by Callie Cooke) to have some scenes but I’d loved to have explored more without going into spoilers.

For someone not into Formula 1, this movie does it right. The action, sound & Music, come together and create a edge of your seat experience where the entire audience was leaned into the theatre screen awaiting outcomes and verdicts. It was such an experience where I was back and forth on 8.5 or 9/10. This is a movie to check out on the biggest screen. Not only filmed in IMAX but just the visuals and shots in F1 were a visual spectacular to behold.

Let me know what you thought of F1 but I’m locking this title in as a weaker 9/10 for Popped. blog score. 😀 What more surprises will we have coming this year? We sure are filling up the top 10 list. Will Smurfs continue this 7+ /10 craze or end the streak to be saved by Fab 4 / Bad Guys 2 ? Only time will have to tell.

Thank you all for coming by Popped. blog for your movie “Reviews”. Happy movie going out there and enjoy your epic weekend of movie releases, M3gan 2.0 & F1 are here but did anyone check out Hot Milk? RT has it at 29% from critics but no general audience yet. Is this a job for Popped? 😀

See you next batch!

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M3GAN 2.0 “Review”

Release date: June 27, 2025 (USA)

Director: Gerard Johnstone

MPAA rating: PG-13

Prequel: M3GAN

Running time: 1h 59m

Distributed by: Universal Pictures

M3gan is back in M3gan 2.0. A PG13 movie that pushes that boundary to it’s limit. I can easily see a R rated version releasing on digital like the 1st feature did. Did I enjoy it? Let’s discuss 😀

I dug this movie from the intro. A darker entry into this world focused on the military and corporate control over AI tech and the sequel of M3gan’s design being used for their purpose.

With how strong this intro was. I personally felt the shift in tone and pacing when we visited Gemma and the gang during the first hour. It took a minute for these two fronts to merge into unity but that second hour was golden.

Great performances for this cast once again. Violet McGraw playing a slightly older Cady is back and this time prepared to protect and defend herself without M3gan in the picture. So awesome action and cinematography used in those scenes. When robots / AI fought one another it was epic 😀 finger licking goodness. But even a nice surprise from the human fights scenes also.

Lots of surprises in store that the trailer leaves out (Thank you marketing) but also some cut scenes which I really missed as my most anticipated scene from the trailer was cut… maybe in the R rated version? Enjoy the first title? Then you’re going to have a fun time in the sequel. Maybe we can push this franchise to get another and wrap it up in a trilogy? Or….maybe be apart of the Blum house verse 😀 please please please haha

It’s a solid good watch. Maybe nothing great but a solid one time watch with a Popped score of 7/10. Maybe a 7.5/10 if you’re re-watching this as a trilogy but I’m happy with the 7. It’s a worthy fun watch to be enjoyed this weekend at the theatre.

One feature left to go for June and thus wrapping up the half way mark of 2025 with F1. All going well I’ll check this out Friday. Thank you for coming by Popped.blog for your movie “Reviews”.

62/63 movies for 2025 thus far Reviewed ” 😀 well on our path to 100 for 2025. How is your movie going thus far? Have a goal and on track? What did you think of M3gan 2.0. Love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Until next batch though, happy movie going!

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Jurassic World Rebirth “Review”

Release date: July 2, 2025 (USA)

Director: Gareth Edwards

Starring: Scarlett Johansson; Mahershala Ali; Jonathan Bailey; Rupert Friend; Manuel Garcia-Rulfo; Ed Skrein

MPAA rating: PG-13

Running time: 2h 14m

Distributed by: Universal Pictures

Massive Disclaimer before we discuss this feature. My experience was utterly impacted and ruined by 2 peoples commentary throughout the ENTIRE movie. ENTIRE MOVIE. Want to hear how bad talking ruins the movie going experience then stick around. Otherwise wanting to know my frustrated “Review” – The movie is fine. Not worth sitting through someone talking for 2 hours. If my wife and I wasn’t blocked in by other parties I’d have been fine walking out and wouldn’t have missed anything not seeing this title. (We had earplugs in too btw)

Let’s discuss shall we :S

Disclaimer / PSA

With this being an early “Review” of this title I’ll be brief with any and all spoilers. But mind you. Remember the above and hold that with a pinch of salt. If you’re someone that likes to talk, please stay at home and wait for streaming. If you’re someone that likes to discuss what’s happening on the screen with your party. Please wait for the streaming platforms to release and have your own watch party in your own space and not a public viewing. Want to watch it as the theatre? RENT YOUR OWN ROOM. Please don’t impact others in a PUBLIC showing. This shouldn’t need to be said but come on!

Characters

The intro to this film setting up characters was tough. There’s two groups. One a family and the other an organization going to this area for (Reasons). There’s 1 member from each group that absolutely makes this a hard entry point as I hated them both. Mix them together and there’s some qualities from the “Good” characters that balance the awful. But I really didn’t care about the characters.

Story

From the intro this movie felt like a re-skin of the recent Ghostbusters movies. When the nostalgia music hits it’s the member berries doing the emotional pull to childhood memories of the originals. It had moments but sadly feels to be on trend of the decline we’ve been having with the 2nd trilogy sequels. But the franchise has us coming back again and again.

Overall

I really wish I had just walked out rather than stick through the entire movie. I know my wife is done with release / early access titles from this experience. We bring earplugs for a reason as we often get some talking. But not the entire movie being commentated over.

The movie had fine moments. Specially once the team gets to the island. Prior to then it was a hard watch. Then you get those Jurassic moments and maybe I’ll re-watch this title to check those scenes out without being totally frustrated.

What’s to come? We shall have to wait and see, but I’m feeling the same feelings from this franchise as I’ve had for the MCU of late (Until Thunder Bolts). I’m indifferent if I even check the next title out. I could honestly skip it and watch a recap video if I need that info for the next installment if I were to check it out.

I’m hoping my experience isn’t yours and you’re able to enjoy this title and have a good time. I didn’t stick around after to chat with the other movie goers and I often do so I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below once the movie releases July 2nd.

Popped score of 6.5/10 – It’s a fine movie. Not bad but not a fully good experience / ride. Some moments of boredom was experienced but had moments worth checking out.

Thanks for coming by Popped. Blog for your movie “Reviews”. Apologize this wasn’t the positive experience / “Review” you usually get but hey, it’s an experience and hopefully a warning to those out there on how much there chatter can and will impact other movie going audience members.

Don’t forget to drop your experiences below and love to hopefully hear better experiences and ratings :D. Stay tuned for tomorrow when my M3gan 2.0 “Review” drops and sometime over the weekend / next week for F1 :D. Depends if I can fit it in during work/Pokémon Go Global Fest :D.

Until next batch though, happy movie going 😀

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Bride Hard “Review”

Initial release: June 20, 2025

Director: Simon West

MPAA rating: R

Running time: 1h 45m

Production companies: Bride Hard Films, Copper Island, Balcony 9 Productions, Gramercy Park Media

Producers: Joel David Moore, Colleen Camp, Cassian Elwes, Bob Yari, Max Osswald, Jason Ross Jallet

When I saw the trailer I thought it was a Pitch Perfect sequel then saw the title and said…Spin Off? After watching it, this wasn’t true, but I did have some surprises in my experience and for that I may have a Joker 2 experience compared to others out there with the 4.4/10 & 20% RT.

Let’s discuss shall we 😀

Rebel Wilson playing Sam and childhood friend to Betsy played by Anna Camp. Re-uniting 30 years later after Sam moves away, Betsy is getting married with Sam as her maid of honor. The intro of Bride Hard will be your first test. Did you enjoy the jokes or did you enjoy the action?

I personally enjoyed Rebel Wilson in her action scenes and physical jokes over that of her usual comedy that just didn’t land this time around for me. I actually enjoyed the action with her to the point I felt like she could have her own Bond series from this. (Think origins of M from the James Bond franchise.)

On the comedy front, I loved all the bride maids (Actors: Anna Chlumsky, Gigi Zumbado & Da’Vine Joy Randolph.) They had fun lines and even got to enjoy some of the action once the movie cooked.

Anna Camp was kind of the middle ground playing off both fronts. I thought to myself, if they made a sequel I can see them doing it together but there’s an additional character that had fun moments with Rebel Wilson ( Sherry Cola – Keep your eyes on her going forth 😀 ).

Didn’t pass the test? Maybe get a refund here. It’s probably not for you. However… if one of those sides did entertain. Stick around, as the kids say, this film cooks and really gets into it’s strides once you enter the wedding.

It’s stupid fun popcorn movie. That may offer something to those into Naked Gun or wanting to see the cast from Pitch Perfect trying their hand at something a little different. Even if the comedy side was awkward at first finding the groundwork to play off.

Well you made it to the end and it’s time for the Popped score 😀 For today’s movie which was a total surprise to myself and probably many many others. I’m giving it a weak 7/10. It was almost 6.5 at a fine movie. But movie had many fun moments good enough to get it to a good 7 rating.

That’s the fun of movies. What works for me, may not for someone else. But we all have those certain movie going techniques to get something out of a movie even if it’s not the overall blockbuster or AAA 100’s of Millions of $’s being spent.

When the actors are having fun the audience will most likely get something fun out of the experience also.

Lost me or not on this one. Love to hear yours thoughts below. Seen a movie that everyone disliked that you enjoyed? Let us know below.

Until next batch we meet, thank you all for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews”

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Elio “Review”

Release date: June 20, 2025 (USA)

Directors: Adrian Molina, Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian

Running time: 1h 39m

Story by: Madeline Sharafian; Domee Shi; Adrian Molina; Julia Cho

MPAA rating: PG

Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Believe it or not. This is the better movie releasing this weekend! Disney should have pushed this over the live action Lilo & Stitch. Or pushed it for a fathers day movie. Anything than letting this beautiful Pixar movie get bombed at the box office and released later on Disney+.

Elio, the boy that sadly has lost his parents and along with them his place on planet earth. Feeling isolated and alone with no place nor purpose. Elio seeks out to be abducted by aliens thus conveniently having this opportunity through his Aunts workplace.

This film sadly wont be up there with a classic Toy Story tier of Pixar. But is definitely able to bring the feels and heart of Pixar well above a lot of their most recent works. (2nd Best since 2020 under Inside Out 2 – Didn’t see Elemental mind you but heard it was good).

The theatre I watched this is was applauding at the credit roll which was really nice to experience after this touching story. Both on the story of Elio’s friend and his father. Along with Elio finding friends and a place in the universe.

Keeping this one short as that’s pretty much it. Go experience this movie and give it a chance. Yea the development of this movie was dragged through several re-shoots and test screenings, but they have something special here worth checking out and worth of Pixar’s name.

Only request from little o me….. please bring back the shorts. Miss those Pixar shorts before the main feature. Thank you DreamWorks for picking this up with your most recent titles. With that said and done let’s give this a Popped score and wrap the batch up. 8/10 😀

Thanks for coming to Popped for your movie “Reviews” movie goers :D. Maybe return tomorrow for something a little…different? With Bride Hard. I’ve seen a sneak at the review scores and wowzer I’m not sure if it’s worth my time….but Mission objective 100 movies is pulling me in 😀 haha.

Until next batch!

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28 Years Later “Review”

Release date: June 20, 2025 (USA)

Director: Danny Boyle

Prequel: 28 Weeks Later

Running time: 1h 55m

MPAA rating: R

Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing

It’s insane the first film released in 2002, absolutely amazing movie with a not so bad sequel…but you don’t need to know any of that for 28 years later… or do you? (At least watch the first even if it’s not required to enjoy the latest installment). Let’s discuss!

Want to avoid spoilers then just know. I enjoyed the film and looking forward to what’s to come next. Have fun and enjoy the sequel of 28 Days Later.

Want to know a little more with slight maybe medium spoiler? Then stick around. 28 years later takes us further out into the timeline of this rage virus outbreak to the point where England is in quarantine zone. Small islands / establishments have been setup to continue life in these new conditions but now development of this virus has created many variations like Alphas, Betas & Slow / Fast kinds of infected.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson playing Jamie is the introduction of this feature and leads us to 28 years later in his settlement with wife and child. Spike the 12 year old being played by Alfie Williams is taken out on his first skirmish to get his first kill on the main land. What awaits is to be enjoyed and witnessed :D. It’s pretty awesome despite some creative decisions with the cinematography that felt personally jarring at first before getting “used to it”.

The first half of this feature felt great and the world being created is one I’m very happy to see have a sequel in very soon from now in early 2026. The second half kind of lost me but that’s where I’ll stop to avoid spoilers. Least to say, the ending certainly wraps it up and I’m very excited to see what’s to come in the bone temple.

If this was to be stand alone. Id give a very good Popped score of 7.5. However knowing this is getting a sequel so soon and expanding on the world built in this title. It’s getting a weak great 8/10 :D. I could critique that second half but let’s discuss that in the comments away from those going in for the first time.

Thank you all for coming to Popped for your movie “Reviews” and I’m excited to wrap this trio batch up with the last movie, Elio!

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Materialists “Review”

Release date: June 13, 2025 (USA)

Director: Celine Song

Starring: Dakota Johnson; Chris Evans; Pedro Pascal

MPAA rating: R

Running time: 1h 49m

Distributed by: A24, Stage 6 Films, Sony Pictures Releasing

Went in with slightly lower expectations for a film starring Chris Evans & Pedro Pascal. So let’s discuss the outcome of checking out, Materialist!

Where do I start to discuss this title? Let’s break it down.

Characters

Materialists focuses around 3 characters. Dakota Johnson playing Lucy. A match maker with a pretty good success rate resulting in 9 marriages. Having some back story connection to Chris Evans character John, they meet during the 9th wedding that resulted in her match making. John works as catering for the event and thus is introduced to our third character. Harry Castillo played by Pedro Pascal, the “Unicorn” guy made very highly sort after in the match making dating game. Harry is brother to the groom getting married and is beyond invested in getting to know the woman that’s behind match making for a living.

John is attempting to make ends meet. Living with room mates and going out to a restaurant is considered a luxury occasion. While Harry is very well off. Money is no concern nor issue when paying for the tab at the most luxurious establishment.

Usually Dakota Johnson’s characters are very much the same. Expressionless & dull with no substance. The character of Lucy fits this acting so well that I actually found her to be half decent alongside Pascal & Evans.

Story

Choosing between love & a business deal when it comes to marriage and the person whom you’ll spend the rest of your life with. Do you struggle and make ends meet together despite hard times but knowing the love is true and for eternity. Or choose that of materialistic relationship with no worries nor cares to worry about anything that could potentially be a hardship.

I actually liked the story beats implemented that others critic the trailer for not showing or “misleading” the viewer into. I can’t go into much to avoid spoilers. So I’ll say some punches were held back but a focus point was made apparent and brought to the surface when it comes to dating / random match making with strangers.

Overall

I actually had a good time and enjoyed this feature. It’s a very good watch getting a Popped score of 7.5/10. I probably wouldn’t watch again but I had an entertaining time and enjoyed watching the credits to completion with some fun easter eggs :D.

Stick around for 2 more reviews to come as we dive into this coming weeks releases: 28 Years Later & Elio.

Thanks for coming by Popped for your movie “reviews” and I’ll see you all, next time :D.

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The Life of Chuck

Release date: June 13, 2025 (USA)

Director: Mike Flanagan

Running time: 1h 51m

MPAA rating: R

Genres: Science fiction, Fantasy, Drama

Distributed by: Neon

A Stephen King movie :O The Horrors! The Spooks! The…Fantasy…Science Fiction…Drama… Nani! You sure it’s Stephen King! Nope, you’re right, my bad. Let’s dive in and check this out.. I mean discuss this title because I had no idea how good this movie was going to be prior.

Hype! Hype! Hype! Let’s calm it down now and temper temper temper….Tempered? Alrighty!

Haha I don’t want to inflate an experience but also get across how good this feature is. The ending sentence / line was what got it from a solid great 8 to a 9 for me personally. My friend at work even said he may buy it.

My wife just asked me what’s it about and without wanting to spoil I broke it down to this in a nut shell for y’all to enjoy :D. When globally, humanity is being hit with devastation. Natural disasters, famine, chaos etc. etc. No internet, no cell towers for phones communication etc. (I’d go on but honestly it’s very deep with how they set this title up.) A common character for everyone, despite not knowing him… is Charles Krantz aka Chuck played by Tom Hiddleston.

I wrote down a line from Tom’s prior works 😉 but stating that could be taken as a spoiler if you read into that and up to date with his works. Excellent cast in this feature. Karen Gillan, Mark Hamill, Matthew Lillard among many many more excellent actors. This feature is a must see. Everyone’s going to be affected by this title differently. It depends what you take from it. But honestly if anything. Those last words at the ending is the message that’s so golden.

If you’d like to combine this and the prior “Review” with messages of being on the right side of the coin between Hero & Villain while also making the most of life and making the right decisions within your heart and soul. These are very different titles with great combo watch 😀 With very different styles and genres but hey. That’s cinema for you.

Life of Chuck goes into my top 10 at an 9/10 Popped “Review” and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Neon at it again against A24 with another excellent title. Will this be the title to battle against The Materialist? I was going to skip it but let’s see what tomorrow brings.

Thank you all for coming to Popped for your movie “Reviews”. Read all of today’s batch? Firstly a massive thank you and appreciate you taking the time to do so. Secondly, don’t forget to subscribe to see movie “Reviews”. The goal for 2025 is 100 movies and we’re certainly on pace to crush it. With June being the middle of the year expect a Popped Date tomorrow with a run through of what’s come and to come for 2025 :D.

See you next batch! Happy movie going everyone!

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The Unholy Trinity

Initial release: October 12, 2024 (World Premier) USA Release June 13th 2025

Director: Richard Gray

MPAA rating: R

Running time: 1h 33m

Distributed by: Roadside Attractions, Saban Capital Group

Box office: $559,610

This feature is insane! To see that critics gave it under 20% out of 100 :o. I’m not a fan of westerns. So why am I checking this out? The actors are awesome! Pierce Brosnan & Samuel L. Jackson from the trailer got me into the theater seat for this title.

So what’s my Popped score? Let’s discuss!

Henry Broadway played by Brandon Lessard finds himself in a dilemma set upon him from his father. Promising to revenge his father that was setup for murder. Henry seeks the sheriff of a local town to claim his life.

This is where the film takes several paths of depth to explore the statement. Villains & Heroes, don’t get yourself caught on the wrong side of the coin. To someone you’re a Villain and on the other side you’re the Hero.

Out for blood or for justice? The choice path is yours to walk. For a short hour and 33 minute feature I had a great time. Honestly a little more than The Phoenician Scheme thus placing this at a 8/10 great movie. Yea it’s higher than the average scores of 66% / 6.2/10 but hey, I had a much better time than the critics so make your own decision and choose your path of the coin :D.

I could dive into the story if you’d like but for a short movie. Where’s the fun in that hey :D. It’s a western. There’s murder, guns, shooting, fighting, saloons and all. Experienced characters and fresh adventurers to boot. Gangs and crooks along with hidden surprises. It’s a fun movie worth checking out, even if curious on the fence. Unless you took the pill that some critics did.

Shall we get to the best saved last? Let’s dive into the next feature of our trilogy batch. The life of chuck :D. Thanks for coming to Popped for your movie “reviews” and as usual. Love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

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The Phoenician Scheme “Review”

Release date: May 30, 2025 (USA)

Director: Wes Anderson

MPAA rating: PG-13

Screenplay: Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola

Cinematography: Bruno Delbonnel

Running time: 1h 45m

Grab your popcorn as today we bring you a trinity of “Reviews” for the Popped.blog :D. Thought movies would be quite amongst the “mega” releases but save room for desert 😀 It may honestly end up being a treat.

The first of our trinity or trilogy of movie “reviews” is the latest Wes Anderson title. Back at it with the energy I felt from projects like The Grand Budapest Hotel which was over 10 years ago :O insane!

You’re greeted by a whimsical entry into the movie on a plane going down and unraveling the situation our lead finds himself without with a botched assassination attempt. Maybe you’re following the story maybe the gap was to big but someone’s got to pay for it….

Honestly just sit back and enjoy the random fun that’s to unfold. Explain this movie….never! But it’s a fun ride. Filled with fantastic supporting cast and maybe honestly I’d put Michael Cera up for supporting actor for his work in this feature as Bjorn Lund. Benicio del Toro as Anatole our main lead was excellent alongside Bjorn & Sister Liesl being played by Mia Threapleton.

Go in with popcorn and come out having had a good time. Even when the film is slower it’s not quite boring as something will pick the pace up or build to something of complete cinema greatness. I wish the moments of greatness was felt throughout but alas that’s why The Phoenician Scheme is getting a very good score of 7.5/10 from us at Popped.

Appreciate you coming by Popped for your movie “reviews”, stick around as we dive into the second of our trinity of movies with a worthy title …. did you guess it? The Unholy Trinity.

Leave your comments below with your thoughts of this feature and I’ll see you within the town of Trinity.

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