Came out last year but finally made it’s way to my area this year January 😀
Yoo Man-soo (Played by Lee Byung-hun) has worked for the Solar Paper company for 25 years. After being brought by American owners. Sadly gets laid off. Having had everything in your life to finding yourself in a moments notice as a desperate man. No other choice takes you through the journey of Yoo Man-soo going through extreme lengths to protect his family and home by eliminating the competition for the job he wants.
Another movie with a fantastic cast and great characters. This movie has you going through such lows I ended up checking the time with an hour left and mind blown there’s so much more that can unfold.
Popped score of 8/10 – This was a great movie and worth checking out if you were unable to see it in your area late last year and expanding to more markets now in January.
Appreciate you coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. No Other Choice is currently my highest rated movie of 2026 but what’s to be my first 9 ? Maybe its the last title in this batch.
Based on a true story which is truly insane when you see what unfolds!
Richard Hall (Played by Dacre Montgomery (Not Zac Efron which I kept thinking :P)) son of Mortgage company president M.l. Hall, is taken hostage in 1977 by Tony Kiritsis (Played by Bill Skarsgard) to expose the Halls and demand justice for a sabotaged property deal.
Sometimes movies that are based on true events take liberties but it’s insane the real footage included in this title to parallel what you see recreated on screen.
Solid performances across the board and sit back to listen to a very beautiful voice over the radio as Fred Temple (Played by Colman Domingo) provides the peanut butter to a very enjoyable jam sandwich as you get dug in and take several layers of bites into the story unfolding before your eyes.
A 7.5/10 solid good movie well worth watching. I’d be happy watching again.
That’s 2 of 4 from this batch :D. What’s your thoughts on The Bone Temple & Dead Man’s Wire? Let us know in the comments below! Shall we get stuck into No Other Choice next 😀
Been curious how this will perform and while still divided, my excitement continues to build
You can check out my thoughts on 28 Years later before diving into its sequel – Bone Temple!
I was conflicted between the two stories within the previous installment and continued to be within this title. However! Upon reflecting that ending and taking these installments as a series whole. My excitement continues to build and I enjoyed the payoff. Even if I didn’t realize it until the moment hit :D.
No Spoilers here but taking my thoughts on the previous installment you can piece together what elements I enjoyed and didn’t and theory craft from there 😀 Or just go watch this movie!
Throughout the journey of this installment I was having a good time. With minor elements I wont get into the rating dipped to a 6.5 and back to 7 for others. That last 30minutes gave me goosebumps and for that. The Bone Temple gets a Popped score of 7.5/10. But will it on a second viewing? Maybe this will have two scores. Stand A-Lone & Trilogy score. Loved the connecting web that brought the series together and with that the long wait for the hopeful third installment of this 28 years trilogy can potentially bring this franchise to a close in fantastic climax? Let’s see shall we!
Appreciate you coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. Being this is a sequel keeping very spoiler free but from my prior thoughts and what’s mentioned. I think you can paint a picture :D.
That being said I have 1 hour to get this weeks batch of “Reviews” out so let’s press on as this is 1 of 4 movies watched this week 😀 INSANE I KNOW haha.
Checked it out after seeing this is based on a true story. Let’s Discuss!
Without spoilers or wanting to come off as to harsh, this movie is just too long. I did fall asleep after the first hour as the pacing was just so slow. I expected something more inline with Song Sung Blue but sadly I left a little blue that this was mostly a 6/10 okay to fine movie at best for me personally.
What’s the story all about? Will Arnett (Playing Alex Novak) is facing an impending divorce. Juggling their personal lives with their friends & family ties. During this, Alex finds his purpose in New York within the comedy stand up scene. Maybe I missed the growth in the 20minutes I nodded off. But the ending was sweet, but didn’t have that emotional moving feeling like Song Sung Blue, or characters I connected with which empowered me to cheer on the character.
Love to hear your thoughts in the comments below, hopefully you had that connection and magic that didn’t get cast on my viewing experience.
Thank you for taking the time to come by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. While posting The Plague I realized I need to add some new categories to the site and thus 2026 can truly begin :D.
I thought The Plague was another zombie movie. WoW did I walk into something else.
I went through a couple of stages reflecting on this movie throughout my viewing experience. A coming of age kept coming to mind but mainly, without spoilers. The Plague is a dark window to viewers on the consequences of bullying.
A great group of young actors which should use this movie for their portfolio. It’s got good things going for it. As much as it’s not a zombie movie. I liked the lens being focused on this angle of dark consequences of bullying. It ramps up and keeps the movie concise. Even a bow tie of an ending? It’s a fine movie at a 6.5/10.
Solid performances from this group of actors. The Plague focuses on a group of young lads apart of a water polo camp. The social dynamics to Ben (Played by Everett Blunck) being new to this group are portrayed very well as the viewer is new to this world and environment. Eli (Played by Kenny Rasmussen) has some sort of infection and dubbed by Jake (Played by Kayo Martin) to have “The Plague”. Touch him and you’ll get it also.
This anxiety from the ruthless hierarchy of the water polo group spirals into psychological turmoil over the summer period. The horror elements or done in away of situational and environment. Something of an intrigue is the inclusion of music almost of that of Aztec in nature.
Thinking of checking out The Plague or already seen it ? Let me know in the comments below. Love to hear your thoughts. RT has it at a 100% believe it or not. IMDb at 7.2/10. Stay tuned for a continued batch of “reviews” as we dive next, into Is This Thing On?.
Thank you for coming by Popped! For your movie “Reviews”. Happy Movie-Going!
Something Popped started in 2025 was an early & mid look into the year. Well, we’re now into the following year of 2026, so let’s look back and “Recap” the year of 2025.
Were my top 10 predictions correct? What surprises occurred? Misses, swings & hits. Let’s get into it!
Let’s start with my top 10 predicted vs officials.
Ouch! Let’s start with my misses! – Love Hurts, seriously hurts to see this on my top 10 list when I gave it a 4.5. Ballerina, sadly, I fell asleep, so I don’t have a review of it, and never re-watched it to catch the middle parts I missed. Jurassic World & Black Phone 2 were fine movies with a mixture of good & bad elements.
The remainder were good to great, with scores ranging from 7.5 to 8.5.
So what’s my actual top 10 for 2025: (Not Actually Listed 1 through 10)
Ne Zha 2 came out of no where. Like, wasn’t even on my radar and seriously loved this movie and watched the first & second movie over 3 times each. First one probably closer to 5/6.
Same with Bring Her Back – Watched this twice and thoroughly enjoyed it. Was surprised placing a horror movie into my top 10 but then Sinners feels so right in here :D.
Better Man I’ve watched twice and thoroughly loved the nostalgia of the story, setting & music.
True stories were big for 2025 and Sarah’s Oil & Song Sung Blue were incredible. Moved me emotionally and tales I’d re-watch again.
Life of Chuck is one of those movies you’ll sit and ponder. Reflecting and taking in what the movie meant to you individually. A lot can be broken down by this. Love to hear your thoughts.
One Battle After Another vs Sinners are my two best picture plays. Haven’t re-seen OBAA yet but Sinners, I loved even more the second watch.
Dark Horses of 2025:
Captain America | Looney Tunes | Mickey 17 | Minecraft | Until Dawn | M3GAN 2.0 | Fantastic Four | Mortal Kombat 2|
Minecraft blew up with Chicken Jockey. Captain America came out same time as Ne Zha 2. You can read my thoughts on those in their respected “Reviews”. Mortal Kombat 2 got pushed to 2026 so let’s hope it actually releases this year. Once again in my Dark Horse but I’m backing Street Fighter based on their trailers.
Looney Tunes was a lot of fun but didn’t do great. Hopefully Coyote vs Acme performs this year. Until Dawn & M3gan 2.0 flopped. With Mickey 17 not being my cup of tea but did decent. Fantastic Four faired better than Captain America but I’m hoping Doomsday is worth this recent era of Marvel :S…..hopefully….
Here’s to a solid year of movies for 2026! Looking forward to seeing how wrong I am again :P. Honestly this year has so many good movies I’d be surprised not seeing my predicted list being a little closer than my 2025 list was :D.
Next Popped Date to be end of January when we discuss the Oscar Nominations! Snubs, potential winners & my disappointment for Ne Zha 2 not being nominated based on how it’s going with Critics Choice & Golden Globes.
Until next time though fellow movie-goers – Happy Watching 😀
Hearing Hugh Jackman saying he’s huge!….next level entertainment :p
I thought I was walking into a film like Better Man or A Complete Unknown. Then I found out this is actually about a Neil Diamond tribute band…..to find out at the end of the movie…..It’s a real freaking story! – 2025 – The year of true story / true story-based movies!
From the incredible acting of the entire cast. Hugh Jackman (Playing Mike Sardina), Kate Hudson (Playing Claire Sardina), Claire’s daughter Rachel Cartwright (Played by Ella Anderson), Claire’s Son Dayna Cartwright (Played by Hudson Hensley) & Mike’s daughter Angelina Sardina (Played by King Princess). Along with an excellent supporting cast. This family dynamic and their story through extreme highs, lows, and hardships had my emotions going through a rollercoaster.
Not only the fantastic acting and characters, but Song Sung Blue has incredible music and storyboarding elements. It has a beautiful bow-tie ending, and honestly, I was blown away. I was going to skip it. But WOW! I’m so glad I didn’t because this is going into my top 10 movies of 2025.
The hard decision is whether to drop Last Breath or Sarah’s Oil. Two incredible true story movies that moved me. When I look back and think of repeat viewings. It’ll probably take the place of Last Breath. It’s hung in there since February, and that experience was Awing.
Song Sung Blue is a gem of a movie that will have you in laughter, feeling the highs of joy and happiness. While next hitting you in the gut and tears running down your face as you’ve connected and built relationships with these characters. No Spoilers. But WOW! This is a great movie and wrapped up 2025 beautifully. Popped score of 9/10!
Thanks for coming by, Popped for your movie “Reviews”. Appreciate you taking the time to do so, and would love to hear your thoughts on Song Sung Blue in the comments.
With this “Review” that wraps up 2025, and if something technically limited release came out but releases wide in 2026. Just like Better Man, will be placed * into 2026. Unless the Oscars switch that up? We’ll find out within the month.
Next post will be a look back through 2025, followed by an additional post looking ahead into 2026. Look forward to those and see how right or wrong I was. Surprise hits and movies that weren’t even on my radar.
Lastly, I’ll calculate my total reviews for 2024 & 2025 and include that in the look back. I totally blew by 100, which is insane! My goal for 2024 was 50, then 2025 was 75. What # should we go for next year?
Looking at January, I already see 8 movies on my radar :D.
Until next time, though, fellow moviegoers. Happy Movie Going & Happy New Year!
Marty Supreme is a great movie! – I just watch too many movies. Let’s Discuss!
Let’s split this “Review” into two parts. The shorter, to-the-point, and the longer, which may touch upon spoilers, to explain the score. Shall we begin? 😀
Non Spoiler – “Review”
Timothee Chalamet playing Marty, set in 1950’s, Marty has a dream of becoming a champion table-tennis player. Enjoy a 2 and half hour journey to see if this dream comes true. It’s a great movie. Very entertaining and filled with incredible supporting characters.
Popped score of an 8.5/10 – I thought about the 9 all the way home once the credits began to play. I went out in the SoCal rains to check this feature out based on all the high praise and buzz. It didn’t disappoint. But when comparing it to other films. It had to be a .5. Shall we discuss below?
Potential Spoiler “Review” – the .5
I’ll use a couple of titles for examples for those interested in why it didn’t get the 9/10.
Sinners – A movie that intrigues at the start. Builds at a slower pace to set the stage. In a fantastic explosion of awesome! – Reveals the final stage for a spectacular second half that’s an insanely good watch, again and again.
F1 – A movie that had me on the edge of my seat. With no interest in Formula 1. Had me hooked and totally engaged with the sport and characters. Felt like there were stakes involved. *Marty Supreme* broke that immersion when I saw characters stand still and not return the ball when other shots were far harder to make.
One Battle After Another – Being slightly longer than Marty Supreme. I didn’t feel the length of time, unlike I had with Marty. Despite there being a solid score at times. Within OBAA, that score fueled you with energy. Energizing you through multiple long scenes that went by in a flash, for being so engaged and hooked. I’ve only seen OBAA once. Within that showing, I had a couple talking the ENTIRE time. Despite that experience. I was fully engaged and locked in. Marty Supreme sadly had slowed down, which, little things within the audience did distract, pulling me out of the experience.
Challengers – A previous year movie, which was my #1. Just like this year’s F1. The momentum. Engaged energy. Music & Characters back and forth. Presented a perfect performance for me personally, which I could honestly say is maybe my 10/10 film. I haven’t seen it more than once. However, based on that one showing. I had a 10/10 experience.
Marty Supreme – Offers slightly below the levels of the aforementioned movies. It’s a great movie and totally deserves the praise it’s getting. But comparing it to, for me personally. Popped score of an 8.5/10.
Thank you all for coming by Popped for your movie “Reviews”. Read the short or longer version I appreciate you taking the time. Love to hear your thoughts on Marty Supreme in the comments below.
I loved Sinners even more the second viewing. Specially the second half with the couple not talking. I’ve yet to see ABAA a second time without people talking. I mention them as currently they are my two contenders for 2025 Movie of the Year :D.
Any ideas what yours is yet? Love to hear it in the comments. Fingers crossed, Ne Zha 2 gets a nomination at the Oscars. Based on the Golden Globes, I’m rooting for Demon Slayer! For #1 Animated movie of 2025.
Sometimes a movie doesn’t need a storyline….Anaconda
When the cast is having fun. I actually had a laugh with Anaconda. For a short movie, this did feel long, and at 6 minutes to the end, I did check the time. Sometimes a story isn’t needed, cutting that out, this movie could have gotten to a 7….
Alas, this is an okay movie at best. a 6/10 for this “Unofficial Official sequel reboot of Anaconda”. If you haven’t seen headlines. There are surprises in this feature, which were fun. Especially for those of the original.
Otherwise, a lot of the beats the trailer covers, including a lot of the funny scenes.
The bar was so low on this one, a potty humor joke was my first laugh, believe it or not :S.
Popped review for Anaconda, going in at a 6/10. If you were one of the few laughing your ass off in my performance. I’m glad you had a fun time :D.
I appreciate you taking the time to come by and see our movie, “Reviews”. What did you think of Anaconda? Let me know in the comments below. Stick around, though, as coming up next is Marty Supreme’s “Review”.
Secret Movie time and despite thinking it was Primate – Dice landed on We Bury The Dead!
This feature will make for a solid streamer. One of those movies you see raved about on social media with high scores, but honestly, it’s just an okay movie with a unique offering in the zombie genre.
Daisy Ridley plays Ava Newman, a wife on a mission to find her missing husband. After a catastrophic military disaster occurs on the island, Ava joins a military organization of civilian volunteers that bury the dead & maybe uncovers far more than advertised.
Honestly, cut 15 -20 minutes off this movie, and it may have been a fine to good movie. But without getting into spoilers. The ending is rather weak & doesn’t hold well for the writers on this one. Good streamer if you’re looking for something unique in the zombie space, but otherwise a 6/10 Popped score.
It’s neat being able to watch a mystery movie that you’re unaware of what could be until it’s playing on screen. Sometimes that’s a hit. Other times a unique tale was told. But alas we still have Anaconda tomorrow to check out and sometime this weekend – Song Sung Blue / Marty Supreme to wrap up the year of 2025.
Happy Holidays to all fellow moviegoers! I’ll see you in the next batch 😀
Popped! 