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A Friendship that Stands the Test of Time in ‘The Room Next Door’ – Review

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The Room Next Door is a delicate melodrama about a relationship between two close friends as one of them faces the prospect of entering eternal sleep due to a terminal illness. The film is written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar and based on the novel What Are You Going Through by Sigrid Nunez. This marks Almodóvar’s feature length English-language film debut and the first Spanish film to win the Golden Lion at the 2024 edition of the Venice Film Festival.

The film features Tilda Swinton as Martha, and Julianne Moore as Ingrid. The storyline focuses on Martha’s life as a notable journalist that is battling terminal ovarian cancer and makes a controversial decision to end her life with euthanization pills. Her grave situation reaches her distant friend Ingrid, a successful author whom Martha worked with earlier in their careers.

Martha opens up to Ingrid about her choice to depart life and genuinely explains why she would like for someone to be in the next room while it takes place. Ingrid is terrified about this decision and struggles to find her emotional and mental strength to fulfill her dying friend’s wishes. It is a heart-wrenching story with mending elements that tests a friendship, even after a length of time that has come between since their last interaction.

Swinton brings out Martha’s character with a certain stoic humor to an unpleasant subject, which pairs well with Moore’s portrayal of the sweet, caring and articulate Ingrid. We also learn that Martha has an estranged daughter Michelle (also played by Tilda Swinton, which was a delight to see her in a double role). John Tuturro as the supporting role of Damian, brought a bit of the quirky flirtation towards Ingrid that brightens up the mood inside a dire topic.

Director Almodóvar brought to light the dark side of dealing with a terminal illness without a cure, and when a patient doesn’t have any family for support or close friends they can depend on. The distinguished cast, Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, were magnificent in presenting a sensitive and personal decision with honor and dignity. The Room Next Door might not be suitable for all mature audiences, but will touch and relate with those that understand this similar predicament.

Sabrina - Kiddo is the newest member of Countdown City Geeks and is a contributor of movie and television show reviews. Her passion for film derived from her college days where her rhetoric-writing professor focused on the aspects of screenwriting and music lyrics. She also has a knack for saying movie quotes.

Movie Reviews

Paddington in Peru is Sweet Enjoyment, Like Orange Marmalade – Review

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Paddington in Peru delivers heartfelt warmth and kindness and sends the message of embracing risk and change, especially when family is involved. This is the third film in the Paddington franchise that sends our cuddly marmalade eating bear, along with his British family, off in search of his Aunt Lucy who has gone missing from the Home of Retired Bears that is managed by Reverend Mother.

With the support from his family by his side, the adventure takes Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) back to his roots trekking the dangerous Amazon jungle. During the quest, they encounter a river boat captain Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas), who communicates with his ancestors in his visions and seeks their guidance in search of legendary treasures hidden within the rainforest. His daughter Gina (Carla Tous) knows her father can be challenging but does her best to keep him grounded. Henry Brown (Hugh Bonneville ) also realizes that he has to overcome his challenges and face his fears head on. With all the commotion happening, the Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman) has a covert agenda that could put everyone at risk, but Aunt Lucy (voiced by Imelda Staunton) has a greater treasured secret to share.

Although Sally Hawkins as Mrs. Brown was missed, the role was not significant in the film to impact Emily Mortimer. On the contrary, Academy Award winner Olivia Colman, known for best drama performances, adds the witty sweet and sour to Reverend Mother. Then there is Antonio Banderas that was remarkably hilarious taking on multi-characters with eccentric mannerisms.

While the approach to Padding’s journey felt a bit lost amidst the whirlwind chaos in the jungle, it delivered a strong ending with a charming note that audiences of all ages would enjoy. Be sure to stick around for the post credits. It will surely continue the smiles and laughter.

Paddington in Peru will be released in theaters February 14, 2025. A great Valentines date for the family!

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Love Hurts is all Love Bombing Action and Comedy – Review

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Love Hurts is Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan’s first leading role as Marvin Gable, an unexpected hero after leaving his brother’s crime family. Things get crazy when Rose Carlisle (Ariana DeBose), former partner in crime and love interest, tracks him down working as a real estate agent. However, Marvin’s brother Alvin ‘Knuckles’ Gable (Daniel Wu) has his crime associate The Raven (Mustafa Shakir) get to him first.

Quan delivered the laughs with impressive martial arts skills. However, the storyline was weak and got lost inside the saturated comedy and exaggerated bloody fight scenes along with the lack luster characters. It almost felt like watching a tacky sitcom or cheap version of Rush Hour.

I did find it exciting to watch Drew Scott from the most popular tv show Property Brothers make a cameo in this film. There was no disappointment here, since Scott’s character Jeff Zaks is also a real estate agent and is the competitor to Marvin.

It was rather nostalgic seeing Quan and Sean Astin reunite, but it was a shame that Astin’s character Cliff Cussick did not have a larger role. Perhaps we will see these two again in a much anticipated Goonies 2.

If you want to see a silly, outrageous action film with your Valentine, hold your potatoes, a nice romantic dinner for two will suffice.


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Invincible Season 3 is Packing Superpowered Punches – Review Episodes 1 and 2

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At the end of season 2 of Invincible, Mark Grayson/Invincible (Steven Yeun) was left distraught after killing Angstrom Levy for threatening his family. In this new season Mark is now fueled with anger and rage and allows his emotions to take the best of him, especially when seen feuding with Multi-Paul and violently splattering each multiple. It also appears Mark is gaining massive strength.

The second episode of season 3, did some flashbacks into the dark past of how Cecil Stedman (Walton Goggins) got his scars and how he came to be the head of Global Defense Agency (GDA). It also highlights on Cecil’s first encounter with Omni-Man/Nolan Grayson (J.K. Simmons). I anticipate season 3 will have more deep dives on these two characters.

It goes without saying there will be tensions and riffs amongst the superheroes within the GDA and even some unlikely hook-ups. Also, Mark’s little brother Oscar is growing up sooner than expected and is showing signs of possessing superpowers. With a glimpse of the first couple of episodes, it seems this season will be certainly fast paced.

The series stays consistent with presenting great post credits after the ending of each episode, which helps bridge over to the next saga of the astronomically chaotic drama of Invincible. I am eager to learn if a friendship will transpire from Omni-Man and Allen the Alien (Seth Rogen) as they are still imprisoned inside a Viltrum Empire. More so, if and how Omni-Man will reconcile with his wife Debbie Grayson (Sandra Oh).

Invincible adult animated superhero television series is like a sandbox for sci-fi artists. It allows performers from different productions to partake in the excitement – Steven Yeun, Ross Marquand, J.K. Simmons, Walton Goggins and Seth Rogen to name a few – having a blast and losing themselves to their childhood vivid imaginations, back when they played with their action figures. It also gives them leeway to contribute their own flare to unique characters, which I am super keen to it.

I had a wonderful opportunity to attend a prescreening of the first couple of episodes on the big screen, which enhanced the experience. It would be a fantastic idea to have this type of anime become available to view at a movie theater. Season 3 of Invincible is absolutely extraordinary and will definitely accelerate high ratings far beyond this world.

Invincible season 3 streams on Prime Video on February 6, 2025.

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