Mostly Film

Mostly Film – Take 236: What's NewIt's a big one this week. Jonathan and JP are back with a mountain of trailers, an absolutely unhinged watch list, and a news cycle that genuinely did not slow down.First, List It or Nix It — fifteen trailers go through the gauntlet this week. Werwulf, Angry Birds 3, Not Alone, The Dink, The Debut, Digger, Her Private Hell, Late Fame, The Weight, Jimmy, Union County, The Devil's Mouth, Mum I'm Alien Pregnant, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, and Charlie Harper. Yes, all of them. Yes, Mum, I'm Alien Pregnant is real.Then it's What We've Been Watching, and Jonathan went absolutely feral this week — Toy Story 5, Backrooms, Obsession, Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass, The Sheep Detectives, Carolina Caroline, David, and somehow also Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2, Minions, The Borrowers, Ponyo, My Neighbor Totoro, and Honey We Shrunk Ourselves. JP brings Obsession, Backrooms, and Tuner to the table. Between the two of them, a lot of ground gets covered.In the news: The Odyssey had its world premiere in London tonight — Nolan, Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Hathaway, and Pattinson all on the red carpet — and the conversation around the film is complicated. 450,000 trailer dislikes, replies turned off on premiere posts, and it opens in 11 days. Does tonight change anything? Minions & Monsters had a rough July 4th opening, becoming a franchise low domestically while Toy Story 5 just kept eating. The Michael Jackson biopic quietly became the highest-grossing biopic in history. The Avengers: Doomsday trailer is reportedly dropping at SDCC on July 25. And Emmy nominations land tomorrow morning — Harrison Ford might finally be getting his flowers.

Mostly Film – Take 235: Jackass In ReviewTwenty-five years of stupidity, brotherhood, and somehow nobody died. Jonathan and JP dig into the full Jackass franchise — all four films — just in time for Jackass: Best and Last hitting theaters THIS Friday.In the spirit of the occasion, the guys trace the franchise from its scrappy MTV origins (Senator Joe Lieberman tried to kill it, which only made it stronger) through to its unlikely status as one of Paramount's most consistent box office performers. From a $5M debut that made its budget back four times over opening weekend to Jackass 3D quietly becoming the biggest fall opening of 2010 — this franchise has absolutely no business being as successful as it is.They break down all four films: the raw, censorship-free chaos of The Movie, the widely-beloved Number Two (the best cold open in comedy history, full stop), the commercial and creative peak of 3D, and the emotionally complicated comeback of Forever — including the Bam Margera situation, the new generation of cast members, and Knoxville's final bull stunt that reportedly ended his ability to take hits to the head forever.Plus: franchise rankings, all-time favorite stunts, and the question nobody expected a Jackass episode to ask — what does 25 years of shared pain actually say about male friendship?Jackass: Best and Last opens Friday. Are you going?

Jonathan and JP are back with another packed week of trailer verdicts, screen time nostalgia, and the kind of movie news that makes you question everything.First up, List It or Nix It — the guys put Hot Spot, Klara and the Sun, Shrek 5, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Dinosaurs of the Wild West, Hexed, and Time of Death through the Letterboxd test. Some earn a spot. Some don't make it out alive.Then it's What We've Been Watching. Jonathan's been in the jungle with Jumanji, getting morally complicated with Red Rocket, and going full '80s nostalgia with Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. JP went deep with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and swung back to the high seas with Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl.And then there's The News. Toy Story 5 just had one of the biggest animated opening weekends in history — is Pixar officially back? Disclosure Day stumbles in week two. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is already breaking presale records but has to compete with Nolan for premium screens. The week's wildest story: Luca Guadagnino's nearly-finished film about Sam Altman gets dropped by Amazon — right after their $50 billion OpenAI deal. Totally unrelated, we're sure. Plus: Supergirl early buzz, a new Keanu Reeves Lego movie, Dan Trachtenberg doing kids' horror (yes, really), Austin Powers 4 is happening, and Emmy nominations are officially locked in.

Mostly FilmThis week, Jonathan and J.P. continue their Spielberg Series by exploring two films separated by more than four decades but connected by a lifelong fascination with the unknown: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) and Disclosure Day (2026). From one of the most beloved family films ever made to Spielberg's latest return to extraterrestrial storytelling, we're examining how the director's perspective on aliens, humanity, and wonder has evolved over nearly fifty years.We dive into the deeply personal heart of E.T., discussing childhood loneliness, empathy, friendship, and why the film remains one of the most emotionally resonant blockbusters ever created. Then we turn to Disclosure Day, a modern sci-fi epic that tackles truth, secrecy, first contact, and humanity's place in a much larger universe. Along the way, we compare Spielberg's approach to fear and wonder across generations, rank his alien films, and ask whether Disclosure Day serves as the final chapter in a story Spielberg has been telling since Close Encounters of the Third Kind.From bicycles flying across the moon to a world forced to confront the impossible, this episode is all about Spielberg's enduring belief that understanding begins when we're willing to reach out—and listen.

This week on Mostly Film, we're sorting through a fresh batch of trailers in LIST IT or NIX IT, including The Last House, Gatto, Heart of the Beast, Social Reckoning, I Want Your Sex, and Whalefall. Which ones earn a spot on the Letterboxd watchlist, and which ones get left behind?In What We've Been Watching, Jonathan checks out everything from Masters of the Universe and In the Grey to a nostalgic return to Spy Kids and Spy Kids 2, while JP revisits a pair of beloved franchises with Raiders of the Lost Ark and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.Plus, we break down a packed week of movie news, including Chris Evans' reported return in Avengers: Secret Wars, new details on The Batman: Part II, George Miller's plans for more Mad Max, a Hit Man series coming to Netflix, a surprise Fox-Roku merger, and Steven Spielberg's record-breaking success with Disclosure Day. We also discuss honorary Oscars for Ridley Scott and Glenn Close, a possible Jimmy Olsen and Gorilla Grodd series, and why Jesse Eisenberg turned down The Social Reckoning.All that and more on another episode of Mostly Film—where the takes are hot, the watchlists are growing, and the movie news never stops.

Mostly FilmThis week, Jonathan and J.P. continue their Spielberg Series by diving into two of the most influential films ever made: Jaws (1975) and Jurassic Park (1993). One invented the modern blockbuster, the other redefined it for a new generation. Together, they showcase Steven Spielberg's unmatched ability to blend suspense, spectacle, fear, and wonder into unforgettable cinematic experiences.We explore the making of both films, from the infamous production troubles that shaped Jaws to the groundbreaking visual effects revolution of Jurassic Park. Along the way, we discuss iconic scenes, legendary performances, John Williams' unforgettable scores, themes of human arrogance versus nature, and the moments that transformed movie history. Plus, we debate which film is better, which monster is more iconic, which score reigns supreme, and whether these two films represent Spielberg at his absolute best.Jaws taught audiences to fear what they couldn't see. Jurassic Park taught them to believe the impossible. This week, we're asking which one stands tallest in Spielberg's legendary filmography.

This week on Mostly Film, we break down a fresh batch of trailers in LIST IT or NIX IT, including Onslaught, How to Rob a Bank, Fall 2, Ice Age: Boiling Point, and more. We also talk about everything we've been watching lately, from indie horror and animation favorites to new TV obsessions.In movie news, we discuss Ari Aster's Hereditary prequel, Hugh Jackman joining a new Treasure Island adaptation, the massive box office success of Backrooms and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Netflix's continued stance on theatrical releases, Martin Scorsese's involvement with AI filmmaking tools, and much more from around the world of film and television.

This week on Mostly Film, Jonathan and J.P. tackle two of Steven Spielberg’s most acclaimed and impactful films: Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan.We explore a pivotal era in Spielberg’s career, from the haunting moral responsibility at the heart of Schindler’s List to the visceral realism and sacrifice depicted in Saving Private Ryan. Along the way, we discuss Spielberg’s evolution as a filmmaker, the partnership with cinematographer Janusz Kamiński, unforgettable performances, iconic scenes, and why these films continue to shape the way audiences engage with World War II on screen.We also compare the two films as companion pieces—one focused on survival and memory, the other on duty and sacrifice—and ask which best represents Spielberg at the height of his powers. Join us for a deep dive into two cinematic landmarks and the lasting questions they leave behind. 🎬

This week on Mostly Film, we kick things off with another round of LIST IT or NIX IT, breaking down the latest trailers for The Get Out, Victorian Psycho, Her Private Hell, Primetime, Hope, Motor City, and In the Hand of Dante to decide what’s worth adding to the watchlist.Then we dive into What We’ve Been Watching, covering everything from The Mandalorian & Grogu, The Drama, They Will Kill You, GOAT, Wonka, The Iron Giant, and Balto to The Devil Wears Prada, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, A History of Violence, The Limey, The Bride!, Normal, and more. Plus, we check in on shows like The Boys, Survivor, and Widows Bay.We wrap things up with the latest movie news, reactions, and industry updates before sending you on your way. Join Jonathan and J.P. for another packed episode of movie talk, trailer reactions, and weekly watchlist recommendations. 🎬🍿

🎬 Mostly Film — Spielberg Series: Wonder, Obsession & EscapismThis week, Jonathan and J.P. dive into two wildly different eras of Steven Spielberg with Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and Ready Player One (2018). One is pure cinematic wonder — an original sci-fi obsession story built on curiosity, light, and the unknown. The other is a massive digital adventure about nostalgia, escapism, and pop culture overload.We break down both films from top to bottom: Spielberg’s career at each stage, the crews and collaborators behind the movies, box office and awards context, and the themes driving each story. Along the way, we debate whether Close Encounters is the most “Spielberg” movie ever made, whether Ready Player One is celebrating or critiquing nostalgia culture, and how Spielberg’s idea of “wonder” has changed over the decades.Has Spielberg gone from creating wonder… to reflecting on it? And which of these films truly represents the heart of his filmmaking legacy?

Mostly Film is back with another packed episode of trailer chaos, movie talk, and industry insanity. This week in LIST IT or NIX IT, we’re breaking down trailers for The Rivals of Amziah King, Resident Evil, Clayface, Coyote vs Acme, Jackass, Verity, and more to decide what’s making the watchlist — and what’s getting tossed immediately.In What We’ve Been Watching, Jonathan and J.P. talk survival thrillers, prestige dramas, and comfort TV as they dive into Apex, revisit Erin Brockovich, and check in on shows like The Boys, The Wire, Justified, Entourage, Maul, and Survivor.Then in The News, things get wild: a Westworld movie is officially happening, Battlefield sparks a studio bidding war, John Wick 5 gets an update, Netflix is planning its first major theatrical rollout with Greta Gerwig’s Narnia, and somehow a Django/Zorro crossover movie is becoming real. Plus: Michael breaks records, Fast & Furious expands again, Letterboxd might be sold, and we react to the first look at Netflix’s live-action Scooby-Doo.