DARKMATTERS - The Mind of Matt

You met me at a very strange time in my life...

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Thursday, January 30, 2025

Neo-Noir Film Picks (Since 2010)

Photo credit: Nicolas Miller (find our more)

Neo-Noir: The Dark Heart Reborn

Imagine a world painted in shadow, where morality is a currency in freefall and every cigarette-lit silhouette is framed like a shattered dream. Welcome to Neo-Noir, the unholy resurrection of classic Film Noir, that seductive cinematic beast first dissected by French critic Nino Frank in 1946.

Back then, noir was all trench coats, femme fatales, and the slow erosion of a once-rigid moral code. Crime, psychological torment, and a creeping nihilism lurked behind every Venetian-blinded window.
But then came Neo-Noir, its name born from the Greek “neo,” meaning “new” (so, literally, “new noir”—but with a sharper blade and an even meaner streak). 

As philosopher Mark Conard puts it, neo-noir is “any film coming after the classic noir period that contains noir themes and noir sensibility.” Translation? The shadows got darker, the cynicism sharper, and the blood on the pavement fresher.


From the existential dread of Chinatown (1974) to the neon-drenched nightmares of Blade Runner (1982), from the sun-scorched fatalism of Blood Simple (1984) to the fractured psyche of Memento (2000), Neo-Noir is an evolution, a mutation, and a love letter written in blood to the genre that never really died. It just got smarter, meaner, and is one of my favourite genres!


Here are Matt (find me on Bluesky) Adcock's slightly left-field Neo-Noir Film Picks (Since 2010) - they are not ranked in order of greatness, and the list doesn't include the masters of the genre Coen Bros or one of my all-time fav films DRIVE - just listed for your thoughts, do let me know how many you've seen... 

1. Arkansas (2020)

A slow-burn crime thriller with a darkly humorous streak, following two low-level drug dealers working for a mysterious boss they’ve never met. Liam Hemsworth and Vince Vaughn anchor this offbeat, Southern noir gem.

2. LaRoy Texas (2023)

A gloriously dark comedy of errors, where a man mistaken for a hitman spirals into chaos and absurdity. Twisty, clever, and perfectly pitched for fans of neo-noir absurdism.

3. Last Stop in Yuma County (2024)

A high-stakes, tension-filled neo-noir set in a remote gas station, where a group of strangers cross paths and chaos erupts. Its single-location claustrophobia makes every interaction feel razor-sharp and oh boy it's brutally bleak!?

4. Hit Man (2023)

Richard Linklater’s witty and stylish neo-noir follows a teacher moonlighting as a fake hitman for the police. Glenn Powell shines as a morally conflicted and unexpectedly charming protagonist in this sharp, genre-blurring delight.

5. Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

Seven strangers, each with a secret, check into a decaying motel that’s hiding a few secrets of its own. This star-studded neo-noir has Tarantino-esque style and a playful, dangerous vibe.

6. Small Town Crime (2017)

John Hawkes shines as a washed-up ex-cop who stumbles into a murder mystery, turning into an unlikely noir antihero. Darkly funny and unexpectedly heartfelt.

7. I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017)

Melanie Lynskey and Elijah Wood star in this dark, quirky neo-noir about a woman and her oddball neighbour trying to track down thieves. Equal parts crime thriller and dark comedy.

8. Logan Lucky (2017)

Steven Soderbergh’s slick heist movie with a neo-noir twist. Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, and Daniel Craig execute a NASCAR robbery in this sharp, funny thriller which packs the best Game of Thrones related prison riot scene ever...

9. Cop Car (2015)

A minimalist neo-noir where two kids steal a seemingly abandoned cop car, only to find themselves hunted by its dangerous owner (Kevin Bacon). A tense and wickedly entertaining ride.

10. No Sudden Move (2021)

Steven Soderbergh’s tightly wound noir about a botched heist and a tangled conspiracy in 1950s Detroit. Stylish, clever, and filled with double-crosses.

11. Greedy People (2024)

A scathing neo-noir dark comedy about greed, murder, and betrayal among a dysfunctional family vying for a fortune. Twisty, sharp, and packed with pitch-black humour.

12. Out of the Furnace (2013)

A grim neo-noir about crime and revenge in America’s Rust Belt, with powerful performances by Christian Bale and Casey Affleck, in fact, the cast is stacked adding in Willem Dafoe and Woody Harrelson. Bleak, tense, and gripping.

13. The Nice Guys (2016)

Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe star in Shane Black’s witty, neon-drenched noir-comedy about bumbling detectives investigating a murder in 1970s Los Angeles.

14. Nightcrawler (2014)

Jake Gyllenhaal delivers a chilling performance as a freelance crime journalist who spirals into moral depravity. A neon-lit descent into the darker corners of ambition and voyeurism.

15. Love Lies Bleeding (2023)

A steamy, violent neo-noir following a couple’s pursuit of the American Dream through bodybuilding, drugs, and betrayal. With lush visuals and simmering tension, it’s a stylish new entry in the genre - plus Ed Harris with a mullet has to be seen!

16. The Card Counter (2021)

Paul Schrader delivers a brooding neo-noir about gambling, redemption, and revenge, with a haunting performance by Oscar Isaac backed up by that rascal Willem Dafoe again!

17. Wind River (2017)

A murder mystery set on a Native American reservation, with a noir-like atmosphere of isolation and slow-burning tension. Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen are excellent.

18. Inherent Vice (2014)

Paul Thomas Anderson’s trippy neo-noir comedy follows a stoner detective (Joaquin Phoenix) navigating a bizarre mystery in 1970s California. Offbeat, surreal, and packed with dark humour.

19. Kill the Messenger (2014)

A taut and compelling neo-noir based on the true story of journalist Gary Webb, whose investigation into the CIA’s drug trade leads to devastating consequences.

20. Vengeance (2022)

A sharply funny and surprisingly thoughtful neo-noir following a podcaster investigating the death of a woman he barely knew. B.J. Novak directs and stars in this clever, darkly comic thriller.


I LOVE NEO NOIR!!


>>> Imagine a world where the earth is becoming hell?

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Sunday, January 19, 2025

Wolf Man Review

Wolf Man (15)

Dir. Leigh Whannell

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)

If you go down to the woods today you shouldn't beware the big teeth and wild eyes because the latest werewolf tale, Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man manages to bring the beast out in style. A monster-em-up with plenty of growl and bite, this modern reboot doesn’t rewrite the rulebook but wears its gothic influences proudly while throwing in enough blood and pathos to make it stand out.

Christopher Abbott leads the pack as Lawrence Talbot, a man whose return to his cursed ancestral home sets him on a one-way collision with his inner beast. Abbott’s performance is solid, he captures the anguish of a man torn between civility and savagery, but Julia Garner, as his wife Charlotte, quietly steals the show. Garner brings depth and a grounded emotional core to the proceedings without overshadowing the central lycanthropic chaos. Let’s just say she’s one of those actors who elevates anything she’s in, and she does so here with finesse rather than flash.

The film feels like a spiritual successor to the 2010 The Wolfman starring Benicio Del Toro. Like its predecessor, this version revels in moonlit mayhem, foggy forests, and the gothic dread of an inherited curse. But where the 2010 film leaned into operatic melodrama, and had a weak-ass-looking werewolf, Whannell’s take is sharper and more visceral, with transformation scenes that evoke Cronenberg-esque body horror rather than CGI spectacle. Practical effects fans will be pleased, these wolves have claws, teeth, and sinew that feel all too real - even if he doesn't go 'full wolf'...

'mummy, why's daddy pissing up that tree?'

Composer Benjamin Wallfisch’s haunting score complements the film’s dark atmosphere, enhancing the overall viewing experience. Speaking of which there are some very creative moments where we get to witness the enhanced hearing and ‘wolf vision’ - paying homage to the classic Wolfen.

The mist-drenched Oregon setting is a nice departure from the usual Victorian locales, though it still has a dark fairytale quality that fans of The Howling or The Company of Wolves will appreciate.

That said, this is not a reinvention of the genre. It lacks the anarchic wit of An American Werewolf in London, but it compensates with a steady commitment to its tragic heart. Whannell’s direction shows reverence for the classics while injecting modern tension, much like the 2010 Wolfman aimed to do but with a little more restraint here.

Wolf Man is a worthy addition to the werewolf canon, a tragic, blood-soaked tale that respects its hairy heritage while delivering fresh ferocity.

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(4 - A stylish reinvention that works...)

Top Werewolf Films:

Here’s my list of the best hairy-em-ups to sink your teeth into, each a testament to the enduring power of the werewolf myth:

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

The gold standard. John Landis blends pitch-black humour with visceral horror, featuring groundbreaking transformation effects and a standout performance from David Naughton.

The Howling (1981)

Joe Dante’s cult classic is a sleazy, terrifying romp with inventive effects and a biting critique of self-help culture.

Wolfen (1981)

What sets Wolfen apart is its atmospheric approach, using the then-groundbreaking thermographic “wolf vision” to give viewers a predator’s perspective, heightening the tension. The film is less about traditional werewolves and more about shape-shifting, supernatural wolves representing an environmental and societal reckoning.

Dog Soldiers (2002)

Neil Marshall’s action-packed werewolf thriller pits British soldiers against a pack of beasts in the Scottish Highlands. Equal parts terrifying and hilarious.

Wolf (1994)

Jack Nicholson as a werewolf? Oh yes! This sleek and surprisingly introspective tale explores power, lust, and the primal instincts we all try to hide.

Wer (2013)

This under appreciated gem blends found footage with brutal realism as a lawyer defends a man accused of being a werewolf, until things take a terrifying turn.

Late Phases (2014)

A touching and gory tale of an elderly blind war veteran taking on a werewolf terrorizing his retirement community. Nick Damici shines in the lead role.

Silver Bullet (1985)

Based on a Stephen King novella, this small-town thriller mixes coming-of-age drama with classic werewolf carnage. Gary Busey steals the show.

The Company of Wolves (1984)

Neil Jordan’s dreamlike adaptation of Angela Carter’s feminist retelling of Little Red Riding Hood is a visual feast and a deep dive into the psychology of fairy tales.


>>> Imagine a world where the earth is becoming hell?

Click banner below to hear a FREE 5 mins sample of my audiobook which is becoming a graphic novel too)...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Darkness-Darkmatters-Matt-Adcock/dp/0957338775


Friday, January 17, 2025

Ninth Life and Hel's Eight double review Stark Holborn


Double Review: Hel's Eight and Ninth Life


by Stark Holborn (@starkholborn.bsky.social)

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)


In the gritty, gunslinging cosmos of Stark Holborn’s imagination, the West meets the weird, and survival comes at the sharp end of wit and grit. Having read, enjoyed and reviewed Ten Low (Step aside, traditional space westerns, Ten Low strides in like a dust-choked gunslinger, revolver in one hand and a shot of adrenaline in the other. Holborn delivers a protagonist for the ages in Ten Low, an ex-army medic turned convict scraping by on the unforgiving edges of the universe. Haunted by her role in the interstellar war and desperate to atone for her past, Ten finds her fragile existence shattered when she rescues Gabriella Ortiz, a teenage girl who’s anything but ordinary. Ortiz, a product of a military genetics program and an opposing General in the war, survives a spaceship crash that Ten quickly realizes was no accident- it was an assassination attempt. The two forge an uneasy alliance as they navigate a treacherous, lawless moon, battling bandits, military hit squads, and an all-female road gang led by a ruthless one-eyed leader. Their journey is a race against time to get Ortiz off-world, but darker forces loom, threatening not just their lives but also the secrets Ten has buried deep within herself). Read my review and interview with the excellent Stark here.

Then comes Hel's Eight

Hel’s Eight hits the ground running and never lets up, delivering a wild, high-octane clash of law and lawlessness in the far reaches of the galaxy. Ten Low is back, grittier and more battle-worn than ever, riding the desert wastes of Factus and walking the razor’s edge between justice and chaos. Holborn once again proves their mastery of the space western, blending whip-smart action with an undercurrent of existential weight.

Ten “Doc” Low is a medic haunted by her cursed connection to otherworldly forces. For the sake of her safety, and that of others, she keeps herself isolated. But when she foresees a cataclysmic conflict that threatens the lives of her former comrades, she’s forced to reenter a world of shifting alliances and simmering rebellion. With the Accord’s grip on the Outer Moons slipping and a ruthless tycoon snatching up planets for his own sinister agenda, Ten faces her greatest challenge yet.

Holborn’s signature world-building shines brighter than ever. The desert moon Factus is vividly rendered, a desolate yet strangely magnetic backdrop for this gripping tale of survival and sacrifice. From shadowy saloons to roaring wasteland skirmishes, every scene brims with life and tension.

Ten’s journey is one of both action and introspection, as she gathers unlikely allies and confronts the ghosts of her past. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and Holborn doesn’t pull any punches. With rebellion brewing and sinister corporate machinations at play, every choice Ten makes carries weight and often a devastating cost.

Key moments explode off the page: a visceral ambush in a shantytown; a desperate high-speed chase across the dunes; and a climactic showdown that pits Ten and her ragtag crew against impossible odds. The pacing is relentless, yet Holborn still finds time to weave in moments of quiet humanity and biting humour.

Thematically, Hel’s Eight wrestles with control: of power, of land, of the future itself. It’s a story of rebellion and resilience, of standing tall against forces that seek to crush individuality and freedom.

Out of a potential 5 - you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(4 - A scorching, adrenaline-packed triumph!) 

 

And now Ninth Life 

If Ten Low is the grit, and Hel's Eight the expanse, Ninth Life is the strange and spectral shadow that creeps up behind them. Holborn switches gears but doesn’t lose a fraction of intensity, delivering a tale that blends noir, existential dread, and relentless action into a headlong romp across the stars. After forty years of terrorizing the galaxy, Gabriella Ortiz is back, once a decorated general, now the infamous outlaw known as Nine Lives and it looks like she has finally run out of chances. 

Shot down in a backwater at the system’s edge, she is reluctantly rescued by the naive Deputy Marshal Havemercy Grey. Hav is a straight-shooter in every sense, determined to bring Ortiz to justice and claim the 20-million bounty on her head. But escorting the galaxy’s most dangerous fugitive is no easy feat, especially when every outlaw with a pistol is gunning for their prize. Ortiz offers Hav a deal: she’ll keep them alive, as long as Hav listens to the stories of her nine lives. But there’s a catch: everywhere they go, during every brawl, gunfight, and explosive escape, one warning echoes—don’t let her talk. Holborn’s mastery of character and dialogue shines as Ortiz’s tales unfold, blending lawlessness and heartbreak with sharp wit. 

Hav’s relentless moral code plays beautifully against Ortiz’s chaotic brilliance, creating a dynamic that crackles with tension and unexpected humour. Key moments include a deadly brawl in a crowded spaceport, an ambush under a cascade of starlight, and an unholy alliance with a crew of bounty hunters in a zero-gravity skirmish. The stakes are personal and galactic, but it’s Ortiz’s haunting charisma that steals the show, leaving you questioning every truth she tells. 

Thematically, Ninth Life delves into the weight of memory, the nature of redemption, and the cost of survival. It’s a rollicking, high-stakes ride with an undercurrent of existential dread that lingers long after the final page. 

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(5 - Excellently unhinged and exciting space western masterpiece
...)

Holborn has crafted three wildly different but equally compelling tales. They showcase a writer at the top of their game, unafraid to blend genres and push boundaries. Whether you’re in the mood for a dust-blown duel or a star-drenched mystery, Holborn has you covered. 

These are essential reading for fans of the dark, the daring, and the downright extraordinary. Titles that deserve a place on your shelf - preferably within reach of a good stiff drink.


>>> Imagine a world where the earth is becoming hell?

Click banner below to hear a FREE 5 mins sample of my audiobook which is becoming a graphic novel too)...

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Friday, January 10, 2025

Miami Blues - appreciation review


Miami Blues (15)

Dir. George ‘Grosse Pointe Blank’ Armitage

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)



"Your turn to notify the next of kin?"

"No way. I did the fat lady that sat on the kid. That's good for two.”


Miami Blues is just a delicious madness of a movie, I can still remember loving it on VHS when my pal Mike and I rented it on spec with a bottle of Thunderbird, a Chinese take away and the possibility of Jennifer Jason Leigh going topless - we were in our teens 😄… 

 “Your husband must have been glad he died!” snarls a grinning, dead-eyed Alec Baldwin in Miami Blues, a crime-em-up that dances on the razor’s edge between deranged comedy and gritty neo-noir. Directed by George ‘Grosse Pointe Blank’ Armitage, this cult gem sizzles with the unhinged energy of Baldwin’s psychotic antihero, Freddy Frenger Jr., a man whose moral compass is very wonky. From the moment he steps off the plane and snaps a Hare Krishna’s finger in an airport shakedown, you know you’re in for a wild ride. It echos the humour of Airplane!’s religious nut-thumping scene, but with a deadly spin. 

Baldwin picks up the topless mantra - manly man hair 

Baldwin doesn’t just chew the scenery—he devours it whole, turning in a performance so electric it’s almost hypnotic. His Freddy is a charming psychopath, a man who treats crime like performance art, complete with stolen cop badges and a penchant for violence that feels both absurd and terrifying. But Baldwin isn’t the only star here. The aforementioned Jennifer Jason Leigh brings a disarming sweetness to Susie Waggoner, a wide-eyed hooker with dreams of domestic bliss, while Fred ‘Southern Comfort’ Ward’s Sgt. Hoke Moseley is a grizzled detective trying to piece together the trail of chaos Freddy leaves in his wake. Watching their bizarre cat-and-mouse game unfold is like witnessing a slow-motion car crash, equally horrifying and riveting. 

pretty woman vibes

The film’s Miami setting is a neon-soaked fever dream, perfectly complementing the offbeat humor and escalating mayhem. Armitage deftly balances moments of brutal violence (there’s a finger chopping scene that will 100% have you shout ‘arrgggghh’ and then smirk as the victim tries to gather up his lost digits) with laugh-out-loud absurdity, creating a tone that feels both unpredictable and dangerously fun. What makes Miami Blues truly special, though, is its gleeful defiance of convention. This isn’t just another slick crime thriller, it’s a twisted exploration of moral decay, where even the heroes are flawed, and the villains are disturbingly human. 

sh*t happens when you party naked

Baldwin’s manic energy propels the film into cult classic territory, making Freddy Frenger Jr. one of cinema’s most memorably (and criminally unseen) unhinged criminals. So, if you’re brave enough for a crime flick that breaks the rules and delivers big on unpredictable thrills, Miami Blues is my tip for you. With stolen teeth that bite, this madcap descent into Miami’s seedy underbelly just dares you not to love it. 


Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(4 - Excellently unhinged
...

Additional similar vibe viewing:

Raising Arizona (1987)

“When love isn’t enough, steal a baby!” Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter light up this Coen Brothers crime caper with a madcap blend of absurdity, action, and oddly touching moments. Think Miami Blues with nappies. 

 After Dark, My Sweet (1990) 

Jason Patric smoulders as a broken-down boxer lured into a treacherous kidnapping scheme. This neo-noir’s slow-burn tension and doomed romance evoke a Miami Blues-style fatalism, but with even more psychological grit. 

Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) 

What happens when a professional hitman (John Cusack) crashes his high school reunion? Hilarious existential musings, some stellar ’80s music, and a body count that makes Miami Blues look tame. A black comedy with killer instincts. 

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) 

Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer riff off each other in Shane Black’s razor-sharp murder mystery. It’s hilarious and brutal, with a self-aware edge that makes it a perfect spiritual cousin to Miami Blues. 

In Bruges (2008) 


Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson navigate Bruges, guilt, and hitman ethics in this bleakly funny existential thriller. Miami Blues fans will appreciate the mix of absurd violence and unexpected pathos.

Filth (2013) 

Meet Bruce Robertson (James McAvoy), a corrupt, drug-fueled Scottish detective spiralling into madness. Filth is a turbocharged crime-comedy drenched in dark humour and shocking depravity—imagine Miami Blues filtered through Irvine Welsh’s twisted worldview. Caution: not for the faint of heart.


>>> Imagine a world where the earth is becoming hell?

Click banner below to hear a FREE 5 mins sample of my audiobook which is becoming a graphic novel too)...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Darkness-Darkmatters-Matt-Adcock/dp/0957338775

Friday, January 03, 2025

Top Film Picks for 2025

New year - new films on the way...


Matt Adcock X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)

picks some he's looking forward to:

Wolf Man

Director: Leigh Whannell

UK Release Date: January 17, 2025

Universal tries again with the reimagining of classic monsters - and things are going to get a bit hairy - so step up for the Wolf Man, directed by Leigh Whannell (The Invisible Man). Starring Christopher Abbott as the furry fiend, this promises to be a gothic horror and psychological torment. Add the excellent Julia Garner and this modern update could be a gritty, atmospheric horror experience - and let's face it, can't be worse than the last attempt with The Mummy!?

The Monkey

Director: Osgood Perkins

UK Release Date: February 21, 2025

Based on a Stephen King short story, The Monkey is directed by Osgood 'Longlegs' Perkins. This horror film centres on a cursed cymbal-clapping toy monkey that brings terror to a small town. Am looking for a bone-chilling horror with a nostalgic '80s vibe, a retro horror with just enough chills to have you questioning every innocuous childhood memory. Let the freaky nightmares begin, and probably the a boost in monkey figure sales? 

Mickey 17

Director: Bong Joon-ho

UK Release Date: March 7, 2025

What happens when you’re a disposable clone sent on a one-way trip to alien hell? Bong Joon-ho’s Mickey 17 answers that with a mind-bending journey of survival and soul-searching. Robert Pattinson stars as the titular Mickey, who’s probably wishing he had better life insurance. Expect existential crises served with stunning visuals and thought-provoking themes. 

Alto Knights

Director: Barry Levinson

UK Release Date: March 21, 2025

Mob bosses, moral ambiguity, and Margaret Qualley stealing every scene she’s in - Alto Knights is set to deliver a crime drama so gripping you’ll feel like you’re dodging bullets. Barry Levinson’s slick direction makes this one a must-watch for fans of dark alley deals and double-crosses. Just don’t get on their bad side with Robert De Niro in a dual role as 1950s mob bosses Vito Genovese and Frank Costello - capiche? 

Final Destination: Bloodlines

Directors: Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein

UK Release Date: May 16, 2025

A wild card entry. Death’s favourite game of cat and mouse is back, and it’s playing for keeps. Bloodlines promises more of those jaw-dropping, cringe-as-you-see-death-coming scenes that made the franchise iconic. If you’ve ever felt a twinge of paranoia, this film might push you over the edge. You can run, you can hide, but you can’t escape death... 


F1

Director: Joseph Kosinski

UK Release Date: June 27, 2025

Joseph Kosinski follows the Tony Scott playbook and brings his Top Gun: Maverick flair to the racetrack - will this be a Days of Thunder or a motorway pileup of carnage? Forget speed limits, F1 looks like offering a high-octane experience, bringing the drama, rivalry, and danger of the racing world to the big screen. With a cast of young hotshots and seasoned pros *cough Brad Pitt*, this film might just make you feel the need for speed :). 


Superman

Director: James Gunn

UK Release Date: July 11, 2025

James 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Gunn takes the reins of the DC Universe. Can he deliver a Superman film brimming with hope, charm, and enough jaw-dropping action to make you believe a man can fly… again. As a huge Superman fan, I'm hoping this isn’t just another cape-and-tights flick; I'm hoping for a love letter to the world’s greatest superhero. Don’t miss it, unless you hate fun.

Predator: Badlands

Director: Dan Trachtenberg

UK Release Date: November 7, 2025

The iconic alien hunter returns in Predator: Badlands, Elle Fanning will play more than one character. Gotta hope this kicks more butt than the messy The Predator as the humans face intense challenges dramatically and physically as they try to fight the seriously hard-to-kill badass dreadlocked space killer. I want to believe so let's get to the chopper and see! 

The Running Man

Director: Edgar Wright

UK Release Date: November 7, 2025

I'm old enough to have caught the original Running Man at the cinema back in '87. So I'm excited to see what Director Edgar 'Shaun of the Dead' Wright does with this fresh adaptation of Stephen King's story. Presenting a visceral take on the deadly game show where survival is the only prize, here's to cutting-edge effects and a timely critique of media culture. Warning: side effects may include an uncontrollable urge to cancel your streaming subscriptions.

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M. Chu

UK Release Date: November 21, 2025

Part one blew the magical doors off and now my favourite musical gets the second part of this cinematic treatment in Wicked: For Good. Directed again by Jon M. Chu, there are rumours of a mash-up bonus with additional Wizard of Oz material incorporated. I'm expecting more dazzling visuals, more soaring songs and sheer soul-boosting joy - so I'll be grabbing my broomstick and getting ready for a magical showdown. Wicked: For Good should leave fans singing their hearts out so get ready to defy gravity - or at least resist the urge to ugly cry.

Bridget vs Zombie Darcy FTW

Which of these future blockbusters have you most excited? My wife is rooting for Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy - which brings Colin Firth's Darcy back, even though he died - my fingers are crossed that he'll show up as a zombie!? 

Speaking of zombies am also really hoping that 28 Years Later will be good as loved the first two movies!


What are you looking forward to? You can comment below and as always, let the darkness guide you...


>>> Imagine a world where the earth is becoming hell?

Click banner below to hear a FREE 5 mins sample of my audiobook which is becoming a graphic novel too)...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Darkness-Darkmatters-Matt-Adcock/dp/0957338775