This overhyped movie can really be skipped

I think we've all become a bit spoiled over the past few years. Or is it just laziness? Since you can watch all conceivable movies from your own couch with a subscription to all existing streaming services, it's suddenly a big step to go to the cinema. Unless, of course, you're a real cinema fan. And the cinema is such a cozy date night! So brave the autumn weather, order the biggest bucket of popcorn, but not without first reading through this list of tips.

You've probably already heard too much about this movie, but still...

If there's one movie I've been looking forward to, it's this one. In 2021, Ariana auditioned for Wicked, specifically for the role of Glinda. Now that it's almost 2025, we can finally see the result. I already have a whole list of 11 reasons why you can't wait to go see Wicked, so I assume that says enough about my enthusiasm for this release. No doubt you'll see me running into the cinema as one of the first. Another movie I've secretly been looking forward to: Moana 2. Maybe some people hide behind their children/nephews/nieces to walk into the cinema without shame, but I'm just admitting that I'm really happy there's a second part of this movie. We all love Disney, right? Why should we be secretive about it? From November 27, you can see it in the cinema, and in these cases, I say: go for 4DX. It makes such an animated film even more impressive when you feel the water splashing in your face, the wind blowing, and you're carried away on the waves by your moving seat.

There are also some risky choices: Hugh Grant suddenly plays a psycho in a horror film.

After ‘Bridget Jones’ Diary’, ‘Bridget Jones: the edge of reason’, and ‘Bridget Jones’ Baby’, we will have to endure a fourth installment starting next year: ‘Bridget Jones: Mad about the boy’. To be very honest, I don't know if I'm looking forward to it. And that's purely because I just loved that she and Mr. Darcy were blissfully happy together at the end of part 1, and I want to keep it that way. In the latest film, Mr. Darcy is said to have passed away, and I'm not ready for that at all. Maybe by the time the film is in theaters, I'll think differently, because that's not until February 2025. Bridget's favorite love interest a.k.a. Hugh Grant surprises us behind Bridget's back with: no romcom for Hugh, but just the terrifying horror film ‘Heretic’. Our charming Englishman plays a total psychopath who plays sick games with two young girls who happen to fall into his clutches. Super disturbing story, but I really have to see it because I'm so curious how different Hugh will be in this film.

And then just a little outside your comfort zone.

The trailer for ‘Juror #2’ made me immediately say to my movie date: ‘I really want to go to this’. The main character has had a rough night, and after downing a few beers in a nearby pub, he hits ‘something’ in the dark. He gets out, sees nothing, and drives on. Later, he is called for ‘jury duty’, as they have in America: a jury of random people is selected to give their verdict in a criminal case. It turns out to be more complicated than usual: someone is on trial for running over a woman. He soon realizes that he has to give his verdict on someone he knows is innocent: he is actually the guilty one. A real psychological thriller.
And of course, we must not forget Halina Reijn's film ‘Babygirl’. With a lead actress like Nicole Kidman, you can hardly miss it. On January 2, we can witness this product of Dutch pride. I'm definitely a fan of Nicole since ‘the Perfect Couple‘.

And just a tip: skip. this. movie.

This weekend, I really learned my lesson. After all the reviews I saw about ’the Gladiator II’, I was stubborn enough to walk into the cinema and give it a chance. And it really feels like I wasted 2.5 hours of popcorn eating on a movie that wasn't worth it. Okay, to be very honest: I was dragged to Gladiator by my date, it's really not something I would choose myself, and I haven't seen part 1 either. But luckily, I didn't miss any information because in part 2, there's hardly a story to discover. It's really mostly about heads that need to be chopped off. But I still managed to get the giggles because the attempt at a storyline they tried to push in was so intensely predictable that literally all our predictions, down to the detail, were correct. And the relax seats at Pathé. It feels like you're watching a movie in business class on the way to a faraway country; highly recommended. That, and guessing the plot, saved this movie night. Let's hope Wicked doesn't disappoint.