Category: Mystery

The Thursday Murder Club

2025   Netflix

Rated:  PG-13

Length:  1 hr  58min

Comedy ~ Crime ~ Mystery ~ Thriller

Directed by:  Chris Columbus

Starring:  Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie.

We’re The Thursday Murder Club

The Thursday Murder Club starts out in black and white, flashing back to a late Full Moon lit foggy night in London. We hear Helen Mirren narrate the events as we them. There is a scream, then a woman falls out a window with a knife in her chest. A masked man runs….and we fade to color and see a cork bulletin board with details of the case and three people standing in front of it discussing the murder…..

Helen Mirren stars as Elizabeth Best, a retired pensioner residing in the upscale Cooper’s Chase Retirement Village outside the seaside Village of Fairhaven in Kent, United Kingdom. She lives there with her husband Steven who is battling the onset of dementia. It is Thursday and she is in the jigsaw puzzle room with Ron Ritchie (Pierce Brosnan), a former Trade Union Official, and Ibrahim Arif (Ben Kingsley), a retired Psychiatrist. They are discussing a murder cold case from the 1973 they are attempting to solve. They have drawn out the details of the case on a display board and are discussing the details trying to find something perhaps the police missed when…….

Joyce Meadowcroft (Celia Imrie) and her daughter walk into the room. She apologizes for seemingly interrupting but wonders if this isn’t the Puzzle room, to which Elizabeth replies, “It is except on Thursdays, Thursdays it is The Thursday Murder Club.” Joyce replies, “Oh, ok” and the two move on exploring the retirement Village. Elizabeth notices that Joyce barely flinched at the site of the murder photo and deduces that she must be someone used to seeing such things, such as a trauma nurse. Convinced that Joyce might be able to help them with their case, the three head to find Joyce. They catch up with her and Joyce confirms that Elizabeth is right, she is a retired Hospital trauma nurse. Elizabeth asks her to help with the case and she readily agrees.

As the four amateur sleuths get acquainted over cake they get further involved in trying to crack the cold case. As they are out walking the grounds they overhear Tony Curran and Ian Ventham, the two co-owners of The Retirement Village,  arguing heatedly. The next day Tony Curran is found murdered, bludgeoned to death in his home. Sensing that the rift between Tony and Ian may have resulted in Tony’s death, The Thursday Murder Club see an opportunity to really put their skills to the test in a real life homicide that involves the future of their retirement home.

And that’s where the real antics begin, chasing down clues, involving and manipulating the local police department, and anyone else they think can help them crack their case. They all put their individual skills to work, Ron helps organize a protest as Ian tries to break ground on new construction, Abrahim constantly makes note and deciphers clues and information using his psychiatrist background to see beyond the obvious, Elizabeth pulls on her MI5 background to really kick things in gear, and Joyce brings common sense and cake at every turn.

It is a comedic, light- hearted whodunit with thrills and mystery at every turn, based on a group of amateur sleuths at a posh retirement home. There is mystery, intrigue, unexpected twists and turns, and action as The Thursday Murder Club work their game. Honestly I don’t know how you could go wrong with these three; Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan and Ben Kingsly. It was great, I thoroughly enjoyed it, a good bit of fun ole’ chap!  You know what I think, I think you should…….

Make some popcorn,

Grab a beverage,

and Stream This Movie

On Netflix!

The Thursday Murder Club

was based on The 2020 Novel

by Richard Osman.

Helen Mirren, Sir Ben Kingsley, Pierce Brosnan, and Celia Imrie in ‘The Thursday Murder Club’

Sir Ben Kingsley and Pierce Brosnan in ‘The Thursday Murder Club’
Sir Ben Kingsley, Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, and Celia Imrie in ‘The Thursday Murder Club’

The Thursday Murder Club Coming To Netflix Thursday August 28, 2025

Juror #2

2024   Warner Brothers Pictures

Rated:  PG-13

Length:  1  hr 54min

Crime ~ Drama ~ Mystery ~ Legal Thriller

Directed by:  Clint Eastwood

Starring:  Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, J. K. Simmons, Francesca Eastwood and Kiefer Sutherland.

Justice Is Blind, Guilt Sees Everything.

Nicholas Hoult stars as Justin Kemp, a journalist and recovering alcoholic in Savannah, Georgia, who is called to serve jury duty during a high-profile murder trial. As Kemp listens to the prosecution’s case, a young man accused of killing his girlfriend after a public altercation, he soon discovers unsettling parallels between his own actions on the night of the crime and the evidence presented in court. The prosecutor, Faith Killebrew (Toni Collette), sees the case as an opportunity to further her campaign for district attorney, while Kemp’s personal struggles add mounting tension to his role as a juror.

As the trial unfolds, Kemp realizes that he may have unwittingly contributed to the victim’s death on the same night of the incident, igniting a powerful moral conflict. Desperate for guidance, he seeks advice from his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor and weighs whether to sway the jury’s verdict in light of his possible involvement. Within the jury room, debates intensify as forensic evidence and conflicting eyewitness testimony cast doubt on the defendant’s guilt, while Kemp must grapple with emotions of guilt and responsibility without exposing his secret.

Kemp’s inner turmoil challenges him to confront issues of justice, personal accountability, and family loyalty as cracks begin to show in the prosecution’s narrative. Pressures from the courtroom and worries about his wife’s difficult pregnancy further complicate his moral choices, pushing him toward a decision that might change the outcome of the trial and his own life forever. The narrative artfully explores themes of truth and redemption, keeping the resolution tightly guarded as Kemp’s fate, and the real story behind the crime, hangs in the balance.

I honestly can’t say much more about this movie without giving anything away. And I think it is best viewed that way. I am going to write a separate review/story about the movie and do a deep dive into the story, the plot, the dilemma and the ending complete with a SPOILER ALERT WARNING. Did I like the movie? Would I recommend it? Would I watch it again? The answer to all those questions is an absolute yes. Clint Eastwood did a great job with this movie that sucks you in deeper than quicksand at every turn. As did Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, J. K. Simmons, Francesca Eastwood and Kiefer Sutherland. It is a different take on the Legal Thriller and the jury process, well worth a watch.

Give it a go and let me know what you think………….

Drop

2025   Universal Pictures

Rated:  PG-13

Length:  1 hr   35min

Drama ~ Mystery ~ Psychological Thriller

Directed by:  Christopher Landon

Starring:  Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Violett Beane, and Jeffery Self.

Everyone’s A Suspect.

Meghann Fahy stars as Violet. In the opening scene we see Violet being physically beaten and abused by her mentally distraught husband in front of their young son Toby. He has a gun and threatens to kill Violet, then turns to their son and threatens to kill him. He then hands the gun to Violet and tells her to go ahead and shoot him. You see her hand on the gun and her finger tighten on the trigger……then blackness and silence. Fast forward and the widowed Therapist Violet is having a video appointment with one of her abuse victim patients over her laptop in her house. Her sister Jen (Violett Beane) arrives to watch Toby after convincing her sister Violet that it was time to get back into the dating game. Violet has agreed to go on a date with Henry (Brandon Sklenar), a charming Chicago City Photographer, at an upscale downtown high-rise restaurant. Violet is nervous but hopeful as she waits for Henry, interacting with the restaurant’s lively staff and fellow diners, while the city’s night pulses beneath them.

Instead of a normal date night however, Violet’s evening quickly turns into a psychological nightmare. She begins receiving unsettling messages and memes via a phone app called “DigiDrop”, messages that escalate in menace and reveal that someone is watching her every move. The situation becomes much darker when she checks her home security cameras and sees a masked intruder inside her house, threatening the lives of her son and sister. The anonymous tormentor insists Violet follow a series of increasingly dangerous instructions, making it clear that any attempt to ask for help will result in immediate harm to her family. Trapped in the restaurant and under constant surveillance, Violet is forced into a tense game of cat and mouse. The tormentor’s demands become more sinister, culminating in an order for Violet to kill Henry by poisoning him, linking the mystery to sensitive information Henry possesses in his camera, evidence that could expose corruption at the Mayor’s office. As Violet struggles to outwit her faceless adversary and protect her loved ones, she must make impossible choices, all while maintaining a façade before the unsuspecting patrons and staff around her.

Drop is a Rom-Com Psychological thriller that begins in classic romantic comedy territory: Violet, a widowed mother, sets out on her first date in years with Henry, a charming photographer she met online. Their initial interactions are awkward, sweet, and filled with the kind of banter and flirtation typical of a rom com, there’s hope, nerves, and the possibility of new love. This is punctuated by funny moments, such as interruptions from an overly eager waiter and playful exchanges that give the date a light-hearted sheen. But “Drop” is equally a psychological thriller, and these romantic-comedy tropes quickly unravel when Violet starts receiving menacing “drops” on her phone, chilling memes and instructions that threaten her family and force her into a frantic game of psychological survival. The tension mounts as Violet must navigate this nightmare while maintaining the appearance of a normal romantic dinner. The constant surveillance, tech-enabled threats, and Violet’s trauma-filled backstory intertwine suspense with the drama of relationship building. This blend of romance, comedy, and nail-biting mind games creates a unique atmosphere, making Drop a riveting nail-biting experience watching Violet balance love, danger, and her fight for control.

Drop was based on an actual AirDrop experience that Platinum Dunes producer Cameron Fuller and his friend, actor Sam Lerner, had while on vacation. Their phones blew up with anonymous, increasingly threatening drop messages that stopped, giving them no information about who or why they were targeted. Screenwriters Jillian Jacobs and Christopher Roach turned their experience into a worst-case scenario version for Drop.

Absolutely riveting and funny. I thought Meghann and Brandon did a great job in this great Rom-Com Thriller. You should definitely watch this. Give it a go.

I Highly Recommend it!

Fountain Of Youth

2025   Apple TV+

Rated:  PG-13

Length:  2 hr  5min

Action ~ Adventure ~ Mystery

Directed by:  Guy Ritchie

Starring:  John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, Eiza González, Domhnall Gleeson, Arian Moayed, Laz Alonso, Carmen Ejogo, and Stanley Tucci.

Life Is About The Adventure

Fountain of Youth promises a whirlwind globetrotting treasure hunt packed with family drama, ancient mysteries, and the seductive allure of eternal life. At its core, this film is about two estranged siblings, Luke (John Krasinski) and Charlotte (Natalie Portman), who reluctantly reunite to chase a mythical treasure that could change their lives forever. Luke, the reckless adventurer son of a famed archaeologist, drags his sister out of her comfortable but squeezed life as a museum curator in London. Their quest? To find the legendary Fountain of Youth, funded by a terminally ill billionaire whose motives become as murky as the clues they follow through Ireland, Switzerland, and Egypt. Along the way, they dodge international law enforcement, clash with a secretive group sworn to protect the fountain, and confront the chasms that years of separation have carved between them.

Guy Ritchie delivers his signature brisk pacing with visually arresting chase scenes and fight sequences, creating a sleek adventure movie that never asks you to think too deeply. The script is littered with nods to classics like Indiana Jones, National Treasure, Uncharted and Tomb Raider,  making it feel comfortably familiar with a slightly different twist on the Treasure Hunt movie. John Krasinski and Natalie Portman deliver solid performances, their sibling chemistry thrust into sharp focus as the magical environment tests their resolve. Supporting roles, particularly from Domhnall Gleeson as the enigmatic benefactor, Esme Bianco (Eiza González) as a fierce guardian of the fountain, and Stanley Tucci as The Elder in charge of the guardians of the fountain add welcome unpredictability and energy.

While the movie channels the familiar thrills of treasure hunts past, this time it’s the special effects that truly steal the show. Guy Ritchie’s knack for lively pacing remains intact, but the VFX team brings an extra layer of wonder to the screen, especially when the action reaches the legendary fountain. Shimmering water, surreal bursts of color, and dazzling transformations create a spectacle that’s both magical and memorable. This climactic sequence isn’t just eye candy, it injects real energy and awe, elevating the stakes and reinforcing the film’s central theme of chasing the impossible. Stylistically, the costumes and soundtrack keep things vibrant and lively; a quirky J-pop track and lush floral patterns mark the film’s funnier and more flamboyant moments.

Fountain of Youth still leans on genre conventions and lighthearted family drama, but the special effects, especially in the fountain scenes, make this quest feel fresh again. For viewers who crave blockbuster magic, these moments transform the film from a pleasant diversion into something truly cinematic.

Give this adventure a go!

Don’t forget the popcorn!

Uncharted

A Simple Favor 2 (Another Simple Favor)

2025   Amazon MGM Studios

Rated: R

Length:  2 hr

Comedy ~ Mystery ~ Thriller

Directed by:  Paul Feig

Starring:  Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding, Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Michele Morrone, Elena Sofia Ricci, Elizabeth Perkins, Alex Newell, and Allison Janney.

Every friendship has its twists.

From Amazon Prime’s Official Website:

Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) reunite on the beautiful island of Capri, Italy, for Emily’s extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman. Along with the glamorous guests, expect murder and betrayal to RSVP for a wedding with more twists and turns than the road from the Marina Grande to the Capri town square.

From Bobby:

Another Simple Favor picks up five years after A Simple Favor ends. Emily is in prison for the deaths of her sister Faith and her Father. Stephanie has gone from Busy Single Mom Blogger to a True Crime Blogger and Author, with a new book just released about Emily’s case and story. She is about to speak at a book release event in a local Warfield, Connecticut Book shop when guess who walks in……

EMILY!?

Who tells Stephanie and everyone there that she has been released from prison on a technicality and that she is going to get married. AND she wants Stephanie to be her Maid of Honor at the wedding in Capri, Italy. Emily informs Stephanie that if she refuses she will sue her for telling her story and using her likeness on the cover of the book without her permission. Realizing that she has no choice and that it might be good material for another book, Stephanie and her PR agent join Emily on her Fiancé’s Private jet and head to Capri, Italy. Whereas you might expect there are more twists and turns than the first movie.

SO what did I think of Another Simple Favor with Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively? Absolutely Beautiful! What? No, not Anna ….well yes, Anna. Anna Kendrick is Beautiful. But no…..What? Blake? No not Blake…well ok yes Blake is Beautiful but I’m talking about Capri, Italy. Holy Toledo, absolutely beautiful! Oh take me there now and I will never leave….Ok, back to the movie. It is always a hard job to top the original with a sequel. History has never been on the side of the sequel, they usually pale in comparison.

But I thought it was good, I think you have to have seen the first one to appreciate it. It did take some goofy twists and turns but I think the movie had to to stand up to the first and in a sense poke fun at itself. And I love seeing Anna Kendrick in action. It made me wonder at the end if it was setting itself up for a third installment in the franchise when the mother in law says…”I have A Simple Favor to ask….”

Time will tell……….

Streaming On Amazon Prime

(L to R): Detective Summerville (Bashir Salahuddin), Vicky (Alex Newell), Darren (Andrew Rannells), Sona (Aparna Nancherla) and Stacey (Kelly McCormack) in ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR.
(L to R) Emily (Blake LIvely), Dante (Michele Morrone), Vicky (Alex Newell) and Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) in ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR.
Anna Kendrick stars as ‘Stephanie Smothers’ in ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR.