Tag: Helen Mirren

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

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

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

FROM NETFLIX TUDUM:

The newest resident of Coopers Chase retirement village, Joyce (Celia Imrie), learns about the Thursday Murder Club the same way the audience does: while giving her daughter a tour of the grounds, they admire the sprawling gardens, the painting and archery classes, and even the jigsaw room. But when she opens the door expecting to find seniors hunched over puzzle pieces, she instead finds the members of the titular club poring over photos of a grisly cold case from the 1970s. Joyce, a recent widow in search of community, is in luck, The Thursday Murder Club needs someone with medical expertise, and with Joyce’s past career as a trauma nurse (as well as her offering of delectable sponge cake), she earns temporary membership.

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

Based on the bestselling book by Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club is adapted by Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote and directed by Chris Columbus (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone). Osman was inspired to write the novel after visiting his mother’s retirement village and pondering the expectation “that you’ve reached a certain stage in your life and that’s it,” he says. “The Thursday Murder Club have lived these extraordinary lives. Take these people who are underestimated, who have these incredible skills, put them together, and they can achieve anything.”

The film takes place at a quaint country estate and stars some of the UK’s most renowned actors. Helen Mirren (The Queen, Gosford Park) plays ex-M15 spy Elizabeth, the steadfast leader of the crew. Speaking to Tudum, Mirren, who described the novel as “unputdownable,” immediately connected with Elizabeth, noting how intuitive the process of getting into character was. “For once I thought, ‘I’m just going to be myself,’ ” says the Academy Award-winning actor. “The best Elizabeth I can be is just to be who I am.”

Sir Ben Kingsley and Pierce Brosnan in ‘The Thursday Murder Club’

Pierce Brosnan (The World is Not Enough, Mamma Mia!) plays good-humored former labor organizer Ron, who isn’t afraid to get into character to help with a case. “I love that he’s like a bull in a china shop at times,” says Brosnan of his character.

As Ron’s best friend, Ibrahim, Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More) found a balance that made his character an ideal detective. “He’s clearly empathetic because he’s a psychiatrist and he needs to interpret patterns of human behavior,” says the actor. “Now he can bring those same skills to a forensic quest to solve unsolved police cases through empathy, knowledge of patterns of human behavior, compassion, and imagination.” Rounding out the club is newcomer Joyce, played by Imrie (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Diplomat). “Where a retirement village could seem like the end, she gets here and it’s actually uplifting and fun and she finds friends,” says the actor.

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

After all, Mirren points out that her posse’s hobby stems from a universal place of curiosity and care about the world around them. “One of the things that keeps one alive and engaged in life at whatever age you are is a curiosity and questioning about the world, and a sense of constantly learning,” she says.

Says Brosnan, “You’re dealing with life and death, and it’s coming from the perspective of people who are in their 70s and 80s. You have to find the answer to the crime, why that person took another person’s life, and the meaning of that. But it’s about the humanity of these men and women and the unexpected relationships that unfold.”

But, Imrie notes, “Friends are so important when you get to a certain age. So, it’s a rather wonderful blossoming for everyone, actually.”

The Thursday Murder Club streams Aug. 28 on Netflix.

Fast And Furious Presents: Hobbs And Shaw

2019   Universal Pictures

Rated:  PG-13

Length:  2 hr  17min

Action ~ Adventure ~ Thriller

Directed by:  David Leitch

Starring:  Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Idris Elba, Vanessa Kirby, Eiza González, Cliff Curtis, and Helen Mirren.

Nothing is stronger than family.

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw centers on two reluctant allies, Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), who are forced to team up amidst a high-stakes pursuit of a powerful super virus that could potentially wipe out the entire human race. The story begins in London, where MI6 agent Hattie Shaw ( Vanessa Kirby), Deckard’s younger sister, acquires a programmable super virus called “Snowflake” from a cyberterrorist group named Eteon. After a violent attack by Brixton Lore (Idris Elba), an enhanced ex-MI6 agent with cybernetic abilities who kills her team, Hattie injects herself with the virus to keep it from falling into enemy hands and is then framed as a criminal on the run.

Hobbs, an ex-DSS agent estranged from his Samoan family, and Shaw, an ex-MI6 agent with a complicated past, are independently tasked to track down the missing virus by CIA Agent Victor Locke (Played by Ryan Reynolds in an uncredited Cameo Role). They initially clash due to their rivalry but eventually must collaborate to find and rescue Hattie. Their mission leads them through intense action sequences, including a daring car chase and battles against Eteon’s forces, as the trio uncovers the deadly potential of the virus and the high stakes of Brixton’s plan for global dominance.

They try to trick their way into the Eteon Lab where there is a virus extraction machine that can recover the virus capsules from inside Hattie. But the machine is damaged as they escape the lab with it. With everyone looking for them after Eteon plastered their pictures all over every news media in the world, Hobbs decides there is only one place they can go. The one place he never wanted to go back to, home to Samoa. Knowing that they would be safe on the remote island with his estranged family long enough to fix the machine and extract the virus, they head to Samoa.

Hobbs has a complicated but deep relationship with his brother Jonah, who initially feels hurt and neglected because Hobbs had been absent from his family’s life for a long time. When Hobbs returns to Samoa, there’s tension between them, but they eventually begin to reconnect and rebuild their bond. This reconciliation is important because it not only strengthens their family ties but also becomes vital in the fight ahead, and Hobbs knows that Jonah has the expertise and the technology to fix the Virus Capsule extraction machine.

The Samoan community, led by Hobbs and supported by his brother and other family members, comes together to prepare for an epic battle against Brixton, who threatens global destruction with a deadly virus. The brothers draw on their Samoan heritage and warrior spirit, merging traditional strength and modern tactics to stand against the coming enemy. This powerful alliance of family and community showcases themes of unity, loyalty, and courage as they put everything on the line to protect humanity from a catastrophic threat. Their fight is not just personal—it is a struggle for the survival of innocent lives everywhere.

I have seen this movie a few times and I was anxious to watch it again after I found out it was going to be on Netflix with most of The Fast And The Furious Franchise. It does not disappoint, with such Star Power, how could it? I am a huge Jason Statham fan and a big fan of Dwayne Johnson, and the two together are perfect in my opinion. More, please! I had forgotten how much of a Bad-Ass Vanessa Kirby is in this movie, from the very beginning she holds her own with Statham and Johnson, giving The Rock a run for his money in one scene. Awesome job by Vanessa! I just watched her in Night Always Comes and really enjoyed her in that one as well. I thought she was really good as Josephine De Beauharnais in Napoleon, which is a really good movie also.

I feel like I could go on for days about this movie I like it so much….Idris Alba is excellent as the evil cyborg trying to rid the planet of the weak side of humanity. That motorcycle of his is something else! Wicked special effects on that one! And the last part of the movie where Hobbs goes home to Samoa is great. Watching his Mom break bad with a flip-flop that EVERYONE on the island respects was hilarious and heart-warming. You see the love and sense of family they all have for each other. Getting a glimpse of the Samoan culture and their fierce Warrior Spirit was awe-Inspiring. Kevin Hart also has an uncredited Cameo as a US Air Marshall. And on and on and on….. Seriously….do yourself a favor..

Grab A Beverage,

Make Some Popcorn

And Stream This Movie!

And when the credits start to roll don’t look away,

there are two more small scenes in the midst of the credits,

Don’t Miss Them!

Napoleon

Night Always Comes