Director Megan Harding leads an unprecedented look at the workings of the secretive Walt Disney Animation Studios
Author: Mark Goodwin
Mark Goodwin is a primary school teacher who blogs about his opinions about musical theatre, film and TV for his own personal amusement.
The Boys in the Band Film Review: Complex and dramatic queer characters
A film adaptation of Joe Mantello’s 2018 Broadway run, The Boys in the Band depicts a single evening which spirals out of control as a result of the trauma of those attending
Bridgerton Review: Sincere, unashamed romance
Shondaland’s first Netflix production is visually sumptuous and entirely captivating
Soul Review: One of Pixar’s finest
Pete Docter’s latest is a massively creative feat of world building
Christmas Film Review: Operation Christmas Drop
Netflix’s latest festive offering does little to eschew its own formula, other than its sun-drenched location
Christmas Film Review: The Holidate
A breezy, inoffensive offering, The Holidate is mainly sold by solid lead performances
Christmas Film Review: The Mistle-Tones
Decent lead performances and fun musical numbers make up for a predictable plot and poor attempts at humour
Christmas Film Review: My Christmas Inn
Heartwarming and with an aggressive amount of product placement, My Christmas Inn is exactly what you’d expect from a Christmas film
Christmas Film Review: A New York Christmas Wedding
Far from perfect, this Christmas film features a guardian angel, time travel and a black, queer lead
Christmas Film Review: Arthur Christmas
A fun, festive classic for all ages
Christmas Film Review: 12 Dates of Christmas
Groundhogs Day gets a Christmassy spin in 12 Dates of Christmas
Christmas Film Review: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
The visually impressive fantasy epic manages to thrill and surprise
Christmas Film Review: A California Christmas
A California Christmas appears to misunderstand that a Christmas film should probably have Christmas in it
Christmas Film Review: The Princess Switch: Switched Again
The sequel to 2018’s The Princess Switch is just as delightfully charming, and twice as unhinged, as the original
Christmas TV Review: Dash & Lily
An interesting, festive romance
Christmas Film Review: Christmas Chronicles 2
The Netflix sequel cannot reach the heights of the original
Christmas Film Review: Christmas Chronicles
Santa as you’ve never seen him before
Christmas Film Review: Christmas on the Square
Dolly Parton proves that writing a lot of music doesn’t mean that you have written a film
Christmas Film Review: Klaus
Netflix gives Santa Claus an origin tale
Festive Favourites: My Christmas Must-Sees
As Santa’s annual visit draws nearer, here’s a breakdown of what’s on my Christmas watchlist year after year to get those perfect Christmassy butterflies going
‘Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Story’ Review: A festive treat
A cheerful, stridently energetic Christmas musical, with spectacular visuals Starring Forest Whitaker, Madalen Mills, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Bonneville, Anika Noni Rose, Phylicia Rashad, Lisa Davina Phillip, and Ricky Martin
Death Drop Review: Silly, chaotic escapism
Disaster ensues when Lady von Fistenberg (Vinegar Strokes) invites an odd assortment of dinner guests to an elegant soirée on the remote Tuck Island Starring Courtney Act, Monét X Change, Kemah Bob, LoUis CYfer, Anna Phylactic, Holly Stars, and Vinegar Strokes
The Prom Review: Heartwarming, frenetic and dazzling fun
Despite the controversy surrounding James Corden’s casting, Ryan Murphy delivers a blockbuster spectacle Starring Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Keegan-Michael Key, Andrew Rannells, Ariana DeBose, Tracey Ullman, Kevin Chamberlin, Mary Kay Place, Kerry Washington, and Jo Ellen Pellman
“Happiest Season” Review: The gayest Yuletide has ever been
Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis star in a Christmas film like no other. Starring Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Dan Levy, Mary Holland, Victor Garber, and Mary Steenburgen
“Noelle” Review – Anna Kendrick is winning in this heartwarming, amusing Christmas flick
When new Santa Nick (Bill Hader) goes missing, little sister Noelle (Anna Kendrick) sets out in pursuit, finding herself a fish out of water in the real world
‘The Grinch’: A wholly different remake
With the green menace voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, “The Grinch” tells a familiar story, but delivers an unexpected level of emotion
Ranking Doctor Who’s Christmas specials
Doctor Who was a staple of BBC’s festive lineup from 2005 – 2017, featuring some of the best and some of the worst in Christmas-themed entertainment
‘The Duchess’ Review: A surprisingly laughless affair
Katherine Ryan’s Netflix series ‘The Duchess’ lacks some vital ingredients for a comedy: wit, intelligence and likeable characters Starring Katherine Ryan, Rory Keenan, Katy Byrne, Steen Raskopoulos, Michelle de Swarte, Sophie Fletcher, and Doon Mackichan
‘The Crown’ Season 4 Review: The Best Yet
The Crown enters the 80s, bringing with it the most dramatic collection of episodes we have seen in Peter Morgan’s Netflix drama about the nation’s most contentious family.
Hollywood: Welcome to Dreamland
From the mind of Ryan Murphy comes an alternate imagining of the Golden Age of Hollywood: a tantalising glimpse at what could have been.
Normal People: A painfully honest and raw love story
The television adaptation of Sally Rooney’s “Normal People” is bristling with tension, and is one of the most engaging and captivating tales of romance and maturation.
His Dark Materials returns for Series 2
The critically acclaimed adaptation of Philip Pullman’s book series returns for its second outing, remaining a visual spectacle and ramping up the tension for an upcoming battle.
Emily in Paris: non good, but beret bingeable
(I can only apologise) From the creator of Sex and the City, Emily in Paris has all of the depth of the selfie camera Emily can’t possibly tear her eyes away from, and the emotional integrity of a wet pain au chocolat, and yet I couldn’t stop watching.
Over the Moon reaches stratospheric heights
Netflix’s first in-house animated feature borrows extensively from Disney’s book of tricks, but still produces a moving exploration of grief heavily inspired by Chinese culture.
The Witches: Slightly forgettable, but creepy, entertaining fun
Anne Hathaway puts in a bonkers, assured performance as the Grand High Witch in a faithful, surprisingly frightening adaptation of Roald Dahl’s “The Witches”
Ranking Doctor Who Series Openers
The series openers of Doctor Who are some of the most important within each run. Not only do they often have to introduce new characters to the Who universe, but they also have to re-establish the premise and the tone of the series for any new joiners. As such, it sort of has to have…
Freaky Friday: An infinitely rewatchable, toe-tapping hit
The beloved classic gets the musical treatment from the creative minds behind Broadway musicals If/Then and Next to Normal.
Santa Clarita Diet: the oddest comedy you will perhaps ever witness
Drew Barrymore plays a zombie in this zany and frankly absurd comedy, in which a married suburban couple attempt to balance an ordinary life with her cannibalistic, murderous tendencies.
Enola Holmes: Just as capable as her big brother
With a wit as fierce as her intelligence, Enola’s first case screams out for follow-up instalments to chronicle the further adventures of the plucky, inspirational heroine.
Mark My Words 