{"version":"https:\/\/jsonfeed.org\/version\/1","title":"Film","home_page_url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/blogs\/film\/","feed_url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/blogs\/film\/json","icon":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/2476\/69f725ec5d30c.jpg","description":"Discover the impact on Youth Culture through Film.","items":[{"id":"o2476-2076-6a33cb96ca786","url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/blogs\/film\/post\/superman-2025\/","title":"Films at their best: Superman (2025)","date_published":"2026-06-24T09:00:00+00:00","summary":"This week we will be diving into the return of Clark Kent!","content_html":"<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Hello and welcome back to my series on anticipated cinema watches. <\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">This week we will be into the 2025 action movie, Superman, staring David Corenswet.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size:20px;\"><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Warning - Spoilers&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<div style=\"left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ox8ZLF6cGM0?rel=0\" style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;\" allowfullscreen scrolling=\"no\" allow=\"accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size:22px;\">Plot&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Superman stops Boravia and Jarhanpur, two places in the DC Universe, from invading one another. In Metropolis, he is defeated by a metahuman and retreats to his home in the Fortress of Solitude with the help of his dog, Krypto. He is followed by an ally of Lex Luthor. Superman is healed by his robots, and he listens to a half-recorded message from his birth parents, who sent him to Earth before their planet was destroyed.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Lois Lane, a reporter for the Daily Planet and Superman&#39;s girlfriend, discusses his actions in Boravia. Luthor causes a distraction in Metropolis, captures Krypto and restores the damaged part of the recording. The message is broadcast to the whole city, where his parents wanted him to conquer Earth and restore the Kryptonian race.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Superman surrenders himself to the US government, where he is handed over to Luthor and is held in a pocket universe along with Krypto. He also comes face-to-face with Kryptonite after it transmutes through Metamorpho&#39;s hand. However, he helps free Superman along with Krypto.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Luthor lures Superman back to Metropolis by creating a split in the city. Green Lantern, Hawk Girl and Metamorpho try to stop the invasion in Boravia and Jarhanpur. Superman later realises that Ultraman is a clone of himself created by Luthor, but defeats him by knocking him into a black hole and the city&#39;s split is eventually restored. Luthor admitted that he created the conflict to place the blame on Superman. Luthor is arrested, and Superman is greeted with a special visit from Kara Zor-El, also known as Supergirl.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><span style=\"font-size:22px;\">Analysis&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">This movie, for me, provided a fresh change in characters and themes for James Gunn&#39;s franchise, The DC Universe (DCU). It is a sharp turn from Zach Synder&#39;s franchise, DC Extended Universe, especially Man of Steel, portrayed in 2013 by British actor Henry Cavill. The movie is heavily centred on the loving and caring personality of Superman and the development of Lois Lane as a Journalist.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">It is a warm and family-oriented movie which balances superhero strength with human kindness.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><span style=\"font-size:22px;\"><strong>Supergirl Release&nbsp;<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Following on from the Superman movie, Supergirl is due to premiere in UK cinemas on 26 June 2026. Featuring Milly Alcock as Supergirl, where she celebrates her birthday by travelling across the galaxy with Krypto until she meets Ruthye Marye Knoll.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n<div style=\"left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/s1-pfiVMKAs?rel=0\" style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;\" allowfullscreen scrolling=\"no\" allow=\"accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/2476\/6a3b0e4eeb3a17b1c37.jpeg","author":{"name":"Zara Ashraf"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/_app_pages\/stations\/6698\/blogs\/posts\/85414"},{"id":"o2476-2076-6a2b284a6549c","url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/blogs\/film\/post\/f1-the-movie-2025\/","title":"Films at their best: F1 The Movie (2025)","date_published":"2026-06-17T09:00:00+00:00","summary":"This week we will be diving into F1 The Movie, starring Brad Pitt. ","content_html":"<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Hello, and welcome back to my blog series on anticipated cinema watches of 2025 and 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">This week, we will be diving into F1 The Movie, starring Brad Pitt, which was released in UK cinemas on June 25, 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><span style=\"font-size:20px;\"><strong>Warning - Spoilers<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n<div style=\"left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8yh9BPUBbbQ?rel=0\" style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;\" allowfullscreen scrolling=\"no\" allow=\"accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size:22px;\">Plot<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 driver, has spent the past few years as a racer-for-hire, after a crash in 1993 left him doubting his full potential. After winning the 24-hour Daytona race, he&#39;s approached by a former teammate and owner of the APXGP F1 team, who asks him to be their second driver. He tells Sonny that unless their team win one of the Grand Prix races left in the season, his investors will sell the team. With that, Sonny agrees.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Joshua Pierce, a rookie, meets Sonny and fears the downfall of APXGP will affect his career. Sonny studies the F1 machinery and proposes that APXGP use enhanced aerodynamics to build their speed. Sonny and Joshua don&#39;t get along, and the pair end up competing at the British Grand Prix, resulting in a crash. Sonny triggers safety car periods at the Hungarian Grand Prix to secure a high finish for APXGP. Joshua ends up in a hazardous accident after not accepting Sunny&#39;s advice and misses the next three races. However, he later returns and forces Sunny into an accident.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Kate McKenna, APXGP&#39;s technical director, hears from Sunny that he races to capture the moments when he felt untouchable in his career. After APXGP were forced to remove their upgrades, Sonny realised during the Las Vegas Grand Prix that he wasn&#39;t carrying a random playing card with him during his race, resulting in an accident. Rub&eacute;n Cervantes, APXGP&#39;s team owner, discovers that Sonny&#39;s previous career injuries left him with risks of blindness and death, and he then fires him. Meanwhile, Joshua uses Sonny&#39;s tactics and realises how useful they are. Sonny persuades Rub&eacute;n to let him return.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Fast forward, and it&#39;s a successful win for APXGP, after Sonny sacrifices his own victory so that Joshua can move into first place during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/2476\/6a306ced33f5fc7f7b2.jpg\" style=\"\" \/><\/p>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><em>Image courtesy of: Apple Studios\/Apple Original Films and Warner Bros. Pictures&nbsp;<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><span style=\"font-size:22px;\"><strong>Analysis&nbsp;<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">If I could describe this movie in one word, I would say it was exhilarating. Viewers are made to position themselves in the driver&#39;s seat of Formula 1 racing and experience the anticipation of driving. Along with some devastating car crash scenes that literally go up in flames!<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">The movie&#39;s use of song choice matched well with the corresponding scenes. I felt like I went through various emotional rollercoasters during the movie, as one minute the racers were taking place and the next minute I was faced with character struggles and tensions.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">The vehicle sound design was engineered to a high standard. You could sense when a gear change was about to happen, or a sudden break and even a wheel spin. It was music to my ears and added to the thrill of the storyline.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/2476\/6a306cf263afb3cfc56.jpg\" style=\"\" \/><\/p>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><em><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Damson Idris. Image courtesy of: Apple Studios\/Apple Original Films and Warner Bros. Pictures&nbsp;<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><span style=\"font-size:22px;\"><strong>Filming During Live Race Weekends\/Cameo Appearances<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Interestingly enough, the racing scenes in the movie took place at the 2023 and 2024 World Championships during Grand Prix weekends. Along with various cameo appearances from F1 stars, including Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/2476\/6a2f240747c34.jpg","author":{"name":"Zara Ashraf"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/_app_pages\/stations\/6698\/blogs\/posts\/85330"},{"id":"o2476-2076-6a21e0e3763c6","url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/blogs\/film\/post\/the-devil-wears-prada-2-2026\/","title":"Films at their best: The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026)","date_published":"2026-06-10T09:00:00+00:00","summary":"Get your coffee ready, because we are about to dive into the highly anticipated sequel of The Devil Wears Prada!","content_html":"<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Ooo it&#39;s about to get all glitz and glam in here because its officially runway time!<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">This week I will be diving into the anticipated sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2, which premiered in UK cinemas on May 1st 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size:20px;\">Warning - Spoilers&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n<div style=\"left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/e9HXmMnUEdE?rel=0\" style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;\" allowfullscreen scrolling=\"no\" allow=\"accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><span style=\"font-size:22px;\"><strong>Plot<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Andrea Sachs (Andy), a respected reporter in New York City, discovers that she was laid off from her position at Runway magazine almost two decades after leaving, during an awards gala. Her old Runway boss, Miranda Priestly, is being attacked for publishing a piece on sweatshop labour. The owner of Elias-Clarke and Miranda&#39;s boss, Irv Ravitz, hires Andy as the new features editor for Runway, much to Miranda&#39;s annoyance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Nigel Kipling explains that nobody reads Runway&#39;s print edition anymore, and the brand has had to turn towards online clickbait to maintain its relationships with advertisers. The team find out that Emily Charlton, Andy&#39;s former Runway co-worker, has been employed by advertiser Dior.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Andy is tasked with writing articles for the Runway magazine, but unfortunately, they gain minimal traction. However, she manages to secure an interview with Sasha Barnes, the divorc&eacute;e of a Silicon Valley billionaire and an idol to Miranda.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">On Irv&#39;s 75th birthday party, he planned to promote Miranda to global head of content at Elias-Clarke, but died from a heart attack before he could announce the news. His son, Jay, takes over the company but lacks any knowledge of Runway. He puts Miranda&#39;s promotion on hold and looks into cost cuts.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Andy and her new boyfriend, Peter, experience some issues over their job roles, and she considers writing a book about Miranda. She is offered a contract with a publisher, but is stuck between the two.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Fast forward to Milan Fashion Week, Andy crafts a plan to get Sasha&#39;s ex-husband and Emily&#39;s current boyfriend to buy Runway from Jay. Andy and Emily unveil their plan to Miranda, who is aware that Emily is trying to take her position. Miranda admits that she got rid of Emily as she had no creative vision. To overthrow Emily and Jay, Andy convinces Sasha to buy all of Elias-Clarke, where Jay accepts the offer. Sasha also gives Miranda the promotion she was waiting for.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Back in New York, Miranda tells Andy that she knows about her book and encourages her to write it, including the negative aspects of her life. Andy reconciles with her boyfriend and with Emily. Back in the office, Miranda has given Andy a new space to work in.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/2476\/6a2741e4552bf.jpeg\" style=\"\" \/><\/p>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Anne Hathaway. Photo by Macall Polay. Credit: 20th Century Studios&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><span style=\"font-size:22px;\"><strong>Analysis&nbsp;<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">A warm and tingly feeling entered my body when the movie started, it didn&#39;t feel like it had been 20 years since the release of the first movie. With fashion and Runway still being the central focus of the movie, it showed a clear development of what can happen to a fashion company almost a decade later in an ever-changing world.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Visually, the film was eye-catching in all aspects. The spotlights, cameras and flashlights really set the scene of Runway. The fashion was impeccable, especially Miranda and Andy&#39;s wardrobe, which I believe could be of true inspiration to many women today. Oh, and don&#39;t get me started on the humour, especially from the fashion icon himself, Nigel Kipling.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">The movie centring around the downfall of print magazines and Runway highlighted the erosion of journalism, and its lack of power across the fashion industry due to artificial intelligence. A truly meaningful message.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/2476\/6a2741dcb2f55.jpeg\" style=\"\" \/><\/p>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"color:#000000;\">(Center-Right) Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci. Photo by Macall Polay. Credit: 20th Century Studios&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size:22px;\">The Return of the Original Cast<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">It was truly refreshing to see the return of the original cast, Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt. Their character return felt effortless and somewhat breathtaking to witness after such a long time.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/2476\/6a22db40e9f30.jpg","author":{"name":"Zara Ashraf"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/_app_pages\/stations\/6698\/blogs\/posts\/85244"},{"id":"o2476-2076-6a119131dabdb","url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/blogs\/film\/post\/mission-impossible-the-final-reckoning-2025\/","title":"Films at their best: Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning (2025)","date_published":"2026-06-03T09:00:00+00:00","summary":"Join me as I dive into Ethan Hunt's last and final mission!","content_html":"<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">This week we will be diving into the one and only final mission staring Tom Cruise. The Final Reckoning is a continuation from the seventh movie, Dead Reckoning Part One.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><span style=\"font-size:20px;\"><strong>WARNING - Spoilers&nbsp;<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n<div style=\"left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fsQgc9pCyDU?rel=0&start=10\" style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;\" allowfullscreen scrolling=\"no\" allow=\"accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size:22px;\">Plot<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">After Ethan Hunt secures the key to the source code for the Entity, he receives a message from Erica Sloane, the U.S. President, informing him that the Entity has ceased to take control of nuclear systems all over the world. Ethan refuses to surrender the key and continues to search for Gabriel, who failed to steal it.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Ethan visits team member, Luther Stickell, who presents Ethan with a &quot;Poison Pill&quot; that he has created to target the entity. Fast forward to Austria, and the team break out Gabriel&#39;s former lieutenant, Paris, and recruits Theo Degas, a partner of Jasper Briggs.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Ethan and Grace are captured by Gabriel&#39;s men. He orders Ethan to recover the &quot;Podkova&quot; module from a sunken Russian submarine, so he can have control over the Entity. The Entity states that Luther will die, and Ethan demands access to a secure bunker in South Africa.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">The team need to retrieve Sevastopol&#39;s coordinates, whilst Ethan aims to save Luther. Gabriel, however, traps Luther with a time bomb and steals the Poison Pill. Ethan is captured and taken to an emergency operations centre. Grace, Benji, Paris and Degas travel to St. Matthew Island, where they meet a former CIA analyst who memorised the coordinates and transmits them to Ethan.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Ethan uses an experimental diving suit to secure the Podkova from the submarine wreck, but narrowly escapes it without his diving suit. He faces decompression sickness, but is revived after Grace uses a portable chamber to help him. He reunites with his team and aims to trick the Identity by plugging the Poison Pill into the Podkova, so it enters into a physical drive.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Back to the bunker, and the team is caught by Gabriel, but is also interrupted by Kittridge. During the fight, Benji is shot, and the bomb is activated. Gabriel escapes with the Poison Pill. Ethan chases after Gabriel by climbing onto his plane and takes back the Poison Pill. Trying to escape, Gabriel kills himself after hitting his head on the plane&#39;s stabiliser. Ethan inserts the Poison Pill mid-air into the Podkolva, where Grace traps the entity just before the launch.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Ethan listens to a farewell message recorded by Luther, which self-destructs afterwards. The team parted their ways, with Ethan left with a drive containing the Entity.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><span style=\"font-size:22px;\"><strong>Analysis&nbsp;<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Was this the best movie out of the whole Mission Impossible series? Not personally, it wasn&#39;t.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">The movie relied heavily on the AI-powered Entity, which I believe required lengthy explanations to progress the plot. However, it was an emotional rollercoaster as it was the final send-off for Ethan Hunt and the team.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">The stunts and action-packed scenes were no doubt amazing to witness. Tom Cruise went above and beyond my expectations. From the intriguing submarine dive to the pacing plane fight, the array of stunts were truly thrilling and exceptionally executed.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size:22px;\"><span style=\"color:#000000;\">The Burning Parachute Stunt<\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color:#000000;\"> <\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Cruise&#39;s burning parachute stunt was one of my favourites. After performing it 16 times, he received a Guinness World Record for the most burning parachute jumps by an individual. <\/span><\/p>\n\n<div style=\"left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/K5PP7igejMU?rel=0\" style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;\" allowfullscreen scrolling=\"no\" allow=\"accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">A truly spectacular scene!<\/span><\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/2476\/6a1ae9ffa6d86.jpg","author":{"name":"Zara Ashraf"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/_app_pages\/stations\/6698\/blogs\/posts\/85077"},{"id":"o2476-2076-6a10be34cf95e","url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/blogs\/film\/post\/zootopia-2-2025\/","title":"Films at their best: Zootopia 2 (2025)","date_published":"2026-05-27T09:00:00+00:00","summary":"Judy and Nick, or should I say Hopps and Wilde? ","content_html":"<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">After a lengthy 9 years, we were finally given the continuation of Judy and Nick. In this movie, the pair are on a hunt to take down a malicious snake after being framed.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size:20px;\"><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><strong>WARNING - Spoilers<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n<div style=\"left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BjkIOU5PhyQ?rel=0\" style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;\" allowfullscreen scrolling=\"no\" allow=\"accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size:22px;\"><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><strong>Plot<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Judy and Nick are sent on a smuggling case, but Judy later discovers a fresh piece of snake skin, which has never been discovered in Zootopia for many years. She suspects the snake may be at the Zootennial Gala, hosted by Milton Lynxley. A celebration of his grandfather&#39;s discovery, Ebenezer, of Zootopia, marking its 100th anniversary.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">At the Gala, Judy meets Pawbert Lynxley, the youngest son of the family. Later, a hooded creature in disguise kidnaps Milton, using his eye to unlock a glass case and retrieve a journal that explains the city&#39;s weather walls, which regulate Zootopia&#39;s climate zones.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Judy and Nick are then framed by Lynxley for an attack on Chief Bogo, which in fact was caused by the snake. The pair are on the run with the journal, and an unknown creature on a motorcycle takes the snake.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">The pair meet Nibbles Maplestick, who leads them to an area of Zootopia where reptiles hide and live. Captain Hoggbottom of the Zootopia Police Department (ZPD) locates Judy and Nick, but they escape. The snake returns and steals the journal, escaping through a water tunnel. They attempt to locate the journal and climb a rocky cliff, which later results in an argument and Judy&#39;s carrot pen breaking.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Nick is arrested, but Judy is rescued by the snake, who reveals himself as Gary De&#39;Snake and Pawbert on a motorcycle. Gary reveals that his great-grandmother was the author of the journal and the founder of Zootopia. Ebenzer, the investor, plagiarised her work and framed her for murder. After her death, the population turned against all reptiles and ushered them out of Zootopia.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Nick escapes the prison, freeing all the others, and locates Judy at the Desert-Tundratown weather wall. Judy, Pawbert and Gary believe the patent for the reptile district is located in Agnes&#39;s house and the buried reptile district beneath an old clock tower. Pawbert later betrays Judy and Gary, intending to destroy the patent so his family will acknowledge him. He uses snake venom to inject Judy and steals the antivenom. Nick arrives, aiming to take down Pawbert and retrieves the antivenom, which Gary uses to cure Judy. The pair track down Pawbert and locate Agnes&#39; house.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">The Lynxleys are arrested, Judy and Nick are freed, and Agnes is credited as the founder of Zootopia, where all the reptiles return to Zootopia. Gary reunites with his family, and Nick gifts Judy a new carrot pen. The pair are now on a mission to track down the escaped prisoners that Nick released.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size:22px;\"><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><strong>Possibility of a third movie?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">The post-credit scene shows Judy playing a clip Nick recorded on her carrot pen where he tells her how he loves her. Interrupted by her noisy neighbours, Judy leaves the room, but something passes by her window and leaves a feather from a bird on her windowsill.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/2476\/6a116ce43b667.jpg\" style=\"\" \/><\/p>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size:12px;\"><em>(L-R) Nick Wilde, Judy Hopps Credit: The Walt Disney Company<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size:22px;\"><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><strong>Analysis<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p>The character development between Nick and Judy was joyful to witness. Their love and gratitude for one another grew stronger as the movie progressed. I was glad to see that they also still had their bickering personalities towards each other.<\/p>\n\n<p>All the new characters gave the movie a breath of life, but I did notice some old faces here and there!<\/p>\n\n<p>The humour added to the comedic qualities of the story, something younger audiences are drawn to in animated movies.<\/p>\n\n<p>A no doubt entertaining watch, for all ages. Zootopia remains one of my favourite animated Disney movies!<\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/2476\/6a10be520fba2.jpg","author":{"name":"Zara Ashraf"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/_app_pages\/stations\/6698\/blogs\/posts\/85073"},{"id":"o2476-2076-6a0444da5b67a","url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/blogs\/film\/post\/the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-2026\/","title":"Films at their best: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)","date_published":"2026-05-20T09:00:00+00:00","summary":"Join me as I'll be diving into all things Mario, Luigi and Yoshi related!","content_html":"<p>The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a follow-up to The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Its latest movie was released in UK cinemas on 1 April 2026. However, this movie features a special someone. Can you guess who it may be?<\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size:20px;\"><strong>WARNING - Potential Spoilers&nbsp;<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n<div style=\"left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/En5QZmL5R1s?rel=0\" style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;\" allowfullscreen scrolling=\"no\" allow=\"accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size:22px;\"><strong>Plot<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p>The film begins with the introduction of Princess Rosalina, who was kidnapped by Bowser Jr., the son of Bowser, who was defeated by Mario and Luigi in the first movie after being shrunken by Princess Peach&#39;s powers.<\/p>\n\n<p>Mario and Luigi are called to the Mushroom Kingdom, where they also bring Yoshi, a green, odd-looking dinosaur with a big nose. They cover the kingdom after Rosalina sends one of her Lumas to get help from Peach and Toad.<\/p>\n\n<p>Bowser Jr. gets revenge in exchange for Mario and Luigi shrinking his father and lifts Princess Peach&#39;s castle out of the Mushroom Kingdom. But it is later dropped in the Honeyhive galaxy. Bowser provokes Mario into a fight, which evidently unshrinks him and returns him to his normal size.<\/p>\n\n<p>Peach meets Wart, a casino owner, and forces him to tell her where Rosalina is, but he alerts Bowser after she finds out she is in the Space Junk Galaxy. The gang, Mario, Luigi, Toad, Yoshi and Peach reunite and travel to the Space Junk Galaxy in Fox McCloud&#39;s aircraft. However, it later crashes, and Bowser uses a shrinking machine to shrink Mario and Luigi into babies. Yoshi rescues the brothers and restores them to their normal size.<\/p>\n\n<p>Fast forward to the Comet Observatory, and Peach discovers her relationship with Rosalina and the powers she holds. Peach, Mario, Luigi and Toad are sent to the new Planet Bowser, where they begin a battle with him on a bridge located on top of a river made of lava. He later falls into the river, but returns in skeleton form. On the other side of the kingdom, Peach tries to rescue Rosalina in a hopeful plan to save her and rebuild her castle.<\/p>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/2476\/6a048545cc071.jpg\" style=\"\" \/><\/p>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><em>(L-R) Luigi, Yoshi, Mario, Toad - Credit: Courtesy of Nintendo Co., Ltd, Illumination Entertainment and Universal Studios\/Pictures<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size:22px;\"><strong>Analysis<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p>I am sure fans have been waiting for the long-awaited arrival of Yoshi after the first movie because I can tell you I was itching to see his dramatic reveal in the second instalment. The typical sound he makes and his friendly personality really tied his whole character together.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>The film was also very fast-paced, as it jumped from scene to scene. It did draw on the character development of Rosalina, Peach and the father-son bonding relationship between Bowser and Bowser Jr., but there was little development of the other characters.<\/p>\n\n<p>The graphics throughout the whole movie were simply beautiful. The opacity of colour and vibrance in each character and background detail brought the film to life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>It&#39;s nostalgia, as a Mario Kart fan, that brought me back to my childhood years. A joyful and exciting watch, particularly for younger audiences and adults, of course!<\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/2476\/6a0996d60a132.jpg","author":{"name":"Zara Ashraf"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/_app_pages\/stations\/6698\/blogs\/posts\/84918"},{"id":"o2476-2076-69fc64b9ace84","url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/blogs\/film\/post\/mercy-2026\/","title":"Films at their best: Mercy (2026)","date_published":"2026-05-13T09:00:00+00:00","summary":"This week, we will be diving into the 2026 sci-fi\/thriller, Mercy. Starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson. ","content_html":"<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">The movie Mercy, starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, explores high-level anticipation after an AI-created judge tells a detective that he has 90 minutes to prove his innocence, whilst he stands trial for the murder of his wife. If he fails to prove this, he will be executed after the time limit.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size:20px;\"><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><strong>WARNING - Potential Spoilers&nbsp;<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n<div style=\"left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dSS4yqd0x6o?rel=0\" style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;\" allowfullscreen scrolling=\"no\" allow=\"accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size:22px;\"><strong>Plot<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p>Set in Los Angeles, an increase in crime cases across the country is assessed by an AI-powered court named the Mercy Capital Court.<strong><span style=\"font-size:18px;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong>The judge, also AI-powered, Maddox, gives the defendants 90 minutes to prove their innocence by utilising available resources such as text messages and video recordings. She&nbsp;is presented with defendant Christopher Raven (Chris), a detective in the Los Angeles Police Department. He&#39;s currently on trial for the murder of his wife, Nicole. Interestingly, his probability of guilt must be below 92% to avoid execution, but things don&#39;t start off too well.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>Initially, all the evidence points to Chris, and he struggles to fall below the 92% threshold. He was captured as the last person entering the family home before his wife was killed, along with blood stains on his clothes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>He later learns what his wife was hiding from him and hunts through video footage of a work barbecue they hosted to better identify Nicole&#39;s work colleagues. Also, he discovers that her work emails show reports of missing chemicals. While searching for evidence, Chris recounts how his alcohol addiction eventually led to his aggression towards Nicole.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>Chris suspects one of Nicole&#39;s co-workers, Holt Charles, who has discussed the chemical disappearance with Robert Nelson. Chris suspects that Holt may have killed Nicole. He contacts Rob, but instead Holt answers and places the chemical disappearance on Rob. Chris&#39;s daughter, Britt, is a social media fanatic, and after reviewing her posts, he finds a stranger who has been hiding in their basement. His neighbour&#39;s CCTV footage also reveals Rob exiting the trunk of their car.<\/p>\n\n<p>Jacqueline Diallo, Chris&#39;s partner in the police force, is sent to Rob&#39;s house to search for clues. However, the SWAT team find detailed plans for the crafting of a bomb in his shed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>Fast forward, and Rob has kidnapped Britt and is heading to Mercy Court in a truck full of explosives to seek revenge for his brother&#39;s execution, David Webb. The bomb fails to detonate after crashing into the building, causing a network glitch. However, Maddox also experiences a glitch, but is rebooted in time and frees Chris before the trial ends. Jacqueline and Rob are taken away after we learn how she was involved in David&#39;s case, ultimately proving that the AI court works.<\/p>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><img alt=\"Rebecca Ferguson - Credit: Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios \" src=\"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/2476\/6a020e45e49db.jpg\" style=\"width: 916px; height: 483px;\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><em><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Rebecca Ferguson - Credit: Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size:22px;\"><strong>Analysis<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p>One word I would use to describe the film is tense.&nbsp;I was left wondering whether Chris would successfully lower his probability of guilt below 92%, all with sweaty hands!<\/p>\n\n<p>Chris Pratt captured the true emotion of his character in the movie. He was committed to proving his innocence even whilst strapped tightly to an explosive chair with a timer ticking away in his ears.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>The equipment used in the movie: guns, explosives, hover-cars, drones, doorbell cameras and phones highlighted the extent to which technological advancements can capture a human&#39;s every move.&nbsp;They were also extremely detailed, with strong sound effects you would expect from something like a gun.<\/p>\n\n<p>At first, I thought the movie would be quite repetitive in the sense that it would just show Chris strapped to a chair, battling between various screens. However, the cuts between the courtroom and character flashbacks added depth and understanding to the storyline.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>A perfect watch for those seeking a movie full of anticipation and thrill.&nbsp;<\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/2476\/6a020e418f158.jpg","author":{"name":"Zara Ashraf"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/_app_pages\/stations\/6698\/blogs\/posts\/84847"},{"id":"o2476-2076-69ef5b06948b1","url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/blogs\/film\/post\/the-drama-2026\/","title":"Films at their best: The Drama (2026)","date_published":"2026-05-06T09:00:00+00:00","summary":"My name is Zara Ashraf, and I am excited to share my new blog series on anticipated cinema watches.","content_html":"<p><strong><span style=\"color:#000000;\">My name is Zara Ashraf, and I am a current NCTJ Journalism student and aspiring Journalist.&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">I am excited to be working as a blogger with Devote Radio, creating a ten-part series on a topic of my choice. This series will begin with anticipated cinema watches and my personal favourite movies of 2025 and 2026, even including cartoons. Film fanatics are up for a treat!<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">This week, we will be diving into an anticipated romance directed by Kristoffer Borgli, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. Some of his previously directed films include Dream Scenario and Sick of Myself.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">The Drama really is The Drama!<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><span style=\"font-size:20px;\"><strong>WARNING<\/strong><\/span> <strong><span style=\"font-size:20px;\">- potential spoilers&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n<div style=\"left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6zmKcUa4Xxk?rel=0\" style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;\" allowfullscreen scrolling=\"no\" allow=\"accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n<h1><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size:22px;\">Plot<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">The film begins with the backstory of Charlie Thompson and Emma Harwood, detailing how they later became a happily engaged couple. Charlie met Emma at a Cafe in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States and decided to approach her, seemingly to get close by pretending he had read the book she was reading at the time. She ignored him, but later Charlie approached her again, and Emma explained why she couldn&#39;t hear him. She tells him to start his act over again.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">The encounter leads to a date, and two years later, marriage plans are approaching for the couple. They have a small dinner with their best man and maid of honour, Mike and Rachel. As the dinner progresses, the group begin asking each other the worst thing they have ever done. Stories unfold, and Emma reveals her dramatic teenage story.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">The group prepare for Charlie and Emma&#39;s wedding, under friend constraints and awkward behaviour. The couple grow agitated with each other as preparations won&#39;t go smoothly. Charlie asks for advice from a coworker at his office named Misha, but later regrets his actions after their encounter turns sideways.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Fast forward to their wedding day, and the awkwardness is still lingering. Emma finds out what happened between Charlie and Misha. But Charlie is determined to power through the wedding plans and recites a forced speech for his partner, ending the day at home with a bloody face after Emma left when the chaos began.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">He searches for Emma and eventually ends up at the couple&#39;s favourite diner spot. Emma later enters and sits opposite Charlie in a booth. They begin re-introducing themselves in a hopeful plan to start over.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n<h2><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size:22px;\">Emma (Zendaya)<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">A character who tries her very best to persevere and make things work when faced with difficult situations. She&#39;s calm and collected but can be feisty when she wants to. She&#39;s a woman who wants her soon-to-be marriage to work out, despite her teenage years. Emma tries to encourage Charlie to forget about her past and her old character by urging him to forgive her and start over. I believe Emma wanted to show how she had changed and transitioned from her teenage years to her adult years, and was no longer the person she was when she was a teen.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n<h3><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size:22px;\">Charlie (Robert Pattinson)<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">Charlie ignores Emma&#39;s lack of humanity, rather so, to be with the so-called love of his life. He had a rather fairy-tale-like perception of Emma, a perfect woman, a perfect marriage, therefore a perfect life. But when he discovers her story, Charlie goes to extreme lengths to continue believing she still is his perfect woman. We see Charlie&#39;s behaviour change as the movie progresses; he overthinks and assesses situations even when he aims to seek clarity that Emma is a good person through workplace colleagues. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size:22px;\">Overall<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color:#000000;\">The Drama is a worthy cinema watch for those interested in romances with twists and turns. The flashbacks between Emma and Charlie&#39;s past and current encounters made me understand how a story can change the relationship between two people in a matter of time. It is a movie which presents the realities of love and how blinding it can be, even when situations become messy and entangled.<\/span><\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/2476\/69f678cba3906.jpg","author":{"name":"Zara Ashraf"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.devote.radio\/_app_pages\/stations\/6698\/blogs\/posts\/84701"}]}