I watch films and write about what stays with me afterwards. These are my evening notes. Find my reviews on Substack.https://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mm5j2pmpyk2fHardball (2001) explores a gambler’s path to redemption, with strong emotional moments and a character arc that can feel uneven at times. Full review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/hardball-200118 May 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mm5j2pmpyk2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mlvxnymokv2hBicentennial Man (1999) raises thoughtful ideas about freedom, love and humanity, and still contains moments of warmth and reflection, even if the narrative feels uneven. My review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/bicentennial-man-199915 May 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvxnymokv2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mlqwrs4e6d2vBicentennial Man (1999) spans centuries of Andrew’s life, but frequent time jumps and missing emotional weight make the story harder to fully connect with. Full review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/bicentennial-man-199913 May 2026 18:31 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqwrs4e6d2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mllvsq3yzh2sBicentennial Man (1999) follows Andrew’s two-hundred-year journey towards becoming human, but its structure and lack of struggle weaken its impact, despite moments of genuine warmth. My review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/bicentennial-man-199911 May 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mllvsq3yzh2shttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mleeg2k6v42iHoppers (2026) builds around strong themes, with a tonal shift that may feel surprising depending on expectations. Full review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/hoppers-202608 May 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mleeg2k6v42ihttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3ml7dih4mzo2dHoppers (2026) presents nature in a raw, matter-of-fact way, balancing humour with more grounded elements throughout. Full review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/hoppers-202606 May 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml7dih4mzo2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3ml2clf2g232bHoppers (2026) explores ecology and belonging through a young outsider, with thoughtful ideas and a tonal shift that stands out. Full review here: eveningnotes.substack.com/p/hoppers-2026 https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/hoppers-202604 May 2026 18:31 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml2clf2g232bhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mksr5lzsip2fThermae Romae (2012) starts as a repetitive time travel comedy, but its second half brings a welcome shift in tone. Lucius’s development and the contrast with Satsuki give the story more depth. Full review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/thermae-romae-201201 May 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksr5lzsip2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mknq7a4bqn2vIn Thermae Romae (2012), the use of Japanese and Latin creates a strange but interesting dynamic. It does not always work smoothly, but it remains understandable and adds to the film’s identity. My review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/thermae-romae-201229 Apr 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknq7a4bqn2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mkipc2r27p2vThermae Romae (2012) plays with language and time travel in an unusual way. Its first half leans on repetition, but the second half shifts towards something more serious. The character work, especially Lucius’s arc, carries the film. Full review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/thermae-romae-201227 Apr 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkipc2r27p2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mkb5utzodm2sA near-empty printer toner leading to everything going wrong is one of the most convincing ideas in The Man from Toronto (2022). My review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/the-man-from-toronto-202224 Apr 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkb5utzodm2shttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mk44xsw2pd2fThe Man from Toronto (2022) works best when it leans into its buddy dynamic, especially once both characters stop clashing and start working together. My review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/the-man-from-toronto-202222 Apr 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk44xsw2pd2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mjx3yuakr72fA familiar setup, a strong character dynamic, and one surprisingly clever plot detail around a simple printer mistake. My review of The Man from Toronto (2022): https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/the-man-from-toronto-202220 Apr 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjx3yuakr72fhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mjpmubnc6s2pAs I have only seen the Johnny Depp version, I must make a point of watching this one at some stage. [contains quote post or other embedded content]17 Apr 2026 19:10 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjpmubnc6s2phttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mjpkmxpsv52hOffice Invasion (2022) builds its characters well at first, but the payoff feels unearned, especially for two of the three leads. A frustrating imbalance. My review here:17 Apr 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjpkmxpsv52hhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mjkjq3t7ad23In Office Invasion (2022), the humour never fully settles and the science fiction element arrives too late to feel meaningful. The ideas are there, but the execution does not follow. Full review here:15 Apr 2026 18:31 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjkjq3t7ad23https://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mjfiqmqopb2iI went into Office Invasion (2022) expecting a fun workplace comedy with a science fiction twist. What I found instead was uneven humour and a story that struggles to justify its direction. My review here:13 Apr 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjfiqmqopb2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mj5xdrf4622pThe Super Mario Galaxy Movie tries an interesting twist on a familiar trope, but it does not fully commit to it and falls back on more standard ideas. Full review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-202610 Apr 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj5xdrf4622phttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3miywg6m2nr2yThe Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) has impressive animation, but some action scenes become hard to follow because of how overloaded they are. Full review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-202608 Apr 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3miywg6m2nr2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mitvhznjoa26The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) builds on the first film with polished visuals, but its story often undermines its own ideas. Still entertaining, though less convincing overall. Full review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-202606 Apr 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mitvhznjoa26https://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mime3b37gi2oThe Gray Man (2022) offers varied and well-executed action, but its story feels familiar and its ending lacks payoff. My review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/the-gray-man-202203 Apr 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mime3b37gi2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mihd5f4mq22yThe Gray Man (2022) moves quickly and keeps the viewer engaged, but leaves little room to process events or build depth. Full review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/the-gray-man-202201 Apr 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mihd5f4mq22yhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3miccamjui62lThe Gray Man (2022) is a broad and fast-paced action film that delivers on spectacle and choreography, but struggles with depth and a satisfying resolution. My review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/the-gray-man-202230 Mar 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3miccamjui62lhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mi2u5w42xl2jThe emotional climax of Afterlife of the Party ends up being the film’s strongest moment, reminding the viewer that beneath the comedy there is a story about grief and memory. My review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/afterlife-of-the-party-202127 Mar 2026 19:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi2u5w42xl2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mhvtaiq4is2mAfterlife of the Party begins with awkward exposition and some strange supernatural rules, but the drama at the end gives the film more weight than expected. Full review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/afterlife-of-the-party-202125 Mar 2026 19:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhvtaiq4is2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mhqsc55bt42oThis supernatural comedy mixes humour, romance and drama with uneven results. Afterlife of the Party struggles with clumsy exposition and convenient world rules, but its emotional ending makes the film worth a chance. Full review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/afterlife-of-the-party-202123 Mar 2026 19:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhqsc55bt42ohttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mhjavpy4ch2tWhat makes Crazy, Stupid, Love. work so well is the way its characters influence each other’s journeys. Cal and Jacob’s mentor dynamic gives the film much of its emotional and comedic strength. Full review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/crazy-stupid-love-201120 Mar 2026 19:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhjavpy4ch2thttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mhe7y27pof2tCrazy, Stupid, Love. stands out among romcoms by exploring soul mates at different ages, from teenagers to 40-something couples trying to rediscover their relationship. The way the different storylines intersect is where the film truly shines. My review: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/crazy-stupid-love-201118 Mar 2026 19:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhe7y27pof2thttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mh7722vysy2yThis romcom explores the idea of soul mates across generations, from teenagers to long-married couples who have lost their spark. Its intertwined storylines give the film energy, even if the ending pushes the genre’s conventions a little too far. Review: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/crazy-stupid-love-201116 Mar 2026 19:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh7722vysy2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/theeveningnotes.bsky.social/post/3mgxnncoxr52tOne clever choice in Legion (2010) is delaying Gabriel’s introduction until the middle of the second act, which makes the final confrontation logical and earned. Unfortunately, one good idea cannot rescue the film’s wider inconsistencies. Full review here: https://eveningnotes.substack.com/p/legion-201013 Mar 2026 19:30 +0000at://did:plc:oiuyxolvd5enj6q2rgdaafe3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgxnncoxr52t