Everything You Ever Need To Know About Life...

... you can learn from:

Mothering Sunday (2021)

Mrs Niven: You have no family. 

Jane: No, madam.

Mrs Niven: Your mother left you, is that right?

Jane: Yes, madam, an orphanage.

Mrs Niven: How very lucky. To have been comprehensively

bereaved at birth. You have absolutely nothing to lose. 

And you never shall, not really. That is a gift, Jane, 

and you must learn to use it. You're very fortunate.

JFC that quote is wild. I'd forgotten how hard this movie (and Olivia Colman within it) went. It's one of the ones that got unjustly lost in the pandemic tumult -- it deserved better. I reviewed it right here. Anyway in theory we're bringing up this movie because its lead Odessa Young, a wonderful actor, is celebrating her birthday today -- we love her, go watch her in this as well as in Shirley. Hell she was also the best part of the Springsteen bio-pic with Jeremy Allen White this past fall. Anyway that's in theory -- let's be honest, though: bringing up this movie let's me re-post this gif of Josh O'Connor in this movie:

(See more -- I mean lots more, wink wink -- here.)

Challengers 2: Doubles or Nothing

Our tennis pallies briefly reunited at the Dior show in Paris earlier today so naturally we're dreaming of a Challengers sequel now -- where do you think Patrick and Art and Tashi ended up after that legendary final shot? (You're all going to say "in bed" aren't you?)

Everything You Ever Need To Know About Life...

 ... you can learn from:

Close Enounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Roy Neary: Just close your eyes

and hold your breath

and everything will turn real pretty.

A very happy 79th birthday to the one the only Steven "Stevie" Spielberg! 79's not exactly the world's most interesting number -- although given how exhausting a single year feels these days making it through seven-nine of these bitches is an accomplishment, I'll give him that -- so why am I picking him among the list of celebrity birthdays today to celebrate in particular? Because it gives me an excuse to post the teaser trailer for Disclosure Day, his next movie -- yes this dropped two days ago and surely if you've wanted to watch it by now but since it stars Josh O'Connor AND Colman Domingo I feel as if it needs to have its spot here at MNPP. 

What do we think? I think for one I want to see absolute nothing else about this -- I want to maintain all the rest of the mystery; I wanna go in with all the questions that two minutes of footage posits. I will say that if I had to guess this is a "good" alien movie a la Close Enocounters and E.T. though -- a forceful reclamation of optimism in the face of so much not-optimism in the world right now feels very Spielberg to me, and this movie is based on an "original idea" from Spielberg himself. Thoughts?

Good Morning, World

Since Josh O'Connor doesn't take his clothes off in his role as the priest the latest Benoit Blanc mystery Wake Up Dead Man that landed on Netflix over the weekend, here are two gifs of him in a pair of period-appropriate boxer shorts in Kelly Reichardt's film The Mastermind. I think that one's been streaming on Mubi for a little while now? Anyway they're both good movies so do go watch both of them. And while you're at Mubi watch The History of Sound too! Make it a Josh O'Connor triple feature. (In related news -- anybody watch him on SNL? I did not but am curious if I should bother. Thoughts?) Any-what it's Monday, hi, hello, et cetera. Let's get to it!

Daryl McCormack Twelve Times

I re-watched the third Knives Out movie Wake Up Dead Man for the second time a few nights ago and I'm probably not writing up a long review of it but as I've said a couple times on social media (as well as the last time that I posted several Daryl photos right here) it's wonderful and my favorite of the franchise to date. That lands on Netflix on Friday so y'all will actually really be able to see it for yourselves after Netflix gave it one of their supposed "theatrical releases" (such bullshit). A single complaint: I suppose it's not a spoiler to say that he and Josh O'Connor never make out in it, and that blows. Opportunity lost, Rian! But if you close your eyes right now I bet you can picture them making out and for that you are welcome. Anyway let's celebrate the really good movie by sharing this recent photoshoot of the ever handsome Daryl in The Financial Times of all places; it's all after the jump...

Get Stuffed By Josh O'Connor

Okay well my office just announced we're closing early for the holiday so today's ending quicker than I anticipated -- two quick notes before I run out the door for the long weekend . One y'all should go see the third Knives Out movie Wake Up Dead Man if it's playing anywhere near you because it is easily my favorite of the trilogy-to-date. I liked the previous two a lot but I unabashedly love WUDM. I'd like to say it's not just because it's really a stealth Josh O'Connor movie but this is my website and I don't have to lie. Nothing against Daniel Craig obviously but I think it's smart to make Benoit Blanc more of a supporting player, and Josh carries this movie with great humor and grace. The mystery is fun too, although I don't think it's much of a surprise who dun it -- I feel like the casting kind of gives up the game. But I can't wait to watch it again. 

As for the second note o' mine before heading out -- I'm a broken record on this, it's true, but I'm not going to not remind y'all right before the biggest shopping days of the year that if you're doing any shopping on Amazon use this link and it sends a few pennies MNPP's way. Or you can donate through the PayPal link in the right-hand column, or you can buy some of my shit on eBay too! I'm planning on doing some house-cleaning over the long weekend so more stuff will definitely be popping up on there. And I guess that's it. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving if you celebrate! And if you don't just eat a great big pile of food until you want to die and pretend you do. Bye!

Good Morning, Dead Man

Hello and happy Monday -- when I posted about noted dreamy Irishman and actor Daryl McCormack being cast in Tom Ford's next movie (along with a bevy of hotties) last week I said to myself (and also Bluesky), "Hmm why don't I post more Daryl McCormack?" I think the dude caught all our eyes and other parts and then some with his star-making turn opposite Emma Thompson in Good Luck to You, Leo Grande a couple of years ago -- then when he popped up in the latest Knives Out movie Wake Up Dead Man, which as an aside just got a new trailer this very morning...

... and I really realized I best get on it. Thankfully today we've got a photoshoot of him to share and do just that -- he's in the new issue of Hero magazine (I haven't read it yet but his chat is with his WUDM co-star Cailee Spaeny) looking typically handsome as hell. As for WUDM (which yes obviously given what I just said I have seen) that is very much Josh O'Connor's movie (as much if not more than it is Daniel Craig's movie, if you can believe it) but what we get of Daryl is good. That's out in "select theaters" on Thanksgiving (yeah you know what Netflix means when they say "select theaters" by now right) and then on the streamer December 12th. And without giving away my review of it let's just say it's probably my favorite of the franchise to date. I digress! Let's show you all of them Daryl pics after the jump...

Good Morning, World

I know I already told you last week that The History of Sound is now streaming on Mubi (with a good dose of Paul Mescal Butt along for the ride) but I wanted to make sure this moment from the movie was also well documented here on the site -- for looking at yes, obviously, but not just. On top (heh) of that it also feels vital this moment is represented to throw in the faces of the people who kept saying this was another "gay" movie where we see the men have sex with women but not each other -- yes people said that, even though the scene above existed in the movie the entire time. People see what they want to and have their arguments made up in their heads beforehand, far too much of the time. Anyway The History of Sound! Watch it! It's so lovely. (My review here.)

Good Morning, World

A good Monday morning from Paul Mescal and from me and from Oliver Hermanus' gorgeous film The History of Sound, which landed on Mubi over the weekend -- did you watch it? I hope you caught it in theaters if you were able to (picture the above shot twenty feet tall and you'll understand why I swooned in my review) but streaming is second-best (or you can now pre-order the blu-ray too!) so I hope you did. If not -- get to it! Look at that shot! That shot is in the running for shot of the year as far as I'm concerned. I do think the shot is even more beautiful in its full framing and not cropped to highlight just the sweet stuff though -- not to mention there is more to this scene worth giffing -- so I've got all of that gorgeousness for you after the jump...

Josh O'Connor Sixteen Times

Well here's a pleasant enough task to easing me back into blogging duties -- Josh O'Connor is covering GQ this month! I can certainly stare at these pictures for a little bit. It's like a sort of medicine. Anyway it makes sense that he's getting a big spotlight right now, what with four movies out this fall -- don't ask my tired brain to name all of them but there's the new Knives Out (which by all accounts Josh is basically a co-lead with Daniel Craig in) and the new Kelly Reichardt movie The Mastermind. And then that one where he's a cowboy. I have no idea what the fourth one is. Anyway Josh wears leather pants, Josh wears plaid pants, Josh wears NO pants in the photos, so that's what we're really here to celebrate. Hit the jump for the photos...

Pic of the Day

This photo of Josh O'Connor and Paul Mescal snuggling up under the sleeping back on the set of The History of Sound (read my review of that movie right here) just tried to sneak passed me but I snatched it up, I did! I was actually looking for a picture of Paul in his other 2025 movie Hamnet since I am leaving you now to go see Hamnet. But this picture just won't be ignored. Sorry, Hamnet. That said, Hamnet -- jeez how many times can I say "Hamnet" in one paragraph, oh my god... or should I say, "Oh my Hamnet"? -- is one of the small handful of movies left to 2025 that I haven't seen yet and am extremely excited about, so there's no slight intended. I do love me some Jessie Buckley and I do love a tearjerker, and by all accounts this is one hell of one of those. Anyway all that's to say bye for today! See you next Tuesday (aka tomorrow).

This Week's Three Review Round-up

Since it's Friday and this week's new movies are actually out in the theaters today let's glance back at the week that was in movie reviews by yours truly, since three of them dropped earlier this week and you might've missed them. First and foremost there's the long awaited gay romance The History of Sound starring Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor from Moffie and Living director Oliver Hermanus -- read my review right here. I think it's a beautiful film, well worth your time.

Is that a gigantic microphone, Dev Patel, or are you just happy to see me? Next up there's Rabbit Trap, an eerie folk horror about a pair of married musicians who stumble through a faerie circle and into a trippy nightmare -- click here to read my review of that sublte slow-burner. I found it kind of funny nad strange that I ended up writing about two movies about people going into the woods with sound recording eqipment this week! Not every day that happens.

And finally there's the third and finaly Downton Abbey movie -- read my thoughts right here. All obviously very different films, but each of them good in their own way -- a good weekend at the movies! Go see them all! And I suppose I'll use this opprtunity to remind y'all that I begin my deep dive into NYFF press screenings next week (with both NewFest and Brooklyn Horror immediately following) so it's going to be real sporadic around here, post-wise. So cling this  three review bounty to your bosoms as a raft to carry you through these turbulent times!

Paul Mescal & Josh O'Connor: A Love Story

Well if only I'd waited an hour or so to post about my History of Sound review, then I'd have had these photos that Mubi shared today to go with it -- not that that's gonna quit me from double-posting of course! These are from the same photoshoot that went into making that gorgoues poster we shared with you back in the day (an excellent reminder to my self that I need to go see if I can find a copy of that poster to buy right this second) -- hit the jump for six more beauties of this same sort...

The History of Sound is Here

As we have been with everything The History of Sound related since it was first announced we were obviously all over the above photo the minute it made its way online, which was before the movie even started filming. But now that the movie is hitting theaters tomorrow and the critical reception has been generally cool toward the film I'm re-posting it right now because I probably won't get another chance through awards-season -- I don't forsee this movie getting much love in the months ahead. Which is a real shame if you ask me because I love the film and think it's doing some really lovely and important stuff, all of which I dive into in my review at Pajiba, which you can go read right now. I think the movie is doing something different than what people expected from it, and I hope that it'll be seen for what it is -- a deeply lovely and heartbroken tribute to the stories untold -- down the road. I'd say it's close in mood and tone to something of Terrence Davies -- abstract and intellectual. If that helps. Anyway I very much like the film and I hope you do too.  (I'm also pretty proud of the piece I wrote, so I hope you like it.)

Pics of the Day

We deserve some light in these dark days,
so if Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor have to hold hands

while walking the The History of Sound

red carpet here in NYC last night then so be it dammit!

Let's Steal Away With Josh O'Connor

I'm getting that warm feeling in my belly -- and no not just from that being a shot of Josh O'Connor in his underwear. It's that thing where the weather's cooled off a little bit (I'm wearing an over-shirt today!) and I'm planning for the fall fests and the movie trailers that are dropping are all for serious movies from real directors with perhaps some built-in awards prospects. Like this, the trailer for Kelly Reichardt's new movie! I've talked about The Mastermind a few times (see here) because of course I have -- it's Kelly Reichardt and I'd follow her around like a happy puppy if I could. It's set in 1970 and it's about Josh trying to heist himself a painting while also having a shaggy beard -- aka straight up pornography. 

Love the hazy filter look -- it really says, "Hey! It's 1970!" to me. Anyway this is screening at NYFF because of course it is, Reichardt's a welcome fixture here in New York and they show all her movies -- I will surely be all over it then. Here's that trailer:

The Mastermind is out on October 17th.

Oh and here's the killer poster too:

Look Ye Upon The History of Sound

As foretold yesterday when that lovely poster for The History of Sound dropped we now have the trailer! And yes it's giving big Brokeback vibes, just as the poster echoed a famous image of Jack & Ennis -- I am sure there will be plenty of snarky comments about this being 20 years later and we're dealing with another gay love story starring two (nominally) heterosexuals but you won't hear them from me. I love everyone involved with this movie from director Oliver Hermanus on down to all of the cast so saying I'm onboard is an understatement. Especially...

... with all the absolutely gorgeous shots of Paul Mescal & Josh O'Connor in said trailer. I know that the general feeling out of Cannes was one of disappointment, at least from a lot of the critics I trust and admire who saw it there, but I'm remaining enthusiastic despite that because I've loved every single one of Hermanus' movies to date, usually more than many of my peers, and I don't mind a restrained film which seems to be one of the bigger complaints. If they make me feel real emotions that's what matters; I can just use my imagination to picture Josh tea-bagging Paul. It's not like I haven't already! 

Anyway I suppose I'll get to know what my actual opinion is soon enough since this movie is actually out in actual theaters on September 12th -- no dilly-dallying with a long festival run for this baby! On the one hand I'm sure people who care about awards prospects will be sniffing at that news pointedly but since I'm not one of those people I just celebrate the non-wait. Gimme! In that vein here's that trailer:

And because it's what I do hit the jump for an assortment of 

several more gifs I made of noted moments in said trailer...

Preview of Attractions Coming

Hey everybody! I'm back home but not back back from my trip in the sense that I'm blogging today -- that starts tomorrow. But how could I not hop in here to 1) say hello (Hello!) and 2) share this poster for The History of Sound, Oliver Hermanus' forthcoming WWI-era romance starring Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor? Swoon, yes, but also -- kinda feel like poor Josh got a little sidelined there? I'm reminded of all the stories of movie stars wrangling for poster billing of olde and wondering if Josh gives a shit. I feel like he doesn't. And there's enough of his pretty closed eyes and pouty lips to make me stir anyway. Anyway! The trailer is apparently dropping tomorrow so we'll cover that when we're back at our desk then. Oh and one more important bit of vaguely related news that dropped today -- Luca Guadagnino's film After the Hunt with Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri was announced as the Opening Night Film of this year's NYFF! This is very exciting for me personally! I shared the trailer for this before I headed out for a week -- check that here. I'm always wrangling for the NYFF Opening Night Party invite but I will lay waste to the earth for it this year, best believe!

[RUNNING AROUND THE ROOM SCREAMING CRYING] Luca's new movie is Opening Night at NYFF!!!! @filmlinc.bsky.social

[image or embed]

— Jason Adams (@jamnpp.bsky.social) July 23, 2025 at 9:13 AM

Cole Doman One Time

Seeing today this adorable sexy photo on Instagram of actor Cole Doman, formerly of the very fine movies Henry Gamble's Birthday Party (hey Stephen Cone whatcha up to?) and Mutt, reminded me of two things -- one, I don't think that his 2024 movie Haze (which co-stars Sense8 hottie Brian J. Smith and which I reviewed out of Fantasia Fest last year right here) has gotten a release yet, which is a damn shame. It's a good movie! Free Haze y'all! It would've been a smart drop for a streaming service during Pride Month but oh well. Hopefully we'll hear something soon. I'll keep my ears peeled. But this also reminds me that Cole is in the cast of Kelly Reichardt's next movie The Mastermind, which stars Josh O'Connor! That'll probably be Cole's most-seen movie to date and we can't help but root for this cute talented and out indie boy who stood in front of me in line waiting for a movie last year. Oh and this also reminds me that we got a new image of Josh in The Mastermind last week (click to embiggen) and god he looks goooood:

6 Off My Head: A 2025 Peek Ahead

Inspired by the Bugonia teaser I just shared (along with the fact that it's Paul Thomas Anderson's birthday today which reminded me he has a new movie out in several weeks) I decided to go ahead and make a list of the movies left to be released in 2025 that I'm most looking forward to. I did this (as with everything I do here) mostly for myself because I've been bad about keeping an eye on what's ahead -- I can be very much in the moment; planning ahead's not my strongest suit! So I will myself probably be referring back to this list often. But perhaps this will help you along the same lines! That'd be nice! So sans further ado I give you...

My Top 6 Anticipated Movies of 2025

Bugonia (dir. Yorgos Lanthimos) -- Oct 24th 

(more here)

One Battle After Another (dir. PT Anderson) -- Sept 26th

The History of Sound (dir. Oliver Hermanus) -- Sept 12th 

(more here)

After the Hunt (dir. Luca Guadagnino) -- Oct 10th 

(more here)

Sentimental Value (dir. Joachim Trier) -- Nov 7th

Pillion (dir. Harry Lighton) -- TBD

(more here)

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(Sidenote: There is no word on Gregg Araki's I Want Your Sex and any kind of release date for it yet, otherwise it would very much be listed above.) 

(Sidenote #2 - literally five minutes after I posted this list it was announced that Neon has bought Park Chan-wook's new movie No Other Choice for release and it's premiering at Venice so add that one too!)

Runners-up: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (dir. Rian Johnson), Marty Supreme (dir. Josh Safdie), Hamnet (dir. Chloé Zhao), A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (dir. Kogonada), It Was Just an Accident (dir. Jafar Panahi), The Roses (dir. Jay Roach), Avatar: Fire & Ash (dir. James Cameron), Together (dir. Michael Shanks)...

... Weapons (dir. Zach Cregger),  Jay Kelly (dir. Noah Baumbach), Caught Stealing (dir. Darren Aronofsky), Frankenstein (dir. Guillermo Del Toro), The Mastermind (dir. Kelly Reichardt), Highest 2 Lowest (dir. Spike Lee), A House of Dynamite (dir. Kathryn Bigelow), Die My Love (dir. Lynne Ramsay), The Running Man (dir. Edgar Wright)

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What movies are y'all most looking forward to?