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Film reviews

Pillion Review

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With quite a bit of buzz from the Cannes Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival, Pillion is a film where love and connection are hidden, but it also contains a deeper meaning below the surface. I was visiting London, United Kingdom in late December of 2025. I knew of the title Pillion and knew that it has a release date to be wide in February of 2026. However, after my many adventures on the tube trains, and seeing the ads all over the tunnels, I had the opportunity to see this during my travels. The term “pillion” refers to the passenger sitting behind a motorcyclist. Harry Melling is “the passenger” and Alexander Skarsgard is “the motorcyclist.” Pillion is a journey of two men trying to find what their hearts wants, but their expectations are the complete opposite—a power of love narrative combating to find what love truly is.

The film takes place in Bromley and other regions around London and the United Kingdom. Harry Melling plays Colin—he is introverted, shy, good-hearted, and hopes to meet someone that gives him the loving attention he longs for. His parents are very supporting of his sexuality. They are Peggy (Lesley Sharp) and Pete (Douglas Hodge). Peggy has some health issues, and she prays that her Colin finds a man that fulfills his happiness. That may come along for Colin, as one night he meets a man in a bar who rides a motorcycle. Alexander Skarsgard plays Ray—he is high strung, mellow, and starts to bring Colin in his life. Once Colin and Ray begin to spend time together though, Ray begins to show different behaviors outside of what Colin expects.

The film is one that keeps its audiences thinking. Especially because of how it is focused on a relationship between two men. The fact that Colin wants to love someone and feels Ray might love him back creates a mixed message.  Ray has Colin pick up groceries for him, do chores for him, and makes him sleep in the opposite bed—Colin may just be Ray’s submissive. Is that what Colin wants? He is blinded by being with Ray making him feel that he has a community and a purpose. 

The LGBT side of Pillion creates a portrait of timing. There may be some good times for Colin and Ray, but is Colin truly happy with Ray? Does Ray have feelings for Colin? When Peggy begins to see her son is taken advantage of, she starts to question his happiness. Pillion is a film where love requires more than just loving someone for who they are, it also creates a claritythat sees that common ground is important as well. For Colin, the physical side of feeling warmth is seen as he is the passenger riding on Ray’s motorcycle. Beyond that, any form of connection is how Ray is feeling. There is no clear context to why Ray acts like this, but also at the same time, it does not mean he is a bad person. The display of his sense of shame or guilt is written in a context that creates melancholy that craves release.

The film is written as a dramedy where the chemistry is foundbetween the lines. Melling and Skarsgard are two forces that tango with surreal emotions. In a tale where romance of the same gender struggles to see eye-to-eye, the guide to life does not lie. Pillion brings fuel to the fire with the emotions of Colin as he continuously wishes that Ray would treat him differently. Ray can, but does he want to? The film continues to build a landscape of questions throughout this unique dynamic that it creates among these two men. Is it love or is it just a servant-type relationship? Overall, though the tension steams on and off the motorcycle. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Pillion.

 

 

Film reviews

Mercy Review

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This is a suspense flick where technology and AI surround the premises throughout the entire hour and forty minutes. While the story remains on track, the predictability is high. This is Mercy directed by Timur Bekmambetov. In this movie, laws and lies are put to the technological test. Probability, stats, and tracking are the keys to saving one’s life, while at the same time, these same tools are being employed to clear one’s name. 

The film’s main character is Chris Raven (Chriss Pratt). He wakes up locked into a chair, and the person he is speaking to is an electronic judge, Judge Maddox (Rebecca Ferguson). Chris is accused of murdering his wife. The system is called “Mercy.” This means that he is given ninety minutes to prove his innocence. Because Chris is locked in a chair, he must deal with the complications of contacting those to help him find the missing pieces to prove his innocence while continually handling the frustration and stressors caused by Judge Maddox. Since she is an AI character, she resets a lot. When time is of the essence, technological glitches only add to the risk that Chris will look guilty of this crime.

The film highlights innovation through technological innovations which aid in connecting the dots and performing tracking simulations. The visuals are a rollercoaster of amusing graphics, especially when Chris contacts his assistant Jacqueline (Kali Reis). She is the officer who goes through the streets to find the missing pieces for Chris. However, the probability of proving Chris innocent remains low. The challenge is heightened because those who plotted against him knew the facts and were able to tamper with the evidence which causes him to look guilty. The retracing of steps utilizing technology makes Mercy mesmerizing.

Time is of the essence, yet the film feels drags at times. There is a timer that audiences see repeatedly next to the performance of Ferguson. This gives audiences an idea of how long they will either get to enjoy or not enjoy this thriller. Some will and others won’t. I fell into the neutral category, partly because I’m a firm believer in fairness. Putting the facts and logistics together throughout the film made Mercy have some compelling scenes. The dynamic between the characters played by Pratt and Reiswas strong. Both are experienced playing roles that do not take no for answer.

Film reviews

David Bowie: The Final Act Review-Bertha DocHouse 2025

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When I recently traveled to London, United Kingdom, I had the opportunity to see David Bowie: The Final Act at the Bertha DocHouse. The many songs of Bowie sang in my head as I made my way to this cinema—one that is designed with different floors for various films in many artistic directions. The Bertha DocHouse is downstairs from the cinema, and it has an area that is a resource area and lounge. London created the perfect place for me to have new experiences through the mind of David Bowie with Bowie: The Final Act.

During this London adventure, I felt a deep appreciation and an inspiration to be more creative after experiencing David Bowie: The Final Act. The film is directed by Jonathan Stiasny and begins with a universal space setting—the imaginative world of Bowie is invigorating from the start of this wonderful documentary. The film is a compilation of interviews with many of Bowie’s colleagues ranging from Earl Slick to Gary Kemp, Goldie, and more. The film goes into the pattern of talking about his songs, and how he found his way to adapt to society with his creative elements from his beginnings up to his death in 2016. Through the many discussions and images of artistic craft, I felt like I was floating in arena of a space-like setting in the heart of London.

The film takes the viewer way back to the 1970’s and up to the 2000’s. There are a lot of moments where trial and error are discussed. At the same time though, the creative mind of Bowie pushing through it all blankets the film’s atmosphere. I love how the interviews with his many colleagues really impress that David never wanted to quit, that he always wanted to go with what his gut told him. At the same time though, he wanted his art to stay current and be what he was comfortable with. The film dazzles with the message of love and happiness with acceptance. So much of what floated around in Bowie’s life and mind is portrayed in the days leading up to the release of his album Blackstar.

Even though there is a sadness to his life that he had to grapplewith on and off, there is that inspiration that he kept his head upand kept going.  David Bowie: The Final Act constantly reminded me to be grateful for the talents I have. Especially along the lines of creativity, no lines can be blurred when one continues to be persistent with what one is passionate about. David Bowie: The Final Act sings to audiences to persist in their life’s endeavors.

Life is not easy, and there are challenges. But the reality of David Bowie: The Final Act is a mind-blowing world of words and inspirational aspects that are spellbinding. It is definitely one of the most thought-provoking and surreal documentaries I have ever seen. So many musical aspects combined to be experimental and encouraging. There is never the right time for bad news, but there is always a time to keep creating a stronger component to feel alive. Four out of four stars for David Bowie: The Final Act.