Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Movie Reviews 2025. Oh, and Happy Easter weekend too!
It’s a four-day holiday weekend over here in the UK; we’ve had a few good weeks of favourable weather in the run-up to Easter (the sun has actually been shining); and now we get to feast on chocolate eggs. Could life be any better?
Hmm… how about a few movie reviews to see you into the extended break? Sound good? OK, I’ve got you covered.
In this week’s edition of Movie Reviews 2025 you’ll find reviews for G20, Pets, Sebastian, and Creepozoids. Plus, Steve Coogan p-p-picks up a new pal in The Penguin Lessons, and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith is on its way back to cinemas.
Oh, and if all that wasn’t enough, with this being the big Easter weekend, there is a special bonus feature to round out this week’s edition.
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Now streaming…
G20 (2025)
First up this week is the action thriller, G20. Directed by Patricia Riggen, and starring Viola Davis, Anthony Anderson, and Antony Starr, the movie tells the story of a US President who fights off terrorists at a G20 conference.
In the film, Danielle Sutton is the President of the United States. Danielle is focused, dedicated, hard working, and pretty much an all round tough cookie.
Outside of the needs of her family, and the needs of her country, Danielle is working on an important plan of action to help nations around the world. To enact this plan, she heads off to Cape Town, South Africa to meet world leaders at the G20 conference.
But moments into the event, terrorists strike and take hostages of the world leaders. They also put the lives of Danielle’s family at risk.
Breaking away from the main hostage situation, Danielle and a small group attempt an escape. But with her family in danger, Danielle must do what she can to take the hostages down and protect her nearest and dearest.
Now, before diving headfirst into G20, you need to ask yourself the following question: Am I in the mood for a fine, but fairly generic action movie?
If the answer is ‘yes’, then crack on. If the answer is ‘no’, then move on.
G20 is OK, if you just want a bit of a distraction for a couple of hours, or you like action movies in any shape or form. The film serves up plenty of gunfire, the villains are villainous, and Viola Davis does a decent job of turning President Danielle Sutton into an action hero.
Danielle is unfortunately no John McClane, but Davis ensures she does what she needs to. Any shortfalls in the character development are down to the writing, and nothing to do with Davis.
So, yeah, Davis is alright and G20 is alright. Nothing amazing, but watchable.
What G20 is lacking is some memorable scenes of spectacle, as well as a few decent quips. There is a smattering of humour here and there, but a bit more wouldn’t be a bad thing.
There is also the general sense this sort of thing has been done before, and done better, which ultimately stops G20 from being must-see entertainment. When films such as Die Hard (1988), White House Down (2013), and Olympus Has Fallen (2013) exist, it’s difficult to recommend G20 over one of these older, more accomplished, and more entertaining movies.
The best things that can be said is that G20 isn’t bad and it is competent stuff. It is a case of ‘been here, done that’, rather than ‘hey look, it’s something new’, but it’s acceptable for what it is.
Anyway, should you wish to check out G20, the movie is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
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Now streaming…
Pets (2025)
Up next is the documentary film, Pets. Directed by Bryce Dallas Howard, and available to stream on Disney+, the docu-film looks at the relationship between pets and their owners.
Celebrating the highs of pet ownership, as well as the occasional lows, the documentary features input from various regular Joes who have animals in their lives. This also includes comments from young pet pals, who adore their furry companions, even if they do have to pick up poop from time-to-time.
The main bulk of Pets is a collection of lovely stories which demonstrate the appreciation their owners have for their little buddies. This documentary is very much a love letter to the domesticated animal kingdom, with people talking about their quirky friends.
However, this isn’t just a documentary about the dog or cat next door, this is a film about animals who need a good life with good people. From a paralysed pig to rescue dogs that require a home, Pets demonstrates the importance of looking out for the welfare of animals and welcoming a new companion into the household.
A particular highlight of Pets is the candid clips of various animals, which are weaved in and out of the film. These cute and sometimes humorous clips show the personalities behind the fluff.
However the heart of the film is in the mutual love and respect which is shared between human and animal. The strong bond, sweet kisses, and the desire to be the best pet and best owner is what comes across pretty clear in Pets.
If you are fortunate enough to have a fur baby in your life, then you may wish to take a look at this docu-film. If nothing else, it’ll provide a welcome change from all that poop scooping you’ll be doing later today.
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In cinemas…
Sebastian (2024)
And now for something completely different – the independent LGBTQ+ drama, Sebastian. Written and directed by Mikko Mäkelä, the movie is currently playing in select UK cinemas and stars Ruaridh Mollica as an aspiring novelist who moonlights as a sex worker.
In the film, Max Williamson is a 25-year-old gay lad living in London. By day, Max works as a magazine writer, compiling interviews and short stories, while by night he uploads photos to the Dreamyguys website, where under the guise of ‘Sebastian’ he offers up his services to those willing to pay (usually older men).
Max’s ambition is to move beyond the magazine to become a bestselling author. Only problem is, these things take time, and the cost of living is expensive, which is where the escort work has become vital.
But it’s not just a financial lifeline, Max uses his double-life as Sebastian as inspiration for his debut novel. Not that he tells his publisher, who is instead under the impression that Max’s writing is based on interviews with real-life sex workers, rather than the things he gets up to at night.
But the more time Max spends as Sebastian, the more his attention becomes diverted from his writing. This eventually causes problems in his career, and sends him down a path he hadn’t planned on going down.
Mesmerising, insightful, and truly spellbinding, Sebastian is a superb picture which throws the spotlight on sex in the digital age. The film looks at the ease and accessibility of sex and companionship in the 2020s; the stigma surrounding escorting; and the guilt and sense of shame that can sometimes be attached to this line of work.
It also looks at the notion that not everyone is doing sex work because they have to. Although Max is in this line of work to help with his writing, and to supplement his income, there are times when he doesn’t hate what he does.
Max may not always be comfortable with it, and he may try to hide the truth from his friends and colleagues, but he makes active choices to continue taking money for sex. This suggests he is somewhat OK with what he does.
The truth is, there exists a great deal of conflict and inner turmoil in Max. Sebastian is his creation, and a darker side of him, but Sebastian is not a complete fabrication.
Does this mean Max always likes what he does? No, but he doesn’t always hate it either.
It is more complicated, more nuanced. Max and Sebastian exist in shades of grey rather than black and white, and things are not so clear cut.
What is clear is that Max’s story has elements of self-destruction about it. He is within touching distance of his chosen profession, and at one point on the cusp of a genuine romance, but the temptation of his escort work is difficult to resist and he faces the prospect of losing it all.
But if Max is to lose it all, it isn’t born out of stupidity or naivety, it is out of a need to survive and an attempt to hold on to what he’s got. As he points out to one of his clients, there isn’t much money in writing (ain’t that the truth), so he has to lean into the side hustle and hope it all works out.
Writer/director Mikko Mäkelä nails this aspect of Max’s character perfectly. Like most everyday folk, Max doesn’t have it all planned out, and like many 25-year-olds he is trying new things and making choices (for better or worse).
But it’s not just the character of Max which Mäkelä manages to get right, he also captures elements of queer nightlife rather well, as well as gay culture, and attitudes towards sex. This isn’t to say that every member of the queer community thinks or acts like Max, but spend enough time on the scene or perusing hook-up apps and things start to become familiar.
Leading the film is Ruaridh Mollica who is perfectly cast as Max/Sebastian. His good looks make it fairly obvious why he would be popular in the escort industry, but his personality and general likeability help too.
Mollica also brings a certain vulnerability to the role. Max is able to take care of himself most of the time, but there are moments in the film when he steps out of his comfort zone into choppy waters, and Mollica demonstrates a certain powerlessness to his character.
It’s in these moments when the audience is truly pulled into Max’s story, and when Sebastian is firing on all cylinders. Although, to be clear, Sebastian fires on all cylinders pretty much throughout.
It is a film which feels very reflective of the time we live in, where the gig economy has led to side hustles. Money can be made if you’re willing to sell yourself, but at what cost?
Sebastian also touches upon the confusion some people have with fantasy and reality in the bedroom, and finds space for some commentary about the generational gap between Max and his clients. Ah, heck, this film covers a lot, and there is plenty to be mined from the script, the characterisation, and the casting too.
But there is only so much space to talk about each film, and you have only so much time to read about it. Essentially what you need to know is that Sebastian is an accomplished picture, which I expect will connect with a great deal of audiences, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.
Should you wish to check out Sebastian, the film is on a very limited release in the UK at present. Sadly, this is the nature of independent films, so you have to head to a screening when or where you can.
If you’re quick/lucky you may be able to track the film down in select venues in London, Brighton, Bristol, Manchester, and Edinburgh. However, the film’s distributor, Peccadillo is working on digital and disc releases, which should be cropping up shortly, so the film will be coming around again soon if the cinema isn’t an option.
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On disc…
Creepozoids (1987)
Now available on disc in the UK is schlock sci-fi horror, Creepozoids. Directed, co-written, and co-produced by David DeCoteau, the film stars Linnea Quigley and Ken Abraham, and tells the story of a group of survivalists who encounter strange creatures.
In the film, the year is 1998 and the Earth is a wasteland. Six years ago, the planet was decimated by a nuclear war and all that remain are pockets of survivors who dwell in the ruins of cities.
One such group of survivors are five military deserters seeking refuge from an acid rain storm. As they duck inside an abandoned building to protect themselves from an oncoming downpour, they come across a deserted laboratory.
However, upon closer inspection the lab is not as deserted as it seems. Something is lurking in the building, and if the group aren’t careful, they will find themselves picked off one by one.
That is… unless they bore themselves or the audience to death.
With a wafer-thin script, ropey acting, limited locations, an Alien-inspired creature that wouldn’t look out of place in an episode of Red Dwarf, female costumes that contain a distinct lack of bras, endless amounts of wandering around corridors and air vents, and about as much tension as a broken strip of elastic, Creepozoids is…
…erm… well, it’s…
…kind of rubbish to be honest. Produced on a budget of $150,000, the film is cheap B-movie nonsense that doesn’t entertain it simply exists.
Back in the ‘80s Creepozoids was essentially VHS fodder that clogged up the shelves of the local video shop, and in 2025 it’s Blu-ray fodder that clogs up the shelves of the local Fopp. Same dreck, different time period, no miraculous reappraisal I’m afraid.
At best Creepozoids can be described as mildly diverting, because it is so bad it’s laughable. At worst it’s just daft crap.
Unless you have a particular affinity for this kind of thing, Creepozoids is best avoided. However, if you’ve recently banged your head and refuse to listen to common sense, Creepozoids is available on Blu-ray from 101 Films priced at £14.99.
Special features include a director’s commentary, image gallery, and a reversible sleeve.
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In cinemas…
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
And now onto something far more agreeable – the 2005 fantasy adventure film, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Directed by George Lucas, the movie stars Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Frank Oz, and Ian McDiarmid, and is heading back into cinemas worldwide to celebrate its 20th anniversary!
As a quick reminder, Revenge of the Sith is the third entry in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, it details the fall of the Jedi, and showcases the transformation of Anakin Skywalker into the dastardly Darth Vader. Revenge of the Sith is also generally considered to be the best film out of the Prequels, with a tone more reminiscent of the Original Star Wars Trilogy.
In terms of the story, the movie essentially sees Anakin become increasingly more frustrated by his role as a Jedi Knight, while Supreme Chancellor Palpatine starts whispering in his ear about the dark side of the Force. From here Anakin murders a bunch of young Jedi; turns against his best bud, Obi-Wan Kenobi; and dons a badass black outfit after being maimed, burnt to a crisp, given a breathing condition, and generally left for dead.
Upon release back in ‘05, Revenge of the Sith was seen as a big deal as it was the culmination of a highly anticipated trilogy. At the time it was also believed to be the final Star Wars movie, closing out a saga that was close to 30 years old.
As a result of all the hype, Revenge of the Sith took a whopping $868.4 million at the worldwide box office to become the second highest grossing movie of the year. It was second only to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and audiences seemed pretty keen on it despite some minor grumbles.
Those grumbles are the problems which often befall the Star Wars films, namely some clunky dialogue, and a few wooden performances. And yes, they are still present today, however, the passage of time, as well as a certain degree of fondness for the film helps greatly.
Highlights of Revenge of the Sith include the epic rescue of Palpatine which opens the film, as well as the extensive fight scene between Anakin and Obi-Wan which closes the picture. Both sequences are loaded with spectacle, and feature plenty of high-jumping lightsaber action.
Other highlights include the appearance of Chewbacca and his fellow Wookies on the planet of Kashyyyk; Palpatine’s private conversation with Anakin about the mysterious Darth Plagueis; and the implementation of the deadly Order 66. There’s also much fun to be had from a fight scene between Yoda and Darth Sidious, which plays out to the sounds of John Williams’ marvellous track, ‘Duel of the Fates’.
In terms of the cast, Ewan McGregor is great as Obi-Wan, delivering his best performance in the role, while Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson, and Frank Oz do what they can with what they are given. Meanwhile, Ian McDiarmid chews up every piece of non-digitally created scenery as Palpatine/Sidious, and has an absolute blast doing it.
The only member of the cast who struggles a bit is Hayden Christensen. Saddled with the aforementioned clunky dialogue, and perhaps not given the best direction from Lucas, his performance is a mixed bag.
There are some scenes where he is excellent, and there are some where he is not. The best thing to do is not dwell on it and instead just focus on all the Star Wars-y goodness.
Should you wish to catch Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith on the big screen, the movie will be playing in cinemas for a LIMITED TIME ONLY from Friday April 25th. Tickets are on sale now, so check local listings, gather your geeks, and make your bookings.
It’s worth saying that Revenge of the Sith does not pop up in cinemas often and the last planned re-release was scrapped in 2013 so Lucasfilm could concentrate on developing The Force Awakens. So, if you want to see the film on the big screen, take the opportunity while you can.
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In cinemas…
The Penguin Lessons (2024)
And finally, now playing in UK cinemas is the comedy-drama, The Penguin Lessons. Directed by Peter Cattaneo, and based on Tom Michell’s memoir of the same name, the film stars Steve Coogan as a disillusioned teacher who befriends a penguin.
In the movie, the year is 1976 and Tom Michell arrives at St. George’s College in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This is an all-boys school and Tom is here to teach English and coach rugby.
Shortly after arriving, a coup takes place which closes the school for a week. During his down time, Tom takes a trip to Uruguay where he meets a woman.
After getting to know each other, the pair discover an oil slick on the beach which has killed several penguins, except one. Taking the surviving penguin to Tom’s hotel room, the pair clean it up.
The next day, Tom attempts to release the penguin back into the wild, but things don’t go to plan. As a result, he adopts the animal, it is given the name Juan Salvador, and it is introduced to his students which has a positive impact on their studies.
Meanwhile, political and civil unrest in Argentina fills the backdrop of Tom’s life. As does a search for a missing colleague.
Are you looking for a delightful and occasionally emotive movie to watch this weekend? Something with a bit of drama, plenty of heart, and dashes of light comedy?
Then The Penguin Lessons is for you. This engaging little tale, about the unlikely companionship between man and bird offers some gentle storytelling and is a rather nice way to spend a couple of hours.
Part touching drama, part political tale, The Penguin Lessons is an insightful piece with a little more going on than there first appears. The main crux of the film is very much about the relationship between Tom and Juan, which becomes a rather lovely journey, but there is also a story about the unrest in Argentina during the 1970s, and how this impacts everyday folk, including Tom.
Although Tom is British, and initially very keen not to get caught up in any of the troubles, he finds himself unable to escape it for long. This becomes another part of his journey, and it all dovetails rather nicely with his time with the penguin.
Steve Coogan takes on the part of Tom and is excellent in the role. No stranger to delivering witty lines, Coogan is able to balance the comedic side of The Penguin Lessons, with some of the more thoughtful material.
Joining him on screen is a great support cast which includes Vivian El Jaber as kindly cleaner, Maria, and Jonathan Pryce as Headmaster Buckle. Both bring a certain level of humanity to the story, and help to ground the narrative.
However, the star of the movie is of course the sprat-gobbling penguin, Juan Salvador, who steals hearts and plenty of scenes too. The bird is extremely cute, and while he doesn’t get lots of screen time, every moment he appears is a moment to treasure.
While The Penguin Lessons may not blow any minds, it is rather enjoyable stuff. It plays very much as you might expect, and it is very agreeable.
It is the sort of movie which is perfect for a weekend afternoon at the flicks, with feet up (on your recliner, not on the seat in front), and soft drink in hand. Oh, and surrounded by your nearest and dearest who simply want to watch something lovely and touching over Easter.
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Movie of the Week
And that’s it for this week’s collection of movie reviews, which means it is time for the Movie of the Week. And this time around it goes to Sebastian, because it is an impressive movie, which delivers an interesting and insightful story.
And if you like Sebastian you may wish to check out:
- A Moment in the Reeds (2017) – Mikko Mäkelä’s moving romantic drama about a university student and an architect who share a connection.
- Anora (2024) – Sean Baker’s Academy Award-winning romantic comedy-drama about a sex worker who marries one of her clients.
- Summer of 85 (2020) – François Ozon’s emotional romantic drama, based on Aidan Chambers’ novel, Dance on My Grave.
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Bonus Feature: Review Re-Wind
Well, that’s almost it for another week, but as it is the big Easter weekend and you probably have a few extra hours on your hands, you might like some additional movie recommendations. And where best to find them than through past editions of Movie Reviews 2025, of course!
Every week, Movie Reviews 2025 reviews all the latest cinema, streaming, and disc releases and chooses a ‘Movie of the Week’. Over the previous 14 weeks, 15 movies have been awarded the prestigious title of Movie of the Week, which means there are 15 movies you might like to check out this weekend (if you haven’t checked them out already).
The movies which have previously been awarded the title of Movie of the Week include the Robbie Williams bio-pic, Better Man (2024); Sam Raimi’s ‘90s Western, The Quick and the Dead (1995); the Academy Award-Winning, Anora (2024); the Will Ferrell/Reese Witherspoon wedding comedy, You’re Cordially Invited (2025); supernatural drama, Presence (2024); the Adam Sandler film, Punch-Drunk Love (2002); and action-horror, The Gorge (2025).
In addition there is the Gene Hackman thriller, The French Connection (1971); Robert Pattinson’s sci-fi flick, Mickey 17 (2025); the Chris Pratt Netflix film, The Electric State (2025); Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White (2025); classic TV movie, Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981); late ‘80s kaiju picture, Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989); Aussie comedy-drama, Muriel’s Wedding (1994); and Christopher Landon’s tense thriller, Drop (2025).
Also being chucked into the mix is Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025), which didn’t get awarded the title of Movie of the Week (nor was it awarded Star Movie status in the Movie Reviews Special on the Bridget Jones films), but it is a ruddy good film regardless.
So, that’s 16 films you could check out, if you’re at a loose end or you want a weekend of movie madness. Of course, make sure you check out Sebastian too, which (as noted above) is this week’s Movie of the Week.
Until next time, happy Easter!
Alex
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Thank you for taking the time to read Movie Reviews 2025 on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.
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