Woo wee!! May was a doozie! My hubby and I traveled to Portugal for the first time in late April until the beginning of May, and it was amazing!! We both adore Lisbon and Porto, especially the latter, and hope to be back there one day!
It’s not the most productive in terms of movie-watching. but I did manage to watch a couple of movies on the plane, which I’ve reviewed here. We did catch up with some of the best TV series we missed, ANDOR is outstanding (best Star Wars series ever, even better than The Mandalorian!) I rewatched Rogue One the day after I finished ANDOR, and I liked it even more than I did before.
MAY VIEWINGS ON LETTERBOXD
(In the order of my rating)
FULL REVIEWS
Inheritance | Presence | Thunderbolts |
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning | Fountain of Youth
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life | The New Boy
REVIEW COMING SOON:
Bonjour Tristesse (2025)
MINI REVIEWS
Titles marked with * (asterisk) are films directed by women
Nonnas (2025)
I saw this on Mother’s Day, and it’s the perfect movie to watch to celebrate one’s mother or mother figure. Vince Vaughn plays Joe Scaravella, who risks everything to honor his beloved late mother by opening an Italian restaurant with actual grandmothers as the chefs. This based-on-a-true-story is warm and fuzzy, even predictable, but surprisingly profound, with teachable moments baked into every key scene.
I love movies about food and cooking, but the main focus is on family, heritage, and how food brings people together. I adore the cast, especially the women–Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Susan Sarandon, and Linda Cardellini. Seeing them argue, chuckle, and connect over pots and pans is not only fun but also really touching. Even Joe Manganiello is pretty good in this one, and Vaughn makes a likable lead.
Apparently, Enoteca Maria, the restaurant featured here, is a real restaurant in Staten Island, NY (though the movie was largely filmed in New Jersey). It’s a snug little restaurant with 35 seats, featuring a changing lineup of grandmothers from different cultures who whip up dishes from their hometowns. While it originally focused on Italian food, it has now branched out to include other cuisines.
A Sacrifice* (2025)
I was looking for a movie by a female director on Netflix and stumbled upon this one. I love Eric Bana, so that’s always a plus. He plays an American social psychologist, Ben Monroe, who investigates a local cult connected to a disturbing event. The movie is actually set in Germany, where Ben lives post-divorce, and his daughter Mazzy (Sadie Sink) comes to visit. She encounters a mysterious local boy, Martin (Jonas Dassler), while Ben also becomes close with a forensic psychologist, Nina (Sylvia Hoeks). Soon, things begin to unravel for Mazzy as Ben gets distracted by Nina.
Directed by Jordan Scott (yep, the daughter of Ridley Scott), her direction is well-paced with some interesting camera work, but lacks any real tension. The performances kept me engaged, though the story doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. In the end, it’s more about a father-daughter relationship than a cult movie. Overall, it’s a decent thriller but not all that memorable.
You’re Cordially Invited (2025)
This is a movie I wish I had turned off within 15 minutes, as it just got worse and worse. The concept of two weddings being double-booked could be much funnier, especially with Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon as the leads. But that’s not the case here. It’s crass, dumb, unfunny, and downright irritating. I won’t even bother writing a short review; consider this a warning to avoid this if you haven’t already. I love Geraldine Viswanathan (who plays Ferrell’s daughter), but even her character is annoying.
52 Films By Women – 2025 Challenge
I am once again participating in this challenge. Per Women In Film (WIF) organization, the basic rules are simple: watch 52 films directed by women within one year and share what you watched on social media, using the hashtag #52FilmsByWomen to spread the word, and get more people talking about the women filmmakers that don’t always get attention.
After a strong month in April with 10 movies by women, I slid a bit this month with a paltry total of 3 new-to-me films #directedbywomen, which brings the year tally to 27 so far. I ranked them on Letterboxd; you can follow my #52FilmsByWomen list as I will be updating it regularly. Better do better in June!
TV WATCHES
ANDOR Season 2 (Disney+) | Murderbot (AppleTV)
My hubby and I binged on ANDOR Season 2 as soon as we came back from Portugal. I absolutely LOVE the first season (which I’ve reviewed here), but season 2 is even more outstanding and the stakes are even higher, naturally. Props to showrunner and creator Tony Gilroy, I sure hope it’ll feature prominently in next year’s Golden Globes and Emmys, it ought to win a whole bunch of awards!!
Murderbot, on the other hand, is a lot of fun! It’s a half-hour sci-fi comedy centered on a rogue security robot (Alexander Skarsgård, who served as executive producer) that secretly gains free will. To stay hidden, it reluctantly joins a new mission protecting scientists on a dangerous planet, even though it just wants to binge soap operas. Hollywood is overrun by the Skarsgård (not that I’m complaining), Stellan was well, stellar in Andor. Alex is pretty hilarious in Murderbot, and this series is easily bingeable. I hope it’ll run for multiple seasons!
May 2025 Movie of the Month
Thunderbolts
I didn’t think I’d have a Marvel movie as my fave movie of the month, as I’ve been so Marveled out. Well, it goes to show how strong Thunderbolts is. It’s not just the best movie of Phase 5 of the MCU, but one of the best superhero movies of the past decade. It fully embraces its silly and goofy moments, yet it’s also not afraid to dive into darker themes like mental health issues, wearing its heart on its sleeve.
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
Andor is the best thing I saw in May. Honestly, the 2nd season is great. That show should win…. ALL of the Emmys.
I have no interest in that Will Ferrell/Reese Witherspoon rom-com as it’s been a while since Ferrell made a watchable film. I didn’t see a lot of feature films in June. Close Your Eyes ended up being my film of the month.
I agree!! ANDOR should sweep all the Emmys and Golden Globes TV categories.
I haven’t enjoyed any Ferrell movie in a while, but I thought the premise looks cute. I wish I had turned the darn thing off after 15 minutes!
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I was shocked at how great season 2 of Andor was. Episodes 8 and 9 were the best thing that came out of the Star Wars universe since The Empire Strikes Back. I also watched Rogue One right after I finished the last episode of Andor. Now, I have more appreciation for Cassian, especially what he lost for being royal to the Rebellion.
New movies I saw were M: I-Final Reckoning and Conclave. Conclave was very good, I didn’t think a movie about choosing a new Pope would be so riveting. Then I watched films from 1995 that I didn’t realize were 30 years old! Se7en, Apollo 13, Heat, Braveheart and Sudden Death. I feel very old because I saw all of those films in the theater. Lol! I also rewatch the previous Mission: Impossible films, including the 3rd one. I was surprised that I enjoyed the 3rd film more this time around, it has always been my least favorite one in the series.
I enjoyed Murderbot too. Finally, a show that casts actors who look like real scientists. Lol! Then I finished MobLand and The Studio. I’ve just started watching the new Vietnam war documentary on Netflix. It’s kind of eye opening since they talked about things that I didn’t know before. Especially how religion was one of the main factors of why the war got started.
I bet Rogue One was a popular movie in the past couple of weeks as people rewatch it after ANDOR. It’s truly an amazing series, definitely the best out of all the SW-related series out there.
Yeah, Conclave is excellent! Glad you gave it a watch, I too was amazed that they could make a movie about choosing a new pope so riveting. So timely too as a real conclave happened just weeks ago!
Ahah yeah, crazy that so many of my old favorites are turning 20-30 years old!! Oh well, I AM getting old, what can you do? LOL!
Murderbot is a lot of fun… I’m hoping to binge on MobLand once I get ParamountPlus 30-day free trial. There’s also a new show called Dept Q with Matthew Goode I’m gonna watch soon!
It’s been ages since I went to the theater, I really need to catch up on all the things I need to watch. Andor better win EVERYTHING at the Emmys/Globes this year. S2 was outstanding.
Lots of great movies coming to the theaters this Summer. Excited for Materialists for sure, then Fantastic Four and Superman. Woo wee!!
And yes, ANDOR for the win!!
Out of all of these NONNAS is a must watch for me. The cast is super and I feel it will be good time spent with my hubs.
Andor.. guess I’ll be watching it, Emmys, you know. There must be something wrong with me. I just don’t like Star Wars or the spin offs. Can’t help it.
I think I never got over the original Star Trek TV series and movies.
Hahaha, I watched another silent movie – The Godless Girl and Streetcar, and I recorded Gladiator (you inspired me) for when I’m drawing. I (sort of) watch them over & over when drawing.
Anyway, mostly watching TV shows. Watched Poker Face, White Lotus and the Righteous Gemstones. There’s more, but I’m dizzy. xx
Oh you’ll adore Nonnas! I really enjoyed it, and the ladies are adorable. My hubby loves it, too 🙂
Hey, I don’t blame you. There are SO MANY Star Wars spin-offs; Disney is milking that franchise for all its worth. But ANDOR feels almost like its own thing, sometimes I forgot I’m watching a SW related series until a stormtrooper shows up, ahah.
Ahah, interesting that you plan to watch Gladiator when you’re drawing! Well, the costumes that Lucilla (the emperor’s daughter) wears are amazing, maybe it’ll inspire you to make Roman-inspired gowns?
I heard about Righteous Gemstones, do you recommend it? I know White Lotus is super popular but for some reason I’m not as enthused to start that one. Cheers, friend! XOXO
I’m going to wait until Andor gets nommed, then I’ll watch it. There is way too, much TV.
Mobland & The Studio are my next want to sees.
What a great idea, Roman themed Art Gowns!
Gemstones… I really like the series, but it’s quite OTT. Do you know Danny McBride’s work? Writer, producer, director & actor?
An acquired taste, but really funny. I think you could watch the most recent season on its own, but there is a lot of background in previous seasons.
White Lotus… this season 2/5 imo – I never liked it as much as others do. All in all a 3/5 series for me.
OMG! June 12 begins nominations for 11 days. Quick anything I NEED to see?
“Adolescence” will do well. I’m hoping for something unique like last year’s “Baby Reindeer” to surprise me.XOXO
Couldn’t get into White Lotus either. Just finished watching Succession though and it’s superb! Have been watching Adolescence and Elsbeth too. Also, Portugal is lovely!
Hey there Alex!! Glad to hear from you, been ages! I wish I had jumped into Succession band wagon but now there are too many episodes and new shows to watch, ahah. I might try to get into Adolescence since there is only one season. Yeah, I miss Portugal already!!
Succession is truly incredible, trust me. It’s 39 episodes but each of them are fantastic. Adolescence was dark and tough to watch but brilliant and very important. I really want to go back to Portugal.
When were you in Portugal? It was my first time this year but yeah I wanna go back one day, esp. Porto. Which city or cities are your faves?
I do wanna see Adolescence as I love Stephen Graham, he’s such a brilliant actor. I heard so many good things about that series!
Adolesence is just so powerful! Graham is superb as always, but the young kid’s performance will blow your mind.