The list had to start with this one. What a treat! An excellent ensemble cast attached, amazing set and a sing-along soundtrack. The El Royale was built from scratch on a sound stage with much of the furniture and decor being custom made. What a shame. Would love to stay there for a night or two. The story follows six strangers, each with their own secrets, who meet at the El Royale hotel of Lake Tahoe. Taking place over one night, alliances are made, and secrets are revealed, and mayhem ensues. Nothing more need be said as there is so much going on here. It is a wild ride.

Kenneth Branagh directs and stars in this murder mystery. Although, he does a good Poirot, I can only see David Suchet in this role from the TV series. However, it is post-World War II Venice, Poirot, now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a seance. But when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer. Apparently, Branagh worked with the technical department to cause surprises for the cast. The actors were not warned about lights going out suddenly, or gusts of wind and slamming doors on the sets, causing genuine confused and startled reactions from the actors. I liked this one more than previous productions of Branagh’s Poirot.

For some of us Olivia de Havilland and Richard Burton were fantastic as Rachel and Philip Ashley back in 1952. But Roger Michell’s version with Rachel Weisz and Sam Claflin in those roles is also worth a look. Although, I must say I don’t think Sam comes up to Burton’s level. They lead an excellent ensemble cast. A young Englishman plots revenge against his late cousin’s mysterious, beautiful wife, believing her responsible for his death. But his feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling under the beguiling spell of her charms, together with every other male in the vicinity. Enjoyable viewing.

This is a strange one, I must say. When a young girl mysteriously disappears, a former police officer sets out to investigate and comes across a secretive group attempting to summon a terrifying supernatural entity. But I’m not sure what actually was going on half the time, which keeps one guessing I suppose. It held my attention, but I’m still somewhat puzzled.

I am not a horror fan as a rule, but this film had me on the edge of my seat with fingers over the eyes at times. Rebecca Hall stars as grief-stricken high-school teacher Beth who having buried her husband returns to the spacious, eerily vacant lake house he built for her in the heart of a gloomy forest. But as pained Beth tries to pick up the pieces, before long, mysterious shadows and blood-curdling reflections on the windows start to taunt her, and suddenly, she finds herself opening boxes, rummaging through the deceased’s belongings. And little by little, Beth’s intense late-night nightmares become increasingly vivid, taking a toll on her already fragile sanity. This one held my attention.

Thoroughly enjoyed this comedy. Highly amusing. Tightly-wound, game-show-obsessed Anne must team up with her chaotic sister Jenny to help pay off their mother’s gambling debts. When Anne’s beloved dog is kidnapped, they set off on a cross-country journey to get the money they need. To do so, they must tap into Anne’s skill set by turning her into the game-show champion she was always meant to be. Sandra Oh is hilarious. Very entertaining.

John C. Reillly never fails to disappoint. He is hilarious in this comedy as conference veteran Dean Ziegler. Ed Helms heads an excellent ensemble cast as Tim Lippe who has no idea what he’s in for when he’s sent to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to represent his company at an annual insurance convention, where he soon finds himself under the “guidance” of three convention veterans. He had been warned by his boss to stay clear of one Dean Ziegler, which, of course, he doesn’t. This one had me laughing. Loved it.

The critics weren’t kind to this drama, but I quite liked it, and it did hold my attention. The unconventional love story of aspiring actress Marla Mabrey, her ambitious driver, and their eccentric boss, the legendary billionaire Howard Hughes. But Hughes’s number one rule for drivers is that they cannot have any relationship whatsoever with a contract actress. Hughes’ enigmatic behaviour intersects with Marla and Frank in separate and unexpected ways, and as they are drawn deeper into his bizarre world. And, as we know, it was very bizarre. Warren Beatty directs and stars as Hughes.

This film had such a wonderful ensemble cast that I decided to take another look after not having watched it since its release. Based on a true story, it tells of a Women’s Institute chapter’s fundraising effort for a local hospital by posing nude for a calendar, which becomes a media sensation. Light-hearted and lots of fun, which is what is needed in this crazy world.

This is a rather confronting documentary on yet another evangelical pastor’s fall from grace. It tells of Giancarlo Granda, former pool attendant at the Fontainebleau Hotel, who shares the intimate details of his 7-year relationship with a charming older woman, Becki Falwell, and her husband, the Evangelical Trump stalwart Jerry Falwell Jr. Amazing stuff goes on out there!