The Donnis Report cuts straight to the point with quick-fire reviews of films, TV and games. No filler, just sharp snapshots that link you to the full reviews on my other sites. Fast, simple, and made for anyone who wants the gist without the grind.
The LEGO City Express Passenger Train Construction Set 60337 delivers a smooth and enjoyable experience for builders of all ages. Its sleek, modern design stands out, and with easy assembly, working lights, and a full set of track pieces, it captures the excitement of high-speed rail in LEGO form. The included minifigures, accessories, and station platform add to the play value, giving it a lively, interactive edge.
Despite its appeal, the £140 price tag may deter some, especially parents buying for younger children. It's not as intricate as the more advanced creator expert sets, but that's also part of its charm. It's accessible, engaging, and ideal for those who simply want a well-built, good-looking LEGO train without the overcomplication.
Ben Leonberg's Good Boy is a bold supernatural horror that tells its story through the eyes of a dog named Indy. When Indy and his owner Todd move from the city to a desolate rural house, strange noises and shadowy figures soon suggest they are not alone. As Todd's health deteriorates, Indy's instincts become the film's guiding thread, turning his loyalty into both a source of hope and heartbreak.
Beautifully shot and tightly paced, the film finds horror not in jump scares but in atmosphere and emotion. Leonberg's decision to frame the story around Indy's constant presence gives Good Boy an intimate, unsettling edge. It's an inventive debut that transforms a simple haunted house tale into a deeply human story about love, fear and the unbreakable bond between man and dog.
Sonic Wings Reunion revives the beloved Aero Fighters series with a faithful return to 90s-style vertical shooting. Packed with multiple playable pilots, global stages, and optional co-op, it captures the charm and pace of old-school arcade action. The visuals stick close to their roots, offering that authentic pixel look, and the Tate Mode is a nice nod to purists who crave the classic upright experience.
It's not without flaws, though. The soundtrack feels bland, and the price tag is hard to swallow for what is, at heart, a simple throwback shooter. Still, there's something endearing about its honesty. It doesn't try to modernise or impress, it just delivers the kind of pure, frantic fun fans of the series will remember fondly.
The Smashing Machine chronicles the life of MMA fighter Mark Kerr, from his rise in the UFC to personal struggles with drugs, relationships, and self-doubt. Johnson delivers a career-best performance, while Emily Blunt brings depth to his complicated relationship with Dawn.
The film mixes intense fight sequences with quieter personal moments, though its pacing and editing sometimes feel scattered. For MMA fans, the story resonates, but it offers limited insight for those unfamiliar with Kerr's career.
MotoTrials drops you into a claustrophobic industrial labyrinth with nothing but a bike and your wits. Early puzzles force you to think quickly, setting the tone for a game that values learning through failure. Every crash and recovery feels earned, with physics-driven mechanics making control a rewarding challenge. The environment does much of the storytelling, and the voice cast adds unsettling texture without ever overexplaining.
The game balances intense riding sequences with occasional on-foot puzzles, offering variety while maintaining focus on skill and momentum. Visually modest but atmospherically strong, MotoTrials thrives on tight design loops and replayable challenges. Time trials, hidden collectibles and a few secrets extend its short runtime, and despite minor rough edges, the game's lean, addictive structure makes it a compelling experience for fans of Trials-style platforming.
The Harry Potter RealFX Junior Invisibility Cloak and Mystery Flying Snitch bring the wonder of the Wizarding World straight into your living room, capturing the same playful spirit that made the films so magical. The cloak, complete with a special green-screen style lining and app integration, lets young witches and wizards make themselves disappear just like Harry did in the halls of Hogwarts. It's easy to use, surprisingly effective, and a brilliant way for kids to experiment with movie-style effects while re-enacting their favourite scenes. With its official backgrounds like the Great Hall and Diagon Alley, it feels genuinely immersive and is likely to be a massive hit come Christmas.
The Mystery Flying Snitch taps into the thrill of Quidditch, using delicate thread and clever design to make the Snitch appear to float and flutter in mid-air. Once mastered, the illusion is genuinely impressive, giving players the sense that they've caught the Golden Snitch themselves. It's the kind of toy that rewards patience and practice, and it doubles as a lovely collector's piece when displayed on its plinth. Both toys manage to bottle a little piece of Hogwarts magic, making them perfect gifts for fans young and old.
BoomBit's Build a Bridge is a puzzle game that invites players to design, test, and experiment with bridges across a variety of vehicles and environments. Using wood, metal, and cables, players plan in 2D before watching their creations come to life in a stunning 3D view. The game balances precise problem-solving with playful experimentation, offering optional challenges and 86 levels of steadily increasing difficulty that reward both creativity and strategy. The realistic physics engine ensures every collapse and success feels satisfying, making each attempt a learning experience.
While the bridge-building genre is crowded, Build a Bridge distinguishes itself with its accessibility, polished graphics, and thoughtful level design. Players can approach the game methodically or dive into wild constructions, enjoying both successes and spectacular failures. The optional challenges add replayability, encouraging players to revisit levels and perfect their designs. Overall, the game delivers an engaging, rewarding experience for puzzle enthusiasts and casual players alike, blending fun, strategy, and creativity in equal measure.
Christopher Leone's 2025 action comedy Code 3 offers a fast-paced glimpse into the life of overworked paramedics. Randy, played by Rainn Wilson, is ready to quit, but on his final day he is paired with a student ride-along, Jessica (Aimee Carrero), while his partner Mike (Lil Rel Howery) keeps the ambulance on the move. Supervised by Shanice (Yvette Nicole Brown), the trio navigates emergencies that mix humour with sudden, sometimes jarring tragedy. The film succeeds in capturing the gallows humour and emotional weight of life-saving work, grounded by authentic performances.
Despite its many strengths, the film has its flaws. Its repetitive structure and occasional tonal shifts slightly slow the pacing, making some sequences predictable. Yet, the blend of comedy and heartfelt drama ultimately works, offering a touching and entertaining portrayal of the unsung heroes of healthcare. Code 3 is a surprisingly heartfelt action comedy that balances laughs with poignancy and insight.
Matthew Loren Oates' Xeno is a heartfelt sci-fi adventure following teenage Renee, who discovers a dangerous, crash-landed alien in the desert. As she bonds with the creature she names Croak, she navigates a fractured family life, her mother's depression, and a cruel boyfriend, all while government agents close in. The film balances tension, humour, and action, exploring empathy and the moral challenges of encountering the unknown.
With standout work from Lulu Wilson and striking creature effects by the Jim Henson Creature Shop, Xeno delivers moments of genuine warmth and excitement. While the plot draws on familiar influences like E.T. and The Iron Giant, the combination of strong performances, imaginative design, and heartfelt storytelling makes it a memorable and engaging watch.
Formula Legends is a playful and visually striking tribute to open-wheel racing across six decades. Players can drive 16 unique cars and race on 14 reimagined circuits, each evolving through different eras. The Story Mode and customisation options add depth, making the game appealing to both newcomers and long-time fans of motorsport.
However, the handling feels inconsistent, with cornering heavy and straights too light, and the lack of official licences means drivers and teams are fictional. While the sim-cade approach provides accessible gameplay, it prevents the game from fully succeeding as either a simulation or arcade racer. Despite these issues, the game remains fun, with great graphics and engaging homage to racing history.
Car Driving School Simulator balances realistic driving challenges with entertainment. Eight detailed maps, 30 vehicles, dynamic weather, and first-person mode create variety and immersion. Following traffic rules adds a fun, structured challenge.
While the traffic AI can be unpredictable and the lack of UK levels is noticeable, the game remains enjoyable. With room for extra content, it could become a lasting favourite for simulation fans.
The action sequences are as inventive as anything in Chan's long career, with practical stunts that outshine modern CGI and a post-credit reel that proves the danger was real. Tony Leung Ka-fai makes a compelling villain, giving the final showdown the gravitas of two veterans squaring off. A slightly overlong runtime and the absence of an English dub are minor drawbacks, but they do little to dull a thrilling ride. The Shadow's Edge shows that Jackie Chan remains a force, using age and experience to deepen his screen presence rather than hide it.
The Long Walk adapts Stephen King's 1979 novel into a stark, oppressive survival thriller. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film follows fifty teenage boys forced to walk until only one remains alive, a concept that immediately sets a grim and relentless tone. Cooper Hoffman shines as Ray Garraty, bringing a quiet resolve and emotional weight that keeps the film from collapsing under its own bleakness. The supporting cast holds their own, and moments of human connection between the walkers offer brief relief from the tension.
Unfortunately, the film never escapes the limits of its premise. Once the deadly rules are revealed, the narrative settles into a repetitive cycle of marching and dying with little variation. At nearly two hours, the slow pacing and predictable turns drain the suspense, leaving strong performances stranded in a story that feels stretched thin. The result is a technically competent but ultimately exhausting adaptation that struggles to justify its length.
Disc Golf City brings the quiet sport of disc golf into a colourful low-poly city, swapping forests for rooftops, alleys and hidden trick-shot targets. The arcade setup is easy to grasp and free of timers, with playful achievements for creative throws and scenery that invites exploration. When a throw curves just right and lands in the basket it feels genuinely rewarding.
The problems lie in the demanding controls and a punishing progression system. Only the tutorial is open at first and new levels require under-par scores across all courses, turning early play into a grind. Free play mode offers little relief and often resets progress. With smoother handling and more generous unlocking this could become a cult favourite, but at launch it remains a charming yet uneven experience.
Prisoner of War, directed by Louis Mandylor, is a 2025 action war thriller set during the Battle of Bataan. Scott Adkins stars as RAF Wing Commander James Wright, who is captured by Japanese forces and forced into brutal hand-to-hand combat in a POW camp. The film highlights his martial arts skills as he motivates fellow prisoners and plans a daring escape, delivering intense action sequences and a grounded portrayal of resilience.
While the story follows familiar war-thriller beats, Adkins' performance and the fight choreography stand out, making the film a solid throwback to physical action cinema. The supporting cast, including Peter Shinkoda, Donald Cerrone, and Michael Copon, adds depth, though the nearly two-hour runtime and slower pacing in non-action scenes are minor drawbacks. Overall, it is a gripping and visceral action experience for fans of the genre.
Call of the Sea is a first-person puzzle adventure set in the 1930s, where you play as Norah on a journey to a remote South Pacific island in search of her missing husband. The game has no combat and instead focuses on exploration and a steady stream of puzzles that blend naturally into the story. The island is beautifully presented, with vibrant environments and mysterious ruins, while Cissy Jones's performance as Norah adds real heart to the narrative.
Not everything lands smoothly, with some puzzles proving difficult enough to push players towards outside help, and the Switch Lite version showing occasional stuttering. Still, the game's striking setting, engaging story, and thoughtful design make it a rewarding experience. It may not have much replay value, but as a single playthrough it stands out as a memorable and challenging adventure.
Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek puts players in the shoes of Sloane Spencer, a young teen exploring a town full of eerie mysteries and supernatural threats. The game blends stealth, puzzles, and exploration, with fun cartoony graphics and spooky sound effects that bring the Goosebumps universe to life. Players navigate abandoned theatres, foggy streets, and shadowed libraries, using a slingshot and a haunted book to evade monsters and uncover hidden secrets.
The game is easy to pick up, with a gentle learning curve, making it ideal for younger players. While it's a short experience, the clever puzzles, stealth mechanics, and familiar Goosebumps charm provide plenty of fun. Fans of the series will appreciate the playful scares and spooky atmosphere, making this a strong introduction to both stealth gameplay and the Goosebumps world.
Light of the World is a 2025 animated Christian drama that brings the life of Jesus to the screen through the eyes of his youngest disciple, John. From the early days of his ministry to the crucifixion and resurrection, the story is told with heart and accessibility, framed in a way that feels fresh without losing reverence for the source. Directed by Tom Bancroft and John J. Schafer, the film pairs Disney-inspired animation with a story that balances humanity, faith, and wonder.
The cast, including Ian Hanlin as Jesus and Benjamin Jacobson as John, deliver warm and engaging performances that help bring this biblical story to life for younger audiences as well as adults. The film never shies away from the darker elements of Christ's story, but presents them in a way that is appropriate and meaningful. Light of the World is both visually striking and spiritually uplifting, a rare animated biblical tale that manages to feel universal in its appeal.
Dixotomia drops you into a threatened colony where vampires, mercenaries, and androids clash, and survival depends on skill, strategy, and quick reflexes. The game mixes sci-fi gunplay with vampiric abilities, offering deep upgrade trees and a choice-driven experience that shapes the fate of the planet.
As an Early Access title, it shows plenty of promise but is rough around the edges. Bugs, uneven visuals, and lack of polish can frustrate, yet the immersive environments, solid controls, and cinematic action suggest a strong foundation. With continued updates, Dixotomia could become a standout VR shooter.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle delivers a cinematic action-adventure that captures the spirit of the films. Players explore iconic locations, solve puzzles, engage in stealth and combat, and uncover relics in a richly detailed world. The whip mechanics, Adventure Books, and first-person perspective provide a dynamic and immersive experience, while voice acting and animated cutscenes bring the story to life.
The Order of Giants DLC expands the game with a new Rome-based story featuring Father Ricci, the Cult of Mithras, Nero's gladiator games, and hidden crypts beneath the city. With fresh challenges, new puzzles, and atmospheric locations, it complements the base game perfectly. Together, they offer a polished, entertaining, and highly satisfying adventure for both longtime fans and newcomers.
The Thursday Murder Club brings Richard Osman's novel to the screen with Chris Columbus directing and an enviable cast led by Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie. Their chemistry and charm carry the film, turning a familiar cosy mystery setup into something lively and watchable. Add in neat camerawork, a warm score and a supporting cast that includes Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant, and it feels like a carefully assembled piece of polished entertainment.
The problem is that it rarely takes risks. At nearly two hours, the pacing sags, the plotting feels predictable, and the film leans so hard into its cosiness that it drifts towards complacency. It is safe, pleasant, and charming, but never daring. For audiences after comfort viewing with accomplished performances, it does the job. For anyone seeking sharper wit or genuine suspense, it may feel like a missed opportunity.
EDENS ZERO puts players in control of Shiki Granbell and his friends on a cosmos-spanning adventure. Featuring a mix of the original story and game-exclusive quests, the game lets players explore Blue Garden and beyond, with over 700 equippable items and full character customisation. Combat is dynamic, with eight playable characters offering varied fighting styles, and boss battles that provide satisfying challenges.
The game stands out for its vibrant anime visuals, smooth controls, and entertaining gameplay, appealing to both fans of the manga and newcomers. While minor issues like a small mini map exist, the world feels expansive and the overall experience is polished and fun.
The Roses follows Theo and Ivy Rose, whose seemingly perfect marriage spirals into escalating cruelty as career shifts and domestic pressures create tension. Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman deliver magnetic performances, balancing humour and menace while keeping the audience invested in their chaotic relationship.
The film shines in its portrayal of relatable domestic conflicts, with supporting performances from Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon adding extra comic relief. Despite sharp humour and entertaining chaos, it plays it safe compared to the 1989 original, making it a solid but fleeting one-time watch.
Lost Twins 2 is a delightful puzzle-platformer where players guide siblings Abi and Ben through a whimsical, hand-painted world. The game's signature mechanic allows you to move the environment itself, creating new paths and solving clever, well-crafted puzzles. Each level is full of thoughtful design, from pressure switches and water gates to lifts and breakable domes, ensuring a fresh challenge at every turn. Inspired by Miyazaki, the art and animation are soft, painterly, and utterly charming, complemented by a soothing original soundtrack.
Players can tackle the journey solo, switching between Abi and Ben to reach goals, or enjoy local co-op, which highlights the game's inventive puzzle mechanics. With no enemies, no timers, and no deaths, the focus is purely on exploration, discovery, and creativity. The story may be light, but the experience is joyful, clever, and visually breathtaking. Lost Twins 2 is a heartwarming, cerebral adventure that succeeds in delighting both children and adults.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater revisits one of the most beloved entries in the franchise, retelling Naked Snake's Cold War mission with striking new visuals and modern refinements. Stealth, survival mechanics, and memorable encounters all return, bolstered by updated controls, persistent wounds, and an immersive camouflage system that reflects the gritty journey through jungles and Soviet bases. For newcomers, it's the most accessible way to experience the story, and for long-time fans, it offers a polished trip down memory lane.
Yet, for all the improvements, it remains rooted in 2004. The game feels dated in design, and despite the PS5 sheen, it doesn't reinvent or reimagine enough to be called a true remake. With a hefty 90GB install size and a £60 price tag, it's hard not to see this as a cautious remaster rather than a bold revival. It's faithful, it's beautiful, but it's also a reminder that sometimes preservation can come at the cost of ambition.
Sokobos 2 takes the classic block-pushing puzzle and gives it a clever, modern twist. You must load vases into a cart, but the catch is the cart moves too, turning simple puzzles into satisfying brain teasers. Objects interact in interesting ways: some float, some sink, and some can form temporary bridges when pushed into water. The game also includes gates, pressure plates, and other mechanics, all presented with clear instructions before trusting your problem-solving skills. Set in Ancient Greece, the story adds a touch of character, casting you as someone condemned by the Gods to collect vases for eternity.
The visuals are minimalist, keeping the focus firmly on the puzzles themselves. Sokobos 2 is approachable for newcomers, yet still offers challenges for veterans of the genre. Unlike the original Sokobos, which could feel overcomplicated with large levels, this sequel keeps things simple, tight, and satisfying. Launching on Steam on 19 September 2025 for $9.99 with a 15% discount, it runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac.
Ash is a covert fixer who brokers payoffs between whistleblowers and powerful companies while masking his identity through relay service calls and strict rules. After handling a tense Optimo case for Hoffman, he's contacted by Sarah Grant, who is being hunted over a report on dangerous side effects from Cybo Sementis wheat. Ash guides her through misdirection and dead drops, forwards a tracked payoff until the battery dies, and leverages the documents against an upcoming merger, all while juggling AA meetings with his sponsor Wash and a cache of client files hidden in a Newark warehouse.
As the noose tightens, Sarah is lured into a trap, Ash pulls a chaotic rescue at a concert hall, and then surrenders when Dawson's team seizes her. The real twist surfaces when Sarah reveals she is part of the operation sent to expose Ash and recover Hoffman's files. A showdown at the warehouse ends with police arrivals summoned by Ash, arrests for the team, and Ash choosing to trust Wash with the documents. Later he mails most of the payoff to the Tri-State Relay Service and departs by train as news of Optimo's crimes breaks, closing a tense story of secrecy, leverage and consequence.
Jacked Up is exactly the kind of VR oddity that sneaks up on you. The premise is absurd, you play as a ripped rabbit climbing a massive tower while your progress is streamed to an in-game audience, but the execution is spot-on. The bounce-based movement feels great, and every failed jump just makes you want to try again. With gyms acting as checkpoints and muscle-bound animals cheering you on, the game keeps its tongue firmly in cheek while delivering that one-more-go loop.
It isn't flawless. The graphics are basic and the gameplay can feel repetitive after a while, especially if you're hoping for variety beyond the climb. Motion sickness is also a genuine risk if you're sensitive. But for a penny under six quid, Jacked Up is funny, addictive, and refreshingly different. Right now it's a solid 7 out of 10, with potential to get even better as new challenges and mini-games arrive in future updates.
Sky has unveiled the first teaser for The Iris Affair, a sleek new thriller that promises sunlit landscapes, shadowy secrets and a chase that never lets up. Set against the beauty of Italy, the series follows two sharp minds locked in a dangerous contest where the stakes grow darker with every move.
At the centre is Iris Nixon, played by Niamh Algar (Mary & George, The Virtues), a brilliant but elusive figure who cracks a series of intricate online puzzles. Her trail leads her to Florence, where she encounters Cameron Beck, a smooth-talking entrepreneur played by Tom Hollander (The White Lotus, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans). He lures her into his orbit with the promise of working on a powerful secret technology. Intrigued, Iris agrees, only to uncover just how dangerous the device could be. She flees with the journal that holds the key to unlocking it, setting off a hunt that spans Sardinia, Rome and beyond.
What follows is a cat-and-mouse pursuit across Italy, with Iris determined to stay one step ahead while Cameron refuses to let her slip away. The teaser hints at high-stakes confrontations, sweeping locations and the unnerving question of who can truly be trusted when both sides are willing to deceive.
Created, written and showrun by Neil Cross (Luther), The Iris Affair brings together directors Terry McDonough (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) and Sarah O'Gorman (A Gentleman in Moscow, The Witcher) to deliver a series that looks as stylish as it is tense.
With sun-drenched piazzas, remote hideouts and the thrum of pursuit through city streets, The Iris Affair sets up a gripping story of intellect, betrayal and survival. It arrives this autumn on Sky and streaming service NOW.
Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi is a fantasy adventure from MarsLit Games, drawing inspiration from the animation style of Studio Ghibli and Studio Chizu. The story follows Lili, a reluctant would-be Guardian who has no desire to take on her mother's legacy, and Sadi, a determined Monk-in-training who believes their partnership is the only way to defeat the Void. Together they must journey across Atarassia, taking on dungeons filled with puzzles, corrupted shrines, and monstrous enemies, all while learning what it truly means to be Guardian and Monk.
The game shines in its art direction and storytelling, with a beautiful hand-painted style and emotional themes of loss and reluctant duty. Yet technical problems hold it back, with frequent bugs, clunky controls, and inconsistent audio design creating frustration. With only days to go before its release, it feels more like an early access title than a finished product. There is plenty of potential here, but the game will need major updates to deliver the experience its striking visuals and strong concept promise.
