Liam Dearden

Welsh Film & Theatre Reviewer | Words: @CoastalHMedia | @IFScritics Member | My Letterboxd: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🍿🎟

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

#ToyStory5 plays out less like a standard sequel and more like an old friend quietly taking your hand, pulling you close, and reminding you not to let go of what truly matters. Seeing Woody and the gang back together on screen is pure, wholesome nostalgia, a comforting anchor In @Pixar’s gentle, profound rebellion against the digital noise. A beautiful reminder of our own humanity, and a timely parable about how technology is shifting the landscape of childhood and pulling kids away from the sacred space of traditional playtime. The film mirrors the chaotic, high-energy humor we love, punctuated by Conan O'Brien, who delivers a genuinely scene-stealing performance as Smartypants, injecting a brilliant, witty spark into the chaos. #ToyStory

By finally stepping into the long-overdue spotlight, Cusack’s Jessie carries a narrative that aches with the nostalgic, heartbreaking beauty of Toy Story 2. At its heart, this is a story about the stubborn survival of genuine connection, a vital defense of tangible love, identity and friendship in a world that keeps trying to pull us into the virtual void. It made me laugh, it swept me up in its spectacular animation, and then, without warning, it quietly broke my heart. And just as the emotions peak, Randy Newman’s score lands with precision, knowing exactly where the fractures are. And yes, there were tears.

Ultimately, it is a film about being seen, being remembered, and the hope that even if moments pass, they still mattered. It is a sentiment the filmmakers cement beautifully toward the end of the main credits with a quiet, devastating dedication:

“Dedicated to our loved ones, past and present, who were there for us at the right time. You mattered.” @toystory

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

#ToyStory5 plays out less like a standard sequel and more like an old friend quietly taking your hand, pulling you close, and reminding you not to let go of what truly matters. Seeing Woody and the gang back together on screen is pure, wholesome nostalgia, a comforting anchor In @Pixar’s gentle, profound rebellion against the digital noise. A beautiful reminder of our own humanity, and a timely parable about how technology is shifting the landscape of childhood and pulling kids away from the sacred space of traditional playtime. The film mirrors the chaotic, high-energy humor we love, punctuated by Conan O'Brien, who delivers a genuinely scene-stealing performance as Smartypants, injecting a brilliant, witty spark into the chaos. #ToyStory

By finally stepping into the long-overdue spotlight, Cusack’s Jessie carries a narrative that aches with the nostalgic, heartbreaking beauty of Toy Story 2. At its heart, this is a story about the stubborn survival of genuine connection, a vital defense of tangible love, identity and friendship in a world that keeps trying to pull us into the virtual void. It made me laugh, it swept me up in its spectacular animation, and then, without warning, it quietly broke my heart. And just as the emotions peak, Randy Newman’s score lands with precision, knowing exactly where the fractures are. And yes, there were tears.

Ultimately, it is a film about being seen, being remembered, and the hope that even if moments pass, they still mattered. It is a sentiment the filmmakers cement beautifully toward the end of the main credits with a quiet, devastating dedication:

“Dedicated to our loved ones, past and present, who were there for us at the right time. You mattered.” @toystory

[Beetlejuice @BeetlejuiceWE]

Hey folks! 🪲🧃

[Beetlejuice @BeetlejuiceWE]

Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice
BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 🪲🧃

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

Believe what you’ve herd: #TheSheepDetectives is an absolute shear delight. 🐑🔍 A cozy Ewe-dunnit
that feels like Agatha Christie wandered onto a farm and started solving murders with Sheep, in this new breed of mystery. A woolly suspicious murder is committed that blends the heartfelt charm of Babe with the clever ensemble mystery fun of Knives Out and it works Baa-rilliantly. It's Baa-utiful, heartfelt, witty, and Ram-bunctiously entertaining, It made me laugh, tear up, and smile from ear to ear. thanks to Craig Mazin’s excellent screenplay and Kyle Balda’s direction. Beneath all the laughs and sheep puns is a surprisingly moving story about family, acceptance, mortality, belonging, and the power of remembering the people we love and holding onto memories. The warmth, & unexpected emotional depth really sneaks up on ewe. They just don’t make crowd-pleasing talking-animal adventures like this anymore.

Led by an Un-bleat-able flock of suspects and a fantastic voice cast that gave each sheep their own distinct personality, alongside the legendary Ewe Jackman, this murder most fleecey completely won me over. One of the year’s most unexpectedly charming mysteries, I urge ewe and your families to flock to the nearest cinema immediately.
@SonyPicturesUK @AmazonMGMStudio

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

@AmazonMGMStudio Baa-utiful, heartfelt, witty, and ram-bunctiously entertaining!! 🐑🔎

https://t.co/YFMOn8Enmy

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

Believe what you’ve herd: #TheSheepDetectives is an absolute shear delight. 🐑🔍 A cozy Ewe-dunnit
that feels like Agatha Christie wandered onto a farm and started solving murders with Sheep, in this new breed of mystery. A woolly suspicious murder is committed that blends the heartfelt charm of Babe with the clever ensemble mystery fun of Knives Out and it works Baa-rilliantly. It's Baa-utiful, heartfelt, witty, and Ram-bunctiously entertaining, It made me laugh, tear up, and smile from ear to ear. thanks to Craig Mazin’s excellent screenplay and Kyle Balda’s direction. Beneath all the laughs and sheep puns is a surprisingly moving story about family, acceptance, mortality, belonging, and the power of remembering the people we love and holding onto memories. The warmth, & unexpected emotional depth really sneaks up on ewe. They just don’t make crowd-pleasing talking-animal adventures like this anymore.

Led by an Un-bleat-able flock of suspects and a fantastic voice cast that gave each sheep their own distinct personality, alongside the legendary Ewe Jackman, this murder most fleecey completely won me over. One of the year’s most unexpectedly charming mysteries, I urge ewe and your families to flock to the nearest cinema immediately.
@SonyPicturesUK @AmazonMGMStudio

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

@SonyPicturesUK Baa-utiful, heartfelt, witty, and ram-bunctiously entertaining!! 🐑🔎

https://t.co/YFMOn8Enmy

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

Believe what you’ve herd: #TheSheepDetectives is an absolute shear delight. 🐑🔍 A cozy Ewe-dunnit
that feels like Agatha Christie wandered onto a farm and started solving murders with Sheep, in this new breed of mystery. A woolly suspicious murder is committed that blends the heartfelt charm of Babe with the clever ensemble mystery fun of Knives Out and it works Baa-rilliantly. It's Baa-utiful, heartfelt, witty, and Ram-bunctiously entertaining, It made me laugh, tear up, and smile from ear to ear. thanks to Craig Mazin’s excellent screenplay and Kyle Balda’s direction. Beneath all the laughs and sheep puns is a surprisingly moving story about family, acceptance, mortality, belonging, and the power of remembering the people we love and holding onto memories. The warmth, & unexpected emotional depth really sneaks up on ewe. They just don’t make crowd-pleasing talking-animal adventures like this anymore.

Led by an Un-bleat-able flock of suspects and a fantastic voice cast that gave each sheep their own distinct personality, alongside the legendary Ewe Jackman, this murder most fleecey completely won me over. One of the year’s most unexpectedly charming mysteries, I urge ewe and your families to flock to the nearest cinema immediately.
@SonyPicturesUK @AmazonMGMStudio

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

Believe what you’ve herd: #TheSheepDetectives is an absolute shear delight. 🐑🔍 A cozy Ewe-dunnit
that feels like Agatha Christie wandered onto a farm and started solving murders with Sheep, in this new breed of mystery. A woolly suspicious murder is committed that blends the heartfelt charm of Babe with the clever ensemble mystery fun of Knives Out and it works Baa-rilliantly. It's Baa-utiful, heartfelt, witty, and Ram-bunctiously entertaining, It made me laugh, tear up, and smile from ear to ear. thanks to Craig Mazin’s excellent screenplay and Kyle Balda’s direction. Beneath all the laughs and sheep puns is a surprisingly moving story about family, acceptance, mortality, belonging, and the power of remembering the people we love and holding onto memories. The warmth, & unexpected emotional depth really sneaks up on ewe. They just don’t make crowd-pleasing talking-animal adventures like this anymore.

Led by an Un-bleat-able flock of suspects and a fantastic voice cast that gave each sheep their own distinct personality, alongside the legendary Ewe Jackman, this murder most fleecey completely won me over. One of the year’s most unexpectedly charming mysteries, I urge ewe and your families to flock to the nearest cinema immediately.
@SonyPicturesUK @AmazonMGMStudio

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

The April/May Runway issue. The viral popcorn handbag. The invitation to the front row. 👠🍿

When it comes to @20thcentury #Thedevilwearsprada2 , I don't choose favourites | choose excellence. Girding my loins for the second viewing at the Runway Ready screening. And a Diet Coke. Everything else is... well, you know.

That's all.

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

A second viewing? Groundbreaking. But when one receives an invitation to @vuecinemas Runway Ready screening, one does not simply 'show up.' One arrives. I’ve secured the April/May issue finally, something worth reading and I’m honoring Tucci the only way one should: Girding my loins!!! @20thcentury #TheDevilWearsPrada2 👠✨

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

A second viewing? Groundbreaking. But when one receives an invitation to @vuecinemas Runway Ready screening, one does not simply 'show up.' One arrives. I’ve secured the April/May issue finally, something worth reading and I’m honoring Tucci the only way one should: Girding my loins!!! @20thcentury #TheDevilWearsPrada2 👠✨

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

A second viewing? Groundbreaking. But when one receives an invitation to @vuecinemas Runway Ready screening, one does not simply 'show up.' One arrives. I’ve secured the April/May issue finally, something worth reading and I’m honoring Tucci the only way one should: Girding my loins!!! @20thcentury #TheDevilWearsPrada2 👠✨

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

#TheDevilWearsPrada2 is a Fun, Fierce, Fabulously Chic Statement Piece. 👠✨

Honouring everything I loved about the original while evolving with the times yet beneath the hemlines and headlines lay something surprisingly sharp and timely, a reflection on the decline of print media, the dismantling of journalism, and the corporatisation of creativity. The crisis of newspapers, magazines, cultural labour, and writing as a paid profession is the engine here and it resonated deeply. It’s those people that are still fighting to keep those ethical values alive that make returning to these characters feel so worth it. Hathaway, Streep, Blunt, and Tucci slip back into their ICONIC roles as if no time has passed yet each finds something new to say. The chemistry is effortless, the nostalgia delicious, and the subtle nods are perfectly judged. They SERVE in every single frame.

Runway remains RENOWNED, now in the Digital World ensuring the couture & clothes are not just outfits, but characters in their own right. Add the cameos, the soundtrack(GAGA), the glossy glamour, and you have pure cinematic indulgence with real substance underneath. I had the biggest smile on my face the entire time and teared up. Sharp, stylish, witty, sassy, sentimental, and so quotable. It’s glitz and glamour with something meaningful to say. I’m so, So glad to be back in this world!! @20thcentury Worth. The. Wait.

That’s all.

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

#TheDevilWearsPrada2 is a Fun, Fierce, Fabulously Chic Statement Piece. 👠✨

Honouring everything I loved about the original while evolving with the times yet beneath the hemlines and headlines lay something surprisingly sharp and timely, a reflection on the decline of print media, the dismantling of journalism, and the corporatisation of creativity. The crisis of newspapers, magazines, cultural labour, and writing as a paid profession is the engine here and it resonated deeply. It’s those people that are still fighting to keep those ethical values alive that make returning to these characters feel so worth it. Hathaway, Streep, Blunt, and Tucci slip back into their ICONIC roles as if no time has passed yet each finds something new to say. The chemistry is effortless, the nostalgia delicious, and the subtle nods are perfectly judged. They SERVE in every single frame.

Runway remains RENOWNED, now in the Digital World ensuring the couture & clothes are not just outfits, but characters in their own right. Add the cameos, the soundtrack(GAGA), the glossy glamour, and you have pure cinematic indulgence with real substance underneath. I had the biggest smile on my face the entire time and teared up. Sharp, stylish, witty, sassy, sentimental, and so quotable. It’s glitz and glamour with something meaningful to say. I’m so, So glad to be back in this world!! @20thcentury Worth. The. Wait.

That’s all.

[Mar @_martremblay]

Literally me at the and of The Devil Wears Prada 2

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

#TheDevilWearsPrada2 is a Fun, Fierce, Fabulously Chic Statement Piece. 👠✨

Honouring everything I loved about the original while evolving with the times yet beneath the hemlines and headlines lay something surprisingly sharp and timely, a reflection on the decline of print media, the dismantling of journalism, and the corporatisation of creativity. The crisis of newspapers, magazines, cultural labour, and writing as a paid profession is the engine here and it resonated deeply. It’s those people that are still fighting to keep those ethical values alive that make returning to these characters feel so worth it. Hathaway, Streep, Blunt, and Tucci slip back into their ICONIC roles as if no time has passed yet each finds something new to say. The chemistry is effortless, the nostalgia delicious, and the subtle nods are perfectly judged. They SERVE in every single frame.

Runway remains RENOWNED, now in the Digital World ensuring the couture & clothes are not just outfits, but characters in their own right. Add the cameos, the soundtrack(GAGA), the glossy glamour, and you have pure cinematic indulgence with real substance underneath. I had the biggest smile on my face the entire time and teared up. Sharp, stylish, witty, sassy, sentimental, and so quotable. It’s glitz and glamour with something meaningful to say. I’m so, So glad to be back in this world!! @20thcentury Worth. The. Wait.

That’s all.

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

@TomMCJL Happy Birthday!! 🎉

[20th Century Studios @20thcentury]

The issue everyone has been waiting for.

Runway Magazine arrives in print and online on https://t.co/MKk3yFFpSH April 13. Experience The Devil Wears Prada 2 only in theaters May 1.

[20th Century Studios @20thcentury]

Watch the new trailer for The Devil Wears Prada 2 with original song “Runway” performed by Lady Gaga and Doechii. Get tickets now and experience the film only in theaters May 1: https://t.co/BJd5wLTVBq

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

I believe in magic, Or perhaps I had forgotten that I did. And then, quite suddenly, I found myself at the foot of the most extraordinary tree 🌿✨ #TheMagicFarawayTree is not simply a film it is a doorway. One that creaks open gently, inviting me to climb higher and higher into a world where anything I imagine could be waiting just beyond the next branch. The Tree itself, alive with wonder, its enchanted canopy revealing a parade of curious lands and even curiouser souls. We begin, as all good tales do, with a family slightly out of step with their own story swapping the hum of modern life for the hush of the English countryside. Garfield and Foy are a delight and the three young kids are wonderful but tethered to glowing screens, find themselves utterly adrift without them, until the tree calls.

Up we climb… and there they are those marvellous, peculiar souls who feel as though they’ve leapt straight from the pages of my childhood: Moonface, round and kind; the gloriously muddled Saucepan Man; Silky, shimmering with gentle magic; and a host of others, each as curious and comforting as a half-remembered dream. @simonfarnaby is wonderfully versed in bringing such classics to life and with Blyton’s creation does something rather special. He lets us feel the story by unfolding it like a bedtime tale, where wonder matters more than reason and joy takes precedence over logic. And yes, there is peril there always is in the best stories. Dame Snap, deliciously severe and ever so slightly terrifying, looms as a reminder of all that seeks to tame childhood’s wild imagination. But this is, at its very heart, a story about children, their courage, their dreams, and their quiet, stubborn belief that the impossible might just be possible. Watching it, I felt something stir something small and bright that I thought I’d outgrown. Perhaps that is the true magic of @TMFTFilm . It doesn’t simply show you a fantastical world it reminds you that you once lived in one. That you still might. For a fleeting, golden moment, I wasn’t just watching. I was climbing. And for that thank you for breathing life into the stories my grandad once read to me. This is pure, unfiltered escape, whimsical, nostalgic, and brimming with heart. A film that gathers up your inner child, dusts them off, and whispers, “Come along… there’s still magic to be found.” And you believe it. 🌙🌳🧚✨

You truly do! @EFDFilms

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

I believe in magic, Or perhaps I had forgotten that I did. And then, quite suddenly, I found myself at the foot of the most extraordinary tree 🌿✨ #TheMagicFarawayTree is not simply a film it is a doorway. One that creaks open gently, inviting me to climb higher and higher into a world where anything I imagine could be waiting just beyond the next branch. The Tree itself, alive with wonder, its enchanted canopy revealing a parade of curious lands and even curiouser souls. We begin, as all good tales do, with a family slightly out of step with their own story swapping the hum of modern life for the hush of the English countryside. Garfield and Foy are a delight and the three young kids are wonderful but tethered to glowing screens, find themselves utterly adrift without them, until the tree calls.

Up we climb… and there they are those marvellous, peculiar souls who feel as though they’ve leapt straight from the pages of my childhood: Moonface, round and kind; the gloriously muddled Saucepan Man; Silky, shimmering with gentle magic; and a host of others, each as curious and comforting as a half-remembered dream. @simonfarnaby is wonderfully versed in bringing such classics to life and with Blyton’s creation does something rather special. He lets us feel the story by unfolding it like a bedtime tale, where wonder matters more than reason and joy takes precedence over logic. And yes, there is peril there always is in the best stories. Dame Snap, deliciously severe and ever so slightly terrifying, looms as a reminder of all that seeks to tame childhood’s wild imagination. But this is, at its very heart, a story about children, their courage, their dreams, and their quiet, stubborn belief that the impossible might just be possible. Watching it, I felt something stir something small and bright that I thought I’d outgrown. Perhaps that is the true magic of @TMFTFilm . It doesn’t simply show you a fantastical world it reminds you that you once lived in one. That you still might. For a fleeting, golden moment, I wasn’t just watching. I was climbing. And for that thank you for breathing life into the stories my grandad once read to me. This is pure, unfiltered escape, whimsical, nostalgic, and brimming with heart. A film that gathers up your inner child, dusts them off, and whispers, “Come along… there’s still magic to be found.” And you believe it. 🌙🌳🧚✨

You truly do! @EFDFilms

[Beetlejuice @BeetlejuiceWE]

Hey London!
David Fynn is your ghost with the most! 👻🖤🤍

📸 Matt Crockett