December 26, 2025

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 12/26

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

iF you WANT an entertaining drama

bridge of spies

Vincent Georgie: One of Steven Spielberg’s most effective dramas, this film is a great choice to watch with various relatives on the couch. Top-tier production values, a strong script and a highly engaging Oscar-winning performance by British stage actor Mark Rylance, this film reminds us of the kinds of films that feel like full-meal experiences.

Synopsis: During the Cold War, the Soviet Union captures U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers after shooting down his U-2 spy plane. Sentenced to 10 years in prison, Powers’ only hope is New York lawyer James Donovan (Tom Hanks), recruited by a CIA operative to negotiate his release. Donovan boards a plane to Berlin, hoping to win the young man’s freedom through a prisoner exchange. If all goes well, the Russians would get Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), the convicted spy who Donovan defended in court.

if you WANT something off-kilter

bugonia

Vincent Georgie: Weird, violent, surprising and just plain strange, we should never have expected anything less from Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos. Stars Emma Stone and especially Jesse Plemons are game participants here. The film is definitely not for all tastes, but if you want something completely askew this might turn you on.

Synopsis: Two conspiracy-obsessed men kidnap the CEO of a major company when they become convinced that she’s an alien who wants to destroy Earth.

Available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

if you WANT A classic family film

*Batteries not included

Vincent Georgie: A great throwback to the late 80s, this one is a beauty to watch with your kids for the first time, or re-discover from your own childhood.

Synopsis: Frank (Hume Cronyn) and Faye Riley (Jessica Tandy) are an elderly New York City couple living in a depressed part of town. There, they run a diner as well as an apartment building, which is home to a poor but friendly group of people. One day, Frank and Faye learn that a property developer wants them to sell the apartment. When they refuse, their diner is vandalized. However, Frank, Faye and their tenants are aided by mysterious flying saucers, which help them repair the diner and fight back.

Available on YouTube, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime.

DOUBLE FEATURE

christmas, two ways

Vincent Georgie: As there are leftovers in the fridge, unwrapped gits at your feet, all in a home of controlled chaos, please enjoy two Christmas films of wildly different flavours for adults.

The first film is an acidic black comedy set on Christmas Eve, with a perfect darkly comedia triangle of Denis Leary, Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey. The sharp one-liners are bountiful. In the second film, jump into a Christmas film that is deeply touching and reminds us all of what is the most important thing in life: those you love. Seeing Diane Keaton starring here is a sentimental reminder of how much we miss her already.

the ref

Bickering spouses (Judy Davis, Kevin Spacey) annoy the cat burglar (Denis Leary) who takes them hostage in their Connecticut home.

Available on Apple TV, Youtube, and Amazon Prime.

the family stone

Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney) wants to bring his girlfriend, Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker), to meet his bohemian Connecticut family at Christmas. Straitlaced Meredith, feeling she needs backup, asks her sister Julie (Claire Danes) to come along. Hoping to win the approval of her boyfriend’s parents Sybil (Diane Keaton) and Kelly (Craig T. Nelson) and the rest of the family, instead Meredith succeeds only in highlighting her uptight personality and making Everett doubt his intentions.