Helen O'Hara
@helenlohara.bsky.social
Film journalist, author, podcaster, broadcaster, etc. Empire's Editor-at-Large. If you would like to give me work, have a look at helenohara.com
This year's #BahHumbug finishes today with a magnificent triple-whammy of episodes. First up, @lauravenning.bsky.social talks #ChristmasAgain, the little indie film that could this year. It's more helpful and optimistic than you might think! open.spotify.com/episode/2aIx...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:51 PM
This year's #BahHumbug finishes today with a magnificent triple-whammy of episodes. First up, @lauravenning.bsky.social talks #ChristmasAgain, the little indie film that could this year. It's more helpful and optimistic than you might think! open.spotify.com/episode/2aIx...
A New Year's resolution I would thoroughly recommend for next year, and intend to follow myself, is to measure fewer things. Less logging, fewer streaks, fewer targets. Hobbies and culture are not meant to be competitive.
December 21, 2025 at 11:31 AM
A New Year's resolution I would thoroughly recommend for next year, and intend to follow myself, is to measure fewer things. Less logging, fewer streaks, fewer targets. Hobbies and culture are not meant to be competitive.
The absolute joy they take in one another's mad schemes is a delight. It's perilous but non-toxic masculinity, if that makes sense.
Say what you will, but the Jackass dudes were far better role models for young men than these repressed intellectual dark web losers.
December 21, 2025 at 10:31 AM
The absolute joy they take in one another's mad schemes is a delight. It's perilous but non-toxic masculinity, if that makes sense.
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
Here I am, ruining yet another of your favourite podcasts. Merry Christmas.
New #BahHumbug, with @chrishewitt.bsky.social talking #TheFamilyPlan2, Irish accents, car chase geography and Morgan family Christmases. open.spotify.com/episode/7LPE...
The Family Plan 2: Mark Wahlberg leads an international criminal family Christmas - or something
open.spotify.com
December 20, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Here I am, ruining yet another of your favourite podcasts. Merry Christmas.
New #BahHumbug, with @chrishewitt.bsky.social talking #TheFamilyPlan2, Irish accents, car chase geography and Morgan family Christmases. open.spotify.com/episode/7LPE...
The Family Plan 2: Mark Wahlberg leads an international criminal family Christmas - or something
open.spotify.com
December 20, 2025 at 5:10 PM
New #BahHumbug, with @chrishewitt.bsky.social talking #TheFamilyPlan2, Irish accents, car chase geography and Morgan family Christmases. open.spotify.com/episode/7LPE...
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
one thing that is important to know is that BIRTH OF A NATION is so racist that people at the *time*, in 1915, were like, “holy shit this is racist”
When the slightest bit of research shows he was consistently racist and a daddy issues Confederate fanboy.
People try to paint BIRTH OF A NATION as a masterpiece with some unfortunate racism. The whole movie is racist, the “masterpiece “ thing was backfilled to excuse it.
People try to paint BIRTH OF A NATION as a masterpiece with some unfortunate racism. The whole movie is racist, the “masterpiece “ thing was backfilled to excuse it.
December 19, 2025 at 12:55 PM
one thing that is important to know is that BIRTH OF A NATION is so racist that people at the *time*, in 1915, were like, “holy shit this is racist”
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
to cheer you up, here's Patrick Warburton and his sons (two of which may actually be clones???) doing Kronk lines
December 18, 2025 at 7:34 AM
to cheer you up, here's Patrick Warburton and his sons (two of which may actually be clones???) doing Kronk lines
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
Love this analysis
December 18, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Love this analysis
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
A new episode of #BahHumbug has @sometimesmovies.bsky.social joining me to discuss #AVeryJonasChristmasMovie. Is it actually...solid? Or have I lost my damn mind? open.spotify.com/episode/59Vu...
A Very Jonas Christmas Movie: Are we broken or is this actually funny?
open.spotify.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:41 PM
A new episode of #BahHumbug has @sometimesmovies.bsky.social joining me to discuss #AVeryJonasChristmasMovie. Is it actually...solid? Or have I lost my damn mind? open.spotify.com/episode/59Vu...
A new episode of #BahHumbug has @sometimesmovies.bsky.social joining me to discuss #AVeryJonasChristmasMovie. Is it actually...solid? Or have I lost my damn mind? open.spotify.com/episode/59Vu...
A Very Jonas Christmas Movie: Are we broken or is this actually funny?
open.spotify.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:41 PM
A new episode of #BahHumbug has @sometimesmovies.bsky.social joining me to discuss #AVeryJonasChristmasMovie. Is it actually...solid? Or have I lost my damn mind? open.spotify.com/episode/59Vu...
Say no to Gaston backstory, no to the causes of Gaston backstory.
December 16, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Say no to Gaston backstory, no to the causes of Gaston backstory.
Have you heard the new STAR-STUDDED episodes of #BahHumbug? Andrea Riseborough and Timothy Spall join us to talk about #GoodbyeJune, and the horrifying things you find in sausages. Also @bethwebb.bsky.social gives expert analysis! open.spotify.com/episode/6oJf...
Goodbye June: Life, death and Nativity plays with Andrea Riseborough and Timothy Spall
open.spotify.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Have you heard the new STAR-STUDDED episodes of #BahHumbug? Andrea Riseborough and Timothy Spall join us to talk about #GoodbyeJune, and the horrifying things you find in sausages. Also @bethwebb.bsky.social gives expert analysis! open.spotify.com/episode/6oJf...
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
I do not trust balloons. They pop when you're not expecting and of course, there's the Hindenburg
December 15, 2025 at 8:37 AM
I do not trust balloons. They pop when you're not expecting and of course, there's the Hindenburg
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
—I’ve been asked to baptise the King of Spain’s daughter
—Infanta?
—No, holy water as usual. Weird thing to ask honestly
—Infanta?
—No, holy water as usual. Weird thing to ask honestly
December 15, 2025 at 1:08 PM
—I’ve been asked to baptise the King of Spain’s daughter
—Infanta?
—No, holy water as usual. Weird thing to ask honestly
—Infanta?
—No, holy water as usual. Weird thing to ask honestly
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
I love how ubiquitous the "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya" line is but for me, and today of all days, it's just a set-up for the line that hits like a hammer every time:
"I want my father back, you son of a bitch"
It's a fantastically silly film but it's anchored by that heart-stopping moment.
"I want my father back, you son of a bitch"
It's a fantastically silly film but it's anchored by that heart-stopping moment.
December 15, 2025 at 1:39 PM
I love how ubiquitous the "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya" line is but for me, and today of all days, it's just a set-up for the line that hits like a hammer every time:
"I want my father back, you son of a bitch"
It's a fantastically silly film but it's anchored by that heart-stopping moment.
"I want my father back, you son of a bitch"
It's a fantastically silly film but it's anchored by that heart-stopping moment.
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
Thrilled with this year’s London Critics’ Circle Film Awards nominations, a nice rangy selection that runs the gamut from ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER to SIRĀT to SINNERS to WEAPONS. Full list here: criticscircle.org.uk/one-battle-a...
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, HAMNET AND SINNERS LEAD NOMINATIONS FOR 46TH ANNUAL LONDON CRITICS’ CIRCLE FILM AWARDS | The Critics' Circle
The long-established awards ceremony will honour the best in film achievement on 1 February 2026 at The May Fair in London London, 15 December 2025 Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another...
criticscircle.org.uk
December 15, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Thrilled with this year’s London Critics’ Circle Film Awards nominations, a nice rangy selection that runs the gamut from ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER to SIRĀT to SINNERS to WEAPONS. Full list here: criticscircle.org.uk/one-battle-a...
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
This kind of versatility doesn't get enough credit IMO because it's considered more critically respectable to maintain a distinctive style and keep returning to the same themes.
Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
December 15, 2025 at 9:42 AM
This kind of versatility doesn't get enough credit IMO because it's considered more critically respectable to maintain a distinctive style and keep returning to the same themes.
This is your occasional reminder that The Princess Bride is a Christmas movie, making it seasonal as well as a magnificent tribute to Rob Reiner's work.
December 15, 2025 at 8:57 AM
This is your occasional reminder that The Princess Bride is a Christmas movie, making it seasonal as well as a magnificent tribute to Rob Reiner's work.
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
Wallace Shawn felt insecure in his role as Vizzini in the Princess Bride. Rob Reiner would constantly reassure him.
What a perfect and generous director's note this is:
“I don’t really have a Sicilian accent.”
“That’s okay, Wally. This Sicilian talks just like you. He talks exactly like you.”
What a perfect and generous director's note this is:
“I don’t really have a Sicilian accent.”
“That’s okay, Wally. This Sicilian talks just like you. He talks exactly like you.”
December 15, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Wallace Shawn felt insecure in his role as Vizzini in the Princess Bride. Rob Reiner would constantly reassure him.
What a perfect and generous director's note this is:
“I don’t really have a Sicilian accent.”
“That’s okay, Wally. This Sicilian talks just like you. He talks exactly like you.”
What a perfect and generous director's note this is:
“I don’t really have a Sicilian accent.”
“That’s okay, Wally. This Sicilian talks just like you. He talks exactly like you.”
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
In honour of Rob Reiner, have David Moore's thread on the best sword fight in movie history and exactly how nerdy it is.
As you may know, I have stopped using Twitter, and have decided to reproduce some of my more memorable threads here for posterity. Here’s one I hold wrote after a particularly engaging swordfighting lesson.
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
a man reading a book to a young boy
Alt: a man reading a book to a young boy
media.tenor.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:46 AM
In honour of Rob Reiner, have David Moore's thread on the best sword fight in movie history and exactly how nerdy it is.
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
There's a guy on Twitter who posted about Rob Reiner's perfect run of films and included North. Every time someone calls out North, he says "Not the time, 2 people are dead." It's making me laugh until I cry, and I'm confident Rob Reiner would have found it hilarious.
December 15, 2025 at 4:24 AM
There's a guy on Twitter who posted about Rob Reiner's perfect run of films and included North. Every time someone calls out North, he says "Not the time, 2 people are dead." It's making me laugh until I cry, and I'm confident Rob Reiner would have found it hilarious.
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
there were like 4 distinct massive tragedies this weekend why was this weekend evil
December 15, 2025 at 5:53 AM
there were like 4 distinct massive tragedies this weekend why was this weekend evil
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
One of my all-time favorite clips of Rob Reiner, from his Friars Club Roast in 2000, as he reads aloud Roger Ebert's infamous scathing review of his movie North. The man had an amazing sense of humor about himself. RIP.
December 15, 2025 at 3:53 AM
One of my all-time favorite clips of Rob Reiner, from his Friars Club Roast in 2000, as he reads aloud Roger Ebert's infamous scathing review of his movie North. The man had an amazing sense of humor about himself. RIP.
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
Rob Reiner made some great movies but he was also unafraid to speak the truth, and was one of the public voices who knew you don’t squander your platform, and only got louder about opposing evil fucks as he got older. Legend.
December 15, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Rob Reiner made some great movies but he was also unafraid to speak the truth, and was one of the public voices who knew you don’t squander your platform, and only got louder about opposing evil fucks as he got older. Legend.
Reposted by Helen O'Hara
some days just call for lighting a candle AND cursing the darkness
December 15, 2025 at 6:27 AM
some days just call for lighting a candle AND cursing the darkness