Camp Rock 3

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Sixteen years ago, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam premiered on the Disney Channel. A third film was in the works, but was ultimately scrapped due to what was going on with Demi Lovato at the time. Now, we return for another summer of singing, song writing, instrument playing and dancing fun. When Connect 3 (Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas) lose the opening act of their upcoming reunion tour, they go back to the place where it all began to discover the next big thing. A new crop of teens with a dream will do whatever it takes to be chosen.

I liked the first two Camp Rock films, but I wasn’t obsessed with them like I was with High School Musical. I basically just jumped on the bandwagon because I needed something to fill that void. They were entertaining and they catapulted Lovato and the Jonas Brothers to fame. As legacy sequels are currently all the rage, it was no surprise that this would be getting their own version of that. While I didn’t find it necessary whatsoever, it wasn’t as awful as I was expecting it to be. In fact, I enjoyed the nostalgia trip.

At the helm is Sage (Liamani Seguara) who attends the camp with her brother Desi (Hudson Stone). They befriend Callie (Brooklynn Pitts), Rosie (Lumi Pollack), Cliff (Casey Trotter) and Fletch (Malachi Barton). Though they appear different on paper, they actually have a ton in common and form a bond unlike any other. The acting chops could have been better, but most of them made up for it in their musical talents. The stand outs for me were Segura and Pollack who had lovely singing voices. I do wish we had had more backstory on some of the other characters to flesh them out and give them even more personality.

It was nice to have the Jonas Brothers back on screen together, especially in the way that made them household names. Their characters of Jason, Nate and Shane are definite parodies of themselves and they know it; the way they played into it this time around was appreciated. Other returning cast members included Maria Canals-Barrera as Connie, Mitchie’s mom, who is now running the camp and Mitchie (Demi Lovato) herself in a small cameo. Sherry Cola was along for the ride too, as Lark, Connect 3’s manager. She was a great addition to round out the cast.

Where the film lacked was in it’s story. It was basically a carbon copy of the first complete with covers of the same songs fans have grown to know and love. Whether or not these versions were better, I will leave up to you to decide. There were some original tunes, but none of them were particularly memorable. I also thought that things were wrapped up too quickly and neatly. The beef between Sage and Desi? Squashed almost immediately. Fletch’s deep, dark past? Brushed over with no repercussions. It just didn’t seem realistic.

Overall, despite Camp Rock 3 being the sequel nobody asked for, there were some amusing aspects to it. While I appreciated getting to know some new talent, I was more in it for the throwbacks to the earlier films and thought that that is where they excelled.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

The End of Oak Street

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Denise (Anne Hathaway) and Greg Platt (Ewan McGregor) are on the brink of divorce. Though they have tried to keep it together for their children Audrey (Maisy Stella) and Brian (Christian Convery), they know that they aren’t fooling anyone. But when a cosmic event takes place and shifts their suburban neighborhood into a world where dinosaurs still exist, they are forced to put aside their differences to do what they can to survive.

The End of Oak Street seemed to come out of nowhere. I hadn’t heard much about it until closer to its release date. The fact that most of the storyline was kept under wraps made it even better as it enhanced the viewing experience. I went into it expecting one thing and ended up getting so much more than I bargained for. It’s probably one of my favorite cinema experiences of the summer!

With Hathaway and McGregor at the helm, it wasn’t a surprise that they would deliver solid performances. While McGregor seemed to be more of a side character to Hathaway’s kick ass mom, the two worked well off each other. I simply can’t get over how dynamic Hathaway is as an actress. This is her fourth feature film of the year and each one has been so different, yet just as impressive as the last. Stella and Convery did a good job as the kids; there was a genuine chemistry between all four of them that really made it seem like they were a real family.

The main event was, of course, the dinosaurs. The way in which they were introduced was well done. Slowly at first, where the audience doesn’t see them in their full form straight away. Instead we are teased by little things here and there before we finally witness how threatening they truly are. The special effects used for these creatures were spot on and there were some positively terrifying moments that had me jumping in my seat. It was absolutely thrilling.

Overall, The End of Oak Street is exactly what you would want from a summer blockbuster. While it never fully explains how this neighborhood is transported back in time, it doesn’t need to. It leans into the crazy all the way that it seems believable enough to happen. The whole experience was a blast and it’s a film that I would definitely revisit in the future.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

The Devil’s Mouth

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Thailand is the perfect location for a holiday. With it’s idyllic beaches, exotic animals and striking caves, it has so much to offer. For Sara (Kathryn Newton) and her friends Max (Lana Condor), James (Nico Hiraga), Greg (Gavin Casalegno) and Adrienne (Tommi Rose), they can’t wait to embark on the adventure of a lifetime: visiting The Devil’s Mouth. Due to a storm, the cave has flooded. When Max suggests they take the hardest path to get through it and the others agree, they start to realize that they are not alone down there.

The shark genre has been around for decades and it’s probably safe to say that we’ve seen all variations possible. Although this one started off seemingly in a similar way, it did ramp up and managed to hold my attention all the way through. I actually enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to and didn’t think it was as bad as everyone has been saying.

A big reason why I wanted to check this one out was because of the cast. It’s pretty much every up and coming actor of our generation starring in one film together. Newton, who has been on a slew of scream queen roles lately, once again smashes it as the lead character. Sara may start off by allowing her friends to step all over her, but once they are in the caves, the tables are turned and she’s the only one can get them to safety. Condor had the part of the spoiled and whiny best friend down to a T; she was grating on my nerves, but that was the point. While Hiraga, Casalegno and Rose were more side characters, I did think they balanced out the group well.

Where the film lacked was in its script. Filled with cringey dialogue and silly one liners that dampened the severity of the situation, sometimes it was hard to look past. I’m not sure if they went this way to poke fun at themselves or to parody this particular horror genre, but it was an interesting choice. Luckily this was made up for in the thrills of the shark sequences that just got more intense as they went on.

So many times did I find myself clutching at my chest and gasping over what was unfolding in front of me. The fact that the majority of the runtime took place in the water added to that perilous feeling. Underwater shots also make me uneasy and this film had that in spades. There was a sense of foreboding right from the beginning and just when I thought it was all going to be okay, something would happen that completely changed my perspective.

If you’re in the mood for something that will keep you on your toes, I recommend checking out The Devil’s Mouth. It doesn’t take itself seriously by any means, but thanks to one very hungry shark, it does enough to keep its audience entertained.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

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When No Way Home came out in 2021, fans thought that this was the perfect ending for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. That is why it came as somewhat of a surprise when a fourth instalment was announced. Not that I was against it as I think his portrayal is the best. I just wasn’t sure how they would carry on the story in a way that made sense. Four eyes have passed since the spell that wiped all memories of Peter Parker from those who knew and loved him. Properly on his own for the first time in his life, he helps fight crime with the police. But when Peter is faced with his most powerful foe yet, he must grapple with who he wants to be and who he truly is.

I have been struggling to care about the various superhero films that have been coming out lately. There was a time when they were new and exciting, but now they have become all the same. I’ve stopped getting my hopes up because I simply don’t want to be disappointed. Marvel, in particular, has been very hit or miss since Avengers Endgame and sometimes I find myself wondering when it will all end. Luckily Brand New Day kind of reinvigorated my love for the franchise. It was so much better than I thought it was going to be!

Holland is in top form. We see a different side to Peter, a more emotional one that I don’t think we’ve been privy to yet. The isolation has clearly been weighing on him and I found myself awing out loud at literally every scene because I just wanted to give him a big hug. Those emotions mixed with the more intense Spider-Man that he grows into was interesting as well and I thought he was able to play both sides perfectly. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon reprised their roles as MJ and Ned. Of course while they no longer remember Peter, the relationships that form between the trio is just as genuine as they were before. Jon Bernthal joins in on the fun as Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, and he was such a scene stealer. I was such a fan of his bromance with Peter; their banter and little digs were so funny. Other newcomers included Liza Colon-Zayas (of The Bear fame) who portrayed detective Jean DeWolff, Tramell Tillman as William Metzger, the head of the Department of Damage Control, and Sadie Sink in an undisclosed role that you’ll need to see to believe.

Something about this film just felt different. It was shot in a unique way that made the audience feel like we were in Peter’s mind. The close up shots and slow motion moments added an extra bit of depth that really took us behind the curtain. On the other hand, the action sequences were top notch – my favorite took place in the third act and it was when Peter was fighting against the Inner Demons. The special effects were cool especially with all the webs. It also had a crazy good soundtrack which comes as a surprise to nobody.

I didn’t know what to expect going into it, Spider-Man: Brand New Day was a total blast. I had such a fun time watching it in a packed room of people who all cheered and clapped throughout. This has given me hope for the future of the Marvel franchise and I look forward to seeing where it goes next.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

The Dink

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Dustin “The Hammer” Boyd (Jake Johnson) used to have a promising tennis career until an accident got in the way. Now he works as a coach at the country club his father, Chuck Boyd (Ed Harris), owns and feels like he will never amount to anything ever again. After receiving medical advice by Dr. Stone (Ben Stiller) that pickleball will help loosen up his wrist, Dusty joins an amateur league. While he initially hates everything about the sport, he soon starts to open up to his fellow team members and finds something within himself that he thought had long ago disappeared.

I don’t know much about pickleball and I’m not that clued into tennis either. What I do know is that the two are usually pitted against each other, with most saying that tennis is the superior sport. But pickleball gained quite the following during the pandemic and now it is literally everywhere, so I wasn’t at all surprised when a film was announced that would revolve around it. While I do not think of myself as an expert, at least I know more about it than I did before.

The story itself was pretty generic. It’s not the first time we’ve seen a washed up athlete find passion in something unexpected and it probably won’t be the last. As a result, I found it to be a predictable watch. This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes I like having something mindless that I can just tune out to. It was just a bit too stereotypical for me.

Where the film did excel was in its cast. Johnson is giving it his all and you can tell that he’s having a blast. Not all of the jokes landed, but he kept trying and I’ll admit I did laugh quite a bit. The group of women Dusty befriends while playing pickleball were fun. Mary Steenburgen was delightful as Candace, a divorced woman who is trying to get her groove back. Cleo King and Lynne Marie Stewart were hilarious as Gail and Judy. The three of them worked effortlessly off of Johnson and I really enjoyed their scenes together. Chloe Fineman had a short but sweet role as Dusty’s ex girlfriend Marisa and I enjoyed the cameos by actual tennis champions Andy Roddick and John McEnroe.

Apple TV+ is known for putting out top notch quality projects. I’m a bit surprised as to why they decided to take on The Dink because it was just mediocre. If it wasn’t for the cast, I probably wouldn’t have bothered to check it out. It was fine for a one time watch, but it was ultimately forgettable.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

Descendants: Wicked Wonderland

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Once upon a time, Descendants was a beloved trilogy featuring Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson and Cameron Boyce. When the original films wrapped, fans weren’t sure what was going to happen to the franchise. In 2024, a spin off was born. Audiences were taken on a journey to Wonderland and were introduced to new characters such as Red (Kylie Cantrall), Chloe (Malia Baker) as well as the Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora) and Cinderella (Brandy). It was off to a shaky start and I was doubtful when the next film, Wicked Wonderland, was announced. But curiosity got the better of me and now here we are.

Picking up after the events of The Rise of Red, Red and Chloe are adjusting to life after their time traveling adventures. Although they got what they wanted: the Queen of Hearts is now kind and Cinderella is safe, there are still consequences for altering the timeline. Soon, a new foe makes himself known. Maddox Hatter (Leonardo Nam) is out for justice and when he captures the Queen of Hearts, it is up to Red, Chloe and their new friends to save her and Wonderland.

This film was more enjoyable than the last. I thought the storyline was more intriguing and the new characters were welcome additions. Red now has a sister named Pink (Liamani Segura) who came about due to the timeline change. As Pink is my happy color, I loved that there is now a character that perfectly encapsulates everything pink. We also got to know Hazel Hook (Kiara T. Romero), Captain Hook’s daughter and Luis Madrigal (Alexandro Byrd), Luisa Madrigal’s son. My only qualm with Luis was that he possessed the same magical powers as his mother, which if you have seen Encanto, does not align with the rules of magical powers. The hints of a romantic relationship between Red and Luis as well as Chloe and Hazel were apparent and they peaked my interest. I’d be up for more of them in the inevitable next instalment.

Where I couldn’t help but feel let down was just in the lack of magic. While the sets are a beautiful technicolor palette that is so appealing to my senses, it feels like something is missing. The acting is subpar at best and the songs are not as catchy as they once were. The only stand out for me this time around was the duet between Brandy and Ora and I wouldn’t be surprised if that was largely because they are so iconic themselves. I can’t remember any of the other ones.

Descendants: Wicked Wonderland was a step up from its predecessor. I was more invested this time around thanks to the interesting plot and the new faces. It will never hold a candle to the first three films, but perhaps it doesn’t have to. Maybe it can stand on its own. I’ll continue to watch, but I need to stop expecting it to be something it’s not.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

The Odyssey

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After the Trojan War, Odysseus (Matt Damon) wants nothing more than to travel home to Ithaca and back to his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and his son Thelmachus (Tom Holland). Throughout the course of his ten year voyage, Odysseus comes across many creatures that threaten his life. But with perseverance and the help of his men, he vows to never give up.

Coming off the heels of Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan shocked fans when he announced that his next feature film would be an adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey. Unlike anything he had done up until that point, it was a risk that audiences all over the world would wait in bated breath for. As the days counted down and the release drew closer and closer, the film grew into being one of, if not the most anticipated of the year. While the acclaimed director is not afraid to take risks, all eyes were still on him and he delivered yet another masterpiece.

I don’t think I have ever seen a film that featured so many major name in cinema. In addition to Damon, Hathaway and Holland, there was also Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, John Leguizamo, Mia Goth, Himesh Patel, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, Lupita Nyong’o and Samantha Morton. Some of these casting choices may have been questionable at first; if a project has so many big names attached to it, the chances of it succeeding is not always a given. Although many of these actors only had limited screen time, every single one of them used what time they did have to their advantage and delivered phenomenal performances. Damon and Hathaway in particular were outstanding and I would be shocked if they didn’t receive Oscar nominations for their roles. I was also very impressed with Patel’s Eurylochus who was a true pillar for Damon’s Odysseus.

Truly a feast for the eyes, the cinematography and landscapes were elevated to a whole other level. Nolan is known for his on location shootings and this just made the story feel more real. Spanning across Morocco, Greece, Iceland and Scotland to name a few, each were expertly chosen and built upon to create some incredible sets. Combined with a masterful score from Ludwig Göransson that matched every scene and gave it a whole new meaning, every single one of my senses were heightened.

I had initially been worried that I wouldn’t understand the story and therefore not enjoy myself. One I realized what it was actually about, I was able to fully immerse myself. That being said, I did feel the run time and felt like it could have been a little bit shorter. I was also thrown off course with the use of modern American English. It was a choice I’m not sure I would have made.

The Odyssey is another Nolan epic. He took a big risk and it completely paid off. With its sprawling locations and brilliant performances, it just worked. I’m sure this will be another awards season darling and I am looking forward to seeing it all unfold.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Moana

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We all know the story of Moana. The daughter of a chief, she knows that one day her time will come to lead her people. When her island’s crops don’t grow properly and their fish begins to run out, Moana sets out on a journey to restore the heart of Te Fiti, a goddess, who is behind the environmental turmoil. In order to complete her quest, she must seek the help of Maui, a demigod, who was responsible for stealing the heart in the first place.

The latest of Disney films to receive the live action treatment, the original Moana film burst onto the scene only ten years ago. We also got the sequel two years ago. Because of those reasons, I do think this new version came too early. The story is still so fresh and current; it didn’t need to be revamped. There are so many other movies that Disney can adapt if that’s the route they really want to go down. As a result I wasn’t entirely looking forward to checking this out, but I’ll admit it was better than I was expecting.

Catherine Laga’aia takes over as the titular character from Auli’i Cravelho. I was initially unsure of her casting, but she really made the role her own. Not only did she look the part, her singing voice was pristine and I had chills during How Far I’ll Go. Dwayne Johnson reprised his role as Maui and while Maui is such an iconic character to begin with, I’ll admit I was quite distracted by the wig he wore. That being said, the chemistry between the two leads was organic and reminiscent of the first.

If a film is remade, there are usually updates that are incorporated. This helps elevate the material and make it more accessible for a wider audience. That was unfortunately not the case here. Instead we got a carbon copy of the original. This isn’t an awful thing – the story is timeless after all, but it just further iterated why this film wasn’t necessary. It offered absolutely nothing new.

Additionally, while beautiful to look at, it was clear that most of the settings were in front of a green screen. Some moments were extremely CGI heavy which isn’t an awful thing per se, but did take away from the realistic feel of it. I still couldn’t help myself from falling in love with Pua and Hei Hei. They truly are some of the best Disney sidekicks ever.

Overall, the live action Moana was nothing more than a cash grab. Still, it was a cash grab that I was more than happy to partake it since I am a fan of all things Disney. I think it helped that I went into it with super low expectations because it really wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. I just wish they had waited a few more years.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

The Invite

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The Invite, directed by Olivia Wilde, is the type of film where you think you know what is going to happen, but it ends up being something else entirely. Going into it as blindly as possible is best because it allows the audience to fully immerse themselves in all that is about to unfold. Even then, nothing can prepare you for what’s to come.

Joe (Seth Rogan) and Angela’s (Olivia Wilde) marriage is on thin ice. When they invite their elusive neighbors Pina (Penelope Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton) upstairs for a dinner party, the evening escalates into something neither of them could have ever expected.

There couldn’t have been a better choice for each of these characters. They became these flawed and colorful individuals; everything about their performances was just effortless. Rogan brought his usual funny guy schtick, but this time with a self deprecating flair. His one liners and facial expressions had me cracking up. Wilde, who pulled double duty, was phenomenal. A true mix of comedy and heartbreak, she really gave it her all. Cruz exuded her usual allure and sex appeal while Norton smashed it as the strong, but silent type. The chemistry between the four of them was electric and I could feel it all the way through.

We all know how much I love a locked room setting and this one was no exception. Tensions, emotions and all that’s in between were at a fever pitch. It started slowly though it was obvious that something was brewing under the surface. As it continued to grow, those feelings only intensified. Thanks to the brilliant performances and the impeccable script by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, this only made the entire experience better.

Let’s get one thing straight – The Invite packed a punch. I’ve been thinking non-stop about it since and that’s because it has so many layers to it. At the end of the day, the reason why it resonated with me so much is because it’s about how being an adult is reconciling with who you truly are with who you actually wanted to be. I know I’ve hit that point in my life and I’m sure many of you have too. So, because of that reason, I implore you to watch this film. It may just be my favorite of the year so far.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Enola Holmes 3

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It’s been nearly four years since Enola Holmes last graced our screens. Now the young detective is back and our story picks up in Malta. Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) is set to marry Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge) in an elaborate ceremony fit for a lord and lady. But the nuptials are thrown off course when Dr. Watson (Himesh Patel) announces that Sherlock (Henry Cavill) has gone missing. Enola is suddenly thrust into a case unlike any other. With help from her mother Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter) and local Mikiel (Joe Azzopardi), it’s a race against time to find Sherlock.

I love everything and anything having to do with Sherlock Holmes. The first two Enola films are so much fun! They’re lighter in tone due to the younger heroine front and centre, but they also deal with some important topics too. I couldn’t wait for this new instalment, especially since the last one came out so long ago. Now that the cast have grown up, I was curious to see if and how this would be reflected in the story.

From the get go, the tonal shift was evident. Like Enola who is preparing to become a wife, Brown has also recently gotten married and adopted a child. The level of maturity was ramped up significantly. The case, for example, is the most emotional one yet and the way in which this influenced the characters was interesting to watch unfold. This did make it feel like the stakes were raised and while some of the other themes were a bit muddled, this one at least shone through.

People often say that Brown overacts, but I don’t agree. I have always liked her as an actress and I think this role is perfect for her. With this being her third outing, she’s got it down to a T. The character is relatable and I think young girls can really look up to her. All the usual suspects are back for the adventure too. I particularly enjoyed Bonham Carter who just looks to be having a ball. Sharon Duncan-Brewster has returned as Moriarty too. We have had many variations of this individual over the years, but I quite like how they chose to make her a woman here.

While I do agree that Enola Holmes 3 is the weakest of the bunch, I still had a great time with it. It took a while to get going, but once it did I was hooked. Though this could stand as a finale, and a fitting one at that, I also wouldn’t be opposed to more in the series. I guess only time will tell!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️