Hoppers

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Nineteen year old Mabel (Piper Curda) is an animal lover who will do anything she can to save the glade that meant so much to her late grandmother (Karen Huie). When she discovers that her professor Dr. Sam (Kathy Nijmay) has created technology that allows humans to place their consciousness into robotic animals, Mabel decides to use it to become a beaver. As Mabel meets various species, she uncovers more about the animal world that she ever thought possible.

Disney and Pixar’s latest offering is an original story that boasts a unique spin. I honestly wasn’t sure what to think of it from the trailer aside from the fact that the animals looked cute. I ended up getting a lot more than I bargained for and thought that it was well executed.

As usual, the world building and animation design were incredible. It was the perfect combination of high level detail needed to depict the many locations while also experimenting with some more cartoonish character features. The glades, pond and forest area seemed so realistic in their illustrations while the animals themselves stood out for their quirkiness.

The voice cast were brilliantly chosen. Curda brought real emotion and charm to Mabel. We’ve all felt alone and like we don’t really belong anywhere at least once in our life and I feel like she encapsulated that so well. Bobby Moynihan who portrayed King George, another beaver who lead the mammals, was hilarious. The friendship that formed between him and Mabel was so lovely. Other notable names such as Meryl Streep, Ego Nwodim and Sam Richardson played the Insect Queen, Fish Queen and Conner, one of Dr. Sam’s associates, respectively while Dave Franco seemed to be having a blast as the Insect King. Each delivered in bringing their characters to life.

I liked the film because it was different. The placing of human consciousness into a robotic human was slightly Avatar-esque, but it actually made me care. I cared about these characters and the world they were living in. Learning how important animal habitats are was also interesting and I loved seeing how they all worked together while adapting the pond rules. This film made me think of what we are going through today and how different things may be if we could all come together while also shedding light on environmental conservatism.

Overall, Hoppers seems to be a return to form for Pixar. It’s last few ventures fell a bit flat, but this time around I could sense that good old, familiar magic. The film was inventive, very funny and deeply touching. It really is one of those films that every member of the family can enjoy.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Scream 7

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In the latest instalment of the Scream franchise, Sidney Prescott-Evans (Neve Campbell) has built a new life with her husband Mark (Joel McHale) and daughter Tatum (Isabel May). While it has been some time since her last Ghostface encounter, Sidney knows that she is never truly out of the woods. Before long, a new killer makes themselves known and this time he’s targeting Tatum. Sidney must once again face her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all.

After a lot of behind the scenes shake ups, Kevin Williamson is not only back in the writing seat, he is also in the director’s seat for the first time. Many people thought that this, combined with Campbell’s triumphant return as everyone’s favorite Final Girl, would be enough for fans to tune back in after the departure of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega’s Sam and Tara who helmed the last two films. Having Sidney back front and centre was surely a treat though I cannot say that I didn’t miss Barrera or Ortega as I thought they fit in well. The film itself wasn’t the strongest of the franchise, but I still had a good enough time with it.

It really did seem as though Sidney had never left. Campbell fit back into Sidney’s trauma effortlessly and this time the stakes were raised even higher because of who Ghostface is now targeting. Seeing Sidney as a mother and watching her complicated relationship with Tatum unfold was interesting. May did a formidable job; it was like she was always meant to be there. I also liked the dynamic between Sidney and Mark; domestic Sidney was someone I never knew I needed. Courteney Cox resumed her role as Gale Weathers. Her entrance was absolutely iconic, as if we could expect anything less, though I didn’t think she was featured as much as she should have been. The same can be said about Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding who portray Mindy and Chad Meeks-Martin. I appreciated that they were a tie in from the previous two films, but they were severely underused.

Unfortunately not many of the new characters worked. Tatum’s friends Hannah (Mckenna Grace), Lucas (Asa Germann), Chloe (Celeste O’Connor) and Ben (Sam Rechner) seemed like caricatures rather than fully fleshed out human beings. Each started with so much promise though the audience never gets to really know them. The addition of Anna Camp was a good one though she had maybe about ten minutes screen time which was a disappointment. At least we had the so-called legacy cast to fall back on: Matthew Lillard, David Arquette and Scott Foley are all back in some shape or form and I enjoyed seeing them again.

It wouldn’t be a proper Scream film without some blood, gore and good old jump scares. This one had many! The opening sequence was very well done and I particularly enjoyed the scene that took place in the bar too. However, I do think that while there was a high body count that there were still a few moments where nothing of importance happened. I’m used to these films being fast paced and never a dull moment. Also, I’ll admit that while I did not see the final reveal coming, I did think that it left a lot to be desired.

Overall Scream 7 is worth checking out for Neve Campbell’s return alone. That being said, whether or not this instalment was truly necessary remains to be seen. Part of what makes these films so enjoyable is how self aware they are. I love how they don’t mind poking fun at themselves, but I can’t help wondering how many times the same formula will continue to work before it gets played out.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Crime 101

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Davis (Chris Hemsworth) has been pulling off high stakes heists along the 101 freeway for years now. When the opportunity to finally get out of the game arises with one final heist to end all heists, Davis hopes that insurance broker Sharon (Halle Berry) will work with him. Sharon has been at the same firm for over eleven years and she still isn’t getting her due diligence. Perhaps helping Davis will be the answer to her problems. Meanwhile there is Lou (Mark Ruffalo), a stubborn cop who refuses to give up on the case that has been plaguing him and LA for years. He knows he’s close to finding out who the thief is, he just has to wait a few more days.

I’ll admit it’s been a hot minute since I last settled in for an action movie. The cast was a huge selling point as I probably wouldn’t have been so interested otherwise. From the trailer I was expecting it to be your average run of the mill flick, but it ended up going in a different direction and that is not necessarily a bad thing.

As previously mentioned, the film boasts a cast with exceptional talent. Hemsworth was convincing enough as a thief who does what he does because he feels like he has no other choice. His performance was solid, however, for a main character, I thought he could have been a bit more prominent. There were some moments where I forgot that he was the lead. Berry and Ruffalo smashed it as the insurance broker and cop respectively. Their characters are both feeling underappreciated in their jobs and their lives that the decisions they make are believable. Barry Keoghan stars as Ormon, another robber who enters the mix and really stirs shit up. I was captivated every time he was on screen because he truly delivered an unhinged performance.

The cinematography is stylish and sleek which fits the overall tone. Right from the get go, the audience sees the upside down view of LA from the freeway while a female voice is leading us into mindfulness meditation. This is an interesting choice that instantly brought me into the story. Each frame felt expensive and the transition shots were well executed. It really made each arc feel connected to one another. The score tied it all together with pulse pounding beats that kept the tension locked in.

It did seem like it took a while for anything exciting to happen. The start was solid enough and then there was an unfortunate lull. Slow burns are sometimes necessary and I understand that this was done so that we could really get to know these individuals. I just wanted to know how they were all going to come together. This definitely made the film feel a tad too long. I also didn’t think it needed the romantic subplot with Monica Barbaro. Maya was a lovely character, but we didn’t get to know anything about her and she barely had any screen time. I had hoped she’d be more involved in the heist of it all, but alas…

Overall, Crime 101 isn’t trying to reinvent the genre by any means, but it does make for an entertaining enough ride. The cast do a great job, there are some great chase sequences that kept me on the edge of my seat and I do think it was executed well ad the end of the day. I do think if it had been just a little bit tighter then it would have been a slam dunk.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Wuthering Heights

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Based upon the 1847 novel by Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights tells the devastating love story of Catherine Earnshaw (Margot Robbie) and Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi). Set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, Cathy and Heathcliff strike up a friendship like no other when Cathy’s father brings him to live with them. As the years go by, the feelings they have for one another grows.

Writer and director Emerald Fennell is known for being provocative and unique. She made quite the splash when she announced she would be adapting such a beloved classic, especially because she wanted to tell it her way. As a result, many people have been left divided over the casting choices and the changes that have been made to the source material. I did read the book, but that was so long ago now that I barely remember it. I had been really looking forward to seeing the film and I have to say that I liked it.

Both Robbie and Elordi were scrutinised for taking on the roles of Cathy and Heathcliff respectively. They were not at all what the majority had in mind for the characters, but I thought they did a good job. Robbie was perfect as the bitchy, possessive Cathy while Elordi was so very handsome and also kind of scary as Heathcliff. I am a fan of both – not only are they absolutely gorgeous, they sizzle as a couple. The romantic relationship between them is not a healthy one whatsoever, but it is so full of passion that I almost didn’t care. Those longing looks and angst filled moments were almost better than when they actually ended up finally giving into their feelings.

The film wouldn’t have been complete without the supporting cast. Hong Chau starred as Nelly Dean, Cathy’s maid and former confidant. Not the nicest of people, you can’t help but feel for her and understand why she does what she does. Shazad Latif portrayed Edgar Linton, the man who Cathy agrees to marry when Heathcliff disappears. I appreciated the fact that Edgar didn’t let Cathy walk all over him and tried to fight for their marriage. The real scene stealer for me though was Alison Oliver who took a star turn as Isabella Linton. She was kind of strange, but so incredibly funny, the whole theatre was cracking up whenever she was on screen.

Though not at all historically accurate, everything about the film was breathtaking. From the cinematography, to the costumes, the intricate set designs and the distinctive soundtrack, it was a feast for the senses. Fennell is nothing if not deliberate with the way in which she approaches her projects; that was evident in Promising Young Women and Saltburn. This was no exception. From the moors, to the Linton estate and the house where Cathy and Heathcliff met and became forever intwined, each were expertly crafted. In addition to being completely in love with Cathy’s entire wardrobe, I also thought the soundtrack choices from Charli XCX worked well.

I think it helps to go into Wuthering Heights separating the book from the film. Because I knew that this was going to be a completely different take on the timeless story, I wanted to be as open minded as possible. This allowed me to enjoy the film a lot more than I thought I would. Despite the changes, I thought it still did a brilliant job at portraying the epic love story between Catherine and Heathcliff, so much so that I was left in tears at the end. That tells me everything I need to know.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Send Help

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Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams) has worked the same job for many years and is severely undervalued. When her new boss Bradley Preston (Dylan O’Brien) suddenly takes over the firm for his father, Linda’s hopes of a promotion disappear. Giving her one last chance to prove herself, Bradley invites Linda to go with him and some colleagues on a work trip to Thailand. But then their plan crashes onto a deserted island and they are the only survivors. Now they have to do the unthinkable – rely on each other.

Director Sam Raimi is back in the horror game. While I am not familiar with his past projects in this genre, I do know his ventures in Spider Man and Doctor Strange. From the trailer alone I was curious to see this film because of how they really didn’t give much away at all. It’s obvious that some crazy shit is going to go down throughout the two hour run time, but I had no idea what that would be. As far as I’m concerned, it’s better going into this as blindly as possible

It is not the first time that we’ve seen this formula however the way in which it is depicted is certainly different. Perfectly blending dark humor, suspense and psychological tension, the audience is brought along for a journey where they never really know where they will end up. It builds slowly; the crash itself doesn’t even happen straight away. The impending chaos that will inevitably ensue thereafter is purposefully drawn out to grip you and keep you guessing. There were so many times where I thought I knew how it was all going to play out and then something else happened instead.

This is, hands down, McAdams’ film. Her transformation into Linda is one for the books. Starting off as a socially awkward woman who eats her lunch at her desk and doesn’t care about how she looks, Linda would much rather stay home with her pet bird Sweetie and watching Survivor than deal with the social hierarchies of her office. The way in which McAdams manages to shift between vulnerability, humor and charm to complete madness, and sometimes in the same scene, is something to behold. I am so glad she is back on our screen after three years away. O’Brien also delivered a solid performance. Usually known for playing the hero or somebody more reserved, this was surely a departure from the norm. Here he was full of flaws, arrogance and, quite frankly, a downright douchebag. He sold it though. With their electrifying chemistry, the two were able to perfectly steer the film into the way it needed to go.

What I enjoyed the most was the shift in power dynamics. Linda goes from being meek and unable to stand up for herself to someone who is fearless and thriving in the wilderness. Bradley, on the other hand, becomes whiny and scared. This comes into play as the story develops. The audience is never sure who, if anybody, they should be rooting for.

Send Help delivers thrills, chills and so much more. It may look like a regular survival thriller on the surface, but it really is so much more than that. Thanks to its strong direction, fabulous performances and a gripping screenplay, this is the type of film that deserves to be seen on the big screen.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Rental Family

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Directed by Hikari, Rental Family follows the story of Phillip Vanderploeg (Brendan Fraser), a struggling actor who has been living in Japan for the past seven years. When he is presented with an opportunity to work for a rental family agency where he would play whatever role necessary for strangers, he is unsure but reluctantly goes for it. But when one of his roles involves acting as a father to a little girl named Mia (Shannon Mahina Gorman), the lines between performance and reality start to blur.

I had no idea what to expect going into this film. While it looked cute from the trailer, but that was about it. The concept was also unlike anything I had ever heard of before. I’m so glad I went with my gut on this one because I got so much more than I ever could have expected.

As predicted, Fraser is excellent as the lead. He brings a vulnerability and charm that was lovely to watch. He’s hesitant about taking on this opportunity, but the connections he makes not only with those that he is hired to work for, but those of his colleagues at the agency itself ultimately win out in the end. I have loved everything this man has been doing since he came back onto our screens with The Whale and I can’t wait to see what he tackles next.

The film would be incomplete without the strong supporting cast. Takehiro Hira stars as Shinji Tada, the creator of the rental agency. Mari Yamamoto portrays Aiko Nakajima and Kimura Bun is Kota Nakano, two of the other actors. The bond that forms between these three and Phillip is the true definition of found family. Gorman was obviously a scene stealer for me – I loved her scenes with Fraser – and I also enjoyed the storyline with Akira Emoto as Kikuo Hasegawa, a retired actor who believes Phillip is writing an article about him, but who really just needs a companion.

What I didn’t know going into this was that these rental family agencies really do exist. I thought that this was so interesting to learn and I’m sure that the film only scratched the surface. The beautiful scenery and landscapes were a dream; if I didn’t want to visit Japan before, I certainly do now. It really just served as the perfect backdrop to this story.

Rental Family is about human connections and how we need that now more than ever. The various people that the audience meets throughout are all special in their own way. They’ll have you laughing, crying and feeling every emotion in between. It stayed true to itself and will certainly leave a lasting impression.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

People We Meet on Vacation

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Poppy (Emily Bader) and Alex (Tom Blyth) could not be more different. Poppy is outgoing, kills every plant she’s ever owned and can’t stay in one place for too long. Alex is reserved, would rather be stuck in a book and enjoys staying home. When the two meet by chance, they somehow become best friends. They decide that no matter how far apart they are, they will meet up once a year and go on vacation together.

The first of author Emily Henry’s books to be given the silver screen adaption treatment, Netflix had big shoes to fill. It’s the second of her six novels and I remember reading it as if it was yesterday – I was tucked up in a cottage in Canada with my husband during the summer of 2021. The weather was not on our side, but we made the most of it by watching movies, grilling under the covered deck and of course, reading. I was so excited when I heard that this was being made into a film. I’m pleased to report that they did it justice.

Every now and then, when you’re reading the source material, you sometimes have an idea in your mind of who you would like to be casted as the characters. I actually had no ideas prior to the film, but Bader and Blyth were Poppy and Alex. They exuded every single quality down to a tee. As the story was told mainly in Poppy’s perspective, Bader had a chance to really shine on screen and she did. I was already a fan from her time on My Lady Jane, but she’s proven now that she is a true leading lady. Blyth, of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes fame, was not featured as often, but he did make it count whenever he was. Together, their chemistry was so cute, easy and very believable.

One of the aspects I was most looking forward to seeing come to life was, of course, the depiction of each vacation. From camping in Canada, to getting drunk in New Orleans, to a derailed Norwegian plan and finally to the ill fated trip to Tuscany that changed everything, it was so fun to embark on these adventures with Poppy and Alex. I absolutely loved the club scene in New Orleans when Alex woos Poppy with his dance moves, but I think my favorite was Norway (or what should have been Norway).

Another way in which the film excelled was in its comedy. It was genuinely funny. I was laughing out loud on multiple occasions. I don’t remember the book having the same affect, but I’m not complaining. Some of the supporting cast members such as Jameela Jamil, Molly Shannon, Alan Ruck and Lukas Gage helped in this regard. The script was tight, some of the scenes condensed to make them flow better and although they did make some changes from the book, it wasn’t without reasoning.

Overall, People We Meet on Vacation is one of the better romcoms I have seen in awhile. Films of this genre have lately been disregarded; people don’t think they are realistic enough and don’t believe they should be taken seriously. This one was handled with the proper respect and care that was needed to drive home its message. I was left with the biggest smile on my face and my husband even became totally invested too. Now I can’t wait to see more of Emily Henry’s books receive the same treatment.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5

Hamnet

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Based upon the book by Maggie O’Farrell, Hamnet follows the story of Agnes (Jessie Buckley) and William (Paul Mescal) Shakespeare. It’s the 16th century and Agnes is a healer by trade. William is a tutor and aspiring playwright. They meet, fall in love and have three children. But when their son Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe) dies unexpectedly, they are struck with a grief unlike any other. Now more than ever they must stick together to get through this devastation.

Despite not reading the source material, I was still very excited to see this come to screen. As a result, I can’t say if this is a faithful adoption. I am, however, a big Shakespeare fan and I feel like that had to count for something. While I knew more or less the plot and how these events paved the way for Shakespeare to write one of the greatest tragedies of all time, I had no idea exactly what I was in for.

This is without a doubt Buckley’s film. Her portrayal of Agnes was raw and heartbreaking. The way in which she completely gave herself over to this role was a spectacle to behold. Every word, breath, scream and expression was perfectly executed and if she doesn’t get the Oscar then I don’t know what to think anymore. Mescal delivered a performance of masculinity and vulnerability. He showed a range that I did not know he was capable of and I applaud him for it. I was also very impressed with the actors who starred as the Shakespeares’ children. Susanna (Bodhi Rae Breathnach), Judith (Olivia Lynes) and Hamnet himself each did a brilliant job. Little Jacobi Jupe captured my heart, tore it out of my chest and then proceeded to stop all over it.

I’ll admit I was a bit nervous going into this. I had a feeling that it would be a bit on the slower side. Although that is true, it did not deter my enjoyment. In fact, there was simply no other way that it could have been. There were no special effects, no gimmicks. Everything is done deliberately and with purpose. To be able to witness to these characters and to watch their story unfold on its own terms was an honor. In addition, the cinematography was stunning and the score helped tie it all together.

At its core, Hamnet is a story about humanity. The way in which it explores grief, love and memory is done expertly. The film more than exceeded my expectations and left me in tears. I don’t think I have ever felt so devastated and yet totally rewarded after watching a film before, but that is exactly what happened. I highly recommend checking it out.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Marty Supreme

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It’s 1952 and Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet) would love nothing more than to play table tennis professionally. Working a dead end job in a shoe shop and with no support from his mother Rebecca (Fran Drescher), he decides he will do whatever it takes to make his dreams a reality – even if that means going to hell and back in the process.

Written and directed by Josh Safdie, this is a story unlike any other. If you are expecting a generic, run of the mill sports biopic, you would be very mistaken. That is what I thought I was going to get and instead it was so much more.

Chalamet has proved time and time again that he is a formidable actor, but he really knocked it out of the park with his portrayal of Marty. This character is so conceited, rude and downright awful. As the audience, you know you probably shouldn’t be rooting for him, but you can’t help yourself because he’s just so damn charming about it all. I truly believe that he could win the Oscar for this and I wouldn’t be mad about it.

The rest of the cast do an exceptional job too. Gwyneth Paltrow is back on our screen after a hiatus. She stars as Kay Stone, an former actress, who is looking to get back into the spotlight. Her husband, Milton Rockwell, played by Kevin O’Leary (yes that Kevin O’Leary) is a business tycoon who Marty wants to impress. Odessa A’zion played Rachel Mizler, is a childhood friend and sometimes more than that, of Marty. I’ve seen her in a couple of other projects before, but never on this level and I was quite impressed.

Where the film excels is in its heart pounding, adrenaline pumping story telling. It sucks you in quickly and keeps ramping up until the final moments. The situations that Marty finds himself in are crazy to say the least and at times I felt like I had to suspend a bit of belief. It became too much at times and I definitely think they could have shaved off about half an hour and still been able to cover all the necessary points.

Overall, Marty Supreme is a film that deserves to be on the big screen. Filled with award winning performances, brilliant cinematography, A+ soundtrack choices and relentless energy, I’m glad that I didn’t miss this one. It truly demands to be seen.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5

2025 Wrap Up

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The year started off with many highs. Not only in my personal life, but also here on the blog. I had a super fun time staying up for the Academy Awards back in March (watching Anora sweep it all was brilliant) and many great films came out this year.

While 2025 may not have ended on a note that I was hoping for, I knew I could always count on the magic of cinema to get me through.

Here are my top five best and worst films. I can’t wait to see what 2026 will have in store!

Best:

  1. Wicked: For Good
  2. I Swear
  3. Frankenstein
  4. The Penguin Lessons
  5. F1: The Movie

Worst:

  1. The Hand That Rocks The Cradle
  2. The Electric State
  3. Maintenance Required
  4. Captain America: Brave New World
  5. Snow White