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: ♥️♥️♥️

Minions & Monsters

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Those lovable Minions are back and this time they’re taking on Hollywood! Allow us to travel back in time to the 1920s. The Minions are on a quest to find their new master; they thrive when they have someone to serve. After a slew of mishaps, they stumble onto a movie set and fall in love with cinema. Best friends James and Henry (Pierre Coffin) fall in love with the art and decide to embark on making a film of their own.

Being the third film in the franchise, you would think they would have run out of steam by now. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I could watch a million iterations of these little guys running around doing just about anything and I would never be bored. They are just so funny and cute. Their antics are just way too fun.

This outing chose to pay homage to various cinema genres of yesteryear. From the silent film and film noir, monster movies and musicals, the Minions covered them all in a subtle yet impactful way that cinephiles all over will be able to appreciate. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was one of those films where the more you watch it, the more Easter eggs you uncover and I love that.

Coffin, who not only directed the film, but who lends his voice talents to each Minion character, is once again phenomenal. The way he can differentiate each individual is truly impressive. The supporting cast also delivers great performances. Allison Janey, Christoph Waltz, Jeff Bridges, Jesse Eisenberg and Zoey Deutch all contributed and elevated the material.

Minions & Monsters is a solid entry in the franchise. Choosing to go down a different route with the homage to cinema paid off. It was something new and fresh while still incorporating the usual hilarious hijinks we have come to expect from these films. A fun time for the whole family to enjoy.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Supergirl

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The DC Universe was rebooted in 2025 with Superman. While the film had it’s flaws, it did signify a new and promising era for the comic book series. When it was announced that Supergirl would be getting the big screen treatment next, and that Milly Alcock would be in the starring role, I couldn’t contain my excitement. I loved her work on both House of the Dragon and Sirens – to see her featured in one of the summer’s biggest blockbusters was going to be a treat.

Forced to leave her home and family behind on Krypton, Kara Zor-El (Alcock) has a major chip on her shoulder. Her only confidante is her dog Krypto. Spending most of her time planet hopping and drinking to numb her feelings, Kara is simply just trying to get through the day to day. When Krypto is poisoned, Kara reluctantly teams up with Ruthye (Eve Ridley), whose family was killed by the same creatures, to get revenge.

I wanted so badly to enjoy this film, but there were so many things about it that just didn’t work. Alcock was perhaps the only bright spot throughout. She had the whole wounded and moody thing down pat and I really felt for her. The relationship she shared with Krypto was also a delight to watch; nothing can come between a girl and her dog after all. But the rest of the cast came up short for me. Ridley didn’t make a big enough splash. I actually found her to be a bit annoying in some scenes. As nice as it was to see David Corenswet reprise his role as Clark Kent, he was more on the sidelines this time around and therefore didn’t have much impact. Jason Momoa had his grand return to DC as Lobo and while I was initially curious about his character, I soon realized that he was a bit too cartoonlike for my taste. And don’t even get me started on Matthias Schoenaerts who portrayed villain Krem. While he looked the look, he did not talk the talk. I found him to be quite one-dimensional and not scary at all.

The storyline was also uninspired. Visiting different planets and meeting new beings should be fun, but this felt exhausting. They were jumping around so much, it was hard for me to keep track. It also didn’t help that the writing wasn’t up to standard. Additionally, there were some very obvious CGI sequences that took me out of it completely. I understand that a film taking place in space means I need to suspend some disbelief, but this was too much. At least it had a killer soundtrack.

I am not sure why Supergirl went so wrong when it had all the ingredients it needed to be right. It just lacked so much of that magic I look for when watching a superhero film and I kept wondering when it would be over. I’m not ready to write the DCU off just yet, but I am unsure of it’s next venture at this point.

Rating: ♥️♥️

Voicemails For Isabelle

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Jill (Zoey Deutch) and Isabelle (Ciara Bravo) are not only sisters – they are best friends. Inseparable, ride or die, they speak to each other every single day about everything and anything. But Isabelle is sick and when she passes away, Jill’s whole life is turned upside down. Currently competing for a coveted baker position in San Francisco, Jill throws herself into her work and swears off men. As a way of coping, Jill starts leaving voicemails for Isabelle. Unbeknownst to her, the phone number has been reassigned to real estate agent Wes (Nick Robinson) and he ends up listening to all her confessions.

There are films that you watch and then there are films that make you feel. Voicemails For Isabelle falls into the latter category. I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect going into it and I’m glad that I didn’t because I was granted such a beautiful viewing experience. The storyline may not be entirely original, but that didn’t matter. Every other aspect worked.

Deutch just has this charisma about her. She’s magnetic to watch. With the heavier subject matter, I was able to see another side to her that I hadn’t before. Not only did she nail those emotional scenes, I felt like I was on this grief journey too. Each decision was so relatable and came across so naturally. It had been a hot minute since I’d seen Robinson in something. He fell right back into the romcom game effortlessly. The chemistry he shared with Deutch was sincere. I also thought the supporting cast were strong with the likes of Harry Shum Jr. and Leah McKendrick as Andy and Breeda, Wes’s best friends, as well as Toby Sandeman as swarmy podcast host Tyler, Nick Offerman as the diabolical Chef Bastien and Lukas Gage as Arthur, a classmate of Jill’s at the cooking school.

At the core of the movie, however, is the love story between Jill and Isabelle. Their bond was so incredibly special and this was captured right from the get go. I need to give a shoutout to the actresses who portrayed these two when they were younger, Alice Comer and Iris Everly, because they helped set the scene of what was to come. For once it was nice that the focus wasn’t just on a romantic type of love, but instead love in all forms. That unbreakable bond between sisters was beautifully depicted throughout and although I do not have a sister myself, it still impacted me deeply.

Voicemails For Isabelle is one of those films that wasn’t just entertaining. It had something to say and it said it loud and clear. Funny, devastating, not afraid to be vulnerable and deeply human, it was like a rollercoaster in the best possible way.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Toy Story 5

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It has been thirty years since Pixar captured the heart of audience’s around the world with the original Toy Story. The adventures of Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) have defined generations. While the initial three films of the franchise proved sufficient enough, two more installments have been made over the years. Although they may not have been entirely necessary, I will never pass up a chance to spend time with these characters.

This time around, the toys are threatened by a new foe: technology. When their kid Bonnie (Scarlett Spears) is gifted a tablet by the name of Lilypad (Greta Lee), her attention shifts and her old friends are abandoned. Jessie (Joan Cusack), who is most recently in charge of Bonnie’s room, takes it upon herself to prove to Bonnie that she isn’t too old to play with toys after all. What transpires is a journey unlike any other the toys have experienced while they try to prevent becoming a thing of the past.

In the previous films, Woody and Buzz have been at the forefront. Now the spotlight is entirely on Jessie and I thought the choice was perfect. Despite her making her introduction in the second film, there was still a lot we didn’t know about her. I appreciated learning about her backstory with her first owner Emily and how she came to live with Andy and then Bonnie. Cusack, who is starring in her first role in seven years, delivers a genuine and heartwarming performance. New additions Conan O’Brien as Smarty Pants, Craig Robinson as Atlas, Shelby Rabara as Snappy and of course Lee as Lilypad were all expertly casted. O’Brien in particular had some scene stealing moments that had me in stitches.

In true Pixar fashion, this story tugged at the heartstrings. The technology plot was depicted in such a realistic way. As a nineties kid, I grew up with various Barbies and other toys. I didn’t get into screens until later and I am glad about that. Children can be easily influenced and I thought the experience that Bonnie had with social media was spot on. It just further iterated that while tech has enhanced our lives in many ways, we mustn’t forget the times before it.

Toy Story 5 was a worthy addition to the franchise. I had a blast being reunited with these characters. The animation was once again in top form, and it was filled with a solid blend of humor and heart. I was five years old when the first film came out which was a little younger than Andy was back then. Now I am thirty five, the same age as Andy’s mom. Growing up with these films has been such a pleasure and once again I was proven that Toy Story really is one of the greatest animation franchises of all time.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5

Disclosure Day

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Quoting the Internet Movie Database, the synopsis of Disclosure Day is as follows, “If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you?”

Renowned director Steven Spielberg has always been vocal about his belief in extra-terrestrial life on earth. His previous forays in the genre, including ET and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, focused on these beings as a threat. This time around, we are asked to think of things differently, more humanely, and to be open to the possibilities.

The sci-fi genre is one that confuses me and it is therefore not one that I usually gravitate towards. I was worried that this film would be hard to follow because of its subject matter, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. While it started off right in the thick of things, I felt like I was able to grasp what was happening rather quickly. The plot flowed at a reasonable pace; although it was slow in some moments, I felt like this was not only necessary, it also did not deter me from my enjoyment. If anything, it engulfed me in the mystery.

With a cast as stacked as this one, it’s no surprise that each of them delivered some fantastic performances. Emily Blunt was absolutely formidable as weather girl Margaret Fairchild. The obstacles her character goes through are filled with so many ups and downs and Blunt portrayed them all like the champ she is. This is undoubtedly her best work to date! Opposite Blunt was Josh O’Connor as the enigmatic Daniel Kellner. His slightly offbeat persona was a welcome balance to that of Margaret’s and I thought he carried the film nicely. Eve Hewson starred as Daniel’s girlfriend Jane Blankenship. There is one particular scene of her in a kitchen that was outstanding. Having only really seen her in Behind Her Eyes and Bad Sisters, it’s nice that she’s finally getting some mainstream recognition. Colin Firth is deviously bad as Noah Scanlon while Colman Domingo is trusty and charming as Hugo Wakefield.

The reason why I loved Disclosure Day so much is because of its focus on empathy, truth and human connection. The film could have very well gone the traditional blockbuster route and that would have been fine, but this adds an emotional level to the experience that I didn’t know I needed. While the idea that other beings live among us can be scary for some, that doesn’t mean that we should treat them as a threat. Instead, we need to get to know them and learn to communicate with them – they could teach us more than we would ever expect. I’m so glad that Spielberg was able to tell the story he has always wanted to tell and now it’s up to you to decide to listen.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Office Romance

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Jackie Cruz (Jennifer Lopez) is the President and CEO of Air Cruz. She’s the big boss in charge and everybody know it. Having dedicated her professional life to get to the place that she is, her romantic prospects are zero to none. Daniel Blanchflower (Brett Goldstein) is a British lawyer who spends his free time visiting his incarcerated sister Lizzy (Jodie Whittaker) while trying to get her moved back to the UK. When Daniel starts working directly with Jackie, sparks fly between them.

Goldstein, who has written for Ted Lasso and Shrinking respectively, is no stranger to the comedy genre. I was so much looking forward to his foray into romance because how could he not knock that out of the park? Ladies and gentlemen take a seat because I am sorry to say that this was just not it for me. At all. And I was so disappointed. (But I still love you Brett).

Where do I even begin? For a film titled Office Romance, I was shocked to discover that the romance didn’t even start up until the halfway point. Sure there were some small hints at the beginning, but they stalled and didn’t really go anywhere. Nothing against Lopez or Goldstein who are great actors in their own right. I simply did not feel the chemistry between them. It seemed forced where it could have actually been really sweet if only they had covered a bit more ground together.

As far as the comedy goes, I also wasn’t sold. Very few of the jokes landed. Many of them were actually downright crude and I do not mean that in a good way. They could have leaned into it by going the same route as There’s Something About Mary or Forgetting Sarah Marshall where that raunchy humor heightens the plot and doesn’t take away from it. Instead it was over the top. I keep replaying the birth scene that Betty Gilpin’s character Sydney had and cringing because of how uncomfortable it made me.

Overall, Office Romance is the worst movie I have seen this year. I know that Netflix has made some stinkers in the past and unfortunately this is one of them. I don’t even have more I can say about it because it was boring and never went anywhere. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

Rating: ♥️

Masters of the Universe

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Based on the film, TV show and toy line from Mattel of the same name, Masters of the Universe has been totally revamped and is ready to enter the twenty first century. When his kingdom of Eternia is taken over by the evil Skeletor (Jared Leto), Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) is sent to Earth for his protection. Despite dealing with normal every day life as a human, Adam has never forgotten who he is. In order to save his kingdom, Adam must retrieve the Sword of Power. Only then can he return to Eternia and claim his rightful title as He-Man.

I was not the demographic for this franchise growing up. Though it came out a few years before I was born, it wasn’t ever anything I got invested in later on. I actually didn’t know much about the story or the lore beforehand. All I knew was that it had somewhat of a reputation for being corny and kind of terrible. Enter director Travis Knight. Having prior experience with adapting a toy line to a film series, he seemed like the perfect choice for a reboot. And boy did he knock it out of the park!

It’s been a hot minute since I was genuinely excited for a superhero/fantasy film. Marvel has been lacking and DC is still trying to find its footing after they decided to rework everything. This first foray back into the world of Eternia and these characters was such an enjoyable ride. As someone who didn’t know anything about it going in, I appreciated the origin story before diving into the main conflict. It helped set the scene, but it didn’t overstay its welcome and from there on out it progressed at a solid pace. I was just so intrigued with what was unfolding on screen in front of me.

Galitzine smashed it as Prince Adam. I’ve seen him play awkward before and he does it so well. I liked the juxtaposition between him as a very human individual and then seeing his transformation into the hero we grow to love. It was smart to have him not all of a sudden be the perfect fighter either, but instead hone his craft over time. His team consisted of a colorful variety of characters. Camila Mendes starred as Teela, Adam’s childhood friend and potential love interest. I thought she was so kick ass in this role and I was obsessed with her hair and eye color. Idris Elba portrayed Duncan, Teela’s father and a long time mentor of Adam’s. We’ve seen the down on their luck drunk bit before, but he did it well enough. I was still glad when he snapped himself out of it and got his mojo back. Kristen Wiig lended her voice talents to Roboto. She had some great one liners, however her character wasn’t featured as much as she could have been. Another character who could have been given more of a limelight was Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn. I was excited when I heard she was in the cast, but I didn’t understand the purpose she brought. She was just kind of there lingering in the background. Leto was hands down the scene stealer as Skeletor. Say what you will about him as a person, he gave it his absolute all. I don’t think I have ever seen such a well rounded villain before. He was menacing yet hilarious and I was vibing with everything he was doing.

What I liked the most about Masters of the Universe is the fact that it didn’t take itself too seriously. It was knew what it wanted to do and it achieved that. It leaned into the camp and silliness and while not all of the jokes worked, most of them did. I thought the casting choices were spot on and the world of Eternia and its surroundings was so well thought out and beautifully constructed. There is so much more to tell so I really hope we get a sequel.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️