Month: February 2020

Ah, the long awaited sequel of the smash hit To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before has finally graced our Netflix accounts! And just in time for Valentine’s Day too. Fans of the book series that the movies are originally based on have literally been counting down the days. I too am a big fan of this franchise and I was very excited to see what would unfold this time around.

P.S. I Still Love You picks up almost immediately after the events of the first movie. Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor) is about to go on her first official date with boyfriend Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo). After all the build up leading to their relationship, everything was bound to come together and work out perfectly, right?

Before she knows it, Lara Jean comes to the realisation that being a girlfriend is not as easy as it looks. Especially when it involves Peter. Various party invitations and social obligations as well as showing up to every single one of his games are normal protocol when dating the most popular boy in school. Not to mention the fact that Peter is also still in close contact with his ex girlfriend Gen (Emilija Baranac). He claims that they are only friends, but when he drops everything to help her, it certainly sends the wrong signal.

Enter John Ambrose McClaren (Jordan Fisher). One of the last recipients to receive a love letter from Lara Jean, he ends up moving back to town with his family. Once upon a time, Lara Jean was in love with him and now the two are volunteering together at the local old folks’ home. Sparks start to fly, causing a wedge between Peter and Lara Jean. Being aware of her letters, Peter is jealous and doesn’t want her spending time with anybody else but him.

Overall, the film is cute and definitely swoon worthy, but something fell flat for me. Maybe it’s the curse of being second in a set of three where a lot of the plot is used to set up for what’s to come. Or maybe it’s the fact that it gives unrealistic portrayals on how guys are supposed to act. I do believe that they stayed true to the book for the most part and the changes that were done made sense. I guess I just expected more at the end of the day, especially after all the hype it was getting.

Rating: ♥♥♥

My girl Harley Quinn is back! And if you know me at all, then you are probably aware of the fact that I had been eagerly anticipating the release of this movie ever since Margot Robbie herself announced it. I mean, how could I not be excited? Harley was the best thing to come out of Suicide Squad. It was only fitting for her to get her chance in the spotlight.

The story actually picks up right after the events of Suicide Squad. Harley and Joker are loved up and still causing havoc in Gotham until one day he ends things with her. Devastated and blindsided, our heroine goes through the usual stages of a break up, seemingly making more enemies along the way in her destruction.

Roman Sionis (Ewan McGregor) is prime enemy number one. His speciality? Literally cutting his victims’ faces off. Ew. But a chance encounter forces him to begrudgingly ask Harley for help in recovering the Bertinelli diamond that notorious pick pocket Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco) swiped without knowing how important it really was. If Harley is successful in retrieving the diamond, her debts will be paid off. If not, well, let’s just say that beautiful face would never look the same again.

What follows is a hilarious, fast paced caper with twist after twist. Nobody wants to make it easy for Harley, but with a little help from some new gal pals Dinah Lance/Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), Helena Bertinelli/Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and cop Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez), they could just pull this off!

Birds of Prey is exactly what you would expect from a film that is all about Harley Quinn. It’s loud, it’s girly, it’s completely over the top and there’s glitter. Lots and lots of glitter. Not to mention the fact that the soundtrack is phenomenal with plenty of girl power anthems. Having Cathy Yen as director was an amazing choice because she was really able to pull this off.

Grab your girlfriends and spread the word. We’ve got a new queen in Gotham to stan!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

You all are probably wondering why I’m going to try and convince you to watch the Taylor Swift documentary (as I’m sure many of you have dubbed it). There are a lot reasons why you should check it out and whether or not you are a fan of hers isn’t important. This movie touches on so many valid and relatable subjects that people of all ages can appreciate it!

It is common knowledge that Taylor disappeared from the public eye for an entire year. As she stated in the film, that is what she thought everyone wanted. But it is how she dealt with the media, all those unbelievable comments, accusations and scrutiny that really is inspiring to watch.

Standing up for something you believe in is extremely important. However, being able to really get a message across is not always easy. Celebrities’ opinions have a stronger impact because so many people look up to them and often they have to think before they act. Speaking from experience, it is also sometimes harder for a woman to find her voice.

Taylor defies these odds. Not only does she touch upon the time she took a man to court for sexual harassment, but she was also vocal about the slander she received from both men and women about her appearance and who she was supposedly dating at the time. To be slut shamed by your own gender is not okay. We should build each other up, not tear each other down.

One scene that was the most interesting to witness focused on Taylor’s argument with her production team – all of who are male, including her own father – about post her political views on social media. Despite their warnings and the potential backlash, she candidly speaks about wanting to spread awareness and her hopes in shedding more light on an otherwise complicated subject. The way she decides to make the post anyway is commendable.

A lot of people have things to say about Taylor Swift. Believe it or not, I was one of those people who judged her. At the end of the day, she is just someone who is trying to find her place in the world like the rest of us. After seeing exactly what she went through one thing rings clear. She is a true inspiration.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Question: What do you get when you put Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Jeremy Strong, Colin Farrell, Henry Golding and Hugh Grant into the same movie?

Answer: An action packed adventure filled with many twists and turns along the way! Just when you think you know where the story is going, be prepared to think again.

Mickey Pearson (McConaughey) is the most successful cannabis mogul in the industry. After many years, it is time for him to retire and live out a more normal lifestyle with his wife Rosalind (Michelle Dockery).

Matthew Berger (Strong) seems like the perfect choice to take over from Pearson. He’s got the money, the reputation and he knows a lot of people who would be able to keep the business thriving.  Just when it seems like the transition will be easy, gangster Dry Eye (Golding) makes himself known. He wants in on the action and will do whatever he can to get it, much to Pearson’s dismay. Coach (Farrell), comes into the picture and ends up offering his alliance with Raymond (Hunnam), Pearson’s second in command, after some local MMA fighters he trains get mixed up in all the action.

And then there’s Fletcher (Grant). Rude and crude, this private investigator is hired to find all the dirt he possibly can on Pearson in order to expose him. Fletcher attempts to sell his findings – which he has compiled into a screenplay – to Raymond for a hefty sum.

Suddenly, Pearson leaving behind his legacy seems a lot more difficult than he, or anyone, could have anticipated.

In true Guy Ritchie fashion, there is a lot going on in The Gentlemen. It is certainly unpredictable and leaves you guessing until the very end. The star-studded cast work amazingly together and don’t get me wrong, it is fun! However, at times I found the film to be confusing and messy. I wasn’t invested in the characters and the subject matter went above my head. It seemed as if the whole experience was lost on me from the get go.

Rating: ♥♥

 

Okay, I’ll admit it. I was one of those people who was unsure of going to see this movie because I didn’t know much about it. The backstory was foreign to me and I may have based my interest purely on members of the cast (Brie Larson, I’m looking at you!) But if there is one thing I love, it is when I am proven wrong. Walking into this film, I had zero expectations and afterwards, I was absolutely and completely blown away by what I had just witnessed.

The true story of Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx) is one that rocked a small town in Alabama to it’s very core in 1988. Accused of a crime he did not commit, McMillian was sentenced to death. Unable to put up a fight and with no sign of help, it truly seemed that his fate was sealed. He would suffer the death penalty and leave behind his wife and children. Who would believe him, a man of color, anyway?

But then Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) comes to town. Recently graduated from Harvard University, Stevenson decides on relocating to that very town with the sole intention of helping the many people who are wrongfully accused every single day and, hopefully, giving them the justice they deserve.

I never thought it was possible for my heart to break and then mend almost simultaneously, but that is exactly how I felt while watching. Completely engrossed in the story and the events that unfolded, it was as if I shared the many emotions that both McMillian and Stevenson faced from the beginning to the end.

Michael B. Jordan gives a humbling, yet powerful performance as the passionate lawyer, while Jamie Foxx brings McMillian to life in a way that would not have been possible with other actors. Brie Larson, who concludes the trio as Eva Ansley, believes in Stevenson’s abilities from day one and helps him build up a practice of his own.

Just Mercy will knock you down, but picks you right back up again. Make sure to have lots of tissues!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Meet the March sisters.

Meg (Emma Watson) is the eldest. She works as a governess and also helps around her family’s home when her mother is away. Because of her father’s social standing in their town, she decides to launch herself into society. The fact that she is beautiful is only a bonus, though it sometimes makes her come off as snobby.

Considered to be the most shy and quiet out of the lot, Beth, (Eliza Scanlen) is the peacemaker between her sisters and has an affinity for music. She is kind to everyone she comes into contact with and chooses to live each day as if it was her last.

Amy, (Florence Pugh), is the youngest. Often not taken seriously by her family and peers, she acts out and allows her insecurities to get the better of her. Her greatest passion in life is art. Being able to express herself through painting gives her that outlet she needs and allows her to grow in the process.

And then there’s Jo (Saoirse Ronan), the aspiring author who has a wild imagination and dreams of one day of having her work published. Known as the tomboy, Jo claims that she does not need a man to make her happy, much to the dismay of her father. Despite her rebellious ways, she is undoubtedly the glue that holds everyone together.

Based on the classic tale by the same name, this retelling of Little Women sticks very closely to the original story. However, director Greta Gerwig does incorporate some more modern aspects that help update the plot and bring it into the twenty first century.

Uplifting, inspiring and heartwarming are only a few of the words that I would use to describe this movie. The cast of talented women work well off each other, weaving the younger members with veterans Laura Dern as Marmee and Meryl Streep as Aunt March together. Timothée Chalamet is a wonderful addition as Laurie too.

Little Women is one of those films that gives you feeling that you just spent the day with your best friend. It will envelope you in a big hug that is never-ending.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥