Month: November 2024

Moana 2

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

The long awaited sequel to 2016’s smash hit Moana hit theatres this weekend. When Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) receives a call from her wayfinding ancestors, she must embark on a quest unlike any other. Together with Maui (Dwayne Johnson) and her crew, they must rescue a forgotten island to save their people and to find others who are just like them.

One of my favorite aspects of this franchise is its beautiful animation. From the island vibes to the impossible blues of the ocean, it is indeed a feast for the eyes. This time around the audience were introduced to some new places like the inside of a clam and the harsher waters of the ocean which made for a different yet still satisfying color pallet.

Another thing that I love is the score. The haunting chants are almost spiritual and they fit perfectly with the tone of the film. Unfortunately the soundtrack itself is not as epic as it was in the first film. Lin Manuel Miranda’s absence is felt and while I enjoyed most of the songs in the moment, none of them really stuck out and I couldn’t even tell you their names.

Cravalho and Johnson are a great team once again as Moana and Maui. They have an effortless friendship with one another; it was just a pity they were only reunited in the third act! I enjoyed the addition of some of the other characters like Moana’s sister Simea (Khaleesi Lambert – Tsuda) and the crew that Moana recruits for her voyage Moni (Hualalai Chung), Loto (Rose Matafeo) and Kele (David Fene). And who could forget the likes of Pua and Hei Hei, Moana’s pet pig and chicken? They provided a lot of laughs! I would have loved to learn more about Matangi (Awhimai Fraser) however, but maybe we’ll get her story in the inevitable third part.

Though Moana 2 wasn’t as great as the original, there is still a lot to like about it. Moana’s journey upped the stakes and I was intrigued the whole way through. With many laughs and heartfelt moments between family and friends, this is a great time for the whole everyone to enjoy.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Our Little Secret

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

It’s the most wonderful time of the year because Lindsay Lohan is back on our screens starring in another Christmas film. This time around she stars as Avery, a career driven woman who is spending the holidays with her boyfriend Cam (Jon Rudnitsky) and his family. What she doesn’t know is that her ex from ten years ago Logan (Ian Harding) is now dating Cassie (Katie Baker) who just so happens to be Cam’s sister and he’ll be joining in for the festivities. Instead of coming forward about their past relationship, they decide to keep it a secret.

Out of the slew of festive films that Netflix have released this year, this one has been my favorite. Lohan is in top form here; she’s so effortless in the romcom genre and she always delivers when it comes to comedy. I thought that Harding was a good choice for the role of Logan. The chemistry between the two of them was cute. I’ve always liked the friends to lovers trope and while they were mostly exes during the film, we got to see their relationship develop in a more mature way.

Among the rest of the cast were some familiar names like Tim Meadows and Judy Reyes who portray Stan and Margaret, family friends, respectively. The big scene stealer, however, was Kristin Chenoweth as Erica, Cam and Cassie’s mother. She was such a bitch, but that just made me love her more. You could tell that she was having the time of her life.

I found the film to be genuinely funny. The scene in the church and the one with the family dog particularly had me in stitches. They were just so over the top! But what I appreciated was the balance with Avery dealing with her mother’s sudden loss from a few years ago. It was something I could relate to and it added a deeper layer to the story.

Overall Our Little Secret was a cute little Christmas romcom. With a great cast, hilarious hijinks and a heartwarming love story, this is one that I will definitely revisit in the future.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Wicked: Part One

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

The biggest movie of the year has arrived and when I say it’s amazing, I mean it! Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire and the stage musical of the same name, Wicked has been given the big screen adaption by director Jon M. Chu. Born green, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) has faced many hardships growing up. When she’s given the opportunity to study at Shiz University, she meets and befriends the popular Glinda (Ariana Grande). But dark forces are at work in Oz and after a chance meet in with the Wizard, Elphaba and Glinda find themselves at a crossroads.

As a fan of the stage production and of the Wizard of Oz, I was curious to see how this film would pan out. I was initially unsure of the decision to split it into two parts, but now that I’ve seen it, I think it was a great idea. So much happens in both acts, it would have been hard to make any cuts. This gave the audience a chance to really get to know the characters and for them to have proper growth.

Erivo and Grande were the perfect match as our leading ladies. Erivo’s portrayal of Elphaba was exactly as it should have been; powerful yet understated at the same time and full of heart. Her rendition of Defying Gravity, which just so happens to be one of my favorite songs of all time, not only gave me chills, it made me cry too. Grande, on the other hand, absolutely understood the assignment as Glinda. She stole the show. Her comedic timing was brilliant and all her mannerisms were just over the top in the best possible way. They will certainly both get some nominations come awards season.

The rest of the cast are outstanding too. Jeff Goldblum is fabulous as the Wizard and I can’t wait to see more of him in part two. Michelle Yeoh is mysterious as Madame Morrible while Jonathan Bailey is delicious as Prince Fiyero. Shout outs also go to Ethan Slater as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessarose and Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond.

Oz and its surroundings are a magical place and the world building was out of this world. A kaleidoscope of colors from the poppy fields of Munchinkinland to the shimmering Emerald City, I was ready to pack my bags and walk down the Yellow Brick Road. Throw in the unique costumes and classic soundtrack and I was transported.

Words cannot express how epic Wicked: Part One was. I was worried it wouldn’t live up to my expectations, but it did. I truly believe it’s one of the best stage to screen adaptions ever. Run, don’t walk to your nearest cinema – this isn’t one you want to miss.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

The Merry Gentlemen

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

Netflix has been really delivering with their Christmas movie offerings this year! Up next on the rota is The Merry Gentlemen. Ashley (Britt Robertson) comes home with her tail between her legs after she’s let go from her job as a Jingle Belle. When she discovers that her parents’ (Michael Gross and Beth Broderick) performing venue is struggling, she decides to stage an all male revue. With the holidays coming up, she is hoping she’ll be able to raise enough money so that business woman Denise (Maria Canals-Barrera) doesn’t replace it with a juice bar.

When I heard that Chad Michael Murray was starring in a knock off version of Magic Mike, I thought sign me up! He’s been a heartthrob since his One Tree Hill days and though he’s not as prominent in the industry anymore, I still like seeing him on my screen. Robertson is someone else who I’ve been familiar with for a while having seen her in many TV shows and films growing up. While I didn’t totally buy the chemistry between the two, I did root for them by the end.

I’m not sure why, but I wasn’t completely invested in the film at the beginning. Though there was a short run time and it didn’t take too long for things to get to going, I would have liked a little bit more background on some of the characters or some extra scenes here and there to really make me care. Unlike Hot Frosty I didn’t feel like this one had much substance.

That being said, I was totally sold on the musical sequences. Another one of the members, Troy (Colt Prattes) has a dancing background and you could tell. I liked how each night was dedicated to a particular theme and it didn’t hurt that they were all good looking.

Overall, The Merry Gentlemen was a fun film. I think I was looking forward to it more than I actually ended up liking it, but that’s okay. It still provided me with the right amount of entertainment.

Rating: ♥️♥️

Hot Frosty

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

Kathy (Lacey Chabert) is a recent widow who owns a diner and gets by with some help from her friends. When she accidentally brings a snowman to life, Kathy learns that maybe there’s a second chance at love after all. But Jack’s (Dustin Milligan) time is running out – it will take a Christmas miracle for the two to realize their feelings for one another.

It’s important to suspend belief while watching the film as the plot not exactly believable. That being said, once you go along with it, it’s actually a pretty cute story. I like how Kathy started as someone stuck in the past and then slowly seeing her open up again once Jack comes into the picture. The character development and the heavier subject matter helped ground the story more.

Chabert has starred in many Christmas romcoms. She’s got this easiness and charm about her that makes watching her so enjoyable. Milligan, on the other hand, went for it with his portrayal as Jack Snowman. The innocence he embodied added an extra playfulness to his budding relationship with Kathy on screen and I liked watching them together. I also need to give a nod to Joe Lo Truglio and Craig Robinson as Deputy Ed Schatz and Sheriff Nate Hunter respectively who provided many laughs. Having previously starred together on Brooklyn 99, you just know it’s going to be comedy gold.

Over the years, Netflix have become well known for the various titles they release around the festive season. Whether or not these films are anything to write home about is a different story, but I can never resist them. Hot Frosty was no exception. Luckily there was a little bit more meat to it this time around which I appreciated.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

Emilia Pérez

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

From director Jacques Audiard comes a story centred around four women in Mexico City. When lawyer Rita Moro Castro (Zoe Saldana) is approached by a cartel boss named Manitas to help fake his death and take on the life he’s always wanted as a woman, it is an offer she can’t refuse. And so Emilia Pérez (Karla Sofía Gascón) is born. Four years later, Emilia gets back in touch with Rita with a new mission: to reunite her with her wife Jessi (Selena Gomez) and their children.

After winning the Jury Prize and the Best Actress awards at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as receiving a nine minute standing ovation, I knew I had to check it out. Not only did it have an amazing cast, the fact that it was also a musical was something that interested me.

There’s a lot going on in the film. With many different genres ranging from crime to comedy to thriller to self-discovery, one might get lost amongst it all. It’s certainly an ambitious project, but I thought it was well executed for the most part. I couldn’t help but watch in awe as the events unfolded before me. The set up in particular was engrossing as well as the riveting final act when it all came together. Though the middle was a bit clunky, it was able to even itself out.

Where the film really excels is in its performances. Saldana shines as Rita. Her Spanish was impeccable and she had a lovely singing voice too. She was the glue that held the story together and I wouldn’t be surprised if she got some nominations come awards season. Gascón was a total force to be reckoned with. Not only did she portray the titular character, she also took on the role of Manitas which I thought was a brilliant choice. Her performance was both heartbreaking and inspiring all at the same time. Gomez really impressed me here. I’m used to seeing her act in more comedic roles so this dramatic turn was welcoming. She also got to act and sing in Spanish which was new territory for her. I also can’t forget Adriana Paz who portrayed Epifanía Flores, a woman who becomes enamoured with Emilia. Her poignant delivery helped tie it all together.

Overall, Emilia Pérez is a film unlike any other. Because there is so much going on, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. The performances are A+ and the exciting musical sequences, this has been one of my favorite film experiences of the year.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5

Anora

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

Winner of this year’s Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, Anora tells the story of a sex worker named Ani (Mikey Madison) who meets Ivan (Mark Eidelshtein) one night at the club. He whisks her away into a world of glamor and when he asks Ani to marry him, she says yes. But Ivan is the son of a Russian oligarch and they aren’t happy with the newlywed’s nuptials.

I have been waiting a long time to see this film on the big screen and let me tell you it did not disappoint. This is everything that a film should be and twenty four hours later, I am still struggling to put my feelings about it into words.

This is hands down Madison’s film. Her portrayal of Ani is intriguing from the get go. With a combination of assurance and knowing her self worth mixed with a childlike innocence, she isn’t perfect, but you want her to succeed. You want her to get her happy ending. Her performance will surely garner multiple award nominations, all of which are completely earned. I cannot wait to see what she does next because I know it will be amazing.

I wasn’t familiar with Edelshtein, but I felt like he was great as Ivan. While the character ended up frustrating me more than anything, I figured that was the point and he did it well. I really liked the oligarch’s three cronies Toros (Karren Karagulian), Garnick (Vache Tovmasyan) and Igor (Yura Borisov) too. The tone changed when they entered the picture, but I think they added an extra something that was needed.

What I liked the most about this film is the fact that it gripped me from the very first shot and it didn’t let me go. It took the Cinderella trope and spun it on its head, giving it a cold, hard reality slap. The fact that I felt every single emotion throughout the run time was seriously impressive that when it was all over, I just sat there in complete disbelief to what I had witnessed.

Anora deserves every single praise that it has been receiving. Sean Baker has a hit on his hands. I was a bit worried because I had such high hopes for this film. Luckily it was better than I ever could have imagined.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️