Month: November 2025

Champagne Problems

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Sydney Price (Minka Kelly) is a marketing executive who travels to France in hopes of securing the acquisition of a renowned champagne brand. Before she leaves, she makes a promise to her sister Skyler (Maeve Courtier-Lilley) that she will spend one night of her time away exploring the beautiful sights that Paris has to offer. When she meets Henri (Tom Wozniczka) at a bookshop, sparks fly. But when Sydney discovers that Henri is the champagne brand founder’s son, things get complicated.

This one wasn’t initially on my radar though I’m not sure why. A festive romcom taking place in the city of love is right up my alley! And as far as Netflix films go, it’s actually one of the more decent ones.

While I found Sydney to be a bit annoying at first, once she stopped being so uptight and decided to be more spontaneous, I really warmed up to her character. Kelly did a great job portraying her and as the film progress the audience gets to understand why she’s so career driven to begin with. Henri is the handsome Parisian who sweeps Sydney off her feet and sweep he does. Their meet cute was charming (I wish that bookshop actually existed!) and it was nice to see them let their guard down around each other even when they learned of the other’s true identities.

I’m so pleased that they casted French speaking actors as it made the story feel more authentic. Thibault de Montalembert starred as Hugo Cassell, Henri’s father and the founder of Chateau Cassell. Astrid Whettnall was Brigette, an interested buyer. Joël Cudennec was the devoted butler and lover of vintage cars. Thierry René was the helpful concierge Marcel at the hotel where Sydney stayed. In addition to them were Sean Amsing as Roberto Salazar and Flula Borg as Otto Moller, two other interested buyers who were super funny and stole many of the scenes they were in. They all played their parts well.

Choosing to film on location was a great choice. Paris at Christmas is a joy and the chateau in the countryside was also beautiful. All that snow and the small town vibe really had me feeling cozy.

Overall, Champagne Problems was actually not bad. The storyline mixes business and pleasure with the backdrop of the festive season. The two leads have good chemistry and while it’s predictable, it’s still sweet enough that I didn’t even mind. I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for something to get you into the holiday spirit.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Zootropolis 2

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Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) are now partners in the police force. Because they are a rabbit and a fox, they feel like they still have to prove themselves amongst the stronger animals. When a new case presents itself, Judy and Nick must do whatever they can to save Zootropolis and clear their name in the process.

It has been almost ten years since the first Zootropolis, or Zootopia, film hit the scene. The highly anticipated sequel is finally here and it was well worth the wait! I did not think this one could be as good as its predecessor, but I was wrong. There was so much that I enjoyed and it left a massive smile on my face.

A big part of what makes an animated film so good are the voice talents. Goodwin and Bateman are back and better than ever. Their friendship is beautiful and I loved how each character was given more depth. We were also introduced to some new faces. Ke Huy Quan starred as Gary De’Snake who was probably my favorite of them all. His dedication to bringing his family home was so inspiring to watch. Fortune Feimster was Nibbles Maplestick, a beaver who joins forces with Judy and Nick. She was hilarious and had me laughing every time she was on screen. Quinta Brunson portrayed Dr. Fuzzby. Although she wasn’t featured as much as I would have liked, she still stole the scene she was in. Danny Trejo perfectly encapsulated Jesus, a wise lizard who Judy and Nick meet on their journey and helps put them on the right track. They were all brilliantly casted and really helped elevate this world for me.

The animation was visually stunning. The world of Zootropolis is filled with various nooks and crannies. Being introduced to Tundratown and Reptile City was so cool. They were so intricately designed and every detail down to a tee. This just goes to show that there are many more places to explore in this world and I would totally be up for that.

It’s not a proper Disney film if I’m not laughing out loud one minute and then crying in the corner the next. Every single joke landed. They weren’t just funny, they were whip smart. The blink and you missed them ones like the ‘Hungry, Hungry Hippos’ reference and the Pixar were so smart to incorporate. This franchise has always been known for its strong messages too. Community and harmony between species was at the forefront this time and while it was never in your face, the way in which it was handled was perfect and still hit the mark. It is also so topical in today’s day and age.

Zootropolis 2 marked a return to form for Disney. The film captured all the magic from the original while also building upon it. With its beautiful animation, fabulous voice talents and a well done story, it had everything I could have ever wanted. I hope we get more from this universe because I need it in my life.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5

The Family Plan 2

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It has been two years since Dan’s (Mark Wahlberg) family found out that he was a spy. Now that his days of espionage are over, all he wants is to spend a quiet Christmas together with his wife Jessica (Michelle Monaghan), his daughter Nina (Zoe Colletti), and his two sons Kyle (Van Crosby) and Max (Peter and Theodore Lindsey). When he learns that Nina has her own plans, they jet off to London. He doesn’t expect to run into someone from his past while he is there.

I remember having a fun time with the first Family Plan film. It wasn’t anything special, but the action was entertaining enough and I liked the family bonding aspect of it all. Although this is yet another sequel that nobody asked for, I was still curious to see what they were going to do.

A good spy story usually includes the characters traveling to exotic places. I loved how this time around the gang visited both London and Paris. Considering the fact that they are two of my favorite cities in the world, I got a kick out of recognizing the various places while also laughing at how unrealistic some of those logistics are – I’m sorry but you cannot walk from Brick Lane all the way to Somerset House. It would just take too long! Still both these places are beautiful to visit during the festive period so it was nice to take it all in.

The Morgan family, and those who portray them, reprise their roles as if no time has passed. When it comes to action, Wahlberg’s still got it. I did like how he leaned into a more comedic side of his role; the exchanges between him and Nina’s boyfriend Omar (Reda Elazouar) had me giggling. The rest are all good and have their own moment to shine.

A new addition to the cast this time around was Kit Harrington who portrayed Finn Clarke, Dan’s half brother. Intended to be the villain, the idea of his character was unfortunately better in theory than in reality. I understand why he felt slighted and why he went after Dan and his family, but the whole thing could have been avoided if they’d just had a conversation.

Overall, The Family Plan 2 was more enjoyable than I was expecting it to be. No, it wasn’t necessary by any means and I won’t be running to rewatch it anytime soon, but that’s okay. They are entertaining and they don’t take themselves seriously. I would not be opposed to more of them in the future.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

Wicked: For Good

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Wicked took the world by storm when the first part of the stage adaption hit cinemas in 2024. Exactly one year later, the conclusion fans have been waiting for is here. Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is grappling with her new identity as the Wicked Witch of the West after going against the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). Meanwhile Glinda (Ariana Grande) has become a public figure as the nation’s defender against Elphaba. But their friendship is stronger than the obstacles being thrown at them and they must make some difficult decisions that will seal their fates.

As someone who has seen the show three times, I always preferred the first act to the second. I thought it would be the same case with the film and while I absolutely loved part one, I have to say that part two really hit me straight in the feels in a way I wasn’t expecting it to. It truly was everything I had hoped it would be and more.

Firstly, I want to thank Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for being the most perfect Elphaba and Glinda. I simply could not imagine anyone else in these roles. Their chemistry shines so bright and was amped up even more for this final outing. Let’s be real, they are the true romance of the story. Erivo had to tap into a different side of her character and she did it so effortlessly. This is a woman who has been so misunderstood by everyone around her, but she doesn’t let anybody sway her opinions. Grande, on the other hand, was the standout for me. She took Glinda and gave her so much depth. If she doesn’t get the Oscar for this, then I will riot.

The film would be incomplete if it didn’t have the rest of the cast members. I enjoyed seeing more of Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero. He has quite the arc in this half and he portrayed it brilliantly. I also liked how the storylines developed for Ethan Slater’s Boq and Marissa Bode’s Nessarose. The update for Nessarose in particular was a good choice. Goldblum is just as much of a fake as ever and Michelle Yeoh’s Madame Morrible was despicable in the best way possible.

From the Emerald City to Munchkinland and beyond, the cinematography was visually stunning. The color palette was bright and vibrant where it needed to be, but even in those darker and more sombre moments did they still pop. The costume and make up department were top notch once again. This world and these people became so so real as a result. I also need to give a special shout out to As Long As You’re Mine, No Good Deed and For Good which were the songs I liked best. The latter just completely broke me.

I’ve been seeing that some people haven’t enjoyed the tonal shift, but it is integral to the story. The pacing always felt a little off to me in the stage version, but that wasn’t the case here. They tightened it up nicely and were still able to highlight the most important parts. I’m glad that they decided to incorporate Dorothy’s arrival in Oz. She was more prominent in the film than on stage, but not so much that it took away from Elphaba and Glinda’s story and it also did not hinder the magic that made The Wizard of Oz so iconic.

Wicked: For Good was my most anticipated movies of the year and it more than delivered. Jon M. Chu should be so proud for what he has accomplished as should the rest of the cast and crew. I laughed, I clapped, I cheered and I sobbed my eyes out. I cannot believe that this era is over – I will miss it. I truly have been changed for good.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

A Merry Little Ex-Mas

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Kate (Alicia Silverstone) and Everett (Oliver Hudson) were the perfect couple who had the perfect life. Fast forward many years later, they are now separated and planning on celebrating one last Christmas together with their kids Sienna and Gabe (Emily Hall and Wilder Hudson) before their divorce is final. When Everett invites his new girlfriend Tess (Jameela Jamil) to join in on the festivities, tensions rise and feelings that Kate and Everett long thought were buried begin to resurface.

It’s that time of the year again when Netflix release a slew of holiday themed films to get people into the festive spirit. While they have been kind of awful, I look forward to them anyway. They’re silly and cringey and totally predictable, but they make me happy and that’s all that I really care about.

The cast were enough of a reason for me to check this out. It was hard for me not to think of Cher Horowitz whenever Silverstone was on screen. Her character wasn’t the most likeable, but she was cute and quirky enough that I was able to give her a pass. Hudson’s character was kind of a douche though I guess that was the point. Jamil seemed more like a plot device, but I didn’t mind because she was still iconic. Geoffrey Owens and Derek McGrath starred as Daryl and Mike, Everett’s dads. They were a bright spot for me and provided quite a few laughs. I also loved how they got Melissa Joan Hart to play Kate’s friend April. To have Cher Horowitz and Sabrina Spellman together was a childhood dream come true. Unfortunately, I found Pierson Fode as Chet, a potential new suitor for Kate, and Timothy Innes as Nigel, Sienna’s British boyfriend, so incredibly annoying and they didn’t add anything to the story.

Where the film fell flat for me was that it lacked some emotional depth. There could have been a few flashbacks explaining in more detail while Kate and Everett decided to separate as well as conversations with the people they were closest with to drive those feelings home to the audience. Instead, the focus was more on some comedy which isn’t a bad thing, but that didn’t always feel necessary here.

A Merry Little Ex-Mas was my first Christmas film of the season. My husband and I watched it while we were decorating our tree and it was very fitting. This probably won’t be one of those films that I will remember much of in a week nor will I rush back to revisit it, but I did think it did the trick.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

The Running Man

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In a near futuristic world, Ben Richards (Glen Powell) has just been let go from his job. He desperately needs to find a way to make money to get some medication for his sick daughter. With no more choices, he joins a game show called The Running Man where contestants are allowed to go anywhere in the world while trying to escape the hunters who are hired to kill him. If he survives, he will win one billion new dollars.

I was not familiar with the book by Stephen King nor with the original 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. If I’m being completely honest I probably wouldn’t have checked this reboot out if it weren’t for Glen Powell as I have the biggest crush on him. I’m glad that I did though.

Powell was such a great choice for the lead. He’s like the new Tom Cruise, but better. His character had so much grit and determination to do whatever he needed for his family. He has more than proven his leading man status and I cannot wait to see what role he takes on next. Josh Brolin starred as Dan Killian, the creator of the competition. Manipulative and selfish, he mostly see him on screen and yet he’s still someone you wouldn’t want to mess with. Colman Domingo was a scene stealer as Bobby T, the host. He truly shined every time he was on screen. I only wish we had more of his backstory. The same could be said for Lee Pace, William H. Macy, Katy O’Brian and Michael Cera. Though they all played important roles, the audience didn’t get to know them very well.

Censorship and controlling media is a running theme throughout. As Ben continues on with the game, he learns more about the government and how they are trying to hide the truth of what is really going on. This is something that has been happening more and more in present day and I believe it will only continue. It’s scary to think of a reality where game shows of this nature could exist, but I could see it happening.

Overall, The Running Man was a thrilling and heart pounding blockbuster that kept me mostly on the edge of my seat. I do think that it lost some steam along the way however. The first half was engaging, but somewhere at the halfway point it stalled and the ending was a bit anti-climatic. That being said, I still had a good time with it and that’s all that matters.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t

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It’s been ten years since we last saw The Horsemen, but they are finally back on our screens! New performers Charlie (Justice Smith), Bosco (Dominic Sesa) and June (Ariana Greenblatt) team up with the retired gang for a diamond heist unlike any other. Spanning multiple countries and high stakes magic tricks, they have to take on new villain Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike).

I love the first two Now You See Me films so much! When film number one came out I remember being completely enthralled in the idea of it; they took magic and amped it up by a million. While the second wasn’t as great, it was still a fun time. And although this third outing probably wasn’t necessary, I still enjoyed every single minute of it.

All the major players were back: Jesse Eisenberg as J. Daniel Atlas, Woody Harrelson as Merrit McKinney, Dave Franco as Jack Wilder and Isla Fisher as Henley Reeves reprised their roles and it was honestly like no time had passed. They still had such an effortless chemistry with one another and it looked like they were having a ball. I actually liked the new character additions. It made sense to introduce some fresh blood and they fit in well. Pike also completely smashed it as a bad guy. Her accent was not at all convincing, but I think that was supposed to be the point and it added some surprising comedy to her scenes.

I’ve heard some people say that there wasn’t as many full on magic tricks as before and while I can see where they are coming from, I do understand why they had to go bigger this time around. There was still the usual slight of hand and card tricks, but the scene in chateau in France was cool and the final trick came together in a way that I wasn’t expecting though I mean that in the best way possible.

Overall, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t may not have been the best in the franchise, but I still had a blast with it. I could literally watch a million of these films and never get bored of them so here’s hoping we get many more!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Frankenstein

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From the creative mind of Guillermo del Torro comes a new adaption of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The story follows Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac), a mad scientist, who attempts to bring people back from the dead. When he successfully gives life to a new type of creature (Jacob Elordi), nothing will never be the same again.

This film has been in the works for many years and I have to say it was well worth the wait. Coming in at two and a half hours seemed daunting at first, but every single one of those minutes is warranted. There have been quite a few versions of this story told and this one breathes new life into it while still staying true to the source material.

With del Torro saying he wanted real sets built for authenticity he truly brought his point across. Not only were they expertly crafted, they were so otherworldly that I was left speechless at times. All of a sudden it felt like I was transported into this place with its vibrant colors and cool locations. Each one just kept getting better. The beautiful set designs paired brilliantly with the costumes and the haunting score that played throughout.

The casting was spot on and the performances well done. Isaac was perfect as the titular character. You root for him at the beginning because he wants to prove himself so badly, but by the end I couldn’t help resenting him for the choices he made. Elordi, however, stole the show for me. I was so impressed with the way in which he approached his role. Not only was he unrecognizable, he also had to change his voice and mannerisms to match those of a monster. While Christoph Waltz and Mia Goth did not have a lot of screen time, they were so present every time we did see them and their character’s were just as integral to the story.

I loved the idea of splitting the film into three separate chapters. This gave the audience a chance to experience the events that were unfolding from different perspectives. You know the saying there are two sides to every story and then there’s the truth? That seemed to ring true here. Each part helped build all the important plot points and didn’t leave anything out. In most reiterations of Frankenstein, the Creation is usually depicted as an evil monster. This time around he was given some proper human qualities. I really appreciated this change and felt like it added so much more.

Overall Frankenstein really is as epic as everyone has been saying it is. From the performances, to the brilliant sets, costumes and the world building itself, it is truly a treat. Although I wish I had had the chance to see this in the cinema, I am glad that it exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait to see how it does come awards season.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Die My Love

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Grace (Jennifer Lawrence) and Jackson (Robert Pattinson) are young and in love when they move to a rural house in the middle of nowhere in Montana. After the birth of their son, Jackson goes back to work while Grace is stuck at home looking after him every day. Slowly Grace descends into madness, questioning every single she thought she knew and worrying those around her.

Directed by Lynne Ramsay, this film is a slow burn character study that uniquely portrays postpartum depression. A topic that is usually overlooked, the way in which it was approached here was unlike anything I have ever seen and I have to commend all who were involved. It was raw and intimate and gave me a lot to think about.

This is hands down Lawrence’s film. She steals every single scene she is in and gives it her absolute all. From making me laugh one minute to being concerned the next, I never knew in which direction she would take Grace. The lines are often blurred throughout – it is hard to determine exactly what is real and what is happening in Grace’s mind, but that doesn’t matter. It’s a wild ride that I never wanted to get off of and I’d be surprised if she didn’t get an Oscar if nomination for this.

Pattinson didn’t have the easiest task of selling the distressed husband, but it came across well. The choices he makes along the way aren’t the best though they can be understood to an extent due to everything that is going on at home. Sissy Spacek stars as Jackson’s mother Pam. Not only was she present for her son, she was also there for Grace whose own parents are no longer around. While she’s going through her own type of heartbreak, she still stands as a pillar of support.

The way in which the film was shot really adds to the whole dreamlike state that I felt while watching. The house served as some sort of limbo where whatever happened between the walls would just stay there while life carried on outside of it. This made it all the more isolating. I already mentioned that the pacing was slow which was necessary for the story. At times it was even repetitive, but then something crazy would happen that would snap the audience back to attention. It was kind of like whiplash, but in the best way possible.

Die My Love is not a film for everybody, but I really enjoyed it. With career best performances and stunning cinematography I was swept up into the lives of these two flawed characters from the very beginning. While I do think the runtime could have been just a bit shorter, I appreciated the daring way in which they dealt with the heavy topics and weren’t afraid to push the boundaries.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️