Author: Daniela

Captain America: Brave New World

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Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) is adjusting to life as the new Captain America. When he finds himself at the centre of an international incident, he must work with Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) to find out who is behind these attacks and put a stop to them once and for all.

Mackie was excellent. I’ve always liked Sam as a character and I think that he donned his new title effortlessly. He was never trying to be Steve Rogers; he just wanted to be himself. I loved his friendship with Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez). Their banter was playful and fun. It really had that sibling feeling to it. The introduction of Ruth Bat-Seraph (Shira Haas) was a welcome one and I’m looking forward to seeing more of her in the future.

Unfortunately some of the other characters were underused. I was so much looking forward to seeing Ford hulk out. To say I was disappointed with that part of his storyline is an understatement. I feel like he would have been a more interesting villain than Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns. I also wish we’d had more time with Carl Lumby who played Isaiah Bradley and Giancarlo Esposito who portrayed Sidewinder.

While the action sequences and special effects were decent, there were times throughout where I felt like the quality of the shots were grainy. Maybe that is what they were going for, but it was distracting. Additionally, the storyline itself was also a bit clunky. I didn’t really understand a lot of what was going on. I do think that watching The Incredible Hulk, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and The Eternals beforehand is helpful.

Overall, I went into Captain America: Brave New World with very little expectations. There was just something about it that I wasn’t excited about. I’m glad this was the way I approached it because I was able to enjoy it more. That being said, I still wasn’t completely sold. It’s not the worst of Marvel’s offerings, but it certainly isn’t one of the best. I’m hoping the next two instalments of the year are better.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy

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Our beloved heroine is back for one last hurrah. After the loss of Mark (Colin Firth), Bridget (Renée Zellweger) finds herself navigating life as a widow and single mom. With the help of her friends and family, Bridget slowly starts to get back out there. She returns to work and even signs up for a dating site with some surprising results.

It has been nine years since we last saw these characters on screen. Everyone was back on board and I loved being able to dip back into Bridget’s world. Zellweger eased back into the titular role effortlessly. I’m glad that Firth was back, even if it was in a smaller scale. Hugh Grant stole the show as former flame Daniel Cleaver; he’s so cheeky, yet you can’t help but love him. Bridget’s friends played by Sally Phillips, Mark Lingwood and Shirley Henderson were along for the ride as well and just as supportive as ever.

Of course there were some newcomers too. Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mr. Wallaker starred as a teacher at the school Bridget’s children attend and Leo Woodall portrayed Roxster, a young man who happens upon Bridget and instantly becomes enamoured with her. The romance was A+ and at times I simply did not know who I wanted Bridget to end up with. One moment I was swooning over a shirtless Roxster and the next I wanted to geek out on science and play the piano with Mr. Wallaker.

What I loved the most about Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, however, was that it was the perfect send off for these characters that we have grown to love over the past twenty years. In some ways, I feel like I grew up with Bridget and I’m sad to be saying goodbye. There were so many brilliant callbacks to the original (like the reindeer jumper and the scene in the snow) which were genius. I loved how I went from laughing out loud during one scene and then crying my eyes out in the next. I will miss this universe so much, but I am so glad that we had the chance to revisit it one last time.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5

Companion

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Ever since their meet-cute in the grocery store, Iris (Sophie Thatcher) and Josh (Jack Quaid) have been the perfect couple. When they go away to a billionaire’s lakeside mansion for the weekend, their idyllic getaway takes a dramatic turn.

Trying to describe this film without giving too much away is difficult! I truly believe it’s best to go into this one knowing as little as possible. I’m still wondering why the trailer decided to give away some of the story. Luckily that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of it.

There are only a few horror films I can handle, but this was one I needed to check out. The premise gripped me from the onset and I found I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the screen. As the events unfolded bit by bit, the audience was clued in to what was really going on. Once it all fell into place, the execution was brilliant.

Thatcher first hit my radar in Yellowjackets. She was as impressive then as she is now, if not more. She’s a star on the rise and I can’t wait to see what she does next. This role was practically made for her – the way in which she embodied Iris was truly remarkable. This isn’t the first time Quaid has played a similar character. It’s kind of his shtick, but he does it so well! The other members of the group included Patrick (Lucas Gage), Kat (Megan Suri), Eli (Harvey Guillén) and Sergey (Rupert Friend). Each played an important role in the story and had their chance to shine which I appreciated.

Companion is a film that is worth checking out. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into, but it ended up being so much better. Behind the dark comedy and the blood spill, the social critique going on behind the scenes is what hit me hard. Exploring themes of interpersonal relationships, toxicity and misogyny was especially topical.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

You’re Cordially Invited

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Palmetto Island is one of the most idyllic locations to get married. When two weddings are booked on the same day, the rival families vow to make the most of it. But things get messy when father of the bride Jim (Will Ferrell) and sister of the other bride Margot (Reese Witherspoon) go head to head.

It’s hard to believe that this is the first time Ferrell and Witherspoon have teamed up in a film. While their characters were great individually, I have to say that I did not completely buy their romantic chemistry. If anything, I would have preferred for them to stay friends. I did enjoy watching their antics unfold on screen and them calling each other out had me laughing out loud.

The rest of the cast is stacked with some familiar names. Geraldine Viswanathan, who portrays Jim’s daughter Jenni, was brilliant. The father daughter relationship was a big selling point for me, even though it was borderline cringe on several occasions. Meredith Hagner was Neve, the other bride and sister of Margot, who was super bubbly and added an extra layer of comedy. Jack McBrayer played Leslie, the inn keeper who you couldn’t help but feel sorry for among the and Celia Weston was kinda scary and a little bitchy as Margot and Neve’s mother.

Though the film started off promisingly enough and with an interesting concept, it soon grew to be tired. The constant back and forth initially kept me enthralled. After a while it was repetition. The insults weren’t as funny and the hijinks were too far fetched. It also seemed liked the film didn’t really know what it wanted to be. The constant back and forth started to give me whiplash.

You’re Cordially Invited was better than I thought it was going to be. Unfortunately, I just don’t think it reached its full potential. It’s a pity because the cast were great and really seemed to give it their all. I just wish the story would have been more well rounded.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

Back In Action

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Once upon a time, Emily (Cameron Diaz) and Matt (Jamie Foxx) were spies. They gave it all up to settle down and start a family. Fast forward fifteen years, they’re living a life of lies in suburbia with their children Alice (McKenna Roberts) and Leo (Rylan Jackson). When someone from their past shows up on their doorstep, they are forced to go on the run to try and clear their name.

Diaz’s last role was in 2014. She is finally back on our screens and I couldn’t be happier. She’s always been up there as one of my favorite actors of all time – I didn’t realize how much I missed her until now. She and Foxx shined as our leading characters. Having starred together in projects before, you know that they have a good camaraderie and can make any film entertaining.

In addition we had Glenn Close as Ginny, Emily’s mother and Jamie Demetriou as Nigel, Ginny’s much younger boyfriend. These two stole the show. With Ginny as a former MI6 agent and Nigel providing the comic relief, they were another duo I didn’t know I needed. Kyle Chandler and Andrew Scott also made appearances as important figures in Emily and Matt’s past.

Where the film excelled was in its comedy. There was a steady stream of laughs throughout and I kind of wish they’d leaned into the humour more instead of taking themselves too seriously. On the action side of things, it isn’t anything we haven’t seen before. From the get go, I felt like I was watching 2023’s The Family Plan. While I did like that one as well, I wouldn’t have minded a little bit more originality.

Overall, Back In Action is an enjoyable enough action flick that’s perfect for a Saturday night. Complete with a sparkling cast and some zany adventures, I had a good enough time with it.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Babygirl

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From director Halina Reijn comes an erotic thriller about power and the lengths people will go to for their desires. Romy (Nicole Kidman) has it all. She’s the CEO of a high profile company and she has a doting husband Jacob (Antonio Banderas) and two daughters. But something is missing. Embarking on a torrid affair with a much younger intern named Samuel (Harris Dickinson), Romy puts everything on the line.

Kidman is one of the greatest actors of our time. I’ve been a fan of hers since Moulin Rouge! and this performance is definitely one of her best. She really gives it everything she has and bares it all. It’s vulnerable, nuanced and twisted all at the same time and I sincerely commend her for her dedication. Dickinson was impressive as well. There was something slightly unnerving about the character of Samuel, though I just became more and more enthralled by him. I would have loved to learn more about his backstory. Banderas also gave a solid performance as well. He really makes you feel for his character.

The subject matter of this film is not for the faint hearted. With many explicit scenes, one may wonder if they’re really necessary. While there is a lot of sex, it is integral to the plot and to Romy’s story as she explores a side of herself she didn’t know she wanted. These scenes are never gratuitous and instead serve a purpose. They may even be uncomfortable, but they are real and honest.

Power is the running theme throughout. Romy is the matriarch of her family and the big boss at work, but that isn’t really what she wants. Though she claims she needs to be in control, the tables are turned when Samuel comes around and starts telling her what to do. It’s almost as if the two are dancing around one another, pushing the limits and seeing how far they can really go before it all goes up in flames.

I’ve seen a lot of divisive reactions to Babygirl and I agree that it’s not one of those films that’s just black and white. It’s a study of these characters and what really makes them tick down to the deep, dark crevices of their minds. The performances alone made this worth watching for me. With that impending feeling of doom, I was completely engrossed and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

We Live In Time

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When Almut (Florence Pugh) and Tobias (Andrew Garfield) meet under unique circumstances, they embark on a once in a lifetime love. From the very first moment they laid eyes on each other, to when they become a couple and eventually move in together and have a child, they don’t think it will get any better. That is until a shocking revelation comes to light that threatens to tear them apart.

To say I’ve been looking forward to this film is an understatement. Two of my all time favorite actors Pugh and Garfield starring in the same project? Sign me up! Their chemistry was off the charts and I found myself swooning throughout. Not only did they look great together, but the personalities of their characters just meshed so well.

Films are usually portayed sequentially. That is not the case here. We flip back and forth between different periods of time. At first it was a bit confusing to follow. After a while I got the hang of it. I appreciated that they took a different approach than usual though I’m not sure it will work for everyone.

What I liked most is the moral of the story. Appreciating the little things in life and learning to cherish each moment is easier said than done when obstacles are in the way. The love that Almut and Tobias shared and the fact that they really did what they could to embrace it regardless of the consequences was really inspiring. It’s something that will stick with me for a while, I think.

We Live In Time is one of those romance stories you could only ever dream about. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry and it will make you feel all the feels. Thanks to the incredible chemistry between Pugh and Garfield, this was a brilliant film to kick off 2025 with.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

2024 Wrap Up

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How do I even begin to sum up 2024?

On a personal note, this year was extremely hard for me. I went through a lot of things mentally and physically and at times it got in the way of my review writing. That being said, I would always find my way back to cinema; films have a way of transporting us away or to inspire us when we need it the most. When times got tough, I knew I could come back and lose myself in an incredible story and then to share my thoughts with all of you.

There have been some outstanding films this year. Incidentally my top five all came out towards the end of the year. There were also some that I wish I could forget.

Without further ado, here are my top five best and worst films of 2024. I look forward to seeing what 2025 will bring!

Best:

  1. Anora
  2. My Old Ass
  3. The Wild Robot
  4. Wicked
  5. Inside Out 2

Worst:

  1. Joker: Folie À Deux
  2. Jackpot!
  3. Argylle
  4. Mufasa: The Lion King
  5. Role Play

Nightbitch

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Based upon the book by Rachel Yoder, Nightbitch follows an unnamed mother (Amy Adams) who stays at home with her son (Arleigh and Emmett Snowden) day in and day out while her husband (Scoot McNairy) goes to work. Fed up with the monotony, she can’t help but think that she might be turning into a dog.

There’s no denying the strange premise of the film. A woman changing into a dog is not entirely realistic, but there is something interesting about it all the same. Adams, who has been in a variety of different roles throughout her career, gives an outstanding performance as our protagonist. She wasn’t afraid to bare it all and really go there to get the point across and her Golden Globe nomination is certainly warranted. You feel for her character throughout the film as she struggles to keep it all together.

With that being said, McNairy also gave a commendable performance as the husband. At times you want to dislike him for what he puts Adams’ character through, but then you start to feel for him too. The two had a great and real chemistry together. Zoë Chao, Mary Holland and Archana Rajan who play the mother’s eventual friends were a lovely addition and helped liven things up a bit.

The actual transformation from woman to dog was not what I was expecting. Part of me wishes they had taken it even further than they did, showcasing some more of those pivotal moments than just the sprouting of a tail and growing body hair. I did enjoy the magical realism and the depiction of motherhood, however. It was a different approach and it did seem to hit the nail on the head.

Nightbitch is a film unlike any that I have ever seen before. The premise is wild, but I felt like it worked. Thanks to some incredible performances by Amy Adams and Scoot McNairy, it may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but there was something entrancing about it that I can’t stop thinking about it twenty four hours later.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Mufasa: The Lion King

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The Lion King is a classic beloved by many. In 2019 it was given the real life remake treatment. Now, five years later, the universe is expanding with a prequel story. Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) suddenly finds himself orphaned after a flash flood. He meets Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and the two form a brotherhood. As they embark on a journey through the Pridelands, their relationship is tested.

I was really torn on this film because I wasn’t fond of the 2019 version. I don’t understand why Disney feels the need to remake every single one of our childhood favorites in live action. While the CGI effects are impressive, particularly for the sweeping landscapes, I have to say that I can’t really take the animals seriously. They aren’t quite real and they aren’t quite computerized. It takes me out of the experience.

The story this time around felt convoluted. It was clunky to get going though I did enjoy seeing how Mufasa and Taka met and how they eventually run into Sarabi (Tiffany Boone), assistant Zazu (Preston Nyman) and Rafiki (John Kani). The second half was infinitely more exciting and I found myself getting into things more. It did seem like they were trying too hard to make call backs to the original. In some ways this was good, like the beautiful score and other Easter eggs, but after a while, I felt like I was just watching the same story over again.

The voice acting was good enough with many new additions joining the cast of the remake. Mads Mikkelsen portrays villain Kiros and he definitely fit the bill. Blue Ivy Carter is adorable as Kiara, Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala’s (Beyonce) daughter who we see in the future. Some of the songs were catchy though they were nowhere near as epic as the original. Nothing against Lin Manuel Miranda whatsoever, but I kept expecting to hear The Circle of Life.

Overall, Mufasa: The Lion King was a conundrum for me. There were some positives, but mostly it fell flat. While I understand that this is a cash cow for the company, I would have been more interested in seeing a remake of The Lion King 2 instead of a prequel story, but maybe that’s just me.

Rating: ♥️♥️