Credits Rolling

Surprise movies are the best. There’s nothing I love more than going into one more or less blind and coming out feeling really satisfied. It’s actually how I was introduced to some of my all time favorite titles. Infamous might just be another one to add to my list! it had pretty much all you could want in a movie and was not at all what I was expecting.

Ever since she can remember, Arielle (Bella Thorne) has wanted to be famous. With big ambitions to one day leave behind her dull life in Florida and make her way to Hollywood, she has been saving up as much money as possible from her job as a waitress in order to make this a reality. But when she discovers that her money is missing, her plans are thwarted.

Not knowing who to trust, Arielle decides to leave that very night. She invites along the mysterious Dean (Jake Manley) who moved to town after a stint in prison. Relieved to finally be away from their problems, they start to wonder what they will do in order to make a living for themselves.

And so they decide to start robbing from gas stations, weed dispensaries and the like, anywhere really that is off the beaten path. Their exploits are put up on social media for the everyone to see. It’s all fun and games until somebody gets hurt and Arielle will stop at nothing until the world knows her name.

I loved the twists and turns that this movie took throughout. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen, an obstacle is thrown in the works and derails everything. I was kept on the edge of my seat the entire time!

Infamous was made up of an array of genres so it reaches a wider range of audiences. The romance between Arielle and Dean rivals that of Bonnie and Clyde. There’s a lot of action and adventure with some humor thrown in too. Ultimately I would classify it as a drama because of the gripping storyline.

I believe that Bella Thorne is underrated. While she got her start at Disney, she was successful in branching away from that squeaky clean image and established herself as a diverse actress and business woman. She is passionate about all her projects and that is apparent here. While Jake Manley didn’t leave a lasting impression (his bleached blonde hair was too distracting), I did appreciate having Amber Riley on my screen again in a supporting role.

If you want to be surprised, then this is the film for you. I’m sure that you will end up rooting for Arielle and Dean even though what they are doing is morally wrong. They have a lot to lose and because of that, it is easy to relate to them.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

I don’t know why Netflix didn’t do more to promote Feel The Beat because it was a super cute, feel good film that put a big smile on my face. I have loved Sofia Carson since her rise to fame in Descendants so I knew regardless that she would rock this role. She is a triple threat after all!

The story follows April (Sofia Carson) an aspiring Broadway star hoping to catch her big break. After an incident threatens to ruin her career forever, she returns to her hometown with her tail between her legs.

Hoping to lay low for a while and think strategically about her next move, April is one day recruited to train a group of young dancers for a big competition. The catch? She could end up getting her name back out there because well known musical producer Welly Wong (Rex Lee) is a judge on the panel.

April knows that this may be her last shot at making her dreams come true. Although she accepts, teaching these kids is no easy task. This new gig will require patience and a lot of time. Throw in an ex boyfriend who she never really got over and she’s got a lot on her plate.

Movies that focus heavily on children are not usually my thing, but instead I found myself rooting for them throughout. Each had a unique story that made you fall for them. One in particular, the daughter of the football coach (Shaylee Mansfield), is deaf. She communicates in sign language and it was touching to see the rest of the dance troupe all knew how to do so as well to help her out. There was also a little boy (Justin Allan) who I believe stole the entire movie. He joins the team about halfway through and really brings it all together. I could not stop melting every time he came on screen.

The adult cast were great too with Enrico Colantoni of Veronica Mars fame as April’s dad and of course Rex Lee as Welly Wong. Donna Lynne Champlin was hilarious as Miss Barb and hello Wolfgang Novogratz! Where have you been all my life?

If you are looking for a movie that you don’t have to take seriously, but one that will also touch on important life values, then I do recommend this. Just be prepared for some cringey and cliched moments.

Rating: ♥♥♥

This is not usually the type of movie I gravitate towards watching. Even my husband was shocked when I said I was interested in it. But for once I decided to listen to the critics which is honestly something I never do. It’s a good thing that I did though! It was so much better than I expected it to be and I thought it was the perfect Friday night flick too.

Scott (Pete Davidson) has been a mess ever since his dad, a firefighter, passed away years ago. He lives at home with his mom Margie (Marisa Tomei) and sister Claire (Maud Apatow). When Claire goes off to college, things start to change.

While he’s been used to getting stoned every day, hooking up with his childhood friend Kelsey (Bel Powley) and dreaming of opening his own tattoo parlor, everyone around him seems to be moving on. Claire is gone, Kelsey wants to take things to the next level in their relationship and even his mother has started seeing Ray (Bill Burr), who just so happens a firefighter too.

Stuck in his ways, Scott struggles to break out of his funk, but he must do so if he ever wants to make something of himself.

I have to give a round of applause to Pete Davidson. Dude really knocked this role out of the park! I never watched SNL so I couldn’t speak for his acting chops beforehand. To me, he was just Ariana Grande’s ex-boyfriend. However I was really impressed with what I saw and I wouldn’t be surprised if this got him some award show buzz.

The rest of the cast were perfectly chosen as well. And though I haven’t been known to like Judd Apatow’s work in the past, this was truly the exception.

My main reason for liking The King of Staten Island so much was because it was loosely based on true events. Stories like that make everything so much more believable and it’s something that I appreciate. Despite losing focus a few times throughout and missing some of the jokes, it was an overall positive viewing experience.

Rating: ♥♥♥.5

Comedies are super necessary these days, especially with everything that is going on in the world. Having that escape and being able to laugh is important. I was hesitant going into The Lovebirds though. It initially did not seem like something that appealed to me. But after a friend came to me expressing their positive views, I decided to give it a try. And you know what? I’m glad I did.

Leilani (Issa Rae) and Jibran (Kumail Nanjiani) have been together for four years, but are slowly beginning to drift apart. They both want different things and seem to clash more than ever before. As they are on their way to a social function one evening, they wonder if maybe they should go their separate ways.

Before they can even process what is happening, the couple are swept up in a murder mystery caper that changes their lives – and relationship – forever. Will these events pull them even further apart than they already are or is this actually a blessing in disguise?

This movie was funny! It had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions. I thought that Issa Rae and Kumail Najiani worked really well off each other and had great chemistry. It was almost like they were a real life couple and that just added to my enjoyment while watching.

The other cast members were great additions too; most notably seeing familiar face Anna Camp of Pitch Perfect fame in another comedic role. Ultimately it was refreshing to have a black woman and a Pakistani man as the leads. I cannot stress enough how uncommon this is and that needs to change.

Unfortunately, while I mostly liked the film, the plot did lose me a couple of times. Every so often I would become confused because there was a lot going on and I didn’t think that the scenarios Leilani and Jibran found themselves in were all that likely. I understand that was the point of the story, but I couldn’t wrap my head around it.

Rating: ♥♥♥

Movies about music are so much fun and The High Note is no exception. I remember seeing trailers for this at the beginning of the year feeling instantly intrigued. And since most big blockbusters are still postponed, I thought a feel good movie like this one was exactly what I needed, especially after my previous bad choice. For my devoted readers, you know what I’m referring to.

Maggie Sherwoode (Dakota Johnson) is the personal assistant to mega-superstar Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross). Grace has been on the scene for years and was always somebody that Maggie looked up to. Working for Grace should be a dream come true, but the gig is not glamorous by any means. The only upside is that Maggie is constantly exposed to the world she so badly wants to break into.

See, Maggie wants to become a music producer. She has an affinity for sound and when the opportunity arises to help launch rising artist David Cliff (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), it seems like Maggie will finally have her shot. It’s no easy feat though, as her PA duties tend to get hectic and Grace’s manager Jack Robertson (Ice Cube) keeps getting in the way.

This film was like a warm hug. It put the biggest smile on my face and I really enjoyed every moment. The story was quite inspiring as well as uplifting – it moved me to tears on more than one occasion. Only a good movie has that power over me.

Witnessing Dakota Johnson in something new was a treat. The girl gets a lot of shit for having starred in Fifty Shades of Grey, but if you think about it, she did something right as that franchise did catapult her to stardom. She is literally in every single scene here, stealing them all with her soothing presence. I also appreciated Tracee Ellis Ross’s performance. For some reason she always rubbed me the wrong way, but I have to admit that she really embodied the role and knocked it out of the park.

Of course, the music was another reason why this movie was what it was. As far as I know the songs were all originals and each actor sang on their own. I’m still humming along to that final number!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

The Wrong Missy…the wrong movie! Guys. This was SO BAD. I don’t even know what possessed me to watch it in the first place. I guess quarantine did. These types of films are not usually my thing and I’m not a fan of any of the actors either. I should have just trusted my initial instinct after seeing the trailer that it was not for me, but I didn’t. I wanted so badly to think it was going to be okay and now, almost two weeks later, I am still scarred.

Tim (David Spade) has been at the same job for forever. He desperately wants to move up and go for a promotion, but no matter what he does, he is overlooked. Throw in a recent break up with his fiancee (Sarah Chalke), and he’s got on his plate. When he runs into the beautiful Melissa (Molly Sims) at the airport before a business trip, sparks fly. The two swap numbers and vow to stay in touch. The company retreat is fast approaching and Tim has the great idea to invite Melissa along for the weekend. He’s hoping that with her on his arm, his boss (Geoff Pierson) might finally notice him.

So when an entirely different woman shows up on the flight to Hawaii, Tim is dumbfounded. Turns out he had two numbers with the name Missy in his phone and the one he accidentally invited is none other than the girl he went on a disastrous date with months ago.

Now Tim is stuck with her. This Missy (Lauren Lapkus) is rude, she’s crude and she’s literally batshit crazy. But as he starts spending more time with her, he realises that there’s something about her that he just can’t seem to shake.

The type of humor depicted throughout is not my cup of tea. Most of the time it was like they were trying way too hard to be funny, but the jokes ended up flat. I maybe laughed a couple of times at the most, if at all.

In addition, there were so many problematic scenes that I came close to grabbing the remote and switching the thing off halfway through. This was probably where I struggled most because I’ve seen it so many times before. These types of movies remind me so much of Superbad and Knocked Up where women are used as pawns for a man’s desire and because of that, treated so unfairly.

Something else that really did not sit well with me was a scene where Missy engaged in some sexual activities with Tim that seemed to be against his will. No means no and she still carried on regardless of what he wanted. I just…I can’t.

The only reason this movie is getting any stars at all is because of the gorgeous Hawaiian views and the fact that it didn’t have your typical Hollywood ending. Despite Missy getting a lot of flak in the beginning for being out there, there are some redeeming and endearing qualities about her and she really did mean well.

Unfortunately I wish I could go back in time and unsee this. I want that hour and a half back.

Rating: ♥

I remember reading this book years ago, but if I’m being completely honest, that’s as far as my memory goes. Maybe I was too young to appreciate it back then as it certainly did not leave a lasting impression. That didn’t deter me from wanting to see the film adaption though, especially when I found out that Beanie Feldstein would be the star. Going in I was a bit apprehensive, but I came out loving what I saw!

Johanna Morrigan (Beanie Feldstein) knows she has a gift for writing and she wants nothing more than to be able to do this for the rest of her life. The fact that it would provide financial aid for her struggling musician of a father, her depressed mother, the brother she shares a bedroom with and the newborn twins is only a bonus.

When she applies for a gig as a music critic at a reputable magazine in London, nobody takes her seriously. As a regular sixteen year old girl from Wolverhampton, she is not what anybody in the industry was expecting. How could someone who was so witty and sharp in her articles come off as shy and quiet in person?

So, in order to get ahead, Johanna decides to adopt an alter ego by the name of Dolly Wilde. Dolly does not take crap from anybody and instead of singing the praises of the bands she critiques, she slams them and points out all their flaws. Johanna is no more as she transforms more and more into Dolly. Everything she used to believe in no longer seems important. She will stop at nothing to impress her male colleagues and to get ahead, all while keeping her sights set on musical artist John Kite (Alfie Allen), the one man who is out of her league.

A coming of age story, How To Build A Girl was such a lovely film that kept me transfixed throughout. Watching Johanna change everything about herself to fit in was extremely relatable and there were many instances where I saw myself in her.

The time frame of the movie is in the early nineties and I loved taking a look back at what our world was like back then. The bands that were popular and the fashion choices were a total nostalgia trip that I didn’t want to end. Even London was unrecognisable!

I also appreciated how original writer Caitlin Moran created the screenplay because she helped make this movie into what it was. Considering the events that transpired were partially based on her life, it would have been wrong not having her on board.

How To Build A Girl is one of those stories that stays with you long after you’ve watched it. Despite watching it one week ago now, I am still thinking about it with a smile on my face.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

LGBTQ representation is so important though it is not always handled well on screen. How many times have I seen a movie where these individuals are sexualised or are only used as a plot device for the main character? That is why I appreciated The Half Of It. It was refreshing to finally come across a director who gets it!

This is the story of Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis), a smart teenage girl who works at the small railroad station in her hometown of Squahamish. Her mother passed away years ago and she does what she can to help take care of her dad (Collin Chou) who struggles to speak English. As a side gig, she writes the school assignments of her classmates, but aside from that, tends to stick to herself.

When popular jock Paul Minksy (Daniel Diemer) asks Ellie to write a love letter to Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire) the prettiest girl in school, Ellie isn’t sure what do to. After thinking it over, she complies thinking it will be helpful for her and her father. As Ellie begins communicating with Aster, she starts to feel things she didn’t know was possible. However, the entire time Aster believes that she is speaking to Paul and she can’t figure out why he acts one way in person and another in his letters? How will she react once the truth comes out?

This movie was super cute! The love story was totally believable and I liked watching it blossom. The dynamics between Ellie and Aster, Aster and Paul and Paul and Ellie were all great to watch. Despite the inevitable love triangle and their social rankings at school, the friendships were rooted deep.

Another stand out aspect of this picture was the Asian representation. This is something that has only been present recently thanks to Crazy Rich Asians. And for our heroine to be gay as well is pretty groundbreaking. I don’t understand why this isn’t more common.

I have to admit that I did find parts of the film to be rather slow. I found it difficult to stay focused and would often be checking my watch for the time. But I also understand that the style worked for the storyline, so it didn’t bother me too much.

Rating: ♥♥♥.5

I love a good mystery though I go into them cautiously. There is nothing worse than becoming invested in the story, being on the edge of my seat to then end up disappointed by the big reveal. And because Netflix films are so hit or miss, I didn’t want to get my hopes up with Dangerous Lies. I’m glad I didn’t because I was left pleasantly surprised!

After a robbery at her diner job goes terribly wrong, Katie (Camila Mendes) is forced to leave and look for something else. Meanwhile, her husband Adam (Jessie T. Usher) has just finished his studies and is unable to find work. In order to make ends meet, she becomes a caregiver to an elderly man named Leonard (Elliot Gould). Over time, the two form a special bond and when Leonard discovers that Katie is struggling financially, he offers to help.

But when Leonard dies unexpectedly and leaves his house and estate to Katie, secrets start to unravel. The police don’t understand why this man has left everything he has to someone he only knew for four months.

Twist after twist, we are brought on a roller-coaster ride as Katie tries to decide who she can and cannot trust. And just when you think you have everything figured out, be prepared to think again! I’m so happy that I enjoyed this and I am still surprised as to how much. The plot was believable enough to be true and everyone of the characters was interesting.

Seeing Camila Mendes in something outside of Riverdale was refreshing. It’s so common to be pigeonholed into one type of character but that isn’t the case with her. Also, if you are a fan of teen dramas, you’d be able to recognise the likes of Cam Gigandet who had a small role in The OC and Twilight as well as Jamie Chung who most recently starred in The Gifted.

If you are looking for a fun, twisty thriller that will give you a couple of jumps, then this one is for you.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

If I remember correctly, the movie I probably should have been writing about now was the new James Bond, but because of these unprecedented times, I’m left with Love Wedding Repeat instead. Not that there’s anything wrong with this of course. It just isn’t the same. I actually had not heard about this film until I saw it on my Netflix feed, but I figured since it was a British comedy, I would end up liking it. Sadly it ended up being the complete opposite of what I expected.

Imagine that there are various ways in which a particular scenario can play out in your life. The only thing that changes each time is one small, minuscule detail. With this in mind, we find ourselves at Hayley (Eleanor Tomlinson) and Roberto’s (Tiziano Caputo) Italian wedding.

What is supposed to be a momentous and happy occasion is suddenly turned upside down when Hayley’s ex-boyfriend Marc (Jack Farthing) shows up uninvited. Hayley enlists the help of her brother Jack (Sam Clafin) to ensure that Marc stays out of everyone’s way – mainly Roberto’s and suggests giving him some of the heavy sleeping aids she’d been using lately.

But Jack has other things on his mind. A few years before, he spent an unforgettable evening with Hayley’s American friend Dina (Olivia Munn).The two seemed to hit it off, but he never made it clear to her that he felt some sort of spark causing them to part awkwardly. So when he sets off on his task to protect his sister on her special day, he doesn’t predict that fate will intervene once again.

Thinking he put the sleeping aid into Marc’s drink, Jack is excited to get back into Dina’s good books while dodging his ex-girlfriend Amanda (Freida Pinto). However, right before the reception starts, we see a group of children come in and change around everyone’s place cards. The drink that was supposed to be Marc’s now belongs to someone else entirely.

One of the things that I really did like about this movie was seeing the different outcomes play out on screen. Not only are the characters unaware of what is about to happen to them, but the audience is left in the dark too. Some of these results were funny while some  were a bit more on the serious side but it worked well together.

Also, because the film takes place in Italy, the cinematography and atmosphere were gorgeous. In addition, there were many Italian cast members which made everything more realistic.

I love British humor and there is nothing quite like a good British comedy (Love Actually, I’m looking at you). But Love Wedding Repeat did not meet my expectations. Some of the jokes fell flat and at times I really felt like it was trying too hard. There was too much going on and in the end, it was one big mess.

Rating: ♥♥.5