Tag: AppleTVPlus

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

The Lost Bus

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Based on true events, The Lost Bus tells the story of the devastating 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California. Bus driver Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey) is a down on his luck guy who recently moved home after the death of his father. He answers the evacuation call from an elementary school where twenty two students and a teacher named Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera) are stranded. With the fire raging all around them and getting worse, it is up to Kevin to get them all to safety.

I have always enjoyed a good disaster movie (The Day After Tomorrow is one of my all time favorite films ever). It’s been a hot minute since I’ve seen one so I was quite looking forward to this. I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect going into it, but I certainly didn’t think I’d get so wrapped up in this story of hope when it didn’t seem like there was any.

While I am not the biggest fan of McConaughey, I have to say that he delivered a solid performance. When every obstacle was thrown in Kevin’s way telling him to give up, he just kept going. Ferrera couldn’t have been more perfect as the teacher who tried her best to keep the kids, and herself, calm. I’ve seen some people say that they didn’t buy the camaraderie between the two main characters though I do not agree. For two people who were thrown together in such circumstances, they developed a natural respect and trust with one another that I appreciated.

The script was not perfect and I could have done with less of the broken family cliches. It took some time for the film to properly get going, but once it did, I was on the edge of my seat. I honestly felt like I was right there in the bus with them. It was so intense and it looked like real life footage was used as well which just drove him the authenticity of it more. I couldn’t fathom how they were going to get out of this predicament!

Overall The Lost Bus more than exceeded my expectations. The fact that it was based on actual events only heightened my experience while watching. McConaughey and Ferrera did a great job at bringing to life Kevin and Mary who are heroes in their own right. It was also important that the very real threat of wildfires was brought to light and it didn’t shy away from the devastation it causes. One of the biggest surprises for me this year.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5

All Of You

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In a near futuristic world, Simon (Brett Goldstein) and Laura (Imogen Poots) have been best friends since university. Simon is clearly in love with Laura though no line has ever been crossed. His hopes are dashed when she decides to take The Test to find out who her soulmate is. She’s matched with Lukas (Steven Cree) and the two get married and have a daughter. But when Laura discovers Simon’s true feelings for her, she is forced to make a choice.

Having penned this with director William Bridges, Brett Goldstein is branching out from his Ted Lasso days. This science fiction romantic drama had all the ingredients for a home run and I had been really looking forward to it. While there were some positive aspects, I have to admit that there was something about it that didn’t quite work for me.

Where the film excelled was certainly in its casting. Goldstein and Poots were perfect as Simon and Laura. They had such an easy yet organic chemistry; I bought the fact that they had known each other for years and this only intensified when they became romantic with one another. I thought it was smart to focus on different moments in their lives instead of following every single moment. It did mean that I had to fill in some of the blanks on the way, but I liked that.

Unfortunately I felt like the pacing was off. It started slowly and although I appreciated setting the groundwork, I didn’t think it needed to take so long. I also wasn’t a fan of the whole cheating thing. I know that the film is about so much more than that, but it was something that kept niggling away at me. Though I understood why Laura struggled, but after seeing it over and over, I just wanted a different outcome.

Overall, I really wanted to love All Of You, but something was missing. The acting was superb and the sweeping romance between the leads did keep me invested for the most part at least. Unfortunately it’s not the first time we’ve plot device and the eventual pay off was not at all satisfying.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Fountain Of Youth

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From director Guy Ritchie comes a new swashbuckling adventure. Luke (John Krasinski) and Charlotte Purdue (Natalie Portman) are estranged siblings who team up to find the mythical Fountain of Youth. Together with their team of misfits, they travel all over the globe finding clues that will help them in their quest.

If Indiana Jones and National Treasure had a baby, it would be this. It was a total throwback to the action films of yesteryear and I was so here for it. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but it was a blast from beginning to end and I just couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next.

Krasinski did a great job as our protagonist. I’ve heard some people say that he was miscast though I don’t agree. Not only was he hilarious, it was obvious that he was enjoying himself to the fullest. I felt similarly about Portman. I liked their banter and thought that they easily passed as brother and sister.

The supporting cast were equally as fun. Laz Alonso and Carmen Ejogo were Patrick Murphy and Deb McCall respectively; the team wouldn’t have been complete without them. Domhnall Gleeson was Owen Carver, the reason why the team decided to go and search for the Fountain of Youth in the first place, and Benjamin Chivers was Thomas, Charlotte’s son who comes along on the journey. With every adventure there are always some obstacles that get in the way. These come in the form of Eiza Gonzalez as Esme, a protector of the Fountain, and Arian Moayed as Jamal Abbas, a police officer who tries to keep up with everyone.

Where the film lacks is in its script. It’s corny and doesn’t quite pack the punch that it otherwise could have. It makes up for all that with the action sequences and there are plenty! I particularly fancied the scene that took place on the sunken ship. I just thought it was so well done.

Overall, Fountain of Youth is exactly the type of action adventure film that I love. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and instead just totally leans into itself. It’s fun, over the top and it is a great way to spend a Friday night in. I would 100% be on board for a sequel.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

The Gorge

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Levi (Miles Teller) and Drasa (Anya Taylor-Joy) are two highly trained operatives who are enlisted to guard an ominous gorge. Despite the rules telling them they are not allowed to communicate, a special bond still forms between them. When they discover the truth about what lies beneath, they must work together to stop the secrets from coming out.

I will watch anything that Taylor-Joy is in. Drasa was a sad character and you wanted to root for her from the beginning. The same could be said about Teller’s Levi. Having nobody close to him was the main reason why he was chosen for this mission. At first I wasn’t sure how this pair up would work, but I was pleasantly surprised. Though their relationship developed quickly, it really was the highlight for me.

Where the film sort of lost me along the way was with its many genres. Part sci-fi and part romance with some drama and even a little bit of comedy, at times it seemed like it didn’t really know what it wanted to be. As a result, I do think the second act suffered especially when our two heroes find themselves in the gorge. While I was impressed with the special effects and felt they looked very realistic, it did get a bit too convoluted for its own good. I’m all for layers, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t think it really added anything to the story and instead left me confused.

The Gorge an enjoyable enough flick perfect for a Sunday afternoon. With great performances by Teller and Taylor-Joy that illustrates a quite charming love story and an interesting enough premise, I was kept entertained throughout. If you’re a fan of Stranger Things, then this is right up your alley.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Wolfs

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When Margaret (Amy Ryan) finds herself in a delicate situation, she calls a fixer (George Clooney) to come and cover it up. But then another fixer (Brad Pitt) shows up and the two realize that they need to work together. The night spirals out of control in more ways than one.

The big selling point here is the team up of old time pals Clooney and Pitt. Their real life friendship truly shines through. The banter between them as rivals is whip smart and snappy; I found myself chuckling along at various intervals. I liked how their characters started off seemingly so different from one another, but as time goes on, you realize that they are actually quite similar.

In regards to the supporting cast, Ryan does a good job at setting the scene though she disappears shortly thereafter. Austin Abrams helps kick things up a notch with his rather integral role. I feel like the action doesn’t really start until his character comes into play. I remember seeing him get his start in Euphoria so the fact that he is now starring along side two of the greatest actors of our generation is impressive. Poorna Jagannathan was also a welcome addition as June, a lady who works with both of the fixers.

Unfortunately the film doesn’t have much by means of plot. It takes a while to get going as it really needs to set it all up. The chase sequences and fight scenes are chaotic and entertaining, especially the one that takes place in the final act. With that being said, I think I may have missed the overall point.

Wolfs is your typical run of the mill action caper that does very little to break the mold. It excels thanks to its two lead stars who help drive the film forward in every single way. Not bad for Sunday afternoon viewing, but not entirely memorable either.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Flora And Son

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Flora (Eve Hewson) is a single mother in Dublin who is struggling to raise her troublesome son Max (Orén Kinlan). In an attempt to find him a hobby, she rescues a guitar from a dumpster. But when Max is uninterested in the instrument, Flora decides to take up some lessons herself.

Hewson finally gets the leading role in a project and after seeing her in some hits over the last couple of years, she more than deserves it. Her performance as our lead was so endearing. You just want her to succeed in everything she does, no matter the amount of mistakes she’s made to get there. Starting guitar lessons is the first time she truly does something because she wants to and it’s so inspiring to see.

The relationship Hewson shared with Kinlan was that of a proper mother and son. All the bickering aside, their shared appreciation for music elevated the story and made for some really genuine scenes. Additionally, the friendship between Flora and Jeff (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a guitar teacher who lives in LA, was also one of the strongest aspects of the film. Though they never interact in person, the chemistry that seeps through their video calls is simply lovely. I thought it was a smart touch to have the two brought together in a dreamlike state during these moments.

When I learned that this was directed by John Carney, the same man who brought us Begin Again, everything made sense. Being my favorite movie of all time, I wasn’t surprised to completely fall in love with Flora and Son. The theme music played throughout was one again done in such a magical and beautiful way. This story was uplifting, touching and definitely gives you hope. That is truly the recipe of a great movie!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5

Ghosted

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The ever popular Ana De Armas and Chris Evans are back on our screens, teaming up to star in action adventure romantic comedy Ghosted. When Cole (Evans) meets Sadie (De Armas), he’s sure he’s found the one. They spend an unforgettable day and night together and then she vanishes into thin air. When he eventually tracks her down, he discovers her deep dark secret: she’s a secret agent! Suddenly Cole is swept up until Sadie’s lifestyle as they embark on a mission to save the world.

Not going to lie, I was really looking forward to this one. The two leads alone boasted what I thought would be a home run for Apple TV +. And while I had an overall fine time with the film, there wasn’t much to write home about.

De Armas and Evans are in top form here. This is now the third time that they have worked together and you can tell that their chemistry is completely and totally organic as a result. It’s just not their fault that the script wasn’t tighter and that not all the jokes managed to land. There were some good one liners and the meet cute between Cole and Sadie that took place in the first part of the movie balanced it out though.

I wasn’t entirely invested in the action part of the story, there were still some hardcore fight sequences and chase scenes that kept the movie entertaining. Having Adrien Brody as the villain was a fun choice. I enjoyed the soundtrack choices (Are You Gonna Be My Girl? and Uptown Funk were some great fits), but I had the best time spotting all those cameos.

Although Ghosted wasn’t as amazing as I’d hoped it would be, there were some positive things about it. The two leads were definitely up there and I would happily watch a million more titles with them as the stars. All in all, not too bad for a Friday night in.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

Luck

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Sam Greenfield (Eva Noblezada) is the unluckiest girl in the world. Having grown up in the foster care system, she never found a forever family. Now that she is eighteen, it’s time for her to get her own place and find a job. On her first day, she wakes up late, locks herself in the bathroom, struggles with the toaster and notices that her bike has a flat tire. When she stumbles upon Bob (Simon Pegg), a talking cat, she is whisked away to the Land of Luck where she hopes to turn things around for herself.

From John Lasseter of Pixar and Disney comes Luck, the first title from Skydance Animation. While their aim is to tell entertaining stories that will capture the hearts of audiences everywhere, I have to say that their first venture didn’t hit the mark for me.

I appreciated how, despite her misfortunes, Sam was able to stay upbeat and how she put the needs of those around her before her own. While it didn’t seem very realistic to me (I’d get annoyed if I was in her position), her outlook on life was admirable for the most part. The cast of characters were also magical and full of fun. Simon Pegg, complete with a Scottish accent, was brilliant as Bob the cat. It was great hearing the voice talents of Jane Fonda as The Dragon, Whoopi Goldberg as The Captain and Colin O’Donoghue as Gerry and I enjoyed getting lost in the Land of Luck.

However, the film, overall, fell short for me. There was nothing exciting about the storyline and while predictability is not always a bad thing, I felt like the emotions that were supposed to come across here didn’t quite hit like they should have. Here I was, expecting the next Inside Out, and instead I was left yearning for more.

Luck may have some important messages at the end of the day, but that’s about it. Definitely aimed towards a younger audience, the film is fine for some casual viewing though I won’t be running back for a second watch anytime soon.

Rating: ♥♥

Cha Cha Real Smooth

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Written, directed and starring Cooper Raiff, Cha Cha Real Smooth is about recent college grad Andrew who is trying to find his place in the world. Working a dead-end fast food job and living at home with his mother (Leslie Mann), stepfather (Brad Garrett) and brother (Evan Assante) he takes on a side gig as party host for the summer’s Bar Mitzvah circuit. That’s where he meets the mysterious Domino (Dakota Johnson) and her autistic daughter Lola (Vanessa Burghardt). Little does he know, they will change his life forever.

Let me start by saying that the hype for this movie is real. Receiving rave reviews at this year’s Sundance Festival, there was no way I would miss out on this one. I didn’t expect it to hit as hard as it did and yet here we are.

Although I am not familiar with Raiff’s work, he is quite the triple threat. His portrayal of Andrew is awkward and so very realistic; how many of us have struggled to figure out what we want to do after we finish school? It’s no secret that I’m a Dakota Johnson fan. Her performance here was endearing and honest and the two balanced each other well. The big stand out for me, however, was Vanessa Burghardt. Autistic in real life as well as on screen, she’s got such a career ahead of her and I can’t wait to see where it takes her.

The simplicity of the plot added a factor of intimacy I didn’t know I needed. It almost allowed me to look into the characters’ minds and learn exactly what makes them tick. I found myself laughing along with them, just as I found myself tearing up at certain moments. That conversation about depression, for example, was so on point that I couldn’t help nodding along in agreeance to what was being said.

Cha Cha Real Smooth is a movie that should not be missed. I don’t care if you don’t have Apple TV+. Find a way to watch it. I guarantee it will touch you in one way or another and will stay with you long after the screen turns black.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥