Tag: Hulu

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

Caitlin Morales (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) has been struggling since the birth of her second daughter. When she meets Polly Murphy (Maika Monroe) at the farmer’s market and the two seemingly get along straight away, Caitlin takes Polly up on her offer to become her nanny. But it soon becomes clear that Polly isn’t who she says she is. When Caitlin starts to question the woman she brought into her home and her family, nobody believes her.

A remake of the 1992 film of the same name, the trailer made this version out to be a decent enough thriller. Unfortunately it was not decent and it also was not very thrilling. In fact, it had very little going for it that I wonder why I bothered to check it out in the first place. It’s a pity because it did have all the right ingredients for something great. It just ended up being a big old mess.

I usually like Winstead, but even she was unable to save this. It’s not the first time we’ve seen a character considered crazy by everyone around them and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Although I felt for Caitlin, the emotion didn’t completely win me over. I can’t really blame her as I felt she was doing the best she could considering the uneven script, but still. I was way more interested in Monroe’s mysterious nanny and of course we never got any proper background on her. I understand the choice of having one point of view the point of view however I think it would have helped me to understand her motives more. At least the two of them played well off of each other.

What bothered me the most was that it felt like throughout the entire hour and forty minute run time, nothing really happened until the last fifteen minutes. There were small moments here and there that never really went anywhere. As a result, I got bored and kept wondering how much longer it would be until it all inevitably kicked off. And when it eventually did, the pay off didn’t even seem worth it.

Overall, The Hand That Rocks The Cradle was a disappointment. I have not seen the original film, but from what I’ve heard, it is far superior than whatever this reiteration was. The only two bright spots amongst the mess were the leading ladies who did what they could. This is not a film that I will be rushing to rewatch nor will I recommend because I’m sure you can do something better with your time. You’re welcome.

Rating: ♥️.5

Eenie Meanie

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

Wrapped up in a world of getaway driving from the age of fourteen, Edie (Samara Weaving) has been trying to break the cycle ever since. When her former boss Nico (Andy Garcia) offers her the chance at pulling off one last job, she can’t say no, especially when it means saving her ex boyfriend’s (Karl Glusman) life.

Fans of Baby Driver may flock to Eenie Meanie expecting a similar story. While it never reaches the same heights, it is entertaining enough to keep you invested throughout. With the many impressive car chase sequences, hilarious banter and a talented ensemble cast I couldn’t help but wonder how it didn’t ever come together in the way I was hoping it would.

Weaving once again proves that she is a solid leading lady. Not only is she the bright spot here, she was probably the only reason I wanted to watch the film in the first place. She gives Edie so many layers and is really the driving force of the story. It’s hard for anybody else to compare. Glusman is quite something as John, Edie’s ex. Underneath it all he wants to do the right thing, but he’s just so awful that it’s hard to be reminded of that. I understand why Edie isn’t able to just cut him out of her life, but she deserved so much better. The other characters were like caricatures of heist films of the past: Jermaine Fowler as The Chaperone, Marshawn Lynch as Perm, Randall Park as Leo, Mike O’Malley as Leo and of course Andy Garcia as the ring leader of them all Nico. They were criminally underused and as a result I found it difficult to really care about any of them.

Somewhere along the way, the film starts losing sight of what it’s really trying to be. I would have been totally fine with an action adventure flick and a bit of romance on the side if it was earned. Instead it just became too convoluted. As a result, I missed out on some major plot points because I just could not separate them from one another.

Overall, Eenie Meanie had all the ingredients of a great heist film, but it ultimately fell short. Samara Weaving was the only bright point in what was otherwise a lacklustre project. Had it been much tighter and well thought out, it would have been a home run. Because of that there are definitely better films of the genre out there that are more worth your time.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

Nightbitch

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

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

The Greatest Hits

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

Harriet (Lucy Boynton) has been dealing with the sudden loss of her boyfriend Max (David Corenswet). In order to help her grieve, she discovers that certain songs can transport her back into a particular time in which they spent together. As she tries to fit the pieces together in the past, her life in the present takes off when she meets David (Justin H. Min).

I really liked the concept of this movie. It blends so many different genres together from romance, comedy and drama to time travel. It’s so true that one particular song can really send you back to when you first heard it. The way in which this was incorporated throughout the film was really smart. The song choices were A+ too; there were some well known classics and others that I wasn’t familiar with, but they all fit perfectly.

Boynton should lead more films because she did a stellar job as our protagonist. She’s clearly been through a lot and she’s torn between her past and her future, but wouldn’t anybody be in her predicament? Max and David couldn’t be more different, but neither of them outshine the other. Boynton has pitch perfect chemistry with both Corenswet and Min that you can’t help rooting for both of them to end up with her. The addition of Harriet’s best friend Morris (Austin Crute) was a welcome one. You could tell he was her ride or die and I appreciated how supportive he was of her while also keeping her grounded.

As much as I enjoyed the time travel aspect of the story, I have to say that it did get a bit repetitive. I also wish we’d had a bit more background on Max. As the film was told in Harriet’s point of view we didn’t really get to know him outside of her thoughts and feelings.

The Greatest Hits is an emotionally charged romantic dramedy that only got better as it progressed. With fabulous performances and an even better soundtrack, this is a film I will be revisiting.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Quiz Lady

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

Anne (Awkwafina) and Jenny (Sandra Oh) couldn’t be more opposite. When their mother’s gambling addiction throws them together, they are required to put aside their differences in order to settle her debts. Obsessed with the same game show since childhood, Anne just needs to land herself an audition and everything else will fall into place. If only it were that easy.

I don’t know about you, but I grew up watching a game show every evening. My grandmother introduced me to Jeopardy and before I knew it, I was hooked. The routine was soothing and I began to think of Alex Trebec as family since he was in my home all the time. Unlike myself, Anne grew up feeling neglecting by the other members of her family and so she turned to Can’t Stop The Quiz for solace. I liked how the show became a way that she and Jenny eventually reconnected.

The dynamic duo of Awkwafina and Oh was one that I never knew I needed. They worked so flawlessly off each other and really did pass as sisters. What I enjoyed the most was the fact that they didn’t play the characters we expect of them; Awkwafina usually tackles the more offbeat individuals, while Oh plays the more straight laced, career-driven types. To see them essentially swap places was a breath of fresh air and it worked.

The film wouldn’t have been complete without its supporting cast. Will Ferrell gave quite a touching performance as game show host Terry McTeer. It was nice to see him as a father figure to Anne and I’m glad he didn’t dial it up too much. Holland Taylor was great as Anne’s elderly neighbor Francine, while Jason Schwartzman a shoe in for villainous fellow contestant Ron. And of course I can’t leave out the cameo by Paul Reubens who left us not too long ago.

Overall, Quiz Lady is a quirky story filled with lots of laughs and some heart along the way. The shenanigans that Anne and Jenny found themselves in throughout kept me on the edge of my seat. If you’re looking for something fun to watch this weekend, I recommend checking this one out as it’ll surely leave a smile on your face.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Rye Lane

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

Dom (David Jonsson) has just been dumped and he’s not handling it well. While at the art exhibit of a friend, he runs into Yas (Vivian Oparah). She also just got out of a long term relationship, but as opposed to him, she’s handling it like a champ. The two hit it off and spend the rest of the day together.

Directed by Raine Allen-Miller in a brilliant debut, Rye Lane is the stuff that romantic comedies dream of. I loved learning about Dom and Yas as they peeled back their layers and related to them immensely. Break ups are hard and the way in which they depict what each has done to them was raw and emotional. Though their experiences may seem different on the surface, they have more in common than one may think.

Just as Dom and Yas are our main characters, I have to say that South London itself is a third. The movie is a love letter to the city as we see various areas throughout the course of the film. I really enjoyed this take, reacquainting myself with familiar spots while learning about new ones along the way. Going hand in hand with the cinematography, the environment is filled with a colorful vibrancy that really worked in an authentic way.

Where this movie excels is in its message. In the age of social media, you’d think it’d be easier to connect with people, but in fact, the opposite has proven to be correct. True human connections are harder to come by than ever before and that is why this friendship is so magnetic to watch. With a tight knit script, jokes that actually land and a lot of heart, Rye Lane is a total home run.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Rosaline

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

We all know about Romeo and Juliet’s doomed love, right? But did you know that before Juliet, Romeo was in love with a maiden called Rosaline?

Rosaline (Kaitlyn Dever) and Romeo (Kyle Allen) were the perfect couple. They dreamed of running away together, their families be damned, if it meant they could be together forever. When he meets Juliet (Isabela Merced) at the masquerade ball, Romeo falls head over heels in love with her. Suddenly jilted by the love of her life, Rosaline will stop at nothing until she finds out who this new woman is. Who she didn’t expect it to be is her cousin.

A modern retelling of Shakespeare’s tragedy, Rosaline was actually pretty cute. Dever shone as the lead, captivating me from the get go. Her comedic timing and meddlesome ways made for some great scenes that had me giggling. I’ve seen her in a variety of projects now and I must admit that she always surprises me.

The other cast and characters were fun to get to know too. I thought it was brilliant to dumb down the role of Romeo; the way in which Allen did this added a different element to the story and made it somewhat unpredictable. Merced did a fine job as Juliet, though I would have liked to see more of her. Bradley Whitford portrayed Rosaline’s father and Minnie Driver who played Rosaline’s nurse Janet didn’t have nearly enough screen time, but who were still welcome additions. And then there was the gorgeous Sean Teale who starred as Dario. His chemistry with Dever was palpable from the very first moment they laid eyes on each other and I just couldn’t wait until they got together.

With costumes that had me truly believing I was born in the wrong century and a soundtrack that gave me major Bridgerton vibes, Rosaline was a much better film than I gave it credit for. While it wasn’t perfect all the way through and at times seemed to drag on a bit, I really did enjoy it.

Rating: ♥♥♥

Not Okay

Published on by Daniela1 Comment

From director Quinn Shephard comes the story of Danni Sanders (Zoey Deutch), an aspiring writer whose life is going nowhere fast. In order to boost her social media following, she decides to fake a trip to Paris. When a terrorist attack strikes while she is supposedly aboard, Danni’s lie takes on a world of its own. Suddenly everyone wants to be her friend, including influencer and trauma survivor Rowan (Mia Isaac), and her crush Colin (Dylan O’Brien) is showing interest in her. Danni’s newfound fame, however, is not all its cracked up to be.

I love everything and anything that Zoey Deutch touches. She tends to star in more offbeat films which I have always admired. I remember when I first heard about Not Okay. While Deutch once again knocked it out of the park, I have to say that because I had such high expectations, they weren’t exactly met.

What I did enjoy was the way in which social media was depicted throughout. I found myself nodding along to certain moments and cringing at others over how realistic it was to see Danni so reliant on her Instagram followers. I also thought it was a bold choice not to go with a happy ending; life doesn’t always tie everything together so neatly in a bow after all.

Unfortunately there were times when the pacing was slow and not much was happening. I also can’t say I liked any of the characters. While we were warned of Danni’s awful ways in the beginning, I still didn’t know how to feel about her. I also couldn’t get on board with O’Brien’s Colin who came across as a vapid fuckboy. If I had to choose, I’d say Rowan was the most tolerable because at least she was being true to herself from the beginning.

At the end of the day, I have to say that I expected more from Not Okay. I guess I should have known better. I built it up in my head for too long and ended up feeling slightly disappointed as a result.

Rating: ♥♥.5

The Princess

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

When a princess (Joey King) refuses to marry evil sociopath Julius (Dominic Cooper), she is kidnapped by his henchmen and locked in one of the towers of her father’s castle. As Julius plans on taking over the kingdom, the Princess must escape and save her people before it’s too late.

Hulu’s The Princess is an over the top action movie, so if that isn’t your thing, then I would stay clear. There isn’t much to the plot; instead the story moves forward with one fight sequence after another. Some of these are rather gory and can seem repetitive, but I have to commend Joey King for giving it her all here. As someone who has always wanted to star in an action flick, not only does she perform the majority of her stunts, she does them well too.

As for the rest of the cast, it was fun to see Dominic Cooper in the role of a bad guy. It seemed as if he was having a fun time with it. Other honorable mentions go to Olga Kurylenko as Julius’s accomplice Moira. She was completely ruthless. I also enjoyed the additions of Kristofer Kamiyasu as Khai and Veronica Ngo as Linh, both of who were important in The Princess’s combat training.

Overall, The Princess is an entertaining enough romp perfect to indulge in on a Sunday afternoon. The girl power atmosphere heightens the overall experience, but aside from that, it falls short.

Rating: ♥♥.5

Good Luck To You, Leo Grande

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

Good Luck To You, Leo Grande follows the story of Nancy Stokes (Emma Thompson), a retired teacher who lost her husband a couple years prior. Wanting to find herself again, she decides to hire escort Leo Grande (Daryl McCormack). What starts off as a business transaction develops into something more as both Nancy and Leo’s walls come down and the two form a heartwarming connection.

Emma Thompson is brilliant in all that she does. She is the reason why I wanted to watch this movie in the first place. Always giving it her all, the performance she delivers here is unlike anything I have ever seen. Daryl McCormack was equally as enjoyable to watch. His charm and attractiveness lit up the screen and there was a sort of simple yet endearing chemistry between them.

The single setting of a hotel room made for an intimate viewing experience. With Nancy and Leo in the forefront, we really get to know them. As the movie progresses, the layers are stripped back and we see not only Nancy and her reasonings for hiring Leo in the first place, but we also learn about Leo’s background. While the two characters may seem different, they have more in common than meets the eye.

With strong writing and some laugh out loud moments scattered throughout, I have to admit that I found the middle of the film dragged slightly. When those personal details started getting in the way of Nancy and Leo’s meetings, I lost a bit of interest and wasn’t sure I liked the direction it was going in. Luckily it picked up again for the final act.

Good Luck To You, Leo Grande was different than what I was expecting it to be going into it. I thought it would be about one woman wanting to conquer her sexual desires, but what I got was so much more than that. Considered to be a character study on Nancy, I really appreciated the way in which she came to terms with her new normal and how she learned to love herself in the process. It was quite powerful to see.

Rating: ♥♥♥.5