Tag: MadelynCline

The Map That Leads To You

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Based on the book by Joseph Monninger, The Map That Leads To You follows Heather (Madelyn Cline) who has embarked on a European adventure with her best friends Amy (Madison Thompson) and Connie (Sofia Wylie). On a train to Barcelona, she meets Jack (KJ Apa) and there is an instant connection. Jack is a free spirited soul who is visiting the various places his grandfather wrote about in his journal. Heather has always had her life planned out so when Jack asks her to extend her trip and go with him she surprises herself and says yes.

Spanning across Amsterdam, Paris, Spain and Portugal, the audience is invited along for the adventure. I loved how we actually got to see these places (particularly the latter two) and had the chance to learn about their history and culture. It made the story so much more authentic and like we were right there with instead of watching somebody else’s story unfolding in front of you.

The casting choices for the film were spot on. The friendship between the three girls was real and genuine. They were proper ride or die who would do anything for each other. I mean, banging down the door of a guy your girl hooked up with because he stole her purse is pretty impressive. Even though they went their separate ways, they would still check in regularly with one another. It was refreshing that the friendship didn’t just disappear when the romantic aspect of the film came more into focus.

Cline and Apa had an easy going and natural chemistry. From the very first moment Heather and Jack meet on the train, sparks are flying and they don’t let up for one moment. Their characters were complete opposites and yet so similar at the same time. I liked how even though they had their hurdles, it wasn’t dealt with in the way that I thought it was going to be.

I truly wasn’t expecting The Map That Leads To You to be anything special. That being said, it left me feeling rather emotional and I even cried at the end. I don’t want to say too much, but it really came together in such a nice and hopeful way and because of that, I would definitely revisit it in the near future.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

I Know What You Did Last Summer

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Thirty years after the original, I Know What You Did Last Summer has been given the legacy sequel treatment. When a group of friends inadvertently cause a car accident, they make a pact that they will never discuss the events of that night. One year later they discover that someone knows what they did and this person is hellbent on revenge.

I only got around to seeing the first two films about a month ago. My first foray into this franchise was with the 2021 television series. When I heard that a sequel was being made and that it featured a bunch of actors that I like, I decided to finally do my homework. These films were right up my alley which I guess is no surprise considering the creator, Kevin Williamson, was also behind Scream.

This new version was a total blast. Right from the beginning we are brought into the lives of this new group of friends: Ava (Chase Sui Wonders), Danica (Madelyn Cline), Milo (Jonah Hauer-King), Teddy (Tyriq Withers) and Stevie (Sarah Pidgeon) and the night that changes their lives forever. Though the acting chops weren’t the best, I absolutely loved every moment that Cline was on screen. Danica had so many fabulous one liners that were delivered flawlessly. I also thought Wonders did a decent job as our leading lady.

With any legacy sequel there needs to be plenty of callbacks to the original. The major one here was the return of Jennifer Love Hewitt as Julie James and Freddie Prinze Jr. as Ray Bronson. This was the series that catapulted them to stardom and seeing them back in these iconic roles was truly brilliant. My crush on Prinze Jr. was also reignited throughout the almost two hour runtime.

It was obvious pretty early on that the stakes were so much higher. There were so many jump scares and the kills themselves were way more gory and surprising. I can’t lie and say that I wasn’t closing my eyes during many of them. Where the film dwindles is in its final act when one of the twists comes so out of left field it will certainly leave viewers divided. I was completely shocked, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I do think it could have been explained better though.

Overall I Know What You Did Last Summer may not have been necessary, but I had a great time with it. I felt like it did a great job encapsulating that nineties feeling and went full force on the slasher front. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but it didn’t have to be.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

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When tech billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton) invites his mismatched group of friends to a private island in Greece for the weekend, he’s surprised to see that detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) has come along for the ride. Perhaps it’s for the better when somebody turns up dead.

To say that Glass Onion was my most anticipated film of the year is an understatement. Ever since I heard the news that Netflix bought the rights to two sequels, my excitement sky rocketed – 2019’s Knives Out is one of the best films I have ever seen. I cannot sing its praises enough, so Glass Onion had big shoes to fill. And when it was released in cinemas for a limited time in November and I couldn’t see it on the big screen, I swear it almost killed me.

Luckily the wait was worth it. This instalment was everything I had hoped it would be and more. I didn’t know how it was going to compare to its predecessor and I was scared I would be let down. But I was proven wrong. The mystery this time around was much more intricate, with many details scattered throughout as well as red herrings to throw us off course. The script was tight and full of fun jokes that worked perfectly.

Where the film really shines is in its cast. Edward Norton as Bron was a shoo in as the leader of the pack. Kate Hudson as Birdie Jay was brilliant and one of the best roles I have seen her in. Dave Bautista embodied Duke Cody to a T while Kathryn Hahn as politician Claire Debella and Leslie Odom Jr. as Lionel Toussaint were great additions. Then there was Jessica Henwick as Birdie’s assistant Peg and Madelyn Cline as Duke’s girlfriend Whiskey. Seeing Cline in something aside from Outer Banks was so exciting. Janelle Monáe was mesmerizing as Bron’s partner Andi Brand; it was clear she was hiding something and I just wanted to know what!

But it was Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc who stole the show for me. I love everything about this character that director Rian Johnson created and I will never, ever get tired of him. The accent, the outfits (and we saw plenty of them this time around) and the fact that we learn more about him as these films go on, he is rapidly becoming one of my favorites ever.

As if you couldn’t tell, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery completely rocked my world. It may have taken some time to get going, but once it did, it did not stop for one second. I already can’t wait to rewatch it again and again.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥