Tag: MovieBlog

Love Hard

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Natalie (Nina Dobrev) is a hopeless romantic journalist from LA who has been on countless dates over the years. When she matches with handsome Tag (Darren Barnet) who lives on the East Coast, Natalie thinks that her luck is finally changing. The two spend a couple of blissful weeks talking non-stop until Tag suggests she visits him for the holidays. Taking a leap of faith, Natalie is completely surprised when she discovers that she has been catfished by Tag’s childhood friend Josh (Jimmy O. Yang). To get her to stay, Josh says he’ll help Natalie land Tag if she pretends to be his girlfriend in front of his family (James Saito, Rebecca Staab, Althea Kaye, Harry Shum Jr. and Mikaela Hoover) he tries so hard to impress.

I actually wasn’t going to review Love Hard at first. I thought it would be just another Netflix movie that would be forgettable right after I finished it. Well, I was totally wrong. While it wasn’t a masterpiece of any sort, I loved absolutely every single minute of it and figured that there was no way that I couldn’t not write about it!

There was never a question as to whether or not I’d watch the movie. The cast, in particular, reeled me in. I’ve been a fan of Nina Dobrev’s since her Vampire Diaries days. I hadn’t seen her in much lately which is a shame because she’s such a likeable person. Darren Barnet of Never Have I Ever fame is a rising star. Mark my words, he will be in a lot more projects for years to come. His looks don’t hurt either. It was also a treat having Harry Shum Jr. in this as Josh’s overbearing, perfectionist brother.

What I liked most about this film was the moral it wanted to share. Never judge a book by it’s cover. I feel like this is so important, especially today where social media has such a strong influence. It’s so easy to pretend to be somebody else, but it is important to be yourself regardless. While some say that the outcome of the story was not entirely believable, I think it worked perfectly for the tone.

Love Hard officially marked my first Christmas movie of 2021. I swear I’m starting earlier and earlier, though I can’t lie and say that I really mind. Not only was it adorable, it had me laughing multiple times and swooning at others. It was a perfect light, feel good movie that instantly put a smile on my face right when I needed it.

Rating: ♥♥♥.5

Eternals

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Sersei (Gemma Chan), Ikaris (Richard Madden), Thena (Angelina Jolie), Ajak (Salma Hayek), Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani), Sprite (Lia McHugh), Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry), Makkari (Lauren Ridloff), Druig (Barry Keoghan) and Gilgamesh (Don Lee) are Eternals, aliens that have been sent to Earth by Celestials to defend humans against the Deviants. Learning to balance a normal life, they must reunite after years apart to defeat the Deviants once more.

I honestly had zero desire to watch Eternals at first. The storyline just did not interest me in the slightest. Eventually I caved and figured I’d probably be missing out on something if I didn’t give it a go, not to mention the fact that it is all part of Phase 4. The early critics weren’t great and so I went into it hesitantly.

The movie was better than I expected it to be. It wasn’t groundbreaking by any means and it’s not up there with my favorite Marvels, but because I went in thinking it would be awful, I was pleasantly surprised. One positive was the introduction and exploration of the characters. We really had a proper backstory and that was much appreciated. However, there were some that I still would have liked to know more about, such as Makkari and Druig, and felt that some definitely had more screen time than others. I also couldn’t help but notice many similarities in these individuals to those from the DC universe and I’m not really sure how that made me feel.

As usual, the cinematography was stunning. I don’t think I will ever watch a Marvel movie and not be in awe at the way it was filmed. I was curious about Chloé Zhao and the direction in which she would take things. She had a great approach and I hope that for future Eternal films, she will be onboard for them.

In addition to some characters being overshadowed by others, I also felt like the runtime was too long. A lot of the scenes dragged and I found myself checking my watch for the time. Not only that, but it seemed like there wasn’t enough build up to the climax of the movie which resulted in it happening too fast.

Overall, Eternals is not a bad Marvel movie, it’s just different. I believe that it will take some time before we really learn to appreciate how these superheroes will fit into the bigger picture. Does it deserve the negative reviews it’s been getting? No, I don’t think so. It was fine for an introduction film, however, it will be interesting to see what happens next.

Rating: ♥♥♥

Army of Thieves

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The prequel to Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead which came out earlier this year, Army of Thieves follows Sebastian (Matthias Schweighöfer), or more commonly known as Ludwig Dieter, your average every day banker who just happens to have a knack for cracking safes. Bored of the regular nine to five life, Dieter hopes for something more. Then one day, he is approached by infamous jewellery theif Gwendoline (Nathalie Emmanuel) to join in on a top secret heist during the beginning of the zombie apocalypse.

I was one of the few people who actually really liked Army of the Dead. When I heard the universe was being expanded, I couldn’t wait, especially when the next instalment would be about my favorite character Dieter. I instantly fell for his charm and nerdy ways and so to have the opportunity to learn more about him was awesome. He was the perfect protagonist to lead this film. It was also impressive to discover that in addition to starring in the movie, he also produced and directed it.

The other characters were a lot of fun to get to know too. They each brought something to the table and I wouldn’t be surprised if they popped up somewhere down the line as there is still so much we don’t know about them. Super hacker Korina (Ruby O. Fee) was sassy and oozed girl power, meathead Brad (Stuart Martin) while wonderful to look at was kind of a dud and sandwich loving getaway driver Rolph (Guz Khan) was severely underused.

Being transported inside the safes was really cool. In fact, the way in which the film as a whole was filmed felt like it belonged in a comic book. The character introductions, location names, music choices and fight sequences sucked me in and made me feel like I was in another dimension.

While the film was full of entertainment, the storyline itself was more on the predictable side. It was easy to tell what was going to happen next and there weren’t many surprises along the way. I also felt that what was going on outside of the heist didn’t do much to advance the plot. I guess I expected a lot more action considering the original movie, but I was wrong.

Still, for an origin story, Army of Thieves was an enjoyable caper that left me pretty satisfied. The various Easter eggs bridging the two movies together was done well and I cannot wait to see what happens next in this franchise.

Rating: ♥♥♥.5

Last Night in Soho

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From acclaimed director Edgar Wright comes a new psychological thriller that follows timid Eloise, call her Ellie, (Thomasin McKenzie) as she moves to the big city to embark on her dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Struggling to find her place among her new classmates, Ellie is relieved when she finds an ad for a room to rent by Ms. Collins (Diana Rigg). In this room, Ellie is mysteriously able to enter London in the 1960s where she comes across Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy). Sandie is beautiful, talented and everything that Ellie is not. Each night, Ellie looks forward to falling asleep to learn more about this woman, but she soon realizes that the glitz and the glamor is not at all what it appears to be.

Last Night in Soho was up there with one of my most anticipated films of the year and it was all because of Anya Taylor-Joy. Her rise to fame has been nothing short of impressive and while her roles have all differed, she is nonetheless phenomenal each and every time. I’ll admit I was nervous going into this, especially because horror is not a genre I’m comfortable in. I really wanted to see it on the big screen though. So, I sucked it up and I am so glad that I did because it really was worth the ride.

Anya Taylor-Joy really did shine as Sandie – she was radiant in every one of her scenes. I was also very pleased with Thomasin McKenzie’s performance. This was my first time seeing her and she matched the rest of the talent flawlessly. Matt Smith, who played Sandie’s friend Jack, was charming and also kind of scary. Other well knowns Terence Stamp, Rita Tushingham and the late Diana Rigg rounded off a great cast.

The soundtrack was brilliant and really helped set the tone of the film. The costumes were to die for and the cinematography was stunning. All the neon and flashing lights used really added that extra element.

Overall, what I enjoyed the most about Last Night in Soho was the journey it took me on. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, I was proven to be totally and completely wrong. Twenty four hours later and I’m still reeling from it. It really blurred the lines between reality and perception and I loved that I was left scratching my head. I also appreciated how the topic of mental health was touched upon. This psychological thriller kept me on the edge of my seat and while not everything was tied up in a perfect bow, I was satisfied overall.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Night Teeth

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For one night only, college student Benny (Jorge Lendeborg Jr.) fills in for his brother Jay (Raúl Castillo) as a chauffeur in hopes of making some extra cash. His job is to drive around two women, Blair (Debby Ryan) and Zoe (Lucy Fry), for what he’s been lead to believe, a night of party hopping. What Benny doesn’t bargain for is the real identity of his clients’. Soon Benny is exposed to a world he never knew existed where a war between humans and vampires has been going on for centuries and it is up to him to save Los Angeles before the sun comes up.

When I first saw the trailer for Night Teeth, I couldn’t help but think what a cool concept. Sure vampires are old news these days – I have devoured more than enough stories of them over the years. But for some reason, I have never tired of them. Maybe it’s because there is always something different thrown into the mix. And this time around looked like yet another fresh take on the mythical creatures that I knew I had to watch it immediately.

One of the things that drew me in initially were some of the cast members. I knew most of them: Debby Ryan from Suite Life on Deck, Alfie Allen of Game of Thrones fame, rising star Sydney Sweeney and Megan Fox, who I hadn’t seen around for awhile. While I was disappointed not to have as much of some characters as I would have liked, I have to say that I thought Benny made a great protagonist. He was your average every day college guy just looking to make his way in the world. I also really liked seeing his relationship with his Abuela (Marlene Forte) because it added a humanized element to the otherwise supernatural atmosphere. Despite having seen Jorge Lendeborg Jr. in films before, this was the first time I actually paid attention to him.

I also enjoyed the bits and pieces that were added to enrich the legend of vampires. There were some pieces of information that we knew already (staking the heart, can’t stay out in the sun etc.) however, I appreciated the extra details that gave the story a more modern take. I also thought the war between the humans and the vampires was interesting. I just wish we could have learned more about it.

Unfortunately that’s where the excitement ended for me. Maybe I had too high expectations, I’m not sure. But Night Teeth didn’t pan out exactly the way I had anticipated it would. It had some really great ideas, a pretty good cast and yet I was left wanting more. Some of the time I felt like some scenes were dragged out while others I wanted more. It all just fell a bit flat for me at the end of the day.

Rating: ♥♥

Dune

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Based on the book series of the same name, Dune follows the story of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a gifted young man who must fulfill his destiny. To make this happen, he must travel to a dangerous planet to secure the life of his family and his people. His journey, however, will not be an easy one as multiple forces hunt for a supply of a unique and special resource that will change the universe forever.

Let’s get this out of the way: I am not a fan of science fiction. Most of the time I end up confused and missing out on half of the story because they are way too intricate for me to comprehend. So, my expectations for this movie weren’t very high. Here I was thinking I would be spending the entire time struggling to keep up. I can gladly say that the opposite happened though and I ended up completely entranced in the story. While it took some time for things to get going, once it did, I was fully immersed and could barely turn my eyes away from the screen.

With such a stacked cast, it was impossible for me not to enjoy the various performances. While I was initially interested in seeing Zendaya and Jason Mamoa, even I have to admit that I wasn’t as bothered by Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Paul. He’s not usually a favorite of mine. Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Dave Bautista and Stellan Skarsgård were all flawless in their roles. Rebecca Ferguson’s role as Lady Jessica was the standout however. She stole every scene she was in.

I think the most impressive part of the film was the world building and the sets. I don’t think I had seen anything quite like it before and I couldn’t get over how realistic it all looked. That is something that I admire most about this genre and Dune was no exception. I felt immediately transported to those places which I greatly appreciated. Additionally, the musical score was beautifully haunting and fit perfectly. Hans Zimmer is a genius. I had chills multiple times throughout.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Dune. It was very well done and I can say that it is worth the hype it has been receiving. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

No Time To Die

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The long awaited next instalment of the James Bond franchise is finally here! No Time To Die picks up right after the events of Spectre. Bond (Daniel Craig) has left active service for a quieter life in Jamaica. However, he is slowly enticed back when old friend Felix (Jeffrey Wright) turns up asking for help. Bond’s mission to save a kidnapped scientist soon leads to something much more complicated especially as villain, Lyutsifer Safin (Rami Malek), with dangerous new technology makes himself known.

I probably should have watched Spectre before checking out this one. For the life of me, I cannot remember anything about it. So, while it took me awhile to gather my bearings, I have to say that I loved every minute this new film. It kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through and despite the two hour and forty minute run time, the events flowed nicely. The fight sequences were top notch and I found it difficult to catch my breath before something else happened.

I was stoked to see some new blood in the Bond universe. Ana De Armas’ Paloma as well as Lashana Lynch’s Nomi were very enjoyable additions that I hope we get more of going forward. I have always loved Q (Ben Whishaw) as he provides some much needed comic relief in otherwise serious situations. My memory of Madeleine (Léa Seydoux) wasn’t strong, but I liked her as Bond’s love interest. And of course there is Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) and M (Ralph Fiennes) who the movie wouldn’t have been complete without. I only wish Rami Malek’s villain had had more of an impact for me. He didn’t seem as menacing as some of the previous bad guys.

No Time To Die was a movie that I had been looking forward to, but was wary of. I just wanted it to live up to my expectations. I definitely think it was a proper send off for Daniel Craig and that is all that I really wanted. He is the one who got me into the James Bond movies to begin with – I remember the first time I watched Casino Royale and how it totally changed my life. I will miss him a lot, but I look forward to seeing who the role will go to next.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥.5

Venom: Let There Be Carnage

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Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and Venom are back in the sequel to 2018’s Venom. This time around, Brock is trying to adjust to life as host to Venom, an alien species which gives him super human abilities, while attempting to get his career back on track. His best bet? Interviewing infamous serial killer Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson) before he is sentenced to death. But when an altercation breaks out between the two men, Kasady becomes the host to Carnage and breaks out of prison. Now it is up to Brock, with the help of ex-fiancee Anne (Michelle Williams) and her new beau Dan (Reid Scott) to save the world from Carnage before it’s too late.

I remember really liking the first Venom movie! It was funny, unique and different. I never understood why it was so underrated or why it wasn’t a part of the MCU (I still don’t. Anybody care to fill me in?) So when news broke about the sequel, I was thrilled. I couldn’t wait to see what shenanigans Brock and Venom found themselves in this time around.

The plot this time around seemed a lot tighter and to the point which I appreciated. I think it helped that the film was a bit on the shorter side because it didn’t allow for much room to go off course. Sometimes I complain that superhero movies are too long, so this was perfect for me! Because everything happened rather quickly, there was no time to waste and I was constantly engaged.

Brock and Venom’s back and forth banter were hilarious and I couldn’t stop laughing. It was also nice to see Brock becoming more familiar with having Venom around. Having Woody Harrelson as the villain was pretty interesting. I’m not used to seeing him in a role like that and I think he did a great job. Similarly, Naomie Harris who played Kasady’s girlfriend Francis added another bad guy into the mix.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage was an utter delight. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and didn’t want it to end. It looks like they’ve set things up nicely for the story to go forward so fingers crossed we get more of our favorite duo sooner rather than later.

Rating:  ♥♥♥♥

Dear Evan Hansen

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Evan Hansen (Ben Platt) is a high school senior with a severe social-anxiety disorder. As an assignment from his therapist, Evan is required to write letters to himself. But when his latest one lands into the hands of Connor (Colton Ryan), Evan’s life unravels, especially when he learns that Connor has taken his own life a few days later. What follows is a journey of self discovery as Evan is finally accepted by those around him, allowing him to live out the life he always wanted.

To say I was looking forward to this movie was an understatement. I think this was probably THE most anticipated movie I had on my list this year. Based on the Tony Award winning musical of the same name, I was thrilled to finally have the chance to check it out for myself as I never got around to seeing the stage adaption. I can’t lie though, as soon as the critics started coming in for it, I got scared. It was…not what I had expected. Still, I went into the film with an open mind and hoped for the best.

It has been hard putting my thoughts down on paper. The story is certainly polarizing and hard to make sense of sometimes. It’s not black and white at all. Despite knowing the overall premise, there were a lot of details that were brand new to me, though I have to say that the actual plot was nothing groundbreaking or exciting. If anything, it was decent at best and at times it even dragged a bit.

I was hoping the soundtrack would be a smash. Even before seeing it, I had You Will Be Found on repeat and couldn’t wait to watch that scene unfold. One thing is for sure: Ben Platt has the voice of an angel. I have always thought so and okay, he doesn’t look at all like a high school student, but I am glad that we had him for the sake of these songs. He was the standout, everyone else’s singing chops weren’t as good as I was expecting.

The rest of the cast were fine. I like Kaitlyn Dever, but I didn’t think she had any chemistry with Ben. Their scenes together felt hollow and like they were missing something. Julianne Moore and Amy Adams, two household names who are usually amazing in everything they do, were just after thoughts. I particularly wish we had had more with Amy Adams because at least we know she can sing (thank you Enchanted). Out of them all, Nik Dodani was the breakout star. He brought some laughs which was appreciated.

I feel like the movie really wanted to do its best to raise awareness for mental health. It’s such an important topic, one that is still not talked about as freely as it should be and as somebody who struggles with depression and anxiety, I was curious to see how this would be done. While at times they exceeded in this, I felt like it could have been explored and fleshed out even more than it was. Some aspects were dealt with at a surface level or open ended which was just not enough. That being said, I still sat there in tears while the credits rolled because some of it had touched me.

Yes, Dear Evan Hansen has probably become one of the most talked about films of the year. It hit many marks and wasn’t what people were expecting. But I don’t think that should deter anybody from watching it. I hyped it up so much and felt a bit disappointed with the turn out, but I also didn’t hate it. Everyone should give it a go and decide what they think about it themselves.

Rating: ♥♥♥

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

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Tammy Faye Bakker (Jessica Chastain) was a singer, author, talkshow host and evangelist. When Tammy got together with her husband Jim (Andrew Garfield) and realized they had the same beliefs, they decided to go on the road to share them with others. Over the years, they created the world’s largest religious broadcasting network and a theme park. Tammy and Jim were beloved by many because of their endless messages of support and acceptance. Unfortunately for them, financial issues, rivals and scandals threatened everything that Tammy and Jim worked so hard to create for themselves proving that it is not easy staying on top.

I had only ever heard about the famous Tammy Faye while watching Drag Race so to say that I went into this movie blind would be an understatement. I think this helped enhance my experience though and I was completely intrigued the whole way through.

One of the things I liked the most was how the audience was transported back in time to see how Tammy got her start as an evangelist. This gave me the opportunity to learn about her story right from the beginning and to see how it developed over time. While I cannot say for certain just how close this adaption is, it gave me just the right amount of information I needed to enjoy the movie.

Something that I couldn’t get over at all was the phenomenal performance by Jessica Chastain. I never gravitated to her films in the past, but I think that may change now. She really did take my breath away. I almost didn’t even recognize her half of the time – the transformation that her character went through over time was amazing to see. I also really enjoyed her chemistry with Andrew Garfield. The two were great together on screen.

Despite waffling over whether or not The Eyes of Tammy Faye would really be something for me, I am happy that I went with my gut and saw it. I was enthralled the whole way through and walked out of the cinema feeling satisfied.

Rating: ♥♥♥