Tag: MovieBlog

Gunpowder Milkshake

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Sam (Karen Gillan)is a dangerous assassin who has made quite a name for herself since starting out. When a mission goes wrong and she is forced to protect eight year old Emily (Chloe Coleman), Sam turns to her mother Scarlet (Lena Headey) for help. Together with Scarlet’s associates Madeleine (Carla Gugino), Florence (Michelle Yeoh) and Anna May (Angela Bassett), they must take down The Firm for good.

I had been really looking forward to Gunpowder Milkshake. A badass cast of women kicking butt and taking names? Yes please! It sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, I did find the plot to be a bit on the weak side. Some things didn’t make sense and I would often lose track of what was happening.

That being said, there were still plenty of great aspects. I already mentioned the cast, but they really were fabulous. I could have watched them interact for hours because their chemistry was so impressive. In fact, I would totally be on board for a sequel if they ever decided to make one. That is how much I loved them all.

I thought the effects were amazing and the style in which the film was shot was very cool and different. The music was on point and the fight sequences rocked.

Overall, Gunpowder Milkshake is a fun film that radiates girl power and there is certainly nothing wrong with that! I just wish it had packed a bit more of a punch for me.

Rating: ♥♥♥

Fear Street Part 2: 1978

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Following the events of 1994, Deena (Kiana Madeira) and Josh (Benjamin Flores Jr.) track down Christine Berman (Gillian Jacobs), a woman who survived a series of murders back in 1978. Christine, who went by Ziggy (Sadie Sink) back then tells the story of the summer she spent at Camp Nightwing. What started as a seemingly normal time turned deadly when a fellow camp goer becomes possessed by the witch’s curse. Ziggy must put aside her differences with sister Cindy (Emily Rudd) in order to reverse the curse before it’s too late.

Just when I thought I couldn’t like Fear Street more, the second instalment came along. I thought this was much better than the first one. So many things worked and I was completely transfixed the whole way through. By now the story has found its footing and all bets are off. The twists were brilliant and there is something about the camp setting that is so perfectly spooky. I couldn’t get enough of it to be honest.

The characters this time around were more interesting. I liked learning about the dynamics of Ziggy and Cindy’s relationship. There was also Cindy’s boyfriend Tommy (McCabe Slye) and former friend Alice (Ryan Simpkins) who added something extra to the story. I felt like I cared more about everybody this time around which was great. I also appreciated learning more about the feud between Shadyshide and Sunnyvale. It seems like this is going to play an integral role in bringing each movie together and I can’t wait to see how.

Once again, the music was fabulous and really went well with the times. Soundtracks are so important in capturing pivotal cinematic moments and Fear Street has really exceeded here.

I am already very excited for the third and final movie taking place in 1666. I think this one will scare me the most, but I’m ready for it! It will be awesome to see how everything comes to a close.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Black Widow

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The long awaited return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is finally here! After its release was delayed for over a year, Black Widow landed in movie theatres and on premium Disney + this week. The story follows Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) after the events of Captain America: Civil War. When a conspiracy arises with ties to her past, Natasha must dig up the parts of her life that she had hoped to keep buried forever. Not only does she need to deal with her history of being a spy, but she must also find the family that she thought she left behind.

I’ll come right out and say that Black Widow was never my favorite Avenger. Perhaps a large reason for that is because I’m not a fan of Scarlett Johansson. Still, this movie was much needed to put together pieces of the puzzle. It was important to know where Natasha had come from, though I must say that there wasn’t much in regards to her backstory. I thought we would see more about her start as a spy and her life before she became an Avenger, but that was skipped over.

In true Marvel fashion, the sets and special effects were on point. I feel like they always go above and beyond and this was no exception. Maybe it was also because it had been so long since we last had a movie in this franchise that made it seem more spectacular. In a way, it almost felt wrong not watching it in a cinema.

My favorite part of the whole thing was meeting Nat’s family. Alexei (David Harbour) and Melina (Rachel Weisz) as her parents were so dead on. It was awesome to have both of them join this fandom. However, I do believe that Florence Pugh as Yelena stole the show. She shone in every single one of her scenes and brought some much needed comedic relief. I cannot wait to see more of her in this role as the saga progresses.

While I did enjoy the film, I wasn’t too keen on the villain. To me, he didn’t seem fleshed out enough and I know that Marvel has had more intense bad guys. Also, I tend to get confused during these films because of their small and intricate details. I’m more of a straight forward kinda gal and found myself getting lost during the course of the story. That being said, I am looking forward to seeing how this has set the tone for future instalments and I am happy that Marvel is back!

Rating: ♥♥♥.5

Fear Street Part 1: 1994

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Welcome to Shadyside. Legend has it that a curse has shadowed the town for centuries. When a circle of friends accidentally stumble across the grave site of the witch responsible for said curse, a series of murders begins. As it turns out, this is not the first time something like this has happened either. It is up to the teenagers to do whatever they can to stop the forces of evil while facing their fears in the process.

First things first, I am not a fan of horror. It is not a genre that I usually gravitate towards. Jump scares, in particular, are too much for me to handle. But I don’t mind a bit of gore. When I heard about the premise of this trilogy, I was intrigued. I never read the books, but I am familiar with R.L. Stine’s work. I had a feeling that this was the type of horror I could take, even if it meant I would watch some of it hiding behind a pillow.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. It was very entertaining and I was kept on the edge of my seat the entire time. I liked how the energy was turned on high and just when you thought you knew the direction in which things were going, you had to think again!

Another aspect that I appreciated was the 90s setting. As someone who grew up during that time period, it made me feel nostalgic to see the cassette tapes, fashion and those retro TVs. I also loved the music choices that were made throughout. I felt like I had stepped into a time machine.

Unfortunately the main character just didn’t do it for me. Deena (Kiana Madeira) came off as whiny and annoying. I found it difficult to root for her at times. Everyone else was cast well though. I particularly enjoyed Deena’s brother Josh (Benjamin Flores Jr.) who was the horror know it all and Deena’s girlfriend Sam (Olivia Welch).

I also thought that there were a couple of unanswered plot points by the end of this film. I understand that this is the first instalment of three so I am hoping that these questions will be tackled down the line.

As far as horror goes, Fear Street Part 1: 1994 was a wild ride that I did not want to get off from. I am very excited to see what 1978 has in store. Bring on the scares.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Good On Paper

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Andrea (Iliza Shlesinger) is a comedian who has always put her career above everything else. When she meets Dennis (Ryan Hansen) on a plane, he honestly seems like the perfect guy. He’s smart, he’s nice and respectful, he’s funny and he’s successful. He might just be too good to be true. Andrea can’t help but wonder – do guys like this really exist?

I liked this. It was funny and had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions. It wasn’t your typical rom-com either which I appreciated. I swear I’ve seen them all and nothing surprises me anymore so I am glad that this wasn’t entirely predictable. I didn’t know much about the story going in either which certainly helped in my overall enjoyment. There were various moments where I was caught off guard and that is always a good sign.

I hadn’t seen Iliza Shlesinger in anything before, but I thought she did a great job as the lead protagonist. I liked how relatable she was and her comedic stylings really shone through. As a Veronica Mars fan, I am familiar with Ryan Hansen’s work and have always rooted for him. It was nice seeing him in something new again and I hope that that will only continue more in the future. My favorite though was Margaret Cho. Her portrayal as Andrea’s best friend Margot was absolutely hilarious and she stole every scene she was in.

While I enjoyed Good On Paper, it wasn’t groundbreaking or anything amazing. It was, however, perfect to watch on a Friday night while eating some Chinese take out and sometimes that’s more than enough.

Rating: ♥♥♥

Luca

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In a quaint seaside town on the Italian Riviera, a sea monster named Luca (Jacob Tremblay) is about to have the summer of his life. When he meets Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer), a human boy, he is suddenly immersed into a world above the surface. Gelato, pasta and dreams of owning their own vespa, Luca and Alberto team up with local girl Giulia (Emma Berman) to compete in the annual race, but they must be careful not to spill their secret along the way.

Pixar’s latest film Luca is a lot more modest and gentle than some of its predecessors. They usually go above and beyond to up the anti every time, so having a simple story about friendship was different and refreshing to see. Luca and Alberto’s relationship quickly comes at the forefront of the movie and it is touching to watch it blossom. That is something that Pixar always manages to do. They really tug on your heartstrings and this was no exception.

With Jacob Tremblay as Luca and Jack Dylan Grazer as Alberto, the two did a wonderful job as the leads. They really managed to bring to life the friendship between both boys and I have to say that I could watch their interactions for ages and not get bored. Emma Berman is a great addition as Giulia. Maya Rudolph as Luca’s mom Daniela and Jim Gaffigan as Luca’s dad Lorenzo definitely added some humor as well. There was even a cameo from Sacha Baron Cohen!

Unfortunately there were some parts of the film that I did not enjoy. The ‘villain’ of the story, Ercole Visconti played by Saverio Raimondo was quite annoying. I also wasn’t really sure what purpose he served and couldn’t decide if he added anything to the plot. I also have to mention the fact that the overall storyline was not exactly original. I got serious Little Mermaid vibes the whole way through and wanted to break out singing Part Of Your World.

At the end of the day, Luca is one of the summer’s not to be missed films. It is still very enjoyable and great escapism, but it doesn’t stand out from the crowd either.

Rating: ♥♥♥.5

In The Heights

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Washington Heights, New York City. A vibrant community of individuals from all walks of life who have known each other for forever. Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), a bodega owner, saves whatever he can in hopes of a better life back in the Dominican Republic.

The storyline of In The Heights may not give a lot away, but trust me when I say that you NEED to watch this movie. It is the standout of the summer and I guarantee that it will put a giant smile on your face. Based on the stage musical by mastermind Lin Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame, the movie is a colorful array of catchy songs, breathtaking cinematography, a blast of culture and an amazing ensemble cast.

Anthony Ramos helms the troupe as protagonist Usnavi. His charisma, good looks and beautiful voice make him easy to root for throughout. Well knowns Jimmy Smits as Kevin Rosario, Olga Merediz as Abuela Claudia, Daphne Rubin-Vega as Daniela and Stephanie Beatriz as Carla are a joy to watch. Then there are the newcomers who perfectly round out the cast: Melissa Barrera as Vanessa, Leslie Grace as Nina Rosario, Corey Hawkins as Benny and my personal favorite Gregory Diaz IV as Sonny. He stole every single scene he was in!

And of course, who could forget Lin Manuel Miranda himself as Piraguero? His little cameos were everything.

I’ll be completely honest when I say that I was worried this wouldn’t live up to the hype, or to my expectations. I have become such a fan of Miranda in just one year and I was worried that this just wouldn’t compare to Hamilton. Luckily I soon realized that that wasn’t the case. The two are polar opposites in their plot, but there are similarities in the music styles that I appreciated.

In The Heights really was everything that I hoped it would be and more. It was lively, it was fun, it was emotional and it was heartwarming. It had everything you could want from a movie and yes, I did cry. If you haven’t seen it yet, you are seriously missing out!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Plan B

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Sunny (Kuhoo Verma) and Lupe (Victoria Moroles) are best friends who couldn’t be more opposite from each other. Sunny is a straight-laced Indian girl who was brought up to do everything by the book, whereas Lupe is a complete slacker and does all that she can to defy her father and their Hispanic roots. After a regrettable first sexual encounter at a party, the two embark on the journey of a lifetime in order to track down the Plan B pill.

I actually hadn’t heard much about this movie. It didn’t seem like it was very well advertised which is unfortunate. Although I didn’t know much about it at first, I really did find it enjoyable. While the genre is a bit muddled between being a comedy, a drama and a coming of age story, I felt like it was still captivating to watch and I constantly wanted to know what was going to happen next!

What made it so relatable for me was the friendship between Sunny and Lupe. Their chemistry was perfectly balanced and it really was a joy to watch them go on this journey together. You always have this one friend who is your ride or die, who you would literally do anything for and it was lovely to see this portrayed on screen. Without the two of them, I do believe that the film wouldn’t have been the same. I also loved how two women of color were at the forefront here. That was very refreshing to see.

Unfortunately what didn’t work for me aside from the confused genres, was the fact that it wasn’t all neatly tied up with a bow in the end. I would have liked for some more answers to give me peace of mind. Not to mention the fact that it had a very similar storyline to last year’s Unpregnant. I couldn’t help but compare the two while I was watching.

Still, Plan B is a cute movie with strong female leads and that was enough for me. I recommend it if you are looking for something fun and light-hearted to watch!

Rating: ♥♥♥.5

Cruella

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Estella (Emma Stone) has always dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. A grifter, she meets Jasper (Joel Fry) and Horace (Paul Walter Hauser) and the three of them build a life for themselves on the streets of London. When Estella lands a job working for Baroness von Hellman (Emma Thompson), she believes that she has finally made it. Unfortunately for her, the Baroness is not who Estella was hoping she would be and desire to rivel the Baroness grows. Before she knows it, Estella is no more and Cruella has taken her place.

The newest addition to Disney’s live action remakes, Cruella has been taking the world by storm. A lot of build up and anticipation for fans of the original classic, I have to say that this was a solid movie at the end of the day. It wasn’t perfect, but it definitely is one of the better films Disney has put out lately.

One of the things that worked best was the cast. They were all phenomenal and that says a lot because I wasn’t sure what to think of Emma Stone at first. I love her, but the idea of her as Cruella didn’t seem to fit. She proved me wrong though and I am so happy about that. Emma Thompson is a queen and she was fabulous in this. Paul Walter Hauser and Joel Fry were exactly how I pictured Horace and Jasper to be and the additions of Mark Strong as John, Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Anita and Kayvan Novak as Roger were also well done.

I cannot get over the beautiful costumes that were created for this movie. Heavily influenced by punk rock, it was different and edgy. I coveted all the looks! I also appreciated the music choices and thought that they fit well into the various scenes.

The only thing that I didn’t like was the length of the film. It felt too long and could have certainly been cut down a bit, especially in the beginning. The story took some time to really lift off though I have to admit that once it did, it didn’t let up for a second.

Cruella was a movie that I had been looking forward to ever since it was announced. I remember loving 101 Dalmatians as a child and so I was excited to see the origin story for its villain. I’m really glad that it delivered. It kept me thoroughly entertained and yes, I am hoping for a sequel.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Army of the Dead

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After a zombie outbreak occurs in Las Vegas, a mismatched group of people are recruited to pull off the greatest heist ever. They must walk into the quarantine zone to retrieve money from a vault underneath one of the casinos. Putting their lives at risk, no matter what, is no problem when the payout is sure to be worth it.

Zack Snyder really has done it again. I don’t know where the man comes up with all these epic movie ideas, but he is a visionary. This was unlike anything I had ever seen before in the best way possible. There was not one dull moment starting right from the get go. That opening sequence alone helped set the tone and was completely captivating. The film didn’t let up afterwards and I was kept on the edge of my seat the whole time. I also caught myself constantly screaming at my TV when something crazy happened.

I must give a special shoutout to the incredible cast that helmed this movie. Each played their role so flawlessly and the chemistry between them was off the charts. I couldn’t have imagined a better group. Dave Bautista, in particular, was able to show off more of his range as Scott Ward. I also thoroughly enjoyed the characters of Vanderohe (Omari Hardwick), Dieter (Matthias Schweighofer) and Mikey Guzman (Raul Castillo).

To be honest, I’m not sure why I liked Army of the Dead so much. It’s not usually my cup of tea, however, there was just something about it that was so intriguing to me. It was fun, entertaining and pure escapism. That is truly what we all need these days.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥