Tag: MovieReview

Masters of the Universe

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Based on the film, TV show and toy line from Mattel of the same name, Masters of the Universe has been totally revamped and is ready to enter the twenty first century. When his kingdom of Eternia is taken over by the evil Skeletor (Jared Leto), Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) is sent to Earth for his protection. Despite dealing with normal every day life as a human, Adam has never forgotten who he is. In order to save his kingdom, Adam must retrieve the Sword of Power. Only then can he return to Eternia and claim his rightful title as He-Man.

I was not the demographic for this franchise growing up. Though it came out a few years before I was born, it wasn’t ever anything I got invested in later on. I actually didn’t know much about the story or the lore beforehand. All I knew was that it had somewhat of a reputation for being corny and kind of terrible. Enter director Travis Knight. Having prior experience with adapting a toy line to a film series, he seemed like the perfect choice for a reboot. And boy did he knock it out of the park!

It’s been a hot minute since I was genuinely excited for a superhero/fantasy film. Marvel has been lacking and DC is still trying to find its footing after they decided to rework everything. This first foray back into the world of Eternia and these characters was such an enjoyable ride. As someone who didn’t know anything about it going in, I appreciated the origin story before diving into the main conflict. It helped set the scene, but it didn’t overstay its welcome and from there on out it progressed at a solid pace. I was just so intrigued with what was unfolding on screen in front of me.

Galitzine smashed it as Prince Adam. I’ve seen him play awkward before and he does it so well. I liked the juxtaposition between him as a very human individual and then seeing his transformation into the hero we grow to love. It was smart to have him not all of a sudden be the perfect fighter either, but instead hone his craft over time. His team consisted of a colorful variety of characters. Camila Mendes starred as Teela, Adam’s childhood friend and potential love interest. I thought she was so kick ass in this role and I was obsessed with her hair and eye color. Idris Elba portrayed Duncan, Teela’s father and a long time mentor of Adam’s. We’ve seen the down on their luck drunk bit before, but he did it well enough. I was still glad when he snapped himself out of it and got his mojo back. Kristen Wiig lended her voice talents to Roboto. She had some great one liners, however her character wasn’t featured as much as she could have been. Another character who could have been given more of a limelight was Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn. I was excited when I heard she was in the cast, but I didn’t understand the purpose she brought. She was just kind of there lingering in the background. Leto was hands down the scene stealer as Skeletor. Say what you will about him as a person, he gave it his absolute all. I don’t think I have ever seen such a well rounded villain before. He was menacing yet hilarious and I was vibing with everything he was doing.

What I liked the most about Masters of the Universe is the fact that it didn’t take itself too seriously. It was knew what it wanted to do and it achieved that. It leaned into the camp and silliness and while not all of the jokes worked, most of them did. I thought the casting choices were spot on and the world of Eternia and its surroundings was so well thought out and beautifully constructed. There is so much more to tell so I really hope we get a sequel.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Power Ballad

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Rick Power (Paul Rudd) gave up his budding rock star career when he met his wife Rachel (Marcella Plunkett) and had their daughter Aja (Beth Fallon). Now he works as a wedding singer. On one particular occasion he meets former boy band turned solo singer Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas) and the two bond during a late night jamming session. Six months later, Rick learns that Danny has turned one of his songs into the hit that saved his career and he didn’t receive any credit for it. Thus ensues a tumultuous journey where Rick will do whatever he can to get the recognition he knows he deserves.

You know sometimes when you see a trailer so many times it starts to grate on your nerves? That is what happened with Power Ballad. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to see it in the first place and then it literally played before every single film I watched between January and now. It truly seemed as if the entire storyline was featured in that two minute commercial and there would be no reason for me to see it for myself. Boy was I wrong.

I should have known this was going to be a hit for me. Director John Carney was the man behind Begin Again which just so happens to be one of my favorite films of all time. I put it on whenever I need cheering up and Lost Stars is such a perfect song. When I realized that this was the same person, I was won over. Despite the unfortunate circumstances that take place in the film, it is overall a heartwarming story that really resonated with me.

Rudd and Jonas were perfect as Rick and Danny. That sequence of them shooting the shit and writing music together was so fun to watch. They had such an easy dynamic going and even though things turned sour between them, you could tell that they each had their reasons and they still had some respect for one another. Another standout from the cast were Rick’s wedding band members. Sandy in particular, portrayed by Peter McDonald, was super as Rick’s best friend. I really liked their ride or die relationship.

The original songs were A+. We all know that Jonas can sing and he more than delivers here. Though Rudd had some help with his vocal work, I was still bopping along whenever he took the mike. How To Write A Song (Without You) has been stuck in my head ever since. I absolutely loved it.

I went into Power Ballad thinking it would be one thing and I came out having experienced something the complete opposite. It was that same feeling I had after watching Begin Again for the first time. Exploring themes of friendship, the price of ambition and self-respect, it is a film that I will be watching again and again for the years to come.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5

Tuner

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Niki White (Leo Woodall) is a piano tuner who works with family friend Harry (Dustin Hoffman). Suffering from hyperacusis, Niki has to wear headphones at all times to live normally, though this does mean that he can find just the right pitch. Learning that he has a knack for cracking safes, he unexpectedly gets swept up into a life of crime. He keeps telling himself it’s to help clear Harry’s medical debts, but when he gets in too deep, it starts to affect his personal life.

Thrillers are meant to excite. They build the tension and keep the audience engaged throughout. For me, it’s usually about the pay off. It needs to have all been worth it. Tuner approached things differently. It started off in a simple yet effective way. While it took its time to set the scene, it never dragged. I appreciated them setting the tone as it allowed us to get to know these characters and learn of what was to come.

Woodall first got his big break starring in season two of The White Lotus. After delivering a memorable performance there, he went on to act in Netflix’s devastating One Day and he was also one of Bridget Jones’s suitors in the latest film of the franchise. Now he helms his first feature film and he does so expertly. There is just something so natural and charismatic about him. The way in which he approached this role was so interesting and I truly believe we will be seeing a lot more of him in the years to come. Hoffman provided much of the comic relief. An older gentleman not quite ready to admit that he needs to slow down, he and Woodall worked so well off of each other. They really did have a father/son relationship going on which was lovely to see. Tovah Feldshuh, who portrayed Harry’s devoted wife Marla, was a wonderful addition to the cast who came across as a mother figure to Niki. There is also a romantic subplot featuring Havana Rose Liu as Ruthie, an accomplished pianist. The relationship that forms between Ruthie and Niki is endearing and adds a level of lightness that is needed amongst the drama. And then there is Lior Raz, the man who Niki becomes entwined with, who is every bit of a villain as you would expect.

One of the most unique aspects of the film was the editing and sound design. I don’t think I had seen them portrayed in this way before. Not only did they elevate the story, but they kept me hooked. I loved how we got to hear the sounds and vibrations from Niki’s perspective. We were able to put ourselves in his shoes and really feel for him as a result. As the story ramped up and the twists revealed themselves, this became so much more important.

At the end of the day, Tuner definitely exceeded my expectations. It delivered a heartfelt and well crafted story with strong technical execution and brilliant performances. I recommend checking it out!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Finding Emily

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When Owen (Spike Fearn) meets Emily (Sadie Soverall) while on shift at one of the many university bars in Manchester, he believes he has found his dream girl. Realizing she gave him the wrong phone number, he sets out on the impossible task of finding her. But there are many Emilys who go to the same university and he has no idea how he’ll track her down. Enter Emily (Angourie Rice), an American psych major, who is writing her thesis on how love makes people do crazy things. She volunteers to help him thinking he’ll be a great addition to her case studies. Grateful for her act of kindness, Owen accepts, though he has no idea of her true intentions.

From the team behind Bridget Jones’s Diary and Love Actually, I knew from the very first time I saw the trailer that I needed to watch this movie. Romcoms are few and far between these days which is something I can never understand because they just make you feel so good. I’m pleased to report that this film exceeded my expectations in more ways than one. I loved everything about it!

Rice more than delivers as the titular Emily. While her character may be a morally grey one, she plays it well. The choices she makes are questionable at the best of times, but I have to admit that I understood where she was coming from. She stuck to her guns and knew when to admit she was wrong which I appreciated. Fearn was utterly charming as our unlikely Romeo. He wears his heart on his sleeve and will stop at nothing for love. This may not have always worked in his favor, but his gumption made it all worth it. Together their chemistry was real and genuine – it popped off the screen right from the first moment they met.

Though the film was initially supposed to be set in Los Angeles, I am glad that it was moved to Manchester. The north England vibes just added so much to the story. From the sprawling university grounds, to the student bars, and the local shops, I felt like I was transported to this time and place. The soundtrack was also filled with some brilliant bops that perfectly captured what was transpiring on screen.

The romance was spot on and the comedy delivered in spades. But the film also focused on consent in romantic relationships which is so important. We all know that Owen didn’t mean any harm when he set out to find Emily, but not everybody agreed with the choices he made. The way in which this was depicted was smart and topical. I’m glad they included it. I also did not expect the film to be so heartfelt. It dealt with some pretty serious themes such as grief, loss and rejection that were well handled too.

Finding Emily was probably the biggest surprise of the year for me so far. I had a feeling I would enjoy it, I just didn’t know how much. It left me smiling and feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. An instant classic for sure!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Forbidden Fruits

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Apple (Lili Reinhart) works at Free Eden with her friends Cherry (Victoria Pedretti) and Fig (Alexandra Shipp). She also runs a secret witch cult in the basement of the mall store after hours. When new girl Pumpkin (Lola Tung) joins the group, the dynamic between the friends changes.

If Mean Girls, Heathers and The Craft had a baby it would be Forbidden Fruits. From the moment I heard about it, I knew I had to add it to my list. It was right up my alley and the cast was banging. Unfortunately it never hit UK cinemas, but luckily I was able to catching it on digital. While it wasn’t as flawless as I had hoped it would be, there was still a lot to enjoy.

As I previously mentioned, the cast was stacked. Reinhart, Pedretti, Shipp and Tung each delivered a unique performance. Each character stood out for one reason or another though I have to say that Reinhart and Pedretti were the main scene stealers. Reinhart was a total badass as the leader of the pack; she had a darkness to her that was peeled away over time and I loved discovering more. Pedretti, on the other hand, was the total opposite. Coquettish and naive, everything from her line delivery to her mannerisms was genius.

The film was so aesthetically pleasing. From the bright bursts of color in the mall, to the eclectic outfits, it was an overload to the senses in the best way possible. The dialogue was snappy and smart. It leaned heavily into a blend of millennial and Gen Z cultural references that worked effortlessly. The soundtrack boasted plenty of girl power pop tunes that only heightened the whole experience.

Ultimately this was a solid portrayal of toxic female friendships. In a world that seems like paradise, it’s clear that there was something lurking in the shadows. As the cracks began to show, the cattier each girl got. The horror element blended well with the comedy and I appreciated that it didn’t try to overtake what the film was trying to say. The singular location of the mall was also a great choice as it gave that locked room feel.

Overall, Forbidden Fruits gets off to a rocky start, but when it finds its footing, it has a lot to say. It’s campy and uneven, but I still really liked it. It kept me on my toes and I honestly did not know where it was going. This will definitely be one of those films that becomes a cult classic in the years to come. It just needs to find its audience.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Remarkably Bright Creatures

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Based on the novel by Shelby Van Pelt, Remarkably Bright Creatures follows Tova (Sally Field), an elderly widow who works nights at the aquarium. She befriends an octopus named Marcellus (Alfred Molina). When Tova is unexpectedly injured and has to step back from her cleaning duties, new to town Cameron (Lewis Pullman) fills in. The two couldn’t be more opposite from each other, but they will soon find

Getting a book to screen adaption right is no easy feat. Most of the time, the film will suffer because of how impossible it is to include every detail into it. I read the book a couple of years ago and while I didn’t fall in love with it like everybody else did, I could still understand why so many were charmed by the story. Of course I couldn’t help but be curious to see how they would put it all together for the silver screen. I am so pleased to report that it was absolutely wonderful!

This would have been an entirely different film if not for the brilliant casting of Field and Pullman. Field was perfect as our protagonist. The emotional depth that she showed was mesmerizing. As we learned more about her character and the loss she went through, not only with her husband, but also her son, my heart broke for her. Pullman also delivered a nuanced performance. They complimented each other nicely and had an organic chemistry. Molina voicing Marcellus was a genius choice; his distinctive and calming voice helped set the tone. He was the perfect narrator! I mustn’t forget Colm Meaney’s character, Ethan. Fellow townsman who runs the local store, he was a wonderful addition to the group and provided some laughs.

While the premise may seem strange – an octopus using his wiles to bring together two lonely individuals – it totally and completely worked. In other films it may come off as cheesy or unrealistic. That wasn’t the case here because everything was handled with such care, it didn’t even matter. The pacing was slow yet deliberate and every moment was made with purpose.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is one of my favorite films of the year so far. A beautiful story about grief, loneliness and the unexpected ways that people find their way back to each other, it swept me up and refused to let me go. From the bright colors, to the stunning scenery, and the perfect casting choices, it felt magical. I wasn’t expecting this to impact me as much as it did, but I was left in tears. I have a feeling this one will stay with me for a long time to come.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

The Sheep Detectives

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George Hardy (Hugh Jackman) is a devoted shepherd to his flock of sheep. Aside from making sure they are fed and giving them their medicine, he reads them detective novels every night. When an unthinkable tragedy rocks the farm, the sheep realize that they must become the detectives and solve the crime.

While Jackman delivers his most wholesome performance yet. Joined by the likes Hong Chau, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitizine, Molly Gordon and Emma Thompson they were all brilliant in their roles. However, the sheep were front and center. Lily (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), Mopple (Chris O’Dowd) and Sebastian (Bryan Cranston) were the leaders of the flock who took it upon themselves to try and solve the mystery. The voice talents didn’t stop there with Brett Ronnie and Reggie (Brett Goldstein), Sir Ritchfield (Patrick Stewart), Cloud (Regina Hall) and Zora (Bella Ramsey). Each had such a distinct personality that helped set them apart from the rest. They are so real and I wanted them to succeed so badly in their quest for the truth.

The mystery element was the main selling point for me. Not only was it compelling, but I was invested from the get go and couldn’t wait to see how it would all play out. The Agatha Christie vibes were strong – the clues were bountiful and the suspect list was small yet filled with some good options. I genuinely did not see that final twist coming which made it all the better. Paired with the quaint English countryside village, it was the perfect backdrop for the story.

I truly did not expect this film to tug at my heartstrings so much. With the themes of community and teamwork as well as found family featured, there were a couple of moments there that had me in tears. The bond between an animal and a human really can be so special and to see this depicted many times throughout was lovely. I also enjoyed seeing the sheep come together to prove they are so much more than those who have deemed them stupid.

The Sheep Detectives is a delightful film. Whether young or old, it is perfect for the whole family. If you are looking for something that will capture your heart, I recommend checking it out.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5

The Devil Wears Prada 2

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The original Devil Wears Prada is one of the most iconic films of all time. Since its release in 2006, it has become a cinematic staple. Twenty years later and we finally have a follow up. Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) is now a renowned journalist, reporting on important stories like she has always wanted to do. When she is unceremoniously laid off from her job, a chance to return to Runway, and once more working with Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) presents itself. Together with Nigel Kipling (Stanley Tucci), they join forces to combat the decline of traditional magazine publishing.

Legacy sequels are all the rage these days. Most of the time they aren’t necessary. I really thought that The Devil Wears Prada 2 would be a senseless cash grab to add to the endless pile. You could therefore imagine how pleasantly surprised I was by how much I enjoyed the film. I would have been fine without it, but since it needed to happen, I’m glad that they delivered a story that actually mattered.

This film wouldn’t have worked without the return of Hathaway, Streep and Tucci. Emily Blunt was also back as the incomparable Emily Charlton. Having the gang back together was a pure treat and they were better than ever. While they’ve grown up a bit, they were still the lovable characters we grew to love two decades ago. Miranda and Emily had some epic one liners that had me giggling throughout though obviously the tone had to shift slightly due to the changes of today’s society.

Our fearless foursome were joined by some new faces for this outing. Kenneth Branagh starred as Stuart, Miranda’s new beau, Justin Theroux and Lucy Liu were Benji and Sasha Barnes respectively, a former famous power couple, B.J. Novak was the new owner of the magazine publication while Simone Ashley starred as Miranda’s first assistant Amari and Patrick Brammall was Andy’s new love interest Peter. Although some of these supporting characters were one sided, I did appreciate their inclusion. There were also some really cool cameos that featured throughout.

One of the best parts of the film is without a doubt the beautiful clothing that is featured. The level of fashion this time around is upped to the max with so many garments that I could only ever dream of owning myself. Andy had some brilliant costumes, but I was also a big fan of Emily’s various Dior looks. Another selling point are the sprawling locations from New York City to Milan and Lake Como, I was instantly transported to each and every spot. And then there was the soundtrack which featured some banging numbers by Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga and Olivia Dean to name a few that perfectly set the scene.

But as I mentioned already, this sequel actually had something important to say. Journalism, and print journalism in particular, isn’t the same as it used to be. A lot has changed over the years and with the looming threats of artificial intelligence etc., this will only escalate more. Having this be the main storyline was a smart choice as it’s extremely topical and the way in which it was depicted was well executed.

Overall, I may have initially been on the fence for The Devil Wears Prada 2, but I actually really liked it. From the very beginning it knew was it wanted to do and I’m glad that it wasn’t trying to outdo its predecessor. Instead it managed to stand on its own feet. As much of a nostalgia trip it was to be reunited with these characters and to be able to revisit this world, I do think that this was a proper conclusion and believe it should end here.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Michael

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The long awaited biopic about Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, has finally hit the big screen. From getting his start in the Jackson 5 with his brothers, Michael (Juliano Valdi and Jaafar Jackson) was always talented. Enduring abuse from his father Joseph (Colman Domingo), he eventually broke out from under his reign. Releasing hits such as Thriller, Beat It and Billie Jean, he was catapulted to stardom and beloved by many.

It was never going to be easy to make a film about such a prominent person, but Antoine Fuqua wanted to toss his hat into the ring anyway. Having to choose which parts of Michael’s life to incorporate seemed almost impossible, especially when the latter was filled with controversy. Focusing on the height of his career instead of the darker parts was certainly a choice that will divide audiences, but with the Jackson estate being heavily involved in production, it didn’t come as much of a surprise. As this was just a snippet of time in the musician’s life, his greatest hits if you will, it did deliver what it set out to do, but it could have been better.

Both casting choices for the titular Michael were spot on. Little Juliano captured my heart from the very beginning; his performance was a combination of innocence and earnestness and he had the voice to boot. Jaafar Jackson completely embodied his uncle in every way. There were some moments where I could swear I was watching the real Michael, it was uncanny. From his speaking voice, to the mannerisms and the costumes, he had it down to a T. The rest of the cast did a good job too. Domingo gave a convincing performance as the patriarch of the Jackson family. He was an awful man and I’m glad he got what was coming to him. Nia Long was formidable as Katherine, Michael’s mother while Miles Teller starred as John Branca, an entertainment lawyer and manager who ends up working with Michael during his career.

The highlight of the film was without a doubt the musical sequences. Fans of the superstar are in for a treat as they will get to experience their favorite songs on the big screen. As a casual fan, I enjoyed seeing how the Thriller music video was made and I loved the full length performance of Bad that took place at Wembley Stadium. They pulled out all the stops to deliver performances that matched the original. I was tapping my feet and mouthing along to the words. Unfortunately the rest of it kind of fell flat. As far as biopics go, it played it safe which is fine. However, we as the audience were missing a huge chunk of the story that would have elevated it to another level. I know the plan is to potentially do a sequel, but even then one would wonder how far they are willing to go with it.

Michael was one of my most anticipated films of the year. Not for the story which I knew wouldn’t be anything to write home about, but for the high production of each musical performance. The singing and dancing were so good. People in my audience, including me and my husband, were clapping and whooping throughout. It was like attending our very own concert! While other aspects could have been better, I enjoyed it for what it was.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Roommates

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Devon (Sadie Sandler) never had friends growing up. Hoping to start fresh at college, she asks Celeste (Chloe East) to be her roommate. Celeste is everything that Devon is not: confident, cool and she doesn’t care what people think about her. But what starts as a ride or die friendship soon takes a dark turn.

I was initially on the fence about watching Roommates. It looked like your typical run of the mill Netflix comedy, not to mention it was produced by Adam Sandler and Happy Madison. However, as someone who has had their fair share of roommate drama in the past, I was curious to see what it was all about. I’m glad I did because it was better than I thought it was going to be though still not anything special.

This was actually my first time seeing Sandler act and while she wasn’t perfect, I thought she did a decent enough job as the lead. I could sympathize with her for wanting to make friends so badly she’ll do whatever it takes to fit in. I also felt for her when she started to realize that Celeste wasn’t who she thought she was. Similarly unfamiliar with East, I thought she was the standout. You could tell she was leaning into the antics and having fun during it.

The film boasts quite a colorful cast of characters and with them a great cast. Natasha Lyonne and Nick Kroll portrayed Devon’s parents Hannah and Brian. Aidan Langford starred as Alex, Devon’s brother. Carol Kane was Devon’s grandmother while Sarah Sherman was Dr. Schilling, the new dean of Walton University. Cameos by Megan Thee Stallion, Steve Buscemi and Janeane Garofalo were appreciated too. My favorites were Sarah Sherman and Megan Thee Stallion. They had some great scenes.

While I was able to relate to the roommate drama, I have to say that where the film lost me was the way in which is ended up coming together. I don’t want to spoil it and give too much away, but it did kind of fell apart in the third act. The choices seemed farfetched and like they were grasping at straws just for shock value. As a result, it took me out of the story.

Overall, Roommates was a fine film. It’s perfect for a Saturday night in. As I said before, I enjoyed it more than I thought I was going to, but ultimately it will be forgettable in the long run.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5