Tag: MovieReview

Frankenstein

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From the creative mind of Guillermo del Torro comes a new adaption of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The story follows Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac), a mad scientist, who attempts to bring people back from the dead. When he successfully gives life to a new type of creature (Jacob Elordi), nothing will never be the same again.

This film has been in the works for many years and I have to say it was well worth the wait. Coming in at two and a half hours seemed daunting at first, but every single one of those minutes is warranted. There have been quite a few versions of this story told and this one breathes new life into it while still staying true to the source material.

With del Torro saying he wanted real sets built for authenticity he truly brought his point across. Not only were they expertly crafted, they were so otherworldly that I was left speechless at times. All of a sudden it felt like I was transported into this place with its vibrant colors and cool locations. Each one just kept getting better. The beautiful set designs paired brilliantly with the costumes and the haunting score that played throughout.

The casting was spot on and the performances well done. Isaac was perfect as the titular character. You root for him at the beginning because he wants to prove himself so badly, but by the end I couldn’t help resenting him for the choices he made. Elordi, however, stole the show for me. I was so impressed with the way in which he approached his role. Not only was he unrecognizable, he also had to change his voice and mannerisms to match those of a monster. While Christoph Waltz and Mia Goth did not have a lot of screen time, they were so present every time we did see them and their character’s were just as integral to the story.

I loved the idea of splitting the film into three separate chapters. This gave the audience a chance to experience the events that were unfolding from different perspectives. You know the saying there are two sides to every story and then there’s the truth? That seemed to ring true here. Each part helped build all the important plot points and didn’t leave anything out. In most reiterations of Frankenstein, the Creation is usually depicted as an evil monster. This time around he was given some proper human qualities. I really appreciated this change and felt like it added so much more.

Overall Frankenstein really is as epic as everyone has been saying it is. From the performances, to the brilliant sets, costumes and the world building itself, it is truly a treat. Although I wish I had had the chance to see this in the cinema, I am glad that it exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait to see how it does come awards season.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Die My Love

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Grace (Jennifer Lawrence) and Jackson (Robert Pattinson) are young and in love when they move to a rural house in the middle of nowhere in Montana. After the birth of their son, Jackson goes back to work while Grace is stuck at home looking after him every day. Slowly Grace descends into madness, questioning every single she thought she knew and worrying those around her.

Directed by Lynne Ramsay, this film is a slow burn character study that uniquely portrays postpartum depression. A topic that is usually overlooked, the way in which it was approached here was unlike anything I have ever seen and I have to commend all who were involved. It was raw and intimate and gave me a lot to think about.

This is hands down Lawrence’s film. She steals every single scene she is in and gives it her absolute all. From making me laugh one minute to being concerned the next, I never knew in which direction she would take Grace. The lines are often blurred throughout – it is hard to determine exactly what is real and what is happening in Grace’s mind, but that doesn’t matter. It’s a wild ride that I never wanted to get off of and I’d be surprised if she didn’t get an Oscar if nomination for this.

Pattinson didn’t have the easiest task of selling the distressed husband, but it came across well. The choices he makes along the way aren’t the best though they can be understood to an extent due to everything that is going on at home. Sissy Spacek stars as Jackson’s mother Pam. Not only was she present for her son, she was also there for Grace whose own parents are no longer around. While she’s going through her own type of heartbreak, she still stands as a pillar of support.

The way in which the film was shot really adds to the whole dreamlike state that I felt while watching. The house served as some sort of limbo where whatever happened between the walls would just stay there while life carried on outside of it. This made it all the more isolating. I already mentioned that the pacing was slow which was necessary for the story. At times it was even repetitive, but then something crazy would happen that would snap the audience back to attention. It was kind of like whiplash, but in the best way possible.

Die My Love is not a film for everybody, but I really enjoyed it. With career best performances and stunning cinematography I was swept up into the lives of these two flawed characters from the very beginning. While I do think the runtime could have been just a bit shorter, I appreciated the daring way in which they dealt with the heavy topics and weren’t afraid to push the boundaries.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

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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

Regretting You

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Morgan Grant (Allison Williams) got pregnant just out of high school. She married her boyfriend Chris (Scott Eastwood) and together they raised their daughter Clara (Mckenna Grace). When Chris is in a fatal accident with Morgan’s sister and Clara’s aunt Jenny (Willa Fitzgerald), an unbelievable betrayal comes to light. Morgan is now forced to pick up the pieces, but she isn’t alone – best friend and Jenny’s baby daddy Jonah (Dave Franco) is in the same boat.

Based on the best selling novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover, this is the second title to be adapted for the screen. After all the background drama surrounding It Ends With Us, I was skeptical to give this one a go. That being said, I did read the book a few years back and remember enjoying it. I also had the chance to watch this at an advanced screening so how could I say no?

There are quite a few characters and I thought that the casting choices were spot on. Williams was a shoe in for Morgan; she had the cautious and overprotective parent act down pat. Morgan’s relationship with Clara was an interesting one filled with many ups and downs. Williams and Grace worked well off each other and I bought them as mother/daughter. I still can’t get over the fact that Grace is nineteen now. I remember her starring as literally every single little girl character in every movie or tv show out there not too long ago! Franco had the whole quiet and slightly nerdy type down to a tee. His character was not the typical leading man, though as the film progressed, it became clear that that is exactly who he was. While Eastwood and Fitzgerald aren’t featured as much, the scenes that they were in helped to set up the dynamic between the friend group which I appreciated as there is a lot of important backstory.

Although there are some dramatic themes throughout the film, there are some sweet romances too. Clara falls for Miller Adams (Mason Thames), the most popular boy in school. He becomes a pillar of support for her after the death of her father and aunt. I thought they did a great job depicting their relationship. It really encapsulated that first love feeling. I also loved the will they won’t they for Morgan and Jonah. He’s had feelings for her for forever and somehow ended up with her sister instead. How it all develops between them had me on the edge of my seat.

Overall, Regretting You exceeded my expectations. It had everything you could want from a romantic dramady. Complete with swoon worthy moments and some devastating ones, what it all came down to was the importance of family. As far as I recall, it was also true to the book which always gets extra points from me.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Roofman

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From director Derek Cianfrance comes a heartwarming true crime caper. Jeffrey Manchester (Channing Tatum), an army vet and struggling father, starts robbing McDonald’s to make ends meet. After escaping prison, he ends up living in a Toys R Us while he figures out what he’s going to do next. What he doesn’t expect is meeting and falling for divorced mom Leigh Wainscott (Kirsten Dunst). Suddenly his double life is on the line and it’s only a matter of time until somebody recognizes who he really is.

I had really been looking forward to this film. The fact that it was based on a true story only heightened my interest. I was ultimately expecting a cute romantic comedy mixed with some true crime, so imagine my delight when I got so much more than that.

Tatum’s performance as the titular Roofman is a career best. I had no prior information about Jeffrey Manchester and why he embarked on this life of crime. To discover that it was all to provide for his daughter just made so much sense. He was constantly feeling like he could never measure up and I think Tatum really made that clear in his delivery. Though at times I couldn’t help but feel bad for him, he was able to switch the tone at the drop of a hat by providing some hilarious moments. Dunst was solid as Leigh; I hadn’t seen her in a film in a while and she was just as great as I remembered her to be. The two shared such a charming chemistry with one another. I really loved watching their scenes and rooted for them so much.

The supporting cast were just as good. LaKeith Stanfield starred as Steve, a former army vet and friend of Jeffrey’s. He’s there for Jeffrey after the prison break though I wasn’t ever sure if we could trust him. Peter Dinklage was Mitch, the store manager of the Toys R Us where Jeffrey lived. He was not a particularly kind man, but I thought he perfectly portrayed the douchey boss. Juno Temple played Steve’s girlfriend Michelle. She didn’t have much screen time which was unfortunate because I do like her as an actress. And then there was Uzo Aduba as Eileen and Ben Mendelsohn as Pastor Ron who Jeffrey meets when he joins Leigh’s church. They were a lovable pair who seem very accepting of everybody.

I couldn’t resist the early two thousand vibes that the film boasted. From the Toys R Us store (do they even exist anymore?), to the quick blink and you’ll miss it Blockbuster and the Red Lobster sequence, I felt like I had been transported back in time. Even the way in which it was filmed gave it that retro feel which I loved.

Roofman truly surprised me. It was funny, but it was also quite emotional. It was obvious from the beginning that Jeffrey was in an impossible situation and to see how he coped with that involved many ups and downs. All he wanted was to make his family proud and I feel like even though things didn’t work out the way he wanted them to, they understood why he did what we did. I recommend checking this one out!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5

The Threesome

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Connor Blake (Jonah Hauer-King) has had a crush on Olivia Capitano (Zoey Deutch) for ages. Aside from one night where they hooked up, she’s only ever seen him as a friend. When Jenny Brooks (Ruby Cruz) is stood up at the bar where Olivia works, the three strike up a conversation. One thing leads to another and the three engage in a night of passion. It all comes crashing down around Connor when he discovers that both girls are pregnant.

My initial reasoning for wanting to check the film out was its cast. I don’t understand why Deutch isn’t on my screen more because I have always liked her as an actress. Hauer-King has been popping up more and more lately and I can’t say that I’m mad about it. I was unfamiliar with Cruz, but she impressed me. I was just expecting a cute romcom of sorts and that wasn’t exactly what I ended up getting.

The relationship between these characters was the grounding force of the film. Their chemistry was palpable and I thought that the love triangle was fell thought out. I don’t blame those for thinking that the story would warrant more explicit material, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The threesome was just the launching pad of what was otherwise going to develop into something else.

Although this was pegged as a comedy, I don’t think that that is a very fair description. Sure there were some moments, particularly in the first act or two that had me giggling. As time went on, however, the tone shifted to something more dramatic. At the core, these people were thrown into an impossible dilemma that had me wondering how they were all going to get out of it. Understandably the characters changed as time went on, but I did not like the way in which Deutch’s character was taken; she was quite unlikable by the end. I also felt like the run time could have been cut short by about twenty minutes because it did drag a bit.

I had had high hopes from The Threesome, especially after hearing many positive things about it. While it did uniquely portray such a situation, I felt like it didn’t really know what it wanted to be at the end of the day. I also felt no satisfaction with the ending and as a result did not think it was very realistic.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

The Woman in Cabin 10

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Based on the 2016 novel by Ruth Ware, The Woman in Cabin 10 follows Laura ‘Lo’ Blacklock (Keira Knightley), a journalist who has been invited on a luxury cruise for an assignment. When she sees a woman thrown overboard late one evening, she is told that no such thing happened. Despite nobody believing Lo’s claims, she does what she can to find out the truth.

Although I’ve not read the book, I was familiar with the story. I am also always up for a good whodunnit and this one seemed to tick all the boxes. While it was far from groundbreaking, I had a ton of fun with it and thought that it provided some satisfying entertainment.

Locked room mysteries are one of my favorite tropes because everything is heightened. The players cannot leave the premises and they are forced to coexist in close quarters. Having the film take place on a yacht was a smart choice because not only does it serve as a stunning backdrop, most is spent in the middle of a body of water with no sign of land for miles. This makes it feel even more isolating and therefore like something bad is about to happen.

I’ve been a fan of Knightley’s ever since I was a teenager. I’m so glad that she’s been coming back to the silver screen as of late. She carried the film on her back and was absolutely perfect as our protagonist. As Lo, she was fearless and never gave up despite everybody around her telling her she was crazy. With any thriller comes a slew of characters. Guy Pearce, David Ajala, Art Malik, Hannah Waddingham, Kaya Scodelario, Lisa Loven Kongsli and David Morrissey all portrayed obnoxiously rich people who were along for the ride. Some were featured more than others and that was one of the downsides. I wish each had their own chance to shine. I still have questions about some of these people!

Maybe I’m just not good at solving puzzles, but I didn’t see the twist coming. For that reason alone, I have to say that I had a great time watching the events unfold. There were many red herrings and just when I thought I knew what was happening, I realized how very wrong I was. I do wish the final act had been fleshed out a little bit more. It seemed rather rushed.

Overall, The Woman in Cabin 10 was a decent enough mystery that had me engaged from the get go. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but it was a great way to spend a quiet Saturday night in. I doubt I’ll remember much about it in a week’s time and that’s okay. It more than served its purpose when I needed it to.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

I Swear

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John Davidson (Scott Ellis Watson and Robert Aramayo) was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome when he was just thirteen years old. Back in the eighties, not many people knew about this condition and as a result, John was alienated from his family and friends for being different. As he grew older and learned more about himself, he was able to educate those around him.

I had a feeling that this film would tug at my heartstrings and I was not wrong. Everything about it from the casting, to the story, to the message was perfect. Every once in a while a film comes around that could change somebody’s life. I truly think that this is that film.

Both Ellis Watson and Aramayo were phenomenal as John Davidson. From seeing how it all started right up to present day was an emotional rollercoaster. Ellis Watson was nothing short of heartbreaking as a young boy unsure of what was happening in his body and feeling like a complete outcast at school. Aramayo only further showed how Tourette’s affected his adult life. He struggled to find a job and a romantic partner amongst many other standard human things.

The supporting cast were just as brilliant. Maxine Peake starred as Dottie Achenbach, the mother of one of John’s friends who ends up taking John in. She acts as his main support system. Their friendship was beautiful. For the first time in his life, John had somebody who believed in him. Peter Mullen was Tommy Trotter, a friend of the Achenbach family and the man who gives John his first job at the community centre. He gave John a chance and also served as a mentor to him. Lastly, there was Shirley Henderson who played Helen Davidson, John’s mother. She had the tough task of a mother who was scared of what her son was going through and as a result did not give him that acceptance that he desperately needed.

While many moments had me laughing out loud, there were just has many that utterly destroyed me. John Davidson went through so much and at times I found the film hard to watch. All he ever wanted was to be accepted, not only by those around him, but he needed to accept himself too. Seeing him come into his own was incredibly inspiring and it was so validating for him to have a happy ending.

I Swear is one of the best films I have seen this year. All John Davidson wanted was to be normal. He was ridiculed for his condition and because others around him simply didn’t understand. I have dealt with anxiety and depression my whole life and as a result I never really felt like I fit in either. This movie made me feel seen and I am sure that it will help others too. Having it come out on World Mental Health Day (this should really be every day, but I digress) was well planned too. I am so glad that it exists!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Maintenance Required

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Based on You’ve Got Mail and The Shop Around the Corner, Maintenance Required follows Charlie (Madelaine Petsch), who runs the mechanic shop that she inherited from her father. Together with her best friends Kam (Katy O’Brian) and Izzy (Madison Bailey) the business has become a staple in their neighborhood. When a big time car dealership moves in across the street, Charlie’s business is threatened. What she doesn’t know is that her business rival Beau (Jacob Scipio) just so happens to be the person she’s been confiding to online for months.

I really wanted to like this film. Romcoms are always a good idea and the fact that this one was a remake of one of my all time favorites certainly peaked my interest. Unfortunately it all fell apart for me rather quickly and I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. It did have potential, but that potential just never really saw the light of day.

I have been a fan of Pestch’s since her Riverdale days (Cheryl Blossom was my spirit animal). Now that the show is over and done with, I have been looking forward to seeing what she would do next. While she’s already tossed her hat into the horror genre ring, I had not yet seen her do something more contemporary and I think it really suited her. The character of Charlie is one who is one hundred percent dedicated to her job. She’s so dedicated that she lets other parts of her life take a backseat. Although she had to make some difficult choices, she always stayed true to herself. I was not familiar with Scipio prior to this role and while I thought he and Pestch had decent enough chemistry, I did not like his character one bit. I know that was the point, but I wish we had seen more of a backstory to him to garner some sort of empathy.

What I did enjoy about the film was the friendship between Charlie, Kam and Izzy. You could tell that they had each others’ backs no matter what. The way that Kim and Izzy in particular would always show up for Charlie and help find ways to keep the business going was so sweet. Everyone deserves friends like them! Their scenes together really lit up the screen; that was the true love story.

Overall, Maintenance Required was not great. It had some flickers of promise, but it never came to fruition. It had some pretty big shoes to fill and yet it just fell short. There was a magical spark that I couldn’t help feel was missing and that just made watching it through difficult.

Rating: ♥️♥️

The Lost Bus

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Based on true events, The Lost Bus tells the story of the devastating 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California. Bus driver Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey) is a down on his luck guy who recently moved home after the death of his father. He answers the evacuation call from an elementary school where twenty two students and a teacher named Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera) are stranded. With the fire raging all around them and getting worse, it is up to Kevin to get them all to safety.

I have always enjoyed a good disaster movie (The Day After Tomorrow is one of my all time favorite films ever). It’s been a hot minute since I’ve seen one so I was quite looking forward to this. I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect going into it, but I certainly didn’t think I’d get so wrapped up in this story of hope when it didn’t seem like there was any.

While I am not the biggest fan of McConaughey, I have to say that he delivered a solid performance. When every obstacle was thrown in Kevin’s way telling him to give up, he just kept going. Ferrera couldn’t have been more perfect as the teacher who tried her best to keep the kids, and herself, calm. I’ve seen some people say that they didn’t buy the camaraderie between the two main characters though I do not agree. For two people who were thrown together in such circumstances, they developed a natural respect and trust with one another that I appreciated.

The script was not perfect and I could have done with less of the broken family cliches. It took some time for the film to properly get going, but once it did, I was on the edge of my seat. I honestly felt like I was right there in the bus with them. It was so intense and it looked like real life footage was used as well which just drove him the authenticity of it more. I couldn’t fathom how they were going to get out of this predicament!

Overall The Lost Bus more than exceeded my expectations. The fact that it was based on actual events only heightened my experience while watching. McConaughey and Ferrera did a great job at bringing to life Kevin and Mary who are heroes in their own right. It was also important that the very real threat of wildfires was brought to light and it didn’t shy away from the devastation it causes. One of the biggest surprises for me this year.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5