Tag: MovieReview

All Of You

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In a near futuristic world, Simon (Brett Goldstein) and Laura (Imogen Poots) have been best friends since university. Simon is clearly in love with Laura though no line has ever been crossed. His hopes are dashed when she decides to take The Test to find out who her soulmate is. She’s matched with Lukas (Steven Cree) and the two get married and have a daughter. But when Laura discovers Simon’s true feelings for her, she is forced to make a choice.

Having penned this with director William Bridges, Brett Goldstein is branching out from his Ted Lasso days. This science fiction romantic drama had all the ingredients for a home run and I had been really looking forward to it. While there were some positive aspects, I have to admit that there was something about it that didn’t quite work for me.

Where the film excelled was certainly in its casting. Goldstein and Poots were perfect as Simon and Laura. They had such an easy yet organic chemistry; I bought the fact that they had known each other for years and this only intensified when they became romantic with one another. I thought it was smart to focus on different moments in their lives instead of following every single moment. It did mean that I had to fill in some of the blanks on the way, but I liked that.

Unfortunately I felt like the pacing was off. It started slowly and although I appreciated setting the groundwork, I didn’t think it needed to take so long. I also wasn’t a fan of the whole cheating thing. I know that the film is about so much more than that, but it was something that kept niggling away at me. Though I understood why Laura struggled, but after seeing it over and over, I just wanted a different outcome.

Overall, I really wanted to love All Of You, but something was missing. The acting was superb and the sweeping romance between the leads did keep me invested for the most part at least. Unfortunately it’s not the first time we’ve plot device and the eventual pay off was not at all satisfying.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Swiped

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Swiped tells the story of Whitney Wolfe Herd (Lily James) who, at the age of twenty two, co-founded Tinder. Being the brains behind the famous app, she never got the credit she deserved. Not being able to trust her partner Sean Rad (Ben Schnetzer) and finding herself in a toxic relationship with Justin Mateen (Jackson White), she eventually had no choice but to leave the company. When she meets Andrey Andreev (Dan Stevens) a few years later, he convinces her to start a new app by the name of Bumble.

As someone who has used both apps in the past, I found the film to be very interesting. I didn’t know about their origins and so there was a lot to learn. I thought it would be your average run of the mill biopic that we have seen so many times before. I didn’t realize that there would be a whole other side to the story that inevitably helped elevate it for me.

I have always liked James as an actor and thought that she did a fabulous job as our protagonist. The fact that the real Whitney Wolfe Herd was not involved in the project due to her Tinder NDA meant that James had to dig deeper to sell her performance. Despite how much she went through in her personal relationship as well as trying to make her voice heard in an otherwise male dominant industry, she still preserved. Schnetzer and White were perfect as the stereotypical tech guys. I don’t want to say White has been typecasted as the resident douche, but with this and his character on Tell Me Lies, he really has it down pat. While Stevens wasn’t as prominent as he could have been, I felt like he served his purpose (and he reminded me so much of his character in Eurovision with the accent!) I also loved Whitney’s best friend, cheerleader and colleague Tisha who was portrayed by Myha’la. She was always there in the background, but she played such an important part in Tinder and Bumble respectively.

What I enjoyed most about the film was how empowering it was to watch as a woman. The sisterhood between Whitney and Tisha, as well as the other women who started off working at Tinder and went on to thrive at Bumble was lovely to see. During the short period of time the I dabbled in Tinder, I didn’t have many positive experiences. Seeing this depicted in the film was refreshing because it did shed light on the downsides of online dating as well as the upsides. Having Bumble come into play where women were able to make the first move made me feel safe when it came to romantic and platonic relationships. I’m glad that this was properly explored and that it also reflected the lives of the women who were behind the app in the first place.

Overall, Swiped is definitely one of the better biopics that I have seen in recent years. With a brilliant lead performance by Lily James and the girl power that oozed throughout, I walked away from it feeling like I wanted to do better and be better for all the other women out there. I definitely recommend checking out.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey

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David (Colin Farrell) and Sarah (Margot Robbie) meet at a wedding. When they discover that they both got there with cars from the same rental agency, they embark on a journey suggested to them by the GPS. Coming across doors leading to various moments from their pasts, David and Sarah are forced to face the things they once buried deep while determining their future together.

Directed by Kogonada, this is not your average romance flick. While it is marketed as so, it really focuses on the individual journeys that the two main characters have to go through. You know the saying it’s important to love yourself before you can love somebody else? That couldn’t be more true here. David has always had impossible standards when it comes to finding the one while Sarah is a serial cheater who would prefer to hurt others before they can hurt her. The way in which they must make peace with integral moments of their lives was done in a truly unique way.

The cinematography featured was beautiful. Magical realism at its best, in order to properly enjoy it, you just need to go with it. From discovering a bright red door in the middle of the forest, to one filled with graffiti in a field of wild flowers, the locations just got more and more intriguing. I particularly loved the scene where David and Sarah were sitting on top of a hill, looking down on Earth.

Farrell and Robbie shine. Their chemistry wasn’t as palpable as I would have liked, but individually they did a great job. Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Kevin Kline are scene stealers as the Female Cashier and Mechanic who work at the car rental agency while Jodie Turner-Smith lends her voice the GPS system. I wouldn’t have minded more time with the former two as they were really funny.

Overall, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey boasted some ambitious ideas. Unfortunately they didn’t always stick the landing. The film’s authenticity was questioned due to a shaky script and being too self-aware of itself. At least the performances and scenery helped pull it through.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Splitsville

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Carey (Kyle Marvin) and Ashley (Adria Arjona) have been married for only thirteen months when she says she wants a divorce. Beside himself, Carey runs to his best friend Paul (Michael Angelo Covino) and his wife Julie (Dakota Johnson) for advice. When Carey learns their secret to a happy marriag, he decides to go for it, leaving a trial of chaos in his wake.

Written by both male leads and directed by Covino, this is an interesting take on open relationships. This is a concept that has recently become more popular and while it may work for some, it is clear that it becomes quite complicated for the four main characters. As a result, they come off as being annoying and unlikeable, but that is what makes the film work so well. The fact that the film is so self aware is why it excels.

This was brilliantly casted. Marvin and Covino are hilarious and completely over the top. They may be best friends, but they do butt heads. One of the funniest scenes I have had the pleasure of witnessing all year took place between the two of them. I have not laughed that hard or that long in ages. Johnson is once again beautiful and magnetic while Arjona is fiery; stubborn and needed more screen time. All four worked so well off of each other.

While the film starts strong, immediately hooking the audience, it does lose pace in the final act. I couldn’t help but wonder how long the same jokes would work until they began to feel overstuffed and repetitive. It also felt like everything was tied up way too neatly for my liking which almost seemed out of place.

Overall, Splitsville is one of the funniest films I have seen in some time. It’s modern and isn’t afraid to push boundaries when needed. Though it is not perfect by any means, there is still a lot to enjoy as long as it’s not taken too seriously!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Oh, Hi!

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Iris (Molly Gordon) and Isaac (Logan Lerman) have been dating for four months when they decide to go away together for a weekend. What starts as the perfect romantic getaway complete with stopping at a roadside strawberry stand, swimming in the private pond and a scallop dinner complete with dancing under the stars quickly escalates. When Iris finds out that Isaac isn’t exactly on the same page as she is in their relationship, she does the only thing she can think of – leave him tied up against the bed to try and convince him why they would be good together.

Sophie Brooks wrote and directed this offbeat, quirky romantic comedy. I went into the film not really knowing what to expect; I certainly did not think it was going to be so funny. This helped balance out the slow descent of chaos that Iris eventually finds herself in. What could have very well been something dark and unsettling was actually believable enough that the audience can understand why she makes the choices that she does.

I love that this took place primarily in one location. It made the whole thing feel a lot more intimate and like we were right there with the characters. The farmhouse and its surrounding landscapes were beautiful; it was a great juxtaposition for what ends up happening. There also was a small amount of characters which made it easy to keep track of. Gordon and Lerman did a fab job as Iris and Isaac. Throughout the film you find yourself siding with both of them and seeing where they are both coming from in this predicament. Geraldine Viswanathan and John Reynolds star as Max and Kenny, Iris’s best friend and her boyfriend. Their addition halfway through the film is a welcome one as the comedy ramped up even more.

Oh, Hi! surprised me in the best way possible. I knew very little going into it and I think that was the best way to experience it. While the loose ends are tied up a bit too neatly, the overall message shone through. As a result it was way more relatable than I was expecting it to be.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

The Thursday Murder Club

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Based upon Richard Osman’s 2020 novel of the same name, The Thursday Murder Club follows four individuals who meet every week to try and solve cold cases. Elizabeth (Helen Mirren), Ron (Pierce Brosnan), Ibrahaim (Ben Kingsley) and Joyce (Celia Imrie) couldn’t be more different save for their love of true crime. When one of the co-owners of their retirement home is found dead, they finally have the chance to put their sleuthing skills to the test.

I did read the book shortly after it came out, but I really don’t remember it. What I do know is that I wasn’t a big fan and soon put it out of my mind. I did find my interest peaking when news of the film broke and especially with that cast. I honestly did not know what to expect going into it though I wouldn’t be surprised if me not recalling any details helped with the overall enjoyment.

Mirren, Brosnan, Kingsley and Imrie are practically British royalty. To have them star together in such an adaptation is a lot of pressure; we all know that mixing big names together doesn’t always have the desired effect. With that being said, I actually think they were perfect. Mirren helmed the film effortlessly – she was Elizabeth. There was also so much more to her character that we simply didn’t get to see so hopefully there will be more opportunities for that in the future. They all had their moments to shine, however. I do think that Kingsley and Imrie could have been a little bit more at the forefront though.

The rest of the cast was absolutely stacked as well, I can’t not mention them. Naomi Ackie is Donna, a police officer who ends up working closely with the Murder Club on the case. Tom Ellis is Jason, Ron’s son and former boxing champ. Jonathan Pryce is Elizabeth’s husband Stephen who has dementia. David Tennant is Ian, another owner of the retirement home who is into all sorts of dodgy business. And Richard E. Grant is Bobby, a mysterious man who has disappeared, but who has a specific connection to the case. I loved seeing who would pop up where and thought they all did brilliantly in their roles.

I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the reasons why I didn’t enjoy the book as much was because the mystery was more of an Agatha Christie whodunnit and not so much of an earth-shattering twist that I’m always gagged for. I didn’t mind that in the film. It made the whole atmosphere quite cozy and autumnal which is fitting considering we are soon entering the ber months. These aspects combined with the beautiful backdrop of Coopers Chase (a literal castle?!) complete with it’s stunning manicured lawns and a cemetery really just enhanced the whole experience.

Overall, I enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club more than I thought I would. I would one hundred percent be open to them adapting the other books so let’s hope that they do. This has also prompted me to revisit the book – maybe I will appreciate it more now.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Sorry, Baby

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Written and directed by Eva Victor, Sorry, Baby is the story of Agnes (also Eva Victor), a New England student who lives with her best friend Lydie (Naomi Ackie) in a house in the middle of nowhere. When something bad happens to Agnes, her life is forever changed. The years that follow show how she tries to move past this horrible event.

After winning big at Sundance and hearing all the rave reviews the film has been garnering, I knew I had to check it out for myself. I went in with as little knowledge as possible and I think that only made the experience better. At the forefront it doesn’t seem like much is happening, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

While the story revolves around this traumatic experience, I appreciated the way in which it was dealt with. Agnes is assaulted by her PHD instructor Preston Decker (Louis Cancelmi). Victor could have chosen to show it, but instead she focused on a single shot of the house and measured the amount of time that passed through day and night. This still had a harrowing effect because you just know what is going on in that house. It’s a tough pill to swallow.

Agnes has a great support system of people around her who help her move forward. Lydie is the first point of contact after the event happens. Even when she eventually moves away, falls in love and has a baby, she still makes sure to check in on Agnes. Gavin (Lucas Hedges) is Agnes’s neighbor. The two strike up an unlikely friendship. He genuinely likes her and while their courtship starts off awkwardly, it is nice to see that she can open herself up to the potential of romance. Pete (John Carroll Lynch) is a kind stranger that just so happens to be in the right place at the right time. And I can’t forget Olga (Noochie), the cat that Agnes happens upon by chance and takes home. With each interaction, Agnes takes a few steps forward and then a couple back. There are many lows and a couple of highs and it’s quite impressive that Victor can mesh comedy and drama so well together, sometimes even in the very same scene.

Overall, Sorry, Baby is a triumph for Eva Victor. What she has created is a poignant and beautiful portrayal of something awful and how it’s important to keep living in spite of it all. This will surely hit close to home for anybody who has been in a similar situation. I hope that this film lets them know that they aren’t alone.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Eenie Meanie

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Wrapped up in a world of getaway driving from the age of fourteen, Edie (Samara Weaving) has been trying to break the cycle ever since. When her former boss Nico (Andy Garcia) offers her the chance at pulling off one last job, she can’t say no, especially when it means saving her ex boyfriend’s (Karl Glusman) life.

Fans of Baby Driver may flock to Eenie Meanie expecting a similar story. While it never reaches the same heights, it is entertaining enough to keep you invested throughout. With the many impressive car chase sequences, hilarious banter and a talented ensemble cast I couldn’t help but wonder how it didn’t ever come together in the way I was hoping it would.

Weaving once again proves that she is a solid leading lady. Not only is she the bright spot here, she was probably the only reason I wanted to watch the film in the first place. She gives Edie so many layers and is really the driving force of the story. It’s hard for anybody else to compare. Glusman is quite something as John, Edie’s ex. Underneath it all he wants to do the right thing, but he’s just so awful that it’s hard to be reminded of that. I understand why Edie isn’t able to just cut him out of her life, but she deserved so much better. The other characters were like caricatures of heist films of the past: Jermaine Fowler as The Chaperone, Marshawn Lynch as Perm, Randall Park as Leo, Mike O’Malley as Leo and of course Andy Garcia as the ring leader of them all Nico. They were criminally underused and as a result I found it difficult to really care about any of them.

Somewhere along the way, the film starts losing sight of what it’s really trying to be. I would have been totally fine with an action adventure flick and a bit of romance on the side if it was earned. Instead it just became too convoluted. As a result, I missed out on some major plot points because I just could not separate them from one another.

Overall, Eenie Meanie had all the ingredients of a great heist film, but it ultimately fell short. Samara Weaving was the only bright point in what was otherwise a lacklustre project. Had it been much tighter and well thought out, it would have been a home run. Because of that there are definitely better films of the genre out there that are more worth your time.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

The Map That Leads To You

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

The Life Of Chuck

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Based on the 2020 novella by Stephen King and directed by Mike Flanagan comes a life affirming story about a man called Charles “Chuck” Krantz (Tom Hiddleston, Jacob Tremblay and Benjamin Pajak). Told in backwards chronological order, we get to know Chuck through all the important moments of his life.

King and Flanagan are usually known for their various horror projects. People don’t think that they are behind other, more contemporary stories too. This was one that I went into mostly blind and I’m glad that I did. I knew that this was going to be an emotional roller coaster and in order to completely absorb it, I needed to be completely open minded.

Deciding to tell the story in reverse order was a bold choice. It won’t work for everyone and it certainly threw me off at first. As a result, the audience may think they’re watching a different film from what it actually ends up being. The pieces of the puzzle only really come together in the final act when Chuck is a child that we get all the answers. The little nuggets that help tie it together are really smart too.

The cast are absolute standouts, delivering solid performances. While Hiddleston may be the titular Chuck and features on the film’s poster, he isn’t actually featured that much. Still, his scene and the dance sequence that occurs during it is probably one of the best in all of cinematic history. Karen Gillan and Chiwetel Ejiofor are a divorced couple who spend the last day on Earth together. Mia Sara and Mark Hamill are brilliant as Chuck’s grandparents Sarah and Albie. Matthew Lillard, Rahul Kohli, Violet McGraw, Kate Siegel and Samantha Sloyan all had small but important roles in the story of Chuck’s life. It was nice to see some familiar faces from Flanagan’s previous works.

Overall, The Life of Chuck is a peculiar film that packs quite the emotional punch. The storytelling was well done and I love how it drove home the importance of appreciating the smaller moments in life because they are what truly matters. Just because the film focused on Chuck doesn’t mean he’s any more special than anybody else. He contains multitudes like we all do and that was quite something to take away.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️