Tag: MovieReview

Echo Valley

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Kate (Julianne Moore) owns and lives in Echo Valley, a tranquil ranch, where she trains horses and provides riding lessons to the community. Struggling with the loss of her wife, she is starting to wonder how she will continue to make ends meet. When her daughter Claire (Sydney Sweeney) shows up unexpectedly, Kate’s life is turned upside down.

Penned by Brad Ingelsby, the man behind Mare of Easttown, the audience is gripped from the get go. While it takes a bit of time to set up, this is all important in the grand scheme of things. Once the players are established and we learn what’s at stake, it ramps up rather quickly.

Where the film excels is definitely in its performances. Moore is almost always perfect and she more than delivers here. She really drives home the never-ending question of how far a mother would go for their child. Sweeney is a convincing drug addict. She really made me hate her character which just goes to show that she gave everything she had to the role. Fiona Shaw portrays Leslie who serves as an anchor of sorts for Moore’s Kate; a ride or die friend who deserves a medal. Lastly Domhnall Gleeson is dealer Jackie. Perfectly creepy in every single way, it was strange to see him like this!

There’s no doubt that the setting is stunning. It helps bring out the uneasy tone that is felt throughout. From the vast acres of the ranch to the serene lake and the old-fashioned house where Kate resides, the limited locations make the film even more intimate and like these characters and places could actually be real.

Overall Echo Valley is an entertaining thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. It may have taken some time to get going and the plot may not be entirely original, but that didn’t bother me. I liked that it didn’t go where I was expecting it to and that there were still some surprises along the way.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

The Ballad Of Wallis Island

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Based on the short film The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island, this feature length version follows Charles Heath (Tim Key), a two time lottery winner who lives on a mostly remote island. He hires former duo and lovers Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden) and Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan) to perform for him at his house.

This is the perfect example that a film can just be. There are no special effects, no overly complicated storyline. Instead it is almost like a character study of these three individuals and how their lives intertwine during a period of time. For that reason it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it felt like such a breath of fresh air.

Key and Basden starred in the original. While I have not seen it, I thought that they nailed their roles. Key provided the comedic relief though it was clear that under the surface he’s putting up a front. Basden perfectly encapsulated the jaded musician who believes the whole world is out to get him. Although Mulligan wasn’t in the film as much as I would have liked her to be, she lit up the screen when she was there.

Though it is pegged as a romance, I’d say that this is not at the forefront. Basden and Mulligan had an organic chemistry that was obvious from the get go. When they sang you could feel the sparks. But I liked how the film focused more on other themes too. Yes it was funny and quirky, but there was also a combined feeling of loneliness and the desire of acceptance each character shared that I really vibed with.

Overall, The Ballad of Wallis Island is a heartwarming and at times heartbreaking piece of cinema. With brilliant performances by the cast and a stunning island backdrop that made me want to pack my bags immediately, this is one film that should not be slept on.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Fear Street: Prom Queen

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Prom is a rite of passage for every high school student even when said high school is in Shadyside. For one night only they will try to take their minds off of the curse that has fallen on their town for a good night. Lori Granger (India Fowler) is an outsider who has been nominated for Prom Queen. It’s clear that none of the It Girls, lead by Tiffany Falconer (Fina Strazza), want Lori to be competing against them. When they start disappearing one by one, it becomes clear that a killer is on the loose and none of them are safe.

The first three Fear Street films came out in the summer of 2021 and became instant hits. This trilogy singlehandedly got me into the horror genre. I was so excited for this new instalment. Unfortunately it did not exactly live up to my expectations though there were some things I still appreciated.

Fowler did just fine as our final girl though I wasn’t completely sold on her performance. The same can be said about the other younger talent. Strazza was probably my favorite because she was so mean, she could very well give Regina George a run for her money. It would have been nice to see more of Christy, portrayed by Ariana Greenblatt, and I would have appreciated more backstory of the other girls. The adult cast were much more enjoyable. Nancy (Katherine Waterston) and Dan Falconer (Chris Klein) were hilarious as Tiffany’s overbearing parents and I thought Vice Principal Dolores Brekenridge (Lili Taylor) and Principal Wayland (Darrin Baker) were quite the pair.

Though a lot of the kills were predictable, they were still really well executed. I was unsure at the beginning because we didn’t see the first one happen on screen, but luckily it was ramped up by a thousand percent thereafter. I also have to say that I did not see the reveal coming whatsoever. It genuinely caught me off guard.

Fear Street: Prom Queen may not have been the outing I had anticipated it would be. I guess that what happens when you get your hopes up too high. At least the kills were good and the soundtrack perfectly encapsulated the eighties. I am looking forward to more of the Fear Street books being adapted.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

Fountain Of Youth

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From director Guy Ritchie comes a new swashbuckling adventure. Luke (John Krasinski) and Charlotte Purdue (Natalie Portman) are estranged siblings who team up to find the mythical Fountain of Youth. Together with their team of misfits, they travel all over the globe finding clues that will help them in their quest.

If Indiana Jones and National Treasure had a baby, it would be this. It was a total throwback to the action films of yesteryear and I was so here for it. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but it was a blast from beginning to end and I just couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next.

Krasinski did a great job as our protagonist. I’ve heard some people say that he was miscast though I don’t agree. Not only was he hilarious, it was obvious that he was enjoying himself to the fullest. I felt similarly about Portman. I liked their banter and thought that they easily passed as brother and sister.

The supporting cast were equally as fun. Laz Alonso and Carmen Ejogo were Patrick Murphy and Deb McCall respectively; the team wouldn’t have been complete without them. Domhnall Gleeson was Owen Carver, the reason why the team decided to go and search for the Fountain of Youth in the first place, and Benjamin Chivers was Thomas, Charlotte’s son who comes along on the journey. With every adventure there are always some obstacles that get in the way. These come in the form of Eiza Gonzalez as Esme, a protector of the Fountain, and Arian Moayed as Jamal Abbas, a police officer who tries to keep up with everyone.

Where the film lacks is in its script. It’s corny and doesn’t quite pack the punch that it otherwise could have. It makes up for all that with the action sequences and there are plenty! I particularly fancied the scene that took place on the sunken ship. I just thought it was so well done.

Overall, Fountain of Youth is exactly the type of action adventure film that I love. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and instead just totally leans into itself. It’s fun, over the top and it is a great way to spend a Friday night in. I would 100% be on board for a sequel.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Lilo and Stitch

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Lilo and Stitch follows the story of a young girl named Lilo (Maia Kealoha) who lives with her sister Nani (Sydney Elizabeth Agudong). Following the death of their parents, Nani has stepped into the motherly role trying to keep it all together while Lilo is more lonely than ever. When an alien crash lands on earth and the two meet, a friendship forms.

The 2002 animated version of the film is one of my all time favorites. Now that Disney has given it the live action treatment, I’ll admit I was hesitant it would be a let down like so many of the others have been. In the end I was pleasantly surprised and couldn’t believe how wonderful it truly was.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Stitch is the CUTEST. From the moment those first photos of him dropped, I knew I was just going to fall in love with him. Reprising his role once more, Chris Sanders jumps right back in the game bringing the destructible yet lovable alien to life. The relationship that forms between Stitch and Lilo is just as special in this version and I loved seeing all their adventures together play out on the big screen.

Unsurprisingly there were some changes made to the story. Sometimes these can be good and sometimes they are just unnecessary, but I understand that they are needed. I actually thought the upgrades worked. Having the focus more on the sisterly bond between Lilo and Nani was a smart move; it added so much more heart to the film and really made me feel emotional. I also liked how the character of Cobra Bubbles was essentially split in two characters with Bubbles (Courtney B. Vance) as the secret agent and Tia Carrere as social worker Mrs. Kekoa. The inclusion of Amy Hill as Tutu was a welcome one and I liked how Jumba (Zach Galifianakis) and Pleakley (Billy Magnussen) were portrayed.

Lilo and Stitch is hands down one of, if not the best, Disney live action remakes yet. It stayed true to the original while also bringing the story into today’s day and age. With a talented cast and the adorable Stitch, Disney has a new hit on its hands.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5

Thunderbolts*

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After many delays, Thunderbolts* has finally hit the big screen. When a group of antiheroes find themselves as targets, they band together to embark on a dangerous mission.

Florence Pugh captured audiences from her very first appearance as Yelena. Her deadpan, dry humour made her edgy even when you knew there were many more layers underneath. She is the driving force of this film and rightfully so. The rest of the team consisting of Sebastian Stan as Bucky, David Harbour as Alexei, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, Hannah John-Kamen as Ava and Lewis Pullman as Bob were so completely mismatched yet perfect together. On the surface it seemed like they had nothing in common, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

After relying heavily on CGI and silly gimmicks, this is a more stripped back version of an origin story. While we had been previously introduced to these characters, we didn’t really know much about them. Here we got to learn about what makes them tick as well as the darkest corners of their minds. Though there are plenty of action sequences and some comedic moments, the film also focuses on themes of loss, grief, addiction and mental health. I don’t think I’ve seen these depicted in a superhero film before and as someone who has dealt with some of the above, I really found myself relating to what the characters were going through.

It’s no secret that Marvel has been struggling as of lately. Ever since Endgame, there have been a slew of less than mediocre instalments that I can barely even remember now. The excitement I used to feel before going into these films became like a chore. That was until now. Thunderbolts* was everything I never knew I needed and I can’t help but wonder…is Marvel back? I guess only time will tell.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Another Simple Favor

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Taking place five years after the events of the first film, Another Simple Favor reunites Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) for a new mystery. When Emily asks Stephanie to be her maid of honor, Stephanie reluctantly agrees. She’s whisked away to Capri for the celebrations, but when one of the guests is murdered, Stephanie starts to worry that she won’t make it home in one piece.

I was a big fan of the first film. It was quippy, smart and sexy and the cast were phenomenal. This may be the sequel that nobody asked for (I feel like everything was wrapped up well before), but I still found myself looking forward to revisiting this world.

Kendrick and Lively reprise their roles effortlessly. It was like no time had passed at all. They have such a playful and organic chemistry that I could literally watch them for hours. The hijinks that ensued this time around were even more insane and yet it somehow still worked. Another returning face was Henry Goulding’s Sean, Emily’s ex husband and Stephanie’s former paramour. Clearly struggling with what happened in the past, he’s turned to drink. While you can’t help but feel bad for him, he also has some of the best lines in the whole film. There are some new players this time around: Allison Janey is Emily’s offbeat aunt Linda, Alex Newell is Stephanie’s bubbly assistant Vicky and Michele Morrone is Emily’s new beau the elusive Dante Versano. They each fit in perfectly.

Some may say that there’s too much going on this time around. There’s more twists, more turns and not all of them make sense, but that’s okay. As long as you allow yourself to lean into it, I think it is much more enjoyable. There’s a lot of really fun callbacks to the original as well which I appreciated. I also need to give a shoutout to the outfits that were worn by the cast. Absolutely beautiful.

If it wasn’t for Paul Feig, I probably wouldn’t have even bothered with Another Simple Favor. At least having him at the helm meant that we’d be in safe hands. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Capri with brilliant lead performances by our two leading ladies and the over the top story it seemed like it could all fall apart. Luckily that was far from being the case.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

The Penguin Lessons

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The Penguin Lessons follows Tom Michell (Steve Coogan), a down on his luck English teacher who has just arrived in Argentina to work at a boarding school. He befriends a penguin and his life is changed for the better.

One of the things that I loved about this film is that it is based on true events. Tom Michell wrote a memoir about this significant time in his life and I knew that I had to read it before the film was released. As with many book to screen adaptations, there were a few changes, but I think they enhanced the story and made for one of the most delightful cinema experiences I’ve had so far this year.

Coogan was superb as the main character. He was more or less what I had imagined while reading the book. There’s a lot you don’t know about him going in and although some of the layers are peeled back, I like how the focus isn’t really about him at all. It’s about the friendship he forms with the penguin.

Juan Salvador, the penguin, was without a doubt the scene stealer. He was just SO CUTE. The fact that they used real penguins as well just made it more authentic. The friendship that Juan Salvador formed with Tom was so heartwarming to watch. Actually, everyone was rather taken by the little creature from the school students, to headmaster Buckle (Jonathan Pryce) and the housekeepers Sofia (Alfonsina Carrocio) and Maria (Vivian El Jaber). Who could blame them?

There was conflict in Argentina during 1976. I appreciated how they brought this more into focus for the film since it wasn’t really expanded upon in the book. It wasn’t something I knew much about so I feel like I learned something. Sofia and Maria weren’t based on real characters, but they represented those who were affected by the events.

I knew that I was going to enjoy The Penguin Lessons, but I wasn’t expecting it to have such an impact on me. It made me laugh out loud and it also made me sob. There were so many important messages woven through too. It’s definitely the best films of 2025 so far and I highly recommend seeing it for yourself.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Drop

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From director Christopher Landon comes a heart pounding, adrenaline pumping thriller. Violet (Meghann Fahy) is a widowed mother who is about to go on her first date in years. Henry (Brendan Sklenar) is exactly the time of guy she’s been looking for. But the date soon takes a turn for the worst when Violet starts to receive threatening drops on her phone and she has no choice but to comply with its demands.

I loved this movie though it does help to check all logic at the door for it. Once that’s done, I guarantee you’ll be glued to the screen straight away. There is simply never a dull moment.

Fahy has proven time and time again that she is a force to be reckoned with. From her start in The Bold Type to the second season of The White Lotus, she has more than cemented herself as a leading lady. This is her film, everyone else is simply allowing her to shine. The way in which she portrays Violet is excellent; you feel everything she is feeling and just want her to get through this. Hollywood, please keep casting her in more projects!

The film wouldn’t be the same without some other key players. Sklenar as Henry reminded me a lot of Atlas in It Ends With Us, but I don’t mean that in a bad way. His character was super supportive of Violet’s situation and he was clearly concerned about her as the night grew more sinister. Both he and Fahy had a natural chemistry which was lovely to watch. Jeffrey Shelf played Matt, the unlucky waiter who just so happened to be having his first shift when he encounters the potential couple. He stole every scene he was in and provided some much needed comic relief. Violett Beane was Violet’s sister Jen. Though she wasn’t as prominent throughout, the way in which she looks out for Violet and Violet’s son Toby (Jacob Robinson) was touching. It was also fun getting to know Richard, portrayed by Reed Diamond, a man who Violet encounters at the restaurant who is on a rather disastrous first date himself.

This type of horror is one hundred per cent my vibe. It had a locked room mystery element to it that added to the suspense and made everyone present a suspect. The fact that this location also happened to be in a glass high rise just added to the thrills.

Overall, Drop had all the right ingredients for an exhilarating thriller. Complete with some brilliant performances, a swanky setting and a premise that shouldn’t work whatsoever and yet does, I highly recommend checking this one out.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Death Of A Unicorn

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While on the way to a wilderness retreat in Canada, father and daughter Elliot (Paul Rudd) and Ridley (Jenna Ortega) hit a unicorn. They put the creature in their car and bring it with them. The Leopolds, owners of a popular pharmaceutical company, want to use the unicorn for personal gain, but Ridley doesn’t feel good about that at all.

Going into this film mostly blind was the best way to do it. I also didn’t have high expectations and I really enjoyed myself. It’s not to be taken seriously whatsoever, but the hidden undertones do give it that something extra which I appreciated.

One of the main selling points here is the star studded cast. I wasn’t fully convinced by Rudd and Ortega as father and daughter though I do like them both individually. I’ve never seen Rudd play such a smarmy character before, but I think he was convincing enough (also how does this guy not age?!) Ortega plays emo well and I liked how she had that connection with the unicorns.

The Leopolds consisted of Richard E. Grant, Téa Leoni and Will Poulter. I couldn’t say who was the worst of the bunch; they were all equally awful. Poulter really seemed to give it his all though and I found myself laughing out loud during the majority of his scenes.

This truly was the perfect blend of comedy and horror. Most of the jokes landed and the blood and gore was so over the top. I’ll admit that there were some moments where I had to close my eyes because of it and also because of the many jump scares but it all worked.

Overall, Death Of A Unicorn is a fun, campy film that is a guaranteed good time. With a fabulous cast and an interesting storyline, I’m glad I checked it out.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️