Tag: Netflix

The Last Letter From Your Lover

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Ellie Haworth (Felicity Jones) is a journalist who one day stumbles across a secret love letter from 1965. Wanting to learn more about Jennifer Stirling (Shailene Woodley) and Anthony O’Hare’s (Callum Turner) love affair, her own love story unfolds with the help of Rory (Nabhaan Rizwan), an archivist who aids her in finding more letters.

Based upon the novel by Jojo Moyes, The Last Letter To Your Lover was something I knew I needed to add to my TBR before the film’s release. All I hoped for was that the adaption would be just as good as the book! Luckily I was not disappointed! The film followed the book rather closely and the few changes that were made were necessary.

The aspect that I liked most in the book was seeing how Jennifer and Anthony’s relationship blossomed and so I appreciated the way in which this was shown in the movie. The chemistry between Shailene Woodley and Callum Turner was super believable and a joy to watch. Despite knowing where the plot was going, I was still holding my breath in hopes that they would find their way back to each other.

Similarly I enjoyed the parallels between both female protagonists. I remember thinking that Ellie’s story could have been more fleshed out in the book and was therefore glad that there was more of her on screen. It really drove home her connection to the love affair and I liked how each scene seemed to be interwoven together.

There was something really charming mixing the two time periods together. Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong year and I definitely found myself yearning for the 60s while watching. The fashion in particular was absolutely stunning and I coveted all of Jennifer’s outfits.

The Last Letter From Your Lover definitely lived up to my expectations. In some ways I actually think it was better than I was hoping for. It was dreamy, heart wrenching and utterly romantic. I highly recommend it.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Fear Street Part 3: 1666

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In the final instalment of the Fear Street trilogy, we are transported back in time to 1666. Finally, we would be able to see the beginning of Sarah Fier’s curse! Not only do we have the chance to witness the events leading up to her death, but we are also able to have a better understanding of who she really was. Meanwhile, back in 1994, the teenagers are once again in a race against time to save Shadyside and put an end to the curse forever.

When the movie started, I’ll admit that I was skeptical. While I’m so happy to have learned more about Sarah, it took a little bit of time for the story to take off. As soon as things picked up though, I was completely transfixed and couldn’t tear my eyes away from the screen. I thought it was interesting as well how the lives of Sarah and Hannah seemed to mimic those of Deena and Sam’s and how at the end of the day the theme of love was at the root of the entire story.

The way in which everything came together was really impressive. I was hoping for a proper wrap up and was not let down in the slightest. There were twists and turns galore, however the main one was pulled off so incredibly well that I was left speechless. Still two days later, I am thinking about it! Now that I have seen all three films, I would love to rewatch them sequentially so that I can catch the little clues and see how they fall into place.

I am still amazed at how much of a treat Fear Street has been for me. Sure I was curious at first, but I never expected to become such a dedicated fan. I hope that this isn’t the last we have seen of this franchise but until then, I am going to seriously consider venturing future into the horror genre.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥.5

Gunpowder Milkshake

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: ♥♥♥

Fear Street Part 2: 1978

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Fear Street Part 1: 1994

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Good On Paper

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

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

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

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

Rating: ♥♥♥

Army of the Dead

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

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

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

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

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

The Woman in the Window

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The Woman in the Window was one of my most anticipated films of the year. I read the book by A.J. Finn at the very beginning of the pandemic in preparation for the big screen release. As we all know now, the date was pushed back and the rights were ultimately bought by Netflix. You can imagine the build up and excitement that I have harboured ever since. I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into it this weekend!

Anna Fox (Amy Adams), is a psychologist who has recently separated from her husband. She lives in their New York City home with her cat Punch where she sees a therapist on the regular for her agoraphobia. Since she doesn’t go outside, Anna often finds herself spying on her neighbours, assuming that she will never have to come face to face with them.

One day, new to the area Jane Russell (Julianne Moore) from across the street appears on her doorstep. The two form a bond over a game of gin and a couple bottles of wine. So, when Anna witnesses a violent incident happening to Jane through her window, who will believe her? Nobody saw them together and to make matters worse, Anna usually washes her medication down with alcohol altering her perception of reality. Not to mention the fact, that it appears Jane Russell (Jennifer Jason Leigh) seems to be alive and well, except she is not at all who Anna met that night.

Let’s start with the good. I thought the casting choices were well done. While I am not usually a fan of Amy Adams, I actually thought her portrayal of Anna was spot on. That was exactly how I imagined the character while reading about her a year ago. Julianne Moore as Jane was uncanny and the two had great chemistry together. Having Gary Oldman as Jane’s husband Alistair and Fred Hechinger as their troubled son Ethan were perfect additions. Rounding out with Wyatt Russell as Anna’s tenant David, Brian Tyree Henry as Detective Little and Anthony Mackie as Anna’s husband Ed, there are a lot of familiar faces to appreciate.

I enjoyed the twists and turns along the way. Despite knowing what they were going to be, seeing the reveals occur on screen was still satisfying. The pacing, while slow to start, was necessary for the film and helped set the tone. It was creepy and kept me on the edge of my seat which is really all that I could want from a thriller.

Unfortunately, as is customary with every book to movie adaption, some scenes just do not make the cut. Most of the time, these changes are necessary and I can understand them. This time around, however, there were two plot points in particular that I felt were integral to the story and therefore should have been included. I truly believe if they were added in that everything would have been fleshed out more.

At the end of the day, I am still happy that I finally had the chance to watch The Woman in the Window. It may not have been entirely what I was expecting, but I did like it for what it was.

Rating: ♥♥♥

Stowaway

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I never watch movies about space and I didn’t really know anything about Stowaway except for the fact that Anna Kendrick is in it. I think she is such a breath of fresh air and I will literally devour everything that she stars in. I didn’t know what I was going to think about the film going into it, but I am trying to break out of my comfort zone. I am happy to report that I liked it a lot more than I thought I was going to which is always a plus! Unfortunately there were still some things that could have been improved upon.

Zoe (Anna Kendrick), David (Daniel Dae Kim) and Marina (Toni Collette) have just embarked on a mission to Mars. Everything seems to be going smoothly until they discover an unplanned passenger named Michael (Shamier Anderson) has accidentally come along. Suddenly their voyage is jeopardized and they need to figure out how they are going to survive with an extra person onboard.

The part of the film that bothered me most was that this was a very slow burn. It took ages for something to happen and scenes were drawn out to each individual detail. Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand that this is how it needed to be. It perfectly encapsulated the tone and atmosphere of being in space and the severity of what was happening. However, if you are looking something more fast paced, then this will not be for you. It took me awhile to adjust and get used to this pace and I’m still not sure I liked it.

Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim and Toni Collette are household names and I liked seeing them together in this. I am unfamiliar with Shamier Anderson, but I did think he was a great addition in the cast. While they gave great performances, I have to say that we didn’t learn very much about some of their characters. It seemed as though they stayed one dimensional and I would have appreciated more information there. I think it would have helped me root for some of them more.

Overall, Stowaway was a pleasant surprise. I was expecting something drab, but there were certainly moments that gripped me and kept me on the edge of my seat. I do feel like some things could have been fleshed out more and because of that, it did leave me wanting more.

Rating: ♥♥♥

Love and Monsters

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In a world where monsters have taken over and wiped out the majority of the population, those who did survive now live in underground colonies and do what they can to get by. It has been seven years since Joel (Dylan O’Brien) lost his family and parted ways with his girlfriend Aimee (Jessica Henwick). When he learns that she is actually only eight five miles away, he decides to embark on the journey above to be with her, regardless of the foes he may encounter on the way.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to think about Love and Monsters going into it. I did appreciate how it gave me Walking Dead vibes with it’s apocalyptic feel and I liked how it was mixed with a ton of humor too. It seemed like it was either going to be a blast or flop and I am happy to say that the former happened. Every second of it was truly entertaining.

I will admit that my main reason for wanting to watch this was for Dylan O’Brien. I have liked him ever since his Teen Wolf days and always thought he was destined for greatness. I believe that he was the perfect choice for this role – he carried the whole film on his back and it solidified the fact that we really don’t see enough of him. Along with Jessica Henwick as his dream girl Aimee and the father and daughter Clyde (Michael Rooker) and Minnow (Ariana Greenblatt) he meets along the way, the cast were great.

My favorite thing about the film was that at the end of the day it really was about finding out who you really are and what it means to be your own hero. It’s easy to forget that we have the strength to do just about anything if we just put our minds to it.

I recommend Love and Monsters for anyone who is looking to escape for a couple of hours. It will instantly lift up your mood and make you smile.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥