Tag: NicoleKidman

Practical Magic 2

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Practical Magic was released in 1998, but it wasn’t until many years later that it became a true cult classic. This is a film that I revisit every single year on Halloween. It is one of my all time favorites and when I heard that they were adapting Alice Hoffman’s The Book of Magic, I was hesitant. While we had the source material already and it wasn’t just some random legacy sequel, I did not know what to expect going into it. So I just tried to buckle myself up for the ride.

After the death of her second husband, Sally Owens (Sandra Bullock) makes her sister Gillian (Nicole Kidman) promise that they will never tell Sally’s daughters the truth about who they really are. Fast forward a few years and now Kylie (Joey King) and Antonia (Maisie Williams) are living normal lives and doing their normal jobs. But when Kylie tells her boyfriend Gideon (Xolo Marideuna) that she loves him, it prompts the curse that has engulfed their family for centuries to threaten his life. Willing to do whatever it takes to save him, Kylie travels to England in search of the truth of her family and to find out how to finally end the curse once and for all.

Stepping back into this world was effortless. Seeing the house and Maria’s Island once more on the big screen was just such a treat. The original was intimate yet impactful and luckily the sequel managed to build upon those same sentiments. We got to learn more about the lore and be witness to another side of witchcraft which was delightfully creepy and depicted in such a cool way.

Having Bullock and Kidman reprise their iconic roles as the Owens sisters was a gift I didn’t know I needed. They effortlessly fell back into these characters, tapping into all those things that made them so lovable in the first place. Their chemistry, always at the forefront of the film, is as strong as ever. I could literally watch them onscreen together a million times over. Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest also returned as the aunts Franny and Jet and it was equally as lovely to see them again too. Taking over as Kylie and Antonia are King and Williams. I thought they were perfectly cast and King really helped carry the emotional weight of the film. Unfortunately Williams was severely underutilized to the point where I almost forgot she was there. They really couldn’t have found a way to include her into Kylie’s whole arc? I can’t forget to mention Lee Pace who was also along for the ride as a warlock named Ian Wright. Obviously introduced as a new love interest for Sally, I did enjoy getting to know his character and thought that he fit in well.

The film isn’t perfect. The script is clunky and often times quite cringy with its dialogue. But it was also very funny and it captured that same essence that I feel every time I watch the first one. The first film was also a bit off in tone, campy if you will, and I do think that this one just elevated that. The bond of sisterhood and the message of girl power is still very prominent and that is why it works.

Overall, I may have been unsure of Practical Magic 2, but it exceeded my expectations. I think fans of the original will enjoy it for all the nostalgic throwbacks (and there are plenty) as well as the dynamic duo that is Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. This truly has made me even more excited for the fall and for spooky season to begin.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Holland

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Nancy Vandergroot (Nicole Kidman) is a teacher and homemaker who lives in Holland, Michigan. Together with her husband Fred (Matthew Macfadyen) and her son Harry (Jude Hill), they seem to have the perfect life. But when Nancy starts to suspect that Fred has a secret, she joins forces with her colleague and friend Dave (Gael García Bernal) to find out what it is.

Director Mimi Cave splashed onto the scene with 2022’s Fresh which was a runaway hit. Many have wondered what she would do next though I suspect they weren’t thinking it would be this. From what I have seen so far, not many have been a fan of her sophomore outing, but I actually quite liked it!

We already know that I will watch anything that Kidman is in; she is one of the greatest actors of our time. Though this may not be one of her most iconic roles, the slightly awkward character of Nancy was fun to watch. The rest of the performances were well done too. Macfadyen’s Fred certainly gave off a mysterious air and Bernal, who harboured some secrets of his own, seemed to fit right in.

Though this didn’t take place in The Netherlands, there was enough to make me feel like I was right at home. The various tulip fields, the windmill and the Dutch songs and words that were spoken throughout were a trip. I honestly did not know there was a Holland in Michigan, but at least I do now.

The film was very slow burn. I can understand that for this reason alone it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But I couldn’t help but feel invested throughout. There was just something about it that gripped me from the beginning and while it may not have had the pay off I was hoping for, I still found it satisfying enough.

Overall Holland was an interesting film that blurred the lines between what is real and what is not. As the audience, you never really know if what is happening is in Nancy’s imagination, or if it’s real life. I liked that we could make up our own interpretation of the events that transpired and how we will never really have any answers. I felt like it worked for the story.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Babygirl

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From director Halina Reijn comes an erotic thriller about power and the lengths people will go to for their desires. Romy (Nicole Kidman) has it all. She’s the CEO of a high profile company and she has a doting husband Jacob (Antonio Banderas) and two daughters. But something is missing. Embarking on a torrid affair with a much younger intern named Samuel (Harris Dickinson), Romy puts everything on the line.

Kidman is one of the greatest actors of our time. I’ve been a fan of hers since Moulin Rouge! and this performance is definitely one of her best. She really gives it everything she has and bares it all. It’s vulnerable, nuanced and twisted all at the same time and I sincerely commend her for her dedication. Dickinson was impressive as well. There was something slightly unnerving about the character of Samuel, though I just became more and more enthralled by him. I would have loved to learn more about his backstory. Banderas also gave a solid performance as well. He really makes you feel for his character.

The subject matter of this film is not for the faint hearted. With many explicit scenes, one may wonder if they’re really necessary. While there is a lot of sex, it is integral to the plot and to Romy’s story as she explores a side of herself she didn’t know she wanted. These scenes are never gratuitous and instead serve a purpose. They may even be uncomfortable, but they are real and honest.

Power is the running theme throughout. Romy is the matriarch of her family and the big boss at work, but that isn’t really what she wants. Though she claims she needs to be in control, the tables are turned when Samuel comes around and starts telling her what to do. It’s almost as if the two are dancing around one another, pushing the limits and seeing how far they can really go before it all goes up in flames.

I’ve seen a lot of divisive reactions to Babygirl and I agree that it’s not one of those films that’s just black and white. It’s a study of these characters and what really makes them tick down to the deep, dark crevices of their minds. The performances alone made this worth watching for me. With that impending feeling of doom, I was completely engrossed and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

A Family Affair

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In Netflix’s newest romantic comedy offering, Zara Ford (Joey King) works for movie superstar Chris Cole (Zac Efron) who is the worst boss ever. By a twist of fate, Chris strikes up a relationship with Zara’s mother Brooke (Nicole Kidman).

This is not the first time we’ve seen a relationship blossom between an older woman and a younger man. I liked how this time around the age factor wasn’t the focal point of the story. Instead the audience is invited into the worlds of these characters as they embark on a journey of self discovery. Of course some hijinks ensue. There are some laugh out loud moments and one in particular that had my husband reaching for the remote to rewind it and watch it again.

At the core is a heartfelt story about finding yourself and growing up. Sure Chris and Brooke form the central romance, but I really liked the depiction of the mother daughter relationship between Zara and Brooke and that of Brooke and her mother in law Leila (Kathy Bates). It really helped tie it all together for me.

The cast was what definitely made the film. King, although a bit whiny at times, was relatable as the lead. Efron proves he’s still a heartthrob and Kidman is as lovely and beautiful as ever. At first I didn’t buy their chemistry, but I have to say that it did eventually win me over. The fact that they got Bates for the grandmother was genius and we can’t leave out the supporting cast of Liza Koshy and Sherry Cola as Zara friends Eugenie and Stella.

Overall, A Family Affair may not add anything new to the genre, but it is a perfectly fine flick with something everyone can enjoy. Thanks to the star studded cast and the emotional material it left me feeling satisfied.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️