SandraOh – Credits Rolling

Anne (Awkwafina) and Jenny (Sandra Oh) couldn’t be more opposite. When their mother’s gambling addiction throws them together, they are required to put aside their differences in order to settle her debts. Obsessed with the same game show since childhood, Anne just needs to land herself an audition and everything else will fall into place. If only it were that easy.

I don’t know about you, but I grew up watching a game show every evening. My grandmother introduced me to Jeopardy and before I knew it, I was hooked. The routine was soothing and I began to think of Alex Trebec as family since he was in my home all the time. Unlike myself, Anne grew up feeling neglecting by the other members of her family and so she turned to Can’t Stop The Quiz for solace. I liked how the show became a way that she and Jenny eventually reconnected.

The dynamic duo of Awkwafina and Oh was one that I never knew I needed. They worked so flawlessly off each other and really did pass as sisters. What I enjoyed the most was the fact that they didn’t play the characters we expect of them; Awkwafina usually tackles the more offbeat individuals, while Oh plays the more straight laced, career-driven types. To see them essentially swap places was a breath of fresh air and it worked.

The film wouldn’t have been complete without its supporting cast. Will Ferrell gave quite a touching performance as game show host Terry McTeer. It was nice to see him as a father figure to Anne and I’m glad he didn’t dial it up too much. Holland Taylor was great as Anne’s elderly neighbor Francine, while Jason Schwartzman a shoe in for villainous fellow contestant Ron. And of course I can’t leave out the cameo by Paul Reubens who left us not too long ago.

Overall, Quiz Lady is a quirky story filled with lots of laughs and some heart along the way. The shenanigans that Anne and Jenny found themselves in throughout kept me on the edge of my seat. If you’re looking for something fun to watch this weekend, I recommend checking this one out as it’ll surely leave a smile on your face.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Turning Red follows the story of Mei (Rosalie Chiang), who is torn between being her mother’s dutiful daughter and all the chaos that adolescence brings. When the women of the Lee family turn thirteen years old, an ‘inconvenience’ falls on them. Now, if Mei gets too excited, she turns into a big red panda.

The fact that this movie took place in Toronto was a huge plus for me. It was fun spotting all the the Easter eggs. Thank you Disney for putting Canada on the map! The casting choices came hand in hand with the location. With the voice talents of Sandra Oh and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, the Asian Canadian representation was perfect.

Mei has to be one of the most relatable cartoon characters ever. Her obsession with boy bands and boys in general was something I could appreciate. I also loved the depiction of her relationship with her mother Ming. At the forefront of the film, it ticked all the right boxes for me. Mei wanting to embrace who she is and Ming afraid of letting her daughter grow up was so on point.

Yet another Pixar hit, Turning Red is an uplifting film about growing up and being true to yourself. You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy it. There truly is something in it for everyone.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥