Tag: SofiaCarson

My Oxford Year

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Based on the book by Julia Whelan, My Oxford Year follows Anna De La Vega (Sofia Carson) as she sets out to the prestigious university to study poetry. She’s had her life planned out just so, but she never expected to meet Jamie Davenport (Corey Mylchreest). A PHD student filling in as a TA for the poetry class that Anna is taking, the two have a rocky start that quickly develops into something life changing.

The student teacher relationship aside, I have to say that I thought the relationship between our two main characters was lovely to watch. I’m a sucker for a good enemies to lovers trope, but this one packed a punch I didn’t see coming. It seems as though Carson has been in everything and anything on Netflix lately, but I am not complaining. I was familiar with Mylchreest from Queen Charlotte and remember him being quite the heartthrob. Together they had a sweet and organic chemistry; I was rooting for them from the beginning.

As I hadn’t read the book prior to watching the film, I went in blindly and I was completely floored when I discovered where the story was going. I probably shouldn’t have been too surprised and yet I was still caught off guard by how touching the whole thing was. The importance of living every moment as if it’s your last was not only prominent, but depicted perfectly.

Another selling point for me was, of course, the beautiful Oxford backdrop. It’s been a hot minute since I last visited, but I was instantly transported there. The various pub outings, kebab stand and the Oxford vs. Cambridge boat race were just so quintessentially British that I couldn’t help but smile.

Overall, I went into My Oxford Year expecting a cute, easy going rom-com and came out of it with something more. The acting may not have been the best and I didn’t really care for the side characters, but that’s okay. The story and the central romance was enough to keep me invested.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

The Life List

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Alex (Sofia Carson) used to know what she wanted in life, but lately she’s been feeling lost. When her mother Elizabeth (Connie Britton) passes away, she implores Alex to complete the life list she made when she was thirteen years old. From getting a tattoo to learning how to play Clair de Lune on the piano to going back to teaching, Alex starts to fall in love with her life again.

I actually didn’t know much about this film going into it. Here I was expecting a light-hearted romantic comedy so you could imagine my surprise when I discovered it wasn’t quite that at all. Instead, what I discovered, was something more.

Carson has played similar characters in the past. What I liked about Alex and what I felt was different this time around was the emotional rollercoaster she goes through. From losing her mom, to trying to find herself again and maybe even falling in love along the way, it was a more complex role and I thought she did well. Though Britton’s Elizabeth is killed off rather quickly, she is still very much an integral part of the story. I loved the relationship she and Alex shared; you could tell that it was them against the world.

The theme of romance was certainly prominent throughout, but it wasn’t at the forefront. One of the items on Alex’s life list was to find true love and this was no easy feat. Her two potential suitors Brad (Kyle Allen) and Garrett (Sebastian De Souza) were attractive and had many positive attributes to them. She really could have ended up with either of them, though I did have my preference.

What I liked the most about this film was the message behind it. Pain and loss is a part of life. It’s how to deal with it that makes all the difference. This is easier said than done, but it was really inspiring to see how Alex did what she could to lift herself up in what was otherwise a heartbreaking situation.

Overall, The Life List is definitely one of Netflix’s better original films. The depth and emotions behind it wasn’t what I was expecting whatsoever, but that just made the experience so much more enjoyable.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Carry-On

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Having coasted through life the past couple of years, Ethan Kopek (Taron Egerton) feels the pressure to step up after his longtime girlfriend Nora (Sofia Carson) becomes pregnant. On Christmas Eve, the busiest day of the year for airports, Ethan is put on the x-ray machine. When a mysterious traveler (Jason Bateman) blackmails him into playing along with his terrorist attack, Ethan must go along with the plan while also figuring out a way to save not only Nora, but thousands of other passengers too.

What initially attracted me to this film was the cast. Egerton has always been enjoyable and it was fun seeing him back in an action flick again. He plays the hero well and kept the film grounded. Though Bateman was only really present in the film throughout the second half, he carried an ominous presence from the moment you hear his voice through the earpiece. The way in which those two worked off each other was like watching a delicious game of cat and mouse. The supporting cast members elevated the story too. Carson had a sweet romance with Egerton’s character while Danielle Deadwyler was kick ass as LAPD officer Elena Cole.

As far as action goes, this certainly delivered. After a small introduction, it didn’t waste any time to get going. The airport setting really made it that locked room vibe which I liked and it added to the chaos as well. There was so much tension, like Ethan was running against a clock. I also never in a million years thought that I would watch a fight sequence set to Wham’s Last Christmas, but I wasn’t mad about it.

I didn’t have high hopes for Carry-On at first. It was much better than I thought it was going to be! Not only did it grip my attention from the very beginning, it had enough twists and turns throughout that kept me on the edge of my seat. It may not have been very realistic, but I didn’t care. I had a great time with it.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Purple Hearts

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Cassie Salazar (Sofia Carson) and Luke Morrow (Nicholas Galitzine) couldn’t be more opposite from each other if they tried. Cassie, a singer/songwriter, works every odd job in order to afford her diabetes medicine while Luke has decided to enlist in the military after a stint in rehab. Deciding to get married solely for the benefits they would both receive, the two believe their arrangement won’t last for longer than a year. But when Luke is injured in battle, everything changes.

To think I almost missed out on this movie. I wasn’t expecting much from it because, you know, Netflix. Their films have been more miss lately than hit and I didn’t want to be disappointed. But I was in the mood for something romantic and this totally fit the bill. I have to say it actually exceeded my expectations in more ways than one and I’m still surprised over how much I liked it.

Carson and Galitzine shined together as the two leads. Their chemistry was palpable from their first scene in the bar and didn’t let up for one second. I liked how it was slow burn and how they really got to know each other before their feelings developed on a deeper level. The fake relationship trope was well done here, much to my delight.

While the film was predictable, I have to say that that didn’t deter my enjoyment of it. Sometimes it’s nice knowing that there will be a happy ending. It’s all about the journey that takes you there. I would have appreciated more in the final act, however. All the loose ends were tied up rather quickly and a bit too perfectly for my liking. There were certain conversations that should have been had, like between Cassie and her mother, that would have added a little more beef.

Overall, Purple Hearts was probably one of the biggest surprises I’ve had in a long time. I went into it not expecting anything and was really touched when it was done.

Rating: ♥♥♥.5