Second Act

 

Second Act is a drama/romantic comedy starring Jennifer Lopez, Vanessa Hudgens and Leah Remini. After losing out on a promotion, Maya, played by Lopez, takes hold of the chance to reinvent herself with a high ranking career opportunity at a high profile cosmetic company. 

The plot was unique and the script was engaging and funny. I was dialed in from start to finish and was very satisfied with the conclusion. I liked the themes of being yourself, speaking your truth no matter the consequences and also being willing to take a leap of faith and try something new.

The cast of female leads were great. All with their own strengths and command on screen. Jennifer Lopez went back to her bread in butter in this rom-com as a likable, down on her luck character that worked hard to change her stars in the competitive employment market that is New York City. Her costumes were also super sleek and fashion forward. Leah Remini did well as the loyal and funny friend. Vanessa Hudgens was a surprise but welcome addition as the smart and direct co-worker with a passion for something outside of her current role.

Overall this was a cute movie. It is not necessarily one I’d watch again but worth the one time watch.

Happiest Season

 

Happiest Season is a romantic comedy/drama starring Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Dan Levy, Aubrey Plaza and Mary Steenburgen. It follows the relationship of Abby and Harper, played by Stewart and Davis respectively. When Harper invites Abby to her family home for Christmas, emotions run high when secrets are stifled and begin to unravel. 

The plot moved well and was engaging throughout. I liked the themes of family, being true to yourself, the pitfalls of perfection, opening your heart for change. The script was funny and provided a good amount of character development so that you could really connect to the co-stars. I would have liked a bit more diversity amongst the casting but I thought that the entire group did a great job playing off of one another to facilitate great moments of connection. I especially enjoyed seeing Kristin Stewart in the role of Abby. She brought a wide array of emotions and a coolness to her character. She also had great chemistry with Davis’ Harper. Aubrey Plaza definitely showed her range in the less comedically forced role of Riley. She had some deadpan lines but overall she was just an authentic, likeable character. Dan Levy stole the show as Abby’s best friend, John, with his spot on comedic timing and a friendly demeanor.

This movie was a really great coming out story that was heartfelt, genuine and joyful. A very enjoyable holiday movie that wraps up like a perfect little Christmas bow. Those looking for a LGBTQ friendly drama full of cheer and comedy, this one is for you.

The Holiday Calendar

The Holiday Calendar is another Netflix Holiday Universe (NHU) romantic comedy starring Kat Graham, Quincy Brown, Ethan Peck and Ron Cephas Jones. Abby Sutton, a talented photographer unhappy in a dead end job, is gifted an antique holiday advent calendar whose contents may be predicting the future and if she takes the direction, might also get her to a love and happiness she never saw coming. 

This was yet another very predictable plot but because the script and acting were good I was down for the ride.

I liked the diversity of the cast along with the character development and evolution of Graham’s Abby. I liked the dynamic between her character and Ron Cephas Jones’ Gramps. I also thought that she had pretty good chemistry with Quincy Brown’s Josh Barton. Kat had an odd accent at times, like she was trying to put on a harder New York style accent that didn’t naturally fit her character from Chicago. Other than that, I thought she did well carrying this movie and really feel like she may be in the running to steal Vanessa Hudgen’s queen of the Netflix Christmas Movies title.

If you are looking for a cute, feel-good Christmas movie, this might be right up your alley.

Wonder Woman 1984

 

Wonder Woman 1984 picks up about 70 years after the original as Diana Prince is still mourning the death of her one and only love; now living in Washington DC, comes across a magical stone that may do more harm than good. Directed again by Patty Jenkins, starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig and Pedro Pascal. 

One of the things that I love about the Wonder Woman movies is the impeccable taste in costume design. Gadot’s Diana had beautiful, timeless pieces that could easily be worn today yet still appropriate for the era. Additionally, her hair and makeup were also flawless.

In terms of acting I thought that Gadot was her steady self, nothing too over the top, just right in the pocket. She carried the movie well. Unfortunately the villains, Max Lord, played by Pedro Pascal, and The Cheetah, played by Kristen Wiig, were lame in powers and costumes. I give Kristen Wiig, a comedian, credit for going outside of her typecast to take on a more villainous role, even though it wasn’t the greatest character to play. Additionally, Pedro Pascal gave great range and did as best he could for the lackluster role that he had to take on. There definitely appears to be a disconnect with how to properly portray a villain in these movies. They don’t measure up to other DC and especially not to other Marvel movie antiheros.

The CGI at times was terrible and looked cheap, nonetheless the fight sequences were still entertaining.

The plot was unoriginal however I did appreciate the themes around being selfless and making sacrifices for the greater good. The script was corny and predictable but the end credit was a cool walk down memory lane so be sure to stick around for that. In the end, Wonder Woman 1984 was fun to watch but could not match up to the 2017 original.

The Knight Before Christmas

 

The Knight Before Christmas is a 2019 romantic comedy starring Vanessa Hudgens, Josh Whitehouse and Entourage’s Emmanuelle Chriqui. When Brooke, a school teacher, who is disheartened after a recent breakup, bumps into an English medieval knight, whom was magically transported to present-day Ohio, they grow an unexpected relationship. 

Vanessa Hudgens has played this likeable character of Brooke before. Someone down on her luck in love. I would have liked to see a little bit more diversity from her in terms of character selection but with that being said, she was still enjoyable to watch. Her costumes were also beautiful and festive.
Josh Whitehouse was an unknown actor to me. I liked his full on commitment as Sir Cole, the 13th century knight, plopped in present day USA, in search for his destiny.
Emmanuelle Chriqui brought a different range to Brooke’s sister, Madison, than I had seen in her Entourage role. She brought a kindness, giving and motherly presence to the role.

The themes about giving back and finding love in the most unlikely of places were great. The script had a couple of funny parts but overall it was awkward and corny and the plot was not realistic at all. This is the first time I realized how Netflix is trying to connect its Christmas movies together with references to other movies within its Holiday Universe. Even though this one wasn’t my favorite of the Netflix Holiday Universe (NHU), I think that the idea is fun; it reminds me of a lower quality Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) but I’m here for it.

Holidate

 

Holidate is a holiday themed romantic comedy starting Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey and Kristin Chenoweth. When two strangers meet after horrible Christmas experiences and express similarities of being tired of being single on holidays; they agree to be each other's platonic dates for all holiday functions for the foreseeable future. 

Even though the plot was a bit played out giving me No Strings Attached or Friends With Benefits vibes, I still thought that it was fun and engaging. The script was funny and moved the story along well also giving a good full circle moment at the end.

The acting from the entire cast was great. Kristin Chenoweth brought a good amount of the comedy as Aunt Susan, a young at heart serial dater. Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey brought the great chemistry as Sloane and Jackson, singles tired of the pressures of dating during the holiday, looking for a less complicated relationship and in the end potentially finding more than what either of them bargained for. The character development wasn't great but okay enough to where I could connect to and root for some of the characters. There was even a descent about of diversity amongst the cast which I appreciated.

If you are looking for a more mature holiday movie that is smooth moving, light hearted, and funny then this one is definitely worth checking out.

Ava

 

Ava is a Netflix produced action drama about an assassin who works for a black ops organization. When a job goes wrong, inside men within Ava’s organization, put a hit out on her, forcing her to fight for her life. The film stars Jessica Chastain, John Malkovich, Common and Colin Farrell. 

The plot was a typical run of the mill femme fatale. It was incredibly predictable and toward the end some parts didn’t make any sense at all and the script got really corny. I can tell they left this one open for a sequel but I hope they don’t pull the trigger on that.

The fight sequences were descent but could have used a bit more sharpening up and realistic choreography. The casting of Chastain as Ava, the addict turned killer, trying to justify her actions, was done well and Geena Davis as her OCD mom, Bobbi, was spot on. Common was a bit of a confusing addition as he is not that great of an actor but I appreciated his attempt. The character development for Ava was pretty good but they could have spent some more time developing the co-starts. I also would have liked to see some more diversity among the cast.

This is the type of movie that I would have been disappointed in spending money at the theater to see but, in its lane, as a Netflix, straight to video, it was not that bad. Not necessarily one that I would watch again but not a complete waste of time either.

Operation Christmas Drop

 

Operation Christmas Drop is a Netflix produced film starring The Vampire Diaries' Kat Graham and Vikings' Alexander Ludwig. In the story Congressional Aide, Erica, played by Graham, is forced to forgo spending Christmas with her family to travel to an Air Force Base in Guam. While there she is tasked by her boss to make an assessment on defunding the facility. 

I liked the diversity and authenticity in the casting and enjoyed seeing Kat Graham in a leading role. She brought an evolution and a growth to her character. Alexander Ludwig also brought something different to his role, he tends to play characters that are not likeable so for this role he switched it up playing someone very patient, kind and giving. They both carried the movie well and had great chemistry together.

This script was a bit cheesy at times but overall it was family friendly and cute. The plot was engaging and easy to follow. Although romantic comedies can be pretty predictable I was still down to tag along for the ride. I found it interesting that the basis of this story was grounded in the fact that the US Air Force actually has been doing an annual humanitarian mission that they call Operation Christmas Drop since 1952. Every year the aircrew drop boxes of supplies, attached to parachutes, to residents in need, throughout the 50 remote islands in Micronesia. Amazingly it is the longest-running humanitarian airlift in the world.

If you are looking for a movie filled with heartwarming moments, a couple of funny ones and a bit of romance this is the one for you. Along with its touch of Christmas spirit that can awaken even the biggest of Grinches.

The Midnight Sky

 

The Midnight Sky is a science fiction drama directed by and starring George Clooney. It is based off of Lily Brooks-Dalton’s 2016 novel, Good Morning, Midnight. In the film Clooney plays Augustine Lofthouse, a scientist and former astronaut whose entire career has been focused on looking for habitable planets for humanity to move. Then in the blink of an eye a natural disaster strikes the earth so he must race to tell a crew of astronauts to not return home. 

I thought that the plot was interesting, it kept me engaged throughout even though there were quite a bit of holes in it. For one, I would have liked a lot more detail surrounding how they got to the situation they were all stuck in the first place and specifically what exactly happened to Earth. Additionally, the outdoor scenes with Clooney’s character were not thought out well. Based off of the limited information given, it did not seem realistic that he could survive any long stretch of time outside. I did, however, enjoy how this wasn’t a typical space movie, the director did a good job interchanging between the lives of the crew of astronauts in space and the lives of those still on earth.

I liked the diversity in the cast with Felicity Jones, David Oyelowo, Tiffany Boone, Demián Bichir, Kyle Chandler and young Caoilinn Springall who really held her own against Clooney. To be honest the acting from the entire cast was great but there was a lack of strong character development so it was hard to fully connect with all of the players in the story.

The cinematography was weak, a lot of the sets looked fake but where they did do well was in those vast Artic landscapes making the scenes look chillingly cold.

In the end I’d say the movie was just okay. Not necessarily worth watching again but not a complete waste of time either.

The Prom

 

The Prom is a Netflix produced film, based off of the 2018 Broadway musical of the same name. It is about self-obsessed, downward spiraling, Broadway stars take up activism, in small-town Indiana, to rehab their images, by rallying behind a teen who wants to go to the prom with her girlfriend.

I am a fan of some musicals and with this impressive all-star cast featuring Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington, Meryl Streep and Keegan-Michael Key I had to give this one a shot. Especially since they are not the type of people that I would typically think would apart of a campy movie musical. They did not disappoint with their performances, especially given the one-dimensional character development, corny plot and script. There was also quite a bit of overacting from a couple of the leads, James Corden and the newcomer, Jo Ellen Pellman; as well as some of the smaller cast members. What I did appreciate most in the casting though was the attempt at showcasing a very diverse looking group of people.

I know that this was set in small town America, but the costumes and hair styling were terrible. I am sure some of that was intentional but it almost seemed like the cast wore their own clothes and didn’t have a stylist or costume designer on set.

The plot was well-intended and I liked the themes of acceptance, poking fun at Broadway elites, faux activism, and class superiority. I did however think that it was good 45min too long and the soundtrack was painful to listen to. Also, the dance sequences felt unoriginal; giving me She's All That vibes mixed with Disney's High School Musical or Glee and most importantly, instead of normalizing the gay experience like some recent award winning television shows have done of late, like Euphoria and Schitt’s Creek, they played on the stereotypes and made it feel unauthentic.

Over all there were a couple of good jokes, a couple of heartfelt moments and a string of great performances. Unfortunately the writing, soundtrack and the story sunk this experience for me. If it takes you multiple times to finish a movie, like it did for me, it’s not the one. Even though I really wanted to support this one, I would have to say skip it.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is a Netflix produced drama, based on the play of the same name by August Wilson.  It is a loose biography that depicts one day in the life of “The Mother of Blues”, Ma Rainey in the 1920s. Produced by Denzel Washington, staring Viola Davis and Chadwick Bosemanin, in his final film. The movie opens on a sweltering hot day in 1920s Chicago as Ma and her band encounter the ups and downs of internal and external tensions as they record a few of her hit songs.

Acting from the entire cast was superb; they all played well off each other and brought something unique and interesting to each personality. The character development was strong with Viola and Chadwick carrying this movie with greatness. Viola brought a fierceness to the role of Ma Rainey. She was strong in her convictions, confident, business savvy, and refused to be treated less than; she knew her talent and her wroth. Chadwick's delivery of the script was emotionally charged and powerful; with some critics calling this his “swan song”. He dove deep into the role, bringing a rawness and a vulnerability, to the point where you didn’t see Chadwick; all you saw was his character, Levee.

The sets, costumes and make up were well done. The designers did a great job in helping to truly transport you to that era.

For those who didn’t see the movie adaptation of August Wilson’s Fences, there will be a bit of getting used to the delivery of the script. The writing felt like a direct translation of the play, so it was very heavy in dialogue with parts that felt unnecessarily exaggerated. Additionally, the end was a bit rushed and unrealistic.

With all of that being said, the life of Ma Rainey is not one that is often depicted in film or television so it was great to see a day in a part of her story presented by one of the most talented modern day actors. Even with a couple of dropped balls I still felt like this was a very interesting snapshot and one worth checking out.

The Princess Switch: Switched Again

 

The Princess Switch: Switched Again is a romantic comedy and sequel to the 2018 Netflix produced, The Princess Switch. It picks up two years after the original with the Duchess of Montenaro, Margaret Delacourt, preparing for her unexpected assentation to the throne; while also trying to confront past relationship issues. Her friend and doppelganger, now Princess Stacy De Novo Wyndham, attempts to come to her rescue when Margaret needs some time away, but a third look-alike, Margaret's cousin Lady Fiona, has a scheme in mind for herself which might undo everyone’s well curated plans. 

I thought that the story was predicable but still cute and enjoyable. The costumes were stylish and well suited for each character. The set decorations were extravagant but full of festivity.

The cast were fun to watch. I was very impressed with Vanessa Hudgens’ ability to take on an even bigger role than before. She managed to carry this movie quite well. She’s a great actress with an impressive amount of versatility.  I also liked that they brought back a majority of the original cast while also introducing some fresh faces.

Though not something I’d watch again; it was worth checking out once. The movie was light hearted and fun, bringing just the right amount of Christmas cheer. It was the perfect type of straight to video movie, just in time for the holiday season.

The Phantom of the Opera

During this Fall/Halloween season I wanted to watch something that channeled some of those themes, so I picked 2004’s Phantom of the Opera, a musical drama based on Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1986 play of the same name. This is the story of a man with a disfigured face, who falls in love with a chorus dancer, whom he turns into a Prima Donna through bullying the cast and producers. Everything soon turns for the worst, however, when she falls in love with someone else.

The musical was set primarily in the late 1800s with impressive costume design and sets as the backdrop to really help you feel connected to that era. The plot was a bit slow moving but interesting with a good twist at the end.

The cast was star studded with Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson and Minnie Driver in the lead roles. Rossum’s singing and acting were great and Minnie brought the comedy with her eccentric character. Over the years Gerard Butler has evolved into a physical, high action star in roles from the likes of 300 and the Olympus Has Fallen franchise, so it was interesting going back in the archives to see him in a musical. For me, he dropped the ball in the singing department but did a descent acting job.

Not much could be done about the soundtrack as it was taken from the original score. The majority of the numbers were corny and I did not particularly enjoy many of them but, there were a couple that squeaked in there that I liked.

After seeing movie musicals like Sweeny Todd, Les Misérables or even Chicago, this one didn’t quite meet the bar for me. With that being said, I’d still say it was worth checking out once.

Antebellum

Antebellum is a thriller starring Janelle Monáe as Veronica Henley, a well-respected and renowned, modern day sociologist and author, who ends up on a 19th-century slave plantation. 

The movie is branded as a horror but boarders more on the lines of a thriller. The previews were very misleading to what the plot actually ended up being about. The intensity wasn’t as heightened as I had expected it to be. It was still however, unpredictable and interesting. Keeping the ambiguity of the situation until the end kept me on the edge of my toes for the entire movie. It kind of gave me M. Night Shyamalan vibes. 

In their feature directorial debuts, Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz, left much to be wanted in the terms of the script and character development. They did however do well in the cinematography department with the lighting, edits, vast landscapes.

Janelle Monáe was the star of this film. She did well in role bringing a lot of intelligence, poise, intensity and strength to the character. The film also stars Jena Malone, Jack Huston, Kiersey Clemons, and Gabourey Sidibe. They all took on unique roles that were outside their typical wheelhouses which I thought was interesting. Sidibe’s small role as Dawn though was by far the funniest and most light-hearted part of this entire movie.

Even though Antebellum was missing a lot of key pieces for me, I still felt like it wrapped up well and gave me the closure that I needed. This isn’t a movie that I would watch again but I was happy to support Janelle Monáe and give it a chance.

Queen & Slim

Queen & Slim is a modern day Bonnie & Clyde drama draped in the current tensions surrounding police brutality and the murders of unarmed people of color. It follows a young man and woman who meet for the first time on a date, though the date was not particularly a success, things take a turn for the worst when they are pulled over for a traffic violation.

The screenplay was written by the brilliant Lena Waithe and it was directed by first time director Melina Matsoukas. The plot was timely, realistic, suspenseful and emotionally charged. It kept me on my toes from start until finish. The cinematography was powerful and gritty.

The movie primarily focused on the two main characters, Slim played by the talented Daniel Kaluuya and Queen played by new comer, Jodie Turner-Smith. They are both British but you wouldn't have known it as both of their American accents were spot on. They had great chemistry together and their performances were commanding on screen. The character development was just enough to get you to really care about these characters, but I felt like they could have gone a bit deeper.

I held off on watching this movie when it had originally came out because I knew I would have to wrap my head around it. And I was right, there were parts that were tough to watch and parts that were sad, but there were also themes of hope. I think that this movie is definitely worth watching, just know, for those interested, get ready for a roller-coaster of emotions.

Zombieland: Double Tap

 

The sequel to 2009’s Zombieland; Double Tap brings us back to Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita and Little Rock as they make their way to Graceland, while trying to keep their makeshift family together by staying alive against advanced zombies. 

Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin all reprised their roles from the original film which was unexpected but great to see. Everyone looked great and aged well over the course of the 10 year gap. Additionally, there were some fun new castings including Zoey Deutch, Rosario Dawson and Luke Wilson. I thought that they all brought something new, fresh and funny to their roles.

The plot moved quickly and kept me engaged with a good twist at the end. There were also some very entertaining action and fight sequences. The script was clever and funny. The makeup for the cast, especially the zombies, was gross and gory, which means it was done well. The only issue I had was that the cinematography at times highlighted or prolonged an unnecessary amount of nauseating scenes and overall felt more gruesome than the first.

However, with all that being said, I would still say that this was a solid follow up to the original. If you are looking for an action comedy mixed with a walk down memory lane, check this one out.

The Best of Enemies

 

The Best of Enemies is based on the book The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South by Osha Gray Davidson. Set in Klu Klux Klan occupied Durham, NC in 1971, this true story depicts the conflict between civil rights activist Ann Atwater and KKK leader C. P. Ellis. Starring Taraji P. Henson, Sam Rockwell, Anne Heche and Yellowstone’s Wes Bentley. 

The plot was engaging and easy to follow. I had never heard this story before so I found it very interesting and inspiring. The hair, makeup and costumes were appropriate for the early 1970s and really helped to connect you to the time.

There was a descent amount of character development, so it was easy to understand the characters motives. The cast worked well together. Sam Rockwell and Taraji P. Henson did a great job carrying this film. Sam’s portrayal of C. P. Ellis’ conflict within was quite compelling. Taraji P. Henson’s portrayal of Ann Atwater showed how fierce she was in her convictions but also kind, when she didn’t need to be, to those who didn’t necessarily deserve it and to those were less fortunate than her. Anne Heche was a surprising addition, she did a great job as Mary Ellis, the wife of C.P. She brought an independent spirit to the character, as she didn’t share in his beliefs, and challenged him to think outside of his box.

This event in history wasn’t that long ago and a lot of the themes resonate even today. So I found the movie to be motivating and in the end, quite heartwarming. It shows that people can change and when exposed to people who are not like them and they can learn and grown a lot from it. During these trying times, this is story people need to see.

RBG

RBG is a very interesting documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life. It covers her early years in school, to her time working with the ACLU, during which she presented and won a number of cases that went to the Supreme Court, and of course her time as a justice on said court.

As a pioneer and a breaker of glass ceilings, she started fighting for gender equality at an early age and when making it to the Supreme Court at 60, she often championed having more women on the court, even saying all the justices should be women. As a defender for women’s rights, she was not afraid to speak her truth and even dissent against her peers when the majority voted against her, she spoke out uncharacteristically against Trump, as Supreme Court Justices normally do not do that, but it was a great moment that gained her popularity as the Notorious RBG, a nickname that she actually seemed to like.

The documentary did a great job of helping you to better understand the human side of Ruth. Seeing her interact with her grandchild and hearing how her children and friends described her, she was a serious person who loved the opera but also had appreciation for comedy and was able to make the most unlikely of friends. I also liked the footage that they had of her and her late husband, they had an adorable relationship and were such a compliment to one another.

Something that will stick with me is something she always used to say, “The way to win an argument is not to yell, because often that will turn people away more so than bringing them to your table.” For those more curious about RBG this is a great documentary to check out.

On The Basis of Sex

 

On The Basis Of Sex is a biographical legal drama that focuses on the early years of Ruth Bader Ginsburg; from her time at the male dominated Harvard Law School in 1956, through her first job as a professor teaching sex discrimination and the law, until her early career practicing law in the 1970s. 

The plot was interesting and engaging. They jump though time quickly though and the characters don’t age, so at times you struggle to figure it out where we are in the sequence of time. The fashion was superb. Some of the costumes worn in this movie I’d wear now.

The movie does a great job depicting the discrimination and disrespect Ruth faced in school and all throughout her career and daily life because of her gender; and her perseverance though it all. She never gave up during the ups and downs of her life including during her husband’s bout with cancer.

The cast is star studded. Rogue One’s, Felicity Jones did a pretty good job as Ruth Bader Ginsburg. My only critique is that she struggled with the accent. As an English actress her Brooklyn accent would go in a out quite a bit during the course of the film. I’m not a huge Armie Hammer fan but I enjoyed him as the ever doting, funny and supportive husband, Martin "Marty" Ginsburg. I particularly enjoyed their dynamic together. They were really able to bring to the screen a strong and loving bond. The rest of the cast also did well in their roles with Justin Theroux unrecognizable as Melvin "Mel" Wulf. Kathy Bates was a surprise addition and I found her role as the no nonsense, feminist, attorney Dorothy Kenyon rather enjoyable. Additionally, I’ve seen Sam Waterston and Stephen Root in other projects as well and thought that they both did well in their antagonist roles.

Overall this movie was well made and informative. It tugs at the heartstrings almost immediately and is well worth the watch.

Tenet

Tenet is an action packed drama following a CIA agent who is recruited into a covert government program called Tenet, whose end goal is to prevent World War III. The movie stars John David Washington and Robert Pattinson. 

The cinematography was very much within the writer and director, Christopher Nolan’s, wheelhouse. The way they were able to manipulate time in the film was unlike anything I had seen before. It was incredibly visually stunning with Inception-like vibes.

The acting was great from the entire cast, with a lot of familiar faces including one of Nolan’s favorite repeat actors, Michael Caine. John David Washington was quite the leading man. He carried this movie well. He brought a strong presence and polish throughout and also had some descent fight sequences. Robert Pattinson was a nice addition to the cast as well. He was illusive and cunning in his sidekick role. Once again Pattinson brought something different to the screen. He has been quite impressive as of late with his movie selections. He’s come a long way since his 2008 breakout role in Twilight.

Where the movie lost me was in the plot. It was hard to follow and I’m not sure if it was because of the conversations around the complexity of the time manipulation and travel, and perhaps requires another look, or because it just didn’t make any sense. At this time I'm going to go with the former and because it was so interesting, I will run this movie back to figure out this riddle.

Emma

 

Emma is a romantic drama/comedy based off of Jane Austen's 1815 novel of the same name. It is the story of an aristocratic young woman who has more joy in being a matchmaker than looking for love herself. Emma is a high fashion perfectionist who is naïve when it comes to the world around her. She thinks she is doing a service when helping to pair her friends but comes to an awakening when she realizes some of the relationships she’s pushing are not meant to be. 

Set in early 19th century England, I enjoyed the cinematography, costumes, hair and makeup which really help to bring you to that place in time.

The script and the pace of the film keep you engaged throughout. This is a coming of age story about growing up and being open to change. I liked the themes around loyalty to family and love.

I thought that the acting from the entire cast was well done. American, Anya Taylor-Joy, who gained fame in Split, Glass and Peaky Blinders, carried the movie as Emma Woodhouse, and did a wonderful job. Her English accent was impeccable and her most impressive acting came from her ability to subtlety show her feelings without any dialogue. She brought a level of confidence and class to this role that perfectly fit the character.

The 1995 movie Clueless is also based off of this book. Growing up a Clueless fan I saw a lot of the parallels between these two movies, of which I thoroughly enjoyed. So for all of the Clueless fans out there, and anyone else who likes a good period film, I would definitely recommend checking out this light-hearted and fun flick.

Mulan

Mulan is the Disney produced live action remake of the 1998 animated version of the same name. It is based on a fictional folk story of a Chinese heroine set in 4th century AD. Unbeknownst to her ageing father, who has just been drafted, she takes his place in the army by disguising herself as a man.

I like that the character of Mulan. She is not your typical Disney damsel in distress. She doesn't need anyone to save her and being the best and brightest in her regiment she also helps to save her fellow soldiers. She’s independent, brave, smart and confident which makes for a great role model for young people.

There were a number of strong themes around having confidence in yourself and your gifts, not dulling down your light, and honoring your family,

The cinematography was visually stunning with vast landscapes. The costumes and makeup where very relevant for the time and helped to easily transport you to that era. The fight sequences were smooth but exaggerated and unrealistic. It was very Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. When a movie goes live action I expect something more convincing but instead it took more of a fanciful direction.

The move flowed smoothly but the story seemed rushed. I would have liked more character development and detail in the plot. I would have also liked for the characters to have spoken in their native tongue with English subtitles vs having them all speaking in English, which obviously is not culturally accurate.

Overall I thought that the movie was good. Not worth checking out in theatres but it was nice to watch from home. One critic called it the best live action Disney adaptation but I’d have to give that crown to the Maleficent franchise.

Da 5 Bloods

Da 5 Bloods is a Netflix produced, Vietnam Era, fictional story directed by Spike Lee. The plot follows four black Vietnam War veterans about 40 years after the war, on a trip back to Vietnam searching for a deceased brothers remains and some long lost gold. 

The sets and the costumes were the only good parts about this movie. They were realistic and were able to properly transport you to the 60s and also bring you to the current time.

The acting was forced from a lot of the co-starts, they didn’t properly cast the younger versions of the main stars in the flashback scenes and the character development was so weak that you couldn’t really connect to any of the protagonists.

The monologues toward the end were unnecessary and even though a good amount the dialogue was appropriate for the age range of the characters, the script was corny.

The cinematography was outdated, the edits were terrible and the soundtrack reminded me of a late 90s movie, like Air Force One.

Although this movie is fictional it does draw on some historical accuracies and real-life experiences of Black soldiers during the Vietnam War. The re-telling of a story about the Black experience during Vietnam is important, and should be told, it is just unfortunate that it was filmed in such a cheap and trite B-movie type of way. Spike had all these statements that he wanted to make about the culture but could not translate it properly to film. I’ve noticed after watching a number of Spike Lee joints that they are hit and miss and for me this particular film was a huge miss.

Marshall

Marshall is a biographical legal drama set in the early years of Thurgood Marshall’s time as Chief Counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund in the 1940s. It follows him during one of his first cases, the State of Connecticut v. Joseph Spell. The movie stars Chadwick Boseman as Thurgood Marshall, Josh Gad as Sam Friedman, an insurance lawyer, who at first, reluctantly agrees to work with Marshall and Sterling K. Brown as Joseph Spell, the man accused of rape and attempted murder of his employer. 

The story was easy to follow, a bit predictable but still very interesting. The script, costumes and sets were realistic for the time which really helped to transport you back to the Jim Crowe era.

The casting was well done with everyone portraying their respected parts believably and flawlessly. Boseman really transported into Thurgood Marshall, I didn’t even see him the actor; I only saw the character he was playing. I’ve known Josh Gad as more of a voice actor so it was great to see him in this role where I felt like he was really able to hold his own with Boseman. I especially enjoyed their connection on screen; their comedic banter and chemistry was infectious. Additionally, the character development was pretty good all around. You were able to understand and connect with each protagonists’ motives.

I knew that Thurgood was the first African American Justice on the Supreme Court but I didn’t know much about his early work, so I thought that this was able to provide some really informative historical context while also still being quite entertaining. I think this movie is great for everyone, especially those who are a fan of Chadwick Boseman’s craft and are looking for more of his diverse and compelling work.

Jane Eyre

 

Jane Eyre is the 2011 gothic, romantic drama adapted from the Charlotte Brontë novel of the same title. Jane is an independent, smart and hardworking woman who has lived a tough and lonely life. When she is hired as a governess to a hardened, aristocratic employer, Edward Fairfax Rochester, with a mysterious past, she begins to soften his the heart only to discover secrets that may ruin their happy ending before it could ever begin.

The movie stars Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Judi Dench and Jamie Bell. Mia, as Jane, and Michael, as Mr. Rochester, brought a strong chemistry and intensity to the screen that draws you in almost instantly. The entire cast did well in their roles with descent character development for Jane and Mr. Rochester. I would have liked a more in depth backstory for Dench’s character, Mrs. Fairfax, and Bell’s character, St. John Rivers.

The cinematography is full of beautiful untouched landscapes, the script was well written, and the plot gave me dark, Cinderella-esq vibes. And although it was slow moving and a bit predicable there were parts that were surprising.

This movie is one of many adaptations of this story. Being someone who didn't read the book, I don't want to be the one to judge how well they brought the novel to life, but what I will say is that I wish I would have read it first to fill in some of the gaps in the film. And with that being said, even though Jane Eyre was missing some details for me, I still thought it was entertaining and worth checking out once.

Project Power

 

Project Power is a Netflix original action drama starring Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Set in New Orleans, an ex-solider, a teenage drug dealer and a local cop team up to take down an elusive group that is putting a pill on the streets which gives its consumers unpredictable superpowers for five minutes. 

Even though the previews weren’t entirely intriguing I still wanted to give this movie a try because Jamie Foxx normally doesn’t make bad movies. Jumping into this movie I picked up right away that plot was interesting but predictable. It reminded me of Bradley Cooper's 2011 bomb, Limitless.

I enjoyed the diversity of the cast however there was a strong lack of character development which made it hard to connect to anyone. Additionally the script and dialogue were terrible leaving a lot of plot holes. With that being said, I as still impressed, based off of what the performers were given in a script, they were still able to pull off a decent acting job.

The special effects were pretty good but the super powers were lame. It’s hard to make a good super hero movie nowadays with Marvel as the bar.

In the end it was unfortunate that award winning cast members were placed in such a mediocre film. There was no suspense, no excitement, no connection to any of the characters and they could not meet the high super hero bar that is expected of today’s films. Due to these misses, this movie can easily be skipped.

Work It

 

Work It is a teen rom-com that follows overachiever Quinn Ackerman, played by Sabrina Carpenter, whose sole focus, since she was young, was to be admitted to Duke university. During her admission interview she misleads her interviewer into thinking she is a dancer and now her acceptance into the university of her dreams is dependent on her performance at a dance competition. 

The plot gave me Save The Last Dance vibes with a twist. The themes throughout were inspiring around not letting others tell you want you can and cannot accomplish in your life, taking a risk, and finding joy in something new.

I thought that the entire cast did a descent acting job, I loved the diversity of the group, especially the addition of Liza Koshy and Jordan Fisher. Liza had the good comedic timing. Jordan has been in a couple of these types of movies and I’ve always liked his approachable, likeable demeanor. Both were not only very entertaining on screen but also amazing dancers. Group choreography can easily turn into something corny but I found the dancing in this film to be quite was enjoyable. The only thing that was really missing for me was deeper character development for the supporting characters.

Netflix is churning out these little jams every time I turn around and for the most part I don’t have much bad to say about them, including this one. If you are looking for a fun, coming of age, underdog story this movie could be for you.

The Kissing Booth 2

The Kissing Booth 2 is the Netflix produced, coming of age, teen romantic comedy, sequel to 2018's The Kissing Booth. Picking up where the original left off, high school senior, Elle, is struggling in a long-distance relationship, with her boyfriend Noah, while managing college applications and figuring out what a new friendship with a handsome classmate could mean for her future. 

It is always great when the original cast all came back and it was also nice to see a bit more diversity with the addition of minorities and LGBTQ characters. It would have been nice if they casted some younger people though. A few of the actors looked well beyond the 18 or 19 year old character they were supposed to be playing so that was a bit of a distraction. Even though there was a miss with casting, the entire group did a good job interacting with one another. I especially liked the dynamic between Elle, Noah, Chloe and Marco. Played by Joey King, Euphoria’s Jacob Elordi, Maisie Richardson-Sellers and Taylor Zakhar Perez, respectively.

The script had slightly better character development than the original with the themes transitioning well from the original film to this one. They picked up again on the complexities of friendships and relationships, gowning up and discovering who you want to be in life

This movie is categorized as a comedy but I didn’t think it was that funny, there were cute parts but nothing remembered for its hilarity. It was more of a Romantic Drama to me. Even with that being said I still think that it was a pretty good sequel with some unpredictable twists and turns though out.

Jumanji: The Next Level

Jumanji: The Next Level is the sequel to 2017's Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and the second follow-up to the original 1995 Jumanji. It reunites the characters from the previous film and picks up a few years after the events in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle with Spencer, "Fridge", Martha, and Bethany planning a reunion, while all leading different lives, some better than others. 

I thought that the plot was fun with some unpredictable twists on the characters for this version. The themes of broken friendships and repairing them before it’s too late and themes of finding confidence in yourself while getting older were all relatable and prevalent throughout.

I thought that the cast was star studded and entertaining. I’m not a huge Kevin Heart fan but he was hilarious in this movie and did great staying in character. Awkwafina, Rory McCann, Danny DeVito and Danny Glover were also fun and unexpected additions to the cast. I had an issue with The Rock trying to adopt a New York Italian accent, which was terrible, and Jack Black with the Black accent, which felt a little Tropic Thunder to me, but I know why they had to do it, so I had to push past it.

Overall I thought that this movie did a good job of keeping my attention throughout, even though it was a bit corny, it was a descent sequel.

The Farewell

The Farewell is a comedy-drama starring Golden Globe winner, Awkwafina as Billi, a young working woman who is very close to her grandmother, Nai Nai. When she and her family find out Dtheir beloved matriarch, Nai Nai, only has a short time to live, they return to China under the façade of a wedding, to see her one last time and say goodbye, unbeknownst to Nai Nai herself.

I thought that the plot was easy to follow and incredibly relatable. It was interesting to see traditional Chinese customs on screen that I wouldn’t normally have known about without having seen this movie.

The script was a bit dry but the acting made up for a lot of it. Awkwafina, who is more known for her comedic chops, gave an unexpectedly great dramatic performance. She deserved the Golden Globe but not in the comedy category. Shuzhen Zhao who plays Nai Nai was actually the funniest part of this film. She reminded me of my own grandparents with her lack of filter and love of her family.

This movie was promoted as a comedy but to me was more of a drama. The comedy wasn’t my cup of tea per se; it was more of a subtle, dry humor. So with that being said, if you are into that style of comedy, then I think this film is worth checking out.

The Old Guard

The Old Guard is a group of immortal beings that are at risk of their secret being exposed after they discover and rescue another. This action drama was based off the comic book of the same name and stars Charlize Theron and Chiwetel Ejiofor. 

When I think of a traditional superhero movie this isn't what I would have thought of. This didn't come off as one of those big budget Marvel movies. It was a more low key kind of hero movie with an interesting plot, even though some of the key pieces were predictable from the beginning.

The majority of the cast were unknown to me but were a good, diverse group of actors. The script had descent character development but could have elaborated more. This is one of the few hero movies I’ve seen with clearly out LGBTQ characters which was great to see on screen. Even with the missing pieces, Charlize did well carrying this movie, she brought a lot of pain and leadership to the role and also had some really intricate fight sequences which were impressive.

The Old Guard has been set up for a sequel which I don’t particularly care to see. In the end, the movie was okay but not worth another reiteration nor re-watching.

The Half of It

The Half of It is a coming of age LGBTQ romantic dramedy about a bright high school senior, Ellie Chu, who lives a low key life with no friends. When Paul Munsky, a jock, asks her to write a love letter to his crush, she unexpectedly not only makes a friend but also falls in love with his crush.

I thought that the plot was unique and interesting. It was unpredictable, engaging and easy to follow with light touches of comedy and heart wrenching moments. The themes around the complexities of love were thought provoking and honest. The cinematography and edits were all well done and helped to evoke emotion and connection to the characters.

This was an entire cast that I had never seen before but one I really enjoyed watching on screen; they all did well playing off one another. I especially enjoyed the leads Leah Lewis, who played Ellie Chu, and Daniel Diemer, the dense yet kind and loyal friend, jock and amateur chef, Paul Munsky. They had great on screen chemistry, strong character development and were both very likeable in the portrayal of their respective roles.

As a whole this was a really great film, full of heart and definitely worth checking out.

After

After is a romantic drama following Tessa Young, an impressionable college freshman, as she discovers more about herself and her desires after meeting Hardin Scott, a British bad boy, that goes to her school. The movie is based off of the young adult novel of the same name by Anna Todd. It stars relatively unknown actors Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin.

I thought that the plot was engaging and easy to follow with a very well laced and appropriate soundtrack for the movie. The themes of firsts; first loves, first heartbreaks, growing up and making your own choices during a very influential time in your life, are all themes I could relate to. My only knock on the plot was that it was predictable with a lot of details left out. It gave me knockoff Cruel Intentions vibes with a much more mature, yet still very beautiful, Selma Blair playing Tessa’s mom. She has gone through a lot personally with her health so I thought that she looked really great in this movie and did a decent job in her role. Another blast from the past was a surprise addition of the dad from The OC, Peter Gallagher, who played Hardin’s dad. I was intrigued by his dynamic with Hardin and would have liked to have seen that relationship expanded more upon in this film. The rest of the cast I had never seen before but they were all attractive and diverse. However, a lot of the characters were very one dimensional and could have used a lot more development. Perhaps that is why I found the acting from the majority group to be mediocre except that from Austrian-born Josephine who played Tessa, she brought a descent range of emotions and had an impressive American accent.

In regard to cinematography, there were too many slow motion edits to give that feeling of intensity between the two love interests, which in the end felt forced. They didn’t need it because the chemistry was naturally there.

Overall the movie was okay. It was properly prepped for a sequel, which will be dropping later this year, so I’m hoping to get more depth in the backstories and development from these characters in the upcoming film.

21 Bridges

21 Bridges is an action crime drama starring Chadwick Boseman as a NYPD detective on a time sensitive task to locate a couple of cop killers who have the entire NYPD on a citywide manhunt.

I thought that the story was interesting and engaging but predictable from the beginning. It was full of high action and suspense and ended up better than I thought it was going to be with its realistic and gritty cinematography.

The casting of Sienna Miller, J.K. Simmons, Taylor Kitsch, and Keith David was unexpected but turned out to be really great. Some of these actors I hadn't see in anything in a long time, so it was nice to see them in this film. Additionally, I am a huge fan of Chadwick who I thought did well in carrying this movie by bringing a lot of range and complexity to his character, but he had a Denzel Washington esque accent which was a bit weird.

Overall 21 Bridges was good but not necessarily one that I would seek out to watch again.

Just Mercy

Just Mercy is a historical drama set in 1989; it is the true story of a young civil rights defense attorney, Bryan Stevenson. Fresh off of graduating from Harvard Law School, looking to make a change in the very racist Alabama, he focuses on freeing wrongly convicted death row prisoners. 

The script was well written and the plot was easy to follow, powerful and poignant in relation to what is still going on in the world today.

The movie has an all-star cast lead by Michael B. Jordan, featuring Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson. The acting, especially that from Jordan and Foxx was so incredibly moving that there will not be a dry eye in the house. The character development was well done, so you will really feel connected to the people in this movie.

This is one of those stories that they don’t teach in the history books but should. It is an inspiring movie that tells you, when your back is against the wall, to never give up and to keep trying for a better world. The themes transcend time and the story is one everyone should see.

The King of Staten Island

The King of Staten Island is a comedic drama that is starring and loosely based on Pete Davidson’s life. Davidson plays Scott, a twenty something young man who has never really grown up or applied himself to anything since the death of his firefighter father. After a stream of events forces him to grapple with his grief he must decide to if he will take his first steps toward adulthood. 

I am a fan of the director, Judd Apatow. He has made some hilarious films in the past but this one is a different, it more serious tone than his previous works and the comedy is a lot darker. The themes around depression, drug use and grief were prominent throughout and were important to bring up during these though times.

I thought that the plot was interesting and unpredictable. The script however was a bit on the weak side and not as funny as I would have hoped which caused the movie to drag. About an hour and a half in, I was looking to see how much time was left in the movie. The runtime could have been cut down significantly.

The acting was okay; Davidson was just being himself and not really diving deep into a character but since he was supposed to play himself to a certain point, I didn’t find it to be too much of a problem in this movie.

The story was slow moving and didn’t give me any real closure. The conclusion was open ended, leaving us to make a choice on where it goes from there, which can work in some films, but I wasn’t a huge fan of it for this particular one. In the end, I just felt like the movie was just okay; not one I would seek out to watch again.

My Spy

My Spy is an action comedy starring Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman and Parisa Fitz-Henley. JJ, played but Bautista, is a hardened CIA agent on his last straw with the agency. When he is assigned to surveil a family in Chicago his cover is blown by a 9 year old girl who blackmails him into training her to be a spy. While at her mercy he begins to learn not only more about those he’s sworn to protect but also more about himself. 

I thought that the plot was fun, easy to follow but very predictable from almost the beginning.

I really enjoyed the acting from the entire cast. Bautista was a strong, hilarious and very entertaining lead but doesn’t bring a lot of range. Chloe Coleman who played Sophie surprisingly brought most of the funny and charisma. She was such a good actor, full of wit and sass and did a great job co-starting with such a big presence like Bautista. Coleman along with Parisa Fitz-Henley, who played her mother, were relatively unknown actors to me and I thought that they both did a great job in their respective roles.

This film was full of heart, had great themes about not being afraid to start again and make new memories, defending the ones you care about, and being your authentic self. I thought that it was one of the funnier ones I’ve seen all year and would recommend that everyone check this one out if you are looking for a good laugh.

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc is a biographical historical drama of the life, death and later canonization of the woman known as "The Maid of Orliéans" who helped to liberate France from the English in the 1400s. 

I thought that the plot was interesting and cinematography was well done. There was some really good editing and fight sequences. This movie was released over 20 years ago but still held up visually.  I wasn’t a fan of the soundtrack though. The music choices were odd, especially during some of the more serious scenes.

The character development was descent but the choice in cast was questionable. The actors, who were supposed to be French, didn’t speak the language and only two in the entire group, Vincent Cassel and Tchéky Karyo, even had French accents, which was a major disappointment. In the beginning it was hard to figure out who was what because of that. To me this was one of Milla Jovovich’s worst performances. The delivery of her lines reminded me of her character, Leeloo, from The 5th Element, which she had filmed just prior to this movie. In regard to her range, I felt like she was doing too much. I get that her character was supposed to be overwhelmed by the message she perceived that God was giving her, but she just came off as manic, on the brink of a panic attack. And when she wasn’t talking to herself and pacing around she was lashing out at others like a moody child.

I am a huge fan of Mila’s later work but this was not a good fit for her. The movie had potential but in the end wasn’t that great and can be easily skipped.

Always a Bridesmaid

Always a Bridesmaid is a Netflix produced romantic comedy written by Yvette Nicole Brown, starring Javicia Leslie and Jordan Calloway.

The plot was a refreshing take on a story that has been told time and time again. It followed Corina James, played by a Leslie, and her group of friends. As Corina ages and finds success in her career, she becomes quite aware that all of her friends are getting married and begins to wonder if she will ever find love or always be the bridesmaid.

I loved that this film gave a platform for Black actors that you don’t see often. It was really nice seeing such a diverse character development and so many Black faces that I had never seen before. Javicia Leslie is one of those faces. She did a great job leading the film, her character was likeable, and she gave a lot of range in the role.

The costume design was fashion forward and sleek. The hair and makeup was very beautiful and culturally appropriate.

The themes around love, friendship, believing in yourself and opening yourself up for love were prevalent throughout. And even though this was a familiar storyline with a predictable end it was still enjoyable. Those looking for a chick flick that is light hearted and funny should check this one out.

Snowpiercer

Snowpiercer is a science fiction dystopian drama set in the future where a failed climate-change experiment has killed the majority of the world's population except for the ones who were able to board the Snowpiercer, a high speed train that travels around the globe. 

I thought that the plot was interesting however that was the only positive thing I could find about this movie. The script was terrible;  some parts didn’t make any sense at all and were unrealistic. It was as if the writers had a high level idea that they didn't know how to get deeper into. There was nothing smart or eye opening about this story.

The cinematography was low budget, the CGI looked fake, and some of the editing was flat out terrible,

I found it hard to connect to any of the characters. The acting was cheesy which was unfortunate due to the well respected cast including Tilda Swinton, Octavia Spencer and Ed Harris. I’m not a huge Chris Evans fan so I should have known that he wasn’t going to be able to carry this movie well.

I choose to watch this movie because the Snowpiercer television show is currently airing and it has already shown, in its first episode, to be more exciting, the writing has been of higher quality, superior cinematography and with a better story full of deep layers just awaiting to be uncovered. Therefore, I’d suggest skipping this movie and going straight to the TV show.

The Way Back

The Way Back stars Ben Affleck, as a former high school basketball prodigy named Jack Cunningham who walked away from the game in his prime. Years later, he is a construction worker suffering from alcoholism, who is offered a shot at redemption by being offered a coaching job at his alma mater. 

I thought that the plot was realistic and interesting to follow. I liked how they didn’t just wrap everything up in a bow at the end and instead made it more genuine.

I appreciated the very diverse casting however there was an extreme lack in character development. Pretty much everyone was one dimensional and forgettable except for Affleck, who was impressive with the lack of script he was given. He really brought the pain, the loneliness and sadness to his character,

The director was trying to go for some kind of heartfelt underdog story that you could really connect to like a Coach Carter or a Glory Road but he couldn’t quite get there due to the inability to create characters that you wanted to follow and depth in the storylines.

The director also tried to use the cinematography tricks, with its no script, slow motion edits and melancholy musical score, as a way to play at the heartstrings of the audience but it got played out quickly.

To be honest this movie had potential to be something great but turned out to be a huge disappointment. I’d definitely recommend skipping this one.

Downton Abbey

The Downton Abbey movie is a spinoff of the television show presumably picking up where the show left off. If follows the Crawleys and their staff as they prepare for a royal visit from the king and queen of England.

I enjoyed the sets and the costumes. I noticed I was asking a lot of questions about the characters so I think it would have been best to have watched the show first, to have a proper backstory, but you can still get though it without it.

I found the plot to be boring. There was no drama, no suspense; it was just an even keel, plateau kind of movie. I think in the end this was just a money grab. A lot of characters are brought back for a feel good, nostalgic kind of event for fans of the show. For those that have never seen the series, this one can be skipped. For fans of the show, I think they will appreciate the nostalgia but not entirely satisfied with this film.

Love Wedding Repeat

Love Wedding Repeat is a Groundhog Day type comedy starring Sam Claflin, Olivia Munn and Freida Pinto. When Jack, played by Sam Claflin, misses out on a chance at love with Dina, played by Olivia Munn, he is presented with one final opportunity, three years later, at his sister’s wedding. The story presents alternate versions, of the same scenario, unfolding as Jack tries to reconnect with his crush while also making sure his little sister has the perfect wedding day. 

The plot was simple, predictable, easy to follow, a bit awkward at times but engaging none the less.

The character development did not go in depth but it was enough to be able to connect to some of the characters. The acting from the entire cast fine. No one in particular stood out, but everyone did their part well enough.

I liked the themes around love, happiness and taking a chance. Jack’s friend Bryan, played by Joel Fry, said it best, “[love] is pretty scary, but if we're honest with ourselves, then it all comes down to chance. And I guess life is about grabbing those chances when they come around.”

In the end, the movie had potential but didn't quite get there for me. It was okay, suited well for the Netflix, but not something I'd watch again.