Avatar: The Way of Water

 

Avatar: The Way of Water is the sequel to 2009’s Avatar. Set more than a decade after the events of the original, Jake, Neytiri and their growing family enjoy a time of peace, only to be visited by a familiar foe looking to exterminate their tribe to exploit their natural resources. To protect their home, they turn to a neighboring community for sanctuary. Reprising their roles as Jake and Neytiri are Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña, respectively.

On the surface, the film was visually stunning. With beautiful cinematography and realistic looking sets. The script was filled with themes around female empowerment, colonization, family, adapting to new environments, and appreciating the qualities that everyone has to contribute to society, even those wrongfully stereotyped as outcasts.

Similar to the first movie, the casting was not a proper reflection of the communities that James Cameron has based this film off of. Cliff Curtis who played Tonowari is the only Indigenous Māori cast member, which his characters clan, the Metkayina, is based off of. Kate Winslet and Sigourney Weaver, although not properly cast, did well in their roles as Ronal and Kiri. The advancement in CGI made is so I could tell Sigourney was Kiri but they made her look 14 which was pretty amazing. I liked her quirky personality. And for Kate as Ronal, the CGI was so good, I couldn’t even tell it was her. Her role as a mother and leader of her clan was impressive. Both were easy to root for.

When you dig deeper you can see why there was backlash coming from Native Americans and Indigenous people. Not only is the same White savior cinematic trope being perpetuated in this film, it also appropriates Lakota and Māori culture. James Cameron himself admitted to it in an interview when he stated that the Omatikaya Clan are based off of the Lakota Native American tribe. The newly introduced Metkayina Clan are based off of the Māori who are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. And although there was plenty of diverse minority casting there were no Lakota actors and only one Māori actor cast for the roles of these Na'vi clans. With the lack of appropriate casting or even consultants, to help authentically tell this story, it is easy to see why people would want to boycott this movie.

Even though Avatar 2 was beautifully filmed, I regret having seen it. Unless there are major casting and script changes I don’t plan on watching any of the future films.

The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star

 

The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star is the third and final of the Christmas romantic comedy franchise. Reprising her roles Vanessa Hudgens plays Lady Fiona Pembroke, Queen Margaret, and Princess Stacy. Nick Sagar and Sam Palladio also reprise their roles as Prince Kevin and Prince Edward, respectively. The story follows Queen Margaret and Princess Stacy as they are preparing to host the Montenaro Christmas festival which ends up at risk of being cancelled when the "Star of Peace", a sacred relic loaned by the Vatican, is stolen. To help retrieve it, they must reluctantly enlist the help of cousin to the queen and thief, Lady Fiona.

The script at times was clever and funny. It moved well and had great themes around forgiveness, family and love.

This franchise has always done a great job in casting diverse talent. The case was no different this time. I liked the introduction of Remy Hii as Peter Maxwell. He was attractive, cunning, and confident and had great chemistry with Hudgens’ character Fiona. Hudgens herself has always been a joy to watch in this franchise. She is truly the star of this movie and really gets to flex her range as so many different characters. With very different voices, mannerisms and personalities, yet she seems to do it so effortlessly.

Although this movie is a pretty run of the mill, predictable, straight to DVD-Hallmark style Christmas movie, it was fun to watch with its joyful, light hearted nature and moments of hilarity. 

Amsterdam

 

Amsterdam is a historical drama very loosely based on the "Business Plot". An alleged fascist conspiracy in the United States to overthrow the government of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. Featuring an all-star ensemble cast comprising of Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Chris Rock, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zoe Saldaña, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Taylor Swift, Rami Malek, and Robert De Niro. It follows World War 1 veterans and friends as they witness a murder in the 1930s. In doing all they can prove their innocence they uncover a scheme to overthrow America.

The plot was all over the place. There were too many moving parts that didn’t make sense when they forced them together. During the 1930s the US was still very segregated so some of the interactions in this movie didn't feel historically accurate. It felt like the director, David O. Russell, had a bunch of ideas for different movies and just mushed them all together in a messy stew. It kind of reminded me of another one of his movies, American Hustle, with an ensemble cast where there wasn’t enough character development for anyone to care about any of the people.

Even though the plot, at times wasn't realistic for 1930s New York City, the costumes, hair, and sets did give that feel for the era.

Along with a terrible plot, the script was poorly written, there was too much unnecessary voiceover narration and the jokes weren’t funny.

Even with a plot and script that could have used an entire revamp, Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington were engaging to watch. Bale did a great job in his role as Burt Berendsen. He was quirky and caring. Robbie as Valerie, couldn't keep her accents straight but had descent range. John David Washington was unrecognizable at first, without his signature beard, but once I got over that I was able to appreciate his role as well. The three of them had great chemistry together.

Overall this movie didn’t hit the way it was intended. It was a waste of time and an unfortunate waste of the talent in this film.

Love Hard

Love Hard is a romantic comedy starring Nina Dobrev, Jimmy O. Yang and Darren Barnet. The story is about a young woman who chooses to surprise her online love interest by flying to his hometown for Christmas only to discover that she has been catfished.

I thought that the plot was a run of the mill rom-com. It was predictable and the script was a bit corny but I liked it. There were great themes around family, tradition and getting to know people for more than their appearance.

The casting was diverse. I enjoyed seeing Chinese and Japanese actors as love interests and liked seeing a more unconventional love match. It was nice to see Nina in something outside of Vampire Diaries. She was likeable as Natalie and surprisingly has a descent singing voice. It was nice seeing Darren in a more mature role as Tag outside of his high school character in Never Have I Ever. This is the first role I've seen of Jimmy where he isn't just a comedy sidekick in a small role. He showed range as Josh Lin, he was funny and he and Nina's characters had great chemistry. They played well off of one another and genuinely seemed to get along.

This is a great example of a straight to DVD Netflix produced Christmas movie. It brings a large amount of Christmas cheer and is worth a one-time watch, but not something I would incorporate into future Christmas viewings.

After Ever Happy

 

After Ever Happy is the fourth film in the After franchise. It picks up right after the bombshell that ended After We Fell. It follows Tessa and Hardin as they deal with shocking revelations from their families that threaten to end their relationship once and for all.

The After franchise is a bit of a torturous, vicious cycle. Every movie focuses on the same themes around falling back into unhealthy relationships and trying to fix someone else vs them fixing themselves. The script was corny and was frustrating at times. The romanticizing of this unhealthy relationship is still front and center.

Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin have reprised their roles once again as Tessa Young and Hardin Scott. Their chemistry is infectious so I see why so many movies are made, even if the plots and the scripts are never very good. I still think that Josephine is the star, her role as Tessa is always so good. She gives so much range, she tries hard to evolve and be independent. Hero on the other hand as Hardin is still moody, destructive and annoying but I finally feel like this might be the last time I describe him this way, as I’m starting to see a lot more effort into the evolution of his character. They are only a handful of people who have made it through all four movies without a recast. Seven characters have had a change since the original. Even though the current cast is the same as After We Fell I still had to Google people to remember who they were. The new Carol Young played by Mira Sorvino is not my favorite. This is her second film and she just doesn’t have the maternal instinct or likeability that Selma Blair brought in the first two movies. The new Landon Gibson played by Chance Perdomo is just as good as Shane Paul McGhie so this recasting wasn’t as much of a shock. I’m getting more used to Stephen Moyer’s British accent since he was originally cast as an American when Charlie Weber played the part. The change was an odd one but it does fit the script a bit better now since Hero is also British.

Something that keeps me coming back to these coming of age romantic dramas is the catchy soundtracks. They do a great job of intertwining the best songs throughout.

With every film viewership has plummeted but there apparently are just enough fans to keep the party going. I was hoping this would be the final movie, but there has been a fifth movie greenlit. I have put so many hours into watching these films I feel obligated to finish it out. I am certain they will not get better but I am going to continue to subject myself to the torture, just like Tessa, in hopes that it gets better.

Don’t Worry Darling

 

Don't Worry Darling is a psychological thriller set in a 1950s world that is too good to be true. This is Olivia Wilde’s sophomore directorial debut, starring herself, Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne, Nick Kroll, and Chris Pine. The story follows Pugh, a housewife, who begins to suspect that not everything is at it seems in her town, built by the company her husband works for.

The choices in cinematography was interesting. At first it seems convoluted but after the villains are unmasked it becomes clearer. The sets, cars, costumes and hair were perfect for the 1950s, they were chic and beautiful pieces that really help to transport you to the era.

There has been criticism that the film is more “style over substance”. I could see a bit of that. The plot was a little too long winded with some holes that could have easily been filled. About an hour and a half in I started checking how much time was left. I could see the Stepford Wives and Black Swan inspiration in the filming technique and story. 

I liked the diversity in the casting but there was a lack of character development. Even with the lack of backstory Florence Pugh and Chris Pine had the best performances. Pugh was the star, she gave a wide range of emotions, and you felt her fear. I don’t normally see Chris Pine in an antagonist role so that was refreshing. He was cunning and manipulative. I also didn’t mind Harry Styles, though some said his performance was lackluster I thought he did just the right amount.

Don’t Worry Darling isn’t a movie that I would watch again but I didn’t feel like it was a waste of time. Even though this was an unoriginal idea, I still liked how everything played out. I didn’t find it has horrible as others have criticized it to be. There were great themes around control, gaslighting, and what perfection looks like. I also thought that the twist at the end was pretty good.

Bullet Train

Bullet Train is an action comedy that follows assassins as they board a train not knowing they all have a similar mission and story in common.

The plot for this movie didn’t really excite me when I watched the previews. It wasn’t quite clear what the intent was. So I was pleasantly surprised that the film kept my attention throughout. There were a lot of moving parts but the writers did a good job connecting everything in the end. It kept me on my toes with the good twists throughout.

The action sequences were creative but the stunts were unrealistic at times.

Regarding casting, Brad Pitt was entertaining as always; he did well leading this ensemble cast. Joey King was an unexpected but a surprisingly enjoyable addition. I'm more used to her in coming of age romantic dramas so it was nice to see her stretch a bit outside of that genera. I've seen Brian Tyree Henry in a couple of dramas but this was the first time I really saw him. He was one of the more interesting characters and even brought some of the comedy to the film. I was also quite impressed with his English accent. Overall, I appreciated the diverse casting but there lacked some necessary character development for me to fully care about any of the characters.

In the end the movie was okay. It wouldn’t have been one I would have wanted to see in theatres but it was okay to watch on a plane ride.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

 

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the sequel to 2018s Black Panther. Directed by Ryan Coogler, and bringing back stars Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, and Angela Bassett. In the film, the leaders of Wakanda fight to protect their country from underwater powers while mourning the death of their King T'Challa.

Black Panther always does a great job of bringing unique cultures to the forefront. Visually the sequel was no different. The costumes, hair and makeup for the Wakandans and the Atlanteans were beautiful and full of unique cultural touches. As with every Marvel movie the action sequences and CGI were also superb.

This movie did a great job focusing on the power of women. With women in the lead roles, proving they don’t need a male savior was impactful. There were great themes around Black women in STEM, what it looks like when marginalized communities are pitted against each other vs working together, and how grief can be all consuming if you don't channel it properly. The stories pace however, was a little too slow moving for the first hour. There was too much build up and not enough drive of the plot for me.

I liked that they brought a lot of the original cast back. Obviously there was a large gaping hole with Chadwick having passed away in 2020 but they did try to fill it with more Winston Duke and Danai Gurira. I like both of their characters and thought that they did a great job with their leadership, likeability and comedic timing. The anti-hearo Namor, played by Tenoch Huerta, was very similar to Killmonger in his backstory, so I felt that was a little bit lazy, but I did still enjoy the complexity and intelligence of his character. I also appreciated that Ryan Coogler casted a wide range of Afro-Latinos, as the Atlanteans giving shine to a group of people who often are not seen respectfully on film.

Compared to the original, I wasn’t as impressed with the soundtrack. It didn't give me the same excitement and the songs were not as memorable. Regarding the story itself, it obviously had a more serious tone so it could not provide the light hearted comedic genius that the original had. And the missing some of the key pieces that made the first one so special was also an impossible feat. Overall this was a valiant and heartfelt effort at paying tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman but not quite the life altering impact that the original gave me.

Love in the Villa

 

Love in the Villa is a Netflix distributed romantic comedy starring Kat Graham and Tom Hopper. It follows Julie Hutton, a newly single woman who takes a solo trip to Verona, Italy, after her boyfriend dumps her. When she arrives she discovers that her villa has been double-booked, and she'll have to share her love nest with a cynical British man.

I appreciated the themes around letting go of structure, living in the moment and enjoying oneself but the plot was predictable and also unrealistic. Some of the actions taken by Julie in the plot were also rather extreme and unbelievable.

I did like that they actually filmed in Italy. You really get a feel for the history and beauty of the architecture and landscapes. 

The costumes in the film, especially the ones worn by Graham’s character Julie, were fashion forward, chic and classy. Overall, Graham did a great job in this leading role. Her character Julie was likeable, optimistic, and quirky. I was looking forward to seeing Tom Hopper in this movie. His role as Billy Bones in Black Sails was really great but unfortunately he was not the right fit for the role of Charlie Fletcher. He was corny and his feelings weren’t genuine. The chemistry between him and Julie was lacking and awkward at times. There was also a lack of character development  for the majority of the cast, so I wasn't fully invested.

Love in the Villa did have its moments but in the end, it was a typical unoriginal, straight to video rom-com that Netflix is known for. 

Black Adam

 

Black Adam is a superhero action drama starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Pierce Brosnan and Noah Centineo. It is the story of an Egyptian man who was enslaved and after being gifted God-like powers, was imprisoned for 5,000 years. Upon his release he must decide how he will impose justice in this new modern version of what used to be his home.

The plot had potential but I struggled to feel engaged with the story to the point where I almost fell asleep at the end. There were parts that were predicable, including the villain, which was unfortunate. Even though this movie was full of action and had well put together CGI, the script was corny and when they tried to be funny it didn’t hit.

I appreciated the diversity of casting however, all of the characters lacked the necessary development for me to care and on top of that they were carbon copies of Marvel characters. I had an issue with the Rock playing the anti-hero Black Adam, an Egyptian. I feel like casting dropped the ball with not finding someone Egyptian or at the very least, Middle Eastern or North African, to play this role. I also felt that his acting was very one dimensional and I didn’t feel invested in his character. I was surprised to see an actor as respected as Pierce Brosnan in this film. He played Dr. Fate and I thought he did well in the role. He was likeable and played someone who was esteemed and knowledgeable. Aldis Hodge is a fantastic and seasoned actor as well. I thought he did a good job with the script that he had, unfortunately, his character, Hawkman, wasn’t very unique. It was extremely similar in personality and costume of Falcon from the Marvel comics. Quintessa Swindell also did well in her role. She was confident and brought a good amount of athleticism to the hero, but like everyone else played a character, Cyclone, which was too similar to Storm from the Marvel comics. Noah Centineo’s character wasn’t very well developed. Atom Smasher was basically a young, inexperienced Ant-Man from the Marvel comics.

Overall Black Adam wasn’t very good. It lacked the necessary execution and polish that its competitor, Marvel, has done well with for almost every movie they put out. This film is not one that I would watch again and I wouldn’t recommend anyone else waste their time either.

Mr. Harrigan's Phone

 

Mr. Harrigan's Phone is a supernatural mystery based off of the short story of the same name by Stephen King. Starring Donald Sutherland as Mr. Harrigan. The plot follows Craig, a teen who befriends the retired, very rich and unpleasant Mr. Harrigan. A friendship brews during their time together with Craig ushering the elder into the 21st century with a new cell phone. Unexpectedly Mr. Harrigan dies and Craig, rather distraught, puts his friends smart phone in his pocket before burial. What happens next is unexpected and puts Craig in a tailspin.

Although it was an interesting concept, I should have known based off of the preview just how terrible this movie would be. I wanted to give it a chance because Donald Sutherland is a really great actor but even he couldn’t save this film. The storytelling was lazy, it didn’t make any sense and there were plot holes galore.

I appreciated the diversity in the casting but that is the only compliment I can give. Some of the cast were way too old for the roles they were playing and there was not one character that I could connect to.

I’m actually surprised I finished this film. I kept hoping it would get better but even the ending was a disappointment. I would definitely recommend skipping this waste of time.

After Yang

 

After Yang is a story set in the future following a family that must deal with the aftermath of losing their family A.I. helper, Yang.

The cinematography and editing did well in contributing to the artsy and futuristic feel of this movie. The plot was a little too slow moving for me. I did however appreciate the themes around managing grief, the dependency and even at times, the exploitation, of technology and the complexity of family dynamics.

The acting was strong. Colin Farrell played Jake, a struggling tea shop owner and Jodie Turner-Smith played his wife Kyra. They did a great job in showing how easily one can get disconnected from what is really important and what happens when you let your spousal and parental responsibilities fall by the wayside. The emotional connections throughout were subtle but very poignant.

Even though After Yang wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea I can see the importance of this type of film. It really makes one think about what is important in life.

Hocus Pocus 2

Hocus Pocus 2 is a fantasy comedy and sequel to the 1993 original with Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy reprising their roles as Winifred "Winnie", Sarah and Mary Sanderson, respectively. The film picks up 29 years after the original and follows two Salem high schoolers after they accidentally bring back the Sanderson Sisters on Halloween. With time running out, they must figure out how to stop the witches before they become too powerful to defeat.

I re-watched the 1993 original before watching this one, to be fully immersed and to be able to catch the call backs more easily. I’m glad I did that because the second film was full of nostalgia. While the sequel’s storytelling was just a re-hashing of the original movie, I actually have more to criticize about the original film and I do the new one. I felt like the '93 version was more superficial, and lacked the strong character development that was present in this movie.

Even though they lacked in originality of story, they did manage to keep the some of the comedic genius that made the first so enjoyable. The casting also greatly improved. Whereas the original cast had zero diversity, this cast was full of diverse characters. I also liked the theme around the importance of family and a deeper dive into the personalities of the Sanderson Sisters.

Overall this movie was a family friendly and fun film for Halloween. Even though Disney has not green lit another sequel, it appears that they set up this film one. I enjoyed Hocus Pocus 2 but I think would be unnecessary to do a third one. 

Indian Horse

 

Indian Horse is a Canadian drama adapted from the fictional novel of the same name by Richard Wagamese. The story spans over three decades, from the 1950s until the 1970s, in Ontario Canada. It follows an Ojibwe boy, Saul Indian Horse, as he is torn from his family and forced into a residential school, where he is stripped of his culture and language. The only respite from the trauma he must endure is hockey. Will Saul be able to face his pain and forge his own path to the NHL or will he fall into a pattern of self-destruction?

Although the film is fictional, the subject matter regarding the abuses experienced by children at residential schools and the ongoing racism that those from the Indigenous community experienced as adults were all factual.

You could tell the budget for this film wasn’t much but the cinematographer did well with what was given. Some of the topics were hard to watch but were filmed in a way that was tasteful. You could see how distressing living in the residential schools could be and you could really empathize for those children.

The script moved well and kept me engaged throughout. Sometimes the writing was a bit corny but overall it was clear in its themes around family, culture, and mental health.

The acting from all of the people who played Saul, Sladen Peltier as a child, Forrest Goodluck as a teenager, and Ajuawak Kapashesit in his later years, was impressive. They were each able to showcase a good amount of range to really make you become invested in this character.

Overall, this was a well-made, educational film. For those unfamiliar with residential schools in Canada, I’d definitely recommend checking out this movie.

The Woman King

 

The Woman King is a historical drama by Love & Basketball director Gina Prince-Bythewood. Set in the 1820s, it follows the Agojie, an all-female warrior group sworn to protect the West African kingdom of Dahomey. The film stars Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, and John Boyega.

The costumes and hair stylings were beautiful and historically accurate. The showcase of South African culture with the dances and initiations was also amazing to see.

This casting was impeccable. Everyone brought their best to their roles. Viola Davis as Nanisca, the leader of the Agojie. She projected an unmatchable strength and poise. She stepped in and really dominated this leading role. Thuso Mbedu is someone I hadn’t seen in any roles prior. However, after seeing her portrayal of Nawi, I want to seek out more of her work. She brought such a great amount of range to this role. She was innocent yet still very strong-willed. Her unwillingness to bend to the undesirable wishes of others was also great to see. Lashana Lynch is such a talent. I’ve seen her in a number of big blockbusters, including No Time to Die and Captain Marvel, but she never got the amount of screen time she deserved. In the role of Izogie she was finally able to showcase her full talent. She was funny with a mothering nature and also an impressive fortitude. Sheila Atim was great in Bruised as Halle Berry’s coach and love interest, so I was excited to see her in the role of Amenza. She projected an unmatchable forte and loyalty to Nanisca. John Boyega was also great as King Ghezo. He did well in never outshining the women and his character was one that understood the importance of evolving. Hero Fiennes Tiffin was an unexpected casting choice as Santo Ferreira. I’m more used to seeing him in young adult, brooding roles, like the After franchise, so it was impressive to see him step outside of his typecast and portray a role that is completely different and to do it well.

Seeing strong women who are the line of defense for a nation was impactful. The Dora Milaje from Marvel’s Black Panther were inspired by this group of women. The fight choreography was done by the same people who contributed to Black Panther. You could see the influence in the crisp and clean Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. The difference for The Woman King was the way it was filmed and enacted in a more gritty and believable manner.

In the end, representation is so important. To see a primarily Black cast in a story where Africans are not only victims, but also the breaker of chains, was something that filled me with pride. The Woman King was a well written, confidence boosting, heart filling, and refreshing piece of cinema. This is history not often told but is one that everyone should see.

The Northman

 

The Northman is a historical, medieval, action-thriller. A Scandinavian tale of revenge that follows Amleth, a Viking Prince on a quest to avenge the murder of his father. The film stars and is produced by Alexander Skarsgård. Completing the ensemble are Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy and Ethan Hawke.

The script wasn’t always easy to understand; it was almost Shakespearian. The writing was an interesting choice as William Shakespeare's Prince Hamlet from Hamlet, Prince of Denmark was inspired by Amleth. Although the script was not always comprehensible, I did appreciate the usage of the Nordic language throughout. The plot was fast moving and had unexpected twists which I appreciated. I could also see how this story could have potentially even inspired other films like The Lion King, The Sword in the Stone or even Gladiator.

The lighting, cinematography and editing were artistic and creative. It reminded me of Denzel Washington’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, which I also criticized for its symbolism being too convoluted and at times not making sense.

The casting did well in primarily choosing people of Nordic descent. The majority of the cast did a descent acting job and were able to master the accents. My only critiques were in the casting of Nicole Kidman and Ethan Hawke. Neither were particularly convincing as Scandinavian and just seemed oddly placed. Additionally, the character development was lacking, so I wasn’t necessarily drawn to any one person and therefore wasn’t fully invested in this story.

I had a feeling watching the previews that this movie wouldn’t be that great and in the end, that was confirmed. This is not a movie I would see again nor recommend for others to see. There is much better Vikings inspired content out there.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is a comedy starring Jo Koy as Joe Valencia, a struggling actor and standup comedian, who begrudgingly sets off, with his son, to see his family during Easter Sunday.

The plot was engaging but a bit extreme at times. The script wasn't as funny as I hoped it would be, however there were a few jokes intertwined that did make me chuckle. I really enjoyed the themes around staying true to yourself, the importance of family and setting petty differences aside to come together. 

The casting was refreshing. I really appreciated seeing so many different Filipino actors represented. Some of which I had seen in other projects so it was great to see them again. This was the first time I’d seen Joy Koy in a lead role. I thought he did a pretty good job but for me it was the women that really stole the show. Lydia Gaston as his mother Susan and Tia Carrere as his aunt, Tita Teresa, were the stars for me. I loved their dynamic. It was so relatable and they played really well off of one another.

Overall this was a beautiful depiction of Filipino-American culture and shows, once again, how important it is to have diverse perspectives in film. It also showed, in some ways, how alike we all really are. 

Thor: Love and Thunder

 

Thor: Love and Thunder is the fourth instalment of the franchise and picks up after the events of Avengers: Endgame. Thor, still looking for a sense of contentment and trying to cope with the large amount loss he has stuffed at the hands of Thanos, must put his feelings aside to team up with Valkyrie, Korg and Jane Foster to try to defeat a new enemy, Gorr the God Butcher. A villain who will stop at nothing to make all Gods extinct.

Taika Waititi came back as the writer, director and cast member of this film. He did a great job picking up where he left off after Thor: Ragnarok, which were some big shoes to fill. Love and Thunder had more heart and depth than any of the previous Thor films. It was entertaining and more serious while including bits of comedy, which I thought was a great mix. The costumes, cinematography and action sequences were put together flawlessly. The themes around choosing love over destruction and figuring out who you are as a person were all prevalent throughout.

I enjoyed the conscious effort to bring back the cast from previous films. Not only did Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson and Taika Waititi reprise their roles as Thor, King Valkyrie and Korg respectively, but they also got Natalie Portman back as Jane Foster. I particularly enjoyed seeing Matt Damon and Luke Hemsworth again in their minor yet hilarious roles. The guest appearances of the Guardians of the Galaxy were hilarious, I wish we had more time with them. They all play so well off of each other, I could easily see an entire movie with them and Thor.

Regarding the main cast Christian Bale played a superb villain. He was someone that was complex and had a backstory you could empathize with. I thought Portman looked great in the role as a Mighty Thor. I criticized her role in prior Thor films but I must say I liked her so much more in this film. She gave great range, had strong chemistry with Hemsworth and Thompson and was likeable. Speaking of Tessa Thompson, she is my favorite, she can do no wrong in my book and was great, once again, as King Valkyrie. Her dry, deadpan sense of humor works so well off of Thor’s more childlike humor. Hemsworth brought the same energy and comedic timing to Thor that we now know and love. I also thought it was sweet that he had his daughter in this movie.

I am such a fan of this new direction of Thor, and I know Chris Hemsworth has been on record saying he’d do this role as long as Disney and the fans wanted him to, so I am on board for however much longer he and Taika want make these fun, character driven, action fantasies. 

Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist

 

Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist is a Netflix original documentary that follows how former NFL linebacker, Manti Te'o’s, life and career were altered. From a well-respected and highly sought out All-American Notre Dame linebacker to an internet meme.

This two part documentary did a great job of clearly playing out both sides of this complicated and rather sad story of two people who were lonely and looking for companionship. Unfortunately one of those people was not being truthful about who they were and it ended up causing a media firestorm.

I remember clearly when Manti Te'o entered the 2013 NFL draft and all the controversy surrounding his personal life. The jokes and memes were everywhere. What I didn’t know was just how bad things got for him. And how devastating it was, seeing everything played back. He really took the brunt of the criticism for being catfished. People were so obsessed with his sexuality and thinking he lied to get a better draft stock or attention, when in reality he was the victim. And sadly he still struggles with the trauma that caused ten years later.

What I took away from this documentary film was that we all as a people and the media we support need to be more thoughtful of how we talk about people. We really have no idea what is going on in other people's lives and should be more considerate of that.

Trainwreck: Woodstock '99

 

Trainwreck: Woodstock '99 is a Netflix produced documentary that gives insight into what was supposed to be a revival of the 1960s Woodstock and why it turned into a debauchery filled riot instead.

I didn’t remember Woodstock ’99 so I found this chronical to be very interesting and also infuriating. It did a get job of showing you the delusions of these producers who thought they could get away with being negligent and basically treating over 500,000 people like crap.

Emma Clarke who is a writer for the Independent rightfully called out Netflix for glossing over the massive amount of sexual assault that occurred at Woodstock ’99, similarly to the organizers at the time, who had the nerve to blame the women and the musical artists but not themselves and their lack of rules, safety or security. She also mentioned that Netflix didn’t do their due diligence in protecting these women, by concealing their identities, when showing archival footage of them being grouped while crowd surfing.

Even though Netflix missed an opportunity to share more, the breakdown of the story was clearly put together from all of the corners the producers were cutting to how that ended up playing out in the end. The ways the organizers were trying to spin all of the violence and sexual assault was despicable and I’m disheartened that they were never held accountable for their actions. Ultimately, I’m glad that I was able to see this documentary and hope that this cautionary tale is a learning experience on what not to do.

The Man from Toronto

 

The Man from Toronto is a Netflix produced story of mistaken identity. When Teddy, played by Kevin Hart, accidently ends up at the wrong Airbnb, he is incorrectly thought to be The Man from Toronto, one of the world's deadliest assassins, played by Woody Harrelson.

This action comedy seemed like an interesting concept and there were some good themes around never giving up on yourself and not being afraid to try something new, but overall this turned out to be a disappointment. While there were a few entertaining parts, the majority of the movie was unrealistic and filled with terrible dialogue. Teddy’s monologue at the end was unnecessary and Harrelson couldn't even pronounce Toronto correctly.

Kevin Hart was able to deliver a couple of funny jokes, but the majority were lame and his performance was too over the top. I've also seen him as this type of character before, the butt of the joke, the screw-up character who has to be saved by the tough guy. I'm kind of over this type of role for Hart. Harrelson on the other hand did give me a bit of variety. I was okay with him as the tough, no nonsense killer who had plans to get out of the business.

The fight choreography was creative toward the end but looked really fake, like it was on a cheap green screen. And maybe that was the intention to add a bit of extra corniness to it, but I wasn’t feeling it.

The Man from Toronto is the risk you take when watching Netflix films. With so much content on the platform, not everything is a hit. And unfortunately this is one of those times. This movie was a complete waste of time.

A Secret Love

 

A Secret Love is a documentary of two women, Pat Henschel and pro baseball player Terry Donahue, who fell in love in 1947. Over the course of 65-years we see their journey as a couple through their silent protest against the prejudice of a nation.

This story was so intriguing to me because you get to see women, now in their late 80s, having a very unique coming out journey. You learn why it took them so long to reveal their true selves to their families, the mixed reactions it caused and how they persevered through all of the ups and downs of their lives. I also appreciated the honesty and transparency of the ageing process and how Terry and Pat embraced it.

A Secret Love is a story of resilience in the face of bigotry. The amount of archival materials (photos, letters and videos) that Pat and Terry were able to share over their six decades together really helped to connect you to these women and their story. It was educating and also saddening to see how they had to hide their relationship for so long. Seeing a couple that have aged together through such difficult times and still love each other deeply was beautiful to see. If you are looking for a documentary that is heartfelt and also a bit of a tearjerker, this is the one for you.

Anything's Possible

 

Anything’s Possible is an Amazon Prime produced romantic drama directed by Billy Porter, starring Eva Reign and Abubakr Ali. This coming of age story follows Kelsa, an openly trans young woman, as she navigates her senior year of high school filled with complicated friendships and love.

The plot was filled with themes around being your authentic self and not letting others determine your happiness.

I appreciated the modern costumes and casting diversity. I liked seeing a more uncommon, unique love match in Kelsa, played by Eva Reign and Khal, played by Abubakr Ali. The character development was strong and I thought they both did a great job playing off one another. Eva Reign played a very confident and likeable character in Kelsa and Abubakr’s Khal was more shy but also very kind and talented. I liked that his character was a Muslim, I just wish the writers would have done a deeper dive on his culture vs just emphasizing what a nice guy he was. My only other critique was that I wasn't a fan that the "villains" were both Black.

Overall, I enjoyed seeing a story that is not as common in Hollywood. Stories like this that shine a positive light on the trans experience are so important and needed. For me Billy Porter's directorial debut was a hit and one I would definitely recommend.

The Gray Man

The Gray Man is a Russo brothers directed, Netflix action film starring Ryan Gosling as a CIA agent who is being hunted by his own organization after he uncovers damaging agency secrets.

The plot is based on Mark Greaney’s 2009 novel of the same name. The Russo brothers are known for their Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movies, so I was hoping, since they were involved in the screenplay and directing of this film, that The Gray Man would be another great piece of cinema. Unfortunately this was nowhere near the quality of a MCU film. The script was corny and predictable. It was full of cheesy one liners that were supposed to be funny but they weren't.

I did appreciate the creative fight choreography and action sequences. I also liked the cast diversity. Ana de Armas who played Dani Miranda was the star of this movie to me. In this more character driven role, she had an opportunity to not only do the physical fight choreography but to also show her emotional range as an actor. It was nice seeing Regé-Jean Page in a role outside of Bridgerton. Unfortunately his role as Carmichael was a bit over acted.  I also wasn't impressed with Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling. Evans, who played Lloyd Hansen, is not a villain. Even with his tacky mustache and deep cutting lines, his delivery was still too wholesome. And Ryan Gosling is the same in everything to me. I liked seeing him in an action role but he's still pretty one dimensional. His trademark dry humor was also boring and played out for me.

Regrettably the action sequences couldn't save this movie for me. The Gray Man was a disappointment and not one that I would watch again.

Hustle

 

Hustle is a sports comedy drama starring Adam Sandler and Juancho Hernangómez. The story follows NBA talent scout, Stanley Sugerman, played by Sandler, who discovers an unknown street ball player, Bo Cruz, played by Hernangómez. With the pressure on, Sugerman must try to get Cruz NBA ready, which if successful, could change the trajectory of both of their careers.

The plot was authentic, earnest and engaging throughout; though a bit predictable. There was strong character development for Sandler and Hernangómez’s characters. This is the first time I've seen Hernangómez act and I thought he did a really great job in this co-leading role. He did a great job portraying a man, down on his luck, who really needed this shot. I also quite enjoyed the pairing of Queen Latifa as Stanley's wife Teresa Sugerman and Sandler. It was unexpected but they had great chemistry together. There was also an impressive amount of active and retired basketball players that made cameos or had parts in this movie and they were all surprisingly very good in their acting.

I’m starting to really appreciate Adam Sandler’s transition to more serious roles. This is the second film where he’s taken this risk, that I’ve really enjoyed. I thought the story did a great job of mixing in comedic moments while also being raw and genuine in the storytelling. This is definitely a movie I would recommend.

Encanto

 

Encanto is the story of Mirabel, a young girl surrounded by a magical family. When the magic starts to fade she must try to find the key to unlock the door to their salvation.

The beautiful, bright cinematography and costume colors were a great compliment to the fun, festive soundtrack with catchy tunes.

I found the plot to be engaging and family friendly. It was a great coming of age story about discovery and growth. There were strong themes around embracing your gifts, not taking people for granted and appreciating them for all of their contributions, big or small. I also liked seeing the unbreakable bonds of family and how love can conquer all.

I enjoyed the diverse representation of Afro-Latinos. I also appreciated the intermixing of the Spanish language to make the film more realistic.

There was descent character development and I really felt like anyone watching this movie will be able to see themselves in someone.

I really enjoyed Encanto. It was a beautifully told, heartfelt, tearjerker that is a must watch for everyone.

Jurassic World: Dominion

 

Jurassic World: Dominion is the third film in the Jurassic World franchise and the sixth and final installment of the Jurassic Park series, starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and Sam Neill. It picks up after Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) where humans now must live amongst the dinosaurs that were released four years prior, but not everyone wants to live in harmony. When Owen and Claire, reprised by Pratt and Dallas Howard, witness a kidnapping, they must embark on a rescue mission to save the ones they love.

The plot was full of nostalgic call backs to some of the scenes from the first Jurassic Park including touches of the original soundtrack and a reunion of the 1993 cast, but there were too many side stories and their attempt at brining everything together was messy. At a certain point the story got lazy and I felt like too much was borrowed from the original movies. Also, a good amount the dialogue was corny and not well written.

Regarding the casting, I liked that they were able to bring everyone back for the big finale. I also appreciated that there was an addition of a couple of more diverse characters. I liked how the cast was able to play off of one another, even though how some of them were introduced didn't make much sense. Also, the lack in character development, made the motives for some of these co-stars actions perplexing.

In the end, this one is for the fans. It wasn’t a great story or very realistic, it was more a hodgepodge of cool ideas that didn’t have a clear and concise direction but because I am a fan I still appreciated the nice full circle moment to close out the series.

Everything, Everywhere, All At Once

Everything, Everywhere, All At Once is an action comedy-drama starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu and Ke Huy Quan. Evelyn, a hard working but struggling owner of a laundromat, is living a rather mundane life with her husband and daughter, when she is unexpectedly recruited for a mindboggling undertaking of multiverse jumping that may give her the power to save the world.

The plot was extremely unconventional and quirky. It was definitely a movie that I struggled with comprehending at first. I had to understand that once you let go of what is real and what is not, you can start to appreciate the underlying values of the film. The themes around family acceptance, fighting with love and carving your own path to happiness were relatable. 

I thought that Asian cultural representation throughout was genuine and the intermingling of Mandarin and English was authentic. The costumes and cinematography were also quite eccentric which I think helped lead to unique and crisp fight sequences.

As for casting, you can never go wrong with Michelle Yeoh. She is a star and I am so glad she is getting opportunities to showcase her full range as an actor. I was engaged with her character's arch and evolution from a more reserved person to someone sure of themselves and confident in speaking their truth. She and Ke Huy Quan had great chemistry and worked well off of one another. I hadn’t seen Ke Huy Quan in a movie since The Goonies, and after hearing about his 20 year beak from acting, because of his desire to see more quality roles came out for Asians, I was impressed that he didn’t miss a beat. He brought a naivety and a kindness to his role. He also did his own stunts, which was one of the highlights of this film for me.

Everything, Everywhere, All At Once is a wild ride with its new take on the idea of the multiverse and though not necessarily my style, I did think it was bold and unabashed in its delivery.

Lost City

 

Lost City is an action adventure comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum. It is the story of grieving romance author, Loretta Sage, who writes about the treasures of ancient cities. When she reluctantly takes on a book tour with her cover model, Alan, she is kidnapped by eccentric billionaire, Abigail Fairfax, who wants her help finding treasures of a lost prehistoric city.

The script was cute with some funny bits. There were great themes around grief, love and authenticity. The plot was entertaining with an engaging and unique plot twist.

Sandra and Channing had strong chemistry and played well off of one another. I liked how this was a strong female-led film. Sandra’s character, Loretta, was fully formed. You were able to see the evolution from a recluse to a confident, brave and adventurous person. 

There was a descent amount of diversity in the casting with the addition of Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Oscar Nuñez. Da'Vine Joy Randolph brought the comedy although her main monologue was really corny and not needed. I didn't love Oscar's role, I thought it was too creepy, but I did love Brad Pitt’s cameo. It was unexpected and he was actually quite funny as well. Daniel Radcliffe is starting to get typecast. I would have liked to see his character in a different light. Overall, the majority of the cast fun to watch but were one dimensional. I would have liked to see a deeper dive on everyone, especially Channing’s character Alan.

In the end, Lost City was a fun movie. Not necessarily one I would watch again, but not a bad choice for a lazy Saturday afternoon. 

Top Gun: Maverick

 

Top Gun: Maverick is the long awaited action sequel to 1986's Top Gun. The film stars Tom Cruise reprising his role as Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. He’s now a test pilot that has managed to stay in the military while still pushing the envelope for the last three decades. But not everyone wants him to succeed so as a final straw he is sent to the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program aka "Top Gun", where he must train a group of younger, top in class pilots, for a highly dangerous top secret mission, while also coming to terms with his own past.

Rarely is a sequel, which is made 30+ years after the original even close to as good, but this was an exception to the rule. I was pleasantly surprised with this film. It was the perfect way to bring in the nostalgia of the original in the soundtrack and in parts of plot while also giving a refreshing new story. The film was full of high action sequences and the script was funny but also at times quite emotionally charged. The themes around forgiveness, growth and moving on were also prevalent throughout.

I thought that Tom Cruise did a great job leading this cast which was a mix of seasoned actors and new comers. He picked right up where he left off with Maverick, which was kind of a disappointment that his character hadn’t evolved much over the last 36 years. He was still struggling with letting things go in his past and a lot of his decision making was still career stunting. He and Miles Teller played well off of one another. I have seen Miles in a couple of movies now and can see the range he has. He brought in a quite leadership while also having this underlying anger and trauma of past. He was the perfect casting for the role of Rooster. The character development for Maverick and Rooster was strong and you really felt connected to and wanted to root for them. The rest of the characters in the cast weren't as developed with the majority of them being one dimensional. I would have liked to see a deeper dive on the 10 or so actors that were supposed to be the important pieces to this Top Gun class. Additionally, there was a descent amount of diversity with the extras but the main characters were all white and mostly male. It would have been nice to see a wider difference in ethnicities and genders for the main cast.  

Even with those critiques, Top Gun: Maverick was still one of my favorite movies that has come out this year. I would definitely recommend this film for all. I’d also suggest bringing some tissues as there were quite a few teary moments. And if you haven’t seen the 1986 classic, I would just suggest watching that one first, so that you could fully appreciate all of the call backs from it. 

Senior Year

 

Senior Year is the Netflix produced comedy starring Rebel Wilson. Wilson plays Stephanie, a high school popular girl and head cheerleader who thinks she has her dream life planned out, only to be subjected to a life altering, sabotaging injury that puts her in a coma for 20 years. When she wakes up she has to figure out how she’s going to move forward with her life.

The plot was a cool idea but the script ended up being very predictable and also unrealistic at times. It gave me Never Been Kissed and Easy A vibes. There were funny parts but there were also a lot of awkward, cringey parts and plenty of corny jokes too. I liked the references to the early 2000s with the music, fashion and the homages to Brittany Spears were also cute.

I appreciated the diversity in gender, sexual identity and ethnicity in the casting, however the majority of those minority cast members were one dimensional. I would have liked a deeper dive into those characters stories. Rebel did a great job leading the cast. Her character was complex; a juvenile in a woman’s body, someone who was immature and selfish at times but deep down had a good heart.

Overall Senior Year was an entertaining and heartfelt film with great themes around not letting high school define you, being your authentic self and only caring about what the people who love you think about you. Even though this isn’t a movie I would watch again, it was still a fun mood lifter.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

 

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is the sequel to 2016's Doctor Strange starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Benedict Wong. The film is directed by Sam Raimi and follows Doctor Stephen Strange and Wong who must team up together to protect a multiverse jumping child who is being hunted for her power.

It’s been a while since Raimi was in the director seat for a superhero movie. The last few that he directed were from the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man trilogy, which was almost 20 years ago. Those were my least favorite of the Spider-Man films and unfortunately Raimi’s filmmaking in this genre hasn’t improved much. Even with last year’s Spider-Man: No Way Home perfectly teeing this up, I still found this movie to be a bit of a disappointment. 

The plot was supposed to be close to the comics, which I'm sure the purists will appreciate, however some of the visuals just don’t translate well to screen. There were quite a few bits that they could have taken out or toned down. Also, the cinematography was another Inception style edit, which is honestly getting a bit old. There was also too long of a gap in between the 2016 movie and this one. I had forgotten I lot of the backstory between Doctor Strange and his counterparts. And the attempt at filling the audience back in was weak at best. 

Regarding casting, I did like that they brought in Elizabeth Olsen, who played Wanda Maximoff aka the Scarlet Witch. The script was able to fill in her past few years a bit, but I do think for those to fully understand her current arc, you would need to go back and watch the Disney+ TV show, WandaVision. It helps to fill in more of her complicated journey. I know that some felt like she was overacting but I thought it was more of a manic, desperate act, which made sense based off of the trauma she experienced with Vision and her children. Benedict Cumberbatch is a great actor, he has definitely evolved the character of Doctor Strange to a more likeable hero vs the first film. For the rest of the cast, I liked the diversity in the group, there were some strong female characters that could hold their own, and there were some cool multiverse character introductions that will hopefully make some possible spinoffs in the future.

Overall Doctor Strange is a great character when infused in an Avenger movie or a Spider-Man movie. As a co-star I feel like he lets his serious guard down and is actually a lot funnier, but on his own, I’m just not as engaged in his story. This movie was better than 2016's Doctor Strange with an action packed and unpredictable plot but it still didn't meet the Marvel standard that I am accustomed to. It is unfortunate, with all the acting talent, that these movies aren’t better.

Ambulance

Ambulance is the story of a bank robbery gone badly that ended up turning into a hostage situation starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Eiza González. Directed and produced by Michael Bay.

Many say that this was Bay’s “return to form”. In the cinematography you could see his influence with the aerial shots and helicopter usage. At times I thought I was watching Bad Boys.

This heist movie was formulaic in the screenplay. It was a typical plot with nothing that was particularly original, but I still enjoyed the high action and suspenseful ride.

I liked the diverse casting of Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Eiza González. There was descent character development for the three main leads but I would have liked a bit deeper dive to have really been able to connect to each to them. Gyllenhaal commanded the screen as Danny Sharp; he was tactical, vicious, and was a force to be reckoned with. He gave a wide range in his performance which I really enjoyed. Yahya, whom I’ve seen in a number of different roles now, gave me a different side to himself by playing Will Sharp. He did great at playing the more kindhearted, down on his luck, wrong guy in the wrong place. Eiza who played EMT Cam Thompson, one of the only females in the film, gave a strong performance, she held her own, and she was resourceful and brave.

Ambulance reminded me of The Town mixed with Cut Throat City. It was a bit slow moving at times, I felt like they could have cut some of the chase sequences out altogether and I wasn’t entirely pleased with the end. Even though I wanted a bit more closure there I was still pleasantly surprised by the quality of this film.

Uncharted

 

Uncharted is an action adventure movie based off of the video game of the same name starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg. When streetwise Nathan Drake is recruited by treasure hunter Victor "Sully" Sullivan to search for riches lost 500 years prior, Drake must use his wits to figure out the clues to the treasure while also uncovering if Sully and his accomplices are trustworthy.

The plot was high action but I had a feeling, even from the previews that the story was going to be a bit one dimensional and predictable, which is how it unfortunately turned out. The script was lazy with lame one-liner jokes. The cinematography at the beginning was very video game-y and unrealistic and some of the props looked cheap and fake.

The fight choreography was well done and creative. Tom Holland and his stunt man have some incredible athleticism that worked really well in the action and fight sequences.

Even though I never played the video game, it was a nice bridge from the game to the film to have the original voice actor for Nathan Drake, Nolan North, make a small cameo in the movie. Regarding the rest of the casting, Tom Holland was entertaining and the best part of the film. His character was likeable and had a great evolution from naivety to savvy. I also appreciated that they tried to add a bit of diversity in the casting as well. Where they dropped the ball for me was that there were only two women cast. This was a bit of a letdown as it would have been nice to see a bit more gender diversity in this heavily male dominated movie. Even though there were only two women, who didn’t have very strong character development and were both portrayed as untrustworthy, I at least appreciated that they were independent leads that could handle their own.

In the end, the only really good thing about Uncharted was the action and fight choreography. It didn’t give me enough in the script or character development to want to see this movie again nor would I seek out the sequel that this movie has been primed for.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

 

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is the third installment within the Wizarding World franchise. Picking up after Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald, Newt Scamander has been tasked by Professor Albus Dumbledore to put together a team to try to take down Grindelwald; whose power of persuasion is rising.

I don’t understand why critics didn’t like this movie. I really enjoyed it. I thought that plot moved well; it was a great mix of action and storytelling. And the themes around corruption in politics and how divisive language can seep in the minds of others was so relevant, even today. It also helped to answer a lot of questions from the first two movies.

As always, these Fantastic Beasts movies are great at casting for diversity. I liked that they brought back William Nadylam who played Yusuf Kama. They expanded on his role and gave him a bit more context so that you could understand his drive even more. I also enjoyed the addition of Jessica Williams who played a wizard professor named Eulalie "Lally" Hicks. She was probably one of my favorite characters. She was smart, witty and resourceful. Even though I would have preferred Johnny Depp to have reprised his role as Gellert Grindelwald, Mads Mikkelsen did a great job filling his shoes. He also had really strong chemistry with Jude Law who once again took up the mantel as Professor Dumbledore. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Eddie Redmayne’s Newt Scamander. He plays him so well. There is a kindness and an eccentricity to him. You always want to root for him. He really comes into his own on this one, stepping up to do what is right. I also liked his dynamic with his brother, Theseus Scamander, played by Callum Turner. They are such different characters but know each other's strengths so well and respect one another for it. 

I came out of this movie so filled with joy. I was excited for this one, and look forward to watching it again. It also made me excited for potentially another one. Although it had not been confirmed I hope that they continue this story as there is still so much to be uncovered in this fun, action packed joy ride. 

West Side Story

 

West Side Story is the second film rendition of the classic 1957 stage musical inspired by another famous stage play, Romeo and Juliet. It is the story of star crossed lovers linked to rival high school gangs.

The plot was similar to Romeo and Juliet with a few differences that keep you on your toes. I never saw the 1961 version of this movie but realized quite quickly how many of the songs I recognized. The catchy soundtrack from the original version definitely transcended time.

I really enjoyed the beautiful dance chorography and costumes. The sets, hair and fashion easily transport you to the late 1950s. The themes around racism and how it's toxicity can infiltrate an entire city and how love and forgiveness are the keys to healing are still very relevant, even today.  

The cast is supposed to be high school age but the only person who looked even close to high school age was Maria played by Rachel Zegler.  Zegler did a great job bringing out the innocence and naivety of Maria. She and Ansel Elgort had good chemistry but it didn't quite get me to fully connect to their characters. I did like that they brought back Rita Moreno, from the 1961 film. It was a nice nod to her original role. Ariana DeBose, who re-presented the role that Rita played in 1961, did a fantastic job, stealing every scene she was in as Anita. She definitely deserved all of the history making accolades she received for this character. Regarding the rest of casting I appreciated their attempt at diversity with a transgender character and an Afro-Latina but I felt like they could have done more. I appreciated the realistic usage of Spanish throughout and everyone had fantastic singing voices.

This heartbreaking tale should have had me in tears but for whatever reason, it didn't quite get me there, as other renditions of Romeo and Juliet have done in the past. Even though this movie didn't trigger the water works, I still thought it was a well-made film.