Category Archives: No Spoiler Reviews

Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews

ZOOLANDER (2001): The Things I Liked…

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Zoolander (2001), Will Ferrell Paramount Pictures
Zoolander (2001), Will Ferrell Paramount Pictures

Zoolander (2001) is one of my favourite feel-good, silly films. Starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, and Christine Taylor, it offers a satirical look at the world of male modelling.

I’m almost certain that 90% of the time, as the movie played, I was either smiling or laughing. It’s the story, dialogue, production, costumes, and general ridiculousness that tickled me so.

There isn’t much for me to hate about star/director and co-writer Ben Stiller’s film. To me, Zoolander is edited perfectly, with not a single moment of wasted screen time. How could this not be the case, especially when Stiller, a proven funny man with great comic timing, is so heavily involved in the movie?

I enjoyed every single character in Zoolander, including the one played by a young Alexander Skarsgård. David Bowie’s short but all-important cameo is also a key highlight. In fact, I enjoyed all the cameos. Something I wish I could say about Zoolander 2 (2016)

My overall favourite character is absolutely Jacobim Mugatu, a fashion designer character played perfectly by Will Ferrell.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews

FRIENDSHIP (2024): The Things I…

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Friendship (2024), Tim Robinson, A24
Friendship (2024), Tim Robinson, A24

Friendship (2024), that  Andrew DeYoung-directed comedy starring Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson, is a film I’d hoped to find deliciously awkward and fun.

Unfortunately, as I started to watch the story about a man’s friendship with his neighbour taking some unexpected turns, ‘fun’ was not the word because I felt compelled to quit within ten minutes.

Many may rightly argue that ten minutes is not enough time to know what a film could be. But Friendship was too awkward, and sort of in a college film assignment kind of way. Additionally, I found that Tim Robinson’s character’s reactions in a couple of situations read as too big for the moment, and that was the final nail.

I can’t deny that my patience for awkwardness may need more work, as further exemplified by my recent initial reaction to Pugsley Addams in Wednesday Season 2 (2025). And, I may well be missing out. However, everything cannot be for everyone. As such, I’ll continue to lean on I Love You, Man (2009), The Hangover (2009) and The Best Man (1999) for comedies about male friendship.

Green Book (2018) isn’t a comedy, but it does showcase a truly beautiful friendship.

Have you watched Friendship? Am I missing out? And, which titles come to mind for you when thinking about films that focus on friendship among men?

Happy Film Loving,

G

Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Fantasy, No Spoiler Reviews

ELIO (2025): The Things I Liked…

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Elio (2025), Pixar
Elio (2025), Pixar

My experience of Elio (2025), the animated adventure about a young space fanatic who desperately wants to be abducted by aliens, didn’t exactly go well.

The visuals are as rich and engaging as I’d hoped. I was honestly locked in right away, and things were fun enough once Elio finally got to Space. Yet, seemingly out of nowhere, I lost interest at the point when Elio was left to take on the space bullies.

Something inside decided that that specific hero’s journey, with those characters, wasn’t for me at that time. I suspected where the story was going to go and chose to leave it to those who are more enthused by Elio’s upcoming face-off.

I may return to Elio another time, but I’m choosing to look forward to Zootopia 2 (2025) instead, which I hope will have me fully locked in, especially since I absolutely loved Zootopia (2016).

I’m curious, did you watch Elio and have a good time?

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, Family, Fantasy, No Spoiler Reviews

WEDNESDAY SEASON 2 (2025): The Things I Liked…

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I’m fully claiming it. I enjoyed Wednesday Season 2 even more than the first. I don’t want to say that it feels bigger and better, but it is bigger and better. Just not in a way that reads as forced.

In this new season, Young Wednesday’s shenanigans remain at the centre of things, as expected. But the extra magic comes from a great story, Wednesday’s growing confidence, and how her family members are included in this season to great effect. For example, Catherine Zeta Jones really comes into her own as Morticia Addams, and Joanna Lumley is brilliant as Grandmama Hesta Frump.

Other memorable characters include Evie Templeton’s Agnes Demille, a.k.a. Wednesday’s stalker, and Lady Gaga as Rosaline Rotwood.

Typical of films/shows that involve Tim Burton, the production design and costumes are beautiful, along with the cinematography and dialogue.

The worst thing I can say about Wednesday Season 2 is that Wednesday’s little brother, Pugsley Addams is annoying. However, even that failed to stick. Because when I turned to Google to see if others agreed, my displeasure dissipated when someone said that Pugsley is simply awkward… which is still arguably annoying, but perhaps more easily forgiven.

Make time for Wednesday Season 2. It really is well-executed and fun.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

MATERIALISTS (2025): The Things I Liked…

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Materialists (2025), Pedro Pascal, A24
Materialists (2025), Pedro Pascal, A24

Pedro Pascal is the main reason I wanted to watch the new Celine Song-directed romantic comedy Materialists. The one where Dakota Johnson plays Lucy, a successful New York City matchmaker torn between two love interests.

The good news is, there are no bad performances, and I enjoyed the conversations that revealed the amusing wants and expectations of those who enlist matchmakers. But, if I were forced to pick my favourite scenes overall? There’s absolutely no contest. It’s when Johnson and Pascal are on screen together. I particularly love the conversation where the ‘You can do better than me’ statement comes up.

The not-so-great news is, there really isn’t much else to praise beyond the above, because, unfortunately, I barely cared about the romance between Lucy and her ex, John (Chris Evans), which says something about the story edit. And, admittedly, maybe a little something about how I wanted more Pascal screen time.

Additionally, though I understand the reason for the caveman/cavewoman opening scene, I can’t say I liked it. All it did was keep me away from the main event, like a disappointing opener to a stand-up comedy show featuring the brilliant headliner you’re there to see.

Materialists is one you watch if the aforementioned highlights appeal. Just don’t expect too much else.

Have you already seen Materialists? Perhaps you’re a bigger fan than I am.

Happy Film loving,

G