Category Archives: No Spoiler Reviews

Comedy, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

TO ALL THE BOYS – ALWAYS AND FOREVER (2021): The Things I Liked…

2 Comments
To All The Boys: Always and Forever (2021), Lana Condor, Netflix
To All The Boys: Always and Forever (2021), Lana Condor, Netflix

I remember being pleasantly surprised by To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, back in 2018; the story of the romantic life of two high school students, Lara Jean (Lana Condor) and Peter (Noah Centineo).

Then came To All the Boys – P.S. I Still Love You (2020), a film I concluded was okay compared to the first. Having now watched To All the Boys – Always and Forever, the final instalment, I can say that minus one or two minor niggles, director Michael Fimognari’s film is close to as satisfying as high school romance stories get. Especially for girls who picture themselves in Lara Jean’s position.

It certainly helps that Peter is quite decent, somewhat mature, and the story feels generally quite grounded in the reality of what life is like for high schoolers in similar predicaments. I enjoyed letting To All the Boys – Always and Forever take me back to the romantic ups and downs of high school life, and remembering just how absorbing my high school romances were.

Other highlights include the general look and feel of the visuals, including the colours, illustrations, plus a perfectly fitting, sometimes rebellious soundtrack.

The only parts that had me raising an eyebrow or two involve the situation with the pink sofa on the New York subway. Particularly the expectation that I’m supposed to believe they fully carried it there. There’s also the fact that Peter’s father looks very unlike him and some of his dialogue left me wanting.

I say watch To All the Boys – Always and Forever if you enjoyed the first two movies. The story is wrapped up rather well.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Source: JustWatch
Adventure, Animation, Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews

MISSING LINK (2019): The Things I Liked…

3 Comments
Missing Link (2019), Hugh Jackman
Missing Link (2019), Hugh Jackman

Missing Link, the story of Mr Link (a Big-Foot-like character) and his adventures with explorer Sir Lionel Frost (Hugh Jackman), plus adventurer Adelina Fortnight is an animated movie I found to be fun in parts and watchable.

The reason I’m not more enthused by writer/director Chris Butler’s film is that story-wise, it felt oddly superficial and more basic than I expected.

What I did enjoy are the interactions between Lionel and Link, plus the moments of heart, most of which happen in the more engaging last quarter. Emma Thompson’s character is another welcome highlight, and it proved quite satisfying to see Lionel’s growth/evolution as the story continued.

I watched Missing Link because the cast which also includes Zoe Saldana and Zack Galifianakis intrigued me. Yet, overall, I wish I could include Butler’s film on my list of favourite animated movies I’ve seen in recent years, but I cannot. Nevertheless, I say give Missing Link a chance if you’re particularly curious. It may just be what you need when you’re after an easy-viewing animated film experience.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Source: JustWatch
Adventure, Drama, Family, No Spoiler Reviews

THE LION KING (2019): The Thing I Liked…

7 Comments
The Lion King (2019), Walt Disney Studios
The Lion King (2019), Walt Disney Studios

It has taken much longer than planned for me to finally watch the recent live-action remake of The Lion King (2019). Like many fans, I loved the 1994 original. I enjoyed it for reasons including the brilliant soundtrack, the story and beautiful animation style.

The main reason I couldn’t get beyond the first 15 minutes of director Jon Favreau’s live-action version has something to do with the animation.

There’s no denying that the film is quite the achievement in terms of computer-generated imagery (CGI). Nevertheless, I prefer the 2D animated film; firstly because of the cuteness of the characters. CGI Simba is cute too but different. Also, I prefer the voice work in the first movie. Second, and this one took me by surprise; but, I’d much rather watch the real creatures of the jungle/the African savanna in a well written David Attenborough documentary; than sit through ‘very close but not quite there’ computer-generated images.

Unsurprisingly, for me, The Lion King remake has proven to be largely unnecessary. Mainly because it’s essentially the very same story and seemingly shot for shot. This sameness and the weird space the movie occupies between real and not real is what led me to abort my viewing session. And instead, think about rewatching The Lion King (1994) instead.

Furthermore, I have an irrational fear of rodents. As such, I should have known that all wasn’t going to be well when, at the start, the camera spent what felt like an eternity, following a rodent-like creature around. 

Considering this review is very late, you’ve probably already watched or at least tried to watch The Lion King; in which case I sure hope you had a much better time than I did.

Happy Film Loving

G

Source: JustWatch
No Spoiler Reviews, Romance, Sci-Fi

LITTLE FISH (2019): The Things I Liked…

4 Comments
Little Fish (2020), Jack O'Connell, IFC Films
Little Fish (2020), Jack O’Connell, IFC Films

Little Fish, Jack O’Connell and Olivia Cooke’s sci-fi/romance about a memory loss virus that threatens to erase the history of a couple’s love and courtship is more cleverly-executed than expected.

It’s important to note that director Chad Hartigan’s Little Fish is a story that focuses more on the couple’s relationship rather than the science of the virus. Little Fish is a beautiful yet heartbreaking love story. One that for me, proved quite watchable in the most part because both leads are great performers. And the portrayal of life with memory loss is captured well. It’s just unfortunate for me that my favourite moments do not happen until close to the end.

I did believe the relationship between O’Connell and Cooke’s characters, However, I didn’t find myself as absorbed with it all; likely in part, on account of the story edit or general editing style. Additionally, the timing of the release of Little Fish may not help everyone’s enjoyment of it. Particularly since it may feel more than a little too real, pandemic-wise for some.

When forced to weigh Little Fish against other movies that spend at least 90% of the time looking closely at a central romantic relationship, I wouldn’t say that Hartigan’s film is my favourite. I’m afraid that ‘coveted title’ belongs to Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones’s Like, Crazy (2011).

Overall, I say give Little Fish a chance if you’re curious. After all, a fair number seem to enjoy it. And there truly is a clever moment or two near the end. Just be sure to pay attention.

 Happy Film Loving,

G

Source: JustWatch
Action, Adventure, Fantasy, No Spoiler Reviews

WONDER WOMAN 1984 (2020): The Things I Liked…

6 Comments
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), Kristen Wiig, Warner Bros. Pictures
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), Kristen Wiig, Warner Bros. Pictures

The trailer for Wonder Woman 1984 didn’t fill me with as much confidence about the movie as the trailer for the first Wonder Woman film in 2017. Having now seen both films, unsurprisingly, the first one is better.

Key highlights of director Pattie Jenkins’s sequel include most of the time Gal Gadot is on screen, simply because the lady is quite magnetic. Secondly, there’s the final fight sequence between Wonder Woman and Kristen Wiig’s Cheetah. There’s also the cleverly executed moment towards the end when Wonder Woman addresses the people.

If you haven’t watched the movie yet but plan to, be sure to wait for what happens after the end credits start to roll; something tells me it may just lift your spirits. Last but in no way least, we have the musical score by Hans Zimmer. The only unfortunate thing about it is that the worst scenes had me thinking of Zimmer’s talents as wasted on this project.

I had hopes of loving Wonder Woman 1984. The problem is I kept noticing more and more things that increased my level of disappointment. Additional examples include the dreamstone element of the story which came across as silly and somewhat nonsensical. I’m also not a fan of a fair amount of the aerial work, including when Wonder Woman is ‘flying’.

Furthermore, why, oh, why wasn’t the father/son reunion dialogue more tightly edited? It was so unnecessarily long-winded. There’s also the fact that I still remain unsure about how Kristoffer Polaha’s character came to be Steve (Chris Pine). And I’m mad that this movie/story did not make Pedro Pascal look great in the villain role. As for Wiig, I liked her best once she went to the dark side. I still think that the Cheetah look is too much like Cats (2019). I haven’t seen Cats but I hear that such a comparison is not a compliment.

What good or bad things stood out most for you in Wonder Woman 1984? I really could go on about the things wrong with this movie, but I have other tasks to complete today. Watch Wonder Woman 1984 if you’re curious enough.

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Source: JustWatch