Category Archives: No Spoiler Reviews

Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

SYLVIE’S LOVE (2020): The Things I Liked…

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Sylvie's Love (2020), Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha
Sylvie’s Love (2020), Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha

I found plenty to enjoy in writer/director Eugene Ashe’s romance/drama Sylvie’s Love. A delightful movie that’s dreamy, stylish and romantic in a way that’s both old fashioned and modern; thanks to the visual style, costumes, lead character and the 1957 setting.

Starring Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Aja Naomi King and Regé-Jean Page; Sylvie’s Love is just the kind of well-acted escape one needs from time to time. It’s a film that deals with the kind of predicaments/challenges most, if not all of us can relate to when it comes to friendships, romantic relationships, family and life.

I enjoyed Sylvie’s Love as a story that happens to be about more than the romantic love between Sylvie and Robert (Nnamdi Asomugha), a young man with dreams of becoming a saxophone player. In my mind, the film should almost be called ‘Sylvie’s Loves’ because it’s also, to a significant extent, about her professional aspirations/love, since she is a woman determined not to lose herself and what matters to her, regardless of external pressures from various angles.

Don’t be surprised if, by the end, Sylvie’s Love has you reflecting on just how helpful it is to have people in your circle looking out for your relationship.

For those who enjoy jazz music, like a little romance and or the costume design in shows such as The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, you’ll likely be glad you watched this one.

Lastly, if you’re wondering whether Sylvie’s Love shares strong similarities with the impressive If Beale Street Could Talk, (2018) the answer is ‘only in the sense that both stories feature the love stories of two young black Americans. Meaning, Sylvie’s Love isn’t going to completely shatter your heart due to a tragic and hugely unjust, racially motivated event.

Happy Film Loving,

G

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

SOUL (2020): The Things I Liked…

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Soul, the story of Joe Gardner, a musician who ends up transported out of his body, and has to find his way back is both what I expected it to be and not, simultaneously.

Starring Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey and Daveed Diggs; what stood out most about Soul is how visually well-imagined it is. The look and feel had me fully engaged. Whether it was the barber’s fantastic beard, or what the surroundings and occupants of ‘the place in between alive and dead,’ looks and feels like.

Generally, all of Soul is good. However, I enjoyed it most during the scenes when Joe was in the ‘in-between place.’ It’s the conversations and the general cleverness of the details of those moments that impressed me most. I liked these scenes so much that I found I missed the setting when the story was elsewhere.

My main issue with Soul is how unclear the messaging seemed to be at a point or two towards the end. I don’t mean the messaging at the heart of the film; the one about Joe’s evolution/emotional journey. I’m referring to some moments of dialogue that weren’t as clear or easily understood as I’d come to expect from a Disney Pixar film.

Watch Soul for the highly intriguing concept. I wouldn’t say that I found it quite as clever, satisfying or comforting as Inside Out (2015). But it is worth watching. It also helps a little if you like Jazz.

Lastly, there’s beautiful piano music that happens after Joe’s all-important gig that you probably don’t want to miss.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Source: JustWatch
Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews, TV

DEATH TO 2020 (2020): The Thing I Liked…

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Death To 2020 (2020), Cristin Milioti, Netflix

My favourite thing about Netflix’s Death to 2020, a comedic retrospective of the year that was 2020, is the phrase ‘Prime Ministerial scarecrow, Boris Johnson.’ I laugh every time I re-read it, because it’s true.

There’s certainly a handful of more amusing moments within the show, whether it’s courtesy of Samuel L. Jackson, Hugh Grant, Lisa Kudrow, Leslie Jones, Cristin Milioti or several others. Nevertheless, one of my key issues with Death to 2020 relates to how disjointed it feels; even with the narration used to bring everything together.

Furthermore, the show felt a lot like a less amusing version of Trevor Noah’s The Daily Show; even though I’ve only ever experienced The Daily Show via the best clips on their Youtube Channel.

Unfortunately, Death to 2020 also had me nodding off to sleep a few times. A reality I can blame on the above reasons, and the fact that my favourite comics already helped me laugh at 2020, a little closer to when much of the madness was happening.

I say give Death to 2020 a chance if you’re curious. After all, you may not be as avid a consumer of current comedy as I am.

Happy Film Loving and a fantastic 2021!

G

Source: JustWatch
Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

BRIDGERTON (2020): The Things I Liked…

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Bridgerton (2020), Phoebe Dynevor, Netflix
Bridgerton (2020), Phoebe Dynevor, Netflix

Set during Regency-era England, Bridgerton is the kind of series most decide to watch because they’re fans of classic costume dramas such as Pride & Prejudice (2005) and Emma (2020). 

Other reasons include the reputable production company behind it (Shondaland), the young and undeniably attractive cast, the romance-centric story, plus the show’s general look and feel; mainly the colourful costumes and cinematography. As for me, I tuned in to Bridgerton for most, if not all the above reasons. 

Following the first episode, I realised quickly that I’d got myself into another period drama that’s very similar to the others. You know, the kind where the young adults from rich and powerful families are either excited or fretting about getting married off to an acceptably wealthy suitor. 

Created by Chris Van Dusen, Bridgerton is a tale of wealth, lust, and betrayal as seen through the eyes of the powerful Bridgerton family. It is a show I watched through to the very end because it gave me just enough to keep going. Even though so many of its themes I’ve seen many times before. The good news is that it is well-acted and the cinematography and costumes are a delightful feast for the eyes. 

Bridgerton (2020), Regé-Jean Page, Netflix
Bridgerton (2020), Regé-Jean Page, Netflix

Some key ways Bridgerton is different compared to other costume dramas include the sex, there’s a lot of it. Not quite ‘Game of Thrones a lot,’ but close. There’s also the diverse casting and the way the show satisfyingly adapts modern music to fit the period. 

Bridgerton and one of the most successful ‘costume dramas’ of all time,  Downton Abbey also share some themes. Yet, even though I quit watching Downton after a certain character died in a fatal car crash, I’d say its a better-executed series than Bridgerton. Well, the seasons I watched anyway. 

What frustrated me most about Bridgerton, besides knowing that it isn’t quite as good as the very best, is the way the young characters made mistakes that could have been easily solved with effective communication. Perhaps I’m simply too mature to find some of the antics of the young adult characters in Bridgerton more entertaining than annoying. 

Luckily, there are highlights to enjoy. Particularly regarding some camera work, cinematography, costume design and the soundtrack. The question is then whether all these highlights are worth dedicating time to watch all eight hour-long episodes. The answer is, perhaps not, especially if you’ve seen plenty of period dramas. But, as always, give it a chance if you’re very curious. It may be just what you need. 

Happy Film Loving,

G

Source: JustWatch
Drama, Fantasy, No Spoiler Reviews, Sci-Fi

THE MIDNIGHT SKY (2020): The Things I Liked…

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The Midnight Sky (2020), George Clooney, Netflix
The Midnight Sky (2020), George Clooney, Netflix

George Clooney’s latest acting/directorial effort, The Midnight Sky, has scenes that will likely stay with you for quite some time. Scenes linked to the visual presentation and specific scenes.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world where the Earth has suffered a mysterious global catastrophe, Clooney’s character is Augustine, a lonely scientist on a race to stop an astronaut and her team from returning to Earth.

Before watching the movie, I encountered a review headline for The Midnight Sky that used the word ‘boring.’ Now, as any serious Clooney, Kyle Chandler, Felicity Jones and David Oyelowo fan would do, I had to find out for myself if I agreed.

After viewing, even though the film’s tense and anxiety-inducing moments initially kept me engaged, there were a few instances when I reached for my phone, partly due to the story’s editing and the slower pace of events. However, I was also trying to distract myself from emotional stress caused by the bleak realities of Augustine and the astronauts’ predicaments.

There’s even a specific scene where you know a tragedy is happening any moment now. And you’re not sure you want to hang around to see it unfold, partly because you’re mad that you were able to guess what was coming next. But you’re also displeased because you’re not a big fan of the continued depressing mood of the story, and you want some normalcy again.

Curiosity about the ending, the acting, plus visual moments that impressed, are what kept me watching The Midnight Sky. Generally, everyone performs well. Two specific highlights are the close-up of David Oyelowo’s character’s profile as he digests the meaning of a very unsettling bit of news. And the second is every time the camera was on young Caoilinn Springall, who plays Iris.

The most visually impressive moments include the colour-rich scene at the beginning that features Jupiter. Another at a later stage involves the removal of a helmet.

Give The Midnight Sky a chance if you’re curious. The premise is certainly intriguing. It’s just unfortunate that I’m convinced there’s a more engaging story, with better character development and maybe even a less moody/depressing creative execution, I could have enjoyed far more.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Source: JustWatch