Tag Archives: Movie Reviews

Christmas Movie, Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

HAPPIEST SEASON (2020): The Things I Loved…

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Happiest Season (2020), Dan Levy, Kristen Stewart, Hulu
Happiest Season (2020), Dan Levy, Kristen Stewart, Hulu

I haven’t seen all the Christmas movies due for release in 2020 just yet. Particularly since it’s not even December as I write this. Nevertheless, let’s just say that it’s going to take something very special to dethrone Happiest Season as my favourite Christmas film of the year.

I found plenty to enjoy in this Clea Duvall co-written/directed story about needing to be exactly yourself, wanting your family’s acceptance and trying hard not to mess up Christmas.

Firstly, there’s the good performances by all, particularly Mackenzie Davis who I’ve been a fan of since Always Shine (2016). Then comes the musical score that I believe is near perfection.

Additionally, Happiest Season manages to feel fresh, even though the holiday/romance/comedy film category is far from new. And the ‘freshness’ is, in part because the central characters are a young lesbian couple. However, it’s simply good writing, editing, acting, music and all else necessary that makes Duvall’s movie the perfect holiday film experience I’ve been needing.

Happiest Season is also funny in all the right places. Plus, it features a good mix of memorable dramatic moments too. Watch it at once, I say! Because it’s good.

Lastly, like myself, by the end you may feel that you’ve finally come across your favourite Kristen Stewart performance. Especially if you’re not too busy appreciating the noteworthy family wisdom, plus the good examples of friendship and kindness in the story.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Christmas Movie, Comedy, Drama, Family, No Spoiler Reviews

THE PRINCESS SWITCH 2 – SWITCHED AGAIN (2020): The Things I Liked…

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The Princess Switch 2 – Switched Again (2020), Vanessa Hudgens, Netflix
The Princess Switch 2 – Switched Again (2020), Vanessa Hudgens, Netflix

When I decided to watch The Princess Switch 2 – Switched Again, I wasn’t expecting great things. I was hoping for a sort of watchable Christmas movie experience that I’d be able to get through with a smile on my face, in part thanks to the Christmas filled mise en scene.

Instead, what happened within 10 minutes of the viewing experience gave me a strong urge to reach for my phone and do other things while it played. I definitely could have aborted the whole experience, but something told me to leave it playing. Nothing improved with time, of course. But at least it made the room look extra ‘Christmassy’.

What exactly is wrong with The Princes Switch 2 – Switched Again? Let’s just say that it’s the kind of story and execution that’s really best enjoyed by preteen girls/children. I should have known.


Nevertheless, if, like me, you often leave less-than-great Christmas movies playing in the background because you like the ambience they help create, maybe, for that reason alone, hit play on The Princes Switch 2 – Switched Again. You could even leave it playing with the volume down while you pick a Christmas soundtrack to blast through your home. Now that’s an idea.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews

BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM (2020): The Things I Liked…

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Borat 2 (2020), Sacha Baron Cohen, Prime Video

It was never going to be easy to follow Sacha Baron Cohen’s big hit Borat movie Borat – Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006).

Released more than 14 years ago, directed by Larry Charles and co-written by Cohen, it was funny, shocking, refreshing and cleverly put together. Fast forward to now, and I have to say that I found Cohen’s followup, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm quite disappointing.

There are very few moments in director Jason Wliner’s film where I smiled and maybe laughed a little. Far more frequently, however, there are cringe-worthy and sometimes gross/in-bad-taste scenes that failed to amuse; at times because the scenes were more unnecessarily vulgar than funny. Other times I could see the intended joke coming, but not in a way that made me look forward to the punchline; reason being, I’d seen something in the first Borat movie, where it was more amusing.

I appreciate the way Wliner’s acknowledges some recent/current key, happenings into the world. From Covid-19 and The Me Too Movement to events in American politics. I only wish I liked the seemingly rushed finished product more.

Forced to choose, my favourite moment besides when we learn of the maskini,’ is perhaps some of the scenes during the daughter’s makeover.

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is one you watch if you’re SUPER curious. Having now watched it, I know that I’d have missed very little had I steered clear.

Happy Film Loving

G

Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

NEWNESS (2017): The Things I Liked…

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Newness (2017), Nicholas Hoult
Newness (2017), Nicholas Hoult

Newness is a movie I watched because its writer/director, Drake Doremus, is behind my favourite film by the late and brilliant Anton Yelchin. The movie I’m referring to is, of course, Like Crazy (2011); a story that captures well an example of the ups and downs of young love. Especially when only one of the parties lives in the country where they met.

Doremus’s newer film, and the subject of this post, is Newness. Another story of young love. Only this time, the focus is on two millennials navigating a relationship affected by the challenges that come with modern life’s social media-driven hookup culture.

Though well-edited and performed by Nicholas Hoult and Laia Costa, I must admit to not enjoying Newness as much as I did Like Crazy. The main issue is, I simply didn’t connect with Hoult and Costa’s characters as much as I needed to. It was, unfortunately, around the twenty-minute mark that I realised I was bored and thinking ‘Why, oh why is this movie two hours long?’

Due to my failure to connect adequately with the key characters, no matter the editing or how delightfully naturalistic the performances, I still thought, ‘I’m sure I’d have enjoyed this story far more had it been a documentary. Perhaps, then, it would have felt somehow more substantial and impactful. Particularly so since Newness is a lot like a modern-day dating case study, just not an especially engaging one.

My favourite moment in the movie is an emotional one that finally happens at approximately one hour 14 minutes in.

Overall, I say watch Newness if you’re very curious. Perhaps you’ll find far more to love than I did. Otherwise, watch what I feel is the better Doremus movie, Like Crazy. It’s the one that made me a big Yelchin fan and why I was so sad to learn of his untimely passing back in 2016.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Horror, Mystery, No Spoiler Reviews, Sci-Fi

BLACK BOX (2020): The Things I Liked…

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Black Box (2020), Mamoudou Athie, Prime Video
Black Box (2020), Mamoudou Athie, Prime Video

Black Box, a horror/mystery/sci-fi film about what happens to Nolan, a single father after he loses his wife and his memory in a car accident is a film I don’t regret watching.

Starring Mamoudou Athie (Uncorked (2020), Phylicia Rashad, Amanda Christine, and from writer/director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour; the story centres around an agonising experimental treatment that causes Nolan to question who he is.

What I like most about Black Box is the unexpected direction the story takes at its most interesting and engaging point. I also enjoyed all the performances. Especially Athie and Christine’s. The latter of whom did a great job of playing a child who’s had to grow up far to fast.

As for what I like least about Black Box, that would be the first third of the movie because it played/felt a tad flat. Thankfully, once we get to around the thirty five minute mark, things get very interesting indeed, through to the very end.

Give Black Box a chance if you’re curious. Especially for the last two thirds and good performances.

Happy Film Loving

G