April Movie Reviews

Sorry for a bit of absence here. I've been exceptionally tired with many pain flares that accompanies a new path in life that I'm trying to navigate - sometimes thriving, other times, simply surviving. My thoughts have been foggy and when that happens, ability as well as inspiration to write takes a back seat and I focus on self-care.   

I have enjoyed plenty of movies recently that I am eager to write about - I just have to pace myself.  To start, here are a few movies that I would recommend checking out.

To my readers, thank you for the continued various levels of support. :)

Catherine Called Birdy, directed by Lena Dunham, is set in Medieval England, where we get to meet Lord Catherine (aka Birdy).  She's remarkably clever and more than ready to go up against her father who wishes to pawn her off to any wealthy suitor that is available.  Birdy's a little rambunctious in nature and far more rebellious than probably any parents of a teenager would prefer, but her sharp wit gets her through even the most awkward situations, and Bella Ramsey is really perfect here.  She reminded me of a mix of Lady Bird’s Saoirse Ronan and even the sass of Millie Bobbie Brown as Enola Holmes   - mainly as strong female leads. 

There are plenty of darker moments and themes to take note of and although they weren't explored in great detail, we get a good helping of what a male dominant patriarchy society looked like, sprinkled with archaic laws of marriage that you'd really have to hog-tie me down to ever follow. 

The soundtrack is also worth mentioning, as I really enjoyed Misty Miller's groovy take on the song, Alright.  It always gives me flashbacks to Supergrass' version from the 90's hit Clueless.

Birdy is proud of her defiance and as an audience, we are too. Her declaration (spoiler alert) pretty much frames the movie and is a strong message to hold onto in 2023 and beyond:  “You don’t get to decide who we are, where we go, or how much we cost, like we’re just things. We’re not things, we’re people. And we can think, and we can hear, and we can feel!” 

💜Catherine Called Birdy Trailer

With another throwback to the 80’s comes a story about the worldwide hit game Tetris, directed by Jon S. Baird. We meet Henk Rogers (played by Taron Egerton) of Bullet-Proof Software, who is showcasing his newest video game at a convention in Vegas, but then realizes he has stepped on a gold mine when he tries his hand at playing Tetris. Created by Russian programmer Alexey Pajitnov (played by Nikita Mikhailovich) who works for ELORG in the Soviet Union, Henk is ready to get on the plane to secure a deal to make sure Tetris will be in the hands of every person worldwide. Of course, everyone wants a piece of Tetris, or rather all of the legal rights to Tetris, so the battle begins.

The movie is really enjoyable and keeps you invested in the story. I really felt the bond between Alexey and Henk as their characters evolved and we could see the mutual respect and sacrifices they made for each other. The villains are pretty obvious and might be crafted a bit overly menacing at times, but it just shows the lengths people will go to get what they want.

I liked the use of some nostalgic 8-bit theming throughout the film and what a great soundtrack, especially with a fitting song by Pet Shop Boys; Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money.)

While rumours circulate of inaccuracies to the real life dealings of the Tetris saga, one can still appreciate the journey of this movie from the filmmaker’s perspective, and how revolutionary the game is still to this day. 

💜Tetris Trailer

A Decent Home is a feature length documentary film by Sara Terry that shows what the "American Dream" has become, rather what I would consider more of an "American Nightmare" for many mobile home park residents at Denver Meadows.  It has uncovered some ugly truths, heightened by the pandemic that seems to be a battle that many feel are worth fighting for. It is incredibly disheartening to see a community that is unnecessarily struggling to keep a roof over their heads.  Our hearts ache, hearing their stories, but there is hope in many of the voices who are advocating together to take a stand and keep their homes. 

Developers, investors and other rich moguls have continued to make overwhelming profits and getting rid of the "trash" (which unfairly further stigmatizes individuals living in a mobile home) is a gold mine for opportunity and passing on the wealth to those that already have overflowing bank accounts.  

It's no surprise that caring for the vulnerable is always someone else's problem, and so that IS a problem in itself.  Affordable housing shouldn't be a luxury, it should be a basic human right.  As shown in the documentary, people make sanctuaries of the spaces they have and create cozy and loving environments for themselves their families. They aren't opposed to helping a neighbour in need, or donating time or what little money they can spare to charitable causes. They appreciate all that they have, yet that is still being taken away from them.

All in all, there is always hope especially when we rally together and not apart. Awareness, action and accountability are just the stepping stones, but it's a good place to start.

💜Check out A Decent Home to learn more.

Holiday Down Under: A Sunburnt Christmas Movie Review

Hello readers!

I'm ready to share another holiday film with you that is a little naughty and nice. So pack your bags, check your virtual passport twice, and let's go to Australia!  

Sunburnt Christmas is directed by Christiaan Van Vuuren and tells the story of a widowed mother, Fiona, (Ling Cooper Tang) who is struggling to keep the family farm afloat due to horrendous drought conditions and becomes obsessed with fixing their broken windmill. 

We also have the kids, big sister Hazel (Tatiana Goode), who is in charge of everything and is trying to hold the pieces of what is left of the family together, hypochondriac yet also grief-stricken brother, Tom (Eaden McGuinness) who fears everything will kill him, and younger sister, Daisy (Lena Nankivell) who is a bit of a reckless spirit and yet a dreamer too.  She holds onto her dad’s old shotgun and goes around shooting passing clouds, with the hopes to make it rain.  The innocence through a child’s eyes has a lot of moments here to cherish.

While foreclosure on their home is near, a criminal on the loose dressed as Santa Claus named Daryl Dunn, (Daniel Henshall) crashes into their property, changing all of their lives forever. 

There is something wonderful about watching Australian films.  I was really smitten with the performance from Daniel Henshall.  He’s such a likeable character and you can really see the connections he makes with the kids that really bring new perspectives to the story. The plot may seem pretty standard, but there is a twist in this one that you might not see coming.  I also loved the wacky humour with the emotional punches woven into many of the scenes.

There is a lot of heart down under with this holiday film, so you’re bound to have a ripper of a time with it!

💜A Sunburnt Christmas Trailer

Ready for a Holiday Zom-Com

Anna and the Apocalypse directed by John McPhail, and written by Alan McDonald and Ryan McHenry, takes a group of soon-to-be graduating high schoolers and opens up their inner-diaries to share the woes of teenage life in the small town of Little Haven. 

This zombie-comedy, affectionately coined as a “zom-com”  is full of surprises and if being a teenager wasn’t hard enough, we add in a zombie infestation to shake things up a bit and get to know the characters a little more as they have to fight together to survive.  

With nods to Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The Breakfast Club, Shaun of the Dead and many others, it was really creatively done.

You can’t have a good musical with sub-par choreography, and so Steph (Sarah Swire) who also stars in the movie, did an amazing job juggling both roles. 

Anna, played by Ella Hunt, was perfect for her role. She was able to break away from the stereotypical female needing to be saved,  while showing bravery and kicking some zombie brains.  

Socially awkward best friend, John (Malcolm Cumming) is another good character. We feel his pain through song, as he deals with unrequited love for Anna but we also see him grow separate from the anguish, just like any best friend would.

Another stand out performance was the eccentric Headmaster,  Arthur Savage (Paul Kaye). He took that creepiness level and cranked it all the way up in the best way possible.

There are so many wonderful songs too, written by Roddy Hart in collaboration with Tommy Reilly.

🎶Break Away had my eyes wide open because I wasn’t expecting something so emotional right off the bat. With its poignant lyrics, I was just awe-struck. 

🎶Hollywood Ending. Believe me when I tell you that you will be singing this song in the shower, in the car and in your sleep! It is so ridiculously catchy. The song tells us what we already know, but are sometimes too afraid to face. While we deal with the harsh realities of life, we will still be okay without perfection. 

🎶Turning My Life Around is another great song with upbeat music and some fun dance sequences. It also holds a special nod in a way to a certain Shaun of the Dead scene where we are oblivious to the chaos that is going on around us. It has a comedic yet disturbing undertone.

Overall, I think this movie is really fun to watch and holds a lot of meaning beyond what is on the surface. Sure, it’s a little gross at times (okay... a lot) but this is definitely an infectious one to add to your holiday list!

💜Anna and the Apocalypse Trailer 

Seasons Of Change: 2022 Halloween Flicks

Hello my Ghoulish fiends! Halloween is just around the corner and whether you are excited for trick-or-treaters, plan to get dressed up in your favourite costumes, or intend to spend quiet time honouring  our spirited souls, it's always good to include a movie or two in the mix!  

I'm excited to share a few new ones that have popped up this year, as well as some old favourites. You can always transport back to my other blog posting that has even more movies and nostalgic series that bring me joy especially during the Halloween season.

With only a run time of 53 minutes, Werewolf By Night was a lovely little homage to many Universal Classic monster flicks, combined with some Twilight Zone eeriness. The monster hunter characters were great, in particular Jack (played by Gael García Bernal) who has an interesting role as a lycanthrope superhero of sorts. This short tale had such fantastic cinematography and black and white effects. It is definitely worth a watch.  I hope Marvel comes out with more of these, in particular something extra vampy.

Halloween Ends...or has it?  If you're not familiar with this horror-ific franchise, I would suggest to watch the other films to just delve more into the saga of Michael Myers. Although in this one, they do a rewind of some pivotal kill scenes, plus a rehashing of the tragedies in the town of Haddonfield,  so you are not going in totally blind. 

There was plenty of suspense throughout the film, a few irritants tossed in, but definitely a lot of brutal scenes that might have you squirm in your seat if you're more of the squeamish type, so stay alert, my friends. 

Was it the best out of all the others? Not in the least, but I think we're all here for Jamie Lee Curtis. She was amazing, reprising her role as Laurie and letting us know that when it comes to her masked-murderous foe, Michael Myers, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!

Teen Wolf is an 80's comedy and coming-of-age werewolf tale, starring the beloved Michael J. Fox, as Scott Howard, just your ordinary geeky guy who is trying to figure out who he is, with and without the all extra fur. Who doesn't love a werewolf who can play basketball? 

The wonderfully grotesque and pun-worthy Crypt Keeper is back to tell a tale in Bordello of Blood. Although rated poorly by many, I fondly recall this film with its heavy metal and glam soundtrack. It's a terribly corny flick, with raunchy humour, groan-worthy acting, but it's a great one to just sit back and have fun watching. 

Finally, we have The Hunger tv series, created by Jeff Fazio and presented b Tony and Ridley Scott. No one gave me chills down my spine like Terence Stamp, and in this horror anthology; The Hunger, he hosted each short story in a way that would surely tingle all your senses, like The Secret Shih-Than. 

This provocative British/Canadian series opened up quite a new world for me that I never knew existed before, but was incredibly liberating, even though subject matter was rather taboo at the time, and still might be today for certain types of people.   

If anyone remembers, it was aired here in Canada on a tv channel called Showtime - with its tagline Television Without Borders.  Every late Friday evening, they would have "Friday's Without Borders" which had content that pushed the limits for a more mature and rather open-minded audience. Taking over the series was the late, David Bowie, who in my opinion did a good job, but I'm still partial to the British charm of Mr. Stamp.  

💜Let me know what you'll be watching this Halloween or what plans you may have! I love hearing  from you, so drop a comment below, or feel free to privately e-mail me using my web form!

Telling Tales: October Movie Reviews

Ah October is here and not only does that mean crystal balls and flying bats, but iced frapps turn to apple cider and flip flops are exchanged for cozy socks! I'm channeling some nostalgia in the movie world as well as sharing a few new releases and special mentions that you might want to add to your watch-list.

Hocus Pocus 2

The first Hocus Pocus has been deemed as a cult-classic among movie goers, so it had some big pointy shoes to try and replicate that nostalgic feeling again! Initially, I was very hesitant about seeing Hocus Pocus 2, as the trailer made me wonder if this would just be a rehashing of everything in the first.

To my surprise, it was quite enjoyable! Lots of humourish puns, fun dance sequences and a feel-good message. Bette Midler stands out as the dominant, Winifred, and her witchy slightly clueless and submissive Sanderson sisters; Mary and Sarah (played by Sarah Jessica Parker and  Kathy Najimyare) are always a hoot. I also loved Billy, the quirky British zombie boy, played by Doug Jones.   

Spoiler* The only issue that made me roll my eyes was the deliberate product placement of the witches going into Walgreens for “potions”. It made me cringe a bit as I had the flashback from Ghostbusters Afterlife, where Paul Rudd’s character goes into Walmart to buy a tub of ice cream and has a weird encounter with little bitty stay puft marshmallows.

Abbott and Costello Meet The Mummy

Get ready for a little Mummy time with comedic duo Abbott and Costello who take on more than they can wrap their heads around in the 1955 classic comedy/horror, Abbott and Costello Meet The Mummy. Although it's available in colour, I think there is something really special seeing it in its black and white version. Although this movie was deemed as one of their worst by critics, I don't share that opinion. It's fun, silly and those snake-charmer scenes still give me a giggle.  

Finders Keepers

Find a missing leg pick it up, all day long you’ll have ...

Finders Keepers is a 2015 documentary film by Bryan Carberry and Clay Tweel that will be stored into the “woah that was not what I had expected!” movie vault for a long time.

Who wants to fight over a missing limb? This should be a no-brainer, but when John Wood’s amputated leg is found in a grill sold at a North Carolina auction and picked up by entrepreneur, Shannon Whisnant, all hell breaks loose and this is where the story begins.

There is so much to unravel in this doc but I’m not going to spoil too much because it really needs to be seen. At times you cannot believe that human beings are battling over an amputated leg that was left for months in a storage unit. 

As the humour slightly dampens in some instances and turns rather dramatic, there is such a complex story underneath what some would deem as a farce. It’s anything but that. This is where the movie shines in such unexpected ways. The stories of John’s life are a mix of heart-break, redemption and soul-affirmation, but there is a huge impact of his families recollection of these events too. 

Also, with Shannon, the façade of what one would see as just another egocentric, greedy, money-hungry man, he has a jovial spirit but is also deeply wounded in his own ways from childhood well into his adult years, he just carries and delivers the pain differently. 

The Greatest Beer Run Ever

Directed and co-written by Peter Farrelly, raise a glass to a story of friendship, war, politics, media sensationalism, corruption and the complexities of patriotism in The Greatest Beer Run Ever.

John "Chickie" Donohue (played by Zac Efron) is ready to leave his New York roots for a short while to track down his childhood army buddies in Vietnam and yes, deliver them a beer.  Witnessing more than he could ever imagine in the throws of war, Chickie’s views of life are changed in a blink of an eye.

Zac Efron is definitely the heart of the movie and carries the heavy weight in this one. He is such an underrated actor and once again proves his versatility in whatever role he takes on, especially on the dramatic front. I thought it was really well done showing how far a simple act of caring can go, no matter how outrageous it may seem at first. In the end, war has a way of bringing people together even though it can also tragically tear you apart.

💜Have you seen any of these films?  Drop me a note in the comments, or send me an email using my webform on the side and also let me know what you've been watching!

Grab Your Passport: 2022 Movie Reviews

Happy almost Autumn! I'm back with another set of movies! 🍿🎥 This time I ended up going on a little travel excursion with films and so you'll enjoy some reviews from our neighbours across the border in The United States, all the way to Ireland and Australia! 

Directed by Julius Avery and written by Bragi F. Schut, we’re not just entering a good vs evil superhero story in Samaritan, although it may seem like it at first. A young boy named Sam (played by Javon Walton) is convinced that his neighbour Joe, played by action-star Sylvester Stallone, is in fact Samaritan – a forgotten superhero that went missing 25 years ago.

The relationship between Sam and Joe is what really stood out the most. The interactions between them felt genuine, and I loved the curiousity of Sam’s character. I also like the restoring of humanity aspect that does wax and wane a bit but in the end, we know that one act of kindness can have a domino effect in life.

The movie is predictable in some ways, but surprising in others. I never read any of the comics so I am just basing my judgment solely on this film. We can’t forget the action of course, as there were some pretty amazing fight scenes, especially the warehouse battle and also the unexpected twist. The villain, Cyrus, was lame though, so that was a bit of disappointment as I think a stronger one would have really helped the movie along. He was like a watered-down version of Bane from the Dark Knight mixed with a little Keifer Sutherland appearance-wise.  He was rather forgettable.

Despite some of the flaws, the acts of heroism always hold up. The fact that Stallone has not aged as gracefully as others in the Hollywood spotlight and people might criticize that element, I didn’t really mind as his performance was heartfelt and highly entertaining overall. 

I’m not really into sports, although I don’t mind seeing a live game every now, but I do love a good sports movie and this one just blew me away.  When Adam Sandler is not bleeding my ears with his annoying baby voice act (I got through 15 minutes of the film; Going Overboard and had to shut it off) his other abilities are so impressive.

Hustle is directed by Jeremiah Zagar and produced by basketball legend, LeBron James, Adam Sandler, and others.

Sandler plays a Philadelphia 76ers scout named Stanley Sugerman, who lives and breathes basketball. His job sends him travelling all the time, which clearly has an impact on his family life, but he is determined to find his next talent and prove he can rise up to be more than just a coach. While in Spain, Stanley comes across Bo Cruz, played by Juancho Hernangomez who is a phenomenal streetplayer (and is a pro Spanish b-ball player in real life too! ) who doesn’t back down from anyone or anything. Stanley believes he can mold him into the next superstar basketball player with some tough love and mentoring. Bo has what it takes but carries a lot of skeletons in his closet that will test the limits of how far he’ll go with or without Stanley by his side. 

The movie is so impactful on many levels, as we see the struggles of Stanley on and off the court especially his desperation to be somebody. It’s heartbreaking but we’ve all been in his shoes in some way or another, so it’s relatable and his performance hits straight to the heart.  The friendship between him and Bo is so genuine with real tender moments and shows how trust is the foundation to build upon anything else. 

Hustle is one of the best movies of 2022 for me and a total slam dunk!

Swinging Safari is an Australian comedic and dramatic romp of craziness with a 70’s vibe, starring Guy Pearce, Kylie Minogue, Julian McMahon (biggest crush from the series Nip/Tuck) and more. It was written and directed by Stephan Elliott, who is well-known for The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

The movie is funny, fast-paced, loud and bordering on obnoxious at times, showing the perspective of life through the lens of the adults and children in Australia during the 1970’s. Throw in a random beached whale that is really the most exciting thing to happen to the town of Wallaroo in a long time, maybe forever.

There are so many characters in this one, it is hard to keep track.  I loved the innocence and sweet relationship of Melly (it’s rare I can find a movie with a “Melissa” in it – so yaay!) played by Darcey Wilson and Jeff (Atticus Rob), as they had to both navigate dealing with their dysfunctional families.  I also appreciated Guy Pearce, who played Keith Hall, who was as eccentric as his fashion choices.

The narration helps to create some sort of cohesion of telling the stories of each of the families, including the sad stories of two pets specifically Doody the Dog and Tommy the Turtle, but a lot of scenes are disjointed and that’s probably intentional, to show what it was like to grow up in suburbia with cruel parental discipline and moral compasses tossed out onto the barbie.

Some scenes were so outrageous that I was thinking of giving up on the movie, but then it pulls you back in and you’re laughing awkwardly while tapping your feet to the great soundtrack with songs like Spirit in the Sky and Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep.  

So grab a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken and have a swingin’ good time!

Directed by Tom Reeve, Hard Times (known prior with the title Holy Water), is a crazy, tushy-grabbing good time Irish comedy that pokes fun of all our insecurities, religion, sex, and it’s “fecking” bizarre. 

Set in the village of Killcoulin's Leap, what could possibly go wrong when you have a group of men who are desperate to make quick money and try and hijack a Viagra truck? Well you get the FBI after you and of course, with fear of now being caught, the only logical thing to do is dump all the pills into your local "Holy" well.  Unfortunately, all goes haywire as everyone from the town takes a sip, and another sip, and another, of the water, which leads to many residents “rising up” to these miraculous feelings thrusted upon them.

The movie is funny but a little long-winded at times. It was actually filmed in Devon, England, and the scenery is gorgeous throughout so that's a plus.  One thing that seems to be apparent is that Irish movies never shy away from nudity so you’ll be seeing a lot of anatomy in this one!

💜Have you seen any of these films?  Drop me a note in the comments, or send me an email using my webform on the side and also let me know what you've been watching!

Take It On The Run: Film Reviews

Hello readers! I've compiled another list of films that I've watched recently that I wanted to share with you.

Despite Tom Cruise’s continuous and cringe-worthy religious affiliation with Scientology, on-screen, there is no doubt that he is still top notch in his acting and Top Gun: Maverick adds even more accolades as we can see all his grueling flight training really paid off for this role.

I was a little worried that Top Gun: Maverick wouldn’t be quite as good, especially since the first one had Tony Scott directing. However, I have to say it was incredible in many ways and director, Joseph Kosinski gets a big applause for his talents.

The aviator flight scenes were mind-blowing. Just so visually stunning and I was really invested in Maverick’s friendship with Goose's son, Rooster, played by Miles Teller and of course, the dynamics with Ice Man, played by Val Kilmer.  There was so much emotion with these characters. 

I do have two criticisms of the movie and I think that just goes back to my dire love of the 1980’s because “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin  took my breath away hearing it in the original Top Gun and always will.  

Going to present day,  Lady Gaga took the seat this time around on the lead single for the soundtrack with her song “Hold My Hand”.  People seemed to literally go “gaga” for this song, and after giving it a listen multiple times, while I can appreciate Lady Gaga’s vocal talents and the essence of the song itself, I didn’t feel the same emotion.

The second issue was the love connection, or rather lack of,  between Tom Cruise as Pete Maverick and his romance with Penny, played by Jennifer Connelly.  It felt bland, almost as if they were acting from two very different places. The idea of having a co-pilot in life requires that desire, the romantic shiver that makes your heart beat a little faster and that spark. This felt like an awkward friendship, trying to convince the audience that they should try and be together because the storyline says so. 

In contrast to this pseudo-romance, in the original Top Gun film, Charlie (Kelly McGillis) who played Maverick’s love interest convinced me that they were the real deal and you could feel the chemistry between her and Cruise on-screen each and every time.  That's my take, it's okay if you feel differently.

 

We all have those moments when we feel invisible in our own lives, maybe unheard, unappreciated, or lost.  Mrs Harris Goes to Paris has a way of renewing hope and although there is ugliness in the world, beauty still shines through when we least expect it to.

Directed by Anthony Fabian, the movie is set in the 1950’s, which I adore, plus the British-ness of the film is something I gravitate towards, so I'm already in love with it. 

The story involves a widowed housekeeper, Ada Harris, played by Lesley Manville, who works for the poshest of the posh. One day while cleaning a client's closet, she falls in love with a couture dress by Christian Dior.  Saving all her pennies and with the encouragement of her best friend Vi (Ellen Thomas), she goes to Paris in search of her perfect Dior dress.

I loved everything about this movie. It was so sentimental and joyful. Even the moments of sadness still had a way of making you feel connected to the story and love Ada just a bit more.  I adored the friendship between Ada and Vi too. Sassy together yet still so genuinely loving to each other through all the pains and sorrows of life. I loved the look of the film and the set designs. There were also a few scenes that had me reminisce of the glorious independent movie gem; Amelie.

Sure it’s a predictable story to an extent, but in no way does she ride off with any type of prince charming on a horse scenario.  Since the characters were so delightful and the movie itself just flowed so nicely with its dialogue and all the subtle reminders of how to be a good human, I think everyone wants Ada to get her dress and just be happy.

  

After watching the trailer of Chip N Dale Rescue Rangers, I was really hesitant about seeing this one. It looked like it could be a train wreck with the animation, but then I figured, why the heck not give it a go. My husband and I watch all sorts of movies and maybe we’ll be surprised.  Well, surprises galore! 

Directed by Akiva Schaffer, this live-action film was hilarious with voice-overs from Andy Samberg, Will Arnett, Kiki Layne, Seth Rogan, and so many more! Delving into a lot of internet meme culture, I can’t count how many times I laughed throughout the whole film. There was no lack of puns either. Throwbacks to my childhood (not going to spoil anything here) really made it fun.  Don’t kid yourself though, there are definitely some mature themes/scenes that may go above the young ones heads, but it really has something for everyone. 

Directed by Tom Gormican, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent has actor Nicolas Cage playing himself, Nick Cage, as well as his alter-ego, Nicky.  He’s down and out, just like a lot of celebs who fade out of the Hollywood scene. Double d’s hit; depression and drinking. Then comes an opportunity to make $1 million to show up to Javi’s birthday (played by Pedro Pascal) who turns out is a Cage “superfan” – anyone remember their super-fandom and shrine?  Little does he know though, Nick FU!KING CAGE is going to get roped into more than he had bargained for.

Here we get to see so many iconic characters that Nicolas Cage has played in his 40-year span career, so you may want to do a Nicolas Cage movie marathon prior to watching, if you haven’t seen any of his flicks Con Air, Face/ Off, Moonstruck etc... Otherwise, just go all in for the ride.

I also need to say that we need to start a petition to get Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal to be in more movies together because their banter on screen together is just priceless. They are really the milk and honey, the toast and jam and the Kraft dinner and ketchup of this film, hands down. I could watch them for hours.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a total must-see and probably one that you want to rent again or even own, so that you can share with your friends, and enjoy the absurdity of it all. 

Just in and had to mention it! 

Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, Prey is an origin story of the first Predator alien to appear on Earth. If you haven't seen any of the Predator franchises, that's ok, you're still going to be blown away by this one on its own merit. I was definitely awe-struck at how well this movie captured such suspense, a great story and held my full attention for some of the most intense battle scenes.  

Naru, played by Amber Midthunder is a perfect fit. She is a ferocious heroine, showing dedication and strength in her role as a Comanche skilled warrior and protector of her tribe.

Although some criticize saying that tossing in a female lead (as opposed to using someone like Arnold Schwarzenegger) was a bad choice, Amber didn't make me doubt her commitment to the role one bit. She held her own, wielding a tomahawk like a pro, and going head-to-head in a believable way with one terrifying alien that was on her radar.

💜Have you seen any of these films?  What were your thoughts? Drop me a note in the comments, or send me an email using my webform on the side and also let me know what you've been watching!

Crazy Little Things Called Love: Film Reviews

Hello readers! I've compiled another list of films that I've watched recently that I wanted to share. 

Ah yes, Cyrano de Bergerac, a timeless tale that was probably thrusted upon many of my readers, like myself during our high school English class days. Those 5 paragraph essays in full swing and then watching the black and white version from the 50’s on a projection screen for the next few classes. I remember seeing quite a few film adaptations too, the most fond one of Cyrano being played by the comedic genius himself, Steve Martin in the film titled, Roxanne.  

Rolling into 2021, still in the heart of the pandemic, a musical version came out of Cyrano. This time, instead of revolving around a facial feature (his prominent nose), this film directed by Joe Wright, re-imagines the epic character Cyrano dealing with dwarfism, played by the impressive Peter Dinklage, who falls madly in love with Roxanne, played by Haley Bennett. 

Knowing how devastating unrequited love can be, we ache for Cyrano, probably far more than ever before because of Dinklage’s performance. Do we care about his size? No. Do we care about his heart? Oh yes we do! There is a longing for human connection, yet the deep self-loathing of the harsh realities of the world at the same time, which can be extremely relatable.  The costume designs were gorgeous, not to mention many of the picturesque scenes throughout. 

The main highlight of the film is of course the soundtrack. I don’t think there could be enough tears shed after listening to Overcome for the first time, followed by Wherever I Fall.   

You’re invested in the story and the characters, even though there is no swaying away from the ultimate fate of what love can do to us. Unrequited love can be the most torturous.  Roxanne and Cyrano together on-screen though are quite magical as you’re catapulted into their hearts indefinitely as the credits roll.  

The End of Us is a quirky indie-style comedy film by Steven Kanter and Henry Loevner that I think is quite relatable for many going through the pandemic and have questioned their partnerships! Dealing with each other’s “ism’s” might not seem so bad when you’re able to get out into the world, but as the world shuts down, it’s a reminder of a relationship going to hell in a handbasket for the characters, Nick played by Ben Coleman and Leah played by Ali Vingiano. 

Leah is an interesting character. She reminded me a bit of Sarah Silverman with her sarcastic wit. So she’s adulting, has a stressful job, takes care of all the finances and makes sure Nick moisturizes his awfully dry skin. Nick on the other-hand is slacking in all departments, unmotivated and still working on a book that never seems to go anywhere, but reaping all the benefits of the relationship, or is he? 

Making the tough decision to end a long-term relationship is never easy but we can see that the passive-aggressiveness and toxic behaviours are a cry for help.  Leah gets up the courage to tell Nick to leave when the pandemic rears its ugly head and mask-wearing begins, as well as the spiral of job losses, isolation and more.  

We can see how each of these characters deal with change and uncertainties of life. I liked the style and pace of the movie. There is no shortage of emotions as both of them try to navigate how to live with someone who you are not in love with anymore. They still desperately hold onto memories that feel so long gone, along with the gratuitous sex mistakes that shouldn’t have happened, but they do because it feels almost like the norm in movies.

Overall, the movie was enjoyable, it had a lot of introspective moments, humour, quite a bit of vulgarity (warning if that’s not your thing) and without spoiling the ending, you want the best for both Nick and Leah, you really want them to succeed in their dreams, whether they are together or apart.

  

Welcome to Woop Woop is From the makers of Priscilla Queen of the Desert...” so how could I NOT want to see what this movie had to offer? Priscilla is one of my favourite movies of all time for its beauty, elaborate costumes, humour, bravery and homage to Abba, of course.

Directed by Stephan Elliott, this Australian tale is pretty basic really and then starts going off the rails. Teddy played by Johnathon Schaech, is a New York bird smuggler and after a deal goes wrong, he takes off to Australia to replace a bunch of birds that escaped. Along the way, he ends up rendezvousing with a free-spirited woman named Angie, played by Susie Porter. 

After being knocked out by Angie, Teddy finds himself married,  and stranded as a prisoner in Woop Woop, a forgotten place where they dine on canned pineapple, boat loads of tobacco and dog food (made from road-killed kangaroos). The only entertainment available to the residents is old Rodgers & Hammerstein films and soundtracks. Of course, you can't get married without meeting the whole Aussie family, including the alpha-male dictator father Daddy-O, played by Rod Taylor. 

Make sure to watch out for one character, the oddball Blind Wally, played by Barry Humphries, who you might also recall as the colourful and spunky Dame Edna!

I will say that this movie will definitely leave a lasting impression, what kind of impression is very subjective. You’ll be randomly quoting specific movie lines spontaneously though (ones that are just a bit too vulgar to mention here) and maybe even re-thinking life choices. 

Despite the craziness, offensiveness that some may feel watching this one, grotesque animal scenes (NO animals were actually hurt according to the disclaimer put out!) there is a beauty towards the end that you don’t see coming. It throws you for a loop and is a bit overwhelmed with emotion, but it works. You’ll Never Walk Alone serenades us in a tearful scene, followed by the oddly amazing Junior Vasquez remix of Climb Every Mountain, from none other, The Sound of Music. 

Although deemed as one of the worst Australian films, it’s raging on as a cult classic and rightfully so. 

 

This is actually a two-part review, as these films intertwine with each other. 

Before you watch BlackFish, watch Free Willy, or re-watch it if you remember the film from the 90’s. The whale, Keiko was used in the movie and became the poster-whale for a desperate plea to end orcas in captivity.  

Although meant to be a light family movie with a feel-good vibe of reckless boy meets whale, whale saves kid (or kid saves whale too?) and ultimately defeats the evil amusement park owners,  a darker and sinister story actually is underneath. The connection is beautiful in the movie in the innocence of a child, but still a far cry from what reality looks like for many of these intelligent creatures.  

A huge highlight comes from its soundtrack. After seeing this movie in the theatre back in the 90’s, I rushed out to get the cassette tape and played “Will You Be There?" by Michael Jackson continuously.  I felt a spiritual connection to the song without religious context. 

20+ years later, after hearing it again, the song resonates with me completely different due to seeing the next film I will talk about entitled BlackFish.

Causing a lot of waves, the documentary BlackFish came out in 2013.  A very compelling documentary about marine mammal captivity, highlighting Tilikum, an orca that was held by SeaWorld and the devastating consequences that unfolded.

There is a lot of controversy in this film but there is no doubt that the motivating factor was the all-mighty dollar, not the well-being of the orcas at all. The trainers I felt had really good intentions yet were greatly misled in many ways by being employed at SeaWorld. 

Filled with so many ethical dilemmas to ponder, it was still quite heart-breaking to see what kind of treatment orcas did receive and how their psychological health, not to mention physical health, greatly deteriorated.

SeaWorld has claimed to have changed their focus and use the orcas for "educational" purposes instead of entertainment and no longer have a breeding program. They have a new show called the Orca Encounter, which is currently $100/ticket.  Still, you surely won't be seeing me there anytime soon. 

It all feels like smoke and mirrors to the real issues surrounding orcas that are still to this day not being addressed properly.  It is understood that sometimes sending them back into the wild is not always an option, which makes things even more complicated, but they deserve a better life than being spectacles at money-hungry theme parks. These beautiful creatures were never meant to be caged, only to be free.

💜Have you seen any of these films?  What were your thoughts? Drop me a note in the comments, or send me an email using my webform on the side and also let me know what you've been watching!

Always By Your Side: Ocean Heaven Movie Review

If you ever told me that I would be a puddle of tears simply watching a Jet Li trailer, I’d have to laugh at you because I’ve only really known him for being a martial arts actor. However, I’ll never view him the same way again. 

Ocean Heaven is a powerful film from director, Xiao Lu Xue.  Jet Li stars as Wang Xincheng, an aquarium technician who is terminally ill, but through every mouthful of pills he has to swallow and pain searing throughout his fragile body, he continues to do everything humanly possible to make sure his autistic son, Dafu (played by Wen Zhang) will be able to survive in the world without him.  

The opening boat scene in this movie is where you’re probably going to shed your first tear. A million emotions might be swirling through your head and there could be some hatred for Li's character, or maybe it's actually a little relatable, if you are/have been, in his shoes. It's quite a lot to process at first but sets the tone for an intense movie-viewing experience. 

This movie has so many layers too. It is interesting to note how “face culture” is explored while still applauding the level of vulnerability that is woven throughout with the lead male character, which makes it even more incredible to watch and notice all the nuances. 

The aquatic cinematography by Christopher Doyle is beautiful and as an audience, we can see how free Dafu is in the water – a sensory pleasure for him and for us to observe.  The film also excels at showing emotional frailty at different stage in life and the burdens we carry, or perceive them as such, only to sometimes be surprised when we truly open our eyes and see someone for who they are.

This is the reality for Wang’s character, as he desperately tries to teach Dafu how to live, only to realize his son is already living, just not in the way he had expected. We deeply empathize with his struggles, cheer for his small triumphs and ultimately gush over his unconditional love for Dafu till his final breath.  

What else can we take from the movie? We’re not getting out of here alive. We will all die someday, some sooner than others. No one is ever truly alone though, even if it may feel like that during times of despair. A gentle hand is always out, a shoulder is there to cry on, you just have to reach for it. 

Ocean Heaven displays a true testament of the power of human connection - in this situation, a father-son bond that is unbreakable and that no matter how different, we are all still very capable of having the same heart.

Final thoughts:

Everyone views autism through different lens and no two people are alike entirely.  To me, that is the beauty of being human. Those who are on the autism spectrum or prefer the term, neurodivergent, or even something else entirely (apart from the medical side for diagnosis, this remains an individual choice, as some also don’t feel a label is necessary to define their personal identity at all), see the world in very different ways.

While some may argue the idea of why a person with autism wasn’t cast for the role of Dafu, instead of an actor, I can simply appreciate this movie for the vision it had to tell its story, along with the intensive preparation done by Wen, and the creative and artistic merits of all the crew. 

For many reasons, I was so deeply moved by this film from the very beginning to the final moments when the credits ended, as was my husband, Bill, who is on the spectrum. We were discussing this movie a lot afterwards and our new-found love for sea turtles.

💜Have you seen this movie, what did you think? Feel free to send me a note!

Comedy For A Cause: Last One Laughing - Canada

Photo credit: IMDB

Last One Laughing Canada is a six-part comedy romp that you can stream so far on Amazon Prime Video that brings some of the funniest Canadian comedians together for a cause. The rules are pretty simple; try not to laugh, but make your fellow comics laugh in order so they will be ousted from the competition.  As the title goes, The “Last One Laughing” after six hours wins $100,000 for their selected charity. So pretty much it’s a win-win for everyone, no matter who remains.

Host, Jay Baruchel is huddled away in a control room, getting his voyeuristic fill of watching everything go down and anxiously awaiting a simple snort or full out giggle so he can hit that buzzer and dash into the room to present either a yellow card for a smile/laughing infraction, or the dreaded red card – which is immediate elimination. If he misses something while picking his nose, there are over 30 cameras watching too, so no worries there. 

The host and 10 competitors. 

💜Jay Baruchel – I remember him from Million Dollar Baby, which was an incredible dramatic film that you need to see. Also, he was the voice of Hiccup in How to Train Your Dragon.  He’s uber quirky and uses the word f*ck a lot.

💜Caroline Rhea – Best known as Aunt Hilda Spellman, from the iconic Sabrina the Teenage Witch. A lot of her comedy comes from real life experiences, which always makes things funnier. I just love her self-deprecating humour – she makes it seem effortless. 

💜Dave Foley – Admits he has to pee a lot (who doesn't right?) and of course he is from one of the best Canadian sketch comedy shows -The Kids in the Hall.  Ridiculously funny with that sprinkle of sarcasm and sharp wit. Plus he does make some snazzy fashion choices.

💜Colin Mochrie – This man can make me laugh just looking at him! His improv skills are top-notch and I love his quick-witted humour. Watch reruns of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, you’ll be happy you did.

💜Tom Green – Shock comedy at its weirdest! Oh Tom, you're quite something. If you remember the movie; Freddy Got Fingered that you snuck into the theatre to see and was voted one of the worst movies ever (even more reason to see it!) as well as The Tom Green Show, this guy will do just about anything. His stoic face and commitment to whatever concoction of insanity he’s brewing for a laugh this time around, makes you burst into tears on the show.

💜Andrew Phung – Big and bold personality, quite funny and has a style of his own. He’s a multi-award winner for his performance on the Canadian series; Kim’s Convenience and I have watched a few episodes of his latest family show called Run the Burbs.

💜K. Trevor Wilson -  A burly, rugged smart-aleck comic, straight out of the hit show, Letterkenny. I absolutely love his dead-pan humour. 

💜Jon Lajoie – I had to look him up on Youtube, as so many of his videos have gone viral and I can see why.  This guy is ridiculously funny and talented.  He feels like the neighbour you’d want to have, yet put up a privacy fence for too. 

💜Debra DiGiovanni –Oh the sass with this one! Saw her perform at the Chrysler Theatre here in Windsor, Ontario many years ago and her stardom is well-earned.  Bold and unapologetic, no wonder she’s a multi-award comedy champ. 

💜Mae Martin - Part of the LGBT2Q+ community, and another comic I had never heard much about before. Well-known for the Netflix comedy series; Feel Good.  I love the super awkwardness and self-deprecating style Mae brings to the table, or rather the room in Last One Laughing. 

💜Brandon Ash-Mohammed – What a firecracker on stage!  In all honesty, I never really heard of him up until now, but I’m convinced if I see him in real-life, he’ll be in a monster truck with eyelashes.  Oh and check out The Ethnic Rainbow - created by Brandon, it's Canada's first and only stand-up comedy show to showcase solely LGBT2Q+ comedians of colour.

Final thoughts: 

From the very first episode, there are zero f*cks to give, as anything is fair play for joke material. It’s raunchy, it’s a little risqué and might be a bit shocking too at times. Everyone seems to be having a good time though.  It’s going to delight and equally offend, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles, so that’s your warning. It's geared for mature audiences, so don't let you Paw Patrol kiddo sit in.  If anything, it’s a spontaneous smorgasbord of comedy relief that I think many of us can use right now. 

I have my bets set on who I think is going to be in the top 3, but let me say clearly that if you enjoy delicious cheese sandwiches, yes, delicious cheese sandwiches, you’re going to love this show.

💜Drop me a note and let me know if you're tuning in and who you think is going to be the Last One Laughing!

December Movie Buffet: Pick and Choose!

December is here and I’ve just blown out my candles – 41 to be exact.  It's been a crazy time and I think I have more than 41 grey hairs to match, probably way more, but I think that's relatable. My escape is often movies, just to reset my perspective on issues that I might be dealing with, to find some kind of inspiration amongst the chaos, or  to just be entertained. Laughter is the best medicine, it hosts a ton of benefits and being married to an entertainer, there's always something to laugh about around here and a reason to harvest the joyful moments that catch you by surprise. 

So now it’s time to watch all our favourites again this year like Die Hard (hey it IS a Christmas movie!), Scrooged, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and probably every single romance tale from Love Actually and The Holiday, to even a few terribly-acted, what-is-with-that-sweater?! Hallmark ones. Most likely, I will watch those ones alone, as subjecting Bill to those might result in divorce papers. (Insert awkward laughter)

I did a full holiday movie list that you can check out here, which has some unique holiday movies you might not have heard of before.

The movies listed below are not all holiday-themed,  but still worth mentioning, just in case you are not really in the jingle jangle spirit or maybe want to add them to your list for future movie-watching.

 

American Hero – Set in New Orleans, the city is riddled with crime, and Melvin, played by Stephen Dorff is part of the problem, engaging in all the behaviours that would rarely be deemed as superhero qualities, even with telekinetic abilities. Underneath the rough facade lies a vulnerable broken man, with a burning desire to see his estranged son, who deserves to know his father.

So adventures ensue and there’s a lot of shoot-ups and a pivotal moment where Melvin’s heart stops and the typical “I’m gonna change after this life altering experience” begins, yet not without its complications.

There are a lot of moments of “that could never happen” so strap yourself in for suspending your disbelief. Aside from an overabundance of profanity and some stuff that might be taken as insensitive/offensive, the bonds of friendship pull you in and keep you invested. Also there are some pretty cool action scenes. 

If you can take anything out of this movie, it would be Melvin’s best friend, Lucille (Eddie Griffin) who is always wheeled by his side (yes he’s in a wheelchair). A great character, yet suffers from similar motivation to change his own circumstances. You need a bestie to hit you with reality checks whenever you get out of line, so I thought these two were paired well together.

Laggies – The word “laggies” translates to “one who lags behind” and so the movie explores life’s journey of unknowns, tapping into emotions once forgotten, yet worth revisiting and maybe even letting go of. Craig, played by Sam Rockwell is once again a delight on screen, add in Megan (Keira Knightly - with an American accent!) and the sensational Annika, played by Chloë Grace Moretz. It also had a wonderful soundtrack, including Ben Gibbard’s achingly beautiful song; It’s Never Too Late.  Absolutely loved it - Bill often picks out some great movies for us to watch together.

Hunt For The Wilderpeople is absolutely weird and wonderful. There is so much to discover in the movie and each character has its own story to tell, especially Ricky (Julian Dennison), who is rebellious but with a huge heart and just wants to belong somewhere, anywhere. Hec, Ricky’s foster father, played by Sam Neill feels just right. He's a guy that marches to the beat of his own drum but with gusto and spirit. I will not forget to mention how breath-taking some of the scenery is too, my longing to visit NZ grows stronger each day.  The movie is incredibly funny and humanly-touching. If you like the humour and style of Taika Waititi who also directed unique films like Jojo Rabbit, What We Do In The Shadows, you'll definitely love this one.

Kiwi Christmas. Materialism on Christmas, you don't say!? Of course that would have anyone running for the hills, or rather this time scooting away from the North Pole. However, Santa's vacation doesn't go as planned, as his trip to New Zealand via his rocket sleigh (yes I said rocket sleigh) breaks down and his cover is blown when two kids find out who he is and tries to help him back to the North Pole before Christmas. 

I loved "Stan" aka Santa, played by Kari Väänänen and sure the predictability factor is smack dab where you'd expect it to be, but it didn't matter one iota. The wacky humour, the joyful spirit captured, the beauty of NZ, and the overall message just makes this a great one for everyone to enjoy.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas  I don’t think I was quite expecting the emotional punch that this movie brought over what seemed like a common holiday premise of trying to bring everyone together at Christmas for the first time after the loss of a loved one. The emotional connection you feel with each character’s “heart song” as they call it, is just so unexpected but powerful.

The film does touch on painful subjects like post-partum depression and the complex feelings that come with grief, loss and bereavement, so considering my personal woes of what I deal with during the holiday season and probably what a lot of people battle with, this one hit incredibly hard.

The choreography was done beautifully too especially in one specific scene with Zoey (played by Jane Levy) and Max (played by Skylar Astin) creating the last tear drop on my face with a beautiful version of Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time. The romance had my heart bursting.   

I never knew about the tv series - Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist , mainly because I'm not quite a tv watcher overall, but it might be worth checking out. 

💜As always, I love to hear your comments, so you can leave a message below or e-mail me your favourite holiday or non-holiday films that made your 2021.