Off To Other Worlds: Movie Reviews

Hi everyone! Sadly summer has come to an end and so I've stored away my flip-flops in lieu of cozy fuzzy socks once again. 

With all the crazy things happening around the globe, it's okay to take a breather and shut down social media and close up the news apps.  Speaking of, I scaled down my social media platforms, being incredibly mindful of what and who I follow. I find the less time I am 'connected' online, outside of the work spectrum, the healthier I tend to feel. Finding that balance has been tough, but I feel like I am making progress. Anyhow, that's perhaps another blog to write for another day.

Looking at the calendar, October is almost done. I just bought my new planner for 2024. Soon I'll be watching shameless Hallmark holiday movies. Anyhow, I wanted to share some movie reviews of films that I have watched recently that you might want to check out.   

Jules is a must-see film directed by Marc Turtletaub and written by Gavin Steckle. 

Milton (Ben Kingsley)  is not taken seriously as many of the town members think he’s losing his mind, bringing up the same issues time and time again at every meeting. Then one day,  a surprising arrival of a spaceship crashes in his backyard, and an alien-life form appears. 

From there, a beautiful story takes place that is emotionally touching for anyone who has experienced loss.  Affectionately naming the non-verbal creature “Jules”, Milton not only develops a bond with Jules, but unlikely friendships with two neighbours, Sandy (Harriet Samson Harris) and Joyce (Jane Curtin). Having very distinct personalities, they promise not to disclose about this mysterious alien that they’ve now encountered to anyone.

A lot of of important themes are discussed and hold great self-reflection to many who are entering their wiser years, or even take on the role as caregivers. It shows different perspectives of how we deal with grief and loss, but also shines a light on the joys that life can bring.  Jules (Jade Quon) brings such warmth to this non-verbal role and while compared to the iconic ET character,  still offers a dynamic performance. 

It is slower paced but the tenderness makes up for it in so many scenes. There are some humourous moments to break up some of the intensity of the film.  By the end, we see how transformative life can be when you open your heart and let the right people in. 

  

Haunted Mansion is a supernatural horror comedy film directed by Justin Simien.

Disney is at it again trying to bring back the spookiness of ghosts and spirits in this remake of Haunted Mansion.

LaKeith Stanfield who played Ben, an astrophysicist skeptic turned paranormal believer, was a memorable character and his grief journey and social anxiety really held a lot of depth to his development in many of the scenes.  I also loved Owen “wow” Wilson as the priest. His jokes were so corny but he just had such a fun-loving presence on screen that it worked.

Sadly though, Disney really let me down with its script that threw in so many ridiculous product placements that it was off-putting and aggravating. I was ready to turn it off but decided to solider on and see if it got better.  Also, despite a good casting, they didn’t seem to have much chemistry together on-screen, so the synergy lacked which was yet another disappointment. It didn’t feel like they were all battling the pesky ghosts together, more so just apart.  

Exorcise caution if you’re going to see this one. ;) 

Equalizer 3 is directed by Antoine Fuqua. After vaguely remembering the other two movies, Equalizer 3 takes Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) on another journey, this time to beautiful Southern Italy.  We watch Denzel’s calm and collected demeanour take on some of the most heinous criminals, always being many steps ahead of them.  

The pace of the movie starts slow, but it is symbolic in a way of showing the progression of time and the slower paced and peaceful life that McCall yearns for. There’s plenty of brutal graphic scenes and Denzel’s character takes them on with as much brilliance as expected.  He is charismatic and always full of surprises, and even with the injuries he endures that might take longer to heal now, he convinces us that he’s committed to his role and we’re all here for the wild ride. 

A Million Miles Away is directed by Alejandra Marquez and a biopic of real life astronaut José Hernandez, who was the first migrant farm worker to reach for the stars and get recruited to NASA and go into space.  

Michael Peña plays José in the film and delivers a spectacular performance. There are great transitions from each decade that make the audience feel like they are transported into that era from the fashion to music and just overall aesthetic. Jose’s growth and the deep family connections are the heart of this film.

There are beautiful moments in the film showing José’s turbulent but triumphant journey that is inspiring for anyone who has hit road blocks in their own life. José's recollection centres around his younger years with key lessons he had learned from his father, all the way up to becoming a father of 5 himself.  

For the romantics, there is also a sweet love story. José and wife, Adela (Rosa Salazar) are a quirky match made in heaven. She is a strong woman with ambitions of her own aside from motherhood, but is willing to make the ultimate sacrifices so José can fulfill his life long dream of becoming an astronaut.

💜~That's it for now. See you again soon for another blog.

Blissful Muse~

Just Keep Going: June Movie Reviews

Hello my readers! I've been making some changes to my daily routines here and figuring out how to best navigate this topsy-turvy world. I am welcoming June with fresh gratitude and new insights. I'm journaling through many continued unknowns, but appreciate all the continued support.

Let's move onto the movies now!

Tick, Tick, Boom! Andrew Garfield stars as "Rent" creator Jonathan Larson in this musical directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda.  Before the world ever got a peak at the sensational musical, Rent, we’re going back to New York City, during the 90’s, where the theatre kids like to play. In the movie, we meet Jon, who has put immense pressure on himself to finish his musical “Suburbia” before his 30th birthday, which comes at a price, risking love and friendship along the way.

Andrew Garfield is outstanding. His singing chops are unreal and I don’t think I ever knew he could even sing before seeing this movie.  The songs are wonderful and reminiscent of the hustle culture that existed to just get your foot in the Broadway door. You’ll be bopping to the beat of Boho Days, an ode to friendship and connection in its purest form.  

With a pedal to the medal feel, every second of the film is a rush. It’s uplifting and highly emotional. We watch the heartbreak of Jon losing his dearest friends to the growing epidemic of HIV/AIDS, yet still pushing through all the sadness to make his dream come true.  Robin de Jesus who plays his best friend, Michael  (who is in the throws of dealing with life-changing news and uncertainty) also gives an incredible performance.

Honouring the life of Larson, Tick, Tick Boom! is the beating heart of what musical theatre lovers will cherish forever.    

                           

Swish after swish, Michael Jordan has dominated the court, leading his team to victory.  Air is directed by Ben Affleck and written by Alex Convery Air is the story of Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a basketball guru and a major promoter who spear-headed the deal to sign Michael Jordan to a multi-million dollar contract with a shoe that would eventually be on everyone’s wishlist; the infamous “Air” Jordan’s.

Although the movie starts out a bit slow, it picks up speed to highlight the intensity of signing Michael, while beating out their competition. Part of that was having to persuade Jordan’s mother in the movie, Delores (played by Viola Davis) who gives a great performance, and won’t settle for just any contract and knows what her son is worth. 

It’s an enjoyable film, and as formulaic as it is, you don’t need to jump thru hoops to get to the heart of it. 

                  

Billy Elliot The Musical was based on the hit film Billy Elliot directed by Stephen Daldry and is an absolute delight.  Ready to hang up his boxing gloves in exchange for ballet shoes, Billy (played by Jamie Bell) starts to secretly take lessons from his ballet teacher with much disdain from his father and brother. Escaping his mundane life, dancing takes all the sadness away and Billy’s really good at it, not at first of course. He does have a natural raw talent and with the mentorship and motherly love (although tough love) all the practicing is paying off and Billy could be headed for a scholarship. 

This coming of age movie is uplifting and sweet. It’s emotionally satisfying with a terrific soundtrack and beautiful choreography with every step. It challenges gender stereotypes and allows us to feel the excitement for Billy as he gets the chance to breakaway and not feel afraid anymore.

 

Directed by Jalmari Helander, Sisu is one hell of a wild ride.  We follow Aatami (Jorma Tommila)  a gold prospector and fearless ex-solider who is left to his own devices after experiencing tragic losses of his family. Finally striking gold, the inevitable happens and the Nazi’s find him and try to steal it all away. To their surprise, Aatami is not going down without a fight.

The film has a strong narrative, showcasing the power of the Finnish word - Sisu – also the titled film. It is a concept of being brave, resilient and unstoppable, all of which are characteristics that Jorma is able to showcase skillfully in his performance. Although Aatami barely speaks, as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. 

Limbs are flying left and right and the amount of gore can be overwhelming - but if you're okay with that, then carry on  watching. Aatami is a blast to watch and some of the battle scenes are just ridiculously out of this world. It has some visual cinematic style of a John Wick film with high energy and incredible effects, yet with the unique touchings of European flare. 

Overall, it’s a bloody good time. 

May Movie Reviews

Hello my dear viewers, I hope you've been having a good start to May!  

Before I get into the movie reviews, I wanted to highlight a fun new activity that I've done recently and didn't have the chance to post about.

Copyright: Windsor Dance eXperience

💕💃🕺Bill and I took a dance class together at the Windsor Dance eXperience from Tiffany Chan. The choreography we learned was to the song from Hairspray called "You Can't Stop The Beat".  Bill rocked it, he's quite a natural. I have to applaud anyone who is able to follow any kind of dance routines because I never knew how uncoordinated I was until seeing myself in a mirror. lol It was fast-paced so after a few times, I did get parts of the routine though. 

It was a judgement-free zone and all abilities were welcomed - my kind of vibe. The new space is coming together nicely and I am excited about taking other dance classes together, maybe just a bit slower paced. Tiffany was wonderful as our teacher though, and the room was filled with great energy. We were all there to have fun.  By the end, I felt a smidge more confident but I'm not ready for Broadway anytime soon. ;)  

Now onto the films!

Renfield is a modern monstrous tale that is directed by Chris McKay.

This movie was incredibly entertaining as who doesn’t want to see Nicolas Cage portray the Prince of Darkness, Dracula?  At one point, a homage to Bela Lugosi is given, in a ghoulish yet very “Cage-like” performance, and it works. In other scenes, he is just a blood-thirsty and tyrannical vamp, out for... well, blood.  Also power, world domination, you know the usual. 

Renfield, his devoted servant, played by Nicholas Hoult is awesome and fits his role well.  Now as brutally violent as this film is with some graphic fighting scenes, it can be triggering for many because of the obvious themes that go outside the supernatural realm.

Renfield is a self-loathing character and really a shell of himself, acknowledging his co-dependency to Dracula. Stumbling into a support group for domestic abuse, Renfield’s recollection of how it all started for him feels more exaggerated since he possesses supernatural powers, but still mirrors those in the human world, who live to tell their painful stories.  We’re rooting for Renfield though to find that courage to leave and get out of Dracula’s grasp forever. 

While the movie still has some laughs for its absurdity, you might get an eyeful from all the blood splatters. Some of the scenes are totally outrageous and gore-filled, and parts of the story seem to zig zag all over the place at high speed.

Overall, definitely one to check out, but if you have experienced abuse on any level, past or even present, please make sure to check in with your emotions after the credits roll. 

💜Renfield Trailer

Dear Evan Hansen directed by Stephen Chbosky is a musical/film adaptation of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning stage play.                                                           

When Evan (played by Ben Platt) is prompted by his therapist to write letters to himself, in order to help him cope with his crippling anxiety, a note gets into the wrong hands of a misfit student, Connor Murphy (Colton Ryan), who takes it.  There is a sudden shock of Connor’s suicide shortly after and that’s where the story gets complicated. The Murphy’s are convinced that him and Evan were great friends, as the single note was found in Connor’s pocket.   Knowing that Connor had even one friend is comforting to them and something his mom desperately is holding onto, now inviting Evan into their family, which feels like the replacement son.  Evan is then caught up in a fantasy that they were friends and shares all sorts of adventures that they went on to make the family, in particular their daughter,  Zoe, (Kaitlyn Dever), who Evan secretly pines for,  believe that this was the truth. Evan starts to write other letters to keep up the charade until it all comes crashing down.

This is a very heavy movie. It highlights the silent struggles of mental health, and the cascading toll it takes on everyone, just from different perspectives.  Evan can be seen as a victim or a villain, sometimes both maybe, depending on how you perceive things. 

Many of the songs are imperfectly sung in a heart-wretching way from Words Fail and For Forever to  Requiem. The lyrics are poignant and we feel the deepest aches through so many of the scenes.

While the stage musical got rave reviews (I never had a chance to see this one) it seems like the polar opposite holds true for what the film tried to portray through its chosen characters, surrounding mental health as well as neurodiversity. While I understand some of the criticism, regardless of your position, I think one thing is pretty evident, “The parts we can't tell, we carry them well, but that doesn't mean they're not heavy."

💜Trailer 

Guess who’s back, back again? Ghostface’s back, tell a friend.  We’re onto #6 of the Scream franchise now, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.                              

Although I wasn’t sure that this would be any different than the other Scream films, this slasher and whodunnit mystery took me by surprise, simply with the opening scene setting the stage for what would proceed to be a very violent viewing.                                  

Since the intensity of the movie itself never dulled with Ghostface this time just being so relentless with every stab, I think they did a good job keeping that excitement because there were so many moments where I kept second guessing myself.   I did like the dynamic sisterly bond between Tara and Sam (Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera) but found the other characters were more on the forgettable side.                                                                                                    

I was also momentarily happy to see Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) make a brief return, but she was disappointing too, and didn’t really hold much of a purpose, except a sense of nostalgia maybe. Her fight with Ghostface was mediocre, definitely not the intensity that you’d find in for example, Jamie Lee Curtis who took on Michael Myers, in the most recent Halloween. 

While I don’t think this was the best Scream, I did enjoy it. A little brutal for some who are squeamish, but definitely a heart-pumping ride till the masks come off. 

If you see a ghost, you call ghostbusters. If you hold a grudge, be sure to call Ghostface and he’ll come a runnin’.

💜Scream Trailer

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.

One Step At A Time: March Movie Reviews

Hi everyone! I'm back with some more movie reviews for you to enjoy. 

A Man Called Otto directed by Marc Forster is an uplifting story of hope and renewal of life.  Tom Hanks plays Otto, a rather grouchy man, who is ready to leave everything behind after losing his wife.  With many failed attempts at taking his own life, there feels like a reason he is still here.  

The movie is touching and we see over the course of the movie how his connection with other neighbours change his life as well as theirs in subtle yet profound ways. Otto is not a man to sugar coat anything,  he’ll tell you straight up like it is, whether you want to listen to his ramblings or not. His blunt honesty is not always welcome, but in every situation, when Otto is confronted with doing the right thing, he does.  

Another highlight is the blooming friendship with new neighbour, Marisol, played by Mariana Treviño, who sees the genuine heart underneath all the grumpiness. She’s a wonderful character in the movie and brings out all the joy that Otto has buried down deep inside and shows him there is still so much beauty in life that his wife would not want him to miss out on. 

💜A Man Called Otto Trailer

I am hoping to see the Swedish film release, A Man Called Ove.

                                            

The Whale directed by Darren Aronofsky is a heartbreaking story to watch because we have all known someone in our lives that no matter what we do, we cannot reach them. Maybe they are struggling with addiction, mental health, or something that they still cannot even come to terms with.  Feeling an obligation to help the broken, can also sometimes break us.  It’s hard to tread these waters and stay afloat.

As the saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover, however, we mostly do, especially in extreme circumstances. Visually, we see Charlie (played by Brendan Fraser), a 600 lbs+ man, stuffing his face with fried chicken and we immediately think, hell, why can’t he just stop eating? He’s disgusting and made a choice, why have an ounce sympathy for him? Before critical judgement, let's pause. Touching on themes of grief, severe depression, hidden identity, isolation, estranged family, a broken healthcare system, and other crucial pieces of Charlie’s crumbling life, we can see that it’s far more than just about putting down the greasy drumsticks.  

His best friend, Liz, played by Hong Chau, gives an incredible performance as well. We get to see the heartache she is battling from her own losses and her fierce loyalty to try and keep others from messing with Charlie’s psyche, specifically a missionary who wants to “save him.” Taking on the caregiver role of keeping Charlie alive (she is a nurse) despite his clear wishes of not getting any outside medical help, as all the money he has needs to be given to his daughter, sadly enables his behaviours.  She is such a strong character though and it is true that in order to build resiliency, it comes with a lot of breakdowns.  

As we watch Charlie further deteriorate, his desperation to reconnect with his daughter shows his vulnerability and in some ways selflessness of giving up everything to make sure she is happy in life. There are a lot of complex emotions to deal with. The final scene has a poetic closure and offers symbolic interpretations.

It’s never too late to say you’re sorry.

💜While receiving standing ovations at the premiere of The Whale, this movie has had its share of backlash too, which you may agree or disagree with.  However, in my opinion, after being out of the spotlight for so long, Brendan Fraser's performance here still definitely deserved to be taking home Best Actor at the 2023 Oscars.

💜The Whale Trailer

Missing is written and directed by Nicholas D. Johnson and Will Merrick.

The motherly frustrations of dealing with teenage woes is not uncommon. Unanswered phone calls and text messages coupled with rebellious shenanigans with friends are par for the course, but to certain degrees. 

So what happens when it is the parental figure who doesn’t answer their phone, and just disappears? We are taken on a wild technological ride when daughter, June (Storm Reid) takes it upon herself to go into virtual sleuth mode to find  her mom Grace Allen, (Nia Long) who vanishes during a vacation in Colombia with her boyfriend, Kevin (Ken Leung).                              

The movie is full of excitement and offers a lot of thrilling moments, similar to the movie that I reviewed; Searching.  However, what is termed as a "spiritual sequel", there is more complexity to the parental/teenage relationship, and the intensity really grows with more plot twists that shifts audience sympathies back and forth like a pendulum.

An interesting part of the movie is June hiring a local Columbian, Javi, played by Joaquim de Almeida to help her find evidence and locate her mom. His technology skills are not quite on par with June’s, . However, after getting the run-around from authorities, June is running out of options and as much as she strives to be independent, she needs a shoulder to lean on. In this case, it’s a virtual one that the director is able to translate into a lot of warmth on screen.  We love Javi for being the ideal father-like figure that June wishes she still had in her life and the fact that Javi might not be disappearing from June’s life any time soon. 

While technology has a way of sometimes pulling us apart, it is also a way to bring us back together. It brings me back to the days of Mr. Rogers when he said “always look for the helpers.”

💜Missing Trailer

We Have A Ghost, directed by Christopher Landon is a film that really was surprising to watch as there were so many things wrong with the movie, yet somehow it ended up being a favourite here to write about.

During the first half, we're seeing the Presley family move into a creepy, dilapidated home that probably no one would really realistically buy. Alas, they purchase the home, hoping to have a new start. 

Jahi Di'Allo Winston as Kevin, plays the detached misunderstood teenager who we immediately expect will befriend the ghost - Ernest (played by David Harbour) found living up in the attic.  Soon Ernest is captured on video, uploaded to Youtube by Kevin's father, and of course, it goes viral. The film spirals a bit out of control here adding in a wacky Jennifer Coolidge who plays a psychic, known as The West Bay Medium. 

After a lot of comedic moments that honestly felt awkward and misplaced with another attempt of be relevant of current trends (cue needless Kardashian references) the story takes a very unexpected turn where we become so involved in Kevin and Ernest's friendship.  

David is at his absolute best, giving us such an endearing physical performance without speaking throughout the film, (technically, he did in fact speak 1 word, but I will not spoil that). I became quite invested in the mystery as to why Ernest was stuck in the attic, as did my husband. I loved the interaction between Kevin and Ernest almost immediately. There ends up being so many deeper layers to the story, which I wish the tone of the movie went into sooner, instead of the comedic flops of chaos trailing on for so long.  

I never thought that I'd shed tears for a ghost, but if there is any reason to give this movie a chance, it's for David Harbour's performance.

💜We Have A Ghost Trailer

Finding Who You Are: Film Inspirations

Welcome to another blog! I really wanted to share with my viewers my thoughts on some wonderful documentaries that we've watched over the last while. 

Wildcat is an incredibly moving documentary by Melissa Lesh and Trevor Beck Frost that brings us on  an exploration into the harsh Peruvian jungle, where coined as “lost souls” can find salvation and connections can be made in the most unexpected ways.

Raising orphaned ocelots is a big feat and for Harry Turner, it’s nature’s prescription to help him cope as he returns home from Afghanistan with the shadows of severe depression and PTSD following him.  Meeting ecologist and PhD student, Samantha Zwicker, who is the co-director of Hoja Nueva, an NGO in the Peruvian Amazon. she is drawn to helping the broken, clearly not without its consequences. Both their passion to raise orphaned wildlife gives them purpose, and for Harry, a reason to live. 

The sacrifices and solitude that comes with choosing to live in the Amazon though is very intense and we get to experience Harry and Samantha’s vulnerabilities and strengths, as a couple and as individuals.   

This film is very character-driven, which packs quite a punch, without losing focus on many important messages throughout, including mental health. We get to witness all the emotional highs and lows  which explain a lot about why Harry and Samantha felt drawn to dedicate so much of their lives to rehabilitating wild animals,  as well as working through their inner demons towards a path of healing.

The documentary is depicted in a very intimate way that also explores interspecies bonds in profound ways, the impacts of deforestation and the complex pet trade that can dramatically change the course of our lives.  

Wildcat shows us the fragility of life. The ability to overcome struggles that may seem insurmountable at times, only proves that we are always stronger than we think.  

💜Learn more about the Hoja Nueva's rewilding center & Emerald Arch

When I heard about the movie, Running with Speed, the little girl inside me wanted to know more about this secret (well not so secret anymore) society of gamers that defy the limits of what can be accomplished in a virtual world.

Narrated by the internet legend and video game historian Summoning Salt, this documentary directed by Patrick Lope and Nicholas Mross follows a niche community of gamers from all walks of life called Speed Runners.  They are dedicated to breaking the fastest records in video game play and determined to find the most intricate glitches in video games that most of us would probably never accomplish in our lifetime. Clearly a lot of energy drinks are consumed.

I wouldn’t consider myself a gamer, although many years ago, I did find joy investing time in the Mortal Kombat after long shifts at work and Sonic the Hedgehog games. My brother was ridiculously talented at video gaming and could solve levels like a pro. I also dabbled in Mario Bros, although I wasn’t quite skilled enough to ever save the lovely Princess Peach, but I did come close.

Now for nostalgia. Playing Bubble Bobble and Impossible Mission on the Comm64 was bliss, as well as Choplifter. Let's not forget Zork for a little role-playing action either.

Like anything, there is a dark side to gaming, in particular when one gets into speedrunning that can become an unhealthy addiction and obsession that is explored briefly from the perspectives of some of the top gamers that were part of the documentary. There are struggles of where to draw the line at a career vs a hobby. Sometimes those lines are blurred and real vs user generated identities get so enmeshed that it causes confusion and serious consequences. 

However, this doc really highlights a lot of the positive aspects of gaming culture, which include a community of passionate gamers who to this day, still cheer each other on during the most fierce competitions.  There are also some incredible ways that gaming marathons exploded into a life-giving movement to raise money and support charitable organizations. 

While I may never actually create an account over on Twitch, which is a live-streaming gamers haven, I do have a new-found appreciation and high level of respect for the art of gaming.  Game on!

💜Check out Games Done Quick which has raised over 43 million dollars for charity. It is currently the largest individual fundraising event globally for both Prevent Cancer Foundation and Doctors Without Borders USA.

Gear up to get those wind in your sails, as True Spirit is an Australian gem that you shouldn’t pass by. Directed by Sarah Spillane, this film is based on the real-life story of teenager Jessica Watson (played by Teagan Croft), who at 16 became the youngest person ever to sail around the world alone. 

The movie is gripping and if miracles do actually exist, Jessica is living proof of surviving some of the roughest waters and storms that mother nature had in mind for her during her 210 day journey. 

Jessica’s bravery and stamina allows for us to really see her maturity even at such a young age, as well as the wonderful unwavering support of her family.  Also what is so special about the film is Jessica’s connection with her sailing coach, Ben.  It turns out that Ben actually represented a team of people in real life, but the depiction is really heart-warming in the film. 

Along with the emotional depth of the film, the accompanying soundtrack is pretty awesome too, especially with “I Made It” performed by the Australian singer, Tones And I.

💜Check out Jessica's website here to read more about her adventures

The Lost King, directed by Stephen Frears is a story that needs to be heard and who better to star in this than one of my favourite actresses, Sally Hawkins.  She plays the role of Philippa Langley (known for her real life discovery and exhumation of Richard III), a woman who deals with an invisible illness (ME/CFS) that makes her feel just that, invisible. In work, she is overlooked and often ridiculed, and home life is chaotic, trying to juggle life’s expectations. 

After seeing a live production of Shakespeare's Richard III, Philippa finds herself quite defensive of what many believe to be a historical villain (or was he also an unsung hero?). As an amateur historian, she heads down an uncertain path to find Richard III’s remains, where she believes he is located under a car park in Leicester.   

The film is really thought-provoking on its own, having a sleuth-like British feel, and the rooting for the underdog scenario. Another great role is Steve Coogan, who plays the ex-husband who is more on the skeptic yet supportive side. Although divorced, we still see the love that can remain between two people.  The pace of the movie is a bit rocky at times, but it's not boring in the least. Despite controversy over many inaccuracies and a potential lawsuit brewing from many in academia over the film, the heartfelt message of one woman’s quest to succeed on her own terms is evident. 

Now, despite knowing very little on the subject of Richard III, it was quite a surprise, but a pleasant one, that a very complex yet misunderstood condition called ME/CFS (a condition that is quite varied from person-to-person, and I have silently dealt with for many years) was mentioned in this film. It deserves more attention so funding and research can be spent to help patients lead higher quality lives and maybe even someday find a cure. It made me feel inspired to continue my pursuit to live a fulfilling life despite my limitations and ill-informed assumptions that others believe about me.

💜Support ME/CFS Research

Straight From The Heart: February Films

Welcome to February! While the recipe for love might be on the table for Valentine's Day, perhaps I could help you pair it with some unusual films to enjoy.  

The Menu is a psychological mind f*ck with a heaping dose of satire from director Mark Mylod and and writers, Seth Reiss and Will Tracy.

There is something very bourgeois simmering at Hawthorne, an exclusive restaurant located on a private island and run by Chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes). Being an invite-only event, 12 guests are ready for a dining experience they’ll never forget.

The movie is intentionally pretentious to the max, with Fiennes giving such a hilarious yet utterly maniacal performance. While this “eat the rich” message is gaining momentum in a lot of movies, execution is key and at times, I just felt a bit of boredom with some of the character roles, waiting for the next scene to hopefully draw me back in.

Giving a big middle finger to the thumb-nosed elites, everyone in the room serves a purpose and holds some juicy secrets that get their psyches messed with. The majority of the movie is confined to the restaurant setting, so there are many little yet important details to watch out for.

By now, we know what’s going on, or at least have an inkling, but there are some twists you might not see coming. The pace in the movie adds a lot of suspense and although as mentioned above that I didn’t take interest in some of the characters, there were some good moments with Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) and surprisingly, Elsa, the restaurant manager played by Hong Chau. So, I still wanted to get through till dessert. 

Before Chef serves each course, he presents a full commentary, and so every dish, even the Breadless Bread Plate, which sounds as ridiculous as it looks, was created purposefully.  

Despite some criticisms, The Menu does deliver, but I do recommend the cheeseburger.

💜 The Menu Trailer

The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Big Foot is directed by Robert D. Krzykowski, and this movie is a mouthful to say and states the obvious premise, but holds a lot more for the audience to digest.

 Sam Elliott plays Calvin Barr, an American hero who assassinated Adolf Hitler in an undercover operation. Now, living a very solitary life with his furry companion, while dealing with the after effects of PTSD from war, he is approached by the government to kill the Big Foot. This creature carries a virus that will wipe out the world and so since Calvin is the only person who is immune and is now the chosen one. 

I think the idea of Big Foot could have been explored much differently to reflect the tone of the film, as the second half really just felt tossed in for simply a weird turn of events. This kind of took me out of the movie at times, as it was just silly.  However, the redemption is just watching Sam Elliott’s riveting performance. It kept me engaged in his character and wanting to watch till the very end.

There are so many emotional punches throughout that were hijacked by the whole Big Foot tale, but if you’re going to watch this, go for Sam Elliott’s performance, and forget the Sasquatch.

💜The Man Who Killed Hitler And Then The BigFoot Trailer

The Fabelmans is told through the eyes of one of the greatest film directors, Steven Spielberg and co-written with Tony Kushner.  This movie very much felt like Spielberg’s personal diary, told through the eyes of a young boy who becomes obsessed with film-making in order to escape the world around him.  It is after all, semi-autobiographical, so that does hold some truth.

Sammy Fabelman (played by Gabriel LaBelle) gets his first taste of film, being brought to the theatre by his parents, only to be frightened yet amazed at a rather traumatic scene, and we get to witness the making of a born director. Spielberg has a great way of telling this coming-of-age story and the often rocky road to pursuing your dreams.

There’s no shying away here from a lot of confusion and pains of adolescence either. There are some weirdly yet a little off-putting comedic scenes tossed in with Sammy’s first real crush, Monica, (Chloe East) who is a young religious fanatic with an appetite for sin. 

Michelle Williams is incredible to watch, as Sammy’s mother Mitzie. She dreams just as big, and we can see her come alive when in the presence of her husband's best friend, Bennie (Seth Rogan). However, something is missing from her life, as husband and workaholic Burt (Paul Dano) keeps uprooting them to provide what he thinks will be a better life, yet their strained marriage continues to crumble.   

Judd Hirsch has a very small part, as Sammy’s eccentric Uncle Boris, who presents an omen that art and family are always going to be opposing forces. He echoes the words “family, art, it will tear you in two!” and we witness a devastating family secret that makes his warning, a true reality.

💜The Fabelmans Trailer

In a world where at times it feels like we're being surrounded by selfishness, hatred and greed,  The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari, directed by Rory Kennedy is a compelling documentary that gives hope for humankind.  Off the coast of New Zealand, on the island of Whakaari (also called White Island) we get to see the beauty and terror of mother nature in action.  

The December 9th, 2019 volcanic eruption came with profound loss, as 22 lives were taken. However, as we grieve for the ones left behind, the incredible sacrifice, resilience and survival under the most terrifying conditions remain at the heart of this documentary. 

We get to hear from the survivors and how such an event reshaped their lives, as well as the brave responders who could have turned their boats and helicopters around, but chose to risk it all to save the lives of faces they never even knew.  

Once considered the perfect Instagram selfie for tourists, this still active volcano could erupt at any point in time. The island remains closed to visitors.

💜The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari

💜Special Mention: Bank of Dave (currently streaming on Netflix)

Bank of Dave is a wonderfully uplifting film that shows us the true meaning of wealth. Directed by Chris Foggin, and written by Piers Ashworth, this movie has a number of fictional elements (sorry Def Leopard fans!) but was still inspired by the story of Dave Fishwick (played by Rory Kinnear), a wealthy businessman, who decided to start a community bank in his town of Burnley, in order to help support the local businesses and residents who were being pummeled by the big banks. 

Joel Fry is also a darling addition, playing Hugh, Dave's lawyer. Audiences will just fall in love with him on screen for his awkwardness and sweet performance. 

Despite all odds against him, in the film and even in real life, Dave's tenacity and love for his town really shows us what we can do when we all work together for the common good. 

💜Get to know more about the real life of Dave

Feels Like Holmes To Me: Enola Holmes 2 Movie Review

 

If you were a fan of the first Enola Holmes, then you'll probably love Enola Holmes 2, directed by Harry Bradbeer, with writers Jack Thorne and Nancy Springer. 

Enola, played by Millie Bobby Brown (known to so many of us as Eleven from the series, Stranger Things) is back and instead of being just in her brother Sherlock’s shadow, she’s a detective-for-hire now and is on the case of a missing girl whose disappearance is not just a coincidence, but a darker underpinning of what is actually happening right beneath her fingertips.  There is a mystery to be solved!

Although I do love Henry Cavill who plays older brother, Sherlock and of course Helena Bonham Carter as the mother, who is always an eccentric wisdom-filled presence on screen, Millie Bobby Brown leads without question as Enola Holmes. She’s a strong female character with intelligence and her quick-wit is always delightful

Similar to the first one, there were many enjoyable characters and a lot of thought put into the small details of the film.  I also loved all the costumes with the Victorian era flair. Really entertaining overall, and who doesn’t love a good mystery with some twists?  I cannot wait for a third installment. 

Enola Holmes wins my heart all over again.

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!