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Reviews
The Woman in the Window (2021)
Not Disappointed
From the release delays to the bad word of mouth, I was expecting this to be a trainwreck of a movie. Instead, what I got was a perfectly enjoyable suspense thriller. Sure, it's has it's flaws, the first half seems rushed, and some actors were underutilized (Jennifer Jason Leigh in particular) but I did not see that final twist coming - a twist that actually made sense.
I have not read the book, but even if I had it's only fair to judge this as a separate piece of work - because it is. So even if the book WAS better, it's got nothing to do with this piece of entertainment to me for they are two completely different experiences. Kudos to this film for not sucking.
Say I Do (2020)
Not A Mean Bone In Its Body...
...and not a dry eye in the house. A lot of heart, a lot of fun, and a whole lot of feels.
Unlike other shows of this type, its refreshing that the focus is on the subjects rather than the hosts/makeover-ers who seem to be more concerned about elevating their pop culture status than actually helping.
Speaking of the hosts, these three are charming, sincere, and real, opting to stay on the sidelines and letting the couples' stories shine. And what stories they are. Whoever does the casting on this show should be commended for finding people you not only root for but feel for. You want to wish them well.
While not entirely original (then again these days, what is?) SAY I DO is a welcome addition to this genre.
Frozen II (2019)
Clumsy But Worthwhile
It took them six years to come up with this sequel, so one would think that this iteration would have the benefit of a well-planned, thoughtfully-paced and emotionally-satisfying film that would rival the greatness of its predecessor.
Instead, it seems time has become somewhat of a burden to the story and its characters' development as one scene stumbles on to the next in an attempt to create a unique story. And while it succeeds in this regard, one can't help but think the plot overthought and muddled. Brough about no doubt by the FIVE contributors to its' screenplay.
Still, visually the film is as magical as it ever was, even grander in some instances which makes the whole experience worthwhile sitting through a theater with loud and fidgety children all around.
With regards to the music, there was an inorganic nature to the way they were presented, seemingly coming out of nowhere in some instances. While there will no doubt be a glut of YouTube sing-alongs and covers with the various toe-tapping and range-testing tracks, sadly there is no "Let It Go" level track here. And perhaps that's for the best.
Fans of the original should come into this with a grain of salt and expect something of a letdown, which is expected. Following up a mold-breaking, trope-defying first chapter is a tall order for anyone.
It Chapter Two (2019)
A Satisfying Final Act
As a massive fan of the first chapter, I counted down the days until I get to feast my eyes on the closing segment of the saga. And while CHAPTER 2 certainly delivers on ramping up the production (more blood, brutal kills, intricate set pieces) a compelling aspect of the first part was sorely missing.
What made CHAPTER ONE absolutely bone-chilling was that the terror wasn't confined to Pennywise alone, but by other residents of this mysterious town who are hellbent on terrorizing these poor kids. From the adults to the parents to the bullies, fear was at every turn, and the killer clown was more than happy to exploit this.
And while it does occasionally touch upon this in this second half (the brutal hate crime, the bullied little girl with the birthmark) that element seems to be discarded altogether, giving the viewer less chance to feel absolute dread for the new batch of victims in this go around.
Of course, they are not the focus of the story. With the grown-up Losers Club returning to Derry with all their baggage in hand, the horror seems surface-level, at times even comical and groan-inducing. You don't really get the teeth of the terror, as in-your-face as the brutality may be.
What does translate is the tremendous chemistry between the actors much like the cast of its' predecessor. There is a fair amount of levity (albeit misplaced at times) that equals the first chapter and a genuine sense of camaraderie between the actors. The highs are high and the lows are heartbreaking.
Shortcomings aside, its still a fitting end to a saga that deals with some heavy topics coupled with effective scares and even a dose of heart. It's not even a question of "is it worth watching?" If you've seen the first one, the answer simply is "yes".
GLOW: Outward Bound (2019)
By far, the best episode of the series
Usually, I don't like it when a show deviates from the format it's known for. It's a show about wrestlers, so wrestle. But five episodes into this season, I could tell this show needed to show something new. And this episode does exactly that.
It reveals so many facets of these remarkable characters, allowing them to grow, change, and mature in new and unexpected ways. It's touching, funny, heartfelt and eye opening. Well worth the watch.