lisafordeay Reviews

Nocturnal Animals (2016)

Good Thriller with an all star cast

[7/10 · 2 June 2024]

Nocturnal Animals is a 2016 Thriller starring Amy Adams,Jake Gyllenhaal, Aaron Taylor Johnson,Jene Malone,Isla Fisher,Micheal Shannon,Laura Linney,Armie Hammer and Micheal Sheen. Directed by Tom Ford(yeah that Tom Ford who's over the men perfumes and is a fashion designer),the story follows an art gallery owner named Susan(Adams) who's marriage to her 2nd husband(Hammer)is in trouble.

However when Susan receives a manuscript belonging to her ex husband Edward (Gyllenhaal)she begins to get flashbacks of her husband's charcthers from the story which centered on a loving family (Isla Fisher and Jake Gyllenhaal) who's life is cut short as a bunch of thugs(Johnson) rape and murder the man's wife and daughter. From there he seeks revenge on the thugs that killed his wife.

Is this story connected to Susan and Edward?.

Overall it was a good film with alot of twists and turns.

Life (I) (2017)

Good film with a shocking twist

[6/10 · 31 May 2024]

Life is a 2017 thriller starring Ryan Reynolds(Deadpool),Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain),and Rebecca Ferguson (The Greatest Showman).

The story is set entirely in space and we see a group of astronauts who are in grave danger as an alien substance that was created on the ship is killing every single human on the ship. But who will survive?.

Overall it was a decent flick. The twist had me shook as the ending was totally out of the ordinary. If your a fan of Ryan Reynolds then you'll be disappointed as spoiler alert(he dies in the 40 minute mark as the alien goes into his body and he bleeds outright).

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)

Good but not as good as the original films

[6/10 · 31 May 2024]

The Hunger Games The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel to the 2012 film The Hunger Games.

The story centres on Coriolanus Snow(played by Donald Sutherland in the orignal and Tom Blyth in the prequel), before he would become the tyrannical President of Panem. Determined,his life wasn't always great as his family have fallen on hard times.

So he sees a chance for a change in his fortunes when he is chosen to become a mentor for the 10th Hunger Games and is assigned to mentor a girl named Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler)from the District 12. Will romance blossom or will Cornelius turn bad?.

Overall it was a decent film. The cinematography was very good but the film drags on for too long and the ending was just weird. Also stars Viola Davis,Peter Dinkledge and Hunter Schiffer.

Knox Goes Away (2023)

Very good thriller with a mind blowing twist

[8/10 · 27 May 2024]

Knox Goes Away is a 2023 Thriller Drama starring Michael Keaton (who also produced and directed this film),James Marsden, Marcia Gay Haden and Al Pacino.

The story follows John Walker Knox(Keaton) an assigned hitman who accidently killed his partner "Munchie" during a raid. Things take a turn when his estranged son Miles(Marsden) shows up covered in blood and a broken hand,pleding with his father that he needs help to dispose the dead body of his daughter's estranged boyfriend.

However outside of this Knox is battling a fast form of Dementia and has weeks left to live?. Will Knox frame his own son for his crimes and get away with it?.

Overall it was a terrific film with good acting,a great plot and a good twist. Micheal Keaton was always a great actor as I've seen him in alot of films back from my childhood. If your a fan of his(like myself) then go and watch this film.

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016)

Not bad

[6/10 · 26 May 2024]

Bad Neighbours 2(Sobirty's Rising) is a 2016 sequel to the 2012 film Bad Neighbours and stars Seth Rogan,Rose Byrne and Zac Efron. Joining the cast this time is Awkafina(in her film debut),Chloe Grace Moretz and a cameo by Selena Gomez.

This time Mac and Kelly Radar(Rogan and Byrne) are being tormented again with new neighbours who are now Sobirty's. So the Radar's decide to recruit their old neighbour Teddy (Efron) to help them get rid of their neighbours from hell.

Overall it wasn't a bad film,plus the running time is 90 minutes. The acting is decent along with the story. If you are a fan of any of the actors then you'll like it.

Atlas (2024)

2024 isn't Jennifer Lopez's year

[4/10 · 25 May 2024]

After the disastrous documentary showcasing Lopez's love life to Ben Affleck,she decided to star in yet another Netflix film called Atlas. Here she plays the title charcther a data analyst solider who is fighting for survival as she is the last human standing (or is she). From there she battles an android (Sim Liu)who may hold a key to her mother's past and she must try and defeat him while controlling a giant robot,that Atlas controls through A. I. Will there be other secrets along the way?

The special effects were good and the actors for the most part were OK but Jennifer Lopez was so miscast here. These type of films are not suitable for JLO at all as she performs better in romantic comedies(Maid In Manhattan, Wedding Planner) and sometimes thrillers(Enough).

While I was watching this film I said to myself why was Tom Cruise or Dwayne Johnson not cast as they would have made the film slightly better. But sadly this film was mediocre at its finest.

Challengers (2024)

Good but doesn't deserve all the hype it's getting

[6/10 · 21 May 2024]

Challengers is a 2024 Romantic Sports Drama starring Zendaya(The Greatest Showman),Mike Faist(West Side Story 2021) and Josh O Connor(Cinderella 2015).

The story is told in flashbacks and we go to the year 2019 where we meet Art(Faist) an up and coming tennis player who meets a pro tennis player named Tashi(Zendaya)who was great with another guy named Patrick(O Connor),however in the present day and we see that Tashi and Art are a powerful couple who have a daughter together and we see Tashi watching the match between her husband going head go head with Patrick(her ex boyfriend). Who will win the tournament?

Overall its a rather confusing film as like I have mentioned there is too many flashbacks and it doesn't focus on the present. Also Zendaya's character is such a baddie as she makes out with two men at the same time and she says she's not a homewrecker.

Good but not a masterpiece. Would I watch it again: yes.

Splitting Image (2017)

Alot of twists and turns in this film

[5/10 · 21 May 2024]

Splitting Image(Married To A Murderer) is a 2017 Thriller about a young woman who gets engaged to a man who also happens to be a twin. However one of the twins is actually a murderer and now the young woman has to wonder who is she actually marrying the good twin or the evil twin?.

Part of me thought that the twin was never a twin at all only a fraction of his memory(due to being a mental person) or the woman was the killer herself but in actual fact the man had a twin the whole time and he was in love with the young woman. It's not the best film I've ever seen but it's OK to watch if you are looking for a thriller.

IF (I) (2024)

A charming film that made me shed an odd tear

[6/10 · 18 May 2024]

Mild spoilers.

IF is a 2024 Fantasy Drama starring Ryan Reynolds,Cailey Fleming,Fiona Shaw and John Krasinski (who also produced,wrote and directed this film as well as voicing an IF called Bloom). Also features the voice talents of Bradley Cooper,Maya Rudolph,Phoebe Walker Bridges,Brad Pitt,Emily Blunt,Richard Jenkins,George Clooney,Louis Gosselet Jr(in his final role), Akwafina and Blake Lively.

The story follows a 12 year old girl named Bea(Fleming) who lost her mom from cancer and her father (Krasinski) is also falling ill. So Bea decides to stay with her grandmother(Shaw) at her apartment. However strange things start happening as Bea begins to see other creatures who are imaginary including a Grimace monster(Carrell),a ladybug(Walker Bridges) and an old Teddy named Louis(Gosseltt Jr). Together she teams up with an aloof man named Calvin(Reynolds) and they set out to find the IFs original real friends.

Will they forget about the IFs?.

Overall I found this to be a charming sweet film. The characters are likeable,the story reminds me of Inside Out meets Rise Of The Guardians. Also I want to say that I'm 33 years old and this film had me in tears for most of it(one with the mother passing away and near the end where I thought Bea'a father was going to die).

Will be buying it on Bluray when it comes out later in the year.

Fame (2009)

Boring

[3/10 · 17 May 2024]

Fame is a 2009 remake based on the 1980 dance film of the same name. A bunch of teenagers attend a dancing art school and compete in a dancing completion.

Things take a turn when romance blossoms at the school. Will the teens win?.

Boy where do I begin with this film. The whole film was so boring it was trying to be like Save The Last Dance meets Step Up,yet both of them films are way better than this snorefest.

Don't get me wrong I do love underdog films and some dance films but this one was so bad I'm surprised it got the reboot treatment. Then again alot of films have been remade,and some were good and some were bad.

Super Mario Bros. (1993)

It took me 31 years to watch this film, but was it worth it.

[4/10 · 16 May 2024]

Super Mario Bros Movie is a 1993 action fantasy starring Bob Hopkins,John Leguizmo,Dennis Hopper,Samantha Marthis and Fiona Shaw.

Based on a video game of the same name, and directed by two people (who were married at the time),the story is about two brothers named Mario(Hopkins) and Lugi(Leguizmo) who are plumbers. Things take a turn when Lugi meets and becomes smitten with a woman named Daisy(Marthis) who turns out to be a Princess from another realm that was abandoned as a baby.

However when an evil King named Koopa(Hopper) and his henchmen kidnap Daisy,its up to Mario and Luigi to save the day.

Overall this film was very bad. The whole film was so cringy along with the dialogue and acting. The late Dennis Hopper was always typecast as a villian(as he would later become a sadistic villian in Speed). The issue I had also was where was Peaches and Browser?.

So it was no surprise that in 20 years we would have gotten a reboot with Chris Pratt and Jack Black.

Thelma & Louise (1991)

A Bonnie and Clyde tale about friendship

[7/10 · 13 May 2024]

Thelma and Louise is a 1991 road trip crime film starring Susan Sarandon(Enchanted), Geena Davis(Stuart Little),Brad Pitt(Oceans 11),Harvey Kietel(Sister Act),Christopher McDonald(Flubber) and Stephen Toboskwy(Freaky Friday).

Directed by Ridley Scott(Gladiator),the story follows two women named Thelma(Davis) and Louise(Sarandon) who go on a trip of a lifetime. However when Louise shoots a man that sexually assaulted Thelma,the two decide to go on the run and become fugitives. Will they be caught by the cops?.

Overall it was a good film. Still can't believe it took me 33 years to watch it. B.

See You on Venus (2023)

Underrated drama

[5/10 · 13 May 2024]

See You on Venus is a 2023 Romantic Drama starring Virgina Gardiner and Alex Aiono.

The story is about a young teenage girl named Mia(Gardiner) who meets a guy named Kyle (Aino) and they fall in love.

Mia has a heart problem and so she and Kyle decide to go to Spain to find Mia's biological mother before her condition grts worse. Will she find her mother and will she get a heart transplant?

Overall it wasn't a bad film. The story was good,the acting was decent,and the chemistry between the two leads was nice.

The climax however was average as I litreally thought that one of the main characters died as we see a grieving person crying and then it went to a graveyard and then no one died?

5.5/10.

Seduced by Lies (2010 TV Movie)

Guessed the twist before it was revealed

[4/10 · 13 May 2024]

Seduced By Lies is a 2010 Thriller about a successful businesswoman named Laura who comes from a wealthy family and has since broken up with her boyfriend Jonathan.

Things take a turn when she goes to a bar and meets a dashing man named Brad Sterling who claims to be also rich as he owns a yacht. However strange events start happening and everyone is pointing fingers at each other. Could Brad be trusted?.

Overall I knew what was going to happen as the movies title gave away the actual plot and I knew by the guy's facial expressions that he was up to no good. If you enjoy these silly thrillers then do check it out on Amazon Prime.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985)

Criminally underrated 80s dance movie

[6/10 · 12 May 2024]

Girls Just Want To Have Fun is a 1985 teen dance comedy starring Sarah Jessica Parker,Helen Hunt and Jeff Montgomery.

The story follows a young teen named Jayne(Parker) who dreams of dancing on Dance TV. However her father doesn't want her to dance and so she sneaks out with her friend(Hunt)and Jayne's crush and together they set off to join dance tv and win the completion on the show. Will Jayne and her boyfriend become the new faces of Dance TV?.

Overall it was a very underrated film with some familiar faces. Also stars Shannen Doherty from Charmed as Jayne's sister and a blink and you miss it cameo by Robert Downey Jr(who was great with SJP).

The Fall Guy (2024)

Very good action comedy

[8/10 · 12 May 2024]

The Fall Guy is a 2024 Action Comedy starring Ryan Gosling (The Notebook),Emily Blunt(Mary Poppins Returns),Hannah Waddingham(Hocus Pocus 2),Aaron Taylor Johnson(Avengers Age Of Ultron),and Winston Duke(Black Panther).

A stuntman named Colt(Gosling) gets injured during a movie and later gets a call from Gail(Waddingham sporting a brown wig and fake teeth), to star in the latest film. From there Colt meets his ex girlfriend Joel(Blunt)who didn't want Colt to star in the new movie as she wants John Ryder(Johnson) to star in the film.

So Colt decides to find John only to discover that he is missing. Will Colt find John or is John alive?.

Overall it was a very good movie. The first half was very boring but it gradually picked up once the film progressed.

The Paperboy (2012)

An average film with an all star cast.

[5/10 · 11 May 2024]

The Paperboy is a 2012 Thriller based on a true story and it stars Matthew McConaghey, Zac Efron,Nicole Kidman, David Oyelwo,John Cusack and Macy Gray. The story follows a reporter named Ward Jansen(McConaghey),who has returned home with close friend Yardley (Oyelwo)to investigate a racial murder case.

Younger brother Jack Jansen(Efron) has returned home after a failing at university as a star swimmer;so Ward gives Jack a job on their investigation as their driver. But into the mix comes the fiancée (Kidman)of the imprisoned convict(Cusack) who stirs up mixed feelings of love and lust for Jack.

Meanwhile, Ward and Yardley's investigation stirs up deep-rooted issues of race and acceptance which could cause serious consequences for everyone involved.

Overall it wasn't a bad film.

Mother of the Bride (2024)

A predictable movie with some famous faces

[5/10 · 9 May 2024]

Mother Of The Bride is a 2024 romantic comedy starring Brooke Shields(A Castle for Christmas),Miranda Cosgrove(I Carly),Benjamin Bratt(Miss Congenality) and Chad Michael Murray(A Cinderella Story).

Directed by Mark Waters(Freaky Friday,Just Like Heaven),the story follows a doctor named Lana Winslow(Shields),who finds out that her only daughter(Cosgrove) is getting married to RJ. So both Lana and her daughter travel to Thailand where Lana gets the shock of her life. She discovers that her daughters future father in law is no other than Will(Bratt),the man that broke her mom's heart during college. Will romance blossom again?.

Overall this film was so so. The actors were good,but the concept was just weird. If the two main leads get married then that means that they are now step siblings since Lana and Will get together.

Sex and the City (2008)

Average rom com

[5/10 · 9 May 2024]

Sex And The City is a 2008 romantic comedy based on the 90s TV show of the same name. Starring the original cast Sarah Jessica Parker,Kim Cattrall,Kirstin Davis,Chris Noth andCynthia Nixton along with Jennifer Hudson.

The story follows 4 middle aged women who all love sex. Carrie(Parker) and Mr Big(Noth) decide to get married,but Mr Big gets cold feet and leaves Carrie. Devastated by this Carrie meets her friends who are also struggling with their love lives especially Samantha(Cattrall) who's younger boyfriend is cheating on her.

So will the 4 women get their actual dream men?.

Overall it was an OK film. The problem with this film is that it drags on and on,plus the running time is 2 and a half hours long. Should have been on for like 1hour and 50 minutes.

Turtles All the Way Down (2024)

From the author of The Fault In Our Stars comes this next adapation

[8/10 · 9 May 2024]

Turtles All The Way Down is a 2024(or 2023 as the ends credits says its made in 2023) drama starring Isabella Merced and Cree.

Directed by Hannah Marks(who also makes a cameo) the story follows Aza(Merced) a young teen who suffers from OCD and struggles with everyday activities along with relationships.

Her best friend Daisy(Cree) asks for Aza's help as a fugitive is on the loose. But back to Aza,will she get the help she needs on her OCD?.

Overall it was a very good film. The acting was good,the soundtrack was great and the story was interesting. Its a shame it didn't get a theatrical release as you can only watch it on Max.

Hulk (2003)

Before Mark Ruffalo we had Eric Bana as the Hulk

[7/10 · 8 May 2024]

Hulk is a 2003 action horror starring Eric Bana,Josh Lucas,Nick Nolte, Sam Elliot and Jennifer Connelly. Directed by Ang Lee,the story follows a mild mannered scientist named Bruce Banner(Bana) who grew up in a troubled background as his father(who was also a scientist and was working on a deadly serum)had an awful temper and his mother was killed because of this rage that his father possessed. Years later we see Bruce doing an experiment and it slowly transforms him into a giant green monster. But will Bruce have control of his temper and is there someone else out there that always turns green just like Bruce?.

Overall it was a very underrated superhero film that not many people talk about. Sure there's alot of jumpscares here and there and alot of twists and turns,but it's still a good flick.

American Pie (1999)

An average teen sex comedy

[5/10 · 8 May 2024]

American Pie is a 1999 sex teen comedy starring Jason Biggs,Seann William Scott,Chris Klein,Eugene Levy,Alison Hannigan,Natasha Lyonne and Shannon Elizabeth. The story follows a group of teenage boys who want to lose their virginity before prom. But will one of them find romance with one of the popular girls?.

Overall I thought it was an OK film. Maybe it's because it was my first time to ever watch this film( yeah I'm late for the party). The soundtrack is good and the story is good too. If you like any of the actors then do check it out. This film would later gain 5 sequels in total (2 without Eugene Levy).

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (2022)

A real surprise(some mild spoilers)

[7/10 · 8 May 2024]

Good Luck To You Leo Grande is a 2022 erotic drama starring Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack. The plot follows a lonely retired schoolteacher named Nancy Robinson (Thompson) who lost her husband a few years ago and misses having intimate sex. So she decides to book a hotel room and hire a young gigolo named Leo Grande(McCormack)where she has sex with him. But will she go through with it all?.

Overall it was a real surprise. The story was easy to follow(despite the fact the entire film is set in a hotel room) and the acting was good.

Yes I know the age gap is 34 years between Emma and Daryl but they don't become an item (unlike Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galtzine in The Idea of You,only Hathaway is a 40 year old divorcèe who falls for a pop star that's 24).

Good film.

Step Up 3D (2010)

Not as good as the 1st two

[5/10 · 7 May 2024]

Step Up 3(Step Up 3D) is a 2010 follow up to the 2008 and 2006 films respectfully and stars Sharni Vinson(Home And Away),Alyson Stoner (Step up) and the late Twitch(Stephen Boss). Directed by Jon M Chu(Wicked,Crazy Rich Asians),the story follows a tight-knit group of New York City street dancers, including Luke (Malambri) and Natalie (Vinson), who team up with NYU freshman Moose (Sevani), and find themselves up against the world's best hip hop dancers in a big showdown that will change their lives forever.

Overall it wasn't a bad film,but I prefer the 2006 and 2009 films better. If you love dance movies then you'll like it.

Step Up 2: The Streets (2008)

Good follow up to Step Up

[7/10 · 6 May 2024]

STEP UP 2 THE STREETS is a 2008 sequel to the 2006 romance drama Step Up.

The story follows Andie West(Briana Evigan)who is living with her mother's best friend, Sarah,after her parents died inna car accident.

Andie you see hates school and she's trying to figure out what she loves. Of course she loves dancing,and loves the street crew, the 410, led by Tuck. However The 410 are known in Baltimore for vandalism and public mischief. All that changes when Andie meets a blast from the past and he recommends Andie to audition for an entry into the Maryland School of the Arts (MSA), an institution which ended up turning his life around for the better. At first Andie (who passes the audition) isn't sure she fits in here along with the school's director, Blake Collins(Will Kemp), who feels the same way. However Andie meets another Chase Collins(Robert Hoffman), a dance student at MSA, and romance blossoms. Will Andie win at the dancing competition. Overall it was a good film,and I'll definetly rewatch it again.