JRayJoy Reviews

Late Night (2019)

Women getting a seat at the table

[9/10 · 3 January 2022]

Watchable and fun Comedy with the message that woman and people of colour deserve a place at the metaphorical table of life. The table in this movie was the actual physical table in the writers room of a comedy show. Staring Emma Thompson as a woman whose had success in a mans world, basically living a mans life. No kids, career driven, no empathy for employees or any feminine type traits at all. In comes a funny woman of colour, Mindy Kaling who challenges the status quo. It was great to see the good roles for women, great to see the challenge thrown down to do better for women, but unfortunately, the main people that need to hear it, probably aren't going to watch it. Women already know that they have lives and opinions and value as much as men. I'm ready to have all the movies have good roles for women, without being hand fed the idea that they should. This did feel very much like a concession from Hollywood that they can, and will do better. Looking forward to it.

Still a fun movie, and a lot of women will come out of it having found value in it. Watch it at work, with all the men, especially the ones asking you to get their coffee.

I Think We're Alone Now (2018)

Unexpected

[9/10 · 3 January 2022]

A post apocalyptic world unlike the usual. Peter Dinklage starring as a man who's spent so long alone when another sole survivor, Elle Fanning, turns up it's an unappreciated interruption instead of welcome company. Slow moving but full of suspense, the characters slowly unfold and draw you into the mystery. Watch when you're in the mood for something serious. Highly recommend.

Dispatches from Elsewhere (2020)

Give it your attention

[9/10 · 3 January 2022]

Starring Jason Segel and Sally Field this is a refreshing change from normal tv watching. From right at the start it draws you into the story, requiring attention instead of a cursory look up from our phones. The story is a puzzle more than a simple mystery, whimsical but with real emotion, as the various characters try to unravel the puzzle in their own ways, fostering self awareness and growth. Without a doubt the best role Jason Segel has played. Dispatches from elsewhere inspires us to follow or dreams, and find the amazing in our lives. Watch if you're ready for something different. Highly recommend.

Jojo Rabbit (2019)

Thought provoking

[9/10 · 3 January 2022]

JojoRabbit from writer & director Taika Waititi. If you don't know him or his previous stuff I highly recommend looking into it. He brings humour and heart thats thought provoking and feels genuine. Each character in Jo Jo feels lived in and brings you into a world most movies don't go near. The ordinary lives of a 10 year old nazi and his charming mother, living in Nazi Germany near the end of World War II. Unlike most war movies this isn't scary, it's fun. It's fun to be part of a club and having a hero who could be your best friend, if only you could get close to him. Jojo is actually friends with his own Hitler imaginary friend who supports him in trying to be the best little nazi he can be.

I highly recommend this to everyone, but give yourself space to give this movie your full attention.

Dater's Handbook (2016 TV Movie)

Meghan before she was royalty

[3/10 · 3 January 2022]

I love how streaming allows us to watch movies that people don't pay to see, but got kinda want to see Meghan Markle act now she's a princess. "Daters Handbook" is clucky with script and acting, making everyone's relationships with each other feel off, and yet that somehow made it a little more endearing to me. Will this win her an Oscar? No, did I enjoy watching a princess get dating advice while she was possibly actually dating a prince, yes, yes I did. Recommended if you enjoy the Royals enough to watch a wedding, or don't mind clunky acting with a feel good dating feel.

Fate: The Winx Saga (2021–2022)

School for witches, but different

[8/10 · 3 January 2022]

Fate: The Winx Saga is the one to watch if you're wishing Hogwarts could be freshened up and include some juicy storylines. Yes it's a high school of witches, full of history, traditions and teachers who may have ulterior motives for their students. But where HP was mostly for kids, Winx is not. The teenagers act up and have fun and the characters are allowed to be different and flawed. There's only one season released so far, and you can watch it in a day without really trying. Recommended for everyone who enjoyed HP but want a fresh, matured take on teen witches.

Deadbeat (2014–2016)

Medium well done

[7/10 · 3 January 2022]

Deadbeat is the supernatural show that feels more like an a stoner buddy comedy that happens to include ghosts. Keven can see, talk to fight with but not have sex with, ghosts. He could be a rich and famous medium, but has no business or even life skills, failing at almost anything he sets his mind to. Attempts to use his powers most often result in his humiliation but it's somewhat endearing. Fun to see what will happen next. Recommended if you want something a little different without taking itself seriously.

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (2021)

Extra heart

[8/10 · 3 January 2022]

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things. It's a Groundhog Day for the new generation. While the original was fun this one is fun with extra heart. Centering on a teenage guy just living his every day on repeat life as best he can, when suddenly he finds a girl is sharing his temporal anomaly. More interesting and emotional than expected. Highly recommend for a good watch.

Star Trek: Discovery (2017–2024)

Something for new and old fans

[9/10 · 3 January 2022]

Star Trek. Discovery is the new Star Trek series that's light years ahead of its predecessors 😏 While the original was ahead of its times in many ways, the new series opens up to a whole new audience. Yes it's still sciency, but the action and storylines mean it will be enjoyable for someone other than just the sci-fi fans. Highly interesting and recommended for everyone wanting a good action series, sci-fi or otherwise.

Daybreak (I) (2019)

Ferris Bueller of the apocalypse

[7/10 · 3 January 2022]

Daybreak the dystopian future where life is like high school from hell after a blast kills almost everyone over 18. Told in the style of Ferris Bueller's day off even staring Matthew Broderick, the original Ferris. With the adults all gone, the teenagers have divided themselves into clan type groups along their old high school social groups. Josh is a loner, and a big pop culture fan. The series is full of little pop culture Easter eggs that add to an already fun watch. High school meets mad max. Highly recommend for a break from the usual gloomy end of the world drama.

Midnight Diner (2009–2014)

Enjoyable

[7/10 · 3 January 2022]

Midnight Diner 2009-2014. It's a bit of a slow burn to start, but some of the stories become inexplicably emotional. Loving the little cooking lessons after the story too. Feels really intimate, like they are inviting the viewers to be at home in the diner with the regular customers. If you enjoy watching shows set in Japan and don't mind subtitles instead of English, I highly recommend.

Guns Akimbo (2019)

A surprise

[8/10 · 3 January 2022]

Guns Akimbo starring Daniel Radcliffe as average guy that finds himself fighting to the death when he unwittingly joins a death match online. It's yet another weird departure from Hogwarts for Radcliffe, who seems to love finding roles that many serious actors would steer clear of. (See "Swiss Army Man". Seriously, see it). It feels like a cross between Death Proof and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, with Arthur Dent running around in a robe, guns firing, looking for his uninterested ex. It's fun as it doesn't take itself seriously, but you have to get past a Tarantino level of blood and violence to get through it. Highly recommend if you can get past the gore and shooting.

What If (I) (2013)

Socially awkward romance

[8/10 · 3 January 2022]

"The F Word" on Netflix, otherwise known as "What If". Staring Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan as two socially awkward young adults who could be the next great romance, other than for her boyfriend. Watching Harry Potter chat about relationship advice with Kylo Ren adds a fun element to an already fun quirky movie. It's got a more relatable feel than the usual by the book romances, but that might be more to do with my enjoyment of fun banter. Recommended to those in the mood for a quirky romance with socially awkward banter.

Bridgerton (2020– )

Not your typical period drama

[9/10 · 3 January 2022]

"Bridgerton" It looks like the usual period romance drama, but it breathes fresh life and more passion than is usually comfortable to watch with your parents. Along with the expected romance, there's a mystery that keeps you needing to keep watching. One season is not enough. Recommended for anyone that loves a good period drama but will enjoy modern elements.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

Nostalgic, but so much more!

[10/10 · 3 January 2022]

"Ghostbusters: Afterlife" 2021. It's hard to make a sequel that really captures the magic of a much loved movie let alone exceed it, but this movie does it. For new fans this movie has enough to stand on its own and become a favorite. For die hard fans like me, there's so much more. The first story centers on a group of friends and colleagues, this is about family and generational history and identity. Where the 2016 girls movie was done to replace the originals with hints and little Easter eggs for original fans, Afterlife has no pretense about how important the history of the first movie is. You'll see more than expected, and I'm expecting to see more each time I rewatch it. As for improvements, the characters and sets are so filled out and lived in, with more humour and suspense. The scary scenes feel longer and more intense, with action scenes that I highly recommend seeing it at the cinema. Watch for nostalgia or for a fun action movie. Highly recommend.