rachelnardo-02967 Reviews

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Action stunts and driving...Huge Wow!

[9/10 · 27 November 2023]

How can you not love Mr. Rhames! Smart casting choice.

As for the handsome, maturing lead, Mr. Cruise never ever disappoints his audience. There is never a misstep in the execution of his stunts, interpretation of the character, nuanced gestures, emotions, or believability. I fall right in to the improbable story.

Gave the film a 9/10 because of the music score. It seemed discombobulated and lacked the compositional imagination equal to the futuristic story, editing, and excellent production. Otherwise, congratulations to every one involved in this exciting film-especially the magicians who directed the very successful stunts.

Maybe I Do (2023)

Intimate like a Stage Play

[10/10 · 22 April 2023]

Perfectly cast and incredibly truthful. It has been a long time since I've seen a simply told, but complex story about love and coupled relationships. Who has faced this test and passed the goal line? Can human error be forgiven?

The script showcases something special in each actor's personal style and values. Mr. Gere remains Zen; Ms. Keaton calls on Annie Hall; Mr. Macy goes back to Fargo, and Ms. Sarandon is hotter than ever. Of course, I was happy to see Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey paired again. Their chemistry carried over from Holidate.

Michael Jacobs tells a good story in a hilarious context.

Harmony from the Heart (2022 TV Movie)

Embodied Knowlege: The Music Remembers

[8/10 · 17 March 2023]

Ms. Lownes knows her subject well. Music listening and playing activates 9 different areas of the brain. The storyline and dialogue demonstrates the numerous approaches a music therapist can take in healing a patient, as well as improving the quality of their life ( in this case, after a CVA or head injury).

Good storyline, sweet unfolding of what a long life of love can bring to us. Technical production is clean and simple and casting is perfect. Everyone gets their own good scenes on camera.

I enjoyed hearing Mr. Metcalfe sing in A Country Wedding and in this pairing with the lead. Both actors are accomplished musicians and singers. This pair should record an album or tour together-believable chemistry and attractive together.

A December Bride (2016 TV Movie)

Great chemistry for Christmas!

[9/10 · 4 December 2022]

Sweet story with great physical and emotional chemistry between the leads Daniel Lissing and Jessica Lownes. Their mutual attraction makes this beautifully staged story believable. Although some of the scenes with the aunt and cousin are too long and contrived, and editing is a tad choppy in a few places, the Christmas carols are gorgeously arranged, especially the simplicity of Bring a Torch as a wedding march. The close-up scenes between leads will melt your heart.

This is one of my favorite holiday movies and one of Hallmark's best. This production showcases the leads and the groom's mother. Good casting.

Promised (2019)

Do parents know best?

[8/10 · 12 June 2022]

Many cultures and religions continue to arrange their children's marriages, regardless of the offspring's age: Italians, Greeks, Jews, yada yada. You're kidding yourself if you think these women are weak or always submissive.

This movie is a realistic view into those traditions. It is a sweet love story about negotiating the social complexities and expectations of family and self, whether or not the marriage is arranged.

I rated it an 8 because the dramatic characterizations and emotional dynamics seemed narrow in range-too underdeveloped and somewhat bland in the promised couple. Considering the situation and period of this piece, the characters were understated and the cinematography lacked richness of place.

Maybe that's Melbourne? Certainly not like the NYC Italians in my family, but I still enjoyed the actors and a glimpse into this story world. It's as old as time.

Marry Me (2022)

Great songs and great performances

[9/10 · 5 June 2022]

Jennifer Lopez rocked this character! Unlike some of her earlier movies in the past decade, this one emphasizes her true strengths as singer, dancer, and overall great performer. She styles these songs in a very sweet and clear tone-with authentic emotions. It's always fun to see Ms. Lopez work with kids-this one shows off her love and joy with the math club kids, and reveals the warmth of her personality with Lou. She showed her big heart in this film. My guess is that it was written with her in mind.

Owen Wilson also does a great job in his role, using his off-hand, casual humor and style of naive disbelief to protect his insecure self. He plays it smart and funny, but is always empathetic towards his new wife's predicament.

Great casting-who knew Mr. Wilson and Ms. Lopez would or could make such a believable pair?

I also enjoyed Ms. Silverman and the talented young actors and their choir teacher. All the actors were very lovable and exceptionally well-cast, especially the drop-dead handsome bad guy, Bastian, and Kat's caring manager.

The only scenes I didn't like were in the first 10 minutes. The beginning set-up scenes for Kat and Bastian did not establish a deep relationship between them. On the other hand, because of superficial nature of Bastian, one can see why she married a random guy in the audience.

Directing, writing, production quality, and music: beautifully imagined, written and performed.

Bringing Down the House (2003)

Nuanced script, great directing, and flat out hilarious.

[8/10 · 22 December 2021]

Foretelling role for Eugene Levy-always a bit kinky but subtly so authentic-we see his future blossoming before us. Both Mr. Martin and Ms. Latifha display a comedic and intelligent range with great direction of the script. All characters are well played. The casting was pitch perfect.

I enjoyed Mr. Martin's lawyer's strategic thinking and manipulation vs. Being a total softie for his Kate (his wife). He is at conflict with his corporate lawyer-ness. He's in the wrong law firm! Displays a lot of acting talent in this role.

Baroness Plowright (Olivier) is brilliant, as is Betty White.

This movie is funny and well played by all.

What Happens in Vegas (2008)

Best chemistry between leads

[10/10 · 22 October 2021]

Hilarious, sweet, truthful, with great chemistry between the leads. Cameron and Ashton have great energy as a couple. Very believable. Lake Bell and Rob Cordery (sp) play well-written roles, too. Fun unfolding of denied, but instant attraction. All the actors are stellar in both large and smaller roles.

Every woman will relate to the grungy men's bathroom scene. Every man will relate to the woman who stays in the bathroom for what seems like hours. And, let's not forget every son's "never-good-enough" perfectionist father.

A very relatable, entertaining, and well-played.

The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)

Love language? You'll love this script!

[9/10 · 16 October 2021]

Brilliant actors with a well-imagined story concept- Kinda like Wes Anderson's take on the weirdness of our realities. I'm going to borrow the phrase"optimum trajectory" plus a few other hilarious, erudite lines. I loved the twists of language in this script.

Antebellum (2020)

Reflects the mentality of January 6 DC riot

[10/10 · 30 January 2021]

Structurally perfect, excellent actors, cinematography, and score. Scary as hell glimpse into slavery vis a vis contemporary thinking of far right/alt right thinking. The films shows us how January 6th happened.