saimariejohnson Reviews

IF (I) (2024)

Family film

[8/10 · 19 May 2024]

I wanted to see IF from the previews in theater because Ryan Reynolds was the headliner in them and it seemed like it would be a cute, and funny family movie.

I was happy that to be entirely correct about that. It is definitely a family film and one that delivers an important message about maintaining one's imagination throughout life and not allowing the joys of childhood to be taken away in such a manner as to diminish your creative spark and joys.

There is an underlying message of love and family at the core of the film and some much-needed moments of levity that place Ryan in some comical situations that are truly enjoyable.

I'd recommend it to families with children in the age bracket of 8+ as some fantasy elements might be kind of frightening to younger children.

Mother of the Bride (2024)

Loved it.

[8/10 · 10 May 2024]

I loved this movie and the cast was great! I loved it when I noted that Benjamin Bratt was the father of the bride in this and matched to Brooke Shields was a comedic duo that was both romantic and cutesy considering the setup of this romantic comedy. I really enjoyed it and I think that romcom fans will appreciate the family dynamics along with Miranda Cosgrove and the younger generations' response to their parents within the spectrum of a location wedding!

The antics are funny and it's a heartwarming and sweet movie that people of all ages can enjoy!

There is a lot to appreciate in this movie!

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)

Good movie.

[10/10 · 10 May 2024]

This movie wasn't on my to be watched list but my brother really wanted to see it and convinced me to tag along. I have to admit that I actually really enjoyed this addition to the Planet of the Apes franchise and really enjoyed the characters and overall plot of this film. It, of course, had great special effects so the apes were really cool to watch but the elements of slavery within a Roman like empire within this primate kingdom made it even more fascinating. I recommend it to fans of sci-fi and definitely as a must see for all Planet of the Apes fans. I was happily surprised by how good this one was. 👏

Abigail (2024)

A winner

[8/10 · 8 May 2024]

Really an entertaining and unique spin on the vampire tale. I was engaged throughout and really enjoyed some of the moments of tongue in cheek levity that referenced some pop culture as per vampire legends. The little girl ballerina vampire who is ages in centuries adds to the comedy with her wit and fascination with dance. I thought it was a fun movie as a vampire enthusiast and enjoyed the variation to the plot given in this film. Most vamp fans will likely enjoy it due to the unique setup and character antihero status. Abigail was a win and one that would be cool to see continued because of the Joey angle.🏆

The Fall Guy (2024)

ALL THE STARS.

[10/10 · 5 May 2024]

We were all thrilled by this one - that includes myself, my brother, my adult daughter and teenage son!

This was an amazing movie and it truly has something for everyone! Ryan Gosling delivered a phenomenal performance as usual but the action packed sequences paired with perfect romance dynamic were everything to produce a perfectly thrilling movie that had me glued to my seat the entire time. I mean that with no exaggerations either - I didn't even want to get up to go to the bathroom after drinking my Pepsi entirely too fast in the previews because it was so good. I highly recommend this one!

The Idea of You (2024)

Cute movie.

[8/10 · 2 May 2024]

This is one that was relatable on so many levels!

I am a nearly forty year old mother of 3 adults and a teen. I found it interesting to see Anne in this role after knowing it is based on a book and being an author myself - it was fascinating to me that Solene actually turned 40 in the movie and my 40th birthday is next month.

Being a single mom who is committed to my career I felt like I really understood a lot of her perspectives as they carried through. It's a sweet and cute rom-com that I thoroughly enjoyed. I was really fond of Anne in this role and the way she navigated a boring and mundane dating scene - completely unsuspecting of anything that transpires.

Civil War (2024)

Kinda meh.

[6/10 · 15 April 2024]

Civil War is an action packed, and gut-wrenching look into what it would be like to see your fellow countrymen at their absolute worst - from a journalist's perspective. I was a little disappointed with the lack of a background on context of what caused this Civil War to outbreak within the film but the delivery of the filming itself was spectacular. The lack of a story that follows traditional A, B, C structure per three act tellings was a little bit of a miss for me though. I'd really have loved to see more context given to what the catalysts were, why things got to the point they were at, and what the overall gist of high stakes was with more emphasis. It's a steady 3-star film, if you ask me. I do warn everyone with a squeamish stomach that this film is incredibly graphic and realistic at that. Be mindful if you have sensitivities to blood, gore and horrible war atrocities.

Where Hands Touch (2018)

A must-see

[8/10 · 6 April 2024]

This is an excellent movie that showcases the reality of what it was like to be a BIPOC young woman during an incredibly challenging time in the world - a time when to be anything but Aryan meant you were targeted daily and your entire life could be turned upside down. The realization of what is happening around them brings two characters that come from very opposite sides during this horrific event that is World War II. This is a rare scope into what life could have been like for those experiencing the bilateral terror of being mixed race and knowing that ones ability to have a future was settled upon that fate. The things that the two main characters see and experience drive them closer, but also challenge them with moral tugging moments that shape this coming of age story into something that everyone should see.

13 Minutes (2021)

An okay watch

[8/10 · 6 April 2024]

This was a solid movie on the family dynamics and the setup to get people acquainted with each of the families in the town that is hit by a massive tornado. It wasn't as good as something like Twister where a major disaster film is concerned on the aspect of the characters being invested in storm chasing but rather about how families and communities assaulted by mother nature's fury can work together to overcome it and what it looks like when a community is wiped to the ground by a destructive and unstoppable force. The dramatics surrounding the movie and each character were intriguing and made you feel more connected to each.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)

Loved it!

[10/10 · 6 April 2024]

I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly this movie brought me into it and kept me swept up in the mythical action sequences that were paired with some great cinematography and acting. I was really impressed with Godzilla x Kong and I felt that it was a thrilling and fun movie that fans of the Titan Monsters will appreciate. The introduction of the mini kong was particularly cute and it reminded me of seeing Diddy and Donkey Kong in action - as a tongue-in-cheek comedic relief and element of surprise thrown into an otherwise compelling story that I thoroughly appreciated. I think that it will be a fan favorite in this household.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

Loved!

[10/10 · 22 March 2024]

Just got back from watching this version of the Ghostbusters and I really loved it seeing 3 of the originals come back for their roles and supporting the new ones was great I really love the Spangler family and the entire premise of the movie kept me wondering what was going to happen next and showcased how no matter what happens when things get crazy you can rely on the Ghostbusters to give you an entertaining and thrilling ride as a movie goer. Would recommend to fans of the franchise as I imagine that they will enjoy it just as much as I did. It's funny, got great effects and an astounding cast..

Arthur the King (2024)

Thrilling and heartwarming.

[9/10 · 20 March 2024]

This was a wonderful movie that I would recommend to anyone who is an animal lover and a fan of underdog stories. It's got everything you could hope to see in a racing land adventure - with risks and danger at every corner; it keeps the pulse up and the stakes are high for the entirety of the film once they get into the race itself. When you see all that Arthur endures and the bond that forms between him and Mikael along with the other teammates - it makes your soul sing with hope and wonder at the willpower of this dog and how he serves as a living mascot for the rest of the team. Mark Wahlberg did a fantastic job acting the part of Mikael but when I saw he also produced I was thrilled because the execution of every scene and how it ties to the love and courage of an amazing dog was beautifully delivered.

The Secret Garden (1993)

One of my favorite films

[10/10 · 19 March 2024]

This movie came out when I was a little girl and I've loved it ever since. I think that Kate Maberly's role as Mary is one of the best and even though the book is a great source for the tale - the remakes of the movie haven't come close to the greatness that this movie did. I think the cast probably helped facilitate that with legends such as Maggie Smith to lend their talents and bring characters like Mrs. Matlock to life.

The lush scenery of the garden and when spring hits in particular are refreshingly beautiful scenes and it makes the entire movie a heartwarming and beautiful experience that I feel is a sort of sunshine effect and I love to revisit it often, but particularly when Spring descends or Easter is near.

A lovely family film that has been a favorite for over 25 years now, I feel the story, the scenes and the acting are superb and it's a cult classic now for that reason.

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (2009)

Epic movie.

[8/10 · 15 March 2024]

The Boondock Saints II - just like it's predecessor is a binge-watching tradition for me and it started from film one. Though this movie is definitely not for everyone, those who have come to love it understand the majesty of its greatness from scene one.

It's not just the story itself that carries through to exhibit the Boondock Saints II's greatness, but the acting and dialogue and how the characters interact with each other through different scenarios that make it a masterpiece. It's at the age now that it has become a steadfast cult classic and I feel that the casting choices were perfect for this epic, and unique film.

The Boondock Saints (1999)

Uniquely superb.

[8/10 · 15 March 2024]

The Boondock Saints has become a tradition for me and it started from the moment I first saw it. Though this movie is definitely not for everyone, those who have come to love it understand the majesty of its greatness from scene one. It's not just the story itself that carries through to exhibit the Boondock Saints greatness, but the acting and dialogue and how the characters interact with each other through different scenarios that make it a masterpiece. Its at the age now that it has become a steadfast cult classic and I feel that the casting choices were perfect for this epic, and unique film.

Rob Roy (1995)

A gem.

[8/10 · 15 March 2024]

Rob Roy is one of the best movies from the 90s and that is because it has some great actors. Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange have developed into legends in their own right and both have magnetic attraction that is evident in their pairing within the lush and rugged landscape of the Scottish wilderness. With beautiful scenery and a passionate dynamic in this coupling - the movie is thrilling and lovers of historical adventure films like Braveheart are sure to enjoy it. This movie is a movie-goers delight with a phenomenal back story and great sequences to carry through a telling of adventure, romance and heroism about a place uniquely and largely regarding history easily forgotten and not often told.

The Man in the Iron Mask (I) (1998)

Still enjoyable.

[8/10 · 15 March 2024]

Man in the Iron Mask has a magical cast and is a movie filled with passion, romance, intrigue, suspense and plenty of actionable drama! I loved it when I saw it as teenager but every once in a while I will revisit it. This is not because of an obsessive love of Leonardo DiCaprio but rather a love of the story and the beautiful casting choices for the Three Musketeers.

I am a fan of many renditions of the Musketeers story, but I think this movie captures the essence of each of their personalities with grandeur and finesse unseen in anything else cinematically. John Malkovich, Jeremy Irons, Gerard Depardieu and Gabriel Byrne are phenomenal in their respective roles and I think this movie is one of the top fictional history movies of the 90s.

Still enjoyable over twenty years later.

Anyone But You (2023)

Magnetic chemistry.

[8/10 · 15 March 2024]

This movie was one I hadn't expected to be so good but I thoroughly enjoyed it and the chemistry on screen between Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney was on point. This is a great romantic comedy with many fun moments of comedy and shock alike and the allure of pretending to be in a fake relationship with a person they found magnetically attractive at meeting then developed a serious case of mutual detest makes for a fun watch that I found quite enjoyable. Undoubtedly the lead characters have a cute evolving connection that made it a good film for rom com fans and I really liked both Sydney and Glen in their respective roles..

Imaginary (2024)

Mixed bag - it's got some good moments.

[6/10 · 14 March 2024]

Imaginary was pretty interesting. It had some points that were reminiscent of other horror movies and the elements of spellcasting to open spaces for wicked entities to step in seemed a bit predictable at moments.

However, I still liked it. I am sure that others who enjoy Blumhouse movies, particularly fans of FNAF and M3gan would definitely appreciate it, but there were some things that I felt the writers could've done a bit differently to make it flow with a bit more mystery to throw the audience off.

All in all, it was an enjoyable movie, and had some decent jump scares but I wouldn't say it's one of the best horrors from Blumhouse.

Ricky Stanicky (2024)

Funny

[9/10 · 8 March 2024]

Ricky Stanicky was far more entertaining than the previews led me to believe they would be. The cast matching was really great and it was cool to see Zac Efron alongside John Cena in this comedy. I put it on for just something casual to watch this afternoon but quickly found myself drawn into the story as the movie continued due to the great act and delivery by John. It was really funny and cool to see the Zany ways John portrayed Ricky and the movie is one I'd recommend to those who enjoy things like Freelance, 17 Again and The Hangover. It's a good lightweight comedy that has some adult language and suggestive material but still could be a family movie but teens above 13 would be my limit on that.

Damsel (2024)

Quite good

[8/10 · 8 March 2024]

I love a good fantasy story but I had no idea there would be such a compelling monster sacrifice element to this and found it thoroughly entertaining. I was pleased with Millie as the main character of Elodie. Her tenacity and resilience when faced with insurmountable and endless troubles was on point for a female led ensemble and it's comical that it lends to tongue in cheek on the damsel aspect because while she is in distress for the near duration of the movie save the first 20 minutes, she is not offered any sort of hero or rescuer and that makes it all the more entertaining. I'd recommend it to LoTR, DND, Dragonheart and Harry Potter fans.

First Knight (1995)

Love this movie...

[8/10 · 7 March 2024]

The classy Julia Ormond absolutely steals the scene with her stunning beauty and how authentic she can portray compelling emotions on-screen.

I also feel that Lancelot in this passionate role was one of Richard Gere's best and that he was magnetic and charming for the entirety of the film.

Sean Connery, bless his soul, was a stunner til the end of his life and he portrays King Arthur with conviction and resolve that both showcase his strength and compassion while trying to build a place where justice and freedom prevail. It's a fabulous movie with so much passion, valor, and beauty that even now I still find it an enthralling watch.

Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017)

Wow

[10/10 · 4 March 2024]

This is a thrilling and fascinating storyline and I am so glad I found it! A unique perspective into the afterlife journey and the various trials presented to Paragon Kim make it a magnetic and gripping visionary film!

I recommended it my daughter and she was truly pulled in immediately to stay connected and invested for the duration. It was neat to see how well this was filmed and even for being subtitled didn't seem to difficult to follow along and the intensity of the mysticism was paired well to a contemporary setting. Each scenario that Paragon Kim goes through only reveals that much more of his aptitude and it's a great film because of it.

Lisa Frankenstein (2024)

Gory Comedy

[6/10 · 1 March 2024]

This movie was cute, but it wasn't something I'd call particularly scary. It is kind of gory and there are some very suggestive scenes in it as well but it's a fun horror dramedy with some moments of levity that my teenage son and adult daughter both enjoyed. This isn't a Disney level horror like Halloweentown but not quite as adulterated as something like Jennifer's Body or even scarier and darker movies such as Evil Dead but it's a good movie for people who like somewhat gory horror that can be enjoyed by many audiences. I think the rating of PG-13 is accurate here because it is a bit much for kids in elementary school but it was still an enjoyable movie that reminded me a bit of the 90s film, 'My Boyfriend's Back' or 2013's 'Warm Bodies' and people who liked those, 'Shaun of the Dead,' and other types of films would likely enjoy Lisa Frankenstein.

It's nice to know it does fall into the Jennifer's Body Universe - though Id like to know more about that tie-in and also to see Zelda Williams; Robin William's daughter in her directorial debut, as well.

Shōgun (2024–2025)

Unique.

[9/10 · 28 February 2024]

A fantastic and engrossing show, and the stakes of how it begins were entirely unexpected. I was surprised by the overlap with the Protestant/Catholic divide per Spain, and Portugal as it correlated to the English and the time period tied together with this period in Japan.

The pilot episode introduces a unique and interesting Englishman who quickly becomes a central character to the storyline and watching how he tries to connect when reaching Japan and being unable to bridge the gap of communication at first was both a brutal and intriguing watch.

There are many layers of storyline happening at once and lots of detail specific scenes that capture various sentiments between different types of people as they are all brought into Japanese culture - or in some cases, exposed to Europeans and their empirical mindset. It's interesting to see two very different, and very technically advanced and civilized worlds meet and how their people respond during those interactions gives even more insight into the difficulties posed in life during these times, and across diverse viewpoints.