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Reviews
The Marvels (2023)
Well I Liked It
The main problem I have with the "cinematic universe" is that they expect you to watch everything they put out in order to hopefully remember who's who in the new films. It's just too much.
The second problem I have -- and this is true of just about every piece of sci-fi nowadays -- is the whole parallel universe/infinite universe thing. I don't buy it, and there is too much going on right here, right now to keep writers busy. It's just soo...overdone.
Anyway, having said that, this movie moved along at a good clip, didn't drag anywhere, was funny in spots, and was pretty darned entertaining. Of course there were parts that were just dumb, but on the whole, it was enjoyable, and, in particular, not bleak. I'm so sick of bleak superhero movies.
A Holiday Homecoming (2021)
Low Budget, But Not Bad
Yeah, this is not a bigger budget Hallmark, but it's still entertaining enough. Most of the acting is tolerable -- they are all pretty young, so time should help. The writing does need help. It's a fairly solid story, but the misunderstanding part, that all of these movies have, could use work. I would have left it out and just have the girl's character naturally grow to trust the family. (And don't give your Jezebel character the last name of Hore-ton). Also, the lack of continuity was distracting, especially no snow, snow, no snow, snow, and time on clocks moving forward and back.
I do like the fact that this was a more religious Christmas movie, and did not rely on "the magic of Christmas" theme they all seem to rely on now.
Anyway, this is a student-type film that is entertaining and appropriate for the whole family.
Holly and the Hot Chocolate (2022)
Hallmark without All The Filler
I was pleasantly surprised by this short rom-com. The acting was solid B class, and the writing was pretty good as well -- a lot of good banter. Let's face it, Hallmark has a lot of losers in its stable. Usually the writing is sub-par, with the same theme over and over again -- I've actually seen the same movies remade more than once, though they pretend they are different -- and 40 minutes worth of story torturously stretched to an hour and a half. The acting can be a little school play-ish, with either the actors over pronouncing the last syllable of every word, or doing that sing-song going higher at the end thing. The only thing is Hallmark makes so many of these films, there are still a lot of good ones to choose from
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QVC made ONE film, and it's pretty entertaining.
Perfect Strangers (2020)
Stare at a Blank Wall Instead
I was not going to bother writing a review of this film until I saw all the 10 star reviews from people who obviously did not see this film. The giveaway was when they wrote things like "touching", "heartwarming" and "hysterically funny". Those are catch phrases one might use when reviewing a Christmas Romantic Comedy. However, this film is not funny or romantic, and with the exception of the female lead telling everybody it's Christmas (yay), it could very well be arbor day.
There is ZERO chemistry going on between the two leads. There is very little connection between anybody in this film. There are some weird things like the left/right business that turned out to be nothing. There is just a coating of slush on the ground, yet the last train couldn't get through. People (yes I'm saying it too) who claim to be freezing, yet don't button up their coats. A plow that's stuck in the garage because they can't get it out because of the coating of slush blocking the door.
Then, as a twist, nothing happens.
Kakkou no Iinazuke (2022)
They're Gonna Need a Whole Lot of Therapy
First, if I was handed a boy to take home instead of the GIRL I just gave birth to, I think I would notice.
Second, the whole main contrivance of this anime is, though not technically incestual, emotionally and psychologically, absolutely is.
Third, all the little sub-plots are unnecessarily complicated. They are meant for laughs -- people hiding the fact that they don't know each other or live together sort of thing -- but they come off as very amateurish.
Fourth, has ALL the same characters you have ever seen in anime.
As far as I can tell, the manga is still going. I thought I would finish this season and be done with it, but I guess not. I won't be back for season 2.