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Reviews
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022)
Utterly Striking
As someone who is an avid LOTR fan and who actually genuinely likes The Hobbit, I was skeptical. Could Amazon do it? Could they make a show that feels authentically like Middle-Earth with all of its grandeur and I'm happy to say yes. Yes, they can.
The series' first two episodes are an eye-opener; a literally stunning homage to Tolkien's world building and eternal tale of good versus evil. Every race feels so very distinct, from their clothes to their way of talking. It's refreshing to see a show handled with such care, especially considering that it's a fantasy series. And did I mention this show is gorgeous?!
There have only been two episodes so far but if I could've sat through all eight episodes I would've done so happily. It's that enjoyable.
Eternals (2021)
An Imperfect but Fine Addition to the MCU
I went into Eternals not expecting much and it definitely surprised me in some ways. First off, I loved the cast. Each character was distinct and utilized in the film perfectly, Makkari and Thena were my personal standouts, and the action scenes were very fun to look at.
The story, while dense, was also a highlight of the film even when the film slowed down drastically. And that's where this film's problem lies. It's a pretty good story with some really cool concepts and yet at times the movie drags on and after a while I got a bit bored.
The acting sometimes contributed to the wooden atmosphere, leaving me bone dry during scenes clearly designed to invoke tears.
Despite the cons, it's a solid Marvel movie and I can't wait to see what happens next.
The Lego Movie (2014)
Seven Years Later and It's Still One of the Best Animated Films I've Ever Seen
I remember seeing The Lego Movie seven years ago in theaters. My father took me and my sister to see it, we went into the theater about twenty minutes late, and it was STILL the funniest movie I had ever watched in the theater. I'm talking bent-over-in-your-seat kind of LOL funny. We went to see it again in theaters, all the way through this time, and once again we were blown away by how great it was.
When it was available to own we bought it, I watched it quite a few times, and then I sat back and gave it a rest. That was five years ago. I just recently revisited this movie after seeing it playing on television the other day and I was reminded just how hilarious and brilliant this movie is.
It barrages you with jokes from start to finish while managing to tell a touching story urging us to realize the greatness in ourselves if we just BELIEVE. "I know it sounds like a cat poster."
If you're not careful, this movie could even make you shed a couple of tears because that's definitely what happened to me. What a towering monument of film making.
Black Widow (2021)
Black Widow Is One of the Best Marvel Movies!
When I learned we were finally getting a Black Widow movie but the first trailer had me skeptical, I'm not going to lie. And then I watched the movie...three times...and I am a changed woman.
This movie has everything; great action sequences, a fantastic musical score, lovable characters that I can't wait to see again, and yes, a lot of heart. This was the female-led superhero movie I was waiting for! And if you can, make sure you check it out in IMAX. It's well worth the price of admission.
The Mysterious Benedict Society (2021)
Wow!
As a child, I read the first three Mysterious Benedict Society books religiously. Each book sucked me in and led me on this wonderful journey that I couldn't seem to put down. When I saw that there was going to be a live-action adaptation I was skeptical but the first two episodes have been so perfectly accurate it's scary.
The cast is perfect, the world feels like it's been pulled from the recesses of my imagination, and did I mention it was perfect? A must-watch Disney+ series already. Six more episodes (and hopefully two more seasons) to go.
Cruella (2021)
A Top Three Live-Action Disney Movie
I've watched every live-action Disney film and Cruella is undoubtedly one of the best. It tells the origin story of Cruella de Vil, an orphan-turned-fashion-designer-turned-revenge-stricken-queen-of-mean and it was glorious! The soundtrack wasn't as good as I had heard from other reviews but the story was delightfully Disney with enough delightful twists and turns to keep me invested. When it concluded all I could think was, "I need a sequel."
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Warms My Heart
Going into The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it was the MCU series I was least excited for simply because it looked like it was going to be a buddy-action story with quips and explosions. Instead, what we got was a masterpiece of storytelling, surprises, and a perfect origin story for Sam Wilson's Captain America.
This show made me laugh, it made me smile, it made me gasp, and yes, it made me cry on a number of occasions. It's a worthy addition to the Captain America storyline and one of the greatest things Marvel Studios has given us.
Anthony Mackie is the perfect Captain America.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: The Whole World Is Watching (2021)
YES!
Amazing, surprising, THAT ENDING, emotional, perfection! TFATWS was already a great show but now I'm just stunned. What a ride...and we've still got two episodes left!
Hamilton (2020)
The Best Musical of All Time!
The title detailing this review is not written lightly. I've seen great musicals, animated and live-action, since I was a child. The Wizard of Oz, The Lion King, An American in Paris, Aladdin, The Sound of Music, Frozen, the list goes on and on but never have I been moved so much than with this powerful expression of art that NEEDS to be seen by all who can potentially see it.
I am not often moved to genuine, personal tears after watching a movie or musical but this one got me. I cried while watching the musical but that was toward the story elements which managed to break me..and then I cried afterward with disbelief that I had seen a musical of this incredible scale starring men and women of color in a light that felt natural rather than forced or politically motivated.
I've been waiting to see this musical for years and now, having got an up-close and personal 160 minute look at it, it deserves every award that it can get and if it can get more awards then darn it, give it to these wonderful people who brought this thing to life. The music, the choreography, the production, the sheer scope of brilliance poured into this musical is FANTASTIC and honestly one of the greatest things I have ever seen.
I must also thank Disney and Disney+ for bringing this masterpiece into my life. Wow! Wow! Wow!
The Mandalorian: Chapter 3: The Sin (2019)
The Rise of Skywalker? WHO CARES!
The Rise of Skywalker is coming out in exactly four weeks and guess what...I don't care! The Mandalorian is everything I could've dreamed of in a Star Wars project. Gritty, funny, epic, and it's got the cutest alien I've ever seen! The Mandalorian is going to be talked about for years to come. Episode 4, here we come!!!
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
3 Times Is the Charm
This review is by someone who was introduced to the Disney tale of Beauty and the Beast through the live-action version. That being said, having now seen the animated version as well, the animated version is clearly better as it actually manages to make me cry at the end (darn you Disney!) But don't let that dissuade you from seeing this delightful revision of the classic tale. The live-action Beauty and the Beast is truly dazzling.
Emma Watson is a fantastic actress and clearly one of my favorite actresses because of her work as Hermione Granger but, to be honest, I don't feel she's pretty enough to be Belle. But...she just manages to pull it off.
However, Luke Evans is the PERFECT Gaston. He's devilshly handsome and yet so conceited and awful at the same time. I can't imagine anyone else playing him.
All in all, I've seen this film three times now so yeah, I like it.
Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019)
Rocks!
I had read some spoilers for this film before actually watching it when it arrived on Digital. I thought I knew everything about the movie. Turns out, this film still managed to blow me away. Don't listen to the 1/10 reviews because those people are absolute haters (or Disney trolls.) The humor is spot on, the awkward flirtation between Peter and MJ is SUPER cute, Nick Fury and Agent Hill manage to not steal the show but have an enjoyable presence in the film, and Mysterio is the best villain (outside of Thanos) since Erik Killmonger in Black Panther. This is a must-watch for any fan of the MCU and a great finale to the end of Phase 3.
Toy Story 4 (2019)
Is it really a surprise that Toy Story 4 is really good?
When I watched Toy Story 3 for the first time I was twelve-years-old. It was an amazing film filled with great toys, plenty of action, and it made me cry. Jump forward nine years and I can still the exact same thing. Toy Story is still my favorite of the films for its brilliant and fresh look at toys but Toy Story 4 is a definite must-watch for any fan (or casual viewer) of the franchise.
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
The Last Jedi Isn't The Empire Strikes Back and That Is Why It's So Great
The Last Jedi has its various story problems (the introduction of Rose, the Canto Bight scenes, Poe's brashness) but along its failings comes a fascinating tale that delves deeper into the realms of the force and sets up some remarkable ideas for the final installment of the trilogy.
Daisy Ridley takes Rey into an even more personal level as we discover the truth about her parents and what her place is in the galaxy. Mark Hamill returns and gives Star Wars a final major performance worth remembering. Adam Driver, oh my goodness, I absolutely loved his role as Kylo Ren in this film. Writer/Director Rian Johnson took the character of Kylo Ren, humanized him to the point where now I legitimately care about him, and then made him an even more important villain moving forward into Episode IX. These three characters are the shining lights of the movie and are a huge part of the reason why I have given this movie an 8 out of 10 stars.
The rest of the story excluding Rey, Luke, and Kylo Ren isn't exactly terrible but sometimes it can make the film a little annoying, if I'm being honest. Finn gets lost as Rose is highly prioritized in the story over him. Poe needs to stay in a cockpit if he wants to get cool again. And Captain Phasma NEEDS to return because that duel between her and Finn wasn't enough!
All in all, I love that at least this movie doesn't feel like a rehash of one of the previous Star Wars films like The Force Awakens did and I appreciated Rian Johnson's vision of taking the Star Wars franchise further. I just wish The Last Jedi could've been a little more epic like Rogue One or The Empire Strikes Back. If you're a Rey or Kylo Ren fan this movie is definitely worth the watch.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Infinity War Truly Delivers On Its Ten Year Buildup
I wasn't a Marvel fan until I watched The Avengers in 2012. I had seen tidbits of Iron Man and Iron Man 2, I had watched Thor in the movie theaters, and I hadn't seen Captain America: The First Avenger but these films, while they were enjoyable to a certain extent, didn't make me incredibly happy. The Avengers did. At that time there had never been a superhero ensemble like it before and it was positively incredible. Jump forward six years later and Avengers: Infinity War has completely wowed me like The Avengers once did.
This movie isn't just spectacular because it's got nearly two dozen heroes in it but because Thanos was the villain worth waiting for. He arrives, gets an Infinity Gauntlet sized grip on your emotions and your fears for the heroes, and doesn't let go until the end of the movie. I walked away from this film completely stunned and I mean that in the best way possible. Marvel has created a superhero film that's going to be extremely hard to replicate in any way, shape, or form in the future for other superhero flicks and I just couldn't be happier with the experience I had.
Now I watched this film twice and the only reason why I don't have it as a solid 10 out of 10 is because the movie is VERY long. When you watch the film the first time the story is so compelling you don't even notice the two hour and thirty-two minute run time but after the second time I watched it felt like I had seen a really epic superhero marathon. That doesn't make the movie bad. It just isn't a movie I can rewatch over and over again like some of the other Marvel films (Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor: Ragnarok) and that is it its only fault. It's definitely one of my favorite superhero movies of all time though and I highly recommend you see it before it leaves theaters.