Movie Title: The Incredibles 2 Released: 2018 Directed by: Brad Bird Starring:: Holly Hunter, Craig T Nelson Based on : Run Time: 1 Hr 58 mins
Premise: The Incredibles hero family takes on a new mission, which involves a change in family roles: Bob Parr (Mr Incredible) must manage the house while his wife Helen (Elastigirl) goes out to save the world. (From IMDb)
Trailer:
With the three day weekend coming up I decided I wanted to just relax, read and binge anything I could think of. I hadn't watched the second of the Incredibles movies and so I decided when I needed a break from reading this was a good way to do so.
This was a fantastic movie that both adults and children could love. There were so many great lessons that were shared from learning to have discernment about people, another is to know that just because someone can be a hero doesn't mean you can't take steps to help mitigate the issues that require their help.
In this one, we are in a world were the supers are having to hide underground, they are no longer supported by the government, and also popular opinion has turned the tide against them and they are considered illegal. An opportunity to share with the world why and how supers help to save them is presented and ElastiGirl needs to leave her family behind. Her husband Mr. Incredible (the strongman) is left to handle the three children on his own and he's not used to corraling the kids, he's also kind of resentful that his wife is the one out there saving the day. I loved how he had to learn that all the tasks of everyday life aren't glamorous but they too can be rewarding. He also had to learn about leaning on those you love for help.
I loved the kids in the movie, it was awesome to see the kids grow and of course, Jack Jack was hilarious. Of course, there are other gems within the story about learning to accept yourself and fighting for a place for your children to be able to have choices about who they are. This movie wouldn't be a great one without Edna Mode and her commentary. I love her. "No Capes!!"
Movie Title: The Equalizer 2 Released: July 2018 Directed by: Antoine Fuqua Starring: Denzel Washington, Ashton Sanders, & Pedro Pascal Based on: The Equalizer Run Time: 121mins
Premise: Director Antoine Fuqua reunites with Denzel Washington in this sequel to 2014's The Equalizer. Washington resumes his role as Robert McCall: a retired CIA Black Ops operative who now works as a Lyft driver and moonlights as a vigilante. When his long-time friend Susan Plummer (Melissa Leo) is murdered, he embarks on a relentless, globe-trotting quest for vengeance. (From IMBD)
(Movie poster from Wiki)
Trailer:
I've been a Denzel fan since I was little (because really who isn't, and if you're not SHUT UP you don't even go here). While prepping for this week I happen upon a preview for the Equalizer 2 which was now on Starz on Amazon Prime. The clip I saw was Mr. McCall returning to a party that didn't pay him properly because the credit card didn't work. So the guy hands him a black card and says condescendingly well now you've seen one. I said "oop" you done messed up now.
I immediately went onto Amazon to watch and see the whole scene and just... don't we all wish someone had come along and done that for us??? In our most vulnerable moments wouldn't have it been nice if a champion had come along and made those people pay?? I watched the whole movie rooting for Mr. McCall and freaking out when the young boy gets into trouble.
From the get-go we know that Mr. McCall is the good guy, he helps several people without letting them know he was doing so and checks in to make sure everything is still going great. All while reading great books and making his way through life. The main premise of the movie hinges on the loss of a close friend and his desire to find the people who did it. While working on the case we learn a bit more about Robert and who is he was before he became this man. While taking care of his little corner of the world he also attempts to mentor a young man who is struggling to keep his head above water while dealing with the local gangs.
It was fast paced, action packed and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I so badly wanted the bad guys to hurt, and all of this while Mr. McCall doesn't even break a sweat. I loved every second of the movie. I don't know what it is about these action movies, & the fight scenes, I get so hyped up and into them. I was glued to the seat until the movie was over. I talked junk to the screen and I hyped up Robert (although he didn't need it).
If you're an action fan, a fan of fast cars, shoot 'em up movies, then this is definitely for you. I highly recommend. I'm a Bourne franchise fanatic because of the incredible fight scenes and this is right up there with the action, the great fight scenes and the betrayals. Just awesome!!
Movie Title: Avengers Endgame Released: April 29th, 2019 Directed by: Anthony & Joe Russo Starring: Everybody in Hollywood named Chris (LOL) Based on. Marvel Comics Run Time:3 hours 2 mins
Premise: After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to undo Thanos' actions and restore order to the universe. via IMBD
Trailer:
Hi my loves,
I haven't done one of these in a while. I really am excited to be sharing my thoughts on Avengers: Endgame. Now I will freely say I haven't been a devout watcher of all the Marvel Cinematic Universe (from now on in this review known as the MCU) I sporadically watched the movies over the years. Of course, I like just about every black person the world over (hyperbolic but that's what it felt like) watched the Black Panther movie and next Avengers movie because it had Black Panther in it. That wasn't just an addition to the MCU but a cultural moment for us and I watched in theaters a good 7 times.
With that said, let's talk about Endgame. Going in we know that so many are lost after the battle with Thanos. The few that are left are desperate to find a way to right the wrong done to the universe & not just to their planet. However, there doesn't seem to be a way to bring everyone back. And this becomes the central plot point in the show. Interpersonal relationships are explored, grief and its outcome are explored and the question of is one person's happiness worth more than the lives of billions is asked several times.
Beloved characters are seen and everyone assembles to battle for the soul of the universe. The question of what happens when heroes fail is answered, of couse, it wouldn't be a Marvel movie it didn't have a few jokes about that. As the story progresses we get the question of is it better to try to move on past the pain or try to bring the others back. We know from the trailer that Captain Marvel is now apart of the team and I absolutely love her showing up when she did. I loved how each character showed up, and we learned how each dealt with the blow Thanos dealt the worlds. There was humor as well as the discussion of grief. My favorite being Rocket being called Rachett, and a raccoon (which is a running theme throughout).
I freely admit to crying several times throughout this movie. One of the first times was realizing that no matter what comes after this Stan Lee won't be making his appearances like always before. I've never been so grateful to have met him at BEA (book expo america) 2014. I wasn't watching the Marvel movies at the time so I didn't know who he was but my sister was fangirling fiercely and went to meet him. I'm so glad we got that moment. (lucky girl has met him a few more times due to going to comic con). There are hard choices to be made by each character and by the group and when the final moves are made it breaks my heart. I squealed when events happened, I cheered on the Avengers when they formulated their plan and sobbed through the ending. Once I realized it was the end for the overall theme and characters I was saddened to see the saga end. Hopefully, there will be more from this universe
I highly recommend the series but of coirse this movie as well. I loved the way it wrapped up the entire saga. It's definitely the end of an era. I'm going to rewatch all the movies in timeline order and share my thoughts. Have you seen it?? Let me know what you think down in the comments my loves.
★★★★★
Bring popcorn & tissues
and as always enjoy my loves,
Movie Title: Carolina Moon Released: 2007 Directed by:Stephen Tolkin Starring: Clair Forlani, Oliver Hudson & Chad Williett Based on: Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts Run Time: 95 mins
Premise: A woman who has psychic visions returns to her hometown to exorcise her demons, and finds both danger and love.
Trailer:
Based on the book of the same name the movie was a wonderful adaptation. As I personally saw the movie first when I read the book the characters sounded like they did in the movie.
I believe they choose some great actors to portray the book characters. And while I know the accents left much to be desired, they still captured the small town feel and the dealings of the trauma coming back to life for so many.
It wasn't until I read the book that I realized that the sheriff was supposed to be black and that some characters were missing from the movie. In the book, Tory isn't as alone as the movie portrays her as being. There are some other small changes, like characters that are missing and a few of the crimes are more than in the novel but still a pretty good adaptation. Maybe because I saw the movie first this story was very haunting and remained in my mind for years before I even read the book.
I would recommend it. It's a little harder to find but if you have Netflix you can rent the DVD because for whatever reason none of the streaming services have the rights to the movies. UGH. Or you can rent it for $3.99 on amazon.
Movie Title: Crazy Rich Asians Released: August 15, 2018 Directed by: Jon M Chu Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Awkwafina, Nico Santos Lisa Lu, Michelle Yeoh & Ken Jeong. Based on: Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan Run Time: 120
Premise:
Crazy Rich Asians" follows native New Yorker Rachel Chu (Wu) as she accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young (Golding), to his best friend's wedding in Singapore. Excited about visiting Asia for the first time but nervous about meeting Nick's family, Rachel is unprepared to learn that Nick has neglected to mention a few key details about his life. It turns out that he is not only the scion of one of the country's wealthiest families but also one of its most sought-after bachelors. Being on Nick's arm puts a target on Rachel's back, with jealous socialites and, worse, Nick's own disapproving mother (Yeoh) taking aim. And it soon becomes clear that while money can't buy love, it can definitely complicate things. ~~~ From Rotten Tomatoes Website.
Trailer:
I highly recommend you go see this movie. My sisters and I went last Tuesday and just fell in love. It was an amazing movie, but a very different experience for me. I fell in love with the premise of the story and of course, now I want to go to Singapore. I think I fell in love with the scenery a little more than the story.
I had just finished watching To All the Boys I've Loved Before (again) and I was excited to see another movie featuring an Asian cast. This movie was stunning. I absolutely loved how they used the location of Singapore as both a glorious backdrop and also like a character in the movie.
While it dealt with one of my favorite tropes of the protagonist not knowing the person they are dating/engaged to is a person in disguise the movie also has some depth to it. I loved how the movie touched on the struggles that immigrant children face when returning to the 'home country'. I truly felt it when her mother made the comment about her being different on the inside while retaining all that is Chinese on the outside.
I was absorbed by the different storylines and characters within the main overarching story. As we get introduced to the family we realize they are far more complex & complicated than Nick has led Rachel to believe. Being thrown into the festivities for the wedding, being in Singapore when she's never been there before and meeting his daunting and super successful family, she would have been lost if it wasn't for her best friend from college and her family's backing.
I just loved the friendships and the different relationships within the story. While many might call the mother the villain I totally got what she was saying, but didn't agree with her execution, especially after we get more of her background. The story progressed beautifully and there were moments that I didn't agree with Rachel's handling of certain situations. The story unfolded wonderfully and of course that wedding scene??? I totally want to get married just so I can do it that way. My gawds that was amazing. I loved the humor the wit, and of course the romances that were advancing and developing.
I could gush about the movie for hours because there were serious moments as well and even after I saw it I learned that a key scene has an even deeper meaning. I'm going to link out to my favorite review so far and let you know that it's a spoiler review so watch only if you've already seen the movie or if you want a more in-depth look before you go to see the movie.
Movie Title: To All The Boys I've Loved Before Released: August 17, 2018 Directed by:Susan Johnson Starring: Lana Condor (Lara Jean); Noah Centineo (Peter), Janel Parrish (Margot); Anna Cathcart (Kitty) and Israel Broussard (Josh) Based on:To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han Run Time: 1 hr 39mins
Premise: What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them… all at once?
Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.
Trailer:
I watched this movie with my sister as a girl's night treat, and we absolutely loved it. We had a ball freezing the movie and laughing our butts off at certain moments, discussing how we would handle others and genuinely having a blast. I truly believe that this would have made a good box office movie. Its romantic, funny, talk about things going on now with teens and at the same time harkens back to the John Hughes era of Sixteen Candles and the like.
For the romantic at heart, it pulled on several tropes that I loved and made them fun again. While it's true I haven't read the series of books that inspired the movie I am now adding it on because it was a fun movie. Lara Jean like most young women dreams of a love that will find her and see her, yet she does nothing to aide that love to come into being. I absolutely loved the relationships she had with her family, her sisters, in particular, were so much fun and hilarious especially Kitty.
When someone mails out a few letters she wrote to her crushes at the height of those crushes it ripples across her life as they come to confront her. From there the hijinks really ensue and so does the trope of the fake relationship. I loved Lara Jean as a character she was wonderfully acted. I really enjoyed how she made the situation awkward and yet fun.
Of course, no teen romantic movie would be complete without a nemesis to conquer, fears to face and roadblocks that trip the two lovebirds up. In the end family comes to the rescue and makes this a romantic movie with feel good moments that will warm even the most unromantic viewer.
Movie Title: Set It Up Released: 2018 Directed by: Claire Scanton Starring:: Taye Diggs, Luy Lui, Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell Based on: Written by Katie Silberman Run Time: 1hr 45mins
Premise: Two corporate executive assistants hatch a plan to match-make their two bosses.
Trailer:
Hi my loves, please be aware that as the review goes along there might be spoilers. I'll try to warn you. I watched this movie while working on my crochet projects. (this is only time I really watch tv, I marathon shows and work on projects). I was really looking forward to a fun romantic comedy, and that's what we got.
The premise is simple, two workaholic bosses are keeping their assistants hostage to their ambition and to aide them in having social and love lives, the two assistants hook their bosses up. At first glance this is a cute contemporary romance, because not only do the bosses appear to fall in love, the pair finds that their own love lives come more into play. They bond and share great stories as they figure out how to keep the magic going for their bosses while trying to accomplish their own goals. Their jobs kept them from pursuing their goals and dreams, as one wanted to be a writer but didn't have any time the other was trying to push their relationship further with their partner.
Let's talk about what worked in the movie:
Relateable characters, the two assistants were fun and funny, slightly nerdy and had amazing banter.
The way the relationship developed and their friendship that came from it was good.
NYC being highlighted throughout the movie
The shopgirl when they are shopping for rings. She was so relatable, she's like I'm here for the tea and her face when the argument blew up. Hilarity.
Harper's best friend, I loved her and their friendship, she was so honest and real with Harper. She was a true friend and hilarious as well.
Their comedic moments, like when they went to the baseball game and had the kiss cam moments.
Harper trying to let her boss know she has to keep her wax appointment has got to be the most awkward yet hilarious moment as well.
There are a lot of reasons to really enjoy the show, if you're a big fan of Never Been Kissed, She's All That, 10 Things I Hate About You, then you're going to enjoy this. If all you're looking for is a fun, witty, modern romantic comedy featuring two desperate young people trying to distract their bosses so they can have lives and on the way find that they get a little more than they bargained for. Enjoy it and stop reading from here. After this I'm going to kind of shred the movie. Enjoy the movie!!
While I enjoyed the diverse characters, the witty banter and the fun friends who were fleshed out and had great lives, there are several underlying notes that I couldn't help but notice.
While the movie on the surface is about getting these two workaholics together, the true romance that comes from it isn't the two main diverse characters. They don't even get incidental relationships at all.
All the characters that are used for comedic relief are people of color. I do mean used, we weren't laughing with them but at them. First, there was the elevator operator who was "simple-minded' (unable to read social cues, couldn't understand more than the basic instructions given to him & had the nickname Creepy Pete and was ok with being called that) He also loves plants and works in the basement, but doesn't seem to know about growth lights because he can be seen watering dying/dead plants. Really?!!
The next person we laugh at is the large African American package delivery man, who decides that due to his claustrophobia it would be smart to strip naked in an elevator that has stopped for just a moment. Then urinate on his package. Then be caught by a Caucasian woman as she attempts to board once the elevator starts working again. IN WHAT EFFING WORLD?? With people calling the cops on Firefighters in uniform?? the one where people are calling the cops as you move into your building?? Not happening.
In the end, the two assistants end up together, the bosses don't last and mostly because the male lead is a cheating bastard. He's a successful venture capitalist who is selfish, egotistical and so competitive he gives his assistant a promotion just because someone else got on near him.
Charlie's girlfriend, who was Latina, was vain, vapid, as shown as a woman who had no depth and that was the reason he had to break up with her to get with the perfect down to earth girl Harper.
I really enjoyed the movie, but as it went on and I realized how it was going to end I began to feel moments of disquiet. I wasn't happy about the things that I noticed and perhaps they didn't mean to cast the minority characters as people not deserving of love as they are vain (the girlfriend) cheaters (Rick) or too focused on work (Kirsten), simple-minded (the maintenance worker) or someone who deserves to be arrested for public indecency (the delivery driver).
While I enjoyed it while watching it won't be a repeat performance for me.
Have you seen it?? Do you feel like I'm reaching?? Bring popcorn and enjoy my loves, then let me know in the ocmments down below.
Movie Title: Everything Everything Released: 2017 Directed by: Stella Meghie Starring: Amandla Stenberg & Nick Robinson Based on Nicola Yoon's 2015 Novel of the Same Name. Run Time: 96 minutes
Premise: The film is about the love of smart and inquisitive girl Madeline ("Maddy"), prevented by virtue of illness from going outside the rooms of her house, and her neighbor Olly, who wants to help her. (From Wikipedia)
Trailer:
I read the book then I watched the movie right after. I have to say that I enjoyed doing that, it's perhaps for me the best way to enjoy movies based on books. While there are a few integral changes it's still a good movie based on the book and even if I'd never read the book I would still enjoy it.
This one seems to be aimed at a younger audience even though the book itself didn't seem to be that way. It had a few changes I wasn't happy with, and it didn't explain how she ended living the way she did or why it's just her and her mom. Which was a integral part of the book, these explanations are why the story develops the way it does, even interactions between certain characters were left out.
Even with the changes I still loved the movie and it's story about love, About grief and about changes. I would have like Olly to have more depth as in the books but I understand it's necessary to cut things out. It's still a movie I will add to the cute movie night watch list and I'm adding into my collection.
I recommend if you're looking for a cute, summery romance, about life, self discovery and first love.
In the midst of veteran con man Nicky's latest scheme, a woman from his past - now an accomplished femme fatale - shows up and throws his plans for a loop.
My sisters and I went out Saturday night (it's a rare occurrence that we are all off at the same time so we took full advantage and made it a double feature night). We went to see Focus because who doesn't love the Fresh Prince?? We've supported him since then and we are going to keep doing so as long as he makes good movies.
Will Smith still got it y'all, fifteen minutes into his performance we were all for signing up with his crew and working with him because goddamn that's a lot of money to be made. I loved this whole movie, we kept speculating on the girl Margot who by the way really nailed her role, we were trying to figure out her real angle and what was going on.
I got so emotionally invested in the movie that I was freaking out when she started freaking out. I totally loved the movie for it's witty & hilarious commentary, the all too funny and witty characters and the beautiful locale. i loved the semi twist at the end and of course that "Oh shyt" moment.
I loved everything about it including the needing which I totally didn't see coming and we were trying to figure out how it happened when we left. I hadn't been to the movies in a long time and going to see Will Smith's newest was a great way to come back to the movies. I laughed, I gasped and I was like WOW!! Yeah it's a good movie. a definite if you need something fun and engaging to make it through all the gosh darn snow storms (I'm looking at you mother nature)
Check it out my loves, and let me know what you think.
Enjoy some movie popcorn for me and I'll see you next week.
