Tag Archives: Movie Review

Slumberland Movie Review

Tags : Movie Review

A young girl discovers a secret map to the dreamworld of Slumberland, and with the help of an eccentric outlaw, she traverses dreams and flees nightmares, with the hope that she will be able to see her late father again.

Why did I come to this movie again?

The hubby and I put this on our watch list a few weeks ago. Since we we’re both down with the flu we decided to put it on with the expectation that we could turn it off if it was terrible.

4 of 5

Characters

The characters were…fine. The girl who played Nemo did an excellent job. Jason Momoa only had so much to work with and did a decent job.

In general I’d say the character suffered from being a little flat. Which seems strange to say considering Flip is supposed to be this wild and crazy dream world guy. The girl, Nemo, stole the show.

4 of 5

Did I care what happened?

It didn’t take me long to figure out how the entire movie was going to play out, so I kind of cared what happened, but I’d already guessed it. Sometimes that isn’t a problem, because the journey the film takes you on is awesome. This one was more like…okay.

3 of 5

Plot Holes

I’m still not sure how the kids got into the dreamland to begin with, so that was confusing. Also, if her uncle was trapped in dreamland (spoiler) then how was he in the normal world? I had many questions that remained unanswered.

3 of 5

How many times did I yawn?

If anything this movie suffered from whiplash. I didn’t get a chance to yawn, because I was being yanked all over the place.

3 of 5

Cool Factor

One thing this film got right was the cinematography. It was beautiful.

4 of 5

The End

I guessed it well beforehand, but it was still good. Like I said, Nemo stole the show.

4 of 5

Overall Enjoyment

This is billed as a kid’s film, but it’s not, which is where I think it fell a little flat. The writers weren’t sure which audience they should focus on and the show suffers because of it. I’m not sad we took the time to watch it, but I wouldn’t watch it again.

3 of 5

Total: 28

That’s a Green Belt!

White Belt: 1-10
Yellow Belt: 11-19
Purple Belt: 20-25
Green Belt: 26-30
Brown Belt: 31-35
Black Belt: 36-40

Mr. Malcolm’s List Movie Review

Tags : Movie Review

When she fails to meet an item on his list of requirements for a bride, Julia Thistlewaite is jilted by London’s most eligible bachelor, Mr. Malcolm. Feeling humiliated and determined to exact revenge, she convinces her friend Selina Dalton to play the role of his ideal match. Soon, Mr. Malcolm wonders whether he’s found the perfect woman…or the perfect hoax.

Why did I come to this movie again?

I’ve been wanting to see this ever since it came out (hello, regency with what seems like an extra helping of snark? I’m in), but it’s never been on a streaming service that I subscribe to. Last weekend I finished writing a book and decided to rent this as a reward.

5 of 5

Characters

Characters I loved: Lord Cassidy, the cousin. Hilarious. The footman, John. He’s my spirit animal. Selina Dalton, the heroine who lived up to expectations. Captain Ossory, although he needs to ditch the horrible facial hair!

Characters that were okay: Mr. Malcolm, whom I expected to be more excited about. Miss Thistlewaite, who was delightfully selfish and annoying but not quite believable.

4 of 5

Did I care what happened?

The outcome of this story was never in doubt, so I feel the writers could have done a little more with the tension in the second half. However, that’s pretty normal for a romance, so the real journey is how things happen. While I enjoyed it, I felt there could have been better use of conflict that didn’t resolve quite so easily.

3 of 5

Plot Holes

How can you not notice the woman you’re in love with has grown almost 6”?

4 of 5

How many times did I yawn?

The pacing both dragged and rushed, depending on the scene, which felt distracting. There were a few parts where I found myself reaching for my phone, so that’s not great. I rolled my eyes at a few of the actors, which isn’t ideal.

4 of 5

Cool Factor

The fun (cool factor) of this film was the list. Since she was supposedly going to have a list of requirements of him, I expected more from both of them on this. I liked what was there, I just wanted more!

4 of 5

The End

It’s always good to have a man going after the woman he loves. What I liked more than the main plot was the Captain and Miss Thistlewaite’s resolution. I thought he was brilliant and their story was awesome.

4 of 5

Overall Enjoyment

I think my expectations were for more humor and more united conniving, so I was honestly a little disappointed, but I think I might try it again soon and see if I enjoy it more.

I do have to discount a point for some horrible over-acting and while I didn’t mind the diverse cast, it felt forced instead of natural.

3 of 5

Total: 31

That just squeaked in at a Brown Belt!

White Belt: 1-10
Yellow Belt: 11-19
Purple Belt: 20-25
Green Belt: 26-30
Brown Belt: 31-35
Black Belt: 36-40

Love in the Villa Movie Review

Tags : Movie Review

A young woman takes a trip to romantic Verona, Italy, after a breakup, only to find that the villa she reserved was double-booked, and she’ll have to share her vacation with a cynical British man.

Why did I come to this movie again?

I saw this advertised on Netflix and decided I wanted to torture the hubby with a romance movie. (hehe)

5 of 5

Characters

The two lead characters of this show were a bit…flat.

Julie, our female lead, is cute. Until she’s suddenly a brat? I didn’t buy her abrupt turn into a vindictive bit**. She wasn’t mean to her ex, so why be cruel to a stranger? I did love her enthusiasm about Romeo and Juliet, despite hating that particular story myself.

Charlie, whom I recognize from The Umbrella Academy, had zero sympathy…until he did. Sure, he’s British and therefore cold and emotionless, but I could have used a bit more emotion earlier.

Just over halfway through the movie the two of them finally developed some actual chemistry. Before that the film felt like a series of decently written scenes shoved together.

3 of 5

Did I care what happened?

I expected this film to have a happily ever after, and I wasn’t disappointed. If the prank war had been more believable I may have liked the first half a little more. Once the two characters let their guards down a bit I did care what happened.

4 of 5

Plot Holes

Meh. It’s a cute romance, I don’t expect a perfectly woven plot. Forced proximity is a standard trope of romance books and movies, and this film pulled it off okay.

I guess one hole that kept me twitching was that this 3^rd grade teacher seemed to have oodles of cash to burn in Italy. None of the teachers I know make that much.

The use of the ex’s was fine, if not a little cliché at this point.

4 of 5

How many times did I yawn?

As I said, the first half felt forced. I checked my phone quite a few times during it. After the halfway mark it the story held my attention.

3 of 5

Cool Factor

I’ve been to Verona, although it was a long time ago, but it was super fun seeing the place again. If that villa really exists, I’d totally rent it, just for the experience of looking down on that square each day!

4 of 5

The End

I guessed everything about the end, including the stuff with the side characters. Still, I went in expecting a happily ever after and totally got one.

4 of 5

Overall Enjoyment

I’d recommend this movie with the caveat that the chemistry between characters, which is why you watch a romance movie, takes a while to develop.

3 of 5

Total: 30

That’s a Green Belt!

White Belt: 1-10
Yellow Belt: 11-19
Purple Belt: 20-25
Green Belt: 26-30
Brown Belt: 31-35
Black Belt: 36-40

Thor: Love and Thunder Movie Review

Tags : Movie Review

Thor enlists the help of Valkyrie, Korg and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster to fight Gorr the God Butcher, who intends to make the gods extinct.

Why did I come to this movie again?

Chris Hemsworth. And it looked funny.

Also, I needed a break. Life has thrown a couple of curve balls at us since the beginning of the year, and I wanted a little escape. So I went into this looking for silly humor and a lot of punching things.

5 of 5

Characters

Most of these characters are old friends, so they were pretty solid. Jane felt a little forced with the ultra silliness, but when you’re in that situation who knows how you’d act, right?

I thought Christian Bale did a great job as the bad guy. They gave him just enough back story that he didn’t seem ridiculous. Although I’m not sure I was totally on board with his final decision.

4 of 5

Did I care what happened?

Yes. I know most people don’t put much merit in Marvel movies, but Thor has lost a whole lot throughout the films, and I have a soft spot for the guy. And it’s not because he’s both super hot and funny. His character has gone through the ringer multiple times, and I’m always routing for him.

Although the other gods didn’t do much for me. There could have been more killing there. Just saying.

4 of 5

Plot Holes

It’s a superhero movie, so there are of course plot holes. You always have to suspend several layers of disbelief, but they did a decent job of covering the big issues. I don’t remember anything throwing me out of the story, so that’s probably good.

4 of 5

How many times did I yawn?

None. The hubby drifted off a few times, but that’s normal.

4 of 5

Cool Factor

This film felt extra CGI heavy, which I didn’t love.  Other than that, I enjoyed it.

4 of 5

The End

As I said above, I’m not sure I bought the bad guy’s final decision. Other than that, nothing surprised me.

Spoiler: Poor Thor can’t catch a break. He’s like Wil’s mom in Stranger Things.

4 of 5

Overall Enjoyment

I went in expecting to laugh and be entertained. I totally got that. I’d watch the film again, but couldn’t say I liked it more than Ragnarok.

5 of 5

Total: 34

That’s a Brown Belt!

White Belt: 1-10
Yellow Belt: 11-19
Purple Belt: 20-25
Green Belt: 26-30
Brown Belt: 31-35
Black Belt: 36-40