Author: curdyfive

SO good. One of the best animated movies I’ve seen in a while. I hope it wins the Oscar for best animated film. Lots of messages in this movie, but mostly what a community should be and that it can be anyone, even someone you don’t like or agree with. We need more of that in our world today. I had not read the book, so I was surprised and delighted by the story. It’s a simple and sweet movie, go see it- I think it will make your heart happy. It’s worth seeing on the big screen if possible, 1 watch check and I think Ryan would stay awake for this one.

Not great. This has so many different elements squished into one movie, like why make this a musical? It felt like an afterthought and I really don’t understand the point. It was almost insulting- like making fun of kidnapping or sexual reassignment surgery through song? Yet it clearly wanted to be a serious movie…I don’t get it.  Plus there’s so many storylines, I’m honestly still a little confused about who the main character was- I guess Emilia, since her name is the title but it seemed like Rita (Zoe Saldana) was actually the main character. 4 watch checks for me, I couldn’t wait for it to end if I’m being honest. You can rent this. I think Ryan might stay awake for this (in some ways it’s kind of interesting) but would be rolling his eyes every time they started singing.

Full disclosure: I’m Catholic- not sure if that clouds my judgement on this one. I enjoyed this peek at the very secret process of choosing a new Pope. No surprise that the quest for power causes devious acts by “holy” men who aren’t very holy. Impressive acting. The story is able to keep you on pins and needles even though it’s a kind of boring process. I ended up feeling empathy for a pretty lonely life filled with doubt & crises of faith. There’s a few twists: some that aren’t so believable and some that are. It’s definitely worth watching. I had 1 watch check, you can rent/stream it at home. This is a hard call: I think Ryan would fall asleep, not much action BUT it is a compelling story, so he actually might stay awake.

I’m so torn on this movie. It’s pretty epic for Gladiator fans (one of the battles in the arena is worth going to see on the big screen alone) but it also felt way too similar to the first movie. I was hoping the plot would be a completely different story. One bright light is Denzel, he’s so good- he honestly had me conflicted about his character most of the movie. I will say, I was throughly entertained. 1 watch check (pretty amazing considering the length), definitely try to see this on the big screen. Ryan would stay awake and probably love this one.

It’s a little hard to watch, as most very real stories are- watching a delusional performer try desperately to cling to their glory days. Pamela Anderson is perfect in this role: a has been but still working it as best she can. This role shows she’s more than just a pretty face. Once a stunningly beautiful showgirl who pushed everything else in her life aside to sadly learn it wasn’t worth it. Jamie Lee Curtis is outstanding as well – such a chameleon, that one. It’s worth a watch: a glimpse at this life that feels glamorous but is really more sad. 2 watch checks from me. Not sure Ryan would have stayed awake. It’s totally rentable, don’t need the big screen.

A well done adaptation of a musical, I enjoyed it. I was a little surprised at the length with it only being part 1. I’m hoping the second half goes beyond the Broadway musical (as I don’t remember a lot happening after this…but I never read the book). Both stars did a fantastic job, the sets & costume designs were beautiful. I was hoping for a little more “magic” & special effects but maybe a lot of that is saved for part 2? (Crossing fingers)

2 watch checks from me, it’s definitely worth going to see on the big screen, Ryan would be snoozing as soon as they started singing- not his thing.

The juice is loose alright. Fans of the first movie will love all the throwback nods. Fans of Tim Burton will love the bizare-ness of this one. It’s very much like a fever dream…but creepier. Michael Keaton is outstanding…again. Honestly, he should get an Oscar nod. The plot seemed a little all over the place though and some stuff seemed just unnecessary and some things didn’t add up (Lydia should not be so wimpy for example). 2 watch checks. Ryan would stay awake. It’s worth going to see it on the big screen. I think I liked it but honestly, I’m not totally sold.

Marvel fans will love this movie- the writing, cameos, slow-motion action scenes, and comedy are just what you’re looking for. Let’s face it, no one is funnier & wildly inappropriate than Deadpool. If you‘re not a fan of bad language and gore, this movie is not for you. It’s quite entertaining, even if the plot (space/time multi-dimension fuzzy specifics) is a little…confusing. Only 1 watch check (I just couldn’t look away!), Ryan would definitely stay awake for this one and it’s worth going to the big screen to see it.

I’m a total sucker for a dog movie, this one tugs at the heartstrings and will make you want to go save a sweet boy off the streets. The story is a really cool one but it felt surface level- I would have liked more history of the main character’s story (the man, not the dog). It’s a total rentable movie, I think Ryan would have fallen asleep and it was 2 watch checks for me.

I loved this story, because DV is not always the way you expect it to be. Missing red flags, not sure if that was really an outburst, socio-economic classes you don’t put in that box- this movie exposes these. And just when you think you know what’s going to happen, it surprises you. It’s on the slower side, like real life. My only question is why Lily and Atlas weren’t fiercely together from the beginning, but sometimes that’s more like real life too. (I didn’t read the book, so can’t comment on that). 2 watch checks, this is rentable and Ryan would be asleep within the first 10 minutes.