People are quick to forget the Demi-Ashton romance! I feel this movie perfectly depicted a very young 40 year old and the world against her. Her male lead was 24, making the Uma Thurman movie Prime on par (age 37 and 23 respectively, if I remember correctly). In what universe is a 40 year old woman not sexy, intelligent, or in her element? This is the underlying premise of the movie, when Anne Hathaway enjoys a meetcute in the trailer of a Boyband superstar. The movie reminded me of Notting Hill and Prime but did feel rushed, as others mentioned. I would have liked to see the relationship explored a bit more, and less time spent *gasp* on the experiences of her teenaged daughter. I truly felt it was meant for 40 year old women everywhere. Caught between men who done them wrong and men who would them right. If the movie was longer it would have been more of a drama than the romcom it's been labelled as. I definitely got the 'feels' and had tears at times. All I asked for was a happy ending (us 40 year olds need one) and it was better than Prime but less than Notting Hill. I hope this review helps without causing any real spoilers'
Reviews
11 Reviews
Pressure Cooker
(2023– )
If you love cooking shows, this isn't for you!
25 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
So many potential tag lines: Chef Ramsay is swearing up a storm, prom night all over again..,
Honestly, I feel like the cooking part of the show was a waste of time and money. We all know how expensive groceries are these days! They could have bypassed the cooking and gone straight to the popularity contest. All it takes to win this show is a sob story and the ability to make friends.
So the next time you go to a restaurant and your food isn't up to par? Don't complain, because the chefs are forging relationships. If your food isn't up to snuff? Don't ask where they went to culinary school, just ask what their business debt is like. Apparently that's all it takes to win 100k in a cooking show these days.
Don't get me wrong, the chef who won was a nice person and had a compelling back story...that's just not why I watch culinary shows. I expect the best chef to win, the tastiest food to stand out and the most sacrifices to stand out on the plate. This show had too many "wild cards" like a person with the worst dish of the final evening having a chance for the finale. Come on!! That's not a competition, it's a popularity contest. And for me? High school was so 25 years ago.
So the next time you go to a restaurant and your food isn't up to par? Don't complain, because the chefs are forging relationships. If your food isn't up to snuff? Don't ask where they went to culinary school, just ask what their business debt is like. Apparently that's all it takes to win 100k in a cooking show these days.
Don't get me wrong, the chef who won was a nice person and had a compelling back story...that's just not why I watch culinary shows. I expect the best chef to win, the tastiest food to stand out and the most sacrifices to stand out on the plate. This show had too many "wild cards" like a person with the worst dish of the final evening having a chance for the finale. Come on!! That's not a competition, it's a popularity contest. And for me? High school was so 25 years ago.
The Cokeville Miracle
(2015)
An Honest Review
5 July 2023
I will start by saying that neither my husband nor I had heard of this event prior to watching the movie, and chose it solely from the small thumbnail on Prime that appeared to have children holding something.
I am still trying to figure out the opening scene of the movie. I plan to rewatch it to see if I missed a key link to the movie. Otherwise I am not sure why it opened the way it did.
Once the movie got going, we both realized the script was terrible. The acting really wasn't as bad as I originally thought. There is only so much an actor can do with bad lines and a choppy narrative. I would have enjoyed learning more about the protagonist's background and motivation. We quickly saw that the movie was faith-based, but the lines questioning God seemed forced into the script and out of place. I really can't fault the actors, and as the movie progressed we did see more emotion evoked.
The first half of the movie unfolds the events of the Bombing. The protagonist delivered lines awkwardly and felt stereotypical. The children and adults seemed way too calm and quiet. I think scenes should have depicted the severity of the situation better than they did and that the script should have also reflected this. Instead some lines were delivered almost comically and we found ourselves chucking at how bad it was.
The second half of the movie on the other hand, surprised me. I was not expecting the director to finally delve into the families lives. Disclaimer! I am Pagan to best describe my faith and my husband is Indigenous. We do not follow or believe Christian teachings but we do believe people should follow what speaks to them. I was not offended by the religious tone of the movie, in fact, that much was apparent within the first 15 minutes. Everything depicted in the second half of the movie spoke to me in my own way. I felt awed by the power of intention that day and I think it's brilliant the survivors chose to focus on a miracle rather than a tragedy.
Again, the questioning of God felt forced into the second half, and I really think it could have been approached in a more fluid way. That said, I think the second half of the movie really saved the first half.
I think the movie is for anyone. I don't think one has to be a believer to enjoy it. People just have to be able to withstand terrible writing, awkward scenes, forced emotion and a lack of background detail to get into it. The spiritual aspect was a non-issue. People criticizing it are biased in their reviews, but so are the people giving it 10 out of 10 because of their religious beliefs. If you just watch the movie for what it is, you will see exactly what I mean.
I am still trying to figure out the opening scene of the movie. I plan to rewatch it to see if I missed a key link to the movie. Otherwise I am not sure why it opened the way it did.
Once the movie got going, we both realized the script was terrible. The acting really wasn't as bad as I originally thought. There is only so much an actor can do with bad lines and a choppy narrative. I would have enjoyed learning more about the protagonist's background and motivation. We quickly saw that the movie was faith-based, but the lines questioning God seemed forced into the script and out of place. I really can't fault the actors, and as the movie progressed we did see more emotion evoked.
The first half of the movie unfolds the events of the Bombing. The protagonist delivered lines awkwardly and felt stereotypical. The children and adults seemed way too calm and quiet. I think scenes should have depicted the severity of the situation better than they did and that the script should have also reflected this. Instead some lines were delivered almost comically and we found ourselves chucking at how bad it was.
The second half of the movie on the other hand, surprised me. I was not expecting the director to finally delve into the families lives. Disclaimer! I am Pagan to best describe my faith and my husband is Indigenous. We do not follow or believe Christian teachings but we do believe people should follow what speaks to them. I was not offended by the religious tone of the movie, in fact, that much was apparent within the first 15 minutes. Everything depicted in the second half of the movie spoke to me in my own way. I felt awed by the power of intention that day and I think it's brilliant the survivors chose to focus on a miracle rather than a tragedy.
Again, the questioning of God felt forced into the second half, and I really think it could have been approached in a more fluid way. That said, I think the second half of the movie really saved the first half.
I think the movie is for anyone. I don't think one has to be a believer to enjoy it. People just have to be able to withstand terrible writing, awkward scenes, forced emotion and a lack of background detail to get into it. The spiritual aspect was a non-issue. People criticizing it are biased in their reviews, but so are the people giving it 10 out of 10 because of their religious beliefs. If you just watch the movie for what it is, you will see exactly what I mean.
Echoes
(2022)
Better than people say!
27 August 2022
I think it's much better than people are saying. I found the opening scenes of the first episode to be the worst. The dialogue was unrealistic and delivered awkwardly. But after that, it really seemed to find its groove.
I ended up binging it all night long (over 2 bottles of wine) and really enjoyed the twists and turns. It wasn't perfect, but it was clever. I still had some questions in the end, but I think it was intentionally written to keep you guessing.
I am married to an identical twin, so I suppose I felt invested in the characters and I was very fascinated the whole time. For those who are over-analyzing the show - they are either missing the point entirely or not paying attention. I think it's meant to be a bit campy. And Floss is DEFINITELY meant to play her role as she did. I think this type of show just goes over a lot of people's heads nowadays.
But give it a chance! It's fun!
I ended up binging it all night long (over 2 bottles of wine) and really enjoyed the twists and turns. It wasn't perfect, but it was clever. I still had some questions in the end, but I think it was intentionally written to keep you guessing.
I am married to an identical twin, so I suppose I felt invested in the characters and I was very fascinated the whole time. For those who are over-analyzing the show - they are either missing the point entirely or not paying attention. I think it's meant to be a bit campy. And Floss is DEFINITELY meant to play her role as she did. I think this type of show just goes over a lot of people's heads nowadays.
But give it a chance! It's fun!
Cinderella
(I) (2021)
Fantastic Adaptation!
9 April 2022
What is with all the negative reviews? Clearly they've missed the point of this movie. I watched it with my 10 year old and 6 year old and looked at the movie with a totally different lens.
In the era of girl power I think movie fits the bill! I can't count how many times I've watched a movie in the last few years with a strong female role. It's uplifting and the exact message I want to send to my young daughter. I love the trend and hope it continues.
This charming movie had powerful musical numbers and a talented cast to sing them. I loved that the Stepmother finally had more of a backstory, and that her jealousy and motives were explained. I saw empathy from the Stepsisters and strength in the Queen. I loved the brainiac Princess Gwen.
The comic timing kept me laughing, which as an adult watching a kids movie is A MUST. And who doesn't love Billy Porter?!
I would say this is a total win, a complete gem and a movie that deserves at least a solid 8.
People who don't understand why this story was updated are probably still waiting for a prince to save them instead of saving themselves.
In the era of girl power I think movie fits the bill! I can't count how many times I've watched a movie in the last few years with a strong female role. It's uplifting and the exact message I want to send to my young daughter. I love the trend and hope it continues.
This charming movie had powerful musical numbers and a talented cast to sing them. I loved that the Stepmother finally had more of a backstory, and that her jealousy and motives were explained. I saw empathy from the Stepsisters and strength in the Queen. I loved the brainiac Princess Gwen.
The comic timing kept me laughing, which as an adult watching a kids movie is A MUST. And who doesn't love Billy Porter?!
I would say this is a total win, a complete gem and a movie that deserves at least a solid 8.
People who don't understand why this story was updated are probably still waiting for a prince to save them instead of saving themselves.
They tried
15 July 2021
It's not that the show is terrible, it's just not particularly interesting. It's hard to watch a bunch of actors create a documentary. It doesn't feel authentic. I am interested in the story, but not this telling of it. We passed on the rest of the show.
The Christmas Note
(2015 TV Movie)
Ouch
12 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Oh where to begin...the acting was so-so. The story seemed alright. The characters had cute moments...where things went awry was near the end. Spoiler alert- "oh by the way I've been helping you search for your adopted sibling this entire movie but never once mentioned I'm adopted too and don't know who my biological parents are". Really!? And don't worry! She's reacting in a totally nonchalant manner to finding out she's adopted because she really did know this entire time, apparently it just wasn't important to the entire plot line of the movie until the last 5 minutes. This is one of those bait and switch moments. The writing isn't clever, the writers just don't give you the information you need. At the very least I thought they'd make it Gretchen's husband, but oh no, they went for the gold. This movie is too full of people not giving up plot points until their cue. Like at the bakery. Again, she KNEW Melissa was looking for her sibling and apparently knew everyone in town but never once asked who Melissa's mother was. Then all of a sudden it happened upon her like a surprise moment. Right. For a small town no one seems to know anything yet they all seem to know each other.
This movie had potential. But I can only give it 4 stars because it had way too many flaws. Please skip this one! It's bad!
Dash & Lily
(2020)
I loved it!
11 December 2020
What a refreshing holiday romance! I partially feel like I am too old to find joy in this show, but it's just so heartwarming and sweet. The characters are well written, the plot keeps you going and the story is original. I binged it. 10 out of 10.
A Christmas Duet
(2019 TV Movie)
bad acting; no chemistry
5 December 2020
This wouldn't have been so hard to get through if the main characters had any personality or chemistry. Instead they were deadpan and lacklustre.
That being said, other characters had lots of personality and saved the movie. The story line was decent. I think it all comes down to casting. We won't be watching this one again
That being said, other characters had lots of personality and saved the movie. The story line was decent. I think it all comes down to casting. We won't be watching this one again
The Christmas Ring
(2020 TV Movie)
Never Been Kissed meets How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
29 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Very predictable and sometimes almost painful....female journalist, hurts the man she likes in the story she's writing...you've seen it before. The worst was the ending when he puts the engagement ring on a chain for her. It's a a hard pass for this one.
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