Film Review – Strange World (2022)

films, reviews

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Do you remember how Disney finally released an animated film with an openly gay character? You might not because there was basically no marketing campaign for it. Did Strange World purposefully get buried? Did they do it so they could prove that nobody wants “wokeness” in their family films? Probably. The film was quickly labelled a box office bomb and had one of the lowest Disney openings in recent years. I didn’t really know anything about the film when I came to watch it this week because I barely knew it existed. I honestly don’t remember seeing anything about this film and I don’t understand why. I mean, it boasts a cast including the voices of Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid and Lucy Lui. You’d think they’d want to make more noise about it. So, were they really hiding it because of the LGBTQ+ representation or is the film just not that good?

Film Review – Pinocchio (2022)

films, reviews

Rating: 2 out of 5.

In my review of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, I criticised the 2022 Disney version. I haven’t actually watched it. I felt bad enough about it that I actually did this week. I’d originally been planning to watch Everything Everywhere All at Once. I guess that can wait for another week. Instead, I’ll watch Tom Hanks talking to a CGI wooden boy. Even though I know there’s no way that it’ll be as good as del Toro’s version. How could it be?

Film Review – Disenchanted (2022)

films, reviews

Rating: 3 out of 5.

I never got the love for Disney’s Enchanted because it came out when I was a bit too old to care. It came out when I was at university, so I had other things going on. I don’t think I watched it until a few years ago and it had been really overhyped at that point. I didn’t think it was bad but I’d heard so much praise for it. Yeah, it subverts the traditional Disney fairy tale tropes but it was hardly the best parody. It was fun and Amy Adams is always a joy. I just didn’t think it was so amazing. So, when the sequel was announced, I wasn’t exactly counting down the days until its release. I knew that I’d watch it but I doubted that I’d be that into it.

Film Review – Rosaline (2022)

films, reviews

Rating: 3 out of 5.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t really bothered about a film this week. I just found went onto my various streaming services and found something quick. Although, I’d definitely have watched this at some point. I mean, it’s literary, there’s major teen comedy vibes and it stars Kaitlyn Dever in the title role. There’s so much to get me interested. Of course, we all know that Romeo and Juliet isn’t my favourite Shakespeare play but I guessed this film wouldn’t exactly celebrate it.

Film Review – Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)

films, reviews

Rating: 2 out of 5.

As a millennial, I have very strong feelings about the film Hocus Pocus. Especially as I’m not a fan of horror movies. It’s my ultimate Halloween film and I could watch it over and over again. I absolutely love Bette Midler and her performance of ‘I Put A Spell On You’ is iconic. It might not be the best film ever but I think it’s perfect. So, I was in two minds when the sequel was announced. I wanted more from Winnie and her sisters but I didn’t trust Disney to do it well. I had to find out one way or another.

Film Review – The One And Only Ivan (2020)

films, reviews

Rating: 3 out of 5.

When I read Katherine Applegate’s book The One and Only Ivan last week, I didn’t know it has been adapted into a film. So, it seemed like the perfect choice for my film review this week. It’s an annoyingly common theme within the bookish community that the book always has to be better. That no film adaptation can ever be as good as the written word. I’ve already written a post about how wrong this idea is, so I don’t judge a film until I’ve seen it. Meaning I had to see if this lived up to the book.

Sunday Rundown: That’s What She Read

books, films, rundown
Sunday Rundown

What have you been reading this week?

What a weekend. I had a great day yesterday but it was busy. Meaning very little time for reading. Today is going to be almost as hectic, which means I’ll struggle to finish my current read in time for my review next week. Meaning I’ll have to fit in an audiobook at work on Monday. It’s fine though. I just need to get through to Wednesday this week and then I have a week off over Easter. I cannot wait. No big plans but sleeping and reading are a priority. I need this break.

Film Review – The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)

films, reviews

Rating: 3 out of 5.

So, last night’s Oscars ceremony was pretty memorable, right? It’s a shame that Chris Rock’s bad and offensive joke is the thing that people will remember more than anything. I know most people are focusing on Will Smith’s reaction, and it’s not something I’m dismissing. However, the conversation should really be about why that joke was even made in the first place. You might think I’m a little oversensitive as a fellow alopecia sufferer but that doesn’t make Rock’s joke any less misogynistic, disrespectful and totally unnecessary. Why bring her into it? Why make a joke about an illness that she can’t do anything about? Fuck, Chris Rock.

Sunday Rundown: That’s What She Read

books, films, rundown
Sunday Rundown

What have you been reading this week?

March is never the best reading month for me because it’s my birthday month. I tend to have busy weekends, which means less time for books. This year, I’ve also felt really rotten. I’ve self-diagnosed myself with Covid so many times because of how bad I feel. Thankfully, all of my lateral flow tests have been negative. If I can just get rid of this cold, I should be able to get back on track in April.

Film Review – West Side Story (2022)

films, reviews

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

I’ve had to change my schedule a little this week because I still haven’t finished my current read. I’ll get round to it soon but I just didn’t have as much time to read this weekend as I’d wanted. So, I moved my film review up to today. I’ve been meaning to watch this for a while but kept finding excuses not to. If I’m honest, I wasn’t sure how much I actually cared. I’m not entirely confident that I’ve ever seen the 1961 film adaptation. I know that we used to listen to the soundtrack when we were kids. I remember it playing in the car and us having a lot of fun. Although, I don’t know whose influence this was. I guess one or both of my parents maybe.