Second Act - My Review

Last night, hubby and I were lucky enough to get screening tickets from Detroit Duchess and STX Entertainment to see Jennifer Lopez's new movie - Second Act!

I loved this movie! While it was admittedly not his usual style, hubby said he enjoyed it as well. Characters are always my favorite part of a movie, and I feel they can make or break even the most brilliant plot. This plot wasn't entirely original, but I didn't see the big twist coming at first. About halfway through, we saw where that storyline was going, and it was definitely a great feel-good development. I don't want to ruin it for you!

Jennifer Lopez was brilliant as always as the main character, Maya Vargas, and Leah Rimini was hilarious as her best friend, Joan. Milo Ventimiglia was definitely a dreamy leading man as Maya's boyfriend of five years, Trey. I love the combo of Chase (Alan Aisenberg) and Ariana (Charlyne Yi) as Maya's quirky and supportive co-workers. Last but not least on my list of noted performances is eight-year-old John James Cronin as Joan's son, although he admittedly had quite a potty-mouth on him. If bad language bugs you, he won't be on your list of amusing characters, but he was on mine.

The big issue with screenings for me is that your cell phone isn't allowed - my new style of movie watching generally involves at least a few minutes of cross-checking the cast on IMDB.com to see what else they've been in! LOL Had to wait til I got home for this one. After seeing him lots on TV in the last decade or so, this is the biggest movie role I remember for Milo Ventimiliglia - and kissing Jennifer Lopez, no less! Alan Aisenberg was also very recognizable to both of us, but we couldn't quite remember that he was a prison guard from Orange is the New Black.

Overall, I'd give Second Act a pretty high rating - let's say 4 out of 5 stars. I'm definitely a Jennifer Lopez fan, and I can absolutely see giving this one another watch once it's out on video. You should definitely take a fun afternoon and see it over the holiday break. Enjoy!

Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween - My Review

My daughter and I were lucky enough to win passes to see Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween this morning at the Rochester Hills Emagine theater. I'll have to start this review off by saying, "OMG - those seats!!!" We'd never been to this particular theater before, and we both LOVED the super-comfy recliners. There are buttons on the side of each and every seat that control how far it reclines, and how far you want the foot rest up. Plus nice big cupholders on both sides. So, so fabulous.

Now that that's out of the way - what about Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween? We really enjoyed it! It was definitely a kids' halloween movie. The content was not too adult for kids, and the romance was so super minimal that it was hardly noticeable. The scares may have been a bit much for my seven-year-old though. But that's why they rated it for PG - parental guidance, right? There were a few good jump-scares that I'm not sure how he would respond too. And things coming to life that aren't supposed to is kind of a classic childhood fear I'm hoping he can avoid. LOL

I loved Jack Black's character, although he didn't seem really pertinent to the plot - most of the movie was totally fine without him, but I was happy to see him on screen anyway. In my IMDB research after the fact, I was amused to find out Madison Iseman - the older sister (Sarah) in Goosebumps 2 was also the teen girl in the 'real life' part of the newest Jumanji. I just enjoy trivia stuff like that.

Overall, I'd give this 3.5 out of 5 stars. I'm hoping we can find the first Goosebumps movie online somewhere for tonight, as my daughter said she enjoyed the first one better than this second one.

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation - My Review

Last weekend the kids and I went to see Hotel Transylvania 3. We enjoyed the first two, and a matinee is always worth it on a hot day, right?

We already knew we loved the characters, although I think Tinkles the puppy was new, and it was fun to see Dennis and one of the wolf girls as besties. The plot was totally predictable, but I found the character of the true villian to be a little intriguing. He was a really, really old human, but most of his body had been recreated as a machine.

Overall, I'd give this movie 3 out of 5 stars. Very good for a sequel. I'm sure we'll see it again once it makes its way to Netflix.

Incredibles 2 - My Review

Last weekend the family and I went to see Incredibles 2, and we all enjoyed it! We watch the original from time to time, and the sequel picked up exactly where it left off, which was cool. The overlap of sorts between the end of the plot of Incredibles and the beginning of Incredibles 2 makes this movie a fun watch even if someone has never seen the original (is that possible???).


I especially loved the role played by Mr Incredible's old car, the 'Incredibile' (like automobile, but incredible..). And of course, after waiting SO long, I loved finally finding out Jack-Jack's powers.

I'd recommend this movie for anyone, but be sure to read the warning at the theater - there are some fight scenes with lots of flashing lights that could trigger photo-sensitive epilepsy. Overall, I'd give this 4.5 out of 5 stars. I really, really liked it and look forward to seeing it again.

Peter Rabbit - My Review

The kids and I went and saw Peter Rabbit a little while ago as part of our 'Easter weekend' celebration. After watching the movie and having popcorn for lunch, we went and had our picture taken with the REAL Easter rabbit.

All three of us really enjoyed the movie. While the trailer has lots of the funny lines, there were even more in the movie. Mrs. Tiggy Winkle was one of our favorite characters, especially when she couldn't resist the peanut butter on the electric fence. Another favorite was the attempts of the badger to hide when people come to the house.

We also love a happy ending. Peter Rabbit is a great movie for the whole family. There were a few jokes understood more by the adults in the theater, but not off-color for the kiddos. And what's not to love about talking animals? I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars, and plan to watch it again when I'm looking for something to watch via Redbox or Netflix.

A Wrinkle in Time - My Review

I loved this movie!! I'm ready to see it again, because it was just so fun to immerse myself in. AND it was totally worth seeing on the big screen. The costumes were my favorite part, with the relationship between Meg and nice Charles Wallace being a close second. I also loved Mrs. Whatsit's (Reese Witherspoon) sweet but snarky character.

While I definitely read the book, we're reaching back probably more than 30 years for that, so I really can't compare it to the movie. I do plan to read it again, now that I'm so enamored with the movie. I've heard that the message wasn't as deep in the movie, but I was totally fine with how it was presented simply, for a two-hour audience.

The flying scene after they first traveled away from their everyday world was hugely, enormously reminiscent of the banshee flying in Avatar. This was probably more annoying for me and my daughter because we just recently watched the original Avatar in preparation for the ride at Disneyworld. If it had been 10 years between watching Avatar and watching A Wrinkle in Time as it was for those making it, maybe it wouldn't have been so markedly similar.

I'm not sure that this would have been as good a movie for my six-year-old to watch, or if I'd been distracted by my six-year-old while watching it. My ten-year-old daughter and I saw this for a girls' night out, and we both loved it.

Coco - My Review

Although I noticed it's already available on DVD at stores, my family and I did see Coco on the big screen last month. We really enjoyed it, and I look forward to seeing it again (and showing it to hubby, since we went and saw it on a snow day when he was at work).

Before we went, my daughter was worried that it would be too much like the Book of Life (which we also enjoyed). To put it simply, nope. The cultural background was about all that matched up. Both stories took place in a world beyond death, but the stories were much different.

Coco was a wonderful story, and actually not as super-predictable as some kids' films can be. I especially liked Miguel's dog, and seeing all the various spirit animals in the Land of the Dead. The end was also very touching (but I don't want to give too much of that away).

IMDB Summary:

Despite his family's baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector, and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history.

I would recommend seeing this movie. The characters are lively and endearing, in a story that wasn't altogether predictable, and worth watching til the end. Coco also won Oscars for both Best Animated Feature Film, and Best Original Song (for Remember Me).

The Greatest Showman - My Review

Wowwie. I had heard great things about this movie since it opened in theaters in late December, and I now agree with everything I remember hearing. My family and I LOVED this movie! Even my husband (who stopped at the poster and said, "WAIT - this is a MUSICAL??!") admitted to enjoying it by the time it was done. And my six-year-old (who spent most of the movie whispering, "Mom, this movie is FIVE HOURS long!!") is asking to go see it again.

The Greatest Showman celebrates the story of PT Barnum and his creation of the circus. We watch his unbeatable spirit rise from being a poor tailor's son, to rubbing elbows with upper society types, including his wife's family. The story is not one to be missed. Loving movies that pair with books as much as I do, I'm eager to find a good biography of PT Barnum. I heard of one viewer who did not like the movie because he said his history with the circus taught him that much of the movie was false. I doubt learning the 'real' story will ruin my enjoyment of this wonderful film.

In case I haven't been clear, I loved this movie! I actually bought the soundtrack before even seeing it, and have listened to it many, many times already. The music is great, and even better with the memories of them from the movie. The costumes were wonderful (and many were actually borrowed from Feld Entertainment, owners of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which stopped performing in May 2017).

If you haven't seen this movie yet, you should! If you have, what was your favorite part?

Pitch Perfect 3 - My Review

My daughter and I are big Pitch Perfect fans, so we decided to see the newest (and final) movie at a matinee yesterday. I've seen posts of people loving it and hating it, so we needed to find out for ourselves.

We already knew we'd be inclined to love it, based on our enjoyment of the first two movies (we watch them both pretty regularly) and that definitely helped. Already feeling engaged with the Barden Bellas had us ready to love their next film.

Overall, it was pretty good. The most confusing part was that the plot line with Fat Amy's dad really had nothing to do with the USO 'competition.' I feel Fat Amy and her dad could have made a great action/adventure movie, but the way it was done made it feel like a little mini-scene dropped into a Pitch Perfect movie. The competition between the groups wanting to open for DJ Khaled on the USO tour could have been a great movie on its own - expand a little bit on the other groups (and Ruby Rose - YAY!), and stick with a similar plot to the first two movies. Although I suppose I can see why they may have shied away from making the same movie three times, people like my daughter and I would keep watching anyway.

Hilarious aside - I am not usually big on pop culture and such, and didn't realize that DJ Khaled was a real artist until I saw his name come up as a trivia answer at the bar last night. LOL

If you liked the first two Pitch Perfect movies, you pretty much have to see the third one, right? I'll also be downloading the soundtrack, and especially liked the finale number.