Hi friends! Today I have my Goldilocks version of movie reviews. There is one movie I hated, one I was mixed on and one I liked a lot. So here goes

FRIENDSHIP-

https://youtube.com/shorts/ZhJlsL-MiYc?feature=share

Let’s start with the negative reaction. I went into the new movie Friendship completely cold with no prior knowledge of anyone involved except for Paul Rudd. The movie is made and written by Andrew DeYoung and stars Tim Robinson who evidently has a popular Netflix show but I’d never heard of him. Let’s just say Friendship has not encouraged me to watch his show.

I honestly almost walked out of this movie. I found it completely unbearable with its obnoxious lead character and terrible attempts at humor. I’ve liked awkward humor in the past but it often works by having some relief from said awkwardness or jokes that are over-the-top and funny you can’t help but laugh through the cringe. That was not the case here at all. Not one laugh. Instead it was just wondering why this person wasn’t being institutionalized for his unwell behavior. All of these people should have been more like Richard Dryfuss in What About Bob but at least in that movie Bob is sweet and likable and isn’t irritating everyone around him except for Dryfuss. This, on the other hand, is just a miserable experience, and I don’t recommend it to anyone unless you want to torture people with annoying characters.

Frown Worthy

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: THE FINAL RECKONING

https://youtube.com/shorts/0Yy1P5Z3mF0?feature=share

The Mission Impossible series is interesting because all of the 7 previous films have been entertaining even though they have not succeeded in attaching me to the characters and stories. They are pure spectacle but done at such a degree that its worth recommending.

Now we have  the latest in the franchise, Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning and I honestly feel torn whether to recommend this one. I was definitely not expecting to have this reaction but I can’t lie about the very uneven experience I had at the theater.

There are a bunch of problems with Final Reckoning. First of all, the first hour is an unending stretch of exposition dumps and nostalgia nods for fans of the franchise. This is understandable for a finale of  a long-running franchise but there’s too much. In addition, some of the exposition felt repetitive and even had a feeling like I was sitting down for one of Tom Cruise’s Scientology auditing sessions (there’s literally a moment where he hooks himself up to the entity device and it looks right out of a L Ron Hubbard book…) All that would be fine if it wasn’t so long and boring.

I was really struggling and then we finally get to an underwater scene that is very fun and a final fight sequence on a plane that is extremely impressive. The last act is quite fun with the whole team becoming involved and everyone giving good performances- particularly Angela Bassett as the president is very compelling.

If you can get a discount ticket then maybe see Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning for that last act on the big screen but just know you will have to sit through a lot of self-aggrandizing gibberish to get there. You’ve been warned.

Frown Worthy

SECRET MALL APARTMENT-

It’s interesting that the winner of this weekend is undoubtedly the smallest release. It’s called Secret Mall Apartment and it’s a documentary that chronicles a group of artists who build a secret apartment in the mall in Providence, Rhode Island. They do this as a  way to take back ownership of the land the mall took away but also as a kind of dare to see how long they can get away with it (which is 4 years!)

This is the kind of movie that could only be a documentary. Each step along the way one can’t believe what is happening or that they are getting away with it. They even have a video game system and sofa there along with other furniture.

Director Jeremy Workman also explores the nature of art and when does the community vs private individuals own their community. When does something become an artistic community asset and when is it junk? If you can find Secret Mall Apartment I highly recommend it.

Smile Worthy

I also saw Wolf Children on Mother’s Day and that was incredible to watch on the big screen. Highly recommend.

Make sure you check out the patreon for perks, exclusive reviews and to be part of our monthly events and watch alongs. Find out more here.

 

Hi friends! The last few weeks have been a bit of a dry period when it comes to new releases at the cinema but that should change quickly as summer movie season is soon to be upon us (hopefully this year is better than last year’s disappointing run of blockbusters.) I just have one to quickly report on and 2 classic films I had the joy of seeing in the theater last week.

MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL-

First up I had the great pleasure to see Monty Python and the Holy Grail in cinemas in honor of its 50th anniversary. They had an intro from all of the Python guys and shared some fun behind the scene details (evidently the shoot was muddy and cold but they were good sports about it. ) I can’t think of a movie that is more quoted and part of the cultural zeitgeist that more holds up to its reputation than Holy Grail. Usually that kind of repetition wears out a comedy but not the case here. It was funny then and it’s still funny today.

My favorite gags are the brave Black Knight and the Knights that Say Ni! It was so much fun to see Monty Python and the Holy Grail with a crowd. Highly recommend if you get the chance.

Smile Worthy (obviously)

JULIET & ROMEO-

If anyone should be designed to love Juliet & Romeo it should be me. I love romances, especially musicals and don’t mind a new take on a classic story. Unfortunately this bloated and mediocre production makes for one of the most frustrating experiences I’ve had a movie theater in some time.

I think there might have been a salvageable work here as a Disney Channel Original Movie or even Hallmark at around 80 minutes with the bland pop ballads and young leads but this new take on Shakespeare stretches out to a punishing 122 minutes and almost nothing works. The leads are bland, the songs are forgettable and the modern dialogue is cringeworthy (why change the dialogue when you have Shakespeare right there and then keep it in Elizabethan times?) To make matters worse they change the iconic ending and even advertise for a sequel at the end. Give me a break!

If only all involved had a little bit of fun with the material. For example, I enjoyed Journey to Bethlehem because it had a little bit of camp factor and didn’t take itself so deadly seriously despite being a Biblical story. This is just plodding and a real bore.

Frown Worthy

WOLF CHILDREN-

This year on Mother’s Day I had the chance to see the anime film Wolf Children by animator Mamoru Hosoda. This is not only the perfect film to see on Mother’s Day but one of the most beautiful animated films of the last 20 years. I love the authentic and raw portrayal of motherhood it shows with such humanity and heart.

In the film, Hosoda tells the story of Hana a young woman who falls in love with a man who is a wolf-man. She then has 2 children who are wolf children as the title suggests. The movie then chronicles the highs and lows of Hana’s journey trying to raise these unique children. In this struggle she is fearless but not in a cliche way. In many ways she is shy and sweet but willing to do anything for her children.

While watching Wolf Children I realized there aren’t very many good movies about motherhood. Every once in a while we will get a Nightbitch or Tully but considering how universal of an experience it is we don’t see it portrayed often. In this sense Hosoda’s film is even more special and unique. I love everything about it from the beautiful animation, to the unforgettable sound design and music to the moving story. It’s just fantastic. If you can see Wolf Children in theaters I highly recommend it.

Smile Worthy

Make sure you check out the patreon for perks, exclusive reviews and to be part of our monthly events and watch alongs. Find out more here.

Hi friends! I am sorry I am so behind on reviews. It’s just been one of those crazy times when I’ve been reviewing theater, working on my podcast, having a part-time job and trying my hand at writing a screenplay. Insane! Make sure you are following me on instagram for my out of theater reactions and I post them all on youtube as well.

I also sometimes do live streams to catch up on reviews quickly like this one:

The Amateur-

The Amateur is a serviceable little action spy movie with a good cast that helps the weak script. The problem is everything is too easy for our man-on-the-run. He puts things together with ease and always has the right answer to any problem. Still the action setpieces- particularly one involving a pool- are big and fun enough and like I said the cast good enough to be worthy of a watch.

Smile Worthy

Not Just a Goof-

I’m a big fan of A Goofy Movie so watching Not Just a Goof was a real joy. A Goofy Movie is one of the only films put out by Disney that I would say is a true ‘cult classic’ and this documentary goes into why it’s had such an impact as well as BTS making of the film. A joy to watch full of video taken by director Kevin Lima and including new animation as part of the documentary. One of my favorite films so far in 2025.

Smile Worthy

Drop-

I seem to have enjoyed Drop more than most. It’s one of those movies that you have a good time with while watching it and then when you think about it things start to fall apart. Still, I think director Christopher Landon capitalizes on the tension many of us feel about dating and online interactions to create a fun little thriller. The plan of the villain is completely insane but that almost makes it more fun. I wish they didn’t endanger a child at one point but Meghann Fahy is very good in the lead role and the pacing is tight enough at 95 minutes to not leave much time to be bored.

Smile Worthy

The Wedding Banquet-

I haven’t seen the 1993 film tis is based off of but it probably works much better. It’s a film that seems at home in the 90s and not its more modern setting. The main problem I had is Bowen Yang and Kelly Marie Tran’s characters are intensely selfish but the movie doesn’t seem to understand that. Especially at one point they do something incredibly selfish and cruel to their partners and it’s all played for laughs. Lily Gladstone is quite good as is Youn Yuh-jung but the overall movie I did not enjoy because of the characters.

Frown Worthy

Pride and Prejudice 2005-

I had the chance to see Pride and Prejudice from 2005  on the big screen and it was incredible. I know some people quibble with how true this one is to the book but I find it very romantic and engaging and it’s certainly beautifully shot. If you can catch it still in theaters by you watch it!

Smile Worthy

The Legend of Ochi-

I’m usually not a style over substance girl but there are times when something can look so unique it’s worth a recommendation. Such is the case with The Legend of Ochi. The story is kind of a mess and it can feel incredibly derivative but the world-building is so strong and the characters so cute it worked well enough. It’s certainly an incredibly ambitious film for a first project and brings back memories of films like Willow and The NeverEnding Story.

Smile Worthy

Sinners-

Like Ochi, Sinners is another film I had very mixed feelings on. I especially liked everything involving the music and choreography. I almost wish it was just a musical and didn’t try to bring in the horror elements but that’s just me. The movie felt like it was trying to be 7 different movies all at once and that left me feeling frustrated. Still, for the good I am recommending it but I certainly didn’t love it as much as most others.

Smile Worthy

Sneaks-

The best part of Sneaks is honestly the opening credits. It starts with a graffiti influenced style with bright colors that could have been interesting. Unfortunately after the credits finish the rest of the movie kicks in and it’s at best derivative and at worst ugly and unwatchable. I just don’t think having sneakers as lead characters work. You can’t anthropomorphize everything! The humor is bad and the animation sub-par (especially when it has to animate rats. Yikes!) Skip this one!

Frown Worthy

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Episode 3)

Believe it or not but I have never seen Revenge of the Sith on the big screen. It came out when I was on my mission and after having disliked the previous 2 I didn’t have much motivation to seek this one out on the big screen. Now in honor of its 20th anniversary I finally saw it on the big screen. While its problems are still obvious I did enjoy watching it. The downward spiral of Anakin Skywalker is compelling and the world-building quite beautiful. I’d say it is worth a watch.

Smile Worthy

Thunderbolts*-

I have honestly struggled with my feelings about the latest MCU film, Thunderbolts* (yes the asterisk is actually part of the title.) While I do want to give Marvel room to experiment and try new things I also was not prepared for how much of a divergence off of their normal formula this would be. Some will find this fresh and exhilarating and others will be turned off by it. I’m in the latter group. It was so unrelentingly bleak and depressing that I felt like I had stumbled into a sequel to The Batman without realizing it! There are some compelling performances by Florence Pugh and David Harbour (who gets all the laughs of the film) but then other performances are less convincing like Lewis Pullman feels like he’s acting in a different movie than everyone else. I get that these MCU titles are growing increasingly R rated (even having an R rating for last year’s Deadpool and Wolverine) but isn’t the intended audience still teenagers and families with older kids? Is this age-range really interested in existential dread, family conflict and depression? Shouldn’t these movies be a little bit fun and entertaining? This certainly isn’t and so while I can admire Marvel taking a swing it didn’t come together.

Frown Worthy

Another Simple Favor-

I think there is an audience for Another Simple Favor. That audience is just not me so take this review with a grain of salt. I really am not the biggest fan of over-the-top mysteries with loads of exposition and such is the case here. Each new reveal becomes increasingly ridiculous and only makes sense with long monologues explaining everything to us. This film does have great fashion and the Capri setting is escapist but it is far too long at 121 minutes (90 minutes tops for this kind of story.) If you liked The Glass Onion (I didn’t) maybe you’ll like this more than I did but it’s not a recommendation from me.

Frown Worthy

So there you have it. My quick thoughts on a bunch of recent movies. Pride and Prejudice 2005 and Not Just a Goof are my big recommendations from the group.

Make sure you check out the patreon for perks, exclusive reviews and to be part of our monthly events and watch alongs. Find out more here.

 

Hi friends! It’s time for this month’s Blind Spot entry. I had planned on reviewing Jacques Demy’s hidden classic A Room in Town but Manda couldn’t find it on streaming (it’s a Criterion Channel exclusive evidently.) She hadn’t seen The Umbrellas of Cherbourg so we decided to just cover that so I’ll give you my thoughts on Room here but make sure to listen to our discussion on Umbrellas here:

A Room in Town is an interesting contrast to Umbrellas. While both are sad love stories Umbrellas is more innocent and youthful where Room is older and more cynical.  Room is about a man named Francois (also a name in Umbrellas) who is unhappy in his life and struggles to get invested in any causes including his fellow shipyard worker’s strike. He has a beautiful but naive girlfriend named Violette but then falls madly in love with a mysterious woman/prostitute named Edith.

I don’t think Jacques Demy ever made an ugly film and they all are a joy to watch even though they are sad because it’s clear a true artisan is working here. Just the colors and the backgrounds that he works into shots are breathtaking. Like I said, Room is a lot darker with Edith having an abusive husband and Violette getting pregnant to a man who does not love her. It’s sad stuff but at only 90 minutes it never becomes too overbearing or frustrating.

The music is perhaps less memorable than Umbrellas but especially as it builds to the climax with the workers it becomes like a true operatic tragedy. If you have Criterion Channel I definitely recommend watching their entire Jacques Demy collection including A Room in Town. What a master of his craft he was!

Make sure you check out the patreon for perks, exclusive reviews and to be part of our monthly events and watch alongs. Find out more here.

Hi friends! Well, I certainly have a variety of films to report to you on today. Nobody can claim I don’t see a wide array of films. That’s for sure. I still haven’t seen Novocaine but hoping to get to that this week if I can still find it at a local theater (it came out when I was at SXSW and so I missed it.)

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

https://youtube.com/shorts/HI1Orsn9fRg?feature=share

I have to admit I wasn’t planning on seeing A Minecraft Movie as I have no experience with the game whatsoever and the initial trailer was awful (I also missed the screening because I was covering the national tour of Life of Pi) But then I heard pretty good things from people I trust and it did so well at the box office I decided to give it a try and I’m glad I did. A Minecraft Movie is by no means a masterpiece but it’s a pleasant piece of family entertainment most people will enjoy watching.

While I am positive players of the game will have more fun watching this film than n0n-players like myself but there was enough humor and story to keep everyone entertained. Director Jared Hess brings in his signature dry humor effectively into what should be a cynical exercise and he also has his trademark nods to Idaho throughout which I appreciated as a Napoleon Dynamite lover.

Jason Momoa is the standout of the cast playing a legendary gamer named The Garbage Man but Jack Black is reliably funny and manic as Steve a wild man who has been living in the Overworld for many years. I do think the movie gets too lost in the quest middle sections and we definitely go too long without Momoa and without enough jokes but then they bring things back to an effective conclusion.

Even with its flaws, A Minecraft Movie gives more entertainment than anyone is expecting from a movie like this and overall I left having had a pretty good time. Take that for what you will

Smile Worthy

ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD ROAD TRIP

When I heard there was a sequel to the first Alexander movie I was actually quite excited. I really enjoyed that first film and thought it carried the tradition of the slapstick Disney live action comedy (in the spirit of North Avenue Irregulars, Shaggy Dog, Absent Minded Professor etc.) quite well. Unfortunately like most direct to Disney Plus this sequel does not deliver on its potential.

This film is a stand-alone sequel so it has none of the characters from the first Alexander movie. Here we have Latino family with a young Alexander who finds an old Mexican idol that puts an unfortunate curse on the family’s road trip. Then what we get for 94 minutes is one road trip movie cliche after another with lots of lowbrow humor including a skunk spraying over all the family members. None of it lands, none of it is funny and even Cheech Marin can’t bring any spark into this sad family affair.

My advice just watch the original film which is also on Disney Plus or read the book. That will keep you from having a terrible, no good, very bad movie watching experience.

Frown Worthy

MY LOVE WILL MAKE YOU DISAPPEAR-

https://youtube.com/shorts/IKAHb8ckiNw?feature=share

I love getting a chance to watch romantic comedies from all over the world. Recently I reviewed an Indonesian film on Hallmarkies Podcast called The Most Beautiful Girl in the World which was bonkers but fun and this week I had the chance to see a Filipino film called My Love Will Make You Disappear, which was also a bit crazy but sweet.

The story in this supernatural romance focuses on a young woman named Sari (Kim Chiu) who believes she is cursed so that men who fall in love with her disappear. One day she meets her kind-of landlord named Jolo (Paulo Avelino) who genuinely wants to disappear but of course the actually start to fall for each other as they get to know one another.

I do think this movie is about 25 minutes longer than it needs to be. It would be perfect at a Hallmark TV movie length but the leads are sweet and it’s pleasant watching them fight the curses and forces trying to keep them apart. If you like a romance with a dose of over-the-top melodrama this is the romcom for you. I also came to learn about the Filipino concept of kilig which is basically their version of being twitterpated or in love. It’s a lot of fun to learn about these things from other cultures. This movie actually got a pretty decent rollout so it might be playing near you.

Smile Worthy

WARFARE

https://youtube.com/shorts/2Tj4k2iKTzk?feature=share

Our final movie, Warfare, is not only by far the most intense of the movies we are talking about but it is one of the more intense war films I’ve ever seen. In fact, I wonder if it has more value as a piece of historical record than a feature film. It’s so grueling to watch that one can’t help but be exhausted from the experience, but I think chronicling what these soldiers went through has value.

Warfare tells the story in real-time of a platoon of Navy SEALs in Iraq in 2006. Co-director and writer Ray Mendoza based it off his own unit and Alex Garland worked with him to craft the film. It has an all-star cast with Will Poulter (who it seems like is in half the movies these days,) Joseph Quinn, Kit Connor, Michael Gandolfini and more. The group starts by taking over a house on busy street and then they become under attack as they try and leave the house.

Like I said this film is told in real-time and it is incredibly tense and realistic. It will definitely not be for everyone and I’m sure it will be quite triggering for many people. Still, part of movies is not only entertain but to chronicle and capture the experiences and stories of our fellow-man. This does so in spades and on that level I’m glad I saw it. These brave men deserve to have their stories told in all its gripping realism- to be understood has value.

Mendoza and Garland don’t even have music for most of  Warfare. That’s how realistic things get. There is no attempt to Hollywood the events up. Just a minute-by-minute account of what these men went through and it’s likely to be one of the more memorable movies of 2025. Let’s just say- these men have got guts!

Smile Worthy

So there you have it! All the new movies I’ve been watching lately. Quite the variety! Make sure you check out Hallmarkies Podcast and my youtube channel for more reviews and podcast episodes! Enjoy!

Make sure you check out the patreon for perks, exclusive reviews and to be part of our monthly events and watch alongs. Find out more here.

Just a quick post this evening to share my latest blind spot episode. This month Manda and I are talking about the 1980 cult classic Xanadu. Oddly enough I had seen the stage musical adaptation in February before seeing the movie, and I definitely see the appeal. I just wish the acting and story lived up to the hype.

Unfortunately Olivia Newton John and Michael Beck have no chemistry as our leads and their acting is very flat. It’s fun to see Gene Kelly in his final role but I think it’s probably something better for the stage than a movie. I don’t know if it gets iconic so bad it’s good territory for me. What do you think?

Hi friends! I have a bunch of movie reviews to share with you. First up I came back from SXSW festival 2 days early but still got to see some fun movies. I did a recap podcast with Dillon from Slasher Reviews and it was super fun. I definitely hope to have him again on the podcast because he’s very funny. This episode includes my review of Death of a Unicorn which I enjoyed. I found it unpredictable and creative even though it is quite bloody so it won’t be for everyone.

Here are some other reviews:

Black Bag-

Because I was at the festival, I missed the screening for Black Bag and was a little late in getting it watched. While I was waiting I heard mostly rave reviews. People saying it’s the best Steven Soderbergh movie in 14 years and a new spy classic and other such hyperbole. I try to not let such buzz get to me but it is possible I came into the movie with too high of expectations because I left feeling letdown by what Soderbergh offered. The film is stylish with a terrific cast but even at 94 minutes the pacing felt lethargic and the spy elements undercooked.

Frankly Black Bag wasn’t any fun and shouldn’t a spy movie be a little bit fun? It looks nice but I was just not interested in the story or the intrigue between the characters. The actors like Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender do all they can to uplift the material but it left me wanting more action, intrigue, mystery, something engaging for a spy movie!

Everyone else seems to be liking it more than I did so give it a try maybe you’ll enjoy it but I was underwhelmed

Frown Worthy

THE KING OF KINGS-

In recent years the Christian film market has expanded beyond traditional fare to franchises like The Chosen and hit films like I Can Only Imagine and Sound of Freedom. The latest offering King of Kings is what I call a Sunday School film. It’s not trying to appeal to non-believers but be a teaching tool for Sunday school teachers and parents to help kids understand Christ’s ministry. While this won’t appeal to everyone I think there is a place for this type of storytelling especially when it is done well, which it is.

The conceit of the movie is Charles Dickens (Kenneth Branagh) is telling his son about Jesus’ life as portrayed in the Bible. Especially during Easter, parents need something like this to help them explain the events of Easter without traumatizing them or making them feel badly. King of Kings does this well with nice animation and a terrific voice cast including Branagh, Uma Thurman, Mark Hamill, Pierce Brosnan and Oscar Isaac as Jesus Christ. Again, this won’t win over new converts to Christianity but if I had kids I’d watch it with them and we’d have a good talk about Jesus’ life and sacrifice. That has value and will be worth a watch for many people of faith.

Smile Worthy

NE ZHA 2-

Another film I had to catch up on this week is the Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2. I’m so grateful to AMC for keeping it in theaters so long that it was still available a month after its initial release. Amazingly enough this sequel film is the most successful animated film ever from just one country (China over 1 billion!) Now I have seen it and while certain elements feel derivative of action animation like Digimon and Avatar the Last Airbender it is big and bold spectacle entertainment anyone should enjoy.

The subtitles  were  small and went by very quickly so that could be challenging but the characters are cute and like I said the action is incredible. The last act of the film is especially exciting as Ne Zha’s group and their opponents are battling it out with characters transforming, supernatural and fantastical beings and big explosions and transformations you need to see. It’s very exciting.

I don’t want to give any more away but Ne Zha 2 is worth seeing for the spectacle alone and to see what animation other cultures inspires. I definitely recommend it if you get a chance to see it.

Smile Worhty

THE PENGUIN LESSONS-

Next up we have a movie that’s practically impossible to not enjoy. It’s called The Penguin Lessons and out of the many penguin movies which have come out over the years this is one of the cutest and most endearing.

Steve Coogan plays a professor in 1976 Argentina that is depressed over the political chaos that surrounds him. One day he gets a penguin to take care of and at first he’s not excited but the adorable penguin quickly wins him over. Jonathan Pryce is a tougher win as the crusty headmaster who doesn’t like our penguin.

This movie is simply adorable and I think you’d have to be super cynical to not be charmed by it. It’s not doing anything new or exciting but Coogan is warm and sweet and the penguin is so cute. This is the kind of movie I could recommend to my Dad. He’d love it.

Smile Worthy

Finally I watched 3 rom-coms as part of Hallmarkies Podcast episodes (one on Netflix rom-coms that is yet to be released.) I liked all 3 of these rom-coms and find them all a lot of fun to watch.

MEET CUTE IN MANHATTAN-

I had the chance to interview the director and lead actors in Meet Cute in Manhattan which was a lot of fun especially because I enjoyed their little rom-com. It’s a real homage to the rom-com where 2 people meet-cute at the beginning and then end up being picked to pretend date in commercials for dating app. The more they pretend to be dating the more in love with each other they fall, which is really cute!

One of my favorite parts of this movie besides the cast (who are great) is the many homages and tributes it makes to classic rom-coms. There are tons of Easter eggs throughout the film and even a segment where they recreate scenes from Singin in the Rain, Roman Holiday and more. I also really enjoyed Terence Chen and Kendall Leary as our love interests in this one. It’s a charmer

Smile Worthy

LA DOLCE VILLA-

Everyone knows I am a big fan of cheesy rom-coms especially ones with other family dynamics like a father daughter story. Such is what you get in the new film on Netflix La Dolce Villa. In this movie Scott Foley’s daughter (Maia Reficco) buys a dilapidated villa in Italy and he goes to Italy to help her get this house off the ground. Meanwhile he meets feisty Francesca and they have all kinds of pretty Italian adventures.

Some people will say this movie is trash but if so than it is my brand of trash. I really enjoyed the father/daughter dynamic and the romances were fun to watch. Italy is pretty. I’m not sure what else you could ask for in this type of film. It’s charming!

Smile Worthy

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN THE WORLD-

I love when I get the chance to watch a rom-com from a country I’m less-familiar with their cinema and I get a chance to learn and enjoy. The new film on Netflix called The Most Beautiful Girl in the World is the first Indonesian film I’ve seen and even though it’s quite bonkers at times I had a good time with it.

First of all this movie shouldn’t be called Most Beautiful Girl because everyone in the film is gorgeous. Raza Rahadian plays a man who’s father runs a network with a popular Bachelor type of show and through various contrivances he ends up being the contestant. Shelia Dara’s character is a stiff producer who doesn’t take anything Rahadian says seriously. Their enemies-to-lovers arc is cute and like I said it goes to some strange places. At one point they are marooned together on a deserted island and have to survive in the wild!

I do think the movie could have been a little steamier. We don’t even get a big romantic kiss at the end. Still, I liked this film and am excited to watch more rom-coms out of Indonesia.

Smile Worthy

So there you have it! All the new movies I’ve been watching lately. Make sure you check out Hallmarkies Podcast and my youtube channel for more reviews and podcast episodes! Enjoy!

Make sure you check out the patreon for perks, exclusive reviews and to be part of our monthly events and watch alongs. Find out more here.