Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Title: Edward Scissorhands
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Release Date: December 14, 1990
Genre(s): Fantasy, Drama
Production Co.:  Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest


Who would I recommend this to?
The world.

What is this about?
An Avon representative finds a young man who has scissors for hands and brings him into her home.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Everyday, anytime. Christmas.

Where does it take place?
The suburbs.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I have been obsessed with this movie my entire life.

How did I like this?
It's my #1 favorite movie of all time, so that should tell you something. I never ever ever get sick of this movie and I have seen it countless times. It started my love for Johnny Depp and Tim Burton. This movie is just so freaking cute and odd and amazing.

Have you seen Edward Scissorhands? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

You've Got Mail (1998)

Title: You've Got Mail
Rating: PG
Run Time: 2 hours
Release Date: December 18, 1998
Genre(s): Romance
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Nora Ephron
Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Greg Kinnear


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes Romance. Preferable someone who grew up in the AOL era.

What is this about?
Bookstore rivals unknowingly fall in love through e-mails.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Date night. Christmastime.

Where does it take place?
New York City.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I don't remember the first time but I was obsessed. Now I'm watching it as part of the pre-holiday season.

How did I like this?
This movie is so cute and I have such a new appreciation for it 22 years later! I totally remember the dial-up tone and that slightly robotic yet cheery "you've got mail" greeting. It's so funny how the internet has changed since then, along with people's views on technology.

Also now that I'm a romance novel junkie, I can see how this uses some favorite tropes to get these two together. It's just delightful! Enemies to lovers! Rivals to lovers! Mystery identity!

And it's weird to see people excited about bookstores! Especially the opening of a new one, since these days bookstores are constantly closing thanks to the internet...

Have you seen You've Got Mail? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Hook (1991)

Title: Hook
Rating: PG
Run Time: 2 hours 22 minutes
Release Date: December 11, 1991
Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
Production Co.: Amblin Entertainment
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone who needs a pinch of fairy dust.

What is this about?
Peter Pan is all grown up and forgotten how to laugh, until his kids are kidnapped by Captain Hook and he returns to Neverland.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Anytime you have 2+ hours for some heartfelt family fun. Or Christmas time, since this is technically a Christmas movie.

Where does it take place?
Neverland!

Why did I decide to watch this?
I don't remember the first time, and I didn't realize this came out when I was two! But this is the only Peter Pan movie that matters.

How did I like this?
I have always loved this movie, and remember having a crush on Captain Hook and Rufio, which should surprise no one. But I have never liked Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell, even though I do like her as an actress. She just didn't seem to fit the role.

This is definitely one of those kid movies with major crossover appeal. I think I had loved it the most as a teenager, actually. But why is it so long?! I'm also finding some things quite questionable as an adult, mostly Peter kissing Moira while she's sleeping and Wendy just stands there?!

Have you seen Hook? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Witches (2020)

Title: The Witches
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Release Date: October 22, 2020
Genre(s): Fantasy
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci


Who would I recommend this to?
People who like overacting.

What is this about?
Witches turn children into mice, until the mice fight back.

When would be a good time to watch this?
If you want to waste two hours...

Where does it take place?
Alabama.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It's witches...

How did I like this?
I did not. I don't remember the original, except that I've seen it a bunch of times as a kid. I'm going to need to rewatch it. But this remake was not good, even on its own.

Anne Hathaway was way overacting and not even in a way that makes sense. I love her, but she was terrible. Everyone else was just boring. The cat looked hella fake. They should have hired Thackary Binks.

Have you seen The Witches? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Lego Frozen Northern Lights (2016)

Title: Lego Frozen Northern Lights
Rating: TV-Y7
Run Time: 32 minutes
Release Date: November 2016
Genre(s): Animation, Adventure, Short Film
Production Co.:  Disney Television Animation
Starring: Ashlyn Faith Williams, Josh Gad, Jonathan Groff


Who would I recommend this to?
No one.

What is this about?
The Frozen gang travels to the Northern Nights.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Never.

Where does it take place?
Arendelle.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because it was on Disney+ and I make bad life decisions.

How did I like this?
I need to speak to a manager. I demand a thirty minute refund. The writers tried way too hard with the jokes and references; they were beyond forced. And Olaf sounded like a serial killer.

Have you seen Lego Frozen? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Frozen (2013)

Title: Frozen
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
Release Date: November 27, 2013
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Musical
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff


Who would I recommend this to?
New humans. I'm assuming everyone else has already seen it.

What is this about?
An emo young queen unleashes her ice magic on her kingdom, then flees from her responsibilities.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Anytime is a good time to let it go...

Where does it take place?
Arendelle, Norway.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because it's Disney, duh. I was hella late to the party though. Like two or three years...

How did I like this?
I definitely think it's over-hyped, but I adore it. Was this the first Disney movie that had true love NOT be romantic love? I think so. I loved that. But also "Love is an Open Door" is the best song in the movie. *mic drop*

Why trolls?! I have always been very confused by this, and find their scenes distracting.

Have you seen Frozen? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Once Upon a Snowman (2020)

Title: Once Upon a Snowman
Rating: G
Run Time: 12 minutes
Release Date: October 23, 2020
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Short Film
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Dan Abraham, Trent Correy
Starring: Josh Gad, Chris Williams


Who would I recommend this to?
No one.

What is this about?
Olaf.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Never.

Where does it take place?
Arendelle.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Olaf.

How did I like this?
That was incredibly forced. I did enjoy how it connected scenes from Frozen, but it was 100% unnecessary and made no sense. A Kris and Sven short would have been more welcome.

Have you seen Once Upon a Snowman? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Anastasia (1997)

Title: Anastasia
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Release Date: November 21, 1997
Genre(s): Animation, Musical, Biography
Production Co.: 20th Century Fox
Director: Don Bluth, Gary Goldman
Starring: Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Christopher Lloyd

Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who has somehow not seen it.

What is this about?
The lost princess Anastasia is found as an orphan named Anya by a con-man.

When would be a good time to watch this?
November seems like a good time. There's snow in the movie...

Where does it take place?
Imperial Russia.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I don't remember the first time, but I likely thought it was another awesome Disney Princess movie. Now, I just love it.

How did I like this?
I effing love this movie. The soundtrack is epic. Bartok is adorably hilarious. Rasputin is a great villain. Did I mention the soundtrack?

Have you seen Anastasia? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Title: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 16 minutes
Release Date: October 29, 1993
Genre(s): Fantasy, Musical
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Henry Selick
Starring: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara


Who would I recommend this to?
Every single person ever.

What is this about?
The king of Halloween grows tired of his holiday and decides to take over Christmas.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, immediately, all the time...

Where does it take place?
Halloweentown and Christmastown.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It's against the law to not watch this for Halloween. I don't remember the first time, since I was four, but I've been obsessed for a long time.

How did I like this?
This is my second favorite movie of all time, so that's how I like it. It speaks to my little spooky heart on a spiritual level.

Have you seen The Nightmare Before Christmas? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Title: Hocus Pocus
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Release Date: July 16, 1993
Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Kenny Ortega
Starring: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone who likes witches.

What is this about?
A virgin lit the black flame candle, bringing back a trio of witches who feed on the lives of children!

When would be a good time to watch this?
Every Halloween forever.

Where does it take place?
Salem.

Why did I decide to watch this?
As always, I don't remember the first time because I was three, but I watch it every year because it's Halloween perfection.

How did I like this?
If you don't love this movie, I just can't understand. It's dark and humorous and inappropriate and so much fun. 1993 was a good year for Halloween.

Have you seen Hocus Pocus? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?