In the Heights (2021)

Title: In the Heights
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours 23 minutes
Release Date: June 11, 2021
Genre(s): Musical, Drama
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Jon M. Chu
Starring: Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, Leslei Grace


Who would I recommend this to?
People who like stage show adaptations, or musicals in general.

What is this about?
People...in The Heights.

When would be a good time to watch this?
You need over two than hours to dedicate.

Where does it take place?
As the title suggests: in The Heights. Washington Heights, New York.

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

How did I like this?
I went in totally blind, so I had zero expectations. It exceeded those expectations...it was fine. Definitely not a favorite. None of the songs particularly stood out to me. The only character I really cared about was Nina.

Have you seen In the Heights? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Luca (2021)

Title: Luca
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 41 minutes
Release Date: June 18, 2021
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Adventure
Production Co.: Pixar Animation Studio, Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Enrico Casarosa
Starring: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman


Who would I recommend this to?
Whoever.

What is this about?
A couple of seamonsters disguised as human try to win a race and buy a Vespa.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever.

Where does it take place?
Italy.

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

How did I like this?
It was cute, but it felt like they recycled The Little Mermaid and turned it into a Vespa ad. Kinda weird.

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

Dog Gone Trouble (2021)

Title: Dog Gone Trouble
Rating: TV-Y7
Run Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
Release Date: March 28, 2021
Genre(s): Animation, Comedy, Adventure
Production Co.: 3QU Media
Director: Kevin Johnson
Starring: Big Sean, Pamela Adlon, Lucy Hale


Who would I recommend this to?
Dog lovers.

What is this about?
A spoiled dog's pampered life is interrupted after his owner dies and her children get custody.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you have time for a laugh.

Where does it take place?
A city somewhere.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I didn't. I was getting my hair done and her kid was picking movies.

How did I like this?
I really enjoyed it, but I do love dog movies. It was super cute, if predictable. The dogs (and squirrels) cracked me up.  It was also heartwarming and heartbreaking in places. I am totally going to be that old lady who lives my riches to my pets.

Have you seen Dog Gone Trouble? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

Title: Raya and the Last Dragon
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 53 minutes
Release Date: March 5, 2021
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Adventure
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada, Paul Briggs
Starring: Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of Moana and girl power in general.

What is this about?
A girl named Raya must find the last dragon to save humanity from itself.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Now. Or the next time you have a  two hour window.

Where does it take place?
Heart, Talon, Tail, Spine, and Fang.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because it's Disney, duh.

How did I like this?
I do wish Disney would stop queer-baiting me, but I do like that Raya didn't have a love interest. Although you will not convince me that Namaari was not totally into her. My mom said I was reading too much into the supposed lesbian references, but they were RIGHT THERE! This movie is gay. There, I said it!

Other than that, I did really like it. It was fun and funny and colorful and made me cry (duh). It spoke to how awful humans are to each other and animals and the environment.

Have you seen Raya and the Last Dragon? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Space Jam (1996)

Title: Space Jam
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
Release Date: November 15, 1996
Genre(s): Animation, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Joe Pytka
Starring: Michael Jordan, Wayne Knight, Theresa Randle


Who would I recommend this to?
The entire world.

What is this about?
Michael Jordan must save the Looney Toons from aliens.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Right now. Or sometime before the sequel.

Where does it take place?
Looney Toon Land and Moron Mountain.

Why did I decide to watch this?
When I was little, because it was THE MOVIE! Now, because it's just awesome and I was excited for the second one.

How did I like this?
I love this movie. It is over-the-top ridiculous, but easily one the best movies that combines live action and animation. It also has one of the best soundtracks, which was the first CD I ever owned.

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

The Half of It (2020)

Title: The Half of It
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 44 minutes
Release Date: May 1, 2020
Genre(s): Romance, Drama, LGTBQ+
Production Co.: Likely Story
Director: Alice Wu
Starring: Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire


Who would I recommend this to?
Underrated teen romance fans.

What is this about?
Boy hires girl to write love lovers to another girl, but girl also likes girl.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever.

Where does it take place?
Squahamish, Washington

Why did I decide to watch this?
It sounds exactly like my kinda thing.

How did I like this?
It was fine. I wanted to love this so hard, but it didn't fully hold my attention. There's nothing wrong with it, but I just didn't care. Why did everyone want this one girl?!

Have you seen The Half of It? What did you think?
It not, would you watch it?

The Prom (2020)

Title: The Prom
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours 12 minutes
Release Date: December 11, 2020
Genre(s): Musical, LGBTQ+, Comedy
Production Co.:  Dramatic Forces
Director: Ryan Murphy
Starring: Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of uber campy gayness. And musicals.

What is this about?
Self-absorbed Broadway rejects decide to protest a small-town high school that cancelled their prom rather than let a lesbian student bring her girlfriend.

When would be a good time to watch this?
When you have over two hours for some quirky campy fun.

Where does it take place?
Indiana.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It's a gay musical, so duh. And my mom watched it and said it's my thing.

How did I like this?
First, this plot is so over-the-top. Second, Meryl Streep is a queen.

The plot does tone down and has some serious heart. It was a very pleasant surprise.

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

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal - Part 2 (2021)

 

Title: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 1 hour 26 minutes
Release Date: June 3, 2021
Genre(s): Animation, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Toei Animation
Director: Chiaki Kon
Starring: Stephanie Sheh, Cristina Valenzuela, Cherami Leigh


Who would I recommend this to?
Whoever watched Part 1.

What is this about?
The Sailor Scouts and Chibiusa continue their mission, but are joined by some old friends.

When would be a good time to watch this?
After Part 1, if you choose to even watch them.

Where does it take place?
Tokyo, Japan.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I waited four years and watched the first one, and hoped it would be better.

How did I like this?
It started off much better, or the Inner Senshi are just more interesting. Or both. Of course, their reintroduction means even more pretty transformation and ability scenes.

This one actually has a more movie format, which was so much better. It also helps that the plot felt more high stakes and dangerous. Do I have to wait four more years for the next part?!

Have you seen Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal - Part 1 (2021)

Title: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 1 hour 26 minutes
Release Date: June 3, 2021
Genre(s): Animation, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Toei Animation
Director: Chiaki Kon
Starring: Stephanie Sheh, Cristina Valenzuela, Cherami Leigh


Who would I recommend this to?
Hardcore Sailor Moon fans...or those who have no expectations.

What is this about?
Chibiusa is suppose to be returning to the 30th Century, but then she gets a special visitor and stays to help the Sailor Scouts fight the Dead Moon Circus from destroying Earth and to find the golden crystal.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Right now, since we've been waiting four years.

Where does it take place?
Tokyo, Japan.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because it's Sailor Moon and I've been waiting FOUR YEARS!

How did I like this?
First of all, I do not like the dub. I much rather would have read subtitles (I didn't know that it was an option either!). Second, was it just me, or was the animation not as pretty as expected. Sailor Moon Crystal is GORGEOUS. I cried the first time watching it. This is nice and bright, but not the same at all. There's still something hypnotic about the transformation and super power scenes though.

The plot feels super rushed and juvenile, especially in comparison to Crystal. Something bad happens, then it's resolved in like 2 minutes. With a lot of awkwardness in between. It didn't flow like a movie. It felt like they mashed together four episodes.

Have you seen Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Rent (2005)

Title: Rent
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Release Date: November 23, 2005
Genre(s): Drama, LGBTQ+, Musical
Production Co.: 1492 Pictures
Director: Chris Columbus
Starring: Taye Diggs, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Rosario Dawson


Who would I recommend this to?
Musical fans.

What is this about?
People living and loving with AIDS and poverty.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you have more than two hours for some music and probably some tears.

Where does it take place?
New York.

Why did I decide to watch this?
When it first came out because it's a musical. Now because...it's a musical.

How did I like this?
I use to be super obsessed, but mostly just with the soundtrack rather than the whole movie. I still mostly feel the same way.

This movie is kind of a bummer, despite having so many great upbeat songs.

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