Secret Celebrity RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 1 (2020)

Title: Secret Celebrity RuPaul's Drag Race
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 1 hour
Release Date: April 24, 2020
Genre(s): LGBTQ+, Series, Reality
Production Co.: World of Wonder Productions
Starring: RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Matthews


Who would I recommend this to?
People with charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent.

What is this about?
Celebrities get made over to become the next Celebrity Drag Superstar...and win money for charity.

When would be a good time to watch this?
When you want to remember that there is still goodness in the world.

Where does it take place?
The main stage.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I am obsessed with RuPaul's Drag Race.

How did I like this?
First, why didn't anyone tell me about this? Was it really a secret?! Of course I enjoyed it! It's sooo fun! And I adored how much love and support there was between the contestants. It's very different than the main show which has grown-ass men fighting like children backstage.

It just made me so freaking happy and I cried a few times. This was such a nice treat.

Have you seen Secret Celebrity RuPaul's Drag Race? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Blast from the Past (1999)

Title: Blast from the Past
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 52 minutes
Release Date: February 12, 1999
Genre(s): Romance, Comedy
Production Co.: New Line Cinema
Director: High Wilson
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Alicia Silverston, Christopher Walken


Who would I recommend this to?
'90s lovers!

What is this about?
A man raised in a bomb shelter goes to the surface for the first time to find a wife.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Date night, slumber party, any relaxing evening.

Where does it take place?
Los Angeles.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I was obsessed with this movie as a kid.

How did I like this?
This movie is super adorable! I definitely don't think some of the jokes have aged well, but the overall movie still holds up.  It's cheesy and funny and quirky and sweet.

Have you seen Blast from the Past? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

47 Meters Down (2017)

Title: 47 Meters Down
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 29 minutes
Release Date: June 16, 2017
Genre(s): Horror
Production Co.: Tea Shop Productions
Director:  Johannes Roberts
Starring: Mandy Moore, Claire Holt, Matthew Modine


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes not scary horror movies with killer animals...and Mandy Moore.

What is this about?
Sisters get stuck in a cage in the ocean with a great white shark and are running out of oxygen.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Shark Week.

Where does it take place?
Somewhere in the ocean near Mexico.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I like sharks.

How did I like this?
I wasn't expecting greatness, but this was a lot of blue screen and not enough shark attacks. It was actually quite boring. Despite the oxygen tank readings, there was no sense of urgency. It was all very flat and one-note.

Then in the last 20 minutes a lot of nonsense happened. Like, how are you going to go swimming around with sharks while bleeding out? And why are you talking so much when you have no oxygen? But that "surprise" shark flare was pretty cool. If only the entire movie had been more like that.

But that ending?! WTF?! I honestly did not see that coming and quite liked it.

Have you seen 47 Meters Down? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Hustle (2019)

Title: The Hustle
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 33 minutes
Release Date: May 10, 2019
Genre(s): Comedy
Production Co.: MGM
Director: Chris Addison
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Rebel Wilson, Alex Sharp


Who would I recommend this to?
I can't in good conscious actually recommend this movie, but if you're not sensitive to insensitive jokes about blindness, then go ahead.

What is this about?
Con-women going for the same target and hijinks ensue.

When would be a good time to watch this?
A quiet evening with some pizza.

Where does it take place?
France.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I like Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson. I knew nothing about this going in.

How did I like this?
I may be in the minority here, but after the disaster that was The Witches, I need Anne Hathaway to never do accents again. I know this movie came out first, but, please stop. Also, blindness is not a plot device. That whole spiel felt really tasteless. I wouldn't have watched this if I had known that was the whole con. Otherwise this could have been a really fun movie.

But where's the resolution? I am so confused. It just kind of ended with nothing?

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

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Title: Romeo + Juliet
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours
Release Date: November 1, 1996
Genre(s): Romance, Drama
Production Co.: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, John Leguizamo


Who would I recommend this to?
I legit thing everyone needs to see this at least once.

What is this about?
Boy meets girl. Boy and girl fall in love. Boy and girl commit suicide.

When would be a good time to watch this?
While studying the play.

Where does it take place?
Verona Beach.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I actually saw this for the first time in 8th grade English. Seriously.

How did I like this?
I was super shocked that we watched this in class and that it was so good! I went on to be completely obsessed with it! And I honestly do believe this is a great way to teach kids Shakespeare. It doesn't have to be stuffy and boring. It can be fun! It's so unique to use the original language but adapt it to modern times. GENIUS!

Have you seen Romeo + Juliet? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Cruel Summer - Season 1 (2021)

Title: Cruel Summer - Season 1
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 43 minutes
Release Date: April 20, 2021
Genre(s): Series, Drama, Suspense
Production Co.: Iron Ocean Films
Starring: Chiara Aurelia, Olivia Holt, Froy Gutierrez


Who would I recommend this to?
If you like twists and turns and darkness and not knowing which way is up...this is for you.

What is this about?
A teen girl goes missing and another girl goes from geek to chic to freak over three summers.

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

Where does it take place?
Skylin, Texas. 1993, 1994, and 1995.

Why did I decide to watch this?
The internet was abuzz about it and it seemed interesting.

How did I like this?
I was hooked by the end of the first episode. What in the world is going on?! Every single episode had a twist. Some were subtle, some were huge, all were shocking. That finale though? OMG OMG OMG?!?!?!? Those last ten seconds?! That smile?! OMG OMG WTF?!?!?!

I really liked this format of having one episode follow Jeanette, then the next following Kate, and both alternating between the three subsequent summers. It kept up a nice pace and made you want to know the other girl's side of the story as you're watching.

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

Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020)

Title: Bill & Ted Face the Music
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 31 minutes
Release Date: August 28, 2020
Genre(s): Comedy, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Hammerstone Studios
Director: Dean Parisot
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, Kristen Schaal


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of obscure movies that make no sense.

What is this about?
Bill and Ted are middle aged in body but not in spirit and must save the world!

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you don't need your brain for something important.

Where does it take place?
San Dimas, California.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because WTF?! The first two are hilarious, ridiculous fun, so why not?

How did I like this?
Honestly, I had exceedingly low expectations with high hopes for this one...it was so fun! It was just as funny and ridiculous and heartwarming as I hoped! It has the same vibe as the previous two movies, but brought into the future. It's a rockin' good time.

Have you seen Bill & Ted Face the Music? What did you think?
What did you think?

Shrek 2 (2004)

Title: Shrek 2
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 33 minutes
Release Date: May 19, 2004
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Comedy
Production Co.: Dreamworks Animation
Director: Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, Conrad Vernon
Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone who liked the first one...and those who didn't.

What is this about?
Prince Charming demands his prize: Fiona! Too bad she's happily married to Shrek.

When would be a good time to watch this?
All the time.

Where does it take place?
The Kingdom of Far Far Away.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because the first one was awesome. I can't remember if I saw this one in theaters though.

How did I like this?
Shrek 2 is easily one of the best movie sequels ever. It took everything that made the first one great and multiplied it by fifty! Teen me was absolutely obsessed and watched it ALL THE TIME. And it still holds up nearly 20 years later.

The soundtrack for this one is also A+.

Have you seen Shrek 2? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Shrek (2001)

Title: Shrek
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Release Date: May 18, 2001
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance
Production Co.: Dreamworks Animation
Director: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson
Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone who watches movies.

What is this about?
An ogre rescues a princess in order to get his swamp back.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Anytime you need a smile.

Where does it take place?
The Kingdom of Far Far Away.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I actually did NOT want to see this when it first came out, but my friend's mom took us to the theater.

How did I like this?
I love this movie! I'm so glad I got dragged to see it! I've seen it a billion times since then and it's funny every single time. This is the movie that started the trend of circumventing the princess stereotype. I totally did not see the Fiona twist coming, and I loved it!

This is easily one of my favorite Eddie Murphy roles. He plays Donkey to perfection and this movie could not have been the same without him. In fact, all of the voices are spot on.

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

Gossip Girl - Season 1 Episodes #1-3 (2021)

Title: Gossip Girl - Season 1
Rating: TV-MA
Run Time: 1 hour
Release Date: July 8, 2021
Genre(s): Drama, Romance, Series
Production Co.: Alloy Entertainment
Starring: Jordan Alexander, Whitney Peak, Tavi Gevinson


Who would I recommend this to?
People who like boring dramas.

What is this about?
Rich teens and their rich teen problems.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Never, honestly. Watch the original instead.

Where does it take place?
Manhattan.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I loved the original show.

How did I like this?
I didn't. I gave it three episodes in hopes that it just needed time to build up, but nope. It is boring as heck. There is nothing interesting happening at all. This diverse cast is wasted on....this. I loved the premise of Gossip Girl being the teachers, but the gossip isn't interesting.

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