Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Title: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hour 14 minutes
Release Date: September 3, 2021
Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Marvel Studios
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Starring: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Chiu-Wai Leung


Who would I recommend this to?
MCU fans. Those looking for Asian superhero representation.

What is this about?
After escaping his father's dangerous organization, a young man must return and face his father one last time.

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

Where does it take place?
Macau.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I watched all the other Marvel movies and they can only get better...

How did I like this?
It's so nice to finally get some diversity and change of scenery in the MCU.

This is definitely more action than story. Lots of physics-defying fight scenes, high speed chases, and a training montage. It's not bad, but just wasn't very interesting to me. Katy and Xialing were the best part though, and were far more interesting than Shang-Chi who had zero personality.

Have you seen Shang-Chi? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Friendsgiving (2020)

Title: Friendsgiving
Rating: R
Run Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Release Date: October 23, 2020
Genre(s): Comedy
Production Co.: Red Hour Films
Director: Nicol Paone
Starring: Malin Akerman, Kat Dennings, Jack Donnelly


Who would I recommend this to?
Those looking for a raunchy-ish holiday chick flick.

What is this about?
A pair of BFF's quiet Thanksgiving is crashed by a variety of personalities.

When would be a good time to watch this?
At your own Friendsgiving gathering.

Where does it take place?
Los Angeles, California.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Kat Dennings.

How did I like this?
It started out rough, but it pulled me in pretty quickly. This dinner has a lot of chaos, but ultimately it has a lot of love. Cheesy? Yes. But that's Thanksgiving without cheese.

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

Sweet November (2001)

Title: Sweet November
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours
Release Date: February 16, 2001
Genre(s): Drama
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Pat O'Connor
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron, Jason Isaacs


Who would I recommend this to?
Those who enjoy heartache and pain. Not anyone looking for a happy ending.

What is this about?
A workaholic spends one month with a strange woman who promises to fix his problems.

When would be a good time to watch this?
On a cold evening, curled up with a puppy and hot cocoa.

Where does it take place?
San Francisco, California.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I haven't seen this movie in forever! I use to watch it all the time. I can't remember my first time though...

How did I like this?
I loved this movie so much when it first came out. Charlize Theron is one of my favorite actresses and I adored her in this. I wanted to hang out with Sara for a month! While I don't enjoy Keanu's acting, he didn't ruin this for me.

The ending isn't as devastating anymore since I know the twist, but it's still heartbreaking.

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

Olaf Presents (2021)

Title: Olaf Presents
Rating: TV-G
Run Time: 4 minutes
Release Date: November 12, 2021
Genre(s): Animation, Series, Comedy
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation
Starring: Josh Gad


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone who thought Olaf retelling Frozen was the best part of Frozen 2.

What is this about?
My favorite snowman retells Disney stories.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Now. You need some joy.

Where does it take place?
Olaf's imagination, Arendelle.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because Olaf retelling Frozen was the best part of Frozen 2 (aside from Kristoff's awesome power ballad).

How did I like this?
That was hilarious! Well, The Lion King was moderately traumatizing, because it was too real, but still hilarious.

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

The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World (2021)

Title: The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 24 minutes
Release Date: October 1, 2021
Genre(s): Documentary, Musical
Starring: Whoopi Goldberg


Who would I recommend this to?
Disney park fanatics.

What is this about?
The history, present, and future of Walt Disney World.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Sometime soon since it's for the anniversary.

Where does it take place?
Orlando, Florida.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I'm a Disney Park fanatic.

How did I like this?
I love learning a bit more about the development of the parks and some behind the scenes action! It makes me desperately want to go!

I definitely could have done without the musical performances though. But I know it can't be a Disney special without them.

Have you seen The Most Magical Story on Earth? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

Title: The Phantom of the Opera
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours 23 minutes
Release Date: December 10, 2004
Genre(s): Musical, Drama, Romance
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Joel Schumacher
Starring: Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson


Who would I recommend this to?
Musical lovers.

What is this about?
Stalking, but make it sexy.

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

Where does it take place?
Paris.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I love musicals. I saw this twice in theaters.

How did I like this?
Obviously, I love this movie since I saw it multiple times in theaters, constantly listened to the soundtrack, and watched the DVD obsessively. I have no other version to compare it to, but I don't need to. I love this one.

Have you seen The Phantom of the Opera? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Jungle Cruise (2021)

Title: Jungle Cruise
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours 7 minutes
Release Date: July 30, 2021
Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Edgar Ramirez


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of the ride and those who are looking for more adventure flicks like Jumanji.

What is this about?
An adventure down the Amazon River to find a place that cannot be found.

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

Where does it take place?
On the Amazon River.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because it looked like the awesome lovechild of Jumanji and Pirates of the Caribbean.

How did I like this?
This was so fun and funny and exciting! At times ridiculous and cheesy, just like the ride. Surprises galore! Basically, it's a must watch.

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

La La Land (2016)

Title: La La Land
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours 8 minutes
Release Date: December 25, 2016
Genre(s): Drama, Musical
Production Co.: Summit Entertainment
Director: Damien Chazelle
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Rosemarie DeWitt


Who would I recommend this to?
Those who enjoy realistic Romance and alternative endings.

What is this about?
Girl meets boy. Girl and boy fall in love. Girl and boy's dreams get in the way of that love.

When would be a good time to watch this?
On a long flight.

Where does it take place?
Los Angeles, California.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I like Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone and musicals, and it was a long flight.

How did I like this?
I liked it well enough in the beginning, but this was the least musical Musical ever. Where are the songs?! I also just didn't like Ryan and Emma's singing, so maybe the lack of musical numbers was a good thing. I did like the story, but I'm not a fan of those "but did it really happen that way?" kind of endings. Just tell me what happened!

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

Forrest Gump (1994)

Title: Forrest Gump
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours 22 minutes
Release Date: July 6, 1994
Genre(s): Drama, Comedy
Production Co.: Paramount Pictures
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone.

What is this about?
A simple mans lives an anything-but simple life.

When would be a good time to watch this?
On a long flight, right now, tomorrow...

Where does it take place?
All over, but mostly Greenbo, Alabama.

Why did I decide to watch this?
As a kid, because everyone was watching it.

How did I like this?
I absolutely love this movie and have seen it countless times! The story is super weird if you think about it, but it's just so charming and entertaining and you can't help by get swept up in the many coincidences of Forrest's life.

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

Clueless (1995)

Title: Clueless
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
Release Date: July 19, 1995
Genre(s): Comedy, Romance
Production Co.: Paramount Pictures
Director: Amy Heckerling
Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone needs to see this at least once, or twice.

What is this about?
A rich girl and her rich friends and their rich people problems, but they're just like us!

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

Where does it take place?
Los Angeles, California.

Why did I decide to watch this?
As a kid, I saw this countless times! It's a classic!

How did I like this?
This is one of my all-time favorite movies. Watching it as an adult, I pick up on more of the jokes and references and makes me enjoy it even more! And the clothes! I always wanted to dress like this.

Even though this is about rich white girl problems, it's still mostly relatable and fully entertaining.

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

Isn't It Romantic (2019)

Title: Isn't It Romantic
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 29 minutes
Release Date: February 13, 2019
Genre(s): Romance, Comedy
Production Co.: BRON Studios
Director: Todd Strauss-Schulson
Starring: Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth, Adam Devine


Who would I recommend this to?
RomCom fans!

What is this about?
A women who hates RomComs wakes up in one after a head injury!

When would be a good time to watch this?
Anytime really, or around Valentine's Day.

Where does it take place?
New York City.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I like RomComs and it was available on my flight. I totally forgot it existed.

How did I like this?
I really liked it! I tend to enjoy Rebel Wilson anyway, and I like cheesy Romance, so this completely worked for me. Of course, the twist at the end was expected, but it didn't make me enjoy it any less. Sticking to the formula we all know makes perfect sense for a movie this meta.

Have you seen Isn't It Romantic? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Black Widow (2021)

Title: Black Widow
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours 14 minutes
Release Date: July 9, 2021
Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Action
Production Co.: Marvel Studios
Director: Cate Shortland
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour


Who would I recommend this to?
Marvels fans, or even Marvel skeptics who like badass women.

What is this about?
Black Widow must come out of hiding to take care of some unfinished business...and save the world.

When would be a good time to watch this?
On a long flight, or other time you need to fill over two hours.

Where does it take place?
All over.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Natasha is one of very few Marvel characters I actually like. And it was a long flight...

How did I like this?
I was pleasantly surprised! I am not generally a fan of the Marvel movies, but I did want to know more about Natasha, and I got that! I especially liked her little sister, Yelena. Her dad as a fun goof too. I guess I actually just liked the entire family. The plot was pretty standard and cliche, but I liked it.

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