The World According to Jeff Goldblum - Season 2 (2021-22)

Title: The World According to Jeff Goldblum
Rating: PG
Release Date: November 12, 2021
Genre(s): Documentary, Series
Production Co.: Disney+
Starring: Jeff Goldblum


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of Jeff Goldblum. People interested in learning about random topics and pop culture.

What is this about?
Jeff Goldblum picks a topic and goes on a journey to its past, while also exploring the current social significance.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you have a spare moment.

Where does it take place?
Mostly California, with pit stops is only places such as Atlanta and the Mojave Desert.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I adored the first season.

How did I like this?
Jeff's enthusiasm continues to be infectious as he looks into even more human obsessions. The standout this season was "Backyards" which surprised. But I also loved "Dogs" and "Monsters."

Have you seen The World According to Jeff Goldblum?
What did you think?

If not, would you watch it?

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania (2022)

Title: Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
Release Date: January 14, 2022
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Comedy
Production Co.: Columbia Pictures
Director: Derek Drymon, Jennifer Kluska
Starring: Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Jim Gaffigan


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of the other movies.

What is this about?
An experiment goes wrong (right?), turning Johnny into a monster and everyone else into humans. Now they must find the cure!

When would be a good time to watch this?
Anytime really, or around Halloween.

Where does it take place?
South America and Transylvania.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I adore this series.

How did I like this?
Of course it's funny to see Dracula have to deal with being human and needing protection from Johnny. It's like Freaky Friday but on a Tuesday! And Frank?! That was glorious! Then the twist happened and it was quite touching.

It's definitely way better than the second movie, but it's still not as good as the first and third. But it's really hard to top the first one. It's very fun though and nice to see the family coming together.

Have you seen Hotel Transylvania 4? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Booksmart (2019)

Title: Booksmart
Rating: R
Run Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
Release Date: May 24, 2019
Genre(s): Comedy, LGBTQ+
Production Co.: Annapurna Pictures
Director: Olivia Wilde
Starring: Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Jessica Williams


Who would I recommend this to?
People who like quirky teen comedies.

What is this about?
Nerdy best friends cram four years of antics into one night before graduation.

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

Where does it take place?
Somewhere where long sleeves and layers are required in June. They keep saying Los Angeles, but...

Why did I decide to watch this?
It looked fun and I like smart-girl-focused movies.

How did I like this?
I love seeing a pretentious overachiever knocked down several pegs after judging her classmates on appearances. But this one night of chaos storyline has been done better.

The humor, at times, felt really forced and awkward. Like it didn't flow naturally in the scene.

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

Don't Look Up (2021)

Title: Don't Look Up
Rating: R
Run Time: 2 hours 18 minutes
Release Date: December 24, 2021
Genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Bluegrass Films
Director: Adam McKay
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of satire and end of the world movies.

What is this about?
Astronomers discover a comet that is going to crash into Earth, but no one really cares.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Soon. Whenever you have 2+ hours to devote to how screwed up our world is.

Where does it take place?
All across America.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I honestly can't pinpoint why, but something about the description spoke to me.

How did I like this?
This movie is hilarious. Not in a straight comedic way, but in a it's funny cuz it's true way. It pins down how disconnected citizens are, and how much of a media crapstorm politics is. Consumerism rules all! This is tragic.

Have you seen Don't Look Up? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Ron's Gone Wrong (2021)

Title: Ron's Gone Wrong
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 47 minutes
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Genre(s): Animation, Comedy
Production Co.: 20th Century Studios
Director: Sarah Smith, Jean-Philippe Vine, Octavio E. Rodriguez
Starring: Jack Dylan Grazer, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone.

What is this about?
A boy gets a best friend robot, but it doesn't work as advertised.

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

Where does it take place?
Animationland.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I'm a sucker for robots.

How did I like this?
I loved this from the moment B-Bot was choking the chicken. WTF is going on!? That little robot is crazy! And I was crying 40 minutes in, because OMG RON YOU ARE SO CUTE!!! I can't even.

Silly hijinks aside, this movie is ultimately about acceptance and being who you are and connection, of course. It's so cute.

Have you seen Ron's Gone Wrong? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 13 (2021)

Title: RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 13
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 1 hour
Release Date: January 1, 2021
Genre(s): Reality, Series, LGBTQ+
Production Co.: World of Wonder Productions
Starring: RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Ross Mathews, Carson Kressley


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of drag and reality competitions.

What is this about?
Drag queens compete to be crowned America's next drag superstar!

When would be a good time to watch this?
While you're stuck at home.

Where does it take place?
The main stage!

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because it's one of my favorite shows, but I'm behind!

How did I like this?
The starting twist was unexpected, and kind of mean, although Ru did try to spin it into a lesson. I thought it was going to be a clever way to reduce contact due to COVID, but no. It was just a twist to kick off the show.

This is not my favorite seasons, because almost all of the contestants reminded me of past contestants. However, about halfway through I found myself really invested in them. I always love this show, but every season can't be a favorite!

My favorite queens were Symone, Denali, and Gottmik.

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

Dollface - Season 1 (2019)

Title: Dollface - Season 1
Rating: TV-MA
Run Time: 30 minutes
Release Date: November 15, 2019
Genre(s): Comedy, Series
Production Co.: ABC Signature
Starring: Kat Dennings, Brenda Song, Shay Mitchell


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of feminist comedies and female focused relationships.

What is this about?
After getting dumped, a woman must reenter the land of women and try to reconnect with old friends.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Soon, since Season 2 is coming!

Where does it take place?
Los Angeles.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I have a huge crush on Kat and the premise sounded fun.

How did I like this?
I loved how this took every cliche and stereotype about women and both challenged and embraced them! The relationships between all of the women were great as well!

The fantasy elements were a lot of fun as well, and didn't feel intrusive to the rest of the show.

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

Creamerie - Season 1 (2021)

Title: Creamerie - Season 1
Rating: NR
Run Time: 24 minutes
Release Date: April 19, 2021
Genre(s): Comedy, LGBTQ+, Series
Production Co.: Flat3 Productions
Starring: Ally Xue, J.J. Fong, Perlina Lau


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of dark comedies and post-apocalyptic, but still realistic worlds.

What is this about?
A community of women 8 years after a plague wiped out 99% of the men.

When would be a good time to watch this?
As soon as you have time. The episodes are short.

Where does it take place?
New Zealand.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I was intrigued by a society of just women.

How did I like this?
The humor didn't always work for me, but overall I was thoroughly entertained and intrigued. I loved the complicated relationship between Alex, Pip, and Jamie. This world is freaking weird, but believable. I needed to know what Wellness was really up to.

I certainly hope this gets a second season!

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

Encanto (2021)

Title: Encanto
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
Release Date: November 24, 2021
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Musical
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Charise Castro Smith
Starring: Stephanie Beatriz, Maria Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone looking for magical families and adventure.

What is this about?
The only non-magical member of a family must save the family's magic!

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you have two hours.

Where does it take place?
Colombia.

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

How did I like this?
It's so colorful and vibrant! I'm such a sucker for colorful animation. The music is also pretty great. I wasn't a fan of every song, but most were good.

The message is pretty typical of these Disney movies, but it was sweet. And made me cry, like always.

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

PEN15 Season 2 Part 2 (2021)

Title: PEN15 - Season 1
Rating: TA-MA
Run Time: 30 minutes
Release Date: December 3, 2021
Genre(s): Comedy, Series
Production Co.: Awesomeness TV
Starring: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkel, Melora Walters


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who was young in the early 2000s!

What is this about?
Best friends finish seventh grade and it's not going quite how they anticipated.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you need a laugh and some nostalgia after the first season of laughter and nostalgia.

Where does it take place?
Franklin County, somewhere in America.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because this show has been excellent thus far.

How did I like this?
This season has more touching moments. It's still done with humor, but we really go deep into these characters now. Particularly Anna and Maya's families. The show really hit its stride here with amazing content.

Have you seen PEN15? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

PEN15 Animated Special (2021)

Title: PEN15 Animated Special
Rating: TV-MA
Run Time: 37 minutes
Release Date: August 27, 2021
Genre(s): Comedy, Series, Animation
Production Co.: Awesomeness TV
Starring: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkel, Taylor Nichols


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of the series or early '00s animation.

What is this about?
Anna and Maya go on vacation with Anna's dad and struggle with new insecurities.

When would be a good time to watch this?
As episode 8 of the season, or not at all...

Where does it take place?
Topicana Hotel.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I was watching the series.

How did I like this?
This animation style brought back memories! Not necessarily good ones, because it's so jerky and awkward! It was fun for like the first two minutes. This episode was animated because of COVID, which is understandable. But the story wasn't that interesting. It's like one of those specials that doesn't fit with the flow of the rest of the show, and then you block it from your memory.

The highlight was definitely hearing "Candyman" by Aqua!

Have you seen PEN15 Animated Special? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

PEN15 - Season 2 Part 1 (2020)

Title: PEN15 - Season 1
Rating: TA-MA
Run Time: 30 minutes
Release Date: September 18, 2020
Genre(s): Comedy, Series
Production Co.: Awesomeness TV
Starring: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkel, Melora Walters


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who was young in the early 2000s!

What is this about?
Best friends continue the trials of seventh grade.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you need a laugh and some nostalgia after the first season of laughter and nostalgia.

Where does it take place?
Franklin County, somewhere in America.

Why did I decide to watch this?
The first season was an experience that I needed more of.

How did I like this?
That season premiere was like reliving a moment in my life. Although I was in 11th grade, not 7th, when some chick came up to me during PE and was like "People are saying you and *name*..." Like dang. This show is accurate.

The rest of the season was great too. Anna and Maya deal with all kinds of relatable situations as the school year comes to an end. The sleepover was all too real, and we get the first glimpse of the best soda ever...SURGE!

Have you seen PEN15? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

PEN15 - Season 1 (2019)

Title: PEN15 - Season 1
Rating: TA-MA
Run Time: 30 minutes
Release Date: February 8, 2019
Genre(s): Comedy, Series
Production Co.: Awesomeness TV
Starring: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkel, Melora Walters


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who was young in the early 2000s!

What is this about?
Best friends start seventh grade and it's not going quite how they anticipated.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you need a laugh and some nostalgia.

Where does it take place?
Franklin County, somewhere in America.

Why did I decide to watch this?
First, the title. Duh. Second, I started middle school in 2000 so I was curious.

How did I like this?
It's so weird and hilarious. The soundtrack is A+ because the late '90s and early '00s music was A+. I could remember these awkward times so well and it was so fun to cringe at seeing it reenacted.

I know people thing it's odd/distracting/inappropriate for the thirty-something actresses to be playing their 13 year old selves, but I thought it added to the humor. It's totally a non-issue.

Have you seen PEN15? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?