Pokémon Indigo League (1997-1999)

Title: Pokémon Indigo League
Rating: TV-Y7
Run Time: 20 minutes
Release Date: April 1, 1997
Genre(s): Anime, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Series
Production Co.: GAME FREAK
Creator(s): Junichi Msauda, Ken Sugimori, Satoshi Tajiri
Starring: Veronica Taylor, Rachael Lillis, Eric Stuart


Who would I recommend this to?
The world.

What is this about?
Legal, nonlethal animal fighting...and the friends we made along the way.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you need something to perk you up.

Where does it take place?
The Kanto region.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I'm extremely late to the party and thought it was about time I arrived.

How did I like this?
It's so fun! I couldn't believe how many episodes actually made me cry or gasp out loud. I was invested. Sure, the thought that these innocent creatures are being forced to fight for sport kept creeping in. But none of them actually die or get seriously injured. It's all very low stakes...in general. I also grew attached to Ash, and I never realized what a little menace Pikachu is!

Have you seen Pokemon Indigo League? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back (1999)

Title: Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Bac
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Release Date: November 12, 1999
Genre(s): Anime, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Oriental Light and Magic
Director: Kunihiko Yuyama, Michael Haigney
Starring: Veronica Taylor, Rachael Lillis, Eric Stuart


Who would I recommend this to?
Pokemon fans.

What is this about?
A genetically engineered Pokemon tries to take over the world.

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

Where does it take place?
New Island.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I'm binging Pokemon for the first time.

How did I like this?
 That was way more intense than I was expecting! Kind of dark, but fit the story being told. And yes, I cried even though I knew everything would turn out fine. I just can't stand to see Pikachu upset!

Have you seen Mewtwo Strikes Back? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 15 (2022-23)

Title: RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 15
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 1 hour
Release Date: December 13, 2022
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?
ASAP.

Where does it take place?
The main stage!

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

How did I like this?
This was a pretty mid season for me. I like a lot of the queens, but I didn't have a standout. I would say that my favorites were Anetra, Luxx, and Sasha though. Although I didn't find myself hoping too hard for one of them to beat the others.

The first part of the season felt so rushed, but I didn't even realize that the episodes were shorter than usual! What the heck, MTV?! There was no breathing room! But that Rusical was super good! One of my favorites!

Have you seen RuPaul's Drag Race? What did you think?

If not, would you watch it?

 

Paddington (2014)

Title: Paddington
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Release Date: November 23, 2014
Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy
Production Co.: StudioCanal
Director: Paul King
Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters


Who would I recommend this to?
The world.

What is this about?
A small bear from Peru finds big adventure in London.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Now. The world needs light.

Where does it take place?
London, England.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Every now and then it pops up, so I watched it.

How did I like this?
I'm kind of annoyed that I never saw this before! I knew it existed, but just forgot about it. It's so freaking cute! There is no way to not love Paddington; he's just so sweet! Sure, the plot is kind of predictable, but it has heart! So much heart! Yes, I cried.

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

Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical (2022)

Title: Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical
Rating:  PG
Run Time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Release Date: December 25, 2022
Genre(s): Musical, Drama, Fantasy
Production Co.: Netflix
Director: Matthew Warchus
Starring: Alisha Weir, Emma Thompson, Lashana Lynch


Who would I recommend this to?
Not fans of the '90s movie.

What is this about?
A very smart, but neglected girl discovers a power to change her life.

When would be a good time to watch this?
If you have two hours to kill and nothing better to do.

Where does it take place?
The UK somewhere...Truchen Hall school.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I love the '90s Matilda movie.

How did I like this?
It was fine. It's really nothing like the movie, since it's based on the stage production which I know nothing about. I do like how it leans into the darker themes, but it's also missing an element of fun. Matilda's storytelling was never explained and just felt like padding which slowed the movie down as a whole.

The songs also aren't great. The only one I really liked was Miss Honey's, and that alphabet song was pretty clever.

Have you seen Matilda the Musical? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?