The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)

Title: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours 37 minutes
Release Date: November 17, 2023
Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Drama
Production Co.: Lions Gate Films
Director: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Viola Davis


Who would I recommend this to?
Those who like villain origins.

What is this about?
A young man tries to pull his family out of poverty, but winds up compromising his morals and becoming and evil dictator.

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

Where does it take place?
Panem.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I enjoyed the book and previous movies.

How did I like this?
It was really good! It didn't feel as long as it is, which is good. And I think they did a great job of taking the gist of the book and condensing it down. I am still confused on the ending, but I generally struggle with open endings because I NEED TO KNOW what actually happened!!!

Have you seen The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Time of Eve (2008)

Title: Time of Eve
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 18 minutes
Release Date: August 1, 2008
Genre(s): Anime, Series, Sci-Fi, Drama
Production Co.: Studio Rikka
Director: Yasihiro Yoshiura
Starring: Jun Fukuyama, Rie Tanaka, Rina Satou


Who would I recommend this to?
Those who are interested in the line between humans and AI beings.

What is this about?
A cafe were humans and androids freely mingle.

When would be a good time to watch this?
On an evening for contemplation.

Where does it take place?
Future Japan, probably.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It was short and sounded really interesting.

How did I like this?
I really liked it! I'm already partial to robot media, so I liked seeing a world where androis are commonplace, if not quite accepted.

Have you seen Time of Eve? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Pokemon 4Ever: Celebi - Voice of the Forest (2002)

Title: Pokemon 4Ever
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Release Date: October 11, 2002
Genre(s): Anime, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Pikachu Project 2001
Director: Kunihiko Yuyama, Jim Malone
Starring: Veronica Taylor, Rica Matsumoto, Rachael Lillis


Who would I recommend this to?
Whoever is watching Season 4.

What is this about?
Pokemon poachers and time travel.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Right before the final four episodes of Season 4.

Where does it take place?
The Forest.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I was watching Season 4.

How did I like this?
I really liked this one! It seemed more grounded in "reality" rather than some random thing Ash and friends must face just because it's exciting.

Have you seen Pokemon 4Ever? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Pokemon: Johto League Champions (2000)

Title: Johto League Champions
Rating: G
Run Time: 24 minutes
Release Date: August 3, 2000
Genre(s): Anime, Series, Sci-Fi, Adventure
Production Co.: OLM
Starring: Veronica Taylor, Rachael Lillis, Eric Stuart


Who would I recommend this to?
Pokemon people.

What is this about?
Young Pokemon trainers make their way to another tournament, and the friends they make along the way.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever, but after Season 3.

Where does it take place?
Across the Johto region.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I'm still enjoying this series.

How did I like this?
It's Pokemon. It's fun. Not as many touching moments as in previous seasons, but still fully enjoyable.

Have you seen Johto League Champions? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Meet the Robinsons (2007)

Title: Meet the Robinsons
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 39 minutes
Release Date: March 30, 2007
Genre(s): Animation, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director: Stephen J. Anderson
Starring: Daniel Hansen, Wesley Singerman, Angela Bassett


Who would I recommend this to?
The world.

What is this about?
A young inventor tries to create a devise to keep his birth mother from giving him up for adoption.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Now?

Where does it take place?
Mostly in the future.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Originally, because it was Disney and playing in 3D. Now, because I adore it.

How did I like this?
I love this movie! Science geek MC, time travel, dinosaurs, silly villain. It's got it all! Yes, I cried.

Have you seen Meet the Robinsons? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Chicken Little (2005)

Title: Chicken Little
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 26 minutes
Release Date: October 6, 2005
Genre(s): Animation, Sci-Fi, Adventure
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director: Mark Dindal
Starring: Zach Braff, Joan Cusack, Garry Marshall


Who would I recommend this to?
Whoever likes animated movies that aren't Disney, even though this is Disney.

What is this about?
After being an uber embarrassment, a small chicken tries to win his father's favor.

When would be a good time to watch this?
When you run out of other things to watch.

Where does it take place?
Oakey Oaks.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I was watching all Disney animated features, for better or worse. Originally because it was Disney.

How did I like this?
This is the most un-Disney Disney movie ever. Like it doesn't look or sound like Disney, but more like a knock off. The story is a super cute idea, but it's overall not very interesting or engaging. And the plot is super flimsy, since when Chicken Little could have showed his dad a piece of sky, he hid it, despite trying desperately to show him earlier in the movie?

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

Stardust Telepath (2023)

Title: Stardust Telepath
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 23 minutes
Release Date: October 9, 2023
Genre(s): Anime, Series, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Studio Gokumi
Director: Kaori
Starring: Yurie Funato, Seria Fukagawa, Shiki Aoki


Who would I recommend this to?
You or anyone who felt like they simply didn't belong.

What is this about?
A high school girl wants to meet an alien, so she can finally feel understood.

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

Where does it take place?
Earth.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I like aliens. I was convinced I was an alien for a long time.

How did I like this?
I identified with Umika from that first scene! I too always felt like I wasn't understood or scene and struggled to speak up in class and knew I need to go to space to meet aliens who would get me! Other than that, it's just super cute!

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

Pokémon: The Johto Journeys (2000-01)

Title: Pokémon: The Johto Journeys
Rating: TV-Y7
Run Time: 20 minutes
Release Date: October 14, 2000
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?
Everyone who watched the first two seasons.

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 Johto Region.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I was already extremely late to the party, was actually enjoying myself, and decided to stay.

How did I like this?
This season did have a couple of tear-jerkers! I did miss Tracy though! But thankfully, Brock wasn't too annoying. I do like when he breaks out his Pokemon knowledge and cooking skills. I just wish he'd leave the ladies alone. At least Misty is there to keep him in line.

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

 

Pokemon: Spell of the Unknown (2001)

Title: Pokemon: Spell of the Unknown
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 33 minutes
Release Date: April 6, 2001
Genre(s): Anime, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: 4 Kids Entertainment
Director: Kunihiko Yuyama
Starring: Veronica Taylor, Eric Stuart, AMy Birnbaum


Who would I recommend this to?
Pokemon fans or even those new to Pokemon.

What is this about?
Ash and friends must save his mother from the Unknown!

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

Where does it take place?
Greenfield.

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

How did I like this?
This is my favorite of the movies thus far! That was insane! And a certain returning Pokemon made me cry. I loved this wild dream world, and it was much more emotionally driven than the previous movie.

Have you seen Spell of the Unknown? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

 

Pokémon the Movie 2000 (2000)

Title: Pokémon the Movie 2000
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 39 minutes
Release Date: July 21, 2000
Genre(s): Anime, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: GAME FREAK
Director: Kunihiko Yuyama
Starring: Veronica Taylor, Rachael Lillis, Eric Stuart


Who would I recommend this to?
Pokemon fans.

What is this about?
Ecological collapse thanks to someone capturing the legendary Pokémon.

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

Where does it take place?
The Oranges Islands.

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

How did I like this?
 This one didn't hold my attention as well as the first movie. The story was fun and exciting, but didn't have that intensity. Also, the animation style was really distracting. It mostly looked like the anime, but with hyper-realistic objects thrown in, which looked off. But it was the '90s...

Have you seen Pokémon the Movie 2000? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Pokémon Adventures in the Orange Islands (1999-2000)

Title: Pokémon Adventures in the Orange Islands
Rating: TV-Y7
Run Time: 20 minutes
Release Date: December, 1999
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?
Everyone who watched the first season.

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 Orange Islands.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I was already extremely late to the party, was actually enjoying myself, and decided to stay.

How did I like this?
It's so fun! I flew right through all of the episodes! While none of them made me cry like during Indigo League, there were still several emotional moments. I liked how this arc focused on teamwork. Ash doesn't just need to catch Pokémon and battle with them, they all need to learn to work together on and off the battlefield.

I also liked Tracy so much more than Brock!

Have you seen Adventures in the Orange Islands? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

 

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

Title: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours 4 minutes
Release Date: February 17, 2023
Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Marvel Studios
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lillly, Michelle Pfeiffer


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

What is this about?
Michelle Pfeiffer being hot...and getting sucked into the quantum realm to fight a war.

When would be a good time to watch this?
After the other two.

Where does it take place?
The quantum realm.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I'm trying to keep up with the Marvel movies.

How did I like this?
Definitely one of the better Marvel movies, since it doesn't feel like a Marvel movie. More like a high budget SyFy Channel movie. It was fun and kept my attention the whole time. Although I'm unsure if I was suppose to take the Ultimate Weapon seriously or not, because he was very '90s Power Rangers.

And are you trying to tell me that The Conqueror was able to use all of his tech knowledge to build all that, but he needed Ant-Man to solve his main problem? I had trouble believing that.

Have you seen Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Title: Spider-Man: Homecoming
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours 13 minutes
Release Date: July 7, 2017
Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Marvel Studios, Columbia Pictures
Director: Jon Watts
Starring: Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Robert Downey Jr.


Who would I recommend this to?
Teen action movie fans.

What is this about?
A young boy with spider powers trying to save his city from evil.

When would be a good time to watch this?
On your next movie night.

Where does it take place?
New York.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It's finally on Disney+.

How did I like this?
 Easily the best of the Marvel movies! It was so fun! And I honestly did not even think about the twist! What?!

But...why was Zendaya in this? I like her in general, but this role? Just...why? I mean, I guess they cleared it up at the end, but she still makes no sense.

Have you seen Spider-Man: Homecoming? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

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?

The Last of Us - Season 1 (2023)

Title: The Last of Us - Season 1
Rating: TV-MA
Run Time: 1 hour
Release Date: January 15, 2023
Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, Series
Production Co.: Naughty Dog
Creator(s): Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Anna Torv


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone who can handle end of the world chaos.

What is this about?
The collapse of civilization after a fungus turns humans into zombies.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Immediately. Clear your schedule.

Where does it take place?
Boston and across the US.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Honestly, a favorite podcast was talking about episode three.

How did I like this?
It is so good. Like, I was upset I didn't know about it sooner. Episode 3 nearly killed me. It was like its own movie set in this universe, which is already fascinating enough. At least half the episodes make me cry at some point, which was not something I'd expect from a dystopian action show.

Have you seen The Last of Us? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

Title: Everything Everywhere All at Once
Rating: R
Run Time: 2 hours 19 minutes
Release Date: April 8, 2022
Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, LGBTQ+
Production Co.: A24
Director: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Jamie Lee Curtis


Who would I recommend this to?
This will appeal to a lot of people who like different genres, but also turn off a lot of people not a fan of any of those genres.

What is this about?
Everything...everywhere...all at once. And above all, love and acceptance.

When would be a good time to watch this?
On an 11 hour flight, or whenever you have 2+ hours for a movie.

Where does it take place?
SoCal, somewhere.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I kept hearing good things about and was trapped on an 11 hour flight.

How did I like this?
I will not even pretend like I understood everything in this movie, but I was highly hooked and entertained. WTF did I watch?! That was wild!

Have you seen Everything Everywhere All at Once? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Morbius (2022)

Title: Morbius
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 44 minutes
Release Date: April 1, 2022
Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Marvel Entertainment
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Starring: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona


Who would I recommend this to?
I don't know, honestly.

What is this about?
A doctor trying to cure his own illness but things go wrong.

When would be a good time to watch this?
On a 5 hour flight.

Where does it take place?
New York.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I was on a 5 hour flight.

How did I like this?
I know everyone hates this movie, but I actually liked it. Yes, I think Jared Leto is hott, but whatever. I thought this movie was interesting. Sure, the special effects were kinda bad, but the story kept me interested.

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

Strange World (2022)

Title: Strange World
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
Release Date: November 23, 2022
Genre(s): Sci-Fi, LGBTQ+, Animation
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director: Don Hall, Qui Nguyen
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jaboukie Young-White, Garbeille Union


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone.

What is this about?
A family of explorers...exploring.

When would be a good time to watch this?
As soon as you can.

Where does it take place?
Avalonia.

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

How did I like this?
I adored this movie! It was so fun and colorful and diverse! And that plot twist?! I did not see that coming! And of course, I am all about the message of this movie, which I will not spoil because spoilers.

This movie is not getting the marketing or attention that it deserves.

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

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Title: Thor: Love and Thunder
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 58 minutes
Release Date: July 8, 2022
Genre(s): Adventure, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Taika Waititi
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who already likes Marvel movies, or thinks Thor is hot.

What is this about?
How Thor got his groove back.

When would be a good time to watch this?
After the other movies?

Where does it take place?
Asgard and beyond.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Thor is hot. So is Kat Dennings.

How did I like this?
Cancer jokes...not really funny...maybe I'm just sensitive because of my mom, but....cancer jokes? Powering through Stage 4 cancer because I'm a strong woman!!! No, thanks. I will cure my cancer with Thor's hammer! What?!?!

Other than that, this movie is ridiculous. In a fun, this makes no sense kinda way. Nudity.

Have you seen Thor: Love and Thunder? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?