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?

That '90s Show - Season 1 (2023)

Title: That '90s Show
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 22 minutes
Release Date: January 19, 2023
Genre(s): Comedy, Series
Production Co.: Netflix
Creator: Gregg Mettler, Bonnie Turner, Lindsey Turner
Starring: Kurtwood Smith, Debra Jo Rupp, Callie Haverda


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who watched That '70s Show.

What is this about?
The next generation of Point Place kids!

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

Where does it take place?
Red and Kitty's house in Point Place, Wisconsin.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I liked That '70s Show and was a '90s kid.

How did I like this?
It's so funny! It has the same spirit and tone as the original but set during the best decade. I did wish there were more references, although I nearly died during Ozzie's talk show daydream. That was my childhood. You don't know me!

Have you seen That '90s Show? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

A Naija Christmas (2021)

Title: A Naija Christmas
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 2 hours
Release Date: December 16, 2021
Genre(s): Romance, Comedy
Production Co.: Netflix
Director: Kunle Afolayan
Starring: Rachel Oniga, Efa Iwara, Abayomi Alvin


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone looking for different Christmas cultures, or fans of Nigerian movies.

What is this about?
A mother tells her sons that the first to get married gets her house for Christmas.

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

Where does it take place?
Nigeria.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I wanted to try something different.

How did I like this?
It didn't really grab my interest. I like the idea of the brothers competing to find a bride, but I wasn't particularly drawn to any of them. The mother also wasn't dying, so that part was misleading. She just set up a friendly rivalry between her boys in an effort to see them settled down.

Have you seen A Naija Christmas? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star (2021)

Title: The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star
Rating: TV-PG
Run Time: 1 hour 46 minutes
Release Date: November 18, 2021
Genre(s): Romance
Production Co.: Netflix
Director: Mike Rohl
Starring: Vanessa Hudgens, Remy Hii, Sam Palladio


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of the first two, particularly the second.

What is this about?
A priceless relic goes missing right before Christmas, a queen and princess must team up with shady characters to get it back.

When would be a good time to watch this?
After the first two and/or around Christmas.

Where does it take place?
Montenaro.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I liked the first two.

How did I like this?
I was entertained, but also confused. This plot was such a stretch. It makes zero sense and felt forced just to fit Fiona in again to find her true love. They could have picked anything else to get her there, but I did enjoy her romance with Peter.

Have you seen The Princess Switch 3? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Princess Switch: Switched Again (2020)

Title: The Princess Switch: Switched Again
Rating: TV-G
Run Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Release Date: November 19, 2020
Genre(s): Romance
Production Co.: Netflix
Director: Mike Rohl
Starring: Vanessa Hudgens, John Jack, Sam Palladio


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of the first movie.

What is this about?
A princess and a duchess attempt to switch places again, but then a third look-alike wants her own switch.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Around Christmas, after the first one.

Where does it take place?
Montenaro.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I liked the first one.

How did I like this?
Vanessa is great again at playing three distinct personalities who all are pretending to be each other as well! Fiona was a great addition, but I found her sidekicks to be annoying and unnecessary. The triple switch was a lot of fun, since no one was in on the other switches! Twisted! Of course, Fiona wants to switch for selfish reasons, while Margaret and Stacey were doing it for love!

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

The Princess Switch (2018)

Title: The Princess Switch
Rating: TV-PG
Run Time: 1 hour 41 minutes
Release Date: November 16, 2018
Genre(s): Romance
Production Co.: Netflix
Director: Mike Rohl
Starring: Vanessa Hudgens, Sam Palladio, Nick Sagar


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of life swap movies and baking competitions.

What is this about?
A duchess and a baker switch places for a couple days before Christmas.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Christmas, or anytime you want something cute.

Where does it take place?
Belgravia.

Why did I decide to watch this?
My mom said I'd like it and Netflix said it was 98% match for me. And I like Vanessa Hudgens.

How did I like this?
It's so cute! I actually forgot that Vanessa was playing two parts, since she did so well at being two totally different people. I also really liked how the switch wasn't for nefarious purposes or to trick anybody. Just the girls wanting to experience something different for once.

Have you seen The Princess Switch? What did you think?
It not, would you watch it?

Let It Snow (2019)

Title: Let It Snow
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 33 minutes
Release Date: November 8, 2019
Genre(s): Drama, Romance
Production Co.: Netflix
Director: Luke Snellin
Starring: Isabela Merced, Shameik Moore, Odeya Rush


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes holiday movies with large casts.

What is this about?
A snow storm hits a small town on Christmas Eve and hijinks ensue.

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

Where does it take place?
Laurel, Illinois.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It looked interesting and my mom said it was good.

How did I like this?
I never love these movies with so many different storylines happening, because there's always some boring ones mixed with the good ones, which makes me just want to get to the good ones during the boring people scenes. Overall, it's good though. I liked that it's not overly Christmasy despite being set on Christmas Eve. Everyone is getting up to something different. Breakups, makeups, friends, neighborhood weirdos, celebrities. There's a nice mix of stuff going on.

Have you seen Let It Snow? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Night Teeth (2021)

Title: Night Teeth
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 1 hour 48 minutes
Release Date: October 20, 2021
Genre(s): Horror
Production Co.: Netflix
Director: Adam Randall
Starring: Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Debby Ryan, Lucy Fry


Who would I recommend this to?
Vampire aficionados.

What is this about?
A guy chauffeurs around a pair vampires for the night.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Spooky Season.

Where does it take place?
Boyle Heights, Los Angeles.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Vampires.

How did I like this?
Why did this remind me of Grand Theft Auto?! It made me want a version of GTA with supernatural elements!

Other than that, I found this movie pretty boring. I liked Benny, but the plot never really interested me. I honestly didn't watch most of it.

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

There's Someone Inside Your House (2021)

Title: There's Someone Inside Your House
Rating: TV-MA
Run Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Release Date: October 6, 2021
Genre(s): Horror
Production Co.: Atomic Monster, Netflix
Director: Patrick Brice
Starring: Sydney Park, Theodore Pellerin, Ashja Cooper


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of teen slasher flicks or fans of the book.

What is this about?
Someone is taunting then murdering a bunch of teens...with secrets.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Spooky Season.

Where does it take place?
Osborne, Nebraska.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I read the book, didn't like it, but thought they could fix the issues in movie form.

How did I like this?
I still didn't. It was quite cringe-worthy but some of my main issues with the source were tweaked to make more sense. At least it was a condensed version of the book.

Have you seen There's Someone Inside Your House? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Title: Always Be My Maybe
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 41 minutes
Release Date: May 31, 2019
Genre(s): Romance, Comedy
Production Co.: Netflix
Director: Nahnatchka Khan
Starring: Ali Wong, Randall Park, James Saito


Who would I recommend this to?
Rom-Com fans who like things a little quirky.

What is this about?
Childhood friends reconnect after fifteen years and begin to entertain the idea of dating.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you have time for a laugh and some kissing.

Where does it take place?
San Francisco, California!

Why did I decide to watch this?
Cute diverse Rom-Com for Valentine's Day season.

How did I like this?
It made me LOL twice within the first ten minutes, even though sad things were also happening, so I'd say that's a success.Then it continued to be weird and endearing.

Have you seen Always Be My Maybe? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)

Title: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Rating: R
Run Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Release Date: December 18, 2020
Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Musical
Production Co.: Netflix
Director: George C. Wolfe
Starring: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone interested in the blues or Black history.

What is this about?
The mother of blues!

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you have an hour and a half for entertainment.

Where does it take place?
1927 Chicago.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It looked interesting after listening to some podcasts about Ma Rainey.

How did I like this?
This was more focused on Levee than I expected. I didn't know much about him, so at least I learned something new. I did want to watch this for Ma and really enjoyed her scenes. She was a feisty lady! But I did not see Levee's meltdown coming at all...holy crap.

I loved how this whole movie was one wild day. I'm a sucker for one day movies and books.

Have you seen Ma Rainey's Black Bottom? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Holiday Calendar (2018)

Title: The Holiday Calendar
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Release Date: November 2, 2018
Genre(s): Romance
Production Co.: Netflix
Director: Bradley Walsh
Starring: Kat Graham, Quincy Brown, Ethan Peck


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of predictable Christmas romances.

What is this about?
A cynical photographer inherits a magical advent calendar.

When would be a good time to watch this?
The Christmas season.

Where does it take place?
Somewhere on Earth...

Why did I decide to watch this?
I like Kat Graham and Christmas movies and yay POC!

How did I like this?
I love the premise of this, but it's so stiff. I'm not quite sure how to explain it, but it just felt stiff.

We obviously know how this is going to end, which is fine, but the journey getting there did nothing for me.
 

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