Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

Title: Pitch Perfect 2
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Release Date: May 15, 2015
Genre(s): Musical, Comedy
Production Co.: Universal Pictures
Director: Elizabeth Banks
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of rauchy girl comedies.

What is this about?
Collegiate acca pella singers gone bad.

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

Where does it take place?
Barden University and Copenhagen.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I liked the first one, and it was available on my flight home.

How did I like this?
It was fun, but I felt like it was trying too hard to recapture the greatness of the first movie. They relied too heavily on repeating the same type of jokes over and over, making some of the girls caricatures rather than interesting characters. I did appreciate them trying to flesh out some of the other characters, but it did make the plot a bit messy as there was way too much going on.

Have you seen Pitch Perfect 2? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

Title: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Release Date: April 5, 2023
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Adventure
Production Co.: Illumination, Universal Pictures, Nintendo
Director: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Pierre Leduc
Starring:  Christ Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day


Who would I recommend this to?
Nintendo fans.

What is this about?
Bowser's proposal to Peach goes terribly wrong.

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

Where does it take place?
Brooklyn and the Mushroom Kingdom.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I've been a Mario fan since forever. Peach and Bowser forever!!!

How did I like this?
It's so fun! It felt exactly like what a Mario movie should be like. Although it did really feel like a special episode of Bridezillas, where the groom is out of control. I am an unapologetic Bowser-Peach shipper, so I was loving it.

I did have two annoyances though. One: shouldn't the blue shell have hit Peach? Two: The Donkey Kong games have the BEST soundtracks, so why replace the music?!

Have you seen The Super Mario Bros. Movie? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Josie and the Pussycats (2001)

Title: Josie and the Pussycats
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 38 minutes
Release Date: April 11, 2011
Genre(s): Comedy, Musical
Production Co.: Universal Pictures
Director: Harry Elfont, Deborah Kaplan
Starring: Rachel Leigh Cook, Rosario Dawson, Tara Reid


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes girl power movies and cheesy fun.

What is this about?
Best friend girl band makes it big, but learns about the dark side of fame.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Anytime you need fun and a great soundtrack.

Where does it take place?
Riverdale and New York.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Originally, because I was an 11 year old girl, so it was kinda marketed at me.

How did I like this?
Another movie (and soundtrack) that I was completely obsessed with as a tween. Sure, some of the jokes went over my head, but it was thoroughly entertaining. Some of those same jokes would probably not make it into a movie today but that's a common theme for '90s and early '00s movies.

But does it overall hold up 20 years later? YES! This movie is hilarious, the songs are great, and the message is as true...or even more true today! Subliminal messaging and blatant advertising is EVERYWHERE!

Have you seen Josie and the Pussycats? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Title: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 44 minutes
Release Date: November 17, 2000
Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy
Production Co.: Universal Pictures
Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Kelley


Who would I recommend this to?
Everybody.

What is this about?
The Grinch who is a Who that is more of a what and hates Christmas because his heart is two sizes too small.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Every December.

Where does it take place?
Whoville.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because it is most excellent. I can't believe this came out in 2000!

How did I like this?
I love this movie. It gives such a great backstory to Mr. Grinch and it even makes my tiny heart grow.

Have you seen How the Grinch Stole Christmas? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Grinch (2018)

Title: The Grinch
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Release Date: November 9, 2018
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy
Production Co.: Universal Pictures
Director: Yarrow Cheney, Scott Mosier
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Cameron Seely, Rashida Jones


Who would I recommend this to?
Christmas fiends.

What is this about?
The Grinch steals Christmas from the Whos.

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

Where does it take place?
Whoville.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I love the other two movies. I actually had no idea it existed until I walked past a movie theater in November 2018.

How did I like this?
It's crazy bright and colorful as one would expect. However I was not expecting this focus on Cindy Lou and her overworked mom. It was a sweet twist on the story, but I honestly did not care. I'm here for the Grinch and Max.

Speaking of the Grinch...he's not that grinch-like. Other than stealing all of the Christmas stuff he didn't come across as grouchy or as a Christmas-hater. It was strange. I loved his interactions with Max though.

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

Casper (1995)

Title: Casper
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Release Date: May 26, 1995
Genre(s): Fantasy
Production Co.: Universal Pictures
Director: Brad Silberling
Starring: Bill Pullman, Christina Ricci, Cathy Moriarty


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone.

What is this about?
Casper, a friendly ghost, befriends a girl when she and her father move into his house.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Halloweentime! Or a '90s movie night...

Where does it take place?
Whipstaff Manor in Maine.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I don't remember my first time watching it, because I was probably 5 or 6, but I remember watching it a lot because it's awesome.

How did I like this?
I always forget about the con-artist plot of this movie. For me, it's all about Casper and Kat and the treasure! Although I suppose the whole plot is about the "treasure" and finding Kat's dead mother.

Despite such a dark plot, this movie is super funny and cute. And every tween girl in '95 wanted a cute boy to say "Can I keep you?" to her. And we all wanted a Whipstaff Manor ride, but probably minus the shaving cream.

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

Death Becomes Her (1992)

Title: Death Becomes Her
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 44 minutes
Release Date: July 31, 1992
Genre(s): Horror, Comedy
Production Co.: Universal Pictures
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Meryl Streep, Bruce Willis, Goldie Hawn


Who would I recommend this to?
People who like quirky '90s movies.

What is this about?
Aging frenemies both take a potion to be young and beautiful forever, except that their rivalry turns undeadly...

When would be a good time to watch this?
During a no-scare Halloween marathon.

Where does it take place?
Los Angeles.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I don't even remember the first time I watched this because I was little, and my mom was watching it. But I do know it always felt like a treat when it come on.

How did I like this?
I've seen it countless times so obviously I'm obsessed. This is also the movie that made me realize that I was queer, even if I didn't have the vocabulary or self-awareness to know that then. I have very vivid memories of being entranced by Lisle and acting out this movie with my Barbies.

Anyway, I just love the dark, morbid humor in this. I've always been drawn to this kind of thing. It's also a smart commentary on how women are treated and viewed as they get older.

Have you seen Death Becomes Her? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?