Barbie (2023)

Title: Barbie
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 54 minutes
Release Date: July 21, 2023
Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Greta Gerwig
Starring: Margo Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera


Who would I recommend this to?
THE WORLD.

What is this about?
Fighting the patriarchy. And what makes us human.

When would be a good time to watch this?
All the time.

Where does it take place?
Barbieland and Los Angeles.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because Barbie is epic.

How did I like this?
I loved it! I smiled so much! And it had my kind of humor! And heart! And was part musical! And I have that dress! I'm a Barbie girl, unfortunately in the Real World.

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

Sweet November (2001)

Title: Sweet November
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours
Release Date: February 16, 2001
Genre(s): Drama
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Pat O'Connor
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron, Jason Isaacs


Who would I recommend this to?
Those who enjoy heartache and pain. Not anyone looking for a happy ending.

What is this about?
A workaholic spends one month with a strange woman who promises to fix his problems.

When would be a good time to watch this?
On a cold evening, curled up with a puppy and hot cocoa.

Where does it take place?
San Francisco, California.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I haven't seen this movie in forever! I use to watch it all the time. I can't remember my first time though...

How did I like this?
I loved this movie so much when it first came out. Charlize Theron is one of my favorite actresses and I adored her in this. I wanted to hang out with Sara for a month! While I don't enjoy Keanu's acting, he didn't ruin this for me.

The ending isn't as devastating anymore since I know the twist, but it's still heartbreaking.

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

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

Title: The Phantom of the Opera
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours 23 minutes
Release Date: December 10, 2004
Genre(s): Musical, Drama, Romance
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Joel Schumacher
Starring: Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson


Who would I recommend this to?
Musical lovers.

What is this about?
Stalking, but make it sexy.

When would be a good time to watch this?
All the time.

Where does it take place?
Paris.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I love musicals. I saw this twice in theaters.

How did I like this?
Obviously, I love this movie since I saw it multiple times in theaters, constantly listened to the soundtrack, and watched the DVD obsessively. I have no other version to compare it to, but I don't need to. I love this one.

Have you seen The Phantom of the Opera? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)

Title: Space Jam: A New Legacy
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Release Date: July 16, 2021
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Comedy
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Malcolm D. Lee
Starring: LeBron James, Don Cheadle, Cedric Joe


Who would I recommend this to?
The next generation.

What is this about?
LeBron James gets the Looney Tunes back together to beat an evil algorithm.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Before August 16th.

Where does it take place?
The Warner Bros servers.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I freaking love Space Jam.

How did I like this?
It was fun and I loved how they brought in modern technology and WB's whole back catalog! However, this movie was way longer than it needed to be. Probably to put in all of those references.

Nothing can live up to the original though.

Have you seen Space Jam 2? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

In the Heights (2021)

Title: In the Heights
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours 23 minutes
Release Date: June 11, 2021
Genre(s): Musical, Drama
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Jon M. Chu
Starring: Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, Leslei Grace


Who would I recommend this to?
People who like stage show adaptations, or musicals in general.

What is this about?
People...in The Heights.

When would be a good time to watch this?
You need over two than hours to dedicate.

Where does it take place?
As the title suggests: in The Heights. Washington Heights, New York.

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

How did I like this?
I went in totally blind, so I had zero expectations. It exceeded those expectations...it was fine. Definitely not a favorite. None of the songs particularly stood out to me. The only character I really cared about was Nina.

Have you seen In the Heights? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Space Jam (1996)

Title: Space Jam
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
Release Date: November 15, 1996
Genre(s): Animation, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Joe Pytka
Starring: Michael Jordan, Wayne Knight, Theresa Randle


Who would I recommend this to?
The entire world.

What is this about?
Michael Jordan must save the Looney Toons from aliens.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Right now. Or sometime before the sequel.

Where does it take place?
Looney Toon Land and Moron Mountain.

Why did I decide to watch this?
When I was little, because it was THE MOVIE! Now, because it's just awesome and I was excited for the second one.

How did I like this?
I love this movie. It is over-the-top ridiculous, but easily one the best movies that combines live action and animation. It also has one of the best soundtracks, which was the first CD I ever owned.

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

Yogi Bear (2010)

Title: Yogi Bear
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Release Date: December 17, 2010
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Comedy
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Eric Brevig
Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Justin Timberlake, Anna Faris


Who would I recommend this to?
People who like talking animal movies and environmentalism.

What is this about?
A national park is being shut down but a talking bear and his friends must save it!

When would be a good time to watch this?
When you're in the mood for some cheese and nostalgia.

Where does it take place?
Jellystone Park.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I needed a Y for the A to Z Challenge.

How did I like this?
It's actually quite cute and fun. I appreciate the environmental plot-line a lot.

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

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Title: Crazy Rich Asians
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours
Release Date: August 15, 2018
Genre(s): Romance
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Jon M. Chu
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh


Who would I recommend this to?
All romance movie fans.

What is this about?
A super rich man brings his poor girlfriend home to meet his super rich family.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Date night, girls' night, right now.

Where does it take place?
Singapore.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I like romance and it's a book (I haven't read it) and it just looked good.

How did I like this?
I adored it! It's funny and sweet and romantic and made me cry and laugh and go BOOO and WTF! Seriously, it's good.

Have you seen Crazy Rich Asians? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Christmas on the Square (2020)

Title: Christmas on the Square
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 38 minutes
Release Date: November 22, 2020
Genre(s): Musical, Drama ,Fantasy
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Debbie Allen
Starring: Dolly Parton, Jenifer Lewis, Josh Segarra


Who would I recommend this to?
Christmas musical fans. Dolly Parton lovers.

What is this about?
A Scrooge-like woman sells off her small town on Christmas despite protests from the residents. She's visited by an angel to show her the error of her ways through song.

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

Where does it take place?
On the square...

Why did I decide to watch this?
It's a lady-centric Scrooge movie with Dolly Parton. Duh.

How did I like this?
It sickeningly sweet, and I liked it. And I totally did not see any of those "twists" coming!

We need more lady-Scrooge movies. Or really more lady-centric Christmas movies in general.

Have you seen Christmas on the Square? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

You've Got Mail (1998)

Title: You've Got Mail
Rating: PG
Run Time: 2 hours
Release Date: December 18, 1998
Genre(s): Romance
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Nora Ephron
Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Greg Kinnear


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes Romance. Preferable someone who grew up in the AOL era.

What is this about?
Bookstore rivals unknowingly fall in love through e-mails.

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

Where does it take place?
New York City.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I don't remember the first time but I was obsessed. Now I'm watching it as part of the pre-holiday season.

How did I like this?
This movie is so cute and I have such a new appreciation for it 22 years later! I totally remember the dial-up tone and that slightly robotic yet cheery "you've got mail" greeting. It's so funny how the internet has changed since then, along with people's views on technology.

Also now that I'm a romance novel junkie, I can see how this uses some favorite tropes to get these two together. It's just delightful! Enemies to lovers! Rivals to lovers! Mystery identity!

And it's weird to see people excited about bookstores! Especially the opening of a new one, since these days bookstores are constantly closing thanks to the internet...

Have you seen You've Got Mail? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Witches (2020)

Title: The Witches
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Release Date: October 22, 2020
Genre(s): Fantasy
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci


Who would I recommend this to?
People who like overacting.

What is this about?
Witches turn children into mice, until the mice fight back.

When would be a good time to watch this?
If you want to waste two hours...

Where does it take place?
Alabama.

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

How did I like this?
I did not. I don't remember the original, except that I've seen it a bunch of times as a kid. I'm going to need to rewatch it. But this remake was not good, even on its own.

Anne Hathaway was way overacting and not even in a way that makes sense. I love her, but she was terrible. Everyone else was just boring. The cat looked hella fake. They should have hired Thackary Binks.

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

Corpse Bride (2005)

Title: Corpse Bride
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 17 minutes
Release Date: September 23, 2005
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Musical
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson


Who would I recommend this to?
Tim Burton fans. Those who enjoy dark stop-motion animation.

What is this about?
Victor is nervously practicing his vows in the woods and accidentally marries a corpse.

When would be a good time to watch this?
During Halloweentime.

Where does it take place?
England? I have no idea. And the underworld.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I saw this one opening day in theaters, because Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. I've seen it several times since then because I love Emily and Victor.

How did I like this?
It's so cute. It's not my favorite, but I do adore it. The animation is lovely. Victor and Emily and Victoria are lovely. I love love triangles, even if they're unintentional.

The songs could have been better, except Emily's song. That is heartbreaking and amazing. Just like her revenge at he end! You go, Emily!

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

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Title: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Rating: R
Run Time: 1 hour 56 minutes
Release Date: December 21, 2007
Genre(s): Musical, Drama
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman


Who would I recommend this to?
I want to say everyone, but I know this isn't for everyone. So everyone who appreciates dark musicals.

What is this about?
There was a barber and his wife and she was beautiful...Cannibalism...

When would be a good time to watch this?
If you haven't seen it, immediately. If you have, immediately.

Where does it take place?
There's no place like London.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Originally, because I'm obsessed with Johnny Depp and Tim Burton. Subsequently, because it's effing awesome.

How did I like this?
Like I said, it's effing awesome. I am obsessed with this movie and the soundtrack. Everyone did amazing! I didn't know anything about the story before this movie, but it's so twisted! This is basically the only kind of "horror" I can handle. No jumpy bits, just some blood.

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

Quest for Camelot (1998)

Title: Quest for Camelot
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 26 minutes
Release Date: May 15, 1998
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy
Production Co.: Warner Bros.
Director: Frederik Du Chau
Starring: Jessalyn Gilsig, Cary Elwes, Andrea Corr


Who would I recommend this to?
Kids. Fans of old school animation.

What is this about?
Kayley goes on a quest...for Camelot...

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

Where does it take place?
Camelot.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It's the first movie to come to mind when I was thinking of a Q for the A to Z Blogging Challenge, and I honestly don't know if I had ever watched it as a kid.

How did I like this?
This one is jam-packed with musical numbers. Sadly, only one of them is particularly memorable: I Stand Alone. The Villain's song did have cool imagery, but the song was rhythmically and lyrically lacking. And was a convenient distraction so Kayley could sneak away.

I'm sure I would have enjoyed this one more a long time ago, but it was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

Have you seen Quest for Camelot? What did you think?

If not, would you watch it?