Queer Eye: We're in Japan (2019)

Title: Queer Eye: We're in Japan
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 1 hour
Release Date: November 1, 2019
Genre(s): Reality, Series, LGBTQ+
Production Co.: Scout Productions
Creator: David Collins
Starring: Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown, Jonathan Van Ness


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes makeover shows or queer culture.

What is this about?
The Fab 5 head to Japan to help four people change their lives.

When would be a good time to watch this?
When you need a pick-me-up.

Where does it take place?
Tokyo, Japan.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It's been on my radar for awhile, and I'm in Japan, so why not?

How did I like this?
At first it felt really scripted and kind of cringy, but I was into it! I cried for every episode. I do love how this isn't all about new clothes and chic furniture. Each person had their own issues to confront and the guys talked to them like normal people to help them work through it.

Have you seen Queer Eye: We're in Japan? 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?

Ella Enchanted (2004)

Title: Ella Enchanted
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Release Date: April 9, 2004
Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance
Production Co.: Miramax
Director: Tommy O'Haver
Starring: Anne Hathaway, High Dancy, Cary Elwes


Who would I recommend this to?
Everybody.

What is this about?
A girl cursed to obey must find a way to take back her life! And save the kingdom.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Anytime, really.

Where does it take place?
Frell and surrounding areas.

Why did I decide to watch this?
The first time, because I was the target demographic. Now, because I was trapped on an 11 hour flight.

How did I like this?
I have always adored this movie. Ella's rendition of "Somebody to Love" is actually the default version in my brain. It's just so fun and ridiculous and happy-making. Definitely a fun take on the typical Cinderella tale.

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

Fallen (2016)

Title: Fallen
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 31 minutes
Release Date: November 10, 2016
Genre(s): Romance, Fantasy, Drama
Production Co.: Apex Entertainment
Director: Scott Hicks
Starring: Addison Timlin, Jeremy Price, Harrison Gilbertson


Who would I recommend this to?
Those who like to watch adaptions of bad books or just bad adaptations of books.

What is this about?
A trouble girl falls for troubled boy who pushes her away because of secrets.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Never.

Where does it take place?
Sword and Cross boarding school in the middle of nowhere.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I had no idea it existed and needed to see how bad it was.

How did I like this?
That was worse than I thought. I mean, the source material isn't great, but it's at least entertaining. This was just bad. The acting was bad. The special effects were...there. And the music was even worse, if that's even possible.

Have you seen Fallen? 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?

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021)

Title: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Release Date: September 3, 2021
Genre(s): Comedy, Animation
Production Co.: Cinereach
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Starring: Jenny Slate, Dean Fleischer Camp, Isabella Rossellini


Who would I recommend this to?
A very specific type of person.

What is this about?
A man staying in an AirBnB, filming a documentary about a talking shell.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Now's as good a time as any.

Where does it take place?
An AirBnB...

Why did I decide to watch this?
It looked weird and cute and I was trapped on an 11 hour flight.

How did I like this?
I wasn't sure at first, but soon I was hooked on this adorable little shell's story. Once he started talking about "hardy hairs" I was done for. It was surprisingly dark in places, but overall super sweet.

Have you seen Marcel the Shell with Shoes On? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Cyrano (2021)

Title: Cyrano
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours 3 minutes
Release Date: September 2, 2021
Genre(s): Musical, Romance, Drama
Production Co.: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Director: Joe Wright
Starring: Peter Dinklage, Haley Bennett, Kevin Harrison Jr.


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of sad musicals.

What is this about?
A man in love with a woman who is in love with another man who is in love with her but uses the first man's words to woo her.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Anytime is a good time for musicals.

Where does it take place?
1600s Italy.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I love musicals and I was trapped on an 11 hour flight.

How did I like this?
I adored it! I loved most of the songs. The acting was great. Sure, I knew how the story goes, but that didn't keep me from enjoying it.

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

We Have a Ghost (2023)

Title: We Have a Ghost
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 hours 6 minutes
Release Date: February 24, 2023
Genre(s): Comedy
Production Co.: Legendary Entertainment
Director: Christopher Landon
Starring: Jahi Di'Allo Winston, David Harbour, Anthony Mackie


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes fun ghost stories.

What is this about?
A family moves into a real haunted house and get caught up in the chaos of going viral after filming their ghost.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Anytime you want something fun, or save it for Halloweentime.

Where does it take place?
Illinois?

Why did I decide to watch this?
It looked really fun!

How did I like this?
It was so much fun! It was funny and exciting and heartwarming! It felt like a more mature DCOM. Like take the original Under Wraps, swap the mummy for a ghost, and add in realistic swearing and smartphones.

Have you seen We Have a Ghost? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Strays (2023)

Title: The Strays
Rating: TV-MA
Run Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Release Date: February 22, 2023
Genre(s): Suspense
Production Co.: Air Street Films
Director: Nathaniel Martello-White
Starring: Ashley Madekwe, Bukky Bakray, Jorden Myrie


Who would I recommend this to?
Do you like boring "intellectual" thrillers?

What is this about?
A woman's carefully planned life falls apart when some strangers come to town to see her.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Never.

Where does it take place?
England, somewhere.

Why did I decide to watch this?
The girl doing my hair thought it looked interested, and the preview did.

How did I like this?
It started off intriguing when we see Neve in her new life and becoming paranoid. But then we have to watch the whole beginning section again from the perspective of the strangers, and it quickly became less intriguing because obviously she's not hallucinating like we were led to believe. The final scene was just way too over the top, and the ending was predictable and unsatisfying.

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