The Conjuring 3 - The Devil Made Me Do It

The Conjuring 3 - The Devil Made Me Do It

Day 41

Movie 41

I feel like I should remind my dear readers how much of a love/hate relationship I have with horror movies. I love to watch them during the day, when the sun is still brightly shining. As soon as the sun goes down, I freak out. Any and every bump in the night is something there to terrify me!  All that being said, I knew I wanted to watch this movie. I really enjoyed the first 2 films and have so much respect for Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson. I decided to be brave and watch this in the safety of my own living room, on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Thank you HBO GO!

I will try to be as spoiler free as possible. The movie starts with a bang and ends with a bit of a fizzle. There was a new director for this film and while he gave it his all, it did feel different from the other 2 films in the series. The film starts so fast and ridiculously intense, it seemed Herculien to even attempt to go up from there. I honestly thought I had somehow started in the middle of the movie. It was like getting pushed into a freezing cold pool with no warning. It was hard to keep that same intense energy for the entire film. Even the attempted big finale was nothing compared to the opening. The best part of the movie was the opening 10 minutes. 

One thing that bothers me about horror movies is trailers filled with spoilers. So often the trailers spoil so many of the scary moments of the movie. I felt like 90% of the jump scares were shown in the previews. I understand the studio needs to market and promote the movie but this franchise has a loyal following. There are so many spin offs from this series, look at the box office returns for The Curse of La Llorona, The Nun and 3 Annabelle movies. They already know people are going to see it. Don't spoil all the good parts before we actually see the movie!  

The chemistry between Vera and Patrick is electric, pure and sincere. I believed they were an old married couple, who just happened to fight demons. They are the real heart and soul of the movie. I found myself invested in their personal love story more than anything else in the movie. They do a great job carrying these films.

It is clear the director wanted to switch the format of these movies around a bit. The director really pulled away from the typical haunted house movie. He focused on the people and their stories. So often, the haunted house becomes a character in horror movies. Personally, I wish they would have stayed with the house. I found that so much more terrifying. It felt like something was missing the whole movie. 

At the end of the day, the movie was good. I was on the edge of my seat and covering my eyes several times. If you've enjoyed the other films in The Conjuring series, you will enjoy this one as well. Definitely not as horrific as it's predecessors but still creepy.  It might make you sleep with the lights on.....almost!

It Chapter Two

It Chapter Two
Day 40
Movie 40

I have been waiting to see It Chapter Two since the first film came out. I was terrified by the first film and was so thrilled when I heard the casting for the second film. I am a massive chicken when it comes to horror films. I have a love/hate relationship with them. Most of the time, I avoid horror films because I can't sleep for 3 days after I watch them. Even with the linger fear, I knew I wanted to see It Chapter Two. I purposely went to an earlier showing so I would have time to get de-terrified! I would also like to share that there were red balloons everywhere!!! I found one in the seat next to mine in the theater and there was a massive one floating around the parking lot after. Not.Helpful.

Here is my spoiler free review of It Chapter Two

Let's start off with the biggest bit of information. The movie is 2 hours and 50 minutes long but it goes by so fast. At no point was I bored or looking at my watch. I had no idea that's how long the movie was. I didn't even notice until I got into my car and saw the time. I'm so happy I went to an earlier showing because I wanted to get out before nightfall. You know....to avoid monsters and killer clowns. Anyways, it is a long movie but the flow of the film is so well done that you don't even notice how long it's been. Just make sure you use the bathroom before the movie or you might pee yourself out of terror!

Was It Chapter Two scary?
Yes, the film was scary but not as terrifying as the first film. It Chapter Two seemed to focus more on the shock value of gore as opposed to jump scares. It had moments of blood, gore and you could see the jump scares coming from a mile away. You knew when something was going to flash on screen and you had a moment to prepare yourself. The movie only made me jump once. It made me look away from rotting flesh a bit more. Other than that, the film focused more on shock value. A pools of blood and gore but it was beautifully done. The makeup on It Chapter Two is masterful. It looked so real which made it even more unsettling. I don't know how they do it but it all looked so real to me. Yuck!

Is it better than the first film?
Yes and No. I would say It Chapter One is a little bit better than Chapter Two. It Chapter One was much scarier because we didn't know what was coming. The mystery behind Pennywise was lingering and we were not sure what the tone of the film would be. With Chapter Two we know what Pennywise looks like.  We understand the tone and we know what to expect little more. The acting has greatly improved with Chapter Two.  We see the child actors come into their own. They were able to bring a wonderful maturity to these young characters. With great ease Chapter Two includes the young actors from Chapter One. We see them grow into adults and it naturally flows into the grown up versions we are follow in Chapter Two.

Let's talk actors.
I am a massive Bill Hader fan. Once I heard he was in this film, I knew I had to see it. Bill Hader plays grown up Richie. He brings a much needed comic relief to the film and he shows his dramatic range. Bill Hader is a talented dramatic actor but most people are unaware of his range. Bill Hader brings a layer of vulnerability and genuine fear to Richie. He masks his real feelings with humor to avoid letting people in.

I was also impressed by Bill Skarsgard who plays Pennywise. What is with these Skarsgard men being so good at playing terrifying characters?! He's so good at being scary. I kept forgetting I was watching an actor and not a clown from my nightmares. Bill Skarsgard gives Pennywise a terrifying lingering presence that stays with the characters and the viewers. Still gives me the chills thinking about it.

My other favorite actor is James McAvoy who plays grown up Bill. James flows from brave hero to lost child effortlessly and does so with one glance. He brings a raw vulnerability to Bill. A lost little boy, filled with regret and fear. He really is the heart of this film.

Should you go see It Chapter Two?
YES! If you liked the first film you will really enjoy this one. For all my fellow horror movie chickens, I think you will be ok with this film. It's not nearly as scary as I thought it was going to be but it's still an entertaining ride. I think you will be fine just keep an eye out for red balloons in the parking lot.

The Lion King

The Lion King
Movie 39 Day 39

Have you ever heard a song but it sounds a little off and you find out it's actually a cover and not the original song? That is what The Lion King feels like. Except for Mufasa, no one but James Earl Jones could be Mufasa. Don't get me wrong, The Lion King is a visually STUNNING film. Absolutely gorgeous, lush and beautiful. I had a hard time separating what was real from CGI. I'm pretty sure it's all CGI but it's so unbelievably realistic. The directing by Jon Favreau was detailed and proves this man knows how to make a good movie but the Lion King lacks originality. Let me explain....

The Lion King feels like a shot for shot remake of the animated classic. What I have loved about the re-imagining of Disney Classics is they bring something new to the screen. Beauty and the Beast brought a deeper story into who Belle and the Beast were. We saw new songs and new elements of the story. The same goes for Dumbo, Cinderella, Maleficent, and Aladdin. One of the great successes of Aladdin was not trying to be the animated version. Guy Richie didn't want to recreate the original, he wanted to make it his own. We don't feel like Will Smith is trying to be Robin Williams. One of the flaws with the Lion King is it hardly separates from the animated classic. There are hardly any new character developments. It was a missed opportunity to go full Shakespeare on this story. (You realize The Lion King is basically Hamlet with a happier ending, right?)
Moving on...

Where were the Broadway songs? I understand there are rights and legal issues but now that this film has come out, it's very unlikely the Broadway show will be on film. This movie would have been a perfect opportunity to bring some of the Broadway magic to the big screen. How can you cast Beyonce as the voice of Nala and NOT have her sing Shadowland?!?!?!?! WHAT A MISSED OPPORTUNITY!!! How are you not going to have He Lives In You sung by Rafiki to help a struggling Simba figure out who he is? I was so disappointed none of the Broadway songs were in this movie. Instead of making the film something new, they stuck way too close to the animation. There were only two new songs, one by Beyonce that hardly stands out and a new song during the credits sung by Elton John. It would have been such a boost if the movie would have thrown the Broadway Show's songs.

Some of the voice acting seemed a little flat at times. I'm not sure if it was the sound quality but the voice acting lacked passion. The cartoon animation voices had so much emotion and the CGI just lacked that enthusiasm. I will say Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar was brilliant, except for his singing. Scar does not really sing, he does more of a sing talk of Be Prepared. Other than that, Chiwetel was full of rage, danger and mystery. He gave me chills with every word he said. Some of the other actors fell flat. You could tell they were reading a script instead of living in the character. At least that's how it felt to me.

Where the film succeed Timon, Pumba, Kamari, and Azizi. The only part of this film that felt fresh was the new take on these four characters. Billy Eichner and Seth Rogan voiced Timon and Pumba and they were hilarious. I found myself laughing every time they were on screen. You can tell they did a lot of improv with these characters. It brought a freshness and an originality that the film desperately needed. Keegan-Michael Key and Eric Andre were the voices of Kamari and Azizi. Think of them as modern Banzai and Ed. They are the comic relief of the terrible hyenas. In the animated film, the hyenas were bad but they were also really funny. In the CGI version, they are dark and terrifying creatures of the night. Shenzi, voiced by Florence Kasumba is the sinister leader of the hyenas. She wants to kill all the lions and is a dark character to have in a children's movie. Thank goodness for Kamari and Azizi, they are goofy and bring a little joy to these unredeemable characters.

Over all The Lion King is a visually stunning piece of CGI art. I don't know how they made all of the animals look so real. I swear Disney must have a real talking Rafiki hidden in Disney Wold! The film still made me cry 3 times! I even knew it was coming and I still cried! Is it worth seeing? I would say yes. The animation is something to be marveled at. The story may not be original but it is still beautifully told. I listened to the Broadway soundtrack immediately after leaving the theater. Kids will love it and you will laugh with Timon and Pumba.

Stoker

100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 38 Day 38
Stoker

I was looking for something unique to watch today. So often I see so many mainstream movies but it's refreshing to find something a little bit odd and more independent. I had heard about the movie Stoker in the past. I knew it starred Nicole Kidman as the mother, Mia Wasikowska as India and Matthew Goode as Uncle Charlie. The trailers always seemed a bit odd, like you weren't really sure if it was a thriller, independent or creepy. It's a little bit of everything! I must say that if you have the patience, this movie is absolutely stunning and terrifyingly creepy.

Stoker starts off with India's father passing away on her birthday. From there the story develops as a long-lost uncle appears out of nowhere and begins to assist her mother after her father's death. Now India is a very unique girl. She doesn't like to be touched, she has heightened sensory. She can hear things and see things that go unnoticed by most people. She's very socially awkward but incredibly brilliant. And her uncle Charlie seems to have a connection with her but you aren't exactly sure why that is. Members of the family seem shocked that Charlie is back after claiming he's been in Europe all these years. You know there's something sinister under the surface but you're not exactly sure what it is. I don't want to spoil the movie for you because it has so many creepy twists and turns. Stoker leaves you guessing until the screen fades to black and the credits roll.

The film making in this movie is breathtaking. Director Park Chan-wook uses to sound and sight to give another layer of depth and intimacy. You feel like you're watching something you're not supposed to see. He also has a beautiful artistic eye, the whole movie is inter laid with greens and Earth Tones that represent India and her emotions. Even Mia wears green contacts to give India an  interesting look to match Uncle Charlie's eyes. The cinematography was so on point you feel like you're looking at a painting. Every detail, every bird wing flapping, every creak the floorboards is so intimate and invasive. It's absolutely eerie and wonderful.

The acting by the cast is something to be praised. Nicole Kidman plays a brilliantly washed up, former debutante. She is struggling with the loss of her husband but she's clearly the type of woman who is always needed a man in her life. For the first time she has to evaluate herself and it's not a pretty picture.  Mia as India is phenomenal, she is so wise beyond her years. She's conflicted and deep but incredibly damaged but you're not exactly sure why. It's incredibly fascinating to watch her develop this character. Then of course there's Matthew Goode who is charming and delightful but there's some type of evil cynicism buried underneath the surface. I don't know how he can become dark and twisted but likable. I think he's incredibly underrated, he's so talented and can play charming, sweet, kind and sexy but terrifying and sinister.

If you have an opportunity and you are looking for a movie that's a little bit odd I highly recommend taking a look at Stoker

Agatha Christie's Ordeal by Innocence

100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 36 Day 36
Agatha Christie's Ordeal By Innocence

I love when a new movie pops up on Amazon Prime. As you are well aware, I'm a very big fan of British Cinema. I'm also a big admirer of the British mini-series as well. Today I stumbled across Agatha Christie's Ordeal by Innocence. What an amazing movie! I've heard of a few of Agatha Christie stories but I've never been a huge follower follower of hers. What drew me to this one was I really enjoyed the cast. It's stars Morven Christie, Anthony Boyle, Christian Cooke, Bill Nighy, Matthew Goode, Luke Treadaway, Anna Chancellor, Crystal Clark, Ella Purnell, and Eleanor Thomlinson.

Ordeal by Innocence is about an adoptive mother who was murdered and one of her adopted children is accused. Before he can be brought to trial, he is murdered in prison. 18 months later the family has joined together, as the father is going to remarry but the truth about mother's death starts to come out. And unexpected stranger shows up claiming to be The Alibi of the son who is accused of killing the mother. From there the story unfolds into a who did it, are they telling the truth, is The Alibi legit, and which among them is capable of murder?

The casting for this movie was absolute perfection. Morven Christie plays the down-on-her-luck maid that knows so many family secrets but never speaks up. She really is the heart and conscience of the entire movie. The way she observed the children and knew all the secrets but could never tell them. Matthew Goode is, once again, terrifying! Matthew Goode plays Phillip, the wheelchair ridden, morphine addict husband of one of the daughters and he is absolutely horrific. He loves to meddle, create problems and cause drama. He's absolutely brilliant at it. More than once I found myself cringing at the sight of him. The best part is, he the only character that couldn't have killed the mother!  He is the one that you were scared of the most just because of his mannerisms. The other standout performance is Anna Chancellor who plays Rachel, the mother. She goes between stern and cold. It's absolutely baffling to watch.

I know Agatha Christie wrote a long time ago but I must say her stories still resonate with people today. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I had no idea who the killer was. I kept guessing and I did not guess the correct answer until the very end. The whole film had this dynamic and sinister feel to it. There was a deeply talented cast that brilliantly portrayed the overwhelming sense of dread. We see the mother is horrible to these adopted children. She was merciless and any one of them could have killed her. The whole time you're just trying to figure out who it might be. The ending is phenomenal! I will not spoil the ending but I literally gasped out loud. Fantastic film that you really should watch if you get a chance. It's only 3 episodes and they're absolutely brilliant.

Death Comes to Pemberley

100 Movies in 100 Day
Movie 37 Day 37
Death Comes to Pemberley

Sometimes I wish I lived in a Jane Austen novel. Except when I have the realization that I would probably end up a maid with no prospects and no fancy husband. It's so nice to pretend that you live in a world of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. What happens after the fairy tale ending? What happens in 10 years once Darcy and Elizabeth are married? What about the rest of the family? That is the question Death Comes to Pemberley asks. It is a retelling of the classic Jane Austen story, more of a sequel. I will say it is quite dramatic compared to its original literature. It seems like a mix between Jane Austen and Agatha Christie. The cast on this mini-series is very impressive. We have Matthew Rhys as Mr. Darcy, Matthew Goode as the gorgeous Mr Wickham, Jenna Coleman playing Lydia and Anna Maxwell Martin playing Elizabeth.

Death Comes to Pemberley starts with Elizabeth and Darcy having a young son. They're just getting ready for a fancy ball and many people are coming to visit. One surprise is Lydia and her husband Mr. Wickham decide to come, uninvited, to the party. Keep in mind from the Jane Austen novel Lydia and Mr. Wickham were not welcome in the family anymore. Mr. Wickham tried to get Georgiana Darcy to run away with him and elope, quite the Scandal back then. He then tried again with Lydia. He married Lydia but it almost tore apart the Bennett Family. The movie begins with Mr. Wickham and a friend getting into an argument in the woods on their way to Pemberley. The man storms off, ends up injured in the woods and then dies. Everyone assumes Mr Wickham did it and the whole community is turned upside down. Keep in mind, this could ruin a family's reputation back then.

The movie follows the ups and downs of life during the Regency Era but it adds a murder mystery. I've never seen a murder mystery set during the Regency Era. It was kind of odd to see the way the courts were conducted, it almost felt play like. It had the air of a Shakespearean thriller but it was very odd when you Jane Austen into the mix. The film does a good job of sticking the original source material, Pride and Prejudice and keeping the characters relatively similar. It also makes you wonder how what these characters react to something so dramatic. Back when you think of Pride and Prejudice Lydia was always so flighty and crazy and they continue that tradition it's so interesting to see. She drives you absolutely bananas for the majority of the series but then you kind of see how much she's actually grown. She becomes a manipulative Mastermind and her actions are kind of brilliant. Of course there's Matthew Goode as Wickham and he brings charm in the chaos. The line smooth operator comes to mind. Matthew Goode is charming but he also can turn to sinister in a moment's notice. You find yourself questioning Mr. Wickham. We are unsure if he's capable of murder or not. Mr Wickham continues to be a horrible person and they don't shy away from that. We know from Pride and Prejudice that he's a dishonorable man but does that mean he's capable of murder? That is something that Mr. Darcy has to ask himself.

This is a three part mini-series with each episode being an hour. I will say it flew by and it's very interesting if you like Murder Mysteries and you appreciate a good Jane Austen novel. I would definitely check this out. I didn't know what to expect and again I'm a pretty true blue Jane Austen fan, so I went into it with skepticism. I didn't know if I was going to like it and I really enjoyed it. Plus, it's from the BBC and they're usually very good at what they produce. So if you get a chance I would say take a look at Death Comes to Pemberley and give it a go.

Leap Year

100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 35 Day 35
Leap Year

Happy Saint Patrick's day everyone! It seems like a perfect day to reflect on an Irish film. I wasn't sure which one I should choose. I don't know many Irish movies except for slightly depressing ones. I decided I would go with a delightful romantic comedy called Leap Year.

Leap Year stars Amy Adams as Anna, an uptight house Stager who desperately wants to get married to her boyfriend Jeremy, played by Adam Scott. Anna and Jeremy go out to dinner where Anna hopes for a proposal but instead is surprised with a pair of diamond earrings. Obviously, she is incredibly disappointed by this. Here is a tip for my male readers. Don't ever present a girl a pair of earrings in a wedding ring shaped box. It's not nice! Moving on! Anna decides to take matters into her own hands. tYhere is an Irish tradition, a woman can propose to a man on the 29th of February during the leap year. Jeremy is at a conference in Dublin and Anna decides to surprise him. She goes to Dublin with the intent of proposing to Jeremy.

As in many romantic comedies, things do not go according to plan. Anna's flight is rerouted and she has to find her own way to Dublin. At her first stop she meets the charming Declan, played by the beautiful Matthew Goode. Declan is the owner of a bed and breakfast Pub and is in desperate need of money. He offers to drive Anna to Dublin for five hundred pounds. Right from the start you can tell these two are going to clash but the clashing is what makes them so adorably endearing. With all romantic comedies there are ups and downs with the couple. It takes time for them to realize they like each other, then they hate each other, then maybe they like each other again. Who knows how it's going to go!

Leap Year is charming and very fun but I will say it had some slight pacing issues. Sometimes it was hard to get into the story and it was not for a lack of charm from the actors. Amy Adams is adorable and so charismatic in this film and Matthew Goode is equally witty and sexy. The two have pretty decent chemistry but they're bickering so much through the movie that you really don't get to see their potential. I almost wish the film focused on them more as a couple instead of bickering/fighting. I get that they wanted it to be a dynamic ending but it it just didn't feel right. The film is filled with awkward spots that don't flow very well. I don't know if it was from misdirection or poor editing but the film it needed a little something extra.

One thing I will say for this film is it had beautiful locations. The film is shot throughout the Irish Countryside and it is absolutely breathtaking. We see green cliffs, rolling hills, dark moors and ancient castles. It's absolutely stunning. It makes anyone watching want to go to Ireland. I was more excited to see where they were going to be filming next as opposed to the actual drama of the film. The locations add a deeper layer to this movie. How could you not fall in love driving across an Irish Countryside? I have no idea! I would be head-over-heels but it is Matthew Goode, who I am secretly crushing on.

This beautiful Saint Patrick's Day, if you're looking for something fun maybe take a peek at Leap Year. It's not the best romantic comedy I've ever seen, it's not the worst romantic comedy I've ever seen. Watch it for the Irish Countryside, for the beautiful Amy Adams and for the handsome Matthew Goode.

Day of the Western Sunrise

100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 34 Day 34
Day of the Western Sunrise

A few days ago, a friend of mine told me there was a new film coming to the Knickerbocker Theater in Holland. The film was a documentary written and directed by a friend he went to high school with. I was so excited to see someone from Western Michigan making films! I didn't know much about the film. I knew it was a documentary that was done with live footage and animation. Color me intrigued. I was excited to meet the filmmaker and asks questions after the viewing. It's the inner film scholar, I love to dive a little deeper.

Day of the Western Sunrise is a documentary written and directed by Keith Reimink. It is the true story of a group of Japanese fisherman who accidentally witnessed one of the United States' nuclear tests at Castle Bravo in 1954. Day of the Western Sunrise uses paper animation, survivor interviews and narration to retell this horrifying moment in history. This film is done in Japanese with English subtitles, which is the way it should be. I always get frustrated when people don't want to see something because it's in another language. Personally, the film has a deeper impact on the audience because the story is told in the survivor's mother tongue.

The animation in Day of the Western Sunrise is absolutely beautiful. I have no idea how they did it! It looks like individually cut out pieces, overlapping together. I'm sure it was done with a computer but it looks handmade. Absolutely gorgeous and a wonderful way to tell such a horrific story.  So often documentaries relay on historical news footage or reenactment with actors. In Day of the Western Sunrise, Reimink uses the animation to create a unified story.

The soundtrack and music for Day of the Western Sunrise was done by Troy Reimink. The soundtrack is eerily haunting and tragically beautiful. The music never pulls focus away from the story but it does intensify the emotional drive behind the film.

Since the film is mostly animated, the sound effects were vital in the emotional telling of the story. Keith Reimink's use of simple sounds added depth and emotion to the animation. I felt like I was on a fishing boat in the middle of the ocean. I can hear the birds and the waves. It's amazing how little sounds and details can take you away to a different time.

How have we never heard this story? That was the question the film left me with. Day of the Western Sunrise does a brilliant job of trying to be unbiased. Reimink is there to tell a story from the survivor's perspective and not push a political agenda. I can respect and appreciate that but I was left with so many questions. What was the United State's involvement? What about the Japanese government and relationship with the fisherman? Leaving with questions is a good thing. A documentary should make you think and Day of the Western Sunrise will leave you wanting more. I highly recommend taking a look at this film.

A Discovery of Witches

100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 33 Day 33
A Discovery of Witches

So as I said I've been wanting to mix things up a little bit and I've been watching a lot more television series. I love magical shows, books and movies. I've read all of the Mortal Instruments stories, I've read all the Twilight books (Don't judge me!) I've seen all of the magical movies from the Labyrinth to The Craft to Practical Magic and so many more. I love a good witch, vampire, daemon, werewolf story. So when I heard about A Discovery of Witches I was intrigued. Until this point, I have never read the books. To be honest, I went out and got the book as soon as I finished season 1. Moving on, before the show, I never even heard of the books. I followed Teresa Palmer, who plays Diana in the show, on Instagram. She posted about filming the show and I loved the cast. I've seen Matthew Goode in a few different things from Downton Abbey, Chasing Liberty, Leap Year and The Crown. I was mostly intrigued by the elements magic in A Discovery of Witches. I always wanted to be a witch when I was little. I was very disappointed when I found out I couldn't be a real witch. I blame years of Harry Potter! Let's take a short look at A Discovery of Witches.

A Discovery of Witches takes place in 2018. It is about a historian and witch named Diana Bishop, played by Teresa Palmer. One day while doing research at Oxford University, she finds a book hidden in the classical section of the library. When she opens the book weird event start to occur. Magic words start coming off of pages. The book is otherworldly, covered in magic and not only do the witches feel the power but vampires and daemons as well. Diana's experience with this book drew a lot of attention and the most attention is by a vampire named Matthew, played by Matthew Goode. All of the magical creatures are attracted to this book, which Diana has returned and is now nowhere to be found. Diana becomes a person of interest to all creatures. Matthew becomes completely fascinated and infatuated with Diana and her abilities. Let me tell you, the chemistry between Palmer and Goode is completely electric. Gives me total chills!

What's the big deal, it's just another witch story! Yes, it's a witch story but it has fantastic layers of History woven within each scene. It is clearly seen the author of the book series is a historian. Plus, what's not to love about forbidden romance? Obviously, Matthew is attracted to Diana. He's intrigued by Diana magical potential.  He's interested in her because something is off with Diana's magic. Her magic is untamed, unchecked and unbalanced. Who wouldn't love the idea of magic appearing whenever you need it or sensing danger whenever it's near? I think that is what draws the viewer in. We all imagine ourselves as a witch, vampire, or daemon. We humans are attracted to the unknown and the darkness. A Discovery of Witches allows you to tap into that part of your imagination. It's a fun escape for the boring Human world.

This show does not shy away from strong female characters. It's wonderful to see Diana as a smart academic but also a powerful witch. A Discovery of Witches is about women empowerment across all species. The female vampires are wise matriarchs of their families.  Female witches are powerful and can save themselves. Diana doesn't need Matthew's help to survive, she can survive on her own and it's brilliant to see. There is a great contrast where maybe the witch can save the vampire. A Discovery of Witches is not afraid to challenge societal norms. It's uplifting to see Diana was raised by two women, her aunt Sarah and partner Emily. Both women are strong capable witches. The fact they are lesbians is never mentioned. It doesn't matter who you love, it's the power of the love. Yes, I know that's so girlie and cheesy but I'm a secret romantic. Shhhh, don't tell anyone.

My only criticism of the some are the side stories. There are a few smaller stories happening in the background and they pull focus from the main characters. There is this whole plot line about an ancient council with Daemons, Vampires, and Witches. I found myself a little bit bored with that plot line. I'm sure it will be important in later seasons but I kept thinking, get back to Diana and Matthew now. Oh well, it is still a strong show!

I could write so much more on this show. I could write and entire thesis paper on it very easily but that's not why you are here. You, my dear reader are here to get a taste for something new. I highly recommend finding and watching A Discovery of Witches. Be warned, it's massively addictive.

Chasing Liberty

100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 32 Day 32
Chasing Liberty

Sometimes you need a little blast from the past. I was feeling a little nostalgic and in need of some 2004 influence. I was looking on Hulu and realized I have never watched the movie Chasing Liberty. The movie stars Mandy Moore, Matthew Goode and Mark Harmon. I thought this movie looks kind of cute, it's from 2004! It seemed like a good day to take a peek and see what Chasing Liberty had to offer. I was pleasantly surprised to find that chasing Liberty is so nostalgic of my senior year in high school. I remember wearing the bell-bottoms, having the short dark choppy hair, short crop tops and all the glitter and bling that went along with the year 2004. Chasing Liberty was a fun little experimentation.

Chasing Liberty is the story of Mandy Moore playing Anna, she is the first daughter to the president of the United States. Jokingly the president is played by Mark Harmon and he does a beautiful job of playing the stern, yet funny president. Anna decides she wants to have a weekend to herself, away from the Secret Service and her parents prying eyes. She sneaks away from the Secret Service in Prague and meets Ben, who she thinks is just a friend. Ben actually ends up being a Secret Service agent who is supposed to be guarding the first daughter without her knowledge. That charming man is of course played by the beautiful Matthew Goode.

What makes Chasing Liberty so gosh darn charming? Honestly it's all about young, naive love. It reminded me of my first crush and how your whole world revolved around being young. The adult in me watches the film and is yelling at the characters. You don't know them? Be safe, where is your passport...ect ect ect. Chasing Liberty reminds viewers of wanting to backpack through Europe during those college years. This movie will definitely make you want to travel to Venice, Prague, Austria and all over Europe. I think that was my favorite part about the entire movie, watching Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode run along the streets of Venice.  It was a fun rom-com with a lot of jumps and bumps along the way.

Was this a good movie? It wasn't a bad movie, it definitely wasn't the best rom-com I've ever seen but it was charming. Matthew Goode stands out for his brilliant performance, he makes Ben seem kind instead of a lying creep. One odd thing I did notice was during some points of the movie it feels like a made-for-tv movie. There are large breaks in between scenes where the screen just goes to black. The break between scenes felt like a dramatic, hold for commercial moment. It was very distracting and didn't help the pacing of the film at all.

Again the real highlight of the movie is the locations. It really reminds its viewer to travel and exploring new cultures. That being said it also reminds you of the dangers of travel and remind you that you have to watch out. It was still a fun little hour and a half's adventure. If you have a spare moment, check it out but again it's not on my must-see list but it was still fun to watch

Captain Marvel

100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 31 Day 31
Captain Marvel

It's about damn time Marvel had a female led superhero film! I have been waiting for this film since 2016 when it was announced at Comic Con. There have been so many rumors over the years of a female centered superhero movie for Marvel Studies. I thought it was going to be Black Widow or Scarlet Witch but I am so happy the studio went with Captain Marvel.

A Quick Summary
Captain Marvel aka Carol Danvers is played by Oscar winning actress Brie Larson. The movie takes place in 1996, that's before the first Ironman. Captain Marvel goes back and shows how modern day SHIELD is formed. Carol Danverts wakes up one day with special abilities and no memory of where they came from. She is trained in space by a group of warriors called Kree. Her mentor and commander is Yon-Rogg played by Jude Law. One day Carol and the other Krees are sent to a planet where Carol is captured by Skrull alien warriors. They are looking for something on Earth and they crash land there. Carol meets Nick Fury, played by Samuel L Jackson and together they fight to save mankind. I don't want to give away too much. It's a Marvel movie and spoilers are a big no no!

Hello 90's
Captain Marvel is complete blast from the past. I loved watching this film because so much of the 90's culture is reflected in the movie! I wore the grunge t-shirt and went to Blockbuster video. There were so many great Easter eggs for anyone who lived in the 90's. It's an added bonus to an already brilliant film!

What's the big deal with this movie?
Captain Marvel is a huge milestone for the Marvel Universe. Never before has Marvel had a female centered superhero film. Captain Marvel is the first Marvel film to have one of the co-directors be a woman. So many studios assumed a female centered film would not be as successful as a male superhero movie. Clearly, that is no longer the case. I am completely desperate for this film to do well at the box-office because I want more female focused films. I am so sick of powerful women being the side-kick to some guy. Marvel has done a great job of changing the male perception of heroes. Black Widow is a force to be reckoned with, Pepper Potts is a powerhouse CEO, Scarlet Witch is stronger than all the men, Okoye is a general of the King's guard in Wakanda and that's only a few of the amazing women Marvel has to work with. 

Representation Matters
Captain Marvel is so important in the fight for representation in media and film. Little girls need to see that a woman can do anything a man can do. It's important to point out that Captain Marvel is the one saving both men and women in the film. She doesn't need a man to help her, she can fight on her own. It's beautiful when we see fear in the eyes of the powerful male characters. Not all women have to be superheros. Carol's best friend is a single mother pilot who is hard working and brilliant. She is teaching her daughter to grow up strong and fight for what is right. I wish the film would have focused more on Carol's past in the air force. We see flashes for her having to fight for her right to be there. I would love to watch an entire film of Carol fighting her way to the top. Either way, it will show all the little girls that watch Captain Marvel that no one defines you. You don't need to prove yourself to anyone. You are enough. You are powerful.

Slight Spoilers Ahead.....

SPOILERS

There are two great Stan Lee tributes. The one at the opening credits put tears in my eyes. Stan was a brilliant man and I will always be grateful for the amazing legacy he left behind. Marvel has been my refuge when life kicks me down. It has brought me closer with my family. We are all going to miss him so much!

Stay for the post credits scenes! We get a massive Avengers: End Game spoiler.
I can not wait to see how Carol fits in with the rest of the Avengers. She is a powerhouse and she is going to be so pissed when she finds out what Thanos did. Seriously, Thanos is so screwed! The film does explain where she has been all these years. It makes sense. It will make you mad a Fury for waiting so long to reach out to her. All I can say is we have one more month until Avengers: End Game and I can not wait!

Juanita

100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 30 Day 30
Juanita

I am pleasantly surprised when I find a random movie on Netflix. You never know what you're going to get but normally they're pretty good. Today when I logged on to Netflix a preview for a movie called Juanita popped up. I decided why not it's only an hour and a half movie let's see what this has to offer. And I have to say it was a very charming and sweet foam to watch especially an international women's day.

Alfre Woodard plays Juanita. She is taking control of her life and shaking things up. She is a single mother of three.  Her family has had its ups and downs. Her eldest son is currently in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Her daughter has a one-year-old child and her other son is in and out gangs and trouble. Juanita works long hours at a nursing home to try and keep her family together. Juanita's only escape is the occasional fantasy about Blair Underwood. It's actually very funny because Blair Underwood plays fantasy Blair Underwood and it's absolutely hilarious. It's fun to see a sophisticated actor like Blair Underwood make fun of himself. Juanita decide that she's had enough. She packs a bag, hops on the bus and takes off out West. She tells our kids they're on their own and she needs to do this for herself.

Juanita ends up in Butte, Montana where meets a random trucker named Peaches. Peaches is a fun-loving lesbian woman who decides to befriend Juanita. Peaches tells Juanita she needs to get out of Butte and travel to a small town called Paper Moon and Peaches will take her there. In Paper Moon, Juanita meets a local Native American restaurant owner named Jess. Jess is trying to be a fancy french chef but the locals are not big fans of the food. They want normal diner food and Juanita comes in and teaches Jess how to cook southern food. She tells the restaurant clients to tell everyone there is a black lady cooking in the kitchen.

One of the best parts of the film is it combines two very rich cultures. We see aspects of both the Native American and the African American experience is in America. How both these rich cultures can come together and thrive. Juanita gets to experience real Native American culture in the mountains of Montana but she also gets to show her own personality and flare.

It also is a story for anyone who feels stuck in their life. Juanita finally realizes that she needs a change in her life. She knows it's going to be difficult but it's what is best for her and maybe even her children. It's never too late to start over. But it's also never too late to continue on a new adventure. This movie encourages women to find their own voice and to just be who they are truly meant to be.