Superman Review

After seeing Superman twice, initially on July 11, and then today on July 15th, this movie is definitely one that warrants a review like this as James Gunn created something truly special! I tend to write reviews for this blog when I absolutely loved something, be it movies or television, and Superman 2025 is certainly something that meets that criteria. When you think about iconic characters in pop culture, inevitably Superman will always be at the top of the list. Since 1938, the Man of Steel has entertained people both domestically and internationally, not only as a piece of comic book lore, not only as a superhero or divine figure, but as the embodiment of hope we all strive for as human beings.  When we look up with Superman, we're aiming for a better tomorrow, and this movie certainly embodies the ethos of Superman on a grand scale. 

I have enjoyed all iterations of Superman from Christopher Reeve to Henry Cavill. Everybody that's portrayed him has brought a memorable performance that helps to define and, in some cases, redefine what this character is all about helping the character to evolve, while also preserving the core values of what makes Superman timeless. However, it's the outstanding performance of David Corenswet that makes you believe he IS Superman. Corenswet's Superman is inherently good to his core. He portrays a truly humanistic approach that grounds the character, while also portraying his Kryptonian nature simultaneously. He is strong and vulnerable at the same time allowing the audience to connect with him in a completely authentic manner. Corenswet's Superman is a definitive babyface (pro-wrestling terminology for good guy). He cares about everybody and everything around him. He legitimately wants to make the world a better place. He may have come from Krypton and is undoubtedly, the most powerful being in this world, but it's who he is at his core that makes him as likable as he is. He identifies with his humanity. Connecting with people of multiple cultures, races and walks of life makes him the hero we all want and need. His speech in the third act about humanity shows how much he cares, and how much he's evolved over the course of the whole movie. Corenswet not only physically resembles what Superman looks like, but he fully embraces the ideologies of what makes Superman whole! Corenswet is the Superman we want and need, and he absolutely delivered in every aspect of what makes Superman the character we root for every time we flip through a comic or watch him in some form of media, be it movies or television. 

One of the best aspects of the movie is Superman's connection with Lois Lane. It's always been an important element to anything Superman related, and in this movie, you feel that emotional connection through the screen. Rachel Brosnahan is remarkable as Lois. She's inquisitive, intelligent and the one that always helps to ground Superman and balance him out, allowing his humanity to come through as Clark Kent. She's fearless in many ways here as well, utilizing her journalistic integrity and overall infallible efforts to gain the real stories of what's going on, protecting the good and innocent of the world, much like Clark, but in her own way. Lois just has a style of getting things done, and Brosnahan makes her an absolute bad ass at every corner of this movie. I'd like to say I'm somebody that likes a lot of sugar in my coffee as well as a side note. The sweetness drowns out the bitterness so well, and the symbolism of that is seen through every effort of exposing the true monsters and enemies that threaten us. Superman is the sugar, while the world around us is the bitter. Helping the world to realize that Superman is inherently good and the one that can protect us from all the bad is the mission. Lois is a hero in her own right, even if she doesn't have super powers and that was exemplified brilliantly by Brosnahan. Her chemistry with Corenswet was impeccable, and, through their performances I felt their believability as a couple. It's one of the best Clark Kent/Lois Lane relationship stories you'll find. 

Every great hero needs a perfect villain. For Superman, that villain has always been Lex Luthor. From Gene Hackman to my personal favorite, Michael Rosenbaum, every one of these actors has brought an imposing presence that threatens the security of the world, and a looming darkness hoping to blot out the hope and light of the world. While all of these performances are impressive, it's Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor that is the best villainous performance I've seen. I've been a fan of Hoult's work since Skins, and while some may have been hesitant on his casting, I was excited, because I know Hoult can tap into a great villainous persona. Without a doubt, Hoult's Luthor is one of, if not, the greatest heels (pro-wrestling terminology for bad guy) in comic book movie history. He's the definitive opposite of everything Superman is. He's manipulative, cruel, cunning, domineering and displays arrogance in such a vindictive and dangerous manner. He doesn't care about anybody or anything. It's Hoult's performance as Luthor that allows Corenswet's Superman to become even more likable as an overall character. The immense hatred, envy and overall greed that Hoult's Luthor projects makes him such a detestable figure. While we absolutely loathe him, we also have to recognize Hoult's august presence in every frame he's in. His cerebral approach to everything makes him one of the biggest threats in the history of comic book movies. His stranglehold over everything has him controlling the geo-political landscape, Metropolis and every single person at his disposal. His blind hatred for Superman illuminates his true thoughts about humanity, and his actions show just how much of a grandiose despot he is. Hoult's scenes with Corenswet demonstrate the perfect symbiosis between the yin and yang of their rivalry through the years. The true balance between good and evil is captured through their words, their actions and their core personality traits. Hoult's Luthor is what a movie villain is supposed to be. You're supposed to root against the bad guy, and, in this case Hoult makes sure we do, and it's almost effortless at how good he is at making Luthor the biggest villain you'll ever find. 

This movie does a great job of opening up the new era of DC as a whole through Mr. Terrific (standout performance by Edi Gathegi coming across as one of the coolest characters ever), Hawkgirl (a mysterious character who is actually one of the biggest difference makers in the entire movie portrayed by the awesome Isabela Merced, who fits so well into a comic book movie universe), and Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion's arrogant, yet comedic approach may not have been overall heroic to it's core, but he understands the importance of protecting humanity). Allowing different characters from DC Comics shows there is a vision and focus for this new era, which has me excited. I loved the previous iteration of the DCEU a great deal, but it's always a good idea to give a jolt to freshen things up, and these new characters and approach should be great to watch unfold. 

Speaking of comic books, this movie feels like the action sequences are lifted straight out of the pages with vibrant colors and impressive visuals. The battle sequences are gritty, while also showcasing astounding metahuman power. The use of color helps each scene pop out of the screen for the audience to become fully immersed in everything going on. The visuals of the Fortress of Solitude, the Daily Planet and the impressive presentation of the pocket universes are all fantastic, and the scenes in each of these settings allows the story and characters to develop vividly throughout the movie. The soundtrack is absolutely astonishing throughout this movie, especially when utilized during these stunning action scenes. The soundtrack becomes a living, breathing heartbeat of the movie, which brings the emotional aspects out even more. This is most evident watching Clark reconnect with the catharsis of who he is at his core and using that to rise above and defeat the diabolical obstacles in front of him. 

Through impressive performances led by David Corenswet's magnificent performance as Superman/Clark Kent, meticulous storytelling, grandiose characters, brilliant character development,  wondrous world building, somehow helping people understand the true essence of what punk rock is, a scintillating soundtrack, exciting action, and of course, Krypto, Superman 2025 marks the beginning of a new, exciting era for DC. For me, it's one of the best movies of 2025, and without a doubt, one of the greatest comic book movies ever made. James Gunn delivered on all levels for the audience, and I feel we're in for a wild ride that should be exhilarating for audiences both young and old to appreciate. 

Sinners Review

As an avid admirer of cinema as a whole, I'm always optimistic about movies being able to reach through and impact me on a different level beyond pure entertainment. Sometimes, you want a deeper movie filled with symbolism and commentary to make it truly groundbreaking. Sinners is that type of movie. It's a movie that has something to say through the lens of so many different cultures. It's a movie that transcends generations of the past, present and future through it's characters, dialogue, and most importantly, it's music! 

Ryan Coogler is such a gifted film maker. He put together something truly remarkable with each scene expanding upon itself allowing the audience to become further immersed in his story and vision, revealing himself as one of the best working in the entertainment industry today. I'd actually consider this Coogler's best work to date, and a lot of it is because the story resonates with him at it's core. You can feel the authenticity in each scene. It makes the movie that much more powerful, because the real allows the fiction to become more palpable for the audience. He creates a movie with complexity, where each character feels like a real person with detailed stories to who they are, how they connect to each other. Coogler also crafts a great story of society as a whole, and through creative ideas borrowed from myths, legends and narratives, what happens when society turns on itself. There's a tremendous symbiosis between the brilliant storytelling and complex storytelling of the characters with a strong supernatural element that only enhances the power of the story. 

When you think of some of the best actors in the industry today, undoubtedly, Michael B. Jordan is going to enter into the discussion. Throught projects like The Wire, Friday Night Lights, Fruitvale Station, Black Panther & Creed, he's shown audiences how incredible he is through his performances. In Sinners, he is absolutely outstanding. Having seen most of his prior work, I would definitely say that his performance here is his absolute best work to date. His performance as both Elijah (Smoke) & Elias (Stacks) displays his dexterity and range as an actor. He shapes twin brothers with two distinct, unique personalities and allows each of their differences to shine brightly in every scene. Watching him weave between the mindsets of these characters is truly remarkable, and allows the story to be more enthralling. Jordan commands the screen in every scene, no matter what brother he is showing his innate ability to connect with the characters he plays, creating something sincere and tangible for the audience to explore. 

Another highlight of the movie is Miles Caton's Sammy. It's astonishing that this is his first big role as his timing and delivery of his dialogue, reactions to events going on around him and his singing voice were all integral pieces of keeping the story flowing, and he was able to navigate it effortlessly. Sammy bridges both pieces of the story in a highly harmonious manner, allowing each character to find out more about who they are at their core, while also providing a soundtrack for the exterior of the community, it's inhabitants and it's infiltrators. Sammy's connection to everybody in this movie is the heart of it's storytelling. Through Sammy's eyes and voice, we're able to see an entire family's genealogical soundtrack, and it's Caton's ability as an actor that allows Sammy's arc to be as effective as it is. 

While there are several great male characters in this, a movie will never be complete without it's female characters, and one of my favorite parts of this movie is Hailee Steinfeld's Mary. Hailee Steinfeld is one of my all time favorite actresses since her exemplary performance as Nadine in Edge of Seventeen. Her Southern accent is on point, her attitude is one of confidence, but deep vulnerability as well in terms of her romantic life, and her connection to Elijah, and more specifically, Elias. Steinfeld's ability to constantly take the context of the scene, turn it upside down and make it even more intriguing is just amazing to watch. She takes command of the emotions of the men around her, and allows them to realize how much she has meant to them in their lives. Mary is what allows us to get a glimpse of who Elijah and Elias were in the past, and how they became the men they are today. Steinfeld's natural beauty, sensational charm and cool charisma carries through the screen in every scene. While she definitely has emotional...and, at some points physical scars, she also provides familial strength to everybody around her, allowing everybody to realize how deep their roots go. In many ways, Mary's story is how we are able to get to the events of this story. It's really impressive to watch how everything connects so expertly. It's been a while since I had seen Hailee Steinfeld in an acting project, but seeing her in Sinners reminded me just how wonderful she is as an actress! She came into this movie, and really shaped Mary into one of the most outstanding parts of the movie.

One more performance that needs to be highlighted lies in it's antagonist, Reddick. I have been a fan of Jack O'Connell's work since he was Cook in Skins. He's usually a complex character in his roles, usually leaning towards the antagonist side. His performance here as Reddick is bloody brilliant. Yes, I went for a pun there, and it might be cheesy, but it works. He serves as the principal antagonist, but, I have to be honest here, there are things about Reddick that I like. I don't think he's evil at his core. I do think he has maintained a shred of his humanity, and it does come out from time to time. While he's a vampire, you also have to remember through the lore of the vampire mythos that somebody forced him to be that way. While he definitely takes away people's freedom and lives from them, his idea of camaraderie and harmony as a united people is something that you can support. It's just unfortunate that the only way he can make that happen is to transform you. O'Connell's Reddick presents that deep hurt and longing for companionship and love, but he's going about it in a violent and vindictive manner that makes the audience dislike him. You're supposed to root against him, and O'Connell's natural ability to gravitate towards the villainous side works marvelously when it has to. I do like the way he connects to characters around him, especially Mary, but he also finds ways to try and help Elijah and Elias as well. Honestly, I get if you hate Reddick, but, I also think he might be the most complex character of the movie, because, despite his vampire exterior, his twisted way of creating a new society has good intentions at it's core. O'Connell's performance is electrifying as Reddick, especially when he's presenting the nefarious side of his personality, but he's also adept at portraying Reddick battling his inner demons to connect to others around him. 

Music is the pulse of this movie. Each scene is defined by the mood and rhythm of the notes. The variety of genres present in this movie speaks to past, present and future generations. Whether it's blues, Irish folk music, jazz, etc. everything moves to the beat of the time period and it's characters. Ludwig Goransson's score is one of the very best you'll find. The score moves with the characters selling the emotion of the scenes. The strength of the orchestral arrangement makes the scenes more effective. I've always felt music is such an important part of movies, but, in Sinners Goransson proves that music really can create the rawest of emotion for the audience. We feel everything they feel. The connection from the first act to the second act is amazing. This effortless divide between smooth jazz to almost a hard rock motif perfectly embellishes upon the visuals. The characters move with the music as well, perfectly selling each note of what they're listening to. There's a great scene representing music throughout generations where you're watching everything going on, but also absorbing the power of the notes and it's such an ethereal experience. Selling the emotion of the supernatural, vampiric aspects of the movie through the harder hitting notes is great as well. Without question, Sinners has one of the best soundtracks of all time. Everything about it matters, and everything about it adds more complexity to the story, and, in actuality presents a clear, concise view of every aspect of Coogler's characters.

Through Ryan Coogler's impressive vision, one of the best ensemble casts I've seen in a long time helmed by Michael B. Jordan's stellar performance, dynamic, complex storytelling, incredible use of music (which can't be stressed enough), visuals (especially in terms of color dynamics, namely the dichotomy between light and dark, as well as spectrum choices for individual characters) and two distinct acts that bridge together brilliantly, Sinners delivers on all fronts as the best movie of 2025 so far for it's unique presentation and ability to connect with it's audience in an authentic manner.

 

Snow White Review

 I saw Snow White on March 23, 2025! I vividly remember watching the 1937 animated classic several times when I was younger. It's a staple of Disney, and a huge reason why the company is one of the most profitable in the world. Animation was always a cornerstone for Disney. In recent years, we've seen Disney adapt their animated classics into live action versions. Some have worked. Some have not. For me, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast were well made live action versions. I haven't really enjoyed other live action versions...until, I saw the newest iteration of Snow White. I was hesitant on initially checking this out due to the "controversies" around it, but then I thought about it, and realized the "controversies" surrounding the movie have more to do with media fascination and people getting caught up in a frenzy rather than just ignoring it and see what the movie's about it. I was thoroughly impressed with this live action version which, in my opinion, holds the spirit of the original well, while also adding a more well rounded interpretation of the story and it's characters. 

Rachel Zegler's casting as Snow White may have turned heads, but she was exceptionally brilliant in her performance! She someone fearless! She's someone fair! She's someone brave! She's someone true! Zegler takes the elements that established Snow White as the preeminent Disney princess, but adds qualities to her that make her a female character that speaks to the girls and women of a new generation, while also being inspirational to everyone around her as a beacon of truth and hope that establishes that good can win. She has such a natural, innocent effervescence about her, displaying beauty both externally and internally in a way that helps her become one of the most likable heroines of Disney canon. Zegler made me appreciate and love Snow White more than I did when I was watching the younger animated movie. This Snow White is all about her connection to the roots of her parents, her people, and her kingdom. Zegler's sublime performance really pulled me in, and made me a huge fan of what I was watching unfold. She is simply remarkable here! 

Gal Gadot's casting as the Evil Queen/Grimhilde was fantastic. She portrayed her as a remorseless dictator that took the soul of her kingdom and snuffed it out. Gadot's accent and appearance makes the original queen's motivations work really well in this modern setting. She's able to add some dark humor elements to her performance as well that make her stand out as a more intriguing character. Her dark magic is mysterious and does a great job of balancing out the light that Snow White brings. She's the yin to Snow White's yang. Whenever she's on screen, there's an intimidating presence about her that accentuates her villainous qualities. If we were talking about Lana Parilla's Regina from Once Upon A Time, then I'd be rooting for her, but I 100% support Zegler's Snow White over Gadot's Grimhilde, because the storytelling really made the hero and villain dynamics work exceedingly well throughout the course of the movie. However, Gadot's performance here is indicative of how well she understands the roles she takes. She made her completely ruthless, and that worked so well for the overall crux of the story. 

While there may not be a traditional Prince Charming role, there certainly is a solid love story within this movie. Andrew Burnap's casting as the bandit Jonathan was great. Jonathan grows into a more courageous character throughout the movie. His role as a bandit rather than a prince made him more interesting, and his chemistry with Zegler's Snow White was palpable. It was very fun and believable. He had a Robin Hood aura about him, and, in many ways it reminded me of the Snow White and Prince Charming from Once Upon A Time as Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas had a similar aura to their story. He was a great male protagonist that helps to keep the story flowing, while adding some solid action sequences along the way

When I was younger, I always liked the seven dwarfs. I still fondly recalling Doc saying apple dumpkins and laughing. In this version, the dwarfs are highly entertaining, and, there are even more interesting qualities added to them. Each of the dwarfs has a unique quality about them, while the voice work and visual representations worked really well. Snow White helps each of the dwarfs to realize how important they are to one another, while also helping their brotherhood and camaraderie to naturally grow. Bringing more out of the Dopey character was especially great to see, and Dopey adds so much raw emotion to the whole group. There's some standout moments with all the dwarfs, but be on the lookout for Dopey, especially, because he steals the show for the dwarfs. 

While I enjoyed the performances and the story a great deal, one aspect of this movie that helps to add more heart and excitement to everything is the incredible music.The songs add a melodious aura of lyrical luminescence that displays how powerful musicals can be. Rachel Zegler's voice is so beautiful, and I felt her emotion and energy in each of her lyrics. Waiting on a Wish is such an incredible song that exemplifies how a character can maintain it's original identity, while also showing the importance of evolving to stay relevant in an ever changing world. It's such a poignant and powerful song that helps define Snow White's fairness, courage and beauty so vividly. Her personality is extremely likable, and that's what you want from your protagonist. While Snow White has amazing songs, a big standout song is the Evil Queen/Grimhilde's All Is Fair which displayed her cunning and intellect, as well as her ruthless character. Gadot was having so much fun with this song and showed it through her charismatic presentation of the lyrics. Where Zegler's songs for Snow White displayed her sweet innocence, Gadot's rock opera style was perfect for her antagonist nature. I also loved the inclusion of traditional songs like Whistle While You Work and Heigh-Ho. This is an exceptional soundtrack that would be perfect if Broadway decides to adapt this to a stage production. I really can't say enough good things about the songs here. It's the heartbeat of the movie, and helps to add commentary and inner monologuing to the storytelling for the audience. 

Through brilliant performances led by the astonishing Rachel Zegler, fun storytelling holding true to the original animated version, while also adding more depth to speak to future generations, excellent soundtrack, and beautiful costumes and make-up, this is proof that a solid live action version of Disney animated classics can be made. For me, it's currently my favorite movie of 2025, and I've seen a lot so far this year. I would ask people to stop focusing on the "controversies" the media is spreading, and the unfair low ratings it's getting, because it's really an excellent movie. It's a lot of fun, and there's so much heart at it's core. 

Wicked: Part 1 Review

I saw Wicked: Part 1 on November 23, 2024! I have always been fascinated by the world of Oz. My mother was the one who introduced me and my brothers to this incredible world with the 1939 MGM Classic, and I never lost my fondness for it and anything Oz related. When I found out there was a musical called Wicked coming out on Broadway, I was excited as it was going to be based on the incredible book by Gregory Maguire, which is a favorite of mine. My favorite character of all time is the Wicked Witch of the West, and, naturally, much like the book, this musical was going to focus on her side of the story, and how misunderstood she's always been. I remember the first time seeing it enamored with the creative storytelling and perspective that created an even more immersive world to enjoy. There is so much narrative storytelling throughout along with one of the best musical soundtracks you'll find. This movie adaptation was adept at bringing the book and the stage to the screen in such a spectacular manner that allowed the audience to feel everything. Jon M. Chu did a remarkable job capturing every nook and cranny of what makes this such a special piece of pop culture. Oz is a world that bonds generations both young and old, and I think Chu's presentation of this remarkable musical really builds that to a crescendo throughout here.

Essentially, much like the musical, Wicked is split into two acts, or parts. Act 1 is covered in this installment, and we look at the backstory of Elphaba, growing up being ostracized by everybody around her simply because of what she looked like. Nobody bothered to learn about the great person she is underneath. I think Cynthia Erivo is superb as Elphaba! She captured the vulnerability, clever wit, and underlying confidence inside her so brilliantly. She nailed the mood and tone of each moment of her movements and dialogue. The green tone used blended so well on screen with the rest of Chu's interpretation of Oz, as well as the darker wardrobe choices. Her black dress and boots have a subtle hint of dark purple in them, which said a lot. It says that while she is put in a figurative bubble by everybody around her, causing her to appear as the black sheep so to speak, there is a light beaming within her that will fuel her to greatness. Erivo conveys that emotional pain and anguish into each lyric of her songs. Her voice was exceptional as it matched so well with the initial composition of the notes. Her ability to bring that emotion to Elphaba on the big screen was astounding to witness. Elphaba is the heart of Oz, and everything considered bad about it is thrust upon her, but the audience knows the truth, and she will fight to protect Oz, her friends, and her family. She might be wicked, but she's certainly not evil! 

Green looks great, but it looks even better when it's paired with pink. Yes, Elphaba is the main focus of the story, but it wouldn't be complete without Galinda/Glinda. Her bubbly, vibrant personality is such a great contrast to Elphaba. Her bright, pink attire is beautiful, and apropos for Glinda's sunny disposition. I thought Ariana Grande was magnificent as Glinda. She was such an exceptional casting choice for this role. I've been a big fan of her ever since she was Cat Valentine on Victorious, and I always thought if they ever made a Wicked movie, she'd be great in the role, and here we are, and she completely took the ball and ran with it. She conveyed everything about what and who Glinda in such vivid detail, while also adding more likability to her as well throughout the movie. Her apparent love for everything about Wicked was felt in everything she did. Grande was highly entertaining in every scene she was in, whether it was the delivery of her dialogue, or her physical comedy moments. Her hair flip was legitimately funny, and it was all about the timing in all of it whether she's bond with Elphaba, flirting with Fiyero, or just being the social butterfly she is.

There are so many incredible scenes in Act 1, but I think the scene that had me feeling the most emotionally was the Ozdust Ball. In the stage musical, the scene is very good, but I think the movie added so much to it. Elphaba dancing by herself being mocked and ridiculed by those around her, only for Glinda to join her and match her Dancing Through Life movements forming an unbreakable bond hit me. There was something so beautiful about it. Erivo's tears and Grande's eyes and genuine smile sold the whole scene so well. Chu's direction captured everything that this musical truly is about at it's core through this scene. It's a movie about friendship and acceptance above all else, and everything came together in this moment. The Defying Gravity finale was brilliant as well. Defying Gravity is one of my all time favorite songs, and everything this song means even beyond Oz is presented in such brilliant detail through each lyric. 

Along with the performances of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the movie boasts great supporting performances from Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Marissa Bode as NessaRose, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, brilliant set designs of Shiz University and the Emerald City, beautiful colorful tulip landscapes, practical effects and sets that added a more personal element to the story, excellent make-up, costumes, fun cameos from Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, and of course the incredible soundtrack. Everything about this movie delivered, and is a great example of why Wicked is so beloved! 

Geek Girl Review

Normally, I use this blog to discuss movies, but sometimes there are television shows that I enjoy so much that I feel they warrant a formal review, and such is the case with Geek Girl! For a while, Netflix had been suggesting this title for me for quite some time, and given that I am a fan of several movies and shows from this genre, I decided to check it out. Geek Girl is easily the most refreshing entry into the genre in years, and a show where I found each episode to perfectly connect the overall story arc, while also demonstrating astute character development, and overall excitement. The story follows the adventures of our self professed "geek", Harriet Manners as she traverses between her "normal" life at Hollyridge Secondary School and her sudden thrust into stardom as a model in the glamorous, yet intense world of fashion predominantly set in my favorite city, London. 

For a story like this to work, your protagonist needs to be likable and has your audience rooting for them. From the first frame of Episode 1 to the last frame of Episode 10, Emily Carey's performance as Harriet Manners presents a character that is quirky, awkward, hilarious, intelligent and lovable. It's a phenomenal performance, and one of the better female performances I've seen in a while. I really love this character, and Emily's performance is the biggest reason why. She's so much fun in this role. We watch her grow from her timidity into a courageous spirit that was always brimming inside her. She deals with unfair judgment all around her at school and in her new surroundings. Even with negative energy directed at her, the show has such an incredible, positive vibe to it. It becomes a very feel good story that has you shedding happy tears by the end. Emily commands the direction of the story, and in the process becomes a five star general creating something unique that begs for more stories from this character. I am a Harriet Manners fan! She absolutely rocks! She's easy to like! She has her haters like the envious Poppy, the former model trying to hold on to relevance in Jude Paignton and the ghastly trio of Lexi and the Olives, but she is able to turn the tables on all of them and show everybody how amazing Harriet Manners truly is! 

There are great supporting characters in this show as well such as Nick Park, who is an extremely likable male character 100% of the time, and that's impressive as usually that isn't the case with most movies or shows, but he's legitimately a good guy. He treats Harriet right, has a great moral conscience and has a mindset that connects to Harriet naturally. The chemistry between Emily Carey and Liam Woodrum is excellent. It feels natural between them. There's a little spark there. Harriet's smitten with Nick, but Nick's definitely smitten with her. What's great about the romantic subplot is that there's such an innocence to it. The scenes between them whether it's at a picnic, a museum or a photoshoot are so cute. The chemistry jumps off the screen between the actors and the characters at the same time creating that magical symbiosis that movies and television shows strive for. They nail it at every turn, and it's one of the best aspects of the show. 

Other great characters such as Harriet's best friend, Nat, and her parents Richard and Annabell add to the story of who Harriet is at her core. I love how much Harriet treasures her relationship with Nat. She is more like a sister to her. The importance of the heart necklace symbolizes so much about not only their friendship, but the trajectory of Harriet's journey. Her connection to her father Richard is great. He is still young at heart and likes to have fun, whereas Annabell keeps everybody grounded. At the same time showing her ability to open up and let loose once in a while was great to see as the family dynamic grows stronger over the course of the show. On the other side of the story, you knew there would be fun fashion characters, and one of the biggest show stealers is Emmanuel Imani's Wilbur. He is so flamboyant and charismatic at every turn. He genuinely takes care of Harriet and tries to protect her from the toxicity that can definitely flow from fame, and more importantly never falters on his belief in her. I also thought Sandra Yi Sencindiver's Yuji Lee was incredible. The aura around her character is impressive, and her performance is enigmatic, demonstrating a true authenticity of the designers in the industry. The importance of her character helps the fashion side of the story to develop further. Both sides of the story are crafted brilliantly converging into a satisfying conclusion. 

The fashion aspects of this show are astounding. The clothes, the hair, the make-up, the set designs, as well as the overall theatricality of it all are magnificent. I'd just like to point out along with Emily Carey's other incredible attributes she provides for Harriet, it must be stated that she is absolutely gorgeous. She has such a natural beautiful look, an effervescence about her that allows her to really deliver in the fashion scenes. I love her scenes at the perfume shoot, especially, but she just makes each of these scenes her own, and she looks amazing through all of it. She pops off the screen and proves that she can do this and balance it all. She's a gorgeous geek, and we're all here for it!  Also, she never loses track of who she is. She remains the grounded, lovable girl we meet at the beginning of the show. She has a support system that keeps her marching on, even when she wants to retreat herself. She finds that fire inside her and shows the world that Harriet Manners indeed matters! 

Helmed by an excellent lead performance by Emily Carey, Geek Girl adds a jolt to the romantic comedy genre that is sorely needed. It's a story filled with self-discovery, fashionistas and future paleontologists. Harriet Manners is finding out more about herself on a daily basis, much like all of us are. While her story is fantastical, it's also grounded in a way to help us all realize we're all capable of more. Harriet Manners is the protagonist romantic comedies have been looking for. I am looking forward to more adventures from this character and this world, because it's such a feel good story that has you invested in every step of the journey, and that's something not easily attained in this age of television. GO HARRIET MANNERS! 

Five Nights At Freddy's Review

I saw Five Nights At Freddy's on October 29, 2023! Based on the popular video game series, I was interested in seeing this simply because of the cool characters in the universe. I see why kids gravitate towards this series as there's such a compelling story involved. The movie could have just coasted on the aura of the characters, but what I really enjoyed about it is that it delves deeper into storytelling and creating an intriguing dynamic to connect with both kids and adults on different levels. 

The emotion in the movie has an authentic feel to it, particularly around the family dynamic with Mike and Abby. Josh Hutcherson gives one of his best performances here as Mike Schmidt. I've always found Hutcherson to be underrated, but this definitely shows how much he gets into his characters for the sake of the audience, and he was fantastic here. Traumatic events from his past plague his mind, and Hutcherson captures that vividly here. You can tell how much it weighs on him. His whole story is about the preservation of his family, ameliorating wrongs in the past and ensuring a positive future for himself, and more specifically, his sister, Abby. 

The highlight of the movie is Piper Rubio's performance as Abby. It's an exceptional young actress performance that helps provide so much of that natural emotion that emanates off the screen here. The chemistry with Rubio and Hutcherson feels so real. You definitely get a familial bond from their interactions. Rubio's dialogue had me laughing or crying depending on what was happening on screen. She really is the heart of the movie, and helps heal Mike in many ways. She's his light that keeps him from drifting towards the darkness. Her artistic mind is integral to the story, and also indicative of how all children's minds work differently. 

Along with the deeper family story, the Freddy Fazbear's Pizza aspect is a great mix of frivolity and fright perfectly blended for all audiences. The visuals of Freddy, Bonnie, Chica and Foxy are extraordinary. As each character was created using Jim Henson's Creature Shop, all of them felt more authentic than they would using CGI. It helped tell a better story. I was so impressed with the movements of the animatronics. The puppeteers, stunt actors and detailed imagery really worked together to create something truly special.

Through two excellent lead performances by Josh Hutcherson and Piper Rubio, two compelling storylines combined to create a deeper, more complex movie, the aura and actual representation of the robotic characters and solid supporting performances by Elizabeth Lail and Matthew Lillard, this movie has me belting out Talking In My Sleep, wanting a slice of pizza from Freddy Fazbear's and hoping for another movie from this universe, because it's such a compelling world to explore, as well as being one of my absolute favorite movies of the year! 

Oppenheimer Review

I initially saw Oppenheimer on July 27, 2023! One view was just not enough for this, so I saw it again on August 5, 2023 to truly capture how special this movie really is! On the surface, people will look at this movie and see it's about the Manhattan Project, which centered around the creation of the atomic bomb. While that is certainly the crux of what audiences go in expecting, Christopher Nolan's brilliant work here brings us further into the core of what this movie truly represents, as well as showcasing how he is one of the very best in the industry. The core of this movie is more about the literal and figurative aftershock of the creation of this horrific weapon. It's about people rising up to stop looming threats, particularly Jewish scientists finding a way to get back at the tyranny and atrocities of the Nazis. It's also an analytical study of the complexity of humanity. It's about the looming presence of power, and the actions and consequences that can come from wielding it. It also bridges past, present and future as constant technological advancements continue to exemplify this. It's truly one of the most important movies, and easily one of the very best you'll find in any genre. The dramatic tension of this movie is exceedingly palpable. 

What makes this movie as great as it is lies in the performances of the cast. Cillian Murphy has become one of my favorite actors in the industry, due largely in part to his exceptional work as Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders, but his performance as J. Robert Oppenheimer is his career best performance. He does an outstanding job capturing the emotions of a conflicted man, bringing the audience right into his mind. His struggle with his decisions shows a hero, but a flawed one, which one can identify with as we're all flawed. He serves as a picture of humanity's decision making process. It's also amazing to watch this movie as we get it through his view point, which is one of the most intriguing aspects. He has this ability to see beyond what is happening in the now, so his viewpoint being filled with vibrant color works so well. Watch how he becomes fearful of the power he wields. It's really interesting to watch as everybody around him is thinking about the present, wanting him to keep building bigger and more effective bombs, while his keen intellect allows him to realize the ramifications of even considering it. Murphy's performance really provides the different layers of the intriguing person Oppenheimer was, and is indicative of a truly gifted actor. Oppenheimer certainly had a life filled with challenges and regrets, but, IMO, he's also one of the most important people in human history. 

Another performance that I felt was excellent was Robert Downey, Jr.'s Lewis Strauss! Downey has had several great performances in his career, but, aforementioned, much like Murphy I'd consider this his best work as well. Where Oppenheimer's point of view is in vibrant color, Strauss's is in black and white, because he only sees things certain ways and only does things to serve himself rather than the American people or anybody else around him. It's a fantastic dichotomy that really adds to the overall story. In many ways, the story of Oppenheimer and Strauss is very Shakespearean, and I could easily see ol' William Shakespeare writing this as a play and putting it at the Globe Theater for all to see. Their interactions show two different minds, but Downey's performance as Strauss really shows an underhanded, despicable human being that will stop at nothing to gain more power no matter who he has to take out along the way. He's such a great part of the movie, though, and really provides that extra dramatic element to the movie. It's a character you love to hate, and it's all because Downey took the ball and ran with it, providing a phenomenal foil almost serving as a Lex Luthor to Murphy's, albeit flawed, but still heroic, porkpie hat wearing Superman. 

Along with these brilliant performances, writing and directing, the effects were astounding, particularly the Trinity test scenes. The utter silence as everybody watches is tremendous. The silence speaks volumes approach is so effective here. The audience watches the cloud rise high and the wondrous, but also treacherous nature of the fire is visually stunning. Then, you're hit with a cacophony of the blaring sounds emanating from this monstrosity. It's both magnificent and malevolent at the same time. The use of color and black and white to dance between view points is great keeping each aspect of the movie flowing, and adding to the overall feel and general scope of the story unfolding before our eyes. The musical score by Ludwig Goransson is truly one of the best as it captures tension marvelously, and, as a result, the music becomes a living, breathing part of the movie. 

Through brilliant writing and directing by Christopher Nolan, excellent performances from Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey, Jr., great supporting performances by Emily Blunt, Tom Conti, Matt Damon, Gary Oldman and Rami Malek, a layered plot centering around the conundrum that is humanity, as well as the music and the effects, this movie represents importance, significance as well as cultural relevance to our world, while also truly serving as a great movie allowing audiences to appreciate what makes watching them such an incredible experience.