aandb2001 Reviews

The New Look (2024– )

Speaking English with French Accents? ils sont feignants!

[3/10 · 5 March 2024]

I really want to like this series. It has actors I appreciate. It dramatizes a period time I enjoy learning and watching. It has beautiful fashion and scenery. It takes place in Paris. So many things I love!

However it suffers from something that annoys me. A setting in a country where English is not the first language and all the characters speak in English. It's even WORSE when they don't just own it, and have everyone speak with the accent of the home language.

I know very well that Juliet Binoche speaks French. She is French! But they have her speak English with an accent. Ben Mendelssohn is not French. He speaks English with a French accent. As does every other person. Except the Germans. They speak English with a German accent (even to each other).

It's lazy. It's ridiculous. I gave up after the first episode.

Employ actors who speak the native language. Or do a slow transition with intent (a la Red October!).

The New Look: Just You Wait and See (2024) Season 1, Episode 1

Why do foreign based stories not film in the home language?

[5/10 · 5 March 2024]

I really want to like this series. It has actors I appreciate. It dramatizes a period time I enjoy learning and watching. It has beautiful fashion and scenery. It takes place in Paris. So many things I love!

However it suffers from something that annoys me. A setting in a country where English is not the first language and all the characters speak in English. It's even WORSE when they don't just own it, and have everyone speak with the accent of the home language.

I know very well that Juliet Binoche speaks French. She is French! But they have her speak English with an accent. Ben Mendelssohn is not French. He speaks English with a French accent. As does every other person. Except the Germans. They speak English with a German accent (even to each other).

It's lazy. It's ridiculous. And it prevents me from giving this more than a 5. It could easily be a 7.

Employ actors who speak the native language. Or do a slow transition with intent (a la Red October!).

What Happens Later (2023)

A charming and different movie

[7/10 · 26 December 2023]

I don't get the negative reviews. Did you even watch the movie? Have you never seen a Nora Ephron flic?

Geez!

Meg Ryan has directed a sweet and clever tete a tete movie filled with quick sparring and sparkling dialogue between herself and David Duchovny.

The storyline is completely implausible yet completely identifiable to anyone over 40 years old. The absolute empathetic story of their past together bubbles up and echos to many of our generations experiences. The way in which they reconnect and have had so much happen yet still have so many of their original issues is familiar and endearing.

It's a lovely movie. I also can envision it as a play!

Just watch it.

Promising Young Woman (2020)

Yessssss. Great flic.

[7/10 · 5 November 2023]

So I was intrigued because of a little snippet of the movie that I saw on TikTok. Based on the description of this movie, I probably would not have watched it. I don't typically like movies that involve sexual assault. However, all of the comments on the TikTok snippet gave such high praise to this movie, that I was intrigued! And I'm so glad I did take the time to watch it. It is really so good, very clever, extremely well acted with just enough star power to lend some legitimacy to everything taking place on screen. There are a few genuinely funny moments, not enough to make this, even a dark comedy, just enough to make it closer to real life (?). There are great twists and turns. Again, it's just very clever.

I will say that if someone has a trigger for rape, this may not be the movie for them. But having said that there is nothing in this movie that is super graphic, I don't even think there's nudity.

The Mother (2023)

Much better than the reviews

[7/10 · 21 May 2023]

Okay so let's get this out of the way: this is not going to win any Oscars. Not for for the acting. Not for the direction. Definitely not for the writing.

But - it's entertaining and that's what movies are for, right? I mean it IS called the entertainment industry.

JFlo is awesome as a soldier turned assassin turned WitSec Wannabe. But there are complications and a baby. So she gives up the baby and goes into hiding, with promises to return if needed.

And OF COURSE, she's needed.

There are a few plot holes (driving thru Canada with no passports?) and a few cheesy lines.

But it's good entertainment and great story payoff.

Pop some popcorn, grab a soda, and give it a watch!

Murder Mystery 2 (2023)

Cheezy and Entertaining

[6/10 · 21 April 2023]

Look, this movie was never going to win awards. It's not out to become a critical darling or set some new box office records.

It's here to entertain and pay its bills.

It's got good writing and lots of cameos. It's funny in parts and touching in others.

It's actually bust out laughing funny in some parts.

It's over the top and silly but I mean, what do you expect?

This is a great rainy day movie and fairly kid suitable.

At this point I'm just trying to use up my required characters spaces so bear with me.

Oh yeah, you do not need to have seen the first movie but it wouldn't hurt.

Enjoy!

Barbarian (2022)

No one would be this dumb

[1/10 · 26 March 2023]

It started off so well. It was tense. Well shot. And even scary.

And quickly it changed. It lost us.

I realize when you watch a scary movie that you often have to give up a certain amount of common sense.

"No one would go down the stairs" type of common sense.

But seriously. No one would make these decisions.

So nope. We peaced out on this movie about 30 minutes in. And I have no regrets. I read more reviews to get some spoilers and I'm at peace with this decision.

Y'all can keep on saying it's intense and we'll structured and great acting. Nope.

It's pure nonsense. Even for a scary movie.

Lou (I) (2022)

Solid entertainment

[6/10 · 25 September 2022]

This is the kind of movie you want on a lazy weekend. Nothing too scary or sad or shocking. Couple of good twists. Solid acting and plot. Really cool scenery and camera work.

A couple of goofs (Battery operated light in the kids room is way ahead of the 80's timeline. I thought Jax went home? Where'd the bombproof vest come from?).

Allison Janney is great. Actually all the actors are good to great. Even the side characters of the local sheriff and deputy are good.

Overall a solid movie and worth it.

I'm glad I didn't pay to watch it on a theater. I don't regret the time watching it at home on Netflix.

How I Live Now (2013)

I'd have given this an 8, except for one thing.

[6/10 · 22 August 2022]

This was a well done, semi dystopian, sorta sweet story about a girl surviving some horrible situations to get to boy she loves.

Only why does it have to be a cousin?

The Northman (2022)

Stop with the accents. Speak English or native with subtitles

[6/10 · 3 July 2022]

So, this was okay. Entertaining. Very VERY dark. Like, no comic relief anywhere. But good as far as they lose types of movies go. Lots of Norse religion and traditions.

The major issues I have with it (and other movies that do this) is the decision to have the characters speak English with a very strong accent. Either speak English without an accent, or speak in the native tongue and use subtitles.

Instead we ended up using the subtitles because the accents were so strong we couldn't understand the English!

Black Crab (2022)

Meh. Entertaining way to spend a night

[5/10 · 2 April 2022]

Too much left unexplained. How did the war start? Who is fighting who? What's happening in the rest of the world? Disappointing ending. But cool cinematography and some good action scenes.

Le divorce (2003)

The bad reviews are silly

[7/10 · 19 March 2022]

I adore this movie. Yes it's not the typical move the directors produce. Yes it's a bit scattered.

But it's quirky and I love all the cameos.

Just try it.

Turning Red (2022)

Just because it's animated doesn't mean it's for kids

[9/10 · 13 March 2022]

Pay attention to the rating.

It's PG = Parental Guidance.

It's not intended for 8 year olds.

Read the storyline. Read the reviews that have spoilers.

I found it a refreshing and light hearted look at the relationships smart and funny young girls have with each other, with their peers, and with their parents.

Yes they "lie" to try and go to a concert. Yes, the girls have crushes on boys. Yes they focus on the main character needing to be NOT overly dramatic. These things happen in real life to 13 year olds.

But they also show incredibly close relationships within family and extended family. They show how important respect for your elders is.

Invasion: First Day (2021) Season 1, Episode 10

A realistic look at how humans would act

[7/10 · 13 December 2021]

People are expecting Independence Day or some action packed show. That's not how it would happen in real life. And I love the deep look into people.

Try it.

Without Remorse (II) (2021)

The haters are Clancy nerds

[6/10 · 2 May 2021]

I guess it's not like the book because I didn't read the book. And even if I had I would judge this separately because that's the way things go.

It's good. It's not Oscar worthy. It's a fun action flic.

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

Ignore the haters

[8/10 · 26 December 2020]

Seriously, people. Slow your roll. It's not nearly as bad, in fact I'm giving an 8, as some of these spell-check adverse reviewers would have you think. Gal is amazing. Chris Pine serves his purpose. Kristen Wiig is fabulous. The 80's are captured in a not-over-the-top way (coming from someone who was actually alive and remembers them). Do you need to buy in to "super hero have powers and can do things regular folks can't" in order to enjoy? Yes. Are there several unanswered questions? Yes. But the things I loved about the first WW movie were here: emotion, love, hope, female empowerment! Give it a try and be open-minded.

Enola Holmes (2020)

Pay no attention to the MAGA haters

[8/10 · 27 September 2020]

This movie is woman focused and feminist powered. It's entertaining and funny and cute and charming. It'd be great for young girls to watch for inspiration. Just ignore the haters, and watch it!