Reviews

Maybe I was in the mood to watch a film about high school, maybe I'm having an existential crisis being in my thirties, but I really enjoyed this film and it had me tearing up at some of the sweet moments.

I watched 'She's all that' the previous night, clearly I'm in a teenage film type of mood and reminiscing about my teenage years, but that film is a classic. Is 'How to date Billy Walsh as good' as the classic teen films? No. Personally, I think the title is forgettable and we didn't get to know much about him except some obvious emotional moments. He's popular and he knows it, he doesn't shy away from it, but also he's not mean. But he knows people like him. I think there could have been more development of him...he was quite one dimensional.

But, what made me enjoy the film was the relationship between Charitha's Amelia, and Sebastian Croft's Archie. They were the heart of the film. And they're connection and chemistry was believable. It was very Dawson's Creek, but in reverse...instead of Joey being in love and not recognising the boy, it was Amelia who was oblivious.

As a fan of the Big Bang Theory, I loved seeing Kunal Nayyar play Amelia's dad. He gave a haunting performance as a widower who is trying to find love again. Whilst we didn't see much of his new relationship- it was more superficial - I enjoyed every scene that he was in, and his moments as a dad and with his friends. But I think he's a brilliant actor. Looking forward to see him in other stuff post Big Bang Theory.

Archie's parents were also good, if a little caricaturist. I wish I saw more of them and we got a moment where they had a heart to heart with their son. But alas, clearly a lot of moments were either edited away or not considered.

So this film was a solid 7/10. It could have been better with more character development. Perhaps it didn't meet the emotional drama of the Kissing Booth, but it did hit some of the Romantic notes, and I would watch this again on a rainy day.

I enjoyed this. It made me smile. It made me laugh. The locations were beautiful and definitely made me add Ireland to my travel list.

I have always loved Lindsay as an actress- I grew up when people like her and Hilary Duff were everywhere and I loved them both (no matter how cheesy or predictable their ventures/shows/films were). She could be in a show eating cheese (something that I'm allergic too) and I'd probably still find her project charming cause she's good at what she does. Happy this made number 1 on Netflix. Watched it the first day it came out in the UK. Bring on more Lindsay projects.

Lindsay is definitely the standout in this cast, as well as her true love interest. I have no problem with a romcom being predictable, and really not sure why it's such a problem for people. I want romcoms to be feel-good and predictable because life is complicated enough. Romcoms for me are like these warm hugs, cups of soup, blankets for can snuggle under. Indeed, for most romcoms you can predict the outcome in the trailer- that was the same with Bridget Jones and other great romcoms and it's the same thing with this. There are fun twists and turns in this film of course and it's fun to see how they get to the predictable conclusion, and on some level the Irish Wish reminded me a little of 13 going on 30 (another great romcom). I enjoyed the cast - they all did great jobs in their role and I left the film with a smile on my face. I'd also be happy to watch this again which is why I thought it was a good enough job and 7/10.

Wow - the story of One Day was finally adapted in a way that truly captured the spirit of the book, and in some ways excelled it. I read One Day after graduating many years ago, I was really touched by the story. The film was ok but didn't do the story justice for me. Who knew what I really wanted (and needed) was this limited series format.

This was beautifully done. It captured the spirit of love, life, heartbreak, the enuui and challenges of life. I watched this over 3 days, though if I didn't work full time - I would have binged it in one day. That being said - I think it's best to watch it in parts, because this show captures the different chapters of life and how they intertwine to make one's person's life so beautiful. I could imagine it would be even more intense if I watched it in one day.

Watching One Day reminded me that life can be heartbreaking, lovely, exciting, thrilling, scary, but most importantly wonderful and adventurous, especially if you are willing to take a risk when it comes to love. In the way Dexter and Emma finally meet on the penultimate day at the end of university, just before their graduation, and have a significant impact on each other's life indefinitely- loving each other throughout the years as friends, both near and from afar, weaving through the different chapters of life and growing up and trying to figure out life and the purpose of it.... As well as finding one's function (in layman's term: work that suits you), I think we all know that love is the most important thing that gives our lives meaning - and that love comes in so many forms - whether it's familial, romantic, friendship.

There are so many moments that touched me when watching this show. I have been on an emotional rollercoaster and have the empty boxes of tissue as proof! The acting from the main leads who portrayed Emma and Dexter was superb, and the supporting cast were fantastic too - a special shout out to the actors who played Dexter's mum and dad, Tilly, Ian, and Sylvie. Truly, the whole cast was superb and the show captured significant moments of life through the lens of one day - because really, everything in all of our lives happens in one day, as all we ever have is today, some days can be monotonous and some can be significant in a positive or negative way.

The show will take you on an existential journey - it's definitely taken me on one. I will also be fishing out my book to read (or purchasing it again if I have lost my copy). Thank you for this gem of a show...I will definitely rewatch again, but only when I am ready to get back on the emotional rollercoaster.

All the performances were great - in particular, Halle Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, Daveed Diggs, Javier Bardem. I watched this with my family, and we all enjoyed it. It was well acted and a delight to watch.

I had recently watched the animated version of the Little mermaid at the end of last year, and I felt like ll the key tension points were in this film. Melissa made a particular fun baddy to watch, and she was definitely a sinister Ursula. Halle was an adventurous and brave Ariel - I also loved her physical acting when she had no voice. She portrayed the innocence and interest of someone learning new things really well. I thought the chemistry between her and the love lead (Jonah Hauer-King) was refreshing - it was like a best friend type of love, where they understand each other and have similar curiosities.

Daveed's Sebastian kept the humor coming, and he had me cracking up throughout this film. All in all a great adaptation.

If I had one criticism, I would have preferred to see more of Ariel's interactions with her sisters/siblings. To see how she was different or similar to them.

As an adult, I enjoyed this.

Queen Charlotte has made me laugh, it's pulled my emotional strings and made me cry, and it has shocked me. So all I can say is thank you Shondaland and Julia Quinn for widening the Bridgerton world with this iteration- a brilliant prequel to the Bridgerton shows.

I don't want to give spoilers, but it did not disappoint. If it wasn't for my busy work schedule, I would have watched in 1 day, but I had to fit in during lunch and finished it the evening after it dropped. What a great love story Queen Charlotte is - to love someone through so much uncertainty and challenges, talk abiut love and strength. I love all of the young actresses and young King George - to see who they were before they became the three wonderful queens they are, and to meet Young King George. I hope we get another season because I want to see them all - see young violet fall in love with Edmund, see Lady Danbury truly emerge as a fierce queen in a man's world, and see Queen Charlotte continue to show her strength and natural Queen ways as she reigns.

I have always been a huge fan of the original Queen Charlotte, Lady Danbury and the Dowager Violet Bridgerton- they're all just brilliant in Bridgerton season 1 and 2, have some of my favourite lines from the show, and they delivered as equally in Queen Charlotte. If I could grow older and be a queen and boss like any of them; I'd be happy. I loved QC , and in keeping with my Bridgerton watching style, I'll be rewatching it a few times just to take it all in. Further, I'll also rewatch all of the previous Bridgerton seasons because I cannot get enough of this world!

Also, my favourite metaphor that I will take away and use is: I miss my garden being in bloom...if that's not the best metaphor I've heard in a while...I don't know what is. But, I think once one is of age, we all want our individual garden to be in bloom once in a while from the right person of course ;-).

Yes, I thought the pilot episode was really cheesy, like incredibly cheesy, but as it's H Duff, and a few other people I remember from other things. But the cheese in the first couple of epsisodes and how they all got thrown together was too cheesy. That being said, I made it pass the first few episodes and started to really enjoy this. I never watched or got into how I met your mother, and I think that helps because I was able to give this a fresh start.

Even though HIMYM was not my show, I knew who Robin was when she appeared in the last episode of season 1, and I thought that was a special moment. I still think it's cheesy, but it's good cheesy and easy watching and the fact that I'm in my 30s, it's always helpful to witness other people going though similar choices and having to make life decisions.

I really enjoyed this romcom, it was just what I needed after having a crap day at work. All the cast were enjoyable and capable I especially loved Zoe Chao who made me laugh the most (and had amazing outfits), and I wish she got a love story instead of being put into an alternative best friend type of trope. But I loved Reese, Ashton and Jesse in this. I'm a huge fan of romcoms, love Bridgerton, the cheesy Christmas films, and anything about love. The world has a lot of challenging/hard moments, so let's bring back the romcoms of the 90s please to spread some love, and smiles!!

If you want a relaxing movie that will make you smile, give this a go. But I think if we had more of a Holiday type or multi dimensional love story happening then it would have been a 10/10!

I'm a big fan of the documentary comedies style, I mean I loved the US Office and Modern Family. Abbott Elementary is a hit - I've enjoyed watching this at the start of 2023. I think the main characters have been really well developed and I've already watched season 1 twice on Disney+ Uk - looking forward to when season 2 starts.

I normally don't like main characters, but I love Janine - she's optimistic despite the realities of the situation in her elementary school. Barbara is brilliant as the matriarch of the school and makes me laugh - I loved her intro. I actually think all the characters have been introduced really well. I love Ava - she makes me laugh so much.

Sometimes I do miss her joikes, but caught them on my re-watch. Gregory and Jacob do great facial expressions and I love their interaction with everyone else.

It's refreshing to see a comedy set in a primary school/elementary school - it's a show the whole family can watch.

After a busy day at work, this was right up my street. I am 100% happy to confess that I love Christmas films. Yes, they're cheesy, that's why I love them. And it's good to see that all the streaming services are catching on that there's a big market for them. The world's a crazy and depressing place most of the time, so give me this cheesy diversion any day.

It was fantastic seeing Freddie Prinze Jr again (also loved seeing his wife in that teen film that reminded me of a darker Gossip Girl spin); I grew up with these actors - when I was a teen, they were teen heart throbs and there was a golden age of teen films, so it's all relative and their fans grew up with them. Freddie was brilliant in this. Let's see more films with them, I think a lot of people would be here for it and it would give us a break from the newer generation.

In terms of this film, instead of a woman being tired of her city life, it was a pop star not feeling inspired. It was a good spin on this genre, and everyone did a great job - the film made me smile and laugh and that's what I wanted.

I am an Austen fan, love Pride and Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility- both the books and drama and/or film versions. I've never read Persuasion, but I'm now curious to read after watching this to see what differences they made.

As a viewer watching not knowing the story of Persuasion; I enjoyed this and I think Anne and Captain Wentorth's love story held up, and brought a few tears to my eyes. It was a good film to watch on Friday night after having a super long week at work and struggling to work in the heat! So give it a go and don't listen to the haters. I'd be happy to watch this again; so I think it's a good film!

I thought Dakota J was great, and the actor who played CW. I also thought Anne's family were crazy in a funny way- Austen was always brilliant at depicting characters. Not my favourite Austen story: 1) P&P 2)S&S 3) Emma 4) Persuasion.

Hated the song at the end of the film; whilst I understood what they were trying to do, it was too overpowering; a lovely classical piece would have been better.

Season 3 review: a special place in my heart

Ok, so I'm writing this whilst in episode 3, Forces of nature. I was hoping I could watch this earlier in the evening, but as a lawyer I work late. I thought I'd watch 1 episode then go to bed after starting this at 10pm, but I just cannot stop watching. Luke's acting in this episode is fantastic. The moment at the end between Pen and Colin...I rewinded several times.

I wasn't sure how I'd find this season.. initially I was excited but the marketing was overkill, because anyone who's read the book knows how awesome Polin's story is. I mean it's the book I've read most out of the Bridgerton series. So my view was ...how could you not know what date their season was and not being excited to watch.

However over the top the marketing was, the romance and the beautiful moments between Penelope and Colin is warming my heart and making me cry happy tears. I can only imagine how I will feel once I get to part 2 and after all the nuances and changes in their love story and their relationship dynamic.

Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan are brilliant in this. I knew they would smash it and they absolutely have. Romancing Mr Bridgerton is my favourite story from Julia Quinn's fantastic Bridgerton series, so I've read this book several times (especially cause we were forced to wait 2 years) and know all the special Polin moments, and whilst some variables have changed, they have kept key moments in.

This is romcom heaven. Romance and comedy- I can't stop smiling or laughing, especially with the beautiful awkwardness. I knew Nicola could do comedy from Derry Girls (check it out if you haven't), but love that both her and Luke are brilliant with their comedy and awkwardness as Penelope and Colin. It just fills my heart and makes my mouth hurt with smiling.

I will write again after watching part 2. It's challenging to review each season of Bridgerton. But Bridgerton has reminded me what it was like to be a teenager and love something passionately even though I'm in my 30s. I'm still a teen a heart.

I love Polin's story. I was curious about how graphic they would make the carriage scene...I thought it was modest compared to the book but still good. I like how they switched some of the lines. I.e. Colin said what Pen said once the carriage stopped...but I always love the carriage scene. I liked their version...I love the passion that comes when Polin argues (similar to the fiery passion that Kanthony has) so looking forward to seeing that in part 2.

All in all part 1 for me is 9/10. 1 point is deducted for splitting the season into 2 and making me wait 1 month. And knowing that I will want to sit through and watch the show all thought again....but that's really a delight instead of a chore. However, if it wasn't split....not sure how I'd fare at work tomorrow at least this way I get some sleep.

Luke and Nicola were 10/10...the cast is 10/10...can't wait to see the second half of Polin's love story and see everyone else develop. Also the rest of the cast is brilliant as always but maybe we haven't had as many Bridgerton family moments...I mean the pall mall scene in season 2 is excellent, as is the dancing scene. So whilst I love the focus of Polin's love story I also hope we get to see more moments of everyone together. I enjoy.th Featherington moment.... I'm a big fan of Portia and love every scene she's in. I feel the same for Queen Charlotte, Lady Danbury, Lady Violet Bridgerton so let's keep all their scenes coming.

Hannah Dodd as Francesca is excellent...they really brought out her character traits in this season and I was remembering bits from her season. Claudia is outstanding too ...showing her compassion for all these complicated characters she's friends witj. I never had a problem with her being friends with Cressida...I like that she sees the heart in her whilst still loving Pen even though she's pissed at her. But then I like a complex character... it's the same reason I like Penelope. Also seeing Colin grapple with his emotions and showing the angry side of Colin. Truly outstanding. Nicola is the beautiful smart girl and represents all us smart girls ...she was superb and I just want her to be happy. I can't wait to see fully happy Polin after they've overcome all their obstacles. Love this show so much (next time we don't need the marketing rammed down our throats ... people who knows it great know it's great... people who haven't heard must be living under a rock...ok my rant is over)

Let's go part 2. Also at the end of episode 4 I was literally on my feet watching with excitement ... it's that good and beautifully acted.

Season 2 was brilliant; better than season 1!

I didn't think Bridgerton or the writers could do it; I didn't think they could make me love Anthony and root for his love story, as he was my least fave character in season 1; but boy was I wrong. I was a hardcore fan of Simon and Daphne; but they've been eclipsed by my love and rooting for Anthony and Kate. Once I got to episode 3...I had to watch the rest of this season asap and probably did so in a night and a bit which wasn't great for my working from home schedule! I've not read any of the books but I will order this one. I just adore their love story and their conflict with their sense of duty to their family contrasted with their own personal desire and love for each other, which I can absolutely relate to. I'm an avid fan of Austen books, and possibly an even greater fan of the variations (I mean I also like to see what P&P would be with sex in it!) Anthony and Kate's story reminded me of a combination of Austen stories: Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy (the love/hate romantic connection from Pride & Prejudice my fave Austen book), Marianne and Eleanor Dashwood (the Sense and Sensibility sisters both pursuing love with different dispositions), and Emma and Harriet (from Emma - falling for the same guy in Mr Knightley and Emma's conflict in respect of this).

I watched the show in less then 2 days because I had a couple of busy work days. But, if I didn't work, I would have watched it all in one sitting. This show helped me recover from a headache- that's how delightful it was.

If I have one criticism, I feel that we didn't get enough Anthony and Kate. So naturally, I'm going to rewatch immediately and also buy the book so I can learn every party of their love story. Also, I hope we get to see more of their love in the next seasons considering Kate is now Lady Bridgerton!

In terms of the other characters: the Bridgerton mum was fantastic portraying her grief, and I loved every scene with her, Daphne and Lady Danbury; plus all scenes where they were featured together. Look forward to seeing more of them in the latter seasons cause their also brilliant. I too laughed hysterically at the wedding when Violet Bridgerton and Lady Danbury laughed after having no idea what to do next, and when they tried to appease their queen (who also put in a strong performance). I did miss Simon initially and felt sad that we didn't get to see him and Daphne together but we did see their cute child! But let's be honest, I was here for the great love story between Anthony and Kate, and that's why I'm watching again and again (which I did not do for season 1- only watched that once). If I could have a condensed version of only their scenes together then that would be a truly great gift. I think YouTube will provide this

Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley were absolutely superb!! Please let's see them in the latter seasons together or I will be truly sad! I want more if their love story... maybe I should check for a variation!

9/10 due to too much Feathertons when I wanted more Bridgerton scenes!

I enjoyed this from start to finish - the plot had good twists and it was well acted by all! I've been a fan of K Stew for ages; and it was good to see her in an action film where she gets to have fun! Love her in the twilight films too; but Bella is always nearly facing death in a more darker way! I also enjoyed the other ladies too and I hope to see more of them- their chemistry together was great! I enjoyed the fight scenes too!

I surprisingly enjoyed this film. I'm an adult in my early 30s and it took me back to my teen years, of first kisses, first love, going to a cool party with your friends. It was really well done. I'll definitely watch it again.

The only issue I have is that this film was badly named...it should have been called Waffle Town! Let it snow was a poor title.

I've been a fan of this series for a while, episodes 1, 2 and the last one of series 1 are some of my faves. I wasn't sure about series 2, the first espiode with Minnie driver is really sad. The strangers on a train was a good one that I liked, though the ending left me wanting more! But this episode was perfect because it gave me all of the feels...it reminded me of young love, including the most painful: unrequited love! Boy did I have my heart broken in my teens and uni years, and this episode was a perfect omagh to those times. As such, it's my fave episode so far in season 2. I thought the acting wasperfect in capturing the innocence, the awkwardness, the first times...and I truly am surprised that people have are not a fan. Unless super older people are watching it? But I'm in my early 30s and have appreciated all of the episodes in different ways. I've seen this actress before in Judas and the Black Messiah, and it was good seeing her in a different role, and she was equally great. The guy was awesome (and gorgeous). The young stars were great as well. This reminded me a little of Brown Sugar ...

It's a very modern take of Cinderella. I found the music very distracting to the story of Cinderella, and at times too much. I like musicals done well, where songs are used for key significant moments. There were loads of songs in this...for unnecessary moments. Whilst I enjoyed aspects of the film, on the whole I didn't love it, so I wouldn't watch it again. It did not come close to the 2015 Cinderella version with Cate Blanchett and Lily James in terms of the fantastic acting in that and commitment to the story. I've watched that version several times! I think Indina Menzel and Camila Cabello have great voices but their voices eclipsed the rest of the cast! Not sure if that was a wise thing, as it meant that I really didn't enjoy it when other people sang as it seemed bad/poorer compared to CC's and IM's songs (except for Billy Porter and Minnie Driver). I also didn't like all the changes in story line. The music moments made me laugh out loud (not in a good way), especially when the UK comedians were singing! I also found the different genres of songs distracting. It might have been better if it was music/songs directly written for the story....a sort of "Wicked" type of film. But, alas this was not it. They tried to do a lot of song mash ups, which I didn't enjoy. I'm still being nice giving this 6/10... it's probably closer to 5.5/10, because there were too many songs at big moments. I would have preferred no singing for their main dance....they could have just danced, and sang after and it would have been better. Finally, I didn't enjoy CC's Cinderella, I definitely felt she was a singer first, dancer 2nd and actress third (shown by the last song/dance number), but I liked IM's step mum - she got the balance right between her acting and fantastic singing (not surprising as her theater background came through)...but still she was not as great as Cate Blanchett or Angelica Houston's step mum..perhaps because she wasn't allowed to act more and the songs took over! I liked the prince, except for his singing (although his voice is not horrible). I also loved Minnie Driver in this, but then I love her in anything, and she's great with dramatic and comical roles. Pierce Brosnan did well too as the king - I'm glad he didn't have a lot of singing to do! In conclusion, one watch of this film is enough. It wasn't magical for moi. And I'm not a fan of CC's music career; perhaps if I was a fan before, I would have liked her in this more.

I loved the notebook at university. In fact my best friends and I did. Whenever we watched it, we had to pause it to have a good cry as it was a little too intense at moments, and that's how we felt at18/19! I had the samestype of reaction to this film and had to do the same pause (and I am now 10 years older). I loved this film and will definitely watch it again. It definitely had me invested in both of the main characters from the beginning. The location was beautiful - it made me think of Dawson's Creek's location. I have not seen the main two in anything else before (although I was aware of Tom Welling and the main guy's father), but they gave fantastic and incredibly believable performances. I was invested up until the end, and although it reminded me of the notebook, I was wondering if I loved it more than the notebook. I concluded that I love them just the same but in very different ways. There are two main choices that must be made in this film, that's all I will say regarding plot! I will be recommending this film to all of my close girlfriends.