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Reviews
One Day (2024)
Ambika Mod + Leo Woodall = Romance Magic
When I saw this title on Netflix I thought "One Day" sounded familiar. It reminded me of this Anne Hathaway film I've never watched but I've seen in passing a million times over the past 10+ years. Lo and behold, the two are based on the same novel.
Coming into it blind, I was not expecting to be as blown away as I was. Seriously, I ended up binge watching the entire series in one sitting yesterday. I can't sing enough praises about it. The story is beautiful and touching. Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall were spectacular, especially Leo Woodall. After making me shed tears I didn't know existed and (parasocially) fall in love with Dex myself, I am such a fan of Leo and his acting now. I felt just about every emotion possible, in the best way possible.
It's made clear early on that when Emma and Dex meet they come from very, very different worlds. Personally, I think casting Ambika Mod was a brilliant move; not only was her acting amazing, but also I think casting a POC as Emma added a whole other layer to the differences between the two and the beauty of their love story that I wouldn't think achievable in the 2011 movie version with Anne Hathaway playing Emma (I should also add I've never read the novel. So, I'm uncertain if Emma was presented as a POC in the book, but if she wasn't, I truly can't imagine it being meant to be any other way). Mod and Woodall have chemistry that is off the Richter scale, and if you're reading this, yes, you should go watch it right now if you have not already!
Monsoon (2019)
Henry Golding is Brilliant. Everyone Else? Not So Much.
Henry Golding is a god among men. Gorgeous, talented, and he made this film what it is. That being said, I did think the film fell a little flat. I guess I expected more coming into it because it's associated with BBC Films and Henry Golding starred, but Henry, while brilliant, could only work with what he was given. I couldn't get invested in his relationship with Lewis. I felt they lacked chemistry on screen and the guy who played Lewis was just not on Henry's level acting-wise. I think they could've chosen a much better lead. Overall, still a sweet, tender film that I'd probably recommend watching.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2022)
Charming & Adorable Film. One to Watch.
There is something truly special about this film. It's sweet, it's cute, it pulls at your heartstrings, it ALMOST made my eyes water, and I loved every second of it! Max Pelayo (Aristotle) took this role and tan away with it. He did a remarkable job and I was genuinely impressed. His acting career going forward looks very promising and I'm excited to see what's next for him. Reese Gonzales was also good, but there are a few moments here and there where it felt like the acting was overdone. I picked up that Dante was meant to be this fun, charming, outgoing, quirky individual, but some scenes just seemed unnatural. That's me being very knick-picky though; he's still a young actor. It's definitely one to watch!
Oorlogsgeheimen (2014)
Sweet & Wholesome
Such a sweet and wholesome story. I appreciated how we got a glimpse of what living during WWII would've been like through the innocent eyes of a child. I can't imagine what it would've been like not knowing or understanding what was going on around you. I particularly sympathized with Lambert who 1) didn't understand why those around him, eventually even his best friend, didn't want to have anything to do with him, and 2) realized his parents had taken a political stance he did not agree with and were involved hurtful acts that harmed those he cared about the most. For a split second I thought we were going to see the start of Lambert's "villain arc", but thankfully the film didn't go too far down that road before he was able to turn things around and make amends with Tuur. The perfect happy ending would've included Maartje escaping as well, but I was still happy to see the bonds of friendship prevailing despite the ongoing war.
Nicholas Nickleby (2002)
Charlie Hunnam + Jamie Bell = Perfection
I absolutely loved this film! Although, I must admit I'm a bit biased towards period dramas. Witnessing a young, blue-eyed, angelic-faced Charlie Hunnam in the main role was a whole other experience, which I also loved (I almost couldn't believe it was him at first). The best part about this movie is Nickleby and Smike's friendship. Their friendship was so sweet and wholesome that it had me watery eyed by the end of the movie. Also, I secretly shipped the two together, mainly because Charlie Hunnam + Jamie Bell = Perfection, but I'm okay that they weren't together because we need more examples of sweet, wholesome, heterosexual male friendships for society to model after. I hope everyone else enjoys this film as much as I did.
Hawaii (2013)
Marco Berger is a King
I for one really liked the film. I'm a fan of most of Marco Berger's work, and it's exactly what one would expect from a film directed by him. I completely disagree with comparisons being made to "Call Me By Your Name" regarding the storyline and setting. They are completely different; this film, set in Argentina, is about a homeless man struggling to find work who finds both employment and romance with an old childhood that is housesitting for a family member for the summer. A nice reminder that not every LGBT film with attractive leads has to be "similar" to or a low-budget version of more popular LGBT films, such as "Call Me By Your Name" and "Brokeback Mountain".
Notre paradis (2011)
"LGBT Bonny & Clyde"
This film made me feel a weird combination of emotions. "Wild Reeds" and "Come Undone" converted me into a Stéphane Rideau fan (I mean he was very attractive when he was younger), so I enjoyed seeing him in another movie. I also enjoyed Stéphane and Dimitri Durdaine together and I was kinda rooting for them as a couple (minus the crimes). However, I could've done without all the murder. One was bad enough, but it got a bit out of hand by the end... And then the presence of a young child in the background (and eventually foreground) of all the drama made me feel incredibly uncomfortable. I didn't like it. Poor tiny human, he's probably scarred for life now. Also, shame on Victor's kept boy, Kamel, for being so nasty in front of and towards an innocent kid. I didn't want him to get killed, but I also didn't like the guy at all..
Donne-moi la main (2008)
"Brotherly Love"
Thankful for this film because I am now aware of the existence of Alexander and Victor Carril. They're so cute! Major heartthrobs.
Overall, I liked the film for the most part, but there were definitely some weird parts. I spent the first 15 min confused and trying to establish what the objective of this movie was because all that had been shown up to that point was a pair of twins running away from a bakery and aimlessly hiking out in the wilderness to some unknown destination. More dialogue would've been useful, not just in the beginning, but throughout the whole film. It's a disturbing thought to think about how the rando gas station chick slept with both brothers, in the same day, (presumably) without bathing in-between. There were a few sweet moments of brotherly love where you could tell the twins really cared about one another despite the constant back-and-forth. However, those moments were brief and fleeting once you remember one of the brothers is homophobic and pimped out his brother for 100 euros before abandoning him in a public restroom where he was almost sexually assaulted. That kind of "brotherly love" makes me glad I only have sisters 👀😅
Ma vie avec James Dean (2017)
Cute. Wholesome. Intriguing.
Honestly, a light, rom-com that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Some will complain it's too long, but I usually don't make that complaint for a movie as long as it's interesting, and this movie is cute, wholesome, and intriguing.
I will say, there is a point in the last half of the movie where a major plot development occurs that left me feeling conflicted, feeling both happy for the protagonist but also uncomfortable and extremely concerned for the protagonist. After it's revealed Balthazar is 15 years old (yes, you read that correctly), I immediately started panicking for Géraud's fate from that point until the movie finally ended. So I couldn't fully enjoy the remainder of the film 100%.
From the start, we (the audience) are introduced to this sweet, wholesome projectionist who develops a crush on the main protagonist, Géraud. You can't help by like Balthazar for being so endearing and wholesome, and therefore find yourself rooting for the story to end on a happy note for their relationship. Then, all of a sudden, you're shocked by the revelation and feeling a rush of feelings.. "Oh my God, he's going to jail for just kissing him..." "The kid's parents are going to murder Géraud once they learn their son is so infatuated with him and he's been reciprocating.." I started feeling guilty for ever wanting the relationship to work out because not only is their love forbidden, but also it's illegal!! I also felt bummed... "Damn, where can this movie go from here now?? I want Géraud and Balthazar to be happy, but at what cost??"
Completely confused, you then witness the mom delivering her son to Géraud so that they can run away together and be happy. "What is this mom doing??? Has she lost it?? Even if she approves, it's ILLEGAL." But wait the anxiety worsens- it's all but explicitly stated that Géraid and Balthazar have sex together. "WHATTTT?!?!?" Then at the end when the Dad and (what I assume are) the police show up, I got a pit in my stomach. "This is it... they're going to get caught. They're getting punished. Géraid is going to jail and who knows what will happen to Balthazar.. This is supposed to be a rom-com, not a Greek tragedy!" However, they escape together with the Dad's approval before the movie credits roll...
I was left completely shocked and super confused. "Did I misunderstand something here?? Was something lost in translation?? (I watched the movie with English subtitles)." So naturally, I went to Google to find some kind of review or statement that reaffirmed my understanding, but since this is a foreign indie film, I had no luck. I spent 30min looking until I finally came across reviews here. It didn't take long for me to confirm I had indeed understood the plot correctly. However, ...
PLOT TWIST: the legal age of consent in France is (apparently) 15. *huge sigh of relief* "HALLELUJAH!! No crimes were committed! I don't have to feel ashamed for rooting for Géraud+Balthazar to be together!" So, I spent 40-60min in full on panic mode for nothing (story of my life). My feelings about the movie have completely changed and I can say with 100% confidence now that I enjoyed the movie, I will watch it again, and I would recommend this movie to others. Is it still kinda "odd" in reality, yes, but this is a work of fiction and it was made evident their relationship was meant to be portrayed as a wholesome love.
Hopefully, this post will give someone like me, who might be feeling similarly after watching the movie, a peace of mind and a better understanding of the movie's ending.
Samuel's Travels (2021)
Widely Entertaining
It's a bit weird, a bit charming, a bit dark, a bit funny, and overall, worth a watch. In some ways it reminded me of the novel "Animal Farm", where humans end up becoming the pigs, but with an odd Stockholm syndrome twist to it. Some may question how a movie with a description like that could ever be comical, but you'll just have to watch it for yourself to understand.
I randomly stumbled across this film after watching "Close" (FYI these two films are not even remotely similar in the slightest). I was looking into some of the other movies cast members had been in, and I discovered Belgian actor Kevin Janssens. I will say that I am now a huge fan of his. I'd be willing to bet many other people will feel similarly after watching it.
Red, White & Royal Blue (2023)
Royal Disappointment
I was looking forward to this film, but I found it to be extremely disappointing. I expected more from this film and it was a major letdown. The film reminded me of watching a really campy, made-for-TV movie with a predictable plot and not so good acting. The film and characters lacked depth, which may not bother some if you're looking for a LGBT film with attractive male leads. However, if you're looking for a quality LGBT film, you may want to look elsewhere. I've never read the book, but I'm going to assume this film did not do it justice considering how beloved it seems to be. I think there was a good opportunity to make a quality USA-made film here, and it missed. One positive note, Uma Thurman as President was awesome, despite her awful Texan accent.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Best Animated Film of All-Time
I've watched this film 100 times since I was a kid, and I could watch it 100 times more and never get tired of it. Perfect in just about every way-- animation, music, magic! It has everything anyone could ever desire in a movie for both adults and children. As an adult, I have so much appreciation for this film and the way Disney was able to successfully make a film with such a strong, exemplary female lead for young children to look up to and admire during the 90s. It truly has such a beautiful message about beauty being more than appearances and what's seen on the outside. Beauty comes from within. There's a reason this was the first animated film ever to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, in 1991. I can't wait until I have a family one day where I can share the magic of this film with them, and I hope they are as eternally touched by the story as I am.