daysky Reviews

Annie (2014)

Entertaining Throughout

[30 July 2022]

I don't think it's fair to compare this to some nostalgic childhood memory of the 1980s version as some have done.

I thought this movie was great. It was modern, but enough elements of the original story line to appeals to fans and newbies to Annie. I thought the music and singing was great (especially Annie and Mr. Stacks.

It was awesome to see a minority in the Annie role. As a black child, I enjoyed the other versions, but it is nice to see representation in a mainstream film.

I also thought Cameron Diaz did a good job at her role. Her character was consistent throughout, even with her warddrobe choices.

My only negative was that there was one expletive (that I noticed). I don't know why we can't enjoy "squeaky clean" entertainment.... especially for children or family viewing. No need to throw in cursing...

2 Weeks in Lagos (2019)

Almost Made it Higher

[19 September 2021]

This is a good movie with Christian themes, but not overly preachy. The only reason I didn't rate it higher was because I feel that the ending was a bit rushed and tied with a bow. A major problem was shrugged off and swept under the rug to make way for the ending... I would have a more realistic resolution.

Aiyyaa (2012)

Personification of Why Divorces Happen

[2 July 2021]

Summary of this review: Kept my interest, but only because I didn't know the ending would make me want to pull my hair out.

Main actress is infatuated with a college student. He treats everyone like dirt (including his mom) and completely ignores her when she tries to talk to him. Why does she like him? He has LITERALLY has 2 redeeming qualities. He is a talented artist and he smells good. His eyes are always red, and there are rumors of him being an alcoholic, druggie, and a womanizer. Despite all this, the main character can't get into the nice guy who wants to marry her because she is hung up on this loser. Finally, she discovers why he smells good and why his eyes are red. It's a plot twist, but I thought it would wake her up. NOPE! She still thinks she will be happier with him than someone who treats her nicely and values her opinion. When she explains to her parents why she likes the loser, she only has shallow things to say (his height, his eyes, etc.) It was so bizarre and dumb. I watched it to the end though I skipped some of the musical numbers. If I would have known she would never wizened up, I might not have watched it all. UGH.

Namaste Wahala (2021)

Can a movie be bad, but important?

[13 April 2021]

Ok, this movie wasn't a "great." There was a low budget feel, the acting and script were mediocre. Yet, interracial and intercultural romances, especially with non-European leads, need to be told. So, there wasn't a great love story here... you didn't fall in love with the characters because they were shallow; there were definite plot flaws (like why a character would take a certain opportunity offered at the end of the movie when it didn't correspond with previously stated goals and ideals.) The dancing was incredibly poor (serious actors take classes and study the art form to look at least passably convincing or hire a body double). But at least someone represented an intercultural love story, perhaps opened the way for discussion, understanding, curiosity, interest, between people of different backgrounds. So, I support this movie... and I'll forget about it entirely in a few days and never think of it again.

Sweet Home Carolina (2017 TV Movie)

They tried to warn me and now I am warning you. (No major spoilers but a few details)

[5 February 2021]

I don't always trust the judgment of other of other reviewers. But I found most of the comments were pretty accurate for this film.

Negatives 1. Absolutely no chemistry between the characters. 2. They did not develop the romance at all so you didn't feel any sense of rooting for the characters. Luke seemed nice, but he never had anything interesting to say so he wasn't really impressive. Diane was stressed about a lot of things and taking it out on everyone else. The writer really didn't give you any reason why they should be together. They should have done some flashbacks of their previous relationship, some interactions with her ex so we can see him treating her not so nice, and some cool conversations or fun times with the main characters. They don't even show a date unless you call asking for a cup of coffee while standing in a restaurant a date. 3. The subplots were not well-developed either. They would introduce a potential issue and your interest might be piqued. But then they would just drop it without any resolution being shown... Instead they would drop it or explain it away..."Oh yeah that could have been a problem but not anymore." 4. It was unrealistic. Everything fell together too easily 5. My biggest annoyance was the house. It is supposed to be a big disaster, but it's really a mansion with some dirt on the siding. They walk around saying Ew, gross to antique furniture covered in drop cloths. The best thing they could muster to carry the idea of an overwhelming project was showing a brief cleaning scene where they get rid of some old newspapers and hired someone to fix the squeaky door. 6. She keeps talking about how awesome it was there and how many good memories she has but never shares anything specific, never shows anything (like cool places she remembers) to her daughters. 7. Nobody seems to have any friends. 8. Just stupid goofs that make me feel like there was no editor. Like the daughter comes home from school and is told to do her homework. After dinner, she's told to do her homework. Like, would it have been so hard to change the line to "Did you finish your homework?" Or have the child say, I did it already (missed opportunity to characterize the mom as checked out or not as bad as you think. Instead, it's just bad writing." 9. The main actress wasn't great. Maybe the script limited her but the furrowed brow and vapid smiling did get kind of old after a while. Even the dog didn't want to be there... he was just as checked out as everyone else. Anyway, I could go on and on. But I want to list the positives too...

Positives 1. It was clean. The teenager communicated her "teenagerness" just find without cussing her mom out. You can watch it in a classroom with kids without worrying about inappropriate content. No sex either.

That's all I got. I didn't turn it off like some movies that are completely unwatchable, but I won't remember it tomorrow, won't recommend it. It's one of those movies that makes you think you have a career in screenwriting just waiting for you because anyone can do better than this.

I Lived on Parker Avenue (2017)

Fair and True

[10 December 2020]

I randomly stumbled across this. It's main appeal was that it was only 30 minutes and I wanted to watch something short before bed. The first 5 minutes are a little slow; I almost turned it off because the voices seemed a little flat. But then I got into the story and I'm really glad I decided to keep going. The documentary does a good job of telling the perspectives of the 2 families and what led up to present day. I also thought the title was pretty clever, but you won't get it unless you watch it to the very end. Very real and not biased or soapbox-y like some documentaries. I recommend it.

The Mirror Has Two Faces (1958)

Barbra's is a LOOSE interpretation

[29 January 2019]

In the movie industry, you have to cover your bases so as not to get sued. Barbra Streisand's remake has a few plot similarities, but it's definitely not a remake. It reminds me of a choose-your-own adventure book. The story begins and you come to a fork in the road. If you go this way, the story ends happily. But if you go that way, disaster!

I recommend watching them both.They each have their merits and will leave you thinking and comparing long after the final credits.

Mining for Ruby (2017)

Snooze...Head Hits the Keyboard

[25 May 2017]

I am no movie buff. That's why I was surprised that I even noticed the musical score at the beginning. It sound bad to me, disjointed and weird. Two minutes in the movie, and I was thinking about the dialogue. It was unnatural and forced. Without giving a spoiler, I will be vague about the scene that caused me to cut it off. Let's just say something unrealistic happened, and it was acted so poorly that I literally cringed. Maybe this movie gets better after the first 10 minutes, but I will never know because I jumped ship. If you are looking to be captivated, this probably isn't the movie for you.

The Words (2012)

The F-Words

[1 September 2016]

Be forewarned! There were SO many F-bombs in this movie that I actually wondered if I mistook the PG-13 rating for R. After the first bout of five or six in a couple of seconds, I thought well at least they used up all their bad word count, but they must have upped the limit recently because the vulgar assault continued (completely unnecessarily) throughout the whole film.

The movie wasn't bad, but it was no work of genius. So, if stuff like that bothers you like it does me, I would say skip this one. Though the story has potential, the ending leaves so many questions unanswered that the only thing you will be left with is blankety-blank $!!@*! beep beep echoing through your brain. And it's really not worth it, trust me.

Color-Blinded (1998)

This Movie Makes Me Ashamed to Be Human

[12 February 2016]

Let's hope no aliens get hold of this footage.

I only watched the first 5 minutes, and part of that was in awe that this was a real movie.

I watched it on Youtube so at first I thought it was one of those bait- and-switch scams where somebody posts some ridiculous home video in place of an actual film just to get some few views and a laugh at people they trick into watching it.

So low budget and low brow,I couldn't take it any longer and I cut it off...

I like dumb comedies as much as the next person, but this...just no.

Marry Me for Christmas (2013 TV Movie)

Terrible in every way

[7 May 2015]

I hated everything about this movie.

None of the characters had chemistry in their relationship. Not the married couples, the engaged couples, not the mothers with the daughters, not the best friends.=Bad casting

The wardrobe of the main female lead was terrible and unflattering.

The plot was super predictable, unrealistic, and shallow. Been done a hundred times before. My Fake Fiancé was a lot better if you want pretend fiancé plot.

The ending was painful. For him to propose to someone else less than 5 minutes after his current girlfriend walks out of the room and less than 5 minutes after admitting feelings for the main character was ridiculous. He supposed to be a lawyer but he said nothing intelligent or law-related the entire time. He also looked horrible in his ill-fitting suits.

The dialogue was stilted and shallow. There was nothing heartwarming in the traditions or culture portrayed.

I even hated the scene where they were eating cereal because they just kept stirring the bowl and not eating anything.

So in summary, I didn't like this movie.

Teenage Dirtbag (2009)

What Usually is Bad is Good in this Movie

[28 February 2014]

Many movies that contain other art forms- dance routines, songs, poems- disappoint because the art doesn't live up to the rest of the film. This movie was different. The poems were awesome, yet realistic high school level. The soundtrack had some great tracks that I will be investigating how to download them into my mp3 player.

The chemistry was real between the characters as well. Every time they interacted, there was an intensity. I have seen high budget films with huge celebrity names ruined because the character's feelings/chemistry were not believable.

I think this movie is a must-see. It was also a great example to cinematographers who think you need to add a whole bunch of nudity and swearing to portray sex and violence. This did the job without dragging the viewer through profanity and raunchiness. Though I did have to skip the fetal pig scene... YUCK!!! (Hope that raised your curiosity!)

You May Not Kiss the Bride (2011)

Exactly as rated 5.1 stars

[25 November 2013]

This movie had one of the most unrealistic plots I have ever seen... such as a very conveniently located canoe.

That said, I watched the whole thing...

So basically it is watchable: even cute at moments, incredibly dumb at others

A high point is the island... it is gorgeous

It actually made me consider a career in scriptwriting... I know I can write at this level for sure!

Keep your expectations low, and you won't be disappointed Actually, if you watch it with your boyfriend, he will probably enjoy it if he likes action scenes and crude humor (just a few things, but for me they detracted from the already flimsy story in my opinion)

Blind Dating (2006)

No Big Boy Pants!

[15 March 2013]

Well, this was good enough that I watched it the whole way through... but also bad enough that at the end I was kind of letdown. I wanted it to be so much better than it was.

The romance was so simplistic that it did not seem authentic and they didn't seem to have much chemistry.

The family was so hodgepodge looking that it was distracting- yeah right they are brothers, yeah right that's his dad...

I think this got bit in the butt by a low budget and honestly it was kind of sophomoric... it's a romance without "big boy pants." So I neither recommend it nor swear you off it completely.. just keep your expectations low and they will be met.

My Last Day Without You (2011)

Really Watchable and Not Same-O SAme-O

[13 March 2013]

I am so glad that I didn't listen to the review that I read that gave this movie 2 stars!!!! Something about the cover just caught my eye...

It turned out to be a great movie with a plot that I haven't seen a million times before.

In a good movie love story, you fall in love a little along with the characters... this was that type of movie. They both had flaws... she was a little rough around the edges and he thought money was the solution for every problem. I also thought the male lead was kind of ugly at the beginning of the movie, but by the end I could see why she was attracted to him.

It's not a movie that will change your life, but I think it's a good movie that will at least makes you question if you have let love slip through your fingers like it's nothing.