Change Your Image
kristin-peterson
Reviews
Så var det jul igjen (2023)
Not a comedy. Just a sad tale of ungracious people.
I wanted to love this and was hoping throughout that it would get better, that there would be some joy, that it would turn around for everyone. The problem isn't the acting, it's the script. Or maybe it's the Norwegian culture if this is characteristic of them. Everyone plays a miserable character, except the lead Jashan, who faces every awkward situation with an attempt to be joyful. (That is, of course, until he cracks from the ridiculous amount of pressure they put him under.) The family offers no welcome, no kindness, no hospitality to the main character's boyfriend. They are unwilling to relent on any tradition nor do they patiently help him understand any of it so he doesn't keep making a fool of himself. I came away feeling overwhelmed by the traditions and lack of love. This is no comedy.
Sweet Home Carolina (2017)
I really wanted to love it...
...but then I watched it. I appreciate romances that are G-rated, which was why I clicked play, but I did not love this one. I gave it a try, truly. Watched the whole thing. But I felt uncomfortable during the entire movie because the acting was quite painful, from the overly angry "teenager" that looked waaaaaay too old for the roll (even though her mother was sweet, sacrificial, etc.), to the lead who was an over-actor. It may have partly been the writing, but the main role had to portray a constantly smiling, hesitant, bashful woman, and it was too cheesy for me. How many "ums" can one script hold? Hundreds, it turns out. I'm glad the movie wasn't longer. I wanted to love the characters, but none had a normal personality. Except the dog. The dog was AWESOME.
Sitting in Bars with Cake (2023)
Heartwrenching but shows the power of real friendship
It's so fitting that Bette Midler appears in this movie as it does have strong Beaches vibes. I love her role as boss lady with a big heart. But the real gems are the two leads who play best friends. We see their highs and lows, their wrestling with the decisions in young adult life, but also their complete sacrificial love for one another as the movie progresses. Another thing I loved was that both girls had strong parental support (imperfect, but definitely loving and supportive). It's rare these days to have main characters with parents still married. Love that. You get really drawn into loving both female leads. I loved the ending, which I don't often say with movies. It felt right and good. This is sweet. Sad, yes, but so sweet and endearing. It will stick with you.
Alone Together (2022)
Slow but sweet
I liked this movie. I think what I liked the most was the believable love story that emerges in the midst of a forced quarantine during the Covid pandemic. Most drama romance movies have plots that would never happen in real life or involve people that hate each other and then magically fall in love. Not here. Both main actors portray normal, kind-hearted people. This realistic story stands apart from the others in that way.
Is it slow? Yes. So if you like fast-paced movies, this is not for you. Is it heartwarming? Absolutely. Believable? Yes.
I think it takes a lot of skill to portray authentic people who are trying to figure out who they are and what (and who) they want in life.
Happiness for Beginners (2023)
Charming, Sweet, You'll want to see it
Ellie Kemper portrays a much more complex character than her Office character here - a combination of sweet, hurting, and angry. She has pain from her past, she's going through a divorce, she seems to struggle with being at peace in her life. It's almost too diametric for me as the moments where she bursts out in frustrated, angry monologs seem out of place. She directs most of those angry moments at the main male lead, who never deserves them. However, there is definitely a developing chemistry between the two leads (this isn't a spoiler - you know immediately where the movie is going) that is engaging and fun to watch. It's a lot more believable than most rom-coms and you find yourself routing for it to happen even though you know it will. I loved each of the side characters as well. But Appalachia, you outdid yourself. Stunning scenery.
Something from Tiffany's (2022)
It's...okay
I liked all the actors in the movie, especially the ever sweet and charming Zoey Deutch (daughter of Lea Thompson), but the biggest flaw was that there was no real chemistry between the two main actors. It is predictable as most rom-com movies are. You can figure out the entire plot in the first few minutes. But that connective piece missing between the two mains sort of ruins it for me as I couldn't get behind the developing love story. I kept waiting for moments of chemistry and they did not appear. That being said, this movie is clean, charming, it's good to watch while you are folding laundry or completing other household chores. It's sort of a Christmas movie, but not really, as the first part of it takes place during Christmas, but the majority is afterward. Sadly, though, it's not overly memorable.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Nothing Nowhere Stop
I don't think this is worth your time. This is too weird. I didn't care for it at all and I do like Sci Fi movies. The acting is wonderful, but the plot is so difficult, weird, and hard to follow. The movie follows a barely speaking English speaker who suddenly and complely embraces her superpowers with few questions asked, and speaks English perfectly. I thought Inception was a challenge... well meet EEAAO. There were a couple of scenes that made this not recommendable to any of my friends, sorry producers. Some people still have morals. I don't ever want to see this again. I now understand why nobody I know has commented on it.
Falling for Christmas (2022)
Cheesy? Yes. But sweet and uplifting
If you like other Christmas romance movies, you'll like this one. Does it have every cheesy cliche in the book and a completely predictable plot line? Why yes, or it would not be a PG Christmas movie. What is especially sweet is seeing the stunningly beautiful Lindsay Lohan again. She is sweet and charming in this role (after the accident, of course), as is the main male character and his family. I especially loved the quirkiness of Sierra's fiance Tad after the accident. At first you hate him, then you love him. His character grows on you. As always, thank you producers, for producing movies that are clean and safe for families.
Luckiest Girl Alive (2022)
Powerful
Mila is 24 carat gold in this movie, simply phenomenal. She captures so perfectly the dichotomy of what it feels like to have deep, unresolved trauma, and yet also a desire to be successful and live with purpose. I haven't read the book yet but I will. The storyline feels realistic, even relatable, as Mila's character works through her journey toward healing and ultimately does what is necessary for her own well-being. This is a must watch for those who've been wronged, for those who've been overlooked and underappreciated, and especially for those who've suffered sexual assault and felt they didn't handle it in the way they wished they'd had, because that is what the character goes through.
Only Murders in the Building (2021)
Unique, intriguing, creative, wonderfully acted...
This show is very well done. Season 2 is even better than 1. Each episode keeps you captivated until the end and then you want to binge the whole season. I'm a big fan of the main actors and they deliver above and beyond with their excellent acting skills depicting quirky characters that get caught in various crazy situations (spoiler: murders). I don't think there is one "normal" character in the show but that is what makes it so memorable and hilarious. It's hard to define what category this falls into... Comedy/Mystery/Suspense, with a little bit of romance. It can be dark at times as the characters sort their way out of the catastrophes, but there is enough humor to lighten it. Can't wait for Season 3!
Instant Dream Home (2022)
Has potential...not there yet
This show showcases a huge team of people (200+) renovating houses to people/families who deserve a blessing due to their difficult circumstances or lives spent helping others. The team does amazing things within a very short period of time to make over the homes, like installing new kitchens, adding on bathrooms, handling major layout problems, etc. But the fake drama (i.e., a "potential disaster" or two or three, in every episode) completely detracts from the show, making it nearly unwatchable. My husband refuses to watch more because of that and obnoxious music. Do the good things, show the designs, remove 100% of the fake drama, and we'd be in for a second season.
Purple Hearts (2022)
Pretty good for a Rom-Dram
I liked this one. I felt it was a nice, new variety of plot for a romantic movie. Was it predictable? Absolutely. Aren't they all, though? Was it accurate for military law? No. I did like the two leads in this and felt there was some chemistry and that they balanced their love/hate relationship pretty well. Like most others, I did not care for the singing style, and there are many of her songs throughout the movie, so be forewarned, and that's why it wasn't 10/10 for me.
Marry Me (2022)
Predictable, Cringy
Oh goodness, this was pretty bad. I love both lead actors and it was painful to watch them in this. The acting was pretty bad. The chemistry between the two wasn't really there and didn't feel believable.
Despite that, it was a decent enough chick-flick. (Major apologies to my husband who sat through it with me). It's *almost" clean - the worst scene was a terrible song she performed in a racy outfit that blasphemed God and church. And then they do have sex - but technically they are married, and nothing is shown (because I don't think the world wants to see Owen in a sex scene).
We Broke Up (2021)
Blech
The most disappointing movie I've seen in recent months. We had some hope since we are fans of Harper, but nope, there was nothing of value here. There was no humor, no comedy, it was just all sad and very boring. You could tell it was a low budget. The storyline was a bunch of adults hanging out at a camp for a couple days before a wedding. Not one scene didn't contain massive amounts of alcohol or pot or pot brownies. We watched it to the end, hoping for something redemptive. Sad ending, too.
Blown Away (2019)
I really want to rate this higher, but...
Just like everybody else, I had the same reaction with Season 1 winner. It felt like they really focused on her and all of her agendas on purpose. Everybody else on the show was so fabulous, talented, a joy to watch. I would love to see more seasons, but with no agendas being highlighted. This is an area of art that is so amazing to watch. It's dangerous, takes years to master, and so fascinating. It's a shame that the artistry got way overshadowed by self-centeredness and drama in season 1. This IS why shows like The Great British Baking Show are so loved, no drama and contestants cheer each other on. You won't see that here.