lalaloggins Reviews

Ramona and Beezus (2010)

2 thumbs up from a fan of the book

[7/10 · 26 March 2024]

I grew up reading Ramona books. I related to Ramona. I had high expectations for this movie, which were mostly met. I don't have any complaints other than it should have been better. The adults were perfectly cast, especially Dad and Hobart, who slipped on their characters like a well-fitted suit. The chemistry between Aunt Bea and Hobart can't be denied. I think Joey King was an adorable Ramona but she didn't embody her enough as a pest/nuisance. She was cutesier. I still prefer Sarah Polley's mischievous Ramona. Still, King's portrayal makes u want to root for her.

The movie is a blend of 5 books and the scenes they chose fit well together, both with storyline progression and chronology. Condensing the books into one movie can shorten more emotional moments where u barely have time to process what happened (unemployment, bad grades, Picky Picky, heartbreak), which is why i say the movie could be better. Unfortunately, it would've been too long for a kid's movie.

This was a fun watch with classic moments from the books, egg on head, hole in the wall, squeezing all the toothpaste out of the tube... oh how i wanted to do that as a kid. It was so cathartic for Ramona.

I really enjoyed the movie. It was innocent, cute and honest. No agenda pushing and thankfully, very faithful to the series. Whether u read the books growing up or you're just learning about Ramona the Great, u won't regret the watch. My fellow Book Lovers, this movie is highly rewatchable. If you're looking for a sweet, funny, charming movie for family movie night, check out Ramona & Beezus.

Asteroid City (2023)

Garbage or Gold? You Decide.

[5/10 · 14 October 2023]

Take usually reliable ingredients like beautiful use of colors, a great soundtrack, fun concepts involving aliens, government lockdowns, and a play that's not a play (or is it?), swirl in nostalgic expectations. Sprinkle liberally w/ LSD. Light everything on fire & let burn until your house turns to ashes. Stand around in the rubble muttering what happened. THAT'S Asteroid City.

Wes Anderson doesn't usually disappoint me because even his bad movies are still fun to watch for memorable characters, costumes, dialogue & music. After i finished watching Asteroid City, not only was i disappointed, i felt personally insulted.

An overdose of star power killed it for me. I found myself distracted bc i've seen everyone in similar roles, acting their butts off in better movies. Asteroid City feels like it was written & directed by a half Wes Anderson, half Woody Allen wannabe. It's cliche & boring while wasting it's stacked cast & Wes Anderson regulars. Schwartzman is the exception, giving the performance of his lifetime as a likeable widower whose weirdly relatable. He's the only star there for the art, not the cred. Scarlett Johanson is adequate in her usual role of tragic pin up girl for intellectuals. The little girls playing Schwartzman's daughters are adorably creepy,

The story, if u can even call it that, is frustratingly confusing: it's both a 1950's sci-fi play and a peek behind the theatrical curtain. Real Life is shot in black & white, disjointed & overdramatized. The play pops with vintage candy colors but feels emotionally repressed.

It looks amazing but Asteroid City is so head-spinning confounding, it made me nauseous. Wes got high on his own supply and badly needed an editor or someone outside his artsy-fartsy circle to tell him he's gone too far. Acting is horrid, stale & uncomfortable in the film WE'RE watching, but maybe that's the point. Maybe their disastrous deliveries are SUPPOSED to ruin every scene by throwing away emotions and purpose w/ every overstuffed monologue... that crazy extra level of Meta Anderson earns Asteroid City an extra star for creativity & bravery. Inviting people to watch the worst performances of their careers, playing actors who can't act, takes cajónes. If this movie is terrible on purpose, it's really REALLY good at it, maybe even Oscar worthy.

Maybe this movie just went from 1 star to 10 stars...

Seemingly nonsensical films like Donny Darko make u dive down a rabbit hole thirsty for answers. Asteroid City gives u cotton mouth and slams u into a wall. I hoped for Moon Rise Kingdom + Troop Zero but Wes Anderson saw Birdman and was like, i could do that. He made a Truman Show/Birdman hybrid with a-list actors walking around, enjoying the smell of their own farts. Seriously, pretention oozed through my screen and slapped me in the face. It mocked me. It trolled me. It DARED me to jump through hoops to find deeper meanings. I just need to pay attention, or watch it again, or talk to someone really smart or eccentric... if this empty-headed time suck of a movie is actually brilliant, Wes Anderson just blew my mind.

Or this a pretty looking movie that wastes talent while overindulging on quirky stuff happening for no reason and serving no purpose. Big stars deliver quirky monologues and exit stage right. I'm really not sure which, but the fact i'm obsessively over analyzing why this movie was so bad makes me want to watch it again. 2/10 - first viewing - 5/10 second viewing.

Hidden Strike (2023)

Hidden Garbage

[3/10 · 1 August 2023]

This movie is crap. It's the epitome of a poop emoji. We thought maybe this would be one of those so-bad-its-good movies but no. No. It's just bad. Chan & Cena have chemistry, so it's a shame the only movie we get to see them both in is a hot mess. It's not even a hot mess you care about. It's WAY to long for what it is. You feel the minutes tick by. You could start watching it and just stop completely. In fact, you should. Don't watch half of it like me, then realize there is no redeeming this movie. It does not get better. The story drags, the CGI effects are pretty terrible, and the fighting doesn't impress. You won't care what happens to the characters. You won't care about anything. Possibly ever again.

That '90s Show (2023– )

It doesn't FEEL like the 90's...

[6/10 · 23 July 2023]

It doesn't FEEL like the 90's... The new cast comes straight from the Noughties Nickelodeon/Disney era. The 90's nostalgia feels forced, and at times, ill-placed. That 90's Show could take place in 2022. It's GenZ's idea of what the 90's were like by reading PopSugar and Buzzfeed articles.

The scenes between Eric & his daughter hint the show has potential. Unfortunately, emotional impact is an afterthought. It NEEDED Red & Kitty to give u a reason to keep watching. It can be meh without them, but not unwatchable. Unfortunately, I can't immerse myself in 90's nostalgia because That 90's Show doesn't even really look like the 90's...or reference the 90's enough.

If you want to see a show that covers being a teen in the mid 90's, check out the criminally underrated "Everything Sucks". From the title of the show to the music, attitudes and clothes, THAT is what it was like to be a real teen in the 90's. I wish I could enjoy That 90's show more, but inauthenticity leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I'm sure it's partially because I WAS a teen in the 90's, so my particular demographic might be more sensitive about things like authenticity.

It made me rewatch That 70's Show, because even though i wasn't alive in the 70's, the writers created characters who were likeable and relatable. The teen culture felt real. Honestly though, IF you hang in there, the 90's crew will grow on you, and the show gets better about halfway through the season. It starts slow, and disappointed me at first, but I stuck with it and now, i'm looking forward to season 2. Rating: 6/10.

Sound of Freedom (2023)

Believe the Hype - Save the Children

[9/10 · 23 July 2023]

Essential Viewing - And A Call to Action Sound of Freedom is one of the most important movies to be released in a long time - possibly ever. Based-on-a-true-story, it focuses on the horror of Child Human Trafficking. I definitely cried my eyes out. The acting was impressive- especially from the children, who made u feel the confusion, the fear, the hopelessness and the longing for the safety of home. For some of these kids, it's a home long forgotten.

Experience the 10-minute gut-twisting opening scene, where you're put in the shoes of parents, whose children disappear without a trace. Prepare yourself for a white-knuckled ride, as Tim Ballard tries to locate the kids and get them back to their parents.

I've seen interviews w the real Tim Ballard, and Caveizel wears his calm but intense, gentle but determined demeanor like a super-hero suit. Some reviewers say his performance lacks emotional impact, but he IS playing a man who had to engage with pedophiles for 12 years. You HAVE to shut yourself off emotionally to keep going in the darkness of such evil and depravity. Jim is soft-spoken with strong resolve. He IS Tim. Those blue eyes are SO emotive. Caviezel, and Bill Camp, who portrays a flawed man trying to redeem himself are the standout adult performances. The supporting cast, from locals risking their lives to help rescue children, to the worst-of-the-worst scum of the earth who kidnap and traffic children, play their parts earnestly and with gusto. The hauntingly beautiful cinematography and music help portray an all-to-real atmosphere. My only caveat is i feel like they wasted the great Mira Sorvino. I would have like to see more from her.

Emotionally, this movie will kick you in the chest. Especially when u find out Human trafficking surpassed illegal arms dealing and is on its way to becoming a 150+ BILLION dollar industry more lucrative than the drug trade.

Sound of Freedom was completed in 2018. It took 5 years to make it to the screen. No one wanted to touch it. Bravo to Angel Studios, the Goya Foods CEO, Mel Gibson, and everyone who donated via crowdfund to get the film in front of the public with a theatrical release. This is an important film, and once you see it, YOU become the storyteller. It's up to YOU to spread the word about this film, the subject matter, and ways to help. If you aren't inspired to do something to protect children after seeing this, maybe this isn't the right movie for you.

For everyone else, go see it. Spread the word. Raise awareness. Save the children. 9/10.

The Peanut Butter Solution (1985)

Faced My Fears - Rediscovered a Gem.

[7/10 · 14 July 2023]

I'm one of those people that watched (and was traumatized) by this movie as a kid. Like Tolkien and Lewis Carrol, it's based on a story the director used to tell his little girl before bedtime. The plot is bizarre, the acting is early 90's Nickelodeon, and the soundtrack is provided by Celine Dion before anyone knew who she was. Trust me when I say, there is NO other movie out there like it.

Where will u ever find a kid's movie about being so scared by something, your hair falls out, ghosts visit u, u rub a peanut butter and dead fly mixture on your head, and your hair goes beyond 80's heavy metal w/ the power to turn paintings into real life windows u can walk through? ... Throw in an eerie Are You Afraid of the Dark vibe w/ the terrible but appealing to children acting, and surreal world where adults don't seem to care or know about 50+ kids missing from the neighborhood, and you'll know what to expect when u sit down to watch it.

It's a 90-minute quick watch, pretty much the perfect amount of time for a weird, so bad it's good kid's movie, and i recommend u give it ur full attention so u don't miss anything. Even if u end up hating it, I dare u to ever forget what u saw. I know I didn't!

I remember having nightmares about going bald because of this movie. Maybe that's why it stuck in my head for over 30 years. Maybe that's why it took me that long to finally track it down and watch it again. Face your fears kids. This movie will teach u that. It will also teach u the power of imagination can create the scariest and most beautifully insane scenarios.

I don't recommend it for children under 5 unless u want to constantly assure them, they won't go bald over night or be visited by creepy old ghosts or get kidnapped and used for slave labor.

Sure, lots of the movie doesn't make sense and I will warn u the ending is kind of a brady bunch car crash with no answers, but that's ok. It will be a blast for u to revisit or watch w/ open minded friends for so-bad-it's-good movie nights. I also read the Blue Ray DVD of this movie was given loving treatment and is worth tracking down, which i might do, even though i no longer have a DVD player.

If u remember this movie from childhood and it scared u, face ur fears and rewatch it. It's actually hilarious. I did, and i rediscovered quite the gem. Fair warning though, i forced my SO to watch it with me and he thought it was awful. If u didn't watch it as a kid and u lack the nostalgia factor of watching it over and over on the Disney Channel in the late 80's, u might hate it too... But it's worth the watch because u will never forget it, even 30+ years later. The movie is really a 4 or a 5 but through the lens of nostalgia, sheer bonkers creativity, and uniqueness of execution, it gets bonus points. 7/10 *******

Running Cool (1993)

If Roadhouse & Empire Records had a baby...

[6/10 · 30 June 2023]

I found this movie via Random Movie Decider. I would have never seen it otherwise. It's not very well known, so it wasn't available on any of the streaming services.. We watched it via an uploaded VHS version on Youtube. I didn't expect much from it, as it's a "biker movie" with a limited budget. I mostly expected it to be a bad movie.

What a pleasant surprise it turned out to be! The person who wrote the script was an actual biker. Yeah, it's full of cliches, some cringe moments, and a cheesy af soundtrack, but if u stumble across it, give it a shot. It shows you the culture of many Biker Communities They might be all tough, loud and black leather clad intimidating, but you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. These Bikers are part of a brotherhood. They care about each other. The main character's back story is a heartbreaker, and the gang embraces and supports him. One would wonder what would have happened to him if he didn't have his biker gang family...

The story is simple. Our 2 main characters, Bone & Bear are called upon to help out one of their fellow bikers when the cartoonish local bad guy wants to take over his land. It's not just any land. It's got a beautiful marshy wetland for a backyard. Unfortunately, the man who owns the land, Ironbutt, owes $8000 in taxes. Bone & Bear decide to throw a Bike Run to raise money for Ironbutt while the bad guys try to foil their plans. That's pretty much it.

This could have been a terrible movie, but the genuine heartfelt friendship and loyalty between Bone, Bear & Ironbutt, as well as the chemistry between the male & female leads saves it from mediocrity.

The love story is sweet, sexy, & believable. I liked seeing bikers portrayed as positive members of the community, as opposed to Harley riding troublemakers. The fight scenes remind me of a lesser Roadhouse. They aren't fancy. Just rough and tumble punching and kicking bad guys into the air and onto tables etc. You've seen this before but that doesn't stop the film from being enjoyable.

It's not a great film by any measure, but it's better than you think. Worth seeking out. I haven't seen a lot of biker movies but i would bet this is one of the better ones. It deserves its status as a cult movie and I'm glad I was able to find it.

Little Women (2019)

WHAT, Why and BOO.

[4/10 · 31 December 2022]

If you are going into this film thinking it will be anywhere near as good or emotionally impactful as the book, or the 1994 Winona Ryder/Claire Danes/Kirsten Dunst/Christian Bale version, you will be left empty inside by this new version. Idk if its a generational thing or the fact audiences don't seem to have patience for a story to unfold organically, but the patchwork timeline of memories switching back and forth is massively irritating and distracting.

Litle Women is linear ON PURPOSE. That is the way it was written so we can start with them as GIRLS and follow them into adulthood. Hence the title: LITTLE Women. Why the director seemed to think she knew more about how to tell this story than the author herself is both arrogant and typical of today's feminist culture. Ronan's Jo is in-your-face with her headstrong portrayal, but she can't hold a candle to the 94 version. Winona's vulnerability and passion was equally as important as her pre-feminist resolve to become an independent woman, and eventually published author. Even the scene after Jo sells her hair and cries/laughs with her sister about missing her long hair is left emotionally hollow.

WHAT happened? Is it the casting, acting, directing, editing? ... what makes this movie feel like it's missing the heart, and indeed POINT of the March girls' story? Watch it for yourself. I'm not alone in my criticisms of this movie and cannot understand for the life of me WHY it gets such high ratings and praise.

The worst things about this adaptation are the time-line jumping, and Pugh as Amy. She got an Oscar nomination for her efforts, and she can't pull off AT ALL being a 12 year old adolescent. She looks and sounds so ridiculous, it really takes you out of the story. It's bad enough the time-jumping already does that. She also has ZERO chemistry with Timothee Chalamet, which is unforgiveable. I don't believe, nor understand why Laurie falls in love with her. This doesn't count as a spoiler because they start this movie at the END, so there are no surprises as to what will happen to each girl.

Why do this? Is it to "modernize" this tale?

Chopping the story up and bouncing from one scene to the other ruins the tale. Don't mess with perfection. My last criticism is Beth, the sweetest, and indeed HEART of the March family, is essentially relegated to the background. You barely get to know her aside from the fact she is sickly and plays piano.

I won't say this movie is garbage, but it IS a major disappointment.

HOWEVER, my SO never read the book or saw any earlier adaptations and he liked it... He also had nothing to compare it to.

I was amazed he was able to follow the timelines, as the actresses look and act the same age throughout the movie. I am very familiar with the material and yet, I had trouble following this jumbled mess. IMO, this movie is overstuffed, overhyped and overrated. Don't go into it expecting a 10. Lower your expectations, and u will probably enjoy it. Me? I'm going to watch the 94 version again. Compared to the 2019 version, it's a masterpiece.

House of the Dragon (2022– )

Believe the Hype

[10/10 · 21 December 2022]

I loved Game of Thrones but hate the way the end of the series was rushed. We NEEDED another season. The writing suffered greatly without George RR Martin, who was busy working on House of the Dragon. While the former faltered, House of the Dragon (HOTD) has flourished. I was skeptical during the first episode but started to believe in the series by the second. I was totally hooked by episode 3. Even with the time jumps and actress changes, the show does a great job leading us through all the sub-plots and additional characters. You never get lost. Shows like the Witcher... not so much in comparison. The Witcher's timeline was so confusing, I almost gave up after episode 2. Even if you've read HOTD's source material, Fire & Blood, you will be pleasantly surprised. The writing makes the show, the costumes are beautiful, and the casting is masterful. It puts the icing on the cake. Paddy is the stand-out here. WOW. He blew me AWAY. I will remember his tragic and haunting portrayal of Viserys (sp) as one of the Great Kings of Westeros... and Hollywood. Forget how GOT ended. Believe the Hype. It's very, very good. Let's hope season 2 continues the trend. A++

Grounded for Life (2001–2005)

One of my Favorite Shows!

[10/10 · 19 December 2022]

Most. Authentic, Depiction. Of a Teenage Daughter EVER. I would know because I was an obnoxious screaming stubborn know-it-all, like Lily. Casting Kevin Corrigan in ANYTHING elevates the product. Uncle Eddie is both loveable and despicable. Brad, the boy next door with a crush on Lily, is both heart-breakingly pathetic and hilarious. Even the later casting of Dean only made the show better. It's one of those shows you really wish the network didn't cancel.so soon. They just bought a bar! There was so much left to tell. It didn't get much love or appreciation. Ignored and Underrated, there was something deeper making it stand out. This show FEELS real. Critics couldn't see beyond the family sitcom formula to recognize the hilarious-because-its-true writing. I wish they would bring this show BACK, so we can follow the Kid's lives with Sean and Claudia now young GRANDPARTENTS! Who do I talk to to make this happen? I want to see 40-year-old Lily married to Brad or Dean, with THEIR kids. With perfect casting and clever writing, this show is still incredibly relevant. 20 years later. It has stuck with me more than any other sitcom.

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022)

This is a terrible movie.

[3/10 · 5 November 2022]

I suppose if u are a big enough fan of Weird Al, or u enjoyed UHF, u might like this movie. I was prepared to suspend disbelief, but you really can't with this movie. They make it impossible and keep raising the ridiculous stakes. It's like a terrible SNL skit that goes on for two hours. BTW - his dad was actually supportive and Evan Rachel Wood sucks the energy out of every scene as Madonna. It's like they did this on purpose. It has it's (brief moments) where it's at it's mpost honest, but mostly, It's 20% good & 80% ridiculous. Not ridiculous in a good way, but ridiculous in a BORING way. I might not finish watching this because I could simply care less what happens in this fake garbage biopic. Good trolling Weird Al. I loved your music but HATED your movie.

Arrival (II) (2016)

Really Beautiful... If you have the patience for it.

[8/10 · 17 November 2017]

I didn't really know what to expect with this movie. I like sci-fi and I liked the actors. I knew the film had something to do with aliens and human contact with aliens. I didn't want to know anything else. My experience watching this movie was very different from my boyfriend's experience. He found it to be boring, I found it to be a transcendent journey through time, space, and what it means to be human. When you sit down to watch this movie, try not to have any distractions. This is one of those movies you FEEL as well as watch. The music is atmospheric, and the acting sucks you right in. You will find yourself going through a range of emotions, such as sadness, wonder, anticipation, fear, and joy. This movie isn't for everyone. This is a sci-fi movie without a lot of action/and or special effects. It focuses mostly on a beautiful and unusual story, unfolding like a novel, with each minute going by like a page being turned. This is a movie you will remember, long after the end credits roll. If you watch it and you love it, like me, you get it. If you thought it was boring... well.. you didn't. That's okay because some of the BEST movies are also the most polarizing.

The Giver (2014)

Don't listen to the critics and DON'T read the book right before you watch it!

[9/10 · 4 December 2014]

***DON'T READ/REREAD THE BOOK UNTIL AFTER U SEE THE MOVIE!**** This was and still is my favorite book, so my expectations were high. Luckily, The Giver succeeds on many levels, including emotionally and visually. It is a stunningly beautiful ode to the power of color. People that complain about the movie rushing through the important stuff, IE more time with characters connecting/ interacting with each other, are nitpicking. The movie by itself is engaging, poignant, and IMO well cast and well acted.

It was refreshing to see the kid's cast were virtual unknowns. They play their parts with conviction. Meryl Streep blew me away. Is she really a "villain" as so many have said? Or is she simply enforcing the rules of a society she fears will destroy itself, repeating the mistakes that were made generations ago. She straddles the line nicely. Jeff Bridges carries the posture of a man weighted down by grief & the old world's memories. He has the demeanor of one who has seen it all but can't share his discoveries w anyone. Can't share joy. Can't share pain. Bridges fought to make this movie for years, and it's an obvious labor of love. It's pretty faithful to the book, give or take a few liberties.

Yes, I know this is a long movie. We are a society of people suffering with short attention spans. The Giver is slow-burning & quiet w a powerful message. You have to give yourself over to it. Let the story unfold and slowly draw you in. Pay attention to the subtle way the actors bring their characters to life. Remember what it was like to read this story for the first time and let the movie carry you away.

I believe if was made in the 90's, The Giver would have been a raging success, but it took too long to bring it to life. There are too many dystopian, YA fiction movies out there now it will inevitably be compared to. It's a polarizing movie. If you connected with the book as a child, it will be impossible to be indifferent to it. I loved it. But make up your own minds and try not to get too caught up w variations between the book and the movie.

The Fantastic Adventures of Unico (1981)

It Stays With You.

[9/10 · 6 May 2014]

This is a movie that, for those of us who saw it as a kid, transports you to a magical world... where you're 4-6 years old and anything can happen. Even Magic. Yes, this movie has the kind of power to bring you back in time. You Will remember songs that you long forgot... and you might end up singing them in front of your s/o if they are watching it with you.

Here's the catch: If you didn't see this movie as a child, you may not like it very much. I revisited this movie today and it was a little different from the magical movie I had remembered. Yes, it still brought me back in time, but I noticed the Voice Acting is shrill/annoying and not very well dubbed at times. It's probably because this was one of the first Anime. So, keep that in mind if you find yourself distracted by dialogue that doesn't match the words coming out of various character's mouths. The beautiful thing is that the EMOTION is still there. You can see it in their eyes, hear it in the music, feel it in your heart.

*************SPOILERS************************************** I'm not really sure how appropriate this movie is for kids nowadays, but my parents thought it was fine and they let me watch it over and over. I say let your kid watch it. There are some definite dark moments that could scare your kids. There are some parts of this movie that, as an adult, are akin to violence against women and date rape drugs. If you're super religious, you probably will not appreciate the fact that the little blue devil is a "good guy" or that there are Mulitple, doofus gods up in heaven calling for Unico to be sent to the land of oblivion. So Gods= bad, devil= good. I didn't infer that, this was something my boyfriend mentioned. I never would have made that connection otherwise. Forget about the adult themes, your kids won't pick them up. They will get that this is a movie that is about Ultimate good vs. Ultimate evil, and it's wrapped up with a cute little light blue, baby unicorn bow.

I watched this movie over and over as a kid and it was one of my favorite movies. I think we might have spent 100.00+ on Unico rental fees. It's rare when a movie you loved as a child, holds up as an adult. A lot of times the movie just isn't what we remembered, how we remembered it. Unico is different. In the movie Unico has the power to make the people around him happy. They never forget him and neither will you. I know I never did. 9/10 stars.