gracers5000 Reviews

Father of the Bride (1991)

30 years later ...

[6/10 · 6 January 2024]

I remember loving this movie when it came out and decided to rewatch after a 25+ year gap. This time around, I found it to be overly sweet to the point of sugar overload. Steve Martin's narration was over the top sentimental and the score was as well. Still, though, it was nicely cast but lacking in diversity and I think Kimberly Williams, who was relatively unknown at the time (I think) did a great job against established pros like Steve Martin, Diane Keaton and Martin Short. On the topic of Martin Short, he can always be relied on for a few laughs and delivered a silly but funny character. This is easy watching for a Sunday afternoon and very family friendly.

Father of the Bride Part II (1995)

Silly and not worth your time

[2/10 · 6 January 2024]

I never expect much from sequels and, as predicted, this movie was a bit of a stinker. The previous movie, Father of the Bride (1991), while middle of the road, had a certain warmth and charm, and the casting was decent, minus the lack of diversity (typical of 1990s movies). I enjoyed it in 1991 and so I looked forward to watching the sequel when it came out. But it becomes very tired very quickly, and the twist of the bride's mother being pregnant at the same time as the bride made it next level ridiculous. I'd recommend steering clear of this one. It's overly sentimental, not very plausible and just not that funny.

Phantom Thread (2017)

So over Daniel Day Lewis

[1/10 · 7 May 2023]

I used to think Daniel Day Lewis was a great actor but over time I've come to see him as a master of overbearingly priggish, self-indulgent performances. This brought back memories of Age of Innocence and Room With a View.

In a way this movie was the best comedy I've ever seen because the storyline was absurd and the dialogue was pompous and silly. Would love to see a Kristen Wiig/Bill Hader parody of this to have it make meaning for me.

The score was equally overbearing and the lead actress was a complete bore. The only positive thing I have to say is that I thought this movie was going to have pervy scenes but thankfully I was spared from that.

Jane Eyre (2011)

Not for true Jane fans

[1/10 · 7 September 2022]

I'll never understand why filmmakers don't make use of actual dialogue in the book. Where it strays, it strays badly, almost completely reinterpreting the characters. There's also an added melancholic tone to the movie that lacks the excitement of the connection I of these two characters. The casting is decent but Rochester is too dour and lacking the wicked humour and deep passion and charm of the character. On the book he's described as being the life of the party and making every room happier. You don't see that here. I won't go through all the characters but it all felt lacklustre. I also think a feature length movie will never be long enough to do justice to the story.

Them (2021– )

Great cast

[5/10 · 13 June 2021]

The cast was phenomenal and especially little Melony Hurd. I just think this would've been equally or more horrific without the paranormal element that somehow seemed to lift some of the guilt off the neighbours. As if everyone was somehow guided by these forces and not by their own racism. I guess it was supposed to be allegorical but it lessens the very real experience of Black families integrating into white neighborhoods and schools.

A Christmas Miracle (2019 TV Movie)

Nice warm story

[10/10 · 18 November 2019]

As far as Christmas made for TV movies go, this is definitely one of the better ones. The leads seemed like real human beings where often I find the acting to be very flat. And the story was warm and nice. Exactly what I like to curl up to leading up to the holidays.

Ms. Matched (2016 TV Movie)

Insufferable

[1/10 · 5 August 2018]

The whole premise of this movie is nonsensical and the leading lady grates on one's nerves from the very start. I love a cheesy made for TV movie, but this one's a total pass.