Change Your Image
lauriekyhl
Reviews
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
The Reason Movie Theatres Still Exist!
BETTER than the original (thought I'd never say that), heart-stopping and heartwarming all at once: homages to the original "Top Gun" (Goose, Ice Man, original soundtrack), interwoven with modern-day, adrenaline-pumping CGI, a poignant farewell to Ice Man (beautifully done), and a satisfying resolution with Goose's story and his ultimate legacy, Rooster. Also, way more realistically this time, Maverick gets the RIGHT girl, and a sneak peek at a happy life.
IMAX or bust on this one and-say what you will about Tom Cruise-he continues to completely kick cinematic A$$! Can't wait to see it again!
And Just Like That... (2021)
It's All About Evolving. . .
As a diehard SATC fan back in the day, I couldn't wait for this reboot. Yes, like other reviewers, I picked up on the "woke" vibe early on. Yes, I was devastated and actually shed tears when Big died in Episode 1 (!). Yes, I cringed when it appeared that Charlotte had suffered too many fillers (unnecessarily, mind you), and that Miranda, who was once the salty, empowered badass of the group, appeared to be floundering when it came to matters of political correctness and female empowerment.
HOWEVER.
Darren Star does it again. Do we really expect these 3 to look, think, or behave exactly as they did when we first fell in love with their fizzy, dizzy, NYC lifestyles and adventures back then? I was 34 when the original show ended, and I'm 52 now. . . And a "late-in-life" mom to an amazing 11YO son. And, I can definitely relate to many of the girls' concerns at this point in their life arc. . . Aging, wrinkles, teenagers, mortality (e.g., spouse, self), divorce, social pressures of remaining "relevant" and "cool" as we age amidst our peer group and ever-evolving society.
My only complaint about AJLT is that perhaps it underestimates the 50+ segment of its audience. I am 52; fairly "woke" and in touch with what's happening in our society; work full-time and also parent aforementioned amazing 1YO and a 29YO special-needs stepson; and, on top of it, run 5 miles every day and keep myself looking pretty damned fit for my age. This is what I love about Carrie. . . She continues to dress and embody her identity as a straight-up, confident fashionista and independent woman, and-with or without Big-that's who she will always be. Kinda the point of the entire franchise!
Re: Samantha, yes, we all miss her, but would her completely self-seeking, sexually-obsessed persona really play as well in her 50's? She was already reaching her peak with Jerry Jerrod at the end of SATC when she was on the upswing from cancer. Sometimes the very tightest of friendships evolve and break apart as everyone finds their own path.
Finally, I'll say that the Che character is a bit heavy-handed in moments, but does add to the story as it pertains to how these 3 strong, resilient women try to navigate today's world. Can't wait to see it through! Thank you, Darren Star, for opening the door back into the lives of these lovely, funny, endearing girlfriends!
And Just Like That... (2021)
It's All About Evolving. . .
As a diehard SATC fan back in the day, I couldn't wait for this reboot. Yes, like other reviewers, I picked up on the "woke" vibe early on. Yes, I was devastated and actually shed tears when Big died in Episode 1 (!). Yes, I cringed when it appeared that Charlotte had suffered too many fillers (unnecessarily, mind you), and that Miranda, who was once the salty, empowered badass of the group, appeared to be floundering when it came to matters of political correctness and female empowerment.
HOWEVER.
Darren Star does it again. Do we really expect these 3 to look, think, or behave exactly as they did when we first fell in love with their fizzy, dizzy, NYC lifestyles and adventures back then? I was 34 when the original show ended, and I'm 52 now. . . And a "late-in-life" mom to an amazing 11YO son. And, I can definitely relate to many of the girls' concerns at this point in their life arc. . . Aging, wrinkles, teenagers, mortality (e.g., spouse, self), divorce, social pressures of remaining "relevant" and "cool" as we age amidst our peer group and ever-evolving society.
My only complaint about AJLT is that perhaps it underestimates the 50+ segment of its audience. I am 52; fairly "woke" and in touch with what's happening in our society; work full-time and also parent aforementioned amazing 1YO and a 29YO special-needs stepson; and, on top of it, run 5 miles every day and keep myself looking pretty damned fit for my age. This is what I love about Carrie. . . She continues to dress and embody her identity as a straight-up, confident fashionista and independent woman, and-with or without Big-that's who she will always be. Kinda the point of the entire franchise!
Re: Samantha, yes, we all miss her, but would her completely self-seeking, sexually-obsessed persona really play as well in her 50's? She was already reaching her peak with Jerry Jerrod at the end of SATC when she was on the upswing from cancer. Sometimes the very tightest of friendships evolve and break apart as everyone finds their own path.
Finally, I'll say that the Che character is a bit heavy-handed in moments, but does add to the story as it pertains to how these 3 strong, resilient women try to navigate today's world. Can't wait to see it through! Thank you, Darren Star, for opening the door back into the lives of these lovely, funny, endearing girlfriends!
The White Lotus (2021)
Makes Me Hate My Gender, My Race, and HBO MAX
Unredeemable, vapid, entitled, awful human beings go on vacation and perpetuate the worst stereotypes and consistently epitomize "White Privilege". I'm perhaps most disappointed that:
1) "Rachel" ultimately went back to her spoiled, narcissistic man-child husband
2) Olivia didn't die
3) I wasted 6 hours of my life watching this drivel
Even Belinda, my FAVORITE character in the series, threw up her hands at the end, and didn't get the happy ending she so deserved!
UGH! NEXT!
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
A Riveting Film with Girl Grit and Heart on Full Display!
I am truly stunned at all the terrible reviews here-coming, no doubt, from individuals who never watched, let alone invested in the original Wonder Woman franchise (a la Lynda Carter, Lyle Waggoner) back in the 70's-to include the "SuperFriends" cartoons of the same era.
I saw this film in a theatre today (the only way to do the CGI and stunts justice), and, unlike most of the DC and Marvel movies of late, this one had true heart, message and, of course, general female badassery. . . elements sorely missing from our "modern" world. Plot holes? Sure. Fantastical, time-hopping happenings? Of course. It's a SUPER HERO MOVIE, folks. It's supposed to transcend our own mundane reality-that's the entire point!
I absolutely loved that, from the very first 5 minutes, females were portrayed, much like in the first movie, as completely strong, resilient, resourceful BADASSES. . . and Gal Gadot brought heart and soul to her role in every way. Kristen Wiig was also brilliantly cast as the "Ugly Ducklling" story on steroids. Can totally relate to finding and harnessing that power.
I've watched so many of these mega-produced Marvel and DC movies in recent years, and not once did I even come close to caring to the point of empathizing and even shedding tears for the storyline and/or characters playing out on-screen. The entire point of the movie is to be careful what you wish for, to appreciate the people and experiences that change you, and to hold fast to honesty and truth. . . constructs sadly and sorely missing in our modern day.
And P. S. The Lynda Carter cameo during the end credits? FREAKING. AWESOME.
The Flight Attendant (2020)
Layered, Trippy, Dark Comedy with a FANTASTIC Score!
For all of you who are either: 1) reducing Kaley Cuoco's character to an alcoholic floozy, or 2) typecasting her as "Penny, the Sequel," you obviously aren't paying attention to the layered storytelling here. Everything about this story is told in a trippy, time-hopping sequence with complicated camera shots, internal dialogue, past-to-present backstory, and whom-do-you-trust twists and turns. By end of the series, you see why and how Cassie is who she is and does what she does, and the human connections she makes along the way are quite complicated and compelling. Not to mention, as a musically-inclined individual myself, the score is the fizziest, dizziest, cleverest (?) since Dave Grusin's soundtrack for "The Firm". Granted, Rosie Perez's character and plot line seem a bit unnecessary by the end of it, but a super-enjoyable ride, nonetheless.
Spies in Disguise (2019)
Quick-Witted, Dizzying Cinematic Family Holiday Fun!
It's a kid's movie, yet with nonstop impressive cinematic effects and hilarious one-liners that promise to entertain kids and adults alike! Will Smith is so perfectly cast here in the role of the suave, savvy, quick-witted special agent with all the James Bond-esque gadgets. . . a guy who pride himself on "flying solo" until he realizes an up-and-coming "gadget developer," Walter, may just have a different approach to combating evil that ultimately comes across as compelling and endearing v. sanctimonious or "preachy".
My 9YO son typically "zones out" in movies, but was all in on this one til the very end. . . to the point he was asking me when it will come out on Netflix. Lots of laughs and good family fun! :)