wbewitched Reviews

Wish (II) (2023)

Mixed emotions

[6/10 · 7 April 2024]

I didn't hate this movie, but I did think it was disjointed. It was trying too hard to be Encanto and Frozen and lost it's own potential in the effort. The music, while enjoyable, didn't have continuity. It was at turns both pop/melodic and then musical theater and never found steady footing - like 5 different people were asked to write songs without any consultation between them about what was being written...the flow was lost. The characters and the story didn't have much backstory and we don't know why...why anything really. Why didn't the king grant more wishes? What was the bad thing that happened? We get almost no context for anything and that leaves the whole storyline afloat.

But the biggest crime of this movie is that it wasn't a better vehicle for Ariana DeBose. She has an absolutely STUNNING voice and I felt like it was just wasted here (see also, the Queen) - a voice like that deserved a movie that showcased her voice, and I just feel like this missed the mark.

In short. I'm not mad at it but I am glad I waited for it to stream and didn't spend money in the theater.

Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin (2024)

I really wanted to love this

[5/10 · 18 February 2024]

I really wanted to love this, but outside of a very few characters (Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Marcie & Snoopy come to mind) the voices were contrived, irritating, and sounded like someone said, "voice this like how you imagine a Peanuts character would sound" instead of trying to be true to the past.

It was also a little too "this is what we know about Peanuts" so we're going to go with stereotypical things peanuts characters do - i.e. Linus sits in a pumpkin patch, Lucy has a pysch booth, etc.. Add in an irritating amount of modernization thrown in (like "newbie"). This would be fine, but pick a lane.

I still watched it and nominally liked it, but if they're doing further shorts, they either need to stay with the old, tried and true Peanuts, or choose modernity and go all in.

Welcome to Wrexham (2022– )

AN ABSOLUTE GEM OF A SHOW, A TOWN, AND A TEAM

[10/10 · 13 November 2023]

If you aren't watching Welcome to Wrexham, you're missing an absolute gem of a show. Yes it's about football, but it's ultimately about so much more. At its heart, it's a story about the human experience; what can nearly destroy us and what brings us hope. Even knowing the results of the second season, I'm still incredibly invested in each episode and each match as it unfolds.

Not for nothing, I'm also incredibly happy to see time given to the women's team and it's incredible players.

For anyone who thought this was little more than a Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney vanity project, you're selling it (and yourself) short. Kudos to Ryan and Rob for all you've done for this team and the town...and for sharing it with the rest of us.

Shaun White: The Last Run (2023)

Thanks for the ride

[9/10 · 9 July 2023]

Shaun White didn't invent snowboarding but snowboarding owes what it is today to Shaun White. Starting with little Shaun in home movies and interviews that show glimpses of the legend he would become, this 4 part series takes us on a journey through Shaun's life - showing us how having a constant of people who love, support, and believe in you can nurture a rarely seen talent and make it the best in the world for nearly two decades. Even knowing the outcome, if the last 45 minutes of the 4th episode doesn't fill you with hope and bring you to tears, there's something wrong.

This is an incredible story of pure athleticism, of determination, of perseverence, and of family. What an incredible life. Thanks, Shaun, for taking us all on the ride.

The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals (2016– )

Very short on actual baking

[6/10 · 20 February 2023]

I guess I enjoyed this enough as an interlude to the original, there is a lot missing. The pluses...loved seeing Liam. The judges don't bother me - they're judging professionals rather than amateurs, they should be harsher imo.

But let's be real. They should have named this Confections, Chocolate, and Sugar Work. There is very little actual baking. Where are the cakes? The bread? Other baked good? I may be misremembering, but iir, there are a couple of episodes with zero actual baking.

In any case, I'd rank this as "fine" but don't expect a version of its namesake. Other than the format, this ain't it.

The Decoy Bride (2011)

Gentle, light rom-com

[8/10 · 12 October 2012]

This is a gentle romantic comedy that has humor and light but doesn't hit you over the head with it.

I suspect this movie is not rated higher generally because it does not have the laugh a minute ridiculousness of most modern day American rom-coms. It moves at the slow pace of the village were it takes place where time somewhat stands still and happiness is found in the familiar. The fact that it stars David Tennant is just icing on the cake; the supporting cast which includes Kelly MacDonald (Boardwalk Empire)and Alice Eve (Entourage)is just cherries on the icing on the cake.

A movie in the vein of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill (with some lovely scenery from the Isle of Man), I highly recommended spending an evening with it.

Torchwood (2006–2011)

Mature sex scenes in season 4

[8/10 · 9 October 2011]

My 11yo daughter and I have been watching this show from the beginning and generally really enjoy it. We are also HUGE Doctor Who fans.

Having said that, I am very glad i started watching season 4 without her. I am by no means a prude, and I have no problem at all with the portrayal of Capt. Jack as multisexual (leaning towards gay). I mean, there is an insinuation during the Tennent years of Doctor Who that he and Jack had a relationship...no problem. Having said that, I was a little surprised at the "R" rated sex scenes in this season. I should emphasize that there are heterosexual scenes that are every bit as up close and personal as the ones with Capt. Jack. For me, this is fine; but generally, I would have assumed Torchwood, season 4 was as perfectly appropriate for my 11 year old, as seasons 1-3 were. I was wrong. So, my purpose here is to forewarn parents that season 4 is not your kid's Torchwood.