gandlbest Reviews

The Marvels (2023)

All cylinders

[11 November 2023]

Seriously, after a few duds, The Marvels is a welcome return to what we love about the MCU. It's truly firing on all cylinders. There's action, a lot of action. There's heart, there's a story line, with some depth. The actors' portrayals were on point. I even liked the singing. Yes, the singing. I can't say anything negative about it. I really enjoyed it and so did my girls.

I didn't really enjoy the 1st Captain Marvel movie that much, because she had to portray herself as very dry and soldier-like and without a memory or a past. But now that she's learning who she is, she's really blossoming and to have the exact opposite in Ms. Marvel- who easily expresses herself was a very fun and welcome counter-balance. And then, the 1 without a code name, Monica, really brought it altogether. I love her character the most. Love to see a strong women not afraid to also admit her needs. Also loved her outfit and persona. None of them were sec symbols. They were heroes. Monica was intelligent and calm. All the things we expect in a Superhero. Loved her in WandaVision and so glad she got to showcase her talent and her powers much more this time.

They each had a story to tell and a story to share and some secrets and surprises. There were some people that I was happy to see back. But I won't spoil everything. I do recommend it.

The Little Mermaid (I) (2023)

Enjoyed the unexpected additions, the traditional songs and the Disney beauty in Under the Sea

[27 May 2023]

I haven't sent the original since it came out so perhaps I don't remember everything but there seemed to be some unexpected twists in this remake that I enjoyed. The Under The Sea song had the traditional magic and colorful playfulness that I expect in an animated Disney flick. So I was glad that they incorporated it into this Live Action. Ursula was not as evil as I remembered. I loved the choices and voices the team made, especially Scuttle as a female (go Awkafina), McCarthy, using Daveed Digs who always shines and bringing a strength and diversity to King Triton's daughters. He was very endearing as well. They only negative for me was the 1st 2 original songs. Awkward and not well thought out. Overall entertaining and that was a pleasant surprise.

Lost in Space (2018–2021)

Just the best

[26 December 2022]

I watched the original in reruns as a kid and had fond memories, but this remake series was just over and above all expectations. The character depths and arcs, the nods to the original, even down to the spirals on Robot's arms-reminiscent of the vacuum hoses for arms on the OG. I loved the upgrades, the updates, the women leaders on the Ships and behind the scenes. I loved how everyone was allowed to grow, even Robot, whom I think was patterned after my dog, loyal, protective, with minimal speech but manages to communicate. Robot's stereotypic gestures were so endearing, especially the head tilts. I feel like we grew by watching it. Sorry to see it end but they packed so much into those 3 seasons that binge watching won't do it justice. This one deserves to be savored.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022)

Just plain sweet

[27 November 2022]

A feel good movie. Not just for kids. Plus a lesson about acceptance, worth, and not having to fit in. Also about restorative joy. Beautiful songs and of course Shawn Mendes ' amazing voice. The family aspect was beautiful too. And the villians were not that villianous, showing forgiveness and repentance. Even the implausible became palatable, literally. I liked the cinematography as well. They didn't skimp on anything. Even the cat was well played. CGI but it needed to be (like Call of the Wild CGI). If you want to laugh and cheer on and rediscover hope, and have a few twists and turns along the way, I highly recommend Lyle. Now, I want to read the book series with my family.

Family Camp (2022)

Love the Skit Guys

[26 May 2022]

My kids grew up watching the Skit Guys. Their humor with a point has always always been a hit. Their acting and those of every cast member carried the day. While I loved the storyline, the dialog and pace needed to be stronger to hold my husband and youngest daughter's attention. This was not low budget, everyone earned their roles but I think the movie would have been 10 times better if the Skit Guys had written it themselves. My daughter proclaimed, "It's not funny. " While that's too much of a blanket statement, there was some truth to it. But come on, the CGI beaver was adorable and Tommy and Eddie are amazing . They deserve to be in more movies.

The Bad Guys (2022)

Well acted, good script, music and characters

[4 May 2022]

I was surprised that I enjoyed this original film with an old story told a new way. Loved the Characters and the voices. It felt long with all the plot twisted but still fun with a good message. Favorite line, "... you should judge a book by its cover and all stereotypes have been confirmed!" Because it showed the danger of doing just that.

American Underdog (2021)

Needs no embellishment

[13 March 2022]

The story of Kurt Warner's perseverance going from the supermarket to the Superbowl is so amazing that it needs no embellishments. But to hear of Brenda Warner's story and Zach Warner's was an inspirational and unexpected bonus to an amazing family film. Zachary Levi looked like a combo of Kurt and himself in the film and was totally believable. Hayden(?) who played young Zach was a hidden gem and filled each of his scenes with beauty. And I always love Dennis Quaid. My husband was taken back to the actual press conference where he said those magic words. The Erwin Brothers have another Masterpiece. We've watched 3 of their films over and over and will add this one to the rotation as well. The best part was the encouragement the coaches and players gave Kurt. Everyone needs that and we need that lesson right now.

Home Team (2022)

Just fun and funny

[22 February 2022]

Feel good movie, fun for kids and adults. And plenty of laugh outloud moments- especially from Kevin James- playing the straight man for once- and his quirky doppelganger Coach Bizone.

Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)

Family Fun with a Focus

[21 July 2021]

This movie was entertaining and a fun escape. Glad we could watch at home. Their were laughs, nostalgia and there was a point. Love you kids. Love your parents. When is they attend perfect. Kids have dreams too.

Don Cheadle not only carried it but he stole the show. Great work and a new look for him.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)

My new Fave Christmas movie

[18 December 2020]

I call it a cross between Hugo and The Greatest Showman with a flavor all its own. This movie is so special. It's creative, entertaining, empowering and heartwarming. Everything you want in a Christmas movie.

The singing was an unexpected surprise. The animation was intriguing and costumes were whimsical and gave each character their own personality.

There is nothing objectionable in this movie, except the poor marketing. You say Phylicia Rashad, I'm there. Lead with that. The title is off putting and the preview image is a bit creepy. It turned my 10 year old off. I think many may over look this movie and miss out on something really special but I hope I'm wrong.

Harriet (I) (2019)

Amazing, inspiring, exciting, accurate

[18 November 2019]

How anyone can criticize this film is beyond me. Some question its accuracy but the facts are accurate. Of course the people's names and exact actions have to be embellished but every biopic does that. Yes, she did lead armed soldiers in the Civil War. Yes, she did walk across a river. Yes, she did have seizures and what she considered visions from God. These facts are easily verifiable. Who's looking at lighting and setting when you have an amazing set of actors and actresses telling an amazing story. There's passion and feeling and beauty in it. And why criticize her for being depicted as a superhero when she was just that to the 70 people that she led to freedom. To think it an insult that this modern day Moses was a hero is to belittle the impact she had on the lives of all those set free because of her bravery. Please see this movie. Please let your kids see this movie. I appreciate the fact that they did not have a lot of gratuitous violence. That they had White heroes (and Black villains though in reality there were very very few black traitors.) Other than that, it's well worth watching, supporting and sharing.

Playing with Fire (I) (2019)

Full of fun

[8 November 2019]

Playing with fire was a pretty good movie. A bit of potty humor, literally, but 15 yr old and 9 yr old enjoyed. Theater full of laughter

The Lion King (2019)

What?! I'm awake. And that from my kid.

[21 July 2019]

Boring, slow, monochromatic as well as monotone voice work. There was nothing glaringly bad but there's no raison d'etre. Since real animals are expressionless, the actors, the scenes the songs should have made up the difference by taking it up a notch on all fronts. Instead, they took a nap and so did my kids. I spent the time playing guess the voices. We all perked up at the new version of "Be Prepared" which was the 1st And last innovation in the film. Scar held his own but in most cases, the voices were a disappointment. Especially Zazu (both in sight and sound.) Surprisingly, even JEJ changed his part for the worse. I would have been more satisfied with the dubbed original voices. We needed color and pizazz and surprises- besides letting Pumba say, "Farted." Opps, forgot to say spoiler alert. The only bright spot for me, were the 2 underling hyenas- thanks Key. They were funny and refreshing though we didn't see them enough. Lastly, the only other bright spot, for me was the CGI. The live action aspect was a pleasure to behold, but after the initial awe of it, there was just disappointment. It's like, it was all handed to you on a silver platter, how did you mess this up?

Aladdin (2019)

The naysayers have been silenced

[24 May 2019]

Unlike Princess Jasmine, the naysayers should be silent. The movie was awesome. I didn't mind the CGI. He's a genie. Genies aren't real. And who wants to expose these actors to a real tiger up in their faces? The set design was amazing especially the Prince Ali Entourage. Look for the flowered camel. (Seriously not a spoiler.) Naomi Scott's voice was amazing and I like the fact that Will Smith focused on the dancing. Mena Massoud was so adorable. What more can you expect from a remake.

Black Panther (2018)

what! I doesn't get better than this

[17 February 2018]

I sat at the movies on preview night with a full audience of laughing and impressed viewers. Including my husband and daughter- not am easy crowd to please. Marvel has walked the fine line between continuity with the Marvel universe and ingenuity. They took the formula that is distinctly Marvel, mixed it with the basis of the Black Panther storyline and added a modern twist. The cinematography in a second to none and while the fight scenes were by no means the focal point of the movie they were none the less epic. You can't take anything away from this movie without purposely throwing shade on what Marvel and the director Retrying to accomplish. We went into this movie with high expectations and I can Say unequivocally that we were not disappointed. We were pleasantly surprised with spider man homecoming and its unintentional inclusivity and blown away by Black Panther's meaningful, thoughtful and purposeful redefining of everyone's view of what it can mean to be African. They blew away every stereotype, while remaining true to the comic.

For people that say was predictable I say you put them in a catch-22 because if they veer from the Marvel story line then there's no continuity and it's not authentically Black Panther. They managed to tell the story, tell it well, make it beautiful , make it believable and make it congruous in such a way that you can have a Black Panther 2,3 and 4, and he can come back and join the Avenger as needed. They captured the technological marvel that vibranium can bring when harnessed with the genius that Black Panther was known for, though they ascribed that genius to an independent, youthful little sister. Great twist there. Someone complained about the single remote controlled plane, well Iron Man could have made multiple suits but he only made 1 to share with his wingman. In the same way, Shuri didn't water down her technology by putting it on am assembly line. To those who complained about them fighting their own people. Yea, think about it. Who else could even hold a prayer of matching wits and weapons with them. The Claw already made the point in the first fight scene. " Those are vibranium cars, Idiots. Your bullets are useless." The General brought the point home when the rhino stopped charging and smooches her face instead. That was Her Rhino to command. They took the theme of Civil War- or pained me to see The Avengers fighting each other tooth and nail- and made it even more personal. This was family against family and friend against friend. Having never read the comics, they evoked the same feelings of remorse for the fight that Civil War did in a single movie. That takes serious character development. And yes I had a tough time believing that T'Challa's life long friend would turn so quickly but many of us have experienced misplaced loyalties. He got caught up in the movement for all the wrong reasons. I've seen enemy Avenger movie on the big screen except Guardians and Fantastic Four and this topped them all. Hands down. No one is peperfect and this IS a superhero movie- a genre not known for being deep- but this one went there. Rightfully so. They needed to go a little deep. They needed to explore the taboo subject of responsibility. Black Panther was breaking new ground when it came out in the comics. The movie had to live up to the legacy. Paving the way. Like Jackie Robinson. When you're first, you have to blaze the trail for everyone that follows. This movie set the bar high. I can't wait to see Falcon star in his breakthrough movie.