Florence Foster Jenkins Review

Is there any role Meryl Street hasn't given 200%?!

Florence Foster Jenkins as funny as it is sad. Not like Fault in Our Stars sad...but it just makes you want to appreciate music and be kind to others. Only again, casting has nailed it.

Florence Foster Jenkins (1868-1944) was a real life pianist, singer, and music enthusiast. She loved to sing although was mocked and criticized for her less-than-perfect voice.

This film captures the absolute passion Florence had for music. Meryl Streep emulated that passion through her impeccable performance (as she always seems to do...). Hugh Grant also captures the audience by showing that his love for Florence is not your usual husband-wife relationship but that there is a deep appreciation that would surpass any friendship. He was the ultimate caregiver and supported her through her hardships. After contracting syphilis from her first husband, Florence was faced with the decision of divorcing him and starting over a new woman. St. Clair Bayfield (Hugh Grant) was a mediocre actor that was her biggest supporter if nothing else. He stood by her as they began their cohabitation and unusual marriage while protecting her from the negative critics. The strength of their partnership throughout the film is pretty inspiring!

I was not sure how much I would enjoy Florence Foster Jenkins and feared it would be another film that shows all of its comedy snippets in the trailer, but this one kept me interested and entertained consistently. If I had to compare (only on the level of enjoyment and genre), I would say it reminded me of Saving Mr. Banks (but a little less sad). It is a sweet film and worth a watch. Sure, you don't need to watch it over and over, but you should at least see it once.

4/5 movie reels

Stranger Things E6 Review

Finally we see its face!! Well, okay, it's "face".

Spoilers start here.


I would first like to say that Eleven is the bravest child on current television. It's nice to finally get some answers. Since Nancy was able to successfully enter the gate AND return alive, we now know that its possible. However, it was revealed that the gates close and reopen at different locations. Flashing back to when Mrs. Byers (Winona Ryder) saw Will on the other side of the wall in her home.

Nancy and Jonathan are piecing together what attracts the monster, where it comes from, and when it hunts. They are now more determined to find Barb and Will, given they have purchased bear traps and other tools...not sure if those are the necessary items to trap and kill a monster, but I really hope that works out for them. 

Officer Hopper and Mrs. Byers uncover a HUGE clue about Eleven and that the child who was seen stealing food in the kitchen in episode 1 was not Will. They visit the home of what we know to be Eleven's mom, who was led to believe she had a miscarriage in her third trimester. Pretty psycho that the doctors from the research facility took the baby to study her. This is why Eleven refers to Dr. Brenner as "Papa".

Probably my favorite part of the episode is when Eleven steals several boxes of Eggo's and eats them (frozen) in the woods. Way to go El, way to go.

Eleven was able to make contact with the monster during a flashback of when she was at the research facility. She is told that it won't hurt her and to confront it (hence being the bravest child at the moment). When she finds the monster, she literally walks up behind it and taps it on the back. This of course causes it to growl, scream, freak out (whatever it is that monsters do) causing El to scream thus causing major damage within the lab. Of course, this doesn't phase Dr. Brenner, who is so freaking eager to push this girl to her limit. It's actually kind of interesting that he doesn't fear her like the others do. Considering she can break a guy's neck with her mind, I wouldn't be the one to piss her off.

Thankfully, Eleven saves Mike's life after he jumps off a cliff (based on a threat from the bullies at school). They run back home to safety, only to find out that the doctors from the research facility now know where she is. They are on a desperate hunt to avoid the doctors and find a safe haven for El. Let's hope they can at least keep her hidden to relocate Will and the next gate.

4/5 movie reel rating

Stranger Things Series Review

Okay, so I'm not going to pick apart episodes 1-5, but I just want to talk about the series for a second. No spoilers in this one.

This series is genius because it brings back all the goodness we've experienced before in several films. If I could sum it up, its a combination of the childhood curiosity from Super 8 and the two dimensions of Poltergeist. Sure, there's some science fiction (maybe a little Alien too), but this story follows three boys determined to find their missing fourth wheel, Will. The story intertwines with a psych clinic/state research facility that is desperately trying to figure out this second dimension and the alien encounters within using their key subject, Eleven (played by the fantastic Millie Bobby Brown).

Episodes 1-5 each focus on a particular part of the story. Labeled as follows:

1. The Vanishing of Will Byers
2. The Weirdo on Maple Street
3. Holly, Jolly
4. The Body
5. The Flea and the Acrobat

As Will Byers's family search for answers on his disappearance, a mystery girl appears to 3 of Will's friends. The boys find out that this girl, Eleven, just escaped from the state research facility who has been testing her ability to use her mind for an assortment of powers. Its pretty awesome to see these 12 yr old boys try to wrap their minds around a girl who can close doors with her mind (Matilda, anyone?). Another teenager in the town goes missing and that's where the stories start to intertwine. Eventually, many of the main characters begin to realize they aren't going crazy and that there is a connection with everything weird going on. Luckily, as suspenseful (and a little stressful) as these first few episodes are, there is some light humor involved (listening to Will's mom explain to the sheriff that she is talking to her son through the Christmas lights).

All in all, this series is entertaining to say the least. Taking us back to the innocent days of pre-teen and teenage years while set in the 80s. This series is worth a watch!

4.5/5 stars

PS. In future episode reviews, there will definitely be spoilers. We need to talk about the good stuff!!!!

Movie/Television Reviews

Hello Friends!

Let's be honest, I really enjoy watching T.V. and movies as much as the next guy. But I have a passion for the discussion afterwards and really diving deep into hidden meanings, what's to come, emotion responses, etc. I read a lot of reviews on shows and movies I have already watched and of course, given my two cents as well.

We all think our opinion is right, right?!

Well, lucky for all of you, mine is legitimate! Ha, so I am starting to write reviews/recaps of episodes and movies that I watch to share with you, not only thoughts and feelings, but also warnings in case it is a total waste of time and wouldn't wish that misery upon anyone.

So stay tuned if you're interested!
(So far, I give this blog a 5/5---am i right?!?!)