20s Movie Review - The Secret: Dare to Dream

Director: Andy Tennant
Genre: Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 102 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: Katie Holmes, Josh Lucas, Jerry O’Connell, Celia Weston, Sarah Hoffmeister, Aidan Pierce Brennan, Chloe Lee, Katrina Begin, Sydney Tennant, Yohance Myles, Jessie Terrebonne, Rosemberg Salgado, Samantha Beaulieu

Description: A feature film adaptation of the self-help book, “The Secret”, which focuses on the power of positive thinking.

Review: We live in uncertain times and sometimes it is difficult to stay positive. By now everyone knows the book “The Secret”. Especially in these strange times, it may be difficult to stay focused on the future and to keep yourself busy with achieving your dreams. The movie, which is based on the self-help book which focuses on the power of positive thinking, is not a very good movie, but a real feel-good movie when you just need to believe in positivity again.
Miranda Wells is a hard-working widow who struggles to raise her three children alone. A powerful storm brings a great challenge and a mysterious man named Bray Johnson into her life. In just a few days, Bray’s presence causes the family to rebound. But Bray has a secret and it could cause everything to change.  
I had very little expectations, but I was in the mood for a no-brainer feel-good type of movie. I was actually entertained. The emphasis in this film is really on showing what the consequences can be of your thoughts, statements and the way you look at life. It’s not a very good movie, the acting isn’t all that great either, but it’s a nice feel-good movie and one that is about real people and real lives. Simple but fun.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 149: Junebug

Director: Phil Morrison

Genre: Drama/ Comedy

Runtime: 106 minutes

Year: 2005

Starring: Embeth Davidtz, Alessandro Nivola, Amy Adams, Scott Wilson, Ben McKenzie, Celia Weston

Description: A dealer in "outsider" art (Embeth Davidtz) travels from Chicago to North Carolina to meet her new in-laws, challenging the equilibrium of this middle class Southern home.

Review: Hollywood seems to have embraced the Indie film and with “Junebug” we have a real independent, small American film. The story follows Madeleine and George, a cultural couple from Chicago that travels to North Carolina for Madeleine’s job as an art dealer. While they are there they also pay a visit to George’s family, whom never met Madeleine. Two different cultures clash and bond.

Debuting director Phil Morrison got an insightful script from Angus MacLachlan, that isn’t very dramatic but shows us a nuanced observation of ordinary people. Positive is that the middle class and narrow minded Southern people are reflected in a more realistic way and not in a negative way. Like George’s mother, who is pretty annoying but the story allows her to be honest. No clichés.

The acting is very good. Embeth Davidtz is strong as the cold city woman. Alessandro Nivola as George and Ben McKenzie as grumpy Johnny are also very good. The star is Amy Adams as the pregnant Ashley. It’s probably the character with the least depth, but the most likeable and touching. She won at Sundance with this role and got an Academy Award nomination.

The film feels natural, great eye for detail and very relatable. “Junebug” is a film perfect for Indie lovers like me.

Rating: 4/ 5