Movie Review - Happiest Season

Director: Clea DuVall
Genre: Romance/ Comedy
Runtime: 102 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, Dan Levy, Mary Steenburgen, Victor Garber, Mary Holland, Aubrey Plaza

Description: A holiday romantic comedy that captures the range of emotions tied to wanting your family’s acceptance, being true to yourself, and trying not to ruin Christmas

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 51: A CHRISTMAS MOVIE

Review: There is only a handful of Christmas movies that I actually love. I really need to be in the mood for a movie that is themed with this holiday. And to be honest, most Christmas movies aren’t really that good. I was really excited for “Happiest Season” and it didn’t disappoint.
Harper and Abby are two women in love. Abby isn’t a fan of Christmas, since she lost her parents and never really felt like celebrating the holiday. Harper loves it and wants Abby to join her and her family for Christmas. When they are on their way, Harper confesses to Abby that she never told her family that she’s gay. Abby is introduced as Harper’s roommate. Soon Abby learns that Harper’s family is one that strives perfection and that Harper isn’t the only one that is keeping a secret.
Clea DuVall directs the movie. And she does it really well. Yes, the movie has clichés and is predictable here and there, but when done well it never bothers me. I love the family dynamic, Harper and Abby’s characters and their struggles. My favorite characters are two supporting ones: Mary Holland as the youngest sister Jane who never seems to be getting any credit at all and is overlooked. And John, Abby’s gay friend, played by Dan Levy. Every word coming out of his mouth is hilarious and I think he is my new favorite person!
“Happiest Season” is a movie that gave me exactly what I wanted and met my expectations. The cast is good, the story isn’t very special, but the execution is really solid. I highly enjoyed this movie, every minute of it. It’s a perfect Christmas movie.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

10s Movie Review - The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

Director: Isao Takahata

Genre: Animation/ Drama/ Fantasy/ Adventure

Runtime: 137 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Chlöe Grace Moretz, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, James Marsden, John Cho, Beau Bridges, Dean Cain, Darren Criss, Lucy Liu, Oliver Platt

Description: Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter (James Caan) and his wife (Mary Steenburgen), a tiny girl (Chlöe Grace Moretz) grows rapid fast into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthralls all who encounter her, but ultimately must confront her fate, the punishment for her crime.  

 Review: A farmer finds a tiny princess in a bamboo plant, takes her home and soon she’s turned into a human baby. It all happened without any commotion in the first few minutes. Where Disney would accompany it with sparkling star rains and magical music, in “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” is brought as something familiar and logical. It’s a true fairytale from Studio Ghibli.

The young Kaguya grows up as a normal child on the farmland, but her adoptive parents understand that they are dealing with royalty and only want the very best for her. Father and mother address their child with greatness and take her to the big city to make her a full-fledged princess. In the meantime, the child herself has nothing to contribute. She does not want to get married at all, but in order not to disappoint her proud father, she agrees to choose from a number of selected noblemen.

That this search for love is actually a little too long and predictable can be taken for granted, because the rest of this fairy tale is beautiful. When more is known about Kaguya’s background, the film gains strength to end in a deeply movie scene.

Director Isao Takahata, best known for “Grave of the Fireflies”, gives the message to be merciful and supportive towards each other in the last act, but puts a lot more in his film through symbolism. References to the story of Jesus Christ and other religions for example.

Apart from symbolism and fantasy elements, “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” is above all a drama in which human emotions such as mercy and melancholy are central. This is recognizable for everyone. in addition, the animations department provides a number of beautiful scenes. Not everyone might like the style, since it’s more outlined art or sketch-like, with a more limited color palette. But I think it looks beautiful.

If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli movies, you should not miss this one.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 88 Last Vegas

Director: John Turteltaub

Genre: Comedy

Runtime: 105 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline, Mary Steenburgen, Jerry Ferrara, Romany Malco

Description: Three sixty-something friends take a break from their day-to-day lives to throw a bachelor party in Las Vegas for their last remaining single pal.

Review: In “Last Vegas” we follow four childhood friends, now all in their sixties. Billy is getting married and his three friends want to celebrate this to take him to Las Vegas and to really party. Archie recently had a stroke and can’t wait to get away from his overprotective son and to finally live a little. Sam is very unhappy in his condo in Florida and his wife gives him a free pass to commit adultery while in Vegas. Because what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Pat is still mourning over his wife Sophie and isn’t in the mood for partying. Especially because he doesn’t want to see Billy, who didn’t come to his wife’s funeral. And finally Billy, workaholic and ‘till now the eternal bachelor. He’s marrying the much younger Lisa. The four of them are in for one hell of a trip.

I love Robert De Niro, put it’s become a little painful to watch him in these everyday comedies. His characters aren’t as intense and deep as they used to be. Michael Douglas plays a character that is more relatable, but it’s Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline that steal all the jokes. They seemingly have a lot of fun in their cliché roles, it works like a charm.

“Last Vegas” is very watchable and we got to thank the good cast for that. However, it could have been a lot better though. The script is a bit bland and it lacks inspiration.

“Last Vegas” is a fun film, but pretty mediocre. It’s a missed shot, I know that many other directors would have done better with these four experienced actors. It’s still an enjoyable movie to watch.

Rating: 3/ 5