TV Short/Movie Review: A Garfield Christmas Special (1987)

Title: A Garfield Christmas Special

Length: 23 mins

Released: 1987

Genre: Comedy, Family, Animation
Rating: G
Where I Got It: Peacock

SUMMARY:

Garfield, Jon, and Odie go to Jon's grandmother's house for Christmas, where Garfield finds a present for Grandma.

REVIEW:

I love Garfield and I haven't watched this since I was a wee lil girl. I seen it on Peacock and had to watch it. :D 

Garfield and the gang go to Jon's grandma's house for the holidays. Garfield has to find a present for Grandma and...stay out of trouble. 

So cute. I loved Garfield as a kid and I still love that lil chonky boi. This was the perfect film to watch on the couch with a blankie and snacks. It's short and quick but it was funny. 

Even with the humor there were some serious tones here especially a certain scene with Grandma. It brought a little tear to my eye. 

Perfect for the holidays. I shouldn't let so many years go by before watching this again!!!

5 stars...of course. It's Garfield darnit. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Cute

Movie Review: The Super Mario Bros Movie (2023)

Title: The Super Mario Bros Movie

Length: 1h 32m

Released: 2023

Genre:  Animation, Family, Adventure, fantasy, & Comedy
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Peacock

SUMMARY:

A plumber named Mario travels through an underground labyrinth with his brother, Luigi, trying to save a captured princess.

REVIEW:

I am such a cheap-ass. I really don't like going to the theaters much but I do have my regrets not seeing this on the big screen. Oh well. This was still fun on our TV.

Mario and his brother are sucked into an underground labyrinth. Mario has to save a captured princess, save the Toads, and save his brother. 

This was done so well. It was beautiful and was a wonderful nod to the games we all love. Lots, lots, lots of references that made me cheer and smile. 

The story was good. It felt fast in some areas, but I do get this is catered to kids so they don't want to waste too much time. Also - I can't complain it's only 1.5 hours long which is a nice change. I get exhausted with the long movies sometimes. 

Ooooo both sets of extra clips in the credits were fabulous and it made me excited for a second movie someday. 

Overall, this was a lot of fun and def worth the watch if you like the games or you like a fun movie. I'll stamp this with 5 stars. Might as well. No issues!

Movie Review: Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

Title:

Wreck-It Ralph

Length: 1 hr & 41 m

Released: 2012

Genre:  Animation, Family, Adventure, & Comedy
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Disney+

SUMMARY:

A video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.

REVIEW:

Been meaning to watch this for 11 years. I just...never did. I can't tell you why but as the years ticked away I just didn't find myself digging for this. 

Ralph is a video game villain, but he has been alone to leave on a trash mountain while the hero is living it up. He is tired of being the bad guy. He wants to be the hero! When he sets out to fulfill this dream, his quest will bring havoc to the whole arcade. 

This was so sweet and adorable. How could you not love Ralph or Vanellope?? Heck even Felix is adorable. 

The whole premise was very sweet and you can't help but route for our mains. I wanted to shake all the heroes in this game!!! Just because these baddies have to ACT bad for the game...that doesn't mean they are bad. 

WHICH the Support group was adorable. I loved all the bad guys coming together. So many fun shout outs and cameos. Loved it.

My only "issue" was the ending. I feel like the resolution with the main baddie was....too quick. Curious to see if a certain character returns. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this and I can def see myself re-watching it. It was so sweet and fun. Loved all the references and cameos. I'll stamp it with 4 stars. 

Movie Review: Frozen 2 (2019)

Title: Frozen II

Length:  1h 43m

Released: 2019

Genre:  Comedy, Animation, Adventure, Family, & Fantasy
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Disney+

SUMMARY:

Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set out to find the origin of Elsa's powers in order to save their kingdom.

Click here for the trailer

REVIEW:

Finally got myself to sit down and watch this. I adore the first one and I get weird when it comes to some sequels. I had thought the first movie was good enough, BUT here we are. 

Anna, Elsa, and the gang have to leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient and enchanted land in order to save their homes. They will find the origin of Elsa's powers and learn much more than they expected. 

Okay...I apologize for not watching this sooner because I did enjoy it. The story was really good and I was on the edge of my seat. I had no idea how they were going to fix everything. Plus I had to know the mystery of the voice and Elsa's powers. 

While the story was really, really good...the songs were just okay. Not as catch-y or as memorable as the songs from the first film. Not saying I didn't like these ones...just not as good. 

A part of me really does want a third movie. I feel like there are some more stories to tell with the ending they left us with. They for gave themselves an opening if they wanted to tell us more. 

I really want to see the wedding darnit! 

Overall, I enjoyed this. A great storyline and some good songs. The first one will always be the best I feel, but this was a close second. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Movie Review: The Bob's Burgers Movie (2022)

Title: The Bob's Burgers Movie

Length:  1h 42m

Released: 2022

Genre:  Action, Adventure, Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Hulu

SUMMARY:

The Belchers try to save the restaurant from closing as a sinkhole forms in front of it, while the kids try to solve a mystery that could save their family's restaurant.

Click here for the trailer

REVIEW:

Love the TV show! I wanted to go to the theater to watch this but it was during my wedding week/weekend. Ran out of time and decided to wait for it to stream. 

The Belchers and their restaurant are close to falling apart when a sinkhole forms in front of it. The kids want to help but trying to solve a mystery that could either save them...or kill them. 

 This was fun. I loved getting nearly 2 hours with this family and these characters. We got longer songs and more time to get to know about them. 

I did think the animation was a little off. Sure, they have more money and wanted to have great animation...but it felt a little off for me. It seemed to good. 

Other than that, I had zero issues. I loved the music. I loved the plots. I loved seeing some character growth, especially for Louise who is my favorite of the family. We get to learn the history behind her famous pink ears. It melted my little heart. 

In the end, if you like the show...you'll like the movie. It had some serious parts, but it was still funny. We get more music and more time with our characters. I did think the animation was a little off, but other than that I liked this movie. I actually have already re-watched it twice now. So much fun. 4 stars from me. 

Movie Review: Turning Red (2022)

Title: Turning Red

Length:  1h 40m

Released: 2022

Genre:  Animation, Comedy, Adventure
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Disney+

SUMMARY:

A 13-year-old girl named Meilin turns into a giant red panda whenever she gets too excited.

Click here for the trailer

REVIEW:

Finally got to finish watching this movie. I honestly kept forgetting to go back and watch the last half. Dang wedding getting in my way!

Here we follow Meilin who just turned 13. After turning 13 she finds herself turning into a giant red panda whenever she gets too excited. 

I adore red pandas so I was so excited to see them get some love here!

Plus what a fun coming-to-age story! I loved it so much! So dang cute. I'll admit I had a couple tears during a certain scene. 

This had all the feels. There are lots of laughs, sadness, joy, anger, and the feeling of wanting to dance! I would've LOVED to be friends with these guys when I was 13. 

That ending was perfect.

People are all mad about them insinuating that Meilin getting her period. Like chillax. Little kids and babies won't get adult humor or insinuations. They will be distracted by the huge red panda! People need to relax and grow up. 

In the end, I loved this film!! Def worth the watch. 5 stars from me. 

   

Movie Review: Encanto (2021)

Film Title:

Encanto 

Length:   1h 42m

Released: 2021

Genre:  Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Disney+

SUMMARY:

A young Colombian woman has to face the frustration of being the only member of her family without magical powers.

REVIEW:

Okkkkkkaaaayyyy....I've watched this three times now. LOL. It all started when I hung out with my friend and her baby. hehe. 

We follow Mirabel who is part of a magical family and lives in a magical house. However...she was not gifted with a gift. She is the black sheep who loves her family so much but she feels like she is never good enough for her Grandmother. When things start going wrong and the magic seems to be breaking, she decides she is going to save her family and their magic. 

This was such a fun movie, but it has all the feels. 

I felt so bad for Mirabel. She just loves her family so much even her one sister who is a perfect Golden child and her grumpy Grandma. Poor girl. I can't imagine being literally the only one in the family with no powers. I do love how they finally (not a spoiler bc you know it's a Disney flick that always has a HEA) realize she IS the gift. Without Mirabel they would be lost. 

Poor Bruno too. :/ 

The music is great! All of them. I love dancing along with the music!! 

If I was to point to one thing....the ending left me a tiny bit sad. BUT I get the symbolism and etc. SO I won't hold it against the movie. I get it, but I was hopeful for something else. 

In the end, this is a great new Disney movies. Great cast. Great music. Great story. You will feel all the feels. Joy, humor, sadness, anger. All of them. 5 stars from me. 

Time for TV Tuesday: Rocko's Modern Life - Static Cling (2019)

Recently Finished:

Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling (2019)

Through: Netflix

I wasn't really sure if this should be for a movie review for a TTT. According to IMDb, it is a "TV short" and plus it is not even an hour long. Soooo I decided a TTT. 

So - this follows Rocko and his pals 20 years later from the end of the last episode when they blasted into space. They have landed back and it is the modern world with new problems and new things for our trio. 

This took a poke at a lot of modern issues and changes we have now. New technology, always on the go, new things every day, social diversity, gender identities, and people not liking change. 

This had a few laughs at first and then the jokes just turned into chuckles. And then silence with little grins. The comedy then took a stance on change. It was pretty much just deal with change and screw you if you don't like it.

For example, Rocko doesn't like something that has changed and everyone tells him to just get over it. Sure. Things change and you need to roll with the punches. But what Rocko doesn't like is something tiny and doesn't impact anyone. They all give him crap for not liking it. That rubbed me the wrong way. Just because I don't like a remake or reboot of something then I should just smile and nod and be okay with it and not share my opinion? No - that is not cool. I am allowed to not like something. I felt bad for Rocko. Yes, there are things you just need to accept and move on. But something like a book, movie, show, fashion, hair cuts, or whatever...it is okay not to like it. 

This was a total let down for me. It started off great but it turned into a weird stance on change. Yes, changes happen and we should roll with him. But we are allowed to have opinions. 

In the end, this just felt hollow and rushed. It had an agenda and it rubbed me the wrong way. If you loved the original show like I did, I wouldn't really recommend it. It didn't have the same feel and then by the end I wasn't really amused with the whole stance. Have your opinions but let Rocko not like that movie. I'm going to give this 2 stars. Some laughs and some fun references. 

Movie Review: Invader ZIM - Enter the Florpus (2019)

Film Title: Invader ZIM - Enter the Florpus

Length:   1h 11min 
Released:   2019
Genre:   Animation, Action, Adventure 
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Netflix

SUMMARY:
ZIM discovers his almighty leaders never had any intention of coming to Earth and he loses confidence in himself for the first time in his life, which is the big break his human nemesis, Dib has been waiting for.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:
It took me until I was older to like this show when I was growing up. Aliens are creepy...so it took me a while to like it. So now they have this movie and I was excited. 

The story follows Zim and Dib who are archenemies. Zim thought he was sent to Earth for his leaders to take it over, buuuuuuuuut he finds out the truth and now he isn't sure what to do. 

Oooo Zim. Oooo Dib. Forgot how much they make me laugh. I love Zim's side-kick GIR. Always fun. 

As per normal the art style creeps me out. I think that and the alien thing was my main issue when I was a wee one. It is a cool art style, but it is creepy sometimes. Especially the teeth on people. Ew. 

It took a while for the story to really heat up. I felt like we were being reintroduced to everyone. A touch boring for a second, but then things exploded. Luckily the humor saved the beginning from being completely boring and unwatchable. Lots a of laughs but the story-line took a minute to bubble. Sort of like when you are boiling water....seems to take forever but when it takes off BOOM it is bubbling over. 

I think what I liked best about this was the fact you could watch this and never had seen the show. Some references but nothing that ruins your enjoyment. My friend's kid had never seen the show until after watching this movie and she adored it. 

OoooOOOoooo that ending left me wanting more, but in a good way. It inspired me to want to watch some old episodes. 

Overall I am super glad that Netflix did this. It was nice to get some conclusions...some more story...and some time with the characters. It did the show justice. The beginning was slooow but once the ball started rolling I was hooked. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Movie Review: Yo-Kai Watch Movie (2014)

Film Title: Yo-Kai Watch Movie

Length:  1h 37min
Released: 2014
Genre:   Animation, Action, Comedy 
Rating: Unrated (I would say a PG)
Where I Got It: Netflix

SUMMARY:
When the evil Yo-Kai Kin, Gin and Bronzlow makes the Yo-Kai Watch disappear from time so they can help Dame Dedtime prevent humans and Yo-Kai from being friends, Nate Adams finds help in the Yo-Kai Hovernyan, who takes Nate, Whisper and Jibanyan 60 years to the past, when the Yo-Kai Watch was first invented by Nate's grandfather, Nathaniel Adams, while he was a boy. Together, the 2 boys fight Dame Dedtime and her evil Wicked Yo-Kai minions to save the world from her evil plans

TRAILER:

REVIEW:

OH MY SWIRLS! Okay - sorry - I had to start this review with my favorite character's catch-phrase. He is adorkable.

This is such a cute show and I actually adore watching it with my friend's little girl. It's hilarious and heart-warming. Such a good show and I was excited when we saw that it was a movie too. 

The movie follows Nate who is a boy who owns a special watch that can see yōkais running around. They are essentially ghosts, but not always the ghosts we think of. They have powers to influence us humans and the earth. Sometimes they are people or animals who die and get powers. Sometimes they just are. Before you scratch your head and wonder why this is a kid show. This is not dark but very light-hearted. Nate helps these creatures and they become friends. When he calls one to help they jump to it.

In this film, Nate's watch disappears. For some reason the past is changed and his grandfather who made the watch decides not to. The only way to get it back is to go into the past and convince his grandfather to make the watch. 

Such an adorable movie! I like Nate and his pals. I'm bummed my favorite yōkai didn't really pop up til near the end for a few seconds, but I did adore it. 

I do encourage watching the show first. Lots of references to the show, but even if you just watched one episode you'd be able to really get what is going on. 

OOOOO THAT ENDING MELTED MY LITTLE COLD HEART! Awww. 

This is funny, but it is also meaningful. It is a lesson about friendships and forgiveness. Love it. 

Overall, a great movie even though it is a "kid movie". Great lessons. Lots of laughs. I'll stamp it with 5 stars. 

Movie Review: Space Jam (1996)

Film Title: Space Jam

Length:  1h 28min 
Released: 1996
Genre:   Animation, Adventure, Comedy 
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Amazon Prime

SUMMARY:
In a desperate attempt to win a basketball match and earn their freedom, the Looney Tunes seek the aid of retired basketball champion, Michael Jordan.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:

What a blast from the past! This is the first time I've watched this movie since I was a wee thing. Oh my goodness. 

The story blends cartoon and real-life actors. The Looney Tune world needs Michael Jordan's help. They are going to be playing against some aliens to gain their freedom. 

It was a fun movie that I liked in my youth and now I got to see it as an adult. And I still like it! A part of me rolled my eyes at the cheesy-ness and the crappy acting, BUT I adored it at the same time. It was so 90's that you can't help but look over the crappy acting and cheese. 

Oh my goodness! So many adult jokes! I was just laughing and laughing. My friend's kid was confused at some of the jokes which made me laugh harder because I remember being her age and not getting some of those jokes that my parents had understood. 

I honestly want to rewatch this again. So fun. 

Sure this is loaded with cheese and crappy acting, but it is a hoot of a watch. If you need a blast from the past, I recommend this one for you! I'll give it a 4. 

Movie Review: Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Film Title: Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse

Length:  1h 57 min
Released: 2018
Genre:   Animation, Action, Adventure 
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Friend's copy

SUMMARY:
Teen Miles Morales becomes Spider-Man of his reality, crossing his path with five counterparts from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:
Oooo Spidey. You are a classic. I loved the cartoons when I was a kid and he is always a part of my heart. I'm bummed my BF's last name is Peter because he is TOTALLY not on board with my idea of naming our future kid Parker. Lameass...that would be fun. Parker Peter...HA! 

Anyways...sorry.

Store follows a young Miles who becomes the Spider-Man of his universe after the original dies. Poor Peter. Things happen and Miles comes across 5 of his counterparts from other alternate dimensions. All of them similar but different in a lot of ways. They need to get back to their own dimensions before they are destroyed. 

Now, I will admit here and now, I missed the first 20 mins of the film. I happened to walk in on my friend and his kid watching it. I was hooked though. One funny line and I was drawn in like a moth to the flame. They gave me a quick two second ran down on what I missed and I was up to speed. 

Loved Miles. He was a fun character. I loved all the other Spider-Mans too. They were all fun. They had me laughing and feeling. I think my favorite was the brown-haired Peter Parker who let himself go a little. He was a hoot. 

The animation was amazing. So comic-like and cool. It was clever and done well. I especially liked how the animation for each of the SMs was different based on where they came from. For example, the anime girl Spider-Man was anime. It was nice. 

The ending was good. As per normal, there is room for another movie if they decide to. I really would like to see Miles more and see him maybe visit his new friends in their dimensions. That would be fun. 

Overall, I really, really enjoyed this. I highly recommend this film if you like Spider-Man. You'll get a kick out of it. I'll give it 5 stars.