Movie Review: Despicable Me 4 (2024)

Title: Despicable Me 4

Length: 1h 34m

Released: 2024

Genre:  Comedy, Family, SciFi, Action/Adventure
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Peacock

SUMMARY:

Gru, Lucy, Margo, Edith, and Agnes welcome a new member to the family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal and his girlfriend Valentina, and the family is forced to go on the run.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Yayy I love these movies. I would say guilty pleasure, but I have no shame in liking kid or family movies. *sticks tongue out*

The story continues with our beloved ex-baddie Gru and his makeshift family. The introduce a new lil baby Gru Jr who seems to hate Gru. The family is forced to go on the run after Maxime and Valentina want to kidnap Gru Jr and ruin Gru's life. 

I was watching this while baking. Weeee so fun. I didn't realize this was on Peacock yet. I was waiting for this to show up. I'm bad and I hate going to the cinema lately. So expensive. Too many people. Gross. 

This was so entertaining! So funny! So adorable! 

I loved the scene with the honey badger. I hope he shows up more in the future. What a cutie pootie!!!!!!!!!!!

The side story of the minions was fantastic. The references were hilarious and great. 

I do recommend watching the past movies first to truly appreciate it, however, this was A-OK to watch on its own. Hubby sat down halfway through this and had no issues understanding things. I explained a thing or two, but he got it. Heck, he even chuckled at some parts. 

You know what? I'm give this 5 stars. This was enjoyable and if you need a good laugh....watch these movies. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Hilarious

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: Despicable Me 3 (2017)

Film Title: Despicable Me 3

Length: 1h and 29 min 
Released: 2017
Genre:  Animation, Action/Adventure
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Netflix


SUMMARY:
Gru meets his long-lost charming, cheerful, and more successful twin brother Dru who wants to team up with him for one last criminal heist.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:
Watched the first 2 movies a long while ago. They are good and fun. I finally got to watch this (*cough* more than once because of a 4-year old I know) and I did like it. All the times I watched it. 

The story is the third installment in the series. Gru, the supervillain turned good, comes across a new foe who is an 80's reject. Gru also meets his twin brother? Woah! This twin is everything Gru is not. Rich, charming, has hair, and is a crappy villain.

The minions are always cute. They make me laugh at their antics. 

The three kiddos are cute too. 

Gru's wife is a hoot. I loved her scene with the girls trying to connect and be the mom. Love her. 

Gru. Funny. 

Gru's brother funny and geeky, but sighs. A little annoying to be honest. 

The baddie was a hoot. 

The story was funny and worth a watch. Don't expect anything insanely good. I didn't really care for the twin thing, but it works in some ways and in others it did not. He was okay and funny, sure, but eh. 

A good watch especially if you liked the other movies. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Movie Review: Trolls (2016)

Film Title: Trolls

Length: 1 hr and 32 mins
Released: 2016
Genre: Comedy, Action/Adventure, & Animation
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Netflix


SUMMARY:
After the Bergens invade Troll Village, Poppy, the happiest Troll ever born, and the curmudgeonly Branch set off on a journey to rescue her friends.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:
Been meaning to watch this movie for a while. I hear nonstop good things about. Plus I adore JT and the song made for this film. 

SO MUCH COLOR AND HAPPINESS. It was fun but annoying all at the same time. That is the whole point though I guess. The complete opposites are Bergens who are so dark and bleh. Happy medium, please. LOL. 

But yes, fun and I LOVED the music choices they had. I danced and signed along. The trolls made me chuckle but omg they killed me being overly happy.

The story was unique and I enjoyed the journey the characters had to go on and not just the trolls, but also the Bergens. Yes, the "baddies" have redeeming qualities and I enjoyed this. The beginning of the film was slow, but once the story was a little more complex I enjoyed it more.Bridget made my heart melt. I loved her so much. 

The ending was good. A little TOO easy, but it is a kid's film so what do you expect? But yes it was good even though it was predictable. Also that ending song AMAZING. So much fun. 

They had a good cast and it was cool to hear them. 

In the end, this was good. I enjoyed the songs and the simple story. It was a little obnoxious at points, but I enjoyed singing and dancing. The solution seemed a little simple even for a kiddie movie, but I guess it works. I'll give it 3 stars. 

Movie Review: Blank Check (1994)

Film Title: Blank Check
Length: 1 hr and 33 Mins
Released: 1994
Genre: Comedy, Crime, & Family
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: On Netflix


SUMMARY:
A young boy inadvertently gains possession of a check for one million dollars, which he proceeds to spend, unaware that the gangsters it belongs to are in pursuit.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:
A very random watch indeed. My friends and I were hanging out and we couldn't agree on what to watch and then this popped up as a "new add" to Netflix. We all remember liking this movie in our youths, so we decided to give it a go just to see how our adult eyes would take this movie now. 

And let me tell ya....I was so disappointed in my younger self. I thought my younger self had some taste and I am surprised my parents let me watch this film. 

Yes, Disney is always notorious for having adult content buried in the story...but it was not buried at all in this one. Plus, the entire cast are horrible role models for kids. 

1) The main kid is a total ahole kid. He stole money and totally blew off his family.
2) The family is littered with aholes. The parents are shitty and expect a 10 year old to get a job...and when he gets said job they give him crap for it.
3) The undercover cop is a child molester. What 20 something year old agrees to go on a date with a 10 year old??? AND THEN KISSES HIM AT THE END!? WHAT? My friends and I were all shocked and confused. 
4) The baddies are dumb and trying to kill a kid...that's nice. 
5) The driver was decent enough, but he didn't ask any questions and that made him dumb. 

Such a ridiculous movie that is nothing like Home Alone as they say on the poster. 

Sure there were some funny moments and moments that I was jealous and I wish I had that money, but overall? A big no for me. I would not let my future kids watch this. I'll stamp this with 1 star. 

Movie Review: Frozen (2013)

Length: 1 hr and 42 mins
Released: 2013
Genre: Fantasy, Musical, Animation, Adventure, Comedy, and Kids/Family
Rating: PG
Directed By: Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee
Where I Got It: Borrowed it from friend

SUMMARY:
"Frozen" is the coolest comedy-adventure ever to hit the big screen. When a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, Anna, a fearless optimist, teams up with extreme mountain man Kristoff and his sidekick reindeer Sven on an epic journey to find Anna's sister Elsa, the Snow Queen, and put an end to her icy spell. Encountering mystical trolls, a funny snowman named Olaf, Everest-like extremes and magic at every turn, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom from destruction.

TRAILER:

CAST:
Anna - Kristen Bell
Elsa - Idina Menzel
Kristoff - Jonathan Groff
Olaf - Josh Gad
Hans - Santino Fontana
Duke - Alan Tudyk
Pabbie/Grandpa - Ciaran Hinds
Oaken - Chris Williams
Kai - Stephen J. Anderson
Bulda - Maia Wilson
Bishop - Robert Pine
King - Maurice LaMarche

REVIEW: 
Been dying to see this movie since I first heard about it! I've neglected some of the new Disney movies like Brave and some others, but I really wanted to see this, because I had always enjoyed the story of the Snow Queen. I got my hands on it and made Boyfriend watch it with me. I simply love Disney movies and this did not disappoint!

Granted...just like all the other Disney movies, it is a complete remake of the original story. The original story of the Snow Queen is darker and she is a wee bit more evil. However, this is for children, so they lighten it up and she wasn't really a bad guy; just misunderstood. Plus, she didn't know she put a curse on the town. It was an accident when she ran off to the mountains. Poor Elsa. :/ She nearly killed her sister, because of her cursed powers. It's sad, because she can't control her powers and whenever she has the smallest bit of emotion her hands emit ice and snow. A great power, but it would really stink if one is not able to control it.

HOWEVER! It drove me nuts that she was not honest with her sister Anna. She completely shut her out in fear of hurting her, but in the end it made things worse. If she had JUST been honest and if their parents had been honest, nothing like this would have happened. GAH! But we would not have a story unfortunately. Sighs. 

I loved Anna...she is me in a nutshell. hahaha. I was a lonely child as well (I was a single child, not a sister of someone hiding in her room because of magical powers - which would be cool) and I'm dreamer like her. It is so funny because Kristoff is JUST like Boyfriend - a negative/cynical kid, who all he does is want to work. During Olaf's (the cute snowman) singing bit about summer and how he can't wait to enjoy it, Kristoff says, "I'm gonna tell him." Then Anna says, "Don't you dare!" About a minute before that little dialogue, Bofriend and I had the same conversation:

Boyfriend: I hope they tell him. I would.
Me: They better not! Let the poor snowman dream.

Hahahaha. Too uncanny.

Anyways....

I loved the music. Especially "Let It Go", which is everyone's favorite!! It's a good song with a good meaning. I hate when people say crap about the song. Granted, it is a little overplayed, but still...I don't care....I like it. The other songs were cute too especially Olaf's song. I wish he had another one. Maybe a duet with the reindeer. xD That would've been fun. The one song was ruined for me though, because of the ending. :/ I won't say, but the twist at the end ruined one of the songs, because someone was lying. *SPOILER ALERT*Anna and Hans have a love song with each other, but it turns out Hans is a baddie and only pretended to love Anna, because he wanted the throne. >____> I was pissed!!!! *SPOILER ENDED* Granted, the ending was okay, but it made me mad. :/ I kind of wished that Hans and Elsa got together, BUT the story is about Elsa finding herself and Anna getting the love of her life and her sister back. Sighs. I'm a hopeless romantic, I cannot help but be disappointed when someone doesn't get her "true love".

In the end, this was a really cute Disney movie. It's the best one in quite a while and I'm so glad they tackled the Snow Queen story. I liked the lightening of it and making it kid appropriate. It was a good variation of the original story. The songs where good and the voice acting was good. I wish the ending was a little different for many reasons, but alas, I cannot control it. I would recommend this for those that love Disney movies. In the end, I shall stamp this with 4 stars. 

Re-watch?: Yup. :D 
Favorite Character(s): Olaf, Anna, Kristoff, and Elsa
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Hans (>____>) and the Duke. 

Movie Review: Where The Wild Things Are

Length: 1 hr & 46 mins
Released: Oct 16th, 2009
Genre: Action & Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Kids, & Sci-Fi
Rating: PG
Directed By: Spike Jonze
Where I Got It: watched on Crackle









SUMMARY:
An adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story, where Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world - a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures who crown Max as their ruler.

TRAILER:

CAST:
Max - Max Records
Mom - Catherine Keener
Carol - James Gandolfini
Alexander - Paul Dano
Judith - Catherine O'Hara
Ira - Forest Whitaker
The Bull - Michael Berry Jr.
Douglas - Chris Cooper
KW - Lauren Ambrose
Claire - Pepita Emmerichs
Claire's Friend - Max Pfeifer
Teacher - Steve Mouzakis
The Boyfriend - Mark Ruffalo

REVIEW:
I was totally unsure what to expect when this began...I had never read the books. Heard of them, yes, but read them? Nope. Luckily I watched this Boyfriend so he could explain what was going on at certain spots. Being confused in certain spots had to do with the fact they put all the books into one movie and my background with the books is pretty much nonexistent. 

I want to say I loved this, like he did, but I didn't. I liked it, yes. It was cute and a cute movie for the kiddies. I can see why they labeled it PG, because some spots were a little scary and intense. It was a super intense and emotion-filled movie. It really flows with a child's emotions. All kids are bipolar, I swear. One minute happy and having fun, then they are angry and throwing things. The writers and actors really captured this and I applaud it. 

I adored the wild things; aka, the monsters. They were so fluffy and cute, but like kids they are bipolar. One moment they are happy-go-lucky, next they are wanting to eat you and break your stuff! Poor Max, but it was an eye-opener for him...he realized when he was a monster like that what his mom had to go through. Granted, these monsters really could eat you. Having Max go to that fantasy land is very symbolic and I loved it. You all know how I love my symbolic stuff and how metaphors make me smile. 

Someday I should re-watch this...now that I have a better background with looking at some of the books and etc, I think I would appreciate this better. However, I did really enjoy the movie. Also...I want one of those monsters...maybe not Judith though...she was a bitch and I wanted to punch her. >.> Oh well.

But yes, I liked this movie. I would recommend this for those that love the books. Also, for those looking for a cute and meaning-filled movie for their kid. It is a little intense at points, but nothing bad happens. It was fun and it was sad at the same time. I wanted to cry at the end...not sure if for joy? Or for sadness? I mean it can be both I guess. I can't say much more without giving away major spoilers...I shall grant this 4 stars. 

Would I re-watch?:
Yes, I think I will one day

Favorite Character(s): Carol (though he was the most bi-polar of them all), Max (middle and end version), KW, and Alexander (poor guy)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Max (at the beginning, he was a snot) & Judith (*grumbles* bitch *grumbles*)

*CaroleRae*

Movie Review: Gnomeo & Juliet

Length: 84 mins
Released: February 11, 2011 (USA)
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Romance, Family
Rating: G
Directed By: Kelly Asbury
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Wal-Mart)


Gnomeo and Juliet is another re-make of the tragic love of Romeo and Juliet. However, its about the gnomes in you garden. Okay, maybe not yours forsay. Like the original tale there are two families, Montague (Reds) and Capulet (Blues), who have been feuding since the creation of the garden. Soon, Gnomeo and Juliet came to meet and they quickly fall in love. Will their love conquer all or will they meet the same tragic fate as the original Romeo and Juliet?!


There is a nice voice cast to this film. James McAvoy (Wanted, Narnia, Band of Brothers) - yummah - is the voice of the lovestruck Gnomeo, Emily Blunt (The Young Victoria, The Wolfman) as the rebellious Juliet, Maggie Smith (Harry Potter, David Cooperfield) as Lady Bluebury, Ozzy Osbourne (Little Nicky) as Fawn, and Matt Lucas (Alice in Wonderland, Shaun of the Dead) as Benny. There are plenty more, so click thiiiis to check out the rest of the cast.


I watched this with Sarah, Anee, and baby Isaac on my birthday. We all really enjoyed it! Even Isaac watched a full 30 minutes non-stop. I think it was the colors...it was a really colorful film! If you have a baby or a young kid, they'll enjoy this film. Trust me.


Anyways, I really adored this movie. It was very cute and I was laughing throughout the movie. Okay, for us older people there are a lot of...well...dirty references that made me crack up laughing. Be warned! haha. Not only did I laugh at the dirty jokes, but I laughed at the nice innocent jokes, so it was well balanced. The makers also did a wonderful job at pulling at your heartstrings. I couldn't help but almost tear up when the Featherstone the Flamingo told his story of a lost love. So sad, so sad. 


I thought it was super clever of the makers to have a statue of William Shakespeare come to life and talk to Gnomeo. Even though I loath Romeo and Juliet, I adored this variation. It was very original and I can't think of anything negative to say...weird, eh? It had a wonderful voice cast, great colors, great animation, fantastic dialogue, great plot, an amazing moral lesson (wars are bad, love is good), and etc. Not only is a great film for the kiddos, but its a great movie to watch with your friends. 


Overall, I simply adored this movie! It was so cute, sad, and hilarious! I still can't think of anything negative to say. That's very odd, because I usually come up with at least a tiny little annoyance. Oh well. Out of five stars, I grant this one 5 stars! Huzzah! Yayy! I would recommend this to anyone who loves a cute little film to warm up their cold winter night. I highly recommend this to those with kids and babies...the colors and etc keep them entertained for at the minimum of 30 minutes. 

Would I re-watch?: 
Eh, if it was on TV. 


Favorite Character(s): Benny (thats me, haha), Juliet (kick-ass version of Juliet, not the delicate flower they usually make her out to be), and Gnomeo (if only I was a gnome...) 
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Tybalt (what a poop-stain) and Nanette (bleh)
Favorite Quote(s): "The story you about to see has been told before. A lot." - Little Red Gnome.
 "A weed by any other name is still a weed." - Featherstone.

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