ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR (2025)

Directed By: Paul Feig

Written By: Jessica Sharzer and Laeta Kalogridis 

Based upon the characters created by: Darcey Bell 

Cinematography: John Schwartzman 

Editor: Brent White 

Cast: Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding, Allison Janney, Elizabeth Perkins, Michele Morrone, Elena Sofia Ricci, Alex Newell, Bashir Salahuddin, Taylor Ortega Aparna Nancharla, Andrew Rannells, 

Stephanie Smothers and Emily Nelson reunite on the island of Capri, Italy for Emily’s extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman, which is interrupted by murder and betrayal.

———————————————————————-

This phone is OK considering it didn’t feel like the first film really needed a sequel as this truly could’ve gone either way it stays in the spirit of the first film, though this feels more like a buddy mystery comedy.

Whereas the first film felt generally like a suburban mystery with twists and turns. this film has decided to take the characters and go international. Sonthat it feels like it’s following the trend of the KNIVES OUT murder mystery franchise, finding corpses of the past no matter where these characters go. We get a whole new set of supporting characters played by recognizable faces.

Even though in the first film, they were friends and rivals,  in this film where are forced to believe that they have buried the hatchet so to speak and become friends,  uneasy ones, but eventually, ones who seem to have made peace with one another.

Anna Kendrick’s character seems to only go along with her to help her book sales which are lagging. Henry Golding is in the film and for all the sex appeal he had in this film. He seems like an insufferable jerk and clown.

I won’t say that this film is predictable, but the twist and turns seem more melodramatic or almost out of a TeleNovella rather than a solid story. 

Not to mention for a film that is supposed to take place more internationally. One would think that the location and lush is this film would look more lavish. it has its moments, but from the looks of things of could’ve been everywhere and just added some color.

Whereas the first film felt like it had deeper stakes and was set in a reality you recognize. This film just feels like it’s a slapstick comedy and the deaths aren’t really that deeply felt or even respected. they’re just like part of the plot. It’s a shame as some characters we know some characters are new to us, but they are treated more Flagrantly than deeply

Which only helps make our leads look all the more guilty. Even though we in the audience know they’re not and give them a reason to be on the run.- while sidelining any supporting characters from the first film other than the stars to cameos 

The film is fun and a guilty pleasure way whereas it’s not rushed, it also didn’t need to be made, it still wants to keep its acid tongue, humor, and cynical, as well as try to be a bit campy 

All the actors do what is required of them and they are really what makes this film work and makes it at times fun though corny bits that kind of overcrowd the film too or also cliché moments and characters that don’t need to be there, but are it doesn’t hurt.

Luckily Paul Feig returns as the director as without him this would most certainly fail, but he brings his skills and panache with the actors to craft quite a meal from scraps

If you are a big fan of the first film, you will probably enjoy this one but know that it’s not as sharp as the first film it’s not dull, but it just doesn’t quite as deep as well as the first film and leaves itself open for another sequel for this to be a franchise 

Grade: C+

LIFE AFTER BETH (2014)

LifeAfterBeth

Written & Directed By: Jeff Baena
Cinematography By: Jay Hunter
Editor: Colin Patton 


Cast: Dale DeHann, Aubrey Plaza, John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Paul Reiser, Cheryl Hines, Matthew Gray Gubler, Anna Kendrick, Garry Marshall, Alia Shawkat, Paul Weitz, Rob Delaney

A hike alone in the woods ends tragically for Beth Slocum with a fatal snake bite. Her death leaves her parents and boyfriend Zach reeling. After the funeral, Zach tries to make friends with Mr. and Mrs. Slocum, but even they reject him, and he’s determined to figure out why. Then he sees Beth. Her parents are trying to keep her resurrection a secret, but zombie Beth provides Zach with the opportunity to do everything with her that he didn’t get to do while she was still alive. But with Beth’s increasingly erratic behavior and even more strange occurrences around town, life with the undead Beth proves to be particularly complicated for her still-living loved ones.

Continue reading “LIFE AFTER BETH (2014)”

PITCH PERFECT 2 (2015)

pitch

 

Directed By: Elizabeth Banks
Written By: Kay Cannon
Based On Characters Created By: Mickey Rapkin
Cinematography By: Jim Denault
Editor: Craig Alpert 


Cast: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Hailee Steinfeld, Anna Camp, John Michael Higgins, Elizabeth Banks, Skylar Astin, Flula Borg, Birgitte Hjort Sorensen, David Cross, Ben Platt, Adam DeVine, Alexis Knapp, Katey Segal, Keegan-Michael Key, Ester Dean, Hana Mae Lee, Jason Jones, John Hodgman, Joe Lo Truglio, Snoop Dogg, Reggie Watts, Brea Grant

Continue reading “PITCH PERFECT 2 (2015)”

INTO THE WOODS (2014)

intothe

Directed By: Rob Marshall
Written By: James Lapine
Based On The Musical, Music & Lyrics By: Stephen Sondheim & James LaPine
Cinematography By: Dion Beebe
Editor: Wyatt Smith 


Cast: Meryl Streep, James Corden, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, Tracy Ullman, Chris Pine, Johnny Depp, Christine Baranski, Tammy Blanchard, Lucy Punch, Daniel Huttlestone, Lilla Crawford, Billy Magnussen, Mackenzie Mauzy, Simon Russel Beale 

Into the Woods is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales in a musical format that follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel-all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.

Continue reading “INTO THE WOODS (2014)”