Movie Reviews

Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2019 film Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase.

Story

The story was an amalgamation of different Nancy Drew books, updated for modern day. The thing a lot of adaptations get wrong is trying to make the mysteries higher stakes. This story stayed grounded while really focusing on the characters’ reactions to what was going on.

Score: 1

Characters

I really appreciated that the characters were at the forefront of the story and they chose to focus on friendship and not a romance. The characters had satisfying arcs and stayed true to their core.

Score: 1

Dialogue

The dialogue was often cheeky and I really loved how sassy Nancy was. I also enjoyed the banter between the teen characters.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The visual style felt fresh but very clean. I loved the camera angles and I liked how colourful it was.

The music was very well done.

Score: 1

Fun

I love mysteries and I really like Nancy Drew. This was an excellent example of staying true to a character and story but still updating it. The kids loved it as did the adults.

Score: 1

Overall

A deeply underrated gem that deserves to become a cult classic. It is true to the vibes of the original books while bringing the story and cast into modern day.

Final Score: 5 Stars out of 5*

*A 5 star review doesn’t mean the movie was perfect nor that it is perfect for everyone but it is a movie I believe is as close to perfect as possible.

Nancy Drew (2007) – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2007 film Nancy Drew.

Story

There’s something about a lot of teen movies in the 2000’s where they were all a little surreal and almost cartoonish. This one went above and beyond. The entire film is unsettling as they move from one set piece to the next. Nancy doesn’t really do any real detective work, she just kinda stumbles into things.

Score: 0

Characters

There’s no character development. Nancy is amazing at everything but will walk off a plank on a scaffold. She’s smart until the plot needs her not to be.

I did enjoy the brief scenes of all the kids investigating or when Nancy and the two boys were working together.

Score: 0.5

Dialogue

The 1950’s dialogue from Nancy and her dad is juxtaposed by a sterilized “valley girl” accent of her classmates. It could have been interesting but was just uncomfortable.

Score: 0

Visuals and Music

The visuals were acceptable but alternating between horror camera angles and CW teen drama angles was very odd.

The music was well scored and overall well done.

Score: 1

Fun

The kids loved it and I’m sure a 10 year old me would have also. The adults didn’t enjoy it much but didn’t hate it either.

Score: 0.5

Overall

Despite an amazing cast, this movie spends more time referencing the books than remembering what made them interesting. It’s more cartoony comedy than mystery.

Final Score: 2 Stars out of 5

Men in Black – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 1997 film Men in Black.

Story

This has all the tropes of a hidden magical world urban fantasy and the same basic plot but dressed up in a science fiction and spy story.

It’s done very well despite more than a few slow downs for gags.

Score: 0.5

Characters

Agent K is an interesting character and a great contrast to the overly talkative J. Both get a decent amount of character development and when Smith gets out of his own joking way, his character shines.

Score: 1

Dialogue

There are a lot of nice quippy lines as to be expected from the cast and it’s a really quotable movie.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The movie holds up well almost thirty years later. The aliens are a little muppet-like but still pretty awesome. The camera work and special effects are solid.

The music is pure nostalgia and highly entertaining.

Score: 1

Fun

The entire family liked it. I was impressed with the lack of cringe and lack of offensive jokes. (There were a few fat jokes that made me sigh but nothing heinous.)

Score: 1

Overall

With solid special effects and a cast that is both kick ass and funny, this movie offers a fun story that holds up very well.

Final Score: 4.5 Stars out of 5

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2026 film The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

Story

The story was about the same level as the Super Mario Bros. video game and had significantly more plot threads that were not resolved.

Score: 0

Characters

The movie doesn’t slow down between set pieces and nostalgia to give anyone much development except Bowser, who then goes back to being a jerk. It would have been nice to have some sort of character bonding other than the one scene of Peach and Mario “not being angry”.

Both Peach and Rosalina suffer from the “Strong Female Character” syndrome where they are unbeatable unless the plot dictates they get captured.

Score: 0

Dialogue

There were some clever pieces of dialogue, a lot of call backs to the games, and some fun silliness.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The animation and easter eggs were wonderful. The space scenes were pretty and the character design was great.

The music was lovely and used lots of themes and sections from the games.

Score: 1

Fun

The kids loved it although even they had questions afterward about some plot points. The adults were less impressed but didn’t hate it.

I loved the nostalgia factor and I should be the prime audience for this, but it mostly left me meh. It wasn’t a good story and the characters were 8-bit.

Score: 0.5

Overall

A pretty animated film with enough nostalgia to keep you interested and some amazing music. Unfortunately, the story isn’t interesting and the characters are flat.

Final Score: 2.5 Stars out of 5

Hoppers – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2026 film Hoppers.

Story

The first three quarters of the movie felt a lot like an older environmental movie (Fern Gully etc.) but the last part added a lot to the message and was something I hadn’t seen before.

Score: 1

Characters

Everyone does a great job acting and the characters are good. I found the main character acted younger than her age and the maniacal Titus was a little on the nose.

Score: 0.5

Dialogue

There’s a lot of great quotes and a lot of resonating messages. The kindness and love shown by George is wonderful and refreshing.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The animation is stunning and the use of the camera is excellent. I really appreciate the characters’ changes depending on who is perceiving them.

Score: 1

Fun

There are some laugh out loud moments and lots of good stuff in this movie. The kids loved it and so did the adults.

Score: 1

Overall

Another excellent story from Pixar that will make you laugh and cry in turn. The message of co-operation and seeing the best in people is deeply needed in today’s world.

Final Score: 4.5 Stars out of 5

The Curious Case of Dolphin Bay – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2022 film The Curious Case of Dolphin Bay.

Story

This felt like a middle grade book from the early nineties. The twists of the mystery are simple but satisfying and the overall ecological message is solid. It’s definitely aimed at a younger audience.

Score: 1

Characters

I liked the characters on their own and when they got along but the fighting between the girls was frustrating. One of those, “Just talk to each other!” type of things.

The villain was well hidden and a lot of the secondary characters were very likeable.

Score: 0.5

Dialogue

Some of the dialogue was very young but overall it was okay.

Score: 0.5

Visuals and Music

The setting was spectacular and it elevated everything. The camera work was solid and the use of shadows was great.

The music was kinda bland but still did it’s job

Score: 0.5

Fun

The whole family liked it and we’ll probably watch it again. Loved the queer representation and acceptance.

Score: 1

Overall

A solid middle grade story with plenty of beautiful scenery and good acting to make it worth everyones while.

Final Score: 3.5 Stars out of 5

Shotgun Wedding – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2022 film Shotgun Wedding.

Story

A classic “Die Hard” style story with a fighting couple that borders on enemy to lovers. The plot is simple and only complicated by bad decisions.

Score: 0.5

Characters

The cast is fabulous and the characters wonderfully flawed. I like that they had no combat training and survived by luck and a little skill.

They did make a lot of really foolish decisions, and at times it felt forced.

Score: 0.5

Dialogue

The dialogue is cheesy and fun with lots of quips. It is really frustrating how much of the dialogue happens where the bad guys should hear them.

Score: 0.5

Visuals and Music

The location was beautiful and the costuming was amazing and consistent. The camera work was good and steady.

The music was okay and did a good job of punctuating when the dialogue was dangerous and when it was just exposition.

Score: 1

Fun

It was a lot of fun to watch, even with the frustrations of poor character decisions.

Score: 1

Overall

A solidly written homage to Die Hard with a wedding twist. The characters have no idea what they’re doing in combat or love but by the end they find both.

Final Score: 3.5 Stars out of 5

Rise of the Guardians – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2012 film Rise of the Guardians.

Story

A fun twist on the reluctant hero story with a better lineup than the Avengers. The story is fresh while still using standard superhero tropes. The worldbuilding is amazing.

Score: 1

Characters

Each of the characters had unique feel and character motivations. The actors did a great job, really throwing themselves into it. Even with a larger cast there was a lot of character development for all of them except Sandy.

Score: 1

Dialogue

Very quippy, funny, and isn’t afraid of being serious at the same time.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The animation has aged fairly well, there are some lighting issues and a few less smooth sections but it’s still very pretty.

The music is phenomenal and worth listening to if you ever need to get pumped up.

Score: 1

Fun

I saw this in theatres and loved it. This was the kids’ first time and they were glued to the screen. Everyone had a great time.

Score: 1

Overall

A classic animated film that has more heart and goes way harder than it needed to. The acting, writing, and music make this a family favourite and an all around fun movie.

Final Score: 5 Stars out of 5*

*A 5 star review doesn’t mean the movie was perfect nor that it is perfect for everyone but it is a movie I believe is as close to perfect as possible.

Cold Storage – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2026 film Cold Storage.

Story

A combination between zombie and disaster movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It strikes the perfect balance between expected plot and surprise twists.

Score: 1

Characters

I like that for once it’s the guy who’s overly talkative and a little bit of a mess. The girl is grounded and clever while still being dangerously curious.

Liam Neeson was extremely entertaining as the elderly expert that no one listens to until it’s too late.

Score: 1

Dialogue

The dialogue was fast, quippy, and smart. It managed to move the plot forward and create character development even while being sarcastic and funny.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The movie was gory, gross, and over the top, but it was well shot and interesting. Despite the dark locations, it was always clear.

The music was a little underdone and didn’t add much.

Score: 0.5

Fun

I love smart and quippy movies and this was a great horror/end of the world movie. It was cheesy but oddly believable. I watched it on my own and enjoyed it a lot. I’ll probably watch it again.

Score: 1

Overall

A terrifying, funny, and fascinating film. Filled with quips, gore, and Liam Neeson being awesome. More than worth a watch for horror fans.

Final Score: 4.5 Stars out of 5

Boss Level  – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2020 film Boss Level.

Story

A hyper violent time loop story. I’m surprised there aren’t more than a few of these. The story was good and unfolded well but felt like the character development wasn’t as extreme as most time loop movies. The ending felt like the screenwriters got stuck and couldn’t think of anything better.

Score: 0.5

Characters

The main character is likeable and trying really hard to pretend to be a dick. The interactions and emotion with his son are the best part of the movie.

The rest of the cast does a great job but most of them are very cartoonish.

Score: 0.5

Dialogue

The narration was fantastic and the snappy dialogue was a lot of fun. Again, the dialogue between the main character and his son make the movie.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The action was great, the cinematography passable, and the special effects were well done.

The music was perfect for the film.

Score: 1

Fun

I watched this one on my own and there are so many fun moments but the ending was so bad it made me enjoy the movie less.

Score: 0.5

Overall

A run of the mill time loop movie where the action and character drama are fantastic but the story and ending are mediocre.

Final Score: 3.5 Stars out of 5