marykshaw-20799 Reviews

Murder Mystery 2 (2023)

Happy and entertaining watch

[9/10 · 19 March 2024]

This movie is cute and funny. Regular couple arguments during extraordinary situations. Satirical commentary on standard action films. Tropes and cliches making fun of themselves. Jennifer Aniston slamming a dead guy's head into the steering wheel to honk the horn and many other unexpected laughs. It's not brilliant but it is very funny. Don't take it so seriously, sit back and enjoy a good movie with pithy jokes, good acting (except that one sidekick - though she plays a small part). Good safe movie too because of the couple's dynamic. Give it a watch, don't take life so seriously, and enjoy a simple action comedy.

Long Shot (2019)

This movie is SO GOOD

[10/10 · 7 February 2024]

This movie is so funny. Charlize Theron is perfect. She is this wonderful combination of elegant and relatable, a beautiful woman with a great sense of humor. It makes it believable that she might end up with a guy named Flarsky. And Rogan does a great job of being so convicted to his principles and so kind that it is believable that he might end up with someone like Charlotte Field. The side characters also nail it, the writing is good and the soundtrack is OUTSTANDING. Great date movie because it's romantic and hilarious. Bees, seas and trees 2024. I don't really get the negative reviews, this gets funnier each time you watch it.

Like a Boss (2020)

A great watch!

[10/10 · 17 December 2023]

I think this movie is about a 7 but I gave it a 10 to raise the overall rating to combat the haters. This is a very cute movie with genuine laughs, relatable story lines and a good message. I don't totally love Haddish's brand of humor but this movie is genuinely cute. They could have used Byrne a little more, I like her comedic timing and it was under utilized but still a very good watch. Don't believe the haters, a good palette cleanser if you are looking for a light watch and some sisterly solidarity. I feel like female driven comedies get reviewed based on the viewer's opinion on one or more performer instead of the overall product. There are plenty of equally predictable comfort watch movies with higher ratings. I say give it a shot! Laughed and left feeling good too!

The L Word: Generation Q (2019–2023)

Yesssss! Don't listen to the nay sayers!

[10/10 · 26 January 2020]

First of all - this cycle needs to end. Die hard fans are so pumped about a reboot and then cry foul when it's not EXACTLY THE SAME. If you want "the same," rewatch the original and quit your griping. Others have complained that they only focus is on diversity. UMMM HELLO. ITS LA IN 2019, which is a very diverse city. Secondly, the original pushed the envelope on diversity both in the LGBTQ community and racially. Others have complained that it is too political. Those people clearly aren't diehards. First, there was Ellen who sacrificed her career in the pursuit of authenticity then came The L Word. It pushed every single envelope, tackled moral and political issues, and humanized a marginalized and overly sexualized community. This show is lovely. The new actors are great additions with compelling and modern stories, and the old characters are aging and assimilating to a changing world and culture within the LGBTQ community. Don't miss this. Open your heart and your mind. Be a little more Shane.

Lady and the Tramp (2019)

Very cute!

[8/10 · 23 January 2020]

People have complained about the historical inaccuracies, mainly the biracial relationship in the Victorian Era...Funny that people are so obsessed with this fact but totally accept the talking dogs!?! I volunteer in a Victorian mansion and happen to love the decor and costumes in the movie. The fact that they took some artistic liberties to better suit the time-period of the viewers should really not matter. Again, TALKING DOGS. If you are a purist who cannot handle any changes to a plot, then maybe it's not for you but if you want to just watch a light, family-friendly movie then I would recommend this one. I was a little sad about a few of the choices that were made (zoo, music, Jock), but to fix that - I can always return to the animated classic which still exists and this film in no way changes that, so calm down people. This is a sweet and cute movie, the human acting ain't great, but it's a kid's movie for puppy sake. And I love that they used rescue dogs. Give it a shot!

Lez Bomb (2018)

An ally who loved it

[8/10 · 15 November 2019]

One reviewer said that they hated that the partner forced her to come out...I didn't see that. What I saw was a couple who decided this was the right day and the partner was hoping to influence this previously agreed upon declaration. I thought it was a really cute depiction of a hectic, funny family and the unfair struggle that lgbtq people have to go through. I never had to announce that I'm straight but my friends have told me of their experiences and this is a lighthearted depiction of exactly that...I highly recommend that you watch this and enjoy it for what it is: an ensemble cast, holiday film with a young woman struggling to come out. A very lovely film.

Bewitched (2005)

Blahhhhhh

[3/10 · 22 October 2019]

I cannot stand Nicole Kidman but enjoy Practical Magic so I gave this a shot. Her weak and whispering voice is the only thing you hear the whole time, no character development AND WHO DRESSED HER?!?! At least she was finally matched to someone who wasn't totally gorgeous, which is more believable. But this was just so very disappointing. I generally love Nora Ephron, however this was just a general mess and totally uncaptivating.

The Hustle (I) (2019)

Dear god - no.

[2/10 · 25 September 2019]

Personal spoiler: I'm not a huge fan of Anne Hathaway. And even though she plays the exact same character in DWP and those princess movies, I inevitably enjoyed them despite my feelings for her. And I love Rebel Wilson so I thought she would even things out. Her frantic efforts fell flat and Hathaway, dear god - no. This has nothing to do with the gender swap on Dirty Rotten Scoundrels it has to do with the awful British accent and the failure to hit slapstick and instead they hit...nothing. Nothing was believable and it was awkward just to listen to Hathaway. She claims she found out days before she needed to do the "accent" but weren't other people on set? Or were they wearing Dre's Beats to drown out the sound of her take on a British accent? How did this pass editing? Ouch. Just OUCH. Turned it off fifteen minutes in, ill just revisit DRS.

The World We Make (2019)

Great movie!

[8/10 · 23 September 2019]

I don't understand the naysayers here. It's a great, if not somewhat predictable, love story. It highlights the little and large victories that people have even in the face of adversity and mourning. I would highly recommend this movie! Someone said the racial portions are too formulaic, which I totally disagree about. Everything felt fresh and relatable and at times, heartbreaking.

A Sort of Homecoming (2015)

What did I just watch?

[3/10 · 23 September 2019]

This movie had potential but failed. The main female has a speech impediment which made her time as a debater sort of confusing and irritating. It has good bones but they managed to make every single thing that happened feel like absolutely nothing was helping. I am so confused. How did they make every single plot point fall flat? Not worth the debate, just watch something else.

Same Kind of Different as Me (2017)

Not a Christian movie, says the atheist reviewer

[8/10 · 8 September 2019]

As an atheist, generally movies with heavy Christian undertones does not appeal to me. But much like the blindside with a good Christian woman, not the ones who proselytize and live hypocritical lives, this is a tale of a family that happen to be Christian and are actually good people. It's uplifting and inspiring and yes, there is mention of god. Many mentions. But there are also humanistic and spiritual themes that outweigh the fictional imaginary character that people worship. It was not preachy and was just a thoroughly good movie.

Dumbo (2019)

Wholesome, beautiful, good time!

[9/10 · 26 August 2019]

No, it is not traditional Dumbo - it is the story *behind* Dumbo. If Disney used that title, it would have been received much better by all these naysayers. It is a modern take on the human beings that surround Dumbo. It's a classic greed vs. humanity tale and is heartwarming and delightful. The elephant is cute, the kids and strong and fight for what's right. The modern take is refreshing and my husband and I both totally enjoyed it.

The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)

Very entertaining and Kat McKinnon is a unicorn

[9/10 · 4 July 2019]

This movie is funny and interesting and truly enjoyable. Kate McKinnon is a treat, as usual. She is a personal hero and I just can't say enough about her comedic delivery. And her parents, so very funny. Mika Kunis holds her own in this accidental action comedy. Come for curiosity, stay for genuine entertainment. Also the male lead is a babe. Don't listen to the naysayers, this isn't The Usual Suspects but it is a good time.

Obvious Child (2014)

So good, so accurate

[10/10 · 18 June 2019]

Jenny Slate is a beast...she can kill an emotional cry fest, a diarrhea joke, a moment of pure joy with gusto. She perfectly depicts the inner struggle that comes (even when you know you're making the right choice). Hoffman also does an amazing job, with perfectly calm acting - no overreacting on her part, ever. Every woman should have a friend like her character...calm, real, strong and fierce. The parental relationships are interesting and dynamic. This movie is very wonderful and an underrated comedy, with an incredible touch to it. Highly recommend!

Snatched (2017)

Entertaining and funny

[8/10 · 9 June 2019]

People need to calm to dilly down. This movie is funny and sweet and very entertaining. There are so many action movies that star males that are equally as fantastical and they are highly regarded. This is a standard plot of ordinary people in extraordinary situations, with some humor mixed in. I would recommend it!

The Year of Spectacular Men (2017)

Great movie! All the actors do very well

[8/10 · 9 June 2019]

Another reviewer wrote that they should have put this more famous sister in lead. By this standard, no actor should get a lead if there is a more famous actor in the movie...not only is the concept asinine but the lead really carried her weight. She was supposed to be lost and the sister plays the perfect heckling sibling. Very cute movie, very well done. Great directorial debut as well.

Good Sam (I) (2019)

Decent, a little lazy - but upbeat

[6/10 · 6 June 2019]

Cute movie, predictable but what isn't these days? A little lazy (a hedge fund manager with a small laptop on his bare desk? Yah right. Would have 3-6 screens plus other things in his office...). Not a bad way to spend a few hours and the actors did just fine.

Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016)

So funny, people need to calm the hell down

[10/10 · 30 May 2019]

This is not a remake but it absolutely hilarious. With the same formula, the receptionist is super funny. The women hold their own and the plot is interesting and captivating. I would highly recommend this movie and am disturbed by the trend of female-lead movies being judged much harsher. Kate McKinnon is a great, AS ALWAYS...Melissa McCarthy is great and far more serious than usual and Kristen Wiig kills the anxious chick, as usual. The villain is creeeeeepy. Overall, just a great and entertaining movie.

Game Over, Man! (2018)

One laugh, predictable but entertaining enough I guess

[5/10 · 27 May 2019]

I don't mind violence or vulgarity but this just misused both. So bad I wasn't even enjoying how hot Anders is. I will say I found it refreshing that there were a couple muscular and "masculine" gay villains, it was nice to see something outside of the stereotypical "queens" that gay characters are always reduced to. Constant action with predictability abound.

The Other Woman (2014)

Silly and strong

[10/10 · 24 May 2019]

Great laughs and a great concept. Too often the cuckold lashes out at the equally ignorant mistress. It's refreshing to see the women band together and form such a strong bond. The villain really is a super-creep too, so you don't really form a bond to him. Cameron Diaz is strong and plays the alpha well, which I found surprising. Leslie Mann is perfection, per usual. The only bad part of the movie is Nicki Minaj but her part is extremely small. Overall, a fun way to spend a few hours and a great message for women who are afraid to leave a bad relationship. There is life after heartbreak!

Life of the Party (I) (2018)

So funny and good message

[8/10 · 22 May 2019]

This movie is really cute and very funny. Melissa McCarthy is delightful and sweet, and totally lovable. If this was about a dad that came back to college and ripped it up with his son, far more people would've liked it. But because it's a mom, people say it's stupid. It's a college movie, not Shawshank Redemption. A very nice way to spend a few hours and a great message for women, to boot!

Juanita (I) (2019)

Ehh what?

[5/10 · 19 May 2019]

Decent ideas...love Adam Beach and that the film represented Native Americans and actually casted them instead of white people to play them. But Juanita has almost zero dialogue...and the main actress...she just stared into space for most of the movie. Literally, something would happen and she would just stare into the great beyond. She also can't walk in a straight line which just drove me nuts the whole time. Really great idea for a movie, very poor execution.

One Small Hitch (2013)

Cute movie, predictable but touching

[8/10 · 19 April 2019]

I think they did a great job with this cute rom com. They nailed the Midwest with the bad haircuts/bangs on the ladies, the scenery, the warm Chicago people. It bothered me when Molly said, "Is that Wrigley?" As a native Chicago resident, she would certainly know that. Other than that, the plot was sweet enough to ignore the blondes inability to act and the little blunders. Worth a watch.

The Perfect Date (I) (2019)

Decent way to spend a rainy day

[8/10 · 19 April 2019]

Super predictable but cute all the same. As a Connecticut resident, and one of Fairfield county specifically...I with they pronounced "Darien," properly. It's Derr-ee-yen. Enjoyed movie!

The Kissing Booth (2018)

Cute movie!

[8/10 · 6 February 2019]

A cute movie! It was refreshing to see a movie where the popular girls aren't drop dead gorgeous, they are normal looking - it's definitely more realistic. I also think it's good for kids to see average looking women instead of the stunning super model types the 90's movies had.