Big Little Lies Season 2 Finale Review

    When I first watched Big Little Lies season 1 on my Xfinity account, I was immediately hooked. I fell in love with the all star cast consisting of Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, etc. I was pleased to hear that a season two was planned because of the success of season one. When the second season first premiered, I thought it had potential to be better than season one, but as the season progressed I noticed that wasn't the case. Don't get me wrong. The season wasn't bad by any means, but I thought it was significantly less special than season one. Though this season wasn't near as good as the first season, I thought the finale was pretty decent until I found out that this season is most likely the final season which I find totally bizarre. If that is the case, than I think the finale was actually somewhat weak since it was supposed to complete the whole story. Nonetheless, I thought the five main characters' story arcs came to a nice end for the most part. My thoughts and opinions on each of the five women's storylines are as follows:

     This whole season basically revolved around Celeste and her covering up Perry's death while dealing with her mother-in-law trying to win custody of the twin boys. Meryl Streep acted her ass off on this show, but when has she never? She was so unlikable and so easy to root against; it takes a talented actress to pull that off. Their custody battle ended in the finale with Celeste retaining custody of her sons by showing evidence that Perry abused her and that he could have been influenced by Mary Louise since she blamed him for the death of his brother when they were younger. I was sickened when Mary Louise continuously denied that Perry was an abuser and rapist, and I loved seeing her comeuppance by learning that she was wrong and was most likely going to end up losing custody of Celeste's children. She was such a fascinating character and a great addition to the show, and her interactions with Celeste provided great and memorable moments in the series.

     Madeline's storyline this season was Ed finding out that she had an affair in season one and Madeline trying to reconcile their marriage. The storyline got a little 'meh' after awhile with Madeline's constant trying to win Ed's trust back. If I were Ed, I probably would have left her, but at the end of the day, Ed was the better person and stayed with Madeline and during the finale, Ed asked to renew their wedding vows. I thought this was a great ending to Madeline and Ed's individual storyline. As I mentioned, the constant pandering of Madeline to Ed became a little hard to stomach after awhile, but as the season progressed, you could definitely start to see Madeline care more about others rather than just really caring about herself.

     Jane's storyline this season was sort of intertwined with Celeste's. I loved the relationship that these two had with each other and seeing them come together to try to fight off Mary Louise was really powerful. Perry lived through his mother, and Jane did what she wished she could do with Perry and that is stand up to her abuser. The other part to Jane's story this season was meeting Corey, her love interest for the season. We saw how she never really wanted to let Corey in because I believe she said the only sexual experience she ever had was when Perry raped her, so since then she has been afraid of being with another man. Throughout the season, Corey proved that he was nothing like Perry in that Corey was kind, gentle, and understanding, and Jane saw that. In the finale, she was finally able to defeat "Perry" and move on and begin a real relationship with Corey. I thought her ending was satisfying and very deserving of her character.

     Renata, who probably was my favorite character in the whole series, had a very mixed ending. After her husband's bankruptcy and infidelity, she finally had enough and broke all of his personal belongings out of rage of him being able to keep them and her having to sell all of her things when he was the culprit in this situation. Her iconic lines and sudden outbursts really kept me invested in this season. Her final individual scene is when she is laying in her bed with her daughter. I took it as she really showed anger and aggression to her husband because she loved her daughter so much and that everything she did in her life was to provide for her daughter, but the only thing she needed to show her daughter was love. It didn't matter if she provided tangible objects to her daughter. All she needed was to just love her daughter other in order to provide for her.


     Now Bonnie's storyline really bored me to tears this season to be completely honest. I never felt the messed up relationship between her and her mother. I thought the mother being in the hospital and Bonnie always looking like she was going to cry got old real quick, and I honestly rolled my eyes when another scene took place on my television screen. Though I really wasn't a fan of this arc, I thought it ended on a high note. Bonnie thought about suffocating her mother, and we all thought she was going to when she went over and started to say how much she loved her, but when her father walked back in, it turned out she brought the pillow to her mother so she could sleep next to her. Bonnie finally felt peace with her mother, and I think she wanted to have a few more positive days before she would eventually turn herself in to the police.

     This brings me to my next area of discussion. Like I previously said, I thought that the show was going to be renewed for another season, so at first I liked the ending. I thought the next season would explore the aftermath of the five women's arrests, but I don't think we're getting a season three, so as a result I thought the last scene was really anti-climactic, and I just asked myself, "That's it?" After all of that, that is how the show ends? I think it's actually pretty lazy storytelling, which is very unfortunate because the storylines were for the most part always interesting, and I was always dying to know how the show would end. I should have expected this because this isn't the first time a series finale has disappointed me on HBO this year. *Cough Game of Thrones. I would probably give this season/series finale a 7/10, but barely a 7/10. It's a shame this show is most likely not coming back on because I think it has more stories to tell to its audience.

Thank you for reading my Big Little Lies finale review! I hope you all enjoyed reading and have a great day!

     

   

My Top 5 Favorite Movies

     I have been trying to think of something TV or movie-related to blog about. I haven't wanted to see any new movies, and I felt like there really wasn't any TV show review that I wanted to express my thoughts and opinions on, so today I have decided to share my top five favorite movies of all time. I initially had trouble coming up with the five best movies that I have seen since there really are so many that I love and rewatch over and over again, but I did finally come up with my five favorites. I feel like these five movies really represent who I am and what I enjoy in my life, so they really mean a lot to me. Without further ado, let's get to the list!


5. Twister - 1996 (starring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt)

     When you ask me what film I have rewatched over and over again in my childhood, it's Twister. The film tells the story of a divorced couple who are storm chasers, who try to install a new technology in order to help people be saved by tornadoes. I was always so intrigued with the film. It did not have the best plot, but the special effects are ridiculously good. The special effects really taught me how dangerous tornadoes are and how they shouldn't be taken as a joke. You really feel as if you are in the movie experiencing these terrifying storms. This movie had such a huge impact on me that I was always scared if there was a tornado watch around my area. This movie has such underrated scenes such as the tornado scene at the drive-in movie, which would inspire a theme-park attraction called Twister- Ride It Out at Universal Studios Orlando. The attraction was recently removed, and it was such a huge blow to me. I loved the attraction as well, and it tied in with the movie perfectly. This film overall is amazing, despite what critics may say. It isn't a perfect film, but it does include non-stop action and breathtaking special effects.




4. Back to the Future - 1985 (starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd)

     Like Twister, I loved this movie during my childhood. Back to the Future is about a high-school student who mistakenly travels back to the year 1955 where he meets his teenage mother and father while also trying to find a way back to the year 1985. Almost everyday during second grade, I would come home from school, make a hot chocolate and watch Back to the Future. While the time travel terms and sci-fi aspects of the film confused me back then, I really loved the plot of the movie. The movie features that iconic shot of Marty and Doc Brown staring in disbelief as Doc's time machine disappears and travels back in time and that is one of so many great things about this movie. The film is aesthetically pleasing especially during the 50's. The film inspired two more movies to be made, which honestly are way inferior to this movie, but it's okay because this movie will always be great. Back to the Future is such an iconic movie, and I believe it to be the heart of movies from the 80's.





3. A League of Their Own - 1992 (starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, and Madonna)

     "There's no crying in baseball." That line is recited everywhere, and even if you have never heard or seen the movie, you have heard of this quote. The film is a story about two sisters in the early 1940s who are scouted to play in the all women's professional baseball league. This is by far my favorite sports' movie. While Remember the Titans is great, A League of Their Own has so much depth and heart from the setting to the character development. I think this is Geena Davis' best film role ever, and I think this is probably Tom Hanks' most underrated one. The characters' struggles really shine through by the actors' portrayals of them. I even think that the ending of this movie is great, and was necessary to bring the story to an end, though a lot of people may disagree with me. I love this movie and will always love it for the rest of my life.

2. Titanic - 1997 (starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio)

     Talk about a film experience that I wish I had seen in theaters. Titanic is about a rich, teenaged girl who meets a poor man on the doomed voyage. Titanic is the most beautiful and heartbreaking movie on this list especially since the movie is based around true events. The chemistry between Jack and Rose presents in what is my opinion the best couple in a movie. They complement each other well and really act the hell out of their respective roles. When the ship is sinking, you really feel like you are going down with the victims of the disaster. I always am tense when I watch this movie. Between the music and acting, Titanic has always amazed me in the way that it told the story. I can never stomach the scene when a lifeboat comes back to find survivors, but most are dead and frozen in the water including a mother holding her baby. That scene has haunted me ever since I first watched the movie. The ending is probably the best and most emotional ending to any movie I have seen, and I have seen so many of them. Titanic remains one for the ages. There is a reason why it was the highest grossing movie for so long...



1. Psycho - 1960 (starring Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh)

     My favorite movie of all time is hands down Psycho. I'm sure many millennials haven't seen this movie or maybe they have seen the unfortunate remake, but they are seriously missing out. The movie is about a woman who steals money from her boss' client where after driving for awhile, she finds herself at the Bates Motel where she meets the eccentric owner of the motel. The movie has what in my opinion the best scene in movie history: the shower scene. It is shocking and very startling especially since it is only in the middle of the movie when it occurs. Honestly, everything about this movie is perfect. From the score to the shocking revelation in the end. The list goes on and on. Every Halloween I watch this movie, and it gets better every time I watch it. The first time I watched Psycho was during my freshman year of high school, and it hooked me immediately. It is definitely one for the books and as time goes on, the movie becomes even more historic.

Thank you for reading my blog! I hope you enjoyed and have an awesome day!

     

Stranger Things 3 Review

     Stranger Things' third season is a much watch. Period. If you haven't even watched the first season yet, then I recommend you start watching. I was down in a way with the second season. It wasn't bad by any means, but it was a big step down from the first season. I can say that this season is right up there in terms of quality with season one. I was invested from the very first episode of season one, and I was invested with the very first episode of this season. The plot is a continuation of season two's plot which I was okay with because I felt season two's ending felt unfinished. Almost every question is answered in season three that was asked in season two. Though there are just a few minor flaws I can pinpoint, this season was overall spectacular.

     This season definitely feels the most 80s about of all three seasons. The music, hairstyles, and movie references are non-stop, but they are never forced. I love the 80s and secretly wish I could have lived in that time era, so this season gives me all the 80s feels. The Starcourt Mall is brilliant addition to the setting of Hawkins. It is fresh and the showdown between the characters and the Mind Flayer made a great battle to occur in it. I also liked how it housed the underground Russian base that had the key to unlock the Upside Down. That whole underground base was also another great addition to the story. It was a lot better than just going to the infamous lab again, which I feel has run its course as a location to the story.

     The actual story for this season was very interesting, and I really liked that Billy was the center point for it considering I felt like the writers gave him zero content that related the main story in the second season. I wish they would have shown his relationship with Max a little more in this season, though. They were never together until their first confrontation when Billy was under the Mind Flayer's control. His backstory was great exposition to his character traits and why he was the way he was. Speaking of Billy, the biggest WTF of this season was Mrs. Wheeler's "almost affair" with him. It was just so uncomfortable to watch, but I'm glad that she chose not to cheat on her husband. That was the only storyline she got this season and to be honest it was probably her longest one considering she has never been part of the main story, ever. I'm just saying.

     I thought the new addition of Robin as a character was pretty good. She had great banter with Steve. I thought they were going to get together at the end, but then she told us she wasn't into men, so that wasn't in the realm of possibilities. Speaking of Steve, I am glad that he really as turned into a likable, good guy. He went from the school jock/bully to the lovable comic relief of the show. I cannot wait to see what the two of these characters will bring to us next season.

     Eleven has really come into her own this season as well. She really is embracing the 80s and her vocabulary has become more distinguished ever since she has been able to really interact with people. As always, she is badass. She is the perfect match for the Mind Flayer, splitting its head into two and breaking his hands. She's a great match until she is stabbed by one of its claws. I'm pretty sure her leg wound with part of the Mind Flayer's arm took away her powers and gave it to the Mind Flayer. I didn't even notice it get stronger, but I don't think it mattered. The writers wanted to strip her of her powers as a plotline for the fourth season. I thought we were going to get an appearance from Eleven's sister this season, but I was wrong. I am sure we'll see her again next season. I also liked Eleven's relationship with Mike this season. It was one of the character highlights that shows that these kids are turning into young adults, and I think the writers did a great job of showcasing that to the audience.


     The ending to the season was very sad. I thought the death of Billy was upsetting since he actually did something heroic in saving Eleven and telling his sister he was sorry before his death. Also, Joyce's dilemma of destroying the machine with Hopper being in the crosshairs was emotional. This was great acting by Winona Ryder and David Harbour. I was actually shocked when I saw that Hopper was going to die, but alas they cannot find his body and they assume he dies. I don't think he died as I think he was captured by the Russians. In the post-credits scene, the Russians mention an American, but he is not seen. I believe that it is definitely him, which I am happy about, but kind of also upset about. I really wanted the show to have the balls to kill off a major character, but they probably didn't. It would have been a perfect ending for his character since we hear his letter that he wrote to Eleven and Mike. It was a perfect close to his character, but I think it's kind of ruined now a bit. I don't know. We'll have to see what happens next season.

     Some other scenes I liked is when Suzie finally answered Dustin so she could give him the code to access the keys to destroy the machine. I thought it was hysterical how she made him sing to her. Dustin never even has to try to get me to laugh. Another scene I liked was when Eleven threw the car at the Russians who were going after Steve and Dustin and all of them. I thought it was so satisfying. The last scene I really enjoyed was when it was revealed that Billy and his friend Heather had turned many more of the Hawkins residents into hosts for the Mind Flayer with the song "We''ll Meet Again" playing in the background. The song was hauntingly amazing, and it went perfectly with the scene. Again, the score to this season was exceptional.

     My biggest gripe with this season was Will's character. I thought he had no content this season other to "feel" when the Mind Flayer was near even though the other characters probably would have noticed without Will's help. I get it, though. After two seasons of the show really being about him, I guess it was inevitable that he was going to get a break from being the center of attention, but I wish he would have been given something to do rather than just feeling the back of his neck a thousand times. The only time it was really about him was when he was realized that he and his friends were getting older and growing out of their games that they used to play, but that only lasted like twenty minutes or so. I'm sure season four will feature him a bit more prominently, but you probably could have taken him out of this season entirely, and we still would have had the same finished product. This was really my only problem with the season which speaks volumes to how great of a viewing experience this was for me.

     Stranger Things 3 reminds me why I love this show so much. It has horror, comedy, sci-fi, everything I love! I really cannot wait for the fourth season to come out. The show hasn't been renewed yet, but it probably will soon since it hasn't left Twitter's trending page ever since it came out. It will be interesting to see when or if these characters come back together since Will, Joyce, Jonathan, and Eleven have moved out of Hawkins. Overall I am going to give Stranger Things 3 an 8.5/10. Definitely check it out. It is so much better than season two and up there with season one in regards to quality and iconic scenes.

   

Child's Play (2019) Review

     I don't believe that I have been to two movies in one week before. I think it is because a movie really has to have my attention for me to go see it. This week I went to see Toy Story 4 and the 2019 "remake" of Child's Play. I went into the film with moderate expectations. Mostly because I knew the film is not intended to be taken too seriously, but at the same time I had heard decent things about it with many saying it was one of the best films in the Child's Play franchise. I honestly have very good things to say about this film. It knows what it's supposed to do and that is to entertain. The movie obviously isn't perfect by any means, but what horror films are perfect? Maybe the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Nightmare on Elm Street or even the first Scream are exceptions. Let's get to my thoughts on the film.


     I actually did not mind the new Chucky doll design. I thought it was scary enough. I mean it's no original Chucky doll, but I can appreciate the new look. Mark Hamill does an amazing job as playing Chucky's voice. I had actually forgotten that he was the voice until towards the end of the film. Chucky's backstory into becoming a violent doll was in my opinion a pretty good spin on the original doll becoming possessed by a serial killer. The times have changed, so the writers used technology as the "possession." The Buddi dolls are supposed to be a form of advanced technology that can activate the tech cloud and adjust the temperature in the room and other things in that nature, which was great foreshadowing by the way. I believed that the film revealed these things to the audience in a smart way where it wasn't forced down our throats, so bravo to them.

     Contrary to the original 1988 version, Karen, is not as present in this film. Yes, she is the deuteragonist, but in the original movie, I would have considered her to be the protagonist. I liked Aubrey Plaza in this. She is very deadpan in her personality, so I wasn't shocked to see that most of her content in this movie was deadpan as well. I was shocked to learn that she doesn't even know or believe that Chucky is evil until the end of the movie. Now, we can talk about Andy. Andy really takes charge in this movie unlike in the original. The movie highlights Andy's personality, feelings, and reactions more than the original Andy did. I think it is because this Andy is older rather than the other Andy. The actor did a phenomenal job in what he was given. I hope to see him in other films!

     I was really surprised to learn how gory the movie was. The creepy hotel repair men's death caused me to wince. I usually never look away at gory things, but Chucky stabs him in the penis and then is sliced in half with a saw. Also, Karen's boyfriend's death was disturbing as well when Chucky causes him to fall off the ladder and you see one of his leg bones come tearing out of his skin. So brutal. The movie does not disappoint in the blood department, I can tell you that much. If this is only the first film in what I can assume is a new reboot series, then I can only imagine how bloody the sequels will be.


     My favorite scene in the movie is the Buddi store massacre scene where Chucky causes Buddi toys to become violent and go on a murderous rampage against the shoppers. It showed just how violent a once naïve Chucky doll could become. Chaos is always fun in movies because so much is happening in the scene, and you can go back every single time and find things you missed. I thought when the police officer, who side note is Alfred from Atlanta, which you should watch because the show is genius, gets wounded, I thought that was the end of him. I was just in disbelief, but because we did not see him die, I knew he would be back, and he did come back. He saved the day by disarming Chucky in that epic showdown between Chucky and Andy. The lighting was beautiful in the scene, and the tension in the air was thick.

     The only thing I really did not like about the movie were the annoying teenagers. I had heard that there were characters in the film that were so unnecessary, and now I know who these people were referring to. You probably could have taken these kids out of the movie, and would still have the same product. I thought they were in the film to up the death count, but I was wrong. They were the stereotypical comic relief characters you get in these types of movies, and to be honest the trope gets old real quick. They made me cringe so many times to the point where I was just begging for them to get off of the movie screen.

     Other than the teens, I really couldn't come up with another negative thing about the movie. Maybe ten minutes could have been scrapped in the middle for pacing purposes, but all in all I have no complaints. I would give it a strong 8/10. If you want to have fun in a movie, I would recommend seeing Child's Play before it leaves theaters. It is loads of fun and is not meant to be taken too seriously. It is horror after all. Hopefully they make a sequel, which I think they will because it has done well at the box office.

Thank you for reading my review of Child's Play. Let me know what you think about the film!