Frozen 2 (movie review)

Frozen was the movie I took my 4-year-old son on his birthday back in 2013. It was also his first cinema visit and our favorite family animation since then.

Frozen 2

By coincidence, we planned another cinema visit on his 10th birthday a couple of weeks ago and found out it was the day Frozen 2 was released. To my disappointment and despite my persuasions, my son thought he was too old to watch Frozen 2 and preferred to watch Maleficent with his cousins. 

First Cinema Visit (Frozen )

However, I couldn't miss the chance to watch Frozen 2 so my husband and I left the kids at the Maleficent cinema hall and headed to watch Frozen 2.

I must confess I just couldn't help comparing the sequel to its 2013 blockbuster throughout the film which was not a good idea.
The original songs were better, weren't they? 
Too many new things, new stories. Too deep and hard for kids to understand. It's more an adult animated movie.
These were the thoughts circulating in my head.

Frozen 2 (movie review)

Like the original, Frozen 2 opens with a prologue from Anna and Elsa's childhood, where they learn from their father about an enchanted forest inhabited by magical spirits and people called Northuldra.

Then, we turn to the happy kingdom of Arendale ruled by the ice-wielding Queen Elsa and her sister Princess Anna. They live happily together with the chatty snowman Olaf, woodsman Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven. 

It all starts when Elsa hears a singing voice calling her to the mysterious enchanted forest, a land her father told her and Anna about as a bedtime tale. And she determines to investigate the voice and find the truth, to better understand the source of her magical freezing powers and to save Arendelle as the forest spirits attack the town and the people are forced to flee to the countryside.

Anna is determined to follow her sister. Her beau Kristoff, his hulking reindeer, and the funny snowman Olaf (who is now gifted with permafrost against heat and melting) volunteer as well.

Frozen 2, Anna and Elsa

Four elemental “spirits” are at work here—those of earth, air, fire and water. Each has its own symbolic stone totem in the enchanted forest and each spirit comes with its own physical embodiment, too.

Fire comes as a cute gecko-like creature, Bruno, water as a horse; the earth as a giant, rocklike critters; and air as a tornado-like swirling wind that characters start calling “Gale.” 

We later learn of a fifth element, which is Elsa herself, who is somehow the magical key in uniting these 4 spirits in a kind of harmony.

While there's lots of humor, again thanks to Olaf,  and catchy musical tunes, the sequel is undeniably a bit more intense and deeper than the original.

The visuals are dazzling, the animation is richer,  undoubtedly surpassing the original as well.

Just for the sole reason that this is one of the few animations focusing on sisterhood and girl empowerment with Elsa and Anna being examples of strong women who lead confidently and support each other, Frozen will stay my most favorite animated movie so far.

What about you?

Have you seen Frozen and Frozen 2?

What are your thoughts?

Aladdin 2019 (movie review)

I am a huge fan of animated cartoons, therefore I was very excited to hear about the live-action remake of the 1992 classic Disney animated film "Aladdin".

"Aladdin" (2019) directed by Guy Ritchie with Will Smith starring in the role of the Genie, retells the story of a mischievous street urchin, Aladdin (Mena Massoud) who lives in a fictional Arabian port city of Agrabah together with his kleptomaniac monkey.

Aladdin, who is a charming thief, meets and falls in love with Princess Jasmin (Naomi Scott) in a market, where we witness a fun cat-and-mouse escape from the clutches of his pursuers. 

Princess Jasmin is the only child of the Sultan, yet she cannot be the ruler of her country, nor marry the man of her choice. We soon learn that she is forced to stay in the palace that's why she has to disguise herself to sneak into the marketplace. 

Aladdin goes up against Sultan's Grand Vizier, Jafar (Marwan Kenzari), once a street urchin too, who aims to steal the kingdom away from the Sultan, Jasmine's Dad.

Aladdin gets hold of the magic oil lamp that unleashes the powerful, wisecracking, blue-skinned Genie, and embarks on a scheme to win the heart of the princess and stop the malicious vizier, Jafar together with the magic carpet, the monkey Abu and the Genie.

This "Aladdin" features the main memorable musical pieces from the original, namely "Prince Ali", "Friend Like Me" and the Oscar-winning "A Whole New World". 




It also includes some hip-hop flourishes performed by Will Smith and a new song "Speechless" sung by Princess Jasmine that reminds of "Let it Go" from "Frozen".

Though there are many who will find weaknesses in this film, especially in the weak performance of Jafar, you can't deny that the live-action remake has lots of fun and charming moments with chases, falls and near deaths.


While Robin Williams' fans will find the huge, blue-skinned,  genie weird, others will admire the amazing job of Will Smith in the making of the Genie.

The musical remake, thanks to its main characters and the comedic Genie, keeps the spirit of the original, and is as funny, sentimental and inspirational. Add a boost of female empowerment to the messages of honesty, friendship, courage, and integrity and you can't resist the temptation to give it a watch.

What about you?

Have you seen "Aladdin" (2019), and what are your thoughts on it? 

I would be delighted to read about them in the comments box below.

Valentine's Day Romance Movie - Me Before You

If you are looking for a romantic movie to watch together with your partner on Valentine's Day, "Me Before You" can be the best choice. It is the most powerful romantic drama I can recall having ever watched. 
It is a sad, touching, but light, even a funny movie with a non-cliche ending. Watching only the trailer is enough to make you emotional and make you burst into tears.

"Me Before You" is the last romantic movie I went to the cinema to watch and undoubtedly the best romantic movie I have ever watched. It is not a standard romantic movie as it goes against the most romantic movie stereotypes of happy endings. I remember myself leaving the cinema heartbroken and kind of devastated at the sad ending carrying with me a handful of tissues. 

Based on the popular novel by Jojo Moyes with the same name, the movie depicts a bittersweet romance between Lou (starring Emilia Clarke from "Game of Thrones") and Will Trainor (starring Sam Claflin from "The Hunger Games" saga).

 Lou is a funny and chatty young woman moving from one job to another helping her family make both ends meet until she comes across with a job to take care of a paraplegic.

Will Trainor, formerly a wealthy young banker and sportsman, was left paralyzed from an accident and can't accept his life now.

The polar opposite personalities, especially Will's arrogance and sarcastic outlook on life, makes them dislike each other at the beginning, but then they become friends and finally fall in love with each other. And what starts out as a rocky relationship, blossoms into something special.

What I like most about this movie is that unlike most romantic movies it doesn't use physical intimacy as a clutch but rather goes deep and focuses more on the personal and emotional connection between Lou and Will. He encourages her to try new things and break out of her shell, she encourages him to try to love life again.

Another highlight of the film is the outstanding acting and charming characters. Lou, with her infectious smile and slight awkwardness, Will, with his facial expressions and attractive eyebrow cock.

And when everything seems very romantic with Will treating Lou to exotic holidays and glamorous nights out, the viewers feel a certain unease and learn about Will's determination to live on his own terms or not at all.

Have you read the book "Me Before You" and its sequel "After You"?

Have you watched the movie? How do you like it?



This post was inspired by The February Love Challenge hosted by Linda Jean from Witte's World Blog.


February 6 - Write a review of your favorite romance movie

January 6 - Christmas Chronicles (movie review)

Day 6 - Write a review of your favorite movie from 2018

I am a huge Christmas-movie-buff. I mean I have this whole list of movies I have to go through once it feels like Christmas. While I was trying to recall my favorite movie from 2018 I realized that " Christmas Chronicles" from Netflix is the only movie I have seen from 2018. A shame, I know...

I must confess that I was not very excited by the trailer and the teaser. But seeing that Kurt Russell was Santa was too appealing to miss watching this.

The film is about the Pierce family who used to be all about Christmas until their dad died.

We see the family members through home video series made each year at Christmas. The home movie flashbacks end in 2017 and then we learn that this year it will not be a "Merry" Christmas for them as it will be the first Christmas after the loss of their father who died tragically while saving other people's lives as a firefighter.

Single mom Claire has to work non-stop, even on Christmas Eve leaving her kids 10-year old Kate and the rebellious teen Teddy alone to decorate for Christmas. 

Teddy is really depressed and isolated after his father's death and hangs out with the wrong crowd and doesn't believe in Santa.

Kate is a strong believer that Santa exists. Using her dad's old camcorder she records a video letter for Santa. While re-watching the old home movies Kate accidentally sees the red sleeve of Santa. 
She persuades her brother to try to capture Santa on film to prove that he is real. 

And Santa does show up.

The siblings follow Santa and end up stowing away on Santa's sleigh. After Santa discovers them, he loses his concentration and crashes his high-tech sleigh in Chicago and loses his magic sack. 

Santa and the kids have to team up to save the world from losing their Christmas spirit.

"The Christmas Chronicles" can be a fun family movie enjoyed both by kids and parents. It's full of humor provided by the "The Coolest Santa Ever" and Christmas magic unlike some other Christmas movies that showcase only romance.

It's a cinema movie that you don't have to go to a movie theater to see. Just enough to snuggle under a blanket with some hot tea and snacks and enjoy it.

The "Christmas Chronicles" has almost everything any perfect Christmas movie needs to be a success  - holiday music, elves, reindeer, family Christmas spirit, tender reconciliation but I will have a second thought on re-watching it. The plot is too predictable and a little cheesy...

But one thing is beyond question - Russell is one of the best Santa characters yet, and you can't deny his enthusiasm in playing the role of Santa, not the traditional type, cool, straight-talking but yet kind and warm-hearted.

Have you seen "The Christmas Chronicles" and what are your thoughts on it?




This post was inspired by The January Mind, Body and Writing Challenge hosted by Linda Jean from Witte's World Blog.

December 6 - Favorite Holiday Movie " How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

Day 6 - Write a review of your favorite holiday movie

One of my favorite pastimes during the Christmas holidays is watching Christmas TV programs and movies. 

As I mentioned in my previous post about My Favorite Holiday Memories, it's a favorite tradition for me to sleep on the couch in front of the TV while watching a program or a movie.

What about my Favorite Holiday Movie?

I would like to talk about the one that I keep watching with my kids during the Christmastime every year. 


How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

I love the moral behind all Dr Seuss' books. The Grinch has a lovely moral for children what Christmas is really all about. 

It's a movie that all the family can watch together and at the same time is a heartwarming tale for adults.

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

The movie is set in Whoville where everyone loves and celebrates Christmas with joy and excitement with the exception of the Grinch who lives atop a mountain and detests Christmas. 

The 7-year-old Cindy Lou Who meets the Grinch and tries to make him love Christmas after she discovers about his tragic past when he was humiliated by his classmates for his green and hairy appearance.

She invites him to the Christmas party and her plan almost works but the Grinch is once again upset by what is happening around him and he decides to steal the Christmas away. 

He thinks that the Whos celebrate Christmas only because of their extravagant gifts so he steals all the decorations and presents while they are asleep. 

But when he hears the joyful singing of the Whos instead of their cries, he realizes that Christmas is not about "material gifts" but it is about being together. 

The Grinch is deeply touched by this. He returns everything he has stolen, apologizes for his past deeds and is welcomed into the community once more and turns himself the Whoville police.

If you are a blogger and wanna play along, check the 31-Day Blog Challenge hosted by Linda Jean from Witte's World Blog.

Leave your link in the comments section and I would love to read your posts and connect with you.