Movie Review – Book Dust Magic

Movie Monday: The School for Good and Evil #MovieMonday #TheSchoolForGoodAndEvil #Netflix

The School for Good and Evil Netflix movie cover

Movie Monday is a feature here on my blog, in which I’m rambling about movies I’ve watched lately.

Today I want to talk about a movie I watched yesterday and was swept away.

The School for Good and Evil

I remember years ago, back when I started to read in English and was religiously watching BookTube videos, The School for Good and Evil book series was pretty popular. It also found it’s place on my tbr, but as time passed I never picked it up and with time it got pushed away by all the other books that were released.
I had no idea Netflix was making an adaptation of the same, but you can imagine my pleasent surprise when I saw it on my homepage (I guess I should keep up with book/movie news more).
As I never read the books, I can’t compare the movie to them, or say if certain things were changed.
However, I can tell you that I really, really liked this motion picture and 2,5 hourst just passed by so quickly, because I was having so much fun.
I guess I needed some fantasy in my life, a magical world that made me daydream how it would be like if those pararel worlds really existed. I caught myself more then a few times daydreaming about crossing that line that parts our world from the different ones we read only in our books.

The cast was very good. Charlize Theron was probably the most noticable, but there are also Kerry Washington, Laurence Fishburne and Kate Blanchett (who narrates the story).
Young actresses Sophia Anne Caruso and Sofia Wylie were both amazing in their performance.

This movie is perfect choice for a family movie night, as it is appropriate for younger audience but interesting enough so all generations can enjoy it.
I will admit that I find it to be better than I expected and I highly, highly recommend it.

Movie Monday: Hellhole #MovieMonday #Horror #Netflix #Halloween

Yesterday I decided to have a movie night on my own and watch a horror (because that is how I usually prefer to watch horrors: alone and in the dark).
Hellhole was the one suggesed to me because it was new on Netflix, and when I saw it was European (Polish, to be precise) I knew I wanted to give it a try.

I don’t think there is much to say about this film. It was definitely worth of time. It wasn’t anything mindblowing, but it was good. At times it felt like I was watching a drama, but then again, with all the paranormal things going on, it was definitely horror.

I liked how it took a different look on sanatory and overall it was a good, short movie to pass time. I liked it and although I think the end was a bit dry, I still enjoyed it.

Movie Monday: The Invitation #MovieMonday #Horror #Halloween #TheInvitation

This week I was in a mood for some horror, as spooky season officially started (but let’s be real, that genre is my favourite and I am in a mood to be scared most of the time).
I was happy to see that The Invitation was officially out, because I remember we watched the trailer in the cinema back when we were there to watch Orphan: First Kill back in July.

What I noticed after few minutes into the movie was that the trailer we watched back then was not for the same movie as I was watching. At first I thought there were two movies with similar titles that I have mixed, but now I am not so sure. What probably happened was I watched the trailer for a totally different movie, and thought I was watching the one for The Invitation.
All I remember about that movie from the trailer is that it was about an exorcism, and that it looked good.

But let’s not talk about that unfortunate misconception, and let’s talk about the movie I actually watched.

The Invitation started as a modern story set in New York, following a young girl who’s role was played by actress named Nathalie Emmanuel, who is best known from Game of Thrones.
She was reached out by her long distanced cousin who found her through some DNA finder app, and he invites her to a wedding where all of her long lost relatives would be, to meet them and get to know all of them.
She accepts, goes to England to the biggest mansion one can imagine, who’s owner comes from the old money and all that jazz. It all seems too perfect to be real, and as it usually goes, it is.

I loved the first half of the movie. Evie as a character was very likeable, the invitation was fishy so I was curious to see how the Hell will broke loose, and once we got to the part in England it started to get creepy.
Characters were shady, the house was cold and mysterious, it’s owner (played by Thomas Doherty) was… you could feel something just wasn’t right.

I liked the turn the story took, but if I am being honest, at some points it was too much that it looked ridiculous.

So all in all, it was a solid horror with first half much better then the second.
Would I recommend it?
To horror fans, definitely!

Movie Monday: Me Time #MovieMonday #MeTime #Comedy

Movie Monday is a feature here on my blog, in which I’m rambling about movies I’ve watched lately.

Today I want to talk about a comedy I watched two days ago. Me Time was so fun and I want to share my opinion and spread a word, so you can give it a go too.

Me Time

I am happy to announce that we have Netflix back again in our household and Me Time was the first movie my husband and I watched. We happened to play it two days in a row because the first day we were both too tired so giving it another shot the next day was a good move because we both liked it very much.

This was a perfect comedy to relax with, with great cast of characters and actors who played them. Some scenes were hilarious and I still laugh about them today.

My sister paid me a visit today and we ended up talking about Me Time as she watched it too and she and her husband also loved it. So when I do the math, it’s four of us who agree the movie is worth of checking.

I don’t have much more to say about it except that the music was also good. I mean, even Seal acted himself in a few scenes.

Overall, if you’re looking for a comedy to chill with, look no further: Me Time will give you an awesome me time (or time with a company, whichever you prefer better).

Movie Monday: Where the Crawdads Sing #MovieMonday #MovieReview #WhereTheCrawdadsSing

Few months ago I read a book that became maybe the most beautiful book that I have read in my whole life: Where the Crawdads Sing.
I read the book while I was waiting for the movie to hit the theaters, and it made me even more excited for the film once I finished it.

What I was looking forward the most to see on big screen was the nature of Carolina, marsh and all the animals Kya (the main character) spent her lifetime observing.
I wasn’t disappointed at all and I can also say that, in my humble opinion, the movie was great.
I watched it with my husband (who didn’t read the book and even asked me if it was based on true events) and he liked it very much. Even the day after we watched it (aka today) he wanted to talk about it.

The only thing I felt little sorry about is how they didn’t include “Sneaky Fuckers” in the movie, because that was my favourite part of the book.

The cast was good although I have to admit I didn’t know anyone. The only actor that looked little familiar to me was the one who played Kya’s lawyer.
At this point you probably know that Taylor Swift recorded the main song from the movie, titled Carolina. The song fits perfectly for the atmosphere and the story itself. If you still haven’t had a chance to hear it, I suggest you to go and give it a try.

And of course, I do recommend this movie, but I have to stress out that this is more of a drama then a thriller like it was marketed as (at least in my country).

Movie Monday: The Black Phone #MovieMonday #TheBlackPhone #Horror

Movie Monday is a feature here on my blog, in which I’m rambling about movies I’ve watched lately.

Today I want to talk about the best movie that I have watched this year (so far): The Black Phone

The Black Phone

Guys, what a great movie I watched recently!! The Black Phone was amazing. I went into it with somewhat high expectations but I was still surprised how good and captivating it was.

In case you didn’t know, it was based on short story written by Joe Hill. I never read the story as I didn’t know about it after after I finished the film, but even though I now know how it goes, I would still take a chance to read it.

This movie is generated as a horror. It was scary at some moments, but I would rather prefer to say that it is a fiction set in late 70s with elements of magical realism.
Still, it was very violent so keep that it mind. There were scenes with brutal bullying and peer violence but also with parent hitting a child (or beat her to blood to be precise).

Otherwise, it was even a relaxing movie when all of the violence and main fabula gets out of the way, the setting was kind of nostalgic.

Actor performances were great and I am sure future big movie stars played in this movie.
As for the already acknowledged actors, Ethan Hawke’s performance was appreciable. To me he gets better and gets better roles as he gets older.

The story was well done and the only thing that was missing was the motive behind it all, but then again it reminded me how evil sometimes doesn’t need the motive. It just is.

Movie Monday: Spider-Man: No Way Home #MovieMonday #Spiderman #Marvel

I am pretty behind when it comes to movies, but today I want to take an opportunity to talk about one that blew me away. It is the latest Spider Man movie. In case you didn’t know, Spider Man is my favourite hero, and seeing not one but all of the spiders in one movie was like a dream come true (but not really, I am exaggerating here).

Me and my family are staying at my parents’ for vacation (or our days off would be a more appropriate saying), so me and my husband had to take an advantage of my father’s streaming subscriptions.

I have heard only good things about the newest Spider-man movie, so when I saw it was available to watch it was a done deal.
In case you didn’t know, out of all of the heroes out there, Spider-Man is my no 1. I was a fan ever since that first movie with Tobey Maguire (which is still my favourite til’ this day).

Watching Spider-Man: No Way Home was like walking down the memory lane. At this point I don’t know how much giving away is too much, and if there is a rule for spoilers because the movie came out some time ago. I will say some things, but won’t go into too many details.

I will say that seeing all three of Spider-Men was my favourite part. I know it has been years since the first movie, and when the second Spider-Man first was about to come out, the one with Andrew Garfield I was not thrilled because I couldn’t understand why a young guy has to be bitten again and to me, Tobey was one true Peter Parker.
The first one with Tom Holland was good but all of technology was what turned me off a little, because I liked that old school nature freak spidey.

In this movie I appreciate how all of the universes intertwined and everything made more sense. I respect how creators keep the step with time that we live in, and I hope, with time, there will be more Spider-Man movies and my favourite hero will always have new stories to tell, change along with the world we live in.

As for the movie itself, the only character that didn’t make sense to me to live in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man universe was J. Jonah Jameson, played by J. K. Simmons, as he was originally featured in the first Spider-Man where he was played by the same actor. I loved his character in that first set of movies. He was my absolutely favourite so seeing him was a pleasant surprise. However, I still don’t see the logic why he was in both universes looking the same.

The movie is action packed, entertaining and funny. It does have some sad moments but overall it is so enjoyable to watch and it would be a shame to miss it.

Movie Monday: Orphan: First Kill #MovieMonday #Orphan #Horror

Today I want to talk about the movie Orphan: First Kill. I was really looking forward to see it and now when I watched it I can, with no regrets, say that it is the worst movie I’ve seen in years.

As a dedicated lover of horror movies, I was more than happy when I’ve heard that one of my favourites, Orphan, will get another movie, set in time prior then the original story.

I took the very first chance I got to go to the cinema with my friend and let me tell you, our expectations were high, but the feeling we had after we finished the watching can be described with only one word: disappointment.

However, the execution can be described with many words: lazy writing, plot holes, stupid characters, lack of motives, lack of explanations, cash cow, money and time waste.

The actors weren’t bad, but they couldn’t save the movie that was doomed from the start.

Overall, the movie was so bad it made me want to talk about it so everyone who isn’t sure if they would give it a chance would know that it would take my advice to save some money and skip it.

I was so let down by the movie that I am sure everyone in the movie theater felt the same, and now I wish we picked another movie instead of this one, but it is what it is.

I still am a great fan of the original Orphan and I recommend it with all my heart, but when it comes to Orphan: First Kill I do not recommend it at all.

Movie Monday: The Hating Game #MovieMonday #RomCom #Comedy

Recently I watched a movie I was so thrilled with and I decided to write about it here on Book Dust Magic. What I was so surprised with was the realisation that Movie Monday, a feature here on my blog, was posted for the last time more than 2 years ago.

I know I didn’t have time to enjoy films after I gave birth, but I still can’t believe I just let go on this feature that I loved so much.

However, the good thing is I have more time to watch movies (which means I am lucky if I see one movie per week), so Movie Monday is officially back.
Every Monday, from now on, I will bring you my thoughts of movies and sometimes series/shows that I watch.

Today I want to talk about movie adaptation for one of my favourite books: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne.

The Hating Game

Two years ago my life changed completely and it feels like for that time I have been hiding under a rock, when it comes to movies, tv shows and entertainment in general. It isn’t something I thought would happen and it seems like every day of my new life I am wishful for the way it used to be, for more free time just to absorb stories and enjoy myself time in front of tv (or computer).

I love movies, and I missed so much watching them. However, the good news is, life got little bit easier as my son isn’t an infant anymore, and we also changed our internet provider so we can again stream movies and tv shows without problem.

It is little embarrassing to say how I didn’t even know there would be The Hating Game movie until I saw reviews popping up on YouTube.

As the novel is one of my all time favourites (you can read my review HERE), I was more than happy to give it a go, and I am even more happy to announce that I really, really liked it!

This rom-com was everything I wanted and more, featuring beautiful Lucy Hale who portrayed Lucy so well. The actor Austin Stowell did also a very good job.

Because it has been five years since I read The Hating Game (I should really reread it at some point) I forgot so many little details from the story, so watching a movie felt like visiting a comfortable place, but not knowing what waits there exactly.
I am glad it turned out that way because usually, if I watch a movie when the book is too fresh in my mind, I end up comparing the two too much and my enjoyment is spoiled (this is why I choose movie before the book most of the time).

The movie was funny, relaxing, entertaining and I recommend it to everyone who likes to watch romantic comedies.

Movie Monday: A Christmas Detour – Sweet,festive daytime movie #Christmas #MovieReview #Monday #Festive

Movie Monday is a feature here on my blog, in which I’m rambling about movies I’ve watched lately.

Today I want to talk about a Christmas movie I’ve watched yesterday on tv. I enjoyed it and thought it would be a good idea to put some spotlight on this title.

A Christmas Detour

I did not plan to post Movie Monday feature today, because I haven’t watched any movie I wanted to talk about, but then yesterday I stumbled on one festive daytime movie that was showing on our local tv station, and I happened to like it and wanted to put some spotlight on this movie.

Since it is a picture from 2015, and it is a tv movie, I believe it’s available on most streaming services. You’ll have to forgive me, but I didn’t do a research for that.

While I was watching A Christmas Detour I had a feeling I was watching a Hallmark movie, but according to IMDb, it’s from another production.

However, if you enjoy Lifetime and Hallmark movies, you will love this one too.

The story follows four strangers who end up stuck together because of the storm. They all wanted to be in New York for Christmas but their airplane got cancelled and they ended up in a whole another country, snowed in.
As they get to know each other they also discover their own secret wishes they didn’t even know they had.

I liked the festive vibe through the whole movie. It was my favourite part.
Also, the characters were really likeable and I enjoyed watching them on their adventure.
And in the end, as a cherry on top, the love story was cute and just done right.

If you’ll have a chance to watch A Christmas Detour this season, I highly recommend you to do so!