Mini Star Hop Goes to the Pictures

Remember to stay up to date with the world, listen to those facing atrocities and help spread awareness/donate where you’re able to.

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May is the month of my sister – Kylie. She loves a birthday and loves her own one on a whole nother level! Kylie is older than me, by 8yrs, and I am her favourite (and only) sister 🤭

I thought it would be fun to do another film version of one of Stephanie’s Bookverse “Mini Star Hop” challenges: Many Mood Reads!! ✨ Mini Star Hop Readathon July 2023. But, I thought it would also be fun to make it a challenge between siblings!

I gave Kylie the prompts so that she could recommend me films and my hope is to have a better average star rating for my choices by the end.

I didn’t do the “Over 2hrs” prompt… I got in a slump and I just decided not to do it.

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🌙 AMAZON ORIGINAL

Kylie’s Pick: Escape From Pretoria (2020)

rating: ⭐⭐⭐

So, Kylie didn’t really have a reason for me to watch this, just that she thought I would have an opinion… which like who doesn’t have an opinion after watching something?? Anyway, she enjoyed the film as she likes historical/”based on a true story” content. She also said that it was annoying that Daniel Radcliffe, who plays the lead Tim Jenkin, was “rather good” and I don’t know what she’s got against that man, but he’s known as a good actor 😂

I enjoyed the film as much as I could, in that I’m not overly fond of escape films. There is also a definite lack of consequence and I’m not undermining the true life consequences that Tim Jenkins and his fellow escapees faced, but the film doesn’t show those. The only consequence of this escape was the murder of a Black man, which was said in passing, and I’m not saying that we should have seen police brutality against these white prisoners, but I suppose I am also saying that… Like, the prison didn’t seem that bad in this film.

And to be honest, the actual escape was not that gripping. There was one lone night guard and he wasn’t good at his job, so when he was close to finding them I wasn’t that worried. I reckon they could have gagged that man and locked him in the cupboard.

I also looked into the three escapees and I don’t understand why they created the character Leonard, who is played by Mark Leonard Winter, as Alex Moumbaris’ life is not dissimilar. The only thing I could maybe think of is that Moumbaris was a staunch communist and his life after prison is not as “palatable” as the others.

Overall, it was pretty underwhelming, but the performances were good, but this rating is a bit higher because the production and filming were great.

Side note: Daniel Webber was lovely to look at!

✨✨✨

My Pick: Red, White & Royal Blue (2023)

rating: ⭐⭐

I thought this would be so much fun and I’m so disappointed. There were fun elements, but it was mostly just boring…

Alex (Taylor Zakhar Perez) and Henry (Nicholas Galitzine) had okay chemistry, but they were cuter when they were first getting to know each other and I enjoyed their long distance moments. Most of their time together was kind of boring.

A lot of the women around these two men, especially around Alex, were fun. I loved Alex’s secret service bestie Amy (Aneesh Sheth). But, I didn’t think that a lot of the characters had actual personalities. And it plays so much on stereotypes…

Also, Alex is a “working class boy”… does that mean something different in the US? That man’s childhood home is twice (if not three times) the size of my home. And how come in this utopian world, where both countries are run by women and everyone is completely okay with the first son and a prince of England dating, do I have to be triggered by Brexit?! Rude.

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🌌 ON WATCHLIST

Kylie’s Pick: Enola Holmes (2020)

rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

This was an absolutely delight!

I sent my sister a list of films that I compiled at the start of the year (Reading and Watching Plans || 2024) and she picked Enola Holmes because it’s a great film and it’s about a younger sister~

The plot was very fast paced and while some things weren’t fully fleshed out, it was so fun to see the different locations and events. Millie Bobby Brown was super charming as Enola Holmes and I enjoyed the chemistry she had with Tewksbury (Louis Partridge) – they’re adorable! I also enjoyed the blossoming relationship between Enola and Sherlock (Henry Cavill). Their sibling energy was lovely!

The graphics were great and Enola breaking the fourth wall worked so well. I did think that sometimes the music was a bit overbearing, but overall, this film is wonderfully shot/produced.

Overall, an incredibly fun and charming film. It also gets extra points for having Helena Bonham Carter just play herself, for Mycroft (Sam Claflin) being a weasel and for introducing us to Ethel (Susan Wokoma) – the icon that she is 💖

✨✨✨

My Pick: Palm Springs (2020)

rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I didn’t know much going into Palm Springs and I think that is the perfect way to watch this film.

Andy Samberg plays his typical lovable idiot in Nyles, a character that is perfectly paired with Sarah (Cristin Milioti) who is both more mature and also… not 😂. Samberg and Miloti have incredible chemistry and there were so many heartwarming moments blended through the humour and hijinks.

The time loop aspect is not repetitive and there are some beautiful conversations about relationships, loneliness, fear and anxiety. This film coming out in 2020 is rather poetic.

Palm Springs is a really great film that I would highly recommend!

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☀️ CONTINUATION/SEQUEL

Kylie’s Pick: How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

rating: ⭐⭐⭐

I’m amazed that this is the only animated/kid’s film on this list because my sister has a strong love for them! Her reason for me watching this was incredibly simple – dragons.

And I can’t fault that logic 😂

I enjoyed watching this, I thought it was fun and the animation is wonderful. Hiccup is a great main character to get behind and his friendship with Toothless is adorable and super heartwarming. This friendship is so important to this franchise.

I will say that no many of the other characters have a truly defined personality and there isn’t much character development for anyone but Hiccup. Although, I do have a very special place in my heart for Gobber, because hearing Craig Ferguson speak boosts my dopamine levels!

Unfortunately, as well, several highly emotional moments were undermined by how quickly we moved on or how little they were touched on after the event.

Overall, it was cute and action packed, but not as impactful as the first film.

✨✨✨

My Pick: Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)

rating: ⭐⭐

This one hurts.

I love Hocus Pocus and while I am nervous about Disney sequels, they seem to be better nowadays. But, no. This was so disappointing.

There was none of the original charm, fun and tension in Hocus Pocus 2. I did enjoy the “prequel” moment, Taylor Henderson as young Winifred was fantastic! I liked the three high schoolers, but they would have suited their own original film instead so that we could truly get to know them. Belissa Escobedo as Izzy was my favourite 💖

The plot was boring and most of the comedy didn’t really hit. It felt commercialised and more like a set than a real place.

Also, this is the Hocus Pocus world, so tell me why we didn’t get a single cute loser virgin boy??

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☀️ FREE PICK

Kylie’s Pick: Saltburn (2023)

rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5

I was definitely not expecting my sister to recommend Saltburn to me, but she said that she’d be interested in my thoughts. Kylie also said that it was the most bizarre film she’s ever watched in her life and that she had to watch it in three sittings, which to be fair I used that pause button a lot! She thought it was interesting and it has Richard E. Grant in it… although I don’t understand why she didn’t mention the queen that she is: Rosamund Pike 💖

This film is stunning! The lighting, the locations and the overall production are wonderful and incredibly evocative of the emotions the characters are feeling. You’re very much drawn in by the visuals and score.

The characters were interesting in their own way, but it was a little easy for Oliver (Barry Keoghan) to manipulate everyone. Felix (Jacob Elordi) and his family are so quintessential “British aristocracy” that it did feel a little boring… these people aren’t shocking, they’re just rude, broken, far too rich and disconnected.

There is a lot of shocking moments in this film, Oliver slurping Felix’s bathwater (*gags*) become a huge conversation starter on TikTok, but I was not prepared for some of the other moments. Venetia (Alison Oliver) was certainly correct in calling him a freak.

It’s annoying because Saltburn had such potential for a higher rating for me, but there needed to be a bit more substance. I hated that we had this “villain monologue” at the end where we’re shown all of Oliver’s underhanded actions/crimes, and it just felt juvenile and as if Emerald Fennell (writer and director) didn’t think we were smart enough to think for ourselves.

And I know it was weird and uncomfortable (an introvert’s nightmare) but it could have gone further. Not necessarily with the gross or outlandish stuff, but with the exploration of this elite family and the motivations for Oliver’s actions. Like I said, it didn’t have much substance.

✨✨✨

My Pick: But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)

rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

I wanted something camp and fun to watch and “But I’m a Cheerleader” was a perfect choice! The visuals are wonderful and they enhance the quirky humour so well.

I loved being a part of Megan’s (Natasha Lyonne) journey, as well as all the other teens at the school. That poor girl had no chance against Graham (Clea DuVall), I mean I’m kind of in love with her as well 🤭

Conversion Therapy is an incredibly cruel method of forcing people to conform to “heteronormativity” and I think that, while this is a comedy, this matter is handled well and there are some wonderful heartfelt and heartwarming moments 💖

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🌟 FREE PICK

Kylie’s Pick: The First Wives Club (1996)

rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5

Kylie’s reason for me watching The First Wives Club was simple: Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton. My sister is nothing if not consistent in her love of older women 🤭

Elise (Goldie Hawn), Brenda (Bette Midler) and Annie (Diane Keaton) are women who knew each other in University. Life has a way of passing us by without noticing which means a lot of friendships can be left behind. Due to a tragedy, the three women – now in their mid 40’s – find themselves back in each others lives and focused on the task of taking their useless (ex)husbands down!

The premise and hijinks were fun! Each woman was great and had very distinct personalities which made the heartfelt moments engaging. I was definitely rooting for these women to succeed. Maggie Smith was iconic, as per usual.

Even though a lot things happened, it did feel slow in places and not all the comedy hit. Overall though, I had a good time and felt warm and uplifted as the credits rolled 💖

✨✨✨

My Pick: The Tearsmith (2024)

rating: ⭐⭐⭐

I saw so many people saying that The Tearsmith is one of the worst films they’ve ever seen… and while this is not a good film, it was still pretty fun to watch!

The characters are somewhat one dimensional, but, in these types of films I’m not really bothered about that. The drama is what is keeping me seated and the drama was here!

The plot was quite disjointed in some places and the relationship between Nica (Caterina Ferioli) and Rigel (Simone Baldasseroni) could have been fleshed out better. Despite this, I do think we see their intentions and feelings portrayed well. And I liked how Adeline (Eco Andriolo Ranzi) was also Rigel’s friend and we were able to see a more rounded version of him due to his interactions with her.

Also, to all the people who are scandalised by Nica and Rigel’s relationship never watched Life With Derek or spent their teenage years on Tumblr 🤭

The main highlight was Anna, who is played by Roberta Rovelli, as she was a delight. She really cared for Nica and Rigel and was a great warm presence throughout the film.

While I had a fun time with the drama, there are several distressing themes in The Tearsmith, most prominently being child abuse and sexual assault, so definitely be cautious of the triggers before watching!

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Overall Thoughts

It is, with a heavy heart, that I crown Kylie the winner of this challenge 👑

My average rating for Kylie’s recommendations was 3.5⭐, while I gave my own choices 3.1⭐.

I’m happy for doing this challenge as my sister gave me a lot of different genres and some titles that I probably wouldn’t have gotten to. And it also showed that I probably shouldn’t get excited about films because a couple of my picks went so badly 😭

I will say, I think Kylie would love my picks!! Expect for The Tearsmith… I don’t think she would like it at all and would judge me for having a fun time watching it.

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Thanks for reading!

Whose film list would you prefer to watch?

I hope you’re having a lovely day and staying safe ♥