Emma
Jane Austen adaptations are really a dime a dozen. There are stand outs and there are those that are screaming out to be made, again, maybe. But 'Emma' wasn't one of them. Surprisingly this is Austen's most adapted novel and is very unlike all her other stories. The major exception is that Emma Woodhouse is wealthy and stays so throughout. She's also rather full of herself, at times selfish, rude and careless. But those are only her bad qualities, she will happily share her good ones. Although we've seen Emma very often on the big screen, small screen and the youtube screen, this fresh faced adaptation is a very welcome addition to the collection. Not only do you actually feel the 'heat' between Emma and Knightly (Emma Approved also gets this chemistry, but its modern day) but you also feel like connection between Harriet and Farmer Roberts which is a new and again welcome exploration (again except in Emma Approved - which deserves its own post really). A fine film which I really wish was given a better chance at the box office. 4/5
Issi & Ossi
As Netflix originals go, they are hot and miss, BUT I think this sort of rom-com-dramady gets it just right with a simple but convoluted set up and equally confusing execution with two great leads. Rich girl Issi who isn't academic in any way wants to go to go a fancy cooking school BUT her parents don't want that. Boxer Ossi is stuck working in his mum's ill fated petrol station and losing time training for a big fight as well as trying to keep his recently released grandad from turning to crime again. He needs money to make his big career making fight to happen, she needs a 'dodgy' boyfriend to annoy her parents SO they make a deal. But like all rom-coms with a similar deal set up, you can guess what happens next, well except Ossi's grandad's rap career taking off. It's light, silly in all the right places and such an easy going watch, especially in these lockdown depressing times. 3/5
A beautiful documentary about life long friends supporting each other through their transitions. My full review is over at Vulturehound and can be read
HERE. 5/5
Ralph Breaks the Internet
As Pixar sequels go, I will always watch Toy Story, although I think that story is done now, I never liked Cars or its spin offs, literally the worst and I liked Monsters University, thought it was hilarious and clever despite obvious plot issues. But Wreck-it Ralph, which I didn't think was the strongest films in the bunch, was an odd one to give a sequel to. I still think it. But two best friends on a journey together with self discovery and very funny jabs at Disney and every inventive way to show the internet behind its scenes, it wasn't bad. But that virus making worm guy will haunt me for sometime. 3/5
