Tag: Drama

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Movie Review

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023) Short Movie Review

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar – Movie Review

Discover the captivating storytelling of The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. Watch this fast-paced movie on Netflix and be amazed.

First Reaction – The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is fast-paced and captivating storytelling.

Watch The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar on Netflix

ABC Film Challenge – Oscar Nomination – W

Director: Wes Anderson

Writer: Wes Anderson (Screenplay)

Writer: Roald Dahl (Story)

Cast

Plot: Chronicles a variety of stories, but the main one follows Henry Sugar, who is able to see through objects and predict the future with the help of a book he stole.

Runtime: 40 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar starts when Roald Dahl (Fiennes) introduces the incredibly wealthy Henry Sugar (Cumberbatch). Henry has inherited the fortune and is out of place with society around him. His fascinating stories led him to learn about Imdad Khan (Kingsley) and his incredible gifts.

Verdict on The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

Recap

This short movie follows a rich man who never earned his riches, but now he finds a way to remain rich. It leads him down a path where he discovers a way to stay rich, but it comes at a cost.

Best Parts

This uses Wes Anderson’s intense non-story style of storytelling, where the narrator barely takes a second to breathe. It elevates this story to be interesting around every corner and feel like we are watching a play. The revolving sets and stagehands appearing on camera make it feel great. We get fantastic performances, which play into the style of the movie. In the end, this showed the storytelling abilities of Roald Dahl to give us a captivating character in famous tales.

Final Thoughts –The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is an incredibly entertaining story.

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Movie Review

Sing Sing (2023) Movie Review

Sing Sing – Movie Review

"Sing Sing explores resilience through a prison theater group, highlighting the transformative power of art for inmates coping with long sentences."

First Reaction – Sing Sing shows the impact of long term prison sentences and how people cope.

Watch Sing Sing on Amazon Prime.

ABC Film Challenge – Oscar Nominations – Q (Adrian Quesada, Original Song).

Director: Greg Kwedar

Writer: Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Divine G, imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn’t commit, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other incarcerated men in this story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art.

Runtime: 1 Hour 47 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Sing Sing starts as we meet prisoner John Divine G Whitefield (Domingo). He is locked up for a crime he never committed and has found a purpose in a theatre group. John works with the other inmates facing lifelong terms in prison sentences.

The men come together to put on a show. They put aside their differences to make something meaningful in their limited time. However, they do face problems they never expected.

Verdict on Sing Sing

Recap

The movie follows a man who helps leads a prison theatre to help the inmates deal with their time locked up. He puts together a new show and brings the inmates together to help them express themselves after their mistakes.

Best Parts

The movie proves that people can always come together to make something special. It doesn’t matter if they have been locked up or are innocent facing a life they don’t have outside the walls. This has wonderful performances and shows this is a therapy, not a show stealing moment.

Worst Parts

The movie doesn’t put enough focus on the crimes they may or may not have committed.

Final Thoughts –Sing Sing has a good message about coming together.

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Movie Review

Coda (2021) Movie Review

Coda – Movie Review

Coda is a touching drama about Ruby, a teen balancing musical aspirations with her responsibilities to her deaf family and fishing business.

First Reaction – Coda is a brilliant drama.

Watch Coda on Apple TV.

ABC Film Challenge – High School/College Movies – C

Director: Sian Heder

Writer: Sian Heder (Screenplay)

Writer: Victoria Bedos, Stanislas Carre de Malberg, Eric Lartigau, Thomas Bidegain (Original Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: When the family’s fishing business is threatened, Ruby finds herself torn between pursuing her musical passion and her fear of abandoning her deaf parents.

Runtime: 1 Hour 51 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Coda starts when teenager Ruby Rossi (Jones) wants to follow her dreams in music. However, her parents Jackie (Matlin) and Frank (Kotsur), along with her brother Leo (Durant), are deaf. They run a small fishing boat and struggle with everyday life.

Ruby has been allowed to sing in the school show. However, it means more time away from the boat, and as the only person who can hear, she is needed to run the boat legally. She is left with a difficult decision, as her family doesn’t want to lose everything they have worked for.

Verdict on Coda

Recap

The movie follows a teenager in a deaf family who sees an opportunity for a better life but it means leaving her family behind. She is torn between her dream of music and a fisherperson’s life.

Best Parts

The story of a teenager left with a difficult decision about her future of chasing dreams or supporting her family. This is a brilliant story and addresses a lot of the problems that the deaf community faces in life. It shows everyday routines completely different to what we expect and even a job they are skilled at being put at risk. The performances are brilliant, and you can see why it was covered in awards.

Worst Parts

The randomness of the subtitles, sometimes the deaf conversations are subtitles, other times they are not.

Final Thoughts – Coda is a brilliant drama about chasing dreams and family support.

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Movie Review

Nickel Boys (2024) Movie Review

Nickel Boys – Movie Review

"Nickel Boys" explores the friendship of two African-American teens enduring abuse in a reform school, based on Colson Whitehead's novel.

First Reaction – Nickel Boys is an important, impactful journey.

Watch Nickel Boys on Prime

ABC Film Challenge – Oscar Nominated – N

Director: RaMell Ross

Writer: RaMell Ross, Joslyn Barnes (Screenplay)

Writer: Colson Whitehead (Book)

Cast

Plot: Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead, “Nickel Boys” chronicles the powerful friendship between two young African-American men navigating the harrowing trials of reform school together in Florida.

Runtime: 2 Hours 20 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Nickel Boys starts when two African-American men, Elwood (Herisse) and Turner (Wilson), meet at a reform school. They live in a world where the Civil Rights Movement has been happening, meaning they still get treated differently by some white people.

The boys are sent to the school because of a crime they never committed, leading to them learning to adapt while managing the abuse they face. While there they learn more of the horrors their ancestors experienced while growing up in America.

Verdict on Nickel Boys

Recap

The movie follows two African-Americans who are forced into a reform school for crimes they never committed. They suffer abuse and record their time in the school. However, they form an unlikely friendship, giving them strength to survive the horrors.

Best Parts

The movie is shot from the character’s point of view, meaning we rarely see the character on screen. It places us in their shoes so we can experience their journey. This gives it a bigger impact for the audience to understand how difficult it would have been at that time. The performances are brilliant, and the engaging storyline keeps us wanting to know what happens next.

Final Thoughts –Nickel Boys is a moving, impactful story.

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Movie Review

Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) Movie Review

Good Night, and Good Luck – Movie Review

Find out why Good Night, and Good Luck is a must-watch film. With brilliant performances and a powerful story, it's a true cinematic gem.

First Reaction – Good Night, and Good Luck has brilliant performances throughout.

Watch Good Night, and Good Luck here.

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ABC Film Challenge – Oscar Nominated – G

Director: George Clooney

Writer: George Clooney, Grant Heslov (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow looks to bring down Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Runtime: 1 Hour 33 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Good Night, and Good Luck starts as broadcast journalist Edward R Murrow (Strathairn) leads stories against the communist witch hunt. He challenges Senator Joseph McCarthy’s ruthless accusations, and his team provides proof of the witch hunt.

Meanwhile, the government is trying to keep them quiet and his team must find a way to prove their story. However, it tests them in ways they never imagined and could rock how America has acted over the years.

Verdict on Good Night, and Good Luck

Recap

The movie follows broadcast journalist Edward R Murrow on his battle against Senator Joseph McCarthy. He wants to expose his communist witch hunt and free the American people from their scary-mongering.

Best Parts

The standout side of this movie is the performances, we get wonderful performances from the whole cast. When it comes to the story, we get to see how America was put in a position of trying to censor journalists and the ripple effects of that. Finally, looking at how communism was treated is shown here and how badly people would let things get out of control.

Worst Parts

The story does have interesting points, but it also struggles to do enough to get us to understand the impact of what was happening at the time. It was a witch-hunting season and nothing seems to come from the bigger picture on show.

Final Thoughts –Good Night, and Good Luck has wonderful performances, but the story can struggle to keep up.

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Movie Review

Love the Skin You’re In (2025) Movie Review

Love the Skin You’re In – Movie Review

"Love the Skin You’re In is a meaningful film about self-acceptance, confronting the past, and the importance of personal growth amidst challenges."

First Reaction – Love the Skin You’re In has a nice message and shows expressing feelings can bring people together.

Where to Watch

Love the Skin You’re In (TVOD Release 2/3/26)

Director: Kenn Michael

Writer: Sauda Johnson-McNeal (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Sauda Johnson-McNeal
  • Obba Babatunde
  • Flor Delis Alicea
  • Blythe Howard
  • Jaqueline Fleming

Plot: A successful career woman seems to have it all: compassion for others and a family legacy she’s proud to protect. But when her estranged father returns and the women’s center she runs begins to crumble, old wounds resurface. As her people-pleasing spirals, therapy helps her confront the past and find the courage to say no and choose herself.

Runtime: 1 Hour 47 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Love the Skin You’re In

Recap

The movie follows a successful career woman whose achievements become questioned when her estranged father returns. Elsewhere, the women’s centre faces an uncertain future. With a massive opportunity coming her way, she must face her past problems to succeed.

Best Parts

The movie explores the daily struggles of face up to the previous troubles in life. It shows the bigger impacts they take on people’s lives despite their achievements. Elsewhere, we get a series of strong performances which bring the movie to the next level. Meanwhile, the strong message about understanding more complex people is important to show a higher level of patience.

Worst Parts

While the story is important battle to show how important it is to never give up on yourself is strong. It doesn’t seem to hit the bigger impact the story would like to achieve. This isn’t making it bad, it means it doesn’t stand out as much as others.

Final Thoughts –Love the Skin You’re In has a big message and shows you can achieve more by embracing your past.

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Movie Review

Presence (2024) Movie Review

Presence – Movie Review

"Presence" is a creepy movie about a family haunted by a spirit in their new home, creating tension and revealing insights into their lives.

First Reaction – Presence is a creepy story.

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Writer: David Koepp (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A family becomes convinced they are not alone after moving into their new home in the suburbs.

Runtime: 1 Hour 22 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Presence starts when Rebekah (Liu), Chris (Sullivan) and their children Chloe (Liang) and Tyler (Maday) move into a new dream home. However, Chloe begins to sense something around the home, as her past haunts her mind. It starts to cause a strain in the family dynamic.

However, the rest of the family sees the events and the household searches for answers. Meanwhile, the spirit is watching over the family, not trying to cause any problems.

Verdict on Presence

Recap

The movie follows a spirit watching a new family move into its home and begins watching them. However, the family searches for answers, which could cause bigger problems within the household.

Best Parts

The movie uses haunting of a home through the eyes of the spirit. It follows them around the home, giving them a glimpse into the new family life. This is a unique and interesting spin on the haunted house story. Driven by the performances which carry the movie to the highest levels.

Worst Parts

The family drama does take over more often than need be. It holds back the spirit, trying to understand what is going on in its life. There is never a big enough scare factor, as suggested.

Final Thoughts –Presence has a creepy atmosphere, but it drags along with drama.

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Movie Review

Code 3 (2025) Movie Review

Code 3 – Movie Review

"Code 3" explores a burnt-out paramedic's final shift, showcasing the challenges faced in emergency services while delivering strong performances and relatable struggles.

First Reaction – Code 3 is an excellent reflection of daily struggles.

Director: Christopher Leone

Writer: Christopher Leone, Patrick Pianezza (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Follows a paramedic that is so burnt-out by the job that he is forcing himself to resign, however, he first must embark on one last 24-hour shift to train his replacement.

Runtime: 1 Hour 44 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Code 3 starts as we meet burnt-out paramedic Randy (Wilson). He works with Mike (Howrey) and is assigned students to help them learn quickly. The latest student, Jessica (Carrero), must learn quickly, as Randy has little patience for students. However, Randy’s methods show the paperwork problems with saving lives.

As Randy tries to escape his job, he knows the next step would take too long to achieve and reluctantly continues his role. However, his life changes when he gets a new job and must finish his final shift.

Verdict on Code 3

Recap

The movie follows a burnt-out paramedic who desperately wants out of the job. His dreams come true, but he must make it through a final shift with a rookie on board.

Best Parts

The movie highlights the daily struggles paramedics go through trying to save lives. Elsewhere, it shows the problems in the hierarchy and the treatment they give each other. The performances are brilliant and reflect the problems they are going through in a midlife crisis. Where the movie shines in showing how different people react to paramedics, some with cheering, others with hatred.

Final Thoughts – Code 3 is an excellent movie highlighting the struggles of paramedics.

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Movie Review

Dear Evan Hansen (2021) Movie Review

Dear Evan Hansen – Movie Review

Discover the power of self-discovery and acceptance in Dear Evan Hansen, a Tony and Grammy Award-winning film adaptation.

ABC Film Challenge – High School/College Movies – D

Director: Stephen Chbosky (Wonder)

Writer: Steven Levenson (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Film adaptation of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical about Evan Hansen, a high-school senior with social anxiety disorder, and his journey of self-discovery and acceptance after a classmate’s suicide.

Runtime: 2 Hours 17 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: the movie starts as we meet the socially awkward Evan Hansen (Pratt). He struggles to get through each day at high school, using letters to himself to focus his mind. However, most days he is alone at school, barely noticed, until a chance clash with fellow outsider Connor (Ryan) changes his life.

When Connor signs Evan’s cast, he doesn’t think much about it. However, a tragic event sees Connor kill himself and Evan becomes seen as his only friend. Connor’s parents turn to Evan for stories about his life, and Evan struggles to tell the truth, finding himself drawn into a world he never felt comfortable in.

Verdict on Dear Evan Hansen

Dear Evan Hansen is a musical drama following a socially awkward teen dealing with a change in his life. After one of his fellow students commits suicide, he finds himself becoming the centre of attention. While he struggles with the new spotlight, he does see the good it does for other people struggling with mental health problems.

This is a movie which shows how difficult growing up during a newer high school era. It shows how disconnected people have become through changes in technology, which leaves people incredibly alone in life. This touches on suicide and how it can be caused by loneliness and how it could be prevented with a connection. It is an important subject to discuss and helps prepare everyone to learn people are always going to be different in life.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Dear Evan Hansen shows the struggles to understand life extremely well.