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Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Instant Family (2019) in Movies

Nov 18, 2019

Instant Family (2019)

2019 | Comedy, Drama

8.6

(24 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Surprise Treat

A couple looking to foster a teenager end up taking on an entire family of three. Instant Family will give you laughs, tears, and, most importantly, insight.

Acting: 10

Beginning: 4
The movie doesn’t exactly come out of the gates swinging. You’re meeting the couple for the first time and you see what their life is like pre-kids. I understand it’s necessary, but definitely not the most fun way to get started.

Characters: 10

Cinematography/Visuals: 9
I love how director Sean Anders decided to shoot the film. It’s not your average feel-good family movie. There is a real sense of struggle here, real pain, and Anders captures this in great pockets along with the more comedic moments of being a parent. Sometimes the fun and the pain are intermixed and it makes for some beautiful scenes.

Conflict: 10
All three kids within the family pose different challenges that the parents find themselves having to adjust to, besides the challenges of just being new parents. The parental-work-life balance is real and you’re exposed to all of that throughout the duration of the movie.

Entertainment Value: 8

Memorability: 8

Pace: 5

Plot: 6
The story itself is pretty straightforward and basic. Twenty minutes in and you pretty much know how it’s going to play out. Still, that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable of a movie.

Resolution: 10
The ending…man, that ending. I’ve only watched this movie once because that damn touching conclusion. Such a great payoff.

Overall: 80
I typically don’t gravitate towards movies with Lifetime plots, but Instant Family is a winner. It heartwarming, endearing, and real from start to finish. Surprise treat of 2018.

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Remy Tankel Carroll (36 KP) rated Gangsterland in Books

Dec 19, 2018

Gangsterland

Tod Goldberg | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry

5.0

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion). I enjoyed reading this book. The depth of the author's research is evident from the beginning. The gangster-speak, the religious references, the anatomical knowledge and more all add up to a thoroughly entertaining reading experience. The story starts as a typical mob tale...gangster kills good guys, gets shipped to another "family", gets new identity, etc. Where it gets interesting for me is when said gangster, Sal, is introduced to his new life. You can slowly see the battle between "good & evil" grow, like his old life and new life are fighting for control. The other characters are just as genuine, each playing a specific role in Sal's transformation. I'm looking forward to catching up with Sal and the gang in the next installment of the series.