Wish Upon (2017)
Movie Watch
Twelve years after discovering her mother’s suicide, 17-year-old CLARE SHANNON (Joey King) is...
The Hidden Beach
Book
From internationally bestselling author Karen Swan comes The Hidden Beach, an addictive story of...
The World in Johnny's Back Garden
Book
Johnny didn't intentionally mean to get involved with, Maisie, the old lady next door. Rumours...
Trinkets
Book
Sixteen-year-old Moe's Shoplifters Anonymous meetings are usually punctuated by the snores of an old...
Trinkets Kirsten Smith Young Adult Theft Shoplifters Anonymous Rehabilitation
When Rose Wakes
Book
Her terrifying dreams are nothing compared to the all-too-real nightmare that awaits. . . .Ever...
The Mountain Lion
Book
Eight-year-old Molly and her ten-year-old brother Ralph are inseparable, in league with each other...
young adult coming of age siblings brother sister mountain lion
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Old School (2003) in Movies
Jan 25, 2021
Acting: 10
Beginning: 10
Characters: 3
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 5
One of the laundry list of misses for me in Old School. It felt like one big party movie which is fine provided there is some kind of conflict driving the story a la The Hangover. Because of the lack of conflict, I had no interest in rooting for the main character. Any conflict scenes that did exist felt forced and unnecessary.
Entertainment Value: 7
Memorability: 6
While there are a few memorable scenes that had me cracking up, the movie as a whole reminded me that I had seen better comedies. The wedding singer was hilarious as well as the funeral for Blue and I can think of at least two more strong comedic moments that had me cracking up. Unfortunately the sum of its parts didn’t really amount to much.
Pace: 4
Plot: 3
Resolution: 5
A resolution that didn’t really blow me away. To be fair, even if the ending had been better, it wouldn’t have been enough to save the movie as a whole. It was already too far off the rails at this point for me.
Overall: 63
Many tout Old School as a cult classic and I can understand why. There are quite a few moments that got the job done making me laugh. As a whole, it just wasn’t enough for me.
What it Feels Like For a Girl
Book
Thirteen-year-old Byron needs to get away, and doesn't care how. Sick of being beaten up by lads for...
Non Fiction Memoir Transgender
Gareth von Kallenbach (977 KP) rated Night School (2018) in Movies
Jul 2, 2019
This film surprised me in that not only does it bring the laughs but also has a really positive message. It has a recurring theme of second chances throughout the film. It also tackles learning disabilities in a really interesting and thoughtful way. I thought that yes at times it was cheesy but really stuck to the message of it’s never too late to realize your potential.
This Malcolm D Lee (Girls Trip, The Best Man) directed film definitely has it funny moments. Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish really know how to play off each other, even though I think the back and forth gets a little old by the end. To me the supporting cast (Al Madrigal, Rob Riggle, Romany Malco, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Anne Winters, to name a few) really do a good job and all have really funny moments. The best parts of the movie are when the Hart, Haddish and company are in school playing off each other. The film does repeat some jokes a little too much for me but overall laughed and like the positive message. I liked the originality of the story, even if its themes felt familiar. This may not win any awards but it was an enjoyable and entertaining comedy.