"Queen Bees" (2021)

 "It will be funny!"

"We laughed--a lot!"

"It's so funny!"

My friends had heard this a lot, and the trailer certainly tried to promote this movie as a comedy.  I will attest that the group of movie go-ers in front of us did laugh throughout film, so would probably agree with the sentiments above.  I, however, have a much drier sense of humor, so I would not have called this a comedy.  

That said, I will admit that "Rom-Com" is probably the genre that fits this movie best.  The romance story line for this movie was good, the characters well-developed--or at least good enough for a Rom-Com, and almost had the makings for an all-around sweet, light-hearted escape.

Almost.

I have been trying to guess what happened.  Maybe the writers/movie makers took a detour in the midst of the otherwise solid movie because of compromises made behind the scenes; or maybe the choices were dictated by those who had a different vision from those who had the original concept; or maybe it was an attempt to add elements to make the movie conform to a particular standard genre; or maybe it was trying too hard to be funny (which isn't effective); or maybe it was a new writer/director/somebody trying out their wings and still growing in confidence and skill.  I'm not sure what it is.  I only know that the movie wasn't 100% cohesive, and the non-cohesive part felt forced.

Authors know that sometimes cuts have to be made if something isn't contributing to the bigger whole.  Sometimes those cuts are painful or difficult, but the end result is a better product.  I wished that that had been done because this movie had the makings to be a 9 out of 10.  Instead, I was left feeling that it had reached a 7.7.  

I think I would've loved what was done with the end credits, but my personal experience was marred a little by an unfortunate incident that happened within my specific movie-going experience; so, I can only surmise what I think the effect of the end credits would have been, and I think I would've loved it.

Positives:  The romance story really is quite sweet.  Seeing the friendships start to come together was also promising.

Suggestions for improvement:  read  "The Miller, his Son, and the Ass"

"Jungle Cruise" (2021)

I didn't know I was going to be going to the movies and didn't know a thing about this movie beforehand, but I don't mind going into a movie blind.  

For the most part, the movie did a good job.  Decent plot (8 out 10), although the plot-twist was fun because I didn't see it coming.  Acceptable characters (7.5 out 10, [although I'd add more to that rating for Frankie's looks]).  Gorgeous music--especially during the end credits (10 out of 10).  Action sequences (9.5 out 10).  Humor (8 out of 10).  All of the elements combined together created an enjoyable diversion that afternoon.  The scenery and set were wonderful (10 out of 10).  

But, aside from the music and the set, I don't know that there was much to make the movie standout (e.g memorable lines, captivating moments/scene).  That said, I'm definitely looking up that end music again.

"The Man Who Invented Christmas" (2017)

When a friend recommended this movie to me, I was intrigued and skeptical.  Intrigued because as a novel writer myself, I can relate to characters existing "in the room"--so I wanted to see how close someone else's view was of this.  (It was practically identical.  Nice.)  Skeptical because I wasn't sure how much of my own writer's experiences would get in the way of just being able to enjoy the movie.  While there were moments where I worried whether this movie's Dickens would lose a page or miss a deadline, the direction, editing, and writing of this movie quickly assured me that these common plot elements had no place here and would not be making any appearances in this film.  With only a fleeting moment or two to give such a worry place in mind, the worries were quickly dispelled, and I was happily able to just enjoy this movie.

This "retelling" of A Christmas Carol was well done.  It was nice being able to just follow Dickens's story along as he was creating it, and the interspersion of London came at welcome intervals.  There was a good balance of up and down moments, and of serious and comical story threads.  The music played to this wonderfully well--"amusing" music lest we take ourselves too serious for too long, and tugs of more serious tones lest the movie get too shallow or too silly--tugs assisted by art direction, of course.

I enjoyed seeing Mrs. Dickens' listening in.  Make-up/costuming with Dickens's red, sleep-lost eyes was noticed and appreciated.  The bright red cover of the finished book at the end.  Just the right length of movie, and suitable end credit music to help the audience reluctantly leave the world of Dickens to return home.  The two screens of historical note material was probably the best way to have done that--although, the movie did end with the line of eager customers at the store--a cozily lit store surrounded by snow and closed businesses--and a reading of the newspaper review in the Christmas-y parlor.

Well done.  Merry Christmas!