Movie Reviews

Moana 2 – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2024 film Moana 2.

Story

This was a textbook hero’s journey structure, just like the first one. In many ways, it’s reminiscent of old Greek myths and makes me wonder if the movie feels more European than Polynesian. I’m not familiar enough with Polynesian story structures to be the judge.

Score: 0.5

Characters

The expanded cast of heroes were a lot of fun. I loved that they chose to make the unabashed fan a man and the genius engineer a woman. They were all very entertaining but the little sister was pure adorable.

I appreciate how consistent the characters feel, which has not always been the case with Disney sequels.

Score: 1

Dialogue

Lots of great jokes and pop culture references. Maui follows Genie and Merlin in breaking the third wall in the most enjoyable ways. Also lots of little jokes relating to the first one.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The water animation looks more real then I ever thought possible, the characters are vibrant, and the choice of camera angles was fantastic.

I’d heard a lot of complaints about the music but it was wonderful. Built off the first really well and Maui’s new song was so much fun.

Score: 1

Fun

This was fun from the first frame to the last. Everything moved fast and was a feast for the eyes. The kids saw it in theatres and have been anxiously awaiting the Disney plus release to watch it with me. They loved it just as much the second time, and my 5yo asked for the Bluray so he can watch special features.

Score: 1

Overall

This follows the mythic structure of the first movie while adding some amazing characters to keep it fresh. The music lives up to the first and the animation levelled up in the best ways.

Final Score: 4.5 Stars out of 5

The Santa Squad

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2020 film The Santa Squad.

Story

The movie was the first half of The Sound of Music or Jayne Eyre: nice lady comes into the house and shows the lonely father how to have fun while bringing joy to the kids. There didn’t seem to be enough of a motivation for the two leads to not get together and so the obstacles in the third act felt really convoluted.

Score: 0

Characters

The main female lead was so perfectly dressed and made up to be the mean girl that it took me a little to get to like her. Once I got past my preconceptions, she was extremely likeable and the chemistry between the leads was impressive.

We found the movie because we like Aaron Ashmore so it was no surprise that he was great.

I liked the autistic coded kids that were never treated as being lesser.

Score: 1

Dialogue

I was surprised by the kids’ dialogue, it felt refreshingly normal. The rest was what you’d expect from a Christmas romance.

Score: 0.5

Visuals and Music

The locations were great and the cinematography well done. I’m definitely annoyed by the over-abundant continuity issues. Then there’s the fact that they filmed in Ontario but had styrofoam snowmen that looked really fake.

The music was a little overdone and felt like it was trying to take attention away from the acting.

Score: 0.5

Fun

The kids were cute, the adults were pretty, and there was almost no angst. It was an okay movie. I enjoyed it but I’m not sure I’d want to rewatch it. The kids and family felt the same.

Score: 0.5

Overall

A stress free Christmas romance that’s worth it for the pretty leads and awesome kids.

Final Score: 2.5 Stars out of 5

Nominate for the Aurora Awards 2025

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The Aurora Awards, which are for Canadian science fiction and fantasy writers and artists, are open for nominations for the 2024 works! (Nominations are open March 2 – April 5) This means the LONG lists of eligible works are being narrowed down to 5-6 per category.

Once they have a list of nominated works, every single person who signed up and paid the $10 membership fee gets ALL the nominated works as downloads. That’s all the adult novels, YA novels, novellas, short stories, graphic novels, and related works (usually anthologies), so about 36 works, for just $10 CAD, which is a great deal.

Getting nominated for an Aurora Award is a BIG DEAL in the speculative fiction writing community. You get a nomination pin (only once, so I’m terrified I’ll lose mine!), and you’re part of an elite group of people. This would be Adrien’s first nomination, so my fingers are crossed!

Not only do Éric and I have quite the list of eligible works, but Pegasus (for his work last year in his kindergarten homeschooling, and the short story he wrote and illustrated) and Dragon (for the short story she wrote and illustrated) are eligible as well! By the way, nomination forms are not ranked.

How do you nominate?

  1. Go to this website: https://www.csffa.ca/members-home/
  2. Join, pay membership fee
  3. Nominate up to 5 works per category https://www.csffa.ca/members-home/nomination/

It would mean a lot to all of us if you’re willing to nominate us! (Categories are in alphabetical order by work)

  • Eligibility Category 1 – Best Novel
    • Monsters! Incidental Wedding Guests by Jen and Éric Desmarais
  • Eligibility Category 3 – Best Novelette/Novella
    • Red Day, Ere the Sun Rises: A Sun Speaker Story by Éric Desmarais
  • Eligibility Category 4 – Best Short Story
    • A Concert Tail by Jen Desmarais
    • Costume Magic by Éric Desmarais
    • Escaped by Pegasus Desmarais (age 4)
    • Funky Looking Chickens by Éric Desmarais
    • O Tannen-bomb by Jen and Éric Desmarais
    • The Hole in the Playground by Dragon Desmarais (age 7)
    • What Scares Pre-teen Monsters? by Jen Desmarais
  • Eligibility Category 6 – Best Poem/Song
    • Shadows Live for the Light by Jen Desmarais, found in Monsters! Incidental Wedding Guests by Jen and Éric Desmarais
  • Eligibility Category 8 – Best Cover Art/Interior Illustration
    • Escaped by Pegasus Desmarais (age 4)
    • The Hole in the Playground by Dragon Desmarais (age 7)
  • Eligibility Category 9 – Best Fan Writing/Publication
    • JenEric Movie Reviews by Éric Desmarais
    • Pegasus Flight School: Kindergarten education through genre media (second semester) by Jen and Pegasus (age 4) Desmarais
    • The Travelling TARDIS by Jen Desmarais

In case you’re wondering why Monsters! Incidental Wedding Guests is not included in the best cover art category, it’s because our cover artist is Vietnamese! Only Canadian creators are eligible, unfortunately.

Thank you so much for your time, attention, and support. If any of the above does make it through the nomination round, which ends April 5, I’ll be making another post for the voting round, which will be taking place starting in June 2025.

Spellbound – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2024 film Spellbound.

Story

The story felt very retro and a little like a made for TV special that is trying to explain emotions and divorce to younger kids. It was okay but missed a lot of opportunities to be more nuanced. It was also really slow to start with.

Score: 0

Characters

The parents as monsters were fun and the main character was your usual sassy but bland hero. The Oracles were fantastic and more interesting than the rest of the movie. I also really loved Bolinar although that felt forced to be comedy relief.

Score: 0.5

Dialogue

Glib and shallow, the dialogue was pretty unmemorable.

Score: 0

Visuals and Music

This was a beautiful movie. The art was great and the use of shadows was excellent.

The music was good and I wish there was more.

Score: 1

Fun

I was bored waiting for the inevitable quest but the kids loved it.

Score: 0.5

Overall

An interesting idea that turns out to be pretty predictable and with little for the older audience members. Fun side characters, lovely animation, and good music just aren’t enought to save this one.

Final Score: 2 Stars out of 5

Star Trek: Section 31 – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2025 film Star Trek: Section 31.

Story

A little Bond, a little Star Trek, some Fifth Element, a dash of Firefly, and absolutely no cohesion. This felt like a 2-part pilot episode that was turned into a movie. As hard as they tried to not be Star Trek, it was only the Star Trek elements that were interesting.

Score: 0

Characters

The characters were interesting and I’d love to watch them grow into more than pithy stereotypes.

The acting was way better than the script demanded and honestly each actor could have hammed it up but managed to play it straight and I’m impressed.

Score: 1

Dialogue

The dialogue spoken by lesser actors would have been laughable, but most of the time it worked. I particularly liked the “chaos gremlin” jokes.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The visuals were very clean and the special effects were great. The fight scenes were chaotic and used way too much shaky-cam.

Overall the music was good and I like the use of modern music in Star Trek when it’s used well. There’s one song that sings about a phone and it really knocked me out of the story.

Score: 0.5

Fun

It was predictable but I liked the characters so I did enjoy it.

I do have a continuity issue with it, however. Georgiou was sent from the 32nd century back in time. According to the star date at the beginning this happens in 2324. However, Georgiou originally came from season 1 of Discovery and that was in 2256. There’s sixty some years between them but San doesn’t seem to have aged 68 years. So how did he come to the future and how did he know she was going to be there? It really bugged me.

Score: 0.5

Overall

An interesting start to a series, but as a movie it lacks depth and originality. The only thing that saves it is the quality of the actors.

Final Score: 3 Stars out of 5

Back in Action – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2025 film Back in Action.

Story

It hits every beat of a spy movie and does a great job with the family drama. The story is a pile of tropes thrown together and avoids risk with the obvious set-up for a sequel.

Score: 0.5

Characters

Excellent acting and characters that are a lot of fun. Diaz and Fox have chemistry both as a couple and as a battle couple. The kids are well picked, and Glenn Close is an inspired choice to play Diaz’s mother.

Score: 1

Dialogue

Snappy and more than a few quips. It has a lot of humour and heart in the dialogue, although sometimes it felt like filler.

Score: 0.5

Visuals and Music

The visuals were great and the fight choreography was excellent.

The music sounded like someone trying to combine every spy movie’s soundtracks together. It was good but a little over-done.

Score: 0.5

Fun

This was a lot of fun but the “key” being still useful 15 years later felt like a stretch. The whole Mcguffin was a little over the top. It also could have been done better for the demonstration. Use it to take over Air Force One, or make the alarms at the tower of London sing showtunes. Lot of wasted potential.

That been said, the kids and the family liked it and we all hope for the the inevitable sequel.

Score: 0.5

Overall

A charismatic and excellent cast makes up for a hum-drum spy story. The heart is the family and that’s very well done.

Final Score: 3 Stars out of 5

The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star  – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2021 film The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star.

Story

Taking a completely different approach from the previous movies and making this one a heist movie was a great idea. It made the whole thing feel fresh without losing the Christmassy and romance vibes.

Score: 1

Characters

The new love interest for the third look-alike is nuanced and the history between them feels real. There’s a lot of slapstick with the minions and I felt like we didn’t see enough of the original look-alikes.

Score: 0.5

Dialogue

Some excellent double meanings and wonderful quips.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

Like the first two, filming on location made the whole thing pop and feel more three dimensional than a traditional Christmas movie. The little amount of CG was well done.

The music was catchy and fun.

Score: 1

Fun

I love heist movies, as does the entire family, and this didn’t disappoint. It had all the right pieces to meld the romance, holiday, and heist drama.

Score: 1

Overall

Now with a heist, this movie once again shows how good an actor Vanessa Hudgens is, while bringing in new elements and keeping the franchise fresh. If you liked the first two, you’ll love this one.

Final Score: 4.5 Stars out of 5

The Princess Switch: Switched Again – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2020 film The Princess Switch: Switched Again.

Story

Adding the third look-alike added a few interesting possibilities and it was well done. It thankfully didn’t get as dark as it could have and kept that light, angst free, Christmas feel.

Score: 0.5

Characters

Again all the characters are loveable, even the villains. Hudgens does a spectacular job at making us forget she’s playing 3 roles.

Score: 1

Dialogue

Lots of playing around with the three look-alikes and some adorable lines from the love interests. The scenes between the prince and the kid are some of my favourites.

Score: 0.5

Visuals and Music

Filming on location really pays off in this one. Scotland looks magical and the architecture seems to just fit perfectly.

The music was nice but forgettable.

Score: 0.5

Fun

Everyone enjoyed this one but it had a higher angst level and will be more fun in re-watching. The whole family liked it.

Score: 1

Overall

A great idea for a sequel with some nice twists but it isn’t quite as good as the original.

Final Score: 3.5 Stars out of 5

The Princess Switch – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2018 film The Princess Switch.

Story

A fun take on The Prince and the Pauper. Like the other early Netflix Christmas movies, it avoids too much angst.

Score: 0.5

Characters

The male characters are pretty and adorable, but it’s Vanessa Hudgens that rightfully steals the show. The adorable littler girl does a good job too.

Score: 1

Dialogue

Clever and cute with a few good social commentaries. I don’t think we’ll be quoting this one much in the future but it was fun.

Score: 0.5

Visuals and Music

Filmed at a real castle and in a place that gets snow so it was partially believable. It was however obvious that the majority of the scenes that weren’t bridging shots were filmed in summer..

The music was cheerful and unintrusive.

Score: 1

Fun

I expected a lot of awkward and angsty scenes but it wasn’t; it was fun and light and I really enjoyed it. The rest of the family felt the same.

Score: 1

Overall

A lovely Christmas romance with lots of flirting and little angst. Hudgens shows that excellent acting doesn’t have to only be depressing.

Final Score: 4 Stars out of 5

The Age of Tony (The Last Train to Christmas)

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2021 film The Age of Tony (The Last Train to Christmas).

Story

The story was fascinating and well set up, however the ending wasn’t great. They tried to find a middle ground between sappy Christmas movie and real life grit. It didn’t work at all.

Score: 0.5

Characters

Like most Christmas Carol style stories, the main character was a complete ass at the beginning and grows as the story moves along. The main problem with the likability of the rest of the cast is that we have no idea what happened to them, or if they even exist.

Score: 0.5

Dialogue

Excellent and wonderfully played. I was confused as to why every member of the family had different accents but maybe that’s a British thing.

Score: 0.5

Visuals and Music

The filmmakers did an amazing job at matching the style of cinematography from each decade.

The same can be said about the music, and although it was a little overdone at times, it was well done.

Score: 1

Fun

The ending kills any fun there was in the movie. It’s sentimental in all the wrong ways and I haven’t been as pissed off about an ending since the director’s cut of The Butterfly Effect (not that the cinema ending was any better).

All the adults agreed that the ending was terrible and the kids didn’t like any part of it.

Score: 0

Overall

This is a Christmas movie for those who don’t like joyful movies. It’s depressing and has one of the worst endings I’ve been forced to experience. The acting, music, and cinematography are fantastic, but they don’t save the film from being overly sad and downright horrifying if you think about it too hard.

Final Score: 2.5 Stars out of 5