movie

Rise of the Guardians – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2012 film Rise of the Guardians.

Story

A fun twist on the reluctant hero story with a better lineup than the Avengers. The story is fresh while still using standard superhero tropes. The worldbuilding is amazing.

Score: 1

Characters

Each of the characters had unique feel and character motivations. The actors did a great job, really throwing themselves into it. Even with a larger cast there was a lot of character development for all of them except Sandy.

Score: 1

Dialogue

Very quippy, funny, and isn’t afraid of being serious at the same time.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The animation has aged fairly well, there are some lighting issues and a few less smooth sections but it’s still very pretty.

The music is phenomenal and worth listening to if you ever need to get pumped up.

Score: 1

Fun

I saw this in theatres and loved it. This was the kids’ first time and they were glued to the screen. Everyone had a great time.

Score: 1

Overall

A classic animated film that has more heart and goes way harder than it needed to. The acting, writing, and music make this a family favourite and an all around fun movie.

Final Score: 5 Stars out of 5*

*A 5 star review doesn’t mean the movie was perfect nor that it is perfect for everyone but it is a movie I believe is as close to perfect as possible.

Cold Storage – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2026 film Cold Storage.

Story

A combination between zombie and disaster movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It strikes the perfect balance between expected plot and surprise twists.

Score: 1

Characters

I like that for once it’s the guy who’s overly talkative and a little bit of a mess. The girl is grounded and clever while still being dangerously curious.

Liam Neeson was extremely entertaining as the elderly expert that no one listens to until it’s too late.

Score: 1

Dialogue

The dialogue was fast, quippy, and smart. It managed to move the plot forward and create character development even while being sarcastic and funny.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The movie was gory, gross, and over the top, but it was well shot and interesting. Despite the dark locations, it was always clear.

The music was a little underdone and didn’t add much.

Score: 0.5

Fun

I love smart and quippy movies and this was a great horror/end of the world movie. It was cheesy but oddly believable. I watched it on my own and enjoyed it a lot. I’ll probably watch it again.

Score: 1

Overall

A terrifying, funny, and fascinating film. Filled with quips, gore, and Liam Neeson being awesome. More than worth a watch for horror fans.

Final Score: 4.5 Stars out of 5

The Princess Diaries – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2001 film The Princess Diaries.

Story

This was an interesting take on the My Fair Lady trope but without the bet. I like that the love interest is secondary but the angst and teen drama is still just as cringy as it was two decades ago.

Score: 0.5

Characters

The characters are fairly true to life for the teens while still being caricatures in a good way. It really reminds me of the early aughts.

The Queen is amazing and Joseph is absolutely perfect.

Score: 1

Dialogue

Quippy, fun, memorable, and most of all, it doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

The cinematography is good and the framing done well. The colours feel muted a little but that could be Disney+.

The music is excellent and supports the action.

Score: 1

Fun

This movie always makes me uncomfortable and then happy. The kids liked it and the rest of the family have loved it for years.

Score: 0.5

Overall

This is a classic movie with all the teenage angst of the early 2000’s. Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews are iconic and it’s a lot of fun to revisit these characters with my kids.

Final Score: 4 Stars out of 5

Fear Street: Prom Queen – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2025 film Fear Street: Prom Queen.

Story

The story plays out like a mediocre R. L. Stine novel without the creative deaths or any form of tension. The twist was spoiled part way through and copied from Scream.

Score: 0

Characters

Most of the characters were cardboard cutouts of 80’s slasher movies or teen dramas. The main character was interesting and I did like the gender swap of the lovesick friend.

Score: 0.5

Dialogue

The dialogue was decent if a little over the top. Some really cringy moments. It also felt like the villains had very little originality, and it would have been nice if someone had pointed that out.

Score: 0.5

Visuals and Music

The cinematography, gore, and overall camera work were great. Not too much shaky-cam. Some of the deaths were a little predictable and lacked the Stine flare.

The music was good, especially the soundtrack.

Score: 0.5

Fun

Even though I’m not a huge fan of the movie, it was fun in its predictability. It’s nostalgic, has a few Easter eggs for the other movies, and is an okay slasher.

Score: 1

Overall

A fun slasher with lots of nostalgia, both for Fear Street and the 80s. It’s not original and falls flat, but it’s a good time.

Final Score: 2.5 Stars out of 5

 Zootopia 2 – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2025 film Zootopia 2.

Story

The movie pulls from the buddy cop tropes but like the first, it infuses it with heart, empathy, and more than a dash of political commentary.

Score: 1

Characters

Making the main conflict between the main characters be fear of losing each other was not only sweet but a great continuation of their dynamic from the first movie.

The new characters fit well into the found family? pack? Fluffle!

Score: 1

Dialogue

There were a lot of good lines and callbacks to the first movie. The dry sarcasm and loving jibes never felt overdone.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

I was amazed by the snow and water. Disney has come a long way with its digital animation. The framing and cinematography were great.

The music was almost as epic as the first one.

Score: 1

Fun

This felt like coming back to a great story and not like a disconnected sequel. I had a lot of fun and the rest of the family loved it.

I really appreciated the social commentary and jabs at modern politics.

Score: 1

Overall

All the charm of the first movie with a whole new adventure. This feels like a perfect continuation and was done with respect and empathy.

Final Score: 5 Stars out of 5*

*A 5 star review doesn’t mean the movie was perfect nor that it is perfect for everyone but it is a movie I believe is as close to perfect as possible.

 The Wrecking Crew – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2026 film The Wrecking Crew.

Story

Estranged siblings, crime syndicates, and lots of violence. It was ridiculously formulaic with little new added.

Score: 0

Characters

I think Momoa and Bautista could make any character likeable. They are naturally charismatic. I wish the movie leaned more into their humour and dynamic.

The rest of the cast was great and they all did a wonderful job making a family dynamic.

The British villain with a French name was ridiculously boring though.

Score: 0.5

Dialogue

The exposition was delivered in small bits between action scenes and fun quips, perfect for this type of movie. When the mains actually opened up, it was very well done.

Score: 1

Visuals and Music

I found the fights focused a lot on shock instead of cool choreography but they didn’t use shaky cam.

The music was great.

Score: 0.5

Fun

The movie was fun but it’s definitely not for the faint of heart or kids. Both the 9yo and the 6yo were a little freaked out by the cheese grater incident. (We spent a lot of time talking through the stunts afterwards, which they loved.)

The adults liked it well enough but not sure we’d want to rewatch it.

Score: 1

Overall

A predictable action movie that relies solely on the charisma of its cast. Even though that charisma is massive, its still just an okay action movie.

Final Score: 3 Stars out of 5

Ghosted – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2023 film Ghosted.

Story

The story was a basic “civilian gets caught up in spy stuff” story with a few extra stupid choices.

Score: 0

Characters

Chris Evans could play anyone and be charismatic. This character was a real idiot with no concept of how relationships work. She was just as bad, but at least she had the excuse of being a secret super spy.

The villains were in desperate need of longer moustaches to twirl.

A lot of the background characters were extremely entertaining.

Score: 0.5

Dialogue

They made sure to get their money’s worth with the “Taxman” jokes. The couple fighting was not quite as entertaining as it could have been, but there were some nice quips.

Did you know he wrestled in high school? If not, his dad will make sure you know.

Score: 0.5

Visuals and Music

The action scenes were extremely well shot. Stable, clean, and with a very good pacing. That last scene with the rotating restaurant was awesome.

The music was great.

Score: 1

Fun

This was a fun, if forgettable, movie. The whole family liked it, but I don’t think we’ll be rewatching anytime soon.

Score: 1

Overall

Evans and Armas are extremely charismatic leads that are working with an utterly forgettable plot. Some of the cameos and background characters are fun and the action scenes are impressive, but overall it was forgettable.

Final Score: 3 Stars out of 5

A Keller Christmas Vacation – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2025 film A Keller Christmas Vacation.

Story

A nice fusion of European vacation movie and Christmas tropes. The family dynamic is wholesome and funny why still being believable. The story was a nice change from the usual formula.

Score: 1

Characters

Each character was flawed but lovable and despite some annoying choices everyone held their own and I never got annoyed when the movie changed focus from one sibling to another.

Score: 1

Dialogue

The dialogue was cheesy but had some hints of genuine emotion. I’m not going to be quoting this one but I’m also not going to cringe.

Score: 0.5

Visuals and Music

The visuals were okay but they managed to film on location and still make everything feel like it was shot on a sound stage.

The music was unintrusive but festive.

Score: 0.5

Fun

I’m not usually a fan of family movies that have a parent declaring they’re sick but this was handled well. It was nice that they didn’t treat it as an instant death sentence instead of a long term degenerative condition.

It was light, fluffy, and well acted. Everyone enjoyed it.

Score: 1

Overall

This is a family Christmas movie with a believable family dynamic and lots of fun moments. I think this will be in our yearly rotation.

Final Score: 4 Stars out of 5

Christmas at the Catnip Café – JenEric Movie Review

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Hello Cinephiles,

Today we’re talking about the 2025 film Christmas at the Catnip Café.

Story

Once of the most formulaic Christmas romances I’ve watched this year. It was extremely predictable.

Score: 0

Characters

The characters were cute. The male lead was charismatic and came off as a sweetheart. The main girl was mostly just lost and confused. Both were played well.

The animals really stole the show.

Score: 0.5

Dialogue

It shows how fast it was written that the dialogue felt unpolished. Almost overly scripted.

Score: 0.5

Visuals and Music

The location was great and decorating was amazing.

The music was lovely and nicely instrumental.

Score: 1

Fun

I really enjoyed this. It’s cute cats and cute people. The whole family seemed to enjoy it. The only issues I had were technical and can be attributed to Hallmark rushing these movies instead of talking the time to do it right.

Score: 1

Overall

A cute and formulaic holiday romance but let’s be honest, we’re watching for the cats.

Final Score: 3 Stars out of 5