Reviews

I rarely write reviews.

My ADHD rarely allows me the comfort of spending too much time locked into 1 place or on 1 subject before my brain ping pongs onto something else.

I usually hate what I call "Hallmark" movies.

The overly sweetened, predictable & cheesy flicks that make me roll my eyes to the tune of "that stuff NEVER happens".

Frankly, I signed on because I've always loved Céline Dion. I discovered a random concert video of her when I was in high school. Growing up in "the sticks" with no cable - I rarely was exposed to much beyond my bubble.

The lyrics were in French & I had NO CLUE what she was saying, but I was a band/choir nerd & her voice was like nothing I had ever heard.

I was hooked.

And, seeing Outlander's Sam Heighan was part of the cast has never let me down yet.

So, I gave it a try & hope others do too.

It takes quite a bit for me to get immersed in anything - esp when I felt tingles of "Hallmark movie". I had a few brief moments of thinking a few things similar to other reviews of this movie, but the story & cast were able to carry me into their tale & I plan to rewatch it too!

(Especially since I bought it vs renting it - I had a hunch from the reasons I wrote above & for me, was right).

I know why people love the Hallmark channel.

Those types of movies usually makes my skin crawl & as soon as I see that stamp of "happily ever after" - it's a hard pass in my book.

Love Again may flirt with that type of genre but for me, today, the combo of music, cast, & story pleasantly surprised me.

Love Again got me past "Hallmark movie" vibes & helped me get that romantic escape we all can use from time to time.

Maybe's & "happily ever after's" were my friends for a few hours.

I think as cheesy as it sounds... like love, it has to be the right combination of things to work. Maybe I've never experienced it, Maybe I had it & lost it by my own hand & maybe I will never find a "happily ever after".

BuT, when I can escape from this chaotic world & my busy brain gets quiet long enough to enjoy a sweet romantic flick & I'm fangirl singing Dion's infamous lyrics as the credit roll - seeing Sam on what I imagine is a Scotland mountain in his kilt & "I heart Céline" t-shirt - yeah, It's a hard 10 for me this time.

Plus, I want to check out the original movie it was a remake from & maybe give the novel a look too!

I say - try it - it may not be for everyone but it says so much for me to have taken the time to watch it AND write a review about how much I adored the romantic getaway with Love Again.

The ONE positive thing I will say is the modern take on Jane Austen's Persuasion with Dakota Johnson cast as Anne Elliot was a great start.

BUT, that promising cast selection & the clever speaking with the audience was NOT Anne Elliot & it definitely wasn't Jane Austen.

I really enjoyed Dakota Johnson & think she's a talented actress but the Hallmark Channel meets Grey's Anatomy lipstick slapped this adaptation of Jane Austen's Persuasion was painful to watch.

I stuck with it ... but it was hard.

Much like Bridgerton, if the viewer is wanting a soap opera "lesser" period piece then this flick might hit the sweet spot, but if you are hoping for something more - take a hard pass!

I LOVE period pieces.

I've even watched some that were not so great but this was in a class all of its own.

I support and love the more modern remakes where diversity fights to be part of the story. But twisting a classic like Persuasion into mix of over sugared sweets mixed with soft porn is NOT what makes things modern.

Even if I had never read Persuasion and just took this as generic period piece - it would still be a fail in my book.

Please note that having a strong female lead AND strong female perspective (Jane Austen) doesn't mean the male cast members alongside the lead should be "less than"!

They were SO glaringly wrong for their parts that it made the whole movie feel that much more wrong.

I hate to pile on with the other reviewers but I can list only a handful of things I would recommend from this movie - the trailer & Dakota Johnson's performance BUT the writer was NO JANE AUSTEN.

I must preface with I'm a cat lover & fur parent to 1 furry love, I'm an artist that works in the medium of textile/fiber art, & I'm someone that battles every single day with mental health problems.

I kept going back & forth on watching this movie - the reviews seemed to be all over the map but the trailer kept calling me back. I took a chance - and so should you!

I tried explaining to my Mum how this movie moved me but I truly believe that a viewer either has to have an open heart & mind OR the viewer has battled some mental fog of their own - or possibly has a loved one that battles their days away.

It is mind blowing how the writer & movie makers/artist seemed to capture what it feels like - the highs & lows - the coping well (seeming normal) & the trying to hold it all together (while feeling like they're drowning inside)!

The story of the artist & his journey was new to me & has sent me on a path of not only learning more about Louis Wain, but finding another artist to be inspired by.

This movie is cute, funny at times, touching & absolutely gut wrenching at other times. It shows the healing powers of animal/pet therapy in helping people. It celebrates the beauty in nature, in learning - and in just looking at everything around us.

It's hard to describe how this movie was a hard watch for me while simultaneously making my heart smile. The artist being this film are genius & I can't recommend this movie enough!!

I adore this show - LOVE & LUST this show!!

As a creative being myself, I LOVE watching Bake-Off to catch the creative flow-over & over!

BUT The same review for most recent season of Bake Off seems to follow to Holiday edition, for me.

All the things that made me fall in LOVE with this series seems to fading to the background.

At first, Bake Off was a refreshing break from American art/cooking reality shows I adore this show - LOVE & LUST this show!!

As a creative being myself, I LOVE watching Bake-Off to catch the creative flow-over & over!

BUT All the things that made me fall in LOVE with this series seems to fading to the background.

At first, Bake Off was a refreshing find from MOST American baking shows... There wasn't over-the-top judges taking the spotlight from contestants & their talents. There wasn't co-hosts that outshined the contestants. There wasn't a lot of loud music, lights, giant countdown clocks & sensory assault that pulled away from the heart of the show. There wasn't catty drama from contestants or contestant montages showing them as "characters", etc

But over the seasons - the show seems to be shifting into all the things I HATE about most American creative competition reality shows.

What gives?

The judge's attempting comedy?

The comedians attempting comedy - PS, I LOVE British humor vs American comedy & the most recent comedy duo on Bake Off + Bake Off Holiday seem to try SO hard that it falls flat, for me.

Between the judges+comedian cohosts, the bakers & the awesome adventure into worldwide bakes - the art & skills needed to achieve these bakes - the individuality that each baker puts into their bakes seems to be less of the show's focus.

It's "nails on chalkboard" bad at times for everything other than the big tent environment/decor, the much loved iconic Bake Off music & the BAKERS!

Don't get me wrong, I respect & admire the judges. I love having the judges let their personalities shine. I love having comedian hosts (ps Mel & Sue=perfection).

But, for the love of the bake - please revisit the Bake Off beginnings format & stay there.