It Ends With Us review: Blake Lively and co-star are easy on the eye in hotly anticipated drama which is shallow and cheesy but with a dark hear
As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, let me tell you, these two games are absolute delights!
Verdict: Bland but beautiful
Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel “It Ends With Us,” a powerful depiction of domestic abuse, achieved tremendous success. It climbed to the top of the New York Times bestseller list and was translated into twenty different languages. Consequently, it has also been adapted for film, with Blake Lively portraying the protagonist Lily Bloom. The movie soundtrack includes hits from artists such as Lana Del Rey, Lewis Capaldi, and Taylor Swift.
The director goes by the name Justin Baldoni, and he portrays a strikingly attractive neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid in the show. In reality, it’s not typical for someone who resembles a Calvin Klein model to spend their days operating on brains as their day job.
Nor does anyone called Lily Bloom convert a derelict retail unit into the mother of all flower shops, while also looking like Blake Lively.
To be quite certain, it’s likely my Jewish grandmother had a friend named Lily Bloom, and she bore a strong resemblance to Danny DeVito.
Regardless of the novel’s cheese factor similar to a Camembert wheel or its shallow depth like a toddler’s wading pool, hold tight because an unexpected twist is coming up!
Initially, there’s a romantic situation to address. On the rooftop of an elegant Boston high-rise building, Ryle encounters Lily, who is thoughtfully contemplating far away. The reason for her melancholy is that her father has recently passed in a small town in Maine, and despite being a respected figure in the community, he was also a man who abused his wife.
Over time, I find myself falling for Ryle in a way that feels straight out of a romantic movie. We share laughter on rooftops, face unexpected challenges at the bowling alley, and let loose during karaoke nights. All the while, my confidante at the flower shop, Allysa (Jenny Slate), has swiftly transformed into my closest friend. The twist? She’s none other than Ryle’s sister! With this revelation, it seems fate has a script of its own written for us.
Ryle and Lily tie the knot, yet an unexpected encounter occurs prior to their wedding. This encounter involves Lily running into Atlas Corrigan, her former sexual partner, who happens to be Brandon Sklenar, a man once homeless but has now risen to become one of Boston’s flourishing restaurateurs.
Occasionally, memories from their teenage relationship resurface, offering additional insights. Isabela Ferrer appears reminiscent of an older Lily, while Alex Neustaedter seems to bear a resemblance to an older Atlas, though it’s important to note that such a transformation would require extensive plastic surgery. Let’s avoid getting too technical about it.
It seems clear that Atlas and Lily formed a strong connection during their teenage years due in part to shared experiences of witnessing their mothers being abused. As Atlas has grown older, his concern about the possibility of Ryle, Lily’s husband, being an abuser has increased. However, one might question whether these fears are justified or not.
Regardless of this film, other movies portraying domestic violence have a greater staying power in our minds and are far less visually appealing compared to it.
Verdict: Coarse but funny
As a woman who has navigated the complexities of female friendships throughout my life, I found Babes to be an engaging and refreshing take on the genre. The platonic relationship between Eden (Ilana Glazer) and Dawn (Michelle Buteau) is not only relatable but also provides a unique perspective that is often overlooked in mainstream media.
At dawn, Dawn is happily married and welcomes her second child into the family. In contrast, Eden finds herself unexpectedly pregnant after only one encounter with a man she admires. Unfortunately, this man tragically passes away before they have a chance to develop their relationship further.
The way this duo handles their adventures and provides mutual assistance forms the basis for the slightly chaotic humor in the story, similar to Bridesmaids (2011), but focusing on labor pains and breastfeeding instead of hen parties and wedding planning.
It Ends With Us and Babes are in cinemas now.
Another endlessly wise-cracking little robot? Zap me now!
While others may hold a different opinion, it seems to me that the movie industry could do without another comedy sci-fi spectacle derived from another video game franchise at this point. With more worlds like Pandora and Promethea to explore and yet another chatty, clever little robot, I’m all “zapped” out!
Still, Borderlands (12A, 102 mins, HHIII) at least has a sensible running-time — and an A-list cast led by Cate Blanchett, with Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis and, voicing the ‘hilarious’ robot, Jack Black.
The director is Eli Roth, better known for slasher films such as his 2002 debut, Cabin Fever.
In this story, Cate Blanchett portrays the fiery and dominant character, Lilith, with red hair. She journeys back to her native world, Pandora, on a quest to locate the missing child of the formidable villain Atlas (played by Edgar Ramirez).
In a disorganized world resembling a chaotic scrapyard, peace and tranquility could potentially be restored to this forlorn planet… if someone manages to unlock an enigmatic, elusive safe. However, who possesses the key, and is it worth our concern? I must admit, I wasn’t; but perhaps there are viewers who might overlook the obvious homages to other science fiction films (such as Star Wars, Mad Max, Guardians of the Galaxy, even Time Bandits) and discover something unique in this film. That, indeed, seems like a formidable task.
In The Instigators, a 15-minute, 101-minute film produced by HHIII, set in Boston and featuring authentic locations, Matt Damon delivers a commendable performance as Rory, a troubled ex-husband and father. Despite being classified as a comedy heist thriller, the movie doesn’t quite live up to its genre labels, offering neither significant thrills nor consistent humor. However, it does revolve around Rory agreeing to steal money from a corrupt mayor (Ron Perlman) on election night, in order to meet his alimony and child support obligations.
In this venture, an unexpected ally is the dismal ex-convict Cobby (portrayed by Casey Affleck), while the criminal mastermind who enlists them is portrayed by Michael Stuhlbarg, a talented actor who, however, seems ill-suited to his role as a vulgar, inked-up mob boss. Hong Chau does somewhat better; she plays Rory’s therapist who becomes entangled in the enterprise following the botched heist. To put it simply, the movie, helmed by director Doug Liman (known for The Bourne Identity) and co-written by Affleck, is generally as flawed as the ill-fated robbery itself.
Borderlands is in cinemas now. The Instigators is on Apple TV+.
Best of the Friday Games
By Peter Hoskins
Shiver me timbers! It’s pirate cats (and rats) of the Caribbean…
Cat Quest III (PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC, £15.99)
Verdict: Feline good
Ahoy there! Instead of “Yo ho ho and a bottle of… milk?!”, how about this rephrased version: “Ahoy, matey! Pirates, you say? But these aren’t your typical seafaring scallywags; they are feline pirates in the third Cat Quest game. Following their adventures in fantasy kingdoms, our whiskered mates are now venturing across the seven seas to find the legendary North Star treasure before a band of wicked rodents can get their paws on it!
Similar to the past Feline Adventures, the gameplay in this version is incredibly straightforward, bordering on being overly simplistic. Your feline protagonist navigates from one island to another, resolving basic puzzles and vanquishing oversized rodents using a cutlass, flintlock pistol, and cannon.
With each step forward, your gear becomes more advanced, preparing you for increasingly difficult tasks ahead. This is a common occurrence, but it ensures that you’re always well-equipped for the journey.
Here lies an abundance of Polish detail, yet the vibrant, cartoon-esque Caribbean setting of Cat Quest III is nothing short of impressive. The gameplay flows so smoothly it’s hard not to get hooked and continue on your adventure.
Additionally, this game is filled with endearing qualities, as it seemingly extracts humor from every possible cat or pirate reference. Indeed, it’s not an exaggeration to say that the game takes full advantage of these themes. Moreover, the game’s playful spirit extends to its characters and missions, making you grin from ear to ear at a dog who requests help in exchanging letters between two affectionate starfish.
The added advantage is that it’s straightforward to transition between solo and multiplayer gameplay modes, making for an enjoyable experience. I had the pleasure of playing with my three-year-old, marking one of his initial gaming ventures – he’s now all abuzz about pirate cats and villainous mice!
I’m sure that, when he goes asleep, he dreams, too, of one day finding the North Star treasure.
Cygni: All Guns Blazing (PlayStation, Xbox, PC, £24.99)
Verdict: Blast off!
As someone who grew up playing classic arcade games like Space Invaders, I can confidently say that Cygni: All Guns Blazing is a far cry from those simpler times. The game takes the core concept of a top-down spaceship battle and elevates it to new heights with its vibrant graphics and intricate design elements. While the original Space Invaders was a straightforward affair, Cygni offers an explosion of colors, speed, and thousands of relentless alien invaders that will challenge even the most seasoned gamer. It’s a testament to how far video games have come in terms of visual appeal and complexity since I was a kid, and it’s a must-play for any space shooter fan.
The narrative is remarkably cinematic too, not only due to its well-crafted animation transitions that narrate the backstory of our protagonist Ava, a resilient fleet pilot, but also because it portrays her struggle against overwhelming challenges in an engaging and movie-like manner.
The levels are brimming with intricate details and creative elements. As you move forward, troops march across the landscape below you, while colossal, awe-inspiring monuments loom up to obstruct your path.
If Cygni appears more focused on style than gameplay, there’s an element of truth to that perception. However, it’s not just about style – the gameplay is tactically engaging too. As you dash across the screen, you’ll find yourself making quick, strategic decisions – whether to boost your weapons or defenses, shoot upwards or downwards, and so on. This creates a thrilling experience where strategy meets fast-paced action.
As someone devoted to mastering Cygni, I must emphasize the importance of making the right moves at each stage. Entering Cygni might seem straightforward due to its limited maneuvers, all clearly outlined in a tutorial reminiscent of Space Invaders. However, don’t be fooled by the ease of entry, for as the laser blasts intensify, the challenge escalates significantly. Be prepared to persist, keep trying, and learn from each attempt.
Fortunately, you’ll find yourself drawn back, as the captivating cosmic battlefields of Cygni alone are compelling, yet conquering your way through them offers an even greater sense of fulfillment. It’s a single spacecraft against countless others. Alien, consider returning home.
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2024-08-09 04:21