Rosaline

Rosaline (2022)

Directed by Karen Maine

Screenplay by Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber

Based on the novel, "When You Were Mine" by Rebecca Serle

Based on the characters by William Shakespeare

Stars: Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Sean Teale, Kyle Allen, Spencer Stevenson, Bradley Whitford, Christopher McDonald, Minnie Driver, and Alistair Toovey

I will never learn. I need to stop watching the trailer of films, because it would be a hundred times better than the actual film. Knowing me, I would say that the same thing about another film that will ultimately disappoint me.

Hey. Remember that girl that was mentioned a couple of times in Romeo & Juliet? Well, somebody felt like that they should have a whole story about her. Rosaline (Dever) is dating Romeo (Allen) until fate steps in to push the "star-crossed lovers" together. Wackiness ensues.

Where do I begin? The moment I knew this movie was going to be garbage in when "This Will Be" was playing in the opening credits of the movie. Was this going to be the structure of Moulin Rouge! or Ophelia? It was the latter. Was this taken from a YA novel? Yes. My expectations sunk to an all-time low.

The movie was strange. It has the iambic pentameter of Shakespeare's word mixed in with modern language. It did not have the fun or charm to hold anyone's attention. There was a sassy gay friend and the "stoner" messenger. Okay.

Why Bradley Whitford in this movie? Why was Minnie Driver in this movie? Driver was doing the Lord's work. She was the only reason I stayed to watch this dreck.

Rating: 3/10

Short Term 12

Short Term 12 (2013)

Written and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton

Stars: Brie Larson, John Gallagher Jr, Kaitlyn Dever, Rami Malek, Stephanie Beatriz, LaKeith Stanfield, and Frantz Turner

This movie was recommended for me from Film Twitter. So, thank you for turning me onto this movie. I have never heard of it until earlier this month.

This movie tells the story of at-risk youth counselors Grace and Mason (Larson, Gallagher Jr)  as they try to navigate keeping their relationship private and helping the kids in their care.

LaKeith Stanfield was a standout in this movie. He was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his supporting performance.

The unlikely friendship between Grace and Jayden (Dever) was the heart of the film.

The performances across the board were solid. I had a problem with the third act of the film. It seems like Malek's character, Nate didn't have that much to do. I thought he would have a substantial role in the movie.

Rating: 7.5/10