I’m not a huge fan of musicals to begin with, but this was especially not it.

I was distracted just trying not to look too closely at Ben Platt’s adult-but-maybe-teenage-if-you-squint-hard-enough face.

Many songs felt out of place, like it was a movie that wasn’t supposed to have musical elements where characters in a scene just stared at the lead while they sang.

Jungle Cruise had strong “girlboss, gaslight, gatekeep” energy. Haha women should be able to steal indigenous artifacts too! Haha gay men carry lots of luggage! Haha militaristic German antagonists in submarines!

But I mean, I guess it’s fun if you put yourself in the mind of a child who can’t think that deeply about it — Frank and Lily’s characters vibed well together and there was always something going on.

Cruella was visually exciting with pretty wardrobe and set design, but there were at least 20 minutes in the middle of the movie that could have been cut or condensed without impacting my plot engagement.

Minari heart-wrenchingly explores the meaning of family and cultural roots, with well-timed humor throughout.

The quiet moments speak the loudest, evocatively depicting the loneliness, racism, and economic struggle lurking behind the grand promises of the American Dream.

I was especially moved by Han Ye-ri's performance as Monica. A must watch.