trimblecali Reviews

XO, Kitty (2023– )

Started to go downhill mid-season

[6/10 · 25 May 2023]

I really wanted to like this. I was a big fan of To All the Boys (particularly the first one). Similar to how the movies started to go downhill over time, this show went downhill for me starting around the middle. It got a bit too convoluted and far fetched. It just turned it yet another soap team drama. I think the writing could have been a lot stronger. Especially the queen storyline with the main character could have been 100x more compelling if it was executed better. I also could not even deal with the whole principal/teacher/long lost son storyline. Another example of a storyline that could have been a lot more compelling if it was done better.

That '90s Show (2023– )

It's a fun show!

[8/10 · 24 January 2023]

The show draws on many elements of the original but still works for me. I grew up with that 70s show, so I loved seeing most of the original cast make appearances. They really fell back into their characters perfectly. Red & Kitty are main characters again and they're great. I personally grew to love the new characters and actors. I thought this was a fun and lighthearted watch. I liked this season better than the I liked last season of that 70s show. I hope it gets renewed! I think there's a lot of potential here. Definitely would love to see more appearances from the original cast if it does.

Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022)

Such an earnest film

[10/10 · 17 January 2023]

This felt very extremely authentic and endearing. As someone in my 20-somethings, I could relate to the themes explored in this film. Cooper Raiff is so wonderful and brings such a charm to his role. I'm very excited to see more of him on and off the screen. This movie was wonderfully made. It flowed perfectly and kept me engaged (something I can't say for all that many movies). The relationship between the main character and the young autistic girl really touched me. It was so sweet and heartwarming. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone. I will definitely be rewatching in the near future.

Violent Night (2022)

It works really well

[8/10 · 28 December 2022]

This movie is action-packed, funny and at times heartwarming. It incorporates many elements of notable Christmas movies such as Bad Santa, Die Hard and Home Alone. It also reminded me of Ready or Not a bit with the rich family bit. Yet it feels very original and not a copy of any other movie out there. These elements feel like more of a homage than a copy. Overall it's a very enjoyable watch and definitely will be fun to re-watch. David Harbour is perfect as this rough around the edges iteration of Santa. There was lots of potential for this to be cheesy or low quality but is a very well executed film. I highly recommend!

Glass Onion (2022)

Takes a while to get to the point

[8/10 · 24 December 2022]

My main issue with the movie is that the first hour felt extremely slow. There was a lot of setting up the characters and the world, but it was not particularly exciting. Also, the COVID of it all already felt somewhat aged to me. I know in a few more years it will feel even less relevant. Perhaps because this is a mystery movie and I was waiting for the real mystery to begin. Once it did, I really enjoyed it. There are some fun twists that are well done. Still, this one felt a bit more predictable than the first. Also the ending was not bad but not 100% satisfying. Daniel Craig is great in his role and Janelle Monae kills it. Overall, an enjoyable watch but not of the same par as the first.

The Princess Switch 3 (2021)

Wasn't wowed by the plot

[6/10 · 17 December 2022]

This film centers much more on Fiona, a character I didn't particularly like in the 2nd movie. This one definitely fleshes her character out but the mystery/heist plot didn't really work for me. I really enjoy the main two and their spouses from the first films and was bummed to see less of them. I'm still very impressed by how Vanessa Hudgens can make 3 characters feel like different people altogether. This is definitely my least favorite of the 3 and not sure I would rewatch. I will give this one credit for perhaps having the best switch and having the character joke about it. That part was more believable than the other two.

The Princess Switch: Switched Again (2020)

I thought it was gonna be worse

[7/10 · 17 December 2022]

It's not as good as the first but it's not a bad sequel. I think Vanessa Hudgens is so charming in the two lead roles. The third lookalike Fiona is definitely more cartoonish. I do agree the switch was more of a stretch this time, but I didn't hate it. Overall I enjoyed the plot and was happy all the characters remained (although a different actress playing Olivia). I will likely watch again when the holiday season comes around and after rewatching the first. I think if you liked the first, you will still enjoy most of this one. It's not by any means a perfect movie, but it's a fun and cozy time!

Something from Tiffany's (2022)

Zoey Deutch = modern rom-com queen

[8/10 · 14 December 2022]

This movie wouldn't have been half as good with our Zoey Deutch. She's so great in rom-coms. She's so charismatic and magnetic. This movie started off iffy. The dialogue is not the best. I was definitely expecting a Hallmark channel type of film. But it picks up after the first act and I ended up really enjoying it. It's not too corny and doesn't fall into an obscene amount of cliches. It was a very tame, safe rom-com that you can definitely watch with the whole family. It's also a movie that just so happens to be set around Christmas but it's barely mentioned at all so you can watch any time of the year.

Blonde (2022)

Yes, it's bad

[2/10 · 3 December 2022]

There's not much I can say that hasn't already been said about this movie. It's a disappointing and disgusting caricature of Marilyn Monroe. There are a lot of difficult scenes to watch but there is absolutely no purpose to them other than to show how hard her life was. A lot of people describe it as "trauma p*rn" which is very accurate. I couldn't even watch past the infamous talking fetus scene. I thought Ana de Armas did do a good job in the role but the writing and directly really didn't do her any favors. I feel so bad for Marilyn to be so abused and degraded after she has passed. This is not and should not be her legacy.

Don't Worry Darling (I) (2022)

I actually thought it was pretty good

[8/10 · 3 December 2022]

I obviously had a lot of expectations going into this movie. I know a lot of people didn't like it, but I actually thought it was pretty good. Florence Pugh is obviously amazing and I enjoyed all the other performances as well. Visually it is stunning as well. The big miss here is the ending. I think they fumbled the bag and missed opportunities to answer unresolved questions. Still, the move itself was pretty solid in my opinion. I even thought Harry Styles was pretty decent in his role. I do think without such a commanding lead performance from Florence, this movie would not have been half as good (in my opinion, at least).

Wednesday (2022– )

I feel like I'm the minority here

[6/10 · 3 December 2022]

Don't get me wrong, Jenna Ortega's performance was absolutely fantastic. She captures Wednesday's essence perfectly. Pretty much everything else about the show falls flat for me. The plot really doesn't work for me. It reminds me of the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Riverdale. It doesn't feel creative or inventive at all and just doesn't work for me. The whole "school for outsiders" thing plus murder mystery just wasn't a hit in my opinion. I also wasn't impressed with the casting of Morticia and Gomez and their relationship with Wednesday. Overall, it feels very YA so maybe it's just meant for a younger crowd.

Do Revenge (2022)

Modern day Heathers

[9/10 · 18 September 2022]

This movie is campy and fun. Reminded me a lot of a modern day Heathers. Yet it still feel original, which is rare to come across nowadays. It could have easily been corny but everything really works. Once I saw it was written and directed by the same person who made Someone Great, I knew it would be good. There's a twist halfway which I wasn't expecting. It changes the tone pretty quickly and feels like a different movie after that point. All the acting is fantastic (Camila Mendes, Maya Hawke, Austin Abrams) and everyone plays their role to a T. The music is also fantastic. Definitely recommend this!

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

It's missing something

[7/10 · 10 November 2021]

I felt this movie was missing a spark or real connection to get audiences hooked. There is a lot of cultural relevance to this case, especially today, but I didn't feel much of that portrayed in the film.

Black Widow (2021)

Brilliant

[9/10 · 20 August 2021]

I went into this movie with pretty low expectations, but ended up loving it! As many others mention, the character of Yelena is one of the best parts. Alexei is also a really fun character. It's a really rich story filled with great characters, great acting and great action.

iCarly (2021–2023)

What a reboot should be

[20 August 2021]

This show matured well. It is funny and feels natural (which is often not the case in reboots). It is comforting for old fans of the show who are not adults. I would definitely recommend.

The White Lotus (2021–2025)

A magnificent character study

[9/10 · 20 August 2021]

This show is an anomaly, there is not much plot whatsoever yet it is incredibly compelling every step of the way. If is a testament to great writing, acting and directing. The show teases a death in the first episode but doesn't make any references to it again until it actually happens in the finale. Heading into the finale, I genuinely did not know who it would be and it was hard to even make a guess. The ending is a bit divisive but i found it satisfying and realistic. I'm super excited for season 2.

The Suicide Squad (2021)

Such a fun movie

[9/10 · 20 August 2021]

This movie works in every way that the other one didn't. The characters are rich and the plot moves at a good pace. It's such a fun watch, I highly recommend it.

Birds of Prey (2020)

A lot of potential, but falls short

[6/10 · 20 August 2021]

The premise is good and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn is always amazing, but the film just lacked in many areas. There was not great pacing, story telling or chemistry. The villains were cartoon-y. I wanted more.

Waco (2018)

Fantastic

[9/10 · 21 July 2020]

I didn't know much about the Waco situation before watching this series. I feel like this was a great and authentic way to learn. It has fantstic storytelling, especially the acting. Very emotional at times.

Palm Springs (2020)

Unique and well done

[8/10 · 21 July 2020]

The writing, acting and directing are great. It's a very well done spin on a commonly used trope. This is definitely Andy Sandberg's best movie.

Ready or Not (I) (2019)

Refreshing take on horror/dark comedy

[9/10 · 16 July 2020]

This movie has a great tone and works really well. Samara Weaving is fantastic in the lead role. It keeps you guessing. The last act of the film is amazing, really cemented this as one of my favorite movies to come out in the past few years.

Rocketman (I) (2019)

Better than Bohemian Rhapsody

[10/10 · 15 July 2020]

It's sad that this movie got very little awards acclaim, just a year after Bohemian Rhapsody got so much praise. I think this movie has much better acting, storytelling, and costumes.

Santa Clarita Diet (2017–2019)

So underrated - I wish it would come back

[9/10 · 15 July 2020]

This show is HILARIOUS and keeps you hooked. There is so much action, you never know what will happen. It seems like a ridiculous show but I was obsessed while watching it. I am so bummed it got canceled. If you like quirky comedies, I highly recommend this. It's just so good.

The Hate U Give (2018)

Truly a must watch

[9/10 · 15 July 2020]

This movie is so incredibly important to watch. It takes you right into this world and allows viewers to really experience it. It's emotional but realistic. I can't think of a more relevant movie.

Just Mercy (2019)

Not as good as the book, but still worth a watch

[9/10 · 15 July 2020]

My absolute favorite book of all time is Just Mercy. The movie is good as well, but understandably doesn't fit everything from the book into it. I thought the acting was very good and the main story of Walter was just as compelling on screen as in the page.