Spoiler-Free Review of “Madame Web” in Theaters: Dakota Johnson Gives it Her All

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“I can see the future…kind of…”

Madame Web premiered on February 14th 2024 in theaters. The superhero action film stars Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O’Connor, Tahar Rahim, Adam Scott, and Emma Roberts. It runs for approximately an hour and fifty-six minutes.

After facing a near death experience, Cassandra Webb begins to show signs of clairvoyance as she realizes that it is her destiny to protect three young women from a villain connected to her past.

Here is the trailer:

Madame Web brings us another superhero film set in the Spider-Man universe, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

Dakota Johnson puts forth a valiant effort.

Honestly, I really wish she had gotten a better film. She was the BEST part of this movie. I’ve always liked her as an actress and thought she was truly exceptional here. Even though she had to work with dull dialogue and predictable plot-lines, she really was a likable character and I think that if the focus had been more on her and her actual origin story, I may have liked this one a lot more.

The rest of the cast was full of recognizable faces to be excited about as well. I really liked Cassie’s relationship with the three girls, but I’m not sure it was fleshed out as well as it could have been. There was some serious potential here though.

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

The nods at the time period worked.

This film was primarily set in 2003 and the music was great and on point. I think that this film really tried to channel this time period in an authentic way. In fact, I almost fell out of my chair at one cameo scene shown later in the film. I’m still excited about it! This helped lighten things up a little bit. There were a few scenes that were actually done really well and had me excited. I just wish there were a lot more of them…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

Messy and lacking in action…

This is billed as a superhero action film, right? Well, it needed A LOT more in that department, which was really frustrating. I thought the overall plot felt really messy…almost as if it were thrown together last minute. There were also certain moments that should have been fleshed out more so that the audience would actually invest in caring about these characters.

The dialogue was absolutely dreadful at times and the choppy editing gave me a headache. Sometimes less is more. I would have much preferred some simple fight scenes as opposed to that chaotic light show that was on display.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

I’m 50/50 on this one…

I don’t think this film was as bad as everyone is saying. It wasn’t good, but I’ve seen a lot worse and there were some redeeming moments here. That being said, I’m super frustrated because this movie could have been so much better and Dakota Johnson deserved that. Either way, that cameo was still the best part of the movie for me…

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Madame Web in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

This competition is killer…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My new young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

 

 

Spoiler-Free Review of “Persuasion” (2022) on Netflix: Dakota Johnson stars in this latest Jane Austen Adaptation

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“I almost got married once…”

Persuasion released on July 15th 2022 and is available to stream on Netflix. The Jane Austen adaptation film stars Dakota Johnson, Cosmo Jarvis, Henry Golding, Mia McKenna-Bruce, and Nikki Amuka-Bird. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-nine minutes.

After turning down a proposal from the love of her life, Anne is more than shocked when he returns years later.

Here is the trailer:

Persuasion attempts to bring a modern twist to Jane Austen’s classic, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Persuasion 2022 Spoiler Free 1

Images courtesy of Netflix

Beautiful cinematography.

This film was gorgeous to look at. The setting, the fashion, and the use of color really suited it well and channeled the time period. I almost felt like I was stepping right into a watercolor painting. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

Persuasion 2022 Spoiler Free 2

Images courtesy of Netflix

Dakota Johnson puts forth a valiant effort.

I thought she was absolutely charming as Anne and she saved this film in a lot of ways for me. She was quirky and fun to watch. I’ve been a fan of hers for a while and I thoroughly enjoyed her portrayal. In a lot of ways she had a Bridget Jones vibe going on and I think it worked in her favor to prevent this film from becoming too stale.

The Cons:

Persuasion 2022 Spoiler Free 3

Images courtesy of Netflix

The modernization of the dialogue was cringe-worthy at times…

Jane Austen has created some of the most beautiful strings of words ever. I love reading them and I love hearing them in the films and I was very disappointed when some of my favorite lines from the novel were completely distorted into empty phrases that were clearly meant to make the film seem more modern even though it was set during the original time period. This didn’t translate for me and honestly ruined some of my favorite moments from the book.

The chemistry also seemed off and awkward at times, but there were some redeeming moments here.

The film wasn’t that bad at all, but I would have enjoyed it a lot more if it would have honored some of the more memorable quotes from the novel for fans of the original novel. It would have felt more authentic and genuine. We don’t need to modernize everything…

So am I in or out?

Persuasion 2022 Spoiler Free 4

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in about 75 percent…

This film had its moments and Dakota Johnson really shined in this role, but the modern take on Jane Austen’s novel didn’t translate that well at times. I’m still always up for a Jane Austen adaptation, but I was just hoping for a little more here.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Persuasion in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!