Gladiator II Review

Ready to re-enter the Colosseum in ancient Rome? In 2000 Gladiator was released, the historical epic won five Academy awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe. Twenty-four years later director Ridley Scott has given us a sequel - Gladiator II. Scott had a mammoth task at hand, how do you create a sequel to one of the greatest films of all time? Gladiator II is a four-star exhilarating historical epic. It fails to live up to its predecessor, but that doesn't not mean it is a bad film or even an unworthy sequel. I greatly enjoyed the cinematic experience that is Gladiator II, in all its historically epic style! Read on for my full review, there will be minor spoilers.  Set two decades after the events of Gladiator, you may expect to find a free Rome ruled by a senate that answers to the people, as was the dream of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. a Rome that Maximus fought and died to reform. However, Rome is now ruled by young and cruel twin Emperors Caracalla (Fred He...

What I've Been Watching on Disney+ and Netflix

This week we got the very sad news that Cineworld plans to close its cinemas until 2021, the news was followed by the announcement that Oden would too be shutting except on weekends in some locations. Honestly, this news and the constant delays of films has really hit me. The cinema has always been the place I go to escape and since the start of the pandemic I've really missed this. Which is why the blog posts have been few are far between. But I have been watching a lot and I mean A LOT of content on Disney Plus and Netflix recently to fill the void. So, I thought I would share what I've been watching with you all. I would love to know what you have been streaming this year so please let me know in the comments.
Want to make Autumn a little more fun? Check out my Autumn and Halloween Bucket List by CLICKING HERE!

NETFLIX

Sweet Magnolias
2020-Present, 1 Season
JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott, Heather Headley, Jamie Lynn Spears, Justin Bruening, Carson Rowland, Chris Klein.

I am always looking for shows that are super cute just like my favourites Gilmore Girls and Hart of Dixie. But I have really struggled to find anything that lives up to them, until I discovered Sweet Magnolias. The show is cute, fun, romantic and has a little dose of drama. I watched it all in two days, it's that good. The characters are likeable and believable, and the narrative is simple but engaging. Plus, I have been a fan of JoAnna Garcia Swisher since privilege which aired in 2008, and she is just as great always in Sweet Magnolias. Season 2 has already been confirmed which is very exciting!  

Cursed
2020, 1 Season
Katherine Langford, Gustaf Skarsgard, Devon Terrell, Daniel Sherman, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Peter Mullan.

First of all, Netflix please make a second season. I decided to watch Cursed because Netflix kept recommending it and honestly, I was surprised. I really enjoyed the season. It is a little random in places, but I binged it so fast that I am now desperate for a second season. The show is a twist on the well-known legend of Kind Arthur, characters that we have seen over and over in shows such as Arthur, and Once Upon A Time. But cursed is anything but a repetition, it is a fresh take which makes it incredibly captivating. The weeping Monk (Daniel Sherman) is the most complex character on the show, honestly I want more just to see how he becomes the man of legend (If you've watched the show you'll know what I mean). If you are looking for a great fantasy escape, then cursed is for you. 

The Umbrella Academy
2019-Present, 2 Seasons
Robert Sheehan, Ellen Page, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Aidan Gallagher, Tom Hopper, David Castenda.

There is nothing quite like The Umbrella Academy. With its apocalyptic disasters, music incorporation and fantastic characters. The show follows the superpowered Hargreeves siblings, exploring their twisted childhood and vastly different adult lives. Each character is powerful in their own way and not because of their powers but because of the depth of writing, emotion, and characterisation.  This show is unique in every way. I love it. If I could write for a show it would be The Umbrella Academy. For more on this show please give my season two review a read (click here) because this is a show you don't want to miss especially when theres more to come. 

Can You Keep A Secret?
2019
Alexandra Daddario, Tyler Hoechlin, Sunita Mani, Laverne Cox, Kimiko Glenn. 

I randomly found this film on Netflix and I must admit I only started watching because I saw that Tyler Hoechlin was in it. But I am so glad I watched it because it is a light-hearted Romantic comedy that focuses on two well written protagonists. The film is hilarious at points and has a largely original narrative. The traditional cute meet is brilliant and acts as the catalyst for the rest of the film. I see no reason as to why this film didn't have a full cinematic release, but I guess that is just a sign of the times.  

White Collar
2009-2014, 6 Seasons
Matt Bomer, Tim Dekay, Willie Garson, Marsha Thomason, Tiffani Thiessen, Hilarie Burton, Sharif Atkins.  

I stumbled upon White Collar whilst looking for something completely different to what I usually watch. The show focuses on a con man that works with the FBI whilst carrying out side hustles. It is a really fun show that makes you want to know what happens next. Not only does it feature the talented Matt Bomer (my choice for the live action Hercules) but a well round cast and crew. There is a little bit of romance so if that's your thing don't write this show off. The best thing about White Collar is there are 6 seasons, so we really get to understand the characters and watch them grow which is something I love. Honestly a really cool show and there are rumours of a new season, so fingers crossed that becomes a reality. 

DISNEY PLUS

Disney Fairy Tale Weddings
2017-Present 
Allison Holker, Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, Disney Parks. 

So, this was one of the first shows I watched when Disney Plus was released. Not only do we get an exclusive look at what it is like to have a wedding at a Disney location we also get to see some of what goes on behind the scenes at the parks. Hosts Allison Holker and Stephen 'tWitch' Boss are so enthusiastic that it is hard not to get caught up in the Disney magic. The couples featured on the show are all adorable and their personal stories are so sweet. One thing you should know about this show is that it is EXTRA, and I mean extra. The weddings themselves are so stunning, sometimes there are performances from superstars at the receptions and sometimes characters make an appearance. I did however look at the price of a Disney wedding and I would say watch this show instead because it is pricey.  

Onward
2020
Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Octavia Spencer, Mel Rodriguez. 

Onward is by far the best Pixar film in recent years, I am so glad I got to experience it at the cinema before they closed. But good news if you missed out on this fantasy adventure film it is now available on Disney Plus. This film is so full of emotion that I promise you, you will cry at the end and you will love the whole film. It is so pure and wholesome that it reminds me of what made Pixar so revered to begin with. It is the perfect film to get engrossed in, to escape reality and embrace magic. You can read my Onward review by clicking here

The Mandalorian 
2019-Present, 1 Season - Season 2 coming October 2020
Pedro Pascal, The Child, Carl Weathers, Gina Carano, Emily Swallow, Temuera Morrison, Rosario Dawson. 

The Mandalorian is the only live action Star Wars Tv-show and it was an instant hit. This month the second season is set to release on Disney Plus which is certainly exciting if a little nerve-racking. If you are a fan of Star Wars and have not yet watched The Mandalorian you really need to. It is typically a western that takes Star Wars back to its roots. It is a stripped back addition to the franchise that focus on what was happening as a result of the Sith and Jedi conflict. It brings a simplicity to the universe in a beautiful and captivating way.  

Prop Culture
2020, 1 Season 
Dan Lanigan. 

If you are a movie fan like me, then Prop Culture is a documentary series you do not want to miss. The show takes us behind the scenes of movies, such as Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Offering insight into the props, costumes and locations used to create the onscreen worlds we all love. The show gives a platform for artists that normally remain in the background. However as much as I loved watching this show, I feel like each episode could have been a lot longer and the presenter Dan Lanigan was a little too much for me. That being said his collection of props is amazing but that also made me sad because props like the ones shown on Prop Culture should be in a museum for the masses to see not brought up by the minority that can afford to. 

Lady and the Tramp
2019
Tessa Thompson, Justin Theroux, Thomas Mann, Kiersey Clemons, Benedict Wong, Sam Elliot, Ashley Jensen, Janelle Monae. 

Lady and the Tramp is the first Disney live action remake made with the intention of being released on Disney Plus. It is a cute live-action remake, that I honestly wasn't very hyped for so I left it months before watching. But it's actually a pretty good film. It takes away all that was wrong and racist parts from the original and focuses on the cute. The dogs are actually real which if you are a dog lover like me means it is very easy to emotionally connect. Especially when the dog that plays The Tramp is a rescue dog. This is a great watch, perfect for a rainy Sunday afternoon.  

So, there you have it! There are so many great films and Tv shows to watch on Netflix and Disney Plus. So, while we can't go to the cinema we can work our way through the content on these platforms. Let me know if you have seen any of the shows or films on this list. 

Thank you or reading xx



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