Tag Archives: Nicole Kidman

Film reviews

Practical Magic 2 Review

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A sequel twenty-eight years later in which the magic goes up a couple of notches. There is more meaning and seriousness related to the powers and curses. Also, the lives of witches expand. Normalcy enters their lives, but there is still a curse. Directed By Susanne Bier, Practical Magic 2 is here. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are back as Sally and Gillian Owens. Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing are back as Jet and Franny. The lives of the witches do not change much. There are still morals, ethics, and respectful matters. However, it does not stop karma from happening and the exhilarating level of honor lingers in Practical Magic 2.

The twist in Practical Magic 2 is that now Sally is a mom. Her daughters are Kylie and Antonia (Joey King and Maisie Williams). Sally tries to protect her daughters from magical spells.  However, Kylie is in love with a boy named Gideon, played by Xolo Mariduena. Gideon suffers an injury that could impact his life. This is Kylie’s first love and she realizes she is cursed like her mother and aunt were. Someone she loves is facing death and she is under an inevitable spell. Therefore, Kylie goes to London to solve the mystery of the spells. 

It is not long before Sally and Gillian open their doors to the witch world again. They follow Kylie to London and hope their powers can help make a difference. They find the assistance of another mentor of magic named Ian Wright, played by Lee Pace. Soon more magic comes along, and there may be a chance for Kylie to save the man she loves. However, given all the  disagreements related to the sisterhood dynamic—the shield keeps appearing and the performances of Bullock and Kidman take over the central conflict. While this works, it sometimes felt like it dominated the writing. The film still has scenes where there are enchanting themes but then there are times where the themes cross into sad territory.

The film has momentary flaws, again involving magic. Despite the nonsense, it is still an enjoyable sequel that is slightly better than the first film. More modern subject matter was woven into Practical Magic 2. Not too much, but enough to be worthy including spells cast in many different directions. Bullock, Kidman, and King are the witches representing three modes of awesomeness. They spice everything up and play up the sisterhood vibe until it boils with magic seeking good. The curse may come and go, but that does not stop elements of positivity from shining in  Practical Magic 2. The film has a faithful context of wonder yet the writing could have been improved. In the end, there are layers of happiness to be found in Practical Magic 2. Two-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Holland Review

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Holland, Michigan, provides a happy, pleasant, old-school setting for this film. The writing thrives in Holland which is one of the best dark comedies so far this year. Directed by Mimi Cave, who effectively plays with fire by creating a vivid dynamic between those who tango. Holland is one of the best dark comedies of 2025. A lot of my fascination came seeing things in a new light. When there is a movie with actors including Nicole Kidman, Matthew Macfayden, and Gael Garcia Bernal, there is no doubt that characterizations will have illogical reactions.

The film focuses on Nancy (Kidman) and Fred (Macfayden) Vandergroot. Nancy is a teacher, and Fred is an eye doctor. They have one son, and his name is Harry (played by Jude Hill). Nancy is finding suspicious signs that Fred may be up to no good. There are frequent long absences and unexplained travel. These signs create a portrait that Nancy is having a hard time understanding. The brilliant part is the fact that Nancy wants to believe what she is thinking is not true and that she is overreacting, i.e., her suspicions are unfounded. The anxiety-producing side of Holland has an interactive approach that results in a grandeur of joy. Moving forward, Nancy has her friend Dave (Bernal) help her undertake some spying operations on Fred. They begin to see strange signs of dishonesty and more ugly truths. There is more than the audience will anticipate going on with Fred in Holland.

The valuable part of Holland occurs when things spiral indementedly hilarious ways. The performances of Kidman, Macfayden, and Bernal provide a bonkers level of enjoyment. While it seems like Macfayden is the antagonist, Holland is really about a town of full of hidden skeletons uncovered by a long road of discoveries. Holland is an intriguing and well-written satires that finds ways to test its audience. There has been mixed buzz around the film, but I was sold due to how it remains vividly in tune given all of it bizarre qualities.

This film offers a tale of wonders and a scavenger hunt for lies that do not want to be believed. What is it that Fred is hiding? What is it that Nancy believes? Why is the family in turmoil? The many answers are to be found in Holland, a one-of-a-kind comedy that is almost a home-run achievement. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Babygirl Review

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Nicole Kidman presents herself as someone who is voracious and power hungry. The title of Babygirl speaks for itself. Written and directed by Halina Reijn, the boundaries of the film go instantly awry. There is no filter to the film’s content or the norms to be violated. Babygirl is steamy! The more lines that are crossed, the more damage that is bound to be done.  Babygirl creates a dynamic where rules and superiors do not see eye-to-eye. Safety is only guaranteed when unwritten rules go unbroken. The writing has blurred lines in which violations lead to tension and the greater the risks, the more vivid the moments are. Babygirl is unlike anything I have seen before.

In the film, Kidman plays Romy, a well-known, successful CEO. She is persistent and always aiming to be at the top of her game. Her husband is Jacob (played by Antonio Banderas) and he works in the arts. The portrait is painted like they are one happy family until a young intern comes into her life. This intern is Samuel (played by Harris Dickinson) and he has a personality that is straightforward and belittling. He also plays his cards in a disturbing way to blindside. His nice guy attitude and his attention is irresistible for Romy. Soon, she finds herself in an affair with Samuel. With late night parties and secret hookups, Romy finds herself in bizarre place, both emotionally and on the job. It is only a matter of time before Romy and Samuel’s altered judgment lead to irreparable consequences.

As someone who grew up in and around professional business environments, Babygirl spoke to me and caused my head to swirl with thoughts about difficult workplace challenges. What are the penalties of making bad choices? Who is at fault? There is no positive advice in Babygirl. Both parties make poor choices, and the material portrays suggestive scenarios which are cinematically enticing and intriguing. The CEO status does not matter much in Babygirl, but the impact does.

The film has a theme of soul-searching which proves thought-provoking yet stressful and intriguing. The couple’s deep connection is morally wrong. The CEO’s ego finds itself in peril, and Kidman displays desires that she cannot control. Dickinson’s character has the upper hand as the dominant and Kidman plays the submissive. The competition for who pushes the boundaries harder is like watching a video game with two players trying to beat the levels of self-control.

The age differential causes lethal suspense in Babygirl. The writing focuses on the issues related to Kidman as a middle-aged executive and Dickinson as an evolving adult intern. There are ways in which both have an upper hand, but neither can escape the detrimental career and personal consequences of their actions. Babygirl is the death match of ageism played out in an office setting.

The entire film illustrates examples of the various violations possible in the workplace. The atmosphere and characterizations are bold and engrossing, especially when there are kinky games and threatening scenarios. The display of human darkness is immense and lead to on going instances of being blindsided.What will the outcome be for the CEO’s family? Will innocence and irresistibility lead to shocking and edgy discoveries?

Babygirl had me sold. It is a hard R with many revolving doors waiting to be opened. Kidman and Dickinson are a pair destined for extravagant destruction.  Audiences will be left thinking about how much reassessing will need to come into play givenhow out of hand the situation gets. Kidman and Dickinson are a combative duo fueling the fire with each other. Regardless of how insane it gets, it is superb. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.