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Film reviews

You, Me, & Tuscany Review

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A B-level rom-com that flies its way over Tuscany, Italy. It maintains a sense of a joyful adventure that finds a family vibe and keep resorting to love as the downfall. Directed by Kat Coiro, this is You, Me, & Tuscany. A setup where a woman’s life is in disarray, but she manages to find a loving family thanks to faking a situation. A joyful and silly film that somehow has proper chemistry to create a fulfilling side which feels touching.

With Coiro continuing to direct full-length films, she keeps improving her use of elements that make love feel spontaneous. That is how it is throughout all of You, Me, & Tuscany. Wonderful in moments, but also predictable. Overall, though, she is a director with a clever mind. Especially with the mix of Tuscany, Italy and bringing together a loving albeit mistaken family. 

The main character is Anna, and she is played by Halle Bailey. She finds herself on a messy adventure. She always struggles to keep her life together, yet decides to take a risk by posing as a fiancé. Later she finds herself at a Villa in Tuscany, Italy. The family loves her, and she begins to feel connected to Michael, played by Rege-Jean Page. However, Anna lies and says she is engaged to Matteo, played by Lorenzo de Moor. The family adores both, but Halle’s lies are the only things bringing her closer to this family. The truth is that she feels love for Michael, and not Matteo.

The boisterous setup allows for some positive moments to flow. There are scenes of cooking and festivities and not letting traditions down. Anna learns to confide in herself. The film’s writing is so set on Anna—she is the queen of faking things andcan sometimes find a gap in her illogical choices. The “illogical” side of You, Me, & Tuscany is average.

I found myself feeling mixed response to this film leading me to feel almost neutral throughout the experience. This is primarily because my fascination was so much in tune with the scenery around Tuscany and the culinary side. The dynamics attractedmy attention, but they were  mediocre.  The cultural side is the winning aspect of the story.

On a level of clarity, I felt the performances and appearances of Halle Bailey and Rege-Jean Page are the selling point of this film. Especially since both are A list cast members for this romantic comedy. They play the roles well, but the rest of the dynamic behind it is purely predictable, relying on vast scenery to impress its audience. I do appreciate how it portrays in its context someone coming out of their shell, but also, I feel that the backstory could have provided much more. This is a film that deserves a more dramatic, yet empathetic premise–not one based solely on a setup of deceit.  It picks itself up with everyone enjoying the company of one another. I guess no rejection is what makes this film rather attention grabbing. Overall, I remain neutral. Two out of four stars.

 

Film reviews

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Review

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This sequel is fun. It drags a bit, but fantasy keeps the momentum going. Directed by Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic Pierre Leduc, and Fabien Polack. They are all back after directing the first film of the series. This time they bring in more of the tunes for the experience to feel even more like the video game franchise. The result is a grandeur of colors with nostalgia. It is mind-boggling and full of adventures. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has lots of video game sound effects from the classics. There is a predictable plot, but that is what it is all about.

Chris Pratt is the voice of Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy is the voice of Princess Peach, Charlie Day is the voice of Luigi, Jack Black is the voice of Bowser, Benny Safdie is the voice of Bowser Jr., and Glen Powell is the voice of Fox McCloud. It is an adventure where Mario finds himself traveling to centuries in the universe with Luigi. It is also a film where Princess Peach is in peril, but also Bowser and Bowser Jr, are at the center of the conflict. The fantasy world of the Nintendo characters the world loves continues to be a treasure of creativity.

When I was watching this film, the many types of Mario video games kept circling in my mind. Since my first game console was a Nintendo 64, many memories came back to me instantly. I loved playing games including Mario Party, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, and more. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie felt like trip down memory lane. Especially given the adventures of Mario and Luigi dealing with Bowser Jr. with Bowser still the main enemy. The whole film has that good guy vs. bad guy setup—which makes it feel like a video game. Overall, the movie continues to have enough spice to provide entertainment for all ages.

It is a fun adventure, yet sometimes repetitive. I have no doubt that it will speak to Millennials. Gen Z viewers are also familiar with the video games that grabbed many people’s attention before their time. The ability to attract viewers from different generations makes The Super Mario Galaxy Movie joyful. I found myself feeling rather pleased about this fact throughout the movie. It is mostly witty and humorous, mixed with some dry moments. Still, the connection to the beloved video game kept my attention. Two-and-a-half out of four stars.

 

Film reviews

Wicked: For Good Review

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Wicked: For Good is an enchanting ride that is a continuation of the first film which was released last year. There are many special musical moments that fans will love. This time, however, there is a lot more exploration into The Wizard of Oz territory. The two witches are in their own spaces yet with a strong friendship that the songs highlight. Wicked: For Good brings wonderful glory to the big screen this holiday season. Director Jon. M Chu continues to bring the colors of the rainbow for audiences around the world. 

In the second installment, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) have been labeled with new identities. Elphabais referred to as the “Wicked Witch of the West” and Glinda has the title of, “Glinda the Good.” The friendship vibes between Elphaba and Glinda are still woven into the story, but the land of OZ finds itself in chaos. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) only cares about his public image, and he may not be the caring man he says he is. Meanwhile, power struggles are occurring between the witches while the land of Oz finds itself filled with many fanciful creatures.

In this film, audiences are introduced to more Munchkins, a Tin Man, and many animals. All sorts of things are set in motion in Wicked: For Good. The battle between friendship and power comes with choices. Overall, the territory is not easy to navigate. Wicked: For Good, is one of the most fascinating films of 2025. It dazzles with splendid scenes and looks closely at how hard it can be when friendship falls. I also felt the musical numbers went a step above in Wicked: For Good.

The song that captured my attention and warmed my heart most was For Good. This touching and memorable song reminded me of how people and lives change, but above all there is always good in human beings. When this number was performed, it created moving moments that brought back many vivid theatrical memories. It also reminded me of the incredible stage version of Wicked. Wicked: For Good took me on a ride to new horizons. The outstanding performances of Erivo and Grande will mesmerize audiences in this continued franchise.

The land of Oz remains a place of, but its turmoil is where the conflict lies. It provides the foundation and holds the key to magical musical moments. This is especially the case when trust is on the line, and the audience is trying to determine good vs. bad. Deep-down, the bad side is fueled by the various moving parts. I love Wicked: For Good because it reminded me how there is still time to change. Even when challenges in life seem unsolvable, we can remember the goodness in the people we are lucky to have or have had in our lives. For Elphaba and Glinda, they need to remember where it all began for them as friends. Moving forward, they must decide where their friendship stands.Find out in Wicked: For Good. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.