Ginger Dog

Fair movie with important statements but doesn't communicate them in the right way. Overly sexual and hard to follow the plot. But phenomenal acting and fantastic music. Got interested in this movie after seeing the trailer on Hulu. Do not go into this movie based on what the trailer shows. I was excited to watch something that told the story of a notable woman of color and addressed LGBTQ+ issues. Only one of those things happened. First off, the trailer shows numerous clips of Billie and Tullulah, seemingly suggesting that the movie will have some focus on their very real and historically accurate affair. None of that made it into the final cut. Queerbaiting much? There's very little of a true plotline to the film. Sure, it follows Billie's life and part of her career but there's a confusing layer of abstraction that gets muddled into the movie. It feels like the movie is trying to be a narrative AND an interpretive art piece at the same time but really should just pick a side. Doesn't work as both. The movie does make incredible statements about people (especially women) of color in the time period of Billie's life. There are a number of gutwrenching scenes and the acting is very very good. The music is spectacular, Billie was famous for a reason, and if not to watch it for the plot, the music is the next most important thing to see it for. There are a number of highly graphic sex scenes that I don't think needed to be included at all and minimally contribute to the already flimsy plot. The ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying. Not upset that I watched, but wouldn't watch again. Really just wasn't what I expected and the bisexuality erasure is a new low for Hulu. Definitely had the potential to be a captivating and profound movie that could've done even more justice to her story. Three stars for the acting, music, statements, and attempt. Minus two stars for everything else.

Overall an enjoyable movie with a fun and interesting plot. Miss Congeniality is in no way a cinematic masterpiece, but it's a quirky movie with good acting and is quite comedic. It has an interesting commentary on women's gender roles and women working in a male-dominated industry. The second half of the movie is really the meat of the plot and the most captivating part (aka once all the men and their remarks about women in changing rooms are gotten rid of). There's really no mystery to the investigation, it's not meant to be analyzed or tricky, just not obvious enough to be instantly predictable. Sandra Bullock is a phenomenal actress and with accompaniment from Michael Caine, it's bound to be a noteworthy performance. Good movie, enjoyable plot, a few laugh-out-loud moments, and makes something of a statement. Would recommend if looking for a laid back flick that can be thought-provoking but doesn't have to be in order to be enjoyed.

Not what I expected - but so much better. Having seen the trailer and being a bit of a sucker for simple comedy, I was so excited when I found out the film had been released on streaming platforms. I admitted that $20 seemed pretty expensive as streaming goes, but I was already set on watching it. Though, after reading some reviews and finding many people dissatisfied with it, I worried if it would be all I hoped for. Actually, it was way better in a very unexpected way. To start, I'll say this is really NOT a comedy. Some funny bits here and there, but I think it'd have more success as just a drama (dark comedy is even pushing it a little). Another important thing to note is that there's a lot to read into and analyze in terms of the plot and characters. It's not just a "family of grifters" but more a disjointed, toxic situation that speaks really well to trauma and manipulation. The film I think could be best appreciated by an audience that understands good metaphors, symbolism, and subtleties. Because really it's a movie about what defines connections between people (and to life) or relationships (and family). Poetic is the best word to describe it and it definitely got me thinking. And I think the queer touch even speaks more about the themes of relationships and warmth. While some said it feels forced or unnecessary, I feel that it adds a nurturing undertone and will certainly be enjoyed for the representation. Hands down a phenomenal movie with well-crafted characters, excellent performance, and unique storytelling. A true work of art.