Charlie St. Cloud (2010)
I first saw Charlie St. Cloud in theaters in 2010. I was fourteen-years-old. Still figuring out what life is all about. And seeing this movie made me come to terms about how short life is. There's this quote in the film that really caught my attention: "Don't put life on hold. It doesn't wait for you."
That quote has stuck to me for nearly 12 years.
The film is based off the 2004 novel "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud" by Ben Sherwood. In this review I'll only be discussing the movie and not the differences between the film and the book.
I first read the book around the time the movie came out and I still remember it as being the first novel other than middle grade I have ever read. I was hooked from the first sentence, and let me say, this book really got me into reading.
Teenager, Charlie St. Cloud, is on the fast track to success. His plan was to become a world famous sailor. But those dreams distinguished after his younger brother, Sam, is killed in a car accident. A car Charlie was driving. Charlie miraculously lived after flatlining for several minutes.
At his brother's funeral, he discovers that he has a gift. He can see, talk, and play catch with his brother. A spirit.
Fast forward several years later, Charlie works as a groundskeeper at the cemetery where his brother is buried. And at sunset for the past five years, he would meet up with Sam to play catch, a deal they made years earlier shortly before he died.
But then he reunites with an old classmate, Tess Carroll. Who was also a fellow sailor. Now, she is sailing professionally and is set to sail around the world.
Charlie sees what he missed out on and starts talking to her. Making him neglect his time with Sam because he was falling in love.
But when tragedy strikes, Charlie has a decision: Hold on to the past or let it go.
This is a beautiful movie that has the perfect amount of romance and brotherhood. It shows that holding onto the past can cause a large impact on your future and no matter how hard it is, it is best to let it go.
The film stars: Zac Efron, Amanda Crew, Kim Basinger, Ray Liotta, Charlie Tahan, Augustus Prew, Dave Franco, and Donal Logue
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Teen Wolf: The Movie (2023)
Remember "Teen Wolf"? No, not the 80's movie staring Michael J. Fox. The MTV show that spanned from 2011-2017? Of course you do! I remember when it first came out but I didn't really get into it until 2015. You can say I was a fanatic! And when they announced that "Teen Wolf" would be returning as a movie, I was excited but a little upset. The main reason being that I didn't have Paramount+. Then my sister just randomly subscribed to it one day and I was all set!
The movie is set at least 15 years into the future. The gang returns to Beacon Hills when an old enemy makes an appearance. And only a werewolf like Scott McCall can stop it, along with new and old allies. Together they must fight this evil force that may just be their deadliest mission yet.
We are once again greeted by fan favorites Scott McCall, Derek Hale, Lydia Martin, Jackson Whittemore, Allison Argent (ooh! She's returned from the grave!), Liam Dunbar, Malia Tate, Jordan Parrish, and many more. Including an unexpected new werewolf, Eli Hale... Derek's son!
Not only did this movie keep me on the edge of my seat the entire time, but it brought back the memories of watching a new episode on MTV every week. It was an amazing comeback for an amazing show.
Each twist and turn left you wanting more and two and a half hours didn't cut it! It's like "Teen Wolf" but for adults this time around.
PS. They drop the F-bomb and you see some nudity.
But it had all the classics that made "Teen Wolf" great. Including a killer soundtrack!
And if you didn't hear, writer Jeff Davis is now working on a new show for Paramount+ called "Wolf Pack"... and let me say that it feels like "Teen Wolf" for a new generation. Oh, and it's starring Buffy the Vampire Slayer! I'll definitely be watching the whole series.
With this movie, it was great to see what became of our favorite characters. The show ended with them leaving high school. But what about their lives outside of Beacon Hills? Who stayed and who moved on? This movie explains it all!