Double Feature: "Aladdin" & "Ma"!

Over the past week I made a few trips to the movies, sat in two packed theaters, and saw two movies I was initially skeptical about.

I first saw Aladdin and wasn't sure how I would like it considering the original animated version is my favorite Disney movie. After seeing it, I have to say it is the best Disney live-action to date and had me smiling and singing the whole time. I personally loved Will Smith as the genie. I don't think anyone could ever do the genie as good as Robin Williams, which is why I really appreciated that Will Smith didn't try to recreate that genie but made it his own and brought in hip-hop influences. Mean Massoud was also fantastic as Aladdin and fit the role perfectly. Naomi Scott as Jasmine was a match made in heaven. One thing I particularly loved is they took Jasmine being a feminist to a whole other level and added my favorite song from the soundtrack, "Speechless". I loved watching her throughout the film. Something that took this movie from good to great was the sheer production value. The sets and production design were absolutely beautiful, it was breathtaking. The colors they used were so pleasing to the eye and really drew you in. This went hand in hand with the incredible costume design done by Michael Wilkinson. It accented every small detail and pulled it all together wondrously. If you love Disney, there's no reason not to love Aladdin.

Secondly I saw Ma, a thriller starring an actress I absolutely love, Octavia Spencer, and one I'm quickly growing to love, Diana Silvers. I'm not usually a big fan of horror/thriller movies because I don't think they're very well done, but sometimes one that I enjoy will come along. Ma was fun to go out and watch with my friends and something to talk about, the premise was great but unfortunately was under the terrible direction of Tate Taylor. Had I known he directed this before going I definitely would have passed considering he absolutely wrecked my two favorite books in their movie adaptation, The Help and The Girl on the Train. Ma was a wild ride no doubt and the acting done by most main parts is what took it to the next level and made it something I could actually enjoy watching. Octavia Spencer's acting was once again incredible as it always is, but what really surprised me was the acting done by Diana Silvers and Corey Fogelmanis. They were very committed to their performances and made it incredibly believable. It was also helpful that they were cast close to age so they didn't look like 26 year olds playing 16 year olds. Overall, the storyline was insane and some things really did throw me for a loop, but it could've been incredible if only they had a competent director. The one thing I took away from this was definitely to watch out for Diana Silvers, between Ma and Booksmart she's bound to elevate to superstar status within the next 5 years.

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