dphphuong Reviews

The Mother (2023)

Standard action movie, but with strong emotional beat

[9/10 · 13 May 2023]

It's definitely not Mission Impossible or even Extraction, but Jennifer Lopez's star power and chemistry with her costars are undeniable. The script is thin, the plot is quite predictable except for a certain character's death, and the action sequences could've been much stronger, but at the core, it's a movie about a mother's love and it works at that front.

Jennifer Lopez very much carried the whole movie with her emotional scenes. It also really showed her potential as an action star - even into her 50s. What she needs is a much stronger script because very few actors have that kind of commitment to the role AND charisma.

Halftime (2022)

Chaotic, but in the best way.

[9/10 · 14 June 2022]

If you watch this in June 2022, chances are you're probably aware of all the bad presses/social media hate that JLo has received surrounding this documentary (i.e. "rivalry with Shakira", "crying over Oscars snub"). Let's clarify this right away, all of the negativity was due to dialogues and scenes taken totally out of context for clickbait. Ironically enough, the media and societal treatment to JLo is one of the topics in this documentary, so it really drives home how after nearly 30 years in the business, this absolutely unfair, horrible treatment that people give to this woman remain nearly the same. But that adversity really puts into perspective of how special Jennifer Lopez - JLo - Jenny from the Block is. As it's said in the documentary, people really take her for granted. The documentary is chaotic because it juggles between her music, movie and personal life - but that's expected when you do a documentary about someone who can do it all successfully. One thing the documentary is very successfully at is showing how there's literally nobody else in the business doing what she does at her caliber. The amount of hard work, determination, stamina, strength and talent that it takes to juggles 3 and a half full time careers as a woman is insane. And yet, the industry hasn't been given her the recognition she deserves, and the hate from people that she receives due to misinformation is borderline bullying at this point. After watching this documentary, if you are a fan of JLo, you will grow to appreciate her discipline and drive even more. And if you are a hater, maybe you will take a look at how unfair you have been treating this woman - not everyone needs to be a fan, but one could really give credit where it's due and not fuel the hate.

Heartstopper (2022– )

A series that should've existed a long time ago

[10/10 · 6 June 2022]

This show is the cutest, and I can't help but imagine how different it would've made older generations feel if it existed in the past. I'm very happy that today's youth got to see LGBT love being treated in a tv show the same way as straight love is.

Dancing with Myself (2022)

Bad format, no chemistry between the judges

[1/10 · 1 June 2022]

I can't believe someone pitched the idea for this show in a room full of executives and they all thought it's a great idea. This show was doomed from the start. It's so boring, and if only the judges had more chemistry together... They all looked like they're over each other and just there for a paycheck. I love Nick Jonas and Shakira as musicians and I understand they need famous faces to draw in viewers, but not everyone has a personality for TV and they should've done a chemistry test between potential judges. I know their fans will not like to hear it but they are not a good fit. Hell, if this show can even make it to season 2, please change the entire format. And just get Vanessa Hudgens to replace Shakira, she has a fantastic personality that draws in viewers and bring Derek Hough back no matter what cost.