Booksmart

"Booksmart" is a fresh, funny take on traditional coming-of-age movies. It's "Eighth Grade" meets "Lady Bird" with a new comedic spin. This movie is Olivia Spencer's directorial debut, and she certainly delivers! "Booksmart" is about two academic girls, Amy and Molly, who, on the night before graduation realize that they've been missing out on sheer fun throughout high school. After working tirelessly to get into the best colleges, Amy and Molly realize their peers have gotten into a the same prestigious schools without sacrificing fun. Naturally, in true high school fashion, the pair decides to cram 4 years of fun into one night. As someone who was very studious and type A in high school, I strongly related to this film. 

Many elements set this movie apart from other coming-of-age films. There is such an array of well-developed characters that veer from traditional teen archetypes. What sets this movie apart from other high school films is it depicts experiences that people actually go through in high school. It felt believable and honest. This was due largely in part to the terrific cast. The chemistry between all of the cast members was palpable. Beanie Feldstein (you may remember her from "Lady Bird"!) and Kaitlyn Dever star in the film, showcasing their dynamic energy as best friends. 

"Booksmart" feels like a modern John Hughes movie, which in my book is very high praise. It incorporates a lot of traditional coming-of-age elements, such as teen angst towards parents and unrequited love- however done so in a modern context. It is progressive and inclusive, highlighting issues modern teens experience. It was great to see teenage girls as lead roles that are so unapologetically themselves. Their world and self-worth doesn't revolve around high school hierarchies and social status. We are exposed to a high school world with strong and powerful female friendship, as well as a student body of diverse students with different sexual orientations. This film works on so many levels. The script is superb. The scenes are fast-paced and witty, leaving the viewer captivated the entire time. I highly recommend this as a fun summer flick! 

Pose

Although I've exclusively written film blogs in the past, television has made significant strides in the past few years. The lines between movies and TV are getting more blurred as time progresses. Television content is currently at the highest production level it has ever been at. It has a few advantages over film, such as long-form story telling. Therefore, I feel it appropriate to include periodical reviews of TV shows on my blog.

Let me begin with a bold statement: Ryan Murphy is a television god. In my last semester of college, I had the privilege of interning at an entertainment public relations company in Los Angeles. A huge part of my role throughout this internship involved assisting at red carpet events. When I was assisting at one of these events, I practically had an out-of-body experience when Ryan Murphy walked past me. I've really learned how to keep my cool while interacting with various celebrities, but I was simply starstruck by Ryan Murphy. He is known for creating, writing, directing and producing shows such as "Glee", "American Horror Story", "American Crime Story", and most recently, "Pose".

While I have always admired Murphy's work, I believe his most influential work to date has been for his most recent show, "Pose". This show came out in June of 2018. It has been critically lauded and was even nominated for a Golden Globe for "Best Television Series - Drama". It depicts life in New York City in the late 1980s. It's primarily centered around the African American and Latino ball culture of this time. These balls were places where queer and trans people of color could gather to "walk" for prizes. (I highly recommend the documentary "Paris is Burning" for further insight into the balls). It also touches upon subjects such as the rise of the yuppie, life in the height of the AIDS epidemic, and more. Not only is the cast comprised of Ryan Murphy long-time favorites such as Evan Peters, but has the largest transgender cast in the history of television. The show demonstrates the juxtaposition of wealthy white men and queer minorities in late 80s NYC. Characters grapple with challenges ranging from sexuality and self-identity to simply finding a way to access the basic necessities of daily life. Family dynamics are rewritten as house mothers take in lost souls such as Damon, a young man who was kicked out his home because he is gay. These houses compete at the balls, dressing to the nines and showcasing their attitudes. Although the characters consistently face tragedy, "Pose" serves as a celebration of life.

This show has glamour, ambition, and a lot of heart. Murphy isn't afraid to touch on subjects that others shy away from, such as what it's like to love someone with AIDs, and losing your family as a teenager after coming out. My favorite character in the series is Pray Tell, played by the wonderful Billy Porter (you may remember him from his iconic tuxedo dress worn at this year's Oscars). The show is as daring and full of extravagance as he is. Pray Tell is the emcee of the balls, calling out "and the category is..." as participants fiercely showcase their looks and attitudes. The cast of characters truly make this show. Viewers are exposed to many unique and heartfelt storylines. "Pose" shines a light on the transgender community in the wake of ball culture. Many people are unaware of the existence of ball culture. "Pose" gives a voice to a community that has not had a strong presence on television before. Not only is this culturally significant, but the show is simply downright entertaining. Every element that makes for good television is there. It is beautifully shot. The costumes are glamorous. The acting is superb. With season one being only 8 episodes total, I highly recommend bingeing this before season two airs later this year.

Belated 2019 Academy Awards Thoughts

Although it has been some time now since the 2019 Academy Awards, I find my mind still wandering back to that night. In the years that I've had this blog, I've centered my content primarily around award season and critically acclaimed cinema. Since moving to New York in the fall and working in fashion public relations, my love for pop culture and movies has taken a back seat. With the high pressures of the fashion world, and just trying to keep up with the fast-paced life of city living, I've struggled to maintain a good balance in life that allows me to experience things I enjoy most- and a huge part of that is film.  Between fashion previews and commuter rush hours, I've been neglecting this blog simply to keep up with my surroundings. This introduction has been more personal than any of my previous blog content has been, but I felt it necessary to provide context for my inconsistencies.

Without further ado, let's go back in time now to February 24th, 2019...

As you may recall, this year famously had no host. A particularly strange sequence of events took place leading up to this year's awards show. The Academy decided at the last minute to retract their decision to not broadcast every single award. Then, drama around this year's host ensued as Kevin Hart stepped down as the host after making homophobic remarks. This was a big factor of this season's show. People were unsure of how a host-less Oscars would pan out. Personally, I immediately didn't take much issue with this fact. While a good host provides a lot of crucial elements to the show, there have been plenty of years that I found a host somewhat distracting. As it turned out, no host- no problem! The show went very smoothly without a host. In fact, it was nice to see some variety this year. For example, Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, and Tina Fey lightened the mood by roasting the Oscars. It allowed for the show to clip along at a good pace. I enjoyed the overall tone of the show this year. Freeing itself from the traditional format allowed for the show to have a fresh feel.

Straight out of the gate, the Oscars started off strong this year. With no host, everyone was unsure of how the ceremony would begin. The audience was immediately welcomed to the 2019 Oscars with a killer Queen performance (see what I did there?) featuring powerhouse Adam Lambert. The audience was on their feet and were having a ball (I promise to keep Queen puns to a minimum now). As for the awards themselves, let's start by discussing the biggest award of the night. Much to my dismay, "Green Book" took home the award for Best Picture. I know I'm far from the only person disappointed by this win. The movie is based on a true story about the friendship between a black classical pianist and his Italian driver as he tours the South. This film felt as if it spend two hours telling a 30 minute long story I did not do a separate blog post on "Green Book," but my overall consensus was that it felt like a very outdated film, and quite frankly, it bored me. It ironically had "Driving Miss Daisy" written all over it - this shouldn't be where films are at three decades later. Branded as a racially progressive story, this film felt condescending to me, as well as many other viewers. Tony, the Italian driver, transitions from a man throwing away glasses used by African Americans to an expert on African American culture in the blink of an eye. The saving grace of the film was Mahershala Ali's performance as concert pianist Don Shirley. His acting is perhaps the only part of the film that felt heartfelt and genuine. He breathed life into a complex character. We saw how Shirley struggled with his own identity over the course of the film. With that being said, I was exceptionally pleased that Ali won an award for Best Supporting Actor. Now that I've lauded Ali's win for Best Supporting Actor, I want to express my extreme joy over Regina King's win for Best Supporting Actress. In a previous blog, I praised her magnificent performance in "If Beale Street Could Talk". (By the way, the biggest snub of the year was this movie not being nominated for Best Picture). Not only was I pleased to see King graciously accept an award for this performance, but I was pleased that several black women received awards over the course of the evening. Although the Academy has a ways to go with recognizing minorities in the industry, it was nice to see more diversity in the wins this year.

Rami Malek won Best Actor for his role as Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody". I personally thought he was most deserving of this award. Christian Bale is always phenomenal in all of his roles, and his portrayal of Dick Cheney in "Vice" was no exception. That being said, Malek's performance as Mercury was honestly one of my favorite performances I've seen in recent years. He was incredibly captivating as the singer. It was clear that he studied Mercury's every movement. One could argue that he was mimicking Mercury as opposed to playing him, but it was truly incredible to see Malek appear on the screen as Queen's leading man. The most moving part of his performance was his portrayal of Freddie at the Live Aid concert. Malek truly nailed every nuance of Mercury and was entirely deserving of this award. Olivia Coleman won Best Actress for her work in "The Favorite". In my last blog, I expressed how this was not one of my personal favorite films. While that fact holds true, I commend Coleman on her performance as Queen Anne. She was hysterical in this role, capturing the queen's childlike tendencies as well as portraying her physical ailments. If you've seen the film, you know this queen is a little bananas. She is eccentric, irritable, and sad. Coleman truly brought each aspect of this character to life. 

Other noteworthy wins included Roma's win for Cinematography and Directing. Roma was definitely the most visually compelling movie of the year- the win was most deserving. Spike Lee finally got an Oscar! That man is SO worthy. He took home an award for Best Adapted Screenplay for BlackKklansman. Gaga may have won an Oscar for "Best Original Song" that night, but the one of the most talked about moments of the night was Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga's chilling performance of "Shallow" from "A Star is Born". Their incredible performance was filled with palpable chemistry. To wrap things up, although I think this was one of the least exciting award seasons overall, this year's Academy Awards shaped up to be better than expected. Though I would have honestly preferred any other nominated film to win Best Picture over "Green Book," other moments definitely helped to make up for this. I will be curious to see how the Academy Awards will continue to shift and develop as time progresses. Until next year, Academy Awards. I look forward to you as always.

Fall & Winter 2018

Hello, fellow movie lovers! Please forgive my hiatus. Life has been pretty crazy the last few months. I picked up my life and moved to Brooklyn, and started a new job! Sadly, the insanity of the last few months has left me strapped for time to do what I love- watch movies and review them. I'm doing my best to make up for lost time, so I've decided to write this blog post delivering short reviews of the movies I've seen this season. Given that the Oscar nominations are being announced in a couple of days, I feel pretty ashamed with my current movie-viewing status this season. Those rumors about the New York work grind are real, I can assure you. Onto the reviews!

Mary Queen of Scots:

Most recently, I saw "Mary Queen of Scots," the dramatic telling of the rivalry between young Scottish queen Mary and her cousin, Elizabeth, queen of England. This film stars Saoirse Ronan as Queen Mary and Margot Robbie as Queen Elizabeth. I've always adored historical dramas, so considering the premise of the film and my adoration for these actors, I couldn't wait to see this film! While this film hasn't been very well-received by critics due to problematic historical accuracy, I personally loved it. A lot of historical dramas get analyzed with a fine-toothed comb to make sure the history is accurately portrayed. It may not have been perfect, but what  "Mary Queen of Scots" lacks in historical accuracy, it makes up for in its dramatic plot, fiery dialogue, and incredible lead actors. The movie unravels the tension between the English and Scottish monarchies in the 16th century. Teenage ruler Mary returns to Scotland from France following the death of her husband, and finds herself ruling a country that does not stand by her decisions. Meanwhile, her cousin Elizabeth, reeling in jealousy of Mary's youth and confidence, struggles with her health and with the fact that she has not produced an heir to the throne. Since Mary has claim to Elizabeth's throne, the threat to Elizabeth's monarchy sparks a heated tension between the two nations. This film breaks down what it's like to be a woman in command in a world that is predominately controlled by men. The script of this film is razor sharp, and Ronan and Robbie delivered compelling performances. The cinematography was breathtaking. While I don't think this is technically one of the greatest films I've seen, it is still one I immensely enjoyed. Sometimes movies of this nature can feel a bit like a slow burn, however "Mary Queen of Scots" kept my interest from start to finish. I can personally excuse any historical inaccuracies because the dramatic twists and turns throughout the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. Robbie and Saiorse are two of my favorite actresses, and neither let me down. Robbie is nearly unrecognizable as the sickly Queen Elizabeth, and Ronan truly brings her character to life. While this film could feel a bit like a soap opera at times, I still very much enjoyed "Mary Queen of Scots" and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in historical dramas. 

If Beale Street Could Talk:

In my humble opinion"If Beale Street Could Talk" was the most perfect film of the year. Director Barry Jenkins blessed our screens with "Moonlight" two years ago, and he's done it again this year with "If Beale Street Could Talk". Jenkins adapted James Baldwin's novel of the same name into a film, telling the story of Tish and Fonny, a young African American couple living in 1970s Harlem. While I've never read the book, watching this film truly felt like watching a book come alive. "If Beale Street Could Talk" is about the complexity of relationships and identity, breaking down the realities of being African American in the 1970s. Childhood best friends Tish and Fonny dive into a deep romantic relationship in their teenage years. They spend their days dreaming of their future lives together. Their future plans together get put on hold when Fonny gets accused of a crime that he did not commit. The film breaks down the struggles Fonny, Tish, and their family members face due to the injustice served to the African American community in 1970s Harlem. If I could describe this film in one word, it would simply be beautiful. It truly felt like a work of art. The dialogue, charged by Baldwin's mastery of language, astoundingly captures each character's thoughts and feelings. The set design and costumes transport viewers to the New York that existed 40 years ago. As far as I'm concerned, every aspect of this film was sheer perfection. Each actor's performance was phenomenal, particularly that of actress Regina King, who portrayed Tish's mother.  She portrayed such raw emotion as a mother who cannot find a way to comfort her child. "If Beale Street Could Talk" almost felt more like a play than a movie to me. There were moments where the characters would look straight into the camera, inviting the audience into their souls. This script is poetic- I am certain that James Baldwin's memory could not have been honored in a more meaningful way. This movie demonstrates how every single component of African American life, even something as fundamental as love, is altered by systematic racism. Fonny is framed for a crime that he did not commit, simply due to the color of his skin. Sound familiar? This film bone-chillingly reminds us as a society that many things have not changed over the last several decades. Systematic racism against black men in this nation has been and will continue to be a monumental injustice. What I really loved about this film is it seemed to go several layers deep into each character's soul. Instead of just telling the story of Fonny's framing, the viewer can essentially feel what each character is feeling. It dives deep into the emotional side of things without losing any credibility for the gravitas of Fonny's situation. Watching "If Beale Street Could Talk" made me want to read every Baldwin book and rewatch "Moonlight". Both Jenkins and Baldwin are creative geniuses that have a gift for showcasing the deep emotional sides of African American stories. "If Beale Street Could Talk" is a work of art that everyone should see!

The Favourite:

It seems as if every year there is one film that I can truly appreciate as being great, but I personally don't enjoy it. This year it is Yorgos Lanthimos's "The Favourite". This film stars Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, Olivia Colman. Colman plays Queen Anne, an 18th century English queen who appears to be utterly helpless and dependent. She relies on her aid Sarah, the Duchess of Marlborough, played by Weisz. The two appear to have a complex relationship, ridden in banter and lust. When Sarah's cousin, Abigail (Stone) appears at court, a very intricate love triangle ensues. Abigail is given a position as a lady in waiting to the queen. Anne quickly takes a liking to Abigail, stirring up a rage of jealousy in Sarah. While it is clear that the court is dealing with major global conflict, Queen Anne remains an utterly useless pawn. This film focuses in on the rivalry between Sarah and Abigail, as well as their relationships with Anne. Lanthimos injected a very specific type of humor into every crevice of this film. Last year, Lanthimos directed the film "The Killing of A Sacred Deer," which I greatly disliked, so I should have taken that into account before seeing "The Favourite". I just don't think I appreciate this style of humor. The script is witty and the acting is great, I just personally don't like the humor. It's challenging for me to pinpoint exactly what I don't like . I don't want to sound like a complete snob, but I think I honestly just found the humor a little juvenile and tasteless. Something about injecting this type of humor into a period piece about monarchy felt a little disrespectful. A lot of people I know seemed to love this film and find it hysterical. I do agree that the script was razor sharp. Each actress delivered a stellar performance.  The lighting, costumes, and cinematography were exquisite. That being said, it just wasn't for me! Simple as that. All in all, I definitely see why this film is being well-received by critics. My sense of humor just didn't match up!

A Star is Born:

While I think "If Beale Street Could Talk" was the best movie of 2018, I must say that "A Star is Born" was my favorite! I just adore this movie! I was so excited for months leading up to its release. I think Lady Gaga is one of the most talented people on the planet, so as soon as I knew she was set to star in this movie I was on board. I saw the 1976 Barbra Streisand version of "A Star is Born," and even though I adore Madame Streisand, I did not care for that film. I thought it was slow, boring, and felt very dated. I did, however, like the premise of the film. When I heard that Bradley Cooper was attached to direct and star in a remake, I became even more excited. When the film was about to be released, however, I must say I got a little nervous. For all these months I've set my expectations of this film quite high. I told myself going into the theater that it was okay if it wasn't great, it was going to be a fun movie. I spent the next two hours completely entranced. For anyone who doesn't know the premise of the film "A Star is Born," it tells the story country rock singer Jackson Maine and upcoming shining star Ally Campana. Jackson is a bonafide rockstar struggling with addiction when he discovers Ally a natural-born talent. The two quickly fall into an intense romantic relationship. In the midst of their courtship, Ally provides a sense of home for Jackson while Jackson launches Ally into the spotlight. Their relationship is explosive and tumultuous- the audience is taken along for a twisty ride throughout the course of their romance. Gaga and Cooper breathe life into their characters. This movie is nothing without their immense talents. I've honestly never been much of a Cooper fan in the past, but his performance as Jackson Maine and role in directing this film made me completely change my tune. He does an unbelievable job in this role- and who knew he had such an incredible voice! He was so committed to this role that he lowered his speaking voice an entire octave throughout the film. The only part of this film that proved to be better than Cooper was queen Lady Gaga. This was her first time acting in a lead role of a film, and her performance was genuinely one of my favorites of all time. We all know Lady Gaga has stellar pipes, but she was so phenomenal in her role as Ally. The music in this film is absolutely phenomenal. I've literally listened to the soundtrack every week since the film came out. I thought that every element of this film was just wonderful. It was heart-wrenching, powerful, inspiring- everything I could have wanted and more. The dialogue seamlessly blended with the music. The performances in this film were some of the best I've seen in a long time. I could go on about this movie for ages, but I'll leave this off by saying I cannot wait to see what Cooper and Gaga do next!

I hate to admit it, but that's been the extent of my movie viewing so far this season! I have yet to check out Vice, Bohemian Rhapsody, Roma, and Green Book. Rest assured that every movie will be seen once the Oscar nominations are announced! I've watched every best picture nominee for the past several years, and that is not a streak I plan to break. Cheers to the 2019 Oscar Nominations- I can't wait to report back soon with more thoughts on these films!

Summer Flicks 2018

Ah, summer. My least favorite movie season. A time of countless blockbusters and tentpoles, looking to cash in on people's free time and need to escape the heat. As cynical as I may be about movies this distant from awards season, there are always some exceptions to the rule. I decided to write this post to dissect the movies I've caught this summer- the good and the bad. Buckle up because I'm coming to you with mini reviews on EVERY film I've caught in theaters this summer!

Tully:

While "Tully" was one of the more indie, low-profile films over the summer, it certainly packed a punch. As soon as I heard Charlize Theron was starring in a new film, I was on board. She is an exceptionally gifted actress who is entirely dedicated to her craft, and I knew this movie would be no exception. "Tully" is a powerful psychological drama that centers around Marlo (Theron), a middle-aged woman about to have her third child. Well, at least I would classify the film into that genre. This film was marketed as a comedy, and while there may have been comedic elements to it, it certainly came across as a serious film to me. This film sheds light on the practical turmoils new mothers face. Marlo's brother sends her a night nurse to help her with the new baby so she can get some sleep. Marlo and the new night nurse, Tully, develop a bond. Throughout the course of their relationship, the lines between truth and fiction seem to blur. Without giving away one of the best plot twists I've seen in years, I highly recommend checking out this film for yourself. The ending completely shocked me, which is saying a lot when so many movies are coming out that are utterly predictable. Mainly because this film was branded as a comedy, I was completely surprised by what I saw. This movie was bold, twisted, surprising, intense, and enlightening. It is definitely dark, so don't be fooled by the comedic label! If you're in the mood for some great acting and a good shock, definitely check out this summer flick.

Book Club:

Ah, "Book Club". I don't even know where to begin with this one. Let me start by saying how much I adore the cast of this film. The stars include two of my personal heroes, my queens, Diane Keaton and Jane Fonda. I could write an entire separate post about what these two women mean to me, that's how much I adore them. They starred alongside Candace Bergen and Mary Steenburgen, who are also phenomenal. While I'm all for them having fun making a movie and taking a break from doing serious work, I was a little sad that such phenomenal actresses would stoop to this level. Now I know this movie wasn't made with the intention of winning Best Picture, but let me tell you... it was simply not good. You know those movies that you know are bad but you just love them anyway? This was not one of them. This movie is technically about 4 women who host a monthly book club- yet we only ever see them read the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy. Therefore, it's a pretty safe bet that these older women explore their sexuality and work on defining their relationships with men throughout the film. Clearly this plot line in a comedy leads to juvenile jokes (despite it being made for a "mature" audience). I can maybe see enjoying this film more if you do happen to fall within the target demographic, but as a 22 year old, the humor was lost on me. A great point of comparison is Fonda's hit Netflix show, "Grace and Frankie". This show was made for the same target demographic. It, too, is a comedy that centers around redefining your life and exploring who you are at an older age. Yet unlike "Book Club," this show draws in young viewers- all of my friends watch and love it! "Book Club" tried and failed to reach this level. I love these women and I'm certain they enjoyed making this film, which is great, but it was not a home run in my book.

Adrift:

Now this film is a perfect example of a movie I know is far from great, yet I loved regardless. I've always been obscenely fascinated by survival stories. One of my favorite classes I took in college was called The Biology and Psychology of Survival. Because of that class,  I've gained my fair share of knowledge about how people conduct themselves in survival situations, as well as how the human body and psyche are influenced by them. I knew all along that "Adrift" may not be a priority in the land of film critics, but regardless I eagerly awaited its arrival to theaters. This film, which is based on a true story,  stars Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin as a couple, sailing from Tahiti to San Diego. Their route goes off course as they mistakenly sail into a catastrophic hurricane. The film takes the viewer back and forth between their perilous journey and back in time, telling the story of these characters, Tami and Richard, falling in love. A survival story and a love story? Sign me up. While the alternating storylines somewhat irritated me at points, I didn't find very many faults with this movie. There are definitely points where the love story feels a little corny, but I genuinely loved how the film conveyed these characters handling their peril. I felt even more invested in the outcome since it was clear that these two people were so in love. I was impressed with the special effects, and particularly with Woodley's acting. Shailene Woodley has certainly demonstrated her broad acting ability recently (ex. "Big Little Lies"). By no means is this a perfect movie. It's a little color-by-numbers. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed it and felt genuinely interested throughout the entire film. While the plot can be slightly predictable, Woodley certainly has an ability to pull the viewer in and really feel for these characters and their story. It was honestly everything I want in a summer movie.

Hereditary:

"Hereditary" was definitely the most unusual film I saw this summer. I'm not the biggest horror movie fan in the world, hence why my reviews on them are few and far between. I'm all for some 80s classics, such as "Halloween" and "Nightmare on Elm Street," but I will say that I feel continuously let down by modern horror movies. They feel so forced and artificial, and I just don't have a strong connection to them. When news of "Hereditary" broke, it was positioned as a horror film that breaks the mold of what we've seen recently. This immediately concerned me, as my mind went directly to the film "Mother!" released last fall. I honestly should have written a post on my hatred of this film, but I didn't want to relive my experience of watching it. I feared that "Hereditary" would similarly stray too far from the mold, leaving audiences more confused than anything. That being said, once I saw the trailer for "Hereditary," I was definitely interested. "Hereditary" was released by A24, which is one of my all time favorite film distributers. There is rarely a film they release that I don't enjoy, so that definitely increased this film's credibility in my eyes. On top of that. this film stars Toni Collette, who is such a fantastic actor. I've been a long-time fan of her work. I knew that her acting would be a strong contribution to this film. "Hereditary" is about one family's eerie ancestry, opening with the matriarch of the family passing away. As the film progresses, the viewers learn how this family has sinister qualities passed down through their genes. In efforts not to spoil the plot, I will leave you with this: the performances in "Hereditary" are spectacular, unlike any performances I've ever seen in a scary movie. Toni Collette blows it out of the water. Man, the faces that woman can make are unreal. Alex Wolff, who plays the son, delivers a standout performance as well. He is notable for his role in the indie "My Friend Dahmer," and does not disappoint in "Hereditary". The first 3/4 of this movie I thought were superb and exceptionally compelling. They broke free of the typically unrealistic horror movie mold. The last quarter in my opinion got a little outlandish and forced the film to lose a little of its credibility. All in all, it'll definitely be worth a go come Halloween time.

Ocean's 8:

This one's for the ladies! If you're in the mood to watch some badass women in the most phenomenal costumes commit some crime, boy is this the film for you. I went into the theater for "Oceans 8" with fairly low expectations. I noted that the film had an exceptional cast, but expected it to be a so-so retelling of the classic Ocean's films. This movie certainly exceeded my expectations! It was compelling, fun, and full of incredible feminism. Now, I'm not saying this is an Oscar-movie film, but it was such a fun summer flick that did not disappoint. Let's start by breaking down this killer cast. This movie stars Anne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Mindy Kaling, Awkwafina, Rihanna, Sarah Paulson, and Helena Bonham Carter, ~AKA queens~.  These women make the film. They are bosses. They get stuff done and look good doing it. By no means am I endorsing anyone pulling of a heist but dang they make it look cool. The whole plot of the movie centers around a group of women robbing jewels from the Met Gala. Sandra Bullock serves as the ring leader, playing Debbie Ocean, a recently released convict, sister of Danny Ocean. She and this group of women orchestrate a heist that, if they pull it off, will leave them with $150 million. I was a little worried that this would bore me, but the plot remains captivating throughout the film. It is a funny, witty, empowering film. Die-hard Ocean's fans may be slightly less enthusiastic about this version, but it personally kept me more engaged than the original Ocean's films. I think the entire cast was phenomenal, but I think Anne Hathaway was a standout. We haven't seen her very much on the big screen in the last few years, so it was great to see her pack a punch in this role. Once again, it's not a perfect film but it is just one of those quality summer movies! Heck, it should hold up through the next season as well.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again:

One of my favorite guilty pleasure movies is "Mamma Mia!". Few things beat a Friday night in college staying in with a bottle of wine, some good friends, and Meryl Streep. Let's be real, few things in life ever beat Meryl Streep. Before I go on a rant about my favorite human Meryl, let's talk "Mamma Mia!" and its sequel. I'll admit, "Mamma Mia!" is a far cry from a genuinely great movie. But it is just so fun! We all have movies like this that we love, ones that comfort the soul. I saw the original in theaters 10 years ago and have definitely watched it at least once a year since. When I heard that a sequel was coming out, I flipped. I was so excited to see what they would do with this and to hear more ABBA songs. When the day finally came, I booked it to the theater as soon as I could. I'm sure at this point no one will be surprised to hear that I loved the sequel! Let me tell you a secret- I still love the first one more. The major issue I had with the sequel is that it is lacking Meryl screen time. This is insanely biased of me, but I gotta have my Meryl. I will say, though, a scene of Cher singing "Fernando" nearly made up for that. The sequel is in fact mostly a prequel, showing Donna, the lead, in her youth in the 70s. It reintroduces us to the characters we know and love in their youth. I thought the music selection was great- there was a nice balance of repeat songs from the original, as well as different ABBA songs. I thought the casting was great for the most part. I didn't really love Lilly James as young Donna as much as I wanted to. I thought she did a pretty good job, but I just didn't believe her as the young version of Meryl Streep's Donna. Besides that, though, I think it was even better than I expected! I was pretty worried that it would be a flop, as sequels can be. But I really did love it! In fact, I've had the soundtrack blasting pretty much all summer. If you don't get bogged down on all of the plot inconsistencies, it's definitely a fun movie!

Eighth Grade:

If you're on the hunt for a good coming-of-age story, "Eighth Grade" will not disappoint. "Eighth Grade" is an independent film directed by Bo Burnham, who got his start as a Youtuber. It is about a thirteen year old girl named Kayla. Upon entering eighth grade, Kayla endures the social trials and tribulations many teens face at that age. She has her own Youtube channel, on which she dispenses advice on a range of topics, such as "how to have confidence". Despite the type of advice she gives others, Kayla is extremely introverted and has great difficulty finding her social footing in school. I can't speak on behalf of others, but I definitely personally connected to this film. 13 is a delicate age, and it certainly brought back any struggles I may have had at the time. A major focus in the film is on social media. It certainly made me glad this wasn't really in existence when I was that age. Throughout the course of the film, we see Kayla deal with a variety of social obstacles, such as pool parties, popular girls, crushes, befriending older kids, and more. It's hard for me to believe anyone had their life totally together at this age, so I definitely think there's something in "Eighth Grade" for everyone. It feels so genuine. It gives great insight into what it's like to be in eighth grade at this day in age. It also shows what it's like to be a single parent of a young teen. If I had to describe this film in one word, it would be honest. It is well worth the watch.

BlacKkKlansman:

Another Spike Lee joint. I've been waiting for a new Spike Lee movie for ages! "Do The Right Thing" is one of the best films I've ever seen. Lee is a super talented filmmaker, so I was stoked to see "BlacKkKlansman". This tells the true story of Ron Stallworth, an African American police officer who poses as a member of the KKK in order to gain intel. He sends a white colleague (played by Adam Driver) undercover, and they work together to infiltrate and expose the organization. I don't want to give much of the plot away, as it's much better to see the events unfold onscreen than to simply read what happens. I will say, though, that the acting is superb- Adam Driver is the shining star in my eyes. This story shines a light on a key component of our nation's history, while managing to be funny at the same time. It is clever and witty, and it's hard to believe this is a true story! It has an epic soundtrack, too, which is an added bonus. As I said, every single person should make an effort to see this story unfold before their eyes, so I don't want to reveal much plot. Put this at the top of your list! Spike Lee has done it again.


Crazy Rich Asians:

Last but not least, the final movie I saw this summer was "Crazy Rich Asians". I think a lot of people will agree that this was the standout film of the summer. It can be easy for critics to dismiss films classified as "romantic comedies" but this film refused to be ignored. In fact, "Crazy Rich Asians" was the most successful romantic comedy to hit the theater in nine years. This film is about a Chinese-American NYU professor named Rachel Chu who goes to Singapore with her boyfriend to meet his family. She finds out upon arrival that this family, the Youngs, are among the wealthiest families in Singapore. Not only does Rachel learn this, but she learns that Nick (her boyfriend) is one of the most eligible bachelors. The film deals with Rachel's struggles to be accepted into the family. Between the family and the women from Nick's hometown, Rachel finds herself targeted by the people around her. This film is the first Hollywood studio released film to have an all-Asian cast since "The Joy Luck Club" in 1993. This is a fundamentally important statistic and this film has been incredibly important to a diverse audience. The storyline is very entertaining- it's the perfect blend of meaningful and funny, and has just the right hint of romance. The entire cast is phenomenal and truly delivers. If that's not enough to drive you to the theater to see it, it's worth a watch for the opulence alone. You won't believe the wealth depicted on screen. This movie is full of glamour. The different dynamics between the family members are endlessly fascinating. It is a feel-good movie that shares important stories. It has integrity, passion, heart, and humor. Race to your theater to get the full experience! 

Good Time

One of the movies that has lingered in the back of my mind lately since seeing it was "Good Time," starring Robert Pattinson. This movie came out about a year ago. I don't know how I missed it last summer, but I sure am glad Amazon Prime came through and I could stream it now! This movie is about two brothers (Connie- played by Pattinson, and Nick- played by Benny Safdie) who botch a bank robbery. Connie is the man in charge, taking along his developmentally disabled brother along for the ride. The film covers the events that unfold over the course of one night.

The film opens with this bank robbery. In short, Connie escapes while Nick is taken into custody. Thus begins the drama of Connie trying to get his brother out of custody. Through this journey, there are lots of twists and turns along the way. Connie's lies pour out of his mouth with the greatest of ease, slowly roping others into his life of crime and chaos. Robert Pattinson gives so much depth and dimension to this character. As a viewer, I routinely had to remind myself that practically every line out of his mouth was a lie- he was just so convincing. This movie is very plot-driven, as the entire film tells the story of just one night. Without giving away too much details about the positions Connie finds himself in (and puts others in as well) I will say that this movie is not for the faint of heart. The film feels so real that I genuinely felt transported into this dark world. Lots of movies portray crime, drugs, brutality, and the likes, but few do it the way "Good Time" does it.

This movie allows the viewer to feel the pulse of the city at night. There is such a feel of authenticity to it. It is raw, it is gritty, it is intense. While the plot is exceptionally captivating and everything about the film truly impressed me, the performance delivered by Robert Pattinson heightened the film exponentially. "Good Times" was an A24 movie, which in my opinion knocks it out of the park time and time again. Like many other indie movies, the passion put into this film seeps out of it. It is so clear that a lot of attention was put into this film. It relies on the smallest of details to make it what it is. "Good Time" was suspenseful and captivating, and certainly left me craving more. Pattinson shines in this project, and I am excited to see what he does in the future. 

The Actor Profile Series: Jake Gyllenhaal

One of my favorite modern actors is Jake Gyllenhaal. At 37 years old, he is impressively credited in 48 roles. It is clear that Gyllenhaal pours his entire being into each role he takes on. Every time I see him in a role, he completely captivates me. He began acting as a child (who could forget him in "October Sky?") and continued through his teenage years into adulthood. He's received nominations for various awards, including Academy Awards, the Golden Globes, BAFTA's, Screen Actor's Guild, and more. While his only major win was a BAFTA for his performance in 2005's "Brokeback Mountain," something tells me there will be more wins in his future. Since he consistently delivers strong performances, I wanted to break down my favorite roles of his.

As a teenager, Gyllenhaal starred in Richard Kelly's twisted thriller "Donnie Darko". This is definitely my personal favorite Gyllenhaal movie. While it may not have been an overwhelmingly smashing critical success, it's certainly entertaining and showcases the actors' abilities. Gyllenhaal stars at the titular lead of this science fiction film. Darko is a high school student experiencing a bit of an identity crisis. He acts out against authority figures, experiences dark thoughts, and begins to receive visits from a six-foot bunny rabbit named Frank, who tells him the world is coming to an end.  This movie takes us on a ride through Darko's unusual journey to self-identification. "Donnie Darko" can best be described in one word- bizarre. I've probably seen this movie about 5 times, and every time I watch it I still spend hours analyzing what I've seen after. Gyllenhaal was 21 years old when he was in this film. Darko is an extremely layered and complex character, and Gyllenhaal's performance is remarkable. The character evokes melancholy, confusion, and wonder. Gyllenhaal's performance escalates this film to a new level. This role truly paved the road transitioning Gyllenhaal from childhood roles to more serious adult roles.

"Brokeback Mountain" came out in 2005, and at the time was a revolutionary story about a gay romance. Gyllenhaal played Jack Twist, a Texan rodeo cowboy. The film takes place in the 1960s- certainly a time when being gay was rarely accepted in society, particularly in the south. Gyllenhaal stars opposite Heath Ledger, who plays Ennis Del Mar, a ranch-hand. The movie tells the story of Ennis and Jack's forbidden romance, unveiling incredibly emotive performances from both Gyllenhaal and Ledger. "Brokeback Mountain" is undoubtably an incredibly emotional film full of complexities and heartache. This is an exceptionally powerful film, and Gyllenhaal certainly gave the role his all. He brings the heartfelt script to life. To this day, I think a lot of people (including myself) are furious that "Crash" beat out "Brokeback Mountain for Best Picture at the Oscars. This certainly cemented Gyllenhaal's title as a serious actor in the business.

Next up is the 2007 thriller, "Zodiac". This movie is based on a true story about a serial killer in San Francisco in the 1960s and 1970s. The killer, known as "Zodiac," leaves cryptic notes for the police, taunting them. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle.  His character works with a detective and a journalist in efforts to solve the mystery of the Zodiac killer. To prepare for his role, Jake Gyllenhaal met with Graysmith and recorded him, studying his movements and mannerisms. This was the first time that Gyllenhaal played a real person, demonstrating a new facet to his acting abilities. His attention to detail when playing actual people will pay off later in his career as well.

One of Jake Gyllenhaal's strongest performances of his career was in "Nightcrawler". This eerie movie further emphasizes Gyllenhaal's draw to dark and twisty characters. "Nightcrawler" tells the story of wannabe night reporter Lou Bloom in Los Angeles. This film as a whole is probably the best Gyllenhaal movie. Throughout the course of this thriller, Bloom runs around the city, desperate to capture LA night crimes before bigger news outlets can get to them. Gyllenhaal's performance in this film is reminiscent of De Niro in "Taxi Driver". In a similar way to De Niro's Bickle, we see Bloom psychologically deteriorate as he strives to reach his goals. This movie is brilliant and Gyllenhaal definitely deserves more recognition than he initially received for this performance. He was so dedicated to this role that he lost thirty pounds in preparation (all signs point to his generations' De Niro). He barely slept while the movie shot, which is evident in his hollowed face and bloodshot eyes. Gyllenhaal is dedicated to his craft, and it shows.

One of the newer an unique roles Gyllenhaal took on was in Netflix's original film, "Okja". This unique film is about a young girl named Mija who takes extreme measures to ensure a major corporation doesn't take away her best friend, a magnificent beast named Okja. The film serves as a social commentary on animal activism, corporate greed, and scientific ethics. I could write an entirely separate post on this- as a vegetarian and eternal animal lover, this film moved me deeply. On another note, however, Gyllenhaal broke the mold of his usual character attributes in this film. He took on a comedic role, playing secondary character Dr. Johnny Wilcox. A few critics cited his performance in this role as too "eccentric," but I think that was exactly his intention. It was refreshing to see Gyllenhaal in such a goofy role. His character talks in a high-pitched voice and all of his movements could double as choreography. Although his performance could come across as overstated and overdone, it works in the context of the film. It was nice to see usually-serious Gyllenhaal loosen up on screen and truly come to life. "Okja" takes on many serious issues, so Gyllenhaal's character serves as comedic relief throughout the film. While certainly an unusual one, Gyllenhaal's performance in this film adds a new dimension to his acting reel.

Finally, I'll conclude this post with Gyllenhaal's most recent role in a feature film. This role was in 2017's movie "Stronger," which was about a victim of the Boston Marathon bombing. Gyllenhaal described "Stronger" as his most important project of his career. He not only starred in the movie, playing Jeff Bauman, a man who lost his legs in the bombing, but produced as well. When I first heard of this film, I honestly wasn't expecting to be wowed by it. I thought it would mirror films of a similar nature. However, the emotion delivered in Gyllenhaal's acting left me teary-eyed. He spent a year preparing for this role. One of the main themes of the movie is Bauman's difficulty with accepting his newfound status as a "hero". The audience sees Bauman struggle not only with his disability, but the burden his new title places on him as well. It highlights relationship troubles, struggles within his family, and all sorts of impossible new challenges placed on Bauman. One of the most powerful scenes of the film emphasizing Bauman's physical pain was when the doctors first had to remove the dressing on his legs in the hospital. As I was watching this, I was shocked by how convincing Gyllenhaal was in this scene. The entire movie pays so much attention to detail. It could so easily have been a cliched film. Gyllenhaal's portrayal of Bauman was simultaneously heart-wrenching and heartwarming. "Stronger" definitely allowed Gyllenhaal to deliver some of his finest work. I look forward to Jake Gyllenhaal's upcoming projects!