How To Have Sex

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Tara (Mia McKenna-Bruce), Skye (Lara Peake) and Em (Enva Lewis) are best friends embarking on a rite of passage holiday to Greece. It should be the best summer of their lives filled with drinking, clubbing and meeting cute guys, though it quickly turns into anything but.

From debut director Molly Manning Walker comes a thought provoking and raw portrayal of friendship, love and consent. It helps knowing that she also penned the script which had the perfect blend of humor and drama. The whole film was an experience, one that I simply couldn’t tear my gaze away from.

Throughout its entirety, I couldn’t help but feel like I was watching my life unfolding in front of me. This trio of girls were so incredibly realistic; their conversations and the antics they found themselves in during the various nights out was reminiscent of my own memories. When they talked to one another, it seemed more like improv than lines because their chemistry just clicked. It really was like I was watching real life friends. And with friendships at that age comes the highs and lows which were depicted brilliantly.

While everyone gives impressive performances, it is McKenna-Bruce who takes the spotlight. The transformation we see Tara go through is mesmerizing. She perfectly encapsulated the excitement at the beginning of the holiday to when things start to go awry and how she wonders if she really wants to be there at all. When an event happens that changes everything for her, the performance shifted and became heartbreaking.

The topic of consent is an important one. The ambiguous way in which it is handled was smart because it leaves it open for interpretation. Sadly, this is the way in which these situations usually happen. I appreciated that it wasn’t obvious, but that I was never able to forget it.

How To Have Sex completely blew me away. I loved its boldness and the way in which it didn’t shy away from real situations. I commend Manning Walker for her direction and her writing and I am thankful to the cast for telling this story. This is a film that will truly stay with me and I urge you all to watch it.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

The Marvels

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Having reclaimed her identity from the Kree, Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) finds herself on a new space mission. While there, her powers become entangled with those of her niece Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and fangirl Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani). The three are left with no choice but to team up in order to take down a new foe.

This next entry in the MCU is one that fans have been waiting for for awhile. Unfortunately I didn’t quite feel like it held up to the hype. There was a lot about the story that seemed off to me and while it wasn’t terrible, it’s certainly one of the least impressive of the franchise to date.

With a run time of only an hour and forty five minutes, this is the shortest Marvel yet. I feel like this could have benefitted from some extra time to flesh things out. For example, new villain Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) was given literally no backstory. She just showed up and we were supposed to figure her out as the plot progressed. She would have been so much more multidimensional with some extra scenes to fill in those holes. The shortened length also impacted a lot of the flow. There were scenes that occurred in the second half that seemed random and like they weren’t supposed to be there.

The shining light here was Kamala Khan. She truly stole every scene she was in. All of her one liners had me laughing out loud and I loved how she was always unapologetically herself. Her family was another bright spot, especially the scenes in which they shared with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). I also got a kick out of Goose the cat. Sadly, I couldn’t get on board with Larson’s performance as Carol this time around. It felt flat and like there was no passion there at all. I also got rather annoyed by the beef she and Monica shared with one another. Luckily all three balanced one another out well and made a good team.

It’s a pity that The Marvels left a lot to be desired, but I can’t help but think that Marvel may be having somewhat of an identity crisis. A lot of fans have claimed there hasn’t been a decent installment since Endgame and I’m starting to agree with the,. It seems like they’ve been preferring quantity over quality which is not always a good thing. Though the mid credits scene did peak my interest, I hope they work out the kinks and get back on track soon.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

Quiz Lady

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Anne (Awkwafina) and Jenny (Sandra Oh) couldn’t be more opposite. When their mother’s gambling addiction throws them together, they are required to put aside their differences in order to settle her debts. Obsessed with the same game show since childhood, Anne just needs to land herself an audition and everything else will fall into place. If only it were that easy.

I don’t know about you, but I grew up watching a game show every evening. My grandmother introduced me to Jeopardy and before I knew it, I was hooked. The routine was soothing and I began to think of Alex Trebec as family since he was in my home all the time. Unlike myself, Anne grew up feeling neglecting by the other members of her family and so she turned to Can’t Stop The Quiz for solace. I liked how the show became a way that she and Jenny eventually reconnected.

The dynamic duo of Awkwafina and Oh was one that I never knew I needed. They worked so flawlessly off each other and really did pass as sisters. What I enjoyed the most was the fact that they didn’t play the characters we expect of them; Awkwafina usually tackles the more offbeat individuals, while Oh plays the more straight laced, career-driven types. To see them essentially swap places was a breath of fresh air and it worked.

The film wouldn’t have been complete without its supporting cast. Will Ferrell gave quite a touching performance as game show host Terry McTeer. It was nice to see him as a father figure to Anne and I’m glad he didn’t dial it up too much. Holland Taylor was great as Anne’s elderly neighbor Francine, while Jason Schwartzman a shoe in for villainous fellow contestant Ron. And of course I can’t leave out the cameo by Paul Reubens who left us not too long ago.

Overall, Quiz Lady is a quirky story filled with lots of laughs and some heart along the way. The shenanigans that Anne and Jenny found themselves in throughout kept me on the edge of my seat. If you’re looking for something fun to watch this weekend, I recommend checking this one out as it’ll surely leave a smile on your face.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Pain Hustlers

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From director David Yates of various Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films comes Pain Hustlers. The story follows down on her luck mom Liza Drake (Emily Blunt) who is dreaming of a better life for herself and her daughter Phoebe (Chloe Coleman). Thanks to a chance encounter with one Pete Brenner (Chris Evans), she lands a job at the failing pharmaceutical company where he works. As drastic changes begin to occur, she can’t help but wonder if it’s been for better or for worse.

I was looking forward to this one. A film helmed by two of the biggest stars of today? Sign me right up! Unfortunately that’s about all it had going for it. So where did it all go wrong?

First and foremost, this is not the first time we’ve seen the subject tackled. This year alone we’ve had various takes on similar drug crises. This take unfortunately doesn’t add much to what we already know. There’s nothing wrong with that per se, but it doesn’t shed the light on anything new and therefore doesn’t stand out from the crowd.

The performances here are enjoyable enough. Blunt is believable as the scrappy mom who will do whatever she can to provide for her daughter. I wanted to root for her even when she continued to make questionable choices, though she certainly made it hard. Evans, on the other hand, has been playing similar variations of the same character for a while now and it’s beginning to feel tired. The two did have a good chemistry though that made their scenes work. The supporting cast in Catherine O’Hara as Liza’s mother, Andy Garcia as Dr. Neel and Brian D’Arcy James as Dr. Lydell were fine enough.

I truly believe if Pain Hustlers came out at a different point in time, it would have had more of an impact. The story is an important one, but it’s something we’ve seen many times before which didn’t help. I wanted so badly to like it, but my expectations simply weren’t met. I hate to say that it felt like a slog to get through, but I’d be lying if I didn’t.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

Trolls Band Together

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The lovable singing Trolls are back for a brand new adventure! This time around, we get to learn about Branch (Justin Timberlake) and his past. When Poppy (Anna Kendrick) learns that he was one a part of the famous boy band group BroZone, she can hardly contain her excitement. John Dory (Eric André), Floyd (Troye Sivan), Spruce (Daveed Diggs), Clay (Kid Cudi) and Branch were IT back in the day until an argument tore them apart and they disbanded. Now, Floyd has been kidnapped and it is up to Branch and Poppy to reunite the brothers before it’s too late.

When I first discovered Trolls, I instantly fell for them. The first film was a breath of fresh air and I loved the way in which music was incorporated into their story. While I felt World Tour was a bit disappointing, I was still looking forward to Band Together.One doesn’t go into these films expecting much, but they are guaranteed to be a fun time. There isn’t much by means of a plot, but that’s okay.

What makes these movies so enjoyable for me is the musical performances. Whether it may be a cover or an original song, they always have me tapping my feet along to the beat or dancing in my seat. It’s helpful knowing that Kendrick and Timberlake can belt a tune and that they vibe so well with one another. This time around came an even bigger treat: the long awaited N*SYNC reunion fans have been dreaming about for the past twenty years. It really was well worth the wait and the boy band joke that came along with it were perfect.

Trolls Band Together may not have been as great as the original 2016 film, but I did prefer it to World Tour. It’s a fun time with some great musical numbers that put a smile on my face. I only hope we’ll see more of Poppy, Branch and the gang for more adventures to come.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Totally Killer

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Thirty five years ago, the Sweet Sixteen Killer murdered three teenagers. Now he’s back and ready to claim his next victim. Jamie (Kiernan Shipka) is willing to do whatever it takes to stop him even if that means accidentally traveling back in time to 1987. Determined to prevent these attacks from happening, Jamie teams up with her teenage mom, Pam (Olivia Holt), and her group of friends.

Spooky season is my favorite season of all and this movie was the perfect way to get into the spirit. Ever since I watched Scream a couple years ago, I have become somewhat of a fan of slasher films. They’re not too scary and I think the unique ways in which the characters are killed are always unique. This time around was no exception. It was reminiscent of Scream mixed in with the Back to the Future and proved to be a lot of fun.

Shipka seems to have made a name for herself in this genre, but she does it well. She was the perfect heroine here donning the hat of a leader and stepping up to change the future. The fact that she was so incredibly 2023 in the past was funny; the movie being self aware in this sense could have gotten annoying, but instead had me laughing with each and every joke. The casting choices were expertly chosen as well, especially as each teen looked so much like their adult counterpart.

Having the film set in the 80s was a brilliant choice. It gave the dark atmosphere a pop of color. The throwbacks to fashion and song choices were perfect and really helped set the tone. The horror elements could have been elevated even further though it all came together at the end of the day.

I expected Totally Killer to be a C-list film that I’d just have playing in the background. Instead, it was some of the most fun I’ve had while watching a film in a while. While it didn’t necessarily break the slasher film mode, it was different enough to stand apart from the pack.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

Fair Play

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Emily (Phoebe Dynevor) and Luke (Alden Ehrenreich) are madly in love and newly engaged. They also work together at the same cutthroat financial hedge fund and are hiding their relationship from their coworkers. When one of them gets promoted and becomes the others’ boss, the power dynamics shift into something sinister.

Chloe Domont, a new up and coming director, is certainly one to watch. Not only did she pen a brilliant script, she seems to have such a grasp on how this industry works. The battle of the sexes has been going on for many years and this is no exception. The way that a woman is treated in such a company is the complete opposite than that of a man. The realistic depiction that unfolded on screen was so on the nose that it kind of took my breath away.

While the film wouldn’t be complete without the magnetic chemistry between the two leads, it is Dynevor who steals the show. Not only does she carry the plot along perfectly, but she does so by conveying emotion with every look and action. As the storyline progresses, she adjusts and completely sells it. I’d only seen her in Bridgerton before, but now I feel she should be casted in everything. Ehrenreich, on the other hand, was a fine match for her, but it did seem like he took a backseat at times.

Though many have said the genre is that of an erotic thriller, I don’t necessarily agree. Yes, the physicality of it all is present, but only really at the beginning. As the pace picks up, there’s a change that is needed. I also didn’t find it too thrilling and instead more of a slow burn. Nothing wrong with that whatsoever, of course, as it helped increase the impending sense of doom that hung throughout, but it could be misleading.

Overall, Fair Play has a lot going for it. I might have expected more because it’s been receiving so much praise, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that was because all the financial stuff lost me. The drama and acting were more than enough to keep me entertained. I recommend everyone should check it out for that final act alone.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

After Everything

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In the fifth and final instalment of the After series, After Everything follows Hardin (Hero Fiennes-Tiffin) on his journey in finding himself. When Tessa (Josephine Langford) broke things off, Hardin turned back to his old ways. Knowing he can’t live like this forever, he travels to Portugal in search of a woman from his past, hoping to make amends with her so that he can finally move on and hopefully win back Tessa in the process.

I’m still salty they felt the need to make the last book into a two part movie – it wasn’t necessary whatsoever. Speaking as a huge fan of this franchise, I did not want to sit through something that only really had Hessa scenes in it for about ten minutes, but I knew I’d have to. It was the only way I’d be able to see them finally get their happily ever after.

It wasn’t pretty, I’ll be honest. This is my least favorite of the series. Don’t get me wrong, Hero has come such a long way since the first film. He led this one perfectly and he looked damn fine while doing so. But did I really need to see him hook up with that flight attendant even if it was a dream? Or to see him hang out with Natalie (Mimi Keene)? I just can’t think of Hardin with anyone other than Tessa. I also didn’t think we needed the rivarly between Hardin and Sebastian (Benjamin Mascolo). At least the backdrop of Lisbon was a treat.

At least I can say with certainty that it was well worth the wait. This story has always been about Tessa and Hardin. Their chemistry is electric and while I know their relationship has been extremely problematic, the love is there at the end of the day and I’m so pleased with how it all wrapped up. This series was there for me during a rather difficult part of my life and now I’m sad that it’s all over.

Rating: ♥️♥️.5

Flora And Son

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Flora (Eve Hewson) is a single mother in Dublin who is struggling to raise her troublesome son Max (Orén Kinlan). In an attempt to find him a hobby, she rescues a guitar from a dumpster. But when Max is uninterested in the instrument, Flora decides to take up some lessons herself.

Hewson finally gets the leading role in a project and after seeing her in some hits over the last couple of years, she more than deserves it. Her performance as our lead was so endearing. You just want her to succeed in everything she does, no matter the amount of mistakes she’s made to get there. Starting guitar lessons is the first time she truly does something because she wants to and it’s so inspiring to see.

The relationship Hewson shared with Kinlan was that of a proper mother and son. All the bickering aside, their shared appreciation for music elevated the story and made for some really genuine scenes. Additionally, the friendship between Flora and Jeff (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a guitar teacher who lives in LA, was also one of the strongest aspects of the film. Though they never interact in person, the chemistry that seeps through their video calls is simply lovely. I thought it was a smart touch to have the two brought together in a dreamlike state during these moments.

When I learned that this was directed by John Carney, the same man who brought us Begin Again, everything made sense. Being my favorite movie of all time, I wasn’t surprised to completely fall in love with Flora and Son. The theme music played throughout was one again done in such a magical and beautiful way. This story was uplifting, touching and definitely gives you hope. That is truly the recipe of a great movie!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5

Bottoms

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Every now and then, a movie will come along and charm the socks off you. That is Bottoms.

PJ (Rachel Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri) are best friends who couldn’t be more unpopular if they tried. After accidentally injuring the star quarterback, they come up with an elaborate lie that they they are starting a self defense club for women. What nobody knows is this is all part of a larger plan to lose their virginities to two cheerleaders that they have massive crushes on.

The relatability and awkwardness of our main characters were so spot on. These are the types of girls that I went to high school with; unsure of who they are, but not without hopes and dreams for themselves and their futures. Seeing such a strong friendship flourish on screen was also refreshing and lovely. You could tell that they were each others’ ride or dies.

In the past, I’ve felt like the typical high school movie is overly raunchy and more often than not with a male perspective. This time around, the women were in the forefront. Women supporting women is so important. The sisterhood that developed between the fight club members was so genuine. People who would never mesh on paper such as offbeat Hazel (Ruby Cruz) and cheerleaders Isabel (Havana Rose Liu) and Brittany (Kaia Gerber) teamed up for the greater good and it was so empowering to watch.

On top of all this, the film was actually very funny. A lot of that was thanks to Nicholas Galitzine who was the big scene stealer. I’ve seen him in quite a few projects over the years, but never like this. Give this guy all comedic roles because he fucking smashed it.

Overall, Bottoms was the most fun I’ve had watching a film in a long time. There was so much to like about it, but at the end of the day it came down to how heartwarming it all was. I’m so glad I decided to give it a chance!

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️