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Reviews
Coyote Ugly (2000)
It's mindless fluff, but not necessarily a bad thing
Before I dive into my review, please know I find the movie enjoyable when I'm in the right mood to watch it. It's not high cinema by any means, but it hits the spot if you want to watch something that doesn't require too much thinking. It's a formulaic story that's been covered ad nauseum, but that's not bad. Coyote Ugly and Burlesque are very similar stories though Burlesque follows more of a musical format, and Coyote Ugly is a bit more of a coming-of-age story. Both follow young women in pursuit of a music career while pursuing their own lives and identities. Fairly average performances, though John Goodman is a bright spot in this movie for the few scenes he is present.
The Lost Girls (2022)
Fails to meet expectations
I found this on Hulu and the premise was interesting. It is definitely a feminist story, but despite the likes of Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson in the cast, the movie suffers from poor pacing and uninteresting characters. I found myself losing interest pretty early on and shut the movie down before it was over. I feel like it was a concept with promise but there was just nothing to maintain interest despite a lovely performance from Redgrave. A strengthening in characterization would benefit the story, something to keep the audience caring about the plight of the women in Wendy's lineage.
Poor Things (2023)
Excellent performances and beautifully shot, but not for every audience member
I watched Poor Things on Hulu because I had heard the Oscar buzz, and this is well made, but I can understand.the divisive reviews here on IMDB. I haven't read the source novel, so I cannot speak to how closely the film follows it, but the movie Poor Things is essentially the feminist version of Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein. Emma Stone plays Bella, the ward to Willem Dafoe's Godwin (fittingly called "God" by Bella) who becomes her own accomplished person despite men seeing her as a possession for their own desires. And like the creature in Frankenstein, she breaks away from her "creator" to become her own person, gaining agency in a time where most women didn't have that. I think if a person goes into this movie knowing that this is the feminist version of Frankenstein, they can enjoy it more. There are many sex scenes but they do serve a purpose to the story, so the movie does earn its R rating.
Quiz Lady (2023)
Solid performances and cute premise
Awkwafina gives an honest, heartfelt performance as an Anne, a young woman who gets the opportunity to compete on the game show she has watched religiously from childhood while paying off her mother's debt. Sandra Oh is delightful as the older yet less mature sister who pushes Anne to take the chance on achieving her dream of competing on this show and Jason Schwartzman turns in an effective performance as the arrogant competitor Anne must face. Will Ferrell is quite understated as the game show host, and an amusing cameo from Paul Reubens round out a noted cast. It's worth the watch for a few chuckles.
The Wedding Singer (1998)
Prime example of great casting
Adam Sandler is usually noted for silliness, but he truly shows he can carry an endearing film with an effective supporting cast. I even think he and Drew Barrymore's chemistry is on a similar level to Ryan and Hanks, and dare I say Tracy and Hepburn? This movie is simple, sweet, and great for mindless watching if you need a serotonin boost.
While Barrymore and Sandler drive the movie, there are some fun and memorable cameos from Jon Lovitz, Billy Idol, and Steve Buscemi. Alexis Arquette practically channels Boy George as Sandler's Boy George-obsessed bandmate. Christine Taylor is serviceable as Barrymore's coworker and friend.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Serviceable modernization of Shakespeare
This movie is worth a watch for the performances of several then up-and-comers. It does smack a bit of the late 90s - early 2000s kitsch, but I think modern teens would still enjoy it. This is a modern retelling of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, and the writers gave homage to the Bard with the inclusion of not only lines from the source material, but also a nod to the poetic form for which he is still noted. Heath Ledger gives a great performance (this makes me sad for the work we have missed due to his untimely passing), Joseph Gordon Levitt turns in a charming performance as Cameron, and Larry Miller puts his character acting skills to good use as Kate and Bianca's father. Andrew Keegan embodies the entitled rich boy with sites set on Larissa Oleynik's Bianca (a role that I suspect was attempting to break away from her Alex Mack days and progress into more mature roles). Gabrielle Union does well, if not a bit under utilized as Bianca's friend, and David Krumholtz serves well in a support role in the transition between The Santa Clause and Numbers. The soundtrack is a sampling of the pop music of the time, which works with the film's setting. Overall a bit of fun and a way to help make Shakespeare more accessible to modern audiences.
The Mill (2023)
A bit of a slow burn but stick with it.
This thriller seems to plod along without super strong thrills, but its goal is to make the audience think, which I felt it accomplished. Heavy on symbolism and strong performances helped me enjoy this maybe a bit more than some of the other reviewers, I don't know and I don't want to presume. Lil Rel, whom I had only seen previously in Get Out, sheds the comic relief role of that film for a nuanced lead in this one and is effective as he carries the movie visually with most interactions with other characters being strictly vocal. I would recommend it for those who prefer atmospheric movies, and those who prefer action should probably steer clear.
The Black Phone (2021)
Solid thriller
I watched this on a whim because I wanted to watch something a little spooky, and the concept was intriguing. I am not a big fan of horror movies that rely on gore or jump scares, but I do appreciate a good horror movie and usually tend to lean into psychological horror and thrillers. The premise is fairly basic-"weak" victim determined to live tries to get out of a horrific situation, but then you have "supernatural" elements thrown into the mix which help build tension. You also have an effectively creepy masked antagonist played by Ethan Hawke, and Hawke is truly unnerving in this film, which helped me appreciate his performance as he had to rely on his voice and physicality to sell this character. Definitely one to check out.
No One Will Save You (2023)
A must-see for alien invasion movie fans
I will preface this by saying I'm not a big fan of alien invasion movies. I gave this movie a shot because of the user ratings and the fact that I really like Katelyn Dever. The movie is well done and Dever puts in a top notch performance. Especially since she essentially has to carry the film with minimal human interaction and faithfully portray a young woman with what I would assume is debilitating social anxiety. This movie is a mix of the alien invasion and home invasion tropes. I think if I was a bigger fan of alien movies, I would have enjoyed it even more. It's a quieter alien film, I.e. Not Independence Day, and that's partly makes this a gem of a movie. It relies more on character and plot development rather than special effects.
The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)
An interesting character study
Do not go into this film expecting much of a story, as the plot is not the purpose of the film. It The characters and how they are affected by cultural expectations is the point of this film. The end may seem lacking, but it's fitting if you look at this from the point of character development. Excellent acting and good direction. Due to the nature of the story, potential viewers should be aware there are instances of abuse and self mutilation, though there are no pincredibly graphic actions shown on screen. This is not an escapist film by any means, but it is well crafted and it is worth a watch.