Power Struggle: Female Edition (Finally)
The Favourite
A film exploring women and power disguised as a period piece. Lady Sarah runs the world for frail Queen Anne with no challengers until cousin Abigail arrives. We've seen men corrupted by love, sex and power thousands of times, but this is a fresh perspective with exceptional acting. And this is coming from someone who hates period pieces.
Be Curious & Don't Stereotype
Smallfoot
When a bigfoot discovers a smallfoot (human), he questions everything he and his community have known. A surprisingly progressive message about not accepting things just because "that's how we've always done it" and how fear spawns harmful stereotypes.
How Do You Define Family?
Shoplifters
A poor family in Japan takes in a 5-year-old girl they find on the street in the cold. Her past eventually reveals each person's own past, and threatens their way of life. As the story unfolds, questions about morality, family and love arise. It's a lot to think about -- it just takes awhile to get there.
Regret in 21st-Century Romance
The Boy Downstairs
Diana unknowingly becomes neighbors with an ex, and we discover their past while their present and future plays out. Their modern romance proves you'll never know until you try, and you never know what you'll regret.
A Call for Social Justice
If Beale Street Could Talk
19-year-old Tish is pregnant with her fiance in jail for a crime he didn't commit. This movie illustrates her family's unwavering support, their quest for justice and love's endurance through unimaginable and unfair circumstances. It's a beautiful story that's beautifully shot, but TBH, I thought it was kinda boring.
Forgettable Action Flick, Minus McAvoy
Glass
I haven't seen Unbreakable and Split, the first two movies in this trilogy, but what I can tell you is that the superheroes from both are back and institutionalized for delusions of grandeur. A mastermind goes to work, realities are questioned and fights ensue. James McAvoy's performance is the only thing memorable about Glass.
How Kids Movies Used to Be
How to Train Your Dragon
Meaning: Not everything is a headache-inducing neon color and each scene lasts more than two seconds. Viking Hiccup learns the power of kindness and friendship when he meets Toothless, a rare dragon. Together, they change a lot of misconceptions.
A Heartfelt & Satisfying Sequel
How to Train Your Dragon 2
Hiccup and Toothless are back to keep the peace in the rest of the world's human vs. dragon battle. A surprisingly emotional and equally wonderful sequel to the first movie.
Overbearing Mom Predictably Saves The Day
Ben is Back
What I liked: This movie seemed like an accurate depiction of a middle-class family dealing with addiction. What I didn't like: The predictable ending and Julia Roberts. I'm not a mom, so playing to the "maternal instinct" was lost on me.
Is This Real Er No?
Vice
My thought process while watching: 1. Christian Bale as a fat, old Dick Cheney. Wut. 2. Is this real er no? 3. Does it matter or not? 4. What did I just watch?
Watch this before anything else:
The Favourite. Let me reiterate my hatred for period pieces. Yet this was still the best movie I watched all month. The review says it all.
What movie most interests you? How would you summarize one of the selections above in five words? Let me know in the comments below. if you're looking for more book and movie recommendations, check out my five-word reviews for April.
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