Rss

  • linkedin

Archives for : love story

Movie Review: “Which Brings Me to You”

Sometimes you can get lucky at a wedding and sometimes you can get lucky in love. For Jane (Lucy Hale) and Will (Nat Wolff), the jury is still out. The two have an immediate spark at a friend’s wedding and almost hook up in a coat closet. Instead of jumping straight to bed with each other, they decide to pump the brakes and open up about their past relationships. Recipe for disaster? Once everything is revealed, it’s certainly doesn’t come without its challenges for the potentially new couple.

“Which Brings Me to You” starts out in a cliche boy meets girl manner. And though, the film never really goes anywhere that original, Lucy Hale and Nat Wolff’s chemistry revives a tired formula.

Hale and Wolff’s onscreen presence pulls you in. It’s clear they both have something dark in their past and you’re intrigued as to why they are both still single. The two bring an authentic portrayal to their characters. Neither one is over the top unrealistic. Will is not some extra, douche bag player type, whose changing his ways for the good girl. And Jane isn’t really the “good girl”. Both are flawed in understandable ways, but they have been trying to change their ways even before they met. They are not trying to become better people for each other, they are becoming better people for themselves. This is a much-needed narrative in the romance genre.

Notice I said “romance” genre and not “romantic comedy”. That’s because this is not a comedy. It lacks humor and it’s not advertised as a comedy. But I could see how one may expect laughs given the premise and trailer clips. “Which Brings Me to You” is more of a thoughtful conversation and character study of two people who are still healing from their past scars.

The film’s biggest weak spot is failing to flesh out their protagonists and their former lovers. Certain flashbacks of their previous romances are rushed, and their exes end up feeling more like props than humans. This creates too many unanswered questions, and ultimately, that holds back the film’s full potential.

“Which Brings Me to You” won’t stand out among other romances, but it tells a sweet enough story that’s enhanced through the effortless performances by Lucy Hale and Nat Wolff.

Rating: B-

“Which Brings Me to You” opens in theaters January 19, 2024.

Share

“Love is Love is Love” Interview with Eleanor Coppola

“The latest feature film from award-winning director Eleanor Coppola (Paris Can Wait, Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse), LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE tells three stories that explore love, commitment, and loyalty between couples and friends.  In the film’s first story TWO FOR DINNER, a married couple (Joanne Whalley and Chris Messina) find an unconventional way to transcend long distance through technology, but discover they were farther apart than they knew.  In SAILING LESSON, a long-married couple (Kathy Baker and Marshall Bell) tries to reignite their honeymoon-phase heat through a spontaneous sailing trip… and unexpected events arise.  And in LATE LUNCH, a young woman (Maya Kazan) who recently lost her mother gathers together a group of her mother’s friends (including Cybill Shepherd, Rosanna Arquette, and Rita Wilson) to share memories.  Surprising revelations ensue.”

I spoke with director Eleanor Coppola about the film, her inspiration behind the stories, how the movie speaks to underserved audience, and much more.

Blue Fox Entertainment will release LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE in New York and Los Angeles on Friday, November 12 and on VOD Tuesday, December 14.

Share
“Love is Love is Love” Interview with Eleanor Coppola

“Hard Luck Love Song” Interview w/ Michael Dorman & Sophia Bush

Roadside Attractions’ new film, “Hard Luck Love Song” is based off the song “Just Like Old Times” by Todd Snider. It’s a gritty love story about a troubled musician living out of motels and making bad choices. One night he reconnects with his old flame and the two experience an emotional and unforgettable evening. I spoke with the stars of the film, Michael Dorman and Sophia Bush, to talk about personal discoveries, what puts them at ease when meeting new people, and more.

“Hard Luck Love Song” opens in theaters October 15, 2021.

Share

THE LAST LETTER FROM YOUR LOVER | Dallas Virtual Screening

Register to get access to the virtual advance screening of Netflix’s “The Last Letter from Your Lover”. To watch the film from home and attend the screening on July 21st RSVP HERE by Tuesday, July 13th. Please note the screening doesn’t require a Netflix subscription to view.

THE LAST LETTER FROM YOUR LOVER

A pair of interwoven stories set in the present and past, THE LAST LETTER FROM YOUR LOVER follows Ellie Haworth (Felicity Jones), an ambitious journalist who discovers a trove of secret love letters from 1965 and becomes determined to solve the mystery of the forbidden affair at their center. As she uncovers the story behind Jennifer Stirling (Shailene Woodley), the wife of a wealthy industrialist, and Anthony O’Hare (Callum Turner) the financial journalist assigned to cover him, a love story of Ellie’s own begins to unfold with the assistance of an earnest and endearing archivist (Nabhaan Rizwan) who helps her track down more letters. Based on the novel by JoJo Moyes and directed by Augustine Frizell.

THE LAST LETTER FROM YOUR LOVER Releases on Netflix on July 23rd

Share

Interview: Greg Berlanti, Nick Robinson and Alexandra Shipp talk “Love, Simon”

There’s a reason why “Love, Simon” is getting so much love.  The film is a charming coming-of-age story that everyone can relate to.  It’s one of my favorite movies of the year and I was thrilled to get a chance to sit down with director Greg Berlanti, and stars, Nick Robinson and Alexandra Shipp.  We discussed the pros/cons of social media, best romantic spots, what kind of characters they’d like to see represented in big studio movies and more!

“Love, Simon” is playing in theaters everywhere.

Share

Movie Review/Interview: “If I Stay”- An Adolescent Romantic Tear-Jerker

It’s no surprise that big studio production companies are quickly grabbing hold of the rights to as many young adult novels as they can.  The fan base is already there.  Give them a “best-seller” and a good looking lead, and you may just have the next Twilight or The Fault in Our Stars.

Tweens are thirsting for romance that they can live vicariously through, and Chloe Grace Moretz’s latest drama will quench every young girl’s desire.

If I Stay is an adaptation of Gayle Forman’s 2009 best-seller.  The film centers on Mia Hall (Moretz), a straight-lace, gifted cellist who lives in Oregon with her ultra-hip parents, Kat (Mireille Enos) and Denny (Joshua Leonard), and her little brother, Teddy (Jakob Davies).  One day while Mia is practicing in school, Adam (Jamie Blackley), an up-and-coming rock star, passes by and it’s love at first listen.  Be warned now, if you’re in theater with any teenage girls, Adam will cause swooning and sighing.  The two go through a jagged relationship, proving that classical and rock doesn’t make for a smooth mix.

Priorities shift for Mia when she is invited to audition for Julliard but, her music and Adam become the least of her worries after a horrific car accident has caused her to fall into a coma. Anxious to know the fate of the rest of her family, Mia has an out of body experience. Her spirit roams the hospital halls and she eavesdrops on her loved ones as they try to cope and pray for her to make it through surgery.  As her future begins to be uncertain, Mia is faced with a choice.  She must decide if the life she’s waking up to is one worth living.

Call me a cheesy romantic, but I enjoyed this film.  I am fully aware the one liners, “I see you,” and “why me?” will have plenty of people rolling their eyes.  But there are certain qualities in a teenybopper romance that can always salvage the movie.  The key element is your lead.  Chloe Grace Moretz is a thriving young talent, and since I first saw her in 500 Days of Summer, she has only flourished in her career.  Whether it’s a success like Kick-Ass or a flop like Carrie, Moretz masterfully performs in all of her projects.

Of course, what’s love without believability?  Moretz and Blackley’s chemistry is hardly that of comparison to Hazel and Gus (The Fault in Our Stars), but it translates well here.  Mia and Adam’s relationship isn’t forced, we get to watch them grow as a couple and care for their story, a missing quality from many recent love stories.

There is more to If I Stay than just the romance.  The film also touches on how some people in your life don’t necessarily need to be blood related to be your family.  If I Stay may pull at your heartstrings and shed some tears, but think of this film as more of a “doesn’t-hurt-to-see” versus a “must-see.”

Rating: 3/5

Share

Interview: Shailene Woodley, Nat Wolff, & John Green talk “The Fault in Our Stars”

I got a chance to sit down with Shailene Woodley, Nat Wolff and author John Green for the most talked about love story, “The Fault in our Stars”.  We talked about falling in love, deal breakers when dating, meeting our heroes, and more!  Easily one of my favorite interviews ever.

The interview originally aired on ICTN’s arts and entertainment magazine show, About Towne.

Click here to play Interview

tfios chix