Archives for : Romance
Materialists has officially revived the rom com genre with a modern take on a familiar story, and I for one, hope that this refreshing spin on love brings romantic comedies back to theaters. While the film is more of a romantic dramedy, it has all the makings of becoming one of my favorite films of the year.
Lucy is an ambitious young New York City matchmaker, who finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex. Starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, the plot raises a lot of questions about dating in the world today. Read full review here.
Rating: A+
“Materialists” opens in theaters June 13, 2025.
SIRENS Interview: Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock, Glenn Howerton, Felix Solis, Bill Camp
SIRENS is the hottest new binge-worthy mini-series on Netflix. The show features a powerhouse cast, including Academy Award winner, Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, and Milly Alcock.
Fahy plays Devon, who is concerned about her sister’s unhealthy relationship with her new boss. The series is a sharp and sexy dark comedy that will keep you guessing till the very end.
I had the honor of speaking with some of the stars of the show about show, a time in our lives when we’re most influenced, and more.
SIRENS is currently streaming on Netflix!
“Drop” premiered at this year’s South by Southwest with rave reviews about the exhilarating new thriller. It’s not easy to get back into the dating world, especially after a traumatic relationship. Director Christopher Landon takes audiences on a horrifying first date in what might eventually become an instant cult classic.
The film follows Violet, a widowed mother, played by “White Lotus” star Meghann Fahy who is going on her first date in years. With the help of her sister, who’s agreed to babysit her son while out, she musters up the courage to put herself back out there and meets with a charming photographer played by Brandon Sklenar. Unfortunately, this potential for romance turns into a mother’s worst nightmare as Violet is bombarded with anonymous texts that threaten her son’s life. Trapped in a high rise, upscale restaurant, she must figure out who is behind the messages to save both her son and her date’s life.
If you’re familiar with Landon’s work on films like “Freaky” or “Happy Death Day”, you’ll have an idea of his style of horror. He adds an element of comedy that allows you to breathe a little easier through his character’s high stressed situations. While there are moments of comic relief, “Drop” creates an anxiety-inducing setting with time constraints and focus on suspense. But don’t be fooled by its frightening premise, the film has a few jump scares, but it never takes itself too seriously. In fact, expect a few eye rolls when entering ridiculous and campy territory. It’s Fahy’s devoted and captivating performance that will sell you on any absurd action.
The heart of this film lies with Meghann Fahy, who continues to shine in any role she plays. But “Drop” succeeds in blending romance, wit, and tension into a simple yet tech-savvy, entertaining thrill ride that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Rating: B+
“Drop” opens in theaters April 11, 2025
Is Walt Disney’s newest live-action remake of the 1937 classic, “Snow White” the fairest of them all? Not quite, but it is certainly not the worst remake.
The film stars the musically talented songbird, Rachel Zegler as the fairest of them all and Gal Godot trades her golden lasso for a poison apple as the Evil Queen. For those not already familiar with the tale, it follows Snow White, a young woman who is forced to run away from her jealous stepmother, the Evil Queen, and seeks shelter in a cottage in the forest by seven new friends with distinct personalities. There are a few changes to the original story that is better left unspoiled, but what I can tease is the beautiful music by writers Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, known for “La La Land” and “The Greatest Showman”. The two add the magical Disney touch to the film with songs like “Waiting on a Wish”. And no surprise Zegler and Gadot do a fine job, fully committing to their characters and bringing life and more depth to the dynamic of their relationship that was never fully developed in the original movie.
Of course, with every Disney live-action remake, we ask, was this film necessary or worth making? In all honesty, not really. There has yet to be one that is truly “better” than the animated classics. The quality, the writing, and even the animation was so good for its time, that when we rewatch we can appreciate the wonder and awe felt during that time. Though I understand wanting to modernize the story, especially a dated damsel in distress plot. It’s nice to see these princesses have their own strength and not rely soley on a man to save them. What these remakes are trying to do is not bad, but maybe instead of trying to redo an already beloved tale, create an original “fairy-tale” story that would enhance new technology. Even an original story like “Cruella” is more inspiring to watch.
Regardless of live action or animated preference, the film is still an entertaining watch, with its toe-tapping Broadway style original songs, heartwarming moments, and stunning visuals, ‘Snow White” is a solid musical reimagining the worth seeing with the family in theaters.
Rating: C+
Lucy Hale continues to slay in the horror genre, this time adding a hilarious romantic comedy element to her new whodunit thriller, “F Marry Kill”.
Directed by Laura Murphy, the story follows Hale as Eva, a true crime junkie obsessed with the latest serial killer that’s targeting women on dating apps. After wasting 8 years with an egotistical boyfriend, she finally decides to put herself back out into the dating world. With encouragement from all her friends except for her happily married best friend, Kelly (Virginia Gardner), she takes a stab at the dating apps. Though hesitant, she succeeds in finding three seemingly nice potential suitors (Brendan Morgan, Samer Salem, and Jedidiah Goodacre). But as the news unveils alarming evidence about the infamous serial killer, Eva begins to suspect the new men in her life. This leads her to question which one of her three dates is an f-boy, marriage material, or a killer.
While the plot may sound ridiculous, it is surprisingly creative and laugh out loud funny. Hale leads the cast with a crass yet charmingly captivating performance. While her character is an overthinker and makes some obviously idiotic choices, she is relatable and hilarious. This is easily one of her most entertaining roles to date. The supporting cast around her kills it with their comedic timing, elevating the already witty script.
Fans of a good murder mystery can appreciate the clever storytelling. Albeit a little formulaic, there is still some originality sprinkled in with its topical references about social media and dating app, along with the film’s humorous path and clues leading up to a killer reveal.
After a plethora of remakes and heavy award season dramas, “F Mary Kill” offers mischievous fun with a stellar cast. The film is a re-watchable comedic murder mystery that makes it the perfect watch for a friend’s night out.
“F Marry Kill” Is currently playing theaters.
Rating: B
Love is in the air AND in the palm of our hands as the new sci-fi romantic thriller, Companion, pushes all the right buttons for an instant cult classic.
Filmmaker Drew Hancock’s directorial feature follows a seemingly happy couple, Iris and Josh, who go on a weekend getaway with friends at a remote cabin. But things take a chaotic and bloody turn when it’s revealed Iris is a robot companion. The less you know about this plot the better, as the number of twists and turns are endless. But “Companion is already being raved about as the first best film of the year. What I can tell you is that it excels through enthralling performances by the entire cast, especially stars, Jack Quaid and Sophie Thatcher.
Horror fans may recognize Thatcher from the popular series, Yellowjackets or more recently the acclaimed psychological thriller, Heretic. But after this role, it’s safe to say, Thatcher is going to be an unforgettable talent we will be seeing a lot more of. Aside from the fact that she can cry from one eye at a time on command, she impressively emotes a robotic character who is truly in love and can feel every emotion. And we feel for her. Quaid, who normally plays the good guy, tackles the villainous role in a subtle and humorous manner. All the while the two have great on-screen chemistry. There isn’t anything too revolutionary in the film, but it does entertainingly warn audiences about the dangers of technology and why it’s best not to have full control of your partner.
Companion” touches on feminism, greed, loneliness, and hones in on how we should treat our significant others with respect, while taking audiences on an unpredictable and hilarious thrill ride. It’s an unexpected must-see that’s sure to capture your heart.
Rating: A-
“Companion” is currently playing in theaters
“At a retreat in Morocco, a woman meets a young man whose acquaintanceship evolves into an intoxicating, life-altering love affair.” LONELY PLANET is a lighthearted, beautiful romance everyone can enjoy!
I had the opportunity to sit down with the stars of the film, Academy Award winner, Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth to talk about the film, who they are most comfortable with, places that have made them feel modest, and more!
LONELY PLANET streams on Netflix October 11, 2024.
Based on the New York Times Best Seller by Colleen Hoover, “It Ends with Us” stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, who gives a truly inspiring performance to a layered character.
Lively plays Lily Bloom, who overcomes a traumatic childhood and sets off to open her own flower shop. She meets a handsome neurosurgeon and the two begin a romantic relationship. But things take a dark turn when she starts to see signs of abuse similar to her past. She then realizes she must rely on her own strength to break a violent pattern and make a difficult choice for a brighter future. While the film might shy away from overly graphic images, they are not shying away from the issue of domestic violence. The approach is painfully realistic, in that it’s not often talked about and those involved may want to focus more on the positive in their life versus acknowledging any red flags.
Whenever a film is adapted from a book, you can always tell there are missing pieces that would have probably added more to the plot. At times “It Ends with Us” does feel rushed and audiences will want more from the characters. Luckily the film should satisfy readers and even encourage new ones. The film does a wonderful job at appealing to the emotions and giving an authentic perspective. There is a fine line to what may be considered romantic or aggressive. And this movie cleverly portrays how one might see things the way they want to instead of how they really are. While this film has romance and deals with a serious subject matter, this is a story about a strong, resilient woman, who is much more than what has happened to her. She is a daughter, a friend, a mother, a business owner, and she stands for hope.
The entire cast is fantastic, especially the much-needed comic relief by Jenny Slate, but it’s Lively and Baldoni who pull you in from the start with their polarizing performances. “It Ends with Us” is an unforgettable, compelling story that will move all audiences.
Rating: B+
