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Booksmart (2019)
I get it. I'm sorry you don't.
There are so many reviewers saying that they don't get Booksmart, as they were expecting it to be like other final-day-of-highschool movies like Superbad or Dazed and Confused (which are both great). And Booksmart does, in fact, succeed in being a funny, extremely relatable, and inventive addition to that category. As someone who graduated high school in 2017 and was in pretty much the same situation as Amy, this movie hit me hard and I really really enjoyed it. Does it follow a familiar premise? Yes, but this is the first mainstream, female led, LGBTQ+ coming of age film to do so. Maybe it doesn't resonate with you because you graduated high school a while ago, maybe because you're not a woman or LGBTQ+, or maybe you just don't think it's funny (which are all valid reasons, you're totally entitled to your own opinion), but if you say you don't "get it", at least try to understand that Booksmart is actually a really important film for my generation, women, queer people, and those of us who may have wasted too much time worrying about what's next rather than ever slowing down to enjoy high school. Booksmart is a lot more than just some dumb screwball comedy, it has a lot of heart and I know that those who "get it" really get it. Also it's not "woke" or pandering to have a diverse cast.
Cats (2019)
The New Rocky Horror(??)
You know...for being a so-called 10th layer of hell, as proclaimed by a film critic, Cats has let me remarkably unphased. It didnt kill me, my eyes are intact, and I'm feeling, I dont know, a certain fervent levity after seeing it yesterday. In fact, it feels like a fitting end to a decade of political chaos, existential dread, and nihilistic Internet decadence.
Is it a complete and utter dumpster fire, complete with both Jason Deurlo at his most Deruloiest AND Judi Dench at her Judi-Denchiest, professional feline dancers at their horniest, and James Corden at his most horrendous? YES. Does it feature stunning appearances from Jennifer Hudson, pouring her heart (and snot) into the only 3 serviceable minutes of the film, and Ian McKellan going full CAT! in a performance that he lovingly revelled in? YES.
Listen. The entire film is CGI, even the champagne Corden forces down his throat. The only things left (regrettably) untouched are the actors' faces and hands. A harrowing vision of the uncanny and demonic. The music's incoherence and overall badness should not come to a surprise, Cats is a well known theatrical anomaly. We have Taylor Swift and Jason Derulo playing alongside Judi Dench and Ian Mckellan. There has never been and never will be a film like this. GO SEE IT. I wish it was playing in IMAX so i might have a chance of ascending to the Heaven-side layer.
If nothing else, please support Ian McKellan as Gus the Theatre Cat. He is truly a vision. And Jennifer Hudson, who was actually good, deserves so much better than the movie she got. Also hats off to Derulo's cockney accent, most inspired.
!Make Cats the new Rocky Horror 2019!
Ken Jeong: First Date (2019)
A great show!!!
So for a while I really wasn't a fan of Ken Jeong's crass sense of humor but recently (mostly after binging Community and loving him in Crazy Rich Asians) I've really been coming around to it. This special showcases his trademark blunt, unapologetically crude jokes and delivery but has a tremendous amount of heart and sincerity, covering subjects such as being an Asian American in Trump's America, his former life as a doctor, genuine relationships with his previous directors and costars, and his struggles with mental health. And also his wife!!! The way he talks about his wife (the inspiration for the special's name and Valentine's Day release date) is so precious and pure, I actually teared up towards the end. I can see why his type of humor may not appeal to some, but if you like smart but kind of gross comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously with a lot of heart, I highly reccomend this special!!
Pocahontas (1995)
An Amazing, Underrated Masterpiece
Pocahontas is an amazing movie. I honestly don't think I'd be who I am today with out it. I don't understand why so many people don't like it. The animation's beautiful, the songs are to die for, and the story is great. Yes, it doesn't follow the true story, but that wouldn't really make a good kid's movie, would it? It's a Disney movie, people. Disney. And I fail to see how it is racist, either. If anything, it is the complete embodiment of anti-racism.
The story is about European exploration and relations with the Natives in America during the 1600s. We watch as the heroic Captain John Smith travels on a ship with the greedy Governor Ratcliffe across the fierce Atlantic waves to the Virginian Coast, where they set up camp in search of gold. Not to far away is a Native village, where we meet Pocahontas and her friends and family. At some point later, John and Pocahontas meet by a waterfall. Taken by surprise, John crouches low, and prepares to shoot the princess, but stops after she looks at him very majestically and commandingly (not in a mean way, just like "you will not hurt me"). This starts an unsuspecting romance between the two, and eventually causes the Natives and the Europeans to clash, because each think the other are savages. Pocahontas, with the help of Grandmother Willow, realizes that fighting must stop and she must follow her heart. She teaches John this through the beautiful and moving song "Colors of the Wind", my personal favorite Disney song of all time. A terrific battle scene ensues, accompanied by "Drums of War." I won't give away any more.
But does this really sound racist to you? This movie is about stopping racism and prejudice, how love can overcome any obstacle. HOW THE HECK IS THAT RACIST?????? People are also saying it's an overdone storyline, but the only movie I can think of right now that has the same basis would be Last of the Mohicans, which is hardly a children's film. And, anyway, doesn't everything get a little repetitive these days? I've also read some things that say this movie is sexist. Because Pocahontas apparently throws herself and John or something. So basically, wouldn't every other princess movie (with the exception of Beauty and the Beast or maybe Aladdin) be the same way? Don't all of the princesses pretty much throw themselves at their princes?
Back to Pocahontas, this movie is my childhood. I remember watching it when I was little, I was obsessed. I would call knots in trees Grandmother Willow, laughed at Meeko and Flick, I sang and danced to the songs. And now, a fourteen year old, Pocahontas remains one of my favorite movies. Honestly, we need more movies like it. Killing has become so popular these days, and now we've lost sight of the importance of peace and love in the world. I know, I sound very cheesy, but it's true. I wonder if everyone in the world, right now, watched Pocahontas right now they might think twice before polluting or killing.
I think Pocahontas is great for both kids and adults. All though the message may be a little deep for kids to wrap their minds around, they'll love the animation, animals, songs, and action. Maybe they'll even have some understanding of what's really happening. Adults would enjoy again the animation and the surprising maturity of the plot, and of course, the music as well.
This movie is a must-see for children and adults alike, even if it is a "kid's movie". I know I'll be showing my kids when I'm older!!!