90s Movie Review - Election

Director: Alexander Payne
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 103 minutes
Year: 1999
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2025 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 28: A FILM FROM 1999
 
Description: A high school teacher (Matthew Broderick) meets his match in an over-achieving student politician (Reese Witherspoon)

Review: Director Alexander Payne set this delightful mix of political satire and high school comedy in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. Tracy Flick is a bewilderingly driven student who runs for student council. She leaves no stone unturned in her quest to get elected. Her teacher, Jim McAllister, who views her ambitions with a mixture of fear and admiration, puts forward and opposing candidate.

“Election” is cleverly written and exceptionally infectiously acted by a young Reese Witherspoon. And Matthew Broderick is really strong as Jim McAllister. The atmosphere at the high school is portrayed very well, actors play their typical characters very well, and the film contains a dose of satirical, dark humor. A high school comedy with actual depth.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Review - Fear Street: Prom Queen

Director: Matt Palmer
Genre: Horror/ Mystery/ Thriller
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: India Fowler, Suzanna Son, Fina Strazza, Katherine Waterston, Lili Taylor, Chris Klein, Ariana Greenblatt, David Iacono, Darrin Baker, Ella Rubin, Rebecca Ablack, Ilan O’Driscoll
 
Description: When the “it” girls for prom queen at Shadyside high start to disappear, a gutsy outsider discovers she’s in for one hell of a prom night.
 
Review: “Fear Street: Prom Queen” is based on a book by bestselling author R.L. Stine, known for the “Fear Street” book series, but also the “Goosebumps” books. Teen horror with a fun twist.

At first glance, the story seems unremarkable. In 1988, outsider Lori wants to become prom queen, while her rival Tiffany and het friends make Lori’s life miserable. Tiffany’s boyfriend secretly has a crush on Lori, while Tiffany is under pressure from her parents. Meanwhile, in dark corners of the dance hall, more and more prom queen candidates are being gruesomely murdered by a masker figure in a red coat.

The book came our in 1992 and although his books were for kids and teens, they were always pretty scary. “Fear Street: Prom Queen” is very bloody, but therefor primarily a homage to the 1908s slasher film.

The characters a very cliché and you can predict a little who’s going to die next. But the film has a surprising twist that I personally didn’t see coming. Which makes it a fun slasher with a surprise element.

Rating: 3/ 5