20s Movie Review - Look Both Ways

Director: Wanuri Kahiu
Genre: Drama/ Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Lili Reinhart, Danny Ramirez, Aisha Dee, David Corenswet, Luke Wilson, Andrea Savage

Description: On the even of her college graduation, Natalie’s (Lili Reinhart) diverges into parallel realities: one in which she becomes pregnant and remains in her hometown to raise her child and another in which she moves to L.A. to pursue her dream career.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 7: A ROMANTIC MOVIE
 
Review: Natalie has a tight five-year plan outlining her career to conquer the animation world. But she she suffers from nasea after sex with her best friend Gabe, the fear of pregnancy throws that plan into disarray. In the bathroom where she takes a pregnancy test, her life spits into two timelines: one in which she is indeed pregnant and decides to keep the child and one in which she is not pregnant and she is going to follow her plan to move to L.A. and become an animator.

“Look Both Ways” is a fun film that makes it all too clear that life cannot be planned that easy. It is nice to see that both timelines get a fair amount of screen time and one is not clearly placed above the other. At the same time, not all scenes feel equally urgent and there are some very large time jumps. Thus, the script is not as tight as it could have been and also makes you wonder if this concept would not work better in a series.

What I liked most is that the makers never force one of the two stories on you. One is not better than the other, because both timelines have their ups and downs and their good and bad moments. And I really liked Lili Reinhart in her role.

The film also paints a somewhat fatalistic picture by implicitly stating that you will end up where you are supposed to be anyway. Five-year plan or not, you are simply a plaything of fate. In contrast, the idea that hard work always gets you where you need to be in the end easily fits into the image of makeable happiness that is very short-sighted. But if you don't dwell too much on such matters, Look Both Ways is an entertaining film that doesn't get boring especially with thanks to the infectious acting of the expressive Lili Reinhart and warm Danny Ramirez.

“Look Both Ways” is a fun and entertaining film, that is not overly romantic because that is not the focus. Natalie’s journey is, and I really enjoyed that. The two separate stories are nothing groundbreaking, but I really loved the concept of the two timelines.

Rating: 3/ 5

10s Movie Review - Hustlers

Director: Lorene Scafaria
Genre: Crime
Runtime: 107 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Stiles, Lili reinhart, Cardi B, Lizzo, Keke Palmer
Description: Inspired by the viral New York Magazine article, we follow a crew of former strip club employees who band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 7: A MOVIE WITH PINK POSTER ART

Review: “Hustlers” takes its story from the New York Magazine article “The Hustlers at Scores” by the now well-known journalist Jessica Pressler in Hollywood. Her work seems almost to have been written with the intention of turning I into a film. Her investigation into a group of strippers who stole from the rich but did give the loot to the poor is no exception. These strippers are not inferior to many other women in film who stand up for themselves. “Hustlers” therefore fits well into the current ‘women don’t need men’ trend that dominates Hollywood.  
In the years leading up to the 2008 economic crisis, strip club veteran Ramon teaches newcomer Destiny the tricks, dances and arts of the trade. Soon, in the golden days of strip clubs, the duo grows into a money machine and plucks the wealthy stock trader bare. However, with the onset of the Wall Street crisis, unlimited money is soon over. Strip clubs are a luxury, and are emptying out. To maintain sales, the clubs are hire cheaper immigrant girls and a lap dance turns into a three hundred dollar blow job. When Destiny has a child, she gets out of the business and loses sight of Ramona.
When Ramona and Destiny meet again, several years later and somewhat penniless, the story finds its deserved place. The strippers decide to take back what the Wall Street thieves tole from them and everyone else. They put together a team, with the help of a little narcotics, use the art of seduction and rob several Wal Street yuppies. One thousand dollars in one night is not unique.
The women in the film are supposed to be examples of modern feminists, who know that they should not focus on women as a gender but on themselves as women. But somehow it doesn’t fully translate well. Because these women use their bodies and sexuality to hustle the men.
Jennifer Lopez plays Ramona, who in her entrance scene throws her virtually naked, fifty-year-old body into the fray and around a pole in a way that would discourage many twenty-year-olds. Her role has nothing to do with acting, it’s a performance. She is perfect for a role like this. And Lopez does a good job. And that’s a lot coming from me, because I don’t really like her as an actress.
“Hustlers” should and could have been a real power movie, but gets a but bogged down in predictable motives.

Rating: 3/ 5

TV Show Review - Riverdale (Season 2)

Season: 2
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Number of episodes: 22
Year: 2017/ 2018
Starring: K.J. Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse, Casey Cott, Madelaine Petsch, Marisol Nichols, Luke Perry, Mädchen Amick, Skeet Ulrich, Ashleigh Murray, Lochlyn Munro, Nathalie Boltt, Barclay Hope, Tiera Skovbye, Trevor Stines, Molly Ringwald, Shannon Purser, Martin Cummins

Description: While navigating the troubled waters of romance, school and family, Archie (K.J. Apa) and his gang become entangled in dark Riverdale mysteries.

Review: Season 1 left us with a new mystery: who shot Archie’s father? And it’s not the only crime he commits. The so-called “black hood” is on a killing-spree and the question is: whodunit?
Like the first season, each episodes ends with tension and you find a reason to click on the next episode. And the mystery is still strong in the series. But some storylines don’t work as well. The ‘Red Circle’ is just very unbelievable and Veronica as a mobster daughter just doesn’t work. And that thing with Kevin, meeting up with strangers in the woods. What was that all about?
Betty and Jughead are still the couple to love. They are the interesting characters on the show. So is Cheryl, but her dialogue is sometimes very annoying. No one talks like that!
Now, “Riverdale” has become more of a guilty-pleasure and season 2 isn’t as strong as season 1. Especially because it’s not as surprising anymore. And Archie is the main character, but he is just not that interesting and kind of stupid actually.
At this point, I’m not sure if I will check out season 3. Somethings are just too ridiculous.

TV Show Review - Riverdale (Season 1)

Season: 1
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Number of episodes: 14
Year: 2017
Starring: K.J. Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse, Casey Cott, Madelaine Petsch, Marisol Nichols, Luke Perry, Mädchen Amick, Skeet Ulrich, Ashleigh Murray, Lochlyn Munro, Nathalie Boltt, Barclay Hope, Tiera Skovbye, Trevor Stines, Molly Ringwald, Shannon Purser, Martin Cummins

Description: While navigating the troubled waters of romance, school and family, Archie (K.J. Apa) and his gang become entangled in dark Riverdale mysteries.

Review: Riverdale is a simple town, a typical American town. But when teenager Jason Blossom is found murdered, the whole town turns upside down. Who did it and why?
“Riverdale” is your typical teen show. A bunch of teens, with your stereotypes, growing up in a small town. Teen drama, I love it. But there is some mystery and crime drama added to the mix. Which makes it a bit different.
The actors are fairly unknown. Cole Sprouse might be a familiar face, who used to shine in “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” with his twin brother. His role of Jughead Jones is easily my favorite character of the show so far. But as I am a thirty-something woman, my heart skipped a beat when I saw Luke Perry! He was one of my crushes in my teen years. I also love Lili Reinhart, as the ‘Nancy Drew’ of Riverdale, playing Betty Cooper.
“Riverdale” is a perfect binge-watch show. After each episode, you just can’t wait to watch the next. When the body of Jason Blossom is found, the series turns into a whodunit and I love those. You start to tag along with the characters in their search for Jason’s killer.
I’m glad this season didn’t have that many episodes and it wraps up a lot of the answers at the end. So that it’s time for another mystery. Which it does. It ends with a tragic happening, which will obviously set the second season.
The series isn’t original. This type of story has been done so many times. But it’s really enjoyable and easy to watch.