Lyle Lyle The … Sexualized Crocodile?
From the first release of promotional materials, it was already unclear what the target audience would be for Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. Based on the beloved children’s book, the film seemed to want to bring in too many people at once: adults with an affinity for big name actors like Javier Bardem, musical theater folks with an affinity for Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, kids with an affinity for CGI-ed crocodiles, and … the one person out there who thought the crocodile should be voiced by Shawn Mendes?
Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down Is A Documentary About Heroes In Civilians’ Clothing
A blazer. A brooch. A tie. Even an astronaut suit. These are just some of the items worn by Gabby Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly.
At first glance, Giffords and Kelly are perhaps best described as a political power couple that have spent the last decade in the public eye, largely due to personal tragedy. But in the new documentary, “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down”, it becomes clear that they are also heroes in disguise - two individuals who have found joy in life and love despite all odds being stacked against them, and who have dedicated themselves to making Americans’ lives better every single day.
Halftime (The J.Lo Documentary): Why Netflix Could’ve Left More “On The Floor”
Jennifer Lopez was one of those people who always popped up in the most random of scenarios, whether as a reality show judge, an awards show performer, or, most often, as the face of the latest tabloid publication. Yet despite how often I encountered her, she was still never someone I paid much attention to – except when rewatching old dance recital videos where we danced to her hit, “Let’s Get Loud.” (Seriously, I don’t know what my studio’s obsession with the song was, but we danced to it a lot.)
The Bad Guys Was … Not That Bad
If you look at my track record of Moviegoer reviews, it should come as no surprise that I have been thrilled by the recent uptick in animated content across film and TV. Largely due to the COVID pandemic, studios and networks have begun investing in more animation projects due to their ability to be produced from home - and I certainly hope that the trend is here to stay! Not only because it means I might have more job options when I graduate (see, Penn? It’s possible to get a job that isn’t in consulting!), but because to me, there is nothing more joyous than watching an animated, family-friendly movie with everyone I love.
The Dropout, Inventing Anna, and the Fascination with Female Fraudsters
Audiences have soaked up The Dropout and Inventing Anna because of the piece inside of them that craves seeing a woman in a position of power. I can’t blame them; I love seeing it too. But does our desire to see strong, independent women erase any shred of a moral compass that tells us when a woman’s actions are wrong?
Pixar’s Turning Red: The Antidote Against Everything That’s Wrong In Hollywood
When I began learning more about the film industry in high school, I was surprised to learn that an artistic field–something I assumed would be stereotypically associated with women–was in fact dominated by white men. I remember reading about the hurdles that female screenwriters, directors, and producers faced to be given seats at the table, and being shocked that they had to overcome so much just to have their voices heard.
Marry Me: When Even Being a World-Famous Popstar Isn’t Enough
Glitzy and glamorous romantic comedies are nothing new; we have repeatedly discussed in lecture how urban settings and upper class characters are a mainstay of the genre. Romantic comedies that feature working women have also become increasingly common since the shift of labor that occurred in the postwar era. But how often have we seen a rom com about a female international music sensation?
Pivoting Episode 1: The New Show to Hold You Over in What Already Seems Like an … Interesting Year
FOX’s newest comedy Pivoting, tells the story of three women in their thirties whose best friend Coleen, has just died. Awakened by the realization that life is short, they each decide to make big life changes.
Maya and the Three Offers Stunning Visuals But a Confusing Story
When I heard that Netflix was releasing an animated adventure series by Jorge Gutierrez, co-writer and director of Golden Globe-nominated movie The Book of Life, I thought it was destined to be a smashing success. Featuring an exciting story about a Mesoamerican warrior princess, and boasting a cast of some of the most famous Latino actors of our time, I couldn’t wait to see what this monumental animator had created.
Netflix’s Vivo boasts a big name with few redeeming qualities
When I heard about Netflix and Sony Animation’s Vivo, I couldn’t wait to soak up more. The promise of music by Lin-Manuel Miranda added to my excitement. The film centers around adorable kinkajou Vivo (Don’t know what a kinkajou is? Turns out it’s a relative of the raccoon) who has grown up under the care of a kindhearted musician named Andrés. The two walk the streets of Havana, performing their music for all who will listen. When Andrés reveals that he never got to profess his love to his old music partner, Marta Sandoval, Vivo embarks on a journey to Miami with Andrés’ niece, Gabi, to deliver one last love song to Marta before her retirement concert.
When You Try Your Best But You Don’t Succeed: Shtisel Season 3 Review
Reviewing Season 3 of Shtisel brings back memories, since the series was the very first thing I wrote about for The Moviegoer! At the time of my initial review, Shtisel was one of my favorite shows. It had the cultural intrigue of Hasidic Jews without the sensationalism that usually characterizes other shows about these ultra-Orthodox communities. Instead of exoticizing the Hasidic community, the series sought to familiarize the audience with it by telling raw, human stories that touch on universal experiences.
Revisiting O Brother, Where Art Thou?
I think we can all agree that there’s something uniquely, well, peculiar about the Coen brothers’ movies. And yet, Joel and Ethan Coen are considered two of the greatest writers and directors of American cinema -- and for good reason. Their films combine quirky and lovable characters, laugh-out-loud humor, and an intriguing aesthetic. O Brother, Where Art Thou? presents all of these and more. Still, our modern understanding of race and representation require us to examine it with a critical lens.
