Her REEL Review - 'Cause Girls Watch Movies, Too

Picture of Review Thumbnail featuring the cast of the film.  Every once in a while, a franchise returns after years of silence and reminds you exactly why you enjoyed it in the first place—not because it reinvented cinema, but because it made you smile. Now You See Me Now You Don’t is that kind of movie. After nine long years, I took myself out on a movie date to see it, and honestly, it felt like stepping back into a familiar magic trick where you already know the setup, but you still enjoy watching it unfold. Before anyone asks: yes, the world is buzzing about Wicked for Good , and no, this isn’t that review. That one is coming later. But while everyone is distracted by flying houses and emerald-green lighting, this little heist-magic-film slipped into theaters—and I’m glad I didn’t miss it. One thing I appreciate about this series is the cast chemistry. We’ve had three different directors across the franchise, yet somehow it all still feels cohesive. That’s the cast. That’s ...

There is a certain generation—older millennials and boomers—who may find it unthinkable that someone has reached adulthood without seeing Planes, Trains, and Automobiles . I was one of those uninitiated viewers until this week, when I finally watched it with my high school film club. What surprised me most wasn’t that the film is beloved, but how instantly I understood why it earned that place. With a screenplay written, produced, and directed by John Hughes, and starring Steve Martin and John Candy, the film has all the makings of an American comedy classic. I simply don’t know how I let it pass me by for so long. I’ve always been a John Hughes fan— The Breakfast Club sits comfortably among my favorite films of all time—and even his lesser-discussed works like Curly Sue are staples in my home. Hughes had an unmistakable pen and an undeniable eye, and his collaborations with John Candy produced characters whose warmth and humor feel singular to 1980s cinema. Just days before watchi...

  courtesy Netflix By Shaquanna Stevens | Her Reel Review Tyler Perry’s latest Netflix release, Straw , starring Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd, and Teyana Taylor, arrives with high expectations given its talented cast and Perry’s established presence in contemporary Black cinema. However, while the film aims to tell a gritty story of loss, trauma, and maternal struggle, it ultimately falters in its execution, resulting in an emotionally exhausting experience that struggles to connect. A Promising Cast, A Confounding Story The film centers on Taraji P. Henson’s character, a mother grappling with life’s harsh realities and her young daughter’s wellbeing. Yet, despite Henson’s commanding screen presence and undeniable talent, the character’s development feels uneven and often unrelatable. Early scenes present her as harsh and confrontational in ways that make it difficult for the audience to empathize or understand her motivations. This lack of clear emotional grounding undermi...

"Casablanca," released in 1942, is a timeless classic that has captivated audiences for decades. It's constantly on film critic's list of favorite films. Though so many of the film's lines and images have entered our cultural zeitgeist, I've manage to miss out on seeing the film for 40 years of life. Yet, Casablanca is a masterpiece of storytelling, combining romance, and drama from the Golden Age of Hollywood. The performances in "Casablanca" are nothing short of charismatic. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman give career-defining performances as Rick and Ilsa, the star-crossed lovers at the heart of the film's story. Their chemistry is electric, and their scenes together are some of the most memorable in cinematic history. Bogart's Rick begins the film as stoic and harden Ex-pat owner of a club that stands as the gateway for refugees to flee the Nazis.  Ilsa, played by Bergman, is the stealthily and unattainable ex-lover, who's left  Ri...