Her REEL Review - 'Cause Girls Watch Movies, Too

Twisters is the long-awaited sequel to the 1996 blockbuster hit, which starred Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt. The sequel stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos. Much like the original, it follows a team of storm chasers in Oklahoma who are trying to find a way to gain more information about tornadoes and, more importantly, figure out how to stop them from terrorizing the people of Tornado Valley. Twisters Movie Poster Courtesy Universal Pictures This was one of my most anticipated films of the summer. The original film is one of my all-time favorite storm disaster movies. My parents literally watched this movie on repeat; it was one of our comfort movies growing up. There are so many quotable lines that I remember to this day from that original movie. Okay, you had Philip Seymour Hoffman in that movie, you had Cary Elwes, Lois Smith, Alan Ruck—so many memorable moments--"We got cows! "Aunt Meg, where did you get all this beef from? Have you seen my cows out in ...

"Wonka" is a 2023 prequel to the 1971 film adaptation 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,' which, in turn, is based on the 1964 novel 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' by Roald Dahl. The original film features the incomparable Gene Wilder, with Peter Ostrum as Charlie Bucket and Jack Albertson as Grandpa Joe. This prequel/reimagining aims to continue the legacy of Dahl's iconic character and Wilder's performance (ironically, Dahl wasn't a fan of the 1971 musical). The 2023 film stars Timothée Chalamet as a young Willy Wonka, aspiring to become a chocolatier. Chalamet is accompanied by newcomer Calah Lane and seasoned actors Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman, Paterson Joseph, Keegan-Michael Key, and Jim Carter. The narrative revolves around Wonka competing with three other chocolatiers. While the story is engaging, it has some notable flaws. Firstly, the use of CGI falls short of the practical effects and magic of the original, relying too heavily on...

© 2023, FX Networks. All rights reserved Season 11 of American Horror Story has been released, and this season is titled "Delicate," drawing inspiration from the novel "Delicate Condition" by Danielle Valentine, which was published in August 2023. The series was created for television by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. In this season, Emma Roberts stars as Anna Alcott, a rising starlet navigating the tumultuous world of teen dramas, poised for a breakthrough during award season with a new hit movie. She and her husband, Dexter, portrayed by Matt Czuchry, are undergoing IVF treatments to start a family. However, their journey takes a bizarre turn as they encounter haunted antiques and experience unsettling dreams. © 2023, FX Networks. All rights reserved Anna's best friend and PR agent, portrayed by Kim Kardashian, attempts to keep her composed. Yet, the plot deepens when mysteries from Dexter's past come to light. © 2023, FX Networks. All rights reserved Ameri...

"The Perfect Find," the Netflix movie based on Tia Williams' novel and directed by Numa Perrier, presents an engaging story centered around Jenna, a 40-year-old woman navigating her career, biological clock, and financial situation. Starring Gabrielle Union and Keith Power, the film follows Jenna's risky decision to engage in a clandestine romance with someone who has the potential to jeopardize her professional comeback. While the movie remains a faithful adaptation of the book, it falls slightly short in building the passionate connection between Jenna and Eric. Furthermore, character development feels somewhat limited compared to its literary counterpart. Union, who visually embodies the essence of Jenna, unfortunately falls slightly short in capturing the character's vulnerability and depth. While she looks the part, there is a missed opportunity to fully delve into Jenna's emotional journey. On the other hand, Powers, who exudes undeniable handsomeness, f...

  ' I'm a Virgo'  ', the Amazon Prime show created by Boots Riley, offers a compelling and thought-provoking viewing experience with a wholly original premise: what would life be like through the eyes of a 13-ft tall black man?  With a talented ensemble cast including Jharrel Jerome, Olivia Washington, Brett Gray, Mike Epps, Carmen Ejogo, and Walter Coggins, the series delves into the life of a young man who stands an astonishing 13 feet tall, as he ventures into the world for the first time. One of the standout aspects of the show is its exceptional handling of themes such as racism, police brutality, capitalism, exploitation of lower classes, and wealth disparity. These issues are addressed with a raw and unflinching honesty that forces viewers to confront the harsh realities of our society. Moreover, 'I'm a Virgo' seamlessly weaves in elements of magical realism, adding a surreal touch that heightens the impact of the narrative. Jharrel Jerome continues t...

"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...