
Mariusz and Monika are neighbors whose acquaintance began with a turbulent conflict. Mariusz, a musician, was notorious for hosting loud parties and jam sessions until dawn. For Monika, who lived on the fourth floor, the sleepless nights became torture, and her aversion to her noisy neighbor grew with each party. Everything changes abruptly when they are united by the loss of a mutual friend and a shared dream: the construction of a rehabilitation clinic for children with disabilities.
I write for a diversity-focused film review blog, so I’ll be honest: I really wanted to like Pretty Lethal. Starring Maddie Ziegler, Lana Condor, Iris Apatow, Avantika, and Millicent Simmonds, Amazon Prime’s new thriller seemed like it would be a girl power movie about dancers with a horror action twist. Sort of a Suspiria for teens. But with shallow and unlikeable characters, a confusing plot, an overreliance on violence, and cringey dialogue, any fun the movie started out with was quickly lost. What was left was a faint echo of greater horror movies about dancers made before.
Despite its glaring flaws, First Girl I Loved is not entirely undeserving of a watch. For people who can handle the more difficult aspects of the story and graphic scenes, it is worth looking into. It’s not a film worthy of rewatch, but it may still resonate somewhat with those who need a story like this. It is a genuine, if flimsy attempt at a coming-of-age tale. Were the film to be directed by someone with experiences more similar to Anne, it would likely be more powerful--as it is, it feels like a man’s perspective of what it means to come to terms with your identity as a lesbian.
Here's what Disney got wrong with "Aladdin" and how it can avoid those pitfalls with "Hercules."
The initial reaction and review of Netflix's newly released romantic comedy featuring Haley Lu Richardson and Ben Hardy. Spoilers included!
If you haven’t watched Good Trouble yet, you need to. This Foster’s spinoff, aptly named for civil rights champion and Congressman, John Lewis, follows Mariana and Callie Adams Foster as they begin a new chapter of young adulthood and navigate life, careers, social justice, and love.