Category Archives: Movies & Multimedia

Movie Review: Lady Bird

Posted on by
Reply

NO SPOILERS

Lady Bird is the perfect movie to cry to with a cup of tea and a candle at night

One of my favorite comfort movies, Lady Bird is about a girl in her senior year of high school. She struggles with the social class difference between her and her classmates, feeling ashamed of the house she lives in, and dreams of living in one of the bigger houses, opposite of the train track that divides the rich from middle class. She identifies with a different name, insisting that everyone refers to her as “Lady Bird”. She constantly argues with her mom, rejecting her religion, and neglecting her mom’s worries about going to college. I think this was one of the more accurate depictions of the high school experience of a (semi) religious girl that focuses on the relationship between mother and daughter. It humanizes both sides and although they were arguing constantly, they took solace in activities like touring open houses together.

Greta Gerwig, director, does such a great job depicting relationships between women and although this is not my favorite film from her collection, Lady Bird is a great introduction to her work. I would recommend if you liked the movies Perks of Being a Wallflower, Little Women, The Florida Project, Aftersun, 8th Grade, Mid 90s, and Little Miss Sunshine.

Lady Bird is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Sound of Music Review

Posted on by
1

One weekend, my Mom had me sit down with her to watch the classic, The Sound of Music. I had put off watching it for a while and went in not really knowing what to expect. After watching it, I wish I had watched it sooner.

The Sound of Music is set in Austria during the 1930s, just around World War 2. The movie follows Maria from the nunnery who is asked to help take care of the children of an officer, Captain von Trapp. Maria heads to the von Trapp family home and tries her hardest to be accepted and show the family love. Slowly, she becomes a light of hope and happiness for them, bringing them back as a lively, close family. 

I loved The Sound of Music. Both the storyline was so sweet and the music was fantastic. The movie had so many different plots that all tied in smoothly together. One developed plotline was the love story between Maria and Captain von Trapp. Maria and the Captain were super cute to watch as they chose each other despite having other commitments. But while I adored the love story between the Captain and Maria, I can’t help but fall for the family trope. I loved to see the development of relationships between the kids and Maria and the renewed relationship of the Captain and his kids. The love between Maria and the Captain sprouted from their shared love of the children who also loved both of them. Their family dynamic was a beautiful development to watch, seeing them all overcome their own hardships and decisions. Additional points of the movie were Maria’s own insecurities and doubts and the uncertainty of the upcoming war and danger. All these plot points really helped to show how in depth and well thought out the movie was.

The Sound of Music of course had great music. It starred Julie Andrews who really brought a range of talent through her singing and acting. All the songs in the movie were super catchy. The two main songs I hear replaying in my head are ‘So Long, Farewell’ and ‘Do Re Mi’ which is why I find myself singing them randomly as I say good-bye to my friends or when I hear someone sing Do-Re-Mi. But while these are most prominent, all the other songs are also great, especially ‘Climb Every Mountain.’ Plenty of them made it onto my personal playlist.

Overall, The Sound of Music was a fantastic movie. It kept me engaged the entire time with the various storylines–some of which I hadn’t even mentioned–and especially with the awesome music. This classic is definitely a must watch, if not for the characters and music, for the historical significance; being placed during difficult moments of the world and seeing the effect it has (even if it was a smaller part of the movie). I highly recommend this movie to everyone, young and old; this movie has no age limit. It is definitely one I think anyone can enjoy.

-Nicole R.

The Sound of Music is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

The Best Coming-of-Age Films to Watch This Winter

Posted on by
1

Looking for the best coming-of-age movies to watch this winter? As the weather gets colder and the holidays approach, it’s the perfect time to relax with some movies that capture growth, change, and the ups and downs of growing up. Here are a few must-watch coming-of-age films this season!

The Holdovers, 2021 (R) 

Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers is a thoughtful and entertaining story perfect for the season. Set against the snowy backdrop of Deerfield, Massachusetts, the film follows three unlikely companions “holding over” at Barton boarding school during winter break together: Angus Tully, a rebellious high school junior; Mr. Hunham, a rigid and strict teacher; and Mary Lamb, the school’s kind-hearted cafeteria manager. Through their time together, the trio experiences personal growth, connection, and healing in unexpected ways. 

Dead Poets Society, 1989 (PG-13)

Peter Weir’s Dead Poets Society is another winter-season classic. Set in the snow-dusted halls of a prestigious Vermont prep school, Welton Academy, the film follows John Keating, an unconventional English teacher played by Robin Williams, who challenges his students to embrace individuality and “seize the day.” As his wise lessons and passion for literature inspire his students, they begin to explore their individuality, going against the standards set for them to discover who they each truly are. Though not directly tied to the holidays, the scenic shots of Vermont’s fall and winter landscapes beautifully set the tone and enhance the film’s atmosphere.

Fantastic Mr. Fox, 2009 (PG)

Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book, is a visually stunning stop-motion animated film that perfectly captures the cozy essence of fall and winter. With a color palette of warm oranges, deep browns, and vibrant reds, the film mirrors the crisp, autumnal landscapes of the season. The story follows Mr. Fox and his family as they navigate themes of self-discovery, alienation, and the importance of connection with one another. Anderson’s signature style and heartfelt storytelling make this a charming and thoughtful watch for the colder months.

Little Women, 2019 (PG)

Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, based on the acclaimed novel by Louisa May Alcott, is a beautifully crafted film that captures the warmth and struggles of family life. Set against the snowy landscapes of Massachusetts, the story follows the March sisters—Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate love, ambition,personal loss, and womanhood. Gerwig’s fresh approach to the timeless tale, combined with stunning visuals and heartfelt performances, makes it a perfect watch for the fall and winter seasons.

With their wintry settings and themes of self-discovery, connection, and resilience, these films offer the perfect blend of warmth and entertainment for cozy winter viewing!

Top 5 Christmas Movies 🎄

Posted on by
2

As Christmas is now right around the corner, here are some of the best christmas movies, ranked by my opinion and also ratings!

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

The Grinch! | Birmingham Museum of Art

This live action family comedy is based on the “Grinch,” a big green monster who hates Christmas. He steals all the Who’s decorations and even gifts. Despite this, the people around him teach him Christmas is not just about gifts, and he joins in their celebration. This movie is PG and its rated a 6.3/10 by IMDb. It is very entertaining and carries a heartwarming message about the true meaning of Christmas.

4. The Polar Express (2004)

The Polar Express (2004) - IMDb

The Polar Express is all about family and adventure and follows a young boy who takes a magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Through his adventures, he learns about the true spirit of Christmas and also faces many challenging obstacles. This movie is the #1 most searched family programs today and its rated a 6.6/10 by IMDb. This movie really encapsulates childhood memories and the wonders of Christmas time.

3. Home Alone (1990)

Home Alone | 20th Century Studios Family

Home Alone is a family comedy and it takes place during Christmas. It’s about a young boy named Kevin who is accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation during the holidays. He goes through some challenges including fending off two burglars. He learns about self-reliance and the importance of family. This movie is rated a 7.7/10 by IMDb, and its definitely one of my favorite Christmas movies as it’s so intriguing and amusing.

2. The Santa Clause (1994)

This family comedy follows Scott Calvin, who accidentally becomes Santa after startling the original one off his roof. As Scott starts to embrace his new role, he learns the true meaning of Christmas and how lucky he is to have his family. This movie is just so heartwarming and playful and a true Christmas movie classic. It is rated a 6.6/10 by IMDb, but I truly recommend it so much if you love Christmas comedies.

  1. Elf (2003)

Elf is a family comedy that tells the story of Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole, who travels to New York City to find his biological father. Along the way, Buddy’s childlike innocence and Christmas spirit bring joy to everyone he meets. This movie is so good as it combines humor and heartwarming moments making it enjoyable for both kids and adults. Will Ferrell’s performance as Buddy the Elf is both hilarious and endearing, spreading holiday cheer and emphasizing the importance of family and kindness. This is a movie I could binge-watch as it never gets old and reminds me of such good memories of Christmas. This is rated a 7.7/10 by IMDb.

These are my top 5 favorite Christmas movies, let me know if these are too or if you have any other favorites, and Happy Holidays!

A Wallflower, Not a Doormat

Posted on by
1

As a coming-of-age person, fittingly, I’ve always been obsessed with coming-of-age movies. The representation of the teenage experience as a moment in time where any problem appears catastrophic and any personal achievement or bliss appears life-changing correlates with these movies as they accurately show the strength of teenage emotions and how teens resolve to cope with those emotions. The Perks of Being a Wallflower does just this and more.

I’ve been long delayed in watching this movie, but have finally got around to it and I regret not having watched this movie long before. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, directed by Stephen Chbosky, and based on the book also written by Chbosky, follows freshman, Charlie, as he navigates the territory of his high school, counting down the days until he graduates. Charlie displays an outward disinterest in voluntarily engaging in social interactions with his peers, but beneath his outright rejection, Charlie seeks a meaningful friendship with someone who truly understands him.

Throughout the movie, Charlie’s obvious social awkwardness makes it difficult for him to interact with others without feeling self-conscious; however, underlying mental health issues, not clearly stated by Charlie, linger in his behavior. Charlie soon joins a fun and lively friend group with Patrick and Sam. Through an array of days that they spend together, whether studying or going on joy rides, Charlie finally gets to experience what it is to fulfill his teenage experience with real friends. I can relate to this greatly, as during my freshman year of high school, I also felt like a recluse. This caused me to have a negative outlook on my classmates and reject talking to people entirely; however, I soon found the people that I knew I wanted to be surrounded by, which changed my entire outlook on the rest of my teenage years.

By the end of the movie, we find out that Charlie’s Aunt Helen, whom he claimed he was very close to and whom we assumed was a family member he really connected with, actually abused him which led to Charlie’s eventual mental health problems, consisting of emotional explosions followed by blackouts. After a major blackout, Charlie finally receives the help he needs and begins to open up about his Aunt Helen. Overall, Charlie learns to be a wallflower, but not a doormat. He builds the confidence he needs to take control of the reigns of his life and fully participate in the next years of high school.

This message really resonates with me, and most importantly, I believe it resonates with a large population of teens today. The idea that it is a waste to stand by and not do what you want to do with your life is something that I will carry with me throughout the rest of high school and into my future.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (DVD or book) is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. The book is also available to download for free from Libby.

Hard Miles

Posted on by
Reply

Hard Miles is a PG-13-rated sports movie that came out to the United States on June 13, 2023. The film is based on a true inspirational story based on an unexpected group of juveniles. During the movie, the viewer gets to watch these juvenile convicts go on a long 1,000-mile bike ride to see the Grand Canyon. As you watch it, you will get an urge of motivation to push yourself past your limits.

At the beginning of the movie, the audience is introduced to the main characters. These characters include a social worker named Greg Townsend and four juveniles named Woolbright, Smink, Rice, and Atenico. As the viewer continues through the movie, they connect with the characters and start to understand them more and more. The audience gets to witness each character go through hardships and change for the better. The movie also includes a satisfying ending, which is the characters finally finishing their long journey and reaching the Grand Canyon, giving the viewer great motivation to do greater things.

Watching Hard Miles was a great experience. What intrigued me the most was seeing the character development each one of the characters goes through. It was very exciting to see how some characters went from constant troublemakers to people that you can respect. The movie is created in a way that will get you to really enjoy watching each character, making you want more of the characters once the film ends. I especially enjoyed the rewarding ending, which made me appreciate the memorable events in the movie. Therefore, Hard Miles has great qualities that will make you very fascinated while watching it and even when it is over.

Overall, watching this motivational film will give you the feeling that you can achieve anything. Using an unlikely set of characters, Hard Miles will definitely interest you. On top of that, you will be able to easily see how much the characters change for the better as the movie progresses. I highly enjoyed watching this movie and I urge anyone to watch it in their free time. You will have a great time watching this movie just like I did.

-Matthew R.

Deadpool and Wolverine

Posted on by
Reply

I just went out to watch the Deadpool and Wolverine movie and I’ve got to say, I haven’t been this happy after a movie since Guardians and the Galaxy 3. It was an incredible movie that I fully enjoyed despite having never seen either of the two Deadpool movies or any of the X-Men movies.

The movie starts on Wade Wilson’s birthday after having given up his crime fighting career and has begun living the mundane life in trying to make something of himself. On that day, he is captured by the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and is informed that his world is going to be destroyed. He wants to try and save his timeline from getting destroyed, but he can’t do it alone. He finds that the only person who can help him is Wolverine, so Wade hops throughout the multiverse to find a Wolverine. Together, they do their best to find a way home and save the world.

This movie was the best thing I’ve watched in a while. I haven’t felt so happy during and after watching it. I loved the jokes and fourth wall breaking that the Deadpool franchise is ultimately known for. I really laughed out loud in the theater with my friends as I watched, seeing the visual comedy and well timed cutscenes. There were also plenty of small, continued motifs that were sprinkled throughout the film that were fun to hear repeated. But while it was funny, the movie was also pretty heartfelt with some good character faults and issues. There were a lot of introspective scenes for both Deadpool and Wolverine which I found really interesting to see what they felt and how they overcame it all, even though they both could fight it off really easily. I really loved seeing how they came together and connected to each other, despite their disagreements and violent behaviors towards each other. 

Another thing about this movie was that the music choices were spectacular. It starred “Bye Bye Bye” from NSYNC, “Like a Prayer” by Madonna, and “You’re the One that I Want” from Grease; just to name a few. The music enhanced the movie so much more as it played throughout intense scenes. It made it feel so much cooler as it left me vibing and even feeling chills by the end. While the songs were fire, the awesome celebrity cameos this movie had were just as great. There were so many characters in this movie that allowed for even more fourth wall jokes and helped to keep the story entertaining. While they weren’t there for most of the movie, most were important to the plot and made the movie even more fun than if it were just Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman (who are amazing on their own too).

Overall, the Deadpool and Wolverine movie was amazing. Everything about it was really enjoyable, but it definitely earns its mature rating with some of the jokes told and body horror on screen. This movie had me hooked and really gave me a fun time, laughing along and smiling happily. This movie is great even for those who haven’t seen previous Marvel movies in the chronological timeline. I would definitely recommend this movie to comedy lovers who are old enough to understand the jokes and who are looking for a good time.

-Nicole R.

Why Didi was not that great

Posted on by
Reply

I went to watch Didi in the theaters the day it released because I was extremely excited to watch a coming of age film that was centered around the Asian-American experience. However, I left feeling disappointed at the lack of emphasis in relationships.

The blurb for this movie on Letterboxd describes it as an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can’t teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom. Not only did he not learn to skate, flirt, he barely had a relationship with his mom who wrapped the movie up with a monologue that felt like the director wanted to have as much as an impact as Everything Everywhere all at Once did, but it was so badly written I was in awe when I opened imdb to find that it had a higher Rotten Tomatoes score than Everything Everywhere all at Once, albeit, with a much lower watch rate.

With classic coming to age stories like The Perks of being a Wallflower, Dead Poets Society, and Lady Bird, they center around relationships with siblings, parents, teachers, or peers their age. Watching Didi, I felt like all the relationships were superficial and it barely hit the rubric not only in depth but in creativity. Sean Wang had a great product to work with: Asian-American coming to age about self identity with being ashamed of culture or something along those lines and maybe I subconsciously was hoping for something similar to the graphic novel American Born Chinese. Only a few movies and stories come to mind that are able to hit that rubric where it becomes a staple for American Asians and conjoin the community over this representation. Now, just because the cast is entirely Asian does not mean the focus of the story needs to be about the Asian American experience but the topic was touched once and then never brought up again which felt like a cheat in my opinion. I understand why people like this film but again, everything was so sped up and topics were brushed by without saying anything of value.

Solo Leveling

Posted on by
Reply

Solo Leveling is an action anime based on a light novel. It has one season and a second season set to release in late 2024. Solo Leveling is set in a world threatened by monsters; the only people who can fight the monsters are people with magic called hunters. The story’s protagonist is Sung Jinwoo, who was born with barely any magic but gets a second awakening after dying in a dungeon. Thanks to his second awakening, Sung Jinwoo gets the ability to upgrade his stats such as his speed and strength and to gain other special abilities just like in a video game. As you continue to watch the show you get to see Sung Jinwoo gain more power and fight many powerful beasts.

At the show’s beginning, the audience gets introduced to the main character who was given the nickname by his coworkers of the world’s weakest hunter. The first important thing we see the protagonist do is go into a dungeon with a group of other hunters. Very soon after, we discover that it was a double dungeon that had two dungeons, one of which was so dangerous that it killed almost every hunter that went into it including Jinwoo. What happens next is that he gets a reawakening and is given the ability to become more powerful through hard training. After discovering this we see Sung Jinwoo train hard each day until he becomes powerful to kill the beast who would’ve killed him instantly before. As we continue to watch the show we see Jinwoo become one of the most powerful characters we see in the show and watch him fight beasts such as knights and a three-headed dog.

Watching this show gave me a lot of fun. It had many qualities that fit my interests. These qualities include magical beasts, character development, and a powerful and likable main character. As I continued watching the show I gained more respect and started to understand the protagonist more and more. I also enjoyed the world-building the show provides. Getting to see how this world works was life-changing for me because of how bizarre and creative it is. The show also did a great job of showing how much Jinwoo changes throughout the show. For example, near the beginning, he fights some beasts he is no match to, but near the end, he runs into them again and doesn’t struggle to beat them. Therefore, Solo Leveling has many characteristics that people find fun and enjoyable.

Overall, Solo Leveling was a great piece of entertainment. After I finished an episode I immediately wanted to go to the next. It also had moments that had me on the edge of my seat making me wonder what was going to happen next. Once I finished the show it had me wishing season two would come quicker. I highly recommend this show to anyone even if they’re not familiar with the Anime genre. 

-Matthew R

Bungo Stray Dogs

Posted on by
1

Bungo Stray Dogs, created by Kafka Asagiri and brought to life by the illustrations of Sango Harukawa, presents a bewitching narrative set against the backdrop of Yokohama. This anime film was released in March 2018. A third season aired between April and June 2019. A fourth season aired between January and March 2023. A fifth season aired from July to September 2023.

The story orbits around the Armed Detective Agency, a cadre of remarkable individuals endowed with extraordinary powers to unravel endless mysteries. At the forefront of it all is Atsushi Nakajima, leading the agency through a maze of mysteries and challenges, bravely facing each enigma and obstacle head-on.

The series contains elements of mystery, action, the supernatural, and even some humor interwoven seamlessly in a world where select individuals possess extraordinary abilities, known as “Gifted.”

As the tale unfolds, readers find themselves irresistibly drawn into a captivating world where every unexpected turn feels like a personal invitation to unravel the secrets alongside these characters. Choosing your favorite character is inevitable, like picking your favorite ice cream flavor. And let’s face it, there’s always that one character who’s not quite your cup of tea—a bit like that quirky neighbor you pretend to be busy when they knock on your door. Of course, my favorite characters are not my friends, so we fought over that sometimes. But it’s all in good fun.

The vivid streets of Yokohama pulse with life, mirroring the complexities of the individuals who roam its pathways. With each chapter, anticipation builds, urging readers to join the characters on their journey of discovery and adventure, where surprises lurk around every corner, just waiting to be uncovered.

A unique element of Bungo Stray Dogs is its incorporation of real-life literary figures as characters, such as Osamu Dazai and Ryunosuke Akutagawa, making the series stand out more. Harukawa’s artwork in the manga is gorgeous and a great inspiration for me as a student of anime art. The series excels in creating a storyline that keeps readers engaged, with each arc getting better each time. Whether you’re a mystery, action, or literature fan, Bungo Stray Dogs is a thrilling manga series full of surprises.

Just like many of my fellow anime lovers, I was utterly hooked on this series. Every Wednesday after school couldn’t come fast enough because that’s when my friends and I would huddle together to watch the latest episodes. It wasn’t just a show; it was our thing, our particular time to bond over something we all loved. We laughed, gasped, and shared in the excitement of each new plot twist. Those moments were some of the highlights of my week.

If you are new to anime and manga, the adventure begins in Bungo Stray Dogs. This series isn’t just another story; it’s like finding a treasure chest with mysteries waiting to be unraveled. When you think you’ve cracked the case, another one just as mysterious awaits you and beckons you deeper into its spellbinding narrative.

The great news is that Bungo Stray Dogs is available at the Mission Viejo Library. So grab your siblings, friends, or anyone who shares a love for anime and dive into the world of Bungo Stray Dogs. Trust me, it’s an experience you won’t regret. You’ll be satisfied whether you’re turning the book’s pages or watching the series.

Happy Anime!
Bella H.